Games of July - GameTrailers

GT Release Calendar

Meet the Pyro - Team Fortress 2

Team Fortress 2

SIMCITY SOCIAL UPGRADES TO A-CLASS WITH MERCEDES-BENZ

Premium Car Manufacturer Joins SimCity Social as Launch Partner Bringing Fans In-Game Items

 

SimCity™ Social fans find a balance between temptation and reason when the Mercedes-Benz A-Class vehicle rolls in to their game this summer. Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA) today announced a partnership with Mercedes-Benz of Europethat provides exclusive in-game items to SimCity Social players worldwide excluding North America and Canada. SimCity Social, which launches worldwide very soon,is a close collaboration between two award-winning studios at Maxis and Playfish and combines the best of social gaming with the depth and creativity that embodies the SimCity franchise.

 

“SimCity Social‘s distinctive style of humor is derived from its fun, quirky and spontaneous gameplay mechanics that exude the essence of the franchise,” said Jami Laes, Vice President of Global Studios at Playfish. “With the integration of Mercedes-Benz, we’ve added a layer of fun realism that enables our fans to bring their favorite brands into their games. We evaluate every partnership to see what the added value is for our fans and the gameplay. Mercedes-Benz plays extremely well into the city building and player customization that SimCity Social embodies.”   

 

Players who complete Mercedes-Benz specific quests will be gifted exclusive items such as a Mercedes-Benz factory that will provide additional gameplay options. On top of this, branded A-Class vehicles will add even more heart, soul and distinctive style to their cities.

 

“The new A-Class stands for the pulse of a new generation that is breaking away from the conventional, making it the perfect fit for the engaging city-building game SimCity Social,” says Anders Sundt Jensen, Vice President Brand Communications Mercedes-Benz Cars. “Moreover, the integration of the Mercedes-Benz brand into a social game is a logical step in our communication strategy, which incorporates social media as an integral component. Electronic Arts is the perfect partner for this venture. Like Mercedes-Benz, the company stands for technical innovation, fascinating entertainment and attention to detail.”

SimCity Social takes city-building on Facebook to the next level by empowering mayors to make meaningful decisions that will allow them to create, customize and evolve unique cities with soul. In SimCity Social, there are no set linear paths to follow; player-driven decisions determine how these cities evolve – unleashing the player’s creativity. Taking on the role as mayor, players will deal with unforeseen, simulation-driven issues like fires, crime and pollution, and it’ll be up to players to make crucial decisions that will help them discover how these cities take shape. Social interactions in SimCity Social go far beyond just visiting friends’ cities or using them as resources to complete tasks. For the first time in a social city-building game, players can choose to build mutually beneficial relationships with other cities or establish intense, deeply rooted rivalries. With multiple options for city growth and city-to-city relationships, players will see recognizable changes that bring forth aesthetic and gameplay alterations based on the decisions made in the game – for better or for worse.

Via EA Press Release

Get Chrome for your iOS device

Say goodbye to that silly safari browser on your iphone or ipad.

Chrome is now available for iOS devices.

Click here for more

Make Movies with Steam

Well not steam directly, but source powered games.

Valve have unveiled a movie editing program that allows anyone to create their own machinima.

You can register to be in the trial at the link below.



The Source Filmmaker (SFM) is the movie-making tool built and used by us here at Valve to make movies inside the Source game engine. Because the SFM uses the same assets as the game, anything that exists in the game can be used in the movie, and vice versa. By utilizing the hardware rendering power of a modern gaming PC, the SFM allows storytellers to work in a what-you-see-is-what-you-get environment so they can iterate in the context of what it will feel like for the final audience.

To celebrate the announcement of the SFM, we've also released "Meet the Pyro", the ninth installment in the "Meet the Team" series. Like all of our animated shorts, we made it using the SFM.

If you're interested in making movies and games in parallel, sign up for an SFM beta key and start shooting your movie on location inside the world of TF2 today.

Click here for more

EA SPORTS UNVEILS ULTIMATE TEAM PACKS, EA SPORTS FOOTBALL CLUB BENEFITS AND ADIDAS ALL-STAR TEAM PRE-ORDER INCENTIVES FOR FIFA 13

SYDNEY, Australia – June 27, 2012 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) announced today that EA SPORTS™ is offering its most extensive global pre-order* incentive that will offer exclusive FIFA Editions that contain a retailer specific selection of EA Sports Football Club branded merchandise, FIFA Ultimate Team Packs, EA SPORTS Football Club benefits, and an exclusive adidas™ All-Star Team featuring Barcelona and Argentina superstar Lionel Messi to fans who pre-order FIFA 13 on PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system. FIFA 13 will be available in stores September 27, 2012 in Australia and September 28, 2012 in New Zealand.

