#PlayStation showcase 2021

[satoshi-mochida]

Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin Anime Reveals New Trailer, Opening and Ending Themes, Ahead of July 2024 Premiere

From Noisy Pixel

P.A. Works has revealed a new official trailer for the upcoming anime adaptation of the Edelweiss-developed action farming game Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin.

This new trailer showcases several characters while briefly highlighting the opening and ending themes. Full episodes are scheduled to start premiering on July 6, 2024. The opening theme is titled “いきものがかり,” while the ending theme is “Little Glee Monster.”

Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is a farming action game with farming elements. Players will be able to use farm tools as weapons and chain together various attacks with the help of a scarf that can grapple enemies. Furthermore, players can craft items and gather materials for their farm. As Sakuna’s crops grow, she gets stronger.

Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin is available now on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

In case you missed it, check out our review.

The game sold over one million units worldwide back in May 2021. To commemorate that feat, the development team implemented an update letting players hold a dog and cat simultaneously.

More recently, 1.5 million units have been sold.

[yakool-foolio]

When is Rain Code gonna bet put on other consoles?

I have a feeling that Rain Code will be ported to other consoles and PC sometime after its one year anniversary. Nintendo probably struck a deal with Spike Chunsoft to make it a Switch exclusive for a limited time before porting it to other consoles. That seems to be what happens with other non-Nintendo games from other relatively big companies like Capcom's Monster Hunter Rise where it released solely on Switch in March 26, 2021 before finally being ported in January 20, 2023 (and the soundtrack wasn't available on Steam until March 9, 2022). 'Course this is just a guess so I don't exactly know for sure whether this will be the same for Rain Code, but there's hope. There was a Christmas card posted by Sony to Spike Chunsoft last year that showcased Shinigami and Yuma, so that might be a hint of Rain Code possibly being planned to be ported to Playstation.

[lisbethpham]

Week 9: Gaming Communities, Social Gaming and Live Streaming

This week’s topic is one of my favorite topics since it is what I am super passionate about. 

“Gaming” is typically defined as voluntarily overcoming unnecessary obstacles (Suits, 1978), and in most games, we follow their rules. Games are available in different platforms, could be exclusive in some types of games, but mostly available on mobile phones, personal computers (PCs), controllers (nintendo switch, PlayStation). They could also cost money to buy, but a lot of developers actually earn more money from in-game purchases in free-to-play games, than selling the game title itself. Games that are known worldwide with millions of players like Candy Crush Saga, FarmVille, are called “social games”, where the mechanism of those games is to adapt to the player’s friendships to acquire new players as well as the ranking system to keep players competitive. 

Games communities are social communities. They consist of small communities and players from beginner to pros, could be dependent on skill, knowledge and field of expertise. It’s quite common that we see a “typical gamer”: cis white, or East Asian, young, typically middle-class, man, thus leading to a male-dominated game culture. Despite a higher percentage of women joining the gaming communities in recent years, there are still stereotypes indicating gaming is not for women, that they are “boosted”, “bad”, “belong to the kitchen” and usually play for men's validation. Streaming platforms such as Twitch, Youtube and Facebook Live are now full of streamers, showing their contents, ranging from pure gaming, to singing, making music, cooking and maybe just chatting. People coming to these platforms are also in small communities created by content creators and they bond through having the same hobbies, favorite games and from watching the same content creator. Not only indie content creators can make money by streaming their content on such platforms, professional esport players are also offered chances to build themselves their own brands, community and income by showcasing their practice games (Taylor, 2018).

In Australia, specially in Melbourne, huge conventions and festivals about games are being held annually such as Melbourne International Games Week (MIGW) or Penny Arcade Expo (PAX), showing how broad the communities are as thousands of people come to Melbourne to enjoy them. Not only to appreciate games and gamers, conventions were created also for developers and future game-makers to make their way to publish their indie companies and indie games, or to find a home that help them achieve that dream. 

Taylor, TL 2018, ‘Broadcasting ourselves’ (chapter 1), in Watch Me Play: Twitch and the Rise of Game Live Streaming, Princeton University Press, pp.1-23 

Keogh, B 2021, 'The Melbourne indie game scenes: value regimes in localized game development' (Chapter 13), in P Ruffino (ed), Independent Videogames: Cultures, Networks, Techniques and Politics, Routledge, pp.209-222.

