Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds developer hits out at Fortnite for “replicating” its gameplay23/9/2017 The developer of Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds has made clear its “growing concerns” with similarities in Epic Games’ Fortnite. Despite not being the first Battle Royale-inspired game, PUBG has taken both the PC gaming and streaming communities by storm, and console fans are eagerly anticipating its venture into Xbox territory later this year.
Fortnite, which is developed and published by Epic Games, looks set to compete with the breakout shooter following an aggressive launch proposition: the Battle Royale mode is a free addition to the paid early access game - which will go free-to-play itself next year - and is set to release just next week, eclipsing PUBG's own Xbox One version. The move seems to have angered Bluehole Studios’ Han Kim, as reported by Eurogamer. “We've had an ongoing relationship with Epic Games throughout PUBG's development as they are the creators of Unreal Engine, the engine we licensed for the game," Kim stated. "After listening to the growing feedback from our community and reviewing the gameplay for ourselves, we are concerned that Fortnite may be replicating the experience for which PUBG is known.” "We have also noticed that Epic Games references PUBG in the promotion of Fortnite to their community and in communications with the press. This was never discussed with us and we don't feel that it's right." Does the PUBG developer have a point? Or are Epic free to iterate on the Battle Royale game type? Let us know in the comments or over in the forum. White Noise 2 is getting a Classic Mode22/9/2017 White Noise 2 players on Steam can try the mode now, while Xbox One users will have to wait until next week. Things aren’t any easier for the player stepping into the role of the creature, who’s abilities have also been taken away, leaving them to rely on following the investigators’ tracks and erecting detection idols in order to track them down.
White Noise 2 is out now, and available for just £7.99 on PC and Xbox One. Be sure to check out our thoughts on the asymmetrical horror title, and keep an eye out for our upcoming let’s play to see the game in action. Atomicom announce Elevate Combat League21/9/2017 Indie outfit, Atomicom, have announced a futuristic sports-themed first-person shooter. The game's flagship mode, Ricochet, is a deadly contact sport where players will fight for control of a ball with which they can score goals. Players will be split into leagues based on their rank. League points will be earned after every match, based on performance, and at the end of a league season players could receive a promotion or face relegation.
“We’re thrilled to give press and public a preview of our new game, Elevate Combat League,” said Andy Santos, Design Director of Atomicom. “With Elevate we will push the competitive sports-arena shooter into exciting new territory. The ability to sculpt the level offers great tactical depth, while the skills players are equipped with means they can react quickly to the challenges of a rapidly changing arena.” Elevate Combat League is planned for release on Xbox One, PS4 and PC. Those attending EGX can go hands-on with an early build of the game. What do you think of the trailer? Looking to try this out at EGX? Let us know below or over in the forums. Blast Out launches on Steam Early Access tomorrow, Battlerite goes free-to-play in November20/9/2017 Tarhead Studio have announced that their top down PvP arena brawler, Blast Out (formerly known as RUiN), will be entering Steam Early Access tomorrow. You can further augment your characters by changing their armour and equipment, with every gear piece conferring a positive and negative stat change to maintain balance whilst allowing you to tweak your characters towards a certain playstyle. It's not just other players you need to worry about, as the arenas themselves change shape and size over time, introducing new traps and hazards. A lot of the abilities have a knock back effect which can be strategically used to send your opponent flying to their death. “We’re really pleased to announce that Blast Out is coming to Steam Early Access”, said Martin Eriksson, CEO of Tarhead Studio. “With a heavy dose of inspiration from the Warcraft III mod, Warlock and our own visions on what an arcade based arena brawler should look like, we believe Blast Out delivers a fast paced battle arena experience unlike anything else on the market." Blast Out is available from tomorrow on Steam and will set you back $12.99 (or regional equivalent). If you'd like to know how it plays, watch this space as we'll have something for you soon. There's more battle arena news, as Battlerite is going free-to-play on 8 November.
