 | Eidos Montreal general manager resigns Jul 23rd 2013, 15:40 Stephane D'Astous leaves Deus Ex studio after six years. 
[UPDATE] Following the publication of this story, D'Astous provided a statement to GameSpot on his departure from Eidos Montreal. His full comments are below. "Since last year's financial short-coming performance of Square Enix Europe, we (HQ London and GM Eidos-Montreal) have had growing and divergent opinions on what needed to be done to correct the situation. The lack of leadership, lack of courage, and the lack of communication were so evident, that I wasn't able to conduct my job correctly. I realized that our differences were irreconcilable, and that the best decision was unfortunately to part ways." The original story is below Eidos Montreal general manager Stephane D'Astous has resigned from the Deus Ex: Human Revolution and Thief studio, he announced via Twitter recently. "After building & leading the most important studio of the group, I'm announcing today my departure from Eidos/Square Enix!" he wrote. Asked about what he plans to do next, he said, "let's wait [until] this fall for more info." D'Astous helped create Eidos Montreal, building it up from nothing to a multi-team outfit with more than 550 staff, according to his LinkedIn page. Asked for comment, a Square Enix representative directed GameSpot to the company's strategic realignment announcement in late June. Eidos Montreal recently released Deus Ex: The Fall and is currently working on Thief for current- and next-generation consoles and PC. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | RuneScape 3 now live Jul 23rd 2013, 15:31 Third major iteration to RuneScape features customizable interface and new technical improvements. 
Jagex Games Studio announced that the third iteration of the long-running MMORPG RuneScape is out now. RuneScape 3 features a customizable new interface system, controller support, and a new storyline featuring public world events set over a three month period. The new version will also have the equivalent of both a weekly and monthly leaderboards. Other changes include improved graphics and draw distances, a better camera system, and improved audio. The new Runescape update will kick off with the community-focused event The Battle for Lumbridge. The developer recommended that players access the game in the Java client for the first log-in instead of using the beta HTML5 client. RuneScape was released in 2001 and has over 200 million accounts. The Guinness World Records recognises the game as the world's largest free MMORPG. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | New Tomb Raider game will lead on from comic book plot Jul 23rd 2013, 15:20 2014 Tomb Raider comic series to "lead directly" into new Tomb Raider game, says author. 
Square Enix's Tomb Raider reboot will continue in a 2014 comic book series, which will lead into Lara Croft's next video game. The comic series, due to start on February 26, 2014, will take place after the conclusion of the first game. "We start just a few weeks after the end of the game," said author Gail Simone to Kotaku, "and this is all in continuity." "It will be Tomb Raider canon, and lead directly into the sequel. This is what got me excited; we get to be part of Lara Croft history." Tomb Raider launched in March to sales of 3.4 million copies. Despite being one of 2013's best-selling games, Square Enix said the game had failed to meet the publisher's expectations. Speaking about how the comic will slot into the new Tomb Raider universe, Simone said she had "always loved the classic, cool Lara Croft, but this feels like her origin story, like we’re seeing her before she becomes the icon, and it’s very compelling to me." "The storytelling in [Tomb Raider] hooked me instantly. The biggest difference is, the game told a claustrophobic story in an isolated setting. We are going globetrotting." Simone has worked in comics for many years, helming Birds of Prey, Wonder Woman, and most recently Batgirl. She says she has now become friends with Tomb Raider author Rhianna Pratchett, and has asked her to collaborate with another upcoming comic series. "What a joy it is to count [Pratchett] as a friend," said Simone. "She is simply an astonishing storyteller’the writing in the Tomb Raider game is so natural and believable and convincing, you really feel Lara’s pain and struggle. A lot of that is pure Rhianna." "
I loved her work so much I have asked her to participate with me on a comics mini-series, Legends of Red Sonja. She’s been an invaluable and remarkably generous ally in this. And her writing has a message of commitment and integrity to the characters." Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Warcraft film director discusses "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity Jul 23rd 2013, 15:09 Duncan Jones says he is "lucky" to be in director's chair for upcoming movie, is "well aware" of what fans will expect. 
