HHW Gaming
Page: 9
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Obsidian Entertainment / Xbox / Grounded / Nintendo Direct
The video game world, specifically the Xbox community, was in shambles after leaks about the company’s shift in business direction hit the timeline. Nintendo confirmed the first two games that were Xbox exclusives coming to the Nintendo Switch platform.
While many were still sleeping, a Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase focused on games from studios not under the Nintendo umbrella and finally confirmed Xbox’s worst-kept secret.
Obsidian Entertainment’s narrative adventure game Pentiment will be coming to the Nintendo Switch and the PlayStation 4 and PS5 on February 22.
Also coming from Obsidian Entertainment is the co-op survival adventure game that takes its cues from the film Honey I Shrunk The Kids is Grounded.
Since its launch on the Xbox consoles and PC, there have been over 20 million players, and that base will likely expand when Grounded launches on the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation consoles on April 16 and will feature crossplay.
[embedded content]
There were plenty of other announcements from the Nintendo Direct as well.
Star Wars Battlefront Classic Collection is also coming back, allowing fans of the franchise to play modernized versions of 2004’s Star Wars Battlefront and the 2005 sequel Star Wars Battlefront II both online and offline.
[embedded content]
Another game shown during the direct was Contra: Operation Gulaga, a complete reimaging of the 80s classic Nintendo game featuring co-op gameplay, arriving on the Nintendo Switch console on March 12.
[embedded content]
But wait, there’s more. You can see the other announcements, including Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed, World of Goo 2, Penny’s Big Breakaway 2, and more, in the gallery below.
1. Suika Game – Multiplayer Mode
A new Multi-Player mode has been added to Suika Game! You can enjoy it right now with your nearby loved ones on Nintendo Switch!
2. Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On!
The Pocket Card Jockey so well-received on Nintendo 3DS has galloped its way onto Nintendo Switch, and it’s more fun than ever! Easy to learn, but filled with surprising depth, you’ll put together the best hands you can to help your horses take home the gold!
Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On! is available now on Nintendo Switch.
3. Pepper Grinder
Pepper Grinder, an action-packed drill-bit digventure from independent developer Ahr Ech and Devolver Digital, is coming to Nintendo Switch March 28. Play the free demo now!
Evoking classic platformers, Pepper – a seafaring soul with a passion for prospecting – must spin up her trusty sidearm to reclaim what nefarious Narlings stole. Armed with Grinder, Pepper burrows through terrain & water, controls machines, and pulverises all enemies blocking the way towards recovering her missing fortune – with interest!
4. Another Crab’s Treasure
Another Crab’s Treasure is a soulslike adventure set in a crumbling underwater world plagued by a mysterious curse. As Kril the hermit crab, you’ll need to wear the trash around you as shells to defend yourself from enemies many times your size. Embark on an epic treasure hunt to buy back your repossessed shell, and discover the dark secrets behind the polluted ocean.
This crabby soulslike washes ashore April 25.
5. Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed
Join Mickey Mouse on his magical quest and get ready to wield the power of paint and thinner once again.
Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed is coming to Nintendo Switch later this year!
6. Another Crab’s Treasure
Another Crab’s Treasure is a soulslike adventure set in a crumbling underwater world plagued by a mysterious curse. As Kril the hermit crab, you’ll need to wear the trash around you as shells to defend yourself from enemies many times your size. Embark on an epic treasure hunt to buy back your repossessed shell, and discover the dark secrets behind the polluted ocean.
This crabby soulslike washes ashore April 25.
7. SOUTH PARK: SNOW DAY!
Hey, New Kid! Grab up to three friends, in this four-player co-op, and battle your way through the snow-piled town of South Park to celebrate the most magical day in any young child’s life – a snow day!
Equip and upgrade devastating melee and ranged weapons. Deploy special abilities and powers that will bring hordes of enemies and epic bosses to their knees.
SOUTH PARK: SNOW DAY! is coming to Nintendo Switch March 26.
8. Penny’s Big Breakaway
Ready, Set YO! – Join Penny & Yo-Yo for a kinetic 3D-platformer adventure like no other! Get ready to take the stage in Penny’s Big Breakaway!
