Image: Sony Online Entertainment Massively multiplayer online games have gotten a bad rep over the years, but those who play them know the joys of an immersive, adventurous world. Thanks to a sweeping scale, many MMOs can offer players whatever experience they want, be it raiding, questing or battling. A quick look at the titles due for release in 2014 show the genre is still alive and well, with fresh ideas and ever-improving hardware. To add to the excitement, many studios are giving gamers behind-the-scenes looks at their creation progress. Thanks to beta sessions, developer chats and lots of trailers, the landscape for MMOs looks very promising. Here are seven new games slated for 2014 launch that are taking risks and pushing the definitions of what an MMO can be. In other words, plan to lose all your free time diving into these fun, creative worlds. 1. Elder Scrolls Online Bethesda Softworks has maintained a cult following for its Elder Scrolls series for years. These sweeping sagas let players roam across various regions of Tamriel, learning magecraft, joining the Dark Brotherhood or just harassing city guards who took arrows in the knee. That open-world mentality seems like a natural fit for an MMO. With Elder Scrolls Online, players will get a chance to wander the snowy mountains of Skyrim and the mysterious Black Marsh. Bethesda has a reputation for great storytelling in its games, so expectations are high for the online game. It is set in a time before the RPG games, so expect to see different struggles between the races and lots of new villains to take out. The latest betas have been making big strides in polish; the art style will not disappoint franchise fans. 2. EverQuest Next Landmark The original EverQuest title was one of the early entries in the MMO genre, and it’s getting a long-awaited overhaul. Some elements of the upcoming EverQuest Next will probably look familiar from those first days, but David Georgeson and his team promise a revolutionary approach to the game style. Although EverQuest Next probably won’t hit shelves for at least another year, we’ll get our hands on EverQuest Next Landmark quite soon. Landmark is a blank canvas that gives players powerful in-game tools to build just about anything they can dream up. These creations in the game will be available for purchase by EverQuest Next players, through the Player Studio. Sony Online Entertainment will take a cut, but the players with the most impressive items will also pocket some cash for their inventions. EverQuest Landmark is winding down a promising alpha stage, and we’re hoping to see Landmark’s official launch at some point in 2014. 3. World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor It’s not exactly a new game, but the new expansion for World of Warcraft marks a big change in the granddaddy of MMOs. On the visual side, the Blizzard team is revamping the player character models to bring the nearly decade-old game more in line with contemporary graphics […]
Image: Nintendo The newest incarnation of Super Smash Bros. is the fastest selling game on Nintendo’s Wii U console, the company reported Tuesday, with almost half a million copies sold in the first three days of release in the United States. Nintendo said 490,000 physical and digital copies of its mash-up character fighting game were sold between Nov. 21 and Nov. 23. Previously, Mario Kart 8 was the fastest selling Wii U game, and though Nintendo didn’t disclose how many copies it sold in the first three days, it did sell 2.28 million copies worldwide during its first two months of release. Nintendo still comes in at a solid No. 3 in the console race. Its investor relations website lists 7.12 million Wii U units sold worldwide since the console’s launch two years ago; Sony’s PlayStation 4 passed 10 million in sales after just eight months on the market, and the Xbox One was nearing that number, Microsoft recently stated. Though the previous-generation Wii console was a massive commercial success, selling more than a 100 million units, Nintendo hasn’t even matched the sales pace for its last unpopular console, the GameCube. But Super Smash Bros. Melee was the best selling game for the GameCube, so Nintendo is likely betting on the franchise fans to drive console sales. Super Smash Bros. launched in North America first. It will be released in Europe on Nov. 28, Australia on Nov. 29 and Japan on Dec. 6. It seems Nintendo prioritized the U.S. release to get in before Black Friday sales this week. BONUS: How Twitch propelled the ‘Super Smash Bros.: Melee’ community Read more: http://mashable.com/2014/11/25/super-smash-bros-fastest-selling/
