Halo 4 live-action Web series due this fall

Gamers eager for Halo 4, the first new non-Bungie Halo title, won't have to wait until the game's November 6 release date to see the return of Master Chief. Hollywood news site Variety reports today that live-action web series Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn will premiere exclusively on Machinima and Halo Waypoint in the weeks leading up to Halo 4's debut this fall.

The new video series represents the "largest investment" Microsoft has ever committed itself to in the live-action space, according to the report. Forward Unto Dawn will release over five weekly installments, with each episode lasting about 15 minutes.

Episodes will focus on an original story concerning the series' iconic hero Master Chief, and how he helped inspire a fledgling UNSC soldier to work his way through the program, and eventually command the UNSC Infinity spacecraft.

No director or actors have been named for Forward Unto Dawn, but more information is being readied for San Diego Comic-Con 2012 this July.

Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn is not Microsoft's first dabble in live-action content surrounding the Halo brand. Previously, the firm commissioned Neil Blomkamp (District 9) and Rupert Sanders (Snow White and the Huntsman) to create several live-action shorts and commercials for Halo properties.
Though Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn specifics are not yet being discussed, new Halo developer 343 Industries' director of franchise business management Matt McCloskey said the Halo 4 series is being aimed "to make Halo accessible for people who haven't played the games."

Forward Unto Dawn represents the "next step" for Microsoft and the Halo franchise, which could eventually bring Master Chief to the big screen, according to the report. A Halo film was originally planned, with Blomkamp attached to direct and Lord of the Rings filmmaker Peter Jackson set to produce. This project was later cancelled, with Blomkamp and Jackson creating District 9 instead.

[gamespot.com]

Shippin' Out April 29-May 5: Mortal Kombat Vita, Fable Heroes

Action games run supreme this week in new releases, as NetherRealm's Mortal Kombat for the PlayStation Vita and Lionhead Studios' hack-and-slash Fable Heroes lead all new offerings.

Out in front this week is Mortal Kombat for the PS Vita. Created specifically for Sony's new portable, the game sports a new Challenge Tower mode with 150 missions. Additionally, the game makes use of the PS Vita's touch screen by enabling players to swipe a finger across the screen to perform a fatality.

Also out this week is Lionhead Studios' Fable Heroes on Xbox Live. The hack-and-slash action game supports four players through competitive and cooperative modes playable locally or across Xbox Live. Players will fight familiar foes of Albion together, while competing with friends to collect the most gold coins along the way.

Gamers seeking a new massively multiplayer online role-playing title can look to Bluehole Studios' Tera for the PC. The title is a fantasy-themed MMORPG that emphasizes real-time, dynamic combat. In it, players will be able to choose from six different races, who must "work together for the common good."

Another new console game releasing this week is Rebellion Games' World War II shooter Sniper Elite V2 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. A sequel to 2005's Sniper Elite, the new game casts players as US soldier Karl Fairburn, a military man with a proclivity for sniper rifles. Described by developers as a "thinking man's shooter," the game punishes players for running and gunning, and instead focuses on stealth maneuvers.

Rounding out the week is Romino Games' downloadable title Awesomenauts for the Xbox 360 and PS3. A multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game, the title is billed as the first to bring the genre to 2-dimensional plane for consoles. In the game, players duke it out in 3 vs. 3 matches with six characters, including the pimp Froggy G and monkey astronaut Yuri.

For further details, visit GameSpot's New Releases page. The full list of downloadable games on the PlayStation Store, Xbox Live Marketplace, and Wii Shop Channel will be revealed later this week. Release dates are based on retailer listings and are subject to change.

TUESDAY, MAY 1:
Awesomenauts--PS3--DTP Entertainment
Mortal Kombat--PS Vita--Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Sniper Elite V2--X360, PS3, PC--505 Games
Tera--PC--En Masse Entertainment
WEDNESDAY, MAY 2:
Awesomenauts--X360--DTP Entertainment
Fable Heroes--X360--Microsoft Game Studios
THURSDAY, MAY 3:
Nexuiz--PC--THQ

[gamespot.com]

Electronic Arts Files Trademark For SimOcean

Electronic Arts recently announced an update to the SimCity series, a franchise that hadn't been touched since 2003, and it looks like it may want to continue with the Sim series.

Electronic Arts filed a trademark for the word SimOcean. It doesn't necessarily mean a SimOcean is in development. Electronic Arts could be making sure it owns the name before anybody else tries to grab it.

We recently compiled a list of all the Sims games and the ocean was one of the few areas of the globe not simulated when Sims were at the height of their popularity.

[gameinformer.com]

google easter egg

Either the Internet is eating itself, or it's a clever Starcraft reference.

Typing "Zerg rush," into Google creates an army of Zerg-like Google-Os that destroy your precious search results. You can click the little Os to destroy them before they eat away at all of your googling. I feel sorry for anyone who is legitimately trying to find out more information about what a Zerg rush is today. You may have to hit up Bing.com if that is the case

Skyrim DLC to add crossbows, snow elves

The first Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim downloadable content will focus on snow elves and crossbows, according to information unearthed by a Bethesda forum member. Files found within a folder titled "DLC01" from the latest Skyrim patch mention several terms, including "Snow Elves," "Snow Elf Prince," and various crossbow animations.

What's a snow elf? The Skyrim wiki entry points out that snow elves were at one time a proud race but were driven from their homes by the Nords. As for the elf prince, this character led his kinsmen in battle against the Nords and died at their hands.

Skyrim features various types of bows but, like The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion before it, does not include a crossbow of any kind. Other information revealed by the patch files indicates that the DLC will include new vampire feeding animations.

Just yesterday, Bethesda indicated that the first DLC for Skyrim could be announced as early as next week. When it does arrive, it will be available exclusively on the Xbox 360 for the first 30 days.

[gamespot.com]

Sony confirms crossover brawler

The rumors were right. Today, Sony officially announced PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, a Smash Bros.-esque fighting game headed to the PlayStation 3 this year.

In development at SuperBot Entertainment, the title is a four-player "mash-up brawler" that includes a roster of iconic Sony characters. Confirmed characters thus far include Kratos, Parappa the Rapper, Sly Cooper, Colonel Radec, Sweet Tooth, and Fat Princess.

Players will duke it out on a host of Sony-themed environments with static and interactive elements. Locales confirmed for the game include the underworld setting of God of War's Hades, Ratchet and Clank's cityscape Metropolis, and Jak and Daxter's Sandover Village.

As detailed on the PlayStation Blog, All-Stars Battle Royale will feature a number of single- and multiplayer game modes, as well as online play complete with a "robust" tournament option. For more on All-Stars Battle Royale, check out GameSpot's just-published hands-on preview.

[gamespot.com]

Black Ops 2 first images surface

The first images of the heavily rumored Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 have reportedly surfaced. Hollywood special effects company Reel EFX supposedly posted, then pulled, several shots depicting the already-teased futuristic quadrotor drone weapon.

The shots (captured by Kotaku) appear to be taken from inside a new Call of Duty title, but do not offer much in the way of additional detail. Reel EFX previously worked on the original God of War game, as well as numerous commercials for Audi, Nike, Old Spice, Verizon, and others.

Other new Call of Duty details rooted out today include speculation about the game's setting. An update on Call of Duty's official website today reveals strings of alphanumeric text sequences. Call of Duty forum users have deciphered the text to reveal real-world settings, including Afghanistan, Japan, South Korea, and China.

Earlier in the week, box art for Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 surfaced, displaying a November 13 release date for the unannounced project. Additionally, a video posted to the Call of Duty website hints that the next game in the series will be set in the near future.

Speculation concerning Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 is running wild, but the scuttlebutt will be addressed on May 1, when Activision formally takes the wraps off a new Call of Duty game during the NBA playoffs on TNT.

[gamespot.com]

Free Portal 2 level editor arrives May 8

Valve's highly regarded game Portal 2 will add a puzzle editor for the PC and Mac on May 8, the company announced today. The editor--announced last October--will arrive as part of the free Perpetual Testing Initiative downloadable content.

