Hellraid Goes Next-Gen with Techland’s Chrome Engine 6 and Tons of New Gameplay Features
Techland officially announces that its upcoming dark fantasy game will run on a new engine, while the game itself went through an overhaul and is now heading to next-gen consoles alongside the PC release, with Steam Early Access planned for autumn.
Since its reveal last year, Hellraid has expanded and evolved thanks to the developers’ experience and players’ feedback. While the game will remain faithful to its first-person co-op slasher gameplay, Techland has decided to implement new features and technology, and is now ready to announce them and show it all off in a brand new trailer.
Hellraid will offer three different game modes. In the Story Mode, players will explore the world and try to repel forces of Hell. The highly-replayable Mission Mode will put more focus on arcade-style fun of climbing up leaderboards, creating the longest combos and beating high scores, while the completely new Arena Mode will offer survival gameplay with waves of deadly demonic hordes to fend off. All these modes will be available in both single-player and 2-4 players co-op.
Players will be able to create and customize their characters with armor, clothes, and accessories such as amulets. Thanks to a new class-free skill tree, they will develop a demon slayer perfectly suited to their play style by combining various active and passive abilities
– divided into intertwined paths of combat, magic and agility.
Techland has also improved the game’s combat system, which now features one- and two-handed melee weapons, shields, magic staves and ranged weapons. With diverse fighting styles, counter-attacks, parrying and dashing abilities, the melee combat in Hellraid becomes even more complex and immersive. Additionally, magic will offer a wide and diverse selection of offensive, defensive and healing spells.
The combat experience is furthermore enhanced by weapon crafting, interactive environments, destructible objects and environmental traps, as well as challenging and adaptive enemy AI.
The game is currently undergoing a transition to the Chrome Engine 6, the latest version of Techland’s proprietary technology, which is also used by the next-gen zombie survival horror, Dying Light. Thanks to this technology, Hellraid will benefit from a new physics-based lighting system, more detailed locations and character models, complex animations, advanced particle effects, and state-of-the-art AI systems.
With new gameplay features and technology, Hellraid moves from past-gen consoles to the next generation with the announcement of PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions coming in 2015.
Hellraid will also receive a Steam Early Access release in autumn 2014, which will be regularly updated based on players’ feedback until the final version is launched.
Compatibility: Requires iOS 6.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. This app is optimized for iPhone 5.
Description
[ The first multiplayer game set in the iconic Galaxy on Fire universe! Forge strong alliances with confederates from all over the world & collaborate or compete with thousands of other players in real-time! ]
# # # THE MOBILE STRATEGY MMO # # #
Galaxy on Fire – Alliances puts you in the role of an up-and-coming Commander of the Terrans, Nivelians or Vossk. Determined to claim and conquer a hitherto uncharted part of the galaxy known as the Shroud Nebula, you will set out to seek fame and fortune beyond the final frontier. Starting your operations from within your private home system, you will soon breach into a vivid galaxy with over 400,000 individual planets and challenge thousands of players in an epic quest for space dominion.
# # # BAND TOGETHER AND RISE AS ONE # # #
To stand your ground in the hostile yet promising new environment, you will have to forge a strong alliance and assist one another in colonization, expansion and warfare. Trade resources, exchange intelligence reports and conceive conjoined attack strategies and defense plans. Show your enemies the power of allegiance and prevail in epic space battles with dozens of participants!
# # # A UNIQUE GAMING EXPERIENCE # # #
• The first Multiplayer Game set in the GOF universe
• Easy-to-access Alliance and PvP gameplay
• Specifically designed for Mobile Use on Touch Devices
• High-end 3D Graphics and spectacular visual effects
• A whole Universe in Pocket Size
# # # TRUST THE MEDIA # # #
With high-end 3D graphics and captivating co-op gameplay, Galaxy on Fire – Alliances sets new standards for sci-fi strategy MMOs on smartphones and tablets. And the press loves it, claiming that it marks “a potentially rich source of war stories” (Modojo) that “will very clearly be raising the bar for these types of games” (iMore).
# # # LINKS AND RESSOURCES # # #
Here’s a number of essential sources and places-to-go for avid GOFA players. Check them out and get in touch with the Fishlabs staff as well as thousands of other Commanders!
