Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Gaming

  • First Gameplay for ‘The Lord of the Rings: Gollum’ Released

    First Gameplay for ‘The Lord of the Rings: Gollum’ Released

    Lord of the Rings is slowly making its grand return. Amazon is still hard at work at developing a brand new series that takes place in J.R.R. Tolkiens’ fantasy world. We’ve seen the Lord of the Rings’ Middle-Earth games offered an action-packed take on the franchise. I loved the introduction of the Nemesis system, which added a wild factor to every time you wished to explore the various regions. Now, the franchise is expanding with a new game that focuses on the iconic character Gollum. It has been seven months since the first teaser trailer released and after a long wait, they finally unveiled the first gameplay trailer, which you can check out right here:

     

     

    It makes sense a Gollum-focused story would lend itself to a stealth game style. The trailer offers a small glimpse at the different locations you’ll be visiting throughout your time playing the game. It certailny looks like the game might be puzzle-focused and a bit linear as you try to survive in a world filled with blood-thirsty Orcs. It is disappointing that they only really offer small glimpses of the actual gameplay, but it still looks promising. We will get to visit a time before Gollum runs into the Hobbits.

    They also seem to be teasing Sauron at the end. Hopefully, they might play around with his obsession with the ring, as it torments the player during the story to add some tense moments. We don’t know if this will tie into the 2001 films or the original novels. They might also set it within an alternative timeline, like the Middle-Earth games. Either way, the trailer looks promising, and can’t wait to dive back into this fantastical world.

    Source: YouTube

  • Latest ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Dev Stream Offered Further Details on Roadmap and Future Changes

    Latest ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Dev Stream Offered Further Details on Roadmap and Future Changes

    In the latest Marvel’s Avengers developer stream, we are heading into a new direction for the game. Crystal Dynamics has revealed that they are going to change their approach moving forward. We will see more information on future updates in these streams, which is a great revelation. They want to offer more insight moving forward and determine the game’s future development. So, without further ado, let’s get into the long list of updates heading our way.

     

    General

    • In the future, patches will be explained better and in more detail. Context is necessary, as CD learned with the XP update.
    • They are aware of the issues, such as the Villain Sector bug, platinum trophy, and more.
    • You will no longer be able to one-shot bosses in the future. They are looking into adding new challenges moving forward.
    • Spider-Man is still in development.

    Omega-Level Threats

    • They understand it is way past due to getting released. The core issue did not connect to the actual content. As such, CD worked on multiple OTLs simultaneously.
    • You can expect quite a few of them to release in a shorter time frame once the first is finally released.
    • Their goal is that you are facing a villain and challenge that is “bigger than life.” The longer they work on it, the better they are nailing it.
    • Matchmaking will see incremental changes with each new patch update.
    • They confirm that a lot more in development, which didn’t get included in the roadmap for now.

     

    Marvel's Avengers video game should stop trying to be Destiny

     

    Marvel’s Avengers 2.0

    • We got quite a few more details on the content’s future showcase that will rehaul ger and the progression system. In general, Gear 2.0 will affect many different elements.
    • The core of their goal is to offer more “meaningful customization” on different levels. It will affect your gameplay and how you build your characters.
    • Once you find the gear you like, you will be able to hold on to it much longer. CD wants to integrate a way to add new options or even adapt existing ones.
    • It will all connect to the 50-Level Cap. Their goal is to allow the customization options to come to fruition once you go beyond the limitation.
    • They also confirmed that collecting comics will have an impact on this new system. So, be sure to continue collecting them moving forward.

     

    Tachyon Anamoly

    • It’s a two-week event that consists of multiple parts.
    • The main addition is that you can play multiple heroes, such as four Hulks at the same time.
    • Player feedback is essential. So, if players enjoy it, they will continue to bring it back as a recurring event or even make it a permanent addition.
    • It includes new Daily and Weekly Missions. You will be able to win Animated Nameplates throughout the event.
    • We will also get a brand new Tachyon Mission. It’ll become a more frequent event.

