Gameplay modes, business model, and closed beta test results are unveiled for the game shaping up to be the best WWII combat MMO ever

Gaijin Entertainment, the developer of upcoming combat MMO War Thunder [formerly known as World of Planes], is proud to reveal new important information about the game, including details about its gameplay modes, background on the game’s business model, and the intermediate results of the closed beta testing.

“The overall concept for War Thunder has been evolving continuously throughout every step of the game’s development, but our basic motivation has remained the same: to create the best possible combat game that will meet the specific requests, expectations, needs, and skills of a broad audience,” says Gaijin Entertainment’s creative director Kirill Yudintsev, who is also the War Thunder project lead. “No matter how challenging this has been, we are successfully discovering effective ways to fulfill this goal. And we’ve been driven all along by our absolute love for flying, aviation, and history.

To give War Thunder players the most diverse gameplay experience possible, Gaijin is working on several PvP and PvE modes, which are being unveiled to the public today.

PvP modes (Player versus Player)

Historical battles: The primary game mode, which allows players to gain in-game experience and unlock new content and gameplay features. Historical battles offer:

• Realistic physics that define the behavior of all objects, necessitating that all planes are subject to gravity, aerodynamics, and other factors;
• Individual flight models for every aircraft, created according to historically correct technical characteristics;
• Painstakingly reconstructed locations that represent the areas where the most crucial battles occurred during WWII;
• Theatres of war that define which planes, belonging to which countries, will face off in battle;
• Optional Virtual Instructor (designed to assist players in dealing with stalls and spins) and Mouse Aim system (an aircraft control mode that helps players of any skill level fly any plane simply and safely)

Arcade battles: The other basic PvP mode, which allows players to gain in-game experience, unlock new planes, train their crews, and so on. The general features of Arcade battles are as follows:

• Planes from all available nations can appear in the same round and on the same level, regardless of historical accuracy;
• The flight model is simplified, however planes’ primary technical characteristics (such as speed, maneuverability, weaponry, and others) remain realistic and maintain their gameplay role;
• Available locations are completely fictional and none of the aerial, ground, or naval combat represents any specific historical events.

Sandbox: This game mode allows players to create their own battles, set rules and define conditions, preset view settings, choose which planes will be available in the game, turn off all or several elements of the GUI, set mission goals that need to be achieved in order for a team to win, and much more.

Missions (PvE, Player versus Environment).

Players of War Thunder will have an opportunity not to only fight with each other, but also to complete a set of interesting and challenging missions. This means that virtual pilots will be able to join the most pivotal battles on all theatres of WWI and fight for victory, alone or in cooperation with friends, using any control settings they prefer, from arcade to simulation.

Standalone missions are PvE missions scripted by Gaijin’s designers. Players will unlock new missions based on their in-game progress and on which planes they have.

Dynamic campaign is more than a simple set of PvE-missions; players’ success or failure defines the outcome of massive military operations. The results of each mission influence the conditions of the ensuing battles. In the dynamic campaign, players can set the starting conditions.

Quick mission editor is a multifunctional tool for players who love to create their own combat missions and want to create a really exciting game for themselves and their friends.

Additional options

In the future War Thunder will also feature the Global War mode, the Full Mission editor, an option for players to exchange user-generated mission scenarios, and of course player-controlled ground and naval military equipment.

War Thunder is designed as a free-to-play game with inclusion of additional paid content. The list of features that can be purchased, for very reasonable prices, includes: historical campaign  (a set of storyline-based missions that recreate historically correct events of WWII); leveling boost; several premium aircraft; full access to the dynamic campaign and quick mission editor, and additional options. However the general game modes and the majority of War Thunder’s rich content will always remain free. This will help Gaijin to maintain in-game balance, as the paid features have been designed so as not to give purchasers an unfair advantage.

Today Gaijin is revealing that War Thunder has successfully reached the second half of the closed beta testing program, which started on schedule in the first quarter of 2012. The international team of beta testers—thousands of players including virtual pilots (core aviasim fans)—is helping Gaijin immensely and inspiring the team with their enthusiasm and passion for this project.

