The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct Pre-Order Bonus DLC and New Screenshots and Box Art

Feb 07, 2013

Any advantage could mean the difference between life and death in the terrifying world of The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct, where every path, action, and choice has a consequence. Activision® and Terminal Reality today announced that players who pre-order the game from GameStop or Amazon will get a jump on the end of the world with an exclusive DLC pack:

• GameStop Herd Mode Challenge – How many frenzied flesh-eaters can you survive against before joining their ranks? Take on endless waves of walkers, each more dangerous than the last, in the all-new Herd Mode. Each wave of undead held off brings with it a new outbreak of hungry biters and new opportunities to rack up an even higher score.

• Amazon Walker Execution Pack – Give yourself an edge (or five) with this ‘unique’ weapon kit. The Amazon Walker Execution Pack adds multiple melee options to your arsenal, including a survival knife, sawtoothed machete, kukri, reinforced hatchet, and advanced machete. With ammo scarce and the undead attracted to loud noises, a sharp, silent blade might just be your most trusted companion. 

The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct is a do-whatever-you-need-to-survive first-person action game that brings the deep, character-driven world of AMC’s Emmy Award-winning TV series onto console gaming systems and the PC. The game follows the mysterious, crossbow-wielding survivor Daryl Dixon, brought to life by TV series star Norman Reedus, alongside his overbearing brother Merle, voiced by Michael Rooker, on a haunting, unforgiving journey across the Georgia countryside. Players will need to tread carefully on this desperate quest, scrounging for food, water, and ammunition to survive against nightmares both living and undead. 

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Mighty Rocket Studio reveals Obscure that isn’t so obscure

Feb 07, 2013

Obscure for PC, PSN and Xbox LIVE is a pure, action-rich 2.5D side-scroller, drenched in the blood and caustic humor inspired by the teen and horror movie genres. Playable alone and in cooperative mode (local & online), Obscure lets you play as one of four unlikely heroes; students, each with unique skills and abilities that develop throughout the adventure. Geared toward action and all-out brawling, Obscure’s combat emphasizes combos, follow-up attacks, and score-multipliers! Survive against packs of monsters trying to skin you alive, discover new weapons, and complete objectives throughout a variety of huge, non-linear levels. Overshooting the scores will earn you experience points to level your character up, unlocking new weapons, skills, and other devastating abilities! At any time, you can even get back to some of earlier levels to try your new toys and beat your scores!

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Ubisoft confirms that Rayman Legends coming to Xbox 360 and Playstation 3

Feb 07, 2013

Today, Ubisoft announced that its forthcoming title Rayman Legends, already announced for the Wii UTM system from Nintendo, will also be released on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system. All versions now will hit shelves in early September 2013.

The Microsoft Xbox 360® and Sony PlayStation® 3 versions of Rayman Legends are being developed by Ubisoft Montpellier, the same team behind the Nintendo Wii UTM game. Rayman Legends has been praised for its stunning visuals and innovative gameplay by media around the world and labeled as one of the most anticipated platformers of 2013.

“We heard from many Xbox & Playstation owners and Rayman fans who told us they really wanted to play Rayman Legends on their current system”, says Lucile Bousquet, Communications & Marketing Director at Ubisoft Canada. ”We decided to give the fans what they wanted while at the same time broadening the audience exposed to this innovative and memorable game.”

Rayman Legends retains the fantasy appeal of its predecessor while adding a multitude of clever and entertaining gaming modes, new characters, new environments and a new soundtrack. The award-winning team of artists, designers and composers from Origins has also returned with an advanced UbiArt engine to include multi-dimension gameplay elements, an improved lighting system and updated game rendering that elevate Rayman’s graphics to the next level.

Victoria II gets new Expansion, titled Heart of Darkness

Feb 07, 2013

Rapid industrialization and new technologies have made it possible for your growing power to push into lands once considered uninhabitable for “civilized” men. The riches of Africa beckon you, as you explore new territories and exploit the wealth and people within. But a growing empire will eventually bump into another power with the same ambitions, and a savvy smaller state will know how to exploit the conquerors’ greed and pride.

Welcome to Heart of Darkness, the second expansion for Paradox Development Studios’Victoria II, a detailed political/economic simulation of the Victorian Age, an era of rapid transformation of technology, politics and business.

Heart of Darkness, as its name suggests, focuses on the Scramble for Africa, the late 19th century rush for newly discovered wealth and land in a continent whose interior had been mostly free from European domination.

The upcoming expansion also introduces a new diplomatic event, International Crises, where the colliding desires of rival empires get settled by Great Power mediation and where smaller powers can manipulate their friends to support their own local ambitions.

