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Rumor: Assassin's Creed 3: Liberation headed to Vita
We may have just learned a little bit more about that Assassin's Creed game Ubisoft announced for the Vita last August. The game, Assassin's Creed 3: Liberation, is said to take place in New Orleans and "across the Gulf of Mexico" during the end of the French/Indian War, according to neoGAF user ImLibo, who supposedly received the July issue of Game Informer ahead of time.These two tweeted pictures appear to corroborate the thread's claims that the game will star a female French assassin of African descent named Aveline. The thread also mentions a multiplayer mode "specifically tailored to the Vita experience," as well as alligators and the ability to "explore the entirety of New Orleans without loading a new area."We've reached out to Ubisoft for comment.
The Elder Scrolls Online factions profiled
Three alliances control the political scene in The Elder Scrolls Online's Tamriel, and Game Informer is taking a closer look at all of them, starting with the Daggerfall Covenant and the Aldmeri Dominion. The Daggerfell Covenant is made up of the Orcs (also called Orsimer), Bretons, and Redguards -- although the latter two are coming out of something of a love-hate relationship, with a history of as much internal conflict as external. Apparently time does heal all wounds, though, because the three races have worked out a democratic system of mutual love and respect. The Orcs and Bretons call the beautiful land of High Rock home, while the Redguard are based in Hammerfell. The Aldmeri Dominion is a more hostile power composed of the Altmer, the Bosmer, and Khajiit and intent on total domination. Also known as Wood Elves, the Bosmer call Valenwood home (surprise: It's a heavily wooded area) and enjoy tramping through forests, living in harmony with nature, and building cities in migratory trees. The Altmer, or High Elves, can be found in the little-known Summerset Isles. The Khajiit, who missed out on the alternative name lottery, live in Elsweyr, whose climate is ideal for the cultivation of Moon Sugar. Got all that? Study up, there'll be a test. Feel free to read the full profiles, and keep an eye out for Ebonheart Pact information on Friday.
'Hitman: Sniper Challenge' spotted in magazine ad; spinoff game is Absolution pre-order bonus
A scan of a magazine ad reportedly from Game Informer reveals "Hitman: Sniper Challenge," a downloadable game featuring one "replayable sniper mission," with an emphasis on score. Those scores will likely tie into a contest, as the ad touts "Awesome Prize Packages for Top Snipers."The game is advertised as a pre-order bonus for Hitman: Absolution at GameStop, where it will be handed out when you pre-order. It comes with a sniper rifle item for Absolution as well, the code for which will be given out when you pick up the retail game.
Introducing Halo 4's Cortana
You have to wonder why Master Chief – essentially a sexless cyborg – has a voluptuous female counterpart, but it's a bit late in the Halo franchise to be asking such questions. Instead, we simply accept that the Chief's virtual partner-in-heroism will once again return in this fall's Halo 4, and now we know what she looks like (care of the latest Game Informer cover reveal, as seen above).Given the conclusion of Halo 3, we were kinda expecting the Chief's blue buddy to have a straitjacket wrapped around her projected avatar, but perhaps that and more will be explained when the game arrives later this year.Oh, and for comparison's sake, we've dropped an image of Halo 3's Cortana just below the break. Her newer likeness is kinda ... less blue? A bit? That's all we got.
Arkham City's Animated Series Batman skin is exclusive for GameStop PowerUp Rewards members
That stylish Animated Series Batman skin (complete with the white triangles for eyes) is now officially, and apparently only available as an exclusive from GameStop, according to information on the company's store. Players who have a PowerUp Rewards membership (that card and Game Informer subscription GameStop's employees are always trying to sell you) will get access to the skin, a replica from the classic 1990s Batman: The Animated Series. Of course, Kevin Conroy, who voices the Bat in the games, started his tenure as the World's Greatest Detective in the series, so putting his voice and this costume together again will be a nice homecoming for fans. There was also a rumor going around that the same skin would be a GAME exclusive overseas, but that company is apparently offering Robin as a playable character, a bonus already revealed for Best Buy in the US. In other words, pick your pre-orders carefully out there, people. [Thanks, Alan!]
