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Apr 13, 20:00


GamersHeroes Saturday, April 13, 2024 6:10 PM
    

The gaming studio Possibility Space was recently closed due to leaks from its staff; was this response justified?

The post Are Leakers to Blame Over Possibility Space Studio Closure? appeared first on GamersHeroes.


GamersHeroes Saturday, April 13, 2024 6:01 PM
    

A Waterworld style MMO and an isometric Souls-like game, just some of the exciting projects leading the Steam Early Access charge this month. Today, we break down the 10 most exciting upcoming titles due to hit Steam Early Access this month, April 2024.

The post 10 Exciting Games Hitting Steam Early Access This Month appeared first on GamersHeroes.


PCGamesN Saturday, April 13, 2024 12:36 PM
     Free giveaway gambit pays off for Steam's newest co-op horror darling

Giving away more than six million copies of your new horror game for free is certainly a bold move, but it looks to have paid off big for developer Landfall Games. Following in the footsteps of Phasmophobia, and most recently Lethal Company, Content Warning is the latest success story in the co-op horror space, and the developer of the new Steam game reveals that it's already hit a huge sales milestone despite its massive free game giveaway.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best horror games, Best co-op games, Content Warning system requirements

PCGamesN Saturday, April 13, 2024 12:33 PM
     Steam's hottest new survival game gets its first big balance patch

As far as genre mash-ups go, new building and survival game Infection Free Zone is one of the more interesting ones. It's Cities Skylines with zombies, or Frostpunk with a global pandemic, and it's out now in Steam Early Access. If you missed the launch though, don't worry, as developer Jutsu Games has already released the first of many upcoming balance tweaks and changes, making it even easier to get on board.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best survival games, Best building games, Best zombie games

Rock Paper Shotgun Latest Articles Feed Saturday, April 13, 2024 7:32 PM
    

Possibility Space has become the second studio owned by Prytania Media to close in recent weeks following Crop Circle Games' closure in March. Both studios were founded by Jeff Strain, the co-founder of Guild Wars creators ArenaNet and the founder of State Of Decay developers Undead Labs.

In a message to staff about the studio's immediate closure, Strain implies the outcome was prompted by employees who leaked information about the company to a journalist.

Read more


Siliconera Saturday, April 13, 2024 3:00 PM
    

Renowned Japanese singer and Kingdom Hearts theme extraordinaire Hikaru Utada just dropped a mega bomb with their Science Fiction album. This album doesn't drop any new music, but rather, includes re-releases of songs like "Hikari," the Japanese version of the Kingdom Hearts theme "Simple and Clean." It also makes it even harder to wait for the release of Kingdom Hearts 4 and Missing Link in the process.

This new re-recording of the Japanese version of the classic Kingdom Hearts theme is a bop, of course, but there's more to it than that. This re-release of the 2002 track is a sharp reminder of the lack of information regarding the Kingdom Hearts series. More importantly, the severe delay between new details or a release of both Kingdom Hearts 4 and Missing Link.

For reference, Hikaru Utada's new album dropped on April 10, 2024. This just so happens to fall around the two-year anniversary of both Kingdom Hearts 4 and Missing Link's announcements. Sadly, precious little appeared in two years that followed. At least, worldwide, given there was a Japanese beta in 2023.

Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link Closed Beta Test Applications Open
Image via Square Enix

This re-recording of the Kingdom Hearts song "Hikari" doesn't necessarily give us too much hope for more info soon, either. This is more like a coincidental event, if anything, which makes the whole situation more agonizing. That said, there is the potential for at least some Missing Link news in the near future. After all, it still has a release window of 2024 for Android and iOS. Until that release window changes, it is only a matter of time until we hear more about the latest mobile game in the series. There is a chance that Missing Link will even connect the past games to Kingdom Hearts 4 or offer some bit of lore to tie us over while we wait.

As for the lack of Kingdom Hearts 4 news, there could be a couple of reasons for that. For one, Square Enix has been quite busy lately. Final Fantasy XVI released last year in 2023, and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth followed it up not even a full year later. Square Enix isn't done either, as FFXIV: Dawntrail is also coming out in 2024. This means renowned Kingdom Hearts Director Tetsuya Nomura, is also quite busy with the recent releases.

