February 8, 2018 – Today, Ubisoft released seven Far Cry 5 Gun for Hire vignettes detailing the colorful cast that will take up arms beside players. In an effort to take back Hope County from the Project at Eden’s Gate, players must enlist citizens, or animals, across Montana who will help form a resistance. These citizens include Nick Rye, Grace Armstrong, Boomer, Jess Black, Hurk, Adelaide Drubman and Sharkey Boshaw.
Far Cry 5 will be available March 27th, 2018 on PlayStation® 4 Pro, PlayStation®4, the Xbox One, Xbox One X, Xbox One S, and Windows PC.
Thursday, February 8, 2018 — Targem Games and Gaijin Entertainment today released Update 0.9.0 for Crossout, the post-apocalyptic crafting-and-combat Action MMO. Update 0.9.0 released on PC today and will drop on consoles next week. The update adds, among new features and other improvements, the seventh faction to the game – the Firestarters. Players allying with this group of fire-worshipping madmen are rewarded with new vehicle parts that can turn any battlefield into a scorched wasteland: Incendiary bombs, a kamikaze cabin, and a “meat grinder turned wheels” are only some of the new parts available now.
One of the hottest innovations of Update 0.9.0 is the ‘Incinerator’, a crude catapult launching gasoline-filled projectiles that set entire areas ablaze. Thus, if you see a neatly stacked pack of Jerrycans flying your way, make sure you hit the gas before it hits you. Also new is the ‘Fortune’ launcher, firing burning wheels in bursts of three that roll towards unfortunate enemies detonating on contact. And for the tactical arsonist, the new ‘Draco’ flamethrower deals direct damage, leaving enemy vehicles red hot and causing them to take double damage from any kind of weaponry.
Besides their arsenal of weapons, the Firestarters possess impressive machinery, such as a giant pair of blades called the ‘Meat Grinder’. This unusual contraption, placed on a vehicle chassis like a pair of wheels, allows Firestarters to move at equal speed in any direction – and even strafe sideways! Dealing damage on contact, the ‘Meat Grinder’ and other close-combat weapons are ideally combined with the ‘Harpoon’ gun, which allows players to grab a hold of other vehicles and prevent them from escaping. And with the new Firestarter cabin, ‘Werewolf’, players can claw victory from defeat, as it houses a small, wheeled drone strapped full of explosives. Launched upon destruction of the own vehicle, it gives the player 10 seconds to seek revenge by detonating it against an enemy in a daring kamikaze attack.
Other changes to Crossout include an increased maximum battle time in PvP from 3 to 5 minutes for players that have achieved level 10. Additionally, the time required to capture objectives was increased by 50%, giving players the chance to apply more tactically diverse solutions in combat and fully use all the varying capabilities of their vehicles.
Further information about Update 0.9.0 and the new Firestarter faction is available on the official website: https://crossout.net/en/diary/#/
February 8, 2018 — DONTNOD Entertainment brings fans into the studio one last time for a final look at the creative process behind upcoming action-RPG, Vampyr. Dontnod Presents Vampyr – Episode IV: Stories from the Dark reveals yet more exclusive gameplay footage, plus the release date. Also, dive into the story of Vampyr and how the Parisian studio builds a narrative with the player at the center. The four-part webseries, produced and realized by the video department of Focus Home Interactive, is now complete after a month of reveals, with every episode available on YouTube.
In Episode IV: Stories from the Dark, DONTNOD explain what makes videogames unique compared to other storytelling mediums, as well as their signature approach to narrative. As Narrative Director Stéphane Beauverger explains, the player is often occupied with Vampyr’s intricate gameplay systems. Because of this, the exploration, investigations, citizen encounters, combat and hard-hitting choices are all fundamentally intertwined with the game’s narrative. Game Director Philippe Moreau elaborates, saying that the relationship between a player and their character, as well as the direct feeling of control, is unique to games and something he has worked to make special in Vampyr.
In doing so, DONTNOD liken it to theatre, creating a close relationship between actor and spectator that’s more effective and powerful than any film or TV show. Total immersion is the goal, and this episode also highlights how the studio has used motion capture to make the cast of Vampyr that much more human. Subtleties of facial animation can be recreated and combined with the fantastic music, characters, and creatures of the game to produce a living, breathing 1918 London. It’s then up to you who survives it.
