A rating for Crash ‘n the Boys: Street Challenge has popped up on the OFLC.
This likely has something to do with the overseas release of the game on the 3DS eShop. Japan received Crash ‘n the Boys on the 3DS eShop back in January, but it hasn’t arrived in any western store just yet.
Two new games have been confirmed for the North American Wii U Virtual Console service this week. On Thursday, Xevious and Solomon’s Key will both be available through the eShop. Each is priced at $4.99.
Xevious and Solomon’s Key will also be available in Europe on Thursday.
You know that super-Japanese, large-breasted 3DS fighting game Senran Kagura Burst? Well, a lot of gamers want the title to come to the west, despite some obvious cultural differences that might make it somewhat difficult to sell in large quantities, so Siliconera decided to ask Marvelous USA (formerly known as “XSEED”) if they’d ever bring the game over, considering that they are the premier Japanese localizer:
– Marvelous USA Director of Publishing Ken Berry
This would be exactly why digital distribution is such a wonderful tool, even if we don’t want to use it for every single title out there. I’m not sure if I would pick up Senran Kagura if it came to the 3DS eShop, but I can definitely think of a few people who would and those few people might just be enough to help Marvelous turn a profit on the product. It’s tough to say either way.
Update: Désilets released official comments stating that he was “terminated” and was then “unceremoniously escorted out of the building”.
Contrary to any statements made earlier today, this morning I was terminated by Ubisoft. I was notified of this termination in person, handed a termination notice and was unceremoniously escorted out of the building by two guards without being able to say goodbye to my team or collect my personal belongings.
This was not my decision.
Ubisoft’s actions are baseless and without merit. I intend to fight Ubisoft vigorously for my rights, for my team and for my game.
Assassin’s Creed creator Patrice Désilets left Ubisoft and joined THQ Montreal in 2011. In an odd twist of fate, Désilets had the opportunity to return to Ubisoft after his team was acquired by the company.
Not so fast, though: Désilets won’t be back at Ubisoft after all. A representative told Kotaku that “since the acquisition, the good faith discussions between Patrice and Ubisoft aimed at aligning Patrice’s and the studio’s visions have been inconclusive.” Désilets has therefore decided to depart once again.
Ubisoft’s full statement reads:
“The acquisition of THQ Montréal in January allowed Ubisoft to welcome 170 experienced developers, including Patrice Désilets, to our existing and renowned workforce. Unfortunately, since the acquisition, the good faith discussions between Patrice and Ubisoft aimed at aligning Patrice’s and the studio’s visions have been inconclusive. As a result, Patrice has left the studio. Our priorities remain with the teams already hard at work on projects in development. They are at the root of Ubisoft Montréal’s past and future successes.”
Update: Added co-op details.
Ubisoft recently held a press event to show off the latest from Splinter Cell: Blacklist. Along with a main Spies vs. Mercs multiplayer mode, the game will also offer a “Classic” alternative. Details about both of these items can be found below.
Spies vs. Mercs
– Play as a spy in third-person view or merc in first-person
– Player count doubled
– Four mercs against four spies
– Includes customization
– Three terminals spread out across a map to be hacked or protected
– Still has the split between the hunters and the hunted
– Can create loadouts from scratch
– Unlock the ability to create these loadouts
– Also a number of presets spread across recognizable classes
– Spies have a saboteur who can disrupt enemy equipment, an intel scout who can tag enemy’s whereabouts and a predator who can disappear out of sight thanks to a digital ghillie suit
– Mercs have a hunter who’s access to a UAV drone that’s got the ability to detonate on demand, a powerful peacemaker who’s in the tank role and a disruptor who can deactivate the spy’s own electronic devices
– Spies vs. Mercs Classic takes away customization
– Also brings the player count down to two-on-two encounters
– Has a larger emphasis on the play between light and shadow as well
Splinter Cell: Blacklist is primarily developed by Ubisoft Toronto. But for the Wii U version, Ubisoft pegged its Shangai studio, the same team behind Pandora Tomorrow and I Am Alive.
Blacklist creative director Maxime Beland wouldn’t discuss the Wii U version during a recent press event, but did say the following:
“We have amazing brands, and if we make great games on all the platforms people will be happy. As long as the quality’s there and the game is fun it’s going to work or have a chance of working.”
Beland added:
“What I like about what we’re doing with the Wii U is that Splinter Cell’s always about gadgets, and with the controller it’s a natural extension. It’s interesting on that side for sure, because we didn’t have to invent new ways of interacting with the game to support the hardware. It just makes sense.”
While Ubisoft Shangai will devote a good chunk of its resources to Blacklist’s Wii U version, it is also wkring on the game’s co-op modes for all versions.