It is possible Square Enix is waiting for games and expansions like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth and Final Fantasy XIV Dawntrail to come out to give some breathing room, then focus on the Kingdom Hearts series. If that is the case, we could finally see more about it in the latter half of 2024. But there is even a chance we may not hear anything until 2025.

As for when the game comes out, I would presume 2025 at the earliest. However, there is a chance it could even come out in 2026. I imagine we will know more once Missing Link begins its road to release. In the meantime, I will continue to listen to the new version of "Hikari" on repeat.

Kingdom Hearts 4 has no current release window or confirmed platforms. Missing Link is scheduled to release sometime in 2024 for Android and iOS.

The post 'Hikari' Re-Recording Makes It Harder to Wait for Kingdom Hearts 4 appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Saturday, April 13, 2024 2:00 PM
    

kirby sheet music

A collection of piano sheet music from the Kirby game series will come out on April 26, 2024. It'll cost 1,980 JPY ($12.95). [Thanks, Game Watch!]

In total, there will be seventeen different tracks that you can learn to play. The sheet music will teach pieces from the last seven titles of the Kirby series. The book will be organized by level, and there will be lots of art of the characters and such.

Here are the pieces you'll be able to learn:

  1. "Running Through the New World (piano solo)"
  2. "Welcome to the New World!"
  3. "Shadow of Dedede"
  4. "Northeast Frost Street"
  5. "Kirby Dance (Long)"
  6. "A Quick Nap"
  7. "Faded Dream of a Psychomeddler"
  8. "Welcome Back, Kirby"
  9. "Running Through the New World (piano duet)"
  10. "Magolor, the Far-Flung Traveler"
  11. "CROWNED"
  12. "I'm Hungry, Pinker Ball!"
  13. "Gourmet Race"
  14. "Green Tree Memories from Kirby"
  15. "Green Gardens"
  16. "Floral Fields"
  17. "Pink Ball Activate!"

The duet version of :Running Through the New World" combines an intermediate level and a primary version. So even if you're a piano beginner, you'll be able to play it.

You'll be able to purchase it from Amazon. It seems that there will only be a physical version of it, and Amazon JP does offer international shipping. You'll have to pay a delivery fee even if you have Amazon Prime though.

The collection of Kirby sheet music for the piano will come out on April 26, 2024. If you don't want to learn how to play music from the game but want to listen to it, the soundtrack for Kirby and the Forgotten Land will come out later this year.

The post Kirby Sheet Music Will Come Out in Late April 2024 appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Saturday, April 13, 2024 1:30 PM
    

Urusei Yatsura and Sanrio Characters Pose in New Crossover

Sanrio announced via a press release that a new crossover collaboration with anime and manga series Urusei Yatsura will appear at various Loft stores throughout Japan. New merchandise goods featuring characters from both franchises will be available as part of the collaboration.

The new Urusei Yatsura x Sanrio Character Fair crossover will first appear between April 26 and May 12, 2024 at the Ikebukuro Loft store in Tokyo and Umeda Loft in Osaka. The collaboration will then appear again at the Yokohama Loft, Tenjin Loft in Fukuoka, and Kyoto loft between May 25 and June 9, 2024.

There are 6 character pairs in total, and they are Lum and Hello Kitty, Ran and My Melody, Oyuki and Cinnamoroll, Benten and Badtz-Maru, Ataru and Pompompurin, as well as Ten and Goropikadon. In addition, customers spending over 2,000 yen (or about $13) on eligible products will receive a special collectible postcard as a bonus gift featuring an illustration from the crossover collaboration. There are 10 different postcards.

You can check out the full lineup of Urusei Yatsura x Sanrio merchandise items available as well as their prices here:

  • Acrylic Stand (4 types available) – 1,760 yen (~$11.48)
  • Trading Acrylic Keychain (6 types available) – 880 yen (~$5.74) / 5,280 yen (~$34.45) per box set
  • Trading Pin Badges (10 types available) – 550 yen (~$3.59) / 5,500 yen (~$35.88) per box set
  • Laptop Case – 5,500 yen (~$35.88)
  • Poach – 4,400 yen (~$28.71)
  • Trading Stickers (10 types available)– 440 yen (~$2.87) each / 4,400 yen (~$28.71) per box set
  • Clear File Folder Set – 990 yen (~$6.46)
  • Hair Bangs Clip (6 types available) – 1,320 yen (~$8.61)
  • Ballpoint Pen – 715 yen (~$4.66)
  • Masking Tape (2 types available) – 660 yen (~$4.31)
  • Mirror – 1,045 yen (~$6.82)

And here is how the items and the bonus postcards look like:

The Urusei Yatsura x Sanrio collaboration will appear at various Loft stores in Japan between April and June 2024. A new season of the new Urusei Yatsura anime series is currently airing, with episodes appearing every Thursday. The first season is available on HIDIVE.

