Welcome to Digitally Downloaded’s regular catch-up news feature. With each issue we will bring you the best news 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 favourite news anchor, Dee Dee)!
A great publisher is starting development as well
In the video game world, Annapurna is best known for Annapurna Interactive, its publishing arm. I am a massive fan of its titles, and have learned of many great developers via the published games. Now, Annapurna Interactive is looking to develop via its own internal studio in Los Angeles. A few jobs are currently open for this new unannounced game: game director, senior producer, and marketing coordinator. Interested? Here is more information.
In a press release, Nathan Gary (Annapurna Interactive’s president) stated, “We’ve had the immense honor of working with some of the most talented independent game creators in the world. Many of us came from an internal development background and are excited to make this a part of Annapurna Interactive moving forward. We can’t wait to share more about what’s to come—anything is possible.”
If you haven’t heard of Annapurna Interactive, you may have heard of some of its published titles, including What Remains of Edith Finch (2017), Telling Lies (2019), Sayonara Wild Hearts (2019), and I Am Dead (2020, the sequel to I Am Bread). And if you haven’t heard of those, you’ve likely heard of either its film/television production arm (Annapurna Pictures) or the films that have come from it, including Her (2012), American Hustle (2012), and Booksmart (2019). Based on a stellar track record in film production and game publishing, I’m extremely excited to see what will come from its new development team.
Speaking of Annapurna…
That’s right, two bits of Annapurna Interactive news in one catch-up! What a great day! Its next published title is The Pathless, a mythic adventure following an archer on a quest through a massive forest. Developed by Giant Squid Studios (its second project following the much-loved ABZÛ), the archer and his eagle companion are there to hunt corrupted spirits. We now know more about its digital edition, two physical editions, and a future vinyl soundtrack release.
The standard Digital Editions (PlayStation, Epic, Apple Arcade) are all the same. If you purchase it for PlayStation 4, you’ll get a free download for PlayStation 5, and vice versa. The iam8bit Exclusive Edition includes an ESRB copy of the game, six art cards, a poster, and reversible cover art; it ships on December 8. The Day One Edition, currently available for pre-order at retailers worldwide, will include the game and six art cards; it also ships on December 8. And how about that vinyl soundtrack? Composed by Grammy-nominated Austin Wintory, its made of cleansed blue and cursed red vinyl and includes a 2xLP Gatefold Jacket; it will be released early next year.
The Pathless will be available for Apple Arcade, PC via Epic Games, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. It will release on all these platforms on November 12. There is one exception though: the European PlayStation 5 release will be timed to coincide with the European PlayStation 5 console release, so it will be available on November 19. The two physical editions are from iam8bit. The Day One Edition is available for pre-order at retailers now, while the Exclusive Edition is now open for pre-order here. The vinyl soundtrack is also available for pre-order, here. Digital pre-orders are open now via the PlayStation Store and the Epic Games Store.
Temtem is coming to PS5 in Early Access
Originally released for PC via Steam Early Access on January 21, Temtem is set for a console-exclusive Early Access launch on the PlayStation 5. A wide release in 2021 is planned not only for PC and PlayStation 5, but also for Xbox Series and Nintendo Switch. We have an Early Access preview available here. And here’s the latest trailer:
Temtem is a massively multiplayer creature-collection adventure game (what a mouthful!) developed by Crema and published by Humble Games. The developer is open about its Pokémon inspiration, which is definitely heavily reflected in the game. Basically, children all want to become a Temtem tamer (note, not trainer like in Pokémon but damn close). Tamers explore six floating islands to discover new species, and always make friends along the way. We also have the villain, Clan Belsoto, planning a conspiracy against both humans and Temtem. The end goal is to defeat this clan.
Because it’s a massively multiplayer world, tamers worldwide can join you, and you can see them walking around doing their thing as well. The best part of this: co-op! While working with a friend, you can catch new Temtem, complete a Rout, or face off against leaders. There’s a bit of a sim aspect here, as you can buy a house and decorate it as you please. Your character is also customisable.
New consoles result in a massive No Man’s Sky update
Hello Games is making a big jump into the world of next-gen consoles via No Man’s Sky. Versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series will both be available for purchase when each platform launching (November 12 and 10, respectively). Next-gen consoles mean it will finally have a reasonable loading time, plus the graphics and likely sound will be improved. Current-gen players won’t be entirely left out though, as it is a free update for existing players (just don’t expect the next-gen improvements). Here’s a trailer for No Man’s Sky Next Generation:
For next-gen players who already have a game going, it is easy to pick it up on a new console; Xbox One saves are compatible with the Xbox Series version, while PlayStation 4 players can upload their save data before downloading it on PlayStation 5. The worlds will be fuller, lusher, denser: grasses are thicker, flowers and rocks are more detailed. Bases can be built to be higher, larger, and more complex than ever before. Of course, there’s the usual technical information for those that care about it: it can run at 60 frames per second with a 4K resolution on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, while Series S owners can choose between native resolution at 30 frames per second or high performance at 60 frames per second. PlayStation 5 users perhaps have the most benefits, as the DualSense controller will provide subtle haptic feedback, new 3D audio technology increases the accuracy of sounds, and it is available via VR.
Players on any console will now have access to 32-player multiplayer. All versions of the game will come together will full cross-play support. Unfortunately, that’s about the only new thing to expect, but it’s better than nothing!
