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Kukulkan, Serpent of the Nine Winds slithers into SMITE
We really wish that the Mayans were around today to ask why they would worship a giant flying snake instead of freaking out because, well, giant flying snake. It's probably a good thing that Mr. Kukulkan, Serpent of the Nine Winds, is on the side of the playerbase in SMITE as the newest god in the game's pantheon. Kukulkan isn't actually a new character for the game but a reworked Ao Kuang (who has been temporarily retired). While Kukulkan enjoys a new look, the abilities transferred over from Ao Kuang remain the same. Players who previously owned Ao Kuang will see that character transform into Kukulkan instead. We've got the full god reveal video after the break, so welcome in your newest nightmare and ally! [Thanks to Sorenthaz for the tip!]
Olé! The Matador joins the battle of Secret Ponchos
Listen up, pilgrim: arena battle game Secret Ponchos has received a new update this week, introducing a new character, a new map and new mode in which to obliterate your enemies, Old West-style. The Matador is Secret Ponchos' fifth playable character, and uses a combination of her saber and cape to dizzy and confuse foes before slicing and dicing them like hunks of steak. She and the other outlaws of the game can go toe-to-toe in the newly-introduced free-for-all Deathmatch mode, or join up with three other friends in 4v4 Domination. If you're getting bored of the scenery, you can also check out The Ranch, a new map set in the remains of a burned-out homestead. To celebrate, developer Switchblade Monkeys has not only marked the Early Access title down to $8.99 - 40 percent cheaper than it's usual $14.99 - until August 19, but has also made it so that customers who purchase Secret Ponchos during that time will receive a second Steam code to share with a friend. Or enemy! Your choice. [Image: Switchblade Monkeys]
Vindictus highlights its new character with fashion silhouettes
When you think about it, catwalk struts are seriously underused as a means of introducing new content to an MMO. Vindictus is taking the genre in a bold new direction with its latest reveal. The Korean reveal page for the new character makes it clear that Arisha is bringing a whole new style to the game. That style is... well... style, perhaps? Seriously, the trailer doesn't reveal anything but a silhouette. Datamining has revealed that she's a hybrid melee/magical character, although that could go a lot of different routes. Still, you can get a very shadowy peek at her in the trailer past the break. Based on that, she'll attack primarily with six-inch heels and fishnet stockings because hot pants, heels, and plunging necklines are crazy useful in combat.
Silver Surfer hangs ten into Marvel Heroes
Is more than one color for a superhero costume maddening to your sensibilities? Do you look at caped crusaders and wonder, "If only they used beach sports equipment for physics-defying purposes?" Are you the sole die-hard fan of the second Fantastic Four movie? Then today, my friend, is your day. Marvel Heroes has added the Silver Surfer to its in-game hero roster. The Surfer is an alien who used to work for the planet-eating Galactus but has since defected to the forces of good. The new hero has two costume options, including the Savage set, and is available to purchase either with money or Eternity Splinters.
Vindictus EU introduces playable Lynn
Vindictus Europe has a good cause to cheer today, as Nexon introduced a new playable character to the roster. The fresh face is Lynn, the so-called Princess of the Lost Kingdom. She's a lightning-fast fighter who uses a spear to strike out and quick reflexes to dodge attacks. Some of her skills include Swift Assassin, Five-Fingered Death, and Jade Fox. The addition of Lynn coincides with an in-game event that gives out special awards at specific times and the opportunity to win gifts. You can see Lynn in action in a video after the break!
Female Tengu trolling Dead or Alive Ultimate later this month
Another character set to join the ranks of the Dead or Alive fighters has been revealed, and this one is quite a monster. Literally. The character is Female Tengu, a gender-swapped version of the Dead or Alive 2 final boss, Tengu. Team Ninja tweeted teasers of the character earlier in the week, but it was through Japanese magazine Famitsu that the developer announced this would be a new character and not a costume for an existing character. That being said, judging by her reveal trailer, her fighting style and combos are very similar to the original Tengu's, if not downright identical. Well, at least they ditched the male's giant nose, if only to replace it with some huge hair. Seriously girl, how long it take you to get ready in the morning? Dang! Female Tengu joins a(nother) clone of Kasumi and a young girl with Lolita fashion sense as some of the franchise's freshest faces. She will be released to console versions of Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate in Japan later this month. [Image: Tecmo Koei]
Beefcake Braum is League of Legends' next champion
League of Legends' next champion will be the beefy barbarian Braum, developer Riot Games has revealed. The Freljord native will take up his massive shield to block projectiles and soak up damage from enemy champions. The official League of Legends site has more details on this magnificently mustachioed man, who is, according to Riot, the game's "first true tank support" character. Braum is a support champion, meaning he won't be dealing out much damage of his own, but rather helping his teammates survive and taking the hits for them when he can. That doesn't mean he won't be useful in a fight, though. His "Winter's Bite" ability shoots a line of ice out from his shield, dealing magic damage and slowing those it catches. The "Stand By Me" ability causes Braum to leap to a nearby ally, positioning himself between them and the nearest enemy champion. This move also grants both Braum and the ally a boost to armor and magic resistance. His "Unbreakable" ability lifts Braum's shield and causes projectiles coming contact with it to be destroyed. Lastly, Braum's ultimate ability, "Glacial Fissure," sends out a long-range attack that knocks enemies into the air and slows them. Braum is currently available on the League of Legends beta servers, and is expected to make his way to the main game soon. [Image: Riot Games]
Heroes of the Storm shows off Tyrael
You remember Tyrael, right? Tall guy? He was in your class in high school? Glowing wings coming out of his back, divine embodiment of justice, enjoyed smiting evil? He was in Diablo III, remember? Anyway, he's got a new gig; he's showing up in Heroes of the Storm now. Yeah, still doing what he loves, slicing up demons. You do what you're good at, right? The trailer showing off Tyrael doesn't offer a picture of how he'll play but does serve as a nifty little glimpse into how the game will both look and feel. You can check the trailer out just past the cut if you haven't gotten enough Diablo III action already with the expansion release.
