Author: Game Infliction

Rare Founder Takes to Twitter to Show Off a Host of Lost Gaming Treasures

Long gone are the days of Rare-developed Nintendo exclusives, but founder Tim Stamper still has pieces of gaming history from the studio’s early years. In a few short video clips, Stamper revealed development footage from Project Dream, along with other snippets from N64 classics.

Stamper has taken to Twitter to showcase development cartridges from the past, posting footage from unseen N64 titles – kind of. The clips include canceled projects or games that would live on through other iterations, like Dream 64 and Twelve Tales: Conker 64.

In the series of posts, Stamper shared a photo tagged as Dream 64 and Banjo-Kazooie featuring Captain Blackeye, a pirate who would later show up in the Banjo games. The image includes a SNES and N64, with the latter holding a development cartridge labeled “Latest Version of Dream 64” dated November 21, 1996.

“So it’s true,” Stamper wrote. “Dream 64 does exist after all…!”

The Rare Founder also added a 15-second peak at Dream, which he noted “was probably for the Nintendo Shoshinkai show [in] 1996”. It again includes Captain Blackeye, whose voiced lines harken back to Stamper’s earlier tweet with “so it’s true then, the Nintendo 64 treasure does exist after all.”

In 1997, Rare’s codename Dream game was officially revealed as Banjo-Kazooie at E3. Studio talent has spoken publicly about their time with Dream, and eventually Banjo-Kazooie, over the years. In 2015, the studio even documented the retooled Dream on YouTube, which featured a young boy named Edson in a more RPG-like adventure.

Stamper’s other footage includes an intro snippet of Twelve Tales: Conker 64, which debuted alongside Banjo at the same E3 in Atlanta. Twelve Tales would go down as another canceled project, and Rare’s fiery squirrel would see his first N64 release as Conker’s Bad Fur Day instead. Stamper’s clip shows off another development cartridge and a 48-second sequence of Conker and acorn-like enemies.

There’s a brief look at Battletoads character design documents, too. Another video from Stamper shows him thumbing through the “character design guide” for the beat’em series.

While the Battletoads art and descriptions are a cool little tidbit, the stuff lurking in the background seems just as neat. When Stamper’s video begins, you can see a room filled with binders, presumably all related to his gaming projects. Tim, along with his brother Chris Stamper, remained with Rare until 2007, so there’s no telling what treasures have amassed in that archive.

Andrea Shearon is a freelance contributor for IGN covering games and entertainment. She’s worn several hats over her seven-year career in the games industry, with bylines over at Fanbyte, USA Today’s FTW, TheGamer, VG247, and RPG Site. Find her on Twitter (@Maajora) or the Materia Possessions podcast chatting about FFXIV, RPGs, and any series involving giant robots.

Introducing Farworld Pioneers: an Open World, Sci-fi Sandbox

Hey there, I’m Rho Watson, the lead developer behind Farworld Pioneers. This 2D adventure galaxy sandbox is a hybrid of many genres. More than that, though, it’s the game I’ve always wanted to make. Let me tell you why!

farworld screenshot

As a teenager, I played Infiniminer and was one of the first people to try the online version of Minecraft. The online sandbox genre captured my imagination, but it never really achieved what I hoped it would. Once I finished building my grand projects, there was no real reason for them to exist. My gigantic bases sat there, dormant and unused, because there was no one besides me to use them. My friends would come, check it out momentarily, and inevitably go off to do their own thing.

farworld screenshot

After many years of playing these games and being part of developing some, I decided to bite the bullet and try to do what no one else had done: make an online sandbox game with the excitement of building and creating, but with AI residents to actually give a reason for those things to exist. I wanted to give players a reason to build besides simple curiosity and showing off to often-reluctant friends!

farworld screenshot

Farworld Pioneers represents two major parts of my life as a gamer: playing old MS-DOS (For those who don’t know, it’s how you played games before Windows!) classics as a kid and then the rise of the online sandbox genre as an adult. That’s how Farworld Pioneers was born! Like many games, this game is a cross-section of the journey my career in video games took and a tribute to the games that are responsible for it.

