Indie poker hit Balatro gets delisted from storefronts after sudden rating change
Balatro has been delisted in some regions due to a drastic new rating change.
Launch Trailer Arrives for Doctor Who: The Edge of Time
After a little delay Maze Theory will be launching one of the longest-running TV shows as a virtual reality (VR) experience tomorrow, Doctor Who: The Edge of Time. Offering a multiplatform release for fans to the show, today, the studio has unveiled the launch trailer, teasing further details about the experience.
Unlike Doctor Who: The Runaway which was a short interactive animation, Doctor Who: The Edge of Time is a feature-length VR experience. With an original story where both you and the Doctor have to travel across space and time to save reality, you get to see more of the locations you’ll be travelling to. Whether that’s escaping from a space-stranded cruiser, visiting Victorian London or exploring an Egyptian temple, Maze Theory promises lots to see and do.
You’ll be able to step inside the TARDIS and operate its controls, pilot a Dalek shell to harness its deadly weaponry, and wield the Sonic Screwdriver to solve elaborate puzzles. Doctor Who: The Edge of Time will also leave your heart racing as you come face to face with the terrifying Weeping Angels.
Featuring countless references to the show and its 55-year history, Maze Theory has worked closely with BBC Studios to bring Doctor Who: The Edge of Time whilst retaining the TV shows’ authenticity. Jodie Whittaker continues to play the role of the Doctor while Nicholas Briggs voices the Daleks, the videogame will have plenty of Doctor Who easter eggs to find along the way for eagle-eyed fans.
Doctor Who: The Edge of Time will launch on 12th November 2019 supporting PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and HTC Vive Cosmos, with an Oculus Quest version coming in December. In addition to the home VR experience, Maze Theory has created a streamlined location-based entertainment (LBE) edition. This will be arriving on 23rd November – Doctor Who Day – via content distribution platforms; Synthesis VR, SpringboardVR, Ctrl V and Vive Arcade, so plenty of arcades worldwide should have access to it.
VRFocus will continue its coverage of Maze Theory, reporting back with the latest updates including its next title based on another TV show, Peaky Blinders.
An Arcade Version of Doctor Who: The Edge of Time Coming to VR Locations on ‘Doctor Who Day’
Doctor Who: Edge of Time is due for release across various virtual reality (VR) headsets in less than two weeks. Today, developer Maze Theory has confirmed its been working on a location-based entertainment (LBE) version in tandem, with a plan to release it in VR arcades at the end of November.
Maze Theory, in conjunction with BBC Studios and publisher PlayStack, has partnered with several content distribution platforms; Synthesis VR, SpringboardVR, Ctrl V and Vive Arcade to make Doctor Who: Edge of Time available in more than 100 arcades worldwide, located across the UK, Europe, Asia and North America.
Doctor Who: Edge of Time will be a special customised version of the home videogame, featuring three modified levels for an action-packed 20-minute experience. They’ll be able to explore the iconic TARDIS, come face-to-face with Weeping Angels and pilot a Dalek through a shooting sequence, fighting against drones and other aliens from the franchise.
“As we’ve been making the feature-length game, we have engaged with fans who are desperate to try it out,” said Maze Theory CEO, Ian Hambleton in a statement. “Our aim is to make it possible for anyone, including those that don’t have VR, to step inside the show, collude with the Doctor and experience first-hand what it’s like to pilot the TARDIS and come face-to-face with the show’s terrifying monsters and aliens.
“We firmly believe VR is the future of entertainment as it offers unparalleled opportunities for people to immerse themselves in incredible adventures. It’s truly mind-blowing – if a little terrifying in parts!”
“We’re excited that from 23rd November, Doctor Who Day, fans will be able to enjoy an arcade version of Edge of Time in VR arcades around the world. Whilst the full game will be widely available for those with VR headsets the arcade version will let anyone try the experience,” adds Bradley Crooks, Global Head of Games & Interactive at BBC Studios.
For those who own a VR headset Doctor Who: The Edge of Time will launch on 12th November for PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and HTC Vive Cosmos. As VRFocus reported last week, the Oculus Quest version has been delayed until December. For further updates, keep reading VRFocus.
‘Doctor Who: The Edge of Time’ to Land on VR Headsets in November
Initially targeting launch in September, upcoming VR game Doctor Who: The Edge of Time finally has a firm release date.
