Chris Jones, Author at Gaming News and the Ultimate Universe

Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

NINTENDO GIVES PLAYERS COMPLETE FREEDOM OF ADVENTURE IN THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: BREATH OF THE WILD at E3

We also saw the First Live Gameplay of Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon

LOS ANGELES, June 14, 2016 – The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild represents the next great boundary-breaking adventure from Nintendo. The game marks a new pinnacle for the franchise, and today Nintendo gave the world its first look at the immense, living and breathing world of the Wii U version of the game at the E3 video game trade show in Los Angeles. The game challenges and surprises players at every turn, while giving them incredible freedom to explore the massive world found in this open-air adventure.

“The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild breaks boundaries for the franchise and for games as a whole,” said Nintendo of America President and COO Reggie Fils-Aime. “Where you go, how you get there, the order in which you do it, and the items, weapons and approaches used to solve puzzles and defeat enemies are all up to you.”

Today Nintendo gave fans just a taste of how The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild takes the franchise to new heights. Nintendo’s booth at E3 immerses attendees in the world of the game. As E3 attendees investigate Hyrule, they can explore the game any way they want because the world is so vast and players are not required to take a predetermined path. This sense of freedom and vastness will truly come alive in the final game when the experience isn’t limited by the restrictions of a show floor demo.

During a Nintendo Treehouse: Live demo, Nintendo showed that heroic Link needs to be resourceful as he explores his environment. It’s important for players to become familiar with their surroundings so they can find weapons or collect them from defeated enemies. Food helps Link sustain his hearts and can give him a temporary boost or ability that will sustain him.

The game breaks with some conventions from the series. For example, many of the minor enemies are no longer scattered randomly around the world, as many now live together in colonies. Link can climb towers and massive structures to get a bearing on his surroundings. He can even reach the top of mountains – any mountain he can see, he can climb. He can paraglide to lower areas or even use his shield to slide down a mountain. Link will travel across fields, through forests and to mountain peaks.

The game’s wild world surrounds Link, and he must pay attention to changes in climate, as a shift in weather or temperature can affect the environment and his ability to survive in it. A sudden downpour might douse a roaring campfire or a lightning storm might be attracted to Link’s metallic weapons. Players might need to bundle up with warmer clothes or change into something better suited to the desert heat.

More than 100 Shrines of Trials dot the landscape, waiting for players to discover and explore them in any order they want. As players work their way through the traps and puzzles inside, they’ll earn special items and other rewards that will help them on their adventure. Puzzles in the game often have multiple answers, and secrets can be found everywhere. Exploration and discovery are a huge part of the fun.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is scheduled to launch simultaneously for both the Wii U console and Nintendo’s next system, code-named NX, in 2017. The game also includes compatibility with amiibo, which are sold separately. Nintendo announced a new series of amiibo figures specific to the game that includes Link with a bow (“Archer”), Link on horseback (“Rider”), and a “Guardian” that is the first amiibo with flexible parts. The existing Wolf Link amiibo works with the game as well: When players tap a Wolf Link amiibo to the Wii U GamePad controller, Wolf Link will attack enemies on his own and help players to hunt. He has three hearts, unless players carry over save data from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD. Wolf Link disappears when his hearts run out. Details can be found at http://e3.nintendo.com/amiibo/.

While The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is clearly the star of Nintendo’s presence at E3, Nintendo Treehouse: Live also gave Pokémon fans something to go wild about this morning: the world premiere of live gameplay from Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, the seventh, and newest, era of the core Pokémon series. The games*, made for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems, include new Pokémon, a new Pokédex, a new region and a new battle format to enhance the Pokémon experience in almost every way.

In the Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon games, players embark on a new adventure as a Pokémon Trainer. They catch, battle and trade new Pokémon characters on the tropical islands of the Alola Region, which is comprised of four islands rich in natural beauty and an artificial island.

Players can choose from one of three new Partner Pokémon (Rowlet, Litten and Popplio) and discover the mystery behind the Legendary Pokémon (Solgaleo and Lunala).

Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon launch Nov. 18. More information on the games can be found at Pokemon.com/SunMoon, and a video showing today’s reveal can be found at YouTube.com/Pokemon.

Anyone who wants to keep tabs on Nintendo’s activities at E3 from afar can keep an eye on Nintendo Treehouse: Live at http://e3.nintendo.com, or on Nintendo’s YouTube or Twitch channels. The remainder of today’s show will be dedicated to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The final day of Nintendo Treehouse: Live begins at 10 a.m. PT on Wednesday, June 15, and will primarily offer a showcase of previously announced Wii U and Nintendo 3DS games, including Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE (June 24), Monster Hunter Generations from Capcom (July 15), Paper Mario: Color Splash (Oct. 7) and Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past (2016). Additionally, viewers will get their first look at a new Mario Party game for Nintendo 3DS that includes additions and changes to make it much more fast-paced and portable-friendly – players no longer have to wait for their turn, as everyone moves at once. Mario Party Star Rush launches Nov. 4.

Also on Nov. 4, Nintendo will launch new amiibo in the Super Mario series. The collection will feature the debut of amiibo figures for Daisy, Waluigi and Boo – and the Boo amiibo figure glows in the dark! The collection also introduces new poses for Wario, Rosalina, Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong.

