Respawn totally wants to make more Titanfall, totally working on a non-Titanfall game too

In case there was any doubt, Respawn co-founder and CEO Vince Zampella confirmed God of War III director Stig Asmussen is working on a “non-Titanfall” project, he told Game Informer.

“There is a second team,” Zampella said in response to a question about Asmussen’s hiring this past June. “Non-Titanfall related.”

This, of course, is corroborated by the company’s Careers page, which still has an open position for a “senior systems designer” calling for “experience working on 3rd person action/adventure games,” which are Asmussen’s bread and butter.

Zampella also confirmed that Titanfall’s Xbox (and PC) exclusivity was for “Just this one” and that “future projects will not necessarily be exclusive.” He also made clear that company’s interest in making more Titanfall, which is great news for anyone as enthusiastic about the shooter as I was (no, not perfect, but really, really, really fun).

Source: Game Informer

Respawn totally wants to make more Titanfall, totally working on a non-Titanfall game too

Microsoft publishing Rise of the Tomb Raider on Xbox, partnership ‘does have a duration’

Microsoft Studios will be publishing Rise of the Tomb Raider—at least during the duration of its Xbox exclusivity.

On Monday, when asked by a fan whether the Tomb Raider publisher would be Microsoft or Square Enix, Microsoft’s Aaron Greenberg replied:

Later, a Square Enix representative confirmed to Game Informer that Microsoft is handling the publishing of Rise of the Tomb Raider on Xbox, but also reaffirmed that the arrangement with Microsoft is time-based.

“Our partnership with Microsoft on ‘Rise of the Tomb Raider’ does have a duration, but we aren’t discussing those details at this time and are focused on collaborating to deliver a great game on box One and Xbox 360,” a Square Enix representative confirmed to Game Informer.

Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix formally announced Rise of the Tomb Raider during Microsoft’s’ E3 press conference earlier this year. The game will once more be scripted by Rhianna Pratchett, and is slated to launch holiday 2015.

Source: Game Informer

Microsoft publishing Rise of the Tomb Raider on Xbox, partnership ‘does have a duration’

Square Enix Reassures That ‘Rise of the Tomb Raider’ Is Xbox Timed Exclusive

Announced back in June at E3, Rise of the Tomb Raider looked to be a bold sequel to the emotional events of Tomb Raider (2013). But as fans began to get excited for the new title, some were let down when it was revealed at Gamescom in August that it would be an Xbox exclusive.

Furthermore, Tomb Raider fans on PC and PlayStation were angry, especially as Tomb Raider debuted on PC and PlayStation in 1996. It also didn’t help that there was a huge amount of confusion around the announcement due to the wording (Microsoft called the game a ‘holiday exclusive’ and not just an exclusive through and through) as well as mixed messages from the Microsoft PR team.

Following the backlash, all three parties then confirmed that Rise of the Tomb Raider would be a ‘timed’ exclusive, meaning that the game would likely come to PC and PlayStation sometime after the Xbox release. However, after yesterday’s reveal that Microsoft would be publishing the game on Xbox platforms, Square Enix has been forced to clarify Rise of the Tomb Raider‘s exclusivity once more.

Speaking to Game Informer, Square Enix said the following:

“Yes, Microsoft will be publishing ‘Rise of the Tomb Raider’ on Xbox, Microsoft has always seen huge potential in ‘Tomb Raider’  and they will get behind this game with more support across development, marketing and retail than ever before, which we believe will be a step in continuing to build the ‘Tomb Raider’ franchise as one of the biggest in gaming.”

While it’s unclear as to what that development and marketing support entails, it does add fuel to the rumors that Square Enix couldn’t afford to finance Rise of the Tomb Raider’s development on their own. The idea was speculated after Square Enix sad that Tomb Raider (2013)‘s sales led to an “extraordinary loss” and it wasn’t until the release of Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition (the 2013 game but with better graphics and all of the DLC) on PS4 and Xbox One earlier this year that the game became profitable.

Square Enix also added:

“Our partnership with Microsoft on ‘Rise of the Tomb Raider’ does have a duration, but we aren’t discussing those details at this time and are focused on collaborating to deliver a great game on Xbox One and Xbox 360.”

While that is incredibly vague (which seems to be a running theme with these statements), it does offer Tomb Raider fans on PC and PlayStation a bit of hope. So although it’s unclear who will be publishing Rise of the Tomb Raider to PC and PlayStation, when that release will happen or even if the PC and PlayStation versions of Rise of the Tomb Raider will suffer without Microsoft support, this can be considered as good news. Maybe it’s better to wait for Rise of the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition on all platforms anyway…

Source: Game Informer

TAGS: Crystal Dynamics, Microsoft, PC, PS3, PS4, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Square Enix, Tomb Raider, Xbox 360, Xbox One

Square Enix Reassures That ‘Rise of the Tomb Raider’ Is Xbox Timed Exclusive

The ‘No Man’s Sky’ Marketing Campaign Begins Now

The indie scene continues to gain traction in the video game industry thanks to megahits like Minecraft. One of the most anticipated upcoming indie games gaining more traction than most high profile triple-A releases is No Man’s Sky, which is being developed by Hello Games, best known for their Joe Danger games.

