Author - Jerry Paxton

New Magrunner Screenshots

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January 31, 2013 – Developed on Unreal Engine 3 by 3AM (Frogwares), Magrunner is an action/reflection game for PC, PlayStation Network, and Xbox LIVE based on the use of physics and magnetism. Magrunner sends us to the near future, where technology will confront the Cthulhu Mythos as imagined by the renowned author of fantasy novels H. P. Lovecraft.

Today, we are pleased to reveal more about Magrunner through 6 screenshots and an exclusive piece of art. The game’s story begins in 2050 and takes place in a big sports competition broadcast through the entire world, intended to promote a new technology based on magnetism.

The 8 participants’ objective is to finish first in a huge race made up of many challenge rooms, each one bigger and more complex than the last. Each of them has a special glove that interacts with the new magnetic technology and enables them to journey through more and more spectacular rooms by charging various objects and elements of the environment with magnetic forces that attract or repel other objects.

However, the competition soon turns into a real nightmare. A power outage and what feels like an earthquake isolates the competitors from the rest of the world. Their only hope is to finish the course and attempt to contact the exterior world. But the challenge rooms that separate them from the finish grow more and more menacing and a long descent into hell awaits them. At the end of the tunnel lies a frightening secret that could threaten all of humanity. Today’s screenshots show all this, from the modern and sleek-looking challenge rooms at the beginning to the darker and more troubling areas that follow.

Screenshots

Heroes of Newerth Details Massive 3.0 Update

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Kalamazoo, MI – January 31, 2013 – S2 Games, developers of the free-to-play Massive Online Battle Arena (MOBA) title Heroes of Newerth, today announced that the all-new 3.0 update is now available to download on PC, Mac and Linux atwww.heroesofnewerth.com. Widely considered the game of choice for connoisseurs of the MOBA genre, Heroes of Newerth is a rich and engaging universe featuring a passionate community that’s now able to contribute to the game with their own custom user-designed bots. With the theme “Newerth Evolved,” the 3.0 update makes HoN more accessible than ever.

New player experience is the key focus with the 3.0 update. Featuring an entirely revamped Walkthrough, first-time players will now be better prepared for battle in the world of Newerth. Players will also have access to the in-game Learnatorium, featuring a brand-new series of videos explaining the basics of gameplay as well as more advanced techniques.

“HoN is almost three years old now and we are continuing to invest and improve the game,” said Marc DeForest, CEO of S2 Games. “We consider ourselves very fortunate to have such a tremendous player base that’s helped to grow the game to where it is today. The 3.0 update is a serious step forward as we look towards a bright future in 2013.”

Whether you’re trying to protect the World Tree or destroy it, the 3.0 update presents the world of Newerth in a stunningly gorgeous way. Many of the game’s heroes have undergone high definition facelifts and the standard 5 versus 5 map, Forests of Caldavar, has received a complete textural overhaul. Experienced players will be glad to know that the map’s layout has not changed in any way but has received a more detailed design with dynamic new aesthetics, buildings and tower designs. The patch also introduces reworked and enhanced UI for a more seamless gameplay experience, including customizable friends list notifications, streamlined options menu, and enhanced in-game chat.

Additionally, players are now able to hone their skills against AI controlled Bots before tackling human opponents. The AI-controlled Bots will offer three levels of difficulty: easy, medium, and hard. As an added bonus, the Bots’ AI code has been open sourced, allowing players to mod them to battle against other user-created Bots.

The new and improved Referral Program encourages players to recruit new friends to the game or invite their friends to return to Newerth. The program will incentivize players with in-game rewards and other tangible prizes, such as a trip to the HoN Tour Grand Finals in Las Vegas, Nevada. Upon launching the new program, both the referral and referee will have three weeks to earn double rewards. An all-new Report-A-Player system has also been implemented, giving the community the power to clean up and police itself in a match and out, while directly impacting the behavior of negative players.

The world of Newerth is an engaging and competitive realm and the new HoN 3.0 update pushes what’s possible in a MOBA. Heroes of Newerth is available for free at www.heroesofnewerth.com.