As a special treat for fans, Nintendo eShop is offering discounts of up to 40 percent for some of its most popular games between 11 a.m. PT on June 14 and 8:59 a.m. PT on June 21. Even better, My Nintendo members who have signed in, linked their Nintendo Network IDs and visited Nintendo eShop at least once before purchase get an extra 10 percent off the already-discounted price on select titles. Discounts have been applied to dozens of games, including multiple games in The Legend of Zelda and Pokémon series, as well as a number of Virtual Console games. For a full list of games, more information about the sale and the ability to purchase the games directly from the website, please visit http://e3.nintendo.com/sale.

My Nintendo members will find some new website missions related to The Legend of Zelda at https://my.nintendo.com/missions. For a limited time, My Nintendo members who sign in are challenged to explore Nintendo’s E3 website to find items that will earn them My Nintendo points.

To see details about all of Nintendo’s activities at E3, visit http://e3.nintendo.com.

Remember that Wii U and Nintendo 3DS feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu or http://www.nintendo.com/3ds. ;

*Games in 2D. Some areas also playable in 3D.

Square Enix E3 2016 Collected Works – WOW!

SQUARE ENIX SHOWS US THE E3 2016 LINEUP – Awesomeness to the Max!
Highly Anticipated Blockbusters FINAL FANTASY XV and Deus Ex: Mankind Divided Lead a Very Powerful Lineup
Company Celebrates 20 Years of Tomb Raider and Lara Croft

LOS ANGELES (June 14, 2016) – At this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Square Enix, Inc., publisher of SQUARE ENIX® interactive entertainment products in the Americas, shows off its highly anticipated lineup at its booth at #2001 in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center. The lineup includes FINAL FANTASY® XIV: Heavensward™, the critically-acclaimed MMO with over five million registered accounts globally, FINAL FANTASY XV, the 15th mainline entry in the FINAL FANTASY franchise; Deus Ex: Mankind Divided®, the sequel to the critically acclaimed Deus Ex: Human Revolution®; iconic Square Enix brands including HITMAN™ and KINGDOM HEARTS along with projects from Square Enix Collective™, a platform that aims to help independent developers.

Additionally, Crystal Dynamics® and Square Enix will continue the 20-year celebration of the Tomb Raider® franchise and the iconic Lara Croft® with a variety of activities at the show and online. Programs include custom engraved dog tags with the 20-year logo at the Square Enix booth, and a show on “Square Enix Presents” that takes a nostalgic look at fan-favorite tombs from the past two decades.

“Some of Square Enix’s most acclaimed franchises – FINAL FANTASY, Deus Ex®, KINGDOM HEARTS and HITMAN — are making a major impact at the industry’s biggest annual event,” said Yosuke Matsuda, president and representative director of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. “We lead the industry in innovation with our gameplay technology and distribution solutions, which show in our E3 presence. With tent pole releases later in the year, E3 should provide a solid preview of our 2016 success.”

Square Enix will also host its perennial live online broadcast, “Square Enix Presents,” directly from its booth. Fans at home and across the world can get an exclusive look at titles in the E3 lineup and a chance to interact with creators throughout the show.

For a full schedule please visit:
YouTube: www.youtube.com/squareenixpresents
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@squareenix
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SquareEnix

TITLE DETAILS (by alphabetical order):

DEUS EX GO™
Platform: Phones & Tablets
Developer: Square Enix Montréal (a Square Enix studio)
Age Rating: Pending
Available: Summer 2016
Deus Ex GO is a turn-based infiltration puzzle game set in a stylized interpretation of the Deus Ex Universe®. As double agent Adam Jensen, you’ll use hacking, combat, and augmentations to solve the most challenging puzzles of the entire GO series. Work alongside your allies in TF29 and the Juggernaut Collective as you infiltrate locations to unravel the conspiracy behind a terrorist plot.

DEUS EX: MANKIND DIVIDED
Platform: PlayStation®4 system, Xbox One®, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, Windows PC
Developer: Eidos-Montréal (a Square Enix studio)
ESRB: Rating Pending
Available: August 23, 2016
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, the sequel to the critically acclaimed Deus Ex: Human Revolution®, builds on the franchise’s trademark choice and consequence, action RPG based gameplay, to create both a memorable and highly immersive experience. Players will once again take on the role of Adam Jensen, now an experienced covert agent, and will gain access to his new arsenal of customizable state-of-the-art weapons and augmentations. With time working against him, Adam must choose the right approach, along with whom to trust, in order to unravel a vast worldwide conspiracy. The game also includes Deus Ex: Mankind Divided – Breach, a new and innovative game mode. This new take on the game offers, for the very first time, an arcade approach on the gameplay of Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, providing players with a unique puzzle shooter experience.

DRAGON QUEST BUILDERS™
Platform: PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system (digital only)
Developer: Square Enix
ESRB: Rating Pending
Available: October 11, 2016
DRAGON QUEST BUILDERS provides players the ability to build a variety of unique tools from materials you gather, and rebuild towns and cities to restore life to the shattered world of Alefgard. Players will battle with famous monsters from the DRAGON QUEST® series and interact with gorgeously designed 3D characters. The immersive DRAGON QUEST story and world to explore, combined with the freedom of sandbox gameplay, provides a new and exciting, family-friendly experience, with an intuitive control system will have you building the towers and castles of your dreams in no time.

FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS®
Platform: iOS, Android
Developer: Square Enix / gumi Inc.
Available: Summer 2016
FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS is the first mobile title designed specifically for a worldwide audience looking for the comprehensive FINAL FANTASY experience, including a compelling story and a classic battle system with summoning abilities. Using classic battle systems with a simplified mobile interface and a throwback pixel art style fused with rich 3D graphics, players take on the role of two brave warriors as their fantasy-filled world of Lapis begins falling to its own destruction. Well-known FINAL FANTASY characters also appear in this game. The free-to-play mobile title has been downloaded over six million times in Japan and will arrive on Western shores this summer.

FINAL FANTASY XII THE ZODIAC AGE
Platform PlayStation®4 system
Developer Square Enix
ESRB: Rating Pending
Available: 2017
FINAL FANTASY XII THE ZODIAC AGE improves upon the 2006 classic FINAL FANTASY XII, now more beautiful and easier to play than ever. The HD remaster introduces several modern advancements, including reconstructed battle design and a revamped job system. With newly implemented trophies and share functions, as well as stark visual and sound improvements, players both returning and new to the game will experience a grand adventure that spans the world of Ivalice in an entirely new and improved way.

FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward
Platform: PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®4 system, Windows PC, Mac
Developer: Square Enix
ESRB: T for Teen
Available: Now
Attendees can face off against one of the new bosses in FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward, “Sephirot,” in the Primal Battle Challenge to win an exclusive “I BEAT SEPHIROT” T-shirt. Additionally, they can get a free giant tote bag featuring FINAL FANTASY XIV illustrations at the booth, and are invited to ride and take photos with a 6 foot tall fat chocobo® statue in the South Hall lobby. With over five million registered accounts globally, Heavensward expands the critically-acclaimed MMO FINAL FANTASY XIV, featuring an increased level cap and storyline surrounding the Holy See of Ishgard and the thousand-year Dragonsong War. Heavensward continues to update content for players, with the recent release of Patch 3.3, Revenge of the Horde, concluding the story of the Dragonsong War, and featuring new dungeons, a new alliance raid and more.

FINAL FANTASY XV
Platform: Xbox One, PlayStation®4 system
Developer: Square Enix
ESRB: Rating Pending
Available: September 30, 2016
FINAL FANTASY XV is the highly anticipated action RPG serving as the 15th installment in the landmark series. The game tells the engaging tale of Crown Prince Noctis and his comrades, out on the road and fending for their lives after the armed forces of Niflheim launch a surprise assault upon the Kingdom of Lucis. Featuring an open-world environment, a captivating cast of characters, breathtaking visuals and real-time combat, FINAL FANTASY XV is the ultimate experience for series veterans and newcomers alike. The game’s universe is expanded with KINGSGLAIVE: FINAL FANTASY XV, the fully CG animated movie from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) featuring the voices of Aaron Paul, Lena Headey and Sean Bean, along with an anime series titled BROTHERHOOD FINAL FANTASY XV.

HITMAN™- Episode 3: Marrakesh
Platform: PlayStation®4 system, Xbox One®, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, Windows PC
Developer: Io-Interactive (a Square Enix studio)
ESRB: ‘M’ for Mature (Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes)
Available: Now, New episodes releasing throughout 2016

Episode Description: Tracking two targets, the mission “A Gilded Cage” challenges players to eliminate private banker Claus Strandberg, holed up inside the secure Swedish Consulate, and army General Reza Zaydan, protected by his elite squad of soldiers who have taken over an abandoned school. From the busy bazaars and bustling marketplace, to the angry mobs calling for justice outside the Swedish consulate, Marrakesh promises HITMAN players the lure of voyeurism and the thrill of infiltration.

Game Description: HITMAN sees players perform contract hits on powerful, high-profile targets in exotic locations around the world, from the highly fashionable Paris and sunny coast of Italy to the dust and hustle of the markets in Marrakesh in this creative stealth action game. Gameplay focuses on taking out targets in huge and intricate sandbox levels with complete freedom of approach. Where to go, when to strike and who to kill – it is all up to you. For the first time HITMAN leads with a digital release inviting players into a world of assassination.

I AM SETSUNA™
Platform: PlayStation®4 system, Windows PC
Developer: Tokyo RPG FactoryTM (a Square Enix studio)
ESRB: E10+ (Everyone 10 and older)
Available: July 19, 2016
I AM SETSUNA is the first in a completely new RPG series developed by newly established Square Enix studio Tokyo RPG Factory. With a battle system inspired by the classic hit CHRONO TRIGGER®, I AM SETSUNA pays homage to Super NES® RPG titles, bringing back authentic RPG gameplay, beautiful art design and an unforgettable story to a new generation. The evocative title tells the sorrowful story of a young woman of incredible inner strength, and the sacrifice she must undertake to save the people of her land. Those who pre-order the title on STEAM® will receive a special music track from composer, Tomoki Miyoshi.

JUST CAUSE® 3: MECH LAND ASSAULT
Platform: PlayStation®4 system, Xbox One®, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, Windows PC
Developer: Avalanche Studios
ESRB: M
Available: Now
JUST CAUSE 3: MECH LAND ASSAULT, the second content pack from the Air, Land and Sea Expansion Pass,
takes Rico Rodriguez to the new island of Lacrima, home to an abandoned eDEN research base and a prison camp run by the mysterious Black Hand. Defended by huge powerful Mechs, Rico will need the new Bavarium Power Core rifle to disable their shields and hijack them. Once inside, Rico can use their powerful cannons and the GRIP Gravity Guns to hurl and smash the enemy into pieces.

KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue
Platform: PlayStation®4 system
Developer: Square Enix
ESRB: Rating Pending
Available: December 2016
KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue is a compilation that brings the popular KINGDOM HEARTS Dream Drop Distance to the PlayStation®4 system platform remastered in high definition. The newly improved title features brand new content with KINGDOM HEARTS 0.2 Birth by Sleep – A Fragmentary Passage –, a playable episode that is played from the perspective of Aqua taking place after the storyline of KINGDOM HEARTS Birth by Sleep and links to the upcoming KINGDOM HEARTS III. The title also includes KINGDOM HEARTS χ [chi] Back Cover, a new HD movie that tells the mysterious story of the Foretellers and connects to the earliest parts of the series’ history.

KINGDOM HEARTS Unchained χ (read as Unchained “Key”)
Platform: iOS, Android
Developer: Square Enix
ESRB: E10+ (Everyone 10 and older)
Available: Now
The first game in the series to come to iOS and Android devices that unlocks a new story connected to KINGDOM HEARTS III.

MXGP2
Platform: PlayStation®4 system, Xbox One®, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, Windows PC
Developer: Milestone
ESRB: E
Available: June 21, 2016
MXGP2 is the evolution of the previous Milestone Motocross title MXGP – The official motocross videogame. The game is based on 2015 FIM Motocross World Championship license. Built with motocross authenticity from licensed motorcycles, real riders and tracks, MXGP2 brings the excitement of challenging other riders while embracing a fast, powerful motorcycle on mud-forged hills. Players take on circuits in a quest to grab hold of the world title at the Netherlands MXGP. The game includes both online and offline modes, vehicle and rider customization and indoor arena events.

NieR®: Automata
Platform: PlayStation®4 system
Developer: PlatinumGames Inc.
ESRB: Rating Pending
Available: Early 2017
NieR: Automata is a new third-person action role-playing game (RPG) and follow-up to the 2010 cult hit NIER. Offering a fresh blend of action and RPG gameplay styles, NieR: Automata is currently being developed in collaboration with PlatinumGames Inc. In the follow-up, the human race is driven into a war between androids and machines as invaders from another world attack without warning. The game’s all-star development team consists of producer Yosuke Saito (DRAGON QUEST X/ NIER), director YOKO TARO (Drakengard®/ NIER), character designer Akihiko Yoshida from CyDesignation, Inc. (FINAL FANTASY XIV / BRAVELY DEFAULT®), game designer Takahisa Taura from PlatinumGames Inc. (Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance), and composer Keiichi Okabe from MONACA, Inc. (TEKKEN / Drakengard / NIER).

RIDE 2
Platform: PlayStation®4 system, Xbox One®, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, Windows PC
Developer: Milestone
ESRB: E
Available: 2016
The second edition of Milestone’s innovative racing game is focused on the relationship between the rider and motorcycle, building that connection with career mode and other new features. Players can race the motorcycle of their dreams, thanks to unprecedented customization options for both rider and bike – build a dream bike down to the finest detail.

SQUARE ENIX COLLECTIVE

The Turing Test / Bulkhead Interactive (UK)
You play the role of Ava Turing, an engineer for the International Space Agency (ISA), as she attempts to uncover the truth behind the research base on Jupiter’s moon, Europa, in this gorgeous first-person puzzle game built with Unreal Engine 4. Solve puzzles using your Energy Manipulation Tool (EMT) to transfer power out of one object and into another; power up and take control of artificially intelligent machines, manipulate giant structures and solve complex tasks – all woven into a multi-layered story based on the human struggle for control. The Turing Test will be published for PC by Square Enix Collective in August 2016.

Black The Fall / Sand Sailor Studio (Romania)
Black The Fall is an immensely atmospheric side-scrolling action adventure for PC and digital consoles set in a dark and oppressive land, inspired by the Sand Sailor team’s upbringing in Communist Romania. Discover a forgotten industrial world where strict and rules and harsh punishments tore the fabric of humanity itself. What will you do to survive? Solve puzzles to progress, all the while attempting to avoid suspicion and alerting the intent… and unfriendly… gaze of the State. Black The Fall will be published on both PC and Console by Square Enix Collective in Q3 2016.

STAR OCEAN®: Integrity and Faithlessness™
Platform: PlayStation®4 system
Developer: tri-Ace, Inc.
ESRB: T (Teen)
Available: June 28, 2016
Set between the events of the second and third games in the series, STAR OCEAN: Integrity and Faithlessness takes place centuries after humans have left Earth for the stars. At this point in history, the Pangalactic Federation is nearing the fulfilment of its mission: Peace and order throughout the galaxy. However, the embers of conflict begin to stir once more on the planet of Faykreed, 6,000 light years from Earth, as a new story begins in the ocean of stars.

WORLD OF FINAL FANTASY™
Platform: PlayStation®4 system, PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system
Developer: Square Enix
ESRB: Rating Pending
Available: October 25, 2016
WORLD OF FINAL FANTASY combines classic RPG gameplay mechanics with fresh and imaginative toy-like visuals in an adorable adventure. As a brand-new addition to the FINAL FANTASY franchise, this game can be enjoyed by both fans and newcomers to the series as it expands FINAL FANTASY lore to a new generation of gamers. Players will lead a pair of twins through varied FINAL FANTASY worlds to collect, raise and take into battle the adorably familiar monsters including the Cactuar, Tonberry, and Behemoth.

