BIOWARE’S ACTION RPG MASS EFFECT 2 MAKES PLAYSTATION 3 DEBUT
The highest-rated game of 2010 comes to PS3 in January 2011
Cologne, Germany – August 17, 2010 – Today at GamesCom, BioWare, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), announced that Mass Effect 2, the highest rated game of 2010 for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system and PC*, is coming to the Sony PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system in January 2011. The PlayStation 3 edition will include the full Mass Effect 2 game and hours of bonus content, making this the perfect introduction to BioWare’s award-winning action RPG franchise.
Mass Effect 2 has already received over 70 perfect scores from media outlets such as the Associated Press, Eurogamer, MSNBC,com, G4TV and the Los Angeles Times, and is the highest rated game in the 15-year history of Bioware and the 28-year history of EA.
The Mass Effect franchise is an epic science fiction adventure set in a vast universe filled with dangerous aliens and mysterious, uncharted planets. In Mass Effect 2, PlayStation 3 players will step into the role of Commander Shepard for the very first time, leading a crew of the most dangerous special operatives from across the galaxy on a mission to save mankind. Featuring intense shooter action, a rich storyline, space exploration and emotionally engaging character interaction, Mass Effect 2 delivers an unparalleled gameplay experience.
Mass Effect 2 will be available for the PlayStation 3 in January 2011. For more information, please visit http://masseffect.bioware.com/ and follow the development team at twitter.com/masseffect2 or at http://www.facebook.com/masseffect.
* According to Metacritic.com.
About BioWare
BioWare develops high quality console, PC and online role-playing games, focused on rich stories, unforgettable characters and vast worlds to discover. Since 1995, BioWare has created some of the world’s most critically acclaimed titles, including Baldur’s Gate , Neverwinter Nights , Star Wars : Knights of the Old Republic , Jade Empire , Mass Effect and Dragon Age . BioWare operates in Edmonton (Alberta, Canada), Montreal (Quebec), Austin (Texas) and Fairfax (Virginia). Currently announced projects at BioWare include the development of ongoing downloadable content for Mass Effect 2, one of the highest rated video games of all time, Dragon Age 2, the highly anticipated sequel to 2009’s “RPG of the Year” Dragon Age: Origins, and the story-driven massively multiplayer online game, Star Wars : The Old Republic . In 2008, BioWare was acquired by Electronic Arts, a leading global interactive entertainment publisher. For more information on BioWare, visit www.bioware.com, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/biofeed. To join the millions of fans already registered on our community, go to http://social.bioware.com.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is a leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS , EA , EA Mobile and POGO . In fiscal 2010, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.7 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million units. EA’s homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA’s products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
Blur Is Fun, not Crucial
Activision’s new racing game, Blur, is semi-realistic and quite competitive. It’s mainly a game of power-ups and straight up fast driving. Depending on the type of competition, it can also be about blasting enough enemy cars in the given time. You pick up items as you’re driving to enhance your car’s capabilities. Power-ups include landmines, turbo speed, and repair. Blur is a fun game, though not what I’d call a must-have. The graphics get the job done, and the sound is good. Lest anyone call a racing game loner territory, or antisocial, Blur integrates with Twitter. You can press L1 to share your Blur achievements, which is pretty cool.
Dog’s rating: 7 out of 10
Harmonix, MTV Games Reinvent Music Games with Rock Band 3
Rock Band 3 features announced, including amazing soundtrack plus access to the most music available in any video game with more than 1,500 tracks and growing; new keyboard gameplay and three-part harmonies for up to seven players rocking together; Rock Band Pro Mode and much more!
CAMBRIDGE, MA and NEW YORK – June 11, 2010 – Harmonix, the world’s premier music video game developer, and MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), today announced features for Rock Band 3, the next generation of the ultimate social and interactive music gaming platform.
Featuring an incredible 83-song setlist and access to far more music than any other music game, as well as innovative new gameplay modes and instruments, Rock Band 3 will change the way fans think about and play music games. This next iteration in the Rock Band platform has something new for everyone and also supports traditional Rock Band gameplay with players’ existing instruments.