Showcase your catalog of tricks in this easy-to-play, difficult-to-master 3-D platforming game.
Penny’s Big Breakaway is available now on Nintendo Switch!
9. World of Goo 2 – Trailer #1
World of Goo 2 is arriving for Nintendo Switch in 2024!
Now with more Goo! Use living liquid creatures to build bridges, grow towers, terraform terrain, and more in a beautiful, dangerous, and evolving world when World of Goo 2 arrives 5/23.
10. NES, Super NES, Nintendo 64 – February 2024 Game Updates
Five more classic games from Rare – including Killer Instinct and Blast Corps – are now available through Nintendo Switch Online and Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack!
11. Endless Ocean Luminous – Announcement Trailer
Descend into an underwater world to explore and discover in Endless Ocean Luminous, arriving only on Nintendo Switch May 2nd.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Emanuele Cremaschi / Getty / Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo fans will reportedly have to wait a bit longer to get their hands on a Nintendo Switch 2.
The video game streets were talking after word got out that Nintendo showed a bunch of lucky game developers at Gamescom last year the Nintendo Switch 2, fueling the fire that the follow-up to the Nintendo Switch is coming in 2024.
Welp, unfortunately, according to sources close to the matter speaking with VGC, the Nintendo Switch 2 will be dropping in Q1 2025.
A Brazilian journalist also said the same in a video, plus “similar whispers” from sources speaking with Eurogamer also claim the Nintendo Switch 2 is coming in 2025.
If the reports are accurate, the next Switch console could launch around the same time as its predecessor did in March 2017.
Two sources confirmed to VGC that they were developing two titles for the Nintendo Switch 2: Switch Pro or whatever name it will go by when Nintendo finally unveils it.
The Verge reports the later date could allow developers to get launch titles like Metroid Prime 4 ready. That game was first announced in 2017, and its development was restarted in 2019.
It’s been five years since we heard anything about Metroid Prime 4, but according to Polygon, Nintendo could have decided to hold the game for the console’s launch.
In Other Nintendo News
This latest news comes after reports indicated that the new Switch will not have an OLED screen, which is honestly a bummer, but understandable to keep the price down, and it will still use physical cartridges.
In other Nintendo news, a Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase is going down on Wednesday, Feb 21, focusing on games coming to the Nintendo Switch from the company’s publishing and development partners.
We will report on any big news that comes from it.
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: The Sims 4 / Winnie Harlow
Representation matters, and that’s why the latest update for The Sims 4 is very important.
The Sims 4 announced a partnership with supermodel and beauty entrepreneur Winnie Harlow to bring Vitiligo skin detail to the Create-A-Sim feature.
Harlow suffers from an autoimmune disorder that causes patches of skin to lose pigmentation, so partnership and announcement of the highly requested feature makes all the sense in the world.
Winnie was an avid The Sims player in her youth, so it is a dream come true to see her likeness and a Simified version of her home in the video game.
“It’s magical to see The Sims 4 team introduce this new Vitiligo feature,” Winnie said. “As a child, I spent a lot of time playing The Sims, and I think it’s so beautiful to be able to represent your true self in-game. This partnership is a powerful statement encouraging players to embrace what makes them unique – both in-game and in real life.”
[embedded content]
“Skin details are an important area of focus for the dev team as we remain committed to expanding representation in The Sims 4. Birthmarks, stretch marks, scars, and freckles have empowered our players to tell diverse and authentic stories, and today’s update continues with these efforts. We have known for a while we wanted to add VitiVitiligothe game, and we spent a lot of time learning about it and considering how to authentically provide it to players,” a statement from The Sims 4 development team read.
The update featuring the vitiligo skin feature is now live. Hit the gallery below for more photos.