The Feature List Include:

• New colonization system that emphasizes competition between expanding powers and the possibility for minor disputes to escalate into crises
• New naval system with greater detail in battles, including gun ranges and positioning, and more types of ships to bridge the gap between ironclads and dreadnoughts
• International crises that will test the resolve of Great Powers and force them to decide what price they will pay to maintain their prestige. As a smaller power, stir up crises to force the world to pay attention to your grievances.
• A newspaper system will allow you to track all the most important events in your world instead of relying on the game log. With over 60 papers to choose from, find those that will tell you what you really need to know.

Victoria II: Heart of Darkness is scheduled for release in March 2013.

Omerta – City of Gangsters Launch Trailer

Feb 06, 2013

Currently we are reviewing the game. Let’s watch the Launch Trailer:

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Sacred Citadel new character reveal of the Ancarian Ranger

Feb 06, 2013

Three warriors stand against the evil Ashen Empire – one of them is the resilient Ancarian Ranger:

While the action is moving back and forth on the battlefield, no side seems to get the upper hand. That lasts until a group of fierce flying beasts swoop down on our three heroes from the high cliffs. The Khukuri Shaman cannot evade this attack and gets hit by one of the spikes, flung by one the beasts. The fluttering wings of these insects creates a terrible noise on the battleground. The Ancarian Ranger silently draws his bow, takes aim and rapidly launches his shots against these winged enemies, taking them down quickly.

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McFarlane Toys joins the Creed to bring Assassin’s Creed figures to Stores

Feb 06, 2013

McFarlane Toys in partnership with Ubisoft announced today a licensing agreement to bring Assassin’s Creed®, one of world’s most successful video games franchises, to store shelves.

McFarlane Toys’ Assassin’s Creed series 1 will consist of seven figures including the fan favorite characters of Connor and  Haytham Kenway. Connor will come as two action figures – one in his Assassin’s Creed® III traditional Assassins garb and the second, as Ratonhnhaké:ton in the upcoming “Tyranny of King George” storyline. Each figure will be sculpted in the hyper-detail the award-winning McFarlane is known for with collectors and fans.

The Assassin Creed figure line of figures will stand approximately six inches tall, include an average of 25 points of articulation, and will come with a unique code that unlocks exclusive Assassin’s Creed video game content!

McFarlane Toys will be displaying a first look of the upcoming Assassin’s Creed action figure prototypes at the International Toy Fair show, February 10-13, booth #4921.

Assassin’s Creed has grown to become Ubisoft’s fastest-selling IP of the current console generation. Initially launched in 2007, the first four Assassin’s Creed games have sold more than 40 million units worldwide, and the franchise is now established as one of the best-selling series ever. The fifth game, Assassin’s Creed III, launched in October 2012, and is now the fastest-selling game in the company’s history, with total sell-through topping the 7 million mark worldwide just one month after its release.

Recognized for having some of the richest, most engrossing storytelling in the industry, Assassin’s Creed transcends video games, branching out into other entertainment experiences including comic books, Facebook games, novels, short films and more. The series celebrated its fifth anniversary in 2012, and an Assassin’s Creed feature film is currently in development.

Todd McFarlane, CEO and founder of McFarlane Toys, said, “I’m always excited to work with a premiere entertainment company like Ubisoft. Their world-class studios have created some of the most compelling video games in recent memory. The Assassin’s Creed series is a huge hit with gamers, and continues to grow in popularity. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to create high-quality collectibles based on their games, and to bring them to a wide audience at a reasonable price.”

Todd explains, “We’re always looking to raise the bar with our figures, and Ubisoft has been a great partner to help make that happen. These will be the first McFarlane Toys to include integration with the game itself. Our Assassin’s Creed figures will include codes that unlock unique content in game – things like new weapons, clothing colors, or other customization options. Features like this reward the hardcore fans who buy the figures, and give collectors some added value.”

“McFarlane Toys is renowned for their creativity, authenticity and incredibly detailed action figures,” said Tony Key, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Ubisoft. “We’re excited to partner with Todd to bring the colorful characters in the Assassin’s Creed universe as action figures to consumers.”

McFarlane Toys’ Assassin’s Creed action figures will retail for $14.99-$16.99 and will be available at major mass and specialty retailers in the United States, Canada, South America, Australia, Mexico and New Zealand including Walmart, Target, Toys “R” Us, GameStop, Amazon, local comic book stores, and more.

Assassin’s Creed III: The Tyranny of King Washington DLC Episodes Release Dates

Feb 06, 2013

Today Ubisoft confirmed the release dates of all three upcoming episodes of Assassin’s Creed III The Tyranny of King Washington.

This all new single-player experience will let players discover an alternate history of the events following the American Revolution.

