This is a bit of a different article in regards to gaming and ARG’s, or Alternate Reality Games. The beauty of these is how much they can bring a community of people together, even people who don’t know much about the subject. This is no better shown than in the current ARG for No Man’s Sky, dubbed Waking Titan.
What is Waking Titan?
I took the liberty to have an interview with some staff members and community veterans of Gamedetectives.net and gather their opinions about how much this ARG has done in the grounds of bringing a community together. Gamers and puzzle solvers alike. Some of them without even being No Man’s Sky fanatics! The general audiences need to know what the project is however. And the gamedetectives had this to say.
Waking Titan is a wide-scale ARG that is connected Hello Game’s game ‘No Man’s Sky’. The ARG is being put on by the infamous Alice & Smith company, best known for The Black Watchmen.
It started out with trying to connect this ARG to NMS, but since it has been confirmed that this ARG is connected to NMS, we are trying to solve it to figure out what it all means. – Inetro, Community Member
To pull from our wiki page, the ultimate purpose of this is a mystery. It’s clearly connected to No Man’s Sky, but as for how and what it’s leading to, that’s up in the air.
There was mention at near the end of Phase 1, earlier this month, that input from this will “pave the way toward new experiences in version 1.3 of a familiar universe.” So presumably this is leading to a major update in NMS. – Lucario, GD Staff
The difficulty of the puzzles
ARG’s are mostly about the experience. The players need to be engaged in the adventure they are going to take. The puzzles are one of the most intricate selling points of this kind of projects. Since there are a lot of people who are in it just for them, they have to be difficult to a certain degree but the community also needs to be included.
There are some puzzles that can only be solved collaboratively; for instance, players have had to meet up with Waking Titan agents in person to collect packages from them and solve puzzles. additionally, we’re currently in a phase where we need 1000+ players to complete a specific puzzle-related task.
These types of interesting, collaborative puzzles are where the difficulty of ARG’s generally lies (although some of the normal puzzles are hard as nails, make no mistake!) – Crash, GD Staff.
On the puzzles I was actively involved I’d consider most of them of medium difficulty, obviously not that easy but also not too hard. What happens with the puzzles is that they keep bombarding us with info that are not related or are dead ends.
For example, we wasted days over days trying to unglitch some permanently corrupted images, which couldn’t be fixed, but when you have that as a clue, you think that it is a lead for something. – gregkwaste, Community Member
Player involvement in the ARG
In regards of how much player involvement there is in regards of the level of knowledge players need to get? Well, this isn’t a simple task that small groups can solve. ARG’s (Especially one as big as Waking Titan) require a lot of dedication from seasoned users and companions.
There were puzzles that required players to visit a specific real-world location at a certain time, as well as the collaborative puzzles where you need lots of people to do something. the amount of people certainly speeds things up. I have no idea if we’d have made it this far with a smaller group– Crash, GD Staff
Everyone manages to provide their own help in their own ways so I would say yeah, they have certainly helped out. And a smaller group could probably have gotten this far as well but the whole theme of this arg seems to want to have a more global reach so really having the bigger group does help in the long run as well. Especially with some of the recent puzzles require real world photos in 40 different cities. Smaller group might have more trouble with that. – Bruteforce, GD Staff
Is the project too big for No Man’s Sky?
Of course, one of the reasons people are skeptical about the ARG as a whole would be the sour note fans got from the first days of the game’s launch. In the end, Sean Murray’s mention became very infamous in the Internet due to the amount of misnconceptions and lies about the game’s content. Community members and GD Staff had some very intelligent opinions in regards to this.
As a mod tool developer, I’ve argued about that a million times. NMS is a special kind of game, IT IS NOT FOR EVERYONE. It is a chilling game, it was advertised like that above all else + some gameplay features. Now those additional features were not exactly as promised and the release was a complete disaster. But here is the thing, it was thought a disaster because those people got the game for the features and not the space exploration experience.
