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The Showdown Effect trailer dances the ballet of death
You may think that ballet means lots of twirling and dancers in tutus, but this trailer for The Showdown Effect attempts to prove it's much better as a vehicle for slow-mo gun jousts.
Seatribe handing out Salem beta keys
Want to get a free look at Salem, the scary hardcore permadeath crafting MMO from Seatribe and the devs responsible for Haven & Hearth? Head to the official Salem website and score a beta key while you can. There were 140 of them when we checked a few minutes ago, so make it snappy! You can also read through Massively's multiple hands-on impression pieces to see if Salem is up your alley. [Thanks to Nick for the tip!]
The Showdown Effect leaps into beta today
Pre-orders for The Showdown Effect will gain instant access to a closed beta test today, publisher Paradox Interactive has announced. Paradox will also be sending out invites to those who've signed up for the beta here.The Showdown Effect is the next game from Magicka developer Arrowhead Game Studios. It's a 2.5D arcade-style competitive multiplayer shooter that draws inspiration from '80s and '90s action flicks.The Showdown Effect launches in March in two different flavors: the standard $10 version and the $20 digital deluxe version. Pre-ordering the standard version includes an exclusive playable character and "Fusion Sabre of Light" weapon on top of the instant beta access; digital deluxe pre-orders get an exclusive character, a pair of costumes and weapons, plus a permanent in-game XP boost, soundtrack download, free copy of Magicka and (phew!) early access to play the final version of The Showdown Effect on March 1.
Dungeonland's grand opening pushed back to January 29
If you've been hanging around the gates of Dungeonland waiting for the park to open today, you should probably just go home and come back in a week – actually, do exactly that. Dungeonland has had its launch postponed exactly one week to Tuesday, January 29."As we continue our quest to ensure game experiences on day one are as pleasant as possible, we're making a few last minute updates before releasing the game to the masses," the blog post over on the official site explains. Dungeonland will be available on Steam and other popular digital distribution platforms for $9.99 on January 29 – actual physical volcano lair and army of henchmen not included.[Thanks, Matthew]
Free for All: The continued confusing misuse of the beta tag
I was thrilled when I read a recent news post about one of my favorite MMOs, Wurm Online, finally releasing to the public. Wait a second, releasing? I've been enjoying the game, spending money on it, and forming a Massively village over the last few years. I also know that the game was running -- and charging -- before that. So how do the developers explain the game's recent switch to "released"? What it means is Wurm will contain the (improved) features that we consider make the game marketable. We will finally have character customization, visible armour, multi-story buildings and nicer looking creatures. This is the kind of statement that leaves players like yours truly a bit baffled. I think that posts and delayed "releases" like this are actually damaging to the game in a subtle way. In fact, this week I decided to look at games like Wurm that coast along under the "beta" banner for a long time, for good and bad.
The Showdown Effect targets March launch, $10 price tag; beta signups tomorrow
During a meeting with Paradox VP of business development Shams Jorjani last week, Joystiq learned that upcoming multiplayer action-shooter The Showdown Effect will cost $10 when it launches on Steam, which Paradox currently has lined up for March 2013. And starting tomorrow, Paradox will hold signups for an open beta for all interested parties.Jorjani sums up The Showdown Effect as "Worms in real-time" with a decidedly '80s and '90s action movie and television influence. "We've turned that into a 2.5D action online brawler – the closest game to date might maybe be Smash Bros. or PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale." He also likened The Showdown Effect to Soldat, a PC multiplayer side-scrolling shooter from back in 2002.%Gallery-173599%
War of the Roses free content update does battle on December 19
Warriors in Paradox Interactive's War of the Roses can expect a free content update on December 19, aptly titled "Winter Has Arrived." After all, that is generally what happens after it's been established that "Winter is coming."Winter Has Arrived brings two new snowy maps based on the battles of Wakefield and Towton, new armor and new weapons. Two additional, new weapons will come at a price on Decemeber 21, based on medieval depictions of the Virgin Mary – the Dagger and Sword of Mary for Christ's Mass. They will be sold at a discount through December 26, when they will transform to full price.
Rise and Shiny: Salem
Before I get to the part where I rant about one of the strangest exchanges I have had with an independent developer -- and I mean that in a fun, gasp-y sort of way -- I will cover the basics to give you an idea of how Salem the MMO works. You know, just in case you have never been privileged enough to witness the glory that is hardcore PvP, full loot, and permadeath. Yes, I'll cover permadeath; don't worry. The game is set in that funny time period when people wore Pilgrim hats, ate turkey, and killed bears. I have to admit that I was never expecting a game set in this time period or one influenced by early America, but I asked Bjorn Johannessen, Creative Director for the game, about the design choice during the livestream that is always embedded in this column. If there is one livestream of mine you need to watch, it's this one, for many reasons. Warning: It might not be safe for work; cursewords appear on the screen. You know, because it's hardcore. %Gallery-171695%
Game of Dwarves trailer delves deep into dwarven society
The latest trailer for Paradox's A Game of Dwarves takes a look at the many classes of dwarves that players will encounter. Like the digger dwarf, known as "Diggy." Strangely, fighter dwarves don't seem to be known as "Fighty" or "Stabby."
War of the Roses' first content update rides for November, adds new weapons and armor
Paradox's new permanent franchise team is getting straight to work. Next month, War of the Roses will get its first content update, adding new weapons, armor and color customization options to the multiplayer-based title.At some point this "winter," Paradox plans on injecting two new game modes across a pair of new snow-covered locales. The first new mode is called 'Pitched Battle' and will go into beta "soon," though Paradox hasn't revealed any exact details on the mode.The two new War of the Roses maps will be modeled after the historic winter battles at Wakefield and Towton. The November update is the first of monthly content releases Paradox has promised for War of the Roses.
Magicka 'Dungeons & Daemons' DLC is familiar
A new batch of DLC has been released for Magicka. Entitled "Dungeons & Daemons," it plops the game's enrobed heroes into a dank (probably smelly) dungeon, where they battle monsters and demons. The DLC seems awfully familiar – let's just say that Magicka's wizards (and designers) have been practicing their blizzard spells.'Dungeons & Daemons' is available now for $4 on Steam.
Rise and Shiny: Mortal Online
There are so many issues and subjects to cover this week, thanks to the limited time I spent in Mortal Online, a free-for-all PvP sandbox by Star Vault. I've played my share of MMOs that are similar to Mortal Online, games like EVE Online, Darkfall, Ultima Online, Wurm Online, Salem, and others. Essentially the idea is to set players loose in a massive, open world that is closer to "realistic" than standard themepark MMOs. Players might spend time farming or fishing or hunting down other players or mobs. It's generally a good idea to prepare yourself for a lot of running around, hiding, and slowly figuring out what to do when playing a FFA PvP sandbox. Games like Mortal Online provoke questions like "Why is nudity an option at all?" and "Why is there stamina (and other realistic features) alongside magic and no permanent death?" I've learned to forget those questions and just take each specific FFA MMO as it is. Mortal Online stands alone in many ways. Unfortunately, being known as a buggy mess is one of those. I've played many buggy MMOs in my time but have enjoyed myself immensely in some of them (remember, I hosted an early Vanguard: Saga of Heroes podcast!), so I wasn't scared of jumping into an MMO that was supposed to be rough to say the least. What did I find? Well, I found a ton -- and I mean a ton -- of bugs. But I also found a pretty cool community (yes, I just said that) and some grand adventure. Let me break it down. %Gallery-167722%
War of the Roses publisher announces permanent franchise team
Paradox Interactive has announced its recently released War of the Roses will receive a permanent franchise team to support the series, led by executive producer Gordon Van Dyke."The game's reception from players has exceeded expectations and we are truly grateful for the continued support from the community," said Van Dyke, who had previously been a producer on the Battlefield series for six year before joining Paradox in May of 2011. "We'll continue to improve the game and add substantial content for all players."We reached out to Paradox CEO Fredrik Wester and asked why he has such faith in this series less than a week after launch. The executive told us, "It's based on the fan feedback and the sales numbers so far. Our goal is to continue improving the game together with the fans."War of the Roses, which launched at a value price of $30, is expected to have monthly content updates. If you know nothing about this game, check out our previously recorded JoyStream.%Gallery-165451%
Ride again in Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord
TaleWorlds Entertainment urges you to suit up and get your ax swinging arm primed because its Mount & Blade series is set to continue in Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord.Though the game takes place in a time where boisterous fanfare would have been the norm for major announcements, publisher Paradox Interactive only quietly confirmed the continuation of the medieval hybrid RPG series with a detail-free teaser. You know, small details like release time frame and platforms (though, PC is a given).In the YouTube description of the teaser, TaleWorlds promises the upcoming action-RPG strategy hybrid "will take players on a journey into a fictional world of up-close and personal medieval combat on a huge scale." The developer doesn't go into details on new features but says additions include those that have been "highly requested."Oh, and there's going to be a lot more blood. Bring a sponge.
