Archive - 2012

Star Citizen Shatters Crowd Funding Record

2012/11/19
Jerry Paxton
News, Windows PC News

AUSTIN, Texas, November 19, 2012 — Star Citizen™, the highly anticipated space sim from legendary game developer, Chris Roberts, today set a new record for a crowd funded game as pledge totals reached $6.23 million and the game’s Kickstarter campaign came to a close. Star Citizen is currently under development by Roberts’ new game company, Cloud Imperium™, which has offices in Los Angeles; Austin, Texas and Montreal, Canada. An early alpha play test for backers of the project should be available next winter.

The previous crowd funding record for a game had been held by Obsidian Entertainment’s Project Eternity title. An October 17 posting on the Project Eternity Kickstarter website listed a total of $4.16 million in pledges and funds raised.

Today marked the end of the Star Citizen’s Kickstarter campaign, which reached $2.13 million in pledges, more than 400 percent of the original goal. Roberts also has been raising funds on his own site,www.robertsspaceindustries.com. That site has reached $4.1 million in pledges. In all there are nearly 90 thousand people who have signed on and pledged to back the product.

Here are updated stats from the Star Citizen crowd funding campaign as of 1 PM central time on November 19:

  • ·         Kickstarter backers– 34,397
  • ·         Kickstarter funds pledged – $2,134,374
  • ·         Roberts Space Industries backers – 55,270
  • ·         Roberts Space Industries funds raised – $4,104,189
  • ·         Total backers – 89,667
  • ·         Total funds raised and pledged – $6,238,563

“I am absolutely elated by the incredible outpouring of support for this project,” said Roberts. “It’s clear that space sim fans have just been waiting for a game like ours to come along and rekindle some of the excitement that’s been missing from PC games and the space sim genre. With the resources that our fans have provided, it means the team will be able to provide more features in Star Citizen and deliver an even better game.”

For Roberts, Star Citizen, signals his return to gaming after more than 10 years in the Hollywood film industry. He made his mark in the games industry with several hit franchises in the 1990s including Wing Commander, Privateer and Freelancer. All of those games were successful PC titles that continually broke new ground with space combat games.  That’s something Roberts says is currently missing from PC gamers’ plates.

“I’ve been looking for an opportunity to jump back into gaming,” said Roberts. “With all the tools and tech currently available, I can now make a game that really provides gamers with cutting-edge visuals, a highly detailed, immersive world and visceral, heart-pounding combat that only the PC can provide.  In fact, PC gamers don’t need to take a back seat to any other platform. With Star Citizen, I want them to be able to stand up, be counted and completely enjoy all that their PC can deliver.”

Going forward, Roberts says, people who backed the project during the crowd funding campaign will have the ability to purchase further tiers or upgrade existing ones at the initial prices. And for those who missed this opportunity, there is still a chance to be a part of the Star Citizen community and back the project but at slightly higher prices. Roberts says it will still be cheaper than purchasing the final product when it is released and it will enable backers to reserve a limited amount of alpha and beta slots that remain. Behind-the-scenes subscription updates during development are also available for purchase. They will provide even more extras and inside info for those who sign up.

To register and become a backer of the game and for more information about Star Citizen, including videos and trailers of the game, regular communications from Roberts to fans, community forums and game fiction go to www.robertsspaceindustries.com.

About Cloud Imperium

Cloud Imperium Games Corporation and its subsidiary Roberts Space Industries were founded in April 2012 by renowned game developer Chris Roberts (Wing Commander, Freelancer, Privateer) and his business partner and long-time international media attorney Ortwin Freyermuth. Under Roberts’ leadership using his long-standing relationships in the game space, Cloud Imperium quickly assembled a top tier development team for the creation of art assets, story elements, and an extensive prototype for its first game Star Citizen. Star Citizen is being marketed and launched via www.robertsspaceindustries.com. Cloud Imperium’s strategy is about customer acquisition through established game designer fan bases.  We believe that the online space provides a tremendous opportunity in this regard that has been missed so far.

