With GDC just around the corner, and SXSW already kicked into high gear, it’s no surprise that this week has been filled to the brim with news. So, without further ado, let’s get to today’s updates. In today’s Gaming Daily, The Witcher 3 developer might be releasing another game this year, we learned more about the upcoming Zelda Wii U title, the developer of Little Big Planet 3 takes control of Dead Island 2, Bethesda reveals closed-beta dates and new trailer for upcoming DOOM reboot, and Capcom unveils Alex, the first additional unlockable Street Fighter V character.

CD Projekt Red may release another game this year.

Though we’re still waiting on The Witcher 3‘s Blood and Wine expansion, it looks like the developer behind the series, CD Projekt Red, is planning on announcing a new game this year. According to the folks at DualShockers (who were in attendance during the company’s earnings call today) company president Adam KiciÅ„ski revealed that the company is working on a “new type of video game format” but isn’t ready to talk about the unannounced project at the moment. You can see the slide from the briefing above.

Another slide revealed that in addition to Cyberpunk 2077, the company plans on releasing another “AAA RPG title,” and “expanding” their core franchises with “additional media content and product lines” some time between 2017 and 2021. Unfortunately, KiciÅ„ski didn’t elaborate on the details regarding the AAA RPG title, but based on the success of The Witcher franchise (which has sold 20 million copies to date) it wouldn’t be surprising if it was another entry in the series, or a title that takes place in the world.

“We definitely are not annualizing a franchise or anything–it’s about the experience,” he said about The Witcher. “The world of The Witcher is gigantic and it’s great to tell these stories, but I don’t know when this will happen.”

As for Cyberpunk 2077, studio head Adam Badowski remarked that the game is still “a long ways away” from launch. He explained that it is a “huge game” with a magnitude “much greater” than The Witcher series. It is slated to release in the 2017-2021 window.

HT: DualShockers

Image Credit: CD Projekt Red

Zelda Producer Eiji Aonuma provided Zelda Wii U update.

Finally! After keeping quiet about the upcoming Zelda Wii U title, producer Eiji Aonuma updated fans on the title’s progress. In an interview with Famitsu, he explained that they’re busy finishing the game. While we obviously already knew that, he also noted that fans should expect “something new,” using Ocarina of Time‘s revolutionary design as an example of how things are going to change. He also added that it “will be like going from Japanese food to Western style food,” which is pretty interesting if you ask me. For more on this report, head on over to our full post (linked below).

HT: Nerdist

Image Credit: Nintendo

UK Studio Sumo Digital takes the reigns for Dead Island 2.

Well, this is interesting. After Dead Island 2‘s developer, Yager, parted ways with Deep Silver last year, we weren’t sure about the game’s fate. After nearly a year of silence, it was revealed today (via an interview with MCV) that Little Big Planet 3 (which we loved) developer Sumo Digital has officially taken the reigns.

“Sumo showed so much understanding of the brand, had creative ideas and an excellent, vision that was aligned with our own,” Koch Media CEO Dr Klemens Kundratitz told MCV. “It just made perfect sense for us to move the project to them. We will reveal more details at a later stage, but for now I’d like to say that we are obviously super excited about the progress that we are making with them.”

With a wealth of titles under their belt, it will be interesting to see what the creative developer does with the series.

“It’s an honour to be charged with the evolution of such an important franchise in Deep Silver’s catalogue,” said Sumo COO Paul Porter. “We’re looking forward to exceeding fan expectation with an ambitious design that we’re confident will take bone-crunching, visceral, zombie action to a whole new level.”

HT: MCV UK

Image Credit: Deep Silver

DOOM Closed-Beta dates and Multiplayer Trailer revealed.

Finally! After a serious amount of waiting, Bethesda finally revealed the dates for DOOM‘s closed beta! If you grabbed a copy of Wolfenstein: The New Order, you’ll be able to use the code within to take part in the beta starting March 31, and will be able to play until it concludes on April 3. Alongside the announcement, the developer dropped a brand new multiplayer trailer. Check it out above (but use discretion, as the video is violent). For more information, check out our full post!

HT: Nerdist

Video Credit: Bethesda/id Software

Capcom reveals first additional unlockable Street Fighter V character, Alex.

Fans wanted him, they got him! Capcom revealed today (via the Capcom Blog) that Alex–who first appeared in Street Fighter III–is the first additional unlockable character to join Street Fighter V. Despite the game’s rotten release, seeing a familiar face join the roster is exciting. According to the post, he’ll be available once the game’s massive March update goes live.

Alex is described as “a powerful grappler that can inflict big damage with his close range Power Bomb command grab and his long limbs to fight from midrange distances.” His V-Skill, “Overhaul, involves the fighter preparing with some stretches  to power up his next attack, while his V-Trigger “Rage Shift” allows him to channel his wrestling training  to gain access to a brand new clothesline attack.

The main show, however is his Critical Art “Heavy Hammer” which involves hitting his opponent with a thunderous chop that knocks the opponent around. After that, he grabs them and takes them  high into the sky in a “crucifix hold” and viciously slams them down head first.

HT: Capcom

Image Credit: Capcom

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That’s it for today’s Gaming Daily. Keep Nerdist tabbed for upcoming gaming news, reviews, and features. In the mood to discuss what you read? Join the conversation on Facebook, or start one up with me on Twitter: @Samantha_Sofka