Warcraft film director Duncan Jones (Moon, Source Code) sees his chance to direct the upcoming movie based on Blizzard Entertainment's game as a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity. Speaking during a Warner Bros./Legendary Pictures panel at San Diego Comic-Con this weekend, attended by the Unofficial Comic-Con Blog, Jones said not many filmmakers have the chance to do what he is doing. "The opportunity to do something like Warcraft is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. You hope that you're going to get the chance to make films where you really get to delve into fantasy," Jones said. "And with Warcraft, I actually get to create a world and there's not that many filmmakers who get the chance to start from scratch and build something that big. I know how lucky I am and I am so excited to do it." Jones also briefly discussed the challenge of creating film based on a franchise that millions of people the world over are already connected to. "I'm well aware of it. And a lot of people who are my friends play and I used to play. I'm very aware of what the goal is there to achieve," he said. The first teaser for the Warcraft film was also shown during the panel, but this footage has not been released in any official capacity. The big-screen adaptation of Blizzard Entertainment's fantasy series was announced during E3 2006. Spider-Man director Sam Raimi was at one point attached to the film, though he would later drop out, claiming Blizzard "mismanaged" the film. The Warcraft film is believed to have a budget that exceeds $100 million. It starts filming early next year and is intended for release in cinemas in 2015. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Analyst: Xbox One may have 3x more launch units than PS4 Jul 23rd 2013, 14:28 Robert W. Baird predicts Microsoft's console may be more readily available, though supply for both likely to be "constrained." 
The Xbox One may have 2-3x more launch units than the PlayStation 4 this holiday, according to Robert W. Baird analyst Colin Sebastian. In a note to investors today, he said this superior launch allocation would give Microsoft an initial advantage, but noted supply for both next-generation systems will likely be "constrained," leading to potential shortages. His estimations are based on supply chain checks. Sebastian also said the tides are turning for Microsoft, following its dramatic policy reversal last month that saw the company roll back various controversial features. "Despite losing the headline battle at E3, we believe that Xbox One has regained some momentum in recent weeks, in part due to modifications in policies related to online connectivity and used games," Sebastian said. Sebastian also discussed the prospects for the Wii U, saying its suite of holiday titles will make or break the system. "Nintendo's Wii U remains challenged, needs a price cut, and the fate of the platform will likely rest on the popularity of Nintendo's holiday software lineup," he said. High-profile first-party Wii U games due out this year include Pikmin 3 (August), The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD (October), Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (November), and Super Mario 3D World (December). Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Infestation: Survivor Stories passes 1 million users Jul 23rd 2013, 14:27 Zombie survival game formerly known as The War Z sees 1.3 million registered players; more than 100,000 players log in daily. 
Controversial zombie game Infestation: Survivor Stories, formerly known as The War Z, has surpassed 1.3 million registered users worldwide, publisher OP Productions announced today. The publisher also released a series of statistics about the game today. More than 400,000 players log in per month, while more than 100,000 play the game daily. The average user has spent more than 95 hours in the game, OP Productions said. In all, players have created more than 51 million characters to date and killed more than 2 billion zombies. In a statement, executive producer Sergey Titov said developer Hammerpoint Interactive will listen to community feedback and incorporate these ideas and suggestions into additional add-on content, due for release this summer. The game launched on Steam in December and was pulled just a day after release, after users reported numerous issues. Valve called its decision to originally publish the game a "mistake." The game was reinstated on Steam in late February. Its forums and databases were hacked in April, though no payment information was compromised. Prior to the game's release, Titov called spawn campers "f**gots." The game's press team called his comments a "poor and inappropriate choice of words." Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Minecraft dev's next game sells 100,000 copies Jul 23rd 2013, 13:01 Collectible card game Scrolls hits new sales milestone during paid beta period, driving $2,000,000 in revenue. 