The puzzle editor will allow players to create, share, and download Portal 2 levels. Players can publish their creations to the Steam Workshop, where users can browse, vote on, and select other levels to try out.

No mention was made of the Perpetual Testing Initiative DLC coming to the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, and as of press time, Valve had not responded to GameSpot's request for comment.

The PS3 version of Portal 2 supports Steam, but no Steam Workshop support on that platform has been announced. The Xbox 360 version of Portal 2 does not feature Steam integration of any kind.

The Perpetual Testing Initiative DLC is the second batch of post-release add-on content for Portal 2. It follows 2011's free Peer Review content, which hit all platforms on October 4.

[gamespot.com]

New Super Mario Bros. 2 hitting 3DS this August

Gamers with a 3DS will have a new portable Mario title to pick up this summer, as Nintendo last night announced New Super Mario Bros. 2 for the 3DS.

Due out in August for Nintendo's newest portable, the new side-scrolling title includes iconic Mushroom Kingdom characters like Mario and Luigi, as well as "all your fave characters" from the Mario franchise.

The game's first image--posted to Nintendo's Facebook and Twitter accounts--shows Mario utilizing the Tanooki Suit power-up to fly over a landscape with a Goomba on the ground and Princess Peach's iconic castle in the background.

Nintendo said New Super Mario Bros. 2 was created "specifically as a pick-up-and-play experience," with players of all skill levels accommodated.

On top of announcing the new side-scrolling Mario game, Nintendo also today revealed that in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Kirby franchise, the company will ship a Kirby Anniversary Collection for the Wii.

Nintendo said the game will contain a "variety" of previously released "fan-favorite" Kirby titles, but did not name any specifically. The Kirby Anniversary Collection will release after New Super Mario Bros. 2, but was not given a specific ship date.

[gamespot.com]

Trials Evolution sets XBLA launch-day record

From Geometry Wars through Fez, Xbox Live Arcade has seen nearly seven years of weekly releases since the Xbox 360 launched in November of 2005, but none of those games had a bigger debut than this week's Trials Evolution. Microsoft Studios today revealed that the RedLynx motorcycle stunt game set a record for the highest-grossing first-day sales in Xbox Live history.

Not pictured: Dozens of inevitable and painful crashes.

Launched on Wednesday, Trials Evolution sells for 1,200 Microsoft points ($15). A follow-up to 2009's million-selling Trials HD, the game sports 60 tracks spanning hills, valleys, rivers, and roads, as well as urban and industrial-type areas. The game supports four-player local and online play, as well as a track editor system and a means to share creations online.

[gamespot.com ]

Guy Pearce Joining Iron Man 3

Guy Pearce is in final talks to join the cast of Iron Man 3. He'll play geneticist Aldrich Killian.

Variety has the report on the sequel, which previously saw Ben Kingsley cast as the film's unnamed villain. It is expected that the movie will borrow story points from the Warren Ellis Extremis comics, which involve a virus that is spread through nanotechnology. The character of Aldrich Killian was one of the creators of the Extremis virus in the Ellis book

[ign.com ]

Sony invites players to design their own Sly Cooper treasures

Sony has announced a new competition that gives players the chance to have their game designs included in the upcoming PS3-exclusive title Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time.

To be in the running, players must design their own in-game treasure using either hand-drawn animation or computer animation programs. The only stipulation is that all designs must be submitted with a short description of what the treasure is and what it represents.

Sony will send all competition entries to Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time developer Sanzaru Studios. The development team will then pick their eight favourite designs, which will be transformed into in-game objects.

All runners-up will receive a PlayStation Vita console as a prize.
The competition is open from April 20 to May 20, 2012 and can be entered by visiting the PlayStation Europe website. All entries must be submitted with a description of their design.
Announced during Sony's 2011 Electronic Entertainment Expo briefing, Thieves in Time will be released later this year

[source gamespot.com ]

Escape From Mount Stupid: World of Warcraft

Splash Damage goes free-to-play

Splash Damage, developer of squad-based shooter Brink, is delving into the world of free-to-play games with the launch of a new publisher called Warchest. Sitting alongside the existing Splash Damage development studio, Warchest is working on bringing a range of free, digitally distributed AAA titles to iOS, PC, and console.

The first title to emerge from the publisher will be the Splash Damage-developed RAD Soldiers, a turn-based multiplayer strategy game for iOS due for release this June. Set in London, RAD Soldiers sees you assembling a squad of collectible mercenaries with customisable weapons, outfits, and abilities, which you take to the battlefield online, or offline against AI opponents.

Coins that you earn while you play are used to unlock brand-new soldiers, customisation options, and equipment in the in-game store. RAD Soldiers will also make use of Game Center and Facebook to set up its asynchronous multiplayer matches.
The move to self-publishing is a departure for Splash Damage, which has traditionally worked with third-party publishers to release its games. It cites lower overhead--the lack of manufacturing, physical distribution, and retail partnerships--as reasons for the move, though it's traditional paid-for console and PC titles will still see release by a third party.

Splash Damage joins the likes of developers Crytek, Bungee, Criterion, and Epic, who have branched out into mobile development with titles such as Fibble, Crimson Steam Pirates, and Infinity Blade.

[source gamespot.com ]

Sony unveils new God of War game

Fans of Sony's God of War series have much cause for celebration today with confirmation that Kratos will be returning to the PS3 for one more adventure. Sony released a teaser trailer showcasing the next entry in the franchise, to be titled God of War: Ascension.
While Sony released no other information on the new game, the teaser trailer points to a possible prequel: images of a bloody, shadowed Kratos bound in chains are presented with a voice that speaks of "a time before Kratos became the monster known as the Ghost of Sparta."


In the final moments of the trailer, Kratos breaks free from his chains while a voice proclaims: "A time when he would break his blood oath to an unjust god, a time when he would no longer be bound in blood." The trailer ends with an image of the PS3.

In mystical and religious context, the word "ascension" refers to those who ascend to heaven without dying; the word can also be used to describe spiritual enlightenment.

Sony first hinted at an upcoming teaser campaign for a new God of War game earlier this month, posting an image of Kratos on the official PlayStation Facebook page. In February, retailer BT Games posted a product listing for God of War IV, and a month before that, multimedia composer Timothy Williams indicated he was working on a fourth entry in the franchise.

Last year, job listings at Sony Santa Monica called for people to join the God of War development team to create multiplayer services for the franchise, including matchmaking infrastructure and leaderboards. While the new trailer indicates the title will be headed to the PS3, last month Sony Santa Monica senior director of product development Shannon Studstill said the franchise might be headed to the PlayStation Vita or mobile platforms.

The God of War franchise's last outing was God of War: Ghost of Sparta for the PSP in 2010, whose events took place in between the original God of War and God of War II. God of War Origins Collection, featuring God of War: Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta, was released in September last year for the PS3 in HD. The last entry in the main series was God of War III, released in 2010 on the PS3, whose story seemingly concluded the main franchise.

[UPDATE]: Sony confirmed this morning that God of War: Ascension will take gamers "right back to where it all began." The game will let gamers "discover the origins of Kratos as he takes his first steps on a now legendary quest for freedom."

The console maker also launched a product page for the game on its US PlayStation website, revealing a spring 2013 launch window. Additionally, the page notes Ascension is a one-player game, with the maximum number of online players listed as zero.

[source gamespot.com ]

Used market killing single-player games, says ex-THQ exec

The rumors that next-generation systems from Microsoft and Sony will prevent owners from playing used games have proven unpopular with gamers, but the idea is getting some support from the development and publishing community. The latest voice urging the console makers to block second-hand games on their next systems belongs to former THQ vice president of core games Richard Browne.

In an editorial published yesterday on GamesIndustry International, Browne said he "would actively encourage Microsoft and Sony to embrace the 'Nuclear Option'" and block used games, arguing that the aftermarket for games has a variety of detrimental effects on the industry as a whole. In particular, he said the idea of single-player games is dying, as publishers divert funds to create tacked-on multiplayer modes in the hopes they will keep players holding on to the discs rather than selling them back into the used market.

