Significant Video Game Releases in History (Week of July 9-15)

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14 July, 2023

The Curse of Monkey Island — Title Screen of Curse of Monkey Island

In the dynamic world of video gaming, certain releases have remarkably etched their names into the annals of history, each shaping the industry in unique ways. This article revisits some notable video game releases that happened during the week of July 9-15, presenting a chronological narrative from the recent past to the golden oldies.

Initiating our journey, we dive into the vibrant world of Pokémon Go, released on July 6, 2016. Developed by Niantic in collaboration with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company, this innovative mobile game seamlessly blended the virtual and real worlds. Pokémon Go kick-started a global phenomenon, exemplifying the potential of augmented reality in creating widespread social interaction.

Moving forward, we witness the emotionally-driven narrative of The Last of Us: Left Behind, 4 hours long DLC to the original game, released as a standalone game on July 14, 2015. Brought to life by Naughty Dog, this post-apocalyptic experience pushed the boundaries of video game storytelling, its profound influence evident in many narrative-focused titles that followed.

Next, we delve into the open world of Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition, released on July 9, 2013. This rendition of the sandbox classic, developed by 4J Studios and published by Microsoft Studios, brought the creative marvel of Minecraft to a new generation of console gamers.

Our timeline then brings us to the captivating realm of Octopath Traveler, launched on July 13, 2018. A product of Square Enix’s ingenuity for the Nintendo Switch, this role-playing game melded modern and retro aesthetics, culminating in an unforgettable “HD-2D” visual style that was both innovative and nostalgically alluring.

Stepping further back in time, we land in the vibrant universe of Final Fantasy X, released in North America on July 19, 2001. This installment revolutionized the long-standing franchise with its fully-voiced characters and a distinctive character progression system, the “Sphere Grid”.

As we journey further into the past, we arrive at the influential battlegrounds of Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting, released in Japan on July 11, 1992. This version introduced game-changing mechanics and faster combat that would go on to shape the fighting genre for years to come.

Venturing deeper into the rich annals of gaming history, we encounter the innovative RPG EarthBound, launched in North America on July 14, 1995. This quirky classic traded traditional fantasy for a contemporary American setting, weaving a narrative filled with humor and heart.

Nearing the end of our timeline, we find Final Fantasy II – known as Final Fantasy IV in Japan – which made its debut in North America on July 12, 1991. The game introduced the dynamic “Active Time Battle” system, setting a new benchmark for role-playing games with its rich storytelling and immersive gameplay.

Finally, our journey concludes with the enduring charm of The Secret of Monkey Island, released on July 15, 1990. This timeless point-and-click adventure from Lucasfilm Games continues to enchant gamers with its challenging puzzles and unforgettable characters.

From the immersive world of Pokémon Go to the humorous narrative of Monkey Island, the week of July 9-15 has seen the birth of various gaming milestones that have indelibly influenced the industry’s landscape. While these titles span different eras, each serves as a pillar in the gaming world, continuously inspiring gamers and game developers alike.

The Incredible Journey of the Gulf War Game Boy: A Nintendo Relic Retires

By

Mat

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2 July, 2023

Unlikely Hero in a Game of War

The gaming world is filled with stories of consoles’ resilience, but none is as fascinating as that of the Nintendo Game Boy that survived an airstrike during the 1991 Gulf War. This rugged handheld, a testament to Nintendo’s extraordinary build quality, proved its mettle in the cauldron of war.

Amidst the perilous backdrop of the Gulf War, U.S. Army medic Stephan Scoggins found solace in the fascinating world of his Nintendo Game Boy. Small yet robust portable console served as a beacon of familiarity and relief amid a storm of uncertainty and conflict.

Testament to Resilience

Fate tested the Game Boy’s durability when Iraqi forces launched an airstrike on the U.S. base where it was stored. Despite being caught in the destructive storm, this console emerged battered but unbowed – its casing charred, its buttons melted, and its motherboard exposed.

After recovering the war-torn console, Scoggins returned it to Nintendo, hoping for a replacement. The technicians at Nintendo, astounded by the tale of survival, tested the console’s functionality, inserting a Tetris game cartridge. The console sprang to life, its distinctive ‘ping!’ echoing through the room – a triumphant melody of survival against the odds.

An Enduring Legacy

Nintendo replaced Scoggins’s console, preserving the battle-hardened Game Boy as a symbol of resilience. It found its place in Nintendo’s flagship store in Rockefeller Center, New York, where it played an eternal game of Tetris, captivating and inspiring visitors with its story.

This resilient Game Boy’s saga has woven itself into the fabric of Nintendo’s history, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to quality and durability. However, the tides of time have recently swept this console from the public view in the Nintendo New York store. According to a store worker, this resilient survivor has found a new home in Nintendo’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington.

