In the bustling halls of MWC 2024, an event that garners the attention of the world’s tech enthusiasts, HONOR stands out with its innovative flair. At the helm, HONOR CEO George Zhao offers a glimpse into a future where artificial intelligence (AI) seamlessly integrates into our…
AI-Driven Healthcare Revolution: MWC Conference Insights
In an era where technology intertwines with every aspect of our lives, the realm of healthcare stands on the brink of a monumental transformation, poised at the heart of the AI-driven health revolution. The recent MWC Conference, short for Mobile World Congress, is the world’s largest…
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Is The Second-Highest Rated Game In The Series On Metacritic
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth hits PlayStation 5 exclusively on February 29, but reviews for Square Enix’s latest entry in its Final Fantasy VII remake trilogy dropped yesterday. We enjoyed the game a lot, and you can read about why in Game Informer’s Final Fantasy VII Rebirth review. It turns out, a lot of reviewers enjoyed the game too, because at the time of this writing, it’s the second-highest rated game in the Final Fantasy series on Metacritic, as noted by video game sales analyst Benji-Sales on X (formerly Twitter).
Currently sitting at a 93 on Metacritic, which aggregates various reviews into a single Metacritic score, only one other Final Fantasy game has been rated higher: Final Fantasy IX on PlayStation 1. It has a 94 on Metacritic.
There’s only 6 Final Fantasy games that have gone above a 90 Metacritic score.
94- Final Fantasy IX (PS1)
93- Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (PS5)
92- Final Fantasy X (PS2)
92- Final Fantasy XII (PS2)
92- Final Fantasy VI Advance (GBA)
92- Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker (PC) pic.twitter.com/8PvD3wfpvZ— Andy (@AndSpaceY) February 22, 2024
As you can see above, with a 93 on Metacritic, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth joins a prestigious list of games in the series with a Metacritic score of 90 or higher, as pointed out by AndSpaceY on X. Now, it’s important to note that some Final Fantasy games are not rated on Metacritic as the aggregate site was not around when they released. For example, Final Fantasy VI is one of the most beloved entries in the franchise and arguably the best – released in 1994 on the SNES, Metacritic was not around at the time so it does not have a rating on the site.
Still, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth rating so high is another example of how Square Enix’s Final Fantasy VII remake project is landing with both critics and fans alike.
For more about the game, read Game Informer’s Final Fantasy VII Rebirth review and then check out our Final Fantasy VII Rebirth cover story hub for exclusive features, videos, and more. After that, check out Game Informer’s ranking of every mainline Final Fantasy game.
Are you picking up Final Fantasy VII Rebirth on day one next week? Let us know in the comments below!
Death Stranding Documentary, ‘Hideo Kojima: Connecting Worlds,’ Streaming Now On Disney Plus
Death Stranding hit PlayStation 4 exclusively back in 2019 before launching on PC with a Director’s Cut in 2020. As we await Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, which is due out on PlayStation 5 in 2025, Disney Plus has dropped a documentary that might tide fans over. Titled Hideo Kojima: Connecting Worlds, this film “explores the creative process behind Hideo Kojima launching his independent studio up to the completion of Death Stranding.”
It was announced last year before debuting at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival but starting today, you can stream it on Disney Plus.
Documentary film “HIDEO KOJIMA: CONNECTING WORLDS”
Exclusively streaming on #DisneyPlus starting TODAY!🎬
This film explores the creative process behind Hideo Kojima launching his independent studio up to the completion of DEATH STRANDING 👀#DeathStranding #HideoKojima pic.twitter.com/XOaTi6WuF9
— KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS (Eng) (@KojiPro2015_EN) February 23, 2024
We haven’t yet watched it but given Kojima’s love of movies, we’re excited to see what a documentary about the man himself is like. The release of Hideo Kojima: Connecting Worlds follows the debut of Grounded II: The Making of the Last of Us Part II, which also provided a behind-the-scenes look at video game development.
For more, read Game Informer’s Death Stranding review and then read about why Death Stranding Director’s Cut is worth another trek across America. After that, watch the latest trailer for Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, which is expectedly weird.
Are you going to check out Hideo Kojima: Connecting Worlds this weekend? Let us know what you think of it in the comments below!
