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See Zeus, Isaac Clarke throw down in PlayStation All-Stars
Sony will release downloadable characters Zeus and Isaac Clarke for PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale on March 19, along with a new stage that is a cross-over of MediEvil and The Unfinished Swan. According to a post on the PlayStation Blog from newly appointed Sony lead game designer Seth Killian, the stage will be free to play in online ranked matches, $1.99 to own.Both Zeus and Isaac are being offered gratis to those who purchase God of War: Ascension, available through an included voucher; or you can buy each combatant for $4.99 through PSN on March 19. Above, you can see Isaac battle back the madness – hop past the break if you want to see Zeus choke Sackboy.%Gallery-180147%
Steam's Halloween sale scares the prices off Dead Space, Amnesia, more
The holidays are fast approaching and that means it's time for Steam to bombard us with irresistible sales. The "Steam Halloween Sale" is currently in effect, with over 80 games to treat yourself with that fall into some category of "spooky, creepy, scary and eerie."Obvious gets for a mere $5 are Dead Space 1&2, Left 4 Dead 2, Fear 3, BioShock 2 and Amnesia. The latter should be played with the lights off, headphone and nerves of steel. If you're looking to spend some crazy amount of money like $10, there's a whole world of games to purchase.
Dead Space 2, Rock of Ages free on PlayStation Plus in Europe
If you are a PlayStation Plus member in Europe, your "Instant Game Collection" just got a little more space – Dead Space 2, to be specific. It's free with PlayStation Plus this month, and the offer is available through September 5. If you decide you want more, you'll find all the DLC, including weapon packs, suit packs, and the "Severed" expansion, at 50 percent off for the month.Also free for European PS Plus subscribers: Rock of Ages, a sort of historical tower-defense action game that couldn't possibly be any more different from Dead Space 2.
Dead Space 3's Isaac Clarke as 'the reluctant participant'
The original Dead Space introduced us to Isaac Clarke: a masked, silent engineer doing his best to survive an extremely lonely and hostile environment. His weapons were that of an engineer, though they served Isaac well enough in strategically dismembering the ghouls that came creeping at him. The events of Dead Space 2 took Isaac on a similar mission, albeit through an enormous space colony known as "The Sprawl." Isaac once again battled creepy necromorphs, all in the name of survival.Despite what you've seen of Dead Space 3 thus far – the action-heavy, co-op sequences from E3, for example – Isaac is as much "the reluctant participant" as ever. Visceral Games executive producer Steve Papoutsis explained as much to us in a recent interview. "He by no means is a vigilante for hire or any nonsense like that," Papoutsis said. "That's not what's going on with Isaac. And I don't want to get into the details too much 'cause that would kinda spoil the fun for folks, but let's just say after the events of The Sprawl – which was, as you may or may know if you played it, a massive disaster – he's kind of laying low. And he kind of wants to be left alone."Papoutsis didn't speak to specifics of the game's intro – which, according to previous precedent, should be insane – but he was quick to stifle any idea that Isaac is on the offensive in Dead Space 3. "The events that kind of thrust him into action in Dead Space 3 will reveal themselves when people play the game, but by no means is he a willing participant in the story that's gonna unfold." It's unclear if Clarke's co-op buddy, Carver, plays into that "thrust," but the fact that he's a gun-toting government official can't hurt.As for whether this is Isaac's last spin as a starring character in a Dead Space game, Papoutsis was less specific. "We didn't set out to make a trilogy," he said. "We would love to create many more Dead Space games, there's a lot of stories to tell of the Dead Space universe." He allowed one teensy nugget to slip through. "With Dead Space 3, it's definitely Isaac's story and we're trying to bring answers to this story. There's a lot of questions that have come in Dead Space 1 and 2, and with Dead Space 3 we really wanna answer a lot of questions."
Dead Space games are dead cheap on Steam
If you've been waiting for a ridiculous deal before trying out the Dead Space series, your chance has arrived... again. Steam is selling Dead Space 1 and 2 for $5 each right now, as a "Midweek Madness" offer. You have until April 26.
Look at this incredible, fan-made Isaac Clarke figurine
We tried making our own custom figure of Isaac Clarke from Dead Space, but it wound up looking like exactly what it was: a twisted mass of rainbow-colored pipe cleaners. This figure is much, much better.
