THQ is no more, sells off most intellectual properties

The big, sad news of the week is that developers THQ has officially dissolved, with its bankruptcy filing resulting in most of its development assets being portioned off to other companies.

The result: Sega has picked up Relic Entertainment, of Company of Heroes and Warhammer 40 000; Koch Media has purchased Volition, which is responsible for the Saints Row and Metro franchises, while not surprisingly, Ubisoft has acquired THQ Montreal and its forthcoming South Park: The Stick of Truth title.     

Meanwhile, Crytek has picked up the Homefront franchise, while Take Two Interactive has taken on Turtle Rock Studios (of the Left4Dead franchise) and its current game in development, Evolve.

The one developer and franchise left hanging in the wind at the moment is Vigil, and its Darksiders franchise. Since the development studio received no bids at the auction of THQ’s assets, it means that Vigil employees could well be out of a job.

While the future looks dim for the company at the moment, all is not lost with regards to Darksiders, as apparently Bayonetta developer Platinum games has expressed interest in buying Darksiders “on the cheap.”

Indeed, if this does happen, then hopefully Death won’t be the end of the action franchise, and we may just get to see the other two Horseman ride in to save the day.

 

Hunt Cell operatives in the Crysis 3 multiplayer beta

A fantastic multiplayer FPS experience has sneaked up on gamers, cloaked in a nanosuit, as  Crytek announced an open multiplayer beta for its forthcoming sandbox shooter, Crysis 3. This beta will be available as of 29 January for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Windows PC, and entails two team-based modes along with two maps.

Within the first map, entitled Crash Site, players must secure and defend specific locations, earning points for kills as well as their ability to hold these locations. A new time-based multiplayer mode, called Hunter mode, makes its debut in Crysis 3 and pits two players against ten (2 vs. 14 on PC).

During Hunter mode matches two cloaked hunters stalk ten opposing CELL troopers, armed only with enhanced Nanosuits along with a Predator bow. They must systematically kill the CELL operatives, whilst the CELL operatives have to work as a team to stay alive before the round ends. A twist is also thrown into the mix, with every CELL trooper killed, respawning as a hunter, joining the two others in their attempt to eliminate the remaining CELL operatives before the clock strikes zero.

The Crysis 3 multiplayer beta will be available for two weeks (up until 12 February), enabling players to master the superpowers of the Nanosuit before the game’s official launch. Crysis 3 launches in South Africa on 22 February for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. Check out the latest trailer for the sandbox shooter, showcasing the nanosuit tech posted below.

 

 
New Injustice: Gods Amongst Us trailer released

If Injustice: Gods Amongst Us has been flying a little under your radar, prepare for it to pummel its way to a more prominent place on your line-up of titles worth anticipating.

Indeed, the latest trailer of the fighting game from Warner Bros and NetherRealm Studios, which features both superheroes and super villains from the DC Comics Universe, looks fantastic. Each character’s strengths seem to be highlighted to dazzling effect, which indicates that some spectacular fights will likely be on offer. Feast your eyes below:

 

The Last of Us demo coming with God of War: Ascension

If you simply cannot wait to go hands on with Naughty Dog’s forthcoming title, The Last of Us, then take note: you may just get your chance to play a demo of the game ahead of time - that is, if you buy God of War: Ascension.

According to Eric Monacelli, Naughty Dog’s community strategist, the company teamed up with Santa Monica Studio to include access to a chapter of The Last of Us in every copy of God of War: Ascension, which is slated for release in March.

There, players will find its listing on the main menu, which will grant access to the demo of the game when it becomes available. Additionally, in related demo news, players can apparently expect a God of War: Ascension demo in February.

Resident Evil: Revelations coming to consoles with a special edition

Resident Evil: Revelations, which is it was announced will be skulking and shuffling its way to the PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii U consoles as well as PC in May, will apparently also be receiving some special edition treatment.

The special edition will apparently include the game soundtrack CD, BSAA card case and a BSAA wristwatch made by US Agency, that glows in the dark and comes in its own case. This for about $440, while another version, sans watch, is set to cost a significantly less $83.

The game, which was initially released for Nintendo’s 3DS last year, received favourable reviews, and takes place between the events of Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 5.

There’s no word yet whether, or which of these two special editions, local players can expect to make their way to our shore, but we will certainly be watching out for it closer to the release date.

 

 

The Tyrannical rule of King Washington starts next month

Assassin’s Creed III (ACIII) players can mark 19 February on their calendars as this is when Ubisoft is releasing the first chapter in its three part alternate history DLC dubbed the Tyranny of King Washington. This all-new single-player campaign presents gamers with an alternate version of history in which one of the greatest heroes of the revolution, George Washington, pulls a Julius Malema by going mad with power.

Washington crowns himself King of the US and gamers have to return freedom to the land by dethroning this tyrant they once called friend. Chapter 1 is called The Infamy of King Washington and launches for Windows PC and Xbox LIVE on February 19th, and 20 February via the PlayStation Network, costing 800 Microsoft points or around R140.

 

Ooh-Rah: Marine firepower collides with xenomorph claws, teeth & acid

Sega has finally provided some live action trailer action (posted below) for gamers who are eager to kick some xenomorph-behind in the upcoming Aliens: Colonial Marines.

 

The trailer reveals some of the weapons and tech players will have at their disposal whilst trying their level best not to end up as a xenomorph snack. The FPS launches next month on Windows PC, Xbox 360, as well as PS3 and later on the Wii U.   

 

 

Contributions by Hanleigh Daniels