Starting next year, video game giant Electronic Arts (EA) won’t be allowed to use the NCAA’s logo in its future college games. Like so many divorces, it’s about money, and while both are sure to survive the split, we can’t help shedding a nostalgic tear. Image: Electronic Arts (EA) This article originally published at NowThis News here Read more: http://mashable.com/2013/07/19/ncaa-ea-split/
Image: The Official Nintendo Magazine In what has got to be one of the strangest franchise crossovers we’ve ever seen, a forthcoming DLC (downloadable content) pack for Mario Kart 8 will allow gamers to hop behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz. Image: The Official Nintendo Magazine Nintendo’s Mario Kart 8 is released in Japan Friday—as is the new Mercedes-Benz GLA SUV convertible. To celebrate this fortuitous coincidence the two companies have teamed up to produce the in-game “GLA Kart,” which will be available to download in Japan this summer. This isn’t the first time Nintendo has utilised product placement in their games: Eurogamer.net reports that Pikmen 2 contained multiple discoverable licensed items, including Duracell batteries, whilst “Wave Race 64 featured Kawasaki jet skis.” Image: The Official Nintendo Magazine In a statement on whether the DLC would be available elsewhere, Nintendo UK said that “the announcement this time was made by Mercedes-Benz Japan regarding their collaboration in Japan with NCL.” “As for the information relating to the distribution of the GLA kart for MK8 outside Japan, we will be able to announce in the near future.” Sounds promising, then. Another new tie-in between Mercedes-Benz Japan and Nintendo comes in the form of what at first appears to be a playable version of the Mercedes-driving Mario seen in the advert embedded above. But when you click through to play, it’s actually one big advert that you click on to finish the level. Sneaky. Before you start gnashing your teeth about advertising and exorbitantly-priced add-ons: Remember, the DLC is free! Sen. John McCain thinks anti-war activists are ‘low-life scum’ Lisa Ann’s anti-prostitution rant sparks outcry from sex workers Eddie Murphy will return to ‘SNL’ for the first time in 30 years Amaz’s Team Archon drops player amid cheating accusations This article originally published at The Daily Dot here Read more: http://mashable.com/2014/05/30/mario-kart-8-mercedes-benz-suv/
Is there a government conspiracy to cover up the existence of extraterrestrial beings? Can the government make a town disappear? What if your family was in on a mysterious plot? If these questions intrigue you, 2K Games is betting you’ll want to help unravel the mystery of a cryptic trunk in an alternate reality game tied to the upcoming release of the third-person strategy title The Bureau: XCOM Declassified. An alternate reality game — better known as an ARG — introduces players to a narrative set in the real world that uses interactive media, including video, audio and websites, to move the story along. ARGs have a long history of video game tie-ins. For game developers and publishers, ARGs serve as tools to deepen the gaming experience by providing more insight into the story and creating excitement before launch. In the early 2000s, Bungie created a huge game known as I Love Bees, which sent fans to a hacked website with garbled audio recordings from a crashed spaceship’s AI. 2K Games also created ARGs for BioShock 2 and XCOM: Enemy Unknown. 2K Games is preparing to publish its second XCOM game, set in 1962, focusing on the formation of a government agency to quell alien activity in the United States and prevent citizens from finding out about it. Erase The Truth In this alternate reality game, we meet Alice, a woman in her early 20s charged with going through her grandmother’s trunk after her death. What Alice finds in the trunk is a little strange to her: redacted notes, books related to conspiracy and postcards from a city in New Mexico called Pima, which can’t be found on any map. Alice turned to YouTube and Twitter to ask the Internet about the meaning behind all of these objects. She started gaining a small following of people helping her investigate the truth. Some quickly pointed out that members of the press, and other superfans, had received duplicates of items that Alice found in the trunk in the mail. These included an ashtray with black goo stuck to the bottom, a strip of microfilm, the postcard from Pima and a lighter