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

E3 2012: Dust 514 hands-on

Upon my arrival to my meeting at CCP Studios to come check out Dust 514, I was asked whether I'm familiar at all with EVE Online. Sadly, I had to say no since the space exploration/mining/ship combat never really striked me as interesting. On the other hand I also know its largely successful thanks to its format, but it just isn't for everyone. Why was I asked whether I'm familiar with EVE? Dust 514 is a persistent online shooter that isn't just based off of the same universe as EVE Online, but is based in the same universe.

At first, I was of course confused by how this works; after all, one is an MMO with very little action, while the other is a straight up shooter. Dust 514 puts you in the role of a mercenary looking for any job that pays well, and these jobs take place in the same maps, on the same planets, that appear in the PC MMO.

The way it works is quite fascinating. There are essentially three tiers to Dust 514's style of gameplay. The first tier is essentially you hopping online, selecting a quick match and shooting up some enemies in various maps — a simple way to get online and rank up some credits, without really needing to delve into the politics of EVE Online.

The second tier then involves various battles to be mandated by EVE Online, depending on the status of various planets, mining outposts, etc. The game will systematically make matches based off of the political status of various systems, which players can then take part of.

The third tier, and arguably the most interesting and ambitious, is the fully user-based model, where players on EVE Online will put bounties on various planets. The bounties then get offered to the mercenaries playing Dust 514, and they can choose to fight for the player who is attacking that system, or choose to help the player who currently owns that system to defend it. The defending player can then counteroffer a higher reward for choosing to fight on his side, which makes this dynamic completely unpredictable. Talk about amazing! This essentially means that the game can be fully driven by the community, rather than the devs having to develop new content.

This user-driven system is what the devs behind Dust 514 hope that the game becomes. Being free-to-play will allow anyone to jump in and take part in the fight, though as any free-to-play game, you can bet that there is an in-game marketplace. Luckily, the marketplace supports both in-game money as well as real money, and will offer stat boosts, exp boosts, various vehicle drops, and a slew of weapons.

Dust 514 easily impressed me as the most ambitious title of E3, and willing that players will participate on both ends of the spectrum, one being EVE Online, and the other being Dust 514, this synergy of the two titles along with the planned community-driven missions will make one to watch out for.

Source : gamezone[dot]com

Dungeons and Dragons Online: Menace of the Underdark – Destiny Awaits

Dungeons and Dragons Online is now over six years old, but that hasn’t stopped developer Turbine from crafting new content for loyal fans. While the base game takes place in Eberron, a new world created for Dungeons and Dragons Third Edition, the game’s first-ever retail expansion, Menace of the Underdark, finally brings players back to The Forgotten Realms.

The Forgotten Realms is something fans have been asking Turbine to add in for years now. This is the same setting as the numerous R.A. Salvatore novels, the Baldur’s Gate games, the beloved Neverwinter Nights series and many, many more pieces of fiction. Fans of Dungeons and Dragons, even just people who like high fantasy, have been connecting and delving into this world in droves since it was first introduced in 1987.

Having journeyed into The Realms and played as the new Druid class that comes with Menace of the Underdark, I think hardcore fans have plenty look forward to – especially when it comes to character progression. For starters the level cap has risen from 20 to 25. Level 20 was sort of a hard stop for Turbine’s MMO partially because it corresponded to the max level in D&D, but the team’s trying to do more with how you tailor your character to your playstyle, and felt their new leveling system would help them do that best.

Turbine’s solution to furthering character customization comes from a new series of Epic levels, where progression between level 21-25 nets you points to spend on Epic Destinies. Epic Destinies allow you to specialize, and start from a set of four groups: Martial, Arcane, Primal and Divine. Once you select a group, you then pick a starting point for your Destiny, earning experience that nets you additional points to spend in an elaborate tree. With enough time and effort you can level up a Destiny to the point where you have a chance to bridge it with a neighboring group. This means that you can combine chunks of Destines together, creating unique builds that suit your particular needs.

