Author - Jerry Paxton

Capcom Releases Game Information at Captivate 2012

2012/04/10
Jerry Paxton
News

SAN MATEO, Calif. —  April 10, 2012 — Capcom®, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today confirmed new information and details on its previously announced game line-up for 2012 stemming from its annual media showcase event, Captivate, which took place in Rome last week. At the event, Capcom officially announced Lost Planet® 3 is in full development and scheduled for release on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, the Xbox 360 ® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and Windows PC in early 2013. In addition, it was announced that the Xbox 360 and PS3™ versions of Resident Evil® 6 will now be released globally on October 2, 2012, with the Windows PC version to follow. Finally, Capcom is pleased to confirm that its forthcoming PlayStation®Vita system title, Street Fighter® X Tekken®, will feature Cross-Platform Play with the PS3™.

The extreme and unpredictable conditions that characterized the Lost Planet® series return, harsher than ever before in Lost Planet 3. Players take on the role of Jim, a utility rig pilot who has left Earth to take on a hazardous but lucrative contract on E.D.N. III. Delivering a diverse range of gameplay, including third-person on-foot battles and intense first-person utility rig action, players will need to brave the uncharted terrain, hostile climate and threat of indigenous Akrid creatures. With a number of multiplayer modes and a compelling single player experience, Lost Planet 3 will delve deeper into the Lost Planet universe, uncovering hidden truths when it releases in early 2013.

Captivate represented the first opportunity for media to see the highly anticipated Resident Evil 6 in action, with the game’s development team showcasing one of Leon S. Kennedy’s missions. Full of tension, the action has Leon and partner Helena Harper searching for an escape route from the Ivy University campus, the site of the most recent bioterrorist outbreak and the zombies that now stalk its hallways and grounds.

Announced and showcased during Captivate was the Cross-Platform Play for the PS Vita system version of Street Fighter X Tekken which allows owners of the PS Vita system version to compete against owners of the PS3™ version anywhere in the world, via Wi-Fi or 3G. Other features confirmed for the PS Vita system version of Street Fighter X Tekken were the introduction of touch controls, local and Wi-Fi multiplayer plus Near functionality alongside all the content from the home console version.

For the first time since its announcement, Captivate attendees were able to play DmC Devil May Cry® and experience the fast-paced, stylish combat that is the signature of the series. In addition, the game’s development team, including members from Capcom Japan and Ninja Theory, presented a brand new level of the game. In this area, set at a carnival near the pier where he lives, Dante faces off with a Hunter Demon that has tracked down the Son of Sparda.

Steel Battalion™ Heavy Armor,acollaboration between Capcom and From Software and an Xbox 360 exclusive,introduced a brand new online four player Cooperative Multiplayer Mode available on the Xbox LIVE® online entertainment network when the title releases on June 19 in North America and from June 22 across Europe. Attending media were invited to work together, using the innovative mix of Kinect™ for Xbox 360 and regular controller play, and defeat the enemy’s Vertical Tanks.

Attendees were also able to experience new content for the forthcoming open world action-RPG title, Dragon’s Dogma™ and a debut hands on with the recently announced PlayStation®Move enabled Resident Evil®: Chronicles HD Collection.

Dance Central Getting 3 New Dances

2012/04/09
Jerry Paxton
News

Cambridge, Mass. – April 9th, 2012 – Harmonix is excited to announce it will be adding three hot dance routines to Dance Central™2 this April!

On April 10th, Yolanda Be Cool & DCUP’s “We No Speak Americano” hits the Dance Central 2 Music Store! The song was a hit when it released in 2010, and remains a popular dance track in clubs worldwide.

“Commander,” from Kelly Rowland’s 2010 album Here I Am, comes to the Music Store on April 17. A collaboration with producer David Guetta, “Commander” is sure to get your heart beating with its danceable, bouncy rhythm and “Hardcore” Dance Central 2 difficulty.

Pitbull’s “Give Me Everything,” featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack and Nayer, caps off April’s Dance Central 2 add-on content. Off of 2011’s Planet Pit, “Give Me Everything” was one of 2011’s hottest and best-selling digital singles, with over 8 million sales worldwide! The track hits the Music Store on April 24.

All tracks will be available via in the Dance Central 2 in-game Music Store, or from the Xbox LIVE Marketplace for 240 MS Points each.

April 10
Yolanda Be Cool & DCUP – “We No Speak Americano”

  • Difficulty – Hardcore
  • DC Choreographer – Ricardo Foster Jr.