League of Legends to receive new champion and game mode
League of Legends will be getting a new champion and game mode, developer Riot Games has announced. The new game mode, Hexakill, adds another player to each team, turning the game's typical 5v5 match into a 6v6 affair. Hexakill is part of Riot's featured gameplay modes, where players can experience experimental twists on the usual LoL formula. This also means, however, that Hexakill will only be available to play for a limited time, from February 20 to March 2. Meanwhile, if League of Legends' next champion were in your yearbook, he'd be the kid that was always a little too into the dissection labs in Biology class. Vel'Koz, Eye of The Void, is a tentacled horror that comes to the Fields of Justice from a dimension known as The Void, where it exists as a living font of knowledge and learning. Oh, and he's here to destroy you. So yeah, just like that kid.
League of Legends' next champion is Jinx, you owe her a soda
Jinx, the Loose Cannon, will be the next addition to the League of Legends roster, developer Riot Games announced on Thursday. The Joker-like criminal loves mayhem, as evidenced by a wanted poster on the League of Legends site which lists some of her crimes: "murder," "making fun of the peace," "murder again" and "forging of official wanted posters." Jinx is a marksman champion, meaning she uses long-range weaponry to deal physical damage to her enemies. Her "Switcheroo!" ability swaps between her two equipable weapons, Fishbones the rocket launcher and Pow-Pow the minigun. Her "Zap!" ability damages and slows the first enemy it hits, and her "Flame Chompers!" ability lays down incendiary grenades which root champions who walk over them to the ground. Jinx's ultimate ability, "Super Mega Death Rocket!," can travel across the map and deals damage to the first champion it hits, as well as all nearby enemies based on a percentage of their missing health. Jinx is currently in beta, with no set date as to when her mischievous hi-jinx will go live.
SMITE wises up with Athena
How many gods are left in the universal pantheon for Hi-Rez Studios to exploit for SMITE? We guess at least one more because the team has patched in Athena, goddess of wisdom. Athena is a melee tank who uses a bit of magic to help her allies and herself out in a fight. While she primarily relies on shield and spear, her passive ability gives her a ranged attack after using a skill. She also can dash up to (and through) enemies, taunt with a shockwave, summon ghost soldiers to form a shield wall, and teleport to an ally while protecting that ally from 50% of damage for a short time. You can check out the Athena reveal, including her lore and abilities, in the video after the break!
Injustice: Gods Among Us' second DLC character is Batgirl
NetherRealm Studios has revealed that Batgirl will be one of Injustice: Gods Among Us' four planned DLC characters. The announcement was accompanied by an admission that "the bat's out of the bag," referencing the fact that a listing for Batgirl had temporarily leaked onto the Xbox Live Marketplace hours beforehand. We're assuming that this is the Barbara Gordon version of Batgirl, on account of her flowing red hair and the fact that Gordon is the current Batgirl of the New 52 mythos. We're not really sure what's up with her outfit, or the metal clubs attached to her arms, but we figure we'll learn more as gameplay footage is released next week. No word yet on when Batgirl wil be available.