[capsulecomputers]

FANTASIAN Neo Dimension – Gameplay

Originally released for Apple platforms back in 2021, Fantasian is a traditional JRPG developed by Mistwalker, whose founder is none other than Hironobu Sakaguchi - the Father of Final Fantasy.

Fantasian is a full-fledged, feature-rich RPG heavily influenced by classic titles from Square-Enix. The game is finally available on modern systems. Fantasian Neo Dimension includes substantial improvements and new features.

We brave a world threatened by the ever-spreading “Mechteria"- an interdimensional plague capable of draining people's life force. As the amnesiac Leo, we explore the game's beautifully crafted towns and landscapes, showcasing the game’s interesting take on random turn-based battles.

If you enjoyed the video, give us a thumbs up and subscribe!

Embark on an adventure to discover your memories and save the world from a mechanical infection. Maneuver your skill trajectories during battle, and dive into a new dimension with a unique twist on a classic RPG experience.

FANTASIAN Neo Dimension Developer: Mistwalker Corporation Publisher: Square Enix Platform: Windows, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5|4 Release Date: 6th December, 2024 Price: $49.99 USD

Available here - https://fantasianneodimension.square-enix-games.com/

[hacialikara]

Marvel’s Wolverine riske mi girdi: Yapımcı resmen ayrıldı!

Eylül 2021’de PlayStation Showcase etkinliği sırasında Insomniac Games tarafından duyurulan ve bu tarihten beri resmen sırra kadem basan Marvel’s Wolverine için işler pek de yolunda gitmiyor gibi görünüyor. 2 yıl önce birkaç bölüm tasarımı, PC için oynanabilen bölümler ve karakterleri sızdırılan yapım, şimdi de yapımcı ekipten önemli bir ismin projeden ayrılmasıyla sarsıldı. İşte bilmeniz gereken…

[tamanna31]

Gaming Market - Positive Long-Term Growth Outlook 2030

Gaming Industry Overview

The global gaming market size was worth 202.64 billion in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.2% from 2022 to 2030. Innovation and technological proliferation in both software and hardware are key factors fueling the market growth. Easy availability and access to games on the Internet and the growing implementation of internet services throughout the globe are expected to keep growth prospects upbeat in the forthcoming years.

The rising propensity to switch from physical to online games has encouraged industry players to emphasize hardware efficiency and compatibility. The innovation of 5G technology will minimize the current online gaming issues such as gaming lag by offering an improved cloud streaming experience as the 5G latency is substantially lower than 4G.

Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of the Gaming Market

5G devices provide support to a significant number of devices at a time that will increase the numbers of gamers and will allow developers to deliver an enhanced gaming experience in the online gaming market. Multiplayer games, Free2Play (F2P), and massively multiplayer online (MMO) have continuously grown in popularity, a trend that is projected to extend over the coming years.

An increasing trend of esports, social gaming, cloud-based gaming, and roguelike gaming has a positive impact on growth. The availability of games across devices such as consoles, smartphones, portable gaming devices, computers, and tablets and key market players focusing on launching interactive games attract young generations for entertainment purposes.

For instance, In April 2020, Epic Games, Inc. experienced the participation of 12.3 million users for the in-game Fornite concert of Travis Scott. However, obsessive addiction issues and mental health issues caused by video games coupled with issues linked to fraud while gaming transactions are projected to negatively impact the growth of the market.

Browse through Grand View Research's Next Generation Technologies Industry Research Reports.

• The network processing unit market size was estimated at USD 7.16 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 17.1% from 2024 to 2030.

• The global eyewear market size was valued at USD 183.36 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.3% from 2024 to 2030.

Global Gaming Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global gaming market report based on device, type, and region:

Device Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

Console

Mobile

Computer

Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

Online

Offline

Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

North America

US

Canada

Europe

UK

Germany

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

South Korea

Latin America

Brazil

Middle East & Africa (MEA)

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Key players operating in the industry include Nintendo; Microsoft Corporation; NVIDIA Corporation; Rovio Entertainment Corporation; PlayJam Ltd.; Valve Corporation.; Sony Corporation; and Bluestack Systems, Inc. these companies are focusing on launching more interactive games and incorporating augmented reality and virtual reality in gaming.

