Intel have announced their latest batch of desktop CPUs, the Core Ultra 200S series, and it’s got the component giants singing quite a different tune. Instead of trying to stuff in ever more threads, and ever more PC-incinerating clock speeds, the Core Ultra 200S family – spearheaded by the Core Ultra 9 285K when it launches later this year – will dial back certain specs compared the 14th Gen range. Instead, the focus will be on power efficiency and lowering temperatures.
In a shock move for the popular sim, Sega is delaying Football Manager 25 until March 2025, putting its release barely two months before 2025’s Champions League Final.
We have made the tough decision to delay the release of Football Manager 25 until March 2025.
Statement: https://t.co/zW7dRd1Lkp pic.twitter.com/UKPnz4l0Gb
— Football Manager (@FootballManager) October 10, 2024
Developer Sports Interactive and Sega released a statement calling it “tough decision” and saying that specific platform dates will follow once confirmed. The statement continued, “In our last Development Update in September, we explained that we needed to push FM25’s original release back to give ourselves more time to deliver the best possible experience for this first installment in a new era of Football Manager. This additional time has not been sufficient to ensure the game quality and experience meets your expectations and our very high standards.”
Developing…
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.
A paper aeroplane falls at my feet, with a note written inside: “Even through everything that has happened… I never stopped loving you.” Kind Words 2 is full of touching and drifting remarks like this, written by other players and tossed into the winds for you to find. If you’re allergic to vulnerability, or find cuteness or the “wholesome” games trend hard to digest, you’ve probably already turned your face away. But if your heart is open, even a smidge, if you carry a deep craving to peer through the cracks in the internet to discover a small realm of common humanity, then Kind Words 2 can show you a glimpse of that warm and welcoming world.
From Concordia, with love.
Mario & Luigi: Brothership is right around the corner and we are excited. We’ve been lucky enough to go hands-on with the latest entry in the wacky RPG series and we came away with 15 minutes of crisp new gameplay footage for you to see the Bros. back in action.
The above clips are taken from an early section of the game, showcasing two different islands that Mario & Luigi set out to save in the hopes of reuniting the fractured nation of Concordia. You’ll see a decent amount of overworld exploring, some of the turn-based battles with the iconic Bro-specific button inputs and a peppering of the dry humour that we so loved in the series’ GBA and DS titles.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com
Hey Washers!
You are hereby summoned to the Kingdom of Far, Far Away on a guided tour of Duloc, hosted by the devs of PowerWash Simulator. Kick back with a mug of warm swamp-mud and let us regale you with some behind-the-scenes insight on the development of the Duloc level in the new Shrek Special Pack – Available now!
We collaborated with Universal Products & Experiences to bring the world of DreamWorks’ Animations Shrek to life in PowerWash Simulator, transforming iconic locations such as Shrek’s Swamp, Duloc , Hansel’s Honeymoon Hideaway, Fairy Godmother’s Potion Factory and Dragon’s Lair. FuturLab’s own: Designer Jade Staines and Artist and Sean Ferretti, who both worked extensively on the Duloc level (one of five within the Shrek Special Pack), are here to tell you all about it, while our Concept Artist Nick Peacock gives you a closer look at early concepts for the Knight character model you’ll play as in the Shrek Special Pack.
It’s not *quite* the picture-perfect Duloc is inspired by the original Shrek film. Barely recognizable under a layer of filth Ferretti explains:
“Players will find House sigil tags scattered across the walls that belong to the Knights and other references to the films. You’ll find tons of fun details like these in all the levels because everybody in the Art team adores these movies and we had a blast bringing this pack to PowerWash Simulator!”
“It was fun to collaborate with Universal Products & Experiences abd DreamWorks Animation teams to come up with ideas and jokes that the knights had graffitied around Duloc including as many film references as we could,” adds Staines.
The graffiti looks especially cool in conjunction with a new accessibility tool that allows players to change the colour of the dirt highlight, that will come with a patch to the main game at the time of the Shrek Special Pack release.
Perhaps one of the most iconic moments from the Shrek films (and there’s no shortage to choose from) is the moment that Shrek and Donkey arrive in Duloc, and are greeted with a catchy tune from the information booth, or as Ferretti puts it…
“That scene has forever been seared into my brain. My colleague Bara (Artist) and I must’ve rewatched this clip at least 50 times altogether while designing the Information Booth inspired by the film but we’re proud to have it included!”
