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.”
I mean if you want an unfinished game sure we could release now ?
The game is doing really well and is getting there, but not 100% yet, so yea just another rumour on twitter I fear ?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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?
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.
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.
Join us on April 13th, 7 a.m. PT to watch the final pre-launch trailer for The Legend of #Zelda: #TearsOfTheKingdom, livestreamed on our YouTube channel. The trailer will be roughly 3 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.
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.
Last time, you decided that bioluminescence is better than dark darkness. You want not just light but eerie, near-magical light, and I can understand that. We’re doing science here, we can’t go groping about in the dark. This week, I ask you to choose between a reward for caution and a dare to be reckless. What’s better: unit veterancy, or rerolling dice?
The US Library of Congress has today announced the 25 tracks that will be added to its National Recording Registry as “defining sounds of the nation’s history and culture”. For the first time ever, one of these tracks comes from a video game, and it is none other than Koji Kondo’s iconic theme from 1985’s Super Mario Bros. that is leading the way (thanks, Gizmodo).
Joining the likes of Madonna’s ‘Like a Virgin’ and Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’ in the class of 2023, the Super Mario Bros. theme’s inclusion is a huge stepping stone for video game music. In its announcement tweet (below) the Library of Congress stated that the track was “probably the most recognisable in history”, and we struggle to disagree.
A devs-eye-view revealing some of the design decisions that went into the making of this infinitely replayable murder mystery.
Procedurally generated 3D environment with a layered murder mystery narrative to make every playthrough different.
Murderous Muses arrives on today on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.
Hi, I’m Lynda, one of the writers and game designers at D’Avekki Studios. Almost two years ago, we started developing our supernatural whodunit Murderous Muses with a very clear vision: to make a murder mystery you could solve again and again. In this article, I’m going to talk about some of the things we’ve done during development to make every playthrough unique!
Frame by Frame
Solving a murder mystery is usually a one and done affair and if you know whodunit, there’s really no reason to replay. But in Murderous Muses, like our previous games (The Infectious Madness of Doctor Dekker, The Shapeshifting Detective) the killer is randomised at the start of every game. That means that the murderer can be any of the six suspects every time you play – the undertaker, the clockmaker, the burlesque dancer, the tennis player, the criminologist or the ventriloquist.
This time we wanted to vary the mystery even more, so we decided to create nine different pieces of evidence that could be shuffled and shown as clips from a late night TV show, “Mirlhaven’s Unsolved Mysteries”.
In every playthrough, you’ll be able to solve the murder using just three of these evidence ‘frames’. That means in one game you might focus on the time of the murder, trace evidence left at the scene and the antique murder weapon, while in another you could be investigating a mysterious phone call, a piece of rope, and an occult symbol drawn in blood!
A big part of your detective work involves unlocking police interviews, which you can only do by outsmarting the gallery to reveal three specific clues for each suspect. We also shuffle these clues so the steps you take to find the killer will be different in every game.
It’s Alive!
In Murderous Muses, you play as the security guard working the night shift in a haunted art gallery. We decided early on that we wanted to exploit the supernatural theme to help make each playthrough different. Not only do the paintings come to life, but new rooms and corridors spawn every night in unpredictable ways, so it feels like the gallery is constantly shifting and changing around you.
It’s not just the walls that move either. The “open-world” gameplay lets you hang suspect portraits on various plaques in the gallery to reveal FMV clues about the murder. Early versions of the gallery had static keywords but we quickly realised during testing that it wasn’t really challenging enough, so we added a “clockwork” mechanism to change the keyword after you hang a painting. That means you’ll need to hunt for keywords and manipulate the plaques to use them – so each new gallery becomes one big environmental puzzle.
Layers of Story
Of course, before we got to any of this, we needed to make sure we had a good story. And just as importantly, we needed to work out how to reveal the story gradually, so more and more layers could be revealed each time you play.
The evidence that I’ve already talked about covers the nitty gritty of the case, but uncovering the suspects’ full motives requires a bit more digging. Every time you hang a suspect portrait you’ll reveal a bit more about what was going on between them and the victim, and why they might have wanted him dead.
You’re revealing these secrets in a non-linear fashion, so one of our concerns during development was that you might lose track of the story threads – especially if you left at some time between playthroughs. To combat this, we took inspiration from Double Fine Productions’2012 adventure The Cave, which used cave paintings as backstory summaries. So now, after you’ve seen a set of videos that reveal an important part of a suspect’s story, you’ll unlock a new “character lore” painting that ties all those threads together into one neat narrative package.