Here are some of the latest fan-videos showing action in the Eastern and Pacific theatres of War:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLnMrKmeqok

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYOMsCQxSFI&

Another fan-video depicts some impressive visual effects of War Thunder’s damage model:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul9tbPopm0o

An official short video demonstration of sound recording made for War Thunder:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtPOIp-vtmk

For the latest War Thunder updates, please visit the official website at http://warthunder.com/

July 2^nd, 2012 – IO Interactive A/S, a Square Enix studio, released a new edition of the “HOPE NEWS TIMES” covering the latest strange occurrence in town.

A string of inexplicable deaths have occurred all over Hope and on behalf of the local police, the HOPE NEWS TIMES asks for the help of all citizens. 27-year-old Tyler Colvin went missing and any information concerning his whereabouts could help.

HOPE NEWS TIMES is a weekly publication reporting the latest news from Hope, South Dakota, and reveals a brand new chapter in HITMAN: ABSOLUTION.

For additional Hope level assets, or to catch the latest edition of the HOPE NEWS TIMES, please visit:

http://www.facebook.com/Hitman
http://www.barcode-society.com/

Full body motion controls in the ultimate ninja experience for Kinect™ for Xbox 360®! 

Calling all ninjas! SQUARE ENIX is pleased to announce that Mini Ninjas™ Adventures will be available today across Australia & New Zealand, exclusively on Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360.

Built specifically for Kinect for Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft , Mini Ninjas Adventures lets you use your mind, body and even your voice, to become the ninja you’ve always wanted to be. Get ready to ninja swipe, kick and battle through action packed levels, demonstrating your ninja prowess as you harness a range of weapons and secret Kuji magic to defeat all of those who stand in your way.

So pack your ninja stars, sword and more and get ready for adventure… a Mini Ninjas Adventure!

Mini Ninjas Adventures is available exclusively for Kinect for Xbox 360 and is priced at 800 Microsoft Points

World of Warcraft^®: Mists of Pandaria^™ opening cinematic to premiere, plus latest content from all three major franchises playable in Cologne, Germany, August 15–19

PARIS, France – June 29, 2012 – Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. today announced plans to showcase its latest games at this year’s gamescom, the world’s largest interactive entertainment trade fair. The event will be held at the Koelnmesse in Cologne, Germany from Wednesday, August 15 to Sunday, August 19, 2012.

The world premiere of the World of Warcraft^®: Mists of Pandaria™ opening cinematic, the latest creation from Blizzard’s award-winning cinematics team, will be shown on giant screens at Blizzard’s booth on Thursday, August 16, the first fully public day of the event.

Visitors to the Blizzard Entertainment booth (B21 in Hall 6.1) at gamescom 2012 will also have the chance to try out the newest entries from Blizzard’s three major franchises. The hands-on demo for World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria, the game’s fourth expansion, will allow players to explore the majestic starting zone of the enigmatic pandaren race and try their hands at the game’s newest available character class: the monk. Mists of Pandaria focuses on the legendary conflict between the game’s iconic Horde and Alliance factions, with warring players and power-hungry faction leaders vying for control of a newly discovered continent.

Attendees will also be able to take control of all-new terran, protoss, and zerg units as they experience the multiplayer mode of StarCraft^® II: Heart of the Swarm™, the upcoming expansion to the fastest-selling strategy game of all time.¹ Like the original StarCraft, StarCraft II has become a fixture in worldwide eSports competition. In the Heart of the Swarm single-player campaign, players will take on the role of Kerrigan, Queen of Blades and leader of the zerg — voted by gamers as the greatest villain in gaming history² — as she seeks vengeance on the tyrannical Arcturus Mengsk.

Visitors will also have the chance to play the recently released world-record-breaking Diablo^® III. Just a week after the game’s May 15 launch, more than 6.3 million heroes were slaying demons on their quest to save Sanctuary, helping make Diablo III the fastest-selling PC game in history.¹

In addition to trying out these exciting new games for themselves, visitors will be able to:

• Meet with Blizzard developers at signing sessions throughout the event
• Witness some of the world’s best pro gamers battle it out in intense StarCraft II showmatches
• Watch top guilds navigate deadly dungeons during live World of Warcraft raids
• Listen to a live orchestra perform some of the enchanting music from Blizzard games
• Step into the spotlight and participate in costume and dance competitions
• Take part in quizzes, giveaways and more

For more information on gamescom, visit www.gamescom-cologne.com. Further details about Blizzard’s activities at gamescom 2012 will be announced on the official Blizzard website as the event draws near.

