Sunday 17 January 2016

'GTA 5' DLC release: Game to get story expansion?

 

Although the current installment in the popular and long-running "Grand Theft Auto" franchise keeps on being updated by developer Rockstar Games, most of the new content is centered on its online multiplayer feature, "Grand Theft Auto Online." However, should recent speculations be true, fans of the series may see a new story unfold for the main characters in "GTA V."
According to PlayStation Lifestyle, speculations about a story DLC for "GTA V" have been floating online ever since the title's release in 2013. Meanwhile, the rumors have been rekindled with a recent social media post by Shawn Fonteno, who voiced main protagonist Franklin in the current story. Fonteno posted an image of him donning a motion capture suit.
It is unclear, however, if the image is a recent one or an old photo that Fonteno only decided to upload recently to tease fans that there will be a story add-on for "Grand Theft Auto V."
Some commenters are also of two minds about Fonteno's post, with some claiming that since it is already at least three years since the original rumors about story DLC began, and with a rumored "Grand Theft Auto VI" supposedly already in the works, Rockstar Games would have left "GTA V" the way it is right now. In addition, the developer already said in the past that the whole team behind "GTA V" is already hard at work, with all its focus on expanding "GTA Online" with new content.
Meanwhile, in connection to expansion content, Inquisitr mentioned that as per Rockstar Games, expansion items can be categorized as either time-limited only or general DLC packs. The developer issued a statement regarding some players' confusion when their supposed item gifts disappeared from their inventories. Apparently, the gifts were part of the holiday-themed "Festive Surprise" DLC, which expired last Jan. 5.

Bayonetta 2 Wii U Game Gets Standalone Release on February 19


The official Twitter account for Nintendo of America announced on Thursday that Bayonetta 2 will receive a standalone release on February 19 for US$29.99. Previously the game was only available in a bundle with the original Bayonetta game.
Bayonetta's titular character will be added to Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS as a playable character.
The Bayonetta games received an anime film adaptation, Bayonetta: Bloody Fate, in 2013. Funimation licensed the film in North America, while Madman Entertainment handled the licensing in Australia.
Platinum Games and Sega released the first Bayonetta action game about a shape-shifting, fighting witch on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in Japan in October 2009 and then in North America in January 2010. Platinum Games and Sega released Bayonetta 2 for the Wii U in October 2014.

‘Ninja Turtles: Mutants In Manhattan’ Screenshots Leak Online Prior To Game’s Release

Ninja-Turtles 

The game still hasn’t been officially announced by either developer Platinum Games or Activision, but Ninja Turtles: Mutants In Manhattan certainly looks like the real deal.
We’ve seen so much information for the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manahattan already and the game hasn’t even been officially announced. Initially, it was rated in both Brazil and Australia followed by a list of achievements dropping as well as the box art. After all that, both Activision Blizzard and Platinum still remained tight lipped. Hopefully after today, however, they will provide us some more details after new screen shots leaked.
A source provided PureXbox five exclusive screens to the game which you can all see below. Not only did they reveal the time pattern the game will use in the TMNT era, but also the animation technique. Similar to Transformers: Devastation, Platinum will use the same cell shaded animation with TMNT. This allows the player to believe they are actually controlling a TV cartoon opposed to typical CGI video game characters. In addition, you can see the Turtles’ weapons appear to be glowing in multiple spots, indicating some special powerup maneuvers. Of course, last but not least, we can’t forget the original version of TMNT’s Beebop which is also in the game.
It appears they are going for a more throwback feel with Mutants in Manhattan based on everything we know so far. You can see the images below and we’ll let you know more as soon as we hear.