For instance, Meta Platforms, Inc. has announced a list of VR games during the Meta quest gaming showcase. Games such as Ghostbusters VR, Resident Evil 4, The Walking Dead, NFL Pro Era, Moss: Book II, and many more will be available on the Quest VR platform till next year.

Gaming consoles developed by leading market players including Xbox One by Microsoft Corporation, PlayStation 5 by Sony Corporation, and Nintendo Switch by Nintendo The key players are mostly focusing on delivering product innovation and differentiation to compete in the market. Some of the prominent players in the gaming market are.

Key Gaming Companies:

Nintendo

Microsoft Corporation

NVIDIA Corporation

Rovio Entertainment Corporation

PlayJam Ltd.

Valve Corporation.

Sony Group Corporation

Bluestack Systems, Inc.

Order a free sample PDF of the Gaming Market Intelligence Study, published by Grand View Research.

[jcmarchi]

Silent Hill Creator's Slitterhead Gets First Gameplay Look In New Trailer, Out This November

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/silent-hill-creators-slitterhead-gets-first-gameplay-look-in-new-trailer-out-this-november/

Silent Hill Creator's Slitterhead Gets First Gameplay Look In New Trailer, Out This November

Silent Hill creator Keiichiro Toyama founded Bokeh Game Studio back in 2020 to work on a new horror game that we later learned is called Slitterhead. After a teaser trailer and a behind-the-scenes look at the game’s development, we finally have our first look at gameplay. Plus, the studio announced Slitterhead launches on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, and PC on November 8.

Revealed in a new trailer during the 2024 Summer Game Fest showcase, Slitterhead’s debut gameplay trailer starts in a Chinese city, with a police detective searching through a trashed ally. He finds what appears to be a mangled body in a trash can before the trailer shows more of the neon-lit Chinese metropolis, with shots of (presumably) our playable protagonist jumping from high above to the ground below while using some spectral power that allows them to possess bodies of pedestrians. We also get a look at Slitterhead’s monstrous creatures and third-person survival action gameplay, which features both guns and melee combat. 

Check it out for yourself in the Slitterhead gameplay trailer below: 

[embedded content]

As you can see, Slitterhead is looking quite action-packed, especially compared to Toyama’s Silent Hill efforts. However, the lineage is clear. 

Slitterhead has largely remained a mystery since its reveal. We know in 2021, Toyama said he was working on a choice-driven game, and we assume that’s Slitterhead. Toyama also told IGN Japan his next project (presumably Slitterhead) would be released in 2023. Obviously, that didn’t happen, but now we know it’s releasing this November. Outside of that, a behind-the-scenes video diary showed a few clips of Slitterhead, including training room-esque encounters, a neon-lit Chinese city, and even a dog that appears to be playable. 

Slitterhead hits PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, and PC on November 8. 

What do you think about this first look at Slitterhead’s gameplay? Let us know in the comments below! 

[bairusongassignment2]

Blog #1

When discussing the games that have had the most profound impact on me in the past five years, Bayonetta 3, released in 2022, must be included. This series is not only a personal favorite of mine, but also offers a wealth of inspiration for the design of various enemy characters for the upcoming end-of-semester project.

Grace & Glory, from Bayonetta

Iustitia, from Bayonetta

The enemies in the first two installments were primarily angels, incorporating many Catholic elements such as the purity symbolized by marble and the sanctity represented by gold. This common positive imagery was juxtaposed with their eerie and distorted forms to emphasize the intention of portraying angels as antagonists.

However, in the latest installment, the antagonistic forces are human-created Homunculi, whose variety is frighteningly vast compared to the previous games. They vary in size, shape, and function.

Homunculi enemies

Early drafts of the Homunculi enemies included a variety of silhouettes

According to behind-the-scenes interviews with the development team, to differentiate from the previous games, the Homunculi enemies exhibit more Eastern themes, including Buddhist elements, which are starkly different from the Western-centric Catholic influences of the earlier games.