There’s so much more I could talk about – replayable puzzles, collectibles, the over-over-arching story! – but this article is long enough already. Hopefully, you’ll discover those for yourself as Murderous Muses launches on Xbox today!
It’s been a year since controversial artist Mordechai Grey was murdered.
Now, a new exhibition is opening on the anniversary of his death, featuring six of his most famous portraits – each one a potential suspect in his murder.
You play as a security guard, exploring the gallery in the echoing hours to uncover clues about the crime. Solve puzzles and use the Eyes of Mordechai to bring the portraits to life, restoring the past to find his killer…
From the creators of The Infectious Madness of Doctor Dekker, The Shapeshifting Detective and Dark Nights with Poe and Munro, Murderous Muses is an infinitely replayable supernatural whodunit where choosing how to investigate is an art form…
Today we’re happy to reveal the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog for April 2023. All games will be available on Tuesday April 18. Let’s dive in.
PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium | Game Catalog
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Kena: Bridge of Spirits | PS4, PS5
Immerse yourself in a story-driven action-adventure set in a charming world rich with exploration and fast-paced combat. Play as Kena, a young Spirit Guide travelling to an abandoned village in search of the sacred mountain shrine. Find and grow a team of tiny spirits known as the Rot who maintain balance by decomposing dead and rotting elements. Enhance your companions’ abilities, create new ways to manipulate the environment and uncover the secrets of a forgotten community hidden in an overgrown forest where wandering spirits are trapped.
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Doom Eternal | PS4, PS5
Hell’s armies have invaded Earth. Become the Slayer in an epic single-player campaign to conquer demons across dimensions and stop the final destruction of humanity. The only thing they fear… is you. Experience the ultimate combination of speed and power in Doom Eternal – the next leap in push-forward, first-person combat. Armed with a flamethrower, wrist-mounted blade, upgraded guns, mods and abilities, you’re faster, stronger, and more versatile than ever. Use demon takedowns tactically to keep yourself equipped for battle: Glory kill for extra health, incinerate for armor, and chainsaw demons to stock up on ammo to become the ultimate demon-slayer.
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Riders Republic | PS4, PS5
Jump into the massive multiplayer playground! Grab your bike, skis, snowboard or wingsuit and squad up with your friends to compete in a wide range of multiplayer modes. Feel the rush of downhill races, dominate maps in team vs team competitions, or give it your best shot in epic mass PvP races with more than 50 other players. Live out the rider’s fantasy as you roam free in a huge, vibrant open world, always buzzing with other players around you. Immerse yourself in iconic American national parks including Bryce Canyon, Yosemite Valley, Mammoth Mountain… all mashed up for you to shred!
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Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus | PS4
An exhilarating adventure brought to life by the industry-leading id Tech 6 sends players to Nazi-controlled America on a mission to recruit the boldest resistance leaders left. You are BJ Blazkowicz, aka “Terror-Billy,” member of the Resistance, scourge of the Nazi empire, and humanity’s last hope for liberty. Only you have the guns and gumption to return stateside and spark the second American Revolution. Fight Nazis in iconic American locations, equip an arsenal of badass guns, and unleash new abilities to blast your way through legions of enemy soldiers in this definitive first-person shooter.
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Slay the Spire | PS4
Embark on a journey up the ever-changing Spire, in this fantasy deckbuilder adventure that fuses together card games and roguelikes. Craft a unique deck from hundreds of cards to efficiently dispatch foes and reach the top. Discover powerful relics to enhance your deck’s powers to help you overcome different enemies and bosses.
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Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom | PS4, PS5
Enjoy a colorful action-adventure game made alongside Ryuichi Nishizawa, creator of the original Wonder Boy in Monster World series. Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom borrows the best from the classic series to deliver a fresh, modern adventure with fun gameplay, memorable music and gorgeous hand drawn animations. Transform into six awesome forms with unique combat and platforming abilities to help you explore a vast interconnected environment.
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The Evil Within | PS4
Developed by Shinji Mikami and Tango Gameworks, The Evil Within embodies the meaning of pure survival horror. Highly-crafted environments, horrifying anxiety, and an intricate story are combined to create an immersive world that will bring you to the height of tension. With limited resources at your disposal, you’ll fight for survival and experience profound fear in this perfect blend of horror and action.