The Most Music. Period.
The Rock Band 3 disc soundtrack contains 83 of the best bands from around the world, including bands that have never appeared in a music game, as well as support for existing Rock Band tracks (Rock Band and Rock Band 2 discs, downloaded songs, track packs, AC/DC Live: Rock Band Track Pack, LEGO Rock Band and Green Day: Rock Band).
Additionally, Rock Band 3 will give players immediate access to a music library approaching 2,000 songs by launch, with new content added regularly. Rock Band’s gigantic music selection dwarfs that of any other music game on the market.
Announced Tracks:
2000s:
- Metric, “Combat Baby”
- Rilo Kiley, “Portions for Foxes”
- Them Crooked Vultures, “Dead End Friends”
- The Vines, “Get Free”
- The White Stripes, “The Hardest Button to Button”
- Phoenix, “Lasso”
- Ida Maria, “Oh My God”
- Juanes, “Me Enamora”
1990s:
1980s:
- Dio, “Rainbow in the Dark”
- Huey Lewis and the News, “The Power of Love”
- Joan Jett, “I Love Rock and Roll”
- Night Ranger, “Sister Christian”
- Whitesnake, “Here I Go Again”
- The Cure, “Just Like Heaven”
- Ozzy Osbourne, “Crazy Train”
1970s:
- Queen, “Bohemian Rhapsody”
1960s:
- Jimi Hendrix, “Crosstown Traffic”
- The Doors, “Break On Through”
Redesigned Library for Better Music Management
Rock Band 3 allows players to create and save setlists and share them with friends, both in-game and through RockBand.com. New song filters make it easier to find the types of songs fans want to play and hide the songs they don’t, while a built-in song recommendation system will suggest tracks from Rock Band’s colossal music library, based on personal fan preference.
Expand the Band
In addition to guitar, bass, drums and solo vocals, Rock Band 3 adds three-part vocal harmonies that were introduced with The Beatles: Rock Band and, for the first time ever, a keyboard peripheral to the band. Up to seven players can rock together for the ultimate social gaming experience.
Go Pro: Play Just for Fun or Rock for Real with Rock Band Pro
Rock Band 3 empowers players to develop actual musical skills through the fun of fully scalable Rock Band Pro gameplay. Fans can dive in on Easy to try out basic skills and work their way up to Expert for real mastery.
- Pro Drums supports three expansion cymbals, with gameplay differentiation between toms and cymbals.
- Pro Keys features pitch-accurate keyboard performance across a two-octave range, displayed on an easy-to-read keyboard track.
- Pro Guitar features notated guitar and bass performances, available for play with either the new Fender Mustang PRO-Guitar simulated guitar controller from Mad Catz or the Rock Band 3 Squier by Fender Stratocaster Guitar Controller that is a real guitar/controller hybrid. The Rock Band 3 Squier Stratocaster is a fully functional, full-sized, six-string electric guitar that also functions as a game controller.
Something for Everyone (New Gameplay Modes!)
For the casual player, Rock Band 3 has great new party modes that allow fans to get rocking with friends quicker than ever, including party shuffle and persistent drop-in/drop-out and difficulty selection from any gameplay screen.For the serious player, the revamped Career Mode features 700+ goals and rewards and seamless leaderboard integration for an endlessly deep campaign experience. Rock Band 3 also adds a suite of social networking tools to the game so fans can engage friends and fellow rockers over Facebook, Twitter and more. Whether players want to jump in for a quick song or take their band to the top, Rock Band 3 has a mode for everyone.
Developed by Harmonix, the world’s premier music videogame company, published by MTV Games, and distributed by distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), Rock Band 3 will ship simultaneously worldwide this Holiday 2010 in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other territories for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, the Wii system from Nintendo, and Nintendo DS. Rock Band 3 will be compatible with all Rock Band and The Beatles: Rock Band peripherals, as well as most third-party instrument and microphone controllers. Mad Catz is the official peripheral manufacturer and distributor for Rock Band game controllers.
