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Magic 2015 deals in Xbox One, out in the summer
This summer, Magic 2015: Duels of the Planeswalkers brings the collectible card game series to Xbox One for the first time, but it looks like the game isn't coming to PlayStation platforms in the near future. Wizards of the Coast announced Magic 2015 for Xbox One, Xbox 360, Steam, iPad, Android and Kindle, with PS3 and PS4 conspicuously absent from the deck; previously editions have traditionally come to PS3 at launch. As for the summer due date, that's only specified for Xbox One, and Wizards of the Coast notes its releases may vary from platform to platform. Talking of decks, you'll be able to build customized ones in Magic 2015, and Wizards of the Coast promises "more robust" deck-building features to boot. Meanwhile, the story pits players as the prey of primal hunter and generally deadly dude Garruk Wildspeaker. Of course, we might be seeing Magic: The Gathering on bigger screens in the future, after 20th Century Fox's purchase of the series' screen rights earlier this year. We look forward to the inevitable video game based on the collectible card game based on the movie based on the collectible card game. [Image: Wizards of the Coast]
Carmageddon: Reincarnation plows into Steam Early Access
Just when you thought it was safe to use a crosswalk, Carmageddon: Reincarnation appears on Steam Early Access to crush your pedestrian dreams like so many actual pedestrians. A latter-day sequel to the controversial, 1997 PC hit, Carmageddon: Reincarnation once again sees players engaged in rolling combat with other, likewise heavily-armed vehicles while also running down hapless civilians for kicks. The Early Access release is a pre-alpha build of the game, but it boasts three stages, six vehicles and a "plethora of mad power-ups" to aid players in their bloody quest. Developer Stainless Games hopes to expand Carmageddon: Reincarnation with periodic updates that will add new vehicles, maps, and gameplay modes. The price tag attached to the Early Access release of Carmageddon: Reincarnation reads $30, but as with all Early Access games, those who purchase the gory racer will gain access to the final version of the game once it debuts at no additional charge. [Image: Stainless Games]
Carmageddon shifts to Steam Early Access on March 27
Carmageddon: Reincarnation will arrive on Steam's Early Access service on March 27, Stainless Games announced. The UK developer also offered a pre-alpha trailer for the vehicular destruction game, which focuses on damage tech for the reboot. Carmageddon: Reincarnation is the result of a successful Kickstarter project in June 2012 during which the indie developer earned $625,143. The developer earned a total of $3.5 million in funding for the game as of March 2013 thanks to the investment of Bullfrog co-founder Les Edgar, bringing the game to Xbox One and PS4 in addition to PC, Mac and Linux. Since the developer first unveiled its plans for an alpha-level launch on Steam in September, it stressed that all of its Kickstarter and PayPal backers who pledged at least $15 for a copy of the game will also get every piece of Stainless Games' DLC "for the rest of time." [Image: Stainless Games]
Carmageddon: Reincarnation to run over Steam Early Access in Q1 2014 [Update]
Carmageddon: Reincarnation rides onto Steam Early Access in Q1 2014, the full game hitting PC and "next-gen consoles" later in the year. The Kickstarted-revived driver will also come to Mac and Linux, although Stainless Games isn't slamming those versions with a release date just yet. Stainless didn't reveal exactly how much will be included in the Early Access version, but did note content will be added to it across several months. After successfully funding Reincarnation last year, Stainless Games received a further $3.5 million in investment to bring the game to next-gen platforms, understood to be both Xbox One and PS4. Update: Stainless Games has since clarified that all Kickstarter and PayPal backers that pledged at least $15 for a copy of Carmageddon: Reincarnation will receive the final version of the game along will every piece of subsequent DLC "for the rest of time."