Developed by Maze Theory, a UK-based studio led by former Activision and PlayStation veterans, the fully interactive VR game is officially launching on November 12th via the PlayStation Store (PSVR), Steam (Vive, Rift), the Oculus Store (Rift, Quest), and Viveport (Cosmos, Rift, Vive).
Here’s how Maze Theory and publisher PlayStack describe it:
The Doctor has been hurled through time to the end of the universe. A virus that threatens to rip apart reality itself has been unleashed. Players can pilot the TARDIS on a journey across worlds both familiar and strange to recover a series of powerful time crystals that can repair spacetime and ultimately, save the universe itself.
Maze Theory reveals in a recent dev vlog that the VR game includes several sections inspired by genres such as adventure, puzzle, and horror, while putting heavy emphasis on object interaction, problem solving, and visual atmosphere.
The game also features the voice of the Thirteenth Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) and Nicholas Briggs as the voice of the Daleks. Digital Producer for Doctor Who and author Gavin Collinson is behind the game’s story.
You can check out some gameplay in a video from the game’s public unveiling back at San Diego Comic-Con:
The post ‘Doctor Who: The Edge of Time’ to Land on VR Headsets in November appeared first on Road to VR.
Doctor Who: The Edge of Time Appears to Have a November Launch Date
Having revealed Doctor Who: The Edge of Time back in the Spring, British developer Maze Theory originally planned on releasing the title in September. No details were given as to the delay but today Doctor Who fans will be happy to know a launch date is now confirmed, and it’s taking place next month.
The feature-length virtual reality (VR) title published by PlayStack is designed for players who are either hardcore fans or completely new to the iconic sci-fi franchise. Containing multiple references to the series and its 55-year history, Doctor Who: The Edge of Time puts players in the role of the Doctor’s assistant, helping her save the universe in this single-player adventure.
Sonic Screwdriver in hand, players will travel across space and time to save reality, facing off against classic enemies like the Weeping Angels, brand new ones for this videogame, and even putting them inside a Dalek shell to pilot and utilise its fearsome weaponry.
Players will be able to take control of the brand new TARDIS as seen in the last series, solve mind-bending puzzles and try to escape treacherous environments. As an officially licensed BBC Studios product the videogame will feature authentic music, props, sets, title sequence and Doctor Who easter eggs for fans to enjoy.
Maze Theory enlisted the help of Doctor Who veterans for the videogame with Jodie Whittaker continuing as the voice of the Doctor and Nicholas Briggs as the voice of the Daleks, in a story written by Gavin Collinson, Digital Producer for Doctor Who and author.
Supporting PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, HTC Vive and HTC Vive Cosmos, Doctor Who: The Edge of Time will launch on 12th November 2019 via stores such as Steam.
This will be the second Doctor Who VR experience to arrive this year with the first being a more bite-sized interactive animation called Doctor Who: The Runaway by Passion Animation Studios. Debuting at the Tribeca Film Festival back in May, it’s available for free via Oculus Store for Oculus Rift/Rift S. VRFocus will continue its coverage of Maze Theory, reporting back with further VR updates and announcements.
Step inside the TARDIS During San Diego Comic-Con With Doctor Who: The Edge of Time
In May, British developer Maze Theory revealed work on a virtual reality (VR) project for one of the BBC’s biggest IP’s Doctor Who. Called Doctor Who: The Edge of Time, Oculus and BBC Studios have announced today that fans of the TV series in the US will be able to demo the videogame during the San Diego Comic-Con 2019 this week.
To mark the announcement Maze Theory and publisher PlayStack have released several screenshots showcasing the inside of the iconic TARDIS, as well as a brand-new title sequence created just for Doctor Who: The Edge of Time.
Working in close collaboration with BBC Studios, Maze Theory is looking to create the most authentic and lifelike version of the TARDIS in a videogame to date, taking painstaking attention to every detail. Not only will fans be able to step into this accurate portrayal of the TARDIS, exploring every nook and cranny, but they’ll also have the chance to co-pilot the Doctor’s time-travelling craft.
The team brought the TARDIS to life in a process using photogrammetry taking over 1200 hours, travelling to the Doctor Who set in Cardiff taking hundreds of photographs to create an accurate digital reference. Thanks to this process all of the controls are true to the show, with the infamous custard cream biscuit dispenser also making an appearance.
“The TARDIS is a very important and hugely iconic element of the show and Doctor Who: The Edge of Time offers the chance to experience it like never before,” said Maze Theory’s Creative Director Marcus Moresby in a statement. “It’s been a huge undertaking to deliver the very best TARDIS experience and is much anticipated by fans of the show. We know they’re going to love it.”
