The final piece of Skyrim DLC has finally made it’s way to the PlayStation Store in every possible region. Today Bethesda’s Dawnguard DLC for Skyrim was released onto the PlayStation Store which means PlayStation 3 owners can finally access all of the downloadable content which has long been available for other versions of the game.
In case you didn’t know, the Dawnguard DLC expands the vampire plot-line in Skyrim and it does so by having the Vampire Lord Harkon come back into power. He plans on destroying the sun itself so vampires can have free reign over the world, but it is up to you to decide whether you will help the vampire lord or join forces with the Dawnguard to put a stop to his nefarious plans.
It’s been a long time coming but Vita owners in Australia and New Zealand will finally be able to head out to their local video game retailer and pick up a copy of Persona 4 Golden. While gamers in North America have been able to pick up the game whenever they feel like, those in Europe and other PAL regions haven’t been able to pick up a physical title of the game in any form, short of importing it.
Now NIS America’s release of Persona 4 Golden in Europe, Australia and New Zealand has finally completed. If you’re curious about whether or not Persona 4 Golden is worth picking up, you should just go out and buy it now, but if you have to have some convincing then check out our review here.
EA Games have released a brand new trailer for the upcoming and hotly anticipated Army of Two: Devil’s Cartel game. The new trailer titled ‘Action Blockbuster’ lives up to its name featuring exciting high octane action that will be featured in Army of Two: Devil’s Cartel.
Army of Two: Devil’s Cartel is set to be an intense action thrill-ride the likes of which arguably have not been seen since the last Army of Two game. Make sure you check out the thrilling new trailer for Army of Two: Devil’s Cartel below.
What do you think of the new trailer? Let us know your thoughts on it in the comments section.
Activision have released a Call of Duty door hanger for players to download. This doorhanger is based on their latest map pack that has just been made available for download and purchase on a a bunch of platforms. This map pack is called the Revolution DLC.
Activision have made up a character called The Replacer. Essentially The Replacer replaces you so that you can spend more time playing Call of Duty. You can have The Replace replace a multitude of your tasks, like mowing the lawn or ordering a pizza.
Check out the link here to begin the The Replacer process and obtain your doorstop and/or start a Replacement service.
March 1st to 3rd at the Emerald City Comic Con, Meteor and Adhesive Games will be in attendance at booth 3005 where they will be accompanied by a life-sized HAWKEN mecha for players and visitors to take photos of and with. There will also be playable builds of the game available at the show where players can battle it out with each other on the show floor.
The team have also announced that there will be an art show for those over 21 years of age. At this art show there will be drink specials available for you alongside (or by using?) your ECCC lanyards. The Hawken ATTACK Show, as it is called, will be available for viewing at the Vermillion.
Lastly, be sure to visit their ECCC2013 page to claim your free Hawken Credits. They’ll go a long way in-game. I can almost afford a new mech.
Black Ops II players that have been waiting for that latest map pack to the Playstation 3 and PC can breath easy, as Revolution has hit both platforms, offering four new multiplayer maps and much more.
The four new maps consist of the following:
-Hydro: Located in Pakistan, this hydro-electric plant comes complete with a lethal spillway that floods with very little warning.
-Grind: Set in a skate park in Venice Beach (the birthplace of skateboarding!), quarter-pipes and curved surfaces drive players away from easy cover and into intense firefights.
-Downhill: A ski resort in the French Alps, this snowy map is complete with a moving gondola system that can both offer cover and crush you to death.
-Mirage: Located in China’s Gobi Desert, a luxury resort has been ravaged by a sandstorm.
Sound good? Well, that isn’t all. Zombie lovers will also be getting their fix with Revolution, as this duo of maps will add plenty more for the undead to croak at.
Details for the new zombie content can be read below.
