Yearly Archives: 2024

Games, Gaming, News

Mortal Kombat 1 future DLCs & Expansion are reportedly cancelled

In a surprising turn of events, Mortal Kombat 1’s future downloadable content (DLC) plans are reportedly in jeopardy following the poor reception of the recent expansion, Khaos Reigns.

According to a Reddit user known as FateUnknown, who has a track record of accurately revealing information about Mortal Kombat content, NetherRealm Studios has decided to cancel a third Kombat Pack and a second story expansion due to low sales of Khaos Reigns.

Released earlier this year, Khaos Reigns was priced at $49.99 and included new story content and the second Kombat Pack, featuring new characters. However, it received a “mostly negative” rating on Steam, with fans criticizing the lack of content for the price.

This comes along that these are not happy days at WB Games because they don’t have anything else to compare last year’s revenues performance outside Hogwarts Legacy, major launching and post-release content has not capitalized as expected.

Despite all this, the second Kombat Pack is still set to release the T-1000 from Terminator 2 and Conan the Barbarian, but no further DLC is planned beyond this.

Business, Gaming, News, Playstation

Shuhei Yoshida – One of the OG from they early days of Playstation development is retiring

In a heartfelt announcement, Shuhei Yoshida, a key figure in PlayStation’s history, has revealed that he will be leaving Sony Interactive Entertainment after 31 years. Yoshida, who joined the company in 1993 during the development of the original PlayStation, has played a pivotal role in shaping the gaming landscape.

I’m leaving Sony Interactive Entertainment on January 15 2025… it’s like announcing the launch date of a new game, [something] I haven’t done for a long time.

I’ve been with PlayStation from the beginning, and this is my 31st year with PlayStation. And when I hit 30 years, I was thinking, hmm, it may be about time for me to move on. You know, the company’s been doing great.

I love PS5, I love the games that are coming out on this platform. And we have new generations of management who I respect and admire. And I’m so excited for the future of PlayStation. So, you know, PlayStation is in really good hands. I thought, okay, this is my time.

Yoshida’s journey with PlayStation began as an account management lead, where he was responsible for securing third-party partnerships for the console. Over the years, he held various influential positions, including Vice President of SCE America and President of SCE Worldwide Studios. His tenure saw the release of numerous iconic games, such as Gran Turismo and Ape Escape.

Reflecting on his career, Yoshida shared some of his favorite moments, including the success of the digital-only game Journey, which won the Game of the Year award in 2012.

He also expressed his love for working with indie developers, describing it as “treasure hunting” for unique and innovative games.

GG and farewell good sir!

You can read more at Playstation Official blog post here.

Games, Gaming, News, PC

Star Wars Hunters will finally come to PC in 2025

Exciting news for Star Wars fans! Star Wars: Hunters, the fast-paced multiplayer brawler developed by Zynga in collaboration with Lucasfilm Games, is officially coming to PC in 2025!

This highly anticipated game, which has already taken the Nintendo Switch and mobile platforms by storm, is set to bring its chaotic battles and unique characters to the PC gaming community.

The game will be available on Steam starting January 28, 2025 and good news along the announcement is that Players can join the Early Access program starting January 27, 2025, giving them a chance to shape the game’s future and provide valuable feedback.

Zynga claims that the PC version promises higher resolution textures, enhanced rendering quality, and detailed PC-specific layers in select battlefields. Full support for keyboard, mouse, and wireless controllers will also be included, along with customizable key binding options.

If you didn’t know, Star Wars: Hunters is a team-based multiplayer game set on the planet Vespaara, where players engage in fast-paced, action-packed battles. The game features a diverse roster of characters, including mischievous Jawas, a droid who believes he’s Force-sensitive, a Wookiee with an attitude, and a modified droideka on a rampage.

Each character brings a unique playstyle, ensuring there’s something for every type of gamer.

Business, Games, Gaming, News

CD Projekt Red announces big Cyberpunk 2077 & The Witcher news

In a major announcement, CD Projekt Red has revealed that The Witcher 4, codenamed Project Polaris, has entered full-scale production. This marks a significant milestone for the studio as they gear up to develop the first installment in a new Witcher trilogy.

Alongside this exciting news, CD Projekt Red also announced that Cyberpunk 2077 has surpassed 30 million copies sold worldwide.

The Witcher 4, also part of Project Polaris (the new trilogy including a new story line which will not focus on Geralt Of Rivia), has moved from pre-production to full-scale development. CD Projekt Red’s joint CEO, Michał Nowakowski, expressed pride in the team’s progress and dedication to delivering a remarkable experience.

And two Cyberpunk news

Cyberpunk 2077 continues to perform strongly in the market, with the game recently crossing the 30 million copies sold milestone. The Phantom Liberty expansion, which featured actor Idris Elba in a major role, has sold over eight million copies since its release in September 2023.

These impressive figures highlight the game’s enduring popularity and the dedicated community that continues to support it.

