[06.12.15] YouTube officially taking on Twitch

YouTube

“A new player has entered the game.” – the very first tweet at 12:30pm CDST on June 12 from a new [verified] Twitter account, @YouTubeGaming. Slowly but surely, more tweets are being dropped by the minute hinting at, what aims to be, the biggest development from YouTube in years. After being rumored to purchase Twitch prior to Amazon’s acquisition, Google is finally launching a version of YouTube specifically for gamers, and they are hoping to take down the streaming giant with YouTube Gaming.

“Our brand-new user experience puts games front and center, including live gaming.” This means one central hub for Let’s Plays and Live Streams, something that will put YouTube one step ahead of its competitor, seeing as Twitch primarily focuses on the latter. While Twitch has the option to cut highlights and have archives, all of this is done around the live stream content. YouTube specializes in the opposite, uploading pre-crafted content, and while it only recently got into the streaming business, it certainly has the infrastructure to support it without much cause for concern.

Content will be broken into three separate categories: Games, Feed, and Channels. Reportedly, more than 25,000 games will have their own landing pages for related videos, alongside the familiar Channels from gaming companies and YouTube creators. For content creators, the organization system will be relatively similar to the YouTube channels. Don’t let that confuse you, though. YouTube Gaming will be a separate experience from YouTube. “You can search with confidence, knowing that ‘call’ will show you ‘Call of Duty’ and not ‘Call Me Maybe.’”

From the user-end, this difference comes in the way you receive content. While you obviously can follow channels just like on YouTube, you can also tell the system what your favorite games are under “My Games.” This will bring in a stream of content all related to that specific title, alongside all of your favorite content creators. It will also be an easy way to find those currently live streaming the game.

The live streaming is getting a nice upgrade too, which will be familiar to Twitch users. YouTube promises and upgraded Live system, including the recently released 60fps HD video streaming, which will feature improved chat latency and moderation. Now you can interact with your favorite YouTube Creators unlike ever before. It really turns the whole YouTube experience on its heading, switching from a passive viewing experience to a two-way street. This experience will extend from the web to mobile and tablet devices on iOS and Android, allowing you to interact with your favorites virtually at all times.

While it hasn’t launched yet, you can currently signup for more information on the site’s landing page:http://gaming.youtube.com

To stay up-to-date, you can also follow @YouTubeGaming on Twitter.

[06.10.15] Former ‘HAWKEN’ developers announce new tactical shooter, ‘Burstfire’

Free Reign Entertainment

Move over “Halo,” “Call of Duty,” and Battlefield”; there are some new developers in town who want to bring back a slower-paced, tactical shooter in place of the modern run-and-gun trend and they’re not just blowing smoke, either. As Free Reign Entertainment and Nacho Games, these developers know a thing or two about first person shooters. Comprised partially of the team that brought you “HAWKEN,” these studios are hard at work on a 5v5 competitive first person shooter which rewards a more tactical and team-oriented gameplay style. In a press release from June 9, Free Reign Entertainment and Nacho Games proudly announced “Burstfire.”

“Burstfire” is a slow paced, objective-oriented first-person shooter built around deep strategy. Unlike most modern shooters which implement a class-based system, “Burstfire” allows players the freedom to equip any combination of weapons and tools they see fit. There will be dozens of weapons available, with optional attachments and cosmetic changes, along with plenty of tools and tactical gear. The game experience rewards patience, careful planning, and teamwork. Players can take a more defensive approach, setting up traps on defense or taking the time to scout out the enemy team while on offense with an initial preparation stage. Afterwards, it’s time for bombs to drop and bullets to fly; however, teamwork still plays a crucial role throughout the match. Each round of “Burstfire” is sudden-death combat, and even one teammate’s death can tip the scales and cripple a team’s effectiveness. Anyone who has played older “Rainbow Six” titles knows that this type of strategy-first gameplay creates high intensity matches that can’t be matched by even the most exciting 360-no-scope in “Call of Duty.”

With both studios being founded in 2014, it’s likely you may have never heard of Free Reign Entertainment or Nacho Games, but you have very little reason to doubt their pedigree. Free Reign Entertainment is a branch of Arktos Entertainment Group, the company behind War Inc. They specialize in original IPs with massive, immersive worlds and games which are heavily influenced by the community. Nacho Games is an independent game studio based in Los Angeles. They’re comprised of several former members of Adhesive Games, the studio behind the award-winning“HAWKEN.” They’re led by Adhesive co-founder and lead gamer designer, Dave Nguyen, who is a veteran of the PC gaming community.

In essence, “Burstfire” is purely a passion product of the best kind. To reinforce this, Nacho Games has committed to full support after launch, including new maps and new items. Most importantly, “Burstfire” is a “pay once, play forever” game – a breath of fresh air in a world dominated by Free-To-Play games, Pay-To-Win games, and games destroyed by microtransactions. Nacho Games promises that all future updates and DLC will be free.

If this sounds like the kind of game you could get behind – and it should – you can sign up now for an invitation to the closed Alpha on their website. The full game will launch in Summer 2015.

[06.09.15] ‘Guitar Hero Live’ E3 preview

It’s been almost a month since the exciting announcement of the return of “Guitar Hero.” Since then, a steady stream of songs has been released to help tease the excitement of the game. Included tracks have spanned the likes of Killswitch Engage, Ed Sheeran, Tenacious D, Anthrax, and Skrillix, to name just a few. We’ve seen some returning favorites, some highly request tracks, and some wonderful surprises as well. Any fan should be able to be able to find something they love and should, hopefully, discover something new along the way as well. If you haven’t yet, don’t fret, as there’s still plenty to come. It should be time for another #TrackListTuesday on this Tuesday, June 9; however, E3 is less than a week away, so instead of a track list, it’s time for some more exciting announcements!

During the initial reveal of “Guitar Hero Live,” the new GHTV was also unveiled. GHTV brings the popular trend of recent music streaming services, such as the newly revealed Apple Music, to the “Guitar Hero” experience. In essence, GHTV will be the very first playable music video network. It will be constantly updated with a bevy of new tracks, including old favorites and, again, hopefully plenty of new music for players to discover and love. So far, over 54 artists’ songs have already been confirmed for the game’s library. GHTV will be online 24/7/365, with a nonstop playlist, meaning players will probably be able to drop in and out freely, much like the “party mode” of previous “Guitar Hero” games. Exact details on this as well as additional information on the service will be covered during E3 next week.

