Author - Jerry Paxton

Paradox Teases New Titles for GDC 2012

NEW YORK – February 8th, 2012 – Touting this year as the era of the indie developer, Paradox Interactive today announced a few of the tricks up their sleeve for this year’s Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. Three new games will be announced, all based on brand new IP:s, including the new project from the Magicka team!

The Paradox Interactive gaming lounge at GDC will showcase four titles, three of which have yet to be announced. Paradox Interactive want to show you that their new collaboration with talented small game studios will rock your world. Or at least shake it a little bit.

To be announced at GDC, really, but we can’t resist a little teaser:

Project “JFK” by Arrowhead Game Studios, creators of Magicka
Operating on the principle of “more is more”, project “JFK” will offer breakneck-paced multiplayer combat with a focus on killing your friends and looking cool doing it.
Project “Revenge!” by Brazilian dev team Critical Studio
All you need is two friends and one mortal enemy in this action packed action game in a world that can be described as death trap for heroes and children.
Project “Silverado” from acclaimed independent developer Zeal Game Studio
Prepare for a game that combines elements from popular RTS’s, infuses them with a dash of modern shooters, a side order of a tabletop wargame and a sprinkle of sci-fi and you’ve got yourself a Project “Silverado”.
Announced titles to be shown at GDC
A Game of Dwarves
Can you dig it? A Game of Dwarves, from acclaimed independent developer Zeal Game Studio, is a classic management game with a fantasy twist, A Game of Dwarves gives gamers the tricky task of overseeing and expanding an underground colony of industrious, treasure-hoarding dwarves deep down underground. Drinking, digging, and development are all a part of this new take on dwarven-kind, in an adventure that won’t short anyone’s fun. With all sorts of ancient caverns and forgotten creatures beneath your feet, only one question remains: Will you delve too greedily, and too deep?

War of the Roses by Paradox Interactive & Fatshark
From the creative mind of Paradox CEO Fredrik Wester, the outstanding talent of developer Fatshark, and brilliant leadership of former Battlefield producer Gordon Van Dyke, comes a melee combat multiplayer experience like no other.

War of the Roses, an ambitious and gritty medieval combat third-person massacre-r, will pit large teams of players into the muddied mail boots of medieval soldiers. Players will select from over 60 weapon types and attempt to brutalize opponents the old-fashioned way using swords, maces and much more. With a heavy emphasis on squad-based tactics, as well as a fully fleshed-out single combat mechanic that allows for a variety of attacks and parrying, War of the Roses aims to make its way into combat enthusiasts’ hearts – at the tip of a lance.

MLB 2K12/NBA 2K12 Combo Pack Announced

New York, NY – February 8, 2012 – Giving sports fans something special to cheer about this season, 2K Sports today announced the MLB 2K12/NBA 2K12 Combo Pack will be available for purchase on March 6, 2012 at participating retailers for the MSRP of $69.99 exclusively for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

Launching in conjunction with Major League Baseball 2K12, the MLB 2K12/NBA 2K12 Combo Pack will feature a full retail version of 2K Sports’ new Major League Baseball offering, MLB 2K12, along with a full retail version of NBA 2K12.

Players who purchase the MLB 2K12/NBA 2K12 Combo Pack, along with those who purchase the standalone MLB 2K12 offering, will be eligible to compete in this year’s $1 Million Perfect Game Challenge in which the eight finalists who throw the highest-ranked perfect games will compete in a live tournament with the winner claiming the grand prize. For more on this year’s Perfect Game Challenge, please visit facebook.com/MLB2K.

“If you are serious about sports gaming, this offer is simply too good to pass up,” said Jason Argent, vice president of marketing for 2K Sports. “Fans waiting to get their hands on MLB 2K12 will also be able to grab NBA 2K12, our greatest basketball title to date.”

NBA 2K12, the latest installment of the top-rated and top-selling NBA video game simulation franchise* has won 26 Sports Game of the Year awards since its October release. For more info on NBA 2K12, please visit http://www.facebook.com/NBA2K.

Developed by Visual Concepts, a 2K Sports studio, MLB 2K12/NBA 2K12 Combo Pack is rated E for everyone by the ESRB.

Square Enix Announces Sleeping Dogs

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 8, 2012) – Square Enix London Studios, a part of the Square Enix Group announces Sleeping Dogs™, a gritty open-world cop drama set in the vibrant city of Hong Kong. Developed by United Front Games in collaboration with Square Enix London Studios, Sleeping Dogs will be available in the second half of 2012 for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC.

