12:00 PM, Saturday, April 20th, 2013 - Posted by John Wilson
Ouya - which recently began shipping its Android-powered console to early Kickstarter backers - says it has signed on up to 10,000 game developers.
"I think a lot of the developers have appropriately approached this early phase in getting their dev kits with just playing around and experimenting with the platform," Ouya exec Kellee Santiago told GameIndustry.biz.
"So what you see on the store today are a number of sort of raw experiments, which I think is really cool that you can have a console that has such raw material on it, but we are also seeing more just genuinely fun and polished experiences. Partnerships with larger developers and publishers will be coming up in the next few months."
Santiago also addressed criticism of the console, which has thus far centered on hardware specs and benchmark scores, as the Tegra 3 SoC which drives the system is already considered last-gen tech. Nevertheless, says Santiago, Ouya is focused on the overall gameplay experience, rather than just polygons and pure eye candy.
"I think it's fundamentally about experiences the developers make. What are the quality of the experiences themselves? Our goal at Ouya is to empower developers to provide entertaining experiences for the living room.
"[Yes], critics have their job but what I can say is Ouya is a small company and we're very nimble and what's been encouraging about the criticism and the feedback so far is that it's all stuff we're aware of and we're working on. It's great to hear it because we are still in this preview period and we continue to iterate and improve upon the console in a way that no other company can. For our gamers and developers that creates a very supportive ecosystem for them," she added.
As TG Daily previously reported, the Ouya console runs Android Jelly Bean (4.1-4.2) and is powered by an Nvidia Tegra 3 chip. Additional specs include 8 GB internal flash memory, 1 GB RAM, HDMI (1080p), Nvidia ULP GeForce GPU, USB 2, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth LE 4.0, Ethernet port and a wireless controller.
It should be noted that Ouya is already prepping an updated version of the console, with Uhrman going so far as to say a new iteration of the system will be available each and every year with as much mobile processing power as possible under the hood.
"If we could do it for less than $99, we would. Our strategy is very much similar to the mobile strategy. There will be a new Ouya every year. There will be an Ouya 2 and an Ouya 3," Uhrman said back in February.
"We'll take advantage of faster, better processors, take advantage of prices falling. So if we can get more than 8GB of Flash in our box, we will."
8:00 PM, Wednesday, April 17th, 2013 - Posted by Brant Fowler
This afternoon the Injustice Battle Arena Finale results were posted on YouTube, hosted by Taryn Southern and featuring several guests. As we reported earlier, the original LIVE air date for the finales on Monday night was postponed due to the bombing in Boston. Below are all three parts of the Injustice: Gods Among Us Battle Arena Finale results. Following that are spoilers for what happens in the videos, so watch first if you don't want to be spoiled.
Recap & Memorial
First DLC Reveal & 3rd Place Match
Batman vs. Superman Results
In the first video, we got a full recap of the tournament as we saw clips from each match-up setting up the finals. A really well done video package. Then we got some gameplay footage and discussion about the game. Following that we got an In Memoriam of the fallen combatants in the tournament. This video package wasn't quite as strong as the previous. Then it wraps with some more gaming.
The second video features guest Tara Strong, voice of Harley Quinn in the game, as well as several other guests throughout. Or rather recaps of past guests they've had on. Then Ed Boon joins Taryn to answer some fan questions and to reveal the first DLC for the game: LOBO! Then they showed some more gameplay footage and some "man on the street" coverage. And finally, the 3rd place champion between Green Lantern and the Flash, winner is: Flash.
And finally, in the third video we learn who the winner is. But first, a little time with Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes, followed by a commercial with the duo for Injustice before they sit down and watch some more gaming. After all that, it comes down to the results. Who won between Batman and Superman? We watch the final match-up and learn that Batman is declared the winner of Battle Arena. Predictable, yes, but there you have it, Batman wins.
Injustice: Gods Among Us hit stores yesterday, April 16th. If you picked it up, let us know what you think of the game below, and of the results of the tournament.
4:00 PM, Wednesday, April 17th, 2013 - Posted by John Wilson
Nintendo's third-party partners are bringing an impressive array of great games to the Wii U™ home console, including new games and exclusive information from Disney and Ubisoft®.
"Disney, Ubisoft and our other third-party partners have a great lineup of exclusive games and unique experiences for fans of all ages," said Steve Singer, Nintendo of America's vice president of Licensing. "Their creativity spans every audience and genre, creating new ways to play that can only be experienced on Nintendo platforms."
