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City of Heroes releases flyover for Imperial City and Neutropolis
We've got a treat for City of Heroes players today, one that should provide more than a few smiles -- a video flyover of two more zones from Going Rogue. Where the first video previewed the core of the capital and the (ideally invisible) underground, this one focuses on the Imperial City and Neutropolis. The former is the region where the vast majority of Praetorian citizens live and work every day, while the latter highlights the almost-otherworldly (pun intended) technology under development. While cityscapes are nothing new for the game's environs, the Imperial City is a cut above anything that's previously been featured. The billboards stand out, the architecture is unique, and at times the game almost looks like something other than City of Heroes entirely. With less than a week until Going Rogue's release, it won't be long before players get to experience these environments for themselves -- but until then, you can take a look at the video past the cut.
Video guide to Nova Praetoria and the Underground for City of Heroes
If the various videos released by the team at Paragon Studios have made anything clear, it's the difference between hearing about City of Heroes and seeing the game in action. That's what makes the most recent teaser trailer so interesting. We've been told about Nova Praetoria and the Underground, and we've seen static shots of the cityscape -- but seeing it in motion is a whole different thing. It turns a concept into a living, breathing city. The video, released today via the game's Facebook page, is embedded after the cut and is well worth a watch for any fan of the game. Showcasing several of the most prominent buildings, it serves as an excellent primer for players before Going Rogue goes live in just a couple weeks. It also helps demonstrate some of the effects that the art team has been touting for some time, highlighting in real time how Praetoria has been designed for Ultra Mode. Take a look past the cut, and keep your eyes peeled for more on the upcoming City of Heroes expansion as we approach launch.
Soul of the Ultimate Nation sees the spreading Shadow
It might seem like everything is all fine and dandy in Soul of the Ultimate Nation, but there's a shadow on the horizon. More specifically, there's Shadow, the newest character added to the game. A combination of dark sorcery and assassin skills form Shadow's potent, solo-friendly skillset, something the game's development team had been hinting at since the beginning of the year. But that's hardly all that's new in the game, which has expanded the high-level content as well. Player characters over level 100 have access to nearly two hundred added quests, as well as new high-level areas in Helron's Castle. Neville's Swamp and Bronze Moon City, as well as the area conquest for the aforementioned castle, are all open. To cap off the experience, players have access to the fourth village in Soul of the Ultimate Nation, giving high-end players a spot where they can congregate with one another. Rather than forcing you to just read the text, however, we have both a set of preview images in our gallery, and two trailers for the update embedded past the cut. %Gallery-98558%
Rift: Planes of Telara unveils Gloamwood
At first glance, the newest zone revealed for Rift: Planes of Telara looks to be marginally more cheerful than the last zone we heard about, but looks can be deceiving. Gloamwood is an area populated by giant spiders, undead shade, goblins, and vampire bats. There's a human village that seems to offer a refuge, but the people of Gloamwood Pines haven't had it easy. Years of grisly murders by an unknown creature have left the villagers fearful and unwelcoming to outsiders, even as they seek their help. The Mathosian Mill is another landmark in Gloamwood. What used to be a profitable mill is overrun by undead, and while some speculate on the possibility of taking it back, it's a daunting prospect at best. These are only a few of many places to explore in Gloamwood. Overall, it looks like this zone will provide both a challenge and some interesting exploration for players. Check out the gallery and trailer video below for a closer look at Gloamwood. %Gallery-99479%
SDCC 2010: A new Super Hero Squad Online trailer in the Mighty Marvel tradition
If you're looking for a superhero MMO, you have a lot of options these days, which is part of the reason that Gazillion Entertainment has gone in a very different direction with Super Hero Squad Online. Rather than being a more adult-oriented game, it features colorful characters in a cartoonish setting, with an emphasis on family playability. Some players are going to immediately turn up their noses and sneer at the idea, of course, but after viewing the latest trailer, it sure does look like fun. The trailer, straight from SDCC 2010, features a variety of standbys within the Marvel universe that most viewers will have no problem recognizing. It's evident from the footage that the game is placing a high emphasis on retaining the feel of each signature hero's skills and powers, even if the stylized graphics might throw some players for a bit of a loop. Take a look at the trailer just past the cut, and keep your eyes peeled for more information on Super Hero Squad Online as we approach the release date in 2011.