The background image when homunculi enemies been shown up

Buddhist stupas featuring the same elements

Moreover, considering the significant number of elements associated with lotuses in Buddhism, the enemy designs also integrate numerous lotus motifs.

A Homunculus Boss primarily composed of lotus motifs

A Buddha statue with a lotus base

Clouds and streamers are also prominent elements in the enemy designs, elements rich in Eastern flair.

A Homunculus elite unit with numerous cloud and streamer elements

The design of the torch for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, incorporating many auspicious cloud elements

The image of a fairy with streamers in Dunhuang murals

These motifs, which have frequently appeared in Eastern mythological creations, greatly enhance the Eastern impressions within character designs.

Lotuses, clouds, and streamers, even the pointed domes common in Buddhist architecture, consistently permeate the enemy designs in Bayonetta 3. Some form recognizable parts of their silhouettes, while others enrich the characters' visuals and enhance their stylishness. These designs not only maintain the series' consistency but also resonate with the Eastern theme, distinguishing them from the enemies of previous installments.

The insights I have gained involve identifying one or more recurring elements that can be leveraged repeatedly while exploring enemy character design, or indeed any conceptual creation for a faction or theme. It also requires boldly exploring diverse silhouettes to fully showcase differences among characters, thus creating more opportunities to produce a series of distinctive and thematically clear images.

References

Platinum Games. (2009). Bayonetta [Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC]. Japan, SEGA.

Platinum Games. (2022). Bayonetta 3 [Nintendo Switch]. Japan, SEGA, Nintendo.

Platinum Games. (2023). The Eyes of Bayonetta 3. Japan: Platinum Games.

Lizlee. (2015) The Stubas Near The Temple of Tar [Online Image]. Available at: https://xsj.699pic.com/sou/cangshifota.html [Accessed on 20 April, 2024]

Thuan V. T.. (2020) Gautama Buddha Sitting On a Lotus flower, Statue Of Gautama Buddha, Hand-Carved Statue [Online Image]. Available at: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1293175286/gautama-buddha-sitting-on-a-lotus-flower [Accessed on 20 April, 2024]

央广网（2021）鸟巢”就建在我家门口！李��文讲述一把特殊的祥云火炬｜红色印记第94集 [Online Image]. Available at: https://m.cnr.cn/news/20210725/t20210725_525543630.html [Accessed on 20 April, 2024]

Silk Road Travel (2018) Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes [Online Image]. Available at: https://www.silkroadtravel.com/dunhuang/attraction/mogao-grottoes.html [Accessed on 20 April, 2024]

[heronetworkgg]

¿Stellar Blade estará disponible para PC? PlayStation 5 recibe el aclamado juego esta semana

El anticipado lanzamiento de Stellar Blade está generando revuelo en la comunidad de jugadores, pero la pregunta que se hace algunos es si es qué ¿llegará a PC en el futuro? Desde su anuncio en el PlayStation Showcase de septiembre de 2021, Stellar Blade ha sido un foco de atención. Sin embargo, inicialmente se confirmó […]

Ir a la noticia completa

[jimi-rawlings]

Gran Turismo 7 - PlayStation Showcase 2021 Trailer | PS5

I use to Run this game all thé Time in Elementary School while in Barbados.

AKIANA

[theclubhero-blog]