Nintendo Sets Black Friday on Fire with Flame Red Nintendo 3DS Bundle

2012/11/19
Jerry Paxton
News, Nintendo 3DS News, Special Interest News

REDMOND, Wash. — Nintendo is giving early holiday shoppers a way to knock two items off their lists at once. Starting Nov. 23, a limited-edition version of the Flame Red Nintendo 3DS will come with Super Mario 3D Land pre-installed on the system. The bundle is offered at a suggested retail price of $169.99, providing an incredible value for holiday shoppers. If purchased separately, the system and the game would be offered at suggested retail prices of $169.99 and $39.99 respectively.

Since it launched, the Nintendo 3DS family of systems has sold nearly 6 million in the United States alone. The portable dual-screen system lets users see 3D images without the use of special glasses, while providing them with a wide variety of gaming and entertainment options. People can explore and purchase additional games in the Nintendo eShop, or watch the fun and funny 3D videos on Nintendo Video.

Super Mario 3D Land reinvents everything fans love about Mario gaming with the first platforming environment in true 3D. Players will experience an exhilarating new sense of depth, distance and speed while running, jumping and stomping on enemies throughout the levels. Mario can also use the tail of his Tanooki suit to swipe at enemies or float down from heights.

For more information about Nintendo 3DS, visit http://www.nintendo.com/3ds.

Gangnam Coming to Dance Central 2

2012/11/19
Jerry Paxton
News, Xbox 360 News

Cambridge, MA – November 19th, 2012 – This year’s best motion and dance game gets even better as two hot tracks from Usher and PSY’s global phenomenon “Gangnam Style” will be available as add-on tracks for Dance Central™ 3 in the coming weeks!

Starting tomorrow, November 20th, two tracks from Usher’s latest record, Looking 4 Myself, will be available for download from the Dance Central Music Store or via the Xbox LIVE® Marketplace: “Twisted,” which features Pharrell, and “Euphoria.” The routines, like the Usher tracks that already appear on the Dance Central 3 disc – “Scream” and “OMG” – feature authentic moves and choreography designed by Usher’s choreographer, Aakomon “AJ” Jones!

For a special message from Usher on these exciting releases, check out the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbgwTIVoAvg&feature=youtu.be

This month Harmonix brings one of this year’s most requested songs to Dance Central 3with PSY’s “Gangnam Style”. On November 27th, dancers will be able to download the routine, which features iconic and unforgettable moves fans will recognize from Psy’s music video and live performances! With over 700 million YouTube views, “Gangnam Style” and its energetic choreography is the perfect fit for Dance Central 3’s authentic choreography and accurate, best-in-class motion detection!

All tracks will be available in the Dance Central 3 in-game Music Store, or from the Xbox LIVE Marketplace for 240 Microsoft Points™ each. “Twisted” and “Euphoria” can be purchased together as part of “Usher Pack 01” for 400 Microsoft Points.

November 20
Usher ft. Pharrell – “Twisted”

  • Choreographer – Aakomon “AJ” Jones

Usher – “Euphoria”

  • Choreographer – Aakomon “AJ” Jones

November 27
PSY – “Gangnam Style”

  • Choreographer – Devin Woolridge

Be sure to follow Dance Central on Twitter (http://twitter.com/dance_central) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/dancecentral) for the latest news!

Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion Shipping

2012/11/18
Jerry Paxton
News, Nintendo Wii News, Nintendo Wii U News, PlayStation 3 News, Xbox 360 News

BURBANK, Calif. — (November 18, 2012) – Today Disney Interactive announces the availability of “Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two,” the sequel to the critically acclaimed and commercially successful “Disney Epic Mickey” video game. “Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two” for Wii U™ is now available for digital download in the Nintendo eShop and for purchase at retailers nationwide for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and for the Wii™ and Wii U™ systems from Nintendo.  In addition “Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion,” the first Nintendo 3DS™ title for “Disney Epic Mickey”, is also available at retailers nationwide and for download in the Nintendo eShop.

In “Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two,” gamers will play as Mickey Mouse and for the first time ever, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Walt Disney’s first cartoon star, in an all-new adventure of creativity and discovery.  Created by industry luminary Warren Spector and Disney Interactive’s Junction Point game development studio, “Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two” returns Mickey Mouse and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit to Wasteland, an alternate world filled with 80 years of forgotten Disney characters and theme park attractions.  But for the first time, Mickey and Oswald will join forces as true partners – Mickey with his magical paint brush that wields paint and thinner, and Oswald with his powerful remote control that allows him to command electricity.