Speaking of E3, Activision and FreeStyleGames also confirmed today the “Guitar Hero Live” will be available to play at E3.

“We’ve been working super hard on ‘Guitar Hero Live’ for years, so we’re so stoked to show people more of the game every chance we get and to give fans a chance to play it themselves,” said Jamie Jackson, Creative Director and Co-Head of FreeStyleGames. “Five years is a long time. Not only has technology changed, but we’ve had years to think about what makes Guitar Hero so much fun to play and also to talk to fans about what they loved most about the original game. We’ve developed an awesome new experience built from the ground up and we are integrating new technology and techniques that just weren’t possible back then. GHTV is a huge part of that and comes with a bunch of new songs, of which we’ll announce more next week. See you at E3!”

“Guitar Hero Live” launches Fall 2015 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Wii U, and select phone and tablet devices. If you missed the initial announcement, you can see it – along with the reveal trailer – here.

In case you’ve missed any or all of the #TrackListTuesday announcements, here’s a rundown of the complete set list so far.

June 2, 2015

Queen – “Tie Your Mother Down”

Alice in Chains – Stone”

Bullet For My Valentine – “Temper Temper”

Deap Valley – “Lies”

Wolfmother – “Sundial”

Weezer – “Buddy Holly”

Angus & Julia Stone – “A Heartbreak”

Catfish and the Bottlemen – “Kathleen”

Neon Trees – “Everybody Talks”

New Politics – “Harlem”

May 26, 2015

Halestorm – “Love Bites (So Do I)”

Tenacious D – “Tribute”

Beartooth – “I Have a Problem”

Pearl Jam – “Mind Your Manners”

Rise Against – “Tragedy + Time”

Soundgarden – “Been Away Too Long”

Anthrax – “Got the Time”

Architects – “Gravedigger”

Chevelle – “The Clincher”

A Day To Remember – “Right Back At It Again”

May 19, 2015

Royal Blood – “Little Monster”

Marilyn Manson – “Disposable Teens”

Killswitch Engage – “In Due Time”

Marmozets – “Move Shake Hide”

Of Mice & Men – “Bones Exposed”

Deftones – “Diamond Eyes”

Vista Chino – “Sweet Remain”

Bring Me the Horizon – “Shadow Moses”

Mastodon – “High Road”

Trivium – “Strife”

May 12, 2015

Rage Against The Machine – “Guerrilla Radio”

The Killers – “When You Were Young”

The Lumineers – “Ho Hey”

Skrillex – “Bangarang”

Sleigh Bells – “Bitter Rivals”

Ed Sheeran – “Sing”

Blitz Kids – “Sometimes”

ALT-J – “Left Hand Free”

Broken Bells – “Leave It Alone”

The Black Keys – “Gold on the Ceiling”

The War on Drugs – “Under The Pressure”

Garry Clark Jr. – “Don’t Owe You a Thang”

My Chemical Romance – “Na Na Na”

Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Higher Ground”

Pantera – “Cowboys from Hell”

The Pretty Reckless – “Going to Hell”

System of a Down – “Chop Suey!”

Fall Out Boy – “My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Light Em Up)”

The Rolling Stones – “Paint It Black”

Green Day – “Nuclear Family”

Alter Bridge – “Cry of Achilles”

Black Veil Brides – “In The End”

Judas Priest – “Breaking the Law”

Pierce The Veil – “King for a Day (Feat. Kellin Quinn)”

[06.09.15] Microsoft unveils new console, controller, and wireless adapter

Microsoft

The Electronic Entertainment Expo is still roughly a week away, but that hasn’t stopped the countless stream of exciting reveals. From “Fallout 4” to “Lego Worlds,” it begs the question, “What exactly is left to reveal at E3 this year?” Well, that question just became even more difficult to answer. Early this morning, on June 9, Major Nelson revealed that Microsoft has a new console, new controller, and new wireless adapter coming later this year.

First off is the new console. With fans begging for more storage space to be included inside the Xbox One, Microsoft finally listened. Coming June 16, the Xbox One will begin shipping to retailers with a 1TB internal hard drive. This edition of the Xbox One has a new matte finish for the console and will include “The Master Chief Collection” for a limited time. Beginning immediately, all 500GB models will receive a permanent price drop to $349 in preparation for the 1TB model to launch at a $399 price point. That means, for only $50 more, you can get twice the storage space, a $60 game, a unique console, and the brand new Xbox One controller as well.

While the new controller looks almost identical to the original incarnation, it actually has a slew of updates coming. The only visible one comes in the form of a 3.5mm stereo jack. This will allow users to directly plug headsets into the controller. It will also allow users to custom mix the headset volume, mic monitoring, and voice and game audio balance through the Xbox One settings menu. From a gaming standpoint, the bumpers on the controller have been fine-tuned. Most exciting of all, the new controllers will be able to wirelessly receive firmware updates, eliminating the painstaking process of manually connecting each controller via USB cable to receive an update. The new controller will be available for $64.99 in traditional black and a silver and black version of the Xbox One Special Edition Covert Forces wireless controller.

For those who enjoy the Xbox One controller but want to migrate some of their gaming experience to the PC, Microsoft has news for you too. Beginning this Fall, the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows will launch, allowing users to wirelessly connect their Xbox One Controller to any Windows 10 PC, laptop, or tablet. While this may sound limiting, keep in mind everyone with a copy of Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 will be receiving a free upgrade to Windows 10 when it launches July 29 (even those with unlicensed copies!). The Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows will launch at a standalone $24.99 price point and will be bundled with an Xbox One Wireless Controller for $79.95, saving you about $10 if you purchase them together.

Will all of this being announced now, this should hopefully mean Microsoft has something very exciting up their sleeves for E3 next week.

Via Xbox Wire

[06.06.15] Mattel brings ‘Apples to Apples’ to mobile

Mattel

It’s a staple of many a family gathering and party since 1999, selling over 15 million copies, which has also garnered countless imitators. While many of them are fantastic, originals always have a unique appeal to them. “Apples to Apples” has been out for 15 years, which means it’s probably due up for a serious overhaul. As it turns out, Mattel thought so too. What better way is there to bring “Apples to Apples” up to speed than with an official iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch app? Best of all, it’s already available, after being announced on Jun 4, 2015.

