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Warner Bros. Humble Bundle on the way [update: confirmed, live]
Update: Humble Bundle confirmed it's launching a WB Games bundle that's expected later today, featuring six games: F.E.A.R 2: Project Origin, F.E.A.R. 3, Lord of the Rings: War in the North, Scribblenauts Unlimited, and the Game of the Year Editions of Batman: Arkham Asylum and Arkham City. Each game purchase is redeemable through Steam, but you'll have to pay over the average to unlock Scribblenauts Unlimited and Arkham City. Update 2: The WB Games collection is live and kicking on Humble Bundle. It'll run for two weeks, ending on November 19. Original Story: Warner Bros will become the latest big-name company to take center stage in a Humble Bundle, going by an apparently premature update (deleted but screen-capped above) on the Scribblenauts Facebook page. The series' official account listed Scribblenauts Unlimited as one of six games included in a bundle raising money for DC Entertainment's We Can Be Heroes charity campaign, but said bundle isn't live (yet). We've reached out to Warner Bros. for comment. If accurate, Warner Bros. would follow EA, Double Fine, and THQ as one of the rather more recognizable names to get in on the Humble Bundle act. The site partially raises money for charity by featuring downloadable collections of games at pay-what-you-want prices, such as the weekly sale on games by Worms dev Team 17 that it's currently hosting.
Infinite Crisis shows off Harley Quinn
Harley Quinn has gone from being a simple sidekick for the Joker to being a respected villain in her own right, albeit one that's generally seen as something of an airhead. It's easy to forget that she was a psychiatrist assigned to take care of the Joker in the first place. So it kind of makes sense that she'd be more than just another pretty smash-happy character in Infinite Crisis, instead taking a more subtle role as a healer and support. Harley's passive ability buffs movement and attack speed for all nearby allies, while her activated abilities consist of a direct heal, a ranged attack, a knockback, and a knockup. The net result is that Harley works as support for teammates, knocking away certain enemies while keeping her immediate team healed and buffed. Check out the video preview past the break for more details on how to make the most of Harley's specific arsenal.
Infinite Crisis trailer introduces Atomic Green Lantern
Sometimes, being a hero is more than a difficult job, it's a downright painful experience. Such is the case for the newest champion to join the Infinite Crisis line-up: Atomic Green Lantern. Hailing from a destroyed civilization, this Hal Jordan's ring has been powered-up with a radioactive isotope after being mysteriously deactivated (and the subsequent loss of his right arm). Unfortunately, that new power source comes with a cost -- a shorter, more painful life. In game, Atomic Green Lantern is a melee bruiser with skills that inflict that deadly radiation on others, such as Scorched Earth and Meltdown. Catch some tips and hints for using these skills and more in the Atomic Green Lantern spotlight video after the break. [Source: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment press release]
Infinite Crisis takes a deep look at blowing up cars
Superheroes don't fight clean. When a battle happens, you don't expect just a couple of guys punching each other, you expect people being thrown through buildings and cars being flung around like nothing. You expect destruction across the whole landscape, in other words. The developers working on Infinite Crisis understand that and know full well that part of the superhero equation is making sure that you get to have a major impact on the environment, and that's the subject of the newest behind-the-scenes video for the game. Both the destructible environments and the catastrophic event system seen in the game are meant to help players feel the impact of actions and of changing strategies. The battlefield isn't the same at the end as it is when you start. Walls get smashed, meteors fall and block off passages, and players adapt to new options and new circumstances. Take a closer look at what these systems mean in the video embedded just past the break. [Source: Turbine Entertainment press release]
Infinite Crisis amplifier set preview lands with October update
October's Infinite Crisis update brings a small preview of big changes. Turbine is adding an "early version" of the game's augmentation system, an addition that should help players to learn the basics of character enhancement before the full system goes live. Augmentation is accomplished via amplifier sets, which are collections of items designed to enhance champions in a variety of ways depending on role and play style. Each amplifier set is composed of four augments and three mods. Augments enhance stats, while mods enhance artifacts. Every amplifier item will be associated with a brand; each brand benefits specific champion roles. While the complete amplifier system will allow players to build their own sets from scratch, the sets introduced this month are package deals. Turbine has plans to release hundreds of augments and mods as Infinite Crisis grows. Check out the video after the jump for a quick look at amplifiers, or hit up the official post for a detailed breakdown.
