Monthly Archives: June 2015

Star Trek: Alien Domain Open Beta Now Live

 Star Trek: Alien Domain Open Beta Now Live News Header

GameSamba today announced the beginning of open beta service for the free-to-play online strategy game, Star Trek: Alien Domain™.
 
Taking place many years after the events of Star Trek: Voyager™, Star Trek: Alien Domain™ follows players as they take on the role of a Federation or Klingon captain trapped in the unexplored realm of fluidic space. Players will face a variety of threats — including Species 8472 — encounter new hostile creatures and species, and be forced to contend with a war that has erupted between the trapped Klingon and Federation forces.
 
Now entering open beta, the game has undergone numerous updates since the previous closed beta tests began, including major new additions such as an equipment system for starships, a boss battle mode, and a stage trials mode where players can compete to conquer as many stages as possible before being defeated. Several other new gameplay features are scheduled to be released in the near future, including a new large scale PvP mode, and further enhancements to the equipment system.
 
For more information on Star Trek: Alien Domain™ and events surrounding the open beta launch, you can visit the game’s official website at http://startrek.gamesamba.com, or follow the game on Facebook and Twitter.

Forge of Empires Reaches 100 Million Euros Lifetime Revenue

Forge of Empires Reaches 100 Million Euros Lifetime Revenue News Header

InnoGames’ strategy game Forge of Empires has reached a lifetime revenue of 100 million Euros, the German online games developer announced today. The initial development costs for the game, which was released in 2012 were comparably low at 1 million Euros. Since its start, Forge of Empires’ community increased proportionately with monthly revenue. Now, more than 25 million registered players try to guide their Stone Age village through the eras of mankind into the future. While Forge of Empires was originally released as a browser game, in 2014 InnoGames launched the iOS app and in March 2015 the android app followed.
 
“The huge success for Forge of Empires was only possible with the combination of high quality content and a well working, sustainable business model” Armin Busen, Chief Product Officer at InnoGames explains. “The free-to-play model allows us to reach a large target group of players and earn the revenue over a long period of time. A lot of players enjoy our games for years, which is why long-term motivation is one of the most important goals for all of our games”, Busen reveals. Forge of Empires currently offers content for 2.5 years of gaming.
 
InnoGames is no one hit wonder with this success. This fall, Grepolis (published in 2009) will hit the 100 million Euros mark as well. The game Tribal Wars, which was developed as a hobby project by the InnoGames founders in 2003, has an 80 million Euros life time revenue today.
 
“We invest a lot into further development and marketing after the start of a game. However, this investment is based on the first economic and gameplay figures from the game. They allow us to understand very early, how successful a game can become”, Armin Busen reveals. “Only the initial development costs have a significant risk factor, afterwards, we can be very confident to get a decent profit on our spending. At the same time, we are able to increase the frequent turnover for a game over a very long run. In 2014 we earned more money with our first game Tribal Wars than ever before – eleven years after its launch.”
 
Forge of Empires was awarded best browser game in the German Computer Games Award 2013. The iPad app, launched in 2014 was one of the top 5 new strategy titles of the year for iPads in the United States.

Star Trek: Alien Domain

Star Trek: Alien Domain is a browser-based online strategy by GameSamba. Set in the Star Trek universe, players will make strategic decisions to maintain control over limited resources, balance defensive spending with research, establish colonies, and prioritize power distribution for optimal efficiency.

Features:

Epic story: Take part in an ongoing story directly from Star Trek lore.

Weapons: Use various weapons and skills to turn the tide of an engagement.

PvP: Participate in PvP encounters such as one-on-one skirmishes, raids against player-controlled outposts, and large-scale, guild vs. guild Alliance Battles.

Sworn Swords

Sworn Swords is a browser-based strategy game developed by XS Software. Enter an immersive medieval world with in-depth combat, deep strategy elements and millions of players waiting for you.

Features:

Establish your empire: Develop and fortify your own medieval city through new buildings and strategic structures.

Engage in epic combat: Enjoy the most advanced battle system in the industry with animated battle reports.

Quest with champions: Train your own knight in the Royal court to complete quests.

Customize your experience: Socialize, make and break alliances, and compete in world events with other players.

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Supremacy DLC Coming to PS and PC

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Supremacy DLC Coming to PS and PC News Header

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Supremacy, the third DLC pack for Call of Duty®: Advanced Warfare is coming to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and PC on July 2. From Parliament in London, to the snowy confines of the Kremlin in Moscow, players will experience a diverse landscape of multiplayer mayhem, including the return of one of the most iconic multiplayer maps in Call of Duty® history, “Highrise,” which first debuted in 2009’s Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 2, now transported to the year 2054. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Supremacy includes four new, action-packed multiplayer maps, all featuring the new Exo Grapple mechanic, which adds a layer of fun and strategy to the experience.

