Author: Game Infliction

Lizardcube Co-Founder Leaves To Start New Game Company

“my vision has been less aligned with the team”.

Omar Cornut, one of the co-founders of developer Lizardcube, has announced his departure from the company after his own aspirations and vision became less aligned with the wider team.

Lizarcube is known for its work on Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap and Streets of Rage 4, with Cornut and Ben Fiquet kickstarting the company out of a shared love of old Sega licenses. Cornut states “I want to make games differently” and that he “didn’t want to be swimming against the tide”, prompting him to leave Lizardcube in the capable hands of Fiquet and the rest of the team.

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I want to remove this horrible demo from my Steam library, but my body won’t let me

When and where did the Steam demo for horror game New Life first find its way to me? When did its non-descript, black hooded protagonist first wriggle, with the transgressive delight of an unbidden slug between naked toes embarking on a 2am fridge odyssey, into the as yet uncolonised crevices of my ‘demos’ library? The specifics, I fear, are but the fumes of memories, lingering like armies of mice in trenchcoats at supermarket cheese sample platters, at once painfully obvious and immune to detection in their uncanny shroud of stifling human decorum. “For who is madder?!” I shout, in a normal and cool manner. “The mice – so very mad for cheese – or the madmen who screams ‘Mice! Mice!’ in the middle of the cheese aisle?!”

And if I can’t remember how it got here, how can I make it go away?

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The 2K Launcher Is No More — You Can Now Launch 2K’s PC Games Directly in Steam

2K Games has pulled its launcher from all its PC games as part of a “complete sunset” of the software, which means PC gamers can now launch all 2K games directly in Steam.

The 2K Launcher was forced upon players of the company’s PC games, including Firaxis’ Civilization 5, Mafia Trilogy Definitive Edition, and XCOM 2. Following an update this month, the 2K Launcher is removed from every game that used it on Epic and Steam. 2K also removed the 2K Launcher Beta, a completely separate launcher, from Civilization 5.

This means Bioshock Remastered, Bioshock 2 Remastered, Bioshock Infinite, The Quarry, and Marvel’s Midnight Suns will now all launch directly into the game as soon as you click Play. The Mafia Trilogy Definitive Edition games on Steam and the Mafia Trilogy Definitive Edition games on Epic each have slightly different paths to getting into the games.

Civilization 6 on Steam had the launcher removed earlier this year, so no additional steps are needed. But for Civilization 6 for Epic, it now directly opens into the game when launched from Epic. Civilization 5, meanwhile, now uses the Steam Launch options to open the game.

XCOM 2 for Steam is a special case, 2K said, as the launcher included Mod support functionality. Of note, these changes will let you enable mods on the Steam Deck. XCOM 2 on Epic will now open the Original XCOM 2 Mod Launcher. XCOM: Chimera Squad also has the Mod launcher as optional, with a secondary option available to directly launch the game. Mods are also available on Steam Deck for Chimera Squad.

In a blog post, 2K said it had replaced the 2KLauncher folder with a text file called 2kLauncherRemoved.txt, which can be safely deleted. But there may be more for you to do — 2K said to be sure the launcher is gone for good, close and reopen Steam then reboot your PC.

“We’ve done the heavy lifting, but to take it all the way home there might be one step left for you,” 2K explained. “First thing is to try closing and reopening Steam – that means completely closing and not just using the X to minimize the platform. Rebooting your PC is a good way to be sure it happened. For Epic, just make sure you’ve downloaded the most recent update for the game.”

Saved games shouldn’t be impacted, and you won’t lose access to any of your games, as long as you bought them on Steam or Epic. And, for those (probably very few!) PC gamers who miss the 2K Launcher for some reason and want to continue using it, unfortunately it’s not coming back. “We currently have no plans to allow an optional 2K Launcher setting, but we appreciate your interest,” 2K said.

The end of the 2K Launcher comes ahead of the release of Civilization 7 in February 2025. Civilization is usually one of the most popular PC games around, so fans can rest assured they’ll be able to launch it directly in Steam.

PC gamers have long criticized publisher launchers, including Ubisoft and EA’s, that force themselves upon players before they can get into the game. It seems unlikely the end of the 2K Launcher will spark a mass removal of PC launchers, however, given they’re often used for cloud saves or storefronts.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Xbox Is Shutting Down the Avatar Editor App and Offering Refunds Starting in January

Xbox is removing the Avatar Editor app from Xbox consoles and PC, ending support for the revamped characters first introduced in 2018.

