Posted by: xSicKxBot - 12-30-2019, 12:10 AM - Forum: Lounge
- No Replies
Henry Cavill Got So Ripped For The Witcher That He Broke His Costumes
Superman actor Henry Cavill spent a lot of the time at the gym to prepare for his starring role as Geralt in Netflix's new Witcher TV show. It's now been reported that Cavill got so jacked that it caused a problem with the show's costume department. In short, he kept Hulk-ing through his outfits.
Polygon spoke with the show's costume designer, Tim Aslam, and the site reported: "Not only was the actor particular about his outfit, but that during shooting, his muscles wore down the leather at such an alarming rate that replacements were constantly produced to meet the production's needs."
Feature: The Best Hidden Gems And Underrated Switch Games Of 2019
It’s been a busy 20 months since Nintendo Switch first launched back in 2017 and Switch gamers have been spoiled for choice when it comes to great games to play. In stark contrast to the lean years of Nintendo’s previous console, it’s been hard to keep up with the excellent Switch titles coming from every direction, whether first-party classics, third-party ports or indie gem after indie gem.
With that in mind, we’ve put together the following list of 18 games that we feel fell through the cracks or got a little lost in the crowd – the best hidden gems on Switch from 2019. It’s a big mix of genres and styles, but for one reason or another we feel that they fell off the radar too quickly and deserve to be highlighted again before 2020 delivers another wave of games.
If any of these games are already part of your Switch library, congratulations! If, however, they passed you by, consider visiting the eShop and hunting down a few of these.
While certainly less of a head-turner than something like Cuphead (which released in close proximity to this), Mechstermination Force is a more approachable take on boss rush platforming, with less of an emphasis on twitch-based, pixel-perfect precision. The game is peppered with ingenious design and amusing writing and we thoroughly enjoyed our time with it. We’d recommend it as a more accessible alternative to (or appetiser for) Studio MDHR’s game. If you enjoyed Gunman Clive, this is a great expansion on the concept and well worth investigating.
Publisher: Playful Entertainment Inc. / Developer: Playful Entertainment Inc.
Release Date: 8th Nov 2019 (USA) / 8th Nov 2019 (UK/EU)
One of the surprise announcements this year alongside the other previously Xbox-exclusive games that have arrived on Switch, New Super Lucky’s Tale is a solid port of an underrated platformer with a greatly improved camera. It’s a little on the short side and may not provide much of a challenge to more hardened gamers – and if you already own it on Xbox One there really isn’t enough new here to warrant a second purchase – but what makes it worth a look is its uncanny ability to make you smile, and this is something that can’t be overlooked, especially in modern times. It’s exactly the sort of tonic we love and an excellent addition to Switch’s library of platformers.
Please note that some links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale which helps support the site. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.
Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Tarsier Studios
Release Date: 8th Nov 2019 (USA) / 8th Nov 2019 (UK/EU)
The Stretchers was an unexpected delight, perfectly timed to brighten up the long, dark winter days when it dropped on to the eShop without warning in November. Tarsier has taken all its experience working on the likes of Ragdoll Kung-Fu: Fists of Plastic and LittleBigPlanet and brought it together to deliver a ridiculously OTT ragdoll puzzle riot that works well in solo but is on another level when enjoyed with a friend in co-op. Missions are varied and lend themselves perfectly to moments of hilarious slapstick, and there’s a couple of real standout moments scattered across the course of proceedings that will have you laughing all the way to the end.
Its slightly generic look might mean it doesn’t stand out in the crowd, but Nintendo published this one and we’d recommend investigating it if you’re into your couch co-op Switch games.
Publisher: Devolver Digital / Developer: Doinksoft
Release Date: 30th May 2019 (USA) / 30th May 2019 (UK/EU)
With tight controls, retro-styled minimal art style and a superb sense of progression, Gato Roboto is the perfect Metroidvania to play whilst you’re waiting for an actualMetroid or appropriate Castlevania game. Only its difficulty leaves a bit to be desired at times – anybody with a lick of experience will likely breeze through it in no time, and its quality is such that you may end up wishing it lasted a little longer. Nevertheless, it’s chock full of meaningful upgrades, secrets and spectacular boss battles to keep you joyously busy for a few hours.
