The first major publisher has hopped onto the pay what you want bandwagon. THQ has partnered with the Humble Bundle team to release the Humble THQ Bundle. Gamers can pay what they want to support Child’s Play and the American Red Cross to snag Darksiders, Metro 2033, Red Faction Armageddon, Company of Heroes, Company of Heroes Opposing Fronts, and Company of Heroes Tales of Valor. Pay more than the average and players will also snag Saints Row the Third. All these games are for Windows through Steam. In addition, the game comes with the soundtracks for Saints Row the Third, Darksiders, Red Faction Armageddon, and Company of Heroes.
EA Mobile is kicking off this week’s news with a huge freebie. 1,000,000 (yes, with six zeroes!) free download codes are being given away for Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12 for iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch. The game features cutting edge graphics and top golfers from the PGA circuit. Get your free code here.
A new widget has been released for Android users to help frugal Android gamers snag the best deals from EA Mobile. The widget will help gamers check out the daily and weekly deals by providing push notifications and links to the daily and weekly deals. The widget also offers free live wallpapers, video trailers, and links to in-game content. In addition, the widget doubles as a launcher for all EA Mobile games installed on the device. Download the widget for your Android device here.
Android users are no longer left out in the cold as Monopoly Millionaire has been released to Google Play. Monopoly Millionaire is a fast paced twist on the classic board game where players race each other to the million dollar goal. Gamers can duke it out online over WiFi or in person with a Pass ‘n Play mode. Monopoly Millionaire is $0.99 on the Google Play store here.
FIFA Ultimate Team is one of the most popular modes on FIFA Soccer 13 that has been missing on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch versions of the game. iOS gamers are now able to get in on the action with EA Mobile’s latest update. FIFA Ultimate Team is a free expansion that can be downloaded now by owners.
Players can now build a dream team of soccer players using by earning, bidding, buying, and trading for soccer stars on the open market with other gamers around the world. The soccer player’s kit, formation, and play style can be customized and fans will be able to build their team roster to create the perfect player chemistry. Weekly single player tournaments and Team of the Week challenges will be made available for players to see how their dream team stacks up against other players around the world.
FIFA Soccer 13 is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch here.
Well known for his awesome original work on the Dead Space soundtrack and sound effects, award-winning video games composer Jason Graves has been announced to be helming the composition of the Tomb Raider reboot. Recognized by BAFTA for his work on the Dead Space series, Jason has also worked on the espionage title Alpha Protocol and strategy game Command and Conquer 4 (along with many others).
Tomb Raider is a reboot of the original gaming franchise, focusing on how Lara Croft came to be the famous treasure hunter she is known as today. Players will live out the story of Lara surviving after a naval expedition goes wrong, stranded on an island and armed with only her wits, skill and courage to survive.
You can check out Jason Graves’ website here and an interview with the composer can be found down below. Tomb Raider is set for release on the 5th of March 2013 for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
For many months now a certain game’s status has been in doubt thanks to multiple delays and missed release dates. That game is 7sixty’s Phantom Breaker which was originally meant to be released earlier this year in March, was delayed thanks to online multiplayer issues, and then missed its release date in June with no reason given.
Since then 7sixty has been very quiet about the status of the game. Well today the company broke their silence with the following statement on their Facebook page:
Phantom Breaker update: First and foremost we apologize for the lack of communication from us in regards to the state of Phantom Breaker. We understand that you are excited to get your hands on the game. There are a number of factors going on behind the scenes that have prevented us from speaking out as to the fate of Phantom Breaker and until all avenues have been explored and all parties involved reached an agreement, the fate is still uncertain as of this time. We are listening and are working hard on finding solutions. Hopefully next post you see will have some answers. Thank you all for your support of the game.
This obviously does not bode well for the oft delayed title as it seems that the company may be running into issues with 5pb. or some other aspect of the game’s licenses. After multiple reports from various retailers stating the game had been cancelled, it is good to know there is at least still some hope for the title, albeit very little at this point.
The Raiden series has been around for quite some time and has garnered much success since its release in 1990. For a 26 month period, Raiden had maintained top ten ranks in arcade game charts. That’s quite impressive for a scrolling shooter. Just before the Cranassians – deranged alien race – invades Earth again, Capsule Computers were able to sneak an interview in with the Raiden Legacy team.
People included in interview:
R.T.
=
Romain Tisserand
(Developer, CTO)
C.C.
=
Christian Cortez
(Developer)
J.I.
=
Jessica Iragne
(Marketing)
1. What is your name and your role in creating Raiden mobile?
R.T. : Hello, my name is Romain Tisserand. I’m the CTO & Co-Founder of DotEmu. I have developed the first prototypes of Raiden mobile and wrote some of the emulation code used for Raiden 1 and Raiden Fighters game.
