All Articles: PAX Prime 2015

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End will launch in four editions on March 18, 2016

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It’s time! Sony has announced that Nathan Drake will return in Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End on March 18, 2016. Not only that, but the consolemaker has also confirmed that Drake’s PS4 debut will be available in four separate editions. Obviously, the standard edition will be available on retail store shelves and through the PlayStation Store for $59.99. It’s the three other editions where things get interesting…

The Special Edition of Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End will be priced at $79.99 and includes the following bonus items:

  • Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End Blu-ray Disc
  • Collectible Steelbook Case designed by Alexander “That Kid Who Draws” Iaccarino
  • 48-page hardcover Art Book by Dark Horse and Naughty Dog
  • Naughty Dog & Pirate Sigil Sticker Sheet
  • Naughty Dog Points: A pack of in-game currency to unlock various multiplayer content

However, if you’re just itching to obtain a Nathan Drake statue, the Libertalia Collector’s Edition ($119.99) is what you want. It includes everything from the Special Edition as well as the following bonus items:

  • A 12″ premium Nathan Drake Statue by Gentle Giant
  • Multiplayer Outfits: Drake’s Fortune, Heist Drake, and Desert Drake
  • Custom Weapon Skins: Golden Weapon Skin and Desert Weapon Skin
  • Other In-Game Items: Henry Avery Sigil Ball Cap and Madagascar Sidekick Outfits

Finally, the Digital Deluxe Edition will be available exclusively through the PlayStation Store for $79.99. What it lacks in physical bonus items, it makes up for with in-game content:

  • A digital copy of Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
  • Uncharted 4 Triple Pack: Includes future access to the first-ever, single-player story add-on for the Uncharted series and two multiplayer packs that will unlock new, rare, and legendary multiplayer items
  • Instant unlock of two multiplayer customization items

You can head over to the PlayStation Blog for a look at each edition of Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, as well as details on additional pre-order bonuses through GameStop, Amazon, and the PlayStation Store.

Posted in News, PS4 | Tagged ,

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided will be available on February 23, 2015… or 4 days earlier if enough people pre-order it

In some alternate universe, the “Can’t Kill Progress” pre-reveal for Deus Ex: Mankind Divided kept gamers riveted to their screens as we learned more about Adam Jensen’s next mission. Sadly, in our reality, “Can’t Kill Progress” was a sleepy bust that plodded along for three days, eventually culminating in the re-unveiling of a game that Square Enix first announced more than a year before.

But to be fair, the game’s debut trailer was pretty fantastic.

Instead of learning their lesson, Square Enix has decided to double down on this sort of ridiculousness with Deus Ex: Mankind Divided’s just-announced “Augment Your Pre-Order” campaign. The game will be released for the PC, PS4, and Xbox One on February 23, 2015, and players who decide to pre-order it will be able to customize their “Day One Edition” by choosing bonus items from a quintet of tiers. However, each tier will remain locked until a pre-determined number of players put down money to pre-order the game. But if enough players buy in to Square Enix’s scheme and unlock all five tiers, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided will be released four days early on February 19.

The public will also have the option to bypass all this nonsense by pre-ordering the Collector’s Edition, which includes every piece of “Day One” content, a 48-page Titan Art Book, a nine-inch Adam Jensen figurine, and a limited edition Steelbook case.

If you are interested in pre-ordering Deus Ex: Mankind Divided and you want to know more about how the tiers work, we’ve got more information for you about the scheme after the break. (more…)

Posted in News, PC, PS4 | Tagged ,

Mighty No. 9 Trial Version will be released on… you guessed it… September 15

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While delays are rather common in the game industry, Mighty No. 9‘s release date change earlier this month carried with it a considerable amount of controversy as the game’s Kickstarter backers were literally the last people to be told about it. However, a small part of the game will be available on September 15 as originally planned.

Comcept has used the game’s latest Kickstarter update to announce that a Trial Version of Mighty No. 9 will be released for backers through Steam. The Trial Version will be available for about a month and include access to four stages (the Opening Stage, Mighty No. 1, Mighty No. 3 Stage, and Mighty No. 5). Each of these stages are considered to be in a “complete state” by Comcept, so this Trial Version is likely to be a very similar experience to the final game.

In addition to the four stages, the Trial Version will include every cutscene from the first half of the game, so players will even be able to follow along with the story. A number of sound options (including the Retro Soundtrack) and six Challenge Mode stages will also be included.

