2012
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XCOM delayed beyond Q1 2012
A tired but resourceful former cop delays an alien invasion. It sounds like the eventual outcome of the never-ending Die Hard franchise, but for now it's the picture of Take-Two's first quarter of 2012. We didn't think there'd be room for Max Payne 3 and 2K Marin's overhauled XCOM in the same month, and now the latter project has been bumped into the publisher's fiscal year 2013. Originally scheduled to launch on March 6, 2012, the promising tactical shooter is expected sometime between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013. XCOM's public invasion has moved ahead in jolts since it was first announced, but has grown quiet in recent months following rumors of layoffs at 2K's Australian studio. At least it's a chance for humans and aliens to agree on something: these things are never easy to plan.
Delight in XBLA's 'Happy Wars'
Originally shown only in Microsoft's booth at TGS, the trailer for Toylogic's Happy Wars is now available for all to see. And now that we can actually look at it, it looks really fun! Players choose their chibi, cartoony character class (warrior, mage, or cleric), and then take part in 15-on-15 battles which mostly seem to involve crowds of players hacking away at one another while other players shoot at them with cannons. There also appear to be tower defense elements, but those seem to be less important than the fightin'. At the official website, you can see new, cute footage of each class' special attacks. Happy Wars will break out on XBLA next year.%Gallery-138647%
Fatshark announces Krater, a post-apocalyptic RPG coming to PC in 2012
Believe it or not, Fatshark has had the same game on its mind for ten years. It's called Krater, a top-down RPG focusing on crafting, exploration and consequence. "Consequence brings not only the ability for the characters to level up and improve themselves, but also permanent injuries and death," the press release reads. Fatshark gave IGN additional details, including the post-war-torn and bio-weapons-ravaged Sweden the game takes place in. A weapon leaves a gigantic crater in the earth, revealing fresh drinking water and an oasis in an otherwise barren land. Players should expect both single-player and multiplayer missions, and a 2012 launch on the PC via Steam. %Gallery-138382%
Frozen Synapse coming to iPad in 2012, Mode 7 hopes
Frozen Synapse, the game of intense, turn-based tactical planning and sudden simultaneous execution, is coming to the iPad. Posting on developer Mode 7's blog, managing director Paul Taylor reveals that the tablet version has been "in the works for a while," having already appeared in playable form at a pub meetup. Taylor says we can expect it sometime within the first half of next year, if all goes to plan. Also part of the plan: cross-platform play between the iPad and other versions of Frozen Synapse. Taylor adds that the focus on the capable iPad port won't detract from existing platforms -- "we're actually working right now to hire another team member so we can give it more attention and update it more efficiently." At the moment, Mode 7 consists of three core developers and a "group of trusted freelancers." Frozen Synapse has gained a lot of indie buzz in recent months, especially after becoming the star attraction in a recent Humble Indie Bundle.
Netflix to expand to UK, Ireland in 'early 2012,' looks to challenge Lovefilm
Well it looks like Netflix's rumored UK launch was a lot more than just a rumor. Today, the company announced that it will indeed expand to the UK and Ireland "in early 2012," promising to offer unlimited streaming on PCs, tablets and mobile devices at a "low monthly subscription price." The company didn't say what that price would be, nor did it offer any details on available content or supported devices, though more details will be announced closer to its launch. We're also expecting to hear more from Netflix during its Q3 earnings conference call later today, when we should find out about the impact of its recent price hike and Qwikster turnaround. Whether or not its foray into the UK can loosen Lovefilm's grip on the domestic market, however, remains to be seen. Full PR after the break.
Double Fine Happy Action Theater will make you a pigeon toilet
You heard that correctly, though that's obviously not the only thing happening in this trailer for Double Fine's newest cavalcade of Kinect funtimes. There's also ball kicking, and fireworks, and dancing, and hot lava! Pretty much everything you need to know about Happy Action Theater is here, although you haven't really seen the game sold until you see someone pull a Terminator 2. Double Fine Happy Action Theater will release next year this holiday on Xbox Live, courtesy of Microsoft Studios.
Namco Bandai to publish Ni no Kuni in the US and EU
During TGS, Level-5 sneaked out the news that Ni no Kuni would bring its magical, imaginary (imagical?) world to North American PS3s in early 2012. Now, in a post rounding up the Level-5 World events, the company's international office has revealed a European release as well, along with a publisher: Namco Bandai. Namco Bandai also issued its own press release today, in which VP of Marketing Carlson Choi called Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch "one of our premier titles for 2012." Hopefully that means Namco will treat it better than its own Tales series.
