Friday, January 3, 2014

News::KotOR III: Here's Who, How, and Why

Allan Muir of VGUtv makes a plea for a third Knights of the Old Republic game. Late last year EA bought the rights from Disney to make games based on the Star Wars saga for a decade. Currently there are three games in the works that we know of.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1429060/kotor-iii-heres-who-how-and-why

News::Most anticipated games of 2014

ArabicGamers writes: Here's a look at some of our most anticipated games of 2014!



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1429000/most-anticipated-games-of-2014

News::Fate/Stay Night Artbooks To Be Published By Udon

Udon are localizing a series of artbooks for Fate/Stay Night, the first of these being Fate/Complete Material Volume 1: Art Material.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1428738/fate-stay-night-artbooks-to-be-published-by-udon

News::Dragon Age: Inquisition Producer Addresses Mass Effect 3 Comparisons

Over the course of divulging elements of Dragon Age: Inquisitions story, some fans have pointed out that it shares some similarities with the premise of BioWares 2012 science-fiction RPG, Mass Effect 3. In that story, different civilizations some of whom were mortal enemies banded together and unified to defeat an enemy threatened them all. While this does share some similarities with Inquisition on a fundamental level, one of the games producers has assured fans that this is not the case.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1429194/dragon-age-inquisition-producer-addresses-mass-effect-3-comparisons

News::Indie Game Insider | Stick It To The Man! Review

Stick It To The Man! is a humorous adventure game with a few flaws in its approach.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1429126/indie-game-insider-stick-it-to-the-man-review

News::​The Friendliest DayZ Robbery I've Ever Seen

News::Sabrewulf is the next free Killer Instinct character

Killer Instinct has swapped out its first free playable character as of a new 675MB update. Since launch in November, Jago has been freely available to test out. Now, it's Sabrewulf.


The full list of patch notes from developer Double Helix can be viewed at the link below. There's balancing and general improvements, like a forced pause when player two's controller is removed and the display of rank-up/rank-down notifications for both players at the start of a match.


As someone who hasn't been playing the game and can't comment on specific gameplay tweaks with any real confidence, I will say it's nice to see those nasty "Chosen One" Achievements reduced. Previously, players needed to 2,000 matches completed with each character. That number is now a more sane 200 wins, which should be great news for completionists.


KILLER INSTINCT 1/2/2014 Update w. Dev Notes [Double Helix Games via OXM]


Sabrewulf is the next free Killer Instinct character screenshot






via destructoid http://www.destructoid.com/sabrewulf-is-the-next-free-killer-instinct-character-268393.phtml

News::Amazons 2013 Editors Choice Sale To Start Tomorrow: Crysis 3 $9.99, Dead Space 3 $9.99 and More

Amazon's 2013 Editor's Choice Sale is going to start tomorrow, offering a variety of games at a considerably discounted rate.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1429169/amazons-2013-editors-choice-sale-to-start-tomorrow-crysis-3-9-99-dead-space-3-9-99-and-more

News::EA And DICE Have Lost Consumer Trust

EA and DICE havent simply released a broken game. They have cracked the foundation of the brand and driven a wedge between themselves and a loyal fan base. EA continues to cash in on a la carte DLC, fails to fulfill the promise made (via Twitter) that pre-order bonuses would carry over across generations, and willingly takes in money for Premium ($50 above the $60 retail purchase price) despite a broken core product.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1429174/ea-and-dice-have-lost-consumer-trust

News::A Whole World Of Blocks FortressCraft Evolved Early Access Hands-On Preview [Twinfinite]

Originally released in 2011 on Xbox Live Arcade, FortressCraft is looking to have a second wind. The highly successful indie block game is being re-built from the ground up by Projector Games. As its only just been released on Early Access, theres not much to it quite yet. Im here to show you what you can and cant do in FortressCraft Evolved on PC.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1429156/a-whole-world-of-blocks-fortresscraft-evolved-early-access-hands-on-preview-twinfinite

News::More terrible predictions for the game industry in 2014

1. The next-generation war will be a dead heat 2. Nintendo will dump the Wii U 3. Steam Machines will grab a foothold among PC gamers 4. Virtual reality will gather momentum 5. Alternatives to game controllers will grow stronger 6. The MOBA market will have a shakeout 7. Europe and Asia will stay ahead of the U.S. in mobile games 8. Rising user acquisition costs will bring victory to the brands 9. Narrative will matter in games for all platform 10. Personal gaming will thrive



