We have some great news for fans of either Telltale’s titles or the Borderlands series. The first ever details for Tales from the Borderlands will be revealed at the SXSW Gaming Expo next month on March 8th. The event will feature Gearbox President Randy Pitchford, Borderlands 2 writer Anthony Burch, and Borderlands Franchise Director Matthew Armstrong as well as Telltale President Kevin Bruner and designer Harrison Pink.
While the event is free to attend at the Palmer Events Center and happens at 5:30PM on the Geek Stage, you can rest assured that we will have news of the details shortly after they are announced. Currently Telltale is saying that they will explain how the story will be told and how the studios came together to work on the title.
NEW MULTIPLAYER AND COMMUNITY UPDATES ACCELERATE GAS GUZZLERS EXTREME ON STEAM
Veteran publisher Iceberg Interactive released a significant update today to its combat racing game Gas Guzzlers Extreme (PC) via Steam, highlighted by new voting options and in-game chat functions to improve multiplayer functionality, new camera angles, and more. Gas Guzzlers Extreme is developed by accomplished Croatian game studio Gamepires, and provides gamers with a multitude of thrilling combat racing single-player and multiplayer modes.
The new updates include:
Muting/unmuting voice chat enabled
Kick voting feature added
Number of laps in racing modes can be changed through voting
Implemented various new camera angles
Car horns implemented
“Iceberg Interactive and Gamepires are dedicated to continually adding content and updating the franchise, to satisfy our ever-expanding fan-base,” Iceberg Interactive CEO Erik Schreuder said. “These updates are just the tip of the iceberg (pun intended).”
Gas Guzzlers Extreme can be purchased in the Steam store page here: store.steampowered.com/app/243800. Gamers interested in a boxed copy of the game can purchase Gas Guzzlers Extreme in retail or from the Iceberg shop, www.iceberg-games.com.
Stake Your Claim in 1849, A Gold Rush City Management Sim Coming to PC, Mac, and Tablets in May
Be one of the first to find gold in early access beta, on sale now at IndieGameStand.com
SAN FRANCISCO – February 19, 2014 – “There’s gold in them thar hills!” In 1849, hundreds of prospectors flocked into California with dreams of striking it rich in the Gold Rush. In May 2014, indie developer SomaSim plans to recapture that thrilling era with 1849, a city management game for PCs, Macs, iPads, and Android tablets — but brave pioneers can grab a pickaxe and start digging for gold today in an early access beta for PC & Mac: https://indiegamestand.com/store/788/1849/
With all of the peril and possibility of the new frontier, 1849 challenges players to build a thriving mining empire in 19th century California. Inspired by SimCity and other classic simulation games, 1849 is set within 20 real Gold Rush-era cities, each with unique topography and natural resources that influence how they grow. Transform Northern California from a rugged backwater into an economic powerhouse: build mines, establish farms, attract workers and keep up with their ever-increasing needs, set up trade networks from the High Sierras to San Francisco and beyond — and best of all, strike it rich!
With a campaign mode featuring 20 unique scenarios and an endless sandbox mode, 1849 promises hours of addictive fun in a compact indie package. Screenshots released today show off the Old West flavor of 1849‘s mining camps. Other locations will include wooded outposts, riverside settlements, and bustling cities, all with a rich visual style informed by surviving Gold Country architecture and period photographs. Catch a glimpse of 1849‘s detailed world at the official website: http://www.somasim.com/1849
SomaSim’s founders, Robert Zubek and Matthew Viglione, have been fans of simulation games since childhood, when they enjoyed games like Caesar, Civilization, Railroad Tycoon, and SimCity on computers that could be overpowered by today’s tablets. With 1849 they are striving to create an experience as immersive as those classics, and just as fun in small bursts as in marathon sessions.
The $9.99 early access beta (https://indiegamestand.com/store/788/1849/) starts players out with five scenarios and will add 15 more over the next three months. Eager to build an active community of 1849 prospectors and pioneers, SomaSim will use beta players’ feedback and suggestions to refine the final game between now and its May release. 1849 is also up for voting on Steam Greenlight: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=217009121
About SomaSim
SomaSim is a San Francisco-based indie studio founded in 2013 to create immersive simulation games for modern devices and audiences. Their first game will be the Gold Rush-themed 1849, releasing for PC, Mac, iPad, and Android tablets in May 2014. Lead developer Robert Zubek has previously worked at EA, Three Rings Design, and most recently Zynga, where he was a founding team member on both CityVille and Farmville 2. Writer and designer Matthew Viglione comes from a book publishing background and has extensive experience working in non-profits. Together they designed 1849 to recapture the magic of the simulation games they loved as kids. Learn more at http://somasim.com.