Wolverine: Jogo da Insomniac será do mesmo universo de Spider-Man

Por Vinicius Torres Oliveira

O Homem-Aranha da Marvel foi lançado em 2018 e é uma das maiores franquias de jogos de super-heróis de todos os tempos. A Insomniac Games planeja expandir o universo Marvel com o próximo jogo Wolverine. Isso porque o mundo do jogo Cabeça de Teia é o mesmo mundo que Wolverine aparece em seu jogo. Esta informação foi compartilhada pelo diretor do Homem-Aranha 2 da Marvel, Brian Intihar, durante o Kinda Funny Gamescast. A discussão sobre um universo compartilhado confirma que tanto o Homem-Aranha quanto o Wolverine dos jogos da Insomniac são residentes da Terra-1048. Além disso, Intihar revelou por que Logan não apareceu no Homem-Aranha 2 da Marvel como um ovo de Páscoa. “Decidimos não fazer isso. Embora estejamos trabalhando nessas outras propriedades da Marvel, é um jogo do Homem-Aranha, então faz sentido focar no Homem-Aranha. Acho que o objetivo é deixar a equipe trabalhar no jogo que quiser. Então, quem sabe o que acontecerá a seguir? Como tal, o jogo faz parte do multiverso Marvel, um universo variante para o qual a Insomniac Games desenvolve histórias. Outro exemplo é a Terra-616, lar dos quadrinhos da Casa das Ideias, e a Terra-1999 no Universo Cinematográfico Marvel (MCU). Portanto, os personagens do jogo podem fazer participações especiais em outras mídias e vice-versa. Vale ressaltar que Peter Parker, da Insomniac, já apareceu no filme animado Homem-Aranha: Através do Aranhaverso, que estreia em 2023. Wolverine da Marvel foi anunciado oficialmente para PlayStation 5 no PlayStation Showcase 2021, e o trailer de anúncio tem cerca de um minuto de duração. O jogo contará a história inédita de Wolverine, um dos mais populares e queridos fãs dos mutantes dos X-Men. Desenvolvido pela Insomniac Games, este jogo, assim como os jogos do Homem-Aranha, ainda está em desenvolvimento e novos recursos serão adicionados no futuro. Não há data de lançamento definida para Wolverine da Marvel.

[gamingfuturex]

Upcoming Game Previews: Anticipating the Future of Gaming

Introduction

The world of gaming is constantly evolving, with developers pushing the boundaries of technology and creativity to deliver unforgettable gaming experiences. As we look ahead, there are several highly anticipated upcoming game releases that have gamers buzzing with excitement. In this article, we'll provide you with a sneak peek into the world of these eagerly awaited titles, offering insights into gameplay, graphics, release dates, and any available trailers or teasers.

"Elden Ring"

FromSoftware, known for their challenging and atmospheric titles like "Dark Souls" and "Bloodborne," is teaming up with author George R.R. Martin for "Elden Ring." This open-world action RPG promises a vast, dark fantasy world filled with intriguing lore and relentless combat. With breathtaking visuals and a release date set for early 2022, "Elden Ring" has gamers eagerly anticipating its arrival.

"Horizon Forbidden West"

Following the success of "Horizon Zero Dawn," Guerrilla Games is returning with "Horizon Forbidden West." Set in a post-apocalyptic world filled with robotic creatures, this action RPG boasts stunning graphics that showcase the power of the PlayStation 5. Gamers can expect a compelling story, improved combat mechanics, and a breathtakingly detailed world when it releases in 2022.

"Starfield"

"Starfield" is Bethesda's first new IP in decades, and it's set to take players on a journey to the stars. This highly anticipated space exploration game offers a vast open universe to explore, with rich storytelling and the signature Bethesda open-world design. While details are scarce, the teaser trailer has left gamers eager for more information ahead of its release.

"The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2"

Nintendo's "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" was a groundbreaking title that redefined open-world gaming. The sequel promises to build upon the success of the original, with new gameplay mechanics, dungeons, and an intriguing story. While the exact release date remains uncertain, fans can't wait to return to Hyrule once again.

"God of War: Ragnarok"

Kratos and Atreus return in "God of War: Ragnarok." Building on the success of the 2018 reboot, this sequel explores Norse mythology further and promises more epic battles, stunning visuals, and emotional storytelling. With a tentative release date in 2022, PlayStation gamers are eager to continue the journey of the gods.

"Fable"

The beloved "Fable" series is getting a reboot courtesy of Playground Games. This action RPG invites players into a whimsical and humorous fantasy world filled with choices and consequences. While details remain scarce, the teaser trailer promises a return to the series' charming and humorous roots.

"Metroid Prime 4"

Nintendo fans are eagerly awaiting the return of Samus Aran in "Metroid Prime 4." The first-person action-adventure series is known for its immersive exploration and unique mechanics. Although no release date has been confirmed, the game's announcement at E3 2021 generated significant excitement.

