Capcom and Razer, two powerful forces in the world of video games, announced today that they will be working together to bring you a Street Fighter edition of Razer’s Goliathus mouse mat.
The mat will come in special packaging meant to appeal to not only PC gamers, but gamers in general as well as fans of the Street Fighter franchise.
Features of the mat include:
Advanced slick taut cloth weave for unbridled speed and effortless control
Pixel-precise targeting and tracking
Optimised for all mouse sensitivities and sensors
Anti-fraying stitched frame eliminates rough edges and long-term wear
Highly portable cloth-based design
Anti-slip rubber base
Available in four different sizes: small, medium, large, extended
The product will cost AUD $29.95 / NZD $34.95, and is available for order now at Razerzone.com.
Playstation®3 Sales Reach 80 Million Units Worldwide
The PS3® System Continues to Grow with more than 300 Software Titles Launching this Holiday Season Globally,Including “Gran Turismo 6”
Tokyo, November 6, 2013– Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) today announced that cumulative sales of the PlayStation®3 (PS3®) computer entertainment system has reached a milestone of 80 million units*1 worldwide as of November 2, 2013. Now in its seventh year, the PS3 system has demonstrated continued growth and momentum.
The PS3 system has delivered high quality entertainment experiences since its launch and has continuously evolved through system software updates and by adding new features such as upscaling PlayStation® and PlayStation®2 games as well as DVD, DLNA client function and 3D stereoscopic games support. In February 2013, SCE released the PS3 system in new “Azurite Blue” and “Garnet Red” colors. In August 2013, the price of the PS3 with 12GB flash memory was reduced in Europe and it was introduced in North America. By offering a variety of products to meet various needs and lifestyles, the PS3 system has been well received by a wide range of gamers.
The PS3 system continues to gain strong support from 3rd party developers and publishers worldwide with the cumulative number of software titles released for the PS3 system reaching 4,332 worldwide*2. Among them are smash hit title, The Last of Us, which sold 3.4 million units in less than three weeks when it launched in June 2013*3, and the critically acclaimed title, Journey,that won six awards at the 13th annual Game Developers Choice Awards and became the first video game in Grammy Award history to be nominated for Best Score Soundtrack. More than 300 software titles are to be released from third party developers and publishers as well as from SCE Worldwide Studios (SCE WWS) this holiday season*4 globally, including Gran Turismo®6 (GT6™), the latest installment to the wildly popular Gran Turismo franchise that has sold more than 70 million copies worldwide*5.
Furthermore, exciting blockbuster titles such as BEYOND: Two Souls™ (Sony Computer Entertainment), Grand Theft Auto V (Rockstar Games, Inc), and Batman: Arkham Origins (Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment) have also gained high praise.
When the PS3 system was first released in Japan in November 2006 (Australia and New Zealand launch, March 2007), SCE also launched PSNSM, an online multiplayer gaming and digital entertainment service, which now operates in 59 countries around the world with more than 150 million cumulative registered accounts*6. Launched alongside the PS3 system and in conjunction with PSN, PlayStation®Store (PS Store) offers a variety of downloadable digital content where PS3 system owners can select from a global catalogue of more than 222,000 digital content options, including 72,000 game content*7.
In addition, the PlayStation®Plus (PS Plus) membership service became available in June 2010, providing access to exclusive discounts on PS Store, free games on PS platforms, demos and automatic system updates. The Instant Game Collection was added to PS Plus in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand in June 2012, enabling PS Plus members to enjoy popular titles from third-party developers and publishers, as well as SCE WWS, at no extra cost. SCE has also continued to enrich the PS Plus service in other countries and regions. For example in Japan, more titles have been added on “Free Play”, a service similar to “Instant Game Collection”, giving Japanese PS Plus members access to more than 150 games. *8
Since its introduction in September 2010, the PlayStation®Move motion controller has enabled users to play games intuitively while enhancing the interactive gameplay experience. Utilizing the power of the motion sensor, Wonderbook™, a peripheral that delivers the evolution of storytelling through the Augmented Reality (AR) technology via PlayStation®Eye, launched two titles globally in November 2012. Wonderbook: Book of Spells and Wonderbook: Diggs Nightcrawler*8 have been well received since their release. Exciting new titles such as Wonderbook: Book of Potions and Wonderbook: Walking With Dinosaurs will be released this holiday season*9 and SCE will introduce Wonderbook in Japan.
As the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system launches November 15, 2013 in North America and November 29, 2013 in Latin America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, SCE will continue to expand the PlayStation ecosystem, which includes the continual support of gaming and digital entertainment content on PS3 systems.
