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July 23, 2015

Super Dungeon Bros Confirm Worldwide Retail Release

Nordic Games named as Global Distribution Partner

Watford, United Kingdom and Vienna, Austria – (23^rd July 2015) – Wired Productions, an established independent games publisher, today announced a global retail distribution deal with Nordic Games to deliver a physical retail release of React Games’ Super Dungeon Bros for Xbox One, PS4 and PC.
As part of the newly signed agreement, Nordic Games will handle physical distribution in all major territories.

“Throughout development we’ve been delighted with the reception of Super Dungeon Bros, and we’re excited to announce this partnership with Nordic Games to bring the title to as many players as possible, worldwide.” said Leo Zullo, Managing Director of Wired Productions. He continued, “Nordic Games has always been a long term partner, and we’re pleased with the continuation of our relationship.”

Nik Blower, PR & Marketing Director for Nordic Games said, “Re-affirming our business-Bro relationship with Wired Productions gives us great pleasure. We’re Super-happy we can bring our physical distribution weight to the fore with this rockin’ good title. ”

More details regarding the launch will be released in due course.
In Super Dungeon Bros, a band of mighty rock bros must navigate the endless dungeons of Rökheim, a giant scar of godforsaken earth, to seek out epic loot, fight hordes of evil undead and uncover the legends of long lost fabled Rock Stars!

Teams of up to four players either on or offline can take on the roles of heavy metal heroes; Axl, Ozzie, Freddie, and Lars and embark on a quest from the gods of rock to search ever-changing dungeons (which scale depending on the number of players) and combine rock and fantasy with dangerous foes, deadly obstacles and hazardous puzzles.

For more information on Super Dungeon Bros and to keep up to date with all the latest news, announcements & more, please register your interest atwww.superdungeonbros.com . You can also LIKE the official Facebook page atwww.facebook.com/DungeonBros or follow the Dungeon Bros on Twitter athttps://twitter.com/DungeonBros.

For the latest news and information about Wired Productions, take a look at the website:www.wiredproductions.com , follow the Twitter page https://twitter.com/WiredP@WiredP, Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/wiredpro

About Wired Productions:
Wired Productions are an established independent games publisher based in Watford, Hertfordshire, UK. Wired have produced over 35 titles, and are the team responsible for the 1.3 million unit selling We Sing franchise as well as producing and co-developing The Voice branded console products. In 2013/14, Wired Productions moved back into digital console publishing with Let’s Fish! Hooked On on the PlayStation Vita, Tiny Troopers Joint Ops on the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita (including cross buy) and Last Inua on PC & Mac. For more information visit www.wiredproductions.com or follow at: www.facebook.com/WiredPro and on Twitter https://twitter.com/WiredP.

About Nordic Games GmbH:
Nordic Games GmbH is a wholly owned publishing subsidiary of Nordic Games Group AB. Founded in 2011, the Vienna/Austria based company puts great emphasis on its extensive game catalogue. The core portfolio comprises products and brands which have been acquired from JoWooD Entertainment AG, DreamCatcher Interactive Inc., THQ Inc., and Atari SAS, and further IPs and trademarks will follow.

The company will pursue the long-term goal of delivering quality products that live up to expectations of gamers worldwide. For more information, please visit www.nordicgames.at .

About React Games:
Founded in 2008, React Games is an award winning, independent video games developer based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Specialising in development for Xbox, PlayStation®, iOS, Android, Windows 8, Facebook, PC, Mac as well as the Nintendo 3DS, React Games has shipped over 40 titles in 7 years. React Games is well known for delivering fun gameplay and high quality production values on every project. For more information, please visithttp://www.reactgames.com or follow us on Twitter viahttps://twitter.com/reactgames.

Life is Strange reaches 1 million sales

Press Releases

Philip Federico

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July 23, 2015

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Life is Strange reaches 1 million sales

Episode 4 releasing Tuesday July 28th – New trailer today

Square Enix and DONTNOD Entertainment are incredibly proud to announce that LIFE IS STRANGE has reached 1 million sales – a huge achievement for the small team working on the game.

