Author - Jerry Paxton

BioShock Infinite to Get 1999 Mode – Homage to System Shock 2

2012/01/19
Jerry Paxton
News

2K Games has announced that gamers craving a bit more old-school RPG challenge should enjoy the “1999 Mode” (System Shock 2 was released in 1999) in their upcoming Bioshock Infinite. This game mode will feature perma-death in certain cases, harder life and energy management, as well as forcing the player to make permanent decisions about their characters ability loadouts. Checkout the press release below for more info:

Press Release

New York, NY – January 19, 2012 – 2K Games announced today that BioShock® Infinite from Irrational Games will feature a new form of play- the 1999 Mode, designed to challenge players in a variety of ways – each requiring substantial commitment and skill development.

1999 Mode is a way of playing designed for gamers who long for the days of games that demanded more of the player. It will include tweaks and features that BioShock fans will not experience in a standard play-through of BioShock Infinite, no matter the difficulty level.

“We want to give our oldest and most committed fans an option to go back to our roots,” said Ken Levine, Creative Director of Irrational Games. “In 1999 Mode, gamers face more of the permanent consequences of their gameplay decisions. In BioShock Infinite, gamers will have to sweat out the results of their actions. In addition, 1999 Mode will demand that players pick specializations, and focus on them.

“I’m an old school gamer. We wanted to make sure we were taking into account the play styles of gamers like me. So we went straight to the horse’s mouth by asking them, on our website, a series of questions about how they play our games. 94.6 percent of respondents indicated that upgrade choices enhanced their BioShock gameplay experience; however, 56.8 percent indicated that being required to make permanent decisions about their character would have made the game even better.”

In addition to these permanent decisions, 1999 Mode will feature demanding weapon, power, and health management. The mode also takes a much harder stand on player respawning, sending the gamer directly to a “Game Over” screen if he or she lacks the resources to be brought back to life. It’s not for the faint of heart.

DDO Menace of the Underdark Announced

2012/01/19
Jerry Paxton
News

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has announced the first official expansion for their MMORPG, Dungeons & Dragons Online, called “Menace of the Underdark”.

Official Statement

January 19, 2012 – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Wizards of the Coast unveiled today Dungeons & Dragons Online®: Menace of the Underdark™, the first expansion to the award-winning free-to-play massively multiplayer online roleplaying game (MMORPG) developed by Turbine.  Menace of the Underdark launches in the Summer of 2012 expanding for the first time into the beloved Forgotten Realms setting and the vast subterranean world of the Underdark, an increased level cap, the new Druid class and much more!
“2011 was a year of growth for Dungeons & Dragons Online as we celebrated our fifth anniversary and completed a successful launch of the game in Europe,” said Fernando Paiz, Executive Producer of Dungeons & Dragons Online.  “2012 is going to be our biggest year yet with a wealth of new content throughout the year including the launch of our first expansion pack.  We are very excited to expand into the Forgotten Realms setting with a whole new storyline, level cap increase and the new Druid class!”

NEW FEATURES:

Ø  Journey to the Forgotten Realms- Experience the classic fantasy and adventure of D&D’s most imaginative and renowned setting. Arrive in the village of Eveningstar and adventure through the surrounding King’s Forest wilderness area where the citizens of the nation of Cormyr must unite to face a new threat to the Realms.

Ø  Brave the caverns of the Underdark- Come face to face with the Underdark Drow and Lolth, their Queen and goddess, as you explore this vast and twisted, subterranean world.  Infiltrate the Drow stronghold of Shindylryn – the city of portals – where Lolth’s forces work to further her schemes.

Ø  Attain Epic levels to 25! Forge your Epic Destiny and create a unique Epic hero with powerful character customization options as you advance beyond level 20 to epic level 25.

Ø  Play the Druid Class- Play as the all new shape-shifting Druid class! Wield nature’s magic or transform into a powerful animal form with this classic D&D class.

Dungeons & Dragons Online®(DDO) is a free-to-play MMORPG featuring the industry’s best combat system, a massive world with state-of-the-art graphics and gameplay, and a rich set of features that until now could only be found in premium subscription-based MMOs. DDO offers an innovative pricing model that allows players to download and play for free, purchasing adventure packs, items, and account services a la carte from the new DDO Store, or to subscribe to get unlimited access to all of the game’s content. Players can download and play DDO Unlimited for free by visiting http://www.ddo.com.

Indie PC Game Vessel Gets Launch Date

2012/01/19
Jerry Paxton
News

Strange Loop Games has announced the release date for their upcoming PC liquid-physics puzzler, Vessel. The game will be released via Steam on March 1st, 2012. Checkout the official website for more information!

