Nintendo Switch World Premiere!

Nintendo Switch World Premiere Demonstrates 

New Entertainment Experiences from a Home Gaming System

Detachable Controllers Reinvent Gaming

In an introductory video released (http://www.nintendo.com/switch), Nintendo provided the first glimpse of its new home gaming system and revealed that it is called Nintendo Switch. In addition to providing single and multiplayer thrills at home, the Nintendo Switch system also enables gamers to play the same title wherever, whenever and with whomever they choose. The mobility of a handheld is now added to the power of a home gaming system to enable unprecedented new video game play styles.

At home, Nintendo Switch rests in the Nintendo Switch Dock that connects the system to the TV and lets you play with family and friends in the comfort of your living room. By simply lifting Nintendo Switch from the dock, the system will instantly transition to portable mode, and the same great gaming experience that was being enjoyed at home now travels with you. The portability of Nintendo Switch is enhanced by its bright high-definition display. It brings the full home gaming system experience with you to the park, on an airplane, in a car, or to a friend’s apartment.

Gaming springs into action by removing detachable Joy-Con controllers from either side of Nintendo Switch. One player can use a Joy-Con controller in each hand; two players can each take one; or multiple Joy-Con can be employed by numerous people for a variety of gameplay options. They can easily click back into place or be slipped into a Joy-Con Grip accessory, mirroring a more traditional controller. Or, if preferred, the gamer can select an optional Nintendo Switch Pro Controller to use instead of the Joy-Con controllers. Furthermore, it is possible for numerous people to bring their Nintendo Switch systems together to enjoy local multiplayer face-to-face competition.

“Nintendo Switch allows gamers the freedom to play however they like,” said Reggie Fils-Aime, President and COO, Nintendo of America. “It gives game developers new abilities to bring their creative visions to life by opening up the concept of gaming without boundaries.”

Developers can design their games supporting a variety of play styles, which gives gamers the freedom to choose an experience that best suits them. Some of the publishers, developers and middleware partners announcing support for Nintendo Switch are as follows:

• 505 Games		• LEVEL-5 Inc.
• Activision Publishing, Inc.		• Marvelous Inc.
• ARC SYSTEM WORKS Co., Ltd.		• Maximum Games, LLC
• ATLUS CO., LTD.		• Nippon Ichi Software, Inc.
• Audiokinetic Inc.		• Parity Bit Inc.
• Autodesk, Inc.		• PlatinumGames Inc.
• BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.		• RAD Game Tools, Inc.
• Bethesda		• RecoChoku Co., Ltd.
• CAPCOM CO., LTD.		• SEGA Games Co., Ltd.
• Codemasters®		• Silicon Studio Corporation
• CRI Middleware Co., Ltd.		• Spike Chunsoft Co., Ltd.
• DeNA Co., Ltd.		• SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD.
• Electronic Arts		• Starbreeze Studios
• Epic Games Inc.		• Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
• Firelight Technologies		• Telltale Games
• FromSoftware, Inc.		• THQ Nordic
• Frozenbyte		• Tokyo RPG Factory Co., Ltd.
• GameTrust		• TT Games
• GRASSHOPPER MANUFACTURE INC.		• UBISOFT
• Gungho Online Entertainment, Inc.		• Ubitus Inc.
• HAMSTER Corporation		• Unity Technologies, Inc.
• Havok		• Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
• INTI CREATES CO., LTD.		• Web Technology Corp
• KOEI TECMO GAMES CO., LTD.
• Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.

The video incorporated short glimpses of representative gameplay to demonstrate the liberating nature of the Nintendo Switch home gaming system. Full game demonstrations, the list of launch window titles, as well as launch date, price, product configuration and related specifics, will be shown and announced prior to the March launch.

Fangirl Thoughts: 

The new console looks great and it looks like what the Wii U was supposed to be - Portable. It truly makes it easy for you to take your full game on the road and then reconnect it once you get home. I do wonder about battery life and how much the game will be changed because of the smaller system. However I think it is a great idea. 

I do also wonder will I have to buy the same game for my Wii U and Switch system seperately or will there be special editions in which they are packaged together for a better price then buying them seperately. I believe that would be a great approach. I believe I will buy this but unless there is something truly special about it I plan to buy Zelda for the Wii U. 

What did you think about this teaser trailer (because lets be honest that is what it is) and do you plan on picking one up?

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FILM ROMAN OPTIONS “THIS MODERN WORLD BY TOM TOMORROW” FOR ANIMATED TV SERIES

Phil Roman and Jeff Segal will executive produce

Film Roman announced that it has acquired an option to adapt “This Modern World by Tom Tomorrow,” the long-running, award-winning comic strip written and inked by Dan Perkins, as an episodic animated series.

“This Modern World by Tom Tomorrow” has been carried by publications across the country for more than twenty-five years, appearing in the New York Times, The New Yorker, Spin, Mother Jones, Esquire, The Economist and The American Prospect.

