Latest Overwatch Developer Diary Confirms New Heroes On The Way

The newest Overwatch developer diary with Jeff Kaplan confirms that new heroes and levels are currently being tested.

The video is mostly a celebration of what Blizzard has accomplished with Overwatch over the last year, including three new heroes, new levels, and a death match mode which Kaplan acknowledges the team said they would never do but feel good about now.

Kaplan announces the newest hero, Hero #27, is currently being internally tested. There are also other heroes currently in development following 27. Considering Blizzard initially didn't commit to any heroes beyond the first round of DLC, it is heartening to know that they're continuing to add more in 2018.

Check out the video below to commemorate 2017 in Overwatch.

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Sumo Digital Acquires EVE Valkyrie Developer

EVE: Valkyrie developer CCP Newcastle is joining Sumo Digital, developers of Crackdown 3 and Dead Island 2.

The announcement came today from Sumo Digital, which is bringing in 34 new employees from CCP Newcastle and renaming the studio Sumo Digital Newcastle in the United Kingdom. The news comes a few months after CCP announced that the developer would be shutting down VR development within the studio.

Sumo Digital is known for their large variety of different products, which ranges from Sonic All-Stars Racing to Crackdown 3's single player. They were picked by publisher Deep Silver to develop Dead Island 2 after removing the game from Yaeger's development in 2015.

Crackdown 3 is scheduled for release on Xbox One and PC in 2018.

from www.GameInformer.com - The Feed http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2018/01/02/sumo-digital-acquires-eve-valkyrie-developer.aspx

The Top 100 RPGs Of All Time

In the early days of gaming, identifying role-playing games was easy. The focus on story, exploration, and character progression was distinct from the platformers and action titles that dominated the industry. These qualities earned RPGs a reputation as the longest, most immersive, and most complex experiences available.

Over the years, the borders defining RPGs eroded. The genre’s core concepts incubated and evolved, while other types of games borrowed and applied the mechanics that made RPGs successful. That includes levelling up, upgrading abilities, equipping gear, forming relationships, fighting through dungeons, and more. Today, you can hardly find any release – from strategy games to side-scrollers – without a trace of the RPG genetic code.

This list is a celebration of the genre’s incredible impact; these are the best 100 games that exist at the intersection of narrative, combat, exploration, and progression. Each title strikes a unique balance among those elements, occasionally even pushing the boundaries of what we would traditionally call an RPG. Some of the entries have historical influence, some embody an entire era, and some are just really fun – but all of them have played major roles in shaping the identity of this entertaining and ever-expanding genre.

This feature originally appeared in issue 290 of Game Informer magazine.

Next: See which RPGs fought their way into the first 20 spots on our list.

from www.GameInformer.com - The Feed http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2018/01/01/the-top-100-rpgs-of-all-time.aspx

The Sports Desk – AO Tennis Serves Up The Australian Open

It's January, which means that The Australian Open has the distinction of starting off a new year of tennis with a Grand Slam bang. The tournament starts on January 10, and Melbourne, Australia developer Big Ant Studios (click for more on them) has the official video game license for the tournament. AO Tennis on PS4 and Xbox One is out on January 16th in Australia and New Zealand, and later in March in America and Europe.

Game Informer Australia editor David Milner recently got his hands on the game, and had some positive things to say about Big Ant's first tennis title.

GAMEPLAY 

"It feels very much like Top Spin," says Milner, which is a good sign for the title. Face buttons control your shot type like a slice shot or lob, and the right bumper is used for a drop shot. Timing is important, and power is generated by holding down the button longer at the risk of over-cooking your shot out of bounds. The game aims to replicate the strategy of using different shots, power, and placement to setup your opponent before putting them away. Milner says it's "hugely satisfying" to jerk your opponent around from side to side on the court or catch them going the wrong way and unable to adjust to your next shot. "The foundations felt solid over the hour we spent with it." 