But Farworld Pioneers isn’t just an online sandbox game. It’s a 2D adventure sandbox with managerial elements. Imagine an RTS where you were one of the guys running around and could help out at any time. Your residents need to be kept happy, fed, and safe, which means it matters how your base is designed. Poor design will lead to your residents becoming unhappy and leaving the base, which further compromises its functioning. Accumulating wealth will make your base a target for raiders and pirates, making defenses and tactics a must when designing a colony. Confusing supply lines will disorient your residents and disrupt supply; power sources need fuel to run; residents need food, the list goes on.

farworld screenshot

The beauty of AI-controlled residents is that they provide a way to delegate tasks you don’t want to do. Instead of painstakingly building a giant house yourself, you can place the plans down and have your team of guys do it while you go adventuring. Tired of mining? You can drag out an area, and your guys will do it for you. What’s more, they’ll then haul off the materials to be processed so they’re ready for use. And at any time, you can join in and help them, and it won’t disrupt the process; the option’s there if you feel like it. Once you’ve achieved all the things you’d like to do on one planet, you can build a ship with your colonists and launch into space to explore and find new resources, biomes, and technology. There are bosses, secrets, a full tech tree to unlock, and many more features, including a huge multiplayer mode with up to 32 others that I don’t have time to explain here! I’m super excited for everyone to be able to play when it launches on Xbox and with Xbox Game Pass on May 30th!

Related:
Where We’re Going, We Don’t Need Coins: King of the Arcade is Available Now on Xbox
Crafting a Replayable Murder Mystery in Murderous Muses
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The Elder Scrolls Online – Necrom chapter gameplay revealed

During the Necrom Chapter Preview livestream, the Elder Scrolls Online team showcased the upcoming chapter’s (arriving June 20 for PlayStation) new features and gameplay, including the Arcanist class, new group challenges, and a part of Apocrypha never seen before in an Elder Scrolls game. 

Master the arcane

When it came to the Arcanist, ESO’s first new class in four years, the team saw an opportunity to integrate it and its mechanics into Necrom’s setting and themes. As a result, the Arcanist draws power from Apocrypha itself, and the team relished the opportunity to combine elements of Hermaeus Mora’s realm into almost every aspect of the way the class looks, feels, and plays. 


The Elder Scrolls Online – Necrom chapter gameplay revealed

The Arcanist utilizes three unique Skill Lines, each supporting a different playstyle: Herald of the Tome (damage), Curative Runeforms (healing/support), and Soldier of Apocrypha (tanking). You’re never locked into any one Skill Line, and you can mix your abilities with any others that are already available.  

The team also discussed the Arcanist’s all-new mechanic, the Crux System. When in combat, select Arcanist abilities generate a new resource called Crux, while others spend any saved Crux to receive a buff. If you seek to master this new class, you must learn how you utilize both your Crux-generating and spending abilities effectively. 

Explore a new aspect of Apocrypha 

In the Necrom Chapter, you can explore the realm of Apocrypha, an endless library containing unknown volumes of knowledge. Be warned—many seek to understand Apocrypha’s hidden secrets, but Mora’s realm also contains a terrifying host of dangers for those who come unprepared. 

The team also revealed an all-new aspect of Apocrypha not seen in the Elder Scrolls series before now: Chroma Incognito. A roiling landscape of mind-bending color, Chroma Incognito is a world shaped by what never came to pass—a realm of possibility rejected by cruel fate that stands in vivid contrast to the rest of Apocrypha. 

This distinct biome was an opportunity for the team to create something brand-new for Elder Scrolls fans while expanding upon the Prince of Knowledge’s domain. 

Chroma Incognito, of course, is packed full of adventure and danger, including unique quests, delves, group bosses, and a public dungeon—all ready to be explored! 

Overcome new challenges

During the preview, the team also had the opportunity to break down some of Necrom’s new group challenges. 

Bastion Nymic is an all-new world event, specific to the chapter, that sees you and up to three allies enter one of Hermaeus Mora’s strongholds to reclaim it from invaders. The fortress safeguards countless names of power, and should that knowledge fall into the wrong hands, it could spell doom for Apocrypha and Nirn alike. 

