Sherbytes: Industry News Megathread, v.1

[avenue94]

Ok looking at it seems it was a combination of the lower price and hardware sales being down.

Yup. Series S is their main mover for consoles and that was 20% off for several weeks. Even though that speaks volumes about where demand is at currently.

 

[Dizzy]

https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-fy23-q2-gaming-revenue-down-13-year-over-year

Microsoft quarterly earning. I normally don't pay attention to this sort of stuff really but this one was very interesting because hardware sales for Xbox were down 13%. For a console to have lower hardware sales a little after 2 years after release is a bit concerning. Not to mention they had some crazy deals on the Series S during the holidays. I was even thinking of getting one to just throw in the bedroom. I'm guessing this is because of the complete lack of exclusives from xbox.

Yikes

 

[rikwebb]

Lookin like Far Cry 7 and a Far Cry based multiplayer game are in the works

https://insider-gaming.com/sources-far-cry-7-and-far-cry-multiplayer-in-development-at-ubisoft/

Insider Gaming sources have revealed that two new Far Cry games are in development at Ubisoft, one presumed to be Far Cry 7 as a single-player experience and the other to be a multiplayer-only title.

Details on what both games entail are slim, but it's understood that the titles were intended to be one game at one point, but separated to become two separate projects early on in development. The game was believed to be known as Project Talisker under the helm of Day Hay until both games became their own separate entities after his departure to Blizzard Entertainment.

Far Cry 7 is now internally referred to as Project Blackbird, whereas the multiplayer experience is known as Project Maverick – both projects are believed to have heavy involvement from Ubisoft Montreal.

Two sources, who have requested to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak about company information have said that details are still slim and Maverick has changed numerous times in the past year or so. However, Insider Gaming understands that the game is pitched as being set in the Alaskan wilderness and is currently an extraction-based shooter with mechanics such as permadeath, a backpack system, contracts, and more.

Screenshots of the game provided to Insider Gaming under the request that they don't go public show lootable chests, extraction zones, and more.

Fewer details are known about Far Cry 7 – or whatever the next mainline game will be called – but a similar setting to the multiplayer experience could be possible as both titles originated from the same game.

It's understood that the games are still at least a couple of years away, with a tentative scheduled release date of fall 2025. Despite the internal deadline though, the publisher's inconsistency with meeting such deadlines could suggest the game is even further out than that.

 

[rikwebb]

Another Uibsoft Leak, New The Crew title coming (also another day another Ubisoft Inhouse engine)

https://insider-gaming.com/datamines-confirm-the-crew-3-to-be-called-motorfest/

New datamines by ScriptLeaksR6 on Twitter have seemingly confirmed that the next The Crew game will be called Motorfest.

Originally reported by Insider Gaming and in collaboration with Xbox Era's Nick Baker (Shpeshal Nick), Motorfest is Ubisoft's latest attempt at pushing The Crew series to new heights.

Insider Gaming understands that The Crew Motorfest, known internally as Project Orlando was intended to be The Crew 2 DLC but became something much bigger later on in development.

Images provided to Insider Gaming under the condition that the images are not released publically show a Motorfest logo throughout the game, such as on electronic billboards, registration plates, and in the loading menu.

It's understood that the game will have a new engine and the images provided clearly show that the game will take place on the Hawaii island of Oahu. Of course, there are some slight modifications to the island, but players should expect to see picture-perfect ocean blue seas and drive through high mountainous roads.

 

[rikwebb]

Skull and Bones has been sent out to playtesters, and the feedback isn't really encouraging

https://insider-gaming.com/skull-an...ith-playtesters-but-it-should-release-anyway/

Insider Gaming has been speaking to over 10+ playtesters this week who have had the opportunity to play Ubsioft's Skull and Bones for up to six hours in its recent playtests. Although one or two comments were satisfied with the game, the overall feeling with those who played the game is that it's still nothing special.

However, according to Insider Gaming sources, players are not positively surprised by its evolution at all. In fact, we've even seen comments on my Twitter status from invitees this week that they will not even be trying the recent playtest, despite being invited.

