Author - Jerry Paxton

Valve Confirms DOTA 2 is FtP

2012/05/31
Jerry Paxton
News

May 31, 2012 – Valve, creators of best-selling game franchises (such as Counter-Strike, Half-Life, Left 4 Dead, Portal, and Team Fortress) and leading technologies (such as Steam and Source), today confirmed that Dota 2 will be free to play and announced the Dota Store in preparation for the game’s release.

Upon its opening, the Dota Store will offer items created by Valve and members of the community that may be used immediately and carried over after the public launch of the game. Early Access to the game is not required to purchase items before launch. However, gamers may get into the game now by purchasing the Dota 2 Early Access Bundle of items.

“The opening of the Dota Store is a big part of our final push to launch,” said IceFrog, design lead on Dota 2. “With support for the Steam Workshop, the majority of the items made available on day one were created and being sold by members of the community. By making the game Free to Play, we hope to give gamers the ability to decide how – and how much – they want to invest in the game.”

Targeted for full release on the PC later this year, Dota 2 promises to take the unique blend of online RTS and RPG action that has made Dota popular with tens of millions of gamers around the world.

Later this summer Valve will host the International Dota 2 Championships 2012 in Seattle, WA.

For more information on Valve and its games, please visit www.dota2.com

THQ Hosting E3 2012 Investor Meeting

2012/05/31
Jerry Paxton
E3, News

AGOURA HILLS, Calif.– THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced that THQ’s Chief Executive Officer, Brian Farrell, President, Jason Rubin, and Senior Vice President, Marketing, Richard Williams, will make a presentation to the investment community in connection with the 2012 Electronic Entertainment Expo. The presentation is scheduled for 7:45 a.m. Pacific on Tuesday, June 5, 2012.

The presentation will be open to all interested investors through a live audio Web broadcast via the Internet on the Investor Relations Event Calendar page of THQ’s website located at http://investor.thq.com. An archived replay will also be available on the company’s website approximately 24 hours following the live broadcast.

THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the Internet. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. More information about THQ and its products may be found at www.thq.com. THQ and its logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.

Turtle Beach and MLG Announce Partnership and E3 Presence

2012/05/31
Jerry Paxton
E3, News

VALHALLA, NY –  May 31, 2012 – Turtle Beach, pioneers and market-leaders of the gaming headset category, and Major League Gaming (MLG), the world’s largest competitive video game league, today announce a multi-year product and marketing partnership under which Turtle Beach will develop the official headsets and audio equipment of Major League Gaming. The first official products offered under this partnership will be MLG versions of the all-new Ear Force XP7 and Z7 MLG Pro Circuit Programmable Surround Sound Headsets for console and PC play, along with the Ear Force TM1 Tournament Audio Mixer.  Slated for release in Fall 2012, working prototypes of these exciting new game audio products and others from the Turtle Beach line will be available for preview in Turtle Beach’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) booth; Los Angeles Convention Center South Hall #2447, from June 5 – 7, 2012. MLG Pro Players will be on hand to help introduce the new products, with appearances in the Turtle Beach booth daily from 2-3 p.m. PT.

Developed specifically for console and PC tournament use, the XP7 and Z7 headsets significantly raise the bar for tournament and competitive online multi-player performance. The most technologically advanced headsets on the market; they are part of the new SEVEN Series line of high-performance gaming lifestyle audio products offered by Turtle Beach. Working in partnership with MLG, Turtle Beach plans to release final versions of the XP7 and Z7 headsets and TM1 audio mixer at MLG Pro Circuit competitions later this year. Complete details regarding Turtle Beach’s line of official MLG Pro Circuit Products will be issued in the coming months.

XP7 and Z7 headsets will feature Turtle Beach’s acclaimed Programmable DSP Technology for the ultimate in customized immersion and competitive advantage, making the XP7 and Z7 some of the most precise and powerful tournament headsets on the planet. Ongoing collaboration by Turtle Beach and MLG will deliver unique audio presets customized for specific tournament games, maps and levels that can be loaded onto the XP7 and Z7. These and many others will be available for download via Turtle Beach’s Preset Community Portal.

