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DOTA 2 patch files hint at microtransactions, more
As is their wont, players have been rustling through some of the test build files for Valve's upcoming Dota 2, and they've found signs of some interesting (but still unofficial) features already. First and foremost, Valve hasn't yet determined exactly what the monetization model for the game will be, but it seems microtransactions will be a part of that model, as there are various announcers (including Half-Life's Dr. Kleiner), character taunts and skins, new hero items, and a few other goodies that may be purchasable either with an in-game currency, or with real money.There are also new kinds of couriers to buy (animal pets, basically, that will ferry items back and forth from your base), and there's one more consumable: Something called souls. A "Repentant Soul" will supposedly get players out of the "low priority punishment queue" when used, which suggests some sort of "pay or be punished" system. Gabe Newell mentioned just such a system last year, where he talked about Valve charging players "based on how much fun they are to play with." In other words, act stupid in game, get punished, and then you may have to pay your way out of jail.Finally, "treasure caches" are mentioned in the files. They'll probably work the same way that Team Fortress 2's crates do, where you get items that need to be unlocked with a key. This is all good news for those waiting for Dota 2 -- since Valve said it wouldn't worry about monetization until the fun was in there first, the game must be almost done, right?
See League of Legends' Ziggs in action -- he'll blow you away
It's Ziggs week at League of Legends as Riot Games pours out the love for this hexplosives-flinging gremlin. A new Champion Spotlight video gives a good overview of this character, highlighting Ziggs' bomb-happy skills and key strategies for success. If being a Evil Midnight Bomber What Bombs at Midnight appeals to your playstyle, check out the video to see if Ziggs is your soulmate. As part of the Ziggs celebration, there are two new skins for him in the store -- Major Ziggs and Mad Scientist Ziggs -- as well as a special skin for Poppy (Scarlet Hammer Poppy). Check out the Champion Spotlight video after the cut and make sure to read up on Ziggs in our previous coverage of this new character!
Dungeon Defenders for Steam gets new holiday skins and maps, on sale
Dungeon Defenders has gotten a whole stockingful of new content for the holidays, available now for PC players. There are new skins and new holiday-themed weapons for all four of the classes, new holiday-themed dress and clothing for enemies, and even a brand new mission to play, which tasks players with delivering presents and then defending them against an army led by a Mega Snowman. That's a ho-ho-whole lot of updates right there. And as if that wasn't enough, the base game is on sale on Steam for the holidays, where you can pick it up for under $10.The team at Trendy is even giving a holiday wallpaper away for free over on the official website. You'd have to be a real Grinch to not check that one out! See more of the holiday update content in the trailer above and the gallery below. %Gallery-142218%
EVE dev video shows work on engine trails, custom ship skins and more
If you're a fan of EVE Online, I apologise in advance for the funny looks you get when you jump out of your seat yelling "HELL YES!" while watching the latest In Development video. In this second part of CCP Games' new video devblog series, CCP Guard takes a live hand grenade into EVE Online's art department to show us just what's going on behind the scenes. We've already seen the impressive nebula effects and new Raven model due for release in the winter expansion, and today CCP showed off some massive shadow improvements, but those upcoming additions pale in comparison to what's planned for after the winter period. The latest In Development video shows that CCP is currently working on engine trails, custom ship skins, a new cyno effect, a new warp tunnel, and graphical upgrades for every single ship in the game. It's a tall order, one that's unlikely to be fulfilled in the winter expansion despite developers' recent laser focus on delivering new features. The video gives a sneak peek at the models for the Amarr and Caldari tier 3 battlecruisers, which were selected from fan-submitted entries to last year's design contest in a similar manner to the already revealed Minmatar Tornado and Gallente Talos. Read on to find out why custom ship skins are more work to implement than most of us realise and to watch the new video in HD.
League of Legends turns two, reskins Fiddlesticks
It's hard to believe that League of Legends is two years old this week, but time marches on and so does the requisite birthday celebration. Riot has updated its website with an anniversary post and the game itself boasts a new legendary skin for Fiddlesticks, also known as "everyone's favorite Harbinger of Doom." The special model will dent your wallet for 975 Riot points (what, you didn't expect to pay for your birthday gift?!) and it boasts "new and sinister" sound effects on all the champion's abilities. Party hats and balloons are also part of the package, as are some "frighteningly festive" spell effects. As always, more info is available on the official League of Legends website.
