Commander Fury

It’s gametime! The NFL and Rocket League are preparing for Super Bowl kickoff next week with our latest in-game event: the NFL Super Bowl LV Celebration. The event is bringing the brand new game mode, Gridiron, plus new Event Challenges and the return of the NFL Fan Pack. It all starts February 2 and will be live until February 8. Hit the Gridiron Huddle up! Champions Field has been transformed, complete with hash marks and the NFL logo at the 50-yard line. But before you hoist the trophy in victory, you have to learn the rules. Here are the rules of Gridiron: The standard Rocket League ball has been replaced with an American football in this 4v4 mode. Touching the ball attaches it to the roof of your car. If any player touches the ball, that player becomes the ball carrier, setting up the opportunity for hand-offs to teammates or steals by the other team. The carrier can single jump, but double jumping drops the ball. You can also pass the ball by dodging. Each goal is 3 or 7 points: 7 points are awarded if the ball is attached to a player when entering the opponent’s goal, and 3 points are awarded if the ball is passed in or if the ball is loose. All own-goals are worth 3 points whether the ball is attached or it’s loose. Demos require Supersonic speed just like in standard modes. Stay in bounds! You’ll fumble the ball if you cross the line marked on the Arena wall. Now throw on your pads, get out there, and have some fun. Plus, we’re adding three Event Challenges that can be completed to unlock the Gridiron Guru Player Title, NFL Wheels, and 20,000 XP. These Challenges and the Gridiron LTM Playlist are live from February 2 through February 8. To round out the festivities, the NFL Fan Pack will return to the Item Shop. In case you missed it when it was available, this pack contains Octane Decals for all 32 NFL teams and is available for 800 Credits. Equip your favorite team’s Decal, hit the Gridiron, and be sure to share some of your wild highlights. Hut hut hike! http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/ULgYmNPMsekView the full article

It’s that time once again. Over at Media Molecule, we’ve spent the last couple of months digging through a mountain of nominations for our annual Impy Awards, during which we celebrate the best, brightest, weirdest, cleverest, and most exciting creations made in Dreams over the past year. You know how Scrooge McDuck dives into a big pile of treasure? It’s been a bit like that, only with video games (and short films, and sculptures, and music, and and and…) It was tremendously difficult. It’s been almost a whole year since Dreams launched, and so there are more brilliant creations than ever for us – and our special guest judges, many of whom you’ll recognise from around the game industry – to choose from. We’ll be celebrating the coMmunity as a whole – and our 1st birthday! – on February 14 with a wondrously over-the-top awards show that we’ve built entirely within Dreams. Yes, you read that correctly. But today, we’re finally coming up for air to bring you our selected shortlists for this year’s Impy Awards. Before we reveal all, remember that the following categories are decided by the coMmunity, and that you can vote for your winners here: Best Curator Most Helpful Dreamer Hidden Gem Creator Hidden Gem Dream Community Star Most Improved Dreamer You have until February 4 to cast your votes for these categories. Got it? Good. And now, fresh from the treasure pile, here are the final nominees: Funniest Creation Pig Detective 3 – Death on Detox Island – Team Pig Detective Push to Open – ParsleyGuy_Alex “This Halloween” – Music Video – TheRedProphett Throwing a New Year’s Eve Party With Barry Blobfish – Zach-inator6 Opposite Day 8: It Ain’t Great! – MrCaseyJones Scare of the Year The Twilight Shift – RurouniDan Left to Rot [HORROR] – Denjo92 Vestige – AVNDR_found Trauma – NauticalSquatch THE INVOCATION – TheBlightBeast Best Art Direction The Snowgardens – HalfUp Where leaves fall from Serenity – Sparten__X53 Bon Appétit ! [WIP] – Elfiooh THEOGONY – ZIIQ Untitled Space Opera. – ORD6 Best Sculpture Pumpkin Spice – SootyPinions Cheetah Head – SuperCatchyName A Greasy Meal – VitaminG_90 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove – BADROBO82 Silver Elder Dragon Head Sculpt – palscage Best Animation The Snowball – byvsen NOGUCHI’S BELL – Episode 1 Trailer – Cyber_Sheep_Film Lightning Bolt! Lightning Bolt! – patekkah Go Hiking! – arseny3d Nine Tails Story / DEMO – Esuki Best Character 8-Bit – Zypher755 *lash – FeyzPS Alfie (Alfred Elephant) – PuddyDoke A very Plane character – icecreamcheese Mrs Meek – Andymationb Best Narrative Pig Detective 3 – Death on Detox Island – Team Pig Detective The Snowball – byvsen Pollen – TRIX9 The Hermit – Lidlig The Snowgardens – HalfUp Best Gameplay Tiamatan – girlfromcroydon Octane – Azure_Kn1ght Press X to Puzzle – Pixel_Gorilla STEAMBOUND – donut_mutt Alpine Dream (Snowboarding) – TheOtterbon Best Music Pig Detective 3 – Official Soundtrack – ReddishBoat Grey Song a Day Album – SaucelessOne MasherButtons – For The Dreams I Can’t Remember (venwave Remix) – Venwave Morgonblues – byvsen Splatty’s Adventure – NiloFranck Best Audio Design The Snowball – byvsen Disappearance at Birch Hollow – Mandelbo Left to Rot [HORROR] – Denjo92 GL/TCH-R [WIP] – Elca_Gaming Vineland – ZIIQ Best Innovation Moldable Maze Testing Levels (WIP) – TannicAlloy IMPCEPTION – cgCody Community Events TV – Bella_Iris The Entropy Games – Entropy-Tamed Musicalia – Glitch_Me_Up Best VR Experience Tectonic – sanderobros ESCAPE – A minimalist Escape Room – SlurmMackenzie Please Press the Button – Aecert Jungle Bill VR – Nbeyeler ME – Wargarble Best Voice Acting KeldBjones in LOCK Bella_Iris in The Widow Zodira in The Twilight Shift xMightyViciousx in Deeno Teaser Trailer: In-Dreams Cut SKINNYCHAD in Shuffleboard Favourite Video Creator SakkusMind UglySofaGaming LadyLexUK VinceKully byvsen Favourite Streamer KeldBjones Elca_Gaming MickYayger cutaia_net ApesOnFire Hidden Gem Dream Binary Bash – danikaka RElax unWIND – der_timme A Crime on Floor 99 – Frostadoodle Musicalia – Glitch_Me_Up Grey Song a Day Album – SaucelessOne Hidden Gem Creator Zypher755 stevie128k Lidlig beanbob101 Helekosi Best Curator LadyLexUK Pookachoo OcularFixation Nephrendil Lucid_Stew Most Improved Dreamer Yledbetter10 HeyitsmeDG NotreDamin girlfromcroydon JechtaPlays Most Helpful Dreamer TAPgiles Aecert VinceKully SakkusMind MrCaseyJones Community Star leadnail KeldBjones Phreaky Bella_Iris venwave Creator of the Year Pixel_Gorilla RbdJellyfish Prinz_Laser HalfUp Entropy-Tamed SebastianTeamPD + Team Pig Detective girlfromcroydon Creation of the Year LOCK – Pixel_Gorilla The Snowgardens – HalfUp Alpine Dream (Snowboarding) – TheOtterbon A Little Perspective – RbdJellyfish INFINITY JUMP – the_burgervan TEMPORAL FUSE – DancingEmber Pig Detective 3 – Death on Detox Island – Team Pig Detective Wow, what a haul! We’re going to have to increase the security ‘round these parts. Quick, somebody make us a vault door. Or a big bear. Whatever’s easiest. Well done to all the creators, whether you made it to the shortlists or not. And if you’re still reading, we hope to see you at the event on Sunday, February 14 at 16:30 GMT / 8:30am PT on Twitch and YouTube, where we’ll announce all the winners. Until then, you can catch us on our social channels – use the hashtag #ImpyAwards if you want to tell us how much you’re looking forward to the show. And why not visit our specially-made in-game hub? You can check out last year’s winners in the gallery, relax in the tea room, and get prepared ahead of the big night with our exclusive Impy Awards swag bag. There are also two new limited-edition Impy Awards imps to collect. Simply complete the scavenger hunt in the Impys hub, and when you leave the level you’ll receive this glamorous pair – meet Fitz and Renée. Make sure to install update 2.21 (arriving February 10), otherwise your imps won’t unlock. But don’t worry – if you complete the hunt before February 10, you’ll be automatically awarded the imps once you install the update. Easy peasy. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/NAWZNRyW_-EView the full article