The Rock Band platform stands next to none in music content, with more than 1,500 songs already available from more than 400 artists, including Jimi Hendrix, The Who, AC/DC and Green Day, who are exclusive to Rock Band. With more choices for fans than any other music-based videogame, Rock Band is, without question, the industry leader in providing the best selection of interactive musical content, songs and artists. Rock Band pioneered offering content in a variety of ways, through on-disc gameplay, game export, downloadable content and the Rock Band Network. The Rock Band platform allows fans to interact with their favorite music in a unique and hands-on way, as well as giving artists the ability to reach fans through a whole new channel.
About MTV Networks
MTV Networks, a division of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world’s leading creators of entertainment content, with brands that engage and connect diverse audiences across television, online, mobile, games, virtual worlds and consumer products. The company’s portfolio spans more than 150 television channels and 350 digital media properties worldwide, and includes MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Harmonix, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Noggin, The N, AddictingGames, Neopets, COMEDY CENTRAL, Spike TV, TV Land, Atom, Gametrailers and Xfire.
About MTV Games
MTV Games is dedicated to creating, marketing and publishing high-quality, innovative interactive products that are relevant to the MTV audience and complement the core values of the MTV Networks brands.
About Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., based in Cambridge, MA, and established in 1995, is the leading developer of groundbreaking music-oriented videogames. Harmonix was founded by Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy, who formed the company to invent new ways for non-musicians to experience the unique joy that comes from making music and have pioneered music and rhythm gaming in the US. For more information please visit www.harmonixmusic.com.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is a leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA, EA SPORTS, EA Mobile and POGO. In fiscal 2010, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.7 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million units. EA’s homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA’s products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
About Mad Catz Interactive, Inc.
Mad Catz is a leading global provider of innovative products for the interactive entertainment industry. Mad Catz develops and markets accessories for videogame systems and PCs under its Mad Catz (casual gaming), Saitek (simulation), Cyborg (pro gaming), Eclipse (home and office) and Tritton (gaming audio) brands. Mad Catz also operates e-commerce and content websites for videogame and PC products under its GameShark brand, develops, manufactures and markets proprietary earphones under its AirDrives brand, and publishes and distributes video/PC games. Mad Catz distributes its products through most of the leading retailers offering interactive entertainment products and has offices in North America, Europe and Asia. For additional information please go to www.madcatz.com, as well as www.store.gameshark.com, www.saitek.com, www.cyborggaming.com, www.eclipsetouch.com, www.trittontechnologies.com, www.gameshark.com and www.airdrives.com.
Capcom Redefines the Fighting Game Genre Again as Super Street Fighter IV Is now Available in North America
The follow-up to one of 2009’s highest-rated games features 10 new characters, new ultra combos, new stages, enhanced online play and much more, for $39.99.
SAN MATEO, CA — April 27, 2010 — Capcom, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today announced Super Street Fighter IV, the ultimate vision of Street Fighter, is now available in North America for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation3 computer entertainment system. The follow up to one of Metacritic’s highest-rated games of 2009, Super Street Fighter IV features 10 new characters, new Ultra Combos, new stages, the return of Bonus Stages, and beefed-up online modes (including the free Tournament Mode DLC after launch) all for a low price of $39.99.
Super Street Fighter IV features the full roster of 25 characters from Street Fighter IV such as Ryu, Ken, Crimson Viper, Abel, El Fuerte, and Rufus, while adding 10 characters new to the world of Street Fighter IV. The impressive new roster includes classic combatants from previous Street Fighter games including Dudley, Ibuki, Makoto, Guy, Cody, T. Hawk, Dee Jay and Adon, as well as all-new characters to the series such as the mysterious and deadly Korean fighter Juri and the over-the-top oil wrestler Hakan.
Super Street Fighter IV adds new Ultra Combos for every character and advancements to the online matchmaking and online gameplay introduced in Street Fighter IV, including new modes Team Battle, Replay Channel, and Endless Battle. This will be followed by the all-new Tournament Mode, coming as a free download in June 2010, which will determine the best players in the world as Street Fighters compete online for unique Championship Titles.
