Patch Notes #3 - weekly (lol) gaming digest

Welcome to the third edition of Patch Notes, let’s get this bad boy going. (Apologies for the delay, I was living)

This edition will cover the week from 11th to 17th November.

What caught my attention this week

Warcraft30 Direct was an absolute banger. I was ecstatic.

Biggest news of the week

Yakuza creator Nagoshi says the era of game size being most important is ending - VGChronicles

Yakuza creator Toshihiro Nagoshi believes game size will soon matter less than content quality and player experience. In a recent interview, he explained that his new studio’s debut action-adventure game focuses on an engaging experience without an overly large world. Although the game initially had a big map, Nagoshi is shrinking it to balance scale and density, aiming for a rich, focused design rather than vast, repetitive environments. He emphasizes that meaningful content and narrative will define the game, aligning with player expectations for his distinctive style.

Nintendo sues player who kept streaming pirated Switch games, taunted ‘I can do this all day’ - VGChronicles

Nintendo is suing streamer Jesse Keighin (Every Game Guru) for repeatedly broadcasting pirated, unreleased Switch games since 2022. Despite Nintendo's takedown notices, Keighin continued streaming games like Mario & Luigi: Brothership over 50 times and allegedly provided links to ROMs, emulators, and encryption keys, encouraging piracy. He even mocked Nintendo, claiming he had “a thousand burner channels.” Nintendo seeks up to $150,000 per copyrighted game and $2,500 per piracy-enabling act, potentially totalling millions in damages.

Personal note: FAFO.

Xbox isn’t ruling out any game for PS5 or Switch, Spencer reiterates - VGChronicles

Xbox CEO Phil Spencer has reiterated that Microsoft is open to releasing first-party Xbox games on rival platforms like PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. This stance follows Xbox's earlier announcements to bring titles such as Pentiment, Hi-Fi Rush, Sea of Thieves, and Grounded to these platforms. Recently, Microsoft confirmed that Doom: The Dark Ages and an Indiana Jones game will come to the PS5. Spencer emphasized there are "no red lines" limiting Xbox games from appearing on other consoles, though he noted decisions on franchises like Halo are still under consideration. This approach aligns with Spencer's belief in a more interconnected gaming industry, where exclusivity isn’t necessary for success. Games like Sea of Thieves have shown promising cross-platform performance, with it becoming the most downloaded game on PS5 in May across the U.S. and Europe.

Nintendo Alarmo review - Mario's charm can't justify alarm clock's £90 price tag - Eurogamer

The Nintendo Alarmo alarm clock, priced at £90, combines iconic Nintendo sounds from Mario, Zelda, Pikmin, and more to wake users, utilizing a smart motion sensor that won’t fully stop until it detects you’re out of bed. However, beyond nostalgic audio and motion detection, it offers limited features compared to other sleep-tracking devices, and its price feels steep for what it delivers. Though enjoyable, its value is questioned in a market where more advanced devices are available at similar or lower prices.

Fortnite OG is returning permanently in December - VGChronicles

Epic Games has announced that Fortnite OG, a popular mode featuring the original Chapter 1 map and loot, will return permanently on December 6. Last year, Fortnite OG attracted 44.7 million players in a single day, marking the biggest day in the game’s history. Starting in December, players can explore the OG map and seasons continuously.

Hundreds of ZeniMax workers strike over Microsoft outsourcing, remote work policies - Eurogamer

ZeniMax workers are striking today, protesting Microsoft's decision to outsource QA work without consulting the CWA union, raising fears of job undercutting. This one-day strike will occur at ZeniMax’s Maryland and Texas offices and follows mounting concerns over remote work policies, similar to recent protests at Activision. Microsoft had previously recognized the ZeniMax union in January 2023, marking it as the first and most significant video game union in the U.S., amid Microsoft’s efforts to address labour concerns during its Activision acquisition.

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Review - RPGSite

The Dragon Quest III HD-2D remake breathes new life into the classic RPG with updated visuals while preserving the original's gameplay and spirit. Known for expanding the early JRPG genre, Dragon Quest III remains a deceptively linear, exploration-driven game where players embark on a global journey to defeat the Archfiend. Unlike modern RPGs, the game focuses on adventure and gameplay rather than character development, with party members primarily serving functional roles.The remake introduces small enhancements, like autosave and a new vocation, the Monster Wrangler, adding fresh layers to gameplay without straying far from the classic experience. The reimagined world feels vast and inviting, balancing nostalgic design with polished visuals and modern quality-of-life updates. The remake captures the original’s charm and sense of wanderlust, offering both seasoned fans and newcomers an engaging experience that celebrates the legacy of Dragon Quest III.

