Author - Jerry Paxton

cd Projekt RED Announces The Witcher 2 Dark Edition Shortages in Europe

2012/03/17
Jerry Paxton
News

Over one month before its premiere on the 17th of April,  The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Dark Edition has already been sold out in pre-orders in Europe. The Dark Edition of the game is the richest version of the award-winning RPG  for Xbox 360. CD Projekt RED studio has prepared a larger stock of this edition for their fans in Poland.  That’s why The Witcher’s homeland  remains the last European country, where the Dark Edition is still available.

“We are really pleased, that the Dark Edition was so well received by gamers.  We’re half way from the beginning of the pre-orders to the premiere and already European gamers bought all of the Dark Edition  copies. You can still buy the Enhanced Edition of the game, which is more than a standard edition of an Xbox game containing the game, official soundtrack, quest handbook and world map.” – said Michał Nowakowski , member of CD Projekt RED’s board.

The Dark Edition of the game apart from the Enhanced Edition contains an exclusive artbook, an additional making of DVD, a wolf-head Witcher medallion, 3 stickers  – all wrapped up in an beautiful box with an wolf head 3D print relief. You can watch the whole unboxing of the game here.

In The Witcher 2: Assassin of Kings the player takes the role of Geralt of Rivia, a professional monster slayer, a witcher. Entangled in the political turmoil that engulfed Temeria, Geralt helped quell the rebellion of the Order of the Flaming Rose. Soon after, he saved King Foltest’s life when the monarch was attacked by a witcher-like assassin.

The game features an intense, emotionally-charged, non-linear story in which every decision may lead to dire consequences. The complex plot is crisped with spectacular, brutal and tactical combat mechanics. All this is set in a deep, rich game world where ominous events shape the lives of entire populations while blood thirsty monsters rage about. The gorgeous environments of the game look astonishing thanks to CD Projekt RED’s in house engine – the REDengine. The Witcher 2: Assassin of Kings Enhanced Edition is one of the best looking RPGs ever to be released for the Xbox 360.

The console edition will add about 4 hours of new content, when compared with the initial PC release of the game. All this will be set in never-seen before locations. This version of the game will include about 36 minutes of new animations and cinematics. One of these movies is a CG intro, directed by BAFTA winner and Academy Award nominee Tomasz Bagiński. The intro was viewed by over a million people in the first week after its premiere. All the additional content will be available for free download for current PC owners of the game.

You can pre-order The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition at: buy.thewitcher.com

Harmonix Getting Men at Work and Santana

2012/03/17
Jerry Paxton
News

Harmonix has announced that tracks from Men at Work and Santana will be coming to the Rock Band Music Store come March 20th, 2012.

Available on Xbox 360, Wii™and PlayStation®3 system (March 20th, 2012):

  • Men at Work – “Down Under” O
  • Men at Work – “Overkill” O
  • Santana – “Smooth” O X

(These tracks will be available in Europe on PlayStation®3 system March 21st)

Tracks marked with “O” feature support for keyboards; tracks marked with “X” will offer Pro Guitar and Pro Bass expansions for $0.99 per song.

Price:
$1.99 USD, £.99 UK, €1.49 EU (160 Microsoft Points, 200 Wii Points™) per song
$0.99 USD (100 Wii Points™/80 Microsoft Points), £0.59 UK, €0.79 EU per song for eligible Pro Guitar/Pro Bass upgrade

** Dates for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change. **

*Available on-disc, via download and disc export. Internet connection and export key purchase required. Wii™ Shop Channel has more than 1,500 song tracks available for purchase on the Rock Band platform on-disc, via song import, and download. Not applicable to Nintendo DS™.

New Screenshots Of Orcs and Men

2012/03/17
Jerry Paxton
News

Focus Home Interactive has released some new screenshots from their upcoming Of Orcs and Men. Enjoy!

Screenshots

Baldur’s Gate Enhanced Edition Revealed

2012/03/16
Jerry Paxton
News

March 15, 2012 — Atari, Wizards of the Coast, and Overhaul Games are pleased to announce work has begun on the Enhanced Edition of Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate II.

Since its initial release in 1998, Baldur’s Gate has entertained millions of fans around the globe, and has received countless awards. This classic saga of mystery, intrigue, and adventure has set the standard for Dungeons & Dragons® computer roleplaying games ever since.

Re-forged by Overhaul Games

Overhaul Games has assembled a talented team of artists, programmers and designers to enhance this timeless classic. To remain true to the spirit of the game, the team includes original Baldur’s Gate developers.

Relive the most epic story ever told

Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition™ and Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Edition™ will feature a re-forged version of the Infinity Engine with a variety of modern improvements.

The greatest roleplaying game of all time, enhanced

For all information regarding Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition™ visit www.baldursgate.com..

