Tag Archives: development

Train2Game News Lovecraft World for Google Assistant!?

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Just AI, the international vendor of conversational AI tools and technologies, today announced the release of Lovecraft World for Google Assistant and Google Nest Hub smart display. The release marks the first-ever voice-controlled animated game of its kind for smart displays.

With 100 million households set to own a smart display by 2023 and 90 million adults already smart speaker owners, platforms must provide immersive content to attract and retain consumers. Gaming is poised to play an instrumental part in the shaping of these newly burgeoning markets with platforms such as smart displays offering distinct advantages over traditional mobile gaming. Pairing voice with smart screen elements further unlocks content creation possibilities by enabling immersive gaming experiences developed in a comic style for quicker gaming production and better results.

Just AI’s Lovecraft World game is a thrilling interactive audio story based on Howard Lovecraft’s “Call of Cthulhu” book and provides players with over 60 scenes with unique video content. Each episode consists of one minute of action, followed by an interactive component in which the player is asked to choose the next step from multiple scenarios or to solve a puzzle. Some of the choices presented to the player could be the wrong ones, in which case the player must start from the last checkpoint.

Lovecraft World is the third voice-game released by Just AI, after previous games that included interactive dramas for smart speakers, and Da, Milord, which amassed 1.5 million players on Google Assistant and Yandex’s assistant, Alice. Just AI also provides open-source tools by which other developers can create voice games for voice assistant platforms and smart displays.

The Lovecraft World game was built using the open-source Kotlin-based framework JAICF and Google Interactive Canvas framework. JAICF allows the development of agile and complex conversational voice apps and integrates them natively with game engines. The Google Interactive Canvas framework delivers rich and addictive gaming mechanics and effects to the Google Nest smart display along with the porting of existing web-browser games (like games for Facebook) to Google smart displays. 

“Just AI’s launch of Lovecraft on Google Assistant devices is a pioneering moment in smart display games, as it marks one of the first times that both voice and touch controls are integrated into the gaming experience,” said Kirill Petrov, CEO and Founder, of Just AI. “Aside from creating a great game, Just AI is showing other developers what is possible and providing even more of the top-notch content that players love.”

To experience Lovecraft World go to https://just-ai.com/en/lovecraft-world/

Train2Game News Marvel’ Avengers Available Now

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On Friday, SQUARE ENIX® made Marvel’s Avengers available worldwide for the PlayStation®4, Xbox One, PC, and Stadia.

Marvel’s Avengers offers players a truly rich experience and combines the single player focused Reassemble story campaign with the ongoing Avengers Initiative’s War Zone missions, which take the Avengers around the world and beyond. Each mission in the Reassemble campaign is designed to showcase one or more hero’s unique abilities, while the Avengers Initiative missions can be played solo with your own custom AI team or with a group of up to four players as any Hero in the player’s roster.
 
“At its heart, Marvel’s Avengers is a game about hope in a modern Super Hero setting,” said Shaun Escayg, creative director for Marvel’s Avengers at developer Crystal Dynamics. “Our original story campaign features Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel, as the point-of-view focus who is unflappably optimistic, and she uses her passion, natural curiosity, gifted intellect, and emerging powers to expose a conspiracy, leading her on an adventure to re-assemble and re-build the Avengers to their former glory.”
 
To ensure a continuing heroic experience for all players, the narrative of Marvel’s Avengers will expand over time, with the addition of new stories featuring new heroes, villains, mission types, regions, items, and more delivered to players at no additional cost once they own the core game. These stories move the entire Marvel’s Avengers narrative world forward on a multi-year arc, and all new missions are accessible to the entire roster of playable heroes.
 
Fans won’t have to wait long for this new content, either. The game’s first post-launch content season, focused on the recently announced Kate Bishop and her iconic mentor Hawkeye, Clint Barton, begins just weeks after launch with mysterious new Tachyon missions. Kate’s Operation, “Taking AIM,” kicks off in late October featuring a new villain and new mystery. Kate, an Olympic-caliber gymnast and master archer, comes with her own distinct set of Heroic Skills, outfits, and takedowns to unlock and master just like the core launch Heroes.
 
“Taking AIM” begins shortly after the conclusion of the game’s Reassemble campaign and is just the first half of the two Hawkeyes’ Story Arc. Clint Barton’s Hawkeye takes the stage in November to complete the double-feature arc and set the stage for what’s next. All of these new missions are playable with the entire roster of heroes, and all of this content, including heroes, villains, game modes, missions, gear, and more will be made available at no cost to all owners of the Marvel’s Avengers core game.
 
