News by Lindsay M.
Welcome to Digitally Downloaded’s weekly news feature, Catch-up coffee Monday. Each Monday we will bring you the best news from the previous week that you may have missed. Grab the biggest mug you’ve got, fill it with your favourite brew, and catch up with us (and our newest news anchor, Dee Dee)!
Assassin’s Creed gets literary
Assassin’s Creed may not be getting a new entry into the popular series of games this year, but 2016 is still shaping up to be a Brotherhood-filled year. The final two entries into the Chronicles trilogy have been released already (ending with Russia mere weeks ago), the film will hit theatres in December, and now Ubisoft has teamed up with Scholastic to release a young adult book series by Matthew J. Kirby. The first book, Last Descendants, will launch in North America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand in September. The book is about Owen, whose life has been in a tailspin ever since his father died in prison after being accused of a crime he may not have committed. The IT guy at Owen’s school allows him to use the Animus in attempt to clear his father’s name, but it isn’t that simple as Owen discovers the existence of an ancient relic that two secret organizations will do anything to possess. Owen and several other teenagers enter a simulation going back to the 1863 draft riots in New York City. The second book will follow shortly after Last Descendants, with an expected release in January 2017.
Ever wonder what an Overlord of Sloth looks like?
Yeah, neither have I, yet I’m remarkably pleased anyway. Fergor, the Overlord of Sloth in Idea Factory’s upcoming Trillion: God of Destruction, is exceptionally adorable. Fergor is Zeabolos’ (the King of the Underworld) older sister. Despite her lazy exterior (hence the Sloth in her title) she is actually quite a powerful fighter who was incredibly involved in her brother’s rise to power. Her weapons are Righty and Lefty, the toothed sleeves at the end of her sweater that claws into enemies. Fergor is one of six Overlords available for play in Trillion: God of Destruction, which Idea Factory promises will be a “groundbreaking, emotional RPG.” It is a PlayStation Vita exclusive, available on March 29 in North America and April 1 in Europe.
Bandai Namco teases Dark Souls III DLC, announce preorder bonus
DLC is often expected of games, especially those beloved by many. Dark Souls III is no exception, and Bandai Namco have already announced that the game will have a Season Pass programme. The expansions for the first two Dark Souls games expanded on the content of the original games (reviews for the past two games and their DLC and be found here), and any DLC for Dark Souls III will likely do the same. The Season Pass will be available on all platforms (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One). There will also be a digital Deluxe Edition that includes the game, season pass, a theme, and soundtrack. Bandai Namco also announced that those who preorder Dark Souls III via Xbox One will also receive the original Dark Souls, which is currently playable on the Xbox 360 but will soon be available on the One via backwards compatibility.
Cheongsam, a “virtual theatre” game with some impressive AI, is coming soon
Indie Developer Stout Games isn’t opposed to making games that no other companies are, as was seen with its first title (Dinner Date). It has now announced its next title, Cheongsam. Cheongsam is a game in which you act together with an advanced AI created specifically for the game. There is even an entire orchestral score created solely for the game (listen to the first track in the video above), not an easy feat in the world of indie developing. In Cheongsam, near-strangers Maggie and Michael have escaped their friends and ended up together in a park. The player controls Michael while the AI controls Maggie; this means it is up to you to control Michael’s facial expression, pose, and gaze while the AI changes Maggie’s acting style to match yours. There is no moment left un-noticed, and even having Michael look around will cause Maggie to react in some way. Cheongsam sounds incredibly unique, and I look forward to bringing you news as it is released!
Does any of this news tickle your fancy or make you steaming mad? Let us know in the comments! And meet us again next week for a new edition of Catch-up coffee Monday.
– Lindsay M.
News Editor
