Hamburg, 15 May 2012 – ROCCAT Studios today announces the release of the Savu – Mid-Size Hybrid Gaming Mouse – a competition device that “fusion welds” an ideal blend of performance and customizable features into a robust, perfectly-balanced, medium-size design.

The Savu offers a combination of unprecedented true 4000 DPI optical sensor horsepower, world famous Easy-Shift[+]™ technology allowing for advanced button configuration, and a customizable lighting system delivering 16.8 million colors. What’s more, it’s the world’s first mouse to feature a stats and trophy system – called the ROCCAT Achievements Display, or R.A.D. – something previously known in similar form only in online gaming. Designed specifically for fans of mid-size gaming mice, the Savu also pampers the hands with an ergonomic right-hand thumb rest and soft-touch surface.

“The Savu is the planet’s premiere mid-size gaming mouse – period,” says René Korte, ROCCAT Founder and CEO. “We packed it with not only world-beating speed and comfort, but with a slew of innovations designed to thrill. The Savu represents our continued dedication to giving gamers the exact gear to fit their every desire.”

With its advanced Pro Optic sensor, the Savu delivers true 400, 800, 1600 and 4000 DPI – placing it at the pinnacle of optical gaming mice. The latest R3 sensor also delivers lag-free gaming without any interpolation, and provides ultra-precise feedback during even the fastest movements – all so players can command with the utmost accuracy.

The Savu comes standard with exclusive Easy-Shift[+]™ technology, which lets gamers set two functions for each mouse button and the scroll wheel, essentially transforming a seven-button mouse into a 12-button one without the clutter of unnecessary additional buttons. Easy-Shift[+]™ also lets gamers take advantage of Easy-Aim, which automatically reduces DPI setting when in sniper mode – delivering pinpoint accuracy at the touch of a button. And thanks to advanced Omron switches, the Savu’s two main buttons feature the most consistent and precise pressure points – for ultra-accurate command capability – as well as the highest durability for the longest possible gaming life.

The Savu features a large, customizable rear light bar, which users can set in their choice of 16.8 million colors – to add to the atmosphere of gaming sessions. Players can also activate a color cycling feature, as well as a “breathing” function, which instructs the mouse to pulse in a choice of color.

The Savu also marks the debut of the ROCCAT™ Achievements Display – or R.A.D. – a fun and useful application that tracks and rewards a wide range of gaming feats, such as mouse movement, button clicks, scroll steps, etc. The driver-based software compiles user data, provides a range of statistics for analysis, and hands out trophies when exceptional milestones have been reached. It’s an entertaining way for gamers to keep track of their mouse skills – and it even lets players share their accomplishments with others via social network sites, like Facebook.

Hamburg-based ROCCAT Studios says the Savu severely outperforms every gaming mouse in its class and is sure to set a new standard in the mid-size field. The Savu will be available around the globe for a MSRP of 59.99 Euros or 59.99 USD.

Further information available at:
www.roccat.org/savu

Hamburg, May 15, 2012. Forge of Empires, the strategic browser game by company InnoGames has attracted 250,000 registered players to its open beta thus far. The game, already available in five languages, including English, French and German, adds four new markets: Greek and Italian language versions opened yesterday, followed by Spanish and Portuguese today. Each version starts with its own worlds to foster a community in their respective markets. Several more languages are planned for the coming weeks.

In Forge of Empires, players tasked with leading their own city to prosperity can research new technologies, build impressive historical buildings and enlarge their sphere of influence through military campaigns and skillful dealing. Other players’ cities can be visited and, while admiring structures and placement of buildings, be supported by polishing decorations or motivating workers for increased happiness or resource outcome. Additionally, one must foster a healthy culture for citizens and establish trade and production of various resources.

Forge of Empires also contains a long-term single player campaign, as well as an ever-growing number of PvP-features, which offer months of entertainment. A turn-based battle system on a hex-field and other tactical facets to the game will keep strategists’ attention and allow for challenging duels with friends and adversaries. Competitive players can fight for top ranks and medals in weekly tournaments. InnoGames provides additional information in the game’s blog.

With more than 80 million registered players, InnoGames is one of the world’s leading developers and providers of online games. The Hamburg-based company has scored major successes with games such as Tribal Wars, The West and Grepolis.