C.C. : Hi, my name is Christian Cortez and I am the main developer of Raiden Legacy. I have developed all the game user interface and I have worked on gameplay elements such as touch controls, auto-fire features and more. I also took care of the architecture of the game (Mission mode, Achievements and “new” features).
2. Being a classic arcade game, what is the target population for the ported title?
R.T. : We target both « hardcore » shmup fans as casual / newcomers. That’s why we have a lot of control options and additional customization available in Raiden Legacy!
C.C. : We implemented a lot of features like « Fast Touch » controls or autofire in order to help newcomers but we didn’t forget the hardcore gamers! An « Arcade Touch » mode (like the original, taking into account ships speeds) and an harder difficulty mode are also present to all fans of the original games. In fact, anyone can play at Raiden Legacy the way he wants!
3. How are/will you market this rendition to others not affected by Raiden’s nostalgia?
J.I. : I think this compilation will attract different kinds of gamers. In a first way, the Raiden’s nostalgics who want to experiment a new way to play those games on their mobiles. And we know they will be very demanding! In a second way, the shmup lovers, and maybe some of them didn’t play all the Raidens before so it’s a good opportunity. Some mobile players can discover it thanks to reviews and news about the game on websites, magazines even if they haven’t heard about it before. Moreover this is also a favorable circumstance for young gamers to discover these famous retro games! A shoot’em up is a game genre that everybody could enjoy, it’s always fun and it doesn’t matter how old you are!
4. For those that have not experienced the Raiden series, what can you tell us is its main selling point?
J.I. : Raiden Legacy includes 4 classics games of the series that was very popular in the 1990’s (Raiden, the first one, has been 26 months at the top 10 in the charts). In that mobile version, each of these scrolling shooters has not only been authentically recreated for mobile, but also enhanced with brand-new features: more options (3 game modes), controls scheme adapted to touch screen, new UI localized in many languages, achievements and leader boards.
5. Raiden Legacy App is to include the original shoot ’em up “Raiden” as well as three others (Raiden Fighter, Raiden Fighter II, and Raiden Fighter Jet) in the series. Will the other titles (Raiden 2, Raiden DX, ….) be available upon the initial release?
R.T. : That is currently under consideration, but there’s some technical issues on bringing back Raiden 2 and DX. We’re currently trying to resolve with help of Success and Seibu Kaihatsu.
6. Ported titles to newer consoles/devices sometimes revise user interface and create unlockable content for the player to explore. Can we expect any extras with Raiden coming to mobile devices?
C.C. : The “Mission mode” will be locked at the beginning of the game. You will have to do your best in “Arcade mode” in order to unlock missions. Moreover, 15 unlockable achievements are implemented in both iOS/Android (compatible with GameCenter and ScoreLoop)!
7. iOS and Android have touch screen features which are alien aspects from these arcade classics. How difficult was it to implement these new controls?
C.C. : The most important was to always trying to respect the original controls. We implemented the “Arcade Touch” mode which is the equivalent of classics controls. But it was not enough to make a good gameplay on smartphones. So we decided to create another mode “Fast Touch”, designed for mobiles, which makes the ship moves as fast as your finger in the screen. And because we know that sometimes players love to play with physical buttons and stick, we implemented the iCade support for iOS!
8. Was there much difficulty or on-going issues making the game in comparison compatible for both iPhone and Android? Is there any significant differences?
C.C. : The most difficult part was maybe the support of all the different resolutions, in the emulation and in the menus. The implementation of the online scoring system (Game Center for iOS / ScoreLoop for Android) was also a tricky part, and this feature is maybe the most significant difference between the two platforms.
9. Of the four installments for “Raiden Legacy”, what was your personal favorite to transfer to the touch screen?
R.T. : I personally feel like « Raiden Fighters » is really awesome on my Android phone. It has a good pace and gorgeous graphics.
C.C. : Raiden Fighters Jet is my favorite one. It is, to me, the most impressive, with a lot of various environments and huge bosses.
10. I know there are a lot of questions being asked about “Raiden Legacy” from the fan base concerning cost and system requirements. What can you tell us from a developmental standpoint as far as consumer affordability?
R.T. : On Android side, any middle-end / high-end phone featuring Android 2.3 and an ARMv7 CPU should be able to run the game. It’s really difficult to tell on Android due to fragmentation, but we tested on many popular devices without an hitch, even on older Samsung Galaxy S. Just don’t expect the game to run on low-end phones, obviously.