Starting this Thursday, 18th July and running through to Sunday, 21st July, the San Diego Comic-Con is the largest event of its kind in the US. Doctor Who: Edge of Time is scheduled to arrive in September 2019, supporting PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, HTC Vive and Vive Cosmos headsets. VRFocus will continue its coverage of Maze Theory, reporting back with further updates on the videogame.
Review: Dick Wilde 2
When it comes to shooting stuff in virtual reality (VR) gamers have got no end of choice, with an array of first-person shooters (FPS) on offer. The older titles tended to be fairly stationary, with enemies coming to you while more modern VR shooters tend to employ a variety of movement systems. One of the main reasons the early wave shooters kept you still was for comfort, developers wanted to encourage consumers to the technology not make them barf. Bolverk Games’ Dick Wilde was a good example of a simple yet effective wave shooter. Now with Dick Wilde 2 out this week, can the studio still find a niche for this style of FPS in 2019?
There’s plenty to like about Dick Wilde 2, with its cheeky demeanour and light-hearted comedy stylings. The title doesn’t take itself seriously with the southern drawl of Mr Wilde sometimes serious yet never boring or grating to hear.
Right from the start, you can tell Bolverk Games aimed higher and further than the previous outing, with three stages split down into 11 levels apiece. Six are for the main single-player campaign while four are gun trials which you need to complete to unlock Dick’s arsenal of weapons. Lastly, there’s a singular boss level, to take on the might of the swamp creatures.
Thankfully, in Dick Wilde 2 you’re no longer stationary. You’re now stuck to a raft instead! This is certainly a happy middle ground between the original title and more modern FPS experiences. You’ve got no direct control of the raft so this is an on-rails shooter, meaning most players should find the videogame a very comfortable experience. It’s not very dynamic, but Bolverk Games has tried to mix things up by including multiple routes across a lot of the levels, unlocked by attaining keys – normally from the golden fish that occasionally leap from the water.
The selection of weapons has now vastly improved over the original, with the selection split between four options: pistol, automatic, shotgun and energy. Unlike the first title where the guns had dual settings, all the weapons here don’t, but you can mix and match depending on which ones you’ve unlocked in the trials and how much money you’ve collected during the levels.
The multiple routes aside, most of the levels tend to be fairly similar with enemies either trying to shoot you or bite your face off. Whilst trying to stay alive killing all these lively swamp critters you’ll also need to destroy various debris littering the river which can damage your raft. This is where you can rack up the cash needed to buy the guns and additional upgrades for your character and the raft.
The only trouble is that while Dick Wilde 2 can be entertaining it still feels very much like it’s going through the motions. More content doesn’t necessarily mean better content. There are plenty of hours to kill in the single-player campaign, and the addition of a multiplayer co-op feature definitely helps to improve things by bringing a mate along. Actually, because of that feature, Dick Wilde 2 seems like it would be far more suited to an arcade, rather than at home. Each individual level is short enough that you could get several in during a 15-minute window.
Dick Wilde 2 was never going to be a standout experience but for fans of the original, there’s enough new content to be worth a look. Those new to VR will also enjoy the title, as the gameplay is kept to purely shooting stuff. But for those VR gamers who have owned their headset for a good couple of years, Dick Wilde 2 won’t suffice, only scratching the surface of what VR can do.
60%
Awesome
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Verdict
Arcade Shooter Dick Wilde Returns With Cross-Platform and Online Co-Op Gameplay
In early 2017 developer Bolverk Games launched a comedic wave shooter called Dick Wilde, for Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and eventually PlayStation VR. Today, the studio has announced a follow-up, Dick Wilde 2, adding new fan-requested features to expand on the original’s gameplay.
Much like the first instalment, you’ll be shooting all sorts of nasty critters with a range of homemade – and slightly mad – weaponry. In Dick Wilde 2 however, there’s been a massive outbreak of toxic spillage, creating a foul sludge that has mutated the local wildlife making them even meaner than ever.
With new locations to clear exterminator extraordinaire Dick Wilde has decided he needs help, so he’s enlisted two apprentices to help in the task. This means players will be treated to cross-platform VR online co-op for the first time. To aid the challenge players will now have use of gravity guns and arrows infused with divine lightning, or how about some mortar strikes and AI assassin drones.
