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Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice wins SXSW GOTY
South by Southwest (SXSW) announce the winners of the seventh annual SXSW Gaming Awards.
South by Southwest (SXSW) announce the winners of the seventh annual SXSW Gaming Awards, with Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice picking up Game of the Year.
Following the example set by the GDC and IGF awards, the winners of this year’s SXSW Gaming Awards have been revealed online. The awards aim to recognise “the most creative and influential titles, teams and individuals in the industry” across 19 categories. The winners are selected through a combination of public voting and assessment from SXSW staff and advisory board members.
FromSoftware’s Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice adds to its trophy cabinet by picking up the awards for Video Game of the Year and Excellence in Visual Achievement. Kojima Productions’ Death Stranding also picked up two awards, for Musical Score and Technical Achievement.
Other winners include The Outer Worlds, Pokémon Sword and Shield, and Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.
Speaking about the awards, Hugh Forrest, chief programming officer for SXSW, says:
“Gaming is a key part of the creative ecosystem that brings us together, and now more than ever it provides us with a unique sense of escape and adventure in uncertain times. We were devastated that we weren’t able to celebrate our honorees in person with the cancellation of our event, but glad that we’re still able to share their achievements and creative works with our community.”
This year’s acceptance messages are well worth watching. It’s a reminder of how much industry recognition can mean to the creators and developers behind the games we play. Here’s the full list of winners.
2020 SXSW Gaming Awards Winner
Video Game of the Year
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice – FromSoftware / Activision
Mobile Game of the Year
Winner: Sky: Children of the Light – Thatgamecompany
Tabletop Game of the Year
Paladins of the West Kingdom – Renegade Game Studios
XR Game of the Year
No Man’s Sky Beyond VR – Hello Games
Trending Game of the Year
Pokémon Sword And Shield – Game Freak / The Pokemon Company, Nintendo
Matthew Crump Cultural Innovation Award
Disco Elysium – Za/Um
Most Promising New Intellectual Property
The Outer Worlds – Obsidian Entertainment / Private Division
Excellence in Animation
Kingdom Hearts III – Square Enix
Excellence in Art
The Legend Of Zelda: Link’s Awakening – Nintendo
Excellence in Design
Control – Remedy Entertainment / 505 Games
Excellence in Gameplay
Devil May Cry 5 – Capcom
Excellence in Multiplayer
Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers – Square Enix
Excellence in Musical Score
Death Stranding – Kojima Productions / Sony Interactive Entertainment
Excellence in Narrative
Disco Elysium – ZA/UM
Excellence in SFX
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order – Respawn Entertainment / Electronic Arts
Excellence in Technical Achievement
Death Stranding – Kojima Productions / Sony Interactive Entertainment
Excellence in Visual Achievement
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice – Fromsoftware / Activision
Game Industry Champion of Change
Steven Spohn
Game Industry Journalist of the Year
Cecilia D’anastasio
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This week’s PlayStation 4 releases (May 25-29, 2020)
Minecraft Dungeons headlines this week’s lineup of new PlayStation 4 releases.
Minecraft Dungeons headlines this week’s lineup of new PlayStation 4 releases.
Minecraft Dungeons doesn’t feature mining. And nor does it feature crafting. It does, fortunately, feature dungeons.
The newly renamed Mojang Studios has partnered with Double Eleven for the console port of this procedurally-generated dungeon crawler. The game looks beautiful, plays like a dream, and is an accessible entry point to the genre. It might lack a little depth compared to Diablo and the like, but that’s no bad thing. It’s a hack and slash experience for all the family.
The fifth game in WayForward’s long-running Shantae franchise also comes to PS4 this week. Shantae and the Seven Sirens received a warm welcome on its Apple Arcade debut last year, but we think it will feel more at home on console. Expect another enjoyable Metroidvania wrapped up in glorious visuals.
Other new games include Let’s Sing 2020, Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen, and Camel 101’s psychological horror, Those Who Remain.
Here’s the full list of new PlayStation Store releases for the PS4, PS VR, and PS Vita. We’ll add any late additions to the list throughout the week.
New PlayStation 4 releases: May 25-29, 2020
Monday, May 25, 2020
- No releases
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
- Castle Pals
- Minecraft Dungeons
- Rune Lord
- Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
- Many Faces
- Wizards: Wand of Epicosity
Thursday, May 28, 2020
- Atomicrops
- Bug Fables
- Hotel R’N’R
- Let’s Sing 2020
- Shantae and the Seven Sirens
- Those Who Remain
Friday, May 29, 2020
- Genetic Disaster
- Little Misfortune
- Pong Quest
Bookmark the Thumbsticks new releases page for the latest games. You can also stalk us on social media via Flipboard, Facebook, Google News, and Twitter.
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Sony to broadcast The Last of Us Part II gameplay deep dive
The latest episode of State of Play will feature an extended look at upcoming PS4 exclusive, The Last of Us Part II.
