Latest news with #PrinceofPersia:TheLostCrown
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown hits iOS and Android
Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products. Mobile gamers can now dive into Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, which has arrived on iOS and Android. The action platformer is a paid game, but you can get a taste of it for free thanks to a trial. If you buy the full game before May 5, you'll be able to take advantage of a promotional price drop and snap it up for $10. Ubisoft says that no internet connection is required to play the game. You can use either touchscreen controls or an external controller. The Lost Crown will also run at up to 60 fps on certain phones and tablets. There are some features that are unique to the mobile versions, including automatic parrying and healing potion use, as well as the option to slow down time. There are other quality-of-life improvements for the iOS and Android ports, Ubisoft says. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown debuted to widespread acclaim on PC and consoles in early 2024. However, the critical praise seemingly did not convert into broader success for the game. Sales failed to meet Ubisoft's expectations, according to reports. The company disbanded the team that was behind the project at its Montpelier studio, redirecting most of its developers to "other projects that will benefit from their expertise." As such, Ubisoft Da Nang handled the mobile ports of the game. That same team brought the game to Mac in December.
The Guardian
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘It's been a challenge': Assassin's Creed Shadows and the quest to bring feudal Japan to life
More than four years after its announcement and after two last-minute delays, the latest title in Ubisoft's historical fiction series Assassin's Creed will finally be released on Thursday. Set in Japan in 1579, a time of intense civil war dominated by the feudal lord Oda Nobunaga, it follows two characters navigating their way through the bloody chaos: a female shinobi named Fujibayashi Naoe, and Yasuke, an African slave turned samurai. Japan has been the series' most-requested setting for years, Ubisoft says. "I've been on [this] franchise for 16 years and I think every time we start a new game, Japan comes up and we ask, is this the time?' says executive producer Marc-Alexis Coté. 'We've never pushed beyond the conception phase with Japan until this one." The game comes at a crucial time for Ubisoft after the disappointing performance of last year's titles Star Wars Outlaws, Skull and Bones and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, and the expensive closure of live service shooter XDefiant. There has also been a furore over the game's Black and female protagonists, with the usual rightwing YouTubers criticising them as 'woke' and historically inaccurate, despite the fact that female warriors fought throughout the feudal period, and that Yasuke, the game's Black samurai, is a historical figure. It is something the team is keen to address. 'In-house historians were some of the first people to get staffed on the production team,' says creative director Jonathan Dumont. 'A huge data bank is continually fed. As we get a sense of the era, the research effort then requires the help of specialists from around the world, including Japan, to narrow down details or understand finer cultural points.' There were also field trips to the game's key locations of Kyoto and Osaka, which revealed elements the team hadn't thought of. Coté recalls travelling to Japan to show local colleagues some technological breakthroughs the development team had made with lighting on landscapes. But they all shook their heads and said it wasn't working. 'I was like, 'Why?!'' he says. 'And they just replied: 'That's not how light falls on the mountains in Japan.' So when our art director was there I asked him specifically to go look at the mountains. He went, took reference photos, and now we've captured it.' The team also had to render individual characters' socks, because they are always depicted removing their footwear when entering a building. 