Monthly Archives: January 2015

Jagex hosting SpecialEffect’s upcoming GameBlast15 Marathon

Jagex

Jagex Games Studio, creators and custodians of the fantasy MMORPG, RuneScape and the upcoming online multiplayer action game, Block N Load, is to lead the way in SpecialEffect’s upcoming GameBlast15 games marathon weekend. The event, which takes place between 20th and 22nd February, launches a 24-hour gamer challenge to raise money and help enable individuals with physical disabilities play games.

During the inaugural GameBlast in 2014, the RuneScape and Ace of Spades: Battle Builder communities raised more than £48,000 for SpecialEffect, and more than 90,000 viewers watched Jagex’s livestream of gameplay, interviews, and real-world challenges. In addition to holding another marathon livestream from Jagex’s Cambridge headquarters, RuneScape players will also benefit from a double XP weekend.

“SpecialEffect is a cause that’s very close to our hearts at Jagex. We had a lot of fun last year with our livestream for GameBlast14, so it’s fantastic to get stuck in once again and get even more involved in GameBlast15,” said Phil Mansell, vice president of RuneScape. “We’re really looking forward to welcoming Mick and the SpecialEffect team to Jagex, as well as holding our own 24-hour marathon and double XP weekend, next month.”

David Solari, vice president of Block N Load, added “The Ace of Spades: Battle Builder community were really supportive during GameBlast14, so we can’t wait to see how the burgeoning Block N Load player base performs this year. We’re currently in the beta phase of development, so the 24-hour GameBlast marathon will really put the game through its paces ahead of its launch!”

“We were simply stunned by the amazing generosity of the Jagex community during last year’s GameBlast, and honoured that they’re gearing up for another 24 hours of activity in February,” said Dr Mick Donegan, founder and director of SpecialEffect. “Having such a major force in the gaming industry backing our work helping people with disabilities is a great boost, and I’m personally really looking forward to being at Jagex HQ during the event to be part of their GameBlast heroics.”

Hosting SpecialEffect and taking part in GameBlast15 is the first of a number of fundraising drives for planned by the Jagex throughout 2015. During 2014, the studio and its passionate RuneScape community raised more than $300,000 for good causes, including Oxfam and SpecialEffect. RuneScape was also the first games partner of United for Wildlife, and helped to raise awareness of the plight facing the world’s rhinos with a series of in-game quizzes and limited edition virtual pets.

For more info, visit http://www.specialeffect.org.uk/

FFXIV ARR: Patch 2.5 Now Available

FFXIV

The conclusion of the main scenario of FINAL FANTASY® XIV: A Realm Reborn ®  begins today with the release of Patch 2.5, titled “Before the Fall™” Part One, in preparation for the upcoming release of HEAVENSWARD™, the first major expansion releasing in Spring 2015.

New content in Patch 2.5 include:

  • The beginning of the final chapter in the main storyline
  • New high-level dungeons
    • The Keeper of the Lake
    • The Wanderer’s Palace (Hard)
    • Amdapor Keep (Hard)
  • “The World of Darkness,” the conclusion of the 24-player Crystal Tower raid series
  • A new Odin trial that challenges eight players to defeat the elder primal
  • The latest adventures of Hildibrand — agent of enquiry, inspector extraordinaire — featuring the return of Gilgamesh on his ongoing quest for the strongest of swords
  • New rules for the massive 72-player PvP (player versus player) Frontline battle content

The Patch 2.5 promotional website can be found at: http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/pr/special/2_5_Before_the_Fall/

Shards of War: New Sentinel Patches Introduced

Shards of Wars

Bigpoint reveals today the fourteenth playable character in the science fiction oriented MOBA game, Shards of War. Patches is an agile support Sentinel that is able to both shield and speed up allies in trouble. With its advanced skill set, it’s most effective in the thick of a crowded battle.

It will patch you up when it´s done shooting things

On the offensive side, Patches can charge its M.A.H. Lazer and focus-fire its opponents to leave them stunned. With the It´s a trap skill, it generates a stasis field that temporarily traps troops when things get too hectic in the heat of battle. But careful: It´s a trap affects both friend and foe.

In terms of team support, My People Need Me lets Patches dash towards a targeted position, providing an increase in movement speed to all allied Sentinels close-by. Meanwhile Medic!!! enables it to heal a nearby ally with the lowest health. Completed by its Bubble skill, which shields an allied Sentinel, Patches can become the determining factor, especially in closely contested battles.

Puckish and eager to please – itself

It doesn’t matter to Patches, if players love or hate it. As part of the Personal Amelioration and Logistics series medical drones, it was originally meant to revolutionize warfare. Actually it did this, but in its very own way.

Left on the assembly line with a dent in its head, Patches comes with a unique intelligence. This leads it to heal most humans most of the time. However, not always. Half of its processing cycles develop corny jokes and puns, which leads it to finding that doing the opposite can be even more fun.

Fore more info, visit http://en.shardsofwar.com/

World of Warships: Aircraft Carriers Coming Soon

World of Warships

Wargaming is excited to share a new video featuring the aircraft carrier into the game.

With the introduction of the aircraft carrier class, bringing the total class of warships up to four, players also have the chance to take advantage of stealthy destroyers, stalwart cruisers and devastating battleships.

Aircraft carriers offer a unique angle to combat, delivering RTS style gameplay and the ability to launch three types of warplane squadrons (fighters, dive bombers and torpedo bombers) against any opponent.

