Sega Teases Phantasy Star Online 2 Western Release

Sega has announced it will be releasing Phantasy Star Online 2 in Europe and North America in "early 2013".

The free-to-play MMO launched in Japan on July 4 and is in development for PC, PS Vita as well as iOS and Android devices.  The press release, which can be seen at PSO World, only appears to relate to the PC version.

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The number one thing we want to provide players in Phantasy Star Online 2 is an adventure that changes every time they log in.

Sega America's digital chief Chris Olson said, "Phantasy Star Online was a revolutionary game when it was released, and we want to make sure that its successor in the series is every bit as ambitious. We look forward to introducing Phantasy Star Online 2’s unique, easy-to-access multiplayer action to the rest of the world next year!"

PSO2 producer Satoshi Sakai added, "The number one thing we want to provide players in Phantasy Star Online 2 is an adventure that changes every time they log in. Just as great table-top RPG experiences revolve around imaginative and unexpected encounters, we want players to consistently be surprised as they explore dungeons and undertake quests."

The original Phantasy Star Online launched on Dreamcast back in 2001.  Phantasy Star Online 2 takes place in the Year 238, the New Era of Light, where players will join a new band of Arcs in the fight against mysterious D-Arkers.  The game features real-time combat alongside class-based levelling, and embraces a mixture of sci-fi and fantasy aesthetics.

A teaser website for the game is now live, with an official announcement trailer expected to materialise later today.

Luke Karmali is IGN's UK Editorial Assistant.  You too can revel in mediocrity by following him on IGN and on Twitter.

Source : ign[dot]com

PlayStation All-Stars Release Date Announced

Sony has announced that PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale will hit stores on October 23rd in the United States, October 24th in “most of Europe,” October 25th in Australia & New Zealand and October 26th in the UK & Ireland.

For players who pre-order, exclusive costumes will be offered for all of the characters in the game. While not everyone has been unveiled yet, costumes for the characters we know about so far are seen below:

The wait for new characters won’t be long, though. Two new characters will be announced tonight at the EVO Fighting Tournament in Las Vegas, and two more will be announced at San Diego Comic-Con next week.

Keep checking back to IGN for all of the announcements as they happen. While you wait, check out all of the characters rumored to appear in the game in our PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale wiki guide.

Andrew Goldfarb is IGN’s associate news editor. Keep up with pictures of the latest food he’s been eating by following him on Twitter or IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

Rugby Challenge for Vita Coming in June

After a solid outing on PS3 and Xbox 360, Rugby Challenge's Vita debut is in sight. The game will launch in Europe, the UK, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand on June 27, 2012. It will be released as Wallabies Rugby Challenge in Australia and Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge elsewhere.

The game has been developed by Sidhe in New Zealand, which has helmed a number of other rugby titles, in addition to Rugby Challenge on console. The studio was also responsible for cult favourites GripShift and Shatter.

A few features, via publisher Tru Blu Entertainment:

• Multiple game modes including Single Match, Competition and Multi Year Career Modes as well as extensive Help and Tutorial Mode options


• 96 teams and 31 stadia, incorporating official team and competition licences for the All Blacks, the Qantas Wallabies, the USA Eagles, Bledisloe Cup, AU/NZ Super Rugby, Aviva Premiership Rugby, TOP 14 Orange, RaboDirect PRO12, ITM Cup, and Ranfurly Shield


• Utilisation of key PlayStation Vita capabilities including touch screen controls for gameplay (conversion kicks and lineouts), the rear touch panel for sprint and a full touch screen user interface


• Online multiplayer capabilities allowing gamers to compete in 1 vs 1 head to head play and leaderboard competitions


• Extensive customisation tools allowing users to shape the game to their own preferences by creating and customising new players, teams and competitions


• Real-time commentary from seasoned rugby commentators Grant Nisbett and former All Blacks’ halfback Justin Marshall.

The intensity of the All Blacks.

A classic showdown... hopefully.

For more screenshots, click through to the gallery.

Source : http://www.ign.com

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Release Date And Pre-Order Bonuses

Namco Bandai has revealed that Tekken Tag Tournament 2 will be released September 14th in Europe and September 11th in the US.

The upcoming fighter will also contain exclusive DLC fighters, depending on where it's pre-ordered from.

In the UK, pre-ordering at ShopTo unlocks Michelle Chang and Angel, while those who place an order with Zavvi before the September release will get Kunimitsu and Ancient Ogre.  Also announced is the 'We are Tekken' edition, which will be exclusive to GAME.  It'll come in a metal case and contain the original soundtrack of the game, a remix CD, an art book and a behind the scenes video.

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 will be released on both Xbox 360 and PS3.

Source : http://www.ign.com