Microsoft Files New Trademark for Phantom Dust
Microsoft has filed a new trademark for Phantom Dust, indicating that development on its troubled Xbox One exclusive may once again be underway.
The trademark (via DualShockers) was filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on January 13 under both Class 9 and Class 41, designating it as "game software" and "online game software."
New Cities: Skylines Expansion Announced
Paradox Interactive has announced that the next expansion for city builder Cities: Skylines will be called Snowfall.
Snowfall is coming later this year, and will add new transportation options and new in-game tools all revolving around the central theme: the weather system.
Cosmetic weather will be added to the game as part of a free update, along with other features that will be announced soon.
In Snowfall, players will have to handle the changing weather conditions, and making sure their city is up to the seasonal heating demands. Snowplow services will be required, and all-weather trams and other public transit options will help your residents get around town.
Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair Coming to PC
Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc won't be the only entry in Spike Chunsoft's adventure series to be ported to PC, as the studio has now confirmed that its sequel is headed to Steam as well.
Spike Chunsoft confirmed to Siliconera that Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair will follow its predecessor with a PC port, teasing that the Danganronpa series is only the beginning of its future support for Steam.
WWE’s Paige Talks PCB’s Break-Up, NXT’s Rise and More
WWE wrestler Paige only moved up from NXT to the main roster in April 2014, the night after WrestleMania, but instantly made a major impact – winning the WWE Divas champion belt in her RAW in-ring debut (she’s been champ twice now) and quickly becoming a fixture in WWE programming.
That programming includes Paige’s role on the WWE reality series Total Divas, which begins its fifth season Tuesday night on E! I spoke to Paige about what it’s like to concurrently be a part of very different shows like RAW, SmackDown and Total Divas (and last year, WWE Tough Enough, where she was a judge) and the different fans she encounters as a result – and how these days, she is able to appear both as the character “Paige” and her actual self all at the same time.
Cory Walker and Robert Kirkman Reunite on Invincible
While The Walking Dead might have just hit issue #150, it's not the only Robert Kirkman-penned comic that's undergoing big changes right now. Invincible just wrapped up a major storyline called "Reboot?" that saw Mark Grayson dragged back to the past and forced to relive the events of the first year of the series.
Robert Kirkman Talks Hope and Betrayal in The Walking Dead #150
Perhaps it's appropriate that now Invincible is paying homage to its past in another way. Original Invincible artist and co-creator Cory Walker is returning to the series for a new six-issue story arc beginning with Invincible #127. It's not the first time Walker has returned to the book he helped define, but it's definitely the most ambitious story he's tackled since his original run. We recently had the chance to talk with Walker via e-mail and learn his thoughts on the enduring appeal of Invincible and what lies ahead for Mark Grayson and his family.
Minecraft: Education Edition Announced
Minecraft: Education Edition has been announced, and will be hitting classrooms soon.
In 2011, MinecraftEdu launched as a version of the game specifically for the classroom. Microsoft has now acquired MinecraftEdu and is investing in a new and expanded version. It will be available as a free trial this summer.
Existing MinecraftEdu customers can continue to use the product, and the first year of Minecraft: Education Edition will be free for them.
A community will be formed at education.minecraft.net, and the site will host resources like lesson plans and a new Minecraft Mentors page that allows experienced people to connect with those playing for the first time.
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Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture Secures Top Writing Award
The Chinese Room's Everybody's Gone to the Rapture has received the top prize for writing in a video game at this year's British Writer's Guild Awards.
The British Writer's Guild Awards celebrates writing across a whole range of different mediums, including TV, film, games, plays, and radio. Everybody's Gone to the Rapture's script, written by Dan Pinchbeck, was shortlisted alongside Her Story and Sunless Sea.
Russell T. Davies - the man behind resurrecting Doctor Who - received the Outstanding Contribution to Writing award.
In our review, we said that Everybody's Gone to the Rapture was one of the most fully-realised gaming worlds we'd ever seen, building a potent sense of space and a fantastic mystery that culminates in a powerful tale.
£1.2 Million Investment Seeks to Make London World Games Capital
Ukie and Film London have launched Games London, a new programme to boost the games and interactive entertainment industry.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson held a press conference within Minecraft to announce the new plan. £1.2 million provided by the London Enterprise Panel will be injected into the UK games industry.
"London is already a star player when it comes to games and interactive entertainment, but international competition is fierce and we need to ensure our city can compete with our global gaming rivals," said Johnson. "Through Games London we are supercharging an increasingly important sector for our economy, one that exemplifies the capital's reputation for creativity and innovation. From design to banking and civil engineering to film, games technology is being used in a host of different sectors."
New DLC Coming To Fat Princess Adventures
Developer Fun Bits Interactive is rolling out free DLC for Fat Princess Adventures.
The 1.02 update offers Short Cakes' Tavern, a social space "perfect to meet up with friends", and a new Arena Mode will unlock once you've defeated Zug in the campaign.
"You can then compete in the Castle Arena against endless hordes of enemies," writes Fun Bits Interactive CEO Chris Millar on the PS Blog. "Play through the campaign and reach the Swamp, and then you can compete against your friends in the Temple Arena. These two new arenas pair players together against an onslaught of enemies that will put your survival skills to the test."