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State of the EB Expo

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Too often the gaming public in Australia get shafted when it comes to games and gaming more often than not when it comes to attention from the big publishers. For a country which spans a continent, we don’t really have that large a population and it follows that as a gaming market we are small potatoes when it comes to the Asia-Pacific region. What we lack in numbers, however, we make up for in sheer enthusiasm with our love of the medium and our willingness to wear our gaming hearts on our digital sleeves. It is to this enthusiasm that EB Expo in Sydney attempts to cater.

In recent years we’ve had the field open up a bit with Australian expos including GaymerX in Sydney and PAX Australia down in Melbourne, both of which aim for their own niches. The appeal that EB expo holds is that it is very much an outlet of the mainstream, where the big publishers are able to flaunt their wares to Aussie punters. It’s as close to the spectacle of E3 as most people in Sydney will get and I speak highly of it when I say that it aims for a mass market audience.

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Last year I felt that the Expo had shrunk down in size since my first foray onto the show floor in 2014 but I am happy to report that it certainly felt bigger this year. Besides there being a larger selection of games on display from the big publishers, I was impressed by the non-gaming booths that were on display as well. As an aficionado of all things pop culture, it was a pleasure to walk through and check out the little stalls dedicated to replica weapons, the Australian branch of the 501st Star Wars Stormtrooper Legion, and even the LARPing community thanks to an appearance by the folks who run Scy’kadia.

The expo also made prominent its support of the professional gaming scene in Sydney by hosting teams playing heats against each other in everything from Counter Strike to the ever-popular Super Smash Bros. It was good to see EB support competitive gaming by dedicating a fairly significant amount of show real estate to a gaming arena where the teams could play and attendees could watch. Kudos to EB Games!

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For the average gaming scrub, like yours truly, there was plenty of games and activities to keep you occupied as you explore the show floor. Pretty much all of the big gaming exhibitors had something for you to experience hands-on during the expo with Sony in particular wowing the expo-goers with demonstrations of their Playstation VR tech. All of the big exhibitors were popular however, as was evident by the queues pretty much every stall had. Pretty much every gaming genre was represented with plenty to meet the tastes of most gaming enthusiasts including playable demos of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Dishonoured 2.

I think that the Expo and EB Games itself have gone in the right direction by expanding their scope to include general pop culture amongst their exhibitors as well as their in-store products. It’s good to see that the Expo continues to grow and expand its appeal beyond simply those who are only interested in gaming.

You can check out our facebook photo album of the event here and see our general coverage of the expo itself here.

WWE 2K17 Controls Trailer

WWE 2K17 Controls Trailer

With WWE 2K17 arriving at retailers tonight, 2K has released the first in a series of controls-focused trailers. In “The Basics,” new and seasoned players are introduced to the basic controls of the game. In addition, the trailer highlights several new additions to the game’s primary gameplay mechanics.

Download the WWE 2K17  Controls Trailerhere: https://www.2kpresshub.com/assets/games/80/wwe-2k17/trailers/5c075012-ce13-4692-8952-a83afe8ad998

Watch on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS27kceDy0c

Fans can check out WWE 2K17 on  Facebook, follow the game on  Twitter and Instagramusing the hashtag #WWE2K17 or subscribe on  YouTube.

Developed collaboratively by Yuke’s and Visual Concepts, a 2K studio,  WWE 2K17 is rated PEGI 16.  WWE 2K17 is currently scheduled for worldwide release on October 11, 2016 for the PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems, as well as Xbox One and Xbox 360. Consumers who pre-order WWE 2K17 at any participating retailer will receive two playable characters of legendary WCW® and WWE star Bill Goldberg, well as playable WCW Monday Nitro and Halloween Havoc arenas, at no extra cost on launch day.

RORTOS ANNOUNCES “BLUE ANGELS: Ready, Break!” FOR PC

RORTOS ANNOUNCES “BLUE ANGELS: Ready, Break!” FOR PC

Pensacola, 10 October 2016: RORTOS (http://www.rortos.com ), the Italian leader in the development of flight simulators, announced today that “BLUE ANGELS: Ready, Break!”, will launch later this month for PC Windows. Rortos successfully launched the flight simulator by the same name for iOS and Android platforms in mid-July, and an Xbox version of the game is also being planned.

Presented at the National Naval Aviation Museum of Pensacola in Florida during the weekend of the Blue Angels’ airshow in July, the simulator of the US Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron for PC and Surface Windows 10 includes many additions and enhancements from the mobile version of the game. The PC game will include innovations such as improved graphics as well as the compatibility with the joystick, Hotas, Flight Yoke and Pedals for an even more immersive and realistic experience.

