PlayStation Store to offer early pre-loading starting with Sorcery

Posted on May 17, 2012 by John Scalzo

Being able to pre-download an unreleased game is one of the coolest features that Steam has to offer. And now, a similar “Pre-Buy” feature is available to PlayStation Network users.

Starting today (at least in Europe), gamers can pre-purchase Sorcery and download it to their PS3 system. The game will unlock when the Move-enabled magician sim is released on Tuesday, May 22. More games will include a “Pre-Buy” option in the future.

The “Pre-Buy” option should open up for PSN users in North America soon.

[Source: Gamasutra]

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Check out these pretty pictures made with Unreal Engine 4

Posted on May 17, 2012 by John Scalzo

Epic Games has teamed up with Wired to release a few screenshots showcasing their upcoming Unreal Engine 4. If you want to skip straight to the pretty pictures, they’re after the break, but Epic had plenty of interesting things to say about their new engine as well.

“There is a huge responsibility on the shoulders of our engine team and our studio to drag this industry into the next generation,” said Epic Design Director Cliff Bleszinski. “It is up to Epic, and [CEO] Tim Sweeney in particular, to motivate Sony and Microsoft not to phone in what these next consoles are going to be. It needs to be a quantum leap. They need to damn near render Avatar in real time, because I want it and gamers want it… even if they don’t know they want it.”

Bold words CliffyB, bold words.

Epic will publicly unveil the Unreal Engine 4 at this year’s E3 expo. But eight images created using the technology that will likely power future-generation game development can be found after the break.

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Posted in News, PC, PS4, Wii U, Xbox 720 | Tagged

Telltale sells one million downloads of The Walking Dead

Posted on May 17, 2012 by John Scalzo

The Walking Dead has been extremely successful for Telltale Games. How successful? It’s only the best-selling game the company has ever produced. According to the publisher, the first episode of the series, “A New Day,” has been downloaded over one million times on the PC, PlayStation Network, and Xbox Live Arcade.

And after it scored a seven out of seven in our review, that’s none-too-surprising.

“Premiering The Walking Dead game series to record numbers across so many diverse platforms is a tremendous achievement that shows the value of bringing strong storytelling and game play together,” said Dan Connors, CEO of Telltale Games. “The tailored narrative design puts gamers in control of their own story within the universe of The Walking Dead in a way that appeals equally to hardcore gamers and to more casual gamers who are fans of the franchise. The most exciting aspect of getting off to such a great start is that this is just the beginning of the five episode series. The Walking Dead fans are going to experience some really great moments in the months ahead that are uniquely influenced by the choices they make throughout the season.”

The second episode in the series, “Starved For Help,” will be available in June.

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Vita version of Metal Gear Solid HD Collection sneaks into stores on June 12

Posted on May 17, 2012 by John Scalzo

Konami has announced that the Vita version of the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection will be available in stores on June 12.

The handheld version of the compilation will include Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. If you own the PS3 version of the collection, you’ll be able to transfer your save data from your PS3 to your Vita and vice versa, meaning that you can play the same game of MGS2 or MGS3 wherever you are.

That’s actually pretty awesome when you think about it.

Posted in News, Vita | Tagged

Check out this awesome Arkham City-inspired Lego Batman 2 concept art

Posted on May 17, 2012 by John Scalzo

We don’t know if these Batman: Arkham City-inspired character models will make it into Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, but they definitely should. The striking white-on-white art style of Arkham City really works when applied to Lego minifigs.

You can view the three pieces of concept art (featuring Robin, The Joker, and Catwoman) in a gallery after the break.

Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes will be in stores on June 19 for the 3DS, DS, PC, PS3, Vita, Wii, and Xbox 360.

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Posted in 3DS, DS, News, PC, PS3, Vita, Wii, Xbox 360 |

Gearbox details the loot inside the Borderlands 2 special edtions

Posted on May 17, 2012 by John Scalzo

Gearbox first announced that Borderlands 2 would be available in multiple special edition configurations at this year’s PAX East expo. But I guess everyone was too busy waiting in line to play Borderlands 2 to notice.

Today, they announced the full details of the two packages and they will make any loot hunter squeal with delight while also making their wallets cringe with fear. Just what will you get for your hard earned cash? Check it out…

The “Deluxe Vault Hunter’s Collectors Edition” ($99.99 MSRP) includes an authentic Marcus Kincaid bobble head, hardbound art book, map of Pandora, comic book download and a four sticker set.

Meanwhile, the “Ultimate Loot Chest Limited Edition” ($149.99 MSRP) packs an exclusive SteelBook case, numbered certificate of authenticity, creatures of Pandora wide format ID chart and four lithograph postcards with a Marcus Kincaid bobble head, hardbound art book, cloth map of Pandora, comic book download and four sticker set, all packed in a replica loot chest!

Sound awesome? Why yes it does. Both special editions will be available for the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360. You can get a closer look at the contents of both special editions after the break.

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Nintendo Download: Mario Kart 7 update, Kirby’s Block Ball

Posted on May 17, 2012 by John Scalzo

This week’s Nintendo Download brings with it an update for Mario Kart 7. If you want to continue playing the 3DS racer online, you’ll have to download this update, which permanently eliminates shortcut exploits from from the tracks “Wuhu Loop,” “Maka Wuhu,” and “Bowser Castle 1.”

When it comes to new games, there’s Kirby’s Block Ball for the 3DS eShop. Originally released on the Game Boy, so not exactly a new game, Kirby’s Block Ball drops the pink puffball into a Breakout-like adventure.

But there is one actual new game this week and its Chronicles of Vampires: The Awakening, a hidden object game that’s now available on the DSiWare Shop.

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Lost Planet: EX Troopers announced for 3DS, PS3

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Andrew Rainnie

Despite only recently being announced, EX Troopers, a spinoff to Capcom’s Lost Planet series, will be playable at the company’s Summer Jam event in Tokyo at the end of June. Currently 60% finished, the game features a new cel-shaded, anime-inspired look to separate it from its predecessors.

The game will take place at an Academy for Snow Pirates as they square off against the Starship Troopers-esque Akrid aliens on the planet of EDN-3rd. The main character will be that of Bren Turner, having arrived at the academy from EDN-2nd. Bren will be supported by an AI-enhanced Vital Suit codenamed Gingira, as well as a sexy female snow pirate named TeeKee, who has the mysterious ability to communicate with the monstrous Akrid.

The biggest surprise about the game, being produced by Shintaro Kojima of the Monster Hunter series, is that it will be released for both the PlayStation 3 and 3DS. At first this appears an unusual pairing, given that the Vita exists, however poor sales of Sony’s handheld in Capcom’s native Japan may be the predominant factor behind the 3DS version. It’s also possible the PS3 version is being prepared as a PlayStation Network release.

No word on if the game will make it to America, nor are there any gameplay details yet.

[Source: Andriasang]

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