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Battlefield 3: Aftermath starts rolling out November 27, details unearthed [update: correction]
It's been a while since we heard anything about Battlefield 3 post-earthquake expansion Aftermath, but today EA grounded out some more details to us, including a release date of November 27 for PS3 Premium members. We also have a debut trailer to enjoy along with new screenshots below.The new mode is called Scavenger, a Conquest variation which ties into the expansion's setting of a devastated Tehran. You play as a lost soldier, armed only with a pistol and forced to search the rubble to find more powerful weaponry. If you're lucky, you might stumble across the scoped crossbow featured in the trailer.The expansion adds four new maps, including the reasonably self-descriptive Epicenter and Markaz Market Monolith. There are also three new vehicles, ten new assignments, ten new dog tags, and five achievements/trophies. EA says Aftermath 'starts' releasing on November 27, first for PS3 Premium members, which translated means we can likely expect the same week-by-week roll-out as before. When it does find its way to you, it'll cost $14.99 on PS3 and PC, and 1200 MSP on Xbox 360.Update: EA notes the Markaz Monolith map was incorrectly denoted in the information provided to us.
Guilty Gear hits XBLA next week, Arkham City on sale this week
Surprise! Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus is coming to Xbox Live in North America on October 24. We previously learned only its Japanese release window, and had no confirmation of western release at all. But you'll be able to engage in vintage metal-inspired 2D fighting next week for 1200 Microsoft Points ($15).Before that, however, you can enjoy sales on Batman: Arkham City and its DLC. From today through October 22, the game is on sale on Games on Demand for $29.99 (prices vary regionally), with all DLC half off. It's joined by a half-off deal on XBLA Kinect game Wreckateer. And next week, starting October 23, Bioshock, Bioshock 2 and related DLC will be on sale.
Metro 2033 price cut in half on Xbox Live starting tomorrow
If you like Eastern European first-person shooters, paranormal nuclear fallout, and desperately gasping for air, then you, friend, are in luck. That's if you don't already have Metro 2033, because THQ is cutting the 2010 cult hit down to half-price on Xbox Live, starting tomorrow. The publisher tells us the novel adaptation will be available on Games on Demand for $9.99 until Monday, October 22.If you missed the recent Steam sale (or if you'd prefer the game on Xbox) then this isn't a bad consolation offer for a tense shooter we handed four out of five stars to. But for the love of Бог don't forget your gas mask.
Mass Effect 3 Omega DLC out Nov 27, priced 1200 MSP/$15 [update: confirmed]
Mass Effect 3 DLC Omega is landing on November 27 and is priced at 1200 MSP or $15, if a video interview by Examiner's Beverly Lim Lee is accurate. The interviewee is apparently Mass Effect 3 Producer Mike Gamble, although he's introduced as "Mike, the producer of Mass 3 Effect Omega." According to the interview, the DLC is double the size of any previous Mass Effect 3 DLC, and lets players take on Aria, who is vying for control of the Omega space station.The video was uploaded to Ms Lee's YouTube account, and was apparently taken at the New York Comic Con, a convention at which EA BioWare is certainly in attendance and showing off Omega concept art.We've reached out EA BioWare for confirmation of these details and further information.Update: A post on the BioWare blog confirms the details. The Omega DLC is coming to PC, PSN, and XBLM on November 27 for $14.99 or 1200 MSP. PS3 owners in Europe will have to wait until November 28 for the DLC to hit the continent. The blog post reads: "Disturbing reports from the Citadel suggest that something big is about to go down. If our Intel is accurate, Aria is on the move. This was anticipated, as we did not expect her to sit idly by while Cerberus ran roughshod over Omega. With her biotic capabilities and well-documented mean streak, what happens next won't be pretty. Our informants believe that Aria intends to seek out Commander Shepard for assistance. We are aware of the Commander's ties to Aria, but are unclear about how deep they run. What we do know is that Aria will be relentless in her fight to take back Omega, and with the Commander at her side, she may very well be unstoppable."The video linked above has now been made private.