1. The Sims 4 x Winnie Harlow
Source:Winnie Harlow
The Sims 4 x Winnie Harlow winnie harlow,the sims 4
2. The Sims 4 x Winnie Harlow
Source:Winnie Harlow
The Sims 4 x Winnie Harlow winnie harlow,the sims 4
3. The Sims 4 x Winnie Harlow
Source:Winnie Harlow
The Sims 4 x Winnie Harlow winnie harlow,the sims 4
4. The Sims 4 x Winnie Harlow
Source:Winnie Harlow
The Sims 4 x Winnie Harlow winnie harlow,the sims 4
5. The Sims 4 x Winnie Harlow
Source:Winnie Harlow
The Sims 4 x Winnie Harlow winnie harlow,the sims 4
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: JUNG YEON-JE / Getty / Xbox
The Xbox community is in shambles after several leaks over the weekend, indicating a significant shift when it comes to the company’s “exclusive” titles is coming.
Multiple reports from The Verge, XboxEra, and Giant Bomb’s Jeff Grubb claim Xbox will put exclusive titles like Bethesda releases, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Starfield, and even Gears of Wars are coming to the PlayStation 5, adding a lot of fuel to those Xbox going multiplatform fires.
According to The Verge’s reporting, a source close to Bethesda told the outlet that MachineGames, which is owned by Bethesda’s parent company, ZeniMax Media, is “considering” releasing the upcoming Indiana Jones game on the PS5 console after its launch on PC and Xbox Series X/S in 2024.
We got our first look at Indiana Jones and the Great Circle during the recent Developer_Direct presentation, and it met with some mixed reactions, with some excited about the game and others mum on the idea of the game being in first person.
Per XboxEra’s reporting, Starfield, the massive Xbox exclusive, is also coming to the PlayStation 5, allegedly sometime after the release of the Shattered Space DLC. The website also claims Microsoft has invested in more PlayStation 5 dev kits to make the interstellar RPG’s jump to the PS5 happen.
“The other one that I’ve heard that’s definitely under consideration—it doesn’t mean that it’s going to happen, but it’s in talks—is Gears of War,” Grubb said on a recent episode of Game Mess Mornings.
Other games like live service pirate adventure Sea of Thieves and Tango Gamework’s surprise hit Hi-Fi Rush are also rumored to jump from Xbox consoles to the PS5.
As you can imagine, the news sent the Xbox community spiraling on X, formerly Twitter, with Spaces titled, I’m not an Xbox fanboy anymore.”
We’re dead serious. Well-known Xbox enthusiast Tim Dogg started it, and we paid a visit to it, and it was A LOT, to say the least.
Phil Spencer Hears You
Hilariously, while all this was happening, Xbox Chief Phil Spencer was happily playing Diablo IV, according to Tim Dog, but he finally broke his silence on Monday, Feb 5.
In a very Spencer-like response, he wrote on X:
“We’re listening and we hear you. We’ve been planning a business update event for next week, where we look forward to sharing more details with you about our vision for the future of Xbox. Stay tuned.”
Oh boy.
He honestly needs to say something now, but we’re just going to have to be patient and wait on Phil.
Justified Anger or Just Overeacting?
Until that day comes, and Phil drops the news many Xbox fans are dreading, there are plenty of reactions, some hilarious, also quite delirious.
Are these reactions to this news warranted? We guess. Listen, we get it; some people buy these consoles due to brand loyalty and love the idea you can have certain titles on them.
Believe it or not, some gamers bought a PS4 or PS5 because they want to play exclusives like Marvel’s Spider-Man, Horizon Zero Dawn, or God of War.
Xbox console owners were hoping to get the same thing, and hearing games they used in their arguments to prop up their consoles are now possibly heading to the competitor.
Then, some don’t care where they play their games; they want a machine that can run them flawlessly.
But if this news is accurate, it does seem that Xbox is waving the white flag, and understandably, the people who ran out and bought Xbox Series X and Series S consoles are now giving them the ultimate side-eye.
We shall see if there is any truth to these reports next week when Phil Spencer speaks on it; until then, you can see more reactions in the gallery below.
3. Howling
5. Did they?
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: 343 Industries / HALO Infinite
It’s Black History Month, which means companies are doing their best to show how inclusive and down for the Black cause they truly are. Halo Infinite studio 343 Industries’ attempt to celebrate BHM is getting clowned on social media.