In other great news the wait is nearly over! LIFE IS STRANGE: EPISODE 4 – DARKROOM will be launching on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on July 28. A new trailer, artwork and screens are available to download now.

In Episode 4, Max pushes the investigation surrounding the disappearance of Rachel Amber and the strange happenings in Arcadia Bay into unexplored and daunting territory. As the End of the World party approaches, Max must use her powers to put all the pieces of the puzzle in place.

Watch the ‘LIFE IS STRANGE: EPISODE 4’ trailer ’ here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AukgNY6Uxww ;

AMPLITUDE STUDIOS’ ENDLESS LEGEND SHADOWS EXPANSION THIS SUMMER

Press Releases

Philip Federico

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July 23, 2015

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AMPLITUDE STUDIOS’ ENDLESS LEGEND SHADOWS EXPANSION THIS SUMMER

Get Hands-On and Live Demo at Gamescom 2015

Paris, France – July 23, 2015 – Critically-acclaimed indie developer Amplitude Studios announced today the next expansion for its award-winning 4X strategy game Endless Legend. Due this summer on PC, Endless Legend Shadows integrates a highly requested and anticipated feature with a new the espionage system that gives players the chance to spy, infiltrate, pillage, and assassinate. Endless Legend Shadows also introduces a major new faction called the “Forgotten,” a faction based on espionage.

Watch the all new Forgotten Faction reveal for Endless Legend Shadows HERE: youtu.be/WFQxwaODOOc

Endless Legend Shadows is a nightmare out of history. The Forgotten are a faction that all others thought to be lost or dead. Against their will, they were forged into a tight society of violent and distrustful survivors, having spent the final years of the cataclysm alone on the surface of Auriga. Now, as rifts in their society have led a splinter faction to declare its independence, the Forgotten are risking everything in the hopes that the other factions will accept them – or kneel before them.

Endless Legend Shadows Features:

Play the brand new faction, the Forgotten, experts in the new espionage skills.
Play with invisible units using the new “Camouflage” and “Stealth” capacities.
Infiltrate an empire to steal, capture, sabotage and assassinate!
Pillage villages, extractors and watchtowers to slow your enemy’s progression.
Equip your heroes with “Insignia” accessories to give them special espionage abilities.
Defend yourself by using counterespionage skills and the new “Detection” capacity.

Amplitude Studios will be providing hands-on demos and developer interviews of Endless Legend Shadows at Gamescom this year. In addition to showing Endless Legend Shadows, Amplitude will also be showing off the upcoming Xbox One and iPad versions of Dungeon of the Endless, and an all new unannounced title.

Known for its deep, engaging, and gorgeous 4X strategy games, Amplitude Studios’ Endless Legend and Dungeon of the Endless were honorable mentions for Excellence and Design while Endless Legend was nominated for Seumas McNally Grand Prize in the 17th annual Independent Games Festival at GDC 2015. Amplitude’s first game Endless Space won the 2013 Golden Cube and Community Choice Unity Awards. For more on Amplitude Studios on its Website (www.amplitude-studios.com), like it on Facebook, and follow it on Twitter. For more on veteran strategy game publisher Iceberg Interactive, Follow it on Twitter @Iceberg_Int, ‘like’ it on Facebook, and watch it on Twitch and YouTube.

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ABOUT AMPLITUDE STUDIOS
Amplitude is an independent team of experienced video game lovers (and developers) with a single goal: Create the best strategy games with the players’ help! Based in Paris, the studio boasts an international team that has worked all over the world on major AAA titles. Since Amplitude’s creation in 2011, the studio has released Endless Space, Dungeon of the Endless and Endless Legend, all critically acclaimed. A pioneer in its working method, while developing its first game Amplitude launched an open crowdsourced development process called “GAMES2GETHER.” This platform enables the community to participate in the creation of a video game from the early stages of development. Today, this methodology enables the studio to fulfill the expectations of its players while earning international recognition for the quality of its productions. Read more at www.amplitude-studios.com.