To give long-term players plenty of reasons to keep on grinding, Turbine’s made it so you can level up all Epic Destinies if you’re determined. You can shelf your progress in a particular Destiny if you choose, working and earning experience towards a new one. If you decide you don’t like the abilities or build you’ve been working on, you can change back to your old Destiny build, picking up right where you left off. You can also keep your progress even if you decide to use DDO's True Reincarnation feature where you reset your level back to one. You can’t earn experience towards your Destinies as you go back through the content, but at least you won’t lose the countless hours you spend as a high level character.

You can play Dungeons and Dragons Online for free, but the Menace of the Underdark is a paid expansion with multiple different versions. This is pretty standard for MMOs, but what’s different here is that how much you spend determines what content you get. If you by the “base” version of the expansion you get access to the new zones and dungeons, as well as the Destinies, but you don’t get the new Druid class. If you purchase the “Standard” or “Collector’s Editions” you get everything, along with some special goodies you can check out on the official site. VIP subscribers, who pay a monthly fee, get access to the Druid class regardless of whether or not they buy the expansion.

Long-term subscribers and new players alike can check out the expansion for themselves when it releases Monday, June 25th. Just be warned: new players won't be able to effectively access the Underdark content until they're at least level 16.



Source : ign[dot]com

Sony Talks About PS Vita’s Lack of E3 Presence

In a revealing interview with Develop Online, Sony Worldwide Studios’ President Shuhei Yoshida admitted that Sony may have made an error at E3 by not concentrating more on the PlayStation Vita.

When asked if he was “happy with the Vita’s first showing at E3,” Yoshida answered that he “got lots of Tweets” to his Twitter account noting that people wanted to see more Vita games. “In retrospect,” he admitted, “we should’ve spent more time showing and talking about PS Vita titles.”

He notes that there were 25 Vita games playable on the floor, and there were indeed some games to look forward to. The likes of Snapshot, Sine Mora, Sunflowers, New Little King Story and Zen Pinball 2 all looked promising. But they weren’t mentioned at the press conference due to Sony trying to keep it shorter this year, attempting to stray away from the longer press conferences Yoshida says Sony is “notorious” for doing.

Still, he admits that “from the perspective of people who are waiting for more information on Vita titles, we weren’t able to provide that.”



Source : ign[dot]com

E3 2012: Making Games in LittleBigPlanet Karting

As the IGNer who reviewed ModNation Racers – and became a Level 30 racer online in the process -- I was depressed to stay home and send He Only Does Everything Colin Moriarty and the Dark Knight of News Andrew Goldfarb to PlayStation's reveal of LittleBigPlanet Karting. But I read Goldfarb's preview, watched the duo's video, and got to play the E3 build.

But when I was finished with my racing, I just needed to talk to another LittleBigPlanet Karting expert about the impressive things this game is doing. So, without his knowledge, I grabbed Goldfarb and made him whip up half of my preview before we left San Francisco for E3.

Greg Miller: Goldie, you were the kart-racing expert I sent in my stead to see LittleBigPlanet Karting. You remember what I said to you when I read your preview for the first time?

Andrew Goldfarb:  Hmm. No. What did you say?

Greg: Amateur. I came over and asked you if it was still a racing game. After reading the preview, I thought it might be some bastardized platformer.

Goldfarb: Ha. I mean it's still very much a racing game; I was just saying it felt like it belonged in the LittleBigPlanet universe.

Greg: Exactly -- and now that I've played it, I get that. Reading your report, I didn't. I was a bit confused, but playing it and seeing how the grapplehook works on a racetrack -- it all makes sense.

“

It feels familiar and easy. I like it way better than the ModNation interface.

Goldfarb: Are you writing a new preview of it?

Greg: Yes. This is the preview. You're in it. Right now.

Goldfarb:  You just blew my mind.

Greg: Word -- the same way LittleBigPlanet Karting blew mine when I got to try one of the new levels.

Goldfarb:  Was it the same one I played?

Greg: See, I don't know how much you saw of it, but you can still create games in Karting. Just like LBP2. Did they show you this madness?

Goldfarb:  They didn't! How does it work?

Greg: Just like LBP2, which is so bizarre. You can sit there and create any kind of game -- involving a kart -- you want. I played one that was an MotorStorm RC clone with the camera pulled way back and anchored on a top down-ish view with the karts looking like slot cars. Another had this dinosaur spitting fire, and I had to steal her eggs and toss them in a bin for points and time to keep the game going.