“Our goal was to respond to the requests of our fans and the flight simulator community and turn some of their suggestions into reality,” said Roberto Simonetto, CEO of RORTOS. “By providing this incredible flight simulator for our PC player fan base, we are creating an even better riveting gaming experience for our fans. The addition of a specific guide system for the keyboard and joystick will evoke a more authentic Blue Angels experience for players.”

The main features are:
– U.S. NAVY license
– Optimized and improved gaming graphics for more and more realistic scenarios
– Support of joystick, Hotas, Flight Yoke Flight Pedals
– Pilot F/A-18 fighter and C-130 “Fat Albert” transport aircraft
– Innovative formation flying and assisted guidance system
– All official Blue Angels maneuvers, playable in all roles
– All configurations: takeoff, diamond, delta, echelon, line abreast and soloist
– Use Airshow Mode to complete a real exhibition with a custom sequence of maneuvers
– Additive Mode to create your aerobatic figure
– Special missions: freeflight, exploratory, pursuit and C-130 JATO
– HD REAL 3D TECHNOLOGY scenarios
– 3D Briefing display for an easy understanding of flight maneuvers
– Innovative help system with three levels of difficulty to suit both beginners and more experienced pilots
– Accurate trajectory measurement system for evaluation of the score
– Best world performance ranking
– 3D Cockpit
– Multi-camera replay with dynamic visuals
– Exploratory area of the aircrafts

OFFICIAL and SPECIAL MANEUVERS
Discover all the secrets of aerobatics with 3D briefing, take complete control and activate the aircraft with the right timing on the rudder, landing gear and smoke deployment! Take off, fly and run all opening maneuvers with the C-130 “Fat Albert”, either “PARADE PASS” or “ASSAULT LANDING,” with no limits, and you just have to give it your best. Now you can sit in the cockpit as a soloist and perform an “AILERON ROLL” to familiarize yourself with your own F/A-18 to then use all your adrenaline in increasingly challenging and complex maneuvers up to formation flying: the “DIAMOND ROLL,” “DELTA BREAK-OUT,” and “FLEUR DE LIS” are just a few examples of all the possible shapes that you will be called upon to perform by covering all roles of the true Blue Angels pilots.

AIRSHOW
Plan your exhibition by composing real aerobatics with faithfully reproduced official scenarios: NAF El Centro, NAS Key West, Reno, Elmendorf AFB and Baltimore. Your ultimate goal is to complete all airshows! You can do this by executing the real maneuvers in sequence or randomly. You have the freedom of choice. For every maneuver, you decide what role to play: the #1 FLIGHT LEADER, one of the wings, the #2 RIGHT WING and #3 LEFT WING, the #4 SLOT or one of the soloists, the #5 LEAD and #6 OPPOSING SOLO.

ADDITIVE MODE
Create aerobatic figures with additive mode! Freely position the planes in the scenario you’ve chosen and decide whether to make them take off. You can start with a standard flight or high altitude and then take control of each aircraft in sequence. Aim nose up, make a loop, light the smoke, fly as you like, and when you’re satisfied, the session for the first plane ends and the second aircraft takes off. Choose to fly in free formation or DIAMOND, DELTA, ECHELON, and LINE ABREAST and make spectacular combinations that you can relive with the use of multi-camera replays.

EXPERIENCE AND SCORES
Our trajectory detection system will tell you how accurate you are and the more precise you will be at all stages of the maneuver, the higher your score. Complete the figures to your best ability, exercise, win all medals and gain experience to rise to this level. This will give the you best scores and you will reach the top of the leaderboard!

With more than 60 million users around the world, thanks to products such as Carrier Landings, Extreme Landings, AirFighter, Helicopter Sim, Historical Landings, Battleship Destroyer and Air Navy Fighters, RORTOS is ready to launch, during the year, new simulators, with important and prestigious collaborations.

RORTOS is based in Verona and consists of an all-Italian team. Born in 2012 it carries forward its mission with enthusiasm and quality: spreading the passion for flight through an experience that is accessible to everyone.

Current RORTOS simulators are developed for iOS, Android, Mac, PC platforms and can be downloaded from Apple Store, Google Play, Windows Store and Amazon AppStore.

The game will be available for $9.99 through the Windows store.

About RORTOS
RORTOS is a leader in the development of flight simulators for mobile devices. Born in 2012 in Verona it consists of an all-Italian team and it pursues its mission with enthusiasm and quality: spreading the passion for flight through an experience accessible to everyone.