The young developer raised eyebrows at Spike VGX 2013 with an announcement and trailer that stole a lot of attention away from the other premieres of the events, and caught the interest of Sony who locked No Man’s Sky down as a timed PlayStation 4 exclusive.

Anticipation for No Man’s Sky is so great that it even earned the coveted spot as the Game Informer cover for their January 2015 issue. With the title releasing next year, the marketing campaign for No Man’s Sky begins now.

There is a lot of excitement and interest for No Man’s Sky, as Hello Games has made an ambitious move to present a playable universe that redefines exploration in games. The amount of space available to players isn’t just expansive, it might as well be infinite. If a single player were to visit each planet for only one second, it would take 5 billion years to reach them all.

Hello Games seems to be taking a page out of Minecraft’s book in that respect, which set the standard for massive playable area. Minecraft worlds provide space upwards of 9.3 million times the surface of Earth. No Man’s Sky is set to blow that out of the water… or galaxy.

In addition to providing a vast expanse of space to travel and visit, Hello Games decided to set aside hardware-bursting graphics for a unique art style and playing experience. Although relatively little is still known about the game, what has been revealed at trade shows and through gameplay videos is enough to get any gamer excited. Planetary exploration, including land and deep-ocean discovery, epic space battles, unique and creative animals and other creatures are only a small part of what No Man’s Sky will offer players.

Even though No Man’s Sky will only be released for PS4, then later for PC (no word on Xbox One yet), its unique twist on space exploration and discovery will likely help make it one of the most talked a bout and potentially most successful titles of 2015. Such success will no doubt springboard Hello Games into the forefront of gamers’ minds for unique future titles. That’s assuming Hello Games doesn’t find itself acquired as a result of No Man’s Sky’s potential and (the developer hopes) success.

Hello Games is attending PlayStation Experience in Las Vegas this weekend to help host “A night under No Man’s Sky” event, where the developer will reveal more information about the game. Attendees will also have an opportunity to experience No Man’s Sky for themselves.

What do you think about No Man’s Sky? Are you excited for the game? Let us know in the comments.

No Man’s Sky is set to release on PC and PS4 in 2015.

Source: Game Informer

The ‘No Man’s Sky’ Marketing Campaign Begins Now

‘Destiny: Dark Below’ DLC Video Shows Sword Gameplay & New Exotics

In a little over two weeks Bungie will give Destiny players their first taste of post-launch story content in the form of The Dark Below DLC expansion. As previously detailed, The Dark Below will include a set of new story missions, one new Strike mission (or two for PlayStation players), a new Raid, and tons of new weapons and gear to collect.

But before Bungie lets players go hands-on with The Dark Below there’s still plenty of legwork to be done. Specifically, Bungie needs to explain to Destiny players why this expansion is worth the $15 price tag.

Luckily, the coming week will deliver those much-needed Dark Below details as part of a preview feature from Game Informer. The publication recently visited Bungie’s studio and was able to get all the important details on The Dark Below and get hands-on time with its new story content.

To better give players an idea of what to expect in the next week, the folks at GI have put together a teaser video highlighting all the new elements in The Dark Below. The footage features closer looks at each of the new story missions, provides more back-story on the character of Eris, showcases some of the new weapons and gear, and even teases some new gameplay experiences as well. Check it out the video here.

First and foremost, it sounds like Bungie is trying to deliver a more cohesive story experience with The Dark Below. It doesn’t matter if players are off on quests or going through the new Strike, everything should tie together through the character of Eris.

Eris, as the video and epilogue cinematic explain, was the member of a raid team who descended into the depths of the Moon looking for the Hive god Crota. The details get a bit fuzzy from their but it sounds like the team found more than they bargained for and only Eris survived. Now, she sends players on a series of missions that will eventually culminate in the new 6-player raid, Crota’s End.

Gameplay-wise, the new content looks pretty familiar, although it is nice to see the sword mechanic return. We don’t know how much of a factor the sword will play in The Dark Below, but considering it played a small part of a single mission we’re hoping Bungie has more sword missions planned this time around.

While the prospect of new content is intriguing we’re still wary given how limited the retail Destiny package was. As Project Director Jason Jones says at the top of the video, players wanted more. However, they didn’t want more in the form of paid DLC.

Hopefully, the upcoming details about The Dark Below – including more about those awesome legendary and exotic weapons – will do enough to convince players this is a value. Stick tuned to Game Rant for more.

What do you think of this closer look at The Dark Below? Do you think it will add enough to the game to keep you going?

Destiny: The Dark Below releases December 9, 2014 for PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.

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Source: Game Informer

‘Destiny: Dark Below’ DLC Video Shows Sword Gameplay & New Exotics