News
0 CommentsHitman Go trailer heralds its iOS release today
By Dave Tach at 11:00a 04.17.14
Hitman Go, Square Enix Montreal's turn-based puzzle game, arrived on iOS today for $4.99, and Square Enix released a trailer to celebrate.
Check out the video above to see the game's diorama-like style, which places Agent 47 and his adversaries on board game-inspired levels. Alongside the series longstanding protagonist, Hitman Go also includes his established stealth tools like disguises, distractions and hiding spots and will allow players to complete levels with stealth or force.
You can download Hitman Go in the iOS App Store and play it on iPad 2, iPad Mini, iPhone 4, iPod Touch fifth generation and newer devices. For more on the game, be sure to read our interview with its developers from PAX East 2014.
News
3 CommentsThe Walking Dead Season 2 launching April 22 on PS Vita
By Samit Sarkar at 9:30a 04.17.14
The second season of Telltale Games' The Walking Dead will arrive on PlayStation Vita next Tuesday, April 22, the studio announced today.
So far, Telltale has released the first two episodes of Season 2, "All That Remains" and "A House Divided," and both will debut simultaneously on Sony's handheld. There's no word yet on whether Episode 3, "In Harm's Way," and the two subsequent episodes will launch simultaneously on PS Vita with the other platforms. We've reached out to Telltale to ask, and we'll update this article with any information we receive.
Telltale previously said it planned to release the PS Vita version of Season 2 in late March. Season 1 launched on PS Vita in August.
For more on Season 2, check out our reviews of Episode 1 and Episode 2.
Opinion
159 CommentsTales from inside the Diversity Lounge: PAX's half-baked experiment
By Royel Edwards on Apr 16, 2014 04.16.14
I figured volunteering at a booth for PAX's first Diversity Lounge would give me the opportunity to see what it was about from the inside. I knew what people were saying, but the reality might be very different.The lounge had already become controversial when documents describing the initiative were leaked onto the internet. I didn’t know if I was horrified, proud or somewhere in the middle. Why does PAX need this? Wasn’t the whole show supposed to be safe? There weren’t any actual diversity specialists involved to my knowledge; it was made up of volunteers, who had booths of their own inside the lounge. A bit misleading, but the intent was still commendable.
PAX should be a safe place where people can be themselves and enjoy the things that make them happy, to meet new people or...
News
3 CommentsPopular Chinese animated lamb joins Where's My Water? mobile franchise
By Alexa Ray Corriea at 9:15a 04.17.14
Xi Yiang Yiang, one of China's most popular animated characters, is joining the cast of Disney's mobile franchise Where's My Water? with Where's My XYY?, available today for mobile devices.
Players will guide the cheerful and critical-thinking lamb XYY on an adventure through medieval environments, where he must cut through dirt and guide flows of water to goals in order to defeat the Big Bad Wolf, XYY's nemesis.
This new version of Where's My Water? also includes two new elements to maneuver — fire and oil — as well as 80 new levels and dozens of in-game collectibles for players to unlock.
Where's My XYY? initially launched in China last December. The animation it is based on is still running, having produced just under 800 25-minute episodes since it first aired in June 2005....
News
156 CommentsBungie fires Halo composer Martin O'Donnell (update)
By Jenna Pitcher on Apr 16, 2014 04.16.14
Halo series and Destiny composer Marty O'Donnell was fired by Bungie's board of directors last week, the composer revealed via his personal Twitter account tonight.
I'm saddened to say that Bungie's board of directors terminated me without cause on April 11, 2014.
— Marty O'Donnell (@MartyTheElder) April 16, 2014
O'Donnell composed music for Oni, as well as the Myth and Halo series. He joined Bungie in 2000 as audio director after working on Myth 2, Oni and Halo: Combat Evolved's scores on a contract basis with his company TotalAudio. During his time at Bungie, O'Donnell directed voice talent and sound design for the Halo trilogy, Halo: Reach and Halo 3: ODST. He often collaborated with TotalAudio partner and now in-house audio design lead at Bungie, Mike Salvatori.
...