LICENSING POWER 

AO Tennis has licensed big-name players like Raphael Nadal and Angelique Kerber, and includes dozens of other tennis stars. Not all the players in the actual Australian Open are featured in the game – with Roger Federer a big exception – but Milner says that Big Ant has mo-capped Federer and hopes to include the player at a later date if a deal should eventually go through. The studio has a history of updating titles after release, so hopefully the game continues to grow.

One positive aspect of Big Ant's licensing for the Australian Open is that it has shot-tracking data from the last 10 Australian Opens. This give the studio a foundation upon which to base its A.I. player behavior. If the data shows that Nadal likes to go down the line 70 percent of the time from a certain position on the court, he should do so in the game.

THE ACE IN ITS ARSENAL 

The game isn't just centered around the Australian Open – it also features a career mode and clay and grass surfaces as well. Moreover, like other Big Ant titles, it offers customization in the form of a player creator. Community creations can be uploaded and shared, and this includes created logos, clothing, and stadiums. So, while the game's licensing might not cover all the bases, once again Big Ant has given the community tools to work around the problem.

Hopefully I can get my hands on the game soon myself, and have more to report on it for what's already shaping up to be a year with some serious tennis video game options.

Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the game's creation at Big Ant. 
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Missed some of the previous Sports Desk entries? Take a look at the past installments via our Hub page by clicking on the banner below.

Have a suggestion or comment? Put it in the comments section below, send me an email, or reach me on twitter at @mattkato.

 

THE TICKER
A quick rundown of some of the sports news from the week

NBA Live 18 and NBA 2K18 Get Nike City Jerseys 

DDS: Pro Football 2018 & DDS: College Football 2018 Get Patches 
The pro game gets weather, coach editing, and more (2.0.6), and the college title adds coach editing, two new teams, and other extras.

from www.GameInformer.com - The Feed http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2018/01/01/the-sports-desk-ao-tennis-serves-up-the-australian-open.aspx

The Geek's Guide To Movies In 2018

As 2018 starts revving its engines, it's time to look forward to all the great entertainment we'll be receiving in the year to come. Of course, we'll have plenty to talk about in terms of upcoming games, but what about when you're not gaming? Thankfully, even if you want to just sit back, relax, and enjoy a movie that's relevant to your interests, Hollywood more than has you covered. We already saw the onslaught of nerdy films in 2017, and 2018 is shaping up to be chock full of comic book and nerd-culture movies as well. This list doesn't even include TV series, such as Jessica Jones season 2 or the return of The Walking Dead. Instead, this list is focusing solely on movies.

Check out the nerdy movies of 2018 below and join us in figuring out which ones are worth braving the crowds at your local theater.

Maze Runner: The Death Cure - January 26
After four years, the popular Maze Runner series finally reaches its conclusion with Maze Runner: The Death Cure. The story follows Thomas and his group as they try to break into the Last City and best the most dangerous labyrinth yet.

View Trailer

Black Panther - February 16
In the final Marvel Cinematic Universe film in the lead-up to Infinity War, Black Panther gives us the opportunity to get to know one of Civil War's breakout stars: T'Challa aka Black Panther. With an incredible cast that features Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, and Lupita Nyong'o, and a story that features the titular hero working to prevent a new World War from breaking out, Black Panther looks both exciting and promising.

View Trailer

Annihilation - February 23
A science-fiction film based on the novel by Jeff VanderMeer, Annihilation features a biologist thrusting herself into a dangerous expedition in order to find answers about her missing husband.

View Trailer

A Wrinkle in Time - March 9
The 1962 novel by Madeleine L'Engel serves as the base for this star-studded film with Storm Reid, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Oprah Winfrey, Zach Galifianakis, Chris Pine, and more. With a mind-bending astrophysics-based premise, A Wrinkle in Time will likely end up a stunning visual treat that is best experienced in theaters.