This week’s episode of State of Play will feature an extended look at upcoming PlayStation 4 exclusive, The Last of Us Part II.
Sony has announced that the next State of Play video will be broadcast this Wednesday and is focussed entirely on naughty Dog’s promising new action-adventure and game, The Last of Us Part II.
The game’s director, Neil Druckmann, will lead viewers on a 20-25-minute-long preview that covers the game’s story, characters, and threats. It will conclude with around eight minutes of never seen before gameplay.
The Last of Us Part II – State of Play
The game itself will be out in just under a month, coming exclusively to PS4 on June 19, 2020. It’s available to pre-order now via the PlayStation Store, Amazon, and other online retailers.
You can reacquaint yourself with the game by watching the recent story trailer for The Last of Us Part II right here.
Sony also says that this week’s State of Play will not include any information on the company’s next-generation PlayStation 5 console.
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Found it interesting, entertaining, useful, or informative? Maybe it even saved you some money. That's great to hear! Sadly, independent publishing is struggling worse than ever, and Thumbsticks is no exception. So please, if you can afford to, consider supporting us via Patreon or buying us a coffee.
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This week’s Xbox One releases (May 25-29, 2020)
Minecraft Dungeons and Shantae and the Seven Sirens headline this week’s lineup of new Xbox One releases.
Minecraft Dungeons and Shantae and the Seven Sirens headline this week’s lineup of new Xbox One releases.
Minecraft Dungeons is the week’s big new Xbox One game. The family-friendly dungeon crawler from Mojang Studios blends fast-moving hack-and-slash combat with the aesthetics of Minecraft to delicious effect. It’s not the next Torchlight, but it’s a polished co-op experience for intrepid explorers of all ages.
Another highlight is Shantae and the Seven Sirens from WayForward. The game returns to the franchise’s roots with another colourful instalment of exploration and platforming.
Other new Xbox One games include the dark fantasy adventure Little Misfortune and psychological horror, Those Who Remain. We also presume that the release of Ultimate Fishing Simulator means we’ll never need to buy another fishing game.
Each new release can be purchased from the Xbox One digital games store and Microsoft online store. Here’s the confirmed lineup.
New Xbox One releases: May 25-29, 2020
Monday, May 25, 2020
- No releases
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
- Minecraft Dungeons
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
- Castle Pals
- Many Faces: Console Edition
Thursday, May 28, 2020
- Atomicrops
- Shantae and the Seven Sirens
- Those Who Remain
Friday, May 29, 2020
- Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling
- Genetic Disaster
- Georifters
- Indiecalypse
- The Last Scape
- Little Misfortune
- Ultimate Fishing Simulator
If you’re looking for some video game bargains, read our roundup of this week’s new Xbox One sales and promotions.
Bookmark the Thumbsticks new releases page for the latest games. You can also follow us on social media via Flipboard, Facebook, Google News, and Twitter.
Enjoyed this article?
Found it interesting, entertaining, useful, or informative? Maybe it even saved you some money. That's great to hear! Sadly, independent publishing is struggling worse than ever, and Thumbsticks is no exception. So please, if you can afford to, consider supporting us via Patreon or buying us a coffee.
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New Nintendo Switch releases (May 25-30, 2020)
This week’s lineup of new Nintendo Switch eShop releases includes some classics from 2K and a new Minecraft game.
This week’s lineup of new Nintendo Switch releases includes some 2K classics, the return of Shantae, and a brand new Minecraft game.
There’s a jam-packed week ahead on the Switch with a slew of great games coming to the Nintendo eShop.
We’ll take a deep breath and start with a couple of new games. First up is Minecraft Dungeons. It’s a family-friendly dungeon crawler that effortlessly combines a tried-and-tested gameplay formula with the iconic Minecraft aesthetic. It’s probably not a classic of the genre, but it’s accessible, polished, and lots of fun.
Shantae and the Seven Sirens is the fifth game in WayForward’s long-running series of visually resplendent action-adventure games. The little we played of it on Apple Arcade suggests its back-to-basics approach was the right choice.
The biggest release of the week – for long-time Nintendo fans, at least – is Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition. The classic Wii RPG gets a visual and audio upgrade and a whole new epilogue that runs to around 10 hours. On this occasion, the ‘Definitive Edition’ subtitle sounds well earned.
2K Games is also releasing three content-packed compilations: Borderlands Legendary Collection, BioShock: The Collection, and XCOM 2 Collection. For players of a certain age – cough – the chance to replay Irrational’s 2007 classic in handheld mode will likely prove irresistible. Each collection is also reasonably priced, and teaches EA a thing or two on bringing older games on the Switch,
Other new Nintendo Switch releases include the Sega arcade classic Thunder Force AC, Little Misfortune, and Adam’s Venture: Origins.
