Sherbytes: Industry News Megathread, v.2

[Valhoven]

Disney were the victims of a data hack via Slack, (1.1tb of data taken).

Part of the info that was stolen was stuff to do with Disney's partnership with Epic for Fortnite and information on a Aliens Fireteam Elite Sequel

Spoiler: Info slides on AFE2

This will only worsen, I imagine. AT&T just revealed a massive breach of virtually every AT&T customer – sensitive info and metadata of 100+ million users for sale. Sad thing is they announce the breach now with the hack having happened 3 months ago.

 

[Strychnine]

2.2 Million People Were Willing to Pay $100 to Play College Football 25 3 Days Early​

"An incredible 2.2 million unique players played College Football 25 during its early access period, showing millions of people were willing to pay more to play the game early.

Paying more for Deluxe Editions of games in order to get a head start on those who wait for the official release date has become the norm, with a number of triple-A publishers selling early access as part of expensive editions of their games.

College Football 25 is the latest to do it, granting three days of early access for a pre-order of the $99.99 Deluxe Edition on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S. Doing so would mean you were able to play from July 16, rather than having to wait until today, July 19 to jump in."

2.2 Million People Were Willing to Pay $100 to Play College Football 25 3 Days Early - IGN

An incredible 2.2 million unique players played College Football 25 during its early access period, showing millions of people were willing to pay more to play the game early.

www.ign.com

 

[KaNesDeath]

Uh oh

https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/processors/amd-delays-ryzen-9000-series-retail-launch-by-a-couple-of-weeks-after-discovering-an-issue-with-the-first-batch-of-chips/

 

[KaNesDeath]

World of Warcraft development team at Blizzard have unionized:

World of Warcraft developers form Blizzard’s largest and most inclusive union

QA workers in Blizzard’s Austin office have also organized.

www.theverge.com

 

[Dizzy]

 

[method115]

I had one of these games on my PC and I loved it. I never got very far but always wanted to play these games again. Sounds like it will just be a typical resolution bump so not for me but maybe it will force a new game or remake.

 

[KaNesDeath]

Incoming video game workers strike:

Video game performers to go on strike

The strike goes into effect at 12:01AM on July 26th.

www.theverge.com

 

[Dizzy]

I had one of these games on my PC and I loved it. I never got very far but always wanted to play these games again. Sounds like it will just be a typical resolution bump so not for me but maybe it will force a new game or remake.

The original was one of my favorite Dreamcast games. I loved the lore and exploration. It was a bit of a 3D metroidvania.

Disappointed it’s not a ground up remake but they’ve done a lot with remasters lately. The new Dead Rising is labeled a remaster and it looks incredibly good. I’d still like to have the titles easily accessible though so I’ll likely pick it up.

 

[Valhoven]

Incoming video game workers strike:

Video game performers to go on strike

The strike goes into effect at 12:01AM on July 26th.

www.theverge.com

Interesting. These two paragraphs nutshell the situation well, IMO:

SAG-AFTRA’s website has a lengthy list of prohibited activities, including singing, acting, dancing, performing motion capture, rehearsals, auditions, and more. Advertising for struck work is also prohibited, which would potentially impact games being promoted at San Diego Comic-Con, but SAG-AFTRA included a clause explaining games at SDCC would be exempt from strike action.

In September of last year, SAG-AFTRA voted to authorize a strike around the same time the Hollywood actors and writers strikes were winding down. As with those strikes, the use of AI was one of the major sticking points with concerns the technology could be used to replace workers. SAG-AFTRA has already made some deals regarding the use of AI in video game production, signing an agreement with AI voice company Replica Studios. The agreement permits SAG-AFTRA members to work exclusively with Replica to create digital replications of their voice that can then be licensed out with agreements in place for length of use and compensation.

 

[My Spot]

Soul Reaver still looks great at 4k on Flycast and the DC version is the only one at 60 FPS without breaking the game.