Thanks, PureXbox
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‘Pokken Tournament’ Update: Game’s Release Date Set on Mar. 18; Chandelure Unveiled

 

In its latest "Pokken Tournament" update, Nintendo has announced that the highly-anticipated game will finally be released on Mar. 18. 
According to Game Rant, the "Tekken" inspired fighting game will have a worldwide debut, which means that gamers in the United States, Japan and Europe will be able to play the game simultaneously.
This comes as good news for gamers who were earlier disappointed when the Japan-based company decided to push back the release of "Star Fox Zero" and "The Legend of Zelda" for Wii U well into 2016.
With this recent "Pokken Tournament" update, Nintendo has therefore stayed true to form by rolling out its core RPG games not only on a regional basis, but rather on a global scope.
The announcement of the "Pokken Tournament's" official release date comes on the heels of reports that Chandelure has been unveiled as a playable character in the game.
Described as the "oddest fighter choice the game has seen yet," the character is expected to arrive in the "near future."
Based on the latest "Pokken Tournament" update, there will be 16 characters in the line-up of fighters, which includes two versions of Pikachu and Mewtwo.
As the roster has not yet been "set in stone," there is still a possibility an all-time favorite "Pokemon" character will make the final cut.
According to Entertainment Weekly, the release of "Pokken Tournament" is in line with "Pokemon's" 20th Anniversary celebrations.
The entertainment portal cited "Pokken's" unique gameplay, noting that instead of the usual turn-based battles of traditional "Pokemon" games, it lets players duke it out in the traditional fighting game style.
The initial copies of "Pokenn Tournament" will include an Amiibo card that allows players to unlock the Shadow Mewtwo character.
The Entertainment Weekly news update added that "Pokkén Tournament"   will arrive shortly after the original Pokémon games are re-released for the Nintendo 3DS on the franchise's 20th anniversary.


Homefront: The Revolution Will Reportedly Launch on May 17

image description 

An image of a Target pre-order card possibly leaks the release date for Deep Silver’s upcoming first-person shooter Homefront: The Revolution as May 17th.

The last time we saw Deep Silver’s Homefront: The Revolution was five months ago during Microsoft’s Gamescom press conference. Since then, little has been said about the upcoming first-person shooter, but now an image taken at Target has apparently revealed the release date for the game.
The image is of Target’s $1 reservation cards, which allow people to pre-order games. One such card will apparently hit Target store shelves soon, and it is for Homefront: The Revolution. A release date of May 17th, 2016 is listed on the card in two separate spots, and by the looks of the card it doesn’t seem like a fake. The card also reveals that those that pre-order Homefront: The Revolution from Target will receive an additional $5 gift card, but any other potential pre-order bonuses are not listed.
Deep Silver has yet to comment on the image or confirm any concrete release date for the new Homefront. In fact, the last time the company commented on the game’s release was when Homefront: The Revolution was delayed to 2016. Its new release window has been either Q1 or Q2 2016 since the delay, so the reported May release date certainly fits within that time frame.
Homefront: The Revolution Will Reportedly Launch on May 17 - Homefront: The Revolution Target pre order card
While Deep Silver has been mum on Homefront: The Revolution, the company must have been planning a release date announcement soon. Perhaps with this leak, Deep Silver will make the announcement even sooner, because unless the date has changed, it’s pointless at this juncture to stay quiet on the subject.
Hopefully an official release date announcement comes with some new gameplay footage of the title. Homefront: The Revolution has had a fairly troubled development cycle, with development switching from Crytek to Deep Silver’s Dambuster Studios, and the game’s director abandoned the project even before that. Because of this, the general lack of footage (outside the Gamescom trailer) has been concerning, and with its release date not that far off, there’s not a lot of time left to polish the experience.
Perhaps the previous delay gave the developers enough time to craft Homefront: The Revolution into a compelling experience. If the leaked release date turns out to be legitimate, it looks like we won’t have to wait much longer to find out.
Are you interested in Homefront: The Revolution? Does the game’s troubled development cycle have you worried? Will you be pre-ordering it or waiting for reviews? Leave a comment below and give us your thoughts on Homefront: The Revolution.
Homefront: The Revolution doesn’t have a confirmed release date just yet, but it is due for release this year on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
Source: IGN

Batman: Arkham Knight is giving away DLC for all PS4, Xbox One and PC gamers this January

