Author - Jerry Paxton

UFO Online Now in Open Beta Testing

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MAY 8th, 2013 — The factions have formed, the fight against the aliens has opened. gamigo sends UFO Online: Fight for Earth into open beta testing today. The tactical multiplayer game has been constantly refined throughout the closed beta testing with thanks to the valuable feedback from the community. Now all gamers can join the battle to protect the Earth from the extraterrestrials at http://ufoonline.gamigo.com. There’s a comprehensive tutorial to get an easier start in the game, which explains all characters and factions as well as all the important features of the game, not to forget a few hints and tips. The commercial launch is to follow shortly.

Aliens have landed on Earth in the strategy MMOG and want to take our resources. However, they didn’t reckon with the fearless resistance fighters. Even before the Skum attack the three factions were fighting for world domination. Now that the aliens are also making their claim to power all three factions have joined together against these invaders. Operating from self-built outposts, it’s imperative to defeat the aliens using technology and weapons. To do this, players have a team of specialists at their disposal with abilities from five class-specific skill trees.

During the course of the beta testing, the development team once again tightened some screws and carried out final optimizations. Thereby, the PvE content has been expanded, a comprehensive task system has been integrated, research and weapon upgrading have been improved, and new, dynamic missions now challenge players. Furthermore, the base has been completely reconstructed so as to offer a better overview and more interaction opportunities. Varyingly armored character hit zones also increases the tactical game depth in UFO Online.

A mixture of flash technology and a Unity Engine ensures for crisp detail 3D graphics sets the scene well for both the soldiers as well as the Skum. Graphical improvements were also undertaken for effects, for example with the weapons. Performance was once again optimized, especially regarding the flash part of the game. Users can also look forward to an improved interface with expanded functions like drag and drop and keyboard shortcuts.
In the turn-based, tactical battles the people who win are those who find the right mix between tactics and research. In the long run it’s all about achieving world domination with one of the three factions.

The most essential innovations and improvements at a glance:



  • Substantially expanded PvE content with new task and mission systems
  • Completely reconstructed base which offers a better overview, more interactivity, and visual feedback
  • Reworked and expanded research and upgrade systems
  • More tactical game depth thanks to varyingly armored hit zones of the characters
  • Improved user interface with expanded comfort functions (drag and drop,direct control via double-click, keyboard shortcuts)
  • Comprehensive tutorial that explains all of the most important game features
  • Improved effects graphics in general and especially weapon effects
  • Optimization of the performance, especially the flash part of the game

Battlefield 4 New Single Player Screenshots

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EA and DICE have released some new screenshots from the single player portion of their upcoming Battlefield 4. Check them out, below!

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DC Universe Online Origin Crisis Release Date Announced

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SOE has announced that its upcoming Origin Crisis DLC pack for DC Universe Online will be released very soon, on May 14, 2013, for both Windows PC and PlayStation 3 platforms.

Official DLC Description:

This DLC will offer high-level multiplayer and solo adventures, as well as introduce the Quantum power set! Players will be able to journey through time and alternate realities with Future Batman or Future Lex Luthor in an attempt to save or change the origins of important heroes and villains.

Origin Crisis will feature:

  • New Quantum Controller Power Set
  • Two challenging new Raids
  • Two new Hero Origin Operations
  • Two new Villain Origin Operations
  • Iconic Anomalies – Two new Solo Simulation Challenges
  • New Gear, including Tier 5 PvE Gear and new Iconic-inspired Gear
  • New Feats, Collections and Trophies

The Showdown Effect Free Content Update

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NEW YORK — May 7th 2013 — Paradox Interactive, a publisher of games and writer of checks their bodies can’t cash, today unleashed a monstrous content update for The Showdown Effect, the ridiculously explosive multiplayer action title from Arrowhead Game Studios. Featuring new stages, characters, and costumes, the update is available today for free to all players of The Showdown Effect.

For gamers who are not players of The Showdown Effect, Paradox offers two suggestions on how to become players of The Showdown Effect: defeat a current player in a sword duel and absorb their immortality and game collection, or purchase The Showdown Effect in today’s Daily Deal on Steam at a hefty discount.

Witness the Western Sci-fi espionage explosion chaos action insanity in a new trailer:

In today’s update players receive two new levels, South Eastwood and Fort Fiesta, inspired by classic ‘spaghetti Western’ films – with an unhealthy dose of 1980s monster movies mashed into the mix. The levels are available for free and will be immediately available to pick in both ranked and custom matches. Players will also meet two new characters: Thelma Vaine, British super-spy with a cloaking device and a sharp tongue – and Dr. Johnny Bionic, a cyborg who must fight every day to keep his drill-saw-arm from murdering all humans. These characters, plus a series of Reddit costume pieces, can be redeemed for free using in-game AC. An additional set of Western costume pieces can be purchased for a fistful of dollars.

A streamdown effect will occur on Paradox’s TwitchTV channel on May 7th at 8 p.m. CEST (11 a.m. PDT, 7 p.m. BST, 6 p.m. GMT) to show off the new stars, stuff, and strangeness. Come towww.twitch.tv/paradoxinteractive if you want to live.

Magic 2014 New Features and Screenshots

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May 7 , 2013 — Wizards of the Coast today announced two exciting new features coming to Magic 2014 – Duels of the PlaneswalkersSealed Play and a new take on the popular Slivers creature type will both make their debut in the Duels of the Planeswalkers franchise with Magic 2014.

The addition of Sealed Play will allow players to open booster packs and build decks to play against the AI and other players. Each sealed pool is comprised of 84 cards, mimicking paper TCG booster packs. The PvE experience includes a six-deck ladder where players take on mono-colored Sealed decks each corresponding with a particular Planeswalker, and finally facing a ‘boss’ Sealed deck.

Another feature debuting in Magic 2014 is a new take on the popular Slivers creature type. A fan-favorite, new playable Slivers in Magic 2014 decks will include the following:

  • Sliver Construct
  • Predatory Sliver
  • Groundshaker Sliver
  • Megantic Sliver
  • Blur Sliver
  • Striking Sliver
  • Thorncaster Sliver
  • Battle Sliver
  • Sentinel Sliver
  • Bonescythe Sliver

In addition, Hive Stirrings, a sorcery that creates Sliver tokens, will also be included in Magic 2014.

New Screenshots

The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing Release Date

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BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – May 7, 2013 – Indie developer NeocoreGames announced today that The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing, a gothic-noir steampunk action-RPG influenced by Bram Stoker’s Dracula, will release May 22 on Windows® PC for $14.99 through Steam.

“We’re excited to introduce our fans to the supernatural and mysterious world of Van Helsing,” said NeocoreGames Public Relations Manager Orsolya Toth. “The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing is a unique and dark story told within a complex action-RPG that provides thrilling cooperative gameplay.”

The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing pits players in fierce battles against familiar supernatural foes in a one-of-a-kind action-RPG. Following the journey of Van Helsing, son of the famed vampire hunter Abraham Van Helsing, players are able to spend points on abilities such as hit points, mana, damage, and much more as they level up. Traversing through the skill trees, players are able to mold Van Helsing to their liking, such as long-range or short-distance monster hunters, along with unlocking abilities such as stopping time.

The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing is now available for pre-order on PC. To pre-purchase the game, head to devblog.neocoregames.com/order and choose an option to back this indie developer. As a bonus for all pre-purchases of The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing, early adopters will receive instant access to the closed Beta.

For more on The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing, read the team’s DevBlog, ‘Like’ the game on Facebook, and follow it on Twitter.

New World of Warships Screenshots

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Wargaming.net has released some new screenshots from its upcoming online actioner, World of Warships, which puts players in command of various World War II fighting vessels to slug it out.

Screenshots

Wolfenstein: The New Order Announced

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May 7, 2013 (Rockville, MD) – Bethesda Softworks®, a ZeniMax® Media company, today announced a new title, Wolfenstein®: The New OrderTM, an action-adventure shooter slated for release in Q4 2013.  The game is being developed by MachineGamesTM, a studio comprised of seasoned developers known for creating compelling, critically-acclaimed story-driven games. Wolfenstein has been widely credited for helping establish and popularize the first-person shooter genre, and Wolfenstein: The New Order is a reimagining of this franchise – offering players a gripping and dramatic experience. The official announcement trailer can be seen today at GameSpot.com.

Wolfenstein: The New Order is scheduled for release on Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, PC, and next generation consoles. Additional details about the game will be revealed in a series of exclusive feature stories with GameSpot.com beginning on Wednesday, May 8th.

We are excited to bring a new chapter of Wolfenstein to gamers everywhere,” said Jens Matthies, creative director at MachineGames. “As fans of the series, working on this game is an honor, and our team is driven to create an unforgettable action-adventure experience that will make FPS fans proud.”

Wolfenstein: The New Order has not yet been rated by the ESRB.

Airsoft Guns from Your Favorite Games

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One of the sponsors for our Airsoft for Gamers article series, AirSplat, has created a very cool collection of gun listings from various video games with links to the equivalent Airsoft products. This is a great resource – whether you are looking to create a fan film, cosplay outfit, or just interested in picking up what your CoD character used in your last multiplayer match.

http://www.airsplat.com/airsoft-video-games.htm