Adventure Time items gallivant off to Xbox Live Marketplace
The Xbox Live Marketplace has checked its watch and observed the little hand is squarely on "Adventure." A lineup of Adventure Time avatar items is live on XBLM, including shirts with Jake, Finn, Lady Raincorn, Ice King and Marceline, along with extra items such as Marceline's Axe Bass, Finn's Toy Golden Sword of Battle, Ice King's crown and Princess Bubblegum's tiara and hair.The Princess Bubblegum item is on the second page, where we can only assume she's hiding from Ice King. Unfortunately, she's right next to an Ice King t-shirt, and they're all alone. Finn, Jake, help![Thanks, neoz.]
Borderlands 2's Captain Scarlett DLC lands on October 16 [update: gallery]
The first Borderlands 2 downloadable expansion, Captain Scarlett and her Pirate's Booty, is landing next week on October 16. Associated Press reports the DLC is set in a new area which features the bandit-occupied slums of Oasis. Gearbox Software president Randy Pitchford described the area as a dried-up landscape "more like Tatooine than an ocean." The Sand Skiff vehicle Pitchford discussed last month also features in the expansion, along with a new currency called "seraph crystals."Captain Scarlett is the first of four downloadable expansions Gearbox is releasing for Borderlands 2, each priced at $9.99. The Borderlands 2 Season Pass makes all four pieces of DLC accessible when they release for $29.99. We've reached out to Gearbox for more information on the upcoming DLC.Update: Gearbox sends some hi-res images of the DLC, including the Sand Skiff after the break. Keep heading on and you'll find a gallery, which also has some box art.
Serious Sam 3: BFE explodes onto XBLA October 17
Serious Sam 3: Before First Encounter is getting serious on Xbox Live Arcade next week, launching on October 17 for 1200 MSP. Devolver Digital also announced that the "Jewel of the Nile" DLC arrives on the same day, just a day after it debuts on Steam.The DLC includes three new campaigns along with some new weaponry. It's available with the Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, Lat Team Standing and My Burden multiplayer versus modes for 1200 MSP too.Devolver Digital revealed the above trailer to commemorate the announcement. It features the Rich Knuckles character from previous BFE commercials holding down his new mobile helpline, and includes an interesting soundbite from a certain CEO.
ToeJam & Earl and Panic on Funkotron hit PSN/XBLA November 6/7
ToeJam & Earl and ToeJam and Earl in Panic on Funkotron are funking onto PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade on November 6/7 for North America. Sega tells us the two games are being released separately on PSN for $4.99, while on the Xbox Marketplace they'll be packaged together as Sega Vintage Collection: ToeJam & Earl for 800 MSP.The games' achievements showed up under the Vintage Collection tag in August, which suggested more Sega classics were on the way. Yesterday, ratings for three Sega old-school fighters were found on software regulator USK's site, but they've since been delisted.
Borderlands 2's Mechromancer busts out early, available later today [update]
Borderlands 2 is getting its fifth playable character today, a week ahead of schedule. Gearbox chief Randy Pitchford tweeted the surprise breakout for Gaige the Mechromancer, promising the DLC's availability across all platforms sometime today. The content is free with Premiere Club editions of the game, otherwise it costs 800 MSP or $9.99.Last week Gearbox revealed Gaige's skill tree, which imbues the Mechromancer and her robotic accomplice Deathtrap with a whole host of deadly abilities. We also discovered how she sounds via the above recording, all innocence and sweetness until she starts yelling about jerk-bags and smashing the system.Update: The DLC is now available for Xbox 360 and PC. It looks like players on PlayStation 3 have to wait a little bit longer to take the Mechromancer out for a spin.
Report: Microsoft Points no longer the only way to pay with Windows 8
Microsoft Points may no longer be the only form of payment in Windows 8. According to Polygon's experience with Zune Marketplace on a final build of Windows 8, users can pay using actual money rather than being forced to use Microsoft's oft-maligned currency. In Windows 8 preview builds, Microsoft Points were the only form of payment. Now, they apparently aren't even the default.A rumor surfaced earlier this year suggesting Microsoft Points are being phased out completely, including from the Xbox Live platform they launched on. Two months ago, real money options briefly showed up on the Xbox Marketplace, though Microsoft claimed they were an error. The change to Windows 8 may be the signal of further changes across Microsoft's platforms, but for now the space bucks live on Xbox Live to fight another day.
Terraria trailer teases new console content
Last month, 505 Games revealed Re-Logic's Terraria is coming to Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network, and today the publisher's unveiled a new trailer to seal the deal. Moreover, right at the end the video teases new content for the console versions, but doesn't detail what it is.
The Walking Dead Episode Four trailer tolls for thee
This trailer for the fourth episode of The Walking Dead, titled Around Every Corner, quotes John Donne at us before chucking in a ton of zombies and ending bleakly. Given that it's the penultimate offering, it's not surprising to see the episode written by Book of Eli screenwriter Gary Whitta take a turn for the really quite worrying.
Abe's Oddysee HD now New 'n' Tasty, coming Q4 2013
'Abe's Oddysee HD' is now Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee - New 'n' Tasty, and it has a new and tasty release window of Q4 2013. Last month, Just Add Water asked fans to come up with a new name for the 2.5D remake, and this weekend the British studio revealed the winning title in a Eurogamer Expo talk. New 'n' Tasty is landing on Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Network (for PS3 and Vita) late next year, and on PC later on.Just Add Water revealed that the 2009 re-releases of Abe's Oddysee and Abe's Exodus sold 750,000 units across PC, PS3, and Vita downloads. By those figures, the updated version of the 1997 classic may be a popular item on XBLA and PSN menus in a year's time.%Gallery-167168%
Marvel vs Capcom Origins launches with action-packed trailer
This trailer for Marvel vs Capcom Origins shows off all the chaotic fighting fun you might remember from Marvel vs Capcom and Marvel Super Heroes. The double pack is out now for $15 on XBLA and PSN.
Xbox Live rewarding Gamerscore with rebates and birthday gifts
Xbox Live Rewards is now offering players rebates on Marketplace purchases, based on their Gamerscore. Gold members with more than 25000 Achievement Points get 2 percent back (in Microsoft Points) on Xbox Live purchases made each month. Gold members with more than 10000 APs get a 1 percent rebate, while all Gold members with 3000+ APs get a "special gift" in the months of their birthdays. We do note the fine print says the gift has an approximate retail value of 25 cents. But it's the thought that counts, right?Microsoft teased a tie-in between Achievements and Xbox Live Rewards earlier this year, and now the company's made good on that tease. Still, we'd like to see those die-hard players with more than 50K or 100K worth of APs get some properly sizable rewards, something like 5 and 10 percent rebates, respectively. At that rate we suppose Microsoft would have to reward the guy working up to one million APs with everything on the Marketplace ... which he must already own anyway.Gold members must sign up to the Xbox Live Rewards scheme to get the bonuses. Otherwise the'll have to make do with measly real-life birthday presents.
Final Fantasy XIII-2 has Lightning deals on DLC this week
Square Enix is slapping some discounts on the plethora of Final Fantasy XIII-2 DLC, with all twenty-plus items on sale on the Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Network. True, most of the premium downloadables feature weapons and outfits (though what outfits they are), but there are discounted options for those who focus on the 'content' side of downloadable content.'Lightning: Requiem of the Goddess' is 50 percent off at 200 MSP/$2.49 on XBLM and PSN. Within is an episode which sees you play out Lightning's story in a battle with Caius, before unlocking the heroine of Final Fantasy XIII as a party member. Also going at half-off is 'Sazh: Heads or Tails' for the same price, and Snow: Perpetual Battlefield at 160 MSP/$1.99. Both unlock the named heroes for use in the sequel.The sale doesn't end for another week, so there's plenty of time for you to... what's that? You just want to see Serah in N7 armor? Well, fine, you go do that.
