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EA Announces Need for Speed: Rivals; Next-Gen Cops and Robbers

2013-05-23T18:57:00.000-04:00

Coming this November for current and next-gen consoles ...

The Need for Speed series will see yet another title this fall with EA's announcement of Need for Speed: Rivals. Being developed by Ghost Games with the Frostbite 3 engine, "Rivals will capture the adrenaline and intensity of the street's ultimate rivalry between cops and racers, in a stunning open road environment." Expect Rivals on current-gen systems this November 19th, and on next generation platforms later in the year.

Rivals will put players in the role of either a cop or a racer, with each side having their own challenges, rewards, and consequences. The cops' duties are typical, while the racers' goal is to become the most infamous by showing off intense high risk escapes.

As racers rank up by evading cops, Speedpoints are earned and are used to unlock new cars and other items. As cops, you'll work together as part of a team in pursuit of racers ... with every bust ranking you higher amongst the Police Force and granting unlocks to new police vehicles and more advance pursuit gears.

Need for Speed Rivals will see the return of the Ferrari among its class of vehicles after a severn year absence. AllDrive, an innovative new feature in Rivals will allow gamers to seamlessly transition between singleplayer and multiplayer mode ... players will be able to enter and exit races in a snap.

Next-Gen Racing - Redview County is brought to life with stunning, next-generation details.

Need for Speed Network Powered by Autolog - Gamers can compare stats and challenge their friends anytime, anywhere and then easily share their accomplishments.

Personalization - Drivers can customize their ride with fresh paint-jobs, custom license plates, liveries decals, performance upgrades, and rims.

Pursuit and Evasion Tech - 11 upgradeable gadgets including turbo boosts, jammers and EMPs for racers, and shockwaves, roadblocks and helicopters for cops.

"The Need for Speed franchise has been an industry leader bringing social competition to the forefront in games," said Marcus Nilsson, Executive Producer, Ghosts Games. "For the first time, players will have the freedom to seamlessly go from single player to co-op to multiplayer. In Need for Speed Rivals we are creating one game experience with one progression, where the freedom to play with friends is more fluid and accessible than ever before."

Grand Theft Auto V Special and Collector’s Edition Announced

2013-05-23T15:40:00.000-04:00

Both available now for pre-order while supplies last ...

Rockstar Games today announced the details of Grand Theft Auto V's Special and Collector’s Editions, both of which are available now for pre-order for the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3. Those who reserve their copy early, including the standalone retail version, will get access to the Atomic Blimp in-game vehicle.

The Grand Theft Auto V Special Edition will retail for $79.99 and includes the following ...

Full retail copy of Grand Theft Auto V

Collectible Steelbook with exclusive artwork - features custom color and metallic treatments to bring out the detail of the Michael, Trevor and Franklin artwork created exclusively for this Steelbook.

Special Edition Content

Blueprint Map - exclusive 21.5" x 26.75" map displays a blueprint view of Los Santos and Blaine County.

Special Ability Boost - Michael, Franklin and Trevor each have a unique special ability. With this boost, the special ability bar will generate 25% faster.

Stunt Plane Trials - single-player Stunt Plane Trials let players take on additional aerial challenges spread throughout Los Santos and Blaine County.

Bonus Outfits, Tattoos and More - Michael, Franklin and Trevor get bonus outfits in their wardrobes, character specific tattoos at tattoo parlors, and special deals from shopkeepers across Los Santos and Blaine County.

Additional Weapons - when visiting Ammunation stores in single-player, merchants will have special weapons in their inventory available for free: the Pistol .50, Bullpup Shotgun and melee Hammer.

The Grand Theft Auto V Collector’s Edition will cost $149.99 and includes the contents of the Special Edition plus the following ...

Collector's Edition Content

Grand Theft Auto V Security Deposit Bag with Logo Key - inspired by the heists in Grand Theft Auto V, this custom 10.75" x 8.5" money bag features a pop-up style lock and laser cut logo key to secure important items. The reverse side features a pressed Rockstar Games logo on the security mount with a framed ID window.

Grand Theft Auto V New Era 9FIFTY Snapback Cap - this exclusive New Era 9FIFTY™ cap features an embroidered Los Santos logo on the front, a stitched, black Rockstar Games logo on the wearer’s left side, a Grand Theft Auto ‘V’ logo applique on the opposite side, and snapback closure for an adjustable fit.

Custom Characters for Grand Theft Auto Online - get classic Grand Theft Auto characters to use within the Grand Theft Auto Online Character Creation System.

Unique Vehicles and Garage Property - players will instantly receive a garage to store custom vehicles. In single-player, the garage will be stocked with the 1930’s style Hotknife hotrod and the CarbonRS sports bike. In Grand Theft Auto Online, players will get the high-end Khamelion electric car.

The Grand Theft Auto V Collector’s Edition is packaged in a collectible box featuring a foil embossed Grand Theft Auto V logo on the top and finished with a matte, scuff-resistant film lamination housing all of the contents.

Grand Theft Auto V will be available September 17th 2013 for the Xbox 360, and the PlayStation 3.

Microsoft Unveils Xbox One: The All-in-One Home Entertainment System

2013-05-21T19:52:00.001-04:00

Xbox One - hardware, features, and games detailed ...

Microsoft revealed today during their Xbox reveal conference that their next generation system will be the Xbox One. Scheduled for release during the latter half of this year, Xbox One will provide a next level of entertainment for gaming, television, music, movies, sports and Skype.

