Logitech announced today the latest addition to their G series of gaming peripherals. A new version of the G610 Orion keyboard will hit shelves in September. The new variant called the G610 Orion Blue features Cherry MX Blue switches will carry an MSRP of $209.95 AUD at launch. The tactile/clicky MX Blue switch rounds out the G610 line, so it covers all the major switch types: silent MX reds, tactile browns, and tactile/clicky blues.
Logitech, Vice President and General Manager, Ujesh Desai said, “Keyboard enthusiasts want a variety of options. Our new G610 Orion Blue keyboard delivers a clean, sophisticated design along with a choice of mechanical switches.”
The Logitech G610 Orion Blue shares the same features as its siblings. The keycaps are matte and are lit with white LEDs. There are a row of dedicated media keys on the top right hand corner of the keyboard. The keyboard is backed with Logitech’s LGS software, controlling the lighting and allowing the function keys to double as macros in game.
F1(TM) 2016 Announces Multiplayer Support for 22 Players
Latest Gameplay Video Showcases New Game Features, Including the Formation Lap
F1 2016 TO RELEASE ON AUGUST 19, 2016
Larkspur, Calif., July 7, 2016 –F1 2016, the official videogame of the 2016 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP™, takes gamers deeper into the sport than ever before with 22 player online racing and the introduction of features such as the Formation Lap and manual starts. Codemasters® and Deep Silver have today released the latest F1 2016 video which highlights these great new features as well as the game’s stunning visuals.
The new F1 2016 video features in-game footage showing the action from the paddock and hospitality area, garage, pit lane, grid and the track.
Releasing on August 19 for PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, the all-in-one entertainment system from Microsoft, and Windows PC, F1 2016 takes immersion to the next level by replicating the real world sport like never before with the Formation Lap appearing for the first time in the franchise allowing players to experience the height of the pre-race tension and warm their tires in preparation for the all-important start.
Codemasters previously announced that both the Safety Car and Virtual Safety Car are featured in this year’s game; they will be complimented by the addition of manual race starts, adding to the pressure on the driver as they sit on the grid. They will have to engage the clutch and balance the revs as they wait for the lights to go out. Reaction times are vital to avoid a jump start by going too early or getting stuck on the grid as the anti-stall engages.
The driver will also be able to have manual control over their pit lane entry and braking as they look to minimize the time they lose when pitting. They will also need to brake in time to avoid a penalty for speeding in the pit lane. This year’s game also includes the new five second pit stop penalty.
Principal Games Designer, Lee Mather said, “We strive to create a game that is as close to the actual sport as possible. We have listened to the feedback from our community and that has resulted in us introducing the Safety Car, Virtual Safety Car, Formation Lap, manual race starts and the host of other gameplay features that get us even closer to the real sport and add to the experience for the player.”
“Increasing the multiplayer support to 22 players was extremely important to us,” added Mather. “We want to be able to fill the whole grid with human players to create those great race moments and stories. It also provides greater support for online leagues.”
With multiplayer support for up to 22 drivers, F1 2016 allows players to form a full grid of human players across the 21 circuits featured in the 2016 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, including the tight Baku street circuit, the latest addition to the calendar. In single player, gamers are able to create their own legend in the expansive Career Mode which stretches for up to ten seasons and includes drama both on and off the track.
F1 2016 Limited Edition includes the ‘CAREER BOOSTER’ DLC PACK, which will give players a head start in their career as well as exclusive Career Helmet and Laptop designs.
About Codemasters
Codemasters, the award winning video game developer and publisher, has a 30 year heritage. With titles distributed globally, Codemasters is a leading developer and publisher of driving and racing entertainment games including DiRT, GRID and the official BAFTA award-winning FORMULA 1 series of videogames. Since March 2010, Reliance Big Entertainment Ltd. (RBEL), a part of India’s Reliance ADA group, has been the principal shareholder (60%), alongside existing investor, Balderton Capital, the leading European venture capital firm. For more information on Codemasters’ product portfolio, please visit www.codemasters.com. Join in the conversation with @codemasters on Twitter or Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/codemasters.
