A prolonged four months wait will seem even longer as gameplay and video trailers litter the web in a marketing and gameplayer fest which will stretch the patience of all fans of the bestselling first-person action series of all-time as it returns with the epic sequel to the multiple Game of the Year award winner Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 will be the third instalment in the Modern Warfare series, and no less than the eighth instalment of Call of Duty.  Like the previous versions of this brilliant game Call Of Duty: MW3 will be a First-Person-Shooter game; and to beat the competition in a flooded market of  action war games, Modern warfare 3 will run at a faster 60FPS.

Doing a grand marketing job in promoting the game, the developers have revealed that Modern Warfare 3 will, among others, feature a new survival mode. Survival mode features one to two players fighting endless waves of enemies with each wave getting more difficult.

Some critics are comparing the game to Call of Duty: World at War played in Nazi Zombies mode.  But with MW3 enemies do no not automatically spawn in fixed places but instead uses a more sophisticated logic allowing enemies to spawn at a position based on the current location of the player.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 has been developed by the American game developer company, Infinity Ward, who have been responsible for three instalments in the Call of Duty franchise.  All of the original 22 developers at Infinity Ward came from the team that had developed Medal of Honor: Allied Assault.

The quality of the gameplay looks amazing.  Check out this video.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 will be released on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC priced around £45 for games consoles and £40 for the PC version.  By pre-ordering the game with HMV you can earn 3,999 loyalty points.

Atari Star Raiders for Xbox & PC Download

Atari Europe, one of the world’s most recognised publishers and producers of interactive entertainment, have announced the release of Star Raiders®.

Originally introduced in 1979, Star Raiders blazed an all new trail, becoming the first ever first-person space combat title.

The game inspired several generations of “space combat simulation” titles throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s.   The exciting new take on this Atari treasure pays tribute to the original while ushering in an all new, captivating episodic experience.   The game offers familiar battle elements including space warps and galactic tactical maps with all new features like radical battle transformations and customizable ships.

The return of Star Raiders combines tense aerial assaults and dogfights with a new compelling storyline, striking visual style and exhilarating single player gameplay.

Star Raiders is now available on the Xbox 360®video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC Download.

Developed by Incinerator Studios, Star Raiders carries a retail price of 800 Microsoft Points (£7.19/€8.99).  For more information visit www.starraiders.com.

Episode 6 Community

Vogster Entertainment premiered the latest episode in their Crimecraft: Bleedout campaign on February 5th, Episode 6. The Achilles Helix is illustrated by Gary Erskine.

Crimecraft: Bleedout combines the best of MMORPG gaming with the fast paced action and skill based gameplay of a shooter.

The game is set in Sun Rise City, a gang infested metropolis reeling from the total collapse of the world economy, somewhere in the not too distant future.

This newest update features the second volume of weekly episodes that will reveal back-stabbing conspiracies and world-shaking revelations.  The story of the collapse and the New Age of Ruin continues in Episode 6: THE ACHILLES HELIX, written by Mike Kennedy (Star Wars, Superman, Alien vs Predator) and featuring artwork by comic book veteran Gary Erskine (Dan Dare, Star Wars, Terminator, Transformers).

The Achilles Helix episode focuses on The Sons of Liberty, and the secret projects brewing in their military laboratories.  The Player will participate in experiments that could either result in Uber-soldier abilities or tragedy.  The mysterious disappearance of their former leader also starts to point towards dangerous secret agendas that could change the landscape of Sunrise City forever.

This newest major content update includes the following features:

• Episodic Conclusion – Players will witness the heart pounding conclusion of the Bleedout Campaign and learn the secret behind what caused the world’s collapse. Each week, a new episode of the gripping story will be released with 2½ hours of new story-based missions. Featuring art from comic book all-stars such as Howard Chaykin, Glenn Fabry, Trevor Hairsine, Gary Erskine, and Vince Proce, the second wave of Bleedout episodes will provide hours of top notch graphic game play.
• New Maps – New maps will emerge, including Deckard Harbor, a dense maze of walkways in the port district; Municipal Bank, a heavily guarded financial fortress for the ultimate PvP robbery; and a third, soon to be announced location.
• New Abilities – 6 new abilities will provide a wealth of tactical combat options, including Turrets and Flash Grenades.
• Reputation Phase 2 – Reputation Leaderboards go live in February, with unique player signatures, titles, and rewards.
• Player Requests – The CrimeCraft community drives development, and a multitude of player requests have been added, such as more character customization options, refinements to character professions and skills, new play modes, weapon modification kits, AUGs, and much more!