It's more than just a racer. Does that make sense?

Goldfarb:  It does, and that's what I liked about it, too. They were telling us about how you can use the exact same level editor as the designers. That's crazy. Did they show you any of the character customization?

Greg: Not really. What did you see?

Goldfarb: You're in the pod, same as LBP2. Switching outfits, Sackboy color, etc. is all done through the Pop-It, and it's completely natural. It feels familiar and easy. I like it way better than the ModNation interface.

Greg: Totally. That is what was weird to play as a fan of ModNation Racers and LBP. I was expecting a re-skinned MNR, but this really is an expansion of the LBP universe. I was expecting to create tracks, but you can create worlds.

Goldfarb: Yup. I think that's why I came away feeling really good about it. It definitely appeals to the kart racer fan in me and battle mode was insanely fun, but the customization stuff is what will keep me coming back to see what people have created.

Greg: Well, good. It's impressive. Your massive preview and excitement was justified. Now, let's just hope it comes out one day and doesn't stall forever like LittleBigPlanet PS Vita.

Goldfarb: If I wanted to find out the release date once it's announced, where can i go to find the latest news on all things LittleBigPlanet?

Greg: IGN.com, of course! Now, get back to packing for E3.

Goldfarb: Will do.

Source : http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/06/05/e3-2012-making-games-in-littlebigplanet-karting

E3 2012: Dust 514 Beta Date on PS3, Vita Details

Today, Icelandic developer CCP – the studio behind the tour de force MMO EVE Online – revealed new information regarding Dust 514, the upcoming free-to-play FPS coming exclusively to PlayStation 3.

For starters, the beta we reported on earlier this year is set to begin on Friday, June 29th. Gamers interested in taking part in the beta can still sign up by going here. Players “will be chosen at random to participate,” so there’s no guarantee you’ll be chosen when you sign-up.

CCP has also finally chronicled the PlayStation Vita-centric “companion app” that will launch alongside Dust 514. The official title of the application is Dust 514: Neocom, an “app [that] integrates services that incorporate the feel and functionality from Dust 514 on PlayStation 3, with a focus on customization, communication and trade. Each character can be customized and configured using Dust 514: Neocom; players can create and edit customized fittings (load-outs) with a huge variety of dropsuits, weapons, equipment, modules and vehicles.”

In other words, Dust 514: Neocom can become an integral part of your Dust 514 experience.

Source : http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/06/04/e3-2012-dust-514-beta-date-on-ps3-vita-details

Diablo 3 on PlayStation 3 Listed By Retailer

Diablo 3 on PlayStation 3 has been listed by German online retailer RedCoon.

Product details state the game will offer "Multiplayer support via Battle.net, with opportunities for cooperative and competitive" play. The game is not listed for Xbox 360. If authentic, this could be simply be an oversight, or perhaps an indication the console version Diablo III could be a PS3 exclusive.

There have been rumours of Blizzard's RPG coming to consoles for a while now. Last year a job listing appeared on Blizzard's site for a "Senior Producer, Console ". And earlier this year, Blizzard community manager Micah “Bashiok” Whipple said on Twitter that Josh Mosqueira - the game's lead designer - was also leading the Diable console project. Blizzard was quick to downplay a console version of Diable, however, saying that Bashiok's tweet was merely "confirmation that we’re actively exploring the possibility of developing a console version of Diablo III, as we’ve mentioned in the past,” and "not a confirmation that Diablo III is coming to any console platform.”

If this is more than a simple mistake, expect details at Sony's E3 Press Conference today Sony (6.00pm PST/9.00pm EST/2.00am BST/3.00am CEST/11.00am AEST).

[ignvideo url="http://uk.ign.com/videos/2012/05/22/diablo-iii-video-review"

Source : http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/06/04/diablo-3-on-playstation-3-listed-by-retailer

Game Against Kate Upton… For a Good Cause

As gamers, we live for that moment of triumph: edging an opponent in a close online match, scoring the winning goal, passing the competition seconds from the finish line. But how much better would that feel if your win also helped to save lives? Gamers will get a chance to find out June 1st, when the first-ever (RED)RUSH Games tournament kicks off, and they can join in the fight against AIDS by doing what comes naturally: competing to win.