Xbox quietly announced the news on its support site over the weekend, saying the app would no longer be available starting January 9, 2025. The end of Xbox Avatar Editor support means that users will no long be able to access Xbox Avatars or any of their purchased avatar items. Xbox says it will refund all Avatar purchases made between November 1, 2023 and January 9, 2025.

Xbox is specifically ending support for the Avatars introduced as part of the Xbox Avatars Update back in 2018, which were touted as more detailed, expressive and creative than their predecessors on the Xbox 360. Xbox says it will retain support for the simpler Xbox Original Avatars, which will continue to work in supported Xbox 360 games and will be accessible via the Xbox Original Avatars app.

One way or another, Avatars feel less and less important these days. In its FAQ, Xbox said that it was ending support due to “low engagement” and a “shift in focus toward delivering other player experiences,” noting that players can still personalize their experience with dynamic backgrounds, profile colors, and other options.

In the meantime, Xbox is looking ahead to the future, among other things working on a dedicated handheld. Development on a next-gen successor is also underway.

Kat Bailey is IGN’s News Director as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.

Atlus RPG Unicorn Overlord Is Half Price for Black Friday

For my money, Atlus creates and publishes some of the most reliably enjoyable RPGs in all of gaming. And since we’re talking about money, Black Friday sees one of Atlus’ latest outings, Unicorn Overlord, down to just half price. Grab this RPG for just $29 and explore one of the most creative fantasy worlds in recent memory.

Unicorn Overlord for $29.99

Other Atlus games from this year on sale right now include Metaphor Re:Fantazio for $49.99 and Persona 3 Reload for $25.

For more, check out our hub of the best PlayStation Black Friday deals and Xbox sales.

Black Friday has also brought out the best console deal ever on Switch and Switch OLED, and there’s lots more Nintendo love going on, so check out our hub for the best Nintendo Black Friday deals.

We’re also keeping up on tons of daily deals, from PS4 and PS5 games to Switch bundles, PS5 bundles and Apple iPads. For more great fun for the whole family, the Calvin and Hobbes Complete Hardcover box set is down to just $83.33.

If you (like me) are interested in becoming part of the current PC handheld revolution, check out the great Black Friday deals on various PC handhelds, and be sure to visit our hefty hubs for every major outlet’s Black Friday offerings.

There are tons of Black Friday Amazon deals already available, not to mention the best Walmart deals, Target sales, and Best Buy deals, too. And if you are brave enough to open the firehose, check out our Black Friday megahub.

Amazon Black Friday Video Game Deals

When Is Black Friday 2024?

We’re in the home stretch: Black Friday falls on November 29 this year. All month long, retailers have been rolling out sales, ramping up to massive discounts on Black Friday and through the weekend into Cyber Monday. There are already some fantastic deals available on PS5 consoles (including PSVR2) and controllers, video games for all platforms, AirPods Pro, and tons more.

Brian Barnett writes reviews, guides, features, & more for IGN, GameSpot, & Kotaku. You can get more than your fair share of him on Bluesky & Backloggd, & enjoy his absurd video game talk show, The Platformers, on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

Grab a Physical PS5 Copy of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 for $30 for Black Friday

Insomniac’s Spider-Man was a smash hit when it first released in 2018, and 2023’s Spider-Man 2, starring Miles Morales as the playable Spidey protagonist, was no different. If you haven’t played it, you absolutely owe it to yourself to get in on it ASAP. With improved movement options and the ability to play as Miles or Peter, it’s the best the gameplay the series has seen yet.

Right now, Spider-Man 2 is over half off at Walmart for its Black Friday Sale. Walmart+ members grab it for just $30 right now (sign up here for half price), but if you aren’t a member and don’t plan on signing up, you can score this price at 5pm ET… assuming there are any left. Good luck!

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (PS5) for $30

The Walmart deal is active now for Walmart+ members, and 5pm ET for everyone

Amazon had the same deal earlier, but stocks ran out. These might get reupped, but I wouldn’t count on it.

Should You Sign Up for Walmart+?

Even though Walmart’s first wave of Black Friday offers had a 50% discount on a 12-month Walmart+ membership, and a subscription gives you early access to deals that might be out by the time it opens up to everyone else, it’s still probably not worth signing up just for a single deal.

Instead, figure out how much you will actually get and save during this event, then consider whether early access to Walmart’s deals or the other 12-month membership benefits are appealing enough. The more you are gonna grab, the sweeter the deal.