Publisher: Devolver Digital / Developer: Gabe Cuzzillo
Release Date: 28th Feb 2019 (USA) / 28th Feb 2019 (UK/EU)
You probably made a mental note to check out before getting distracted by something else. If that sounds familiar, do yourself a favour and hunt it down – the Nintendo eShop would be a considerably more exciting and interesting place if it were packed full of games like Ape Out. It’s a refreshingly original experience that more than deserves a place in any Switch owner’s library. Difficult, frenetic gameplay, a strong art direction, and an even stronger jazz drum soundtrack make this the sort of memorable game that you’ll likely keep coming back to over and over for another few runs in arcade mode. We’d give Ape Out a strong recommendation to anyone looking for a distinct and unforgettable game for their Switch collection; it’s a bit of an acquired taste, but well worth your time.
Publisher: Devolver Digital / Developer: Le Cartel Studio
Release Date: 29th Aug 2019 (USA) / 29th Aug 2019 (UK/EU)
Heave Ho doesn’t quite reach the lofty heights of Snipperclips, but it’s still one of the best couch co-op titles to hit the Switch. It encourages communication and careful planning, but remains utterly chaotic and achingly hilarious, with a fantastic selection of unique costumes to unlock as you progress. The fact that you’ll face the same stages whether you’re playing multiplayer or single player is a disappointment, but it’s great fun whatever way you decide to play it.
Blasphemous is a beautifully crafted Soulslike/Metroidvania action game set in a delightfully unhinged, deliriously gory world filled with well-designed enemies, satisfyingly meaty combat and some truly memorable and grotesque boss battles. Platforming sections are uniformly well-crafted and the whole thing comes together to create one of the most visually arresting and solidly enjoyable action titles currently available on Switch. Spanish developers The Game Kitchen have created a nightmare world in Cvstodia, one that will truly test your combat and platforming skills and leave you begging for more come that final bloody battle.
Publisher: ININ Games / Developer: ININ Games
Release Date: 15th Oct 2019 (USA) / 30th Aug 2019 (UK/EU)
They say you can never really go back – the game might still be there, but nostalgia mixes with memories and creates something more intoxicating in the mind than it really was. Go back to the SNES Ninja Warriors now and it’s still fun, but it’s stuck in the square box of a 4:3 screen, the animation doesn’t stand out like it did and one-player-only looks weak alongside the other Final Fight tribute acts of the day. But when you see The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors, it’s somehow exactly what you remember: huge, lush backdrops, silky animation, and tight, mob-levelling ninja moves. It makes you feel like being a kid again and, as such, this game stands as yet another essential Switch release you really should own.
It’s quite something when a game of this stature gets overlooked, but that’s arguably what happened when this port launched back in September. That’s a shame, because Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is an experience unlike any other on the Switch, expertly blending standard RPG tropes with a heartwarming story, innovative art style, and an immersive soundtrack composed by some of the best in the business. In more ways than one, this is a ‘dream project’ that’s very existence is a gift to fans of the genre the world over. Although it falls short of being an undisputed masterpiece, with pacing issues and shoddy AI dragging down an otherwise pitch perfect experience, this still proves to be lightyears ahead of many other RPGs. If you consider yourself a fan of the genre – or even if you’re just looking to get your feet wet – you owe it to yourself to give Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch a shot.
Google Stadia Now Has Achievements, But Mobile Users Need To Wait
Google Stadia has finally added achievements to its games. You can now earn achievements in Stadia titles, and they'll be retroactively awarded to players who have completed the tasks that achievements ask of them, meaning you won't need to restart games to earn them.
