The ESA has officially canceled this year’s E3 Expo

Posted on March 11, 2020 by John Scalzo

After concerns over the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) caused the cancellation of this year’s Game Developers Conference and South By Southwest, many assumed that the Entertainment Software Association would follow suit and cancel the 2020 E3 Expo as well. Today, they did just that, with an announcement on their official website:

After careful consultation with our member companies regarding the health and safety of everyone in our industry – our fans, our employees, our exhibitors and our longtime E3 partners – we have made the difficult decision to cancel E3 2020, scheduled for June 9-11 in Los Angeles.

Following increased and overwhelming concerns about the COVID-19 virus, we felt this was the best way to proceed during such an unprecedented global situation. We are very disappointed that we are unable to hold this event for our fans and supporters. But we know it’s the right decision based on the information we have today.

The ESA is looking to coordinate an “online experience” for the publishers and developers still interested in making major game announcements this June. While it’s unknown which companies are currently planning to participate in this digital event, further details will be announced soon at E3Expo.com.

Finally, the ESA promised that the E3 Expo will return in 2021 with “a reimagined event that brings fans, media, and the industry together in a showcase that celebrates the global video game industry.”

Posted in Mobile, News, PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X |

Command & Conquer Remastered Collection will be released on June 5

Posted on March 10, 2020 by John Scalzo

Westwood Studios changed the course of video game history when they launched Command & Conquer in 1995, and after several years out of the spotlight, the franchise will return later this year with a remastered collection of the first two games.

The Command & Conquer Remastered Collection will include 1995’s Command & Conquer: Tiberian Dawn (and its Covert Ops expansion pack), along with 1996’s Command & Conquer: Red Alert (and both of its expansion packs, Counterstrike and The Aftermath). Both games have been rebuilt from the ground up with the assistance of a dedicated online community, and a graphics toggle for Remastered and Legacy visuals will be included, as well as a re-recorded soundtrack, UI improvements, and customizable controls:

Command & Conquer Remastered Collection is being created alongside the C&C community, where the project was publicly revealed in October 2018 to gather community insight before development began. An active Community Council has been involved since early pre-production with 24/7 access to the development team. The title features rebuilt graphics and textures with support up to 4K resolution, along with an over seven-hour soundtrack remastered by the renowned original composer Frank Klepacki. The community has helped shape the enhancements of the game through highly requested features like revamped UI, updated controls and a Map Editor for fans to showcase their creations. Multiplayer has been rebuilt from the ground up to support a modern online experience with custom games, 1v1 quick match, Elo-based matchmaking, leaderboards, replays, and much more.

A complete overview of the rest of the Command & Conquer Remastered Collection’s features can be found on the official website.

Fans interested in purchasing the Command & Conquer Remastered Collection will have several different packages to choose from, including two physical editions from Limited Run Games:

  • Command & Conquer Remastered Collection (Digital – $19.99) – Only available on Origin and Steam.
  • Special Edition (Physical – $59.99) – Only available on Limited Run Games, this edition comes in a 2-piece big box with embossing treatments and includes a Steam digital download code, Tiberium crystal 16GB USB drive with remastered original soundtrack (119 tracks, over 7 hours of music including the album, “Frank Klepecki and the Tiberian Sons: Celebrating 25 Years of Command & Conquer”); reversible 18” X 24” poster, four factional enamel pins, tech tree prints (one for each faction), and faction sticker sheet.
  • 25th Anniversary Edition (Physical – $149.99) – Only available on Limited Run Games, this edition includes all items in the Special Edition plus a beautiful foil and embossed rigid box, six-disc remastered original soundtrack signed by Frank Klepacki, 100+ page art book, four faction patches, reversible beanie, metal mammoth tank replica, and painted PVC light and sound tesla coil and obelisk replicas.

The Command & Conquer Remastered Collection is currently in development at Petroglyph and Lemon Sky Studios, and it’ll be published for the PC by Electronic Arts on June 5. An Official Reveal Trailer has been embedded above.

Posted in News, PC | Tagged ,

Doom 64 re-release will include a completely new chapter and other upgrades

Posted on March 10, 2020 by John Scalzo

Bethesda tapped Nightdive Studios last year to re-release Doom 64 alongside Doom Eternal, but it looks like the long-forgotten shooter will be getting an upgrade for its 21st century debut.

Speaking to USgamer, developers from Nightdive had a lot to say about the psuedo-canonical second sequel to 1993’s Doom. The biggest news, delivered by Senior Developer James Haley, is that Doom 64 will ship with a completely new chapter that’ll link it even more closely to the events of 2016’s Doom:

Doom 64 has been discussed a lot in the lead-up to Doom Eternal, especially by Eternal’s co-director Hugo Martin. Can you talk about any connections Doom fans should keep an eye out for in either game?

James Haley, senior developer: On our end, persistent players will have the opportunity to unlock a new chapter in the Doomguy’s saga, taking place shortly after [Doom 64’s] original campaign concludes. The Mother Demon you defeated in that outing had a sister, and since you’ve been messing up Hell non-stop, she tries to get rid of you by sending you away. If you can make your way back and take revenge, you’ll be rewarded with a bit of lore that fans of both series, new and classic, should enjoy.

This new version of Doom 64 will include a number of other upgrades, including an Autorun option, new brightness settings (Doom 64 was notoriously hard-to-see on CRTs), a blood color toggle (Japanese players got green blood back in 1997 and now everyone will have that option), and touch control of the automap and optional motion aiming on the PS4 and Switch.

Doom 64 will be available to download for the PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One on March 20.

Posted in News, PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One | Tagged

2K Games will release a “non-simulation” NFL Football game in 2021

Posted on March 10, 2020 by John Scalzo

2K Games is getting back into business with NFL Football… but it’s not NFL 2K21 (or even the heavily-rumored XFL 2K21).