We’ll keep this page updated throughout the week with any last-minute changes. Here’s the full lineup of new Nintendo eShop releases as it stands.
New Nintendo Switch releases: May 25-30, 2020
Monday, May 25, 2020
- No releases
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
- Minecraft Dungeons
- Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath Kollection
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
- Ailment
- Missile Command: Recharged
Thursday, May 28, 2020
- Atomicrops
- Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling
- F-117A Stealth Fighter
- Fly Punch Boom!
- Game Tengoku CruisinMix Special
- Hill Climbing Mania
- Resolutiion
- Let’s Sing 2020
- SEGA Ages Thunder Force AC
- Shantae and the Seven Sirens
- Synaptic Drive
- Turmoil
Friday, May 29, 2020
- Adam’s Venture: Origins
- Castle Pals
- Climbros
- Despotism 3K
- Genetic Disaster
- BioShock: The Collection
- BioShock Remastered
- BioShock 2 Remastered
- BioShock Infinite: The Complete Edition
- Borderlands Legendary Collection
- Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition
- Borderlands 2: Game of the Year Edition,
- Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel
- Flux8
- Indiecalypse
- Little Misfortune
- Moonlighter: Between Dimensions (DLC)
- XCOM 2 Collection
- Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition
- WildTrax Racing
Saturday, May 30, 2020
- #womenUp Super Puzzles Dream
- Undead and Beyond
More from Thumbsticks
Visit our new releases page for regular Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4 updates. You can also follow Thumbsticks on Facebook, Google News, Twitter, and Flipboard.
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Found it interesting, entertaining, useful, or informative? Maybe it even saved you some money. That's great to hear! Sadly, independent publishing is struggling worse than ever, and Thumbsticks is no exception. So please, if you can afford to, consider supporting us via Patreon or buying us a coffee.
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Save up to 80% with this week’s Nintendo eShop deals
There are Switch savings aplenty with four big sales currently running on the Nintendo eShop.
There are Switch savings aplenty with four big promotions currently running on the Nintendo eShop.
The latest crop of US Nintendo eShop offers feature some iconic video game characters, some anime superstars, and some digital versions of family-favourite board games.
The Sonic the Hedgehog sale is headlined by Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. We don’t think it’s a very good game, to be honest, but if you have young family members going stir-crazy, it should bring calm and chaos to your home in equal measure. “Real gamerz” should check out the Sega Ages releases of Sonic the Hedgehog 1 and 2, and Sonic Mania.
Another iconic video game character on sale is Pac-Man. To celebrate the character’s 40th birthday, both Namco Museum and Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 Plus are discounted. Both games are well worth getting.
The Ubisoft Family Time Sale features one of the best games in the Switch library, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle. It’s accessible, tactical, funny, and addictive. And even the Rabbids are pretty likeable.
The AniMay sale also continues, with offers on games including Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2 and the wonderful Ni No Kuni: Wrath Of The White Witch.
The Sonic and Ubisoft Nintendo eShop sales run until May 25. The AniMay and Pac-Man promotions lose their lives on May 26. Here are some more highlights.
Sonic the Hedgehog Sale
- Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
- Sega Ages Sonic The Hedgehog
- Sega Ages Sonic The Hedgehog 2
- Sonic Forces
- Sonic Mania
- Team Sonic Racing
Discounted 3DS games include 3D Sonic The Hedgehog, Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice, and Sonic Lost World.
Ubisoft Family Time Sale
- Jeopardy!
- Just Dance 2020
- Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
- Monopoly for Nintendo Switch
- Risk Global Domination
- Trivial Pursuit Live!
- Wheel of Fortune
Pac-Man 40th Annniversay Sale
- Namco Museum
- Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 Plus
AniMay Sale Highlights
- Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition
- Dragon Ball Fighterz
- God Eater 3
- My Hero One’s Justice 2
- Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2
- Ni No Kuni: Wrath Of The White Witch
- Super Dragon Ball Heroes World Mission – Launch Edition
- Sword Art Online: Hollow Realization Deluxe Edition
- Tales Of Vesperia: Definitive Edition
More from Thumbsticks
Visit the Thumbsticks new releases page for regular Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4 updates. You can also follow us on Facebook, Google News, Twitter, and Flipboard.
Enjoyed this article?
Found it interesting, entertaining, useful, or informative? Maybe it even saved you some money. That's great to hear! Sadly, independent publishing is struggling worse than ever, and Thumbsticks is no exception. So please, if you can afford to, consider supporting us via Patreon or buying us a coffee.
Recommended for you
This week’s PlayStation 4 releases (May 25-29, 2020)
Sony to broadcast The Last of Us Part II gameplay deep dive
Maneater review
This week’s Xbox One releases (May 25-29, 2020)
New Nintendo Switch releases (May 25-30, 2020)
Save up to 80% with this week’s Nintendo eShop deals
Pac-Man gets a Mario Maker style makeover
Civilization VI is free on the Epic Games Store
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