Monthly Archives: January 2015
The Witcher 3 Dev on Making a Stand Against Paid DLC
CD Projekt co-founder and joint CEO Marcin Iwiński tells IGN that the developer is releasing 16 free The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt downloadable post-launch content packs to make a statement against the “steeply priced” paid DLC economy.
“Because people just paid full price for our game,” Iwiński responded when we asked why the developer is releasing its next 16 DLC packs for free. “We owe them.”
“Yeah, we are making a statement,” he added. “We, as gamers, would like to be treated this way, 'Hey, give me free DLC.' It doesn't have to be something huge. And I'm saying we aren't giving out huge stuff, we aren't giving tens of hours of storyline here, we are giving small bits of pieces that don't cost a lot. And I think people would feel better about our game, and, so, they will enjoy the adventure even more.
The Witcher 3: We’ve Played the First 3 Hours
Geralt of Rivia has come a long way in eight years. Since his 2007 PC debut the professional monster slayer has returned from the dead, lost his memory, misplaced his beloved, witnessed the fall of a kingdom, been framed for regicide, and hunted a renegade member of his own order. He’s also found time to slay a great many beasts, bed almost as many women and to be presented as a gift by his home nation of Poland to the President of the United States of America. Such is the life of the legendary White Wolf.
Despite Geralt’s achievements to date there’s an undeniable feeling that it’s all been building to this. In a few short months, Geralt and his video game custodians at CD Projekt RED will face the biggest challenge of their respective careers when they present a rich, story-driven, open-world RPG to a global audience across PC, PS4 and Xbox One. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt represents both the culmination of Geralt’s eight-year adventure and a huge standalone experience in its own right, weaving the tale of the Nilfgaardian invasion, Geralt’s search for his lost love, the mysterious white-haired Ciri and the titular Wild Hunt, an implacable force that wreaks havoc from atop spectral steeds and has designs on the White Wolf himself.
PAX South 2015 Sees Record Attendance
PAX South has beaten attendance records for a first-year PAX show. The San Antonio-based event, first announced at last year's 2014 PAX East event in Boston, beat out the first PAX East and the first PAX AUS.
Both East and AUS, taking place in Boston, MA and Melbourne, Australia, respectively, had less attendees and exhibitors in their inaugural years than South. A PAX spokesperson told IGN that the new baby-sister of the PAX family had over 120 exhibitors.
While PAX South didn't sell out tickets in minutes, as has been the case for the shows elsewhere, it has established itself as an event that's bound to continue to grow in popularity. As a geographic middle-ground between the other two stateside conventions, with Prime in Seattle and East in Boston, it's an attractive alternative for those who would rather visit somewhat closer to home.
Gearbox Wants to Make a Borderlands 3
Developer Gearbox Software is ready to begin developing a new Borderlands game, potentially Borderlands 3, according to a Borderlands panel at PAX South today.
"We want to think about the future and we want to think about what the next Borderlands is and we're going to need some help," Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford said. "The fact is, we're not working on a new Borderlands game, but we want to."
"If you are in the industry and you think you can help us, we want you to help us. We want to get started on a new Borderlands game," Pitchford said, adding that the studio is looking for help to develop a new game.
"There's literally nothing to tell, but we're ready to start."
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel Will Get Claptrap DLC
During a panel at PAX South, developer Gearbox revealed that future campaign DLC for Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel will give players a new perspective on longtime character Claptrap.
"We've been working really hard on a campaign DLC that lets you go inside the mind of Claptrap," the developer explained. As it was only a tease, no further details about this DLC are currently known.
Gearbox also announced a new playable character named Lady Hammerlock for Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. The sister of Sir Hammerlock from Borderlands 2 and The Pre-Sequel, she will be a new sniper character available for download on Tuesday, January 27. There's also reason to believe the next Borderlands game will be announced very soon.
The Jetsons Animated Movie in the Works
Meet George Jetson, his boy, Elroy, daughter Judy, and Jane, his wife -- but this time on the big screen.
Deadline reports that Warner Bros. -- which had long been working on a live-action adaptation of the classic Hanna-Barbera cartoon -- is actively developing an animated feature film of The Jetsons.
The studio has hired Short Circuit remake writer Matt Lieberman to script the film, who Deadline claims "is working from scratch on a fully animated version."
The last time a Jetsons movie was in the news was in 2012 when there were reports of a live-action movie somehow involving Kanye West, but that incarnation appears to have fizzled out.
Guess Who’s Going to Be in Episode 2 of Tales From The Borderlands…
Everyone's favorite Catch-a-Ride proprietor, Scooter is officially making an appearance in Tales from the Borderlands Episode 2: Atlas Mugged. During Gearbox's big panel this morning at PAX South, they ran a scene from the upcoming episode in which Scooter is apparently getting ready to undertake a new business venture. From the sounds of things, Mike Neuman will be reprising the role, which is good news as well.
Which Borderlands character would you like to see in upcoming episodes of Tales from the Borderlands? Let us know in the comments!
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LEGO Scooby-Doo Figures, Playsets on the Way
This year, Fred, Velma, Daphne, Shaggy, and Scooby will finally be realized in LEGO form.
Slated for an August release, all five characters will have their own dedicated minifigures and a Mystery Machine van. Five playsets including a mummy museum and a haunted lighthouse will also be available.
In addition to the LEGO figures and playsets, Warner Bros. has also announced that Warner Bros. Animation is working on a 22-minute animated LEGO special featuring the Scooby-Doo characters. Made-for-video titles are also said to be coming in the next few years.
This deal between the entertainment and toy companies is likely behind a push to bring Scooby-Doo back by way of new live-action and animated movies. Having LEGO sets on hand featuring the characters could potentially help raise brand awareness and re-introduce Scooby into popular culture once again.
American Sniper Eliminates Mortdecai, Strange Magic
Clint Eastwood's Oscar-nominated American Sniper stayed the No. 1 movie at North American theaters this weekend, earning an estimated $64.4 million. It dropped only 28% since its record-breaking wide release last weekend.
With a domestic total so far of $200.1 million, American Sniper is on track to pass Saving Private Ryan as the highest-grossing war movie of all time (not adjusted for inflation) at the domestic box office.
Jennifer Lopez's stalker thriller The Boy Next Door enjoyed a solid second place debut of $15 million. The weekend's two other major new releases, however, both tanked.
Johnny Depp suffered his third box office bomb in a row with Mortdecai, which opened in 9th place with an estimated $4 million. (It should be noted, though, that Depp is appearing in a supporting role in the box office hit Into the Woods.) Mortdecai also flopped overseas with roughly $5.2 million; the David Koepp-directed caper reportedly cost $60 million.
Gotham: “Welcome Back, Jim Gordon” Photo Preview
Jim Gordon earned his job back, and he gets quite the interesting return to being a detective in "Welcome Back, Jim Gordon." When an important homicide witness ends up dead, Gordon has a hunch that it was an inside job. As in, inside the police department. Keep it classy, Gotham. Gordon turns to an old friend to get information.
Oswald Cobblepot continues to be a problem for Fish Mooney. He teaches her a lesson by taking control of one of her most prized possessions. See a photo preview in the below gallery.
Gotham: "Welcome Back, Jim Gordon" Photo Gallery:
Watch "Welcome Back, Jim Gordon" on Monday, January 26th, at 8:00pm ET/PT on Fox.