Dante reawakens next year in Devil May Cry HD Collection
Devil May Cry will definitely be re-released next year, as part of a long-rumored HD collection. Capcom has officially unveiled the Devil May Cry HD Collection for Xbox 360 and PS3, consisting of upgraded versions of DMC 1, 2, and Devil May Cry 3 Special Edition. Capcom even went so far as to specify a $39.99 price for the set. Check out the first screens of the collection below, featuring SD and HD comparison shots, to see how Capcom went in and swapped out the old Dante for the new black-haired version. No, we're totally kidding. We promise. Look at the screens for yourself, and take a breath.%Gallery-136679%%Gallery-136680%
UK 4G network auction delayed, spectrum sell-off pushed back to the end of 2012
The dizzying world of 4G speeds remains a distant prospect for Britons, with telecoms regulator Ofcom deciding to delay the auction for the next generation of mobile spectrum. It was looking to sell off two potent bands of wireless network by the end of this year, but those plans have been put on hold by some legal jostling and desk-banging from UK carriers, with the British equivalent of the FCC saying it received several "substantial and strongly argued responses." The sell-off delay might not affect any launch dates for 4G (already being tested in rural parts of the UK), as the bands up for grabs still won't be available until 2013. But eventually all of this to-ing and fro-ing will test even the Brits' stoic patience.
The Daily Grind: What's your end-of-the-year MMO to-do list?
With only a little less than three months left in 2011, it's time to start thinking about what we want to accomplish before 2012's crop of MMOs arrives. Maybe you want to reach level cap in some of 2011's launches like Allods Online or DC Universe Online or dive into the newest shinies like Lord of the Rings Online's Rise of Isengard. Either way, there's a good chance you're completing your goals with one eye on 2012, which looks to be quite a year for the MMO industry. So tell us what your end-of-the-year goals are. Is it something related to completing a current game or some kind of rigorous sleep-deprivation exercise that gets you ready for the launch of Star Wars: The Old Republic, Guild Wars 2, or another anticipated MMO? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
Phantasy Star Online 2 delayed into 2012
Sega has announced that their upcoming return to majestic sci-fi action fantasy, Phantasy Star Online 2, has been delayed into 2012, reports Siliconera. The purpose of the delay, according to producer Satoshi Sakai, is to address gameplay issues brought to light by user feedback submitted after the conclusion of this summer's alpha testing. A second alpha test will be conducted some time during the first part of next year; returning alpha testers will be joined by new recruits in order to evaluate the changes made based on their feedback. Delays can be a double-edged sword, but when a company specifically cites addressing user feedback as a delay's justification, that's usually a good sign. Not that any of us will ever actually get to play it, mind you. After all, it is a Japanese exclusive. [Thanks, Mike!]
Skullgirls delayed, cracking craniums in 2012
Downloadable fighter Skullgirls will launch in early 2012, Reverge Labs has announced. The key reason for the delay, according to the developer, is that the team is polishing the game's features, based on feedback it received while showing the game off during 2011. "Some companies call this 'feature creep,' but we call it the extra polish that takes a game from 'good' to 'great,'" noted Peter Bartholow, Designer/Producer/Community Manager at Reverge Labs. Additions the studio is working on before launch include speeding up the game, adding many new effects, upgrading backgrounds to 3D, incorporating more music from Michiru Yamane, adding button macros for pad playing and "innumerable balance and gameplay tweaks." %Gallery-126006%
Intel says Mac Thunderbolt ports will support optical cables
While currently-shipping Thunderbolt cables and peripherals are still running over copper, Macworld reports that Intel has confirmed that current Thunderbolt ports in Apple's latest Macs will support data transfer over optical cables. Back when it was known as Light Peak, Thunderbolt was originally supposed to be based on fiber optic tech, which would theoretically have allowed superior data transfer over much longer cable lengths than possible with copper. Current copper-based Thunderbolt cables can transfer data over a length of about three meters, but optical cables will be able to move data over cable lengths of "tens of meters" according to Intel. Optical cables should also allow for faster data transfers, but after citing the probable expense and stating that current Thunderbolt speeds are likely fast enough for most users, Intel is not likely to implement that feature for now. Optically-based Thunderbolt cables should be debuting in 2012, and existing Macs' Thunderbolt ports will be fully compatible with them. Meanwhile, both Acer and Asustek are planning to introduce Windows-running PCs featuring Thunderbolt ports next year, so hopefully that means Thunderbolt won't be an also-ran connection standard the way FireWire turned out to be.
