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FusionFall, the Cartoon Network MMO, is Being Revived. And Remade.

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Yesterday, while the Internet geeked out over Guild Wars 2’s latest expansion, Path of Fire, another smaller MMO was released. Well, not so much released as entered an early-access alpha/beta test, but this other MMO is still worth talking about.

So, who here has heard of FusionFall? It was a short-lived MMO that was released back in 2009, developed by Grigon Entertainment, and published by Cartoon Network (yes, as in the television cable channel). The game had fairly simple combat mechanics, but it also had numerous platforming sections, which is something you don’t see very often in MMOs. However, what really sold FusionFall was its aesthetic; the game used an anime art style that, unlike other MMOS with anime art styles, actually stood out from the crowd. Moreover and more importantly, FusionFall featured a game world where almost every single Cartoon Network character lived side-by-side in (relative) harmony. If you could name the character, he or she (or it) was probably an NPC in the game. Dexter from Dexter’s Laboratory? One of the main protagonists. Ed, Edd, and Eddy from Ed, Edd n Eddy? They gave players quests. Mojo Jojo from The Powerpuff Girls? Surprisingly, he was an ally. Practically all Cartoon Network original programs, from Johnny Bravo to Ben 10 and even Megas XLR, were represented in the game in one form or another. All in all, FusionFall was an excellent MMO anyone could pick up and play, even children. Especially children. In fact, thanks to the game’s simple design and use of familiar characters (both old and new), parents could play FusionFall together with their kids. Sadly, the game shut down in 2013, but several dedicated fans are trying to revive it, which is where the previously mentioned alpha/beta test comes in.

Actually, claiming that the team of fans is only trying to revive FusionFall is a bit of an oversimplification. While the fan/developers will release an emulation of the original game in the form of FusionFall Retro, they are also currently working on a remake of the game that includes new models, textures, animations, lighting, NPCs, enemies, combat mechanics, and levels. While the emulation is currently undergoing extremely limited testing (you can download the client here), the remake, FusionFall Legacy, is a long way off and probably won’t be available until 2018 at the earliest. With luck, the emulation is almost ready — it was actually supposed to release yesterday, August 1st.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ff9nOqn6sIs

FusionFall was not the only MMO designed for children and their parents to play together and wasn’t the the first one either. The Walt Disney Company took a crack at MMOs in 2003 with Toontown Online. The game also closed down in 2013, but fans are keeping Toontown alive with their own servers, the most popular being Toontown Rewritten. However, while Toontown’s fans are content to simply re-release the game, the FusionFall Retro/Legacy dev team is going above and beyond to create the definitive FusionFall experience. I used to play FusionFall and even helped beta test the game, and I have to admit I am extremely impressed by the work of FusionFall Legacy’s new developers. These superfans clearly know what they’re doing, and I daresay the animations, locations, and characters shown off in the FusionFall Legacy trailer surpass the work done by Grigon Entertainment. I wish the new fan/development team luck in reviving this gem of an underrated and underappreciated MMO.

All you have to do to get my attention is talk about video games, technology, anime, and/or Dungeons & Dragons - also people in spandex fighting rubber suited monsters.

Gaming

Sony is reportedly engaged in discussions to form a partnership for a potential bid on Paramount

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There hasn’t been much buzz lately about any new acquisitions in the world of video game intellectual property. According to a recent report, Sony is currently engaged in discussions with a well-funded partner to potentially acquire the renowned film studio Paramount, along with all the exciting possibilities that come with such a merger.

As reported in the New York Times (thanks, ResetEra), Sony Picture Entertainment is reportedly in discussions with Apollo Global Management, an investment firm, as per two sources familiar with the matter. In the past, Apollo had made an offer to acquire Paramount for a minimum of $26 billion, but their bid was ultimately turned down.

The terms of the joint bid are currently under discussion, and there is a chance that the two parties may decide against making a formal offer. Unnamed sources have revealed that Paramount is currently in exclusive discussions with Skydance, preventing any official offer from being made at this time. Investor opposition to the recent deal that Skydance brought seems to have been significant.

The potential impact of such an acquisition is immense. First and foremost, it would introduce adaptations of Sonic and Halo into the expanding media empire of the PlayStation platform holder. Following the announcement, Paramount’s stock experienced a significant 11% surge in after-hours trading.

What are your thoughts on the news? Is there a possibility of Sony acquiring Paramount? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Helldivers 2 Players Face Overwhelming Hordes of Factory Striders

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In the ongoing conflict against the Automaton invasion fleet, the Helldivers 2 players have successfully halted their advance. However, the situation has now reached a tiresome stalemate. Yet again, the machines refuse to take a break from their relentless pursuit of progress, with reports emerging of the Factory Striders being deployed in record-breaking quantities.

There have been reports of alleged machines that were supposedly encountered during Operation Swift Disassembly, which was just the beginning of a larger campaign. However, these accounts should be taken with a grain of salt, as they are unverified and seem to be more on the imaginative side. Factory Striders have gained a reputation as formidable weapons platforms that can produce more Automatons while enduring significant damage. If the machines are able to withstand such a relentless assault, it will be necessary to develop innovative strategies.

Have you come across groups of Factory Striders in Helldivers 2? Which strategies are proving to be the most effective in taking down these armored brutes? The Orbital Railcannon Strike will prove to be a valuable asset in the comments section below.

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Todd Howard affirms that the timeline of the Fallout series is coherent and well-constructed

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The recent release of Amazon’s adaptation of Fallout has ignited a renewed interest in the series and brought attention to the captivating alternate history that forms its foundation. Fans have expressed concern that the TV show’s events might be at odds with the plot of the Obsidian Entertainment video game New Vegas. Warning: Spoilers ahead for New Vegas and Amazon’s show!

Bethesda Game Studios director Todd Howard and Fallout TV executive producer Jonathan Nolan recently sat down with IGN to discuss the timeline. Howard was taken aback when showrunners Graham Wagner and Geneva Robertson-Dworet presented him with the surprising concept of obliterating Shady Sands, the bustling capital of the New California Republic, in the aftermath of the events in New Vegas. Howard eventually warmed up to the idea: “After discussing it, we realized that this could be a significant story moment that many things hinge upon.”

It seems that they had to make some tough decisions to ensure everything fell into place, but Howard emphasizes the importance of preserving the integrity of the Fallout timeline: “We take great care with the timeline. There seems to be some confusion in certain areas. However, all the events from the previous games, including New Vegas, did occur. We take great caution in that matter. We’re really pushing the limits here, but the explosions occur right after the events of New Vegas.

What are your thoughts on this? Is it up to par? Even though it may not have a significant impact on the overall quality of the games or show, it is comforting to know that those in charge are paying attention. We value your feedback and would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.

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