News
2 CommentsUnreal Engine 4 updated with PS4, Xbox One, Linux and SteamOS support
By Alexa Ray Corriea at 2:30p 04.24.14
The first major update to Unreal Engine 4 since its public launch last month adds support for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, Epic games announced today.
Registered Xbox and PlayStation developers, including members of the ID@Xbox program, can access the complete Unreal Engine 4 code for these platforms.
The update also adds support for Linux and Valve's SteamOS operating system, as well as tweaks to the workflow for Android and iOS and a handful of changes based on community feedback. The Elemental demo is also now free for subscribers through the engine's marketplace, along with sample project Shooter Game, which demonstrates Unreal Engine 4's capabilities on PS4 and Xbox One.
During the 2014 Game Developers Conference last month, Epic announced that Unreal Engine 4 would be available...
Video
2 CommentsChild of Light's creators discuss the birth of Aurora and her fairytale journey
By Alexa Ray Corriea at 2:15p 04.24.14
The third making-of segment for Ubisoft's Japanese role-playing game inspired Child of Light gives viewers a look at the heart of the title — the driving forces behind Aurora's story.
In Child of Light, players will guide the pink-haired child Aurora on a quest to restore the world's light and defeat the evil Queen of the Night. Together with a ragtag band of heroes hailing from deepest corners of Lemuria — the strange world Aurora travels — and her firefly companion Igniculus, Aurora must save the day.
This final video introduces the storytellers behind the game — writer Jeffrey Yohalem and creative director Patrick Plourde — as well as actress Caroline Dhavernas (Hannibal), who narrates Aurora's journey. Watch above for a look at the fairytales and themes that inspired Aurora's...
Review
28 Comments
4.0
Moebius: Empire Rising review: remedial history
By Danielle Riendeau at 9:30a 04.24.14
Moebius: Empire Rising was difficult for me to get through.
It's not difficult in the traditional sense — any determined player with an eye for adventure game logic will be able to complete it. No, I found it hard to get through because of its unlikable lead character, dopey writing, uneven puzzle design and omnipresent sexism.
There were times during my playthrough where I caught glimpses of what writer/producer/designer Jane Jensen (famous for her work on the Gabriel Knight series) was going for — but Moebius utterly failed to recreate the charm of a 1990s-era adventure game.
Moebius stars Malachi Rector, a genius art appraiser with a cold, misanthropic demeanor courtesy of a difficult past. Throughout the game, Malachi traveled the world, appraised rare artifacts, solved...
News
8 CommentsTitanfall's Expedition DLC offers a 'parkour playground' with the 'War Games' map
By Dave Tach at 1:51p 04.24.14
Titanfall's first salvo of downloadable content, Expedition, will include a map called "War Games," which developer Respawn Entertainment detailed for the first time in a post today on the game's official site.
Respawn unveiled Expedition earlier this month at PAX East, where its developers explained that "War Games" would take place inside the game's training simulator — a "parkour playground," according to today's post.
Because it's built in a simulator, "War Games" allowed designers to create "themed areas" connected by the clean style of the simulator levels that Titanfall players explore when playing the first-person shooter for the first time.
The IMC starts in a structure based on the "Airbase" map, while the Militia begins in an area based on the "Angel City" map. A middle...
News
10 CommentsSkylanders Trap Team coming Oct. 5 with a new twist and a new portal
By Brian Crecente on Apr 23, 2014 04.23.14
Three years and three iterations into the short and absurdly successful lifespan of Skylanders, Activision and developers Beenox and Toys For Bob are hoping to reinvent the toys-meet-video game franchise with yet another twist.
Where the original Skylanders game allowed players to place an action figure onto a toy portal and inject the character into a video game, the follow-ups brought over-sized action figures and figures that can be taken apart and mix-and-matched.
In October, Skylanders Trap Team will bring the ability not just inject toys into a video game, but to take a video game character and drag him kicking and screaming into the real world, sort of.
"We're going to leap forward once again and redefine how kids play," said Eric Hirshberg, president and CEO of Activision...
