PS5: Developers Explain How They’ll Use the Console’s Features
A new post on the PlayStation Blog has revealed several ways different developers are using the PS5’s haptic feedback. From locating enemies to indicating jammed weapons, there’s some innovative applications coming in the early PlayStation 5 games line-up.
Gavin Moore, creative director at SIE Japan Studio, revealed how haptic feedback provides a sense of contact between weapons when sword fighting in Demon’s Souls. “Metal strikes metal when your foes block your attacks or you block theirs,” he says. “That extra sensory feedback through the controller allows you to know your attack hit home and your perfectly-timed parry was a success, so you can react faster and more decisively.”
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“This is something that rumble could never do,” he added. “It could never replicate the feeling of metal striking metal or fire crackling in your hand as you conjure magic.”
Over at Insomniac, the developers of Spider-Man: Miles Morales are using the high-definition vibrations to replicate Spidey-Sense. “We’ll be hinting to players which direction attacks are coming from by providing haptic feedback from the appropriate direction on the DualSense wireless controller,” said Brian Horton, the game’s creative director.
The haptics will also be used to inform Miles’ combat abilities: “As you hold down Square to do a Venom Punch, you feel Spider-Man’s bio-electricity crackle across from the left side of the controller, culminating in the right side on impact.”
Arkane similarly has some innovative ideas for haptic feedback in Deathloop. “We do a lot of things to make weapons feel differently from one another,” said game director Dinga Bakaba. “One I like is blocking the triggers when your weapon jams, to give to the player an immediate feedback even before the animation plays out, which prompts the player in a physical way that they have to unjam their gun.”
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As you’d expect, Insomniac has some weapon-based haptic ideas for Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. Creative Marcus Smith explains that, on double barreled weapons, pulling the trigger will generate resistance at the half-way point, which is where the first barrel will fire. “Need a bigger blast? Pull the trigger through that resistance point and you’ll fire both barrels at the same time,” he said.
Horizon Forbidden West’s director, Mathijs de Jonge, gives less away, but states that the adaptive triggers “help us to make the weapons feel even more unique and satisfying to use.” The original reveal of the haptic triggers explained that they can simulate the resistance of a bow string, so it seems sensible to assume that’s something Horizon will use.
Other developers using the features include Tango Gameworks, which is offering “textured” nuances in rumble for when players conduct an action, and Sony Japan Studio, which is replicating the ‘feel’ of plastic, metal, sand, and water for Astro’s Playroom. Sumo Digital has also developed feedback to convey Sackboy struggling to carry heavy items in Sackboy: A Big Adventure, while Polyphony Digital will have realistic ABS simulation in Gran Turismo 7. Counterplay Games is also using a sort of spidey-sense to allow players to work out where enemies are in Godfall, as well as make it that you can “feel” what weapon you’re using without looking at the UI.
PS5 is still set to launch before the end of the year. Here's everything we know about PS5 and PS5 pre-orders.
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Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer.
Justice League: Snyder Cut Teaser Released
Zack Snyder has released a short teaser for the Snyder Cut of Justice League ahead of the forthcoming DC FanDome event.
The filmmaker shared video footage from his HBO Max version of the superhero movie on his Vero account on Thursday, offering fans an official look at the Justice League: Snyder Cut prior to the film's panel at DC FanDome in two days.
There are more than 20 seconds of exciting footage for fans to examine in the short clip, including a glimpse at the newly-resurrected Superman (Henry Cavill) inspecting the broken pieces of the commemorative statue that was erected in the Man of Steel's honour. The teaser also shares a snapshot of a pivotal moment in pre-Cyborg Victor Stone (Ray Fisher) arc, with the athlete seen celebrating at a football game. The promo ends with a shot of the Justice League assembling for action, which we can expect to see plenty more of at the DC FanDome: Hall of Heroes virtual convention this weekend. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/19/dc-fandome-hall-of-heroes-event-trailer"] DC FanDome is a two-part event that will officially launch online on Saturday, August 22. In the absence of a big DC presence as part of ComicCon@Home this year, it seems like this will be the place for any major DC news in 2020, with a huge guest list of stars taking part in the virtual fan-first experience hosted on the DC FanDome site, which will offer multiple language options for fans around the globe. Snyder's Justice League panel is scheduled to start at 2:30 pm PDT/5:30 pm ET on Saturday. Other highly-anticipated panels include Wonder Woman 1984, The Suicide Squad, Black Adam, Aquaman, Shazam! and The Batman, which will run alongside exclusive world premieres, behind-the-scenes looks at worlds and characters from the DC Universe, fan-curated content, and much, much more. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=every-dceu-movie-review-score&captions=true"] For more on the Snyder Cut of Justice League in the meantime, watch the first-ever Justice League sneak peek featuring Darkseid, take a look at the new design for Darkseid's herald Steppenwolf, and find out more about some of the visual changes the movie will have from its theatrical release. For a broader round-up, check our deep dive into the legendary project's history. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.Teaser Premiere 8/22 2:30pm (PDT) #DCFanDome pic.twitter.com/bxxPLuCyv3
— Zack Snyder (@ZackSnyder) August 20, 2020
Justice League: Snyder Cut Teaser Released
Zack Snyder has released a short teaser for the Snyder Cut of Justice League ahead of the highly anticipated DC FanDome event.