Zombies fans get a terrifying double-dose of undead action in Revolution. First,the new map, “Die Rise,” drops players inside a maze of crumbling skyscrapers amidst a ravaged Chinese city, where all-new Wonder Weaponry will play a crucial role as they make a valiant stand against the impending zombie hoard. Additionally, Revolution’s new Zombies mode, “Turned,” flips this new fan-favorite mode around, allowing players to become the undead and play as a zombie, offering an entirely new style of bragging rights.
As you all probably know, you can purchase this pack for $14.99, or just simply go download Revolution if you are already a Season Pass holder (which can still be purchased for $49.99 – bonus content included). Check out the new trailer below, and turn on that PS3 or PC and get to downloading if you are wanting to add some new life to your Call of Duty.
It’s that time again folks. Time to ready those eShop spacebucks and download the latest offerings from Nintendo and friends. This week, it’s all about the demo. As of today, those anticipating Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirrors of Fate can snag up the demo ahead of the March 5th release – to which it will be available for a full retail or digital purchase.
Speaking of demos, BIT.TRIP Presents… Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien is available on the Wii U in demo and full form this week, bringing about the sequel to the cult classic indie release.
More you say? Well, Majong fans will be happy to know that Mahjong Mysteries – Ancient Athena is available on the 3DS eShop for $4.99, while Coaster Creator 3D can be snagged up for $9.99. On the DSiWare front, Easter Eggztravaganza shares the upcoming holiday with all for $4.99, and Retro City Rampage makes it’s long awaited WiiWare debut on the Wii for 1000 Points.
Not a bad lot at all. Go out and download away folks, and let us know your pickings in the comments for this week’s digital offerings.
Recently I got a chance to interview Production Manager at Siren Visual, Elio Fois. We discussed Siren Visual’s history and future, the popular noitaminA brand, new merchandise ranges for certain Siren Visual series, their thoughts on the current anime landscape and much more.
Q. Siren Visual has been around for more than 25 years now in Australia and nearly 20 years since it began distributing anime. What do you think has attributed to Siren Visual’s success in the anime industry?
A. Firstly, we were the Company that brought anime to Australia with our launch of the Manga label, based in the U.K., back in 1994. With the release of titles like Ghost in the Shell and Ninja Scroll it was totally new for Australian audiences who had been, for many years, exposed to Japanese anime through Astro Boy, Gigantor, Prince Planet and Marine Boy, throughout the 60’s but had never been exposed to the newer more elaborate or indeed darker productions, both for film and TV, that Japanese Companies were producing from the late 80’s onwards. Our return to anime, in 2009,was due to a combination of factors including the niche market genre, the maintenance of the fanbase and the catalogue of titles that could be created over a long time period. Japanese Companies were also maintaining a high level of title production and many worthwhile titles remained unreleased, especially those that were not being dubbed into English. I think our success since 2009 has been as a result of the demand for both dubbed and subtitled creations that were not being released yet in demand.
Q. How would you describe Siren Visual’s position in the Australian anime industry?
A. Without doubt Madman remains the pre-eminent company for anime releases in Australia and they have put a lot of resources and effort into that side of the company. However, as mentioned above,there was room for a second tier player that picked up good titles and also put an effort into providing something a little different. I think we are now respected by the anime fanbase, release consistently, attend most of the major, Australia wide, anime events and interact with our customers through Facebook and our own website. This has all combined to put us firmly in the minds of anime fans and to make us the number 2 player.
Q. In the past few years Siren has released an increasing amount of off-beat anime titles such as those from the noitaminA brand. Some of which have never been released in any other English speaking region. What makes niche titles like the noitaminA line so popular?
A. Once again I think it is the need for us to be doing some things a little differently and the noitaminA titles have given us this opportunity. Most remained unreleased in the U.S. or did not receive English dubs, although quite a few of the more recent titles are now getting those dubs. It was a deliberate move and as with all risks some have been successful releases and others not. A title like the recent Thermae Romae has been totally unique in it’s style and theme and that is not a bad thing.
Q. The name noitaminA represents many things to anime fans. What does noitaminA mean to Siren Visual?
A. To Siren Visual it is a brand within our brand. Fuji Creative have gone out there and sourced/produced titles that may not have been green lit by many other studios. They have also created their own merchandise store, which I visited on a recent trip to Japan. This is where they hold screenings, serve coffee, sell merchandise and generally launch the noitaminA titles that are upcoming. We are just happy to be able to help push this in Australia.
Q. A growing trend in the Australian anime industry is the increase of subtitle-only releases. What is the benefit of subtitle-only releases in comparison to dubbed releases?
A. Frankly speaking there is no “benefit” in releasing sub-titled series or films as sales results,in most cases other than a few exceptions like “When they Cry” series, are never like those of dubbed releases. However, as previously mentioned, there are some great series that either are ignored by U.S. licensees or slip past their radar that deserve to be released, as with the follow on to “When they Cry”…”Higurashi no Naku Koroni Kai”. We will still be looking out for more subtitled only releases in the future.
Q. Siren Visual previously simulcast the anime series Tiger and Bunny through ANN Video. Will we see any more simulcasts like this?
A. Unfortunately our association with ANN ceased at the end of 2011. The results achieved by them for our simulcasts and the costs involved in keeping their end going were just not adding up. It is not something we are working on at the moment.
Q. What can we expect to see from Siren Visual in 2013 and beyond?
A. In 2013 you will continue to see Siren Visual making regular announcements about title acquisitions with Tiger & Bunny, Book of Bantorra, Intrigue in the Bakumatsu, Mawaru Penguindrum, Heaven’s Memo Pad and a few more taking us to mid year. We will also be launching our first titles onto iTunes, for download and last but not least we will finally, after many, many years of the Japanese Companies being very reluctant to allow it we will be putting together ranges of merchandise for sale in Australia and New Zealand, for some titles.These will include t-shirts, coffee mugs, caps, note pads, key rings, etc. I intend to expand as much as possible into this area, contracts permitting.
Q. How would you describe the current state of the Australian anime industry and its future?
A. Judging by the continued presence of large numbers at most of the anime events we attend, the Facebook numbers (nearly 4000 to date) that we have and the store and online sales levels we are achieving I would say that currently it is still quite strong and stable. Blu-Ray has not set Australia on fire, as yet, but it is slowly picking up. Anime is a genre that will outlive more mainstream TV or Film and the “collectors” fanbase remains as vibrant and dedicated as ever. Therefore I see a “steady as she goes” future at this point in time.
That concludes our interview with Production Manager at Siren Visual, Elio Fois. For more information on Siren Visual and their products you can check out their official website here. As always be sure to let us know what you think in the comments section below.
In a saddening announcement made earlier today on the Hanabee Facebook page, the Anime series Bakemonogatari is having it’s release date pushed back here in Australia. This means that Part One will be releasing on the 3rd of April, 2013, while the second part will be releasing at a To Be Announced date sometime afterwards.
Unfortunately the announcement was made without a justification, at least on the Facebook page. If you were to take a look over at their Twitter page, however, you would find that the reason for the delay is a production error of some kind.
You can see this announcement below.
We're sorry to announce that Bakemonogatari Pt1 & Pt 2 has been delayed due to production. Please expect Part 1 to be on sale in April.
Penumbear, the puzzle platformer from iOS developer Taco Graveyard (creators of the musical runner game Four Hats), is finally live via the App Store now for $1.99, 1.89€. Penumbear is a game where you literally walk the line between light and shadow, flipping on lights to create new paths as you work through over 100 levels.
“Overall, Penumbear is a fantastic package. The platforming is responsive and the puzzles are well-designed. There is plenty of content here – over 100 levels, hidden stages, 138 collectible teddy bears hidden throughout the stages, and more will give you hours and hours of game to explore. ”
“Penumbear is one of the best puzzle platformers on the iOS and easily worth the price of admission.”
We highly recommend you give Penumbear a look. You can check it out on the App Store’s page here.
