The latest snapshot has been released! 12w04a! This just shows all the
awesome new features of it The biggest addition being the new mob! the
Ocelot! Which can be tamed and bred like wolves! They spawn only in forests
and are tamed/bred using fish!
Electronic Arts and Bioware have released a new trailer for Mass Effect 3's Special Forces multiplayer mode.
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Here's your chance to see the multiplayer mode for Mass Effect 3 in action! This trailer includes details about the races and classes you'll be able to play.
Perfect World and Zombie Studios have released a new trailer for their first person shooter MMO, Blacklight Retribution. This trailer shows off some of the game's heavy weapons, such as the rocket launcher and air strike.
IGN is reporting that Satoru Iwata told investors that the Nintendo Network will launch in Japan on February 16.
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Unlike Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, which has been focused upon specific functionalities and concepts, we are aiming to establish a platform where various services available through the network for our consumers shall be connected via Nintendo Network service so that the company can make comprehensive proposals to consumers.
Key Features Include:
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Personal Accounts for Wii U - Nintendo will now allow personalized accounts for its next home console, which will allow multiple users per system. Online profiles will no longer be system-based. "We will also be able to construct and offer the [personal account system] by combining a variety of different services and content," Iwata said.
Digitally Distributed Packaged Software -Nintendo is exploring the idea of selling full retail games through the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. The company is not willing to say when this program will start, but it now has the full ability to do so. Iwata noted Nintendo would need to consider retailer relationships first. He also noted SD card space limitations would be another factor. "The significance of this business field will increase," said Iwata.
Paid Downloadable Content - As we've heard previously, publishers will now be able to offer paid DLC for different games, starting with Square's Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, which will allow players to purchase new songs for the rhythm-based game. The title releases in Japan on February 16
In a statement sent out by Sega and Gearbox to GameInformer, Colonial Marines will be officially delayed to Fall 2012
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Aliens: Colonial Marines is a process of creativity and invention and those don't necessarily follow the structure of an assembly line. While setting clear goals, deadlines and predictions is helpful, they are often subjective. We don't want to sacrifice the creative process just for the sake of following a blue print. We prefer to have the creative discovery shape that blue print because our goal is to make a great game, and we are prioritizing this goal over the previously targeted date.
Honestly, if they are going back to polish or add, for such a highly anticipated title, you can't complain.
During a recent Blogcast, Playstation confirmed that a demo for the new Twisted Metal game that releases on February 14th would have a demo released on January 31st.
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They shared that the Twisted Metal demo will also feature multiplayer, so this should provide fans with a strong idea of what the full game will entail. Additional details concerning the demo and its contents will be revealed the coming days.
Good to see demos coming out, hopefully this pushes sales like the Kingdom of Amalur demo did.
DICE Designer Gustav Halling was recently asked by MP1st if the Battlefield 3 MAV exploit was going to be patched and he confirmed it would be.
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For those who don’t know, the MAV exploit allows players to ride on top of it to lift themselves to generally unreachable areas of any given map. Halling responded, “not yet, will be fixed in next [patch],” confirming that it will, indeed, be patched. Hopefully, this fix will be included in the long awaited February patch. No more free rides for you recon players, it seems.
I have to say, with one of the recent threads talking about this very exploit, I am happy to hear it is being addressed. Thanks Gustav Halling, thanks for the good news.
Game Informer has a walkthrough for one of XCOM: Enemy Unknown's missions, where they show the combat mechanics and some of the strategies players can use to succeed.
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In the world of XCOM: Enemy Unknown, players will need much more than brute strength and Rambo tactics. Would-be generals will need to implement precise coordination between all of their elite soldiers. Take note as we walk you through some sample tactics, featuring a three-person squad.
Ubisoft has announced that Rayman Origins will be coming to PC. Ubisoft is also claiming that the retail version won't come with any DRM.
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Rayman Origins is headed to PC both digitally and in boxes on March 29 at the friendly price of $29.99--not a full-price release like the console editions. Certain stores, including Ubisoft's own, are offering a downloadable copy of Rayman 2 as a pre-order bonus.
Retail editions will have "no DRM at all," Ubisoft told Rock, Paper, Shotgun, while digital versions will have a one-time online activation. What unexpectedly sensible DRM from Ubisoft! Of course, Ubisoft said the same of From Dust yet that required an online check every launch time the game launched, until that was patched out a few weeks later. Fingers crossed, gang.
