Share of the Week: Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2

Nintendo has revealed that it will live stream a Splatoon 3 Direct this week.  More specifically, it will begin at 6 a.m. PT on Wednesday, Aug. 10, and will feature roughly 30 minutes of updates. Check out the announcement for yourself below: Tune in on August 10 at 6 a.m. PT for a livestreamed #Splatoon3 Direct presentation. Join us in the Splatlands for roughly 30 minutes of updates! pic.twitter.com/iFfaU3V6vM — Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) August 8, 2022 As you can see, there’s not much else to glean from this news. If you’re the kind of person who anticipates game-focused Directs to reveal information about other anticipated titles, I would say you should not do that with this one. It seems very much a “we’re only going to talk about Splatoon 3” kind of Direct announcement. Of course, I could be wrong, but you know, expectations and all that.  However, if you’re a Splatoon fan, it sounds like Wednesday will be an excellent day. Not only are you getting new Splatoon 3 details and information, but “roughly 30” minutes of it – that’s a lot! As for what to expect, new weapons, characters, maps, and story details will likely be showcased. This will probably be the last Splatoon 3-focused Direct, too, considering the game hits Switch less than a month after it on Sept. 9.  While waiting for Wednesday’s Direct, check out this Splatoon 3-themed Switch console and then listen to this new punk rock-inspired track from Splatoon 3’s soundtrack. After that, check out the latest Splatoon 3 gameplay trailer.  Are you excited about Splatoon 3? Let us know in the comments below!

SNK revealed during the Evo 2022 fighting game tournament held in Las Vegas that a new Fatal Fury game has been greenlit and is now in development.  This news comes from a short teaser trailer that showcases a new look at some Fatal Fury art alongside the following message, which plays on screen: “The city of legend still breathes. Hungry wolves back on the prowl. A new destiny hidden in darkness. New Fatal Fury/Garou green-lit.”  Check it out for yourself below:  As you can see, SNK didn’t reveal much else, and if you’re a Fatal Fury fan, you probably have many questions. Will this new game adopt a 3D art style like other modern fighting franchises such as Street Fighter 6, or will it stick with traditional 2D art? Which fighters are returning? Will there be new fighters? Only time will tell.  If you’re unfamiliar with Fatal Fury, you might recognize the name Terry Bogard, who regained some popularity after his inclusion in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. He’s the protagonist of the Fatal Fury fighting game series. If you don’t recognize that name either, nobody can blame you – the last Fatal Fury game came out 23 years ago, with Fatal Fury: Mark of the Wolves’ release in 1999.  It’s unclear when we’ll hear more about this new Fatal Fury game, but it’s nice to know at least a game is in development for the classic fighting franchise.  Are you excited about a new Fatal Fury game? Let us know in the comments below!

Capcom has revealed that Juri will join the roster of Street Fighter 6 alongside newcomer Kimberly. Returning competitor Juri is a “sadistic thrill seeker who enjoys the suffering of others, taking immense joy in obliterating her foes,” according to PlayStation. She first appeared in Super Street Fighter IV. Before SF6, her primary motivation was exacting revenge on M. Bison, but since his fall in Street Fighter V, she now waits for a new motivation to arrive. If you’re a fan of Juri, don’t sweat – she retains many of her past moves in Street Fighter 6, although you can expect them to have “different properties” now.  For example, Fuhajin returns and sees Juri perform an upwards kick that stores Fuha stocks upon completion. Saihasho, Ankensatsu, and Go Ohsatsu are new special moves but “may be visually familiar in the form of the low projectile or jumping axe kick,” PlayStation writes in a blog post. Players can perform these moves without having to expend Fuha stocks, but they can be chained together and powered up if a Fuha stock is available.    “Finally, Juri’s Shiku-sen, a flying dive kick, returns from Super Street Fighter IV, which can be followed up with a series of flashy airborne kicks,” the blog post reads. “This opens up more creative options for Juri’s playstyle and can catch an opponent off guard.”  Street Fighter newcomer Kimberly is an ‘80s pop culture-infatuated ninja who is the student of Guy.  “Kimberly invited herself to become Guy’s student, who is the 39th successor to Bushinryu after defeating his master Zeku, the 38th successor,” PlayStation writes. “Kimberly had an ordinary upbringing, but she’s a prodigy who graduated college early and now wants to be a full-fledged ninja. She is infatuated with ‘80s pop culture when the portable cassette player was at its peak popularity, hence why she always carries one with her.”   Game director Takayuki Nakayama says Kimberly listens to music from a particular person, but we’ll have to wait to find out who. Nakayama also says that Kimberly’s arsenal of techniques uses her high physical strength and allows her to open up opponents in various ways.  “Being a spunky new ninja, Kimberly incorporates an urban twist to reimagine what Bushinryu means to her,” the blog post reads. “She uses Genius at Play to stock up on a spray can, which can then be thrown to the ground as a Shuriken Bomb. During Hidden Variable, Kimberly conceals herself in colorful smoke before instantly appearing in front of an opponent for a surprise attack. Finally, she has the trademark ninja Sprint, which can be followed up with kick options or Arc Step where Kimberly launches herself off from the opponent.”  For more information, check out the full Street Fighter 6 PlayStation blog post. Be sure to check out Game Informer’s exclusive interview with Nakayama and Street Fighter 6 producer Shuhei Matsumoto and then watch these five minutes of hands-on gameplay with Street Fighter 6’s Chun-Li. Read why one Game Informer editor believes Street Fighter 6’s modern controls make it fun to play against rookies after that.  Street Fighter 6 will hit PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC in 2023.  Are you excited about Street Fighter 6? Let us know in the comments below!