Infinite Crisis spotlights Catwoman in newest champion profile
"Former pickpocket turned master thief, Catwoman gave up a career of crime to exact ferocious justice." That's how the newest champion spotlight video for Infinite Crisis starts out, highlighting the backstory of Catwoman. The agile medium-ranged damage dealer uses her whip and cat-like reflexes to win against her opponents. Turbine's super-hero MOBA is still in the beta stages, but you can sign up for free at the game's main website. Be sure to check out the video after the cut for more details on Catwoman and Infinite Crisis. [Thanks to Johnny for the tip!]
Infinite Crisis introduces Arcane Green Lantern in new video
One thing you can count on with Infinite Crisis is the addition of new champions from alternate dimensions of the DC Multiverse. But the surprise always comes in exactly what hero is added to the ranks. Today, Turbine introduced the newest iteration of an energy-manipulating favorite: Arcane Green Lantern. Arcane Green Lantern combines support and enforcer, offering shields, crowd-control, and boosts to teammates. Active skills include the AoE Emerald Lantern, Construct Champion Shackles, and Deny the Black; the champion's passive is Emerald Light. For more details on these skills, along with some tips and tricks on how to best play this hero, watch the video just after the cut. You can also get a gander at the mug of Arcane Green Lantern in a close up shot. [Source: Turbine Press release]
Get a behind-the-scenes peek at Infinite Crisis in new video
Sometimes when you look at an aspect of a game, you think, "Wow, where did the devs get that idea?" Other times you wonder "What were they thinking?" In both cases, a nice behind-the-scenes look at things can at times help answer those questions. And Turbine Entertainment has released one such video for Infinite Crisis wherein the development team talks about how the DC Multiverse is integrated in the game design, from various champions to the items available in the artifact foundry. For your own peek behind the dev curtain, check out the video after the break. And if you want to join the closed beta, head on over to the official site to sign up. [Source: Turbine Entertainment press release]
PAX Prime 2013: A doomsday strike to the heart of Infinite Crisis
I think I'd be a lousy MOBA level designer. I'd always wondered why PvP and MOBA maps came few and far between; after all, how hard is it to whip up a quick level? I realized my ignorance after listening to Turbine Creative Director Cardell Kerr talk about the immense amount of thought and planning that goes into a single map. Kerr and his team were showing off Infinite Crisis, the upcoming DC superhero MOBA, at PAX Prime this weekend, with constant matches taking place between superhero-wannabes. As with most everything at PAX, it's a mix of promotion, information, and entertainment, although I got the feeling that the team also had something to prove. After all, everyone seems to be making MOBAs these days to catch some of that League of Legends/Dota 2 money, and because such, it's triply important that an upstart have a way of distinguishing itself from the pack. Merely having Wonder Woman and Batman show up won't be enough these days (although it certainly doesn't hurt). So what is Infinite Crisis angling to do that will make this the MOBA you'll click on more than the others? It comes down to options: options how to play your game, options how to exploit advantages on a map, and options when it comes to game modes.
Hands-on with Infinite Crisis' new Coast City Marina map
Superheroes always seem to find a reason to start throwing punches. In fact, their instinctual need for violence is a perfect fit for the MOBA genre. Endless arena battles with little or no consequences make for a description divined for tight-loving super beings. Infinite Crisis, the new DC Comics-based MOBA from Turbine and Warner Bros. Entertainment, is introducing its closed beta to a new map: Coast City Marina. The map is a mixture of massive-urban jungles, capture points, and even a giant-AoE doomsday device. It's as though every type of MOBA gametype were mashed into one large, everything-on-it burger. And then Batman beat you up with it.
