Author - Ripper71

CastleStorm Gamescom Update

2012/08/15
Ripper71
News

CastleStorm represents a new breed of tower defense warefare, combining elements of real time strategy, resource management, and a beautiful blend of challenging gameplay scenarios.

• Multiplayer battles and Co-op play! CastleStorm features multiple modes of multiplayer action for both local and online play 1 vs. 1 split-screen mode, simply try and beat your opponent

• Competitive multiplayer: rank up, battle for gold, and upgrade your army, castle and gears to become the ruler of online battlefields.

• Co-op survival: team up with a friend and fight off endless waves of enemies together!

• Build your own castle! CastleStorm features a tower construction editor allowing players to construct their own custom castles that will be used in battle. Castles must be constructed wisely, as choices determine which types of troops and resources will be available during battle!

• Twelve incredibly beautiful environments and immersive storyline, in stunning stereo-scopic 3D. Sir Gareth leads his troops into battle against the raging Vikings to recover the stolen gem and bring peace to the realm!

• Multiple paths to victory – you can choose how to defeat your enemy. Capture the flag, destroy their castle, or complete another predetermined level objective in order to claim victory. Each level features multiple objectives, each with their own rewards!

• An arsenal that would make any medieval warrior proud! Harness the power of medieval ballista weaponry, and launch an assortment of explosive weapons including Morningstars, Apple Grenades, Homing Eagles, and even flying sheep to defeat an onslaught of enemies trying to capture your flag and destroy your castle. Deploy a fearsome ground attack of swordsmen, knights, and donkey riders in order to protect your castle games, and if all else fails, call upon powerful spells to help keep the enemy at bay.

• You’ve won the battle, now power up so you can win the war! As you power up in CastleStorm, new weapons and troop classes become available for use in battle.

In conclusion of this update, we are happy to release a set of CastleStorm wallpapers, free for anyone to download from www.castlestormgame.com. These war inspired desktop wallpapers will increase your appetite for CastleStorm destruction!

Trailer:

Gallery:

Dead Space 3 Weapon Crafting Gameplay

2012/08/15
Ripper71
News

Take a look at the in-depth weapon crafting features of Dead Space 3. With a new and upgraded weapons building system, Isaac must scavenge for resources to develop custom weapons. The Weapons Bench allows you to create your weapon piece by piece to engineer the ultimate arsenal to destroy the Necromorph infestation.

Trailer:

Max Payne 3 In Game Locals And Real Life

2012/08/15
Ripper71
News

Corporate greed, nightclub shootouts, helicopters, vertigo-inducing rooftops, pill-popping, even Captain Baseballbatboy — the more things change for Max in Max Payne 3, the more they stay the same. Our beleaguered NYC cop pursues the promise of a fresh start working in São Paulo, Brazil, but as a couple of turning point flashback sequence levels reveal in the game, this descent into the volatile South American city’s chaos is sparked by a chance encounter that took place back in the snow and darkness of New Jersey — where the butchering of his family many years ago began Payne’s downward spiral — and with death-dealing gangsters again in hot pursuit. In Max Payne 3, we find our protagonist planted on a barstool at Walton’s Bar near his Hoboken hovel, busy drowning eight years of horrific memories in drink. A dispute with a young hothead from the local DeMarco crime family rapidly escalates to pistols drawn, then gunfire and a mob of angry Mafiosi out for Payne’s blood.

In our latest edition of Rockstar Research, we take a look at some of the real life locales that feature in Max Payne 3 from former Prohibition speakeasies to New York’s massive and historic cemeteries.  Thousands of pictures were taken by our Research and Development teams as they visited areas in Hoboken, Newark and New York City to help build an authentic backdrop for the levels set in New York.

Command & Conquer F2P And Beta Announced

2012/08/15
Ripper71
News

 COLOGNE, Germany – August 15, 2012 – Today at gamescom, the world’s largest trade fair and event for interactive games and entertainment, Electronic Arts Inc. took a bold step to spearhead the industry’s digital revolution and announced Command & Conquer. The previously announced Command & Conquer Generals 2 has been transformed to be a part of this new digital experience, giving gamers complete access to the cutting-edge visuals, sound and destruction of a full, AAA strategy game – for free. The new online platform and service will launch in 2013, with the Generals universe representing the first of many free offerings within the storied franchise EA is planning to launch with Command & Conquer.

