Nex Machina... is here! + A Tip

To all you PC gamers getting your hands on... Nex Machina, I have a tip for you. We received the game yesterday from the studio (hats off to Housemarque) and ran into a bit of a pickle. The controllers weren't working for the game... so I reached out and they got back with a quick answer (thanks Rob). If you want your controller to work instead of using a keyboard and mouse:

Go to > Options > Player 1 Controls > (press) Tab

and... it should change from keyboard and mouse to... controller (on that note, check out the info below and... game on)!

-          Nex Machina started as the "Jarvis Project" a few years back

-          From the team that created RESOGUN and in collaboration with Eugene Jarvis (Robotron, Smash TV)

-          Intense arcade shooter that blends the best of coin-op skillful gameplay and modern cutting edge voxel tech

-          Travel through a diverse alternate universe where robots have taken over and humans have an unhealthy symbiosis with their screened devices. Starting from the "Techno Forest" you make your way through ever increasing robot infestation as you attempt to save humanity.

-          Particle explosions and neon lights are always better with a great soundtrack. Ari Pulkkinen (RESOGUN) returns to helm an adrenaline fueled set of tracks that blend synthwave and retro game influences.

FEATURES:

-          Nex Machina features a fully-fledged arcade Campaign that can be played solo or in local co-op with a friend.

-          Tons of secrets and alternate paths in each world. Upgradeable player character with access to six (6) different special weapons, that all can be lost as you perish in the torrent of endless robots.

-          Deep layered gameplay that lets you juggle with saving humans and trying to stay alive.

-          Complex enemy design and pulsating bullet patterns that can get you in the zone.

-          Three different main difficulty setting and more to unlock as you learn the ropes. Each difficulty offering new things to learn and conquer.

-          A changing challenge mode called the Arena, where you can return to locations in the game that are now totally different with faster speeds and other fresh modifications. Competing to beat your friends and the world with unique leaderboards for each challenge.

-          Unlockable skins, weapon colors and more that open up as you play the different modes available.

-          Nex Machina is developed and published by Housemarque, marking it the first self-published IP by the 22 year old Finnish developer.

-          Lead Game Design by Harry Krueger (RESOGUN).

-          Eugene Jarvis from Raw Thrills acts as a Creative Consultant.

Wait... there's more!

In honor of the launch of Housemarque’s first-ever self-published game, Nex Machina, the development team has released a short featurette from the upcoming documentary, Name of the Game. For nearly three years, a documentary crew has recorded Housemarque and Eugene Jarvis --- legendary creator of Robotron 2048 and Smash TV - on this journey, and this featurette, which primarily uses footage exclusive to this video, offers ​a candid look into the preparation it took to debut the game at PSX 2016. It shows the pressures of showing off a game to an audience for the first time and the drama of grappling with builds fresh out of the box. But not without Eugene Jarvis and Harry Krueger taking some time to discuss game design philosophy in the process.

This featurette is part of a full length documentary—Name Of The Game—delving into the entire development process of Nex Machina. For now, though, Housemarque just wanted to share a taster of things to come as a thank you. In their words, “we’re just some folks with the dream of making a game like the ones we used to play as kids.”

Congrats to Housemarque for its first self-published IP. - Blu

Game on!

EA x E3 2017: Our Thoughts

EA starting out with a different touch... a band (or at least part of one). This is a very nice fit for the new Madden game. I promise if you look back on some of the posts made here, suggestions are coming in handy... because Madden 18 appears to be delivering more depth to be worthy of a purchase. Remember the post awhile back (i'm talking a long time ago) about how its easy to skip over years of Madden, because there wasn't much newness to experience from one year to the next? Yeah that post, I think it may have included Fifa too. - Blu

EA better not do that legacy garbage with Fifa on the Switch. - Luis D. Lucha

It all depends... if it were just a Fifa game with no years attached to it and you pay a small fee for patches that update the roster, that would be worth it for some fans. This would be under the circumstances of EA not planning to do much on the Nintendo Switch. - Blu

The guy Jesse looked nervous like he didn't know what to say. The way they kept looking at the screen as if they were trying to convince viewers they were holding a conversation, looked weird. - Luis D. Lucha






I don't buy these games from year to year, but for them to deliver a story... for you to follow, actually takes you on a journey from year to year. So for the people that invest yearly, I think its a plus... but it's also a way to rope new fans into an annual buy. - Blu

It even got my attention, but I don't play Madden. - Yang

Now that's saying something. - Luis D. Lucha

Need for Speed Payback got some inspiration from... the Fast and the Furious. - RkRk

I suggested that Blu remove a game concept for driving games. Developers shouldn't get free ideas to make millions. Hell no. - Luis D. Lucha

I was in the zone, but... yeah protect your concepts. - Blu

A Way Out... is my kind of game. It reminds me of Army of... Two! - RkRk

Yeah, Army of Two: Prison Edition. - Luis D. Lucha

It looks fun, but you can't play by yourself. - Yang


Options are good, just find someone to play. - Luis D. Lucha

Yeah but if you don't have someone to play with, you can't just play with yourself if there is no CPU option. - Yang

Ha, you fell right into that one. - Luis D. Lucha

You're sick. - Yang

lol There has to be a CPU. - RkRk

Anthem could be a very solid experience if the journey is extensive and it doesn't feel repetitive. I think this is following in the footsteps of Destiny. - Luis D. Lucha

It could be, but I don't know... its a 4 player experience and may have a set adventure structure. Do you feel that it would need to be like Destiny in order to be a success? - Blu

Not really. I wonder if it was made as a response to the game. The developers would probably admit it, but not EA. - Luis D. Lucha

One thing it has going for it is the beauty, but it doesn't need to have set paths. The replay value would be lower than if it were an open world and you took on the missions the way you wanted. - Yang

That's not always true. - Luis D. Lucha

How many games with the same route do you go back and play? - Yang

I'm just saying. - Luis D. Lucha

How many? - Yang

Stay in yo lane! lol Point taken, but I go back and play through the good ones a few times. - Luis D. Lucha

How many times have you played Just Cause games? - Yang

I see where you're going. I didn't think about Just Cause. - Luis D. Lucha

Just Cause 2 and 3 are some of the most replay heavy games i've... ever played. There are rivals, but... I don't know, Just Cause games I find myself just drawn to playing for hours on end. I have JC1 but I haven't played it yet. - Blu

You have many games and haven't played them yet, get back to us when you do. - Luis D. Lucha

Dilemma. - RkRk

Lets get back on topic. Anthem is a good looking game with a name that runs a risk of being lost in the soy sauce. Yang

I thought so too. You have to search "Anthem game"... kind of like you have to do with Vanquish. - Blu

What did you think of Star Wars Battlefront II? I think it was one of the better games presented. - Yang

It just feels like a game that's taking turns with Battlefront. - Luis D. Lucha

It did feel like they were coming out... pretty steady, but this is good. More time to get the bugs worked out (I can wait for frustration-free-fun). - RkRk

Yeah... I couldn't do Battlefield year after year, it divides the community. Remember what happened with Battlefield 3? It felt like the stability was met when 4 was dropped, which was buggy... and then came Hardline. I didn't recommend Hardline to anyone because... it could've been a really good DLC for 4 while they focused on a solid installment. It was paranoia and there were plenty of gamers who appreciated it. I wasn't buying it and didn't feel right to recommend it, especially if the same situation would occur. - Blu

I almost broke an Xbox over BF4, but BF1 is good. So if they do it like that and give each game at least 2  or 3 years it will work good. Do you think Battlefront 2 will be as successful as one? - Luis D. Lucha

That's hard to call. - Yang

I think it will. Battlefront 2 has the single player (which i'm very interested in)... and the multiplayer pluses. They just have to remember that they can't pull punches and slack. Pleased fans... are excited fans... who are also supporting fans that will likely buy day one if its that near and dear.

So how did EA do this E3 2017? I think it was cool, not a wow but... it wasn't bad at all. - Blu

I'll go with what you said. It was a little more than... safe with A Way Out and Anthem. Cool is better than Okay (right?). - RkRk

I think it was okay. Safe game and a few new ones. - Luis D. Lucha

It was good, but the two Rk mentioned are the two I would want to play if I only had two options. - Yang

Brought to you by the... Baby Fu Clothing Co!

Ready for E3 2017?! + Get your E3 2017 Digital Tickets here!

Welcome gamers... and those who love us (so they're willing to watch E3... or at least act like they are)! Stream E3 2017 here... just click play below and enjoy!

If you want in on some gaming action while E3 is going on, then you don't want to miss out on the E3 2017 Digital Ticket. Click here and get the hook up before its gone (and don't forget... sharing is caring)! KAKAKABOOM! - RkRk

The action starts June 10: 11am - 3pm PT

Hit play... and enjoy!

Just a heads up... there will be plenty to recap on, so stay tuned!

EA X E3 2017... our thoughts!
http://sdgtstudio.blogspot.com/2017/06/ea-x-e3-2017.html

The King of Fighters XIV Steam Edition... and what i'd like to see!

As The King of Fighters XIV Steam Edition approaches... I thought i'd speak on a few additions i'd like to see in the future.

In this newest installment... one of the most obvious things I've seen are the animated cut-scenes between matches and prior to certain fights. It truly adds more to this newest installment of The King of Fighters franchise. (Don't get me wrong.) I appreciate KOF XIII for the beautifully animated 2D fighting action... but the dialogue between fighters prior to matches, really annoyed the heck out of me. It wasn't because there was dialogue, it was more so the fact that you had to click and read... and read... and read... which could've had voice files in there to help it.

If you like to read... that's great, I have books I like to kick back and read... but I have to be in the mood (and that's not something I really care to do while gaming). So I like what I see in KOF XIV.

When it comes to a future installment or even an update... or mode, I want this fighter to truly feel like every team is on their own journey in a new way... not just fighting their way to the same boss character. The developer has the range and the ability to deliver more to this franchise, so I hope to see more (for now, this is a nice touch).

What i'd do is create branching paths, like a tournament set up that challenges the player while at the same time punishing the player for losing. So if you lose... you don't continue and fight the same character again, you go to the bracket where you belong until you work your way to the point of being the King Of Fighters. There would be more work invested in the victory then, because it would matter more vs being able to merely continue where you left off. SDGT Concepts anyone?! :p

What i'd also like to see done away with in KOF's next installment... is the removal of the fade to white effect after winning (feels like it rushes me out of the match and takes away the satisfaction of seeing my opponent on the ground). Instead... I'd like to see the winner strike a pose and their teammates come out and join them; defeated teammates can limp out. There are other things i'd add that would really take it to the next level, but i'll leave it at that. The King of Fighters XIV Steam Edition... drops June 15, 2017 (yep... that's during E3)!