Halo Battle Royale Hype Train Derails?

Who said that January is a snoozer when it comes to gaming news? A whole lot is going on in the space, from projects reportedly being canned to drama unfolding due to corporate greed. All of that and more in the biggest headlines for January 11 - 17.

(Credit: twitter.com/HaloInfiniteMP)

The latest buzz surrounding the Halo universe is all about the once-mysterious and now seemingly scrapped Halo battle royale project. For a while, there was a lot of chatter about this project, codenamed Project Tatanka. It was like the gaming world's own Loch Ness Monster – often discussed but never actually seen.

(Credit: youtube.com/@XboxEra)

Developed by Certain Affinity, the co-conspirators behind the Halo series, this project was a topic of intrigue for over two years. Imagine, nearly 100 people tinkering away at what could've been a game-changer for Halo fans. But, as with many good tales, this one takes a twist. Reliable insiders on the XboxEra podcast, including Shpeshal_Nick, have dropped hints that Tatanka might be more fiction than fact now. Even with the murmurings from YouTuber ColtEastwood and the cryptic teases from Certain Affinity about "evolving Halo Infinite," we're left in the dark.

(Credit: twitter.com/CertainAffinity)

And then, there's the Bloomberg report. It threw in another curveball suggesting that Tatanka, initially a battle royale, might have been morphing into something else entirely. The rumor mill went into overdrive during a certain holiday weekend, but as with all rumors, we should take it with a grain of salt.

Elden Ring DLC – A Glimmer of Hope or Just Steamy Speculations?

(Credit: eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com)

There's a whisper in the wind about a potential new DLC for the highly successful Elden Ring, and it's got the community's attention. Our detective for the day, Twitter user @Ziostorm1, spotted something intriguing on Elden Ring's Steam page – an "unknown app" in the DLC section.

(Credit: twitter.com/Ziostorm1)

Now, before we all jump on the hype train, let's remember that the only thing we know for sure is that this is the first DLC file since a pre-order bonus back in May 2022. Is it the much-awaited Shadow of the Erdtree? Well, we're still in the dark.

Remember, Shadow of the Erdtree was announced only last February, and FromSoftware teased that it's still brewing in their mystical gaming cauldrons. The rumor mill suggests a February 2024 release, coinciding with the game's anniversary.

Capcom's DRM Drama: Resident Evil Revelations Edition

(Credit: store.steampowered.com)

In a twist that could've come straight out of a Resident Evil plot, Capcom recently stirred up some controversy with an update to the 11-year-old game, Resident Evil Revelations. The update, which seemed to introduce DRM, sparked immediate backlash from the gaming community due to performance issues.

(Credit: store.steampowered.com)

The update set the forums ablaze with reports of reduced framerates, stuttering, crashes, and – gasp – mods not working. Gamers playing detective discovered references to Enigma Protector, a DRM software designed to stop mods and tools like Cheat Engine. It seems Capcom's been on a mission to crack down on mods, possibly fueled by the incident with a naked Chun-Li mod at a Street Fighter 6 tournament.

(Credit: store.steampowered.com)

However, Capcom might have underestimated the gamers' love for performance and mods. The uproar led to a nosedive in Resident Evil Revelations' Steam reviews, and Capcom had to withdraw the patch, citing "an issue with the latest update."

Ubisoft's Future Forecast: Subscription Skies with a Chance of No Ownership

(Credit: news.ubisoft.com)

Ubisoft's director of subscriptions, Philippe Tremblay, dropped a bombshell in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz. He suggested that gamers will need to become more comfortable with not owning games for subscription services like Ubisoft+ and Game Pass to flourish.

(Credit: xbox.com)

Tremblay's comments stirred up a mix of reactions. While some see it as an inevitable shift, akin to how we transitioned from owning CDs and DVDs to streaming music and movies, others are not ready to let go of physical game copies. This debate isn't just about convenience; it's about control, ownership, and the evolving nature of gaming.