*1 Sell-in number
*2 As of September 30, 2013. Excluding download software titles.
*3 As of July 3,2013 including both Blu-ray Disc™ sell-in quantities and download version sales
*4 Total number of both Blu-ray Disc™ and download version that will be released from November 1 to December 31, 2013 in various regions. The title to be released will vary by regions.
*5 As of the end of March, 2013
*6 As of September 19, 2013
*7 As of October 31, 2013
*8 As of November 6, 2013
*9 The launching of these titles in Japan and the other Asian regions is yet to be determined.
Overview
Every now and then, a game seemingly comes from out of nowhere. Valdis Story: Abyssal City is just such a game, stalking its way out of the shadows to make a name for itself and its creators, indie developer Endless Fluff Games. How does it stand when put to the test, though? Is this Metroid-like action exploration platformer a heavenly affair or a hellish nightmare?
Story
Fourty years ago, the goddess Valdis was slain by her daughter, the dark goddess Myrgato. In the wake of the murder, Alagath, the goddess of light, has taken up arms and went to war with Myrgato. Perpetually fueled by the souls of humans to create angels and demons, the war has ravaged the human population. When Wyatt and his crew came to the world, they were quickly separated. Now, Wyatt must search for his companions as a much deeper plot is revealed.
Gameplay
The game’s website describes itself as a “side scrolling exploration platformer.” Much like the recent Blood of the Werewolf, it is a platformer, but folks who’ve been playing games for a while will probably recognize its playstyle more intimately by the term “Metroidvania.”
Valdis Story offers an enormous setting to explore. The overall world is made up of a tremendous set of rooms interlocked to create paths from one point to another. Many of the doors and obstacles you run across will be impossible to get through at first, and, as with most games of this nature, you’ll get some item or ability later that allows you to backtrack and pass through those doors. Behind many of them, alternate paths or even rare treasures can be hidden, making it worth your while to comb every inch of the world.
The overworld is broken up into several different major cohesive sections. Towns with shops and save points may be separated by dungeons, dangerous roads, and more. There’s a fantastic sense of variety placed in the different regions of the game, giving each locale a distinct flavor. This keeps the game interesting to explore from every angle and keeps you pressing to find the next cool thing.
One of the primary systems of the game and, arguably, one of the most satisfying, is the combat. Out of the gate, Wyatt can swing and slash his sword around, jump, block, and cast two types of magic. As the game progresses and you earn enough experience, you can unlock new skills and passive abilities (such as a higher combo string, increased health, and much more). Combat is fast and smooth, keeping you on your toes while providing a satisfying experience with a great variety enemies.
As you beat the brakes off your various foes, you’ll earn experience. With enough experience, you’ll be granted a “level up” with which you can increase one of four various stats as well as put points into those abilities previously mentioned. It provides a satisfying and tangible reward for all the slicing, dicing, and spell-casting you’re doing.
On top of stat customization, you can equip various weapons, armor, accessories, and even companions that you find as you explore the world. Much of armor is hidden away, requiring some of that special exploration unique to Metroidvania games. Many of the other pieces of equipment, like accessories, are created using items dropped from defeated foes.
On top of your run-of-the-mill enemies, Valdis Story is peppered with incredible boss battles. These present a finely tuned balance between puzzle solving, pattern recognition, and often, trial and error. Each big encounter provides a tough enough experience to punish you if you mess up, but they’re never so overwhelmingly difficult you’ll want to give up. Toppling these brutes can often result in some sort of permanent boost or a new form of magic to use in combat and world traversal, giving you both a satisfying victory and tangible reward for your efforts.
The narrative in Valdis Story is wonderfully told. The story is an epic tale of war between deities, and you’ve fallen right into the middle of it. There are no voiced lines, but there doesn’t need to be. The classic text-based back and forth between characters is both smartly written and entertaining, giving you the sense of being swept up in something truly grand.
I have only a single complaint I can levy against the game. The “down” button activates an ability that can dodge, skill cancel, and do a ground stomp if you’re in the air. This works great most of the time, but I’ve found that I am prone to accidentally pressing it when trying to maneuver some of the more complicated or precise platforming puzzles. This can cause some frustration, as you throw yourself down two floors trying to reach the next platform. I’ll also note that I did not experience this issue as much when playing with the keyboard (as I rarely hit the down arrow).
Visuals
The visual representation of Valdis Story is one of the richest I’ve seen in a 2D game, or any game for that matter, in quite some time. The colors are intense and vibrant, giving the world and its characters wonderful visual presence. Each of the character designs feel like they were pulled from a top-notch anime or manga artist and then further embellished. Character animations feel smooth as glass, lending further satisfaction to platforming and combat. I feel like I could look at this world all day and never grow bored.
