Dead Island 2 was announced all the way back in 2014, and its development has been anything but smooth. The game was originally announced with Spec Ops: The Line studio Yager announced as the developer.

But in 2015, publisher Deep Silver announced that it was parting ways with Yager, and it was later confirmed that Sumo Digital would be taking over as the lead developer.

Deep Silver was later acquired by THQ Nordic, which is now the publisher of Dead Island 2. This week, THQ Nordic announced earnings, and it included an image of Dead Island 2’s logo. This suggested that the game is still in the works, and THQ Nordic CEO Lars Wingefors confirmed it.

“Dead Island 2 [is] still being worked on. Stay tuned,” he said (via IGN).

That’s all Wingefors had to say on the subject of Dead Island 2. There is no word as of yet as to when Dead Island 2 may resurface or what changes might be

Also during the call, Wingefors talked about THQ Nordic’s massive development pipeline. He said the company has 80 projects in the works, including 32 titles that have been announced and 48 that are unannounced. The unannounced titles include new games from Kingdom Come studio Warhorse, Saints Row developer Volition, and Metro dev 4A Games.

Years ago, it was said that Dead Island 2 would feature a heavy emphasis on melee combat and role-playing game elements. According to Deep Silver, it will also have “never-before-seen” handcrafted weapons. The game is powered by Unreal Engine 4, and will take players to places like the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and Venice Beach. Another previously touted feature is “seamless” multiplayer for up to eight players that can “cooperate, compete, or simply coexist.” The publisher has described this as a “new-gen multiplayer experience.”

However, it remains to see what might have changed throughout the game’s tumultuous development. E3 2019 is coming up next month, but nothing so far has suggested that Dead Island 2 will resurface at the gaming show.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/dead-island-2-has-not-been-canceled/1100-6467143/

After releasing the first details of his plan to go after loot boxes and pay-to-win mechanics in video games, Republican US Senator Josh Hawley today officially released the full text of his bill. Not only that, but Hawley revealed two co-sponsors, and they are both of the rival Democratic party.

“It’s pretty simple. Video game companies shouldn’t put casinos targeted at kids in their games. Proud of this bipartisan effort,” Hawley said on Twitter.

The two co-sponsors of the bill, which is called Protecting Children from Abusive Games Act, are Democratic Senators Richard Blumenthal (Connecticut) and Ed Markey (Massachusetts).

The bill asks Congress to regulate some pay-to-win microtransactions in video games, while it also seeks a ban on loot boxes for games that are designed to appeal to people under the age of 18. Specifically, the full wording of the bill states that it would become illegal for a publisher to release a “minor-oriented” game that features pay-to-win microtransactions or loot boxes, while it also seeks to previously released games from receiving updates that add such mechanics.

Key to this bill is how pay-to-win and loot boxes are defined. The bill states that a pay-to-win mechanic is one that “eases a user’s progression through content otherwise available within the game without the purchase of such transaction,” as well as one that “assists a user in accomplishing an achievement within the game that can otherwise be accomplished without the purchase of such transaction.

It is also defined as something that “assists a user in receiving an award associated with the game that is otherwise available in association with the game without the purchase of such transaction.” And finally, the bill states that pay-to-win also means a purchase that “permits a user to continue to access content of the game that had previously been accessible to the user but has been made inaccessible after the expiration of a timer or a number of gameplay attempts.”

Exclusions include difficulty modes, cosmetic items that do not affect gameplay, and add-on content like DLC packs and expansions.

As for loot boxes, the bill defines a loot box as a “randomized or partly randomized” item that unlocks a feature of the product or adds to or enhances the entertainment value of the product without disclosing what the actual content is until after the purchase of the loot box.

The bill defines a “minor-oriented” game as one that is targeted at people under the age of 18 as judged by the subject matter, the visual content, and the music or audio content, among other things. No examples of what a “minor-oriented” game are were provided. The bill’s language also does not say if Hawley will work with the United States’ ratings organization the ESRB on this bill. That group is owned and operated by the Entertainment Software Association, which opposes this bill, so that could be one reason why.