Each of the pre-order incentives unveiled today offer a game-changing experience to help fans kick-start their season. The pre-order incentives are:

FIFA 13 Collector’s Edition Pre-order
Pre-order the FIFA 13 Collector’s Edition from EB Games in Australia and New Zealand and receive EA Sports Football Club full size football, boot bag, cap, star metal pack, flag, FIFA Ultimate Team gold packs*, EA Sports Football Club benefits* & adidas™ All-Star team*.

FIFA 13 Fanatics Edition Pre-order
Pre-order the FIFA 13 Fanatics Edition from JB HI-FI in Australia and New Zealand and receive EA Sports Football Club official mini size 3 football, scarf, cap & FIFA Ultimate Team gold packs*.

FIFA 13 EA Sports Football Club Edition Pre-order
Pre-order FIFA 13 EA Sports Football Club Edition from EB Games in Australia and New Zealand and receive a Star Metal Pack, FIFA Ultimate Team gold packs*, EA Sports Football Club benefits* & adidas™ All-Star team*.

FIFA 13 Ultimate Team Edition Pre-order
Pre-order the FIFA 13 Ultimate Team Edition from JB HI-FI in Australia and New Zealand and Mighty Ape in New Zealand and receive FIFA Ultimate Team gold packs*.

*FIFA Ultimate Team Gold Packs
Receive one per week for 24 weeks—to help build an ultimate team of football superstars. FIFA Ultimate Team brings the massive FIFA online community together with fans building, managing and competing with their ultimate football team from the world’s best players in FIFA 13 . Each gold pack is a mix of 12 items, including players, contracts, stadiums, managers, staff, fitness, healing, balls, kits, and badges. Gold Packs consist of players rated 75+ in-game, and include one rare item, such as enhanced player attributes, longer contracts, and the most coveted players.

*EA SPORTS Football Club benefits
Receive 10,000 EA SPORTS Football Club Credits to redeem against in-game items such as special celebrations, Virtual Pro attribute boosts, extra matches in Head-to-Head Seasons mode, and more from the new EA SPORTS Football Club Catalogue to kick-start the season. EA SPORTS Football Club is the heartbeat of FIFA 13—play to earn XP & Credits, build your level and unlock new items in the catalogue. EA SPORTS Football Club delivers a live service all season connecting players to the real-world sport with fresh, new content based on real-world football events. Support your favourite club, and connect and compete with friends.

* adidas™ All-Star Team
Receive the exclusive adidas All-Star Team comprised of 23 of the world’s top players, such as Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema and many others. The exclusive squad will feature special adidas kits that can be used in Online Pro Clubs.

FIFA 13 captures all the drama and unpredictability of real-world football. The game creates a true battle for possession across the entire pitch, delivers freedom and creativity in attack, and connects fans to the heartbeat of the sport—and to each other—through EA SPORTS Football Club. FIFA 13 features five breakthrough gameplay innovations which revolutionize artificial intelligence, dribbling, ball control and physical play, as well as engaging online features and live services. This year marks the largest and deepest game in FIFA history and elevates the role of the franchise as Football's Social Network, where fans connect, compete and share with millions of others around the world.

FIFA 13 will be available for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system with PlayStation Move support, Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system with Kinect™, PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system, Wii™, PC, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo 3DS™, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, iPhone®, iPad®, iPod® touch, Android, and other mobile platforms. The game has not yet been rated.

Join more than nine million fans in the EA SPORTS football community at http://www.facebook.com/easportsfifa or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/easportsfifa.



EA SPORTS is one of the leading sports entertainment brands in the world, with top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, fan programs and cross-platform digital experiences. EA SPORTS creates connected experiences that ignite the emotion of sports through industry-leading sports videogames, including Madden NFL football, FIFA, NHL® hockey, NBA LIVE basketball, NCAA® Football, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® golf, SSX™, and Fight Night boxing. For more information about EA SPORTS, including news, video, blogs, forums and game apps, please visit www.easports.com.

*Conditions and restrictions apply. Please see www.ea.com/au/football/fifa/pre-orderfor details. 

Breaking Down Nintendo's 3DS XL

From IGN

The rumors were real. The announcement wasn't made at this year's E3, to the surprise of some, but sure enough Nintendo did have a new revision of its portable 3DS hardware to unveil – the Nintendo 3DS XL, shipping to stores around the world in just a matter of weeks. As with any new hardware announcement, there are lots of details to absorb regarding this XL upgrade. So we've compiled them all together here, along with some snazzy visuals, to help you better understand how the 3DS XL is different than the original 3DS.

The Basics

With any new product launch, it's best to first understand the basics. When will we be able to buy it? How much will it cost? And what different versions will be sitting on the store shelves? Let's address those questions first:

Click through for more

Another Angry Birds?

Are you an Angry Birds fan?

No, neither am i.

But this does seem interesting, just because of the combination.

Angry Birds invades the world of F1.

F1 fans are now angry and flipping the bird.



http://heikki.angrybirds.com/

Bing Maps grows.. gains 165tb

Today we’re thrilled to announce the publication of our largest satellite release to date. In fact, this release is larger than all of our past Aerial releases combined!