# # # SETTINGS & REQUIREMENTS # # #
Galaxy on Fire – Alliances works on iPhone 4S (or higher), iPad 2 (or higher), iPad mini and iPod touch 5G. To run properly, it requires an active network connection as well as iOS6 (or higher). While the game itself is completely free-to-play, you can also make use of various in-app purchases. If you do not want to leverage these extra offers, please deactivate in-app purchases in your device’s setting.
# # # FEATURES # # #
• Server Selection: Choose the server(s) you want to play on directly and also keep different accounts on differing servers on the same device
• New 3D models: Enjoy completely overhauled structure meshes for all three species
• Heat Map: Check out the new heat map to identify hot spots and war zones on the star map
• Push Notifications: Receive push notifications not only for the account that is currently active, but also for the ones that are “sleeping”
• Commander name: Enter your commander name via the commander menu and not via the jump gate screen
• New skills: Learn and leverage a selection of new commander skills
• Special events: Keep your eyes open for special events and deals that are available for a limited time only (coming soon)
• New leaderboards: Compare yourself with the best commanders out there in the new “Cohort”, “Dynamic” and “Event” leaderboards
# # # IMPROVEMENTS # # #
• The progression screen and the display of the skill bonuses have been improved
• The tutorial has been restructured and further improved
• Blueprint-dependent techs can now be leveled up
• o improve the memory usage and overall performance of the game, the inbox can no longer keep more than 200 mails of each category (messages, reports, battles)
• Various improvements and corrections of the English and German localizations
# # # BIG FIXES # # #
• “Shop” bug fixed: Various purchase problems have been fixed which prevented players from buying IAPs
• “Alliance Conversation” bug fixed: Topics with a lot of text do no longer overlap in the alliance conversation screen
• “Overcap Capacity” bug fixed: Freighters and colonies do no longer go overcap by accident
• “Alliance Leader” bug fixed: When alliance leaders abandon or delete their accounts, the remaining members can now reorganize their alliance fully and without restrictions
• “Spy Drone” bug fixed: The travel time of the spy drones is now being displayed correctly
• Various crashes have been fixed
# # # LOBBY # # #
• Players can now unregister their game accounts
Foreign Tongues in the Shroud Nebula: New Localizations for Galaxy on Fire – Alliances
Deep Silver FISHLABS releases new content update for Galaxy on Fire™ – Alliances, including French and Russian localizations as well as Facebook integration. In addition, a brand-new story trailer and landing page have been made available for the title as well.
Hamburg, Germany – April 30th, 2014 – As of today, a new update for the popular multiplayer strategy game Galaxy on Fire™ – Alliances is available for download on the App Store. First and foremost, it contains French and Russian localizations of all in-game texts, thus enabling even more players to explore the game’s vast galaxy in their native language. Including these two newly added translations, the high-quality mobile strategy MMO by Deep Silver FISHLABS is now available in English, German, French and Russian. Additional localizations will follow in the future. At the same time, the company has also released an elaborate gameplay trailer and a new landing page for the acclaimed sci-fi epic. While the trailer, which outlines the story and gameplay of Galaxy on Fire™ – Alliances from an up-and-coming commander’s point of view, can be viewed via http://bit.ly/GOFA-storytrailer-EN, the landing page including an hourly updated star map is accessible via http://www.gofalliances.com.
Besides a number of smaller enhancements in regard to the frontend and backend of the game, today’s update v1.3.0 called “Foreign Tongues” also contains a further optimization of the tutorial as well as the highly anticipated Facebook integration. The latter not only allows the players of Galaxy on Fire™ – Alliances to easily locate their Facebook friends’ planets on the star map, but also to compare their stats and achievements in a separate Facebook leaderboard. In addition, “Foreign Tongues” also adds two new achievements named “Plunderer” and “Socializer” to the list of acquirable medals.
Furthermore, the new planet register in the commander profile of each player provides a quicker orientation and better overview of where your friends and foes are located. This is particularly helpful when you plan large-scale attacks or extensive reinforcement routes.
Galaxy on Fire™ – Alliances can be downloaded from the App Store for free via http://bit.ly/gofa-iOS. To run properly, the app required iOS 6 (or higher) as well as iPhone 4S (or newer), iPad 2 (or newer), iPad mini or iPod touch 5G.