Blizzard looking for "meaningful difference" in expansion releases
World of Warcraft's expansion cycle is not the norm in the MMO genre. The Blizzard expansion cycle is a new boxed expansion every two years, on average. According to Gameinformer, which got to talk to Tom Chilton at the Gamescom show in Germany last week, Blizzard is on track for a more timely release schedule with World of Warcraft expansions. Chilton told Gameinformer: We've been able to do it in one sense, but not as much as I would like to in another sense. I would like for all patches to reliably have raid bosses. Our first Cataclysm patch didn't have raid bosses. From a raider's persepctive, it probably doesn't feel any faster than it did before. For us, where the biggest improvement is going to be in this cycle is in the actual expansion release. Traditionally we've only been able to do an expansion about every two years. We're really hoping to make a meaningful difference in that.
First screenshot from Dishonored shows off swordplay
Game Informer has posted the first screenshot from Dishonored, the new stealth/action IP from Arkane Studios. As you can see by the gun, sword and garb, the title takes place in an early industrial world -- one with some fantasy twists. Players will be cast Corvo, a talented (and somewhat supernatural) former bodyguard who's wrongly imprisoned for the murder of an Empress he was supposed to be protecting. Like Thief and Deus Ex, also games made by Dishonored co-creative director Harvey Smith, the title will be built around a series of open-ended tasks involving stealth and combat. Game Informer mentions using "mobility, powers and gadgets, environment, and AI" to affect the gameplay, and letting the player do things like stop time to distract guards, or summon a rat swarm, and then "possessing" one of the rats to sneak away. Our interest is piqued, but don't let the excitement get the best of you, just yet -- the game isn't due out until sometime next year.
Darksiders 2 darkens the cover of July's Game Informer
Darksiders 2 is featured on the July issue of Game Informer, along with new protagonist Death -- brother of the first game's anti-hero, War. Their uniformly grim appearance, you'll recall, is due to the fact they're a pair of horsemen of the apocalypse. Game Informer also claims that the sequel will "deliver a richer experience," including new (and more) NPCs, a "detailed loot system" and some fresh new dungeons to explore. More specifically, Death will be traveling through "the world of Abyss," doing exactly the opposite of what you'd expect a guy named "Death" to be doing: trying to restore humankind. Head over to Game Informer for a full image depicting the double-scythe-wielding star.
Assassin's Creed: Revelations details from GI -- hookblades, bombs, and LA Noire-esque facial capture
NeoGAF user SolidSnakex has posted a breakdown of this month's Game Informer coverage of the just-announced Assassin's Creed: Revelations. First off, let's get the protagonist problem out of the way: In Revelations, you'll play as both 12th century stabber Altair and his 16th century descendant Ezio, now over 50 years old. Ezio will be looking for "seals" which will allow him to access Altair's memories, similar to how Desmond used the Animus to access both Altair's and Ezio's memories. Speaking of Desmond, he's unsurprisingly back in the Animus "where he finds a safe mode called the 'Black Room.'" The gameplay in Desmond's mode is described as "narrative-fueled puzzle sequences," geometric shapes and all. The lion's share of the game will take place in Constantinople (or, as it's known today, Istanbul) separated into four districts: Constantin, Beyazid, Imperial, and Galata. If you want a change of scenery (fairy chimneys!) some of the game will also take place in Cappadocia. Inside the cities, you'll be able to establish Assassin's Dens, a sort of expanded Borgia Tower mechanic from Brotherhood. Complete various scenarios, take down the regional Templar presence, establish a Den, and then "upgrade the buildings in that region along with adding ziplines across the rooftops."
Rayman Origins is a retail game, now coming holiday 2011
When Game Informer revealed the contents of its new issue yesterday, buried under the Assassin's Creed: Revelations hoopla was the promise of Ubisoft news that has nothing to do with white hoodies or hidden knives: "six pages of new details and assets on the gorgeous new platformer, Rayman Origins." For those assets, you'll have to wait to see the issue for yourself, but NeoGAFfer SolidSnakex summarized the new information about the platformer -- information welcome to those of us who get nervous when they don't get regular status updates about Michel Ancel games. First announced as a downloadable, episodic title, Origins is now a retail game, and it's due this holiday season. It features four-player local co-op, though whether that is also online is unclear. According to the preview, it's designed to be accessible to players of different skill levels, and for each level to be enjoyable alone or in multiplayer. "I Dare You" challenges will allow players to bet on whether they can complete a "complex, acrobatic chain" to win in-game currency ("Lums.")