There's a catch, though--achievements are only live for users on Chrome browser or Chromecast. Mobile app users do not yet have access to achievements; they are coming in 2020, according to the latest Stadia Community round-up.
? Our achievement system is here and you will now receive notifications when playing on desktop, laptop, and TV. You can view your full achievement list on web, including all the ones you've earned since you began playing Stadia. pic.twitter.com/VX7cGg9K9k
Players with access to achievements can view their three most recently earned achievements for the last game played on their profiles, or can examine individual games for more detailed pages and descriptions of the achievements they've earned, or their progress towards earning them. You can also view other player's achievements if they have been made visible to you.
Not all games on Stadia are required to include achievements, and there are not associated points or values for each achievement as there are on Xbox. It's a system more akin to Steam's achievements.
Feature: Prepare To Meet The Light! Where Is Kid Icarus: Uprising On Switch?
Kid Icarus: Uprising on 3DS was one heck of a game. A bombastic shooter inspired by Greek mythology, the game still has a devoted fanbase. In fact, a good number of Nintendo heads have always been a bit miffed that such an ambitious, explosive game from one of the industry’s all-time greats (Smash Bros. boss Masahiro Sakurai) didn’t spawn a new franchise. But with the success of the Switch and now the Switch Lite, could Pit and Palutena be primed for a triumphant return?
Angel’s Advocate
2012’s Uprising was the third game in the Kid Icarus franchise, and was released a massive 21 years after the second. The game’s story revolves around Palutena (the Goddess of Light) sending Pit to thwart Medusa (the Goddess of Darkness) and her evil schemes. The gameplay essentially sees Palutena guide Pit through the skies in an on-rails shooter format, before the missions become ground-based and much more open. This was always Sakurai’s original concept: a game in which you must fly to where your mission takes place, before landing and tackling your main objective.
Utilising the 3DS stylus to control your weapon of choice (more on that later), you used charged shots as well as continuous fire to take down foes. Different classes of weapons offered different firepower and, back at the home screen, it was possible to customise your blades, bows and clubs. The overall result was a frenetic and immensely enjoyable handheld experience, and the care and love that Sakurai and his team put into the game was especially impressive given that so much of the beautifully rendered visuals flashed by in an instant. The game also featured some of the finest voice acting in a videogame, ever. There were frequent hilarious moments, knowing nods to the player and plenty of memorable quotes: “You’ve got to be upbeat, upbeat, upbeat! Or you’ll be dead meat, dead meat, dead meat!”
Hera One Day, Gone The Next
So, with strong reviews, good sales and even something of a cult following, why hasn’t there been more from Uprising and its world? Well, Uprising’s developer Project Sora (a company founded by Sakurai) shut down soon after the game’s release, with little reason given as to why. Since then Pit has only been seen as a playable fighter in Smash Bros, the franchise Sakurai returned to after completing Uprising. Even worse for those of us who’ve been holding out for a new game, Sakurai has, in the past, dismissed talk of a sequel or a modern Uprising port and even commented on how nightmarish the game was to develop – that doesn’t sound like a man keen to give Kid Icarus more of his time!
But *record scratch* some recent Nintendo news offers Uprising fans real hope. According to Takashi Mochizuki (Wall Street Journal), Shuntaro Furukawa (worldwide president of Nintendo) wants to bring more 3DS franchises to Switch after the huge 2019 success of the Switch Lite. With the 3DS at the very end of its lifecycle, and well-established 3DS franchises such as Pokémon and Brain Age already making the jump, it certainly seems like there is a real opening for Kid Icarus: Uprising to receive a remaster on Switch. This could even be used as a trial run to measure the desire for a fully-fledged sequel and a long-term continuation of the series!