League of Legends unearths harrowing Halloween skins
It's not too late to sign up for Riot Games' Institute of Horror, brought to you by League of Legends and your deepest, darkest nightmares! During the Harrowing event, fright-proof players can enjoy Halloween goodies and decorations sprinkled around their favorite maps. Skin collectors (ew) will be delighted to hear that there are four frightfully fascinating variations to nab, as Annie, Blitzcrank, Nidalee and Nocturne now boast a spooky makeover. These will be available as soon as the patch goes live. Unfortunately, these skins will be gone once the Harrowing is over, so get them pronto or forever hold your peace. You can view League of Legends' severed-tongue-in-cheek Harrowing trailer after the jump.
Report: GameStop outs Arkham City DLC dates, prices
Batman: Arkham City's DLC launch dates and prices were apparently posted on GameStop.com before somebody came along and ruined the party. The bat-eyed (roll with it!) folks of ArkhamCity.co.uk, who have been ever-vigilant of Arkham City details, captured the information before the web pages were taken down. A "Nightwing character pack" was dated November 1, for $6.99. The site also listed a "Robin bundle" will hit on November 22 for $6.99, with a nondescript "Skins pack" to swoop in on December 6 for $4.99. With the convoluted way Arkham City character skins are being distributed among retailers, it's only a matter of time before all that fashion is consolidated and sold to the ravenous masses. Update: PR confirms some of the details after the break. [Image credit: Fan-made]
Arkham City's Batman is a fashionista, rocking six suits in his wardrobe
Batman's a busy guy, sure, but when he's out prowling the streets of Arkham City looking for thugs, he wants to feel pretty just like anyone else. Developer Rocksteady Studios has clearly taken that into consideration, as the caped crusader has a sextet of costumes to don in his upcoming game, Batman: Arkham City -- should you procure all available pre-order and exclusivity offers surrounding the game, that is. As seen above, everything from classic 1970s Batman to Batman Beyond's version of the Bats' suit has made the cut thus far. Fan site ArkhamCity.co.uk rounded up the various bat suits offered in a variety of different means and provided details on how to grab each for yourself. Unfortunately, it's possible you'll have to spend many hundreds of dollars and possibly import versions from other countries. But hey, that's fashion! Update: To be extra clear, the image above is a fan-made amalgam of existing pre-order images and (possibly) non-official game art. We anxiously await an official image from Rocksteady/Warner Bros. [Image credit: Fan-made; Thanks, Regis.]
Wings Over Atreia: Milking the cash cow
Although it is so far out on the scale of probability that it is tipping into impossibility, there is a remote chance that some player in Aion does not know about NCsoft's cash shop. After all, we are often assaulted with advertisements for new goodies offered at the NCsoft Store front-and-center on the launchpad; if you have logged into the game any time in the last couple of months, you have seen offerings of cosmetic clothing, exclusive pets, and weapon skins. Now I can understand ponying-up for a character name-change since the user is asking for a smidgen of change in code. Changing gender -- sure, why not? Server transfers definitely involve a bit of work, so making this a paid service also makes sense. Cosmetic surgery, however, is harder for me to accept since I have played a game that offered it in-game as a service performed by a specific class. But what about all of the extra items? The little perks, the fluff, and limited-time deals? Grab your wallet and join me past the break for a discussion on fleecing customers (I mean offering deals, really) and to see some items that I personally would like to implement.
Wings Over Atreia: Endgame = end of game?
It happens. All good things must come to an end... except (hopefully) your favorite MMORPG. After all, the whole idea of the MMO is to keep going endlessly, right? To supposedly ever-evolve -- there is no final "win" that concludes the story as in single-player RPGs. However, what do you do when you hit the level cap and have "been there and done that" with everything in game? I guess that's the disadvantage of not having a sandbox; as much I love the graphics and my friends in NCsoft's Aion, there really is just a finite list of things to do. Now before anyone gets up-in-arms or sneers "I told you so," no, I am not quitting and I haven't given up on the game. I still enjoy it. It just so happens that my mind zeroed in on the topic this week as I logged in over the course a few days and just stared at my screen, wondering what I wanted to do. While I was feeling under the weather a bit (which dampened my endurance and enthusiasm to complete any major dungeons), I started wondering about what there actually is to do in Aion after you reach and sit at maximum level for a while. For me, the two things that keep me interested in my virtual worlds are the community and friends that I find in game as well as exploring and experiencing new things. One involves the company providing regular content updates; the other allows for player-created content. But once there is nothing left to explore or experience, friends can drift away... so what does that leave? Pondering this subject and watching the community around me actually brought up some expected -- and some not quite expected -- answers. Join me past the cut to look at different ways Daevas spend their time in Atreia and how they keep their interest sparked.
