Latest news with #openWorld
Geek Culture
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Culture
Cancelled 'Dungeons & Dragons' RPG By 'Counter Strike: GO' Developer Leaked Online
Gameplay footage and concept art from developer Hidden Path Entertainment's cancelled Dungeons and Dragons RPG have leaked online, offering a glimpse at an open-world RPG that almost was. Hidden Path, the studio behind the Defense Grid series and co-developers of the 2012 multiplayer FPS Counter-Strike: Global Offensive , first started working on the project four years ago, as made known via a series of job listings by the studio for a 'AAA, third-person, open-world fantasy RPG that will be taking place inside the Dungeons & Dragons franchise.' The project, codenamed Project Dante , was unfortunately short-lived, as one of the studio's founders, Michael Austin, announced its cancellation in 2024 via a post on LinkedIn, stating that the studio had been 'in numerous active discussions to find replacement funding', and ultimately had 'no choice but to pause development on that project and reduce the company size until we have an opportunity to return to it', letting go 44 developers as a result. Now, an eight-minute video and various concept art for the doomed title have leaked online, offering a tease of what could have been. This leak comes from MP1st, with gameplay clips showcasing its third-person exploration and combat. The game would have featured a companion system, with the leaked video detailing the player character accompanied by two other characters, Kavir and Ri Om, who assist with combat and puzzle-solving. Early footage of its cinematics, voice work and even an entire song sung by NPCs were shown, although most were place-holders. A collection of concept art was also leaked, including various Dungeons and Dragons imagery like a five-headed hydra, a party facing off against a volcanic dragon, and an adorable white cat with wings, alongside art for the various characters players would meet in the game. According to MP1st, the game was believed to be near the final stages of its development when it was cancelled, with its unfortunate fate likely being a part of a series of five cancellations by publisher Wizards of the Coast in early 2023, making it a real shame that a project so far along in its development was axed so suddenly. Still, there are many more Dungeons and Dragons titles in the works for fans of the iconic tabletop franchise, including a single player action-adventure game from the former director of Respawn's Star Wars Jedi games, Stig Asmussen, and his new studio Gian Skull, alongside a magic-focused title from Ubisoft alumni Jeff Hattem's Invoke Studios. Let's hope these titles will actually see the light of day and not suffer the same fate as Project Dante . Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise 'duds' like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3 . He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying. Dungeons & Dragons Hidden Path Entertainment Leaks
Gizmodo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
The Switch 2 Is My Favorite Way to Play Cyberpunk 2077, and It's Not Just Mouse Controls
2025 I've tested Cyberpunk 2077 on so many different systems, handhelds, and PCs, you would assume the word 'choom' would send me into a state of cyberpsychosis. But I'm midway through yet another playthrough of the game on Switch 2, and I can already tell this will be the first system I use to finally complete the game since I last played it in 2020. The version of Cyberpunk 2025 tuned for Nintendo's new handheld is the most seamless and comfortable edition that still showcases the game's beautiful environments. Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2 The game looks great handheld or docked, and while mouse mode isn't great for long sessions gyro controls make up for it. Pros Runs at playable frame rates in most scenarios Runs at playable frame rates in most scenarios Incredible graphics in 1080p (even in handheld mode) Incredible graphics in 1080p (even in handheld mode) Accurate gyro controls Accurate gyro controls Mouse mode offers more options for aiming Cons Some visual glitches caused by DLSS Some visual glitches caused by DLSS Inconsistent buttons in games and menus (especially in mouse mode) Inconsistent buttons in games and menus (especially in mouse mode) No automatic mouse mode control switching You can play CD Projekt Red's open-world cyber ninja simulator on either Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 with solid visuals at 60 frames per second in 'performance' mode, but it won't ever be as fluid a playable experience as it is on Switch 2. Yes, it's handy to take your console on the go without having to finagle any streaming over Wi-Fi, but when docked, the experience is still better due to tighter controls. By default and with two Joy-Con 2 controllers, Cyberpunk 2077 offers joystick plus gyro controls for aiming. There's a separate option you can turn on to enable Joy-Con 2 mouse mode. Either way, you can achieve better pinpoint-accurate gunplay than you can with thumbsticks. I could sit back on the couch and enjoy the game without hunching over a keyboard and mouse and still feel like I wasn't missing out on its high-octane, spectacle-fueled combat systems. In about 15 hours of gameplay, I tried both control sets and played in handheld mode as well. The mouse controls are very accurate, but the issue is always finding a comfortable position to rest your palm. My hand started cramping rather fast as I tried it on the couch cushion next to me or a chair's armrest. I was using the Killswitch case grip made by Dbrand, which made it far more ergonomic for mouse controls. The issue is how often you need to roll your hand to press face buttons for actions and menus. On the flip side, I found that the upgraded gyros on the Switch 2 are so clean, I was able to line up headshots with such ease I would rarely swap to mouse. The game also supports hand-wavy controls for reloading weapons or swinging melee weapons. I found these could feel far too much like the original Wii—where I would sweep my controller at open air and pray that my character performed the action I wanted. I kept to buttons and found it to be a much tighter experience. I also wish CD Projekt Red allowed me to keep both gyro/thumbstick and mouse controls on at the same time. If you enable mouse controls, you disable thumbsticks and gyros. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond promises to allow players to swap from thumbsticks to mouse just by plopping their controller on a surface. Something like that for Cyberpunk 2077 would go a long way to helping players avoid wrist pain. Cyberpunk 2077 plays at 1080p resolution in both handheld mode and when docked. Either way, you can expect it to get between 30 and 40 fps under 'quality' graphics settings, even during an intense gunfight. That's equivalent to what you may get on a Steam Deck, though I found the performance to be more consistent on Switch 2. I experienced some frame rate dips when driving in third person in dense environments (first-person mode aids frame rates by taking up a portion of the screen with the players' gun or car models—a longtime performance trick used by most first-person shooters). Any occasional performance hitching wasn't enough to distract from the game's visuals. If you're somebody who absolutely demands 60 fps from every game they play, you're not going to find that experience with Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2. There are occasional visual glitches. On complicated textures like rugs or fabric, the game rendered odd kaleidoscope effects that could become distracting in cutscenes. This is likely due to the use of Nvidia's DLSS. The Nintendo Switch 2 uses a custom Nvidia-made chip, and this means it can run AI upscaling to take a frame rendered at 720p and massage it to look like it's 1080p. The most recent version of Nvidia's upscaler, DLSS 4, is normally devoid of these glitches. The Switch 2's graphics processor is essentially equivalent to Nvidia's Ampere microarchitecture built close to five years ago, though Nvidia has obviously fine-tuned the system-on-chip (SoC) for Nintendo's hardware specs. This allows for some ray tracing lighting effects, though it can't ever be as punch-to-the-face spectacular as it can be on an ultra-expensive PC running with path tracing effects. The fact that we're still talking about Cyberpunk 2077 as a high bar for graphically demanding games five years after launch is a testament to just how beautiful—and intensive—the game can be. What gets lost in the obsession with performance is just how rich of a world CD Projekt Red established for the game. It's a game where the environment informs the story. Every bag of trash dumped on the side of the road speaks to a world that has become so corporatized there are no social services as simple as garbage pickup available to all but the wealthy. The player can climb to the top of an overlooking skyscraper and watch the evening haze choke Night City and all its inhabitants in a thick gloom. You need some amount of visual fidelity to represent that, and the Switch 2 version of Cyberpunk 2077 maintains that atmosphere. The first time I played the game shortly after launch, I ran through the full 60 hours in a state that would better be described as an interactive slideshow. The game was so bugged I sometimes felt like my PC was infected with an in-game neurovirus. But I still loved it for the wonderful, human-centric story it told—of characters who felt real and personable and themes of corporate oppression that feel more pertinent today than they did in 2020.
Malay Mail
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
‘Upin & Ipin Universe': Iconic animated twins enter gaming world with open-world adventure (VIDEO)
KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 — Malaysia's beloved animated twins, Upin & Ipin, are set to star in their own open-world video game, with the first trailer for Upin & Ipin Universe recently revealed. The trailer, launched during the Summer Games Fest 2025, confirmed that the game will take place in the iconic fictional village of Kampung Durian Runtuh, the home of Upin & Ipin. Upin & Ipin Universe is a collaborative effort between Les' Copaque (the creators of Upin & Ipin), Streamline Studios, and Streamline Media Group. Streamline Studios, a renowned game developer, has contributed to several AAA titles, including Street Fighter V (2016) and Stellar Blade (2024), which gained significant attention upon its release in April last year. The studio has also developed original games such as Bake 'n Switch, Axon Runners, and Hoopworld. What to expect from Upin & Ipin Universe According to its official website, Upin & Ipin Universe is a vibrant open-world adventure that invites players to explore the liveliness of Kampung Durian Runtuh. From bustling markets to serene rice fields, players will embark on journeys uncovering local legends and helping familiar faces from Kampung Durian Runtuh's community, all while immersing themselves in Malaysia's rich cultural heritage. The game also features a variety of mini-games, including: • Fishing: A detailed fishing system where players choose bait, cast lines, and reel in various types of fish. • Farming: Plant, grow, and harvest crops with unique gameplay twists. • Critter Catching: Capture critters such as ladybugs and butterflies in a fun, competitive challenge. • Racing: Race, drift, and compete to see who has the best skills on the track. • Cooking: Prepare dishes using a rhythm-based mini-game involving chopping, boiling, and frying. • Spinning Top: Compete in the traditional Malaysian game gasing, where players battle to spin their tops the longest in an arena. Although a release date has yet to be announced, Upin & Ipin Universe is set to launch on consoles, PC, and Nintendo Switch. The legacy of Upin & Ipin Upin & Ipin is a celebrated Malaysian animated children's show that debuted in 2007 and has since been broadcast in over 100 countries, gaining a significant fanbase in Indonesia. The 2019 feature film Upin & Ipin: Keris Siamang Tunggal made waves upon release, earning the Best Film Story award at the 2019 International Animation Film Festival (Animaze) in Montreal, Canada. The film was also among 23 titles shortlisted for nomination at the 2019 Oscars in the Animated Feature Film category.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Upin & Ipin Universe': Iconic animated twins enter gaming world with open-world adventure (VIDEO)
KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 — Malaysia's beloved animated twins, Upin & Ipin, are set to star in their own open-world video game, with the first trailer for Upin & Ipin Universe recently revealed. The trailer, launched during the Summer Games Fest 2025, confirmed that the game will take place in the iconic fictional village of Kampung Durian Runtuh, the home of Upin & Ipin. Upin & Ipin Universe is a collaborative effort between Les' Copaque (the creators of Upin & Ipin), Streamline Studios, and Streamline Media Group. Streamline Studios, a renowned game developer, has contributed to several AAA titles, including Street Fighter V (2016) and Stellar Blade (2024), which gained significant attention upon its release in April last year. The studio has also developed original games such as Bake 'n Switch, Axon Runners, and Hoopworld. What to expect from Upin & Ipin Universe According to its official website, Upin & Ipin Universe is a vibrant open-world adventure that invites players to explore the liveliness of Kampung Durian Runtuh. From bustling markets to serene rice fields, players will embark on journeys uncovering local legends and helping familiar faces from Kampung Durian Runtuh's community, all while immersing themselves in Malaysia's rich cultural heritage. The game also features a variety of mini-games, including: • Fishing: A detailed fishing system where players choose bait, cast lines, and reel in various types of fish. • Farming: Plant, grow, and harvest crops with unique gameplay twists. • Critter Catching: Capture critters such as ladybugs and butterflies in a fun, competitive challenge. • Racing: Race, drift, and compete to see who has the best skills on the track. • Cooking: Prepare dishes using a rhythm-based mini-game involving chopping, boiling, and frying. • Spinning Top: Compete in the traditional Malaysian game gasing, where players battle to spin their tops the longest in an arena. Although a release date has yet to be announced, Upin & Ipin Universe is set to launch on consoles, PC, and Nintendo Switch. The legacy of Upin & Ipin Upin & Ipin is a celebrated Malaysian animated children's show that debuted in 2007 and has since been broadcast in over 100 countries, gaining a significant fanbase in Indonesia. The 2019 feature film Upin & Ipin: Keris Siamang Tunggal made waves upon release, earning the Best Film Story award at the 2019 International Animation Film Festival (Animaze) in Montreal, Canada. The film was also among 23 titles shortlisted for nomination at the 2019 Oscars in the Animated Feature Film category.
Malay Mail
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
‘Upin & Ipin' universe: Iconic animated twins enter gaming world with open-world adventure
KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 — Malaysia's beloved animated twins, Upin & Ipin, are set to star in their own open-world video game, with the first trailer for Upin & Ipin Universe recently revealed. The trailer, launched during the Summer Games Fest 2025, confirmed that the game will take place in the iconic fictional village of Kampung Durian Runtuh, the home of Upin & Ipin. Upin & Ipin Universe is a collaborative effort between Les' Copaque (the creators of Upin & Ipin), Streamline Studios, and Streamline Media Group. Streamline Studios, a renowned game developer, has contributed to several AAA titles, including Street Fighter V (2016) and Stellar Blade (2024), which gained significant attention upon its release in April last year. The studio has also developed original games such as Bake 'n Switch, Axon Runners, and Hoopworld. What to expect from Upin & Ipin Universe According to its official website, Upin & Ipin Universe is a vibrant open-world adventure that invites players to explore the liveliness of Kampung Durian Runtuh. From bustling markets to serene rice fields, players will embark on journeys uncovering local legends and helping familiar faces from Kampung Durian Runtuh's community, all while immersing themselves in Malaysia's rich cultural heritage. The game also features a variety of mini-games, including: • Fishing: A detailed fishing system where players choose bait, cast lines, and reel in various types of fish. • Farming: Plant, grow, and harvest crops with unique gameplay twists. • Critter Catching: Capture critters such as ladybugs and butterflies in a fun, competitive challenge. • Racing: Race, drift, and compete to see who has the best skills on the track. • Cooking: Prepare dishes using a rhythm-based mini-game involving chopping, boiling, and frying. • Spinning Top: Compete in the traditional Malaysian game gasing, where players battle to spin their tops the longest in an arena. Although a release date has yet to be announced, Upin & Ipin Universe is set to launch on consoles, PC, and Nintendo Switch. The legacy of Upin & Ipin Upin & Ipin is a celebrated Malaysian animated children's show that debuted in 2007 and has since been broadcast in over 100 countries, gaining a significant fanbase in Indonesia. The 2019 feature film Upin & Ipin: Keris Siamang Tunggal made waves upon release, earning the Best Film Story award at the 2019 International Animation Film Festival (Animaze) in Montreal, Canada. The film was also among 23 titles shortlisted for nomination at the 2019 Oscars in the Animated Feature Film category.