Porting Pit-Falls
So just how would a Kid Icarus: Uprising remaster for Switch work given that the game was specifically developed with the 3DS in mind? Let’s start with the control scheme. The most divisive aspect of Uprising, the control scheme saw players using the left stick to control Pit and the stylus to aim on the 3DS’ touch screen, with the ‘L’ button firing. Some players just couldn’t get on board with this control method (even when using that weird plastic stand that shipped with game), but the Switch and its twin analogue sticks offer an obvious solution. Aiming the on-screen crosshair with the right Joy-Con’s analogue stick would probably be somewhat slower than sliding a stylus along a screen, but maybe the game’s weapons could be made a little more powerful to mitigate that lag.
There’s also the question of the game’s amazing dialogue, a near constant audio banter that comes accompanied with beautiful character graphics on the 3DS’s touch screen. The Switch obviously doesn’t have a second screen, and the Wii U and its Gamepad might seem like a more obvious fit for this dynamic, but that console’s time has long since past. No, the answer probably lies with other Switch-ported games like Fire Emblem Warriors that employ unintrusive dialogue boxes in the bottom corner of the screen, complete with a small anime character portrait. Fire Emblem Warriors is by no means the first game to take this approach, but it is a Switch title that proves in-game dialogue can be implemented without interfering with hectic on-screen action.
So, Should Nintendo Reopen Pandora’s Box?
The fact remains that Sakurai has never sounded eager about returning to Uprising. Things can change though, and, after Sakurai has finished working on DLC fighters for Smash Bros Ultimate (and hopefully taken a very long, relaxing holiday), he’ll no doubt be looking for a new project. And if he doesn’t want to do it, maybe someone else at Nintendo could take up the Kid Icarus mantle, perhaps with Sakurai on board as an executive producer?
Despite all the obvious obstacles, it’s probably fair to say that there is at least a realistic hope that Kid Icarus will get a continuation on Switch. An Uprising port seems like the most obvious place to start, essentially because the game always felt like a fully-fledged home console title crammed into a tiny 3DS cart anyway. But we wouldn’t say no to a brand-new Kid Icarus game either, no matter who’s working on it! Just don’t tell us there’s still another 21 years left to wait.
Apple videos encourages iPhone 11 users to make ‘slofies’
By Malcolm Owen Saturday, December 28, 2019, 01:36 pm PT (04:36 pm ET)
Apple is continuing to highlight the high-speed capabilities of the iPhone 11’s front-facing camera, by releasing four videos showing how a ‘slofie’ could be taken on the smartphone with a wide variety of different results on the same theme.
Introduced at the launch of the iPhone 11, a “Slofie” is the same as a self-portrait “selfie,” except that instead of bring a single shot, it’s actually a slo-mo video of the subject. Combining “slow” and “selfie” in a portmanteau, it takes advantage of updates to the front-facing camera, which allows it to record at 4K resolution at up to 60fps, and in slo-mo at up to 120fps.
The four videos published to the official YouTube account on Saturday show how the concept can be explored in different ways, while also pointing out how making the videos can be funny. The first has a man with loose skin move his face from side to side, with the slofie capturing the wobbling jowls.
The second has a man dancing under a sprinkler, simultaneously advertising the iPhone 11’s water resistance.
A third is a group slofie where three girls move around a smoke-filled and neon-colored room, which turns out to be a walk-in freezer at a store.
The fourth is not new, as it is the same video Apple itself played to the audience at the launch of the iPhone 11. In it, a girl in front of a foil backdrop has air from a hairdryer blasted at her face as she moves around.
Hideki Kamiya Says Bayonetta 3 Development Is “Going Really Well”
At the start of the year, Switch fans got a shock when Nintendo announced the development of Metroid Prime 4 had been entirely restarted. This followed later on in the year with the delay of Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
With this in mind, it’s nice when we do get regular updates from developers about how their upcoming projects are going. In this case, the latest one is about the anticipated Switch exclusive, Bayonetta 3. A Twitter user reached out to PlatinumGames’ Hideki Kamiya recently and asked when fans could expect to hear more. Kamiya responded with the following line: “Development is going really well. There you go” (translation by Nintendo Everything).
