Crytek’s new studio in the US will be primarily comprised of staffers from the now-defunct Vigil Games. The company essentially closed its doors following THQ’s auction of assets last week.
In a statement, Crytek confirmed that 35 developers are joining its new division in Austin, Texas – including former GM and co-owner David Adams.
“We can confirm that the 35 developers are former Vigil Games employees.”
Separately, Crytek’s Jens Schafer said that the studio is “more like a new start for [the team at Vigil].”
XSEED VP Ken Berry opened up on a number of interesting topics in an interview with Digital Trends. Berry discussed its support of Wii, its “deal” with Nintendo for The Last Story, the company’s sales expectations for Pandora’s Tower, and Retro Game Challenge 2 localization.
Sadly, XSEED has no plans to localize the DS title – nor will it consider an eShop release. The first game “was an incredibly expensive project”, but it didn’t sell well at all. As a result, XSEED can’t take a similar risk with Retro Game Challenge 2.
Head past the break to read up on all of Berry’s commentary.
A number of staffers from the Sonic Team will be on hand this weekend for the Japanese online TV show Puyo-Puyo. Tadashi Takezaki from SEGA, producer Takashi Iizuka, sound director Jun Senoue, and art director Kazuyuki Hoshino will be present.
Puyo-Puyo’s next show is on Sunday. That just so happens to be one day after the “Hedgehog Day”, which is typically accompanied by announcements.
Could the Sonic Team have something to say about its rumored project?
Nintendo and Dark Horse must be pleased with initial sales of Hyrule Historia. The special 272-page Zelda book, which officially goes on sale tomorrow, is currently a best-seller on Amazon’s US outlet. At the moment, Hyrule Historia lands at the 9th position on the Amazon UK charts.
If you have for some reason not yet ordered Hyrule Historia, you can pick up a copy from Amazon here
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This week’s Wii U eShop charts are as follows:
Software
1. Balloon Fight
2. The Cave
3. Little Inferno
4. Trine 2: Director’s Cut
5. Mighty Switch Force! Hyper Drive Edition
6. Nano Assault Neo
7. New Super Mario Bros. U
8. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed
9. Scribblenauts Unlimited
10. ZombiU
11. Assassin’s Creed III
12. Darksiders II
13. Chasing Aurora
14. Funky Barn Download
15. Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition
16. Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge
17. Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition
18. Just Dance 4
19. Warriors Orochi 3 Hyper
20. Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth
Videos
1. Nintendo Direct – Wii U Games January 23, 2013
2. The Cave Trailer
3. The Cave Character Trailer
4. Balloon Fight Video
5. Trine 2: Director’s Cut Video
6. Monolith Soft Announcement Video
7. New Super Mario Bros. U Video
8. Mighty Switch Force! Hyper Drive Edition Video
9. Little Inferno Video
10. Nano Assault Neo Video
11. Little Inferno Video 2
12. Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth Video
13. Wonderful 101 Video
14. Scribblenauts Unlimited Video
15. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Video
16. Toki Tori 2 Video
17. Bayonetta 2 Developer Video
18. Tank! Tank! Tank! Video
19. Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem Announcement Video
20. Zen Pinball 2 Video
Source: Wii U eShop
No transferring of VC saves from Wii to Wii U
So you have a bunch of Virtual Console lying on your Wii. Maybe you’ve already transferred them to a Wii U. Now, what happens if you wanted to transfer save data when the Wii U VC service officially launches this spring?
Unfortunately, Nintendo has confirmed that gamers won’t be able to transfer saves from the Wii’s Virtual Console to the Wii U’s Virtual Console. You’ll be able to “upgrade” Wii VC games sitting on your console to the Wii U version at a later date, but you’ll have to start over from the beginning.
Worth noting: David Adams is Vigil Games’ former GM and co-owner.
Developer’s first North American studio paves the way for exciting new opportunities
Frankfurt (Germany) / Austin (Texas, USA), January 28, 2013 – Crytek GmbH today unveiled their ninth worldwide studio, situated in Austin, Texas, USA. Crytek USA Corp. is the company’s first US-based studio and is ideally placed to embrace exciting new game, engine and business development opportunities in North America and beyond.
“Crytek has always enjoyed a special relationship with gamers and business partners in North America, so establishing a permanent presence in the US was a natural step,” said Crytek CEO, Cevat Yerli. “We are extremely excited about the work that we will be undertaking from our strategic new location in Austin, with David Adams and his team of 35 experienced developers. We believe our CryENGINE® technology will enable the team we assemble to create unparalleled new gaming experiences.”
Rumor has it that the studio behind the Epic Mickey games will be shut down. Roberts Space Industries, a Star Citizen crowdfunding platform, posted the update on its Twitter account today.
Second 21 gun salute for a studio in 7 days.Fare-the-well Junction Point!We hope that you all find new studios soon!
— RSI (@RobertsSpaceInd) January 28, 2013
Once again: this is simply a rumor for now. 3D Realms’ Geroge Broussard typically is among the first to post these kinds of things, and noted on his own Twitter profile that Junction Point closing speculation has been “circulating for a while.”
The Junction Point rumors have been circulating a while. Warning signs when you give employees 2 months off after shipping.
— George Broussard (@georgeb3dr) January 28, 2013
This week’s 3DS eShop charts are as follows:
Software
1. Pokemon Dream Radar
2. Super Mario Bros.
3. Gunman Clive
4. Pokedex 3D Pro
5. Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels
6. Tetris
7. Mega Man
8. Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream
9. The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX
10. Cut The Rope
11. Photo Dojo
12. Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins
13. 3D Classics: Kirby’s Adventure
14. Bird Mania 3D
15. The Legend of Zelda
16. Plants vs. Zombies
17. Kirby’s Star Stacker
18. Crimson Shroud
19. Super C
20. Colors! 3D
Videos
1. Pokemon – Nintendo Direct January 8, 2013
2. Fire Emblem: Awakening Video
3. Nintendo Show 3D: January 17, 2013
4. Tokyo Crash Mobs Video
5. Mario Kart 7 Video
6. What is Nintendo Video?
7. Kirby’s Star Stacker Video
8. Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars Video
9. Adventure Time Video
10. New Super Mario Bros. 2: Coin Rush
11. Super Mario Bros. The Lost Levels Video
12. Unchained Blades Video
13. Disney/Pixar: Finding Nemo Video
14. Wreck-It Ralph Video
15. Pokemon Dream Radar Video
16. Super Mario 3D Land Video
17. Pokedex 3D Pro Video
18. Fluidity: Spin Cycle Video
19. Super Mario 3D Land Super Play Video
20. New Super Mario Bros. 2 Warp Canon
Source: 3DS eShop
This week’s video additions to the eShop are as follows:
3DS
Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon Multiplayer Video
Pokemon X and Pokemon Y Video
Super C Video
ATV Wild Ride 3D Video
Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars Video
Cocoto Alien Brick Breaker Video
Wii U
Balloon Fight Video
Nintendo Direct – Wii U Games January 23, 2013
Bayonetta 2 Developer Video
Monolith Soft Announcement Video
Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem Announcement Video
Wonderful 101 Video
Source: 3DS/Wii U eShop