With a familiar blend of cerebral, strategic gameplay and fun, fast-paced action, Command & Conquer will deliver an authentic and modern RTS experience that will instantly exhilarate longtime fans and captivate new players. Gamers can sign up for a chance to be among the first to try the closed beta of Command & Conquer at www.CommandandConquer.com/free.

“We are thrilled about this opportunity to transform Command & Conquer into a premier online experience,” said Jon Van Caneghem, VP/GM at EA. “For nearly two decades, this franchise has existed as something you buy; now we are creating a destination where our fans will be able to access the entire Command & Conquer universe, starting with Generals and continuing with Red Alert, Tiberium and beyond. With Frostbite 2, we are able to keep an emphasis on the AAA quality our consumers expect while staying true to the RTS gameplay they know and love – all available online for free.”

An all-out war rages in Command & Conquer, as players take control of multiple factions, compete for resources, build up operation bases and lead massive batteries of tanks, soldiers and aircrafts into battle. With incredibly detailed units, fully destructible environments, dynamic physics and exhilarating visual effects, Command & Conquer is poised to re-define what gamers expect from a strategy game. Heralding feedback driven design, Command & Conquer will evolve and develop with an expanding array of new content based on community response.

Command & Conquer will be available as a free, client-based game for the PC in 2013. For more information on and to register for a chance to be selected for closed beta access, please visit www.CommandandConquer.com/free. Follow the game on Twitter at http://twitter.com/OfficialCnC or “Like” Command & Conquer on Facebook® at http://facebook.com/commandandconquer. Press assets are available at www.info.ea.com.

NBA 2K13 To Feature “Dream Team”

2012/08/15
Ripper71
News

New York, NY – August 15, 2012 – 2K Sports today announced a partnership with USA Basketball to feature both the star-studded 2012 USA Basketball Men’s National Team and the 1992 “Dream Team” in NBA 2K13, the next installment of the top-selling and top-rated NBA video game simulation franchise*.

“As executive producer, letting fans go head to head with these legendary USA teams was extremely important to JAY Z,” said Jason Argent, vice president of marketing for 2K Sports. “We are excited to partner with USA Basketball, and share in JAY Z’s enthusiasm in making this a reality in NBA 2K13.”

The 2012 USA Basketball Men’s National Team has earned recognition as one of USA Basketball’s all-time greatest teams.  NBA 2K13 cover athlete Kevin Durant helped lead the USA to its successful showing and joins the elite list of accomplished basketball players who have represented USA Basketball.

“It was an incredible blessing to have been part of the 2012 USA Basketball National Team,” said Durant. “USA Basketball’s National Team legacy is incredible and so many of basketball’s all-time greats have been part of it, I’m just honored to be in that group. Like everybody, I can’t wait to see how our squad stacks up against the 1992 team in NBA 2K13.”

The original “Dream Team” is widely considered the most dominant sports team ever assembled, and featured 11 Hall of Fame players including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Clyde Drexler, Karl Malone, Chris Mullin, David Robinson and Charles Barkley.

“The experience we shared in Barcelona is truly one of the highlights of my career,” said five-time NBA MVP and former NBA 2K cover athlete Michael Jordan. “Being able to represent not only my country but basketball as a whole is an honor that I will never forget.”

“The fantasy matchup between the legendary 1992 ‘Dream Team’ and the 2012 USA Men’s national team has become one of the greatest sports debates of our time,” stated JAY Z, the Executive Producer of NBA 2K13. “In NBA 2K13, we’re giving fans the opportunity to play as two of the best teams ever assembled in sporting history, literally putting the debate right into their hands.”

Mutant Blobs Attack Now Available on Steam

2012/08/15
Ripper71
News

Today we are pleased to announce that indie developer DrinkBox Studios has released Tales from Space: Mutant Blobs Attack on Steam for PC .

Having launched earlier this year on the PlayStation®Vita to critical acclaim, Mutant Blobs Attack has now hit Steam with new features and custom content. In celebration, to sweeten the deal, DrinkBox Studios has opted to put Mutant Blobs Attack on sale for only $7.19 during its first week on Steam, 10% off its normal price! That’s one heck of a lot of blob for your gaming buck!

