Max Payne Voice Actor James McCaffrey Passes Away At 65

Max Payne Voice Actor James McCaffrey Passes Away At 65

James McCaffrey, actor best known to video game fans as the voice of Max Payne, among other characters, has passed away. He was 65.

TMZ reports that McCaffrey died on Sunday after a battle with multiple myeloma, a form of cancer. A rep for McCaffrey tells the outlet that the actor died surrounded by friends and family.

McCaffrey’s extensive on-screen credits include roles in Law & Order, Suits, and Blue Bloods, and video games such as 2008’s Alone in the Dark and 2005’s Area 51. However, Remedy fans knew him best as the voice of Max Payne in all three entries. Furthermore, McCaffrey voiced Thomas Zane in Alan Wake, Zachariah Trench in Control, and, most recently, Alex Casey in Alan Wake 2.

In a separate X thread, Remedy creative director Sam Lake offered his condolences as well. 

 Game Informer extends its condolences to McCaffrey’s family and loved ones.

[Source: TMZ]

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Cover Story And Our Favorite Games Of 2023 | GI Show

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Cover Story And Our Favorite Games Of 2023 | GI Show

In this week’s episode of The Game Informer Show, special guest Michael Higham (Fanbyte, GameSpot) joins us to discuss our Final Fantasy VII Rebirth cover story, The Finals review, and our favorite games of 2023.

The Game Informer Show #686 Podcast:

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Follow us on social media: Alex Van Aken (@itsVanAken), Marcus Stewart (@MarcusStewart7), Kyle Hilliard (@KyleMHilliard), Michael Higham (@MichaelPHigham)

The Game Informer Show is a weekly gaming podcast covering the latest video game news, industry topics, exclusive reveals, and reviews. Join host Alex Van Aken every Thursday to chat about your favorite games – past and present – with Game Informer staff, developers, and special guests from around the industry. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

The Game Informer Show – Podcast Timestamps:

00:00:00 – Intro

00:03:41 – Cover Story: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

00:23:41 – The Finals Review

00:38:08 – Top Ten Games of 2023

01:39:28 – Housekeeping

Prince Of Persia: The Lost Crown | New Gameplay Today

Prince Of Persia: The Lost Crown | New Gameplay Today

We recently got a chance to play the first three hours of the upcoming Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, and chat with the developer Ubisoft Montpellier about the game’s development. You can find our full written feature on the game in the most recent issue of Game Informer magazine, but for a taste of all we learned about the game, join Kyle Hilliard and Marcus Stewart for a look at the game’s opening, first boss, and few sections from later in the game.

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Head over to Game Informer’s YouTube channel for more previews, reviews, and discussions of new and upcoming games. Watch other episodes of New Gameplay Today right here.

Firewall Ultra VR Studio First Contact Entertainment Announces Closure

Firewall Ultra VR Studio First Contact Entertainment Announces Closure

First Contact Entertainment, the team behind VR games like 2018’s Firewall: Zero Hour and this year’s Firewall Ultra on PSVR 2, has announced it is closing, as reported by Gematsu. After almost eight years as a studio, it will shut down at the end of the year. It cites a lack of VR support within the industry. 

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“After almost eight years of working with the most amazing team I’ve ever had the pleasure of being part of, I’m sad to announce that we will be closing our company First Contact Entertainment by the end of the year,” a Facebook post from the company reads. “The lack of support for VR within the industry has eventually taken its toll. As a AAA VR game developer, we are just not able to justify the expenses needed going forward. 

“We are a team of fearless innovators willing to push new technologies to its limits. I am extremely proud of the team and grateful to our investors, our partners and of course, our community of dedicated and passionate players. It’s been a wild ride. Thank you.”

For more, read Game Informer’s PSVR 2 review. 

The hearts of Game Informer staff are with everyone affected by this studio closure. 

[Source: Gematsu]

South Park: Snow Day Trailer Reveals March Release Date

South Park: Snow Day Trailer Reveals March Release Date

South Park: Snow Day, the upcoming four-player cooperative adventure first announced in August, is coming on March 26. A new trailer shows off more of the game’s frosty action and, of course, the series’ signature foul-mouth humor.

As the New Kid, players join Cartman, Stan, Kyle, and Kenny on an epic quest after a blizzard blankets the Colorado town, and school is canceled. Like the most recent South Park titles, The Stick of Truth and The Fractured But Whole, the adventure is told through the lens of a make-believe high-fantasy adventure, but Snow Day ditches turn-based combat in favor of a more action-oriented experience. 

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Players can use different melee and ranged weapons, wield magic and other abilities, and customize their character with various clothing. Snow Day can be played with up to four friends, alongside strangers in online matchmaking, or as a solo experience with A.I. allies. 

South Park: Snow Day is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, and PC.