Elden Ring Geoguessr-inspired game that plonks you into a random bit of the map and scores you based on how close you can drop a pin to your true location. If Rings aren’t your thing LostGamer.io has maps from other games, too, including Skyrim and Fortnite. It’s a lovely idea.
Ubisoft is facing turbulent times financially and in-house, and CEO Yves Guillemot was forced to reckon with recent comments he made shifting the blame to the staff.
The changes at Ubisoft were scrapped up to “major challenges” in the industry, the underperformance of Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope and Just Dance 2023, and an upcoming “restructuring” for the publisher. On Wednesday, a new report from Kotaku revealed that Ubisoft had a company-wide Q&A to address the news of the restructuring. There, the CEO apologized for his previous comments.
“I heard your feedback and I’m sorry this was perceived that way,” Guillemot said, according to sources present. “When saying ‘the ball is in your court’ to deliver our lineup on time and at the expected level of quality, I wanted to convey the idea that more than ever I need your talent and energy to make it happen. This is a collective journey that starts of course with myself and with the leadership team to create the conditions for all of us to succeed together.”
Guillemot also remained vague about the potential for layoffs. “It’s not about doing more with less, but finding ways to do things differently across the company,” Guillemot said.
According to Kotaku’s report, some developers within the company still feel that management is out of touch with the lower-level staff. The Q&A, which lasted an hour, also did not address the recent call for strike at the company’s Paris studio. Solidaires Informatique, Ubisoft Paris’ tech union, asked the employees to go on strike in response to Guillemot’s previous comments. The strike will reportedly last a half-day on January 27.
Ubisoft’s particularly poor 2022 included no marquee blockbuster releases. Several projects were delayed, trapped in development hell or simply failed to find a substantial audience.
Carson Burton is a freelance news writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter at @carsonsburton.
Bandai Namco is getting right behind the upcoming Tales of Symphonia Remastered release next month, and in a surprising move, the company has decided to upload Tales of Symphonia: The Animation to YouTube to help promote the game.
The anime is technically three separate OVA series that retell the story of Tales of Symphonia. The three arcs are the Sylvarant Arc, the Tethe’alla Arc, and The United World Arc. Episode one of the Sylvarant Arc, which debuted in 2007 in Japan, was uploaded earlier today, and you can watch it with English, French, Spanish, or Italian subtitles on the European channel!
Hylics games are some of the prettiest around, with their striking mix of claymation and video capture. So I’m delighted to realise that, unbeknowst to me, creator Mason Lindroth occasionally give behind-the-scenes peeks at props and animations on Twitter. It is very interesting to see those original handcrafted figures. And it is very funny to discover that the process of animating one character’s hands involved wearing a little cardboard green screen like a shroud while waggling a sexy gloved arm through the hole.
IGN is pleased to exclusively reveal the five playable classes in Killer Klowns from Outer Space: The Game, the upcoming horror multiplayer title from the executive director of Friday The 13th: The Game.
In the video above you can meet the five playable Klowns: the Trapster, Tracker, Scout, Fighter, and Tank. A team of three of these Klowns will be able to cause chaos in multiplayer matches versus seven other players taking the role of humans in the town of Crescent Cove. Each Klown is equipped with a raygun that can encase humans in a cotton candy cocoon, the Klown Jump ability that allows them to jump to any point on the map previously discovered by the team, and the all-important healing laughter ability. In addition, each Klown has their own signature set of skills that makes them unique.
Trapster
Based on Rudy from the Killer Klowns film, the Trapster is a trap-laying class designed to lock down humans and help other Klowns find them. His main weapon is the Jawbreaker Mace, which causes an explosion of popcorn on contact. When popcorn sticks to humans, all Klowns are able to see them through walls and on the map, and so the Trapster is able to tag enemies with every strike of the mace. He also has a deployable Popcorn Mine, which will also tag any human that runs over it. For a more grotesque trap option, he also has the Baby Klown, a disgusting larvae-like creature that latches on to humans and holds them in place.