 

  • Parliament: Docked on the River Thames, this military cargo ship delivers a view of the London cityscape along with a fast-paced combat experience. Mixed site-lines provide opportunities for all styles of play to dominate this medium-sized map.
  • Kremlin: Gamers must prepare for intense combat in Red Square. Secure elevated positions to give the team a strategic advantage, or use exoskeleton capabilities to avoid being caught in the minefield that activates mid-match.
  • Compound: Players take combat preparation to the limit in an Atlas training facility hidden away in the Colorado wilderness, as they’ll have to be quick on the trigger in this small, symmetrical map, which funnels high-speed combat through tight corners to the main tower structures.
  • Skyrise: Players deploy to an Atlas Skyscraper overlooking the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. Based on the fan-favorite Highrise, from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 by Infinity Ward, this map brings new exoskeleton mechanics to the classic multiplayer layout. Gamers must dominate the power positions in the center of this small-to-medium sized map to control the key navigation points.

 

The popular Exo Zombies saga continues in the all-new experience, Carrier. Bruce Campbell (Burn Notice, Bubba Hotep) steps in and joins the battle-hardened cast of John Malkovich (In the Line of Fire, RED, Burn After Reading), Bill Paxton (Aliens, Titanic, Edge of Tomorrow), Rose McGowan (Planet Terror, Scream), and Jon Bernthal (Fury, The Wolf of Wall Street). In Carrier, four characters are trapped on an Atlas aircraft carrier and features advanced new weaponry, enemy Atlas Strike teams, Sentinel Task Force support squads, and a host of new zombie enemies.

 

Alliance of Valiant Arms Adds New Map and Championship System

Alliance of Valiant Arms Adds New Map and Championship System News Header

Alliance of Valiant Arms (A.V.A.), the popular free-to-play first-person shooter from Aeria Games, is rewarding its players with the brand-new, long-awaited Over Rider scenario map! Players can jump into the new map in solo or two-player cooperative mode, wielding heavy weapons such as mini-guns, RPGs, and grenade launchers. The Over Rider map features a new power (appropriately named “override”) that slows down time for strategic attacks. Fight against swarms of enemies, including soldiers, demons, and zombies, and encounter a challenging psionically enhanced end-boss.
 
Additionally, the latest update adds a new Clan Championship System, which allows players to form teams of five and challenge other clans in deadly head-to-head combat in both Escort and Demolition modes. Exclusive loot awaits the top teams in the Clan Championship System!
 
By popular demand, permanent weapons available for in-game currency have returned! A.V.A. now boasts over 90 permanent weapons unlockable in this way with more coming soon – including skinned weapons!

Mayan Death Robots Signs Publishing Deal with SOEDESCO

One of our personal favorites and sure to be cult hit artillery battler, Mayan Death Robots, takes one step closer to being more than just another indie game today as they sign a publishing deal with SOEDESCO. The game is now slated for launch in Q4 of 2015! If you’re unfamiliar with this game, definitely check our beta write-up, as the zany chaos this game brings is too good too miss.

 

Umbra’s Mutiplayer Hero Defense Mode Unlocked

Umbra's Mutiplayer Hero Defense Mode Unlocked News Header

SolarFall Games are pleased to announce that CryEngine3 powered ARPG Umbra has now reached the funding level on Kickstarter needed to unlock its first multiplayer element, Hero Defense Mode.
 
“Umbra is something that the SolarFall Games team and I have worked on for the last four years and we’re ecstatic to see that the gaming world is as excited for the game as we are.” said Daniel Dolui Lead Programmer and Game Director at SolarFall Games. “We’ve now unlocked our first multiplayer element, Hero Defense Mode! This is a replayble mission with randomized elements where players need to defend a temple, whilst achieving side missions outside of it. It’s fast, frantic and most importantly, fun!”

 
Umbra has so far achieved over $324,000 in pledges (144% funded), in-game canine pets for backers have been revealed, unlocked localisation for Russian, German and Spanish and also a global leaderboard so that players can claim bragging rights for the highest level, highest damage or even being the richest player in the world!