Sadly, it looks like the Trial Version of Mighty No. 9 will not be released on any console, which surely has to be a blow to players who don’t own a gaming PC. They’ll have to wait until early 2016, when Mighty No. 9 is expected to be released for the PC, as well as the PS3, PS4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One, 3DS, and Vita.

Posted in News, PC | Tagged ,

Catch a ride to the theater… a Borderlands movie is in the works

borderlands-11Gearbox Software, Take-Two Interactive, and Lionsgate have announced they are teaming up with producers Avi and Ari Arad to create a Borderlands movie. The fivesome’s current plan is to go big with Borderlands and turn it into a “tentpole” film that’s befitting of the Borderlands name.

For a better reference point, it might be helpful to look at some of the past projects that Avi and Ari Arad have been responsible for. The executives got their start in the comic book realm, producing Blade for New Line, X-Men for Fox, and Spider-Man for Sony. They’ve also helped guide those franchises through multiple sequels and even a reboot or two (yes, they’re also responsible for X-Men: The Last Stand and The Amazing Spider-Man 2). More recently, the duo has branched out into video game adaptations, with plans to produce films based on Uncharted and Metal Gear Solid.

Lionsgate also sees the potential in a Borderlands film, with Co-Chairs Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger quoted as saying: “The Borderlands games don’t pull any punches, and we’ll make the movie with the same in-your-face attitude that has made the series a blockbuster mega-franchise.”

That said, the adaptation is currently lacking actors, writers, and a director… so it might be a long time before we get to see it. Hopefully, we’ll learn more about the Borderlands movie during the “Inside Gearbox Software” panel, which will be held at PAX Prime later today.

Posted in Etcetera, News, PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged ,

Minecraft: Story Mode will be playable at PAX Prime 2015

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The 2015 PAX Prime expo begins in just a few hours, and if you’re in Seattle waiting to get in, you might be pleased to learn that Telltale Games will have a playable demo of Minecraft: Story Mode at their booth (#3117) this year. According to the developer, this is the first time the game will be playable by anyone outside their office, so this is quite the opportunity for PAX Prime attendees.

A lucky few will also have the chance to acquire an expo-exclusive Minecraft: Story Mode t-shirt. And actually, there will be four different shirt designs, one for each day. Telltale has also said there’s a chance some could collect all four:

[F]rom Saturday onward we’ll have a limited number of the day’s t-shirts reserved each morning for people who visit us wearing one of the previous day’s designs. No need to play the beta again, just wear the shirt! So if you play on the first day and are quick getting to our booth each morning thereafter, you might just manage to collect all four designs.

Minecraft: Story Mode will follow Jesse (Patton Oswalt) and his friends as they attempt to revive the Order of the Stone and save the world from an Ender Dragon. The first episode (of five) is expected to premiere this Fall on the PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and mobile devices (iOS and Android).

Posted in Mobile, News, PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One | Tagged ,

Shovel Knight Amiibo figure (and possibly a sequel) officially announced by Nintendo

shovelknight-amiiboWii U and 3DS owners were left out in the cold earlier this year when Shovel Knight‘s PS4 and Xbox One debut included exclusive platform-specific content. We could only sit back and watch as our knightly brethren did battle with Kratos and the Battletoads. However, the wait was probably worth it as Yacht Club Games had a very important Shovel Knight-related announcement to make during Nindies@Night, Nintendo’s pre-PAX event at the EMP Museum.

This news is three-pronged, and huge, so let’s start small. You know what else is small? Amiibo figures are small. Even a Shovel Knight Amiibo figure, which will be available this Fall and which unlocks exclusive content in the 3DS and Wii U game. On the Wii U, players will be able to team up with a friend and take on the Order of No Quarter in a co-op mode. In addition, customizable gear (featuring new visual enhancements, relics, and abilities) and a special Challenge Mode will also be available on the Wii U and the 3DS.

Let me pause for a moment and mention that Nintendo did not announce Shovel Knight’s addition to the DLC slate for Super Smash Bros. For 3DS/Wii U, even though an extensive fan campaign has been pushing for the character’s inclusion in the fighting game for months. However, the commission of an Amiibo figure (the first to be compatible with a Nindie game) is certainly a strong indicator that Nintendo is at least considering it.

Moving on, Nintendo also confirmed that the Shovel Knight Amiibo will be compatible with future games released for Nintendo platforms. So, in a roundabout way, Nintendo just confirmed the existence of Shovel Knight 2 (or a Shovel Knight appearance in Super Smash Bros. For 3DS/Wii U).