Greetings Champions! We are excited to announce that Roller Champions, an upcoming free-to-play title from Ubisoft Montreal, will be coming to PS4 starting with its European* Closed Beta from February 17 6pm CET to March 1 10pm CET. Visit our website to sign up for a chance to participate! *More specifically, the Closed Beta will only be available in: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom. About Roller Champions Roller Champions is a new competitive sports game where you compete in fast-paced 3v3 matches! Skate and glide from wall-to-wall in fan-packed arenas while dodging, passing, and tackling other players to score goals. Once you have created your very own champion, you will have to put your skills to the test by competing in 3 maps with a variety of game modes: quick match, custom match, and ranked mode with more special and time-limited modes on the way! The fundamentals The rules are simple: grab the ball and make laps around the rink with the ball in your team’s possession to score goals! While completing one lap will allow you to score 1 point, you can also keep rolling around the rink (at your own risk! 😀) to try to gain more points once you score. 2 laps will give you 3 points, and 3 laps will give you 5 points, instantly winning the match. Controls are simple and are designed for you to be able to build momentum quickly. Holding the left stick will allow you to accelerate. You can also use the “Pump Move” to build speed while sliding down the walls of the arena. Teamwork makes the dreamwork Teamwork and communication are key once in the rink, players must work together if they wish to win the match! When you are close to a teammate, you can grab onto them by pressing the “L1” button. Once connected, pressing the “Cross” button will allow you to leap off the back of your teammate and soar higher through the air than a normal jump would, allowing for higher vertical play. You can also release ‘’L1’’ while connected with a teammate, which will whip you forward with a speed boost. Take advantage of these Team Moves to create winning strategies! Create your own sports legend In the rink all players are equal, there are no classes or special abilities. This means you can create your own champion and show your identity through your character and unique playstyle. Create your own character using a variety of skin tones, face types, and body shapes while unlocking new customization items as you play! From Zero to Hero In Roller Champions, your fans are your XP, and you will be able to earn more with every pass, goal, and tackle you make in the arena. Just like with real sporting events, you will be able to see your fans (and those of your teammates) filling in the seats around the arena allowing you to see your progress, even more so as you gain access to bigger stadiums. Choose a mode to fit your playstyle Roller Champions is a game for everyone, so you’ll be able to choose between a variety of game modes depending on how you want to play! Choose the Quick Match to swiftly jump into the arena with equally skilled opponents or try the more competitive Ranked Mode if you want to climb the leaderboards. None of these game modes fit your style? Well, we’ve got you covered! With the Custom Match mode, you can create a match with your friends and pick the arena you want to play in! Want to take a break from the competition? Jump into the freestyle Skatepark, where you can practice, participate in activities and minigames, or just hang out with your friends! See you in the Rink! We’re very excited to welcome PS4 players to Roller Champions and can’t wait for you to play! The Roller Champions Closed Beta will be available in selected European countries. Sign up now for a chance to participate and get ready to roll up to glory! http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/NxFwNb-idZ8View the full article

Hello everyone and thank you for visiting this blog. We are excited for the upcoming release of the Balan Wonderworld demo on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 tomorrow, January 28. This is Naoto Ohshima from Arzest, and I worked on development and production of Balan Wonderworld. I was involved at many different stages, from the initial ideas for the game and characters, to the overall direction of the story. There were a lot of challenges along the way, but thanks to the many talented people I worked alongside, I had a lot of fun during development. I hope the demo will provide you with a taste of that fun for yourself! In Balan Wonderworld, the player explores different worlds born from the hearts of people troubled by all kinds of worries. Inside these people’s hearts, there are negative emotions (the Negati) and positive emotions (the cast). The idea was that by wearing the costumes of the cast – the manifestation of positive emotions – the player would gain positive powers, which would allow them to defeat negative emotions. When we began developing the game, the main characters for each chapter were designed first. For example, in Chapter One, this would be Jose Gallard. The story and character were designed at the same time. After these were established, the character’s corresponding world and the cast representing their positive emotions were designed alongside each other. Some of the costumes you will come across within the demo are the Tornado Wolf, Aero Acrobat, and the Pumpkin Puncher. The Tornado Wolf costume allows you to wrap yourself in a tornado when you jump and you can use it to attack. It can also destroy blocks so I think this one will prove useful early on. When designing the costume, I envisioned the strength to overcome a storm. The Aero Acrobat costume can lock onto enemies and balloons mid-jump and then follow up with an attack. I think that among the attack-type costumes, this one is quite easy to use. This costume was born from the chapter four character; Haoyu Chang and his hopes of flying through the sky. It incorporates a mechanical style and a pilot as a motif. And finally, the Pumpkin Puncher shoots a rocket punch and shooting it repeatedly increases the range of your punch. Using it to defeat enemies is a given, but you can also use your punches to get items. Because the Pumpkin Puncher’s arms fly like rockets, I envisioned something along the lines of a Halloween ghost when I designed it. The costumes that I introduced here are all attack-type costumes, but there are also many costumes that have abilities with high mobility. By combining them well, one of the things you’ll be able to do is to reach places that you weren’t able to before. Another example is that initially unobtainable items will become obtainable with a costume found later on, so my hope is that you’ll try out various things and make your very own discoveries. We created 12 chapters, each with their own unique character. Because of this, we created over 80 different costumes for players to discover as they travel through Wonderworld. Each costume has its own unique ability to help players on their journey. When you challenge the boss in the demo, I encourage you to try out each costume’s unique power to defeat your opponent. And don’t forget to bring the costumes you find in each level to the stages you’ve already visited to see what else you can discover! If you live with any friends or family, you can also enjoy the game with a second player. As you explore each stage, there may be times that an obstacle is both in your way and out of reach. When you find yourself in this situation, you can rely on the help of others. Using joint mode, you’ll be able to combine the powers of two different costumes and use them at the same time. There are places hidden in the demo where you can try out different combinations of costume abilities, so please look out for them. With over 80 different costumes to discover, I hope you try all of the different combinations. Of course, even in single-player mode you’ll be able to traverse to new, hidden areas in earlier stages once you have more costumes at your disposal, but exploring these areas more immediately with a friend will surely be exciting. Also, while the development team has considered how various costumes will interact together, there’s definitely room for some unexpected combinations, so the team is looking forward to seeing what players come up with. Let us know which ones are your favorites. Within the demo you’ll be able to play through all of World 1 and parts of World 4 and 6. Players will also have access to the Isle of Tims – a gateway area to the three mysterious worlds. Here, players will meet magical creatures called Tims. These cute allies will help players on their journey by battling the Negati and collecting items. You can also feed the Tims to help raise and evolve their abilities. Use the power of each costume you find to collect Balan statues in each stage and find hidden Balan’s Bout mini games. There will be so much more to explore once the full game launches on PS5 and PS4 March 26. Until then, we hope you enjoy playing the demo. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/UXqXxk6rkN8View the full article

Next month’s PlayStation Plus lineup is all about creativity. Dazzle the crowds with creative chaos as you run, ram, and slam in the vehicular combat of Destruction AllStars, showcase your artistic side with some magical portraiture in Concrete Genie and get inventive with supernatural abilities in order to save your skin in Control. Destruction AllStars is also the focus of a new State of Play that showcases the game in all its glory. This deep dive, which you watch below, will equip you with all you need to know to leap into the arena come Tuesday, February 2 when the game launches into PlayStation Plus alongside Control: Ultimate Edition and Concrete Genie. Let’s take a closer look at the games… Destruction AllStars (PS5) Play Video Entertain the crowds by bringing controlled chaos to the vehicular combat arena of this metal-crunching multiplayer game*. Pick one of 16 superstar competitors, then leap into four game modes, using timing, tactics and skills to cause carnage behind the wheel or create havoc with your parkour skills. Perfect your character’s abilities – including a hero vehicle unique to them – to give you the edge in free-for-all battles or team challenges and become Global Destruction Federation Champion. The game also supports PS5’s Game Help feature**, giving you hints and tips to become the ultimate destructive machine without the need to leave the game. Control: Ultimate Edition (PS5 and PS4) Master supernatural abilities and wield a shape-shifting sidearm in this third-person action-adventure from Remedy Entertainment (Max Payne, Alan Wake). Take on the role of Jesse Faden, Director of the Federal Bureau of Control, whose New York headquarters are breached by an ominous enemy. Despite outward appearances, the skyscraper’s interior is vast and ever-shifting. You’ll need to explore – and weaponize – this unpredictable environment to clean house and repel the invaders. The Ultimate Edition includes the base game as well as The Foundation and AWE expansions. And on PS5 console, use the console’s Game Help feature** for hints and walkthroughs to help you solve puzzles and overcome challenges as you explore the Oldest House. Concrete Genie (PS4) Play Video Pick up a magic paintbrush and return the polluted town of Denska to its former bright and bustling seaside self in this touching and multi-award winning action-adventure. Cleanse streets and alleyways, then use your Living Paint to create mischievous Genies whose magical powers will aid you in overcoming puzzles and seeing off bullies who pursue you. The game also includes two additional modes built especially for PS VR to let you further unleash your creativity***. Destruction AllStars is available on PlayStation Plus until Monday, April 5. Control: Ultimate Edition and Concrete Genie are available until Monday, March 1. Last chance to download January’s PlayStation Plus titles Remember you’ve got until Monday, February 1 to add January’s trio of PlayStation Plus games – Maneater (PS5 only), Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and Greedfall – to your game library. *Internet connection and PlayStation Plus required for online multiplayer modes. PlayStation Plus is an ongoing subscription with recurring fees until cancelled. Age restrictions apply. See here for full terms & conditions. **Game Help is selectable from the PS5 Activity Card menu. Game Help is available to active PlayStation Plus members on PS5 console. Find out more here. ***PS VR headset and PS Camera for PS4 console required to play VR Experience and VR Free Paint modes. PS5 console owners require a PlayStation Camera adaptor to use PS VR on the PlayStation 5 console (No purchase required. Visit here for details). For the best PS VR experience on PS5 console, we recommend using a DUALSHOCK 4 wireless controller. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/Tn1jX3xM1OEView the full article

