Warner Bros. Games president David Haddad is stepping down after 12 years.As reported by Variety, the news comes roughly a year after the launch of live service misfire Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League.The (literal) superhero shooter, published by Warner Bros. Games and developed by Rocksteady, underperformed following a rough development cycle reportedly marred by mismanagement and misguided live service ambitions.According to a report from Bloomberg, Warner Bros. Games lost $200 million on the multiplayer shooter. The publisher axed jobs at Rocksteady following the launch of Suicide Squad and eventually chose to end support for the title.In its latest fiscal report for Q3 2024, Warner Bros. noted that games revenue declined by 31 percent year-over-yearbut stated that downturn was partly because it failed to replicate the commercial success of 2023 release Hogwarts: Legacy.As for what the future holds for Haddad, the long-serving exec will remain with Warner Bros. Games of the next three months to oversee a transition period.Warner Bros. Discovery Global Streaming and Games CEO and president JB Perrette praised Haddad's contribution to the business and said the division will now prepare to for its next "record-breaking title."Haddad said he's proud of what he achieved at Warner Bros. Games during what Perrette described as a "remarkable chapter for the company.""It has been an absolute pleasure working on and building our iconic gaming franchises, and I will continue to be an enthusiastic supporter of this talented teams future endeavors," said Haddad."I look forward to working on the next chapter of my career and will always be grateful for my time with Warner Bros. Games."

Microsoft promised a new game announcement at its Xbox Developer Direct event, and that game turned out to be Ninja Gaiden 4. The new entry in the long-running franchise is being co-developed by Team Ninja along with Platinum Games, the team behind action games like Bayonetta and Nier: Automata. The game is launching in Fall 2025, and will be coming to Xbox, PC, and PS5 (it will also be available via Game Pass).While the Ninja Gaiden franchise has been around since the late 80s, it entered into a new era on the Xbox with the bloody, and tough-as-nails Ninja Gaiden on Xbox in 2004. That version, developed by Team Ninja, was ported to a handful of other consoles and also received a number of sequels. Based on the debut trailer, the new game looks to continue the dark action started with the 2004 release, but with even faster gameplay.In addition to the brand-new release, a remake of Ninja Gaiden II was also announced called Ninja Gaiden II Black. In a nice surprise: the game is available now on Xbox, PC, PS5, and Game Pass.These arent the only returns to Ninja Gaiden in the works, however. Retro experts Dotemu are also developing a new throwback release called Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound.

The Surface Laptop Go 3 could get a replacement very soon. | Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge Its been less than a year since Microsoft launched its first Qualcomm Snapdragon X-powered Surface devices, and now a new rumor says followups could debut as soon as this spring. A report from Windows Central updates rumors that have circled since 2023, citing sources who say that new versions of the Surface Laptop and Surface Pro 2-in-1 are in the works, with 11- to 12-inch size screens, Windows on Arm, and lighter but still premium designs.Microsoft has already scheduled a major Surface for Business event next week. There, were anticipating variants of the current Surface Laptop 7 and Surface Pro 11 CoPilot Plus PCs that have Intels Lunar Lake chips inside and are aimed at business customers.According to Windows Central, its unclear where these smaller devices might launch, but they will have cheaper chipsets, like the Snapdragon X Plus or possibly the Snapdragon X that launched earlier this month at CES, to keep prices in the $800 - $900 range. When Microsoft last updated its Surface Laptop Go lineup with a third-generation in 2023, we thought it no longer made sense at the asking price, but the battery life and performance supported by Qualcomms hardware might change things for a new replacement. The smaller Surface Pro is described as a competitor for Apples 11-inch iPad Pro. However, Windows Central reports its unclear if it is positioned to replace the old Surface Go series, which was last updated with the business-focused Surface Go 4.