"Xbox One is designed to deliver a whole new generation of blockbuster games, television and entertainment in a powerful, all-in-one device," said Don Mattrick, president, Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. "Our unique, modern architecture brings simplicity to the living room and, for the first time ever, the ability to instantly switch across your games and entertainment."

"With Xbox One, games push the boundaries of realism, and TV obeys your commands. Say 'Xbox On' to launch your personalized Xbox One Home screen, discover what is popular on TV or see friends' latest gaming achievements all using the most natural interface ... your voice. The more you interact with Xbox One, the more it gets to know you and learns what you like."

Hardware and Features

Xbox One features 8GB's of RAM, a 64-bit architecture, a Blu-ray drive, 802.11n Wi-Fi, USB 3.0, and HDMI in and out. Contrary to popular rumors, Xbox One will NOT feature "always online." It will however be "always connected" ... as in always being connected to Kinect. So you won't have to be connected to the Internet to use Xbox One, but you will have to be connected to the Kinect senor due to its enhance integration with the system.

Xbox One will require all games to be installed to the hard drive before playing, which upon installation, the system will no longer need the disc to play. Xbox One will not be backwards compatible due to its differing hardware.

Xbox Live on Xbox One will be more powerful, personal, and more intelligent. The new Xbox Live will be more integrated with the Cloud ... allowing games to be installed in segments and accessing your profile and save games from other Xbox One's. Current Xbox Live Gold Membership and Gamerscore will carry over to the new Xbox. The enhanced Xbox Live will feature the following ...

Smart Match - A new Smart Match matchmaking system virtually eliminates waiting in lobbies by estimating wait times and finding people you want to play with while you are enjoying other activities.

Game DVR - A dedicated Game DVR captures and accesses your magic moments, all saved to the cloud, with the ability to share this content.

Living Games - Dynamic, living worlds evolve and improve the more you play, and advanced artificial intelligence can learn to play like you, so friends can play against your shadow.

Expanded Achievements - A new and expanded achievements system captures video of your epic moments, continues to grow a game’s achievements over time and rewards you in new ways, and your Gamerscore carries over from Xbox 360.

Xbox SmartGlass - Xbox SmartGlass is natively part of the Xbox One platform, built in from the beginning with the ability to quickly render content directly onto your device, and now more devices can connect at one time for multiplayer and shared entertainment.

Confirmed Games

Xbox One will have access to all the hottest titles coming out this year, including Assassin's Creed IV, Battlefield 4, Call of Duty: Ghosts, Destiny, FIFA 14, Forza Motorsport 5, Madden 25, NBA Live 14, Quantum Break, Ryse, Thief, EA Sports UFC, and Watch Dogs.

Microsoft have also confirmed that Xbox One will get 15 exclusive titles within the first year of release, 8 of which will be brand new ip's. Except for Quantum Break, no announcement was made to the exclusives games.

Kinect and Controller

Bundled with every Xbox One system, the new Kinect sensor is completely redesigned with revolutionary 1080p, more precision, intuition, and responsiveness. Voice commands and gestures are optimized to fully support Xbox One's entertainment features. Because of the new integrations, Xbox One will not work without Kinect.

The Xbox One controller is designed to ergonomic fit and immerse all gamers in ways that are uniquely Xbox ... with its updated d-pad, thumb stick, and vibrating impulse triggers.

No pricing or release date was revealed, but stay tune for all the updates in two weeks from Microsoft's E3 press conference.

Sony Announces Gran Turismo 6

2013-05-15T12:48:00.001-04:00

Coming this holiday for the PlayStation 3 ...

As expected, Sony has officially announced Gran Turismo 6, the latest in the series set for release this holiday for the PlayStation 3. The reveal came by way of Gran Turismo creator, Kazunori Yamauchi during an event celebrating 15 years of the series.

"GT6 for PlayStation 3 will bring new levels of authenticity to 'the Real Driving Simulator' as well as introducing stunning new tracks and cars and a revised user interface. A new compact game engine will improve operation and increase the flexibility to expand it with downloadable content," according to the press release.

Gran Turismo 6 will include all the cars from GT5. Notable additions will be made available such as historic cars, road cars, and the latest racing cars ... bringing the total to 1200. Further vehicles will be added as DLC. Players will be able to personalize their own custom cars with over a thousand aerodynamic parts and custom wheels.

GT6 will add seven new locations along with improvements to the course maker. The UK's Silverstone Circuit will be one of 7 new locations, taking the total to 33, with 71 different layouts available, 19 of which are brand new. The game will also feature social integration with smartphones and tablet devices. The GT Academy series, which sees Nissan and Sony teaming up to find real racing drivers, will make a return.

"It is amazing to think that it is 15 years since we first released Gran Turismo," explained Kazunori Yamauchi, "things have changed a lot since then and now Gran Turismo 6 is a further evolution of my dream. We're pleased to deliver GT6 to PlayStation 3 as we have a very loyal community on that platform."

The rumored November 26 release date was not confirmed by Sony, but stay tuned for updates during this year E3 press conference.

BEYOND: Two Souls Special Edition Detailed

2013-05-07T20:39:00.000-04:00

Includes 30 minutes of addition gameplay

Sony has announced that Quantic Dream's BEYOND: Two Souls will be available as both a Standard Edition and Special Edition, with the Special Edition available only via pre-order. In addition to other bonus content, the Special Edition will include 30 minute of exclusive gameplay content. Details of such content will be revealed later.