Disney Interactive is bringing Disney's Planes, a flying adventure video game inspired by the upcoming Disney animated comedy adventure film, exclusively to Nintendo platforms. The game will be available for the Wii U and Wii™ consoles as well as the Nintendo 3DS™ and Nintendo DS™ hand-held systems on Aug. 6, just a few days prior to the film's Aug. 9 opening in theaters nationwide. The game will expand beyond the storyline of the Disney's Planes film, offering players the opportunity to enjoy the thrill of flight as one of the popular characters from the film.
Disney is also bringing Disney Infinity to Wii U, Wii and Nintendo 3DS on Aug. 18. Disney Infinity is Disney's new gaming platform that combines Disney's most popular franchises with interactive figures that come to life in the game. Players can place real-world toy versions of their favorite Disney characters onto a device called the Infinity Base and transport them into the virtual game worlds of Monsters University, The Incredibles, Cars and Pirates of the Caribbean, as well as into a giant Toy Box.
"Wii U offers our developers unique tools to showcase our fun franchises," said Javier Ferriera, Senior Vice President, Publishing at Disney Interactive. "No matter which Nintendo system you own, every member of the family will have fun playing."
Ubisoft confirms that Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell® Blacklist™ is coming to Wii U on Aug. 20 in North America, Aug. 22 for EMEA territories and Aug. 23 in the UK. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Blacklist on Wii U will deliver a unique gaming experience that puts players in the role of special operative and 4th Echelon leader Sam Fisher. Showcasing enhanced game-play features using the Wii U GamePad controller,Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Blacklist allows players to operate innovative gadgets, take out enemies and move through the environment, and intuitively switch between weapons, among other features. The GamePad touch screen, along with motion-based inputs, are sure to immerse fans and gamers alike in this thrilling modern-day adventure.
Additionally, Ubisoft brings Rayman Legends online for the first time with a new demo, including the full online challenge mode. The online challenge mode is made up of four levels, including "Murfy's Dungeon," exclusive to Wii U. New challenges are added daily and weekly, and each comes with its own individual leaderboards. The demo will be available in late April.
"Wii U gives both games a second-screen experience that fans will enjoy," said Tony Key, senior vice president of Sales and Marketing, Ubisoft. "The genres are different, yet both games share fun game play and replayability."
A partial sampling of other key third-party games available this spring and summer includes:
Injustice: Gods Among Us from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment launches April 16 with off-TV game-play functionality and an optional "Quick Moves List" lookup on the GamePad while the game plays on the television.
Batman and Robin return in LEGO® Batman™ 2: DC Super Heroes this spring for Wii U from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, with off-TV functionality and enhanced interactive map viewable on the GamePad.
Resident Evil®: Revelations from Capcom returns on May 21, redefined for Wii U with exclusive Miiverse features, including the ability to post a dying message on the Game Over screen for other players around the world to see, and the "Creatures Voice" function allowing players to personalize the thoughts of enemies in Raid Mode and taunt their friends.
Fast & Furious™: Showdown from Activision launches May 21 with adrenaline-packed racing action for Fast & Furious fans.
Sniper Elite V2 from 505 Games launches this May with new controls and a level of interactivity only possible with the Wii U GamePad touch screen.
Coming soon to Wii U, DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION® - DIRECTOR'S CUT from Square Enix is packed with new features exclusive to the Wii U, including Miiverse integration and multiple game-play improvements leveraging the Wii U GamePad.
Games that will be available exclusively as digital downloads in the Nintendo eShop for Wii U include:
DuckTales Remastered from Capcom: Releasing this summer, DuckTales Remastered is a hand-crafted, beautiful HD reimagining of one of the most iconic Disney 8-bit titles that follows the adventures of Scrooge McDuck as he explores differently themed worlds to collect their treasures and become the world's richest duck.
Dungeons & Dragons®: Chronicles of Mystara™ from Capcom brings HD re-workings of two of Capcom's classic arcade hits - Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom and Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystara - together in one definitive digital package in June, complete with a wealth of enhancements and game-play options.
Mutant Mudds Deluxe from Renegade Kid launches in Q2 with off-TV functionality and 20 new ghostly levels that are exclusive to Wii U.
Spin the Bottle from Knapnock Games: Spin the Bottle is a party game where players look at each other rather than the TV, launching in early summer.
Scram Kitty and his Buddy on Rails marks Dakko Dakko's Nintendo eShop debut. A frenetic action platform game with unique controls and a striking visual style, Scram Kitty and his Buddy on Railswill be released for Wii U later in 2013.
Remember that Wii U features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access
2:00 PM, Wednesday, April 17th, 2013 - Posted by John Wilson
Why did DC Origins use Black Mask as it's main villain? "We realize that Black Mask is not necessarily as prominent in people's minds as some other classic Batman villains, so we realize we also need to do work to explain why he's really cool and make him felt in the game," creative director Eric Holmes said in an interview with Game Informer. "It's not something people bring a lot of baggage to when you see the Black Mask, so we have to do the work to make him scary."