The DLC stars Ryder White as a newly playable character and offers a single
player campaign with several hours of story content with twists and turns
that will shed new light on the game's happenings. Two blueprints and
weapons will further expand the already impressive arsenal of Dead Island.
MMORPG.com has a preview of one of The Secret World's locations, Blue Mountain.
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Located on Solomon Island, just to the west of Kingsmouth, Blue Mountain is no stranger to titanic struggles. The players must discover the epic history of the area and learn about the desperate battle fought here long ago. This can only be done through the wisdom and talents of the local Wabanaki Indian tribe.
The modern age has taken a heavy toll on the tribe and on Blue Mountain. The ancient values are waning, forced aside by spreading greed, both from without and within. Nature’s balance has been disturbed. Digging has resumed on sacred ground, stirring the evil which sleeps beneath the mountain.
Because your phone can always use more toys, Valve sends along a Press Release announcing the Steam Mobile App.
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alve, creators of best-selling game franchises (such as Counter-Strike, Half-Life, Left 4 Dead, Portal, and Team Fortress) and leading technologies (such as Steam and Source), today announced the beta release of the Steam application for iOS and Android devices.
With the Steam app, gamers around the world may chat with Steam friends, browse community groups and user profiles, view screenshots and user-generated content for their favorite games, read the latest gaming news, stay up to date on unbeatable Steam sales, and more.
"The Steam app comes from many direct requests from our customers," said Gabe Newell, co-founder and president of Valve. "Seeing which of your friends are online and playing a game, sending quick messages, looking at screenshots for an upcoming game, or catching a sale - these are all features customers have requested. Mobile is changing way people interact, play games and consume media, and the Steam app is part of our commitment to meet customer demands and expand the service functionality of Steam to make it richer and more accessible for everyone."
Those who wish to join the beta just need to download the Steam app (free of charge) and log in to their Steam account via the mobile app to express interest in the beta. Gamers will be added to the Closed Beta as the service ramps up.
Steam is a leading platform for the delivery and management of PC and Mac games with over 40 million accounts around the world and over 1,800 titles offered.
Follow me here, Ars Technica wrote an article to the article Kotaku has written about the new rumor that the Next Xbox is doing away with used sales.
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A recent Kotaku post cites "one reliable industry source" to suggest that the still-unannounced successor to Microsoft's Xbox 360 will somehow prevent used games from being played on the system. The idea remains an unconfirmed rumor, of course, but it's something that members of the game industry have floated repeatedly in the past. It's also a move that would likely find hefty support from publishers looking for a way to stop what they see as erosion of their profits thanks to used games (the reality is a bit more complicated than that, but we won't rehash that old argument here).
I for one, have a few issues with this, I understand where they are going, but there is many things I don't think they are thinking through all the way. Broken consoles? Used Consoles? Gifts from others? What do you guys think?
CD Projekt had a conference today where they announced the release date for the Xbox 360 version of The Witcher 2 - April 17th. You can watch the 30 minute conference here if you want, it includes a new trailer.
A big thanks goes out this week to all our Staff Members, we cranked out news over the Holidays while most sites didn't update -- some of them for weeks at a time.
And another BIG THANKS to all our readers for stopping by. With the launch of three new console systems over the next two years I think we will be having a good old time talking about all the goodies.
That said, we can always use more readers. If you know friends who are gamers, please let them know about Evil Avatar.com.
Friend us on Facebook (I don't post much so it won't spam you) and follow us on twitter. Help get the word out by linking to your favorite articles on facebook and twitter.
I think we are doing a fantastic job and are cranking out content, but I don't do much to bring new people into the page and we can use help with that!
Thanks for everything. EvAv has been here since 1998 and isn't going away any time soon!
Watch (if you dare) as Jackie dismantles his enemies with
brutal finishing moves brought about by his two Demon Arms.
Featured executions: Neck Tear, Wishbone, and Daisy Pop.
Terraria is getting a collector's edition which will be released in retail stores on March 16th.
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Terraria, the absolutely superb Minecraft-meets-side-scrolling-platformer, is to get a retail release. For, er, £20. The digital version costs £6 at most, regularly dropping to amazing bargain prices during various sales, and is unquestionably amazing value. But £20 for an “Exclusive Collectors Edition” when it’s a year old, in a box, in a shop? That seems a little strange.
Today Turbine announced the next expansion for Lord of the Rings Online, called Riders of Rohan. PC Gamer has a preview and some screenshots.
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At some point in the Fall, the wait will be over, and Riders of Rohan will arrive like a thundering herd. The expansion will include the largest region LOTRO’s ever seen. Rohan is a vast kingdom, allowing players to level to the new cap of 85 while exploring its expansive terrain. And this massive zone will only cover the East plains of Rohan, so you’ll have to wait for the next expansion to visit the legendary Helm’s Deep–which is located near the Western border of the region.
While a new, huge region is cool and all, what really made me excited about the expansion was that it will introduce of mounted combat to the game. The generically named War Steed will become player’s newest ally in the fight again Sauron. These trusty companions will level with the players, and have upgradable armor to tweak their appearances and performance. This sounds like a great idea in theory, but I’m slightly worried that this might follow the path of Legendary Weapons, and become more headache and hassle for players to deal with than its worth.
LEGO are now in the process of developing Minecraft sets to be sold worldwide. Last month Mojang launched a pitch through the LEGO CUSOO site. Pitches that pick up more than ten thousand visitor votes are passed on to the designers and decision makers at LEGO for a closer look. Mashable mention that Minecraft Lego has now received a big fat APPROVED stamp after picking up 10k approvals in two days, a CUSOO record.
Ars Technica is reporting that Blizzard has cancelled BlizzCon 2012
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The primary reason Blizzard gave this morning for announcing its decision not to host a Blizzcon fan gathering this year was that the company is "heavily focused on getting Diablo III, [World of Warcraft's] Mists of Pandaria, and [Starcraft II's] Heart of the Swarm into players' hands as soon as possible." While this is probably true, the justification doesn't fully explain the decision to my satisfaction.
Interesting news if you ask me. But at the same time, kind of strange.
Develop is reporting that the Wii U will be roughly twice as powerful as the Xbox 360.
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While twice the power of an Xbox 360 is broadly above market expectations, Develop’s source claimed this is in fact less than some studios had expected.
“I've heard [a project designer] complain it's underpowered compared to what Nintendo announced, resulting in people having to de-scale their plans,” the source added.
Warlock -- Master of the Arcane is a new turn-based strategy game set in the fantastical land of Ardania, popularized in Majesty franchise. Warlock -- Master of the Arcane invites players to take on the role of the Great Mage and build a powerful magical empire, giving mighty mages the ability to control armies and wield magic to wage war against one another, as they compete with other wizards for the title of Warlock.
Warlock -- Master of the Arcane offers a wide range of military units --three different races, along with summons and wild creatures -- as well as providing dozens of spells, from which players can discover powerful spell combinations to help attain victory over their adversaries. With epic battles to fight, gods to side with, and an innovative city management system, players must strike a balance between military might and magical prowess to remain the last mage standing.
Players can look forward to entering the mythical war-torn world of Warlock -- Master of the Arcane in Q2, 2012.
Eurogamer has news that SNK is developing a new portable system called Neo-Geo Keitai.
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The portable boasts a 4.3 inch LCD screen and 2GB of memory, presumably expandable through the included SD card slot.
The games included are World Heroes, Ultimate 11, Top Player's Golf, Sengoku, Nam-1975, Mutation Nation, Last Resort, King of Monsters, Frenzy, Cyber-Lip, Fatal Furty Special, The Art of Fighting, Super Sidekicks, League Bowling, Metal Slug, Magical Lord, Baseball Stars Professional, Samurai Shodown, The King of Fighters '94, and Fatal Fury.
Today a video was uploaded to Youtube titled "S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 Unofficial Video". However DSO Gaming is reporting that it's actually an MMO called S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Online, which is being developed by CyberTime System and is already in open beta in Russia.
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A few hours ago, a S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 video was uploaded to YouTube and although this is not footage from GSC’s upcoming gem, it’s definitely from a STALKER game. In case you are wondering, it’s from STALKER Online, an online addaptation of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. that is developed by CyberTime System and is built on the in-house BigWorld Engine. The game has been in development for quite some time and its Russian open beta phase has been running for quite some months.
And if you think we are wrong about it, you can try its Russian open beta and find for yourselves.
Moreover, GSC GameWorld has tweeted that this footage is not from S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 and that it could be from STALKER Online. And… well… it is as we’ve played it and we know for a fact that it is from that game.
Hacking has been rampant in Battlefield 3 ever since its release, but recently things have gotten even worse. According to fan site Battlefield 3 Blog, hackers have discovered a way to ban players by using a PunkBuster exploit.
