PAC-MAN AND THE GHOSTLY ADVENTURES 3DS GAME LAUNCHES IN THE AMERICAS TODAY WITH CLUB NAMCO PROMOTION
Fire up your Nintendo 3DS™ hand-held system and jump into a bustling and bonkers world of action, adventure and wackiness with PAC-MAN as NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. launches PAC-MAN™ and the Ghostly Adventures for the Nintendo 3DS system in the Americas. Following the HD console launch from last week, the 3DS system version of the game features a side-scrolling adventure packed with lively gameplay, whacky characters and plenty to eat.
PAC-MAN and the Ghostly Adventuresfollows the exciting storyline and charming characters from the TV animated series of the same name on Disney XD produced by Avi Arad, founder of Marvel Studios. Step into the shoes of PAC-MAN, the last surviving yellow PacWorlder, as he defends PacWorld from the mischievous Netherworld ghosts, led by their wicked leader Betrayus. Players will experience exciting and varied gameplay as Pac utilizes a host of new and unique power-ups to stop the evil ghosts in an epic fight for friendship, freedom and the future!
For fans with exceptionally high PAC-MAN fever, NAMCO BANDAI Games is also pleased to announce a special promotion on Club Namco, the NAMCO BANDAI online store, where customers can receive a free PAC-MAN plush head with purchase of any PAC-MAN and the Ghostly Adventures game while supplies last. Visit http://store.namcobandaigames.com for more information.
PAC-MAN and the Ghostly Adventures is available for the Nintendo 3DS at retailers in North and Latin America at a MSRP of $39.99 and is rated “Everyone 10+” by the ESRB.
TEAM NINJA THROWS TAILGATE PARTY CELEBRATING OVER 500,000 DOWNLOADS OF DEAD OR ALIVE 5 ULTIMATE: CORE FIGHTERS
TECMO BOWL THROWBACKHighlights Multiple Limited Time Incentives
Team NINJA kicks off several weeks of festivities complete with Tecmo Bowl uniforms and characters, new Emerald, Ruby and Topaz grades, limited time in-game and free content including the classic Tecmo Bowl Throwback, all in celebration of over half a million downloads of DEAD OR ALIVE 5 ULTIMATE: CORE FIGHTERS (DOA5U: CORE FIGHTERS), which is available free of charge from the PlayStation® Network.
For American Football fans, Tecmo Bowluniforms for Bass, Bayman, Leon, Rachel, Tina and Zack are being released and, as a bonus, Tecmo Bowl Throwback and DOA5U: CORE FIGHTERS are included with the purchase of any of the six costumes or the full DEAD OR ALIVE 5 ULTIMATE Champion set through November 26 (PlayStation®3 only, additional purchases will not include multiple copies). Limited time offers also include the use of Leon and Rachel free of charge for DOA5U: CORE FIGHTERS players, through November 19 (PlayStation®3 only). Additional information can be found on the official DEAD OR ALIVE 5 ULTIMATE Tailgate Party website: http://teamninja-studio.com/doa5/ultimate/us/home.html#tailgate
DEAD OR ALIVE 5 ULTIMATEheightens the signature DOA fighting style with the inclusion of new modes from DOA5 Plus, dynamic new stages, and deadly new fighters to deliver the ultimate in fighting entertainment. Players will take on the roles of their favorite DEAD OR ALIVE fighters—as well as combatants new to the franchise—in an intense, action-packed brawler set in visually striking locations from around the world. The famed DOA hand-to-hand combat is enhanced with new content that extends the experience. Along with a rich array of single-player modes including story mode, DEAD OR ALIVE 5 ULTIMATE offers online options with arcade-style matches, tournaments, and social features making it the most definitive DEAD OR ALIVE experience to date.
TECMO KOEI EUROPE LTD. is a publisher of interactive entertainment software for current generation consoles, handhelds and digital download content based in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, UK. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of TECMO KOEI HOLDINGS CO., LTD., headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. TECMO is best known for the Dead or Alive® and Ninja Gaiden®series. KOEI is best known for its Dynasty Warriors® and Samurai Warriors® franchises. On April 1, 2009, TECMO KOEI HOLDINGS CO., LTD was established as a result of the TECMO, LTD. and KOEI Co., Ltd. merger. More information about TECMO KOEI EUROPE LTD and its products can be found at www.tecmokoei-europe.com.
Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE are registered trademarks or trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.
“PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Deep Silver launches Metro: Last Light for Linux and confirms support for Steam OS Mac App Store version now also available
Larkspur, Calif., November 5, 2013 – Deep Silver and 4A Games have released the dedicated Linux version of Metro: Last Light via Steam, and confirmed future support for Steam OS and the Steam Controller.
In fact, the 300 members of the Steam community chosen to receive prototype Steam Machines will find a copy of Metro: Last Light included with the hardware.
“We are excited by the prospect of bringing the ultimate Metro experience, powered by next-gen PC hardware into the living room,” said Oles Shishkovstov, Chief Technical Officer at 4A Games. “Metro: Last Light will be a great showcase for Steam OS and the Steam Controller.”
Metro: Last Light already supports Steam Play, meaning that owners of any Steam version will automatically find the game added to their Windows PC, Mac and Linux Steam libraries.
Beneath the ruins of post-apocalyptic Moscow, in the tunnels of the Metro, the remnants of mankind are besieged by deadly threats from outside – and within. Mutants stalk the catacombs beneath the desolate surface, and hunt amidst the poisoned skies above.
But rather than stand united, the station-cities of the Metro are locked in a struggle for the ultimate power, a doomsday device from the military vaults of D6. A civil war is stirring that could wipe humanity from the face of the earth forever.
As Artyom, burdened by guilt but driven by hope, you hold the key to our survival – the last light in our darkest hour…
The plot of Metro: Last Light was written by Dmitry Glukhovsky, acclaimed author of the novel Metro 2033 which inspired the creation of both video games. Glukhovsky personally contributed the vast majority of dialogue in Metro: Last Light. Glukhovsky’s novels “Metro 2033” and “Metro 2034” have sold more than two million copies worldwide. In 2013, his latest book “Metro 2035” will be also available outside of Russia. The film rights for “Metro 2033” were bought by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), the movie is currently in development.
About Deep Silver
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(TM) franchise, the critically-acclaimed Metro(TM): Last Light and the fourth title in the action adventure open world Saints Row series, Saints Row IV(TM). 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.
About 4A Games
4A Games is a computer game development studio based in Kiev, Ukraine. The studio was established in December 2005 by the veterans of Ukrainian game industry, with the aim of developing premium quality computer games for high-end PCs and next generation consoles supported by the in-house developed “4A Engine”.
At the heart of the company are around 80 talented designers, programmers, artists, sound specialists and writers, with years of experience in software development and computer games in particular.
A former therapist fascinated by psychosis, Harleen Quinzel’s love for madness drove her mad with love. Now she is called Harley Quinn, and as of November 18, she will be the newest addition to the Infinite Crisis roster of Champions. Check out her awesome profile video here:
Infinite Crisis is an upcoming multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) set in the legendary DC Multiverse and in development by Turbine.
When Harley Quinn’s fascination with The Joker transformed into adoration, she went from being his therapist to being his accomplice. Several years of The Joker’s vicious love drew out her inner madness until she felt she was finally her “true self.” Yet in time, Harley grew tired of The Joker’s abuse and left him to become an almost equally notorious criminal. No matter what, though, Harley’s will always have a soft spot for her “Puddin’.”
A gifted gymnast with increased strength and agility, Harley supports with humorous heals and damages with deadly peels.
Check out the new Champion profile video via the link and embed code below, along with the accompanying key art.
A leaked image from next weeks issue of Weekly Shonen Jump has been making the rounds today. The image seemingly confirms the return of the long running and long-time hiatus-prone mangaHunter x Hunter.
The image which you can see below announces the return of the Hunter x Hunter manga this December, which will coincide with the release of the second anime film Hunter x Hunter: The Last Mission.
It is unknown as of writing how legitimate this leak is, but in the past leaks such as this have proven themselves to be true. However it is unknown whether this will be a return of the serialized story or a special tie-in chapter to the second film like we saw last year for the first film.
Stay tuned for further information on the return of Hunter x Hunter as it comes to light.
What happens when you are outnumbered and outgunned? Let’s face it, your world comes crashing down. In Activision‘s Call of Duty: Ghosts you encounter a storyline of mass devastation as your world has indeed been altered by a catastrophic event. Become one of Earth’s elite squadron soldiers known as the “Ghosts” to take coveted soil back from its capturer. The retaliation begins on November 5th. You may be Earth’s last chance… Will you succeed against such odds?
Take a look at the gameplay launch trailer below and impart us with your thoughts of the next Call of Duty installment. Infinity Ward might remind you to keep your space mask on.
