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THQ Nordic Proposes Change Of Company Name

Saints Row-developer THQ Nordic AB has announced that its Board of Directors has proposed to change the name of the company.

The proposal would change the name of the parent company THQ Nordic AB to Embracer Group AB.

The developers said that the rationale behind the proposal ‘is to clarify the group structure and strategy, with the Parent Company as a holding company’.

The company currently has three wholly owned operative groups: Koch Media/Deep Silver, Coffee Stain and THQ Nordic GmbH.

There are no individual changes to these companies under the proposal.

The name change is subject to approval at the company’s AGM in September 17.

THQ Nordic confirmed that a new website and visual identity will be launched on the same date.

PlayStation Introduces Four More Additions To Coloured-Controller Range

Sony and PlayStation have revealed a new range of coloured Dualshock 4 wireless controllers.

The new additions to the range are Electric Purple, Red Camouflage, Titanium Blue, and Rose Gold.

Since the Dualshock 4 launched alongside the PlayStation 4 six years ago, there has been over 25 colour ranges introduced.

PlayStation seems more excited about the Rose Gold version, as it also revealed a new Rose Gold Edition headset to pair with the remote.

This headset offers the same audio features players have come to love, and boasts a Rose Gold metallic finish on the headband, with embossed PS Shapes on the inside.

All Dualshock 4 wireless controllers will be available for purchase this September, at participating retailers. Meanwhile, the headset will be available from November.

PlayStation added that Dualshock 4 Berry Blue, Sunset Orange, Blue Camouflage and Gold will return in November for a limited time.

Sony Dualshock 4 Limited Edition Colours Return In November

Spelunky 2 Delay Confirmed By Developer

Bad news for Spelunky fans, but the second instalment of the game looks set to be delayed until next year.

The game, which was announced by Sony during its Paris Games Week lifestream in 2017, was due to come out sometime this year.

However, according to Derek Yu of Mossmouth, it looks like the game won’t be released this year.

Hey, Spelunky fans! Unfortunately, I don't think we're going to get to release Spelunky 2 this year. Development is still going well and we're not far off target, but the density and detail of the game is demanding more time.

Thank you for your patience. pic.twitter.com/BJvsHUWAY0
— Derek Yu (@mossmouth) August 14, 2019

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

“Unfortunately, I don’t think we’re going to get to release Spelunky 2 this year,” Yu said.
“Development is still going well and we’re not far off target, but the density and detail of the game is demanding more time.”
Twitter – Derek YU (@mossmouth)

Yu added that he took in the feedback he received about the environments from the trailer.

“[…] and while I still love the overall style, we’ve been adding more detail, as well as increasing the contrast to make existing details pop.”

Yu did not disclose a new release date, only telling his followers that he will let them know as soon as he can.

Watch the trailer for Spelunky 2 below.

Spelunky 2 – Announcement Trailer [Spelunky World]

Fortnite Recalls ‘Gunner’ Item From Store, Apologises, Offers Refund

Epic Games, the developers of Fortnite, has apologised to gamers following a decision to sell its ‘Gunner’ pet cosmetic item in the game.

The group tweeted, using the Fortnite account, that it ‘should not have release the Gunner Pet and apologise for doing so’.

‘Within the next couple of days, all purchases of Gunner will be refunded for the full amount of 1000 V-bucks as well as an additional 200 V-bucks and the Pet will be removed from the Locker.’
Twitter – Fortnite (@FortniteGame)

The group later confirmed that anyone who purchased Gunner and refunded it prior to this will instead receive 200 V-bucks and a replacement Refund Token, which can be put towards any eligible items that were purchased within the past 30 days.

The move stuck a nerve with dance who felt that the ‘new’ Gunner skin was an obvious re-skin of a similar item that was released in Season Six Battle Pass.

An image was shared on Reddit showcasing the similarities.

Epic Games has in the past insisted that it would not try to sell BattlePass exclusive items in the game’s store.

EA Confirms Need For Speed: Heat – Due In November

Electronic Arts (EA) has officially confirmed the release of Need for Speed: Heat, the ‘ultimate street racer versus cop fantasy’.

Source: Need for Speed Youtube. Need for Speed HEAT Official Reveal Trailer.