The latest Aerial release includes new Satellite imagery as well as Global Ortho photography. Both releases total165 terabytes of new data live on Bing Maps. Prior to this, our existing Aerial footprint was 129 terabytes total.

Click here for more

From Bing Community

Quick look at Windows Phone's new start screen

Got Chrome,... then build some lego

Now this is one of those cool things that people do with Chrome.

Much like that interactive video, this allows you to do more with Chrome than just surf the web.

http://www.buildwithchrome.com

Indiana Jones: The Complete Adventures Blu-ray set hits shelves September 18th

Fans of the Indiana Jones series already got the good news in March that the flicks are finally coming to Blu-ray this year, and now we know when. Paramount has set September 18th as the release date, and also finally revealed cover art for the set, seen above... yeah, that's really it.


Click through for more info and a trailer

Heroes of Ruin Preview

Get More: GameTrailers.com, Heroes of Ruin - Preview, PC Games, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Storytelling In Gears Of War: What Epic Has Learned From Pixar And Its Past

There's no doubt that the Gears of War series is incredibly popular, people rave about the combat design and technical achievements that the series has to offer. It's fair to say that one of the less heralded aspects thus far in the series has been the storytelling. We spoke to the director of production at Epic Games Rod Fergusson about what the team has learned about presenting a story in video games from the original trilogy and what new narrative avenues Gears of War: Judgment allows.

With a stronger emphasis on environmental storytelling and cutting down "the friction of cinematics", the teams at Epic Games and People Can Fly hope to learn from the past, which is why they brought in a consultant from Pixar to learn from the masters.

To learn more about Gears of War: Judgment click here

No Final Fantasy VII Remake Until Original Has Been Topped -- Square Enix CEO

Square Enix CEO Yoichi Wada gave today a specific condition on when we'll get a remake of Final Fantasy VII.



During the Q&A session of the company's annual shareholder's briefing (transcribed here), Wada was asked the expected question about the much wanted remake. His response was something to the effect of, we'll make a Final Fantasy VII remake once we've made a Final Fantasy game that exceeds the quality of FFVII.

If you get the feeling that this statement belittles Square Enix's current development prowess, you're pretty much spot on. Wada admitted that at present, the company is not making Final Fantasy games that exceed the quality of FFVII. If they were to release a 7 remake right now, the FF franchise would be done with, he said.

While the staff would happily make an FFVII remake, this is something that if they decided to do, they'd have to give it their full effort.

In other shareholder meeting news, UnBirth Wings provided a pic of the swag attendees walked home with this year:

Who is Lara Croft?

Camilla Luddington has been named as the actor who plays Lara Croft in the upcoming Tomb Raider video game.

The 29-year-old English-born actor joins Angelina Jolie, Minnie Driver and Keeley Hawes, who have all portrayed the British adventurer in various forms in the past.

Luddington's most recent work includes playing another well-known British figure – the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton – in the made-for-TV film William & Kate.

She has also starred with David Duchovny in the Showtime series Californication, and is scheduled to appear in the upcoming fifth season of HBO's True Blood.

Besides doing the voiceover work for the new game, Luddington is also doing all the motion-capture for the character – making her the first performer to lend both vocal talents and body shape to Lara Croft.

Luddington was chosen after an international search by the game's developer, Crystal Dynamics, which is positioning the new game as a reboot of the franchise.

The new Tomb Raider game serves as an origin story for 21-year-old Croft, in which she is shipwrecked on a remote tropical island and has to fight for survival against the elements and a group of murderous aggressors.

Crystal Dynamics said Luddington had convinced them that she could deliver both the emotional depth and youthful tone they sought for the character.

"This has been one of the most important jobs for us to get right," said Darrell Gallagher, studio head of Crystal Dynamics. "This Tomb Raider game is very different to any other and we are demanding far more from the voice acting than ever before."

The new game, which is due for release in March 2013, is a good deal grittier and darker in tone than previous entries in the Tomb Raider franchise.

Recent demos of the game at the E3 2012 games convention in Los Angeles sparked controversy when it was revealed that one of Lara Croft's would-be assailants tries to sexually assault her before she kills him.

Via The Guardian

Dishonored - Hands-On and Interview

Dishonored isn't a game we've seen before, but we've seen the parts before. We've seen steampunk before. We've seen stealthy assassinations before. We've seen worlds created, and we've been dumped in them unceremoniously, left to find our own way out. 


But at E3 2012 it was the way Dishonored combined all these things that had me playing the same 15(ish) minute long section over and over again. Dishonored puts you in the shoes of Corvo Atano - a Master Assassin and former personal bodyguard to the Empress of the mysterious world you'll inhabit. I say former because the Empress is dead and some shady bastards framed Corvo for the job. 









Click through to read the rest Gamearena

Dredd - Trailer

So a new Judge Dredd... yeah.



What do you think?