Also, CD Projekt announced last October that it was collaborating with media company Anonymous Content on a live-action project set in the world of Cyberpunk and also, this week it was confirmed that it’s working on a new Cyberpunk animation project which will be released on Netflix, but at this time is unknown if this will serve another storyline or will follow Cyberpunk: Edgerunners.

In addition to The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt Red is working on several other projects. These include a new IP codenamed Project Hadar, a sequel to Cyberpunk 2077 codenamed Project Orion, and a new game set in the Witcher universe titled Project Sirius.

Featured, Gaming, News, Xbox

Xbox Avatar App will shutdown due low engagement from community

Microsoft has announced that the Xbox Avatar Editor app will be discontinued starting January 9, 2025. The decision comes as a result of low user engagement and a shift in focus towards delivering other player experiences.

This means that players will no longer be able to access the Xbox Avatar Editor app on Xbox consoles or PCs, including their Xbox Avatars and any purchased avatar items.

The Xbox Avatar Editor app was launched in 2018 as part of a redesign of Xbox Avatars, offering more detailed and expressive character customization options compared to the original Xbox 360 avatars.

Despite these enhancements, the app did not gain the same level of popularity as its predecessor.

While the Xbox Avatar Editor app is being discontinued, Microsoft is focusing on other ways to personalize the gaming experience, such as dynamic backgrounds and profile colors on Xbox consoles. Additionally, the company is working on a dedicated handheld device and a next-gen successor.

As expected, the announcement has been met with mixed reactions from the gaming community. Some players are disappointed by the loss of the avatar editor, while others appreciate the refunds and the continued support for Xbox Original Avatars. And for some, yet another end of an Xbox era.

Business, Featured, Games, Gaming, News, Nintendo

Nintendo will sell its presence in China Market meaning the end of its run there

In a significant announcement, Nintendo has revealed that the Nintendo Switch eShop and all online services will be discontinued in China by 2026. This decision will impact millions of gamers in the region, marking the end of an era for Nintendo’s presence in the Chinese market.

The Chinese Nintendo eShop will stop selling games and software by March 31, 2026 and after this date, all titles, including paid and free games, will no longer be available for purchase or download followed by the ability to download titles, redeem codes, and access DLC and other network elements by May 15, 2026.

To soften the blow, Nintendo, in collaboration with Tencent, is offering up to four free games to players with active WeChat accounts tied to their Nintendo Switch consoles. This offer is available from November 27, 2024, until March 31, 2026. Eligible games include popular titles like Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Pokémon Let’s Go! Pikachu.

For context, the Nintendo Switch was launched in China in 2020 through a partnership with Tencent, a major player in the Chinese tech industry. Since then, several older Nintendo Switch titles have been localized for the Chinese market.

However, unspecified changes in Tencent’s business operations have led to the decision to end online services in the region by Nintendo simply not renewing their partnership.

The news has been met with mixed reactions from the gaming community. While some players are disappointed by the loss of online services, others are appreciative of the compensation offered by Nintendo. Many are hopeful that this move will lead to improvements in the services offered in other regions.

Games, Gaming, News, PC

Another PC gaming launcher bites the dust and 2K joins the club with fanfare

In a move that has been widely celebrated by the gaming community, 2K has officially removed its launcher from all PC games. This decision comes after years of criticism from players who found the launcher to be cumbersome and unnecessary. The removal of the 2K Launcher is expected to streamline the gaming experience and improve performance for many titles.

The End of an Era

The 2K Launcher, which was used for launching games like Bioshock Remastered, Mafia Trilogy Definitive Edition, and XCOM 2, has been a point of contention for gamers. Many players complained about the launcher causing performance issues and complicating the game-launching process. With the complete removal of the launcher, players can now launch their games directly from platforms like Steam and Epic Games Store.

Key Changes

  • Direct Game Launch: Games that previously required the 2K Launcher will now launch directly from Steam or Epic Games Store. This means no more extra steps or waiting for additional software to load.
  • Improved Performance: By eliminating the launcher, 2K aims to improve game performance and reduce loading times. This should result in a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience.
  • Mod Support: For games like XCOM 2, which relied on the launcher for mod support, 2K has introduced new launch options to ensure that mods can still be used. Players can now choose between the original mod launcher and a new option that directly launches the game.

Community Response

The gaming community has responded positively to this change, with many players expressing relief and excitement. The removal of the 2K Launcher is seen as a step towards a more streamlined and user-friendly gaming experience. Players are hopeful that other publishers will follow suit and remove their own launchers, further improving the PC gaming landscape.

By simplifying the game-launching process and enhancing performance, 2K has taken a positive step towards better serving its player base. This change is a win for gamers who have long called for the removal of unnecessary launchers, and it sets a precedent for other publishers to consider similar changes.

Business, Gaming, Hardware/Console, News, Playstation, Technology

Bloomberg: Sony is already working on a return to portable gaming market

PSP and PS Vita wasn’t much of an example of dethroning Nintendo in the portable section of the gaming market by Sony and while it did gained fans from Playstation pro players, the company decided to focus on home gaming console with the entrance of the Playstation 4.

Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck with the respective responses from MSI, Lenovo and two gaming generations later, Sony might be making a return of the spiritual successor of the Playstation Portable but with the due diligence and homework.

Sony Interactive Entertainment is in the “early stages” of developing the device, which is still years away from a potential release according to sources close to Bloomberg.

Obviously, Nintendo being challenged as never before in the portable gaming front by all ways including portable PC devices and Smartphones, Sony sees the opportunity to try things again and it seems that the Playstation Portal build some confidence on Playstation actually trying again.

This comes as Microsoft Gaming CEO confirmed that Xbox is developing its original portable hardware which admittedly, will not be ready for this year, leaving Sony with the opportunity to capitalize by also, not competing directly with the successor of the Nintendo Switch, due to be announce between this month up to March 2025.

The original PlayStation Portable (PSP), released by Sony in 2004, was a groundbreaking handheld gaming console that brought console-quality gaming to the palm of your hand. Despite its unceremonious run without the expected success, the PSP was a significant competitor to Nintendo’s handheld consoles and was praised for its powerful hardware and multimedia capabilities. It sold over 80 million units worldwide and had a lifespan from 2004 to 2014.

Games, Gaming, News, Xbox

Stalker 2 will get its first post-release patch

GSC Game World has announced the first post-release patch for Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, aiming to address several issues that players have encountered since the game’s launch. The patch, scheduled to be released between Monday, November 24, and Sunday, December 1, promises to fix major bugs, crashes, and other technical problems that have been affecting the gameplay experience.

Key Fixes and Improvements

  • Crash Fixes: The patch will resolve memory allocation failures and rendering issues that have caused the game to crash unexpectedly. This includes problems with skeletal meshes and quest-related cutscenes.
  • Quest Progression: Several bugs that block the main quest progression will be fixed, ensuring smoother transitions and preventing players from getting stuck.
  • Visual Glitches: The patch will address visual issues such as missing facial animations, detached heads, and other inconsistencies that break immersion.
  • NPC Behavior: Improvements will be made to NPC behavior, especially during Emission storms, ensuring they seek shelter appropriately.
  • Weapon Pricing: Changes to weapon pricing will be implemented, so guns with attachments will have different values from their unmodified counterparts.
  • Soft Locks: The patch will fix several instances where players get soft-locked, forcing them to restart the game.

Future Updates

GSC Game World has assured players that this patch is just the beginning of their efforts to improve the game. Future updates will include improvements to the A-life system, which controls NPC behavior and environmental interactions, as well as analog stick dead zone improvements.

Player Feedback

Despite the technical issues, Stalker 2 has been a commercial success, selling over a million copies and gaining a significant player base on Xbox Game Pass. The developers are actively seeking feedback from the community to ensure that future patches address the most pressing concerns.

So basically, Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a step towards refining the game and enhancing the overall player experience. With ongoing updates and a commitment to improvement, GSC Game World aims to deliver a more polished and immersive survival shooter.

Featured, Games, Gaming, News, Technology, Xbox

The newest thing for PC Gamers from Microsoft is called Edge Game Assist

Microsoft has announced a new feature called Edge Game Assist, designed to revolutionize the way PC gamers access in-game information and resources. This innovative tool integrates a browser directly into the gaming interface, allowing players to access guides, tips, and other online resources without ever leaving their game.

What is Edge Game Assist?

Edge Game Assist is a special version of the Microsoft Edge browser optimized for gaming. It can be accessed via the Windows Game Bar, a gaming overlay that provides various tools and widgets. By pinning the browser window to the screen, resizing it, or adjusting its transparency, gamers can multitask seamlessly without losing focus on their game.

Key Features

  • Game-Aware Browsing: Edge Game Assist suggests curated guides and tips based on the game being played. For example, if you’re playing Baldur’s Gate 3 or Diablo IV, it will offer relevant content to help you progress.
  • Unified Experience: The browser shares the same profile as Edge on your PC, meaning your favorites, history, cookies, and saved passwords are all accessible while gaming.
  • Customizable Interface: You can pin the browser window to the top of your game, resize it, or adjust its transparency to minimize distractions.
  • Support for Popular Titles: Initially, Edge Game Assist supports popular games like Baldur’s Gate 3, Diablo IV, Minecraft, and more. The list of supported games is expected to grow over time.

How to Get Started

To use Edge Game Assist, you’ll need to download and install the Microsoft Edge Beta version 132 or later. Ensure that your Windows and Game Bar are updated to the latest version2. Once set up, you can access Edge Game Assist by pressing Win+G to open the Game Bar and selecting the browser widget.

Future Prospects

While currently in preview mode, Edge Game Assist shows great potential for enhancing the gaming experience. Microsoft is actively seeking user feedback to address any issues and improve the feature. Future updates may include support for gamepads and handheld devices, as well as more advanced browser actions.

Edge Game Assist is a testament to Microsoft’s commitment to creating a unified gaming ecosystem that blends entertainment with productivity. By integrating Edge into the Game Bar, Microsoft aims to provide gamers with a seamless and immersive experience, making it easier to switch between gaming and other activities without losing focus.