_{Issue #41}

Rune: Take Risks

_{Aug 14, 2024 • 10 minutes}

In today's gaming news, the anticipated Fortnite and Disney collaboration is still years away. The Borderlands movie has flopped, grossing $100 million below budget. Hearthstone's new director plans bold changes to revitalize the game. Developers don't expect the Nintendo Switch 2 before April 2025. Doom has revolutionized gameplay by adding mods on consoles. Lastly, Disney's D23 event highlighted a reliance on nostalgia with numerous sequels and reboots.

Gaming News

Fortnite's Disney Collaboration Still Years Away

Fortnite's highly anticipated collaboration with Disney was briefly highlighted during the recent D23 expo, but fans will have to wait a few more years for the main "Disney Universe" to launch. Despite the excitement surrounding this project, Epic Games and Disney revealed that the larger initiative remains in the early stages of development.

Epic Games' partnership with Disney has been evident since 2018, when Thanos and the Infinity Gauntlet made their debut in Fortnite. This collaboration was solidified earlier this year with Disney investing $1.5 billion into Fortnite, hinting at a virtual Disneyland experience. During D23, Fortnite hosted an event that previewed Chapter 5 Season 4 and teased some upcoming Disney content, including skins based on classic Disney villains and The Incredibles.

The Disney Parks Blog provided more details, describing an "all-new games and entertainment universe" in development. This ambitious project appears to be a separate game mode akin to Lego Fortnite and Fortnite Festival. While some Disney and Pixar content will arrive later this year, the blog confirms that the full-scale project is not expected until at least 2026.

Although the extensive nature of this collaboration is promising, the lengthy development timeline suggests that Disney and Epic are aiming to create a comprehensive and immersive gaming experience. Fans will have to be patient as they await the full realization of this virtual Disney universe within Fortnite.

Borderlands Movie Flops, Grossing $100 Million Below Budget

The Borderlands movie had a disastrous opening weekend, grossing just $16 million worldwide against its $115 million production budget and an additional $30 million allocated for distribution and marketing. This represents a nearly 90% loss. The film garnered $8.8 million from the U.S. box office and $7.2 million from international audiences. Despite competition from "Deadpool & Wolverine" and the unexpected hit "It Ends With Us," Borderlands was met with a chilly reception from both critics and audiences.

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie a dismal 9%, while the audience score is a middling 50%. The production process was fraught with issues, including director Eli Roth having some of his work reshot by Tim Miller, and esteemed writer Craig Mazin removing his name from the credits. Filming wrapped in June 2021, leading to a prolonged delay before its release, often a red flag for a film's success.

Criticism has been widespread, targeting the lack of chemistry among the main cast, a lackluster script, subpar CGI, uninspired performances, and a scarcity of the humor that fans of the video game series expected. The decision to make the film PG-13, despite the M-18 rating of the games, likely hindered the movie's ability to capture the series' tone and humor.

Jimmy O'Dee, a stunt coordinator for the film, revealed that the original intent was to make an R-rated movie, with characters engaging in more graphic violence before the shift to a PG-13 rating. Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford has defended the movie on social media, stating that at least half of the viewers enjoyed it, and comparing its performance to the early career struggles of The Beatles. Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Gearbox's parent company Take-Two, also defended the film, emphasizing the hard work that went into its production.

Hearthstone's New Director Aims for Bold Changes

Hearthstone has seen several changes in leadership since the departure of its beloved former director Ben Brode in 2018. The current director, Tyler Bielman, who took the reins 16 months ago, is set on rejuvenating the game with a fearless yet thoughtful approach. In a recent interview, Bielman emphasized the importance of being bold in innovation while avoiding recklessness.

Bielman, a seasoned TCG designer and video game developer, exudes passion and deep understanding for Hearthstone. Unlike his predecessor, he prefers to stay behind the scenes, believing that the game should not be tied to a single personality. Instead, he focuses on empowering other team members and fostering new talent within the Hearthstone community.

Under Bielman's leadership, Hearthstone has faced significant changes, including the end of the Mercenaries mode and the removal of Duels. These decisions, coupled with the absence of new solo adventures, have led to concerns about the game's longevity. Bielman acknowledges past mistakes but remains committed to delivering a high-quality live service experience.

Looking ahead, Bielman plans to concentrate efforts on existing popular modes like Battlegrounds Duos, which has been well-received for its cooperative gameplay. Additionally, the introduction of the Twist format allows the team to experiment with new ideas without overcommitting resources. This balanced approach aims to keep the game fresh and engaging while maintaining a strong connection with the player base.

As Hearthstone celebrates its tenth anniversary, Bielman is determined to drive the game forward with fearless innovation. His vision for the future includes taking calculated risks to enhance the player experience, ensuring that both new and long-time fans have plenty to look forward to in the years ahead.

Developers Don't Expect Nintendo Switch 2 Before April 2025

Nintendo has enjoyed significant success with the Nintendo Switch, leading to a prolonged gap between console releases. Despite confirmed plans for a successor, industry insiders now believe that the Nintendo Switch 2 won't launch before April 2025. Reporter Christopher Dring revealed that developers he spoke with do not anticipate the new console's release within the current financial year, suggesting an April or May 2025 launch instead.

The delayed release seems to be a strategic move to avoid clashing with major titles like GTA 6, set to be one of the biggest game launches. An announcement is expected during a Nintendo Direct, likely in early 2025, setting the stage for a potential Spring or Summer release of the highly anticipated Switch 2. For now, fans and developers alike are eagerly awaiting more concrete news.

Mods on Console Revolutionize Doom

Doom received its 12th console port last week, an impressive five years after the PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and mobile versions launched on the series' 25th anniversary. This port stands out as it introduces mods to consoles, a game-changer for the iconic title.

Just last night, players were battling Ned Flanders in hell, fighting Daleks with Doctor Who's sonic screwdriver, and collecting Sonic rings while fending off Dr. Eggman's robots. The modding community has kept Doom vibrant since 1993, with fans creating new content that revitalizes the game's classic environment. Many popular '90s map competition winners are now available on console, broadening access to these creative works.

Previously, console players missed out on the rich modding scene that PC players enjoyed. With this new port, id Software and Bethesda have opened the floodgates, allowing classic fan-favorite mods like MyHouse.wad and Star Wars Doom to reach a wider audience. However, moderation is essential as controversial and offensive content has been uploaded and quickly removed. Despite these challenges, the introduction of mods is a significant and positive development.

Mods have historically extended the lifespan of games. Titles like Skyrim thrived for a decade because of their robust modding communities, creating new experiences and expanding the game's world. Doom shares a similar story. Its groundbreaking release in 1993 set the stage for modern FPS games, fostering a community that continues to create and innovate over 30 years later.

Bethesda's support for mods has transformed the practice from a niche hobby into a celebrated aspect of modern gaming. The new Doom and Doom 2 ports embody this spirit, promising an exciting future for this '90s classic with a fresh injection of creativity and community-driven content.

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