Culture
Composer Tom Salta Adds His Score to Deathloop’s Stylish 1960s Setting
If you’ve watched anything even remotely related to video games this year, you’ve probably seen a trailer for Deathloop. The latest game created by Arkane Studios (Dishonored, Prey) is undoubtedly one of the biggest titles to release this year, both as far as popularity and critical acclaim go. The colorful new title sees players stuck in a 1960s time loop on an island/former military base called Blackreef, where its eight inhabitants are looking to kill the protagonist before he can kill them. If the time loop mechanic of Outer Wilds and the modern Hitman trilogy had a stylish baby raised by the people who did one of the best first-person narratives of the 2010s with Prey, the result would be something like Deathloop — but not exactly. Along with the intricat...
The Reality Behind AR and VR
For the last decade at least, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) have been touted multiple times as hot, emerging technologies on the cusp of going mainstream. They were supposed to become part of our everyday lives and a staple of our entertainment consumption. Except somehow they never did cross that magical threshold to become ‘must have’ experiences. But now, finally, massive advances in headset/glasses in terms of both weight and design, plus the arrival of LIDAR as standard on some top-end phones could be game-changers. LIDAR is a method for determining distance by targeting an object with a laser and measuring the time for the reflected light to return to the receiver. Lidar can also be used to make digital 3D representations of objects. On top of that, thanks to artifi...
The ARC Music Festival Debut in Chicago this Weekend was a Tribute to House Music’s Colorful Origins
CREDIT:Kursza for ARC Music Festival ABOUT THE FESTIVALThe ashes of Disco’s black and queer culture in the late 70s laid the foundation for a new genre of dance music that was conceptualized in the clubs of Chicago, and thus house music was born. House is now a global phenomenon that can be attributed back to its Chicago roots and the decades-long careers of local DJs who pushed the genre in new directions. ARC festival was created to honor the invention of house in its birthplace and its debut on Labor Day weekend brought out locals and travelers alike. Perfectly timed in early September, the morning fog burned off into sunny days among well-decorated stages and impeccable sound systems. ARC Festival pulled off without a hitch, hosting local legends and some of the most well-known global ...
Ghost of Tsushima’s New Director’s Cut Upgrade Doesn’t End With Single-Player
After unquestionably being one of the best games of 2020, Ghost of Tsushima recently came back with a vengeance. Not only did it get a brand new expansion centered around Iki Island, but the Director’s Cut also added a true PS5 version of the game for those lucky enough to get their hands on the latest and greatest console. But aside from the new single-player content, the shockingly robust post-launch multiplayer mode known as Legends is getting a whole new revitalization as well. For one thing, Legends is now available as a standalone game for the first time ever, meaning that those only interested in teaming up with their friends for a samurai adventure won’t need to bog down their system or wallets with the full story of Jin Sakai as well. But whether you’re a new Legends convert or a ...
Sergio Ronchetti Went From Heavy Metal Bassist to Eldest Souls Composer
There’s no shortage of games that get lumped into the “Souls-like” subgenre of grueling and unforgiving RPGs that were inspired by Dark Souls, but few of them have a unique twist on the gameplay and mechanics like Eldest Souls. As the first title from the European indie devs at Fallen Flag Studio, Eldest Souls is a pixel art boss rush comprised entirely of chaotic and challenging battles against the mightiest of enemies. While not quite as bleak and gothic as the Souls games, the atmosphere in Eldest Souls can be every bit as intimidating as Lordran, thanks largely to the score from industry newcomer Sergio Ronchetti. SPIN caught up with Ronchetti via Zoom to discuss his heavy metal roots, adapting his musical skills to the video game world, and much more. SPIN: What would you want people ...
Peter McConnell Brought the World(s) of Psychonauts 2 to Life, Just as He Did the First Time Around
It’s been over 16 years since Psychonauts released and nearly 6 since its sequel was announced, and while fans got a bite-sized virtual reality adventure back in 2017 with Psychonauts in the Rhombus of Ruin, yesterday was the big day for those waiting on the next full-length adventure from Razputin Aquato and the rest of the Psychonauts. It’s the long-awaited release week of Psychonauts 2, and the folks at Double Fine Productions know how much the title means to some fans. That’s one of the many reasons they worked hard to keep the sequel as true to the original as possible in some respects — like bringing back veteran composer and Double Fine founder Tim Schafer’s go-to musical collaborator, Peter McConnell (Sly Cooper 2-4, pretty much every Star Wars/LucasArts game from the ‘90s and 2000...