The ARG by itself has nothing to do with it in my opinion. Even if this turns out to be the best ARG ever existed, still the backbone is a game. If the game doesn’t get better, the ARG is meaningless, so as I said before, they better have a solid plan with 1.3 and any upcoming updates. – gregkwaste, Community Member
Ok so, not everyone agrees with me on this one, but I think it’s a great project to drum up interest in the game. It is probably fanfare for an update, yes. But on top of that, so many more people are interested in the game now because of this.
They actually gave out game keys to random players of the ARG (myself included)! So I’d imagine they’re aiming more at new players than veterans of the game, but I’m sure the update itself is planned to please both groups. – Lucario, GD Staff
Is this project enough to recommend No Man’s Sky?
Some players from either side will argue about whether or not this project should be used as something to recommend the Hello Games title for the general public. An update can’t certainly get so much hype behind it right?. The GD Staff and community offered their input for the matter.
Things seem to be pointing to maybe there being a 4th race getting added, there’s other stuff about there could some sort of multiplayer getting added. I was certainly disappointed when I heard about how NMS turned out when it was released but the ARG has kinda peaked my interest in the lore anyways. Whether it’ll get me to pick up the game we will have to see as it depends what lies at the end of all this. I think it all is going to come down to the individual if they think this makes up for the past or not. – Bruteforce, GD Staff
Some people might be happy with an update and them making amends for the past, but I’m sure there are some people who will always hate and dislike NMS. – Lucario, GD Staff
No Man’s Sky isn’t for everyone, but the company behind it care more than we may think. And if this ARG is anything like what they are cooking up in their offices, then we may see some very surprising things coming from Hello Games – Inetro, Community member
Conclusion. The Beauty of an ambitious project.
The best way to describe Waking Titan is an ARG experience like none ever seen before. I have seen a lot of ARG’s I’m interested about and I can certainly say that Waking Titan has made a lot of its players think. From the sheer amount of detail and love the puzzles have into them, to the amount of dedication players need to get. This certainly is an Alternate Reality game like nothing else.
As stated before, the backbone of the entire project is a video game. But there are many other projects like this that have different subjects and other kinds of things going for it. This is certainly one of the best ways to do these things and probably the future of entertainment through interactive crafty media
After many years of fans begging Square Enix to remaster Final Fantasy VII, they finally listened and did just that. There were numerous excuses as to why the game’s re-release had lagged behind the re-releases of both VII and IX, with the most common excuse being that the game’s original code was lost years ago. However, the company made it happen and the game is finally available for modern audiences to play on modern hardware today. We’re going to give you 5 reasons why you should do just that.
First time available on modern hardware
As we’ve already said, this is the first time that the game is available on modern hardware. While the game originally launched for PS1 back in 1999, it later got a PC port in 2000. That means that is has been a whopping 19 years since a new version of the game has been available for purchase, and that wait was a brutal one. However, it is finally over and you can now play this classic game on PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch along with PC. If the lack of modern hardware support was stopping you from checking out, that excuse just got thrown out the window.
The visuals look better than ever
Thankfully, Square Enix did not just slap this port together quickly and throw it out there to shut everyone up. They did a terrific job of putting on a shiny new coat of paint for the game, with the character models in particular looking much better. While things like environment textures didn’t get quite the same amount of attention, this is nevertheless the best that the game has ever looked. It also helps that the game is simply beautiful from a design standpoint, with the game’s world being gorgeous to behold even though we’re dealing with the hardware limitations of 1999.
Quality of life improvements
While those who played the game 20 years ago will still be getting what is essentially the same experience, Square Enix did add some quality of life improvements to put it more in line with current JRPGs. These changes include the likes of increasing battle speed by 3 times, shutting off random encounters completely and even a cheat to give you max HP and limit breaks. While these may seem minor, these will go a long way to ease some of the tedium that many feel after some particularly long gaming sessions. Max HP and Limit Breaks will also make the incredibly tough Ultima and Omega Weapon boss fights a lot easier to deal with.