'The expectations have been this high throughout. It's been a challenge.' Like all the previous Assassin's Creed titles before it, Shadows uses authentic locations and historical figures to seat the game's time-hopping narrative. Takeda, Fukuchiyama and Himeji castles are all replicated along with the villages, ports and rural landscapes of Central Japan. But as ever, this is first and foremost a game about sneaking over rooftops and skilfully taking down enemies. In a demo we played just before release, the lead characters are assaulting Himeji castle, and you can choose to play either as Naoe, skulking in the shadows using smoke bombs and silent attacks to escape detection, or Yasuke, running in with his sword and lopping off limbs. While Ubisoft has put immense effort into capturing the Azuchi-Momoyama period and the nature of the Iga peasant class (the possible origin of the modern ninja archetype), what matters equally is how good it feels to leap off a rooftop and decapitate a passing enemy. In many ways, it seems the game draws as much from modern cultural depictions of the period and its warriors as from history. 'Japanese storytelling has been very influential to the development of the game and to all occidental arts in general,' says Dumont. 'Kagemusha from Kurosawa, 13 Assassins, Zatoichi, Sekigahara, The Tale of Genji or Musashi from Eiji Yoshikawa, to name the more obvious, have [all] helped shape our vision for the game. Even Studio Ghibli movies such as My Neighbour Totoro have helped us understand the countryside and vegetation.' It's certainly an interesting time for Shadows to release. Multiple high-profile failures of recent live service games have left players yearning for the era of big single-player adventures, with decent sales reported for Obsidian's recent RPG Avowed. Meanwhile, the huge success of FX/Hulu's Shōgun series has brought feudal Japan back into the cultural spotlight, and its story of stranded English navigator John Blackthorne becoming a high ranking samurai somewhat reflects that of Yasuke. The game does look beautiful, with intricate environments, a dramatic weather system and incredibly bloody combat. Ubisoft has survived a difficult period; a lot now rests on its most treasured possession. Assassin's Creed Shadows is released on 20 March for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox. Keith Stuart attended a press trip to Kyoto with other journalists. Accommodation and travel expenses were met by Ubisoft
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
If you want good reason to subscribe to PS Plus, this free game is it
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Quick Summary The latest batch of games coming to PS Plus this month have been announced. PS Plus Extra and Premium members will be able to download Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown and UFC 5 for free from 18 March, along with a collection of other top titles. One of the best action games of the last year will soon be available to all PS Plus Extra and Premium members to download for free. Sony has announced the games to be added to the PS Plus game and classics catalogues this month, and they include the rip-roaring Ubisoft platformer, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. Available from 18 March, the game has scored 86 on Metacritic for the PS5 and PS5 Pro, and it'll be available for PS4 owners to enjoy too. It puts you in the sandals of a new hero, Sargon, who must undergo a perilous journey to rescue Price Ghassan from the turncoat General Anahita. This will result in plenty of combat to test you, as well as the cunning use of time powers in order to progress. Presented in 2.5D side-scrolling fashion, the first major Prince of Persia game in more than a decade surprised many with its format, gameplay and crisp cartoon-like graphic style. It's an excellent jaunt that's well worth a download – especially for free. Also coming to the main PS Plus game catalogue next Tuesday is UFC 5, the latest in EA's mixed martial arts series. It's a PS5 exclusive although there are a fair few games that'll be available for PS4 too. Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions, Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation Code Fairy, Arcade Paradise, Bang-On Balls: Chronicles, You Suck at Parking, and Syberia – The World Before are each available for PS4 and PS5. PS VR2 owners with PS Plus Premium also get Arcade Paradise VR, so you can transport yourself to an 80s-style coin-op emporium of your own styling to play retro-inspired games. And if it's true retro games you're after, the PS Plus Premium members get a trio of old school Armored Core games to play on PS4 or PS5. That includes the first ever Armored Core, Armored Core: Project Phantasma, and Armored Core: Master of Arena. Sadly, as is usual, PS Plus Essential members won't get any of the new additions, although the three games added at the beginning of March – Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Sonic Colors: Ultimate and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection – are all available to all subscribers no matter the tier.