VALENTINO ROSSI: THE GAME
Platform: PlayStation®4 system, Xbox One®, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, Windows PC
Developer: Milestone
ESRB: Rating Pending
Available: July 26, 2016
VALENTINO ROSSI: THE GAME brings the exciting worlds of MotoGP™ and VR|46 together in the most immersive and feature-packed motorcycle racing experience ever. Participate in the official 2016 MotoGP™ championship and discover the world of Valentino Rossi, with unique modes and all-new challenges dedicated to the career of the 9-time World Champion.

About Square Enix, Inc.
Square Enix, Inc. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX®, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content throughout the Americas as part of the Square Enix group of companies. Square Enix, Inc. is affiliated with a global network of leading development studios such as IO Interactive™, Crystal Dynamics®, and Eidos Montréal. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 115 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 68 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold over 45 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix, Inc. is a U.S.-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.

More information on Square Enix, Inc. can be found at http://na.square-enix.com/

MADDEN NFL 17

Quite Awesome – New Franchise Features, a New Commentary Team and Major Gameplay Enhancements Highlight This Year’s Title

Redwood City, CA – June 12, 2016 – At the recent EA PLAY 2016, Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) officially released full details on the improvements to Franchise in Madden NFL 17 on Xbox One and PlayStation®4. This year’s edition offers even more depth, while still managing to streamline the experience and make both the on-field and off-field experience even more seamless and fun. Today also marked the debut of a brand-new Madden NFL 17 trailer at EA PLAY to get fans excited for the upcoming football season.

This year, Franchise introduces Play the Moments, the fastest way to play Madden NFL. Play the Moments allows fans to experience the important milestones in each game while simulating the rest of the matchup. Players will be invited to jump in at critical moments such as red zone drives, vital third downs, game-winning drives and more, offering the chance to prove your mettle in clutch situations. The shortened games allow Franchise players to take their team all the way from opening day to the Super Bowl in just a weekend, maximizing the fun along the way. Of course, those who want to experience the game from kickoff to final whistle can turn off Play the Moments, or opt to jump in and out of moments as they wish throughout the game.

Off the field, players will be able to utilize new Franchise gameplanning to tailor their strategy to amplify their team’s strengths and attack their opponent’s weaknesses, complete with in-game boosts. New Big Decisions also surface important personnel decisions such as bringing players back from injury, signing free agents, negotiating new contracts and more. In addition to all this, Madden NFL 17 on Xbox One and PlayStation®4 also features top community requests like practice squads, full player editing and a dynamic score ticker.

The Madden NFL 17 Franchise news comes on the heels of details about the franchise’s most balanced gameplay to date, as well as the addition of the brand-new commentary team of Brandon Gaudin and Charles Davis.

EA Access* members can try Madden NFL 17 before it’s released for a limited time as part of a Play First Trial, only on Xbox One.

Madden NFL 17 is developed in Orlando, Florida by EA Tiburon and will be available for Xbox One the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, Xbox 360® games and entertainment system, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and PlayStation®3 entertainment system on August 23. To learn more about Madden NFL 17, visit http://www.easports.com/madden-nfl .

All player participation has been facilitated by NFL Players Inc., the licensing and marketing subsidiary of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA).

The EA SPORTS™ brand is one of the leading sports entertainment brands in the world, with top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, fan programs and cross-platform digital experiences. The EA SPORTS studios create connected experiences that ignite the emotion of sports through videogames, including Madden NFL football, EA SPORTS™ FIFA, NHL® hockey, NBA LIVE basketball, Rory McIlroy PGA TOUR® golf, SSX™ and EA SPORTS UFC®.

For more information about EA SPORTS games, including news, video, blogs, forums and game apps, please visit www.easports.com to connect, share and compete.

*CONDITIONS, LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS APPLY. SEE EA.COM/EAACCESS/TERMS AND EA.COM/EAACCESS FOR DETAILS.

Quake Champions

The Return of id Software’s Classic Shooter Franchise Will Deliver the Fragfest Fans Expect with All-New Champions

June 12, 2016 (Rockville, MD) – Bethesda Softworks®, a ZeniMax® Media company, today announced Quake® Champions, a competitive arena-style first-person shooter for the PC that will return fans to the frenetic, skill-based competition that made Quake an industry legend and solidified it as one of the first major eSports games.

In development at franchise-founding id Software, in conjunction with Saber Interactive, Quake Champions will deliver the mythos of the first Quake with the groundbreaking multiplayer mayhem of Quake III Arena. The game will also introduce a major new feature to the franchise – Champions – a roster of fierce warriors, each with unique attributes and abilities, which enable players to compete in their own distinctive style.

“20 years ago, Quake set new standards for multiplayer competition and pushed the boundaries for graphics and gameplay,” said Tim Willits, Studio Director, id Software. “It’s important to all of us at id Software that Quake Champions remains true to the Quake legacy, and delivers the speed and gameplay our long-time fans expect, while also pressing forward by introducing innovative gameplay opportunities with new Champions and abilities.”

Quake Champions continues id Software’s tradition of pushing the upper limits of modern technology and will deliver stunning graphics running at 120hz with unlocked frame rates. The game will make it easy for new players to learn while also delivering the challenge and competition 20-year Quake veterans expect.

Quake Champions is designed and built for eSports, integrating competitive features for professional and amateur levels of play. The game will be supported at tournaments and in leagues around the globe, including QuakeCon, the annual event that attracts tens of thousands of id Software fans and competitors to Dallas.

