Author - Jerry Paxton

World of Tanks 7.4 Update Released

2012/06/20
Jerry Paxton
News

20th June, 2012 — Wargaming, the award-winning global videogame developer and publisher, announced today the release of Update 7.4 for its distinguished free-to-play MMO action game World of Tanks that goes live on 20th June for North America and on June 21st for Europe. The update introduces some sweeping changes to the game, including two news game modes, an impressive collection of new French armored vehicles, new maps and two premium machines for the Soviet and German tech trees.

Encounter Battle and Assault, the two newly introduced game modes, will provide players with innovative new gameplay experiences that emphasize strategic team gameplay. In Encounter Battle, two opposing teams must fight over a single base. In Assault, one team must defend a single base against an opposing team, who must capture the point at all costs.

“Update 7.4 and its two new game modes definitely refresh the game and bring more exciting and challenging combat tasks to players”, comments Mike Zhivets, producer of World of Tanks. “The addition of new French SPGs and tank destroyers only enhances the game’s already deep strategic and tactical gameplay”.

Update 7.4 sees the French tech tree updated with new long range SPGs including Renault BS, Lorraine 39 L AM, AMX 105 AM, AMX-13 F3 AM, Lorraine 155 (50), Lorraine 155 (51), Bat. Chatillon 155, boosting excellent possibilities for thoughtful, slow-paced combat ground action. For even more firepower, the French reinforcements also include eight new tank destroyers: Renault FT AC, Renault UE 57, Somua Sau 40, S 35 CA, ARL V 39, AMX AC de 100, AMX AC de 120, AMX 50 Foch.

For players looking for new ground to conquer, Update 7.4 also delivers two new, diverse maps. Widepark brings the fight to a dense labyrinth of streets in a half-ruined European style town, ideal for deadly ambushes and dynamic “cat and mouse” games in an urban environment. Airfield takes players away to North Africa, where hilly terrain provides good cover from shelling and airbase installations satisfy those who like deliberate precision fire from higher grounds or high speed racing across open ground.

Update 7.4 also introduces new premium content, specifically for the German and Russian trees, including the Soviet made heavy tank IS 6 (tier VIII) and the German Jagdtiger, also known as the JagdTiger mit 8.8cm KwK 43 L/71 (tier VIII).

Trailer

THQ Adding Enter the Dominatrix to Next Saint’s Row Sequel

2012/06/20
Jerry Paxton
News

AGOURA HILLS, Calif.– THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) and Volition, Inc. today announced development of the standalone expansion Saints Row®: The Third – Enter the Dominatrix™ will now be incorporated into production of the next great sequel in the Saints Row® franchise, tentatively titled “The Next Great Sequel in the Saints Row Franchise.”

“When I looked at the Enter The Dominatrix expansion in production at Volition, I was blown away by the ideas and desire to expand the fiction of the franchise,” said Jason Rubin, THQ’s President. “I asked the team what it could achieve given more time, more resources, and a broader scope for the project. We all agreed we wanted to play that game. When it comes to Saints Row, it’s clear our fans want bigger, better, and even more over the top, and that’s why Enter The Dominatrix will now be incorporated into a vastly expanded, full-fledged sequel, scheduled for calendar 2013.”

Added Rubin, “We believe the potential for this sequel is far greater as a full-priced, full-length, high quality, connected experience.”

The change in production will shift net sales from THQ’s 2013 fiscal year into fiscal 2014. As a result, THQ currently expects to have an approximate $20 million reduction to non-GAAP net sales and an approximate ($0.03) impact to non-GAAP net loss per share for fiscal 2013 when compared with previously-announced guidance.

Ōkami HD Coming to PlayStation Network

2012/06/20
Jerry Paxton
News

SAN MATEO, Calif. — June 19, 2012 — Capcom®, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today announced that award winning Ōkami® will be re-born this fall as a digital download on PlayStation®Network for $19.99. Already one of the most beautiful games ever created, the addition of HD graphics will make this new version of Ōkami even more stunning. Ōkami® HD will also feature PlayStation®Move integration as well as a full suite of PlayStation®3 system trophies.