Hyperspace Beacon: Fires of Hope from E3 2010
The Hyperspace Beacon is a weekly guide and discussion by Larry Everett about the yet-to-be-released game Star Wars: The Old Republic. No matter where you were this week, if you are a Star Wars fan, you saw the new SWTOR trailer: Hope. I'm sure you also read the Daily Grind asking, "Do cinematics make you want to play?" It's an honest question. Lots of times these over-the-top trailers mask some of the things producers aren't telling you about the game you are interested in playing. In fact, it may give you greater expectations than the game has to offer. There have been quite a few comments about Star Wars Galaxies' trailers which have caused some players of the seven-year-old MMO to ask rhetorically, "I want to play that game. Where is that game?" So let me tell you up front, Star Wars: The Old Republic does not look like either of the cinematic trailers, but that does not mean it is not a great game. I believe as a fan of this game and as a reporter for this website that I would be doing you, the reader, an injustice by totally giving into the (albeit mostly fan-created) hype that surrounds this game. So this week I want to take things back a notch and hopefully give you a realistic outlook on a couple of announced aspects of the game.
LEGO Universe starts its countdown to launch
Traditionally, October is a time for spooks and ghosts, tricks and treats. This year, however, you can add nexus-infused undead pirates, ninjas, robots, and more, as we just got word today that LEGO Universe will be launching to pre-order "Founders" on October 12th, and to everyone else on October 26th -- just in time for Halloween hijinks. We also have news that the game will be available to both PC and Mac players, thanks to a Cider port for the LEGOmaniac Mac-heads in the house. Along with the update on launch, we've managed to scoop up several new videos that we've tucked behind the break; they run the gamut from cinematic trailer to actual game footage. Furthermore, we've got a gallery chock full of screenshots and bits of concept art from the folks at NetDevil and LEGO for you to check out too. As if that weren't tempting enough, we have an interview coming up with the minds behind this brick-filled MMO later this week, so be on the lookout for that if you're hungry for even more on LEGO Universe. %Gallery-95352%
Summer HDTV suggestions
Hopefully you're recovered from any Memorial Day barbecue related shenanigans because warm weather is here and your presence is needed -- inside watching TV. Heat and sunlight are the enemy, and there's plenty of programing to keep us where the air conditioning blows from now until the fall. Check GeekTonic for a list of summer TV programming, while our friends at TV Squad have tossed in a list of premieres, finales and specials for all of June -- our most anticipated shows are after the break, let us know what you'll be watching in the comments.
Issue 17 of City of Heroes goes live with launch trailer
Today is a big day for City of Heroes. Not only is it the six-year anniversary of the game, with celebrations taking place both in-game and out, it's also the launch of the much-awaited Issue 17. Dubbed "Dark Mirror," the update features the graphical tweaks collectively known as Ultra Mode, as well as new story arcs and missions, improvements to Mission Architect, and a whole host of additional changes. It's also the release of the awaited Demon Summoning powerset, which is available to everyone who has prepurchased the upcoming Going Rogue expansion. Behind the cut is the official trailer for the update, which should help whet the appetite of any fans anxiously awaiting the update to complete downloading. Aside from highlighting the visuals of Ultra Mode in real-time, it shows off some of the mission content, including the full-scale war against the Freakshow pictured above. There's also the doppelgangers and the Positron task force to show off -- and only a couple more months until the game's second major expansion. Click on past the cut to see the trailer, and enjoy the new changes that help keep City of Heroes fresh six years out.