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1429122/more-terrible-predictions-for-the-game-industry-in-2014

News::Top 10 Action-RPG Games Coming Out in 2014

Next-gen consoles are already live but where are the real next-gen games? There are currently hundreds of on-going projects that promise a huge revolution for the gaming world during 2014, but for now all players can do is sit back and wait patiently. The role-playing and action genres will receive many extraordinary games during this year but as usual, there are always mediocre and amazing games. If youre wondering which action-RPG games you surely dont want to miss during 2014 then check out the following list filled with upcoming gaming gems.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1428965/top-10-action-rpg-games-coming-out-in-2014

News::VS Episode 44 - Gavin vs. Jack

The first VS of the year brings you Gavin vs. Jack!



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1428800/vs-episode-44-gavin-vs-jack

News::Ara Haans Skillset Expands In Elsword Online

Kill3rCombo today announced that the exciting free-to-play action MMORPG, Elsword Online, has introduced its newest job for the latest addition to the character roster Ara Haan, Sakra Devanam



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1428774/ara-haans-skillset-expands-in-elsword-online

News::Valve could've been successful just doing Half-Life

In an interview with The Washington Post, Valve co-founder Gabe Newell described the company's inner workings which have been the topic of discussion time and time again. Did you know, for instance, vacation time isn't tracked? And for those who have wondered why Half-Life 3 hasn't happened yet, a few quotes bring the point home.


"When we started out we were a single-player video game company that could have been really successful just doing Half-Life sequel after Half-Life sequel," explained Newell, "but we collectively said let's try to make multiplayer games even though there's never been a commercial successful multiplayer game ... Then we tried to do Steam."


Elsewhere in the interview, he talks about how "specialization in gaming is sort of the enemy of the future," noting "...being really good at Half-Life level design is not as nearly as valued as thinking of how to design social multiplayer experiences."


While Valve undoubtedly has the money to bring that long-awaited next installment to market if it so desired, collectively, that's not been a priority for employees. I can't say I blame them, either. Not with the success of Steam, Team Fortress 2, and Dota 2. Newell is thinking much more long-term than a single game, even if it is a game we desperately want.


Gabe Newell on what makes Valve tick [The Washington Post]


Valve could've been successful just doing Half-Life screenshot






via destructoid http://www.destructoid.com/valve-could-ve-been-successful-just-doing-half-life-268388.phtml

News::Total War: Rome 2 Caesar in Gaul DLC Review

"Its now the Glorious New Year of 2014, Total War: Rome 2 is eight patches deep and it has a new expansion: Caesar in Gaul. That expansion isnt free (its selling for $15.00,) so the question is whether the players who were burned by Rome 2s launch should even give Caesar in Gaul a second look."



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1429110/total-war-rome-2-caesar-in-gaul-dlc-review

News::Jackass Bad Grandpa Shouts Out Xbox Video

To give a little attention (and publicity) for Microsofts Xbox Video service, Johnny Knoxville, in his Irving Zisman persona from the Jackass Presents Bad Grandpa, has given a little shout out, which you can view in the short video below.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1429089/jackass-bad-grandpa-shouts-out-xbox-video

News::Lords of the Fallen Gameplay Coming Soon, Trailer has Been in the Works For Weeks

OnlySP: Many of you have been asking when well get to see gameplay for Tomasz Gops latest game, Lords of the Fallen, and unfortunately, we still dont have a definite answer for you. Rest assured, it's on its way.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1429088/lords-of-the-fallen-gameplay-coming-soon-trailer-has-been-in-the-works-for-weeks

News::2013: The Year In Review | Stuffed With Drama

Dealspwn's editor Matt Gardner reflects on a dramatic 2013.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1429033/2013-the-year-in-review-stuffed-with-drama

News::Digimon Masters Online Celebrating The New Year

New Years may have come and gone for many of us but the celebrations in Digimon Masters Online have just begun as players welcome in the new year with a massive cash shop sale and a new Digimon.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1428775/digimon-masters-online-celebrating-the-new-year

News::Gabe Newell Hints As To Why Half-Life 3 May Never Come About

Dylan Z of iGR reports: "Valve boss Gabe Newell explains why the studio's focus has shifted into multiplayer development, and why a game like Half-Life 3 is not nearly as important."