THE SIMS 3 DIESEL STUFF PACK

Catch a glimpse of the latest in eye-catching, iconic Diesel and their younger lifestyle brand 55DSL’s apparel and Diesel homewares for your Sims in the new trailer for The Sims 3 Diesel Stuff Pack. See how you can play with attitude, play with design and play with standing out from the crowd with hot fashions and décor from one of the most popular lifestyle brands in the world. 

The Sims 3 Diesel StuffPackallows you to outfit your Sims in the latest women’s and men’s fashions from Diesel and 55DSL and customize your Sims’ homes with industrial-chic Diesel furnishings, straight from the showroom to your loft. Featuring a range of modern, sophisticated outfit combinations and more than a dozen distinctive furniture items to choose from, your Sims will be free from uniformity with The Sims 3 Diesel StuffPack, available at retailers across Australia on the 12^th July & New Zealand on the 13^th July. 

For more information, please visit www.thesims.com/au/diesel

Activision's The Amazing Spider-Man swings into retail stores

Santa Monica, CA - June 26, 2012 - If your spider-senses are tinglin', it's because The Amazing Spider-Man™ video game has web-slung its way onto retail store shelves today in North America, and will be available in Europe on June 29th. From Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI), and Marvel Entertainment, The Amazing Spider-Man video game serves as an epilogue story to this summer's upcoming blockbuster feature film, heralding Spidey's return to a free-roaming Manhattan as players take the role of a young Peter Parker discovering his newfound powers and Super Hero responsibilities. The Amazing Spider-Man video game is available on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, the Wii™ system from Nintendo, Nintendo 3DS™ and Nintendo DS™ handheld systems.

"Dee Brown and his team at Beenox have completely revamped The Amazing Spider-Man's proprietary game engine to deliver a fresh, innovative gameplay experience for the fans," said David Oxford, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Activision Publishing, Inc. "With the adrenaline rush from just swinging through the city and the new zoomed-in camera angle opening up a whole new perspective in realistic detail, The Amazing Spider-Man allows gamers to BE Spider-Man like never before."

Go beyond Sony Picture Entertainment's Columbia Pictures' feature film and find out what happens next in The Amazing Spider-Man video game. Set against an original story crafted by Hollywood writer Seamus Kevin Fahey (Spartacus: Vengeance, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, Battlestar Galactica) that picks up immediately after the events of the movie, The Amazing Spider-Man video game delivers a brand-new, immersive and cinematic adventure allowing fans to truly harness the power of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. Players will experience numerous choices in navigation and combat with the debut of the innovative Web Rush gameplay mechanic, pushing Spider-Man's abilities to the limit against classic Marvel villains that are re-imagined exclusively for the game, such as Scorpion, Felicia Hardy, Rhino, Iguana and more.

"The Amazing Spider-Manvideo game is the ultimate fan tribute to Spider-Man and Manhattan," said Andreea Enache-Thune, SVP, Games & Digital Distribution, Marvel Entertainment. "We're thrilled with all of the content and collectibles Activision and Beenox have packed into the game's free-roaming Manhattan setting, and we can't wait for fans to web-swing around the city and start saving the world."

The Amazing Spider-Man video game also features fan-favorite talent, including Evil Dead and Burn Notice's Bruce Campbell taking the role of an "extreme action" reporter who provides death-defying challenges that only Spider-Man can accomplish. And for fans that pre-ordered the game from Amazon, Stan Lee himself is available as a playable character for the first time ever.

Developed by Beenox for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 system, Wii and Nintendo 3DS, The Amazing Spider-Man is rated "T" (Teen - content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older) by the ESRB. The Nintendo 3DS edition features several unique mini-games that use its touch-screen abilities, including the exclusive Vigilante Mode using StreetPass™. Additionally, Beenox is working on a Windows PC version of the game planned to launch August 10, 2012, which will be available on Steam and integrated with Steam achievements. The Nintendo DS version of the game was created by developer Other Ocean, is rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older - content that may be suitable for ages 10 and older) by the ESRB, and follows the exact same storyline in an entirely different platforming adventure.

For more information on The Amazing Spider-Man video game, please go to http://www.TheAmazingSpiderManGame.com, and be sure to check out the game's Facebook page at http://www.Facebook.com/TheAmazingSpiderManGame.

Diablo III sound effects synced with the Super Mario Bros. theme

just in case you thought diablo was not odd enough..

Battlefield Heroes turns 3

I have played the game and its fun. Good to see a free 2 play game doing so well.





From EA Press Release
Today, Battlefield Heroes™, the hit free-to-play cartoon shooter, is turning three-years-old! To thank the game’s 12 million-plus loyal fans worldwide, EA is releasing new content, enhancing game features and giving away exclusive, free items to all players.

The brand-new map, “Fortress Frenzy,” will have players fighting for victory on a small island, where the only way on or off is over six bridges located on each side of the isle. This will be an all-out war of bullets, explosives, powerful abilities, fire-proof underpants, magic and land vehicles for ultimate island control. Also part of this anniversary celebration, Battlefield Heroes is expanding their mission system with more opportunities to earn Valor Points and Experience Points as well as introducing the Treasure Chest to give players special rewards that appear at random upon killing an enemy.

And to really get this celebration off the ground, players who log in between June 25, 2012 and July 1, 2012 will receive two free Party Packs*: one Royal and one National. Each Party Pack will include a Battlefield Heroes Birthday Shirt, a Tricycle Emote that lasts for 3-days and a new Treasure Chest Key. To claim their free Party Packs, players can log in atwww.battlefieldheroes.com then look in the “My Stuff” menu and select “Rewards.”
Battlefield Heroes brings classic Battlefield™ action to the masses with fun cartoonish graphics and gameplay that caters to players of all skill levels. Battlefield Heroes is easy to pick up and play and has vast character customization and sticky online features so gamers can spend hours building up their characters to win the war.
Battlefield Heroes is one of EA’s leading browser-based, free-to-download, Play4Free games. With three years in commercial operation, the game features monthly content updates and a growing, vibrant community. Boasting zero barriers to entry, anyone can be a hero on the battlefield!
Play now by visiting the game’s official website at www.battlefieldheroes.com.

STAR WARSTM: THE OLD REPUBLICTM GAME UPDATE 1.3

STAR WARSTM: THE OLD REPUBLICTM GAME UPDATE 1.3: ALLIES -AVAILABLE TODAY!     BioWare and LucasArts announced today that the latest free game update for the award-winning MMO, Star WarsTM: The Old RepublicTM, Game Update 1.3 –Allies, is available now. Allies delivers many of the game features the community has been asking for, including Group Finder, Ranked PvP Warzones, Adaptive Gear, new enhancements to the Legacy system and more. “We are living up to our commitment in setting a new bar for what players should expect from a premium MMO service,” said Matthew Bromberg, General Manager of BioWare Austin. “In just six months, we have already released three major game updates that have added new content and game features that have addressed the feedback from our fans. And we are just getting started. By the end of this year, we are adding more Warzones, more Flashpoints, more Operations, more updates to the Legacy System, new companions, new storylines and more. We are very excited about the future.” Game Update 1.3 - Allies includes the following new features:   ·         Group Finder – will make it much easier for players to join up with others in the game. This feature allows you to connect with other players who want to tackle the same Flashpoint or Operation that you do while also ensuring the group is filled out with combat disciplines that complement each other. Together you’ll be better prepared to take on the more advanced challenges in the game.   ·         Ranked Warzones – make PvP more challenging and more rewarding. You can now create a group, compete in ranked warzones, and then track your personal performance and measure your skills against other players.   ·         Legacy Character Perks –perks give you the opportunity to customize the leveling experience for your Legacy characters. You can focus on the parts of the game you like best, whether that’s space combat, PvP,or Group Missions and Flashpoints, you can choose which activities earn the most experience. The perks give you other bonus opportunities as well, like piloting a vehicle at level 10, earning bonus affection with companions, and even being able to reallocate your skill points in the field.   ·         Adaptive Gear – allows you to wear your favorite social gear into combat while still enjoying the bonuses you receive from your best combat gear. We’ll almost certainly be seeing more eccentric-looking groups tackling high-level operations, but that’s part of the fun. Star Wars: The Old Republic went live last December to critical acclaim around the world. Prior to today’s release of Allies, BioWare has already released two major free game updates. Game Update 1.1: Rise of the Rakghouls went live just one month after the launch of The Old Republicand introduced a new Flashpoint and the conclusion of the Karagga’s Palace Operation. Game Update 1.2: Legacy was one of the largest free content updates in the history of subscription MMOs, with a new Flashpoint, Operation, Warzone, new game features like the Legacy System and the game’s first live event, the “Rakghoul Outbreak.” Recently, BioWare has made character transfers available, seeing a huge engagement from the community as server populations become more balanced, improving the overall gameplay experience. For more information about Game Update 1.3, please visitwww.StarWarstheOldRepublic.com,  follow the game on Twitter® athttp://twitter.com/swtor or “Like” Star Wars: The Old Republic on Facebook® athttp://facebook.com/starwarstheoldrepublic.

BIOWARE RELEASES MASS EFFECT 3: EXTENDED CUT TODAY‏

BioWare announced today that the Mass Effect™ 3: Extended Cut, a piece of downloadable content that expands upon the ending to the Mass Effect trilogy, is available today. Featuring new cinematic sequences and epilogue scenes, the Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut gives fans seeking further clarity into the final events of Mass Effect 3 deeper insights into how their personal journey concludes. To experience the Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut, fans will need to download the DLC and load their last autosave point in the game before the final mission on Earth. The Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut is available for download now on XboxLIVE® in Australia and on Origin™ for PC. On July 4, PlayStation® 3 users in Australia will be able to experience the Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut by downloading the DLC through the PlayStation® Network.

