Slow news this week, but still a little something.
Bethesda has made it official, “Dragonborn” is the last DLC The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Having worked on the title since 2006, through the retail release and three large add-ons, they’re ready to move their focus to the future. A post on the Bethesda blog clarifies: “Even though we’re moving on, we’ll still have minor updates to Skyrim as needed. We’ve invested so much of ourselves into Skyrim and will never truly say goodbye to it.” While they are moving to their “next adventure,” they haven’t confirmed what that adventure might be. The general rumor mill has it being Fallout 4 on next-gen consoles, but that is unconfirmed. For now.
As you may have heard back in February, the developer behind PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, SuperBot Entertainment, has split ways with Sony. Far from this being the end of their story, they are still alive and working a new project despite a significant reduction in staff. According to David Yang, Director of Operations, “[They] have substantially shrunk down [their] operations but are still going strong while [they] work on a new IP.” No word yet on the new IP, but their success with All-Stars should give them some solid credibility moving forward.
The rumors are true, if a little bit incorrect. We’ve been hearing about a possible HD remake (or upgrade) to SEGA’s Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse for months. It’s now been officially revealed, not as a remake remaster, but as an “HD reimagining.” They are working to “maintain the spirit” of the 1990 original, while incorporating elements that were always intended but couldn’t be included due to hardware limitations. It’s also coming sooner than you expect, being scheduled for Summer 2013 on XBLA and PSN.
It’s a slow news week so I’ll include a little bit about a sale that I would normally ignore. Most of you that love Grand Theft Auto probably have everything you need in the franchise, but PSN’s got you covered just in case. Everything in the store in the whole franchise is discounted this week, even more so for PlayStation Plus members. Everything from GTA III for $4.89 to the GTA IV Ultimate Edition (with both major DLC add-ons) for $14.69. All of the PSP titles, with support for Vita, are available at easy discounts as well. This is a great chance to fill any gaps in your collection.
I hesitate to mention this because it seems inappropriate for a geek news site, but I can’t really help myself. I’ve been writing this column for a long time now, and a casual reader would think gaming is my only hobby. That’s not true. I also enjoy many outdoor activities liking hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping. But I truly love running. Which is why I feel obligated to call out yesterday’s tragic events. Running, like video games, sports, comics, or whatever your pleasure, is a hobby. This is our escape and our joy. How dare anyone attack you at your hobby? Long time readers of this column have seen my contempt for the anti-gaming lobby. That is nothing compared to the disgust I feel towards whoever is responsible for the bombings at the Boston marathon. My thoughts are with the runners and bystanders who were injured or killed, as well the as their families. I encourage everyone in America, or around the world, to go for a run today. Do a mile, or ten. But show your support for a healthy hobby.
Sorry to bring everyone down.