Author - Jerry Paxton

GameSpot to Stream EA Sports Challenge Series Finals

cs-logo

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 9, 2013 – GameSpot, the #1 gaming information destination, today announced it will offer exclusive live-stream coverage of the EA SPORTS™ Challenge Series finals exclusively on PS3™, powered by Virgin Gaming, which takes place Feb. 9 at Lagasse’s Stadium in Las Vegas. Pitting the best Madden, FIFA, and NHL pro gamers from around the world in a sports video game showdown, the EA SPORTS™ Challenge Series exclusively on the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) will determine the ultimate global champion with more than $1 million in prize money at stake.

GameSpot’s live coverage of the EA SPORTS™ Challenge from Lagasse’s Stadium runs from noon PT until midnight on Feb. 9 and will be available on-demand following the event.  Coverage will include dynamic match highlights and interviews with star eSports athletes and celebrities from the NHL and NFL, and more. GameSpot’s coverage of the event will air on GameSpot.com and Twitch.tv as well as the Virgin Gaming, Sony PlayStation and EA websites.

“The EA SPORTS™ Challenge Series will bring together some of the world’s best eSports athletes under one roof and GameSpot.com will cover every minute of the live action,” said David Rice, senior vice president and general manager of CBS Interactive’s games division. “We envision 2013 to be a banner year for eSports and this will be the first of several major tournaments CBS Interactive Games will bring to our massive gaming audience.” GameSpot’s live coverage of the EA SPORTS™ Challenge Series is the first in a series of high-profile international eSports competitions that the site will live stream and host this year.

“Virgin Gaming’s vision is to make competitive gaming more accessible and fun and GameSpot provides an excellent way for us to get our event to a much larger fan base,” said Billy Levy, President of Virgin Gaming.

The EA SPORTS™ Challenge Series exclusively on PS3™ kicked off with online qualifiers to determine the 640 competitors who will face off at the finals in Las Vegas. For more information on the event and to live stream please visit: www.gamespot.com/esports

Full Capcom Arcade Cabinet Game Roster

03_1943_MAIN_MANU

Capcom has revealed the full list of games to be featured in its upcoming Capcom Arcade Cabinet anthology, which will begin rolling out on February 19th, 2013. The games will be released on a staggered schedule available to purchase digitally either as a series of packs or individually, allowing players to choose what they want to buy. By purchasing all 15 titles, either separately or together, players will gain access to two bonus games absolutely free.

BUNDLE PACKS/INDIVIDUAL TITLES NORTH AMERICAN SCHEDULE PRICING
Black Tiger demo February 19 (PSN)
February 20 (XBLA)
Free
GAME PACK 1
Titles: Black Tiger, Avengers, 1943: The Battle of Midway
February 19 (PSN)
February 20 (XBLA)
$4.99/400MSP
GAME PACK 2
Titles: Ghosts n Goblins, Gun.Smoke, Section Z
March 5 (PSN/XBLA) $9.99/800MSP
Avengers March 5 (PSN)* $3.99
1943: The Battle of Midway March 5 (PSN)* $3.99
GAME PACK 3
Side Arms, Legendary Wings, Trojan
March 19 (PSN/XBLA) $9.99/800MSP
Ghosts n Goblins March 19 (PSN/XBLA) $3.99/320MSP
Gun.Smoke March 19 (PSN/XBLA) $3.99/320MSP
Section Z March 19 (PSN/XBLA) $3.99/320MSP
GAME PACK 4
Titles: Commando, The Speed Rumbler, Exed Exes (Savage Bees)
April 2 (PSN/XBLA) $9.99/800MSP
Side Arms April 2 (PSN/XBLA) $3.99/320MSP
Legendary Wings April 2 (PSN/XBLA) $3.99/320MSP
Trojan April 2 (PSN/XBLA) $3.99/320MSP
GAME PACK 5
Titles: 1942, SonSon, Pirate Ship Higemaru
April 16 (PSN/XBLA) $9.99/800MSP
Commando April 16 (PSN/XBLA) $3.99/320MSP
The Speed Rumbler April 16 (PSN/XBLA) $3.99/320MSP
Exed Exes (Savage Bees) April 16 (PSN/XBLA) $3.99/320MSP
1942 April 30 (PSN/XBLA) $3.99/320MSP
SonSon April 30 (PSN/XBLA) $3.99/320MSP
Pirate Ship Higemaru April 30 (PSN/XBLA) $3.99/320MSP
Bonus Pack (for those who have purchased all five game packs or all 15 individual titles
Titles: Two titles (names to be confirmed)
TBC Free for those who have purchased all previously released packs or individual titles
All-in-one-pack
Titles: All 17 games
May 21 (PSN/XBLA) $29.99/2000MSP

* Not available as an individual title on XBLA

Kalypso Media Announces Anna – Extended Edition

ANNA_First_Screens_03

Ridgewood, NJ, February 07, 2013 – Kalypso Media Digital is pleased to announce the upcoming release of Anna – Extended Edition for PC and Mac via digital download partners. To promote this impending release, we are releasing a brand new short film to set the scene for this psychological horror game.