Check Out New Rise Of The Ronin Gameplay In New Behind-The-Scenes Video
Developer Team Ninja has released a new behind-the-scenes video for the upcoming PlayStation 5 exclusive, Rise of the Rōnin, and it features new gameplay showing off the game’s tough and fast action combat. Unsurprisingly, the game continues to look great.
This new look at the game’s action features conversation from game producer and director Fumihiko Yasuda and animation lead Kosuke Wakamatsu discussing how Team Ninja approached the combat. They say it started with determining the different ideologies within Rōnin history, why certain individuals fought the way they did, and how that translates to a game aiming to be authentic to the Bakumatsu history.
Check it the new Rise of the Rōnin gameplay for yourself below:
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Yasuda and Wakamatsu discuss the Bakamutsu period of Japan’s history and how the introduction of Western weapons, like firearms, dramatically changed the way Rōnin went about battle. Instead of just katanas and up-close weaponry, firearms forced warriors to adapt to new types of ranged combat. This led to the use of firearms like pistols alongside swords, bayonets, and more.
If the use of guns has you worried Rise of the Rōnin won’t deliver the fast and difficult up-close action Team Ninja is known for, fear not. “Action remains at the core of Rise of the Rōnin [and] it is the culmination of our previous work on action games at Team Ninja,” Yasuda says in the video.
Wakamatsu adds, “Team Ninja’s action is known for its high speed and difficulty, [and] we feel it’s part of the players’ expectations as well.”
Elsewhere in the video, the two developers discuss Rise of the Rōnin’s bond system, which allows NPC characters to join the protagonist’s journey. You can even switch to different characters for special moves. The video ends with another look at the counter system in the game’s combat.
For more about the game, check out this Rise of the Rōnin gameplay trailer from last month, and then check out Game Informer’s preview thoughts on Rise of the Rōnin after talking with the team in December.
Are you excited for Rise of the Rōnin? Let us know in the comments below!
Nintendo Direct Recap, Princess Peach: Showtime! Preview | All Things Nintendo
This week on All Things Nintendo, Brian is first joined by Kyle Hilliard to recap all the news out of the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase, as well as some news items that happened outside of that livestream. Then, Kyle leaves, and Alex Van Aken joins the episode to deliver his hands-on impressions of Princess Peach: Showtime! and an eShop Gem of the Week.
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If you’d like to follow Brian on social media, you can do so on his Instagram/Threads @BrianPShea or Twitter @BrianPShea. You can follow Kyle on Twitter: @KyleMHilliard and BlueSky: @KyleHilliard. You can follow Alex Van Aken on Twitter @ItsVanAken.
The All Things Nintendo podcast is a weekly show where we celebrate, discuss, and break down all the latest games, news, and announcements from the industry’s most recognizable name. Each week, Brian is joined by different guests to talk about what’s happening in the world of Nintendo. Along the way, they’ll share personal stories, uncover hidden gems in the eShop, and even look back on the classics we all grew up with. A new episode hits every Friday!
Be sure to subscribe to All Things Nintendo on your favorite podcast platform. The show is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and YouTube.
00:00:00 – Introduction
00:01:45 – New Reports of Switch 2 Release Window
00:06:28 – Pokémon Presents Announced
00:11:47 – New Pokémon Concierge Episodes Coming
00:12:34 – Time Magazine Pokémon Covers
00:14:05 – Spirit Airlines Super Nintendo World Plane
00:16:18 – Mother 3 Coming to Japan Nintendo Switch Online
00:21:13 – Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase Recap
00:54:37 – Listener Email About Epic Universe Theme Park
00:59:59 – Princess Peach: Showtime Preview
01:24:09 – eShop Gem of the Week: Balatro
If you’d like to get in touch with the All Things Nintendo podcast, you can email AllThingsNintendo@GameInformer.com, messaging Brian on Instagram (@BrianPShea), or by joining the official Game Informer Discord server. You can do that by linking your Discord account to your Twitch account and subscribing to the Game Informer Twitch channel. From there, find the All Things Nintendo channel under “Community Spaces.”
For Game Informer’s other podcast, be sure to check out The Game Informer Show with hosts Alex Van Aken, Marcus Stewart, and Kyle Hilliard, which covers the weekly happenings of the video game industry!
