PUBG maker Krafton has acquired Hi-Fi Rush developer Tango Gameworks from Microsoft.The move has pulled the Japanese studio back from the brink, with Microsoft having recently announced plans to shutter the Ghostwire: Tokyo and The Evil Within developer.Krafton said the deal marks its first significant investment into the Japanese video game market and includes the rights to the Hi-Fi Rush franchise."As part of this strategic agreement, Krafton intends to collaborate with Xbox and ZeniMax to ensure a smooth transition and maintain continuity at Tango Gameworks, allowing the talented team to continue developing the Hi-Fi Rush IP and explore future projects," reads a press release."Krafton intends to support the Tango Gameworks team to continue its commitment to innovation and…
EA is sunsetting three Battlefield titles on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 later this month.The publisher confirmed Battlefield 3, Battlefield 4, and Battlefield: Hardline will be removed from digital storefronts on Xbox 360 and PS3 on July 31, 2024. DLC and "all extra related content" will also be pulled from sale."Online services for these titles on these platforms will end on November 7th, 2024. While the online components of these titles close for these platforms, if you own the game, you will still be able to play the single-player component," added EA.Battlefield 3 will remain playable on PC, while Battlefield 4 and Battlefield: Hardline will remain playable on PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4.
German developer Fishlabs was developing a new Red Faction game—at least until parent company Embracer canceled the project.According to a new report from RockPaperShotgun, the Chorus studio was looking to revive the destructive open-world franchise. It was one of two projects Fishlabs was making, with the first being an original sci-fi game canceled months prior.This new Red Faction game was apparently in the works in the same proximity as Embracer shutting down series creator Volition last year. Sources called this a "ghoulish" move to the outlet, but Fishlabs reportedly had a genuine interest in its sci-fi setting.Staff from the scrapped original game ("Project Black") moved over to Red Faction, then-codenamed "Project White" and dubbed a "side hustl…
French developer Voodoo Games has bought the BeReal social platform for €500 million (or $536.9 million).Known for free-to-play games like Helix Jump and Hole.io, Voodoo aims to use BeReal as a way to "strengthen [its] global position." As for BeReal, the tech company wants to "accelerate its growth" using the tech and knowledge Voodoo's learned over the years.BeReal was founded in 2019, and is chiefly known for being a social platform without likes or followers dictating the experience. Photos also automatically disappear 24 hours after posting, and it currently sports 40 million active users.
Hypercasual possib…
The Like a Dragon franchise is becoming a TV show, courtesy of Prime Video.As revealed by Variety, the Japanese open-world series has been adapted into a six-episode drama releasing in October. The series will be directed by Take Masaharu and Takimoto Kengo, respectively known for We Make Antiques and Kamen Teacher.Kamen Rider actor Takeuchi Ryoma will play series lead Kazuma Kiryu. The show will be split across 1995 and 2005.
Sega's big transmedia dreams
Sega's previously mentioned its desires to build out franchises like this and Persona into transmedia giants on par with Sonic the Hedgehog. This marks the series' first steps into that …
Dutch co-development studio Paladin Studios has closed its doors after 19 years.The company shared the news on its website and explained it failed to launch enough work to cover its burn-rate over the past few months.Paladin was established in 2005 and worked on a litany of console, PC, and mobile projects including Cut The Rope Remastered, My Tamagotchi Forever, Amazing Katamari Damacy, and Galaga Wars.The closure means the 45 people currently employed at the studio will be laid off. "For almost 19 years, we have poured our hearts and souls into creating games that make you smile. Starting as a bootstrapped mini studio in 2005, we followed the twists and turns of the game industry and slowly but steadily found our place in it," wrote the studio."Over these years, the studio…
There's one slide in Kitfox co-founder Tanya X Short's GDC 2024 talk on the advantages and complications of the four-day work week that packs a brutally relatable punch. It reminds onlookers that irrespective of whether you're working your dream job, it's vital to establish a "work : life balance" and not a "work : recover-from-work balance."Short has long been an advocate of the four-day week, having been living the reality at Kitfox (the indie studio she co-founded) since August 2021. During her talk, she admits to having "complex" feelings about her new reality. The best part, she says, is that "now it feels normal." That's also the worst part.Discussing the prospect of returning to the old days, she says that while two-th…