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The 2002 Star Wars: Bounty Hunter video game is being updated and making its way to modern consoles and PC, and we decided to give it a look. The original game, now more than 20 years old, was released on GameCube and PlayStation 2, and this new version adds all kinds of interesting bells and whistles. According to developer Aspyr, this version is a native port of the GameCube version of the game, as opposed to an emulation. The game also features contemporary controls and and overhauled camera system. You can watch the video for our full impressions and play (or replay it) on August 1 on PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X/S, Switch, and PC. Head to  Game Informer's  YouTube channel  for more previews, reviews, and discussions of new and upcoming games. Watch other episodes of  New Gameplay Today   right here. Source: Game Informer

Bungie has announced layoffs affecting 220 employees. In a blog post , Bungie CEO Pete Parsons cites “rising costs of development and industry shifts as well as enduring economic conditions” as the primary factor while revealing some dramatic changes for the company going forward.  These layoffs represent 17 percent of the studio’s workforce and affect every department of the company, with executive and senior leadership roles impacted most. Parsons states that departing employees will receive a “generous” exit package that includes severance, bonus, and health coverage. Bungie also plans to hold employee town halls, along with team and private individual meetings over the coming weeks, to help sort out the next steps. 850 employees remain following the layoffs.  “I realize all of this is hard news, especially following the success we have seen with The Final Shape,” Parsons writes. “But as we’ve navigated the broader economic realities over the last year, and after exhausting all o

A new trailer for Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero takes aim at Dragon Ball Z’s earliest story arcs, the Saiyan and Namek sagas. New characters from both eras will be joining the roster.  New fighters include members of both the Ginyu and Frieza Forces (remember Cui?), the Namakian warrior Nail, and every form of Frieza during the Z era. Perhaps most hilariously, you can even play as one of the Saibamen, meaning we get to watch it blow up Yamcha all over again, which never gets old.   Here's the full list of new fighters joining the roster: Captain Ginyu Chiaotzu Cui Dodoria Frieza (Z), 1st Form Frieza (Z), 2nd Form Frieza (Z), 3rd Form Frieza (Z), 4th Form Frieza (Z), Full Power Guldo Nail Nappa Raditz Recoome Saibaman Zarbon Super Zarbon Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero launches on October 11 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Source: Game Informer

Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus launched to generally solid reviews on July 18, but those playing the hand-drawn action platformer on consoles will have to wait longer for any post-launch updates. Developer Squid Shock Studios revealed that last week's sudden  closure of publisher Humble Games has adversely affected its ability to provide timely support to those versions of the game.  In a statement posted to Twitter , Squid Shock Studios states that Humble Games' apparent closure last week, which saw its entire 36-person staff laid off by owner Ziff Davis in what it calls a “restructuring,” has adversely affected its ability to provide post-launch support for the console versions of Bō. The studio states that this is due to the game’s porting and QA support being tied to its deal with Humble. The PC version doesn't appear to be affected, with the studio currently working on updates for that version. Here’s Squid Shock Studios’ full statement: A statement on console ports

Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC Publisher: Ubisoft Developer: Massive Entertainment Release: August 30, 2024 Earlier this year, I flew to Malmö, Sweden, to get an exclusive first look at Star Wars Outlaws for our cover story . During that time, I played through an hour of early-game content, spoke with various members of the developers, and dove deep into the approach the studio behind The Division took when crafting its adventure in the galaxy far, far away. Several months have passed since my trip out to Sweden, and with Ubisoft hosting one final preview event prior to the game's August 30 release date, I traveled to Irvine, California, to get my hands on a longer section of the game. In Star Wars Outlaws, you control Kay Vess, a scoundrel who gets swept up in a difficult situation and must navigate the criminal underworld in the time between  The Empire Strikes Back  and  Return of the Jedi . But she's not alone; she has her faithful (and insanely cute

Visions of Mana is a month away from release, but anxious players can get an early taste starting today, thanks to a free demo. Available now on PlayStation consoles, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, this playable slice lets players experience the game’s first chapter and a big boss fight. The demo begins in the middle of Chapter 1 at Rime Falls and takes players through areas such as Fallow Steppe and Rhata Harbor. The chapter’s final boss, the Kraken, awaits the playable party of Val, Careena, and Morley.  Unfortunately, save data will not transfer from the demo to the full game. Square Enix states this is because the final version of this section has been altered “for a more satisfying experience.” Instead, those with save data from the demo who purchase the full game will receive three weapons for Val upon reaching Chapter 1: Gladius, Falx, and Horn Lance.  First revealed at The Game Awards 2023, Visions of Mana marks the first original Mana entry in 15 years. Set in a vibrant, semi-

