Monthly Archives: March 2015
EA Files Trademark For Something Called ‘Unravel’
Electronic Arts has filed a trademark application for something called "Unravel".
The trademark filing was spotted by NeoGAF and pertains to video game software and entertainment services. At the time of writing only a European trademark has been visibly filed, but it's pretty rare for companies to file trademarks across the world simultaneously.
Quite what this could be is anyone's guess, though it's not beyond the realms of possibility that this could be a new title set for reveal at E3. As for what type of game it could be, the name conjures up a fair few ideas, but the recent cancellation of Shadow Realms does make you wonder if any assets may be reused.
League of Legends Is Coming to Windows 10
Microsoft has just announced a partnership with Tencent, in which the companies will work together to bring Riot Games' popular MOBA to Windows 10.
In addition to League of Legends, Tencent will be bringing other titles, including Cross Fire and Dungeon & Fighter, to the Windows 10 marketplace.
On top of that, the China-based games company will be offering a free upgrade to Microsoft's new operating system in order to reach "as many Chinese consumers as possible, as soon as possible."
This is a huge win for Microsoft and the future of Windows 10, as League of Legends is undoubtedly one of the most popular competitive games currently on the market, thanks in large part to its thriving eSports community.
Fox Fans League is Looking For Its First FIFA 15 Champion
FIFA 15 Ultimate Team and Hyundai A-League fans have the chance to become champion of the inaugural Australian-wide Fox Fans League, Sony Computer Entertainment Australia announced.
Beginning in April, the qualifying heats will be held select Westfield Centres across the country on PlayStation 4. The winner of each heat secures a position in the top 16 finalists where they will go on to compete in the Grand Final at Federation Square in Melbourne on April 29. The Grand Final will be broadcast live on Fox Sports and commentated by Simon Hill and Andy Harper.
You can register you interest to compete in a qualifying heat via the tournament’s official website. To be selected as one of each location’s 32 participants you must answer in 25 words or less, "What makes you Australia's best EA Sports FIFA 15 gamer?," when registering.
Star Wars’ Greedo is Now a Fish
Star Wars' Greedo has been immortalized...as a fish.
"I think it was the whole package that evoked Greedo, but particularly the eyes and the underslung mouth," Jonathan Armbruster, biological sciences professor and curator of fishes for the Auburn University Museum of Natural History told CNN.
via CNN
Discovered in 1998 in Brazil, Armbruster obtained the Peckoltia greedoi in 2005. He initially thought they were an existing species - Peckoltia vittata - but the designation didn't sit well with him. After a re-examination last September, he realized they were a different species - one that reminded him of a certain bounty hunter.
Nintendo Aims to Release Its First Smartphone Game Within This Year
Nintendo President Satoru Iwata hopes that the company and Japanese mobile gaming company DeNA will launch the first Nintendo IP smartphone game sometime in 2015.
Nintendo announced in a press briefing yesterday that it’s teaming up with DeNA to develop and operate new games specifically for smartphones starring Nintendo IP. In the following Q&A session, Iwata was asked when will the games be developed and who will be leading the development. http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/03/17/nintendo-to-develop-smartphone-games-featuring-nintendo-characters
Fantastic Four May Actually Dress Like The Fantastic Four
Not a fan of the 'practical' Fantastic Four reboot costumes that debuted last month? Good news - Mr. Fantastic himself has revealed the final costumes will be more "traditional".
Speaking to Screencrush, actor Miles Teller, who will play Reed Richards in Josh Trank's film, explained the costumes we've seen in publicity photos are the "beta versions".
"These are the beta versions of the costumes, which is great
But, yeah it would be very odd if the Fantastic Four didn't don the traditional costumes. You've got to. There is some servicing there. You've got to give that to the fans. That's what it's all about."
Pokemon Rumble World Shows Up On Australian Classification Site
'Pokemon Rumble World' has popped up on the ever-reliable Australian Classification Board website.
While the listing offers little to no info (bar a PG rating in Oz), this is obviously the next installment of Pokemon Rumble, a battle royale-style series that tasks players to fight Pokemon in various arenas. The last Rumble game was 2013's Pokemon Rumble U, which utilized the Wii U's NFC support via Pokemon figurines.
Whether or not this could tie into Nintendo's recent announcement that the company will collaborate with mobile game company DeNA is anyone's guess, although a Rumble game would certainly suit a mobile format.
Kickstart the Jams: Talking ToeJam & Earl
In 1991, ToeJam & Earl for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive put a comedic, cartoony spin on the roguelike formula. Starring two alien rappers – three-legged ToeJam, and fat, orange Earl – the game became a cult classic; known for its randomness, hilarity, and excellent co-operative play.
Recently, the designer and co-creator of ToeJam & Earl Greg Johnson announced a Kickstarter project to develop the fourth game in the series, ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove. With toes and fingers crossed, Greg took some time to chat with me about the new game, and the original that inspired it.
Microsoft Looks To Freemium Business Model
Microsoft is slowly moving away from a strictly premium approach and investigating the benefits of a freemium model, which it refers to as a more "efficient" way to market.
Speaking at the Microsoft Convergence conference this week, Microsoft's chief marketing officer Chris Capossela described the four parts of the company's marketing strategies, which include: acquire, engage, enlist, and monetize, reported The Verge.
The process of acquiring customers is where the "free" part plays a major role: offering a free mobile version of Microsoft Office, or giving away Windows 10 as a free upgrade to certain users for a year after launch, for example.
Pixels Trailer: Adam Sandler vs. Pac-Man!
Sony Pictures has released the first trailer today for their video game-themed adventure comedy Pixels, starring Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Monaghan, and Josh Gad. Check it out below:
Here's the official plot synopsis:
"In Pixels, when intergalactic aliens misinterpret video-feeds of classic arcade games as a declaration of war against them, they attack the Earth, using the games as models for their various assaults. President Will Cooper (Kevin James) has to call on his childhood best friend, ’80s video game champion Sam Brenner (Adam Sandler), now a home theater installer, to lead a team of old-school arcaders (Peter Dinklage and Josh Gad) to defeat the aliens and save the planet. Joining them is Lt. Col. Violet Van Patten (Michelle Monaghan), a specialist supplying the arcaders with unique weapons to fight the aliens."