Focus Home Interactive has released a new trailer for its upcoming Realms of Ancient War – enjoy!
Author - Jerry Paxton
This just in from the Comic-Con PR folks: We hate babies!
Official Message
NEW FOR 2012: STROLLERS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE PROGRAMMING ROOMS
For safety reasons, the Fire Marshall will not be allowing strollers inside the programming rooms. This includes rooms 2, 4, 5AB, 6A, 6BCF, 6DE, 7AB, 8, 11AB, 23ABC, 24ABC, 25ABC, 26AB, 28E, 32AB, Ballroom 20, and Hall H.
Stroller parking areas can be found throughout the Convention Center. Parking will be free of charge and provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please note: Comic-Con will not provide security or check-in/check-out for the strollers
For more information and a PDF of the locations please visit the Important Information page of our web site:
http://www.comic-con.org/cci/
Also, jogging style strollers are not allowed at Comic-Con.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Electronic Arts has released a new trailer for Medal of Honor Warfighter which features the debut of a new map, the Tungawan Jungle.
Trailer
When news first broke of Dawnguard, Bethesda’s first DLC expansion to the critically acclaimed Skyrim, I hopped back into my game after some months away to grind my character, complete sidequests, and prepare the noble Breton Dovahkiin Erik Bloodfoot to face the looming vampire threat. 103 hours into the game and at level 38, I was still finding scripted sidequests and full towns that I never knew existed. There was still so much game to explore. How could Bethesda expand any more? It seemed like a daunting task but somehow they pulled it off. Bethesda put more Skyrim in Skyrim.
After downloading the expansion I went in search of my new adventure. It didn’t take long as I stepped into the rocky metropolis of Markarth (and after paying some hefty fines for a boredom induced killing spree) and overheard a few local guards talking about joining the good fight against the vampire menace. Searching out Fort Dawnguard east of Riften, I came across the first of a number of gorgeous new areas implanted into the game world. Bethesda chose wisely to introduce you to these expanded areas via landscape features you could believably not have noticed before. Fort Dawnguard, for instance, lies in Dayspring Canyon accessible only via an inconspicuous cave rather than springing up overnight in the map you’ve come to know and love.
In the Fort I met Isran, leader of the Dawnguard. Rumblings of an ancient house of vampires on the hunt for an arcane artifact have lead him to reform the centuries old hunter army and he tasked me with discovering what the Vampires are after. Soon, I found myself exploring a crumbling temple hidden in a deep cave and unwittingly releasing Serana, my vampire sidekick for the duration of the game, sealed in a stone tomb with an Elder Scroll strapped to her back.
Serana lead me back to her home, a castle lying far off the north coast of Skyrim, where I met Lord Harkon, her father, and the primary antagonist for the game… should you refuse his offer. It is here that I got the chance to step out of the sun and become a Vampire Lord with a very different set of skills and abilities than your run of the mill Elder Scrolls vampire. I refused, as becoming a vampire would negate my lycanthropy, and was quickly banished from the castle. Left with no choice but to kill the bastard, I returned to Fort Dawnguard to pick up and fight the good fight.
So begins a roughly ten hour long quest chain that finds you exploring giant new areas including multiple new dungeons, a vast new Falmer commune, and Skyrim’s equivalent of purgatory. Along the way you earn new armor, new dragon shouts, and some fantastic new weapons including (should your smithing be strong enough) Dragonbone weapons to go along with your Dragonbone armor. Once done with your quest there is a completely separate quest on the other side of the coin if you were wise enough to drop a save prior to accepting or rejecting Harkon’s offer. Accept and you join the vampires in an effort to blot out the sun, reject and you’ll fight alongside the Dawnguard to put an end to House Harkon.
Playing as a vampire is unlike anything you’ve done in Skyrim yet. After a brief tutorial, you are let loose to wreak havoc on the countryside. Stalking along the ground gives you access to a mighty melee attack while floating in the air lets you use magic attacks such as raising the dead or feasting on your enemies’ blood. As you feast you level up your all new vampire skill tree allowing you to unlock new perks and powers such as turning into a cloud of mist or summoning gargoyles to fight on your behalf.
Playing alongside the Dawnguard you’ll find yourself recruiting a motley crew of vampire hunters all with services to offer. Armored battle trolls and wielding crossbows are now at your disposal. You’ll fight on the side of good and if you’re a werewolf? There’s perks for that too. Eating human hearts levels up your werewolf and you can buff out your character with the ability to summon werewolves or gain more health from chowing down on the fallen.
Dawnguard is well worth the price of admission, especially for Skyrim fans. At twenty dollars you get an additional twenty hours of content and plenty of new items to wield against your enemies. Be warned though, at level 38 my character was a bit too strong and for the most part I was presented with very little challenge. If you have a choice take the quest sooner rather than later. But even if you’re a higher level, nothing is more fun than laying waste to those jerks over in Riften as a floating demonic vampire demon. They deserved it. They’re all thieves anyways…
Blizzard Entertainment has announced its presence at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con. They have a panel as well as some signings for you to enjoy – so, checkout their event info below!
PANEL: Blizzard Entertainment Product Showcase
- Thursday, July 12
- Room 6BCF
- 2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
SIGNINGS: Blizzard Entertainment Autograph Signings
Insight Editions Booth (#1035)
- Art of Blizzard
Book of Cain - Friday from 4-5:30 p.m. Saturday from 10-11:00 a.m.
- Chris Metzen and Sam Didier Micky Neilson, Flint Dille, Matt Burns
Christie Golden Autograph Signings
- Thursday from 7-8 p.m. Thursday from 4-5 p.m.
- Cryptozoic Store
Mysterious Galaxy Booth (#1119) - 411 Market Street
BOOTHS:
- Insight Editions: Stop by for a sneak peek at the upcoming The Art of Blizzard book, which offers an exclusive look at the ideas and imagery that have defined some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed games. Booth #1035
- DK Publishing: Drop in for a discount promotional code towards the upcoming Mists of Pandaria strategy guide from Brady Games. Booth #2913
- Sideshow Collectibles: Check out sculptures featuring characters from the Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo franchises, including the latest terrifying figure from Diablo III, to be revealed during the Blizzard Product Showcase panel. Booth #1929
Santa Monica, CA – July 9, 2012 – Think you’re tough enough to survive a horde of undead walkers? Gamers will be able to find out next year as Activision Publishing Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI), and Terminal Reality announced today an all-new The Walking Dead™ video game. Based on AMC’s Emmy-Award winning TV series, the do-whatever-you-need-to-
“The work AMC has done with the TV series has been amazing and we’re ecstatic at the opportunity to be brought into the fold,” said Drew Haworth, Creative Director at Terminal Reality. “The studio is made up of fans of the show, and we think other fans will see that the situations and walkers featured in our game are every bit as gruesome and shocking as they are in the TV series – they look, move and react as expected with full authenticity – and they will surprise you. The player’s fight-or-flight survival instinct is constantly engaged. ‘Flight’ is usually a good bet.”
Terminal Reality’s The Walking Dead video game takes the undead and brings them out of the TV show and into console gaming systems in a new, terrifying way. The iconic walkers will relentlessly hunt down players like their television counterparts, using a combination of sight, sound and smell. As Daryl, players will need to tread carefully throughout each new area they explore. Once discovered, it doesn’t take much to attract an unstoppable horde of undead walkers, so every threat needs to be assessed, and every situation analyzed. Players will have to choose between whether to stay and fight while risking a gruesome death or using stealth to avoid the undead. No place is truly safe for Daryl as he makes his way through the Georgia countryside in this new, post-apocalyptic world.
“Activision and Terminal Reality are working to deliver a powerful combination of a deep, engrossing story with intense action,” said Charlie Collier, AMC’s president. “Daryl is such a unique and complex character and we’re excited to offer fans the opportunity to experience this new video game.”
Resources are scarce and scattered in The Walking Dead video game, and gamers will have to not only ration supplies, but carefully consider their food, medical needs, ammunition, and other goods as survival in the game is based upon wit and intellect more so than simple, sheer skill. In order to endure this constant state of danger, players will have to do all they can to silence the noises they make and avoid detection. Throughout his journey, Daryl will encounter a slew of other characters that can help or hurt him in a variety of ways, and whether or not they accompany him is completely up to player choice and represents just some of the major decisions that will constantly be made while fighting to survive.
The Walking Dead video game is scheduled for release in 2013 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and Windows PC, and is currently rated “RP” (Rating Pending) by the ESRB. For more information, visit www.TheWalkingDeadBegins.com or ‘Like’ The Walking Dead on Facebook (facebook.com/
LOS ANGELES (July 9, 2012) – Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of SQUARE ENIX® interactive entertainment products in the Americas, today announced its award-winning title lineup for San Diego Comic-Con, taking place July 12-15. With one of the most impressive and varied lineups in company history, Square Enix is set to give Comic-Con attendees their first-ever chance to play some of the most anticipated and talked about titles to date, including the first public demo of the highly anticipated TOMB RAIDER®, winner of IGN’s Best Overall Game of E3.
Comic-Con attendees will be able to preview and play the following Square Enix titles:
• HEROES OF RUIN™ – Available on July 17, HEROES OF RUIN challenges players to carve their own adventure as a Gunslinger, Alchitect, Vindicator or Savage. Pushing social and online interaction to the forefront of gameplay through innovative use of the Nintendo 3DS™ system, players can trade rare and powerful items through an in-game shop which has an inventory updated through creative use of StreetPass™.
• KINGDOM HEARTS 3D [Dream Drop Distance] – Celebrating the franchise’s 10th anniversary, KINGDOM HEARTS 3D [Dream Drop Distance] features a spectacular story that promises to be a fun backdrop to the colorful cast of Disney characters making their 3D debut on a handheld title. In addition to brand new worlds, KINGDOM HEARTS 3D [Dream Drop Distance] will also feature never before seen gameplay elements and will be available on July 31.
• Sleeping Dogs™ – Sleeping Dogs catapults players into the role of undercover cop Wei Shen, tasked with taking down one of the world’s most fearsome criminal organizations from the inside – the Hong Kong Triads. As players explore the bustling and crowded Hong Kong island, through its neon-lit side streets and sprawling street markets, an incredible story unfolds of loyalty and betrayal, where Wei begins to question his own motives as he is sucked in deeper than he could ever imagine.
• HITMAN®: ABSOLUTION™ – HITMAN: ABSOLUTION follows Agent 47, a cold-blooded assassin, who takes on his most dangerous contract to date. Betrayed by those he once trusted — and now hunted by the police — he suddenly finds himself at the center of a dark conspiracy and must embark on a personal journey through a corrupt and twisted world.
• TOMB RAIDER – Armed with only the raw instincts and physical ability to push beyond the limits of human endurance, TOMB RAIDER delivers an intense and gritty story into the origins of Lara Croft and her ascent from a frightened young woman to a hardened survivor.
In an exclusive partnership with the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Square Enix is a joint sponsor of The Nerd Machine’s Nerd HQ with TOMB RAIDER as the main event. TOMB RAIDER will be playable on more than 20 Xbox 360 units and will sponsor The Nerd Machine party on Friday, July 13.
NERD HQ
HITMAN: ABSOLUTION, Sleeping Dogs, TOMB RAIDER
Block No 16 Union and Spirits
344 7th Ave
Thursday, July 12 9 a.m. – 12 a.m.; Friday, July 13 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday, July 14 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Sunday, July 15 9 a.m. – 4 p.m
San Diego Comic-Con attendees can play the Square Enix lineup at multiple locations including:
Square Enix Booth
HITMAN: ABSOLUTION, KINGDOM HEARTS 3D [Dream Drop Distance], Sleeping Dogs, TOMB RAIDER
San Diego Convention Center, Booth 3829
Nintendo Lounge
KINGDOM HEARTS 3D [Dream Drop Distance] and HEROES OF RUIN
Mariott Marquis & Marina – San Diego Ballroom
333 W. Harbor Drive
Thursday, July 12 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Friday, July 13 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.;
Saturday, July 14 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sunday, July 15 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
GameSpot Gameroom
HITMAN: ABSOLUTION, Sleeping Dogs, TOMB RAIDER
Thursday – Saturday 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Lou and Mickey’s
224 Fifth Avenue
SPIKE Booth
TOMB RAIDER
San Diego Convention Center, Booth 3729
Xbox Lounge at the Hard Rock Hotel
HITMAN: ABSOLUTION, Sleeping Dogs, TOMB RAIDER
Thursday – Sunday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Hard Rock Hotel – Legends Room
207 5th Ave
In addition to getting the first chance to go hands-on with these blockbuster titles, Comic-Con attendees will have the opportunity to gain greater insight into the world of TOMB RAIDER through two dedicated panels:
TOMB RAIDER
Nerd HQ: Block No 16 Union and Spirits, 344 7th Avenue – Saturday, July 14 at 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Zachary Levi (star of Chuck and Tangled and a long-time gamer) will host a special TOMB RAIDER panel at Nerd Machine’s San Diego Comic-Con headquarters, featuring Karl Stewart (TOMB RAIDER global brand director), John Stafford (narrative designer), Camilla Luddington (voice of Lara Croft) and the lead writer. All attendees will receive a TOMB RAIDER lithograph that can be signed after the panel.
REIMAGINING A GAMING ICON, LARA CROFT
San Diego Convention Center, Room 5AB – Saturday, July 14 at 6 p.m. – 7p.m.
Karl Stewart (TOMB RAIDER global brand director), Noah Hughes (creative director), John Stafford (narrative designer) and Camilla Luddington (voice of Lara Croft) discuss the journey of reimagining one of the most iconic franchises in video game history, TOMB RAIDER, through story, performance and a lot of planning! As a world exclusive for the Comic-Con panel the team will also be joined by the lead writer responsible for crafting the story over the last two years. Join the team for this Q&A session moderated by Geoff Keighley (host, Spike TV). All attendees will receive a TOMB RAIDER lithograph that can be signed after the panel.
Along with the panels, Square Enix fans will have several opportunities to take home fun and unique items during the show. With contests, interactive activities and more, Comic-Con attendees will have multiple chances to win amazing prizes and collect Comic-Con only Square Enix merchandise.
HITMAN: ABSOLUTION PHOTO SNIPING CONTEST
Upload your best photo sniping image to be entered for a chance to win a custom HITMAN: ABSOLUTION PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. Runners up will receive miniature figures of Agent 47 and HITMAN themed ties and tie clips. Participants can upload their photo entries at hitman.com/photosnipe or by the photo sniping app on the HITMAN Facebook page.
TOMB RAIDER THEMED XBOX 360 SWEEPSTAKES
A special edition TOMB RAIDER themed Xbox 360 will be given out once a day at each of these locations: the Square Enix booth (3829), Nerd Machine HQ (344 7th Avenue) and at the GameSpot Gameroom area at Lou and Mickey’s restaurant (224 Fifth Avenue). Winners will be chosen each day of the show. Additional prizes will be given away daily Thursday through Saturday during the GameSpot Live Prize-Pow-Looza daily drawings at Lou and Mickey’s.
TOMB RAIDER Cosplay Event
Calling all cosplayers! Plan on dressing as gaming’s leading lady at Comic-Con? Meet up with other Lara Croft look-alikes in front of Lou and Mickey’s restaurant (224 Fifth Avenue) Sunday at 1 p.m. for an exclusive prize and photo opportunities. All Lara iterations are welcome at the event.
Sleeping Dogs GIVEAWAYS
The Sleeping Dogs team will be handing out exclusive Sleeping Dogs posters featuring Tyler Stout artwork and foam versions of the cleaver used in the game. Stop by the Square Enix booth to receive yours.
SQUARE ENIX MEMBERS PASSPORT PROGRAM
Visit booth 3829 to get your Square Enix Members Passport card. Participants will receive a stamp for every title they play at the booth. Once the passport is complete, participants can turn in to receive a set of pins featuring custom logos from Square Enix titles and a special lanyard.
The Square Enix booth will also feature the release of the limited edition Comic-Con exclusive BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM™ PLAY ARTS -KAI- figurines. These limited edition figurines will be priced at $59.99 and will be available on July 12. The BATMAN [BLACK & WHITE EDITION] and the JOKER [BLACK & WHITE EDITION] are currently available for pre-order while supplies last.
Finally the SQUARE ENIX MANGA STORE, the official online portal for more than 170 volumes of manga will be featured at the booth with popular titles FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST® and SOUL EATER available for purchase. Manga artist’s autographs and artwork will be on display along with a special exhibit of two manga titles, SOUL EATER NOT! and BLACK BUTLER. SOUL EATER NOT!, is a manga series released simultaneously in Japan and North America in conjunction with Yen Press and BLACK BUTLER is a popular manga series that has become an anime series in Japan.
July 9, 2012 (Rockville, MD) — id® Software and Bethesda Softworks® are pleased to announce that AT&T is returning for the second consecutive year as an official sponsor of QuakeCon® 2012, North America’s largest Bring-Your-Own-Computer (BYOC) LAN party and gaming festival. AT&T’s powerful network and U-verse® High Speed Internet will once again provide optimal bandwidth speed and connectivity to bring together thousands of gamers for an unmatched gaming experience.
In addition to providing attendees with the best possible networked gaming experience, AT&T’s presence helps open up the event to gamers around the world by providing the opportunity for increased live and on-demand video streams.
“AT&T was invaluable for us at QuakeCon 2011 thanks to the speed and accessibility their network resources bring to QuakeCon attendees and fans watching from home,” said Todd Hollenshead, president of id Software. “Their dedication and enthusiasm for the event is great, and we couldn’t be happier to join forces again to make QuakeCon 2012 the best, most connected QuakeCon yet.”
“We’re looking forward to keeping thousands of BYOC attendees connected at QuakeCon with U-verse High Speed Internet,” said Woody Berner, director of U-verse product development, AT&T. “We’re proud that such an avid gaming audience will be utilizing AT&T services at the largest LAN party in the country.”
QuakeCon 2012 returns to the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas, Texas on August 2 through August 5. The free event is open to general admission attendees thanks to the support of id and Bethesda Softworks, as well as the QuakeCon volunteer staff and the 2012 event sponsors and exhibitors.
Doors to the QuakeCon BYOC will open on Thursday, August 2 at 9:00am and will remain open through 12:00pm on Sunday, August 5.
QuakeCon Exhibit Hall Hours are:
- Thursday, August 2, 2012 10:00am – 6:00pm
- Friday, August 3 2012 10:00am – 6:00pm
- Saturday, August 4, 2012 10:00am – 6:00pm
To pre-register for QuakeCon today go to: http://registration.quakecon.
July 9, 2012 — Valve, creators of best-selling game franchises (such as Counter-Strike, Half-Life, Left 4 Dead, Portal, and Team Fortress) and leading technologies (such as Steam and Source), today announced Steam Greenlight, a new platform feature that enlists the community’s help in selecting some of the next games to be released on Steam.
Steam Greenlight will allow developers and publishers to post information and media about their game in an effort to convince the Community that their game should be released on Steam. Greenlight piggybacks on Steam Workshop’s flexible system that organizes content and lets customers rate and leave feedback.
As well as serving as a clearing house for game submissions, Greenlight will provide an incredible level of added exposure for new games and an opportunity to connect directly with potential customers and fans.
“Making the call to publish or not publish a title isn’t fun,” said Anna Sweet, at Valve. “Many times opinions vary and our internal jury is hung on a decision. But with the introduction of the Steam Workshop we realized an opportunity to enlist the community’s help as we review certain titles and, hopefully, increase the volume and quality of creative submissions.”
Steam Greenlight will be released August 30.
For more information, please visit www.steampowered.com/
Ridgewood, NJ, July 06, 2012 –– Kalypso Media today unveiled their plans for Gamescom 2012 in Cologne. Occupying approximately 300 square meters of floor space in both the business and consumer exhibition halls, Kalypso will be presenting their key titles for 2012 and highlights for 2013. Exciting titles such as Omerta – City of Gangsters and The Dark Eye – Demonicon will be playable on consoles and PC during the expo.
Kalypso Media will be in Hall 4.2, Stand #E19 in the business hall and game fans will find the stand located in Hall 6, Stand #A51 in the consumer area.
The line-up for Gamescom 2012 includes:
- Legends of Pegasus (PC)
- The Dark Eye – Demonicon (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC)
- DARK (PC and Xbox 360)
- Omerta – City of Gangsters (PC and Xbox 360)
- Port Royale 3 (Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3)
- Alien Spidy (PSN, Xbox Live and PC)
- Dollar Dash (PSN, Xbox Live and PC)