Tony Pankhurst, the UK actor who served as the face for The Curator in Supermassive Games’ The Dark Pictures Anthology, has passed away. He was 67. Supermassive announced Pankhurst's passing on Twitter. A tribute page from Pankhurst’s family (spotted by GameSpot ) reveals that he died on May 9 and his funeral was held on June 7. The family is currently accepting donations to Hospice in the Weald, who cared for Pankhurst during his final weeks. We are all saddened to hear of Tony Pankhurst's passing. He was the face of The Curator, and we loved working with him. 🤍 pic.twitter.com/ZZQbeViE8S — Supermassive Games (@SuperMGames) July 29, 2024 Pankhurst’s career in the entertainment industry spans over 40 years across films, TV, and radio. In video games, he provided the likeness for the mysterious Curator in The Dark Pictures Anthology games Man of Madan, Little Hope, House of Ashes, and The Devil in Me, although actor Pip Torrens provided the voice and motion capture for t

Last month, we learned Sega and Amazon had partnered to create a live-action series based on the Like a Dragon (formerly Yakuza) series. Over the weekend, during the San Diego Comic-Con, the studio unveiled the first teaser trailer.  Like A Dragon: Yakuza centers on Kazuma Kiryu (played by Takeuchi Ryoma) and follows his life during two time periods: 1995 and 2005. Set in the series’ fictional Tokyo district of Kamurochō, the trailer’s synopsis states the show “depicts the lives of fierce yet passionate gangsters and people” and will explore stories the games haven’t been able to.  The six-episode series will be released on Prime Video in two parts, with the first three episodes premiering on October 24 and the last three arriving on November 1. It will be subbed and dubbed in 30 languages. Like a Dragon: Yakuza is directed by Take Masaharu ( 100 Yen Love ). You can read our review of the latest game in the series, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, here . Source: Game Informer

Summer Games Fest gave us the cinematic reveal of Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions, an upcoming game based on the popular wizarding sport. A new trailer provides the first look at gameplay, including glimpses of a couple of modes and character customization.  Quidditch Champions features a single-player career mode that allows players to climb the ranks of the sport. Each victory takes them to larger, grander venues, from Hogwarts to the Quidditch World Cup Stadium. An online competitive mode pits teams of real-life players against each other. Playable characters include Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Draco Malfoy, but you can also create and customize your own athletes using an extensive character creator.  Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions launches digitally on September 3 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. A Switch version is planned to launch sometime this holiday.  Quidditch Champions will be available in two versions. The Digital Standard

Mortal Kombat 1’s much-anticipated story expansion has been revealed, and it’s called Khaos Reigns. It unfolds after the events of the story campaign and centers on the invasion of Titan Havik from an alternate reality, who seeks to spread anarchy across all timelines. The expansion's cinematic story introduces new playable characters, Noob Saibot and the now female Sektor and Cyrax. These three fighters make up half of Kombat Pack 2 and will be available when the DLC launches on September 24.  In keeping with the tradition of prior games, the second half of Kombat Pack 2 features guest fighters from various films. Scream ’s Ghostface, Terminator 2 ’s T-1000, and Conan the Barbarian are on the way, but there’s no release window for their arrival. Kombat Pack 2 comes included with Khaos Reigns and cannot be purchased as a standalone character bundle.  Animalities are making their return as a free content update upon Khaos Reigns’ release. First introduced in Mortal Kombat 3 and

Netflix’s upcoming film adaptation of Bioshock is still happening, but it won’t be as grand as originally planned. During a panel at the San Diego Comic-Con yesterday, the film’s director and producer revealed the movie now has a reduced scope due to budget cuts. As reported by Variety , producer Roy Lee ( Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire , The Lego Movie ) revealed during Collider’s Producers on Producers panel that since the film’s announcement in February 2022, a regime change at Netflix has affected the project. Netflix’s film chief at that time, Scott Stuber, has since been replaced by Dan Lin. While Stuber emphasized large spending for an expansive film slate, Lin has scaled back to a more modest strategy. This means the Bioshock film’s budget has been reduced, with director Francis Lawrence ( I Am Legend , The Hunger Games: Catching Fire ) stating its been reworked as a “more personal film”.  “The new regime has lowered the budgets,” Roy Lee said. “So we’re doing a much small

