Random: Here’s How Much It Costs To Showcase A Trailer At Summer Game Fest

Hint: it’s quite a bit.

Have you ever wondered how much it would actually cost publishers to showcase a trailer at Geoff Keighley’s Summer Game Fest Opening Showcase? Well, probably not. But you’re here now, which means you’re likely just a little bit curious, right?

Thanks to Esquire (via Eurogamer), the costs for game trailers have been revealed, and it ain’t cheap, folks. Basically, publishers looking to showcase a one-minute trailer will need to fork up $250,000. Add 30 seconds and you’re looking at $350,000. Two minutes is $450,000, and two-and-a-half minutes is $550,000.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Hands On: Replaced is a Stylish Cyberpunk Platformer with an ’80s Cinematic Edge

Hands On: Replaced is a Stylish Cyberpunk Platformer with an ’80s Cinematic Edge

If like me, you’re a sucker for a gritty Cyberpunk setting, then you’re going to love Replaced. Set in alternate version of 1980s America, this action platformer takes us on a journey across Pheonix-City, a dystopian wasteland where greed and corruption rules, and outlaws are rife in the aftermath of an apocalyptic event. This week, I managed to get my hands on a demo of Replaced, and it’s looking incredibly promising.

The preview we played was split into three distinct sections, demonstrating Replaced’s strengths in different areas. In the prologue, I’m introduced to our protagonist, R.E.A.C.H, an artificial intelligence that becomes trapped in a human body during an explosion. Before you’ve had time to question what has happened, R.E.A.C.H and his fleshy prison are faced with the greatest ultimatum – run or die.

This initiates a high-octane chase scene, with R.E.A.C.H having to leap over obstacles and calculate pauses to the nanosecond, lest you be captured or coldly gunned down. This sequence set a tense, unforgiving tone for Replaced – the inputs are simple, but there’s a distinct rhythm to it, and your timing is paramount. However, what really makes this section feel exciting is its gorgeous cinematic transitions; the game flows seamlessly from playable segments to animated cutscenes that feel like an explosive ’80s action movie. Light particles cascade down through trees and seep through large, imposing steel fences as I sprint from my doom – I actually died a few times getting distracted by the scenery. The apex of this chase segment sees me leap from a ledge and into another epic cinematic moment, drenched in cold, Blade Runner-esque colors. True care has gone into making this resonate like a classic action movie, but with an extremely cool pixel art twist.

The meatiest part of the demo sees R.E.A.C.H. arrive at his new home in Phoenix-City, an abandoned train station that’ll also serve as a hub for the game. Here, I met a diverse cast of characters with their own mysterious goings-on, and this is where Replaced’s story begins to shine. Just like the home they share, everyone that R.E.A.C.H meets seems to come with moral complexities and each is doing what they must endure to survive – which is not always obvious to R.E.A.C.H. As an A.I., their comprehension for how characters behave doesn’t always align with their surroundings, which makes for interesting conversations as the story begins to unfold.

Again, I’m met with some incredible designs – as I meander through the station, I pass derelict, crumbling buildings illuminated by rainbow string lights, a neon-soaked ’80s-imbued arcade, and a bustling market with myriad stalls selling odds and ends. One particular street shows me an abundance of potted plants spilling over rusting, metal shelves, set just above a group of stragglers perched on mismatched sofas watching TV. Humans with missing limbs pass me on crutches, others on the shoulders of able-bodied allies, making Replaced’s hub feel truly alive and full of thought. This isn’t just a radical dystopian future where you get be the badass hero, it’s showcasing the misery and resilience of a society trying to get by in uncompromising circumstances.

The final section gives me a taste for the combat, which unsurprisingly also comes with a distinct sense of classic cool. With a series of deftly timed inputs, I disarm an enemy, steal his club and then begin wailing on the rest of the group. I need to use melee attacks in order to charge my gun attack, which allows me to fire off one devastating bullet before the bar is empty again. This is an interesting way to approach combat and again leans back into the aforementioned struggle – you have the skills to feel like a badass, but something like firing a weapon requires work at this stage, and every bullet is well earned.

By the end of the preview, I felt extremely ready to dip into the full release of Replaced and uncover the stories buried within Phoenix City. If Replaced sounds like your retro-futuristic jam, be sure to stay up to date with the game on X (formerly Twitter) at @ReplacedGame.