To learn more about World of Warships second Beta Weekend, please visit: http://worldofwarships.eu (Europe)

Novus AEterno: New update details space terrain

Novus

The development team behind the upcoming MMORTS “Novus AETerno” has recently released a news update on their Kickstarter page regarding Space Terrain. In this news post, they go over many non-moving areas including Solar Winds, Dust Clouds, Gas Clouds and more.

They also detail how players will be able to deal with these types of space terrain.

For more info, visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2122031929/novus-aeterno-the-next-evolution-in-rts-games/posts/1105722

Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado Expansion Coming Next Month

Europa
Legends tell of a great city deep in the jungle. It is rich in all the pleasures of mankind, and is so full of gold that the residents count this metal as nothing. The daring explorer that finds this city will bring glory to his king – and infinite riches to his pocket. Now Paradox Development Studio brings the adventure and politics of the Spanish conquest to life with the El Dorado expansion for Europa Universalis IV.

This expansion’s historical focus on the Central American and South American theaters of exploration will challenge you with new decisions worthy of a king or conqueror. As the Aztecs, subject the Mexican plain to your rule but make sure you have enough vassal kings to sacrifice to your angry gods. As the Europeans, push deeper into the jungles of the Amazon, following rumors of lost cities and magical fountains. Defer to the Pope as he intervenes to divide the New World among squabbling empires.

Features include:

  • A deep Nation Designer gives you new starting options for your games, including national ideas and custom monarchs
  • Experience the new Nahuatl, Inti and Mayan religions with blood sacrifices or Sun Worship
  • Send your conquistadors to hunt for the Seven Cities of Gold, or your explorer on exploration missions around the world
  • Gold Fleets can traffic New World wealth back to Europe, and be targeted by your privateer fleets
  • Use your trade fleets to hunt dangerous pirates
  • Maintain good relations with the Pope so you can get a corner of the world to call your own in the Treaty of Tordesillas

For more information on Europa Universalis IV: El Dorado please visit: http://www.europauniversalis4.com/

Plarium Launches Stormfall: Rise of Balur to Mobile Devices

Plarium, a leading mobile and social game developer, has today announced the expansion of its (MMO) medieval franchise, Stormfall, to iOS and Android mobile devices. The new title, Stormfall: Rise of Balur, immerses players in a world of ancient magic, dragons, and heroes with the mission of restoring Stormfall to its former glory. Players must rebuild the throne of a fallen empire by forming strategic alliances with other players and waging war against their rivals.

RealtimeCombat

Its predecessor on social media, Stormfall: Age of War, was a smash hit upon its release in November 2012, instantly gaining notoriety for the title’s advanced level of graphics, audio and depth. The title went on to generate over 30 million registered users in the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Russia and more.

Plarium seeks to continue this momentum by reaching new and existing players on-the-go with the launch on mobile devices. Major updates for iOS and Android devices include an optimized user interface to fit portrait orientation, streamlined action menus, new game mechanisms and buildings. The 3D graphics have been bolstered to take full advantage of the latest mobile capabilities, including a brighter display, heightened attention to character and environmental detail with more on-screen activity at a single time.

“As mobile continues to be a thriving platform for gaming, Stormfall: Rise of Balur allows our hardcore community to immerse themselves in an MMO experience, all at their own convenience,” said Avi Shalel, Plarium’s CEO. “In addition to enhancing the features that made the social version so popular, we redesigned many visual aspects of the game to increase clarity and depth, and adapt to a smaller screen.”

Stormfall: Rise of Balur provides users with real-time strategic gameplay, allowing them to acquire resources through battling with competing castles, and engaging in raids and trades with other users. In order to survive, players are encouraged to form alliances with fellow lords and use sly tactics to gain the upper hand. Key game features include:

Experience Medieval Fantasy
-Detailed artwork and graphics will appeal to fans of medieval fantasy, myth, and legend.
-Frequent updates offering new units, content, and gameplay features and strategies.
-Fully translated in English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, and Russian.

Immerse Yourself in a Bigger World
-Your castle is just the beginning. Join fast-paced clan gameplay as you and your allies battle for Beacons and map territory. Control the Beacons – and you control Stormfall.
-Take part in monthly Global Quests and special events with other players to unlock the story of Stormfall, fight NPC enemies, and earn exclusive units and abilities.
-Original soundtrack by award-winning composer Jesper Kyd makes you feel like a part of the action anywhere in the world.

Expand Your Realm
-Customize your empire from the ground up by building mines, farms, and military buildings while simultaneously protecting your assets from constant threat.
-Expand the borders of your domain by conquering neutral villages, occupying rivals and defending quest locations.
-Make tough choices as you balance building construction, discovery of Lost Arts, and the strengths and advantages of your military forces.
-Interact with global players and friends while comparing your achievements in rankings.

Defend Your Empire
-There are many ways to be a champion in these dark times – players can defend their castle alone, or seek victory through alliances with fellow lords.
-Gather armies to defend the throne. Recruit barbarians, paladins, knights, shades, dragons, and more to march under your banner.
-Acquire resources through raids.

LegendaryArmy

Stormfall: Rise of Balur is now available for users around the globe in English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, and Russian, and can be accessed for on the Apple App Store at http://bit.ly/StormfalliOS and on Google Play at http://bit.ly/StormfallAndroid