<p><img loading="lazy" src="https://ift.tt/WQlLCIH" width="800" height="450" alt="Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-body-default" /></p> Reviewed on: Switch Platform: Switch, iOS Developer: Super Evil Megacorp Release: May 4, 2023 ( iOS ), July 17, 2024 ( Switch ) <p>The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles starred in several iconic video games <a href="https://ift.tt/ZPoq6c2 the franchise's 40-year history</a>, but none are more beloved than the beat 'em up entries like the 1989 arcade game and Turtles in Time. However, that genre often lacks the depth modern gamers desire. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate takes various cues from recent popular games – specifically Supergiant's smash hit, Hades – en route to modernizing the action-packed hack-and-slash gameplay the Turtles have been known for since th

In Date Everything, those looking for romance don’t need to look any further than their refrigerator, smoke alarm, or dining room table. That’s because this wacky sandbox dating sim by developer Sassy Chap is all about forming relationships with everyday household objects that, it turns out, are actually pretty hot. The game bestows players with special “Dateviator” glasses that allow them to speak with objects and see them in their true, absurdly attractive forms. Dozens of objects await your affection – even elements like air and water can be courted – and branching dialogue can lead to three relationship resolutions for each character (Love, Friend, Hate). Whatever you decide will be reflected in the ever-changing 3D overworld that is your house.  Date Everything boasts over 100 voiced characters played by performers that include Felicia Day ( Critical Role , Supernatural ), Johnny Yong Bosch ( Mighty Morphin Power Rangers , Bleach ), and Grey DeLisle ( Scooby-Doo, Avatar: The L

Reviewed on: PC Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC Publisher: Plaion Developer: Critical Hit Games Release: July 17, 2024 Rating: Mature Nobody Wants to Die’s world terrifies me. Set only a few hundred years in the future, it paints a dystopian society where humanity has unlocked the secret to immortality, but instead of eternal bliss, it paved the way for the government to have full legal control of our bodies. The world is as fascinating as it is upsetting, and a high-profile murder becomes the catalyst for a gripping (though not always actively engaging) mystery within it.  Since Blade Runner 's release in 1982, renditions of a cyberpunk metropolis have been plentiful and familiar. Nobody Wants to Die’s bleak depiction of 2329 New York City stands out as one of my favorites due to its effective fusion of Art Deco. The game looks as if technology skyrocketed in the 1930s while retaining that era’s aesthetic; vintage cars soar across the polluted airways of

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is one of the year’s biggest RPGs, and now players will be able to take it on the go. BioWare has updated the game’s Steam page to confirm it’s been verified for Steam Deck. As spotted by Hrungr on X , this means that The Veilguard will be fully functional on Valve’s handheld, which has not been confirmed until now. Consider this a quick PSA for PC players who enjoy playing their role-playing games on the small(ish) screen.  To learn more about Dragon Age: The Veilguard, you can catch up on a bevy of exclusive in-depth previews about the game from our last cover story by visiting this hub .  Source: Game Informer

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl has suffered yet another delay. The long-awaited post-apocalyptic shooter was slated to arrive on September 5 but will now launch on November 20 to give developer GSC Game World more time to address technical issues. Additionally, the studio announced it will release its first-ever Developer Deep Dive video to give a comprehensive behind-the-scenes look at the game. The video will feature new gameplay footage, overviews of its world and locations, a full walkthrough of a story quest, and developer interviews. It is being made in collaboration with Xbox and will premiere on August 12.  The delay marks another bump in the road for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl. It was formally unveiled in 2020 after years of teases at the Xbox Games Showcase but has hit snags along the way, including garnering backlash for now-canceled plans for NFT implementation . The biggest disruption was Russia’s invasion of Ukraine , where GSC Game World is based, wh