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1429070/gabe-newell-hints-as-to-why-half-life-3-may-never-come-about

News::DICEs Battlefield 4 Producer Hasnt Played the Game Since November

You know, this is a very common practice in the gaming industry. Once a game goes gold and ships, the producers and higher ups take their fat paychecks and go on lengthy paid vacations. But when a game is being run as a service, such as a MMO or mostly-online FPS, maybe companies should force the producers to wait and see how launch goes before ditching the game for a long vacation?



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1429042/dices-battlefield-4-producer-hasnt-played-the-game-since-november

News::Shin Se Ha Promotes World of Tanks at G-STAR Video Game Expo

Korean model Shin Se Ha showed up at the G-STAR video game expo in a sexy military outfit for the promotion of World of Tanks. Here is a gallery.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1428510/shin-se-ha-promotes-world-of-tanks-at-g-star-video-game-expo

News::The 10 Most Anticipated Next-Gen Video Games of 2014-15

The year 2014 is now upon us, and while 2013 was a great year for gamers, namely due to the next-gen console releases, 2014 and beyond may turn out to be even better. Now that the consoles have an install base, and developers are fine tuning their processes for building games on the new platforms, more and more amazing gameplay experiences should begin to pop up for both the Xbox One and PS4.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1429021/the-10-most-anticipated-next-gen-video-games-of-2014-15

News::Could 2014 Be The Year of Blizzard?

Pixelgate writes: ''2014 is a big year for video games. After all, itll be be the first full year of the next generation. But for one company, it could be a massive year. Blizzard are seemingly ready to assault 2014 with expansions for two of their biggest franchises, as well as two new games that are already generating a huge buzz. Blizzards biggest money spinner, World of Warcraft, is set for a new expansion in the shape of Warlords of Draenor. With subscription numbers dwindling, but still remaining more than respectable, it seems Blizzard are more than happy to breathe new life into their mammoth MMORPG''



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1428779/could-2014-be-the-year-of-blizzard

News::DayZ: Easily find good loot

Gamespresso shows players where to find the best loot in the DayZ Standalone as well as a few tips on how to make you a better looter.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1428750/dayz-easily-find-good-loot

News::First Impressions: Secrets of Raetikon

OnlySP: Today were bringing you a video from a new indie game called Secrets of Raetikon a 2d open-world exploration game.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1428518/first-impressions-secrets-of-raetikon

News::Still Playing: Football Manager Handheld – a Christmas ritual, and a welcome relapse


There’s no way to make Football Manager grabs look sexy. This is as good as it gets.



Revisiting Football Manager has become a little Christmas ritual of mine, one which I look forward to (almost) as much as devouring a turkey luncheon or consuming life-threatening amounts of cheese. It is an indulgence I only allow myself over the festive season because playing Football Manager swallows such enormous swathes of time – time not readily available at any other time of year. Once, incalculable late December hours disappeared with a laptop resting on my knees and a tipple in one hand; not so in recent years, as the iPad edition of Sports Interactive’s venerable series has become the preferred indulgence.


On PC it has become increasingly complex, but its handheld iteration remains relatively lean and, well, a little rough around the edges. Its look and feel recalls the older games in the series, and its play does too – the match engine sometimes feels a little erratic, and as the seasons pass, managers and players end up at the unlikeliest clubs. But all of that is part of this game’s beauty – an overly realistic football management game would be a depressing slog, make no mistake. Football Manager Handheld’s trick is to absorb you in a likely footballing future while including enough just enough madness so as not to break the spell.


And so among more predictable occurrences, we find recent £18 million Chelsea signing Andre Schurrle plying his trade at Championship side Brighton in 2016, Andre Villas-Boas managing Manchester United and Phil Jones a contract rebel, openly and shamefully demanding more cash in the national press. Each and every new game generates an entire alternate universe a little different from the last, one held together by a swathe of player statistics and one made fascinating with the constant clash of those numbers. During matches, an unpredictable dash of luck – just like the real sport – creates thrilling, unlikely victories and bewildering second-half surrenders.



For some, an unwieldy sea of words and numbers. For others, an alternate footballing world ripe with possibility.



The gameworld it presents is absorbing, but actually playing Football Manager Handheld needn’t require constant attention. It can be played idly, with languid pokes and swipes of the screen, and it only advances when you say so. Often I’ll set a match running and go and do something else, knowing that the match won’t progress past half time without my input. Indeed, for much of the game there’s little to actually manage, the game reduced to a procession of fixtures with minor media tussles, contract negotiations or injuries to catch your attention. Play only intensifies during frantic transfer windows or near the end of a season when trophies are at stake or relegation – or the sack – threatens your game.


Does that sound a little dry? It isn’t. For a game which appears to be about statistics and probabilities and the strict management of resources, it creates a special kind of drama. If Ken Levine is looking for dynamic narrative, a set of rules within which player interactions create a near-infinite number of outcomes, then he can find a primitive version of that in each and every game of Football Manager.


The difference is that all of the colour in that narrative takes place in the players’ imagination. It becomes difficult not to layer a little humanity on top of these little bundles of numbers – one grows oddly fond of a veteran player who has never let you down; on signing a newer, younger, more promising player in the same position, there’s a twinge of sadness as you place the former on the transfer list, your club’s finances unable to support any extra baggage. One imagine this tricksy young winger turning up late for training in his sports car with a ridiculous new haircut and an arrogant smirk on his face, and you feel for that discarded player, the harsh realities of football conspiring to leave a faithful club servant unwanted and punted out to a lower league side.


You insert a version of yourself into the fantasy, too. An attacking, direct style of play allied with a ballsy 4-3-3 formation makes me picture my patchy Stevenage squad as the cavalier upstarts of the Championship’s 2015-16 season, a newly-promoted side bravely taking on far mightier clubs with a fearless mix of youthful vigour and a little naivety. Ludicrously, I imagine posturing in post-match interviews as a mixture of Harry Redknapp and Jose Mourinho – a wheeler-dealer with a sharp tongue and an arrogance which can’t help but inspire respect. (Incidentally, I hope the kind of press interactions of the PC version never make it through to the Handheld game – this silly fantasy is infinitely more appealing than selecting a response from a set of pre-prepared responses.)



Not the most nuanced of tactical approaches, certainly, but one which creates real end-to-end drama.



So robust is the Football Manager fantasy that it sometimes spills out into real life. I’ve heard of FM players wearing a suit when they play out a cup final, shaking hands with a doorknob as if it were the opposing manager’s hand. In another tale, a friend of mine gave a real life player short shrift upon meeting him in the flesh, confusing the player’s in-game transfer request for a real-life betrayal.


Even better, longstanding rumours suggest that some Premier League managers have monitored and then signed players based on their potential in the game. And famously, the game has been cited as a factor in 35 divorce cases – as good a reason as any to carefully restrict play to the Christmas period. And yet my fictional career at plucky Stevenage continues, my Football Manager relapse extending out into the new year. At some point, I must begrudgingly bring my annual dalliance to an end, forcibly removing myself from its world and deleting the game from my iPad just to be safe.


But not just yet. My humble local team sits on the verge of an unlikely promotion to the Premier League, and there’s plentiful drama yet to unfold from this unassuming, brilliant clash of numbers and probabilities.


The post Still Playing: Football Manager Handheld – a Christmas ritual, and a welcome relapse appeared first on Edge Online.






via Edge Online http://www.edge-online.com/features/still-playing-football-manager-handheld-a-christmas-ritual-and-a-welcome-relapse/

News::USA Pre-Order Chart 12/28

The most pre-ordered games in the USA ranked by unit sales.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1429005/usa-pre-order-chart-12-28

News::Namco High Review | Gamezebo

Gamezebo: Namco High is the latest video game to come from ShiftyLook, the online branch of Namco Bandai which reinvigorates several of the companys various, more latent intellectual property as webcomics and cartoons. Its only fitting, then, that in this browser-based dating simulator from the creator of Homestuck, you get to pal around with various characters from ShiftyLooks comics and beyond.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1428917/namco-high-review-gamezebo

News::Hive Review | The Indie Mine

Ever wonder what it would be like to play a game similar to chess with insects instead of the usual castles, knights and kings? Now you can in Hive.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1428949/hive-review-the-indie-mine

News::Is Marvel Heroes Worth Playing in 2014?