Star Wars: The Old Republic drops a surprise video documentary
It seemed like just another day for the legion of fans rabidly awaiting more information on Star Wars: The Old Republic, or more specifically another Thursday. After all, the site updates with content on such a regular schedule on Fridays that you could set your watch by it, assuming that your watch only measures what day it is. But we were surprised by the tease that the game would be posting an update via its social media sites on Twitter and Facebook. Lo and behold, it's a new developer video on one of the most central activities in the game: combat. Currently exclusive to Gametrailers, the movie highlights the speed and fluidity of the game's combat animations as well as the overall design philosophy. One of the points the developers choose to point out is that most MMO combat is focused on several players versus a single boss enemy, which feels much less heroic and epic than a lone warrior struggling against unbeatable odds. Mobility, style, and more than a few interesting powers are on display in the six-minute video, which should give Star Wars: The Old Republic fans plenty to look forward to. [ Thanks to Tziena for the tip! ]
MapleStory's Dragon Master Evan blazes to the live servers
These days, it seems like you can barely cross the MMO portion of the internet without hearing about Dragon Master Evan. While you might have assumed that he was some new musical act or another, he's actually the harbinger of the newest class in MapleStory, as well as the focus of the most recent update to the game. There's been quite a bit of teasing about the update in the time leading up to it, but now it's finally available on live servers, giving players everywhere a chance to take control of their very own dragon. Since the dragon has its own options to be customized as it grows stronger, MapleStory players are going to have their hands full for a while. If that weren't enough, however, Nexon has also put together a number of events to celebrate the deployment to the live servers. They've also rounded up all of the prior lore and quest information about Evan. So rather than spending your weekend out being told how a dragon ought to be trained, you might want to simply go train your own. And if you need more motivation, there's a video past the cut displaying just what a properly-trained dragon is capable of doing.
New World of Tanks teaser video and screenshots
The big question with World of Tanks is really simple and yet daunting: will they feel like proper tanks? Slapping treads and a turret on something that handles like a Toyota Corolla isn't really going to work in terms of developing a properly tank experience. (A Ford Crown Victoria is getting closer, but still not there.) Since we have yet to get our hands on the actual game for any playtime, most of what we have is speculation, but a bevvy of new screenshots and a new trailer at least start in the direction of answering the questions. Pictures of the game continue to impress, with the tanks having an appropriately worn look and a sense of weight. The city layouts seen in this gallery also suit the era of the conflict nicely. The trailer, on the other hand, gives a strong suggestion that the game is edging closer toward preserving the "feel" of tanks rather than a strictly simulation approach -- probably a good thing, since actually playing three characters cramped in a metal box wouldn't be quite as much fun. Take a look past the break for the second World of Tanks teaser trailer! %Gallery-89571%
City of Heroes whips up some demon summoning
One of the features that City of Heroes: Going Rogue is heavily selling are the addition of new powersets. We've already seen the trailer for Dual Pistols, and we were shown the trailer to the Demon Summoning powerset at PAX East. That trailer is now available for every City of Heroes player to view online, allowing all to witness the power of ripping blood-caked monstrosities straight from the nether realms to do your diabolical (or possibly somewhat heroic) bidding. While it's not a full demonstration of the improved graphical designs coming in the expansion, it's clear just how far the game's models have come. Like most Mastermind powers, the set features both minions and a "secondary" power, in this case a flaming whip. The whip, appropriately enough, seems to be both used offensively and in a support role, as the summoner is seen whipping at least one of her demons in what appears to be an enhancing spell. And if the flamboyant gestures aren't enough to impress players, the skull-faced monstrosities should do the job. City of Heroes players who missed out on PAX East as well as those who just want to see Issue 17's upcoming pre-release powerset should click past the link for the video.
EVE Tyrannis expansion trailer confirms May 18th release date
Just under a month ago, CCP announced Tyrannis, the next big expansion for EVE Online. Tyrannis centres around the planets of New Eden, which have so far played a purely visual role in the game. The expansion promises to open these planets for exploration and industrialisation, with players scanning for juicy mineral deposits and setting up vast, sprawling industrial networks. An early prototype of the planetary interaction feature has even been put on the EVE test server and players can help develop the expansion by giving their feedback. CCP typically release two expansions per year and Tyrannis has been roughly slated for this year's summer expansion. Although the summer expansion can sometimes come as late as July, CCP have just released a new teaser trailer confirming a May 18th release date. This gives the developers just over 8 weeks to get the expansion into shape. This should give the team more time to work on the next expansion, which most are hoping will be Incarna. Skip past the cut to watch the official Tyrannis teaser.