News
2 CommentsSoulcalibur: Lost Swords launch delayed for some due to technical issues
By Alexa Ray Corriea at 1:30p 04.24.14
Bandai Namco games has delayed the launch of free-to-play downloadable fighter Soulcalibur: Lost Swords due to unresolved technical issues, according to a post on the franchise's Facebook page.
The post does not provide specifics on the technical issue in question, but notes that a resolution requires the work of more than one involved party. Bandai Namco notes it is "feverishly" working with one of the game's key partners to find a solution and launch Lost Swords as quickly as possible.
"There is currently a technical issue that has delayed the launch of the game and we have been working through this issue all through last night and today to expedite the launch of Soulcalibur: Lost Swords," reads the post. "We have discovered that the issue requires a resolution across multiple...
Games for Change 2014: How gaming can change everything
By Brian Crecente on Apr 22, 2014 04.22.14
Report
3 CommentsMinimum offers multiplayer shooting without the frills
By Colin Campbell at 12:00p 04.24.14
Minimum has the look of a shooting prototype; boxy, skinless models leaping about in a plain, undecorated world.But it's actually a work of intense design. Getting something simple to look sophisticated is the magic trick of minimalism. In Minimum, various shades of gray and beige work with stark, straight lines and tiny splashes of color to produce that rare thing, a combat world that looks fresh and interesting.
The game itself borrows from classic multiplayer team-shooters of the 1990s as well as more modern MOBAs, creating frenetic but tactical gunplay along barrier-dotted lanes. There is a heavy emphasis on power progression inside individual games.
Minimum is due to be released for Windows PC on Steam Early Access in the next few weeks. Published by Atari, it's been developed by...
Report
114 CommentsIs Watch Dogs doing anything original?
By Colin Campbell on Apr 23, 2014 04.23.14
Watch Dogs begins with a tutorial mission that heavily accentuates the game's aspirations as a thriller about modern surveillance. Set in a sports stadium, this sequence forces the player to make use of cameras and security servers in order to demonstrate power over the world. It is an overlay of semi-transparent lines, criss-crossing the physical realm, bending and warping reality; a conspiracy-theorist's fantasy user interface.
The in-game goons who would harm me can be rendered impotent by the flick of a switch. Reaching that switch is a matter of following simple sequential puzzles and holding down a button on the joypad. It is a secondary weapon, a smart bomb that the designers have placed in the world in order to add an extra dimension to the combat and to give the game a gleam...
News
7 CommentsPersona 4 Arena Ultimax will include story DLC, RPG-like arena mode
By Alexa Ray Corriea at 11:30a 04.24.14
Fighting game Persona 4 Arena Ultimax will include story-based downloadable content as well as an arena mode with role-playing game-like elements, according to the game's listing with Japanese media seller Rakuten.
The scenario DLC will be available as bonus content when the title launches in Japan on Aug. 28. There is currently no information on what this scenario will be about.
Ultimax will also include a Golden Arena Mode, which includes character progression elements familiar to role-playing games. Players will use the arena to level up — here they can earn extra experience points and items and learn new abilities by fighting through various stages. The game itself includes 150 different skills for players to unlock.
Earlier this week, developers Arc System Works and Atlus...
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
7 CommentsMinecraft Realms now available in North America
By Samit Sarkar at 11:00a 04.24.14
Minecraft Realms, Mojang's private-server service for Minecraft, is now available in North America, the studio announced today.
The service gives Minecraft players the opportunity to pay a subscription fee for Mojang to host a private server for a small group of people, like family and friends — as many as 20 individuals. Minecraft Realms servers are available 24/7, and owners have the ability to roll back the world to an earlier restore point in the case of a catastrophe. Subscriptions start at $13 per month, and the service is currently available only for the Windows PC version of Minecraft.
Mojang debuted Minecraft Realms in Sweden last December. With today's launch in North America, it is now available in the Åland Islands, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, the Cayman Islands, Croatia,...