Rumor: 'Multiple sources' claim new Nintendo console reveal at or before E3 [update]
Rumors of a "Wii 2" or "Wii HD" have been flying since ... well, pretty much since the Wii launched, but when an outlet the size of Game Informer piles on, it's tough not to take notice. The publication says it's hearing from multiple sources that Nintendo will announce a new home console at or before E3. According to hearsay, the console would arrive in 2012 and would sport HD graphics, though GI's sources are conflicted about how said graphics would compare to the Xbox 360 and PS3. Well, there goes our "Schedule Vacations for E3 Week When All The Video Game Journalist Resorts Are Super Empty" plan. Update: IGN found some anonymous sources of its own, who claim that the new console will be backwards compatible with all Wii games. Its sources say that the console is "significantly more powerful than the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360."
Mass Effect 3 details emerge in Game Informer, multiplayer ruled out
Subscribers have gotten their first look at Game Informer's cover story on Mass Effect 3, and while you'll have to read the magazine to get all the details, a reader posting on the GameFAQs forum is providing hints of what's to come -- and sorry, that doesn't include multiplayer. Expect more RPG elements this time around -- if still not on par with Mass Effect 1 -- with beefier skill trees and more evolution of powers. You can also expect more weapon modification, though, again, likely not as much as we saw in ME1. All weapons will be usable by all classes, though each class (except for the solider) will be limited to a certain number of weapons that can be equipped for a mission. As far as Mass Effect 3's plot ... well, suffice it to say that Shepard is on Earth due to the events of the "Arrival" DLC. But that's all we'll spill. As for returning characters -- you really don't want to know, do you? ... You sure? ... OK, fine. For now, we know Liara and Garrus (if he survived) will be playable. Favorites like Wrex and Mordin (again, if they're alive) will also make appearances, though whether they'll be full-fledged teammates is unknown. Sorry, but that's all you're getting from us. You can check out the new issue of Game Informer if you want to spoil more for yourself, but we certainly won't be party to it.
Ding-Dong: Saints Row: The Third screens are obscene, filthy fun
Saint's Row: The Third isn't going to tone down the series' trademark lunacy if Game Informer's screenshot gallery is any indication. Guns and explosions are present, but so is a "sex toy bat" (no word yet on the presence of a vibration setting). The screens also reveal SRTT's costume and character customization screens, locales, vehicles and characters. Check 'em out over at GameInformer.com.
Game Informer's BioShock Infinite covers available as posters
You may not be able to buy BioShock Infinite until 2012, but you can proudly display your pre-release fandom now by purchasing posters for the still-in-production game. Game Informer is selling a double-sided poster, featuring two of its Saturday Evening Post-esque BioShock Infinite covers, through its corporate Big Daddy, GameStop. The 24" x 28.625" poster features Elizabeth and Him on one side, and a menacing (but still down-home and old-timey) painting of Charles on the other. The poster is shipping now for $9.99.
TERA video shows off Sinestral Manor
Lately it's been rather quiet on the Arborean front, as Massively hasn't posted any new TERA-related info for the better part of two weeks. Happily, Game Informer is here to quench that drought courtesy of a new gameplay video. While it's a little on the short side, the clip does feature new in-game footage and a glimpse inside the creepy bowels of the Vampir Mansion (also known as Sinestral Manor). You might recall the curiously spelled Vampirs from one of En Masse Entertainment's screenshot of the week featurettes, and you might also be a bit puzzled (as we were) at the distinct lack of Vampirs to be found in Game Informer's Vampire Mansion tour. That said, there were plenty of other beasties on hand, including a fearsome boss featured over the last half of the clip. There's also plenty of combat to be found, so head over to the Game Informer website and have a look.
Game Informer asks: Will Kinect work if you're Gwar?
Sure, Kinect has been tested in plenty of super scientific ways over the past few months, and given plenty of secondary uses through impressive hacks, but will it work if you're ... Gwar? Game Informer had bassist Beefcake the Mighty and lead singer Oderus Urungus stop by its offices to capture on video a monumental 10-minute Dance Central session. If you haven't already clicked through excitedly, we should warn you the clip is a bit on the NSFW side of things, so viewer beware. Also, enjoy.