April 17
Kelly Rowland ft. David Guetta – “Commander”

  • Difficulty – Hardcore
  • DC Choreographer – Marcos Aguirre

April 24
Pitbull ft. Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer – “Give Me Everything”

  • Difficulty – Tough
  • DC Choreographer – Frenchy Hernandez

Dance Central 2 supports over 100 danceable songs, available via on-disc tracks, song importing from the original Dance Central*, and downloadable content from the Xbox LIVE Marketplace. The party never has to stop with downloadable content added every month to keep your body moving on the dance floor!

Website Links:

Dance Central Website
Dance Central on Facebook
Dance Central on Twitter

Dance Central 2 is rated “T” for Teen (lyrics) by the ESRB. Music downloads are not rated by the ESRB.

For more information on Dance Central 2 and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.dancecentral.com and www.harmonixmusic.com.

Microsoft, Xbox and Xbox LIVE are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

* An additional fee, Xbox LIVE, storage device and the original Dance Central game are required to import songs from Dance Central.

Imperium Galactica 2 – Quick Review (iOS)

2012/04/09
Jerry Paxton
News, Reviews

In 1999, gamers were treated to a real gem of a “4X” game: Imperium Galactica 2. Taking off on the basic style of games in its genre, IG2 brought in RTS style ground combat as well as highly developed systems of politics and empire management. The 4X game is not as popular as it once was, for one reason or another, and we gamers often times have to find out space conquering fix at the hands of indy developers. Enter: Digital Reality, who ha brought their classic Imperium Galactica 2 to the iOS platform for Apple’s iPad device.

Imperium Galactica 2 for iOS is basically a full port of the original PC game to the mobile platform. The first thing hat hit me was just how outdated the cut-scenes looked. That soon passed, however, as I was thrown into the galaxy to guide my empire to glory. What may put off many younger gamers who don’t have past 4X game experience, is that the UI/menu system is a bit confusing at first. There is just so much to do in the game and remembering where all the menu options are is daunting at first. As previously-mentioned, the graphics are not all that great – same with the game’s audio. However, it is easy to overlook once you start playing and really get into the experience.

Gameplay-wise, Imperium Galactica 2 for iOS is a blast from the past of a time when gamers were much more patient in their gameplay. Be prepared to toil through countless decisions regarding your empire and it’s strategic and tactics forces – not to mention directing its political directives. Overall, this game is a must-play for fans of the 4X genre or just looking to spread their wings and undertake a serious empire management sim. Imperium Galactica 2 is a very fairly-priced $3.99 on the Apple App Store.

Path of Exile Preview (PC)

2012/04/06
Jerry Paxton
News, Previews

Let me just begin by emphasizing that I love how we are in a time and place with gaming where indie games can come out of seemingly nowhere, and completely surprise a gamer (both good and bad). More and more lately I feel this way, and games that do not have the big business marketing hype machines behind them can still have a big impact on us, particularly when they are a pleasant surprise (i.e. good).

With the build up towards Diablo III, and the hype surrounding the title, I did not see another game in the Action RPG genre coming along and diverting my gaze. It turns out I was in for a great surprise indeed.

So starting with the open play weekend, and continuing with closed beta now, I was introduced to Path of Exile (Developed by Grinding Gear Games, with a free to play micro transaction model). This game is very much the spiritual successor to games like Diablo 2 and Titan Quest, taking what was great about those games and building on them. It maintains a model where players move through various Acts (each with a town hub and quests), and hack, shoot, bash, blast, and maim everything in their path. The simple joy of this type of gameplay is captured extremely well, with a very slick and intuitive interface, great controls (with the exception of occasional pathing jank), randomized zone layouts, and exciting and varied loot drops.

The biggest place I think PoE makes its mark is with the level of character customization and building that can be achieved. Classes all are placed on the same skill grid (along the lines of Final Fantasy X), and the main difference between the classes is where on the grid they start (near more of the strength based skills, Int based skills, etc). The player is then free as they level up to go off in many diverging directions and is faced with an enormous level of choice in how they actually build and develop their character. This is probably the single coolest feature of PoE, and in my opinion is what could help it stand out as one of the next big games in the Action RPG genre. Beyond this, the skills a character actually uses are found as random drops (or rewarded via quests) and socketed into items. These skills will level with the player as they level as long as they are equipped, and makes for a deeper level of customization. Grinding Gear Games is truly embracing the concept of deep character customization that allows the player to craft exactly the type of character they want.

I believe that Grinding Gear Games is on to something big here, and the more I play the game, the more I recapture the feelings of joy I had playing Diablo 2 and Titan Quest. Currently they are in Closed beta, but the game will be going into an open beta phase later this year (TBA). They are offering a variety of packages that you can buy (that come with points to spend on micro transactions now and when the game officially launches) which will get you into the closed beta, that range from 10 dollars to 1000 dollars. I will stress that they seem very adamant about their micro transactions being cosmetic, and have expressed a very anti-pay to win mindset (very good to hear).