Final Exam is finally releasing for PC and PSN in North America today with the European PSN version on its way tomorrow and finally to XBLA on Friday. With all of this releasing going on and on its way, Focus Home Interactive and Mighty Rocket Studio have put out another trailer just for launch.
This Final Exam trailer is of course another romp in the ridiculous action players will be able to expect in the game, showing off several of the special abilities that the characters will be able to earn throughout the game. While it may have started out as a reboot of Obscure, the new direction and title seem to be working out quite well.
Those wanting to see all the melee smashing and bullet spraying action the launch trailer for themselves can find it embedded below. Final Exam is now available for PC from Steam and on US PSN, with EU PSN and XBLA still on their way for this week.
WORK YOUR BODY, ROCK YOUR WORLD WITH ZUMBA® FITNESS WORLD PARTY, AVAILABLE NOW ON KINECT FOR XBOX 360, Wii U AND Wii
Xbox One Version to Release November 22nd
EDISON, N.J., November 5th, 2013 –Majesco Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: COOL), publisher of the Zumba® Fitness video game franchise that has sold more than nine million copies worldwide, announced today the release of Zumba® Fitness World Party on Kinect for Xbox 360, Wii™ U and Wii™. The game will also be available November 22nd as part of the day-one launch lineup for Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft.
“Bringing World Party to market is a tremendous achievement for our team,” said Jesse Sutton, Chief Executive Officer, Majesco Entertainment. “We are incredibly proud of the new visual style, engaging global content and depth of play that this experience offers. What’s more, World Party is more than just a fun interactive game; it’s a tool that will help players reach their personal fitness goals, complete with a robust video reward system that keeps them motivated along the way.”
To complement the launch, Majesco Entertainment revealed the Zumba® Fitness World Party television spot airing this month (click to watch or download), and noted that playable demos for Kinect for Xbox 360 and Xbox One will be available for download soon from the Xbox Live online entertainment network from Microsoft. Fans will also benefit from new items in the Zumba® wear Avatar Collection now available on Xbox Live.
Zumba® Fitness World Party invites you to escape on a global fitness journey to exotic locations including Hawaii, Brazil and India—set to 40+ new high-energy routines and more than 30 international dance styles. Players can immerse themselves in an exhilarating at-home workout packed with fitness features to maximize results, while jamming out to a world-class soundtrack highlighted by Lady Gaga, Pitbull, Marc Anthony, Daddy Yankee and Zumba originals. Additional new features include the World Tour mode and an incredible visual presentation that parallels a real-life experience on location alongside Zumba’s celebrity instructors.
“World Party unites the player with the global community of dance through an interactive journey that delivers explosive physical and emotional benefits,” said Joan Blackwood, Chief Marketing Officer, Zumba Fitness. “We have created a game that explores different dance cultures from around the world for a truly remarkable Zumba experience for fans everywhere.”
Developed by Zoë Mode, Zumba® Fitness World Party is rated E for Everyone and is available now on Kinect for Xbox 360 and Wii™ at $39.99 SRP, and Wii™ U at $49.99 SRP. The Xbox One version will release on November 22nd at $49.99 SRP. To watch the launch trailer and find out more, please visit the official site at zumbafitnessgame.com. Press assets are available for download here.
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ABOUT MAJESCO ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY
Majesco Entertainment Company is a provider of video games for the mass market. Building on more than 20 years of operating history, the company is focused on developing and publishing a wide range of casual and family oriented video games on all leading console and handheld platforms as well as mobile devices. Product highlights include Zumba® Fitness and Cooking Mama™. Majesco is headquartered in Edison, NJ, and the company’s shares are traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol: COOL. More info can be found online at majescoent.com or on Twitter at twitter.com/majesco.
ABOUT ZUMBA® FITNESS, LLC
Zumba Fitness is a global lifestyle brand that fuses fitness, entertainment and culture into an exhilarating dance-party workout. Known as the ultimate “fitness-party”, Zumba® classes blend upbeat world rhythms with easy-to-follow choreography, for an effective, total-body workout. Founded in 2001, the company is the largest branded fitness program in the world – reporting more than 15 million weekly participants, in over 200,000 locations across more than 180 countries. In addition to its original Zumba® program, the company also offers a variety of specialty classes, including: Zumba® Step; Zumba Gold® (active older adults); Aqua Zumba®; Zumba® Kids/Zumba® Kids Jr. (ages 4-11); and Zumbini™ (ages 0-3). The Zumba® fitness lifestyle is rounded out by the company’s many consumer product offerings, including DVD sets, music collections, multi-seasonal apparel and footwear, video games and Fitness-Concert™ events. For more information about Zumba Fitness programs and products, or to find a live class, visit zumba.com. Find us on Facebook, Twitter.
