 | Killzone: Shadow Fall season pass revealed Sep 24th 2013, 18:06 $20 offering will introduce wave-based co-op mode, three co-op map packs, and two multiplayer expansions to PlayStation 4 first-person shooter. 
Guerrilla Games today announced the Killzone: Shadow Fall season pass, a $20 offering that includes access to traditional multiplayer expansions as well as co-op add-ons. The online co-op expansion pack featured in the Killzone: Shadow Fall season pass introduces an all-new co-op game mode where players will team up with three others to face waves of enemies. This mode is set on four arena-style maps and features a "unique levelling system" and new unlocks. Three map packs for the co-op mode will also be offered as part of the Killzone: Shadow Fall season pass. Guerrilla Games pointed out that these maps would only work with the online co-op expansion pack. The season pass will also introduce two additional multiplayer expansion packs. More details about these add-ons will be shared as Killzone: Shadow Fall's November 15 launch date approaches, Guerrilla Games said. Unlike past entries in the series and contemporary shooters like Call of Duty and Battlefield, Killzone: Shadow Fall's multiplayer mode will not feature XP-based progression. Instead, the next-generation Killzone will feature player advancement through a series of challenges. Lastly, those who purchase the season pass on day one will receive access to an "exclusive" OWL combat drone skin and a "unique" multiplayer spotlight move. Guerrilla Games did not say when any of the season pass content would be released. Killzone: Shadow Fall--set 30 years after the events of Killzone 3--takes place in a new world and puts players into the boots of an all-new hero, the Shadow Marshal. For more on Killzone: Shadow Fall, check out GameSpot's previous coverage. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | TGS 2013 draws 270,000 attendees Sep 24th 2013, 15:55 Attendance for 2013 show up by 47,000 people over last year's event. 
The 2013 Tokyo Game Show welcomed 270,197 attendees, the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association announced in a release translated by Gematsu. That is around 47,000 more than last year's 223,753 attendees. According to data from organizers, September 22 was the busiest day this year, with 115,444 people packing into the Makuhari Messe in Chiba. Last year's busiest day saw 94,980 people inside the convention center. By comparison, the sold-out Gamescom 2013 drew a record 340,000 attendees. Dates for the 2014 Tokyo Game Show were also confirmed. The show will be held September 18-21, 2014 at the same venue. For more on the announcements from the 2013 Tokyo Game Show, check out GameSpot's coverage of the event. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Microsoft on Xbox One: "We are winning the games message" Sep 24th 2013, 15:03 Corporate VP Phil Harrison says he is confident Microsoft's software lineup is stronger than Sony's catalog of launch titles for PlayStation 4. 
Microsoft is "winning the games message" when it comes to Xbox One vs. PlayStation 4, according to corporate vice president Phil Harrison. Speaking with Edge, Harrison said he is confident in Microsoft's launch lineup for the Xbox One, noting that media outlets agree. "We are winning the games message," Harrison said. "We had over 100 awards coming out of E3 for games on our platform. That is more than twice as many awards as any other platform. So the media recognized our games on Xbox One as being the best lineup--including Titanfall, which is the most awarded game in the history of E3, coming to Xbox One and to Xbox 360." The Xbox One's launch lineup includes 23 games and was previously described by Harrison as the best in the history of consoles. By comparison, Sony has said it will have 33 titles available on PS4 by December 31. Also in Harrison's interview with Edge, the executive acknowledged that Microsoft's path thus far with the Xbox One has not been without its struggles. "I think when you create a vision of the future, you paint the vision of the future that you are most excited about," he said. "But we got clear feedback that some of the things we were proposing were perhaps a little too far into the future. So we changed. We took feedback from the community; we changed our plans. We think that's a good thing." Xbox director Albert Penello said earlier this month that though Microsoft is sticking with a disc-based model for the Xbox One launch, the company plans to support trading, loaning, and reselling of digital games down the road. "I think we need to do that. That has to be part of the experience. Right now, we're focused on launch and we switched the program back to discs, because that's what customers wanted," Penello said at the time. The Xbox One launches on November 22 for $500. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Research firm names Riot Games a top medium-sized US workplace Sep 24th 2013, 14:24 League of Legends developer named third-best medium-sized United States workplace in recent study. 
