Author - Jerry Paxton

Forge of Empires Open Beta Starts April 17th

2012/04/13

Hamburg, April 12, 2012.Today InnoGames announced that its strategic browser game Forge of Empires will go into open beta on April 17. The German open beta will begin on April 19, other language versions, including French and Polish will soon follow.

A few thousand players already helped InnoGames put the final touches on Forge of Empires by delivering crucial feedback during a closed beta phase. Players eager to play the game now can still enter the closed beta by pre-registering on www.forgeofempires.com or visiting the InnoGames-Facebook page, where keys will be given out daily leading up to the open beta launch.

The team’s high expectations for Forge of Empires’ closed beta were exceeded by the overwhelmingly positive response from beta testers and media alike. Particularly the graphical quality, as well as variety and depth of the gameplay, were received positively. Many players enjoyed the possibility to approach the game in an entirely peaceful way. In the future, InnoGames plans to add a number of updates and features: Players can look forward to additional PvP-content and new ages.

Forge of Empires is a browser-based strategy game that allows players to create a city and develop it from the Stone Age and onward throughout the centuries. Players can create a vast empire through military campaigns and skillful dealings. InnoGames provides additional information in the game’s very own blog.

With about 75 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.

Skyrim to Get Kinect Support

2012/04/13

Jerry Paxton

News

Bethesda Softworks has announced that Kinect for Xbox 360 support is coming to The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Available for free as a title update slated for release this month, Skyrim Kinect for Xbox 360 Support will feature more than 200 Voice Commands.

Skyrim with Kinect Video

Stellar Impact Available Now

2012/04/13

Jerry Paxton

News

Montreal, Quebec, Canada – April 12, 2012 – The intergalactic battle lines have been drawn and the time for action is now as North American publisher Meridian4 (@Meridian4), together with developers Headup Games and Tindalos Interactive, today announced the arrival of their online tactical strategy game, Stellar Impact. Now available on Steam and other top distribution channels, Stellar Impact puts players in the Commander’s chair, devising strategies and dictating the orders that will lead their space armada to victory.

“In addition to building a strong community for the game, our beta program for Stellar Impact has enabled the development team to fine tune in-game features, implement enhancements and line up a strong schedule of ongoing downloadable content,” said Steve Milburn, Marketing Director of Meridian4. “We’re excited to debut Stellar Impact to strategy players and look forward to providing them with great ongoing content and updates.”

Stellar Impact puts players directly in the line of fire when the war between the Allies and the Axis powers moves to outer space. Troops will need to be smart with their tactics and weaponry by choosing the best battleships in outer space to attack, defend or recon. From speedy corvettes to massive dreadnaughts, you customize and command your ship and guide your forces to victory in an intense epic space war.

Stellar Impact and the first three DLC ship packs are available now via digital download on Steam, Amazon Digital, GameStop PC Downloads and Gamefly for a special one week introductory price of $7.99 and $.99/each respectively. For more information, please visit http://meridian4.com/games/stellar_impact.

World of Tanks Has Over 24 Million Registered Users

2012/04/12

Jerry Paxton

News

12^th April, 2012 — Wargaming.net, the award-winning global videogame publisher and developer, celebrates the first anniversary of its highly acclaimed online action game, World of Tanks, with more than 24 million registered players worldwide. World of Tanks, officially launched on April 12, 2011, has become one of the fastest growing free-to-play MMO games with servers in Europe, North America, Russia and China and recent expansion into Asia Pacific.

Over the past year, virtual tankmen from around the globe have:

Participated in 350 million battles
Fired more than 75 billion shells with 48 billion direct hits
Destroyed more than 8 billion armored vehicles

“Our growth over the last year has been nothing short of amazing,” said Victor Kislyi, CEO of Wargaming.net. “A year ago, no one in the company could possibly imagine that World of Tanks would have skyrocketed like this. As the growth dynamics show, the game isn’t slowing down anytime soon. We have massive expectations for the upcoming year, and we’ll continue to drive game development that will keep our players engaged and excited.”