About Galaxy on Fire™ – Alliances
Galaxy on Fire™ – Alliances is the first multiplayer game set in the iconic Galaxy on Fire universe. As such, the title puts its players into the roles of up-and-coming commanders of the Terrans, Nivelians or Vossk. Far beyond the final frontier, in a hazardous yet all the more promising region of space called the Shroud Nebula, these commanders set out to erect strong outposts, harvest invaluable resources and claim highly competitive territories. In order to stand their ground, however, they will have to band together and form powerful alliances that endure and defy even the strongest breaches and most devastating blows.
Features
The first Mobile Strategy MMO in the Galaxy on Fire™ universe
• A vast star map with more than 200.000 individual planets
• Epic space battles with hundreds of players
• Easy-to-access alliance system with varying coop features
• Global leader boards for individual players as well as multinational alliances and Facebook friends
• Three different alien species known from the previous GOF games
• High-end 3D graphics and state-of-the-art special effects
• Mobile-optimized user interface and intuitive touch controls
• Native resolution support for 4-Inch and 3.5-Inch Retina Displays as well as iPad
• Localized into English, German, French and Russian
Multiplay celebrates its biggest ever spring Insomnia Gaming Festival
London UK – 30th April 2014 – Multiplay, hosts of the UK’s biggest gaming festival has reason to celebrate following its biggest ever spring Insomnia event. Insomnia51, Multiplay’s first event at the Ricoh Arena, saw an unprecedented footfall of over 20,000 across the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend.
Thousands of gamers from a variety of backgrounds gathered to enjoy a schedule packed full of engaging content, with Main Festival Stage presenting from We’ve Got Game Founders, Matt Littler and Darren Jefferies. The festival’s activities spanned the range of modern gaming culture, from high level Esports tournaments to a thriving exhibition hall including Minecraft, Indie, Tabletop Gaming, and Retro zones. There were also panel talks in a 650-seat dedicated auditorium, and of course the UK’s biggest LAN gaming halls.
Following on from the success of Insomnia49 last summer, Insomnia51 featured appearances from special guests from across the globe. Providing fans with the chance to meet them in person, Insomnia51 enabled YouTube stars to connect with their communities through Meet & Greet sessions, panel talk sessions, and main stage shows.
As the first Insomnia Gaming Festival of 2014, Insomnia51 saw increased entries for not only Esports tournaments on PC, but also on console. As part of their pledge to help grow the console tournament scene at Insomnia events, Multiplay delivered the Console Esports Arena, an area wholly dedicated to console Esports including tournament stations, a spectating zone, and an area for press.
Last year the Insomnia Gaming Festivals hit several milestones, with both its largest ever event and it’s fiftieth outing. 2013’s rapid growth and increased attendance inspired a change of venue, and the UK’s biggest gaming festival found a new home at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena resulting in the highest attendance for an Easter event in Multiplay’s 17-year history.
“There is no equivalent to the Insomnia Gaming Festival in the UK. There’s no single event that combines the LAN halls, the tournaments, the exhibition, the special guests, the stage activities, all into a single weekend-long gaming-focused festival experience,” said Craig Fletcher, CEO & Founder of Multiplay. “With each passing year Insomnia grows bigger and better, in no small part due to our incredible community and the fantastic partners we work with. With our summer plans for Insomnia52, 2014 is shaping up to be an unstoppable year for Multiplay events.”
ICEBERG INTERACTIVE SIGNS HARDCORE STRATEGIC SHIPBUILDING GAME STARSHIPCORPORATION
See the First Screenshots and Dig Deep Into This Heavy-Duty Ship Builder
Haarlem, the Netherlands – April 30, 2014 – Publisher Iceberg Interactive, destination publisher for sci-fi themed PC games, is proud to announce the signing of Starship Corporation, a real-time strategy game embracing ship building, design and trade. In development at German developer Coronado Games, Starship Corporation was Green-lit by the Steam community and is now ramping up for a Steam Early Access launch in fall 2014.
