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Psychonauts 2 Plot Detailed by Tim Schafer

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About a week ago Double Fine’s crowdfunding effort to begin working on Psychonauts 2 managed to reach its funding goal of $3.3 million before closing out a few days later at the $3.8 million mark and recently Tim Schafer, founder of Double Fine Productions, decided to share some of the story for Psychonauts 2 with those who attended a Reddit “Ask Me Anything” event.

After being asked about the plot, Schafer responded stating that the storyline is something that he wanted to do when the original game was released and that he has been thinking about it over the years. Check out his full answer about the story below:

In Psychonauts 2, Raz will finally get to go to Psychonauts headquarters–his lifelong dream. There he can see Sasha and Milla in their natural environment–international espionage. But he finds several things strange about the organization. While Truman Zanotto was missing, several changes to the direction of the organization were made by his second in command. Funding was cut from traditional psychic research and peacekeeping, and redirected to unorthodox, fringe endeavors, including the discredited practice of necromancy.

Raz soon uncovers sinister things at work in the shadows of Psychonauts headquarters, including double agents and evils of the past. Raz’s own family history plays a pivotal part in the story, and Raz must confront the roots of the curse placed on his family once and for all. And also deal with this whole “girlfriend” term and what it really means.

Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 Open Console Beta Available Now

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In case you missed it, last week Popcap and EA announced that they would be launching an open beta for Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 this week and now that time has rolled around. This means that, for those who wish to, the open multiplayer beta is now available on both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, allowing fans of the game a chance to try out the title’s refined multiplayer options from now until Monday January 18th.

As for the full game, players can expect Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 to be released in North America on February 23rd and in Australia and New Zealand on February 25th for the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC.

Arslan: The Warriors of Legend Announced for PC

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It looks like the Xbox One version of Arslan: The Warriors of Legend isn’t the only Western exclusive version. Today Koei Tecmo has announced that alongside the title’s release on the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One that the title will also be released on PC at the same time as the console versions.

This means that when the game is released on February 9th in North America and February 12th in Europe, fans will be able to pick up whichever version suits their needs the best. To go along with this announcement Koei Tecmo has also released a new batch of screenshots as well as some new character highlight videos that you can check out below.

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Gieve Highlight Trailer

Bayonetta 2 Receiving Discounted Standalone Release Next Month on Wii U

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The witch is back – sort of. Bayonetta 2 was quite a hit for the Wii U and Nintendo in general (review plug here). We are already going to receive the beloved character in Smash Bros., but for those wanting to check out the latest release in terms of gameplay – you can now make your move as Nintendo are releasing the game for the half the price as a solo disc experience.

This only means you will just get Bayonetta 2 and not the first title, but considering that game runs for $10 at most retailers in North America on other platforms (aside from the Wii U, which is a bit costly due to the bundle only option) – most will be pleased with the news. February 19th marks the release for a fantastic game – so mark that date and get ready for smash in the most stylistic way possible.

Madman Entertainment’s ‘A Letter to Momo’ Release Has Been Delayed Until Further Notice

Madman Entertainment announced today that their upcoming DVD and Blu-ray release of A Letter to Momo has been delayed until further notice. Both editions were originally scheduled for release on March 3, 2016. Madman has advised that customers who have already pre-ordered the release will not need to do anything. They will announce the new release date as soon as they are able to.

Both editions will feature the movie with dual audio options and will include the trailers, TV spots and a feature titled “The Making of A Letter to Momo” as on-disc extras. The DVD edition has a suggested retail price of $29.95 AUD and the Blu-ray edition has a suggested retail price of $34.95 AUD.

Right Stuf Announces the April 5, 2016, Release of ‘Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam’ Collection 2

­Right Stuf and Sunrise have announced the upcoming DVD and Blu-ray release of Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Collection 2, which contains the conclusion of the sequel to Mobile Suit Gundam. It will be released in North America on April 5, 2016. The cover art is featured below.

The release will feature remastered video and will include the original English dub by The Ocean Group. The DVD edition will feature episodes 26-50 across five discs with English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo audio, Japanese mono audio and English subtitles. The Blu-ray edition will feature the same episodes across three discs with English LPCM stereo audio, Japanese LPCM mono audio and English subtitles. Both editions will include the textless versions of the second opening animation and the second ending animation. Right Stuf provided a synopsis of these episodes:

A new force enters the Universal Century conflict. Can the A.E.U.G. fight a war on two fronts?