Join thousands of players online as you learn the rules of the street and the secrets to criminal success and survival.  Hustle and kill to build a Reputation while unfolding the mysteries behind the devastating Bleedout event.  Customize unique weapons and performance enhancing drugs for personal use or profit.  Form a gang with your friends or ally with trustworthy strangers to dominate the city.  Become the anti-hero at the top of everyone’s hit list.

Visit the Crimecraft website for further information.

This new Mythos class trailer showcases the unique and powerful character skills from each of three character classes. In typical hack ‘n’ slash style, characters of all classes and creeds can hunt monsters in groups in the action-packed MMO world.

With the Pyromancer’s mighty fireballs, the long-range destruction of the Gadgeteer´s grenades, or the whirling blades of the Bloodletter, excitement is guaranteed even if you prefer to stalk the gloomy dungeons on your own.

For further information and to sign up for the upcoming closed beta phase visit the Mythos website.

Gamers are invited to cast their vote for their own favourite Fighting Game from a list of ten nominees which include a mix of classic favourites and up and coming contenders.

The full list of nominations for the Fighting Game of the Year award are as follows;

.   BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger
·  Dragon Ball: Raging Blast
·  Fight Night Round 4
·  Punch-Out!!
·  Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny
·  Super Street Fighter IV
·  Tatsunoko VS. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars
·  Tekken 6
·  UFC 2009 Undisputed
·  WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010

Such a spectacular line-up of games is a clear indicator of the extremely tough competition in this brand new category for the Golden Joystick Awards 2010.

Fans are invited to cast their vote on the Golden Joystick website, the winner will be decided by the voters themselves, so if you are passionate about any of the nominees be sure to vote before the deadline of October 25th.

The ever-growing Golden Joystick Awards has been the ultimate accolade in gaming since 1982 and is now recognised as the biggest and most popular gaming awards on the planet.

The categories in the Golden Joystick Awards are voted for by the only people who matter – the gamers themselves. Known as the ‘people’s gaming awards’ it is also held in high esteem in the global video games industry with nearly 1,000 executives attending the glittering ceremony in London on October 29th.

Watch the video for a run down of the Fighting Game of the Year contenders:

sky legends due in 2011

The developer Smart Bomb Interactive and UTV True Games, have announced a partnership that will launch a new online flight combat game, Sky Legends, built on the Unity engine.

Smart Bomb, known for the development of such popular games as Snoopy Flying Ace and National Geographic Animal Jam, are developing the upcoming free-to-play flight combat game that will have players taking flight in customizable airplanes built for fast-paced multiplayer battles in an attempt to rule the skies.

Scheduled to launch in the first half of 2011, players can learn more about the game and register to receive news updates at www.skylegends.com.

Players will take flight in this unique browser-based game where they will fly customizable open cockpit era airplanes and battle other players in fast-paced multiplayer combat.  Influenced by FPS titles and based in a fictional fantasy world, Sky Legends will feature multiple factions to join or battle against as a work-for-hire mercenary that seeks to restore order to the world!

The game’s item shop will include hundreds of items to enhance the player’s planes, weapons, and piloting skills, presented in numerous categories with exclusive items on offer.  Airplanes in Sky Legends reflect the personalities and combat styles of their pilots; and with the diverse, fun art styles of three airplane classes to choose from and hundreds of possible enhancements, players will discover endless customization options.

At launch, players will be able to master the skies by battling in three fast-paced game modes including Dog Fight, Team Dog Fight, and Capture the Flag.  Additional launch highlights will include community features such as friend’s lists, guilds, achievements, rankings and leaderboards.  A diverse cast of characters, multiple weapons to earn and unlock, extensive customization features and diverse mission environments will appeal to both shooter fans and players who wish to reconnect with the aerial combat genre or try it out for the first time.

One of the few commonly shared passions of the archer and sorcerer is long-range combat fighting: keeping your distance makes victory a breeze. However, if you should find yourself within reaching distance of your opponent, or even find yourself cornered, your survival will be decided on a second to second basis amid the flying blades. In the long run, light armour provides very little protection so sorcerers teleport themselves outside of the danger zone at lightning speed to take another stab at it with a little more breathing space.

This is when they employ their icy lance which holds their rival at bay and freezes them to the spot. Now is when you make full use of the sorcerer’s magical potential. Using their primary weapon, the mystical disk, sorcerers channel rapid fireballs or explosion balls which release their full might at a more leisurely pace. Whether in a group or as a powerful solo fighter, opponents have little chance of survival if they don’t keep their backs covered against the sorcerer’s fiery might.

On the battlefields of TERA streaming arcane magic is channeled with meticulous precision. Whereas sorcerers rely on their mastery of the elements, archers depend solely on their training with the bow and arrow. In battle they skillfully outmanoeuvre their opponents to reach the ideal vantage point from where they can get their adversary squarely in their sights. The longer they concentrate on their target, the more accurate and devastating their strike will be.