Pricing for Anna – Extended Edition and a release date will be announced soon. Fans who have already purchased the standard version of Anna will be able to download the Extended Edition content for free when released.

Features of Anna – Extended Edition:
  • A haunting tale of psychological terror
  • Physics-based environmental puzzles
  • Three possible endings, each determined by the player’s action
  • New environments, puzzles, interface and music
  • Improved Graphics
  • New in game character: “The Wife Doll” with own AI
  • New Game Over state
 Extras included:
  • Photos of the real-world sawmill location
  • Complete soundtrack
  • Main character’s notebook in English and Italian

Trailer

World of Tanks 8.4 Update Details

WoT_Screens_Tanks_Britain_Tortoise_Image_02

7th January, 2013 – Wargaming today announced first details of Update 8.4 for its armored MMO action game World of Tanks. The new content update will expand the roster of in-game tanks with an impressive array of new combat vehicles, including new tank destroyers for the British and Soviet nations, as well as new light tanks for the German tech tree.

The new release will allow players to get behind the controls of 10 of the finest British tank hunters, including the Universal Carrier QF 2, the most widely produced armored fighting vehicle in history, and the À39 Tortoise, a super heavy assault gun carrier designed to smash heavy fortifications and directly combat heavy enemy tanks.

“Update 8.4 will mark the second British invasion in World of Tanks, strengthening the nation’s tank choices with formidably armed tank busters,” said World of Tanks Producer Mike Zhivets. “This new line of ironclads will really showcase the ultimate evolution of the British tank destroyer design, from highly maneuverable gun carries to mammoth land cruisers.”

The Soviet tech tree will also be expanded with the massive and hard-hitting SU-100Y tank destroyer, ideal at taking on the heaviest of opponents. The German tech tree will see the introduction of three new light tanks.

Four in-game maps will be getting a visual and rendering overhaul in Update 8.4, including Steppes, Fisherman’s Bay, Ensk and Live Oaks. And, for players new to World of Tanks, the game will be updated with a brand-new tutorial covering tank controls, shooting mechanics, and basic combat tactics.

Wikipad On Sale this Spring

wikipad

LOS ANGELES, CA – February 7, 2013 — Wikipad Inc. today announced that its 7” Wikipad tablet will be available from leading retailers in spring 2013 at a launch price of $249. Wikipad combines the unrivaled gaming experience of a console with the functionality and portability of a premium tablet, thanks to its unique attachable game controller.

“We wanted to get Wikipad into our community’s hands and what we found was that the smaller 7” form factor just seemed right,’” said Fraser Townley, President of Sales, Wikipad, Inc. “The smaller frame delivers an aggressive price while keeping the same amazing specs.”

The 7” Wikipad possesses the same powerful product specs as the previously shown and forthcoming 10” version in a form factor that is even more portable and at a price point that is even more accessible to gamers everywhere. In addition to the new compact form factor, refinements have been made to the dual-analog stick controller to ensure lightning-fast response times and the best gaming experience possible.

Wikipad also announced the relaunch of its website that now includes a comprehensive support page that has dynamic links to social networks and technical forums.

Wikipad – Built for Gaming
The Wikipad is the only tablet to possess the unique combination of truly immersive video game experiences found in consoles with the functionality and portability of a tablet thanks to its award winning attachable dual-analog controller. It offers a premium 7″ IPS screen, 16 GB memory with micro SD slot to support an additional 32 GB of storage, ultra-light and thin chassis, is powered by the NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 quad-core mobile processor and it is optimized for cloud gaming. With an aspect ratio of 16:10, the Wikipad tablet offers true widescreen HD display.

Consumers will have access to entertainment and videogame content from partners and services including PlayStation®Mobile, Big Fish Games®, TegraZone – NVIDIA’s free app that showcases the best games optimized for the Tegra processor – Google Play™, OnLive and many others. When the gamepad controller is detached, Wikipad’s sleek design and full Android 4.1 Jelly Bean functionality make it a powerfully versatile device whether you are surfing the web, reading emails or enjoying films, music and apps at home or on the go.

