Author: Game Infliction

The developer of Marvel Rivals has apologized for having a clause in its content creator contract that blocked streamers from criticizing the game.

Marvel Rivals, a Marvel-themed take on team-based hero shooter Overwatch, was recently made available to some content creators as part of a closed alpha test. Amid positive feedback, it emerged that the contract that creators had to sign to gain access to the game included a number of clauses that prevented any disparaging comments.

As streamer and retired professional Overwatch player Brandon Larned, aka Seagull, revealed on X / Twitter, the non-disparagement clause in the contract prevented creators from posting negative reviews, or even comparing it to competitors, such as Blizzard’s Overwatch.

Extremely disappointed in @MarvelRivals.

Multiple creators asked for key codes to gain access to the playtest and are asked to sign a contract.

The contract signs away your right to negatively review the game.

Many streamers have signed without reading just to play

Insanity. pic.twitter.com/c11BUDyka9

— Brandon Larned (@A_Seagull) May 12, 2024

Reaction to this clause was overwhelmingly negative, with developer NetEase coming under fire for its attempt to block even constructive criticism of the game. Now, NetEase has issued an apology for what it called “any unpleasant experiences or doubts caused by the miscommunication of these terms”, and announced plans to revise the contract.

“The Content Creator Program is a small-scale project that aims to aid in the production of incredible content by supporting Creators through giving them more resources,” NetEase said in its statement. “We actively encourage Creators to share their honest thoughts, suggestions, and criticisms as they play. All feedback, positive and negative, ultimately helps us craft the best experience for ourselves and the players.

“We sincerely apologize for the confusion, suspicion, and frustration caused by these excessively restrictive terms and thank you for sharing with us. We cherish and appreciate every suggestion given by our players and always respect your feedback. We are currently working with Creators who have expressed these concerns and are revising the current version to be less restrictive and more Creator-friendly. Thank you for bearing with us while we make these adjustments.

“We hope you are enjoying the game so far and we are always open to hearing your sincere thoughts and ideas on how we can improve the game.”

Marvel Rivals is a 6v6 team-based free-to-play shooter headed to PC that stars iconic heroes and villains from the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men, and many more. This multiversal adventure features an initial roster comprised of Black Panther, Doctor Strange, Groot, Hulk, Iron Man, Loki, Luna Snow, Magik, Magneto, Mantis, Namor, Peni Parker, Rocket Raccoon, Scarlet Witch, Spider-Man, Storm, Star-Lord, and The Punisher. A release date is yet to be announced.

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.

Square Enix has announced a significant company reboot amid tumbling profits.

Reporting its financial performance for the financial year ending March 31, 2024, sales in the Digital Entertainment segment, which includes video games, rose by 2.6% but profit fell by 15.8%. This despite the sale of Final Fantasy 16, Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster, Foamstars, and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Specifically on HD games, the subcategory Square Enix uses to encompass all the above games, the company saw a significant operating loss of ¥8.1 billion (approximately $51.9 million).

Final Fantasy 16 and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth both launched as PlayStation 5 exclusives, and while Square Enix has announced a sales figure for Final Fantasy 16, it has yet to do so for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, the second game in the company’s trilogy of Final Fantasy 7 remakes. In its financial report, all Square Enix would say is it has suffered from an “incomplete journey to better profitability in HD game development”, and that it had “launched many titles but some failed to live up to profit expectations, especially outsourced titles and some AAA titles.” It seems likely Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, at least, is included in that.

In response to the tumbling profits, Square Enix announced what it calls “Square Enix Reboots, and Awakens”, a three-year plan for rebooting for long-term growth. This involves a rethink across all parts of the business, but the highlight is a “shift to a multiplatform strategy.” Square Enix said it will “aggressively pursue a multiplatform strategy that includes Nintendo platforms, PlayStation, Xbox, and PCs.” Note the wording here of “Nintendo platforms”, with Nintendo set to announce its Switch successor console before April 2025.

As part of this multiplatform push, Square Enix said it will “build an environment where more customers can enjoy our titles in regards to major franchises and AAA titles including catalog titles.” The suggestion in all this is mainline Final Fantasy games will ditch PlayStation exclusivity going forward, although Square Enix has yet to announce specifics beyond Final Fantasy 16’s upcoming launch on PC.

There’s also a shift from quantity to quality, Square Enix said, and a bid to deliver “ensured fun.” Square Enix has been accused of pumping out too many Final Fantasy games in too short a timeframe, so perhaps this means the release of major Final Fantasy games will be spaced out a bit more.

Overall, it’s a tough time for Square Enix, which had already absorbed ¥22.1 billion (approx $140.9 million) in what it called “content abandonment losses” ahead of today’s financial report. Square Enix did not name the canceled or rescoped in-development titles.

Looking ahead, Dawntrail, the expansion for ongoing MMO Final Fantasy 14, launches in late June. Square Enix also has Kingdom Hearts 4, the third game in the Final Fantasy remake trilogy, and Dragon Quest 12 in the works.

In February, Square Enix director and president Takashi Kiryu reportedly told analysts about plans to create a new company structure following falling sales in its digital entertainment business, despite the release of Final Fantasy 16 in June. Square Enix said the PS5 exclusive sold three million copies during launch week. A PC port is in the works. In January, Final Fantasy 16 producer Naoki Yoshida said it might be time for a younger generation to lead the franchise and helm Final Fantasy 17.

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.

Happy Mother’s Day! This Sunday, all kinds of exclusive deals are now available at retailers you might not be aware of! We’ve compiled the best deals in games, tech, and more to make your Sunday as relaxing as possible. The best deals for Sunday, May 12, include Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Octopath Traveler II, Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania Edition, Dead Space, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition, and more.

Save Up to 60% Off Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the latest title in the long-running RPG series. Kiryu Kazama returns following the events of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, uniting with Ichiban Kasuga in a wild adventure you won’t forget anytime soon. While you should absolutely try to play through the series in order, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth can be played and enjoyed standalone.

Octopath Traveler II for $24.99

Octopath Traveler II was one of the standout RPGs of 2023. Featuring eight different characters, this HD-2D release depicts an expansive story told from the perspectives of these characters. Each traveler has unique abilities, making for a new and exciting experience with each story. This is one RPG you do not want to miss, especially for this price. You can get a free PS5 upgrade, too.

Pick Up the Dead Space Remake for $24.99

Dead Space launched last January, and this is a great time to pick up the game if you haven’t already. This remake features an impressive use of technology and a completely modernized combat system. Special attention has been put on the audio, with 3D Audio technology utilized for an immersive experience. You can expect loads of thrills and horror as you look to escape the stranded ship. The USG Ishimura has never looked better or been scarier.

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor for $27.99

Star Wars Jedi: Survivor is available at Best Buy for just $27.99, which is one of the lower prices we’ve seen in quite some time. Set after the events of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Cal Kestis has become a powerful Jedi, traveling through the galaxy to maintain peace. With new force abilities, lightsabers, and melee combat options, Survivor is an excellent sequel and a title any Star Wars fan should try out.

Save 75% Off JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R

Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle R is an excellent fighting game that spans the entire JoJo series. Over 50 characters are playable, with DLC including Rudol Von Stroheim, Leone Abbacchio, Yuya Fungami, and more. If you’re a fan of the anime series or manga, All Star Battle R is an excellent title you’ll have loads of fun with, especially for just a few dollars.

Save Big on Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania Edition

If you’re a roguelite fan and haven’t checked out Dead Cells yet, do not pass up this deal. This package includes Dead Cells and the first four original DLCs in addition to the Return to Castlevania DLC. The RTC DLC includes familiar Castlevania characters like Richter and Alucard and features 14 new weapons, 3 boss fights, 20 costumes, and 51 music tracks.

UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II [Sys:Celes] for $39.99

UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II [Sys:Celes] is the long-awaited sequel to UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH, featuring new characters, abilities, and more! UNI2 has 24 different playable characters to choose from, with each depicted in the gorgeous pixel art style. If you’re a beginner, you can even elect to choose simple inputs to slash away and make combos a piece of cake!

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition for $20

Walmart has The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition for $20 right now. This title is the expanded and ultimate version of the massive RPG, with improved visuals, load times, and textures for Xbox Series X. The game even includes items inspired by the hit Netflix series, so you can experience the ultimate version of this beloved title.

Tekken 8 for $49.99

Tekken 8 is the latest major fighting game to be released for the current generation of consoles. Over 32 characters are already playable, far surpassing titles like Street Fighter 6 or Mortal Kombat 1. The online modes far surpass their predecessors, with good netcode and many different ways to play. In our 9/10 review, we stated Tekken 8 is ” an amazing new entry in the long-running series.”

Nintendo Switch OLED for $314.99

Woot currently has the White Joy-Con Nintendo Switch OLED Model for $314.99. If you’ve yet to pick up a Switch console, the OLED Model is the one you should aim to buy. With a gorgeous OLED screen, games on Switch pop and look vibrant. Additionally, the new reworked kickstand makes this device much easier to play in tabletop mode.

CRKD Nitro Deck with Carry Case for $59.99

The CRKD Nitro Deck is the ultimate Nintendo Switch accessory. This bundle includes both the CRKD Nitro Deck and a Carry Case for just $59.99, with six colorways available! You simply slide the console into the Nitro Deck, which then offers an ergonomic grip and feel around the system. By far, the best feature of this accessory is the Hall Effect Thumbsticks, which guarantee zero stick drift. This is easily one of the best Nintendo Switch accessories you can buy.