Is Marvel Heroes worth playing in the new year as it adds 12 new characters and continues monthly improvements?



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1428941/is-marvel-heroes-worth-playing-in-2014

News::The Novelist review | Eurogamer

Eurogamer: The Novelist is a game where you play as a voyeuristic ghost who possesses household lamps. Lamps you say? Why on earth would a ghost do that? What kind of - okay, okay. Back up. Let me explain.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1428978/the-novelist-review-eurogamer

News::The Walking Dead Season 2: Episode 1 - All That Remains Review - The Digital Fix

Here at The Digital Fix we are excited to return to Telltales world of The Walking Dead, over a year after we left Clementine behind. With the excellent series of minisodes in the shape of 400 Days serving as a taste of things to come, the second season kicks off properly with the first episode: All That Remains. The question is whether the award-winning magic of the first season is still present. The answer is partially.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1428415/the-walking-dead-season-2-episode-1-all-that-remains-review-the-digital-fix

News::In an overcrowded mobile game market, why aren’t more developers making digital playthings?


Clumsy Ninja is the App Store hit which turns the titular assassin into a kind of physics-powered virtual pet.



With so many studios lamenting the current state of the mobile games market, it’s a little surprising to find so few actively trying something different. Many millions of new iOS and Android devices were unwrapped and eagerly filled with new apps this Christmas, and yet, compared to the great flood of infinite runners, free-to-play town builders and other familiar mobile fare, apps like Clumsy Ninja and Toca Hair Salon represent the tiniest trickle.


They’re digital toys rather than videogames, and their chart performance suggests that creating interactive entertainment for tablets and mobile needn’t rely on traditional videogame structures. If anything, breaking free of familiar game ideas – of challenge, testing player skill, progression and failstates – opens up a broader, more freeform and ultimately more accessible kind of play.


The studios behind these games, NaturalMotion and Toca Boca, appear to have have understood this more than most. Clumsy Ninja, Toca Lab and Toca Hair Salon 2 have been fixtures near the top of the App Store charts for weeks, and for good reason – they are all smartly designed apps with high production values and cheery playfulness at their heart. And yet compared to the number of games going live on the App Store every week, there’s a surprising lack of these playthings. Or at least, there’s a surprising lack of digital toys this good.


“There are so many blue oceans – unexplored genres that are ready to be invented or re-invented,” says NaturalMotion CEO Torsten Reil. “We’ve never understood why so many studios just clone other games. You end up competing for the same audience and spending more and more cash on user acquisition. The only way to get off that hamster wheel is to create something new and fresh; and preferably something that can’t be easily copied.”



NaturalMotion’s willingness to break free to familiar videogame tropes has earned it another App Store smash, following on from My Horse and the colossus that is CSR Racing. It won’t be quitting free-to-play anytime soon.



NaturalMotion’s Clumsy Ninja – a cute, pet sim-like plaything powered by its impressive physics tech – is still riding high in the ‘top free’ and ‘top grossing’ App Store charts, and could be considered more game-like than Toca Boca’s playthings. The Swedish studio’s apps are similarly beautiful to look at and intuitive to interact with; amidst so many licensed apps of dubious quality, it’s heartening to see good design appreciated and rewarded with chart success.


The latter studio’s co-founder Emil Overmar agrees that game developers are missing out on a big opportunity to apply their skills to this kind of app. “I would really love to see more apps as playthings, not just for kids but for people in general,” he tells us. “Especially since smartphones and tablets lend themselves well to be just toys. The question I would like game designers to have in their heads is: ‘is the experience I’m envisioning better with game mechanics or does it work better as a toy?’ I think the Japanese are much better in understanding playthings and taking them for what they are, even as adults.”


The two studios certainly don’t agree on how to sell their products, though. After generating some phenomenal revenues through free-to-play downloads like My Horse, CSR Racing and now Clumsy Ninja, NaturalMotion is very much a free-to-play specialist; Toca Boca, on the other hand, continues to charge upfront for its apps. It’s an increasingly rare and defiant stance.