This year’s QuakeCon will be held August 4-7 and will be where id Software reveals more details about Quake Champions directly to its devoted fans. For more information about QuakeCon 2016 or to register to attend, please visit www.QuakeCon.org .

The game’s official announcement trailer can be viewed at www.Quake.com .

Quake Champions has not yet been rated by the ESRB.

DISHONORED® 2 Premium Collector’s Edition

Collector’s Edition and Pre-Order Bonuses Revealed for Next Chapter in the Award-Winning Saga

June 12, 2016 (Rockville, MD) – Bethesda Softworks®, a ZeniMax® Media company, today announced plans to release the Dishonored® 2 Collector’s Edition – a premium edition for the highly-anticipated first-person action game from Arkane® Studios. The next chapter in the award-winning Dishonored series, Dishonored 2 is slated for release worldwide on Friday, November 11, 2016 for the Xbox One, PlayStation® 4 computer entertainment system and PC.

In addition to a copy of the highly-awaited game, the Dishonored 2 Collector’s Edition includes:

· Corvo Attano’s Mask Replica and Stand. This recreation of Corvo’s in-game mask stands at 13.5” (H) x 6” (W) x 5.5” (D).

· Emily Kaldwin’s Ring Replica and Display Box. This wearable replica of Emily’s ring is constructed of zinc alloy and includes a premium, embossed black ring box with purple velvet inner lining.

· Full Color Propaganda Poster Print. This limited edition full color print is issued by the infamous Propaganda Office of Karnaca.

· Collectible ‘Legacy’ Metal Case. Exclusive to the Dishonored 2 Collector’s Edition, the limited-edition metal case is decorated with the portraits of Empress Emily Kaldwin and Royal Protector Corvo Attano.

· Digital Imperial Assassin’s Pack. Earn exclusive bonecharms like Duelist’s Luck and Void Favor. Discover new lore and art including an Antique Serkonan Guitar and the book Goodbye, Karnaca – A Musician’s Farewall. The Imperial Assassin’s Pack also includes 500 coins to acquire new gear and weapons within illegal black market shops.

· Dishonored: Definitive Edition. This premium package will also include a digital copy of Dishonored: Definitive Edition. Remastered for this generation of consoles, the Definitive Edition includes the original critically-acclaimed game in the Dishonored series which won more than 100 ‘Game of the Year’ Awards plus all of its add-on content: Void Walker’s Arsenal, Dunwall City Trials, The Knife of Dunwall and The Brigmore Witches.

The Dishonored 2 Collector’s Edition is available for pre-order through participating retailers and is priced at $99.99 (US), €99,99 (Europe), £79.99 (UK), and A$189.95 (Australia).

For a limited time only, pre-order Dishonored 2 at participating retailers and receive a free digital copy of Dishonored: Definitive Edition.

Reprise your role as a supernatural assassin in Dishonored 2. Play your way in a world where mysticism and industry collide. Will you choose to play as Empress Emily Kaldwin or the Royal Protector, Corvo Attano? Will you stalk your way through the game unseen, make full use of its brutal combat system, or use a blend of both? How will you combine your character’s unique set of powers, weapons and gadgets to eliminate your enemies? The story responds to your choices, leading to intriguing outcomes, as you play through each of the game’s hand-crafted missions.

Dishonored 2 has not yet been rated by the ESRB. For more information on Dishonored 2, visit: www.dishonored.com .

The Elder Scrolls: Legends

The cool thing thing, well, one cool thing about this game: It’s Multilingual: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Polish, Russian, and Brazilian Portuguese.

Based on the award-winning Elder Scrolls series, The Elder Scrolls: Legends is a strategy card game that explores the series’ characters, creatures, deities, and lore. Whether you have 10 minutes or five hours, Legends provides a variety of gameplay modes and challenges that are easy-to-learn but quite the challenge to master. Built with all levels of players in mind, Legends offers accessible gameplay for beginners who want to get started quickly, and the game’s depth keeps expert players engaged. With a wide variety of deck types and strategies, no two games are ever the same. Best of all, jumping into the game doesn’t cost a thing. Download Legends – for free – and see for yourself.

Key Features:

Play Your Way
Legends consists of five attributes: Strength (Red), Intelligence (Blue), Willpower (Gold), Agility (Green), and Endurance (Purple) – each providing in-depth systems for players to champion. Discover your favorite play style with cards you unlock for free. Become more powerful as you master a variety of decks and strategies, and test your skill against both human and computer opponents.

Depth of Play
Legends’ gameplay features a divided battlefield — “lanes” that greatly expand your strategy options. Using two lanes requires you to plan when and where you place your cards, and how you’ll defend and attack. A lane can even have a special condition that affects cards played there providing further challenges and opportunities.

Choose Your Path
Select your avatar from the nine well-known races of Tamriel, and receive gameplay rewards complimenting that race’s play style and unique in-game strengths. As you adventure through the game, your character gains levels and your card collection grows. Make choices during the single-player campaign that will unlock new cards and upgrade some basic cards to new versions. Legends allows you to change your approach to fit your playstyle and the decks that you want to build and play.

Story Mode
In The Elder Scrolls: Legends Story Mode, you must escape from dark cultists and follow a path that leads all the way to an Emperor in exile. On your journey you’ll face a variety of opponents with different abilities and powers based on their card decks and strategies. Story mode provides hours of single-player gameplay where you’ll earn new cards you can use to make your decks more powerful and versatile.