“Apples to Apples has been bringing fun and laughter to friends and families for many years,” said PJ Lewis, Senior Director, Global Brand Marketing and Design of Mattel. “With more players utilizing their smartphones to play games, this is a great time to re-imagine the game.”

The mobile app still features the classic card-matching gameplay that players are already familiar with; however, it also has many new great features which cater to the modern, mobile world. The original gameplay has been optimized for a mobile device with beautiful and colorful graphics. Players can simultaneously challenge up to four other friends or family in real time. “Apples to Apples” also features Facebook integration, allowing players to send each other gifts, easily find friends to play with, or even share their favorite silly card combinations. To add to the social aspect, the community can vote on their favorite card combinations, and the top trending sets will be featured on the main menu of the game. Much like the real world game, players will have the option to customize their experience with a wide variety of card packs and categories, including geography, animals, desserts, and more.

“Apples to Apples” has already won awards and entertained millions of families in its physical form. Now that it has been brought to mobile platforms, it’s unlikely the momentum will slow down.

Download “Apples to Apples” for free from the App Store, find out more on Mattel’s website, or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

[06.05.15] Bethesda drops ‘Fallout 4’ official trailer, game already on sale

Bethesda

Everyone knew it was coming. It’s been rumored, it’s been leaked, and it’s been teased. It’s been a while since we’ve entered – or left – the vaults and explored the decaying remains of our vibrant society, so really, it was owed to us. Yet somehow, when that countdown timer reached zero, the anticipated excitement everyone had was finally meet with actual, real hard confirmation. At 9:00am CDST on Jun 3, it happened. Bethesda released the awe-inspiring official trailer for “Fallout 4.”

The trailer was exciting for many, many reasons. Immediately apparent was the visual upgrades the game is receiving. Now, this was a given with the new generation of consoles and the drastic improvements in computers, but that doesn’t make it any less exciting. The game is stunningly beautiful and everything really pops. In comparison, the older games actually look somewhat washed out. Instead, “Fallout 4” has a graphical styling which matches its quirky personality.

The rumored Massachusetts setting can officially be confirmed as well, thanks to the trailer. Visible were a modified version of the Bunker Hill Monument as well as a dilapidated and fortified Fenway Park. All things considered, the city is actually in relatively good condition. What exactly this entails is unknown at this point. Either the city was a decent distance away from a blast zone or the citizens have done an exceptional job at rebuilding. Either way, it provides a very unique take on Boston and the East Coast.

We also get a look at a lot of vintage Fallout infused throughout the trailer. Vault Boy, the iconic mascot of Vault-Tech, makes a brief cameo in his bobble head form. The Power Armor also makes an appearance, along with a bunch of Nuka Cola memorabilia and a Nuka Cola machine. We even get a quick glimpse at the Pip-Boy during the very end of the trailer. Much like everything else Fallout-related, none of this is really a huge surprise.

What is surprising is that the game is already available on sale or the PC. Not on sale as in download and play it now, but on sale as in a reduced price, that is. With a promo code (23PERC-ENTOFF-48HOUR), you can get a nice discount on the unreleased game over at GreenMan Gaming for a very limited time. Of course, you’re going to have to wait quite a while to actually experience the game.

Still, when it finally comes, the new setting will be an exciting change of pace. The trailer clearly shows that Bethesda has again absolutely nailed the atmosphere with “Fallout 4.” Not to mention the new visuals will aid the atmosphere and just be all-around appealing. The release date is still unknown, but many are hopeful for a late release in 2015. The one thing that can be sure, however, is that nobody can wait for their chance to get their hands on the crew of Vault 111.

[06.02.15] ‘Fallout 4’ officially (almost) announced

Bethesda

Rumors have been swirling around a new “Fallout” game for quite some time now, however things just got real. At about 9:30am on Jun 2, Bethesda Game Studio’s Twitter account dropped a teaser image saying “please stand by” on a black and white background in the style of an old movie production countdown… say the kind you might find on a movie reel used in the 1950s. The tweet also had a link attached which directs to http://fallout.bethesda.com. The website features the same image, animated with a ticking clock in the background and a countdown timer just below the “please stand by” which is set to expire tomorrow morning at 9:00am CDST, presumably revealing a grand announcement of the forthcoming “Fallout” sequel.

All of this is, of course, just speculation as Bethesda has yet to officially announce anything “Fallout” related. In an interview with “Rock, Paper, Shotgun” back in February, Bethesda game director Todd Howard stated, “We don’t have a timeframe for our next game announcement, but I think it’s gonna be a while.” However, hints at a new “Fallout” game have been dropped since as early as January of 2013. Everything combined with the fact that we haven’t seen a “Fallout” game since “Fallout: New Vegas” in 2010 seems to indicate that it’s about that time to return to the wasteland. If rumors hold true, that wasteland could be Boston, and it looks like we’ll be heading there soon.

[04.14.15] Activision unveils 'Guitar Hero Live'

Activision

It’s time to get real. Real different, anyway. That’s because Activision announced this morning, April 14, that the beloved blockbuster franchise “Guitar Hero” is making its return later this year with “Guitar Hero Live” and with it comes an entirely new experience. “Guitar Hero Live” will feature changes on both the physical and digital sides of the game, and it’s unlike anything that has launched before.

Everything about “Guitar Hero Live” is about creating a more real, live experience. The game puts you in the first-person perspective up on stage with real, live band mates and a real, live audience that dynamically reacts, in real time, to everything you do. The better you play, the happier everyone is. If you start to stink it up, well… be ready for their wrath. As the lead guitarist, it all falls on you, from the smallest bar venues to the largest stadium rock concert. Can you handle the pressure of a real stage environment?

If not, maybe the second offering of “Guitar Hero Live,” known as “Guitar Hero TV,” is more your style. GHTV is the first-of-its-kind playable music video network. If you’re familiar with the Xbox exclusive karaoke game “Lips,” it’s just like that, only with a guitar. The platform will be constantly evolving and will feature multiple channels and themed shows as well as the ability to play songs on-demand. Players can take on their friends in the same room or attempt to climb the online leaderboards from around the world. GHTV will elevate the unmatched party atmosphere and encourage music discovery.

