Category: Gamespot

Konami has removed all mention of Hideo Kojima and his studio, Kojima Productions, from Metal Gear Solid V‘s box art.

New, and seemingly final, versions of the box art carry no mention of Kojima, where placeholder assets had previously showed the Kojima Productions logo and the line “A Hideo Kojima Game.”

The news comes just days after Otsuka Akio, the Japanese voice actor for Metal Gear Solid’s protagonist Snake, claimed the development studio no longer exists. “[Kojima Productions] has been disbanded,” he said. “It appears that the work that the team has been putting their utmost effort into is nearly complete.” Konami has yet to respond to the speculation.

This is not the first time Konami has sought to remove mention of the long-time Metal Gear director from its games. Back in March, the publisher deleted Kojima Productions branding from the Silent Hills/PT website, before announcing that the reboot project had been cancelled altogether.

Konami also wiped Kojima branding from official artwork and marketing material for Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes and The Phantom Pain, as well as from Twitter and the publisher’s LA office listing. But, until now, The Phantom Pain’s box art had remained untouched.

A source close to Kojima Productions told GameSpot in March that Kojima is expected to leave the studio following the completion of The Phantom Pain. It is understood that the team’s contracts run until December.

The Metal Gear Solid 5 release date has been set for September 1 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, and Xbox 360. The PC release date is scheduled to arrive two weeks later.

In the meantime, have a look at our timeline of events to catch-up on all the goings-on between Konami and Kojima.

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Following its launch as a virtual reality app last week, Legendary Pictures has now released a YouTube version of an amazing 360-degree video that lets you fly over Azeroth on the back of mythic gryphon.

It’s of course meant to promote Legendary’s upcoming fantasy movie Warcraft, based on the Blizzard Entertainment’s juggernaut gaming franchise. Specifically, the city you’re flying over is Stormwind.

The new YouTube version supports YouTube 360 (on Chrome only), allowing you to use the directional tools to look in any direction you want. Be sure to do that as the video unfolds for the biggest impact.

Star Wars studio Industrial Light & Magic, which is providing the effects shots for Warcraft, developed the Azeroth video through its xLAB division.

Warcraft hits theaters in June 2016, and could be followed up by two sequels. In other recent news about the movie, director Duncan Jones has confirmed that the first trailer will be released this fall.

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Japan-based music label Brave Wave is set to launch a new series of video game soundtrack remasters and re-releases. It’s first project is Capcom’s Street Fighter 2, which will be available on disc and vinyl this year.

With its ‘Generation Series’, Brave Wave aims to deliver the “definitive editions of legendary video game soundtracks.”

“Some of [the soundtracks are] previously unreleased, incomplete, out of print, hard to find, or not preserved in the best possible quality,” it explained. “For the first time ever, we are releasing your favorite soundtracks in comprehensive collector’s editions: restored, remastered, often in unprecedented quality.”

The Street Fighter 2 soundtrack will include new remasters of both the CPS-1 and CPS-2 arcade system board versions of the soundtrack. The content will be “extracted directly from the arcade boards and approved by original composer Yoko Shimomura.”

It added: “For the first time in the series history, we will present a limited edition vinyl release, carefully and especially remastered in translucent colored vinyl, with art prints sourced from the Capcom archive.”

Discussing its process, Brain Wave said it will be working with “researchers, consultants and world class engineers to bring you the best possible versions” of these soundtracks.

“We are also working closely with developers, license holders and original sound teams,” it continued. “All of our work will be overseen and approved by the respective composers or the person in charge of the sound team (wherever possible). On top of that, our physical releases will contain extras like interviews, art booklets and more.”

Brain Wave has not yet announced its release plan or schedule. Those interested can sign up here to be notified when pre-orders open.

The newest entry in Capcom’s fighting game series, Street Fighter 5, is set to launch in March 2016 for PlayStation 4 and PC.

Capcom recently detailed the upcoming Street Fighter 5 beta, which is set to begin on July 23 at 6 PM PT on PlayStation 4. The beta will have a total of six characters to play, but will launch initially with four, with Cammy and Birdie joining later.

Bandai Namco recently confirmed Tekken X Street Fighter is still in development and, in fact, is “at a pretty far stage into its development.”

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Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation director Christopher McQuarrie has said Naughty Dog’s Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception inspires a sequence from his upcoming movie.

McQuarrie was asked how the plane stunt, which feature’s Tom Cruise’s character Ethan Hunt holding onto the side of a airplane as it takes off, was created.

The director replied by by saying it was a result of a “group effort” and “Uncharted,” referring to the cargo plane sequence in Uncharted 3, during which Nathan Drake catches up to an aircraft and hops onto a landing wheel as lifts off.

Following the Tweet, Uncharted 3 co-director Justin Richmond replied ro McQuarrie saying “you just made my month.”

Watch the two sequences below.

Following a delay, PlayStation exec Andrew House confirmed the Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End’s release date will arrive before April 2016.

According to its director, the PS4 exclusive will close the curtain on the story of Nathan Drake. Read GameSpot’s full Uncharted 4 interview with Neil Druckmann for more on the game.

A beta for Uncharted 4’s multiplayer mode will be available before the game’s release next year. Access to the beta requires purchasing the Uncharted: Nathan Drake Collection, which launches in October for PlayStation 4.

Naughty Dog also announced today that Uncharted 4 will have a Photo Mode. Additional details about this feature will be announced later.

For lots more on Uncharted 4–which launches in 2016– check out GameSpot’s in-depth interview with co-director Neil Druckmann.

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A bundle which includes action games Prototype and Prototype 2 is now available for purchase on the Xbox One, Microsoft announced today. Called the Prototype Biohazard Bundle, the announcement was detailed on the Major Nelson site.

The bundle is priced at $49.99 on the US Xbox Store and includes downloadable content. Together the games are approximately a 17GB download. Prototype was first released in 2009 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 and follows the story of Alex Mercer, a man who possesses shape-shifting abilities and has lost his memory. The game was well-received in GameSpot’s review, scoring eight-and-a-half out of ten. Reviewer Justin Calvert praised Prototype for its intriguing protagonist and storyline, as well as its ability to be challenging without becoming frustrating.

A sequel, Prototype 2, was released in 2012 and carries on from the story of its predecessor through the eyes of a new character. The game was positively received in GameSpot’s review, although it was criticized for not bringing anything particularly new or inventive to the series. Developer Radical Entertainment has since been downsized, with remaining staff allocated to various Activision Publishing sectors.

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Microsoft’s Halo series, one of the company’s crown jewels, has reached a new sales milestone. The sci-fi shooter series, which debuted in 2001 on Xbox with Halo: Combat Evolved, has now sold more than 65 million units, Microsoft announced.

This is up from 60 million Halo titles sold worldwide in October 2014.

Helping to push Halo to its new sales milestone was in all likelihood November 2014’s Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Microsoft has not announced a specific sales figure for this game, but it’s likely that it continues to move units, as it’s now featured in Xbox One system bundles.

The Halo series continues this October with Halo 5: Guardians. Looking beyond that, Xbox boss Bonnie Ross recently said that there are still “hundreds” of stories from the Halo universe to be told.

For a closer look at Halo 5, including its Warzone mode, check out the video above.

At Comic-Con last week, developer 343 Industries responded to concerns about the fact that the $250 Halo 5 Limited Collector’s Edition does not come with a physical disc. The developer also warned fans not to rush through the game’s campaign and discussed Halo 5’s length and 60fps frame rate.

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Konami on Monday announced its plans for Europe’s big gaming convention, Gamescom, confirming that it will bring Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain and Pro Evolution Soccer 2016 to the show. What’s particularly noteworthy here is that this will be the first time both games are playable to the public.

In a statement, Konami general manager Martin Schneider said Gamescom represents the “most important consumer exhibition in the world.” Unlike E3, Gamescom is open to the public.

Gamescom is absolutely massive. Last year, more than 335,000 people attended the show. This year’s event is scheduled for August 5-9 in Cologne, Germany.

The Phantom Pain release date is set for September 1, while PES 2016 is slated for September 17. Both games will be playable at Konami’s booth on the show floor, while additional plans for the event will be announced later, the publisher said.

There is some amount of controversy surrounding The Phantom Pain. According to GameSpot’s sources, Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima will leave Konami after the game ships. Just recently, a voice actor for the series claimed that the game’s developer, Kojima Productions, had disbanded.

In other Gamescom news, Microsoft will hold its own briefing this year on August 4 where it will talk about Xbox One exclusives that were not shown at E3. Sony, on the other hand, will not hold a Gamescom briefing this year, instead choosing to make announcements at Paris Games Week in October.

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Microsoft has released the first trailer for Halo: The Fall of Reach, an upcoming animated series that explores the origins of Master Chief and Blue Team. Watching the series should help players better understand the story of Halo 5: Guardians, as Chief and Blue Team are at the heart of the narrative.

The Fall of Reach is based on the 2001 Erik Nylund novel of the same name. It’s a three-act series that is set both before and after the Covenant attack. It’s meant to provide new details on the SPARTAN-II program and members of Blue Team.

You can watch the visually striking trailer below–there is even a glimpse at young John’s face.

A “Canon Fodder” post on the Halo Waypoint blog dives much deeper into Halo: The Fall of Reach. Halo franchise development director Frank O’Connor explains that there may be some differences between the novel and the animated series, but the spirit of the book will be kept intact.

“Without getting into the weeds, we’ve been careful to align with the novel where it makes sense, but in visualizing the universe–which has evolved so much in the intervening years–we were presented with a few challenges, but also a lot of opportunities,” he said. “So you’ll see a few differences, choices of Covenant ship, weapons and so on, but it adheres tightly to the core canon, with a few flourishes here and there to fill in gaps or smooth over previous errors.”

Executive producer Kiki Wolfkill goes on to explain how Halo 5 players may benefit from viewing Halo: The Fall of Reach.

“The theme of family and the bonds that exist between soldiers (and even AI) has always been intriguing for us. We left the Master Chief at the end of Halo 4 contemplating a future without Cortana. Who can the Master Chief trust? In Halo 5: Guardians, John is reunited with Blue Team who represents a different kind of family for him–what is their bond and how was it forged? Halo: The Fall of Reach explores not just John’s origin story but also that of Blue Team itself.”

Halo: The Fall of Reach is included with the Halo 5 premium versions. Everyone else can buy it separately a week after Halo 5 launches on October 27. Standalone pricing has not been announced.

At Comic-Con last week, developer 343 Industries responded to concerns about the fact that the $250 Halo 5 Limited Collector’s Edition does not come with a physical disc. The developer also warned fans not to rush through the game’s campaign and discussed Halo 5’s length and 60fps frame rate.

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Codemasters’ new racing sim F1 2015 has entered the UK all formats sales chart in pole position after its release last week.

According to UK sales monitor Chart-Track, launch week sales of the game were up 367% on F1 2014‘s first week last year.

The game has managed to knock Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment’s Batman: Arkham Knight off its perch, pushing the Dark Knight into the No.2 spot.

Fellow Warner Bros. title Lego Jurassic World drops one place to No. 3, while Bethesda’s The Elder Scrolls Online drops one place to No. 4. Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto V rounds off the top five, maintaining its No. 5 spot.

Here’s the full top ten for the week ending July 11:

1. F1 2015
2. Batman: Arkham Knight
3. Lego Jurassic World
4. Grand Theft Auto V
5. The Elder Scrolls Online
6. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
7. Minecraft: Xbox Edition
8. Minecraft: PlayStation Edition
9. Call Of Duty: Advanced Warfare
10. Destiny

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The games industry has offered its tributes in the wake of the shock news that Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has passed away “due to a bile duct growth”.

The Nintendo chief executive had been dealing with health issues and was notably absent from E3 2014 in order to have surgery to remove a previous bile duct growth.

In the hours following Nintendo’s announcement of its CEO’s death, fans and peers have paid tribute to one of the industry’s most respected and adored figures.

Dylan Cuthbert – Q-Games

Neil Druckman – Naughty Dog

Phil Spencer – Xbox

PlayStation

Min-Liang Tan – Razr

Treyarch Studios

Aaron Greenberg – Xbox

Hideki Kamiya – Platinum Games

Bungie

Ken Lobb – Microsoft, Formerly Rare

Obsidian Entertainment

Capcom

Adam Boyes – PlayStation

Zelda Williams

Shuhei Yoshida – PlayStation

Translation: Iwata-san contributed to the development of the game industry significantly. We will pray for him and hope he rests in peace.

Shigesato Itoi – Writer of EarthBound/Mother Series

Translation by Cheesemeister: “Extinguish all the lamps in the world. Make a pitch-black night. With that powerlessness. Can you please do that for me?”

Nintendo of America

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