ABOUT ICEBERG INTERACTIVE

Iceberg Interactive is an independent video game publisher founded in 2009 by an international group of games industry veterans and is located in Haarlem, The Netherlands. Iceberg has fully embraced the digital revolution of the past few years and maintains strong worldwide relations with most digital portals, while also keeping its roots in the European retail markets. Staffed with avid gamers, Iceberg works closely with an international assembly of game developers, both midsize and indie. Garnering attention with acclaimed releases over recent years in the genres of strategy, action, simulation and adventure, the company has an exceptional 2014 line-up, including Endless Legend, StarDrive 2, Starpoint Gemini 2, Lords of the Black Sun, Vector Thrust and Starship Corporation – with more promising games in the pipeline.

Magic Duels: Origins Review

Andrew Day

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July 23, 2015

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Magic Duels: Origins
Developer: Wizards of the Coast, Stainless Games
Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
Platforms: PC (Reviewed), iPad (Reviewed)
Release Date: Out Now (iPad), July 29th (PC)
Price: FREE (with in-app purchases) – iTunes | Not yet available on Steam

Overview

Magic Duels Origins is the newest installment in the long-running Duels of the Planeswalkers series of games that are designed to get new players into the world of Magic: the Gathering. While last year’s installment left a bit of a bitter taste in my mouth, I was eager to give this year’s trial a fair go and I was pleasantly surprised. While not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, it is a marked improvement and an almost perfect teaching tool for those looking to understand the ins and outs of this decades-old trading card game.

Story

Magic Origins is a bit of a departure in the series in terms of storytelling and its no surprise that Magic Duels: Origins follows suit. Instead of one cohesive story, this game aims to explain the origins of some of the most popular characters from the franchise (Jace Beleren, Chandra Nalaar, Gideo Jura, Liliana Vess and Nissa Revane). The game is broken into five chapters, each focusing on a particular character’s early life including their childhood, their ascension to Planeswalker and also giving hints on where they went to from there. I found this fractured style of storytelling to be pretty cool, and breaking each character’s story into its own Campaign gave Wizards the perfect opportunity to summarise and present their lore in a very focused and well presented package.

Gameplay

At its core, Magic Duels: Origins is a tool to teach new players how to get into the world’s oldest trading card game. From its simplistic controls to its well thought-out explanations of the rules, it is the perfect teaching aide for anybody looking to get into the game.

There are multiple ways to play Magic Duels, but they all boil down to three major categories: Campaign, solo battles, online multiplayer. It does each of these relatively well and I had no major gripes with any of them.

Last year when I played through Magic 2015: Duels of the Planeswalkers. I noted in my review that building your own deck to play through the game’s story was a novel concept but one that in the end resulted in the whole game feeling like it was a pay to win mobile game. Thankfully for this installment, Wizards did away with that whole side of the game for the story and instead lets you run through the game’s gauntlet with pre-chosen decks. The decks are different depending on which character’s story you are playing through and where in their saga you are up to. As you progress through a character’s challenge, their deck will become stronger, allowing you to progress at a steady pace. This for me is a massive improvement over the previous installment, where either you struggled and grinded your way through the story or you went the other way and shelled out massive amounts of money for a deck that could actually handle some of the mid-late game challenges.

Now before some of you out there worry; there is still a deck building element to Magic Duels: Origins, it is just limited to the free dueling and online modes. You start off with a decent sized collection of cards and have the ability to earn and purchase more as you play through, and from this collection you can build your deck. I wont lie – early on your decks will probably suck and I strongly suggest playing through the campaign and earning some packs in order to pad that collection before you really immerse yourself into the duels.

In terms of online stability, I played almost 40 games of Magic across both platforms and I only had a couple of instances of drop-out (most of which were my own connection’s fault) so I can say that the game has a pretty smooth online experience. It does suck that there currently is no cross-platform play supported, but hey we can’t have it all!

