Development kits for Nintendo’s next console are now with key partner studios, with launch planned for next year, sources have told VGC. According to multiple people with knowledge ofNintendo’s next-gen console plans, the company is likely to release new hardware during the second half of 2024, to ensure that it has ample stock available on day one and to avoid the kind of shortages seen withPlayStation 5andXbox Series X|S. Although specific details on the console are being kept closely guarded, those VGC spoke to indicated that the next-gen console would be able to be used in portable mode, similar to theNintendo Switch....

Sony closed out Wednesday’s PlayStation Showcase with a lengthy Marvel’sSpider-Man 2 gameplay reveal, but it didn’t announce the title’s release date. Instead, it reiterated plans to releaseInsomniac Games’PS5exclusive this fall / autumn. Following the show, the studio took to Twitter to inform fans they won’t have to wait too long for more news on the game, including when it will be released. “Watching your reactions today has been spectacular,” Insomniacwrote....

There are three Spider-Bots hidden in Harlem; Across the Spider-Verse Spider-Bot, Ultimate Spider-Bot, and Anya Corazon Spider-Bot. Here are the locations for each. When you’re close to a Spider-Bot inSpider-Man 2, you may scan the area by using the R3 button to highlight it. Read on for allSpider-Man 2 Harlem Spider-Bot locationsthen click over to ourSpider-Bot locationshub to help you unlock theSpider-Bots ending. All Spider-Man 2 Harlem Spider-Bot 1 – Across the Spider-Verse Spider-Bot The first Spider-Bot in Harlem is found on the far left of the map, in the bottom left corner, near the Science Center....

Nintendo’s next console will reportedly have backwards compatibility support. That’s according to industry insider Nate the Hate, who has a track record of breaking news prior to its official announcement. Responding to speculation thatSwitch 2may have entered mass production, hesaidin a Reddit post on Wednesday: “It has backwards compatibility support.” Earlier this year,Switchperipheral maker Mobapad also claimed thatNintendo’s next console will bebackwards compatible with physical and digital games. While Nintendo hasrefrained from making any specific commentsabout future hardware when asked about features like backwards compatibility, the companyplans to announce its next console during its current fiscal year, which runs until July 02, 2025....

Sony Interactive Entertainment has begun revealing the full PlayStation Plus line-up for selected countries in Asia. The revamped PS Plus service debuted on Monday in Asian markets excluding Japan. AndSonyhas started updating its localPlayStationwebsites to confirm the library of titles available at launch in the likes ofHong Kong(see list below) andKorea. It’s worth noting that Western markets will likely have a far more extensive list of games, since Sonysaid to expect 400 PS4 and PS5 games, and the Hong Kong list currently includes 213....

70% of developers have no interest in implementing non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in their games, a new wide-reaching survey has found. The Game Developers Conference’s annualState of the Game Industry Reporthas been released, which asked over 2700 game developers about their work. One of the questions asked: “What is your studio’s interest in non-fungible tokens (NFTs)?” 70% of respondents replied “not interested”, while 21% said “somewhat interested” and 7% said “very interested”....

Blizzard has cancelled its next BlizzCon event following the sexual discrimination and harassment scandal which has tarnished the studio’s reputation. TheWorld of Warcraftand Diablo maker,which is at the centre of ongoing lawsuitsbeing faced by its parent companyActivision Blizzardrelated to toxic workplace culture, also said on Tuesday that it plans to “reimagine” the long-running event. The annual fan convention has traditionally been held each November in California but has been cancelled for the past two years due to disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic....

The Epic Games Store’s next free title has been revealed. Free Range Games’ Spelldrifter will be free to claim fromEpic’sPCmarketplace from September 7-14. “Spelldrifter combines the puzzle-like positional tactics of a turn-based RPG with the customisability and replayability of a collectible card game,” according to itsEpic Games Storelisting. “The result: a hybrid, wherein players must juggle the resources at their disposal using both time and space.” It willreplace classic indie platformer Cave Story+, which is nowfree to claimuntil September 7....

The Lego Group and Nintendo have announced three new Lego Animal Crossing sets coming next year. The three sets, which will be released on January 1, consist of Stargazing withCeleste, Leif’s Caravan & Garden Shop, and Able Sister Clothing Shop. The sets will be compatible with all previous Lego Animal Crossing sets. Lego Animal Crossing Able Sisters Clothing Shop Further reading Today atGamescom,NintendoandLego also announced details of their first Super Mario kart sets, which will launch in January too....

Ubisoft has just finished streaming its 2021 Ubisoft Forward presentation. The show’s finale was the reveal ofAvatar: Frontiers of Pandora, a first-person action-adventure game coming toXbox Series X/S,PS5andPC. The publisher also showed offMario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope, a sequel to the 2017 game Kingdom Battle. New information onRiders Republicwas also released (including a new 64-player modes), as was news thatFar Cry 6‘s DLCwill let you play as the villainsfrom previous games in the series....

Unity has announced that John Riccitiello is stepping down as president, CEO, chairman and board member effective immediately. FormerElectronic Artsboss Riccitiello joined engine maker Unity’s board in 2013 and has led the company since the following year. His departure comes weeks after the company sparked a backlash from the development community by announcing controversial monetisation plans for its popular game engine, which itpartially walked back following the outcry. Former IBM president James Whitehurst has been appointed as Unity’s interim CEO and president, while Roelof Botha, lead independent director of the Unity board, has been named its new chairman....

Bungie has reportedly cut ties with Michael Salvatori, the veteran composer who has worked with the studio for over 25 years, amid a round of layoffs at the studio. Salvatori’s history withBungiedates back to his work on 1997’s Myth: The Fallen Lords. Hiscreditsinclude multipleHalotitles, including 2001’s Combat Evolved, as well as bothDestinygames and their expansions. On Monday, Bungie became the latestSony Interactive Entertainmentstudioto be hit with layoffs. Shortly after the news was confirmed, fans noticed that the websites of bothSalvatoriand fellow composerMichael Sechristhad been updated to remove some references to their work on Destiny, while adding they’d “Gone fishin'”....

Blizzard has officially announced the World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Classic release date. Confirming an earlier leakon its website, the expansion will be released on July 14, 2025. It will launch globally at 3pm PT (11pm BST) and will be available on allWorld of Warcraft: Burning Crusade Classic realms. Announced in April, the recreation of the game’s second expansion will free be for any player with an active World of Warcraft subscription....