However, gaining access to the bastion is no simple task, since you need to acquire special items first by defeating the Herald’s Seekers found wandering both the Telvanni Peninsula and Apocrypha. Acquiring enough items allows access to Bastion Nymic, but be aware that a host of malevolent Daedra infest the stronghold, including Mora’s own traitorous forces—good luck!

In addition to the new world event, Necrom also introduces a 12-player Trial: Sanity’s Edge. In this PvE group activity, you venture into the mind of a member of the Mages Guild to undo the damage inflicted by his unsanctioned research.

As you explore the battleground of this sundered psyche, you discover a host of sinister foes standing in the way, including three uniquely challenging bosses and surprise champions. 

If you help the mage recover control of his fractured sanity, you receive special Trial rewards, including new item sets and some of the rarest collectibles in the game, such as the Ram of Dark Dreams mount. 

Discover Necrom this June

These are only a preview of the new features, adventures, and challenges you can experience in The Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom. If you’d like to learn more, check out the full VOD of the Necrom Chapter Preview. 

The Elder Scrolls Online: Necrom is part of the Shadow Over Morrowind adventure and arrives on PlayStation consoles June 20. Pre-purchase Necrom now to receive unique bonus rewards at launch.

Resident Evil 4 Fans Keep Drawing Ashley as a Tiny Mouse, and It’s Adorable

If you’re a Resident Evil 4 fan or are at all following the game online, you might have noticed some goofy art over the last month involving the character Ashley looking strangely rodent-like. Turns out, it’s a fantastic and hilarious trend that caught on upon the release of Resident Evil 4’s recent remake, where fans are drawing Ashley from Resident Evil 4 as a little tiny mouse obsessed with cheese. And it rules.

It all started with this tweet:

The artist, @Agrimmora on Twitter, followed up by explaining that “I saw a joke drawing that depicted ashley with big ears and this came to my mind, i never got past the boulder chase scene as a kid.”

This is pretty cute and funny, but it gets better: the Resident Evil 4 community has fallen in love with her. It’s been almost three weeks since the initial tweet, and Twitter is still awash in mouse Ashley art…or “Moushley” art, as she’s come to be called.

Moushley has even bled into real life:

The joke has gone so far that there’s now even a mod that lets you put Moushley on Leon’s head and control him like Remy in Ratatouille:

The best part of all this is that even the official Resident Evil 4 Twitter account seems to have gotten in on the joke:

Moushley is an absolute delight, and there’s seemingly no end of adorable interpretations of her as a little rodent under Leon’s protection. Bring on the Moushley memes. And if you haven’t yet experienced the recent Resident Evil 4 remake, it’s none too shabby even without Ashley sporting a notable love of cheese. We gave it a coveted 10/10 in our review, calling it “the most relentlessly exciting Resident Evil adventure of all time that’s been rebuilt, refined, and realised to the full limits of its enormous potential.”

Our Resident Experts ™ are hard at work uncovering Resident Evil 4 Remake’s secrets in our Resident Evil 4 Remake Strategy Guide. Here are some of the most helpful links:

How to Make Money Fast in Resident Evil 4 Remake:https://www.ign.com/wikis/resident-evil-4-remake/How_to_Make_Money_Fast_in_RE4_Remake


Tips to Save Ammo in Resident Evil 4 Remake: https://www.ign.com/wikis/resident-evil-4-remake/Tips_to_Save_Ammo_in_RE4_Remake


Resident Evil 4 Remake Cheats, Secrets, and Unlockables: https://www.ign.com/wikis/resident-evil-4-remake/Remake_Cheats_and_Secrets

All Clockwork Castellan Locations and Checklist: https://www.ign.com/wikis/resident-evil-4-remake/All_Clockwork_Castellan_Locations

Rebekah Valentine is a news reporter for IGN. You can find her on Twitter @duckvalentine.

AEW Fight Forever: Developers Say Game Isn’t Finished Yet, Despite AEW Head’s Comments

AEW Fight Forever, the officially licensed All Elite Wrestling game developed by Yuke’s and published by THQ Nordic, is supposed to be out this year. But a series of comments from AEW leadership and the game’s developers have left fans confused as to the game’s actual development status.