One of my biggest gripes with Magic 2015: Duels of the Planeswalkers was that the game basically forced you into shelling out around $45 in a very pay-to-win environment. While you are still able to outright purchase packs of cards in Duels: Origins, the necessity of using real-world dollars has been scaled back somewhat by the game’s own currency. Winning duels, completing the daily challenges and playing through the campaign will unlock in-game coins that can be exchanged for packs. The coins you get from the campaign are enough to grab 5 packs (roughly 30 cards) to add to your collection, which isn’t a lot but combine that with the coins you can get regularly through the daily challenges and earning cards is a heck of a lot easier than the slog we had to go through last year.

Visuals & Audio

One thing the Duels games have without a doubt gotten right in the past few years has been the UI while playing. Last year’s game had its stark black and white theme going on which left the battlefield uncluttered and open. This time around, the clutter and the clarity are still there but we are instead given a nicely coloured orange/grey colour scheme to feast our eyes on. The backgrounds are plain enough to not interfere with gameplay, while still basic enough to allow you to focus on the game without getting distracted.

Aside from the backgrounds, the rest of the UI is really impressive and incredibly responsive. The way that the game lays out the battlefield, the cards in hand, permanents on the battlefield and spells on the stack is just so clean and elegant that I have an easier time understanding everything that is going on while looking at my iPad screen than I do most of my real-world Magic games. Aside from that, clicking on cards to examine them and put them into play is lightning quick and super responsive meaning that you can check a card and get back to the action without wasting any time.

One thing I did notice though was that at the beginning of some levels, especially the tutorial levels that started with a lot of permanents on the battlefield and cards in hand, the game struggled and lagged on both the iPad and PC. It is a bit disappointing seeing such notable lag considering the simplistic nature of the game’s UI.

I will say though that the CGI at the end of each character’s campaign is seriously lacking and almost laughable. After I finished Kytheon’s story I was astounded at how poorly rendered the final cut-scene was, to the point that it looked like it belonged on an early PS2/Gamecube-era game.

Overall

When I first learned to play Magic: the Gathering, the 7th Edition Starter Set came with a CDROM that have learn to play videos and tutorials, as well as some preconstructed decks with precise instructions on how to follow them in order to properly learn the game. Back then, I would have killed for a game like this to teach me the ropes and I am sure it will serve its intended audience perfectly in that regard. While in many ways Duels: Origins improves on the money-hungry antics of last year’s installment, there is still a definite pay to win feel attitude to the game.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

Backstory And Post-Apocalyptic World Revealed in New Screens For Vehicle Combat MMO Crossout

Press Releases

Philip Federico

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July 23, 2015

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Backstory And Post-Apocalyptic World Revealed in New Screens For Vehicle Combat MMO Crossout

Gaijin Entertainment, the developer and publisher of a record-breaking WWII simulator MMO War Thunder, is taking four wheeled combat to the future with their new multiplayer MMO title Crossout. Developed by Targem Games. Vehicle mayhem is order of the day as these awesome new screenshots and backstory reveal, these carefully crafted futuristic combat vehicles do battle in a post apocalyptic setting where survival depends on upgrading vehicles and destroying enemy drivers.

Currently in alpha testing, Crossout will soon reach closed beta stage on PC. Stay tuned for the latest news and register for the closed-beta testing here: http://crossout.net

About Crossout’s Backstory

Set in a post-apocalyptic world devastated by a viral pandemic and adverse effects of technology, Crossout tests players’ creativity in building, upgrading and customizing deadly armored vehicles to destroy enemies in open player vs player combat.

The scenery helps tell much more of a story of why vehicles are so essential in the fight for survival, the devastation and decay represent much more than just a back drop, they provide a reason that survivors must create, upgrade and fight for their very existence in the game.

In 2021 a mysterious viral epidemic swept the planet known as the Crossout epidemic, simultaneously countries and populations began to fall at an alarming rate all over the Earth. Those who did not die in the first few days, were plagued by hallucinations and headaches, many people went mad, others escaped this degenerative state and committed suicide. The source of the disease could not be detected but the cities that were once the vibrant social and economic beacons of humanity were left ravaged and deserted.