Hot Lap Racing is a “simcade” racing game powered by an in-house racing physics engine developed especially for the game. Discover the history of motorsport from GT to Formula 1 and race against your friends or compete online against more players!   Experience 15+ licensed and custom tracks for more than 70 layouts! 50+ cars: Pick from a diverse lineup of over 50 vehicles representing various motorsport categories and eras, such as Formula 1 cars from the 60s to the latest endurance releases. Cars include the Peugeot 9×8, Alpine A110 GT4, Alfa Romeo 155 DTM, Brabham BT24, Formula Extreme created by the community, Ligier JS P320,Renault R5 Turbo 3E Tracks include Salzburgring, Jarama, Laquais, Navarra, Oschersleben, Gingerman Raceway, and more! Challenge over 30 champions from the history of motorsports! Software description provided by the publisher. Ready to go for a spin? We have ten digital codes to give away to celebrate the release of Hot Lap Racing  for Ninte

We’re not far off from the August 9 premiere of Borderlands , and Lionsgate is giving the final hard sell for the upcoming adaptation in the form of a new trailer. Like the first game, Borderlands centers on a group of gun-toting Vault hunters searching for treasure on the planet Pandora. They also get roped up to save a mysterious girl who holds the key to a great power. If you’re still not sure what to make of the film after watching its  first trailer , hopefully, this last preview will help you decide whether or not you’ll be making the trip to theaters in a couple of weeks to see it.  Borderlands is directed by Eli Roth and stars Cate Blanchett (Lilith), Kevin Hart (Roland), Arianna Greenblatt (Tiny Tina), Jack Black (Claptrap), Edgar Ramírez (Atlas), Florian Munteanu (Krieg), Gina Gershon (Moxxi), and Jamie Lee Curtis (Tannis). Source: Game Informer

Warner Bros. Games has acquired Player First Games, the developer of its cross-over platform fighter MultiVersus. The price of the sale was not disclosed, but according to a press release , Player First Games will continue to operate under its current leadership of co-founders  Tony Huynh and Chris White.  The announcement comes only a couple of months after MultiVersus'  relaunch  on May 28. Player First Games served as a work-for-hire studio on the game, and Warner Bros. is apparently pleased enough with its performance to formally bring the studio in-house. The move comes only a few days after Warner Bros. shuttered the entire mobile division of Mortal Kombat developer Netherrealm Studios.  “We have worked with Player First Games over several years to create and launch MultiVersus, and we are very pleased to welcome this talented team to Warner Bros. Games,” said David Haddad, president of Warner Bros. Games. “The bright and creative team at Player First Games adds to our e

The Casting of Frank Stone is Game Informer ’s latest cover story , and we can exclusively premiere a new behind-the-scenes video peeling back the curtain on the game's development.  In this video, you’ll learn more about the game’s setting of Cedar Hills from Supermassive Games' creative team. You'll also see the tools and technology used to bring this deceptively quaint town to life.  The Casting of Frank Stone launches on September 3 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Be sure to visit our cover story hub for more exclusive stories and videos by clicking the banner below. Source: Game Informer

Game Informer  can exclusively reveal Dark Horse's upcoming art book for BioWare's Dragon Age: The Veilguard , aptly titled "The Art Of Dragon Age: The Veilguard." Additional details about the book, including a price and release date, will arrive at a later time. However, with today's news that such an art book is in the works, we have your first look at it, with its cover image below:  Coming from Dark Horse Comics, a publication company responsible for all kinds of video game related books and comics, including a similar art book for 2014's Dragon Age: Inquisition, "The Art of Dragon Age: The Veilguard" will likely feature official game art, concept art, and more. That's just a guess for now, though – we'll have to wait to learn more.  In the meantime, Dragon Age: The Veilguard graced the cover of our last  Game Informer   issue. You can check that out here , and in case you missed it,  Game Informer  has an entire hub full of exclusi

If you subscribe to the digital edition of Game Informer, you can now read all about our trip to learn about The Casting of Frank Stone from the universe of Dead by Daylight! Following the cover reveal our digital issue is now live on web browsers , iPad/iPhone , and Android devices . Alongside our 10-page The Casting of Frank Stone cover story, you will also find a six-page feature on the development and success of Dead by Daylight, a deep dive into how the Splatoon 3 community developed a speedrun for the game's latest DLC, an in-depth retrospective on the creation of Vampire Survivors with its creator, six pages on Visions of Mana, a look at the success of publisher Devolver Digital on its anniversary, and lots more! We've also got previews for Avowed, Lego Horizon Adventures, Monster Hunter Wilds, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Infinity Nikki, and reviews for Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail, Destiny 2: The

