A new, mysterious URL from what appears to be Ironclad Games is titled “Are you Worthy?” and features a countdown timer. What is Ironclad Games working on? Head on over to the countdown page and sign up to find out.
Author - Jerry Paxton
Focus Home Interactive has released a new multiplayer trailer for their upcoming Wargame: European Escalation.
Trailer
AGOURA HILLS, Calif. – February 9, 2012 – THQ and the Ultimate Fighting Championship® organization today announced new details surrounding the online feature set for UFC® Undisputed® 3, the forthcoming installment in the critically acclaimed mixed martial arts (MMA) videogame franchise based on the UFC®. The online feature set, including franchise-first community content sharing, improved online matchmaking and the return of Fight Camps, is currently scheduled to include the following items:
ONLINE EXHIBITION – In Ranked Matches, players will select their fighters, referee and venue within UFC or PRIDE® Mode. In addition, they will have the option to generate a Quick Match for automated matchmaking, a Custom Match to search with specific settings or select Create Session to host a match. Once a fight is complete, players will proceed to the post-game statistics for rankings information. Ranked statistics will contribute to a player’s Fighting Points grade and rank, as well as Fight Camp leaderboards.
EXHIBITION MATCHMAKING & FIGHTER POINTS – UFC Undisputed 3 will introduce new servers to significantly improve online matchmaking capabilities. Parameters will also be set on ranked matches to ensure fairness for leaderboard participants. The ranked settings are set to three rounds, while downloadable content and created fighters, mirror matches and camp fighting will be active during gameplay. In addition, Online Exhibition in UFC Undisputed 3 will introduce a new Fighter Points system. This system will enable players to compare ranks and show off their skill levels to see who is the ultimate champion.
HIGHLIGHT REELS – UFC Undisputed 3 will automatically save gameplay footage from fight rounds, up to the 50 most recent, enabling players to go back and watch them again. They will be able to save these videos to their Favorites and also cut clips from these fights to create a Highlight Reel. Highlight Reels may be also shared online so players can show off their accomplishments.
CONTENT CREATION & COMMUNITY SHARING – A community hub will allow players to upload their custom content, including created fighters, highlight reels and logo designs, and share the items with others from around the world. Once uploaded, anyone can download the content and use it within gameplay. A ratings system will allow players to rank each piece of shared content for others to review. In addition, players will also be able to download and review upcoming fight cards.
FIGHT CAMPS RETURN – Players may apply to join an existing camp or create their own, including selection of the camp’s name, developing a camp ID for use in match lobbies and creating a camp banner to be displayed during matches. The Camp Menu will offer several options based on player rankings, including access to the camp’s member list to monitor online status, option to view camp milestones and progress, as well as the ability to invite new camp members, accept applications and edit camp profile settings. In the gym, players will participate in free sparring with camp partners, play in unranked matches with camp members, compete in ranked matches outside of the camp and arrange chat sessions with up to four other players.
UFC Undisputed 3 is in development for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, as well as the PlayStation®3 computer system, with a currently scheduled release date of February 14, 2012. For more information on UFC Undisputed 3, please visit www.ufcundisputed.com, facebook.com/UFCUndisputed and twitter.com/UFC_Undisputed.
Los Angeles, Calif. – Feb. 9, 2012 – Today Codemasters® announced that DiRT® 3 Complete Edition, a compendium box set featuring the multi award-winning racer expanded with over $30 worth of additional content, will race into stores this March for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft® and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and PC Games For Windows® LIVE with a SRP of $39.99.
DiRT 3 Complete Edition will see DiRT 3, Gamespot’s “Racing Game of the Year” and rated 87 on Metacritic, expanded with 12 new routes across two locations, new cars and a range of liveries to deliver the definitive version of the ultimate off-road racer.
DiRT 3 Complete Edition extends the game with:
The Monte Carlo Rally Pack – eight breathtaking Rally stages featuring dramatic climbs, descents and hairpins of snowy mountain roads. Race through the Alps and conquer the legendary Col de Turini pass.
The X Games Asia Track Pack – four new routes set across two new tracks in Shibuya, the neon heart of central Tokyo, where spectacular mud-spattered Rallycross circuits weave beneath towering skyscrapers.
The Power and Glory Car Pack – stars five cars including the BMW M3 Rally, Lancia Delta S4, Ford Focus ST Rallycross, Scion tC and Chevrolet Camaro SSX Concept, each with a range of liveries.
The Mud and Guts Car Pack – features five cars available for single-player, split-screen and online multiplayer events. Race the Lancia Stratos, Peugeot 205 T16 Evo 2, Citroën C4 Rallycross, Saturn Sky and Ford Mustang GT, each with a range of liveries.