TEAM NINJA AND DARK HORSE COMICS LAUNCH PART TWO OF THE YAIBA: NINJA GAIDEN Z DIGITAL COMIC SERIES
A River of Fire Awaits Yaiba as The Legend of the “Heartless” Sword Continues
Team NINJA and Dark Horse Comics today launched part two of the three-part YAIBA: NINJA GAIDEN Z digital comic series continuing the saga of the cyborg ninja’s legendary sword named “Heartless”. Part two finds Yaiba continuing on his quest to attain the mystical “Heartless” sword, encountering a new ally along his way. With different motivations, but both ultimately in the name of revenge, the two must work together in unexpected ways to conquer “the River of Three Crossings” and reach the Storm Temple.
Initially released digitally with an all-new full color print comic to be available with first run retail releases of the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft versions on March 18, 2014, the series is brought to life by Writers Tim Seeley and Josh Emmons, Artist Rafael Ortiz, Colorist Carlos Badilla with special cover art by James Harren. The comic will be available for free download at the Dark Horse Digital Store, www.digital.darkhorse.com, as well as through the Dark Horse Comics app (available through iTunes & Google Play). Additional information can be found at: https://digital.darkhorse.com/profile/4128.yaiba-ninja-gaiden-z-2/.
In YAIBA: NINJA GAIDEN Z, players will battle fierce zombies as Yaiba, a cyborg ninja who will do anything to get revenge and stay alive. Cleaved in two, he is brought back to life with cyber-technology. Brandishing his ninja sword and the mecha weapons in his cyber arm, he slaughters zombies with brutal, over-the-top abandon. Step into a stylized living comic book where stunning graphics depict a world gone mad. Hordes of undead can only be stopped by Yaiba’s willingness to use any means necessary to get the job done. Will he kill by turning his cyber arm into a razor chainsaw for slicing up undead—or just rip off an opponent’s arms to use as zombie nunchucks? Both possibilities fill Yaiba’s heart with twisted laughter in this collaboration between famed developers Team NINJA and comcept’s Keiji Inafune.
YAIBA: NINJA GAIDEN Z will be available for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft March 18, 2014 and Steam® (PC) on March 21, 2014. This title has been rated M (Mature) by the ESRB.
SACRED 3 DELIVERING ACTION-FILLED FANTASY TO CONSOLES AND PC THIS SUMMER New Reveal Trailer Showcases Epic Arcade Hack ‘n’ Slash Gameplay
LARKSPUR, Calif., February 19, 2014 – Deep Silver revealed the first glimpse into Ancaria today with a new trailer for the upcoming third installment to the famed franchise, Sacred 3, which slashes its way to PC and consoles this summer. Sacred 3 takes players deep into the Ancarian fantasy realm, where they will need to band together if they are to have any hope of vanquishing the deadly tides of evil. Sacred 3 will be released this summer for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and for the Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from Microsoft as well as Windows PC, featuring incredibly immersive and engaging co-op gameplay.
“The paramount development goal for Sacred 3 has been to create a seamless online and offline co-op experience”, said Remy van Leeuwen, Brand Manager of Deep Silver. “By creating a game built around the central concept of co-op gameplay, we’re expanding the series to new audiences without compromising the rich lore and fantasy of the Sacred universe.”
Sacred 3 features classic arcade Hack ‘n’ Slash action centered around drop in, drop out cooperative multiplayer for both offline (2 players) and online (4 players) play. The game brings back fan-favorite characters such as the Seraphim, Ancarian, Khukuhru and the Safiri, and introduces a new character, Malakhim. Each character class features its own unique skills and weapons which can be upgraded to match the player’s very own combat style. Master the art of war and fight your way through enemy hordes and try to outshine your fellow companions on your way to become the greatest hero of all. Victory Is Ours. Glory is Mine.
Deep Silver develops and publishes interactive games for all platforms, seeking to deliver top-quality products that provide immersive game experiences driven by the desires of the gaming community. The company has published more than 200 games worldwide since 2003, including the best-selling zombie action Dead Island™ franchise, the critically-acclaimed Metro™: Last Light and the smash hit action adventure Saints Row IV™. Deep Silver is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Koch Media, GmbH, and includes the renowned development studio Deep Silver Volition, based in Champaign, IL. For more information, please visit www.deepsilver.com or follow us on twitter at @deepsilver.
IndieGala and Capsule Computers are teaming up to bring to you a brand new indie bundle. For a minimum of $1.00, buyers can snag a copy of the following games:
Dysfunctional Systems: Learning to Manage Chaos (Steam)
Hero Siege (Steam)
Dead Sky (Steam)
For the first 12 hours of the sale, buyers can snag all eight games for $3.99. There are 3-4 bonus Steam titles that will unlock in the coming days for those who pay at least $5.99.