For a full list of product specs, video games that take full advantage of the Wikipad’s dual-analog stick controller and a community support page, please visit: http://www.wikipad.com/

CCP Games Announces Theme for Fanfest 2013

eve-online-tegra

7 February 2013 – Reykjavik, Iceland: CCP Games, the world’s most successful independent massively multiplayer online game (MMO) developer, today announced the theme for EVE Fanfest 2013 is “The Second Decade.” In its tenth straight year of subscriber growth and following a hugely successful free-expansion in RetributionEVE Online is set to reach even higher levels now that DUST 514 PlayStation®3 beta players have joined the same shared universe.

EVE Fanfest is the annual festival that features over 1,000 EVE pilots, DUST 514 mercs and their friends and family from around the globe coming together in Reykjavik, Iceland for three straight days of constant celebration. This year will be the biggest, most amazing Fanfest yet, taking place less than a month before EVE Online’s tenth anniversary on May 6th and celebrated by the most unique and imaginative community in all of gaming.

As of this announcement, tickets for the event are nearly sold out, a truly blistering pace as the “Early Bird” package just ended with several of the extra events already at capacity.

“Fanfest is the truest celebration of the EVE universe, where online foes become instant friends and shared war stories over drinks bring our wonderful community even closer together,” said Hilmar Veigar Petursson, CEO of CCP. “This year, as DUST 514’s journey truly begins and we celebrate ten glorious years of EVE Online with our fans, CCP will be going bigger and bolder than ever before by creating a truly amazing Fanfest for those attending or following along.”

This year even more unique events will supplement the amazing panels, presentations, PvP tournaments, exotic local excursions, game demos, round tables, first-looks, developer pub crawls, concerts, parties and more.

Icelandic Symphony Orchestra

The night before the official opening of Fanfest, the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra will perform selected music from the original EVE Onlinesoundtrack in an inspired and artistic performance that will set the mood for the events to come. Tickets and more information are available athttp://midi.is/concerts/15/387/

Make EVE Real

The new “Make EVE Real” speaker track will include luminary speakers and scientific pioneers who will share bold initiatives for humanity and its place among the stars, exploring areas where the tech and science behind EVE’s future universe could become a modern reality. The first announced speaker, Michael Laine (President of LiftPort Group) will present a vision for the future of space exploration via a “space elevator” following over a decade of research with a world-class team of experts and a recently successful Kickstarter campaign to conduct an experiment and to engage the global community. More speakers actively involved in advancing towards what we now consider science-fiction will be announced in the coming weeks.

Mixed Martial Arts

Icelandic Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) phenom Gunnar “Gunni” Nelson (10-0-1) will take part in a completely unique spectacle at Fanfest—bringing the fight to the ground like the DUST 514 mercenaries of the EVE Universe. Nelson recently signed a sponsorship with CCP for DUST 514 and will be attending Fanfest fresh off a Feb 16 UFC match in London’s legendary Wembley Arena.

Even more announcements about the massive EVE Universe Second Decade celebration will be revealed in the coming weeks, from musical acts to in-depth programming leading up to the famous Party at the Top of the World.

Tickets for EVE Fanfest and more information about the event can be found at: http://fanfest.eveonline.com

Kevin Riepl Scores Aliens: Colonial Marines

aliens-colonial-marines-3

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 7, 2013 – Award-winning film and video game composer Kevin Riepl (Silent Night, ABCs of Death, The Aggression Scale, Gears of War, Resistance: Burning Skies) has created an original symphonic score for the highly anticipated blockbuster ALIENS™: COLONIAL MARINES video game, launching worldwide on February 12, 2013. Developed by critically acclaimed studio Gearbox Software in partnership with Twentieth Century Fox, ALIENS: COLONIAL MARINES is the authentic addition to the ALIENS canon, bringing new levels of bone-chilling suspense and adrenaline-filled action to the renowned franchise.

Continuing the legacy of Jerry Goldsmith’s music in ALIEN and James Horner’s music in ALIENS, Kevin Riepl’s original score for ALIENS: COLONIAL MARINES features all new themes and atmospheric underscores while staying faithful to the franchise’s iconic scores of Ridley Scott’s and James Cameron’s classic sci-fi horror cinema. Infusing his haunting, sweeping and bombastic orchestral score with familiar nods and intense cinematic action music performed by full live orchestra, Riepl draws on his own classical training and film scoring background to create an authentic ALIENS: COLONIAL MARINES score that will immerse players in the definitive ALIENS gaming experience.