Audio
The game’s soundtrack is just as strong as the other elements of the game. With over 30 tracks, there’s something here for every situation and they’re all well utilized. You may even find yourself tapping your foot along to the music on the downtimes. The sound effects are all appropriate, helping drive the action and immersion further without ever distracting from the overall experience.
Overall Valdis Story: Abyssal City is a fantastic game in virtually every aspect. A well executed story, big world to explore, and streamlined combat and progression mechanics provide a driving, immersive experience you won’t want to step away from. Beautiful, colorful world and character design and an immersive soundtrack further drive you into the conflict between the deity siblings. Valdis Story has won my heart as one of my favorite games of 2013. Everyone should experience what Endless Fluff Games has to offer.
Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.
Shortly after the release of the third chapter of their episodic point-and-click horror/adventure title The Last Door, Spanish indie developers The Game Kitchen have announced that the title’s complete first season is now up on Steam Greenlight.
If the game gets voted through by the community, the three chapters released so far will be bundled up in a special edition coming with numerous enhancements.Having to truly rely on crowd-funding for each instalment – and just squeaking by – the success of this Steam Greenlight campaign will mean a much easier route to securing funds for future chapters and seasons. Read our review of the opening two chapters – The Letter and Memories – and go here to vote.
Steve Jackson’s Sorcery! Continues on iOS Today with New Interactive Adventure in Kharé: Cityport of Traps
New players can enjoy Sorcery! Part 2 as a standalone story, while Part 1 players can pick up where they left off
CAMBRIDGE, U.K. – November 7, 2013 – Independent developer inkle and author Steve Jackson are announcing that Sorcery! Part 2 is now available for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. The second installment in a series of narrative games that brings Jackson’s renowned 1980s gamebooks into the touchscreen age, Sorcery! Part 2 is an interactive story that can be continued from Part 1 or started fresh as a standalone adventure. The game sells for $4.99 USD (or equivalent) from the App Store: http://itunes.apple.com/app/sorcery!-2/id627880433
inkle‘s Sorcery! games put you in the shoes of a hero or heroine on a quest to recover the stolen Crown of Kings. Part 1 involved a journey through the Shamutanti Hills, a perilous landscape that could only be survived with tactical swordplay, clever magic, and good old-fashioned brainpower. But those hills were a cakewalk compared to Part 2‘s Kharé, a bustling cityport where restless citizens and a brutal goblin army are about to come to blows. Secrets, traps, and trickery abound — and even if you do reach the locked gate at the far end of the city, it only opens for those who uncover the city’s most ancient secrets.
Sorcery! Part 2 is a highly flexible interactive narrative that writes itself around players’ choices. With more than 300,000 words (twice the content of the first game) and nearly 10,000 choices to make, the story can be played and replayed with unique outcomes each time. In a feature unique to Part 2, you can challenge the townspeople in Swindlestones, a dice game based on lies and deceit that yields clues to Kharé’s traps and enigmas. A detailed 3D street map with additional interior insets of key buildings lets you explore the city inside and out — a city whose locations change over time as you make your way through. There are also over 30 monsters to fight with swords or fists, more gorgeous illustrations by John Blanche, and an upgraded 3D spellcasting system.
When it released in May, Sorcery! Part 1 (https://itunes.apple.com/app/id627879091) was exceptionally well received by press and players, earning an 85% ranking on Metacritic and a 4.5-star user rating on the App Store. IGN cited it as “a prime example of what can happen when traditional storytelling gets along with contemporary game design”; GamesMaster called it “the best rendition of the gamebook format we’ve yet seen on tablets and a shining example of the promise the genre holds.” The series will debut for Android in December.
inkle is a design and development studio from Cambridge, UK, founded by Joseph Humfrey and Jon Ingold, and specializing in interactive storytelling. Four of their previous apps have been featured on the App Store front page, and their interactive Frankenstein adaptation was praised as “brilliantly designed,” “beautiful,” “gorgeous,” and “the best interactive fiction yet.” They’ve worked with Penguin, Profile Books, the BBC, English National Opera, among others, and their award-winning inklewriter website, allowing anyone to write and share their own branching stories for free, is used in schools all over the world. Before founding inkle, Ingold was a lead game designer for Sony, and the author of over a dozen interactive fiction games. Humfrey has designed and developed titles for all the major consoles in a career with PlayStation, Microsoft, and legendary studio Rare, where he co-created the BAFTA-nominated Viva Pinata DS. His independent games have appeared everywhere from iOS to Virgin Atlantic. Learn more at http://www.inklestudios.com.
