Video Games
NECA’s Original “Alpha Predator” Creation Will Be Joining the ‘Predator: Hunting Grounds’ Video Game
NECA announced their upcoming “Ultimate Alpha Predator” action figure earlier this year, an original creature creation that will be the company’s landmark 100th Predator figure. Alpha Predator is “the very first original design and concept by NECA,” and one of the coolest things about it is that it includes the infamous unused original Predator mask!
NECA explains, “In place of the traditional tech, gadgets, and armor worn by other yautja, the Alpha’s attire takes on a more insect-like appearance; a subtle homage to the original 1987 Predator design. Standing at 8” tall with over 30 points of articulation, the Ultimate Alpha Predator is an entirely new sculpt kitted out with an array of accessories including a removable mask, hook, gauntlets, and 3 pairs of interchangeable hands. Classic Predator weapons such as the wrist blades, staff, and shuriken, have been reimagined to fit his unique theme.”
This week we’ve learned that NECA’s “Alpha Predator” is set to become a playable character in IllFonic and Sony’s new asymmetric multiplayer game Predator: Hunting Grounds!
“The initial run of the Alpha Predator action figure in the US will see a limited release, with each box including a DLC code. Players on the PS4 system can redeem the code online to unlock the Alpha Predator in-game.”
“We have been working closely with the great team at IllFonic. When the opportunity presented itself to allow for the inclusion of Alpha Predator into the game we jumped at the chance. It’s so gratifying to see our original action figure design come to life as a playable character in the game. The whole NECA studio was elated to see the character model and we cannot wait to play as Alpha this Summer,” said NECA’s Randy Falk.
It’s hunt or be hunted in Hunting Grounds, which allows you to play as part of a 4 person Fireteam, completing missions before the Predator finds you, or as the Predator itself.
Kinetic Games has followed through with the 13 Willow Street map rework for Phasmophobia today, which is free across all platforms. Accompanying the map rework is the first of two major quality-of-life updates bringing hundreds of bug fixes and helping refine the gameplay experience.
Ghost hunters can prepare for a refreshed investigation experience with the reworked Willow map, adding a host of new paranormal interactions, objects, and hiding spaces. As with the most recent overhaul to 6 Tanglewood Drive, Willow retains an almost identical layout but features redesigned rooms, including a reconfigured basement layout, bringing the gameplay experience up to the team’s current development standards.
The reworked rooms include an art studio, home gym and entertainment room, replacing the bedroom, garage and basement previously featured in the haunted house. Alongside these visual updates, curious players will be able to uncover new lore hidden throughout Willow, piecing together a story waiting to be discovered.
“As part of the 13 Willow Street rework we’re continuing our approach to storytelling in Phasmophobia and developing the game’s narrative,” said Anastatia Dukakis, Senior Narrative Designer at Kinetic Games. “It’s always exciting to see the community make new discoveries together and we love seeing everyone share their theories and thoughts on the lore behind in-game locations.”
Players will also be tasked to correctly identify (and survive) 50 ghosts as part of map’s challenge, awarding the Sun Seeker ID set upon completion. Players can also unlock the Cool Cat ID card and badge for the first week after launch, by watching 2 hours of Phasmophobia streams.
Meanwhile, the major update accompanying the map rework is inspired by community feedback following the Player Character Update, and reflects Kinetic Games’ ongoing commitment to delivering the level of quality players expect before Phasmophobia leaves Early Access.
The update introduces a range of changes helping to refine the gameplay experience with refreshed animations allowing for smoother and quicker movements, and changes to evidence collection for a more seamless experience, and ghost hunters might also face a new presence lurking in the shadows…
New keybinds have also been added with players now able to use 1,2,3 and 4 for changing inventory slots alongside wider accessibility tweaks. For an overview of all the fixes landing in-game, you can check out the blog post here.
Phasmophobia is available in Early Access on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5 and PlayStation VR2, and the Xbox Series.
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