News Round // 02.2024

Embracer kills Deus Ex developer team at Eidos Montreal - I was somewhat optimistic about Embracer because they promised to revive so many beloved franchises, especially for me. But seriously, what's going on over there? You're becoming increasingly unprofessional. And you've pretty much squandered any goodwill you had with everyone I know.

And that problem goes even deeper... Embracer will make money by selling games, but they're canceling games left, right, and center. What will you sell in the future if you're not making any games? Even if they survive for some more time, it will be hard to come back. The money burn rate won't fundamentally change, but there will be no more sources of income. I really see black.

The Borderlands trailer is out. Even though I liked it a bit, and it does quite capture the game's feeling well in my opinion. It really has some cringe-worthy moments as well. The internet seems to dislike it very much, but I can't really follow the opinions of others in that case.

Cate Blanchett does seem like an odd casting choice. That doesn't mean I dislike her, I just hope she can fit into that specific role.

We've seen a few interesting game releases over the past few months, with standout titles including "Palworld," "Helldivers 2," "Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League," and "Skull and Bones." These four titles offer vastly different experiences, yet the combined cost of "Palworld" and "Helldivers 2" is equivalent to that of "Skull and Bones" or "Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League" alone.

"Palworld" and "Helldivers 2" have emerged as massive hits, boasting record player numbers. Despite their success, they come with their own set of challenges. "Helldivers" encountered issues due to its unexpected popularity, highlighting the complexities of catering to a large player base. Scaling up isn't as simple as renting more servers from Amazon. Similarly, "Palworld" has garnered massive player numbers, although its satirical nature may not be apparent to everyone.

"Skull and Bones" and "Suicide Squad" are criticized for lacking clear direction and fun factor. Regardless of their AAAA, AAA or AA status, what matters most is a solid foundation. Players are increasingly drawn away from games that prioritize monetization tactics over gameplay. Unfortunately, poor performance could spell trouble for Rocksteady Studios. The Dark Knight once said, "The night is darkest just before the dawn."

To end this news round with some positives beyond gaming, I watched Dune Part 2 this weekend, and it holds up very well. I'm having trouble remembering another movie that plays in the same league as Dune. It has my clear recommendation. Go to the best theater near you, with the best equipment; it's totally worth it.

Check out that Star Wars modded gameplay. I'm not the biggest Star Wars nerd, but I can appreciate a good sci-fi game. It's like the Battlefront we deserved but never got.