News
15 CommentsInvestors put up millions for a virtual reality treadmill and now it could come to consoles
By Ben Kuchera at 10:15a 04.24.14
Virtuix raised $1.1 million on Kickstarter to release the Omni virtual reality treadmill, but the company isn’t finished raising capital. Virtuix has just completed a $3 million seed investment round, which will be used to expand the company size, enhance distribution and make sure the company has enough stock to meet possible demand.
The investors include Mark Cuban, who originally declined an investment when the product appeared on the popular television show Shark Tank. It’s an interesting situation; investors are interested in virtual reality due to a single massive investment from one of the most powerful companies in tech, not the sales of any released product.
"The Facebook acquisition of Oculus was great news for our industry, and validated all the work we’ve been doing and...
News
14 CommentsMetal Gear Ground Zeroes platform-exclusive missions go multiplatform in Japan May 1
By Dave Tach at 10:00a 04.24.14
Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes' previously platform-exclusive missions will become cross-platform offerings May 1 in Japan, series creator Hideo Kojima announced during a recent Japanese language webcast.
Kojima's personal assistant reiterated on Twitter that the Xbox-exclusive "Jamais Vu" mission, which follows the cyborg ninja Raiden, and the PlayStation-exclusive "Deja Vu" mission, which features PSOne-era Snake, will be available to download on their rival platforms.
We've reached out to Konami to see if the content will follow a similar path in other geographical regions and will update this article with more information as we have it.
For more on Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes, be sure to read and watch Polygon's review. Press play below to watch an Overview video and...
News
18 CommentsMario Kart 8 Wii U bundle, Peach and Yoshi Wii Remotes hitting Europe May 30
By Alexa Ray Corriea at 9:00a 04.24.14
A Mario Kart 8 Wii U console bundle and two new character-themed Wii Remotes are slated to launch in Europe alongside the racing title on May 30, Nintendo U.K. announced this morning.
The £249.99 Mario Kart 8 Premium Pack — Special Edition hardware bundle includes a 32GB black Wii U Premium console, black GamePad controller, the Wii U's sensor bar and a physical copy of Mario Kart 8.
Nintendo U.K. is also offering two more game bundles for £299.99 each that add a GamePad cover protector, Wii U Racing Wheel and an additional Wii Remote to the above list of goods. Both are character-themed: one includes red accessories tailored to suit Mario, while the other includes Luigi-green accessories.
Additionally, a new Yoshi-themed Wii Remote and the previously-announced Princess Peach Wii...
Video
12 CommentsThe latest Evolve trailer lets you control what you watch
By Emily Gera at 8:00a 04.24.14
A new trailer for co-op shooter Evolve gives you six different perspectives that can be switched between by viewers.
The Evolve — 4v1 Interactive Trailer shows off the entirety of an Evolve match from the perspective of Griffin the Trapper, Markov the Assault, Hank the Support, Val the Medic, The Goliath Monster, along with a sixth channel combining each perspective while adding a commentary from the studio's co-founder and design director Aaron Chambers and Chris Ashton.
Turtle Rock's previous works include Valve's Counter-Strike: Condition Zero and the Left 4 Dead games. The studio was originally developing Evolve to be published by THQ, but the IP went up for sale when THQ collapsed in December 2012. Evolve was purchased for $10.8 million by publisher Take-Two last January during...
News
20 CommentsH1Z1 lets you loot items bought with real-world money
By Emily Gera at 6:10a 04.24.14
Sony Online Entertainment's upcoming zombie-centric release H1Z1 will allow players to loot items you purchased with real-world money — but only temporarily.
Company president John Smedley took to Reddit this week to explain how microtransactions will work alongside the game's PvP gameplay, stating: "We've also come up with a pretty awesome idea to let players who kill other players loot stuff."So if a player has a black ski mask and gets killed by another player, that player can wear the ski mask for a few deaths (we have durability in the game. Station Cash wearables won't degrade at all but when you loot something.. it will degrade. Please note the original player always keeps their SC purchased wearables.
"This gives the great feeling of whacking some unsuspecting fool who decided...