DONTNOD Presents Vampyr – Episode IV is available to watch today, with three more 5-minute episodes already available. For more information, visit the new Vampyr website.
Vampyr releases on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.
February 07, 2018 — Wargaming Alliance and Creative Assembly today announce that the Total War: ARENA Open Beta will launch February 22. To mark the occasion, the fearsome faction of Carthage descends on the battlefield. This fourth playable faction introduces legendary commanders Hannibal Barca and Hasdrubal Barca, along with brand-new units and gameplay mechanics, including the formidable War Elephants.
Hannibal Barca was not just one of Carthage’s greatest commanders—he was one of the most daunting tacticians of history. He can crack the whip and command previously slow units like elephants and heavy infantry moving, perfect for ambushes. Hasdrubal Barca, another legendary Carthage commander, can buff and debuff units. Used to aid fast, light units or hinder pesky enemies standing in your way, these skills are invaluable.
The faction of Carthage boasts strong, mobile infantry, as well as excellent skirmish cavalry. And who could forget the War Elephant in the room? They are a unit unlike anything else in Total War: ARENA, near-invulnerable and capable of trampling prone units. A real thorn in Rome’s side, Carthage excels at ambush tactics, and their speed allows them to adapt to an ever-changing battlefield, which makes them an unpredictable foe.
If you want to be one of the first to see the might of Carthage in action, join the English livestream for a live development Q&A as well as Carthage gameplay, today at 4:30 PM GMT:
February 7, 2018 – In development for several months, Focus Home Interactive and Vostok Games – the developing team behind the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. franchise – chose the annual press event “Le What’s Next de Focus” taking place in Paris on February 7-8, to unveil Fear The Wolves, the post-apocalyptic First Person Shooter Battle Royale. Releasing in 2018, the game will offer a new and original take on the growing Battle Royale genre.
Fear the Wolves drops players, in squads or as lone wolves, into the oppressive environments of a radiation-ravaged Chernobyl. The classic Battle Royale mode forces them to fight to be the last man standing out of 100 fighters. Another intense and original game mode will also bring a fierce new twist to the genre.
To secure the top spot, players will need to worry about more than just other survivors. Across the hostile wastes, everyone is threatened by deadly anomalies and the dynamically-changing weather. Along with a day-night cycle, this constantly forces survivors to adapt their strategies, and players can find protective gear that allows them to explore dangerous off-limit zones. All the while, the howls of mutated creatures echo through the wasteland…
More details on Fear the Wolves will be unveiled to attendees at the What’s Next de Focus press event in Paris, February this year. Developers at Vostok Games will be available for interviews and presentations to share more information about their upcoming hardcore Battle Royale shooter.
Fear the Wolves comes to PC and Consoles in 2018. Early Access begins this year on PC.
February 7, 2018 – After the success of The Surge, the hardcore Action RPG released in May 2017 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, Focus Home Interactive and Deck 13 are happy to announce the renewal of their partnership and the development of The Surge 2, with a release date planned for 2019 on consoles and PC.
The Surge 2 keeps what fans and critics loved about the original – hardcore combat utilizing a unique, dynamic, limb-targeting system and deep character progression – while also expanding greatly upon the formula. The Surge 2 takes place in a brand new environment: a sprawling, devastated city with larger and more ambitious level design, made possible by Deck13’s upgraded and improved engine. Combat is more brutal and tactical than ever, with even more options thanks to an expanded limb targeting system. In addition, more abilities, weapons, implants, and drones give players a vast arsenal to build their character with, in their fight against the array of diverse new enemies and bosses.
More information about The Surge 2 will be unveiled at Le What’s Next de Focus – February 7-8, the yearly press event organized by the French publisher in Paris. Deck13 will talk more about their new title to the international press, so stay tuned.
The Surge 2 will release on consoles and PC in 2019.
Jessica Jones is back as New York City’s tough-as-nails private investigator. Although this time, the case is even more personal than ever before. Fueled by a myriad of questions and lies, she will do whatever it takes to uncover the truth. Marvel’s JESSICA JONES returns for a second season on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2018 on Netflix.
February 6, 2018 – David Benioff and D.B. Weiss are going from Winterfell to a galaxy far, far away. It was announced today that Benioff and Weiss, creators of the smash-hit, Emmy Award-winning television series Game of Thrones, will write and produce a new series of Star Wars films.
These new films will be separate from both the episodic Skywalker saga and the recently-announced trilogy being developed by Rian Johnson, writer-director of Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
“David and Dan are some of the best storytellers working today,” said Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm. “Their command of complex characters, depth of story and richness of mythology will break new ground and boldly push Star Wars in ways I find incredibly exciting.”
“In the summer of 1977 we traveled to a galaxy far, far away, and we’ve been dreaming of it ever since,” Benioff and Weiss said in a joint statement. “We are honored by the opportunity, a little terrified by the responsibility, and so excited to get started as soon as the final season of Game of Thrones is complete.”
No release dates have been set for the new films, and there have (thankfully) been no sightings of White Walkers around Lucasfilm.
Taipei, Taiwan－February 6th, 2018－Thermaltake has infused Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its Smart Power Management (SPM) system and unveiled the new ‘AIVoice Control’ feature to enhance the DPS G Mobile APP, making it easier for mining and PC gaming enthusiasts to control and custom design their ultimate powerful PC system. The ‘AI Voice Control’ function is currently only featured in the Toughpower iRGB PLUS Titanium/Platinum digital power supply lineups for iOS, and the Android version will be coming soon. Via mobile phone, users can access ‘Voice Control’ to easily turn the power supply on/off; change light mode, color, brightness; and control the speed. In addition, the DPS G Mobile APP provides access to the PSU’s key parameters: including the historical efficiency, fan speed, wattage, voltage, temperature, total usage time/kWh/electricity cost, and the CPU/VGA’s historical temperature. It also gives users control over the RGB fan lighting mode, PC off remote control, and real-time alerts covering major PSU abnormalities such as fan malfunction; like overheating (above 140℉/60℃) or abnormal voltage level (over/under 5% of normal level) conditions. Best yet, it is fully TT RGB Plus Sync compatible, meaning users will be able to sync all RGB colors seamlessly to all Thermaltake TT RGB Plus-compatible product lines for even greater color coordination.
For more details on the Thermaltake DPS G Mobile APP please visit:
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 2018 — Following an enormously successful, gamer-powered show in 2017, E3 invites the global video game community to experience its best E3 yet, taking place June 12-14, 2018 at the Los AngelesConvention Center. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the trade association that represents the US video game industry and owns and produces E3, today announced that E3 public ticket sales will begin on Monday, February 12, at 12 p.m. Eastern. Media and industry registration is open now.
“Gamers raise the energy of E3 to a fever pitch, reinforcing its place as the world’s preeminent event for video games,” said Michael D. Gallagher, president and CEO of ESA. “We are excited to fuel that passion and enhance the gamer experience at E3 by extending show hours and adding a third day to the wildly popular E3 Coliseum.”
ESA announced several updates to the show. E3 2018 will feature extended show hours to accommodate all attendees, providing industry and media exclusive time on the show floor without cutting short gamers’ opportunities to play the most anticipated games of the year. Additionally, E3 Coliseum will return to L.A. Live with producer Geoff Keighley (The Game Awards) to give gamers three full days of panels and behind-the-scenes access to the show’s biggest announcements.
“E3 draws the biggest names in video games and entertainment for an incredible worldwide experience,” Keighley said. “And with three days of programming, this year’s E3 Coliseum will bring together video game fans, game creators, and special guests from popular culture to celebrate the most powerful form of entertainment in the world.”
Los Angeles Convention Center hours for E3 (all times Pacific):
DATE
INDUSTRY AND MEDIA
GAMER PASS
Tuesday, June 12
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Wednesday, June 13
9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Thursday, June 14
9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
9 a.m. – 6 pm.
To celebrate another year of must-see video game announcements and never-before-seen products, the first 1,000 gamer passes to E3 2018 are $149 each. Gamer passes sold after the first 1,000 are $249. Registration and pass sales will be available at www.E3Expo.com.