A major physical change comes to “Guitar Hero Live” with a completely redesigned controller that marries the feel of the vintage axe with the new in-game experience. Much like how the live experience emulates realism, the new 3x2 layout of the controller is supposed to make playing “Guitar Hero Live” feel more like a real guitar. It provides gameplay that is easy to learn but difficult to master. On expert mode, the unique button layout will create an experience closer to playing chords and playing multiple strings than has ever been done in “Guitar Hero” before.

“Guitar Hero Live” offers you the opportunity to play your way with multiple game modes and a release that spans consoles, tablets, and mobile phones. It will release this Fall on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and the Wii U. Select mobile devices will be announced soon.

[04.07.15] Warner Bros. picks up movie rights to ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’

Scott Games

"Five Nights at Freddy’s,” a popular horror video game series, is now on track to have a movie adaptation. According to an April 7 announcement from The Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros. has picked up the rights to transform “Five Nights at Freddy’s” into, what will hopefully be, a very memorable film. The movie will be produced by Roy Lee of Vergo Entertainment along with Seth Grahame-Smith and David Katzenberg of KatzSmith Productions.

“We’re looking forward to working with Scott to make an insane, terrifying and weirdly adorable movie,” said Grahame-Smith.

The game is set in the fictional “Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza” which is like a much scarier and evil version of the beloved Chuck-E-Cheese franchise. Your goal is to survive five consecutive shifts inside the security room while the animatronic band roams around with a murderous mission. While most of the mechanics implemented in the game are nothing original, the backstory across the series is vast and deep, assuming you’re willing to dive into the lore.

"The story really lends itself to being a movie and it taps into a largely unexplored niche of horror that a lot of people will be able to relate to," said Cawthon.

While it’s currently in the writing stage, the film is in great hands. Lee helped produce “Run All Night” starring Liam Neeson as well as the “Poltergeist” remake due out next month. Grahame-Smith and Katzenberg are currently working on the highly anticipated “Beetlejuice” sequel in production. All three are also producing the upcoming adaption of Stephen King’s “It,” which begins shooting this summer.

As of right now, “Five Nights at Freddy’s” still has no director or head writer. It’s projected for a 2017 release.

[04.02.15] Hyperkin reveals April Fools’ Day Joke, ‘SmartBoy,’ is actually real

Hyperkin

April 1 is the most frustrating day on the internet. Not simply because of all of the pranks, but rather because it causes you to question everything announced that day. Of course, some are obviously jokes from the get-go, such as Redbox’s Petbox, but then there are others that make you take a second guess, such as the Amazon Dash button. At first glance, “SmartBoy” appears to fall right into the former category and that assumption was, technically, right… sort of. According to the press release that independent hardware developer, Hyperkin, put out on April 1, “SmartBoy” was planned to be just an April Fools’ Day joke, but quickly became something real.

The “SmartBoy” is currently being developed as an attachment for the iPhone 6 Plus with plans for more devices at a later date. The device will fit around the entire bottom half of the iPhone6, plugging the phone in like a cartridge. On the back of the device will be a port that will accept both Gameboy and Gameboy Color cartridges. It will also feature an eight-way D-pad, A and B buttons, start and select buttons, and an included 5-hour battery that can be charged through the phone. The Phone’s screen will be used to output the gameplay and is planned to upscale it as well. It will also include a cheat database and save states.

The device will launch in only the “classic 80s grey,” but could have more colors later on. It will have an exclusive app bundled with it that allows the device to operate and provides the cheats and save features. As of right now, the “SmartBoy” is 100% in concept phase, but Hyperkin is committed to the project.

"We wanted to create a retro device that can be easily adapted into any modern gamer's arsenal of devices," said Hyperkin's product developer, Chris Gallizzi.

There is currently no planned release date for the “SmartBoy.”

[03.18.15] New concept art for 'Wolfenstein - The Old Blood' revealed

Bethesda

“Wolfenstein: The New Order” was a surprising title coming out of 2014 that did everything that modern video games aren’t supposed to do. It was a stand-alone, single player only experience. It did not feature micro-transactions or any sort of downloadable content or expansion packs. Although it is part of a long-time franchise, it was not an annually recurring title. Despite all of these things, “New Order” was an absolutely incredible game. So since there is not going to be any expansion coming for it, what exactly does a developer do when fans demand more? Surly, a sequel or follow up title is in the works, but we want it now! Enter “Wolfenstein: The Old Blood,” a stand-alone experience much like “Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon.” Today, Mar 18, Bethesda Softworks released more information on the upcoming prequel including some tantalizing weapon art.

“Wolfenstein: The Old Blood,” announced just two weeks ago, will be a completely stand-alone title fully playable without “New Order.” This is especially good news if you haven’t had a chance to take on the latest “Wolfenstein” title as “Old Blood” will actually take place during the events leading up to “New Order.” “Old Blood” will be an exciting two-part story which will take B.J. Blazkowicz into the depths of Bavaria. Blazkowicz must take on an insane prison warden while breaking into Castle Wolfenstein to confiscate information detailing the location of General Deathshead. His mission then takes him to the city of Wulfburg where he runs into an obsessed Nazi archaeologist exhuming mysterious artifacts which have the potential to unleash a dark ancient power.

Jerk Gustafsson, executive producer at Machine Games, said the team has had a blast revisiting the world of Wolfenstein.

“We’ve enjoyed exploring the events leading up to The New Order. We think fans will really enjoy the story, all the action and, of course, jumping back into the combat with new weapons.”

The new weapons are nothing crazy or over the top, but they are definitely very pretty. Included in the pack was a complete range of weapons. For long distance, Blazkowicz is getting a new Bolt-action Rifle. For midrange, the compact Kampfpistol will be the new trusty sidearm. As for the close quarter battles, a very unique looking Shotgun 46, with what appears to be a bevy of attachments, will be available.

“Wolfenstein: The New Blood” will be released in stores and for download on May 5. It will launch at a price of $19.99.

[03.16.15] EA drops Tiger Woods, announces new generation game

Electronic Arts

Over the last few years, Electronic Arts has been hesitant about headlining their cover athlete for their annual golf game, “Tiger Woods PGA Tour.” After dancing around it by trying to highlight other aspects, such as the inclusion of a laser-scanned Augusta course, it seems EA has finally called it quits. Today, Mar 16, EA announced the next rendition as “Rory McIlroy PGA Tour.”

