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PAX Prime 2013: A doomsday strike to the heart of Infinite Crisis
I think I'd be a lousy MOBA level designer. I'd always wondered why PvP and MOBA maps came few and far between; after all, how hard is it to whip up a quick level? I realized my ignorance after listening to Turbine Creative Director Cardell Kerr talk about the immense amount of thought and planning that goes into a single map. Kerr and his team were showing off Infinite Crisis, the upcoming DC superhero MOBA, at PAX Prime this weekend, with constant matches taking place between superhero-wannabes. As with most everything at PAX, it's a mix of promotion, information, and entertainment, although I got the feeling that the team also had something to prove. After all, everyone seems to be making MOBAs these days to catch some of that League of Legends/Dota 2 money, and because such, it's triply important that an upstart have a way of distinguishing itself from the pack. Merely having Wonder Woman and Batman show up won't be enough these days (although it certainly doesn't hurt). So what is Infinite Crisis angling to do that will make this the MOBA you'll click on more than the others? It comes down to options: options how to play your game, options how to exploit advantages on a map, and options when it comes to game modes.
Injustice mobile brings the fight to Android this fall
The mobile game companion to NetherRealm Studios' superhero fighter, Injustice: Gods Among Us, will reach the Android platform this fall, according to a tweet posted to the official Injustice Twitter account. The mobile game offers a touchscreen-based fighting experience that complements its Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 counterparts, unlocking costumes and bonus content within the console incarnation. Though the iOS version of Injustice is a free download, it features microtransactions that speed the process to unlock content, including characters. NetherRealm has offered no price point for the Android game, but it's likely to follow the same business model.
Scribblenauts Unlimited coming to European Nintendo systems in December
Europe gets its hands on Wii U and 3DS versions of Scribblenauts Unlimited - not Unmasked - some ten months after the game's original release date, and more than a year after North America has had it. Nintendo finally pinned Europe with a December release window this week, but it remains unclear why the game was delayed in the region at the last minute, and why that delay was specifically for the Wii U and 3DS versions; Unlimited was released on PC as planned back in February. If we were to speculate, one possible explanation is the lawsuit filed by the Keyboard Cat and Nyan Cat creators, alleging Warner Bros. infringed trademarks by including both those characters in Unlimited. The lawsuit, filed in May, sought injunctions against the sale of Scribblenauts products. Going by a document posted online unofficially and dated June 19, Warner Bros. then sought the lawsuit be dismissed without prejudice, and it seems the matter will go to court. Putting that mess to one side, it's now unclear when next Scribblenauts entry Unmasked will come to Europe. The DC Universe-themed game flies into North America for Wii U, 3DS, and PC on September 24, but there remains no ETA for the other side of the ocean, and it does not appear in Nintendo of Europe's Q4 line-up. Holy continental confusion, Batman!
Mad Max story is standalone because 'movie tie-in games tend to be bad'
Back at E3, Avalanche Studios said the story in its Mad Max game is "standalone," which seemed a bit strange given the existence of upcoming Mad Max film Fury Road. At Gamescom we asked senior game designer Emil Kraftling to clarify the relationship between game and movie, and why Avalanche Studios went with its own standalone story. "We aren't limited as such by the contents of the [new] movie," Kraftling told us. "But we are able to use whatever contents of the movie that ties well into the games." The game is Avalanche's own interpretation of Mad Max's manic, post-apocalyptic universe, and the studio wants to stay true to its core aspects. That said, the thought of doing a movie tie-in clearly didn't appeal to Kraftling. "It is a standalone experience," Kraftling reiterated. "From the get go that's how we wanted it, because movie tie-in games tend to be quite bad, and we really want to be wary of heading there. We wanted to create the game with a game experience as the primary focus, and we want core gamers to be able to enjoy this game. We want to enjoy the game ourselves. We want to make a game that we want to play."
Hands-on with Infinite Crisis' new Coast City Marina map
Superheroes always seem to find a reason to start throwing punches. In fact, their instinctual need for violence is a perfect fit for the MOBA genre. Endless arena battles with little or no consequences make for a description divined for tight-loving super beings. Infinite Crisis, the new DC Comics-based MOBA from Turbine and Warner Bros. Entertainment, is introducing its closed beta to a new map: Coast City Marina. The map is a mixture of massive-urban jungles, capture points, and even a giant-AoE doomsday device. It's as though every type of MOBA gametype were mashed into one large, everything-on-it burger. And then Batman beat you up with it.
