March began with UK retailer GAME spending $20 million to buy an e-sports company, an impressive feat when you consider that a couple of years ago GAME was in serious financial difficulties and very nearly disappeared from our high streets. After months of speculation it was also revealed that Elite Dangerous would be coming to consoles, but that Gone Home had it it’s console debut cancelled.
If you read yesterday’s review of February, you would have seen Project CARS had been delayed, and surprise surprise, it was delayed even further in March. It also came out, as it were, that Xbox and PC zombie game State of Decay had lots of hidden penis. When the developers went to upscale the assets for the Xbox One release they found “a ridiculous amount” of cocks hidden in the textures, placed there by an annoyed contractor.
There were hugs all round when a survey revealed that when given a choice between a “good” or “evil” decision in a game, the majority of gamers preferred to be nice. EA was criticised when the Xbox One version of Battlefield Hardline launched at just 720p, while everyone got excited as the suspend/resume feature was previewed for PS4 and Nintendo confirmed that a brand new console, codename NX, was in development. Nintendo also announced a partnership with DeNA to bring their most beloved characters to mobile, but stressed they would not be porting full games like Super Mario Bros.
The annual BAFTA bash took place with OlliOlli from London-based studio Roll7 surprising everyone by beating FIFA and grabbing the best sports game award. The crowds gasped again when the divisive Destiny picked up best overall game.
March also saw the first indications of trouble between Konami and Hideo Kojima, with reports of draconian measures at the Japanese company. Yup, that story has been rumbling on for nine months! Our big interview with the “disgustingly ubiquitous” Mike Bithell revealed his predilection for scaring his postman by wearing VR headsets to answer the door
The rumour mill suggested Gravity Rush Remastered for PS4 (correct), a new DiRT game from the Codies (correct), and a Batman remastered collection for PS4 and Xbox One (still waiting for that one).
In the wider world of entertainment Han Solo (aka Harrison Ford) crash landed his World War II training plane onto a golf course, the family of Marvin Gaye successfully sue Robin Thicke for $7.3 million, and a BBC investigation found that Jeremy Clarkson did land a punch on his producer and his contract was subsequently not renewed. Victoria Beckham refused to kiss her husband David while he was sporting a beard, Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris became a thing, and teenage girls cried themselves to sleep as Zayn Malik quit One Direction. Sob!
Slovenia became the eleventh EU member state and the first post-communist state to legalize same-sex marriage, while a massive salty sea was discovered under one of Jupiter’s moons and HRH the Queen dissolved the UK parliament. Depending on your point of view, this was sadly just to prepare for the general election.
As for the weather, the UK was in subject to a lot of unsettled Atlantic weather, bringing rain and strong wind at times. This pattern continued for most of the month with very strong winds in the final week. It was generally driest in southern areas, or indoors where you could be playing video games.