Join almost 18 million fellow adventurers in discovering a new zone and story in The Elder Scrolls Online: Blackwood, arriving on PlayStation 4 June 8 and now available for pre-order. A diverse region that is home to both ambitious Imperials and the stalwart Argonians, in Blackwood, you will investigate a dark conspiracy that threatens this unique land and uncover the Daedric forces influencing events from Oblivion itself. Play Video “Blackwood is a melting pot of cultures,” explains Rich Lambert, ESO’s creative director. “It stretches from the southern tip of Cyrodiil, with its highlands and moors and extends east to the swampy borders of Shadowfen. Imperials and Argonians have clashed in this region for centuries, and we will be exploring the history of that in this Chapter.” Part of the Gates of Oblivion year-long adventure, the Blackwood Chapter is an important part of this year-long saga that continues throughout all of 2021. Of course, you don’t need to have completed any of the previous content to enjoy the standalone tale found within Blackwood as you contend with would-be tyrants and unravel Daedric manipulations. “This year, the story we are telling is essentially about a deal with the devil. Long ago, the Longhouse Emperors made a pact with Mehrunes Dagon, and it’s up to the players to figure out what is going on and how to stop their schemes from reaching completion.” While set 800 years before the events of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, if you’ve played the classic Elder Scrolls game, there’s some parts of Blackwood that you might find familiar, and some parts brand new. “Like Greymoor last year, there are both familiar and unfamiliar locations between ESO and previous Elder Scrolls games, as things are obviously a bit different in our timeline. Dagon hasn’t quite figured out the ‘science’ for how to create the Oblivion Crisis, but you can tell he’s been busy trying!” “Blackwood features the city of Leyawiin as its central hub, and its rough layout is the same as it is in TES IV. Also, as you progress east through the zone, you will discover Gideon–a city that hasn’t been seen in an Elder Scrolls game since The Elder Scrolls: Arena back in 1994.” In addition to this new zone and storyline, Blackwood also introduces the new Companions System, allowing you to team up with a unique NPC, equip them, learn their stories, and fight together. You’ll never have to fight alone again. Pre-purchase The Elder Scrolls Online Collection: Blackwood now and you’ll also get immediate access to the Base Game and all previous Chapters. That’s every major release up until now and hundreds of hours of story content — perfect for new players who want to jump in right away! Or, if you’re a veteran or returning ESO player, grab The Elder Scrolls Online: Blackwood Upgrade to make sure you’re ready to jump into the new zone and adventure as soon as it’s live. Pre-purchase any version of The Elder Scrolls Online: Blackwood now and you’ll receive immediate in-game access to the Nagahide Welwa Ravager mount and Nightmare Bear Cub pet*. In addition to the above, all Blackwood pre-purchases will also receive more bonus in-game items at launch, including the Dremora Kynreeve Outfit, Deadlands Wamasu pet, and more. Mehunes Dagon has plans for the people of Tamriel, and you will have a chance to unravel the Prince of Destruction’s schemes with the upcoming Blackwood Chapter and Gates of Oblivion year-long adventure, starting with the Flames of Ambition DLC in March. Keep an eye on elderscrollsonline.com for more information on ESO’s upcoming releases, and we’ll see you in Tamriel! The Elder Scrolls Online: Blackwood arrives on PS4 June 8 and is now available for pre-order at PlayStation Store. *Nightmare Bear Cub Pet only available as a pre-purchase reward from now until March 17. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/PJiSHfnji6QView the full article

Greetings traveler, it’s great to see you within operational specification. Welcome to Mekacity… or, what’s left of it. Before we get moving, please peruse these five data logs. They’ll surely increase your chances of survival! (Hint: The Service Pods include a yellow navigation arrow – a marvel of engineering and a testament to the futuristically advanced Mekacity. Just follow them.) Log 1: Practical Service Pods As you explore the ruins of Mekacity, you’ll occasionally bump into Service Pods – checkpoints loaded with goodies. In addition to saving your progress, some pods can be upgraded if you pay enough of your hard-earned essence. Spirit Recovery: Special Items and skills consume Spirit Points (SP), but this upgrade will top you off. Automatic Repair: Replenishes your HP. You’ll need it. Item Synthesis: Grants you a Special Item displayed on the Pod’s Terminal. Once a feature has been activated, that particular Service Pod will keep refilling HP, SP, or your Special Item indefinitely. This is especially useful in the event of an unfortunate step into a bottomless pit or when you get into mortal danger. The Service Pod will lock onto your position and transport you to safety, no questions asked. This “respawn” function is usually reserved for glitching synthetics that misplace themselves. (Hint: Sometimes a crack is just a crack, but might as well check?) Log 2: Cracks in the wall Sometimes nooks and crannies in Mekacity contain surprises, ranging anywhere from item drops to hidden pathways. Keep an eye out for anything that seems out of place, and slash away. (Hint: Striking the Swag Blade with your sword will send it hurtling forward!) Log 3: Special Items Special Items are powerful weapons, and they’re not only found in Service Pods. You can find a plethora of Special Items scattered around, and sometimes hidden in plain sight. A Special Item has three hit points and will be dismantled when those reach zero. If you keep out of harm’s way, you can keep using a Special Item indefinitely. Find a particularly powerful Special Item? If you tread nimbly, and you’ll be blasting through your journey with that extra firepower. (Hint: Combining instant skills allows you to clear rooms in seconds.) Log 4: Beyond the skills Your skills (once you acquire them) come with multiple secret techniques. For example, your Lightning Strike skill will give you extra height if you use it at the apex of your jump. Additionally, if you repeat the move command while already executing the skill, you’ll warp to your target in an instant. It’s advisable that you learn the secret techniques for all your skills. (Hint: When in a hurry, turning your back towards an enemy right before taking a hit is sometimes faster than dealing with the enemy. Shadow is always pushed towards HIS back when taking damage. This is called “damage boosting.”) Log 5: Fearless? Take on Feats! Shadow, I know things are difficult, so don’t be afraid to play carefully and at your own pace… for your first adventure. But if you’re looking for an even tougher challenge, I recommend trying for some Feats, some of which are outlined below. These Feats are tracked, so you can try to accomplish them all. Born Ready: Beat the game without collecting HP/SP upgrades. Fast as Lightning: Beat the game in under three hours. These Feats will truly test your skills. Once, I heard tales of a master ninja who went for both of these at the same time. Until we meet in Mekacity, that’s all for now. Good luck, Shadow. Cyber Shadow releases today on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. We hope you enjoy your ninja adventure. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/7AVdTDwGc18View the full article

Hi everyone, we’re very happy to announce that our latest DLC, Fatal Falls, has just dropped on PlayStation, with two new levels and a boss adding novel, ignominious ways to die mid-run! However, today I wanted to take a look at the way we pull together our animated trailers, as it seems that many of you are just as excited about the cartoon trailers as you are about the new game content. Play Video So, how does one go about getting a cartoon made? Unless you happen to be fantastic at 2D animation (which most of our artists actually happen to be) and have a bunch of free time (which none of our artists do), you need to find a production company that fits with the style of cartoon that you want to make. For us, we naturally thought of the French company, Bobbyprod. The people that run the studio often work with some of the best animators in France and have worked on a bunch of cartoons we love. Once you know what kind of style you want and you’ve decided who’s going to be able to pull it off, you need to know what your trailer is supposed to do. A game trailer should: Showcase the DLC, meaning showing new levels, bosses, enemies and weapons, it’s a game trailer after all. Be catchy and interesting to watch. We usually go for something funny, because that also lines up with the style of our main character. Build out the universe of your game, developing the characters and giving personality and life to a world that usually only exists as an unfairly difficult game. If you’ve figured all that out it’s time to draft your storyboard. This is probably the most fun part of the process, as it’s where you get to think up a bunch of crazy ideas and see if you can string them together into something that will do all of the above for you, while still being fun to watch. We like to let the production company propose some ideas first (it’s what they’re good at, so get out of the way and let the masters work). Once we have a first draft of a storyboard, we’ll then go through and make sure that we think all of the proposed ideas line up with the objectives from above, if they don’t, we’ll work with the production company (phone calls, email, Slack threads etc.) to refine the storyboard until we’ve got something that we think is worth animating. Now we really get to bring things to life! Bobby take the storyboard and work on their animatics, the kind of “concept art” for a cartoon that will define the visual and animation style for the trailer. We then add in the colouring to make sure that it respects the art direction that we’ve defined either for the series, or for the game universe as a whole. Finally we really look at the pacing of the whole animatic and ensure that the rhythm of the game trailer is perfect, cutting out anything that we don’t think is up to scratch. This incomplete version will be shared with the composer so that they can start to get a feel for the vibe of the trailer and the type of music that might fit. From here it’s usually smooth sailing with backwards and forwards between the musician and the animation team to ensure that everything lines up and that the overall timing of the trailer won’t change again. Final touches are adding end slates (those boring bits with the names of everyone who worked on the game) and exporting the trailer into 9,700,000 different versions for all of the stores and various places it has to be shared (kill me). All of this process usually takes about three months… Three months for a minute of cartoon, think about that next time you watch episode 984 of your favourite animated series. Thanks for tuning in, I hope that you enjoyed the trailer and that you enjoy the Dead Cells Fatal Falls DLC as much as we did working on it. Out today on PlayStation. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/UyaVF01vEnsView the full article