Don’t get it twisted; we know there was goodwill in 343 Industries’ attempt to celebrate Black History Month by introducing armor shaders to commemorate the annual celebration of Black excellence.
But, man, we understand why the jokes are flying across the timeline.
Gamers can now add bold green, gold, and maroon colors, typically associated with African country flags, plus kente cloth, the West African traditional textile as a pattern on their Spartan armor.
To announce the new Black History Month-inspired shaders, the Halo account on X, formerly Twitter, dropped a photo of a Spartan with all the custom shaders, which did not land well.
Immediately, comparisons to A-Train, the only Black superhero on The Seven in the hit Amazon Prime series, The Boys, hit timelines.
In that particular episode, Jessie T. Usher’s character got an African-themed super suit to gain the approval of Black people, but 343 Industries’ attempt was nowhere near as egregious in terms of pandering. However, you still can’t unsee it, especially when you compare A-Train’s costume.
The Verge’s Ash Parrish confirmed that with her well-timed response to the Halo account tweet.
Xbox’s Other BLM-Inspired Initiatives
The announcement of the Black History Month-inspired Halo Infinite shaders was just a small part of a more significant initiative that Xbox announced to celebrate BHM.
The Microsoft-owned company announced a partnership with the Gameheads development program and other amazing Black History Month initiatives.
Announcing a partnership with Gameheads to showcase games created by students (ages 11-25) who have gone through Gameheads’ game development program. Gameheads is a California-based non-profit that uses game design and development to engage, prepare and train low-income youth and youth of color for careers in the video games and technology industry. Check out the games, and how you can play them here.
As part of the partnership, Xbox also donated to Gameheads to support their commitment to diversifying the pipeline in the gaming industry & empowering the next generation of game developers.
Sharing a collection of games available on Xbox, made for and by the Black community, including spotlighting Black game developers from the ID@Xbox Developer Acceleration Program who, with Xbox’s support, are increasing Black representation and elevating underrepresented voices in the games they create.
Encouraging players to donate Microsoft Rewards points to both Gameheads and/or Cxmmunity.
Sharing Xbox Ambassador stories, including tips they have for how to stay safe when gaming, and more!
By heading here, you can learn more about how Xbox and Gamesheads are working together to amplify Black voices in the gaming industry.
Still, Xbox, you are going to get these jokes. You can see more reactions to the Blackety, Black Spartan armor in the gallery below.
2. Won’t be shocked to see this at New York Comic Con
3. Howling
5. Someone likes it
6. Intriguing
7. Wait a minute
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Nintendo / Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Wahoo, you can take Mario vs. Donkey Kong for a. quick spin.
A demo for the Gameboy Advance Classic Mario vs. Donkey Kong remake is now available in the Nintendo eShop before its release later this month.
The demo will allow players to experience four levels from the game where players will control Mario as he jumps, backflips, handstands, and solve puzzles on his mission to recover all the Mini-Mario toys stolen from the factory from his longtime nemesis not named Bowser, Donkey Kong.
The remake will feature a new Two-Player Mode, challenging new levels, and a fully reorchestrated soundtrack. “Mario vs. Donkey Kong is all about finding someone who completes you … but not without making you work for it,” the press release reads.
Along with the demo, Nintendo also shared a brief gameplay overview trailer that gives more of a look at the game.
[embedded content]
Eurogamer reports the demo will allow players to experience the game’s casual or classic modes. Casual removes the timer while placing checkpoints between levels and giving players five hit points before they die.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day The Nintendo Way
But that’s not all; to celebrate the upcoming love holiday, Valentine’s Day, Nintendo wants its fans to celebrate their lovers, the Donkey Kongs, to their Marios with Valentine’s Day eCards inspired by the upcoming game.
Source: Nintendo / Mario vs. Donkey Kong
The remaster officially launches on the Nintendo Switch on Feb.16 and joins other remasters coming this year, like Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door and Luigi’s Mansion 2.
Nintendo is poised to have another strong year, and if the rumors of the “Super Nintendo Switch” or “Switch 2″ dropping this year are true, 2024 will be lit for fans of the Nintendo brand.
