16th Issue of Nerdfleet
This edition has been published one day later but better late than never
Nerdfleet
Issue #16 || 29th June 2024 || Saturday
Hey Nerdfam,
Welcome to another edition of our newsletter!
We hope you enjoy this week's selection of news! Let us know in the comments what you find most interesting, and if there are any specific topics you'd like to see covered in the future.
Captain out. ✨
Fact of the week: The smell of old books, often described as pleasant and evocative, is caused by a chemical process called material degradomics. Scientists can even use this scent to estimate a book's age, similar to how carbon dating works!
Pixelated Pursuits:
Steam Records Your Epic Plays: Built-in Recording Arrives!
Steam is leveling up your experience with a brand-new built-in game recording system. Now you can capture, clip, and share your most epic moments with ease, ditching the need for third-party software. This exciting feature works seamlessly on both Steam and Steam Deck, letting you record on the go or on your PC.
The system offers flexibility for all players. Choose between background recording, which continuously captures moments, or on-demand recording for specific highlights. You can also customize storage usage to fit your needs and export your clips as mp4 files for easy sharing.
Excited to try it out? Simply join the Steam beta through the Settings menu and get ready to capture your gaming triumphs (or hilarious fails)!
Dead Rising Returns! Deluxe Remaster Announced
Brace yourselves, zombie slayers! Capcom's unleashed the Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster, a revamped version of the original outbreak classic.
The teaser shows a graphically enhanced Willamette Mall, with Frank West (possibly with a new voice) choppering in. Release date and platforms are TBA, but expect it on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox.
This isn't Capcom's first Dead Rising remaster, but fans can expect a fresh take on the game that defined the Xbox 360's launch. Get ready to bash undead with improvised weapons in glorious detail!
Gear Up for Glory! Norse Tactics Game Announced
Developer Arctic Hazard has unveiled Norse, a turn-based tactics game set in the heart of Viking Age Norway.
Norse promises an immersive experience that blends epic vengeance quests with strategic battles, settlement management, and rich world-building.
Key features include:
Vengeful Fury: Embark on a thrilling story as Gunnar, a young warrior seeking justice for his murdered father.
Build Your Warband: Recruit and train fierce Viking warriors, honing their skills in the art of Glima combat.
Lead Your Clan: Manage your settlement, forge alliances, trade resources, and make crucial decisions for your people.
Master the Battlefield: Engage in strategic turn-based battles, leveraging tactics and Viking weaponry to crush your foes.
Forge a Legacy: Craft powerful items, unlock devastating abilities, and etch your name in Viking legend.
Norse is coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Prepare to raise your axe and claim your destiny!
Alkahest: A Medieval Fantasy RPG Looks Breathtaking
Alkahest, a stunning first-person fantasy adventure from Push On, is on the horizon.
This spiritual successor to Dark Messiah blends exploration, intense melee combat, and a unique twist: interactive environments. Imagine dropping trees on enemies, setting them ablaze with alchemy, or kicking them off cliffs!
Explore a realm embroiled in power struggles, craft potions and weapon buffs, and choose your combat style – stealth or brute force. Alkahest is in development for PC. Prepare to unleash your inner medieval badass!
Metal Gear Producer Dreams of Kojima's Return, But Reality Sets In
Metal Gear's current producer, Noriaki Okamura, admits it would be a dream to reunite with Hideo Kojima. However, he acknowledges the challenges due to past events and both parties' current projects (including Death Stranding 2 for Kojima).
The focus now lies with Konami's internal team delivering quality Metal Gear experiences, including the upcoming remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater.
Tribes 3 Devs Move On After Launch Struggles
Tribes 3's revival has hit a rough patch. Just 3 months after launch, the developer, Prophecy Games, has acknowledged the game's struggle to find a player base.
Despite positive reviews, Tribes 3 failed to gain traction, with peak player count dropping from 890 to a mere 26 at the time of writing.
This lack of success means Prophecy Games is shifting focus. Those who purchased Tribes 3 or the previous Starsiege Deadzone will receive credits towards their upcoming game, Ultra Strikers, a fast-paced 3v3 sports shooter.
Prophecy Games assures limited updates will continue for Tribes 3, alongside a planned discount to attract new players. However, the studio emphasizes that neither Tribes 3 nor Starsiege Deadzone can be their main focus due to commercial reasons.
This news hasn't gone down well with some Tribes 3 players, who criticize the developer for "abandonment" and broken promises. With Tribes 3's user rating dropping to "mixed", the future of the franchise seems uncertain.
Prophecy Games will be looking to regain player trust with their upcoming title, Ultra Strikers. But after Tribes 3's short-lived revival, they have their work cut out for them.