Proteins, essential macromolecules for biological processes like metabolism and immune response, follow the sequence-structure-function paradigm, where amino acid sequences determine 3D structures and functions. Computational protein science AIms to decode this relationship and design proteins with desired properties. Traditional AI models have achieved significant success in specific protein modeling tasks, such as structure prediction and design. However, these models face challenges in understanding the grammar and semantics of protein sequences and lack generalization across tasks. Recently, protein Language Models (pLMs) leveraging LLM techniques have emerged, enabling advancements in protein understanding, function prediction, and design.Researchers from institutions like The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Michigan State University, and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence have advanced computational protein science by integrating LLMs to develop pLMs. These models effectively capture protein knowledge and address sequence-structure-function reasoning problems. This survey systematically categorizes pLMs into sequence-based, structure- and function-enhanced, and multimodal models, exploring their applications in protein structure prediction, function prediction, and design. It highlights pLMs impact on antibody design, enzyme engineering, and drug discovery while discussing challenges and future directions, providing insights for AI and biology researchers in this growing field.Protein structure prediction is a critical challenge in computational biology due to the complexity of experimental techniques like X-ray crystallography and NMR. Recent advancements like AlphaFold2 and RoseTTAFold have significantly improved structure prediction by incorporating evolutionary and geometric constraints. However, these methods still face challenges, especially with orphan proteins lacking homologous sequences. To address these issues, single-sequence prediction methods, like ESMFold, use pLMs to predict protein structures without relying on multiple sequence alignments (MSAs). These methods offer faster and more universal predictions, particularly for proteins with no homology, though there is still room for improvement in accuracy.pLMs have significantly impacted computational and experimental protein science, particularly in applications like antibody design, enzyme design, and drug discovery. In antibody design, pLMs can propose antibody sequences that specifically bind to target antigens, offering a more controlled and cost-effective alternative to traditional animal-based methods. These models, like PALMH3, have successfully designed antibodies targeting various SARS-CoV-2 variants, demonstrating improved neutralization and affinity. Similarly, pLMs play a key role in enzyme design by optimizing wild-type enzymes for enhanced stability and new catalytic functions. For example, InstructPLM has been used to redesign enzymes like PETase and L-MDH, improving their efficiency compared to the wild-type.In drug discovery, pLMs help predict interactions between drugs and target proteins, accelerating the screening of potential drug candidates. Models like TransDTI can classify drug-target interactions, aiding in identifying promising compounds for diseases. Additionally, ConPLex leverages contrastive learning to predict kinase-drug interactions, successfully confirming several high-affinity binding interactions. These advances in pLM applications streamline the drug discovery process and contribute to developing more effective therapies with better efficiency and safety profiles.In conclusion, the study provides an in-depth look at the role of LLMs in protein science, covering both foundational concepts and recent advancements. It discusses the biological basis of protein modeling, the categorization of pLMs based on their ability to understand sequences, structures, and functional information, and their applications in protein structure prediction, function prediction, and design. The review also highlights pLMs potential in practical fields like antibody design, enzyme engineering, and drug discovery. Lastly, it outlines promising future directions in this rapidly advancing field, emphasizing the transformative impact of AI on computational protein science.Check out the Paper. All credit for this research goes to the researchers of this project. Also,dont forget to follow us onTwitter and join ourTelegram Channel andLinkedIn Group. Dont Forget to join our70k+ ML SubReddit. Sana Hassan+ postsSana Hassan, a consulting intern at Marktechpost and dual-degree student at IIT Madras, is passionate about applying technology and AI to address real-world challenges. With a keen interest in solving practical problems, he brings a fresh perspective to the intersection of AI and real-life solutions. Meet 'Height':The only autonomous project management tool (Sponsored)

The Oscars 2025 nominations are here, and the internet is having its say on all the varioius snubs.Luca Guadagnino's Challengers, for example, failed to net a single nod, prompting fans to serve up a loud reaction online.Shortly after the 2025 Oscar nominations were unveiled, Challengers started trending on X/Twitter as fans of the Zendaya-led sports drama shared their dismay over the movie being shut out by the Academy. People expressed their surprise, with most of the confusion spiralling from the films score not getting the recognition so many felt it deserved, labelling the snub as ridiculous and a mistake.Challengers has received numerous accolades during the current awards season, including four nominations at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards, where it ultimately took home the trophy for Best Original Score. The movie appeared in the music category alongside Conclave, The Brutalist, The Wild Robot, Emilia Prez, and Dune: Part Two, which, bar Denis Villeneuves Dune sequel, all earned nominations in the same category at the Oscars.Zendaya stars in Challengers as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy-turned-coach who gets entangled with her husband and ex-boyfriend both on and off the court. The tennis tale was widely beloved by film fans and critics, including our own. It emerged as one of IGNs best-reviewed movies at the end of 2024, with Siddhant Adlakha, in his review, calling the love-triangle-drama one of the sexiest and most electric of its genre coming out of last year.Its high praise wasnt enough to earn it an Oscar nomination, but it wasnt the only snub on the lineup for the 97th Academy Awards. Dune: Part 2 received a nod for Best Picture, but there was no shoutout for the director in his respective category.Stanley Tucci also missed out on a Supporting Actor nomination for his role in Conclave, while Angelina Jolie got snubbed in Best Actress for playing opera singer Maria Callas in Maria. Selena Gomez also missed out on an expected nod in the Best Supporting Actress category for her work in Emilia Prez.Other major films that missed out entirely include Blitz, Longlegs, and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.There will likely be even more surprises in store when the Oscars commence on March 2, 2025, so stay tuned to IGN for the latest.Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on X/Twitter @A_AnkersRange.