The SEVEN Series is the ultimate “Swiss Army knife” of headsets for passionate gamers on the move.  Using a variety of unique cables and connectors, the SEVEN allows gamers to effortlessly move from console or PC to smartphones, tablets or portable gaming devices.  A removable boom microphone, optional in-line mic with multi-function controls, lay-flat ear cups and much more, combine with a dramatic new design and stellar audio performance to offer the features that avid gamers demand.

Turtle Beach will also preview working prototypes of its new TM1 Tournament Mixer. Developed as the ultimate audio mixer for console and PC LAN tournaments, game centers or home use, the TM1 enables crystal clear communication for up to six individual players. Additional options allow a single unit to deliver three versus three team play, the chaining of units for up to 12 audio channels, a broadcast feed and numerous other competition features. Combined with the XP7 and Controller, the TM1 represents the single most powerful revolution in game tournament audio.

“At Major League Gaming, our mission is to create the most competitive environment in e-Sports,” said Sundance DiGiovanni, CEO of MLG. “We look forward to working with Turtle Beach and to utilizing the XP7 and Z7 headsets and TM1 mixer at our Pro Circuit events and offering exciting new audio products to our fans.”

“Quality audio is a competitive advantage whether you play at home or in a tournament,” said Bob Picunko, Turtle Beach’s Chief Marketing Officer. “This partnership allows our audio engineers and MLG’s tournament experts to work closely to deliver the best possible, high performance tournament equipment for professional competitors and gamers at all levels.”

The marketing and product partnership between Turtle Beach and MLG intends to deliver more unique and exciting game audio products, new technologies and lifestyle excitement in the coming years.

Natsume Unveils Details of ‘Project Happiness’

2012/05/31
Jerry Paxton
E3, News

Burlingame, CA. – May 31, 2012 – Natsume Inc., a worldwide developer and publisher of family-oriented video games, announced today a partnership between Natsume, TOYBOX, and Rising Star Games to bring a new type of game to a global audience: Project Happiness (Working title; the final name of the title will be revealed at a later date). Natsume will be bringing this novel title to audiences in the Americas, with Rising Star Games publishing the title in Europe. The title is being developed by Yasuhiro Wada, the “Father of Harvest Moon,” and his studio, TOYBOX in Tokyo, Japan.  More information about the exciting new IP from Yasuhiro Wada will be revealed during E3 2012, taking place June 5th – 7th in Los Angeles.

“Project Happiness is the culmination of Wada-san’s many years of creating fun and wholesome gaming entertainment, and we’re incredibly excited to be working alongside TOYBOX and Rising Star Games throughout this project,” said Hiro Maekawa, President and CEO of Natsume. “As more details are revealed throughout the year, players will begin to understand why we think Project Happiness will be the next major IP and fan favorite for Natsume.”

Filled with adventure, discovery, and wonder, Project Happiness will warm the hearts of gamers both young and old! It’s an experience that will fill you with motivation and magical memories!

“Project Happiness is an IP that is very close to my heart, and stems from years of working on other great titles like the Harvest Moon series,” said Yasuhiro Wada, CEO of TOYBOX. “Project Happiness is not only meant to be a fun game experience, but I also want it to help expand the player’s view of the world, and make them ponder what their life means to them. From the very beginning of the idea of this product, we knew that to help bring its true vision to light, we wanted to partner with quality publishers who share our values like Natsume and Rising Star Games.”

“Rising Star Games considers itself privileged to work together on the wonderful new IP Project Happiness with our friends at TOYBOX and Natsume,” said Martin Defries, Managing Director & COO of Rising Star Games. “Our previous collaborations to bring great games to Rising Star Games European audience has been a highlight of our game release history. The shared goal of all of us is to bring compelling entertainment to gamers, Wada-san and TOYBOX have an unquestioned skill in doing that.”

Yasuhiro Wada and Natsume will host behind-closed doors meetings to reveal the first details of Project Happiness at E3 where Natsume will host a booth in the South Hall, booth 515.   As the Project peels back its secretive curtains, players can find all the latest information via Natsume at www.natsume.com/facebook and www.twitter.com/natsume_inc.

