Author - Jerry Paxton

Techland and WBIE Announce Dying Light

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BURBANK, Calif. – May 23, 2013 – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today announces Dying Light, a first-person, action survival horror video game with a portentous day-night cycle set in a vast open world. Currently under development by Techland, the game will be available in 2014 for Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation(R)4, plus Xbox 360, PlayStation(R)3 system, and PC.

During the day, players will traverse an expansive urban environment overrun by a vicious outbreak, scavenging the world for supplies and crafting weapons to defend against the growing infected population. At night, the hunter becomes the hunted, as the infected become aggressive and more dangerous. Most frightening are the predators which only appear after sundown.  Players must use everything in their power to survive until the morning’s first light.

“We are excited to partner with Techland on Dying Light, which is an original gaming experience for next-generation consoles,” said Kevin Kebodeaux, Senior Vice President, Sales and Operations, Americas, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “The partnership with Techland allows us to combine their successful development capabilities with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment’s one-of-a-kind publishing expertise to deliver on this title.”

“The next-gen technology allows us to create a truly dynamic open world that features a game-changing day-night cycle,” said Paweł Marchewka, CEO of Techland. “Inventive free running mechanics also allow for nearly unrestricted exploration and weapon-crafting to further enhance the action survival experience.”

For the latest news and updates on Dying Light, please visit http://www.Facebook.com/DyingLightGame.

First Screenshots

Monsters University Play Set Screens and Trailer

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Disney Interactive has released some new screenshots and a trailer for the Monsters University Play Set for the upcoming game, Disney Infinity, which is set to release on August 18, 2013.

Screenshots

Trailer

Arma 3 Alpha Update Brings New Combat and Stealth Radio Ops Features

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Prague, Czech Republic, Thursday 23rd May 2013 — Bohemia Interactive has released a major new update for the Arma 3 Alpha. The most notable improvements in version 0.58 involve the new dedicated combat and stealth radio protocols, plus all-encompassing tweaks to lighting and audio. Also, Multiplayer Dedicated Server administrators now have access to a separated executable to host such servers more conveniently.

The complete changelog for 0.58 is provided together with the update and can also be found on the official Arma 3. The Arma 3 Alpha will update automatically via Steam.

To participate in the Arma 3 Alpha, people can choose from the Arma 3 Alpha (24.99 EUR/19.99 GBP/32.99 USD) or Arma 3 Digital Deluxe Edition (39.99 EUR/34.99 GBP/49.99 USD) on Steam or Store.bistudio.com. Prices will increase once the Arma 3 Beta and full game become available. For a complete overview of the separate editions, be sure to visit the Arma 3 website.

Arma 3 Alpha Sandbox Trailer

Arma 3 Community Introduction

YERBIS 2 Middleware Available for Xbox One

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Tokyo, Japan – May 23, 2013 – Silicon Studio©, a high-end middleware provider and game developer, announced today that its next-gen post-rendering middleware solution, YEBIS 2, is now available on Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft. YEBIS 2 is middleware with the power to create stunning visual effects for current and next-gen development, offering developers an easy way to deliver high-quality visuals and effects with seamless integration.

“Silicon Studio has been on the bleeding-edge of middleware development,” said Mr. Takehiko Terada, CEO, Silicon Studio. “Our partnership with Microsoft is going to result in groundbreaking games for the generation ahead.”

YEBIS 2 is an effective tool for both large scale game productions as well as small indie teams.  YEBIS 2 is extremely powerful, making it a compelling solution for developers looking to deliver high quality visual effects on the new Xbox One console. Silicon Studio is proud to be collaborating with Microsoft on providing developers high-end tools for next-gen game development.

YEBIS 2 is the world’s only middleware with multi-color customizable glare effects, depth of field effects, motion blur, bokeh, and more. YEBIS 2 provides various high-quality lens effects which can be used on a broad range of development platforms including Xbox One.

A trailer of YEBIS 2 showing off the glare, lens flare, and other visual effects can be seen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=52ojtk9N5yo

YEBIS 2 is utilized in Square Enix’s Agni’s Philosophy tech demo, providing the foundation for their next-gen game development.

More YEBIS 2 information, footage, and screenshots can be found here:  www.siliconstudio.co.jp/middleware/YEBIS/en/

More information on Silicon Studio and its products can be found here: www.siliconstudio.co.jp/en/

Grand Theft Auto V Collector and Special Editions Announced

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New York, NY – May 23, 2013 – Rockstar Games is very proud to announce full details of the Special Edition and Collector’s Edition of Grand Theft Auto V® for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, that are now available for worldwide pre-order from participating retailers.

In addition, consumers who pre-order the Grand Theft Auto V Special EditionCollector’s Edition or the standalone retail version now will be ensured access to the Atomic Blimp in-game vehicle. With every pre-order, players gain the ability to pilot the most iconic and leisurely aircraft in the Los Santos skies.

The Grand Theft Auto V Special Edition includes:

  • Full retail copy of Grand Theft Auto V;
  • Collectible SteelBook with Exclusive Artwork – features custom color and metallic treatments to bring out the detail of the Michael, Trevor and Franklin artwork created exclusively for this SteelBook;
  • Blueprint Map – exclusive, 21.5” x 26.75” map displays a blueprint view of Los Santos and Blaine County;
  • Special Ability Boost – Michael, Franklin and Trevor each have a unique special ability. With this boost, the special ability bar will generate 25% faster;
  • Stunt Plane Trials – single-player Stunt Plane Trials let players take on additional aerial challenges spread throughout Los Santos and Blaine County;
  • Bonus Outfits, Tattoos and More – Michael, Franklin and Trevor get bonus outfits in their wardrobes, character specific tattoos at tattoo parlors, and special deals from shopkeepers across Los Santos and Blaine County;
  • Additional Weapons – when visiting Ammunation stores in single-player, merchants will have special weapons in their inventory available for free: the Pistol .50, Bullpup Shotgun and melee Hammer.

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The Grand Theft Auto V Collector’s Edition includes the contents of Grand Theft Auto V Special Edition plus:

  • Grand Theft Auto V Security Deposit Bag with Logo Key – inspired by the heists in Grand Theft Auto V, this custom 10.75” x 8.5” money bag features a pop-up style lock and laser cut logo key to secure important items. The reverse side features a pressed Rockstar Games logo on the security mount with a framed ID window;
  • Grand Theft Auto V New Era 9FIFTY™ Snapback Cap – this exclusive New Era 9FIFTY™ cap features an embroidered Los Santos logo on the front, a stitched, black Rockstar Games logo on the wearer’s left side, a Grand Theft Auto ‘V’ logo applique on the opposite side, and snapback closure for an adjustable fit;
  • Custom Characters for Grand Theft Auto Online – get classic Grand Theft Auto characters to use within the Grand Theft Auto Online Character Creation System;
  • Unique Vehicles and Garage Property – players will instantly receive a garage to store custom vehicles. In single-player, the garage will be stocked with the 1930’s style Hotknife hotrod and the CarbonRS sports bike. InGrand Theft Auto Online, players will get the high-end Khamelion electric car.

The Grand Theft Auto V Collector’s Edition comes packaged in a collectible outer box featuring a foil embossed Grand Theft Auto V logo on the top and finished with a matte, scuff-resistant film lamination housing all of the contents.

The Grand Theft Auto V Collector’s Edition and Grand Theft Auto V Special Edition are the perfect way for fans to celebrate the return of this acclaimed series, with special digital content and exclusive Grand Theft Auto Vphysical items. Grand Theft Auto V Collector’s Edition will retail for $149.99, while the Grand Theft Auto V Special Edition will retail for $79.99.

All versions are now available for pre-order until September 17, 2013 while supplies last.

Check with your local retailers for pre-order availability and for more information please go to www.rockstargames.com/V.

Square Enix to Broadcast Live at E3 2013

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LOS ANGELES (May 23, 2013) – SQUARE ENIX today revealed it will offer dedicated video programming during the 2013 E3 Expo, taking place in Los Angeles on June 11 through 13.

The program, dubbed “Square Enix Presents” will offer a diverse and user-friendly range of programming aimed at sharing unique perspectives with SQUARE ENIX’s global audience.

“SQUARE ENIX will be showcasing a terrific lineup of games this E3 Expo,” said Akio Oofuji, marketing director, SQUARE ENIX (Japan). “Square Enix Presents is a new way we can engage on a more meaningful and personal level with our community and fans and share with them the spectacle and excitement of E3.”

Viewers can expect coverage of all key titles in SQUARE ENIX’s 2013 lineup during E3 across the following channels:

YouTube: www.youtube.com/squareenixpresents
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@squareenix
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SquareEnix

A full program schedule will be released in coming weeks detailing both the games and personalities who will be featured.

Guns and Robots Launch Leaderboards

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SOFIA, BULGARIA – May 23, 2013 – Masthead Studios, a leading independent game developer, today announced the activation of the leaderboard in their free to play title Guns and Robots.

With the new update Guns and Robots challenges its players to make strategic choices and get to the top of the leaderboards! The new leaderboard shows players’ ranks, avatars, points and levels. The players are able to see their progress and acquire their rightful places with fellow players.

Players will be divided in leagues and will compete against others who share the same league. Players that have been for a while in the game will be displayed immediately in the ladder. For the newcomers their overall progress will be shown after ten played games. The progress will be shown with arrows up and down which point on how well their performance is after each match.

Players will also need to monitor the leaderboards to ensure they maintain their ranking as new high scores are added. In order to reach the top of the leaderboard, players will need to successfully employ different strategies in building their robots.

Climb up the ranks of Guns and Robots at www.play-gar.com !

Resident Evil Revelations Review (PC)

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Capcom’s latest Resident Evil title, Resident Evil Revelations, takes a step back and fills in the story between Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 5 while offering up a more traditional approach to survival-horror gameplay that the series has lost with more recent entries. Read our full review below!