News
0 CommentsFarmVille 2: Country Escape launches on mobile today
By Tracey Lien at 9:00a 04.17.14
It was hard to imagine FarmVille 2 on mobile. The web version, which launched in 2012, was designed with the mouse cursor in mind. It played like a simulation and real-time strategy game. There may not have been enemies or beasts to slay, but there were things to move on a game board, crops to plant and items to craft. The cute farming exterior was, in some ways, deceptive, because if players wanted to get strategic and competitive with their farms, they could.
In bringing FarmVille 2 to mobile, developer Zynga had to redesign the game to be "mobile first." Porting the web version to mobile devices wouldn't have worked for a number of reasons. The web version relies on mouse input; mobile devices use swipe inputs. Web players are likely to spend more time with the game during play...
StoryStream
PAX East 2014: All the games, all the news, all the kilts
By Justin McElroy on Apr 11, 2014 04.11.14
News
0 CommentsSmash Bandits Racing comes to Android
By Emily Gera at 8:43a 04.17.14
British-based Hutch Games launched its mobile racing game Smash Bandits Racing onto Android this week, following a massive update that will drastically change the gameplay of the original Smash Bandits release.
Smash Bandits Racing adds a new racing mode with 25 unique racing levels that pit you against three AI opponents. Successful races also give players the chance to unlock "gold" versions of vehicles.
Players can still choose to play the standard Smash mode, with racers attempting to outrun the cops for as long as possible. A new attack helicopter will also be added to this mode at higher levels, as well as two new vehicles: the Hot Rod and Hummer.
Smash Bandits Racing does away with the earlier timer mechanic, while in-app purchase prices will be reduced overall. As a result,...
News
1 CommentYour first look at Prodigy's two new monstrous creatures
By Emily Gera at 7:02a 04.17.14
Prodigy developer Hanakai Studio is unveiling two new creatures today for its upcoming tactical role-playing game, sketches of which you can see in this post.
Zotra, who you can see in the above image, is described as being a beautiful but cruel woman who played with the feelings of a young noble. Zotra was later turned into a Manticore by the noble, and once captured, forced to serve the Company of Thorns.
The studio is currently working on a number of ideas for the character while she is in battle. This includes "Aura of Pain" which halves damage done to companions while she is on the battlefield, while the guardian of this companion endures the other half of the damages. Likewise, with "Internal Fire" Zotra suffers the same damage she delivers, although it should be known she will...
News
4 CommentsWildstar PvP will throw you into a 40 vs. 40 battle royale
By Emily Gera at 6:16a 04.17.14
A new trailer for Carbine Studio's massively multiplayer release Wildstar shows off the high level player-versus-player combat you can expect in Warplots.
Warplots are part of Wildstar's Elder Game for users who hit level 50. These are made up of fortress versus fortress combat, with teams coordinating their respective army of players. There are two win scenarios for every Warplots, while players can also earn currency throughout the match to use on upgrades.
The long in-development title will launch on June 3 in two editions: standard and deluxe. WildStar's Standard Edition comes with a free 30 days of playtime, three seven-day passes for guests and an Eldan housing decor item. The Deluxe Edition includes a few additional pieces of unique Eldan-themed content: a hoverboard, a...
Top Games
-
Spelunky
- Platforms: Win, XBLA, PS3, PS Vita, Win
- Publisher: Mossmouth
- Developer: Mossmouth
- Release Date: 07/04/2012
-
Saints Row 4
- Platforms: Win, 360, PS3
- Publisher: Deep Silver
- Developer: Volition
- Release Date: 2013-08-20
-
Plants vs. Zombies 2: It's About Time
- Platforms: iOS, Android
- Publisher: PopCap Games
- Developer: PopCap Games
- Release Date: 08/15/2013
-
Gone Home
- Platforms: Win, Mac, Linux
- Publisher: The Fullbright Company
- Developer: The Fullbright Company
- Release Date: 08/15/2013
-
Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn
- Platforms: PS3, Win, PS4
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Developer: Square Enix
- Release Date: 2013-08-27
News
10 CommentsStarbound studio is helping to bring metroidvania RPG Heart Forth, Alicia to new platforms
By Emily Gera at 4:27a 04.17.14
Metroidvania-styled role-playing game Heart Forth, Alicia will be published by Starbound developer Chucklefish, with plans to bring the game to platforms beyond Windows PC.