BEYOND: Two Souls will be release October 8th, 2013 exclusively for the PlayStation 3.

Special Edition contents are as follows:

Exclusive steel book packaging

Additional 30 minutes of playable scene

Behind the scenes videos

Game soundtrack

PS3 Dynamic Theme

PSN Avatar Bundle

Bethesda Reveals Wolfenstein: The New Order

2013-05-07T17:54:00.000-04:00

Wolfenstein returns to battle a Nazi run world.

After several teasers via twitter, Bethesda today revealed Wolfenstein: The New Order, a new entry in the Wolfenstein series being developed by MachineGames scheduled for release on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, and next generation consoles during the latter half of this year.

"We are excited to bring a new chapter of Wolfenstein to gamers everywhere. As fans of the series, working on this game is an honor, and our team is driven to create an unforgettable action-adventure experience that will make FPS fans proud." - Jens Matthies, creative director at MachineGames.

Set in 1960 Europe after the Nazis won the second World War, The New Order puts you in the role of American war hero B.J. Blazkowicz with the mission of launching a counter-offensive against the Nazi regime. You'll acquire Nazi "super weapons" and infiltrate Nazi strongholds while battling horde of enemies. The reveal trailer embedded below is exclusive to GameSpot.

[UPDATE]: MachineGames' creative director revealed to GameSpot during a video preview that Wolfenstein: The New Order will be singleplayer only ... no multiplayer component is planned.

Ubisoft Reveals Spies vs. Mercs., Returning in Splinter Cell: Black List

2013-05-02T18:04:00.000-04:00

Team-based multiplayer mode, Spies vs. Mercs., returns in Black List

Spies vs. Mercs, the popular team-based multiplayer mode featured in Pandora Tomorrow, Chaos Theory, and Double Agent, returns in Ubisoft's latest ... Splinter Cell: Black List, set for release August 20th in North America and the 22nd in Europe for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii U, and PC.

In Spies vs. Mercs, the stealthy and agile Spies are tasked with extracting sensitive data from 3 terminals while the powerful and heavily armored Mercs are faced with the demanding effort to stop them. Each team has different abilities and tools at their disposal to outsmart their opponents in an exciting, high stakes, redefined multiplayer experience.

The trailer below, exclusive to IGN, shows off some of what to expect from Black List's iteration of the popular multiplayer mode.

Call of Duty: Ghosts Officially Confirmed

2013-05-01T14:59:00.002-04:00

Ghosts coming this November for current and next-gen hardware.

After several leaks and teases by retailers and Activision, Call of Duty: Ghost has been officially confirmed for release November 5th for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC and next generation platforms. No specifics were given, but we assume the Wii U also.

Being develop by Infinity Ward, the creators of Call of Duty, Ghosts will "deliver a riveting all-new gameplay experience built on an entirely new story, setting and cast of characters, all powered by a new, next generation Call of Duty engine that redefines the series for the next generation."

"Everyone was expecting us to make Modern Warfare 4, which would have been the safe thing to do, but we're not resting on our laurels. We saw the console transition as the perfect opportunity to start a new chapter for Call of Duty. So we're building a new sub-brand, a new engine, and a lot of new ideas and experiences for our players. We can't wait to share them with our community." - Infinity Ward's executive producer Mark Rubin.

No story or multiplayer details were confirmed, but rumors suggest a future setting with the use of current technology and weapons due to a "major plot event". Its also rumored that the singleplayer features more destuctible environments, while the multiplayer has more interactive maps with various traps.

Activision has confirmed that more details will be revealed during Microsoft's next generation Xbox reveal on May 21st, so stay tune for updated details on what to expect from this year's Call of Duty. For now, check out the official "Masked Warriors" teaser trailer below.

Watch Dogs Coming November 19th, Collector's Edition Confirmed

2013-04-29T13:19:00.002-04:00

Watch Dogs available November 19th with Special Collector's Editions

Ubisoft announced today that Watch Dogs will be available November 19th in North America and the 22nd in Europe for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, and Wii U. The game was also confirmed as a PlayStation 4 and next-gen Xbox launch title. According to the updated box art, the PS3 version contains 60 minutes of exclusive gameplay content.

[UPDATE]: Ubisoft has officially confirmed that both the PlayStation 3 and the PlayStation 4 will receive 60 minutes of exclusive gameplay "We can confirm that customers who will purchase Watch Dogs on PlayStation 3 or PlayStation 4 will be able to download 60 minutes of additional gameplay via the PlayStation Network after the game's launch. As of now, we have no more details to share."

Additionally, Ubisoft confirmed the game's collector's editions; the Dedsec Edition, the Vigilante Edition, the Uplay Exclusive Edition and the Special Edition. The latter of which was outed yesterday.

The Dedsec Edition includes a 23cm figurine of main character Aiden Pearce, a collector's box, a steelbook, artbook, soundtrack, four augmented reality collectible cards, three badges, and a map of the game's world of Chicago. This edition also includes three downloadable single player missions that will add approximately an hour of additional gameplay.

The Palace Pack: A police raid is planned on the luxury palace of an Internet mogul. His impressive databanks have intimate details on thousands of people … including Aiden Pearce. Break inside, wipe those hard drives and escape before the raid begins. Rewards unlocked upon completion: investigation bonus that allow gamers to unlock more investigative opportunities inside the network databanks, and the ATM hack boost which increases the cash rewards when hacking bank accounts.

Signature Shot: A biometrics weapon has been smuggled into Chicago for a captain of the Black Viceroys gang. The weapon only works for the first person who holds the gun. Breach a stronghold, steal the package and be the first to hold the weapon. Rewards unlocked upon completion: Black Viceroys gang colors outfit and Biometric Assault Rifle.

Breakthrough Pack: A secret gathering is underway. The Chicago Club is negotiating power with Corporate CEOs. The Club has hired scramblers to block surveillance devices. Drive around the city to find the scramblers and take them out. Retrieve all names from the meeting and upload their images to the world. Rewards unlocked upon completion: Vehicle Expert Perk ... allow players to earn discounts on select cars and get free vehicles from underground contact.

The Vigilante Edition comes with the collector's box, Aiden Pearce's cap and mask, the official soundtrack, and the Palace Pack singleplayer mission. The Uplay Exclusive Edition comes with the steelbook case and the three single player missions; The Palace Pack, Signature Shot, and the Breakthrough Pack. The Special Edition includes only the Breakthrough Pack. A new "Out of Control" trailer was also released, check it below:

Watch Dogs Special Edition Spotted

2013-04-28T03:50:00.000-04:00

Includes additional singleplayer mission ...

Dutch retailer Game Mania has listed a special edition of Ubisoft's upcoming open-world thriller, Watch Dogs. This special edition contains the Breakthrough Mission Pack, which includes an extra singleplayer mission that grants access to the Vehicle Expert perk upon completion. In addition to discounts on exclusive cars, this Vehicle Expert perk gets you free vehicles through your Underground Car Contact.

This special edition is listed for €60. No word on whether this is exclusive to Europe. The product details as translated by watchdogsforum:

Special Edition contents

The Special Edition includes an additional single-player mission, namely the Breakthrough Mission Pack: There is secret meeting going on. The Chicago Club does power negotiations with CEOs of large companies. The club has hired scramblers to block. Monitoring devices Race through the city to find the scramblers and take them out. Grab all the names of those attending the meeting and upload their photographs for the rest of the world.

After completing the mission you get the Vehicle Expert perk: Get free vehicles through your Underground Car Contact and get discounts on exclusive cars.

Watch Dogs will be released later this year for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, Wii U, and possibly next generation consoles. Check out the E3 2012 gameplay below:

[UPDATE]: Ubisoft has confirmed all the collector's edition of Watch Dogs; available November 19th.

Ubisoft Introduces "The Watch" VIP Program For Assassin's Creed Community

2013-04-26T08:44:00.001-04:00

Assassin's Creed gets special "VIP Program" to enhance community involement ...

Ubisoft today revealed details of "The Watch", a VIP program dedicated to the Assassin's Creed community. The Watch will be available starting with those who pre-order Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.

The Watch will allow members to dive deeper into the Assassin's Creed Universe and enjoy exclusive content and early access to the latest information such as upcoming events, shows, talks and releases specific to Assassin's Creed.

"The Watch will bring the community closer to Assassin’s Creed than ever before via regular in-depth features exploring a variety of different themes, including the characters, setting, places, cultural inspirations and other game related elements."

This new program will also allow members to follow Assassin’s Creed related social media and discussions; discovering and "liking" other member's content, uploading their own and comparing skills and achievements. The community's "key members" will be chosen to provide updates to the "Experts" section.

The Watch will also introduce unique and exclusive member quests, allowing them to unlock specific missions, earn special rewards and bonuses, and compete with others while ranking in worldwide leaderboards.

The Bureau: XCOM Declassified Announced; Coming This August

2013-04-26T04:31:00.000-04:00

Available August 20th for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.

After numerous delays, 2K Games has officially revealed the long awaited XCOM Shooter. First announced in 2010 and now rebranded as The Bureau: XCOM Declassified, this now third-person tactical squad-based shooter will be available August 20th, 2013 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC at $59.99 retail.

Set in 1962 amidst Russian Cold War threats, The Bureau put players in the shoes of agent William Carter, an intelligence operative recruited as the leader against an invasion ... not the Russians ... but Aliens. Through Carter, you will experience cover ups including the "secret story" behind the XCOM initiative.

"Not only are you combating the aliens for the public physically, but you also have to keep it secret so you're not creating mass hysteria and panic in the streets,"-- associate producer Andrew Dutra. "This is where the origin story comes in. The Bureau is one of these organizations and it's the start of how the hero becomes the XCOM organization."

Creative director Morgan Gray explained that Team and Tactics will be the key aspects of the game. In terms of tactics, players will be able to flank, cover and fire, and prioritize targets within their squad. In addition, gamers will be able to unleash powers to squadmates that are unlocked with experience points gained throughout the campaign. "This is basically putting you in the heat of battle and asking you to use both your brains and bullets to win," Gray added.

When it comes to team, working together efficiently is huge ... because the stakes are high and when a teammate dies, they die permanently. "When they're dead, they're dead for good. The concept of 'What? My squadmates are dead and they're gone forever?' Yes. And now you still have a lot of game to go and the clock's ticking. Our plotline is always moving forward. The consequences of that loss are immediate and there's no way to hide from them. The war will not stop for you."

The Bureau: XCOM Declassified will be a single-player game, focused on narrative with no multiplayer modes. 2K also confirmed that all pre-orders will receive an extra side mission called Codebreakers, in which "a communications facility responsible for intercepting and interpreting the enemy's transmissions has gone dark. Special Agent Carter and his squad must make contact with any remaining personnel and investigate the incident." This bonus will be available at select retailers.

Bethesda Details "The Evil Within"

2013-04-26T00:26:00.002-04:00

The Evil Within brings horror to current and next-gen hardware next year ...

Being developed at Tango Gameworks by renowned game designer Shinji Mikami, Bethesda's The Evil Within is a new survival horror game coming 2014 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, and next generation consoles. "We're incredibly proud to announce The Evil Within," said Mikami. "My team and I are committed to creating an exciting new franchise, providing fans the perfect blend of horror and action." For those who don't know, Mikami is the mind behind the Resident Evil series.

Story:

"When Detective Sebastian and his partner rush to the scene of a gruesome mass murder, a mysterious, powerful force is lying in wait for them. Witnessing the killing of fellow police officers one after another, Sebastian is then attacked and loses consciousness. Waking up in a land where monsters are wandering about, Sebastian has to fight his way through a world of death and his close friend's madness in order to understand what’s going on. Sebastian has to face his fears in order to survive on a journey to discover what lies in the shadows of that mysterious force."

Key Features:

A Return to Pure Survival Horror: The father of the survival horror genre, Shinji Mikami returns as the director of this game, one which makes your blood run cold, but heats you right back up. Players must survive on limited resources, experiencing that supreme match of action and horror, that indescribable terror. To survive in an afflicted world, your anxiety and nerves will be pushed to the edge.

Brutal Traps and Enemies with Puzzles: Players will have to struggle to survive while facing indescribable terror, cruel traps, and sly mechanisms. You'll have to keep an eye out for the many obstacles while thinking how to turn them against enemies.

In an Unstable World, Not All Horrors are in Plain Sight: The player is driven into a corner as the world distorts and warps according to mysterious and evil horrors. The scenery: hallways, walls, doors, rooms, buildings, and even nature, all transforming in real time based on the player’s actions ... with danger coming from all directions.

A Supernova of Horror: By setting one foot in this world weaved from lush backdrops, characters with personality, and a polished story, you'll be sucked in, willing or unwilling, with tension and anxiety rapidly mounting. When that fear is smashed and conquered, you can experience the bliss that can only be found in The Evil Within.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Legendary Edition Confirmed

2013-04-25T22:52:00.001-04:00

Includes all three expansions packs ...

Bethesda today confirmed the Legendary Edition of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, available June 4th in North America and June 7th in Europe and Australia. This version will cost $59.99 USD and includes the game and all three downloadable content ... Dawnguard, Hearthfire and Dragonborn. The PC version will be cheaper in some regions.

Along with the expansions, this package includes the updates and patches released to date ... such as improvements for the combat and mounted cameras, the Legendary difficulty mode and Legendary skills.

Last week a Polish retailer outed this version of the game by listing it on its website with all the now confirmed details. That was after Bethesda confirmed via twitter that they are done working on Skyrim and will be moving to future projects. That suggests no more Skyrim DLC's ... so its safe to pick this up if you're one of those who like to wait for "Game of the Year" or "Complete Editions."

No word on wether they are currently working on future Elder Scrolls titles. Other than speculations on Fallout 4, Bethesda is currently working on "The Evil Within", a new title confirmed last week.

Gears of War: Judgment Call to Arms Map Pack Now Available

2013-04-25T21:27:00.001-04:00

Includes three maps and an intense new multiplayer mode ...

Microsoft and Epic Studios has revealed the second expansion in the Gears of War: Judgment multiplayer experience, the Call to Arms Map Pack, available now free for Season Pass holders ... coming April 30th worldwide for 1000 Microsoft Points.

Developed by Epic Games and People Can Fly, the Call to Arms Map Pack brings players three new multiplayer maps, a brand-new mode called "Master at Arms", six skins for character and weapon customization, and 10 new Achievements thats worth a total of 250 Gamerscore. All three maps are set against the backdrop of the Locust invasion of Halvo Bayprovide and features a mix of close quarters and vertical combat.

Terminal: "The speed and ferocity of the Locust invasion took Halvo Bay completely by surprise. Residents scrambled to evacuate by every means possible, and COG forces were called in to maintain order as martial law was enforced."

"However, the Locust showed no mercy, and gave no quarter; they swept through train terminals like this one to take advantage of the close quarters and sheer number of defenceless humans trapped within its walls. Sometimes, COG forces could hold the line long enough for a final evacuation, but too many lost their lives in defence of the people and the land they loved."

Blood Drive: "As casualties started to mount, the staff at Halvo Memorial quickly began what would become the largest triage effort in the history of Sera. Their "Give Blood Today" campaign inspired a global blood drive in support of COG forces and wounded civilians. Sadly, Halvo fell quickly, and the hospital became a battlefront instead of a sanctuary."

"The seed of hope was planted, however, and government-run Memorial hospitals across the country mobilised to keep the effort alive until Jacinto Memorial was the last standing bastion of hope for the people of Sera."

Boneyard: "The concept of traditional memorial services had to be suspended due to the constant stream and alarming volume of casualties as Sera fell victim to the Locust Horde. Memorial grounds quickly became boneyards.