Hit the gallery below to see and download the other Valentine’s Day eCards.
1. Mario vs. Donkey Kong Valentines Day eCards
Source:Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Mario vs. Donkey Kong Valentine’s Day eCards nintendo,mario vs. donkey kong
2. Mario vs. Donkey Kong Valentines Day eCards
Source:Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Mario vs. Donkey Kong Valentine’s Day eCards nintendo,mario vs. donkey kong
3. Mario vs. Donkey Kong Valentines Day eCards
Source:Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Mario vs. Donkey Kong Valentine’s Day eCards nintendo,mario vs. donkey kong
4. Mario vs. Donkey Kong Valentines Day eCards
Source:Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Mario vs. Donkey Kong Valentine’s Day eCards nintendo,mario vs. donkey kong
5. Mario vs. Donkey Kong Valentines Day eCards
Source:Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Mario vs. Donkey Kong Valentine’s Day eCards nintendo,mario vs. donkey kong
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Kojima Productions / Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
PlayStation’s first State of Play broadcast arrived, and there were bangers announced that we can look forward to playing on the PS5 consoles.
The presentation was roughly 40 minutes long and had surprises, but Hideo Kojima stole the show.
Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Source: Kojima Productions / Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Death Stranding 2 is no longer a worker title. It has an official name, Death Stranding 2 On The Beach. In typical Kojima fashion, we got a 9-minute plus trailer. Norman Reedus’ Sam Porter Bridges returns and will face a new threat in Drawbridge, plus the BTs due to the Death Stranding.
Sam comes face to face with a character voiced by Troy Baker to cap off the trailer, who returns from the beach holding a guitar that shoots out electricity and doubles as a sword.
Source: Kojima Productions / Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
It’s the most Kojima game ever, featuring some other strange touches that could come from the mind that gave us the Metal Gear video franchise.
The game doesn’t arrive till 2025, but thankfully, that will give you enough time to play Death Stranding: Director’s Cut in the time being on either your Apple devices or PlayStation consoles.
[embedded content]
A New Tactical Action-Espionage Game From Hideo Kojima
Hideo Kojima blew our minds with his project OD coming to Xbox, but it doesn’t mean his relationship with PlayStation is over. To cap off the State of Play, Kojima announced that Physint is coming to PlayStation and will be a new tactical action-espionage game called Physint.
Kojima says the new game will blur the lines between video games and film.
We have no idea what this game is, but consider us very excited. Watch the announcement below, and hit the gallery for more screenshots from Death Stranding 2 On The Beach.
[embedded content]
1. Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Source:Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Death Stranding 2 On The Beach hideo kojima,death stranding 2 on the beach,kojima productions
2. Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Source:Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Death Stranding 2 On The Beach hideo kojima,death stranding 2 on the beach,kojima productions
3. Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Source:Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Death Stranding 2 On The Beach hideo kojima,death stranding 2 on the beach,kojima productions
4. Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Source:Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Death Stranding 2 On The Beach hideo kojima,death stranding 2 on the beach,kojima productions
5. Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Source:Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Death Stranding 2 On The Beach hideo kojima,death stranding 2 on the beach,kojima productions
6. Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Source:Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Death Stranding 2 On The Beach hideo kojima,death stranding 2 on the beach,kojima productions
7. Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Source:Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Death Stranding 2 On The Beach hideo kojima,death stranding 2 on the beach,kojima productions
8. Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Source:Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Death Stranding 2 On The Beach hideo kojima,death stranding 2 on the beach,kojima productions
9. Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Source:Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Death Stranding 2 On The Beach hideo kojima,death stranding 2 on the beach,kojima productions
10. Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Source:Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Death Stranding 2 On The Beach hideo kojima,death stranding 2 on the beach,kojima productions
11. Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Source:Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Death Stranding 2 On The Beach hideo kojima,death stranding 2 on the beach,kojima productions
12. Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Source:Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Death Stranding 2 On The Beach hideo kojima,death stranding 2 on the beach,kojima productions
13. Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Source:Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Death Stranding 2 On The Beach hideo kojima,death stranding 2 on the beach,kojima productions
14. Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Source:Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Death Stranding 2 On The Beach hideo kojima,death stranding 2 on the beach,kojima productions
15. Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Source:Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Death Stranding 2 On The Beach hideo kojima,death stranding 2 on the beach,kojima productions
16. Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Source:Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Death Stranding 2 On The Beach hideo kojima,death stranding 2 on the beach,kojima productions
17. Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Source:Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Death Stranding 2 On The Beach hideo kojima,death stranding 2 on the beach,kojima productions
18. Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Source:Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Death Stranding 2 On The Beach hideo kojima,death stranding 2 on the beach,kojima productions
19. Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Source:Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Death Stranding 2 On The Beach hideo kojima,death stranding 2 on the beach,kojima productions
20. Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Source:Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Death Stranding 2 On The Beach hideo kojima,death stranding 2 on the beach,kojima productions
21. Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Source:Death Stranding 2 On The Beach
Death Stranding 2 On The Beach hideo kojima,death stranding 2 on the beach,kojima productions
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Jon Kopaloff / Getty / Johanna Faries
Blizzard Entertainment has a new president, Johanna Faries.