C.C. : The game will be available for iPhones, iPod Touch and iPads. All devices from the iPhone 3GS with at least iOS 4.3 will be able to launch the game. However, it is strongly recommended to have at least an iPhone 4, or equivalent, to have a perfect gaming experience.
Concluding from this interview, I felt that DotEmu strongly believes in there product and wants to share the nostalgic experiences of the Raiden series with more than its original fanbase. What we have gathered here is an understanding that the developers behind the ported title wanted to preserve the most natural aspects and deliver new achievements/unlockables for players to enjoy. Additionally, the idea of potentially working on other Raiden titles may spark intrigue for a lot of the current fans.
Take a little trip over to (Raiden Games) Facebook page to learn more about its upcoming December 4th release!
Welcome back for this week’s iOS Game Suggestions. If you missed or are new to the suggestions, click on the link below and check what cool games you should be picking up for your iOS along with the introduction and disclaimer on how the suggestions work. (suggestions 1 has the disclaimer and how it all works)
A VERY QUIET week on iTunes, not much to share but we have a few must buy games this week mainly in the FREE department. This week i’ve suggested a total of 12 great quality titles. Make sure you check them all especially Dragon Slayer, Asura Cross, Heroes of Order & Chaos, Jet Set Radio, Partia just to name a few.
Break down below :
7 – FREE Games 2 – $0.99c Games 3 – Over $0.99c Games
As always for this week’s suggestions are all new titles that you should take a look at and consider spending your hard earned iTunes cash / time on. Well the Free games just below certainly should all be given a shot as they won’t cost you anything!
For The Cheapskates – FREE GAMES
MASTERABBOTT’S FREE GAME PICK OF THE WEEK!
Dragon Slayer – Price : FREE – Publisher – Glu Games (The Dragon Slayers are hunting once again and you have answered the call. Dragon Slayer is a visually spectacular, magic-based combat game that is brought to you by the studio that brought you Blood & Glory and Blood & Glory: Legend.) on iPad & iPhone. GET IT NOW FOR FREE
Groove Coaster Zero – Price : FREE – Publisher –TAITO (GROOVE COASTER ZERO is free-to-play! Players unlock new tracks (levels) as they progress through the game, resulting in a game that grows as it is played. Adding to the proven GROOVE COASTER formula are individual track score rankings and a new feature that awards badges for perfect plays.) runs on iPad & iPhone. GET IT NOW FOR FREE
Asura Cross – Price : FREE – Publisher –Gamevil (After serving in the army for two years, Jin returns home only to find himself in the middle of an ancient conspiracy. As he delves deeper into the secret world of Asura Cross, Jin meets a cast of strange men and women. He must fight them to save a friend and uncover the mysteries that surround him. Be the decision maker as you fight against enemies and alter Jin’s fate!) runs on iPad & iPhone. GET IT NOW FOR FREE
Chop Chop Ninja World – Price : FREE – Publisher –Gamerizon (Chop Chop Ninja World™ is an epic social action platformer where you play as a ninja, the kingdom’s sole defender against the evil Shogun’s might. Every ounce of your device’s power was squeezed to create a beautifully rendered and varied environment. Enemies too, but who cares, you just want to kick them off screen as fast as possible, right?) runs on iPad & iPhone. GET IT NOW FOR FREE
Evofish – Price : FREE – Publisher –Bulkypix (Go forth and conquer the vast expanses of the ocean. Go from prey to predator, while climbing your way to the top of the food chain. In this original arcade game, use one of the four playable Evofish species. Survive an increasingly deadly host of enemies, climb the evolutionary ladder by eating smaller fry and become the most fearsome predator in this hostile environment.) runs on iPad & iPhone. GET IT NOW FOR FREE
Heroes of Order & Chaos – Multiplayer Online – Price : FREE – Publisher – Gameloft(Team up and fight with your friends in the App Store’s first Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA)! Gather your teammates, strengthen your Heroes and wipe out the enemy base in thrilling, addictive and fast-paced games. In Sinskaald Rift, a mysterious region of Haradon, immortal warriors have been fighting for centuries. They are known as the Heroes of Order & Chaos!) on iPad & iPhone. GET IT NOW FOR FREE
puzzlePunch! – Price : FREE – Publisher –Zattikka (Puzzle Punch is a both a puzzle game AND a fighting game, where you will compete head-to-head in online play, Bluetooth local play and against the computer, connecting matching tiles to punch, kick, shoot, move and use super attacks to pummel your opponent into submission! Unlock new characters! Rack up your wins online! All you need to do is tap and drag over any two or more connected tiles of the same type, and your character will do that move! Move in quick, hit your opponent with a number of punches and kicks, then move back out before he can do the same to you! Use powerups to hit harder, move faster and charge up those super attacks quicker!) runs on iPad & iPhone. GET IT NOW FOR FREE
For The Bargain Hunters – 99c Games
Arranger – Price : $0.99 – Publisher – Ayopa Games (Quest through an opus of interactive puzzles in Arranger, a magically musical retro puzzle adventure. Developed and composed by talented musician Arman Bohn, this epic quest contains a huge cast of weird characters and fantastic environments. Arranger is a combination of magical fantasy RPG, madcap minigame collective, and classically old school adventure game.) runs on iPad & iPhone. BUY NOW
Last_Defender – Price : $0.99 – Publisher – Waterise (YOU, the Last Defender, must protect our country, for people, for family, for live, and for honor! The orcs and undead are invading this country mercilessly, and all of our warriors were down for the battle. You are the LAST DEFENDER, are you tough enough to defeat them?!) runs on iPhone & iPad. BUY NOW
For The Millionaires – All games over $0.99
MasterAbbott’s over 99c Pick Of The Week!
