News (190789)
10 Best Weapons In Necromunda: Hired Gun, Ranked | Game Rant
Written by Beau LowF1 2021 Highlights the Cast of Its Braking Point Campaign, Features Returning Antagonist
Written by Callum Williams 
Magic: Legends, the free-to-play ARPG set in the Magic: The Gathering universe, is shutting down for good on October 31, 2021. If this seems really fast to you, you’re right - the game technically never even left the beta phase for an official launch, nor did it ever get its scheduled console launches on Xbox or Playstation. On the plus side, if you did play it at all on the Epic Games Store or Arc launcher, you’re getting a full refund for any purchases made.
Magic: Legends is shutting down on October 31, 2021. Read the full statement and FAQ here > https://t.co/BMQZDHTWrU pic.twitter.com/6viue1Sbs6
— Magic: Legends (@BeAMagicLegend) June 29, 2021
We can theorize endlessly about the many factors that undoubtedly shaped this decision for a shutdown before launch, but certainly, there was a lot of promise and potential in the core philosophy of taking Magic: The Gathering into an ARPG format. I was fascinated by many components of the game, including its use of an AI director to craft intensifying action, during our cover story trip. You can check out our cover story and features here.
However, at the end of the day, we can speculate that lack of player retention, monetization models, lack of endgame content, gear system choices, and low activity diversity all contributed in some way, but we’ll never really know. Since the game never actually made it to a launch, there’s room for additional speculation too, but I’d rather keep things in the realm of reality and say it was a really cool idea with a passionate team behind it that didn’t “ignite the spark” due to a variety of factors once it was unleashed into reality. I do wish we would have seen a launch and what could have been with some course correction, but turning a ship around once it’s left port is an incredibly challenging (and often impossible) task in games.
Feel free to take a look at several hours of gameplay when the beta was in its infancy right here on our YouTube channel. You can also read the entire statement and shutdown FAQ over on the official site.
Did you play any Magic: Legends? Were you planning to check it out on console? Let us know in the comments!
Remedy Announces Control Multiplayer Spin-Off Game | Game Rant
Written by Cameron CorlissWhat The LOTR Anime Adaptation Means For The Future Of The Movie Industry
Written by Izak BultenStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Order 2 Should Be the 'Empire Strikes Back' of Cal's Story
Written by Zackery CarnleyMore...
How to Complete All Destiny 2 Seasonal Challenges for Week 8 (Season of the Splicer)
Written by Will SawyerMass Effect Director Casey Hudson Opens New Studio | Game Rant
Written by Clayton CyreFormer BioWare Boss Casey Hudson Reveals His New Game Studio With Humanoid Studios
Written by Liana Ruppert 
Casey Hudson announced that he was leaving BioWare once more back in December 2020, and now we're finally getting a look at what he's been up to since then. The former BioWare boss took to Twitter to share an inside look at his new gaming company called Humanoid Studios that has a mission statement we can stand behind, "unleash the creative freedom of developers."
Hudson shared our first look at Humanoid Studios on June 29, with a sneak peek at what this new journey looks like. "I've been working with some colleagues on something awesome," he started. "And I wish I could tell you all about it! For now, though, I can say that [today] we are announcing a new independent videogame company built to unleash the creative freedom of developers - bringing innovation and artistry to players through an all-new IP."
We are Humanoid Studios. This is the first tiny step in our journey, and we hope you'll come along with us on the adventure. https://t.co/b77Z2hbKFG
— Casey Hudson (@CaseyDHudson) June 29, 2021
Hudson founded Humanoid, but a team isn't a team without some good folks helping push the vision forward. According to the newly unveiled studio website, Humanoid looks to employ "talented developers from around the world" as it embodies the creative blend of the "excellence in the arts with advanced sciences to deliver the future of interactive entertainment." This may be my inner BioWare fan reaching a bit, but it sure does sound like this new studio will be keeping true to those choice-driven RPG roots that Hudson is already intimately familiar with through his prior work history.
As part of the new studio's growth, Humanoid is currently hiring for various positions, including designers, creative directors, level designers, and more. To get up to speed on what Humanoid is all about and to keep track of news as it comes, feel free to mosey on over to the newly revealed site right here.
We wish Hudson and the team the best of luck in their new ventures!
What are your thoughts on Hudson's new studio and creative vision? What do you hope to see from this team's efforts in the future? Sound off with those spicy takes in the comment section below!
The Elder Scrolls 6 Will Use Creation Engine 2, Like Starfield, But It's Still A Long Ways Off
Written by Liana Ruppert 
Bethesda confirmed back in October of last year that Starfield would be using an overhauled engine for the studio with Creation Engine 2. This news excited fans for obvious reasons. While Bethesda knows how to tell a solid tale, that doesn't mean that franchises like Fallout and Elder Scrolls have really done a good job at keeping up with the times in terms of tech and aesthetics. Now, following the Xbox-Bethesda E3 2021 showcase, Todd Howard is talking a little more openly about The Elder Scrolls 6, including confirming that it will utilize the same engine as Starfield.
When sitting down with The Telegraph, Howard talked about a plethora of topics, including his original 2009 Indiana Jones game pitch. He also confirmed the engine news about both upcoming games, though Howard was careful to once again reiterate that The Elder Scrolls 6 is still a long way off. In fact, it's still in the "design phase."
“It’s good to think of The Elder Scrolls 6 as still being in a design [phase]… but we’re checking the tech," said Howard. He continued on saying that the team is thinking in terms of ‘Is this going to handle the things we want to do in that game?’ whilst pushing forward with developmental progress. He added, "Every game will have some new suites of technology, so Elder Scrolls 6 will have some additions on to Creation Engine 2 that that game is going to require.”
Both Howard and Bethesda's SVP Pete Hines have repeatedly stated why the studio chose to reveal The Elder Scrolls 6 so early. The main reason was that its announcement hinged during a time when players were concerned that Bethesda was abandoning its promise to dedicate a space for single-player games due to Fallout 76 on the heels of Electronic Arts stating that its own push towards live-service is because "nobody wants single-player games anymore." This was Bethesda's way of saying, "Look, we know you guys are excited for this. Trust us; it's still coming." The downside of that assurance is that it was massively premature, making fans of the fantasy adventure hungry to learn more.
The pair have both made it clear that Starfield has taken a priority. The good news is that we now have a release date for Starfield, which means an end is in sight, and the dedicated team to Elder Scrolls can be head down on the sixth entry.
What are your hopes regarding The Elder Scrolls 6? Are you excited to see what the overhauled engine will bring to the table? Sound off with your thoughts in the comment section below!