Of Orcs and Men, the grand role-playing game, jointly realised by Spiders (Realisation and Development) and Cyanide (Concept and Production) for PlayStation®3, Xbox 360® and PC, today unveiled a new series of 5 in-game screenshots!

These new screenshots will plunge you into the dark world of Of Orcs and Men. In these troubled times, the fearsome legion of Bloodjaws, counting some of the best Orc warriors, is preparing to go on a last suicidal mission: one that might very well change the course of the decades-long war that has raged on the continent. Today is the day the “greenskins” take arms and fight for their freedom!

The game starts you in the role of an elite Orc warrior, deeply involved in the war against their persecutors, Humankind. You have been sent on a dangerous mission that could change the course of the war: kill the one responsible for all the bloodshed and mobilisation of the human race to destroy the green-skinned people–the Emperor himself. Joining you in your mission is a Goblin, an assassin and master of stealth, who compliments your Orc’s brute strength in battle.

From the Wall separating the Empire of Men from the Orc territories, to the Isle of Laments, Of Orcs and Men’s fantasy universe comes to life thanks to the powerful graphics engine developed by Spiders. The 5 screenshots revealed today are a testimony of the care brought by Spiders and Cyanide to realise a quality role-playing game endowed with a strong identity, an exceptional ambiance, and unique graphics rendering.

Take arms, and lead the green-skinned people’s rebellion in September 2012!

– Watch the video

– Visit the official website

In a first for BBC Worldwide Australasia and for Roadshow Entertainment (Australian distributors of BBC Worldwide DVDs),

Top Gear fans will be offered exclusive augmented reality (AR) content with the DVD release, Top Gear: The Challenges 6, on sale in Australia from August 2nd. The first in a planned series of AR releases on BBC Worldwide DVDs, Top Gear fans will be able to use their smartphones and tablet devices to bring The Stig – complete with kung-fu moves – to life that can then be shared via social networking sites.

Partnering with Aurasma and using their augmented reality app, the 10-second animation is activated when a user points their Aurasma-enabled smartphone or tablet device at the DVD sleeve and the sequence of moves has been modelled on the character

‘The Stig’s Chinese Cousin’ which features in the latest series of Top Gear.

“Roadshow Entertainment continues to explore innovative approaches that connect fans with the content they love. BBC Worldwide are leading the charge in digital engagement and we are excited to be working closely with them to bring initiatives like this one to life. As the installed base of ‘smart’ devices continues to grow, connection with our customers through this channel is critical and we look forward to continuing to pursue this approach with our content partners.”

Neil Wilson, Digital Marketing Manager, Roadshow Entertainment.

Martina King From Aurasma

comments: “BBC Worldwide is one of the most innovative companies in the world. We are delighted they have chosen us to bring their DVDs to life in a whole new way that is sure to enthral Top Gear fans.”

Fiona Eastwood, Product Development Director at BBC Worldwide Consumer Products

says: “Top Gear is one of our key brands so we’re always thinking about new ways in which we can enhance experiences for its fans. Offering exclusive content through smart phone enabled technology is a great way for users to engage with the brand away from the television set.”

Sydney, Australia – July 2, 2012 – The second of six Bond movie-inspired missions to be featured in this year’s upcoming 007™ Legends video game has been revealed as On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.  A first-of-its-kind Bond video game, 007 Legends features an original, overarching storyline tying together five classic Bond movie-inspired missions plus a sixth mission based on this year’s highly-anticipated movie – SKYFALL – which will be available post launch as free downloadable content, to offer the most diverse Bond gaming experience yet!  Planned to launch on October 17, 2012, from Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard Inc., (Nasdaq: ATVI) 007 Legends equips players with state-of-the-art spy gadgets, an arsenal of weapons and sleek vehicles as they jet off to exotic locations and utilise Bond’s quick wits, class and style to take down notorious villains and their brutal henchmen while performing impressive stunts.