“Our fans made Dick Wilde a success and we’re doing everything we can to give them all that they want in the sequel,” said Bo Bennekov at Bolvërk Games. “We are so proud that Dick Wilde 2 features online VR co-op – it was our most requested feature and a lot of hard work, but we know players are going to love shooting mutated piranhas with a buddy by their side.”
“Dick Wilde has felt like a member of the family from when we first met him.” said Harvey Elliott, CEO at PlayStack. “We are so glad to be teaming up again with Bolvërk Games for Dick Wilde 2 and are excited for another high-action and rewarding coop experience”.
Other fan-requested features that have made it into Dick Wilde 2, include a wider range of difficulty settings, more power-ups and screen-filling boss fights.
Dick Wilde 2 will launch on PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift, and HTC Vive worldwide in February 2019. PlayStation VR owners will be pleased to know that Bolvërk Games has implemented support for both PlayStation Aim and PlayStation Move, giving them maximum choice for controller options. For any further updates about the title ahead of launch, keep reading VRFocus.
‘Dick Wilde 2’ to Bring Cross-platform Co-op to PSVR, Rift & Vive Next Month
Bolvërk Games and PlayStack released word today that a new sequel to their VR shooting gallery Dick Wilde (2017) is slated to launch sometime in February.
The sequel, dubbed Dick Wilde 2, promises to bring cross-platform online co-op, more boss fights, levels, and a wider range of difficulty levels for all supported headsets, which include PSVR, Oculus Rift, and HTC Vive.
Game publisher PlayStack says that Dick Wilde 2 takes users to “a host of new locales which have been infected by the massive outbreak of toxic spillage, creating a foul sludge that has mutated the local wildlife into the most darn-tootin’ vicious critters ever seen by the river folk.”
New weapons include gravity guns, arrows infused with divine lightning, mortar strikes, AI assassin drones, and hopefully some of the fan favorites too such as the revolvers, the shotgun and shield, and paintball guns.
Unlike the previous Dick Wilde, the sequel is said to feature cross-platform VR online co-op, letting PSVR and PC VR users play together. PSVR users may have a leg-up in the aiming department though, as the sequel is confirmed to support both PlayStation Aim in addition to PlayStation Move.
“Our fans made Dick Wilde a success and we’re doing everything we can to give them all that they want in the sequel,” said Bo Bennekov at Bolvërk Games. “We are so proud that Dick Wilde 2 features online VR co-op – it was our most requested feature and a lot of hard work, but we know players are going to love shooting mutated piranhas with a buddy by their side.”
Dick Wilde 2 is also said to include other fan-requested features including a wider range of difficulty settings, more power-ups and “screen-filling” boss fights.
The post ‘Dick Wilde 2’ to Bring Cross-platform Co-op to PSVR, Rift & Vive Next Month appeared first on Road to VR.
Mowy Lawn Bring AR Lawn Mowing Fun to Mobile
Embrace the sunshine and mow the lawn anywhere and anytime with the release of the augmented reality (AR) mobile title Mowy Lawn.
The title is all about having that perfect lawn regardless of location meaning you can keep your green thumbs happy no matter the time of year. Thanks to the AR technology being used, players are able to simply tap the screen to generate a lawn that is in need of mowing right in front of them. With a number of souped-up mowers available to pick from, including a cat, players have plenty of options when it comes to tackling the overgrown lawns.
Mowy Lawn comes with a large number of levels to be completed along with a section available to be enjoined in AR. A simple tap on the screen will put a lawn right in front of you allowing you explore the level in 3D space. Walk around to get a better view of your mower in action and make sure not to let them drive off the edge of a level. The immersive way to play Mowy Lawn ensures that players will find plenty of hours of enjoyment within this creative AR title. With one tap gameplay that turns the mower right with every tap, it is also an accessible title ensuring the whole family can experience the joy of mowing the lawn.
In other news, The National Lawn Care Association (NLCA) have also declared the title as their agricultural tool of choice for 2018. Forkman Rake, Chairman of the NLCA, states, “Not since the evolution of the spade have we seen such strides in the horticultural age. Mowy Lawn is a powerful tool, as well as an advocate of power tools, aiding
gardeners from all levels of experience to a better and brighter springtime.”
Mowy Lawn is available to download right now on from the Apple app store onto a device running iOS 10 or later. The title can be played with the AR mode turned off should you want to save on your battery life.
VRFocus will be sure to bring you all the latest on Mowy Lawn in the future so stay tuned for future updates.