Magic 2014 review: Master magician
The single biggest request since the Duels of the Planeswalkers series began three games ago has been for fully customizable decks. Before now, players couldn't tweak their land count, but the feature has finally been introduced to the series by way of Magic 2014: Duels of the Planeswalkers. This feature alone makes Magic 2014 superior to its predecessors, but Stainless Games went further by overhauling the series' campaign mode and adding a new Sealed Deck variant into the mix. Stainless also completely redesigned the HUD elements that appear while in battle, making turn orders and actions much easier to understand at a glance. Magic 2014 is a careful dissection of the three games preceding it, addressing nearly every issue that has surfaced since the series began.%Gallery-187688%
Magic 2014 summons 'Sealed Campaign' walkthrough video
Sean Gibbons, Community Coordinator at Wizards of the Coast, walks us through one of the big additions in Magic 2014: Duels of the Planeswalkers: the Sealed Campaign. Essentially, players open a set number of sealed booster packs and build a deck from those cards, limiting the pool of available cards and adding an element of randomness to duels – a popular play type in the physical format. So with six 14-card booster packs, players construct a custom 40-card deck. During the campaign, three additional booster packs will be unlocked. This custom deck, which you can name, is also available in online play. Past the break, we've embedded a general overview video of Magic 2014, also narrated by Gibbons.
Magic 2014 launches June 26, according to Steam [Update: Trailer]
Magic 2014: Duels of the Planeswalkers, the next installment in the Magic: The Gathering – Duels of the Planeswalkers series, is set to launch on Steam June 26, according to the game's product page. Magic 2014 is priced at $10, which falls in line with every other entry in the series. A special edition, which includes the game, soundtrack, five desktop wallpapers, a "Return to Ravnica" eBook and ten foil conversions, is also listed on the Steam page. Magic 2014: Duels of the Planeswalkers will launch on PC, Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, iOS and Android this summer – this marks the first time the series will be available on Android. [Thanks, Mitch]
Magic 2014 coming soon with new campaign and cards, sealed deck play
For a long time, Wizards of the Coast would not release anything official on iOS, even though the biggest collectible card game -- Magic: The Gathering -- seemed perfect for Apple's touchscreen platforms. Then, last year, we finally got Magic 2013 on the iPad, and now Wizards of the Coast is preparing Magic 2014. When the update is released in about a month, it will offer lots of new features and content to the iPad and Android devices. That second platform may not matter much to us here at TUAW, but it's a sign that Wizards is continuing to rethink its mobile strategy. The company kindly showed us the latest version of Magic: The Gathering running on the iPad this week, and it's very impressive. It runs faster than ever, and while the campaign is similar (you undertake a series of single-player challenges, or can take on other players in multiplayer), Magic 2014 has a definite emphasis on story that the current version doesn't have. Magic 2014 was designed to attract new players, so the various missions serve as a tour of the game's lore and background, with each section culminating in a battle against a "Planeswalker," one of Magic's big heroes. In addition to the new campaign structure, there's also new content, including lots of new cards from the past year of Magic. There are even some new cards from the Magic 2014 Core Deck, which isn't set to release until after the iOS app has arrived. That means that playing with this game will be the first time some Magic players can officially sit down and play with the new cards. There will also be more of a newer card type called slivers, so even if you've played Magic 2013 completely, the new version should offer up some more twists and turns. One of the biggest problems fans have had with these Magic: The Gathering video games is that in the single-player campaign, you don't get to build your own decks. Rather, you get to unlock cards for a certain deck. While there is some choice in which cards you use, all of the cards are basically tied to specific decks, so building a custom deck is out. Wizards is aware of this concern, and has an answer in Magic 2014. Sort of. The game will introduce a new mode called Sealed Deck play, where players will get six booster packs, featuring random cards from a larger pool, and will then be allowed to build their own deck from those opened cards. It's not complete freedom, because you only get a certain number of booster packs to choose from, and you'll need to make decks from those. But it does allow for a very structured bit of deck-building, and Magic 2014 contains a whole campaign and a PvP option centered just around using these sealed decks. On the game's initial purchase, you can create two total decks in this way, and then you can buy more slots for these built decks via in-app purchase. If you want to play with a sealed deck, but don't know how to build a Magic deck, the game offers an "autobuild" option. There are plenty of tutorials and difficulty options, so no matter what your level of Magic experience, 2014 has plenty to offer. The biggest drawback might be that while there are lots of new options and content, the game itself hasn't changed. Stainless Games is the company that makes both the console and the iOS versions, and as a result, both versions use the same pacing, same graphics and same gameplay. There's no iOS-specific touchscreen moves or fun tablet-specific tricks or graphics. But that's fine. The point of this is to play Magic, and Wizards and Stainless both deserve a lot of credit for producing such a well-made game. Magic 2014 should be available on the iPad in the next few months or so. We'll keep an eye out for it, and let you know when it's finally arrived.