About Deep Silver
Deep Silver develops and distributes interactive games for all platforms. The Deep Silver label means to captivate all gamers who have a passion for thrilling gameplay in exciting game worlds. Deep Silver works with its partners to achieve a maximum of success while maintaining the highest possible quality, always focusing on what the customer desires.
Deep Silver has published more than 200 games since 2003, including its own brands like the open world extravaganza Saints Row, the zombie action franchise Dead Island, and the grim post-apocalyptic future of the Metro series. Deep Silver also owns the development studios Deep Silver Dambuster Studios in Nottingham, UK; Deep Silver Fishlabs in Hamburg, Germany, and Deep Silver Volition based in Champaign, IL, USA. For more information please visit www.deepsilver.com.
All product titles, publisher names, trademarks, artwork and associated imagery are trademarks, registered trademarks and/or copyright material of the respective owners. All rights reserved.
BATTLEPLANS, THE HIT MOBILE REAL-TIME STRATEGY GAME FOR SMART TACTICIANS, LAUNCHES ON ANDROID TODAY
Android version of unique real-time strategy mobile game launches with new features and a brand new playable hero on Google Play
SEATTLE, July 7, 2016 — En Masse Entertainment is pleased to announce the Android release of Battleplans, the hit real-time strategy game (RTS) for mobile—blending the tactical depth of classic titles in the genre with accessibility and intuitive controls perfect for touchscreen devices. Co-developed with C4M, Battleplans is now available for Android devices via Google Play.
Since release on the App Store in May 2016, Battleplans has been downloaded over 500,000 times by iOS users eager for a great RTS experience rarely seen on mobile. Starting today, Android gamers can join in the fun and enjoy the game for themselves, with upgrades including a new character, Taigar the Huntress. Players on iOS get the new enhancements and hero character added through today’s update as well.
“After the great reaction from mobile gamers on iOS, we’re thrilled to bring Battleplans to the Android gaming community,” said Sam Kim, CEO of En Masse Entertainment. “We think Android gamers will agree that Battleplans is one of the most satisfying and challenging RTS games on their device, thanks to the intuitive touch controls, deep tactical gameplay, and aesthetically rich world of the game.”
Key features for Battleplans include:
REAL-TIME TACTICS — Make decisions quickly to turn the tide of battle.
COMPETITIVE PLAY — Dominate the map. Plan, attack, and defend on your schedule.
INTUITIVE CONTROLS — Easy to learn, and fun to master. Quick-thinking beats quick fingers.
PLAN YOUR BATTLES — Choose a mix of unique heroes and units for both attack and defense.
Developed by C4M, Battleplans is published by En Masse Entertainment for iOS and Android devices and can be downloaded for free now.
Based in Seattle Washington, En Masse Entertainment embodies the evolution of modern game publishing. The company’s mission is to publish great games and provide great service. Beginning with its inaugural title, TERA, and continuing with Zombies Monsters Robots and the company’s first two mobile games, Fruit Attacks and Pocket Platoons, En Masse Entertainment has built a track record of excellence and innovation. The team at En Masse includes experts in online technology, live service, branding, community, and player support, allowing them to thrive as a publisher in the digital era. For more information, visit EnMasse.com
About C4M
Based in Montreal, Canada and Marseille, France, C4M was founded in 2005 to develop games for the emerging mobile phone market. Since 2011, C4M has been developing smartphone games and apps for corporations, digital agencies, and game publishers. They have published more than a dozen games, including Tekken Card Tournament, a game known for its original game play, quick battles, and deep tactics. Their latest venture, Battleplans, builds on those same principals.
RELIVE THE MAGIC OF FINAL FANTASY VII NOW ON ANDROID DEVICES
LONDON (7th July) – Square Enix Ltd., today announced that FINAL FANTASY® VII, the award-winning seventh entry in the FINAL FANTASY series, is now available on Android devices. Having previously released on iOS devices only, the Android release will once again give new generation of mobile gamers the opportunity to experience the game’s epic storyline, captivating characters and vast 3D world while on the go.