Initially released to critical acclaim on the PlayStation®2 system, players take on the role of Amaterasu, the Japanese sun goddess, who inhabits the form of a wolf. After a tyrannical monster turns the world into a ruined wasteland, she must use her magical abilities to restore the land to its previous glory full of life and color.

Ōkami HD brings Amaterasu’s epic tale to the PS3™ with fully integrated HD graphics and 16:9 aspect ratio. The trademark sumi-e ink art style lends itself perfectly to HD allowing players to experience more of the awe-inspiring world displayed in greater detail than ever before.

To create an even more immersive experience, players can take advantage of the PlayStation®Move motion controller and naturally make brush strokes with the essential Celestial Brush to defeat enemies and solve puzzles. Ōkami HD will also support the DUALSHOCK®3 wireless controller for those who wish to re-live the original experience

MechWarrior Online Launches Founders Program Sale

2012/06/20
Jerry Paxton
News

MONTREAL – June 19, 2012 – The exclusive MechWarrior Online™ Founder’s Program goes on sale today, and the new LEGENDARY tier option has been added for the hard-core MechWarrior fan. Dubbed “OPERATION INCEPTION,” the Founder’s Program participants gain early access to the game, starting on August 7th in addition to other valuable benefits: in-game currency, custom BattleMech(s)™ (ELITE and LEGENDARY levels only), a free premium account (1-3 months), a permanent “Founder’s Tag” and more. This limited chance to secure exclusive MechWarrior Online game content is available for purchase via three ranks on www.mwomercs.com.

$120 LEGENDARY Founder’s Package Includes:

  • All 4 exclusive “Founder’s BattleMechs.” These Mechs include a lifetime, per-match C-Bill booster.
  • $80 value of in-game currency* for in-game item purchases.
  • Three-month premium account to MechWarrior Online at launch: Earn XP & C-Bills faster.
  • Founder’s Tag – sets your status apart from the crowd & get noticed in-game and on the forums.
  • Game credits – The player’s name included as one of the “Legendary” in the MechWarrior Online game credits.
  • Early access to the game along with Founder’s assets availability starts August 7th.

$60 ELITE Founder’s Package Includes:

  • One exclusive custom “Founder’s BattleMech.” This Mech includes a lifetime, per-match C-Bill booster.
  • $80 value of in-game currency* for in-game item purchases.
  • Two-month premium account to MechWarrior Online at launch: Earn XP & C-Bills faster.
  • Founder’s Tag – sets your status apart from the crowd & get noticed in-game and on the forums.
  • Early access to the game along with Founder’s assets availability starts August 7th.

$30 VETERAN Founder’s Package Includes:

  • $40 value of in-game currency* for in-game item purchases.
  • One-month premium account to MechWarrior Online at launch: Earn XP & C-Bills faster.
  • Founder’s Tag – sets your status apart from the crowd & get noticed in-game and on the forums.
  • Early access to the game along with Founder’s assets availability starts August 7th.

OPERATION INCEPTION assets and early game access will be available for LEGENDARY, ELITE or VETERAN package players starting August 7th.

Reserve your pilot name at www.mwomercs.com.

*For in-game currency, Founders’ accounts will be credited beginning August 7th with a non-refundable amount of in-game currency equivalent to the retail cost set out in each package above ($40 value for VETERAN Founders, $80 value for LEGENDARY and ELITE Founders), and those credits may be used for in-game purchases of virtual items only. The closed beta and OPERATION INCEPTION assets will enjoy support only in North America.

Doom 3 BFG Edition Release Date

2012/06/20
Jerry Paxton
News

Bethesda Softworks and id Software have announced that their upcoming Doom 3 BFG Edition will be released on October 16, 2012. Get ready to toast some monster closets and battle some evil!