Sleeping Dogs catapults players into the role of undercover cop Wei Shen, tasked with taking down one of the world’s most fearsome criminal organisations from the inside… the Hong Kong Triads. As players explore the bustling and crowded Hong Kong island, through its neon-lit side streets and sprawling street markets, an incredible story unfolds of loyalty and betrayal where Wei begins to question his own motives as he is sucked in deeper than he could ever imagine.

Offering players an island packed with action, every street corner, market stall, harbor dock or city skyscraper can become an opportunity for intense shoot-outs, adrenaline-fuelled street races and intense, brutal martial arts combat. Featuring one of the most intuitive and imaginative combat systems, Sleeping Dogs empowers players to perform an extensive set of martial arts moves, singlehandedly taking on numerous opponents. Players perform bone-crunching kicks and combos, vicious counters and a cinematic set of environmental takedowns making use of countless real-world items from circular saws to phone booths, incinerators to refrigerator doors.

“From the moment you pick up the controller and experience the blend of driving, close combat and shooting you know you’re playing something fresh and a bit special,” said Lee Singleton, general manager of Square Enix London Studios. “Sleeping Dogs has one of the best melee combat systems out there – it’s super brutal with devastating takedown moves, and when added to UFG’s proven heritage in driving games, a first class story and the vibrant backdrop of the Hong Kong underworld we get a fiery recipe with fun written all over it.”

“Working on Sleeping Dogs has been such a huge passion for the team at United Front Games and we’re really pleased to be working with Square Enix London Studios,” said Stephen Van Der Mescht, executive producer at United Front Games. “The extensive experience that both studios have in creating compelling open world gameplay and rich, rewarding combat makes for a perfect partnership. Working together we’re ensuring Sleeping Dogs is the most intense and immersive game it can be.”

RIFT Ascended Weddings Trailer

The developers of the game RIFT wanted to pass along that they are hoping to go for a Guinness World Record next week for the most in-game marriages within a 24 hour period! Participate and those players will receive a new in-game title. Also, checkout the weddings trailer below!

EVE Online Gets Two New Websites

CCP Games has announced the launch of two new EVE Online related websites:

  • The new EVE Online.com site, designed as the perfect destination for those curious about EVE or trying it out
  • The new EVE Community portal, forged to fully support the award winning player community of EVE Online

Over at the sites, there is a wealth of stuff to check out, of particular note are the ship viewer, which showcases a portion of the ships of EVE Online, and the starmap, which pulls in-game data to show the dynamic and vast nature of the EVE Online game universe.

NeverDead First DLC Pack Details

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced that the NeverDead Expansion Pack Volume 1 will be available for download on February 21, 2012. Fans will be able to expand their online experience with a new playable character, three new challenges within the expanded Asylum level and two new online costumes for the main character, Bryce Boltzmann.

In NeverDead, players become the immortal Bryce Boltzmann, a tragic hero who has endured a suffering existence due to the murder of his wife at the hands of Astaroth, the Demon King.  Moving through life without aspirations other than where he will find his next drink, he fights alongside his partner Arcadia for the National Anti-Demon Agency (NADA), exterminating modern day demonic forces.

Highlights of the NeverDead Expansion Pack Volume 1 include:

•       New Character: Play as the fashionable, charismatic pop-idol, Nikki Summerfield in cooperative challenges with your friends through online multiplayer.

•       Three New Gameplay Challenges – Revisit an expanded Asylum level with 3 all-new challenges:

– Egg Hunt: Scour the expanded Asylum level for collectables scoring points by delivering them to designated “Score Zones.” Make sure to hold on tight to your collectibles as opponents can snatch any that you drop along the way. With enemy ambush points and environmental hazards at every turn, this challenge is tricky!

– Fragile Alliance: A competitive race through a number of checkpoints spread across the map. You can interrupt other player’s progress by attacking each other. The increase of environmental hazards and enemy spawn points will keep you on your toes.

– Onslaught: Unlock the entire Asylum level section-by-section by defeating all enemies.. Demon-seals that block off areas will dissipate as you defeat enemies from the previous area, providing more-controlled player movement and encounters.

•       Two Additional Character Costumes: Dress Bryce up in these new costumes before going back into the online fray.