World of Tanks holds the Guinness World Record for the “Most Players Online Simultaneously on One MMO Server,” reaching 91,311 concurrent players on the game’s Russian server on January 23, 2011. Since setting this record, the popular MMO has broken its own record multiple times, now with more than 450,000 concurrent players on one server.

Five New BandFuse: Rock Legends Tracks Revealed

2012/04/12

Jerry Paxton

News

Campbell, CA – April 12, 2012 – Realta Entertainment today announced unique online, multiplayer and social network features for its upcoming video game music title, BandFuse: Rock Legends. The new features include:

Multiplayer – Form bands and play along with your favorite songs, or create original music in real-time with up to 3 friends. Rock hard and own online Leaderboards and Challenges.
Create Original Content – Go beyond the included set list of songs by creating your own original pieces.

Free Jam – experienced guitarists can jam to their heart’s content, creating all-original songs by layering multiple audio tracks.
Jam Along – intermediate players can choose from a selection of backing tracks, then lay down their own lead, rhythm and vocal tracks.

Share Over Social Networks – Record and share your favorite tracks, collaborate on songs with friends and then share them with the world through the game and social networks.

Use the included ¼” instrument input adaptor included with BandFuse: Rock Legends to connect guitars and bass guitars and a standard USB microphone to your console and rock out to a huge selection of hit songs. Players of all skill levels can tap into the rock experience by using the unique BandFuse: Rock Legends animated tablature (tabs) interface. BandFuse will have novice players jamming in minutes and will allow advanced musicians to perform songs as the original artists intended.

BandFuse: Rock Legends features a massive, genre-spanning set list from today’s modern and classic rock ‘n’ roll artists, including these five newly revealed tracks:

“Alive” (Pearl Jam)
“Godzilla” (Blue Oyster Cult)
“Cult of Personality” (Living Colour)
“No Rain” (Blind Melon)
“Reptilia” (The Strokes)

These five new songs join previously announced tracks:

“Yellow” (Coldplay)
“Sweet Home Alabama” (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
“Back From Cali” (Slash)
“Breaking the Law” (Judas Priest)
“Harder to Breathe” (Maroon 5)
“The Bleeding” (Five Finger Death Punch)

To learn more about BandFuse: Rock Legends, please visit www.bandfuse.com, as well as Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates.

Last Day to Enter in the Pong Indie Developer Challenge is Sunday

2012/04/12

Jerry Paxton

News

LOS ANGELES – April 12, 2012 – Atari today reminded mobile developers that the deadline to submit an entry to the Pong® Indie Developer Challenge is this Sunday, April 15, 2012. Submissions will be accepted up until 11:59PM EST on Sunday, after which up to 20 semi-finalists will be selected and announced on April 24, 2012. Developers looking to submit their entry should visit: http://atari.com/pong-indie-developer-challenge-entry-formAll semi-finalists will then begin work on a playable demo and receive support on the production of a video trailer. Trailers will be featured across Atari’s various properties that reach millions of fans and receive publicity support from other third party outlets.

A celebrity judging panel consisting of Nolan Bushnell, Dave Castelnuovo, David Whatley and Mick Schramm will then identify up to 10 finalists, who will all be featured on Atari’s Developer Spotlight where Atari fans can see each developer’s profile and contest submission. The finalists, announced June 19, 2012, will be awarded three-year rev-share publishing agreements and cash prizes based on their final ranking: $50,000 to first place, $37,500 to second, $15,000 to third, and $5,000 each to the remaining finalists.

Upcoming dates to note for the Pong Indie Developer Challenge include:

•        April 24: Semi-Finalists Announcement
•        May 29: Semi-Finalists Demo and Video Submission
•        June 19: Finalists Announcement
•        July 6: Completed Finalists’ Mobile App Submission
•        August 2: Winner Announcement

For full details regarding the contest and rules, including how to submit, eligibility, timing of submissions and prizes, please visit: www.atari.com/pongdeveloperchallenge.