According to EA the ‘game deepens and expands’ on all the key features and mechanics that have been long since loved by fans.

These features include expressive customisation, authentic urban car culture, and an immersive narrative that pulls you into the game.

“We’re delivering more options than ever before for players to be unique and make themselves known”
“Our fans have been clear that they want more cars, more customisation, and more challenges, and we’re tuning up on every aspect. From your character’s style to your car’s performance and your driving style, we’re fuelling everyone’s creativity with this new game.”
Riley Cooper, Creative Director at Ghost Games.

Need for Speed: Heat launches November 8, 2019 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC, but will be available from November 5 2019 with EA Access and Origin.

The latest addition to the series brings players to Palm City, a brand-new open world where street racers have gathered to make their names known.

During the day comma players will have to compete in the Speedhunters Showdown, a sanctioned competition where they earn Bank to customise and upgrade their garage of high-performance cars.

At night, players risk it all to build their Rep in underground races where a rogue police task force roams the streets, ready to take racers down and swipe all their earnings.

A pre-order of the standard edition is available, and those who go down this route will get a K.S Edition styled Mitsubishi Evolution X.

Pre-ordering the Deluxe Edition adds three K.S Edition styled cars (BMW i8 Coupe, Mercedes C63 AMG Coupe, Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport), access to exclusive deluxe edition character clothing, and increased earnings of in-game currencies Bank and Rep.

In addition to this, anyone who pre-orders Need for Speed: Heat in-game from Need for Speed Payback, on any format, will also get a 10% discount as a loyalty reward.

THQ Nordic Confirms New Saints Row Game Already In ‘Deep Development’

Volition is deep in development of a brand-new Saints Row game, developers THQ Nordic AB has confirmed, finally introducing the first full entry in the since Saints Row IV was released in 2013.

The announcement was made in the company’s interim report for the first quarter of its 2019 fiscal year.

During the quarter, the group, which isa made up of Deep Silver, THQ Nordic and Coffee Stain, increased its sales by 36% to SEK 1,142.0 million.

Operational EBIT grew 193% to SEK 204 million, raising the Operational EBIT margin to 18% from 8%, driven by digital sales.

New Game Development

At present, no major details have been disclosed by the group regarding the new Saints Row game, other than that it is in development.

THQ did add, however, that it entrusted the Dead Island franchise with Dambuster Studios, who were confirmed as the lead developers for the second instalment.

In addition to new titles, the company also welcomed some notable new members of staff.

Following Deep Silver’s acquisition of TimeSplitters last year, Nordic announced that one of the series’ creators, Steve Ellis, has joined to help plot the future course for this franchise.

Going forward the group said that it will continue to execute on our M&A strategy by carrying out extensive scouting, research and proactive engagement.

‘The pipeline of suitable companies to join our family is growing – both within each operating group – as well as candidates to become a new operating group under the Parent Company.’
THQ Nordic AB

The company has just recently announced that it wholly-acquired Gunfire Games, LLC.

Gunfire is the developer behind the critically acclaimed game series Darksiders, Chronos, and From Other Suns, and it’s a long-term development partner of THQ Nordic.

Through the acquisition, THQ Nordic said that it has added a strong team of RPG experts and award-winning VR developers with an existing intellectual property portfolio and an exciting new game pipeline.

The acquisition includes the development studio that comes with a team of 63 creative and technical game developers and all IP rights.

“We are stoked to have Gunfire on board and are very excited about our collaborative future and the projects we will realise together.”
THQ Nordic

Playstation Confirms New Apex Legends Solo Free-For-All Mode

Playstation Europe has announced the debut of the Iron Crown Collection event for Apex Legends.

The new mode comes with new challenges, skins, gameplay tweaks, and a new play mode to the popular battle-royale shooter.

Sid Shuman, Playstation’s Director of Social Media, SIEA, spoke with Lee Horn, director of product management for Respawn POV, the game’s developers.

Horn revealed that the limited-time Solo mode will be the biggest addition to the game.

Despite being a competitive team game, Horn said that there was a “huge community desire” that led the studio to try something different.