What it boils down to, is that this game (in my humble opinion) is going to be a huge sleeper hit that explodes via word of mouth, and winds up a huge critical success (perhaps in a similar way to League of Legends). If you have not heard about this title, which I would imagine is true for many gamers out there that generally only hear about the big name titles, then please go check it out at http://www.pathofexile.com and buy yourself a pass into beta. For 10 dollars you get into the beta and get some points to spend on stash tabs or character slots. This will be the best 10 dollars you have spent on a game this year (assuming you are a fan of Hack N Slash Action RPGs). If you love what Grinding Gear Games is doing here and want to support them further, by all means spend more.

Bottom line, this game is absolutely incredible, and it is clear it is being made by passionate gamers who are also fans of what they do. I for one cannot wait to see what they have in store for us as the game launches and beyond, and will be introducing the game to everyone I know that would enjoy games of this style.

Screenshots

EA Announces Teeth of Naros Downloadable expansion for Kingdoms of Amalur

2012/04/05
Jerry Paxton
News

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND – APRIL 4, 2012 – Glimpse into the future of Amalur, as Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA), 38 Studios, and Big Huge Games unveil Teeth of Naros™, the second downloadable content (DLC) pack for Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning™. Players will journey through a forgotten land called the Teeth of Naros, a harsh environment named after an ancient troll god. In this new journey players will encounter the Kollossae, a devout race of giants, and uncover the mysteries of their faith. Teeth of Naros will be available starting on April 17, 2012 on Xbox Live for 800 points and PlayStation®Network, Origin™ and Steam for $9.99.

The Teeth of Naros DLC and the journey through the mysterious land will feature:

· A New City – Explore the city of Idylla, which magically floats in the sky above the Teeth of Naros featuring more than 20 side quests, multiple dungeons and a mysterious new race

· New Enemies and Dungeons – Players will take part in a crucible of faith and tribulation with new dangers and enemies as they journey through five enormous new dungeons

· New Twists of Fate and Items – Three new Twists of Fate, nine new armor sets, six new shields and 18 new unique weapons for players to choose from as they journey through this new world

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning was brought together by a stellar team of creative minds that joined World Series Champion pitcher and founder of 38 Studios, Curt Schilling, including 24-time New York Times bestselling author R.A. Salvatore who created Amalur’s 10,000-year history, Spawn creator Todd McFarlane who lent his signature visual style to the artistry of the game, and Ken Rolston, internationally celebrated game designer.

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning brings open-world exploration and unparalleled action and combat together in the ultimate RPG experience. With near infinite combinations of destinies, abilities, weapons, items and special moves, players are able to customize their play experience to suit any style. By reweaving their fate, they can retool and totally rebuild their hero in the midst of their adventure. Within Reckoning, players will immerse themselves in a world filled with extraordinary landscapes, mysterious cities, colorful characters and fantastic creatures exploring an entirely new universe where every building, tree, and creature has a clear and defined history.

Developed by 38 Studios subsidiary Big Huge Games in Baltimore, Maryland and 38 Studios in Providence, Rhode Island, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is available now in North America and Europe for the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC. Learn more about Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning by visiting www.Reckoning.com or follow us on Facebook (http://facebook.com/ReckoningTheGame) and on Twitter (http://twitter.com/ReckoningGame). Press assets for Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning are available at www.info.ea.com

Dev Blog Talks MWO’s MechLab

2012/04/05
Jerry Paxton
News

Piranha Games has posted up a new dev blog post discussing the MechLab of their upcoming MechWarrior Online.

From the Post:

How does it all fit?

MechWarrior Online incorporates a “Hardpoint” system which dictates, above all other customization, that weapons can only be swapped out with weapons of the same weapon type. For example, energy weapons cannot be swapped with ballistic weapons.

Each location on a BattleMech, such as the Right Arm or Center Torso, may include a number of hard points. The number of hard points in a given location is determined on a per variant basis, and is based on the weapons included in the variant’s default loadout. For example, a ’Mech that, by default, comes with 2 Medium Lasers and an Autocannon/2 in its Left Torso may actually have 3 energy weapon hard points and 2 ballistic hard points in that location. So, if the player is able to satisfy the weight and critical slot requirements, they could equip an additional energy weapon and ballistic weapon into that Left Torso, or swap out the Medium Lasers for other energy weapons, etc.