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Wolfenstein: The Old Blood | PS4
Wolfenstein: The Old Blood is a standalone prequel to the first-person action-adventure shooter, Wolfenstein: The New Order. The adventure, which spans eight chapters and two interconnected stories, features the hallmarks of MachineGames – thrilling action, immersive story and intense first-person combat. As war hero B.J. Blazkowicz, arm yourself with new weapons such as the bolt-action rifle and grenade-launching Kampfpistole as you attempt to thwart the advancing Nazi war machine, and take advantage of duel-wielding pipes that can be used for wall climbing – or for vicious take-downs of never-before-seen Nazi adversaries.
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Bassmaster Fishing | PS4, PS5
For the first time ever, compete as or challenge 10 pro anglers from the Elite tour across 8 different real-world venues. Climb the ranks, earn your sponsors, and progress through your B.A.S.S. career to become the Bassmaster Classic Champion. Or take to the water and compete with other players in a variety of all-new massive multiplayer modes to conquer the global leader boards.
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Paradise Killer | PS4, PS5
Solve a murder mystery set on an island outside of reality and filled with deities, all with secrets to hide and something to gain. Play as Lady Love Dies, summoned from exile to investigate the crime and find the culprit. Collect evidence, record testimony and interpret the facts to form your own truth to build an airtight case against whoever you think is the killer.
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Sackboy: A Big Adventure | PS4, PS5
Iconic PlayStation hero Sackboy bursts back into breathtaking action with a huge, fun and frantic 3D multiplayer platforming adventure. Go solo in an epic race against time stuffed with danger and peril or enjoy local or online party play, creating teams of two to four adventurers as you work together to overcome nefarious tasks however you can imagine, including unmissable co-op only levels.
PlayStation Premium | Classics
Doom | PS4
First released in 1993, Doom introduced millions of gamers to the fast-paced, white-knuckle, demon-slaying action the franchise is known for. Relive the birth of the first-person shooter and experience the demon-blasting fun that popularized the genre. This version includes expansion, Episode IV: Thy Flesh Consumed, local 4 player deathmatch and local 4 player co-op.
Doom II | PS4
To save Earth, you must descend into the depths of hell, survive demon hordes, and take part in the fiercest battle ever. This beloved sequel to the groundbreaking DOOM (1993) gave players the brutal Super Shotgun to bear against deadlier demons, and the infamous boss, the Icon of Sin. This version includes the Master Levels, 20 additional levels made by the community and supervised by the developers, local 4 player deathmatch and local 4 player co-op.
Doom 64 | PS4
Fight against demons in your crusade to hunt down the Mother of Demons and stop Hell’s invasion. As you battle through more than 30 action-packed levels, be on the lookout for enhanced weapons and secrets to help you put an end to the demonic threat.
Doom 3 | PS4
In this critically acclaimed action-horror re-telling of the original DOOM, players must battle their way through a demon-infested facility before entering the abyss to battle Hell’s mightiest warrior – and put an end to the invasion.
This version includes the Resurrection of Evil and The Lost Missions expansion packs.
Dishonored: Definitive Edition | PS4
Arkane Studios’ Dishonored, winner of over 100 Game of the Year awards, and all of its additional content come to together in this Definitive Edition! With Dishonored’s flexible combat system, creatively eliminate your targets as you combine the supernatural abilities, weapons and unusual gadgets at your disposal. “Void Walker’s Arsenal” offers unique character bonuses, additional bone charm slots, and more that will aid you in pursuit of revenge. Enter the world of the Outsider in “Dunwall City Trials” where you will put your combat, stealth and mobility skills to the test. Finally, play as the legendary assassin Daud in ‘The Knife of Dunwall’ and “The Brigmore Witches”.
As part of our normal content refresh, Marvel’s Spider-Man, Resident Evil, and NBA 2K Playgrounds 2 will be among some of the titles leaving the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog in May. Members with Game Catalog benefits can still play by May 15. You can always check the ‘Last chance to play section’ on the PlayStation Plus -> Collections page on the PS5 console, or PlayStation Plus -> Games -> Games Catalogue on the PS4 console for titles you might want to play before they leave the service.
We hope you enjoy this month’s Games Catalog lineup. Check back monthly for new games added to PlayStation Plus.