Because the information booth is such an icon of the Shrek films, we really went to town on making it special – this humble landmark alone contains over 80 Dings.
“As soon as I saw the information booth with all the puppets I just knew I had to make them individual objects for all of the Dings! Playing it and hearing them all is sooo satisfying.”
Just like Donkey, we want players to think “Wow, let’s do that again!”
We love making our Special Packs even more immersive with unique character models. In the Shrek Special Pack, you can go forth and conquer grime as a power washing knight, looking right at home, especially in Duloc. Peacock explains the process of creating the character model:
“I looked at real suits of armour, films with armour (live action and animation) and other artistic renditions of armour – useful in seeing how other people have solved complex problems and distilled down its essence. Once I’ve done this, I like to sketch out ideas, and see where my own interpretations take me.”
“I loved coming up with ideas for the washer elements, like the water tank on the back or the sword washer. Both tools used for combat, made to look fun and toylike. It brings in some humour and fun, which I think adds to the experience on a game like ours. I enjoy working this way – like a kid drawing out their playful ideas on paper.”
We hope you’ve enjoyed this access-all-areas look at the new Duloc level! We’ll leave you to discover the magic of the other four levels yourselves. With all that said and done, these closing words from Staines sum up how many of us here at FuturLab feel about the Shrek Special Pack.
“It’s fun watching scenes inspired by a film that I grew up with, become levels that you can run around and explore. Everyone involved with the pack did such an amazing job, I think the players are going to have a blast cleaning it all.”
Xbox Game Pass members can play the base game, PowerWash Simulator, as part of their membership. Shrek Special Pack is available now for a separate purchase on the Xbox Store (a copy of PowerWash Simulator is required to play).
Square Enix Ltd.
The post A Guided Tour of Duloc from the Shrek Special Pack for PowerWash Simulator appeared first on Xbox Wire.
Prepare yourselves, Jedi! The Force is calling you back to exhilarating lightsaber action! We’re excited to announce that Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles is coming to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, offering nostalgic thrills for returning Jedi and a gripping experience for new padawans.
Originally released in 2000, get ready to battle your way through iconic locations from Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. Whether you’re fighting to take back the Theed Palace from the Trade Federation or facing off against hordes of battle droids, destroyer droids, and deadly assassins, you’ll need all the skill and precision of a Jedi to succeed.
In Jedi Power Battles, the power of the Force is in your hands. Grasp your lightsaber and cut through enemies in fast-paced, side-scrolling arcade action. The game allows you to play as beloved characters from the prequel trilogy, including Mace Windu, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Padme, Panaka, Plo Koon, Adi Gallia, and Qui-Gon Jinn.
The 2025 release includes new and improved features that enhance the gameplay experience:
Lightsaber Toggle: For returning players who remember playing each Jedi with a distinctive color to their lightsaber, you may also remember those sabers not matching their looks in the films.
For example, the original game showcased Mace Windu with a blue Lightsaber.
For this release, we added a toggle that allows you to swap between his iconic purple saber or the classic blue saber. This also applies to Ki-Adi Mundi, Plo Koon, & Adi Gallia’s classic saber colors.
All secret characters and levels unlocked at the beginning: Experience the full game right from the start, with all the original secret characters and levels unlocked, allowing you to dive straight into the battle without delay. Beyond the original lineup, we’ve introduced 13 newly unlocked playable characters! You’ll find the Rifle Droid, Staff Tusken Raider, Ishi Tib, and Weequay, ready to jump into the action, and more character announcements are coming before launch day. Who else is joining the roster? We’ll all find out soon enough.
Gameplay improvements and expanded game modes: We’ve made enhancements to the character models, environments, and game modes based on the expanded post-PlayStation release, while also preserving elements of the original PlayStation UI. Enjoy smoother jumps, better balance, and new main menu art that transforms your battle from all of the original versions of the game. Additionally, we’ve included in-game UI toggle options for greater customization, and we’ve brought back Vs Mode and Training Mode from the expanded post-PlayStation release, adding depth and variety to your gameplay.
Classic couch co-op: The entire 10-level campaign, along with additional bonus mini-games, can be played with a friend in local co-op mode. The joy of teaming up with a buddy to take down waves of enemies is a core part of the Jedi Power Battles experience, and it’s back in full force.
Cheat codes and unlockables: Classic cheats like Big Head Mode, Big Foot Mode, and Lightsaber cheats are ready to be claimed! Additionally, unlock character progressions (combos, stats) by achieving high scores to keep the gameplay fresh and rewarding. Lastly, brand-new for the first time, the Loader Droid Boss is playable via cheat code!
