Slow week, might as well get to it.
Marvel is looking to translate some of their recent film success into the gaming world. Normally licensed gaming news is met with a groaning smile. Of course we want that Deadpool or Spider-Man game that may or may not coincide with a film release. But it’s usually so bad that we can’t stand playing when it comes out. TQ Jefferson, head of Marvel Entertainment’s gaming division, highlighted a plan to remove the groaning part of your smile. Speaking to Polygon, Jefferson said “Marvel’s overall success in film and TV and other lines of business, means that Marvel is now attracting better partners in the gaming space.” He continued, saying they’re “talking to people now who have strong vision and great teams that can actually execute, and we’re not as concerned with hitting a date [film launch] and wanting to hold out for quality and have things go out when we’re ready.” This should lead to “smarter, more interconnected experiences” and “more interconnected narratives” within the Marvel game experiences. They are also being much more selective and measured in how [they] approach partnerships,” “pushing more quality now than… ever… in the past and if that means fewer games, that means fewer games.” They’re “aiming to [hit] a high quality bar and [hold] [them]selves to a higher standard.” This seems like good news to me. It almost sounds like they’re applying the Marvel movie model to the Marvel game industry.
The update to Ultra Street Fighter IV comes with a varied selection of new content. There are the five new characters, the usual balancing fixes, and a couple other intriguing add-ons. In the new “Local Battle Log” option you’ll be able to watch your last 10 fights, offline. They can also be uploaded to YouTube. There is also an elimination Team-Battle mode, online training mode, and Edition Select. The digital expansion and new retail release will be coming in June 2014.
Planning to pick up Wolfenstein: The New Order when it releases May 20, 2014? Start cleaning up some hard disk space, this one’s going to be huge. On PS3, you’ll need 17GB for a PSN download or 8GB for a mandatory disc install. Xbox 360 has similar requirements, but that 8GB mandatory install is just the first of four discs! Next-gen versions are even heftier, requiring 47GB installs on PS4 and XB1.
Like I said, slow week. Okay for me, I’m still obsessed with inFamous Second Son. It’s very good. Come back Friday for more news from the week.