The Steam for PC version of Tales from Space: Mutant Blobs Attack features:

  • Support for Steam Achievements, Steam Cloud Saves and Steam Leaderboards
  • Updated mini-game bonus levels crafted specifically for PC
  • Support for Microsoft Xbox 360 Controller for Windows and/or Keyboard-and-mouse controls
  • New ultra-glorious high resolution art
  • A wide range of environments: everything from a frat house to a metropolis  
  • Growth throughout levels that provides players with a constantly changing perspective on the in-game world
  • Challenging puzzles mixed into the mayhem 
  • New hidden references and bad jokes

Trailer:

New Sound Blaster Card Series Announced

2012/08/15
Ripper71
News

SINGAPORE – 15 AUGUST 2012 – Creative Technology Ltd today announced its new ultra high-performance Z-Series of Sound Blaster PCI-Express sound cards, elevating the standards of technology and performance for the future of gaming and entertainment on the PC.  Creative will preview the new Sound Blaster ZxR, Sound Blaster Zx and Sound Blaster Z at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany from 15-19 August 2012.

“The audio landscape for gaming and entertainment on the PC has changed.  As content creation and consumption evolves with the interactivity of the Internet, our vision is to enable the best listening experiences for music, video and games, and to transcend the basic concept of sound quality as a specification with enabling technologies that allow users to completely customize their PC audio,” said Low Long Chye, Director of Product Marketing for Audio.  “For audio playback, we use studio-grade components to deliver outstanding fidelity, and then greatly enhance the listening experience by implementing our SBX Pro Studio™ suite of audio technologies.  This enables complete customization of audio playback, uniquely catered to suit individual tastes.  Our mixture of outstanding components and proprietary technologies also enables us to provide the highest quality recording experience for audio creation, which today expands beyond just music recording to include user interaction and creation with YouTube, eSports, and more.”

“We also recognize how voice communications in massively multiplayer online (MMO) and multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games are so crucial to winning, and how clear communications in VOIP applications such as Skype are so important to having meaningful conversations.  This is where our CrystalVoice technologies enable users to experience the best possible sound quality – the level of quality that is exclusively available with Sound Blaster. To complete the overall communication experience, all our Z-series sound cards comes standard with a high-quality dual microphone array,” added Low Long Chye.

Each New Sound Card Offers a Complete Audio System
To dynamically power compelling audio playback, the new sound cards leverage the Creative Sound Core3D quad-core sound and voice processor, which is designed to work in perfect harmony with Creative’s SBX Pro Studio technology and high-quality components to deliver a complete audio platform.  Sound Core3D also works seamlessly with CrystalVoice communications technologies and the high-quality beam-forming microphone array included with each of the new sound cards to deliver Acoustic Echo Cancellation, Voice Focus and
Noise Reduction for clear online voice communications.  This complete system for voice communications also enables gamers to use speakers and the high-quality microphone array to achieve a better overall experience.

Sound Blaster ZxR – The World’s Best Sounding Sound Card. (SRP US$249.99)
This flagship Sound Blaster ZxR is designed to provide the best gaming and entertainment audio performance in any sound cards. It also delivers the ultimate audio playback and creation solution for the PC.  Studio-grade components, which include external digital-to-analog converters (DACs) that deliver 127dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), sockets for swappable Op-Amps, a high-end 80mW into 600 ohm headphone amplifier, and 192kHz pass through, are used to deliver phenomenal audio quality.

The Sound Blaster ZxR has multiple connections including a proprietary connector to the DBpro, a daughter board that offers optical output for outstanding playback; and professional-grade 123dB analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) with RCA Aux-in and optical input for outstanding recording quality.

Furthermore, a convenient external ACM (Audio Control Module) provides a built-in dual-microphone array and mic/headphone I/O connections.  Designed to complement the Sound Blaster ZxR, the ACM adds convenience, extra connectivity and control, plus it enhances the look of any desktop.

In addition to the impressive hardware capabilities, the proprietary SB Speaker-Calibration feature, DTS Connect and Dolby Digital Live, all these three ensure an ultra-realistic cinematic audio playback and gaming experience. From the hardcore gamer fragging an opponent on a first person shooter to a die-hard MOBA or MMO player engaging with thousands of players online, gamers can get a competitive advantage from excellent audio quality and positional accuracy.

In many of today’s most popular games, if gamers are not communicating, they are not winning.  For voice communications, Creative’s CrystalVoice technologies enable crystal-clear communications amongst gamers and their teammates.

