Category: Video Games

From Snapshot to Eternity: How The Star Named Eos Transforms Photos into Puzzles

The Importance of Photography in the Game

SNE kitchen

In The Star Named Eos, photography is the core theme that drives the game’s story and experience. This idea was conceived even before developing our previous game, Behind the Frame, where we initially planned a 360-degree panoramic narrative centered on photography. Due to our limited development experience at the time, we focused on Behind the Frame first. After its success, we restarted the production of The Star Named Eos.

 Photography is not just a part of the backstory; it is integral to the game’s mechanics and puzzle design, allowing you to experience the story and feel the emotions and memories behind each photo.

Creating the Photography Puzzle Experience

SNE Sandwiches

We always adhere to our game design principle of “finding the best way to tell a story to effectively convey it to players.” To deeply engage players, we first create a complete narrative experience and then decide on the supporting game mechanics.  We use slightly challenging puzzles to draw you deeper into the story and unravel its mysteries. When designing each puzzle, we carefully consider its background and purpose, ensuring every element serves as a meaningful clue and ties into the story. This approach avoids unnecessary gameplay time extension and ensures each puzzle’s solution deepens your understanding and connection with the story.

Core Game Loop Design: Exploration from Old Photos to New Compositions

SNE clue map

In The Star Named Eos, we designed a core game loop where you start with an old photo, go through exploration and puzzles, and ultimately take a new photo. This design is significant for recalling memories and the theme of discovering new things. Here are the steps:

1. Obtain Old Photos:

You obtain old photos by exploring specific scenes in the game. These photos serve as clues, guiding you to new scenes.

2. Find Similar Locations:

You search the environment for locations similar to those in the old photos. Visual aids like lighting and distinct objects help navigate players.

3. Find Similar New Objects:

After finding similar scenes, you search for objects resembling those in the old photos. These objects can be natural (trees, rocks) or man-made (furniture, statues).

4. Adjust Object Position/Composition and Take Photos:

You can adjust object positions according to the old photo’s composition, making them match. The game features a virtual camera that allows you to adjust the angle and focus, ultimately taking new photos with compositions matching the old photos.

SNE trees

This game loop design is not just about solving puzzles; it is an exploration of memories and history. you recreate past memories and discover new things, experiencing the unchanging emotions and values over time. This design allows players to resonate with real-life experiences of reminiscing and discovering new things.

SNE Bookshelf

Aesthetic Feedback of Camera: The Satisfaction of Taking Photos

In The Star Named Eos, taking photos is not just a simple action but an experience. Our programmers spent a lot of time ensuring that taking photos integrates naturally and smoothly into the story and game. To make you feel the satisfaction of capturing a scene, we optimized the photo-taking mechanism in several ways:

1. Virtual Camera System:

    You to adjust the angle, focus, and composition freely, enabling precise frame capture .

    2. Tactile Experience:

    To simulate a realistic photo-taking experience, we included tactile feedback. For example, pressing the camera shutter causes a slight vibration and sound effect, enhancing the authenticity.

    3. Instant Feedback:

    The system immediately compares newly snapped and old photos and uses the character’s monologue to hint if the photo was taken correctly. If the photographed object is not part of the main puzzle, no monologue appears, preserving the joy of free exploration and photography.

    These designs make photography an essential and enjoyable part of the game, allowing you to enjoy both the exploration and puzzle-solving process while experiencing the pleasure and accomplishment of taking photos.

    Creating Memorable Scenes: Dramatic Light and Shadow

     To achieve our aim of “dramatic light and shadow” in The Star Named Eos, we arranged strong main light sources in each scene, such as windows, lamps, or fires. These add drama and give objects varying lighting or shadow effects. This contrasts sharply with the full-light source design of Behind the Frame, offering a different visual experience. We invested significant time and effort to ensure each scene presents a unique and memorable light and shadow effect, enhancing the game’s emotional expression and story atmosphere.

    Through the theme of photography, The Star Named Eos turns photos into a medium full of emotions and puzzles. From story conception and art style design to technical implementation, we have devoted great effort to every aspect, hoping to provide you with an unforgettable gaming journey. We look forward to each player finding their resonance in the game and feeling the story and emotions we aim to convey.

    Meta: How the photography mechanic works, and how to use it to solve the puzzles in The Star Named Eos out now on Xbox.