Last year's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III will be available on Xbox Game Pass tomorrow, July 24. This marks the next big Activision Blizzard title to join the service.  The move comes less than a year after Modern Warfare III launched last November and represents the fruit of Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard last year. It’s also the biggest AB title to appear on Game Pass since Diablo IV was added to the library in March. This gives subscribers a chance to check out last year’s entry before 2024’s installment, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 , launches on Game Pass on October 25. It also comes ahead of the new Game Pass price increases and subscription tier arriving in September, a move the FTC has taken issue with .    You can read our review of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III here . Source: Game Informer

Dead by Daylight (DBD) has been one of the most popular multiplayer games (and horror titles in general) since its launch in 2016, but fans have dreamed of experiencing its universe in a single-player format. Developer Behaviour Interactive agreed and enlisted the cinematic storytelling expertise of Supermassive Games (Until Dawn, The Dark Pictures Anthology, The Quarry) to create an original story in the DBD universe. That game became The Casting of Frank Stone, and it terrorizes Game Informer ’s cover this month. We traveled to Behaviour’s studio in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, to play an early slice of the game and speak to lead developers from both studios to learn how the collaboration came to be. The story also reveals some of the DBD-style mechanics remixing Supermassive’s traditional gameplay template and also provides exclusive details on the game’s filmmaking mechanic. Check out the cover art below, which was executed by Behavior’s senior concept artist Maïlys Garcia.  In a

We've spent the past several weeks covering Bioware's upcoming RPG Dragon Age: The Veilguard as part of our cover story, and part of that content has focused on the game's colorful cast of characters. Today, Bioware has revealed the actors voicing this lineup of characters , including the different options for the protagonist Rook's voices. Here they are, alongside roles you might recognize them from: Rook will be played by  Alex Jordan  (Cyberpunk 2077, The Amazing World of Gumball ),  Bryony Corrigan  (Baldur’s Gate 3, Good Omens ),  Erika Ishii  (Apex Legends, Destiny 2), and  Jeff Berg  (Battlefield 1, NCIS ) Harding will be played by   Ali Hillis  (Mass Effect 3, Naruto ) Davrin  will be played by  Ike Amadi  (Mass Effect 3, Halo 5: Guardians, Marvel's Spider-Man) Bellara  will be played by  Jee Young Han  ( Perry Mason , Unprisoned ) Neve  will be played by  Jessica Clark  ( True Blood , Pocket Listing ) Taash  will be played by  Jin Maley  ( Star Tr

Tekken 8’s next Season 1 fighter was revealed during Evo this weekend, and it’s none other than Heihachi Mishima. The mainstay villain has apparently survived his presumed death (again) and is ready to reclaim his throne.  A cinematic trailer rolls out the red carpet for Heihachi, setting up his return after he was seemingly killed (i.e., tossed into a volcanic lava river) in Tekken 7. The video doesn’t explain how Heihachi managed not to melt into goop, but he does sport a Kazuya-esque scar on his chest now, so he didn’t walk away completely unscathed.  Heihachi becomes available sometime this fall. He follows Eddy Gordo and Lidia Sobieska , who joined Tekken 8 in the spring and summer, respectively, leaving one fighter left for the winter season. Owners of Tekken 8’s Deluxe, Ultimate, or Collector's Editions automatically receive these fighters, and each can also be purchased individually for $7.99. For more on Tekken 8, check out our review . Source: Game Informer

Reviewed on: Xbox Series X/S Platform: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S Publisher: Electronic Arts Developer: EA Orlando Release: July 19, 2024 Rating: Everyone Successful rebuilds require strong foundations. After a drought, Alabama’s Nick Saban reinforced his staff with innovative coordinators like Kirby Smart and Lane Kiffin. Urban Meyer urged beloved Gators captain Tim Tebow to inspire his teammates. And during his short tenure at Texas A&M, Jimbo Fisher secured extraordinary recruiting classes. The road to success is paved in various ways, but EA Orlando knows football doesn’t have to be rocket science. In EA Sports College Football 25 (CFB 25), coaching chemistry is an engaging skill-tree balancing act, locker rooms come to life with unique player abilities, and roster recruitment is a tense but gratifying public relations minigame. Like a generational talent, CFB 25 possesses all the intangibles, even if some minor fumbles prevent it from snagging unanimous All-Am