Creative’s audio engineers designed the SBX Pro Studio suite of audio playback technologies so gamers can improve their audio experience and calibrate their game audio so they can hear the subtle nuances that gives a competitive edge. Immersive surround sound, the ability to clearly understand teammates and enhancements of specific sounds in a gaming environment are just a few elements of SBX Pro Studio that enhance gaming audio.

SBX Pro Studio Features:
•       SBX Crystalizer™ – Enhances sound for games, music and movies by restoring low and high end frequency curves lost to compression
•       SBX Surround™ – Delivers a 360 degree surround sound experience so gamers can hear sounds clearly from the front, back, above and below
•       SBX Smart Volume™ – Address the problem of abrupt volume level changes in music, movies and games by intelligently applying gain and attenuation to deliver consistent volume levels; includes Night Mode™  to reduce the impact of explosions and bursts of sound so as not to disturb others after hours
•       SBX Dialog Plus™ – Enhances voices in games and movies for clearer dialog, allowing the listener to hear the dialog over the rest of sound track and over ambient noise
•       SBX Bass™ – Fills in the missing low frequency tones and give the extra impact for a better entertainment experience

Designed to deliver crystal clear vocal fidelity in multiplayer games, online chats and video conferencing, CrystalVoice technologies also enhance voice communications for VOIP solutions such as Skype.

CrystalVoice Features:
•       Acoustic Echo Cancellation – Eliminates echoes and enables whoever is speaking to listen to the other party clearly.
•       Noise Reduction – Enables the person speaking to be heard clearly over background noise by constantly monitoring the environment and eliminating unwanted noise that interferes with the conversation
•       Smart Volume – Automatically adjusts the loudness of a voice to maintain a consistent volume level. This makes it convenient for the speaker to converse normally, regardless of whether the speaker is close to or far away from the microphone
•       Focus – Beam-forming creates a zone and suppresses noise outside it to enable whoever is speaking to be heard with amazing clarity. Multiple microphones are used to focus, enhance voice, and eliminate sounds outside the zone
•       VoiceFX™ – Enables alteration of voice with a variety of effects, which can be used to enhance the tone of a voice, create interesting accents, or enable someone to sound like a completely different person.

Sound Blaster Zx – High-Performance Gaming and Entertainment Audio (SRP US$149.99)
The Sound Blaster Zx incorporates all the hardware and software features of the Sound Blaster ZxR except for the DBpro daughter board.

Clad in brilliant red EMI shielding and featuring glowing LED lighting, the Sound Blaster Zx is the bad boy of the bunch, with an attention-grabbing design that ideally complements any power gaming rig.  The Sound Blaster Zx leverages Sound Core3D processing with external DACs that deliver 120dB SNR.  Other features include support for 192kHz direct pass-through to analog out, a 600 ohm headphone amplifier, gold-plated I/O connectivity, and SB Speaker-Calibration, which calibrates speakers to take advantage of room acoustics and optimize for the room.  The Sound Blaster Zx also includes the convenient external ACM (Audio Control Module) with a built-in dual microphone array and mic/headphone I/O connections.  To enhance digital entertainment capabilities, DTS Connect and Dolby Digital Live encoding are included.  The product also includes high-quality optical and stereo cables.

Sound Blaster Z – High-Performance Gaming and Entertainment Audio (SRP US$119.99)
The Sound Blaster Z incorporates all the hardware and software features of the Sound Blaster Zx except for the ACM. Instead an external high quality dual-microphone array comes standard with this card.

An ideal all-around gaming and entertainment solution, the Sound Blaster Z delivers 120dB SNR and supports 192kHz direct pass-through to analog out.  It also features glowing LED lighting, a 600 ohm headphone amplifier, an EMI-free analog input and output path, SB Speaker- Calibration and gold-plated I/O connections for pristine audio quality.

Pricing and Availability
The Sound Blaster ZxR, priced at US$249.99, the Sound Blaster Zx, priced at US$149.99, and the Sound Blaster Z, priced at US $119.99, are slated for availability in December 2012. For more information visit soundblaster.com.