EA clarifies Origin's ability to 'auto-add' games from other libraries
EA has not been crawling your computer, looking for that one file that you think is hidden really well, but is really just labeled "My Little Pony Season 1," right on your desktop. Hiding in plain sight and all that.Yesterday some Origin users noticed that a few EA games they'd previously bought through other distributors -- Steam, mostly -- were automatically added to their Origin games list. EA has confirmed that it is testing out a feature to add older games to users' Origin libraries, but that it doesn't snag the games by accessing anyone's computer."At no time was any information on your computer accessed, all of this information was obtained directly from our game registration records," a statement from EA reads. Most likely the transfer is made via the email address users register their EA games under, though EA's statement, which you can read in full below, doesn't clarify directly.
Origin auto-adds EA games bought through Steam -- no, it's not creepy
EA's Origin service may know more about your gaming habits than even you realize: Remember Dead Space 2? All the hours you spent on Steam last year, searching for ammo and creeping through alien-infested day care centers, just to finish it and never boot it up again? Even if you don't remember, EA does. Muhahahaha.EA is able to add games bought on other services, such as Steam, to players' Origin accounts, a forum post on Day One Patch reveals. Many players notice Dead Space 2 and Mass Effect titles popping up in their Origin game lists, even though the titles were bought through Steam. Origin is known to check out the file names on users' computers -- without reading or transmitting any private information back to EA, of course -- and it now uses that power to streamline your EA games lists. In other words, EA is using its power for good. And to better market its own titles.[Thanks, Matt.]
Dead Space 1 and 2 sliced down to $5 on Steam this weekend
Steam has taken the ol' plasma cutter to the price of the Dead Space series, offering one monster of a deal. This weekend you can pick up -- using telekinesis, preferably -- the original Dead Space or Dead Space 2 for five bucks each. You can use the money you've saved for some fresh underpants. You'll need them.
Amazon offering dramatic discounts on digital EA games starting this Sunday
Amazon doesn't care for your silly stack of unplayed, unopened games -- it simply wants to trick you into buying more with a variety of impressive deals, albeit on games that exist only in the digital realm. Starting this coming Sunday (the 15th) and running through the end of the week (the 21st), individual EA titles will be offered day by day at ridiculously discounted prices: Bulletstorm and Dead Space 2 for $7 a pop, for instance. The daily itemized list is just after the break, should you be preparing for yet another (admittedly minor) assault on your bank account in the effort to catch up on 2011's best games. Might we suggest conquering the concept of time scarcity first?
Best of the Rest: Richard's picks of 2011
Rayman Origins If you asked what my favorite game of the 2011 was, I would tell you it was Dark Souls, which made the number eight slot in our prestigious top ten. If, however, you asked me which game instilled me with the most pure, unbridled joy, I would say it was Rayman Origins without a moment's hesitation. Providing both a fresh experience and an invigorating jolt of nostalgia for the days when platformers were king, Rayman Origins is a must-play.
Big discounts on EA games, DLC on Xbox Live this week
Xbox Live is hosting some decent deals on Electronic Arts content this week. Notable games include Risk: Factions for $5, Shank for $7.50 or Dragon Age: Origins for $15. Plenty of DLC is up for grabs as well, including Dead Space 2 "Severed" or Mass Effect 2 "Arrival" DLC for $3 each, or Dragon Age's "Witch Hunt" DLC for $4. You can check out the full selection of sale items – oddly split into two different lists – here and here.
Best of the Rest: Alexander's picks of 2011
Dead Space 2 I am a passionate man. When Dead Space 2 was overlooked by several of my fellow editors, preventing it from attaining a rightful place in our top ten, I briefly contemplated a multi-city tour. The plan was simple: ring their doorbell, smack them across the face, cross their name off a list and move on to the next deserving victim. My main reason Dead Space 2 deserved a spot in our top ten: At times, I forgot to breathe. Dead Space 2 was a game of tension and release. I found myself gasping for air after several scenes, so focused on whatever new necromorph horror was trying to splay me that the part of my brain regulating natural respiration was overridden by the section screaming, "SHOOT IT! SHOOT IT WITH SO MUCH QUICKNESS AND RUN!" For the sake of levity, if I had it my way, there would have been several moments where protagonist Isaac Clarke pulled out Handi-Snacks, lifted his visor and pouted about whatever danger he'd face beyond the next airlock.
EA PC games are rather cheap on Amazon today
You tried to be grateful, you really did. But with every Snuggie, Slanket and Opiate-Laced Cuddle Cocoon you opened, it became abundantly clear that you were getting none of the EA PC games you asked Santa for this Christmas. Luckily, Amazon is there to set this sad situation right, with deeply discounted, digitally delivered diversions like Dead Space 2 ($4.99), Dragon Age 2 ($5.99), Mass Effect 2 ($4.99) and more. See the full list right here, and try to cut Santa some slack, okay? He always gets depressed this week.
