Skullgirls, the completely looney female fighter, is being axed from digital platforms (PSN, XBLA) on December 31st. This comes after a falling out between co-publishers Konami and Autumn Games. In light of that turn of events, Skullgirls Encore has been announced and will be published by MarvelousAQL in early (probably January) 2014. How it becomes available will vary depending on platform. For XBLA, Encore will be a patch for the original game; “leaderboards, achievements and save data will be unaffected by this transition.” Also, previously purchased DLC will be compatible. For PSN, those who purchased the original game will receive the new version, Encore, for free, “similar to a PS3/PS4/Vita Cross-buy.” However, as a new game, you will need to get your DLC again, which will be free for a limited time. Leaderboards will also be all new, as well as all new trophies to earn. You’ll also lose save data, so you’ll be starting the game completely over. On both consoles, Squigly’s DLC will release with the new version and will be free for three months.
Minecraft: XBox 360 Edition is getting The Avengers Skin Pack “soon.” While a simple skin pack featuring the six Avengers from the 2012 film would be sufficient, that’s not what you’re getting. The giants at Marvel, Mojang, and 4J Studios are making 35 character skins! In addition to those six, you’ll also get Wasp, Falcon, Vision, and other mighty Marvels. We aren’t just limited to traditional members of team either. S.H.I.E.L.D. agents Maria Hill, Phil Coulson, Nick Fury will be in the pack, as well as villains like Loki and Red Skull. Hopefully we’ll have a release date shortly.
Bioware seems intent on teasing me. Mass Effect 4 is now in a playable state internally. According to Aaryn Flynn’s Twitter it is “Ambitious. Beautiful. Fresh but recognizable. And fun!” Unfortunately, it’s doubtful we’ll hear any more about this until after the release of Dragon Age: Inquisition next year. People can complain all they like about the ending of ME3. I loved the series and can’t wait to get back into that universe, whenever or wherever that may be.
Rumors from within Ubisoft are hinting that what has become an annual title may now actually get two releases this year. This happened in 2012 for Assassin’s Creed when ACIII and Liberation released on console and Vita, respectively. Rumors, which Ubisoft has said will receive no comment (per the norm from everyone in the industry), are that we will see a new game on PS3/360 and a separate new game on PS4/XB1. This year’s Assassin’s Creed IV was cross-gen. That doesn’t necessarily mean it was dumbed down for next-gen, but it’s unlikely that it was made as great as it could be. The rumors, if true, are a good plan for Ubisoft. They’ll make a game for two of the most widely saturated consoles in history, and they’ll also make a true next-gen experience for the millions of gamers who will have a new console by October 2014. I’d be willing to bet we’d also see a future port of this rumored last-gen title to the new consoles a few months later.
Is there a new Saints’ Row in the works? A recent tweet from Jay Mohr would indicate yes. According to Mohr, who played Dane Vogel in Saints’ Row 2, he was “about to do my voice over work for new Saints Row video game. #showbiz.” I’m not sure how well-versed Mohr is about the games industry. If he’s not a gamer I would think this actually hints at DLC for Saints’ Row 4. But, if he’s familiar with the industry, it’s probably exactly what he says it is – a new game.
That’s all for this week. I expect news to be light next week but still plan on a Christmas Eve and post-Boxing Day column. So, if your eyes aren’t blurry from too much egg nog, be sure to catch up on the latest right here at Big Shiny Robot!