Carmageddon rams Android May 10, free for first day
Stainless Games's enhanced re-release of Carmageddon swerves onto Android on May 10. That's a little later than originally planned, but when a classic game's going for free, we're not bothered. As promised in the Kickstarter campaign for Carmageddon: Reincarnation, Stainless isn't charging a cent during the racer's first 24 hours on Google Play. The enhanced version of the 1997 mayhem maker sports slightly enhanced graphics, and touch pads that can be placed where you want on-screen.
Magic 2014: Duels of the Planeswalkers summoned this summer
Wizards of the Coast has announced that Magic 2014: Duels of the Planeswalkers is coming to PC, Xbox Live Arcade, the PlayStation Network, iOS, and (for the first time) Android devices this year. The new game will contain all of the cards from the Magic 2014 Core Set, as well as a new storyline teaming the player up with Planeswalker Chandra Nalaar.Neither the press release or the short teaser trailer for the game (seen below and above) mentions developer Stainless Games, but Wizards of the Coast has confirmed to Joystiq that the same team that made Duels of the Planeswalkers versions is indeed on the job again. Wizards has a demo planned at PAX East this weekend. and Magic 2014: Duels of the Planeswalkers will see release later on this summer.%Gallery-183463%
Carmageddon: Reincarnation racing onto next-gen via $3.5M investment
Stainless Games announced a final "funding round" has brought the total investment for Carmageddon: Reincarnation up to $3.5 million, allowing the studio to bring it to next-gen platforms in addition to PC. After the successful Kickstarter campaign for Reincarnation raised just over $625,000 last summer, which contributed to the PC version, the UK developer says the additional funding comes courtesy of Bullfrog co-founder Les Edgar, who's a shareholder in Stainless Games."We are delighted to have fully funded Carmageddon: Reincarnation without having to go outside of the collective of our own company, shareholders and fans." said Stainless CEO Patrick Buckland. "It allows us to maintain a true independence and creative control whilst not having to compromise quality or content by budgetary constraints."Buckland added, "For an independent, privately owned company to achieve this is a testament to our strength and to the loyalty of our fans."Stainless was named as a PS4 developer earlier this year, which along with today's news all but confirms Carmageddon: Reincarnation for release on the upcoming console.The Kickstarter funding also allowed Stainless to bring the original Carmageddon to iOS and Android, which as promised in the campaign was made free on its first day of release.
Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013 gets two new decks on Nov. 7
The second booster pack is set to grace Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013 on Wednesday, November 7. Major Nelson has priced the DLC pack – which follows September's five new decks – at 240 MS Points ($3).Top Tier Tactics got the exclusive on two of the upcoming decks in this planned five-deck pack. The first is a white-and-red "Act of War" deck that is a modified version of "March to War" that was introduced in the first DLC pack for Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012. The other deck is a hybrid green-and-blue deck called "Sky and Scale."We followed up with a Wizards of the Coast rep who confirmed all of the details. The DLC will extend to these two decks alone for 240 MS Points ($3).
Carmageddon for iOS out now, free for a day
Carmageddon is an old PC title from the company now called Stainless Games, and earlier this year, they held a Kickstarter to update the game and release it out on iOS. The Kickstarter got funded, and Stainless has now delivered on its promise, and released the title on Apple's App Store. The new version works pretty much the same way the old version worked: It's a racing game where your goal is often to simply cause as much carnage as possible, hitting opponent cars and drilling pedestrians for more points and time on the clock. The graphics haven't been completely updated (the cars are basically still just standard polygons), but the UI is cleaner, a physics engine has been added in with power-ups and other goodies, and there is a really robust replay system, which lets players save their best shots and stunts on video, and edit and upload those to YouTube and other video sharing services. And here's the best part: As a reward to the game's Kickstarter backers, Carmageddon is completely free to download today. Definitely go pick it up right now, whether you're interested or not, because there's no reason not to. After today, it'll go back up to the standard price of US$1.99 -- still cheap, but not quite as cheap as free. It's good to see a promised Kickstarter project come all the way out to fruition, and good on Stainless for keeping all of their promises. No doubt we'll see them back on Kickstarter with another project soon.
