Viking
Latest
Hitting the Books: Boomers not understanding tech is the circle of life
Welcome to Hitting the Books. With less than one in five Americans reading just for fun these days, we've done the hard work for you by scouring the internet for the most interesting, thought provoking books on science and technology we can find and delivering an easily digestible nugget of their stories.
Zack Snyder is turning Norse myths into anime for Netflix
Netflix isn't just tapping Zack Snyder for a zombie action movie. The streaming behemoth has announced that Snyder and DC animated movie director Jay Oliva are creating an anime series based on Norse mythology. There's no mention of plot, a release date or even a name, but Netflix is counting on the close connection between the two masterminds as a selling point. They've worked together on more than a dozen movies, including Man of Steel and Justice League.
How NASA will defend the Earth against plagues from outer space
In the summer of 1957, the Earth stood witness as a meteorite cratered in rural Pennsylvania, bringing with it a people-eating plague never seen: an alien amoeba with the taste for human flesh. While we had Steve McQueen around for the first invasion, humanity is now defended against microbial marauders from outer space by NASA and its international counterparts.
A lawsuit almost stalled NASA's Cassini mission
Capt. Scott Kelly wasn't kidding when he famously quipped that "space is hard." Even getting to the launch pad can prove to be a daunting challenge. Take the Cassini mission to study Saturn, for example. Despite an investment of $3.4 billion and nearly a decade of development, Cassini wound up being very nearly scuttled at the last minute by protesters who thought they knew better than a federal agency that has put multiple men on the moon. Geez guys, it was just 73 pounds of plutonium riding aboard that Saturn orbiter -- it wouldn't have caused that much damage had something gone horribly wrong at launch.
'The Banner Saga' pillages its way to PS4 and Xbox One soon
The Banner Saga's road to a console release has been a bit rocky, but the development team at Stoic has some good news: the excellent viking epic lands on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One this coming January 12th. That's pretty soon! In fact, the team's efforts to make sure this isn't just a quick and dirty console port are what's caused the sequel's delay from its originally promised 2015 launch. And actually, this porting process has worked to get the developers familiar with console hardware for future projects.
Camelot Unchained gives a first look at the Viking Jotnar [Updated]
A new producer's letter from Camelot Unchained's Tyler Rockwell is out today with a first look at one of the giant races of the game. The game posted a piece of concept art for its Viking Jotnar as well as an image of a creature found in The Depths dungeon. Rockwell said that the team has a lot to do over the next month, including integrating a new game designer into the team, developing the Tuatha giant race, and vastly improving the internal testing client so that large-scale battles can happen. The game's scheduled to get Havok physics and collisions added in, allowing for jumping and projectiles to be included in the future. [Update: Tipster Matthew let us know that CU also uploaded a new developer video. It's after the cut!]
Tomb Raider, Walking Dead, Brothers in today's Xbox Ultimate sale
Today's Xbox 360 Ultimate sale includes two entries from Joystiq's Top 10 of 2013 in Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons and Tomb Raider. Meanwhile, the first episode of Walking Dead Season 2 can be yours for just a single dollar, and that really is an excellent deal - the first season placed #3 in our 2012 list. All of which reminds us that Oh Come On Telltale Where Is Episode 2 We Need To Know What Happens To Clementine Please Oh God Why. Ahem. In addition to the nine games that are on sale today, there's a whole bunch of On Demand and Arcade discounts running through until February 25. Check out the full list here, and head past the break for today's list of on-sale games and their prices.
Camelot Unchained reveals the HelBound class
Want to meet a new Camelot Unchained class that's part of the Vikings and can totally sear your soul if you so much as smile strangely at it? Sure you do! Mark Jacobs took the opportunity today to share some early details, lore, and concept art for the HelBound, a healer class that revolves around the theme of duality. "Becoming a HelBound means pain and pleasure, power and weakness for we are as our mother, creatures of a dual nature," the backstory intones. The HelBound is given the choice of a HelMark that will distinguish the character as either a healer or a death-dealing fighter. The class has cool half-masks that channel special effects due to an ancestor hopping along for the ride. According to Jacobs, the HelBound are "quite intriguing and just a wee bit dark."