With a press release and a stunningly-beautiful teaser trailer, EA has officially re-branded and named a new cover athlete and namesake for their prized golf simulator franchise. Rory Mcllroy, a 4-time Major Champion, grabs the honor of launching the new wave of games on a new console.

“I’m very proud and humbled to see my face and name on EA SPORTS Rory McIlroy PGA TOUR. This is a great honor, and something I couldn't even dream of growing up playing the sport. I really hope people enjoy the game and I’m very glad I can be a part of it.”

Along with a name change, this game also marks the dawn of a new engine. “Rory McIlroy PGA Tour” will take full advantage of the Frostbite engine. The "gameplay" trailer really didn't offer much in the way of actual gameplay, however it did show off the incredible capabilities of the engine and gave us a glimpse at the quality of visuals we can expect. Other than just incredible looking environments, this also means fully render golf courses in one go. Now players won’t have to wait for load times between holes and players should also be able to play a shot from virtually any lie. There will be new game modes and features, although nothing has been announced yet.

Further details are planned to be announced this spring while the game is set for a June 2015 launch.

[03.05.15] ‘Rock Band’ series returns after 4 year hiatus

Harmonix

In the early hours of March 5, a surprising announcement, 4 years in-the-making, has thrilled fans of the music game genre who have been otherwise nearly abandoned for half a decade. Harmonix, the brilliant minds who started it all with the smash hit “Guitar Hero” before later developing the beloved “Rock Band™” series, have brushed the dust off the latter and declared that an all new title will be launching later this year with “Rock Band 4!”

Harmonix has been busy maintaining previous “Rock Band” titles almost constantly since the launch of “Rock Band 3” while also trying their hand at a few other games, such as “Fantasia: Music Evolved” and the very popular “Dance Central” series for Kinect. After releasing what appeared to be the final DLC for “Rock Band” in April 2013, it was left virtually untouched, until the surprise release of new tracks in January this year. Surveys were also sent to many fans about their interest in future “Rock Band” titles. Still, hopes were anything but high. That’s why it was so surprising that today’s announcement included plans for a 2015 launch on Xbox One and PlayStation 4.

Mad Catz is developing and manufacturing new peripherals to be sold in two different bundles:

- Band-in-a-Box Bundle: “Rock Band 4” game, wireless Fender™ Stratocaster™ guitar controller, wireless drum kit controller, and a microphone

- Guitar Bundle: “Rock Band 4” game and a wireless Fender Stratocaster guitar controller

They are currently working on gaining backwards compatibility for older instruments as well, however nothing is set in stone. Sadly, Keyboardists will have to find a solo act elsewhere as those have been axed in this sequel. Those with massive music libraries have nothing to fear though. Every single one of the roughly 2000 tracks released since 2007 will be able to transfer into the new game seamlessly and completely free, assuming it was previously purchased. Hundreds of additional tracks are expected to be added, come release day, along with regular updates post launch.

Darren Richardson, President and CEO of Mad Catz, is confident in the upcoming relaunch:

“We are very excited to bring the band back together, and re-team with Harmonix to deliver the next installment of the legendary Rock Band franchise to a new generation of consoles. Harmonix understands music gaming better than anyone, and we are confident that the unrivalled music selection and next generation features will prove incredibly enticing to passionate gamers and music fans alike.”

Details on “Rock Band 4” are sparse, but more information should be coming at E3. “We’re doubling down on the energy and excitement of playing music live with your friends,” says Harmonix Chief Executive Officer Steve Janiak. “Focusing on the core experience that our fans have told us they love allows us to evolve established gameplay in meaningful ways that we can’t wait to share with everyone later this year.” However, in an interview, project manager Daniel Sussman struggled to contain his excitement and dropped a few hints:

“There is a certain dynamic [playing in a real band] that you feel that’s magical when you are playing with people who are in tune with what you’re doing and are paying attention to you and are reacting to you in cool ways. It’s one of the best things about playing music with people, and it’s an element of our band sim that I think is lacking. When you watch people play the game, you kind of have four people staring at their little track, completely oblivious to everything that’s going on around them until you get to the results screen and you go, ‘OK, I got this percentage.’ There are some dynamics in that moment that I think are entertaining, but what could we do from a game-design standpoint to allow you to pick your head up above the fray and reward you for paying attention for what other people in your band are doing. That ended up being a pretty rich trove of great ideas, a lot of which we prototyped, and some of which we’re building. It had an immediate impact on the multiplayer game. It made it instantly more fun and more social, which is what we’re all about. There are some huge wins there that we’re excited to show at E3.”

Sussman also went on to say that Harmonix was looking into giving players the ability to express themselves within the game. “One of the other elements of playing music that is viscerally satisfying is the idea that music is this performative art, and as you play a song, whether you wrote it or not, you are given the opportunity to express yourself and put your thumbprint on this piece of music.” He admits this will be tough within the realm of a game, but mentioned there were also prototypes in place for this as well. This could mean an expansion on the “Rock Band Network” similar to what the “Guitar Hero” series has done. It also could be a system rewarding musically-talented players for improvising within a song, although that would be somewhat subjective and very tricky to implement. Everything at this point, is purely speculation, but there’s no doubt whatever Harmonix comes up with, it won’t be a dissappointment.

The vocal systems are also being overhauled, along with the entire game engine. Everything is getting an upgrade, but it won’t be just a simple visual improvement either. The game is somewhat of a hybrid between a true sequel, an HD port, and a series reboot all at the same time. While clearly not a port of “Rock Band 3,” it’s still worth noting that this is its successor on grounds of innovation and evolution but is going back to the roots of “Rock Band [1]” (with the elimination of the Keyboard) and wants to double-down on the main four, since those are the instruments most people have. Overall, Harmonix just wants to deliver the ultimate concert-like experience and Sussman thinks the time-off they took has truly allowed them to do so.

“We have a lot more firepower at our disposal that we’re taking advantage of, and it’s more than an up-rez of the experience. We’re really going deep into the dramatic dynamics that you get at a live concert. The color palette, the atmosphere – I’m really into the atmosphere, like the smoke and the way the light cuts through it and all of that sort of stuff. The relationship to the audience and the venue in general, I think we’re going to knock out of the park.

