In the second post in “The Road to Battlefield 4” blog series, DICE dive deeper into the Field Upgrade system and how they are tweaking the core gameplay to allow for more diversity in combat roles.
Full Control announced that Space Hulk, a digital turn-based strategy game adaptation of the 3rd edition of Games Workshop’s board game set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe, is now available to download for the PC via Steam.
Namco Bandai announced that One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2 will launch as a PlayStation Network exclusively on September 5th.
The first details have been released for Nether, the upcoming, online survival-horror game from developer Phosphor Games and Nether Productions. A persistent-world, MMOG based entirely in an urban setting, Nether challenges players to survive day-to-day while trying to uncover the truth behind the apocalyptic event that has changed mankind forever. Nether is slated for release this fall for PC.
In Nether, players are thrust into a decimated, post-apocalyptic city where the remaining human population has degenerated into a chaotic state of lawlessness. A pervasive sense of evil looms over the land as people struggle to survive and rumors circulate of vile, demonic creatures that roam the cities to claim any souls still living. As one of the few remaining survivors, players must decide if they will Prey or Pray as they use skill and cunning to obtain food, weapons and other supplies necessary for existence while trying to determine whether or not to approach and trust other players or go at it solo.
Nether is currently in Alpha phase, with early-access planned for this fall.
Rockstar Games has released the official gameplay video for Grand Theft Auto Online.
Grand Theft Auto Online is a dynamic and persistent online world for 16 players that begins by sharing gameplay features, geography and mechanics with Grand Theft Auto V, but will continue to expand and evolve after its launch with new content created by Rockstar Games and the Grand Theft Auto community. Grand Theft Auto Online takes the fundamental Grand Theft Auto concepts of freedom, ambient activity and mission-based gameplay and makes them available to multiple players in a detailed and responsive online world.
In Grand Theft Auto Online, players have the freedom to explore alone or with friends, work cooperatively to complete missions, band together to participate in activities and ambient events, or compete in traditional game modes with the entire community, all with the personality and mechanics of Grand Theft Auto V.
Players can invest in their character through customizing their appearance, improving their stats, owning customized vehicles, purchasing personal property, and taking part in missions, jobs and activities to earn reputation and cash to open up new opportunities to rise through the criminal ranks. The world of Grand Theft Auto Online will constantly grow and change as new content is added, creating the first ever persistent and dynamic Grand Theft Auto game world.
Access to Grand Theft Auto Online is free with every retail copy of Grand Theft Auto V and launches on October 1st.
Kalypso Media has released a new trailer for Rise of Venice, its upcoming game that combines political intrigue with high-seas merchant simulation.
Rise of Venice will be released digitally for PC this fall.
Kalypso Media announced that Tropico 5, the next installment of the Tropico city-builder series, is currently in development at Haemimont Studios and is slated for a 2014 release on Xbox 360 and PC.
You, as El Presidente, will first take control of the infamous island of Tropico during early colonial times and then guide it through the centuries as the world changes and moves ever forward. You must tackle the changing needs of your people, as well as opposing governments and factions, and thus lay the foundations for your own dynasty. As you move through your years in office you can promote members of your extended family on the island to positions of power: such as ambassador, commanding general or even Supreme Ruler, to ensure your legacy thrives through the eras. As your influence and wealth grows, so do the threats to your burgeoning island superpower. Can you survive both World Wars, prosper through the Great Depression, rule as an iron-fisted dictator through the Cold War and advance your country to modern times and beyond? From the 19th to the 21st century, each era carries its own challenges and opportunities.
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announced Guardians of Middle-earth for PC. Developed by Monolith Studios and brought to PC by Zombie Studios, Guardians of Middle-earth will be available for distribution through Steam and other digital retailers on August 29th.
Gamers will have access to Guardians of Middle-earth’s 36 original playable Guardian characters, earnable through gameplay and in-game currency. Players will have access to three modes and six maps including The Shire, Goblin-town, Mirkwood and Survival gameplay previously introduced as DLC. Exclusive to the PC version of Guardians of Middle-earth, there will be 36 alternate Guardian skins available for purchase through Steam. Guardians of Middle-earth for PC will support Steamworks integration, Big Picture full controller compatibility and Raptr integration for live streaming matches.
Guardians of Middle-earth for PC will be available at multiple purchase levels: the base game for $19.99 which includes playable, immediately unlocked Guardians Gandalf, Galadriel, Thráin, Gollum, Hildifons and Legolas and their alternate skins, and the Mithril Edition for $79.99 which includes all 36 playable Guardians, 36 alternate skins, the Mithril Guardian Relic and a buddy key. The 36 alternate Guardian skins will be available for purchase in class-specific bundles which include five Guardians and their five alternate skins for $14.99. In addition, gamers can purchase Smaug’s Treasure, which includes in-game gold and Smaug’s Greed Relic for $9.99. Players who pre-order Guardians of Middle-earth: Mithril Edition via Steam will receive 10 percent off and those who pre-order Guardians of Middle-earth will receive 10 percent off and a special Company of Dwarves bundle, including five playable Guardians including Ori, Nori, Glóin, Kíli, Thorin Oakenshield and their alternate Guardian skins.
2K announced Mike Rodriguez of Corona, Calif. as the North America winner, along with Alexis Zankowitch of Saint-Martin-le-Vinoux, France as the international winner, of the WWE 2K14 cover artwork contest. The winning entries, both featuring WWE Superstar Daniel Bryan, will appear exclusively inside all retail copies of the game, respective to each geographic region, when the video game hits shelves on October 29th.
Activision announced that Skylanders figures outsold all action-figure properties in the U.S. and Europe year-to-date in 2013.
Game Over Online