Unmarked holes became grave sites and mausoleums were filled with the nameless remains of the fallen, their skeletons piled into heaps. Tread lightly, you never know what, or who, you’re walking on, and one day you’re bound to join them."

Call to Arms also brings along Master at Arms, the new free-for-all game mode where your goal is to get a kill with each of the 20 different available weapons ... without resorting to melee or grenade tactics. Every successful kill will automatically advance you to the next available weapon. Its like Gun Game in Black Ops.

EA Announces FIFA 14; New Gameplay Features Detailed

2013-04-17T11:37:00.002-04:00

FIFA 14 coming this fall for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC ...

Electronic Arts today unveiled innovations and new features coming to this year's FIFA installment. Pure Shot and a brand new ball physics system are among the notable changes coming to FIFA 14 this fall for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. No appearance for next-gen was mentioned, but additional platforms were said to be revealed in the months ahead.

"Innovations to the franchise’s award-winning gameplay will make FIFA 14 the complete matchday experience by introducing features that inspire fans to build play through midfield, dictate the tempo of a match and create rewarding opportunities."

One of the most dramatic changes to FIFA 14's gameplay will be the introduction of Pure Shot, a new feature that allows players to adjust their stride and approach angle in order to find the best positions for the most accurate shots. With new shot types such as pure strikes, off-balance and rushed shots, scoring will feel more rewarding.

FIFA 14's brand new ball physics will transform shooting by making every shot attempt feel real, thus making goals more exhilarating.

This Real Ball Physics determines the trajectories of balls, enabling players to kick the ball with force from distance, drill low rising shots with accuracy, and blast dipping or turbulent shots, just like real footballers.

Protect The Ball will enable players to fend-off and block defenders from the ball while dribbling at any speed, or out-muscle opponents for position before receiving the pass, then turn defenders to carve out opportunities.

Teammate Intelligence introduces improved decision-making logic that delivers tighter, smarter marking and improved run tracking that allows defenders recognize opportunities to provide support and win back possessions. Attacking players have new ways to outsmart their opponents by creating space for themselves, running along the backline and checking their pace.

Sprint Dribble Turns enable players to turn in every direction at sprint speed while preserving momentum, delivering the control and confidence to take on defenders one-on-one. Variable Dribble Touches introduces variety on touches when sprinting, allowing skilled players to have better touch and more control when sprinting with the ball.

In addition to innovations to gameplay, FIFA 14 Career Mode offers new changes that will enhance the experience of being a manger.

Improved scouting reports

The Global Scouting Network brings the world of professional scouting to life. Players can now develop and refine a scouting network and search for talent year-round.

In preparation for the transfer windows, scouts can evaluate footballers all over the world to uncover the attributes and traits of every player in the game. Additionally, a new hub delivers easy navigation, fewer interruptions and live scouting reports.

FIFA 14 will also deliver engaging online features and live services that connect fans the sport and other players around the world ... through EA SPORTS Football Club, "making FIFA 14 football's social network, where fans connect, compete and share with millions of others around the world."

Other improvements in FIFA 14 includes changes to FIFA Ultimate Team, a new social competitive online mode, new features and benefits to EA SPORTS Football Club, and the enhancement of more than 500 officially licensed clubs.

More features and new innovations will be revealed in the coming months so stay tune to learn all the details.

Ubisoft Confirms Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon; Trailer Revealed

2013-04-11T05:58:00.001-04:00

Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon available May 1st for the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC.

After being leaked earlier this week, Ubisoft has now officially revealed Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon, a Far Cry 3 spin-off set in 2007. Blood Dragon will be available May 1st on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC for 1200 Microsoft Points or $15 dollars.

Developed by Ubisoft Montreal, this standalone digital download feature similar open-world and gameplay mechanics as Far Cry 3, such as hunting, gathering collectibles, and liberating outposts. Expect to crank out 8 hours of content as you fight to "get the girl, kill the bad guys and save the world."-- Not really, just expect that type of tempo because ...

"You are Sergeant Rex Colt: Mark IV Cyber Commando. The year is 2007 and Earth has been ravaged by a nuclear war which erupted in the 90s. The east vs. west conflict has raged for generations, and humanity continues to struggle to progress after a disastrous decade. New paths for peace must be found, and the US cyborg army may have found a solution: a powerful bioweapon on a distant island. Your mission is to gather information and figure out what the hell is going on."

SimCity Launching on Mac June 11th; Supports Cross Platform Play

2013-04-10T10:41:00.004-04:00

Get both Mac and PC versions with single purchase ...

EA has announced that SimCity will be coming to the Mac OS X platform on June 11, 2013, and will be available free of charge to customers who own the PC version. Like wise, if you purchase the Mac version, you will in-turn get the PC version for free.

SimCity Mac is now available on Origin for pre-purchase and will launch as a download-only, with both the Standard and Digital Deluxe versions available. This version of SimCity will not be a port, but instead a native version optimized for Mac ... with all the same features as the PC version. To run SimCity Mac, you'll need Mac OS X 10.7.5 "Lion", and a Core 2 processor.

EA also confirmed that SimCity supports cross-platform play between PC and Mac users ... all playing together on the same servers. This cross-platform feature will also allow players to play cites created using the PC version with the Mac version if they log into the same server that the city was created on.

