Battlefield Heroes video game

Battlefield: Heroes is a free online-only, advertising supported 3rd person shooter with optional micro payments for customizing the appearance of your character. Basically, EA is applying the Free MMO approach to a persistent online shooter. I’ve been playing the beta for some time, and its a really easy install via a web browser, (both IE and Firefox were tested, and works with both) and the game works swimmingly.

Game play:

The Battlefield: Heroes pits the The National Army and The Royal Army in a cel-shaded WW-II style war. There are 3 classes, taking 5 core class types and squeezing them into the following 3:

Soldier: The ‘normal’ class that’s equal parts medic and commander.

The Gunner: (aka The Heavy): The big dude with a big gun and higher defense.

The Commando: Equal parts sniper and special forces.

The core game is the traditional Battlefield conquest mode, where each side starts with 50 points and one flag/spawn point, and you battle to gain the other points on the map. You can’t pick your spawn point like the full Battlefield games, instead the server automatically spawns you close to the action.

All the traditional mainstays of Battlefield are here. Squad-based game play, large maps, vehicles, its everything you expect and are accustomed to, just 3rd person. Aiming is a bit odd till you get the hang of it, and then you’ll easily be popping off head shots. Vehicles control smoothly, but if you’re flying an airplane, I suggest you use a joystick.

The weapons and other gameplay-affecting upgrades are earned via a mission system where you compete for badges, and the points that you are rewarded can be used to buy different customizations and weapons.

Hardware Requirements:

Battlefield: Heroes is pretty light on the hardware requirements, especially since its launched from a web browser, it’s meant to be able to pick up and play whenever you have a free moment:

* Operating system: Windows XP or Windows Vista
* CPU: Intel Pentium 4/AMD Athlon 1.0 GHz
* RAM: 512 MB (1Gb on Windows Vista)
* Video Card: 64MB DirectX compliant video card, Pixel Shader 2.0 and above. (AGP and PCIe only)
* Sound Card: DirectX 9.0c compatible
* Hard Drive space: 1Gb of space is required to install the game
* Internet connection: 256kbit Cable/DSL connection

Microtransactions:

In Battlefield: Heroes, you can buy what EA is calling “battlefunds” points you can earn otherwise from just playing the game.

You can use them to purchase (right from the FAQ):

* Level up faster, get Valor Points (VP) faster
* Get new clothes to create a unique hero
* Buy ultra exclusive limited-edition items
* Get special emotes to taunt your enemies

This is the sort of thing that could cause a lot of trouble if implemented improperly, but EA has promised not to sell anything that would upset the balance of the game, such as weapons and equipment, avoiding the whole haves/has not thing. We’ll see how all that turns out, but for now, things seem fair. The one thing I don’t really like is the paying for leveling up.

Source: Hand Held Heroes

Street Fighter II Turbo Remix HD Video game trailers

One of the most popular games of the early '90s is reborn! Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, originally developed by Capcom for the arcade, makes its downloadable debut on the Xbox LIVE Arcade and PLAYSTATION Network. Capcom will maintain the integrity of the popular game by utilizing the original game code while upgrading the graphics with new artwork and high resolution 1080p images.

Round One...



Round Two...



Final Round...



Again, all of the art, from character animation to stage backgrounds, will be completely redrawn by Udon Entertainment, the company responsible for the US Street Fighter series of comics. Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix will include both online and offline competition for one or two players.

Key features

• All new 1080p high-definition art for Street Fighter characters and backgrounds created by Udon Entertainment, creators of the Street Fighter comic books
• Features all 17 of the original Super Street Fighter II Turbo characters including Ryu, Guile, M. Bison and Akuma
• New optional "Rebalanced" Mode: massive changes across the board to all Street Fighter characters as created and tested by some the world's top-ranked professional Street Fighter players
• One to two player head-to-head play either offline or online
- Single player vs. CPU
- Player vs. player over the same console
- Player vs. player online
• Training mode helps fighters hone their skills
• Improved network code for the best possible online fighting game experience
• Numerous online features:
- In-game voice chatting between players
- Matchmaking flexibility through multiple options
- Personal and friends statistics tracking
- Quarter Match Mode this spectator-based system allows online competitors (2 competitors and up to 4 spectators) to use a "virtual quarter" to "buy into" heated two player matches
- Comprehensive worldwide rankings and leader boards by character - tracks overall wins and losses, number of throws, perfects, highest combos and more
• Widescreen support with option to select classic 4:3 mode for SF purists
• Choose from either classic Super Street Fighter II Turbo music or optional newly remixed tunes

Tamagotchi Connexion for Nintendo DS

NAMCO BANDAI Games’ Tamagotchi Connexion - Corner Shop 3 for the Nintendo DS. Available in Europe from October 2008, Tamagotchi Connexion: Corner Shop 3 will feature the most well-stocked store lineup to date, with 13 brand new shops to run and expand, a park to design and visit, and the ability to trade journals with your friends via Wi-Fi.

Business in Tamagotchi Town is booming, and over a dozen new shops have moved in. Help manage these brand new shops and keep customers coming back for more. When the work day is done, relax in your very own park that you\’ve created. You can write in your journal to record the day’s events, and share items and journals with your friends over Wi-Fi.

Tamagotchi Connexion: Corner Shop 3 introduces players to the responsibilities of running a successful businesses in a fun and creative way. Key game features include:

• All New Stores: Find over a dozen brand new stores to run! Bake fresh bread at the Bakery, plan a party at the Event Coordinator shop, or scoop ice cream at the Ice Cream Parlor. Combine and upgrade stores to keep happy customers coming back for more.

• Create Your Own Park: Create a relaxing and fun park to hang out with friends and chat with other Tamagotchis. Decorate your park with fountains, gardens and other items to be discovered. Come back often to see how your park has changed.

• More Characters: The popular Violetchi joins in on the fun with Mametchi, Kuchipatchi and Memetchi to team up with players and help them run the best business they can.

• Connect With Friends: Share items and swap journals with friends via a wireless connection.

Tamagotchi Connexion: Corner Shop 3 is scheduled for European launch in October 2008.

Marvel v Capcom 2

Marvel VS Capcom 2 features the biggest roster of challengers to ever square off in a Capcom fighting game, a total of 56 combined brawlers from both the Capcom and Marvel universes. From the world of Capcom comes characters such as Ryu from the Street Fighter series, Jill Valentine from the Resident Evil games and unofficial company mascot Mega Man. Marvel is represented by some of its biggest names, including the Invincible Iron Man, Captain America, the Sentinel of Liberty, and War Machine, Weapon of S.H.I.E.L.D. Players can mix and match from both worlds in order to create their own ideal three man/woman/robot/monster team-up.

Marvel VS Capcom 2 is designed to be a gateway for new players to experience the fun of fighting games while providing a deep system for hardcore fighting fans to dig into. Action is based around colorful, exaggerated attacks that include gigantic projectile attacks (such as Ryu's fireball or Dr. Doom's Plasma Beam) and high-flying aerial moves (like Spider-Man's Maximum Spider or Cammy's Killer Bee Attack). The controls are somewhat simplified from the classic six-button system at the heart of Capcom games like Street Fighter® IV, utilizing a four-button control scheme for the action, with two "assist" buttons that pull in your team members for additional support.
Due to the amazing combination of Marvel and Capcom characters and the game's celebrated fighting system and graphics, MvC2 has been a hotly sought-after title on the game collector's circuit. Previously owned copies for older game consoles have been demanding more than $100 in auctions and at specialty video game outlets. Now players who have been desperately searching out used copies of the game will be able to go hands-on and play online with the same great online experience from Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix. Additionally, Capcom has added an optional advanced visual filter that improves the overall appearance of the game and added online modes, including Ranked Matches and the popular Player "Quarter" Match, that allows up to four people to watch and chat while two others are battling it out.
Key features
Features
• Over 50 characters from the Marvel and Capcom Universes!
• 3 on 3 tag-team matches
• New online matching mode, including Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix’s “Quarter Match” mode ; enjoy the arcade experience from your console
• New optional visual filter smoothes out the game’s graphics
• Four button controls introduce new players to fighting games; compatible with the Mad Catz Street Fighter IV joysticks and Fight Pad
• Available for the first time via digital distribution on Xbox LIVE Arcade and the PlayStation Network

Raven Squad - tactical action game set in the Amazonian jungles - Fact Sheet PC video game

Raven Squad is a tactical action game set in the Amazonian jungles that seamlessly blends a first person shooter (FPS) experience with the command and overview advantages of real-time strategy (RTS). Players can switch genres on the fly and solve each tactical situation using their own combination by themselves or cooperatively with a friend.

Features

• Set in the Amazon in the year 2011, players will experience lush jungle visuals, haunting ambient sounds, weather changes, and an enemy on their home turf

• Featuring the best of both worlds, Raven Squad has both FPS and RTS gameplay combined for a blazing action experience

• A co-operative campaign that allows players to take control of a squad and play through the entire game with a friend online

• 6 characters with their own unique backgrounds, personalities, behaviors, weapons and skills

Name: Raven Squad
Publisher: SouthPeak Games
Developer: Atomic Motion
Platforms: Xbox 360, PC
Genre: First Person Shooter (FPS)/Real-Time Strategy (RTS)
Release Date: Fall 2009
Multiplayer: Yes

Section 8 - large-scale, sci-fi first person shooter Fact sheet

Section 8 is a large-scale, sci-fi first person shooter where fast-paced action meets military strategy in the far reaches of the galaxy. Join the epic battle between the 8th Armored Infantry and the Arm of Orion by taking part in fierce squad-based combat across majestic alien worlds.

Choose the experience you want to play by customizing your own equipment Loadouts, and dynamically manipulate the flow of combat with on-demand vehicle requisitions, strategic asset deliveries, and Dynamic Combat Missions.

On a completely player-driven and dynamic battlefield, no two games of Section 8 will ever play the same.

