News General gaming stuff, random news etc

[dwwaino]

There are some great quotes in the article linked below. It is from an interview linked inside the article but the interviewer/channel owner is really cringe so stick to the article. These two quotes I think are important

While Claim 1 describes a “non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a game program,” Mueller refers to this as 'boilerplate' — an attempt by Nintendo to make the patent appear as a technical invention. Simply submitting “patent this game rule” would have been rejected outright, so the language is deliberately obfuscated.

For the patent to hold legal weight, each claim, starting with Claim 1 and continuing onward, must be infringed. There is no dispute over the so-called storage medium: any video game running on a console or PC obviously satisfies that element, making the first few words essentially meaningless.

Even if the patent wouldn’t survive a court challenge, it has immediate consequences. “Litigation is expensive. Even if you’re right, even if you’re confident you would win, you still have to spend millions fighting the lawsuit. And for smaller developers, that’s not an option. They’d rather settle, or change their game design, than face that risk.”

Nintendo managed to get a broad patent approved with almost zero scrutiny, and experts are calling it a huge mistake.

The controversial "summoning a character" patent acquired by Nintendo has raised uproar, and here's why it was allowed to happen

www.windowscentral.com

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

Epic love a good legal fight. Maybe they can jump in to try and boost their "good guy" appeal in the court of public opinion by taking Nintendo on in an actual court.

Nintendo have always been pricks.

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

---------

Vampire the Masquerade Bloodlines 2 is a game I would have been pretty excited about 5 years ago. But between the endless delays since it was announced in 2019, complete tear down and changing of the developer in 2023 and now this paywall bullshit it feels like one of those "Dead on arrival" releases.

Bloodlines fans rage as Paradox locks 2 playable clans behind $30 DLC: 'Is Paradox smoking crack?'

The finish line is finally in sight, yet Bloodlines 2 is somehow still tripping over its own feet.

www.pcgamer.com

They’ve backpedalled on this:

Good news, folks! Bloodlines 2 is now a vampire free-for-all. After revealing launch DLC that included two vampire clans, Lasombra and Toreador, Paradox and The Chinese Room have finally walked back the questionable decision, no longer locking away what are essentially two RPG classes.


Both clans will now be available in the base game at no extra cost, letting you flit around Seattle as a seductive monster or a manipulator of shadows.

Two new story-based DLCs to be released in 2026 have been announced in their place for the Premium Edition:

Behrmann also thanked the developer for what has been a genuinely impressive turnaround for the concepts that will eventually become replacement DLC, a pair of story packs titled Loose Cannon and The Flower & The Flame, due out in 2026.


"We’re constantly impressed by their creativity and skill in weaving enticing narrative threads that expand on the main story in Bloodlines 2."

So the base game will now feature all six clans, the Deluxe Edition will include the Santa Monica Memories cosmetic pack (just some furniture for your flat), and the Premium Edition will include that DLC and an expansion pass, containing the new story packs.

https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/v...n-the-base-game-so-that-is-what-we-are-doing/

Will it save the game? No idea. And it seems like it's more like Dishonoured than a full-blown RPG like the original Bloodlines. I mean, Dishonoured is still a great game, but...

Absolutely a wait and see for me. I've owned Bloodlines since its original release on CD over 20 years ago. Massive fan. But...

 

[dwwaino]

MAC has quit Ubisoft after 20 years

Interesting timing

Assassin's Creed Franchise Boss Departs Ubisoft - IGN

Assassin's Creed franchise boss Marc-Alexis Côté has departed Ubisoft after a career spanning more than 20 years, IGN understands.

www.ign.com

edit: ok Luke has scoured more sources than I have and it sounds like MAC may have finally decided he had enough of the nepotism at Ubisoft

 

[Donnie Darko]

I thought that 2026 would see a load of games released that I want to play ,but now im not so sure.
Development of games takes forever .

Witcher 1 remake - I thought this would come out in 2026 after reading the CD Projekt red roadmap, But turns out they havent even started making it yet . lmao

The next big Fromsoft game - I seriously doubt they will release anything in 2026.

Fallout 3 remake - Hopefully this will appear in 2026. It might be one of the few games I actually get to play .

 

[dwwaino]

Aeternum New World is shutting down. Servers will remain live through 2026 but no new content will be developed.

An Update on New World

As New World recognizes its fourth anniversary since launching on PC, we reflect on an incredible journey shaped by our dedicated player community.

www.newworld.com

 

[Quivorir]

Another one bites the dust. I never hit top level so no idea what the end game was like but boy it was a slog.

 

[Cruyff14]

Max Payne 1 and 2 are being remade. Big yes from me.

 

[Quivorir]

So - Who do we think is going to buy Ubisoft?

 

[dwwaino]

So - Who do we think is going to buy Ubisoft?

Would the remainder of Ubisoft that Tencent didn't invest in even be worth buying without AC, Farcry, The Division etc?

