Author - Jerry Paxton

PS Vita Sells Over 1.2 Million Worldwide

2012/02/28
Jerry Paxton
News

TOKYO, Feb. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment Inc, today announced that the sales of the PlayStation®Vita (PS Vita) portable entertainment system reached over 1.2 million units worldwide as of February 26, 2012. PS Vita experienced an initial burst of momentum when it launched on December 17, 2011 in Japan followed by Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea. Newly launched in North and Latin America, Europe and PAL territories as well as in Singapore on February 22, 2012, sales have exceeded expectations surpassing over 1.2 million units worldwide, firmly establishing PS Vita as the must-have portable entertainment device across the world. Software sales across the globe have surpassed 2.0 million units at both retail and on PlayStation®Network.

“PS Vita was designed to deliver the ultimate portable entertainment experience, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the reaction we’re seeing from consumers and the pace at which PS Vita is selling,” said Andrew House, President and Group CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. “The market has responded and there is clear demand for a mobile device capable of providing a revolutionary combination of rich gaming and social connectivity within a real world context. To sustain momentum, we’re working closely with 3rd party developers and publishers to ensure the best games and franchises possible will be available on PS Vita, and our software line up for the remainder of 2012 will have something for everyone across the globe.”

“The PS Vita is an impressive piece of hardware that brings gaming to a whole new level,” stated Bob Puzon, vice president of merchandising at GameStop. “Based on the opening weekend sales that we’ve seen at stores across North America, and our successful midnight launch events, consumers have clearly recognized this as well. We’re doing our best to keep units in stock to satisfy the strong demand.”

PS Vita introduces new ways to play, delivering deep and immersive gameplay experiences that have never been offered on any other handheld gaming device. Equipped with dual analog sticks, a vibrant 5-inch high definition OLED multi-touch screen, powerful quad core processor, six-axis motion sensing system, built in microphone, and front and rear cameras, PS Vita is the ultimate portable entertainment system. In addition to the ultimate portable gaming experience, by having both Wi-Fi and 3G network connectivity, together with various applications, PS Vita will enable infinite possibilities for users to “encounter,” “connect,” “discover,” “share” and “play” with friends wherever they are.

With more than 25 titles currently available in North and Latin America, Europe and the PAL territories and Japan* respectively including EA SPORTS FIFA Football, Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom®3 from Capcom, UNCHARTED™: Golden Abyss, WipEout® 2048 and Escape Plan from SCE Worldwide Studios, as well as over 70 titles in development, PS Vita is poised to drive continued momentum across the globe.

SCE will vigorously promote PS Vita as the next generation portable entertainment platform and work towards expanding the portable gaming market.

* Titles may differ by countries and regions.

Jagged Alliance: Back in Action Quick Review (PC/Steam)

2012/02/28
Jerry Paxton
News, Reviews

A bit of background on this particular piece. Ripper71, one of our esteemed writers, is under the weather. Please send him your good thoughts and jujumugumbo in his recovery! In the meantime, however, I will try to do an adequate job of reviewing a game which was originally on his plate: Jagged Alliance: Back in Action. This game is basically a modernization of the classic game Jagged Alliance 2. It brings crisp 3D graphics to the table as well as a mixture of real-time and turn-based combat (the original only featured turn-based).

How is it?

During my short time with the game, and being a fan of the original, I would have to say it is pretty darn good and well worth your money. The action is still very tactical, even when using the real-time mode (which younger gamers will probably find more appealing than us “old” guys), and it brought back a lot of fond gaming memories of Jagged Alliance 2 while also making plenty of new ones. There is a ton of equipment to outfit your mercenaries with on your quest to liberate a small island nation from a vicious despot. Mercenaries also have personalities and skill load-outs of their own and, some, don’t even like each other! A particular mercenary might not want to work with you if you are employing another individual.

Aside from controlling squads in an isometric view, you will also have to macro-control multiple squads as they maneuver across the island. Plan carefully, as by trekking across the game world in this manner, squads lose stamina until they get a chance to rest a while. Also of particular coolness is that, after you liberate a a map area from the regime, you will see militia units pop up, which you can then outfit with gear. These NPCs will help defend the territory from enemy troops whether you are there or not! Of course, they don’t always win but it is better than using harsh language and rude gestures to route the enemy.

All that being said, Jagged Alliance: Back in Action does have some low-points. Unfortunately, the game’s AI can be downright wonky. Ranged characters do not always auto-defend themselves from opponents who get in close for a melee strike, even when set to guard, and the detection rate of enemy soldiers seems to sway back and forth between making them seem like near-sighted elderly people to highly-trained US Navy SEALs.

Overall

Overall, Jagged Alliance: Back in Action is a fun and tactical game of combat which will provide you with a lot of fun – even if there are some frustrations thrown in every so often. Just make sure to save a lot and you will be fine. Now, get ordering up another thousand rounds of .45 ACP for your mercs, they are running low!