Street Fighter 6 Ed Early Impressions
When it launched last June, Street Fighter 6 immediately earned critical acclaim, differentiating itself from its predecessor. With 18 fighters and a wealth of single-player content on offer, Street Fighter 6 gave players plenty to enjoy in its earliest days, but that’s not stopping the team from pursuing a post-launch content plan similar to the one that eventually righted the ship with Street Fighter V. Last July, the SFV debutant Rashid joined the roster, followed by new challenger AKI in September. During Capcom Cup X, we went hands on with Ed, the latest Street Fighter 6 DLC character, before he joins the fight this week.
Ed first appeared as a non-playable character in Street Fighter IV before joining the actual roster in the second wave of Street Fighter V’s DLC. Raised by Shadaloo as a potential replacement body for M. Bison, Ed can wield Psycho Power, which he uses to great effect in Street Fighter 6.
As a protege of Balrog, Ed uses a combination of boxing and Psycho Power. He can pull off a mix of close and far-range attacks, but his bread and butter feels like his mid-range offerings, including a medium kick that actually activates a low-to-high mid-range punch combo that opponents will need to react quickly in order to block both punches.
His special moves include a charging uppercut and a Psycho Power projectile that feels similar to Luke’s fireball, but again, his mid-range attacks are most effective, including a charged attack that can grab his opponent into the air, opening them up for a combo. You can also charge his heavy punch to pull off a Superman Punch that passes through the opponent and opens them up to additional attacks. Meanwhile, his Super Arts are also powerful, including one that throws a bevy of fast punches, one that launches a slow-moving, multi-hit projectile, and a cinematic Critical Art that ties the opponent up with ropes made of Psycho Power as Ed unloads on their body.
Ed is also fast, letting him get in and out. Cornering . He feels like he has a high skill ceiling, but even after playing him for just 45 minutes, I was learning devastating combos, particularly when I was able to corner my opponent.
Ed arrives in Street Fighter 6 on February 27 as part of the Year 1 Character Pass. That pass also includes the aforementioned Rashid and AKI, as well as the upcoming Akuma. For more on Street Fighter 6, be sure to check out our review and our exclusive coverage hub.
ATOMOS UPDATES – The Best Just Got Better – Videoguys
Tune in to today’s episode of Videoguys Live as Jim delves into the latest offerings from Atomos Monitors and Recorders, spotlighting the innovative Connect line and exciting promotional deals. Stay updated on cutting-edge technology and discover how these products can elevate your filmmaking and video production endeavors. Don’t miss out on exclusive insights and special offers
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TURBO CHARGE NINJA!
Special Atomos Connect Promotion for just $99 through 3/31/24 means
These Bundles are Better Than Ever!
Now through March 31, 2024 bundle the Atomos Ninja (or Ninja Ultra) with Atomos Connect and you’ll also get a 6-month subscription to Atomos’ Camera-to-Cloud plus the 5″ accessory kit complete with batteries, a fast-charger, screen protector and travel case! That’s right… this bundle includes so much added value that we had pull even more from the Atomos Cloud!
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Elevate your Ninja with Atomos Connect for only $99! Atomos Connect is the perfect match for any Ninja, Ninja Ultra, Ninja V and Ninja V+ user.
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Atomos Cloud Studio
The centralized gateway between Atomos’ network-connected hardware solutions and a host of online services
- Live Streaming
- Capture to Cloud with Frame.io
- Remote Monitoring
- File Sharing
- Live Productions
GET CONNECTED: 6 Months FREE Camera to Cloud Plan
Available now until March 31, 2024
With every new purchase of Atomos Connect, Zato Connect, Shogun, or Shogun Ultra, you will receive a complimentary six-month Camera to Cloud paid plan on Atomos Cloud Studio (valued at $15/month).
This plan grants access to a range of premium features, including selectable proxy and stream resolutions (720p, 1080p & 4K), customizable bit depth and bitrate settings, and seamless uploading of C2C files during recording, optimizing workflow efficiency. Users can choose between Atomos Edit, Frame.io, and Sony Ci Media Cloud as their preferred destination, ensuring seamless compatibility with existing workflows and collaboration tools.
Atomos is thrilled to unveil today the complimentary user interface upgrade to AtomOS 11 for Ninja V/V+ users, along with optional paid feature packs designed to elevate their Ninja experience. Access to the latest Ninja and Ninja Ultra new features has been a consistent request from their Ninja V/V+ users since the introduction of the new Ninja Series. In line with their dedication to their customers, these new feature packs not only add value to Ninja V/V+ but also reaffirm their commitment to delivering exceptional service.