Hey there, action heroes! We are back again and elated to talk to you about our newest update, 2089, and what makes it special. Not only is this gritty cinematic campaign our first-ever for Pistol Whip, it’s also the result of many other firsts for the game. From animated cutscene cinematics to sweet synthwave exclusives, let’s look at some of the new narrative and creative tools we employed when developing this epic expansion. Play Video Exploring the core of Pistol Whip Pistol Whip has always been about putting you pistol-first into unstoppable action and making you feel like your favourite badass. Historically, each scene has been its own abridged story, similar to an action film trailer, with its own identity and theme. We spoke about where some scenes draw their inspiration and how some of our other design and development choices aim to accomplish this in our launch blog if you want to learn more. With 2089, we wanted to take this core of epic action-movie immersion a step further, combining an arching narrative experience across several scenes–played in succession–meant to embody and explore a specific genre of both film and music. This meant it would be longer than a movie trailer, but we also didn’t want to stray too far from our arcade-shooter roots. The result? Our first-ever cinematic campaign, featuring an original sci-fi story told over five-linked scenes, all set to a sweet synthwave soundtrack. Fun fact: The entire campaign is a little under thirty minutes in length, which is a few minutes longer than the first Time Crisis. The future is full of firsts Once the length and pacing of the story were determined, the team began trying to figure out how to best tell it within Pistol Whip, something we had never done before. Plot delivery needed to happen quickly–we wanted downtime between scenes to be just long enough for you to catch your breath, while remaining immersive. The answer? Comics. In another first for Pistol Whip, we teamed up with comic creator and artist Fico Ossio, who has helped bring to life some of our favourite heroes from Transformers to GI Joe. Fico went to work on an original character that would act as our pistol-proficient protagonist, along with full-colour cutscene illustrations. These illustrations would be animated and used in-headset alongside voiceover (another first for Pistol Whip) provided by Richard Trapp to deliver the story you experience in 2089. If arcade games and action movies lie at the heart of Pistol Whip, then music is the very lifeblood that courses through it all. This makes finding the perfect track one of the most challenging tasks of developing for Pistol Whip, and in the case of the final encounter, exact timing requirements made this nigh impossible. It would take a miracle to find something that met all of our specific needs, or maybe a little bit of magic. Creating the perfect track with Magic Sword Queue the next first: if the perfect track didn’t exist, we would create it. When we heard Sword of Truth by Magic Sword, we knew the epic electronic sound was exactly what we wanted to accompany the brutal end battle you face in 2089. We put together a sort of placeholder mix of the track, marking spots where in-game action would take place, and sent it off to the trio along with a very rough video of the encounter, unsure of what to expect. “You made it really easy for us,” The Keeper, a self-proclaimed PlayStation fanatic, remarked when we interviewed Magic Sword about creating this exclusive mix. “It’s pretty different [from our normal process] not stylistically…[with the exclusive] we have rules… time constraints and queue points that we gotta hit, and in a way that’s constricting, but it also gets rid of any muddiness in the water. It’s like, this has to go here, and has to happen at this time because that’s when this enemy comes in.” The final track we received back exceeded all our expectations. The exact timing really elevates the final scene to all new action-fueled heights that we can’t wait for you all to experience. The future beyond 2089 2089 may be the result of several firsts for Pistol Whip; however, you can expect the heart-pumping action core to be the same as you’ve always known. 2089 is also packed with tons of new content, from a new mechanical threat to new futuristic mechanics and sci-fi inspired cosmetics. You can check out everything we added with this update in the “Info” section added this update as a part of the newly revamped UI. We’d love to hear what you think of 2089 and all its additions in the comments below, and because we know you’re gonna ask: yes, all of 2089, including scenes and mechanics, will be available in Arcade mode with our next massive update, Concierge. Stay tuned here or on our socials to stay up to date on that and everything else we have planned for the future of Pistol Whip. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/whP9IeNJc1MView the full article

Pilots, we are so excited to announce that Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation 2 is coming to PlayStation 5 in just a few short days, on January 28! With the power of PS5, pilots can experience improved load times, framerate, and outstanding DualSense wireless controller features. DualSense controller features In the PS5 version of Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation 2, these DualSense controller improvements help to better imitate the feeling of weapon firing: Pulling the trigger: Adaptive triggers reproduce resistance and pressure. Bullet fired: Hear the weapon fire via the DualSense controller’s audio and audio from your TV Bullet impact: Haptic feedback indicates projectile impact These improvements to haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and audio for PS5 provide a richer experience for every GBO2 pilot. To ensure GBO2 pilots have the best experience possible, you can tailor these features to suit you: toggle haptic feedback, adaptive trigger, and controller sound in the game’s system settings. Haptic feedback and audio work together One improvement is modifications to the Haptic Feedback’s vibration patterns for different weapons. You’ll have a unique feedback experience whether you are using a machine gun or beam rifle. This new tactile experience is based on the sound file for each weapon to provide both the audio and haptic feedback, while the weapon fire and weapon switch audio will output from the DualSense controller’s built-in speaker, making your experience as immersive as possible. Adaptive triggers The team has taken special care on the adaptive triggers to provide as realistic an experience as possible. When using L2 or R2 for attack, pilots will notice a resistance to simulate the pulling of an actual trigger. For example, with the bazooka, the resistance will cause the trigger to catch at the input position just before the bullet is fired, and as you continue to pull the trigger, the bullet will fire and release the tension. In addition, pilots can experience a knockback impact for certain weapons. With the beam rifle, a player will experience small vibrations during charging, while with a machine gun or other rapid-fire armaments, vibrations will occur for each fire. Improved load times means faster deployment! On PS5, players of Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation 2 will find their load times improved vastly so that they are able to play that much faster. Other changes and improvements In addition to all the upgrades and improvements made possible on the PS5, the Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation 2 team is happy to announce other features coming on January 28 including: A brand-new map — Military Base This map is a vast, open flatland with medium to large buildings, making it a long-range combat specialist’s dream. With the buildings that dot the flat land, pilots will find clear lines of sight to the ground. The team recommends trying the triangular roofed warehouses! But be careful atop these warehouses so that you aren’t overrun by raid units. New voiceover Along with the release on PS5, players can enjoy even more options and variety to their game with the release of English audio. Chat with Neidhardt, Tenda or Katarina in Base Camp to hear their new voices. Players may switch their audio options in the H.A.R.O menu at any time for their preferred language audio. Save data transfer Never fear pilots. Your play data from PS4 transfers to PS5 if you use the same PlayStation Network account, so you won’t have to start from scratch. Match and play with other pilots on both platforms. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/I3Y0qfa9PNUView the full article

Email us at PSPodcast@sony.com! Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google or RSS, or download here This week, we interview Aarne Hunziker of Mechanical Head Studios about upcoming side-scrolling platformer Cyber Shadow. Stuff We Talked About Resident Evil Village Persona 5 Strikers Dead Space 3 The BTS music pack on Beat Saber Bloodborne The Cast Sid Shuman – Senior Director of Content Communications, SIE Tim Turi – Senior Content Communications Specialist, SIE Kristen Zitani – Senior Content Communications Specialist, SIE Thanks to Cory Schmitz for our beautiful logo and Dormilón for our rad theme song and show music. [Editor’s note: PSN game release dates are subject to change without notice. Game details are gathered from press releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.] http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/f5SGTJzIissView the full article

Re:Zero follows Subaru Natsuki, an average high school student who is magically transported to another world where he has the power to “Return by Death,” or literally the ability to turn back time by dying. Season 1 and 2 have been very popular at anime streaming sites. If you are a fan of the anime, light novel, or manga, you do not want to miss the video game adaptation of Re:Zero. Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World – The Prophecy of the Throne is coming to PS4 on January 29 for North America and February 5 for Europe. Check out the game overview trailer we just released! Play Video Today I have Alex Flagg and Hiro Watanabe, the localization producers for Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World – The Prophecy of the Throne to talk about what goes into creating a video game adaptation of Re:Zero. Since the Re:Zero anime and light novel are very popular in the West, a lot of people might know this already… But just in case some people are not familiar with Re:Zero, can you tell us a little bit about the overall storyline and how the anime and the video game adaptation are linked? Hiro Watanabe: Re:Zero follows the story of Subaru, a shut-in living in Japan who finds himself transported to another world. He eventually falls for a silver-haired half-elf girl, who happens to be a candidate to become the next ruler of the kingdom, and discovers that he has the ability to go back in time whenever he dies, allowing him to redo the mistakes of his past. I don’t want to give too much away, but he ends up getting involved in a series of events involving assassins, cultists, witches, and some other eccentric characters. I heard the English dub cast of the Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- anime will return to reprise their roles! Was it difficult to do the recording while we were under quarantine? Hiro: Recording under quarantine definitely came with its difficulties. Most of the work was done remotely, but we worked closely with the same studio that recorded the anime dub for this series, and the VAs and directors are all fantastic at what they do. We did have some technical hiccups along the way, but I think the end result turned out great. We know that there are six new characters. Can you tell us a little bit about Melty and how she is involved in the royal selection? Hiro: Melty is the nun that’s been featured in a lot of the promo material for this title. She’s a candidate of the royal selection, but has a more gentle and reserved personality compared to the other royal candidates who tend to be more headstrong. She and her camp bring an interesting dynamic to the cast, and those who are familiar with the series might enjoy seeing how events play out differently with their involvement. We know there is already a big fan base for Re:Zero. Was there any challenge to make the game appealing to the existing Re:Zero fans? Alex: There were certain things we knew fans would be expecting from this title. Like, “this has to be in a Re:Zero game.” One of those key points would be Return by Death. It’s such an interesting and unique part of Re:Zero, so we are happy to say it is implemented into this game. Hiro: Return by Death is an iconic part of the series, and works well as a game mechanic in which one of the main objectives is to gather intel and items to help you get through obstacles. I think fans also enjoy Re:Zero for the storyline and character interactions, so I think they’ll appreciate that this title was fully supervised by the original author, Tappei Nagatsuki. It was a challenge with so many mediums of this series using different terms and phrasing, but we (especially our editor) put extra care into researching the characters and story for this game. What do you think is the biggest draw of this game? Who do you think will enjoy playing? Alex: I think the biggest draw of the game is being able to see your favorite Re:Zero characters in new situations and storylines. They’re expanding the world a bit with this title so that will be very cool for fans of the series. Hiro: With the script having been supervised by the original author Tappei Nagatsuki, the character designs done by the series artist Shinichirou Otsuka, and both the Japanese and English cast reprising their roles for this title, I think there’s a lot for fans who are looking forward to more Re:Zero content to enjoy. Also, it’s always fun to see your favorite characters in new situations like Alex mentioned. Thank you Alex and Hiro! Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World – The Prophecy of the Throne will be available on January 29 for North America and February 5 for Europe. With digital pre-order, you can get PS4 exclusive avatars and PlayStation Plus users will receive 10% off. Visit PlayStation Store (NA) here to pre-order. Visit PlayStation Store (UK) here to pre-order. The physical Day One Edition includes 4 exclusive, limited run only original pins in a display box, featuring Emilia, Subaru, Rem, and brand-new character Melty. These are exclusive to physical copies of the game and will not be reprinted, so pre-order today. The physical Collector’s Edition includes four exclusive, limited run only original pins in a display box, featuring Emilia, Subaru, Rem, and a brand-new character Melty, a full-color art book including concept art, sketches, and commentary with a special foreword from the creators, a SteelBook collector’s display case, the official soundtrack containing original music from the game, and the Collector’s Edition outerbox! http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/ZIQC9fWyZDAView the full article