First released in 1997 on the PlayStation® computer entertainment system , FINAL FANTASY VII is universally regarded as a hallmark title of the RPG genre. FINAL FANTASY VII received high praise for its effortless storytelling, compelling cast and in game cut scenes powered by cutting-edge technology of the time. Since then, the game has sold more than 11 million copies worldwide across multiple platforms – and continues to receive widespread acclaim from critics and fans around the world.
Special features for the FINAL FANTASY VII mobile edition include:
● Simple and comfortable virtual controller design that enables a clear view of the action.
● The ability to choose between virtual analogue or fixed four-way digital control pad options.
● Adjustable opacity of on-screen controls through the configuration menu.
● Option to turn enemy encounters off on the world/area maps* and a Max Stats command that enables players to become all-powerful in the blink of an eye.
FINAL FANTASY VII is now available for iOS and Android devices through the App Store and Google Play Store, priced at £11.99 / €15.99. For more information, visithttp://www.jp.square-enix.com/ff7sp/en/.
*Event battles will not be skipped while encounters are switched off, allowing you to enjoy the story as usual.
About FINAL FANTASY VII
In FINAL FANTASY VII, players fight as Cloud Strife, a former member of Shinra’s elite military unit SOLDIER, as he struggles at the center of conflict between the tyrannical corporation Shinra and the eco terrorist group AVALANCHE in one of the most iconic stories told in video game history. Featuring a diverse cast of memorable characters, powerful in-game moments and an immersive world, FINAL FANTASY VII for iOS and Android offers the most accessible rendition of the legendary title to-date.
About FINAL FANTASY Portal App
The free-to-download “FINAL FANTASY Portal App” provides the latest and greatest on all things FINAL FANTASY, as well as exclusive promotional trailers and developer commentary. By logging-in with their Square Enix account, players can accumulate points that can be exchanged for various items. Also, the iconic Triple Triad card game from FINAL FANTASY VIII makes its mobile debut, and is playable in the app.
About Square Enix Ltd.
Square Enix Ltd. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX®, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content in Europe and other PAL territories as part of the Square Enix group of companies. Square Enix Ltd. also has a global network of leading development studios such as IO Interactive™, Crystal Dynamics®, and Eidos Montréal. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 115 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 68 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 45 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix Ltd. is a London-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.
More information on Square Enix Ltd. can be found at http://eu.square-enix.com/en
Bandai Namco have unveiled the pre-order bonuses for Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 as well as unveiled a special collectors edition, a season pass and a whole bunch of new screenshots which give us a look at some of the new outfits available in the game, some other very interesting features and the games official box art.
So let’s start with the collectors edition. Those who go all out for the best edition will receive:
Son Goku Super Master Stars Piece (34cm tall)
Exclusive box design with metal Shenron
Time Patroller’s Guide
I’m not sure what to make of the contents of the Time Patroller’s Guide or the metal Shenron, so perhaps more details on those bonuses will be divulged later. Those in America will also receive a steel book case and a copy of the games soundtrack, no doubt karma for all the times they missed out on receiving a collector’s edition at all.
Now apart from the collector’s edition there is a deluxe edition. This edition will give you early access to the blue haired Future Trunks as a playable character and the Season Pass. The Season Pass for Xenoverse 1 was honestly very lackluster, with 3 packs mostly centered around new characters. Xenoverse 2 looks a little better but details are still slim for now. The Season Pass includes four packs including:
Playable characters
Episodes and Quests
Masters and Masters Quests
Skills, Costumes, and accessories
Stages
I think it’s a safe bet one or two of those packs will be based on Dragon Ball Super which I expect to see a dub announcement for in the coming months. Now if you pre-order you can get even more goodies and this is certainly one that a lot of people want. Those who pre-order will gain exclusive access to the playable character Goku Black, the current villian of Dragon Ball Super as well as an exclusive Tao Pai Pai pillar skin for their custom characters hover scooter which they can ride in the hub world of Conton City.