 

[Ed_Gein]

I just want a new Far Cry

 

[Purple Suit]

Max Payne 1 and 2 are being remade. Big yes from me.

Bullet time was awesome in that game which was basically lifted straight out of the Matrix movies. I'll play them again.

 

[Ambrose Burnside]

I just want a new Far Cry

Without the stupid time limits that have been rumoured

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Leaked footage of the Zelda movie set Zelda and Impa



Link

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Game awards nominations.

Best Performance:

Ben Starr - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Charlie Cox - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Erika Ishii - Ghost of Yotei
Jennifer English - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Konatsu Kato - Silent Hill f
Troy Baker - Indiana Jones and Great Circle.

Best Art Direction:

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
Ghost of Yōtei
Hades II
Hollow Knight: Silksong

Best Score and Music:

Hollow Knight: Silksong
Hades II
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Ghost of Yōtei
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Best Ongoing Game:

Final Fantasy XIV
Fortnite
Helldivers 2
Marvel Rivals
No Man’s Sky

Best Mobile Game:

Destiny: Rising
Persona 5: The Phantom X
Sonic Rumble
Umamusume: Pretty Derby
Wuthering Waves

Best Adaptation:

A Minecraft Movie
Devil May Cry
The Last of Us: Season 2
Splinter Cell: Deathwatch
Until Dawn

Best Narrative:

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
Ghost of Yōtei
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
Silent Hill f

Best Audio Design:

Battlefield 6
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Ghost of Yōtei
Silent Hill f

Best Independent Game:

Absolum
Ball x Pit
Blue Prince
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Hades II
Hollow Knight: Silksong

Best Community Support:

Baldur’s Gate 3
Final Fantasy XIV
Fortnite
Helldivers 2
No Man’s Sky

Best Multiplayer:

Arc Raiders
Battlefield 6
Elden Ring Nightreign
Peak
Split Fiction

Most Anticipated Game:

007 First Light
Grand Theft Auto VI
Marvel’s Wolverine
Resident Evil Requiem
The Witcher IV

Content Creator of the Year:

Caedrel
Kai Cenat
MoistCr1TiKaL
Sakura Miko
The Burnt Peanut

Best Debut Indie Game:

Blue Prince
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Despelote
Dispatch
Megabonk

Best RPG:

Avowed
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
The Outer Worlds 2
Monster Hunter Wilds

Best Action/Adventure Game:

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Ghost of Yōtei
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Split Fiction

Best Action Game:

Battlefield 6
Doom: The Dark Ages
Hades II
Ninja Gaiden 4
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance

Best Fighting Game:

2XKO
Capcom Fighting Collection 2
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection
Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage

Innovation in Accessibility:

Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Atomfall
Doom: The Dark Ages
EA Sports FC 26
South of Midnight

Best Family Game:

Donkey Kong Bananza
LEGO Party!
LEGO Voyagers
Mario Kart World
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
Split Fiction

Best Sim/Strategy Game:

The Alters
FINAL FANTASY TACTICS - The Ivalice Chronicles
Jurassic World Evolution 3
Sid Meier’s Civilization VII
Tempest Rising
Two Point Museum

Best Sports/Racing Game:

EA Sports FC 26
F1 25
Mario Kart World
Rematch
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds

Best Esports Team:

Gen.G - League of Legends
NRG - Valorant
Team Falcons - DOTA 2
Team Liquid PH - Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
Team Vitality - Counter-Strike 2

Best Game Direction:

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
Ghost of Yōtei
Hades II
Split Fiction

Best Esports Athlete:

brawk
Chovy
f0rsakeN
Kakeru
MenaRD
Zyw0o

Best Esports Game:

Counter-Strike 2
DOTA 2
League of Legends
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
Valorant

GAME OF THE YEAR:

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Donkey Kong Bananza
Hades II
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II



Nominations by Publisher:

Sony - 19
Kepler Interactive - 13
Electronic Arts - 10
Microsoft - 10
SEGA - 7
Supergiant - 6
Team Cherry - 5

 

[eDPS]

Game awards nominations.

Best Performance:

Ben Starr - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Charlie Cox - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Erika Ishii - Ghost of Yotei
Jennifer English - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Konatsu Kato - Silent Hill f
Troy Baker - Indiana Jones and Great Circle.