Batman: Arkham Knight

Batman: Arkham Knight fans are in for a right treat this January following the news that Rocksteady have unveiled a load of new free DLC which players will be able to download later this month.
Primarily this consists of the “Crime Fighter Challenge Pack #6,” formerly known as the “Community Challenge Pack.” and includes six challenge maps from Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City, and a special endless Predator Mode challenge.
Because these maps were based on areas from the previous “Arkham” games, including areas like Crime Alley and the Iceberg Lounge, all of the challenges will also receive a "next-gen overhaul", with improved graphics.

n addition, the free DLC will also feature a new free skin, which is the costume Batman wore during the “Batman Incorporated” comic book series from Grant Morrison.
The “Batman Inc.” skin was originally available as a downloadable code for those that picked up the “Batman: Arkham Knight” graphic novel, which acted as a prequel to the video game.
While grateful for the gesture this has also got Arkham Knight fans on forums pondering if more previously exclusive costumes may become available soon.
This could include a “Earth 2 Batman” skin that was given away in a special event and also two PS4 exclusive skins “Justice League 3000” and “Batman 66,” which as of yet have not been made available to anyone who doesn't own a Sony console.
CODA, the Arkham Knight Community Manager, told fans on the games official blog:
"We can’t wait for you guys to get your hands on the remastered maps.
I was watching Harry (one of our best combat players, you may remember him from Arkham Insider) play Iceberg Lounge just the other day and the later part of that map pretty much blew my mind – I know it’ll do the same for some of you here!"

The new Batman pack will be available to PC players on 19 January, and 26 January for on PS4 and Xbox One console owners.
Batman Arkham Knight Warner Bros
MAPS: The DLC will include plenty of challenge maps from past Arkham games
The welcome treat from Rocksteady comes only weeks after Warner Brothers released the games Season of Infamy: Most Wanted expansion.
The expansion came packed with new villians, new batmobiles and several skins for the Caped Crusader to slip into.
Primarily it featured four separate missions to enjoy as The Dark Knight fights back against an invasion of legendary Super-Villains from the Rogues Gallery.
Also featured in the DLC were several add-on’s to keep gamers hooked that little bit longer.
For starters you could drive the original Batmobile from the 2009 Batman: Arkham Asylum game, as well as suit up in a number of new character skins for the caped crusader, including the Batsuit from the 2008 movie The Dark Knight.
Finally fans of the game were also treated to a fresh batch of the increasingly-popular challenge maps to master.
These featured Batman, the Batmobile, Nightwing, Azrael, Harley Quinn and allowing focused training in Freeflow Combat and Invisible Predator stealth incursion.
Batman Arkham Knight


New York tries to force phone makers to put in crypto backdoors

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The sport of holding Apple, Google and other tech companies over a barrel to demand backdoors now has a new player: New York.
The state assembly has come up with a proposed bill that would ban encrypted mobile phones and slap manufacturers with a $2,500 fine per phone sold in the state of New York without a backdoor.
In a nutshell, backdoors are security holes – for example, an undocumented master decryption key – knowingly added to software.
The bill, introduced earlier this month, (PDF) demands that smartphones come with means of being decrypted, starting as of two weeks ago:
Any smartphone that is manufactured on or after January 1, 2016, and sold or leased in New York, shall be capable of being decrypted and unlocked by its manufacturer or its operating system provider.
The state assembly would impose a $2500 fine for each infringing phone sold in the state.
That’s a lot of phones and a lot of potential fines. New York’s a big state with a big appetite for mobile gadgets.
The rationale, from notes on the bill:
The fact is that, although the new software may enhance privacy for some users, it severely hampers law enforcement’s ability to aid victims.
All of the evidence contained in smartphones and similar devices will be lost to law enforcement, so long as the criminals take the precaution of protecting their devices with passcodes. Of course they will do so. Simply stated, passcode-protected devices render lawful court orders meaningless and encourage criminals to act with impunity.
The proposed bill is similar to the Investigatory Powers Bill in the UK, which has the support of Prime Minister David Cameron.
If it passes – the next step would be for the bill to move to the floor calendar, followed by votes in the assembly and senate – it would mean that manufacturers or operating system providers would have to decrypt and unlock phones for law enforcement and other authorities, creating a backdoor to surpass the encryption.
We’re hearing plenty of similar calls to poke holes in encryption, coming from countries including the UK with its Investigatory Powers Act or in China, which was poised to require internet companies and other technology suppliers to hand over encryption codes and other sensitive data for official vetting before they went into use.
Those demands were dropped in the law’s final draft, but China’s new law still requires that companies help with decryption when the law deems it necessary for investigating or preventing terrorist cases.
The Netherlands, on the other hand, has come out against backdoors last week, but the assault against the technology is still raging, as the New York bill clearly shows.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has been strenuously arguing that backdoors weaken security.
Here’s how he explained it to 60 Minutes last month:
Here’s the situation… on your smartphone today, on your iPhone. There’s likely health information, there’s financial information. There are intimate conversations with your family, or your co-workers. There’s probably business secrets and you should have the ability to protect it. And the only way we know how to do that, is to encrypt it.
Why is that? It’s because if there’s a way to get in, then somebody will find the way in. There have been people that suggest that we should have a backdoor. But the reality is if you put a backdoor in, that backdoor’s for everybody, for good guys and bad guys.
Cook and other Silicon Valley execs last week met with White House officials to discuss the use of social media and technology in the fight against terrorism, radicalization, and propaganda.
Apple has stated that it’s “impossible” to unlock most iPhones, given an iOS 8 feature that prevents anyone without the device’s passcode from accessing the device’s encrypted data – including Apple itself.
Cook has said that a backdoor wouldn’t be such an issue if it were to be used only for catching “bad people,” but he doubts that crooks couldn’t manage to figure out how to exploit a backdoor even if it were only meant to help law enforcement.
Naked Security’s take?
Paul Ducklin put it pretty bluntly: “Tim Cook is right: if you put in cryptographic backdoors, the good guys lose for sure, while the bad guys only lose if they are careless.”
And, as Paul recently reminded us, the US has gone down this road before, and it didn’t turn out well.
In the 1990s, the US required American software companies to use deliberately weakened encryption algorithms in software for export, in an attempt to make it safe to sell cryptographic software even to potential enemies because their traffic would always be crackable.
The results:
  • International customers simply bought non-US products instead, hurting US encryption vendors.
  • EXPORT_GRADE ciphers lived on long after they were no longer legally required, leaving behind backdoors such as FREAK and LOGJAM that potentially put all of us at risk.
Doubleplusungood.
Backdoors have a way of being forgotten about, soon end up widely known, often live much longer than anyone imagined, and can be widely misused: all good reasons to avoid them.

Samsung's new Galaxy J3 debuts at Boost, Virgin Mobile for $180

New year, new phone line. At least that's what it feels like as Samsung brings its latest smartphones, the Galaxy J series, to the US, starting with Sprint's two prepaid carriers, Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile.
The entry-level J3 phone sells for $180 all in. You can buy it today from Virgin Mobile or starting January 18 from Boost.
Samsung spends most of its energy focusing on fancy flagship models; the J series is a reminder that the phonemaker must also attract customers seeking simpler phones for lower prices if it wants to compete across the board.
As such, the Galaxy J3 packs hand-me-down hardware in a shiny design:
  • 5-inch display with 1,280x720-pixel resolution
  • 5-megapixel rear camera
  • 2-megapixel front-facing camera
  • 1.2GHz quad-core processor
  • 16GB internal storage
Still, Samsung is going to have to do better than this to sway truly savvy buyers, who turn to manufacturers directly to buy phones such as the higher-end, but similarly priced Huawei Honor 5X that we saw at CES in Vegas last week.