For more information on Heroes of Newerth and the 3.0 update, follow along on Twitter (@heroesofnewerth) and Facebook (facebook.com/heroesofnewerth).

Codemasters GRID 2 Ships on May 28

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Los Angeles, Calif. – Jan. 31, 2013 – Codemasters® today announced that GRID® 2™, the long-awaited sequel to the BAFTA-award winning, critically acclaimed GRID™, will ship to stores on May 28, 2013* for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC.

Codemasters has also announced a range of pre-order Special Editions for GRID 2 with extra content, redeemable via download on PlayStation Network, Xbox LIVE® for Xbox 360 and Windows PC, illustrated in screenshots also released today.

Gamers who pre-order at GameStop can choose the GRID 2: Turbo-Charged Edition, which includes two additional packs:

McLaren Racing Pack

Receive the exclusive McLaren MP4-12C GT3 Special Edition car to race in single-player, multiplayer and a special online event; plus expand the game with two new routes around the Brands Hatch GP circuit.

GTR Racing Pack

Receive the exclusive Nissan GT-R SpecV road car to race in single-player, multiplayer and an exclusive online event; plus experience all five routes around the Yas Marina circuit by day.

Gamers who pre-order at Best Buy can choose the GRID 2: IndyCar Edition, which includes:

IndyCar Pack

Receive the exclusive Dallara IndyCar and the IndyCar Pace car to race in single-player, multiplayer and an exclusive online event; plus expand the game with two new routes around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Oval Circuit.

Gamers who pre-order at Amazon can choose the GRID 2: Head Start Edition which includes:

Head Start Pack

Receive the exclusive Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 GT car to race in single-player, multiplayer and enjoy discounts in the Car Upgrades Store in online game modes and a unique RaceNet bonus.

GRID 2 will challenge players to be fast, be first and be famous. Going behind the wheel of a handpicked selection of automotive icons spanning four decades, gamers will race their way to the top of a new, evolving world of motorsport. From Paris to Abu Dhabi, Chicago to the sun-kissed California coast and beyond, beautifully created city streets, licensed circuits and edge-of-control mountain roads will become home to the most visceral and exhilarating racing yet.

GRID 2 will also set new standards for a racing multiplayer experience with an entirely distinct and extensive gameplay component and unique progression system. Deep customization options and integration with RaceNet – the online community portal for Codemasters Racing games which tracks player’s races, rewards and rivals – will offer further immersion and connectivity in GRID 2’s new world of motorsport.

Fans can keep up with all the latest updates straight from the studio by speeding over to www.gridgame.com and www.facebook.com/gridgame or follow the team at www.twitter.com/gridgame.

SONY Announces Next-Gen Console Event

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SONY has announced that we will all get to “see the future” with a special event to beheld on February 20th, 2013.  The event will be held in New York City and, according to sources at the Wall Street Journal and Forbes, will be the unveiling of their PlayStation 3 successor, currently holding the code-name of “Orbis”. Un-named sources inside Microsoft say that the company will hold an event to announce its next console some time after the SONY event.

Event Video

World of Warcraft Movie Gets Director

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According to the Hollywood Reporter, “Source Code” director Duncan Jones has struck a deal to direct the big screen adaptation of Blizzard Entertainment’s MMORPG, World of Warcraft. Jones also wrote and directed the 2009 sci-fi flick, “Moon”, starring Sam Rockwell. Not much is known about the script just yet, but Blizzard will have a hand in crafting it as Chris Metzen, the company’s Senior Vice President of Story and Franchise Development, will be co-producer on the film.

Amiigo Fitness Band Available for Pre-Order

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SALT LAKE CITY- January 30, 2013- From conception to execution, Utah-based entrepreneurs,Amiigo, developed a Bluetooth low-energy fitness device that will take an ordinary workout experience to the next level.  Amiigo, a sweat-proof fitness bracelet and shoe-clip, identifies what exercise is being performed, and details your body’s physiological response.  Amiigo soared past its initial funding goal on the crowd-funding site, Indiegogo, and is available for preorder now.

