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PAX plans a return to in-person events in 2021
The first, PAX East, is scheduled to take place in June.
Smite enters beta arena on Xbox One early next year
Hi-Rez Studios plans to kick off its closed beta for Smite on Xbox One in early 2015. The developer revealed plans for its console beta at PAX Australia, as discussed by co-founder and COO Todd Harris in a recap video found after the break. The studio intends on launching the Xbox One beta in the first half of next year. The MOBA first arrived on PC in March, and has since reached over five million registered players. Smite was among a lengthy list of independent games confirmed for Xbox One during Microsoft's Gamescom press event in August. It will be the first console game from the developer, whose other PC efforts include Tribes: Ascend and Global Agenda. [Image: Hi-Rez Studios]
Star Citizen is now a first-person shooter, too
Star Citizen isn't just about spaceships anymore. At PAX Australia, developer Cloud Imperium Games showed off the extremely well-crowdfunded game's first-person shooter module, which lets players fight for glory with handheld armaments (as opposed to galactic vehicle-mounted ones). A gameplay video posted to YouTube by CIG shows a team of four spacefaring badasses securing a space station full of enemies who would like nothing more than to see our intrepid heroes turned into space dust. Things look a bit standard as far as shooters go - albeit with pretty graphics and nice flourishes - but near the end of the video, gravity pulls a disappearing act and the shooting takes to the air. The FPS module isn't ready for widespread battle just yet, but we'll keep you informed of its continuing development. In the meantime, enjoy watching the PAX gameplay demo and check out screens showing off the new mode after the break.
Get your first look at Star Citizen's FPS gameplay
Star Citizen's first-person shooter gameplay has often gone overlooked in its large (and mostly space-bound) features package, but this weekend it's been the star of the show at PAX Australia. In a 10-minute demo, the devteam ran a four-player co-op mission through a dilapidated space station. Eurogamer notes that animations are synced between viewpoints and players, and that players can move their heads independent of their guns. The FPS module is currently scheduled to be released (among other things) in 2015. You can get your first look at this combat in the screenshots and video below.
Take a shot at Battlecry's first three class types
In a world where gunpowder is banned, a massive sword that can transform into a shield isn't so outlandish. This gunless world hosts the team-focused, free-to-play Battlecry, which Bethesda Softworks detailed three class types for during a panel at PAX Australia. The Enforcer wields the aforementioned transforming sword, as well as the beefiest health stats in the game. Each attack blocked by an Enforcer's shield builds adrenaline, which can be used as fuel for stronger attacks. In contrast, the Tech Archer is an at-a-distance character, both due to having the best attack range in the game and a general vulnerability to getting stabbed. Should their spacious personal bubble be invaded, Tech Archers can use a Sonic Shot ability to push opponents away from them.
PAX Australia changing venues in 2014
PAX Australia will move to the larger Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in 2014, and will be held the weekend of October 31 through November 2. The inaugural show sold out during the deep winter month of July at the Melbourne Showgrounds. "Not only have [the Victorian Government] helped us secure a much-needed larger venue for the show, but they've paved the way for talented local creators to be showcased on the global stage. The games community here is incredible, and PAX Australia is here to stay," said Penny Arcade President Robert Khoo. Next up in the PAX circuit party scene is PAX East, which will take place in Boston from April 11-13, 2014. Update: Had 2013 dates for PAX East, fixed.
Ye olde Dragon Age saves to affect Dragon Age: Inquisition
While not going into explicit detail about how the system will function, BioWare producer Cameron Lee did reveal during PAX Australia that saves from previous Dragon Age titles will have an effect on the world of Dragon Age: Inquisition. "It will absolutely come across," Lee said, adding that a player's past decisions "will matter" in the new game, although no further specifics were given about how someone's unique world history will be integrated into Inquisition. Unlike the Mass Effect series and its perpetual Shepard, Dragon Age's installments are not branched by a single hero, but rather by the effect they may (or may not) have on the lore of the world. This initially sounds as though it may be an issue for players who buy the game for Xbox One or PlayStation 4, as they will presumably be unable to import their saves from current-gen systems, but writer Patrick Weekes noted that "you can have an equally rich experience no matter which platform you're playing on."