Starship Corporation is a real-time strategy game that boils down to four core elements: Ship Design, Crew and AI Tactics, Ship Building, and Trade. Players create the layout for Spaceships and Planetary Installations with multiple decks within the boundaries of existing fuselages, choose between (currently) 50 Room types in six categories, and then send their creation on a series of missions to test the crew’s reaction to emergencies and the ships combat capabilities. The success of these missions determines the ship’s rating, important for a good price on the market or the ship’s performance in your own fleet.
Fascinated by science fiction worlds, CEO and founder of Coronado Games David Murent set out to create a game where the player is able to design an entire spaceship, with the level editor as an important part of the game. In Starship Corporation, the player is in control of every part of ship creation, with up to five decks and more than 50 different rooms.
“I am very happy to announce our partnership with Iceberg Interactive for the marketing and publishing of Starship Corporation,” said Murent. “I believe their experience, especially with great space strategy titles, will be a huge boost to the final quality of the game. Their marketing and localization expertise will encourage many more players to take part in the game experience, creating even more game content and more fun for everyone!”
Starship Corporation game features include:
SHIP DESIGN: Players construct the layout for Spaceships and Planetary Installations with multiple decks within the boundaries of existing fuselages.
CREW MANAGEMENT: Gamers will hire the best pilots, technicians, soldiers and medics to run their ships, train them and the ship’s A.I. for maximum performance during standard operation, emergencies or hostile encounters.
SHIPYARDS: Hardcore gamers will build designs for their own fleet or for a number of clients with different requirements.
TRADE: Buy or sell used (or captured) ships, set up trade routes or arm warring parties.
CONFLICT: Use any means to become a powerful intergalactic corporation.
ABOUT CORONADO GAMES
Coronado Games (www.coronadogames.com) is a small independent game development company based in Berlin, Germany. Founder David Murent started working on his first title Starship Corporation back in 2012. The game turned out to be a crowd funding success on Indiegogo and later on Steam’s Project Greenlight. Currently Coronado Games is a three-man team, dedicated to taking space strategy gaming for PC to a whole new level.
ABOUT ICEBERG INTERACTIVE
Iceberg Interactive (www.iceberg-games.com) is an independent video game publisher founded in 2009 by an international group of games industry veterans and is located in Haarlem, The Netherlands. While keeping its roots in the European retail games market, Iceberg has rapidly increased its focus towards the global digital games market, by building strong direct relationships with dozens of Game Portals. Staffed with avid gamers, Iceberg works closely with an international assembly of game developers, both midsize and indie. With a distinct focus on the strategy, action, simulation and adventure game genres, the company has garnered attention with acclaimed releases including Killing Floor, Wings of Prey, APB Reloaded and Endless Space among its 70+ game arsenal – with more promising games in the pipeline.
The Magical Journey Begins! Time Warping Puzzle Adventure Platformer Chronology to Launch May 12th on Steam
Miyazaki Inspired Mind-Bending Indie Platformer Debuts on Steam this May
Aalborg, Denmark – April 30th, 2014 – Indie micro studio osao games today announced that Chronology, its mind-bending puzzle, adventure and platform game will be available for Windows PC on May 12th through digital distribution service Steam. Set in a beautiful universe that mixes classical fantasy with mechanical retro-futuristic elements, players defy time by manipulating the past and the future, to fix the present as they uncover a story that shapes the future of the world.
“As massive fans of Hayao Miyazaki, the world of Chronology has been deeply influenced by animated classics such as Howls Moving Castle and My Friend Totoro”, said Niels Højgaard Sørensen, Game Director at Osao Games, “We’ve taken these worlds and mixed them with video game classics – Day of the Tentacles and Lost Vikings, as players travel back and forth between ages to uncover an adventure of mixed dimensions”.
Our story begins, as the inventor wakes to discover the world has ended, and has no memory of his past. After finding a time travel device that can take him back in time, his memory slowly returns… With the help of a snail, who can stop time, the inventor sets out to fix the future by changing the past. Players run and jump through puzzles, using the time travel device, that moves the player from a beautiful idyllic past to a dark dystopian future.
Chronology has had a turbulent history after its original developer Progressive Media, closed its doors in January 2014 after the game has been Greenlit by Steam community. A small dedicated team of ex-developers, turned indie and opened osao games to continue the development of Chronology. Scheduled for release on multiple platforms through 2014, Chronology has already been selected as one of the eight finalists for the Nordic Game Indie Sensation Award.
