Square Enix has released a new trailer titled “Evolution of Battle” for their upcoming LIGHTNING RETURNS: FINAL FANTASY XIII, which is due out on February 11th, 2014.
Archive - 2014
January 23, 2014 (Rockville, MD) – Bethesda Softworks®, a ZeniMax® Media company, today announced the members of the renowned cast lending their voices to The Elder Scrolls® Online, the highly-anticipated game arriving April 4, 2014 on PC and Mac and June 2014 for the PlayStation®4 system and Xbox One®, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft. The Elder Scrolls® Online ensemble includes Academy Award nominee John Cleese (“A Fish Called Wanda,” “Monty Python and the Holy Grail“), Golden Globe winner Bill Nighy (“Pirates of the Caribbean”), Kate Beckinsale (“The Aviator,” “Pearl Harbor”), Alfred Molina (“Spider-Man 2”) and Golden Globe nominees Michael Gambon (“Harry Potter”), and Malcolm McDowell (“A Clockwork Orange”). In addition, Lynda Carter (“Wonder Woman”) returns to the Elder Scrolls series to reprise her role from The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
The Elder Scrolls Online is the latest chapter of the award-winning franchise and will bring the legendary experience online for the first time. Players can choose their own style of play as they embark upon an epic adventure across all of Tamriel, playing alone on heroic quests as in previous Elder Scrolls games, exploring the huge, rich world with a few friends, or joining with hundreds of others in massive PvP battles to save the Empire.
“This extraordinary group of actors helps bring the distinctive characters in The Elder Scrolls Online to life,” said Matt Firor, game director of The Elder Scrolls Online. “In The Elder Scrolls tradition, we sought world class talent to add a deep and enriching component to the immersive world the series offers players.”
John Cleese plays Cadwell, the cheerful and endearingly mad lost soul who is not afraid of anyone, even a Daedric Prince. Joining the cast as High King Emeric, Bill Nighy portrays a merchant prince whose luck and determination won him the throne. Kate Beckinsale takes on the role of Queen Ayrenn, the leader of the Aldmeri Dominion and Queen of the High Elves who is far more comfortable with a blade than her crown.
In addition, Alfred Molina takes on the role of Abnur Tharn, a wily old wizard and politician who is the head of the Empire’s Elder Council, and the de facto power behind the Ruby Throne. Lynda Carter plays Azura, the Daedric Princess of Dusk and Dawn from Skyrim who is a popular part of Elder Scrolls lore. Michael Gambon voices The Prophet, a mysterious blind man who guides the player through their journey to retrieve their soul; and Malcolm McDowell plays the key figure Molag Bal, an evil Daedric god from another plane who schemes to enslave the mortal souls of Tamriel.
The Elder Scrolls Online cast also includes:
- Peter Stormare (“Fargo”) plays Jorunn the Skald King, an unexpected monarch who led his people into an unlikely alliance.
- Jim Ward (“WALL·E,” “Despicable Me 2”) voices Mannimarco, a renegade High Elf wizard exiled from the realm for raising the dead and the world’s most powerful necromancer.
- Jennifer Hale appears in the role of Lyris Titanborn, a Nord half-giant, who, along with the Prophet, aids the player on their journey..
- Kevin Michael Richardson rounds out the cast as Sai Sahan a noble martial artist and master swordsman.
The Elder Scrolls Online has been named one of the industry’s most anticipated titles for 2014 and marks a historic point for the franchise with its multiplayer online play after nearly 20 years of developing these best-selling, award-winning fantasy role-playing games for single player only. The previous chapter in this franchise was The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim® which was released in November 2011 and enjoyed worldwide critical and commercial success. As the sequel to the 2002 Role-Playing Game of the Year, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind®, and the 2006 Game of the Year, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion®, Skyrim earned hundreds of ‘Game of the Year’ awards and sold over 20 million copies.
The Elder Scrolls Online is being developed for the PlayStation4 system, Xbox One, PC, and Mac by ZeniMax Online Studios. The studio is headed by industry veteran Matt Firor who has more than 20 years of online game development experience. Working with Matt is a team of highly regarded professionals who have created some of the best known online games ever released.
The Elder Scrolls Online has been rated M for Mature by the ESRB.
CHICAGO – Jan. 23, 2014 – SteelSeries, a global leader in the gaming peripherals and accessories market, today revealed that the Stratus Wireless Gaming Controller, the only iOS controller that is wireless and that works with iPad®, iPhone®, and iPod touch® is now available at Apple stores and at Apple.com for $79.99/ €79.99. The device, introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) earlier this month, is specifically designed for console-style gameplay on iPad®, iPhone®, and iPod touch® running iOS 7 with supported, controller-enabled games.
“The media and consumer reaction to the announcement of the Stratus Controller at CES really demonstrated the power behind this product, and the new category of gaming we can enable by working together with Apple,” said Bruce Hawver, SteelSeries CEO. “More than ever, we see the power of this platform and we want to make every effort to make it accessible to as many consumers as possible. We have therefore worked closely with our retail partners and suppliers with the objective of lowering the retail price target without changing any of the terrific features of this product.”
“Since our inception, SteelSeries has been committed to not only making great and innovative products, but also to investing considerable time and resources into building a global gaming community. Working diligently with our suppliers to lower the MSRP, which we believe will help welcome a new world of gamers into this exciting space, allows us to stay true to our roots and provide consumers everywhere an exceptional value,” said Jacob Wolff-Petersen, SteelSeries Founder.
SteelSeries will honor the launch price of $79.99 / €79.99 on all pre-orders it has already taken for the controller on its websites globally.
For more information about the Stratus Controller, please visit http://steelseries.com/
AUSTIN, Texas, January 23, 2014 — Portalarium®, the Austin-based development studio headed by acclaimed game designer Richard Garriott, announced today the second early release of Garriott’s Shroud of the Avatar™ fantasy role-playing game. The Shroud of the Avatar team is delivering on its promise to provide new content to backers of the project every month during the game’s early development stages. Shroud of the Avatar is a crowd funded and crowd sourced game that was announced in March of last year.
When backers log into the game for Release 2 today, they’ll find several new features added to Shroud of the Avatar’s world since Release 1 was launched on December 12. During these short 2-3 day releases, backers can log in to the game, play it, explore the world and provide observations to the development team, who then use the feedback to make corrections and enhance the game in time for the next release in the following month.
Included in the Release 2 deliverables are: a second municipality, Kingsport, to explore, a list inventory, increased character customization, recipe books, jumping and perhaps most anticipated — the very first stages of crafting. Crafting will initially focus on refining and production for smithing, tailoring and carpentry. There will be more than 100 recipes with chests full of crafting resources spread throughout the land. Other aspects for crafting like resource gathering, repair and enhance will be rolled out in subsequent releases.
“The beauty of developing a game in this fashion is that we are constantly in touch with our fans and backers as they provide us with invaluable feedback along each and every milestone,” said Shroud of the Avatar Executive Producer Starr Long. “Our last release was well received and the community helped us identify processes and features that need improving. Ultimately it should result in a game that both the community and the team will be proud to release later this year.”
“It’s thrilling to have our backers and fans working so closely with us as we create this new game together,” said Richard Garriott. “Every release opens up the world a bit more and provides us with another window into New Britannia. I personally want to thank each and every backer for his or her contribution to our effort and for their willingness to take this voyage with us. I look forward to adventuring with all of you in the months and years ahead!”
Instructions to backers for downloading the Release 2 client, installing and then playing and interacting in New Britannia are located here: download, install, play.
Shroud of the Avatar is a multiplayer fantasy RPG for the PC that is the spiritual successor to Richard Garriott’s previous works in the genre. It is expected to launch at the end of 2014. It is a crowd funded and crowd sourced game built in Unity that has raised more than $3 million from backers to date. For more information on the game and to become a backer of the project, go to www.ShroudoftheAvatar.com.
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January 23, 2014 — Wargaming today revealed details of Update 8.11 for World of Tanks. The game will shortly get a new combat mode and battle arenas.
“We have always valued World of Tanks community’s feedback above all else,” said World of Tanks Lead Producer Mike Zhivets. “The combat mode with national teams has been a popular request from our players for quite some time, and we are excited that they will soon be able to try it out.”
The new game mode, Confrontation, will unite players with vehicles from a specific nation into a team that faces off against a comparable opposing team with vehicles from a different nation.
Along with a new game mode, Update 8.11 will add Windstorm, a brand new winter battle arena in a European setting, as well as a winter version of Himmelsdorf and a revamped Ruinberg, featuring rainfall and fires.
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Tactical phone cases are nothing new – ever since the first cell phones, people have sought to protect them in ruggedized cases. One of the most modern and stylish entries into this field comes from ElementCase with their Sector 5 Black Ops Elite iPhone 5/5S case. Retailing for $219.95 on their official website, the Sector 5 is not cheap. However, people who use tactical gear know that you get what you pay for. Moreover, the Sector 5 Black Ops Elite comes with a nice holster made from cordura fabric and even features MOLLE webbing on the back so you can attach it to your favorite plate carrier, backpack, etc. It will also snap closed in case you want to run a belt through it.
As for its design and quality, the Sector 5 Black Ops Elite iPhone 5/5S case is made from thin, CNC machined aluminum which is both light weight and strong. After getting the Sector 5 Black Ops out of the box, you need to install it on your phone. This is relatively simple and everything you need is in the box. First to be assembled around your iPhone is the aluminum frame, then you can clean the phone and adhere the back plate, which actually sticks on. The back of the case features a nifty clip to hang it on things but I can’t see someone paying the heft price point of this case and not using the included tactical holster with it. For those of your concerned not only with the physical security of your phone but also the information security, the box comes packaged with a privacy screen protector to keep prying eyes from getting good looks at what’s on your screen.
Actually using the Sector 5 Black Ops Elite phone case is effortless, as I have used rugged phone cases which add so much bulk to the phone its like the size of three iPhone 5s put back to back. With the Sector 5 Black Ops Elite, it almost feels like you have no phone protection while that being the exact opposite of the truth. The case is just so light – it is truly remarkable how strong it is for its weight.
Overall, the Sector 5 Black Ops Elite iPhone 5/5S case from ElementCase is an exceptional, if not expensive way to keep your iPhone safe from impacts. For people in a tactical occupation, who play action sports like airsoft, or simply like to protect their smartphones, you won’t be disappointed. You can find it at online retailers as well as the official ElementCase website.
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JANUARY 22, 2014 — In May 2014, audiences will witness the epic rebirth of the King of the Monsters as Legendary and Warner Bros. bring Godzilla to the big screen. To pave the way for the iconic creature’s return, Legendary Comics is proud to present the official graphic novel Godzilla: Awakening. This 72-page story, set decades before the film, is co-written by Max Borenstein (screenwriter of the new Godzilla) and Greg Borenstein.
Godzilla director Gareth Edwards has a special message for Legendary fans re. this announcement, which you can watch here: http://youtu.be/_sCg7zgkuA4
Delve into an incredible mystery, generations in the making. At the dawn of the atomic age, humanity awakens lifeforms beyond imagination, unleashing monumental forces of nature. This explosive, larger-than-life adventure is the perfect way for fans to experience the new Godzilla before seeing it in theaters.
Godzilla: Awakening illustrated by Eric Battle (X-Men, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman), Yvel Guichet (Pacific Rim: Tales from Year Zero, Superboy Annual, End of Nations), Alan Quah (Rage, The Vampire Diaries, Anywhere) and Lee Loughridge (Batman Adventures, Arkham Asylum: Living Hell, Marvel Zombies Return), and features cover art by Arthur Adams (Godzilla, Fantastic Four, Hulk, Uncanny X-Men).
Godzilla: Awakening is on sale May 7, 2014. Visit legendary.com/comics for all the latest news as the legend of Godzilla is reborn!
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ALISO VIEJO, Calif. (January 22, 2014) – NCSOFT®, the world’s premier publisher and developer of massively multiplayer online games (MMOs), announced today Aion: Steel Cavalry, the latest in its line of free expansions for the game, will become available to players Wednesday, January 29, 2014. Steel Cavalry brings the arrival of the Aethertech class, two exciting instances, skills, balances and overall improvements to the game.
Along with discovering that the cavalry has arrived, with the Aethertech class leading the charge, players will see that the battlefield has extended into The Illuminary Obelisk and Iron Wall Warfront, two new instances to challenge and reward players.
For more information about Aion, visit www.aiononline.com.
January 22, 2014 — Team NINJA and Dark Horse Comics today launched the three-part YAIBA: NINJA GAIDEN Z digital comic series, providing insight into the backstory in three revealing vignettes. Yaiba takes a break from slaughtering zombies in the debut issue to tell the tale of how his often bloody sword became to be known as “Heartless” as he recounts the story to Miss Monday. Initially released digitally with an all-new full color print comic to be available with the game, as it launches on its newly confirmed North American release date of March 18, 2014, the series is brought to life by Writers Tim Seeley and Josh Emmons, Artist Rafael Ortiz, Colorist Carlos Badilla with special cover art by James Harren. The comic will be available for free download at the Dark Horse Digital Store, www.digital.darkhorse.
In YAIBA: NINJA GAIDEN Z, players will battle fierce zombies as Yaiba, a cyborg ninja who will do anything to get revenge and stay alive. Cleaved in two, he is brought back to life with cyber-technology. Brandishing his ninja sword and the mecha weapons in his cyber arm, he slaughters zombies with brutal, over-the-top abandon. Step into a stylized living comic book where stunning graphics depict a world gone mad. Hordes of undead can only be stopped by Yaiba’s willingness to use any means necessary to get the job done. Will he kill by turning his cyber arm into a razor chainsaw for slicing up undead—or just rip off an opponent’s arms to use as zombie nunchucks? Both possibilities fill Yaiba’s heart with twisted laughter in this collaboration between famed developers Team NINJA and comcept’s Keiji Inafune.
YAIBA: NINJA GAIDEN Z will be available for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Steam® (PC) March 18, 2014. This title has been rated M (Mature) by the ESRB.
More information about YAIBA: NINJA GAIDEN Z can be found at www.YaibaNGZ.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/
For more news about Team NINJA, visit http://teamninja-studio.
Prague, Czech Republic – January 22, 2014 – Today Warhorse Studios launched a Kickstarter for Kingdom Come: Deliverance, the AAA PC and next-gen console title slated for a 2015 release.
Game Director and Lead Designer Dan Vávra explains: “So far US$1.5m has been invested into Kingdom Come: Deliverance, largely from a single investor outside the games industry. This is a big and expensive game, and we could hardly hope to raise the entire budget needed on Kickstarter alone. Since game publishers are not throwing money at us, we’ve made a deal with our investor: if we raise the relatively reasonable sum of US$500k, it is proof for him that the game has potential, and he would continue to finance us. Anything over the sum we’re asking for will allow us to create additional content and a better overall product.”
Kingdom Come: Deliverance is an open world, action-adventure RPG developed by a veteran team composed of talent that played key roles in the Mafia, Crysis, ArmA and Operation Flashpoint franchises. Set during the Holy Roman Empire during the late Middle Ages, Kingdom Come: Deliverance is rich with historically authentic characters, themes and warfare.
Donate to the Kickstarter at http://www.kickstarter.com/