Heroes in the Sky Announces Worldwide Occupational War

2012/05/31
Jerry Paxton
News

Sunnyvale, Calif. (May 31, 2012) – Leading online game publisher, GamesCampus.com (www.GamesCampus.com), announced today the newest battleground for their Massively Multiplayer Online Third Person Shooter (MMOTPS) Heroes in the Sky, Occupational War!  Combining together a high intensity PVE story with fast paced PVP, Heroes in the Sky challenges players to become top Ace in a World War II setting.  Pilots should fly straight over and register for their account at http://his.gamescampus.com/

Occupational War is the biggest battlefield that Heroes in the Sky offers to players.  Pitting Allies against Axis, players can compete and acquire territories within the map, and then must defend them against the hordes of the enemy.  GamesCampus will be presenting a global twist to the map during the Occupational War Event, which pits the world’s best against each other regardless of faction, but by region!

Players will be able to register by opting into the Occupational War via the character screen.  European players will be suiting up against players from the U.S.A. to determine once and for all which region has the most firepower.  Special events for the worldwide Occupational War take place on the following days and at the following times, 5/31 to 6/3:

  1. 10:00-12:00 PST / 19:00-21:00 CEST
  2. 15:00-17:00 PST / 00:00-02:00 CEST
  3. 22:00-00:00 PST / 8:00-10:00 CEST

Rewards will be based on the number of kills/assists/deaths each player acquires; 3 kills, 6 assists or 9 deaths. A player’s recorded kill will grant them an item from a random set, including Techs, specialty-items and more. The winners’ side, whether it is Europe or U.S.A., will have a server-wide EXP/GEM/Drop Rate Event after the tallies have been finalized.  The participants on the losing service will be rewarded with similar in-game and cash items, in reduced amounts.

While all pilots are welcome to join into the event, to ensure the most even playing field, items and aircrafts must be below level 90 to qualify, including premium aircrafts.  To help players get geared up, a Gear Lab event will run on the U.S. servers that allow players to create, strengthen, and refine their pre-90 gear!

Heroes in the Sky is an intense airborne MMOTPS that combines high impact PVE and fast paced PVP as it chronicles the events from the beginning to the end of World War II.  PVP combat is taken to a new level as players must not only worry about the basic dangers from the front, behind, and sides, but also from above and below. Heroes in the Sky is dog fighting at its finest; cannon fires, machine gun blasts, missiles, and bombs flood the skies as up to 16 players shoot it out for air superiority!   Featuring some of the most famous WWII aircraft in history, players will soar across the sky as they bomb cities, sink boats, burst blimps and more– all this and more unfolds as players compete to become the top Ace in Heroes in the Sky.  Players will choose from a variety of intense and realistic planes including both experimental and field tested all while reliving history and participating in intense aerial combat.

For more information about Gamescampus.com or Heroes in the Sky, please visit http://his.gamescampus.com

DC and WBIE Announce Injustice: Gods Among Us

2012/05/31
Jerry Paxton
News

BURBANK, Calif. – May 31, 2012 – What if our greatest heroes became our greatest threat?  Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment today announced Injustice: Gods Among Us, an all-new game in development by award-winning NetherRealm Studios, creators of the definitive fighting game franchise Mortal Kombat. The game is scheduled for release in 2013 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and the Wii U™ system from Nintendo.

Injustice: Gods Among Us debuts as a bold new fighting game franchise that introduces a deep, original story featuring a large cast of favorite DC Comics icons such as Batman, Harley Quinn, Solomon Grundy, Superman, The Flash, Wonder Woman and many others.  Set in a world where the lines between good and evil are blurred, players will experience heroes and villains engaging in epic battles on a massive scale.

“With Injustice: Gods Among Us, we are creating an all-new franchise with incredible battles set in the DC Comics Universe,” said Martin Tremblay, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.  “NetherRealm Studios is the extremely talented team behind the latest Mortal Kombat hit and it is developing a game unlike any other in the fighting genre.”

“We can’t wait to reveal Injustice: Gods Among Us because it will give our fans and gamers an epic experience as they battle like gods as their favorite DC Comics villains and heroes,” said Ed Boon, Creative Director, NetherRealm Studios.  “Our team is excited to make a fighting game that is filled with fast-paced action, incredible story-telling and iconic DC Comics characters.”