“Kids are not stupid and they appreciate good design,” Overmar tells us. “I think our success proves that there are enough adults around that appreciate the products we make and think they are worth paying for. We’re really glad they like them so we can continue making the experiences we believe in, instead of products that make money in the most efficient way.”



Toca Hair Salon 2 is an effortlessly charming demonstration of what Toca Boca does best – beautiful, intuitive freeform play. Hair by my nephew, Dylan.



Scale is vital to NaturalMotion’s business model, so despite the console-grade polish applied to its apps, it’ll never charge for its games at the point of download, says CEO Reil. “Our first five games were paid apps, and the average ROI was five times – so paid games can definitely work,” he tells us. “However, a free-to-play hit like CSR Racing will blow these ROI figures out of the water, and your audience will be much larger, making it possible to build new brands faster. It’s therefore unlikely we’ll return to the paid model.”


Toca Boca isn’t against free-to-play, as such, though Overmar raises questions of parental trust where in-app purchases are concerned. He prefers to tackle a tricky marketplace by conceding that his studio’s paid apps will attract fewer downloads, but inspire better word-of-mouth, better rankings in the charts and possibly attract the attention of kingmakers Apple, Google and Amazon – and lead to a ‘featured’ slot.


“It’s harder to stand out and get people to notice your product if you put it in the ocean of free apps that all spend lots of money to acquire users,” says Overmar. It’s the developers defying prevailing trends that’ll be rewarded, he says. “I think we’re seeing a creative decline in the App Store right now, unfortunately from the burden of free to play,” he continues. “I want game, app and toy creators to invent new things, experiences that enriches our lives through play. These experiences does not seem to work well in a free-to-play world so I think we as creators need to take risks and create the things we truly believe in, and hopefully people will see their value and pay to able to enjoy them.”


NaturalMotion boss Reil shrugs off these criticisms of free-to-play. In fact, we ask him if it’s getting a little tedious sticking up for free-to-play. Clearly, it is. “We stopped defending free-to-play a while ago,” says Reil. “Most critics have since gone through all five stages of grief and are now accepting free-to-play for what it is: the dominant business model for games in the future; not perfect, but with attention and ethics an incredibly rewarding way to make games, both financially and creatively.”



Toca Boca’s apps for kids often revolve around role play, extracting fun from playing at being a chef, hairdresser, train driver, doctor, tailor and more.



Though they disagree on the subject of how to sell apps on digital marketplaces, both Toca Boca and NaturalMotion make a compelling case for other creators to snap out of developing familiar, reliable, traditional videogame types to dabble in the world of digital playthings. Where branding, user acquisition and often sheer luck have all become factors in whether a mobile game makes any money, these studios appear to have done so by focusing on quality design and simple, accessible fun. A heartening trend.


The post In an overcrowded mobile game market, why aren’t more developers making digital playthings? appeared first on Edge Online.






via Edge Online http://www.edge-online.com/features/in-an-overcrowded-mobile-game-market-why-arent-more-developers-making-digital-playthings/

News::Activision and Marvels Partnership Comes to an End

UltraUnboxing - The licensing arrangement between Marvel and Activision has ended, triggering the Call of Duty publisher to end all relations with Marvel-based games, according to a record from GI.biz. Previously released Activision games making use of Marvel characters, including the current June 2013 launch Deadpool, have been removed from PSN, XBL, and Steam.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1428964/activision-and-marvels-partnership-comes-to-an-end

News::ZTGD | Baldurs Gate II: Enhanced Edition (PC) Review

Dave Payerle writes: As RPGs go, Baldurs Gate II is generally heralded as one of the all-time classics. Built on the Dungeons & Dragons rule set, the game makes for a very deep experience. The Enhanced Edition gives players the chance to relive their fond memories, including the Throne of Bhaal and The Black Pits II expansions. That being said, the dated mechanics and high learning curve may be a turnoff for those who havent played it before, and the developer seems to be perfectly fine with that.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1428970/ztgd-baldurs-gate-ii-enhanced-edition-pc-review

News::Indie Game News Nidhogg release date, To the Moon Mac and Linux port and more