Today's Steam holiday sale discounts Dead Space 2, Tomb Raider, more
You've probably heard of a few of the games discounted in today's installment of the Steam holiday sale. You know, Machinarium? Dungeon Defenders? Assassin's Creed 1, 2, Brotherhood and Revelations? A bunch of Tomb Raiders? Dead Spaces? You ... you have heard of those, right?
Rumors: Dead Space expands into FPS and flight, Dragon Age goes multiplayer
Kotaku cites an anonymous "insider" on two new rumors regarding two of Electronic Arts' biggest "new" franchises: Dead Space and Dragon Age. Though Dead Space 2 managed to ship over two million units in its first six months of release, EA wants to "make the series bigger and better," says the insider. The plan: A Dead Space first-person shooter, a Dead Space "flight game" and, lastly, a Dead Space "Uncharted-like game." Apparently, that recent EA management shift in August "brought in new brass that nearly killed off Dead Space 3," if this insider is to be believed. But it's not dead and, as previous rumors suggested, Dead Space 3 takes place on ice planet Tau Volantis and will feature co-op. Now for Dragon Age ... this one is good. Kotaku's insider says that, like BioWare's other major RPG brand, Dragon Age will get a multiplayer offering, reportedly powered by DICE's Frostbite 2 engine. This could be part of a future Dragon Age installment, let's call it Dragon Age 3, or a separate downloadable title; the gameplay will be arena-based, and feature both PvE and PvP combat, as well as ... dragons. Because Dragon Age, and all that. Here's our advice, EA: If you want to increase awareness of the Dead Space brand, making games that aren't like Dead Space seems like a poor strategy. Also, a flight game? Are you trying not to sell games? And the problem with Dragon Age isn't a lack of multiplayer. The (extraordinarily) fast turnaround on Dragon Age 2 resulted in a rushed RPG that was dwarfed (and, frankly, embarrassed) by productions like The Witcher 2 and Skyrim (which managed to ship a not-so-shabby seven million units at launch).
Steam Autumn Sale: The final countdown
Another legendary Steam sale is coming to a close today -- it's day five of the Autumn Sale, which means we're in the final hours of snagging some sweet and savory fall deals. Right now, get Thief: Deadly Shadows and Dead Space 2 for $4.99 each, or Driver: San Francisco and Fable 3 for $24.99 each, along with 10 other deals. We don't think we need to write them all out, because you've probably already clicked over the actual sale page by now. That's right, do our work for us. Dance, monkey, dance.
GameFly's 'Under $20' sale has too many good values
LA Noire for $19.99? Dead Space 2 for $12.99? Vanquish for just $9.99? If watching broadcast news wasn't enough to convince you that the US economy is down in the dumps, GameFly's impressive "Under $20" sale is here to hammer the point home. Everything from the aforementioned trio of titles to Disney Epic Mickey (and many more) are currently available from GameFly's insane sale, all being offered with free shipping. The discounts expire on October 24, so we'd suggest you get on that -- if you're not too busy zipping around Gotham, of course.
EA confirms closure of Visceral Melbourne, reaffirms support for Melbourne-based mobile studios
Following reports last Friday that EA shuttered its Visceral Melbourne studio, the International Game Developer's Association Melbourne tweeted on Sunday, "Confirmation of EA closing Visceral has been received :( our best wishes to the 21 devs now out of a job #EAVisceral." Electronic Arts has finally weighed in on the matter, telling MCV, "With no active project in development at that location, we've decided to close the Visceral Melbourne office. They are talented individuals and may find other roles elsewhere in EA, if they choose." The EA rep added, "EA continues to maintain its mobile studios in Melbourne which are both thriving and hiring." Those studios include the recently acquired Firemint, makers of Flight Control and Real Racing, and Iron Monkey Studios, the team behind the excellent Dead Space for iOS and Xperia Play. Of course, this follows just weeks after LA Noire developers Team Bondi entered administration, a month after THQ shuttered two Australian studios, and less than a year after Krome severely downsized. We'll pour a Foster's out for you, Australian game devs.
Pre-order Battlefield 3 on Origin, get Dead Space 2 for free
That free game that Origin is offering for a Battlefield 3 pre-order? It's totally Dead Space 2! So now on top of early beta access and a host of DLC, EA is offering even more incentive by offering a great game. Of course, there's a catch: there's only a limited number of copies of Dead Space 2 available. It's really silly, considering the free copy is a download. What's the matter, EA? No more storage space in the old digital warehouse? If you want to go with Origin, you've got until September 19 to pre-order Battlefield 3 for your free ticket to the nightmarish space-romp.
