Author - Jerry Paxton

The Witcher 2 Console Release Date

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and CD Projekt RED have confirmed today that The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings is launching on April 17 in North America for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Additionally, here are some new screenshots from the game:

Valve Announces Steam Mobile App Beta

January 26, 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 the beta release of the Steam application for iOS and Android devices.

With the Steam app, gamers around the world may chat with Steam friends, browse community groups and user profiles, view screenshots and user-generated content for their favorite games, read the latest gaming news, stay up to date on unbeatable Steam sales, and more.

“The Steam app comes from many direct requests from our customers,” said Gabe Newell, co-founder and president of Valve. “Seeing which of your friends are online and playing a game, sending quick messages, looking at screenshots for an upcoming game, or catching a sale – these are all features customers have requested. Mobile is changing way people interact, play games and consume media, and the Steam app is part of our commitment to meet customer demands and expand the service functionality of Steam to make it richer and more accessible for everyone.”

Those who wish to join the beta just need to download the Steam app (free of charge) and log in to their Steam account via the mobile app to express interest in the beta. Gamers will be added to the Closed Beta as the service ramps up.

Steam is a leading platform for the delivery and management of PC and Mac games with over 40 million accounts around the world and over 1,800 titles offered.

For more information, please visit http://store.steampowered.com/mobile

The Ultimate Battlefield 3 PC Case Mod Winner

Last year, Raptr’s “Battlefield vs. Call of Duty Showdown” promotion invited gamers to discuss the merits of their favorite military shooter franchises for a chance to win the ultimate PC gaming rig. Based on feedback and playtime from more than 10 million gamers, EA’s Battlefield 3 emerged as the fan favorite of the competition. Famed modder Brian Carter created the powerful Battlefield 3-themed mod, and here are some images of it! It features a rotating mini-gun!

Images

Wargame: European Escalation Screenshots

Focus Home Interactive has released some new screenshots from their upcoming strategy game, Wargame: European Escalation, which is due out this March.

Screenshots

Nordic Games to Publish Alan Wake PC

Vienna, Austria, 26th January 2012: Nordic Games, part of the Nordic Games Holding AB group, today announced the signing of the publishing deal for the boxed PC version of Remedy’s critically acclaimed Psychological Action Thriller “Alan Wake”. The boxed PC version will include both XBLA DLCs “The Signal” and “The Writer”. Further information on the exact release date will follow in the next days.

“It goes without saying that we are very happy and proud to work together with some of the greatest talents and artists of the games industry”, commented Lars Wingefors, CEO of Nordic Games GmbH. “We are really looking forward to the PC version of Alan Wake, especially as we are talking about a fantastic PC adaptation thereof, rather than a mere porting of the code. We will talk about this in more detail in the upcoming weeks” he added.

“We’re very excited that we have the opportunity to bring the PC version of Alan Wake to retail and the fans out there.” said Matias Myllyrinne, CEO of Remedy Entertainment. “Working closely with Nordic Games we can deliver an amazing experience to PC gamers.”

Alan Wake was selected as TIME Magazine’s Game of the Year. Visit www.alanwake.com for more information on the game, or go to www.nordicgames.at for trade- & press related information regarding “Alan Wake”.

Tropico 4: Modern Times Screenshots

Kalypso Media has released some new screenshots from the upcoming Modern Times expansion for Tropico 4.

Screenshots

RiotZone in Open Beta

Hamburg, January 25, 2012. Mail.Ru Games, publisher of internationally successful online games like “Legend: Legacy of the Dragons”, “Allods Online”, “Juggernaut” and “Gunblade Saga” opens its doors today to the upcoming tactical MMO “RiotZone” (www.RiotZone.net). The story is set in the tropical jungle where players battle to deliver the future of the civil war torn state of Merania. Semi-automatic rounds show which of the two playable factions will emerge victorious from the war. Tactical decisions, the strategic outfit of mercenaries and clever handling of the special abilities available determine the difference between victory or defeat. A good dose of black humor, unique game characters and addictive gameplay attract fans to the monitor.