View Trailer

Tomb Raider - March 16
Though Angelina Jolie is no longer Lara Croft, Alicia Vikander looks more than capable stepping into the shoes of one of gaming's greatest adventurers. Though movies based on video games are rarely good, Lara Croft's gritty, grounded tale from the recent games hopefully lends to its transition to live-action film.

View Trailer

Pacific Rim: Uprising - March 23
The kaiju are at it again! This time, the action takes place ten years in the future, as humanity recovers and learns from the attack in the first film. John Boyega joins the cast as humanity is once again pushed to the brink of extinction at the hands (claws?) of massive monsters.

View Trailer

Ready Player One - March 30
Ernest Cline's popular science-fiction novel is finally coming to the big screen. Helmed by Steven Spielberg, the film centers around the entire world searching for a secret within virtual reality. For fans of gaming, the film is sure to feature loads of references and nods to not only games, but pop culture as a whole. We've already spotted Freddy Krueger, Duke Nukem, Tracer, Chun-Li, and more in the trailers.

View Trailer

The New Mutants - April 13
Though the Marvel Cinematic Universe is often credited for its ability to fit superhero films into multiple genres, Fox is trying something even more ambitious with The New Mutants. Rather than relying on action or comedy, this film leans heaviest on the horror genre. Inspired by the works of Stephen King and John Hughes, this could be an X-Men film like no other.

View Trailer

Rampage - April 20
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson leads this loose adaptation of the classic arcade monster-fighting game series of the same name. Johnson knows something is amiss when George, the albino silverback gorilla he cares for, begins growing at an alarming rate. What follows looks to be a popcorn-munching thrill ride as massive creatures face off as humanity has little say in the matter.

View Trailer

Super Troopers 2 - April 20
It's been a long time since we heard from the Super Troopers – 17 years to be exact. That isn't stopping fans of the original to be excited for this long-awaited sequel about the misadventures of a ragtag group of unqualified, bumbling state troopers. Of course it launches on April 20. Of course.

View Trailer

Avengers: Infinity War - May 4
In a world full of cinematic universes, the definitive cinematic universe is about to reach its climax. Every film in the MCU – from 2008's Iron Man to 2018's Black Panther – has built to this moment. In those ten years, we've been introduced to a huge cast of superheroes, including The Avengers and The Guardians of the Galaxy. We'll finally get to witness how these heroes come together to battle the impending threat of the Infinity Gauntlet-donning Thanos in a movie that is sure to send ripples through the MCU and change the lives of the superheroes we've watched over the last decade.

View Trailer

Solo: A Star Wars Story - May 25
Though we likely won't ever again see Harrison Ford reprising the role of the most infamous smuggler in the galaxy far, far away, Alden Ehrenreich is set to fill those shoes in the second "Star Wars Story" film, Solo. The movie also features Donald Glover, Emilia Clarke, and Woody Harrelson, and gives us our first look at a young Han Solo.

Deadpool 2 - June 1
The world's most irreverent and self-aware superhero returns, with Ryan Reynolds stepping back into the role of the Merc with the Mouth. The first film gave us a good look at Wade Wilson's origin story, so we should be able to jump right into the action with this sequel. Though the inclusion of Cable (portrayed by Josh Brolin) has garnered a lot of hype, we're just as excited to see the return of Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead.

View Trailer

Ocean's Eight - June 8
Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, and Awkwafina make up an all-new heist group in this spin-off sequel to the star-studded Ocean's Trilogy from last decade. Some characters from the original trilogy are set to make cameo appearances, but this new tale focuses on a group led by Debbie Ocean, the sister of Danny Ocean, as they attempt to pull off a heist at New York City's Met Gala.

The Incredibles 2 - June 15
The delightful computer-animated superhero movie from Pixar finally gets its sequel 14 years later. The Incredibles 2 continues the story of the Parr family, who is still struggling to maintain normal lives as a family of superheroes. This movie also sees Samuel L. Jackson reprise his role as the icy hero Frozone.