“With Vessel, we wanted to push the boundaries of how hardware power is used in games,” said Vessel designer and Strange Loop Games co-founder John Krajewski. “Typically, hardware power put towards graphics and physics is only an aesthetic addition. In Vessel, the foundation of the gameplay and puzzles is based in liquid simulation.”

Diablo III Game Systems Changes

2012/01/19
Jerry Paxton
News

Game director Jay Wilson has posted up some changes that Blizzard is making to the game systems of their upcoming Diablo III. Checkout his official post for more information.

While working on Diablo III we’ve been called out for messing around with systems too much, that the game is good as-is and we should just release it. I think that’s a fair argument to make, but I also think it’s incorrect. Our job isn’t just to put out a game, it’s to release the next Diablo game. No one will remember if the game is late, only if it’s great. We trust in our ability to put out a great game, but we’re not quite there yet. In addition to finishing and polishing the content of the game we’re continuing to iterate on some of the core game systems. So all that said, I’d like to provide everyone an update on some of the systems we’re currently working on.

Hard Reset: Extended Edition Screenshots

2012/01/18
Jerry Paxton
News

Kalypso Media has released some new images from the upcoming PC shooter, Hard Reset: Extended Edition.

Screenshots

AOC Unveils Flicker-Free Passive 3D Monitor

2012/01/18
Jerry Paxton
News

AOC has revealed their newest 3D monitor, the e2342Phz, featuring passive (which I love) and flicker-free 3D performance.

Press Release

Fremont, Calif. –January 18, 2012 – AOC, the world’s largest manufacturer of LCD/LED Monitors and HDTVs, has released the e2352Phz, a slim high-definition 23-inch monitor that brings flicker-free 3D to your PC for the ultimate PC gaming and film watching experience. The monitor uses FPR 3D technology to display bright, crisp and vivid 3D images, while eliminating eye fatigue and dizziness caused by conventional 3D displays. The e2352Phz offers simple setup with plug-and-play connection to any PC, and its HDMI 1.4a input is ready to play 3D video and sound from the latest consumer electronics devices, from 3D Blu-ray players to gaming consoles like PS3 and Xbox 360. The AOC 3D Monitor (e2352Phz) is now available for $299 at TigerDirect.com and BestBuy.com, among other retailers.

“AOC’s new flicker-free 3D monitor lets you experience what 3D was meant to be – with clear, bright and vivid images that make your display come to life,” said Robert Velez, AOC Marketing Manager. “Whether you are gaming on your computer or watching your favorite movie, this high quality 23-inch monitor can’t be beat in terms of value, features and price point.”

AOC’s e2352Phz monitor features flicker-free FPR 3D technology and comes with two pairs of lightweight and comfortable passive polarized glasses that can also be used with any other FPR 3D television or display. While conventional 3D technology uses battery-powered shutter glasses and a complicated signaling process that causes eyestrain, headaches and dizziness, the AOC 3D monitor’s FPR technology offers a comfortable viewing experience along with brighter and more vivid images. The AOC 3D monitor also provides a more realistic 3D experience and is crosstalk-free, meaning that 3D images are crisp and clear rather than blurred.

While conventional 3D systems require more hardware and are more costly, the AOC 3D monitor is simple to set up with plug-and-play connection to any PC and even easily converts pictures, games and videos from 2D to 3D. Additionally, the HDMI input can be directly connected to multiple devices like console game players and Blu-ray players.

The e2352Phz is capable of displaying more than 16.7 million colors, has a 5ms response time and features an ultra-high dynamic contrast of 20,000,000:1 to reveal more depth and detail in darker scenes. The monitor also includes a built-in speaker for improved desktop sound and a built-in VESA stand for desktop placement or convenient wall mounting. The ENERGY STAR-compliant monitor’s LED backlight panel contains no toxic mercury and uses only half the power of traditional CCFL screens. To enhance your total viewing pleasure, the monitor’s design is slim and streamlined, with discreetly concealed control buttons.

SPEC HIGHLIGHTS
• Flicker-free 3D monitor with slim design and glossy bezel
• Provides video playback of 2D or 3D movies and also converts 2D images into 3D
• Compatible with most gaming consoles including PS3 and Xbox 360, as well as most Blu-ray and DVD players
• Direct insert I/O for easy plug-in; no additional VGA card or accessories needed
• Includes two pairs of polarized glasses for flicker free 3D viewing (1 normal, 1 clip-on for eyeglass wearers)
• Offers crisp, clean image quality with 20,000,000:1 DCR and 5 ms response time
• Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution
• Features 1.4a HDMI input
• Built-in VESA stand can be used on a desktop or easily mounted on a wall
• EPEAT certified and ENERGY STAR compliant LED panel is mercury free and offers low power consumption
• Compatible with Windows 7

About AOC
AOC is the world’s largest manufacturer of LCD/LED monitors and HDTVs. With more than 60 years of design and manufacturing experience, AOC has earned a reputation for selling user-friendly, technologically advanced monitors, TVs and multi-functional displays. Every aspect of AOC’s global business focuses on the development of products that fit seamlessly into consumers’ digital lifestyle. For more information, please visit us.aoc.com.