     

    Kate Bishop is Taking AIM | Woodward Sports Network

     

    Red Room Takeover

    • It is in celebration of Black Widow’s film. You can unlock some more Animated Nameplates with new Red Room-inspired missions.
    • CD teased a lot of lore as we explore Natasha’s history with Yelena Belova. She hid chips in various enemies, which you need to uncover.
    • The Red Room-inspired HARM challenges are an additional part. These will be the escape challenges and will even affect the Main Screen. So, expect some new visual flourishes.
    • They once again confirmed we’ll get the first Marvel Cinematic Universe with this event. They also confirmed that the word “inspired” shouldn’t be taken too literally. They are adapting the iconic outfits.
    • If Black Widow gets postponed, it will not directly affect their release plans.

     

    Cosmic Cube

    • It takes place directly after Future Imperfect. It builds on the storyline that got introduced at the end of that mission.
    • You will be fighting her clone army. Her design is also how they want to approach Villain Sectors moving forward. They want there to be a big focus on making them bigger and crazier. The tease for future content seems promising.

     

    Wasteland Patrol

    • It will introduce the new Patrol Mode mission, which is a massive area you can roam freely. There is no mission or specific goal. So, you can have as much fun as you want with it.
    • CD has teased that there will be some curious secrets to uncover in this new mission style.
    • Once again, if this is popular, they will expand upon it and add it to other regions moving forward.

     

    Black Panther is coming to 'Marvel's Avengers' later this year | Engadget

     

    Black Panther Expansion

    • It will be their largest content drop since the launch.
    • Klaw will be closer to his comic form. So, don’t expect him to be like Andy Serkis‘ interpretation. He is one of the multiple villains that’ll get included in the update.
    • There will be new enemy types that are part of Klaw’s faction.
    • Voice actors will get announced in the future once we are near the release.
    • The new Biome is called the Wakandan Jungle, but you can expect a lot more diversity with it. They teased some cool interiors.
    • They also aim to continue to raise the stakes of the challenges. It will release the most challenging content they have ever developed.

    It certainly sounds like it’ll be a big year moving forward. Even if Black Panther is still some time down the line, it seems that we won’t be waiting without anything new moving forward.

    Source: Twitch

  • More Details Surface for ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Roadmap

    More Details Surface for ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Roadmap

    It looks like we have only scratched the surface of where Marvel’s Avengers is heading. In today’s Square-Enix Presents event, we got a showcase of the game’s new Hawkeye DLC. Suddenly, they threw in various new showcases of upcoming additions to the game. It was odd that the actual roadmap only got briefly highlighted for a few seconds. It seemed like the big selling point of the stream was our first look at Black Panther. It looks like Crystal Dynamics has also welcomed journalists and influencers to join them in advance, where they revealed some more information on what you can expect from the game. Here’s a quick overview of the details that weren’t covered:

     

    Image

     

    • In the latest update, there is a new Epic Artifact titled Void Tech Transponder. It allows you to summon Dr. Hank Pym. Yes, you read that right. We are getting Final Fantasy-style Summons,w which is hopefully going to get expanded on.
    • Each Avengers has a unique animation for petting Lucky the Pizza Dog. It’s not relevant, but I love it.
    • Animated Nameplates are in development for some additional flair.
    • Tachyon Anomaly will be temporarily available. It will apply to all mission times on the Initiative. It will also offer daily and weekly rewards if you join teams o the same heroes, and it will introduce new Tachyon Rift missions on the Eastern Seaboard.

     

    Marvel's Avengers: 2021 Roadmap Revealed, Includes Black Panther, MCU Tie-Ins and More - eSports Smarties

     

    • Red Room Takeover takes inspiration from the upcoming Black Widow film. Yelena Belova placed surveillance chips in Aimbots, and you have to retrieve them. If you manage to find the source, you can unlock a special mission to “settle the score.” Multiple versions will be available throughout the event, which let you earn cosmetics and unique nameplates. It will act like an Escape Gauntlet.
    • According to Forbes, the Red Room Takeover is also when they plan to release Marvel Cinematic Universe skins. It’s a perfect time to promote the game with skins inspired by the film.
    • Cosmic Cube is a direct sequel to Hawkeye’s Future Imperfect storyline. Monica Rappaccini is creating a Cosmic Cube in a secret AIM lab in the Frozen Tundra. It was promised as a new experience that involves the techno-advanced clone-army of Monica.

