Author - Jerry Paxton

Mark Hamill Returns to DCUO as The Joker

2012/05/16

Sony Online Entertainment has revealed the voice cast behind the characters in DC Universe Online’s latest DLC pack — The Last Laugh. The DLC pack features returning voices of some of the biggest stars of DC Universe, including voiceover veterans Mark Hamill (The Joker), Adam Baldwin (Superman) and Arleen Sorkin (Harley Quinn).

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 have 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 theDCUniverseOnline.com website.

New Crysis 3 Screenshots

2012/05/16

Jerry Paxton

News

Crytek has released some new screenshots and concept art for their upcoming shooter, Crysis 3.

Screenshots

Fray Goes into Beta Testing

2012/05/16

Jerry Paxton

News

PARIS – May 16, 2012 – Brain Candy, a high fructose independent French game developer, opens the Beta period of its upcoming sci-fi squad-based strategy title, Fray, coming to PC and Mac in Summer 2012. Recruits can now head over to www.fray-game.com to sign up for a slice of the action and also pre-order the game.

To celebrate its Beta period, Brain Candy has released two new features players can get their hands on in the combat module. The XP system allows players to gain experience in combat to beef up squad strength. The in-game chat is the main hang-out for players looking for a fight! Arrange where to meet on the battlefield, swap battle stories and strategies, or just talk.

Pre-ordering the game for $19.99 on www.fray-game.com will not only guarantee beta access but also guarantee that XP points gained during beta will carry over to launch. All pre-orders will also be rewarded with a free extra copy for recruiting friends to the battlefield.

Enter the dystopian year of 2098 where most human interaction is confined in cyberspace while three mega-corporations vie for control of Earth and its remaining resources. Within combat module Fray, players must pledge allegiance to one of the corporations and control a squad of four soldiers of unique classes, weapons, and abilities. To engage in combat, players must assign actions to each squad member. It is then when players will finally see the fruits or failures of their labor while the action is played out in real-time cinematic fashion. Keen observation, predicting an opponent’s moves, and the wisdom of experience are key to emerging victorious.

View the trailer here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xD-HR6rfC0

For more information and to pre-order the game, please visit the official website at www.fray-game.com or visit Brain Candy at www.braincandy.fr

Follow Brain Candy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/braincandygames

ROCCAT Unveils Savu Gaming Mouse

2012/05/15

Jerry Paxton

News

Hamburg, 15 May 2012 – ROCCAT Studios today announces the release of the Savu – Mid-Size Hybrid Gaming Mouse – a competition device that “fusion welds” an ideal blend of performance and customizable features into a robust, perfectly-balanced, medium-size design.

The Savu offers a combination of unprecedented true 4000 DPI optical sensor horsepower, world famous Easy-Shift[+]™ technology allowing for advanced button configuration, and a customizable lighting system delivering 16.8 million colors. What’s more, it’s the world’s first mouse to feature a stats and trophy system – called the ROCCAT Achievements Display, or R.A.D. – something previously known in similar form only in online gaming. Designed specifically for fans of mid-size gaming mice, the Savu also pampers the hands with an ergonomic right-hand thumb rest and soft-touch surface.

“The Savu is the planet’s premiere mid-size gaming mouse – period,” says René Korte, ROCCAT Founder and CEO. “We packed it with not only world-beating speed and comfort, but with a slew of innovations designed to thrill. The Savu represents our continued dedication to giving gamers the exact gear to fit their every desire.”

With its advanced Pro Optic sensor, the Savu delivers true 400, 800, 1600 and 4000 DPI – placing it at the pinnacle of optical gaming mice. The latest R3 sensor also delivers lag-free gaming without any interpolation, and provides ultra-precise feedback during even the fastest movements – all so players can command with the utmost accuracy.

The Savu comes standard with exclusive Easy-Shift[+]™ technology, which lets gamers set two functions for each mouse button and the scroll wheel, essentially transforming a seven-button mouse into a 12-button one without the clutter of unnecessary additional buttons. Easy-Shift[+]™ also lets gamers take advantage of Easy-Aim, which automatically reduces DPI setting when in sniper mode – delivering pinpoint accuracy at the touch of a button. And thanks to advanced Omron switches, the Savu’s two main buttons feature the most consistent and precise pressure points – for ultra-accurate command capability – as well as the highest durability for the longest possible gaming life.

The Savu features a large, customizable rear light bar, which users can set in their choice of 16.8 million colors – to add to the atmosphere of gaming sessions. Players can also activate a color cycling feature, as well as a “breathing” function, which instructs the mouse to pulse in a choice of color.

