These Killer is Dead Screenshots Get a Bit Risqué
Killer is Dead developer Goichi Suda, who often goes by his coined nickname “Suda51,” and his buddies at Grasshopper Manufacture are known for making some pretty edgy games. The history is pretty impressive: No More Heroes, Killer7, and others. Killer is Dead speaks directly to that tradition. It’s racy, it’s violent, it’s gory – and it isn’t shy about any of it.
The latest screenshots show off its bloody and sensual side, demonstrating Mondo Zappa’s “katana arts” and an over-the-top “gigolo mission.” Yes, you read that right.
Two Upcoming Titles Holding Contests to Get Fans Into Games
With the recent success of ZombiU at getting fans into the game via its unique survival mode, where players could leave in-game messages for one another in the form of writing on the wall, an interesting bridge has formed between developers and gamers that we’ve rarely seen before. One of the most famous examples of such a connection was the Chris Houlihan Room in The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, among a few other standout examples. Today, two more studios announced that they were having contests to help fans get into their games, via artwork or a mention of their actual name.
Read on to find out more about the two games involved in the contest, as well as what players must do in order to make a cameo appearance…
SuperBot Entertainment Working on New IP
After its split from Sony, sources seemed to think that SuperBot Entertainment was downsizing and heading for a complete shutdown. However an interview today revealed that the studio is moving in quite the opposite direction, and is instead working on a brand new IP.
Formed in 2009, the studio has only ever worked on PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale, but split with Sony in February on “amiable” terms. Sources said that the studio was going to be closing, but Yang dismissed those rumors today.
Bethesda Closes the Book on Skyrim Development
It’s been a good year-and-a-half or so since the release of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and the developers at Bethesda say they’ve finally brought the project to fulfillment. There won’t be any more new DLC, major updates, or new features for the game – they’re off to work on the next one.
They clarify that “minor updates” will still follow as issues with the game are discovered, but for now, they’re ready to embrace the future.
Click below for a heartfelt good-bye from the team at Bethesda.
Ubisoft Studio Executive Believes ‘The Audience is Ready’ for Always-Online
A lot of people have been making a lot of noise about the idea of an always-online requirement for future video game hardware, but the true test of the idea will be whether the market accepts it – not whether those of us who like to complain on the Internet think it’s the right direction. Ubisoft Montreal CEO Yannis Mallat believes that current trends suggest that “the audience is ready” to embrace an always-online future.
Frankly, I’m inclined to agree with him. See what he had to say in detail by clicking below.
Level-5 Places Another “Black Box,” Hint for Guild02 Localization?
Another “black box” has appeared! The last time Level-5 teased one of these, the result was the localization of the Guild01 game collection for 3DS, so it seems like this one likely foreshadows the same treatment for Guild02.
Incidentally, that last announcement arrived during a Nintendo Direct presentation – could Wednesday’s show be focused on third-party 3DS titles? Click below for a Japanese trailer showing off the Guild02 compilation.
New Figures, Screenshots Revealed for Pokémon Rumble U
Given the massive success of the Skylanders franchise, it came as a surprise to no one when Nintendo announced that the Wii U was receiving its own NFC-utilizing game: Pokémon Rumble U. Slated for release on April 24 in Japan, Rumble U combines collectible figures with the Wii U to create an experience that Nintendo hopes will mirror the addictive nature of Skylanders. Courtesy of AllGamesBeta, we have six new figures and a new batch of screenshots to show off today. Hit the jump to get a look at the first Pokémon on the Wii U.
Castle of Illusion HD Remake Confirmed, New Trailer and Screenshots Released
We recently caught wind of a teaser that suggested Sega’s Castle of Illusion was set to join DuckTales in receiving the HD remake treatment, and much to our delight, this has now been confirmed. Castle of Illusion will be available for digital download sometime this summer on Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network and Windows PC. Hit the jump to catch the official trailer and the first batch of screenshots.
Another 3DS-Focused Nintendo Direct Set for This Wednesday, April 17
Nintendo’s preparing to break its long Nintendo Direct silence with a new presentation, set for this Wednesday, April 17, at 7am Pacific / 10 am Eastern time. The presentation will focus on upcoming 3DS titles, presumably with new announcements amid discussions of previously-announced titles including Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Pokémon X & Y, and titles under the “Year of Luigi” brand.
No word yet on whether there’ll be a Wii U-themed Nintendo Direct any time soon, though Nintendo’s earnings release is in a few days so it’s only a matter of time.
Pachter Estimates 17% Decline in Wii U Sales in March, Price Cut Won’t Help
This month marks the start of a new fiscal year for video game companies, and Nintendo was hoping to close out the year on a high note. The official sales data has not been released yet, but according to Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter, Nintendo will likely report a total of 55,000 Wii U units sold in the month of March in the US. This would mark a 17% decline from February’s numbers, indicating that the release of games like Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate and Lego City Undercover did little to gain momentum for the system.
Prior to the launch of the Wii U, Pachter had predicted that the system would need to be priced at $249.99 or less to sell effectively, but Nintendo’s first HD console retailed at $299.99 for the Basic Set. According to Pachter, even if Nintendo reduces the price to the amount he had suggested the system will continue to struggle. What’s to blame for the sluggish sales figures? Pachter cites a lack of “core titles” and the perception that the competition will make the Wii U obsolete.
Tales Producer Reflects on the Western Success of Tales of Symphonia
If you’ve even heard of the Tales franchise, it’s probably because Tales of Symphonia – to date the strongest-selling game in the series due to its incredible performance in the West. How is it that the game was able to score such a large audience? Tales series producer Hideo Baba says a number of factors contributed.
One of the biggest reasons he cited was the game’s status as the first-ever Tales game to use 3D graphics, but he also claimed another factor was just as important. Click below for his full comment.
Pachter Doesn’t Understand Japan, Thinks 30-40 Million Wii U Sales Would be “Lucky”
Video game analyst Michael Pachter is back with another episode of Pach Attack, and this week he tackles questions about a possible Final Fantasy VII remake and the risks involved in launching either a “hardcore” or “casual” console. Hit the jump to catch Pachter’s latest thoughts, as well as our breakdown.