“Mickey Mouse is one of the most beloved characters of all time,” said Warren Spector, vice president and creative director, Disney Interactive’s Junction Point.  “I feel incredibly lucky to have been given the opportunity to once again help craft his latest journey and at the same time bring Oswald the Lucky Rabbit back in such an amazing and innovative way, by allowing this once forgotten silent cartoon star to get a voice for the first time in history.”

The game’s new co-op play between Mickey and Oswald further enhances the idea that “PlayStyle Matters” – a unique approach to gameplay pioneered by Warren Spector.  Through “PlayStyle Matters,” players dynamically tackle different challenges in order to explore all possibilities and storylines, but with consequences for their chosen actions.

Co-written by award-winning comic book writer, Marv Wolfman, in collaboration with Junction Point, “Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two” features a unique soundtrack created by Emmy award-winning composer, Jim Dooley and songwriter Mike Himelstein to deliver the first-ever video game musical.

“We continually strive to develop interactive content that resonates across Disney’s broad fan base,” said John Pleasants, co-president, Disney Interactive.  “Our goal was to capture the nostalgic feeling that makes the Disney experience so magical, and it is clear that we’ve accomplished that with ‘Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two’ exceptionally well.”

In addition to the console titles, “Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion” for the Nintendo 3DS created by critically acclaimed DS developer DreamRift in collaboration with Disney Interactive’s Junction Point, offers a unique drawing and painting functionality that allows players to create rough versions of objects that magically transform into classic Disney-style 2D illustrations.  Utilizing the game’s unparalleled dual screen integration, players then move their creations to the top screen where they are further transformed into full-color, fully-rendered 3D visuals.

Paying tribute to the classic Sega Genesis title “Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse,” “Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion” focuses on the fabled Castle of Illusion, which has fallen into Wasteland along with the evil witch Mizrabel, villainess from the classic “Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse.”  Now an unwilling inhabitant of Wasteland, Mizrabel unleashes a plot to escape using the Castle of Illusion to imprison and drain the cartoon essence from currently famous Toons.  Players will take on the role of Mickey Mouse as he utilizes his magical brush to wield paint and thinner to confront Mizrabel and save the Toons.

“Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two” is rated ‘E’ for Everyone by the ESRB, and is now available for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360 and Wii U for a suggested retail price of $59.99 and Wii for a suggested retail price of $49.99. “Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion” is also rated ‘E’ for Everyone by the ESRB and is now available on the Nintendo 3DS for a suggested retail price of $39.99.

For additional information about “Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two” and “Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion,” please visit the official site at http://disney.go.com/mickey/disney-epic-mickey-2.html, join our “Disney Epic Mickey Video Game” page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter at #savewasteland.

The Allman Bros, Dragonforce, and More Heading to Rock Band

2012/11/16
Jerry Paxton
News, PlayStation 3 News, Xbox 360 News
Cambridge, Mass. – November 16th, 2012 – Harmonix today announced that singles from The Allman Brothers Band, The Band, Crossfade, Dragonforce, Modern English, and Nine Inch Nails are headed to the Rock Band™ Music Store of downloadable content for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Wii™.Rock Band provides the deepest and best selection of artists, songs and albums through the Rock Band music platform, which features more than 1,400 artists and more than 4,000* tracks via disc and download purchase (complete list of tracks atwww.rockband.com/songs). Rock Band’s gigantic music library dwarfs that of any other rhythm video game on the market. More than 100 million songs have been sold through the Rock Band Music Store since its launch on Nov. 20, 2007.

Tracks downloaded from the Rock Band Music Store are compatible with the award-winning full-band Rock Band 3 experience, as well as the controller-based rhythm-action title, Rock Band Blitz, available now on PlayStation®Network and Xbox LIVE® Arcade!

Rock Band DLC Additions for Xbox 360, PlayStation®3 system and Wii™

Harmonix is excited to celebrate the five year anniversary of the Rock Band franchise with the release of six singles from legendary artists, spanning six decades of music history!