Tracker
Similar to the Trapster, the Tracker – inspired by Spikey from the movie – is able to use popcorn to highlight humans to the rest of the Klown team. Tracker has a Popcorn Bazooka for an explosive, long-range option, and the Balloon Dog that will point towards the nearest human. As for enemies that are trying to escape, Tracker can chase them down on foot thanks to being able to vault over obstacles, or instead hop in his Invisible Car, which can be driven around the outdoors areas of the map.
Scout
Jumbo the Scout is, as his name suggests, a scouting class designed to push beyond the frontlines and seek out enemies. He’s the only Klown who can use the Klown Jump to leap into previously unexplored territory, which makes him an ideal reconnaissance option. His Hypnotic Lure ability will draw humans towards him, or he can quickly move close to them by using Lackey Swap; a skill that instantly lets the Scout switch places with a nearby AI minion.
Fighter
The Fighter is, as his name suggests, the straight-up combat class of the group. He’s armed with a pair of Boxing Gloves that can be used to pummel humans, and is the most agile of the group. But this Klown, based on Shorty from the movies, is more than just a brawler. His Pizza Box skill will be familiar to anyone who has played a prop hunt game, as it transforms him into a pizza box. Handy for a bit of stealth between the rough and tumble. Like Tracker, the Fighter is also able to quickly chase humans with a vehicle, but his Speedy Tricycle can also be used indoors, too.
Tank
The final class, inspired by Chubby from the movie, is the Tank. Armed with an Extendable Jawbreaker that can be charged up for increased range and power, the Tank is the most physically formidable Klown in the troupe. With his Sticky Bash ability he’s able to lay down a carpet of Cotton Candy that traps anyone caught within it, and the Rage Rush skill allows him to charge into enemies and bash through obstacles. The Tank is also able to reenact one of the film’s most memorable scenes: he’s can stick a straw into any human caught in a cotton candy cocoon and slurp them up to gain a temporary movement speed buff.
Industries of Titan, from Crypt Of The Necromancer developers Brace Yourself Games. They’ve announced Titan will be out for realsies on January 31st, when it will unshackle itself from its early access chains while forcing thousands more workers into indentured labour.
It’s more than just a slick sci-fi city builder, boasting battleship combat and the ability to tinker with what goes on inside your buildings.
Pack it up Zelda, Final Fantasy, Starfield, etc. — PowerWash Simulator is turning on the hoses on 31st January when it launches on Switch. Finally, a real video game that will wash the scrubs away.
Joking aside, PowerWash Simulator became a bit of a surprise hit in 2021 in Early Access, and again when it launched on PC and Xbox in 2022. It’s got nearly 30k reviews on Steam and sits at an Overwhelmingly Positive rating.
Since we announced that PowerWash Simulator would be coming to PlayStation (via our good friends Kenny Washmore and Jerry Cleansburg), we’ve seen such a buzz from the community. So, as you can imagine, we are thrilled to be putting the power of relaxation into the hands of players when PowerWash Simulator lands on PS5 and PS4 on January 31st, 2023.
Alongside this launch, we are also releasing our first free Special Pack, where you can explore and clean iconic locations and vehicles from the totemic Tomb Raider series!
Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect from both PowerWash Simulator and the Tomb Raider expansion pack…
Everything isn’t as it seems in the town of Muckingham: an active volcano smoulders nearby, the mayor’s cat is missing, and things are extremely dirty. You’ll be commissioned to clean an array of dirty destinations, from hosing down humble homes to unmasking ancient architecture. With such a diverse range of locations, you may find your mind wandering as you clean… “what gives with this town?!”
But for all its oddities, Muckingham scrubs up quite nicely… thanks to you! The residents have noticed too. As you blast away every speck of grime that covers Muckingham, you’ll uncover secrets hidden in the dirt and objects of each level, as well as receive messages from clients that reveal the untold tales of the places you visit. You know what they say, it all comes out in the wash!
Once you get going, word of your power washing prowess will spread quickly, and business will be booming in no time. Earn cash by completing jobs and reinvest in more powerful washers, nifty nozzles, and cool outfits to help you clean more efficiently (and in style ?). No dirt is too tough for you to handle!
The whole aim of PowerWash Simulator is for players to wash away their worries and take a clean break from the real world; getting all the satisfaction of washing to a sparkling finish without having to work up a sweat or even leave the sofa!