• Episode 1: The Infamy will be available on Microsoft’s Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system and Windows PCs on February 19 and on PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system on February 20 as previously confirmed
• Episode 2: The Betrayal will release on Microsoft’s Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system and Windows PCs on March 19 and on PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system on March 20
• Episode 3 : The Redemption will be available on Microsoft’s Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system and Windows PCs on April 23 and on PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system on April 24

In the first episode of the Tyranny of King Washington series, our hero, Ratonhnhaké:ton, awakens from an unsettling dream to find that, despite his efforts to deliver justice in the newly-founded United States of America, a new king has been crowned – George Washington. The Infamy will take gamers through the beginning of the journey to dethrone King Washington.

The three upcoming episodes of the Tyranny of King Washington are available through the Assassin’s Creed III Season Pass, which is available for purchase for 2400 Microsoft Points on Xbox LIVE or $29.99 on the PlayStation® Network and Windows PC. Each episode of The Tyranny of King Washington will be available for purchase separately as a single DLC pack for 800 Microsoft points or $9.99.

All Assassin’s Creed III downloadable content packs will also be available on the Wii UTM through the Nintendo eShop.

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a Horror-themed Sherlock Holmes

Feb 06, 2013

First, and actual screenshot from the game.

Inspired by the weird fiction stories and other tales of macabre of the early 20th century, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a game to be played at night, alone, and in headphones. With The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, The Astronauts – a team comprised of People Can Fly (Bulletstorm, Painkiller) veterans – aim to evolve immersive storytelling in games. It’s set for release on PC via digital distributors in 2013.

As a detective with the supernatural ability to visualize scenes of lethal crimes, you investigate the kidnapping of a young boy, hoping to save him before it’s too late. The investigation leads you to a beautiful mountain area, where you come across a severely mutilated body of one of the kidnappers. Using both your paranormal skill and modern detective tools you discover the mystery behind the trail of corpses in the valley, the roots of an ancient force ruling the area, and the fate of the kidnapped boy.

“What we care about the most is that the players feel like they’re really there. Immersion is our number one priority,” said the game’s designer, Adrian Chmielarz. “It’s a game about exploration and discovery. We’re not abandoning the gameplay – on the contrary: we’re trying to strip it down to the bone and make sure it’s always meaningful and truly makes the experience better.”

Leviathan: Warships announced by Paradox Interactive

Feb 06, 2013

Paradox Interactive, a publisher of games and a wearer of lifejackets, and developer Pieces Interactive today announced the forthcoming release of a new tactical action game, Leviathan: Warships, for PC, Mac, iOS, and Android platforms. The game, which challenges players to assemble customized fleets of warships and weaponry, will feature cross-platform gameplay across all supported platforms, allowing battles to be fought from nearly any computer, tablet, or location. With a full co-op campaign and several player-vs.-player (PvP) maps ready to put fleets to the test, Paradox reminds players that their tablets will not function as floatation devices.

Ships just got real, watch the announcement trailer here:

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Former Lead Designer of Civilization V, Jon Shafer forms Confier Games to bring At the Gates

Feb 06, 2013

Jon Shafer, lead designer of Firaxis Games’ “Sid Meier’s Civilization V”, is excited to announce that he has founded Conifer Games, a Michigan-based independent studio. The first project from Conifer will be “Jon Shafer’s At the Gates”, for which a Kickstarter campaign was launched today.

While at Firaxis and Stardock, Shafer experimented with new ways to conceptualize the empire building games that dominate the strategy world. With “Jon Shafer’s At the Gates”, he wants to provide gamers a fresh experience that is challenging from beginning to end set atop a constantly evolving landscape. Jon Shafer’s At the Gates can be found on Kickstarter and is targeting a goal of $40,000.

Set in the waning days of the Roman Empire, “Jon Shafer’s At the Gates” casts you as the leader of a barbarian tribe, ready to fill the power vacuum left by a great power in decline. You must compete not only against other nations, but with an environment that does not eagerly feed your people and armies. The resources of the world you are constantly depleting, requiring you to move your tribe in search of new ones – or to pillage those of your neighbors.

Will you be ready for a long, hot summer that scorches your fields, or a winter that freezes the river that once served as a wall to fend off the Huns? “Jon Shafer’s At the Gates” features seasons that transform not just the world, but the strategic options available to you.

Star Wars Pinball Coming Soon for Download for Everything

Feb 05, 2013

Zen Studios, the definitive leader in videogame pinball, today announced Star Wars™ Pinball, a brand new collection of tables developed with authentic Star Wars moments. The downloadable game, developed in partnership with LucasArts, will be available February 2013 on a variety of digital platforms. The initial three-table pack will be themed around fan favorites including Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, Boba Fett and Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

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Legendary Heroes is the First Expansion to Fallen Enchantress, Free to Anyone Who Preordered Elemental: War of Magic

Feb 05, 2013

Stardock announced its first expansion pack for its popular fantasy strategy game, Fallen Enchantress.  The expansion, Legendary Heroes, adds new monsters, new champions, larger maps, new tactical battle maps and re-imagines the role of heroes in the world of Elemental.