Hawley’s bill says he’s able to ask for this ban under the Federal Trade Commission’s Unfair or Deceptive Acts or Practices act.

In addition to the ban on some loot boxes and pay-to-win mechanics, the bill is asking for a study to be conducted on the effect of pay-to-win and loot boxes that would be commissioned not later than two years after the act is enacted.

Hawley and his co-sponsors are asking for the study to analyze the psychological effects of pay-to-win microtransactions and loot boxes on users and also to study game development practices related to pay-to-win microtransactions and loot boxes, among other things. It’s not clear why Hawley is asking for these studies to be held after his bill is theoretically enacted and not before it.

The Protecting Children from Abusive Games Act’s co-sponsors released statements in support of the bill to The Verge. Markey said, “Inherently manipulative game features that take advantage of kids and turn play time into pay time should be out of bounds.” Blumenthal commented, “Congress must send a clear warning to app developers and tech companies: Children are not cash cows to exploit for profit.”

For its part, the ESA has said it opposes Hawley’s bill. The trade group, which represents the video game industry’s interests in Washington D.C. and also runs E3 every year, is in business to protect and support its members. A lawmaker from Hawaii who also targeted loot boxes told GameSpot that the ESA sent lobbyists to Hawaii to try to kill his bill. In response to Hawley’s bill, the ESA said in a statement to PC Gamer that countries like Ireland, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom have also determined that “loot boxes do not constitute gambling.”

“We look forward to sharing with the senator the tools and information the industry already provides that keeps the control of in-game spending in parents’ hands. Parents already have the ability to limit or prohibit in-game purchases with easy to use parental controls,” the ESA said.

An Uphill Battle

Research firm Cowen & Company released a note to investors about Hawley’s proposal. The overwhelming majority of bills that are proposed never pass in US Congress, and Cowen & Company said Hawley’s bill is no exception in that it faces an uphill battle.

Analyst Doug Creutz says Hawley’s bill represents a “far more serious, existential-level threat” to gaming, and specifically mobile gaming, because it also focuses on pay-to-win mechanics in addition to loot boxes.

As for why Hawley’s bill might run into trouble, Cowen & Company acknowledged that Hawley is an outlier among Republicans in that most Republicans are pro-business and regularly oppose regulation on technology companies. Not only that, but Congress is “barely functioning” in 2019, with lawmakers focusing more on “must-pass legislation” that keeps the government open.

“Loot boxes have very little mind share in Congress,” Cowen & Company said.

The firm also said Hawley’s bill might face a roadblock because the Supreme Court already decided in 2011 that video games are protected as free speech under the First Amendment. As such, some lawmakers might not want to be involved in a committee about loot boxes and microtransactions, Cowen & Company said. One of the new bill’s co-sponsors, Richard Blumenthal, supported the bill that sought to ban the sale of violent video games to minors which was eventually struck down.

The next step for Hawley’s bill would be to head to a Congressional hearing. No hearing is currently scheduled, which may not bode well for the bill. However, Cowen & Company noted that Markey and Blumenthal coming on as co-sponsors gives the bill more chances at getting a hearing. Hawley, a freshman Senator and the youngest US Senator at age 39, sits on the Judiciary Committee and he might ask chairman Lindsey Graham for a hearing, Cowen & Company said.

Another issue at play is that the FTC already announced it is holding a hearing on August 7 to dig into loot boxes. Democratic lawmaker Maggie Hassan (New Hampshire) requested this hearing, though despite that, she did not become a co-sponsor of Hawley’s bill.

Overall, Cowen & Company says the video game industry should take Hawley’s bill seriously, even though it also believes the legislation is not a near-term concern. You can read the full text of the Protecting Children From Abusive Games Act here.

Read next: Nintendo Is Removing Animal Crossing, Fire Emblem Mobile Games In Belgium Amid Loot Box Concerns

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/loot-boxes-could-be-made-illegal-new-bill-official/1100-6467138/

E3 2019 is right around the corner. One of the biggest games at the show is Halo: Infinite, which is Microsoft’s ambitious new instalment in its long-running sci-fi blockbuster series.