     

    Black Panther coming to Marvel's Avengers game in War for Wakanda expansion - CNET

    • The Wasteland Patrol will unlock a large map in Hawkeye’s Wasteland. Enemies and activities will continue to spawn, and you have no set objective. So, you can engage with enemies however you please.
    • The Omega Level Threat Missions seem to be eyeing a Summer release. That is at least stated according to IGN, while others keep that date open. If you consider the roadmap, it isn’t slated with a specific date. So, it’ll be released once it is ready. “Resolution” will be the Super Adaptoid map, which offers unique green glowing gear for players.
    • War for Wakanda will be a full-on expansion, so expect the biggest update since launch. Of course, they highlighted it is still free, as all content promised for the game. Wakanda will feature new areas, puzzles, and a lot more.
    • Spider-Man is still in active development, but could not offer any information on his timeline.

    In this early showcase, CD’s studio head Scot Amos opened up about changing their philosophy moving forward. They aim to be more transparent and highlight how they’ve learned from the past months adjusting to the current climate. They are fully committed to the game and promise that the story will continue with frequent updates. In an interview with Gamespot, he had the following to say about the game’s future handling and confirming the game is finally at a point that it can start focusing on putting out content:

    It is building the blocks and putting it in place. And that’s partly our learnings from how we launched in September and saying, “Oh my God, like we gotta get these other things.” Because if you have a shaky foundation, it’s terrible. So being able to build up to where we are now, with our extra platforms coming [with] PS5 and Xbox Series S|X, now we feel like we have a stable base with all these things in there that we can build on top of.

    It seems they understand the underlying issues, and their work on Loot 2.0 alongside exploring options beyond a heroes level cap will be essential moving forward. They are committed to more transparency, which we got a glimpse of during the build-up to Clint’s release. As the roadmap reveals showcased, it is a steep learning curve. A lot of information is available, but only if you know where to look for it. Even with the recent announcement, you have to look through various outlets and Social accounts to get a complete picture. The year has only begun for Marvel’s Avengers, and I cannot wait to see them roll out these events in the coming months.

    Source: IGN, Forbes, YouTube (Kinda Funny Games), Gamespot, YouTube (BobDuckNWeave), YouTube (BobDuckNWeave Events)

  • ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ First Road Map Confirms Black Panther, MCU Skins, Events, Patrol Mode, And So Much More

    ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ First Road Map Confirms Black Panther, MCU Skins, Events, Patrol Mode, And So Much More

    We have been waiting for some time now for it finally to be unveiled. Crystal Dynamics has finally given us a first look at Marvel’s Avengers roadmap alongside the reveal trailer for Black Panther. The start of this game has been bumpy, to say the least, but we are heading in the right direction. The latest update is also available now, which will allow players to try out the latest hero, Clint Barton. It also includes the possibility to replay the original campaign. It is a perfect addition alongside the next-gen upgrade that is also available now. In the Square-Enix Presents event, they started off showcasing the new story element. Well, it took a turn and suddenly showcased multiple Hulks in a singular mission. It caught us off-guard, as you cannot do so currently. Well, it looks like we have a lot more to look forward to, as they unveiled various events and new additions to the game. Luckily @CalexStreams shared the full-image:

    Crystal Dynamics is here to stay with this reveal. We are finally getting the chance to play multiple heroes as we please. They also revealed the inclusion of Patrols, so you can explore the various environments at your own leisure. It also finally confirms that Marvel Cinematic Universe skins are on the way. Of course, they topped it off with the final reveal of Black Panther, who was first teased in the War Table video during its release.

    I have been with the game since the Beta when it released eight months ago, so I am really excited to see where this game is heading. These are the first major steps towards its future, as they also revealed in a blog post that not everything has been unveiled. It’ll be exciting to see this game expand, especially with how they approach the Gear 2.0 that was teased in previous developer streams. Whatever they have planned, it’s going to be quite the ride and just the beginning of the game’s future as a Games-as-a-Service.

