Gaming News You Need to Know - We Interviewed Lucy Liu!

March 29, 2024

Author

Robert Scarpinito
March 29, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

Today we published our interview with Actress Lucy Liu and Singer Studios Founder Eloise Singer, both of whom worked on The Pirate Queen: A Forgotten Legend. Both are executive producers on this VR project, and Eloise directed it.

The game tells the story of the most powerful pirate in history, a Chinese woman who basically controlled all of the South China Sea in the early 1800s. Their game shows how Zheng Yi Sao rose to power, with Lucy voicing the protagonist. You probably know her from Charlie’s Angels, Kill Bill, or that one episode of Futurama where Fry dates her (kinda).

And a totally unrelated note, but did you know according to her IMDb, Eloise’s great-great-grandparents were the inventor of the Singer Sewing Machine AND the model for the Statue of Liberty? This has been your fun fact Friday!

Anyway, let’s dive into the big stories of the week.

The confusing rise and loud fall of the Embracer Group has been an interesting one to watch. Before, it was snatching up studios and IPs left and right, including household names like Tomb Raider and Deus Ex. Then it started shedding them and employees left and right.

Gearbox is the latest to be free from Embracer’s embrace, and it’s now being sold to Take-Two. There are some caveats in this deal, like Embracer maintaining certain satellite studios and the publishing rights to certain franchises, like Remnant. However, a majority of Gearbox and its franchises will be under Take-Two by June 2024, when the deal closes. You can get the nitty-gritty details on our site.

Amid this crossfire, Take-Two confirmed that new Borderlands games are on the way, which should shock no one; after all, it’s the diamond pony jewel in Gearbox’s crown. We went from taking down a megalomaniacal billionaire to a tussling with intergalactic Twitch streamers. What’s next, ChatGPT with a goatee?

Move over, quadruple A! There’s a new vowel powerhouse on the scene. The Triple I Initiative Showcase has been announced by the creators of hits like Terraria, Vampire Survivors, and V Rising.

If you’re into indie games, this 45-minute presentation is one you don’t want to miss. Tune in on April 10 at 1 p.m. eastern for the next big thing in indie games, with a no-frills, just-information showcase for upcoming games.

Reading Between the Headlines

Marvel Rivals Looks a Lot Like Overwatch 2 With Superheroes

Marvel Games and Netease Games announced an upcoming free-to-play 6 vs 6 hero third-person shooter, Marvel Rivals. Say that five times fast. Overwatch is the obvious comparison, but there’s a lot that reminds me of Smite, too. The closed alpha is coming later this year.

Stellar Blade Demo Is Out Now

If you’re reading this email the day I sent it, Stellar Blade’s demo came out today. Find out for yourself if the combat feels as good as it looks! As a big Devil May Cry and Nier Automata fan, I’ll be trying it later today.

"Souls-Lite RPG" Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn Gets Extensive Gameplay Reveal Showing its Mechanics

Look, it’s Dark Souls with single-shot pistols for a sidearm! I wonder if it’ll run at 60fps. You can watch the extended gameplay A44 released this week to see if this upcoming soulslike (lite?) is for you. 

The Coolest Cards We Pulled From Star Wars: Unlimited Spark of Rebellion Booster Box

Our Tabletop Editor Giaco Furino told me that Star Wars: Unlimited is trading card gaming’s new hope, which I think is a reference? But if you’re into Magic: The Gathering, this might be up your alley, and we’ve got the details on the latest SWU booster set.

City 20's NPCs and Factions will React to Every Major Decision You Make

We got a hands-off preview for an upcoming survival simulation game called City 20. I hadn’t heard of it until our writer, Robert N. Adams, told me about it. But honestly? If it lives up to what the devs claimed in our preview, it could be pretty cool. Find out for yourself.

What’s New This Week?

Open Roads - Driving Motivation

This week, Open Roads launched, featuring a deep narrative that’s worth seeing through to the end. However, if you aren’t as into games that focus on story over gameplay, you might want to take the first exit you see.

Dune: Awakening Promises to Bring Arrakis Alive

Our writer Dan Rockwood had a busy weekend at PAX East in Boston, and he got a chance to see Dune: Awakening, the upcoming survival MMO. Yes, there are sandworms. Yes, managing water is extra important. Yes, you can mine for Spice.

Visions of Mana - Get Lost in Colorful Landscapes

If JRPGs are more your speed, he also played Visions of Mana at PAX East. The latest in the Mana series looks vibrant and sounds like a lot of fun with its magic system.

Pepper Grinder - I Dig It

And lastly, if you’re into platformers, our writer Austin Suther enjoyed his time with Pepper Grinder. He said it has “butter-smooth drilling action.” No, I will not elaborate further, but his review will if you read it.

Podcast: The Wakestones Aren’t Worth It

Because of how our recording schedule shakes out, this week’s podcast was about last week’s newsletter lead story. But Rutledge has sunk dozens of hours into Dragon’s Dogma 2, so he’s got some tips on how to avoid the microtransactions and solve some sphinx riddles.