We are a handful of guys with years of experience working on big titles with big publishers – We decided we had to follow our hearts, and work on truly unique, brilliant games that would move and touch those who love the art of games.. People like us. We are now excited to launch our first game, Chronology.
London, UK – April 30, 2014 – Today, Ubisoft announced that Child of Light is now available to download on Xbox LIVE for the Xbox® 360 and Xbox® One, the PlayStation Network for the PlayStation® 3 and PlayStation® 4, the eShop from Nintendo for the Wii U, and PC Digital, at the price of £11.99.
Child of Light is also available in retail as a Deluxe Edition on PlayStation® 3, PlayStation® 4 and on Windows® PC. This Deluxe Edition contains many exclusive contents, including a poster designed by Yoshitaka Amano, the renowned Japanese artist, a 24 page artbook with unrevealed artworks and an Igniculus key ring. This boxed edition will also include additional game content, with a bonus quest, a new character and a pack of collectibles.
Child of Light is a re-imagining of classic fairytales set against a picturesque background inspired by the watercolor artworks of The Golden Age of Illustration. As a playable poem, Child of Light takes players on an extraordinary journey through the mystical world of Lemuria by putting them in the shoes of Aurora, a young princess who must win back the sun, the moon and the stars held captive by the mysterious Queen of the Night. A return to the classic JRPG, Child of Light blends together platforming and turn-based combat along while providing a rich storyline, robust soundtrack and beautifully-rendered hand drawn art style.
Child of Light was created by a small team of developers in Montreal using Ubisoft’s UbiArt Framework, a powerful engine that lets programmers and artists bring their art to life by allowing original concept art to be inserted directly into the game world. In Child of Light, the effect is that playing becomes akin to stepping into an interactive painting.
The Double is no ordinary feature film –it is a self-reflective work of art spun from a new adaptation of Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s 1846 novella. Director, Richard Ayoade, known for his role in ‘The IT Crowd’ and debut feature ‘Submarine‘, is the mastermind behind the screening. Having caused quite a stir at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival, there is a reason why The Double will be playing at exclusive cinemas only. Could it be that the absurd nature of the film has in fact created double vision for fans? Or is everyone second guessing themselves? Read on and find out for yourself.
Story
Simon James (Jesse Eisenberg) is a young office clerk tormented by his inability to be recognised as a person; existing and having a real presence in the world. The audience are introduced to Simon on the train, where he is sitting alone and resting his eyes. An unexpected disturbance by a passenger drives the story into motion. Despite there being a ridiculous amount of empty seats in the carriage, the passenger claims ownership of Simon’s place and demands he move. From the opening scene the audience acknowledges that Simon does not fit into the equation of coexistence and accepts that he cannot change by standing up.
On the other end of the carriage is Hannah (Mia Wasikowska), a beautiful colleague who epitomises everything Simon wants –yet an objective constantly out of his reach. In a desperate attempt to catch up to Hannah when the train stops, Simon accidently jams his suitcase in the closing doors of the train and unfortunately loses his belongings. Now without any official evidence of identification, Simon is deemed non-existent in the data processing factory; despite working there for seven years. Even if he had his own ID card stamped to his forehead, that wouldn’t change the blatant ignorance Simon endures from his boss (Wallace Shawn), co-workers and the security guard.
A pivotal element of the story is portrayed through the telescope lens in Simon’s apartment that leads to Hannah’s bedroom. Simon’s insignificant world changes completely when he is caught spying on Hannah by a man on the ledge of the building opposite his. The man waves before jumping to his death. The unsettling and ‘random’ suicide affects both Hannah and Simon differently; oddly enough they form a closer bond.
For Simon James, the burden of being lost, lonely and the incapable of showing his ideal self, manifests into a perfect duplicate. Enter James Simon (Jesse Eisenberg); new employee at the data processing factory who is a physical copy of Simon. Regardless of their uncanny resemblance, James exudes with an aura of confidence and charm that draws the attention of every colleague in the workplace and diminishes every aspect of Simon.