Research firm Great Place To Work has named League of Legends developer Riot Games the third-best medium-sized workplace in the United States. Riot Games, based Santa Monica, California, was the only game developer to be named to the medium-sized list. "We aspire to make Riot Games a legitimately great place to work, so it feels great to be recognized for our efforts to create a culture where Rioters can thrive," the company said in a statement. This was the first year that Riot Games applied for selection to the list. Surveys about life at Riot Games were sent to randomly selected employees, as were questionnaires about the company's culture and programs. "This process gave us the opportunity to share Riot culture and stories, but also gave us a chance to take cultural inventory of where we're at and where we still need to go," Riot Games said. Riot Games employees--or Rioters--work their own hours and have an unlimited amount of paid time off, according to Great Place to Work. 98 percent of employees said they look forward to coming to work and about the same percentage said they don't consider their work "just a job." Riot Games has 843 full-time employees, up from 678 full-time staff in 2012 and 347 people in 2011. Men make up 85 percent of full-time Riot Games staff and about 75 percent are under 34. "The player comes first and drives all business decisions as opposed to pure profitability," one Rioter said. "The management really practices what it preaches. Top management has created a great work environment where the mentality is no constraints and everyone is equal." 94 percent of employees said they feel like they are treated fairly regardless of their position. The same ratio said management is approachable and easy to talk with. In terms of benefits, Riot Games pays 80 percent of health care costs and offer over 200 hours of training (public speaking, leadership, etc.) per year. Though Rioters set their own hours, this does not encourage a culture of slacking off, the report said. 78 percent of employees said they are encouraged to balance work and their personal lives, though work hours are known to be long. To assist in balancing this, Riot Games offers a meal delivery service for those who work late and finds "many ways" to involve partners and family in the workplace. In terms of pay, 63 percent of Rioters said they feel they receive a "fair share" of the organization's profits, while 79 percent said they feel they are paid fairly for the work they do. Overall, 98 percent of Rioters said they endorse the company as a "great workplace." Earlier this year, Riot Games was listed as the fourth-best company to work for as part of the Top Tech Companies to Work For in 2013 list from Glassdoor and Business Insider. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Sony teams with Taco Bell for PS4 promotion Sep 24th 2013, 13:42 PlayStation maker partners with fast food company for contest that will give away PlayStation 4 systems ahead of launch. 
The PlayStation 4 doesn't arrive in North America until November 15, but some gamers will be able to get their hands on the next-generation system a few days early thanks to a new promotion with fast food company Taco Bell. To participate in the "Play the Future First" promotion, consumers can purchase a specially marked $5 Buck Box or Big Box from participating Taco Bell stores and send in a code inside the package to see if they have won. The prize package includes one PS4 system, a copy of Knack, and a one-year subscription to PlayStation Plus. The promotion will be offered only in the United States. The "Play the Future First" promotion begins September 26 and runs through November 10. Prize packages will be shipped on November 12, three days before the PS4 is due to launch in North America. More information about the promotion is available on a special Taco Bell site. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Free-to-play Xbox Live game Ascend out tomorrow Sep 24th 2013, 13:16 Microsoft-published Ascend: Hand of Kul releasing tomorrow as free download on Xbox Live. 
Xbox Live's portfolio of free-to-play offerings will expand tomorrow with the release of Ascend: Hand of Kul, formerly known as Ascend: New Gods, it has been announced. The Xbox 360 game was announced during Microsoft's 2012 Electronic Entertainment Expo briefing under its former name and was previously in closed beta. Ascend: Hand of Kul was developed by Signal Studios, the Seattle-area developer behind Toy Soldiers. The third-person action role-playing game features single- and multiplayer and is described as "truly free-to-play." Gamers can play Ascend: Hand of Kul from beginning to end without paying a dime and there is no premium currency in the game. Xbox Live's first free-to-play game was October 2012's Happy Wars. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Guild Wars II Twilight Assault update revealed Sep 24th 2013, 13:00 Latest content update for MMO launching October 1; includes new events and rewards; next free trial weekend begins Friday evening. 
