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Crimson Alliance groups together new screenshots
Crimson Alliance, which may have some price "flexibility" when it assembles for adventure on XBLA this September 7, has gathered several new action-oriented screenshots of dangerous dungeon crawling.
Crimson Alliance may have price 'flexibility' at launch
Certain Affinity is currently discussing Crimson Alliance pricing options with Microsoft to offer more flexibility when the game arrives on September 7. An ad for the Summer of Arcade on the Xbox dashboard states that those who purchase all five games in the promotion will receive "Crimson Alliance and all three characters as a gift." The line is oddly specific, separating the game from the characters, so we followed up with Certain Affinity. "When Crimson Alliance launches, the full game -- all the content and characters -- will be priced at 1200 points," the rep told Joystiq. "We've discussed other pricing options with Microsoft that gives players more flexibility. We expect that to be finalized and a formal announcement closer to launch." Crimson Alliance was a standout XBLA title at E3, where the developers alluded that the game might not follow the standard pricing model. With the "full game" costing 1200 MSP ($15), which is the standard price for most original XBLA titles now, it'll be interesting to see what alternatives are provided to those not seeking full membership in Crimson Alliance.
Crimson Alliance trailer reveals Gnox the mercenary
Potentially free XBLA dungeon crawler Crimson Alliance's first character trailer reveals what happens when one runs a poker scam in their world. Hint: It involves trekking into dank, dark monster-infested places fraught with danger.
Crimson Alliance assembles new screens
These new screens will likely do nothing to endear Crimson Alliance to you, so let's mitigate that by saying that the game can be obtained for "free," and that we actually had a good time with it at E3.
Crimson Alliance preview: Surviving the gauntlet by torchlight
Crimson Alliance is shaping up to be a polished, modern successor to the legacy of Gauntlet. The dungeon crawler by Certain Affinity may initially give off the impression of being a Diablo or a Torchlight, but the game is far more focused on keeping the action going than fiddling with RPG elements and menus. The title supports up to four players in every combination of couch and online co-op. However, there are only three classes, so a four player game will have two folks playing as either the mercenary, wizard or assassin. Actually, all four players can rock the same class if they'd like, but it's definitely better to have diversity of expertise on the field. There is no skill tree or leveling in Crimson Alliance. Players acquire gear that increases their armor, which increases their health. "Leveling up" is all based on gear gathered from the "crafted" (i.e. pre-generated) dungeons and loot drops. It's also possible to purchase items in the store, but I didn't get to see that functionality in the demo. %Gallery-124905%
Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary preview: Combat revolved
We knew it was coming. We've known it was coming for a long time. So, what's the skinny? What's the story behind the Halo remake, now titled Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary? As it turns out, it's the same game we all played back in 2001. I don't mean that figuratively. The same engine that powered the first Halo is literally still thrumming underneath Anniversary. %Gallery-125553%
Crimson Alliance sends you and three friends a-crawlin' again
Here's a look at some gameplay of Crimson Alliance, that Certain Affinity-developed four-player dungeon crawler that was officially announced last week. It looks like pretty standard hack-and-slash fare, with three different players (color-coded, seems like) bashing, casting, and slicing their way through dungeons of baddies, collecting the sweet, sweet loot that drops from their corpses. We would say something here about how constantly fighting wave after wave of enemies in dimly-lit dungeons eventually gets boring, but you know what? If the quality and polish are there when they need to be, it doesn't. It really doesn't.