When an archer is involved, there is no such thing as safety in numbers since their volleys of arrows can strike down even large groups of foes. In addition, their talent for setting traps is their own personal life insurance policy since the incapacitating poisons they use can keep enemies from even approaching. They are truly an excellent addition to any group of adventurers needing some powerful support.

But the choice is up to the player – both classes require high levels of concentration and engagement with the action-laden gameplay. So, whichever class wins the TERA duel you can be sure that the skills of the player were the decisive factor. For more information on the sorcerer and archer take a look at the official Tera website.

Pearl Harbor Trilogy – 1941: Red Sun Rising is the first title in a trilogy of air-combat action games for the Wii. In the first episode, which is available on WiiWare™ for 700 Wii Points, players are dropped into the cockpit of famous World War II aircraft and thrown into some of the most contested air battles of the Pacific Theatre such as Pearl Harbor, Wake Island and Guadalcanal.

The game has been rated T for Teen (Violence) by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), PEGI 12 (Europe), USK 12 (Germany) and AGCB PG Mild Violence (Australia and New Zealand).

microvolts screenshot

Rock Hippo Productions have announced that their fast and furious MMO-TPS (Massively Multiplayer Online-Third Person Shooter) game, MicroVolts is entering its Beta stage soon.

MicroVolts is a free2play online shooter that offers an innovative Third Person view over the traditional First Person genre, making the game compelling to play, more fun to watch and more importantly, providing an intense gaming experience.

MicroVolts places the gamer in a toy playground and pits players in the roles of action figures in a war that’s been waged in our own homes unnoticed.  How did the war start? Who made them?  It’s time to take up arms and fight for valuable battery resources and supremacy of the Micro World.

Featuring fast paced gameplay and a thriving number of different weapons, characters, levels and modes, another of the game’s unique features is the possibility to customize your character. With literally thousands of cosmetic items either purchasable or freely available, no one character must look the same.

Each individual player’s statistics are logged and MicroVolts also gives the opportunity to level up so your character becomes an even more feared opponent in the fun-to-play levels.

MicroVolts offers the player a huge choice of options for putting their own stamp on the game:
·         4 characters to choose from that are customizable with a choice of thousands of cosmetic items.

·         Choose from 7 different types of weapons, each being fully upgradeable.

·         Strategic teamwork that offers dynamic and fast paced game play.

·         Multiple maps, designed by Toy Concept, offer a distinct and visually rich view of the world.

·         Different game modes offer the player a unique experience.

Visit the MicroVolts website to be among the first to reciece a beta code and check out the exciting free to play new game.

Ascedia Peaks-Crusader

The latest online game from international publisher UTV Games has been announced as Faxion Online.

The upcoming highly competitive, fully featured MMORPG allows players to become part of the classic struggle between good and evil; but with a twist.

The game features the two forces of good and evil, The Crusader is a class that is available to players on the side of heaven, representing Good, and The Reaver is a class that is available to players on the side of Hell, representing Evil.

As the names imply, Crusaders and Reavers are strong all around. They can fill the classic roles of tanking or damage dealing with ease. They will also feature multiple skill paths players may choose to learn that best support their play style.

Reavers and Crusaders are powerful warriors who serve as the front lines in a fight, the close-range combatants who protect and defend their companions. Of all the classes, these rely most heavily on their gear and enjoy access to a broad range of weapons and armor. They know the quality of their equipment profoundly affects their ability to inflict and withstand damage. Only the mightiest of fighters with their great strength can survive the rigors of wearing such heavy armor and wielding such massive weapons.

Purgatory Valley-Reaver

Ascedia Peaks
Ascedia Peaks is a region of Purgatory where open world PvP may take place. Its appearance reflects the arrogance and pride of man. At their most noble, the folk who dwell here exude extreme self-confidence, a true appreciation for a job well done, and a profound belief in their own abilities. At their most base, however, their pride descends into disdainful haughtiness, vain boasting, and ultimately megalomania.

Purgatory Valley
Purgatory Valley is another region where open world PvP may take place. A lush tropical valley sits nestled among rocky cliffs where ancient, vine-strangled ruins stand as crumbling icons to numerous once-great civilizations. The seven-pointed, star-shaped city of Purgatory dominates the center of the valley, its towering walls looming over the gloomy floor of the jungle. The River Styx bisects both the valley and the city itself, where waterfalls plummet from the massive walls and spill into the river below.

Territory control, an important and deep feature of the game, will sport two main factions — the forces of heaven and hell – where players will engage in grand battles to vie for control of a territory and influence on behalf of their side of the conflict. Players can expect to see a ground-breaking, competitive action game that strips away the typical experience and leveling grind observed in many MMORPG’s today.

For further information visit the Faxion Online website.