Last week, we asked you to turn your Odin’s sight on the formidable protagonist of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Eivor. You shared your best moments raiding the English countryside as Eivor using #PSshare #PSblog. Here are this week’s highlights: Eivor peers through the darkness in this torchlit share by iapaulogise. Eivor makes a leap of faith in this share by CCyuki_69. MentorCaptures shared this detailed portrait of Eivor under the Northern Lights. Yep, that’s a pigeon in this share by ERIchan_game. feelinsquiddy shares Eivor aboard her longship. Eivor lines up a shot with her bow in this share by n_ameogaming Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week? THEME: Partners SUBMIT BY: Wednesday 9 AM PT on January 27 Next week, grab a partner and say cheese! Share thrilling moments where characters team up in the game of your choice using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/9XecCaSjVVgView the full article

Greetings, Travelers! Genshin Impact’s developers here. As we march on into 2021, Teyvat will see its own new year arrive in an update to be released on February 3. We would like to invite all Travelers to celebrate Lantern Rite in Liyue Harbor and usher in a new year of adventure! Travelers will have the chance to immerse themselves in every aspect of this historic Liyue tradition, from the preparations in the days leading up to the event to the celebrations on the big day itself. Participation will be richly rewarded, with over 1,600 Primogems, a free four-star Liyue character, and other rewards on offer to help you fully prepare for the year ahead — whatever adventures it may bring. Remembering the past and welcoming the future As the biggest festival in Liyue’s calendar, the Lantern Rite is packed with festivities, culminating in a spectacular ceremony on the first full moon of the year that sees every household release specially made Xiao Lanterns into the night sky. Liyue locals believe that as well as lighting up the sky, these lanterns deliver their wishes to the heavens and guide the lost souls of fallen heroes back home. Xiao Lanterns are crafted according to a traditional technique and are able to float thanks to a unique kind of ore called Plaustrite — the same material that was widely used in the construction of the Jade Chamber. Each year, a giant Mingxiao Lantern built in the image of an adeptus is the first lantern to be sent into the sky at the ceremony, followed by thousands of smaller Xiao Lanterns and a beautiful firework display. Like any good festival, the Lantern Rite is also a time to relax and have some fun. The Lantern Rite gala lasts for several days and is packed with all kinds of exciting festive activities for Paimon and the Traveler to enjoy. The more lanterns, the merrier Before getting too engrossed in the fun and games of the festival, we must call on the Traveler and Paimon to once again lend a helping hand to the locals of Liyue, this time to help them prepare for the festival. As always, Travelers’ generous assistance will be generously rewarded. Lantern Rite is the most important festival of the year, and every household from Liyue Harbor, to Wangshu Inn, to Qingce Village must make meticulous preparations. The Lantern Rite event will be divided into three stages, each with a series of requests from citizens of all walks of life to help them and their loved ones get ready for the Lantern Rite. Complete requests to raise the Festive Fever level and unlock further quests and stories. The grand finale of the festive period comes on the final night, when countless lanterns are released into the sky, carrying with them the wishes of Liyue’s citizens. With your help, it is sure to be an even more spectacular sight this year — maybe even one that the Vigilant Yaksha, Xiao, will pause to take in. Either way, if you use an HDR screen with your PS4 or PS5, we highly recommend that you take this opportunity to put our HDR Display function to the test! A time for games, good food, and rewards No festival is complete without games, food, and rewards, so be sure to chat to the street vendors and see what they’ve got in store! During the Lantern Rite gala, the brightly lit streets of Liyue are filled with festival-exclusive games, snacks, and activities. Don’t miss out! The highlight of this year’s many festive activities is Theater Mechanicus, a tower defense strategy game which you can play solo or with friends. Beat Theater Mechanicus at different difficulty levels to win Peace Talismans, which can be spent at the Xiao Market on rewards including the Crown of Insight, a new namecard style, and more. We also recommend trying out some other daily events available only during the Lantern Rite period. Fans of photography simply mustn’t miss “Five Flushes of Fortune,” which will have you claim a certain Kurious Kamera from Ji Tong, take pictures of specific targets, and exchange the photos with Ji Tong for troves of treasure. Surplus photos can be sent to friends. Meanwhile, avid adventurers may be interested in a new proposition from Katheryne of the Adventurers’ Guild. In “Vishaps and Where to Find Them,” available from Adventure Rank 20, Travelers can accept investigative expeditions to hunt down the dangerous Geovishaps threatening Liyue in return for rewards. Suffice to say, Lantern Rite is a golden opportunity to experience the richness of life and culture in Liyue. Travelers who manage to accomplish all the seasonal events mentioned above can earn plenty of resources and over 1,600 Primogems. Finally, we’ve prepared some extra little surprises to thank everyone for your ongoing support and to help you get ready for a busy year of adventuring ahead: a daily login event, in which you can claim a total of 10 free Intertwined Fate, and an event challenge offering the chance to win a four-star Liyue character of your choice. May the flames of virtue spread to all, and never be extinguished! http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/iKgVFqN3nm0View the full article

To borrow a line from Barry Burton in the original Resident Evil, “Wow, what a showcase!” To all the old-school fans and those who were welcomed to the family with Resident Evil 7 biohazard, we hope you enjoyed today’s presentation. Now that the Resident Evil Showcase is a wrap, there’s quite a lot to talk about. We’ve revealed the launch date of Resident Evil Village as May 7, 2021 on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, presented gameplay footage of a timeworn castle and its deranged denizens, put the spotlight on a new trailer that sheds a bit of light on the world of Resident Evil Village, revealed the rotund merchant known only as The Duke, and hinted at another malevolent person that Ethan Winters will have to contend with. And, of course, for the 25th anniversary of Resident Evil, we unveiled Resident Evil Re:Verse, an online multiplayer game featuring fan-favorite characters that will be available for free to those that buy Resident Evil Village. We’ll have more on that soon. Play Video Watch the full Resident Evil Showcase. For those of you wondering about that tall, mysterious woman that’s been featured in various RE Village trailers so far… don’t worry, we see you. She’s the highlight of the latest trailer, literally standing head and shoulders above a trio of other women that also seem to call the gothic castle their home. The identities of all four remain shrouded in mystery, but for now, one thing we can give you is a name for everyone’s favorite towering mistress: Lady Dimitrescu. One thing we can’t give you: How she can find a hat in her size. The imposing Lady Dimitrescu towers over protagonist Ethan Winters. Of course, we had one more major drop to share with you all: a stand-alone demo for Resident Evil Village, known as Maiden, that’s available for download only on PlayStation 5 starting today. As Resident Evil Village Producer Peter Fabiano mentioned in the Resident Evil Showcase, you don’t play as Ethan Winters in this demo. Rather, you’ll be playing as a character known only as “the maiden.” Unable to fight or even block, you’ll be in control of this character as she attempts to escape from Dimitrescu Castle. This is a stand-alone separate experience from the main game that is a kind of short story set within the world of RE Village. Because of this unique take on a demo, we asked Peter why the team decided to create a demo separate from the main game, and how they used the power of PS5 to make it happen. So, without further ado…. The maiden We asked Peter about who the protagonist of this demo is, as she’s only known as “the maiden.” As Peter explains it, “Maiden is not the name of any person, but instead it symbolizes the protagonist, a girl who’s trapped in Dimitrescu Castle.” Rather than playing as Ethan and seeing a part of his story, the character in this demo is separate from the main story of Resident Evil Village. According to Peter, both the maiden’s story and Ethan’s story take place at different times. “The Maiden demo doesn’t take place during the main story of Resident Evil Village. Maiden was originally designed as a visual demo that would allow you to explore the inside of Dimitrescu Castle, but it evolved to include a short story and puzzle solving.” Long-time fans of Resident Evil are familiar with various castles that have appeared throughout the series, so they should feel right at home in this one, too. With RE Village and Maiden taking place in the same place but not the same time, it left us wondering if the two would be tied together somehow. The experience There might be a few things that eagle-eyed players should look out for as they wander the castle in search of an exit, so we asked Peter if there was anything the team wanted them to notice as they explore. “Maiden is a demo that’s separate from Resident Evil Village,” he explained. “However, it does take place in the same world as RE Village does.” He even suggests that there are a few nods between the demo and the full game, ones that you’ll only be able to catch if you play both. “When you play Resident Evil Village, or, perhaps, you come back to Maiden after playing the main game, you might discover the connections they have to each other.” We won’t spoil the fun of figuring out the links between the two games, of course, but we do hope you have fun exploring both the demo for now, and then come back to it with fresh eyes once the full game is released so you can find out for yourself what those links are! Resident Evil Village’s inventory shares some similarities with RE4’s. The technology Finally, we asked about the Maiden demo being on PlayStation 5, and how the team took advantage of the technology that the PS5 offers. Simply put, “you’ll be able to enjoy the ray tracing and 3D Audio that PS5 offers,” according to Pete. The demo is designed to take full advantage of tech that will also be included in RE Village, so Maiden also functions as a sneak peek at the next-gen leap for survival horror. Of course, we also had to press Peter a bit about his comments during the RE Showcase about how art design and technology come together to create such a hauntingly beautiful and detailed environment. “For Maiden, or rather, for Resident Evil Village, we wanted to create a game with beautiful graphics, high frame rate, and short loading times that don’t spoil people’s immersive experience of the game. The technology we mentioned in the showcase aided the director in realizing his vision of how the game is played, and the art director’s vision of how he wanted the game to look.” You’ll see this reflected in both the full game and the demo in the environments, objects, and character models, right down to the smallest details. Buy, sell, and upgrade weapons with RE Village’s enigmatic merchant, The Duke. That about wraps it up for now; as a reminder, the Maiden demo for Resident Evil Village will be available starting today on PS5. You can also pre-order the game on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 via PS Store to secure a bonus exclusive mini soundtrack. Don’t have a PS5 yet? Don’t worry; PS4 purchases of Resident Evil Village will be entitled to a digital upgrade to the PS5 version at no additional cost.* A Deluxe Edition is also available for both platforms, which will include various in-game perks reminiscent of Resident Evil 7 biohazard. This includes swapping save room music, changing the device you save on from a typewriter to a tape recorder, a “found footage” visual filter, and other fun bonuses. For those looking for the ultimate conversation starter, a Collector’s Edition is available for both platforms from select retailers that includes all of the above, plus a Chris Redfield figure, art book, reversible cloth map, a special Collector’s Edition box and SteelBook case. Keep an eye out for the Maiden demo, and don’t forget – Resident Evil Village will launch on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 on May 7, 2021. Purchase of the game also includes access to the online multiplayer game Resident Evil Re:Verse. *Offers may differ per region. Please check with your local retailer for details. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/Z-BeJmQKnJkView the full article

