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League of Angels goes live today
Youzu Interactive's hybrid turn-based fantasy MMO League of Angels will officially launch today, and co-publisher R2Games is celebrating with events rewarding in-game items and LoA merchandise. In addition, fans will get a peek at special event cosplay from "established names in the community" by signing up for the game's newsletter. League of Angels features a training system for your team of angels, massive PvP arenas, crafting, and character customization with mounts, cosmetics, and other accessories. Interested players can sign up and play straight from the game's official portal via GTArcade. [Source: R2 Games/Youzu Interactive press release]
The Art of Wushu: Tricks of the royal chains
Soul Chasing Claw is one of the most common and hated styles in Age of Wushu, and last week we went over many ways to counter it. However, on the flip side there are a lot of options for trickery. Like most ranged styles, Soul Chasing Claw is devastating as a switch to a melee style. Its main weaknesses are well-known, so cunning is needed against a skilled enemy. Fortunately, it has a lot of advantages. The chain pull is near-instantaneous, so you only need the right opening. It's technically possible to pull people out of the startup of moves like Submerge the Lotus, though it's kind of difficult in practice since the pull has a minimum range. It's a powerful tool, and we'll discuss a lot about getting the most out of it today.
4X strategy game Star Lords available now on Early Access
Iceberg Interactive launched its 4X strategy game Star Lords on Steam via Early Access. Star Lords promises "deep and complex gameplay" set in a large universe, in which players take part in turn-based space battles involving eight separate races. The studio behind Star Lords is Portuguese developer Arkavi Studios, who created diplomacy, trade and intelligence tools that players use to weaken enemies and build an empire. Players can colonize worlds in the game, which includes a "randomly generated universe, tech tree and units." The alpha version of Star Lords costs $19.99 for PC players to check out, and does not include features like "multiplayer, huge galaxies and domestic policies" at the moment.
Frozen Endzone beta begins December 5, takes the field in new trailer
The beta program for Mode 7 Games' Frozen Endzone will launch this Thursday, December 5. The turn-based strategy game, first announced in March, has players moving their players across a futuristic field in a game similar to American football. Our brief time with the game found apt comparisons to the developer's previous strategy game, Frozen Synapse, particularly in regards to the depth of Frozen Endzone's tactics. Mode 7 Games also offered up a new trailer for the strategic football game, which introduces the game and the developer's beta program. Frozen Endzone was greenlit by Valve along with 19 other games in April, granting the game distribution on Steam for Mac, PC and Linux in 2014.
PSA: Endless Space adds free 'Search for Auriga' DLC
Endless Space isn't quite endless, but it is still a very large strategy game that just grew a bit bigger thanks to the addition of the free Search for Auriga DLC pack. As we reported when the DLC was announced, Search for Auriga adds new heroes, a new planet type, a special wonder and a number of AI and balance improvements to Endless Space. Full details on the DLC's additions and changes can be found on developer Amplitude Studios' website. Before you rush over to Steam to download the DLC - the addition will be automatically downloaded and installed the next time you start Endless Space - keep in mind that it requires you own both Endless Space and the game's Disharmony expansion. Both items can be found on Steam.
Company of Heroes 2 free DLC includes World Builder, community-created Commanders
Company of Heroes 2 will receive a new content addition next week said to add "a host of free content," alongside numerous items created by the game's devoted community. Dubbed "World Builder," the crux of the addition is a feature that allows players to build their own World War II-era battlefields. Additionally, the update brings with it the new "Rails And Metal" and "Lazur Factory" maps - no, that's not a typo. Finally, four new Commanders are being added to Company of Heroes 2, two of which were designed by the game's community. "We are excited to provide such a large content update to Company Heroes 2 players," stated executive producer Greg Wilson. "We are particularly proud to offer our community the much sought-after World Builder and are hoping to provide Steam Workshop integration and other mod features in the near future." Turning Point is currently slated for release on PC on November 12.
Endless Space expands again with free Search For Auriga DLC
Proving that "Endless Space" isn't just a cute title, Iceberg Interactive has announced a new, free expansion for the 4X strategy game that adds new heroes and a new planet type. Developed by Amplitude Studios, The Search For Auriga "will include new heroes, a special wonder, a unique planet, in addition to new features such as Rally Points as well as AI and balancing improvements." Though the prior sentence includes all information currently known about The Search For Auriga, Iceberg Interactive assures fans that more details will emerge soon. How soon? That's unclear, but with this DLC currently slated to launch in November, it should be imminent. The one caveat applied to this otherwise free expansion pack is that it will not work with just the base game of Endless Space. Instead, players will need to own Endless Space and the Disharmony expansion pack in order to play The Search For Auriga. To make this easier on players, Iceberg points out a currently ongoing Steam sale that reduces the cost of Endless Space Gold (a bundle including the original game and the Disharmony expansion) by 75 percent, to only $8.74. This sale ends on October 19; if you're interested, hurry.