Warner Bros. Games boss David Haddad is set to leave the company, according to a new report.Variety said Haddad will leave his role as president of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment after 12 years of leading Warner Bros. Games.The company has had a troubled 12 months, first with the catastrophic release of Rocksteadys Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, then the disappointing release of Smash Bros.-style brawler MultiVersus.Warner Bros. Discovery has said Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leagues failure contributed to a $200 million hit to its business, and MultiVersus added another $100 million on top. Warner Bros. Games' only new game release during the third quarter of 2024 was Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions, which failed to make an impression.Speaking in a financial call, Warner Bros. Discovery President and CEO David Zaslav said: "We recognise [the games business] is substantially underperforming its potential right now.Since then, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League post-launch content has come to an end with the delivery of its year one roadmap. Warner Bros. has yet to announce Rocksteadys next game, but it is reportedly helping out on a directors cut of Hogwarts Legacy. The legendary British studio has suffered a number of layoffs in recent months.There are also question marks over Mortal Kombat 1s financial performance, although NetherRealm chief Ed Boon recently announced over five million sales and teased future DLC following the release of the T-1000 Terminator guest character.During the same financial call, Zaslav said Warner Bros. was doubling down on four games: Hogwarts Legacy (a sequel is already in the works), Mortal Kombat, Game of Thrones, and DC, "in particular Batman." Warner Bros. recently published VR game Batman: Arkham Shadow exclusively on the Meta Quest 3, and has a Wonder Woman game in the works at Monolith Productions."We are focusing our development efforts on those core franchises, with proven studios to improve our success ratio," Zaslav added.According to Variety, Haddad will stay on with Warner Bros. discovery for the next three months as the company looks for his replacement during an apparent quieter release schedule.Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Its mind-boggling that, in the 17-year history of Assassins Creed, were only now getting an entry set in Japan. Its essentially been a ninja sim from the jump, yet we somehow went toe to toe with a minotaur before ever getting to sneak around the shadowy bowels of a Japanese castle. Fortunately, Assassins Creed Shadows may just be worth the years-long wait. In many respects, its the most ambitious AC game yet. Den of Geek was invited to developer Ubisoft Quebecs studio in Quebec City to play six hours of a preview build before the games March 20 release. We were shown a few early cinematics introducing us to the games two protagonists Naoe and Yasuke, explored the games open world, completed one of the games main missions and a few side activities, and played around with the games Hideout customization mode. Most of the demo was set in the Southwestern region of Harima, where our heroes followed clues to find those responsible for stealing a precious box tied to Naoes past.The challenge with a long-running series like Assassins Creed is that fans have certain expectations of the franchise yet demand that each entry feel fundamentally new and different from everything thats come before. Its a tenuous balancing act, but the team at Ubisoft Quebec seems to have approached it this time not by necessarily expanding the scope of Shadows in comparison to previous titles but by deepening, refining, and even subverting the core concepts of Assassins Creed. Shadows doesnt feel quite like a revelation (no pun intended), but its not a minor or iterative effort either. Rather, from what weve seen and played, its a distillation of everything that makes these games so good, improving greatly on the foundation built in titles past.Japan at Long LastFans have fantasized about an Assassins Creed game set in Japan since the early days of the franchise, and the anticipation wasnt lost on the team at Ubisoft, who internally was eager to finally dive into the historical period themselves. Shadows story is set in the year 1579 during Japans Warring States Period, with daimy (feudal lords) like Oda Nobunaga jostling for power.Yasuke is taken under Nobunagas wing and trained to be a samurai when he arrives on the shores of Japan at the service of Portuguese Jesuits. Yasuke is based on a historical figure of the same name, the first Black samurai, and in the games story represents the perspective of nobility.Naoe views things from the perspective of commoners and working-class people. She was trained to be a shinobi (ninja) by her father and has been largely shielded by him from the larger machinations of war raging across Japan. She never knew her mother and knows little of her familys background, but as shes thrust into the strife of the conflict, she learns about the nature of her lineage and decides to build a brighter future for her people.At its heart, its a story about community, associate narrative director Brooke Davies tells Den of Geek. Its about rebuilding after loss with chosen family. These are ordinary people faced with extraordinary circumstances, and the team really poured their hearts into exploring these stories in this tremendous historical context.The team at Ubisoft Quebec spent time in Japan, consulted experts in the field of Japanese history, and did extensive research to craft an open world that feels even more immersive and transportive than prior Assassins Creed titles, and more historically rich and accurate than any version of Feudal Japan seen in a video game. [The research process] was so inspiring and exciting for us, Davies says. We immersed ourselves in Japanese history every day.Shadows is technically the first completely new-gen game in the franchise (Valhalla and Mirage were both released for new and last-gen platforms), and its abundantly clear