Archive - 2013

Six Pack Of Aerosmith Hits Come To The Rock Band Music Store

2013/01/25
Jerry Paxton
News, Nintendo Wii News, PlayStation 3 News, Xbox 360 News

aerosmith

Cambridge, Mass. – January 25th, 2013 – Harmonix today announced that tracks from Aerosmith 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™

Emerging as one of the biggest rock bands of the ‘70s, Boston-based Aerosmith made their mark on music history with a bluesy, hard rock vibe that continues to influence the sounds of rock n’ roll today. On January 29th, Harmonix is proud to bring a collection of the band’s oldest and newest hits to the Rock Band Music Store as part of “Aerosmith’s Greatest Dimension Pack”!

“Aerosmith’s Greatest Dimension Pack” kicks off with classic tracks from the Boston bad boys, including two tracks that originally appeared on the group’s third album, 1975’sToys in the Attic – “Walk This Way” and “Sweet Emotion.” “Back in the Saddle,” which originally appeared on 1976’s Rocks, and a live version of the emotional influential ballad “Dream On” will also be included in the pack!

Completing this incredible collection will be two new Aerosmith tracks, “Legendary Child” and “Lover Alot,” both from 2012’s Music From Another Dimension!, available now.

Tracks can be purchased individually, as well as part of “Aerosmith’s Greatest Dimension Pack,” and Pro Guitar and Pro Bass upgrades will be available for both “Sweet Emotion” and “Dream On (Live)”!

Available on Xbox 360, Wii, and PlayStation®3 system (January 29th, 2013): 

  • Aerosmith – “Walk This Way”
  • Aerosmith – “Sweet Emotion” X
  • Aerosmith – “Back in the Saddle”
  • Aerosmith – “Dream On (Live)” X O
  • Aerosmith – “Legendary Child”
  • Aerosmith – “Lover Alot

(These tracks will be available in Europe on PlayStation®3 system January 30th)

Price:
$9.99, £8.89 UK, €10.99 EU (800 Microsoft Points™, 1000 Wii Points™) for the “Aerosmith’s Greatest Dimension Pack”
$1.99 USD, £1.19 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

Tracks marked with “O” feature support for keyboards; tracks marked with “X” will offer Pro Guitar and Pro Bass expansions for $0.99 per song.

** Dates and pricing 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

J.J. Abrams Set to Direct Next Star Wars Film [Rumor]

2013/01/24
Jerry Paxton
Movie News, News

star-wars-logo

The good people over at The Wrap have announced that J.J. Abrams is going to be the director of the next Star Wars film. According to the piece, this information was leaked to them from an “individual with knowledge of the production”. Until we get official confirmation, we are listing this as rumor, but the website seems fairly certain of their source. This individual also claims that Argo director Ben Affleck was also in the running for the directorship, but Abrams eventually won out in the decision.

Tyranny of King Washington DLC Gets Release Date

2013/01/24
Jerry Paxton
News, PlayStation 3 News, Windows PC News, Xbox 360 News

washingtondlc

Ubisoft has announced that the upcoming DLC pack for Assassin’s Creed III, The Tyranny of King Washington, will be available on Xbox 360 and PCs on February 19 and on PlayStation 3 on February 20.

DLC Info, Pricing

In the first episode of the Tyranny of King Washington series, our hero, Ratonhnhaké:ton, awakens from an unsettling dream to find that, despite his efforts to deliver justice in the newly-founded United States of America, a new king has been crowned – George Washington. The Infamy will take gamers through the beginning of the journey to dethrone King Washington.

The three upcoming episodes of the Tyranny of King Washington are available through the Assassin’s Creed III Season Pass, which is available for purchase for 2400 Microsoft Points on Xbox LIVE or £23.99 on the PlayStation® Network and Windows PC. The first episode, The Tyranny of King Washington: The Infamy, can be purchased as a single DLC pack for 800 Microsoft points or £9.99.

Following The Infamy, The Tyranny of King Washington will continue in two additional content packs that let gamers experience an alternate history of the events following the American Revolution.

Omerta – City of Gangsters Demo Out Now

2013/01/24
Jennifer Paxton
News, Windows PC News

OMERTA_Screens_gamescom_2012_16

Ridgewood, NJ, January 24, 2013 – Kalypso Media is pleased to release a new single-player demo forOmerta – City of Gangsters today. The free demo, available at the mirrors listed below, features two levels from the upcoming Prohibition-era gangster game that mixes city conquest with tactical turn-based combat and heist planning. Grab the demo today to get a taste of Omerta, the game where it’s up to you to put together a crew of criminals and take over the city, block-by-block, through whatever means necessary.

Download the demo- 

  • Worthplaying
http://worthplaying.com/article/2013/1/24/news/87968/
  • GamersHell
http://www.gamershell.com/download_97529.shtml
  • Strategy Informer

http://www.strategyinformer.com/pc/demos/omertacityofgangsters/demo.html

  • Gamezcheck

http://gamezcheck.de/index.php/medien/downloads/6875-omerta-city-of-gangsters-demo.html

  • DemoNews

http://www.demonews.de/Spiele/Omerta-City-of-Gangsters/Demos/Omerta-City-of-Gangsters-Demo-2546/

Omerta – City of Gangsters is a simulation game with tactical turn-based combat. Taking the role of a fresh-off-the-boat immigrant, with dreams of the big life, the player will work his way up the criminal hierarchy of 1920’s Atlantic City, New Jersey. Starting with small jobs, his character recruits a gang and expands his empire by taking territory from other gangsters. Eventually he establishes his own crime syndicate and becomes the de facto ruler of Atlantic City.

The player strategically manages his business and his minions in a real-time format, slowly but steadily increasing his influence over the city. The player sends his henchmen out on missions ranging from assassinating an informant, to raiding a warehouse, springing a friend from prison, robbing a bank or attacking a rival gang’s hideout. Nobody is above the law in Atlantic City, so it always helps to have a little cash handy to bribe a policeman or pay off a politician.

The turn-based combat in Omerta – City of Gangsters focuses on the tactical command of “The Boss” and his henchmen. Cover and stealth are essential parts of any shootout in the game. Finding the best vantage point to gun down an enemy, while taking cover from a hailstorm of bullets, can be just as satisfying as sneaking quietly behind a foe and taking him down.

For more information about Omerta – City of Gangsters, please visithttp://www.cityofgangsters.com, or follow us on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/OmertaCityofGangsters and on twitter via @OmertaGame.

Wicked Audio 3D Series Headphones Review (Late 2011)

2013/01/24
Jerry Paxton
News, Tech News, Tech Review

Hero-Blue-and-Yellow

Back in late 2011, Wicked Audio sent us a pair of their 3D Series headphones to review. Unfortunately, the review that was posted in early 2012 ended up getting corrupted and lost in our web transition. Due to various technical reasons, we only recently found out that this review was missing. So, we are re-posting it!

Original Review: Wicked Audio has released a new line of “3D Audio” headphones. Not 3D sound, mind you, but featuring 3D designs carved into their headband and ear cups. Visually, the headphones are attractive and have an edgy “street” style to them. Additionally, they are not very large headphones, and fold up, making them very portable and easily to carry around in a small bag. They come in two flavors: A blue and yellow model as well as one in red and gray.

The headphones themselves are equipped with two 40mm drivers and a rated frequency of 20Hz to 20,000 Hz. Connecting them is as easy as plugging the headphone gold-plated cord into an available 3.5mm port on your favorite MP3 player or stereo. Volume is controlled by a dial located a bit below where the left and right ear cables meet in the cord. The cord is 4 feet in length and is an excellent length to be useful without being excessive. If it’s too much for your needs, you can always tuck any extra cable slack into your hoodie or jacket.

Hero-Blue-and-Yellow-Perspective

Listening to audio while wearing the Wicked Audio 3D Series headphones is a pleasant experience. The headphones are comfortable, but tended to wear on my outer ears after several hours of use. This is due to their smaller size – they do not fit all the way around my ears. I would definitely not recommend them for tournament-level gaming or as a present for your favorite audiophile, but that is not at all their focus. These headphones are focused at younger people and even adults, say, taking mass transit to the office. For an hour or two of continuous usage, listening to your favorite band, podcast, or audiobook they work very well. I had no difficulty in using it while playing passenger on the local MetroLink or even while as a passenger on a short-hop Southwest Airlines flight to Las Vegas. They boast decent sound quality, especially when considering that the headphones cost a budget-friendly $30 dollars. What is most impressive about them is their bass level. The packaging coins it as “enhanced bass” and, it is correct, the bass definitely stands out in these headphones.

[easyreview title=”Wicked Audio 3D Series Headphones Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”3″] Our Rating Scores Explained

The Wicked Audio 3D Series is available now at several online retailers.

U.S. Court Grants THQ Dissolution and Sale

2013/01/24
Jennifer Paxton
Industry News, News

thq-logo

Looks like the U.S. Bankruptcy Court has approved the plan to sell-off studios which make up the now-bankrupt, gaming super-publisher, THQ. THQ’s various studios have been auctioned to various other video game developers and publishers, a full rundown can be found over at our original story of the auction from early yesterday.

Full Press Release

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. — THQ Inc. (OTC: THQIQ), a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software, today announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court has granted a motion to approve a sale of the majority of THQ’s assets to multiple buyers. The company expects the Court to enter a formal order tomorrow.

The Court approved the sales of three of THQ’s owned studios and games in development, as well as Evolve, a working title under development at Turtle Rock Studios, Homefront 2, Metro: Last Light and South Park: The Stick of Truth. Under the terms of the agreements with the successful and approved bidders, the THQ estate will receive approximately $72 million, making the total estimated value of the estate $100 million including certain assets and other intellectual properties which were excluded from the sale.

The Court approved the sale of Relic Studios to Sega Corporation for $26.6 million; the sale of Volition Inc. and Metro: Last Light to Koch Media GmbH for $22.3 million and $5.9 million, respectively; the sale of Homefront 2 to Crytek GmbH for $0.5 million; the sale of Evolve to Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. for $10.9 million; and the sale of THQ Montreal and South Park: The Stick of Truth to Ubisoft LLC for $2.5 million and $3.3 million, respectively. Excluded from the sales were the company’s publishing businesses, Vigil Games, and certain other assets and intellectual properties, which will remain part of the THQ estate and will continue in the Chapter 11 process.

Brian Farrell, Chairman and CEO of THQ, noted, “While we had hoped that the restructuring process would allow the company to remain intact, I am heartened that the majority of our studios and games will continue under new ownership. It has been my pleasure to work alongside this great group of people, and I am proud of the imaginative and artistic games that our team has created. Although we will no longer be able to work together with a unified mission, I am confident that the talent we have assembled will continue to make an impression on the video game industry. For those whose positions are not likely to continue, I sincerely regret this outcome and we will be meeting with you over the next few days to discuss the transition.”

Jason Rubin, President of THQ, added, “I was brought in eight months ago to help turn this ship around, and while I’m disappointed that we could not effect a sale for the entire operating business, I am pleased that the new buyers will be providing jobs to many of our very talented personnel. When we first announced the sale process, I said I would be happy if the company’s games and people had a bright future, even if it meant I did not have a job at the end of it. And I still feel that way.”

The new owners have not articulated their plans for the assets, or their intentions to extend employment to THQ employees included in the sale. THQ expects the new owners to extend employment to most employees and to continue development of the games they purchased that are currently in development. The assets that are not included in the sale agreements will remain part of the Chapter 11 case. THQ will continue to seek appropriate buyers, if possible.

THQ will continue to employ a small number of headquarters staff beyond January 25 to assist with the transition.

Qualified bids received by January 22 were reviewed by the company and the creditors committee. Through an auction process that lasted 22 hours yesterday and today, the successful bidders were determined, and the hearing to approve the sales took place this afternoon. Ten bidders participated in the proceedings, including bids for the entire company as well as for individual assets. The sales are expected to close tomorrow, January 24.

Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. had submitted a “stalking horse” bid for substantially all of THQ’s assets in December 2012. In accordance with Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, the Court supervised an auction to determine the highest and best bid(s) for the company’s assets in accordance with the bid procedures approved by the Court. Clearlake will receive a break-up fee of $1 million, as stated in its stalking horse asset purchase agreement.

THQ and its domestic business units filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware on Dec. 19, 2012. The Chapter 11 case will continue for THQ.

For additional information about THQ, please visit www.thq.com. For information regarding the Chapter 11 case, please visit www.kccllc.net/thq.