Media speculated several possibilities about the nature of the disease. Some argued that the radiation of cell phones and televisions was infected with a new technically engineered virus by terrorists. Others discussed a version of the virus where the atmosphere was infected with a virus as a result of the impact of a large meteorite. Was this the dawn of an evolutionary leap and new kind of humanity?

Chaos engulfed the planet, large cities had been turned into mass graves. Many tried to escape the effects of the virus by using different protective measures, they wore face masks to filter the air and completely stopped using electronic devices and used more traditional means of communication. But it was all in vain: what was once an epidemic in a few days became a pandemic unlike anyone had ever seen on such a global scale.

But humanity was not yet dealt the final blow. 20 years after the Crossout catastrophe, the world is once again a fragile balance between survival and annihilation.

Each location in Crossout is illustrating a part of this new world’s history. The “Bridge” map shows players what happened during the first few days of the disaster. Panic, the end of the world coming soon, barricades and No Entry signs. Other maps will show players the decay of all that has been created before the catastrophe and how the new form of humanity is adapting to it trying to revive the ruins of its magnificent past.

Further details on the origin story for Crossout will be revealed at a later date.

Hands on at Gamescom

Crossout will be showing all this four wheeled destruction and more at Gamescom 2015. The general public will get a chance to undertake some serious vehicle combat action and explore the apocalyptic chaos of Crossout’s environment with a closed door presentation on the main show floor in Hall 8 Booth B011.Gaijin will be working with Targem Games and Roccat to show off Crossout as well as the latest version and new features in the award winning MMO, War Thunder in more detail.

About Gaijin Entertainment

Gaijin Entertainment is the developer and publisher of the online games War Thunder and Star Conflict, as well as PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, PS3, Xbox 360, iOS and Android titles across several genres. The company’s diverse portfolio has received a range of mass media and game industry awards including such as KRI Awards, Gamescom Award and many more. Official website: http://gaijinent.com

About Targem Games

Targem was established in 2002 by game industry veterans, with the goal of bringing high-quality online entertainment to players worldwide. Targem is dedicated to the creation of cutting edge multiplayer games. Visit developer’s official website: www.targem.com

Sorcerer King Review

Jamie Laike Tsui

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July 23, 2015

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Sorcerer King
Developer: Stardock Entertainment
Publisher: Stardock Entertainment
Platform: Windows
Release Date: 16 July 2015
Price: $39.99 USD – Available Here

Video Review

Overview

Stardock Entertainment is continuing their Elemental story arc with their latest title, Sorcerer King. The game is a slight departure from the traditional 4X genre as it mixes fantasy 4X and RPGs, then throws in some tactical turn based battles for good measure. It delivers a brand new concept that starts players as a small time city leader looking to amass an army under the nose of the all powerful Sorcerer King.

Story

The Elemental franchise kicked off in 2010 with War of Magic, which laid the foundation to the world. The next two titles followed the rise and fall of new heroes and villains, capping off with Lord Relias, Procipinee, and Mirdoth rising to power. Sorcerer King takes place 200 years after the events of Fallen Enchantress: Legendary Heroes. Mirdoth has spent the years mastering Curgen’s Bane, the artifact that help him beat the Fallen Enchantress. His desires have taken a turn for the dark side and as he seeks to use his new found powers to turn himself into a god. Mirdoth, now known as the Sorcerer King, has crushed the game’s many factions and have reduced them to only a single city each. He now seeks to use the magic within the Shards to cast the spell that will grant him his immortality and destroy the world.

The player takes on the role of the sovereign of one of these cities. Unlike many of his fellow city administrators, the sovereign clued into the Sorcerer King’s plans early and seeks to create a small army under the Sorcerer King’s nose to stop his nefarious plans. The player has control of the Forge of the Overlord, an item crafting artifact that may just be the key to defeating the Sorcerer King.