The filmmaker shared video footage from his HBO Max version of the superhero movie on his Vero account on Thursday, offering fans a first official look at the Justice League: Snyder Cut prior to the film's panel at DC FanDome in two days.
There are more than 20 seconds of exciting footage for fans to examine in the short clip, including a glimpse at the newly-resurrected Superman (Henry Cavill) inspecting the broken pieces of the commemorative statue that was erected in the Man of Steel's honour. The teaser premiere also shares a snapshot of a pivotal moment in the Victor Stone (Ray Fisher) arc, with the athlete celebrating at a match before becoming Cyborg. The promo ends with a shot of the Justice League members assembling for action. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/07/26/zack-snyder-reveals-henry-cavill-in-snyder-cut-black-superman-suit-clip"] Developing... [poilib element="accentDivider"] Adele Ankers is a Freelance Entertainment Journalist. You can reach her on Twitter.Teaser Premiere 8/22 2:30pm (PDT) #DCFanDome pic.twitter.com/bxxPLuCyv3
— Zack Snyder (@ZackSnyder) August 20, 2020
PS5: First Commercial Released [Update]
Update: Sony has now officially released the first PS5 commercial, which you can watch below:
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/20/first-ps5-trailer-teases-next-gen-features"]
An accompanying PlayStation Blog post explains, "our first global spot for PlayStation that showcases some of the immersive gameplay you will experience on the new PS5 console". The post also includes a number of PS5 develoeprs explaining how they'll use the console's features in their games, from acting as a Spidey-Sense in Spider-Man: Miles Morales, to physic ally jamming your triggers in Deathloop.
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The first live-action PS5 commercial appears to have leaked online, and it focuses on the features of the DualSense controller and the console's 3D Audio capabilities.
Mirrored to Twitter by industry analyst ZhugeEX, a thread on ResetEra suggests that the video was posted to the official PlayStation Hungary youtube channel, before being promptly taken down.
The short live-action trailer touts the features of the DualSense by showing an actor touching a rumbling icy surface and pulling a bowstring. They later notice the sound of a radio in a faraway guard tower, referring to the PS5's Tempest Engine audio system. There's also a kraken involved in there too, but that probably isn't a DualSense feature. The end of the trailer flashes up three phrases of focus in Hungarian, which when translated to English equal "Haptic Feedback, Adaptive Triggers and 3D Audio." Near the bottom of the screen at the end of the trailer is a note which suggests that the DualSense systems teased in the trailer will be "available if the feature is supported by the game." Speculation has inevitably begun about whether this commercial's appearance points to an upcoming announcement on a release date, price, and pre-orders. We've heard previously that PS5 pre-orders going live won't be a surprise. IGN has contacted Sony for comment. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=confirmed-playstation-5-games&captions=true"] If you'd like to know more about the PS5, here's everything we know about Sony's next-gen console. In other news, check out this opinion piece about how Sony has handed Xbox an advantage by requiring the DualSense controller for PS5 games. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.New PS5 ad. (In Hungarian only for now lol) pic.twitter.com/ZIPd0DWITQ
— Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) August 20, 2020
PS5: First Commercial Released [Update]
Update: Sony has now officially released the first PS5 commercial, which you can watch below:
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/20/playstation-5-play-has-no-limits-official-trailer"]
An accompanying PlayStation Blog post explains, "our first global spot for PlayStation that showcases some of the immersive gameplay you will experience on the new PS5 console". The post also includes a number of PS5 develoeprs explaining how they'll use the console's features in their games, from acting as a Spidey-Sense in Spider-Man: Miles Morales, to physic ally jamming your triggers in Deathloop.
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
The first live-action PS5 commercial appears to have leaked online, and it focuses on the features of the DualSense controller and the console's 3D Audio capabilities.
Mirrored to Twitter by industry analyst ZhugeEX, a thread on ResetEra suggests that the video was posted to the official PlayStation Hungary youtube channel, before being promptly taken down.