"One purchase will give you both the Mac and PC versions. You only need to buy SimCity once to play together across the same servers, regardless of which version you're playing. We didn't want to make any compromises when it came to the Mac so we created a native version that is optimized for the hardware and OSX." - Maxis GM Lucy Bradshaw

In addition, Maxis revealed earlier that SimCity’s Cheetah Speed has been restored. This fastest simulation of the game was disabled in early March as part of the company’s efforts to cope with the overwhelming demand on the game's servers.

Splinter Cell: Blacklist Confirmed for Wii U

2013-04-10T08:50:00.003-04:00

Nintendo Wii U Gets Splinter Cell: Blacklist this August ...

Ubisoft has confirmed that Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Blacklist will be coming to the Wii U on August 20th in North America, August 23rd in the UK and August 22nd for EMEA territories. Blacklist is already slated for the same release date on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.

Wii U GamePad Feature

According to Ubisoft, "Splinter Cell: Blacklist on Wii U will deliver a unique gaming experience that puts players in the role of special operative and 4th Echelon leader Sam Fisher."

This Wii U version will showcase enhanced game-play features using the Wii U GamePad controller, which will allow players to operate innovative gadgets, take out enemies while moving through the environment, intuitively switch between weapons, and perform other related features. "The GamePad touch screen, along with motion-based inputs, [will] immerse fans and gamers alike in this thrilling modern-day adventure."

Batman: Arkham Origins Announced; Available October 2013

2013-04-09T19:32:00.001-04:00

Batman: Arkham Origins and Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate revealed.

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today announced Batman: Arkham Origins, the next installment in the Batman: Arkham franchise. Batman: Arkham Origins will be available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii U, and the PC on October 25, 2013. Warner Bros. also revealed Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate, the handheld follow-up for the Nintendo 3DS and the PlayStation Vita scheduled to release alongside the console versions.

Batman: Arkham Origins is being developed by WB Games Montreal and features an expanded Gotham City with an original prequel storyline set several years before the events of Arkham Asylum and Arkham City.

Taking place before the rise of Gotham City’s most dangerous criminals, the game showcases a young and unrefined Batman as he faces a defining moment in his early career as a crime fighter that sets his path to becoming the Dark Knight. As the story unfolds, players will meet many important characters for the first time and forge key relationships.

"WB Games Montreal is honored to have the opportunity to create Batman: Arkham Origins, a new chapter in this amazing franchise" said Reid Schneider, Vice President and Executive Producer, WB Games Montreal. "We are huge fans of the franchise and are committed to creating an experience that offer players more of what they love, as well as the chance to play as a younger Batman within a fresh storyline and expanded world."

"Batman: Arkham is a huge triple-A videogame franchise and we are delighted to expand the experience with Batman: Arkham Origins,” said Martin Tremblay, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “WB Games Montreal has an incredibly talented team building upon Rocksteady’s award-winning gameplay and technology to deliver a deep, immersive, quality experience fans will love."

Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate is the 2.5-D companion to Batman: Arkham Origins. It is being developed by Armature Studio and will be first to introduce the Batman Arkham experience to the Nintendo and Sony handheld systems.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II Uprising DLC Announced

2013-04-05T02:27:00.001-04:00

Black Ops II Uprising DLC coming April 16 to the Xbox 360.

Activision and Treyarch has officially announced the second downloadable content for Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. Available first on the Xbox 360 April 16th, Uprising is set to "deliver one of Treyarch's most creative and ambitious DLC offerings to date". Uprising is free for Black Ops II: Season Pass holders and will be available for 1200 Microsoft Points for everyone else.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II Uprising will include four new multiplayer maps, plus a new Zombies experience called "Mob of the Dead". This latest zombie offering takes players to Alcatraz with four actors that portrayed some of Hollywood's most iconic mobsters, including Ray Liotta, Chazz Palminteri, Joe Pantoliano, and Michael Madsen.

Mob of the Dead" Zombies experience finds the four mobsters, Billy Handsome (Liotta), Al "The Weasel" Arlington (Pantoliano), Salvatore "Sal" DeLuca (Palminteri), and Michael "Finn" O'Leary (Madsen) serving time in Alcatraz Prison, only to discover that being behind bars is the least of their problems. "With plans to break out of Alcatraz foiled by the rise of the undead, the quartet of inmates will have to lean on their mob-derived skills with firearms, blunt instruments and improvised weaponry as they battle the zombies infesting and overrunning the island."

Uprising also delivers another four competitive multiplayer maps:

Magma: a modern Japanese village with volcanic eruptions carving multiple paths throughout the town.

Encore: takes place in the aftermath of a deserted London music festival and leaves numerous opportunities for run-and-gun, close quarters combat.

Vertigo: is a futuristic high rise in India housing a high-tech lab featuring dizzying vistas and multi-tiered pathways.

Studio: a contemporary remake of "Firing Range," a fan-favorite multiplayer map from the original Call of Duty: Black Ops. "Studio" is a Hollywood movie back lot with a variety of cinematic themes that range from Sci-Fi to the Old West.

[UPDATE]: PlayStation 3 and PC gamers will be able to download Uprising May 16th.

BioShock Infinite: The Siege of Columbia Board Game Announced

2013-04-03T05:24:00.002-04:00

BioShock Infinite board game coming this year.

A board game version of BioShock Infinite is currently in development and is set for release within two to five months time. BioShock Infinite: The Siege of Columbia will have players fighting to control or destroy the city of Columbia as either the Founders or the Vox Populi faction. "Players will command mobs of combatants and set them against their opponents, striving to lay claim to the city's bitterly contested districts."