Arena Mode
Once you’ve learned the basics, enter ‘Arena Mode’ to battle AI or human opponents in a series of matches. Build your deck from the ground up and face AI opponents which become more and more challenging. Or, play against friends or other players where you’ll both create a deck and battle until one side dominates. The more wins you earn, the better your rewards. Every time you play in this mode you’ll find a unique and challenging experience.

Battlefield 1

Intuitive Destruction, Dynamic Weather, the Largest-Ever Fully Player-Controlled Vehicles in Battlefield, and a New Multiplayer Game Mode Add Variety to the Dawn of All-Out War.

This is one epic looking game – Chris Jones

STOCKHOLM, Sweden – June 12, 2016 – DICE, an Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) studio, invites you to join a world of discovery and epic warfare through ever-changing battles only in Battlefield™ 1.

Click pics for full size

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Intuitive destruction and dynamic weather ensure that no battle is ever the same. For even more gameplay possibilities, carve a path through walls and buildings, take down your enemies in creative ways, and leave your mark on the terrain around you through intuitive destruction. Through your actions, the pristine world around you will change into a battle-scarred landscape, changing the world forever.

With dynamic weather you will need to adapt your tactics to weather changes as the elements play a part in the battle. Playing the same map on a bright day, in heavy fog, or rain will impact what you see and hear, forcing you to adapt your play style on an ever-changing battlefield.

Operations introduces a completely new way to play multiplayer. In Battlefield 1 will you play a series of interconnected battles across multiple fronts. Play a sequence of battles where your actions have consequences beyond a single match, as you try to conquer territory or push back your attackers.

At those times when you feel all is lost, call in the Behemoths – the largest fully player-controlled vehicles ever seen in Battlefield. Roam the battlefield and rain fire on your enemy to break their defenses. All-out war never felt so epic. Take control of the Armored Train, Air Ship, or the Battleship to dominate the battlefield across land, air, and sea.

“With Battlefield 1 we’re looking to deliver the most dynamic shooter ever. We want to make sure that no battle is ever the same for the players, and with the introduction of Operations, we’re giving the fans variety for game play and creativity,” said Aleksander Grøndal, Senior Producer, DICE. “Plus, with the new Behemoths, only in Battlefield 1 can you bring an Air Ship to a dogfight.”

The Battlefield 1 open beta will be live later this summer. To get early access, players can sign up to become a Battlefield Insider HERE. They will also get access to in-game rewards, exclusive content, and sneak peeks at news about Battlefield 1 (plus news about other EA games, services, and events).

Watch the Battlefield 1 gameplay trailer from EA PLAY, and discover more on the Dawn of All-Out War at https://www.battlefield.com/en-gb.

Battlefield 1 will launch on October 21st, 2016 worldwide on Xbox One, Origin™ for PC, and PlayStation®4. Players who pre-order the Early Enlister Deluxe Edition can begin playing on October 18*.

EA Access and Origin Access members can play Battlefield 1 for a limited time before launch with Play First Trials. EA Access members receive a 10% discount when they purchase a digital version of the game on Xbox Live, and Origin Access members get a 10% discount when they purchase the game through Origin**.

Titanfall 2

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – June 12, 2016 – Respawn Entertainment and Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) have announced that Titanfall® 2 will drop worldwide on Friday, October 28, 2016 for Xbox One, Origin for PC, and for the first time ever for the franchise, PlayStation 4. The highly-anticipated first person shooter is set to build on the foundation Respawn established with the first Titanfall – fast, fluid, and fun gameplay between Pilots and Titans, to once again innovate and elevate the shooter genre.

SINGLEPLAYER! Yea Baby!

To watch the Titanfall 2 official announcement trailer, please visit:

To watch the Titanfall 2 multiplayer gameplay trailer, please visit:

“With the original Titanfall, we focused on nailing the gameplay and reinventing the way you move and fight in a first person shooter,” said Vince Zampella, CEO of Respawn Entertainment and a Co-Creator of the Call of Duty franchise. “With Titanfall 2, we’re building on that foundation by introducing a bespoke single player campaign backed by a deeper multiplayer experience that together will once again push the shooter genre forward.”

In single player, Titanfall 2 will deliver a crafted experience that explores the unique bond between man and machine. Playable offline, the single player campaign in Titanfall 2 will let fans step out onto the Frontier as a Militia rifleman with aspirations of becoming an elite Pilot. Stranded behind enemy lines and facing overwhelming odds, players must team up with a veteran Titan to uphold a mission they were never meant to carry out. In multiplayer, Respawn is continuing to evolve their best-in-class gameplay to provide a more robust experience that delivers expanded depth and variety that includes six new Titans, deeper Pilot abilities, more customisation options, and a robust progression system that is sure to satisfy fans.

Fans wanting to hit The Frontier first on October 28 can pre-order Titanfall 2 now at Titanfall.com. For those looking to have the ability to customise every Titan day one, the Titanfall 2 Deluxe Edition offers instant access to exclusive Warpaints and Nose Arts, two camouflages, and more.

Prior to release, Titanfall 2 will have an open technical test designed to help Respawn ensure a successful launch on October 28. Fans interested in getting technical test news first can sign up HERE for Dispatches from The Frontier – the Titanfall 2 Newsletter that provides news, exclusive offers, and much more.