Resident Evil Revelations is based on the Nintendo 3DS title of the same name and, in essence, is pretty much a higher-resolution version of that game.  Revelations puts players back into the boots of original Resident Evil protagonists Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield as they explore the creepy and adrift sea vessel, “Queen Zenobia”. As you would probably guess by this game’s IP, something has gone terribly wrong on the Queen Zenobia and zombies, crazy mutations, and all manner of creepy-creatures now infest its quarters and atmospheric corridors.

Revelations has turned its back on the more action-oriented style of modern survival-horror games like Dead Space, Resident Evil 5, and even some Silent Hill games. Here, you will do a lot of slow exploring and looking for keys to unlock specially-marked doors as well as trying to figure out how to solve puzzles. Creatures have also slowed down some when compared to Resident Evil 5 and 6 to match as not to overwhelm players. Again, going back to earlier Resident Evil play models, Revelations makes players keep a close eye on their ammo usage and manage inventory space.

Moving about the game is smooth enough, however shooting while the ship rocks about takes a bit of getting used to. Most combat encounters are similar – a creature appears in front of you and trudges towards you while you shoot at its weak points. Again, this is very much what Resident Evil’s combat was about in earlier games.

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Visually, this higher-resolution version of the game looks somewhat dated. On the smaller screen of the Nintendo 3DS, it looked incredible. “Blown up” to 1920×1080, things don’t exactly have Far Cry 3 levels of polygon counts. A lot of reviewers are marking the game down for this and, while it does have to affect the score overall, the game doesn’t look “bad” in the least and the slightly dated style actually worked for me, given its return to grass-roots survival-horror. The game’s audio is well-implemented and voice overs have a B-movie style to them that early Resident Evil games were full of. I am not sure if that’s what the actors and voice directors were going for, but I am assuming it is given the classic survival-horror nature of the game. Furthering this point is the game’s storyline, which is completely over-the-top. Even the most devout fans of FOX’s “24” will be left scratching and shaking their heads at its craziness. It’s a real hoot, to say the least.

Overall, Resident Evil Revelations is a welcome return to what survival-horror was conceived to be. That’s not to say that the more “run-and-gun” style of contemporary survival-horror titles is not fun, it’s simply not what Resident Evil was known for before the last few games. I imagine this will somewhat polarize younger gamers who did not play the earlier RE titles but, let’s face it, those whippersnappers need to learn sometime!

[easyreview title=”Resident Evil Revelations Review Score” cat1title=”Overall Score (out of 5)” cat1detail=”” cat1rating=”4″ ] Our Rating Scores Explained

Metro: Last Light DLC Season Pass Info

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Larkspur, Calif., May 22, 2013 — Deep Silver today announced that 4A Games will support the critically acclaimed Metro: Last Light with a series of original single player content packs throughout the summer.

  • • The ‘Faction Pack’ and the ‘Chronicles Pack’ will include new, original single player gameplay that expands on the Metro: Last Light universe and story
  • • The ‘Tower Pack’ will present a unique solo challenge to Metro veterans
  • • Meanwhile, the ‘Developer Pack’ will give creative players some interesting tools with which to explore the world of Metro…

“Artyom’s story may have been concluded in Metro: Last Light, but there are other characters with stories to tell, some familiar locations that fans of the Metro series wanted to revisit, and some new challenges that 4A wanted to explore,” said Andrew Prokhorov, Creative Director at 4A Games. “Since completing the game we have been working on these new stories and hope to release them throughout the summer.”

The Metro: Last Light Season pass is available to download now from Xbox Live, PlayStation®Network and Steam for $14.99 / £11.99 / €14.99 or 1200 MSP now.

The first chapter will be the ‘Faction Pack’, set for release in June 2013. Metro fans can pre-purchase all future DLC at a discount with the Season Pass, now available on Steam, Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system and the PlayStation®Network. The Season Pass also grants an additional weapon, the deadly Abzats, a semi-automatic shotgun rifle with a devastating secondary fire mode that unleashes six shells in one blast. PlayStation Plus subscribers are entitled to an additional 25% discount on the Season Pass through June 4th in the US and through June 5th In Europe and the rest of the world.

Metro: Last Light is available now for PlayStation®3, the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and Windows PC and has been critically acclaimed by the gaming media.

For more information about Metro: Last Light, visit EnterTheMetro.com, like us at Facebook.com/MetroVideoGame or follow us on Twitter @MetroVideoGame.

Omerta – City of Gangsters Getting Free Content Update

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May 22, 2013, Ridgewood, NJ –  Kalypso Media today announced that a free gameplay update for its gangster-themed simulation game, Omerta – City of Gangsters, will be available on May 23 for Window PC. The update will download automatically for players when they next launch the game.

As well as an overhaul of the game interface and cover mechanics, the free update will add a host of new features including new sandbox game modes, new opposing gangs in single-player, re-balanced multiplayer modes and new multiplayer maps. Kalypso has also released a trailer featuring some of the new additions included in this update.

Trailer