/// March 9, 2017 | EPISODE 181
Below are the news stories that may not have made the headlines today but are worth reading!
Gamers never die…..
Just like the Games of Our Lives…
/// GAMES FEATURED
►Gran Turismo Sport
►Mass Effect Andromeda
►Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series
►P.A.M.E.L.A.
►Paragon
►Injustice 2
►Rime
/// Gran Turismo Sport Closed Beta Begins March 17!
As with most Beta programs, in order for the development team to capture data in an optimal manner, the sample size needs to be increased gradually and in stages. While we begin to roll out the Beta, we have decided that the time differences across the U.S. are best matched to the development team in Tokyo.
During the initial phase, our servers will be open for users during specific times across the day. We will share these times closer to the Beta launch across our social channels and GT.com.
As the Beta begins to increase in size, those who have signed up within the PlayStation Europe forum or received a direct e-mail will be selected to participate in Phase 2 of the closed Beta. Spaces will be limited so, if you don’t get into Phase 2, make sure you stay tuned for future Beta activities in the run-up to launch!
/// Report: Mass Effect Andromeda Microtransactions Confirmed for Multiplayer!
Spotted on UK retailer ShopTo are what’s called “Andromeda Points” which are used to obtain “Multiplayer packs” that contain items. The screenshot and description can be seen below.
Andromeda Points are an in-game currency for the Mass Effect: Andromeda Multiplayer mode only.
These points can be purchased with real world currency and can be used instead of the earned in-game currency to obtain new Multiplayer packs, which contain items used in the Multiplayer mode.
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/// Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series First Look & Cast Details!
The series will feature a star-studded cast of voice talent, including Scott Porter (Friday Night Lights, The Walking Dead: The Telltale Series) as Star-Lord, Emily O’Brien (The Young and the Restless, Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor) as Gamora, Nolan North (the Uncharted series, Pretty Little Liars) as Rocket, Brandon Paul Eells (Watch Dogs) as Drax, and Adam Harrington (The Wolf Among Us, League of Legends) as Groot.
Premiering this Spring, the series will also be coming to retail as a special season pass disc, which will include the first episode in the season, and will grant access to the subsequent four episodes as they become available for download via online updates. Specific platform details are yet to be announced.
SECOND HALF
/// Naughty Dog Co-President Christophe Balestra Departs Studio, Announces Retirement!
“I never thought I would be saying something this difficult so soon — after fifteen years here, I am announcing my departure from Naughty Dog. My last day will be on April 3, 2017.
“It’s very challenging to come to the realization that it’s time to step away from a career to pursue fulfilling personal ambitions and projects. I am doing it now out of utmost respect for the team and their unwavering dedication to Naughty Dog and our projects. The time has come for me to now spend more time with my family and create a void to see what I can fill it with (which will obviously involve programming).
“Joining Naughty Dog in 2002 was the biggest decision for my family and my career. I was excited to join the team that created Crash Bandicoot and Jak & Daxter. For me, the biggest appeal was working with the team responsible for games I love to play, ones that also looked stunning and were technically ahead of their time. I would have never guessed what my future at Naughty Dog would look like when I joined the studio as a programmer.
“I had the luxury and the honor to work with the most determined, talented and perfectionist people in our industry during my time at Naughty Dog. The collective high ambitions of everyone on the team have led us to ship some of the most awarded and critically acclaimed games of all time. I always smile when we’re asked what our secret is. We don’t have any — we dedicate ourselves to assembling the best and most determined group of programmers, designers and artists we can find. Our “secret” is and, always will be, the talent and drive of the whole team at Naughty Dog. That’s why I can step away feeling confident about the future of Naughty Dog — because the team is only losing only one of its many members.
“Twelve years ago, when Evan and I became Co-Presidents, Naughty Dog was facing a challenging future with the transition to a new platform while developing a new engine and an entirely new franchise simultaneously. Looking back and seeing where we managed to take the studio in just over a decade is undoubtedly my biggest professional achievement. Evan has been the perfect partner and I couldn’t imagine achieving the success we’ve had without him. It’s been a privilege to work with you, my friend.
“Thanks from the bottom of my heart to everyone I worked with during the last fifteen years, it’s just been incredible.
“And to all the fans… I know what’s in store and, with Evan leading the best team on the planet as President, I know that Naughty Dog will continue to blow you away!”
[Source]
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/// P.A.M.E.L.A. Available Now On Steam Early Access!
/// PlayStation VR Aim Controller & Farpoint Bundle Costs $79.99 USD/€89.99!
When it launches on May 16 in North America and May 17 in Europe, the PlayStation VR Aim Controller will have a bundle for $79.99 USD/$99.99 CAD/€89.99/£74.99 that includes Farpoint, Sony has announced. If you just want the Aim Controller on its own, Amazon says it will cost $59.99 USD.
Only confirmed to be compatible with Farpoint so far (more compatible games will be announced “soon”), the PSVR Aim Controller uses its built-in motion sensors and sphere to work with the PlayStation Camera to track your movements. There’s also built-in rumble features, which “deliver immersive real-time feedback every time you squeeze the trigger,” and a rechargeable battery. [Source]
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/// Paragon New Hero Revealed | Yin!
/// BAFTA Games Awards 2017 Nominees: Uncharted 4 & Inside Lead the Way!
Here’s the full list of nominees for the 2017 BAFTA Games Awards:
Artistic Achievement
- Abzu
- Dishonored 2
- Inside
- The Last Guardian
- Uncharted 4
- Unravel
Audio Achievement
- Battlefield 1
- Doom
- Inside
- The Last Guardian
- Rez Infinite
- Uncharted 4
Best Game
- Firewatch
- Inside
- Overwatch
- Stardew Valley
- Titanfall 2
- Uncharted 4
/// Injustice 2 ‘Shattered Alliances | Part 2’ Trailer!
/// Battalion 1944 partners with Square Enix Collective!
/// Rime Launches for the PS4, Xbox One and PC on May 26, This Summer for Switch!
Grey Box announced Rime launches for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Windows PC on May 26 for $29.99 / €34.99 / £29.99.
The Nintendo Switch version launches this Summer for $39.99 / €44.99 / £39.99.