Tomb Raider Special Pack
Once you’ve finished cleaning up Muckingham, you might be tempted to put your feet up, BUT WAIT… you’re not done yet! We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to collaborate with Crystal Dynamics to bring players five new levels from the time-honored Tomb Raider series.
For the Tomb Raider Special Pack, we focused on the illustrious Croft Manor, including its grounds and some of Lara’s trusty vehicles that have been muddied out on (and off!) the road.
“Creating the Tomb Raider Special Pack has been an honour and a fantastic experience,” said Dan Chequer, our Lead Designer at FuturLab. “We can’t wait for players to get up close and personal with Croft Manor and explore its many secrets!”
In the Special Pack, we’ve left the perilous plots to Lara whilst challenging our players to undertake the most hazardous escapade yet… cleaning her stately home! Only the very best will do when it comes to the Croft residence; so unwind and blast away every speck of dirt you can track down, whilst Lara regales you with tales of past adventures.
“What Tomb Raider fan hasn’t explored Croft Manor and thought ‘Winston could really use some help with these grounds! I would love to power wash this place!’?” asked Dallas Dickinson, Franchise General Manager for Tomb Raider at Crystal Dynamics. “Now, with the help of Square Enix Collective and FuturLab that’s not only possible, but immensely satisfying as well.”
“We know the community wants more to clean, and I’m delighted we’re able to kick off our post-release plans in style with this Tomb Raider collaboration,” added Phil Elliott, studio head at Square Enix Collective. “We’ve had so much great support from players, press and content creators, and we wanted to do something special to say thank you!”
We hope that you have good clean fun discovering the secrets of Muckingham and Croft Manor alike when PowerWash Simulator washes up on PlayStation next week!
PowerWash Simulator launches on PS4 & PS5 on January 31 alongside the free Tomb Raider Special Pack.
Far Cry 2 is a lot of things, based on the memories I have from playing it a decade ago. First and foremost, I recall Far Cry 2: Parasitic Pain, which tasks you with running around begging for pills to stave off a growing infection. Next comes Far Cry 2: Buddy Bonanza, which lets you make lots of lovely AI friends, charge into battles together, and then hide while they die. Then, there’s Far Cry 2: Firewatch, which is all about watching fire. It’s the best.
A Space For The Unbound is Mojiken’s first ‘big’ release in that sense, clocking in at around nine-ish hours. What begins as a YA coming-of-age tale about a small-town romance quickly gains remarkable momentum, and suddenly you’re dealing with supernatural teens trying to desperately stop a world-ending calamity. Part sci-fi drama, part high school romance, A Space For The Unbound manages to have incredible weight and grandeur while also being poignant, sweet, and honest at the same time. It’s a triumph.
Elden Ring Geoguessr-inspired game that plonks you into a random bit of the map and scores you based on how close you can drop a pin to your true location. If Rings aren’t your thing LostGamer.io has maps from other games, too, including Skyrim and Fortnite. It’s a lovely idea.
Hylics games are some of the prettiest around, with their striking mix of claymation and video capture. So I’m delighted to realise that, unbeknowst to me, creator Mason Lindroth occasionally give behind-the-scenes peeks at props and animations on Twitter. It is very interesting to see those original handcrafted figures. And it is very funny to discover that the process of animating one character’s hands involved wearing a little cardboard green screen like a shroud while waggling a sexy gloved arm through the hole.
Industries of Titan, from 
Far Cry 2 is a lot of things, based on the memories I have from playing it a decade ago. First and foremost, I recall Far Cry 2: Parasitic Pain, which tasks you with running around begging for pills to stave off a growing infection. Next comes Far Cry 2: Buddy Bonanza, which lets you make lots of lovely AI friends, charge into battles together, and then hide while they die. Then, there’s Far Cry 2: Firewatch, which is all about watching fire. It’s the best.
A Space For The Unbound is Mojiken’s first ‘big’ release in that sense, clocking in at around nine-ish hours. What begins as a YA coming-of-age tale about a small-town romance quickly gains remarkable momentum, and suddenly you’re dealing with supernatural teens trying to desperately stop a world-ending calamity. Part sci-fi drama, part high school romance, A Space For The Unbound manages to have incredible weight and grandeur while also being poignant, sweet, and honest at the same time. It’s a triumph.