Effective February 5, Johanna Faries will succeed Mike Ybarra, who left the company last week after news of Xbox and Activision laying off 1,900 employees.
Fairies has been a part of the Blizzard family since 2018, first as commissioner of Call of Duty esports before being promoted to general manager of Call of Duty.
Before bringing her talents to the video game space, Faries was the club business development vice president for 11 years at the NFL.
In her announcement, Faries spoke on becoming President while acknowledging the massive layoffs at the company.
“I want to let you know immediately that it is an honor to join you next week in this new capacity. I do so humbly and in awe of all that Blizzard has stood for and delivered to the world for over thirty years. Today also brings some mixed emotions,” Faries said.
“The loss of talented teammates in recent days is hard to hold side-by-side with the immense excitement I feel about joining Blizzard – and building on the momentum you’ve created for Blizzard’s next chapter.”
She continued, “I am committed to doing everything I can to help Blizzard thrive, with care and consideration for you and for our games, each unique and special in their own right.”
Power Moves For Women of Color In The Video Games Space
Fairies is the latest woman of color to land a high-ranking video game industry position. In a shift of its leadership structure, Xbox promoted Sarah Bond to President.
In an exclusive interview with HHW Gaming’s Bernard “Beanz” Smalls, Faries discussed the importance of seeing someone like her in prominent roles in the gaming industry.
It’s an honor in every way to be able to occupy this chair and this role. I know that it represents a lot for a lot of different people, beyond just being a business executive. People who have the ambition to be a part of great franchises and also be a part of tech and gaming, generally speaking, but also for women and minorities and underrepresented communities who are still coming up the ranks within our industry in particular.
Congrats to Johanna Faries. We’re looking forward to seeing what her leadership brings to Blizzard.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: PlayStation / State of Play
Xbox hit us with the first Developer_Direct of the new year, and now it is PlayStation’s turn to show us what to expect in 2024 for the PS5.
After initially leaking, PlayStation confirmed a State of Play broadcast is on the way, and we can expect “extended looks” at Stellar Blade and Rise of The Ronin.
Per the PlayStation Blog, the broadcast will be 40 minutes long and cover 15+ games during the presentation, including the ones mentioned above.
Before PlayStation officially announced the State of Play, a post on X, formerly Twitter, from gaming insider @Shpeshal_Nick cryptically revealed what games we could expect to see during the broadcast.
“On the 31st (roughly), Ronins will Rise, we’ll die stranded, have a rebirth and Kojima will fulfil his dream. Sonic will live in the shadow of his generation while the hills will remain silent until the dawn when you’ll need to catch the metro. Just don’t be a Judas about it,” the tweet read.
Thanks to X user Rand_al_Thor_19, we know what games we could expect, and they are:
Rise of the Ronin
Death Stranding 2
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Sonic Generations Remaster
Silent Hill 2
New Metro game
Judas
According to another X user, @Kurakasis, the new Metro game will be a VR title.