“With the Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut we are delivering what so many fans have asked for – more answers, more clarity, and a more definitive resolution to their Mass Effect 3experience,” said Casey Hudson, Executive Producer of the Mass Effect series. “The team is excited for players to experience this final statement on the conclusion to the Mass Effecttrilogy.”

The Mass Effect franchise is one of the most highly decorated series in the history of games, having earned over 250 awards from critics around the world. Mass Effect 3 launched last month to universal critical acclaim, receiving over 90 perfect scores.  For more information onMass Effect 3 and the Extended Cut, please visithttp://masseffect.bioware.com/language/en_AU/?url=/.

Nintendo 3DS XL

What Wii U's Got Here Is Failure To Communicate

In an E3 interview with GameSpot, Nintendo marketing executive Scott Moffit admitted that the Wii U has a messaging problem. As if to hammer home the point, that same day, CNN's (since-corrected) hands-on preview of the system led off by asking if the Wii U controller would breathe new life into the aging Wii console. Fast-forward to Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime's appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last Friday, where the unquestioned gamer Fallon was clearly confused as to whether the new console was simply an add-on to the original Wii.

You mean people are confusing this for the Wii? Shocking.

These are examples of confusion coming from people who should know exactly what the Wii U is. If a technology journalist writing for one of the world's largest news organizations and a talk show host capping off his post-E3 "Video Games Week" with a live demo of the system from the company's president aren't clear on whether the Wii U is just a fancy controller or a new system unto itself, then who else could be expected to get it? Will the casual audiences Nintendo has been so successful courting instantly grasp the product the same way they did the Wii? Will that confusion build back the mainstream barriers to entry that the company broke down with the launch of the original Wii? 

From GameSpot

The Future of Gaming Tech Looks Brighter Than Ever

The moment Watch Dogs and Star Wars 1313 entered our field of view at E3, we were teased with a glimpse into the future of gaming tech with demos exhibiting real-time elements that we usually see in pre-rendered cutscenes and film. It was clear that the fidelity on screen was a step above what we're used to. LucasArts has already said that Star Wars 1313 is intended for the next generation of hardware and that much is obvious once the game is seen in action. Watch Dogs was confirmed for release on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, but those versions will not reflect the same tech exhibited on stage, likely sacrificing lighting, texture resolution, and particle effects, in the transition.
Both of these titles ran on high-end PCs at E3, with Star Wars 1313 (and Watch Dogs, presumably) utilizing NVIDIA's latest GPU (the Kepler based GTX 680), a card that's opening doors for major advances in graphics and computation.

From GameSpot

NFS Most Wanted First Hands-On - GameArena

From Gamearena

The telling moment in my Need for Speed: Most Wanted hands-on came when our E3 hosts explained the numberplate system. "It's our twist on Battlefield's dogtags - you'll be able to take them from people in a number of ways, through special takedowns." When the various station's numberplates came up - each one representing a different era in Need for Speed history - mine was different. Instead of HotPrsuit or MstWanted or something like that, mine simply said Paradise.

The real world cars, the performance enhancing modifications, the Autolog 2.0... these are Need for Speed elements attached to a different game... Burnout Paradise 2. Criterion's open world smash (har-har) is still a staple for many racing fans - not least because the only Burnout game released between then and now was the arcadey (but still extremely fun) Burnout Crash!.



The influence is clear - but this is still a Need for Speed game. The car my numberplate sits on is a red BMW M3 - it's gorgeous now, but that won't last. The multiplayer session begins and just like that we're off - we're already racing.

Every person playing has been tasked with racing to 'the meetup' - it's an informal sort of race where the reward isn't a trophy but Speed points... and I guess you might say you have a need for speed (points). Upon arrival at the meetup - an isolated area on a pier - there was nothing for the speedier among us to do except smash into each other, over and over.

This might prove to be an issue in the long run, of course - online gaming is rife with 'griefers' who will thrive on denying other people a full game experience by taking their sweet time to arrive at the meet-up - but I have faith that Criterion will find a solution.

Instead of sitting with my head in my hands waiting for the less competent racers to arrive I took it upon myself to build up my boost meter while I waited - I spent as much time drifting around the pier's circular building area (it was also helpful in that it helped me get used to the game's handling system).

Suddenly the last car arrived - and like that, the countdown to the race began. No warning was given, no grid positions assigned - wherever you were on the pier was your starting spot, and once the word GO flashed on the screen, the race was on.

And racing is good.



Once you hit the road, traffic clutters up your path, providing constant threats as you speed around corners. Other racers present a constant threat thanks to the ever robust takedown system - and naturally things get worse as you go faster.

There didn't appear to be any sort of catch-up logic in play as we raced, which meant a racer who managed to eek out a lead and not crash would win - I got stuck in a takedown battle with one of the other racers and as a result wound up barely coming third.