The Savu also marks the debut of the ROCCAT™ Achievements Display – or R.A.D. – a fun and useful application that tracks and rewards a wide range of gaming feats, such as mouse movement, button clicks, scroll steps, etc. The driver-based software compiles user data, provides a range of statistics for analysis, and hands out trophies when exceptional milestones have been reached. It’s an entertaining way for gamers to keep track of their mouse skills – and it even lets players share their accomplishments with others via social network sites, like Facebook.

Hamburg-based ROCCAT Studios says the Savu severely outperforms every gaming mouse in its class and is sure to set a new standard in the mid-size field. The Savu will be available around the globe for a MSRP of 59.99 Euros or 59.99 USD.

Further information available at:
www.roccat.org/savu

Forge of Empires Beta Hits 250k Users

2012/05/15

Jerry Paxton

News

Hamburg, May 15, 2012. Forge of Empires, the strategic browser game by company InnoGames has attracted 250,000 registered players to its open beta thus far. The game, already available in five languages, including English, French and German, adds four new markets: Greek and Italian language versions opened yesterday, followed by Spanish and Portuguese today. Each version starts with its own worlds to foster a community in their respective markets. Several more languages are planned for the coming weeks.

In Forge of Empires, players tasked with leading their own city to prosperity can research new technologies, build impressive historical buildings and enlarge their sphere of influence through military campaigns and skillful dealing. Other players’ cities can be visited and, while admiring structures and placement of buildings, be supported by polishing decorations or motivating workers for increased happiness or resource outcome. Additionally, one must foster a healthy culture for citizens and establish trade and production of various resources.

Forge of Empires also contains a long-term single player campaign, as well as an ever-growing number of PvP-features, which offer months of entertainment. A turn-based battle system on a hex-field and other tactical facets to the game will keep strategists’ attention and allow for challenging duels with friends and adversaries. Competitive players can fight for top ranks and medals in weekly tournaments. InnoGames provides additional information in the game’s blog.

With more than 80 million registered players, InnoGames is one of the world’s leading developers and providers of online games. The Hamburg-based company has scored major successes with games such as Tribal Wars, The West and Grepolis.

To the Moon Getting Official Retail Release

2012/05/15

Jerry Paxton

News

Brighton, May 15^th, 2012 – To the Moon, last year’s independently developed surprise smash hit, will finally see its official retail release: Today, publisher Lace Mamba Global announces to publish retail versions of the PC adventure game worldwide, starting in the UK and Ireland on July 06^th, 2012, followed by releases in Germany, Austria and Switzerland on August 31^st, 2012, and soon also in further territories.

To the Moon is an exciting and unique storytelling project, involving gameplay elements of classic point & click adventures as well as role-playing games. Games journalists and users lauded the game for its story and characters, as well as its exceptional storytelling. Gamespot calls it “one of the most authentic and human stories told in a game in some time”, and later on awarded To The Moon the “Best Story” trophy of the Game of the Year Awards.

To the Moon, independently funded and developed by Kan Gao and his team Freebird Games, tells a story of a technology that allows to alter a person’s memories:

Dr. Eva Rosalene and Dr. Neil Watts have rather peculiar jobs: In the year 2060, they control this technology that allows doctors to weave artificial memories, such that a patient can request attempts to alter their mind, and wake up with memories of things that didn’t actually happen.

However, since these new memories are permanent, the conflict between them and the existing authentic memories clash in such a way that it ceases the person’s ability to properly function.

Thus, the operation is only done to people on their deathbeds, to fulfil what they wish they had done with their lives… but didn’t.

The technology requires the doctors to step into the memories of the patient, which are reconstructed as interactive scenes. The doctors then gradually traverse backwards through memories of the patient’s life until they reach childhood — at which point, the wish of the patient in present time would be transferred over.

Along with the doctors’ influence, the patient (as a child) could then lead an entire different life inside their head, working toward and fulfilling their dying wish themselves.

And if all goes well, they would wake up, having lived the dream life they never had, and embrace a brief moment of blissful fulfilment. Shortly after, they’d draw their last breath.

John, the protagonist of To the Moon, is a patient of Dr. Rosalene and Dr. Watts, and both doctors are about to fulfil his last wish: To weave the memory of having become an astronaut and visited the Moon.

Additionally to winning the “Gamespot – Best Story of 2011” award, To the Moon was listed by Wired as one of “The 20 best videogames of 2011”, won the “Editor’s Choice for best singleplayer Indie 2011” award from IndieDB and became finalist in the “Excellence in audio” category at the 2012 Independent Games Festival.

Retail versions of To the Moon, published by Lace Mamba Global, are scheduled to be released for £14.99 (recommended retail price) on July 07^th, 2012, in the UK and Ireland, and priced €19.99 (recommended retail price) on August 31^st in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, as well as further territories worldwide.

FIFA 13 Gets New Features

2012/05/15

Jerry Paxton

News

GUILDFORD, UK. – May 15, 2012 – Electronic Arts Inc. today unveiled five game-changing innovations that will bring revolutionary changes to EA SPORTS™ FIFA 13 along with the largest and deepest feature set in the history of the franchise.

“We are perfecting the best sports game in the world with innovations that capture all the drama and unpredictability of real-world football,” said David Rutter, Executive Producer for FIFA 13. “These are game-changing innovations that will revolutionize our artificial intelligence, dribbling, ball control and collisions to create a true battle for possession across the entire pitch, and deliver freedom and creativity in attack.”

The most sophisticated artificial intelligence ever achieved for the FIFA franchise will drive FIFA 13 on HD consoles and PC. All-new Attacking Intelligence enables players to analyse space, work harder and smarter to break down defenses, and think two plays ahead. Players now possess the intelligence to create, curve, or alter runs to capitalize on openings as they occur, make runs that pull defenders out of position to open passing channels for teammates, and better position themselves for new attacking opportunities.

In FIFA 13 every touch matters with the most comprehensive and intuitive dribbling system ever developed. Inspired by the world’s best footballer, Lionel Messi, Complete Dribbling enables players to face their opponent and use precise dribble touches combined with true 360° mobility with the ball, so it’s easier to be more creative and dangerous in 1v1 opportunities. Players change direction quicker, are more explosive accelerating with the ball, and are more effective shielding defenders for longer stretches. FIFA 13 1st Touch Control transforms the way players control the ball, eliminating near-perfect touch for every player on the pitch, and creating variety and uncertainty around ball control. Factors such as defensive pressure, trajectory of the ball, and velocity of the pass now impact a player’s first touch, creating more opportunities for defenders to win back possession.

The second generation of the Player Impact Engine expands physical play from just collisions to off-the-ball battles between players. Defenders push and pull for position, and use their size and strength to win possession or force opponents into poor touches and decisions before the ball arrives. FIFA 13 Tactical Free Kicks provides the tools to create dangerous and unpredictable free kicks utilising the most skillful players on the pitch. Position up to three attacking players over the ball and utilise dummy runs and more passing options to create elaborate free kicks. Opponents can counter by adding or subtracting players to the wall, creeping the wall forward, or sending a bullet man to intercept the pass or block the shot.

FIFA 13 will also feature:
·         Improved Career Mode with major changes developed in response to requests from the most passionate fans of the franchise.
·         New features to enhance the massive EA SPORTS FIFA online offering, including improvements to the wildly popular Head-To-Head Seasons mode
·         Multiple new features and benefits to EA SPORTS Football Club, the live service that is the heartbeat of FIFA
·         Complete authenticity with more than 500 officially licensed clubs.
Additional new modes and features will be announced in the months ahead.

FIFA 13 will be available in stores world-wide this fall for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system with PlayStation Move support, Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system with Kinect™, PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system, Wii™, PC, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo 3DS™, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, iPhone®, iPad®, iPod® touch and other mobile platforms. The game has not yet been rated. Screenshots are available at http://gamespress.ea.com.

Join more than nine million fans in the EA SPORTS football community at http://www.facebook.com/easportsfifa or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/easportsfifa.

Genius Announces Wide Angle Webcam

2012/05/15

Jerry Paxton

News

May 15, 2012, Taipei, Taiwan – Genius is pleased to announce the world’s first 120° ultra wide angle 1080p HD webcam, WideCam F100. Able to capture the whole boardroom or entire family within a single frame, this Genius high definition webcam is ideal for both business professionals as well as home users.

During conference calls or long talks with grandma, the 120° wide angle view makes uncomfortable crowding around the webcam a thing of the past. The high-quality manual focus lens ensures well-defined video of the entire room. Letting everyone captured in the WideCam F100’s wide view to talk freely, the built-in sensitive microphone reduces distortion and allows everyone to be clearly heard.

For home users, sending videos and pictures to your favorite social network is easy with the WideCam F100. Recorded HD 1080p video and 12MP mega-pixel photos can be directly sent to YouTube, Flickr, and Twitter using the included webcam software, Arcsoft Webcam Companion 4. With the software, not only is recording video and snapshots made easy, but tweaking them to perfection is also simplified with the smart editing tools.

The WideCam F100 can be conveniently clipped onto any size monitor or screen thanks to its universal clip, and with the USB extension cable the distance between the WideCam F100 and the computer can be up to 10 feet. The base rotates a full 360 degrees allowing for complete control and versatility whether at home or at the office.

Genius’ WideCam F100 is already available in the US and Canada for the suggested retail price of $59.99.

Package Contents:

WideCam F100 webcam
1.5M USB extension cable
CD includes:
- Arcsoft Webcam Companion 4
- Genius utility
- Multi-language user manual
Multi-language quick guide

Specifications:

HD 720p/1080p Full HD resolution (1280×720 / 1920×1080)
Cable length: 5 feet (10 feet with extension cable)
View angle: Up to 120°
Lens type: Manual Focus
White Balance: Auto/Manual
Interface: USB 2.0
File format: JPEG/WMV
Still image resolution: 1920×1080, 1280×720, 640×480 pixels
Video Resolution: 1920×1080/30fps, 1280×720/30fps, 640×480/30fps

Product photos and detailed specs are available at:
http://www.geniusnet.com/wSite/ct?xItem=53214&ctNode=161&mp=1

EVE Online Inferno Launches May 22

2012/05/14

Jerry Paxton

News

Reykjavik, Iceland – 11 May 2012 – Building on a unique achievement in gaming history with a 9th anniversary celebrating continuous year-on-year growth earlier this May, CCP Games and its award-winning game EVE Online are nearing release of a 17th free expansion, EVE Online: Inferno, to all subscribers on May 22nd.

More than any other expansion in EVE’s history, Inferno aims to shake up all levels of warfare in the over 7,500 solar systems in EVE’s massive universe. Overhauls of major war-related game systems will affect player-driven conflict and the first set of many new ship modules to come promise to alter tactics at the most visceral levels.

Key features of Inferno include:

Mercenary Marketplace: pay the best guns-for-hire to settle your scores or make yourself avaialble to the highest bidders in the most notorious PVP universe in gaming
War Declarations: reworked systems to help you wage war and keep track of your legacy
Missiles and Launchers: savor every moment from launch to impact with missile launchers and dramatic new missile effects
Factional Warfare: enlist in a faction and join the entry-level game of conquest with more rewards and deeper gameplay than ever before
Visual Updates: Enhanced graphics on ship models and increased options in the industry-leading character creator
Plus Kill Reports, Unified Inventory, 16 new modules and dozens of enhancements to both graphics and gameplay
“There has never been a more exciting time to try EVE and become the spaceship pilot you always knew you should be,” says Jon Lander, Senior Producer for EVE Online. “The EVE universe is, now more than ever, staggeringly ripe with possibilities for adventure, stories, profit and, well, really satisfying explosions with the new missile effects.”

EVE Online: Inferno bolsters the EVE universe for DUST 514’s addition later this year, where millions of soldiers in a free-to-play PlayStation 3 shooter will join EVE pilots in the same persistent universe.

The full list of EVE Online: Inferno features can be found at www.eveonline.com/inferno

A 14-day free trial of EVE Online can be found at www.eveonline.com and you can learn more about DUST 514 at the www.dust514.com.

Mercenary Ops Now Taking Beta Applications

2012/05/14

Jerry Paxton

News

SAN JOSE, Calif. – May 14, 2012 – Applicants are now being considered for the closed beta phase of the upcoming action-packed, third-person PC shooter, Mercenary Ops. For all those interested in participating, just “Like” Mercenary Ops on Facebook for your chance to obtain a closed beta key.

The first group of beta testers will be allowed in on June 20, 2012. During this beta test phase, players will be able to do battle in 6 different intense game modes and across a number of dynamic maps. Those that participate will get to experience the fast-paced action of the competitive online multiplayer matches along with the cooperative missions of up to 8 players against deadly hordes of AI controlled enemies and mini-bosses.

Mercenary Ops will be free to download and play at launch this summer. The game features an optional microtransaction system that allows players to unlock and customize their weapons and equipment through special upgrades; all of which can also be obtained through the game’s loot system.

“Balancing is always a major concern when it comes to online shooters, especially when they are free-to-play,” said Mercenary Ops Producer, Jason Sharp. “Because of this, we have committed heavily to testing the game internally and have even invited some of the world’s best professional gamers for their invaluable feedback. With the launch of our closed beta we will have the chance to garner even more feedback, this time from general shooter fans.”

Set in the near future when powerful corporations have led to the imminent downfall of humanity, Mercenary Ops pits deadly guns-for-hire against each other, as well as other hostile forces, in a struggle for wealth and survival. The game combines the tactical gameplay elements found in other third-person shooters with the fast-paced action of online multiplayer titles. Mercenary Ops puts an equal emphasis on competitive play and team-based cooperative missions, providing players with a truly action-packed and explosive experience.

Mercenary Ops was created using Unreal Engine 3. The engine was selected for its cutting-edge graphics, multi-core processor support, optimization for the PC and massive world support.

For more details visit http://facebook.com/mercenaryopsgame or http://mercenaryopsgame.com

Screenshots