About Doom 3 BFG Edition

Re-mastered for both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, DOOM 3 and it’s expansion pack offer enhanced visuals further immersing you in the demonic world like never before. DOOM 3, Resurrection of Evil, and ‘The Lost Mission’ have been optimized in 3D, featuring 5.1 surround sound, Xbox 360 Achievements, PlayStation 3 trophies, improved rendering and lighting, and a new check point save system allowing for smoother progression through the game. id Software has fine-tuned the controls to bring the intensity of the DOOM single and multiplayer experience to the consoles, and DOOM 3 now features the new armor-mounted flashlight, allowing players to illuminate dark corners and blast enemies at the same time.

Tencent Acquires Minority Stake in EPIC Games

2012/06/20
Jerry Paxton
News

Hong Kong, June 19, 2012 – Tencent Holdings Limited (“Tencent” or the “Company”, SEHK 00700), a leading provider of Internet and mobile and telecommunications value-added services in China, announces today it has agreed to acquire a minority stake in US-based Epic Games, Inc. (“Epic”), which develops the world’s leading 3D game engine technology and award-winning PC, console and mobile game titles.

Following the strategic investment, Epic will continue to operate independently and seek to further expand its game franchises across multiple platforms. The deal is expected to close within one month, subject to customary closing conditions. Terms of the investment were not disclosed.

With more than 20 years in the game industry, Epic has a proven track record of creating cutting-edge games and game engine technology for major platforms. Epic’s products and services include the Unreal Engine, the market-leading 3D game engine technology used by many game development studios globally, including Tencent; the billion-dollar “Gears of War” franchise for Xbox 360; the multimillion-selling “Unreal” and “Unreal Tournament” games for PC and consoles; and “Infinity Blade,” one of the top-grossing game series for iOS.

“We’ve developed a huge amount of respect for the Epic team for many years now, as dedicated players of Epic’s games and as licensees of Epic’s Unreal Engine technology. Epic’s deep commitment to quality across all of its games and technologies inspires us. They’ve been raising expectations in gaming for two decades now and they’re just getting started,” said David Wallerstein, Senior Executive Vice President of Tencent. “We have a lot that we can learn from each other, and we look forward to supporting the Epic team as they embark on their next phase of gaming innovation across both emerging and familiar platforms.”

“Tencent’s investment will empower Epic to help us do even more of what we do best, which is making great games and game technology. Their expertise in the global online gaming market is second-to-none, and the opportunity to work with them to bring richer experiences to players all over the world is irresistible,” said Epic Games President Dr. Michael Capps. “Epic is excited to be full steam ahead on all of its current plans for this generation of games and the next, with the support of a fantastic partner that believes in our strategy and shares our dream.”

New Red Band Trailer for V/H/S

2012/06/18
Jerry Paxton
News

Here is a brand spanking-new red-band trailer for the upcoming horror film, V/H/S. Enjoy – but I wouldn’t recommend you view while at your place of work.

Red Band Trailer (NSFW)

Microsoft Announces Surface Tablet

2012/06/18
Jerry Paxton
News

Microsoft has revealed the new Surface tablet/PC device. While it effectively is a gut-shot to its Windows 8/RT tablet hardware partners, the company must really be feeling the pressure from Apple to do this. The device, which you can read all about below, has some interesting features but nothing revolutionary and Microsoft is not willing to share the price points or the exact resolution/pixel densities of its displays just yet. This makes me worried as, if they had something that could compare to and/or beat Apple, why wouldn’t they want to announce that? (ed. note: I just miss the Courier design)

Official Press Release / Product Details

LOS ANGELES – June 18, 2012 – Today at an event in Hollywood, Microsoft unveiled Surface: PCs built to be the ultimate stage for Windows. Company executives showed two Windows tablets and accessories that feature significant advances in industrial design and attention to detail. Surface is designed to seamlessly transition between consumption and creation, without compromise. It delivers the power of amazing software with Windows and the feel of premium hardware in one exciting experience.

Advances in Industrial Design

Conceived, designed and engineered entirely by Microsoft employees, and building on the company’s 30-year history manufacturing hardware, Surface represents a unique vision for the seamless expression of entertainment and creativity. Extensive investment in industrial design and real user experience includes the following highlights:

Software takes center stage: Surface sports a full-sized USB port and a 16:9 aspect ratio – the industry standard for HD. It has edges angled at 22 degrees, a natural position for the PC at rest or in active use, letting the hardware fade into the background and the software stand out.

VaporMg: The casing of Surface is created using a unique approach called VaporMg (pronounced Vapor-Mag), a combination of material selection and process to mold metal and deposit particles that creates a finish akin to a luxury watch. Starting with magnesium, parts can be molded as thin as .65 mm, thinner than the typical credit card, to create a product that is thin, light and rigid/strong.

Integrated Kickstand: The unique VaporMg approach also enables a built-in kickstand that lets you transition Surface from active use to passive consumption – watching a movie or even using the HD front- or rear-facing video cameras. The kickstand is there when needed, and disappears when not in use, with no extra weight or thickness.

Touch Cover: The 3 mm Touch Cover represents a step forward in human-computer interface. Using a unique pressure-sensitive technology, Touch Cover senses keystrokes as gestures, enabling you to touch type significantly faster than with an on-screen keyboard. It will be available in a selection of vibrant colors. Touch Cover clicks into Surface via a built-in magnetic connector, forming a natural spine like you find on a book, and works as a protective cover. You can also click in a 5 mm-thin Type Cover that adds moving keys for a more traditional typing feel.

An Amazing Windows Experience

Two models of Surface will be available: one running an ARM processor featuring Windows RT, and one with a third-generation Intel Core processor featuring Windows 8 Pro. From the fast and fluid interface, to the ease of connecting you to the people, information and apps that users care about most, Surface will be a premium way to experience all that Windows has to offer. Surface for Windows RT will release with the general availability of Windows 8, and the Windows 8 Pro model will be available about 90 days later. Both will be sold in the Microsoft Store locations in the U.S. and available through select online Microsoft Stores.

Contributing to an Expanded Ecosystem

One of the strengths of Windows is its extensive ecosystem of software and hardware partners, delivering selection and choice that makes a customer’s Windows experience uniquely their own. This continues with Surface. Microsoft is delivering a unique contribution to an already strong and growing ecosystem of functional and stylish devices delivered by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to bring the experience of Windows to consumers and businesses around the globe.

Additional Product Information

  • Surface for Windows RT
  • OS: Windows RT
  • Light(1): 676 g
  • Thin(2): 9.3 mm
  • Clear: 10.6″ ClearType HD Display
  • Energized: 31.5 W-h
  • Connected: microSD, USB 2.0, Micro HD Video, 2×2 MIMO antennae
  • Productive: Office ’15’ Apps, Touch Cover, Type Cover
  • Practical: VaporMg Case & Stand
  • Configurable: 32 GB, 64 GB
  • Surface for Windows 8 Pro
  • OS: Windows 8 Pro
  • Light(1): 903 g
  • Thin(2): 13.5 mm
  • Clear: 10.6″ ClearType Full HD Display
  • Energized: 42 W-h
  • Connected: microSDXC, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort Video, 2×2 MIMO antennae
  • Productive: Touch Cover, Type Cover, Pen with Palm Block
  • Practical: VaporMg Case & Stand
  • Configurable: 64 GB, 128 GB

(1), (2). Actual size and weight of the device may vary due to configuration and manufacturing process.

Suggested retail pricing will be announced closer to availability and is expected to be competitive with a comparable ARM tablet or Intel Ultrabook-class PC. OEMs will have cost and feature parity on Windows 8 and Windows RT.

For more information about Surface, visit http://www.surface.com.