E3 ‘the gaming Mecca’ : Day 0

Day 0 of E3 was not Microsoft’s day alone as next up was Electronic Arts; most commonly known in today’s world as EA – “it’s in the game”

With collaborations across the various platforms EA were there to show that just because they make games for both console giants doesn’t mean they can’t impress just as well. Choosing to start from the top they began with the introduction of NEED FOR SPEED :

This title featured a return to what is great about the franchise in all the forms it has been given to us before in the form of being an icon in each of the five things that make the franchise fun.

• Speed – Speed is the connection that exists between car and driver that is only present at top speeds. It’s about keeping your nerve and never lifting off the gas. It’s about the adrenaline rush of taking a corner at high speed, having faith that your car will hold firm and not loose grip. The fearless always push the limits.
• Style – Style is pure expression through driving, sending your car into a corner sideways with ultimate precision. It’s the feeling of freedom for that split second as your tires leave the ground, when you find yourself in a place where only you and the car exist. For some, style is all that matters.
• Build – Build is where you take your car to the extreme through both visual and performance modification. The constant need to improve and personalize, shaping the car to your own vision. Craftsmen build, searching for perfection.
• Crew – Ride together with your Crew and never hit the streets alone. Put your faith in others as bumpers come within inches of one another. This is the skill of close proximity chaos.
• Outlaw – Become an Outlaw, messing with and escaping from the cops. Always looking to raise the stakes through risk vs reward driving, pushing the limits and looking over your shoulder. Live life on the edge as you crave the thrill of the chase.

EA boasted the seamless integration of actors and game elements within scenes & gameplay. From this the introduction to their Star Wars The Old Republic: Knights of the Fallen Empire

this fan favourite was said to be created with the fans requests in mind, with the want of more BioWare like choice based gameplay (play Mass Effect/Dragon Age if you are unsure what we mean) that determines outcomes in your story at pivotal points.

Another point of interest was the unveiling of the new IP unravel:

Using yarn like mechanics the game focuses on expressing the puzzle solutions in the different style, similar to LittleBig Planet but not ‘sickbay’ style. Also EA were of course showing of the 16’s of their sports gaming franchises:

and of course

Thats enough of the re-skinned gaming as EA really did fire on all cylinders this year with more trailers and gameplay footage, hope you enjoy:

February 2016 –

This wasn’t the only game on everyone’s mind with the soon to be released star wars film; Battlefront was in the air… then on screen:

The latter stages of EA’s press conference was their display of mobile applications syncing and sometimes enhancing their entertainment features with partner apps like the FIFA Ultimate Team 2015. This is a concept that will be ambitiously put to use with their Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic title, called Star Wars: Galaxy of heroes.

Electronic Arts are really making sure to keep up both on both console’s and on their own success as last year Titanfall was the talk of E3

more to follow as always

ciao-su =^_^=

E3 “the gaming Mecca”: Day 0

E3 began yesterday (CET) with a power packed schedule of a day. The usuals were all in attendance with Microsoft appearing and displaying their own work first & of course Sony’s Playstation there as the other powerhouse in the gaming/entertainment field.

With so much to go through, here’s a list of titles that Microsoft showed at their press conference:

Before we begin on the games; the most important news from Microsoft was arguably this —

• Xbox One will finally have BACKWARD COMPATIBILITY
• not only that but it will allow MULTIPLAYER WITH XBOX 360 GAMES ON THE XBOX ONE
• And finally Elite accessories (if you are a pro gamer this is heaven to you. your fighting stick is now the Xbox Elite Pad)

First out the Xbox was Halo 5: Guardians, which housed a gameplay display with spartan Locke’s squad. New game mechanics like in game reviving of squad members, air melee kills, some new weapons and a return of the Prometheans. To top it off a new game mode called warren where anything goes. From assault rifles to pelicans. Fight, win and survive the warden. The warden mode is a 24 vs 24 battle (24 players and 24 AI opponents.)

Recore was then given is first breath of life with a demo gameplay trailer being shown from the makers of Metroid Prime and Keiji InafuneThe game appears to focus of a journey between a female protagonist (oh yeah. not a guy for once) and her faithful companion to go somewhere… we don’t know but we will give all the info as it arrives.

Bethesda made a showing (makers of the Fall Out series) with a display of how Microsoft feel PC should link to console. Bethesda verified that with their new upcoming release, Fall Out 4, modifications (mods) made on the PC version can be transferred over to the Xbox One system.

EA also came to the stage to show their EA access which allows early access to titles for a set amount of time and surprised us with Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare 2

Next on the menu was show off time with titles like FORZA MOTORSPORT 6, DARK SOULS 3, THE DIVISION exclusive Xbox beta, Rainbow 6: Siege, DAY Z xbox version, RISE Of THE TOMB RAIDER, GEARS OF WAR ULTIMATE EDITION, SPEEDRUNNERS XBOX VERSION  and a host of indie titles as included within the Xbox family ethos (Yeah. They meant business.)