    The Star Named EOS
    Xbox Live

    The Star Named EOS

    PLAYISM

    ☆☆☆☆☆
    ★★★★★


    $14.99

    $13.49
    Get it now

    The Star Named EOS is a story-rich puzzle adventure built around photography. Explore a beautiful hand-drawn world as you photograph some of the most precious yet fleeting moments in life. As you recreate photos from the past, you will slowly uncover the truth of a family mystery, and the love hidden within fragmented memories will eventually become clear.

    The post From Snapshot to Eternity: How The Star Named Eos Transforms Photos into Puzzles appeared first on Xbox Wire.

    Humble Games Announces ‘Restructuring of Operations’ Amid Layoffs

    Humble Games has announced plans to restructure amid what it is calling “challenging economic times for indie publishing,” with several former employees reporting that they’ve been laid off. According to Polygon’s Nicole Carpenter, the layoffs affect 36 workers. [Disclosure: IGN Entertainment and publishing label Humble Games operate under separate divisions of the same parent company, Ziff Davis. Charity bundle platform Humble Bundle remains a subsidiary of IGN Entertainment.]

    The announcement was part of a statement from Humble Games, which was published on Linkedin in the wake of several workers confirming their layoffs on social media. The statement emphasized “the goal of ensuring the stability and support of our developers and ongoing projects” while saying that the restructuring does not impact Humble Bundle.

    In these challenging economic times for indie game publishing, Humble Games has made the difficult but necessary decision to restructure our operations. This decision was not made lightly; it involved much deliberation and careful thought, with the goal of ensuring the stability and support of our developers and ongoing projects. Additionally, the restructuring of operations at Humble Games will have no impact on operations at Humble Bundle.

    We are acutely aware of the profound impact this decision has on our team members at Humble Games and deeply empathize with everyone affected. Our team’s contributions have been world-class and invaluable, supporting the launch of our games since we started publishing in 2017. We are committed to navigating this transition with as much empathy and understanding as possible.

    Supporting our development partners and assisting former team members remains our top priority. We are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible for everyone involved. Thank you for your support and compassion during this challenging period. It is deeply appreciated.

    Reached separately for comment, a Ziff Davis representative shared the statement posted above and said that the company is “not shutting down but is undergoing restructuring,” and that “all past and ongoing projects and upcoming releases are not affected and will continue to be supported and published by Humble Games.” The representative said they could not comment on the number of staff affected or remaining.

    Humble Games is an indie publishing label with a portfolio including Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus, Signalis and Stray Gods. Several developers who worked with Humble Games expressed sympathy in the wake of the layoffs.

    “My sincerest best wishes to all the former Humble Games staff, several of whom helped make [Unsighted] what it was,” wrote Unsighted developer Fernanda Dias. “Thank you so much for working so hard on so many amazing games. This is incredibly heartbreaking news holy shit.”

    Humble Games is one of several indie publishers that has been forced to restructure amid uncertainty in the games industry throughout 2024. IGN reported in May that Take-Two was quietly winding down its Private Division label in the wake of shuttering OlliOlli World developer Roll7 and Kerbal Space Program 2 studio Intercept Games. Xbox, PlayStation, EA, and numerous other publishers have also suffered layoffs.

    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.

    Nintendo Withdraws Splatoon 3 World Championship After Racist Messages From Winners Surface

    In April, USA’s team Jackpot won Nintendo’s Splatoon 3 World Championship, earning an in-game appearance that cemented its members as the first players to be commemorated in a Splatoon game. However, after racist messages sent by the team surfaced in the months following the event, Nintendo has now announced that it will invalidate the team’s win and remove their likenesses from the game.

    Today, in a post on X/Twitter, Nintendo Versus announced that Jackpot’s win would be vacated and the team would not receive trophies due to its violations of the company’s community guidelines.

    Nintendo also pledged to adjust a Splashtag (or in-game profile banner) it had added to the game to commemorate Jackpot’s win. The adjustment will presumably remove the team’s characters from the banner and replace them with default characters.

    Phantom Thief of the Heart, the Japanese team that played against Jackpot in the final, was not retroactively granted the win after the announcement, leaving the World Championship with no official winner.

    “Nintendo cares deeply about our players and our community, and we take our responsibility to uphold our Community Guidelines seriously,” the post reads.

    Nintendo’s move comes after the team’s racist messages circulated online in early June. Videos and screenshots (which can be seen in this thread — warning for offensive language) show members of the team using racist slurs and phrases in Discord messages and calls, with some even sending targeted messages to other players.