Certain Affinity's 'Crimson Alliance' is a co-op action RPG for XBLA [update]
Developer Certain Affinity cleared up some of the mystery surrounding Crimson Alliance, a game first spotted -- with the company's name attached -- on Australian and Brazilian ratings boards. For one thing, we now have the crucial information of what the logo looks like (see it in our gallery). That's the only thing on the new Crimson Alliance website. The developer also revealed on the new Crimson Alliance Facebook page that the game is "built for XBLA," and "features a campaign that can be played solo, or with friends over Xbox Live (or on the same couch!)" It won't be an XBLA/PSN title either -- it's exclusive to Xbox. That Facebook page also features another piece of artwork, which we've included above. Mysteries that remain include what the actual game is and what that looks like. Update: Certain Affinity sent out a lot of details in a new press release (after the break). Crimson Alliance is a four-player co-op action RPG coming to XBLA this summer, featuring three classes of character with five special abilities each: the Wizard, the Assassin, and the Mercenary. Read more about it after the break! [Thanks, Ethan]
'Kinect Me,' 'Crimson Alliance' among new Microsoft games rated
A trio of game ratings appeared on the Australian Classification website today, perhaps spoiling some of the titles Microsoft will announce just around the corner at E3. New entries for "Crimson Alliance," "Fusion: Genesis" and "Kinect Me" all list Microsoft as publisher and run the gamut from Mature-rated to PG to G. Only the Crimson Alliance page notes a developer, Certain Affinity, which is corroborated by the game's Brazilian classification. Likewise a rating for Fusion: Genesis has also shown up in Brazil, where both titles are listed for Xbox Live Arcade. Kinect Me remains the most mysterious of the mystery titles and could perhaps feature some connection to the kinect.me promotional site (pictured above) that's been live since last summer. A source tells Siliconera to expect an E3 announcement of "Kinect Fun Lab," which the site surmises could be a working title for Kinect Me -- both names are at least sufficiently generic-sounding to be one and the same game. Additionally, Brazil has classified two more Xbox Live Arcade titles, Fruit Ninja Kinect and Hole in the Wall (from Ludia), supporting previous ratings of the pair of pending releases.
Halo: Reach 'Defiant Map Pack' offers three new maps in March
Reach for your wallet, because more Halo's on the way. The Halo: Reach "Defiant" Map Pack, first seen in leaked images last week, has been officially revealed by Microsoft as a set of three new multiplayer maps, available next month for 800 Microsoft Points. "Condemned," set on a space station above the planet Reach, is designed for 6-12 players in various team modes and Free for All, while "Highlands" is a Big Team Battle, Team Slayer, and Team Objective map set in the "Wilderness Training Preserve" on the planet. Finally, "Unearthed" is a new Firefight map set inside a titanium mine. he map pack includes new Achievements to the value of 150 Gamerscore. It's worth noting that the maps were created "in partnership" with Age of Booty developer Certain Affinity, a team of Bungie vets that has made maps for Call of Duty: Black Ops, World at War, and Halo 2.%Gallery-116574%
XBLA weeklong 'blowout' sale includes SSFIITHDR, Lumines & Age of Booty
No joke -- several solid Xbox Live Arcade titles have been temporarily discounted, most by 50 percent, today through April 7. A few of the notable victims of this price slaughter include: Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix ($7) -- 53% off Lumines LIVE ($5) -- 50% off South Park Let's Go Tower Defense Play! ($5) -- 50% off Check out the full list of XBLA cost casualties after the break.
Capcom offers 50% off five PSN games; this week: Marvel vs. Capcom 2
While it's true that the high-rolling blogging lifestyle has left us out-of-touch with the needs of the unwashed masses, even the fat cats at Joystiq understand that everyone loves a deal (if only to free up some much needed capital for, let's say, a chronically underfunded game publishing division). To help lighten the burden on your wallets, Capcom is offering the following: 50% off a single PSN game every week for five weeks, beginning with Marvel vs. Capcom 2. In total you could scoop up all five games for just under $30 and, since this is a 50% off sale, that also means you'll have saved just under $30. That's math. We've pasted the full list below for you to mull over: February 18, 2010 – Marvel vs. Capcom 2 for $7.49 February 25, 2010 – Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix for $7.49 March 4, 2010 – Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix for $4.99 March 11, 2010 – Age of Booty for $4.99 March 18, 2010 – 1942: Joint Strike for $4.99
Age of Booty developer trademarks 'Legend of Booty'