Triple Triad
The Final Fantasy series is known for having its fair share of enticing side quests and mini games, but there isn’t a single one that is as addicting as Triple Triad. The game is essentially a card game that is played on a 3×3 grid, and each card has a certain number on the top, bottom, left and right sides. You need to place your cards in a manner that the numbers on your cards are higher than your opponents, and seeing as your card can be attacked from four different sides this can be tricky. You’re able to challenge many different characters to a match throughout the course of the entire game, and doing so comes with plenty of nice rewards that will make your quest easier.
The game is awesome
While our previous points focused on specific elements of the game, this one is a simple fact that has been true since 1999: the game is awesome. Unfortunately, releasing immediately after Final Fantasy VII (a watershed moment for gaming) put it under a very cruel microscope, with many knee jerk reactions simply saying it “isn’t as good as VII.” However, in the years that have passed people have revisited the game, and the consensus has definitely changed. This adventure that Square created is unlike any other in the series, being host to an ambitious and bizarre plot filled with some of the best characters the series has ever seen. If you’ve played the game before then this is the perfect time to experience this masterpiece all over again, and if you haven’t then what are you waiting for?
2019 has been yet another good year for gaming so far, with several games releasing that will be big contenders for game of the year once the curtain closes. However, despite the year already being more than halfway over, there are still some huge titles on the horizon that are sure to make their own dents on the coming best-of lists. This article will list the 10 biggest games that are still coming in 2019.
Control
A new game from Remedy Entertainment is always highly-anticipated, and Control is no different. The game is an action-adventure game in the same style as Alan Wake or Quantum Break, but with a supernatural twist. Players will control Jesse Faden, who possesses a variety of supernatural abilities like telekinesis, levitation and more. She will be using her abilities in order to defeat an enemy known only as the Hiss, which has corrupted reality. Control launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on August 27th.
Borderlands 3
It has been many years since the last game in the Borderlands series released, but the hiatus is finally coming to an end very soon. Those who have played previous games in the series will feel right at home with this game, as it’s once again a loot-driven FPS. The game will offer more zany characters and a charming and insane world to explore, all while dealing with new antagonists Troy and Tyreen Calypso along with their Children of the Vault cult. Borderlands 3 launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on September 13th, with a Google Stadia port release date being TBA.
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon series is returning soon with Breakpoint, which will serve as a continuation of previous game Wildlands. The game is set in an open world environment called Aurora, which is a fictional island in the Pacific Ocean. Players will control Lieutenant Colonel Anthony “Nomad” Perryman, who is a special forces operative that was sent to the island to investigate a series of disturbances in the area. Breakpoint launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on October 4th, with a Google Stadia port coming in November.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Each new installment in the Call of Duty series is always huge, but Modern Warfare’s release marks a first for the long-running franchise. It will be the first game in the series that is reimagining of a previous game in the series, taking 2004’s original game and updating its mechanics and themes to match today’s world. The game will still have some of the beats that the first game had, but will also incorporate lots of surprises to make it a fresh experience. Modern Warfare launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on October 25th.
The Outer Worlds
Obsidian Entertainment’s The Outer Worlds is one that will be very highly-anticipated for fans of Fallout: New Vegas, as this game serves as a sort of spiritual successor to that game. It will be an open world RPG that allows you to explore many unique areas crawling with plenty of deadly foes. Players will also be able to encounter and recruit NPCs as companions that have their own personal missions and stories to take part in. The Outer Worlds launches for PS4, Xbox One and PC on October 25th, with a Switch port also being in the works.
Luigi’s Mansion 3
It seemed very unlikely that Luigi’s Mansion would become a recurring franchise for Nintendo following the original GameCube game, but here we are. Luigi’s Mansion 3 is coming to Switch, which also means it will be the first home console release since the original game back in 2003. This time the game is set in a haunted hotel rather than a mansion, and Luigi has some new tricks up his sleeves to take down all those ghosts. Luigi’s Mansion 3 will launch exclusively for Nintendo Switch on October 31st.