Attention all strategy battlers, a new challenge awaits. The highly competitive online strategy game Auto Chess will be free to play on PS4 on January 27. Get ready to test your tactical skill along with every last one of your wits as you square off against opponents from all around the world in Season 10. Excited? Us too! But before you charge onto the battlefield, check out our tips and need-to-know info to help you get the edge against your latest wave of new opponents joining the cross-platform battle. You’re in control First things first: controls. Playing on PlayStation offers you a unique way to approach Auto Chess. With this simple layout, you’ll find learning the controls easy, allowing you to focus on the true challenge of developing and mastering your own personal style and strategy. Now, hold your controller tight. Let’s jump into the world of Auto Chess! Explore the land of Rune You’ll find yourself battling across Rune. After several wars, the citizens of Rune finally live in an era of relative peace. The warriors you’ll meet from each race are the ones who brought Rune out of the dark period of war. Those very same legendary warriors will be the chess pieces at your disposal as you fiercely battle for victory in Auto Chess. And with the advent of Season 10, a brand-new race has arrived on the battlefield –the Pandaman. Get ready for three Pandaman heroes to join the battle in their quest to protect the homeland and families. Fight as a Warrior In each battle, you’ll fight against seven other opponents as well as creeps. Simply maintain your HP while eliminating other opponents and victory will be yours. How do you do that exactly? Well, let’s cover off five essential points to get you started, including the chess pieces, their races and classes, the basic line-up mechanism along with gold, synergy and items. After this crash course, you’ll be battling in no time. 1. Upgrade the chess pieces The starting level of a chess piece is 1-star. The very best level is 3-star. You combine three 1-star chess pieces to upgrade a 2-star chess piece. And it takes three 2-star chess pieces to upgrade to a 3-star chess piece. Every upgrade improves that piece’s skill and makes for a more powerful chess piece in your line-up. Gold can be used to purchase chess pieces for upgrading. Gold can also be used to purchase experience for the chess player, which allows you to place more chess pieces on the battlefield. 2. Active the synergies Activating the bonus effects of synergy can help give you tactical advantages, the trick is knowing the right time. You can decide to activate it in the early stages for an early lead, or you could choose to wait until it has an even stronger effect for late stage game changer. However, if you care more about the attributes of your line-up, you can upgrade a chess piece and make it the key component of your strategy instead. The choice is yours. 3. Acquire items Early on, you’ll obtain some basic items which will come in handy as you battle. Items are also dropped in the creep rounds. As you play, you’ll learn the all-important combinations of items that will upgrade them and make them far more powerful. Always remember – strategy is key in this game, so think about your line-up in future rounds and never forget to maintain your gold and experience. 4. Analyze the line-up To guarantee victory in battle, you’ll need to focus on your line-up as well as your opponents’ line-ups. Since chess pieces are all drawn from a shared piece pool, forming a dream line-up can be difficult if your opponent is pursuing a similar strategy. Some hints to keep alive: place chess pieces tactically, manage gold at all times, and make sure you take full advantage of the creep round for extra goodies. 5. Manage gold Gold is as scarce as it is significant. You’re given a certain amount of gold when you start and you’ll be able to obtain more from interest, winning streaks as well as losing streaks. The interest you earn is based on the amount of gold left at the end of each round with the most being five. You obtain the same amount of interest from a losing streak as a winning streak, but of course, winning streaks are always more fun. PlayStation Plus exclusive content Auto Chess hasn’t forgotten about you, PlayStation Plus members. The awesome (and exclusive) chess player, Chiyome Mochizuki will be free to redeem for all PlayStation Plus members on the PlayStation Store. And that’s not all. Once you visit the Auto Chess in-game store, you’ll find it packed with even more exclusive content like chess players Matryoshka and Yi Sun-sin as well as Goblin Workshop Chessboard. All available on official launch day January 27. Time to join the battle That’s all you need to know to begin your journey to become an Auto Chess champion. All that’s left is to make sure you download Auto Chess for free when it hits PlayStation Store on January 27. And if you want the winning edge right from the start, make sure you get the valuable Auto Chess: Founder’s Pack before the game’s full release. You’ll get exclusive in-game items and a whole lot of legendary content that’ll be gone soon, so act fast! Last chance is January 27. Now it’s time to join the battle, dig in deep and get involved with in-game championships and international tournaments. See you on the battlefield. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/UXWzwoxi9K8View the full article

PlayStation Store’s new Games Under promotion begins Tuesday, January 19 and brings with it a selection of amazing experiences available at a reduced price for a limited time. Running until Wednesday February 3 at 11.59pm local time, the Games Under sale includes the likes of multiplayer horror Dead by Daylight: Special Edition PS4 & PS5, open world epic Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and survival horror Resident Evil 2 – Deluxe Edition. There are plenty of other titles included in the sale – a selection of which you can see below – so check out the full list for European players here and North American players here. Assassin’s Creed Origins Dead By Daylight: Special Edition Death Stranding DRAGON BALL FIGHTERZ GRID Ultimate Edition House Flipper Injustice 2 – Legendary Edition JUMP FORCE – Deluxe Edition Naruto To Boruto: Shinobi Striker Need for Speed Payback Overcooked: Gourmet Edition Payday 2: Crimewave Edition RESIDENT EVIL 2 Deluxe Resident Evil 7 biohazard Gold Edition Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration Edition The Crew 2 – Deluxe Edition http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/_ndkS0TezTYView the full article

Hey there PlayStation Nation! Hope you’re all doing well and staying safe during these winter months. We know you’ve all been patiently waiting for more news on Resident Evil Village, and that chill going down your back isn’t from the cold outside – rather, it’s from the spine-tingling terrors that await you in the Resident Evil Showcase making its debut on Thursday, January 21 at 2pm PT / 10pm GMT / 11pm CET. Play Video We won’t spoil all the fun announcements that await, but you’ll definitely want to be there live as it happens. Join our host Brittney Brombacher as we showcase new information on Resident Evil Village, including an extended trailer that unveils a bit more of the world and mysterious new characters, as well as a first look at gameplay! We’ll also have Producer Peter Fabiano there to help guide you through the world of Resident Evil Village and the horrors that await you. If you need to leave the lights on and hide under a blanket, we won’t judge you. Play Video We’ve got a few more surprises in store, but you’ll simply have to wait and see what those are. Be sure to make yourself a hot drink, wrap yourself in a cozy blanket, and tune in on Thursday, January 21 at 2pm PT / 10pm GMT / 11pm CET to catch all the latest live on the PlayStation Twitch and YouTube channels! http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/zYdw6cjBiKoView the full article