Infinite Crisis video introduces Atomic Wonder Woman
Who needs a lasso when you can wield a chainsaw? Not Atomic Wonder Woman! Meet this new champion and her chainsaw in Infinite Crisis' latest video. After the world is devastated by the nuclear firestorm of World War III, Wonder Woman's mission changes from peace to restoration, and she uses her new weapon of choice to fight for that end. A melee assassin, Atomic Wonder Woman has low survivability and huge burst damage. Her skills include Vault, Smite, and Savage Sweep, and her ultimate is Reclaimer. All of these skills are boosted by her passive, Rev, which builds up and offers a little something extra to each. If you are heading to Gamescom 2013, you can play as Atomic Wonder Woman (complete with Rosie the Riveter scarf) at the Infinite Crisis booth in the Electronic Sports League hall CM Storm Arena. Otherwise you'll have to wait until she's released to closed beta on August 21st. In the meantime, catch all her moves -- along with a plenty of tips and tricks -- in the video after the cut. [Source: Turbine Entertainment press release]
Infinite Crisis shows off what's going on behind the scenes
On one level, Infinite Crisis feels like an obvious premise. Take a setting that already gives players plenty of reasons to beat one another up as iconic heroes and villains, give those players plenty of iconic heroes and villains, enjoy the show. But according to the new behind-the-scenes video, the game took a fair bit more effort than that. It's partly a result of game technology finally matching up with what players need and want in this sort of game. The video features commentary by both DC Comics creators and Turbine Entertainment staff members. One of the big elements of the game is that environments are not static things, that they can be interacted with and damaged during play, and that helps contribute to the feel of a game of superheroes rather than just another MOBA. If you want a closer look, check out the full video embedded just past the break. [Source: Turbine Entertainment press release]
Infinite Crisis announces the new Founders program
Some people aren't necessarily instantly on board with the idea of a MOBA featuring DC Comics characters. But if Infinite Crisis had you hooked right from the premise, you can go ahead and put your money where your mouth is as of today. The game has just launched its Founders program, a chance for future players to buy now and enjoy the benefits later... like many other free-to-play titles have done recently. Three packages are available for purchase now, with all three unlocking immediate beta access, early access to Coast City, and an exclusive icon for use in-game and on the forums. The $20 package also includes 800 Crisis Coins (in-game microtransaction money) and 3 Champion unlocks. $50 gets you 3200 Crisis Coins, 6 unlocks, and an exclusive Gaslight Batman costume. And $100 gets you 8600 Crisis Coins, 12 unlocks, an exclusive costume for both Gaslight Batman and regular Batman, and early access to the next map addition. To help up the hype, the game has also released a trailer detailing the Coast City map, which is embedded just past the break.
Infinite Crisis video showcases Batman
The newest video offering from Turbine's Infinite Crisis shows off the Dark Knight himself as we see footage of Batman's special skills. Watching, Waiting is a skill that grants a bonus to attack and power armor. Entering stealth doubles that bonus while also healing the Caped Crusader over time. Battarang is a skill that throws a single blade at an enemy, dealing damage and marking the target for a short time. Martial Arts allows Batman to leap to his target, dealing attack damage and activating the stun of Battarang. To see these skills -- as well as Batman's ultimate skill and some helpful tips for playing Batman effectively -- check out the full video just after the cut. And if you'd like to get your hands on Infinite Crisis yourself, the beta sign-ups are still open. [Source: Turbine press release]
E3 2013: Infinite Crisis super-punches MOBA flaws
Are you Marvel or DC? Turbine's hoping that you are partial to the latter, especially considering that the studio wants to rope you in with its DC superhero-themed game, Infinite Crisis. Over a hearty lunch of Kryptonite stew and Flash fries at E3, Massively's Jasmine Hruschak spoke with Creative Director Cardell Kerr, Director of Digital Communications Adam Mersky, and Executive Producer Jeffrey Steefel about the title's development and the IP's fit as a MOBA. Infinite Crisis draws upon DC's entire multiverse for its inspiration. For non-comic book geeks, the multiverse consists of several often-interacting universes that feature different versions of the same places, superheroes, and events. Ergo, the Batman you know from our world also might have a steampunk alter-ego in the multiverse, or the virtuous Green Lantern of earth might have a post-apocalyptic counterpart as the Atomic Green Lantern. Infinite Crisis takes these heroes from all over the multiverse and tosses them together to see what happens. Hint: It ain't puppy dogs and sunshine parades.