Ninja V Feature Pack includes :
- EL ZONE
- ARRI False Color
- SegmentPro
- PlaybackAssist
- RecordAssist
- Wi-Fi 6
Ninja V+ Feature Pack includes:
- EL ZONE
- ARRI False Color
- SegmentPro
- PlaybackAssist
- RecordAssist
- Wi-Fi 6E
- ProRes RAW Dual Record. Proxy H265 & ProRes RAW
- SDI Cine – camera internal and proxy fille naming match. Support for ARRI, Canon, Sony, and RED Camera
For a limited period only, the Ninja V Feature Pack is available for $79 and the Ninja V+ Feature Pack for $129 for purchase at my.atomos.com.
In addition, Atomos is excited to reintroduce the 3-Year Free Warranty on all purchases after product registration.
New Epiphan Pearl Nexus Certified by Panopto! – Videoguys
Panopto, a prominent global provider of video management solutions catering to both workforce training and higher education, has unveiled a new certified device, the Epiphan Pearl Nexus. This announcement signals a significant collaboration between the two companies aimed at revolutionizing video capture experiences. The Pearl Nexus device seamlessly integrates with Panopto’s renowned video management platform, promising users a superior and automated video capture experience.
Epiphan’s Pearl Nexus is equipped with advanced recording and streaming capabilities, supporting up to three channels of 1080p video. Its versatility extends to a wide range of video inputs, including SDI, HDMI, USB, SRT, and NDI, along with professional audio inputs such as XLR, USB, and 3.5 mm. This flexibility ensures compatibility with modern AV workflows, offering users creative controls and cloud management tools to streamline their operations. Additionally, features like a 1 TB SSD drive, CMS integrations, and automated file management underscore the device’s commitment to secure content recording and precise delivery.
The partnership between Panopto and Epiphan signifies a commitment to enhancing online learning experiences for both educational institutions and commercial enterprises. By leveraging Epiphan’s expertise in hardware-based lecture capture at scale and Panopto’s robust video management platform, the collaboration aims to meet the growing demand for classroom capture solutions. Through this joint effort, the companies strive to empower faculty, administrators, and students alike with an automated and integrated video capture solution, ultimately enhancing knowledge sharing, remote recording capabilities, and content delivery across diverse environments.
Read the full Press Release from Epiphan HERE
Kiloview N40 NDI Success Story – Videoguys
In February 2021, Toyama Prefecture in Japan unveiled its ambitious growth strategy, aiming to leverage its unique resources for economic development. To realize this vision, they convened the Toyama Growth Strategy Conference, a gathering of experts across various sectors to formulate a comprehensive strategy encompassing industrial promotion, innovation, talent development, and regional resource utilization.
To enhance outreach, the “Shiawaseru (Creating Happiness). Toyama” event was organized in March 2022. Led by Mr. Kotaro Ebitani of EverT, the event featured a hybrid format blending physical and online components across multiple venues, including the Toyama International Conference Center.
However, the setup posed significant challenges, with the cumbersome arrangement of cables hindering efficiency and flexibility. Recognizing the need for a streamlined solution, Mr. Yuto Izumi of KAN-NARI CO., LTD AVC Division proposed integrating NDI technology, known for its simplicity and efficiency in video transmission.
The introduction of Kiloview’s N40 NDI converter revolutionized the event setup. Its user-friendly interface and robust features, including bi-directional conversion and support for 4K resolution, seamlessly integrated with existing equipment. By transmitting HDMI signals into NDI, the N40 facilitated smooth communication with the TriCaster 2 Elite, the main switcher for live streaming.
The outcome was a resounding success. The “Shiawaseru. Toyama” event effectively communicated Toyama Prefecture’s growth plans, fostering economic development and regional prosperity. Notably, the flexibility of NDI technology opens avenues for future hybrid events, aligning with the evolving landscape of online and offline engagements.
Moreover, the affordability and performance of Kiloview’s N40 set it apart from competitors, offering a cost-effective solution without compromising quality. Its compatibility with a range of IP protocols, primarily NDI, makes it an ideal choice for organizations seeking to embrace IP workflows.
Looking ahead, the collaboration between industry professionals and innovative technologies like the N40 promises to drive further growth and innovation, positioning Toyama Prefecture at the forefront of economic development in Japan.
Read the full Case Study from Kiloview HERE