When Marvel's Avengers launched on last-gen platforms in 2020, we praised the title for its strong single-player campaign, but in the time since its launch, the development team has been largely quiet on the post-launch roadmap, much to the chagrin of a once-hopeful community. We received our first post-launch hero in Kate Bishop in December, but the new-gen version, which was originally set to be a launch title for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X was delayed so the team could focus on and prioritize more pressing problems that popped up after launch.
We now know that Marvel's Avengers is coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on March 18. The current-gen version brings better performance, upgraded visuals, higher framerate, significantly faster load times, and haptic feedback for each hero on PlayStation 5. Those who already have the game on PlayStation 4 or Xbox One can upgrade to the current-gen version at no additional cost. Those who do upgrade will still be able to play with others with those who remain on the last-gen versions.
The release of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S version coincides with the release of Hawkeye (Clint Barton). This means that if the new-gen version is what you've been waiting for to jump into the Crystal Dynamics' world of Marvel's Avengers, you'll have the base Avengers Reassemble campaign, the Kate Bishop Operation: Taking AIM campaign, and Clint Barton's Operation: Future Imperfect to play through.
If you're new to Marvel's Avengers, check out the full list of heroes you can play as in the game and learn more about the title through our review.
Annapurna Interactive has built a reputation for smart and varied games during its years of existence, often challenging conventions of what a game can be, and how interactive entertainment can remain engaging, even while tackling unusual or surprising subject matter. That penchant for unique games is on display in the publisher’s new physical-release PlayStation 4 Box Sets, which are being released today in collaboration with iam8bit, another company known for its focus on the artistic side of video game creation. Iam8bit has been around since 2015, and focuses on partnerships with game and film creators to release high-end art, collections, and other products, and also interface directly with fans through community events.
The new box sets are exclusively built for PS4, and include a wide variety of Annapurna’s games, including Donut County, Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition, Outer Wilds, Sayonara Wild Hearts, Wattam, and What Remains of Edith Finch, as well as a first appearance of Telling Lies and Gorogoa as a physical PlayStation 4 release. Those final two games will only be available as part of these sets.
The box sets are releasing on two separate tiers, at different price points. The Deluxe edition is only available directly through iam8bit, and will set you back $199.99, and comes in a limited edition of 2,000, with a special custom folio package, and includes exclusive statements from the game creators.
Meanwhile, the Ultimate PS4 Collection is available through a variety of retailers for $179.99, including all the games in an attractive boxed set, but without those extras that are part of the Deluxe edition.
While it’s a pricey proposition for a variety of already-released games, the box sets are clearly targeted to existing fans looking to celebrate the artistry and independent spirit of the games in question. Projects like Kentucky Route Zero and What Remains of Edith Finch have been profoundly influential and beloved games in recent years. Beyond having access to the full slate of these varied games from Annapurna, the team-up with iam8bit ensures that the box set itself will be a beautiful shelf-piece all by itself.
New World is the upcoming MMORPG from publisher Amazon Game Studios and developer Double Helix, though according to the original plan, it was supposed to be out by now. The game was scheduled to be released last August, but was delayed in the interest of refining the experience. The revised release window was spring 2021, but today Double Helix announced that launch is being pushed again.
Click here to watch embedded mediaAccording to the latest development update on the New World site, the game will now be released on August 31 – a year after its original date. However, considering all of the challenges that studios have been facing in terms of development during a pandemic, some moved release dates are easy to understand.
Double Helix doesn't specifically cite those issues, but giving a game more time to reach its potential is rarely a bad move. That seems to be the main motivator, according to the studio's explanation. In announcing the new date, Double Helix's post reads (in part):
We’ve been hard at work on compelling end-game features we believe are important to include at launch. These features won’t be ready for the Spring timeframe that we had communicated. With that in mind, we will release New World on August 31, 2021. With this extra time we’ll be able to add these substantial improvements while polishing and fine tuning the whole game before we open Aeternum’s shores to the world.Though the delay is certainly news people should know, New World is more than its release date. If you want to learn more about the game itself – including its story, combat, and even romance options – then check out our interview with members of the development team. You'll get plenty of insight into the game's vision and the team's approach to bringing it all to life.
What are you thoughts on the August release date for New World? Are you disappointed you need to wait longer? Are you just excited to see the final result, whenever it's ready? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Peter Molyneux founded the studio 22Cans back in 2012 based in Guildford, England. Molyneaux started this venture following his work at Bullfrog Productions and Lionhead Studios, the latter shuttering its doors back in 2016. With 22Can's first game launching back in November 2012, the company is faced with the difficulty of layoffs going into 2021.
As reported by GameIndustry.biz, the UK-based studio has begun an unfortunate round of layoffs, though the exact number of those affected has not been disclosed at this time.
"Unfortunately, due to a number of factors including projects reaching a certain stage in their development, we can confirm that a number of roles at 22Cans have been made redundant," a studio spokesman said to the site. "Development at the studio is continuing, however."
While this is a situation that no one wants to see or experience, it does look like the studio is taking steps to care for those impacted by the layoffs, including "some support" for the newly released staff in an effort to help place them in a new employment situation as soon as possible.
Currently, 22Cans is working hard on a new simulator game called Legacy for PC players, though release date information remains under wraps. According to the spokesperson, development on the current title will remain on-course and will not be negatively impacted by the recent change. This new project follows after Godus, a game meant to be the spiritual successor to Molyneux's previous title Populous, which was developed for PC and mobile but the PC version hasn't seen an updated beta since 2016, though the mobile version continues to see support. It has been reported that following the end of lead developer Konrad Naszynski's contract that there is no one at the studio with plans to work on the Godus for PC.
Layoffs, while sometimes unavoidable, are never something anyone wants to go through. Our hearts are with those employees affected by the sudden shift. If you or someone you know is impacted by the news, please check out this resource here within the industry that has a constantly updated list of employment opportunities.
[Source: GameIndustry.biz]