The Colin McRae Vision Charity Pack – access the Ford Escort Mk II, a 70s rally classic with five liveries.
The Ken Block Special Pack – features a customized and upgraded Ford Escort Mk II, an Open Class Rally car sporting a killer Ken Block livery.
The Mini Gymkhana Special Pack – access the mid-engined Mini Cooper S Gymkhana, customized and tuned to become an outrageously responsive Gymkhana car.
DiRT 3 itself features over 50 years of iconic rally cars to be raced through the snow, rain and dirt. Powered by the award-winning EGO Engine, the game delivers incredible graphics, damage and weather in solo, online and in split-screen. From the forests of Michigan to the infamous roads of Finland and the national parks of Kenya, gamers take on a wide range of disciplines including Gymkhana, Rallycross, Landrush, Head 2 Head and Trailblazer, plus the most amount of Rally content in the series yet.
DiRT 3 Complete Edition will race into retail this March for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and PC Games For Windows® LIVE with a SRP of $39.99. For all the latest updates straight from the studio, crash over to www.dirtgame.com, www.facebook.com/dirtgame or follow the team at www.twitter.com/dirtgame.
Screenshots
ASH II: Shadows is Konami’s follow-up to the well-received ASH on the iOS platform. A JRPG in the vein of the original Final Fantasy, ASH II features a lot of crisp, hand-drawn visuals that really pop on the iPhone 4S retina display. The game follows the story of an ostracized warrior and the party members he teams up with. While the writing in the game is somewhat cliche, overall the story gets communicated well and, along with the visuals, really help to sell the game world. In fact, several times I could not wait to find out what was going to happen next in the chapter.
Throughout the course of the story’s first chapter (the game is episodic and more are on the way), you and your party members will fight tons of creatures and enemies as well as explore the fantasy-based landscape.Combat is handled in the tactical, JRPG manner of each being on the display getting his or her chance to act, whether it be using magic or attacking with a melee weapon. Players can outfit their party members with new items and equipment along the way.
ASH II’s biggest problem is in the EXTREMELY easy difficulty level. I played through the entire first chapter and never once had a problem dispatching my foes. Hopefully, in later chapters, they will remedy the situation as the game mechanics are a lot of fun and are sure to offer the iOS gamer hours of playtime.
Screenshots
Prague (Czech Republic) / Frankfurt (Germany) , February 9, 2012 – Crytek GmbH (Crytek) and Warhorse Studios are happy to announce that they have closed a licensing deal for Crytek’s proprietary all-in-one game development solution CryENGINE®3. Warhorse Studios is working on an unannounced role-playing game (RPG). The debut title for the studio will combine open-world experience with a rich story and innovative gameplay elements.
“The team at Warhorse Studios consists of industry veterans from AAA classics such as the Mafia franchise and Operation Flashpoint. We’re excited by their vision for an innovative RPG and we are looking forward to working with them to help them achieve that vision with CryENGINE 3.”, said Carl Jones, Director of Global Business Development CryENGINE.
Martin Klima, Executive Producer at Warhorse Studios commented: “We looked at every major technology out there and CryENGINE 3 suits our needs perfectly. We are confident it will allow us to make the vision for our game come true.
AUSTIN, TX.- February 09, 2012 – Digital Harmony Games, a new interactive entertainment developer of social, casual games, today revealed new single player details for the upcoming multiplayer, free-to- play game Dragons vs. Unicorns, which will launch on iOS, Android and Browsers this year. Additionally, new screenshots have been released that introduce never-before-seen characters, like the Kamikaze Bat and Pimp Turtle, and the adorable Unicornlings players are charged with protecting! Players can visit www.digitalharmonygames.com to check out all the new details.
Dragons vs. Unicorns’ single player mode is an action defensive mode where players take charge of the Unicorn and defend the adorable baby unicornlings hatched from the nests. The goal is to protect the unicorn eggs and nests from the Dragon Minions as waves and waves of Dragon Minions approach in each successive level! Players will earn points for hatching unicorns and gold for killing minions.
Protecting the precious unicorn eggs aren’t the only task players are charged with, they must also protect the cute and cuddly bunnies that hop from the opposite side of the field to sit on top of the unicornling eggs for incubation. Since the unicorn has made a pact with all things cute, players have the advantage of sending the cuddly hedgehog — who bows to the unicorns every move – flying across the field like a boomerang mowing down anything in its path!
In this action-packed game, players can collect ability orbs from enemy kills to command powerful elements; like the Happy Sun Beam that fries multiple enemies on the screen all at once. Master the high score leaderboards, and earn gold and cupcakes to spend in the Dragons vs. Unicorns store for defensive and offensive upgrades and new abilities!