The publisher announced today that they’ve reached an agreement with the NFL to produce multiple “non-simulation” football games, with the first set to launch in 2021. Instead, their football games will focus on the “fun and approachable” side of the NFL.

“The NFL is one of the most successful sports brands in the world, known for creating incredible entertainment for fans,” said David Ismailer, the President of 2K Games. “We’re thrilled to be back in business with the NFL in a partnership that will span multiple video games centered on fun, approachable, and social experiences. It’s exciting to bring together 2K’s expertise in creating award-winning sports games with the NFL’s renowned status as a world-class entertainment and sports organization.”

Finally, 2K Games said that we’ll learn more about the “game titles, developers, and release dates” connected to their new NFL Football initiative at a later date.

Posted in News |

Nintendo is teaming up with The Lego Group for… something

Posted on March 10, 2020 by John Scalzo

Today is March 10th, which means that it’s also MAR10 Day, Nintendo’s unofficial holiday to celebrate their mustachioed plumber. It’s a little goofy, but the consolemaker has previously used the date to give fans a little Mario-shaped surprise in recent years. Though they may have outdone themselves with this year’s announcement.

Nintendo has revealed (via Twitter) that they’re cooking up… something… with The Lego Group. Is it Mario-themed Lego sets? Is it a Lego Super Mario game? Your guess is as good as mine, and this short video doesn’t seem to tip the scales in either direction:

Believe it or not, Nintendo produced a collection of Lego-compatible bricks in the 1960s known as N&B Block. American audiences will most likely remember the building blocks from their cameo appearance in Super Mario Land 2‘s “Mario Zone” in 1992.

Posted in Etcetera, News |

Activision will launch free-to-play battle royale Call of Duty: Warzone tomorrow

Posted on March 9, 2020 by John Scalzo

Activision is dropping a new entry in the battle royale genre with Call of Duty: Warzone, which will be available as a free download for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One beginning tomorrow, March 10.

Up to 150 players will be able to compete in a Call of Duty: Warzone match, and more details about how it all works can be found on the Activision Games Blog:

At launch, players can squad up in trios with their friends on Playstation 4, Battle.net for PC, or Xbox One across two game modes: Battle Royale and Plunder.

In Battle Royale, fight to be the last squad standing while escaping the deadly gas in the swiftly closing circle with up to 150 players.

In Plunder, the race is on to collect the most in-match Cash by looting across the map, taking down enemies to steal their Cash, and completing in-match Contracts.

Warzone takes place in Verdansk, an expansive city with multiple named zones and well over 300 points of interest. Each zone features distinct landmarks like the Gorengard Lumber Yard or the Gora Dam; the zones take place across different environment types like cities and rural areas for unique engagements. Change up your drop location in each match to get a better lay of the land and take advantage of what Verdansk has to offer.

Players will be able to move around the map using a wide variety of vehicles (including ATVs, Tactical Rovers, SUVs, Cargo Trucks, and Helicopters), but death isn’t the end if they get caught on the wrong end of an enemy attack. Once eliminated, all players will be able to fight it out in The Gulag 1v1 against another player for a chance to get back into the game.

Call of Duty: Warzone will also share a unified progression system with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, and players who own Modern Warfare will be able to bring all unlocked Battle Pass items, Operators, weapons, and customization items into Warzone.

The first trailer for Call of Duty: Warzone has been embedded above.

Posted in News, PC, PS4, Xbox One | Tagged

Mortal Kombat 11 goes to Hell with Spawn beginning on March 17

Posted on March 9, 2020 by John Scalzo

Real-life kombatants gathered in Chicago this weekend to compete in NetherRealm Studios’s Final Kombat tournament for Mortal Kombat 11, but the developer had a prize for all of us. NetherRealm used the event to give fans their first look at Spawn, the final fighter set to be included as part of Mortal Kombat 11’s Kombat Pack.

Spawn will be voiced by the incomparable Keith David, and his chains and cape will play a big part in his moveset. The demonic character also packs a heavy punch and his use of gadgets gives off a vibe similar to Injustice 2‘s Batman. You can see Todd McFarlane’s creation square off against Scorpion and Erron Black in the new trailer embedded above.

Kombat Pack owners will be able to download Spawn beginning on March 17, while those of us who plan to purchase him as a standalone download will have to wait until March 24.

In addition to his Mortal Kombat 11 debut, Spawn will also inspire Jacqui Briggs’s new “Hellspawn” Skin, and the Matinee Skin Pack will transform existing characters Kotal Kahn, Erron Black, and Jacqui Briggs into “Osh Tekk Vandal” (Conan the Barbarian), “Swashbuckler” (Indiana Jones), and “Space Marine” (Ripley).

Finally, congratulations to Dominique “SonicFox” McLean on their nearly flawless victory in the Final Kombat tournament.

Posted in News, PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One | Tagged

Red Band trailer for Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge is ridiculously bloody

Posted on March 9, 2020 by John Scalzo

A few weeks ago, Warner Bros. Animation unveiled a Green Band trailer for Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge, giving fans their first look at the latest adaptation of the popular fighting franchise. But I’m not sure anything could prepare us for the film’s Red Band trailer, which has been embedded above.

The two-minute clip is not for the faint of heart, and it’s packed with spurting blood, severed limbs, gory Fatalities, and even a little swearing. Needless to say, it is very much not safe for work.

Retelling the story of the first Mortal Kombat game, Warner Bros. Animation also announced that Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion’s Revenge will be released this April. The film will be available to rent through video-on-demand platforms beginning on April 12, with a 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD launch to follow on April 28.

Posted in Etcetera, News, PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged