Author - Jerry Paxton

Arma 3 Helicopters DLC available on November 4th

arma3_dlc_helicopters_screenshot_02

September 25, 2014 — Bohemia Interactive today announced the official release date for Arma 3’s second premium DLC, Arma 3 Helicopters. Lifting off on November 4th, the new DLC will introduce the highly detailed CH-67 Huron and Mi-290 Taru heavy-lift helicopters, and will be supported by a variety of free new content and features in an accompanying Arma 3 platform update.

The CH-67 Huron is a twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy-lift helicopter. It is a modernized version of the CH-47 Chinook and its primary role is the transportation of troops, vehicles and cargo. The Huron exists in two variants: the armed variant with two side gunners manning 6.5 mm gatling guns, and the transport version which replaces the gunners with two additional passenger positions.

The Mi-290 Taru is a heavy utility helicopter with coaxial rotors and a unique modular construction. Various mission pods allow the Taru to serve many different roles. It can transport cargo, troops, and provide battlefield supplies (ammunition, fuel, repair facilities, and medical equipment). The helicopter can also transport light vehicles thanks to its sling loading capabilities. The latter, sling loading, is a brand new feature in Arma 3, and will be demonstrated in the official Sling Loading showcase scenario, which is included in the Helicopters DLC package.

Overall, the addition of the two new helicopters and their skin variants will place a stronger emphasis on the role of logistics in Arma 3’s open-world combat. This idea is complemented by the upcoming Arma 3 platform update, which delivers a variety of free new playable content, alongside multiple game-changing features.

In terms of content, the Arma 3 platform update will ship the brand new Support multiplayer mode, where players will need to provide various types of helicopter support – such as troop transport and medevac – in Sector Control multiplayer scenarios. In addition, the update will include a set of ten VR Training helicopter stages, and five helicopter Time Trials, of which four will be exclusive to Helicopters DLC owners. A variety of new in-game objects, ranging from landing platforms to military decorations and more, will also be made available to Arma 3 content creators. Plus, Bohemia Interactive will add a related set of new Steam Achievements to the game.

With regards to the new features, the Arma 3 platform update comes with the optional RotorLib helicopter flight model, which is an upgraded version of the flight model used in Bohemia Interactive’s Take On Helicopters. Furthermore, the platform update will include the aforementioned new ability tosling load cargo, and last but certainly not least: the much-anticipated firing-from-vehicles feature. This functionality enables vehicle passengers to fire their weapon while seated.

The Arma 3 Helicopters DLC will be available on November 4th for 12.99 EUR/10.99 GBP/15.99 USD on Steam and Store.bistudio.com. People can already purchase the Arma 3 DLC Bundle, which includes the Arma 3 Karts, Arma 3 Helicopters, and the upcoming Arma 3 Marksmen DLC, for 19.99 EUR/16.99 GBP/24.99 USD on Steam and Store.bistudio.com. As a result of Bohemia Interactive’s new approach to DLC in Arma 3, which the studio announced in May, players will be able to try out all new DLC content before buying.

To enlist for Arma 3 service, people can purchase the regular edition of Arma 3 (44.99 EUR/39.99 GBP/59.99 USD) and the Arma 3 Digital Deluxe Edition (49.99 EUR/42.99 GBP/64.99 USD) – which includes the Arma 3 soundtrack, tactical maps of Altis and Stratis, a tactical guide containing more than 350 pages, and Bohemia Interactive’s debut game Arma: Cold War Assault – from Steam and Store.bistudio.com. A boxed version of Arma 3 is sold at many major high-street retailers.

For more information, please visit http://www.arma3.com and/or follow Arma 3 on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Screenshots

New Cities: Skylines Trailer

cities070414_0042_layer-22

STOCKHOLM — Sept 25, 2014 — Paradox Interactive today released a new trailer for Cities: Skylines, the upcoming city simulation game from Colossal Order. The video, lovingly crafted by Paradox’s tourism board, explores a few different directions made possible in the game by different styles of city planning. Eager mayors can witness this tale of two cities in the trailer, available now alongside an array of new screenshots and a detailed developer diary. Paradox will also be demonstrating gameplay from Cities: Skylines in an upcoming live stream on their Twitch channel.

Watch a live stream of Cities: Skylines, where basic city creation is demonstrated by Paradox Interactive and Colossal Order, at 19.00 CEST on their Twitch channel here: http://www.twitch.tv/paradoxinteractive

Read about the development and features of Cities: Skylines in the first developer diary  and all new screenshots can be viewed on our press FTP.

From zoning to building, from utilities to beautification, and from taxation to outreach, players of Cities: Skylines will have total control in endless sandbox gameplay across massive maps – all with extensive built-in mod support. Vast backdrops and maps provide players with countless ways to improve and expand their cities, building from humble beginnings up to beautiful, cloud-hugging structures and unique architectural marvels.

For more information on Cities: Skylines, visit: www.paradoxplaza.com/cities-skylines

World of Tanks Update 9.3 Launches

WoT_Screens_Tanks_Japan_Ke_Ni_Update_8_10_Announcement_Image_03

September 25, 2014 Wargaming today announced the global release of World of Tanks Update 9.3, introducing a variety of new top tier light tanks, in-game rules to promote fair play, and two new functionalities for Strongholds.

9.3 marks the addition of several light tank lines and brings into the mix the US T37, M41 Walker Bulldog and T49, the German Spahpanzer Ru 251, and the Soviet LTTB and ?-54 Lightweight.

Players will now be able to enjoy updated in-game rules that promote a more friendly gaming experience by introducing penalties that would affect players who are inactive in battle or exit before their tank is destroyed.

The first major update to Strongholds also introduces new functionality for Legionnaires, which gives players the opportunity to participate in Strongholds Skirmishes without joining a clan, and adds a new building, War Department, allowing clan members to easily relay distinctive special instructions to the rest of their clan.

In addition to these new features, the game has received a complete overhaul of destruction and graphical effects, as well as new Garage design.

For more information about World of Tanks and to download the award-winning, free-to-play action MMO, visit:

Tt eSPORTS Unveils Challenger Prime Gaming Keyboard

challenger-ttesports

Taipei, Taiwan – September 25, 2014 – Tt eSPORTS, the leading expert in professional e-Sports gaming peripherals is releasing the CHALLENGER Prime membrane gaming keyboard. The CHALLENGER Prime membrane gaming keyboard brings some new functionality into the CHALLENGER series of membrane gaming keyboards. At the first look, it’s obvious the CHALLENGER Prime features a more aggressive styling in the keyboard shape, to add to the gaming atmosphere. The CHALLENGER Prime also features 3 color backlighting with different lighting options and finely adjustable brightness, macros, onboard memory for profiles storage, multimedia keys, shortcut keys, adjustable repeat rate, adjustable polling rate, and key mapping (active only in Game mode).

3 color backlighting, with fine brightness adjustment & macro functions and key switching

The CHALLENGER Prime features a special LED backlighting system with blue, red, and purple backligting colors. The lighting is then further fine tuneable for brightness, via the dial found in the top center of the keyboard. Alongside the top and left side of the keyboard, a multitude of keys are visible. On the far left are the 6 dedicated macro keys and next to them on the top left are the dedicated profile switch keys (M1, M2, M3); the Num Lock, Caps Lock, and Scroll Lock notification lights will also flash to indicate when you’ve switched to profile one, two, or three, respectively. After that are the shortcut keys and multimedia keys which allow you to control your media player while in-game. The function keys are also plentiul. F1-F4 also double as keys to adjust repeat rate and poll rate. F5-F8 have further shortcut keys and navigation keys. Finishing it off, are the brightness adjustment keys, Game Mode / Normal mode switch key, backlighitng on/off key, and key to change colors. Built-in onboard memory will store macros, lighting mode, and lighting color for each profile.

Anti-spill design

In addition to the already plentiful feature set mentioned above, the CHALLENGER Prime has the ability, through the included software, to re-map keys. Any of the regular keyboard keys (sans the top profile keys, shortcut keys, and multimedia keys) can be remapped to function as another key. The re-mapping will only be active when switched to Game Mode, and once switched back to Normal Mode, the CHALLENGER Prime’s keys will function like a regular keyboard. The WASD keys and arrow keys can be switched in function as well. Rounding out the features, is the anti-spill design. The CHALLENGER Prime comes with drainage holes at designated areas in the keyboard frame to help avoid accidents due to spills.

The New Tt eSPORTS CHALLENGER Prime gaming keyboard with a MSRP of USD29.99

For more information on the CHALLENGER Prime membrane gaming keyboard, please visit: http://www.ttesports.com/productPage.aspx?p=156

Tt eSPORTS official website and community websites:

  • Tt eSPORTS official website:

http://www.ttesports.com/

  • Tt eSPORTS product video link:

http://www.youtube.com/user/TteSports

  • Tt eSPORTS Facebook Fan Page:

https://www.facebook.com/TteSPORTS

 

Blizzard Ceases Development of Next-Gen MMO Titan

Blizzard_Entertainment_Logo.svg

It looks like the long-rumored, highly-anticipated next-gen MMO project, codenamed “Titan”, being developed by Blizzard Entertainment is no more. According to a story from the folks at Polygon, Blizzard’s Mike Morhaime and Chris Metzen have confirmed that the project has been scrapped after seven years in development.