Camelot Unchained contemplates a Berserker race
Would the Beserkers make a better race than a class? That's the big question that City State Entertainment's Mark Jacobs is mulling over in today's Camelot Unchained update. The CEO delivers a rundown of what the team's accomplished recently and what the team has next on the list, but he quickly transitions into a story about the Viking warriors and asks the community if they might be better served as a race. "I've always loved these guys and initial plan was to have them as a melee class within the game," Jacobs writes. "However, it might be a heck of a lot of fun if they were their own race. I thought about it and I decided that the idea of a Berserker Mage or Berserker Healer was just way too much fun." Jacobs is soliciting feedback from the community on the topic and wrapped up the update post with an early look at the Dvergr model.
Rumor: Titan might be a time-traveling, earthbound MMO
The folks over at Project Titan claim to have a huge leak on Blizzard's upcoming Titan project from a reliable (and unnamed) source. While we are certainly wary of rumors, particularly on this scale, the author says he is "extremely confident" about the leak in particular. So what is Titan, according to this post? Several bullet points sketch a picture of an MMO that is based on Earth, is big into historical mythology (including Greek, Roman, and Viking myths), and involves "a lot" of time travel. The leaks says that Titan will play from a third-person view, has a new game engine, could also be headed to consoles, and has a strong e-sports emphasis. The leak purports that over 150 developers are working on Titan, including Jay Wilson. Apparently we'll be seeing a teaser of Titan at BlizzCon before it goes into friends and family testing in early 2014. So what do you think? Is this too elaborate to be a hoax, too vague to be the real thing, or a possible advance insight into what Titan is? Sound off in the comments! [Thanks to Mynsc for the tip!]
Tribal Trouble 2 plows into open beta
Although GameSamba players have had access to Tribal Trouble 2's beta since the beginning of July, the company is now throwing open the door for any and all who want to try out this colorful MMORTS. This is, of course, the sequel to 2005's goofy Vikings-vs.-natives Tribal Trouble. Tribal Trouble 2 allows you to customize a personal chieftain who can set out to try to conquer the world, one village at a time while building one of his or her own. While we question the game's merits as a self-proclaimed MMO, the title boasts both single-player missions and PvP modes, as well as an achievement board. Plus, the game has units like the fearsome Chicken Punishers, so you know it's got to be good. If you're interested, you merely need to hop over to Tribal Trouble 2's website and sign up for the open beta. The game's both free-to-play and browser-based in order to be accessible to all. Additionally, hit the jump to check out the trailer!
PSA: Civilization 5 Viking and Explorer DLC packs now available
You spent the last week gathering up your chainmail shirt and a handy seax for battle, knowing full well that this week brought both Viking and Explorer downloadable content to Civilization V -- that's a given. But have you gotten your fancy exploring telescope oiled? Or your ship captain's wig powdered? Let's hope, as both DLC pieces are now available on Steam for $4.99 each or $7.49 together. And frankly, where would you be without your telescope at the ready? Lost, is where.
Viking Modular's SATADIMM jacks an SSD into your memory slot
Explaining the differences between DRAM and non-volatile storage is about to get that little bit harder, thanks to Viking Modular. The company's decided to "borrow" the DIMM form factor for its latest enterprise SSD offering, equipping it with a 240-pin array to draw power from your spare memory slots. Of course, you'll still need to hook up a SATA cable to get data flowing to this SSD -- at a very respectable 260MBps for both read and write -- but we must admit we're in love with the very idea of it. This new design offers another option for consolidating storage right onto the motherboard and should help case modders yearning for ever-slimmer enclosures. Alas, the SATADIMM is only available to enterprise and OEM clients for now, but we can't think of any reason why it won't test the consumer waters as well -- if not by Viking, maybe someone else? [Thanks, David]
Norse themed expansion coming to Wizard 101
Summer is a time for expansions in Wizard101 as the game will be seeing the addition of Grizzleheim, a Norse themed area adding all sorts of new content. The biggest feature being added is probably the crafting, followed by a bazaar. However, players will also get the chance to meet three new tribal races: Viking Bears, Wolves, and Ravens.Yeah, you heard us, bears that are also vikings.KingsIsle Entertainment has also said they're adding plenty of new social feautres, although didn't elaborate much beyond that. So if you like snow, mountains, plenty of fir trees and vikings, we're sure you'll be happy exploring Grizzleheim -- which you can do right now on the game's test server! Thought you'd have to wait to check it out, didn't you? Well, as it turns out, you won't.