Tomb Raider details emerge, features open world and brutal deaths
Survival is the name of the game for Lara Croft's next virtual excursion -- well, the name of the game is actually Tomb Raider, but, you know -- and a few details from the January issue of Game Informer (which already found its way onto the info-hungry internets) have revealed exactly how said survival story will unfold. As hinted by yesterday's startling cover reveal, the game will not only be a reboot of the franchise, but a reboot of the Tomb Raider brand. Rather than being a heavily scripted third-person action game, the new title will allow for open-world exploration, giving a fresh-faced, 21-year-old Lara new areas to traverse as she upgrades her own exploratory abilities and finds (or crafts) new equipment and survival tools. Crystal Dynamics didn't give any specifics on these tools, but we're pretty sure Knife plus Stick is going to equal a thing with which you can kill things. As one might expect, the game's survivalist objective sets a grim tone -- Lara will have to forage for food and water to stay alive. She'll also have to avoid the traps and violent inhabitants strewn across the game's island setting, which, according to the article, are capable of dispatching Lara in extremely brutal ways. Like, ways that make the Tomb Raider 2 "Blow Lara Up" code seem like a minor papercut. Keep an eye out for the January issue of Game Informer for even more details about this interesting adventure.
Report: Game Informer bigger than Time, People and O, more circulated than Family Circle
Game Informer is bucking the death of print, increasing its audience over the past year by another 800,000 readers and topping out at a "paid and verified" circulation of 4,364,170, according to a new report by media monitoring service BurrellesLuce. The magazine is just a measly 100K-and-change subscribers away from surpassing National Geographic and landing in the top five of most-circulated U.S. consumer magazines -- and it's not even for old folks! Published by GameStop Corp., a one-year Game Informer subscription is included with the mega-retailer's PowerUp Rewards Pro membership (and was previously bundled with its now defunct Edge card). So, yeah -- we're all subscribers. You're welcome, GameStop.
Square Enix files trademark for 'A Survivor is Born'
The precarious, towering pile of evidence that Square Enix is planning a big reveal for a new installment in the Tomb Raider franchise just got a little bit taller -- Tomb Raider BIZ, a fansite for the crypt-plundering series, recently uncovered a trademark filed by the UK office of Square Enix, reserving the phrase "A Survivor is Born" for use with "computer game software" and "video game software" and "potpourri." Aha! We made that last one up. Just making sure you're paying attention. So, in summary: The full spread teaser posted in the latest edition of Game Informer was definitely placed there by Square Enix, is probably hinting at a new Tomb Raider game, and we'll totally hear more about it when the cover of the next issue of Game Informer drops, which will absolutely happen on December 6. We're no mixologists, but that sounds like a pretty delicious recipe for a rumor cocktail.
Connect the dots: Possible Tomb Raider reveal in two weeks
Let's connect the dots, shall we? The current, November issue of Game Informer features the above two-page tease for its December issue stating, simply, "A survivor is born." An accompanying website at asurvivorisborn.com (and asurvivorisborn2012.com) mirrors the tease, though it's not clear who owns the domains. A NeoGAF poster pointed out that, at one point, the Google Analytics account number 6150945-XX matched that of kaneandlynch.com, minininjas.com and deusex.com -- all Eidos / Square Enix titles. If correct, it appears the current asurvivorisborn.com account number of 19668291-1 was changed after being spotted. The image of a crashed ocean liner recalls the leaked concept art and fact sheet spotted last year (the fact sheet description is still readable at Shacknews): "When a sudden storm destroys her research vessel, a young and inexperienced Lara Croft finds herself stranded on a mysterious and remote island hidden off the shores of Japan." The "survivor is born" tagline recalls the origin story description in the fact sheet: "This new Tomb Raider concept reboots the franchise by exploring the origin of Lara Croft's transformation into a hardened adventurer as you unravel the story behind the island's mysterious past." In a 346-page thread (!) on tombraiderforums.com concerning the potential of a December 6 reveal, forum admin Justin J. Farr wrote, cryptically, "I know something you lot don't." That could be the meaning of his middle initial "J" or it could be the identity of Game Informer's next cover ... It's not quite a smoking gun, but it's certainly possible that next month's GI reveal will be the Tomb Raider reboot we know Crystal Dynamics – specifically the "pillar team" – has been working on alongside its excellent downloadable installment, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light. After the progress the team made on the Legends, Anniversary and Underworld trilogy, all eyes are on Crystal D to keep it up with its first Tomb Raider game under the new Square Enix masthead.