PARIS, France—November 5, 2013—BlizzCon® 2013, Blizzard Entertainment’s two-day gaming festival, makes a long-awaited return on Friday, November 8, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA. The sold-out show celebrates all things geek, featuring sneak peeks at what’s going on behind the scenes at Blizzard Entertainment.
This year’s BlizzCon includes discussion panels with Blizzard developers; community cosplayers; and Duncan Jones, director of the upcoming Warcraft® film. Also taking place are the StarCraft® II World Championship Series Global Final and World of Warcraft® Arena Invitational, in which top pro gamers from around the world will be competing for cash prizes and ultimate glory. Jay Mohr is back this year to host the ever-popular community contests, and SoCal punk legends Blink-182 will be performing an epic rock concert to wrap up the show on Saturday night.
BlizzCon tickets once again sold out in seconds, but anyone can still attend the event from the comfort of their home with the BlizzCon Virtual Ticket. Viewers will receive over 60 hours of live HD coverage of the event (including Blink’s sure-to-be-wild performance) across five channels over the Internet. Virtual Ticket holders will also receive all the BlizzCon-exclusive in-game goodies:
World of Warcraft in-game pet—the valiant Murkalot
To-be-revealed Hearthstone™: Heroes of Warcraft™ card
BlizzCon-themed “Mark of Death” Diablo® III banner
“Tearin’ Stitches” StarCraft II portrait and Stitches’ Hook decal
In addition, the BlizzCon opening ceremony and eSports tournaments will be streamed free online at www.blizzcon.com. More info on the Virtual Ticket can be found at www.blizzcon.com/virtual-ticket.
“We can’t wait to get back to BlizzCon and share details about our latest games with our most passionate players,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “It’s going to be a truly unforgettable weekend.”
BlizzCons of years past have featured an array of exciting panels, unveilings, and entertainment, including the world debuts of the latest World of Warcraft content, the first-ever public hands-on with StarCraft II and Diablo III, and epic rock performances by Foo Fighters and Tenacious D.
BlizzCon would not be possible without the enthusiasm of Blizzard Entertainment gamers around the world and the generous support of the event’s partners, who provide demo-station hardware, peripherals, and more. This year’s sponsors are Intel, NVIDIA, Sony Computer Entertainment, DIRECTV, SteelSeries, GIGABYTE, Rosewill, and EVGA.
Anyone attending BlizzCon who’s looking to join the ranks at Blizzard should bring their resumes, portfolios, or business cards. The Blizzard recruiting team will be on hand to review materials and discuss any job-related questions. More information on available Blizzard career opportunities can be found at http://jobs.blizzard.com, LinkedIn Blizzard Careers, and http://twitter.com/@blizzardcareers.
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 sixteen #1-selling 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.
*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 BlizzCon and the BlizzCon Virtual Ticket, 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
Thor: The Dark World is the title character’s second solo film. The role is staunchly reprised by Australian actor Chris Hemsworth, who is also once again joined by the returning Natalie Portman as astrophysicist and love interest Jane Foster, and Tom Hiddleston as his half-brother and God of Mischief, Loki, among others. A dormant threat in Malekith the Accursed (Christopher Eccleston) has awakened, set on plunging all nine worlds into darkness using the Aether, as it once was before the creation of light. Thor: The Dark World is as close to a space opera as we’ve seen so far, likening itself – at times – more to Star Wars than any prior entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Story
Said to be older than the universe itself, the Dark Elves thrived in utter nothingness before creation and the birth of light. Seeking to restore existence to its originally empty state, Malekith – the ruler of the Dark Elves – vowed to control a mysterious forced called the Aether in his quest to transform all he saw into dark matter. Eons ago, the Asgardians waged war with the race, attempting to prevent this very cataclysmic event. Bor, father of Odin (Anthony Hopkins), successfully led his army in vanquishing the enhanced, “Kursed” warriors, and containing the Aether in a stone column. Malekith, however, fled with his lieutenant Algrim (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), unbeknownst to the victorious Asgardian king.