INJUSTICE 2

Here you go, build the Ultimate Version of Your Favourite DC Characters in the Super-Powered Sequel to NetherRealm Studios’ Injustice: Gods Among Us.

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment today announced Injustice 2, the super-powered sequel to the hit game Injustice ™ : Gods Among Us. The newest game in development from the award-winning NetherRealm Studios features a massive roster of DC Super Heroes and Super-Villains and allows players to build and power up the ultimate version of their favourite DC characters. Injustice™ 2 will be available for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Xbox One in 2017.

The official Injustice™ 2 trailer can be viewed on the WB Games UK Youtube Channel at:

“In Injustice™ 2, we are introducing new features that will change the way fans play fighting games,” said Ed Boon, Creative Director, NetherRealm Studios. “We’re always interested in pushing the genre forward and allowing players to customise and level-up their favourite DC Super Heroes and Super-Villains is a significant leap.”

“Expanding the DC Universe in games continues to be one of our top priorities, and Injustice™ 2 showcases amazing gameplay and an original story to bring the characters to life for players,” said David Haddad, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “NetherRealm Studios is offering fans an experience of customising and battling with DC’s iconic characters in an entirely new way.”

Injustice™ 2 offers the latest DC fighting game experience that expands on the previous title’s larger-than-life showdowns. Every battle defines you in a game where players personalise iconic DC characters with unique and powerful gear earned throughout the game. For the first time gamers can take control of how their characters look, fight and develop across a variety of game modes.

Injustice™ 2 continues the epic cinematic story introduced in Injustice ™: Gods Among Us as Batman and his allies work towards putting the pieces of society back together while struggling against those who want to restore Superman’s regime. In the midst of the chaos, a new threat appears that will put Earth’s existence at risk. Players can play from the biggest DC roster ever offered in a fighting game, from classic fan favourites such as Batman, Superman, Supergirl and Aquaman, to astonishing new villains like Atrocitus and Gorilla Grodd. Battles will take place across arenas that have evolved in scale and span across iconic locations such as Metropolis, Gotham City and Atlantis.

To celebrate the announcement of Injustice™ 2, fans who have downloaded the hugely successful Injustice ™: Gods Among Us mobile game can unlock the Injustice™ 2 versions of Superman and Aquaman through the in-game Challenge Modes. Released in 2013 and developed from the ground up by NetherRealm Studios, the Injustice ™: Gods Among Us mobile game is available as a free download on the App Store and Google Play.

For more information or to join the Injustice 2 conversation, visit www.injustice.com or find us @injusticegame on Facebook and Twitter.

Regards,

Mark Ward
Sr. Publicity Manager
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

About Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Inc., is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all platforms, including console, handheld, mobile and PC-based gaming for both internal and third party game titles.

About NetherRealm Studios
NetherRealm Studios is a leader in the development of interactive entertainment, and the creator of the billion dollar Mortal Kombat franchise. Mortal Kombat has spawned two theatrical films, multiple television series, and has sold over 40 million games to date. Located in Chicago, Illinois the award-winning NetherRealm team has been working and creating games together since 1992. Additional information about NetherRealm Studios can be found at www.netherrealm.com .

About DC Entertainment
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash, etc.), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables, etc.) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating across Warner Bros. and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment, and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is one of the largest English-language publishers of comics in the world.

Yesterday Origins

Paris – 11 June, 2016

Co-producers Microids and Pendulo Studios will be unveiling more about Yesterday Origins at E3 2016, the largest videogames expo in the world. In a teaser revealing certain disturbing and bizarre characters who appear throughout the game, players will get their first taste of a quest full of unexpected turns. The game arrives on September 29, 2016, for Playstation 4, Xbox One, PC and Mac.

Here is the Yesterday Origins teaser on the Microids YouTube channel:

Yesterday Origins invites mystery and adventure lovers to take a journey through time and around the world in a new production by the creators of the world-famous Runaway saga. With more than 20 years of experience in story-driven videogames, Pendulo succeeds with its first 3D-game, retaining its inimitable graphic style. The look inspired by the comic is enhanced for the first time by novel visual effects (dynamic shadows, physics engine, etc.)

In Yesterday Origins, you play as John Yesterday and Pauline Petit, a couple of immortals who own an antiquities shop in Paris, in an adventure through time and around the world. The story begins when a young John is imprisoned by the Spanish Inquisition for sorcery and must use his cunning to escape the prison guards. It’s the beginning of sequences alternating between past and present, recounting the origin of John’s coveted immortal powers.
Click on the pic for full size

The game is fully dubbed (more than 25 main characters) and boasts an original score. While the game addresses adult topics and sprinkles in saucy dialog, it retains a relaxed feel and a good dose of black humor, something Pendulo Studios does all too well. The interface is designed to work equally well for joypads and mouses.
The latest installment in this series will be presented to the media at E3, the largest videogame expo in the world, in Los Angeles, June 14-16, 2016.
Yesterday Origins is an adventure game co-produced by Microids and Pendulo Studios scheduled for release on September 29, 2016, for Playstation 4, Xbox One, PC and Mac in French, English, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian and Polish.

Find Yesterday Origins on Steam soon: http://store.steampowered.com/app/465280

Microïds will be at E3 2016 from Tuesday 14 to Thursday 16 june in the Los Angeles Convention Center in the Concourse Hall, meeting room 8608. Don’t hesitate to come to discover the games

Author: Chris Jones

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