Composing music for multiple entertainment genres, Kevin Riepl’s engaging and atmospheric scores have enhanced numerous indie films such as ABCs OF DEATH, CLEMENCY, THE AGGRESSION SCALE (Global Music Awards Winner) and the recent holiday season horror feature, SILENT NIGHT. In addition to scoring film festival winners and genre cult films including the emotional sci-fi short HENRI starring Keir Dullea (2001: A Space Odyssey) and Oddball Animation Studios’ stunning concept film, RUIN (Global Music Awards Winner), Kevin Riepl is also renowned for composing the epic, signature score for the blockbuster video game GEARS OF WAR. Most recently his sci-fi action score for Sony’s RESISTANCE: BURNING SKIES was awarded “Best Original Score for a Video Game or Interactive Media” in the 2013 Movie Music UK Awards. For more information on Kevin Riepl, visit www.kevinriepl.com.

A true continuation to James Cameron’s film ALIENS, the story of ALIENS: COLONIAL MARINES takes place after the events of the second film. In ALIENS: COLONIAL MARINES, players are part of a U.S. Colonial Marine squad and must prepare to face an alien assault, more intense and horrific than ever before. Driven by a compelling and original story, ALIENS: COLONIAL MARINES retains the atmospheric look and feel of the original films while creating an entirely new interactive ALIENS experience. For more information on ALIENS: COLONIAL MARINES, visit www.sega.com/alienscolonialmarines.

Space Program Manager Announced

SPACE-PROGRAM-MANAGER

Epsom, 7th February 2013 – Buzz Aldrin’s Space Program Manager is the ultimate game of space exploration. Releasing on PC, Mac and iPad in June this year, this exciting title will take players on a journey of exploration and space conquest from the dawn of human spaceflight to modern space exploration vehicles and on to the future.

To ensure the accuracy and authenticity of the game it is being developed in consultation with Dr. Buzz Aldrin, former U.S. Air Force combat pilot (66 missions in Korea) and NASA astronaut, who took part in the first Moon landing mission and became the second human being to walk on the Moon.

Working with Buzz Aldrin in this project is a fascinating journey“, said Ignacio Liverotti, Lead Developer at Polar Motion, developer of the game. “As a fan of space exploration, it’s a dream to be able to work on such an exciting title and having Dr. Aldrin as a consultant”.

In Buzz Aldrin’s Space Program Manager players are in charge of carefully managing the agency’s budget by opening programs, spending R&D funds on improving the hardware, recruiting personnel and astronauts and launching space missions. Road to the Moon is the first chapter in a series of three engaging games that will take players on a fantastic journey.

We have been branching out to new platforms and settings recently“, said Iain McNeil, Development Director of the Slitherine Group. “Games such as Commander: the Great War and Battle Academy on iPad prove we can expand our audience by widening our range of titles. Buzz Aldrin’s Space Program Manager is certainly a great example on how we can attract new players, but stick to our roots of intelligent gameplay and in-depth, well researched content“.

Game Features

  • Manage all aspects of your fledgling space agency from the 1950’s through to the Lunar landings in the first episode. Later episodes will add a permanent space station in Earth orbit all the way to the ultimate goal – a Manned Mission to Mars!
  • Create space programs and launch missions inspired by real programs such as the X-15 Space plane and the Sputnik satellite through to the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo manned spacecrafts and more!
  • Research and develop hundreds of mission components from 40 different program categories.
  • Develop your facility with advanced structures and upgrades including the Vehicle Assembly Building, the Mission Control Center and the Observatory.
  • Recruit and train astronaut candidates and assign them to missions.
  • Assemble an elite team of Scientists, Engineers, Technicians and Flight Controllers for the best chance of success.
  • Manage your agency’s extensive budget.
  • Components can cause catastrophic failures. You must decide whether to abort or push on with each mission.
  • Vast amounts of research ensure the huge database includes missions that launched and many more that never left the drawing board!
  • In Campaign Mode, manage your agency while pandering to the requirements of government to keep your position as Director!
  • Play in Sand Box mode to manage your budget with no politics involved.
  • Hundreds of components built in 3D and rendered out in exquisite detail allow you to follow the progress of your missions.
  • A historic advisor gives background information on the real missions and astronauts throughout the game.
  • Designed in consultation with Dr. Buzz Aldrin, Apollo 11 Lunar Module Pilot and the second human being to set foot on the Moon.

2013 SOE Live Event Announced

soe_logo_r4_v5.3_ke

SAN DIEGO – Feb. 6, 2013 – Sony Online Entertainment, LLC (SOE) today announced that its annual community fan event, SOE Live, will take place at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino inLas Vegas on Aug. 1 – ug. 4, 2013. An annual SOE-sponsored event, SOE Live is set to be the ultimate gathering for the SOE community, and provides players an opportunity to celebrate their favorite free-to-play SOE games, including: DC Universe OnlineDragon’s Prophet™EverQuest®,EverQuest® II, Free Realms®, PlanetSide®2, PoxNora®, Star Wars®: Clone Wars Adventures™, Vanguard® Saga of Heroes, and a first look at the next game in the EverQuest franchise.