    Amelia Zollner is a freelance writer at IGN who loves all things indie and Nintendo. Outside of IGN, they’ve contributed to sites like Polygon and Rock Paper Shotgun, and they’re currently developing a game called Garage Sale. Find them on Twitter: @ameliazollner.

    Survival Horror Perfected: The Terrifying Solitude of Empty Shell

    Summary

    • Discover the true essence of fear and isolation.
    • A unique roguelite horror experience – an indie masterpiece for true genre-lovers.
    • Crafted with stunning, atmospheric artistry.

    Stepping into the World of Survival Horror Games

    Survival horror games have captivated players for decades, combining intense gameplay with heart-pounding suspense. But what if we pushed the boundaries even further? Imagine being thrust into an eerie, industrial environment, filled with dark secrets and lurking dangers.

    Now, picture this journey through the lens of a volunteer on a mysterious mission in an isolated Japanese facility. Welcome to Empty Shell, a game that redefines survival horror.

    S Screensghot

    A Unique Roguelite Horror Experience

    Empty Shell offers an innovative spin on the survival horror genre, blending the intense challenge of roguelite mechanics with an accessible top-down perspective. You won’t need any special controllers to dive into this nightmare; your regular Xbox controller will do just fine. But beware—surviving this harrowing journey demands sharp wits, quick reflexes, and an iron will.

    What Makes an Outstanding Survival Horror Game

    A top-tier survival horror game immerses players in a gripping atmosphere of fear and suspense. But beyond the chilling environment, the true essence lies in the gameplay’s unpredictability and the narrative’s depth.

    Empty Shell excels in creating a constant feeling of dread and isolation. Each playthrough offers new challenges and mysteries, ensuring that no two experiences are alike. The game’s art style enhances this atmosphere, delivering a visually stunning and hauntingly immersive experience.

    S Screensghot

    Unveiling the Mystery. Surviving the Nightmare

    Every great horror story starts with an enigma. Empty Shell is no exception. In this game, you step into the shoes of volunteers who have signed up for a “recovery operation” without knowing the full details. As you navigate the dark, industrial complex, you’ll uncover fragments of the facility’s disturbing past and your own role in its secrets.

    The journey begins in a desolate environment, filled with eerie sounds and sights. Each step you take deepens the mystery, pushing you to explore further and survive the horrors that await.

    Expressing Fear with Style and Atmosphere

    Creating a captivating survival horror experience isn’t just about the scares—it’s also about the art and atmosphere. Empty Shell boasts an exceptional visual style, making every corner of the industrial facility come to life with chilling detail.

    Throughout your journey, you’ll encounter various environments and challenges that test your survival skills and immerse you in the game’s haunting world. The attention to detail in the art and design ensures that every moment is both terrifying and visually striking.

    Embark on a Thrilling Journey of Survival and Mystery

    Dive into the relentless and immersive world of Empty Shell, where every moment is filled with suspense, and every decision could be your last. Uncover the secrets of the facility, survive its horrors, and experience one of the most outstanding survival horror games ever crafted.

    Play Empty Shell today and discover the true essence of fear and isolation.


    EMPTY SHELL
    Xbox Live

    EMPTY SHELL

    Hyperstrange

    ☆☆☆☆☆
    1
    ★★★★★


    $15.99

    $12.79
    Get it now

    EMPTY SHELL will throw you in a dark industrial environment, a secret facility on a Japanese island in the middle of nowhere. Each volunteer has signed a contract for a “recovery operation” without being privy to too many details.

    They said the facility had been abandoned for decades, but once in place it was immediately apparent that something was wrong.
    Discover the dark secrets of the facility’s years of operation, up until the accident that led to the extreme consequences you are involved in.

    Every time you die, you will control a new volunteer sent to the place. Your starting equipment will be randomized and each level will be generated with a new layout.

    Dark corridors and cold rooms. Abominable creatures and bloody fights. Puzzles to solve, equipment, logs and documents to recover await you in this roguelite survival horror.

    The post Survival Horror Perfected: The Terrifying Solitude of Empty Shell appeared first on Xbox Wire.

    Walmart Has the Best Nintendo Switch Lite Deal

    Walmart is offering the Nintendo Switch Lite (Timmy’s and Tommy’s Aloha Edition) console for only $159. This is an outstanding deal because this particular bundle also includes a digital copy of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. A standard Nintendo Switch Lite console with no game still costs $199.

    Nintendo Switch Lite with Animal Crossing for $159

    The Switch Lite retails for $100 less than the original Switch and $150 less than the Switch OLED. It is compatible with most Nintendo Switch games and it runs off the same hardware, so performance is identical. The three main tradeoffs of the Switch Lite is that (1) the controllers are not detachable, (2) the console can’t be docked and played on a TV and (3) the display is smaller (5.5″ vs 6.2″ on Switch and 7″ on Switch OLED).

    If you were intending to use the Switch solely as a handheld console, you might be better off just getting the Switch Lite. Even though the controls aren’t detachable, the Switch Lite does support wireless Bluetooth, so you can always purchase another pair of Joy-Cons, a Switch Pro controller, or a compatible third party wireless Switch controller, and you can still play untethered.

    If you enjoy cozy games like Stardew Valley, Harvest Moon, or Minecraft, you’ll probably love Animal Crossing. It’s obvious that Nintendo put in a lot of love into this first party title and it’s certainly one of the best – and most relaxing – games for the Nintendo Switch. This is an excellent pick for gamers of all ages, even children. Check out our glowing IGN review for more details.

    Other Nintendo Switch related sales and news that might interest you:

    Fortnite Players Band Together to Pick on In-Game Tesla Cybertrucks: ‘Destroy on Sight’

    Tesla’s polygonal Cybertruck has entered Fortnite, and fans… aren’t quite sure how to feel about it.

    The vehicle joined Epic Games’ massively popular battle royale video game, as well as its soccer-car project Rocket League, today, July 23. It’s a free reward for those who complete a series of challenges via the Summer Road Trip quest before August 6 and is also a cross-game unlock between both experiences. Completing all challenges nets players a Cybertruck for their garage as well as a Green Day Jam Track, Back Bling, wheels, and a few decals that include a broken window cosmetic.

    It’s a selection of free rewards that some players are undeniably happy to have, but others are taking the opportunity to poke fun at Tesla’s angular truck, which will no doubt show up on players’ screens in-game. Specifically, many are calling for others to band together and go out of their way to destroy any Cybertruck that comes into view.

    “Overpriced,” one Reddit user jokes.

    “Cybertruck is gonna give that nostalgic 2020 feel in Cyberpunk when textures weren’t loading on my 1080,” another said.

    While players group up to plan how to react to the Tesla content, they aren’t the only ones voicing distaste for the addition. Along with a wave of players who aren’t excited to see a wave of Cybertrucks show up across Fortnite, there are a few Epic Games developers who are equally unenthusiastic.

    “Reminder that opinions are mine and mine alone,” Fortnite associate producer Robby Williams said on X/Twitter. “Destroy on sight [middle finger emoji].”

    Epic Games producer Kyle Wynn also chimed into the conversation. In addition to reminding players that companies are made up of individuals with a variety of thoughts and beliefs, Wynn says, “also yeah, hard focus on sight.”

    Fortnite players are continuing to enjoy an ocean of recent additions, including Pirates of the Caribbean skins, the Fortnite Reload mode, and Fallout content. Fortnite is currently in the midst of Chapter 5 Season 3, with Season 4 expected to begin in mid-August. For more, you can read up on the recently announced Fortnite LEGO sets, which include a purchasable Battle Bus and Supply Llama.

    Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.

    Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MikeCripe.

    Tachyon Dreams Anthology review: ’80s-inspired space questing that channels Sierra’s heyday

    In the heyday of Sierra’s adventure game years, there was a series called Space Quest that featured an intergalactic janitor named Roger Wilco. The series was more satirical than King’s Quest, less preachy than Police Quest, and not quite as adult as Leisure Suit Larry. Spearheaded by Scott Murphy and Mark Crowe – a pair of devs who called themselves “Two Guys from Andromeda” – Space Quest was renowned for its humour, and there was a nice sense of progression throughout most of the series, with Roger Wilco leveling up from working class spaceman to the head of his own Star Trek ship.

    Tachyon Dreams Anthology, a collection of three short games previously released on Itch.io, is clearly channeling Space Quest. Made by indie dev Cosmic Void, AKA Aviv Salinas, each episode of Tachyon Dreams puts you in the shoes of an intergalactic dishwasher named Dodger, who’s almost like an alternate Roger Wilco if you squint. Dodger’s just chilling on a spaceship clearing plates when all of the staff around him disappear, which is basically what happened to Roger at the start of Space Quest I. Guided by a sentient computer, Dodge has to travel through time and space, and his quest eventually leads him on the trail of the Margdonians, a mysterious race that once cultivated the galaxy.