The confusion can be traced back to February when AEW wrestler and executive vice president Kenny Omega said on the Swerve City Podcast (via WrestleZone) that “the game has been done,” but was currently in limbo trying to get an ESRB rating finalized. This was then reiterated by AEW president Tony Khan during a media scrum following pay-per-view event AEW Revolution:

“I can’t say the exact release date,” he said. “There’s a lot of things that go into that, and I don’t want to step on anybody with that. It is coming very soon. The game is finished.”

All of this sounds pretty definitive, but THQ Nordic senior community manager Per Hollenbro has recently taken to Twitch and Twitter to debunk this. On Twitter, he wrote that AEW Fight Forever is “doing really well” but is “not 100% yet,” and called discussion that it was done “just another rumour on Twitter.”

On Twitch (via Wrestle Zone), Hollenbro went into a bit more detail as to why there was so much discrepancy between THQ Nordic and AEW leadership’sperspectives, saying the problem is that the two groups “see it very differently.” He explained that as a publisher, THQ Nordic doesn’t consider a game done until it’s ready to go out the door, including elements such as platform certification, retail distribution, and a lot more. He also said that AEW Fight Forever is “in a good state.”

“I do not believe anybody lied,” he said. “I do not believe there’s any kind of miscommunication in any shape or form. I believe that simply some people look at it differently because they don’t look at it through the eyes of a publisher. A lot goes into it. And for me, as somebody who is part of the publishing house, it’s very different for me what completes a game and what doesn’t.”

Speaking to Kotaku, Hollenbro clarified even further, offering a list of elements AEW Fight Forever still needs to finalize before it can be considered finished, including passing QA tests, localization in seven languages, “polish,” retail and shipping deals, certification, platform optimization, marketing plans, and yes, that elusive ESRB rating. An additional THQ Nordic spokesperson told the outlet that “AEW: Fight Forever will be released when it’s done.”

It’s also worth pointing out that AEW Fight Forever is also in the midst of a trademark dispute with Game Changer Wrestling, which has disputed AEW’s trademark of “Fight Forever” given its own use of the phrase for a 2021 charity event. GCW was granted an extension until May 31, 2023 to dispute the claim, and it’s unclear how this will impact AEW Fight Forever’s title or release date. But needless to say, this dispute is likely not speeding things along.

We’ve already had a number of opportunities to look at what AEW Fight Forever has in store, including a hands-on preview at last year’s Gamescom and a chat with several AEW wrestlers at IGN Fan Fest. For now, AEW Fight Forever is still scheduled for release sometime in 2023.

Rebekah Valentine is a news reporter for IGN. You can find her on Twitter @duckvalentine.

PlayStation Plus Games Catalogue Additions for April 2023 Revealed

Sony has announced its PlayStation Plus Game Catalogue additions for April 2023, bringing a mixture of first-person shooters, sports, and horror with titles like Doom Eternal, Riders Republic, and The Evil Within.

According to the PlayStation Blog, over a dozen games join the April offerings for Plus Extra and Premium members on Tuesday, April 18. On May 15, Game Catalog will remove a handful of other titles, including Marvel’s Spider-Man, Resident Evil, and NBA 2K Playgrounds 2.

Among some of this month’s standout games are first-person shooters Doom Eternal and Wolfenstein 2. IGN gave both titles 9/10 review scores, calling Doom a “modernized reboot a breath of fresh air for the genre” and Wolfenstein 2 a “fantastically written and acted story.”

Sporty PVP sandbox Riders Republic and Shinji Mikami’s survival horror nightmare The Evil Within add a little more variety into the mix, plus the ultra-vibrant murder mystery Paradise Killer is always worth a spin. Check out the full list below.

PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium: Game Catalogue

  • Bassmaster Fishing (PS4/PS5)
  • Doom Eternal (PS4/PS5)
  • Kena: Bridge of Spirits (PS4/PS5)
  • Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom (PS4/PS5)
  • Paradise Killer (PS4/PS5)
  • Riders Republic (PS4/PS5)
  • Sackboy: A Big Adventure (PS4/PS5)
  • Slay the Spire (PS4)
  • The Evil Within (PS4)
  • Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus (PS4)
  • Wolfenstein: The Old Blood (PS4)

PlayStation Premium: Classics

  • Doom (PS4)
  • Doom 2 (PS4)
  • Doom 64 (PS4)
  • Dishonored: Definitive Edition (PS4)

To score access to most of the latest in Sony’s library, you’ll need PlayStation Plus Extra at a minimum. To download the Classics like Doom and Dishonored, you’ll have to sign up for PlayStation’s Premium tier.

As for other Sony services, the platform holder announced its collection of PlayStation 5 PS Plus titles would be removed on May 9. The bundle includes games like Bloodborne, God of War, and Resident Evil 7, and members that redeem the offer can still download the collection even after it’s gone.

If Sony’s latest update isn’t of any interest, keep your eyes peeled for more PS5 news soon, as the company announced its plans for a new Final Fantasy 16 State of Play tomorrow.

Andrea Shearon is a freelance contributor for IGN covering games and entertainment. She’s worn several hats over her seven-year career in the games industry, with bylines over at Fanbyte, USA Today’s FTW, TheGamer, VG247, and RPG Site. Find her on Twitter (@Maajora) or the Materia Possessions podcast chatting about FFXIV, RPGs, and any series involving giant robots.

Talking Point: With One Month ‘Til TOTK, What’s Left For You To Do In Zelda: Breath Of The Wild?

It’s crunch time.

The clock bell has tolled. Only one month remains before the release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. One. Month.

Suddenly, this game that we have been anticipating for the last six years is almost here and out of nowhere a realisation struck us, one powerful enough to send a cold chill down anyone’s spine: we still have things left to do in Breath of the Wild.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Where We’re Going, We Don’t Need Coins: King of the Arcade is Available Now on Xbox

Summary

  • A nostalgic gaming experience that transports players to an 80s-inspired arcade world.
  • Play as Mac McCormick and save Castle’s Arcade from a hostile takeover.
  • Over 40 retro-inspired games, an open-world environment, and epic boss battles.

Are you a fan of retro gaming, the golden era of pixel art, and some of the most memorable arcade games in history? If you’re like me, you’ve probably spent countless hours reminiscing about the good old days of joystick adventures. Well, my fellow arcade enthusiasts, the time has come to step into a neon-lit, retro-inspired world with King of the Arcade, a nostalgic gaming experience that pays homage to the vibrant and unforgettable classics.

KoA titled key art

In King of the Arcade, you’ll take on the role of Mac McCormick, a former arcade champion who’s seen better days. Now, Mac faces his greatest challenge yet: saving Castle’s Arcade from a hostile takeover by the heartless landlord, Jimmy Joysticks, and his gang of seven arcade goons. It’s up to you to help Mac reclaim his title and protect the beloved arcade from falling into the wrong hands.

KoA characters

With over 40 games spanning multiple genres, you’ll be treated to hours of retro-inspired entertainment. Get ready to dive into classics like Retro Invaders, After School Beat Down, Virtual Enforcers, Space Ravager, Shotgun Princess, High-Speed Racing, and many more. King of the Arcade offers a truly immersive arcade experience that channels the spirit of the 80s in all its pixelated glory.

KoA space invaders

But it’s not just about the games—King of the Arcade also boasts an engaging open-world arcade environment for you to explore. Battle Jimmy’s goons in epic boss fights, and defend your turf as you work your way back to the top. With eye-catching, 80s-inspired visuals, an adrenaline-pumping soundtrack, and non-stop arcade action, King of the Arcade is the ultimate trip down memory lane.

KoA racing game shot

So, dust off that arcade controller and prepare to experience the excitement of the 80s in this vibrant, neon-lit tribute. The arcade needs you, and it’s time to show Jimmy Joysticks who’s boss. Are you ready to reclaim your throne and become the King of the Arcade once again?