“Gaming is a passion for millions of people around the world, and (RED) is going to tap into that passion to get people focused and engaged in our efforts to help deliver an AIDS Free Generation by 2015,” said Deborah Dugan, (RED) CEO.  “We’re giving gamers an incredibly fun way to compete in a world-class tournament while doing good at the same time."

Not only will gamers get the opportunity to help (RED)RUSH TO ZERO (going on June 1-10) build on the staggering $190 million the organization has already raised, but participants will have the opportunity to win prizes, including tickets to the upcoming MTV Movie Awards  and the opportunity to game against celebrities like Kate Upton, Jorge Garcia, Michelle Rodriguez and Kris Allen.

IGN is the official media sponsor of the (RED)RUSH Games, and will be bringing you full coverage of the event from E3, where the tournament will have a huge presence. The (RED)RUSH Games are being powered by STiKS GAMING, a new platform that allows gamers to register their Gamer IDs, sign up for teams, and game for charity to "battle for a better world."

“(RED) is one of the most respected, and innovative causes in the world, and we are honored to launch the STiKSGAMING platform with The (RED)RUSH Games,” stated STiKS GAMING partner Brett Claywell.  “We are excited to unite gamers in support of a global cause, and look forward to building a strong community in an effort to better the world while having some fun.”

“

We’re giving gamers an incredibly fun way to compete in a world-class tournament while doing good at the same time. --Deborah Dugan. (RED) CEO

Gamers can get involved immediately in the (RED)RUSH Games effort by visiting STIKSGAMING.com. The tournament will pit two teams against one another: TEAM INSPI(RED) and TEAM POWE(RED). After signing up on STIKSGAMING.com, gamers will get to choose which team they'd like to represent, and after making a small donation (as little as $10 USD), they will get to select a platform (PS3 or Xbox 360), and choose from a variety of games to compete in. Games in the tournament include EA Sports FIFA Soccer 12, EA Sports NHL 12, 2K Sports' NBA 2K12, KINECT SPORTS Season 2, and Forza Motorsport 4.

STiKS GAMING partner Michael Wasserman explains. "Once you make the donation and enter the system, that $10 is turned into a certain amount of points… As you accumulate points, you can then use those points to have the opportunity to play against your favorite celebrity who is part of the campaign."

After playing in a match against another (RED)RUSH gamer, wins and losses will be recorded on the STiKS GAMING website, each player's accomplishments will count toward the team score, and their donations will count toward the team's efforts to raise money for the cause.

"We narrowed the issue from just AIDS in general to one Millennium Goal which is quantifiable," said Dugan. The virtual elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV is the ultimate goal, and will be instrumental in halting the spread of HIV/AIDS by the target date of 2015.

During E3, the (RED)RUSH Games will be in full swing, and celebrities will be in attendance to play their games against each other and online against contest winners. Show goers will get the opportunity to visit the (RED)RUSH booth on the E3 floor and get a taste of the Games live. The booth will feature huge video screens to capture the celebrity gaming action, a live DJ and private gaming rooms.

“

We are excited to unite gamers in support of a global cause --Brett Claywell, STiKS GAMING partner

"The booth is designed for two main purposes. It's designed to give celebrities the opportunity to play from our booth against donors around the world, and for us to put on big exhibitions to create awareness at E3, with a huge jumbotron screen where people can watch celebrities battle each other," said Wasserman.

In addition to those already mentioned, celebrities involved include Wayne Brady,  Chingy , Samantha Ronson, Michael B. Jordan, Scott Porter, Ryan Cabrera, DJ Colleen Shannon, Aldis Hodge, Al Shearer, Kerli, Brian White, Cobi Jones, Stephen "tWitch" Boss, iLuminate, Chad "Madd Chadd" Smith and Fatal1ty. And the list keeps growing. "Every day, we're getting more and more people in," said Dugan.