"Hellblade II: Senua's Saga"

The original "Hellblade" received critical acclaim for its portrayal of mental illness and captivating storytelling. "Hellblade II: Senua's Saga" aims to continue Senua's journey, delivering even more stunning visuals and emotional depth. Gamers can't wait to dive into this dark and introspective world.

Conclusion

The future of gaming is bright, with a host of highly anticipated upcoming game releases promising to deliver unforgettable experiences. From open-world adventures to space exploration and mythical realms, these titles are set to redefine the gaming landscape. As gamers, we can't help but look forward to the incredible journeys and stories that await us in these upcoming releases. Keep an eye on release dates and trailers, and get ready to embark on new gaming adventures in the near future.

more further details visit:gamingfuturex

[dolllikelove]

Sony Deletes Mentions Of Troubled Star Wars: KotOR PS5 Remake, Hides Trailer

A teaser for a Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake coming to PlayStation 5 nearly stole the show at Sony’s September 2021 showcase. But reports surfaced last year that the project was already in trouble. Now Star Wars fans have noticed that Sony recently deleted tweets about the game and has hidden the�� Read more... http://dlvr.it/SwlSZ1

[best-gaming-products]

Final Fantasy XVI Reveal Sparks Fan Debate and Impacts Square Enix’s Market Value

The recent tremors running through the global stock market have significantly impacted several companies, affecting their valuations. However, none have been as striking as the recognized video game publisher Square Enix. The organization, based in Japan and known for its mark on the world of gaming, experienced a substantial drop in its market value of nearly $2 billion. This major decline has been linked by both industry analysts and game enthusiasts to the unveiling of the eagerly awaited game, Final Fantasy XVI.

Square Enix, a powerhouse in the video game industry and the creative mind behind the well-loved Final Fantasy series, debuted its sixteenth installment during the PlayStation 5 showcase in 2021. The game series, renowned for gripping narratives, memorable characters, and breathtaking visuals, left fans feeling somewhat disappointed after the recent teaser, suggesting that it lacked the usual spark. Consequently, the gaming community's mixed reactions seem to have triggered the company's value dip in the stock market.

This marked depreciation underscores the incredibly high stakes in the video game industry. It epitomizes how a company's shares can spiral following considerable announcements tied to its main titles. It also sets a powerful precedent for how the quality of a product perceived by customers can heavily impact crucial business metrics.

Following the public reveal of Final Fantasy XVI, concerns around gaming mechanics, storytelling strategy, and ambiguous story details have started to swirl around. Gaming forums and social platforms are overflowing with discussions and debates on Square Enix's direction with the sixteenth iteration of Final Fantasy. The evident shift towards a darker, grittier ambiance compared to the earlier installments was met with discontent, causing doubts over the future performance of the game and if it can meet the economic projections of the company.

Nevertheless, there are fans who view this drastic shift in narrative style as a refreshing change, appealing to long-time followers and potentially attracting newcomers. Critics have also chimed in, recognizing that while the first-trailer might leave more questions than answers, Square Enix's historical strength in out-of-box creativity and compelling storytelling cannot be undermined. They suggest that a departure from the known path might turn out to be a strategic move in the long run.

Yet, investors continue to be disturbed by the financial turbulence following the reveal. The sharp fall in the company's worth has profound implications, given Square Enix's established standing and the importance of the Final Fantasy series to its commercial success. With no public comment regarding the drop in stock price from the company's executives, fans and investors alike are left to speculate on the next course of action.

Albeit the initial financial dent, industry pundits warn that it's too premature to gauge the ultimate effects of Final Fantasy XVI on Square Enix's financial stability. As the game's development continues and more information comes to light, the public sentiment is likely to shift and boost the company's market value.

In the coming months, Square Enix's subsequent communications and the general direction of the marketing campaign will play a pivotal role. Final Fantasy's global fanbase, comprising millions, are undoubtedly waiting for further developments to solidify their opinion about the game.