Players in Marvel’s Avengers are also able to customize Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in a number of ways. While each Super Hero plays true to their unique power sets, each has the flexibility to play differently based on the gear players equip and the skills they enable, so no two player’s heroes play in exactly the same way. Each hero has dynamic combo systems, heroic moves,  intrinsic abilities, and signature move sets to unlock and customize – many inspired by classic moves from over 80 years of Marvel history across all media, while others are crafted as originals just for the game.
 
Players can also dress the iconic Super Heroes with classic, fan-favorite, and all-new original outfits, including Iron Man’s suit from the 2014 Original Sin storyline, or Thor’s Donald Blake identity, which is a nod to an alias of Thor’s who first appeared in 1962’s Journey into Mystery issue #83.

Marvel’s Avengers will be available on PlayStation®5 and Xbox Series X when the consoles launch in 2020. Players who own the current-gen version of the game will be able to upgrade to the next-gen version at no additional cost, regardless if players are moving from PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5 or Xbox One to Xbox Series X. Those moving their saves to next-gen will transfer their player profiles and progression so they can pick up right where they left off. In addition, cross-gen play will be supported so PS5™ players will be able to play with their friends on PS4™ and Xbox Series X players can connect with their friends on Xbox One.

Train2Game News Esports Life Tycoon

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From the creators of the bestseller Youtubers Life comes Esports Life Tycoon, the MOBA manager spin-off!

Raiser Games and U-Play Online announce today the official Steam release of the game with the 1.0 release update, leaving Early Access after one year. In celebration of the launch, Steam players can purchase Esports Life Tycoon for a special discounted price until September 9.
 

Esports Life Tycoon is a life simulation, MOBA manager where players create, design, and manage every aspect of their own esports team, working their way up in the competition to become the best team in the world by defeating legendary names like G2 Esports, Fnatic, TSM, PSG or Heretics.

As the manager of their own esports team, players will have to take care of their team by training their squad, counseling them, analyzing their opponents, dealing with unexpected emergencies, expanding their gaming house, participating in MOBA simulated matches, and much more.

There’s also a new official trailer of Esports Life Tycoon, which details the exciting life of a professional esports team here.

“With the official launch of Esports Life Tycoon, esports fans can now experience the daily lives of their favorite teams while having fun”, says Samuel Asín, Game Producer at U-Play Online. “Bringing players and their idols together is the essence of this franchise and, after delving into the universe of influencers in Youtubers Life, it was natural for us to explore the modern worldwide phenomenon of esports.”

The 1.0 release update introduces significant adjustments to the core experience of Esports Life Tycoon. Now, players will have to take into account consequential aspects like group moral, rival knowledge, and team tactics to succeed in their seasons. These changes bring esports managers closer to their real-life counterparts, simulating their professional careers more faithfully.

KEY FEATURES

  • Create your own esports team and customize everything, from the crest to the players’ kits
  • Hire the greatest stars to achieve your goals: if a player doesn’t suit your needs, you know there’s only one option for him
  • Train your players and take care of their well-being thanks to team bonding, scouting, and a healthy lifestyle!
  • Grow your team in the most amazing gaming houses and hire coaches, psychologists, and marketing managers to improve your players’ everyday lives.
  • Compete in the arena to become a legend: decide either to witness the matches or guiding your squad to glory
  • Face challenging quests in 7 unique scenarios where only the best managers can succeed
  • Esports Life Tycoon features official esports teams: G2 Esports, Fnatic, Heretics, PSG, and TSM!

Esports Life Tycoon is also available on the App Store and Google Play. Stay tuned for announcements regarding upcoming launches for new platforms.

Train2Game News Fall Guys Charity Raises $1m for SpecialEffect

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Fall Guys charity auction raises $1M for gamers’ charity SpecialEffect

A Battle of the Brands auction for a character costume design in the hit video game Fall Guys has raised $1M for SpecialEffect.

The online auction, organised by the game’s creators Mediatonic and Devolver, saw a bidding war that included some of the video game community’s most popular streamers.

A last-minute combined donation of $1M by @MrBeastYT, @Ninja, @G2esports and @aimlab was the highest bid. 

The winners have also announced that they will be organising a livestream in support of the charity. More details will be announced in due course.

“We’re blown away,” said Dr Mick Donegan, Founder and CEO of SpecialEffect. “A huge thank you to @MrBeastYT, @Ninja, @G2esports and @aimlab for their amazing generosity, and to Mediatonic and Devolver Digital for this unique initiative.”