Sorcerer King’s plot is told through the campaign mode, which slowly introduces players to the remnants of each faction. The player’s interactions with their emissaries serve as the main vehicle to plot development. For a 4X title, there’s a good amount of story involved. The writing is decent, though a bit unexpected. As a newbie to the series, I fully expected an extremely serious and grim presentation. Instead, a serious portion is tongue in cheek, sassy, or just plain silly in the Monty Python sense. Personally, I wasn’t a huge fan of the humour.

Gameplay

Sorcerer King’s core is a 4X fantasy. It feels more accessible than most 4X RPGs I have played recently. It is generally quite straight forward due to its simplicity; however, players are more than welcome to roll up their sleeves and do a tinkering when it comes to magic resources.

A selection of pre-made maps in a variety of sizes, including the campaign, is available along with a map generator. There is a generous number of options that will let players tweak the difficulty setting for the game, which will suit the greenest of newbies. Once a map is selected, players have a pick of six different sovereigns, each with their own talent tree. Stardock likens these talent trees to technology trees from most 4X titles. Each sovereign has a default loadout and army, but these too can be customized. The sovereigns are quite varied in their tech trees and tactics, so every player should be able to find someone that suits their tastes.

The Sorcerer King definitely changes the dynamic of the game. As the game progresses, the Doomsday Counter slowly crawls forward, with the player’s actions adding or subtracting from the counter. Grow too quickly and too blatantly, and the Sorcerer King will squash the player with his forces. To help the player through their weakened start position, maps are filled with small side quests that will let players recruit units to their cause, other factions can be convinced to aid in the player’s quest, players can research and cast a variety of helpful spells, and most importantly, the Forge of the Overlord. With materials scavenged from across the map, players will be able to equip their units with armour and accessories that can be enchanted, strengthening units beyond simple levels. Each sovereign starts with one hero unit that have their own skill trees. Unlike regular units, heroes can also equip weapons, making them as powerful as two or even three regular units.

Combat is played out as a turn based strategy RPG. Units act based on initiative and take turns moving and attacking each other. The battlefields are quite small, so things can get a bit cramped with two large armies duking it out. On the flip side, the smaller battlefields mean the fights tend to be on the short side. As armies become more powerful, lopsided fights can be automatically resolved to save time.

Sorcerer King takes a lot of gameplay mechanics from different places and does a great job of putting it all together. The Sorcerer King plays an interesting role that shapes the entire feel of the game. For the 4X nut, the fusion with RPGs is a refreshing take on a tired genre. Replayability may be a bit of a concern for some, as each game’s goal and the rough steps to get there is pretty clear cut.

Sorcerer King has huge potential to be the gateway drug to 4X games with its heavy RPG elements and relatively simple mechanics. Unfortunately, it falls victim to the same problems as 4X titles tend to share when it comes to bringing new players into the genre, the learning curve sucks. The in-game tutorial is strictly conveyed through a rather oblique quest log and in game tips that are purely focused on the current context, which leaves newbies feeling pretty lost. Annoyingly, a proper beginner’s guide can be found on the game’s forums, complete with recommended maps and settings to start out with. I would have liked to see the beginner’s guide put into the game somewhere to help cut down on the learning curve a bit. An even better idea would have been easily slashed if a heavily scripted or extremely shortened level that quickly held the hand of a new player through the basic arc of the game, from starting out through to defeating the Sorcerer King.

Visuals

Sorcerer King delivers good graphics, but lacking a bit in variety. Unit animations are very good, with plenty of visual stimulation during combat. The art style is a bit cartoony and simple, but it fits the game’s penchant for comedy. There are a few graphic options available that can be adjusted in game, but it’s a bit sparse.

Audio

Sorcerer King has a strong epic soundtrack fit for a fantasy game. The sound effects are solid. I am a little disappointed at the minimal amount of voice acting.