Two developers and second-hand accounts of the progress of the game say that they wouldn't be surprised if the game didn't release until the second half of 2023 "at the earliest" due to the game still being incomplete. In fact, one playtester, who attended a week-long playtest event in person recently reported that devs responded to playtester concerns about the lack of combat on land because "they're too far deep into the game to do anything severe".

The concerns continue to mount up for Skill & Bones, too, after playtesters have reported to Insider Gaming that the game is still plagued with game-breaking bugs. It's a sentiment that isn't just being expressed by playtesters too, as Ubisoft has also delayed a media hands-on preview event that was scheduled for the first week of February.

Unfortunately, it seems like delay after delay isn't going to fix the fundamental problems Skull and Bones has, but Ubisoft's apparent obligation to the Singapore Government means the company can't just cancel it.

 

[method115]

Skull and Bones has been sent out to playtesters, and the feedback isn't really encouraging

https://insider-gaming.com/skull-an...ith-playtesters-but-it-should-release-anyway/

I got invited to play it but never did.

 

[rikwebb]

I got invited to play it but never did.

I've seen someone say i saw i had an invite in my junk folder and left it there, not gonna lie i got a chuckle out of that one

 

[avenue94]

Skull and Bones has been sent out to playtesters, and the feedback isn't really encouraging

https://insider-gaming.com/skull-an...ith-playtesters-but-it-should-release-anyway/

Ubisoft is really trying to give Duke Nukem Forever a run for its money in predictably bad releases.

 

[rikwebb]

Looking like none of the big 3 will be at E3 this year (Normally lately its been Sony skipping out)

 

[Valhoven]

Looking like none of the big 3 will be at E3 this year (Normally lately its been Sony skipping out)

Oof. E3 reminds me of Netflix in a way. Got in early in pioneering fashion and proved a force, then biggest attractions over time opt to stage their own expos of a kind and be equally or more a draw. Thoughts on this being a continuation of end harbingers for the trade show or rather an opportunity for smaller industry efforts to step up and shine?

 

[rikwebb]

Oof. E3 reminds me of Netflix in a way. Got in early in pioneering fashion and proved a force, then biggest attractions over time opt to stage their own expos of a kind and be equally or more a draw. Thoughts on this being a continuation of end harbingers for the trade show or rather an opportunity for smaller industry efforts to step up and shine?

I think the success of having thier own shows over the last couple of years have helped. No time restraints, plus with PS Studios/SIE and Microsoft Games growing the way they have been over the last couple of years, smaller timeslots for shows aren't going to be enough any longer. And all 3 now going the route of a bigger summer showing (apart fom Sony last year) and smaller ones sprinkled through the year instead of one big blowout seems to be working. Plus theres Geoff-fest aswell to content with.

 

[rikwebb]

Embracer have sold the Tomb Raider rights to Amazon for somewhere around $600m, Amazon were already going to publish the next game and now looking at doing interconnected game, tv and film releases with the IP

https://www.videogameschronicle.com...urn-tomb-raider-into-a-marvel-like-franchise/

Info here too: https://fellowshipoffans.com/news/w...of-the-rings-the-hobbit-franchises-exclusive/

Embracer Group just sold their 'Tomb Raider' rights to Amazon for a deal that we can exclusively reveal as being approximately a 600 Million overall package making it Amazon's second biggest purchase after purchasing the television rights for 'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power'. Therefore, this puts into perspective the cost and prices that Embracer maybe looking for.

 

[avenue94]

Oof. E3 reminds me of Netflix in a way. Got in early in pioneering fashion and proved a force, then biggest attractions over time opt to stage their own expos of a kind and be equally or more a draw. Thoughts on this being a continuation of end harbingers for the trade show or rather an opportunity for smaller industry efforts to step up and shine?

Little column A, little column B. I was at CES and Sony still had one of the largest areas. But once your big enough, having your own event you can control with no distractions is the way to go sadly.

