Trion Worlds to publish Crytek’s Warface

Posted on July 28, 2012 by Nicole Kline

Trion Worlds recently announced that it will be publishing Crytek’s Warface, a free-to-play social first-person shooter, in North America, Europe, Turkey, Australia and New Zealand. The game is currently live in Russia with two million registered users, and won awards at the Russian KRI Awards for Best Game and Best Graphics.

CEO and founder of Crytek, Cevat Yerli, had this to say: “Trion is the company spearheading a revolution in gaming through delivering premium online games across big genres powered by a proven, cutting edge platform. The combination of this platform, GFACE and Warface shows Crytek’s commitment to finding innovative new ways to bring superior gaming experiences and AAA titles to gamers. That’s why we are creating strong strategic alliances with the best online publishers across the world.”

Dr. Lars Buttler, CEO and founder of Trion Worlds, said, “Crytek has repeatedly proven their foresight and they are doing that again by leading the shift towards delivering high-quality, free-to-play, online games. We are very impressed with Warface and Crytek’s commitment to polished gameplay, amazing graphics, technical excellence, and real innovation. We very much feel that we are kindred companies and stand strong together.”

Warface features cooperative multiplayer missions as well as PVP all sent in a “player versus environment” which is updated constantly. Add in Cryengine 3, and you’ve potentially got a recipe for success.

Posted in News, PC | Tagged

Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition gets a September release date

Posted on July 28, 2012 by Nicole Kline

Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition is coming to PCs next month, just 14 years after the initial release of the original Baldur’s Gate. The enhanced edition will be running on a version of the Infinity Engine that has been upgraded and improved. There’s a lot of new stuff here, including a new adventure called “The Black Pits,” three new characters: Dorn Il-Khan, Neera the Wild Mage, and Rasaad yn Bashir, and lots more:

  • A new collection of player character voice sets
  • Native support for high resolution widescreen displays
  • Over 400 improvements to the original game
  • Improved multiplayer support, with connectivity between all platforms

The Enhanced Edition will be available for PC download on September 18 for $19.99 and is available for pre-order now. It is also scheduled to be released sometime in September for the iPad and Mac, with an Android release to be announced.

Posted in Mobile, News, PC | Tagged

New Releases: Kingdom Hearts 3D, Risen 2, Growlanser IV, More

Posted on July 28, 2012 by John Scalzo

We’re turning the calendar over to August this week, but that’s not going to put a stop to the Summer games drought. Although this week is a bit more loaded than recent weeks.

A big part of that is the release of Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance for the 3DS. Dream Drop Distance is the first game in the Kingdom Hearts series for the handheld and Square Enix picked a perfect time to bring it across the Pacific.

Another anticipated RPG makes its way to stores this week. Growlanser: Wayfarer of Time, from Atlus, is a strategy RPG for the PSP that was originally released on the PS2 (as Growlanser IV) in 2003. However, that version of the game never escaped Japan, so Wayfarer of Time is technically a “new” game.

Also available this week is the console version of Risen 2: Dark Waters. The pirate-themed RPG will be available for the PS3 and Xbox 360.

Finally, Myst comes to the 3DS with “a brand new age” and PC players will be able to try their hand at the budget minigame collection Nightmares From the Deep: The Cursed Heart.

Posted in 3DS, News, PC, PS3, PSP, Xbox 360 | Tagged , ,

The Vita-Cycle: How the PS3 and Vita Can Live Peacefully Together

Posted on July 27, 2012 by Ryan Littlefield

If you’ve been on the Internet at anytime since February 2012 and ever happened to look at any gaming news site, you’ve probably seen the enclosed, yet cumbersome quarrel of fanboys in regards to Sony’s dream device, the PS Vita. The two biggest arguments seem to be “the Vita has no games,” or “the Vita needs more games that the PS3 has!”

The first argument is undeniable. Being the diverse gamer and alleged hyper-consumer that I am, I own ten retail Vita games and three digital games. That’s pretty good, considering the system hasn’t even been out for half a year yet. But this is just me – the case of the person who genuinely gives nearly every game a chance, and generally enjoys most games. I can understand how other people might have more discerning tastes, or how they are getting turned off by specific genres here and there. For those people, it’s completely reasonable to think that the Vita has “no games.”

Press Start to Continue →

Posted in Opinions, PS3, Top Story, Vita |

Kaz Yamauchi reconfirms Gran Tursimo 6 is in development

Posted on July 27, 2012 by Nicole Kline

Kazunori Yamauchi, the creator of Gran Turismo, has reconfirmed that Gran Turismo 6 is in development, and has been since the completion of Gran Turismo 5. He made the announcement at the China Joy gaming event in Shanghai, according to Kotaku. Yamauchi also told the crowd about bringing the series to the Vita, saying, “If we made it, I’d want it to have this: the ability to play and use 3G whenever.” Well, the Vita sounds like a perfect match, in that case!

This was confirmed back in November of last year, but it’s nice to have reconfirmation. As much as I hate to admit it, I agree with the end of that Kotaku article, where Brian Ashcraft wrote that “now the race is to see how many Forza games rival studio Turn 10 can race out before Gran Turismo 6 is eventually completed in the year 20XX.” Well played, Ashcraft. Well played.

Posted in News, PS3, Vita | Tagged

Daily Scoop: July 27, 2012 – Hellooooooooooo Friday!

Posted on July 27, 2012 by Nicole Kline

So there are no new deals going on, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing for you to buy! Amazon is still having all those deals I mentioned Monday, as well as that sale on Wii products, and the other sale on PlayStation 3 games. There’s also that ludicrous sale still going on at Best Buy. Scoop ’em up! All the games.

And, of course, there are shirts to be bought:

Press Start to Continue →

Posted in Daily Scoop, Etcetera, News, PS3, Wii |

Apple patents dual-analog controller for iDevices

Posted on July 27, 2012 by John Scalzo

Even though they continue to insist that the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad aren’t game systems, Apple has filed a patent application showing their intention to add support for a dual-analog controller to your iDevices.

The controller includes four face buttons, four shoulder buttons, Start/Select buttons, and four separated buttons comprising a D-Pad. Not surprisingly, the controller looks like an exact duplicate of the DualShock 3. According to the patent literature, the controller would work with any iDevice, a video game system, or a standalone media device (such as the company’s AppleTV).

Additionally, Apple filed a patent for a virtual “Remote” program that would turn your iPod/iPhone into an NES-style “Classic Controller” for use with games like Prince of Persia Classic.

Finally, Apple filed a third game-related patent for am app that would allow a current generation game system (such as the Xbox 360) to be controlled by an iDevice.

The patents were originally filed back in February, but Apple’s intentions for the iPhone/iPod appear to track very closely with the Android-powered Ouya console. Hit the jump for a closer look at all three of Apple’s patent designs.

[Source: Free Patents Online]

Press Start to Continue →

Posted in Mobile, News |

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn officially announced for PC and PS3

Posted on July 27, 2012 by Nicole Kline

Square Enix has rebuilt Final Fantasy XIV from the ground up, complete with a brand new world and storyline as well as a new name: Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. This MMORPG will take place in Eorzea on the planet Hydaelyn. The game “centers on the core concept of rebirth, featuring a new world to explore and storyline to experience,” according to the announcement.

Naoki Yoshida, Producer and Director of Final Fantasy XIV, said, “Since announcing our plans for the future of the title last October, we have been working tirelessly to include all of the elements that we have promised in Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. This new title not only becomes a symbol of a completely new Final Fantasy XIV, but also marks the beginning of a new stage as the latest title in the Final Fantasy series. I hope you’re looking forward to it!”

If you’re one of those people looking forward to it, check out the official website. Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn will be out “soon” for PC and PS3.

Posted in News, PC, PS3 | Tagged