Overall

For fans of the 4X genre or fans of Stardock’s previous works, Sorcerer King is definitely worth a play. Stardock took a chance and tried something new by mixing RPG and 4X gameplay, and they did a great job at it. Playing as a weak underling of the Socerer King that is committing treason right under his nose is a great concept that works surprisingly well. Unfortunately, for RPG fans or people new to the genre, the decision to play is much more unclear. Like other 4X titles, it is extremely unfriendly to new players and I believe Stardock could have done a much better job to help out new players. Long term replayability is a bit questionable with the game’s rather clear cut final objective, which may give some gamers a pause.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

Super Mario Maker Bundles and Release Details Announced

Nathan Farrugia

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July 23, 2015

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Super Mario Maker Bundles and Release Details Announced

To celebrate the launch of Super Mario Maker for Wii U on 12th September and the 30th anniversary of the original title Super Mario title that started it all, Nintendo Australia is launching all-new hardware and software bundles to give existing fans and new players alike a variety of options to enjoy the unique flagship Wii U title for 2015.

Super Mario Maker for Wii U is the next evolution in the Super Mario series, allowing you to create, play and share your very own custom Mario courses with the world! Players can choose one of four looks for their course including the original Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World and New Super Mario Bros. Wii U.

Nearly every element from coins to ? Blocks to enemies and more can be used to create your own courses and combining these elements gives rise to even more inspired creations. For example, drop a mushroom over a Goomba to create a Giant Goomba! Super Mario fans can look forward to the following releases on 12th September:

Super Mario Maker Wii U Premium Pack: a black Wii U Premium console, a physical copy of Super Mario Maker, a Hardcover Artbook and a Classic Colours Mario amiibo from the Mario 30th Anniversary Collection (SRP AU$439.95)

Super Mario Maker Limited Edition Pack: a physical copy of Super Mario Maker, a Hardcover Artbook and a Classic Colours Mario amiibo from the Mario 30th Anniversary Collection (SRP AU$89.95)

Super Mario Maker Standard Edition Pack: a physical copy of Super Mario Maker and a Hardcover Artbook. (SRP AU$79.95) Those who purchase Super Mario Maker through the e-Shop will receive a PDF document containing the same art.

The Classic Colours Mario amiibo from the Mario 30th Anniversary Collection will also be available on its own from 12th September, while the Modern Colours variant will go on sale from 24th October. These Amiibo will function like any normal Mario across Amiibo compatible games but they also share a special functionality for Super Mario Maker.

Tapping either 30th Anniversary Mario Amiibo allows a Big Mushroom to appear and make Mario twice as big as normal (although he will still die in one hit in this form). In addition, enemies will also feature Mario aesthetics and the screen will change to look like an old TV screen. It also seems all other Amiibo will also be compatible with the game, allowing Mario to obtain a Mystery Mushroom which will transforms Mario’s look and sound effects into that of the tapped Amiibo!

As a bonus, those who preorder the Super Mario Maker Limited or Standard Edition Packs from EB Games will receive a bonus Super Mario Maker Magnet Pack. Super Mario Maker was the grand final game played in the 2015 Nintendo World Championships and proves that some really nasty courses can be made. You can check out the World Championships video here. Check back with us for our review when Super Mario Maker launches September 12th.

Undead Darlings Added to Steam Greenlight

Travis Bruno

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July 23, 2015

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Undead Darlings Added to Steam Greenlight

You may remember a few weeks ago that a new Kickstarter was announced for a unique sounding zombie game called Undead Darlings ~no cure for love~ that mixes dungeon-crawling and visual novel elements for the PC, and potentially for the PlayStation 4 and PS Vita. While the Kickstarter fund has less than a week to go and could still use funding, the developers have placed Undead Darlings onto Steam Greenlight.You can view and vote for the game on the Steam Greenlight page.

Undead Darlings follows the story of a boy nicknamed Reggie who finds himself in the middle of the zombie apocalypse. His father has managed to create a cure but the only problem is that he has to travel through dangerous territory in order to deliver it to those who can mass-produce it. Thankfully a number of girls appear to be partially immune to the zombie virus and despite being transformed into the undead, they have still retained their humanity. With these girls protecting him, Reggie must continue his journey while also bonding with his new undead allies as he learns more about them through various events and dialogue choices made throughout the story.