    The plot, which starts with time travel and ends with Dodger literally contemplating his past while sitting on the porcelain throne, doesn’t quite hit the mark set by any of the Space Quests. But the game’s visuals are 100% reminiscent of a lost Sierra adventure from 1987 made with the company’s then-famous AGI (Adventure Game Interpreter) engine. Even Dodger’s walk cycle channels Roger Wilco’s, though Dodger is several pixels larger than Roger ever was. I’m not sure if Tachyon Dreams Anthology was made in AGI Studio, gamemaking software that’s been widely used amongst Sierra fans, but it certainly looks it. Cosmic Void’s expert use of AGI’s 16 colours is especially impressive, and I really appreciate the pixelated depictions of the galactic sky, swathed in lovely shades of blue and magenta. (Anyone who wants to see similar visuals in something that resembles a ’90s game rather than an ’80s one should check out Twilight Oracle, one of Cosmic Void’s other projects. Alice B (RPS forever in peace) liked the demo!)

    Read more

    Red Art Games Has Fallen Victim To A Significant Cyberattack

    Multiple customer details compromised.

    Red Art Games has announced that it has fallen victim to a significant cyberattack in which multiple customer details have been compromised.

    The company confirms that all bank details are safe, but details including email addresses and shipping addresses have been affected. It has also confirmed that shipments, order changes, and refunds will be paused for the next few days while it investigates further.

    Read the full article on nintendolife.com

    Early sign ups for the New World: Aeternum – Closed Beta are available now!

    We are excited to partner with Amazon Games and invite Xbox Insiders to sign up early for the New World: Aeternum – Closed Beta. The Closed Beta for this thrilling action RPG will begin July 25th and will run until July 31st! The Closed Beta will only be available for Xbox Insiders on Xbox Series X|S consoles and in the North America and Europe regions (full list of available regions below). Limited space is available so join now to secure your spot!

    What is New World: Aeternum?

    New World: Aeternum is an action RPG set on the supernatural island of Aeternum in the twilight of the Age of Exploration. As a shipwrecked explorer who washes ashore on the mysterious island, forge your destiny on an adventure filled with danger and opportunity.

    There is a lot to discover on the island of Aeternum with endless opportunities to fight, forage, and forge. Play your way by fully customizing the look and abilities of your character with access to swords, guns, and sorcery. As a player that enjoys melee focused builds, I’ll be experimenting with swords but can’t wait to see other builds that everyone comes up with.

    If you want to learn more, please visit the Official New World: Aeternum Website!

    Playtest Times:

    Start: Thursday July 25th, 9:00 AM PT (4:00 PM GMT)

    End: Wednesday July 31st, 9:00 AM PT (4:00 PM GMT)

    How to Participate:

    1. Sign-in on your Xbox Series X|S console and launch the Xbox Insider Hub app (or install the Xbox Insider Hub from the Store first if necessary)
    2. Navigate to Previews > New World: Aeternum
    3. Select Join
    4. Wait for the registration to complete and be directed to the Store and install New World: Aeternum Closed Beta

    NOTE: New World: Aeternum – Closed Beta begins on July 25th. Joining now secures your spot for the playtest and allows you to install the game early. On July 25th, in game servers will open to allow you to play. You’ll also receive an Xbox Insider notification when the playtest begins.

    NOTE: Limited space is available and offered first-come first-served.

    NOTE: This playtest is only available on Xbox Series X|S consoles.

    NOTE: This playtest is only available for Xbox Insiders in the regions below.

    • North America
      • United States
      • Canada
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Denmark
      • Finland
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Hungary
      • Italy
      • Netherlands
      • Norway
      • Poland
      • Portugal
      • Slovakia
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Switzerland
      • United Kingdom

    How to Provide Feedback:

    If you experience any issues while playing New World: Aeternum – Closed Beta, don’t forget to use “Report a problem” so we can investigate:

    • Hold down the home button on your Xbox controller.
    • Select Report a problem.
    • Select the Games category and New World: Aeternum Closed Beta subcategory.
    • Fill out the form with the appropriate details to help our investigation.

    Other resources:

    For more information: follow us on X/Twitter at @XboxInsider and this blog for announcements and more. And feel free to interact with the community on the Xbox Insider SubReddit.

    The post Early sign ups for the New World: Aeternum – Closed Beta are available now! appeared first on Xbox Wire.