For more information about Super Street Fighter IV, including screens, art and video, visit Capcom’s official press site at www.press.capcom.com.
Ed. note: We’ll meet you at the Pepper Pot…
About Capcom
Capcom is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment for game consoles, PCs, handheld and wireless devices. Founded in 1983, the company has created hundreds of games, including best-selling franchises Resident Evil®, Street Fighter®, Mega Man® and Devil May Cry®. Capcom maintains operations in the U.S., U.K., Germany, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Korea, with corporate headquarters located in Osaka, Japan. More information about Capcom can be found on the company web site, www.capcom.com.
LEGO Indiana Jones 2 Whips Its Way To Retail
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – November 17, 2009 – LucasArts and TT Games today announced that LEGO® Indiana Jones™ 2: The Adventure Continues is now available for Wii™, Nintendo DS™, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Xbox 360®video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows.
Developed by the same team at Traveller’s Tales that created the award-winning LEGO® Indiana Jones™: The Original Adventures and the LEGO® Star Wars™ series, LEGO Indiana Jones 2 presents a tongue-in-cheek take on all four cinematic adventures of pop culture’s most iconic archaeologist, including for the first time ever Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Players will also get to experience all-new re-tellings of the classic movies, with new objectives and brand new levels, including devious boss fights and white knuckle chase scenes. Fans can also fight the powers of evil with Indy’s newly enhanced whip and interact with worlds filled with more objects and enemies than ever before.
For the first time ever, players can also craft their own unique LEGO adventures with the Build Your Own Adventure mode. Gamers can create unique levels using the same tools TT Games use to assemble unique LEGO levels, complete with a wide array of set pieces, including interactive objects, characters and even the ability to raise and lower the terrain. For added authenticity, created levels can even be combined with existing levels in the game, resulting in a personal and highly customizable way to expand the LEGO® Indiana Jones™ 2: The Adventure Continues gameplay experience.
For more information on LEGO Indiana Jones, please visit http://www.lucasarts.com/games/legoindianajones2/.
About LucasArts
LucasArts, a division of Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd., is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software worldwide for video game console systems, computers and the Internet. Based in San Francisco, Calif., as well as on the Internet at www.lucasarts.com, LucasArts was created in 1982 by George Lucas to provide an interactive element to his vision of a state-of-the-art, multifaceted entertainment company.
About TT Games
TT Games aims to become a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment for young gamers and their families. Based in the UK, the Group incorporates the TT Games Publishing organisation with world-renowned developer Traveller’s Tales, and subsidiary studio TT Fusion. The first title to come from the TT Games partnership was the award winning LEGO Star Wars: The Videogame, which won over audiences both young and old alike, achieving critical acclaim rarely matched for a title aimed at children. For more information, visit www.ttgames.com <http://www.ttgames.com/> .
About The LEGO Group
LEGO Systems, Inc. is the North American division of The LEGO Group, a privately-held, family-owned company based in Billund, Denmark, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of creatively educational play materials for children. The company is committed to the development of children’s creative and imaginative abilities, and its employees are guided by the motto adopted in the 1930s by founder Ole Kirk Christiansen: “Only the best is good enough.” Visit the virtual LEGO world at www.LEGO.com.
Indiana Jones™ and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.
LucasArts and the LucasArts logo are registered trademarks of Lucasfilm Ltd. ©2008-2009 Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. or Lucasfilm Ltd. & ® or TM as indicated. All rights reserved.
LEGO, the LEGO logo and the Minifigures are trademarks of The LEGO Group. © 2009 The LEGO Group.
“PlayStation”, “PS” Family logo and “PSP” are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Memory Stick Duo™ may be required (sold separately).Wii and Nintendo DS are trademarks of Nintendo.
