Archive - 2012

DCUO The Last Laugh DLC Pack Details

2012/05/09

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – May 8, 2012 – The battle between heroes and villains in DC Universe™ Online (DCUO) continues as Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) today announced that The Last Laugh, the fourth downloadable content (DLC) pack for DCUO, will be available in June for download on the PC and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. The Last Laugh will pit players against each other in high-intensity multiplayer brawls, feature an all-new weapon, and introduce new Light-Powered Legends PvP characters.

“We created this DLC purely for the players that like to take the fight to each other in DCUO’s amazing PvP combat,” said Jens Andersen, creative director on DC Universe Online. “Our community has continuously asked for more multiplayer action in DCUO, and we wanted to deliver content that fully meets their expectations and pushes PvP to another level. The Last Laugh is the first DLC that we’ve created that focuses almost entirely on player versus player battles, and it adds an exciting new element as some of DC’s greatest heroes and villains join to fight alongside you. Players will have even more opportunities to prove to the world whether heroes or villains will be triumphant.”

The Last Laugh will include an all-new weapon, hours of multiplayer gameplay in the Safe Houses and Headquarters, and new Legends PvP characters:

The Shield – Players can unleash this vicious new weapon to bash their opponents, or hurl it to take them down from a distance.

Safe House Battles – No one is safe now that heroes and villains can invade each other’s Safe Houses in these four on four battles:

Graviton Technology Recovery – Players will be tasked with unscrambling teleporter codes that The Joker has mixed into fragments. Located at the Watchtower or Hall of Doom, players must retrieve eight code fragments to successfully rebuild useable teleporter codes.

The Rescue – Heroes must rescue hostages, while Villains will be freeing arrested criminals from opposing Safe Houses.

Bomb Disposal – Thanks to The Joker, the encryption on the Email terminals has changed and can only be bypassed by the robot he provided. Players must gain control of the robot and either upload the data to their HQ or add new encryption to keep their enemies and The Joker away from it.

Headquarter Battles – In this two-part crusade, 16 players — eight heroes and eight villains — will face off for the ultimate player reward. At the request of Superman, heroes must take over the Hall of Doom, while villains, egged on by The Joker, will breach the Watchtower in order to create chaos.

Legends Characters – Combat illuminates with the introduction of the first light-powered Legends for multiplayer combat. Players will soon have access to Kilowog, a Green Lantern, and Amon Sur, a member of the Sinestro Corps.

DCUO’s The Last Laugh DLC pack will be accessible for free for the game’s Legendary members and available for purchase for Free and Premium players via the PlayStation®Network in-game Marketplace, and on the PC via the DCUniverseOnline.com website.

DCUO is licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment on behalf of DC Entertainment. For more information about DCUO, visit www.DCUniverseOnline.com.

Razer Updates Naga MMO Gaming Mouse

2012/05/09

Jerry Paxton

News

CARLSBAD, Calif. – 8^th May, 2012 – Razer, the world leader in high-performance gaming hardware, today announced the return of the award-winning Razer Naga MMO gaming mouse. It has been updated for a new generation of win with an anti-slip, anti-fingerprint matte finish and three interchangeable side panels for a more ergonomic gaming experience. It still retains its most important feature, a 12-button thumb grid built to deliver cataclysmic destruction on all enemies when you bind spells, items, and macros to the buttons for quick access.

“When we released the Razer Naga three years ago, we knew its twelve-button thumb grid was an amazing, revolutionary interface that was going to change the way gamers enjoy MMO action,” said Robert ‘RazerGuy’ Krakoff, President, Razer USA. “Three years on and the number of gamers armed with the Razer Naga continues to grow. We want to keep updating the Razer Naga with the best features, and keep arming gamers with the best MMO gaming mouse in the world.”

The Razer Naga has been enhanced to provide a more comfortable and ergonomic gaming experience. Its anti-slip, anti-fingerprint matte finish ensures you have the best grip over your very special gaming weapon no matter how intensively you swipe. The buttons over the top of the gaming mouse have also been repositioned for much easier actuation. Three interchangeable side panels have been provided to let you personally customize the shape of the Razer Naga to fit your hand and play-style. Whether you’re a claw- or palm-grip, the Razer Naga has got you covered and gaming just the way you want to.