Brighton, May 15^th, 2012 – To the Moon, last year’s independently developed surprise smash hit, will finally see its official retail release: Today, publisher Lace Mamba Global announces to publish retail versions of the PC adventure game worldwide, starting in the UK and Ireland on July 06^th, 2012, followed by releases in Germany, Austria and Switzerland on August 31^st, 2012, and soon also in further territories.

To the Moon is an exciting and unique storytelling project, involving gameplay elements of classic point & click adventures as well as role-playing games. Games journalists and users lauded the game for its story and characters, as well as its exceptional storytelling. Gamespot calls it “one of the most authentic and human stories told in a game in some time”, and later on awarded To The Moon the “Best Story” trophy of the Game of the Year Awards.

To the Moon, independently funded and developed by Kan Gao and his team Freebird Games, tells a story of a technology that allows to alter a person’s memories:

Dr. Eva Rosalene and Dr. Neil Watts have rather peculiar jobs: In the year 2060, they control this technology that allows doctors to weave artificial memories, such that a patient can request attempts to alter their mind, and wake up with memories of things that didn’t actually happen.

However, since these new memories are permanent, the conflict between them and the existing authentic memories clash in such a way that it ceases the person’s ability to properly function.

Thus, the operation is only done to people on their deathbeds, to fulfil what they wish they had done with their lives… but didn’t.

The technology requires the doctors to step into the memories of the patient, which are reconstructed as interactive scenes. The doctors then gradually traverse backwards through memories of the patient’s life until they reach childhood — at which point, the wish of the patient in present time would be transferred over.

Along with the doctors’ influence, the patient (as a child) could then lead an entire different life inside their head, working toward and fulfilling their dying wish themselves.

And if all goes well, they would wake up, having lived the dream life they never had, and embrace a brief moment of blissful fulfilment. Shortly after, they’d draw their last breath.

John, the protagonist of To the Moon, is a patient of Dr. Rosalene and Dr. Watts, and both doctors are about to fulfil his last wish: To weave the memory of having become an astronaut and visited the Moon.

Additionally to winning the “Gamespot – Best Story of 2011” award, To the Moon was listed by Wired as one of “The 20 best videogames of 2011”, won the “Editor’s Choice for best singleplayer Indie 2011” award from IndieDB and became finalist in the “Excellence in audio” category at the 2012 Independent Games Festival.

Retail versions of To the Moon, published by Lace Mamba Global, are scheduled to be released for £14.99 (recommended retail price) on July 07^th, 2012, in the UK and Ireland, and priced €19.99 (recommended retail price) on August 31^st in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, as well as further territories worldwide.

GUILDFORD, UK. – May 15, 2012 – Electronic Arts Inc. today unveiled five game-changing innovations that will bring revolutionary changes to EA SPORTS™ FIFA 13 along with the largest and deepest feature set in the history of the franchise.

“We are perfecting the best sports game in the world with innovations that capture all the drama and unpredictability of real-world football,” said David Rutter, Executive Producer for FIFA 13. “These are game-changing innovations that will revolutionize our artificial intelligence, dribbling, ball control and collisions to create a true battle for possession across the entire pitch, and deliver freedom and creativity in attack.”

The most sophisticated artificial intelligence ever achieved for the FIFA franchise will drive FIFA 13 on HD consoles and PC. All-new Attacking Intelligence enables players to analyse space, work harder and smarter to break down defenses, and think two plays ahead. Players now possess the intelligence to create, curve, or alter runs to capitalize on openings as they occur, make runs that pull defenders out of position to open passing channels for teammates, and better position themselves for new attacking opportunities.

In FIFA 13 every touch matters with the most comprehensive and intuitive dribbling system ever developed. Inspired by the world’s best footballer, Lionel Messi, Complete Dribbling enables players to face their opponent and use precise dribble touches combined with true 360° mobility with the ball, so it’s easier to be more creative and dangerous in 1v1 opportunities. Players change direction quicker, are more explosive accelerating with the ball, and are more effective shielding defenders for longer stretches. FIFA 13 1st Touch Control transforms the way players control the ball, eliminating near-perfect touch for every player on the pitch, and creating variety and uncertainty around ball control. Factors such as defensive pressure, trajectory of the ball, and velocity of the pass now impact a player’s first touch, creating more opportunities for defenders to win back possession.