Darksiders II Launches on TV, PC, Mac, Tablets via OnLive

2012/08/14
Ripper71
News

Palo Alto, Calif. – August 14, 2012  – OnLive, Inc., the pioneer of on-demand cloud gaming,  announced that Darksiders® II arrived on the OnLive Game Service in North America today, simultaneous with its official PC and console release, following a summer-long pre-order promotion. The highly anticipated sequel to THQ’s popular action-adventure Darksiders will be playable on demand on PC, Mac, Android™ tablets and on OnLive-enabled TVs. Availability in Europe will begin August 20th.

In Darksiders II players assume the role of Death, the most feared of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, in an action-adventure game nearly four times the size of its predecessor. Faster gameplay, deep skill trees and a new loot system all build upon the strengths of the original, allowing players a wide variety of character development and customization options.

Signing up for an OnLive account is free at www.onlive.com, www.onlive.co.uk or www.onlive.be, and an instant demo enables users to play the game free for up to 30 minutes. As with all OnLive games, Darksiders II can be played on demand on PCs and Macs, OnLive-enabled TVs and even Android tablets, with saved games instantly available on whatever display is on hand. Players can also share their feats with friends using unique social functions only available through OnLive, such as Brag Clip® videos, OnLive’s massive spectating Arena and all-new OnLive MultiView in-game spectating, which enables players to spectate and chat with three other gamers while playing their own game (currently in private beta).

“We’ve taken Darksiders to new heights with this epic game, and we’re excited to share it with an even broader audience and a broader range of devices through OnLive,” said Jim Huntley, THQ’s Vice President of Global Brand Management.

For more information about Darksiders II, please visit www.Darksiders.com.  To find out more about OnLive, visit www.onlive.com, www.onlive.co.uk or www.onlive.be. Facebook: www.facebook.com/onlive or Twitter: @OnLive

Diablo III Free Starter Edition Now Available

2012/08/14
Ripper71
News

The demonically-besieged world of Sanctuary needs heroes. Now you can join in the apocalyptic battle for FREE via the all-new Diablo III Starter Edition.  Available exclusively via Battle.net, the Starter Edition allows you to fight your way up to the Skeleton King boss in Act I, and advance all the way to level 13, without having to purchase a copy of Diablo III.

You can get the FREE Starter Edition in any of the following ways:

· Log in to your existing Battle.net account at http://www.battle.net, and sign up for the Diablo III Starter Edition through the “Your Game Accounts” section.

· Create a new Battle.net account here and the Diablo III Starter Edition license will be added to your account automatically.

· Grab the Diablo III game disc from a friend, install the game, and then log in with your Battle.net account. The Diablo III Starter Edition will be added to your account automatically.

Note that certain game features are restricted on Starter Edition accounts. Any progress and achievements you earn while playing the Starter Edition will automatically carry over if you decide to upgrade to the full version of Diablo III, and the Starter Edition restrictions will be removed.

FIFA Soccer 13 Feature Brings Real World News Into The Game

2012/08/14
Ripper71
News

 COLOGNE, Germany – Aug. 14, 2012 – Electronic Arts Inc. announced today that EA SPORTS has developed a new feature for FIFA Soccer 13 called EA SPORTS Football Club Match Day that will drive the deepest and most meaningful connection yet between a videogame and the real world of sport ever achieved. FIFA Soccer 13 and the real-world soccer season will be completely connected for the world’s top leagues. EA SPORTS Football Club Match Day will drive real-world news ripped from the headlines around the world into FIFA Soccer 13. Real-world drama such as injuries, suspensions, team form, and media gossip will be reflected through in-game commentary and play out in-game.

“This is a huge technological innovation that will make every match feel like a seamless extension of the headlines ripped from the sports pages around the world,” said David Rutter, Executive Producer of FIFA Soccer 13. “There is nothing bigger in the world of sports than match day. It brings together the emotions, passion and drama of the world’s sport for players, pundits, managers and fans alike. We are going to capture that experience and bring it to life in-game.”

Through EA SPORTS Football Club Match Day, fans will be following the heartbeat of soccer and their favourite club. Real-world fixtures and upcoming clashes of their favourite club in the top leagues will enable them to play right along with the beats of the season.  Player form—displayed in detail within the team management screens—will change frequently, so players in form, or players struggling to keep form, will see their stats change throughout the season based on their real-world performances. Plus, Games of the Week will highlight the top global matchups for fans to enjoy.

EA SPORTS Football Club Match Day will be available for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC, and will be included in a FIFA Soccer 13 demo for all three platforms that will launch around the world on September 11.

Trailer: