High Moon Studios, the guys that created Transformers: War for Cybertron, are hosting a double XP multiplayer weekend starting this Friday, July 2nd at 6:00pm PST through Sunday, July 4th. Anyone playing in multiplayer matches on the Xbox 360, PS3 or PC versions of the game will earn double XP rewards and level up faster than ever.
Transformers: War for Cybertron challenges players to become the ultimate weapon as a TRANSFORMERS character in the final, epic war that will determine the survival of their entire race. Armed with a diverse arsenal of lethal, high-tech weaponry and the ability to instantly convert from robot to vehicle at any time, players will engage in heart-pounding battles on land and in the air in this gripping, 3rd person action shooter set in the TRANSFORMERS’ war-ravaged homeland. Complete with several multiplayer modes, Transformers: War for Cybertron allows gamers to play through story missions with their friends in drop in/drop out online co-op, and also create their own TRANSFORMERS character for competitive head-to-head multiplayer modes, choosing among four distinct character classes, personalizing its look and selecting from a huge variety of weapons, skills and abilities.
Square Enix has announced that the wait for Final Fantasy XIV will finally be over on September 30, 2010 for PC. In advance of the September 30 release, Final Fantasy XIV PC Collector’s Edition will offer early access to adventurers eager to embark on this new chapter in the Final Fantasy series. In addition, the Beta phase for the Windows PC version will begin in early July 2010.
FINAL FANTASY XIV PC Collector’s Edition pre-orders will include the Onion Helm, an exclusive in-game item which accelerates character recovery after falling in battle. FINAL FANTASY XIV PC Standard Edition pre-orders will include a pair of Garlond Goggles, an exclusive in-game item which increases the speed of skill progression.
Here is a list of what you will also be getting from the collector’s edition.
IN-GAME ITEM – Collector’s Edition preorders will include a reward code to receive an exclusive in-game item, the Onion Helm.*
EARLY ACCESS – Play 8 days prior to the release of the Windows PC Standard Edition (timing of access subject to initial server capacity).
BEHIND-THE-SCENES DVD – Get an insider look at the making of FINAL FANTASY XIV, with exclusive video content, interviews and more in this special documentary DVD.
SECURITY TOKEN – A FINAL FANTASY XIV–branded Security Token for use with your regular password.
TRAVEL JOURNAL – Record your travels in this beautifully bound journal filled with pages of never-before-seen concept art.
RIGHT OF PASSAGE – Redeem a voucher to receive your fully-personalized Right of Passage Certificate, each stamped with a unique serial number.
AMANO COVER – Special PC Collector’s Edition illustration by renowned artist Yoshitaka Amano.
Protector Trials, an all-new single-player focused downloadable game add-on for BioShock 2that puts players back into the boots of the Big Daddy as he defends his Little Sister against swarms of corrupt Splicers who are hell-bent on stealing the precious ADAM that she gathers from corpses. Available starting August 3, 2010, this exciting and action-packed addition will challenge players to use the full arsenal of the BioShock 2 tool set as they dispatch their foes and unleash their wrath on enemies across six different areas from the single-player experience.
Protector Trialsis being developed by the core team behind BioShock 2’s single-player experience. It contains a series of challenges focused on frantic combat and fast-paced action that are designed to push players’ mastery of weapons and Plasmids. The goal is simple, but tough to achieve: players must keep their Little Sister safe from the intense onslaught of Splicers as she gathers ADAM from corpses.
The pack includes:
Six new maps: three unique difficulty levels, each based on favorite locales from BioShock 2;
New unlockables, including never-before-seen concept art and videos;
Seven new Achievements/Trophies.
Protector Trialswill be available starting August 3, 2010 for the Xbox 360 for 400 Microsoft Points, and for the PlayStation 3 for $4.99.
In the coming months, 2K Games will publish more downloadable content that extends the single-player experience, providing new insight into the world of Rapture. The next package will expand the narrative, and introduce new tools and new challenges that extend the lore and fiction of the failed utopia under the sea.
BioShock 2’s first two downloadable packages, Sinclair Solutions Tester Pack*andRapture Metro Pack*, are currently available for download from both the Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 from Microsoft and Games for Windows-LIVE, and from the PlayStation Network for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.
BioShock 2’s multiplayer modes provide fans with an engrossing prequel experience that expands upon the fiction of Rapture’s origins. Set during the year before Rapture’s descent into chaos, players assume the role of a Plasmid test subject for Sinclair Solutions, a key provider of Plasmids and Tonics in the underwater city that was first explored in BioShock. Players will enter into areas from the original title as they struggle to gain superiority and fight for survival in franticly paced battles.
The single-player mode serves as a sequel to the original game and provides fans with an unsettling storyline, dazzling visual design and the evolution of the genetically enhanced shooter gameplay.Set almost a decade after a grueling civil war consumed the once magnificent city of Rapture, evil reverberates through the halls and a wickedness once thought gone forever returns along the Atlantic seaboard. An unspeakable series of kidnappings from local seaside communities by an unseen monster leads to the repopulation of Little Sisters in Rapture’s failed utopia under the ocean. Players must step into the boots of one of gaming’s most iconic characters, the Big Daddy, as they traverse through the fallen city, fending off attacks from an army of genetically modified Splicers, while searching for escape and the key to their survival.
If anyone can remember a little known shooter called Black when the Xbox was on its final lifeline, well your going to enjoy this one. The developers for Black are at it again but where that game had a serious tone of destruction, this one sees an upbeat approach. Bodycount is a FPS inspired by famous faces like Lady Gaga and JJ Abrams and yes we said Lady Gaga. We got a demonstration on how the game works then got a hands on for ourselves to see what it’s all about.
You start off as Jackson Delgado, an average guy that had been taken out of of his everyday life by an organization called the Network. They give him assignments but he secretly wants to know what’s going on with the Network and try to get his life back. Bodycount is basically laid out like a TV show and what we were playing was almost like the pilot to that. The build we played at E3 was about halfway in the development of the game so only the true foundation and core aspect to the game was shown. This was to get a sense of how you would be combating your enemies. The game is very reminiscent of Black, textures have a similar gloss to them, along with the overall movement. The level of destruction was there as well, but this time it was like having layers of destruction. When you shoot objects it will start to come apart piece by piece, which strategically can come in really handy.
There is a unique lean cover system which I found to my liking, the left trigger on the controller is to crouch and move slowly. When next to an object you will lean against it and as you start to ease off the trigger you expose yourself more and more. This seemed to work great especially since the usual first person shooter will just shift into third person on a cover system. Small little pieces of intel drop from enemies when you kill them, acting as currency in the game. It then can be used to upgrade weapons and for multiple forms of attack deployments during a stage.
We were told there would be co-op and multiplayer in the game and coincidentally we were in a stage that would be used for co-op. The story will take place before and after the events of the single player game, since the campaign focuses on just Jackson Delgado. What we also like was how the stages were laid out. They would be quite large and multiple missions will be at our disposal. This will allow us to tackle missions in any order we wanted to though out the level since it will not be a linear experience. Surprisingly though there is no lethal melee in the game, your character will just push an enemy at a distance. This was done intentional to always keep the action a distance.
Bodycount is shaping up great and is definitely on our watch list for next year. Everything from the cover system, the musical note played when running out of ammo, to the shear chaos and action like a television show has us wanting more. The game will be arriving sometime spring of 2011 and we can’t wait. We’ll be bringing you more info on the game as it comes in.
Electronic Arts announced Need for Speed Hot Pursuit On Tour, a seven-city event that will take this year’s hottest racing videogame directly to fans before its release in November. Each stop on the Need for Speed Hot Pursuit On Tour will take place at a hot local venue. The tour will feature world renowned hip hop and rock artists and will showcase an assortment of the world’s sexiest exotic cars, including a one-of-a-kind Lamborghini cop car.The tour runs from July to November, culminating with the game’s launch on Nov. 16. Attendees will get hands-on with the game, making them the first to play the gamebefore it hits stores this holiday.
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit On Tour kicks off on July 14at the Manhattan Classic Car Club in New York City, headlined by the ‘godfather of mash-ups,’ DJ Z-Trip. To attend an event, register at http://www.needforspeed.com. Space is limited.