More PlayStation Black Friday Deals We’ve Found

For more PlayStation deals, check out our hub for the best PS5 game deals. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (which is fantastic) is at its lowest price ever or, if you prefer the FromSoftware flavor, Elden Ring is too, which gives you an easy way to enjoy this year’s Game of the Year-nominated Shadow Of the Erdtree DLC – that is also discounted right now.

If you want to convince a friend to grab a PlayStation 5 to play with you, tell them to grab this deal on a PS5 now, and if you’ve been looking to try out VR on PlayStation, the PS VR2 Horizon: Call of the Mountain bundle is a whopping $250 off. We’ve also been tracking tons of other fantastic PlayStation Black Friday deals, so take a peek.

Top 10 Walmart Black Friday Deals

When Is Black Friday 2024?

We’re in the home stretch: Black Friday falls on November 29 this year. All month long, retailers have been rolling out sales, ramping up to massive discounts on Black Friday and through the weekend into Cyber Monday. There are already some fantastic deals available on PS5 consoles (including PSVR2) and controllers, video games for all platforms, AirPods Pro, and tons more.

Brian Barnett writes reviews, guides, features, & more for IGN, GameSpot, & Kotaku. You can get more than your fair share of him on Bluesky & Backloggd, & enjoy his absurd video game talk show, The Platformers, on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

The Best Board Games To Give as Gifts

We’re living in a golden age of board game releases right now. With hundreds of board games to choose from and with the holidays coming up, picking out which games to buy can be a big task. Whether you’re shopping for a friend or a family member, there are many things to consider as you browse. Depending on who you are shopping for—(is it for you and your family to play over the holidays?)—it’s time to plan out what you and your family would enjoy playing together time and time again.

That’s where I come in. I’ve filtered the options down to the best of the best in five different board game subcategories, depending on your target audience. I’m not just basing choices on the most fun to play, but also what will surprise and delight people encountering a game for the first time; either as a gift or for an initial play. After all, there’s never been a better time to be a board gamer, so this is a fantastic opportunity to spread festive cheer with games that bring people together.

Best Board Game Gift Ideas for Adults

When a hobby game has become as popular as Wingspan, it’s hard not to recommend it to an even bigger audience, as there are, of course, great reasons for that popularity. It’s got an appealing theme, an addictive gameplay loop and rich strategies to explore. It also features beautiful art and stylish components, which make it particularly pleasing as a gift option. As such, it hits a perfect sweet spot as a great board game for adults across different requirements. If you want something a bit faster or more interactive, I’ve provided some other great suggestions in the carousel below.

Best Board Game Gift Ideas for Kids

Picking out board games for children has the added difficulty of finding something that’s age appropriate, but you’re unlikely to go wrong with Rhino Hero Super Battle. It’s great fun for adults as well as kids. You’re using cards from your hand to build a skyscraper, up which your wooden heroes will climb and dice-off, and these kinds of dexterity balancing games cut across ages. However, our additional options below give you a choice of more fully child-focussed games, or some basic strategy to start them off.

Best Card Game Gifts

Card games have come a long way since a quick round of Spades was the height of novelty, and that includes cooperative titles like our pick in this category. The Crew features the trick-taking you might be familiar with from playing card games like Whist, but players have missions dictating certain cards they need to win in order for the group to succeed, so it’s no longer a matter of slapping down the highest card you can. Strategy and nuance are required. As are all the recommended games below, which includes some more heavier and more competitive fare. On a similar (but different) note, check out our picks for the best trading card games.

Best Single Player Board Game Gifts

Playing on your own is an increasingly popular way to spend time with board games. Even without the social aspects, there’s still a lot of enjoyment to be had from the challenges and tactile delights of tabletop play. But hey, with the award-winning Dorfromantik: The Board Game you don’t have to choose as it plays well cooperatively with a group in addition to solitaire. However, you choose to play, you can sit back and enjoy its chill, puzzling gameplay and branching campaign. But if you want something a bit more intense, or specifically designed for solo play, check out our alternative suggestions, or click over to our list of the best solo board games.

Best Party Games and Group Game Gifts

If the holiday season is a traditional time for both games and parties, why not combine both by offering a top-tier party game as a gift? Word-based clue-giving title Codenames has it all: a choice of competitive or cooperative play, a wide range of suitable player numbers and ages, a great balance of skill and tension and even occasional moments of hilarity when clues or guesses go terribly wrong or stray into double entendre territory. No wonder it’s won a raft of awards since its release. Despite its flexibility, some of these additional suggestions can offer you a few more thrills, or some bigger belly-laughs.