For those who don’t remember, Super Saiyan 4 Vegeta was a pre-order bonus for the first game and was never released separately for purchase, so keep in mind the same thing could happen here with Goku Black.
Now I’ll go over some new things we can see in the recently released screenshots. The biggest thing to note is the screenshot above featuring a blue Kid Buu looking character. This image was titled as Majin Awaken Power, the same wording used for a screenshot of a Saiyan character who was also in a transformed state. Nothing is confirmed yet, but that seems like a very strong indication that the Majin race, if not all custom character races will be receiving some sort of unique transformation.
Lastly, there are heaps of new costumes being added into Xenoverse 2 for our custom characters to wear including:
Yamcha’s Baseball outfit
Grand Kai outfit
Police Krillin outfit
Perfect Cell outfit
Goku’s Bomber Jacket Outfit (from the 10 days rest during the Cell Games)
Super Baby outfit
GT Vegeta outfit
Trunks sleeveless jacket outfit from movie 9
Vegeta’s casual outfit from Dragon Ball Super episode 2
Yajirobe hair (most likely to be a wig)
We can expect a bit more Xenoverse news in the coming days with some live streams and events taking place. The game releases on October 25th for PS4 and Xbox One in North America and an October 28th for the rest of the world. The PC edition also lands on the 28th. You can check out the updated trailer which features all the above mentioned bonus editions and the gallery of new screenshots below.
2K/Turtle Rock Announces Evolve Stage 2 – Free on PC Today
Evolve is staging up on PC – literally – and today Turtle Rock Studios and 2K introduce Evolve Stage 2!
Evolve as you know it has been completely overhauled and is being re-launched on PC today as Evolve Stage 2, with new game design, gameplay mechanics, and improved gameplay balance and system performance. Not only that, but starting today you can play Evolve Stage 2 completely FREE on PC via Steam.
Why is Evolve changing and what does this mean for new and existing players? Chris Ashton and Phil Robb, co-founders of Turtle Rock Studios explain all in a letter to the Evolvecommunity, which you should read on the forums here: https://talk.turtlerockstudios.com/t/a-message-to-our-community/87816
Evolve Stage 2 is an entirely new beast with a ton of changes and content in the BETA version that launches today on PC. Full details on all of that can be found here:https://evolvegame.com/news/en-evolve-stage-2-announce
Lastly, it was paramount to us with Evolve Stage 2 that if you own or buy a copy of originalEvolve on PC, your game will automatically upgrade to Evolve Stage 2 and you will receive “FOUNDER STATUS” in-game. Full details on what Founder Status means can be found here: http://evolvegame.com/news/en-founders-status-in-evolve-stage-2
Full assets that accompanying this announcement, including two new trailers, can be found on the 2K Press Hub.
Brand-new Pokémon revealed at Japan Expo in Paris!
Paris, France – 7 July 2016: Earlier today at the Japan Expo in Paris, GAME FREAK director Junichi Masuda took to the stage to unveil the brand-new Pokémon Salandit that can be found in the Alola region in the highly anticipated video games Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon.
More information about the new Poison- and Fire-type Pokémon:
Name: Salandit
Category: Toxic Lizard Pokémon
Type: Poison/Fire
Height: 2’00”
Weight: 10.6 lbs.
Ability: Corrosion
The Toxic Lizard Pokémon Salandit emits toxic gas, together with flames, from the base of its tail. The gas it emits has a sweet smell, and anyone who unknowingly breathes it in will become dizzy. Although Salandit is not a particularly powerful Pokémon, it uses its cunning nature to fiercely battle and throw its opponent off balance.
Salandit has the Corrosion Ability, an Ability that no previous Pokémon has had before. The Corrosion Ability means that Salandit can inflict the Poison status condition even on Steel- and Poison-type Pokémon.