RORTOS has successfully distributed more than 55 million copies on iOS and Android platforms getting the first places in the world rankings thanks to products such as Carrier Landings, Extreme Landings, AirFighter, Helicopter Sim, Historical Landings, Battleship Destroyer and Air Navy Fighters. RORTOS is set to launch in the year new simulators with important and prestigious collaborations.

RORTOS simulators are developed for iOS, Android, Mac, PC platforms and can be downloaded from Apple Store, Google Play, Windows Store and Amazon.
www.rortos.com

EARTH’S DAWN TO LAUNCH EARLY NOVEMBER ON PLAYSTATION®4, XBOX ONE, AND PC

EARTH’S DAWN TO LAUNCH EARLY NOVEMBER ON PLAYSTATION®4, XBOX ONE, AND PC

Blast and Slash Evil Invaders, Customize Weaponry, and Augment Combat Skills to Liberate Earth from Alien Forces

Los Angeles, CA – October 10, 2016 – Video game publisher Rising Star Games announced today that Earth’s Dawn will be launching on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system on November 1 and Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft on November 2 in USA, Canada, and South America. Developed by oneoreight, and previously released in Japan under the name Earth Wars, Earth’s Dawn mixes fast-paced, side-scrolling 2D action mechanics, unique dark-edge anime visuals, and a wealth of customization to weapons and skills to deliver a deep and unique gameplay experience.

Watch the Earth’s Dawn trailer HERE: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xY7AW-hHp0&feature=youtu.be

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Battle alien scum through a variety of different landscapes and climates in Earth’s Dawn.

Earth’s Dawn takes place after the Earth was decimated by an invasion from an alien race known to humans as E.B.E. The E.B.E. moved across the planet, consuming anything in their path, and proved impervious to existing weapons. Ahead of the impending annihilation, a breakthrough was made – the E.B.E. was susceptible to damage by weaponry designed using its very own technology. The power to fight back was now in the hands of an elite fighting force.

Combat in Earth’s Dawn offers a huge amount of depth, with a layered system that will appeal to both light and more hardened players. Basic attacks can easily be strung together to pull off combos, while tying these to the analogue stick will instigate launchers, aerials, and sliding attacks. Timing a dash during a combo will extend its length and finisher moves will dispatch enemies with flair. Players are evaluated after battles and ranked according to expertise and skill, and may then use the points awarded to enhance and level up their hero.

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Weapon customization in Earth’s Dawn is incredibly deep.

Developed by oneoreight, Earth’s Dawn will be available on the PlayStation®4 system on November 1 and Xbox One on November 2 for $29.99 in USA, Canada, and South America. A physical boxed PS4™ system edition will also be available at participating retailers in USA, Canada, and South America. The PC version of Earth’s Dawn will follow soon after. For more information, follow Rising Star Games on Twitter and visit the official Rising Star Games website.

# # #

ABOUT ONEOREIGHT

We are a Japanese game creator established by gathering members who want to “make games that we ourselves think are interesting.” The Earth’s Dawn (Earth Wars) series is our first entry into console gaming as OneorEight. We would be delighted if you were able to play this game which we ourselves think is “fun to play.”

one-or-eight.co.jp

ABOUT RISING STAR GAMES

Rising Star Games is a privately held video games publisher with a global reach. With operating offices in Europe and USA the company publishes video game entertainment across all gaming platforms from Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo and via Steam. With decades of combined experience and a genuine passion for interactive entertainment, Rising Star Games is proud of its ever-expanding and enormously diverse catalogue of over 120 titles.

www.risingstargames.com

Pokémon Trading Card Game: XY—Evolutions Prerelease Tournaments Announced

Pokémon Trading Card Game: XY—Evolutions Prerelease Tournaments Announced

London, UK, 7 October 2016—The Pokémon Company International today announced that the latest Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) expansion, XY—Evolutions, will be made available for Prerelease tournament play two weeks before its official launch date.

Each participant in these tournaments will receive a Prerelease box containing a 22-card Evolution pack, four 10-card booster packs from XY—Evolutions, and an exclusive foil promo card. The Evolution pack provides a solid foundation which, along with the booster packs and Energy provided by the Tournament Organizer, will be used to construct a 40-card deck.

Prerelease tournaments in the UK will be held 22–23 October 2016, and participants will need to provide their Player ID card in order to compete. Anyone without a Player ID can obtain one at registration.

The tournaments will be run using the Limited Format and Age-Modified Swiss pairings. The number of Swiss rounds played will depend on total attendance at the event. All participants are required to be players in good standing and abide by the tournament rules.