For even more holiday gift ideas, check out our gift guides below:

Matt Thrower is a contributing freelancer for IGN, specializing in tabletop games. You can reach him on BlueSky at @mattthr.bsky.social.

Sonic Fans Can’t Believe the Latest Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Trailer Actually Gave Shadow a Gun

If you logged onto social media this morning and wondered why “HE HAS A GUN” and “HE PISSED ON THE MOON” were trending, let me reassure you: that it an extremely normal thing to wonder. And the answer? A new Sonic the Hedgehog 3 trailer debuted this morning, of course. What, that wasn’t obvious?

The latest look at the highly anticipated threequel gave us quite a bit, actually, including glimpses of the Chuck E. Cheese-like take on Chao Garden and more shenanigans from Jim Carrey’s Dr. Robotnik. But, most importantly, according to a lot of Sonic fans on social media today: they gave Shadow a gun.

Amid the various looks at Sonic v. Shadow action in the trailer, we get a quick glimpse of Shadow (who will be voiced here by none other than Keanu Reeves) with, yes, a gun. Shadow has packed heat in one video game before — in his own 2005 title, Shadow the Hedgehog — but it’s pretty safe to say that fans didn’t expect to see that represented in Paramount’s film series.

“HE HAS A GUN, THIS SH*T MEANS SOMETHING TO ME MAN,” wrote @UltimaShadowX on X/Twitter. Others jumped in with cries of “THEY DID IT THEY ACTUALLY DID IT” and “oh sh*t I’m definitely passing out,” while some streamers posted their live surprised reactions.

Really, the Sonic community is losing it over this: as of press time, the top post on the Sonic the Hedgehog subreddit is simply a screenshot from the trailer with the title, “THE GUN IS BACK PEOPLE I REPEAT THE GUN IS BACK”

In all seriousness, though, some were actually pleased just to see the shoutout to the 2005 game in the movie. “I’m sorry I can’t get over the fact that he has a gun,” wrote one fan. “It is so crazy to me that they actually are acknowledging Shadow 05 even in the movie. I never thought I’d see such a positive appreciation for him again.”

Another fan pointed out that he also appeared to be riding the bike from the 2005 game. “References to shadow 2005 is so crazyyy,” one added. “THEY COOKED SO HAAARD”

Even though the famous Sega character has only used guns in one game, “Shadow with a gun” has long been important to the fanbase. We’re sure you’ve seen the memes. Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka, however, recently told Video Games Chronicle that there’s a good chance we won’t see Shadow with guns in a game again.

“When we talk about Shadow, he would use whatever he needed in the moment to get the job done. So he would pick up a gun or ride a bike in order to get the job done – he’s that kind of character,” he said at at the time. “But he’s also extremely powerful on his own and doesn’t really need a gun or anything because he can do it himself – he is a weapon. So as long as there’s no need for Shadow to use a gun, he will probably not use one.”

Well, at least fans who do want to see that have the movie, which speeds into theaters on December 20. For more in the meantime, check out our review of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, which we said “brings all the humor and charm of its predecessor, while also being delightfully more loyal to its source material.”

Alex Stedman is a Senior News Editor with IGN, overseeing entertainment reporting. When she’s not writing or editing, you can find her reading fantasy novels or playing Dungeons & Dragons.

Review: Loco Motive (Switch) – An Stunning Whodunnit With Impeccable LucasArts Vibes

Murder on the Point-and-Click Express.

It’s a story you’ve probably heard before: there’s a detective, a rich, old heiress with an amended will, and an assembled group of people all hoping to benefit from it. And then, as these stories usually do, it ends in murder. On a train! But don’t be fooled by the plentiful Agatha Christie-isms: this work of whodunnitry is wholly unique while paying tribute to its influences, and may even be one of our favourite modern point-and-clicks.

In the astoundingly well-named Loco Motive, you play as three separate characters – Arthur, a paperwork-loving estate attorney; Herman Merman, a crime novel-author-turned-detective; and Diana, a spy and bounty hunter working for the Inland Revenue Service, which we really hope isn’t a real thing. These three are your guides as you try to piece together the mysterious and sudden murder of a rich matriarch on a train through a series of goofy, absurd item combinations, interspersed with plot twists, reveals, and comedic cutscenes.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com