Announced earlier today on the official Microsoft Blog, Unity has selected Azure as its cloud partner for building and operating real-time 3D (RT3D) experiences from the Unity engine. By giving creators easy access to RT3D simulation tools and the ability to create digital twins of real-world places and objects, Unity is offering creators an easy […]

It is important to keep in mind what is going on within Activision Blizzard at this time regarding ongoing allegations about the work culture. The ongoing lawsuit from the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) against the company is over reported toxic workplace culture. The bulk of the suit focuses on "violations of the state's civil rights and equal pay laws," specifically regarding the treatment of women and other marginalized groups. To learn more about the proceedings thus far, including details listed in the lawsuit against Activision Blizzard, please check out our previous coverage here. Infinity Ward and Activision Blizzard have revealed that Call of Duty: Next, a “franchise showcase,” will be broadcast next month, revealing the future of the series.  More specifically, it will air on Sept. 15 and will “feature robust information drops detailing innovations, live gameplay, and a whole lot more,” including the following:  The imminent future of Call of Duty: details about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, information about the next Call of Duty: Warzone, and more on the mobile version of Call of Duty: Warzone (also known as Project Aurora) A full Modern Warfare II multiplayer reveal A multitude of popular Call of Duty streamers playing these games in real-time live “Additional information and surprises”  On top of that announcement, Infinity Ward has also detailed its upcoming early access to Modern Warfare II via pre-order betas, open betas, and more.  Here’s How To Get Into The Early Access Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare II Betas PlayStation Early Access: Pre-order the game on PlayStation 5 or PlayStation 4 to receive a code to the beta that will run from 10 a.m. PT, Sept. 16, to Sept. 20. PlayStation Open Beta: This beta will run from 10 a.m. PT, Sept. 18, to Sept. 20 and will be accessible to all PlayStation players regardless of preorder status.  A second beta weekend will be available on all consoles and on PC, and it will feature crossplay.  Xbox and PC Early Access: Anyone who preorders the game on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, or PC (via Blizzard Battle.net or Steam) can play in the beta that runs from 10 a.m. PT, Sept. 22, to Sept. 26.  Xbox and PC Open Beta: This beta will be available to all Xbox and PC players, regardless of pre-order status, and it will run from 10 a.m. PT, Sept. 24, to Sept. 26. PlayStation Open Beta: This beta will be accessible to all PS5/PS4 players regardless of preorder status and will run from 10 a.m. PT, Sept. 22, to Sept. 26.  “This Modern Warfare beta is set to feature a robust multiplayer experience going beyond the core 6v6 experience with a variety of meticulously designed maps of various sizes, and an equally impressive set of Modes, Progression experiences, and other aspects that will be more thoroughly revealed at Call of Duty: Next.”  You can check out a flythrough of Marina Bay Grand Prix, “where combat occurs within the main infield of an urban race circuit, one of the main 6v6 multiplayer maps confirmed for the beta,” below:  For more about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, be sure to check out the first extended gameplay reveal and then read our preview thoughts after checking the game out earlier this summer. Check out Game Informer’s Modern Warfare review after that.  Are you excited for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II? Let us know in the comments below!