Get Ready to Relive the Past! Assassin's Creed Remakes on the Way
Ubisoft has confirmed they're working on multiple Assassin's Creed remakes!
"There are worlds in some of our older games that are still extremely rich," said Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot. This means you can expect some beloved titles to be modernized for a whole new generation of players.
While Ubisoft hasn't revealed specific titles, rumours point to a potential remake of the fan-favorite Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag.
This exciting news comes alongside Ubisoft's plans for the future of the franchise. Expect a wider variety of experiences, including the upcoming Assassin's Creed Shadows in Japan and the mysterious Assassin's Creed Hexe.
Which Assassin's Creed remake are you most excited about?
Forget the Silver Screen, Rockstar Says No to Grand Theft Auto Movie
Grand Theft Auto fans hoping for a big-budget movie adaptation might be disappointed. Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser recently threw cold water on the idea.
"It never made sense," Houser told The Ankler. Rockstar, according to Houser, viewed the movie as a big risk with little reward. They felt they would be giving up creative control and potentially damaging their multi-billion dollar intellectual property.
This isn't the first time Rockstar has rejected a Grand Theft Auto movie. Concepts over the years, including one featuring rapper Eminem, have all been scrapped.
For Rockstar, creating video games is where the real money is. Grand Theft Auto V, for example, raked in over a billion dollars within days of its release in 2013.
With Grand Theft Auto VI set to hit PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S this fall (PC gamers will have to wait a bit longer), it seems Rockstar is focused on delivering epic gaming experiences, not Hollywood adaptations.
Elden Ring Developer's Parent Company Hit by Ransomware Attack
Kadokawa Group, the parent company of Elden Ring developer FromSoftware, has been targeted by a ransomware attack.
The attack, acknowledged by Kadokawa on Thursday, primarily affected the popular Japanese video-sharing site Niconico, which has been offline since June 8th.
The extent of the damage to FromSoftware remains unclear. IGN has reached out to both FromSoftware and Kadokawa for comment.
The ransomware group claims to have downloaded confidential information, including employee data. Kadokawa is currently investigating the situation.
This isn't the first time the gaming industry has faced such threats. Studios like Rockstar Games and Insomniac have also been targeted by ransomware attacks in the past.
Elden Ring DLC Soars Despite Challenging Access Requirement
Elden Ring's expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, has defied expectations with a stellar launch, selling a whopping 5 million copies in just 3 days!
"This milestone is a testament to the tremendous support from our global fanbase," said Bandai Namco, expressing their gratitude to players. Shadow of the Erdtree arrived on June 20th for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Pre-launch concerns existed regarding the DLC's access requirement – defeating two specific bosses, including a notorious optional one. Steam data revealed that nearly two-thirds of Elden Ring PC players hadn't conquered this particular boss before the expansion's release. (For those still aiming to access the DLC, IGN has a handy guide: "How to Prepare for the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC.")
One might think this would hinder sales, but Bandai Namco wasn't fazed. "It presented a unique challenge," admitted Anthony Macare, Bandai Namco Europe's marketing and sales chief, to GI.biz. "However, with Elden Ring exceeding 25 million units sold, even a portion of our player base is significant. Our marketing targeted this sizable audience effectively."
These 5 million sales in just 3 days are phenomenal for Shadow of the Erdtree, suggesting an impressive 20% of Elden Ring owners opted to purchase the $40 DLC. Sales are predicted to rise further, mirroring Elden Ring's own trajectory throughout 2022 and 2023.
Despite initial "mixed" reviews on Steam due to perceived boss difficulty and performance issues, Shadow of the Erdtree has climbed to "mostly positive" user reception. Critically acclaimed, it's now the highest-rated video game expansion ever, surpassing Witcher 3's Blood and Wine on Metacritic. IGN's glowing review awarded it a perfect 10/10, stating: "Just like the base game, Shadow of the Erdtree raises the bar for single-player DLC. It condenses everything players loved about Elden Ring into a tight 20-25 hour experience, offering fantastic new challenges for dedicated fans."
Clutch Corner:
Valorant APAC Challengers Get Revamp for 2024
Big changes are coming to Valorant's Challengers scene in APAC! Here's the lowdown:
More competition: A third Challengers stage was added for 2024.
Streamlined path to pro: Premier teams integrated into Challengers.
Stronger SEA: Six SEA regions combined into one Challengers SEA.
Top invited, others qualify: Top SEA teams get invited, and others fight through Premier.
The update aims for a clearer path to pro and a stronger Southeast Asian scene.
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Authors: Abdul Ahad
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