Black Ops 6 is now targeting ‘disruptive behaviour’ like AFK players - VGChronicles

In Black Ops 6’s Season One update, Treyarch addresses disruptive behaviour by targeting AFK players and detecting VPN use to prevent region-hopping. Players need 50 multiplayer wins to access Ranked Play, ensuring experience and data history for anti-cheat analysis. Treyarch will also monitor top players with a Replay Tool, with similar changes coming to Warzone mid-season.

Pokemon TCG Pocket confirms plans to add in a new feature every Poke-head wants soon, as well as new booster packs - VG247

Pokémon TCG Pocket has announced plans for several new features, including card trading and additional booster packs. New booster packs will be added by the end of 2024, while a much-anticipated card trading feature is set to launch in January 2025. The developers are also working on other updates, with more details to come as they finalize release dates. This roadmap follows the game’s strong engagement, with over 30 million players.

Embracer divests Easybrain to Miniclip in $1.2bn deal - GamesIndustry

Embracer Group is selling mobile game developer Easybrain to Miniclip for $1.2 billion in a cash deal expected to finalize in early 2025. Announced alongside Embracer’s Q2 financial report, which noted declining sales, the sale aims to improve Embracer’s financial standing. Embracer’s CEO, Lars Wingefors, praised Easybrain’s contributions over the past three years, stating Miniclip is a strategic buyer suited for Easybrain’s future in ad-driven mobile gaming. This move follows Embracer's recent restructuring, which included splitting into three companies, divesting Gearbox and Saber Interactive, and implementing layoffs.

Personal note: what a shitshow Embracer turned out to be, embarrassing.

Sony Just Released a $700 PS5 Pro, So Will Microsoft Do the Same With Xbox? Phil Spencer Says It’s Unnecessary - IGN SEA

Sony's $700 PS5 Pro brings mid-gen upgrades. Still, Xbox chief Phil Spencer has downplayed the need for a similar Xbox refresh, citing diminishing returns in hardware advancements and a focus on innovation and accessibility. While Microsoft remains committed to future consoles, Spencer emphasized expanding the gaming audience through new devices and business models rather than pursuing costly incremental upgrades.

Ubisoft’s Tom Hardy-L

ed Splinter Cell Movie Is Dead, Surprising No-One - IGN SEA

The long-delayed Splinter Cell movie, starring Tom Hardy as Sam Fisher, has officially been cancelled after years of development struggles. Announced in 2012, the film faced script and budget issues, with producer Basil Iwanyk calling it "one of the ones that got away." While the movie is dead, the franchise continues with Netflix's upcoming animated series Splinter Cell: Deathwatch and Ubisoft's planned remake of the original game. However, no release date has been announced.

New ‘Dragon Quest’ Remake Revitalizes a 36-Year-Old Game - Bloomberg

The Dragon Quest III HD-2D remake revitalises the 1988 classic with modern visuals, quality-of-life improvements, and a timeless charm. Originally a cultural phenomenon in Japan, the game retains its simple, intuitive gameplay, appealing to longtime fans and newcomers. Producer Masaaki Hayasaka balanced nostalgia with fresh updates, like an unlimited item bag and objective markers, to make the experience accessible today. With remakes of the first two games coming next year, this launch sets the stage for the future of the Dragon Quest series.

The Game Awards confirms that DLC, remakes and remasters will be eligible for Game of the Year - VGChronicles

The Game Awards has officially expanded its eligibility criteria to include DLCs, expansions, remakes, and remasters across all award categories, including Game of the Year. To qualify, these entries must demonstrate substantial creative and technical contributions, with factors like originality and value considered by the jury. This announcement comes ahead of the shortlist reveal on Monday as the event gears up for its 10th anniversary at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Last year’s show broke records with 118 million livestreams, cementing its place as a significant celebration in the gaming industry.

Personal note: VGA is a glorified ad, and I shouldn’t take it too seriously, despite their status, in my opinion. Elden Ring DLC is an absolute excellent game, no doubt about it, but to play it, you have to play a big part of the main game, and some specific things in-game, therefore you can’t play the DLC as a standalone game. It makes all of this a bit head-scratching.

Xbox Handheld: What I Want to See From Microsoft’s Portable Console - IGN

Xbox boss Phil Spencer has hinted at a potential handheld console in development. It is expected to support local gameplay instead of streaming, and fans hope it features a controller-friendly Windows 11 interface for broader game access, Quick Resume for seamless multitasking, and custom hardware developed with AMD to make it a standout in the competitive handheld gaming market.

Biggest releases this week

<3 <3 <3DQ III HD-2D REMAKE <3 <3 <3