The latest title from Minecraft developer Mojang--collectible card game Scrolls--has sold 100,000 copies so far, according to developer Henrik Pettersson. "100K Scrolls games sold! WOOHOOO!" he wrote on Twitter. Scrolls launched through a paid beta in early June. The game currently sells for $20 on PC and Mac, meaning it has driven revenue of $2,000,000 so far. The game was the focus of a legal disagreement between Mojang and Bethesda, which claimed Scrolls infringed on its own trademark for the Elder Scrolls. The suit was settled in March 2012, with Mojang allowed to keep the name, so long as it did not make an Elder Scrolls competitor using the title. Scrolls launched in the wake of Minecraft's runaway success. The game has sold well over 20 million units across PC/Mac, Xbox Live Arcade, and mobile and catapulted creator Markus "Notch" Persson to international recognition. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Ouya devs open up on sales figures for new console Jul 23rd 2013, 07:42 Results vary, from TowerFall creators selling 2,000 game units at $15 each to Knife Media breaking even with its twin-stick shooter Red. 
Developers for the recently launched Ouya console voiced their opinions on Edge and Gamasutra about how each of their various titles have sold so far. Developer Matt Thorson, who created TowerFall, said that the game performed well, selling 2,000 units at $15 each. "Sales have been surprisingly high for a new game on a new console. The game has definitely proven itself on Ouya, I think there's enough demand to warrant bringing it to PC," he said. Developer NimbleBit's title, Nimble Quest, was downloaded 6,508 times and was purchased 122 times, bringing the total profit of the game to $427. Cofounder David Marsh said that he would recommend the Ouya for indie developers who are familiar with Android and are curious about the console. "It's probably not going to be a huge source of income compared to other platforms, but it's dead easy to submit a game and get it into the store. It's the only console right now with a truly open store, which makes it interesting and worth supporting if you want to see more open platforms. It's also a great device to have just to check out all sorts of neat experimental multiplayer games that are already popping up. I think it's a step in the right direction," he said. Knife Media's cofounder Jack Shiels said that sales for the company's game, twin-stick shooter Red, were adequate at best. "We broke even within two-and-a-half-weeks, whilst sales are currently sitting at just below 400. Right now that doesn't seem like a whole lot, but there aren't a significant amount of Ouyas out in the wild right now. I reckon by year end we will have a clearer picture," he said. Ryan Wiemeyer, co-founder of the team The Men Who Wear Many Hats, said that the game Organ Trail sold about half of what his low-end predictions were. "Last I checked we were at 501 purchases from 13,112 downloads (a 3.8 percent attach rate). This accounts for about 0.1 percent of our total Organ Trail sales to date (which is over 400,000.) So, I don't even know if it was worth the man hours yet. Then again’ Organ Trail was a pain to add controller support to and that was the bulk of the port." For more information on the Ouya, check out GameSpot's coverage on the console. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Persona 3 animated film out this November in Japan Jul 23rd 2013, 07:41 Adaptation of Persona 3 video game may be first in unspecified number of films. 
The animated film adaptation of the PS2/PSP RPG Persona 3 will be released in Japanese cinemas on November 23. According to the official website, Persona 3 #1: Spring of Birth may be the first in an unspecified number of films. As previously reported, the film's production was handled by animation company AIC A.S.T.A, who previously adapted Persona 4 into an anime. On a related note, the anime adaptation of Persona 4 has already been released in North America; the first DVD collection was released on September 18 last year. For more information on Persona 3, check out GameSpot's review of the 2007 PS2 RPG. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Capcom: No new Darkstalkers game planned Jul 23rd 2013, 07:30 Low Darkstalkers Resurrection compilation sales given as reason for halt on franchise. 
Capcom says that it has no plans for more Darkstalkers game in the near future. According to a report on Siliconera, Capcom fighting game manager Matt Dahlgren said that the Darkstalkers Resurrection re-release did not meet sales expectation. "Darkstalkers Resurrection did not perform as well as we would have liked to hope. You never know what the future may hold, but Street Fighter is definitely not dead. There is nothing Darkstalkers on the immediate horizon for sure," he said. Previously at New York Comic-Con 2012, Street Fighter producer Yoshinori Ono showed off a teaser for a new Darkstalkers game featuring the characters Demitri and Lord Raptor. Capcom also experienced layoffs early this month, with senior vice president Christian Svensson leaving the company. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
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