Embracer have sold the Tomb Raider rights to Amazon for somewhere around $600m, Amazon were already going to publish the next game and now looking at doing interconnected game, tv and film releases with the IP

I'm curious if Embracer will eventually just sell off development of Tomb Raider gamers given they've had a miesrable run of AAA releases recently. But over all, lines up strategy wise with Embracer's buying spree of all the comic books they could get their hands on.

 

[Valhoven]

Some mobile news from EA on cancelled versus ongoing productions:

​

 

[Valhoven]

The Tomb Raider (gaming) property feels been there, done that to me in addition to it already having seen media adaptation in the lane Prime today finds itself. And Amazon is hot to acquire the rights for little over half a billion?

I must be off on reading today's draw of the property then because I see coal not fire here in the long term. Amazon wants inroads into the gamerverse so bad they've blinkers on.

Here's current Amazon Games breakdown by division. What are any of these outfits doing? Real question. Because I don't know.

• Relentless Studios (formerly Amazon Game Studios Seattle) is an American video development studio based in Seattle, Washington. It is most known for developing the cancelled title Crucible in 2020.

• Amazon Games Orange County (formerly Amazon Game Studios Orange County and Double Helix Games) is an American video development studio based in Irvine, California. It is most known for developing the title New World which was released in September 2021.

• Amazon Games San Diego (formerly Amazon Game Studios San Diego) is an American video game development studio based in San Diego, California.

• Amazon Games Montreal is a Canadian video game development studio based in Montreal, Quebec.

 

[rikwebb]

Little column A, little column B. I was at CES and Sony still had one of the largest areas. But once your big enough, having your own event you can control with no distractions is the way to go sadly.

I'm curious if Embracer will eventually just sell off development of Tomb Raider gamers given they've had a miesrable run of AAA releases recently. But over all, lines up strategy wise with Embracer's buying spree of all the comic books they could get their hands on.

The rights involve the games too, Crystal Dynamics are still making the next game though, after that who knows? Embracer bought all that Square stuff for $300m and already made double that figure just for one IP sale

The Tomb Raider (gaming) property feels been there, done that to me in addition to it already having seen media adaptation in the lane Prime today finds itself. And Amazon is hot to acquire the rights for little over half a billion?

I must be off on reading today's draw of the property then because I see coal not fire here in the long term. Amazon wants inroads into the gamerverse so bad they've blinkers on.

Here's current Amazon Games breakdown by division. What are any of these outfits doing? Real question. Because I don't know.

• Relentless Studios (formerly Amazon Game Studios Seattle) is an American video development studio based in Seattle, Washington. It is most known for developing the cancelled title Crucible in 2020.

• Amazon Games Orange County (formerly Amazon Game Studios Orange County and Double Helix Games) is an American video development studio based in Irvine, California. It is most known for developing the title New World which was released in September 2021.

• Amazon Games San Diego (formerly Amazon Game Studios San Diego) is an American video game development studio based in San Diego, California.

• Amazon Games Montreal is a Canadian video game development studio based in Montreal, Quebec.

Orange County - New World is an MMO so upkeep/content for that constantly

Relentless also worked on New World

San Diego - has several projects but they've just lost thier studio head who formally was at Sony Online Entertainment

Montreal - New IP multiplayer game

 

[rikwebb]

Platinum are celebrating the 10 year Metal Gear Rising anniversary with something to do with some sort of Art

Actual source

 

[avenue94]

The rights involve the games too, Crystal Dynamics are still making the next game though, after that who knows? Embracer bought all that Square stuff for $300m and already made double that figure just for one IP sale

Yeah, not a bad turnaround on the investment. They also announced Netflix is getting the Tombraider mobile game, so I guess that deal isn't exclusive, or Netflix signed before the deal.

 

[rikwebb]

Yeah, not a bad turnaround on the investment. They also announced Netflix is getting the Tombraider mobile game, so I guess that deal isn't exclusive, or Netflix signed before the deal.

is that tomb raider go? I've got that on ps4 / vita along with the hitman one. Not too bad from what i remember

 

[avenue94]

is that tomb raider go? I've got that on ps4 / vita along with the hitman one. Not too bad from what i remember

Looks like Tomb Raider Reloaded