The second generation of the Player Impact Engine expands physical play from just collisions to off-the-ball battles between players. Defenders push and pull for position, and use their size and strength to win possession or force opponents into poor touches and decisions before the ball arrives. FIFA 13 Tactical Free Kicks provides the tools to create dangerous and unpredictable free kicks utilising the most skillful players on the pitch. Position up to three attacking players over the ball and utilise dummy runs and more passing options to create elaborate free kicks. Opponents can counter by adding or subtracting players to the wall, creeping the wall forward, or sending a bullet man to intercept the pass or block the shot.

FIFA 13 will also feature:
·         Improved Career Mode with major changes developed in response to requests from the most passionate fans of the franchise.
·         New features to enhance the massive EA SPORTS FIFA online offering, including improvements to the wildly popular Head-To-Head Seasons mode
·         Multiple new features and benefits to EA SPORTS Football Club, the live service that is the heartbeat of FIFA
·         Complete authenticity with more than 500 officially licensed clubs.
Additional new modes and features will be announced in the months ahead.

FIFA 13 will be available in stores world-wide this fall for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system with PlayStation Move support, Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system with Kinect™, PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system, Wii™, PC, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo 3DS™, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, iPhone®, iPad®, iPod® touch and other mobile platforms. The game has not yet been rated. Screenshots are available at http://gamespress.ea.com.

Join more than nine million fans in the EA SPORTS football community at http://www.facebook.com/easportsfifa or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/easportsfifa.

Package Contents:

• WideCam F100 webcam
• 1.5M USB extension cable
• CD includes:
  • Arcsoft Webcam Companion 4
  • Genius utility
  • Multi-language user manual
• Multi-language quick guide

Specifications:

• HD 720p/1080p Full HD resolution (1280×720 / 1920×1080)
• Cable length: 5 feet (10 feet with extension cable)
• View angle: Up to 120°
• Lens type: Manual Focus
• White Balance: Auto/Manual
• Interface: USB 2.0
• File format: JPEG/WMV
• Still image resolution: 1920×1080, 1280×720, 640×480 pixels
• Video Resolution: 1920×1080/30fps, 1280×720/30fps, 640×480/30fps

Product photos and detailed specs are available at:
http://www.geniusnet.com/wSite/ct?xItem=53214&ctNode=161&mp=1

Reykjavik, Iceland – 11 May 2012 – Building on a unique achievement in gaming history with a 9th anniversary celebrating continuous year-on-year growth earlier this May, CCP Games and its award-winning game EVE Online are nearing release of a 17th free expansion, EVE Online: Inferno, to all subscribers on May 22nd.

More than any other expansion in EVE’s history, Inferno aims to shake up all levels of warfare in the over 7,500 solar systems in EVE’s massive universe. Overhauls of major war-related game systems will affect player-driven conflict and the first set of many new ship modules to come promise to alter tactics at the most visceral levels.

Key features of Inferno include:

• Mercenary Marketplace: pay the best guns-for-hire to settle your scores or make yourself avaialble to the highest bidders in the most notorious PVP universe in gaming
• War Declarations: reworked systems to help you wage war and keep track of your legacy
• Missiles and Launchers: savor every moment from launch to impact with missile launchers and dramatic new missile effects
• Factional Warfare: enlist in a faction and join the entry-level game of conquest with more rewards and deeper gameplay than ever before
• Visual Updates: Enhanced graphics on ship models and increased options in the industry-leading character creator
• Plus Kill Reports, Unified Inventory, 16 new modules and dozens of enhancements to both graphics and gameplay
• “There has never been a more exciting time to try EVE and become the spaceship pilot you always knew you should be,” says Jon Lander, Senior Producer for EVE Online. “The EVE universe is, now more than ever, staggeringly ripe with possibilities for adventure, stories, profit and, well, really satisfying explosions with the new missile effects.”

EVE Online: Inferno bolsters the EVE universe for DUST 514′s addition later this year, where millions of soldiers in a free-to-play PlayStation 3 shooter will join EVE pilots in the same persistent universe.

The full list of EVE Online: Inferno features can be found at www.eveonline.com/inferno

A 14-day free trial of EVE Online can be found at www.eveonline.com and you can learn more about DUST 514 at the www.dust514.com.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – May 14, 2012 – Applicants are now being considered for the closed beta phase of the upcoming action-packed, third-person PC shooter, Mercenary Ops. For all those interested in participating, just “Like” Mercenary Ops on Facebook for your chance to obtain a closed beta key.