“When the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions hit earlier this year, the charity was facing a significant reduction in funding income due, in part, to many of its key fundraising events being cancelled or postponed. As a charity that doesn’t charge for its services, this donation will be invaluable in helping to make up for that shortfall. It will enable us to continue an uninterrupted service for the many people with severe physical disabilities and developers around the world who are asking for our help in ever greater numbers year on year. What’s more, the demands on our services are rising even more rapidly as a result of the auction itself. Bring it on!”

The charity will be able to help more people like eight year-old Theo, who is a huge fan of obstacle games, but the games controller and iPad were too hard for him to use. Our assessment team recently set him up with a special joystick and buttons setup combination. Since then it’s been much easier for him to play and he’s now having a blast with Fall Guys!

The donation will boost all aspects of the charity’s work, including the development of a range of globally available resources for accessible gaming such as EyeMine, a utility for playing Minecraft with eye-control. The charity also provides support and advice for software development, helping the likes of EA, Playground Games, DoubleFine, and Rare to make games like Forza Motorsport, FIFA, and Sea of Thieves more easily playable.

Companies from across the games industry are pledging to support SpecialEffect for their One Special Day initiative on Friday 2 October 2020.

More details can be found at http://onespecialday.org.uk/get-involved/

Train2Game News MtG Releases Through 2021

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Wizards of the Coast, a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc., unveiled today details for its upcoming slate of Magic: The Gathering releases through 2021.

The Magic team previewed the highly anticipated set Zendikar Rising – releasing on MTG Arena September 17 and September 25 for tabletop – by showing off first-looks at brand-new cards, new and returning card mechanics, and the set’s booster packs. The company also revealed exciting collaborations with AMC’s “The Walking Dead” and K-Swiss, set names and graphics for 2021, teased Magic: The Gathering Arena release on mobile, and much more.

Today’s announcements were part of the Zendikar Rising Debut Moment, a streamed event giving Magic players a look at what’s ahead for the entire brand, ensuring there’s something coming for everyone regardless of how they play.

Zendikar Rising

Zendikar Rising takes players back to the popular world where a new adventure lies around every corner. Over 20 Zendikar Rising cards debuted today, including all-new powerful Planeswalkers cards for Nahiri, and Jace, with art for a new Nissa. Players also got a glimpse of returning gameplay mechanics Kicker and Landfall, as well as new ones: Party and Modal Double-Faced Cards. Booster Fun and Set Booster packs were also previewed.
 

Set Roadmap for 2021
Also revealed today were upcoming sets in 2021:

  • Kaldheim – Magic’s Viking world – Winter 2021
  • Strixhaven – The most elite university in the Multiverse – Spring 2021
  • Adventures in the Forgotten Realms – Dungeons & Dragons comes to Magic – Summer 2021
  • Innistrad (two unnamed sets) – Werewolves and Vampires are back – Fall 2021
  • Time Spiral Remastered – Recapture the fun of a fan-favorite block
  • Modern Horizons 2 – A follow-up to the popular Modern Horizons set

New Secret Lair Drops
Magic teased two upcoming drops from its highly collectable, lovingly curated line Secret Lair: Yargle Day and an exciting collaboration with AMC’s hit show “The Walking Dead.” Fans should follow @MTGSecretLair on Twitter for more news and availability.

Magic: The Gathering X K-Swiss Limited Edition Sneaker
In collaboration with K-Swiss, the American heritage tennis brand, Magic unveiled a limited edition sneaker inspired by the iconic look of one of its most beloved characters, Jace Beleren. The reimagined Gstaad ’86 sneaker is crafted with premium leather overlays and underlays that are accented by glow-in-the-dark elements — the leather collar lining, printed designs, rubber outsole and extra laces. Metal lace clip-ons modeled after Jace’s character design and a debossed Magic: The Gathering logo at the tongue and a sublimated sockliner of Jace’s artwork complete the magical reinvention of this classic K-Swiss style. They are packaged with a special-edition box and tissue paper. The limited run sneakers go on sale today exclusively on Hasbro Pulse.

Magic: The Gathering Arena Comes to Mobile
Magic confirmed what fans have long been asking for: the upcoming launch of Magic: The Gathering Arena for mobile devices. More details will be revealed soon.

Check out the DailyMTG for more information and view the Zendikar Rising trailer HERE.