What drives the story forward is the dry humour that arises from this bizarre and complicated situation. Just imagine what you would do if you met your doppelganger? After the initial shock of meeting his physical double, Simon and James become acquainted at work and develop a “strategic” alliance to benefit them both (more so the new employee). The prime example is when James offers to help Simon win over the woman of his desires.
Needless to say, James takes advantage of Simon’s vulnerability by stealing Hannah and living the life that Simon has always dreamed of. Suffice to say; James has a way with getting what he wants (even scrambled eggs and bacon for dinner at a café) because he is a man with an unprecedented skill in manipulation and trickery. The double cross becomes both an excruciating nightmare and awakening for Simon to change who he is. With that in mind, the ending will leave the audience in either a stupor of wonder or admiration for the brilliantly portrayed story.
Visuals
Cinematographer, Erik Wilson captures a riveting double vision of the protagonist and antagonist, in a nondescript universe of conformists known as “people”. The institutionalised depiction of the 80’s data processing systems suits the oddly disturbing work atmosphere of blank copies. To highlight the mirroring effect and significance of “the double” are the matching grey suits worn by Simon and James throughout the film. Erik Wilson uses sporadic lighting and shadows to frame the state of uncertainty and rising tension that Simon is experiencing. A great example is shown in the elevator scenes, where flashing lights are used to signal that Simon is incapable of operating the lift properly. I found it funny to see James fix the elevator with a simple kick of the door, which backfired horribly for Simon the first time he tried that.
Audio
Bafta nominated composer, Andrew Hewitt gives the audience a magnificent theatrical composition that resonates beyond the screen. Andrew’s ensemble orchestra for The Double have created a truly sublime and powerful score, with sharp violins and thunderous drums that climb through the walls of suspense and delve into the devious mystery between Simon and James. The prominent clicking and clacking of type writers within the film is fabulous and plays a significant role in establishing Simon’s unspoken mindset and suspenseful atmosphere. During the date scene in The Double, the loud music and beverage blender is cleverly combined to prevent Simon from hearing James woo Hannah into kissing him.
Overall
The Double is an absolutely mind-blowing film that is bold, dark, clever and interesting on all accounts. The film strives to offer the audience the true meaning of being a unique individual and having the ability to control their own life by accepting themselves for who they are. With a film that is open to endless interpretations, there is bound to be differing opinions and varying ratings. I believe that Fyodor Dostoyevsky would be proud of Richard Ayoade’s witty adaptation of his parable. Of course, The Double would not be as brilliant without Jesse Eisenberg; who deserves an award for his amazing performance as both the shy and lonely, Simon and confident and conniving, James. Don’t miss out on the experience to see the doppelganger in yourselves and watch Richard Ayoade’s spectacular film.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
Gameloft are one of those developers that have become a staple of their platform. From their superhero adaptations to the GT Racing series of racing titles, they make just about everything you would want on your mobile device. Today they have put a name to the face of their next Modern Combat title, and it is; Modern Combat: Blackout.
We all knew another Modern Combat game was coming, and now we know its name! Not only that, but we also have a brief look at the plot that will drive you:
The story begins in Venice as Phoenix, the main character of the game, is sent on a special operation to secure a transport of WMDs from a particularly well-armed terrorist group.
The plot then switches to Tokyo where Phoenix has to fight amidst total anarchy while trying to convince his allies to accept an uncomfortable secret.
By the end, the player will have visited many more beautiful settings from both Venice and Tokyo for an eye-catching, thrilling ride.
The developers seem to be creating an experience that combines the renowned gameplay of the series with hard hitting story elements. After a long time in development, it is good to see more info being released about this game. More updates and tid-bits will be rolling out in the coming weeks so be sure to stay tuned to Capsule Computers for all the Modern Combat news as it becomes available.
With zombies being all the rage these days, Sony’s foray into the undead genre should see quite the surge in players come release day…because it’s about zombies. Throwing players into a world rendered…less than friendly, the free to play MMO will revolve around resources. As in finding, keeping and using them to remain one of the un-undead.
Having already released a substantial preview of the game, clocking in at around 50 minutes, this official trailer takes a more cinematic look at the H1Z1 world. Though by no means a horde, the few zombies shown manage to create a sense of impending doom, heightened by the sheer area of empty wilderness. I mean, sure a relentless mass of zombies is terrifying, but don’t underestimate the power of uncertainty…