The main characters of BioShock Infinite, Book and Elizabeth, will not be playable, but are instead the "wildcards in the conflict" and can be influenced to help either side.

The Siege of Columbia is now available for pre-order through its creator's website, Plaid Hat Games, for $59.95. Pre-orders from Plaid Hat Games will receive a $25 discount. In addition, all orders from the website will also receive a free alternate promo card.

BioShock Infinite: the Siege of Columbia features:

The Sky-line: Will your troops ride the rails to cut off enemy forces, or will they zip blindly into a trap?

Booker & Elizabeth: Unpredictable and dangerous, Booker and Elizabeth will force players to reconsider their strategies as the two cut a path through the burning city.

Powerful Leaders: Command important characters straight from the video game, such as the nihilistic Daisy Fitzroy, or the terrifying Songbird.

Tightly-balanced Resources: Will you overwhelm your enemies with superior numbers, or will you focus on controlling the conditions of the war? BioShock Infinite: the Siege Columbia forces players to make tough decisions at every turn.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain Announced

2013-03-27T17:46:00.000-04:00

Ground Zeroes + The Phantom Pain = Metal Gear Solid V

Speaking at a panel at GDC, Hideo Kojima confirmed that The Phantom Pain and Ground Zeros are both Metal Gear Solid V. A gameplay demo was showcased and some details revealed a little of what MGSV is all about. The official website reveals Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 appearance.

The game starts off with Snake awoken from a nine-year coma, finding himself in the hospital alongside Ismael, the bandaged face character from The Phantom Pain. At this tutorial level of the game, Snake has limited mobility due to his barely conscious state, but will regain full mobility in an open-world MGSV.

The reveal trailer below shows footage from both Ground Zeroes and The Phantom Pain, along with some new scenes. Fan favorite David Haytor won't be returning to voice Solid Snake/Big Boss.

[UPDATE]: There was a bit of confusion surrounding MGSV: The Phantom Pain, and Ground Zeros ... people weren't sure whether its all one title, or two separate games. To make matters clear, Hideo Kojima has confirmed that Metal Gear Solid V consists of two parts; The Phantom Pain and Ground Zeros. Ground Zeros will be the first part of the game, while The Phantom Pain will be the main game.

"Ground Zeroes" is a prologue of "MGSV". 9 years after that event will be "The Phantom Pain". MGSV is constructed w/ prologue and main game "TPP". The game play demo I presented today is the opening of "TPP" which is tutorial that starts from crawling. - Hideo Kojima

Battlefield 4 Officially Reveal; Frostbite 3, Shanghai Setting, Gameplay Trailer

2013-03-27T01:20:00.000-04:00

Battlefield 4 made beautiful with Frostbite 3; available fall 2013

EA and DICE has officially announced Battlefield 4; the next game in the franchise "that will raise the bar on shooters." Battlefield 4 is expected fall 2013 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC for $59.99; Deluxe Edition will be available for for $69.99. No mentions of next-gen appearance.

According to EA, BF4 is the "genre-defining action blockbuster made from moments that blur the line between game and glory. Fueled by the next-generation power and fidelity of Frostbite 3, Battlefield 4 provides a visceral, dramatic experience unlike any other."

EA went on to to add that "only in Battlefield can you demolish the buildings shielding your enemy. Only in Battlefield will you lead an assault from the back of a gun boat. Battlefield grants you the freedom to do more and be more while playing to your strengths and carving your own path to victory."

Details of the singleplayer campaign was also revealed. Battlefield 4 features "an intense, dramatic character-driven campaign" that starts off with you evacuating American VIPs from Shanghai, and "follows your squad's struggle to find its way home." Players will experience huge environments with immense destructibility, accessibility to a large variety of vehicles, and the ability to direct squad mates.

The singleplayer mode will also tracks players' progress similar to the multiplayer feature. No multiplayer details are known as of yet.

EA also revealed that all pre-orders through its Origin Store will get exclusive access to the Digital Deluxe Edition, which includes the exclusive Battlefield 4 Beta, Bonus Content, as well as the Battlefield 4 Premium Expansion Pack.

"There is no comparison. Immerse yourself in the glorious chaos of all-out war, found only in Battlefield."

Pre-Order Battlefield 4; Get Exclusive Beta, and Premium Expansion Pack

2013-03-27T01:00:00.000-04:00

Origin Pre-orders gets Battlefield 4 Beta, Premium Expansion Pack, and Bonus Content.

EA has revealed some exclusive pre-order bonuses for their upcoming shooter Battlefield 4. If you pre-order your copy through their EA Origin Store, you will get access to the Digital Deluxe Edition, which includes access to the Exclusive Battlefield 4 Beta, Bonus Content, as well as the Battlefield 4 Premium Expansion Pack. The Digital Deluxe Edition is available exclusively on Origin.

Pre-Order your copy of Battlefield 4™, and receive access to the Exclusive Battlefield 4™ Beta, Bonus Content, as well as a Battlefield 4™ Premium Expansion Pack!

The official reveal of Battlefield 4 is scheduled for tomorrow by EA and DICE and is expected on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, and possibly the PlayStation 4, and Microsoft's next-gen console.

Other retailers will offer their own pre-order incentives so stay tuned for any updates.