Friends, there is trouble a-brewing down the radioactive watering hole. While Amazon’s Fallout TV adaptation has launched to pretty positive verdicts, a contingent of Fallout players are up in arms over its portrayal of the Fallout timeline. In particular, it’s being claimed that the show has written the events of Obsidian’s Fallout: New Vegas out of the canon, despite reassurances from Bethesda Game Studios design director Emil Pagliarulo. Dare you read on? Let me just load up my Junk Jet with piping, hot Fallout Season 1 spoilers…
Amiibo are great investments for Nintendo fans, not just for the cool in-game extras you get but they can also be fun additions to a collectible collection. If you’ve been hoping to track down some Legend of Zelda figures, Target has reprints of Zelda and Ganondorf Super Smash Bros. Series amiibo available to preorder right now. These figures are both set to release on May 31 and will set you back $15.99 a piece.
Head to the links below to preorder these figures for yourself before they’re all sold out.
Preorder Zelda and Ganondorf Super Smash Bros. Amiibo at Target
And while you’re shopping around on Target’s website, now’s also a great time to look through their Circle Week sale event. This sale features discounts on a wide variety of items, from the Meta Quest 2 to several different Apple devices, so make sure to pick up the items that interest you while they’re still on sale. The event comes to an end on April 13, so you’ll want to act fast. And if you’re not a Circle member, don’t worry, it’s totally free and easy to sign up. You can learn more about it here, if you’re interested.
There are a couple of Nintendo deals going on at the moment that are worth checking out, too. Mainly, you can pick up a select few Nintendo games for just $39.99 right now, including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Kirby and the Forgotten Land. To see even more Nintendo deals, check out our roundup of the best Nintendo Switch deals right now. And if you’re curious about what’s on sale on other platforms, have a look at our roundups of the best PlayStation deals right now, the best Xbox deals right now, and the best PC video game deals right now.
Hannah Hoolihan is a freelance writer who works with the Guides and Commerce teams here at IGN.
Need anything from the shop? Mushroom milk? Fresh tarts? Mystical bejewelled skull? I’m just popping out to Dépanneur Nocturne, a lovely little game which came out in 2020 and I kept forgetting to post about. It’s a small first-person explore-o-chatter set within a corner shop in a magical, mystical Montreal, full of things to admire, find, poke at, and chat about with the owner. And it’ll only cost you about as much as a pint of semi-skimmed and loaf of Kingsmill from your own local shop.
How Grief and a Deep Love of Games Is at the Centerpiece of Tales of Kenzera: Zau
Summary
Studio Founder & Creator Abubakar Salim shares his intriguing journey and his studio’s creative philosophy ahead of the release of their first game, Tales of Kenzera: Zau.
Surgent Studios is a collective of talented artists, musicians, actors, and designers who have come together to craft gaming experiences that connect to the hearts of its players.
Creating a video game is no small feat. It takes time, resources, experience, and many other things to continue tilting in your favor. This is where Surgent Studios, the team behind the upcoming Tales of Kenzera: Zau, currently sits. A collective of talented artists, musicians, actors, and designers who have come together to craft gaming experiences that connect to the hearts of its players.
You may have heard about Kenzera before – it was featured in the recent Xbox Partner Preview broadcast and was showcased during the Game Awards. Surgent Studios is taking a tremendously big swing with their first game, a metroidvania that celebrates the magnificent Bantu and the African cultures, and grounding its narrative around a deeply personal subject that we all can relate to: Grief. This might be why the game is breaking through for so many players ahead of its April 23 release on Xbox Series X|S.
“I always get asked as to why I made this into a game and not lean into where I originally come from, which is film and TV,” says Studio Founder & Creator Abubakar Salim, speaking during a recent preview event. “The truth is my love for games is what got me into acting. Actively stepping into the shoes of these characters and evolving with them made me fall in love with the storytelling.”
Surgent Studios was founded to act as this sort of creative vehicle that, as Salim explains it, is to share stories that connect to the human truth. “We want to tell stories that go beyond race or gender. It’s raw. It’s real. And it taps into what makes us all human. We have a finite time in this world, so we might as well enjoy it as much as we can, right?”
It was on this journey of creating the studio that had Salim find some incredible people from around the world to join his team, from Nigeria, to Botswana, to New York, and Paris. And although Surgent Studios is a small team crafting their first game together, Salim says they have all been driven by delivering an experience that is not only fun but speaks to a deeper thing that makes us human. It was this aspect is what connected them with this project, allowing them to be vulnerable during its creation.
“I wanted to create an experience that honored my father and the ones that we have loved and lost,” he says. “It (Tales of Kenzera: Zau) was inspired by this question that I would ask myself almost every day after my father passed: what would I sacrifice to bring my father back? To hear him again. To touch him. The game is inspired and laced with Bantu myths and legends, mainly from the stories that my father would tell me as a kid.”
Tales of Kenzera: Zau follows a young shaman named Zao who makes a deal with Kalunga, the God of Death, that in exchange for three great spirits, he’ll bring his father back to the realm of the living. Zuberi is the character you will play when you start the game, and he is gifted a book by his late father — this book is his father’s final way of connecting with him – and you’ll learn that it’s through the eyes of Zuberi that you will journey into the world.
“When I was clearing my father’s things after he passed away, there was this book that he left which contained his handwriting. And it meant so much to me. Because it felt as if I was looking at his handwriting, I could almost bring him back to life, imagining him, you know, writing it, and this essentially inspired how we get into this story.”
Telling this story within the metroidvania space, as Salim explains, is because the genre’s rules and structure behave a lot like grief. As a player, you’re thrown into this alien world that you can never prepare for. Yet the longer you stay in it – exploring its various dark and unknown corners at your own pace — you become more comfortable within it.
“It’s the idea that the journey of grief is full of surprises. It’s full of ups and downs. It feels chaotic. You know, a constant music track that you must move to. But if you listen carefully, you’ll find the beat that you can follow to glide through the music,” Salim explains. “With the gameplay, you know we wanted it to be approachable, but you know, not too easy, right? We have challenging traversals, skillful progression, and you know, this combat system that allows agency… we wanted to emulate this dance that you dance to your own tune, essentially.”
Salim explains that it was important to approach Tales of Kenzera: Zau as a coming-of-age story, an evolution of this young kid becoming a young man as the game’s protagonist, Zao, is learning to cope with the loss of his father through the characters he meets and the vibrant world that he engages in. It’s this new version of himself that he discovers where he needs to press on.
“I kind of wanted to try and capture this clash of timeframes and perspectives, that of the son, in the modern space of Kanzera, and that of the father, in the mystical realm of Kenzera. And sometimes there is a clash, but other times there is also this synergy. Again, the father communicating through what he has left behind.”
A key component for Tales of Kenzera: Zau is duality, per Salim. Like, looking how life and death intersect and commune with each other. “Death is treated very differently in regard to the different African cultures,” he says. “There’s almost this constant communication that the living has with those we’ve lost.”
You’ll soon get to experience Zao’s adventure within the world of Kenzera, from its unique perspective of highlighting African culture as well as tapping into the familiar genre that is well-loved by many gamers. Tales of Kenzera: Zau has the chance to be something truly special for everyone who plays it starting on April 23 for Xbox Series X|S.
Wield the dance of the shaman. Reclaim your father’s spirit. Pre order* Tales of Kenzera: ZAU Standard Edition and receive:
– a 10% discount
– Kalunga’s Blessing visual effect variant
– 2 shaman points to unlock up to 2 skills in-game
– “Soulshifters” digital companion comic
A grieving boy begins to read a Bantu tale written by his late father. Adventure into the beautiful and treacherous lands of Kenzera as Zau, a young shaman who bargains with the God of death to bring his Baba back from darkness.
With your cosmic powers and untried courage, you advance into unknown mythological lands. Once bursting with life, Kenzera is now rife with lost ancestral spirits. As Zau advances toward his goal, three mighty beings lie in wait, fearsome in their strength yet somehow strangely familiar. Will you embrace the dance of the shaman?
Become the warrior shaman – Embark on a poignant single-player story shaped by actor Abubakar Salim’s own experience with grief, discovering how love gives us the courage to press on after devastating loss. As Zau, you must face your own emotions to become a worthy Nganga: a spiritual healer. Own your journey alongside mythical characters and formidable foes from whom you will gain valuable life lessons.
The Dance of the Sun and Moon Masks – Wield cosmic powers from the Sun and the Moon to defeat restless spirits in rhythmic combat, from ordinary warriors to the mighty Impundulu or GaGorib. Manipulate time and crystallize enemies using the power of the Moon mask or launch fiery spears with the Sun Mask, all in meticulously hand-crafted animations. Leap, glide, and unlock abilities to advance through the Highlands, Woodlands and Deadlands in this metroidvania-style adventure.
Set foot in a mystical realm – Discover a universe inspired by Bantu tales, rich with untold lore of chaos and order, memories of ancient shamans, sacred spirits and fascinating creatures. Journey through mystical 2.5D realms awash with colour and depth, emboldened by multi-award-winning composer Nainita Desai’s enchanting original score.
Crafted by Surgent Studios, the entertainment studio founded by actor Abubakar Salim (Assassin’s Creed: Origins, Raised by Wolves) and published by EA Originals, Tales of KenzeraTM: ZAU takes you on a thrilling emotional journey inspired by the rich myths of Bantu cultures.
*Conditions and Restrictions apply. See http://ea.com/games/tales-of-kenzera/zau/disclaimers for details.
Following the cancellation of Nintendo Live 2024 in Tokyo, the world championships for both Splatoon 3 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe had to be rescheduled for a later date. Well, that date is now here as the events get underway today (or tomorrow, depending on your time zone).
The championships themselves will be taking place in Japan, though everything will be streamed on the Nintendo of America YouTube channel so nobody has to miss out on any of the action.
Greetings, Travelers! Today we are excited to announce that Genshin Impact‘s version 4.6 Two Worlds Aflame, the Crimson Night Fades is arriving on April 24. With this update, we can’t wait to show you the power and the past of our frenemy, Arlecchino. After the crisis of Fontaine, the Fourth of the Fatui Harbingers is finally ready to meet us again as both a recruitable team member and a formidable Weekly Boss.
More surprises continue to pop up across Teyvat. A large submerged ancient empire that flourished and demolished before the birth of the Court of Fontaine is finally revealing itself in the Sea of Bygone Eras. Meanwhile, Arataki Itto and Dvorak are going to rock Inazuma with a music festival and concert tour.
The Knave and the Father
In the Archon Quests of Fontaine, Arlecchino made an indelible debut even without showing her hand, balancing the fine line between ally and adversary. Upon version 4.6, we can discover more about her power, the roles she plays, and the past that made her who she is today.
As the Fourth of the Fatui Harbingers, Arlecchino aka The Knave shows an overwhelming strength in combat with her use of Pyro and a polearm, as well as her special mechanic — Bond of Life. First found in some Fatui Operatives and certain weapon effects around Fontaine, the Bond of Life effect stays on its target and prevents healing until the victim receives the same amount of healing equal to the active Bond of Life. However, Arlecchino is able to utilize the Bond of Life on herself to strengthen her own attacks.
When Arlecchino becomes a member of your team, piling up her Bond of Life with her Elemental Skill and Elemental Burst is the key to surviving and sustaining an efficient offensive rhythm. When Arlecchino is affected by a Bond of Life greater than or equal to a certain percentage of her Max HP, she will enter the Masque of the Red Death state, converting her Normal, Charged, and Plunging Attacks to deal Pyro DMG which cannot be overridden, and consuming a portion of her current Bond of Life to increase her DMG of Normal Attacks and reduce her Elemental Skill’s cooldown time. Arlecchino’s Elemental Skill can apply Blood-Debt Directives and deal DMG to multiple targets. The Blood-Debt Directives can be absorbed to increase her Bond of Life when she uses a Charged Attack, or heal herself when she uses her Elemental Burst. And her Elemental Burst is the only way to heal herself in combat due to her unique Talent.
If you encounter The Knave as your enemy in the new Trounce Domain, out-healing the Bond of Life and repaying the Blood-Debt Directives she applies to you will be crucial to victory. So long as you are affected by the Bond of Life, all her attacks against you will be enhanced. But if you manage to out-heal the Bond of Life and repay the Debt, you will be rewarded as your Charged Attacks against her are enhanced. As the fight proceeds to later phases, The Knave will gradually reveal more of her true power as her crimson bone wings unfold. Travelers who reach Adventure Rank 40 or higher can now challenge her directly via the Quick Challenge feature in Adventure Handbook, or follow her Story Quest to embrace the challenge.
Despite being a ruthless Fatui Harbinger with horrifying power, Arlecchino is also called Father by the children from the House of the Hearth with great trust and respect. The House of the Hearth is a Fatui intelligence organization operated by The Knave. It takes in children who no longer have a home due to all manner of reasons, and teaches them a variety of disciplines. In Arlecchino’s Story Quest Ignis Purgatorius Chapter, you may find out the unique charm of this character and why she is called Father through her past.
Arlecchino and Lyney may be recruited in the first half of version 4.6 Event Wishes, followed by Wanderer and Baizhu in the second half. In addition, the new weapon Crimson Moon’s Semblance, a 5-star polearm that can enhance combat abilities regarding the Bond of Life, will also become available in the first half of version 4.6.
Symphony of a lost empire
Venturing southeast from Romaritime Harbor nestles a small village named Petrichor. Here begins a new adventure to discover the fabled kingdom of Remuria, a once thriving realm, yet now cradled by deep water, slumbering soundlessly with its narrative lost to the waves. Ruled by King Remus, Remuria mysteriously disappeared in history, well before the establishment of the Court of Fontaine.
However, strange occurrences started to emerge in Petrichor recently. Led by a talking cat, we’ll navigate through the sunken castle and dive into an enchanting and vibrant deep-sea area Sea of Bygone Eras to unveil the truth behind the kingdom’s fall. Even a mysterious dragon of dreamy appearance will await silently ahead.
King Remus also composed a Symphony, carried with wondrous power that you may use to unleash special soundwaves, resonating with a variety of swaying or wandering underwater creatures and mysterious mechanisms during the adventure. Meanwhile, the centaur-shaped boss enemy Legatus Golem awaits in the recess of the Faded Castle with its sword, shield, and a blazing melody of flames.
Time to Rock for Life
Back to Watatsumi Island in Inazuma, a music tour organized by Arataki Itto and Dvorak is on its way. The music tour Iridescent Arataki Rockin’ for Life Tour de Force of Awesomeness will rock and roll for life, honoring a brave puppy who saves countless lives of other creatures on the battlefield. The passion also needs a stage to perform, which will split into 3 main stages of preparation, including playing different instruments at wills, collecting items, and restoring the melodies by filling in missing notes. Participants of the festival may have the chance to obtain a brand-new instrument Nightwind Horn and the opportunity to watch Itto perform on stage in person!
Resonating the spirit of rock music, the Windtrace: Seekers and Strategy event is back in Mondstadt with a few upgrades. This beloved hide-and-seek game between Rebels and Hunters now adds the Surveillance Zone where captured Rebels will be detained for a short period, and a Signaling Device to repair as a new goal of Rebels.
There are still more surprises waiting, but we will keep this sharing short and sweet. With version 4.6, we hope Arlecchino, the ancient empire undersea, and the rock tunes from Itto can give you a fun and unexpected experience!
While we likely won’t hear more about the next Grand Theft Auto for a while, a YouTuber has recreated the first GTA 6 trailer in real life.
Andrew Levitt on YouTube posted a practically perfect recreation of the trailer using footage he and his team captured alongside some already existing clips, showing off the real life version of GTA 6’s Vice City setting, otherwise known as Miami, Florida.
Myriad actors show up throughout the trailer too, playing the likes of protagonists Lucia and Jacob alongside the several wild and wacky Floridians portrayed by Rockstar. The real life trailer opens with shots of Miami itself, with Brickell and Overtown on show, alongside clips of Miami Beach.
I tried to look up the plot of Bore Blasters, because my focus when playing the game is entirely on exploding dirt, but it turns out the Steam store page doesn’t bother to explain any kind of plot either. Thus, the purity of Bore Blasters. Some facts can be divined from the earth, though: you play a dwarf, piloting a small ship akin to Robotnik’s flying hedghog killer, and are dropped off on a small, discrete, gem-bearing chunk of dirt. This you pulverise, in a downward direction, with the aim of finding a huge chest of gems at the bottom somewhere. Your drill is the machine gun on your ship, your efforts governed by about two minutes worth of depleting fuel and a hull that can take three hits total. It’s cyberpunk by Gimli.
Police in Japan have arrested a 36-year-old man on suspicion of selling illegally modified Pokémon save data to customers online — a practice which is banned under the country’s 2019 Unfair Competition Prevention Act.
As reported by the Japanese website NHK News, and translated by Automaton, the suspect was apprehended by police on April 9 after a ‘police cyber patrol’ discovered evidence that the individual had used special tools to illegally modify save data for Pokémon Violet in order to change Pokémon move sets.A 36-year-old man was arrest for selling illegally modified Pokemon save data.
The 36-year-old allegedly took custom orders for rare Pokémon, and sold the resulting tampered data between December 2022 to March 2023, for up to 13,000 yen ($84) a time on a website that served as a marketplace for video game assets and items. He also offered deals in which six Pokémon would be created for the equivalent of roughly $30 in yen.
The 36-year-old has reportedly admitted to committing the crimes at the heart of the ongoing investigation, while providing the justification that he did it to earn a living. According to Automaton, the suspect could face up to five years imprisonment, and/or a fine of up to 5 million yen (over $32,600).
Anthony is a freelance contributor covering science and video gaming news for IGN. He has over eight years experience of covering breaking developments in multiple scientific fields and absolutely no time for your shenanigans. Follow him on Twitter @BeardConGamer
With the Fallout live-action show now out and honestly far better than I was expecting, are Bethesda also brewing an adaptation of their other big RPG series, The Elder Scrolls? Not at present, according to Bethesda executive producer Todd Howard, and he says he’d “probably say no” if approached. Mind you, that was the stance he had until Fallout finally fell into place.
: ZAU Standard Edition