The two highest paying contributors will each get a Razer Taipan mouse and free worldwide shipping, courtesy of Razer.
Be sure to buy your copy of the IndieGala Capsule Computers Bundle, as the bundle is worth $160 if purchased separately. Snag your copy here.
Gameforge and Sproing Developing MOBA-RPG For Tablets
20 Champions For Launch | Real time Multiplayer Battles | Free-To-Play
KARLSRUHE, GERMANY – February 19, 2014 – Online games publisher Gameforge and Austria’s leading game developer, Sproing, are working together on a Multiplayer Online Battle Arena for tablets under the working title Sigils: Battle for Raios. The free-to-play title unites MOBA and role playing gameplay and impresses through excellent game balance making for exciting PvE and PvP matches. Additionally, the game features atmospheric art style, a variety of playable Champions and arenas, a user friendly matchmaking system as well as detailed statistics and leaderboards.
Battle is calling
Intense multiplayer battles in a wide variety of arenas form the centerpiece to Sigils: Battle for Raios. Thanks to the intelligent matchmaking system, there’ll always be a suitable opponent to face off against in the next battle. It is also possible for players to team up with friends in order to go up against other Champions or against computer controlled AI monsters. All battles are synchronized and take place in real time – a feature that only a few tablet games are currently able to offer.
Sigils: Battle for Raios is designed so that it is easy to get into the game; whilst it goes on to present a serious challenge for expert players thanks to a broad range of tactical possibilities.
Unique Champions with impressive abilities
All Champions have their own personal abilities that they combine in a variety of ways for attack and defense. Ranging from huge tanks, through dynamic damage dealers to potent support classes – for every gameplay style there is a matching Champion. At first there will be 20 different combatants available for selection. Further Champions will be integrated into the game in future updates.
Sigils: Battle for Raios is based in a highly detailed fantasy world and comes with an extensive background story which unfolds over the course of playing the game. The RPG genre shows itself through Champions who gain experience and level-up over successive rounds of playing. In addition, players defeat opponents to loot gold or valuable equipment with which they can permanently improve their Champion and also personalize them according to their own desires.
Extensive player statistics and leaderboards make detailed analyses and comparison possible, thus ensuring added playing incentives.
The features of Sigils: Battle for Raios at a glance:
– Innovative game principle, combining MOBA and RPG elements
– Optimized for tablets
– Immersive PvP and PvE battles in real time.
– 20 Champions with impressive abilities
– Permanent Champion leveling
– Multifaceted equipment items
– Atmospherically designed fantasy world with epic Champions
Infographic: The Battle for Europe has Begun in Stronghold Kingdoms
London, UK – 19th February 2014 – Firefly Studios has released a new infographic containing gameplay stats on the first few days of play in ‘Europe’, the recently released game world for Stronghold Kingdoms. Europe launched on February 13th at 3pm GMT after ranking consistently as the top requested feature among the Stronghold Kingdoms community.
Following the world launch players immediately began building castles and villages near their real life towns and cities. In the case of the more aggressive players the natural next step was to attack their medieval neighbours, which they did in droves. Just over three days after launch 1,200,000 village buildings had been placed, 325,000 battles fought and 40,000 castles built. The more economic farmer and trader players were also spurred on by the world launch, making 500,000 trades with their local markets and sending out more than two million scouts to forage for resources and equipment scattered across the battlefield.
Europe quickly became the most successful world launch in recent history for the popular MMORTS, with 10,000 players joining within 90 minutes of the launch. Although Firefly expects the number of new players to go down, currently almost half of all server traffic for the game is going to Europe. It is currently the most active game world with a peak of more than 7,000 concurrent users.
Kingdoms remains one of the most popular games on Steam, with nearly 3 million registered players from over 100 different countries. It can be downloaded for free at www.strongholdkingdoms.com.
About Stronghold Kingdoms
Stronghold Kingdoms is the medieval online castle game. Join hundreds of thousands of players in a rich world of Lords, Ladies, Bumpkins and Barons as you build your village, research new technology and strive to be the greatest in the land. Construct mighty castles to defend your lands against insolent intruders, develop your economy and trade your way to victory, lead your fellow noblemen to war and control of the Kingdom. Build, besiege, pillage, farm, explore, research, vote, trade and banquet your way to the throne! For more information please visit www.strongholdkingdoms.com or follow @SHKingdoms on Twitter.
About Firefly Studios
Firefly Studios is an independent PC game developer specialising in real-time strategy and MMO titles. Formed in 1999 by Simon Bradbury and Eric Ouellette, the company has brought to market a number of high profile and commercially successful strategy games, including the Stronghold series with lifetime sales of over six million. Firefly has offices in the UK and US. For more information please visit their website at www.fireflyworlds.com or follow @fireflyworlds on Twitter.