Austin Wintory & His Grammy-Nominated Talents Broke the Alien Composers’ Curse on Aliens: Fireteam Elite
Aliens: Fireteam Elite has some big shoes to fill. When the cooperative multiplayer shooter releases next week, it’ll need to find a way to bring the three-person squads directly into the Alien universe — one of the most recognizable franchises in sci-fi, horror, and everything in between. But while Alien: Isolation (2014) channeled the original movie by focusing on the horrors of trying to hopelessly survive against a single Xenomorph, the upcoming title is more about the nonstop sci-fi action of Aliens. Of course, it’ll still need to keep some suspense and terror in the air to fit in with the classic movie trilogy and numerous spinoffs, but players won’t feel nearly as helpless this time around. To set the mood for the adrenaline rush of a release, Cold Iron Studios brought in award-winn...
After Winning Dozens of Awards, Hades and Its Killer Soundtrack Come to PlayStation and Xbox
For those who haven’t played Hades yet, well, you should. And now that it’s coming to PlayStation and Xbox (including physical releases through a partnership with Private Division), you really don’t have an excuse not to. Not only is it one of the most nominated and award-winning games of 2020, but it’s also arguably Supergiant Games’ masterpiece up to this point. In addition to being the finest work from one of the most beloved indie studios, Hades takes roguelikes to a new level as well. Much like how Pyre used Supergiant’s beloved art style and narrative talents to bring elements of sports to an audience that would never play a sports game, Hades serves as a perfect introduction to the often merciless and repetitive gameplay associated with roguelikes. Aside from the visuals and stories...
Malice In Zuckerland
I am writing these words from the corner into which Facebook has exiled me, for allegedly offending “community standards.” Witness this shocking announcement that popped onto my screen yesterday morning: ” Your account is restricted for 3 days. Your previous posts didn’t follow our Community Standards,so you can’t do things like post or comment.” They claim that three of my commentaries broke their rules, but fail to specify which. (Only three, I wonder?) My guess is the one expressing my opinion that those convicted of January 6th insurrection crimes should not receive token sentences — two days on a work farm; “community service” sweeping parking lots. Like all traitors who attempt the violent overthrow of our Constitution, they deserve severe penalties, up to and including executio...
Composer John Murphy Returns to the Big Screen With The Suicide Squad
Look, Suicide Squad was bad. We’re not pointing fingers at anyone in particular for why the 2016 movie didn’t work, but it just didn’t. The movie couldn’t even be saved by classic dialog like “This is Katana. She’s got my back. I would advise not getting killed by her. Her sword traps the souls of its victims.” Conversely, The Suicide Squad, is quite a good time. We won’t spoil any of it for those who haven’t seen it yet, but James Gunn is clearly made for offbeat superhero movies, and punk rocker-turned-composer John Murphy (28 Days Later, Kick-Ass, Snatch) reminded everyone that he’s still one of the best in the industry. The movie is out today both on HBO Max and in theaters, and ahead of it, SPIN spoke with Murphy on Zoom about both the new release and some of his previous greatest hit...
Take a Chill Adventure in a Bug-Sized Mech With Stonefly
Anyone who’s delved into any of Flight School Studio’s games already knows that there’s really nothing else like them. Titles like Creature in the Well and Manifest 99 are the kind of weird little indie adventures that a larger studio wouldn’t dare to touch. Their most recent release, Stonefly, is their biggest and most robust game yet, but it’s certainly not any less strange. It combines surprisingly strategic combat, customizable mechs, a Pixar-like visual and narrative appeal, and a supremely relaxing atmosphere, all scaled down to the size of insects. Will it appeal to everyone or compete with the biggest names in the industry? Almost certainly not, but that’s not what Creative Director Adam Volker and Game Director Bohdon Sayre are after. The Flight School Studio team wants to put for...
The travel that changed me: Tharik Hussain
Kia speaks to author Tharik Hussain and explains why his book about Muslim Europe is changing her thoughts about her own religion If I had read Minarets in the Mountains in my youth, I would have almost certainly felt differently about my religion. My parents were Bangladeshi immigrants to the UK and in an effort to cling on to their identity, followed a highly prescriptive version of Islam that wasn’t very much fun. Author Tharik Hussain Had I – or they – read a book like this, we might have felt more secure about our place in the world. The problem is, of course, a book like this did not exist until Tharik Hussain wrote it. The author and travel writer has written several travel guides including Lonely Planet Saudi Arabia, which was shortlisted for a 2020 Travel Media Award. He is...
