Guten Tag, Bleed Geek readers! Sorry I took a week off, I was busy gettin’ my convention on.
Let’s bring you up to speed in the world of gaming!
PC Gamer got a hands-on preview of Blizzard’s much-anticipated new IP: Overwatch. “It’s cheesy and lighthearted,” Tom Senior explains. It’s also very clear that Blizzard wants to make Overwatch an e-sport, like Dota 2 or League of Legends. However, as Scott Mercer, principal designer at Blizzard, says, “… a lot of that is really up to the community.” Senior vice president Chris Metzen asks, “Can you build [a shooter] that promotes teamwork and relationships and having fun with your friends, and not getting killed with a thrown knife from halfway across the map as soon as you jump in?” If you ask me, they seem to be doing just that. Following Blizzard president Mike Morhaime’s Blizzcon speech urging gamers “to call for more empathy in online gaming communities”, Blizzard appears to consciously be cultivating a positive community with Overwatch. Senior acknowledges the goofy one-liners, bright colors, and “cheerful art,” but he also brings up the diversity of the cast: multiple men and women of color, plus a gorilla and a robot. 
This inclusivity helps create a safe community full of all types of people. Blizzard is expected to launch a beta for Overwatch later this year. Whether it will be a boxed product or a ftp shooter has yet to be decided, but I think a lot of us can agree it’s one of the most anticipated games this year.
source: PC Gamer
Dark Souls 2 is getting a re-release in April, titled Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin. Players will notice a few differences, but overall the game is familiar. Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin will be available on Windows, 360, PS3, PS4 and Xbox One on April 7th—barely two weeks after From Software’s Bloodbourne releases on PS4.
source: Polygon
Garena Philippines caught some flak for trying to limit the amount of lesbian, gay, or transgendered women per team in their upcoming all-women League of Legends tournament. They claimed they always wanted to have an “inclusive environment where no one feels left out,” but “there are arguments and concerns from other participants who disputes that [LGBTQ] members may probably have some unfair advantage.” Riot Games responded with a tweet saying 
“LGBT players are welcome at official LoL tourneys. We’re working with partners to ensure consistency with our values across all regions.” They have since dropped the restrictions after vast disapproval, talking with partners, and “re-examining [their] approach.”
source: Polygon
The current Humble Bundle is STAR WARS! Pay what you want for BioWare’s Knights of the Old Republic, or pay more than $12 for The Force Unleashed 1 and 2! There are 10 games available in total. May the bundle be with you!
source: Humble Bundle
The Battlefield: Hardline Beta started this week and runs into February 8th. Hardline “hits the streets” March 17th. Players will have access to 3 different multiplayer maps and modes: Hotwire mode, Heist mode, and Hacker mode. You’ll also receive a fancy dog tag for Battlefield 4. Check the beta out now on PC (Origin) and consoles.
source: Battlefield
Playstation Now (Sony’s streaming game service) subscribers now have access to Uncharted 2: Among Thieves and God of War 2 HD. Additionally, Red Faction: Armageddon, Galaga Legions DX and Arcana Heart 3 were also added this month. Playstation Plus’ free games for February include Transistor for the PS4, Thief for the PS3, and Rogue Legacy for PS Vita. Xbox’s free Games with Gold includes #IDARB for the Xbox One and Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons for the 360 until the 15th. Steam’s weekend deals are Divinity: Original Sin and Sniper Elite III.