inscribed with Eradite Verum, the Latin phrase for “Erase the Truth.” It’s quite simple to connect Alice with The Bureau: XCOM Declassified. Fans’ suspicions are confirmed with Friday morning’s launch of Alice’s blog whathappenedin62.com, on which she ponders her grandmother’s trunk and a video game that takes place in the same nonexistent town. “Pima, New Mexico may have existed at some point but it isn’t there now. The weird thing is that you guys told me about it because there is a video game coming out that uses that place as one of the settings. Not only that but there are a ton of other connections to that game and my grandmother as well. I don’t know what my grandmother has to do with a game, or why a video game would be made about her job in the 1960’s, unless […]
Image: GameSpot/USAopoly Go directly to Jail. You do not pass go. You do not collect 200 rupees. The Legend of Zelda world is joining every other possible popular TV show, movie and city in inspiring its own Monopoly game. Players will get to buy property all over the franchise’s famous locations and screw their friends out of their hard-earned cash. The Legend of Zelda Monopoly board. Image: GameSpot/USAopoly Almost every piece of the game has been Zelda-ized for print. Community chests are now “Treasure Chests,” Chance spaces are now “Empty Bottles,” and your normal railroad options have been ousted in favor of the horse Epona, the bird Loftwing, the Spirit Trally train and the King of Red Lions boat. Instead of houses and hotels, you’ll plant your empire with Deku Sprouts and Deku Trees, respectively. Legend of Zelda Monopoly‘s tokens are Link’s items: the Hylian Shield, the bow, the hookshot, boomerang and legendary Triforce. Those who pre-order from GameStop, because of course, will get an Ocarina of Time token. Of course, there are all your favorite locations from the series to buy and sell, like the Temple of Time, Lorule Castle and Skyloft. The Legend of Zelda Monopoly will be out Sept. 15 and cost $39.99. BONUS: 20 Nintendo Facts to Blow Your 8-Bit Mind Read more: http://mashable.com/2014/08/05/legend-of-zelda-monopoly/
There is life on Mars — and it’s out for revenge against some nasty pigs! Angry Birds creators Rovio announced a new chapter to Angry Birds Space will come out Thursday. The update is titled “Red Planet”, and will send players to the fields of Mars for more bird-on-pig rivalry. NASA helped Rovio create the trailer by giving them footage taken by the Mars Rover Curiosity from the planet’s surface. In addition, the additional levels will include NASA vehicles as part of the architecture. “Rovio is teaching huge new audiences about NASA’s missions to Mars thanks to this collaboration,” said David Weaver, associate administrator for communications at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “It’s a great way to introduce both kids and adults to the wonders of the planet in a fun and entertaining way.” It’s not the first partnership between the two. When Angry Birds Space debuted in March, NASA Flight Engineer Don Pettit demonstrated the physics behind Angry Birds — while in space. “We’re huge NASA fans, and we were all cheering the Mars Curiosity rover as it touched down,” said Peter Vesterbacka, chief marketing officer of Rovio Entertainment. “So, working together on the Mars update was a perfect fit.” Players can download the updates for the iOS [iTunes link] and Android [Google Play link] versions right now. Read more: http://mashable.com/2012/08/23/angry-birds-mars/
Nostalgic for the days of getting home from school or work, firing up the PlayStation 2 and popping Grand Theft Auto: Vice City in the tray? Then get your smartphone ready: Rockstar Games on Friday officially announced the game will be ported to Android and iOS later this fall. Rockstar made the mobile versions, which will have some all-new bonus features and top-notch graphics, to celebrate the game’s 10-year release. That’s right: Vice City, the sixth Grand Theft Auto title, came out way back in 2002. “Grand Theft Auto: Vice City gave players the freedom of a massive open-world in one of the most iconic and vibrant settings ever realized in a game,” said Sam Houser, founder of Rockstar Games, in a statement. “It was a defining moment in the series and we’re delighted to be celebrating its 10th anniversary this year with a stunning, updated version for phones and tablets.” As part of the anniversary celebration, Grand Theft Auto fans will find new promotional gear for sale at the Rockstar Games Warehouse and through online sweepstakes. There’s no solid release date for the mobile game yet: Rockstar’s only saying “later this fall.” The company’s silent on any Windows 8 version, too. Can’t wait for your fix of old-school vehicular carnage? Check out Sega’s mobile port of Dreamcast favorite Crazy Taxi while you’re waiting for Vice City to arrive. Below, one of the original trailers for the PlayStation 2 version of Vice City. Check it out, then share your favorite Grand Theft Auto memories in the comments! Read more: http://mashable.com/2012/10/27/grand-theft-auto-phone/