 

[Flower2dPeople]

 

[rikwebb]

Opencritic has been aqcuired by Valnet Inc (Dual Shockers, Game Rant and a few others)

Valnet Inc. Acquires OpenCritic.com, Expanding Gaming Portfolio with Leading Review Aggregation Platform

OpenCritic Joins the Valnet Gaming Portfolio.

gamerant.com

 

[Valhoven]

WB Games acquisition rumors resurfacing. Legs? Not sure MSFT can pull it off post-ATVI.

 

[rikwebb]

WB Games acquisition rumors resurfacing. Legs? Not sure MSFT can pull it off post-ATVI.

Its not a full sale just a stake for sale for possible partnerships

Client Challenge

Zaslav and Wiedenfels are instead looking to offload smaller assets. They are considering offers to sell Polish broadcaster TVN or a stake in Warner's video games business, which holds valuable intellectual property to Harry Potter games, said people familiar with the matter.

 

[avenue94]

Its not a full sale just a stake for sale for possible partnerships

Client Challenge

Sounds perfect for Tencent.

 

[Valhoven]

The next game from WolfEye Studios (Weird West) will make Dishonored and Prey fans "happy", says creative director and ex-Arkane president Raphael Colantino.

The team will reveal more about the title "in a few days", said to be a first person retro sci-fi RPG (pictured below).

 

[GearSolidMetal]

 

[method115]

MP 1&2 remake I'm really looking forward to. I'm trying not to get hyped for it but I just have a feeling Remedy is going to kill it with these remakes.

 

[My Spot]

I can't wait to mod Max's permanent constipated face model back into the remake of 1.

 

[rikwebb]

So it looks like the recently closed Tango Gameworks studio is being revived by Krafton and it's also bought the rights to High Fi Rush (MS are keeping Evil Within and Ghostwire) and will be expanding on it

Tango Gameworks taken over and "revived" by PUBG publisher Krafton, with plans to expand Hi-Fi Rush IP - AUTOMATON WEST

Two months after its abrupt closure, Tango Gameworks is being brought back to life by Korean publisher Krafton.

automaton-media.com

After abruptly closing its doors in May this year to the shock of fans and fellow developers, Japanese game studio Tango Gameworks is set to resume its activities under Krafton. The South Korean publisher announced on August 12 that it has taken over Tango Gameworks and welcomed its employees with the cooperation of Microsoft and ZeniMax Media. Krafton also has plans for the Hi-Fi Rush IP, which it has acquired rights to.

Founded by Resident Evil director Shinji Mikami in 2010, Tango Gameworks quickly went on to be acquired by ZeniMax Media, the owner of Bethesda Softworks. From there, the studio developed The Evil Within series, Ghostwire: Tokyo, and the universally acclaimed Hi-Fi Rush. In the meantime, the developer became a part of Microsoft, which acquired ZeniMax Media in 2021.

Former Xbox studio Tango Gameworks and 'Hi-Fi Rush' have been acquired by PUBG's Krafton Inc, saving it from closure

Krafton is picking up former Xbox team Tango Gameworks as well as Hi-Fi Rush, revealed today.

www.windowscentral.com

Microsoft closed Tango Gameworks earlier this year, as part of a round of layoffs that saw various Xbox studios closed. Tango was known for games like the aforementioned high-octane rhythm-brawler Hi-Fi Rush, as well as survival horror franchise The Evil Within. Tango was initially established in 2010 by Shinji Mikami of Resident Evil fame, with the studio coming across to Microsoft as part of the ZeniMax acquisition.


"Krafton Inc today welcomed the talented people of Tango Gameworks to their team, marking a exciting moment in the company's global expansion and its first significant investment in the Japanese video game market," the press release reads. "This strategic move will include the rights to Tango Gameworks' acclaimed IP, Hi-Fi RUSH."


The fact Hi-Fi Rush is heading across also heavily suggests that a sequel will most likely emerge from the partnership. However, franchises like Ghostwire: Tokyo, and The Evil Within will remain with Microsoft. Both Krafton and Microsoft emphasized that there will be no impact on the existing catalog of games, which will remain available in Xbox Game Pass and other storefronts they're presently on.

In a statement to Windows Central, a Microsoft spokesperson shared the following: "We're working with Krafton to enable the team at Tango Gameworks to continue to build games together and we look forward to playing their next great game. There will be no impact to the existing catalog of Tango games."