Windows 10 Mobile Rolling Out to Microsoft Lumia 535; Upgrade Advisor App Launched

Windows 10 Mobile Rolling Out to Microsoft Lumia 535; Upgrade Advisor App Launched 

Microsoft appears to have begun seeding the Windows 10 Mobile software update to Lumia smartphones. The Redmond-based company earlier this week made available the latest version of its mobile operating system to the Microsoft Lumia 640, and it is now seeding the update to the low-cost Lumia 535 in at least one region. The company has also released Upgrade Advisor Beta for all Windows Phone 8.1 users, to help them upgrade their phone.
Users in Latin America are reporting that they have started to receive Windows 10 Mobile software update on the Lumia 535 smartphone. As seen in the screenshots, the update escalates the version number of the software to 10586.29. The update is currently only available for the unlocked Lumia 535 handset it appears.
Microsoft also recently started to seed Windows 10 Mobile to the Lumia 640 on T-Mobile network in Poland. The rollout confirms that the company has begun to release Windows 10 Mobile to more Lumia smartphones. It had previously committed to seed the software version to all Windows Phone 8.1-powered smartphones with more than 4GB of internal storage in December. However, last month, the company said that it was pushing the roll out timeframe to "early 2016."
The company has released an app to assist users with upgrading to Windows 10 Mobile. Called Upgrade Advisor Beta, the app allows users to know whether their Windows Phone handset is eligible to upgrade. It also helps with cleaning up memory on the smartphone to make enough room for the new software version.
"The Windows 10 Mobile Upgrade Advisor app will tell you if your Windows 8.1 phone is eligible for upgrade to Windows 10 Mobile. It can also help free up space on your phone so you're ready for the upgrade," the app description reads. "When you open the app, it checks your phone and lets you know if it's eligible to upgrade, if an update is required before you can upgrade, or if your phone can't be upgraded."
To recall, for Windows Phone 8 software update, Microsoft maintained an update tracker on its website to help users know when the new software version will become available for their smartphone. For Windows 10 Mobile, there's no tracker as such, which makes the new app handy for users.

Devolver announces Omnibus with quirky trailer

According to publisher Devolver Digital, this spring we'll get to experience a bus driving game that has had a long and fictional development. It's developer Buddy Cops who are responsible for this slightly different take on driving buses in populated areas, or as Devolver Digital CFO Fork Parker states in the press release:
"OmniBus will revolutionize the way we all think about video games and buses as it totally changes the public transportation video game simulation paradigm."
The press release is mainly filled with ironic remarks, but here is some of the things we interpret to be true:
• Multiplayer Derby Mode: Jump into the chaotic free-for-all multiplayer versus mode where drivers are pitted against each other in a high score trick mode or the visceral deathmatch mode sure to raise tensions down at the bus depot.
• Free Play Trick Mode: Choose your favorite bus and pull off unbelievable jumps, flips and twists to hit incredible high scores and impress friends, family, and other OmniBus drivers on the leaderboards.
To see what we suspect to be gameplay, check out the game's first trailer below. Omnibus is coming to PC, Linux and Mac this spring.


New Star Wars Rebels Trailer Has a Force Awakens Connection

New Star Wars Rebels Trailer Has A Force Awakens Connection!

Star Wars Rebels trailer features connection to The Force Awakens

Lucasfilm and Disney XD have revealed a new Star Wars Rebels trailer that teases the remaining episodes of the show’s second season and has an interesting connection to last year’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens, as well as the tease of a new (or perhaps return of an old) villain! Check it out in the player below!
Star Wars Rebels is created by Dave Filoni (Star Wars: The Clone Wars), Simon Kinberg (X-Men: Days of Future Past, Sherlock Holmes), and Carrie Beck. The Lucasfilm Animation production is executive produced by Filoni and Kinberg.
The season two voice cast includes Freddie Prinze Jr. as Kanan, Vanessa Marshall as Hera, Steve Blum as Zeb, Tiya Sircar as Sabine, Taylor Gray as Ezra, Ashley Eckstein as Ahsoka Tano, Dee Bradley Baker as Captain Rex, Captain Gregor and Commander Wolffe, David Oyelowo as Agent Kallus and Sarah Michelle Gellar as the Seventh Sister Inquisitor.