Buy Viking:BFA, get $10 gift card free
We have to admit, this week retailers didn't feel the need to entice gamers into their stores, because their video game deals are lacking. Lackluster, dull and non existent to be precise. But we did come across one noteworthy deal over at Circuit City where, this week only, they have the best deal on upcoming release Viking: Battle For Asgard. From now through Saturday, Circuit City is giving out a free $10 gift card to anyone who makes a Viking purchase. It isn't a blockbuster game or a blockbuster deal, but for those of you who were already in the market for Viking then a free $10 gift card is worth mentioning.
Shipping this week: Frisbee knife edition
Well kids, this is it. The first "next-gen" game evar is finally on its way to retail shelves. That's right, Dark Sector, the one time space stealth action game turned Eastern Europe stealth action game, will soon see the light of day. Is it any good? We'll have to wait and see. But wait! There's more! Not only are we getting Dark Sector this week, but also Universe at War: Earth Assault and Viking: Battle for Asgard. Viking is a hack and slash action game in the vein of God of War, while Universe at War: Earth Assault is a new entry in the RTS genre. Readers may recall that Universe at War is somewhat unique as it offers cross platform play between the PC and Xbox 360. Given the 360's lack of mouse and keyboard support -- and the fact that the PC version has been out for months -- we're anxious to see if console players will even stand a chance.[Via Joystiq]
Viking: Battle for Asgard achievements pillage and plunder our gamerscores
Those of you fellow achievement fiends will be happy to know that the full achievement list for the upcoming action slasher, Viking: Battle for Asgard, has made its way online.All the standard unlocks are available to pad your gamerscore, like finishing the game on any of the three difficulty settings (they'd better stack, else there be hell to pay!) and defeating up to 500 specific enemy classes. One of the cooler achievements has to be, "Hero Of Midgard: Lead your army to victory at the final battle for all Midgard," which we're stoked about since we didn't realize Viking crossed over with Final Fantasy VII!Oh, no wait that's Midgar. Never mind.
Viking website is up, new trailer
As journalists, this is exactly the sort of thing we're supposed to avoid, yet try as we might, we can't help but be inordinately excited for Viking: Battle for Asgard. It's like someone took the narrative style of 300, infused it with the tale of Beowulf, and then tossed in the epic battles of The Lord of the Rings. How can anyone not dig that? It doesn't hurt that the actual gameplay looks rock solid too. Granted, we won't know if it actually feels solid until we can lay our hands on a controller, but so far all the right pieces seem to be there. We say all of this to inform you that a new trailer has been released and also that the official website is now open for business. The website offers the usual melange of character and game information, all wrapped up in a pretty slick package. Check it out if you're so inclined, and don't forget to peruse our own image gallery below. Finally, find the new trailer after the break.%Gallery-15009%
See why Hel has it in for the Vikings battling for Asgard
Up until recently, Sega's been relatively tight-lipped about the storyline surrounding Viking: Battle for Asgard. Sure, we know the basic premise – Hel, the aptly named goddess of the underworld, unleashes her minions of wannabe Uruk-hai upon the vikings of Midgard. After Hel slaughters everything that breathes, the goddess Freya shows up to resurrect one of Midgard's fallen, Skarin, and imbues him with extraordinary powers. It's now up to Skarin to avenge his fellow vikings. While that may sum up enough for some, we've been left wondering why Hel is hatin' on the poor vikings in the first place. Well, Sega recently cleared the air on Hel's intentions by giving us a full character background with some saucy images of this naughty little vixen and even more gameplay screens. Read on to see Hel's full character background straight from Sega's mouth. %Gallery-6254%
Viking trailer pillages XBLM
Fanboys, it seems an apology is in order. You see, two trailers for Viking: Battle for Asgard were released late last year, a fact that escaped our notice. Why the apology you ask? Simple really, because the game looks hot to death, son. Graphically, the game looks very impressive, with hundreds of soldiers on screen at any given time. Throw in some nice fighting animations complete with very detailed and bloody dismemberment and you've got a decent looking game. Oh, and let's not forget the giant beasts of war. It's like someone squashed God of War and Lord of the Rings together and then covered there creation with manly viking paint. Both trailers have been embedded after the break. Watch them if you want, but you should know that the first trailer is now available on Xbox Live Marketplace. As you might expect, it looks even better on your TV. We've also added a new Viking image gallery for your enjoyment. Now, if you'll excuse us, we could really go for some mead right now.%Gallery-15009%