Hot battle for cool heads

Anti-malaria’s? Check. Food? Check. Adequate equipment? Check. Good preparation is essential in “RiotZone”. Gamers will not only fight for one of the two factions – The Red Alliance or the Coalition of the Crown – but also train their soldiers, upgrade weapons and expand their base. These role-playing elements turn out to be authoritative in later gameplay. Only the coolest strategic thinkers will prevail in numerous missions and PvP battles. “RiotZone” scores with many PvP modes: 1on1, 2on2 and 3on3 are just the beginning. Raids on enemy territory, conquest of resource-rich areas and large-scale battlefields require the commander within the gamer. Semi-automatic fights allow dynamic and spontaneous short-time battles where players can bring in a lot of extra firepower in form of various special abilities.
“RiotZone” is for real adventurers who believe they have what it takes to conquer Merania. Apply at www.riotzone.net

Riders of Rohan Coming to LOTRO

Turbine has announced the first full-fledged expansion to their MMORPG, The Lord of the Rings Online, called “Riders of Rohan”.

Full Press Release

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment unveiled today The Lord of the Rings Online™: Riders of Rohan™, the latest expansion to the award-winning free-to-play massively multiplayer online roleplaying game (MMORPG) developed by TurbineRiders of Rohan expands the online world of Middle-earth where players join forces to ride into the Plains of Rohan.  Riders of Rohan launches in the Fall of 2012 with an increased level cap, the vast plains of Rohan including iconic locations such as Amon Hen and Fangorn Forest, the new Mounted Combat system and much more!

“2011 was another banner year for The Lord of the Rings Online with consistent growth for the game, a successful unification of our European and North American services and the success of Rise of Isengard, our best selling expansion to date.” said Kate Paiz, Executive Producer of The Lord of the Rings Online.  “This is going to be another outstanding year as we celebrate our fifth anniversary and introduce a wealth of new content throughout the year, ending with our arrival in Rohan.  One of our largest expansions ever, Rohan is expected to be twice the size of the recent Rise of Isengard expansion and includes the most new game systems and technology we’ve introduced since 2008’s Mines of Moria.”

NEW FEATURES:

Ø  Experience the Riders of Rohan – Join with the Rohirrim and ride across the sprawling Plains of Rohan; witness the breaking of the Fellowship at Amon Hen; forge alliances with the Ents of Fangorn; and aid Éomer, adopted son of Théoden, as he seeks to protect his homeland from the growing Shadow.

Ø  Introducing Mounted Combat – Ride into Combat atop your loyal War-steed as you defend the people of Rohan from the forces of Isengard and Mordor. Customize your War-steed’s armor and level its skills over time to aid you in mounted defense of King Theoden’s lands. Mount your steed and gather your fellows to fight against Warbands, contingents of roving warg riders that have been scouted all over the Plains of Rohan! It falls to you to head off and defeat this new threat before they over take the land.

Ø  Advance to level 85 – Continue your legend in the next chapter of The Lord of the Rings Online. Experience new adventures in the epic story, and gain new skills and deeds as you face new challenges on your journey to 85!

The Lord of the Rings Online is the ultimate adventure. This award-winning massively multiplayer online role-playing game delivers an interactive experience brimming with life and filled with the familiar people, places and monsters from the most famous fantasy of all time. From the picturesque surroundings of the Shire to Moria, the most fearsome underground realm ever imagined, players can experience the world of Middle-earth for free!  For more information, visit www.lotro.com.

Blizzard Announces Battle.net World Championship, Cancels BlizzCon 2012

Here is a letter we received the other day from the good people at Blizzard Entertainment PR, in which they tell of the upcoming 2012 Battle.net World Championship – enjoy! Although, we must warn you, they also announced that in lieu of this tournament they have canceled BlizzCon for 2012. 🙁

Hello,

Blizzard Entertainment is proud to announce the 2012 Battle.net World Championship, a major global eSports event featuring some of the best pro-gaming competition in the world. Slated to take place in Asia toward the end of 2012, the Battle.net World Championship will host this year’s StarCraft II and World of Warcraft Arena World Championship tournaments. Blizzard gamers and eSports fans from around the world will be invited to attend and witness some of the most skilled pro players on the planet battle it out for cash and glory.

We’re excited to be showcasing Blizzard eSports on a truly global stage this year. We’re also heavily focused on getting Diablo III, Mists of Pandaria, and Heart of the Swarm into players’ hands as soon as possible. In light of our jam-packed schedule, we’ve decided to hold the next BlizzCon in 2013.

More details about the 2012 Battle.net World Championship and BlizzCon 2013, including specific dates and locations, will be coming in the months ahead.