A live version of The Band’s “The Weight,” originally released as a single in 1968, will be available starting on November 20th. The track is joined by The Allman Brothers Band’s instrumental, “Jessica,” which comes off the group’s 1973 album, Brothers and Sisters. New Wave post-punk band Modern English make their Rock Band debut with “I Melt With You,” from 1982’s After the Snow. From 1994’s The Downward Spiral, Nine Inch Nail’s popular “Closer” will also be available. Finally, Crossfade’s “Cold,” from the band’s 2004 self-titled record, and Dragonforce’s “Cry Thunder” from this year’s The Power Within, round out this exciting and eclectic collection of singles!

Available on Xbox 360, Wii and PlayStation®3 system (November 20th, 2012):

  • The Allman Brothers Band – “Jessica” O X
  • The Band – “The Weight (live)” O X
  • Crossfade – “Cold”
  • Dragonforce – “Cry Thunder” O
  • Modern English – “I Melt With You” O
  • Nine Inch Nails – “Closer” O

Price:
$1.99 USD, £.99 UK, €1.49 EU (160 Microsoft Points ™, 200 Wii Points™) per song
$0.99 USD (80 Microsoft Points™, 100 Wii Points™), £0.59 UK, €0.79 EU per song for eligible Pro Guitar/Pro Bass upgrade

(These tracks will be available in Europe on PlayStation®3 system November 21st)Tracks marked with “X” will offer Pro Guitar and Pro Bass expansions for $0.99 per song.

** Dates for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change. **
 
*Available on-disc, via download and disc export. Internet connection and export key purchase required. Wii™ Shop Channel has more than 1,500 song tracks available for purchase on the Rock Band platform on-disc, via song import, and download. Not applicable to Nintendo DS™.

Website Links:
For more information, please visit:

Rock Band Website

Rock Band 3 is available for Xbox 360, PlayStation®3 system, Wii™ and Nintendo DS™. Xbox 360, PlayStation®3 system and Wii™ versions support downloadable content.

Black Ops 2 Over $500M in Sales First Day

2012/11/16
Jerry Paxton
News, PlayStation 3 News, Windows PC News, Xbox 360 News

Santa Monica, CA – November 16, 2012 –Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard (Nasdaq: ATVI), today announced that for the fourth consecutive year, the Call of Duty® franchise has delivered the biggest entertainment launch of the year. The highly-anticipated Call of Duty®: Black Ops II has achieved an estimated sell-through of more than $500 million worldwide in the first 24 hours of its release, according to Chart-Track, retail customer sell-through information and internal company estimates.

“With first day sales of over half a billion dollars worldwide, we believe Call of Duty is the biggest entertainment launch of the year for the fourth year in a row,” said Bobby Kotick, CEO, Activision Blizzard, Inc. “Life-to-date sales for the Call of Duty franchise have exceeded worldwide theatrical box office receipts for “Harry Potter” and “Star Wars,” the two most successful movie franchises of all time. Given the challenged macro-economic environment, we remain cautious about the balance of 2012 and 2013.”

On November 13, 2012, millions of fans attended more than 16,000 midnight openings at retail stores worldwide. Reflecting the wave of excitement that swept the globe, Call of Duty: Black Ops II drove social conversation in its first 24 hours as it was a top trending topic globally on Twitter in 23 cities worldwide. Additionally, there have been more than 30 million YouTube video views of the game’s live-action ‘Surprise’ launch trailer since its release on October 29, 2012.

“Call of Duty has become more than a product people buy, it’s become a brand people buy into.  And every November we do more than just launch a game, we kick off an annual, unofficial but worldwide phenomenon called Call of Duty season,” said Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing. “I want to thank our incredible team at Treyarch for making an amazing game, everyone at Activision for making this brand a force of nature and our retail partners for their unprecedented support of this franchise. But most importantly I want to thank our millions of fans for their continued support and loyalty and for making us better every day.”

Call of Duty: Black Ops II is available at retail locations worldwide on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and Windows PC. The title is also expected to be released in North America for the new Wii U™ game system from Nintendo on November 18, 2012.

The game is rated “M” (Mature – Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs – content suitable for persons ages 18 and older) by the ESRB.

More information on Call of Duty: Black Ops II can be found athttp://www.callofduty.com/blackops2 or on www.facebook.com/codblackops. Fans can also follow @Treyarch on Twitter.