by Steve Watts, Aug 16, 2011 2:30pm PDT
[Update: 8/17] We have corrections to issue regarding this story. The $99.99 Season Pass includes all of the content for the first six months, which amounts to 30% off the regular price if purchased separately. Also, development of Age of Empires Online has been taken over by Gas Powered Games. Shacknews regrets the errors.
[Original Story] Age of Empires Online will support a Season Pass system for premium content discounts, Microsoft announced at Gamescom today. The discounts only last for a limited time, though, so it probably won't see you all the way through the lifespan of the free-to-play strategy title.
Read more: Season Pass cost and time-table »
by Andrew Yoon, Aug 16, 2011 1:45pm PDT
We have a winning strategy for Sony this holiday season. They've already dropped the price of the PlayStation 3 hardware by $50. Why not create a new hardware bundle, one that includes Uncharted 3, and sell it for $299? This new trailer released for Gamescom reminds us exactly why we're so enthused about Naughty Dog's upcoming adventure. This two minute video gives us a glimpse as to how Nathan Drake ends up trapped in the desert, amongst the fiery wreckage of a downed plane.
Watch: Why you should never travel with Drake »
by Alice O'Connor, Aug 16, 2011 1:00pm PDT
by Andrew Yoon, Aug 16, 2011 12:15pm PDT
In addition to all the social features previously announced (and detailed) for the PlayStation Vita, Sony has announced that many popular social apps currently available on mobile phones will be made available for the Vita. Facebook, foursquare, and Twitter apps will all be downloadable for free directly from the PlayStation Store. In addition, Skype will also be making its way to the Vita, continuing Sony's support of the service since the PSP era. (Guess Microsoft's acquisition didn't get in the way, huh?)
Watch: A creepy alternative to Skype »
by Jeff Mattas, Aug 16, 2011 12:00pm PDT
Sony Computer Entertainment has just announced a new title for PlayStation Vita called Escape Plan. The game's two heroes--Laarg and Lil--are as differently-sized as their names indicate. The brief footage shown at Sony's press conference at Gamescom 2011 reveals that Escape Plan is a 2D platformer with one simple rule: "Don't Die."
Read more: Escape Plan announced for Vita »
by Steve Watts, Aug 16, 2011 11:45am PDT
At today's Sony Gamescom press briefing, the company announced Infamous 2: Festival of Blood, a downloadable title slated for October. The company calls it a brand new game that takes place in the familiar environment of New Marais, continuing the adventures of Cole MacGrath. But this time the monsters are going to be a little more familiar.
Read more: Infamous by way of Twilight »
by Andrew Yoon, Aug 16, 2011 11:25am PDT
Sony has announced a surprise price drop for its PS3 hardware at Gamescom. Effective immediately, the 160GB system will drop down to $249, a savings of $50. The 320GB system will be available for $299.
In addition, Sony has announced a new Infamous 2 bundle "at participating retailers." The bundle, available for only $299, includes a 320GB system, a copy of Infamous 2, and a 30 day trial of PlayStation Plus.
Read more: Sony comments about the price drop »
by Andrew Yoon, Aug 16, 2011 11:15am PDT
With the release of PlayStation Vita, you'd think that Sony would give up on the PSP, right? Well, you'd be wrong. Having sold 71 million units worldwide, Sony announced a brand new budget model of the PSP at Gamescom, one that would be an "entry" alternative to the fancier, pricier Vita. Coming to Europe this Fall is a "E-1000" model for only €99. The only caveat? It drops wi-fi support.
Read more: Why we're calling it the PSPog»
by Steve Watts, Aug 16, 2011 11:00am PDT
by Andrew Yoon, Aug 16, 2011 10:00am PDT
Just in case you didn't know what the combat of Mass Effect 3 looked like, EA and BioWare have released a curiously-titled new trailer for Gamescom. The "Combat Reveal" video shows how you'll control Commander Shepard and use squad tactics to defeat the larger, more aggressive enemies of the trilogy's end.
Oh, and there's grenades.
Watch: The new Gamescom trailer »
by Andrew Yoon, Aug 16, 2011 9:30am PDT
Make sure you have your dancing shoes ready in October, because that's when Dance Central 2 will be launching on Kinect. Microsoft has announced global release dates for the Kinect dancing sequel: Oct. 21 in Europe and Asia, Oct. 25 in North America, and Oct. 27 in Japan.
The big new feature of Dance Central 2 is simultaneous two-player dance battles. During these battles, the freestyle sections are replaced with a new "Free-4-All" mini-game. You must recall moves from the song and quickly perform them in order to score additional points in this mode.
Watch: The new Gamescom trailer »
by Steve Watts, Aug 16, 2011 8:30am PDT
At EA's Gamescom press conference today, the company announced and debuted the new co-op mode for Battlefield 3. The presentation demoed the mode in action on the PlayStation 3, showing off synchronized shots to quietly take down enemies and reviving your partner. The mode will include ground and air vehicles as well.
Watch: New vehicle-heavy trailer »
by Alice O'Connor, Aug 16, 2011 8:15am PDT
Everything we know is wrong, but soon we shall learn the truth. The Secret World creator Ragnar Tørnquist announced during publisher EA's Gamescom press conference that Funcom's conspiratorial supernatural MMORPG will launch for PC in April 2012.
On top of that, Tørnquist revealed that beta signups will open on August 26. But when will the beta actually begin? That's part of the mystery.
Watch: The Gamescom trailer »
by Steve Watts, Aug 16, 2011 8:00am PDT
At the Gamescom 2011 EA press conference today, the company announced a release date for Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. The stage presentation mentioned a European release date of February 10, 2012 -- an EA rep also dropped mention of the North American release date, February 7.
Amalur is an effort from Big Huge Games to craft an actual big, huge game. It's the most ambitious title from the studio, after having been picked up by 38 Studios. We saw a lengthy demo in May, so check out our preview for more details.
Watch: The E3 trailer »
by Steve Watts, Aug 16, 2011 7:45am PDT
At today's EA Gamescom press conference, BioWare's Ray Muzyka took the stage to talk about his division's plans, and announced a new Warhammer game in the process: Warhammer Online: Wrath of Heroes. The game focuses on three-team PVP combat, with 6 players each. The game is part of EA's Play4Free (free-to-play) push, and is coming this fall. You can sign up for the beta today at the game's official site.
Watch: Wrath of Heroes in action »
"Yeah I thought that was shitty. :\ Quest rewards that are premium only? Good grief. I'm level 3, ..."
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