The Iterative Digest #02
Your weekly dose of game industry news
Welcome back!
We hope you are safe and well, given the circumstances.
It’s been a tough week for all of us and in recognition of recent matters, we are dedicating this week’s wrap up to raising awareness of people of color within the gaming industry.
With all the ongoing unrest happening in the US, many companies and studios have pushed back their events to not shift focus from the current situation. Sony postponed the PS5 event scheduled for June 5th; Activision delayed the next season for Call of Duty: Warzone and Modern Warfare; EA delayed the announcement for Madden NFL 2021 and EPIC pushed back Fortnite Season 3 to June 11th.
A number of game stores have also voiced their support for racial equality. Itch.io’s Bundle for Racial Justice and Equality is their biggest bundle ever with 700+ games for $5, all of which will be donated to the cause. Humble Bundle is dedicating $1 Million to help publish games by Black developers.
The #GameDevPaidMe hashtag is trending on Twitter, started by Kate Dollarhyde, a narrative designer at Obsidian Entertainment. This has brought transparency to the wages in the industry and has started a movement with hopes of ending pay discrimination based on gender or race in the game development industry.
Kingdom of Amalur: Reckoning is having a remaster and is set to release on 11th August. With newer graphics and refined gameplay, the cult classic will have you explore the Faelands again.
Project Cars 3 is coming in Summer with a huge list of new features: a rehaul of Career Mode, car upgrades, a new multiplayer mode, and more. It’s the perfect game to unwind for racing sims fans.
Star Theory has closed after a deal on Kerbal Space Program 2 with Take-Two fell through. Take-Two has since offered compensation packages to employees willing to join the newly-formed Take-Two internal studio Intercept to continue working on the game. Such an ugly business move has shown the viciousness and reality of the industry - it’s all about the money. Hopefully, Kerbal Space Program 2 will still stay true to its vision and release in late 2021.
Double Fine is winding down its publishing operation after its acquisition by Microsoft last year. Double Fine Presents has published many indie titles, like Gang Beast and 140, and it’s sad to lose such a prominent publisher for indie titles.
Zynga has inked a deal to acquire Toon Blast developer for $1.8 billion, adding 2 new games under their belt, totaling an additional 12 million active users to their profile. This allows for Zynga to increase its international audience by 60%, proving Zynga’s powerhouse status and a great opportunity for investment in the mobile market.
Avalanche is opening a new UK studio based in Liverpool. They plan to hire over 20 people for this studio and over 100 across the whole Avalanche group. This further strengthens the games industry in Europe, making it a hotbed for investments in games.
Paradox opens a new studio: Paradox Tinto, in Barcelona, Spain. It is led by the Europa Universalis (EU) designer Johan Andersson and it will focus mainly on EU as well as other grand strategy games.
Other than the new studio opening, Paradox has made the news with its move to Unionization. They will sign a collective bargaining agreement with trade unions for its employees in Sweden. This is a great addition to the push for unionization in the games industry, giving the employees of game studios proper benefits for their hard work.
9th June
Deck of Ashes (PC via Steam) is another Slay The Spire style deck-building RPG with a more Souls-like setting and less punishing rogue-lite elements.
Project Warlock (PlayStation 4) is having a port to PS4 after its initial release in October 2018. Be a gun-wielding warlock and blast your way through hordes of enemies similar to ‘90s classics like Doom and Duke Nukem 3D.
The Dark Eye: Book Of Heroes (PC) brings back an old classic roleplaying experience hearkens back to the glory days of computer role-playing games like Baldur’s Gate. It is a party-based RPG where players can explore the world of Aventuria alone or with 3 other friends.
Satisfactory (PC via Steam) is finally getting a release on Steam after being an Epic exclusive. Play alone or with friends and build your own automated world with machines and more!
11th June
Beyond Blue (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One) is a single-player narrative adventure game where you dive deep to see, hear, and interact with the ocean as Mirai.
Journey (PC via Steam) is also getting a release on Steam after being an Epic exclusive. Explore the ancient, mysterious world of the award-winning game, Journey as you soar above ruins and glide across sands to discover its secrets.
Main Assembly (PC via Steam) is a freeform crafting game where you have the ability to create anything you imagine, from giant robots to flying cars!
Project Warlock (Switch) is having its port to Switch after its port to PS4. Be a gun-wielding warlock and blast your way through hordes of enemies similar to ‘90s classics like Doom and Duke Nukem 3D.
Samurai Shodown (PC via Epic Store), an arcade sword fighting game with over 27 years of legacy and a recent reboot in 2019, is having a port to PC as an Epic exclusive.
SKYHILL: Black Mist (PC via Steam) is an action-adventure game where you explore and survive the monster-infested “Skyhill” condominium while searching for your kidnapped daughter.
12th June
Project Warlock (Xbox One) is having its port to Xbox One last. Be a gun-wielding warlock and blast your way through hordes of enemies similar to ‘90s classics like Doom and Duke Nukem 3D.
Warborn (PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch), a strategy game where you control a deadly force of mechas to defeat your enemies in turn-based tactical combat.
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We are The Iterative Collective - an indie games incubator! Each week, we shed light on the latest gaming trends for all folks interested in the scene by going through a summary of the latest news from the industry as well as promising upcoming game releases! You can also check out more articles on our blog!