    Source: Twitter (Roadmap), Twitter (Black Panther)

  • ‘Marvel’s Avengers’: Pitching Non-Marvel Cinematic Universe Skins

    ‘Marvel’s Avengers’: Pitching Non-Marvel Cinematic Universe Skins

    Here’s a special something before we get into the article. Today’s Marvel’s Avengers article is a special one, as we are cooperating with the upcoming Assemble for Charity event, which you can follow via Twitter via @AForCharity. It’s a 24-hour Community Livestream that starts on 18th March at 10 AM PT/5 PM GMT. The community is celebrating the release of the next DLC character by supporting the Cancer Fund for Children. I will also be part of the opening event, so be sure to drop by and support a good cause.

     

    You can access the Twitch link by clicking on the following Stream Schedule:

     

    I have been writing about Marvel’s Avengers for some time now. Tomorrow, we’ll finally get the release of the second DLC character, Hawkeye. Clint Barton isn’t alone, as we are also getting quite a lot of content to celebrate the game’s next-gen update. Players will finally be able to revisit the campaign with the push of a button. Anyone who wants to experiment around will be able to do so with the new customizable HARM room. It’s looking to be their biggest update and hopefully only the beginning of a lot more to come. We’ve already talked in-depth about how they could update their endgame content, so I wanted to have some fun with this one. Here are a few ideas for some ways to add unique skins they can add to the game.

     

    Embrace the Avengers’ Media History

    We have been focused primarily on getting Marvel Cinematic Universe skins and comic-inspired skins. However, these characters have had quite a few adaptations throughout the years. It would be amazing to see skins inspired by the animated series Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. How about we get even crazier? I would love to see the insane costumes introduced in Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers. They went all out with overdesigning these characters and it would be such an amazing addition to the game.

     

    MARVEL DISK WARS: AVENGERS is the Best Anime You've Never Seen - Nerdist

     

    There have also been attempts at adapting the franchise in live-action before. It would be wonderful to have a cheesy outfit inspired by 1977’s The Incredible Hulk. Just imagine the Green Goliath rocking that hairstyle in the game. Some designs are getting sold by Square-Enix that would make for fantastic additions to the game. I am talking about the Variant figures designed by the man behind Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy 7s designs, Tetsuya Nomura. They already own the designs. So, why not bring them into the game? They are just as crazy as those from the previously-mentioned Disc Wars Anime, and it would be a shame not to use them if the game carries the Square-Enix logo

     

    square-enix-marvel-variant-figures

     

    A Hero’s Final Fantasy

    Speaking of Square-Enix, it wouldn’t be too surprising to think that they would have the possibility to utilize the iconic designs from their historic gaming library. I would love to see the Avengers in Final Fantasy or other famous franchise-inspired outfits. Steve Rogers would look great in Cloud’s costume from last year’s remake. How about Iron Man’s armor inspired by Automata‘s machines? Who wouldn’t want to see a Deus Ex outfit for Clint? Crystal Dynamics has its flagship franchise that they can use for inspiration. Black Widow would look fantastic in a Tomb Raider-inspired costume. These are just some ideas off of the top of my head. Of course, they should focus on Marvel adaptations, but I think they can start expanding to add something special.

     

    Square Enix Eidos Anthology Bundle Recently Appears On Steam Platform | Sirus Gaming

     

    Freaky Friday

    Here’s a simple yet hilarious idea for a future skin update. Wouldn’t it be hilarious if the different Avengers members swapped costumes? I could imagine Captain America wearing an Iron Man-inspired armor that got made from a cheap carton. It would be the perfect joke costume for Halloween. Hulk running around with a mini bow on his back would be hilarious. CD could even throw in a special emote of him trying to grab it on his back unsuccessfully. I mainly got the idea while thinking back when Tom Hiddleston and Charlie Cox dressed up as their respective characters during a convention. Just like the other skins, these are some simple ideas that would add something special to the game as it starts to expand.