In summary, the saga revolving Square Enix's declined market value serves as a significant lesson for the gaming industry. It demonstrates how vital public opinion is in this digital age, dictating not just immediate sales but also shaping the reputation and perceived value of production firms. Despite this financial hiccup, expectations for Final Fantasy XVI are high, with hope that it maintains the series' legacy of phenomenal narratives and remarkable adventures.

In light of the substantial economic impacts being felt by gaming giants such as Square Enix, it's worth considering the realm of gaming peripherals and their associated costs. A critical tool for any gamer is undoubtedly the gaming mouse, with its price dependent on features such as responsiveness, design, brand and the type of games it’s designed for. Basic options can start as low as $20 to $30, offering essential functions and decent performance. Gamers desiring a more immersive experience may opt for mid-range mice, priced between $40 to $60, offering adjustable DPI, custom weights, or RGB lighting. Premium gaming mice, known for their precision, superior ergonomics, and high-end features, can cost upwards of $100. These are popular among professional and dedicated gamers where every component can make the difference in gameplay. In the end, the cost of a gaming mouse significantly depends upon a user's personal needs, preferences and budget, similar to how a gamer would choose the games they invest in, as exhibited by the fervor around Final Fantasy XVI’s release.

[jcmarchi]

Stellar Blade Feature – Angel From Heaven

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/stellar-blade-feature-angel-from-heaven/

Stellar Blade Feature – Angel From Heaven

Introduction

Stellar Blade’s development was announced in 2019 by Korean developer Shift Up Second EVE Studio for current-gen consoles, boasting talent from the popular MMO Blade & Soul. It wasn’t until 2021, however, that we got our first proper look at Stellar Blade during a PlayStation showcase, where it was shown with its former title, Project Eve.

For those not paying close attention to Korean video game news, it felt like it came out of nowhere. In the trailer, a beautiful woman is seen fighting a hybrid monster robot. She uses a sword to break off one of the cyborg creature’s arms to use as a weapon before being thrown through a wall, revealing the fight was happening on a space station all along. As she careens through space further and further away from the station, it is revealed that a much larger, much creepier creature with too many eyes has grafted itself onto the facility from the outside. It’s an attention-grabbing first look, and the trailer only gets more interesting from there as the woman (whose name is Eve) is seen pulling off more acrobatic combat moves on an Earth that has experienced some kind of apocalypse.

Considering Eve, her combat style, settings in both space and on a ravaged Earth, and a robot floating behind Eve offering help and advice, many were quick to compare the game to Nier: Automata. Speaking with Stellar Blade’s game director, Hyung-Tae Kim, and its technical director Dong-Gi Lee, through a translator, that is not entirely by accident, even if the final game will likely showcase plenty of differences between the two.

“You’re probably aware of this, but Yoko Taro’s Nier: Automata was the biggest inspiration for Stellar Blade,” Kim says. “That was even the starting point or motivation to make this game, so I’m very grateful for that.” Both Kim and Lee are quick to detail other points of inspiration. The two specifically call out anime and manga like Ghost in the Shell and Battle Angel Alita but add, “While Nier: Automata did give motive to the progression of the story, the combat itself is different. Of course, they share a common factor of being an action game, but we tried to make the combat flashier yet tense.”

A Game With An Ending

A Game With An Ending

After playing Nier: Automata, but before Kim, Lee, and the Shift Up team were diving into the minutiae of making Stellar Blade, development began in 2018 with a much simpler desire: to make a video game with an ending. During that time, development in Korea was focused predominantly on the mobile market, with few focused on console development, which led to some barriers. “It was pretty tough to get all the developers of console games into one team […] mobile games – they have their own, I guess, pros, because you get to enjoy the world that you love whenever you want, it continues on, and it’s maintained constantly, but then there is a market where only that kind of game exists,” Kim says. “That balance needed to be broken.”