The Coalition made a showing with Gears of War: Ultimate Edition as mentioned before but as the makers  of the Gears Series they did not leave without dropping the rumoured Gears 4. With a new story The Coalition have began to continue the franchise; as the information comes we will inform you on the latest on this game.

The real icing on the cake was Microsofts hardware as they showed off their Oculus tech but more importantly went the step further and introduced the power of the Holo Lens in real time. Not much to be said just enjoy:

All in all a good showing by the Microsoft team in their press conference showing, with the boast of their ‘biggest’ year line up to date with this year’s releases including: Tomb Raider, Gears of War 4, Fable and Halo 5

look out for the other posts on Ubisoft, EA and of course Playstation

ciao-su =^_^=

PLAYMATION. We Want.

There have been a few innovations from the last Gen of gaming that we all, well most of us, wanted to see used as steps towards being in the game itself. Nintendo brought us motion sensor gaming with the Wii system and now we have Disney Playmation. (yes Disney).

What is Playmation?

“Playmation is the next step in the evolution of play, where digital gets physical and imagination becomes real. The groundbreaking system of toys and wearables uses smart technology to inspire kids to run around and use their imaginations, as they become the hero or heroine of stories from across The Walt Disney Company. Playmation Marvel’s Avengers is the first of a series of systems in development, including Star Wars and Frozen. In Playmation Marvel’s Avengers, strap the high-tech Repulsor Gear onto your arm and join the Avengers in their fight to save Earth! As an Avenger recruit, your on-board intelligence JARVIS will guide you from your Gear as you accept missions from the Avengers and battle in exotic locations around the universe to save our planet—all from the comfort of your own home.”

That was Disney’s take.

Disney Playmation isn’t a video game, at least not in the traditional sense. Players put on one of the smart toys (the starter kit comes with an Iron Man repulsor glove), and a combination of the wearable, motion sensors, and bluetooth connectivity.

You don’t need an internet connection, PC, or console, and the toys function outside. The Avengers set comes with a number of missions for one or two players, issued by Avengers AI JARVIS. Future sets will tie in with Star Wars in 2016 and Frozen in 2017.

There are also toys, called “smart figures” that work with a “power activator” base. These allow you to access new missions, fight alongside and against different characters and, according to the Playmation website, allow you to unlock new abilities.

Disney Playmation is coming in October 2015. The starter pack, which comes with one Repulsor gear, Captain America, Red Skull, and two activators, will retail for $119.99. Additional figures are priced at $14.99, and the Prowler Bot carries a price of $39.99

Something in the right direction…. one hopes

ciao-su =^_^=

GoG Sale now on

GoG is putting your wallet on notice, as its 2015 summer sale is underway. As usual, all of the games on offer are DRM-free.

The sale runs through June 21, and GoG is offering bonuses if you reach three different spending thresholds. If you spend at least $1, you’ll get a copy of SimCity 2000. At the $20 mark, you’ll unlock a copy of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky. Finally, if you spend $50 or more, you’ll get a copy of Xenonauts.

GoG will be posting new discounts every 12 hours, and have said that over 100 games and bundles will be posted each day. The sale begins with significant discounts on bundles of classic LucasArts adventure games, Might & Magic titles, Dungeons & Dragons remakes, and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. titles.

The Witcher 3, Jade Empire, Telltale’s Game of Thrones, Lichdom Battlemage, and Jade Empire are some of the games leading off the sale. Check GoG for full details and offers.

fun new things in the lead up to E3

ciao-su =^_^=

Will you join us?

I’m sure we are not alone as some of you who also follow Ubisoft received the invite to view the next release in the Assassin’s Creed series. What did you make of the image? What era do you think “everything is permitted” in now?

Well here’s what we know:

The character definitely bares the attire of Victorian England
However only seems to use ONE wrist blade (very strange for an Assassin)
And the character dons brass knuckles & a cane (a touch of class ^_^ )
But all in all the most modern kit seen in the series to date
All in all if this is a Victorian England adventure then we may just be giving Jack the Ripper a run for his money… or was he an Assassin as well; he was never caught…

pure speculation but all we know is we’re continuing in the order

Won’t you join us?

more news to follow as usual

ciao-su =^_^=

What do you do with a man with no fear?…. Call him Daredevil.

Here we have one of Netflix’s most recent projects (in partnership with Marvel), another original series, Daredevil. Im sure we are all, if not mostly, now believe in the power of Netflix and this series only helps them dominate the streaming world. This series displays the life of the New York vigilante during his semi pre-vigilante days.

Fully taking a leaf out the previous incarnation of Daredevil (2003 film) the series keeps the high octane action, which is actually realistic violence in this current version, combined with the conflicting emotional struggles vigilante types go through before and as they choose the path.

As obvious as the story may be, the series presents the Daredevil tale with a brilliant modern flare that incorporates a host of characters in a situation ( good or bad) that is plausible for the kind of show. From the well choreographed fight scenes to the incentive plot that leads you on with each episode. Like all things with original incarnations some characters may not meet the required taste of viewers; but  after the 5.1 (out of 10) rating from IMDb for the 2003 film, this series rating of 9.1 seems justified. It is that good. Bruce Wayne would approve.