[02.27.15] Xbox One gets exclusive ‘Fruit Ninja’ sequel

Following the success of the incredible “Fruit Ninja Kinect,” original developers, Halfbrick Studios, have announced today, Feb 27, that an all-new sequel is coming exclusively to Xbox One. “Fruit Ninja Kinect 2” will not be a simple visual upgrade, re-mastered for Xbox One. Instead, it is being rebuilt entirely from the ground up by Hibernum Creations out of Montreal, Canada. The sequel will feature five new game modes, four-way multiplayer, a new progression system, and new characters.

The new single-player game modes take place during the Blueberry Moon Festival and will utilize the new “Fruit Ninja” team members. During the events, players will attempt to dodge shurikens, chop through bamboo, and dance around spotlights in the ultimate test of stealth. The new progression system will also allow players to unlock additional blades, dojos, or belts as they complete challenges throughout the game. The four-person multiplayer will be available in both battle and party modes, welcoming brand new players easily while still testing the skills of the most seasoned veterans.

"This is the most satisfying, complete, and accessible party game ever created," said Shainiel Deo, chief executive at Halfbrick Studios. "The new Kinect sensor makes a world of difference, and Fruit Ninja Kinect 2 has been built from the ground up to take full advantage of the latest hardware. Fruit Ninja is our baby – it's what got us here today and we continue to maintain an incredibly high quality bar."

“Fruit Ninja Kinect 2” has big shoes to fill, as its predecessor won the award for “Best Casual Game” during the 15th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards. This is Hibernum’s first real venture into the console market, but Deo has complete faith in them. "Hibernum have exceeded our expectations every step of the way, and we think fans will get a huge kick out of the finished product."

“Fruit Ninja Kinect 2” received an “E for Everyone” rating by the ESRB and will launch at a price of $14.99 exclusively in the Xbox Games Store on March 18, 2015.

[02.18.15] FreshPlanet reveals plans for ‘SongPop 2’

FreshPlanet

Following the success of popular mobile game “SongPop,” FreshPlanet announced yesterday, Feb 17, they are currently working on the follow-up sequel, “SongPop 2.” The title follows the Name That Tune™ style of gameplay that made the original so loved, but has upgraded the interface and added new content as well. In addition to the visual upgrade, “SongPop 2” will feature new game modes, tens of thousands of new songs, and a new award system. Most importantly, avid players of the first game can sync their accounts and transfer all previously purchased content for use in “SongPop 2.”

FreshPlanet has also committed to updating the game, promising to release a new pack of six playlists every week, free to try, that will include 200 songs each. Any new users will begin with six personalized playlists and can then expand upon their collection with the updates.

The biggest addition to “SongPop 2” is the Party Mode, which allows multiple players to compete in a tournament-style game without the need to wait for other player’s progression. It also allows users to engage with songs outside of their own playlists and it will award prizes – including coins, power-ups, and VIP badges – to the top players.

Mathieu Nouzareth, CEO of FreshPlanet, said:

“We were thrilled to see how many people were playing SongPop over the years. I think of SongPop 2 as a love letter to our community. We listened to their feedback, and now we're using it to design a game that expands on everything they loved about the original - plus a fresh new look and a ton of extra surprises."

Speaking of surprises, FreshPlanet is also working on a rock ‘n’ roll themed spin-off titled, “Rock On – A SongPop Adventure,” which will be an entirely single player experience. Players answer trivia questions to progress through a virtual tour with a band. All of the questions will focus on the greatest hits of the rock ‘n’ roll throughout the years. It will also be an iOS exclusive title.

“SongPop 2” will be available in the Apple App Store, Facebook, and Google Play sometime this spring. An exact release date has not been given for either title.

[02.13.15] First ‘Just Cause 3’ trailer released

Avalanche Studios / Square Enix

It’s been roughly half a decade since we have had the opportunity to hang out with Rico Rodriguez, but he’s finally making another appearance. Today, Feb 13, Avalanche Studios and Square Enix released the first trailer for “Jut Cause 3” as well as a handful of screenshots. The trailer is really just a teaser and doesn't offer much in the way of gameplay, but it certainly goes a long way creating excitement and anticipation for the game. What it does do well is re-hype the sandbox nature that allowed for endless hours of entertainment in the previous games.

The trailer opens with, what appears to be, a small explosion. As the explosion expands, you then realize the actual size as you start to see all-to-familiar structures, such as antennae and satellite dishes, being torn to pieces. Headlights appear and a car come bursting through the billowing smoke. As it flies through the air, explosion continue to destroy the military-esque complex around it. The car then crashes into a pillar and explodes, bringing an entire bridge down with it. Images of military banners burning and military statues crumbling become mere reflections in the eyes of Rico as he’s now revealed, plummeting towards the earth in free fall. After a log flash and right when you expect Rico to pull his ripcord and release his signature parachute, he instead reveals his brand new wingsuit, giving him control of his flight and springing himself right into the camera to end the trailer.

The combination of the exhilarating trailer and beautiful screenshots promise an exciting game on the horizon. It appears to be everything fans could ask for in a next generation “Just Cause” game. The most important part is that the game clearly made no attempts to reinvent itself with a more serious nature (thank goodness, as we have the “Far Cry” series for that!). Instead, the over-the-top physics and gameplay will continue, creating what will likely be the epitome of sandbox games. The trademark parachute and grappling hook have already been promised to make a return with improvements, which means the island of Medici will truly be your sandbox.

“Just Cause 3” has no hard release date yet, but is slated for a “Holiday 2015” release window. It is expected to launch on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC via Steam.

[02.11.15] 'The Jackbox Party Pack' makes the jump to OUYA

Jackbox Games

Yesterday, Jackbox Games and OUYA announced the exciting release of “The Jackbox Party Pack” on OUYA. The buffet of entertainment packs in five hilarious party games that will provide endless hours of entertainment for a gathering of any size, from one to 100. It’s also on sale for a limited time. The best part? It's available now, after launching on Feb 10, for the special price of $19.99 – or just $4 per game.

“The Jackbox Party Pack” includes:

- “You Don’t Know Jack 2015”: The classic that started it all has been revamped and updated with the latest in pop-culture trivia. (1-4 players)

- “Fibbage XL”: It’s OK to lie in this game; in fact, it’s encouraged! Get ready to put your lying and lie-detecting skills to the test, now with even more questions than the original hit. (2-8 players)

- “Drawful”: The best drawing game that benefits creativity in the form of art skills and lies. You even get to draw your own little character. (3-8 players)

- “Word Spud”: A complete-the-phrase word game that can be as family friendly or family unfriendly as you want. Compete to create a novel or just throw in silly phrases to get the most votes. (2-8 players)

- “Lie Swatter”: The wacky, fast-paced trivia game that is as simple as true or false. Best of all, it can accommodate the most rambunctious of parties. (1-100 players)

The secret is in the unique user interface that utilizes a web browser, allowing any internet-connected phone, tablet, or computer to be the controller. After the game is launched using the system, everyone connects with the device of their choice via jackbox.tv and a unique room code. Just be warned, once you start, you probably won’t be able to stop until your face hurts from laughing… you may not even be able to stop then. Make sure you grab this now while it’s on sale. Next week, it will be returning to its regular price of $24.99. If you don’t have an OUYA, it’s also available on Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Steam, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, and the Mac App Store at the regular price. Even then, it’s absolutely worth the money.

[02.01.15] 'Duke Nukem' making a return on Android

It’s been 19 years since the groundbreaking release of “Duke Nukem 3D” on January 29, 1996; and what a crazy ride it has been. If there’s one thing Duke Nukem fans have, its patience. That is, considering the painstaking release process of the heavily debated and frequently-delayed “Duke Nukem Forever.” Fortunately, with the announcement of the “Duke Nukem 3D: Hail to the King Collection” for Android, fans of The King won’t have to wait quite so long for another title… well, hopefully.

In celebration of the passing anniversary, Voidpoint LLC - comprised of the EDuke32 team and its founder Richard Gobeille – announced the thrilling return of multiple Duke Nukem titles all packaged together in the form of the “Duke Nukem 3D: Hail to the King Collection.” The HD collection, set to release exclusively on Google Play, will feature the original “Duke Nukem 3D” as well as the expansions “Duke it Out in D.C,” “Duke Caribbean: Life’s a Beach,” and “Duke: Nuclear Winter.” Also included will be the 1997 original Nintendo 64 release “Duke Nukem 64” and the PlayStation original “Duke Nukem: Total Meltdown” from the same year.

The team at EDuke32 has worked continuously for the past 10 years to preserve the original design for “Duke Nukem 3D” while simultaneously enhancing the visuals. They formed Voidpoint and acquired the commercial rights to all the original titles, paving the way for “Duke Nukem 3D: Hail to the King Collection.” Voidpoint is a completely independent venture from EDuke32 and aims to publish many more classic games, as well as some original titles, with the same attention to detail that EDuke32 is known for throughout the last decade.

While this collection may be their first release, it looks to be a very impressive package. In addition to bundling the aforementioned games and DLC, the “Hail to the King Collection” will also have a few unique features included as well.

· Never-before available re-release of Nintendo 64 version 'Duke Nukem 64' including redesigned and exclusive levels, censorship, lack of strippers/hookers (if that's your thing), new weapons, and new enemies.

· Never-before available re-release of PlayStation version 'Duke Nukem: Total Meltdown' featuring the exclusive episode 'Plug N' Pray,' new enemies, and Mark ‘TDK’ Knight’s atmospheric soundtrack.

· Kick ass on the go with an all-new touch control scheme, or with Bluetooth, PS3, or Xbox 360 controllers.

· Alternate soundtracks, refined visuals, and more! Duke has never looked so good.

Here’s the catch that will be sure to stir sour memories in any true Duke Nukem fan: There is no hard release date, yet. At the moment, it’s set for a “Q1 2015” release. That gives the team at Voidpoint about 2 months to finish and distribute the final package – or, you know, just 14 years and 10 months to beat the “Duke Nukem Forever” timetable.

[12.24.14] Five unbelievably easy last minute gifts for Gamers

hoto by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

It’s Christmas Eve and all the presents are wrapped and ready to go, right? Well, in an ideal world that would always be the case, but let’s be realistic for a moment. Perhaps it was procrastination or a simple slip of the mind, either way a gift is missing and it’s for that very special Gamer. Have no fear, because there is still time to get something for them and it will be here on time. Sure, IGN put together a “last minute” guide, but who seriously wants another art book? Not to mention, all of the items are so oddly-specific, you need to know a little extra about your Gamer, and you won’t find them in just any store. That’s why Examiner has compiled this true last-minute gift guide. The only tough part is that this requires visiting an actual, physical store (unless you have Amazon Prime and live in Manhattan). So turn off the football game, brush the Doritos dust off of your shirt, and then hop in the car and head to whatever is still open in your area. The best part is that most of this can be bought with your undoubtedly worn-thin budget and it won’t go collecting dust on a bookshelf. Here are five gifts which you’ll probably actually be able to still find anywhere and are almost guaranteed to be needed (and appreciated) by any Gamer.

Gift Cards

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Gift cards. The always-easy go to item. No, it’s not the most exciting thing to unwrap on Christmas morning, but there is a reason gift cards have become a staple of gift-giving year round. They’re darn useful, especially when you’re on a budget. Suddenly, that $60 new release becomes more attainable when you remember you have an Amazon gift card. If you really don’t want to go anywhere, many gift cards are available digitally; however, for those of you who prefer actually wrapping something, a lot of stores carry physical counterparts to all kinds of places. You can never go wrong with an Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, Google Play Store, iTunes, or Steam gift card. This will let them pick their own game – meaning you can’t buy the wrong one – and they can put it towards something that might be out of your budget. Even a store gift card will go a long way, because even Gamers still need to buy clothes and groceries every once in a while.

Subscription Cards

Charles Eshelman/Getty Images

Want to go with something a little more personalized than a gift card? A subscription card is another good choice. They can be found at any big box store and even a lot of grocery stores (look near the checkout area). Xbox Live and PlayStation Plus can be pricy, but they’re worth every dime for a lot of Gamers. Why not help ease the pain of the subscription cost? Who knows, they might even be paying for an MMO still. If your Gamer likes music, you could also get them a premium subscription to the music-streaming company of choice. Pandora, Spotify, or even Google Play Music All Access. There’s a lot of different options that cost a lot of money, so any assistance is always appreciated.

