Bethesda Softworks are pleased to announce that they’ve released new screenshots for RAGE, the highly anticipated shooter from id Software.  You can check these out on the newly relaunched official site – www.rage.com.

RAGE features intense first-person shooter action, breakneck vehicle combat, an expansive world to explore and jaw-dropping graphics powered by id’s revolutionary id Tech^TM 5 technology.  Set in the not-too-distant future after an asteroid impacts Earth, you emerge into a vast wasteland to discover humanity working to rebuild itself against such forces as bandit gangs, mutants, and more.  From the pioneers of first-person shooter gameplay, RAGE promises an experience like no other.

RAGE is slated for release on the Xbox 360, PlayStation3, and PC in North America on September 13, 2011 and across Europe, Australia and New Zealand on September 16, 2011.

The Most Unrelentingly Intense Action Horror Game Hits Retail Shelves; Downloadable Campaigns Revealed with Dead Space 2: Severed 

Distinctive Dead Space Experience Available for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch 

27 January 2011, AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND – The psychological thrill of deep space rises to an electrifying new level as Visceral Games™, a studio of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), today announced the internationally-acclaimed action horror game Dead Space™ 2 is now available at retail stores in Australia and New Zealand. This highly-anticipated sequel has been heralded as one of the top games of 2011 by New York Times’ Seth Schiesel and has received 25 scores of 90+ from top gaming outlets such as Official Xbox Magazine, Playstation: The Official Magazine and Game Informer. PlayStation: The Official Magazine said that “’Dead Space 2’ surpasses the original in every capacity,” while IGN calls it “a new gold standard” and Game Informer declares the game “a monster of a sequel, offering bigger scares and more excitement.”

Visceral Games also announced today Dead Space 2: Severed, an all-new digital download pack that extends the Dead Space 2 story with the addition of two standalone chapters in the single-player game. Dead Space 2: Severed will see the return of Gabe Weller and Lexine Murdock, the two main characters from the award-winning 2009 game, Dead Space Extraction. In Dead Space 2: Severed, the story of Weller and Lexine runs parallel to Isaac’s blood-curdling adventure in Dead Space 2, but this time players will take on the role of Gabe Weller. Working as a Sprawl Security Guard, Weller has to fight against his own onslaught of Necromorphs, as he attempts to get both him and Lexine to safety. Dead Space 2: Severed will be coming soon for purchase on Xbox LIVE™ Marketplace and the PlayStation®Network.

“After years of anticipation we’re thrilled to unveil the next series of events in the Dead Space universe” said Steve Papoutsis, Executive Producer at Visceral Games. “In creating Dead Space 2, we listened very closely to the community’s feedback and created a deeper, more intriguing, more terrifying sequel. With excitement guaranteed to keep people on the edge of their seats, players will not only experience all-new environments, weapons and Zero-G controls but they’ll also experience the other side of the battle when they play as Necromorphs for the first time in multiplayer. We cannot wait to hear what fans think about this next chapter in the ever-evolving Dead Space saga!”

Dead Space 2 pushes the limits of action, horror and terror. After mysteriously awaking in a sprawling, massive city anchored to one of Saturn’s moons, hero Isaac Clarke again finds himself thrust into the middle of a relentless Necromorph outbreak. Surrounded by the screeching cries of undead monsters and the haunting drum of echoing noises, Isaac plots a course through The Sprawl. Dead Space 2 is noted by critics worldwide for delivering an epic terror experience that takes players on an explosive thrill ride filled with intense action and spine-tingling scares through deep space.

Gamers everywhere can now immerse themselves in events that set the stage for the action-horror storyline of Dead Space 2 with Dead Space for iPhone®, iPad™ and iPod touch®. Working closely with Visceral Games, EA Mobile development studio IronMonkey Studios created a unique story and gameplay experience for iOS gamers. Featuring a fully voice-acted stereo soundtrack, plus orchestrated score and sound effects, players can hear every footstep in the dark empty passages and feel the tension build as they are pulled deeper into danger. Coupled with cutting-edge visuals that are rich in effects and atmospheric lighting, Dead Space reproduces the cinematic horror of the console experience and sets a new benchmark for graphical fidelity on the iOS platform.

Dead Space 2 includes a one-time-use Online Pass registration code that gives players access to all of the online features in the game. Players that do not have a code can purchase the Dead Space 2 Online Pass for 800 Microsoft Points on Xbox LIVE Marketplace and $15.95 on the PlayStation Network.

Dead Space 2 is now available in Australia and New Zealand for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system and the PC. The Dead Space 2 Limited Edition for PlayStation 3 will include Dead Space Extraction, the prequel to the entire Dead Space saga, now featuring support for the PlayStation®Move motion controller. Dead Space is now available for download from the Australian and New Zealand App Stores for iPhone and iPod touch at Australia and New Zealand and iPad at Australia and New Zealand.

