Another trail of further developments of some upcoming games has been usurped by the nature of world events and otherwordly kingdoms.
Sony has wrapped up another State of Play, showcasing a new look at games like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, Street Fighter 6 characters, and further gameplay in the Resident Evil 4 remake.
The newly released Atomic Heart is facing controversy due to its purported pro-Russian connections and security issues in the midst of the continuing escalation of the Russo-Ukraine War. Ukraine’s Digital Ministry has requested the companies Steam, Microsoft, and Sony to remove the game from platforms. Questions have been called into whether or not the game is harvesting data to Russian security forces. The game’s composer, Mick Gordon, has donated his fees made from the game.
Atomic Heart has also come under scrutiny due to an aesthetic that appears to romanticize the Soviet Union and due to its timely release close to Russia’s official invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. This date also coincides with Defender of the Fatherland Day, a holiday that originally celebrated the Russian Armed Forces. Ukraine has otherwise no longer observed the holiday since 1994.
Games Done Quick has officially banned not only Hogwarts Legacy, but also every other Harry Potter video game adaptation from future events. A full list of GDQ’s currently banned games can be referenced and found on their submission guide.
Rovio Entertainment Oyj, best known for the Angry Birds franchise, has decided to delist the original game from mobile platforms—because “it is negatively impacting their other games”, hoping to redirect attention to their other free-to-play titles.
Nintendo is further expanding its reach by having officially signed a contract with Microsoft to now allow previously exclusive Xbox games to be playable on Nintendo platforms.
Sega is increasing the average monthly salary of its Japanese employees by about 30 percent. This increase will not officially take effect until July 2023 of this year.
Studio head of Xbox Game Studios’ Tango Gameworks Shinji Mikami is set to leave the company. Mikami founded the company back in 2010. Tango Gameworks will continue to support Ghostwire: Tokyo and Hi-Fi Rush.
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
Super Nintendo World has officially made a grand opening at Universal Studios Hollywood. The themed area’s biggest feature is currently a Mario Kart simulation powered by augmented reality and projection mapping technology. More importantly, you get to hang out with Toad. Super Nintendo World opened in Universal Studios Japan on March 2021, and is currently slated to open Universal Studios Singapore in 2025 with construction underway.