PAX Australia 2013: Aussies on cosplay, World of Tanks, and more
The PAX Australia 2013 coverage continues as Massively's David "Psykopig" Desi gets down and dirty with the people of PAX. Follow along after the break to catch what some Australians thought of World of Tanks as well as their general impressions of the event as it unfolded! And while we're talking WoT, don't forget to check out our interview with Wargaming CEO Victor Kislyi.
Gearbox remaking Homeworld 1 and 2 for Windows
Gearbox announced plans at PAX Australia to warp drive HD remakes of Homeworld 1 and 2 to Windows this year, following their recent acquisition of the franchise from THQ for $1.35 million. Direct ports of the original games will also be made available on unspecified digital distribution platforms for Windows. Gearbox Software CCO Brian Martel expressed his fondness for the series in April after the purchase, stating his intent to make them "accessible on today's leading digital platforms" in a statement released by Gearbox. Relic Games, creator of the Homeworld franchise, was sold to SEGA during the liquidation of THQ's assets and is currently working on Company of Heroes 2. Part of the Homeworld development team has since left the mother ship to begin work on a more grounded RTS, Hardware: Shipbreakers.
Borderlands 2 DLC and bumped level cap coming this fall
Borderlands 2 will get a new DLC pack this fall, Gearbox announced at PAX Australia. The Ultimate Vault Hunter Upgrade Pack 2 will include the Digistruct Peak Challenge map and 11 levels. It also comes with a bumped level cap of 72, all for about $5. According to OXM, studio head Randy Pitchford said "two or three" additional "Headhunter Packs" for Borderlands 2 are also on the way, starting with T.K. Baha's Bloody Harvest, which sees the return of Borderlands character T.K. Baha, if the title didn't indicate as much. None of said DLC is included in the Season Pass, but is expected to launch by Halloween.
Colossatron: Massive World Threat coming from Halfbrick
Colossatron: Massive World Threat was just announced for iOS at PAX Australia by Halfbrick, creators of Fruit Ninja, Jetpack Joyride and various other insanely successful and addictive mobile games. As the name might (?) suggest, Colossatron is a giant robot snake thing seemingly bent on global destruction. TouchArcade has the description of the game: The player, rather than trying to stop Colossatron, is tasked with keeping the behemoth fully armed and operational by attaching colored segments to its body as they fly in from off screen. Each segment's color and relative position to other segments dictates the effect that it'll have on the creature as a whole. Segments can also combine into more powerful segments based on color and proximity. We're keeping a cold, metallic tympanic membrane to the ground for more information about the game's release window and pricing structure. Update: Halfbrick has sent us the game's official announcement press release, which has been tucked away behind the break. It teases that players will be able to "combine their destructive powers, with additional competitive and cooperative social features revealed soon," so we'll see what that's all about when further details are divulged "in the coming weeks."
PAX Australia confirmed for Melbourne in 2013, 2014
PAX Australia will take place at the Melbourne Showgrounds from July 19-21, 2013. The western expansion of the show – or is it eastern? – will also be held in Melbourne the following year, but there are no specific dates for that at this time.Tickets are already available for the show over at the PAX Australia site.The announcement of PAX Australia came as a surprise this past PAX Prime, when Penny Arcade founders Mike "Gabe" Krahulik and Jerry "Tycho" Holkins announced the location of the first international PAX.The next PAX will be Boston's PAX East, next March. Three-day passes sold out in under two days, but individual day passes are still available.
PAX coming to Australia, PAX Prime extended to 4 days next year
During the Q&A session today, Penny Arcade proprietors Mike "Gabe" Krahulik and Jerry "Tycho" Holkins confirmed that PAX is indeed coming to Australia. On top of that, the duo announced that PAX Prime would last an extra day next year.And for all of you hopeful for a UK stop on the PAX tour, it's something Penny Arcade is thinking about. "We want to go there," Krahulik responded when grilled by someone from the UK. Regardless, the duo doesn't have anything specific to announce right now.