Alan Wake gets new trailer for X10
Can you feel it? After all the delays and waiting, can you feel how close Alan Wake is? If the reality of the situation hasn't fully sunken in yet, we've got a new trailer after the break, slated to be shown during today's X10 festivities. As for the trailer itself, it looks pretty good, right? Not a ton of gameplay, but it certainly rams home the creepiness and the importance of light in combat. Here's hoping we get some more details when the trailer is shown for real later today.
DirecTV DVR Scheduler app celebrates 1 million iPhone downloads, new features on the way
DirecTV's DVR Scheduler app may have just arrived on Android and WebOS devices but it's been around on iPhone for nearly a year and has now been downloaded by over 1 million users. Next up? The ability to order PPV without a home phone line, recommendations and ratings, and even direct to mobile video trailer streaming. Unfortunately not mentioned? When we'll see the promised Blackberry edition. Still, congratulations DirecTV.
Runaway: A Twist of Fate gets a flood of media, March/April release date in the UK
If you're reading this post from across the Atlantic, chances are you're wondering why we're announcing a release date for Runaway: A Twist of Fate, a game that was released in France and Germany four months ago. Well, you see, for those of you in the UK, the third game in the Runaway point-and-click adventure series is just arriving, with publisher Focus Home Interactive pinning March and April release dates on the PC/Nintendo DS title (respectively). Aside from a website jam-packed with video of the game (including the trailer you see above and two more after the break), the publisher released a handful of screens that we've added to a gallery for your perusal just below. Don't say we never did nothin' for ya! %Gallery-84237%
Watch streaming game trailers on Life with PlayStation
Life With PlayStation, Sony's updated Folding@Home app just got a cool new expansion today. With update 1.20, cancer-stopping PS3 owners will be able to watch streaming full-screen game trailers while the PS3 chugs away, unfolding proteins. The experience is rather sleek and videos load almost instantly, taking advantage of the same streaming player that "What's New" and the PlayStation Store both use. It appears the content is automatically gathered from the PlayStation Store, and it allows you to watch all the available content in a single continuous stream. While we don't see this feature being used too often, it's perfect for those GameStop employees that want to have video looping on their PS3 kiosks. [Thanks, marcus]
Super Street Fighter IV trailer unlocks bonus stages
This latest trailer for Super Street Fighter IV shows off the new online modes, including the "Endless Battle" mode that allows up to eight players to play multiple matches, with the loser of each match going to the end of the virtual line; the "Replay Channel," which allows players to record and view replays together with voice chat; and a bunch of new tournament options. It's all great stuff, but we know what you came here to see: If you skip to about the 2:30 mark, you can watch Ryu car bashing and barrel bashing! Check out how excited the kilted barrel-dropping machine operator is -- he loves watching his barrels get smashed! [Thanks, Vince]
Final Fantasy XI's A Shantotto Ascension releases new trailer
Final Fantasy XI's final new add-on adventure, A Shantotto Ascension, comes out the ninth of November. Should eight more days prove too long a delay, you might just be pleased at what we have to say. A new trailer, you see, has been put on the site, with our dear professor in the center spotlight. And if you lacked apprehension regarding Shantotto, this new trailer may have you pull quite the reversal. The trailer makes mention of rituals demonic, a threat whose recurrence is horribly chronic -- but lest you assume that the danger's routine, you had best keep a watch on this unfolding scene. For Shantotto denies that she has lost her mind, and thinks herself flawless (or so she's opined). Yet all of the images that we see within leads us to believe something mad will begin -- and while we don't mean to drive players to terror, to not say the truth would be too much an error. For Shantotto seems poised upon something gigantic, and appears to enlarge to proportions titanic! If you've made Final Fantasy XI your home, be prepared to defend all the roots that you've sown. The release is still pending, but you may purchase today -- so go view the trailer, no need to delay!