PSA: Fire Pro-Wresting resurfaces, now available on XBLM
After being announced at the 2010 Tokyo Game Show and scheduled for a 2011 release it never made, Fire Pro-Wrestling resurfaces and is now available on the Xbox Marketplace. Developed by Japanese studio Spike, the Avatar-ed version of one of gaming's oldest series is priced at 800 MSP.Apart from throwing you into 3D wrestling action, FPW uses the Avatar FameStar cross-game reward program. So while you can obtain suitably outlandish garb for your Avatar using in-game currency, you can also earn themed costumes based on other FameStar games like Full House Poker and Wreckateer. There's offline and online multiplayer for 2-4 players, with tag matches, team matches (2 on 2, 1 on 2, or 1 on 3), 4-way matches, and battle royals.%Gallery-166261%
Dark Souls DLC lands on PSN/XBLM October 24 in Europe [update: October 23 for NA]
The Dark Souls 'Artorias of the Abyss' downloadable content is coming to Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Network on October 24 in Europe and Australasia. The DLC contains the additional content of the Prepare to Die edition recently released on PC. It will cost 1200 MSP on XBLM, and $14.99 on PSN.For those who view downloads on the same level of an invading player robbing them of all their souls, a Prepare to Die retail edition for consoles is headed to Europe and Australasia on October 26. There remains no word on it being brought to North America.Update: We have an update on the Dark Souls Facebook page, albeit a confusingly worded one. When deciphered, it seems to indicate the Artorias of the Abyss DLC is coming to North America on October 23. It reads: DARK SOULS : Artorias of The Abyss Dark Souls®: Prepare to Die Edition™ is coming to consoles and will be available for purchase via digital download on both the PlayStation®Network and Xbox LIVE® on : October 23, 2012 in North America October 24, 2012 in Europe Dark Souls: Artorias of the Abyss will include sprawling new maps and environments, new boss characters, enemies, non-player characters (NPCs), an arsenal of new weapons and armor and additional challenging content for unrelenting heroes to face as they return to the deadly world of Lordran. Darkness born in the forests of Oolacile is expanding and engulfing the kingdom and all of its people. Only the strongest players will be able to stop the encroaching darkness. Dark Souls: Artorias of the Abyss will include an online match-making feature allowing console gamers to showcase their skills against other Dark Souls players around the world. October 24 matches up with the European date for the DLC. Given that, we think the update means to say the additional content from the Prepare to Die edition i.e. the Artorias DLC is coming to XBLM and PSN on October 23 in North America. Of course, we can't discount this being another nefarious Dark Souls puzzle designed to lull us into a false sense of security. So we're off to find a bonfire. Don't wait up. %Gallery-165957%
PSA: Resident Evil 6 demo live on XBLM, PSN later today
The Resident Evil 6 demo is live on Xbox Marketplace, and is coming to PlayStation Network later today. Gold subscribers can download the demo now on Xbox, with the demo becoming generally available for the console on September 25. In case you're wondering, this isn't the same demo that owners of Dragon's Dogma on Xbox 360 got earlier this year.The fully fledged version of Resident Evil 6 arrives on October 2.
PSA - Fable: The Journey demo reaches XBLM today
Last month Microsoft and Lionhead described the Fable: The Journey demo as filled with "heart-pounding action." Should you wish to pound your heart with some Kinect-ified fantasy, the 1.22GB trial file is up on Xbox Live Marketplace today.The fully-fledged game is set to reach retail shelves on October 9. As we saw at E3, Lionhead isn't letting any skeptics stop it from trying to make The Journey "awesome" on Kinect.