Features

• Play in Single Player Campaign, Online Multiplayer, or Instant Action on all of the multiplayer maps against a robust and competitive AI.
• No more classes, completely customize the Loadouts of weapons, gear, and passive module upgrades for your powered armor suit.
• Burn-In Spawning deploys from dropships 15,000 feet above the battlefield, and choose anywhere on the map to land.
• Dynamic Combat Missions (DCMs) offer a robust player-driven objective system, allowing for dynamically generated missions during the course of combat.
• Vehicle and Deployable Requisition can be delivered anywhere on the map.

GAME TITLE: Section 8
GENRE: First Person Shooter
PLATFORMS: PC, Xbox 360
RELEASE: August 2009
ONLINE: Yes

Mindemia releases Room Boom - Suburbia! Free demo

Mindemia today released its family friendly, house building board- and puzzle game, Room Boom: Suburbia. In Room Boom: Suburbia, players try to gain control over a suburban neighborhood by building and selling houses. Anything from hiring corrupt demonstrators to leveling opponents houses to the ground is allowed in the way to victory!

Room Boom: Suburbia blends puzzle action with a multiplayer board game in a unique way, suitable both for a gathering of friends or family, as well as single player sessions against computer controlled opponents. The game is currently available for Windows, with more languages and Mac and Linux support coming soon.

Go to the web site to learn more and to download the free demo:
http://www.roomboomsuburbia.com

Popular Summer Movie Properties Coming to EA Mobile: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, G.I. JOE The Rise of Cobra, Star Trek, & X-Men Origins

EA Mobile announce that it is bringing Hollywood to mobile phones everywhere in 2009 with the launch of four new, movie-based titles: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, G.I. JOE The Rise of Cobra, Star Trek and X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Each title from EA Mobile will give fans the chance to extend their movie experience by stepping into the shoes of their favorite characters from the big screen for all new action and adventures on a mobile device. Whether battling against Death Eaters as Harry Potter, facing off against Cobra Commander as a G.I. JOE operative, taking on hordes of Klingons aboard the USS Enterprise starship, or slashing through enemies with Wolverine’s adamantium claws, movie fans are sure to enjoy EA Mobile’s action-packed roster of mobile games.

“There are a lot of great movies this summer that translate into exciting mobile entertainment experiences, including these phenomenally popular franchises,” said Adam Sussman, VP Worldwide Publishing, EA Mobile. “These are four of the hottest films this year, and EA Mobile is proud to bring fantastic game companions of each title to mobile phones.”

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Experience the magic of Harry Potter in this exciting new mobile game for feature phones based on the latest installment of one of the most popular movie franchises of all time. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince delivers all the fun of the movie via varied, action-packed gameplay in the authentic and interactive setting of Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Join Harry, Ron and Hermione as they explore the school grounds, interact with popular characters, and battle Dark Forces in an all-new free roaming environment.

G.I. JOE The Rise of Cobra

Developed under license from Hasbro, Inc. and based on the blockbuster movie due out on August 7th, G.I. JOE The Rise of Cobra for feature phones gives players the chance to join Conrad R. “Duke” Hauser, Shana “Scarlett” O’Hare, and Wallace “Rip Cord” Weems in the events that take place directly after the movie’s conclusion. Face off against Cobra Commander’s toughest villains including Storm Shadow, Destro, and Cobra Commander using the very latest technology and vehicles at your disposal in this frenetic side scrolling action game inspired by the famous action figures.

Star Trek

Become the captain of the USS Enterprise and fight against the Klingons, Cardassions and Vulcans in an all new space adventure based on the world famous Star Trek franchise. The game is available now on feature phones and iPhone, to coincide with the release of the latest movie directed by J.J. Abrams. The Star Trek mobile game pits players against enemies from all over the galaxy in a number of diverse and exciting gameplay scenarios that are guaranteed to keep you coming back for more.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Take on the role of one of Marvel’s most popular X-Men as he attempts to discover the secrets of his past in this all new mobile game based on the Hollywood blockbuster starring Hugh Jackman. Players must use all the weapons at their disposal and battle through hordes of enemy mutants on the journey to discover Wolverine’s origins in an action-packed mobile gaming experience on feature phones.

Star Trek is now available on feature phones and iPhone; X-Men Origins: Wolverine is now available on feature phones; and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and G.I. JOE The Rise of Cobra will both be available on feature phones in July.

New PlayStation 3 firmware to allow background downloads and abuse logging

Reported changes could be a long-awaited "reputation system," where players can evaluate each other. There will also be grief reporting as well, which doesn't mean you tell Sony about how sad you are over Michael Jackson. Instead, you'll be able to take screenshots of player abuse and show the PSN overlords.

The most pleasant bit of gossip is talk about players being able to download patches in the background, meaning one can do other things while waiting for excessively long updates to install. Audiophiles will also be thrilled to hear that simultaneous HDMI and digital optical outputting should also be on the way.

Until Sony confirms any of this, we can't say it is definitely coming, but everything sounds like a good feature for the PS3 and will be welcomed with open arms. As soon as more is said, we shall let you know.

European Street Fighter IV Championships

With the European Street Fighter IV Championships taking place tomorrow it's the perfect time to check out the UK Championships matches from last week. Now available for download from our press site, these exciting matches feature stellar performances from the best players the UK has to offer.

Of particular note is the Vega vs Sagat match. Who says tiering counts at tournament level play?