Whether you’re a returning player or new to the battle, get ready for an adventure in the Star Wars galaxy. We’ve brought this classic back out of our deep love for Star Wars, and we hope you find joy in every lightsaber swing and every battle won.
May the Force be with you—always. Get ready to join the battle on January 23, 2025!
Prepare by pre-ordering Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles on PS5 & PS4 today.
After reviving Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Star Wars: Battlefront, and, most recently, Star Wars: Bounty Hunter, port specialist Aspyr has turned its attention to another classic Star Wars video game from yesteryear: Episode I: Jedi Power Battles.
LucasArts’ Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles launched in 2000 on the PlayStation before hitting the Dreamcast and the Game Boy Advance. As the title suggests, it’s set during the time frame of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, with a mix of platforming and beat ‘em up gameplay. Playable characters include Jedi Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jedi Masters Qui-Gon Jinn, Mace Windu, Adi Gallia, and Plo Koon,
Aspyr’s Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles brings the game to modern platforms with modern controls, 13 newly unlocked characters from the beginning, all levels unlocked, versus and training modes introduced in later releases of the game, and two-player couch co-op.
Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles will be released on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X and S, and PC via Steam on January 23, 2025 priced $19.99, just shy of 25 years after the original came out.
Here’s the official blurb, from Aspyr:
Celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles with this fast-paced lightsaber action game featuring enhanced gameplay, models, environments, game modes, and more. Use the power of the Force and your trusty lightsaber against legions of droids, assassins, and other legendary foes as you fight through iconic locations from Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace like Theed Palace and more.
Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles is yet another Star Wars revival from the Embracer-owned Aspyr, which is still working to fix this year’s disastrous launch of Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection.
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.
Paradox Interactive delayed jail management simulator Prison Architect 2 indefinitely this August, commenting at the time that the game had notable performance issues, and that its system-led design was proving tricky to tinker with. This came a couple of months after the Crusader Kings publisher washed their hands of the sequel’s original developers, Double Eleven.
Speaking to me at Paradox’s Media Day last week, deputy chief executive officer Mattias Lilja offered a shade more insight on the decision, suggesting that hard-up players have “higher expectations” at present and are less trusting that developers will fix problems. Chief creative officer Henrik Fåhraeus also offered thoughts on what Paradox have learned from the disastrous launch of Cities: Skylines 2 in late 2023. Specifically, he said they need to give actual players access to the game early on, not just testers.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero developers Bandai Namco Games and Spike Chunsoft are seemingly planning some downloadable content for the fan-favorite fighting game not already announced.
As reported by ComicBook, the Steam backend has been updated to reference a new DLC called the Martial Arts Pack. This is listed on SteamDB alongside already announced extra content including the Season Pass and Ultimate Edition bonuses, the Anime Music Packs 1 and 2, and the upgrade and preorder packs.
No details on what’s included in the pack were revealed on the SteamDB page but Reddit user Zeucleio discovered its contents through a companion book released for the game in Japan today, October 10. According to their post, the book contained a bonus code which unlocks the Martial Arts Pack in-game, despite no official word from Bandai Namco Games or Spike Chunsoft.
The contents of the pack were therefore revealed, and it includes early unlocks of Bardock, Future Gohan, Future Gohan SSJ, and Bardock’s Z costume, alongside the Super Sparking ability item.
As mentioned, neither developer nor publisher Bandai Namco has commented on this DLC officially or if it will be made available beyond this companion book.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero launched October 8 for anyone who preordered (and otherwise launches October 11) and is proving a hit with Dragon Ball fans, with many appreciating its evident love for the series through features like Encyclopaedia Mode.
One fight is proving particularly tough, however, as Great Ape Vegeta has the coveted combination of random, unrelenting, and rapid attacks that all do big damage. Players are pulling their hair out at its difficulty and placement relatively early on in the game’s campaign, though Bandai Namco has assured it’s okay to lower the difficulty and move on.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.
Bringing eFootball to the eMasses.
Now here’s a move that we didn’t expect. Following the split from EA, FIFA has announced that it is partnering with one-time rival Konami on a new eSports collaboration.
To be clear, this isn’t to say that Konami will be taking over the FIFA license, nor that the studio’s current football series, eFootball (formally PES), will be getting a rebrand. Instead, the purpose of this collaboration is to “further boost the joy of the global football community through esports”. M-hmm.
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