Some Assembly Required: A dev's-eye view of Dragon's Prophet's frontier system
For getting a better look at the big picture, there's nothing like witnessing a PvP battle from afar instead of being in the midst of it. And that's exactly what I got to do in a recent dev tour of a PvP event in Dragon's Prophet: Spectate. Thanks to the spiffy use of technology, I was able to zoom along through the air as the battles unfolded below and around me without my having to dodge killing blows from my enemies. On top of that, I got to hear Senior Producer Todd Carson and Associate Producer Rod Haza detail different aspects of this system that melds PvP and housing in Dragon's Prophet. Dubbed the Frontier System, this combination puts PvP on the housing islands of Auratia. However, the implementation is probably not quite what players envisioned when they first heard about it. Luckily, I got a pretty good look at how it all works from my invulnerable perch and can share that with you.
Strategic iOS game Dead Man's Draw getting physical card game version
Stardock Entertainment launched a Kickstarter project for its strategy card game Dead Man's Draw today. While the iOS game is already available for $2.59, the developer took to the crowdfunding platform in order to raise $16,500 by November 9 to produce a physical tabletop card game set, which it said is just enough to break even on the project. Dead Man's Draw is based on a mod for Civilization 4 called Fall from Heaven, which was created in 2007 by the head of Stardock Entertainment, Derek Paxton. Paxton added a strategic mini-game to the mod by the name of Somnium, which tasked players with the simple decision of drawing cards from a deck at the risk of losing their entire hand. Dead Man's Draw takes the Somnium mini-game further by adding special abilities and more depth to the risk-versus-reward card game concept. The game includes a number of pirate-themed cards like anchors, mermaids, chests and maps, each with a unique instruction. The project's $5 reward tier grants donors access to a high-resolution printable PDF file of the game's cards, whereas the Stardock-produced card set starts at the $20 tier and is estimated to ship in March 2014.
The Art of Wushu: Harnessing demons to slay lovers
Demon Heart Chain Hand is one of the most likely choices for a player's first new martial art. Although many other styles in Age of Wushu are expensive or difficult to obtain, DHCH is relatively easy to farm. It also adds tons of extremely useful utility in the form of a ranged knock-towards, a PBAoE flight disable aura, and a silly self-exploding super move. It works very well in group combat, and proper use of the set can turn the tides of battle even if your internal skills are much weaker than those of your enemies. Even after you're a powerful master, you'll rely a lot on this set in many cases. It does many things (especially its ranged knock) that have very practical uses. As a dueling set, it's a bit on the weak side, but people tend to underestimate it for that reason too.
Soccer Legends combines sports and turn-based strategy on Kickstarter
Soccer management sim-meets-strategy game Soccer Legends recently hit Kickstarter. Developer Digital Lightning Studios is seeking $100,000 on the crowdfunding service by October 18, of which it has raised $12,816. The PC game has players managing a soccer team on a hexagonal board, using turn-based tactics to out-smart opponents and win matches. Soccer Legends offers more than 50 different player skills, a handful of "strategic cards" for managers to use and the ability to create and edit players and teams, upgrading their abilities along the way. Digital Lightning Studios likens the game to NES game Captain Tsubasa, first localized to North America by Tecmo in 1992 as Tecmo Cup Soccer Game. Soccer Legends will come to the iPad and other tablets if the campaign reaches $180,000, and would launch on PS4 and Vita if the $220,000 stretch goal is reached.
Panzer General Online beta now underway, accepting applicants
Ubisoft has announced it's ramping up a closed beta session for Panzer General Online, the free-to-play browser entry in the long-running strategy series. If you want to enlist, head on over to the official site and sign up. Panzer General Online, currently in development at Blue Byte in collaboration with Funatics Software, uses a collectible card mechanic where players unlock cards that they then use to build up their own personalized armies. The single-player side focuses on historical WWII battles, while multiplayer features direct head-to-head competition. No launch official launch date has been set for Panzer General Online.
Apple's iPhone 5c isn't the low-cost phone you've been waiting for
The iPhone 5s was expected. The iPhone 5c, on the other hand, was merely rumored. Now that Apple has taken the wraps off of two new iPhone products, it's the newest range that strikes us as the most curious. For months, pundits have wondered if and when Apple would attack two obvious markets: the large-screen market -- which Samsung is lapping up in supreme fashion at the moment -- and developing markets. The iPhone 5c addresses neither of those, which begs the question: who exactly is Apple targeting?
