Apex Legends 2 Not Coming

In a recent earnings call, EA’s CEO Andrew Wilson confirmed that Apex Legends 2 is not currently part of the company’s plans. He explained that sequels to successful live-service games often underperform, citing Overwatch 2 and New State Mobile as examples. Players are reluctant to leave behind their progress and investment in the original game. Instead of launching a sequel, EA and Respawn will continue to innovate and update Apex Legends, bringing fresh experiences without the need for a new installment. The focus will remain on engaging the existing community and keeping the game feeling new.

The Day Before's Controversial Decision

The developers of The Day Before, Fantastic, recently announced a “volunteer opportunity” for fans to design new levels for the game. However, there will be no compensation for this work. Those whose designs are selected will have their names featured with the map and will receive a free copy of the game. This decision has drawn criticism, as unpaid work in the gaming industry is a controversial topic. Many volunteers contributed to the game’s development last year without pay, and The Day Before became one of the most poorly received games of that year.

Indus Game Major Update

Indus has rolled out a major update, which includes a ranked mode, color presets for the visual style, and a new home screen. The update introduces new avatars such as a demon, black cat, and snake, as well as new weapons like the Shahi Khanda and Naga Shakti. Additional content like stickers, dive trails, emotes, and portraits has also been added. There are several fixes, including improvements to Cosmium VFX and Aim Assistant. Vehicle and backpack capacities have been increased, and slipper damage has been boosted. Other performance improvements have also been made. A major graphical update is expected by the end of the year, according to Robbie Sir.

Marvel's Wolverine Facing Development Challenges

It appears that Marvel’s Wolverine, the next game from Insomniac, is experiencing some development challenges. Recently, director Brian Horton and art director have left the project to work on Perfect Dark for Xbox. However, industry insider Jeff Grubb reassured fans, stating there’s no cause for concern. He speculated that more details about the game will be revealed during The Game Awards on December 12, 2024. The game is still expected to launch in 2025.

GTA 6-Themed Firecrackers

In India, counterfeit and illegal items are not uncommon, and this Diwali, firecrackers themed around GTA 6 have gone viral. A Reddit user shared an image of a firecracker box featuring a GTA 6 design, likely capitalizing on the game’s hype. This reflects the massive fanbase for GTA in India, as the game is highly anticipated. Interestingly, firecrackers themed around Red Dead Redemption have also been spotted, showing how deeply pop culture intersects with everyday products.

New Games of November 2024

Several new games are releasing in November 2024, including:

  • November 12: Farming Simulator 22
  • November 14: Lego Horizon Adventures
  • November 19: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
  • November 20: Stalker 2
  • November 21: Total War Empires Mobile

There are also several smaller titles releasing this month, although none are as significant as those from October, which is still ongoing.

PUBG Studio’s New 5v5 Shooter Game

PUBG Studios has unveiled a new 5v5 shooter game called Project Ark. This team-based multiplayer shooter emphasizes strategic gameplay, unique character abilities, and tactical mechanics. The game will feature real-time shared vision, different types of weapons and gadgets, as well as close-quarters combat mechanics that allow players to disrupt their opponents’ line of sight. While no release date has been announced yet, it’s one to watch for fans of team-based shooters.

Rockstar Teases Big Update for GTA 5

Rockstar Games has shared details of an upcoming DLC for GTA Online. This update will feature the Darnell Brothers taking over a garment factory, offering new missions and heists. Additionally, a major performance update for the PC version of GTA Online will be released in early 2025. The update will include improvements like ray tracing, higher resolutions, better traffic density, and enhanced textures. This update will be free of charge and is designed to improve visuals and performance, particularly for newer hardware. A leak also recently hinted at GTA 9, although the reason for the delay of this update remains unclear. It’s likely Rockstar is focusing on boosting sales for the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions of GTA 5 before the arrival of GTA 6.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard's Controversial Launch

Dragon Age: The Veilguard has sparked controversy following its release. One major issue arose when Bioware did not send review copies to creators and press members who had criticized the game. This has led to speculation about whether it was due to negative feedback or simply a marketing strategy. Despite the controversy, the game has garnered a mix of positive and negative reviews. Some critics within the community have labeled the game “woke” due to its diverse and inclusive avatars, but former Bioware creative director David Gaider defended the series, stating that it has always been progressive. The game has performed well on Steam, with over 70,000 concurrent players on launch day, far surpassing Dragon Age: Inquisition’s 5,000 players. It is now one of the best-selling games on Steam, though its performance on Xbox and PlayStation has not yet been reported.

The Oregon Trail Movie

Apple has announced an action-comedy film based on the classic 1970s computer game The Oregon Trail. The movie will be directed by Will Speck and Josh Gordon, known for Blades of Glory and Office Christmas Party. The screenplay will be written by Oscar-winning duo The Lucas Brothers and Max Riesman, with original music by Emmy-winning composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. The movie will follow the journey of 19th-century pioneers and will include several musical numbers.

Amazon Prime's Tomb Raider Series

Casting has begun for Amazon Prime’s live-action Tomb Raider series, with Sophie Turner and Lucy Burton reportedly being considered for the role of Lara Croft. The series will be written by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who will also serve as executive producer.

Ubisoft's Disappointing Results

Ubisoft’s financial results for FY25 have been disappointing, with a 22% drop in net bookings. As a result, the company has implemented cost-cutting measures, including job layoffs and a hiring freeze. There has been increasing speculation that Tencent could acquire Ubisoft, which could change the company’s trajectory moving forward.

Remedy Entertainment Games Update

Remedy Entertainment has provided an update on their ongoing projects. The development and marketing costs for Alan Wake 2 have already been covered, although royalties have yet to arrive. Other projects include FBC Firebreak, which is in full production and expected to release in 2025, and Control 2, which is in the production readiness stage with full production set to begin in 2025. The remakes of Max Payne 1 and Max Payne 2 are also in full production, though no release dates have been set.

Stalker 2 PC Requirements

The minimum PC requirements for Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl have been revealed:

  • OS: Windows 10 or 11
  • CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 or Intel Core i5
  • RAM: 8 GB
  • Storage: 150 GB SSD

Players will need a robust system to run this highly anticipated game.

Netflix's December 2024 Games

Netflix has announced a slate of 7 new games for its Winter 2024 lineup, bringing its total gaming library to 100 titles. New additions include Rollercoaster Tycoon Touch and Monument Valley 3, further expanding Netflix’s offerings in the gaming space.

Krafton India Supporting Startups

BGMI publisher Krafton India has partnered with IMM Investment to support the growth of startups in India. Both companies will invest in Indian startups, fostering innovation and growth in the gaming and tech sectors.