About Steve Jackson
Steve Jackson is co-founder with Ian Livingstone of the massively successful UK chain Games Workshop, and co-creator of the Fighting Fantasy series that sold over 25 million copies in 27 countries worldwide. He also co-founded Lionhead Studios with Peter Molyneux, and is now Professor of Game Design at Brunel University.
UBISOFT® ANNOUNCES GOLD STATUS FOR ASSASSIN’S CREED® IV BLACK FLAG™ ON WINDOWS® PC
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — November 7, 2013 —Ubisoft® has announced Assassin’s Creed® IV Black Flag™ for Windows PC has reached gold status and will be available for sale on November 21, 2013 in Australia and New Zealand.
Three editions of Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag will be available for PC:
– The Standard Edition, available as retail or digital formats.
– The Deluxe Edition, a premium edition including the game, as well as bonus in-game content including new locations to discover and explore, additional customization items and a new adventure starring Aveline as the main character.
– The Uplay Deluxe Edition, an exclusive digital package exclusively distributed on Uplay Shop including all the contents from the Deluxe Edition, plus an additional in-game pack, Pride of the West Indies. This bonus content is exclusive to the Uplay Deluxe edition, available for pre-order here: http://shop.ubi.com/ac4deluxe
The Standard Edition and Deluxe Edition are both available in a digital PC download format. Players who pre-order the PC download version of these editions will get additional in-game bonus contents. The Uplay Deluxe Edition is only available in digital format and exclusively distributed on Uplay Shop.
Three Assassin’s Creed® IV Black Flag Collector’s Editions will also be available for Windows PC versions of the game.
The Buccaneer Edition
This premium edition offers a selection of essential physical and digital items for the adventurers:
– Premium Quality Edward Kenway Figurine on the Jackdaw’s Crow’s Nest
– High Quality Artbook
– The Official Soundtrack
– 2 Lithographs in their protective envelope
– Collector’s Box
– Additional Unlockable In-game Content
The Skull Edition
This edition includes physical and digital content for the Assassin’s Creed enthusiast:
– Collector Jumbo Steel Case
– High Quality Artbook
– The Official Soundtrack
– 2 Lithographs in their protective envelope
– Unlockable In-game Content
The Special Edition
This special edition will be available at the standard price and includes unlockable in-game content only available at game launch.
A Season Pass is also available for PC, including a package of downloadable contents, for a 20 percent savings off the regular unit price of these DLC to be released until March 2014. Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag Season Pass can be pre-ordered here: http://shop.ubi.com/AC4SeasonPass
Players who pre-order Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag Uplay Digital Deluxe Edition from the Uplay Shop will be granted an additional 25% discount off the Season Pass.
Ubisoft and NVIDIA have worked closely together to create a fully optimized version that runs on GeForce GTX graphics cards. The result is that gamers with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX graphics card will get an Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag experience that features a wealth of NVIDIA’s advanced gaming technologies such as TXAA and more. The extra performance means more immersive gaming including life-like environments, realistic combat and spectacular, cinematic visuals.
“NVIDIA engineers work with their Ubisoft counterparts across the globe to ensure that PC games are the best they can be – and ‘Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag’ is a great example of that,” said Tony Tamasi, senior vice president of Content and Technology at NVIDIA. “We’ve integrated advanced, PC-specific technologies into the game to give mood and depth to scenes and bring buildings and landscapes to life. The end result is an unparalleled visual treat, and set to be an absolute PC blockbuster.”
Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag will feature several NVIDIA Technologies: God Rays – which allowed Ubisoft Montreal to paint beams of light that illuminate a scene from above, horizon-based ambient occlusion + (HBAO+) for more detailed and realistic shadows around objects that obstruct rays of light, percentage-closer soft shadows (PCSS) for more lifelike contact hardening shadows, and temporal anti-aliasing (TXAA) for smoother edges. With the addition of enhanced 4K textures, there’s never been a better time to take to the high seas.
For a limited time, buyers of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN, 780 Ti, 780, 770, 760, 660, 670, 680, and 690 from participating retailers and e-tailers will receive a complimentary copy of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag in addition to Ubisoft’s other blockbuster title, Splinter Cell Blacklist. Details can be found at www.GeForce.com/Pirates
Capcom® and Razer Goliathus Street Fighter special Edition
Essential Soft Gaming Mouse Mat
CARLSBAD, Calif.–Nov. 7, 2013 – Razer, the world leader in high-performance gaming hardware, today announced a special edition Razer Goliathus mouse mat dedicated to one of the most iconic classic video game franchises – Street Fighter™.