once you start exploring the games lush environments. Whether youre riding your horse along rice fields or stealthing your way into a heavily guarded fortress (you can enter virtually every building in the game, by the way), the visuals are picturesque and absurdly detailed, down to the texture and reflectiveness of materials in houses and flight patterns of birds. The game even features new cloud and wind simulation never seen in the series before, as well as dynamic changing of seasons.We built new graphics technologies for this game as we were developing the game itself. We built systems for textures, wind, facial animation, and even hair, explains game director Charles Benoit.Its not just that the game looks pretty or realistic. Its that the high fidelity of the environments makes the game world more engaging to explore. Open-world games have a tendency to feel empty after a few dozen hours of play, but the section of Shadows game world that we played was anything but dull and encouraged exploration not just to find new things to do, but to find new things to gawk at.Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!Exploration was something we really focused on to make sure players looked around at the world and werent just dragged around by icons on a map, Benoit says. We want players to discover things on their own just by moving around.The little side quests you do find in the open world arent mere distractions or bits of busy work. Naoe can happen upon animals doing different cute animal things (like cuddling!) that she can then paint. Then, you can hang that painting up in the Hideout, the games fully customizable base of operations, and even bring the animals to the Hideout to frolic and play! Any characters and items you collect in the game world can be found back at the Hideout, and customizing the layout, buildings, and displays is way more fun than youd expect.A New Way to PlayThe core gameplay elements of Assassins Creedparkour, stealth, melee combatare all represented in Shadows and feel familiar on first touch. Series veterans will be able to pick up and play, no problem. But once you actually engage enemies and try to, say, loot a fortress, you find out very quickly that the stealth and combat in this game is a completely different beast.The first thing to understand is that Yasuke and Naoe play completely differently. Seriously, this is as asymmetrical as it gets. Yasuke can take a whole lot of hits and can wreck shop with giant swords and hammers that deal out massive damage, much like the weapons-based combat from Assassins Creed Valhalla and Ubisoft Quebecs own Assassins Creed Odyssey, but with more heft to it (blocking, parrying, and good timing in general are key). Its not that Yasukes a tank. Parkour is definitely within his skillset, but its not his wheelhouse. For example, if you try to run across the spine of a rooftop with Yasuke, youre absolutely going to get stuck with arrows. Hes slow but powerful, especially compared to Naoe.Naoe is the most nimble, agile assassin in the entire franchise thus far. Shes quick, elusive, and can get herself out of trouble in a snap. But if youre not thoughtful about your approach to enemy encounters and get pinned down, she cant take much damage at all. Itll probably be curtains. But if youre tactical with your stealth, you can take out dozens of guards without alerting a soul.There are some little improvements to stealth that make enemy encounters in Shadows feel significantly more dynamic and challenging than any other entry in the series. Theres the ability to go prone, for example, which reduces the sound you make (yes, enemies react to light and sound disturbances now). And get thisenemies can look up now, too! So the old trick of losing guards by simply skittering up onto a rooftop doesnt work anymore. Theyll sniff you out and corner you if youre not precise. We wanted to change some of the games key systems to change the way you play the game and feel the story, Benoit explains. With prone, light and shadows, and sound, its a way for players to kind of rediscover stealth in Assassins Creed.The specialized nature of Yasuke and Naoes respective skill sets mean you need to play tactically and adaptivelyYasuke wears heavy armor and isnt that stealthy, and Naoe taking on multiple enemies at once seldom ends well. This creates an extra layer of strategy that you must consider when deciding who you want to take into each mission. The best part is that both of them are fun to play, and youre incentivized to switch between them as opposed to leaning on one all the way through.During production, we had moments where we had to balance things between Naoe and Yasuke, Benoit recalls. At first, Naoe was super good at everything. She could stealth and was super good at fights, and Yasuke had missing something. So we pulled some levers, removed some things from Naoe and added things to Yasukes game to make him a superior fighter. They feel very different from each other, but its all very balanced.The result of these refinements is stealth and combat thats more intense, challenging, high-stakes, and volatile than weve seen in the series before. Its more engaging and strategic than previous titles and feels almost akin to IO Interactives Hitman games.An Homage to Japanese CinemaFrom what weve experienced so far, Shadows is a joy to play. Its not only that it feels like a real effort to give players everything they love about this series; the games cinematic elements have been elevated as well. The most noticeable difference is the cinematographyall of the camera angles and compositions feel heavily inspired by the greats of Japanese cinema like Yasujiro Ozu and Akira Kurosawa. Character conversations almost always look stilted in open-world games, but theres an uncommon level of care put into the cutscenes here.Mo-cap is another big difference-maker, with actors Masumi Tsunoda (Naoe) and Tongayi Chirisa (Yasuke) infusing their characters with humanity and pure emotion. The performances here are seriously brilliant. Theres a brutal, heartbreaking scene early in the game that introduces the storys villains, and