For more information on the new Razer Naga, please visit www.razerzone.com/getimba

Spec Ops: The Line Demo Released

2012/05/08

Jerry Paxton

News

New York, NY – May 8, 2012 – 2K Games today announced that a free playable* demo of the highly anticipated third-person military shooter, Spec Ops®: The Line, is now available for gamers who are Gold members on the Xbox LIVE® online entertainment network and on the PlayStation®Network for PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. The demo will become available for all Xbox LIVE members on May 15, 2012.

Players that download the demo will be introduced to the brutal action and combat of Spec Ops: The Line. The single-player narrative unfolds within Dubai after a series of cataclysmic sandstorms cut the city off from the rest of the world. Playing as Captain Martin Walker, gamers add to the city’s destruction by engaging in action-packed firefights as they search for Colonel John Konrad and his missing battalion, The Damned 33rd. In search of answers and survivors, players who experience the demo will tear through portions of two early chapters of Spec Ops: The Line.

The squad-based action in Spec Ops: The Line is highlighted by an intelligent squad command system that allows players to tactfully take out insurgents as they advance into the heart of Dubai. Gamers will blast their way through sandstorms with a variety of weapons and explosives, even using sand as a weapon to strategically bury enemies in their path. Combining intense action with a riveting narrative and the unique setting of a sandstorm ravaged Dubai, Spec Ops: The Line is unlike any other military shooter.

In addition to the single-player campaign, Spec Ops: The Line features an expansive, class-based multiplayer experience that is fun for both casual and hard core gamers. The multiplayer mode features squad-based games in visually stunning and unique environments where players are encouraged to use their sand-filled surroundings to thwart their enemies; however, the environment can quickly turn from advantageous to treacherous with the onset of sandstorms – which impact visibility, team communication and weapon handling.

Developed by YAGER, Spec Ops: The Line will be available in North America for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PS3™ and PC on June 26, 2012, and internationally on June 29, 2012.

Spec Ops: The Line is rated M for Mature by the ESRB. For a complete Spec Ops: The Line experience, including the latest news, downloads, information and more please visit www.specopstheline.com. Check out Spec Ops: The Line on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/specops.

*Xbox LIVE or PlayStation Network and Internet connection required to access demo.

2K Games is a division of 2K, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

World of Tanks Releases Update 7.3

2012/05/08

Jerry Paxton

News

8^th May, 2012 — Wargaming.net, the award-winning videogame developer and publisher, announced today that update 7.3 is now available for its highly acclaimed armored warfare MMO World of Tanks.

Update 7.3 brings substitutions and additions to the line of Soviet heavy tanks, splitting the line into two branches. Leading the way through the redesigned tech tree, the update moves the IS-4 tank into tier 10 of its own heavyweight line with KV-4 and ST-I. The KV-3 has moved from tier 6 to tier 7, and freed the slot for another newcomer, T-150.

New gameplay elements introduced in the 7.3 include the addition of a new battle arena, the South Coast, and the first map set in Asia, the Dragon’s Ridge.

“These new machines should give players a taste for big and powerful heavies,” said World of Tanks Producer Mike Jivets. “With the help of the upcoming battle arenas, the game will get a fresh look from both a visual and tactical point of view.”

Screenshots

World of Warplanes Heavy Fighters Revealed

2012/05/08

Jerry Paxton

News

8^th May 2012 — Wargaming.net, the award-winning videogame developer and publisher, introduced today Heavy Fighters, the second of several rock-paper-scissors warplane classes that will take over the skies in the company’s highly anticipated flight combat MMO, World of Warplanes.

Featuring such names as the Fw.57, Bf.110, Me.410 and Me.P.1102, heavy fighters are currently represented in the German line of warbirds, and will be gradually added to other national rosters.

Their size, power and armament allow heavy fighters to fulfill a great variety of objectives including interception, head-on attacks and bombing, making them one of the most versatile classes of air forces.

“If you want speed and adrenaline, you will probably go for lighter fighters, whereas heavies provide greater firepower,” said World of Warplanes Project Manager, Alex Zezulin. “Knowing the strengths of your heavy fighter will give you the feel of devastating power under your total control.”

Screenshots

Trailer

Classic Gaming Showcase #1: Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle (PC/MicroConsole/Sega/OnLive)

2012/05/08

Ripper71

Articles, News, Reviews

This is the first installment of an ongoing series dedicated to the games we loved and the games we missed over the years. OnLive recently made a deal with Sega to carry a bunch of Genesis classics as well as some greatly loved games by other companies giving us the opportunity to enjoy the roots of gaming on a modern platform. Hope you enjoy them as much as we are!

Alex Kidd got around in his day as the mascot for Sega in the earlier part of the 80’s, he was the precursor to Sonic and hung around a while after the hedgehog hit the scene and stole the spotlight. He was a vaguely monkey looking boy who did martial arts attacks as part of his fighting style but also played a mean round of rock, paper, scissors… an odd edition to a game which made it stand out in most people’s memories who played it. Also Alex’s adventures were not limited to just jump kicking and rock, paper, scissoring, in Enchanted Castle he gets to ride a motorcycle, a helicopter like vehicle and there is even swimming involved. With such diverse gameplay it is kind of surprising that the Kidd got beat out by Sonic, but Sega backed their blue rolling hedgehog as the competition against a certain plumber on the Nintendo system and the rest is history. Luckily Alex has made a reappearance to remind us what we left behind.

Controls:

The controls are simple whether you use the keyboard or the OnLive controllers so it is more a matter of picking up the timing of jumps and strikes than anything when it comes to controlling. If you use the keyboard you move with the arrow keys and ASD and if the controller you use the left stick and XAB. Since the Genesis had a simple controller they are replicated very easily. It’s getting used to the controls well enough to kick a moving car through the windshield that can be the challenge.

Gameplay:

As mentioned above the gameplay is very diverse. You run, swim, ride a motorcycle, fly a helicopter, even hopping on a pogo stick. As a result the game never really begins to feel like the same thing over and over, instead you start to wonder what you will be doing next. And if fighting gets a bit boring to you you can always gamble at rock, paper, scissors which was probably a lot better to put into a kids game than blackjack. Probably the biggest drawback to gameplay would be that one hit from an enemy and you die which doesn’t always seem fair when you find yourself surrounded. Normally I might also complain about save locations but OnLive has placed it’s own individual save system into the game making that old concern mute.

Graphics/Sound:

For their time the graphics are good and yet still have the nostalgic 16-bit graphics that marked the time. The sound and music are fun and hokey too making this a stroll down memory lane for some and a lesson in what graphics used to look like for those who were too young to be playing games in 1989. The graphics and sound definitely add to the game’s fun rather than detract.

Last Call:

Alex Kidd was a strong character in his time, knocked out only by Sega backing Sonic as their main contender to Mario. This game has more diverse gameplay than some games you will find out there today and it was all done in a 16 bit universe. Take the time to get used to the controls before giving up on what is a nicely done adventure, you’ll find it worth the effort. The game is also part of OnLive’s 200 game PlayPack bundle for $9.99 a month along with about 40 other Sega classics. If you still aren’t convinced you can go to http://www.onlive.com/promote and demo this and just about every other OnLive game they have. Give it a try!

Warlock: Master of the Arcane – A Preview (PC)

2012/05/07

Judgeman

News, Previews

It seems like I have been spending quite a bit of time in the lands of Ardania lately. First, with the Defenders of Ardania on the XBLA and now with our preview of Paradox Interactive’s new turn based strategy game, Warlock: Master of the Arcane. I got my hands on a preview copy of Warlock: Master of the Arcane during its beta testing phase, so this preview will focus on what I liked about the game and the mechanics, while saving the negative critique until we have an actual release copy that is complete.

The preview copy did not have much of a story that I can go into, except for what I could gather from the press release and game play. You play as a Great Mage within the lands of Ardania. The player is giving a choice as to the looks of his or her mage, which affects the look of the mage’s army. There is some customization here, which is nice. You can change the color of the mage’s army and even change out the warlock’s starting spells.

Once you have decided on the look and feel of your mage, then your quest to become the most powerful arcane user in Ardania begins. Through the pure might of your army, or the use of skilled diplomacy, you need to conquer the other potential mages that surround your city to become the clear number one and ascend to the title of Warlock.

The actual game play of Warlock: Master of the Arcane is very much like any other turn based strategy game out on the market. You start off with your city, with its set of given resources and a small standing army. As you progress through the game, you will research different buildings that will give you benefits and allow you to recruit other soldiers for your military. You can also research spells that serve many purposes, from healing your troops in the heat of battle to blasting your foes with lightning. Some troops are unable to strike at certain foes and these researched spells really come in handy. For instance, my set of warriors could not strike at the flying monsters that appeared outside my city. I had to use my researched lightning bolt spell to defeat these enemies.

During your march across Ardania, the game will give you quests to complete for resources. These quests mostly seem to center around building certain structures or recruiting a set of soldiers. You can also gain resources by capturing and looting features that can be found on the land and sea, such as shipwrecks or silver mines. To make the simplest comparison of the gameplay found in Warlock: Master of the Arcane, one need only look at Civilization V. Warlock: Master of the Arcane borrows heavily from Civilization V, but does not quite get it right, at least in this beta copy of the game.

I am not a fan of turn based strategy games, mostly because I don’t like to micromanage my troops and resources. Warlock: Master of the Arcane does feel like it has simplified this process for the individuals like me, but fans of the genre may find this approach a little light for them, especially in comparing this game to other big turn based strategy games out there, like Civilization V. Overall, Warlock: Master of the Arcane is shaping up to be a decent entry into the turn based strategy game that will appeal to some out there, but may not reach everyone once it releases.

The Old Republic Loses 400k Subscribers

2012/05/07

Jerry Paxton

News

According to today’s quarterly earnings report from Electronic Arts, Star Wars: The Old Republic has dropped from 1.7 million players to 1.3 million – a whopping 400k user subtraction!

Gibeau (EA Labels President) also stressed that “core MMO users” are sticking with the game in good numbers, and suggested that the subscriber drop comes mainly from the expanded audience of non-MMO-obsessed Star Wars fans attracted by a title like The Old Republic. “As the service evolves, some of those initial casual customers have gone through a billing cycle and decided not to subscribe,” Gibeau said.

Thanks to Ars Technica for this!

Path of Exile Announces A Second Public Stress Test

2012/05/07

Jerry Paxton

News

After a successful first Public Stress Test Weekend a month ago, The Path of Exile Beta servers will be once again open to the public for the weekend of May 11-13. Below is a list of answers to frequently asked questions, explaining the details of how it works.
1. What’s the public stress test weekend for?

Primarily, testing to see how the Path of Exile servers run under heavy player load. Our Closed Beta is around the size we need for gameplay feedback, but we need to test to see if we can handle larger number of players in the lead-up to Open Beta. The first weekend was a great success. We want to push it harder this time 🙂
2. What are the specific times that I can play?

We will make the servers public at 5pm on Friday (May 11), Pacific Daylight Time. This is noon Saturday (May 12) in New Zealand. This link will help you convert to other timezones

The public weekend ends at 11:59pm on Sunday (April May 13), Pacific Daylight Time. This is 7pm on Monday (May 14) in New Zealand. This link will help you convert to other timezones.
3. Can I download the game client in advance?

Yes. We’ll have a link up before the event.
4. I have never signed up for an account at pathofexile.com. Can I still play?

Definitely! An account is required to play but you can create one at any time, even while the event is running. These accounts can be upgraded to Closed Beta accounts after the event if a Beta key is added to them (and of course, they become full game accounts once we enter Open Beta).
5. How do I start playing?

Just create an account, download the client, then start playing when the public weekend is live! If you have problems, please post in the forums and we’ll try to help.
6. What content is available during the weekend?