Sure, it’s not much, but after all of the other delays and setbacks this year, it’s nice to know Bayonetta 3 is still on track, especially after it wasn’t shown at this year’s E3.
Are you looking forward to the third chapter in this series? Leave a comment down below.
Posted by: xSicKxBot - 12-29-2019, 03:42 AM - Forum: Lounge
- No Replies
Halo: TV Show Production Has Begun, And New Infinite Concept Art Released
Halo is gearing up for a big year in 2020, with the Halo Master Chief Collection continuing to release for PC and the planned launch of Halo Infinite alongside the Xbox Series X. In a new update on Halo Waypoint, developer 343 Industries has dropped some information about everything on the Halo slate, including the upcoming 2021 Showtime TV series.
First up, The Master Chief Collection and Halo 5 are both offering double XP from now until the end of 2019. You'll also be able to unlock the Ugly Sweater nameplate in The Master Chief Collection by completing one of these two objectives by January 6, 2020:
Beat the par score on any two snowy campaign missions
Updates are also coming to improve performance across the PC and Xbox One versions of the game.
343 Industries provides an update on Showtime's upcoming Halo show, which will star Pablo Schreiber (Orange is the New Black's "Pornstache") as Master Chief. Production on the show has begun, and a behind-the-scenes shot makes it clear that Halsey will feature in it.
The show will be directed, at least in part, by Black Mirror's Otto Bathurst.
An update is also given on Halo Infinite, alongside some new concept art (below). The team currently has split-screen running internally, according to the post, and the game is confirmed as taking place after Halo 5. Forge will also return, and for the first time it will feature undo and redo buttons, making it easier to edit together levels.
Halo Infinite is coming to Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PC. It will support LAN play and will feature extensive armor customization options.
The next major Halo release will be the Anniversary edition of the original Halo for PC. It will enter beta in early 2020.
Snow has come to the
New Frontier, and it has brought some fearsome enemies with it…
You grab your gear and hop in your Duni Shetarru AWD for a normal day of hunting Arkfalls for some new tech to sell. As you drive along, you start to notice a new terraforming anomaly – it’s snowing! Suddenly, an ark from the ark belt overhead comes crashing down and lands among the wintery landscape, and there isn’t much time to get there before any nature of baddies show up to claim its rewards. Lock and load Arkhunter, because this winter is no wonderland, and the Volge are out in full force to take down anyone in their path.
For four weeks, the Solstice Strike event will be active in Defiance 2050 bringing freezing snowy landscapes, and murderous Volge. Do you have what it takes to eliminate these enemies and grab your gear before more show up? And what is wrong with the Warmaster? He seems especially…..frosty.
What could possibly be worth going up against the Volge you ask? This event will bring with it new rewards, contracts, pursuits, prototypes and more!
Warm up your weapon with the new
Frigid Impact Mod Fusion to shield against the cold wind. This new fusion type
will leverage the power of your shield to deal massive damage to enemies. Once
your shield is broken, you will deal damage to all enemies around you!
If groundbreaking tech is your thing,
also stock up on the Aegis synergy. These synergy crystals will enhance your
shield to never before seen capabilities. Increase your regen rate, while also
providing significant stopping power proportionate to how much shield you
currently have!
The holiday spirit has hit Paradise in the form of the Cheer Cannon prototype. Stop the Volge grinch with this brand new rocket launcher that fires holiday cheer in the form of festive trees. These trees will pierce through all enemies, and explode on impact with another surface. Get this prototype from the Paradise vendor during the event and let your holiday trees fly!
Want to enjoy the festive atmosphere with other Arkhunters? Then join us to sit together by the fire and enjoy the holiday mood and defeat all the grumpy Grinches and to grab some fantastic Christmas gifts!
PlayStation’s Visual Arts Services Group (VASG) provides world-class content, development and services to Worldwide Studios. Our team is always at the cutting edge of technology and partners with the industry’s best minds and first-party studios.