Takedowns, by the way, are just as wonderful as they always have been. The Porsche 911 Carrera S - a beautiful reminder of EA's stranglehold over the Porsche licence - looks even better twisting through the air after a slow-motion collision with oncoming traffic.

The racing doesn't end there though. At the end of my hard fought battle of wills with the Porsche driver - the pair of us crossing the finish line still trading paint - there's little respite before our next task is issued... after we lose the cops we're to head to the next meetup area.

My plan for ditching the police is to hit up a garage along the way - a new paintjob and my M3 is now white instead of red - and luckily the garage was in the direction of the meetup area already. It's a short drive for me before I make it to the next area, and by being first I get a Speed Points bonus - as you do.



Eventually everyone makes it - the wait is once again quite lengthy - and with zero warning we're thrust into the next task... a competition to see who can jump the furthest over a highway.

Tall dirt ramps sit on either side of what our North American hosts would call a freeway, allowing competitors to make their jump from either side... in turn allowing players to hilariously collide midair.

Added to the challenge was a particularly evil rule - if you got taken-down you were no longer allowed to post a score... though true to the MP philosophy of NFSMW this didn't preclude you from continuing to participate.

I sensibly waited five seconds after everyone else careened out of our impromptu starting gates, but my decision was punished moments later - I skipped across the freeway and collided with one of my competitors on the way down. We were both out before we'd even posted a proper jump.

Insert caption here

Now I set about a different task - I was waiting at the bottom of the ramps, hoping to catch other players as they landed, hoping to end their efforts as well. I quickly realised that the threat of a head-on collision only existed for people still hoping to win, and so my attempts to crash became more active (and more self-sacrificing).

When we moved on to the next event I realised where my strength lay - and it wasn't in driving faster than others. Our challenge here was to post the highest speed through a speed trap - and once again a takedown would put us out of the running.

I instantly set about boosting up alongside the racer who had won the previous challenge, and before either of us made it to the speed camera I rammed my BMW into his Mustang, just in front of the rear wheel - sending him ploughing into the wall. I boost through the camera and posted a meagre time, but my plan was already in action. Each run back I took down another opponent, but soon the flaw in my plan became clear - everyone was gunning to take me down now, and each new pass saw me make another enemy.

I took advantage of the varied nature of the city streets in Most Wanted to outlast everyone - there are overpasses and shortcuts galore, if you have the eye to spot them - and I managed to post the best speed before a pair of racers put me down.



Thanks to the hectic nature of E3 my playthrough came to a close here - meaning I didn't get to check out any of the team races on offer - and to be honest, I was gutted when they told me time was up. Most Wanted looks gorgeous and the multiplayer - a free-flowing mixture of races and activities - is brilliant. They need to sort out how to deal with potential time-wasters during meetups, and I think there's probably a tad too much understeer at the moment - but Most Wanted was one of my favourite showings at E3 this year by a long shot.

Medal of Honor Warfighter - Standard and Limited Edition Australian Packshots

Electronic Arts Australia designs an exclusive Medal of Honor Warfighter box cover featuring the elite SASR Operator. Australian and New Zealand gamers that purchase this year’s most authentic war shooter, Medal of Honor Warfighter, will receive a one-of-a-kind retail box. Designed in collaboration with a former Australian Special Air Service Regiment (SASR), the retail box features all the real gear and weaponry that these Operators use in battle today. Gamers will be able to fly the local flag in battle playing as a member of the Australian SASR in multiplayer and going head-to-head against the best-of-the-best in global competition including the US Navy SEAL, German KSK, Canadian JTF2 and Polish GROM.

In Medal of Honor Warfighter, gamers can select up to 72 Operators in multiplayer. Each of the 12 Tier 1 units represented in the game has six different classes to choose from. For example, the Australian SASR Point Man like all Point Men are known for surprise and speed, mandatory for the inherent danger of placing themselves in the first and most exposed position. They must proceed at risk with extreme operational awareness, which is why they carry a magazine of heavy hitters that will do 20% more damage than normal when loaded in the game. These Point Men also have the ability to call in an airburst mortar.

Medal of Honor Warfighter will be available in Australia on October 25, and New Zealand on October 26, 2012 for the Xbox 360®video game and entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC. To pre-order your copy, please visit http://www.medalofhonor.com/en_AU/pre-order-medal-of-honor-warfighter. For further information on Medal of Honor Warfighter, please visit www.medalofhonor.com/en_AU and for the latest news visit www.facebook.com/medalofhonor or follow on Twitter® at www.twitter.com/medalofhonor.

I have been playing Close Quarters for the last week and it is a blast. If you have Battlefield 3 then you need to get this expansion.