without spoiling too much, Tsunodas acting is startlingly powerful and evocative in this sequence.The games music is evocative as well, with sweeping orchestral pieces organically mixed with modern psychedelic rock and hip-hop. Its a strange musical tapestry that doesnt seem like it should work, but it totally does. The changes in style and genre coincide with the changing emotions of the scenes, so the music is almost seamlessly woven into the story.It takes a village to bring these moments from script to screen, Davies says. We were fortunate to work with a great cinematic design team and amazing performers. The actors really embodied their roles, and our music really heightens the emotion. [Each of our teams] comes together to make sure these key emotional moments are felt by the player.Like any great piece of Japanese cinema, Shadows aims to tell a story with a profound message. While fictionalized, Naoe and Yasukes journeys speak to real-world issues and reflect not just the tumult of Feudal Japan, but aspects of humanity and compassion that resound in the world of today.Shadows is about people coming together to make the world a better place, to bring light into difficult times, Davies says. I hope players feel like theyre part of that story.Assassins Creed Shadows is out on March 20 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

For the first time in its storied history, LEGO is setting sail into the world of anime sort of. As confirmed by Netflix and The LEGO Group, the Danish toymaker is creating products based on the live-action adaptation of One Piece, inspired by the long-running anime of the same name.This is a truly special collaboration, Lena Dixen, senior vice president for core businesses at the LEGO Group said via press statement. For the first time, LEGO play and the exciting world of anime meet. Building the world of ONE PIECE, as depicted in the Netflix live-action adaptation, in LEGO brick form has been such an exciting challenge and I couldnt be more excited for fans to experience the new adventures this ONE PIECE collaboration will bring them for the first time.LEGO venturing into the world of anime, or at least a series adjacent to anime, marks the beginning of a new era for the worlds most successful toy manufacturer. Devotees of the popular building blocks have been clamoring for anything anime for years. And while the Netflix show is technically live-action, the adaptation is faithful enough to the original source material that toy tie-ins likely wont look much different than if they were based on the animated version instead.So, what can fans expect from LEGO One Piece?The set names and prices have yet to be determined, but the iconic vessel the Going Merry, the Straw Hat pirates trusty ship, is the most likely candidate to be turned into a set. LEGO is no stranger to sail boats, with Ernest Shackeltons real-life beauty The Endurance hitting the market this past Black Friday. Whether the Going Merry will receive the 18+, adult-oriented treatment is to be decided, but either way the ship seems like a guarantee from the theme.In addition, more kid friendly products are going to hit the shelves as part of this theme, with Josh Simon, Netflix vice president of consumer products, commenting, Through every detail of the design process, weve worked to meticulously create a collection of playsets that will give fans new ways to live out their own epic voyages into the Grand Line one special brick at a time.Another component aficionados can look forward to are the minifigures. Expect characters such as Nami, Roronoa Zoro, Usopp and Sanji to appear, alongside Monkey D. Luffy, the shows protagonist, who dreams of discovering the titular One Piece treasure and becoming King of the Pirates. In an official Instagram Reel collaboration from LEGO and Netflix, a teaser for Luffys minifigure was revealed. His iconic straw hat can be viewed, a custom new mold for the character. His minifigure will also see the return of the LEGO stretchy arm element, a piece previously used for characters like Elastigirl and Ms. Marvel, who possess similar powers to the One Piece hero. Perhaps that means we can expect Mr. Fantastic next?From: The LEGO GroupThe LEGO One Piece sets are figured to debut in the second half of 2025, ahead of the shows anticipated return to Netflix for its second season. Reveals for the products themselves are expected to arrive in the coming months.

When you ask fans, Whats the quintessential action game? the NINJA GAIDEN series is one of the legendary names that is guaranteed a mention. With roots as far back as the original 1988 arcade game NINJA GAIDEN (Ninja Ryukenden in Japan), the series has captivated fans in various forms over the years, from 2D to 3D, with its focus on swift traversal, eye-catching swordplay, and ninjutsu techniques, all jam-packed into exhilarating action gameplay.In particular, the Xbox version of NINJA GAIDEN, released on Xbox consoles in 2004, stood out for its smooth controls and elegant action, earning its place as a revolutionary action game. The series biggest allure lies in deeply satisfying and challenging battles featuring its iconic lead character, master ninja Ryu Hayabusa.The NINJA GAIDEN series has gained a reputation for being notoriously difficult, but with a near-unmatched sense of accomplishment upon clearing levels and defeating bosses that drives players to persevere. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Team NINJA, the studio behind the majority of these iconic titles, has declared 2025 to be The Year of the Ninja.In a surprise announcement during todays Developer_Direct, fans were thrilled to see the reveal of NINJA GAIDEN 4, a brand-new mainline entry that arrives in Fall this year after a 13-year hiatus (co-developed with legendary action studio PlatinumGames), alongside the surprise release of NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black, a remaster of the classic 2008 game. We were lucky enough to get an exclusive interview with Fumihiko Yasuda, Head of Team NINJA and NINJA GAIDEN 4 producer at Koei Tecmo Games, as well as Yuji Nakao, NINJA GAIDEN 4s producer and director from PlatinumGames, to learn much more about this long-awaited new chapter for NINJA GAIDEN. A New NINJA GAIDEN World UnveiledWhile the series has been beloved for almost four decades, the announcement of NINJA GAIDEN 4 marks the first new mainline entry in 13 years. When asked about the long gapspanning two Xbox console generationsYasuda expressed Team NINJAs long-standing desire to bring the series back. Fans have long been asking us for a new NINJA GAIDEN game, he said. Koei Tecmos President, Hisashi Koinuma, and PlatinumGames CEO, Atsushi Inaba, share a close relationship, which led us to explore a collaborative development effort. PlatinumGames had the expertise we felt was ideal for working on NINJA GAIDEN, and with support from Microsofts Phil-san [Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming], the three companies were able to take the next step towards creating a brand-new NINJA GAIDEN.Appearing for the first time in the Developer_Direct broadcast, and published by Xbox Game Studios, NINJA GAIDEN 4 is positioned as the direct sequel to NINJA GAIDEN 3. While maintaining the dark and gritty world that the series is known for, players will take on the role of a new protagonist, Yakumo. A significant amount of time has passed since NINJA GAIDEN 3, and players will find themselves arriving in a gruesomely transformed Tokyo. One of the key themes of this story is the return of the Dark Dragon, which has plunged the city into chaos. Within these unsettling conditions, Yakumo will have to face off against his foes, as well as the formidable Master Ninja himself, Ryu Hayabusa, Nakao explained.When asked why a new protagonist was introduced, Nakao clarified that since its been a while since the last game, we wanted a new hero to make the series more approachable for new players. Of course, we also wanted long-time fans to enjoy the game, so Ryu Hayabusa plays a significant role in the story, serving as a major challenge and growth milestone for Yakumo. Ryu will appear throughout the game and be playable, ensuring his prowess and presence is deeply felt in NINJA GAIDEN 4. Overcoming Adversity in NINJA GAIDEN 4In the Developer_Direct trailer, the new protagonist, Yakumo, shows off stylish new mechanics which include traversal using wires and rails, something new for a NINJA GAIDEN title. When asked about the addition of these elements, Nakao revealed one of the games core themes: Adversity is a key concept for this game. From the beginning to the end of each stage and even in the transitions between, everything is designed to represent adversity for Yakumo. First and foremost, that adversity will come in the form of NINJA GAIDENs signature combat, but Nakao explains that these new additions outside of the fights keeps that feeling high at all times: To maintain the tension throughout, weve added high-speed elements like rail and wire-based actions to keep up the sense of challenge.The announcement footage also depicted a rain-soaked, cyberpunk-like Tokyo, leaving a strong impression to those who watched the trailer. In NINJA GAIDEN 4, we wanted to blend old and new elements. Tokyo in this game has been drastically transformed by the influence of the underworld., which is why it appears this way, Nakao explained, elaborating on the Dark Dragons miasma rain, as well as the disasters it has caused. Rain is a major visual theme in this game. For example, weve put a lot of effort into how characters look when drenched, how raindrops hit the ground, and various other effects. These visual motifs stay true to the signature dark, hardcore atmosphere of the series while bringing new flavor to its visual direction.Nakao also touched on the games anticipated difficulty. Weve brought together the best aspects of the series and elevated them for the current generation. Personally, I believe [the difficulty level of] NINJA GAIDEN 2 had a lot of standout qualities, and I think fans will feel its influence strongly throughout NINJA GAIDEN 4.After such a long break between games, its paramount that the team balances whats great about the series, while adding new ideas. Despite the daunting challenges, the collaboration between Team NINJA and PlatinumGames promises an unparalleled NINJA GAIDEN experience.One of the key differences between modern action games and NINJA GAIDEN lies in the sense of fairness when confronting enemies, Nakao said, explaining the series unique game balance philosophy. Enemies are designed to be masters of defense and experts of unrelenting aggression, but players never feel theyre at an unfair disadvantage. Theres a sense of balance thats been passed down through the series, transcending current-day trends.The rapid shifts between offense and defense, the almost fighting game-like 1v1 combatyoull see these elements evolve in NINJA GAIDEN 4. At the same time, weve ensured that returning players will immediately feel at home when they pick up the game, he concluded. A True SuccessorWhen asked about the challenges involved in achieving the fairness that defines the NINJA GAIDEN series, Nakao shared his thoughts with a laugh.If I were to go into detail about the feel of the action, wed be here for quite a while (laughs). In all NINJA GAIDEN titles, a delicate balance is carefully crafted to maintain the satisfaction of attacking enemies without losing the speed and exhilaration that define the gameplay. I remember struggling with the fine adjustments required to achieve the right feel when we first started implementing and testing the systems. Additionally, when we brought Ryu Hayabusa into NINJA GAIDEN 4, we wanted long-time fans to experience the exact same enjoyable gameplay feel theyve come to expect. We had numerous discussions with Team NINJA to fine-tune the mechanics and ensure everything felt just right.Yasuda also added that when it comes to gameplay feel, Team NINJA was deeply involved. Fairness in combat with enemies is only possible when ultimate playability is a given. To achieve that, we pushed for even deeper refinement of controls and other aspects. I know it probably seemed like we were being a bit too demanding