We are looking for a Rigging Supervisor to join our sunny San Diego, CA development team. This role requires expert Maya rigging/scripting skills as well as strong knowledge of anatomy and realistic deformation to deliver the industry-leading quality PlayStation’s award-winning lineup is known for. This hands-on position will also require leadership and communication skills to ensure output is efficiently executed, timely, and meet the technical/animation requirements.
Role responsibilities
Set up and maintain character (humans & animals) rigs and systems
Work with art team to develop models that meets technical requirements
Work with animation team to create artist-friendly rigs that satisfy animation/gameplay needs
Design and set up character dynamics (i.e. cloth, hair)
Develop new techniques and processes to further advance quality/realism
Collaborate with TDs in on-going facial and muscle simulation research
Create tools to streamline workflow/pipelines for multiple projects.
Work with team directors and production to identify/prioritize tasks
Provide and maintain technical documentation
Work with and mentor character riggers to provide clear direction and set expectations for aesthetic and technical requirements; instill best practices
Required Experience & Skills
Expert knowledge of Maya, with minimum of 5 years of production experience in game or film/vfx fields.
At least 1 year as a Lead or Supervisor on AAA
In-depth knowledge of character/prop rigging technique and principles
Strong understanding of figure and facial anatomy
Python scripting
Experience with adopting production pipelines and make improvements that respect guidelines and system requirements
Strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to find pragmatic solutions
Proven ability to be self-sufficient and take initiative to seek answers and address issues
Effective communication skills
Bonus Skills
C++ experience (Maya API)
Familiarity in runtime performance efficiency and optimization
Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, legally protected physical or mental disability, covered veteran status, status in the U.S. uniformed services, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, genetic information or membership in any other legally protected category.
We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond.
We sincerely appreciate the time and effort you spent in contacting us and we thank you for your interest in PlayStation.
Whether you’re just starting out, looking for something new, or just seeing what’s out there, the Gamasutra Job Board is the place where game developers move ahead in their careers.
Gamasutra’s Job Board is the most diverse, most active, and most established board of its kind in the video game industry, serving companies of all sizes, from indie to triple-A.
Watch GDC Play devs practice pitching their games at GDC Pitch 2020!
Hey game makers, hope you’re closing out the year in style! Today, Game Developers Conference organizers have confirmed that the popular GDC Pitch event will return next year as part of the GDC Play showcase of emerging and independent developers!
If you’ve never been, know that GDC Pitch is a very special event designed to help select participants practice their game-pitching skills with experienced professionals — as well as a live audience of GDC attendees!
It’s a fun and valuable experience for both presenters and spectators, since a great pitch can be the key that secures the future of your studio, or ensures your game has the resources to reach the players who will appreciate it most.
Interested in participating? Here’s how it works: Game developers who register to exhibit their game in GDC Play 2020by Wednesday, February 12th may be selected to receive pitching advice and coaching, then pitch their game to an opinionated panel of investors and publishers in front of an audience.
(No pressure!)
All told, 10 selected teams will each be offered pitch prep and training, then get 5 minutes to pitch, followed by questions, advice, and feedback from the judges. The judges will declare a “Best Pitch” on each day, and award each a complimentary All Access pass to GDC 2021.
What is GDC Play, you might ask? It’s a special area at GDC (open Wednesday through Friday, March 18th through 20th) that showcases emerging and independent developers, with room to show off your game and meeting rooms to conduct business. It’s a great place to drum up interest in your game, and it’s still open to potential exhibitors (but it fills up quick) so register now!
As part of the ‘Best in Play’ awards program all GDC Play exhibitors will be judged on their in-development or complete games by a panel of veteran GDC organizers and Gamasutra editors. The top 8 will be named ‘Best in Play’ winners, and all 8 winners will receive 2 All Access Passes to the 2021 Game Developers Conference. In addition, special ‘Best in Play’ designations will be attached to the honorees’ GDC Play tables at GDC 2020, where their games will be playable to all GDC attendees.
