Ubisoft Toronto explains how Starlink: Battle for Atlas was developed and bringing life back to toys-to-life
Posted on 7 years ago by Andrew in Interviews, News, Switch | 4 Comments
In a recent GamesIndustry interview with the creative director of Starlink: Battle for Atlas, Laurent Malvill explains why him and his team have decided to make the game and bring life back to toys-to-life in the market.
“We think innovation can really bring life back into this market. We think that toys-to-life brought a lot of younger players into video games, and that was great. But we think as they grew up, the expectation grew with it. So for us, we didn’t want to do just another one like those games. It was important for us to innovate in this category. We didn’t want to innovate on just the toy itself – and we think we did do that – but also to innovate with the huge open world. We’re not talking down to the players. This is a big open world that you can spend time in.
“We think the toy is the whole game. That is the beauty of it – having that modular starship on-top of a controller. You don’t open a complex menu or anything, it is just there. You just grab the weapon, put it on and it appears right away. Or if you want another pilot, because I want to use his special ability in that fight, it is just there and it is the simplest way of doing it. And those collectibles, those starships, those pilots, what is beautiful is that once you’ve played the game for several hours, you can just put them on your bedside table or on your shelf.
But because we want to provide the maximum freedom for players to experience this game, we designed that idea that every physical part that you buy, you will unlock a digital part. So if you want the full experience, you can play with the starships on top of your controller. But if you want to just display the collectibles on your shelf, and play the game without them, you can do that as well.
You will also be able to buy the digital part separately, without the collectibles, if you want. Just because, again, we want to provide freedom for players. But the magical moment where you connect the part is something that is dear to us.
Approving crazy projects is part of the DNA of Ubisoft. If you look at Assassin’s Creed back in the day, or Just Dance… it is just part of what the company does. We were excited to show him what we’d done. And we were super happy that the top management team in Paris were just as excited as we were, and that we got to make it.”
[Let’s Talk] E3 2017 hopes and dreams
Posted on 7 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Let's Talk | 97 Comments
E3 is by far the biggest gaming event of the year. It’s true that Nintendo Directs often deliver significant news, but E3 tends to be where the most important announcements and reveals take place – at least across the industry as a whole. All eyes are always on each of the major platform holders to see what they have in store for the months and years ahead.
After a slightly nontraditional – but still successful – E3 in 2016, we’re getting a more standard format from Nintendo this time around. Nintendo is returning to video presentations with its broadcast on Tuesday. Treehouse will be back as well for three days of streaming (up from two days last year). And if that wasn’t enough, three separate tournaments are happening: one for Splatoon 2, another for ARMS, and a final one for Pokken Tournament DX.
E3 is always where people can dream big. And since we’re just a few days out from the expo, we want to hear from all of you. What do you want to see Nintendo announce at E3? What are your realistic expectations, and dreams that are a bit further out there? Even if you simply want to bathe in the hype that is E3, that’s fine as well! Be sure to share your thoughts with us below.
Highlights from last week’s topic: What are you playing? – June 2017
[Review] ARMS
Posted on 7 years ago by Philip(@P_Trah) in Reviews, Switch | 18 Comments
System: Switch
Release date: June 16, 2017
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher Nintendo
It feels commonplace with Nintendo to expect at least one new first-party IP to follow the most recent console launch. Enter ARMS, Nintendo’s latest original game, and their take on a more competitive-styled fighter. Nintendo has had experience with the fighting game genre in the past with the Smash Bros. series, but instead of leaning more towards the party-style that has been the intended main focus Smash Bros., ARMS seems to lend itself to a more competitive one-on-one style of fighting game in the vein of Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat while still maintaining the big N’s signature twist on a traditional genre.
[Review] Disgaea 5 Complete
Posted on 7 years ago by Dennis Gagliardotto(@LyonHart_) in Reviews, Switch | 7 Comments
System: Switch
Release date: May 23, 2017
Developer: Nippon Ichi Software
Publisher NIS America
Since its initial launch in 2003, Disgaea has been a flagship series for Nippon Ichi Software – even using Prinny as a mascot – and continues to be nearly 15 years later, having multiple spinoffs and branching off into other mediums such as anime adaptations and manga. What’s made the franchise so great and successful over the years is that not only has it touched multiple platforms on both console and handhelds, but it’s had fun and engaging gameplay that goes beyond the typical layout and flow of a strategy RPG, bringing along a great cast of characters, settings, art, and music to boost. Now Disgaea 5 Complete is making the series’ return to Nintendo consoles on the Switch for the first time since Disgaea DS back in 2008, and packs in all DLC from the original release. Despite the game itself being nearly two years old at this point, it offers those who have held out or simply never jumped into a Disgaea game before a chance to give it a shot. And even though Disgaea isn’t always associated with Nintendo, Disgaea 5 Complete feels comfortable and right at home on Switch, giving RPG and SRPG enthusiasts alike a great new title to get their hands on and delve into.