EA Press Release

This week, the tight level design and vertical gameplay of Battlefield 3: Close Quarters comes to the PS3, followed by its release next week on Xbox 360 and PC. Creating a highly competitive and deadly environment, Close Quarters is a themed expansion packs that features enhanced destruction, letting players riddle the environment with bullets to reduce entire locales to rubble. Everything from furniture to plaster can be shot to pieces, and players can see the result of the mayhem as rubble and debris pile up on the floor around them. Key features in Battlefield 3: Close Quarters includes:

• 10 new Assignments
• 5 unique dog tags
• 10 new weapons to use on all Battlefield 3 maps including:

1.       AUG Assault Rifle

2.       SCAR Assault Rifle

3.       ACW-R Carbine

4.       MTAR-21 Carbine

5.       M417 Sniper Rifle

6.       JNG-90 Sniper Rifle

7.       L86LSW Machine Gun

8.       LSAT Machine Gun

9.       M5K Tactical Machine Pistol

10.   SPAS-12 Shotgun

 

DICE also recently announced Battlefield 3 Premium, an innovative new offering with a staggering amount of content. For $49.99 (PC), $64.95 (PS3) and 4000 MS Points (Xbox 360) , Battlefield 3 Premium members get all five huge, themed digital expansion packs including early access toArmored Kill coming in September, Aftermath this December, and End Game in March 2013, unique in-game items including the ACB-90 knife and exclusive soldier and weapon camos, Assignments, events and more. For more information on Battlefield 3 Premium please visithttp://www.battlefield.com/au/battlefield3/1/premium.

 

Battlefield 3: Close Quarters is available for $23.95 on the PlayStation Network. Starting next week, Battlefield 3: Close Quarters will be available for 1200 MS Points on Xbox Live and for $19.99 on PC. Battlefield 3 and Battlefield 3 Premium are available now in Australia and New Zealand for the Xbox 360^® videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation^®3 and PC. For the latest news on Battlefieldplease visit http://www.facebook.com/battlefield, follow us on Twitter^® at www.twitter.com/battlefieldor sign up for the official Battlefield newsletter at www.battlefield.com.

Futurama Promo

Season 7 of Futurama is back on US tv starting today, and if your a fan of either sci-fi, comedy, animation or drunken robots doing crude acts you will like it.

Comedy Central have put out a promo, a live action promo, for the occasion.

More Windows 8 Phone Details

From IGN

Microsoft unveiled Windows Phone 8 today – a new operating system that loosens Microsoft’s previous hardware restrictions, and adds a slate of pivotal new features, ranging from NFC, to MicroSD expansion support, and more.

Microsoft has previously limited Windows Phone to single-core processors – long after the rest of the world had gone dual-core (or even quad-core). While some consumers griped, this strategy ended up helping Microsoft produce competent phones at bargain prices – Like the Samsung Focus 2, which launched for just $49.

That’s all about to change, with Microsoft announcing that Windows Phone 8 will support dual-core processors (as well as quad and beyond – all the way up to 64 cores).

Ironically, it’s only been about two months since Nokia CEO and Microsoft's trojan horse Stephen Elop said, "The so-called dual-core, quad-core mobile phones can only waste batteries, but not be useful for consumers all the time."

I guess he had a change of heart.

That also means that Windows Phone 7 phones won't be eligible for the Windows Phone 8 update, but they will receive an incremental update to Windows Phone 7.8.

Windows Phone 8 will also come with support for three resolutions:

• WVGA, at 800x480px
• True 720p, at 1280x720px
• WXGA, at 1280x768px

By comparison, the Apple iPhone 4Sboasts a 960x640 resolution, while theHTC One X is True 720p at 1280x720.

Among the aesthetic changes, Microsoft’s new home screen is the most obvious. Tile sizes now come in three sizes, and each user will be able to customize sizes as they see fit. Developers will also, for the first time, be able to custom design the larger tiles – undoubtedly leading to a less simplistic homescreen.

But aesthetics weren’t all that were overhauled – NFC (or Near Field Communication) will be supported in Windows Phone 8. NFC allows for users to pay for things with the swipe of their phone, and Microsoft has announced Mobile Wallet (think Apple Passport, or Google Wallet) to take care of things on the software side.

There’s a slew of other features that will help Windows Phone compete with Android and iOS, including Skype integration, and in-app purchases – which doubtless played a part in Microsoft announcing that Windows Phone would finally be getting a Words with Friends app.

We won’t even pretend we're not excited about the Windows Phone 8 update. While a majority of the Windows Phone OS improvements have been seen on iOS and Android, we genuinely believe Microsoft has taken far-reaching and smart steps to improve their phone OS and make it a competitive option in today’s market.

But what about you, could your next phone be running Windows Phone 8?

Windows Phone 7.8 and 8

So Windows Phone 8 is now real and coming this year.

But sadly, all those people who have an existing phone will not get all the new functions of windows 8, in fact you can't get windows 8 phone at all. Unless you buy a new phone.

But for those that still have a windows phone, you get Windows Phone 7.8 which includes the fancy new screen below.

Users will now be able to change their start screen to match their own preferences.

More details will follow