Infinite Crisis video introduces Atomic Wonder Woman
Who needs a lasso when you can wield a chainsaw? Not Atomic Wonder Woman! Meet this new champion and her chainsaw in Infinite Crisis' latest video. After the world is devastated by the nuclear firestorm of World War III, Wonder Woman's mission changes from peace to restoration, and she uses her new weapon of choice to fight for that end. A melee assassin, Atomic Wonder Woman has low survivability and huge burst damage. Her skills include Vault, Smite, and Savage Sweep, and her ultimate is Reclaimer. All of these skills are boosted by her passive, Rev, which builds up and offers a little something extra to each. If you are heading to Gamescom 2013, you can play as Atomic Wonder Woman (complete with Rosie the Riveter scarf) at the Infinite Crisis booth in the Electronic Sports League hall CM Storm Arena. Otherwise you'll have to wait until she's released to closed beta on August 21st. In the meantime, catch all her moves -- along with a plenty of tips and tricks -- in the video after the cut. [Source: Turbine Entertainment press release]
Guardians of Middle Earth heads to PC this month
Lord of the Rings MOBA Guardians of Middle Earth journeys to Windows PC on August 29, free to those who've already bought the game on XBLA or PSN. New guardians will have to stump up $20, or $18 if they take advantage of Steam's pre-purchase offer. Warner Bros. Interactive says XBLA and PSN players who bought the game prior to August 15 are eligible to redeem a free PC code; for more info on how, head here. Exclusive DLC for the PC version will include 36 alternate Guardian skin; an $80 ($72 pre-purchase) Mithril Edition of Monolith's multiplayer online battle arena is also available, featuring all 36 Guardians with alternate skins, a Mithril Guardian Relic equipment item, and a base game key to give to one of your fellowship. Our review cast four stars over Guardians of Middle Earth, deeming it a "neat experiment in translating a very PC-centric experience over to the console space, and a fun throwdown featuring some of fantasy's finest." Now that PC-centric experience will be on PC. Seems appropriate.
Infinite Crisis shows off what's going on behind the scenes
On one level, Infinite Crisis feels like an obvious premise. Take a setting that already gives players plenty of reasons to beat one another up as iconic heroes and villains, give those players plenty of iconic heroes and villains, enjoy the show. But according to the new behind-the-scenes video, the game took a fair bit more effort than that. It's partly a result of game technology finally matching up with what players need and want in this sort of game. The video features commentary by both DC Comics creators and Turbine Entertainment staff members. One of the big elements of the game is that environments are not static things, that they can be interacted with and damaged during play, and that helps contribute to the feel of a game of superheroes rather than just another MOBA. If you want a closer look, check out the full video embedded just past the break. [Source: Turbine Entertainment press release]
Infinite Crisis announces the new Founders program
Some people aren't necessarily instantly on board with the idea of a MOBA featuring DC Comics characters. But if Infinite Crisis had you hooked right from the premise, you can go ahead and put your money where your mouth is as of today. The game has just launched its Founders program, a chance for future players to buy now and enjoy the benefits later... like many other free-to-play titles have done recently. Three packages are available for purchase now, with all three unlocking immediate beta access, early access to Coast City, and an exclusive icon for use in-game and on the forums. The $20 package also includes 800 Crisis Coins (in-game microtransaction money) and 3 Champion unlocks. $50 gets you 3200 Crisis Coins, 6 unlocks, and an exclusive Gaslight Batman costume. And $100 gets you 8600 Crisis Coins, 12 unlocks, an exclusive costume for both Gaslight Batman and regular Batman, and early access to the next map addition. To help up the hype, the game has also released a trailer detailing the Coast City map, which is embedded just past the break.
The Witcher 3 rides to North America courtesy of Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has partnered with CD Projekt Red to assume promotional and distribution duties in North America for open-world fantasy game The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt. Due sometime in 2014 for PS4, Xbox One and PC, The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt is the final entry in the current Witcher trilogy, though CD Projekt Red CEO Adam Kicinski has affirmed the "franchise will be continued." While multiplayer was initially a consideration, it was eventually abandoned along with the quick-time events seen in previous Witcher games.
Injustice: Gods Among Us welcomes Martian Manhunter next week
He's Martian, he hunts men, and he's coming to Injustice: Gods Among Us next week. The game's fifth DLC character has a date with PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Marketplace on Tuesday, July 30, so says the game's official Facebook page. Martian Manhunter, AKA the equally brilliant moniker of J'onn J'onzz, was revealed as the first of the non-season-pass characters at EVO 2013 earlier this month. There's no news on a price - the preceding four newbies were priced $5/400 MSP - or when Wii U players can expect their portion of Martian.
