Scope out a few of the news stories from the game industry this week, hand-picked from across the world of games.
Tokyo Game Show 2020 to Go Digital
Source: Engadget
“This year’s Tokyo Game Show has been officially canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. It definitely doesn’t come as a surprise, seeing as Game Developers Conference and other big gaming and tech events for 2020 had to be scrapped in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Social distancing at huge conferences would be impossible, after all, especially since going to TGS’ usual venue (Makuhari Messe) usually means having to take Tokyo’s packed trains.
“Due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on a global scale and the situation remains unpredictable in Japan as well, the organizer and the co-organizers have reached this decision after a long consideration to place the utmost priority on the health and safety of visitors, exhibitors and stakeholders. We ask for your kind understanding and cooperation,” the organizers said in a statement.”
Expect to see an online event alternative for the TGS event to be offered, but details about it, including timing and content, should be expected later in May.
Microsoft Xbox Series X Online Reveal Shows Off First-ever Game Footage
Source: The Verge
“After months of hardware reveals, spec reveals, and hype, Microsoft is finally doing a proper first look at gameplay footage for its upcoming next-gen console, the Xbox Series X, showing off gameplay from 13 games that will be headed to the console this fall.
Before you get too excited, the trailers showed off come from a variety of third-party games, the biggest of which are Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Madden 21, which had already been announced to arrive on the Series X this fall. Bigger reveals — like Halo Infinite, which is expected to be the flagship launch title for the new console — won’t come until a later event planned for July.”
Apple’s Virtual Worldwide Developer Conference to Kick off June 22
Source: Apple blog
Apple is one of the big tech companies going forward with a virtual event in 2020. While platform rival Google (with their Android platform) has nixed its developer-focused Google I/O conference this year, Apple has decided to proceed with their developer’s event — virtually.
“Apple today announced it will host its annual Worldwide Developers Conference virtually, beginning June 22, in the Apple Developer app and on the Apple Developer website for free for all developers. The company also announced the Swift Student Challenge, an opportunity for student developers to showcase their love of coding by creating their own Swift playground. Now in its 31st year, WWDC20 will be an opportunity for millions of creative and innovative developers around the world to get early access to the future of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS, and to learn from Apple engineers as they work to build app experiences that enrich the lives of Apple customers around the globe.”
A Summer of Gaming Event
Source: Hollywood Reporter
As long-standing events are cancelled, some digital-facing event organizers are going for new ways of creating events to fill in the void of no E3 2020. Last week, we mentioned GameSpot’s event intended to accomplish the same objective. This week, we’re looking at the months-long Summer Game Fest:
“With the summer’s largest video game convention, Los Angeles’ E3, officially canceled, several major gaming companies have come together to launch Summer Game Fest, a four-month rollout of news, announcements, playable demos of upcoming games, interviews, panels and more from leading developers and publishers.”
Apple customers around the globe.”
Nintendo Shows Strong Sales, But the Near Future is Less Bright
Source: The Japan Times
Nintendo “forecast a 15 percent decline in operating profit, a drop in Switch console sales to 19 million and a fall in software sales to 140 million. …
In the last quarter, helped by global home confinement enforced by the virus, Nintendo’s operating profit tripled to ¥89.5 billion ($842 million) while its Animal Crossing: New Horizons title soared to 13.4 million sales in its first six weeks on sale. That helped Nintendo sell 21 million Switches in the year ended March, beating its own estimate and Morningstar Research’s expectation of roughly 20 million units.”
Remember MicroProse? The Studio Behind Civilization and XCOM is Returning
Source: Shacknews
“MicroProse used to be an undeniable force in the PC gaming world. The former juggernaut had publishing rights that helped launch the original XCOM (then UFO: Enemy Unknown), Master of Orion, and Sid Meier’s Civilization and Pirates! just to name a few. The publisher shut its doors and has been out of the game since the early 2000s, but it seems MicroProse is back from the dead. It’s announced its return with the promise of three new upcoming games.
MicroProse announced its relaunch on May 5, 2020, alongside a fresh slate of upcoming military games focused on land, sea, and air combat.”
Do you have interesting news to share, or something coming up that would also fit into this regular feature? Let us know!
