It seems odd that Mojang, the studio created by Markus "Notch" Persson that refused funding from Napster founder Sean Parker (not to mention Notch himself turning down employment at Valve) would give in to a buyout, but that's exactly what The Wall Street Journal is reporting. According to sources, Mojang is currently "in serious discussions" with Microsoft. It's possible that Microsoft is chasing Mojang's talent and future potential with new games, but let's be serious for a second. They obviously want Minecraft. Who doesn't want Minecraft?
You may have noticed something strange about the box art for Nintendo and Koei Tecmo's upcoming Hyrule Warriors. No, it's not the lack of "Zelda" in the title, nor is it Link's harsh expression or the plethora of characters on the cover. Still guessing? Look what Link is wearing. He's wearing a scarf. Yes. A scarf. Hey, it's not my job to tell you how to react. I'm just pointing it out.
PS3 may be over the hill, but if you don't own one then I can't recommend it enough. Recently inside my own brain I held my bi-annual "favorite console ever within my lifetime" competition, and PS3 dethroned GameCube. It has that many good games. As in, it'd be impossible to play all of its worthwhile games before getting bored. I'm serious -- just peruse PSN if you don't believe me. It's a JRPG nirvana, and that's just getting started.
The artist in question says that the designs were part of a pitch Next Level sent to Nintendo, which went so far as to include a working prototype for a Metroid game. As it turned out, the studio ended up taking on Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon instead, and the new Metroid project was brushed aside.
It seems that with every day that passes Nintendo bypasses the middleman of online publications more and more, instead opting to reach out to fans and customers directly. As a fan myself I certainly can't complain, and when I hear about an 8-hour gameplay streaming event that will showcase footage from both Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and brand new titles from Nintendo, I get that involuntary warm fuzy feeling. Don't act like you don't know what I mean.
It may seem odd to think that Square Enix could be short of studios designated solely for RPG making, but according to a report by Inside Games, that's exactly what's happening. The publisher/developer is looking to recruit for a studio that will focus on console RPGs exclusively, the details of which can be found here.
Sony Computer Entertainment mentioned at its pre-TGS conference recently that it will be showing a number of titles in playable form at the upcoming Tokyo Game Show, including sure-to-be hits like Bloodborne and The Order: 1886. What it didn't initially specify was whether or not Metal Gear Solid: The Phantom Pain would also bring a playable demo to the show floor. Today, Konami revealed via its official TGS site that though MGS V will indeed appear, it will be in the form of a new video and hands-off presentation. In other words, still no gameplay for show-goers.
Longtime producer for The Legend of Zelda series Eiji Aonuma has long expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming Nintendo and Koei Tecmo collaboration Hyrule Warriors. I don't think he ever expected the game to match Nintendo's own quality, though. That changes things.
AGHH, my eyes! What is that, a three-dimensional supernova of Japanese gaming awesomeness?? Alas, it's the packaging for the New 3DS! In case you didn't know, Nintendo's new 3DS is actually called "New 3DS," and is releasing in Japan on October 11th. No date has been announced for the west just yet, but its fair to assume we'll eventually have access.
Endless runners are endless fun, no? Hey, don't be so negative; that Rayman one was actually pretty enjoyable. Sony revealed today via the PlayStation Blog that a LittleBigPlanet-themed runner called Run Sackboy! Run! is coming soon for mobile platforms, and you can bet there are plenty of bubbles to collect, levels to unlock, and gear to buy. Are microtransactions part of the equation? It's not yet clear. But it certainly sounds like a good fit.