The post Urusei Yatsura and Sanrio Characters Pose in New Crossover appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Saturday, April 13, 2024 1:00 PM
    

anycolor qa job

Anycolor has opened up applications for a job as a Nijisanji QA checker for both Japanese and English talents. The job will pay 1,113 JPY ($7.30) per hour. [Thanks, Rima Evenstar!]

You can check out the job requirements from the application form, which is only in Japanese. Working hours are 10am to 9pm JST, and the company is looking for students in post-secondary education who will graduate after 2026. While this job's pay may seem quite low, 1,113 JPY per hour is the highest minimum wage in Tokyo as of October 2023.

As for what the job entails, you will be supporting Anycolor talents so that they can perform at their best, as well as checking their contents for quality assurance before they release it. This can include videos, illustrations, voices, goods, and such. You'll need to know basic IT literacy, as well as have knowledge in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. As well, you'll need to work in the Roppongi office, though there's a chance that it'll shift to a WFH situation.

For those who want to work as QA for the English branch, your English must be of conversational level or better. While not a requirement, having knowledge of Chinese and Korean would be a boon. Strangely, you do not need to have knowledge in Microsoft Suite if you want to work for the English branch.

This position is likely part of reformations that Tazumi promised in investor meetings for Anycolor. As a result of the controversies surrounding livers such as Selen Tatsuki, Anycolor CEO Tazumi promised more oversight, as well as stricter requirements for VTubers in the company. Part of the issues stemmed from a lack of English support for those who cannot communicate with the Japanese staff. This is probably why English proficiency is more valued than IT literacy for the English QA staff.

In order to apply for a job as a Nijisanji QA checker at Anycolor, you must be a current university student set to graduate after 2026 in Japan.

The post Anycolor Opens Up Applications for Part-Time Nijisanji QA Checker appeared first on Siliconera.


Siliconera Saturday, April 13, 2024 12:30 PM
    

fate/grand order witch on the holy night

Lasengle announced an upcoming Mahoutsukai no Yoru (Witch on the Holy Night) collaboration event in Fate/Grand Order. It'll take place in late April 2024 on the Japanese server. [Thanks, KaroshiMyriad!]

You can check out the teaser trailer for the Witch on the Holy Night event in Fate/Grand Order here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJ6KbVtzN5g

The trailer shows several scenes from Witch on the Holy Night, with Haruka Tomatsu as Aoko narrating. Since all three main characters appeared in the teaser trailer, they'll likely play a prominent role in the Fate/Grand Order event. However, it's unclear which one of them will appear as playable characters and if there will be a free one. More information on the event will come out closer to the actual release date.

Mahoutsukai no Yoru, or Witch on the Holy Night, came out in April 2012, though Nasu wrote the novel version of it in 1996. An enhanced version of the game came out in 2022 for the Nintendo Switch and the PS4. The story revolves around Aoko Aozaki, a sorcerer, who lives in a mansion with the rumored witch, Alice Kuonji. The two of them meet Sojuro Shizuki, a boy who discovers Aoko's secret magic abilities, and force him to stay with them so he doesn't spill their secrets.

Fate/Grand Order is readily available on mobile devices. The Witch on the Holy Night event will appear in Fate/Grand Order (the Japanese server) some time in late April 2024.

The post Witch on the Holy Night Event to Appear in Fate/Grand Order appeared first on Siliconera.


Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Saturday, April 13, 2024 2:50 PM

Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Saturday, April 13, 2024 2:19 PM
    

Palworld launched on January 19.

The post Palworld To Get Major Summer Update appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.


Gaming Instincts – Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism Saturday, April 13, 2024 1:43 PM