Combat For Everyone

Combat For Everyone

Stellar Blade’s combat is flashy in all gameplay footage to date, with Eve pulling off pre-determined moves and throwing the titular Stellar Blade into the air while her long hair twirls around the action, but those impressive animations don’t explain what players are doing moment-to-moment. Eve can learn various combos, but it’s not the kind of action game where you are memorizing a series of useful inputs and trying to execute the right ones at the right moments. Every encounter begins with the decision of going in offensively or defensively. Enemies will not wait for Eve to make a move, and she can defend, parry, or use evasive maneuvers. Countering enemies will put them in a groggy state, which opens the window to use combos or “Beta Skills,” as Kim and Lee refer to them. “There is also what’s called the Balance Gauge, and if you succeed in consecutive parrying, you can deal a huge blow to the enemies,” Kim says. “Other combat options include assassination, ranged attacks, and more, depending on the situation.”

Boss battles carry a similar strategy. Kim refers to them as “the most important content in Stellar Blade” and adds that there will be a level of pattern recognition required to defeat them. Kim says combat is being designed in such a way that it will require proactive effort from the player, but it is not trying to make an overly challenging game like so many that are inspired by From Software titles like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Difficult modes will exist for players who want them, but so will story modes. “Another mode exists for someone who wants to focus more on the narrative part of the game,” Kim says, “But that doesn’t necessarily mean that we got rid of the fun of the battle itself.”

Heaven And (Destroyed) Earth

Heaven And (Destroyed) Earth

In the world of Stellar Blade, Eve is an airborne squad member from space, but she is human. She has a secret that distinguishes her from her coworkers (that Kim and Lee were not ready to share), but otherwise, she is at the same level as the other members of her squad. “Humanity has been defeated by these enemies called Naytibas that appeared out of nowhere one day on Earth, and so humanity, they took this space elevator, and they escaped to an off-world colony,” Kim says. That’s where privileged humans live, but many have continued to survive on Earth and Eve and her peers have come back down to try and take the world back from the Naytibas. Of course, as is often the case in science fiction, not everything is as it seems. Eve is surprised to find humans living on Earth. Everyone had been told there were no survivors.

Many of the humans Eve meets on Earth call her an angel, considering where she came from, and welcome her assistance in the form of sidequests. “You can see it as an angel that descended from outer space with a sword,” Kim says. Defeating the Naytibas is the main mission, but many need help on an immediate and smaller scale. Kim does not intend for these sidequests to break the format. When asked what sidequests from other games have influenced the ones in Stellar Blade, he replied, “Let’s see… The side quests were not influenced by certain games specifically. I should say that they were influenced by all the games that I have played all this time.”

For example, there is one series of consecutive sidequests where Eve is trying to help a broken woman in an old pub in Xion, a location where humans have found refuge after the apocalypse. The woman used to be a singer, but now she is struggling to even stay alive. The missions Eve completes will help her recover mentally and physically, though Kim teases an unexpected ending. “There are some choices that alter the results,” Kim says when asked if the player will be making story decisions in these moments, “But honestly, I wouldn’t say you have much freedom. But there certainly are important decisions to be made.”

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Costumes serve as one of the rewards for completing sidequests but don’t expect wearing different outfits to change Eve’s statistics. The goal is to make sure no singular clothing item is emphasized. They want players to choose the outfits based on personal preference rather than statistical significance. Approximately 30 costumes will be discoverable throughout the course of the game, whether by just stumbling across them, receiving them as rewards, or creating them through found recipes. The team also plans to add more after release.

Kim used the terms “ingredients” and “recipes” when describing creating certain costumes, but Stellar Blade won’t have players crafting new weapons – The Stellar Blade is Eve’s only weapon. It can be improved to swing faster or deliver more critical hits, but they want players to fully focus on the titular sword.

To The Future

To The Future

Every new look at Stellar Blade showcases footage of a game that looks stunning in action. I also appreciate Kim’s candid appreciation for Nier: Automata and its storytelling. It’s rare developers are so straightforward about the games that inspired them, and it is refreshing to hear someone love a game so much that they wanted to make one like it. The feeling of combat remains Stellar Blade’s primary question mark as I, unfortunately, did not get a chance to go hands-on, but I am already invested in finding out Eve’s secret, what the Naytibas are, and what is happening on this version of Earth.

“When the world experiences an apocalypse, people develop these uncanny religious tendencies, and it will be interesting to see the changes in them,” Kim says, wrapping up our discussion. A compelling seed planted for a science fiction narrative.

This article originally appeared in Issue 364 of Game Informer