“One of our goals with Legendary Heroes is to tie together the destiny of your kingdom and those of your champions,” said Derek Paxton, lead designer of Legendary Heroes.

In Fallen Enchantress, champions were recruited through exploration. Once recruited, they could go on quests, acquire magical items, gain experience and choose new talents. Paxton continued, “In Legendary Heroes, the champions seek you out based on your fame. Your kingdom gains fame through a variety of means and as a result, the player’s affinity with champions is now tied to the choices their Kingdom as a whole makes.”

Legendary Heroes also expands on the critically acclaimed gameplay in Fallen Enchantress. New types of monsters such as liches, skeletons and worse begin to appear in the world. New quests, a new scenario and much larger map sizes are now available.

“Players will immediately recognize that the world has changed,” said Paxton. “Besides just looking a lot better, the battles are far more intense. Units have a lot more skills to choose from in battle and the maps are much more varied. We redid virtually all of them.”

Fallen Enchantress – Legendary Heroes is expected to be released in April, with a public beta starting next month.  The game is priced at $19.99 for Fallen Enchantress users and $39.99 as a stand-alone game.

More details about Fallen Enchantress – Legendary Heroes here: www.fallenenchantress.com/legendaryheroes

CD Projekt RED Announces The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Feb 05, 2013

CD Projekt RED has officially announced the title of their next upcoming game: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Further, they’ve announced that this, the ultimate game in the series, will also be the final Witcher game from the studio. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt combines CD Projekt RED’s trademark decision-based storytelling flair with a living open world larger than any other in modern RPG history.

“The captivating and non-linear story of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt takes place in a rich, truly open-world environment. A world which is thrilling to explore, full of daring adventures, momentous quests, memorable characters, and unique monsters. Players will freely travel through woods, lakes, mountains, cities and villages. Each region is inhabited by distinct populations with their own customs, legends and problems.  The world of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is 30 times bigger than The Witcher 2,” said Adam Badowski, head of the studio.

“Imagine playing a dark fantasy game with the same great non-linear story as in the previous Witcher titles, but now told in a world you can explore freely with no artificial boundaries. The war-ravaged world is so huge that to reach farther places you will need to ride a horse or sail a boat to get there. A world where your choices have truly epic consequences. From the development side, this goal is extremely demanding. Our team had to make significant design changes and our tech had to be rebuilt. But we believe that this will lead to a completely new level of non-linearity and a whole new, richer gaming experience. As a gamer, I would love to play this kind of RPG, and I think this is what many players are waiting for. This is our dream come true at CD Projekt RED, and we hope it will be the same for you!” adds Badowski.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the final episode of the award-winning RPG series and the last part of the legend of Geralt of Rivia. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the most robust and breathtaking game ever created by CD Projekt RED. Open-world, free-roaming exploration is an adventure in itself as the player will gallop through war-ravaged lands, sail misty waters and track down dangerous beasts for money. An improved combat system will allow players to feel like a real monster-hunter, a witcher who uses his superior senses and fighting skills to survive in a dark fantasy world–while he embarks on a quest to save his loved ones. The new core mechanics of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt immerse the player in the experience completely, with no Quick Time Events, only intuitive RPG gameplay.

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Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams to Release on PSN, Xbox LIVE Arcade and Retail Windows PC in Spring 2013

Feb 05, 2013

Retro-style platforming fans can look forward to the upcoming release of Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams. The planned release is the spring 2013 timeframe for Sony PlayStation Network, Xbox LIVE Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and Windows-based PC-retail.

Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams was developed by the German development studio Black Forest Games. bitComposer holds the worldwide publishing rights for Windows-based PC-retail and Xbox LIVE Arcade editions of the game. For their part, Black Forest Games is responsible for the Sony PlayStation Network version.

In Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams, the player accompanies the two very dissimilar sisters on a journey to a fantastic world in which the sisters’ different abilities are the key to solving puzzles and defeating terrible monsters. Giana transforms herself with lightning speed to solve puzzles or make use of special abilities. With each transformation, her environment changes too, and only players who skillfully apply the right strategy can complete tricky levels and defeat nasty end-bosses.

Optically and acoustically, Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams is built on the latest technologies: Vivid colors and astounding graphics, paired with a wonderful soundtrack by Chris Hülsbeck, promise a unique platform game adventure.