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Just as we thought the hacking issue with Battlefield 3 couldn’t get any worse, it now appears it has just that: in order to prove their point against PunkBuster, the cheaters and hackers over at ArtificialAiming have banned over 150 Battlefield 3 players by using a PunkBuster exploit. A forum post claims:
“In 2011 we hit them with a mass ban wave and now were are banning real players from battlelog while ggc-stream is totally unaware. We have framed 150+ bf3 players alone.”
There are numerous threads over at Battlelog about this issue, where innocent players have been banned. The issue has to do with PBBans and GGC — third party services that run on the vast majority of Battlefield 3 game servers.
DICE have stated that they’re looking into the issue, but at this point, hackers have pretty much gotten control of the game. And just to make matters worse, innocent players can now be banned with what appears to be a simple command and the user’s BF3 GUID.
A line of Mass Effect 3 action figures it set to be released, and each will come with a code that unlocks DLC for the multiplayer mode.
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It looks like Mass Effect 3′s multiplayer mode will be getting extra DLC after launch, and Bioware will be offering a new way to get it. A series of toy store adverts spotted on Eurogamer show off a series of Mass Effect figures. Each one comes with a code that will unlock extra bits and pieces for Mass Effect 3′s new co-op mode.
The randomised codes “could include powerful new weapons and new characters,” according to a post on the Bioware store, or they could contain “character boosters, weapon modifications, and weapon upgrades to make your multi-player squad stronger.”
We're pleased to announce that the latest update to our Co-op vs. AI game mode will be arriving soon, featuring an onslaught of brand new bots. We'll be expanding our roster of AI opponents to 40 total bots, providing a much larger variety of enemy team compositions. That means new tanks, new mages, new carries and new support champions to battle when you take to the Field of Justice alongside your friends in the Co-op vs. AI game mode!
Ubisoft has released the second DLC for Assassin's Creed Revelations. The Mediterranean Traveler Map Pack is available on Xbox LIVE Arcade for 800 Microsoft Points and PC for $9.99. It will be available for the PS3 tomorrow, January 25.
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The Mediterranean Traveller Map Pack enriches the Assassin’s Creed Revelations multiplayer experience with features that include:
All-new multiplayer maps to maneuver through: Jerusalem, Constantinople and Dyers
Fan-favorite Italian Renaissance maps from Assassin’s Creed® Brotherhood to revisit: Firenze (Florence), San Donato and Siena
All-new Trophies and Achievements to earn
The addition of six multiplayer maps introduces new gameplay opportunities through each map’s varied terrain, perches and hideouts. The new collection of Trophies and Achievements will allow players to try their hand at kills and escapes that are as impressive as they are effective.
To preview the Mediterranean Traveler Map Pack, players can download a free trial from Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 and PlayStation®Store. The trial will expire three days after playing the new DLC for the first time.
Andrew, Steve and Matt have some fun in a local store, then Matt goes over
some rules for the trio.
Three high school students make an incredible discovery, leading to their
developing uncanny powers beyond their understanding. As they learn to
control their abilities and use them to their advantage, their lives start to spin
out of control, and their darker sides begin to take over.
He was there from the beginning. He shaped our deepest beliefs. Man's perception of Death has changed throughout the ages, yet one fact will always remain: His will be the last face you will ever see.
There are also some new screenshots released today which you can see here. Darksiders II is scheduled to be released sometime this summer.
Ubisoft has announced that I Am Alive is coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade on March 7, 2012 for 1200 Microsoft Points.
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Today, Ubisoft announced that I Am Alive, a believable post-apocalyptic action-adventure game, is coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade House Party for Microsoft’s Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system on March 7, 2012.
I Am Alive follows an everyman’s journey to find his wife and daughter, who were lost during the “Event.” A year later, he finds Haventon, his hometown, in shambles. Buildings are destroyed, toxic ash fills the streets and society has been torn, causing inhabitants to take all necessary actions to survive.
In I Am Alive, players will be challenged by both the environment and the enemies. Stamina and resource management are key when being exposed to deadly atmospheres and scaling enormous buildings in search of supplies. The unique combat system requires players to utilize intimidation - cowards are easily swayed with an empty gun, while other enemies will put players to the test.
A new trailer for the Red Orchestra 2 expansion, Rising Storm.