Alienware Unveils the Alienware X51 Compact PC

2012/01/18
Jerry Paxton
News

Alienware has lifted the curtain on its newest gaming PC, the compact Alienware X51. Starting at $699, the X51 features quite a bit of power in a very small package.

“The Alienware X51 allows us to bring the exciting nature of high-definition, immersive gaming within reach of more gamers than ever before,” said Arthur Lewis, vice-president, Alienware and Product Management for Consumer, Small and Medium Business. “With the X51, we’ve expanded our gaming desktop offering to cater to all gamers in addition to our core enthusiast and competitive gamers. Now everyone can enjoy the latest games on a sleek, powerful, compact and customizable system. The X51 desktop delivers an incredible feature set for its size and price.”

Press Release

Alienware, Dell’s high-performance, PC gaming brand, invites customers to join in the ultimate gaming experience with the Alienware X51, its smallest gaming desktop ever with outsized performance capabilities. The latest in Dell’s PC gaming portfolio, the X51 is designed to deliver an exhilarating 1080p high definition and 3D gaming experience of today’s top-tier game titles while the new, smaller chassis design offers the flexibility to turn nearly any living space, from the living room to the dorm room, into an entertainment and gaming mecca.

The Alienware X51 gives customers the freedom to focus on the game with the performance expected in an Alienware gaming PC and a thoughtful design for post-purchase upgrades, and the latest in performance technology. The versatile design of the X51 enables customers to achieve high performance computing in virtually any living space with a dual-orientation chassis supporting 7.1 surround-sound audio and an optional Blu-Ray disc drive.

Mass Effect 3 Demo to Launch February 14th

2012/01/18
Jerry Paxton
News

BioWare and Electronic Arts have announced that the demo for the upcoming Mass Effect 3 will be released on February 14, 2012. Checkout the full press release below for additional details:

Full Press Release

EDMONTON, Alberta – January 18, 2012 – Award-winning developer BioWare, a label of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA), announced today that the demo for 2012’s first blockbuster game, Mass Effect™ 3 will be available beginning February 14, 2012. The extensive demo will allow players to experience the all-out galactic war against an ancient alien race known as the Reapers from multiple fronts, including the mind-blowing opening attack on Earth that kicks off the single-player campaign. Players will go deeper into the campaign and also get a taste of the franchise’s new co-operative multiplayer mode as they preview the epic story, adrenaline-pumping action and deep customization options that lie ahead when Mass Effect 3 launches on March 6, 2012. The Mass Effect 3 demo will be available for the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC. Mass Effect 3 will also be one of the first pre-launch demos to support full voice recognition functionality on Kinect™ for Xbox 360.

“We are excited to be able to give gamers an expansive demo that will put them right on the front lines of this all-out galactic war,” said Casey Hudson, Executive Producer of the Mass Effect series. “The entire scale of the game is bigger than anything we’ve ever done. With its intense action, deep customization and raw emotional power, Mass Effect 3 will deliver a spectacular action RPG experience to fans of the series and newcomers alike.”

In Mass Effect 3, players will be thrust into an all-out galactic war to take Earth back and save the entire galaxy, assuming the role of Commander Shepard, a war-torn veteran who’s willing to do whatever it takes to eliminate this nearly unstoppable foe. With a team of elite, battle-hardened soldiers at your side, each player decides how they will take Earth back, from the weapons and abilities they utilize to the relationships they forge or break. Mass Effect 3 also features a new co-operative gameplay mode that allows fans to experience the war from a different perspective. Players who want to try this new mode will be able to do so on February 17, or by qualifying for early access to the co-op portion of the demo which begins February 14. Gamers qualify for early access if they have activated their Battlefield 3™ online pass* or though other opportunities that will be announced in the near future www.masseffect.com.

Recently named by over 100 outlets around the world as one of the most anticipated games of 2012, including winning the fan-voted Most Anticipated Game of 2012 award at the Spike TV VGAs, Mass Effect 3 is available for pre-order now at participating retailers. Fans who pre-order** have the opportunity to arm themselves with cutting-edge in-game weapons and armor to prepare for the all-out galactic war. Mass Effect 3 arrives on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC in North America on March 6, 2012 and in Europe on March 9, 2012. For more information on Mass Effect 3, please visit http://masseffect.com, follow the game on Twitter at http://twitter.com/masseffect or “like” the game on Facebook at http://facebook.com/masseffect.

*Conditions and restrictions apply. Early access requirement and availability may differ by platform and/or region. See www.masseffect.com for more details.