Deadliest Warrior: Ancient Combat Release Date

2012/03/16
Jerry Paxton
News

New York, NY – MARCH 15, 2012 – 345 Games announced today that “Deadliest Warrior: Ancient Combat” is coming to North American retailers everywhere on April 17.  The disc-based game/TV show hybrid – based on the successful multi-platform Spike TV series “Deadliest Warrior,” which pits two of the most feared warriors civilization has ever known against each other in a battle to the death – will be available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. Also, gamers who preorder “Deadliest Warrior: Ancient Combat” at GameStop before April 17 will receive an exclusive DVD featuring never-before-released episodes of the hit show.

“Deadliest Warrior: Ancient Combat” combines the wildly popular downloadable console games, “Deadliest Warrior: The Game” and “Deadliest Warrior: Legends,” in addition to all downloadable content packs, an exclusive new level, 30 new weapons and exclusive TV show content.  Fans of the show will be treated to never-before-released episodes from all three seasons.

Notable features include:

  • The brand new “Graveyard” arena exclusive to “Deadliest Warrior: Ancient Combat”
  • 30 new weapons, including a “Lockbar Axe” for William Wallace, the “Monk’s Spade” for Sun Tzu and a “Tsonga Battle Axe” for Shaka Zulu
  • Both digital titles and all DLC included for only $29.99
  • Cross-play with consumers of the original digitally-distributed titles
  • Never-before-released episodes of the show exclusive to “Deadliest Warrior: Ancient Combat”
  • Preorder “Deadliest Warrior: Ancient Combat” and receive the GameStop exclusive DVD featuring two full episodes of the TV series, including one never before released on DVD!

Do you have what it takes to be the “Deadliest Warrior”? Rated ‘M’ for Mature by the ESRB, “Deadliest Warrior: Ancient Combat” will launch on April 17 at a MSRP of $29.99 at North American retailers everywhere. For more information about “Deadliest Warrior: Ancient Combat” please visit deadliestwarrior.spike.com or follow the game on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/deadliestwarrior.

Diablo III Street Date Revealed

2012/03/16
Jerry Paxton
News

IRVINE, Calif. — March 15, 2012 — The end is nigh! Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. today announced that Diablo® III, the next chapter in its critically acclaimed action role-playing game series, will be unleashed from the Burning Hells on May 15.

Starting that day, gamers with a thirst for fast-paced action and adventure will be able to purchase Diablo III at retailers throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and the regions of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. In addition, gamers in the regions above as well as in Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Brazil will be able to buy Diablo III digitally via Blizzard’s Battle.net® website.

Players in the listed Latin American countries and in Russia will be able to purchase Diablo III at local retail locations starting June 7. Digital availability for the Russian version of the game will also begin June 7. In addition to the English version, Diablo III will be fully localized into Latin American Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, French, German, European Spanish, Italian, Polish, Russian, Korean, and Traditional Chinese.

Blizzard also kicked off global digital presales for Diablo III today. Would-be wizards, witch doctors, demon hunters, barbarians, and monks throughout the world should head to http://www.blizzard.com/games/d3/ now to reserve their digital copies.

“After many years of hard work by our development team and months of beta testing by hundreds of thousands of dedicated players around the world, we’re now in the homestretch,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “We look forward to putting the final polish on Diablo III over the next two months and delivering the ultimate action-RPG experience to gamers worldwide starting on May 15.”

Diablo III will be available for Windows® XP/Windows Vista®/Windows® 7 and Macintosh® at a suggested price of $59.99 USD for both the retail DVD-ROM version and the digital version sold directly from Blizzard. A special alabaster-white Collector’s Edition, sold exclusively in retail stores at a suggested retail price of $99.99 USD, will include the full game on DVD-ROM, a behind-the-scenes Blu-ray/DVD two-disc set, the Diablo III soundtrack CD, a 208-page Art of Diablo III book, and a 4 GB USB soulstone (including full versions of Diablo II and Diablo II: Lord of Destruction®) and corresponding Diablo skull base, as well as exclusive in-game content for Diablo III, World of Warcraft®, and StarCraft® II: Wings of Liberty®. Diablo III has received a Mature rating from the ESRB.

World of Warcraft players interested in getting Diablo III free are encouraged to join the more than 1 million players who have already signed up for the World of Warcraft Annual Pass.* Through this promotion, with a 1-year commitment to World of Warcraft, players will receive a free digital copy of Diablo III — which they’ll be able to start playing immediately on May 15 — as well as an exclusive World of Warcraft in-game mount and access to the World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria™ beta test. This offer will no longer be available as of 12:01 a.m. PDT on May 1. Learn more at http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/annualpass.

In Diablo III, players take on the role of one of five heroic characters — barbarian, witch doctor, wizard, monk, or demon hunter — and engage in pulse-pounding combat with endless legions of evil. As they undertake an epic quest to rid Sanctuary from the corrupting forces of the Burning Hells, players will explore diverse and perilous settings, grow in experience and ability, acquire artifacts of incredible power, and meet key characters who’ll join them in battle or aid them in other ways.