Jet Set Radio – Price : $5.49 – Publisher – SEGA (Tag, grind, and trick to the beat in SEGA’s hit game Jet Set Radio! Fight for control of Tokyo-to, mark your turf with graffiti, tag walls, billboards, and even rival gang members! Perform tricks and flips on magnetically driven in-line skates, but watch out for the local police force! Heritage Collection treatment: Jet Set Radio is now part of Sega’s Heritage Collection Series and features Retina Display support as well as Gamecenter achievements and leaderboards!) runs on iPhone & iPad. BUY NOW
Partia – Price : $3.99 – Publisher – Imago Software (Partia is a SRPG (Strategy Role-playing) video game inspired by Fire Emblem and Tear Ring Saga series. In a high fantasy setting, the game will take players through an adventure where magic and sword collide and friendship and betrayer intertwine.) runs on iPhone & iPad. BUY NOW
Bloons TD 5– Price : $2.99 – Publisher – Ninja Kiwi (The Bloons are back and this time they mean business! Build awesome towers, choose your favorite upgrades, hire cool new Special Agents, and pop every last invading Bloon in the best ever version of the most popular tower defense series in history. Featuring an all New Tower and Special Agent, glorious retina graphics optimized for iPhone 5, original Tracks and Special Missions, a whole new tier of Specialty Building upgrades, and a never-before-seen Monkey Lab to upgrade your towers, Bloons TD 5 delivers hours of fun and challenging play to fans and new players alike.) runs on iPad. BUY NOW
There you have it folks, these games should keep you busy for quite some time, well till next week at least. I’ll be back next week for another dose of iOS goodness, in the meantime if anyone would also like to suggest their own suggestions, please feel free to share them in the comments section below or in the iOS forum section on the site here.
Not sure about whether or not you want to take the plunge and tie yourself down with a Gold subscription to Xbox Live? Well this weekend Microsoft are giving Xbox 360 owners a chance to access Xbox Live Gold Membership completely for free in a special promotion in which Xbox Live Gold will be unlocked to all users.
The limited time promotion is available to Xbox 360 users in the following locations: Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan and the United States.
The promotion ends on Sunday the 2nd of December so get in quick to take advantage of what is sure to be an enjoyable experience for those unfamiliar with the Xbox Live Gold service benefits.
Be sure to let us know what you think of this in the comments section below.
It’s been 10 years since Grand Theft Auto: Vice City broke ground on the PlayStation 2, becoming one of the most popular installments in the enduring franchise in the process. Now 10 years on Rockstar plan to commemorate the anniversary of this legendary game with an iOS release of Vice City.
In anticipation of the iOS release of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Rockstar have released a new trailer for the game’s anniversary which can be seen below in all it’s nostalgia-filled glory.
For more details on the Anniversary edition of the game check out the official website here. Be sure to check out the trailer and let us know what you think of this Anniversary release of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City in the comments section.
The exclusive Wii U version of critically acclaimed game, Batman: Arkham City released today as a launch title for Nintendo’s latest system. A launch trailer alongside this new edition was also released, showing off the new B.A.T. (Battle Armoured Tech) gameplay and set to a beautiful rendition of “Only You” by none other than the Joker himself. All err… gags aside the game looks set to give Nintendo fans a nice tasty slice of Batman action.
With completely overhauled controls for the new gamepad, updated graphics, new suits for both Batman and Catwoman as well as all the previously released Arkham City downloadable content, the Armoured Edition is certainly an impressive package. Batman: Arkham City Armoured Edition is out now in North America, Europe and Australia, however Japan will still have to wait until the 8th of December to get their hands on the title.