Please refer to the official Pokémon TCG site for more information on these rules, tournament locations, prizes, and relevant legal notices:

http://www.pokemon.com/uk/play-pokemon/ . Also note that these Prerelease events will be operated by independent Tournament Organizers who should be contacted directly for more details.

Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8: Final Chapter Prologue Limited Edition Revealed

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Square Enix has announced that they will be offering something of a bonus for those who pre-order Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8: Final Chapter Prologue. All pre-orders will be upgraded to the “limited edition” of the title that will include the game, a special box to hold the game, and an official Disney collector’s pin featuring Sora and Mickey which is sure to delight at least a few people who find it hard to track down official merchandise for the series.

Currently Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8: Final Chapter Prologue is set to be released on the PlayStation 4 in Japan on January 14th and in North America and Europe on January 24th.

Farming Simulator 17 – Mods available for PS4 and Xbox One players

Farming Simulator 17 – Mods available for PS4 and Xbox One players
Free mods available at launch on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC and Mac.

Farming Simulator, the premiere farming simulation experience by GIANTS Software, has entranced millions of players with its popular setting, addictive gameplay, and hundreds of vehicles from the world’s biggest agriculture brands. Over the years, the series has attracted a huge community of passionate players, active in multiplayer and bringing additional content to the games with many incredible mods.

Until now, mods have been exclusive to the PC versions of Farming Simulator. They’ve accounted for much of the series’ success, allowing players to add a wealth of new content – including new vehicles, environments, animals, game mechanics, and more. Therefore, it’s with great excitement that, in a series first, mods will be available on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in Farming Simulator 17. GIANTS Software is working on having free mods available at launch on PC and Consoles, with players able to download them on October 25.

“The PC community has always shown a great sense of creativity, and demonstrated huge commitment by adding quality content to the Farming Simulator experience,” explains Thomas Frey from GIANTS Software. “This year, with the support of Sony and Microsoft, we will be able to provide a selection of the best mods created by the PC community, and port them to Consoles. These mods will be checked internally before being released in order to meet all of the necessary Console requirements. If PC players benefit from a larger quantity of mods, Console players will be able to continuously enjoy new mods released regularly for free. These mods will guarantee an optimal and renewed gaming experience for all Farming Simulator 17 players.”

Get on board on the 25th of October 2016: Farming Simulator 17 is coming on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. Check here the different offers available for Farming Simulator 17.

Superdimension Neptune VS Sega Hard Girls Dialogue Screenshots Released

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With Superdimension Neptune VS Sega Hard Girls set to be released next week for the PlayStation Vita Idea Factory International has released a new set of screenshots for the RPG and this time around they are focusing on the dialogue that fans know and love the series for. As you’ll notice in the images below, the company has made sure to keep the game’s aesthetic as true as possible in North America and Europe as there are two sets of screenshots, one that feature an orange outfit for Dreamcast in North America and one that is blue for Europe, matching the colors of the console in each region.

Superdimension Neptune VS Sega Hard Girls is set to be released on October 18th in North America and October 21st in Europe for the PS Vita and you can also check out the opening video below.

Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star Delayed to Early 2017

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XSEED Games has announced that Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star will be missing its previously planned Winter 2016 release and will now be arriving in North America sometime in early 2017 for the PlayStation 4 and PS Vita. The company had some good news to go along with this announcement however as they did reveal that a special “Noble Phantasm” limited edition will be available for both versions of the game.

Priced at $20 more than the basic version, the Noble Phantasm edition will include a 7.5×6.3″ hardcover art book featuring over 100 pages of high-quality artwork from the game, a pack of 3×6″ collectible cards featuring each of the game’s sixteen Servants, as well as a 24×17″ cloth poster contained in a special custom box.

Alongside this news XSEED Games also released a new trailer and a handful of new screenshots for the game and you can check those out below.

Danganronpa 1•2 Reload Announced for PlayStation 4

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After many years the core Danganronpa series has come to an end with certain characters spread across all three entries surviving to the end. That doesn’t mean that the story is over nor does it mean that NIS America is willing to let the older titles simply fade away. The company has announced that they are once again porting the original two titles, Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc and Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair to the PlayStation 4 under the collection Danganronpa 1•2 Reload. This title will be released physically and digitally in North America for $39.99 sometime in early 2017.

This collection will not include Ultra Despair Girls, the shooter meant to take place between the events of the first and second game. Also at the moment NIS America has not announced plans to localize New Danganronpa V3, a new and different take on the story, which is set to be released in Japan in early January.