The Universal Century world is locked into an escalating conflict. While the A.E.U.G. resistance group strives to convince the world of the justice of its cause, the brutal Titans continue to suppress dissent through violence and fear. Now the struggle enters a new phase as a powerful third force enters the battlefield, and the A.E.U.G. and Titans race to enlist the support of the mysterious Axis renegades. Confronted with his past, Char Aznable at last decides to embrace his role as leader of the A.E.U.G. But his choice may have come too late, for the Titans have completed their most terrible and devastating weapon.

The DVD edition has a suggested retail price of $59.99 USD and the Blu-ray edition has a suggested retail price of $74.99 USD. Both editions will be available for pre-order from March 8, 2016.

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Xbox Newsbeat: January 15, 2016

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Things are starting to heat up on the news front again. This week’s Xbox Newsbeat brings news on the Halo World Championships Regional Qualifiers, Homefront: The Revolution, and more.


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Stan Available Now on Xbox One

Stan is a movie and TV streaming service in Australia. It offers HD quality streams of the latest hits like American Sniper and Inside Amy Schumer for $10 a month. A Stan app for the Xbox One has just been released this week.

Jeremy Hinton, Business Group Lead for Interactive Entertainment at Microsoft Australia, said:

“We’re delighted to welcome Stan to the Xbox One. Stan’s content line-up has something for everyone which perfectly complements our incredible list of unique entertainment features on the console such as Live TV, Voice Control, Skype, Xbox Fitness and a huge selection sports apps to name a few. The inclusion of Stan further cements Xbox One as the home of entertainment in Australia. Stan provides consumers with another great reason to jump into the Xbox One’s growing entertainment offering. Fully integrated into the Xbox One’s entertainment features to ensure consumers have the very best experience – Stan on the Xbox One offers users more flexibility in their viewing experience than any other platform, even allowing them to continue gaming, unlock achievements or even sharing content to Twitter whilst watching their favourite film and TV shows, all at the same time.”


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Halo World Championship Regional Qualifier Results

The first two Halo World Championship Regional Qualifier for ANZ has completed, with Team Immunity and Team Citadel making it to the Regional Finals. The third will take place on Sunday January 17th. Check out the full results at ESL Australia.



Homefront: The Revolution Gets a Date and an Xbox One Beta in February

The Homefront sequel is finally getting a release date after its rocky development cycle. Homefront: The Revolution will kick off a guerrilla campaign against the occupying Korean People’s Army in Philadelphia. The game launches in May, but a closed beta will start in February. Spots will be given out during several promotions being held in the coming weeks.


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Stoic Studio Wants You to Think Like a Viking in the Banner Saga, Available Now for Xbox One

The highly lauded indie tactical RPG Banner Saga has launched on Xbox One. The game was Kickstarted back in 2012 and is steeped in viking lore. To celebrate the launch, Xbox Wire sat down with art director Arnie Jorgensen and writer Drew McGee of Stoic Studio for an interview. Check it out at the official Xbox website.

 

Nozomi Entertainment Reveals Its April 2016 Release Schedule

Nozomi Entertainment has revealed its April 2016 releases. The Magic User’s Club television and OVA series and the Anime Elements re-release of the complete collection of Gakuen Alice will be available on DVD from April 5, 2016. The tentative cover art images for all three releases are featured in the gallery below.

The Magic User’s Club OVA collection will contain all six episodes with dual audio options and English subtitles. All episodes will be featured with Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo audio. Episodes 1-2 will also be featured with English mono audio, while episodes 3-6 will also be featured with English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo audio. The on-disc extras will include: the Magic User’s Club karaoke clip, “Behind the Scenes at Studio Triangle”, a special promotional video, the textless opening and ending animations and commercials.

The Magic User’s Club television series collection will feature all six episodes with Japanese and English 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo audio and English subtitles. The on-disc extras will include a special short film, the textless opening and ending animations and commercials.

The Gakuen Alice DVD release will feature all 26 episodes with Japanese 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo audio and English subtitles. The textless opening and ending animations, character biographies, liner notes and previews will be included as on-disc extras.

Sentai Filmworks Reveals the ‘Hanayamata’ English Dub Cast

Sentai Filmworks recently announced the cast of their upcoming English dub of Hanayamata (sometimes stylised as HaNaYaMaTa). The series was licensed for a North American home video release in September 2015. It has since been scheduled for a January 19, 2016 release.