Sine Mora Gets Release Date, New Trailer

2012/02/28
Jerry Paxton
News

Budapest, Hungary – February 27 – Sine Mora, the highly-anticipated shmup from Digital Reality and Grasshopper Manufacture coming exclusively to Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, will be heading to XBLA gamers everywhere on March 21, 2012 for 1,200 Microsoft Points.

Trailer

Robert Griffin III is NCAA Football 13 Cover Athlete

2012/02/28
Jerry Paxton
News

Redwood City, Calif. – February 27, 2012 – Electronic Arts Inc (NASDAQ: EA) today announced Robert Griffin III, former Baylor University quarterback, will be featured on the cover of EA SPORTS™ NCAA® Football 13, set to hit retail shelves on Tuesday, July 10. In addition to RG3, a fellow Heisman Trophy winner will appear on the cover of NCAA Football 13 based on a fan vote.

Beginning March 12, fans can log on to the EA SPORTS NCAA Football Facebook page to vote for one of eight Heisman Trophy winners to accompany Griffin III on the cover of NCAA Football 13. The candidates include former University of Southern California running back Marcus Allen, former Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie, former The Ohio State University running back Eddie George, former The University of Michigan wide receiver Desmond Howard, former Oklahoma State University running back Barry Sanders, former University of Georgia running back Herschel Walker, former Florida State University quarterback Charlie Ward and former University of Houston quarterback Andre Ware.

The first student-athlete from Baylor to win the Heisman Trophy, Robert Griffin III – popularly known as “RG3”— also won the Davey O’Brien Award and was named the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year in 2011. In 2008, RG3 was named the Big 12 Conference Offensive Freshman of the Year by the league’s coaches, setting the school’s rushing yards record for a freshman and for a quarterback with 843 yards for the season.

Developed in Orlando, Florida by EA Tiburon, and licensed by The Collegiate Licensing Company, a division of IMG College, NCAA Football 13 will be available on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. NCAA Football 13 is available for pre-order now.

EA SPORTS™ is one of the leading sports entertainment brands in the world, with top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, global videogame competitions and breakthrough digital experiences. EA SPORTS delivers experiences that ignite the emotions of sport through industry-leading sports simulation videogames, including Madden NFL football, FIFA Soccer, NHL® hockey, NBA basketball, NCAA® Football, Fight Night boxing, EA SPORTS MMA and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® golf, and EA SPORTS Active.

For more information about EA SPORTS, including news, video, blogs, forums and game apps, please visit www.easports.com to connect, share and compete.

Nexus Conflict Announced, Beta Details

2012/02/28
Jerry Paxton
News

Hamburg, February 27, 2012 – Battles in space aren’t won and lost in the cockpit of a fighter ship, but on the bridge of a mighty battle cruiser! In gamigo’s new tactical real-time strategy game Nexus Conflict, players jump into the past of Black Prophecy’s universe to take command of one of these titans during the height of the Species Wars.

The battles for control of strategic regions are waged in the Nexus – a place where universes are colliding – and fought between the cybernetically optimized Tyi and the genetically perfected Genides. By completing PvP and PvE missions, players can earn improved weapons, stronger shields and other enhancements. Over the course of the game, captains will have access to ships ranging in size from an 80-meter cruiser to a massive battle titan measuring in at 1.5 kilometers in length.
The spectacle of space battle is presented by the powerful Unity 3D graphics engine, thanks to which Nexus Conflict bedazzles with astounding 3D visuals.The game, available as a client game to start with, will also be playable as a browser game in the future. Nexus Conflict is being developed by the German developer studio Limbic Entertainment.

The first beta testing phase is scheduled to start in March. Registration for closed beta testing is open on the game’s official website.

Nexus Conflict’s features at a glance:

  • Stunning graphics both as a client game and in the browser thanks to state-of-the-art Unity 3D technology!
  • Set in the well-known sci-fi universe of Black Prophecy
  • Spectacular strategic battles with gigantic battleships
  • A variety of ship classes, from small frigates to megacruisers
  • Ship system with extensive configuration options
  • Individual skill system
  • PvP, PvE and PvE Co-op missions
  • Conquering and defense of faction territories
  • Crafting system

DDO Menace of the Underdark Release Date

2012/02/28
Jerry Paxton
News

NEEDHAM, MA – February 27, 2012– Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Wizards of the Coast announced today Dungeons & Dragons Online®: Menace of the Underdark™, the first expansion to the award-winning free-to-play massively multiplayer online roleplaying game (MMORPG) will launch on June 25, 2012.  Players across North America and Europe can pre-purchase Menace of the Underdark to receive exclusive benefits starting today at http://www.ddo.com/underdark.