Yacht Club teased a “MEGATON” announcement earlier this week, and the announcement of a sequel to their beloved debut game (or an appearance in Smash Bros.) certainly fits the bill. Though, I suppose, the upcoming expansions would also count as “future games.” So we probably shouldn’t start talking sequel just yet.

Finally, the developer revealed that the Plague of Shadows expansion will be available to download in September. And if you’re interested in seeing the Shovel Knight Amiibo figure “in action,” I recommend checking out the comedic trailer from Game Grumps after the break. (more…)

Posted in 3DS, News, Wii U | Tagged , ,

Rainbow Mika joins Street Fighter V and will be playable at PAX Prime this weekend

Capcom has announced that Rainbow Mika, or R. Mika as she’s more commonly known, is the latest character to be added to Street Fighter V. Not only that, but the wrestler will be included in Street Fighter V’s playable PAX Prime demo, which will available in Capcom’s booth (#3103) this weekend in Seattle. If you’re unfamiliar with R. Mika (her only previous appearance is in Street Fighter Alpha 3), here’s what Capcom had to say about her on the Capcom-Unity blog:

As an aspiring young wrestler, Mika dreamed of one day becoming a star in the ring, much like her idol Zangief. Training under the strict tutelage of her coach, she traveled the world engaging in random matches with street fighters in order to spread her name and popularity. R. Mika’s wrestling prowess will be on full display in Street Fighter V, as she dazzles opponents with a wide variety of high-flying moves. This time around, her wrestling tag-team partner Nadeshiko assists in the fight! By calling Nadeshiko at the right time using R. Mika’s V-Trigger ability, players will be able to set up sneaky attacks and punishing command grab mix-ups that are sure to deliver devastating amounts of damage. Players who enjoy putting on a stunning display of fear-inducing close-combat guessing games will find R. Mika a colorful and rewarding way to play.

V-Skill: Mic Performance
R. Mika pulls out her trusty microphone and gives a heart-pumping monologue to the crowd. The longer the buttons are held down, the more powerful her normal and special throws become! During her monologue state, she is able to absorb one hit from the opponent and can also cancel the speech at any time by letting go of the buttons, causing her to fling the mic at the opponent.

V-Trigger: Nadeshiko (3 Variations)
Now this is wrestling! Depending on the direction held during the V-Trigger activation, R. Mika’s faithful tag-team partner will deliver a surprising, high flying attack at the opponent from different angles: neutral (body splash from above), hold back (dropkick from the front), hold forward (dropkick from behind). The different variations keep opponents guessing and afraid to hit buttons, perfectly setting up R. Mika’s damaging command throws.

Street Fighter V will be released for the PC and PS4 in Spring 2016.

Posted in News, PC, PS4 | Tagged ,

Cliff Bleszinski’s Project BlueStreak officially unveiled as LawBreakers

“It happened long before I was born. Clandestine government testing on the lunar surface caused the Moon to split, creating a massive earthquake. They called it “The Shattering” and it nearly cracked our world in two. The ground broke… oceans boiled… and gravity never went back to normal. But, we rebuilt.

Memories of the old world drifted into the past and humanity turned its gaze forward. It came back stronger than ever, and for awhile, things were good. Then came the gangs. Gravity manipulation and supplement use lead to near superhuman abilities. Cartels from around the world have unified to form the Breakers. In 2105, their empire expanded onto US soil, flooding the streets with narcotics and war. Law enforcement agencies were unified to keep the peace. Sam and I signed up on the first day. There’s no sitting on the sidelines… not anymore. You either uphold the law, or you break it.”

So begins the trailer for Cliff Bleszinski’s LawBreakers, an arena shooter that will be released for the PC in 2016. Previously known as “Project BlueStreak,” LawBreakers will be Bleszinski’s first creation since leaving Epic Games to form Boss Key Productions. Best of all, we won’t have long to wait before we can try it out.

Bleszinski and the rest of Boss Key will bring a playable demo of LawBreakers to Seattle for this weekend’s PAX Prime. More specifically, they plan to set up demo stations in an undisclosed location at the expo on Saturday, August 29 and Sunday, August 30.

Presumably, this locale will become a bit less secret after they unveil the title’s first gameplay trailer on Friday, August 28 at 9:00 AM (Eastern Time).

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