The post Hands On: Replaced is a Stylish Cyberpunk Platformer with an ’80s Cinematic Edge appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Share of the Week: Hidden

Last week we asked you to share sneaky hidden moments from your favorite games using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s hidden highlights:

TakaSanGames shares Ellie hidden in the bushes in The Last of Us Part II.

BarryPaust shares Wander crouching to hide from a Colossus in Shadow of the Colossus.

thwippip shares a face-painted Aloy hiding behind leaves in Horizon Forbidden West

marka_game shares Jin blending in with the scenery in a unique way in Ghost of Tsushima

Photoingame shares a Na’vi blending in with blue water in Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora

Defnotanthonyfr shares the cat from Stray blending into the cluttered surroundings to take a nap

Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week?

THEME:  Hogwarts Legacy – Photo Mode
SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on June 12, 2024

Next week, a new photo mode feature casts a spell on Hogwarts Legacy. Share moments from your magical journey using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.

Sonar Shock turns retro interface friction into a design strength

Sonar Shock is a reminder that some of the best game concepts or settings seem so obvious as soon as you play them.

System Shock on an unreasonably huge submarine on an equally ludicrous trip around the Northeast Passage via Cape Agulhas? With a satirical Soviet setting that isn’t just “lol russia” or “I think Stalker was about machismo and gun attachments”? And a third thing that I’ll get to in a minute because this intro is getting out of control? God yes.

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Limited Edition Hulk Xbox Worth Thousands Donated to UK Charity Shop

A limited edition original Xbox themed after Marvel’s 2003 Hulk film has been donated to a UK charity shop despite being worth thousands.

The British Heart Foundation is selling the console on eBay, where bids have so far risen to more than $2,300 despite the auction not ending until June 15, 2024. The BHF estimated it could bring upwards of $11,000 for the charity, which funds medical research of heart and circulatory diseases and aims to raise public awareness of these issues.

A collaboration between Xbox, the Hulk film, and Pepsi saw 50 of the consoles made to give away to winners of a competition. UK residents tasked with watching Hulk at the cinema, who purchased a Pepsi and popcorn meal deal, received a scratchcard which offered a chance of winning the bright green hardware.

Only 36 people actually won a console, and only around 20 of them are known to exist today, more than two decades later, according to the BHF. The Xbox bears resemblance to a limited edition Mountain Dew console released in the U.S., but as 5,000 of those were made, the Hulk version is much more rare.

The console was confirmed to be fully working by the BHF’s Paul Smith, who is thankfully an avid gamer and noticed the console was particularly unusual.

“We test all the electrical donations we receive, and this one really caught my eye,” he said. “I’m a games enthusiast myself but the rare green color combined with the Hulk and Pepsi logo really stood out. Whoever is lucky enough to snap this up will make their friends green with envy.”

“Whoever is lucky enough to snap this up will make their friends green with envy.

If this incredibly rare piece of bizarre Xbox history isn’t enough to entice a bid out of fans, it even comes with five games: Tony Hawk’s Underground, Tony Hawk’s Underground 2, Marvel vs. Capcom 2, Peter Jackson’s King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie, and a French version of Bilbo the Hobbit.

Microsoft is still a fan of releasing ridiculous limited edition consoles via competitions 21 years later, as its current Xbox Series X and S consoles have received myriad wild and wacky colorways. These include designs based on Fallout, SpongeBob SquarePants, Bluey, and sticking to the Marvel theme, X-Men ’97.

On the weirder side comes a Final Fantasy 14 Xbox Series X that doesn’t actually work and a Dune: Part 2 special edition with a floating gamepad. Other Xbox Series X and S generation highlights include red and blue fluffy Sonic the Hedgehog gamepads, one made out of actual Jade, and even an edible controller.

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.

Slitterhead Gameplay Trailer Leaks, Reveals Release Date for Silent Hill Creator’s Next Game

A gameplay video for Slitterhead was briefly made available to watch on YouTube before it was pulled offline ahead of a reveal during Summer Game Fest.

This week, Summer Game Fest chief Geoff Keighley tweeted to tease the world premiere of Slitterhead, the next game from Silent Hill creator Keiichiro Toyama and his studio, Bokeh.

Ahead of the livestream set for 2pm Pacific / 5pm Eastern / 10pm UK today, June 7, the gameplay trailer was viewable before being set to private. The internet noticed and took notes, of course. The gameplay trailer confirmed a release date of November 8, 2024 on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. Xbox One was not listed.