“The journey to the Forgotten Realms begins today,” said Fernando Paiz, Executive Producer of Dungeons & Dragons Online, Turbine.  “Today we introduced the Web of Chaos content update that serves as the prologue to our first foray into the Underdark which makes it a perfect time to introduce our pre-purchase program which offers very cool items that players will be able to use immediately as they prepare for the launch of Menace of the Underdark on June 25th.”

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS ONLINE: MENACE OF THE UNDERDARK FEATURES:

Ø  Three New Forgotten Realms Adventure Packs — Featuring a multitude of epic adventures, unprecedented new wilderness areas with challenging objectives, a host of dungeons, and more!

o    The King’s Forest:  Explore deep into the King’s Forest and defend the village of Eveningstar from Lolth’s Drow legions.

o    The Underdark:  Venture down into the Underdark and confront Lolth’s elite followers in the Drow city of Sschindlyryn.

o    The Demonweb:  Journey to Lolth’s home plane, battle demon hordes and confront the spider goddess herself as you attempt to stop her scheme.

Ø  Attain Epic levels to 25!   — Deadly battles and high-speed action continue as your advance your character to the Epic level 25!

Ø  Introducing Epic Destinies — Attain epic enhancements as you progress through levels 20-25!

Bonus Features-Free to VIPs or with purchase of Collector’s or Standard Pre-Purchase Editions

Ø  The Druid Class:  Wield nature’s magic or transform into a powerful animal form as you play the all new shape-shifting Druid class!

Ø  Eveningstar Challenge Pack:  New challenge quests for levels 15-25!

Starting today, players can take can take advantage of three special pre-purchase offers to celebrate the release of the first major expansion to DDO:

Ø  Menace of the Underdark Base Edition – $29.99/£22.99/24,99€

Includes access to Adventure Packs and Epic Destinies, plus:

–         Lesser Tome of Learning (1 free tome per DDO game world)- Permanently increases experience earned by a character up to level 20.  Provides +25% bonus to experience for first-time quest completions and +10% boost to other earned experience points. Stacks with other experience boosts and persists through all forms of reincarnation.

–         Pre-Purchase Bonus Item: 

·         Demonweb Spiderling Creature Companion – A tame little spider from Lolth’s domain. Includes 3 tricks and a collar. Exclusively available with pre-purchase of Menace of the Underdark!

Ø  Menace of the Underdark Standard Edition – $49.99/£39.99/44,99€

Includes access to Adventures Packs, Epic Destinies, the Druid class and Eveningstar Challenge Pack plus:

–         Greater Tome of Learning (1 free tome per DDO game world):  Permanently increases experience earned by a character up to level 20.  Provides +50% bonus to experience for first-time quest completions and +20% boost to other earned experience points. Stacks with other experience boosts and persists through all forms of reincarnation.

–         1,000 Turbine Points

–         Veteran Status (lvl 4)

–         DDO Classics Adventure Pack bundle (Phiarlan Carnival, Attack on Stormreach, The Path of Inspiration, The Dreaming Dark)

–         Pre-Purchase Bonus Items!

o    Demonweb Spiderling Creature Companion

o    Druid’s Wolf Pup Creature Companion – A grey wolf pup as commonly seen accompanying young Druids. Includes 4 tricks and a collar. Exclusively available with pre-purchase of Menace of the Underdark.

o    Spider Cult mask cosmetic helmet- Change your helmet appearance to a mask like the one worn by Lolth’s followers in Eberron and receive a stat bonus to character skills and poison resistance!

Ø  Menace of the Underdark Collector’s Edition – $79.99/£59.99/69,99€

This limited time offer includes access to Adventures Packs, Epic Destinies, the Druid class and Eveningstar Challenge Pack plus the following items that players can begin using immediately:

–        Greater Tome of Learning  (1 free tome per DDO game world)

–        Lesser Tome of Learning for all characters (1 free tome per character – forever)

–        2,000 Turbine Points

–        Veteran Status (lvl 7)- Start a new character at level  7!

–        Veteran Status (lvl 4)-Start a new character at level 4!

–        DDO Classics Adventure Pack bundle

–        DDO Epic Classics Adventure Pack bundle (Vault of Night, The Red Fens, Sentinels Stormreach, Devil Assault)

–        Pre-Purchase Bonus Items!

o    Demonweb Spiderling Creature Companion

o    Druid’s Wolf Pup Creature Companion

o    Elite Spider Cult mask cosmetic helmet

o    Onyx Panther Cub Creature Companion – A rare dark panther cub from Faerun. Includes 4 tricks and a collar. Exclusively available with pre-purchase of Menace of the Underdark.

o    Figurine of Wondrous Power: Onyx Panther – Summon this Level 20 Black Panther Hireling to assist you in Dungeon and Wilderness Adventures!  (min level 18 to use)

Players will have access to all of the bonus items including the new companions, veteran status, cosmetic helmet and Figurine of Wondrous Power and Tomes of Learning immediately after purchase. Menace of the Underdark expansion itself will be available to play on June 25, 2012. These special offers will only be available for a limited time.  For more information, please visit www.ddo.com/underdark.