Perkins said, “Film Roman is the ideal company to produce a series based on the strip, considering its immensely successful track record over the years.”

Steve Waterman, CEO of Film Roman, said, “We are exceptionally pleased and excited to be working with Dan to adapt his fiercely insightful and hilarious strip for television or digital. With its large and enthusiastic following, it’s a show that could work in a broadcast, cable or streaming environment, and we’re going to explore all of those options.”

The highly-respected IDW Publishing will also release two new “This Modern World by Tom Tomorrow” compilations this month – as trade paperbacks featuring TomTomorrow strips from the last three years, as well as a massive two-volume “This Modern World” hardcover career retrospective covering the last quarter century.

Executive producing will be legendary animator Phil Roman, who founded Film Roman and is known for such hits as How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Garfield, Bobby’s World, and his work on The Simpsons, King of The Hill, and Peanutsspecials.

Executive producer Jeff Segal is in charge of developing “This Modern World” for Film Roman. Jeff Segal, former president of Universal Cartoon Studios and vice president of Hanna-Barbera. According to Segal “The show, targeting essentially the same demographic as The Simpsons, will tackle hot button social and political issues, with Dan’s trademark brand of rapier wit and edgy satire.”

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Neil Gaiman’s award-winning novel to be adapted into comic series in 2017

Dark Horse is excited to announce the adaptation of American Gods into comic book form. Originally published in 2001 by William Morrow and Headline, American Gods is a Hugo and Nebula Award–winning novel by Neil Gaiman (How to Talk to Girls at Parties, The Sandman). North American rights were acquired from Gaiman’s literary agent, Merrilee Heifetz at Writers House. American Godsis the latest Gaiman adaptation from Dark Horse, preceded by graphic novel adaptations of How to Talk to Girls at Parties, Troll Bridge, Forbidden Brides, and many more. Starz will also premiere an American Gods TV show in spring 2017, adapted by Bryan Fuller (NBC's Hannibal, CBS’s Star Trek: Discovery).

Dark Horse tapped P. Craig Russell (The Sandman: The Dream Hunters)—who, having worked on Coraline and The Graveyard Book, is no stranger to adapting Neil Gaiman’s work—to adapt and co-write the comic series, while Scott Hampton (Hellboy, Batman) lends his illustrative skills to the complex world Gaiman created. Glenn Fabry (Preacher) and Adam Brown (Predator vs. Judge Dredd vs. Aliens) create the hauntingly beautiful cover art. David Mack (Kabuki, Fight Club 2) and Dave McKean (Black Dog, Cages) provide variant covers for the first issue. The American Gods comic series will feature guest interior art by Walt Simonson (Thor), Mark Buckingham (Fables), Colleen Doran (The Sandman), P. Craig Russell, and more.

American Gods creator Neil Gaiman explained his excitement for the upcoming American Gods adaptations: “There’s a tremendous amount of excitement, in my house and in the world, about the American Gods TV series coming up on Starz. What we’ve managed to keep a secret until now is that there is something just as exciting out there: American Gods, the comic. I’ve been watching P. Craig Russell breaking down the book into comic form, watching Scott Hampton painting the pages, watching Glenn Fabry create the covers, and grinning to myself with delight, because the American Gods comic is going to be an astonishing, faithful, and beautiful adaptation.”

American Gods: Shadows #1 finds Shadow Moon released from jail only to discover his wife has died. Broken and uncertain about his future, Shadow Moon meets the mysterious Mr. Wednesday, who employs him to serve as his bodyguard. This fateful decision thrusts Shadow into a deadly supernatural world where ghosts of the past come back from the dead, and a brewing war between old and new gods hits a boiling point.

Dark Horse will adapt American Gods into twenty-seven single issues with three story arcs: Shadows, My Ainsel, and The Moment of the Storm, to be collected into three hardcover graphic novels. The first issue of American Gods: Shadows goes on sale March 15, 2017.

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Action-Packed Resident Evil Hits Ship 1.5 Million Units Worldwide

Capcom has confirmed that this year’s re-releases of the Resident Evil series’ hits (Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil 5 and Resident Evil 6) for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One have collectively shipped more than 1.5 million units worldwide. In North America, where the games have been released at both retail and digitally, the games have passed more than 1 million units in total. Resident Evil is Capcom’s highest selling series with more than 69 million total units sold to date.

Each of the re-release games is available now at retail and digitally in North America with all DLC included for MSRP $19.99. The games have also been available as digital releases in Europe for MSRP €19.99 / £15.99, and retail versions will be coming in December.

Capcom would like to thank all the fans that have celebrated the series’ 20th anniversary by playing these releases. Capcom hopes you all look forward to a new era of survival horror in the terrifyingly intense Resident Evil 7 biohazard when it hits on January 24, 2017 for PlayStation 4 (with the included optional PlayStation VR Mode), Xbox One and Windows PC (Steam and Windows 10 Store).