 
Umbra is an open world action-RPG taking place in a corrupted world that is falling apart. You are a former soldier, forced to flee the death penalty because of your magic powers. Being tracked down by humans and hunted by the monsters of the Wild, you are recruited by a mysterious group of Templars, and thus your epic adventure begins…
 

Currently Umbra’s funding is now over $324,000, with 3 days to go on the campaign and there’s still time to back the CryEngine3 based hack ‘n’ slash RPG from just $15!

Shards of War Introduces Pulsar

Bigpoint reveal the latest character in their science fiction MOBA game, Shards of War. Pulsar, the nineteenth Sentinel to be introduced, is an attack character that can unleash blasts of stellar energy which, when charged to full damage and range, will surprise even the most hardened of enemies.

 

Shards Of War Pulsar
 

Distorting reality one blast at a time

 

The first thing you’ll notice about Pulsar is that it’s no ordinary Sentinel – it’s not even human. This ethereal cosmic guardian has just revealed itself to humanity and will destroy anything that attempts to stand against it and its quest to quell the chaos tearing the multiverse apart. Pulsar’s main skill, ‘λ‘, involves a pulsating charge mechanic where a piercing burst of energy is unleashed. The longer Pulsar charges it, the greater the blast will be in both range and damage.

 

This reality distorter’s ‘π’ skill will slow down and damage all enemies within the target area. The results will be especially effective against those unlucky enough to be located at the center of the distortion.

 

Every 10 seconds the next skill Pulsar uses will cost no energy at all. This is a passive skill, ‘Φ‘, meaning Pulsar is regularly recharged and ready for retribution.

 

By using the ‘Δ’ skill, Pulsar is able to bend space and time allowing it to evade enemy attacks and to set up its own cosmic barrage. This could be the ‘Ω’ skill which fragments reality sending out a powerful wave that damages the first enemy Sentinel it hits. Moments later, all enemies surrounding the initial target are also snared and receive damage.

 

Bursting with cosmic power

 

A cosmic guardian that has long kept watch over reality, Pulsar has been maintaining its vigil as worlds collide and slowly begin to crack. This strain has recently become more than Pulsar can take, the guardian making itself known to humanity by unleashing bursts of stellar energy, and joining the fight for Empire City, Meridian Gate, and the battlefields echoing in realities beyond.

 

Learn more about Shards of War at the official site.

 

CoD: Advanced Warfare Announces Supremacy – 3rd DLC Pack

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Supremacy, the third DLC pack for Call of Duty®: Advanced Warfare is coming to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3 and PC on 2nd July. From Parliament in London, to the snowy confines of the Kremlin in Moscow, players will experience a diverse landscape of multiplayer mayhem, including the return of one of the most iconic multiplayer maps in Call of Duty ® history, “Highrise,” which first debuted in 2009’s Call of Duty ®: Modern Warfare ® 2, now transported to the year 2054. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Supremacy includes four new, action-packed multiplayer maps, all featuring the new Exo Grapple mechanic, which adds a layer of fun and strategy to the experience.

 

CoD: AW Compound DLC

 

·         Parliament: Docked on the River Thames, this military cargo ship delivers a view of the London cityscape along with a fast-paced combat experience. Mixed site-lines provide opportunities for all styles of play to dominate this medium-sized map.

 

·         Kremlin: Gamers must prepare for intense combat in Red Square. Secure elevated positions to give the team a strategic advantage, or use exoskeleton capabilities to avoid being caught in the minefield that activates mid-match.

 

·         Compound: Players take combat preparation to the limit in an Atlas training facility hidden away in the Colorado wilderness, as they’ll have to be quick on the trigger in this small, symmetrical map, which funnels high-speed combat through tight corners to the main tower structures.

 

·         Skyrise: Players deploy to an Atlas Skyscraper overlooking the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. Based on the fan-favourite Highrise, from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 by Infinity Ward , this map brings new exoskeleton mechanics to the classic multiplayer layout. Gamers must dominate the power positions in the centre of this small-to-medium sized map to control the key navigation points.

 

The popular Exo Zombies saga continues in the all-new experience, Carrier. Bruce Campbell (Burn Notice, Bubba Hotep) steps in and joins the battle-hardened cast of John Malkovich (In the Line of Fire, RED, Burn After Reading), Bill Paxton (Aliens, Titanic, Edge of Tomorrow), Rose McGowan (Planet Terror, Scream) and Jon Bernthal (Fury, The Wolf of Wall Street). In Carrier, four characters are trapped on an Atlas aircraft carrier and features advanced new weaponry, enemy Atlas Strike teams, Sentinel Task Force support squads and a host of new zombie enemies.