For more information, visit www.injustice.com.

Falcon Lines DLC Announced for Airline Tycoon 2

2012/05/31
Jerry Paxton
News

Ridgewood, NJ, May 31, 2012 –He’s back! Siggi Sorglos, a name synonymous with German diligence, punctuality and cuckoo clocks, returns to the airline business in new DLC for Airline Tycoon 2, the much-loved airline business simulation game for Windows PC. In the new “Falcon Lines” DLC, you can play the entire campaign from the original game, plus two brand-new missions as Siggi, and learn why he has returned from his well-deserved retirement. The Falcon Lines DLC also allows players, for the first time in Airline Tycoon 2, to open branch offices in foreign airports and thus receive access to a larger selection of charter flights. But that’s not all! For even the popular “last-minute counter” is celebrating its comeback with this DLC. Whoever reliably fulfills the contracts offered there will rake in a stunning amount of cash!

The Falcon Lines DLC will be available later this June for $7.99USD  via the in-game Kalypso Launcher, and Steam.

Kingdom Hearts 3D Dream Drop Distance Voice Cast

2012/05/31
Jerry Paxton
News

LOS ANGELES (May 31, 2012) – Square Enix, Inc., the publishers of SQUARE ENIX® interactive entertainment products in the Americas, today announced the voice-over talent for KINGDOM HEARTS 3D [Dream Drop Distance] for the Nintendo 3DS™ system, including Leonard Nimoy (Master Xehanort), Haley Joel Osment (Sora), David Gallagher (Riku), Hayden Panetierre (Xion), Jesse McCartney (Roxas/Ventus) and Quinton Flynn (Axel/Lea).

Characters

  • Leonard Nimoy – Best known for his role as Spock on Star Trek, Leonard Nimoy reprises his role as Master Xehanort, the main antagonist of the KINGDOM HEARTS series and archenemy of Sora and Riku.
  • Haley Joel Osment – Known for his role in the critically acclaimed The Sixth Sense, Haley Joel Osment returns to play Sora, the main protagonist in the KINGDOM HEARTS franchise, working to complete the Mark of Mastery exam and become a true Keyblade Master.
  • David Gallagher – Remembered for his work on 7th Heaven, David Gallagher joins the cast again as Riku, struggling to become a true Keyblade Master alongside his best friend, Sora.
  • Hayden Panetierre – Noted for her performance on Heroes, Hayden Panetierre returns to voice Xion, the 14th member of Organization XIII, an organization that stands against Sora and his friends.
  • Jesse McCartney – Recording artist Jesse McCartney reprises his roles as the heroes, Roxas and Ventus.
  • Quinton Flynn – Known best for his voice acting on Robot Chicken, Quinton Flynn returns as Axel / Lea, another member of Organization XIII.

World of Warplanes Closed Beta Underway

2012/05/31
Jerry Paxton
News

31st May 2012 — Wargaming.net, the award-winning game publisher and developer, today announced that its highly anticipated free-to-play MMO title World of Warplanes has taken to the skies for its closed beta, inviting players to experience an expanded amount of in-game content, including new warplanes, maps and other features.

Eligible closed beta pilots in Europe, North America and Russia will be able to get into the cockpit and take control of the skies with four warplane classes, including fighters, ground-attack planes, heavy fighters and carrier-based aircraft spanning 59 different warplanes from Germany, the United States and the U.S.S.R.

Across four unique maps, pilots can unleash devastation on their competition with new weaponry, including bombs and rockets, and against new ground targets such as anti-aircraft guns. New players can also take part in an in-game tutorial to polish their skills.

Wargaming.net plans to actively recruit pilots during the entirety of the closed beta to further incorporate player feedback and better improve the gameplay.

“It’s an exciting day for the entire World of Warplanes team,” said World of Warplanes Producer Alex Zezulin. “The launch of the closed beta will help us give players the most polished and enjoyable gaming experience possible and we’re looking forward to getting their feedback.”

Pilots interested in signing up for the closed beta can do so by visiting: