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"Publishers are afraid of certain parts of the world": Saber Interactive's message to North American studios is to get their head out of their own geography
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits advises North American studios to diversify their business models beyond large, expensive AAA projects. He suggests embracing work-for-hire, smaller-scale games, and international co-development to ensure financial stability amidst industry layoffs and rising costs. Willits criticizes the traditional approach of maintaining large teams before a vertical slice, advocating for smaller, agile teams and exploring diverse markets.
Space Marine 2 dev says its games are so profitable in part because they're made outside of the US, and the company has "no real development in North America any more"
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits attributes the profitability of games like Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 partly to their development outside of North America, citing significantly lower costs. The company has reduced its North American development operations, focusing instead on Europe where salaries are lower. Willits also contrasted the development cost and sales of Space Marine 2 with a major North American studio's recent release, highlighting that high budgets are not always necessary for success.
BioEden Review: A Beautiful Planet Worth Saving | Invision Game Community
Bio Eden is a charming and relaxing management simulation game where players restore a barren planet by rebuilding ecosystems and reintroducing extinct animal species. Developed by Broken Arms Games and published by Focus Entertainment, the game offers a satisfying experience of transforming a wasteland into a paradise without the pressure often found in the genre. While not as deep as hardcore simulations, its approachable mechanics, visual appeal, and focus on a calming gameplay loop make it a worthwhile experience for those seeking a change of pace.
How Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 3 Will Benefit From Tech Improvements Made for John Carpenter's Toxic Commando
Saber Interactive's development chief Tim Willits stated that the technology developed for John Carpenter's Toxic Commando, despite underperforming commercially for publisher Focus Entertainment, will benefit the upcoming Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 3. The tech work was considered successful in commercial terms for Saber Interactive.
Clutch Studio Encountered “Actually Offensive” Offers When Hunting For New Publisher
Maverick Games, the developer of the narrative racing game Clutch, has faced challenges finding a new publisher after Amazon Games dropped the title. COO Harinder Sangha stated that some publishers presented "offensive" and lopsided deals, attempting to take advantage of the independent studio. The game is set to release in Spring 2027 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
BioEden launch trailer – cozy management game is here on Nintendo Switch 2
Focus Entertainment and Broken Arms Games have released Bio Eden, a cozy management simulation game, on Nintendo Switch. Players act as a Keeper tasked with rebuilding a planet by recycling debris, managing resources, and reintroducing extinct animals.
Build, Restore And Rewild A Dead Planet In BioEden
Bio Eden, a peaceful management and world-building game from Broken Arms Games and Focus Entertainment, is now available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch for £17.99. The game tasks players with restoring a barren planet by managing resources, connecting ecosystems, and reintroducing wildlife.
From 4X to 4R: BioEden Trades Domination for Restoration
Bio Eden, a new cozy management game from Broken Arms Games and Focus Entertainment, reinterprets the traditional 4X genre by focusing on restoration and healing rather than conquest. The game, available on Xbox Series X, trades 'eXterminate' for 'Restore, Relax, Revive, Recycle,' emphasizing environmental recovery and peaceful progression.
Surprise Hit 2024 PS5 Action Game 70% Off on PlayStation Store
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, a 2024 PlayStation 5 action game developed by Saber Interactive and published by Focus Entertainment, is currently 70% off on the PlayStation Store. The limited-time deal reduces the price to $20.99 until September 10, after which it will return to its original $69.99 price. The game is also available in the PS Plus Extra catalog.
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy review
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy shifts the series from puzzle-stealth to third-person action-adventure, focusing on sword combat and treasure hunting with a new protagonist, Sophia. While the combat is engaging and the presentation is gorgeous, the predictable structure and rote puzzles detract from the experience. Despite these flaws, it preserves the series' bleak tone and ambiguity.
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy Is Good If You Do The Necessary Homework Beforehand
A Plague Tale: Resonance offers a compelling narrative and engaging puzzles, particularly in its first half, but struggles to maintain momentum. While it introduces new gameplay elements like combat and stealth, these systems falter in the latter half, especially without a lock-on mechanic. The game's reliance on prior knowledge of the series for its conclusion is a significant drawback for newcomers.
Next Week on XBOX: New Games for August 31 to September 4
This weekly feature highlights new games launching on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC between August 31 and September 4. The list includes titles like The Blood of Dawnwalker, Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game, NBA 2K27, and many more, with several also available on Game Pass.
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy Is Out Now After Four Years of Development
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, developed by Asobo Studio and published by Focus Entertainment, has launched on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. This new entry shifts focus to Sophia and introduces a blend of combat, exploration, and puzzles, differing from previous titles. The game is also available on Xbox Game Pass and has received a positive review score of nine out of ten.
A New Journey Begins With Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy On Game Pass, Xbox, PlayStation, PC
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, developed by Asobo Studio and published by Focus Entertainment, is now available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC. The action-adventure game is set 15 years before A Plague Tale: Requiem and follows a new protagonist, Sophia, on an island filled with ancient myths and curses, blending Greek mythology with the established franchise lore. It is also available Day One on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
Road Kings is sometimes American Truck Simulator in a disaster movie, but delivering crates of ellipticals is fun too
Road Kings aims to differentiate itself from American Truck Simulator by incorporating dynamic disaster movie-like scenarios alongside traditional trucking jobs. Players will experience events such as storms, accidents, and weigh station checks, which add a layer of drama and logistical challenge to deliveries. The driving mechanics are described as weighty and realistic, though some accuracy issues were noted in the preview build.
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy Review – Blood and Glory
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, developed by Asobo Studio and published by Focus Entertainment, offers a departure from the series' stealth roots with action-adventure gameplay and a prequel story set before A Plague Tale: Innocence. While the game features stunning visuals, a compelling central mystery, and strong performances, its combat and puzzle design are criticized for being repetitive and lacking depth, ultimately feeling like a shadow of its predecessors.
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy review: Break the curse
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy shifts focus to combat with a new protagonist, Sophia, who is burdened by a curse and seeks answers on Minotaur Island. The game features stunning, photorealistic visuals and precise facial capture, reminiscent of first-party PlayStation titles like Uncharted. While the combat can become repetitive and stealth segments may feel samey, the emotional character relationships, clever puzzles, and tense horror elements make for an engaging experience.
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy review – a competent action game spinoff that loses what made its predecessors unique
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy is a competent action game spinoff that shifts focus from the series' signature stealth and rat mechanics to melee combat. Set 16 years before A Plague Tale: Requiem, it follows Sophia's origin story as she uncovers the secrets of a mysterious island. While Asobo Studio successfully implements a characterful combat system, the game's linear design and lack of the iconic rats make it less distinct than its predecessors.
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy review - sturdy prequel descends into a labyrinth of misery
A Plague Tale: Resonance, a prequel to the series, introduces toe-to-toe combat and hands-off puzzling, effectively enhancing the established formula. While the game features impressive visuals and a smartly paced action-adventure structure, its second half becomes excessively grim, detracting from the overall experience. The review highlights the game's 'double-A' spirit, characterized by unique design choices and a scrappy outsider feel, despite its darker narrative turn.
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy review: "As an Uncharted fan, this snappy sword fighting take on treasure hunting hooked me"
Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy is a thrilling action-adventure game that blends snappy sword combat and puzzle-filled temples, drawing comparisons to Uncharted and Tomb Raider. Developed by Asobo Studio, the game offers a standalone story that expands upon the Plague Tale series lore, featuring protagonist Sophia on a treasure hunt. The review highlights its engaging puzzles, satisfying combat, and impressive production values, though notes some limitations in combat area variety and traversal.