Best Art Direction:

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
Ghost of Yōtei
Hades II
Hollow Knight: Silksong

Best Score and Music:

Hollow Knight: Silksong
Hades II
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Ghost of Yōtei
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

Best Ongoing Game:

Final Fantasy XIV
Fortnite
Helldivers 2
Marvel Rivals
No Man’s Sky

Best Mobile Game:

Destiny: Rising
Persona 5: The Phantom X
Sonic Rumble
Umamusume: Pretty Derby
Wuthering Waves

Best Adaptation:

A Minecraft Movie
Devil May Cry
The Last of Us: Season 2
Splinter Cell: Deathwatch
Until Dawn

Best Narrative:

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
Ghost of Yōtei
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
Silent Hill f

Best Audio Design:

Battlefield 6
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Ghost of Yōtei
Silent Hill f

Best Independent Game:

Absolum
Ball x Pit
Blue Prince
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Hades II
Hollow Knight: Silksong

Best Community Support:

Baldur’s Gate 3
Final Fantasy XIV
Fortnite
Helldivers 2
No Man’s Sky

Best Multiplayer:

Arc Raiders
Battlefield 6
Elden Ring Nightreign
Peak
Split Fiction

Most Anticipated Game:

007 First Light
Grand Theft Auto VI
Marvel’s Wolverine
Resident Evil Requiem
The Witcher IV

Content Creator of the Year:

Caedrel
Kai Cenat
MoistCr1TiKaL
Sakura Miko
The Burnt Peanut

Best Debut Indie Game:

Blue Prince
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Despelote
Dispatch
Megabonk

Best RPG:

Avowed
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
The Outer Worlds 2
Monster Hunter Wilds

Best Action/Adventure Game:

Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Ghost of Yōtei
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Split Fiction

Best Action Game:

Battlefield 6
Doom: The Dark Ages
Hades II
Ninja Gaiden 4
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance

Best Fighting Game:

2XKO
Capcom Fighting Collection 2
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection
Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage

Innovation in Accessibility:

Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Atomfall
Doom: The Dark Ages
EA Sports FC 26
South of Midnight

Best Family Game:

Donkey Kong Bananza
LEGO Party!
LEGO Voyagers
Mario Kart World
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
Split Fiction

Best Sim/Strategy Game:

The Alters
FINAL FANTASY TACTICS - The Ivalice Chronicles
Jurassic World Evolution 3
Sid Meier’s Civilization VII
Tempest Rising
Two Point Museum

Best Sports/Racing Game:

EA Sports FC 26
F1 25
Mario Kart World
Rematch
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds

Best Esports Team:

Gen.G - League of Legends
NRG - Valorant
Team Falcons - DOTA 2
Team Liquid PH - Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
Team Vitality - Counter-Strike 2

Best Game Direction:

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
Ghost of Yōtei
Hades II
Split Fiction

Best Esports Athlete:

brawk
Chovy
f0rsakeN
Kakeru
MenaRD
Zyw0o

Best Esports Game:

Counter-Strike 2
DOTA 2
League of Legends
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
Valorant

GAME OF THE YEAR:

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Donkey Kong Bananza
Hades II
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II



Nominations by Publisher:

Sony - 19
Kepler Interactive - 13
Electronic Arts - 10
Microsoft - 10
SEGA - 7
Supergiant - 6
Team Cherry - 5

Can’t argue with a lot of those but Mario Kart World despite its flaws has maybe the best soundtrack of all time.

 

[dwwaino]

Expedition 33 deserves everything it gets. I reinstalled on the weekend just to listen to the soundtrack and replay the intro.

Sim/strategy category looks really thin. Surely a toss up between Tempest Rising and Two Point Museum (genuinely good game).

 

[Cruyff14]

007 seems to be getting a lot of wraps, but it doesn't seem like all that and a bag of chips?

 

[Quivorir]

Hitman in a James Bond skin. Can't really go wrong.

 

[Mantastic]

Sim/strategy category looks really thin. Surely a toss up between Tempest Rising and Two Point Museum (genuinely good game).

Final Fantasy Tactics is the GOAT FF game, so it's gotta be a shout.

 

[UnitedWarrior93]

Troy Baker killed it as Indy, has my vote there.

Best RPG- KCD2

Best multiplayer game- BF6

 

[Cleavy]

waiting for that Big Ant Cricket game review...

 

[UnitedWarrior93]

Wonder what the fallout for Activision/Treyarch will be following a disaster of a game in Black Ops 7. BO6 flopped and they lost heaps of money but this one has flopped extremely bad. COD games have been on a downward trajectory for years now, it’s no longer the yearly blockbuster FPS online shooter, everyone’s playing BF6, Arc raiders, Fortnite, Helldivers etc.

 

[SnakeMan86]

Wonder what the fallout for Activision/Treyarch will be following a disaster of a game in Black Ops 7. BO6 flopped and they lost heaps of money but this one has flopped extremely bad. COD games have been on a downward trajectory for years now, it’s no longer the yearly blockbuster FPS online shooter, everyone’s playing BF6, Arc raiders, Fortnite, Helldivers etc.

This to an extent. But being on Gamepass is also a significant factor to low sales.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

Wonder what the fallout for Activision/Treyarch will be following a disaster of a game in Black Ops 7. BO6 flopped and they lost heaps of money but this one has flopped extremely bad. COD games have been on a downward trajectory for years now, it’s no longer the yearly blockbuster FPS online shooter, everyone’s playing BF6, Arc raiders, Fortnite, Helldivers etc.

Game pass would be a factor

As would the last two or three dismal years pushing people away, the multiplayer actually plays quite well.