“Athletes are always working to enhance and elevate their workout experience.  We wanted to develop an easy-to-use device that helps people personalize their workouts, share data, and even compete with friends,” says Dave Scott, co-founder of Amiigo.  “Our fitness bracelet and shoe-clip does it all, and we’re confident you’ll work out better and harder with it.  Push yourself and be great with Amiigo.”

Unlike other fitness trackers on the market, Amiigo actually knows what exercise is being performed.  For example, it can differentiate between running on a treadmill and using an elliptical.  Sensors in the bracelet correlate with upper body exercises and sensors in the shoe-clip focuses on the lower body.  Together, these two devices link up via Bluetooth with the Amiigo app on an iOS or Android device, and record more than 100 different exercises and movements.  Users can even create and record their own exercise to be recognized in future workouts.

Athletes can utilize this full-body tracking experience to study their results, and figure out ways to get the most out of their workouts.  Using accelerometers and machine learning algorithms, Amiigo tracks heart rate, blood oxygen levels, skin temperature and calories burned.  You can share this information with friends on your social networks to spark a little friendly competition or simply to announce milestones in your workout goals!

Using thermoplastic elastomers and stainless steel, Amiigo is built for comfort and durability even through the most strenuous workouts.  The sleek and stylish bracelet is micro-adjustable for a snug, secure fit every time. The battery in the Amiigo lasts 2+ days of active use on a full charge.

The Amiigo is available for preorder now on Indiegogo, and is expected to begin shipping in June.

For a full list of pledges, please head to Amiigo’s page on Indiegogo.

Specifications
•    Quality: Composed of thermoplastic elastomers and stainless steel
•    Compatibility: iPhone 4S and newer. Select Android devices supporting BLE
•    Connection: Bluetooth Low Energy
•    Size/Fit: Micro adjustable. Amiigo will fit perfectly on just about any wrist.

About Amiigo

Based in Salt Lake City, a team of six entrepreneurs came together with one goal in mind: to create a fitness device that goes beyond overall activity tracking, and truly enhances a workout experience in a simple and engaging way.  Each member of the team brings their own unique skills and knowledge to this project from app development, manufacturing, design and more.

RaceRoom Racing Experience Open Beta Released

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SWEDEN, Lidköping, January 30, 2013 RaceRoom Racing Experience is a Free2Race concept where a high end racing game is provided for free via Valves digital game distribution platform, Steam.

The game connects fans of racing around a racing game and a motorsports portal, all combined and seamlessly built into one platform making it More Than a Game™.

RaceRoom Racing Experience features a brand new graphical engine, new 7.1 sound engine and unmatched physics and handling. The game is skill based and the only thing that can make you more competitive is the skill and talent that comes through practice.

NEW FREE CONTENT

As part of the Free2Race concept, all registered users are given free access to a wide selection of cars and tracks. The free-to-play content in this release consists of the famous 134 Judd car driven by the late Georg Plasa, Canhard R52, Saleen S7R, Aquila CR1 Sports GT and the DMD P20 together with the RaceRoom Raceway circuit and the scenic Lakeview Hillclimb which is based on a forest road in Sweden.

THE STORE IS OPEN

With this release the store has been opened and additional content is sold using Virtual Race Points (vRP), the store allows users to build personalized race experiences by adding content, game modes, and features.

“We are no longer developing just games; we have created a concept which brings motorsport enthusiasts, virtual racers and gamers together to form one large community. With an ear to the ground we are developing a constant feed of content and features tailored to our fan’s demands.“ – Chris Speed, COO SimBin Studios.

Inside the RaceRoom Racing Experience store today are a selection of race cars from iconic manufacturers like McLaren, RUF, BMW, and Chevrolet. Our store also features world renowned tracks reaching from Europe to Australia and back again.

A BONUS GIFT

During the first two weeks from release, SimBin is giving away the Get Real™ game mode, and the learning tool, Apex Hunt™ as a tribute and a thank you to the members of the closed beta.
See the latest video here featuring highlights from the game while presenting the people that brought it all to you – The SimBin team!
Download RaceRoom Racing Experience, strap into your favorite car and get ready to share your passion for real and digital racing with others.