KoA screenshot

King of the Arcade
Xbox Live

King of the Arcade

Super Villain Games

☆☆☆☆☆
13
★★★★★


$7.99

$6.39
Get it now

Step into the neon-lit world of King of the Arcade, where the 80s never died. Take on the role of Mac McCormick, a former arcade champion who has fallen on hard times, as he fights to save Castle’s Arcade from a hostile takeover by the ruthless landlord Jimmy Joysticks and the seven members of his arcade gang.

With over 40 games and multiple genres, including classic-inspired games like Retro Invaders, After School Beat Down, Virtual Enforcers, Space Ravager, Shotgun Princess, High-Speed Racing, and many more, you’ll have hours of nostalgic fun.

King of the Arcade is an arcade experience that will transport you back to the 80s. Explore the open-world arcade, defend it against Jimmy’s goons in epic boss battles, and reclaim your title as the King of the Arcade. With nostalgic visuals, a pulse-pounding soundtrack, and endless arcade action, King of the Arcade is the ultimate arcade gaming experience.

The arcade needs you. So grab your arcade controller and get ready to become a true arcade champion. Are you prepared to be the King of the Arcade once again?

Related:
Crafting a Replayable Murder Mystery in Murderous Muses
Next Week on Xbox: New Games for April 10 to 14
High-Tempo Tax-Paying Tower Defense Marfusha is Out Now on Xbox

Deal Alert: The Xbox Core Controller in Electric Volt Is Down to $39.99

Today both Amazon and Walmart are offering the official Xbox Series X|S Core wireless controller in Electric Volt for only $39.99 with free shipping. That’s almost 40% off the original $65 MSRP. Only the Electric Volt color has been discounted down to this price, the rest of the colors are more expensive. Aside from the difference in color scheme, this is the same controller as the one that’s included with your Xbox Series X or S console.

Xbox Core Controller in Electric Volt for $39.99

This controller is based on the Xbox Series X|S controller design, but it will also work on Xbox One. It features textured triggers, bumpers, and back case, making it easier to hold. It also features the disc-like D-pad for more precise input in all eight directions, and the Share button to send your screenshots and video out into the world.

Electric Volt is one of the brightest colors available, and probably the best one to get if you misplace your controllers often. This one features a high-vis yellow top case and analog sticks, with a black hybrid D-pad and face buttons. The bumpers and triggers are also black, but the back case is white.

For more deals, take a look at our daily deals for today.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Is Getting Its Final Pre-Launch Trailer Tomorrow

Today marks exactly one month until the launch of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on May 12. To celebrate, Nintendo is giving us a brand new trailer for the game.

The final pre-launch trailer for Tears of the Kingdom will debut tomorrow, Nintendo has announced. The next look at the highly anticipated Breath of the Wild sequel will air Thursday, April 13, at 7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. ET / 3 p.m. in the UK. Nintendo said the trailer will be roughly three minutes long.

This marks the third official trailer for Tears of the Kingdom since Nintendo announced the game’s name last year. Teasers for the sequel date back to E3 2019, when Nintendo officially unveiled the project for the first time. So far, the trailers haven’t detailed much at all about the story, instead teasing Link’s new traversal mechanics that series producer Eiji Aonuma fully revealed in last month’s gameplay demonstration.

Tomorrow’s new Tears of the Kingdom trailer has a lot to live up to. Many Breath of the Wild fans remember the iconic January 2017 Nintendo Switch Presentation Zelda trailer, which served as the most cinematic look at the game yet leading up to release. The trailer’s musical score was so epic it even made the cut in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’s soundtrack. Fans have been clamoring for Tears of the Kingdom to get a similarly memorable trailer, and it seems like tomorrow is our best shot yet.

Tears of the Kingdom is easily Nintendo’s biggest game of 2023. The next Zelda is Nintendo’s first $70 title, and it also has the largest file size of any first-party Switch game. Nintendo has been very secretive with Tears of the Kingdom overall, and is currently tracking down the leaker who posted images of the Collector’s Edition art book.

For more, check out 10 awesome details from the Tears of the Kingdom gameplay, or watch our early Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom map comparison.

Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN covering video game and entertainment news. He has over six years of experience in the gaming industry with bylines at IGN, Nintendo Wire, Switch Player Magazine, and Lifewire. Find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.