Email us at pspodcast@sony.com! Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google or RSS, or download here Happy new year! Kristen and Tim are back to share what they played over the holidays, and geek out during an Assassin’s Creed Valhalla spoilers chat. Stuff We Talked About Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game Ghost of Tsushima Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 Tomb Raider (yes, the 1996 classic) Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Spoilers begin at 29:00 The Cast Tim Turi – Content Communications Manager, SIE Kristen Zitani – Senior Content Communications Specialist Thanks to Cory Schmitz for our beautiful logo and Dormilón for our rad theme song and show music. [Editor’s note: PSN game release dates are subject to change without notice. Game details are gathered from press releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.] http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/o3x31AMpOOcView the full article

Last week, we asked you to sail across Norway and England as a viking in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. From epic armor portraits to brutal action shots, you shared you best moments aviking using #PSshare and #PSBlog. Here are this week’s highlights: Eivor bears down with his axe in this daring share by Anthonyisback33. Havi rides down the Bifrost of Asgard in this share by RinchannowRin. AreeLyBadPun shared Eivor commanding their ship across Norway. JustN2bad shares a detailed portrait of Eivor’s braid and armor. Patman_Parkour shares some wicked cool armor. The iconic Assassin’s symbol lights up this hideout, shared by Nakko_blue Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week? THEME: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla – Eivor SUBMIT BY: Wednesday 9 AM PT on January 20 Next week, we’re staying in the realm of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and focusing our Odin’s sight on Eivor. Share portraits or detailed shots of your viking hero using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/NeEz2edEZcIView the full article

Keep the Puyo-popping and Tetrimino-clearing party going this New Year with the launch of a free new update for Puyo Puyo Tetris 2, available starting today for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4! This is the first in a series of updates for the game and includes an all-new online mode, along with the addition of the beloved Sega mascot, Sonic the Hedgehog, who knows a thing or two about fast reaction times. We should note first, all this new content will be available to players immediately after they download and install the new update. Without further ado, check out our new content trailer below. Play Video Among the exciting content being made available today – including an amazing new online Boss Raid mode – we’re expanding the already-robust character roster even further with four new characters, including the blue blur himself, Sonic the Hedgehog! Now we’d like to give you a brief rundown of each of these newly added characters. First up is a special guest from our flagship series who needs no introduction, Sonic the Hedgehog! The speedy blue hedgehog lives life by his own rules. He hates dishonesty and injustice, and he’s not afraid to fight for what’s right. Sonic also plays a pivotal role during Skill Battle, such as his ability to change all Puyos on the board to blue! Ms. Accord is a teacher of the Primp Magic School. Though gentle and kind, she’s known to prepare rather peculiar lesson plans. While she only played a minor role in the original Puyo Puyo Tetris, this update marks the first time Ms. Accord will appear as a playable character in a localized release since Puyo Pop Fever. For Skill Battle, she can clear the board of Garbage Puyo, set up powerful chains, or throw up a strong defense against an enemy attack. Next up is Lidelle, a student of Primp Magic School. Known to be mild-mannered and soft-spoken, Lidelle is also very shy and hides her horns by wrapping them with her hair. While sharing no relation, she considers Dark Prince and Draco as her big brother and sister. Among her proficiencies in Skill Battle, Lidelle has a powerful ability where she can change a batch of Garbage Puyo on the board to a different color. Finally, The Ocean Prince is, what else, the prince of the sea, a royal who can be pretty shellfish without realizing it. He sometimes takes a human form when he uses a particular spell. Like Ms. Accord and Lidelle, this will mark his first playable appearance since Puyo Pop Fever after making a cameo in Puyo Puyo Tetris. In Skill Battle, The Ocean Prince plays the role of a powerful support teammate, like being able to align any pieces to set up powerful chains or lower an enemy’s defense. Aside from the new characters, this update also adds a co-operative Boss Raid mode, where up to four players battle together against a common foe using Skill Battle rules; four new BGM (background music) tracks; and 20 new player Avatars you can use to customize your player profile. Be sure to pick up Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 on PlayStation 5 or PlayStation 4 today either physically or at PlayStation Store and check out all the fresh new content arriving today, with more to be added in the coming months! For the latest on all things Puyo Puyo Tetris 2, make sure to follow the official Puyo Puyo accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for all the latest! http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/_dsONAqpSsQView the full article

Like Ramona skating into Scott’s life, PlayStation fans fell hard for Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game when it hit PS3 in 2010. To develop the lovingly retro-inspired adaptation of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s story, Ubisoft partnered with talented creators like pixel artist Paul Robertson and chiptune pop / rock band Anamanaguchi. The art and sound gelled magically with the co-op beat ‘em up gameplay — an instant classic was born. A decade later, Ubisoft is rereleasing the nostalgic side-scrolling adventure. To mark the occasion, we conducted a Q&A interview with Anamanaguchi. The band reflects on the critical reception of the game, the evolution of their music since 2010, favorite characters, and more. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game – Complete Edition contains the original adventure, plus playable DLC characters Knives Chau and Wallace Wells. It launches on PS4 January 14, and is playable on PS5 via backwards compatibility. Play Video PlayStation.Blog: When you see or hear the name “Scott Pilgrim” these days, what is the first thought or emotion that comes to your mind? Peter Berkman: That the game is finally being re-released! Luke Silas: When I hear “Scott Pilgrim,” I remember the funny little tattoo of Scott in a tanuki suit that I got after we finished the soundtrack in 2010. PSB: Which playable character is the favorite of each Anamanaguchi member, and why? PB: I didn’t get a chance to play the game after the DLC came out, so I’m gonna play as Wallace when I can. Ary Warnaar: I’m really bad at this kinda game, so I’d honestly rather watch the rest of the band play… but Kim Pine. James DeVito: I gotta stick with the bass brother, Scott Pilgrim. LS: I play heavies, so I go with Ramona and do lots of big hammer hits. PSB: What track from Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game do you feel best represents Anamanaguchi’s sound in 2010? PB: Probably the theme song – we wound up releasing a lot of singles that summer – one of them was another song in the running for that! AW: I remember being super into “Rox 300” back then ~as a sound for us~. LS: I think either “Another Winter” or “Just Like In The Movies,” those were both as nuanced and punky as our non-OST material back then! We’ve expanded a lot, but at that point I think most people considered us pretty splashy and fun like those levels. The track “Subspace Highway” plays as Scott navigates a reality-bending path. PSB: What track from Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game do you feel best represents Anamanaguchi’s sound in 2021? PB: The “Subspace Highway” sound design sounds like it’d fit nicely on our latest album, [USA]. AW: I really like the chord progression in “Vegetable Rock.” Kinda grunge-y. I’ve been looping it and playing it back at half-speed recently. LS: “Leave The Past Behind!” It’s dynamic and bittersweet, and has a lot of different energies in one song. Feels like something we might work on today. PSB: The track “Another Winter” perfectly captures the Scott Pilgrim world’s vibe of fun and melancholy. As players listen, what is happening on a musical level to evoke those feelings? PB: I personally love the tension of 7th chords and 9th chords – stacks of complicated feelings – and it’s all over a lot of our music. In that song there’s some cute little call and response that breaks to a long yearning kind of melody. I had just had my wisdom tooth taken out, haha. In that song everything’s really held together by the drive of the drums. Revisiting a lot of these songs it’s funny how the tracks in major keys feel a bit melancholy and the ones in minor keys feel a bit energetic. Stage 1’s bittersweet music track, “Another Winter” plays. PSB: Why do you think Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game achieved such adoration from players that has persisted over the years? PB: I think so much of it comes from the feeling Bryan (Lee O’Malley) was able to tap into with his comics. As for the game itself, it’s really for people who love games. The art is really sick. Everybody involved really wanted it to be good so they put a lot of care and little unexpected details into it. ‘They didn’t need to go so hard’ goes all around there. It’s a kind of “love letter” to having friends over and playing beat ‘em ups on the couch with some snacks. AW: On top of that, I think the art is a big part of the longstanding appreciation of the game. It’s definitely aged well. Paul Robertson really brought out the best of this style of pixel art, without ever being stuck in the “retro” world. PB: True! Kinuko (Mariel Kinuko Cartwright, artist) and Persona (Jonathan Kim, artist) brought so much of that animation to life, too. PSB: Did you have to adapt or adjust your general musical sound to suit the world of Scott Pilgrim, or was your signature sound of the 2010 timeframe already a perfect fit? PB: Our style was a natural fit for the general vibe, but it was a lot of fun to flex and adapt for certain moments that a ‘band playing shows’ doesn’t normally get to do. Like a bossa nova shop theme, or boss songs. AW: There were a handful of prompts that took us out of our comfort zones. Some of those styles were definitely just for the game, but others started to shape sounds that became a bit more normal to us. Dance-tempo four to the floor tracks were a pretty new thing to us back then! PSB: Looking back, which track from Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game is your favorite? PB: Level 4’s train music (“Suburban Tram”) always makes me really happy! JD: “Just Like in the Movies” is a really fun one to play and also makes me happy. AW: There’s a super short interlude, called “Kiss 2” as far as I know, that I think is still very pretty. LS: There’s a full version of “This Is The End,” the “perfect ending” music, that hasn’t been released before; not to be a tease, but for me it’s gotta be that. Maybe everyone will get to hear it more readily someday soon. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/ideOWM9bm5cView the full article