ROCK BAND ADDS TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS SIX PACK
KELLY CLARKSON MAKES ROCK BAND DEBUT IN “GIRLS WHO ROCK” DLC FEATURED IN LEGO® ROCK BAND
Cambridge, Mass. – Nov. 20, 2009 – Harmonix and MTV Games today announced that a six pack of live tracks from Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, as well as singles from Kelly Clarkson, P!nk and the Go-Go’s will be added next week to the Rock Band Music Store of downloadable content for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation® 3 computer entertainment system and Wii™.
Rock Band DLC Additions for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 System and Wii
Rock Band is delivering more tracks from Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers with a six pack of live tracks that coincide with the group’s latest album release, The Live Anthology. All six songs featured in “Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Live Anthology Pack 01” are featured on The Live Anthology, a box set featuring 48 live recorded tracks on four discs that will be released Nov. 24, the same day these tracks come to Rock Band. The album spans 30 years of concerts from legendary U.S. rockers Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, who have been performing together since 1976. A special boxed set edition of The Live Anthology will also be available Nov. 22, exclusively at Best Buy.
Downloadable content featured for LEGO® Rock Band kicks off with three songs featured in both the Rock Band Music Store and the family-friendly LEGO Rock Band Music Store with “Girls Who Rock!” Grammy Award-winning and multi-platinum selling recording artist Kelly Clarkson will make her Rock Band debut next week with “Miss Independent,” the Grammy-nominated single from her 2004 album, Thankful. The 80s anthem, “Our Lips Are Sealed,” from The Go-Go’s and P!nk’s “Who Knew” will also be available in the Rock Band Music Store and the LEGO Rock Band Music Store next week.
Available on Xbox 360 and Wii (Nov. 24) and PlayStation 3 system (Nov. 26):
- Go-Go’s – “Our Lips Are Sealed” +
- Kelly Clarkson – “Miss Independent” +
- P!nk – “Who Knew” +
- Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – “A Thing About You (live)” +
- Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – “American Girl (live)”
- Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – “Even the Losers (live)”
- Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – “Here Comes My Girl (live)” +
- Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – “Mary Jane’s Last Dance (live)”
- Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – “Refugee (live)” +
(All tracks are original master recordings)
These tracks will be available for purchase as “Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Live Anthology Pack 01” as well as individual tracks on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 system, and as individual tracks on Wii. Tracks marked with a “+” are also available in the family-friendly LEGO Rock Band Music Store.
Price:
$1.99 USD, £.99 UK, €1.49 EU (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) per track
$9.99, £4.99 UK, €7.99 EU (800 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for “Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Live Anthology Pack 01”
$2.00 USD (200 Wii Points™) per track
Rock Band DLC Additions for Wii in Europe
Rock Band 2 for the Wii was released Oct. 9 in Europe. Featuring over 100 songs (The Rock Band 2 game disc features 84 tracks. In addition, players have access to an additional 20 free DLC tracks. Online connection required.), Rock Band 2 showcases an extensive music catalogue with an eclectic blend of classic and new artists. The Rock Band library for Wii in Europe is being updated regularly with back-catalog tracks. For a complete list of tracks available now, visit http://www.rockband.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3247220#post3247220.
** Dates for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change. **
Website Links:
For more information, please visit:
Rock Band 2 is available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and Wii system. Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 system and Wii versions support downloadable content.
Downloadable content for Wii is purchased via the in-game Rock Band Music Store using Wii Points™ purchased through the Wii™ Shop Channel and can be downloaded to the system memory or to an SD card for additional storage. The tracks stream directly from the SD card for seamless play.
There are now 1,000 tracks available to date via disc and download purchase (complete list of tracks at www.rockband.com/music). Rock Band continues to satisfy music fans’ and gamers’ voracious appetite for rock with more than 60 million paid downloads since its launch Nov. 20, 2007. The Rock Band Music Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks and packs from the vast selection of offerings available to date without ever leaving the game as they build their own custom Rock Band library.
Rock Band and Rock Band 2 are rated “T” for Teen (lyrics, suggestive themes) by the ESRB. Music downloads are not rated by the ESRB.
For more information on Rock Band 2 and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband.com and www.harmonixmusic.comv.
Follow the dog on Twitter 
Loading ...
Kommentz