Morhaime was quoted as saying, “We didn’t find the fun…We didn’t find the passion. We talked about how we put it through a reevaluation period, and actually, what we reevaluated is whether that’s the game we really wanted to be making. The answer is no.”

This is not the first high-profile game to be canned at Blizzard – the best example I can think of at this moment was the highly-anticipated StarCraft Ghost. However, this is possibly the most expensive cancellation the company has endured with a rumored $50 million dollars to date being spent on its development.

GamingShogun.com reached out for an official news release on this subject, but Blizzard Entertainment has opted not to release anything official – presumably because they never officially-announced it as a project to begin with…

You can read the full story over at Polygon.

Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved Soundtrack Release Info

Fantasia_LogoJPEG-XL

New York — (September 24, 2014) – Sumthing Else Music Works, the premier record label dedicated to video game soundtracks, in partnership with Disney Interactive and Harmonix, today announced plans to release the “Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved Original Soundtrack,” featuring the original score and classical music selections from the award-winning musical motion game arriving October 21.  Developed by Harmonix, the innovative minds pioneering new ways for users to connect to music through gameplay, “Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved” is a breakthrough musical motion video game inspired by Walt Disney’s classic animated film “Fantasia.” The “Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved Original Soundtrack” will be available for streaming, digital download and physical CD on October 21.

In “Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved”, players enter the magical realms of Fantasia, selected by the legendary sorcerer Yen Sid to hone their musical and magical prowess as his new apprentice.  “Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved” takes players on an interactive and immersive motion-controlled journey through worlds of music and magic, unleashing their creativity along the way.

The album comprises the game’s orchestral themes scored by award-winning composer Inon Zur and the music team at Harmonix, alongside new performances of classical masterpieces recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra, Academy of St. Martin In The Fields and Chamber Orchestra of London at the famed Abbey Road Studios.

“The Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved soundtrack is a perfect marriage of classical music and contemporary game score that will take listeners on an animated journey through the layered worlds of the modern Fantasia with the timeless feel of the original property.”
– Gwen Bethel Riley, Head of Business Affairs Music, Disney Interactive.

Tracklisting for Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved Original Soundtrack:

  1. Main Theme – London Symphony Orchestra (Inon Zur)
    2.         Toccata and Fugue in D Minor – London Symphony Orchestra (Johann Sebastian Bach)
    3.         Meeting The Master” – Inon Zur
    4.         The Shoal – Emeen Zarookian, Steve Pardo
    5.         Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Allegro) – Academy of St. Martin In The Fields (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)
    6.         Introducing The Hat – Michael Veloso, Inon Zur
    7.         The Hollow – Michael Veloso, Inon Zur
    8.         Night on Bald Mountain – London Symphony Orchestra (Modest Mussorgsky)
    9.         Scout’s Theme – London Symphony Orchestra (Inon Zur)
    10.       The Nation – Peter Moore, Steve Pardo, Inon Zur
    11.       Symphony No. 9, from the New World, IV. Allegro con fuoco – Chamber Orchestra of London (Antonin Dvořák)
    12.       Pressing On – Michael Veloso, Inon Zur
    13.       The Press – Drew Olsen, Inon Zur, Steve Pardo
    14.       Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 – Chamber Orchestra of London (Franz Liszt)
    15.       Asking The Moon – Michael Veloso, Inon Zur
    16.       The Capsule – Peter Moore
    17.       The Next Phase – Michael Veloso, Inon Zur
    18.       Making An Impression/A Malignant Force – Inon Zur
    19.       The Apology – Inon Zur
    20.       Selections from the Nutcracker (Medley) – Academy of St. Martin In The Fields (Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky)
    21.       The Four Seasons: Winter, I., Allegro non molto – Academy of St. Martin In The Fields (Antonio Vivaldi)
    22.       Theme from Fantasia: Music Evolved – Inon Zur
    23.       A Familiar Friend – Michael Veloso
    24.       Finale – Inon Zur

A “Director’s Cut” soundtrack, will offer exclusive remixes of the classical selections and original score B-sides for collectors who want to experience Fantasia “unlocked”.  The Director’s Cut will be released for digital download exclusively on Sumthing.com.

“Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved” is rated “E10+” by the ESRB and will be available October 21, 2014 for $59.99 for the Xbox One and for $49.99 for Kinect for Xbox 360.  For additional information about “Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved,” join the Facebook community at https://www.facebook.com/fantasiagame, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @FantasiaGame and view all videos on our YouTube channel athttp://youtube.com/FantasiaGame.

For more information on Sumthing Else Music Works and its complete catalog of video game soundtracks, visit http://www.sumthing.com/, like us at Facebook.com/SumthingElseMusicWorks and follow us on Twitter@SumthingDigital.