As you’ve probably heard throughout this week, Ubisoft’s next-gen launch title, Watch Dogs, is no longer a launch title. It’s been delayed until Spring 2014. What you may have missed in that announcement is that Ubisoft’s MMO racer, The Crew, was also delayed. Expectation for The Crew is now sometime after mid-2014.
But that’s still not the end of the delays for next-gen games. Shuehi Yoshida has announced that Evolution Studios’ DriveClub is also being held back until early 2014. This is a major blow as the retail and Playstation Plus Edition, which was to be free at launch, are both delayed. There will still be a free version available when the game does release, but the day one title has been replaced by Contrast from Compulsion Games (which also looks great). Console launches are always a bit slow on the software front, but three big delays means the field is getting pretty thin.
We haven’t heard much about Sportsfriends since their successful funding through Kickstarter last year, but it’s nearing release. From a recent report on the PlayStation Blog, the PS3 version is complete and pending a full release date. For those looking to jump on the PS4 next month, a version will be coming for that console sometime after the PS3 release. If you bought the PS3 title by backing the Kickstarter, you’ll be entitled to the PS4 version for free. Cross buy options for non-backers have yet to be addressed. Although…
Thanks to Sony’s cross-buy program, you may already own some PS4 games anyway. Several PS3 and Vita games are also making the jump to next-gen, including thatgamecompany’s Flower (Nov. 15) and flOw (Nov. 29th). Sound Shapes (Nov. 15th) and Escape Plan (Nov. 29th) are also making the leap. If you already own the digital version of these on one of your current devices, they’ll be free to download to your PS4. Also good news for trophy hunters, the trophy packs are separate. For those titles that cross-buy through both consoles and the Vita you’re looking at a potential for triple trophies to boost your level.
Games for Gold is being extended indefinitely
In case you missed it, Halo 3 is now free through XBox Live Games for Gold – though I’m pretty sure anyone with a Gold account has already played Halo 3. If you’ve already sold yours, download it now. DLC for the title is also on sale to coincide with the offer. The Games for Gold offer announced at E3 was supposed to be a limited time effort, running through the end of 2013. However, over 120 million hours have been logged with XBL Gold players on the free games since June and they’ve garnered a 97% approval rate. Naturally, Microsoft wants to continue such a popular program and it will now be extended for an unspecified amount of time. I’d expect this to become a permanent feature, though I’m curious how they’ll carry it on to the XBox One.
Jonathan Blow’s The Witness has grown much larger than anticipated. Originally planned as an eight hour game, the open world puzzle title is now expected to reach 25-40 hours. Some of the game is optional, but if you’re a completionist you’ll be sinking a heavy amount of time into this one. There’s no release date yet, but they’re optimizing frame-rate and load times now, so I’d expect sooner rather than later.
As if I couldn’t get any more excited about LEGO Marvel Super Heroes and its over 100 minifig characters, TT Games has now nailed that vague number down a little more. Apparently over 100 actually meant over 140! Absorbing Man, Ant Man, Bullseye, Black Bolt, Doctor Strange, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Moon Knight, Polaris, Pyro, Taskmaster, and Superior Spider-Man are a few of the latest character reveals. The demo for this is available now, and the game releases for current consoles on Tuesday. It’s also coming to next-gen on or near their release date.
The special edition releases of inFAMOUS Second Son were finally revealed this week. Pre-orders will receive a limited foil cover and will include the Cole’s Legacy DLC. This includes a “series of missions to uncover what happened between the devastating events of inFAMOUS 2 and inFAMOUS Second Son.” You’ll unlock Cole’s jacket for Delsin after completing the DLC. The US Collector’s Edition includes the DLC, an exclusive cover, a bunch of drawer filler (pins, patch, decals), an in-game vest, and a replica beanie. The beanie is cool, but it doesn’t stand up to the replica of Cole’s sling pack that came with the second game. Then again, this one’s significantly cheaper at only $80. Still no firm release date, just expecting “early 2014” with February most likely.
Were you like me and got super-excited to buy The Wolf Among Us this week only to discover there was no season pass on PSN. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I don’t think it will be worth $5 an episode, but I had an expectation of getting the five-episode season for $20 if I paid up front. I decided to be patient and I’m glad I did. Sony has confirmed that there should be a season pass and it will likely be updated on the PSN Store by tomorrow morning. Patience is not a virtue of mine, but I’m glad I held back.
2K Marin, the studio behind The Bureau: XCOM Declassified and Bioshock 2, has apparently been closed. A “majority” of the staff has been laid off. A representative from 2K confirmed “staff reductions at 2K Marin. While these were difficult decisions, [they] regularly evaluate [their] development efforts and have decided to reallocate creative resources. [Their] goal to create world-class video game titles remains unchanged.” That representative did not confirm that the studio has been entirely shut down, but other sources within the company claim it has ceased operations.
The promised 1.04 update to Grand Theft Auto V is rolling out now. If it hasn’t hit your region yet, it will soon. The update fixes numerous issues with missing vehicles, fast cash exploits, and other online connectivity issues. The first GTA$250k deposit you were expecting this week has been pushed to next week. Disappointing sure, but Rockstar wants to insure the character loss issues have been completely addressed prior to issuing the funds. Once they’ve confirmed the bugs are corrected, they expect to begin those deposits next week. Perfect timing really, as I have three minor tasks left to reach 100% completion in single player (golf under par and two friend activities). I also need to complete my Epsilon training and nuclear waste gathering, but those can come in time as they are not required for 100% completion.
So, I guess that tells you what I’m doing this weekend. What’s everyone else playing?