Death Stranding
If you’re looking for the most ambitious (and weirdest) game still coming in 2019, then look no further. Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding has perplexed gamers ever since its announcement, and each new trailer that releases just brings more and more questions to the table. It is Kojima’s first game since breaking up with Konami after the release of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phanton Pain (and the cancellation of Silent Hills), and it looks like Kojima has taken the newfound complete creative control to deliver something truly original. Death Stranding launches exclusively for PS4 on November 8th.
Pokemon Sword & Shield
At this point we all know what to expect from a new Pokemon game, and Sword and Shield seems poised to deliver even more cute creatures for players to capture and battle very soon. What sets Sword and Shield apart from its predecessors is that it will be the first home console release for the series, which is saying something considering the series has been around for over 20 years. Pokemon Sword & Shield launches exclusively for Switch on November 15th.
Shenmue III
If you’re a fan of Shenmue then nothing needs to be said for the inclusion of the upcoming third game on this list. Fans of the series have been waiting nearly two decades for a follow-up to the second game, and in just a couple of months that will finally be delivered to them. Brought to life thanks to an extremely successful Kickstarter campaign, the game continues the adventure of protagonist Ryo Hazuki as he hunts down his father’s killer. Shenmue III will launch for PS4 and PC on November 19th.
DOOM Eternal
id Software’s DOOM 2016 was one of the best FPS games to come along in years, so it’s a no-brainer that the follow-up would be on this list. Eternal is set to offer yet another intense FPS campaign for players to plunge into, while also offering a multiplayer component that greatly improves upon the last game’s underwhelming multiplayer mode. There will also be twice as many demon types than there was in the last game, meaning that the chaos level just got that much higher. DOOM Eternal launches for PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia and PC on November 22nd.
Microsoft’s Xbox E3 2019 Press Conference has officially come to an end, and with it came plenty of big announcements to get excited about. Some new games were announced, whereas previously-announced games got new footage and/or release dates. In this article we’ve narrowed it all down to the 5 most exciting announcements.
New Xbox “Project Scarlett” Coming Holiday 2020
We’ve known for a while now that a new Xbox was in the works, but now we know when to expect it. Microsoft’s fourth console (which hopefully has a better official name than Xbox One did) will be a big step up from the previous console. Things like much faster load times, an AMD Processor that is four times more powerful than the Xbox One X, 8K Resolution and 120 FPS were all mentioned. A price and exact release date weren’t mentioned. It will also be launching with…
Halo Infinite Coming Holiday 2020, Launching On Both Xbox One and Project Scarlett
The wait for the next Halo game has been longer than ever before for series fans, and the announcement at E3 revealed that the wait will continue. Halo Infinite will not be launching until Holiday 2020, meaning it will have been 5 years since the previous game released with Halo 5. It will also be launching on Xbox One and Project Scarlett, meaning the new console will have a big launch title for fans to get pumped about.
Cyberpunk 2077 Coming April 2020, Stars Keanu Reeves
It’s hard to pick a game that people have been more excited about than Cyberpunk 2077, and after Microsoft’s press conference we’re even more excited. Not only is it coming in April of next year, but Keanu Reeves himself will be playing a “key” role in the game. Everything shown from the game has looked great so far, so hopefully it all pans out and we have another classic from CD Projekt RED come April 2020.
FromSoftware and George R.R. Martin Collaboration Elden Ring Announced
This one was actually leaked prior to the presentation, but Dark Souls developer FromSoftware and Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin are collaborating on a new game. The game is called Elden Ring, and it will be a departure from the developer’s most recent games as it will be open world. Very little information on the game is known at this point, as it is still in the early stages of development.
Phantasy Star Online 2 Is Coming West
It took a very long time, but the popular MMORPG is finally coming west. The game is coming to Xbox One in a free-to-play form in Spring 2020, so the wait won’t be that much longer. “There will be no limitations on game experiences,”says Sega, because they want to “provide all players with a fair and exciting experience.”
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