Koei Tecmo has released four new videos for their upcoming Attack on Titan game as well as some new details regarding the game’s weapon upgrade system, the scout mode, and the decisive battle signal. Three of the videos focus on introducing characters as they focus on Levi, Hange, and Erwin, while the fourth video focuses on the decisive battle signal.
In Attack on Titan players will be able to enhance their various pieces of equipment with materials found from slaying Titans in single player as well as online and these improvements can improve your anchors, allowing them to attach to Titans from further away and at faster speeds, being able to deal more damage, fight longer, and more. Scout Mode is the game’s online mode that allows players to team up with three companions to venture out and take on missions spread out through a number of different stages.
As for the decisive battle signal, it is a way for players to call everyone to the player’s area in order to deal a great amount of damage to an enemy at one time while also increasing the amount of damage that their weapons do while also preventing blades from becoming blunt and stopping gas depletion.
On top of announcing that they are planning on bringing a popular visual novel series to PlayStation platforms next year, Sekai Project has also announced a large number of new visual novels that they will be releasing in English for the PC sometime over the course of the next year.
The products that the company have licensed range from titles that are simply for all-ages as well as those that have 18+ versions that will likely be released by Denpasoft at the same time as the standard English release. These titles include Baldr Sky Dive1 “Lost Memory”, Baldr Sky Dive2 “Recordare”, A Magical High School Girl, SakuSaku, Shining Song Starnova, Boku to Koisuru Ponkotsu Akuma (featuring artwork from Nekopara‘s creator), and Japanese School Life.
Details about each of the titles licensed by the company including trailers from Sekai Project can be found below:
Part visual novel, part cyberpunk action RPG, the hit duology, Baldr Sky Dive1 “Lost Memory” and Baldr Sky Dive2 “Recodare” are finally coming to western audiences via Steam!
In an alternate future where Nanomachines have helped shape a new world and humanity has embedded “always-on” access to the Internet, a virtual war is waged online. Using the aid of Nanomachines, a young boy by the name of Kou Kadokura seeks to restore his memory and avenge the death of his girlfriend, Sora, whose life was taken from her during the tragedy known as “Gray Christmas.” With a deep, story-driven narrative and the opportunity to pilot, upgrade, and modify their simulacrum (mechs), players will take to the virtual battlefield in top-down battles against virus-infected simulacrum.
A Magical High School Girl
Scheduled for release later this summer on iOS and PC from illuCalab, A Magical High School Girl is an enchanting magic-crafting role playing game with real time battles. Limited only by the imagination and creativity of the player, craft and create magical spells using almost any word or word combination to fend off a wide range of spirits, monsters, and fiends. Specific keywords will determine the power, element and various other parameters of the spell. Get crafty!
SakuSaku
Coming soon to Steam from Palette is SakuSaku. A tale about Yuma, a second-year student at Mihaya Academy who has heard more than a lifetime’s worth of gossip, romance, and love-related troubles. And as much as Yuma would like to roll his eyes and toss his head back in exasperation, he has no one to blame but himself. By offering up a listening ear and providing personal advice to the girls in his school his interest in love has reached an all-time low. However, could a mysterious girl who believes in the power of love, but has actually never been able to fall in love, get Yuma’s heart beating once again?
Shining Song Starnova
Shining Song Starnova from Love in Space is an idol-themed visual novel featuring energetic anime-style illustrations, a dramatic story about the trials of the entertainment industry, and songs and vocals from Japanese voice talents MI-KO (vocalist, MOSAIC.WAV) and himari (Chocola, NEKOPARA), among others.
Players will assume the role of Mr. Producer, who takes seven imperfect talents under his wing at Shining Productions. When the girls debut as the idol group STARNOVA, the task of lifting these starlets to fame rests solely on the shoulders of Mr. Producer. As they face various trials and hardships, the aspiring idols soon discover that the industry is nowhere near as perfect as it is portrayed by media.