ArenaNet today announced Twilight Assault, the newest content update for massively multiplayer online role-playing game Guild Wars II, launching on October 1. The developer said the update "continues ArenaNet's commitment" to releasing new content for players every two weeks, a rate it claims is faster than any other Western competitor. "In Twilight Assault, trouble is stirring in Twilight Arbor and rumors abound that Scarlet Briar, the devious leader of the Aetherblades, is behind the suspicious activity," reads a line from the content's description. "Players will join the sylvari hero Caithe in attempting to stop Scarlet's scheming, but it will take daring, wits, and weaponry to put an end to the mischief." Twilight Assault also features a new level 80 path in Twilight Arbor where players can work together to find a way into a hidden facility where they will battle guards and monsters. New rewards offered in the update include the Slickpack back item and new versions of the Nightmare weapons. In addition, players can collect Aether Key Pieces from across Tyria and combine all five to form a key that will open Aether Chests in Twilight Arbor. Gamers can get an early look at Twilight Assault during a preview livestream with ArenaNet developers on Monday, September 30 at 12 noon PDT through Twitch. Finally, ArenaNet also announced today that the next Guild Wars II free trial weekend will take place Friday, September 27 through Thursday, October 3. Guild Wars II launched in August 2012 and has sold over 3.5 million copies to date. It is the fastest-selling Western MMO ever, according to data from research company DFC Intelligence. The game's playerbase is expected to grow substantially when it is released in China. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Activision Blizzard files emergency appeal over decision blocking sale Sep 24th 2013, 12:56 Publisher and parent company Vivendi seeking appeal of preliminary injunction that blocked $8.2 billion sale. 
Activision Blizzard and parent company Vivendi have filed an emergency appeal of last week's ruling that halted the game publisher's attempt to separate itself from Vivendi in an $8.2 billion deal, according to documents obtained by The Wall Street Journal. "The injunction leaves Activision and its stockholders in limbo and at risk of losing an $8 billion deal that will return the company to public control," lawyers for Activision Blizzard said in papers filed with the Delaware Supreme Court. The Delaware Chancery Court issued a preliminary injunction last week following multiple lawsuits from shareholders seeking to block the deal. The transaction will continue to be halted until its terms are modified on appeal or the transaction is approved by a shareholder vote of non-Vivendi stockholders. According to The Wall Street Journal, Activision Blizzard told the court that there would be no way to get a shareholder vote before the October 15 termination on the agreement, putting the deal in danger. The Delaware Supreme Court has scheduled an October 10 hearing for Vivendi and Activision Blizzard's opposition to the ruling. Last week, Activision Blizzard said it remained "committed to the transaction" and is exploring ways in which to get the deal done expeditiously. In July this year, Activision Blizzard announced its intention to separate from its parent company, Vivendi. The purchase would see around 429 million shares change hands, totaling roughly $5.83 billion in cash. Activision CEO Bobby Kotick and co-chairman Brian Kelly are responsible for the purchase of 172 million shares, worth an estimated $2.34 billion. The pair have personally contributed $100 million to secure the sale. As a result, Kelly would become sole chairman under the restructure, with Vivendi retaining a minority 12 percent stake in the business. The deal was orchestrated by Activision Blizzard's management team and assisted by investors. The intended trade would result in shareholders owning a controlling stake in the business. Earlier this month, shareholder Douglas M. Hayes stated in a lawsuit that the sale would "unjustly enrich Kelly, Kotick, and the other participants." Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| |
Niciun comentariu:
Trimiteți un comentariu