"Chucklefish Games are a group of talented people helping us with our business responsibilities, marketing, distribution, and although they will not be providing Heart Forth, Alicia with funding at any point, they are opening up the doors for console porting," reads a statement from the company in the latest Kickstarter campaign update. "They're very nice people, too, and working together has been really smooth because they completely understand the development process of a game."
The game, which is being created by developer Alonso Martin, hit Kickstarter this week with a funding goal of $60,000. It has reached...
News
3 CommentsOfficial Disney Fan Club site hints at Disney Infinity 2.0 launch this August
By Jenna Pitcher at 3:08a 04.17.14
Disney Infinity 2.0, the "latest chapter" of Disney's real-world toy/video game platform, may launch this August, according to a news brief on the official Disney Fan Club D23.
"Disney Infinity 2.0 is coming in August 2014, and a teaser trailer can be viewed at Marvel.com," according to the post recently discovered by Infinity Inquirer. "The teaser promises such Marvel-ous additions to the game as familiar Marvel characters, objects, and vehicles-the possibilities are infinite."
The D23 news brief mentioning the Disney Infinity 2.0 launch window has been pulled from the website since the recent discovery, but still appears in Google's cache (viewed below). According to an invitation sent to Polygon this week, Disney and Marvel Entertainment will unveil a collaboration on "the...
News
30 CommentsPS4 update 1.70 coming soon, introduces video editor app, USB saves, game pre-loading
By Jenna Pitcher at 1:06a 04.17.14
PlayStation 4's next system software update is "coming soon," Sony announced today, introducing video editor app ShareFactory, USB drive saves and software pre-loading on PlayStation 4 systems.
Update 1.70 will add the ability to pre-download pre-ordered games "up to several days prior to release." Following the update, users who enable the auto-download feature will automatically pre-download software to their systems.
Sony told Polygon last month that it was "considering" allowing software to be pre-loaded on PS4 systems, following a series of tweets from Sucker Punch Studios indicating that Sony Computer Entertainment America would roll out the feature in April.
The system update will also introduce video editor app ShareFactory, featured above, offering users the tools to...
News
3 CommentsWolfenstein: The New Order pre-orders open on Steam, includes TF2 armor and hat
By Jenna Pitcher at 12:00a 04.17.14
Machinegames' alternate history first-person shooter, Wolfenstein: The New Order, is now available for pre-order via Steam for $59.95.
Wolfenstein: The New Order will be released on May 20, but players who pre-purchase through Steam will get two exclusive Wolfenstein-themed Team Fortress 2 items. The items are the regime armor "Die Regime-Panzerung" and machinery soldier helm "Der Maschinensoldaten-Helm."
Wolfenstein: The New Order is slated to release on PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows PC, Xbox 360 and Xbox One on the same day. Pre-orders for all platforms include beta access to the new Doom. For more on the game, read our recent hands-on impressions with the title and publisher Bethesda's commissioning of an original German-language pop music soundtrack for the alternate...
News
4 CommentsSweden wants to use games to promote democracy and creativity
By Tracey Lien on Apr 16, 2014 04.16.14
Sweden is making attempts to promote democracy and creativity through a project called Democreativity, which curates ideas for "the most unlikely [video] game ever."
According to the website's description, the project crowd-sources ideas from the public and lets site visitors vote on what they like best. While the organizers of Democreativity won't make the games themselves, they would like to see game developers use the site's curated suggestions as a resource.
The site has a section where visitors can pitch their own ideas for game environments, characters and victory states. Examples of suggestions that have been voted to the top include game environments inspired by Ancient Mesopotamia, the human body and a normal-sized house where you play as a mouse.
Democreativity received...
News
6 CommentsEB Games Expo 2014 to take place in Sydney, Oct. 3-5, ticket sales begin April 24
By Jenna Pitcher on Apr 16, 2014 04.16.14
EB Games Expo 2014 will kick off in Sydney, Australia on Oct. 3-5 at the Sydney Olympic Park, the company announced today, confirming the attendance major publishers Activision, Electronic Arts, Nintendo, Sony, Ubisoft, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Microsoft.
This year's expo will see the addition of a new pavilion, expanding event's space to 35,000 sqm, which will hold demonstration sessions from U.K. television series Robot Wars. Sessions will feature Q&As, photo opportunities and allow visitors to "get up close" with the robots.