2020 has drawn to a close, which means it’s time to take a look at the year’s most downloaded games at PlayStation Store. On the PS5 side, we see Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales taking the top two spots on our US/Canada and European charts, with Assassin’s Creed Valhalla right behind. Demon’s Souls, NBA 2K21, and FIFA 21 place high atop the lists as well. Call of Duty also led the US/Canada PS4 charts, though the worldwide appeal of FIFA 20 and FIFA 21 made them top hits across Europe. Full list below. Which did you spend the most time with in 2020? PS5 Games US/Canada Europe 1 Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War 2 Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales 3 Assassin’s Creed Valhalla Assassin’s Creed Valhalla 4 NBA 2K21 Next Generation FIFA 21 5 Demon’s Souls Demon’s Souls 6 Madden NFL 21 Watch Dogs: Legion 7 FIFA 21 Immortals Fenyx Rising 8 Sackboy: A Big Adventure NBA 2K21 Next Generation 9 Immortals Fenyx Rising Sackboy: A Big Adventure 10 Watch Dogs: Legion Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege *Naming of products may differ between regions *Upgrades not included PS4 Games US/Canada Europe 1 Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War FIFA 21 2 Grand Theft Auto V FIFA 20 3 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Grand Theft Auto V 4 Minecraft Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 5 Ghost of Tsushima Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War 6 The Last of Us Part II Minecraft 7 NBA 2K21 NBA 2K20 8 NBA 2K20 The Last of Us Part II 9 Final Fantasy VII Remake The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt 10 Madden NFL 21 Red Dead Redemption 2 *Naming of products may differ between regions PS VR Games US/Canada Europe 1 Beat Saber Beat Saber 2 Job Simulator Job Simulator 3 Superhot VR Blood & Truth 4 The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners Superhot VR 5 Gorn The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners 6 Creed Rise to Glory Creed: Rise to Glory 7 Arizona Sunshine Astro Bot Rescue Mission 8 Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series Gorn 9 Astro Bot Rescue Mission Vader Immortal: A Star Wars VR Series 10 Marvel’s Iron Man VR Arizona Sunshine http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/V_j0FDVCyaUView the full article

Hi everyone! I hope you’re enjoying the recent videos we’ve shared about Returnal. With this latest update we wanted to share some more details about the gameplay, which we know you’ve all been looking forward to. With Returnal we’ve aimed to blend a unique mix of game styles. It combines our trademark explosive arcade action, responsive controls and bullet hell gameplay, and this time it’s all presented in third-person. There will be fast and frenetic combat and intense gunplay, and also some rich exploration and traversal as you explore the procedurally generated environments of Atropos. We’ve created Returnal to be a challenging and rewarding experience, with enough variety and depth to keep you always coming back for “one more go”. Play Video From lightning to tentacles Selene will have many weapons and devices at her disposal to survive on the hostile alien planet Atropos. Some she’s brought with her – others she’s found and made her own. The above video shows some of the various abilities you’ll find while playing Returnal which we’ll dive into below. The game features a number of base weapons that are augmented as you play. For example, the living Spitmaw Blaster weapon starts as a shotgun archetype you all know and love. As you progress, you’ll unlock and add on various Weapon Traits, each providing a unique gameplay modifier to the base weapon’s behavior. These Weapon Traits are custom tailored for each gun type – so your Spitmaw Blaster might gain exploding shells or generate acid pools upon impact; while the Electropylon Driver might extract extra loot from enemies, or generate shields for the player. These Weapon Traits will also stack, so the combined effects can lead to many surprising results that can have unique advantages and playstyles to explore. Each weapon will also have an alt-fire mode randomly assigned to it from our diverse pool, ranging from the electrical impulses of the Shockstream to the tentacles of the Tendrilpod, and everything in between. These can be used without ever taking your finger off the trigger using the default control scheme: with the adaptive trigger on the DualSense controller, just press L2 halfway to aim down the sights and use the main fire of your weapon, and squeeze it all the way down to enter your alt-fire mode. With 10 base weapons, more than 90 Weapon Traits (each with three levels)and 10 alt-fires, there are numerous weapon combinations to test out on your journey. While new weapon drops are frequent, Selene can only hold one weapon at a time, so your choice is important. Different challenges and enemies will also require different strategies to overcome, so you’ll need to be constantly adapting, experimenting with different weapons, and developing your skills to survive on the hostile planet of Atropos. Making progress For Selene, death is no escape. Each death sends Selene to the start of the time loop, just moments before crashing on the planet. Most abilities and items collected on the previous cycle will be lost…but not all of them. Some persist across sessions, so you’ll still make progress every cycle. One of these persisting elements is the mysterious Cthonos, an alien device that generates a random item at the beginning of each cycle. This otherworldly device is tracking your performance, and when enough progress is accumulated you will be rewarded with a brand new item for immediate use, which will also be permanently added to the pool of available loot from that point on as well. The items you earn or discover as you explore the planet Atropos will change the way you play and offer a wide array of effects and strategic options for Selene. They can be offensive Tools like the Dismantler, a smartbomb-style explosion which annihilates all enemies around you; defensive consumables like the Kinetic Siphon, which restores Health through melee kills; or more strategic Artifacts that give Selene some unique advantages under certain conditions. Risk and reward There’s plenty of loot to be found on Atropos, but be wary that not all that glitters is gold. Some items, called Parasites, have both positive and negative effects. You’ll need to think twice before picking up a Parasite that, for example, regenerates you while at low health but also causes enemies to leave behind a pool of acid on death. Collecting Parasites will often feel like a risky decision, but there are multiple other scenarios that can help shift the odds in your favour, like for example carrying an Artifact that can increase your max health for every Parasite you’ve attached. There are many other cases where risk and reward will come into play, which can all drastically alter how each cycle plays out. You might encounter a “cursed” container that can be holding valuable loot, but opening it might trigger a random Suit Malfunction which, for example, can damage Selene every time she uses door and chest opening Keys, and can only be repaired by collecting a large number of obolites. Obolites can be exchanged for valuable items to increase your chances of survival, but if you’re on a good run you might prefer to spend them on activating a checkpoint – die and you’ll resurrect there with your current items and abilities, rather than restarting the cycle. These are just a few quick examples of the many interesting scenarios and tough decisions you will be facing. Returnal will be available starting March 19. Stay tuned as we bring you mode details in the upcoming weeks. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/ID0hPGbVKfwView the full article

Hey! This is MekaSkull, the developer of Cyber Shadow: the retro-rooted, ninja-jumping, robot-slashing action platformer that is coming to PS4 and PS5 on January 26. I’m so excited to present some of the background evolution of the game, that I’ll be talking about myself in the third person for a bit. The year is 2011. The then, 20-something pixel artist and retro game fan, Aarne “MekaSkull” Hunziker, drew a picture of a ninja suspended in a tank, fueling the insinuating ambitions of a game, against his will. Inspired by a passing thought, maybe a dream, the pixels manifested on canvas, only to be forgotten for years. The idea of making this image into a game didn’t even pass my mind until much later. “No one would want to play a new, 8-bit-inspired game,” I thought. Inspirations Time passed until it was the year of the shovel, 2014. Shovel Knight is released, and a certain blue plougher digs his way into the hearts and minds of people, showing that these types of games were not only welcome but desired. The question was, “Is this something that I can create?” A question that preceded a logo test and a mockup of a ninja in a level. It at least looked like a game. Going solo With the tools for indie devs becoming more accessible, it was time to take the plunge. I started to spend my spare time on a “training” project. It was a jumping game, so I first experimented with jump-arcs and came up with a grid-like mechanism that displayed the kinds of jumps possible to land. I also read somewhere that bumping your head on the ceiling can be frustrating, so I made sure the head-bumping distance was displayed on the grid as well. I used photos of myself as a reference for drawings and animations, but I couldn’t (allegedly) run like a real ninja, so the animation ended up looking pretty stiff. My training project wasn’t just for training anymore. It was shaping into a game with slashing in addition to jumping. Guess I’m doing this now I kept working on the game because I thought, why not? The game was taking on a life of its own — and jumping between the seats of a writer, artist, coder, and sound designer — it kept it fresh for me at all times. At this point, the game was redubbed as a “one-year project” that had maybe six levels and a story that only existed between lines, expanded by a manual. Shadow’s initial design was refreshed a couple of times before landing on the final one. This scope didn’t last. Before long, the game was designed to have nine levels instead of six, a dialogue system, special items, mid-bosses, and cutscenes. The aspect ratio was changed from 4:3 to a much wider one. Teaming up Any game needs music, and luck was on my side as just the right music found the game. Enrique “Pentadrangle” Martin joined and the solo dev became a team effort. The gameplay and music discovered natural synergy together. Stages would inspire music, and music would inspire stages. For example, the docks and boat ride were born from a track that sounded like a boat chase, and the rest of the level grew from there. The team wouldn’t stay small for long. I had decided early on that I would never have a publisher, as finding the correct one would be impossible… right? Wrong! Now, with a lot more helping eyes on the project from Yacht Club Games, everything was refined from movement to level design. No pixel or line of code was left unturned. In 2018 the game was playable from start to finish, but with all the new dev skills learned along the way, there was still room to improve. Starting with redoing the location first drawn in 2011, a bunch of secrets were added, the number of special items was increased to eight, and a plethora of new enemy types spawned all around the game. While touch-up paint was applied here and there, each jump and enemy placement was meticulously evaluated a few dozen times over. To top it all off, with the help of Yacht Club Games and MP2 Games, Cyber Shadow gained improved response time, which can now be improved even further with the PS5 version running at 120fps. When paired with a compatible television set, it makes the controls so responsive, that it feels like bending time itself. I hope everyone has as much fun playing the game as I had creating it. Good luck to all of you ninjas in this year of hope and newfound optimism. Cyber Shadow is available for pre-order at PlayStation Store. PS Plus members get 25% slashed off the pre-order price. The game launches on January 26. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PSBlog/~4/XnYT4xeJMBMView the full article