In the current day, Loki is brought before Odin in shackles, sentenced to imprisonment for his actions on Earth. Thor, meanwhile, is battling the Marauders on Vanaheim, alongside lady Sif (Jaimie Alexander), Volstagg (Ray Stevenson), Fandral (now played by Zachary Levi) and native Hogun (Tadanobu Asano). After the destruction of the bifrost, the nine realms fell into disarray, and so order needed to be restored. Jane Foster, understandably, had no knowledge of this, harboring resentment of the thunder God for not abiding by his promise to return to her until two years later… when she disappears from Heimdall’s view after researching a physics anomaly and unknowingly entering through a portal to the exact location of the long-hidden Aether.
Curious to a fault, Foster gets too close, resulting in the Aether transferring itself from its stone entrapment to her body. She awakens back on Earth to find a worried Thor. Taking her back to Asgard in order to discover what coursed through her veins proved to be a huge error, with Malekith breaking out of status and being led directly to the Asgard like a missile to a homing beacon. The strange happenings revolving around the random rifts found on Earth are determined to be caused by the ‘convergence’ – the perfect alignment of the nine realms which occurs every 5000 years. This is a condition needed to be met in order for Malekith to spread the Aether throughout the universe and usher in a new dark age.
Without spoilers, a powerful plot point gives Loki specific motivation for revenge against the Dark Elves, and it just so happens that Thor would give him that opportunity, as Loki’s unique knowledge of a secret pathway deems his assistance necessary. Loki’s screen-time is filled with hilarious banter and self-aware comedy. References to events from the past are heavy, and in one particularly humorous scene, the mischievous one uses his trickery to present himself in the facade of a familiarly patriotic hero whilst conversing with his brother. Aside from Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings) and Dr. Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard) back on Midgard, Loki is the comedic relief, but that doesn’t mean that he is afraid to get physical either.
Of note, there is a swerve… or two… or three, that keeps the audience guessing and reinforces the expectation that, just when you thought you had Loki figured out, he will deceive you. He is always unpredictable and the best foil for the character of Thor. In regards to flaws in the story, there are some gaping ones if you care to acknowledge them. Why Loki is the singular soul with knowledge of a precise portal, which only appears every 5000 years (an Asgardian’s lifespan) is hard to understand. And speaking of unbelievable, [SPOILER ALERT] how a man-made piece of equipment that looks like a pogo-stick with wires, and its function based upon theoretical, unproven science, can move and trigger portals is beyond me. Add to this that said random, invisible portals tend to conveniently lead wherever characters need/want to go, and you may just be pulling your hair out in frustration. Hopefully you have the capability to ignore such questions and enjoy the proceedings.
Visuals & Audio
Mostly due to repeated visits to Svartalfheim, Thor: The Dark World is a much darker film than its predecessor. The Dark Elf home world lives up to its inhabitants’ namesake, with little light shining through the thick, ever-present clouds. The landscape is barren, reflecting the race’s innate nihilism. Jotunheim – another radically different realm – is briefly revisited amongst the chaos of the convergence, with its icy guise immediately recognisable from the first film. On the rare occasion, green screen compositing is sub-par. In particular, whilst standing in front of the Asgardian throne in the (near) final scene, there is a distinct inconsistency with the lighting of Thor against the 100% computer generated backdrop, giving that obvious rim-light effect whereby we can instantaneously differentiate between real-life and CGI elements.
Thankfully, the above is only painfully noticeable in that single scene, but it draws you out of the experience nonetheless. Otherwise, Asgard is stunningly represented, much like in the first movie. Thor: The Dark World is the most visually spectacular film in the Marvel catalogue to date, not only because of this fact, but also the breathtakingly well-designed and well-shot action sequences from Director Alan Taylor. In the audio department, composer Brian Tyler provides another serviceable, yet unexceptional score. And strengthening the aforementioned comparisons to Star Wars are the sound effects utilised in representing the Asgardian/Dark Elven weapon fire and aircrafts. They often sounded so similar that they could have been ripped from the franchise and transplanted without any alteration, and few would be able to tell the difference.
Overall
Thor: The Dark World is wholly entertaining… once you shut off the entire left hemisphere of your brain. Sometimes, that’s difficult to do. For others, it’s the easiest thing in the world. After all, we shouldn’t approach film-watching as work, but an escape; a piece of entertainment that allows us to indulge in fantasy. Personally, I struggle to find that balance between being analytical and completely suspensory of disbelief. If you’re the latter type of viewer, you should love Thor: The Dark World. It has heart, features good action sequences and will keep you laughing (somewhat surprisingly) throughout. If you’re the former, you’ll also be laughing… but for a different reason.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