Nexon Europe adds new character and dungeons to MapleStory
Have you ever thought that adventuring would be so much easier if there were two of you? MapleStory players in Europe will have the chance for just that experience if they choose the newest character -- Mihile, The Knight of Light. As a special ability, this knight can duplicate himself, essentially creating a shield to protect against enemies. At level 70, Mihile can also transfer this same skill onto other players. Along with the knight, Nexon Europe is adding three new dungeons to MapleStory. Players will soon get to dive into four dungeons based on the seasons through Spiegelmann's Strange Gallery, take a cable car to the quests in Fatansy Theme Park, and discover the secrets of of the beautiful Sakura Castle. The first two will be accessible starting at level 50, but the final dungeon is only for players over level 70. [Source: Nexon Europe press release]
Vindictus cuts out a place for new character Vella
She slices, she dices, she eviscerates, and she's the newest character in Vindictus. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Vella and her dual blades. She's the star of the newest video from the game's team at Nexon, which shows off her penchant for quick maneuvers and swinging arcs of destruction. In the game's lore, Vella is a mariner renowned for her skill with blades and her agility. In play, she more than lives up to the reputation, possessing a variety of attacks that either help her close the range with her opponent (such as Typhoon Slash) or help her get out of range as necessary (such as the spinning attack Slipaway). While she's obviously a melee character, her ability to dart in and out of range and vent around larger opponents should help keep her versatile on the battlefield. But don't take our word for it -- check her out in action just past the break. [Source: Nexon press release]
Marvel Heroes unveils Rocket Raccoon
The team of playable heroes in Marvel Heroes just keeps getting more and more impressive. Today's addition is the furry and ferocious Rocket Raccoon. An anthropomorphic raccoon, Rocket is more than just sentient -- he's a tactical genius, great with a gun, and unwaveringly heroic. Rocket Raccoon has some close ties with the Guardians of the Galaxy (you know, that team that Marvel Studios just announced is getting its own movie), and he's out to save the universe whether it wants to be saved or not. We don't know much about this little fellow's in-game powers yet, but keep an eye on his hero information page to find out.
Meet Valentine, Skullgirls' phlebotomist femme fatale
Somewhere, someone once thought this exact thought: "I love going to the hospital to have my blood work done, but I wish the procedure could be performed by a ninjutsu-trained assassin wearing an extremely revealing outfit instead of Ethel Mertz's retired understudy." The result of that thought is Valentine, the seventh playable character to be announced for Reverge Labs' upcoming fighter Skullgirls. Both a ninja and a nurse, Valentine's arsenal includes bonesaws, defibrillators and dead human bodies. Previously part of an Anti-Skullgirl Labs group called "Last Hope" and partially responsible for the creation of cast compatriot Painwheel, Valentine now uses her martial/medical skills in service of the Skullgirl. She, along with seven other fighters, will be fighting for control of the Skull Heart some time in early 2012.%Gallery-140320%
Rusty Hearts introduces the gunslinging Natasha
Perfect World Entertainment has announced the newest addition to the Rusty Hearts cast, and her name is Natasha. This scantily clad, gun-toting heroine joins the Rusty Hearts roster in hopes of avenging the death of her brother. She's capable of dual-wielding pistols or blowing her enemies away with muskets, making her the perfect character for the player who just wants to make things go boom. For more information on the game's newest playable character, jump past the cut for a dev diary video or head on over to the Rusty Hearts official site.
Blood Sport: How to make a new character for PvP, part 3
Want to crush your enemies, see them driven before you and hear the lamentation of their women? C. Christian Moore, multiple rank 1 Gladiator, examines the latest arena strategy, trends, compositions and more in Blood Sport. Please check out the last two articles on how to make a new character for PvP, part 1 and part 2. Those articles discuss trying to narrow down which class is right for you before you play it at 85. We all have that friend who levels an alt up to max level expecting to play on it forever and ever, only to abandon it two weeks later. Don't be that guy! This week, we'll be discussing the most efficient and arguably logical ways of bringing you up to speed on a new character. Keybinds, leveling strategy, and gearing up are important aspects of any class and three of the major traps new altoholics can fall into, especially for PvP.
Blood Sport: How to start a new character for PvP, part 2
Want to crush your enemies, see them driven before you and hear the lamentation of their women? C. Christian Moore, multiple rank 1 Gladiator, examines the latest arena strategy, trends, compositions and more in Blood Sport. Please check out last week's article on starting a new character for PvP; we discussed different ways to analyze your own playstyle and alluded to this week's subject of strengths and shortcomings. I asked four important questions about playstyle and gave my answers to the questions; however, because some seemed to be left wanting, here is a little more information on those questions.
Soul of the Ultimate Nation sees the spreading Shadow
It might seem like everything is all fine and dandy in Soul of the Ultimate Nation, but there's a shadow on the horizon. More specifically, there's Shadow, the newest character added to the game. A combination of dark sorcery and assassin skills form Shadow's potent, solo-friendly skillset, something the game's development team had been hinting at since the beginning of the year. But that's hardly all that's new in the game, which has expanded the high-level content as well. Player characters over level 100 have access to nearly two hundred added quests, as well as new high-level areas in Helron's Castle. Neville's Swamp and Bronze Moon City, as well as the area conquest for the aforementioned castle, are all open. To cap off the experience, players have access to the fourth village in Soul of the Ultimate Nation, giving high-end players a spot where they can congregate with one another. Rather than forcing you to just read the text, however, we have both a set of preview images in our gallery, and two trailers for the update embedded past the cut. %Gallery-98558%