THE GRAND TOURNAMENT™ COMES TO HEARTHSTONE®: HEROES OF WARCRAFT™ THIS AUGUST

Press Releases

Philip Federico

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July 23, 2015

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THE GRAND TOURNAMENT^™ COMES TO HEARTHSTONE^®: HEROES OF WARCRAFT^™ THIS AUGUST

Starting next week, prepare for battle by pre-purchasing a bundle of 50 card packs at a special one-time price of $64.99 AUD and receive a unique themed card back

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA—July 23, 2015—Excitement is in the air as brave champions hailing from the icy reaches of Northrend to the deserts of southern Kalimdor ready their lances for battle. This can mean only one thing—The Grand Tournament™ is soon to begin! Let it be known throughout the land that the upcoming expansion to Blizzard Entertainment’s Hearthstone®: Heroes of Warcraft™ will bring knightly combatants together from all over to prove their martial prowess. All told, The Grand Tournament will welcome 132 noble cards to the (round) table as well as introduce an all-new keyword—Inspire.
The Grand Tournament transports brave Hearthstone duellists to the frigid continent of Northrend, where the heroes of the Argent Crusade once held a tournament to coax out Azeroth’s greatest fighters—and prepare them to battle the undead legions at the icy heart of the realm. The Lich King’s evil has been vanquished, but that doesn’t mean the jousting has to stop . . . the competitive atmosphere’s just a lot more playful (and a bit warmer) than it used to be.

When rallying new recruits to their cause, players will notice that some of these knights possess an all-new keyword—Inspire. Minions with the Inspire keyword have a special ability that can only be activated by using the Hero’s Power. This means that Hero Powers now play an even greater role in strategy, as they can be used to inspire some minions to reach their full potential in battle by calling reinforcements, restoring health, and much more! Players will want to use these minions wisely to give their play the perfect boost!

Coming this August to PC, Windows, iOS, and Android^™ tablets, and mobile phones, The Grand Tournament card packs will be winnable in Hearthstone’s Arena mode and purchasable with in-game gold or real money at the same prices as Hearthstone’s other card packs. Starting next week, anyone ready for battle can pre-purchase The Grand Tournament card packs in a special 50-pack bundle, on any platform, for a one-time price of $64.99 AUD (one purchase per account) up until release. Doing so will reward them handsomely with a triumphant new card back . . . and the unbridled joy that can only come from opening dozens of card packs when the Grand Tournament begins.

To read up on all things related to The Grand Tournament, visit thegrandtourney.com

About Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.

Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft^® and the Warcraft^®, StarCraft^®, and Diablo^® franchises, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard Entertainment’s track record includes nineteen #1 games* and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company’s online-gaming service, Battle.net^®, is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active players.
*Sales and/or downloads, based on internal company records and reports from key distribution partners.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements:

Information in this press release that involves Blizzard Entertainment’s expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future, including statements about pricing, preorder dates, release dates, and features of Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft and The Grand Tournament expansion, are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause Blizzard Entertainment’s actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include unanticipated product delays and other factors identified in the risk factors sections of Activision Blizzard’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Blizzard Entertainment and Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Blizzard Entertainment nor Activision Blizzard assumes any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Blizzard Entertainment or Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.

Call of Duty: Black Ops III PC and Xbox One Beta Starts on August 26

Travis Bruno

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July 23, 2015

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Call of Duty: Black Ops III PC and Xbox One Beta Starts on August 26

It has already been revealed that the Call of Duty: Black Ops III multiplayer beta will be starting for PlayStation 4 owners on August 19th and running through August 23rd but what about the other two platforms? Earlier today Activision and Treyarch announced that the Xbox One and PC multiplayer betas will begin soon after the early beta, starting on August 26th and running through August 30th.

During the beta, fans will have an opportunity to try the new momentum-based, chained movement system, find the perfect Specialist to fit their play style, get a feel for the new multiplayer maps, and more. Those who want to guarantee themselves a spot in the beta can pre-order a copy of Call of Duty: Black Ops III though Activision has stated that more details for beta access will be revealed in the coming weeks.