- Nidhogg gets a release date. - To the Moon still getting Mac and Linux ports. - FTL Advanced Edtion update and Lanius aliens.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1428723/indie-game-news-nidhogg-release-date-to-the-moon-mac-and-linux-port-and-more

News::World of Warcraft invaded by malicious Trojan

Malware is being used to compromise World of Warcraft accounts around the globe, even if those accounts use an official authenticator.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1428707/world-of-warcraft-invaded-by-malicious-trojan

News::Where to buy the Ghosts Spectrum Camo for Xbox 360 / One

If youre interested in purchasing the spectrum camo for Call of Duty Ghosts, then there is some good and bad news for you to hear first. The good news is that yes, its possible to buy. The bad news is that its rather expensive.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1428671/where-to-buy-the-ghosts-spectrum-camo-for-xbox-360-one

News::One Hit Pixel 2014 Most Anticipated #4 Watch Dogs

One Hit Pixel: "I still remember the E3 announcement that revealed Watch Dogs. That dynamic, infographic-style trailer discussing the games setting and theme, effortlessly blending in real-world concepts that have never been more relevant to our day-to-day lives."



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1428559/one-hit-pixel-2014-most-anticipated-4-watch-dogs

News::Mabinogi II: Arena Developement discontinued for upcoming sequel

First announced at G-Star 2012, it has been announced that Nsquare will be stopping development on Mabinogi II: Arena. Nsquare is the joint team formed after Nexon bought over NCsoft, and the team will now move on to other new projects.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1428739/mabinogi-ii-arena-developement-discontinued-for-upcoming-sequel

News::Russia in Videogames - Who's the Real Enemy?

From Strategyinformer.com: "PC gamers are no strangers to the idea of war-based entertainment. And while there's nothing wrong with playing and enjoying war games of all shapes and sizes, the Russian Federation's recent reaction to games featuring their nation's military and Company of Heroes 2 in particular has led many gamers to question the importance of accuracy in games depicting past and present military conflicts."



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1428940/russia-in-videogames-whos-the-real-enemy

News::Battlefield 4 Premium Double XP weekend event rescheduled for today

El33tonline writes: "Originally scheduled to close out 2013 starting December 29th, its been announced that the delayed Double XP weekend event for Battlefield 4 Premium members will begin today, January 3rd."



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1428956/battlefield-4-premium-double-xp-weekend-event-rescheduled-for-today

News::Phoenix Down Intermission #5

Phoenix Down is hosted by Drew Leachman and Matt Quinn. Each segment focuses on an older game the duo decides upon with another member of the ZTGD crew or special guest. They play through and discuss the mechanics and how well it holds up today. It is the ultimate in backlog elimination. The boys take some downtime to discuss movies, TV shows and some of their favorite games of 2013. Hosts: Drew Leachman Justin Testa Jae Lee



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1428952/phoenix-down-intermission-5

News::HearthStone Closed Beta First Impression | by MMOCast

I know its kinda late, but as they say better late, then never, so here its my HearthStone: Heroes of Warcraft first impression. I need to mention before I start that this is my first trading/collecting card game (never played Magic the Gathering or YuGiOh) so I began my adventure as a total newbie.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1428673/hearthstone-closed-beta-first-impression-by-mmocast

News::Inferno Legend Starts 2014 With Update

Gameboxs downloadable MMORPG Inferno Legend has received a major update. New Year starts off good with a brand new feature in Inferno Legend, called Dark Tournament. Dark Tournament is a brand new PvP feature that enables players to see their true strength when competing with other players. What else can you expect out of this update? Besides the brand new PvP mode Dark Tournament, players can also expect two new modes and a new feature to help your teams online ranking. Lets take a look!



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1428711/inferno-legend-starts-2014-with-update

News::IrrationalPassions: Jarrett Green's Top 10 of 2013

Jarrett at IP has played a lot of games. Come see which he believes are the year's best.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1428726/irrationalpassions-jarrett-greens-top-10-of-2013

News::"American internet is simply not ready for a digital distribution system.

News::You're A Force in Dragon Age Inquisition, says Bioware

According to Bioware, the breadth of decision-making available in Dragon Age Inquisition is comparable to founding the Jedi Order.



via N4G: pc news feed http://n4g.com/news/1428904/youre-a-force-in-dragon-age-inquisition-says-bioware