     

    Tom Hiddleston and Charlie Cox swap super costumes for Halloween

  • Don’t Expect More ‘Final Fantasy 7 Remake’ DLC In the Near Future

    Don’t Expect More ‘Final Fantasy 7 Remake’ DLC In the Near Future

    Final Fantasy 7 Remake surprised players with the reveal of a DLC storyline focusing on Yuffie. The reveal confirmed that it would only be available via the next-gen consoles. It was a curious decision and made us wonder why they limited it to it. Of course, it also opened up the window to more DLC storylines getting added for characters that might not get the focus they deserve until late installment in the game. Well, it sadly looks like Integrade just happened to come together due to the recent console release. The game’s director, Tetsuya Nomura, revealed that there aren’t any plans for more DLC chapters in an interview with Famitsu. It isn’t available in English but luckily Twitter user @aitakimochi was kind enough to translate it.

    […] we really have no plans for any or DLC. With FF7R Integrade, we are able to adjust to the PS5 environment, which makes for an easy transition to development for the next installment. The roadwork we have laid out to complete the entire story takes priority, and if we are to ever add DLC, it will not be until after everything has been done.

    That is a surprising reveal. It seemed like the Integrade concept would allow them to fill blanks between the releases of the new episodic take on the 1997 original. Yuffie’s story would allow them to integrate more elements from the expanded universe, so it felt like a perfect way to bridge the gap. Yet, it seems that it ended up getting created to adapt to the new console generation quickly. So, we can thank PlayStation’s release window for them to be inspired to offer early access to the character and content. This revelation also confirms why it is only available on next-gen. It is still uncertain how long we will have to wait for in-between releases, so there is a chance it could change if development on titles gets dragged out due to the pandemic.

    Source: Famitsu via Twitter

  • Latest ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Dev Stream Showcases Hawkeye and the Wasteland

    Latest ‘Marvel’s Avengers’ Dev Stream Showcases Hawkeye and the Wasteland

    It has been a massive week for Marvel’s Avengers. They have been building up to the release of their next DLC character. We got quite a few reveals throughout the last few weeks. Finally, we will be able to replay the Reassemble campaign. We will be able to customize unique HARM rooms to test out our abilities. Now, we got our first look at Hawkeye in action, and the developers revealed a variety of tidbits on the character’s future content:

    • Hawkeye’s sword combat is inspired by his time as Ronin. They also revealed that he wall runs like Captain America due to his ninja training.
    • Unlike Kate, Clint has a variety of arrows in his arsenal. Instead of just switching between them, his move set allows you to use them in fun ways. He has arrow types like Implosion Arrows, Split Shot Arrows, and many more that have a unique attribute. You can use them in the air or on the ground, which offers some variety. He even has an arrow type called a Suspension Arrow that levitates your enemies.
    • His support heroic lets you heal your allies. He can even heal people from cryo. CD also showcased the variations of his heroic specialization. You can create a fire tornado or even freeze enemies.

     

    Hawkeye rejoins the Avengers in a new DLC, launching March 18 | NME

    • They hire professional stunt actors for the motion capture. CD’s aim is for every hero to feel unique in their movements to make them stand out.
    • There will be a lot of documents that will explore Hawkeye’s past before the events of A-Day.
    • We got a brief glimpse at the Wasteland, which includes a lot of easter eggs. The AIM robots have new designs and are just working on an old protocol. The main story is the team looking for information on the Kree to stop the invasion in the past. New biomes were briefly teased.
    • When you switch out of the new Wasteland biome, the Quinjet will be hit by a wave of Tachyon energy.
    • The robot Roy seems to have taken over JARVIS’s role in the post-apocalyptic future.

     

    Marvel's Avengers game DLC: Hawkeye, Spider-Man, Black Panther, and more | GamesRadar+

    • They reworked a lot of the system to make them work with PlayStation 5’s haptic feedback. Each hero has a unique effect, such as Clint’s Dead Eye ability adding pressure.
    • They mentioned the Marvel Cinematic Universe skins, but they can’t announce anything currently.
    • Loot 2.0 is still getting worked on, and they will communicate it as soon as they nailed it down.

     

    In chat, Crystal Dynamics has once again pointed out that they are committed to years of content for Marvel’s Avengers, and they are working on a lot of things at the moment. The Hawkeye showcase was fantastic, as they teased some incredibly-looking moves that will make the character stand out. I cannot wait to return to the game next week and explore his abilities and the Wasteland.