View Trailer

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom - June 22
Set four years after the events of Jurassic World, Fallen Kingdom shows the aftermath and repercussions of the experiment gone wrong in the last film. Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Jeff Goldblum return in this sequel to one of the highest-grossing films of all time.

View Trailer

On the next page, we look at how the second half of the year is shaping up.

from www.GameInformer.com - The Feed http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2018/01/01/geek-guide-to-2018-movies-comic-book-star-wars.aspx

Best Digital Card Games To Kick Off The New Year

The digital card game space has a ton of options, and whether you like orcs or Pokémon, there's something out there for you. With so many choices, it can be tough to find a good fit. Here are my picks for digital trading card games you should check out as we head into 2018.

Hearthstone

The Kobolds and Catacombs expansion delivers, breathing lots of new life to Blizzard's classic. If you're not a daily player who's interested in climbing the ladder or participating in PVP, the single-player Dungeon Run content is amazing, free, and accessible to everyone - even if you don't have a collection to speak of. Even if you're not chasing dragons, summoning up legendary weapons, or becoming a Death Knight, Hearthstone continues to crush it on content offerings. If you are into the PVP, a wealth of new cards offer new play strategies and takes on old archetypes. So what are you waiting for? There are decks out there that aren't Jade Druid waiting to play you, I swear! While the Dungeon Run is well suited to the theme of Kobolds and Catacombs, it's something I hope to see lots more of in the future - maybe even 2018!

HEX: Shards of Fate

Hex has quietly continued to push out significant content updates (check out our original review here). 2017 gave the game an icy expansion landscape that added a number of interesting new mechanics, like the Verdict - essentially your opponent picking from the lesser of two evils from a semi-randomized pool every time you trigger the ability. It's a lot more fun than I'm making it sound here. On top of that, there are gladiator gnolls by the truckload, sweet new transform mechanics, and the Portal ability. Portal cards transform in your hand every turn, meaning that your opportunities are constantly and continually shifting over the course of a game. 2017 was one of the best years for the game in terms of card design, so if you've been sleeping on this one maybe now is the time to jump in.

Pokémon TCG Online

Pokémon can sometimes be left out of the greater online card game conversation, but it definitely shouldn't be. The online version of the physical card game has a lot to offer, even for starting players. You don't have to worry about being steamrolled by EX Pokémon or super rare evolution, as a novice or entry-level player can dive right in with a theme deck and only be paired against other players using the same restriction. This lets you learn the game or take on players with an even playing field, and as your collection grows you can dip into tournaments or constructed play. As you play, cards and in-game currency are kicked out at a good clip, with big rewards going to those that commit to playing a lot during an in-game season.

Eternal

Eternal just got a new update that adds day/night mechanics to the game, and is a great option for those looking for something of a mix between Magic: The Gathering and Hearthstone philosophies. A huge variety of game modes and a solid reward structure complement each other, and the draft format is hard to beat if you're a fan of limited-style gameplay. If you're looking for something off the well-worn digital card game trail that has a great foundation and lots of room to grow, check it out!

Gwent

This game has been in beta for what seems like forever, but don't let that stop you! Over 100 cards just got thrown in the mix for the holidays, and they shake up the established decks quite a bit and offer some much-needed new ways to build out. Gwent is a highly-strategic affair, being one of the few players in the space that doesn't have "casting costs" on cards but instead plays out somewhat more like a board game where you're always trying to piece together exactly what your opponent is holding, and how much you need to commit to any given situation. Gwent's complete philosophical disconnect from everything else out there makes it a refreshing and interesting play, especially if you're looking to shake the chains of resource cards and making a deck that ramps up for maximum efficiency.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links

