_{Issue #45}

Rune: Gaming - Leaks, Scores, and Corporate Moves!

_{Sept 14, 2024 • 12 minutes}

Hold onto your controllers, gamers! This week's edition of Gaming Pulse is bursting with electrifying news that's shaking up the industry. From leaked footage of the most anticipated Zelda title to shocking price glitches, industry icons speaking out, and unfortunate layoffs at major studios - we've got it all. Brace yourselves for a rollercoaster ride through the latest developments that are reshaping the gaming landscape as we know it.

Gaming News

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Gameplay Footage Leaks

The gaming world is holding its breath as leaked footage of "The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom" surfaced online, just days before its official release. This unexpected preview has set forums ablaze with speculation and excitement.

The leak occurred on September 14, 2024, a mere 12 days before the scheduled release on September 26. While the leaked footage doesn't reveal much, it hints at the possibility of more substantial leaks on the horizon. This incident eerily mirrors the "Tears of the Kingdom" leak in 2023, which resulted in Nintendo taking legal action against the Yuzu emulator. "Echoes of Wisdom" is expected to be approximately 6GB in size, with a potential day-one patch in the works.

Fans eagerly awaiting the game are advised to tread carefully online to avoid spoilers. Nintendo has yet to comment on the leak, but given their history of swift and decisive responses to such incidents, we may see action from the gaming giant soon.

LEGO 2K Drive DLC Listed at Astronomical Price on Nintendo's Mexican Website

In a twist that's equal parts hilarious and baffling, a DLC pack for "LEGO 2K Drive" has been listed on Nintendo's Mexican website at a price that would make even the wealthiest gamers do a double-take. The Season 4 Coin Pack, offering 1,100 in-game coins and a new vehicle build, is currently priced at an eye-watering $72,000.18 (presumably in Mexican pesos).

To put this in perspective, the same DLC is priced at a much more reasonable $9.99 on the US version of Nintendo's site. Even after currency conversion, the Mexican price would still hover around $3,700 USD. This outrageous listing is likely a pricing error, as other LEGO 2K Drive content on the Mexican site is priced comparably to US prices. Surprisingly, this error has persisted since March 13, showcasing the sometimes sluggish nature of fixing such mistakes.

While this pricing anomaly provides a moment of levity, it also shines a spotlight on the ongoing collaboration between LEGO and 2K. Fans are buzzing with speculation about the next game in this partnership, with whispers of a soccer game titled "LEGO 2K Goooal!" making the rounds, though no official announcements have been made.

Legendary Voice Actor Peter Renaday Passes Away at 89

The gaming and entertainment community is mourning the loss of a true icon. Peter Renaday, a versatile voice actor whose career spanned nearly six decades, has passed away at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy that has touched millions of fans across multiple generations.

Renaday's illustrious career included voicing the wise Master Splinter in the original "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" cartoon, bringing gravitas to the role of Duncan in "Dragon Age: Origins," and embodying the enigmatic Al Mualim in "Assassin's Creed." His talent also graced several Walt Disney World attractions, adding magic to the theme park experience. Fittingly, his final video game role was in "Assassin's Creed: Revelations," bookending a remarkable journey through the gaming world.

The news of Renaday's passing was confirmed by fellow voice actor Townsend Coleman, sending ripples of sadness through the industry. BioWare released an official statement honoring Renaday's immense contribution to the "Dragon Age" franchise. Across social media, fans and colleagues are sharing heartfelt tributes and memorable quotes, with many highlighting his unforgettable performance as Grey Warden Duncan.

Suda51 Criticizes Industry's Reliance on Metacritic Scores

In a bold move that's got the industry talking, Goichi Suda, the maverick game designer better known as Suda51, has taken aim at the gaming world's obsession with Metacritic scores. The creator of "No More Heroes" and founder of Grasshopper Manufacture didn't pull any punches in a recent interview with GamesIndustry, expressing his concerns that the relentless pursuit of high review scores is suffocating creativity and making it increasingly difficult for unique, boundary-pushing games to find success.

Suda, currently hard at work on a remaster of "Shadows of the Damned" with his studio Grasshopper Manufacture, is no stranger to pushing the envelope. His collaboration with "Resident Evil" co-creator Shinji Mikami on cult classics like "Killer7" and the original "Shadows of the Damned" stands as a testament to his commitment to originality. Suda argues that the industry's fixation on chasing good review scores has created a formulaic approach to game design, potentially stifling the next generation of groundbreaking titles.

Instead of playing it safe, Suda advocates for a return to passion-driven game development. He believes in creating games that developers are proud of and that resonate with fans, rather than trying to tick boxes or appeal to the broadest possible audience.

Interestingly, Suda's perspective is echoed by his longtime collaborator, Shinji Mikami. After leaving Capcom, Mikami founded Tango Gameworks, the studio behind the recent critical darling "Hi-Fi Rush." However, Tango's journey hasn't been without its challenges. Following its acquisition by Microsoft, the studio faced a period of uncertainty, including a temporary shutdown. In a twist of fate, South Korean publisher Krafton stepped in to acquire the studio, breathing new life into Mikami's vision.

As for Suda, he's riding high on the recent release of "Lollipop Chainsaw RePop" and is visibly excited about the upcoming "Shadows of the Damned" remaster. For him, this project represents more than just a trip down memory lane - it's a second chance to bring a beloved cult classic to a whole new generation of gamers.

Microsoft Layoffs Impact Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile Team

In a sobering reminder of the industry's volatility, Microsoft's gaming divisions were hit with a significant round of layoffs on September 12, affecting approximately 650 employees. Among those caught in the crossfire was the team behind "Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile," with Activision Blizzard scaling down both the "Warzone Mobile" and "Warcraft Rumble" teams.

The timing of these layoffs is particularly poignant, considering "Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile" only launched in March 2024. The mobile version aimed to bring the full-fledged "Warzone" experience to handheld devices, offering many of the features that made the console and PC versions so popular. However, it seems the game hasn't quite met expectations, with many gamers still preferring the main "Warzone" experience on larger screens.

These layoffs aren't isolated incidents but part of a larger trend that has seen Microsoft's gaming division cut approximately 2,550 employees in 2024 alone. The first wave came in January, with 1,900 employees let go - a move largely attributed to redundancies following Microsoft's recent string of high-profile acquisitions in the gaming space.

Despite these setbacks, it's not all doom and gloom for the Call of Duty franchise. The upcoming "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6" is generating significant buzz and is expected to be a major success for Microsoft. The game's beta has already shattered records for player engagement and time played, hinting at potentially astronomical pre-order numbers. With the launch set for October 26, Microsoft is gearing up for what could be a historic release.

Looking ahead, the company has pledged continued support for both "Warzone" and "Warzone Mobile" across various seasons, signaling a commitment to the franchise's long-term success despite the recent turbulence.

Stay tuned for more pulse-pounding updates in our next edition of Gaming Pulse, where we'll continue to bring you the latest and greatest from the ever-evolving world of gaming!

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