For additional information and news, visit www.deadspacegame.com, follow us on twitter www.twitter.com/deadspace or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/deadspace

RASKULLS REINFORCEMENTS ARRIVE – NEW GRAND PRIX + 4 CHARACTERS!

January 27^th, 2011 – Today Halfbrick can officially announce the release of the first downloadable content for their hit XBLA game Raskulls! Released in late 2010, the Raskulls characters stole the show with their adorable yet mischievous antics throughout both the single player Mega Quest and online multiplayer. Fans can now pick up the first downloadable content pack for just 160 Microsoft Points – which adds three new Achievements for 50 extra Gamerscore!

Raskulls Reinforcements includes four new characters and one new Grand Prix event, available in both online and local multilayer. The extra Grand Prix, known as the Shiny Stone Cup, features four race levels and includes the new “Castle” environment!

KITTEN – A descendant from the legendary half-cat, half-skull and half-awesome Raskulls of the Faraway Mountains, Kitten is a cute yet deadly addition to the cast. Why deadly? Ask Little Billy Bobskull, the crippled boy in the Extensive Bite n’ Scratch ward at Raskulls General.

VIKING – One of King’s past rivals, Viking likes to pillage, loot and drink with the best of them. On the other hand, he’s big into haberdashery. Fine men’s suit craftsmanship does not a nice Raskull make.

SPACEMAN – Spaceman, I always wanted you to go | into space, man.

BARNEY – A Pirat minion of Captain J. Turncoat, Barney has the tendency to lose his pants and ice-cream money. As a mindless thug, he’s sub-par. As a potential hat rack or paperweight, he’s not bad at all.

Raskulls Reinforcements – http://bit.ly/e53npM

BONUS – To celebrate the release of Reinforcements, we have also thrown in Big Bone Boogaloo – the complete Original Soundtrack to Raskulls! This is a free download via Bandcamp to say thanks for all the awesome support fans have shown Raskulls since release!

Raskulls Original Soundtrack – http://bit.ly/h1gVG1

Just a heads up to let you know the Bulletstorm demo went live yesterday on XBL and PSN.
To celebrate, we have a brand new demo trailer and screens taken directly from the demo level to share. These assets can be grabbed from:

Trailer:

http://ea.gamespress.com/pics.asp?i=7504&r=2642&r2=0503

Screenshots:

http://ea.gamespress.com/pics.asp?i=7503&r=2642&r2=0503

The Bulletstorm demo introduces a slice of Echo mode in which players traverse a collapsed building on the deadly paradise planet Stygia. Players will utilize the Skillshot system in Bulletstorm as they crush enemies in increasingly creative ways to rack up points using an arsenal of powerful weapons, from a futuristic assault rifle called the Peace Maker Carbine, to the Flail Gun, which fires two grenades linked by a chain, and the Screamer, a powerful revolver that turns enemies into human fireworks.

From highest score to total number of skillshots performed, players can compete with their friends for bragging rights in Echo mode as they decimate enemies with over-the-top combat moves using some of the most innovative weapons ever seen in a first-person shooter. With more than 45 skillshots in the demo, players are encouraged to “Kill with Skill” in Bulletstorm, finding stylish and ever imaginative ways to take down anyone that stands in their way. The Bulletstorm demo also allows players to unlock platform-specific upgrades* to use in the game’s Anarchy mode, from the Crimson Leash to Stealth Armor, when they purchase the full game.

Kill with Skill on Feb 24 when Bulletstorm is available for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.

For more information on Bulletstorm please feel free to drop me a line or visit www.bulletstorm.com

BETA TEST AIUR CHEF, STARJEWELED, AND LEFT 2 DIE

Aiur Chef, StarJeweled, and Left 2 Die, three new Blizzard-made custom games for StarCraft II, are now available for beta testing on Battle.net. While these custom games are still under development and we don’t yet have a release date to share, we wanted to give everyone the opportunity to test them out and give feedback before they’re officially released.

To play the beta versions of Aiur Chef, StarJeweled, or Left 2 Die, simply go to the Multiplayer tab in StarCraft II and look for the custom games window. A few of these games have more than one difficulty setting, so select the level of challenge that’s best for you. We hope you enjoy them, and we’re looking forward to hearing what you think.

For more information on these custom games and screens, head to the StarCraft II Community Site.

The Crysis 2  Multiplayer Demo has launched exclusively on Xbox 360!  The demo will be available until February 4^th and will give you just a small taste of what you will experience when Crysis 2 ships in Australia and New Zealand on March 24.