End of Nations to end nations in 2012
2012 is right around the corner, you guys, and as if global pandemics and earth-shattering astronomical events weren't enough to look forward to, Trion has told Eurogamer that we should all expect an End of Nations as well. Originally slated for a 2011 release, Trion's free-to-play meta-MMO/RTS is now set to launch sometime before the end of the world in 2012. This news follows an exhibition of the title at Eurogamer Expo 2011, where Trion also stated that items purchased through microtransactions will be relegated to cosmetic duty, as the title is not "pay to win."
Diablo 3 to launch in early 2012, beta period extended
"While this news might not be a complete surprise, I know that many of you were hopeful that Diablo III would ship this year," writes Blizzard president Mike Morhaime. "We were too." This means, for a brief period in time, Diablo's fans and creators were united in convincing themselves that a Blizzard game might come out on time. Neither party had fully committed to an official release date, however, and the Irvine, California-based developer had only said that it was "aiming to launch by the end of 2011." Luckily, the only thing more steadfast than Blizzard's lengthy development times is its proclaimed commitment to quality. "Ultimately, we feel that to deliver an awesome Diablo sequel that lives up to our expectations and yours as well," Morhaime said, "we should take a little more time and add further polish to a few different elements of the game." To aid the extended endeavor, Diablo 3's beta will run longer and accomodate more invitees. If your gaming tastes incorporate more than highly anticipated role-playing games, you'll likely find some relief in this delay. Now there's more time for Batman, Drake, Ezio, two kinds of modern warfare, Skyrim and -- wait, there's still not enough time, is there?
The Daily Grind: Will 2012 be our last chance?
As MMO gamers, we're getting used to disappointment. Not so much disappointment in any one game, but a general feeling of being let down by game closures, studio layoffs, shoddy launches, and the strange idea that every game has to mimic World of Warcraft to be successful. But 2011 has been our gateway to something different. Business models are changing, indie games are getting more recognition, failing games are getting a second chance, and developers are realizing that the customer's (almost) always right. This brings us to 2012, which will be upon us in a little more than three months. With Star Wars: The Old Republic, Guild Wars 2, The Secret World, and other highly anticipated games on deck for 2012, we have a lot to look forward to. But what if those aren't as successful as they need to be? Will we see a drastic change in MMOs as we know them, or is it simply part of the evolution process for technology and gaming? Let us know what you think! Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
Kid Icarus: Uprising delayed until 2012
Nintendo announced this morning that Kid Icarus: Uprising's flight to retail has been delayed until 2012. According to the publisher's note, the development team for the 3DS action game determined it needed more time to complete the game. Is it enough time to incorporate the functions of that elegant analog add-on? Nintendo also announced it is developing 3D Kid Icarus cartoons with "critically acclaimed" Japanese anime studios. These animations will be available for free on the Nintendo Video service to 3DS owners worldwide.%Gallery-125667%
Retina Display-equipped iPad 3 looking more and more likely for early 2012
Well, the Wall Street Journal's headline certainly isn't going to surprise you -- Apple Developing New iPad -- that has been a safe assumption since the iPad 2 was announced. Rumors are circulating though (some, for quite a while) that are painting an increasingly convincing picture of a Retina Display-equipped slate shipping in early 2012. Reports are in that suppliers have already received Q4 orders for parts that may eventually find their way into Apple's next tablet. Can we say for certain that the iPad 3 will hit shelves in Q1 of next year sporting a 2048 x 1536 screen? No, but it's starting to look more and more likely.
The Last Story, Pandora's Tower due in Europe in 2012, more Euro releases dated
The Wii does have a lifespan beyond 2011 -- in Europe. Nintendo of Europe sent out a list (PDF) of upcoming titles today, including the two other games for which Operation Rainfall is campaigning: Mistwalker's The Last Story and Ganbarion's Pandora's Tower. Both are slated for 2012 in Europe now, and have yet to be announced in North America. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword will be released in Europe November 18 while Kirby's Adventure Wii is coming in December. The release list also provides November and December windows for Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 on 3DS, respectively. Super Pokemon Rumble will also be released in Europe this December. On DS, DQ Monsters Joker 2 is coming October 7, Kirby Mass Attack is due October 28, and Professor Layton will answer The Spectre's Call in November. Cave Story will finally come to DSiWare in Europe in Q4. A few standout downloads listed: in Q4, the 3DS Virtual Console will see releases of Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, Metroid II, and the Game Boy Bionic Commando game. Nintendo previously blocked the NES version from Virtual Console.
Devil May Cry trailer and screens show off Ninja Theory's spin
Ninja Theory's take on Devil May Cry really gets off the ground in the Gamescom 2011 trailer. Dante might look like an emaciated Brian Molko in this one, but at least he's still got a knack for juggling.
