Monthly Archives: March 2015

Wakfu Reveals Cra Class Revamp

Wakfu Cra Revamp

A new developer blog for Wakfu has revealed details on the Cra class revamp, launching on March 17.

Since Cras have had issues with damage in group play and difficulties with soloing, several changes are being made to help make the class viable again by fixing its weakest areas. As a result, many Cra spells have had their MP costs removed, and had new effects and passives added to compensate for some of the damage lost in this trade off. The class also gains two MP loss spells and a range loss spell.

Cras also gain the “Evasive” effect when their turn begins without nearby enemies, letting them inflict more damage with certain spell. They also gain “Precision,” which grants Cras increased chance to critical hit and increased critical damage when they move.

Beacons have been simplified to a single spell, while Cra can now work with three elemental states and new synergy. There are many new strategies to unlock with the Cra, so make sure to read the full change notes in preparation.

Project Cars Reveals Four New Tracks & Delay

Project Cars has revealed four new tracks today, on the wake of their revelation yesterday that the game’s release would be delayed again to fix issues that were “tricky to anticipate.”

The four new tracks are:

Project CARS Sonoma

Sonoma Raceway
Sonoma Raceway (formerly Infineon Raceway) is a hilly road course and drag strip located in California. Twinned with Watkins Glen International (also in Project CARS) as a host of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series it sees regular use by many other motorsports on both four wheels and two.

Project CARS Circuit de Spa

Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
Home to the Formula One Grand Prix, 24H endurance event, and many more, the famous circuit has seen many layout changes since 1920 although the infamously flat-out Eau Rouge has largely remained untouched making it one of the fastest and most exciting tracks in motorsports today.

Project CARS Brno

Brno
Opened in 1987, the relatively-new Brno Circuit has been host to the World Sports Car Championship, A1 Grand Prix, and the Czechoslovakian Motocycle Grand Prix.

Project CARS Willow Springs

Willow Springs International Motorsports Park
With a blistering lap time of just 1 minute 6 seconds held by legendary racer Michael Andretti, the 9-turn track is the oldest permanent road course in the United States with elevation changes and high average speeds making it a favourite amongst drivers.

Lineage II: New Content Update Announced

Lineage II

NCSOFT, today announced Infinite Odyssey, the next content expansion for Lineage II, one of the longest-running MMOs in history and flagship title for NCSOFT. Planned for release this spring, players can expect to enjoy new hunting zones, a new raid boss, and new skills as they continue their quest to expunge evil from Aden.

As Lineage II prepares for its 11th anniversary in North America this April, a new chapter is being added to the ongoing saga. With the arrival of the Ertheia, the latest race to join in the war to protect Aden, the heroes of the world have gained new allies. But even with their numbers bolstered and their forces strengthened, they may not have enough power to defeat what lies in wait for them.

As part of this announcement, NCSOFT is kicking off a brand-new contest. Players will have a chance to help name some of the exciting new skills in the upcoming expansion with the Name that Skill Contest! Five new high-end skills will be named by Lineage II players. The contest will run from March 12th until March 31st, and winners will be announced on April 7th.

Visit www.lineage2.com for more details on the expansion. For more information on the Name that Skill contest, including prizes and entry instructions, visit http://www.lineage2.com/en/news/community/infinite-odyssey-skill-naming-contest.php.

Kwaan: New Adventure Game by Ankama Coming to Steam

Kwaan

ANKAMA announced the release of the Early Access of KWAAN on Steam: an original blend of sandbox virtual world and exploration adventure. More than simply gaming, KWAAN is a cooperative poetic online experience where the player and his tribe evolve in an exotic environment, trying to please a sentient tree known as Kwaan, and ultimately, the prevent the world from drowning in its tears.

Kwaan is a mix of a point’n’click adventure, sidescrolling platformer, role-playing game and pixel art editor – all appealing to players’ creativity. Mutual aid and the respect of nature are key elements in this living, joyful and engaging virtual world. Players take the role of Dwaals, inhabitants of a remote island, worshipping a myriad of animals and living with them in a peaceful exotic world. But one morning, as the prophecies foretold, KWAAN appears. And KWAAN has mood swings… Beware making KWAAN sad, for it could spell destruction and bring about the end of the world… (and of the server!)

To find out what KWAAN’s purpose is and to keep it happy so it won’t flood the world, players will have to develop its branches, perform rituals, discover new landscapes, summon animals and craft flowers, cupcakes or even constellations, meditate, dance… Every action of the tribe will have an effect and help unveil a mythical story full of surprises.

Developed by industry veterans Maxime Plantady (technical director), David Calvo (creative director), Gary Lucken (art director) and David Kanaga (music), KWAAN will lead you through a mesmerizing journey where your choices can either save the entire world or lead to a terrifying end.

KWAAN is available on Steam Early Access for 6.99 Euros in English and French. For more info, visit http://store.steampowered.com/app/336790/

BlizzCon 2015 Details Announced

Blizzcon Admit One

Get ready for two days of nonstop Blizzard gaming with a few thousand of your closest friends. Blizzard Entertainment today announced that its ninth BlizzCon® will be turning the Anaheim Convention Center into community central for all Blizzard games on Friday, November 6 and Saturday, November 7, with tickets going on sale in two batches on April 15 and April 18.

“There’s no better way to connect with the ever-expanding Blizzard community than by bringing everyone together at BlizzCon,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “With more games in development than ever before, we’ll have plenty of exciting updates to share and lots of great eSports competition to look forward to—we can’t wait to see everyone there.”