Train2Game News Just Die Already Devs Say It’s Just A Coincidence…

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‘Just Die Already’ Devs have said any ‘Cyberpunk 2077’ imilarities is “Purely Coincidental”…

Responding to suggestions that its latest trailer looks somewhat similar to Cyberpunk 2077, development studio DoubleMoose – the outfit behind forthcoming old people mayhem sandboxJust Die Already, also widely known within the industry as “DoubleWhat?”- has suggested any likeness is “err, <cough>, erm, purely coincidental.”

Hype for CD Projekt Red’s latest game is at an all-time high, though DoubleMoose co-founder Armin Ibrisagic has suggested the studio was in no way influenced by endlessly re-watching Cyperpunk 2077 trailers, over and over during the development of Just Die Already’s flash new promo.

“We talk a lot about Cyberpunk 2077 at the DoubleMoose office and the trailer kind of just ended up like this unintentionally,” offers Ibrisagic, sat in a home-made replica Cyberpunk jacket, complete with light-equipped pop collar. “Be cool, CDProjectRed. Don’t sue.”

You can watch the aforementioned ode to Cyberpunk 2077 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6OI2m210qA

If you want to put Just Die Already on your STEAM wishlist click here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/979070/Just_Die_Already/

You can also download and play the Just Die Already demo on Steam for free until Wednesday 2nd September

Train2Game News Social Distancing Cup

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Today, global esports organization Generation Esports (formerly High School Esports League), in partnership with top esports and gaming hardware sponsors, kicked off the “Social Distancing Cup” — a free online charity tournament to support communities nationwide affected by COVID-19. 

The Social Distancing Cup is a month-long tournament series with open enrollment in the continental U.S. featuring competitive matches in League of Legends, Rocket League, and Teamfight Tactics. This exciting tournament rocks a $30,000 USD prize pool, with winnable real-world goods such as ASUS Republic of Gamers and TUF Gaming laptops, hardware, and merchandise, custom Generation Esports jerseys and mugs from Skullz, Viewsonic gaming monitors, Zaxby’s vouchers, and Dr. Squatch Soap.

The Social Distancing Cup ends on May 10, 2020, and participants are free to register at any time at https://app.generationesports.com/sign-up-free. 

Generation Esports — in partnership with non-profit partner Varsity Esports Foundation (VEF) — created the Social Distancing Cup to engage with esports competitors who are isolating themselves or quarantined because of the COVID-19 pandemic and to fundraise for low-income families during this unprecedented global crisis. 

Tax-deductible donations to the “Social Distancing Cup COVID-19 Response Fund” can be made here: https://www.varsityesportsfoundation.org/social-distancing-cup.

Sponsors of the Social Distancing Cup include Generation Esports, the Varsity Esports Foundation, ASUS, Midwest Esports, Fusesport, eFuse, GradTech, Sunshine State Games, MSP, Gamer Sensei, Skullz, Viewsonic, Zaxby’s, and others.

Train2Game News New Streets Of Rage Characters

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Publisher and co-developer Dotemu (publisher of Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap, developer of Windjammers 1 and 2) with co-developers Lizardcube (Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap) and Guard Crush Games (Streets of Fury) announced today that Streets of Rage 4 will be dishing out the knockouts with unlockable classic characters and music from Streets of Rage 1 & 2 for fully nostalgic brawls.

Streets of Rage 4 will be released this spring for PC, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One for $24.99, with the release date to be confirmed.
 
Dotemu released an action-packed gameplay trailer today which reveals some of Streets of Rage 4’s tributes to the original trilogy, including unlockable pixel art characters with movesets and abilities unique to their respective games; Streets of Rage’s fighters can call the cops for their special moves, while Streets of Rage 3’s characters can sprint and roll through environments.

Catch Skate, Max, and all the throwback warriors making their glorious return by viewing the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5meiRPJTWU&feature=youtu.be
 
These retro characters combine with Streets of Rage 4’s five hand-animated leading fighters to bring the total playable roster’s count to 17.

For a full nostalgic trip, players can also switch to the series iconic original soundtrack, handing out beatdowns backed by tracks from Streets of Rage 1 and Streets of Rage 2. Taking down thugs with these timeless songs cranked up makes for an incredibly satisfying retro experience.
 
Streets of Rage 4 is the first entry to the mainline series in more than 25 years. The revival merges classic Streets of Rage elements with fresh directions for more combat possibilities, strikingly fluid hand-drawn art, and an inventive, distinct soundtrack led by Olivier Derivière which incorporates worldwide talent, including significant contributions from series composers Yūzō Koshiro and Motohiro Kawashima.
 
For the latest on Streets of Rage 4 head to www.streets4rage.com

Train2Game News PlayStation 5 Controller

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Sony has officially announced the PS5 controller, dubbing it the DualSense controller, and it looks radically different from the company’s previous designs. 