Dragons vs. Unicorns offers an immersive experience with a simple and intuitive control scheme and easy click and gesture based control. PVP fans will find dynamic physics with realistic damage in the sprite filled, sparkly rainbow and molten lava driven world. Single player mode, VS Multiplayer, persistent player data, social connectivity and so much more will await players in this unique and magical world of Dragons and Unicorns.
For more information, visit www.digitalharmonygames.com and follow on Twitter @DigiHarmGames. And look for their first title Chin Up now available in the iTunes store.
New Screenshots
Germany, February 09, 2012. Today InnoGames released a sneak peek into its upcoming browser game, Forge of Empires, with information regarding gameplay features. Various buildable structures increase citizens’ happiness, which is necessary for city prosperity and productivity. This greatly improves the ability to take over neighboring lands and expand empires.
As a city’s population grows in the game, the inhabitants develop an increasing demand for leisure activities. Players can choose from a number of buildings to meet that demand such as schools, theaters, public bath houses – and further in the title – embellished cathedrals and castles. Productivity quickly declines with an unhappy population, whereas happiness levels beyond the required amount boost the production of resources. Once this is fullfilled, leaders are prepared to obtain surrounding provinces.
Conquering provinces grants a source for rare goods or other rewards, like city-expansions or treasure. As players advance in the campaign, they unlock PvP-Towers. The towers allow one to compete in the various Ages’ PvP-tournaments, which run over the course of 7 days. In the future, InnoGames plans additional PvP-features as well as a Co-Op Campaign.
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. Screenshots, artwork and a trailer are available on www.forgeofempires.com.
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.
New Screenshots
Elmsford, N.Y., February 9, 2012 – Turtle Beach, pioneers of the game audio category, announced today that based on year-ending NPD data for 2011, Turtle Beach was the number one gaming headsets/headphones company with 50% of the market for the year and the number one third party console video gaming accessories company, based on 2011 dollar volume.
The strong growth for the category has led NPD to create a dedicated Headsets category, splitting off from the general Audio category. Headsets continue to be the strongest growing segment in the gaming industry and is expanding rapidly. Turtle Beach led the field with 12 of the top 25 Gaming Headset SKUS in 2011. Overall, Turtle Beach dominated the market, taking an average of 50% market share for 2011, with a 58% share in December alone, a high for the year.
“Turtle Beach created the console gaming headset category and we have been the leader ever since releasing our first XBOX headset more than five years ago. We are number one because our products are based on the principle that quality audio is a critical part of the video game experience and the market has responded,” said Bob Picunko, Chief Marketing Officer at Turtle Beach. “The latest NPD data has shown the strongest growth in the history of Turtle Beach and the category itself. The creation of a dedicated Gaming Headset category and our significant market share is a testament to the quality of our product and the desire of players to have a more immersive audio experience.”
Turtle Beach kicked off with a strong start at CES 2012, where its Ear Force XP400 was named “Best Gaming Hardware” for IGN’s Best of CES 2012 Awards. The Ear Force XP400 features 2.4/5GHz dual-band Wi-Fi technology, an industry first, plus Dolby Post-Processing with six variable virtual speaker configurations that offer custom tuned angles to optimize the surround sound effect.
2011’s successes and continued growth in the category were driven by a range of new products with trailblazing innovations, bringing expanded offerings for gamers of all types. Leading the charge was the Ear Force X12, successor to the Ear Force X11, the best-selling stereo headset for the Xbox 360 of all time. Early in the year the Ear Force PX5 reinvented gaming headsets by introducing patent-pending audio “presets” which allow developers and players to customize audio settings that enhances the game experience and offers a competitive edge. Turtle Beach also launched a line of limited edition Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 headsets to coincide with the biggest entertainment launch in history. The end of the year brought the Ear Force XP500, the first Xbox 360 headset to feature completely wireless XBOX Live chat capabilities with integrated Bluetooth technology that enables gamers to answer phone calls and stream audio while gaming.
GRAPEVINE, Texas — GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME), the world’s largest multichannel video game retailer, today announced its board of directors approved the initiation of a quarterly dividend to its shareholders of $0.15 per share. The first quarterly dividend will be paid on Mar. 12, 2012 to all shareholders of record as of Feb. 21, 2012. Future dividends will be subject to board approval.
“We have achieved our goal of eliminating debt and are pleased to return excess cash to our shareholders,” said Dan DeMatteo, executive chairman, GameStop Corp. “The board’s decision to initiate a dividend reflects GameStop’s strong capital position and demonstrates our confidence in the long term viability of our business.”
Since initiating a disciplined capital allocation plan in Jan. 2010, the company’s stock and debt buybacks have totaled more than one billion dollars and GameStop now operates debt free.