Mass Effect 3 DLC Appears Pre-Launch
The first Mass Effect 3 DLC pack appeared briefly on the Xbox Live Marketplace today, almost two weeks before the launch of the game. The DLC is called From Ashes, and the description itself included some spoilers for the game: the DLC unearths some secrets from the past.. and adds a new character to your squad: a Prothean. Via VG247.
BioWare have confirmed that this DLC will be available on launch for free.. but only to those who have bought the Collector’s Edition. Everyone else will have to pay for this content, despite the fact that the content has been developed and finished before launch.
TotalBiscuit has already posted a video about this and other issues with DLC, Collector’s Editions and pre-order bonuses. Other comments in forums and on Twitter suggest that some gamers have cancelled their pre-orders and/or are boycotting the game in light of the DLC and the way it is being handled.
A previous boycott of Battlefield 3 due to the problem of retailer-exclusive items eventually led to the developers changing their minds about the DLC, and making it a timed exclusive only.
BioWare have since come out with an announcement about the discussions surrounding the From Ashes DLC, claiming that the Prothean is an “optional” character, and was advertised on the Collector’s Edition of the game as a “bonus character”. They also state that the DLC content was created by a separate team, after the main game had been submitted for certification.
Indie Gala Fruit Blitz!
Another bonus game has been added to the recent Indie Gala bundle: Fruit Blitz!
Fruit Blitz is a mobile game for the Android, by Rubicon Development; featuring 90 second games with a simple matching mechanic.
You can get the game from your profile page on Indie Gala; either by downloading the APK via the link, or by scanning the QR code and downloading on your phone.
GAME Closing Stores
GAME has announced that they will close Gameplay.co.uk next week, with customers being directed instead to Gamestation.co.uk.
They have also announced that another 35 stores are to be closed, with GAME and GameStation stores being reduced to 550 outlets by Christmas. Via MCV.
This follows the news that GAME are not stocking a number of titles, including PS Vita launch titles.
Borderlands 2 Release Date and Trailer!
2kGames have revealed that Borderlands 2 will be released on 18th September in North America, and on the 21st for everyone else. They’ve also released a three-minute official trailer for the game:
Borderlands 2 is a sequel to Borderlands, with players returning to Pandora to take down tyrant Handsome Jack and his corrupt Hyperion Corporation. The story can be played solo or with up to four co-operative players, and a split-screen option which will even allow those playing in split-screened to connect to other players online!
The game retains the fantastic cel-shaded art style from the previous game, but comes with new characters, skills and weapons (870 gazillion more guns, apparently), and new diverse environments with new enemies to confront.
Those who pre-order Borderlands 2 from participating retailers will gain access to the Borderlands 2 Premiere Club: this will give them access to the Gearbox Gun Pack, a Golden Key and the Vault Hunter’s Relic.. a collection of unique guns and special items.
Sins of a Dark Age
Ironclad, creator of Sins of a Solar Empire, have recently announced their second game: Sins of a Dark Age!
Sins of a Dark Age is a team-based RTS hybrid, with teams consisting of one Commander and a group of Heroes, who face enemy teams or co-operate against AI in a variety of scenarios. Players can choose to take on the role of either Commander or one of the Heroes, with the Commander overseeing the battle while the Heroes take on the enemy on the front line.
The Commander is responsible for building a base with strategically placed defenses, training troops and sending them out to capture resources, assault positions and support your Heroes. The Commander also has access to special ‘Realm Powers’, which include for example, the ability to summon a dragon to fight on your side!
The Hero take on the enemies on the front line. Success in battle results in rewards of experience, abilities and items, as well as glory on the leaderboards. In addition to the leaderboards, players will be able to track their stats, spectate games, and even upload and watch replays.
The game will be free to play, but with new Heroes, Commanders and skins available for purchase to support development. The developer has noted that there will be no way to buy power in the game; players must rely on their skill to obtain power.
PlayStation Store Updated with PS Vita Games
The PlayStation Store has been updated ahead of the launch of the PS Vita at midnight tonight, to include games, apps, DLC, demos and videos! The full list is available on the PlayStation blog.
Owners of Hustle Kings, Top Darts or Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom DLC on the PS3 will be able to use them on the PS Vita for no charge.
Engadget posted an in-depth review of the PS Vita here, while CVG and Eurogamer also posted reviews, with another in-depth technical analysis from Digital Foundry.
The PS Vita will be going on sale at midnight tonight across the country, with a range of prices from just under £200 up to £270 with other bundled items. The cheapest place to buy is said to be ASDA, where the Wi-Fi version is available both online and in-store for £197. Via Eurogamer.
The device has been on sale in Japan since December 2011, but didn’t perform as well as expected, seeing a 78% drop during Christmas week.
A Machine For Pigs?
Frictional Games, creators of horror game Amnesia: The Dark Descent, have another game in the works, and over the past few weeks a few details have been released.. the game may be set in China, and will be another first-person survival horror.
The teaser site, www.nextfrictionalgame.com now reveals a possible title: “A Machine For Pigs” as well as a release date of Autumn, 2012.
As always, people have dug through the clues and found a little more information, gathered on the Amnesia ARG Wiki.. and they have uncovered the possibility that The Chinese Room are involved in the making of this game too. The Chinese Room were responsible for Dear Esther, as well as Nestlings, an experiment in story and mood, but they also created Korsakovia, an experimental horror mod about madness and the end of the world.
Missing Titles at GAME
High-street retailer GAME has confirmed to VG247 that they won’t be stocking Ubisoft’s PS Vita launch titles: Raymans Origins, Lumines Electronic Symphony, Michael Jackson: The Experience, Asphalt Injection and Dungeon Hunter Alliance. No further comment has been made on behalf of GAME.
GAME have also apparently cancelled pre-orders of The Last Story Limited Edition (via VG247) and Tekken 3d Prime Edition (via Eurogamer).
This follows recent reports that GAME were struggling to raise credit insurance and acquire other stock, and were in talks to secure lending. They are expected to make an £18 million loss this year.
Mass Effect 3: Take Earth Back
BioWare have released a cinematic trailer for Mass Effect 3, showing the beginning of the War for Earth..
The demo is available now, on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC, with both singleplayer and multiplayer sections. The full game will be available on the 9th March.
Our impressions of the single-player demo can be found here.
The Humble Bundle Mojam is Finished!
The Humble Bundle Mojam livestream event is now finished, with 80,000 copies of “Catacomb Snatch” sold and over $450k raised for charity!
Catacomb Snatch is a steampunk Egyptian themed RTS shoot ‘em up game; the theme and genre were decided on by votes on the Mojang blog, ahead of the livestreaming event.
Two more games were being developed during the Mojam.. they are as-yet-untitled games by Oxeye Studio and Wolfire Games, who also livestreamed some progress over the weekend. They’ve been added to the bundle too.. which you can still pick up! It’s pay what you want, and all proceeds go to charity: Child’s Play, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, charity: water and the American Red Cross.