Express Tribune
15-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
PlayStation Plus March lineup adds UFC 5, Prince of Persia, and more
Listen to article PlayStation has announced its latest lineup of games coming to the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog in March, featuring a mix of action-packed adventures, sports simulations, and retro classics. Among the highlights are UFC 5, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, and Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions. All games will be available for PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium members starting March 18. Top Titles in the March Game Catalogue UFC 5 (PS4, PS5) MMA enthusiasts can experience the high stakes and realistic combat of UFC 5, powered by the Frostbite engine. The game offers improved graphics, fluid gameplay, and enhanced damage systems that bring the intensity of the Octagon to life. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (PS4, PS5) This latest installment in the iconic series introduces a new hero, Sargon, in a Persia-inspired world plagued by a corrupting curse. Players can harness time-based abilities and combat mythological creatures in a stunning side-scrolling adventure. Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions (PS4) Based on the beloved anime series, this arcade soccer game delivers over-the-top action with exhilarating shots, character customization, and multiple story modes that let players relive the anime's events or create a new hero. Mobile Suit Gundam Battle Operation Code Fairy (PS4, PS5) Set during the Universal Century 0079 timeline, this single-player action game follows a secret unit fighting in the One Year War. Players engage in intense mech battles while uncovering an emotional wartime story. Arcade Paradise (PS4, PS5) In this nostalgic arcade simulation, players take on the role of Ashley, a rebellious entrepreneur transforming a laundromat into a thriving arcade business. With over 35 playable games, players must balance arcade management with high-score chasing. Bang-On Balls: Chronicles (PS4, PS5) This chaotic 3D platformer takes players through historically themed open worlds filled with challenges, collectibles, and destructible environments. The game offers both solo and co-op multiplayer experiences. You Suck at Parking (PS4, PS5) This unconventional driving game challenges players to park in increasingly difficult courses. With over 270 levels and customization options, precision and speed are key to mastering the game. Syberia: The World Before (PS4, PS5) The latest entry in the beloved Syberia series follows two intertwining stories: that of Kate Walker, a modern-day adventurer, and Dana Roze, a pianist in 1930s Europe. This point-and-click adventure combines steampunk aesthetics with a deep narrative. PlayStation Plus Premium: VR and Classic Titles In addition to the Game Catalog titles, PlayStation Plus Premium members will receive access to several new games, including a VR experience and classic PlayStation titles from FromSoftware's Armored Core franchise. Arcade Paradise VR (PS VR2) This VR version of the popular arcade simulation brings players back to 1993, where they can manage their own arcade while experiencing 12 fully immersive VR cabinet games. Armored Core Trilogy (PS4, PS5) Fans of FromSoftware's Armored Core series can revisit three classic PlayStation titles: Armored Core (1997): Players take on the role of a mercenary piloting a customizable mech in a post-apocalyptic world. Armored Core: Project Phantasma (1997/1998): A deeper story unfolds as players infiltrate an underground complex while facing powerful new enemies. Armored Core: Master of Arena (1999): Players seek revenge against a formidable foe while competing in intense mech battles. Availability All new Game Catalog and Premium titles will be available to PlayStation Plus members starting March 18. With a mix of modern action games, classic mecha combat, and immersive VR experiences, the March lineup offers something for every type of player.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Assassin's Creed maker Ubisoft praised at gaming accessibility awards
Assassin's Creed publisher Ubisoft was the big winner at an awards ceremony celebrating accessibility in the gaming industry. The French company, which has offices all over the world, was named Most Dedicated Publisher by GAConf. The organisation works to make gaming more inclusive for people with disabilities - something companies have been focusing on more and more. This year its awards show handed out prizes to games released in 2024 for features including those aimed at helping deaf and blind players. Ubisoft was also recognised for two games it released last year. Star Wars Outlaws won the AAA Excellence award - for a big-budget title - for its long list of accessibility features. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown - a 2D platformer released last January - was recognised for its "memory shards" feature. The game requires players to navigate a large, complex map, often revisiting areas much later on in their playthrough. Many titles in the genre allow a user to place small pins - or icons - as reminders of points of interest, but The Lost Crown lets them take a screenshot to aid their memory. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 also won an award for its automatic movement features, and Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred won for its blind and low vision accessibility. GAConf also honours individuals in the games industry for their accessibility work. Cari Watterton, who works for Sniper Elite developer Rebellion, won the MVP Award for Unsung Hero. Speaking to BBC Newsbeat before her win, the senior accessibility designer said being recognised by others who work in her field "hits a little bit differently". "They understand the amount of work that goes into accessibility and the challenges that you face," she said. Newsbeat previously spoke to Cari about her work on accessibility in 2023. At the time she said it had been a really great year in the space and more companies were looking to recruit specialists. She says the progress could have looked "slower" over the past 12 months, but games take time to make and developers are working on new things. "The important thing is that we are seeing something new, in hardware, features, in games adopting their first accessibility features," says Cari. "And we're seeing the quality of these features improve as well, which is fantastic." Cari's currently working on Atomfall - due for release in March - which took the rare step of announcing its accessibility features when the game was first revealed. GAConf co-director Ian Hamilton told BBC Newsbeat that "whittling down the longlist into the finalists for each category was by far the hardest yet" in the history of the ceremony. Ian, who's worked in the accessibility field since 2006, says the "landscape is really unrecognisable compared to even just five years ago, let alone ten". He said awareness of different players' needs and the number of specialist roles in the games industry had vastly increased, and a number of mainstream game awards now have an accessibility category. He said a dedicated ceremony allows the organisers to celebrate progress across the industry, giving awards in areas including advocacy, journalism and specialist resources. "But there's still a long way to go," he said. "And we're a very long way off from where we really need to be - where anyone can pick up any game and have a reasonable expectation that they won't be unnecessarily locked out." The games industry's troubles in 2024, including studio closures and layoffs, have been widely reported. Dragon Age: The Veilguard maker Bioware - which won an award at GAConf for best representation - announced a studio restructuring just after the ceremony. It said some staff had been moved elsewhere, and though its post didn't mention job losses Newsbeat understands that about 20 people were laid off. And Ubisoft's accessibility wins come just days after it announced the closure of its Leamington Spa studio and staff reductions at other international offices, totalling 185 job losses. Late last year the company also said it had disbanded the team behind award winner The Lost Crown after reports suggested it did not hit sales targets. The publisher, which employs an estimated 13,500 people worldwide, has also delayed the upcoming game in its flagship Assassin's Creed series twice. But they are far from the only company affected. Cari says the impact has been felt across all areas of the industry, but she hopes developers will continue to push forward on accessibility. "I don't think accessibility will be singled out," she says. "I think it's going to be part of it. Something that we're all going to have to go through together. "It's a shame, but I know that so much has been proven with reaching more people." GAConf co-director Ian said the current climate had affected accessibility efforts, with dedicated roles cut and the scale of job losses meaning wider expertise has been lost. However, he said that new positions were also being created and some teams were getting bigger. "In terms of dedicated headcount we're in a relatively stable place compared to the wider industry," Ian said. "Which I think is a strong statement about how much accessibility is now valued." AAA Excellence - Star Wars Outlaws Indie Excellence - Another Crab's Treasure Best Deaf & Hard of Hearing Accessibility - Star Wars Outlaws Best Physical & Mobility Accessibility - Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Best Blind & Low Vision Accessibility - Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred Best Cognitive Accessibility - Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Best Mental Health Accessibility - Life Is Strange: Double Exposure Best Representation - Dragon Age: The Veilguard Best Journalism - A Prominent Accessibility Advocate Never Actually Existed, by Grant Stoner Best Academic Research - Surveyor Best Assistive Technology - ByoWave Proteus Best Accessibility Resource - Game Accessibility Workshop Toolkit Best Comms & Marketing - Access-Ability Summer Showcase Most Improved - Diablo IV Greatest Accessibility Innovation - Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Most Dedicated Publisher - Ubisoft Most Dedicated Studio - Ubisoft Kyiv The Advocacy Award - Matthew "TheWobblyGamer" Allcock Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here. 'When everybody can game, everyone wins' 'It could be Marvel' - Games Workshop and the big ambition of a miniatures business Why Final Fantasy director almost rejected his dream job