“I can reveal that a new Metro game, which is going to be announced very soon, is a VR game titled METRO AWAKENING,” the post on X read.
Sounds good to us. Keep it locked on HHW Gaming as we will recap what was revealed during the State of Play going down on Wednesday, Jan 31, 5 pm ET, 2 pm PT.
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Microsoft / Xbox /Activision Blizzard
New year, more layoffs in the video game industry, sadly.
Can we hit the reset button?
The video game industry continues to be hit with layoffs despite companies seeing massive amounts of profit and games selling like hotcakes.
Microsoft is the latest company to take an axe to its workforce, laying off 1,900 employees from Activision Blizzard and Xbox. The Verge reports that most of the layoffs will affect roles at Activision Blizzard, and these cuts will also impact some employees at Xbox and ZeniMax.
The 1,900 layoffs will account for 8% of Microsoft’s gaming division’s 22,000 employees.
The website obtained an internal memo from Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer confirming the horrible news.
Per The Verge:
It’s been a little over three months since the Activision, Blizzard, and King teams joined Microsoft. As we move forward in 2024, the leadership of Microsoft Gaming and Activision Blizzard is committed to aligning on a strategy and an execution plan with a sustainable cost structure that will support the whole of our growing business. Together, we’ve set priorities, identified areas of overlap, and ensured that we’re all aligned on the best opportunities for growth.
As part of this process, we have made the painful decision to reduce the size of our gaming workforce by approximately 1900 roles out of the 22,000 people on our team. The Gaming Leadership Team and I are committed to navigating this process as thoughtfully as possible.
The people who are directly impacted by these reductions have all played an important part in the success of Activision Blizzard, ZeniMax and the Xbox teams, and they should be proud of everything they’ve accomplished here. We are grateful for all of the creativity, passion and dedication they have brought to our games, our players and our colleagues. We will provide our full support to those who are impacted during the transition, including severance benefits informed by local employment laws. Those whose roles will be impacted will be notified, and we ask that you please treat your departing colleagues with the respect and compassion that is consistent with our values.
Looking ahead, we’ll continue to invest in areas that will grow our business and support our strategy of bringing more games to more players around the world. Although this is a difficult moment for our team, I’m as confident as ever in your ability to create and nurture the games, stories and worlds that bring players together.
Phil
Blizzard president Mike Ybarra Is Also Bouncing
Among the 1,900 will also be Blizzard president Mike Ybarra, who did his best impression of the Spongebob “might imma head out” meme.
“As many of you know, Mike previously spent more than 20 years at Microsoft. Now that he has seen the acquisition through as Blizzard’s president, he has decided to leave the company,” Microsoft’s game content and studios president, Matt Booty, said in an internal memo.
Also leaving is Allen Adham, Blizzard’s chief design officer.
Booty adds, “As one of Blizzard’s cofounders, Allen has had a broad impact on all of Blizzard’s games. His influence will be felt for years to come, both directly and indirectly, as Allen plans to continue mentoring young designers across the industry.”
The Verge has also reported that a game Blizzard has been working on for over six years has also been canceled. Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier says the name of the game was Odyssey.
Schreier notes that Activision Blizzard employees are reaching out to him to learn their fate and waiting to see if they are among the 1,900.
Social Media Reactions To The Layoffs
As expected, the news of the layoffs is not landing well on X, formerly Twitter, with reactions pouring in from those involved in the gaming industry.
Kinda Funny’s Andy Cortez perfectly summed up in one post on X how these layoffs can affect the future of the video game industry.
“You’re a student in game dev school. You’re reading about Microsoft laying off 1,900 people after buying Activision Blizzard. You just read about more Embracer layoffs from yesterday. Nearly 6,000 games industry workers are jobless so far this year. It is still January,” Cortez said.
The frightening trend, which saw an estimated 10,500 game industry workers in 2023, is currently on pace to match or smash that number. Video Games Chronicle reports over 5,000 workers will lose their jobs in 2024.
Damn.
You can see more reactions to Microsoft layoffs in the gallery below.
1. Unbelievable
2. Great point
7. Well damn