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Rising Storm covers the famous island-hopping campaigns in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945 as the US Army and Marine Corps fight it out with the Imperial Japanese army and Special Naval Landing Forces. Featuring some of the most brutal fighting in the Pacific theater, players are able to experience beach assaults, jungle fighting, close quarters cave fighting and more across Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and many other historic locations. The player is able to take the part of either side – American or Japanese –playing through the Campaign Mode alone or with friends, or battling it out online in full player versus player multi-player.
You're always a VIP at Club Vegas! Enjoy vivid graphics, realistic sound effects and incredible 3D animations as you play your favorite casino games, including Blackjack, Roulette, Video Poker, Keno and more! Excitement awaits... are you ready to try your luck at the Club Vegas Casino?
Blackjack, Tri-Card Poker, Baccarat, Pai-Gow Poker
Indie Royale just released an unscheduled pack, the "Lightning Round" Serious Sam Pack.
Games included are:
Serious Sam: The Random Encounter for: windows, desura, steam (pc)
Serious Sam Double D for: windows, desura, steam (pc)
Serious Sam: Kamikaze Attack for: windows, desura
Serious Sam: The First & Second Encounter for: steam (pc)
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The high-octane Serious Sam Indie Series was commissioned by rogue publisher Devolver Digital and franchise creator Croteam (an indie dev themselves) around the launch of Serious Sam 3: BFE, which is now available at all fine digital retailers!
HOW IT WORKS
BUY EARLY & SAVE
As more people buy, the price goes up - so get in early!
BEAT THE MINIMUM
Knock the price down for others & show your support by paying more than the curent price.
STEAM & DESURA
Download your games directly, or redeem on Steam & Desura. Play on!
From Geekology comes word that Rocksteady, the geniuses behind Batman: Arkham Asylum and Arkham City, may be bringing us a new TMNT game:
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These are initial details from the rumor report. They're... damn promising.
- All four Turtles will be playable, with flashbacks played as Master Splinter/Hamato Yoshi.
- Gameplay and story/stage progression will be similar to Batman: Arkham City.
- Bosses include Bebop and Rocksteady, Dr. Baxter Stockman, Shredder (Oroku Saki), and Krang. In the case of the humans-turned-mutants, you fight them in both forms throughout the story.
- The Turtle Van and Turtle Blimp will be included.
- The game will use Arkham City‘s graphics engine.
- The game is expected to be more dark than slapstick.
If this is true . . . I . . . I don't think the world is ready.
Heads up, gang! Valentine's Day is just around the corner, so now's the time to start putting together a game plan for surprising your SO with something that says how awesome you think they are. Sure, you could go the traditional, boring route and give them flowers, chocolates, and a card. But why not make this year special by giving them something to remember, something that says: "Wow--I am both loved and valued." This year's perfect V-day gift? An Atari 7800.
Think about it! The 7800 was Atari's lost treasure, stowed away in warehouses while the gaming economy weathered the storm of the Great Crash of '83. Yet despite being hidden and out of sight, the 7800 never gave up hope that one day its love would come. Fast forward to 1986, and we find the neglected console's victorious emergence back into the daylight, where throngs of gamers rejoiced and Atari's grand--
Wait, what? The 7800 never really caught on due to the release of the NES the previous year? Okay, so maybe we need to rethink your gifting strategy, unless of course the message you want to send to your objet d'affection is, "I'll keep you sealed up in the dark until it's time to bring you out and meet my new hotness."
That being said, their are some valid, non-Valentines-Day-related reasons to own the Atari 7800, many of which are covered by the Metal Jesus in this week's video. So put on your snow boxers, 'cause it's time for a wintry-mix episode of METAL JESUS ROCKS!:
I just noticed on craigslist a few days ago that there was an Atari 7800 with 50 games listed for $150 not too far from me. Watching this makes me wish I had picked it up.
People are already doing hacking that involves the PS Vita, but the hacking is taking place on a PS3. Apparently PS3 firmware 3.55 sees the Vita as a mobile phone, and that somehow allows the portable to play games via its Remote Play feature.
Ideally, we could play all PS3 games on the Vita via Remote Play. That doesn't work yet, unfortunately. But, from these videos of the hack running, we know it's totally possible. A post on CVG shows the Vita running Red Dead Redemption, Battlefield 3, Mortal Kombat and Batman: Arkham Asylum with no issues.
What sucks is that hackers have to fudge with some older firmware to get a system feature to work. C'mon, Sony. The Vita's big screen and dual analog sticks makes it perfect for Remote Play. We'd love it if you'd get this ready for launch next month.