Toyama, the director of Silent Hill who then formed Project Siren, also known as Team Gravity, under Sony’s umbrella, left the company in late 2020 with other Japan Studio developers and formed his own studio, Bokeh Game Studios.

He continued: “However, the game will include many new mechanics that have not been seen so far in other games, so I think it will result in a unique experience.”

If you missed the trailer, it won’t be long before it’s shown off officially at Summer Game Fest.

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.

Doom Eternal’s Mars Core still represents the perfect use of unwelcome cutscenes

Whether or not they actually amount to anything, rumours of a new Doom have had me diving back into Doom Eternal recently. There’s at least one level in it that feels like essay-bait, so I’m obliging. The centerpiece of Mars Core – the FPS’ best level – is a comically massive superweapon called the BFG-10000. Oh, Chekov. If only you could see what we’ve done with your wisdom. The literary subtlety to gun-big-enough-to-scar-planets pipeline will eventually subsume all of pop culture, and those of us who chose to specialise writing about headshots will alternate between grins and tears from the wreckage.

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Nintendo’s ‘Mega Extreme Fun Sale’ Brings Tasty Discounts To Select eShop Titles (North America)

Here come the savings!

Nintendo of America is back with a fresh batch of eShop discounts as the ‘Mega Extreme Fun Sale’ is now underway.

The sale kicked off yesterday (6th June) and will run until 16th June, bringing some welcome discounts to a selection of games and DLC expansions. This one is only available on the North American eShop at the moment, though we’re sure that it won’t be too long before Europe gets a similar sale period of its own.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for June 10 to 14

Next Week on Xbox Hero Image

Next Week on Xbox: New Games for June 10 to 14

Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! This weekly feature highlights all the games arriving soon on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, and Game Pass. Discover more about these upcoming titles below and explore their profiles for additional information (note that release dates are subject to change). Let’s dive in!


Xbox Live

Backpack Hero

Different Tales

Backpack Hero – June 11
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A twist on your standard deck-building roguelike. It isn’t just about what you carry, but how you organize the items within your bag! Find them the right spot in your backpack to increase their power, meet colorful friends and fight deadly foes, explore ancient dungeons, caves, swamps, and more!


Xbox Live

CityDriver

Aerosoft GmbH

CityDriver – June 11
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S

Explore the streets of Munich with various cars, master diverse missions and challenges, enjoy the fun of comfortable or sporty driving, and train your driving behavior in traffic with other road users – all with authentic vehicle physics.


Xbox Live
Xbox Play Anywhere

Sunrise GP

Gamedust SA

$14.99

Sunrise GP – June 11
Xbox Play Anywhere

Sunrise GP features cars inspired by European classics and races through fantastic locations – among beaches, caves, mountains and lakes. Everything is designed to help you relax and soak up the laid-back atmosphere. The amazing soundtrack also enhances the unique experience.


Xbox Live

Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™ 1 + 2

Activision Publishing Inc.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1&2 – June 11
Windows PC

Play the fully remastered Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater & Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 games in one epic collection on Windows PC, rebuilt from the ground up in incredible HD. Skate as the legendary Tony Hawk and the original pro roster, plus new pros, listen to songs from the era-defining soundtrack along, and hit insane trick combos with the iconic handling of the series.


Xbox Live

Draconic Resurgence (Xbox Series)

Phoenix Reborn Games

Draconic Resurgence – June 12

A few days ago, under the veil of night, a mysterious being attacked a village. Now it’s up to you, a noble warrior, to rescue the captured villagers and eradicate the unknown creature. Dragonic Resurgence is a metroidvania where you must explore different locations, collect upgrades, and fight different bosses.


Xbox Live

Hidden Cats in Paris

Silesia Games Sp. z o.o.

Hidden Cats in Paris – June 12

Meow meow meow mes amis! Cats, kittens, kitties and other fuzzballs are hidden all around the Parisian landscape, each waiting to be found! Take a relaxing stroll around Paris where every cat you spot brings its unique splash of color into the scenery and finding them all will fill the city with life!


Xbox Live

Lost Chiko 2

Weakfish Studio Publishing

Lost Chiko 2 – June 12
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

The 2nd game in the Lost Chiko series, this time with a different adventure, a different story and a different gameplay! One day while we were sleeping under a tree, a bird comes and tells us that our mother has been kidnapped.


Xbox Live

Prison of Illusion

DERIK D.F


5

$4.99

Prison of Illusion – June 12

A young white-haired vampire was walking through the darkness of the forest and saw a large castle on top of the mountain. He then decides to go inside and explore the environment. But he discovers that the magic present in the castle makes him trapped. Help the young vampire overcome traps, challenges and find the way out.


Xbox Live

Roxy Raccoon’s Pinball Panic

Eastasiasoft Limited

Roxy Raccoon’s Pinball Panic – June 12
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Break the witch’s wicked curse and conquer her many challenges across a wide variety of pinball tables, from arenas themed around parks and urban streets to casinos and more! Unlock cosmetics for character customization to express your winning style and prove once and for all that you are the true pinball champion!


Xbox Live

Dead Station 2

ChiliDog Interactive

$4.99

Dead Station 2 – June 13

Are you ready to conquer the fear… again? Your ship crashes on Titan, a moon of Saturn. Your only way out is to find salvation in the abandoned space station TAU-9. Explore dark corridors, find new weapons to fight dangerous monsters, solve puzzles to open new paths in search of surviving humans on the station. All this and even more in a sequel of the atmospheric horror platformer.


Xbox Live

Detective – Minerva Case

JanduSoft


$10.49

$8.39

Detective – Minerva Case – June 13
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A crime deduction and solving game, with an adult and original story. Visit the crime scene, look for all the evidence and understand what happened.


Xbox Live

Panzer Paladin

Tribute Games

Panzer Paladin – June 13

Hop in the Paladin power armor, seize melee weapons from the demonic invaders, and give them a taste of their own medicine! The sight of giant swords blazing through the night sky might be hair-raising but stand your ground! The sinister Ravenous and his legions of brutal demons are poised for battle.


Xbox Live

Willy’s Wonderland – The Game

QUByte Interactive

Willy’s Wonderland – The Game – June 13
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A 2.5D beat ‘em up game based on the cult film of the same name, in which a group of Animatronics come to life and slaughter people who dare visit Willy’s Wonderland. Take control of either The Janitor or Liv as they face the hordes of evil commanded by the nefarious Animatronics – Tito Turtle, Siren Sara, Arty Alligator, Cammy Chameleon, Willy Weasel and more!


Xbox Live

Astrune Academy

KEMCO

$14.99

Astrune Academy – June 14
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

Embark on a thrilling journey with magical girls in the enchanting world of Astrune Academy! Discover the tale of aspiring sorcerers at this towering academy in the Sternship region. Engage in the daily life of the magic academy, complete assignments, and strive to become a skilled sorcerer.


Xbox Live

Froggy Bouncing Adventures

Ratalaika Games S.L.

Froggy Bouncing Adventures – June 14
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

A cute, miniature puzzle platformer starring the eponymous Froggy the Frog. When Froggy’s buddy, Buzzy, disappears through a mysterious portal, it’s up to our amphibian hero to come to his friend’s rescue. Get ready for 60 levels of jumping and dashing, accompanied by a cozy aesthetic with colorful pixel art and relaxing music.


Xbox Live

Magical Drop VI

Forever Entertainment S.A. / TA Publishing

Magical Drop VI – June 14
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery

The legendary Japanese Arcade game is back! Choose your favorite character and play in one of the numerous game modes available. Solve diabolical puzzles or beat strong opponents in versus matches. Play through an exciting adventure full of twists and turns, in Story or Path of Destiny modes. Challenge your friends and the best players online.


Xbox Live

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance

SEGA

$59.99

Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance – June 14

Embark on this definitive version of the critically acclaimed Shin Megami Tensei V, massively expanded with a brand-new storyline featuring new locations, demons, and choices to make that will dictate the fate of all existence. Pre-order to receive two Sacred Treasure sets that will aid you during your journey through Da’at.


The post Next Week on Xbox: New Games for June 10 to 14 appeared first on Xbox Wire.

Honkai: Star Rail update v2.3 brings new friends and Simulated Universe on June 19

Dear Trailblazers, greetings from the Honkai: Star Rail dev team. Today, we are excited to share the details of Honkai: Star Rail version 2.3, Farewell Penacony. This update introduces the highly anticipated Stellaron Hunter, Firefly, as well as a significant figure from the IPC, Jade. Additionally, under the guidance of Mr. Screwllum, the new update in the Simulated Universe – Divergent Universe – will be unveiled as well.

​​ 

After inheriting the Watchmaker’s Legacy and embarking on the new Path of Harmony, Trailblazers awaken in the real world following the climactic battle with Mr. Sunday. Now, the abrupt termination of the Charmony Festival has left The Family’s reputation in tatters, with numerous delicate issues urgently demanding attention. In response, aside from the Oak Family, the major lineages are preparing their strategies to address the aftermath. In the version 2.3 Trailblaze Mission, the Express Crew will be invited aboard the Radiant Feldspar, soaring into the skies above Penacony to witness crucial Family discussions firsthand.

Meanwhile, aboard the Radiant Feldspar, a new project within the Simulated Universe, Divergent Universe will be conducted under the guidance of Mr. Screwllum, utilizing technology from his home planet to bring gameplay improvements. For instance, the Arithmetic Mapping function in the Divergent Universe testing removes character download limitations. If a character’s level is below the current Equilibrium Level Cap, it will automatically increase to meet the cap. The update also introduces the Equation feature, where combining buffs from two different Paths grants corresponding combat abilities once the required amount is achieved. Additionally, when facing defeat in the Divergent Universe, Trailblazers can now restart challenges without needing to force-stop the game. With the new Restart Challenge option, players can regroup and give it another shot.

In the upcoming version, Origami Birds will also make their way onto the Radiant Feldspar, bringing a new mini-game. In this arcade challenge, Trailblazers must achieve eliminations within a set number of moves to boost the birds’ Combat Power. During the Origami Bird Clash event, Trailblazers can not only participate in Story Challenges, but also freely battle friends from across the universe!

After venturing alongside the Trailblazers for a time, we will uncover more about Firefly in version 2.3. Firefly is a member of the Stellaron Hunters, originating from the long-destroyed world of Glamoth. Once a prosperous and expansive empire, Glamoth was left thrashed and devastated by the calamity brought on by the Swarm. Firefly, a young girl encased in mechanical armor known as SAM, was created as a weapon against the invasion. Unfortunately, she suffers from Entropy Loss Syndrome due to genetic modification. Driven by the quest to find meaning in life and to defy fate, she joined the Stellaron Hunters to further her goals and calling.

As a 5-star Fire-Type character, Firefly possesses an immense power. After using her Technique, she can summon her SAM armor and leap into the air, moving freely, with SAM attacking all enemies within a set range to enter battle. Each wave of enemies can have Fire Weakness forced upon units without Fire Weakness, lasting for a set number of turns. In the heat of battle, SAM will be operating in two forms. In the initial form, using her Skill consumes HP but simultaneously replenishes her Ultimate energy. The less HP Firefly has, the less damage she sustains. Furthermore, when activating her Ultimate, SAM transforms into its second battle form — the dazzling Complete Combustion state! Alongside more potent Basic Attacks and Skills, her Speed and Weakness Break efficiency are also heightened. The Break DMG dealt by SAM is increased until the countdown for Complete Combustion ends. An aspect worth mentioning is that this state not only displays SAM’s might, but also provides players with a unique perspective from within the cockpit of the SAM mech. In this perspective, Firefly’s unwavering gaze is an embodiment of her fiery spirit, capable of setting the starry seas ablaze.

Another Quantum-Type 5-star character, Jade, is set to make her distinguished debut. As a senior manager in the IPC Strategic Investment Department and one of the Ten Stonehearts, she is recognized by her Cornerstone, Jade of Credit. Cold and elegant, Jade is a skilled moneylender with a keen understanding of the human heart. Her personal hobby, Bonajade Exchange, highlights her patience in waiting for high-value acquisitions through accepting pawning of assets and her ability to extract value from seemingly destitute clients.

​​Jade’s Skill allows her to forge a binding agreement with a single ally, making them her Debt Collector and bestowing upon them enhancements. Interestingly, if she selects herself as the Debt Collector, the only part of the enhancement will be applied. Each attack launched by Jade or her Debt Collector accumulates Charges for Jade. Once fully charged, Jade unleashes a follow-up attack against all enemies. Her Ultimate, however, enforces the terms of the agreement with unyielding precision, dealing damage to all enemies while also enhancing her follow-up attack.

It’s worth noting that the limited 5-star characters — Ruan Mei and Argenti — will make their appearances in event warps during the first and second halves of version 2.3, respectively. Their formidable strength ensures they will remain powerful allies in your future adventures.

That wraps up our insights on Version 2.3. While there are still more surprises in the wings, we’ll keep this update brief and delightful. We hope you’re enjoying your cosmic adventures, that Firefly and the new Simulated Universe will bring surprises to everyone, and look forward to rendezvousing with you in the next one.