The short live-action trailer touts the features of the DualSense by showing an actor touching a rumbling icy surface and pulling a bowstring. They later notice the sound of a radio in a faraway guard tower, referring to the PS5's Tempest Engine audio system. There's also a kraken involved in there too, but that probably isn't a DualSense feature. The end of the trailer flashes up three phrases of focus in Hungarian, which when translated to English equal "Haptic Feedback, Adaptive Triggers and 3D Audio." Near the bottom of the screen at the end of the trailer is a note which suggests that the DualSense systems teased in the trailer will be "available if the feature is supported by the game." Speculation has inevitably begun about whether this commercial's appearance points to an upcoming announcement on a release date, price, and pre-orders. We've heard previously that PS5 pre-orders going live won't be a surprise. IGN has contacted Sony for comment. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=confirmed-playstation-5-games&captions=true"] If you'd like to know more about the PS5, here's everything we know about Sony's next-gen console. In other news, check out this opinion piece about how Sony has handed Xbox an advantage by requiring the DualSense controller for PS5 games. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.New PS5 ad. (In Hungarian only for now lol) pic.twitter.com/ZIPd0DWITQ
— Daniel Ahmad (@ZhugeEX) August 20, 2020
Murder-Mystery Horror Martha Is Dead Coming to Xbox Series X and PC in 2021
Murder-mystery horror game Martha Is Dead is coming to Xbox Series X and PC in 2021, and we have a exclusive new gameplay and a trailer to show you.
Announced last year, Martha Is Dead comes from LKA, the team behind The Town of Light, which blurred the line between real-life history and fictional horror. Martha Is Dead takes a similar line: set in the Italian countryside as World War 2 draws to a close, a woman is found drowned, and her twin sister is left to reckon with her murder as the war draws closer to her home.
LKA has now confirmed that the game will be coming next year to PC (via Steam) and Xbox Series X. You can check out a new trailer below. Warning: some of the images in the trailer are graphic.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/20/martha-is-dead-lake-trailer"]
Built in Unreal Engine 4, and played in first-person, the game will combine real-life locaitons, Italian folklore and psychological horror.
“Martha is Dead is set in a really interesting and distressing period of history, with Italy at this time torn between two major powers fighting for the future", said LKA founder Luca Dalco. "Martha’s brutal murder brings with it a mirrored sense of misery. This game will shock, make players question the truth and like The Town of Light, help continue a conversation around subject matters that still carry much stigma.”
We have 10 minutes of exclusive gameplay to show you too, showing off a section of the game's first chapter:
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/20/martha-is-dead-gameplay-reveal"]
Luca Dalco sums up the prject by saying: “At LKA, we start with a story. Often it’s uncomfortable, not painless and based in truth. We learned a lot with The Town of Light, and Martha is Dead is taking everything we know, and turning it up to 10."
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Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.
Murder-Mystery Horror Martha Is Dead Coming to Xbox Series X and PC in 2021
Murder-mystery horror game Martha Is Dead is coming to Xbox Series X and PC in 2021, and we have a exclusive new gameplay and a trailer to show you.
Announced last year, Martha Is Dead comes from LKA, the team behind The Town of Light, which blurred the line between real-life history and fictional horror. Martha Is Dead takes a similar line: set in the Italian countryside as World War 2 draws to a close, a woman is found drowned, and her twin sister is left to reckon with her murder as the war draws closer to her home.
LKA has now confirmed that the game will be coming next year to PC (via Steam) and Xbox Series X. You can check out a new trailer below. Warning: some of the images in the trailer are graphic.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/20/martha-is-dead-lake-trailer"]
Built in Unreal Engine 4, and played in first-person, the game will combine real-life locaitons, Italian folklore and psychological horror.
“Martha is Dead is set in a really interesting and distressing period of history, with Italy at this time torn between two major powers fighting for the future", said LKA founder Luca Dalco. "Martha’s brutal murder brings with it a mirrored sense of misery. This game will shock, make players question the truth and like The Town of Light, help continue a conversation around subject matters that still carry much stigma.”
We have 10 minutes of exclusive gameplay to show you too, showing off a section of the game's first chapter:
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/08/20/martha-is-dead-gameplay-reveal"]
Luca Dalco sums up the prject by saying: “At LKA, we start with a story. Often it’s uncomfortable, not painless and based in truth. We learned a lot with The Town of Light, and Martha is Dead is taking everything we know, and turning it up to 10."
[poilib element="accentDivider"]
Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.