The English dub cast is as follows (character/actor):

  • Naru Sekiya – Caitlynn French
  • Hana N. Fountainstand – Luci Christian
  • Yaya Sasame – Monica Rial
  • Tami Nishimikado – Cynthia Martinez
  • Machi Tokiwa – Carli Mosier
  • Sally-sensei – Molly Searcy
  • Masaru Ofuna – John Gremillion
  • Sachiko Yamanoshita – Brittany Karbowski
  • Yuka Komachi – Juliet Simmons
  • Arisa Kajiwara – Margaret McDonald
  • Naru’s Father – David Wald
  • Hana’s Father – Leraldo Anzaldua
  • Hana’s Mother – Tiffany Grant
  • Tami’s Father – David Matranga
  • Yaya’s Father / Police Officer – John Swasey

Sentai Filmworks provided a synopsis of the series: “Naru is an extremely average high school girl. Though she has a love for fairy tale heroines, she’s never done anything extraordinary with her life. One day, she sees the transfer student, Hana dancing in the moonlight. Naru becomes inspired by her new acquaintance and decides to learn Yosakoi dancing.”

Leraldo Anzaldua, Christopher Ayres, Amanda L. Baird, Joanne Bonasso and Cayla Coats will also voice additional characters. Christopher Ayres will be directing the English dub. The series is based on the manga series by Sou Hamayumiba. Madhouse animated this adaptation.

XSEED GAMES TURNS UP THE HEAT WITH GAMEPLAY TRAILER FOR NITROPLUS BLASTERZ: HEROINES INFINITE DUEL

XSEED GAMES TURNS UP THE HEAT WITH GAMEPLAY TRAILER FOR NITROPLUS BLASTERZ: HEROINES INFINITE DUEL

Battle System Detailed as the Game’s Dangerous Damsels Strut Their Stuff for Upcoming PS4 and PS3 Launch on February 2, 2016

Torrance, Calif.January 14,2016 – XSEED Games, the independent-minded console publishing brand of Marvelous USA, Inc., today released a new trailer showcasing gameplay mechanics from its upcoming 2D crossover fighter, Nitroplus Blasterz: Heroines Infinite Duel, which will release in North America on February 2, 2016, for the PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems. Expertly developed by the studio behind the Arcana Heart series of 2D fighting games, EXAMU, Nitroplus Blasterz: Heroines Infinite Duel features satisfyingly intense and balanced fighting action sure to delight players of all skill levels. The game’s intuitive battle system is on full display in this latest trailer, complete with detailed descriptions and action-packed sequences that show off the fiery fury of the game’s femme fighters.

After selecting a main character, players will duke it out while charging up the abilities of their two chosen Partners, who – once called into the fight – will contribute with battle damage and various other effects. As the combatants exchange blows, their Power Gauge builds at the bottom of the screen. Filling this gauge meter by meter, up to a maximum of three, the players will then gain access to devastating abilities, including character-specific super moves and a massively powerful “Lethal Blaze” attack that deals incredible damage but costs all three meters.

The trailer also details the game’s innovative “Blast” system, which provides players with the option to use one of three special tide-turning maneuvers once per round, such as creating distance between the player character and her opponent, breaking an opponent’s combo, and extending a player’s combo beyond normal limits. Additionally, a player’s health and meters both begin regenerating once the Blast state has been activated.

Between easy-to-execute combos, cinematic cut-ins on “Lethal Blaze” attacks that run the gamut from awe-inspiring to adorable, and assist mechanics that allow for up to six on-screen characters at a time, the development team at EXAMU ensures that combat in Nitroplus Blasterz: Heroines Infinite Duel stays fast and flashy. The game is populated by numerous heroines from the visual novel company Nitroplus’ rich collection of IPs, including playable characters Ein, Mora, Ruili, Al Azif, Saya, Ignis, Anna, Muramasa the 3rd, Kibanohara Ethica, Saber, and Ouka, as well as fan favorite mascot character Super Sonico, who will be playable in Nitroplus Blasterz for the very first time via this console release. Players can also test how their skills stack up online against other network players, with full cross-play compatibility on offer between PS4™ and PS3™ system players.

As a way to thank early adopters and patient fans, XSEED Games will be offering the game’s two DLC characters Homura (from the SENRAN KAGURA series) and Aino Heart (from the Arcana Heart series) free of charge on the PlayStation®Store for the first four weeks following their respective release dates. Starting March 1, Homura and Aino Heart will be available for $5.99 each or as a bundle for $9.99.

Slated for publication by XSEED Games, Nitroplus Blasterz: Heroines Infinite Duel will be available in North America on February 2, 2016, exclusively for the PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 systems.  The game carries a suggested retail price of $39.99 on the PS4™ system for both the physical and digital release, while the PS3™ system version will be released exclusively on the PlayStation®Store at $29.99. This title has been rated “T for Teen” by the ESRB.

For more information on XSEED Games products, please visit www.xseedgames.com. Fans can also follow XSEED Games on Facebook at www.facebook.com/XSEEDGames and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/XSEEDGames.