True love is hard to find but James Bond has finally found his equal in the beautiful Tracy di Vicenzo, the daughter of European crime syndicate head Marc-Ange Draco – Bond’s key contact for tracking down criminal mastermind Ernst Stavro Blofeld.  After wooing Tracy and their ensuing whirlwind romance, they jet set off to the Swiss Alps as Bond pursues Blofeld.  It’s here, in a picturesque Alpine setting, that gamers encounter an avalanche of action.  Blofeld is aware of Bond’s undercover ruse and kidnaps Tracy, luring Bond into a rescue mission involving a fast-paced downhill ski chase and a confrontation in a high-flying cable car, which also uncovers Blofeld’s master plan to release a deadly virus in five of the world’s largest cities.  With the help of Tracy’s father, players must infiltrate Blofeld’s private research facility in the Swiss Alps, thwart the release of the virus and save Tracy before it’s too late.

For more intel about 007 Legends and to unlock exclusive content, visit the game’s official Web site – www.007Legends.com – and Facebook page – www.facebook.com/007LegendsGame.  007 Legends is being developed by Eurocom, under license from EON Productions Ltd. and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc. (MGM) for the Xbox 360^® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation^®3 computer entertainment system, and is currently rated “RP” (Rating Pending) by the Australian Classification Board.

Anchor Bay Entertainment is launching the next season of the highly anticipated SPARTACUS VENGEANCE extended and uncut on Blu-ray and DVD August 29.  This epic series stars Australia’s own Liam McIntyre (Rush) and is supported by an all-star cast including, Peter Mensah (300), Dustin Clare (Underbelly) and Lucy Lawless (Xena: Warrior Princess).

On the heels of the bloody escape from the House of Batiatus that concluded SPARTACUS BLOOD AND SAND, the gladiator rebellion continues and begins to strike fear into the heart of the Roman Republic in SPARTACUS VENGEANCE. With all of the blood soaked action, exotic sexuality, villainy and heroism that has come to distinguish the series, the tale of Spartacus resumes in epic fashion.

SPARTACUS VENGEANCE, on Blu-ray and DVD following a successful series premiere on the Go! Channel. The three disc sets features never-before-seen episodes, extended scenes and uncut episodes, making this a must-see for SPARTACUS fans.

SPARTACUS VENGEANCE

Runtime:   556 minutes (DVD) / 572 minutes (BD)

SRP:  $49.95 (DVD) / $59.95 (BD)

RATING: R18+

SPECIAL FEATURES:

–        Starz Studios: SPARTACUS VENGEANCE

–        The Making of

–        Behind the Camera: Directing the Rebellion

–        On set with Liam McIntyre

–        Burning Down the House: The VFX of Episode 205

–        The Legend of Spartacus

–        Famous Last Words

–        Bloopers

–        SPARTACUS: WAR OF THE DAMNED Teaser

–        Spartacus: Swords and Ashes – Chapter 1 (DVD-ROM) on DVD only

PLUS

–         9 Extended episodes (Blu-ray only)

–        Audio Commentaries (Blu-ray only)

The beautifully packaged set is sure to have fans saying, “Vengeance is mine!”

July 11 sees the release of SHELTER, a home entertainment premiere event starring Julianne Moore and Jonathan Rhys Meyers, CORIOLANUS, the directorial debut of Ralph Fiennes as well as Season 2 of LIP SERVICE, a ground breaking lesbian drama series as seen on Showcase.

SHELTER
A forensic psychiatrist must race against time to unravel a baffling case of multiple personalities in SHELTER, a spellbinding supernatural thriller from the producers of The Ring. Dr. Cara Jessup (Julianne Moore) investigates a mysterious patient (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and uncovers a sinister decades-old mystery that endangers her life and the lives of everyone around her. Taut, intelligent and truly terrifying, Shelter is a fascinating puzzle that pushes the audience to the shadowy boundaries between science and the supernatural.