(Credit: xbox.com)

While Ubisoft might be leaning into a subscription-dominated future, not everyone's on board. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick remains skeptical, suggesting individual game purchases aren't going anywhere anytime soon. And let's not forget about the developers and players who champion DRM-free releases, holding them up as the true bastion of game ownership.

Tekken 8 World Tour 2024: Revving Up the Global Fight

(Credit: twitter.com/BNEesports)

The Tekken World Tour 2024 is officially announced, and it's coming with a fresh twist that's set to shake up the competitive scene. At the heart of these changes? Two separate leaderboards – Global and Regional.

(Credit: twitter.com/BNEesports)

The Regional leaderboard focuses on local heroes, allowing players to rise through the ranks by competing in Dojo Events in their region. This is a game-changer for those who can't jet-set around the globe for tournaments. As Michael Murray puts it, it's a chance for the non-sponsored warriors to shine on their home turf and secure a spot in the Tekken World Final 2024.

(Credit: twitter.com/BNEesports)

The big twist is that the 2024 tour is going old school with offline events only. That's right, no online tournaments in the mix this time, and the crowd is loving it. The tour kicks off on April 13, 2024, with Dojo submissions opening at the end of March.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League – A Preview Rollercoaster

(Credit: store.playstation.com)

The embargo for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League has lifted, and the first impressions are in. But instead of a unanimous chorus of excitement, we're hearing a symphony of mixed reviews. Rocksteady's latest venture is turning heads, but not all of them are nodding in approval.

(Credit: blog.playstation.com)

IGN's take is a bit of a downer, pointing out uninspired combat and a world filled with monotonous tasks post-story. Gamespot echoes this sentiment, noting generic battles and objectives despite the game's narrative allure. However, Game Informer offers a glimmer of hope, expressing newfound anticipation for the game despite lingering questions about its structure and monetization.

(Credit: youtube.com/@IGN)

The buzz from NDA-breaking alpha players is somewhat more positive, with some confessing a change of heart and even preordering the game. This contrast suggests a potential disconnect between critics and fans, so it's too early to pass judgment.

One prevalent critique is the game's apparent trend-chasing with its co-op live service aspects. Eurogamer notes Rocksteady's attempt to blend new online shooter elements with its storied past, but questions if this is the right move.

PlayStation 5 Goes Mobile in DIY Perk's Latest Creation

(Credit: youtube.com/@DIYPerks)

Have you ever dreamt of taking your PlayStation 5 on the go? Well, DIY Perks, a wizard of tech transformations on YouTube, just turned that dream into a DIY reality. Welcome to the world's first PS5 tablet - unofficial, of course.

(Credit: youtube.com/@DIYPerks)

Picture this: A sleek, portable PlayStation 5, complete with an OLED screen and 4K visuals, all in the form of a tablet roughly the size of a large iPad. Mind-blowing, right? DIY Perks pulled off this gaming miracle by stripping down a PS5 to its core components and reimagining it as a handheld powerhouse.

(Credit: youtube.com/@DIYPerks)

This project only became feasible thanks to Sony's internal redesign of the PS5, which resulted in a much slimmer motherboard – perfect for tucking into a tablet-sized device. The real challenge, though, was fitting the PS5's cooling system into this compact form. But with some engineering magic, DIY Perks replaced the original bulky heatsink with a smaller, yet equally effective, cooling solution.

GAME Over for Trade-Ins: UK's Top Retailer Shifts Gears

(Credit: game.co.uk)

GAME, the UK's leading video game retailer, is set to bid farewell to its trade-in program starting 16th February, as reported by Eurogamer. This marks the end of an era for many who've relied on trading in old games for new adventures.

(Credit: game.co.uk)

This decision means that GAME will stop accepting your beloved physical video games for trade-in next month. But don't worry, you've still got a little time left to declutter your gaming shelf. The remaining pre-owned stock will continue to be sold until it's all gone.

So, what's behind this significant shift? It seems to align with GAME's broader strategy. Last year, GAME's boss Nick Arran shared their commitment to selling physical games, likening collector's editions to the "vinyl of video games." With this move, GAME is doubling down on new and collectible games while slowly stepping away from the pre-owned market.