The Art of the Uncharted Trilogy Preview
Dark Horse is set to release another entry in their growing lineup of video game art books. And even though they've already put out a book focused on Naughty Dog's library, they're hard at work on a volume focused specifically on the Uncharted series. The Art of the Uncharted Trilogy will include concept art and designs from the first three Uncharted games, as well as plenty of commentary from the developers. Consider it one way to tide you over until the release of Uncharted 4.
Is it Time to Rethink Our Loathing of Free-to-Play Titles?
The last few years have been an interesting time to be involved in the games industry. Where once there was a clearly established business model, where gamers would drop a one-time fee for all of a title’s content, increasingly we’re seeing a shift towards DLC, microtransactions and the fragmentation of features we’re expected to pay for in addition to our initial purchase if we want to experience them. Giving this, it’s hardly surprising to find the free-to-play label provokes a strong reaction from many gamers.
But is the tide starting to turn? As a slew of broken and bug-riddled games released at the tail-end of 2014 shows, unfortunately we’re now living in a world where an up-front fee for a triple-A game regrettably doesn’t guarantee quality.Could free-to-play offer a convenient try-before-you-buy alternative? According to Gameforge’s Jörn Fahrbach, attitudes in the rest of the world are slowly starting to catch up with those in mainland Europe. The F2P giant oversaw TERA: Rising’s removal of its sub fee in the EU and, with the recent launch of the Fate of Arun expansion pack, it seems more people than ever are expressing an interest in the MMO.
IGN UK Podcast #264: Ruck Bodgers
"Bidi-bidi-bidi. Hiya Buck!" Ah, who can forget Twiki, the loveable robot whose chrome dome bore more than a passing resemblance to the tip of a man's chap. But it's not for this reason Alex would love to see the classic 1970-'80s sci-fi show Buck Rogers remade for the 21st century. Disappointingly, Chris and Luke's television remake suggestions don't really bear any similarities to genitalia in any way, shape or form, but everyone agrees the world would be a better place if X-Files was back on our tellies.
The team also share their concerns over the Suicide Squad film following the departure of Tom Hardy and Jake Gyllenhaal, and weigh up the pros and cons of Microsoft's virtual reality competitor, Hololens.
Delayed Dying Light Gets a New Release Date
Dying Light is coming to Europe and Australia on January 28 via digital release, and will be available physically on February 27.
If you’re eyeing up the disk-based version, all pre-orders of Dying Light will come with two DLC packs, both Cuisine & Cargo and Ultimate Survivor Bundle.
As a thank you for the support thus far, Techland has said the Be the Zombie multiplayer mode – a mode that lets players invade other people’s game – will be free to everyone.
The news comes a few days after it was revealed that physical production has had an impact on the game’s release date.
Play The Sims 4 for Free with Origin Game Time
The Sims 4 is featured on Origin Game Time, allowing players to play the simulation title free for 48 hours.
Origin Game Time lets players play the game as much as they want for 48 hours for free from the moment they start the game. Users who play The Sims 4 during the promotion and choose to purchase the game at a later date will be able to carry over save their progress.
All Origin users have until February 2 at 10:00 a.m. PT/ 6:00 p.m. GMT/ February 3 at 10:100 a.m. AEDT to add The Sims 4 Game Time to their Origin Game Library. And be sure to check out our review of the sim title, where we thought it succeeded in being a deep and complex game when it comes to Sim interactions, with lots of entertaining emotional potential.
GLAAD Rewards Dragon Age: Inquisition’s LGBT Integration
Dragon Age: Inquisition has been recognized by media advocacy organization GLAAD for its portrayal of LGBT characters, earning GLAAD’s Special Recognition Award.
GLAAD cites Dragon Age: Inquisition’s “many complex and unique LGBT characters prominently integrated throughout the game” as the reason for its inclusion in the 26th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, according to a statement released yesterday.
The Special Recognition Award is reserved for “outstanding media projects for which there is not a competitive category.” Video games do not have their own category in GLAAD's annual awards.
"For nearly 30 years, the GLAAD Media Awards have raised the bar for inclusion in news and entertainment, transforming LGBT representation in media and moving the dial for acceptance across the globe," GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said. "It's been a remarkable year for equality, and nowhere is that more evident than in the visibility LGBT people have gained across media."
Electronic Arts Servers Currently Experiencing Outages
Electronic Arts is currently experiencing outages affecting EA titles, services and support, according to a notice on the official EA Support Twitter account.
EA is currently experiencing an outage. EA games, services & support may be impacted. We’re working to resolve as fast as possible.
— EA Support (@AskEASupport) January 23, 2015
EA's support pages are currently down. According to the Origin Server Status page, account services to log in to Origin is offline; however the Store and social services for managing friends and playing games are online.
Ubisoft Announces Procedurally Animated Climbing Game Grow Home
A cute, vertical adventure game from Ubisoft is climbing its way to PCs next month.
Today the company announced Grow Home, a procedurally animated climbing game that began as a small pet project at Ubisoft Reflections.
Inspired by movies like Wall-E and Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Grow Home centers around a robot named BUD (Botanical Utility Droid), sent on a mission to discover new plant life to oxygenate his home world. BUD discovers the Star Plant, a Jack-and-the-Beanstalk-like plant, that continues to grow as he climbs his way to the top.
By independently controlling each of BUD's hands, players can climb high into the sky and explore the open world's floating islands and caves. Players can also collect crystals that offer power-ups and ability enhancements to use on their journey.
EA Details Battlefield Hardline Maps and Modes
Electronic Arts and Visceral Games have taken to the Battlefield website to further detail all of Battlefield Hardline's maps and modes.
The upcoming first-person shooter will launch with nine maps including Downtown, a map based in the heart of downtown Los Angeles shut down by police. Bank Job is a map where “criminals are plotting a ruthless assault on a high-security bank vault” and The Block is “home to a notorious criminal ring” fronting as a liquor store and bail bonds office.
Dust Bowl is a small desert town of Joad well-known for meth trafficking problems, while Derailed is set in the industrial Los Angeles of warehouses and scrapyards. Players can battle in a “high-tech and expensive island crib” consisting of small islands interconnected by bridges and waterways in Riptide.
X-Men: Apocalypse Casts Storm, Jean Grey and Cyclops
The younger versions of Storm, Jean Grey and Cyclops have been cast in X-Men: Apocalypse.
Director Bryan Singer announced on Twitter that Alexandra Shipp will play Storm, Sophie Turner will take on Jean, and Tye Sheridan will star as Cyclops.
"Meet our new and brilliant young mutants" the director tweeted.