The first group of beta testers will be allowed in on June 20, 2012.  During this beta test phase, players will be able to do battle in 6 different intense game modes and across a number of dynamic maps. Those that participate will get to experience the fast-paced action of the competitive online multiplayer matches along with the cooperative missions of up to 8 players against deadly hordes of AI controlled enemies and mini-bosses.

Mercenary Ops will be free to download and play at launch this summer. The game features an optional microtransaction system that allows players to unlock and customize their weapons and equipment through special upgrades; all of which can also be obtained through the game’s loot system.

“Balancing is always a major concern when it comes to online shooters, especially when they are free-to-play,” said Mercenary Ops Producer, Jason Sharp. “Because of this, we have committed heavily to testing the game internally and have even invited some of the world’s best professional gamers for their invaluable feedback. With the launch of our closed beta we will have the chance to garner even more feedback, this time from general shooter fans.”

Set in the near future when powerful corporations have led to the imminent downfall of humanity, Mercenary Ops pits deadly guns-for-hire against each other, as well as other hostile forces, in a struggle for wealth and survival. The game combines the tactical gameplay elements found in other third-person shooters with the fast-paced action of online multiplayer titles. Mercenary Ops puts an equal emphasis on competitive play and team-based cooperative missions, providing players with a truly action-packed and explosive experience.

Mercenary Ops was created using Unreal Engine 3. The engine was selected for its cutting-edge graphics, multi-core processor support, optimization for the PC and massive world support.

For more details visit http://facebook.com/mercenaryopsgame or http://mercenaryopsgame.com

Screenshots

Independent game studio, Reto-Moto, is currently in development with their newest World War II game named Heroes and Generals, and we got our first look this week while they ran their pre-beta testing phase.  Heroes and Generals is a combined real time strategy and first person shooter game set during the largest conflict of the last century, World War II.  Heroes and Generals is a game that runs within your browser and is set to be free to play, but you can spend money to improve the game through micro-transactions.  Since this is in pre-beta testing, the game ran understandably inconsistent and the graphics aren’t quite finished yet, so with this preview of the game, I will just focus on the actual concept and game play.

Heroes and Generals is an ambitious title, combining aspects of the real time strategy game genre with that of the first person shooters that are littering the industry today.  At the heart of the game, players will select a campaign to participate in, and then select a faction.  Currently there are only two factions, the Germans and the United States.  Once a faction is selected, you must play only as that faction for the remainder of the campaign.  There is no such thing as auto-balance in Heroes and Generals, so if you join the game as the sole American against an army of Germans, good luck.

Once the faction has been picked, then the player gets to set up the soldiers that he or she will be playing as.  Each soldier fits into a certain category and has a set of starting gear, which is extremely light to start with.  A rifleman for the United States starts off with an M1 Garand and a Kbar knife.  That’s it.  You can buy more equipment, weapon mods that improve the performance of your weapons, side arms and grenades with credits that can be earned after each battle or bought with real money.  This buying of equipment with real money will be discussed later with one of my concerns with Heroes and Generals.

The player is then introduced to the strategy part of Heroes and Generals.  The map of the campaign shows exactly which faction controls which parts of the country, where the resources are for your faction, and which towns are currently being fought for.  Players can move resources via transportation corridors to the towns that need them the most.  These resources do carry over to the first person shooter part of the game, which determines who controls the town through direct combat.  The first person shooter combat plays very closely to the old classic Battlefield 1942, but with the limitations or gains that have been decided by the strategy section of Heroes and Generals.  For instance, if you moved enough resources to a town that you need to defend, then you can start the combat with tanks or air power, instead of just infantry.

The combat will see three different types of games, team death match, domination, and resources collecting.  Once the objectives have been met, the team that wins will be awarded with the town and the resources for their faction.  Each soldier is then given credits that they can use in the player screen to improve their soldiers, buy new classes, or build their own assault squads with tanks or fighter planes.

The idea behind Heroes and Generals is very interesting, but I feel that it’s still missing quite a bit.  For one, it does need some sort of balancing between the two factions.  When I played my first campaign, I dutifully selected the Americans and found that we were outnumbered almost three to one as a faction.  This led to a lack of resources for our side, and being outnumbered in every game that I played during the first person shooter phase.  The game also didn’t run as smooth as I would have liked within my browser, but Heroes and Generals is in a pre-beta phase, so that might get fixed.  My computer is also getting on the old side, so the culprit could have been on my side too.