Blizzcon ACC

BlizzCon is an epic celebration of Blizzard Entertainment’s game universes and the global player communities that bring them to life. At this year’s event, attendees will have a chance to enjoy:

  • Hands-on play time with the latest versions of Blizzard Entertainment games
  • Global Finals for Blizzard eSports, including the StarCraft® II World Championship Series and Hearthstone® World Championship
  • In-depth discussion panels with Blizzard game developers and artists
  • Community contests with great prizes
  • Commemorative merchandise based on Blizzard’s game universes
  • More activities and attractions to be announced

Tickets to attend BlizzCon 2015 will be priced at $199 USD (plus applicable taxes and fees) each and will be available for purchase from the online event ticketing service Eventbrite via their website (www.blizzcon2015.eventbrite.com ) in two separate batches. The first batch goes on sale at 3 am BST on Thursday, 16 April, and the second batch goes on sale at 6 pm BST on Saturday, 18 April.

An exclusive pre-BlizzCon dinner to benefit Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) will also be held the evening of Thursday, November 5, giving attendees the chance to eat, drink, and be merry alongside Blizzard developers, artists, and community representatives while supporting a great cause. Further details on the BlizzCon Benefit Dinner, including ticket pricing and availability, will be announced at a later date.

Anyone looking to enjoy BlizzCon from the comfort of their own home will once again have the option to order a BlizzCon Virtual Ticket, offering comprehensive live coverage of the event via a multichannel online stream. Further details on the Virtual Ticket, including pricing, availability, and programming information, will be announced at a later date.

For more information on BlizzCon 2015, visit the official website (www.blizzcon.com ). Additional details will be posted as the event draws near. Those interested in attending the show in person can make advance hotel reservations now and receive special BlizzCon rates by booking through the BlizzCon hotel website.

World of Warships Closed Beta Embarks Today

WoT_PAX_EAST_2015_19

Action Stations! The World of Warships Closed Beta has left port to begin testing today. The times for each region are as follows: Europe 11:00 CET; North America 11:00 PST; Asia 17:00 SGT. Players can sign-up to seize the wheel of many iconic mid-20th century vessels by heading to the official World of Warships website now.

In the Closed Beta, players can test their skills across five original maps and lead the quest of supremacy commanding over 50 U.S. and Japanese warships. In the future, World of Warships will add Japanese aircraft carriers and U.S. battleships to its ever-increasing fleet.

Four classes of warships offer a lot of tactical diversity. Cruisers are nimble vessels; the destroyers’ torpedoes are great for obliterating enemies; battleships are devastating heavy-hitters; aircraft carriers are unmatched in their reconnaissance and sneaky offensives.

WoT_PAX_EAST_2015_15

Crews (represented by warship commanders) play a key role in gameplay. Leveling up Commanders and gaining points allow players to improve a variety of skills to suit their playstyle. With Modernizations, a ship’s offensive and defensive capabilities can be enhanced.

In Divisions mode, players work together in team of up to three to challenge other opponents. In the future, many battle accomplishments and customization options will be available.

Learn more about what’s in store for World of Warships with our PAX East 2015 preview!

Zen Studios and PlayNext Bring Deadpool to X-Men: Battle of the Atom

Zen Studios XBOTA Deadpool

Zen Studios, the makers of the hit Zen Pinball and Pinball FX franchises, has teamed up with PlayNext on a collaboration for the ages! Zen Studios’ team of highly-acclaimed Marvel Pinball artists and designers are specially contributing Marvel hero Deadpool to PlayNext’s hit free-to-play card trading game, X-Men: Battle of the Atom, in a series of exciting new cards.  The series includes five unique trading cards, featuring designs by the Zen writers and artists that crafted the fan favorite Deadpool pinball table, and will be available for a limited two week promotional run to Battle of the Atom players.

The new Deadpool cards feature exclusive art from the premiere Deadpool pinball table released in Zen’s popular pinball games, Zen Pinball 2, Pinball FX2, and Marvel Pinball. These cards will be free to all X-Men: Battle of the Atom players from March 11 to March 25.

During the promotional week, all players will be able to recruit the Deadpool cards by opening a limited-time mystery box with special points.  Players can earn these points through regular gameplay, such as single-player missions and 20 vs. 20 multi-player team battles.

Wildstar: Nexus Invasion Update Announced

Wildstar Nexus

Carbine Studios has just announced their latest update for their fantasy/sci-fi adventure MMORPG “Wildstar” with the new INVASION: Nexus expansion.

INVASION: Nexus brings tons of new, community-feedback based content to the game. Contracts give players who are short on time a new way to earn awesome gear, while aesthetic-related improvements like the Holo-Wardrobe and brand-new vanity pets let players cruise Nexus in style. Also incoming is a swath of new content, like a 20-player raid, a new adventure and expanded PvP options.

For more info, visit http://www.wildstar-online.com/en/news/2015-03-12-wildstars-next-big-update-invasion-nexus.

Xsyon MMORPG Launches Massive Architecture Update

Xsyon Sunset

The apocalyptic fantasy sandbox MMORPG, Xsyon has always highlighted its architecture system and creative player made structures.

This year’s first major update to the game brings this system to a whole new level, accommodating new players and greatly facilitating multistory construction.

The patch features:

  • Manipulation of architectural parts in air and from a distance.
  • Added commands to move parts vertically and flip them in place.
  • Adjustable placement distance and movement increments.
  • Increased flexibility allowing components to sink into the ground and stack with ease.
  • Initial placement and slope constraints removed.
  • Improved terraforming allowing players to manipulate the terrain touching in place buildings.
  • Visual improvements including scaffolds and position displays.
  • The ability to bridge water and granite surfaces without terraforming.
  • Many new structural components including trusses and cantilevered frames for building bridges, tree houses, porches and overhangs.

Xsyon’s improved architectural system boasts versatility and ease of use. Players are now empowered to fully visualize and realize their construction projects much faster and with more flexibility than ever before!

Full details and patch notes can be found on the official Xsyon website.