Welcome to Beyond Co-Op, the weekly piece where we look at interesting news around the gaming and entertainment industry that may not directly pertain to cooperative gaming culture. This week we have leaks, gas powered purchases, and mystery layoffs from an industry giant.
PlayStation 4 controller possibly revealed
Gas Powered Games purchased
Valve layoffs
Pope quits, meteor smites Russia
Something happened with the new Star Wars movies
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PlayStation 4 controller possibly revealed
Is that a PlayStation 4 dev kit complete with a new Dual Shock 4 controller? Maybe. If it is, it's probably a prototype. Is it a Move? Does it have a touch screen? Why do the thumbsticks look like Dorito dust magnets? I know Dorito dust is the best dust, but come on. Sony's big reveal is coming next week. I'm sure all our questions will be answered and there will be no room for speculation, whatsoever.
Source: Destructoid
Gas Powered Games purchased
Following layoffs and a failed Kickstarter, Gas Powered Games has been acquired by Wargaming. GPG is known for their work on the Dungoen Siege and Supreme Commander franchises. Not much is known about the deal, other than Wargaming now has total ownership of the studio. Maybe now we'll get a World of Wildman game?
Source: Rock Paper Shotgun
Valve mystery layoffs
There were some layoffs at Valve that shouldn't affect anyone (other than the people who were laid off). At least that's according to Gabe Newell.
We don't usually talk about personnel matters for a number of reasons. There seems to be an unusual amount of speculation about some recent changes here, so I thought I'd take the unusual step of addressing them. No, we aren't canceling any projects. No, we aren't changing any priorities or projects we've been discussing. No, this isn't about Steam or Linux or hardware or [insert game name here]. We're not going to discuss why anyone in particular is or isn't working here.
So I guess that's that.
Source: Engadget
Pope quits, meteor smites Russia
Pope Benedict the XVI, the 256th Pope, decided to call it a career. Fun fact: I'm taller than him. Heaven (or Space) decided to show its disapproval (or approval) by throwing a big rock at Russia, the dash cam capital of the known universe.
As a former Catholic who also happens to made of atoms that were around for the Big Bang, I have this to say: Cooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool!
Source: Oh, I don't know. Pick one.
Something happened with the new Star Wars movies.
I still don't care.
Source: Latino Review