"Black Mask is new money. He's rich. He's very, very powerful. He's made it. He's known for being brutal and sadistic. And particularly at this point in the Arkham franchise he has enormous resources. He is the number one gang leader in Gotham. And has easily the most power in the city."
Holmes confirmed the original Black Mask Roman Sionis is who you will take on in the game. While Batman might be new to the crimefighting business in the game, Black Mask is a well known underworld player.
"Roman Sionis is suspected for a lot of things, but nothing's pinned on him," says Holmes. "The Janus Cosmetics company is his background. He inherited a family business related to cosmetic chemicals and ran it into the ground, and then turned it around into a huge criminal enterprise selling drugs. You see Sionis branding even in Arkham City. The steel mills are Sionis facilities. His money primarily comes from the drug trade."
"His thing is torture. That is what gets his rocks off, and he's really good at it."
Batman: Arkham Origins will be available for the Wii U, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC on October 25, 2013.
12:00 AM, Tuesday, April 16th, 2013 - Posted by Chris Ventura
Tonight the bigInjustice: Gods Among Us Battle Arena Finale was postponed due to the bombing in Boston that took place earlier in the day. It was officially announced on the Injustice Facebook page :
"In light of today's event, the Injustice Battle Arena Finale has been postponed. Please check the Injustice Facebook page for updates on when the results show will be rescheduled. Our thoughts and good wishes are with the victims and their families tonight."
This announcement was met with both understanding responses as well as disappointed and so really negative responses. No official date and time have been reported yet for the finals to take place, keep checking back on the Injustice Facebook page for further details, and we will update you here as well. Injustice: Gods Among Us the game is out in stores today, April 16th.
[Editor's Note: Comic Related apologizes for the previous story running, had we known about the postponement in time we would have taken down the story. And our condolences and best wishes to all those affected by the tragedy tonight.]
6:00 PM, Monday, April 15th, 2013 - Posted by John Wilson
The next season of the on-going D&D Encounters organized play program from Wizards of the Coast has begun. Storm Over Neverwinter will be running through June 5th.
This season of D&D Encounters returns to the city of Neverwinter. As the city rebuilds following a calamity, a new threat appears from within: a mysterious madness and a cult of Asmodeus. Characters that participate in this season will advance from level three to level six.
Storm Over Neverwinter will be the first D&D Encounters season that will allow players to begin with characters at level four, created with any official 4th Edition rules.
Wizards now allows participants in D&D Encounters to use the D&D Next ruleset as an alternative to 4th Edition, using conversion notes that are supplied on-line.
9:00 AM, Monday, April 15th, 2013 - Posted by Brant Fowler
In anticipation for the April 16th release of the new DC Comics game, Injustice: Gods Among Us, there has been an ongoing tournament for weeks. The Injustice Battle Arena has seen the progression of 16 fighters in one-on-one combat until only two were left standing: Batman and Superman. Really, could it end any other way? Especially with fan voting involved? The epic LIVE finale of these two titans squaring off to be crowned champion will take place tonight, April 15th at 7pm PST (10pm EST) via Twitch TV.
Have you been following the action? If so, who's your pick? Do you think the Dark Knight will pull out his Kryptonite ring, or will Superman fry the Caped Crusader like a cheap steak? Let us know in the comments below. And be sure to tune in tonight right here on Comic Related to watch the results!
Here's the word straight from DC's blog, THE SOURCE:
If you're excited about Injustice: Gods Among Us, then you're probably counting the hours until the game's released on April 16th. Well, we can't make next Tuesday get here any quicker, but we can certainly make the night before a lot more entertaining for you.
The final spectacular match-up in the Injustice Battle Arena is upon us as Batman takes on Superman in a blockbuster battle that's sure to entertain-and settle what's been one of the most persistent debates among comic book fans worldwide. You can vote on who you think will win straight through the weekend. However, if you want to see which of these two mega-stars comes out on top, you'll have to join us at 7 p.m. PST on Monday, April 15th for the Injustice Battle Arena Live Finale.
That's right, we're wrapping things up live, and if you think you know what will happen, think again. Host Taryn Southern will be joined by a roomful of amazing guests, including members of the Injustice: Gods Among Us development team, gamers, fans and more than a few surprise visitors as we recap the Battle Arena tournament, witness some of the most spectacular gameplay yet, and exclusively reveal Injustice's first DLC character!