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Gears of War and Universal Pictures movie partnership announcement

During the Gears of War Live broadcast, The Coalition Studio Head Rod Fergusson announced that Universal Pictures has optioned motion picture rights to Microsoft Studios’ iconic “Gears of War” franchise, based on the Xbox video game series.

Scott Stuber (“Ted” series, “Central Intelligence”) and Dylan Clark (“Planet of the Apes” series, “Oblivion”) will produce for their Universal-based Bluegrass Films. In addition, Executive Vice President of Production Jon Mone will oversee the project for Universal and Senior Vice President Jay Ireland will oversee for Bluegrass.

“Gears of War” franchise background:

• · “Gears of War” is one of the most celebrated sagas in videogame history. The franchise defined the first-generation of HD gaming upon its release and has since gone on to exceed to exceed $1 billion in grosses with over 45 million players worldwide. 
• · Microsoft acquired the “Gears of War” series in 2014 and co-creator Rod Fergusson returned to lead The Coalition, the Microsoft development studio focused exclusively on Gears of War. 
• · “Gears of War Ultimate Edition,” a remake of the landmark original, was recently released for Xbox One and Windows 10. It has over 3 million players since 2015, with over half new to the franchise.
• · “Gears of War 4” is set for launch on October 11, 2016 as Microsoft’s blockbuster Holiday tent pole release for Xbox One and Windows 10.

“Gears of War” by the numbers:

• · $1 billion gross revenue
• · 45 million unique users
• · 27 million copies sold
• · 2.3 billion hours played
• · 510+ industry awards and nominations

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Video Game and Entertainment Icon Celebrates Two Decades of Adventures in Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration

The Ultimate Rise of the Tomb Raider Experience Features New Story Chapter, New Co-Op Endurance Gameplay, Limited Edition Art Book, and In-Game Content Honoring Classic Lara Croft Games


Square Enix®, Crystal Dynamics®, and Nixxes Software today announced that Rise of the Tomb Raider®: 20 Year Celebration™ is now available for the PlayStation®4. In addition, the new content will be available for Xbox One and PC Season Pass owners. InRise of the Tomb Raider, Lara becomes more than a survivor, and embarks on her first Tomb Raiding expedition in search of the secret of immortality. She’ll explore a vast and hostile world, engage in guerilla combat, and discover deadly tombs.

Watch the launch trailer for Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration and view an infographic for the Year of Tomb Raider.

“Tomb Raider is one of Square Enix’s crowning achievements, and I am proud of the many adventures we’ve taken with Lara Croft over the years, particularly with Rise of the Tomb Raider,” said Yosuke Matsuda, president and representative director of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. “We plan to continue Lara’s enduring legacy by exploring new and innovative ways for players to experience her character and story.”

Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration is the most comprehensive version of the award-winning experience, and includes Rise of the Tomb Raider, along with a host of completely new content such as the new story chapter “Blood Ties,” “Lara’s Nightmare” zombie combat mode, PlayStation® VR support for “Blood Ties,” co-op Endurance gameplay, an “Extreme Survivor” difficulty, five classic Lara skins, and an outfit and weapon inspired by TR III. It also includes all of the previously released downloadable content such as the critically acclaimed “Baba Yaga: The Temple of the Witch,” “Cold Darkness Awakened,” 12 outfits, seven weapons, multiple Expedition Card packs, and more.

“Our development team has crafted the ultimate package in Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration,” said Scot Amos, Co-Head of Studio at Crystal Dynamics. “The game and all of the new additions delivers something for every gamer with an epic single-player story, survival co-op action, and a fully immersive virtual reality story chapter.”

After uncovering an ancient mystery, Lara must explore the most treacherous and remote regions of Siberia to find the secret of immortality before a ruthless organization known as Trinity beats her to it. Faced with the mysterious Remnant leader Jacob, the constant threats of Trinity's leader Konstantin, and driven by her Father’s unfinished legacy, Lara must become the Tomb Raider she is destined to be.

“Being a part of Tomb Raider history has been such an honor for the team,” said Ron Rosenberg, Co-Head of Studio at Crystal Dynamics. “We’re excited to share this journey with our fans, in what has become the Year of Tomb Raider.”

Since her first appearance in 1996 in the original Tomb Raider from Core® Design, Lara Croft® has trekked more than 25 countries and revolutionized the way the gaming community perceives lead characters in video games. Lara is an intrepid, empowered adventurer who must rely on her skills and intelligence not only to unravel ancient mysteries but also to survive in the most treacherous environments.

Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration is now available in all major retail stores in North America at a suggested retail price of MSRP $59.99. As a special launch week bonus, Square Enix is awarding everyone who logs in and plays Rise of the Tomb Raider on any available platform with 100,000 in-game credits, with which players can purchase Expedition Cards to be used in a variety of replay modes.

To date, the critically acclaimed Rise of the Tomb Raider has received more than 85 “Best of” nominations, winning more than 30 awards.

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