JoyStream: War of the Roses with senior producer Gordon Van Dyke [watch the replay!]
War of the Roses, FatShark's multiplayer melee combat game set in the Middle Ages, launches on Steam on October 2. Today, we're sitting down with Paradox Interactive senior producer Gordon Van Dyke to talk about the famous conflict that inspired his new game and his transition from working on big-budget Battlefield games at EA to his first project at Swedish publisher Paradox Interactive.From 10am until 11am PT (1-2pm ET), we'll be streaming some multiplayer matches with the QA team and Gordon Van Dyke. Feel free to lob some questions at us and Gordon by following Joystiq on Twitch, or you can drop your questions right into the comments section of this very post.You can watch the stream on the Joystiq Twitch page, or in an embed after the break. Follow our Twitch page for future streams and giveaways.Update: The stream is over. Watch the replay above.
War of the Roses post-launch plan: monthly content updates
War of the Roses, FatShark's multiplayer melee combat game set in the middle ages, launches on October 2 on Steam and I was able to get some hands-on time with the game alongside senior producer Gordon Van Dyke. We waged war together and even fought each other a few times.But as we fought in a server full of the QA team, I couldn't help but wonder what would happen after launch? Would Fatshark and Paradox continue to support War of the Roses? Van Dyke was all too happy to confirm that work on the game would continue well after launch.%Gallery-165451%
War of the Roses pre-order details sally forth
Pre-orders for Fatshark's bloody medieval brawler, War of the Roses, are now open, publisher Paradox Interactive has announced. There are two special editions up for pre-order, the House of York Deluxe Edition and the House of Lancaster Deluxe Edition. Each comes packing several faction-specific bonuses, including a plate cuirass, royal helm, charge, sword and crest. Both editions also include the soundtrack.The House of York Deluxe Edition is available from a number of download services, including GameStop, Green Man Gaming, GamersGate and more. The House of Lancaster Deluxe Edition, on the other hand, is available only on Steam. A pre-order for either edition will set you back $30. War of the Roses will take to the field of battle on October 2.
Magicka is $2.50 today on Steam
You probably haven't logged as many hours playing Magicka as we have, which makes us wonder what you've been doing all this time. Don't worry, the action-adventure jam with a nearly endless combination of mixable elements from indie dev Arrowhead Game Studios is 75 percent off today on Steam.So, kick off your shoes and check out Magicka for $2.50 today (down from $9.99). Treat yourself. You work too hard not to.%Gallery-115067%
Dungeonland and two sides of a very odd amusement park
The gates open wide, and three cheery adventurers step forward into Dungeonland: a stocky warrior; a thin and nimble rogue; and a big-bellied mage. Dungeonland is the titular amusement park where heroes can mindlessly slaughter hordes of ne'er-do-wells to their heart's content.However, beyond the groups of enemies and bright facade of the park lies a devious mind that controls the waves of brutes impeding the heroes' progress. This is the dungeon master, another player who has the same job as those controlling the adventurers. Kill the other guys!%Gallery-161426%
Impire, a new PC strategy game from Cyanide Studios, coming Q1 2013
Impire, a new strategy game from Cyanide Studios, was announced by Paradox Interactive today at the Paradox On Tour event.Impire stars Bjal-Abaddon, a demon imp who's out to reclaim his once-great status with your help. Bjal-Abaddon can "evolve into a powerful dungeon lord" while you customize his weapons and armor, build a dungeon and kill crusading heroes attempting to take down your army of darkness. Not all of it takes place underground, however, as Impire also lets you send raiding parties to the surface for loot.The campaign is playable both in single-player and co-op, and Impire will also have some multiplayer modes for up to four people (Paradox will share more on those later). Impire is slated to launch on the PC during the first quarter of 2013.%Gallery-161194%