Carmageddon 'should' hit iOS next week, Android late 2012/early 2013
The iOS version of the infamously violent Carmageddon should be available for download next week, Stainless Games tells us. Founders Patrick Buckland and Neil 'Nobby' Barnden say they've submitted the racer to the App Store, and pending Apple's approval it arrives sometime next week. The Android version, however, remains in development and won't hit until around late 2012/early 2013.While the port remains faithful, it's also tweaked for iOS beyond a slight visual uplift. The controls are very flexible, with touch pads for pedals and steering able to placed anywhere across the screen, and tilt controls are supported as well. There's also the integrated ability to share videos of your greatest maims on YouTube and Facebook. Stainless tells us it's tried to make the 1997 game more accessible for a modern audience, including making specific tweaks to the opening levels to help new players through a little easier. There is, though, a range of difficulties to keep those hailing from the old school in their driving seats. Multiplayer is sadly absent, but Stainless promises it's a big part of the upcoming Carmageddon: Reincarnation.We asked Patrick and Neil if they were tempted to tweak the iOS version to bring it up to an 18 rating (it's been rated as a PEGI 12). The pair laughed that they weren't with "this game," implying they may well be with the upcoming Reincarnation. As Stainless promised in the Reincarnation Kickstarter, the game will be free for the first 24 hours of its release, costing $1.99 after that.
Carmageddon Max Pack smashes into GOG
Carmageddon Max Pack has recklessly careened into GOG.com, and is now available for download. If you happened to support the Carmageddon Reincarnation Kickstarter campaign, Stainless will distribute your code for this classic car combat game. If you didn't, you can just buy it for $9.99.GOG promoted it in an unusual way (which, for GOG, is not itself unusual), with team members decrying its "pointless violence" in the trailer above. "It's not even a racing game!" Now there's a glowing endorsement.
Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013 summons first DLC decks
The first supplementary decks have been added to Magic: The Gathering – Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013, with five new packs in total. This first expansion is available for 400 MS Points ($5) on Xbox 360, and $4.99 on PS3 and iOS.In addition to the new decks, this expansion adds 10 new campaign levels, five new puzzle challenges, five foil conversions and five deck key add-ons for the expansion decks. There are also some more specific tweaks to individual cards that address certain balance issues, like Serra Ascendant – the card essentially broke Two-Headed Giant games and has had its lifelink ability removed in the mode.
Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013 gives returning players free deck key
As a bonus to returning Magic: The Gathering players, a free deck key will be granted in Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013. I discovered this when first booting up my review copy from Microsoft, discovering a message of thanks for my continuing patronage.You can use the key to unlock a full deck right away, including all of its 30 unlockable cards, or you can turn all of your cards in one particular deck into foils.
Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013 adds manual mana tapping
One of the big improvements in Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013 is manual mana tapping, which lets players pick which exact lands they want to tap to play any given card. In previous games, this was something the game automatically decided, much to the dismay of advanced players the world over.
Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013 launches on June 20
Time to break out your good staff of summoning because Wizards of the Coast will launch the next installment in its Duels of the Planeswalkers series later this month. Magic: The Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013 will launch worldwide on June 20 for Xbox Live Arcade, PSN, Steam on PC – and, for the first time, iPad.As for pricing, it's not necessarily a given that Duels 2013 will be a $10 title – Wizards reps would not confirm pricing.%Gallery-157177%
Carmageddon cruising to iOS, Android this summer
The original Carmageddon will be coming to iOS and Android devices this summer, as announced on the Kickstarter page for the Carmageddon: Reincarnation project. The mobile-optimized version of the game will feature Game Center integration on iPhone and iPad as well as the ability to upload movies from the game to YouTube.Carmageddon will be free for iOS users for the first 24 hours of the game's release on the App Store as a "thank you" to fans that donated to Stainless Games' Kickstarter project, and will sell afterwards for an undetermined price. Funding for the project reached $500k Saturday, and will close this Wednesday.