BOOKback for iPad and iPhone offers sleek scratch protection
The BOOKback from DODOcase is an adhesive fabric skin for the iPad (original and iPad 2) and iPhone 4. It feels nice (think Moleskine notebook), is easily re-positioned and looks good to boot. I spent two weeks with a BOOKback on my iPhone 4 and 1st-generation iPad. My overall impression is that the BOOKback will appeal to design-conscious iPhone/iPad owners who aren't concerned with impact protection. Here's my review of the BOOKback. First, some DODOcase love. Last April, I waited in line to buy an original iPad (as many of you are doing today). A DODOcase representative was handing out discount coupons, which I later used to order one. It looked super (here's my original review) and even helped to save my iPad's life after a fall.* I ordered a replacement right away. %Gallery-118907%
iWrap offers case-free iPhone protection
The iWrap is a thin, tough film meant to protect your iPhone from nicks, smudges and dings. After a month of use, I can say that it will appeal to a certain group of users, but not everyone. Those after thin, case-free scratch protection should consider the iWrap. Here's my look at iWrap for the iPhone. In four short years, the iPhone has spawned a huge industry of accessories, apps, whatever this is, and cases -- lots and lots of cases. On one end of the spectrum is the Griffin Survivor, a hardcore badass that dares life to damage your phone. It's bulky, tough and not afraid of a little pocket lint to say the least. The Survivor's polar opposite is the iWrap. What you get This pair of adhesive films from Virtuosity Products clings tenaciously to your precious, sparing it the occasional scratch. While Virtuosity claims that the "iWrap protects your entire device from scratches & falls," I wasn't willing to perform a drop test. Inside the package, you'll find a cleaning cloth, the iWrap squeegee, instruction pamphlet and the skins themselves. %Gallery-117984%
Wings Over Atreia: All's fayre in vanity and war
This past week in Aion saw an event that I hope marks a new trend. It wasn't so much the actual event that got me excited as the fact that NCsoft jumped in and created a small, personal-type event that involved players on more than a "go kill X mob 20 times for a neat gift" level. It had personal GM interaction and invited participation from the community, showcasing creativity and even roleplay. So what exactly was this event that made me sit up and take notice? The Vanity Fayre Season One. Yes folks, it was a fashion show! OK, OK -- I see some of you rolling your eyes over there! It may be just a fashion show on the surface -- and I admit, I wouldn't normally be one to participate in said event (possibly because my toon would rather be skinning some furbacks than be caught in a dress) -- but that doesn't stop me from whole-heartedly cheering that an event transpired and giving my support to it. See, the real kicker is that this wasn't just a player-created event; it was a GM-hosted affair. A GM, as in... one was actually there and interacting with players! You have to admit, that's more rare than a Trioran greatsword drop! A portent of things to come? Only time will tell, but sashay across the cut to get all the details of this event and explore the dream of more live GM interaction in Aion.