As we bid farewell to its public display, the Game Boy’s legacy continues to inspire Nintendo enthusiasts around the globe. Its journey is a remarkable testament to Nintendo’s commitment to crafting durable and enduring gaming devices. This console may have retired from the public view, but its story of survival and resilience will always be a cherished part of Nintendo history.

References:

“The Gulf War Game Boy has officially been retired from Nintendo NYC”. Twitter post by VideoGameArt&Tidbits [https://twitter.com/VGArtAndTidbits]
Stilwell, Blake (2021). “The Game Boy That Survived an Iraqi Bombing During the Gulf War.” Military.com. [https://www.military.com/off-duty/games/game-boy-survived-iraqi-bombing-during-gulf-war.html]
“Game Boy that Survived a Bombing.” Atlas Obscura. [https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/gameboy-that-survived-a-bombing]

Diablo IV: 14 Wild Loot Drops Fans Have Found

By

Mat

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30 June, 2023

With so many skill trees and loot combinations, Diablo IV has no shortage of ways to eviscerate your foes and make them fear your mathematical superiority. Players are still finding all sorts of incredible Unique-rarity items, and certain of these weapons and armors are proving to be exceptionally worth hunting down.

Accidental Exposure of Sony’s PlayStation Secrets Amidst Microsoft’s FTC Hearing

By

Mat

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29 June, 2023

Sony's accidentally revealed document detailing PlayStation secrets. — Document Leak Reveals Sony's PlayStation Secrets

Sony has unintentionally provided a peek into its PlayStation operations. Amid the Federal Trade Commission’s ongoing examination of Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard, a document from PlayStation head Jim Ryan was mistakenly released. This document, intended to be redacted, shed light on Sony’s publisher margins, Call of Duty earnings, and the cost of creating some of its proprietary games.

Regrettably, the method of redaction – using a black Sharpie – proved insufficient. The document scan revealed the redacted information. While the court removed the document, it was downloaded and viewed by reporters and Sony’s competitors during its short time in the public domain.

Among the unveiled data, the document disclosed that Sony’s Horizon Forbidden West cost $212 million to develop over five years with 300 employees. The Last of Us Part II was produced with around 200 employees for $220 million.

Sony’s relationship with Call of Duty was also brought to light. The company claimed that one million PlayStation gamers exclusively play the Call of Duty franchise. The document also indicated that Call of Duty players spent an average of 116 hours per year on the game in 2021, with heavy users averaging 296 hours.

The disclosure of this data was Sony’s attempt to demonstrate the significant revenue impact if Call of Duty became an Xbox exclusive. Sony has consistently expressed concerns in various filings to regulators about Microsoft potentially monopolizing Call of Duty or sabotaging its PlayStation versions.

The financial impact was further detailed by accidentally revealing Call of Duty’s worth to PlayStation. The popular franchise accounted for $800 million of PlayStation’s revenue in the US alone in 2021, and it appears to have contributed $1.5 billion globally. Counting accessories, subscriptions, and related sales, the document suggests a total revenue of up to $15.9 billion annually.

The document also hinted at Sony’s revenue sharing with third-party publishers like Activision, with a possible typical margin of 10%. It also seemed to suggest that Sony’s own first-party games constituted around 14% of total PlayStation games sold.

In a surprising revelation, the document disclosed that Sony has only one more Call of Duty game as part of its exclusive marketing deal with Activision, set to be released in late 2023.

Moreover, Sony’s document revealed some intriguing statistics about console ownership. Almost half of PlayStation 5 owners in the US also own a Nintendo Switch. At the same time, less than 20% of PlayStation 5 owners also have an Xbox Series X or S. This data provides crucial context for the FTC and Microsoft’s ongoing debate over whether the Switch competes directly with the Xbox and PS5.

Sony isn’t alone in this series of unintentional revelations, though. Earlier this week, a confidential Microsoft document exposed all the company’s intended Xbox acquisition targets. The document has since been replaced with a heavily redacted version.

Stay tuned for more insights as this intriguing story unfolds, providing rare insights into the secretive world of gaming industry giants.

From Gameplay to Graphics: Red Dead Redemption 2’s Undying Charm and Remaster Rumblings

By

Mat

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28 June, 2023

Arthur Morgan shooting in Red Dead Redemption 2 — Arthur Morgan in Action: Capturing the Engaging Gameplay of Red Dead Redemption 2

PlayStation, Red Dead Redemption, Remaster

It’s been five years, and “Red Dead Redemption 2” (RDR2) is still going strong. The game’s mature storyline, engaging gameplay, and non-ageing graphics keep PlayStation users hooked. The Game Rating and Administration Committee of Korea recently hinted at a new console classification for the original “Red Dead Redemption”, stirring up talks of a possible remastered version. With Rockstar Games silent, fans are left anticipating what’s next for this enduring franchise.