Grasshopper Manufacture Acquired by GungHo Online Entertainment

January 30, 2013 by Andy in News Snippets, PlayStation, Videogames, Xbox and tagged Goichi Suda, Grasshopper, Grasshopper Manufacture, GungHo, GungHo Online Entertainment, Killer 7, Killer is Dead, Lollipop Chainsaw, No More Heroes, Suda51, Video Games, Videogames, Xseed, Xseed Games | 1 Comment

Goichi Suda’s (Suda51) game development studio Grasshopper Manufacture has been acquired by Japanese game publisher GungHo Online Entertainment (GOE). Grasshopper Manufacture is known for the No More Heroes franchise, Killer 7, and Shadows of the Damned among others. Their most recent retail release was 2012’s Lollipop Chainsaw. Grasshopper is currently developing Killer is Dead for release in Japan this year with Xseed Games rumored to be localizing the game for American audiences. GOE’s acquisition of Grasshopper will not affect the development of titles currently being made by Grasshopper with the official press release stating: “Titles already in development at the studio before the acquisition will not be affected by the deal and will continue under their current publishing terms.”

Source: Kotaku

Crytek USA and Homefront 2

January 28, 2013 by Andy in News Snippets, PC, PlayStation, Videogames, Xbox and tagged Crysis, Crytek, Crytek USA, Darksiders, Homefront, Homefront 2, THQ, Vigil, Vigil Games | Leave a comment

With THQ recently selling its assets and closing its doors, some intellectual properties and studios were left in the cold in the sale. One of the studios that was left untouched in the sale was Vigil Games–the developer of the fantastic Darksiders games. While I’m surprised that this studio wasn’t purchased by a an interested buyer, there’s some good news in the whole ordeal: Crytek, the developer behind the Crysis franchise, has opened a new studio in Austin, Texas.

Crytek’s new studio, Crytek USA Corp., is composed of 35 former Vigil employees and will be headed by David Adams, the former general manager for Vigil Games. It’s nice to know that the talented folks who gave us Darksiders and its sequel have found new employment so quickly. I’m eagerly looking forward to what projects spring forth from Crytek USA and wish them all the best.

Crytek was the purchaser of the Homefront IP in THQ’s asset sale–the property was purchased for $544,218. Crytek had been developing the Homefront 2 for THQ and feared that their work on the game might be lost with THQ’s closure. Crytek’s general manager, Nick Button-Brown, stated that it’s “beneficial for us [Crytek] to have control over the IP’s destiny.” No information was given on the potential release date of Homefront 2.

Sources: Gamasutra, Joystiq

Future Star Wars 3D Re-Releases “Postponed”

January 28, 2013 by Andy in Film, News Snippets and tagged Attack of the Clones, Disney, Episode II, Episode III, Episode VII, J.J. Abrams, Lucasfilm, Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars, Star Wars 3D, Star Wars Episode VII, Star Wars Prequels, Star Wars Trilogy | Leave a comment

An official statement from Lucasfilm informs readers that the planned re-releases of the Star Wars films in 3D have been postponed. The posting specifically states Episodes II and III are the films being postponed with no mention of the films in the original trilogy. With the statement that Lucasfilm will “focus 100 percent of our efforts on Star Wars: Episode VII,” it is entirely likely that the 3D re-releases of the original films has been altogether canceled. Given that there has already been a lot of work done on converting the remaining prequel films to 3D, it’s a safe bet that, despite the delay, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith will make their ways back to the big screen.

Source: Star Wars

Gears of War: Judgment Demo Coming in March (Update)

January 28, 2013 by Andy in News Snippets, Videogames, Xbox and tagged Baird, Bulletstorm, Demos, Epic, Epic Games, Game Demos, Gears of War, Gears of War Judgment, GoW, GoWJ, Microsoft, People Can Fly, Videogames, XBOX, Xbox 360 | Leave a comment

The upcoming Xbox 360-exclusive Gears of War prequel will be getting a demo of its new game mode dubbed “OverRun” this March. Gamers who opt to pre-order Gears of War: Judgment at GameStop will be granted early access to the game mode demo beginning on March 15–the demo will become open to the public four days later on March 19.

OverRun mode sounds to be an evolution of the Horde and Beast combined with the traditional competitive multiplayer modes from previous entries in the franchise. It consists of two timed rounds where players are attacking as the Locust Horde or defending against waves of the Horde as COGs.

Gears of War: Judgment releases in North America on March 19, 2013.

UPDATE: From Major Nelson’s blog: “As an added bonus, multiplayer experience points (XP) earned will carry over to the final game for players who purchase and play “Judgment” in the first week following its U.S. release.”