Dungeons & Dragons Online®(DDO) is a free-to-play MMORPG featuring the industry’s best combat system, a massive world with state-of-the-art graphics and gameplay, and a rich set of features that until now could only be found in premium subscription-based MMOs. DDO offers an innovative pricing model that allows players to download and play for free, purchasing adventure packs, items, and account services a la carte from the new DDO Store, or to subscribe to get unlimited access to all of the game’s content. Players can download and play DDO Unlimited for free by visiting http://www.ddo.com.

Act of Valor Review (Movies)

2012/02/26
Jerry Paxton
Film Review, Movie News, News, Reviews

Act of Valor, the new action flick in theaters which features active-duty U.S. Navy SEALs (apparently filmed in-between deployments), is both a salute to the men and women of the armed forces as well as an intense action movie. While its authenticity (you will NEVER see this much re-loading in any other action movie – seriously) is often times a blessing, it also acts as its biggest downfall as it utilizes soldiers, not actors, in the role as the SEALs themselves. Does this interesting mix of fact and fiction make the cut? Find out in our full review after the jump!

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BandFuse: Rock Legends Announced

2012/02/26
Jerry Paxton
News

Los Angeles and Campbell, CA – February 24, 2012 – BandFuse: Rock Legends (working title), the first authentic approach to a video game that combines the fun, challenge and exhilaration of playing the guitar, was announced today by Realta Entertainment’s CEO Stephen Gomes and Relativity’s CEO Ryan Kavanaugh. Letting gamers plug in a real guitar and casually strum along with their favorite songs or master the techniques of the world’s most iconic guitarists, BandFuse: Rock Legends gives players the chance to experience their favorite songs like never before. The game will be released in 2012 and is the first project from Realta Entertainment and Rogue, Relativity’s digital content and interactive studio.

BandFuse: Rock Legends will let gamers play along with the biggest rock songs of all time on a real guitar by using animated tablature (tabs), which will simplify music for novice musicians while allowing advanced gamers to perform songs as the original artists intended. Singers can also belt out the lyrics using a microphone to keep the party jumping with a massive collection of hit songs from today’s top bands and classic rock ‘n’ roll artists including: “Yellow” (Coldplay), “Back From Cali” (Slash), “Sweet Home Alabama” (Lynyrd Skynyrd), “Breaking the Law” (Judas Priest), “Harder to Breathe” (Maroon 5), and “The Bleeding” (Five Finger Death Punch).

Slash, one of the most-iconic, Grammy®-winning rock guitarists and songwriters of all-time, will serve as BandFuse’s master guitar instructor; getting novices jamming in minutes and helping advanced players master their instrument. In addition, a number of the world’s most accomplished Rock Legends and new artists such as Five Finger Death Punch – the hard rock band with nine-straight top ten rock singles – will also be integrated into the game to mentor players, with numerous iconic rock idols still to be announced.

Rogue also announced they have a minority stake in Realta Entertainment. Kavanaugh has been an advisor to Realta and has had a long-standing relationship with Realta’s principals. Realta will collaborate with Rogue on all aspects of BandFuse: Rock Legends, including leveraging Rogue’s social media platforms and its leading music news website ARTISTdirect.com.

Kavanaugh said, “BandFuse truly offers something for everyone – whether you’re looking for a fun pick up and play experience in your living room, or you’re a serious musician looking to put your skills to the test.” He added, “As a gamer and musician, I was sold after watching a true novice pick up the guitar and strum ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ after just a few minutes playing BandFuse.”

“The music genre is due for a shake up,” said Gomes. “BandFuse: Rock Legends is poised to change the way people think about music gaming and the guitar – we’re working to make it fun and easy for novices to jump in and enjoy a great game while giving experienced players the tools to refine their skills and discover new music. This is not another rhythm game. This is the first true music game for creation, collaboration, and competition.”

To help get beginners playing right away and give serious players depth, BandFuse: Rock Legends’ uses animated tabs to keep perfect time and display notes, fingering and guitar techniques such as bends, hammer-ons and pull-offs. Players will also have the option to slow down the music to practice challenging parts of songs. The game will feature four levels of gameplay for novice, beginners, intermediate and advanced players.

In partnership with Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC), BandFuse: Rock Legends will prominently feature the most recognized guitars and musical instrument brands in history. FMIC products such as the iconic Fender® Stratocaster® guitar, will be featured in-game and in marketing programs for the game.

BandFuse: Rock Legends is being published by Mastiff and has not yet been rated by the ESRB. For more information about BandFuse: Rock Legends, please visit the official game website at http://www.bandfuse.com.