The Summer of Games is upon us! Sony’s PlayStation Showcase 2023 gave us tons of new titles to look out for! In other news, we look at Nintendo trying to silence its hacker base and more layoffs in the games industry.
What A Thrill. . .
Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater (pronounced “Delta”) has been announced. This remake has been described by the development team to be a “faithful recreation of the original story and game design” with evolution to both gameplay and visuals. Konami has confirmed that this remake will use the original voice cast for Snake Eater. This will mark David Hayter’s return to voice Naked Snake since Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker in 2013.
Alongside this announcement comes the news of Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Volume 1. This first volume will include the original Metal Gear Solid with VR Missions included alongside the HD Collection versions of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. PSN has confirmed that this volume will also include the original Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. One small note is that Konami stated there would be “minimal edits to copyrighted content,” which most likely pertains to the stock footage used in some cutscenes. Konami Spain has confirmed that this would collection would also see a physical release when the game releases Autumn 2023 for PS5, PC, and Xbox One.
Back In The New York Groove
Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 will be releasing later this fall for PS5. Insomniac’s follow up to the 2018 open world game features several new villains and mechanics for players to immerse themselves in. The trailer shows Kraven the Hunter planning to invade New York City and hunt down various Marvel heroes and villains. This plan leads them to hunt down Dr. Connors – The Lizard – but not without a fight from Peter Parker. This game will also incorporate the alien Symbiote, so expect an appearance from Venom in this sequel. Gameplay features the chance to play as both Parker and Miles Morales in different sections of the game along with an updated UI. Further news will develop in anticipation of this sequel’s 2023 release.
The Other PlayStation News
Other announcements from the showcase include Bungie’s Marathon, a Tarkov-styled shooter set in space, a first for Bungie. Square Enix has Final Fantasy XVI releasing June 22nd along with the announcement of Foamstars, a new area-based shooter akin to Splatoon. I’m sure the SMP freaks will love this one! Capcom’s letting the real heads know what’s up by releasing custom skins and other pre-order bonus content for Street Fighter 6 along with another trailer for Dragon’s Dogma 2. Revenant Hill is a game about Twigs the cat needing to pay rent and building a community in 1919. This is the first game by The Glory Society, a co-op studio founded by Night in the Woods co-creators Bethany Hockenberry and Scott Benson which will be available for both PS4 and PS5. You can catch the other releases from this showcase below.
Truly More Like Nintendon’t
Nintendo’s put out a new firmware update for the 3DS and it’s primed to take hackers down. The update Ver. 11.17.0-50 released on Monday, with hacking groups noticing this update ruined many documented methods to homebrew the handheld. However, community members have quickly been able to document what options are available for 3DS owners post-update. With the closure of the e-shop earlier this year, the 3DS’s ease to hack has been all the more appreciated. Maybe Nintendo will take a hint about library access given how it’s still easy to hack the dang thing.
Nintendo also blocked an indie game about mischievous little guys because it might teach kids about gambling (it doesn’t). Sunshine Shuffle is a game about playing Texas Hold ‘Em with a group of bank robbers. Xalavier Nelson Jr., developer of the game, has talked at length about Nintendo blocking the store page on accusation of teaching kids how to gamble, something Nintendo definitely doesn’t want happening. Sunshine Shuffle is available on Steam, so go ahead and give these adorable critters some love!
Life Is Strange, Unfortunately Layoffs Aren’t
In more pressing news, Deck Nine, developers of 2021’s Life is Strange: True Colors, laid off 30 members of its staff. Narrative designer Elizabeth Ballou tweeted about the layoffs on May 19th noting that several leads were affected as well. This news comes ahead of their next game in collaboration with Telltale Games, The Expanse: A Telltale Series, set to release in July. While no reason for the layoffs has been given, the studio states that those affected are “talented people who did nothing wrong,” for whatever that’s worth. Solidarity to the leads who chose to take the brunt of this impact, and best of luck to them getting back on their feet.
In More Hopeful Worker’s News
Unions! Successful ones are becoming more prevalent, so here’s updates on two that have moved forwards! Paizo, the studio that creates TTRPGs such as Pathfinder, has made a tentative agreement with their union. The union will be meeting in the coming weeks to go over the contract and potentially approve of it.
Similarly, Bandcamp has formed their own union, the first union under Epic Games. Bandcamp’s union still needs to be recognized and negotiation must still occur, but this is a major step towards a fair work environment at the best place to buy music on the web.
A Marvelous News Update
Marvelous Inc. released their own game showcase on Thursday. This presentation mentions a Story of Seasons entry with potential multiplayer features in the near future. We also saw news about Rune Factory: PROJECT DRAGON, a spinoff of the franchise with a traditional Japanese aesthetic, as well as a true Rune Factory 6. Fashion Dreamer is a design game made by the creators of the original Style Savvy series set to release later this year. In new IP developments, Loop8: Summer of Gods is a JRPG with a “unique, emotional AI” that will respond to the actions and decisions you make in game. Loop8 is set to release June 6th with Story of Seasons: A Wonderful Life and Rune Factory 3 Special also slated for release this year. Tune into the showcase below to see what other news might pique your interest! We’ve certainly got folks on staff who know their way around a farm sim or JRPG.
Looks Like We’re Gonna Have to Wishlist on Steam!
Dangeresque: The Roomisode Triungulate! will be available to play later this summer. Play as Dangeresque, Strong Bad’s famous action movie persona, as you point and click your way through various trials and tribulations. This will feature the original flash game released in 2008 with full voice over and revamped scenes. Two other “roomisodes” will also be available, sure to be chock full of thrills, chills, and totally authentic stunts! The game will release on Steam, itch.io, and “maybe iOS.” Be ready to fight the law, and also fight the crime but not as much. Dangeresque!