We finally got Yu-Gi-Oh's best game on Steam in 2017. A port of the mobile version, it's a great way to play with and as all your favorite characters from the original series (and now as Yu-Gi-Oh! GX characters too!). That's right, you can summon up your Ancient Gear Golem as Dr. Crowler and live the dream, or go with more classic fare like Joey and his Red Eyes Black Dragon. The game is surprisingly fair with currency and progression considering it comes from the cell phone game world, and often has two to three events all running at the same time to keep the cards coming in. There are new sets and characters coming all the time, so you can jump into the new hotness for the metagame without worrying about being completely destroyed by people who have been playing since the start. It's time to duel!

from www.GameInformer.com - The Feed http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2018/01/01/best-digital-card-games-to-kick-off-the-new-year.aspx

The Games Andrew Reiner Finished In 2017

I have a family. I have friends. I try to balance work and play. That said, seeing the credits roll in over 50 games in a year's time is a somewhat ridiculous feat. Many late nights were spent completing what I believed was the final mission or act in a game, only to realize I was nowhere close. I kept playing. I valued game time over sleep. That's a sacrifice I make every time. A foolish sacrifice all for the love of the game.

The number of games I finished line up with my efforts in the last couple of years, yet I feel like I didn't do a good enough job of seeing everything I needed to this year. I only logged 30 hours into Persona 5, saw only one ending in Nier: Automata, and didn't touch Yakuza 0. I usually don't miss the "big" or "noteworthy" games in a year, but I feel I didn't see three of them in 2017. I gave Nier and Persona 5 legitimate shots, but maybe didn't see them to the points where I would truly understand what makes them special. I enjoyed both immensely, but not enough to say I truly get them.

So what did I finish? I was all over the map this year, playing everything from weird walking simulators like Blackwood Crossing to being blown away by the story in Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus. I found myself wanting to play more of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Assassin's Creed Origins, yet cut myself off once the credits flashed onto screen. I had to stay mobile and move on to something else.

Call me a hypocrite if you want, but I played Overwatch more than anything this year. Yes, that time could have gone to Persona 5 and Nier: Automata, but Overwatch was time spent with friends – both lifelong and new people I've come to adore just by gaming with them.

I also continued playing Pokémon Go and Clash Royale, but only when I was away from my gaming systems. Yes, I know I can take Switch on the go, but, well, okay, I should probably play more Zelda than Clash. You got me there.

As always, I would love to see the lists of games you completed. Just drop them in the comments section below. If you have comments on any of the games you see (many didn't get GI reviews), I'll gladly respond. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm close to finishing my first game of 2018!

Aaero
Among the Sleep
Ape Escape (Super Replay)
Arms
Assassin’s Creed Origins
The Assembly
Battle Chef Brigade
Blackwood Crossing
The Bunker
Candleman
Crash Bandicoot
Crash Bandicoot 2
Crash Bandicoot: Warped
Dark Arcana: The Carnival
Destiny 2
DuckTales
DuckTales 2
Embers of Mirrim
Energy Cycle
Eventide: Slavic Fable
For Honor
Four Sided Fantasy
Get Even
Golf Story
Grim Legends 2: Song of the Dark Swan
Horizon Zero Dawn
Injustice 2
Jettomero: Hero of the Universe
Knack II
Layers of Fear
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Lego Ninjago Movie Video Game
Little Nightmares
Livelock
Lost Grimoires: Stolen Memories
Madden NFL 18 (Longshot)
Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle
Mass Effect Andromeda
Metal Slug
Metal Slug 2
Mr. Pumpkin Adventure
Night in the Woods
Planet of the Eyes
Prey
Resident Evil 7 Biohazard
Sonic the Hedgehog 06 (Super Replay)
South Park: The Fractured But Whole
Star Fox 2
Star Wars Battlefront II
Super Mario Odyssey
The Surge
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
What Remains of Edith Finch
The Witness
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus
Your Toy

By the Years:
2017 – 56
2016 – 57
2015 – 52
2014 – 45
2013 – 48
2012 – 48
2011 – 70

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