CORIOLANUS
Caius Martius ‘Coriolanus’ (RALPH FIENNES), a revered and feared Roman General is at odds with the city of Rome and his fellow citizens. When pushed by his controlling and ambitious mother Volumnia (VANESSA REDGRAVE) to seek the exalted and powerful position of Consul, the public refuse to support him, Coriolanus’s anger prompts a riot which culminates in his expulsion from Rome. The banished hero then allies himself with his sworn enemy Tullus Aufidius (GERARD BUTLER) to take his revenge on the city.

LIP SERVICE Season 2
After the breakthrough success of the spectacular first season, cult hit LIP SERVICE returns for a second season. As seen on SHOWCASE, LIP SERVICE is a ground-breaking TV drama series packed with irreverent humour and sexual passion as a group of twenty-something friends search for happiness and love while traversing through life’s crazy obstacles.

The gang’s back together, with some electric new personalities, but are they prepared for the bombshell that’s about to send shockwaves through their lives? There are some things that no groups of friends, however strong, can survive…

KONAMI unveils innovative Virtual Studio to broadcast gamescom highlights

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH will use this year’s gamescom event to showcase its forthcoming titles, and will also break new ground with ‘KONAMI OnAir’, which will be broadcast during the five-day event.

Held in Cologne from August 15^th-19^th, gamescom is the premier European gaming event. KONAMI will be using the event to show titles such as METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE, PES 2013 and two new installments in the Castlevania: Lords of Shadow series. Furthermore, KONAMI will be using a dedicated virtual studio on its stand to deliver a series of events to enhance the exhibition experience. The studio will host interviews with the leading talents behind KONAMI’s games, and will offer a steady stream of coverage through the publisher’s many social media channels.

The studio will be housed on the KONAMI stand in Hall 7, and will broadcast news, trailers, interviews, which will be available via live streams, Youtube, Facebook and Twitter. Users of social networks will also have the chance to interact and leave direct feedback, while show attendees can also be more directly involved. A detailed schedule of the shows will be announced at a later date.

The Cologne event will see KONAMI’s big hitters available to experience first-hand, and visitors will be able to carve a swathe through METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE, the new action title  created by Kojima Productions and PlatinumGames. METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE takes the deep cinematic experience associated with the Metal Gear series, and combines it with PlatinumGames’ unique brand of high-tempo action to create an entirely new game experience. Players guide Raiden against  rival PMC group (Private Military Company), Desperado Enterprises and use his High Frequency Blade to freely slice through enemies and obstacles alike. METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE will be available in the beginning of 2013 for PlayStation®3 and Xbox 360®.

PES 2013 ups the ante for football games, with its new PES FullControl, Player ID and ProActive AI elements, which bring a heightened level of control and a great deal of individuality to the game. KONAMI`s newest addition to the Pro Evolution Soccer series offers players the chance to play any given style thanks to its three key, new elements. PES FullControl allows users to move completely freely, and offers fully manual shooting and passing. Player ID ensures the world`s best players act and move exactly like their real-life counterparts, while ProActive AI mimics the movement and behavior of team mates as they would on the field of play – with the fast and slower phases of play perfectly recreated. PES 2013 will be published in Autumn 2012 for PlayStation®3, Xbox 360®, Windows PC, PlayStation®2, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable), Nintendo 3DS™ and Wii™. 

Following the incredible success of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow which was developed by Mercury Steam, KONAMI will also be showing a playable version of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate, which will be available in autumn exclusively for Nintendo 3DS™. Set 25 years after the events of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, it reveals the story of Simon and Trevor Belmont and their personal fight against Dracula. During the stunning action title, players take on roles of several different characters and can use a variety of strategic fight elements within the game’s unique setting, which features both high-resolution 3D Polygon graphics and sidewise scrollable game layers.

“Innovation and strong brands – that is what KONAMI is all about at this year`s gamescom“, explained Martin Schneider, General Manager of Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH. “With new versions of Pro Evolution Soccer, Metal Gear and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, fans and gamers are introduced to our best brands. And via KONAMI onAir, we can connect directly with our community and bring KONAMI`s gamescom attractions to gamers all over the world – an exciting interaction that has never been at the show before.“

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH is presenting at the gamescom from 15^th until 19^th of August in hall 7. Further details regarding schedules will be announced shortly.