As well as giving attendees the opportunity to get hands-on with the latest releases from the publishers, the event will offer Tumbletown playground area, Family Zone Café, the Lovesac Handheld Lounge & Stage, Free Play City, Retro Central...
Culture
9 CommentsAnimation hack in Telltale games is hilarious and terrifying
By Megan Farokhmanesh on Apr 16, 2014 04.16.14
Telltale's games have gotten a little saucy, thanks to a fan-made hack that manipulates characters into moving outside of their usual range.
A video of the mod first appeared as part of Telltale's Fables-based episodic game, The Wolf Among Us. The clip features protagonist Bigby dancing without a care as his companions continue on with business as usual. Another gif, posted by Telltale director and senior cinematic artist Nick Herman on Twitter, features characters from The Walking Dead with similar intentions.
Someone figured out how to play animations in our shipped titles. The results are glorious. http://t.co/Civzwz35C3 pic.twitter.com/UBdbOaUHib
— Nick Herman (@ItsMeNickHerman) April 14, 2014
A Telltale representative told Kotaku that the modification was made using...
News
2 CommentsChaos Reborn Kickstarter surpasses crowdfunding goal
By Dave Tach on Apr 16, 2014 04.16.14
The crowdfunding campaign for Chaos Reborn surpassed its funding goal, according the game's Kickstarter page.
As of this writing, the campaign has received $193,695 in pledges of its $180,000 goal from 4,721 backers with 11 hours remaining.
"Chaos Reborn has been funded with just 34 hours to go on the clock," developer Julian Gollop wrote on the Chaos Reborn's Kickstarter blog. "Thank you to everybody who backed the project and promoted it. Thanks to my team for working after hours to make the prototype possible, and providing all the art and publicity material during the campaign. And thanks mum for being such a vocal supporter!"
The designer of XCOM: UFO Defense launched the turn-based strategy game's crowdfunding campaign last month. It's planned for a spring 2015 release on...
News
2 CommentsCult County to launch on Nintendo 3DS if minimum crowdfunding goal is met
By Megan Farokhmanesh on Apr 16, 2014 04.16.14
Renegade Kid's upcoming horror game, Cult County, will launch for Nintendo 3DS — in addition to its other platforms — if the game meets its minimum crowdfunding goal, the developer announced on Kickstarter.
Cult County is a first-person, atmospheric title described as The Walking Dead meets Silent Hill 2. The game takes place in a small, West Texas town where protagonist Gavin Mellick begins unraveling clues about a "cultish" group new to the area.
The game was originally planned for release exclusively on Nintendo 3DS, but grew "beyond the scope" of the handheld system. When Renegade Kid began crowdfunding efforts for the game on Kickstarter, a 3DS port was added as a stretch goal.
"We sent the call out on Twitter, and we got a tremendous response," the update reads....
News
0 CommentsCandy Crush Saga to be distributed in China by Tencent this summer
By Samit Sarkar on Apr 16, 2014 04.16.14
Candy Crush Saga publisher King Digital Entertainment is bringing the sugary sensation to China this summer with the help of Chinese internet and media firm Tencent, King announced today.
Tencent will distribute a Chinese version of Candy Crush Saga on its Mobile QQ and WeChat services. Candy Crush Saga is already available elsewhere in Asia — last year, King released the game in Japan and South Korea.
"I am thrilled to be launching Candy Crush Saga with Tencent in China," said Riccardo Zacconi, CEO of King, in a press release today. "Tencent has the largest mobile social network in China and is a great partner to work with. I look forward to working together to make Candy Crush Saga as popular in China as in the rest of the world."
"Tencent always hopes to bring global premier...
Active Discussions
Polygon Daily Off-Topic: PLACE HAND HERE! (Thu 17 Apr)
in Off-topic by Polynauts
Anime, Cartoons, Comics! Plight Vol. 2, No. 8: GOLDEN CRISIS
in Off-topic by darknightgotham
Polygon Daily Off-Topic: M! (Wed 16 Apr)
in Off-topic by Polynauts
Scrolling front page - can't access bottom banner
in Meta by scotttheduck
The best song in a video game?
in Windows by kopernicus