Diablo III was built from the ground up to leverage the full functionality of the Battle.net platform, which delivers powerful matchmaking and communication tools, allowing adventurers to seamlessly join forces for exciting cooperative play. Battle.net also provides a secure infrastructure for the Diablo III auction house, a feature-rich marketplace that Sanctuary’s heroes can use to trade their hard-earned treasures. Players will be able to buy and sell weapons, armor, and other valuable items in the auction house in exchange for in-game gold. Players will also have the option to receive real-world currency for auction house sales, which they can apply to their Battle.net Balance for the purchase of a variety of digital products through Battle.net, including Diablo III auction house items, or cash out through a third-party payment service such as PayPal™ in most regions. Further details related to the auction house will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information on Diablo III, please visit the official website at http://www.diablo3.com. To set up a Battle.net account and to opt-in to Blizzard Entertainment beta tests, please visit the official Battle.net website at http://www.battle.net. With multiple games in development, Blizzard Entertainment has numerous positions currently available — visit http://jobs.blizzard.com for more information and to learn how to apply.

38 Studios Touts Hiring of Two MMO Veterans

2012/03/16
Jerry Paxton
News

Providence, RI – March 15, 2012 – 38 Studios today announced that it has made two appointments to its executive team based at the company’s Providence, RI headquarters. John Blakely has joined the company as senior vice-president of development and Mark Hansen takes the role of senior vice-president of operations & business.

Prior to joining 38 Studios, John was general manager of Zynga Austin.  He also previously served as vice-president of development at Sony Online Entertainment, where he oversaw development of several massively multiplayer online (MMO) games, including DC Universe Online and EverQuest II.

As senior vice-president of development John will oversee game development at 38 Studios’ offices in Providence, RI and at Big Huge Games in Baltimore, MD.

Before coming on board at 38 Studios, Mark was senior director of Playwell Studios, where he oversaw the online game business, development, and operations for LEGO Systems Inc.  While at Playwell, he lead the development, launch, and operation of the LEGO Universe MMO.

As senior vice-president of business operations, Mark will run the company’s publishing efforts, including operational services, marketing, and business development.

38 Studios subsidiary Big Huge Games recently shipped acclaimed console/PC game Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning™, which was published by Electronic Arts on February 7, 2012.  Reckoning is the first step in 38 Studios’ efforts to bring the world of Amalur to life, with 38 Studios’ Providence, RI team hard at work on an unannounced MMO game set in the same universe and more announcements to come.

“From its founding, 38 Studios has always been about team,” said Curt Schilling, founder and chairman of 38 Studios.  “I am proud to add these two team-focused and incredibly accomplished leaders to the 38 Studios roster.  Between EverQuest, EverQuest II, DC Universe Online and LEGO Universe, both John and Mark have had a decade of experience, and success, in the MMO space and I’m excited they are now part of the 38 Studios family.”

About 38 Studios

38 Studios, LLC, an entertainment and IP creation company founded in 2006 by Curt Schilling, is developing an original fantasy IP driven by the creative and artistic visions of pop-culture icons R. A. Salvatore and Todd McFarlane. Entertainment products will include a massively multiplayer online game, novels, comics, toys, console games, movies, TV, and more.

For more information, visit www.38studios.com.

Kingdom Hearts 3D Dream Drop Distance Screenshots

2012/03/16
Jerry Paxton
News

Square Enix has released some new screenshots from its Kingdom Hearts 3D Dream Drop Distance – enjoy!

Screenshots

SEGA to Offer PC Titles on EA’s Origin

2012/03/16
Jerry Paxton
News

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.– Electronic Arts (EA) Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) announced today that SEGA® will bring its most popular PC game titles to Origin™, EA’s direct-to-consumer gaming platform. SEGA’s Total War™ Shogun 2: Fall of the Samurai is now available for pre-order to PC gamers on Origin.

In addition to SEGA, other new publishers joining Origin today include Team 17 Software Limited, Rebellion, Kalypso Media Digital Ltd. and more, bringing the number of game publishers and developers on Origin to 35 partners. PC downloadable titles from each of these partners will be available on Origin in the coming months.

“By partnering with publishers like SEGA, we’re able to bring even more of the industry’s best games to players on Origin,” said Craig Rechenmacher, Vice President of Business Development and Marketing for Origin at EA. “With 11 million registered users around the world, Origin is fast becoming the destination for consumers looking for fresh new content to play with their friends.”

“We’re delighted to be partnering with Origin. The PC Market is continuing to grow and the prospect of offering the Total War franchise and the SEGA range of PC titles to the Origin audience is very exciting,” commented John Clark, UK Managing Director and PC Digital Distribution Director at SEGA.

Origin offers fast and safe game downloads for many of the industry’s most popular PC titles, including Mass Effect™3, Battlefield 3™, Star Wars®: The Old Republic™, FIFA 12, Batman: Arkham City, Saints Row: The Third and Rift™. In addition, Origin features provide a more dynamic and convenient play experience for the gamer. Beyond the fast download capability, automatic log-in and built-in customer service, Origin in-game overlay and chat features make for a more lively social experience, and cloud saves let gamers save and continue games from any computer, anytime, anywhere. Live streaming demos on Origin also allow gamers to try some games before they buy.