“Every year at SOE Live, our goal is to extend the gaming experience for attending players and the entire Community with the best and most exciting activities, news and updates,” said Laura Naviaux, Senior Vice President of Global Sales & Marketing, Sony Online Entertainment. “In addition to holding meet and greets with the Development teams, tournaments and other annual activities that fans have come to love and enjoy over the years, this year’s event will expand to include new titles from our growing free-to-play games portfolio, including Dragon’s Prophet and the next highly-anticipated chapter of the EverQuest game franchise.”

SOE Live echoes the core belief that all SOE players are part of one extended family and presents an opportunity for fans of all ages to meet the talented people behind some of the online world’s most successful games. In addition to a slew of social events, SOE will also host developer panel discussions and game-themed live events, giving attendees a chance to voice their opinions of current and upcoming game content. SOE Live will also feature access to new announcements and beta programs, tournaments, premium swag, and more. Additional information will be announced in the upcoming months.

For more information, visit:  http://www.soe.com/soelive/.

Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge Coming to PS3 and Xbox 360

Ninja-Gaiden-3-Razors-Edge-Gameplay-1-1024x576

BURLINGAME, Calif. – FEBRUARY 6, 2013 – TECMO KOEI America today announced that NINJA GAIDEN 3: RAZOR’S EDGE, the latest chapter in the famed action series, is coming to the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. In the Team NINJA-developed title, the enigmatic warrior Ryu Hayabusa must fight to lift a curse that threatens to destroy him. NINJA GAIDEN 3: RAZOR’S EDGE features additional playable characters, a new gameplay mode, a redesigned battle system with enhanced enemy AI, a robust Ninja Skills upgrade system, expanded online features including bonus content, and a host of other features. The game is scheduled to launch both at retail and via digital download on April 2nd 2013.

NINJA GAIDEN 3: RAZOR’S EDGE is the most action-packed and feature rich NINJA GAIDEN game ever created,” said Yosuke Hayashi, Team NINJA leader. “The brutal combat will challenge the hardest of hardcore NINJA GAIDEN fans while also rewarding them with tons of bonus content and new features including three playable female characters, new stages, and three times as many Ninja Trial missions.”

NINJA GAIDEN 3: RAZOR’S EDGE was designed from the ground up to satisfy core action fans with a redesigned battle system, improved enemy AI, greatly reduced QTE scenes, and the return of dismemberment. Even with severed arms or legs, enemies will fight on and players will find they have to change attacks on the fly to win brutally tough battles—the challenge level leaves little room for error. The Ninja Skills systems lets players use Karma earned in combat to freely purchase weapon and Ninpo upgrades, feats, and costumes. Adding to the variety of gameplay, Kasumi, Ayane, and Momiji all join Hayabusa as playable characters. Ayane will get her own chapters in story mode while all three female characters can be played in the new Chapter Challenge mode and Ninja Trials co-op play with multiple costume options.

Chapter Challenge mode is available with ten chapters including all-new Ayane stages. In this mode, players will compete for the highest score possible in each chapter of the story. Six brutal weapons are available to Hayabusa throughout the game, including the new Jinran-Maru & Blade of the Archfiend dual swords, Lunar Staff, and Kusari-gama. Additionally, Inferno, Wind Blades, and Piercing Void have been added as deadly new Ninpo. In the new Tests of Valor challenges, players who find Crystal Skulls hidden in each level will be transported to face off in skill-testing battles with familiar bosses from the NINJA GAIDEN series.

The online features in NINJA GAIDEN 3: RAZOR’S EDGE have been greatly expanded, with all the previously paid DLC from NINJA GAIDEN 3 available as a bonus. The Ninja Skills upgrade system works online to let players use Karma to purchase 64 customizable features for the Unknown Ninja used in multiplayer Clan Battles. Supporting up to eight players, five brand new Clan Battle stages have been added. Players can use all of Hayabusa’s weapons and Ninpo in Clan Battles, giving them access to their favorite methods of attack. The number of missions in Ninja Trials has been tripled to 100, and all four playable characters—Hayabusa, Ayane, Momiji, and Kasumi—can be used in this co-op mode.

For more news about Team NINJA, visit http://teamninja-studio.com, and don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/teamninjastudio and follow us on Twitter @TeamNINJAStudio.