My biggest concern with Heroes and Generals will be the micro-transactions for equipment.  Micro-transactions are the future of gaming; we need to just get that through our collective heads already.  However, the best way to do micro-transactions for a game is to allow players to buy items that do not give them a distinct advantage over players that do not buy items in the game’s shop.  The model that Team Fortress 2 has followed is the best example of this; no weapon in the shop gives the player an advantage over a player that uses the base weapons, due to the negatives that can be found on purchased weapons.  An example of this is how the player may gain critical hits to his weapon, but will lose the air blast for they pyro.  With Heroes and Generals, there is no such balancing.  A player willing to spend tons of cash moding his weapons will be able to one shot anyone on the field, versus a player that cannot spend that cash will have to use the lower quality in game items that they are given.  This “pay to win” model will be fine for the players that want to invest both the time and money into the game, but will be a hard sell on anyone that doesn’t have the cash to be competitive or have just started the game using the base weapons.  Only time will tell once the game is released whether my concerns are valid, or just the ranting of a jaded gamer.

Overall, Reto-Moto has something definitely different with Heroes and Generals in combing aspects of the strategy game genre with the first person shooter genre within a persistent world.  I will be interested in seeing the publics reactions to this once it’s released.

Screenshots

My computer desk just got a makeover… SteelSeries just sent us an amazing treat… Gamingshogun’s review units for the new Diablo III gaming mouse and headset. It is a privilege and a pleasure to share my thoughts on both of these fine pieces of peripheral hardware after the jump!

The Mouse

Two peripherals can simply make or break our entire experience with our computers. Those peripherals are the keyboard (which I am tap-tapping away on right now) and the mouse. These two devices are how we interface with the brains of the computer. When one doesn’t feel or work right, I (for one) become a foul-mouthed, screaming, punching, kicking pile of rage – there, I said it. The SteelSeries Diablo III Mouse is, in a word, exquisite. Never before have I felt an input device so divine. The top of the device is silky-smooth to the touch, and somehow, retains its grip even after hours of sweaty-palmed gameplay. It provides plenty of programmable buttons so that you are never at a loss for that certain game. The software drivers are Diablo III-themed, tying the whole package together. I can also tell you that when the mouse is sitting there at my desk, slowly pulsing its “demon-red” light, it is quite a sight to behold. The mouse seems to be very durable so far. I am sure that I haven’t even come close to my 10 million click “ceiling” quoting SteelSeries’ claim that the mouse can withstand up to 10 million clicks, but I am excited to give this bad-boy a true run through now that Diablo III is officially released to the masses.

The Headset

We all love to hear our games, don’t we? Living in a house with my wife and daughter, we have a rule that I am not allowed to play games until my girls go to bed. When I play games, I like to hear every little nuance of what is happening around me. Before the Diablo III headset came into my life, I was using the CreativeLabs WOW Wireless headset. It sounded pretty darned good, however, it was SUPER heavy, and the ear cups caused my head to sweat something fierce. Another issue that I had with the headset was that it was very uncomfortable with my glasses. The earcups would push my frames into my head and cause extra pressure and even pain in long-lasting play sessions. The very first thing I noticed when I put the Diablo III headset on my head was that I could barely tell I had put it on. This is one featherweight headset!! The problems I had with my glasses were a thing of the past. The ear cups seem to be designed with glasses-wearing individuals in mind! The sound quality is quite astounding as well. The highs were nice and crisp, with a big boomy bottom that didn’t distract from the sounds in the game. I love listening to Spotify when I’m running Daily Quests and the headset plays music beautifully as well. The retractable microphone is a great design idea and works really well. Let me add one more thing to my shiny headset review, for those of you who loves you some Diablo, you will not find a better looking headset out there… This thing is dead sexy and has the same “demon-red” glow feature as the mouse. The next time you LAN up for some Diablo gaming, you will be the envy of all your buddies at your game…

The Catch

Oh noes!! So, in addition to my two shiny new Diablo III peripherals, I also am rocking a SteelSeries MERC Stealth Keyboard which I am learning to love! The thing is, the keyboard is on a different set of drivers than the headset and mouse. When I installed the SteelSeries drivers for the mouse and headset, my computer began giving me fits, and Windows Explorer began to crash and restart, in a non-stop loop. I reached out to SteelSeries Support (through the normal consumer channels) and I’m happy to say that they were very quick to respond. They let me know that the problem is a known issue. The keyboard drivers don’t play well with the mouse/headset drivers, and the result was exactly what I was experiencing. They recommended I use the Keyboard drivers, as the keyboard doesn’t work properly without them. So, I had to ditch the custom Diablo III drivers for the my new input and audio devices, but I am happy to report that they work just fine without them.