Put a Windows Phone 7 theme on your iPhone
Been trying to think of a way to try out a new Windows phone without crossing over to the dark side switching sides? If that's the case and you have been looking for a way to recreate the Windows Phone 7 interactive theme on your iPhone or iPod touch, Wyndwarrior's "OS7" is available in public beta for anyone with a hankering for Windows on their jailbroken iOS device. Here are the instructions from modmyi.com on how you can try it out if you are so inclined: 1. Install Backboard from Cydia. 2. Make sure you have created a "Default" backup; if not, press the add button in Backboard and give it a name. 3. Go on your device and click on this link: backboard://http://wyndrepo.googleco...es/OS7Beta.zip 4. Press "Yes" and wait for it to download. This may take a few minutes depending on your internet connection. 5. Select OS7 from Backboard. Press Install. Respring. Voting is going on right now to set the as-yet-unknown price for OS7, so if you want in on the action, you may want to get your voice heard. Click Read More to check out video of the OS7 demo. [via Engadget]
DIY Composition notebook cover for MacBook Air
Have an 11-inch MacBook Air and want to jazz it up with a skinmod that propels you back to your school days? If you responded with an enthusiastic "yes," then you need to check out this composition notebook skin from Beyondthetech. The skin will transform the outer lid of your MacBook Air into a traditional mottled black and white composition notebook. When you lift the lid, you are greeted with an interior skin that transforms your wrist rest into a piece of lined paper complete with two red margin lines. The look is not for everyone, but it is perfect for those that enjoy turning some heads. The creator of this skinmod posted up the skin files on the Beyondthetech website, and you can use them to create a custom ZAGGSkin perfectly suited for the latest generation MacBook Air. The MacBook Air skin is a free download while the custom ZAGGSkin will set you back US$60 plus shipping and taxes. The designer of this skin also created the popular Leica camera skinmod for the iPhone 4, a clever printable skin that can be used with a Griffin Reveal case to make your iPhone look just like a Leica camera. Grab them both and really confuse your friends! [Via The Daily What]
Pixel artist releases free pack of gaming-related Minecraft character skins
Sure, you've created a working computer in Minecraft, or recreated a Mega Man game, but maybe you should spend a little time customizing the most important part of that blocky world: yourself. Pixel artist Gary Lucken, also known as Army of Trolls, has created a pack of 15 different Minecraft character skins featuring video game luminaries like Mario Link and Viewtiful Joe, plus Street Fighter's Ken and Ryu. The pack also has a few Star Wars characters in it, along with some Halloween and miscellaneous skins. Of course, given that Minecraft is basically a first-person game, you won't be able to tell what you look like, but we're sure everyone else on your server will appreciate seeing you bounding around as a Cactuar. The pack is a free download from Lucken's website -- just grab the skin you want and upload it right into Minecraft to use.
Hydro Thunder Hurricane 'Tempest Pack' DLC splashes down in October
Vector Unit has announced the first DLC for Hydro Thunder Hurricane. The "Tempest Pack" will offer three new environments, two all-new boats, a boatload of new skins, plus Championship, Ring Master and Gauntlet events. The environments will have you racing through the ruins of Atlantis, the stormy Bermuda Triangle and a medieval setting named Castle Von Boom. The new boat skins will supercharge the existing boats, allowing you to run even your favorite clunker at the game's highest speeds, with two of them coming straight from the Design-a-Skin contest held a while back. No final date or price yet, unfortunately, but you can look for the pack sometime in October. [Thanks, Steve!]
GameStop offering $5 off, 'custom bots' for Portal 2 preorder
Let's be honest -- you're buying Portal 2 (who isn't, right?) and, since it's a Valve game, you probably want to just pick it up on Steam, right? Not so fast -- GameStop is going to do its best to convince you otherwise. The retail chain is offering both a $5 discount on the Aperture Science training program emulator as well as the chance to get two exclusive "custom bots" for the multiplayer co-op portion of the game if you preorder with them. What do said bots look like? We don't yet know -- what you see above is what we've got so far. They could be black instead of white, or even branded with official GameStop employee t-shirts (actually, that might be pretty rad). But the thought of extra content, GameStop hopes, might be enough to entice you away from a digital download, and back to buying an actual disc at a retail store. Interested?
Surprisingly affordable wooden iPhone skins
Now that Apple's giving away cases for your iPhone, you're going to really have to go off the beaten path to find something that gives your phone a more original look than the standard neon bumper. Enter these classy wooden skins sold by KARVT, which not only separate your iPhone from the crowd but also look pretty darn good (if you ask me). And I was surprised at the prices, too; the iPhone 4 cases are only US $25 (with pre-orders going on right now), and the iPhone 3GS cases are $14 (I guess because they're clearing them out). I can't vouch for the quality at all, and the wood looks pretty thin, so it's probably not quite as durable as the rubber bumpers that you get for free. But as long as you're careful with it, I think it's a pretty good look at a more than reasonable price. [via Macsimum News]
Nice white iPhone 4 mod
While we wait for Apple to begin selling white iPhones, people have been coming up with their own solutions. The folks at Engadget used several spare parts to build theirs. But TUAW reader Trevor took a decidedly simpler approach. First, he created a file with a JPEG of the vintage Apple logo and then sent it to Gelaskins' upload tool. From there, the process is simple. Using the online tool, drag the uploaded image to the iPhone 4 template and set it just so. You can even create matching wallpaper. Finally, make your purchase and let the Gelaskins worker bees do the rest. Yes, it's just a stick-on skin, but the vintage logo ads a bit of cool and, unlike Engadget's solution, all of the original parts are intact.