EA Sports SSX Soundtrack Revealed

February 7, 2012 – EA SPORTSTM today unveiled the complete music track listing for EA SPORTS SSXTM, featuring 36 licensed tracks* by established and upcoming artists and ten original tracks composed specifically for the game’s Deadly Descents. In addition, these original ten trackscreated by The Qemists, Camo & Krooked, Raffertie, and Amon Tobin – are now available for download as part of the ‘SSX’ soundtrack via iTunes®.

SSX has always been one of EA’s most music intensive, genre diverse and sonically adventurous titles,” says Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive of Music & Music Marketing. “The songs on this new soundtrack cover ground from indie rock, dub step, hip-hop, drum + bass and beyond. As fans of the ultimate snowboarding franchise have come to expect, our artists range from top cutting-edge stars to tomorrow’s hottest underground acts. Ultimately, it’s a soundtrack full of next-level music that is totally ripe for discovery.”

Gamers will have the ability to upload their own music to SSX to create custom playlists for menu and in-game music. SSX also features a dynamic music remix tool that will automatically remix licensed tracks and custom music based on the player’s actions and performance in-game.

One of the most critically-acclaimed titles coming out of E3, SSX is now featured on 14 ‘Most Anticipated Games of 2012’. SSX launches on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® video game system on February 28 in North America and by March 2 in the rest of the world**.

*The complete list of licensed tracks for the SSX soundtrack includes:

Artist

Track

Camo & Krooked Breezeblock
Camo & Krooked Portal
Dels Capsize ft. Joe Goddard & Roots Manuva
Digitalism Blitz
DJ Shadow I Gotta Rock (Irn Mnky Swagger Mix)
Felguk ft. Example Plastic Smile
Flux Pavilion I Can’t Stop
Foster the People Houdini
Handsome Furs Damage
Hyper Accelerate
J Boogie’s Dubtronic Science Magik (Egyptian Lover Remix) ft. Aima the Dream, Cait La Dee & Raashan Ahmad
Kid Digital Done With That ft. Profit
Konrad Old Money Big Error
Lateef the Truthspeaker Oakland ft. Del the Funky Homosapien & The Grouch
Nero Scorpions
Noisia Could this Be
Noisia Machine Gun
Pretty Lights Hot Like Dimes
Raffertie Twitch (It Grows and Grows: SSX Version)
Run-DMC It’s Tricky (SSX Pretty Lights Remix)
Skrillex Scatta ft. Foreign Beggers & Bare Noize
Styrofoam Ones Better
The Big Pink Stay Gold
The Herbaliser What You Asked For
The Hives 1000 Answers
The Naked and Famous Young Blood
The Prototypes Your Future
The Qemists Bones ft. Kellermensch
The Qemists Stompbox
The Qemists Lifeline
Theophilus London I Stand Alone (Ocelot Mix)
TRS-80 Mirage
Turbowolf A Rose for the Crows
Two Door Cinema Club Something Good Can Work (The Twelves Remix)
Wretch 32 Traktor
Zion I and the Grouch Drop It on the 1

 

A modern day reinvention of one of the most critically acclaimed arcade franchises of all-time, SSX will allow players to experience the franchise’s signature fun and adrenaline-packed gameplay across iconic regions all over the world. Using NASA topographical satellite data, SSX has a massive world for players to explore. Throughout nine expansive regions, SSX packs reality-defying gameplay into every run letting players Race, Trick, and Survive as they descend huge open mountains. In addition, Explore, Global Events and RiderNet – SSX’s recommendation engine – headline an online feature set that will redefine social competition for gamers, making it fun and easy to compete with friends with no lobbies or wait times.

**March 15, 2012 in Japan.

Tropico 4 Quick Dry Cement Add-On Launch Screens

Ridgewood, NJ, February 7, 2012 – In the previously released “Plantador” add-on content for Tropico 4, El Presidente was on his way to becoming a master gardener, and now with today’s “Quick Dry Cement” add-on, he’s moved into building his own concrete jungle. The new content, available today for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC, adds the new Cement Factory building, along with additional character traits, costumes and more, all for a Swiss Bank Account-pleasing price of 400 Microsoft Points / $4.99 USD.

The Quick-dry Cement add-on pack contains:

  • Building: Cement Factory (accelerates all constructions on the island)
  • Character Trait: Constructor (free cement factory, construction workers gain skill faster)
  • Character Outfit / Vanity Item: Engineer helmet (for male and female avatars)
  • Mission theme: The largest city in the Caribbean – build a huge city across the whole island while fighting all kinds of disasters
  • Decorations: Tropican flagpole, Small park, Flower bed 2, Flowering tree 2, Constructor statue

Launch Screenshots