The summer appears to be marching on with little to no indication that the heat is going to let up anytime soon, so what better way to mark that than to stay indoors and read all about gaming news?
We jest, of course; if you’re the kind of lizard who can enjoy the hot weather, then more power to you. We find ourselves somewhat more disposed to remain inside, away from the scorching rays of the sun, and if that’s you as well, then why not join us?
Grab a drink (iced, natch), pull up a comfy chair, and let’s take a look at what’s been going on in the world of gaming this week. The only thing that’s hot in here is the presses (yes, awful, we know).
Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced sold three million copies in its first week
Ubisoft announced this week that Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced, the remake of the hugely popular 2013 pirate adventure, has hit a major sales milestone already.
The game has managed to reach three million sales, and it did so within its first week of release. That’s a pretty impressive figure, and it might give Ubisoft pause with regards to future moves by the series.
Black Flag Resynced’s future looks bright, too, with New Game Plus mode on the way in the coming weeks. Prepare to revisit the high seas once again!
It looks like component prices aren’t getting any better
In a rather doom-laden prophecy shared with Bloomberg this week, Valve engineer Yazan Aldehayyat predicted that the current component price crisis, which is driving up prices across the industry, will get worse.
Aldehayyat was talking specifically about the Steam Machine in this instance, but the component price is affecting electronics across the board, so don’t expect consoles to get any cheaper anytime soon either.
Just in case you’re wondering what it’s all for, the components are being snapped up by companies looking to build AI data centres and the like. We’re sure it’ll somehow all be worth it in the end (cough).
The Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake could be due a re-reveal this year
Whatever happened to the Knights of the Old Republic remake that was announced back in 2021? If you’re anything like us, you’ve been wondering that for a while, but you may not have to wonder much longer.
As reported by Star Wars news platform Bespin Bulletin, a reliable Star Wars insider has shared news that the remake is about to be re-revealed and could be ready for release sooner rather than later.
We certainly hope so, although we’re pretty sure that, given the run-up to release and the amount of love there is for Knights of the Old Republic, the remake is somewhat bound to disappoint. Let’s hope not, though!
DC is making a fighting game, and it’s called DCKO
There’s a brand new DC fighting game on the way, but don’t get too excited just yet: it’s going to be a mobile-based free-to-play title rather than a full-fat premium console and PC release. We guess we’ll just keep hoping for that Marvel vs. DC game.
It’s called – and don’t snigger when we tell you this – DCKO, which, as you’ve probably already guessed, folks online have affectionately taken to calling “DICKO”. Consider us absolutely sold on that basis alone.
In any case, it’ll pack some fun characters in its roster, including heavy hitters like Batman, Harley Quinn, and Bane (and, we’re assured, some characters who aren’t explicitly from the Batman property).
Darkest Dungeon is getting new DLC ten years after launch
Yes, you read that right. Darkest Dungeon (and not sequel Darkest Dungeon 2) is getting a new DLC pack in August, and it’ll serve as the game’s first DLC addition since 2020.
The Fire’s Edge will introduce two heroes from the sequel into the first game, namely the Duelist and the Runaway, and it’ll add extra combat mechanics and new districts to the Hamlet as well.
If you haven’t yet had your fill of Darkest Dungeon’s maddeningly addictive and frustrating gameplay loop, then this should give you a good reason to head back in. Of course, it’s not going to fundamentally change the game, so if you weren’t a fan the first time around, don’t expect this to change your mind.
Xbox is sailing the preservation ship again with Xbox Backward Compatibility on PC
A new Xbox Wire post this week heralded the introduction of Xbox Backward Compatibility on PC, a new initiative that seeks to preserve some of the original Xbox’s most iconic classics (and Blinx the Time Sweeper) for PC players.
The first four games to be introduced as part of this program are as follows:
- Blinx: The Time Sweeper
- Conker: Live and Reloaded
- Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge
- Fuzion Frenzy
All four of these games are now available to buy on PC, and if you’re a Game Pass member (no matter which plan you’re on), you’ll get access to them for as long as you’re subscribed as well.
If you’re remembering just how rough these games looked on the original Xbox, don’t worry; you can upscale them, toggle Vsync, and more, so you should be able to get them looking acceptable, at least.
Tomb Raider: Catalyst isn’t coming until 2028
In more news that demonstrates the gaming industry is absolutely doing fine and everything is completely normal, Amazon gaming boss Jeffrey Gattis told The Game Business this week that Tomb Raider: Catalyst has been delayed until 2028.
Of course, Gattis didn’t break the news as a delay; instead, he simply casually told The Game Business’ Chris Dring that Catalyst will “follow on in 2028” from upcoming remake Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, which is due early next year.
Originally, Catalyst was planned for release next year as well, but it looks as though Amazon might be struggling with its latest entries in the Tomb Raider franchise. Here’s hoping this is the last delay we’ll hear about for the game.