Controllers

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Sure, online multiplayer has exploded over the years, but nothing beats the feeling of crushing your friend while they’re sitting right next to you on the couch. With the new systems hardly a year old, it’s likely your Gamer doesn’t have an excess of controllers yet. Even if they do have more than one, every Gamer loves the feel of a brand new controller. Controllers are almost always in supply, so they shouldn’t be very difficult to find. If you’re lucky, they might even be on sale.

Batteries / Charging Accesories

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

What does every controller need? Batteries. If you can’t find a pack of AA batteries, you aren’t really trying. Batteries are sold and almost every single store that sells anything at all. Even the local gas station has some (although they’re probably not as cheap there). TV Remotes, the mouse, even Grandma’s handheld Yahtzee runs on batteries; and batteries only last so long. If you want to upgrade your game, get some rechargeable batteries or specially designed charging packs or stations. The Xbox has an official “Play and Charge” kit and Nyko offers a charging station for PlayStation Controllers. Even a micro-USB cord for a phone is a nice thought.

Food / Drink

Scott Olson/Getty Images

Once again, every Gamer has to buy groceries at some point. Why not help them fuel their late night gaming sessions so they can use their money to buy “legitimate” groceries? While you’re picking up an Amazon Gift Card, nab a Papa John’s gift card as well. Buy a pack of Mountain Dew, Cheetos Puffs, or a pack of their favorite candy. Seriously, who doesn’t like candy? This could always be a “stocking stuffer” bought in combination with one of the other gifts so it at least looks like you put in some effort this holiday season. Maybe you can even fool them into thinking you picked these gifts out weeks ago instead of hours ago. Just please, please don’t buy another $60 gaming chair. No one needs those. Seriously.

[11.21.14] How to make your Facebook feed game-free

Video Games are great – there is no denying that – however, there are some places you just don’t want them to be. For a lot of people, one of those places is Facebook. Developers love social media, because it’s a fantastic tool for advertising, and it has coincided with the massive mobile gaming boom. This influx, however, is what causes many users to despise gaming on Facebook, and with due reason. You get spammed with notifications for requests and your news feed becomes nothing but digital cows and candies. Believe it or not, a lot of people still use social media to be, well, social; and the dominance of these social games make it difficult to keep up with the friends and family.

Fortunately, there is a miracle cure that will have your Facebook game-free before you know it. It requires just a little extra effort, but the payoff is well worth it. The trick is to leverage Facebook’s block feature to de-clutter your newsfeed, notifications, and hopefully your mind.

Here’s the best part: You don't have to start today!

Step one is waiting.

Tony Ortale

Don’t do a thing, if you don’t want to. At least, not until you receive a brand new request from a friend, desperately begging you to send some wheat to their farm! Now that you have a pending request, you have your first victim, and this means it’s time to start cutting them out of your life one by one. No, not the friend – the game, silly.

Once that pops up, you need to get yourself to the invites page. There are three ways of doing so.

Method 1.

Tony Ortale

Click on their notification. Should be pretty easy since you’re already glaring at it with malice. It should bring you to a new page with a little hovering information section. In the bottom right corner, there is tiny blue text that says “View in App Center.” Click that, then look for the word “block” towards the bottom right of this new page. Click that, and you’ve officially blocked this game, and everything to do with it. No more invites, no more posts in your news feed, no more advertisements from it. You’re officially done! After you click on it, skip ahead to step three.

Method 2.

Facebook

Follow this link: https://www.facebook.com/games/activity . This method is most convenient if you have this guide open or just have a strong desire for memorizing obscure hyperlinks. Now move on to step two.

Method 3.

Facebook

If you like doing things manually (or have decided not to wait for someone to send you a link before you start your social gaming massacre), then this is the way for you.

From your Facebook Newsfeed page, look in the left-hand navigation menu for the “Games” link. After the new page loads, there should be three white “tabs” near the top of the page. The one furthest to the right should say “Activity,” click that one. Once that page finishes loading, look near the top-left corner for a link that says “invites”. You’re now ready for step two.

Step two is blocking. Tony Ortale

Step two is blocking.

Tony Ortale

This could be, perhaps, one of the most satisfying feelings in the world. With great power comes great responsibility, so make sure you leverage it carefully. There are two different options given when you decide to block, and you’re free to make your own choices, but once particular option is what makes this guide so effective.

First, you need to locate the request. It should say “Bob Smith invites you to play Super Ultra Candy-Ville Saga Birds,” or whatever the latest shindig is. There is the option to accept and, more importantly, a little box with an “X” in it. Click that X, and you now have your blocking options. The first one says “Block [crazy-annoying game]” – this is our best friend. The second option is “Ignore all requests from Bob Smith.” This option can be useful too, but under different circumstances which will be discussed later. For now, we want to select the former option.

Step three is repeat!

That’s all you need to do, for this probably-not-isolated incident. Now you can repeat this process every time you get another dreadful invite, and before you know it, your Facebook will be virtually game-free! Of course, there will always be more games created, ready to infiltrate your social experience, but now you are armed with the knowledge to protect yourself!

But wait, what if I like games on Facebook?

Facebook

Well, that could go a few different ways. The easiest option is to just ignore this completely. If you like gaming and getting requests, then that’s all there is to it! If, however, there is only a select collection of games you enjoy, you can always leverage these blocking techniques on games you are notinterested in, leaving the ones you like intact. If you generally enjoy the occasional Facebook-gaming session, but you find yourself with that one particular friend who plays every Facebook game known to man and spams you with invites from all of them, then this is where the aforementioned alternative blocking option comes into play.

Instead of blocking all traces of a game from Facebook, you can instead choose to just block invites from a particularly spammy friend. When you select “Ignore all requests from Bob Smith,” that keeps the games completely visible, but stops your from getting the frequent notifications to play games from that particular friend. Other friends can still invite you to games, and other friends can still invite you to that game, but you’re now free of Bob Smith’s brutal attack on your notifications.

In the end, it doesn’t hurt to employ a mix of tactics for the best experience. It takes a little bit of work, but it will leave you with a significantly more satisfying Facebook experience.