The demo features the “Skyline” map, and two game modes; “Team Instant Action” and “Crash Site”. “Team Instant Action” is Crytek’s version of deathmatch.  The mode pits two teams against each other as they kill as many opponents as possible to earn higher ranks. In “Crash Site”, you’ll battle for control of alien drop pods, earning points by guarding their pods and keeping enemies at bay.

Crysis 2 multiplayer is designed around team based gameplay between two factions – the C.E.L.L and the Marines and includes six gameplay modes and 12 maps set across recognisable locations in New York City.  The Nanosuit is fully customizable and has dynamic gameplay styles: stealth & armor. Throughout the campaign you’ll experience the deep progression of the Nanosuit with up to 50 multiplayer ranks and a variety of different upgrades to your weapons and Nanosuit. 

New features detailed, enhancements discussed and devastating JDAM airstrikes in action! First Dev Diary now showing at www.facebook.com/flashpointredriver 

Sydney, Australia – 27^th January 2011 – Codemasters^® in partnership with Namco Bandai Partners Australia New Zealand has released the first developer diary video for Operation Flashpoint^®: Red River™, the all-new chapter in the multi-million selling tactical shooter series set to launch in Q2 2011. In the first of a planned series, key creative talent explain the philosophy behind the design of the game, many of its improvements and how the team have included feedback from fans in the creation of Operation Flashpoint: Red River. 

The developer diary reveals some of the key features set to make Operation Flashpoint: Red River the ultimate tactical infantry shooter. Executive Producer Adam Parsons explains, “As far as I’m concerned, Red River gets you as close as you can to being in the boots of a Marine.” This overarching goal informs the style and tone for everything that goes into the game, but Parsons also reveals that there are a huge range of additional enhancements and improvements, “We’ve addressed a lot of the criticisms from the community within Red River by putting in new features.” 

Adam Parsons is joined by Creative Director Sion Lenton, Lead Artist Mike Smith and Principal Game Designer Tim Browne as they discuss the wide-ranging ways in which the game engine and gameplay has evolved and improved on 2009’s million-plus seller Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising™. Topics covered include the huge game world of Tajikistan, new insurgent enemies, improved gun play mechanics, immersive narrative, the new class-based Fireteam and player loadouts and customisations.

The developer diary features explosive footage of the game in action, including the devastating effects of JDAM airstrikes. Marines are shown engaging insurgent enemies at close quarters, clearing them out of towns and villages and hunting them down in mountains. The overwhelming conventional might of the Chinese PLA is also shown with state of the art equipment, including the tanks and helicopters that make them such a formidable foe. The footage shows off the new setting of Tajikistan with its epic vistas and huge open landscapes which present unique and evolving tactical challenges as players are tasked with achieving objectives on their own initiative.

Set to deliver an authentic and intensely personal infantry experience, Operation Flashpoint: Red River’s challenges players to take up the role of one of four distinct and complimentary classes in a USMC fireteam. The Grenadier, Scout, Rifleman and Automatic Rifleman combine to create a fearsome fighting unit and offer unique gameplay perspectives, extending replayability across the substantial campaign mode and standalone Fireteam Engagements.  

Up to four players can enjoy the unique Operation Flashpoint experience across all game modes with seamless drop-in drop-out co-operative play. Whether playing solo or co-operatively, players can build up XP across all modes to unlock weapons, skills and modifications for their class, customising their loadouts to suit their preferred style of play.

Operation Flashpoint: Red River will set a new standard for authentic and intense tactical combat when it arrives in Q2 2011 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Games For Windows® LIVE. Sign up to ‘get some’ USMC style with the latest briefings direct from the Operation Flashpoint studio at www.facebook.com/flashpointredriver and www.twitter.com/flashpointgame.

As Detective Cole Phelps in L.A. Noire, you’ll rise through the ranks of the LAPD, along the way facing cases across five different department crime desks. One of the most brutal and harrowing will be that of Homicide.

Los Angeles is being terrorized with a series of horrific murders perpetrated on young women. As these cases get reported, it will be up to you to bring the guilty to justice. Is this the work of a lone killer or sick copycats? Some glimpses of Phelps’ pursuit of the killer or killers were seen in Monday’s big Official Trailer #2 – and today, we present the below brand new screens taken from murders on that desk.

Tomorrow, look for the launch of the new official L.A. Noire website with a bit more on the Homicide crime desk including high-res versions of these and other new crime scene screens too grisly for the Rockstar Newswire.

From “The Red Lipstick Murder”. An eagle’s eye for detail. The smallest and most insignificant seeming item could be the entire key to the case.

Another unfortunate victim. Phelps examines the corpse for telling signs of trauma.

A rogue’s gallery of suspects. Only the most savvy and unrelenting interrogation will yield who’s hiding a truth amongst men such as this.

A psychopathic killer leaves a message on the victim.

Another victim falls prey in a string of brutal killings around Los Angeles.