News
1 CommentHow Call of Duty: Ghosts' new Chaos Mode perks will level the playing field
By Emily Gera at 4:28a 04.24.14
A new developer diary from Call of Duty: Ghosts studio Infinity Ward details the new Chaos Mode added to the alien-centric Extinction campaign.
The guide gives you an idea of the perks available to players when racking up combos against the ever-increasing number of enemies.
Chaos Mode, described as a throwback to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3's Spec Ops mode, was added to Windows PC, Xbox One and Xbox 360 hit games via a patch earlier this week. This follows the first Call of Duty 2014 screenshot released this week from developer Sledgehammer Games.
A full list of combo perks is available below, which includes helpful bonuses to increase the speed of health regeneration, freeze players and gain unlimited ammo for 15 seconds, among other perks designed to balance the playing field.
...
News
11 CommentsZuckerberg tried out PS4 VR headset a week before Oculus VR acquisition
By Jenna Pitcher at 3:52a 04.24.14
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg went hands-on with Sony's virtual reality headset, Project Morpheus, a week before buying VR headset manufacturer Oculus VR, Gamespot reports PlayStation marketing executive Guy Longworth as saying.
Speaking during a Games Marketing Summit 2014 session, Longworth recalled how Zuckerberg asked, "Can I have a tech demo?" for Project Morpheus and how he was curious why Zuckerberg was interested in seeing Sony's headset.
Facebook announced in late march its intention to acquire the Kickstarter-funded virtual reality headset creator for $2 billion. The Federal Trade Commission granted a request from the acquiring party, listed as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, to purchase the virtual reality headset manufacturer Oculus VR on April 22.
"I wish he bought...
News
13 CommentsMinecraft may hit PS4 and PS Vita Q2/Q3 this year
By Jenna Pitcher at 1:59a 04.24.14
Mojang aims to launch Minecraft: PlayStation 4 Edition and Minecraft: PS Vita Edition in either Q2 or Q3 of this year, Mojang's Owen Hill told Polygon.
"Yes — we are planning to release on PS4 and Vita at around Q2-Q3 this year," Hill wrote. "We're not able to share more specific dates yet though, sorry. We'd rather be vague than disappoint people! They probably won't be released simultaneously. We're going to release on each format as soon as it's ready."
Mojang is still working out the details of cross-buy/upgrade options for the PlayStation editions, Hill added, mentioning that more news about it is forthcoming. Hill wrote in the comments section of the European PlayStation blog that it may be possible for owners of the digital version to receive a discount for the Vita release.
H...
News
9 CommentsMeiji era Ace Attorney announcement trailer teases main characters
By Jenna Pitcher at 12:59a 04.24.14
Capcom's official announcement trailer for the new Ace Attorney game for Nintendo 3DS set in the Meji period offers glimpse of the game's two main characters.
The game, titled Dai Gyakuten Saiban - Naruhodou Ryuunosuke no Bouken in Japan, is set in Japan's Meiji era (Sept. 1868-July 1912). It centers on the courtroom antics of Naruhodou Ryuunosuke, an ancestor of the series' lawyer, Phoenix Wright. According to leaked pages from the most recent issue of Famitsu magazine earlier this week, Ryuunosuke possess a keen sense of justice and is quick to put himself in danger.
The new title's development is being overseen by series creator Shu Takumi. With the exception of last year's Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies, Takumi has worked on the Ace Attorney series since the 2001 original Nintendo...
Active Discussions
Polygon Daily Off-Topic: Beast Mode (Thurs 24 April)
in Off-topic by Talaviir
Titanfall less addictive than previous/similar games?
in Titanfall by ChickenPawks
Anime, Cartoons, Comics! Plight Vol. 2, No. 8: GOLDEN CRISIS
in Off-topic by darknightgotham
Darkest Polygon: Lets start a Polygon Dark Souls 2 covenant
in Dark Souls 2 by ajohnston37
NVIDIA GeForce Titan For Gaming?!
in Off-topic by TheIncarcerator