Daily Archives: January 8, 2025

Breaking, Games, Gaming, News

Splash Damage pulled the plug of Transformers: Reactivate

Splash Damage’s Transformers: Reactivate has had quite a journey since its original announcement at The Game Awards 2022. The game was revealed with a cinematic trailer set to Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive,” generating excitement among fans.

It promised a 1-4 player online co-op action game featuring beloved characters like Ironhide, Hot Rod, Starscream, and Soundwave.

However, the development faced numerous challenges over the next two years. Despite initial plans for a closed beta in 2023, updates on the game’s progress were scarce. The studio’s focus shifted to other projects, including an open-world survival game called Project Astrid, developed in collaboration with streamers Shroud and Sacriel.

Today, Splash Damage announced the cancellation of Transformers: Reactivate.

The studio claims that the decision was not easy and unfortunately, will results in layoffs across the studio as some jobs will become redundant after the cancellation of the project.

Yet, The studio expressed gratitude to the team for their dedication and to Hasbro for their support. They also mentioned that they are now focusing on supporting affected employees and refocusing their efforts on other projects.

Here is the original trailer refereed at the beginning of this article:

Breaking, Games, Gaming, News, PC

SMITE 2 will go Free-to-Play this year

Hi-Rez Studios has announced that SMITE 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the popular third-person MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) game, will transition to a free-to-play model starting January 14, 2025. This move marks a significant milestone for the franchise, as it opens up the game to a broader audience.

The Backstory of SMITE

SMITE first launched in 2014, introducing players to a unique third-person perspective that set it apart from traditional top-down MOBAs. Players could choose from a variety of gods and goddesses from different mythologies, each with unique abilities. Over the years, Hi-Rez Studios has consistently updated the game, introducing new gods, maps, and game modes to keep the experience fresh and engaging.

The franchise has also made a name for itself in the competitive gaming scene, with the launch of the SMITE World Championship in 2015. This annual event showcases the best teams from around the world and has helped solidify SMITE’s place in the esports community.

What’s New in SMITE 2?

With the transition to a free-to-play model, SMITE 2 will introduce several new features and improvements. Players can look forward to:

  • 45 Gods: Including new additions like Aladdin, who brings a fresh playstyle inspired by the Disney movie.
  • New Game Modes: Joust and Duel modes, with an alpha version of Assault mode also being tested.
  • Enhanced Graphics and Mechanics: Improved visuals and smoother gameplay mechanics.
  • Community Engagement: Hi-Rez Studios continues to seek player feedback and foster a sense of community through events and updates.

As SMITE 2 enters its open beta phase, the future looks bright for this beloved franchise. The transition to free-to-play is expected to attract both veteran players and newcomers, ensuring that the game remains a staple in the world of MOBAs.

Games, Gaming, News, Xbox

Xbox Game Pass January 2025 Lineup: New Additions & Departures

Xbox has just announced its latest wave of games coming to Game Pass for January 2025, and it’s an exciting mix of new titles and returning favorites. Here’s the full list of what’s coming and going:

New Additions:

  1. Diablo (PC) – January 14
    • The classic action-RPG that defined the genre returns to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
  2. EA Sports UFC 5 (Cloud and Xbox Series X|S) – January 14
    • Available through EA Play, this game brings the thrill of mixed martial arts to Game Pass Ultimate.
  3. Road 96 (Cloud, Console, and PC) – January 7
    • A beautiful road-trip adventure where your choices shape the story.
  4. Lightyear Frontier (Game Preview) (Xbox Series X|S) – January 8
    • Start your interstellar homestead in this peaceful open-world farming adventure.
  5. My Time at Sandrock (Console) – January 8
    • A wholesome post-apocalyptic world where you gather resources and defend the town.
  6. Robin Hood – Sherwood Builders (Xbox Series X|S) – January 8
    • Join Robin Hood and his band of outlaws in 12th-century England.
  7. Rolling Hills (Console) – January 8
    • Serve sushi as a robot chef in this cozy village life sim.

Unfortunately, nothing last forever or at least if we can say a temporary “good-bye” there will be a selection of games that will leave the service while of course, there is hope of them returning later this year or a little more.

Games Leaving:

  1. Common’hood
  2. Escape Academy
  3. Exoprimal
  4. Figment: Journey in the Mind
  5. Insurgency: Sandstorm
  6. Those Who Remain

These changes will take effect on January 15, 2025. If you want to keep playing any of the departing titles, consider purchasing them at a discount while they’re still available on Game Pass.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate continues to offer an outstanding value proposition with over 100 game titles available for a single subscription. Whether you’re a fan of action-RPGs, fighting games, or life sims, there’s something for everyone in this latest lineup.

Games, Gaming, News

Tencent Games added to US’ enterprises blacklist

Tencent, the Chinese tech and gaming giant, has recently been blacklisted by the United States Department of Defense. The DoD added Tencent to its list of “Chinese Military Companies” due to alleged ties to the Chinese military. This move is part of the broader U.S. government effort to restrict business with companies linked to the Chinese military.

In response, Tencent has stated that its inclusion on the list is a “misunderstanding”. The company emphasized that it is neither a military company nor a military-civil fusion contributor to the Chinese defense industrial base. Tencent’s spokesperson told The Verge mentioned that the listing has no impact on their business but that they will work with the Department of Defense to address any misunderstandings.

Unlike sanctions or export controls, this listing has no impact on our business. We will nonetheless work with the Department of Defense to address any misunderstanding.

It’s definitely a significant development, especially considering Tencent’s vast influence in the gaming industry, owning stakes in companies like Riot Games (League of Legends), Epic Games (Fortnite), and many others.

Breaking, Games, Gaming, News

EA yet adding more challenges on video games preservation

Electronic Arts (EA) recently announced plans to sunset several games by 2025, which has sparked a debate about the challenges of video game preservation. This move is part of a broader strategy to focus on fewer, more profitable titles and franchises.

However, it raises concerns about the loss of cultural and historical artifacts within the gaming community.

The sunsetting of games like Madden NFL 23 and F1 22 from platforms like Xbox Game Pass and EA Play highlights the impact on accessibility for players. Additionally, the shutdown of several mobile games, including The Simpsons: Tapped Out and Rory McIlroy PGA Tour, further emphasizes the growing trend of game discontinuation.

Here is the complete list:

Console and PC Games:

  • Madden NFL 23
  • F1 22
  • Battlefield 2042
  • Apex Legends
  • Dragon Age 3
  • Skate
  • Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Mobile Games:

  • The Simpsons: Tapped Out (January 24, 2025)
  • Rory McIlroy PGA Tour (January 16, 2025)
  • Blood & Glory: Immortals (January 29, 2025)
  • Contract Killer: Sniper (January 29, 2025)
  • Deer Hunter Classic (January 29, 2025)
  • Dino Hunter: Deadly Shores (January 29, 2025)
  • Eternity Warriors 4 (January 29, 2025)
  • Frontline Commando 2 (January 29, 2025)
  • Frontline Commando: D-Day (January 29, 2025)

This situation underscores the importance of efforts to preserve digital games, as they are an integral part of our cultural heritage. Organizations and communities dedicated to game preservation face an uphill battle in ensuring that these digital experiences remain accessible for future generations.