    Source: Twitch

  • Haley Bennett Joins Eli Roth’s ‘Borderlands’ Film

    Haley Bennett Joins Eli Roth’s ‘Borderlands’ Film

    The Borderlands film has been a shock to many. There is a negative stigma surrounding the very idea of video game movies. There have been exceptions, but their track record hasn’t been motivating. Maybe in the coming years, that’ll finally change. Something feels different with this one. The film has managed to acquire a large cast for what’s sure to be a volatile and deranged adventure on the planet of Pandora. We recently broke the exclusive on the film seeking an aged-up version of the popular character, Mad Moxxi. Now, it seems that they are expanding with a brand new character

    The Hillbilly Elegy and The Devil All The Time star Haley Bennett has officially joined the production. She will play a brand new character. According to the description, she will be “the key to Cate Blanchett’s character, Lillith.” For those who don’t know, Lillith is a being with incredible and mysterious powers. She belongs to the famous Sirens, who are covered in tattoos. It is also interesting to note that only six can exist at a time. As IGN points out, Bennet could get connected to how Lillith gains her abilities. It is also interesting that they

    Borderlands is set to be directed by Eli Roth, with a star-studded cast that includes Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Florian Monteau, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Ariana Greenblat. Plot details are currently under wraps, but considering it’s a Borderlands movie, we’ll probably see them crack a vault or two.

    Source: IGN

  • ‘MORTAL KOMBAT’: First Look at Kabal Revealed

    ‘MORTAL KOMBAT’: First Look at Kabal Revealed

    Another fighter has entered the tournament. The upcoming Mortal Kombat reboot has officially revealed the first full look at Kabal. He sneakily is in a new group shot banner that was released on Twitter to advertise the film. The image appears to divide the film’s characters of the movie into heroes and villains. Naturally, Kabal rounds out the dark side of the picture. He was previously one of the only confirmed characters not to get a poster. He was even in the trailer in a blink-or-you’ll-miss-it cameo. There, he appeared to be facing off against the jaws of Liu Kang’s famous dragon fatality. If that scene plays out anything like the video games, it probably means we won’t see Kabal in a hypothetical sequel.

     

     

    First introduced in Mortal Kombat 3, Kabal is a mercenary who works for the lethal Black Dragon organization alongside fellow scumbag Kano. Whether this will play a role in the movie remains to be seen, but the first look confirms that he’ll at least wield his signature hook swords. Kabal is also known for his quick feet, often combining his super-speed with his deadly blades to great effect.

    The character joins the likes of Sisi Stringer‘s Mileena and Joe Taslim‘s Sub-Zero as part of Shang Tsung’s antagonistic crew for the movie adaptation. If it’s still unknown who is playing the masked killer. One might assume that if the role is as minor as marketing makes it out to be, the character could be portrayed by a stunt actor of some kind.

    Source: Twitter

  • ‘Creed II’s Florian Munteanu Joins ‘Borderlands’

    ‘Creed II’s Florian Munteanu Joins ‘Borderlands’

    It looks like Borderlands isn’t quite done casting for its upcoming film. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Eli Roth-led project has found its next major addition in Florian Munteanu, who played Viktor Drago in Creed II. He will play Krieg, who is the bodyguard of the explosive expert Tiny Tina. She has also recently been cast with Ariana Greenblatt set to take on the role. Roth gave the following statement on his casting:

    Florian brings real humanity and multiple layers to a character who on the surface seems totally insane and brutally savage. Krieg was by far the most difficult role to cast, and Florian brought him to life and grounded him in a way that I didn’t know was possible. He’s going to be a brilliant Krieg and will fit in perfectly with our incredible cast.

    He certainly is a perfect choice for the part. The 6’4, 235-pound actor is the perfect choice to bring this giant to life and will be even more intimidating standing next to Tiny Tina. Currently, the production is eyeing a start in mid-April in Hungary, s we might see other castings get announced in the coming weeks. It already is star-studded with Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Jack Black all joining the production. The film will adapt the popular gaming franchise, which was created by Gearbox Software and 2K. It is still uncertain which storyline they might be adapting from the games, or if this will be a unique take. Hopefully, we will get some more details as we near production.

    Source: The Hollywood Reporter