Best of all Netflix has all the episodes ready to watch.

As always more to follow on the series as news is released

ciao-su =^_^=

Next Gen Season: Games to look out for

We are in great times for gaming this season, with previous releases in our ‘Next Gen’ year like Far Cry 4 or more recently Mortal Kombat X showing what we all want our next gaming cycle to look like.

To keep up with this why don’t we show you what else is on the horizon, just incase you didn’t know:

Arguably the most loved part of the Call of Duty franchise’s third instalment –

Black Ops III

Coincidence or not with movements of DC comics’ steady creation of ‘Dawn of Justice,’ the caped crusader is once again facing the perils of Arkham but now in the city. His city. Will you follow him?

Batman: Arkham Knight

This next one is a personal favourite in terms of presentation and general excitement. But when it comes to overthrowing rogue governments and combining it with an array of weapons, stunts (both ground level and aerial) & a general result of explosions due to said actions; this game has had fans since showing all you need is a grappling hook and a parachute to get things done

Just Cause 3

The next game is a still seen as being one of the, arguably, best  game creations of gaming history. It’s first instalment is still used as a benchmark of, all if not most, games that follow the supernatural hunter in a medieval era genre. Still moving forward with it’s impressive second game (currently being played =^_^=) the time has now come for the Wild Hunt to join the franchise-

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Keep an eye out for more from the Next Gen Season list as this list has only begun

more to come as always

Ciao-su =^_^=

Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China

Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China – the first in a planned downloadable trilogy – is the best spin-off the franchise has received so far, rising high above the mostly garbage mobile and handheld titles. The 2.5D stealth title blends signature Assassin’s Creed elements and plenty of influence from 2012’s Mark of the Ninja. I’m glad somebody’s borrowing from Klei Entertainment’s brand of platforming, sneaking, and killing, as it fits well with Ubisoft’s world.

The protagonist, Shao Jun, returns from her appearance in Assassin’s Creed Embers, where she trained with an older Ezio Auditore. A Templar gang called the Tigers previously drove out and killed most of the Assassins in China, and she’s back for revenge.

Shao Jun proves to be an agile platformer, running, crouching, climbing, and jumping throughout 12 memory sequences (there are no current-day components). Most of the gameplay consists of entering a large area patrolled by increasing amounts and varieties of guards. Their vision cones pan back and forth. You scan with blue eagle vision to see farther ahead and track their routes. Then it’s a matter of darting between hiding spots, tossing out a noise dart for distraction, stunning guards with firecrackers, snapping a neck here, stabbing a back there, and hiding the bodies. Most everything controls tightly except for that last bit; I always had to hit the pickup body button several times to get it to work. You can’t mash it until it works, because Shao Jun will lift and drop the body. When the windows for killing and hiding without getting caught are this tight, it’s frustrating to be undone by something that should just work.

That said, I enjoyed thinking my way through encounters. Strategizing a creative route, killing that one annoying guard that seems to be looking everywhere, and then earning a perfect gold rating when you hit that next checkpoint feels great. These ratings are tallied up at the end (alongside side-mission bonuses like rescuing slaves), and certain score thresholds grant upgrades like new abilities and more health.

The in-game maps of these relatively large stages are always fully visible, but several require syncing from a high point to see the pickups scattered about. The layout is a bland gray with black and white icons, making them hard to see. The maps lack detail in general, showing useless building exteriors during interior sequences, and I constantly wished I could zoom out more than the claustrophobic view allowed.

A handful of fast-paced escape sequences are tossed in to break up the core stealth gameplay. Fire roars from behind as you sprint and hop around all manner of obstacles and quick-kill guards standing still with their backs to you. While I appreciated the change of pace and opportunity to go full throttle, nothing really sets it apart from a standard runner game experience.

A little over halfway through the campaign, the gameplay starts to lose steam. Patrols get more elaborate, but you’re stuck using all the same old tools. While the game introduces several new enemy types, almost all of them behave the same on patrols (and all die from a well-timed Assassin stab). You can’t experience how much stronger and faster they are unless you get caught, which is never supposed to happen anyway.

This isn’t helped by the underwhelming story about assassinating one villainous Templar after another. The end doesn’t spice things up, and it also leaves a thread open to remind you that there are two more of these games left. I just hope they’ve got enough differentiating features to keep players invested.

This review is in reference to the Xbox One version of the game. Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China is also available on PlayStation 4 and PC.

cias-su =^_^=

Jurassic World Trailer

The new trailer for Jurassic World released today, a film taking place 22 years after the events of the 1993 hit Jurassic Park.

This Colin Trevorrow directed film, with Steven Spielberg as executive producer, features a theme park being terrorized by dinosaurs, after a failed attempt to spice things up to bring more visitors. The movie will star actors such as Chris Pratt and Judy Greer. According to Business Insider, this new trailer had a budget of $190 million.

…soo basically more raptors to run from

Ciao-su =^_^=