at times(laughs). This collaboration across company lines was crucial to creating the next ultimate NINJA GAIDEN experience. One of the standout features of NINJA GAIDEN 4, which embodies the series experience while introducing fresh elements, is Yakumos Bloodraven Form. Nakao described this as a technique that manipulates the blood of oneself and enemies, transforming it into a massive weapon capable of slicing through multiple foes at once. He elaborated further on how this addition expands upon the series traditional gameplay.Yakumo fights using Bloodraven Form, and when certain conditions are met, he can unleash a move called Bloodbath Kill, which instantly bisects enemies in one strike. Nakao explains that, while previous entries have tasked players with working out how to approach encounters with multiple enemies, and NINJA GAIDEN 4 is introducing another exhilarating way to fight against swarming crowds: This time weve added large-scale, high-damage attacks with the Bloodraven Form, enabling players to instantly turn the tide of battle in their favor. This system introduces moments of release from overwhelming situations, offering new depth to the gameplay that Nakao hopes both newcomers and returning fans will enjoy.Both Team NINJA and PlatinumGames are known for their expertise in high-end action games. According to Nakao, the process of creating NINJA GAIDEN 4 revealed the unique strengths and characteristics of each studio.Looking at the titles created by PlatinumGames, we noticed clear differences in approach. While we emphasize flashy, impactful strikes and moment-to-moment experiences, the NINJA GAIDEN series focuses on delivering refined and satisfying gameplay feel, culminating in an exceptionally polished overall action experience. This collaboration was a truly unique learning opportunity for us at PlatinumGames.When asked about the significance of bringing NINJA GAIDEN 4 to Xbox, Yasuda reflected on Team NINJAs long history with the platform.With titles like the Dead or Alive series and the NINJA GAIDEN seriesespecially the original NINJA GAIDEN, NINJA GAIDEN Black, and NINJA GAIDEN 2we have a deep history with Xbox. Its been a long time, but were thrilled to bring the latest installment back to Xbox players. Additionally, with the game being added to Game Pass, were excited that more people will have the opportunity to experience it.Nakao, who became a fan of the series during his days as a student, also shared his excitement. Personally, I played NINJA GAIDEN 2 on Xbox 360, so being able to play the latest installment on Xbox again makes me very happy. Even now, I occasionally boot up NINJA GAIDEN 2 on my Xbox Series X. As a developer and a fan, Im thrilled to see the NINJA GAIDEN series come together on Xbox, creating a moment in time where all these titles can be enjoyed in one place. The Year of the Ninja Has Just Begun: Play NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black Starting TodayDuring Developer_Direct, fans were not only treated to the announcement of NINJA GAIDEN 4 but also received the exciting surprise that NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black is available today on Game Pass. We asked Yasuda about the process behind this project and the updates made to the game.This simultaneous announcement and same-day release alongside NINJA GAIDEN 4 might have caught some people by surprise, he began. The biggest reason for developing NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black was to address the concerns of core fans who might be wondering, Whats going to happen to Ryu Hayabusa? We also wanted to give players something to enjoy as they wait for the release of NINJA GAIDEN 4. We chose NINJA GAIDEN 2 because it stands as one of the most solid action games in the series. We added Black to the title to signal to fans that this is the definitive version, much like NINJA GAIDEN Black was for the first game.Yasuda also shared that the idea for NINJA GAIDEN 2 Black came from fan feedback received during the release of NINJA GAIDEN Master Collection in 2021. Many fans expressed a desire to experience something closer to the original NINJA GAIDEN 2. Speaking about the Unreal Engine-powered remaster, Yasuda reassured fans, This version is crafted to satisfy both those who played the original and newcomers discovering it as a current-generation action game. Weve meticulously incorporated some of the additions of NINJA GAIDEN Sigma 2 while staying true to the challenge and feel of the original 360 version, including its signature gore and violence. Weve also adjusted the weapon upgrade system to more align with the original release.Closing RemarksIn 2025, a year that marks Team NINJAs 30th anniversary, the aptly titled Year of the Ninja was kicked off in grand fashion with the announcements made during Developer_Direct. As stealthy and precise as the ninjas theyve brought to life, Team NINJAs Yasuda and PlatinumGames Nakao both shared their heartfelt thoughts as the interview drew to a close.Yuji Nakao, PlatinumGames:Im incredibly grateful that we were able to announce NINJA GAIDEN 4. As a huge fan of the NINJA GAIDEN series myself, this is a truly exciting moment. The game is currently about 7080% complete, and weve entered the polishing phase. Well continue to work closely with Team NINJA, ensuring every detail meets the expectations of fans. Theres more information coming that will help you understand just how fun and exciting this game is, so please stay tuned. As both a fan and a developer, Ill do my utmost to deliver an experience that satisfies everyone.Fumihiko Yasuda, Head of Team NINJA, Koei Tecmo Games:I want to thank fans who have patiently waited for the return of the series. Their passion was the driving force behind the development of NINJA GAIDEN 4 and our collaboration with PlatinumGames. Im thrilled that we were finally able to make this announcement and hope it brings joy to our fans. Well continue working hard to meet your expectations. NINJA GAIDEN 4 is an action game at heart, and we are looking into ways to give you opportunities to get hands-on experience, so please stay tuned.