"Take a look at the most recent Ninja Gaiden game," Browne said. "Why does that multiplayer mode exist? What effect did having to build it have on the single player experience? There is no reason for the multiplayer game to exist; it makes no sense in Ninja Gaiden's universe. No doubt, the budget and resources for the team weren't massively extended when the request for multiplayer was added, so it absolutely must have materially impacted the people building the core game."

Browne went on to attribute a number of industry ills on the used game market, including lessened variety of titles available and a rash of independent developer closures.

Efforts to counter the used game market have been in the works for years. Publishers like Electronic Arts, THQ, and Sony frequently implement Online Pass programs where multiplayer features or other parts of the game are unlocked with a one-time use code that comes packed with new copies of a game (or purchased for $10 through a system's online storefront). Other recent developers to speak out against used sales include Elite creator David Braben, Volition design director Jameson Durall, and Silicon Knights founder Denis Dyack.

[source gamespot.com ]

Valve hints at hardware plans

In a number of job listings on Valve's website, the firm has offered some hints on its future direction. Three of those current listings mention hardware projects--and offer a few details about what the firm might be considering.

Valve is looking for an electronics engineer to join its hardware team, which is creating "whole new gaming experiences," according to the advert. "For years, Valve has been all about writing software that provides great gameplay experiences. Now we’re developing hardware to enhance those experiences," the advert states. Valve seems to be working on a wide range of devices, with the duties of the potential hire including to "produce new types of input, output, and platform hardware."

Valve is looking for a firmware coder too. That role will involve writing firmware for "various input and output devices," the firm said. The aim will be for such devices to "let players interact with their games in ways they’ve never experienced before." Both adverts seek applicants with experience in prototyping new devices.

Finally, the firm is also looking for a psychologist to work in the area. As well as having to "provide relevant insight into human behavior in order to shape gameplay and customer experience," whoever fills the role will have to "research compelling new hardware technologies" to boot.

As recently as March Valve said it was a "long way from shipping any sort of hardware," and that the boxes the firm had previously put together were for internal testing only. Valve had not responded to a request for comment on the implications of these new jobs on its hardware plans at press time.

[gamespot.com ]

Need for Speed movie in the works

Electronic Arts is reportedly working on a pitch to turn its Need for Speed franchise into a Hollywood film.

A Variety report states that EA has hired writer John Gatins (Real Steel, Coach Carter) and producer George Gatins (She's Out of My League) to create a pitch for the film to show potential movie studios.
According to Variety, United Talent Agency (UTA) assembled the pitch for EA, which has already received interest from studios about it, including from Warner Bros, Sony, and Paramount. EA has been with UTA since 2008, when it first contracted the agency to expand its presence in the film and TV space. Since then, EA titles like The Sims and Mass Effect have reportedly been targeted for film adaptations.
The latest entry in the Need for Speed franchise, Need for Speed: The Run, was released in November last year. The series has been annualised since 2002, with a new entry rumored to be planned for later this year.

In 2009, EA announced that the franchise had sold more than 100 million units worldwide.

[source gamespot.com ]

Sony blocking PS3 Mass Effect 3 Multiplayer Challenges

Sony is blocking BioWare from running its weekend Multiplayer Challenges for Mass Effect 3 on the PlayStation 3, the role-playing game developer explained on its website.

agreement.

According to BioWare community manager Eduardo Vasconcellos, Sony has not yet approved the promotion to run on the PlayStation 3. He said BioWare and Sony are presently working to hammer out a compromise, but none has yet been reached.
BioWare did not say why Sony is blocking Multiplayer Challenges from Mass Effect 3, and as of press time, the publisher had not responded to GameSpot's request for comment.
Mass Effect 3 Multiplayer Challenges are promotional weekend events that have been running since launch for the Xbox 360 and PC versions of the game. For example, this weekend, BioWare is offering all participating squads in its Operation Resurgence challenge +10 percent additional experience to encourage players to try out the game's new maps.

[source gamespot.com ]