Summing Up

If you are a Diablo III fan that MUST have the ultimate Diablo III setup, this mouse and headset are for you. If you have been putting off upgrading your mouse that is half-broken and do a lot of gaming, then I can think of no better mouse on the market right now (and it looks cool as hell!). On the same note, if you are looking to upgrade your headset for whatever reason, there is really no reason not to get the Diablo III headset as well. Remember the driver issue that may crop up if you are already using another SteelSeries keyboard, but don’t fret, it isn’t completely deal-blowing. You will be happy with your purchases. I know I am… Now it’s time for me to go and use my new devices as I descend into the depths of hell that await me in Diablo III!! I certainly have the proper gear for it!!

This was a game I thought I hadn’t played before based on reading the premise because I didn’t understand the premise.  I was right but that was luck.   I am all for a nice rich storyline but this set some insanely lofty goals when it came to the idea behind this side scrolling shooter.  You play Epsilon Eagle, a robot/animal/human parasite that co-exists with each of it’s parts including it’s eagle head.  He was the head of a criminal organization which was attacked and he was forced to hide in a young boy’s body until his rival Xi-Tiger forced him into a rage and caused him to morph and began a continuing battle between his good and evil sides.  So there are good and bad guys playing out in a soap opera, or badly written Sci-Fi storyline, that when partially told in a scrolling Prologue is confusing and bordering on painful.  If you can ignore this, and you can, you will experience one of the hardest side scrolling shooters around with so many bosses that it got listed in the 2010 Guinness World Records Game Edition.

Storyline:

AVOID!  Actually it is dramatic enough for a good laugh if you can figure it out.  It even has… DUN DUN DUN… an evil twin!!

Controls/Gameplay:

The game is a side scrolling shooter with three buttons to represent the three on the original Sega system and arrow keys for movement.  One button is for shooting, one for jumping, pretty standard stuff for a side scroller but where it gets interesting is the third button which was traditionally reserved for special attacks.  In this game it allows you to cycle through your weapons, which you can trade out along the way for different ones.  In today’s shooters this is a pretty common thing but back in day when this came out it was pretty unheard of.  Also different enemies are weak against different weapons so you find yourself cycling through at lightning speed to find the weapon of choice.  Some of the enemies you will attack with a certain weapon and just watch it bounce off without any effect while they hit you with deadly accuracy and I am just mentioning the standard enemies. The boss fights (of which there are almost three dozen) each have weapon and logistics challenges.  Honestly this game should be a gauntlet to be thrown down for anyone who brags about beating boss fights or being experts at side scrolling.  Just ignore the storyline and use OnLive’s save system so that you don’t have to keep working your way through the whole level to get back to the boss.

Graphics/Sound:

The graphics are excellent for their time with the sound and music working well with them to pull the player into the game and get them quickly immersed.  Even though the boss battles are difficult, the play is addicting so it is nice that the graphics aren’t an eyesore or that the music or sound effects are too annoying.  It is surprising how these simple things can make the difference between playing on or giving up on a game in a rough patch, which can occur with so many bosses.

Last Call:

Honestly I was worried about this game after the scrolling intro, which I kept watching over and over to understand.  I was afraid this was a rarely seen game for a reason, but once you get past the story this is an excellent side scrolling shooter with plenty of challenges but also more options weapon-wise than gamers were used to at the time.  This game not only holds up it is an excellent challenge for any gamer.  It is also part of OnLive’s $9.99 a month subscription plan which includes over 200 other games. If you still need to make sure it is your taste, you can demo it from OnLive’s new demo link list at http://www.onlive.com/promote or even better yet, challenge that friend that always brags about beating bosses to complete the game.  Just don’t make them follow the story, that is just cruel.