Battle Academy Gets New iPad Patch

2012/04/05
Jerry Paxton
News

Epsom, UK, April 4, 2012 – Slitherine (www.slitherine.com) and Matrix Games (www.matrixgames.com) are excited to announce a release of an update to the critically-acclaimed Battle Academy on iPad, which has been seen amazing success on the Apple tablet. Battle Academy is now constantly sitting at the top of the iPad strategy charts in all countries, becoming one of the first wargames on the iPad to receive wide-spread praise by both press and players alike, with an amazing number many five-star ratings from player’s reviews!

The update can be downloaded by logging into the Apple App Store from your iPad and selecting Battle Academy from the update section.

Iain McNeil said “We always knew we had a great game but we were a bit surprised by the level of success on iPad and would like to thank all our fans for their support. This kind of support ensures we can continue to develop new content for the game on all platforms. We knew taking a full game from PC to iPad was going to be tough but we were not prepared to compromise and release a simpler cut down version of the game.”

The update brings added support for the iPad 3, utilizing the stunning Retina display, as well as adding ground objects. Other bug fixes address the rotation and zoom function to make it smoother in action.

The full bug fix list includes:

  • fixed a bug where you could not start custom MP map games from the iPad
  • a tweaked rotation and zoom for smoother action
  • a tweaked UI to make rotation, zoom, and drag clearer
  • upped double tap timings to help out slower-fingered players
  • should solve issue with display corruption during startup (purely cosmetic).

Deus Ex: Human Revolution Gets Mac Release Date

2012/04/05
Jerry Paxton
News

LOS ANGELES (April 4, 2012) – Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of SQUARE ENIX® interactive entertainment products in the Americas, today announced the international blockbuster action-RPG video game DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION® will be released as an Ultimate Edition for Mac on April 26th.

Developed by Eidos-Montréal and brought to the Mac platform by Feral Interactive, Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Ultimate Edition will contain the acclaimed DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION, the Explosive Mission and Tactical Enhancement packs as well as the Deus Ex: Human Revolution – The Missing Link DLC. It will also include a 40-page book of concept art and a bonus disc, featuring a 44-minute “Making of” documentary, a motion comic, animated storyboard, CGI trailer and the game’s soundtrack, composed by Michael McCann.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Ultimate Edition for the Mac is published by Feral Interactive, and will retail in North America for $49.99.

DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PCs is published by Square Enix Inc.

For more information about Deus Ex: Human Revolution, log on to http://www.deusex.com. To check out information exclusively about the Ultimate Edition, visit: http://www.feralinteractive.com/deusexhr.

Harmonix Announces Rock Band Blitz

2012/04/05
Jerry Paxton
News

Cambridge, Mass. – April 4th, 2012 – Harmonix is excited to announce Rock Band™ Blitz, an all-new downloadable title for Xbox LIVE Arcade and PlayStation®Network that brings the excitement of a full band experience into your hand! Designed for use with a standard controller, Rock Band Blitz is beat-match gameplay evolved… no instrument peripherals required!

Rock Band Blitz is a new way to experience your favorite Rock Band songs, with fast-paced, multi-track arcade gameplay that encourages you to compete against your friends for the highest scores. Use insane power-ups like the note-obliterating Bottle Rocket or the Pinball strategically to boost your scores and top the leaderboards!

Rock Band Blitz features over 20 tracks new to the Rock Band franchise, including Blink-182’s “Always,” Foster the People’s “Pumped Up Kicks,” Quiet Riot’s “Metal Health (Bang Your Head),” and Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl.”  Rock Band Blitz is also compatible with most of your existing Rock Band Music Library, including all content from the Rock Band Music Store, as well as tracks exported from Rock Band, Rock Band 2, and more. As a bonus, all of the tracks that come with Rock Band Blitz are immediately playable in Rock Band 3 at no extra charge, so you can get the band back together and play Rock Band Blitz’s 20-plus new tracks in Harmonix’s award-winning full-band game!

“We’re excited to give Rock Band fans a new way to play their existing Rock Band library,” said Harmonix CEO and co-founder Alex Rigopulos. “With over 3,500 songs at their disposal and addictive multi-track gameplay, Rock Band Blitz is going to be a great way to compete with your friends later this summer!”

Harmonix will be bringing Rock Band Blitz to Penny Arcade Expo in Boston, MA this week – April 6 through April 8 – for its first public playable appearance. Fans can stop by booth #642 to check out Rock Band Blitz on one of six kiosks and get their first taste of the game’s frantic, instrument-free arcade action!

Rock Band Blitz is scheduled for release on Xbox LIVE Arcade and PlayStation® Network this summer. For the latest assets, including screenshots and the game logo, please visit http://www.rockband.com/press/blitz