Infinite Crisis shows off the Coast City map
Turbine has released a brand new trailer for its closed beta MOBA, Infinite Crisis. This trailer shows off the game's Coast City map, featuring a two-lane-style layout with a top and bottom lane crammed with turrets and an important middle area known as The Wastes. The map also features control points known as Power Relays that enable a team to gain the patrol view advantage of The Wastes. You can see the entire Coast City trailer just after the jump.
A Mild-Mannered Reporter: Rounding up May's superhero news
Today marks the start of a new format for A Mild-Mannered Reporter, but it's a natural segue because this is what I'd be doing anyway. Yes, it's time for a roundup of news, and over the past month, most of the news has been about two superheroic games hitting the "action" button until it falls off. It's all about Marvel Heroes and Infinite Crisis, in other words. Not that these are the only two games that have been doing things, mind you. Both Champions Online and DC Universe Online have brought out some new content, although the volume differs. But the biggest waves are being made by games emphasizing the punching of villains with extreme prejudice. Or the punching of heroes; it's a fine line. The point is that there is no finer time to round up superhero news, especially with the return of ComicsAlliance. So let's move on to the roundup, taking it point by point.
The Road to Mordor: Could Lord of the Rings Online end in 2014?
Almost two years ago, Star Wars Galaxies players were rocked to their core by the news that their virtual world was to be sunsetted at the end of the year. Despite obvious SOE love for the title and player petitions, the call was already made: LucasArts didn't want to renew the contract with SOE, and that was that. Because of an IP, an entire galaxy was lost. It's one of the "cons" of IP-based MMOs. Because there is licensing and contracts and other legal mumbo-jumbo involved, an online game that is completely wedded to an intellectual property has the added danger of being shut down completely if the IP is denied to the studio. SWG is a sobering lesson as to how this can happen to an otherwise healthy game. If you haven't noticed already, Lord of the Rings Online is somewhat inspired by a certain IP. This IP can survive without the game, but the opposite is not true. So the scary question that we'd rather not ask is this: What if Turbine loses the rights have its game set in the Lord of the Rings universe? It's not an unreasonable question. And what makes it even scarier is that it could conceivably happen as early as next year.
Jukebox Heroes: The Matrix Online's soundtrack
It's been almost three-and-a-half years since players were forced to unplug from The Matrix Online for the last time, but the memories and music remain. When I first was wowed by The Matrix back in 1999, the dark, action-packed score became an instant favorite of mine. It's a franchise in which the sound is critical to the feel of the films, and it makes sense that this would extend to the MMO. The makers of MxO went to great lengths to retain the look, story, and audio of the films, which is why the trilogy's composer, Don Davis, was called in to create the music for the game. While the films are more dependent on an orchestra for the score, Davis went with a heavy synth sound for the MMO. It's still quite Matrix-y, however, and pretty dang cool to discover (or discover all over again). Let's boot up this ancient laptop that I found and see if we can coax a few tunes out of it before Windows 98 shuts down on us for good.
Warner quietly extends the expiration dates of digital copies, discs remain ornamental
Missed out on claiming digital copies of video included with your discs because the expiration dates have passed? Well, Warner Bros. wants to make such frustrations a mere memory, as Tech of the Hub has found it's silently updated the use-by dates of a significant portion of its catalogue. By browsing the WB digital copy support page, it's evident most titles are now available until May 17th 2017, although we did find several exceptions. Some may discover that despite the extension their original codes won't work, but Gabe at Tech of the Hub was swiftly provided with fresh and functional ones when he notified WB, so we assume you'll get the same treatment. With streaming support now available for many of these digital copies through iCloud and expiration dates a thing of the far future, there's never been a better time to pack those shelves with limited editions and classic re-releases.