The title has surpassed 1 million downloads on Steam's Early Access platform and to celebrate this, players can try out Battlerite for free from 25 September through 1 October. Throughout the free week, you can pick it up on Steam for the discounted price of £7.49/$9.98/€9.98. Battlerite, the spiritual successor to the critically acclaimed Bloodline Champions, is a fast-paced team arena brawler focused on competitive PvP combat. Players choose one of 21 champions (each specialising in melee combat, ranged combat or support) to fight as, taking part in 2v2 or 3v3 battles in colosseum-style surroundings. Stunlock Studios have also released a roadmap letting us know what to expect in the coming months. This year will see the start of a new season as the game officially launches, as well as the addition of new champions, items, events and a game mode. Next year will bring even more champions, maps, modes and events. Tournament and clan systems will be implemented and an Xbox release is on the cards. Share your thoughts on the two arena brawlers below or over in the forums. Expand is coming to PS420/9/2017 Indie publisher UKIYO are bringing Expand, the critically acclaimed meditative puzzle game, to the PS4. The game originally launched on Steam in 2015, drawing praise for its “compelling” soundtrack and unique gameplay.
Co-Owner of UKIYO Publishing, Martin Hann, said he was “delighted” to be able to bring Expand to the PS4, and spoke of his desire to help more independent developers get their games noticed: “We provide indie developers a great platform to get their games in front of a wider audience and the opportunity to increase their potential revenue with a larger install base. Expand is just the beginning and we look forward to publishing more titles in the future.” Expand is coming to the European and U.S. PlayStation Stores on 3 October. Have you played Expand? Looking forward to trying it on PS4? Let us know below, and if meditative puzzlers sound like your kind of thing then be sure to check out our thoughts on the hypnotic Semispheres. The cricket aficionados out there will be well aware that the England team face the daunting trip of heading to Australia for this winter’s Ashes series.
The players themselves will feature photogrammetry technology, ensuring life-like player faces, bowling actions and batting.
Ashes Cricket launches on Xbox One, PS4 and PC this November. The above image comes from a thread on Reddit. The user, PRE_-CISION-_, noticed what appeared to be an Xbox Gamertag whilst playing Fortnite on PS4.
A second user also joined in, posting an image which he claims is yet further proof of cross play being enabled between the two consoles.
Some are suggesting that those Gamertags could belong to PC players but a user on Neogaf searched for one of the names on Epic Launcher to be told the user doesn't exist. Could this be clever image manipulation? An accident by the developers? Epic Games haven't released a statement as of writing but we're sure one will be forthcoming. Whatever the case, it's clear that cross play between the two giants is becoming more and more of a hot topic. Recently, the developers of Ark: Survival Evolved claimed that cross play was possible and could be switched on within a matter of days. What are your thoughts on cross play? Let us know below or over in the forums. Gearbox have announced they will no longer be adding new content drops to Battleborn. “I’ve been working on Battleborn nearly exclusively since 2012, and in some ways, that work stretches back to 2009 for me. It’s been a long labor of love with many of my good friends at Gearbox, and I’m proud to have shared that journey with you, our community,” said Varnell.
“I want to personally thank you for giving Battleborn a chance, and dipping down into a new universe with us.” Battleborn was only released a little over a year ago, but suffered from launching so close to Overwatch, a game that also features hero-based multiplayer gameplay. Gearbox essentially made Battleborn free-to-play earlier in the summer after allowing people unlimited access to the game’s multiplayer, modes and maps, with a selection of playable heroes rotated weekly. The news comes not long after Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford said during PAX West that around 90% of the studio’s staff were “working on the thing I think most of you guys want us to be working on,” which is widely believed to be the next instalment in the Borderlands series. Are you a Battleborn player? Have Gearbox called time on the game too soon? Let us know below. ENDED: NBA 2K17 giveaway18/9/2017
Asa Shorkey (@ShorkeyAsa) was randomly drawn as this week's winner. Slam dunk!
The 2 new live action TV spots take a light-hearted look at Shadow of War's Nemesis System. "Eat it, Jerry" displays what can happen when you make an enemy out of an Orc. Noruk clashes with Jerry at various points in his life. The trailer culminates with the moment the pair's icy feud began. We'll think twice before mouthing off during frustrating boss battles in the future.
What do you think of the TV spots? Let us know below or over in the forums. |
READ MORECategories
All
Archives
February 2023
|
Pass the Controller |
|