1:00 PM, Thursday, April 11th, 2013 - Posted by Brant Fowler
Earlier this week, Warner Bros. Interactive announced the next installments in the blockbuster Batman: Arkham videogame franchise due out this Fall. First up is Batman: Arkham Origins, which hits Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Wii U and PC, whileBatman: Arkham Origins Blackgate comes to the Nintendo 3DS and Playstation Vita, both on October 25, 2013, just in time for the holiday season.
Batman: Arkham Origins, which was developed by WB Games Montreal, will feature an expanded Gotham City and sets up a prequel storyline set several years before the events of Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City, its predecessors. In this game we see a young, unrefined Batman early in his career as he meets important characters for the first time.
In Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate, developed by Armature Studio, we get the Arkham experience on the handheld systems for the first time. It is, of course, a companion title to the console version where players can continue their adventures on the handheld and discover more details of the Dark Knight's past.
"Batman: Arkham is a huge triple-A videogame franchise and we are delighted to expand the experience with Batman: Arkham Origins," said Martin Tremblay, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. "WB Games Montreal has an incredibly talented team building upon Rocksteady's award-winning gameplay and technology to deliver a deep, immersive, quality experience fans will love."
"WB Games Montreal is honored to have the opportunity to create Batman: Arkham Origins, a new chapter in this amazing franchise" said Reid Schneider, Vice President and Executive Producer, WB Games Montreal. "We are huge fans of the franchise and are committed to creating an experience that offers players more of what they love, as well as the chance to play as a younger Batman within a fresh storyline and expanded world."
Batman: Arkham Origins is based on DC Comics' core Batman license. Fans can visit www.batmanarkhamorigins.com for more information about the game.
7:00 PM, Sunday, April 7th, 2013 - Posted by Brant Fowler
Project X Zone is headed to the 3DS on June 25th in North America, Namco Bandai announces. The game was already released in Japan last Fall. The game sees Namco Bandai, SEGA and Capcom characters teaming up in a strategy RPG to recover a treasure that could threaten the various worlds. From Namco Bandai's official site:
For the first time ever, characters from some of the most historic franchises in video game history come together in one epic adventure! Play as over 50 of your favorite characters from NAMCO BANDAI, SEGA, and Capcom and watch them interact in dream scenarios. Project X Zone is the ultimate strategy RPG that combines the greatest collection of characters ever seen in a video game!
The ancient treasure called the "Portalstone" has been stolen and a rift in time and space has allowed crossovers from various universes. The ambitions of various people, organizations and creatures have become intertwined, turning this incident into a great source of turmoil. The past, future, and even distant worlds from other dimensions have been drawn into what will be become a long journey for our heroes.
12:00 PM, Friday, April 5th, 2013 - Posted by John Wilson
Munchkin is doing well. Very well. So well that Steve Jackson of Munchkin publisher Steve Jackson games is looking for game companies to buy. In a public statement on the company's Website, Jackson offered to buy publishers and games using Munchkin profits.
"I'd like to plow some Munchkin money back into the game hobby," Jackson said. "If you've been publishing good games, and you know it, but you would like to cash out... or if you want to keep creating games but would rather be part of an operation with a 30-year track record and a good health plan... talk to me."
Munchkin topped ICv2's list of the Top 10 Card Games for the Fall/Holiday season, a position it held for all of 2012.
"So what you see on the store today are a number of sort of raw experiments, which I think is really cool that you can have a console that has such raw material on it, but we are also seeing more just genuinely fun and polished experiences. Partnerships with larger developers and publishers will be coming up in the next few months."
Ubisoft confirms that Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell® Blacklist™ is coming to Wii U on Aug. 20 in North America, Aug. 22 for EMEA territories and Aug. 23 in the UK. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Blacklist on Wii U will deliver a unique gaming experience that puts players in the role of special operative and 4th Echelon leader Sam Fisher. Showcasing enhanced game-play features using the Wii U GamePad controller,Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Blacklist allows players to operate innovative gadgets, take out enemies and move through the environment, and intuitively switch between weapons, among other features. The GamePad touch screen, along with motion-based inputs, are sure to immerse fans and gamers alike in this thrilling modern-day adventure.
"Black Mask is new money. He's rich. He's very, very powerful. He's made it. He's known for being brutal and sadistic. And particularly at this point in the Arkham franchise he has enormous resources. He is the number one gang leader in Gotham. And has easily the most power in the city." 
The next season of the on-going D&D Encounters organized play program from Wizards of the Coast has begun. Storm Over Neverwinter will be running through June 5th.
Munchkin is doing well. Very well. So well that Steve Jackson of Munchkin publisher Steve Jackson games is looking for game companies to buy. In a public statement on the company's Website, Jackson offered to buy publishers and games using Munchkin profits.
