How BioShock and Dead Space Influenced Perception
In the wake of Irrational Games’ demise, it might be time to start putting the studio in its proper historical context. As its former members scatter to the wind to work on or start their own projects, it’s fair to call Irrational the video game industry equivalent of an Ivy League university (it’s fitting, really, as Irrational itself was borne out of Looking Glass Studios – another fallen development house staffed by men and women who have, in many cases, gone onto legendary careers). Those who studied there seem to have a master’s-level understanding of and craft for game development, and their new games come with a built-in level of excitement.
One such group is The Deep End Games, headed by former BioShock Infinite lead designer Bill Gardner (though Bill’s time at Irrational dates back to SWAT 4). Most of its dozen members have Irrational on their resumes, with a bit of ex-Visceral talent in the mix too in the form of former Dead Space level designer Ben Johnson. The new team is hard at work on Perception, a new first-person, narrative-driven horror game for PC (and since you’ll ask: the team wants to bring it to consoles, but is focusing on the PC version for now and has not made any announcements regarding a possible Xbox One or PlayStation 4 version).
Metal Gear Online Launches on PC as Beta Ends
Konami has officially launched Metal Gear Online for PC, today.
According to a Steam post, Metal Gear Online is available and players who log in and play at least one game between today and January 26 can earn a 3000 Gear Points to spend on customizations.
The PC beta for Metal Gear Online went live last week but was disabled temporarily the following day due to a potential exploit that was found. It did come back online later that day.
Ballistic Armor Maker Creates Bulletproof Boba Fett Armor
Ever wanted to wade into battle in full Mandalorian chiq? Thanks to the armorers at AR500, the gun manufacturers at Heckler and Koch, and other industry leaders, you might soon be able to with this Boba Fett-inspired, bulletproof body armor.
Called the GalacTac project, the armor is the sum of contributions from SOG Knives, Surefire, TEA headsets, and Team Wendy.
Photo: AR500 Armor
Designed by artist Ryan Flowers, the armor is made of steel plates mounted on AR500's Guardian plate carrier with a Armasight flip-down night vision scope. Flowers previously distributed less heavy-duty versions of the armor off his website for paintballers, airsoft players, and Mandalorian culture enthusiasts. While technical details haven't been released, AR500's previous offerings are good against rifles and handguns.
Heroes of the Storm Offers $4 Million Prize Pool in 2016
The Global Championship Circuit is coming to Heroes of the Storm this year, and over $4 million is up for grabs in total.
The 2016 GCC sees the best teams from Australia / New Zealand, China, Europe, Korea, Latin America, North America, Southeast Asia, and Taiwan competing in a seasonal format across spring, summer, and fall. It all culminates in a Global Championship event.
Blizzard has shared a breakdown of the Spring Global Championship and the events leading up to it. The big event is happening in Seoul, South Korea from April 1 - 3, and has a prize pool of $500,000. The regional events are underway, and are taking place between now and the beginning of April, with prize pools ranging from $18.5k up to $100k.
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.