It’s been almost four years since the release of Halo 5: Guardians, so it is high time that Microsoft begins to talk about and show off the next entry in the popular shooter series. Here’s what we know about the Xbox One and PC game, as well as what we’d hope to see from an E3 reveal.

What We Know So Far

Halo Infinite was officially announced a year ago at Microsoft’s E3 2018 briefing. Microsoft showcased an impressing-looking trailer not for the game itself, but rather, its brand-new engine, Slipspace. While it didn’t contain any gameplay, and we know nothing about the story, the trailer got Halo fans hyped for the long-awaited sequel to 2015’s Halo 5: Guardians.

While story details are being kept under wraps for now, Microsoft did confirm that Halo Infinite will tell a story that focuses more on Master Chief than Halo 5 did. As fans may recall, that title strayed from the franchise’s hero with a storyline that touched on another character, Agent Locke, and even had players fight as him for some parts of the campaign.

Putting more of an emphasis on Master Chief is the smart call by Microsoft, demonstrating a commitment to getting the story right this time around with Halo Infinite. Microsoft has acknowledged that Halo 5’s story was a letdown, so fans will be eager to see how the story grows and improves this time. For what it’s worth, Microsoft is telling fans to think of Halo Infinite as Halo 6 instead of some other kind of spin-off or other form of franchise extension beyond the main storyline. It is a “spiritual reboot” of the franchise, according to 343 studio boss Bonnie Ross.

Halo is best known for its multiplayer mode, but unfortunately no details are available at this stage beyond the news from years ago that it will feature local split-screen (huzzah!). Microsoft has said the new Slipspace Engine is capable of supporting numerous different modes, including battle royale (though that mode is not currently in development). You can expect Halo Infinite to bring back its classic team-based multiplayer, but with the Halo franchise generally understood to not as popular or strong as it once was, Microsoft will need to deliver something new and compelling in the multiplayer department to reignite interest in the aging series. Halo 5’s massive-scale, MOBA-style Warzone mode was a refreshing take on the Halo formula, and fans will be looking to see Halo Infinite innovate even further on the multiplayer side.

Another big thing to know about Halo Infinite is that it is coming to Xbox One (or the Xbox One family of consoles; more on that later) as well as PC. That’s notable because the Halo FPS series hasn’t been on PC since 2004’s Halo 2. Halo: The Master Chief Collection is coming this year to PC, so PC players are getting a double-dose of Halo goodness after all the years.

It is also worth noting that Halo Infinite isn’t being developed by 343 Industries alone. The studio has recruited SkyBox labs to help; the Vancouver-based studio also worked on Halo 5: Forge for Windows 10 and did the work on Halo 5’s Xbox One X enhancements.

What’s Confirmed For E3?

Bonnie Ross, the head of Halo developer 343 Industries, has said game director Chris Lee will appear at E3 2019 to talk about Halo Infinite, or at least its new Slipspace Engine. That is all that is confirmed at this stage, however.

What We Hope To See At E3

Last year’s trailer for the Slipspace Engine was an exciting first look at what Halo Infinite could be, but Microsoft has yet to share any details on what the game actually is or what it looks like. It is time, at E3 2019, for Microsoft to release new details and gameplay footage for Halo Infinite. What’s the story going to be? What will multiplayer offer? How will the team expand on Forge? What is the big new hook to get people excited to return to the aging sci-fi series? We are hoping Microsoft answers these questions and more, even if the company is only willing to talk at a high level.

There is also the matter of the rumored next-generation Xbox and what Halo’s place is on it. The latest rumor is that Halo Infinite will be a launch title for the new Xbox in 2020, while also supporting the current model as well as a cross-generation title. No Halo game since Halo 1 has released as a launch title for a new Xbox, so it would be a big deal, and it makes sense for Microsoft to release Halo Infinite as a launch title for the next Xbox to help sales start strong.

