All Articles: Injustice 2
Voice actor strike reveals unannounced games like Lego Marvel 2, Brothers in Arms, more
SAG-AFTRA, a union representing voice actors and stunt performers, authorized a strike against game developers that began this morning. As part of the process, the union has published a list of projects that members are no longer allowed to work on, and it includes several unannounced games.
It wasn’t much of a shock to learn that EA Sports is already hard at work on Madden NFL 18 and NHL 18, but listings for Lego Marvel 2 and Brothers in Arms were a bit more surprising (though not unexpected). While WB Games has yet to make any noise about a new Lego Marvel game, Gearbox confirmed the existence of a fourth Brothers in Arms game last year.
A large number of mobile games also make up a large part of the list, as well as a few games that are denoted only by codenames. For example, Take-Two is working on something called “Alligator,” while EA is developing games under monikers as diverse as “Odin,” “Fearless,” “Scorpion,” and “Timbits.” We may never know what these codenames refer to (they may even belong to games that have already been released), but one of the union’s major demands is for developers to be more transparent during the hiring process and to use a game’s actual title when contracting with vocal/stunt performers.
Finally, several highly-anticipated 2017 titles will be affected by the strike including Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8: Final Chapter Prologue, Injustice 2, and Crash Bandicoot Remastered. So hopefully the two sides can reach an equitable agreement soon.
UPDATE: A representative from WB Games has informed us that the inclusion of “Lego Marvel 2” in the SAG-AFTRA strike list is actually a reference to Lego Avengers, which was released earlier this year. However, Lego Avengers was announced in January 2015, several weeks before the union’s deadline for projects that must be part of the picket line.
I’m not sure why it was included on the list (it’s possible the union goofed), but the official line from WB Games is that “Lego Marvel 2” is definitely not a reference to “Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2” or any other unannounced game. That said, I’d be very surprised if WB Games isn’t working on another Lego Marvel game, and we’ll likely hear more about “Lego Marvel 2” in the future.
NetherRealm adds Suicide Squad members Harley Quinn and Deadshot to Injustice 2
It’s Gamescom week, so NetherRealm Studios decided this was the perfect time to unveil two more combatants from Injustice 2. In a good show of corporate synergy, the latest Injustice 2 trailer re-introduces Harley Quinn to the fighting franchise, while also giving her Suicide Squad teammate Deadshot a chance to shine. However you feel about the Suicide Squad film, Harley Quinn was one of the best parts of Injustice: Gods Among Us, so her return is definitely a welcome one.
Injustice 2 will be released for the PS4 and Xbox One sometime in 2017.
DC Comics will produce a weekly Injustice 2 digital comic written by Tom Taylor in 2017
Injustice: Gods Among Us wasn’t just a hugely successful video game for NetherRealm Studios and WB Games, it was also a very popular weekly digital comic for DC Comics. On Friday, DC announced that they’ve once again hired writer Tom Taylor to produce a weekly digital comic to bridge the gap between Gods Among Us and the upcoming Injustice 2.
“Our overarching goal is to tell one complete story between the comics and the games,” said Taylor. “In writing Injustice 2, there are a lot less ‘Gods Among Us’ than when we started our story, but I hope to join Batman and the world’s finest heroes in cleaning up the mess an evil Superman and his regime left behind. I hope to repair Earth and bring back hope… but this is Injustice. Prepare for tears, comedy, triumph, devastation, shocking tragic twists involving DC’s most beloved characters… and Harley Quinn stealing every scene she’s in.”
The Injustice 2 digital comic will debut in 2017, sometime before the game is released for the PS4 and Xbox One. And speaking of the game, NetherRealm also announced this weekend that Wonder Woman and Blue Beetle will be included as playable characters in Injustice 2.
NetherRealm adds Wonder Woman and Blue Beetle to Injustice 2
As a member of DC’s “Trinity,” one of the most popular characters from the first Injustice game, and the only universally-praised part of Batman V Superman, it’s not exactly surprising that Wonder Woman will return as a playable character in the sequel.