Exclusive: March of War heads for the jungle in Episode II Tropical Thunder
March of War might be set in World War II, but it's an alternate version of the war that provides a different take on the conflict with six worldwide factions fighting a much more expansive battle for the globe. After the release in late July, the team behind the game has been hard at work developing the next piece of content for the game. Tomorrow, you can start playing the second episode, but today you can watch the trailer. In Tropical Thunder players head into the depths of South America to hunt down Che Guevara, leading to a large-scale conflict between both the United Republic and the Latin Junta as both factions seek the same man. And the jungle isn't exactly welcoming, with a variety of carnivorous plants and animals to complicate otherwise simple engagements. New units and new skins are available as well. Take a look at the exclusive trailer and screenshots past the break for a better idea of what Guevara did and what both sides of the conflict will face in the jungle landscape. [Source: ISOTX press release]
Nokiasoft comes full circle: Microsoft's play for ultimate control will redefine the Windows ecosystem
The "soft" in Microsoft isn't what it used to be. A score ago, the company was certain the software-licensing business was the one it wanted to be in -- Apple decided to hold its cards a lot closer to the chest, and it cost the company dearly for years. Meanwhile, Microsoft made a lot of cash with Windows, and it still does. But the tide is turning. Two of the last three Windows operating systems haven't generated the kind of crazed mindshare that a company needs to remain relevant over the long haul, and at some point, one has to wonder if Microsoft will be able to inject a bit of life into its stodgy, outmoded self by grabbing the reins on the hardware side. In fact, that's exactly what Microsoft wondered, as it casually announced a plan in June of 2012 to affront scores of OEM partners with its Surface initiative. In an instant, Microsoft dove headfirst into the hardware game, and regardless of how it wanted the public to perceive the move, the truth was impossible to hide: this was Microsoft telling Acer, ASUS, Dell, Lenovo and the rest that it could no longer trust their design chops to keep its revenue on the up and up. In February of 2011, well before it transformed the Surface from a big-ass table into a slate that almost no one wants to buy (Microsoft's words, not mine), the company managed to procure a huge ally on the mobile front. The Nokia / Microsoft alliance was monumental. This was Nokia's formidable hardware being exclusively used to push Microsoft's fledgling Windows Phone OS. At once, Nokia loyalists found hope, and those praying for a coalition with Android were dismayed. Little did we know: that partnership marked the end of the original Microsoft, the end of the original Nokia and, in my estimation, a complete rerouting of the Windows roadmap. This week's acquisition simply makes it all the more official.
Rise and Shiny: UFO Online
I really enjoyed taking a look at UFO Online a few years ago at E3, but the game has been stuck in what seems to be that standard gamigo tunnel of time, where games go to be semi-released. What do you get when you start playing? Well, if turn-based, squad-based combat is your idea of a good time (mixed with doses of factional control), then you will enjoy the game. Unfortunately it's still a bit rough around the edges and could really use a pass with the text and control brushes, but I'll cover that in a minute. First, let's talk about why folks enjoy squad-based gaming so much.
The Summoner's Guidebook: How to be the best at League of Legends
What does it take to be a top League of Legends player? A lot of people sell themselves short, saying, "I could never be as good as HotshotGG," but I think that's a falsehood. Don't mistake me, I do think that most of the current LoL pros (including Hotshot) are prodigal. I do think that they got to where they are partially due to natural talent. I've watched a lot of streams and interviews and listened to pros talk about their training schedules, and I can honestly say that while they do practice a lot, most of them don't practice enough. But no amount of talent can replace the other skills you'll need. Even if Pobelter has a natural ability to dominate LoL matches, he has refined that talent through hard work. If you practice the skills here dilligently, you can get in the top levels of the solo-duo ranked ladder and you can get picked up by a pro team.
Kixeye launches VEGA Conflict, a space-themed MMORTS
Kixeye has deployed its latest online strategy title in the form of VEGA Conflict, an "immersive" MMORTS set in the cold, dark depths of space. Players leaping into the game will be able to manage fleets, loot other players' bases, customize warships with weapons and armor, and participate in real-time PvP and NPC combat. The game is, of course, free-to-play, and joins War Commander, Battle Pirates, Tome: Immortal Arena, and Backyard Monsters on the Kixeye roster. Hit the jump for the launch trailer. [Source: Kixeye press release]
Acer to expand its Android and Chromebook lineup, offer fewer Windows devices
Historically, most of Acer's device lineup has been focused on Windows products -- it's the fourth-largest PC maker, after all -- but a less-than-pleasant second quarter seems to have given the company reason to switch its strategy up a bit. According to the Wall Street Journal, Acer is looking into expanding its Google-centric efforts; although it will continue a strong partnership with Microsoft, the Taiwanese manufacturer aims to offer more Chromebooks and Android products, while pushing fewer laptops or tablets sporting Win8. Chairman J.T. Wang told the Journal that smartphones, tablets and Chromebooks are expected to make up 10-12 percent of the company's revenue by the end of this year, while that number should bump up to 30 percent in 2014.
Nnooo's Cubemen 2 to feature cross-platform play on Wii U
Cubemen 2 will head to Wii U's eShop in either late 2013 or early 2014, the game's publisher Nnooo announced via press release. Developed by 3 Sprockets, Cubemen 2 is a 3D strategy game in which players guide their Cubemen armies into battle against both human and computer opponents to defend and attack enemies. Though games like Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate include 3DS and Wii U cross-platform multiplayer, Cubemen 2 will be the first game in which Wii U owners can play online against PC, Mac and Linux players. Since the game already launched on Steam in April, myriads of existing user-generated levels will be available to Wii U players as well. Nnooo hasn't set a price for the Wii U version, though the game is currently $7.99 on Steam. %Gallery-185113%