According to Microsoft insider Brad Sams, careers will be made or lost based on the success of Halo Infinite given Microsoft’s reported half-billion dollar investment in the game and its engine. Microsoft’s commitment to expanding upon and improving Halo: The Master Chief Collection has been impressive, and the game is in a great state today, but it’s time for Halo Infinite details.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2019-halo-infinite-what-we-know-and-what-we-wan/1100-6467086/

Season 9 of Fortnite rolls on with a new batch of content for Epic’s hit battle royale shooter. In addition to the ongoing Downtown Drop limited-time mode, Week 3’s challenges are now available across PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch, and mobile devices. These are your best bet for snagging all the new Season 9 cosmetics, as each task you complete will net you Battle Stars, which in turn will level up your Battle Pass and unlock rewards.

Week 3’s challenges are particularly straightforward, so you shouldn’t have too much difficulty completing them. This is fortunate, because there’s an added bonus for finishing all seven challenges from a given week: You’ll also complete one of Season 9’s Utopia challenges, which will reward you with a special loading screen. These typically hide a clue that points you to a free item hidden somewhere around the game’s map, such as a Battle Star that will level your Battle Pass up by one full tier.

If you’ve finished three weeks’ worth of missions this season, you’ll complete the third Season 9 Utopia challenge and unlock the loading screen pictured below. Per tradition, this screen features a clue leading eagle-eyed players to a free Battle Star. Specifically, the clue is scrawled onto the concrete wall the puppies are standing on; look closely and you can see the sketch of a Battle Star above a stack of cars. You’ll need to go to someplace on the map that resembles the drawing in order to find the item.

If the drawing wasn’t clear enough, you can find a pile of cars like that in Junk Junction, near the northwestern corner of the island. Glide toward the area at the start of a match and you should be able to easily spot the stack of cars. Make your way to the top and the Battle Star will appear. Collect it, finish the match, and your Battle Pass will be leveled up by one tier. If you need more help finding it, we’ve marked the Battle Star’s location on the map below. You can also watch us lead you to it in the video at the top of this guide.

Unlike Week 2’s secret Fortbyte #13, there’s a caveat to be aware of before you can collect this Battle Star. The item will only appear if you’ve complete three full weeks’ worth of challenges, which means you won’t simply be able to go to the stack of cars in Junk Junction and expect to find it unless you’ve done all of the necessary work first. If you need help completing any earlier challenges, you can find guides for all the trickier ones in our full Fortnite Season 9 challenges roundup. We’ll continue to update that with more tips as the season rolls on.

Epic recently rolled out Fortnite’s 9.10 update, which kicked off the aforementioned Downtown Drop LTM, which features its own assortment of challenges to complete and rewards to unlock. Alongside that, Epic introduced the Hang Time bundle, which comes with a pair of Jordan tie-in skins. Other changes the patch made include the addition of Hot Spots–areas on the island where you’ll have a chance to find Rare or better loot–and the reintroduction of the Semi-Auto Sniper Rifle, which is once again available in Vending Machines, chests, and as floor loot.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/fortnite-week-3-secret-battle-star-location-guide-/1100-6467131/

Overwatch League, the official competitive scene for Blizzard’s team shooter, is pitting fans against each other to win the honor of topping the teams. The winning team gets to take over the official OWL Instagram account.

From May 27-31, equip an Overwatch League team hero skin and take part in Quick Play or Competitive matches. Each match you complete earns one point for the team you’re representing, and the winning team will be announced on June 3. It all works similar to Splatoon‘s Splatfests, which tie team colors to surveys.

The announcement notes that you must complete a match for your point to register, including overtime. It’s okay if you need to switch to a different hero, as long as you were wearing a team skin at some point during the match. It also doesn’t matter if you’re wearing the Home or Away skin. You can also contribute points on Twitter by tweeting with the #MyOWLTeam hashtag and tagging your favorite team. Blizzard promises that stage three of the event will begin on June 6, but it didn’t specify exactly what that will entail.

This is run concurrently with the middle of the Overwatch Anniversary event, which runs through June 10. As usual that has introduced a bunch of new skins, as well as other cosmetics and rotating brawls. Still, if you’re a fan of the Los Angeles Gladiators or the Philadelphia Fusion, you may want to put aside your Honeydew Mei or Gargoyle Winston temporarily and support the team.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-overwatch-event-makes-your-choice-of-skin-matt/1100-6467133/