This is the story of STARNOVA’s trials, their laughs, and their tears, as the seven girls walk the thorny path to stardom…
A star’s death is only rebirth.
Boku to Koisuru Ponkotsu Akuma
From SMILE, featuring the vibrant and lovable artwork of Sayori, the creator of everyone’s favorite catgirl comedy series, NEKOPARA, comes the hilarious nukige tale, Boku to Koisuru Ponkotsu Akuma.
After being kicked out and mistakenly placed into the school’s special dormitory overrun by ponkotsu, or seemingly useless demons, Ren is by default assigned the task of supervising and watching over this group of misfits. But will Ren be able to survive his new job as teacher and mediator for these ponkotsu demons, or will he find himself succumbing to their every beck and call? Find out in Boku to Koisuru Ponkotsu Akuma, coming soon exclusively to Denpasoft.com.
Japanese School Life
Previously announced as Sekai Project’s first original IP, Japanese School Life will be developed and published in-house under the newly established brand, Code:jp. As a result of in-house development with newly added features including e-mote functionality, new and upgraded illustrations, in-game facts and tips to help players better understand Japanese life and culture, bilingual in-game text, the Japanese vocal talents of Takada Hatsumi as Suzuki Arisa and Taneda Risa as Honda Chiyoko, Sekai Project has decided to forgo plans for a crowdfunding campaign and will look to release Japanese School Life in October 2016.
Over the weekend at Anime Expo MangaGamer kept themselves extremely busy by announcing that they had acquired a number of new titles for release in English which also resulted in three brand new partners for the company. These PC titles range from cuddly romance games, to boys live titles, to otome games, and even something from ClockUp, the minds behind euphoria.
The company has licensed their new partner Chuablesoft’s If You Love Me, Then Say So!, the boys love title from Mada Koubou Hadaka Shitsuji – Naked Butlers, the otome game from new partner Kalmia8 Fashioning Little Miss Lonesome, the spiritual successor to the Da Capo series, D.S. – Dal Segno –, and finally ClockUp’s Maggot baits.
You can check out trailers and descriptions for each of these games from MangaGamer below:
If You Love Me, Then Say So!:
“‘I love you.’––Three simple words that are always hard to say. When do you confess? Where? How? Everyone faces this worry, trying to gauge the proper time, but once you’re going steady, how do you keep it that way? If You Love Me, Then Say So! features an innovative event system with enormous freedom to choose how you spend your time—and when to take the plunge with the girl of your dreams. Is it better to confess early? To wait and see? Countless branching paths wait for you to make that agonizing decision.”
Hadaka Shitsuji – Naked Butlers:
“The singular vision of diaboical genius, Mito Togo—a game for people who love butlers, by someone who loves butlers. Mada Koubou’s debut title has earned itself cult-hit status with its handsome butlers, and its atypical and irreverent take on the BL genre.”
https://youtu.be/y857j8c9MsQ
Fashioning Little Miss Lonesome:
“When two handsome young men spot the perfect girl to be their first model and help make a name for themselves, they’re determined to go for broke and make her shine—but first they’ll have to get her out of her house! Can these two really give such an anti-social recluse the makeover she needs to be a star? Or will she be the one to change them in this off-beat romantic comedy?”
Dal Segno:
“We have something new from Circus––their latest game, and something of a spiritual successor to the Da Capo series, D.S. –Dal Segno-! Happiness. Paradise. Words that mean as many different things as there are people in this earth. What does happiness mean to you? What shape does your paradise take?”
https://youtu.be/Y7y6oatrstY
Maggot Baits:
“Once born into this world, you must live. That is the single truth that exists for all life in the beginning. Mentors and models to follow, the will to do good and abhor evil—are all a fiction we learn later, a fiction known as “ideology”. Living this fiction is what makes us human. But do we need such ideology to be human, as we do our limbs? Does that make those who lose or abandon such ideology less than human—does it make them limbless maggots? If so, then this tale is devoid of humans—it is a tale of maggots. Crawling to survive, like the maggots we are.”