PGA Tour 2K21 Review – Talk About A Hole In One
Sports games generally tend to be more arcadey than simulation, with easy-to-learn basic mechanics that make the experience breezy off the bat while also having enough depth to appeal to competitive players. HB Studios' The Golf Club series has consistently defied that mantra by embracing the exacting challenges and unpredictability of golf since its debut title in 2014. With the 2K Games rebrand, I thought PGA Tour 2K21 might aim to be more like EA's defunct golf series. Instead, what's here is a refinement of The Golf Club 2019, with welcome new features and mechanical tweaks that make for a smoother experience on the course.
For those unfamiliar with the franchise, PGA Tour 2K21 is technically the fourth entry in The Golf Club series that was originally self-published by HB Studios. It's the second title to be published by 2K Games following The Golf Club 2019 Featuring PGA Tour, which 2K helped polish ahead of its release in 2018. The transition to the 2K Sports naming convention will likely garner more eyeballs, but for dedicated fans of The Golf Club like myself, you don't have to worry about HB Studios messing with the formula too much.
PGA Tour 2K21's major gameplay change comes with the motion you repeat over and over: your swing. HB Studios removed backswing tempo, which in turn promotes consistent, crisp ball-striking. Every golfer at all levels of play--including Tour pros--has different backswing timing, making this change quite welcome. Overall, I found it much easier to get "perfect" tempo swings. That's not to say the analog stick swing mechanics are too easy now. You still have to make the transition to your downswing in one smooth turn to hit the golf ball on target; the removal of backswing timing merely tosses one unnecessary variable out of the equation, freeing you up to get into a nice groove. Solid swings have a cleaner and fluid look in PGA Tour 2K21, with speed feeling more in-step with real life.
Continue Reading at GameSpotPGA Tour 2K21 Review – Talk About A Hole In One
Sports games generally tend to be more arcadey than simulation, with easy-to-learn basic mechanics that make the experience breezy off the bat while also having enough depth to appeal to competitive players. HB Studios' The Golf Club series has consistently defied that mantra by embracing the exacting challenges and unpredictability of golf since its debut title in 2014. With the 2K Games rebrand, I thought PGA Tour 2K21 might aim to be more like EA's defunct golf series. Instead, what's here is a refinement of The Golf Club 2019, with welcome new features and mechanical tweaks that make for a smoother experience on the course.
For those unfamiliar with the franchise, PGA Tour 2K21 is technically the fourth entry in The Golf Club series that was originally self-published by HB Studios. It's the second title to be published by 2K Games following The Golf Club 2019 Featuring PGA Tour, which 2K helped polish ahead of its release in 2018. The transition to the 2K Sports naming convention will likely garner more eyeballs, but for dedicated fans of The Golf Club like myself, you don't have to worry about HB Studios messing with the formula too much.
PGA Tour 2K21's major gameplay change comes with the motion you repeat over and over: your swing. HB Studios removed backswing tempo, which in turn promotes consistent, crisp ball-striking. Every golfer at all levels of play--including Tour pros--has different backswing timing, making this change quite welcome. Overall, I found it much easier to get "perfect" tempo swings. That's not to say the analog stick swing mechanics are too easy now. You still have to make the transition to your downswing in one smooth turn to hit the golf ball on target; the removal of backswing timing merely tosses one unnecessary variable out of the equation, freeing you up to get into a nice groove. Solid swings have a cleaner and fluid look in PGA Tour 2K21, with speed feeling more in-step with real life.
Continue Reading at GameSpotLEGO Launches Braille Bricks For Children With Vision Impairment
LEGO is launching Braille Bricks, a new method of play designed to help children with vision impairment develop new skills and learn the Braille writing system.
After a successful pilot scheme launched in April 2019, LEGO Braille Bricks have now launched in seven countries, partnering with sight loss organizations in Brazil, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, UK and the USA.
LEGO plans to account for "eleven languages across twenty countries" by early 2021 and has prepared a website full of suggested activities for how children and educators can use LEGO Braille Bricks to learn the writing system.
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Each toolkit will have "300+ LEGO Braille Bricks covering the full alphabet in the chosen language, numbers 0-9, and select mathematical symbols and punctuation marks." The famous LEGO studs have been moulded so that they correspond to the Braille alphabet, with the appropriate letters and symbols marked on the bricks so that they can be used in collaboration with sighted players as well.
LEGO Braille Bricks toolkits will be distributed for free to "select institutions, schools and services catering to the education of children with visual impairment" as they roll out around the world in the coming months.
In other LEGO news, here's every IGN LEGO game review for those of you keen to dig into one of the brick-based titles. The latest in the series is LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, which recently received an October release date.
[ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/16/lego-super-mario-is-great-once-it-clicks"]
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Jordan Oloman is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow him on Twitter.