GAMESTOP TO GIVE AWAY FREE DLC CODES OF JIMI HENDRIX’S “FOXEY LADY” FOR BANDFUSE: ROCK LEGENDS
GameStop Customers Purchasing the Game Will Receive Iconic Guitarist Jimi Hendrix’s Explosive Hit
Campbell, CA — February 19, 2014 — Realta Entertainment and GameStop announced a special promotion for GameStop customers who buy BandFuse: Rock Legends, the music video game designed by musicians for people that want to play music. The promotion will run from February 19 to March 28, and features an exclusive code to download Jimi Hendrix’s hit “Foxey Lady (Live from the Miami Pop Festival).” The track will be available in the BandFuse: Rock Legends’ Music Store while quantities last.
Only on BandFuse: Rock Legends will aspiring musicians receive the unique opportunity to learn to play like Jimi Hendrix. Players who redeem the free DLC code will be able to play “Foxey Lady (Live from the Miami Pop Festival)” on guitar, bass, and vocals, in single-player or as a band. Players have the choice of five difficulty levels including the full lead and rhythm transcriptions and can view specially selected Jimi Hendrix video footage while playing.
“We are pleased to partner with Realta Entertainment to offer both gaming and music fans of all ages this GameStop exclusive,” said Marianne Kee, senior merchant for GameStop. “This offer allows Bandfuse: Rock Legends fans a chance to learn and play guitar riffs just like those captured in the live performance of Jimi Hendrix playing his classic hit ‘Foxey Lady’ at the Miami Pop Festival.”
“Foxey Lady (Live from the Miami Pop Festival)” joins the two other Hendrix DLC songs “Fire” and “Love or Confusion” from the album Are You Experienced (1967), as part of 15 signature songs from the legend’s catalogue coming to BandFuse: Rock Legends in 2014.
In addition to the Hendrix songs, the BandFuse: Rock Legends Music Store also features epic songs from The Offspring, Incubus, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Boston, Yes, Blues Traveler, Pantera, and Filter. An expanded library of backing tracks for players to create and record original music is also part of the DLC catalogue. Each downloadable song with music video, multi-instrument support and learning modules is $2.99, and each backing track is $1.99.
Reigniting the music genre with the only true multiplayer experience on console, supporting two guitars, a bass, and vocals, BandFuse: Rock Legends’ stellar lineup of acclaimed talent, authentic animated tablature, and lag-free audio unleashes a full band experience for players of all skill levels. Players jam using authentic animated tablature and a fully unlocked library of 55 massive genre-jumping songs ranging from rock to metal and punk to funk.
The platinum cast of in-game legends includes master guitar instructor Slash, Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society), Mike Ness (Social Distortion), Bootsy Collins (Parliament-Funkadelic), George Lynch (Dokken, Lynch Mob), Zoltán Báthory and Jason Hook (Five Finger Death Punch), and Alexi Laiho (Children of Bodom). Later this year, Jimi Hendrix will be integrated into the game as a rock legend, which will include interviews with present day guitar greats talking about his technique and experimental style paired with archival video footage from his illustrious career.
BandFuse: Rock Legends is rated T for Teen by the ESRB and is out now in North America and Japan on Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation 3 system, with a European release coming soon. To learn more about BandFuse: Rock Legends, please visit www.bandfuse.com, ‘Like’ the game on Facebook, follow @BandFuse on Twitter and watch the dev team rock out on Twitch.
Get ready Whovians! Hub Productions Whoniverse is only two weeks away! Stars of the hit series Doctor Who (Although after 50 years, I don’t think I need to point out it is a hit series) Matt “The Doctor” Smith, Karen “Amy Pond” Gillan, and Arthur “Rory William” Darvill will be touching down in our sun-baked land, and gathering together for a reunion that transcends space and time.
The Doctor and his companions will be traveling around the country, stopping off at the following locations:
Sydney, March 1st – Qantas Credit Union Arena (formerly Sydney Exhibition Centre)
Perth, March 3rd – Riverside Theatre, Perth Exhibition and Convention Centre
Adelaide, March 8th – Adelaide Convention Centre
Melbourne, March 9th – Melbourne Park Function Centre
You can still get your tickets now, although you might want to be quick (especially for those more exclusive meet and greet tickets). We have a bit more info on ticketing here, and for more information about the event itself be sure to check out the Hub Productions website. Yes we know that The Doctor is never supposed to cross paths with Amy and Rory again for fear of ripping the universe asunder, but I am sure it will be fine. For all the Doctor Who news as it becomes available, be sure to stay tuned to Capsule Computers.