More: Disgaea 5 Complete, highlight, Nippon Ichi, NIS America, top
[Let’s Talk] What are you playing? – June 2017
Posted on 7 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, Let's Talk | 22 Comments
A new month is here! We’ve just entered June, so that means we want to know what you’ve been playing.
Have you started up something entirely new for the month? Have you given Fire Emblem Echoes a shot? Or maybe you’re trying something on Switch like Disgaea 5 Complete or Ultra Street Fighter II. Whatever the case, let us know in the comments below!
Highlights from last week’s topic: How do you feel about ARMS?
50+ indie games cancelled and still on for Wii U, in limbo, moved to Switch
Posted on 7 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Features, Switch eShop, Wii U eShop | 36 Comments
Wii U is in an interesting position right now. Although Switch is the hot new thing, Nintendo’s older console still exists, and games continue to come out for the old console each week via the eShop. Just a couple of days ago for example, The Girl and the Robot finally hit Wii U after a nearly four-year wait.
Throughout Wii U’s lifespan, many indie games were announced for the platform. Many came out, but plenty never actually made it to the console. Since Wii U is starting to wind down at this point, we’ve attempted to investigate as many noteworthy, unreleased indie titles as possible to see if they’re still planned.
Our full findings are included below. Note that we’ve left out certain games that were reconfirmed for Wii U within the past few months, such as Hive Jump, Soul Saga, and Lobodestroyo.
[Review] Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers
Posted on 7 years ago by Dennis Gagliardotto(@LyonHart_) in Reviews, Switch, Switch eShop | 21 Comments
System: Switch
Release date: May 26, 2017
Developer:: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Chances are nowadays that when you talk to someone about fighting games, one of the first titles to come to mind is Street Fighter. The series has spanned decades, with 2017 marking its 30th anniversary which is further celebrated with the updated release of one of the most seminal fighting games of all time, Street Fighter II. Before the imminent release of Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers on Switch, the game had already returned many times in the past. To some this may seem excessive, but for the most hardcore of Street Fighter fans, it’s a way to continually preserve the history of one of the most successful fighting game franchises of all time, as well as one of the most important titles in the series. However you look at it, Ultra Street Fighter II has a lot to love about it if you’re an avid Street Fighter fan, but may leave a lot to be desired to those looking to jump in for the first time or have casually spent time with the series over the last three decades.
[Let’s Talk] How do you feel about ARMS?
Posted on 7 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk, Switch | 72 Comments
Nintendo had a big blowout of ARMS this week with its own dedicated Nintendo Direct. It really touched on almost everything we’ve wanted to know about the game. New characters were revealed, new modes were shown, and we even found out about ARMS Global Testpunch – an opportunity to try things out before launch.
Has Nintendo sold you on ARMS now, or were you already skeptical? Perhaps you’re waiting until the ARMS Global Testpunch until you really make up your mind. Who’s your favorite character? What mode interests you the most as of now? Share your thoughts about ARMS with us in the comments below.
Highlights from last week’s topic: What are you playing? – May 2017
[Review] Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia
Posted on 7 years ago by Vincent Ward in 3DS, Reviews | 13 Comments
System: 3DS
Release date: May 19, 2017
Developer:: Intelligent Systems
Publisher: Nintendo
As an avid Fire Emblem fan, I have a lot of respect for how far the series has come, especially considering that Awakening was supposed to be the final entry. It’s clear that the new direction for these games clicked very well with western players, breathing new life into a tired chain of tactical RPGs. If essentially “waifu-ing” Fire Emblem up and making the games overall easier to play meant I could still get my Fire Emblem fix every other year, then so be it. However, with Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentina, the developers decided to draw the series back to its roots by remaking the Japan-exclusive Famicom game Fire Emblem Gaiden.
[Let’s Talk] What are you playing? – May 2017
Posted on 7 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Let's Talk | 40 Comments
We’re a tad late, but a new month is here! So that means we want to know what you’ve been playing.
Have you started up something entirely new for the month? Perhaps you’re still playing Mario Kart 8 Deluxe? Whatever the case, let us know in the comments below!