Gamers can track who will be at E3 gaming at various times. Donors to (RED) who register through the STIKSGAMING.com site can have the opportunity to play celebrities two ways: by gaining points or by entering into a sweepstakes where they will enter a code to play a particular celebrity.

Players who participate will have a stake in a global effort to halt the spread of HIV. Once the goal is met, Dugan says, "There's culturally a victory lap at the end. You can actually check a box and say, 'We did this.' All these gamers came together for the first time in such a huge way, and we'd like to do it every year."

Stay tuned to IGN throughout E3 for updates on the (RED)RUSH Games, including celebrity gaming interviews and more.

Source : http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/05/30/game-against-kate-upton-for-a-good-cause

Elder Scrolls Online Faction Daggerfall Covenant Detailed Ads By Google » Blog Tags Today's Most Popular Videos »

There are three playable factions spread across the land in the newly revealed Elder Scrolls Online, and today we have the first details on one of them: the Daggerfall Covenant. Made up of Bretons, Reguards, and orcs, this faction is largely based in and around the regions of High Rock, where the capital city of Daggerfall can be found, and Hammerfell.

High Rock is the region situated to the west and slightly south of Skyrim. It's more southerly, coastal location results in a much more temperate climate than the frozen tundras to the north. Bretons and orcs dwell here, primarily. Hammerfell sits to the south of both High Rock and Skyrim, a region composed primarily of deserts, mountains, and flat grasslands. The Redguards call this region home, having built up its multiple cities and ports.

The Game Informer feature revealing all of these new Elder Scrolls Online details says that the Daggerfall Covenent is "a lot more democratic than" the other factions. The next faction to be highlighted is the "ruthless" Aldmeri Dominion, so stay tuned for added details soon.

Source : http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/723779/elder-scrolls-online-faction-daggerfall-covenant-detailed/

Rockstar Games' Crews Live For Max Payne 3 Ads By Google » Blog Tags Today's Most Popular Videos »

Rockstar Game's Crews for Max Payne 3 is live, so you can prepare for the MP 3 multiplayer slaughterfests by joining or creating your own online gang.

Do not be caught without a crew to have your back. You'll receive an XP boost whenever you fight as part of a Crew or battle against rival Crews and their members online. This means you'll effectively unlock bigger and better weapons more quickly than if you're flying solo. And because this feature is linked through the Social Club, you can represent your Crew across PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. You can also create your own crew, design a logo and invite friends to join.

Here's the link to Rockstar's Crews page. Check it out.

As you can see from the screenshot above, G4's crew is live, in-effect and flossing a killer emblem. We invite you to join us... or suffer the terrible wrath of G4 in Max Payne's multiplayer.  You'll know me as "Crimefunkle."

Any Crew created between now until next week Tuesday May 15th will have the honorable distinction of being a FOUNDER CREW. Members of Founder Crews will have a special two-stripe designation on their in-game Crew tag to let everyone else online know of their O.G. veteran status. Rockstar is planning some other special benefits and perks for members of Founders Crews down the line, too.

Because we're very proud of our snazzed out emblem, check out this picture:




Source : http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/723618/rockstar-games-crews-live-for-max-payne-3/

New Family Guy Video Game This Fall

If Family Guy Online just isn't scratching your itch for everything Quahog, Family Guy: Back the Multiverse is coming to consoles this fall from Activision and Fox. Incredibly little is known about the game other than the basic quotes and whatnot from folks behind it.

"Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse will utilize the source material, including the talented voice cast and writers, authentic humor and subversive spirit of the series, giving fans a whole new way to interact with their favorite show," said Jeffrey Godsick, president of Twentieth Century Fox consumer products.

A press release states "the title will offer gamers an interactive Family Guy experience inspired by one of the most popular and notable episodes in the series' history." Which episode? Well, the release didn't say, but
USA Today states the game is based on an episode "where characters Brian and Stewie travel to alternate universes using a remote control." So, like, every Brian and Stewie episode since "Road to Rhode Island."

Keep checking IGN for Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse details. To get you in the mood, here's a random, non sequitur video.

The Latest in Japanese Gaming with Hulk Hogan



Source : http://games.ign.com/articles/122/1224439p1.html