If theres one element of the Assassins Creed series that has evolved significantly, its the combat. While earlier games established the franchises trademark stealth skillset skulking across rooftops and expertly luring unsuspecting foes into bushes later instalments introduced a more direct approach, with explosive entrances and confrontational hand-to-hand fights. While previous games have chosen to lean more heavily in one of those directions, Assassins Creed Shadows offers the opportunity to indulge in both in a refreshing and incredibly seamless way.During a recent preview, Xbox Wire got to spend a few hours with Assassins Creed Shadows, playing through the prologue missions of the two protagonists, Naoe and Yasuke, and spending some time getting to grips with their two contrasting but complimentary combat styles. We also got to freely explore the games open world which takes us to a gorgeous recreation of Feudal Japan, a new, long-requested setting for the series. What we found was a game that takes Assassins Creed forward by respecting multiple facets of its past.Sneak or Siege The Choice is YoursThe contrast between the two characters combat styles was a standout aspect for me while playing Assassins Creed Shadows. Naoe and Yasuke both have their own distinct way of doing things, and this is immediately prevalent as soon as you start playing with either of them. This not only separates two wildly different ways of playing into distinct entities, it also gives two characters a fighting style that complements their narratives and personalities, an approach that Assassins Creed has taken before, but never as intensely.Naoe feels like a classic Assassins Creed character, and she performs at her best shrouded in silence and darkness. She can navigate rooftops and trees with ease and, of course, has her trusty Hidden Blade for swift, brutal takedowns. Shes also equipped with a grappling hook to reach high spots quickly, smoke bombs for distraction or stealthy attacks, and kunai to throw. Naoe can hold her own in close quarters combat in a pinch, with the option to wield similarly effective katana and kurisarigama swords, but her strength is in that familiar assassins approach. She feels absolutely badass to wield with this arsenal a tad squishy if shes overwhelmed and out in the open but its very easy to regain the element of surprise and recalculate her attacks.Yasukes combat is a stark variation, with a lot of focus on ground combat and confrontational brawling. He compliments Naoes stealth with pure brawn, equipped with heavy sword and parrying skills, a naginata spear which deals strong, sweeping attacks to multiple enemies within range and a Portuguese firearm, a teppo, for devastating ranged blows. There is rarely a cause for retreating to the shadows for Yasuke the only entrance he needs to scout for is the one he plans to shoulder barge through before launching into an all-out siege, swinging at anything in his path. Yasuke can climb to a more Assassin-friendly perch in a pinch, but his strengths lie in well his strength.Best of all, I never felt the need to main one of these characters. Assassins Creed Shadows allows you to switch between them at will, so it doesnt feel as though youre hard committing to one or the other. That said, if youre a big fan of either classic stealth characters your Ezios and Altairs or later, more aggressive leads like Edward and Evor, theres always the option to stick solely with what you love best.Switching between the two also lends itself naturally to roleplaying in a way that Assassins Creed games have rarely allowed for. Initially, I chose to take on missions as Naoe, favouring that slick, stealthy assassin outfit. After getting to know the characters a little more, I found myself choosing who to play based on the narrative, as well as their abilities.To give an example of this: At one point, I managed to talk myself out of a combat situation entirely, choosing to assign a more calculated resolve to Naoes character than I would have engaging in the same conversation with Yasuke, who, in my mind, would have just thrown a punch. In another scenario, I took Yasuke on a quest to find someone in a hidden gambling den, and felt like his approach of smashing in with a firearm raised might be more fun than a sneaky extraction mission as Naoe.Switching between both protagonists while out in the world is incredibly convenient and barely interrupts the flow of your play once you change character, the one you picked appears exactly where the previous one was standing, so you can immediately crack on with whatever you were doing, whether you need to scale a building, enter dialogue with a certain character or barge into a stronghold for a brawl.As I did this, I realised Im intertwining my own story with the one that Assassins Creed Shadows is weaving. The result is a highly personalized adventure that you have control of every step of the way, with the ability to change it up whenever and wherever you feel it necessary, and we cant wait to play more.Assassins Creed Shadows launches on Xbox Series X|S on March 20.