The mouse mat comes in special packaging that will appeal not only to PC gamers but to gamers in general and most importantly to fans of the Street Fighter™ franchise.
Capcom® created some of the most iconic video game franchises in gaming. Razer love and grew up with these games just as much as you did. That is why we are honoured to present the Razer Goliathus Gaming Mouse Mat, made with beautiful artwork for this gaming classic.
Product features:
Advanced slick taut cloth weave for unbridled speed and effortless control
Pixel-precise targeting and tracking
Optimised for all mouse sensitivities and sensors
Anti-fraying stitched frame eliminates rough edges and long-term wear
Highly portable cloth-based design
Anti-slip rubber base
Available in four different sizes: small, medium, large, extended
Slick taut weave for SPEED gameplay
The weave on the Razer Goliathus is pulled taut to create a slick and seamless surface so your gaming mouse glides quickly with zero hindrance. The weave also provides a nice, comfortable feel under your hand minimizing fatigue over extended periods of play.
Optimised for all sensitivity settings and sensors
Low sense, high sense, laser, optical or dual sensor system – whatever your sensitivity setting or preferred gaming mouse, the Razer Goliathus offers total tracking responsiveness for consistently reliable in-game control.
Availability: Exclusively on Razerzone.com – order now
Street Fighter™ is the most iconic fighting game franchise played by hard-core fans at arcades throughout the years. This edition of the Razer Goliathus Gaming Mouse Mat is a collector’s item, showcasing the iconic, original cast of Street Fighter™ II.
“Go home and be a family man” – Guile
About the Razer Group:
Razer™ is the world leader in high performance gaming hardware. Founded in 1998, with its headquarters in Carlsbad, California, the company has offices in nine cities around the globe. Used by the most demanding professional gamers who compete in global tournaments, Razer provides gamers with the most unfair advantage of cutting-edge technology and award-wining design. We live by our motto: For Gamers. By Gamers™.
Now here is something I don’t think any of us expected, Microsoft Singapore have made a short anime video with a character that is the anime personification of internet explorer.
The video is only two minutes and ten seconds long and was made to celebrate the 2013 Anime Festival Asia. The video starts with the heroine, Inori Aizawa, running away from robots who are trying to capture her; once they surrounded her she goes through a Mahou Shojo transformation and obliterates them. The short clip does contain elements that are similar to other anime shows; Evangelion, Sailor Moon and even a hint of KyoAni (at 0.40 seconds) come to mind.
If you want to know more about Inori Aizawa then you can also check out her Facebook page, no really they actually made one for her. A recent comment made by Aizawa states that she used to be slow and clumsy, but has matured over the years and wants you to try her out (her being the latest Internet Explorer that is).
Although it may not be the most popular web browser, Internet Explorer has managed to capture the attention of many people with this well put together video. Aizawa may just convince a few people to upgrade or even switch browsers; they may even show up as villains in future videos.
You can check out the video below, Tell us what you think about the video, and if you find any other anime references, by leaving a comment down below or here on YouTube.
Namco Bandai Games have just released another fantastic trailer for their upcoming One Piece game for the 3DS; One Piece Unlimited World Red. This brand new trailer goes for just over four minutes and shows off a great deal of gameplay, showcasing some of the characters that are playable, bosses to fight in the game, more footage of the new characters and a bunch of the mini-games you can play in-between the story.
As I mentioned above, the more we see of the game the better and better it is looking and, I have to say, this Trailer really portrays the typical One Piece action that we’ve all seen throughout the Manga and the Anime in an almost perfect way. We’re all very excited for the release of this game and, although there’s no talks of a Western release yet, we’re still hoping that One Piece: Unlimited World Red will be coming our way.
Head down to our Featured Video Section just below to check out the brand-new trailer and don’t forget to hit up our comments section to let us know what you think of this release.
NBA 2K14 may be out now on current gen consoles, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t more to say about the next gen version. A new trailer just put out today by the 2K Games shows off the newest engine in the game, that is coming only in next gen, specifically for adding emotion and excessive attention to detail.
The Eco-Motion Engine allows for even more depth of detail, from the way players on the court are planting their feet and their facial expressions, to the spin of the ball as it is dribbled and shot. Needless to say this is a lot of detail that is impossible on the current gen consoles, that is finally possible with the next gen.
A trailer detailing the Eco-Motion Engine and how it is being used within the next gen version of the game can be found embedded below. NBA 2K14 will launch with the PS4 on November 15th, and the Xbox One on November 22nd.