Star Trek Timelines Launch Trailer

Disruptor Beam and CBS Consumer Products Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Star Trek by Welcoming Generations of Fans into New Strategy Role-Playing Mobile Game
Disruptor Beam, the company that brings together fan communities and games, announced today that STAR TREK TIMELINES, a new strategy role-playing game that brings together 50 years of Star Trek, is now available. The game can be downloaded for free in five languages (English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese) on both the App Store for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, and on Google Play for Android devices.
Licensed by CBS Consumer Products, Star Trek Timelines features hundreds of beloved characters from all eras of Star Trek as well as stunning 3D graphics. Exploring the galaxy alongside friends, players can gather their favorite starships, and assemble a dream crew including familiar faces like Kirk, Spock, Janeway, Worf, Locutus of Borg, and many more. As they participate in missions, players have the opportunity to command a variety of iconic starships and engage in 3D ship-to-ship battles with a cinematic feel.
“We’re celebrating Star Trek’s 50th anniversary this year by welcoming fans from around the world into the Timelines game community,” said Jon Radoff, Founder and CEO of Disruptor Beam. “We have created a game that will immerse fans in the Star Trek universe like no other game has. And with its deep, story-driven gameplay and stellar graphics, we believe that Timelines is one of the best-looking game experiences on a mobile device today.”
Star Trek Timelines includes content and characters from Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, and Star Trek: Enterprise – plus the first ten Star Trek films, from Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) through Star Trek Nemesis (2002). Star Trek celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2016, with the first episode of the original series airing back in September 1966.
Disruptor Beam has built a name for itself as a game developer that has successfully brought together fan communities with games, while mastering the strategy role-playing game genre across both mobile and web platforms. The company’s first hit, Game of Thrones Ascent, was released in spring of 2013 to critical acclaim, with a fanbase that has grown to over 12 million players.
Star Trek fans can download Star Trek Timelines now on the App Store and on Google Play. Disruptor Beam will continue to update the game post-launch by adding and expanding features, integrating more characters and starships, and incorporating in-game events. Players can follow along with these developments by joining the Timelines community in the Disruptor Beam forums and by following us on Facebook and Twitter.

New Homeworld gets a launch trailer ahead of its release next week

Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak - i.e. the RTS game formerly known as Homeworld: Shipreakers (i.e. the game formerly known as Hardware: Shipbreakers) - has released a new story trailer and gameplay footage ahead of its 20th January release.
Developed by Blackbird Interactive, a new studio comprised by many of the folks who created the first Homeworld in 1999 at Relic Entertainment, Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak was originally going to be an off-brand spiritual successor to the Homeworld franchise. But once Gearbox purchased the rights to the Homeworld IP in 2013 during THQ's bankruptcy, it decided to join forces with Blackbird and let them use the official Homeworld license.
Where Homeworld games are typically set in deep space, Deserts of Kharak is set on the titular sandy planet and it serves as a prequel to the main Homeworld series. While originally conceived as a new IP, it turns out Blackbird artist Aaron Kambeitz had secretly been plotting how to connect the game then known as Hardware: Shipbreaks into the Homeworld universe should the opportunity arise. Thankfully, it did.
Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak usually goes for £29.99 / $49.99 on Steam, but it's 20 per cent off for owners of the Homeworld Remastered Collection. Others will have to pay full price, but pre-orders come with a copy of said Remastered Collection.

Gorgeous Indie Game, Oxenfree, Gets a Launch Trailer


If you’re looking to start off 2016 with a good ghost story, Oxenfree is the game for you. This indie game has a gorgeous hand-painted look, but that might be to throw players off from some of its disturbing elements.
Oxenfree is developed by Night School, an independent studio made by Telltale and Disney alumni. If you’ve played a Telltale game before, some of the voice actors may sound familiar. Erin Yvette and Gavin Hammon both had roles in The Wolf Among Us, and Britanni Johnson played Angel in the Borderlands series. The launch trailer for the game briefly shows the relationship between their characters before getting weird.
Oxenfree is available now on Xbox One and Steam. This adventure game’s visuals are immediately striking, but the mystery behind the ghostly noises and visual distortions should motivate players to see what the game is really about.
Will you pick up this supernatural thriller this month? Let us know in the comments.