Today, InnoGames released additional information on the upgrade mechanics and gameplay elements of its latest game Elvenar. In the strategic city-builder, every building contains up to fifteen upgrade levels, each one of them inherently changing the buildings’ looks and efficiency. Even though both of the game’s races, the Elves and Humans, have access to most of the same building types, they look entirely different, as shown in the game’s latest video.

As Game Designer Timon and UI Artist Oliver explain, upgrading buildings brings its own set of challenges – as their appearance changes, they also grow in size. Since space is valuable in Elvenar, players always have to consider the pros and cons of a single buildings’ upgrade. Luckily, the game’s extensive marketplace allows players to specialize in certain production buildings for rare goods, trading with other players and therefore save space. But residential buildings especially need to be constantly upgraded to deal with an increasing population and will grow in size as the player progresses.

For more info, visit https://en.elvenar.com/

Global games publisher, R2Games, has announced today the upcoming release of its first collectible card game for browsers, Summoner’s Legion. The Open Alpha test for this title will be launched on 07:00AM January 14th, 2015 PST,.

Summoner’s Legion is a free-to-play browser game that incorporates collectible card and MMO elements, focusing on strategy and multiplayer combat. Players can fight as four different classes, and build decks with a wide variety of skills from nine unique factions. There are several play modes available, including Training, Spectator, Adventure and Arena – the last two of which offer single and multiplayer options.

Key features
* Five races – Dwarf, Elf, Human, Beast, Undead
* Four classes – Warrior, Mage, Ranger, Priest
* Multiple combat modes: 1v1, 2v2, Training Mode
* Single and multiplayer dungeons

Summoner’s Legion will be opening its Alpha test server on Wednesday, January 14th at 07:00 AM PST, to collect gameplay data and user feedback. Once the testing phase is over, all characters and account information will be wiped in preparation for the game’s Open Beta test. Further details will be available on its official website.

Paradox Interactive and Obsidian Entertainment today announced that Pillars of Eternity, the role-playing game (RPG) inspired by timeless classics and funded directly by dedicated fans, has a firm release date set for March 26, 2015. Pillars of Eternity will be available at retailers worldwide, and eager fans and backers will be able to experience the game they have been promised.

“Everybody at Obsidian has been dedicated to ensuring that Pillars of Eternity is the game we said it would be ever since we launched the Kickstarter campaign,” said Feargus Urquhart, CEO of Obsidian Entertainment. “The community has been incredibly forthcoming with their feedback, and we want to thank all of our fans for being so engaged with the game’s development – and for giving us the time to implement their suggestions and ensure Pillars of Eternity is a game we can be proud of. We’ve used that time well, and the results will be worth the wait. The end is finally in sight, and our journey is nearly complete – at which point yours can begin.”

As the game nears completion, a selection of never-before-seen content from Pillars of Eternity will be revealed via a live stream, hosted by Josh Sawyer, the game’s Project Director. Sawyer will take viewers on a journey through the world of Pillars of Eternity to show what has been accomplished since the release of the backer beta. The live stream will air Thursday, January 15, at 1pm PST (21.00 GMT), here: www.twitch.tv/paradoxinteractive

“Joining Obsidian for this process has been very rewarding,” said Fredrik Wester, CEO of Paradox Interactive. “We’ve always known that, given the opportunity, the developers would be able to make Pillars of Eternity into the game we’ve all been waiting for; we’ve got several backers of the game on our own team. That’s just what we’ve done: we’ve allowed Obsidian to dedicate their attention completely to the creativity and quality of Pillars of Eternity, while we’ve offered our honest feedback, enthusiasm, and full support by handling all the other facets of launching a game that go beyond development.”

Pillars of Eternity is an RPG inspired by classic titles such as Baldur’s Gate, Icewind Dale, and Planescape: Torment, which features an original world and game system that evokes and improves upon the traditional computer RPG experience. Funded via Kickstarter in late 2012, raising $4.5 million through both backer pledges on Kickstarter and Obsidian’s own website, Pillars of Eternity has been a project of passion both for the development team and for the loyal fans who have made it possible.

For more information on Pillars of Eternity, visit www.pillarsofeternity.com.

A new addition to SMITE’s ever-expanding Chinese pantheon as Hou Yi, Defender of the Earth has arrived in today’s latest patch update. The new God was announced during the first ever SMITE World Championship finals in Atlanta, USA which was held this past weekend.

A legendary archer, Hou Yi wields a powerful bow to stalk and hunt  opponents. Using his Ricochet ability, Hou Yi demonstrates his mastery of arrows by bouncing them off walls for added bonus damage. The target will also be stunned and dealt additional damage if Hou Yi’s other active ability, Mark of the Golden Crow, has been used on the target. With the ultimate Sunbreaker, Hou Yi fires nine arrows skywards piercing nine suns and causing them to crash down dealing damage to enemies in the targeted area.

For more info, visit http://www.hirezstudios.com/smite

Block N Load, the online multiplayer action game currently in development for PC and scheduled for launch on Steam in early 2015, has introduced an Oceanic server to support the growing community in the region.

In addition to the new region server, two new arena maps have recently been added to the game – The Fun Factory and Sky Bridge, each presenting their own challenges and pitfalls for players to discover as they tear them apart with some block-tastic destruction.

Sky Bridge – The sky’s the limit! Literally. Make sure you don’t fall off, as you certainly won’t be falling with style. Suspended high above the ground this imposing structure consists of multiple levels with support towers.

Fun Factory – Towering smokestacks mark the location of this industrial structure. The multiple narrow links between the different parts of this arena can become pinch points to be defended to the last man. It’s close-quarter combat heaven with tight building interiors and destructible smokestacks.

Block N Load: Fully Loaded Edition is currently available for pre-order on Steam and includes immediate access to the beta. Alternatively, new waves of keys are being made available through the website.

For further information, visit www.blocknload.com/preorder.

American SMITE eSports team Cognitive Prime have taken home home $1.3 million after winning the first ever SMITE World Championship. The event that also saw a host of other news coming out for Hi-Rez Studios’ popular third-person MOBA. For the first time the Xbox One version of SMITE was playable, as well as a reveal of  the upcoming new Conquest map in the Season 2.

Many more details on the SMITE World Championship, the teams participating and data behind the event can be found below

The SMITE World Championship also saw the unveiling of the upcoming Xbox One version of the popular third-person action MOBA, along with the reveal of the new Conquest map which will be coming to SMITE soon.

For more info, visit http://www.hirezstudios.com/smite

GM Lesley just published her FAQ #4. Later this afternoon at 5PM, the CBT testers’ announcement will be made in the Nexon website. While waiting for the announcement, more FAQ was released, detailing information such as character saves, their development plans for CBT and more.

For more info, visit http://treeofsaviorgame.com/faq/1230/gm-lesleys-surprise-faq-4/