While the free-for-all battle mode, which will pit 60 players against each other, will initially be around for a short time only, horn said that the company isn’t opposed to making gameplay adjustments should Solos ever return sometime in the future.

“Players can expect more events like this […] there’s more to come in the future”.
Lee Horn, Director of Product Management at Respawn POV

In addition to the new Solo mode, the new event also brings an Octane-themed Town Takeover, which will introduce fresh areas and new gameplay features.

In addition, there will be a new set of themed skins, a new heirloom item, and a bonus XP weekend.

The Iron Crown Collection event kicks off today, and will last for two weeks.

Meet The Company That Wants To Streamline The Esports Prize Payments Process

Prize Payments has established itself as a new ‘streamlined, efficient, and economical solution’ to the esports prize payment process, and reduces time and costs for publishers and tournament organisers.

The company, which was created by experienced esports veterans, claims it can handle 115 currencies across 180 countries whilst ensuring each payment is compliant with taxation and GDPR requirements in each country.

The company is led by Han Park, who said that as esports continues to grow, something must be done to tackle the “hugely complex and time-consuming” process of prize payments.

Prize Payments estimates that companies are spending 10-20% of their prize fund value on accounting and operational costs as well as transfer fees.

It added that it could save organisations up to 50% in accounting costs and time.

“With the increasing success of competitive esports, publishers and tournaments organisers (TO’s) are seeing their challenges and costs rise.”
“We want to help publishers and organisers to be more efficient by removing their hands-on time expediting the payments, we believe this is a genuine win-win for both publishers and players.”
Han Park, CEO of Prize Payments

Players and teams have seen, and often bemoaned, the length of time in can take to get paid, which has increased as tournaments become larger and the number of prize winners increases.

“Getting paid out is probably the worst part of the whole process. We are normally getting paid within 1 to 2 months, but for a few tournaments it can take up to 4 or 5 months. I obviously wish it could be more streamlined.”
Jake Bain, Halo Coach

DayZ Set For Global Face-Lift Following Australia Ban – Reports

Following the news that DayZ would be banned in Australia on all platforms, Kotaku Australia has reported that the ban may not be as crippling as once thought.

Bohemia Interactive (BI), the creators of the popular survival game, confirmed to the Australian publication that it would be modifying the game completely on a global scale.

The company will do so in order to comply with the Australian Classification Board’s requirements.

It told Kotaku that it did not want to separate Australian players from the rest of the world, bearing in mind the game’s cross-region play function.

“We love that DayZ is the place to meet with friends and experience the game without dramatic regional lag. We don’t want to change that.”
BI told Kotaku Australia

“At the moment, we are editing the global version of DayZ so it will fit into the Board’s requirements. The key objective is to keep the gameplay as authentic as it was, so players are not affected by this change.”

No details were given regarding what changes would be made as of yet.

Higher Investments And More Game Time Do Little To Lift Activision’s Revenue

Activision Blizzard reported second quarter revenues of up to $1.4 billion dollars for the three month period ending 30 June.

While the figure beats their own quarter two outlook, the figure is still a 15% fall in revenue from the same period last year.

The video game maker has struggled somewhat this year, but said that an increase in investment in an effort to fend off competition from Fortnite and Apex Legends.

The company, which said this year would be more of a transition year, focused heavily on developing its key franchises, including Call of Duty, Candy Crush, Overwatch, Warcraft, Hearthstone and Diablo.

The group will also look to expand its development teams so that it can ‘accelerate the delivery of content in our pipeline, pursue new business models, broaden our communities, and delight our players’.

“Our second quarter results exceeded our prior outlook for both revenue and earnings per share.”

“In the first half of 2019 we have prioritised investments in our key franchises and, beginning in the second half of this year our audiences will have a chance to see and experience the initial results of these efforts.”
— Bobby Kotick, Chief Executive Officer of Activision Blizzard.

The company said that in benefitted from a broad increase in player engagement, with a number of Activision’s main franchises reporting an increase in play time.

The Call of Duty and Overwatch franchises both enjoyed a robust increase in play time compared to last year.

King’s Candy Crush also reported a strong increase in play time.

New Game Development

© 2019 VG Addict. Click sign-up to subscribe – Article by Aidan O’Sullivan.