All of the current Closed Beta content. This includes two acts repeated over four difficulties (about 60 levels worth of content), the Maelstrom of Chaos, Default and Hardcore leagues, six character classes, approximately 70 active skills, 45 support gems and hundreds of types of items. The Shadow, our sixth character class, will be enabled this weekend for public play!
7. Will there be any special events during the public weekend?

For the last few months, we’ve been running weekly special events in Path of Exile. For example, a three hour event that rewards the people that reach the highest level or the first people to accomplish certain tasks (completing quests, clearing an area of monsters, etc). We’re going to try to run several of these events during the public stress test weekend. The exact schedule of times as well as more detailed information about rules and prizes will be posted before the weekend starts.

These events take place in temporary leagues that we create on the server specifically for the event. Players must create new characters to participate in these events and they do not have the benefit of any stashed items. Following the event, the league is closed and characters are moved to the appropriate permanent league.
8. What is a league?

A league is a self-contained separate economy within a server. Characters created within a league are unable to interact with characters from other leagues. Read more about leagues here
9. If this is a stress test, are the servers going to be laggy/unstable?

Possibly. It went really well last time, but we’re going to continue to gather data about server performance and stability under load.

Our intention is to allow users to log on freely until we encounter stability issues. At that point, we’ll place a player limit at a stability threshold and attempt to resolve any issues. Once we’re confident our servers can handle more players, we’ll incrementally raise the limit until we run into more issues. This process should help us find and resolve stability issues while also allowing people to play the game without overloading the servers. As a result, there may be a queue to log in while problems are being resolved.
10. Can I interact with Closed Beta testers during the weekend?

Yes, Closed Beta testers will have access to the same leagues that public players will. Since the public Default and Hardcore leagues are being enabled specifically for this weekend, the existing Closed Beta testers must create new characters if they choose to play in them.
11. What happens to my access after the weekend?

Unless you’re already a Closed Beta tester, your access will cease when the weekend ends. Of course, now that you have a Path of Exile account, you’ll be eligible for selection into the Closed Beta. We’re planning to ramp up invitations to the Closed Beta in preparation for the Open Beta. You may find that you get permanent access soon. If you support Path of Exile by pre-purchasing microtransaction credit, you will receive Beta access.
12. What happens to all my characters and items from this weekend?

The public weekend takes place in the leagues that regular Beta testers play in. If you gain access to the Closed Beta later, you’ll be able to pick up and play your characters right where you left off. For current Closed Beta testers, you will of course have continued access to items you have found in the public weekend during the Closed Beta. Remember, characters and items may be wiped at any time while we’re in the Closed Beta phase.
13. Are there future public stress test weekends planned?

Based on the data that we receive from this public weekend we will decide if we need to hold additional stress test weekends. We’ll post details about a week in advance if we have any planned.

ArmA II: Firing Range Gets Augmented

2012/05/07

Jerry Paxton

News

Prague, Czech Republic, May 04^th – Bohemia Interactive, the award-winning independent Czech development studio, is delighted to announce a massive update to the IOS and Android game ARMA II: Firing Range

Augmented Reality: A stunning revolution in mobile gaming technology, Augmented Reality brings exciting new aspects to Arma 2 Firing Range, no longer is your view restricted to what you see on your screen, now Augmented Reality explodes the reality out of your screen into the world around you!

Virtual Previews: This exciting new technology from Bohemia Interactive allows for a virtual preview of in game weapons, when utilizing a specially created printed marker. The virtual preview explodes into the world beyond your fingertips.
Virtual Firing Range: Use the marker to create your own virtual firing range, aiming at a real target on a real wall, that’s Augmented Reality! (We are not responsible for any damages inflicted to your living room wall as a result of accidental firing!)

Video Demonstration: Seeing really is believing! Watch a demonstration of Augmented Reality within Arma 2 Firing Range, on our Official YouTube Channel

What’s New in Version 1.3.8.2:

Augmented Reality support, available for weapon previews and as a new AR firing range
Career mode
New visual features and lot of minor fixes
Fluid weapon swaying, smoother drag controls etc.
New information window
Many bug fixes, tweaks and improvements