Razer eSports player “Athene” is on a mission to raise $1 million for a Save the Children campaign for the Horn of Africa in just 100 days. It is a very worthwhile cause and he is over half way there and has 54 days left in his campaign. If you or someone you know may be interested in contributing to the cause, checkout You can check out more You can check out more about this by going to Razer’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/razer) or by going directly to Athene’s Operation ShareCraft page (http://www.opsharecraft.com/).

Athene’s Video

May 10, 2012 (Rockville, MD) – Bethesda Softworks®, a ZeniMax® Media company, today announced that Dishonored, the supernatural assassin action game under development at Arkane® Studios, will be available in  North America on October 9, 2012 and throughout Europe on October 12, 2012.  Developed under the direction of co-creative directors Raphael Colantonio and Harvey Smith, Dishonored is slated for release on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and Games for Windows.

Dishonored is set in Dunwall, an industrial whaling city where steampunk- inspired technology and otherworldly forces coexist in the shadows. You are Corvo, the once-trusted bodyguard of the beloved Empress who has been murdered. Framed for the crime, you become an infamous assassin, known by the disturbing mask that has become your calling card. In a time of uncertainty, when the city is besieged by plague and ruled by a corrupt government armed with frightening technologies, dark forces bestow supernatural abilities upon you – but at what cost? The truth behind your betrayal is as murky as the waters surrounding the city, and the life you once had is gone forever.

Creatively eliminate your enemies with Dishonored’s flexible combat system as you combine supernatural abilities with weapons and gadgets at your disposal. Pursue your targets under the cover of darkness or boldly attack them head on with weapons drawn. The outcome of each mission plays out based on the choices you make.

“We are pleased that Dishonored has captured people’s attention,” said Vlatko Andonov, president of Bethesda Softworks. “We are looking forward to sharing lots more information about the game leading up to its launch in October, and having a hands-on build of Dishonored in our booth at E3!”

Dishonored has not yet been rated by the ESRB.

For more information on Dishonored visit www.Dishonored.com.

Rockstar Games has released the official launch trailer for their upcoming Max Payne 3 – enjoy!

Trailer

Durham, USA – May 10^th, 2012 – Funcom is thrilled to announce that one million gamers are now registered for ‘The Secret World’ beta tests. This impressive number confirms the game’s position as one of the most highly anticipated massively multiplayer online games in the world, and the number is also significantly higher than what Funcom’s previous MMO ‘Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures’ saw at the same time in its pre-launch development phase.

“Shattering our previous beta records gives us great hope for The Secret World’s launch and its future,” says Funcom SVP of Sales & Marketing, Morten Larssen. “Combining this positive number with the excellent feedback we have received from both beta testers and the press that have played the game, make us very optimistic for a successful launch of The Secret World.”

In addition to these impressive beta registration numbers, Funcom can also share that in just over a month nearly two million unique visitors have come to Funcom’s ‘The Secret World’ websites. Interest has also grown tremendously on the back of ‘The Secret War’ social media experience that has seen almost 250,000 users register to take active part in the interactive pre-launch community initiative, and the experience has been visited almost two million times in just three weeks.

This coming Friday, May 11^th, Funcom will be kicking off the first of several Beta Weekends where gamers get to sample parts of the content and gameplay that will be featured in ‘The Secret World’ when it launches on June 19^th this year. Everyone pre-ordering the game will get to play each of these Beta Weekends, and more content is added from one weekend to the next leading up to launch.

Funcom has also teamed up with world-leading gaming website GameSpot who are giving out 100,000 keys to gamers in the US, UK and Australia this week on this giveaway page. GameSpot has also posted a video preview of ‘The Secret World’ and will be following up with exclusive coverage later this week.

In the first Beta Weekend, named ‘Kingsmouth Calling’, players will get to join the Templar secret society starting out in London, before they get to visit parts of Solomon Island to investigate the mysterious events that have occurred there. Players will get to play around with the groundbreaking progression system that is free of restrictions such as classes and levels, and will have the chance to experience the unique storyline that ‘The Secret World’ offers. More details on the event can be found on our website.

‘The Secret World’ is developed by Funcom and co-published by EA Partners, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA). For more information about ‘The Secret World’ or how to register for the beta, please visit www.thesecretworld.com. Media assets can be found at ftp.funcom.com/press.