Category: Nintendo

Game developers are not happy with the news.

Unity has announced plans to charge developers a fee each time a video game using the Unity engine is installed. Unity Plus is also being retired for new subscribers, starting today.

In a blog post released today (spotted via Game Developer), Unity revealed the ‘Unity Runtime Fee’. This new model be implemented from January 2024 and essentially means that developers will be charged a fee per install (compiled via a monthly charge) once a project crosses has made $200,000 in revenue over 12 months and achieved 200,000 total installs for Unity Personal and Plus. For Pro and Enterprise, the threshold is increased to $1 million in revenue over 12 months and 1 million total installs.

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By the power of Grayskull!

We have been back on something of a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge kick recently thanks to the release of the excellent Dimension Shellshock DLC. The heroes in a half shell are firmly back in our hearts thanks to developer Tribute Games and, after a recent interview from Xbox Expansion Pass with the game’s narrative designer, Yannic Belzil, it seems that there is a chance we might see the studio take on a franchise other than the Turtles in the future.

When asked about what the future holds for Tribute Games following the DLC’s release, Belzil commented that there is nothing currently in the works. That being said, he did note that the studio has been approached with offers to tackle something different:

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Musical mayhem.

Legendary game developer Masahiro Sakurai is back with yet another entry in his Creating Games video series and this one is all about the difficulties of bringing classic video game soundtracks into a contemporary setting.

Sakurai gives two examples from his time working on Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (because why wouldn’t you?) and explains that the process of rearranging the tracks was not as simple as just doing a new recording. If you watch and think that the first example from the NES’ Athena was a particularly catchy tune, just wait until you have heard all the variations of the second track from Psycho Soldier…

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With “minimal load times” thrown in, too.

Just last week, we heard rumblings that Nintendo’s next console — which we’re still tentatively calling the ‘Switch 2’ — was demoed to select developers at Gamescom 2023. The reports from both Eurogamer and VGC suggested that the console showcased an improved version of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, though details were sparse on what these improvements actually entailed. Well, the rumour mill has continued to churn and more reported details are now being shared.

The latest rumours come from a recent Nate the Hate podcast in which the host claims to have been told that the Gamescom tech demo saw BOTW running at 4K 60fps, with the emphasis of the show being that “load times had been erased”. Again, this is not to suggest that the Switch launch title will be re-released with the next hardware, only that it was being used to demonstrate to showcase the successor’s technical improvements.

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Each title comes as an additional download.

Jupiter has today announced Picross S+, the latest addition to the mind-testing monogram series for the Nintendo Switch. What’s exciting about this one is that it is set to bring all nine of the 3DS’ download-only Picross e games with it — so if you missed out on the chance to download them before their eShop closed, this will be your chance to snatch them up.

The base content (which contains the puzzles from Picross e) will be available for £3.99 / €4,99 / $4.99, with each subsequent entry in the 3DS series becoming available as individual additional paid content packages priced at the same cost. It might seem like a slightly expensive way of bringing each game over to the modern console, but thanks to the 3DS eShop closure, it’s our only option for now.

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The Starfield effect.

Bethesda’s Starfield is currently getting a lot of attention online, and it seems the popularity of this new RPG has had a positive effect on other space adventures.

As highlighted by Hello Games founder Sean Murray on social media, the developer’s own space adventure No Man’s Sky is currently having its “biggest month” ever in the past few years. That’s after seven years of availability as well!

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It arrives this week.

This week sees the release of the first half of the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet – The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC. Part 1 The Teal Mask will introduce more Pokémon, places, and stories.

Trainers can look forward to meeting The Heroes of Kitakami, getting to know the village of Kitakami, and also reuniting with some familiar Pokémon that have been found living in other regions. It’s got us wondering if you’ll actually be jumping into this new adventure on release.

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Update: Releases later this week.

Update : G-MODE Archives+: Megami Ibunroku Persona: Ikuu no Tou Hen, which is based on the original PlayStation Persona title, has a launch date in Japan.

The game will be available on the Japanese eShop on 14th September (thanks, Gematsu!), which is this Thursday. It’s also coming to Steam, but at a later date.

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Trend Spotting.

Nintendo isn’t always the easiest company to predict, but things are usually pretty routine when it comes to Direct Showcases. There’s usually one in February, usually one in the summer and usually one in September — plus a handful of Indie Worlds, Partner Showcases or game-specific presentations thrown in for good measure.

We’re in September now (almost halfway through, even) and an event is still yet to be announced (at the time of writing, that is), so there’s only one thing for it: let the speculation begin.

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“After receiving interest from third parties”.

Embracer Group is reportedly weighing up options on what to do with Borderlands developer Gearbox Entertainment, including selling the US-based studio, a report from Reuters claims.

Published earlier today, the report states that three people familiar with the situation have told Reuters that a sale is on the table as Embracer Group “looks to shore up its finances”. Gearbox market materials are already reportedly available to view to potential buyers.

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