Anyone who purchases a copy of Mario Kart 8 up to two months after its May 30 release will be able to download one of four Wii U games for free, Nintendo announced Wednesday. Players can choose from Pikmin 3, New Super Mario Bros. U, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD and Wii U Party, which are redeemed through Nintendo’s rewards program Club Nintendo. The announcement came during a 30-minute online Mario Kart 8 presentation that surprised fans Wednesday morning. Along with the game deals, Nintendo is also releasing a Mario Kart Wii U game bundle to entice gamers to pick up the console. It includes the game, the deluxe 32 GB Wii U, a Wii U steering wheel and a Mario-themed Wii Remote Plus for $329.99. Fans were also treated to a lot of new footage of the game, which is exclusive to the Wii U, including the new three-minute trailer embedded above. BONUS: ‘Mario Kart 8’ Hands On at E3 2013 Read more: http://mashable.com/2014/04/30/mario-kart-8-free-wii-u-game/
Petal, a hero from Super Evil Megacorp’s upcoming game ‘Vainglory.’Image: Super Evil Megacorp When Apple showed off the power of the iPhone 6‘s A8 processor, it was quick add how many game makers traditionally found on console or PC were already committed to its new phone. Square Enix, Ubisoft, Disney, CD Project Red, Epic Games and EA were some of the larger publishers investing more heavily in mobile game creation, Apple revealed during its Tuesday iPhone 6 announcement. Also featured on the slide were games from smaller studios, like Proletariat and Vector Unit. Image: Mashable screenshot A studio called Super Evil Megacorp came on stage to show off its mutliplayer online battle arena for phones, called Vainglory. It’s an ambitious title bringing a genre typically played with a mouse and keyboard to touch controls. Super Evil Megacorp CTO Tommy Krul said on stage he wants to bring the hardcore gaming experience of PC and console to mobile. The game pits two teams against each other; their objective is to destroy a large crystal in the other team’s base. They can also capture a large monster, the Kraken, to battle the other team. The below video shows some gameplay. Vainglory is currently in a closed beta, but will role out globally in October. Apple iPhone 6 Event The iPhone 6 and new Apple Watch on display in Apple’s Hands-On Pavilion. Image: Apple The iPhone 6 on display in Apple’s Hands-On Pavilion. Image: Apple The iPhone 6 and new Apple Watch on display in Apple’s Hands-On Pavilion. Image: Apple The interior of the Hands-On Pavilion gallery where audience members can view the newly unveiled iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Watch. Image: Apple Tim Cook bids the audience farewell. Image: Apple Tim Cook and U2 lead singer Bono announce the band’s free new album (available to iTunes Store customers) and conclude the Apple event. U2 performs a single from their new album Songs of Innocence at the Apple event in Cupertino, California. Image: Apple Image: Apple Kevin Lynch discusses the apps available on the Apple Watch and how to use them. Image: Apple The different variations of the new Apple Watch. It is customizable with different bands, metals, and design elements. Image: Apple Kevin Lynch shows the audience the new Apple Watch Image: Apple Image: Apple After unveiling the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Pay system, Tim Cook prepares to announce one more thing. Image: Apple Examples of what the new Apple Pay system will look like on the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Image: Apple Eddy Cue explains how Apple Pay works and the locations to use it. Image: Apple Tim Cook introduces the new Apple Pay system. Image: Apple Image: Apple iPhone Size Comparison Chart Image: Bob Al-Greene/Mashable Image: Apple The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus will use iOS 8. Image: Apple A representation of the new landscape view of the iPhone 6. Image: Apple Image: Apple Phil Schiller talks about iPhone 6. Image: […]