It’ll launch alongside the PS5 console before the Christmas holiday this year.

The PS5 controller design reveal includes some of what the leaks predicted: adaptive shoulder button triggers with haptic feedback, a built-in microphone so you can talk to friends without having to wear a headset, and a new ‘Create’ button that replaces the PS4 Share button.

In addition, Sony is moving the previous DualShock 4’s LED Lightbar from the top of the controller to the surrounding of the touchpad on the PS5. It’s supposed to give the LED a larger look and feel, according to the company.  

What’s interesting (and going be divisive) is the DualSense two-tone color scheme that’s black-and-white and devoid of color on the face buttons. Triangle, Circle, Square and Cross (or X) are still here, but they don’t sport their usual hues. 

Sony says that this is a “radical departure from our previous controller offerings and captures just how strongly we feel about making a generational leap with PS5.” The black-and-white design is likely to extend to the PS5 console, which is different than the usual black color Sony has chosen for its console launches since the PS2.

Sony hasn’t revealed exact PS5 controller specs, and there are a number of details we’re eager to hear about, including the expected battery life. It did say, however, that the team made sure “to maintain a strong battery life for DualSense’s rechargeable battery, and to lessen the weight of the controller as much as possible as new features were added.”

To find out more visit: https://blog.us.playstation.com/2020/04/07/introducing-dualsense-the-new-wireless-game-controller-for-playstation-5/ 

Source: https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/sony-ps5-controller-release-date-news-and-confirmed-features 

Train2Game News Saints Row The Third Remastered

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Nine years after its original release, Deep Silver today announced that Saints Row® The Third™ has been completely remastered and will release on Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and PC on May 22nd.

Every weapon has been remodelled, every car has been redesigned and a vast proportion of the city has been retextured; Saints Row® The Third™ has received a full makeover. With around 4,000 assets reworked, the complete update has been expertly handled by Sperasoft. It has transformed environments, character models and visual effects, enhanced graphics and incorporated a new lighting engine.

In addition, all three expansion mission packs and more than 30 pieces of DLC from the original version have been remastered and are included in the package for hours of additional gleeful gameplay. The remastered edition will inspire new gamers and original fans to revisit the reworked city of Steelport and revel in the glorious world of the Saints.

Story:
Saints Row® The Third™ Remastered gives you control of the Saints at the height of their power, and you live the life to show for it. This is your City. These are your rules. Remastered with enhanced graphics, Steelport the original city of sin, has never looked so good as it drowns in sex, drugs and guns. 

Years after taking Stilwater for their own, the Third Street Saints have evolved from street gang to household brand name, with Saints sneakers, Saints energy drinks and Johnny Gat bobblehead dolls all available at a store near you. The Saints are kings of Stilwater, but their celebrity status has not gone unnoticed. The Syndicate, a legendary criminal fraternity with pawns in play all over the globe, has turned its eye on the Saints and demands tribute.

Refusing to kneel to the Syndicate, you take the fight to Steelport, a once-proud metropolis reduced to a struggling city of sin under Syndicate control. Take a tank skydiving, call in a satellite-targeted airstrike on a Mexican wrestling gang, and fight against a highly-trained military force by your lonesome in the most outlandish gameplay scenarios ever seen.

Key Features:


The Full Package, Remastered – With enhanced graphics, improved lighting, reworked environments, and visual effects, Steelport and The Third Street Saints have never looked so good. 
City of Sin – Disrupt and dismantle the Syndicate stranglehold on weapons, cybercrime, and criminal rackets.  Discover the secrets of Steelport, where there is action on every street corner, for better or, more likely, worse.
Weapons of Crass Destruction – It’s one thing to defeat your enemies.  It’s another to humiliate them.  Hover jets, human cannonball cars and outrageous melee weapons are all part of the fun.
Crazy Character Customisation – Create the most outlandish characters ever seen, from washed-up celebrities to maskless ninja pirates.  Inside every sinner, there is a Saint.  Who will you become?
Over The Top Co-op – Fly solo or play online with a homie. Give freefall skydiving a try, landing in your partner’s flaming pickup as you make a desperate run toward a heavily armed Syndicate base.  Steelport is always more fun with a friend.

All DLC included – All three expansion mission packs and more than 30 pieces of DLC from the original version.

For more information on Saints Row® The Third™ Remastered on Microsoft Xbox One, Sony PlayStation®4 and PC head over to www.saintsrow.com

To watch the latest trailer: https://youtu.be/Y_PPzJpZSx8