During their Comic-Con panel last night, NetherRealm also announced that the Blue Beetle (AKA mild-mannered teenager Jaime Reyes) will also appear in Injustice 2. A trailer showcasing both fighters has been embedded above.
Personally, I’m hoping that Conan O’Brien can finally make his Injustice debut in the sequel. He even pulled a Batman earlier this week by using his vast wealth and personal manservant to help him construct an impressive new superhero costume.
NetherRealm’s Ed Boon also revealed during the panel that Supergirl will play an important role in Injustice 2’s story. And for multiplayer fans, Injustice 2 will include a Tournament Mode and make use of the GGPO engine for its netcode.
Injustice 2 will be released for the PS4 and Xbox One sometime in 2017.
Warp Zoned Wish List: 10 Superheroes and Supervillains We Want to See in Injustice 2
Injustice 2, the sequel to NetherRealm Studios’s fantastic Injustice: Gods Among Us, was announced during this year’s E3, and will be released for the PS4 and Xbox One sometime next year. Featuring darker, more brutal versions of the DC Universe’s best heroes and villains, the first game in the series might be one of the best fighting games in recent memory.
That said, there were more than a few missed opportunities with the original character roster. With NetherRealm set to announce two more playable characters at Comic-Con this week, we scoured the DC Universe for heroes and villains we’d like to see in Injustice 2. (more…)
NetherRealm will reveal two new Injustice 2 characters at Comic-Con 2016
NetherRealm Studios is bringing Injustice 2 to this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, and Creative Director Ed Boon wants everyone (on Twitter) to know that two more playable characters from the game will be revealed during an “Injustice 2 Sneak Peek” panel.
In addition to new characters, Boon and his fellow panelists will talk about the Injustice comic and show off a brand new gameplay trailer on Friday, July 22:
Join panelists Ed Boon (creative director, NetherRealm Studios, and co-creator of Mortal Kombat), New York Times best-selling author Tom Taylor (Injustice: Gods Among Us) and a stellar group of actors – George Newbern (Scandal) as Superman, Phil LaMarr (MadTV, Futurama) as Aquaman, Laura Bailey (Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, Lego Dimensions) as Supergirl – and possibly some surprise guests as they reveal exciting new gameplay and discuss new features and breakthrough customization aspects that expands on the previous title’s larger-than-life showdowns of DC Super Heroes and Super-Villains.
Also to be discussed: the bestselling Digital First Comic – Injustice: Gods Among Us.
Injustice 2 will be released for the PS4 and Xbox One sometime next year.
Zelda: Breath of the Wild named E3 2016’s “Best of Show” by Game Critics Awards
The Game Critics Awards has handed out their annual “Best of E3” honors for this year’s show, and unsurprisingly, Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was named “Best of Show.” The massive open-air game also took home awards for “Best Console Game” and “Best Action/Adventure Game.”
Even though Battlefield 1 secured the most nominations, only one other game was able to collect more than a single award, and that was Civilization VI, which was named “Best PC Game” and “Best Strategy Game.” This year’s “Special Commendation for Graphics” went to Sony’s God of War reboot.
All told, 13 games (and the PlayStation VR headset, which won for “Best Hardware”) were honored this year by the Game Critics Awards. The full list of winners can be found after the break. (more…)
Battlefield 1 blows away the competition with five nominations from Game Critics Awards: Best of E3 2016
The Game Critics Awards has announced their annual Best of E3 nominations, and DICE’s Battlefield 1 has asserted its greatness with five nominations, including one for “Best of Show.” Battlefield 1’s other nominations include “Best Console Game,” “Best PC Game,” “Best Action Game,” and “Best Online Multiplayer.”
Five other games will compete with the historical shooter for top honors including Dishonored 2, Horizon: Zero Dawn, Sea of Thieves, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Titanfall 2. With four nominations apiece, Dishonored 2 and Horizon: Zero Dawn will surely provide some stiff competition for Battlefield 1.
The Game Critics Awards will announce the winners for Best of E3 2016 next Tuesday, July 5. A complete list of this year nominees can be found after the break. (more…)