Copperhead is in Batman: Arkham Origins and this time she's a lady
Reptilian DC villain Copperhead was unveiled for Batman: Arkham Origins at San Diego Comic Con, but not as you may remember him ... because he's a she now. Origins features the character's new womanly guise, as per DC Comics' New 52 revamp. As Newsarama reports, DC Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns told panel attendees the lady Copperhead is coming to "mainstream" New 52 books shortly after Origins hits shelves. What you're seeing in the trailer, according to Warner Bros. Montreal Creative Director Eric Holmes, is the culmination of a stunt woman, a Cirque du Soleil performer, and a martial artist, combining efforts to capture Copperheads's slithering, venomous motions. Copperhead joins a host of other baddies out to get the young caped crusader in Arkham Origins, which is set to swoop onto PS3, Xbox 360, PC, and Wii U on October 25. %Gallery-194127%
Lego Movie Videogame is the tie-in to end all tie-ins
Warner Bros. announced The Lego Movie Videogame this week, a video game tie-in to a movie about a toy. We're consequentially expecting the world to end when the toy-movie-video game comes out next year for just about everything - that's PS4, Xbox One, PC, Wii U, Xbox 360, PS3, Vita, and 3DS if you're after specifics. The game pits players as Emmet, acted by Everwood star Chris Pratt in the film, the figurine hero of the movie who's mistakenly identified as the Master Builder capable of saving the world. Going by early screenshots, it looks like the game won't deviate far from Traveller's Tales' tried-and-tested formula of platforming, exploration, and construction. There's no news on whether or not the movie's all-star cast, including Will Arnett (as Batman), Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson, Will Ferrell, and Elizabeth Banks, features in the game. We'd have to say excluding Arnett in particular would be a huge mistake. %Gallery-193928%
Mad Max tears up a debut gameplay trailer
"We never got a hero. We got him ... the man they call Max." Besides that dramatic declaration, this Mad Max trailer also includes our first look at the gameplay. There's still a cinematic tang to this debut showing of Avalanche Studios' open-world adventure, but past the 1:10 mark it gets going with a fiery mix of vehicular destruction and old-fashioned fisticuffs. Some of the in-car combat is taken from the closed-doors demo we saw at E3, which showed just how brutal Max can be behind the wheel. Mad Max is scheduled to rip it up Oz-style on PS4, Xbox One, PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 sometime next year. %Gallery-193820%
Injustice lands Martian Manhunter DLC, John Stewart Green Lantern skin
Martian Manhunter is the fifth DLC character for Injustice: Gods Among Us, after NetherRealm made the announcement fans had long been j'onzzing for. As revealed at this weekend's EVO 2013 event, the extra-super-terrestrial is the next DLC character to sign up following the season pass inclusions of Lobo, Batgirl, Scorpion, and General Zod. As for when he'll be touch down for the DC fighter, that's yet to be announced. Injustice director Ed Boon also confirmed the impending arrival of a John Stewart skin for the Green Lantern, which Shoryuken reports features a new voiceover.
Infinite Crisis video showcases Batman
The newest video offering from Turbine's Infinite Crisis shows off the Dark Knight himself as we see footage of Batman's special skills. Watching, Waiting is a skill that grants a bonus to attack and power armor. Entering stealth doubles that bonus while also healing the Caped Crusader over time. Battarang is a skill that throws a single blade at an enemy, dealing damage and marking the target for a short time. Martial Arts allows Batman to leap to his target, dealing attack damage and activating the stun of Battarang. To see these skills -- as well as Batman's ultimate skill and some helpful tips for playing Batman effectively -- check out the full video just after the cut. And if you'd like to get your hands on Infinite Crisis yourself, the beta sign-ups are still open. [Source: Turbine press release]
E3 2013: Infinite Crisis super-punches MOBA flaws
Are you Marvel or DC? Turbine's hoping that you are partial to the latter, especially considering that the studio wants to rope you in with its DC superhero-themed game, Infinite Crisis. Over a hearty lunch of Kryptonite stew and Flash fries at E3, Massively's Jasmine Hruschak spoke with Creative Director Cardell Kerr, Director of Digital Communications Adam Mersky, and Executive Producer Jeffrey Steefel about the title's development and the IP's fit as a MOBA. Infinite Crisis draws upon DC's entire multiverse for its inspiration. For non-comic book geeks, the multiverse consists of several often-interacting universes that feature different versions of the same places, superheroes, and events. Ergo, the Batman you know from our world also might have a steampunk alter-ego in the multiverse, or the virtuous Green Lantern of earth might have a post-apocalyptic counterpart as the Atomic Green Lantern. Infinite Crisis takes these heroes from all over the multiverse and tosses them together to see what happens. Hint: It ain't puppy dogs and sunshine parades.
Infinite Crisis shows off the Coast City map
Turbine has released a brand new trailer for its closed beta MOBA, Infinite Crisis. This trailer shows off the game's Coast City map, featuring a two-lane-style layout with a top and bottom lane crammed with turrets and an important middle area known as The Wastes. The map also features control points known as Power Relays that enable a team to gain the patrol view advantage of The Wastes. You can see the entire Coast City trailer just after the jump.
PS4 media blowout: Driveclub, Knack, Infamous Second Son and more
Sony's lengthy E3 press conference was riddled with lots of game trailers - so many that we have to pile some of them into this little post for your viewing pleasure. While you take a quick break from your freak-out session over the PlayStation 4's $399 price tag, check out this trailer for Infamous: Second Son. Additionally, you'll find the likes of Driveclub, Killzone: Shadow Fall, Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag, Knack, Watch Dogs, Transistor and Batman: Arkham Origins after the break, each in trailer form. Grab some popcorn, you have plenty of footage to soak in.
Dying Light debut trailer makes a run for it
Dead Island creator Techland wants to bring first-person parkour back onto our screens with Dying Light - and perhaps provide competition for a certain would-be-sequel. While scavenging, combat, and stealth are all being billed as big parts of Dying Light, this CGI trailer shows the kind of agility required to keep your footing - and your flesh - in the game's zombified dystopia. Dying Light is coming to Xbox One, PS4, PS3, and Xbox 360 next year.