It appears Certain Affinity, creators of Age of Booty, are answering a second call for booty. Trademark groundhog Superannuation has unearthed an application for Legend of Booty. It appears that, despite the nebulous success of Age of Booty after it was released into the holiday fray two years ago, the developer has a certain affinity for making what sounds like a sequel. We've contacted the developer for comment and we're certain that if they have any affinity for giving us information we'll update this post. [Via Superannuation]
Halo Waypoint detailed, captured on video
This way to the Waypoint gallery With the Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard update preview kicking off today, Microsoft dropped some more details on Halo Waypoint, the Dashboard playpen for the Master Chief enthusiasts among you. The preview video – found after the break – walks you through some of the destination's functionality, notably the "career system" which will track "in-game accomplishments across multiple Halo games." Unsurprisingly, that career will be limited to the Xbox 360-released Halo games: Halo 3, Halo Wars, Halo 3: ODST, and "all Game Add-on content for those titles." Oh, you beat Halo 2 in under 30 minutes? We'll just have to take your word for it. Halo Waypoint is being developed collaboratively by Microsoft's internal Halo studio, 343 Industries, and Certain Affinity, the Austin-based developer (with some former Bungie staffers) behind Age of Booty. Waypoint will be available November 5 for both Xbox Live Gold and Silver members; however, come November 26 those Silver members will have to pony up for Live if they want to keep their Waypoint access. That's a solid three weeks to determine if the exclusive Waypoint offerings – like the Nov. 7. preview of the "Halo Legends" anime anthology – are worth it. We imagine it will be for the hardcore Halo fan ... but we'd assume they've already got a Gold account. %Gallery-75874%
Third Call of Duty: World at War map pack coming in August
Call of Duty fans' heads are likely still swimming with the thought that they might own night vision goggles by year's end, but Activision's still cranking out Call of Duty: World at War DLC for fans living in the here and now. August will mark the release of the third map pack for the game, the company announced today.As with the second map pack, the three new maps ("Battery," "Revolution," and "Breach") have been developed in conjunction with Certain Affinity, the team of former Bungie guys behind Age of Booty. There's also a new zombie map, "Der Riese," provided for your brain-blasting pleasure.
Age of Booty gets Avatar support March 25 ... maybe
A recent forum post by Capcom senior producer Daryl Allison hints that something to do with Avatars and Age of Booty will be revealed next Wednesday, March 25. The title of the post simply reads "Age of Booty - Xbox Avatars Set Sail." We're guessing this means that Capcom will be adding Avatar support to Age of Booty. Another possibility is that Avatars will receive some Age of Booty themed clothing. We're kind of hoping for the second possibility, because our Avatar is just dying for a peg leg. We've contacted the folks at Capcom in hopes that they might clear up this confusion. We'll update this post when we receive new information. [Update: As reader Johnathan points out, the Capcom post more than likely refers to the Avatar support that was announced in January. Originally slated for a February release, it has yet to see the light of day. Bet your booties (get it?) that Avatar support will arrive next week.]
Age of Booty Trophy patch now live worldwide
We're not sure how likely you are to care at this point -- almost four months after the game's initial release -- but Age of Booty has finally been patched with Trophies. The patch is available to download now on both sides of the Atlantic. Simply load up the game and the patch will download automagically. Hopefully this marks one of the last times we'll have to write a post regarding a Trophy patch, though Bionic Commando Rearmed is still due to receive one at some point. However, with the game having released over half a year ago, we hope you're not still holding your breath.
Trophies: Age of Booty
0 Platinum 2 Gold 1 Silver 7 Bronze Difficulty: Moderate Online Trophies? Yes Time to Completion: 15 hours DLC Trophies? No View Trophy List Read More About the Game %Gallery-28411%
Age of Booty receiving PS3 Trophies, Avatar support on Xbox 360
Capcom is preparing to enhance the Age of Booty by adding console specific features in an upcoming patch. Speaking with IGN, the publisher states it'll bring Avatar support for Xbox Live and Trophies to PS3. The eye patch will be free and unearthed near the end of February. Although Age of Booty has received unexceptional reviews, the pirate-themed RTS boardgame certainly deserves the respect of a demo try for those who haven't done so. %Gallery-18253%
Age of Booty Trophy patch comes in February
Capcom's Age of Booty has run into a number of issues, ranging from connection problems to a mystery Trophy update (which was later pulled). Well, looks like Capcom's finally getting their act together. IGN just learned that the PlayStation Network game will get another patch -- with working Trophies -- at the end of February, to coincide with the release of the PC version of the game.