For more information about Atari games and the latest news:
– Visit our website: www.atari.com
– Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/atari
– Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/atari
– Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/atari

Naval War: Arctic Circle Demo Released

2012/04/12

Jerry Paxton

News

Stockholm – April 12, 2012 – Not every man or woman is sure that they are cut out for military service, especially out at sea, spending hours scouring radar screens and sonar readings for any signs of hostile activity. When your descendants ask how you spent the war, wouldn’t you like to say that you totally dominated your enemies above, upon and beneath the open seas?

Download the demo for Naval War: Arctic Circle, a real time strategy game about modern naval warfare brought to you by Paradox Interactive and Turbo Tape Games.

Download the Naval War: Arctic Circle demo here:
http://store.steampowered.com/app/200050/

The demo for Naval War: Arctic Circle includes the NATO campaign with six tutorial missions and the two first missions, one skirmish map and one multiplayer map available for other demo players.

Act now and make a name for yourself as one of the future’s great admirals!
Then we hope you will choose to enlist.
We need YOU to play with the great machines of war.

Naval War: Arctic Circle was released on April 10, via retail and all major digital distribution platforms for a recommended retail price of $19.99.
Buy the game here: http://www.navalwargame.com/buy

Hitman: Absolution Professional Edition Announced

2012/04/11

Jerry Paxton

News

LOS ANGELES (APRIL 11, 2012) – Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of SQUARE ENIX® interactive entertainment products in the Americas, today announced the HITMAN®: ABSOLUTION™ PROFESSIONAL EDITION is now available for pre-order. The professional edition includes a premium hardcover art book with a foreword from Game Director Tore Blystad, and an exclusive behind-the-scenes “making of” video. All packaged up in a clamshell box that looks as sharp as Agent 47™ in his suit, the Professional Edition is the ultimate way to experience the living, breathing world of HITMAN: ABSOLUTION.

The Professional Edition also includes advanced access to a range of in-game Agency weapons, giving the original assassin a deadly edge over his enemies from the outset. The Agency Jagd P22G pistol will suit silent assassins, while the Agency HX UMP submachine gun and the Agency SPS 12 semi-automatic shotgun will give Agent 47 the power to fight his foes head on.

Customers can also pre-order HITMAN: ABSOLUTION at the following retailers and receive exclusive in-game weapons:

Amazon®

· Bartoli Custom Pistol – An engineered precision weapon, complete with sight and silencer.

Best Buy®

· Bronson 1928M SMG – A classic submachine gun with high fire rate and deadly stopping power.

GameStop®

· Sniper Rifle: Agency Kazo TRG – The modern agency rifle with upgradable scope and silencer.

Walmart®

· Krugermeier 2-2 Pistol – An accurate, reliable stealth weapon with a built-in silencer.

Additional pre-order items will be announced in May.

Pre-Order Item Screenshots

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Available in September

2012/04/11

Jerry Paxton

News

LAS VEGAS, Nevada, (April 11, 2012) – NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. today delivered a knockout blow with the announcement that TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT™ 2 will be coming to the Xbox 360^® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and PlayStation^®3 computer entertainment system this September.

With the largest player roster in TEKKEN history, TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT 2 will feature more than 50 characters with expanded fight arsenals and move sets to do battle in new stages set in different countries from around the world. In addition to the tag-based battle that TEKKEN pioneered, TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT 2 will feature both one-on-one fighting and solo fighter vs. a tag-team battle, upending the current fighting game standards and making the game accessible for fans and newcomers alike.

In Pair Play mode, up to four players can each control a character in the ultimate team battle, while in the all new Fight Lab mode, players can customize the moves and appearance of new training character, Combot. Players that clear the innovative Fight Lab will have mastered the complexities of TEKKEN and own their own customized Combot.

“TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT is one of the most beloved entries in the TEKKEN series – not just among fans but also for myself and the entire development team, so crafting the sequel has been a labour of love for everyone here,” said Katsuhiro Harada, TEKKEN Project Director at NAMCO BANDAI GAMES Inc. “To truly make this game stand up to the high benchmark set by the original, we have injected some exciting features and modes that will revolutionize the online fighting game community and allow new players to enjoy and master the game – so there will be something for everyone.”

The original TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT created the entire tag-based fighting genre when it released in arcades in 1999, and the highly-anticipated sequel will bring unique features to the fighting game community with innovative online functionality that will be revealed in greater detail during E3 in June.

“There is so much packed into TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT 2 that we can’t wait to reveal to fans of both fighting games and fans of all games,” said Carlson Choi, vice president of marketing, NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. The latest entry into the iconic series will have the level of depth expected of the highest-selling fighting game franchise of all time, but also the accessibility for new fans and gaming noobs alike.”

For more information on the TEKKEN® universe, please visit: www.namcobandaigames.com www.tekken.com http://www.facebook.com/Tekken; http://www.twitter.com/Harada_TEKKEN; or http://www.twitter.com/FilthieRich.

Namco Bandai Announces Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition for PC

2012/04/11

Jerry Paxton

News

SAN JOSE, Calif. (April 11, 2012) – Leading video game publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., today announced that, by popular demand, Dark Souls™: Prepare to Die™ Edition will be releasing for the PC platform in North America on August 24th. This special, content-enhanced edition of the critically acclaimed Action-RPG developed by FromSoftware will be finely-tuned to cater to the PC gaming audience while retaining all of the deep challenge, rich atmosphere, and compelling gameplay that made the game a worldwide phenomenon. Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition on the PC platform will also include an enhanced PVP mode allowing players to more closely assemble battles against one another online in an all-out fight to the death that fans have demanded.

In addition, the development team at FromSoftware has revealed an untold chapter in the world of Lordran created specifically to help further expand upon the lore of the game. ‘Artorias of the Abyss’ will include all-new areas to explore, enemies to encounter, and bosses to take down one by one as players are treated to an unseen side of Lordan where players must stop the spread of darkness at all costs by facing and defeating the Dark Knight Artorias.

“Our fans demanded to see this game brought to the PC, and the noise they have made was simply too loud and too passionate to ignore,” said Hidetaka Miyazaki, Creative Director for Dark Souls at FromSoftware, Inc., “This also allowed us to dive back into the world of Dark Souls, offering a special edition of the game that offers more ways to die over and over again than ever before. Adding a whole new chapter to tell the tale of the Dark Knight Artorias was an opportunity we’re also proud to have taken, as we’ve managed to expand the experience for our biggest fans without compromising the balance of the core game that we worked so hard to create. This edition of the game is our gift to the fans.”

Heralded by critics worldwide, IGN referred to the original Dark Souls™ release as, “One of the most thrilling, most fascinating and most completely absorbing experiences in gaming,” while GameSpot called it, “Extraordinary… an awesome and menacing world you may never forget.”

With tense dungeon crawling and fearsome enemy encounters, the seamlessly intertwined world of Dark Souls is full of extreme battles, rewarding challenges, nuanced weaponry and magic, and the flexibility to customize each character to suit any desired play style. The innovative online component allows gamers to draw from the collective experience of the Dark Souls community as they either help or sabotage each other on the journey through the world of Lordran to save the land from darkness. With a massive, seamless open world design, Dark Souls encourages deep exploration and an adaptable gameplay experience.

Dark Souls™: Prepare to Die™ Edition will be available for digital download on the PC platform in North America on Augist 24^th. For more information on the game, please be sure to visit www.PrepareToDie.com and www.facebook.com/DarkSouls.