The full 7-city tour includes:
New York, July 14
Chicago, Aug. 5
Seattle, Sept. 4
San Francisco, Sept. 11
Austin, Oct. 7
Miami, Oct. 21
Los Angeles, Nov. 16
In Need for SpeedHot Pursuit players experience the thrill of the chase and the rush of the escape as they play through full careers as both a cop and a racer – solo or connected. The blistering speeds, brutal busts and heart-stopping getaways are all connected via Need for Speed Autolog. This groundbreaking network connects friends for epic head-to-head pursuits and races, and also enables players to compare performances and stats for the ultimate social racing competition. Developed by Criterion Games, Need for SpeedHot Pursuit will be available on Nov. 16, 2010 in North America and on Nov. 18 and 19, 2010 in Europe on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. Need for Speed Hot Pursuit will also be available on the Wii and is being developed by Exient.
Seth Green will appear in new ads for Nintendo’s forthcoming DRAGON QUEST IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies, lending his personality to two different ads highlighting the game. In the campaign, Green uses examples of the game’s deep customization options to help teens make decisions about which friend they should take to a concert, and what to wear on a date. The first of the humorous ads will premiere in U.S. movie theaters today prior to screenings of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, and is currently airing on television.
Launching exclusively for the Nintendo DS family of hand-held game systems on July 11, DRAGON QUEST IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies is the latest entry in the popular DRAGON QUEST adventureseries. It includes rich customization options that allow players to create their own in-game characters using a vast selection of clothing, weapons, special items and abilities. Players can also connect wirelessly with friends and share their adventure at any time in a cooperative multiplayer mode. The game has already become a social phenomenon in Japan, selling 4.2 million units.
Seth Green is co-creator/executive producer/co-writer/co-director/main voice talent for the Emmy-winning Robot Chicken series, which airs on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim. Green won Annie Awards for directing and writing the Robot Chicken: Star Wars specials, which both debuted as the No. 1 TV DVD upon release. He’s an executive producer and voices the villain in Adult’s Swim’s Titan Maximum. He and his Stoopid Monkey Prods. partner, Matthew Senreich, are also consulting on Lucasfilm’s animated STAR WARS comedy series and are doing a pilot presentation for Fox.
Green has starred in films including all three Austin Powers films, The Italian Job, Party Monster, Without a Paddle, Can’t Hardly Wait, Old Dogs and dozens more. Next up, Green is the star of Disney’s upcoming feature, Mars Needs Moms.
Namco Bandai Games America Inc. announced today details on the roster of exclusive incentive items for customers who purchase ENSLAVED: Odyssey to the West from participating retailers. The selection of enticing options ranges from DLC)to limited quantity retail packs that come bundled with the game and bonus item. Additional premium post-launch DLC will also be available and details will be released in the coming months.
Several retailers are offering DLC packs including alternate versions of Monkey or Trip which are not only visually distinct, but also provide unique functional advantages that boost the final retail gameplay experience. For EB Games Canada and GameStop pre-order customers, they will receive a code for deadly, ebony-clad “Ninja Monkey.” With access to unlimited amounts of otherwise rare stun and plasma staff blast ammo, Monkey turns into a bona fide assassin against his enemies. Walmart and Walmart Canada will offer the game with a download code card for “Classic Monkey,” adorned in a striking red and gold ensemble that pays homage to the game’s classic Chinese novel influence. This traditional variant also channels the fearsome warrior-spirit into Monkey’s melee damage, allowing him to strike with double the power. Best Buy U.S. and Canada customers can get the game with a download code card for “Sexy Robot Trip,” a literal mesh of her feminine and technological wiles. This hybrid Trip is both visually and functionally stunning, doubling the duration of all stun moves in the game including Monkey’s ranged stun blasts and melee stun charge attacks, as well as Trip’s own EMP blasts.
Limited quantity bundle packs that include the game and exclusive bonus item are also available from participating retailers. Amazon.com and Amazon.ca customers will have exclusive access to the official soundtrack for the game, which will be offered as part of a limited set of bundles with the game. Future Shop Canada and Target will offer retail packages which include the game and a mini-comic published by renowned entertainment specialist, Marvel. The custom-created 40-page comic book focuses on Monkey and Trip’s origins, with an eye-opening glimpse into their backgrounds which won’t be seen in the game.
At E3 we were treated to a demoed session of Ghost Recon: Future Soldier. This demo was split into 3 different scenarios, demonstrating a couple of things in the game. Future Soldier takes place between the years of 2015 and 2020 when there is new technology in the battlefield.
The first started off with the infiltrating team using an active camouflage stealth approach on the enemy camp. The mission changes from a kill target mission to a capture the target mission, so the team had to change its tactics to secure the war criminal.
The Optimal Camouflage invisible cloak looks great and works well but, the use of it is limited. As the player gets closer to a enemy, this can enable the option for a close quarter kill. One example of what we witnessed was a player-controlled soldier executing an enemy soldier from point-blank sitting on a gun turret and then holds up his lifeless body back into position as to not cause a disturbance from a passing guard.
While you are continuing your mission you have four other soldiers doing the same type of mission in a different section of the enemy base. There is a lot of communicating between the teammates so the cross com chat between the Ghost team is different, easier to use and understand. At the conclusion the player controlled soldier has the target in his sights but, the target is surrounded by guards. After calling a full strike on them, laser sights from other Ghost soldiers take out the guards while the player controlled soldier captures the target by knocking him out and smashing his head on the hood of a vehicle.
The second scenario starts you off as a sniper in a tower. You take out the pilot of an enemy helicopter while it tries to drop off enemy troops. The helicopter loses control and crashes. Then the sniper part was over just like that.
The third and final scenario concerns the team fighting through waves of enemies on the beach to escape. Whether it was wood or concrete, cover can wither and crumble away from gunfire. No place was safe for long.
Ubisoft stated that all weaponry and technology are based on real military prototypes. While Ghost Recon: Future Solider is not set to release till 2011, it looks amazing right now. The graphics are based on an improved engine from the previous Ghost Recon game, there will be multiplayer and four player co-op. The demo was brief, extra details are scarce and it leaves you wanting more!
3Dchat, in partnership with international veteran developer Golemlabs Studios of Canada, announced today that it will open the doors to its immersive virtual world, 3Dchat, starting July 7, 2010. Made up of a vast 3D virtual world, a customized social networking environment and a proprietary verification system, 3Dchat is filled with activities for players to engage in and interact with in realistic environments that replicate the look of real-world locales.
Starting July 7, players will be able to have a drink at the local pub, dance it up with a bevy of hot singles or engage in dancing competitions on the KIX stage, or simply meet and converse with like-minded adults, all from the comfort of their own homes. The 3Dchat beta is currently open for enrollment and interested players can fill out the quick questionnaire now for their chance for early entry by visiting www.3dchat.com.
3Dchat is a comprehensive virtual world geared toward a mature audience that has something for everyone and offers more varied gameplay options and interactions than any other virtual world currently on the market. For more information please check out www.3Dchat.com
Sega and Platinum Games are set to show the world Vanquish, a third person shooter that gives you that Gears of War cover system but put their own style on it.
The main character is a US agent named Sam, who has to fight off many Russian robot troops that are trying to gain a energy source to rule the world. Our hands on at E3 starts you at the beginning of this big battle.
Sam is equipped in a full body combat suit that gives him a crazy fast powerslide, acrobatic maneuvers, and a slow motion aim system to give the player the chance to for better shots. The powerslide helps you tremendously as Sam moves from cover to cover. There is a bar that depletes after constant use of the powerslide, but it takes quite some time for it to deplete. Sam also has a slick little move that stands out from the rest. Holding LB while Sam is in cover makes him slide off his mask and light a cigarette. After a moment, he will flip the cigarette into the air, gaining the enemy’s attention so he can get away.
The squad that helps you with the assault also assists you by engaging the enemy. Surprisingly not one of them even has a suit that looks as good as Sam’s. You must be careful with your group because they can go down from enemy fire and your own weapons can hurt them, thankfully there is a signal to let Sam know that he can revive them. The D-pad is used to switch between three different guns and grenades types. Ammo is replenished by finding storage boxes scattered throughout the level. At the end of the stages you are graded for your performance like Platinum Games previous game, Bayonetta.
It takes a few seconds to get use to the controls, A-button is a rolling evade, B-button is for melee attacks, X-button goes for cover, Y-button throws grenades, RB reloads, LB is for the powerslide, RT fires the weapon, LT aims the gun but, if you are powersliding while aiming the slow-motion starts up. After you make the adjustment, you are good to go.
Vanquish looks great, sounds great, plays great, and is releasing this fall. There is hardly any difference between the PS3 and 360. The gameplay has a flashy, frantic, and fast feel to it and that is what makes it stand out. Like Platinum Games previous title this one is only single player as well because their main goal is the core story and mechanic. There is one question that is raised with us and that is if players really want to use cover against the enemies or run many circles around them while shooting them down since both strategies are possible.
