To opt-in or out of consumer game reviews... that is the question.
EPIC's game store is a place where developers (or publishers I should say) can decide whether gamers can review their titles or not. To opt-in or opt-out... is a great question to juggle.
There could be a benefit in opting out... because of the gamers that rate games based on their ability to play them well. A game's potential can be affected by something that's incredibly unfair, and I totally get that... but opting out can also delay potential sales until platforms like SDGT Entertainment and others provide reviews for gamers that rely on us.
That brings up the benefit of opting in. Reviews can increase the sales of a game if they're positive. I've seen games lacking major advertising... do well with quarterly unit sales and I feel it's because of the positive reviews. I won't say that a good trailer can't sell a game initially... or even the title art, but reviews play their part and can shift sales up.
I think that if Epic made a review system that asked specific questions about likes and dislikes, gamers can get down to the bottom of the yays & nays. This can result in a scoring system that's not the norm. I'm not part of the company so I won't be serving up any ideas on how that can be done... but it can be done to make both sides happy.
Help Persona 5's Phantom Thieves Uncover a New Cinematic Mystery with the Aid of the Casts from Persona 3, Persona 3 Portable, and Persona 4
[UPDATE: 2/1] An outdated version of the "Showtime" Premium Edition was included in the original distribution of this press release this morning. The correct one is now included below.
IRVINE, Calif. - February 1, 2019 - Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth launches for the Nintendo 3DS™ on June 4, 2019! The highly-anticipated sequel to the first Persona entry to appear on Nintendo's portable platform, Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth, Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth features the return of the iconic casts of Persona 3 and Persona 4, along with the arrival of fan-favorite characters from Persona 3 Portable and Persona 5! Be sure to watch the announcement trailer for Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (below).
Prepare to face a mysterious world of film in this challenging dungeon crawler. The Phantom Thieves are on another adventure as they find themselves trapped within a series of labyrinthine movies, each with its own unique twists and turns themed after various movie genres. Along the way, you'll encounter other like-minded heroes who possess the will and strength to help you in your journey. But who is this mysterious girl Hikari, and how will everyone escape from this cinematic entanglement that transcends time and space!?
ATLUS is also excited to announce the Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth "Showtime" Premium Edition (MSRP: $69.99)!
Aside from a Nintendo 3DS™ copy of the game, this special set includes the following:
5" Koromaru Plush - Now you too can have your very own plush of everyone's favorite Shiba from Persona 3!
Art Book - Take in all the illustrations featured in the game with the included art book!
Deck of Playing Cards - Enjoy playing your favorite card games in style with a full deck of playing cards emblazoned with characters featured in Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth!
Set of 4 Buttons - Show off your love for Persona's most iconic characters with some flair with this set of four buttons featuring the P3, P3P, P4, and P5 protagonists!
Collectible Outer Box - You need to place to hold all this merchandise, don't you? Everything included in the "Showtime" Premium Edition can be housed in this collectible box!
The Launch Edition for Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth (MSRP: $39.99) will also be available for all pre-orders and first-run copies of the game, while supplies last. This release will include a Nintendo 3DS™ copy of the game and a set of 4 buttons.
Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth Features:
Joker Takes Center Stage - Experience a thought-provoking story from the perspective of the protagonist from Persona 5 as you along with the other Phantom Thieves meet the S.E.E.S. from Persona 3 and the Investigation Team from Persona 4 in a cinematic world!
Persona 3 Portable's Female Heroine Steals the Spotlight - Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth will feature the long-awaited addition of P3P's female heroine who will play a pivotal role in your adventure through the silver screen!
Paying Homage to the Classics - Explore a series of labyrinths parodying popular film genres with plenty of references true film fans will love!
We've Got Company - Persona Q2 expands on Persona Q and Persona 5's combat systems, including a new Unison feature. By completing side quests, certain groups and pairings will team up to unleash their own special attack!
For the World Cinema Aficionados - Immerse yourself in Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth thanks to its Japanese voice audio track with English subtitles. This will mark the first time many fans will hear the original Japanese voices of the Persona 3 cast!
You know what's funny... (growing up) I would always check out magazines and comic books starting from the last page. I knew it wasn't the right way, but reading manga that started from that side felt... weird.
By the way... fans of... One Punch Man can now rejoice after the announcement of Season 2.
There is so much that the anime can offer, and it has the host of heroes... in addition to the ever interesting hero Saitama (aka One Punch Man). Season 1 was awesome, but I hope to see more and hope that the truth comes out of how powerful Saitama really is to the people who think he's just some fraud or a low level hero.
Today was a bit busy, cold... but busy! We went to grab these heavy 6 foot tables from Maitland (next door to Orlando... what's up EA Tiburon!) and so I'm driving to the building for pick up... I look to my right and realize Qualcomm is across the street. I was like HOLY CRAP(!) and I totally forgot to take a picture. We were locked in on a conversation that I don't even remember... and it didn't dawn on me until we were in downtown Orlando headed back to the office.
Oh yeah... I was chatting a little with ToyRage last night while he played Resident Evil 2. He thought my tip for the locker combination was just a lucky guess, but... not so much. When you're in the police station, a certain locker combination is CAP (short for CAPCOM). We were also discussing other game related stuff... and his jaw almost hit the floor because he thought I said Resident Evil Survivor was getting a remake. Not quite, but I think it should... and it should be a VR exclusive. I'd definitely make the game more cohesive and exciting to be worth the purchase, but I don't think they'd have anything to lose by giving VR fans that exclusive. I know assets matter, but VR doesn't get a lot of big exclusive titles... so it could be a win.
A game ToyRage mentioned that I've mentioned in the past, was a Parasite Eve remake. That could be a remake... and a movie. Square Enix did it with Tomb Raider, and I think it would be amazing to see that franchise make a comeback in a big way (it has that potential). It would add a horror game to the line-up. I told him I'd reach out about RE Survivor VR... so we shall see what happens.
I didn't bother making the effort with Parasite Eve though... BECAUSE Square-Enix filed for a trademark in Europe which suggests that a game is in the works. That's exciting. Anyway... I hope you enjoyed the extra dose of... stuff in this post, time to get in some gaming... and I hope you do the same. Stay awesome!
Oh yeah, special thanks to Claire for the help yesterday (enjoy the VR headset)!
Motion Capture Revealed for Upcoming Spike Volleyball
Lesquin, January 30, 2019 - Bigben and Black Sheep, along with Maximum Games, are releasing two motion capture videos that show how the developers of Spike Volleyball have managed to portray the same movements and gameplay that volleyball players perform on the court.
The spike and serve are two fundamental actions performed in volleyball. To obtain the best references possible, the developers held several motion capture sessions in which 50 sensors were attached to professional players to capture their movements, timing and technique. Watch below!
Spike motion capture
Serve motion capture
Spike Volleyball is the first indoor volleyball sim including 50 national teams - both men's and women's - where you can go head-to-head in a realistic simulation of all aspects of the sport. Speed, reflexes, teamwork: all the elements needed for success are present in a spectacular and immersive sports experience.
Spike Volleyball will be available on Xbox One, PlayStation®4 and PC on February 5th.
Mischievous beings known as Yo-kai are everywhere, and it’s up to Nate and Hailey Anne to befriend, battle, and solve problems with them. Follow two parallel stories and unravel the mysteries behind strange sightings while meeting over 600 Yo-kai and using the new 3x3 grid battle system to strategically dish out or dodge attacks.
More Yo-kai, more mysteries! ’Merican Yo-kai have made their way to YO-KAI WATCH 3 and they’re rootin’ tootin’ troublemakers. Speaking of troublemakers, in BBQ, zombies rise from their graves and Nate must free the town during Zombie Night. If you’re too afraid of zombies, you can always find treasure by exploring randomly generated dungeons and discover the truth about the mysterious ruins hidden all across the continent with the Yo-kai Blasters T group.
Get into the game—literally! Enter the world of the Death Drive Mark II, and hack and slash your way out of its various games. Pass a Joy-Con™ to a friend for local co-op, with special team-up charge attacks. Represent your favorite indie games by rocking their swag in-game, and keep an eye out for other in-game collaborations. Hit the road in an all-new adventure with gaming's most hardcore otaku assassin. Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes is available now!
