All the news that’s Futt to print – February 14, 2013

Welcome to “All the news that’s Futt to print” for Thursday, February 14, 2013. Can’t spend your entire day on Twitter or bouncing from news outlet to news outlet? Fine, I suppose you’re entitled to your “real life” and your “job.” Here’s what you missed today.

News!

Struggling developer Gas Powered Games has been purchased by free-to-play MMO titan Wargaming (World of Tanks, World of Warplanes). The future of the Wildman, subject of the company’s recently aborted Kickstarter, is unknown. The full release follows:

Wargaming, the leading free-to-play MMO developer and publisher, today announced its agreement to acquire Seattle-based developer Gas Powered Games, the maker of memorable and critically acclaimed franchises such as Dungeon Siege, Supreme Commander and Demigod.

Wargaming will take full ownership of Gas Powered Games, bringing into its fold a contingent of veteran developers, including CEO and company founder Chris Taylor. The acquisition will further bolster Wargaming’s push into multiplatform expansion, including the recent acquisition announcement of Chicago-based Day 1 Studios and MMO middleware provider Big World Pty Ltd.

“Gas Powered Games’ heritage and development pedigree shows us just how valuable an addition Chris and his company will make to the Wargaming family,” said Victor Kislyi, CEO of Wargaming. “Gas Powered Games has a long track record of providing incredibly engaging AAA gaming experiences and we can’t wait to start working with them.”

“Wargaming growth in recent years has been tremendous, and we’re looking forward to joining one of the fastest growing gaming companies in the world,” added Chris Taylor, CEO of Gas Powered Games. “I’m sure our experience and expertise will help us contribute even more to Wargaming’s global success.”

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Highlight’s from today’s Nintendo Direct:

• Zen Pinball 2 coming to Wii U this month.
• Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate launching 3/5/2013.
• LEGO City Undercover releasing on Wii U – 3/18/2013.
• Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate will be on Wii U and 3DS with cross-platform play, launching 3/19/2013.
• Need for Speed: Most Wanted coming to Wii U on 3/19/2013.
• Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon releasing on 3DS – 3/24/2013.
• The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct will be on Wii U. It arrives on 3/26/2013.
• LEGO City Undercover: The Chase Begins releasing on 3DS – 4/21/2013.
• Animal Crossing New Leaf arrives for 3DS 6/9/2013.
• The newest Mario and Luigi RPG is entitled Mario & Luigi Dream Team, coming for 3DS Summer 2013.
• Mario Golf World Tour, developed by Camelot, coming this summer for 3DS.
• Donkey Kong Country Returns on 3DS this summer.

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Valve has announced that Steam for Linux is now live!

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Infinity Blade for iOS is free for the next week. If you haven’t played it, this would be an ideal time to check it out.

Rumors!

As we grow ever closer to Sony’s big event on February 20, the details we’re seeing about the PS4 are becoming more and more substantial. Today sees two different rumors about the controller. The first comes from VGRevolution, with something that breaks in half and seems to replace the Move controller. It’s an interesting mock-up, but not as convincing as the one that was revealed by Destructoid confirmed by Kotaku and others as the real deal prototype.

Here are a couple of things I’ve noticed:

• The thing in the middle is most likely a touchpad.
• The analog sticks have been changed and now feature a lip around the outside. It will be interesting to see how these feel.
• Above the PS button and below the (apparent) touchpad seems to be a speaker.
• The whole controller looks a bit bulkier, but that could also be because it’s a prototype.
• The SplitShock mockup (below) and the confirmed prototype share a lightbar on top. This may lend credence to the rumor that the PS4 will offer an advanced PlayStation Eye peripheral. Whether that will be in the box or a separate purchase (if it’s even a real thing) remains to be seen.

Less than a week remains until we find out how close this prototype is to the final version.

Entertainment!

During today’s Nintendo Direct, the house of Mario declared that 2013 is the “Year of Luigi.” Today’s art celebrating the green-clad plumber comes from deviantART user AndrewDickman (you can visit his profile here).

Luigi, the Haunted by AndrewDickman