Deep Silver announces Season Pass for new first-person shooter that includes four add-ons for $15; first expansion out next month.

Four expansion packs are coming to 4A Games’ new shooter Metro: Last Light, publisher Deep Silver announced today. Gamers can grab all add-ons together for $15 via the DLC Season Pass, available now for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.

The first expansion for Metro: Last Light is the Faction Pack, which will launch next month for all platforms. It introduces a new and original single-player story that “expands on the Metro: Last Light universe.” Further details were not specified.

Following the Faction Pack will be the story-focused Chronicles Pack, as well as the Tower Pack, which will “present a unique solo challenge to Metro veterans.” Lastly, the Developer Pack for Metro: Last Light will give players “some interesting tools with which to explore the world of Metro.”

“Artyom’s story may have been concluded in Metro: Last Light, but there are other characters with stories to tell, some familiar locations that fans of the Metro series wanted to revisit, and some new challenges that 4A wanted to explore,” said 4A Games creative director Andrew Prokhorov in a statement. “Since completing the game we have been working on these new stories and hope to release them throughout the summer.”

Gamers who purchase the Metro: Last Light DLC Season Pass will also receive a new semi-automatic shotgun rifle called Abzats. Its secondary fire mode shoots six shells in one blast.

Deep Silver did not divulge prices for individual expansions.

PlayStation Plus subscribers can score a 25 percent discount on the Metro: Last Light Season Pass if they purchase it between May 21 and June 4 in the United States and May 22 and June 5 in Europe and the rest of the world.

Metro: Last Light launched earlier this month for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. For more, check out GameSpot’s review.

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Now that both Sony and Microsoft have officially announced their next generation consoles, it comes as no surprise that a number of third party titles are being confirmed for both platforms. Battlefield 4 is one such title. EA and Dice released a statement today saying that Battlefield 4 would be releasing on both new consoles this holiday season, as well as the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC (unfortunately for Wii U owners, as we reported back in March, Battlefield 4 will not be releasing on Wii U)

Those who pre-order the game will be given the recently-announced Battlefield 4: China Rising DLC pack for free. The China Rising pack includes four new multiplayer maps, “all-new vehicles and high-tech military equipment”.

This is an excerpt from the full story which was originally featured on gamrReview, read the full version here – Battlefield 4 Confirmed for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One – News

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Upcoming Deadpool game listed for Wii U platform on Amazon Canada.

Marvel action game Deadpool may be coming to the Wii U, according to a recent listing on the Amazon Canada website.

Marvel’s verbose anti-hero is getting his own game.

The Deadpool game was first revealed by High Moon Studios during a Comic-Con panel last year, and was confirmed only for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC platforms.

The Amazon product page suggests a Nintendo Wii U version of the game may also be in the works, with the product showing an ESRB rating of Mature (17+) and an expected release date of December 31, 2013. No additional information is available. If true, the date may simply be a placeholder, with retailers often listing the last day of the year when no confirmed shipping date already exists.

An Activision representative confirmed to GameSpot AU that a Wii U version of Deadpool will not be launched in Australia, but was unable to comment on other territories. The publisher previously announced several preorder bonuses for fans, including extra in-game content and credits on specific Marvel graphic novels.

The Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC versions of Deadpool will launch on June 25 this year.

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Latest entry in soccer series and new UFC game to be on display at Microsoft’s next-generation reveal event tomorrow.

[UPDATE] Following the publication of this story, EA Sports announced that its new UFC game will also be shown during the next Xbox reveal event tomorrow.

The original story follows below

Call of Duty: Ghosts won’t be the only game on display at Microsoft’s next-generation reveal event tomorrow. An image posted to the official EA Sports FIFA Facebook page invites gamers to “see the next generation of FIFA” during the presentation, which starts at 10 a.m. PDT.

EA and Microsoft are rumored to announce a partnership at the reveal event that will see certain content release first on the next Xbox before launching on other platforms.

Outside of a brief flash of its logo, EA was a no-show during the PlayStation 4 announcement in February. Chief financial officer Blake Jorgensen explained the publisher’s absence as EA’s “timing of our own slate as well as trying to maintain a good balance of power with all the parties out there.”

GameSpot will be in attendance at the Xbox 720 event, during which Microsoft will share its vision for the future of games and entertainment.

FIFA 14 was announced last month for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. EA Sports at the time noted that information about other platforms would be revealed “in the months ahead.” The game sports a new ball physics engine and will not feature female players.

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PC port of game finally hits Japan

Last weekend, the PC port of FFVII finalyl hit Japan as Final Fantasy VII International, available through Square Enix’s eStore with the introductory prize of 1000 yen. The port, which now supports 1920×1080 displays, is the first time that the game has been available on Japanese PCs. Get a look at the HD promos that Square has posted after the jump.

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Gamers who can’t get enough of zombies can check out the formerly 3DS-exclusive Resident Evil: Revelations this week.

Originally a 3DS-exclusive, survival horror game Resident Evil: Revelations hits the 360, PS3, PC, and Wii U this week. The game takes place between the events of Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 5, with characters Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine making a return.

The game features a new Infernal mode, which amps up difficulty and mixes enemy and item placement. Other additions include two new playable characters in the game’s Raid mode, and a new enemy.

Wii U owners can enjoy the exclusive ability to tap into the Miiverse, where players can post messages and leave tips for others. Additionally, gamers can write messages for monsters (pictured). The game also supports off-screen play through the GamePad.

Resident Evil: Revelations is also the first game in the Resident Evil series to feature multiple language options for voice-over and subtitles.

Other games out this week include Call of Juarez: Gunslinger and Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D. For more details, check out the full list of new releases below.

May 22, 2013
Fast & Furious: Showdown (360, PS3)

May 23, 2013
Call of Juarez: Gunslinger (PC)
Resident Evil: Revelations (360, PS3, PC, Wii U)

May 25, 2013
Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D (3DS)

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US retailer cancels preorders; tells GameSpot it is waiting to “hear further” from Ubisoft about Rainbow 6: Patriots.

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow 6: Patriots has been pulled from the database of US retailer GameStop, with all existing preorders being cancelled.

Speaking to IGN, a source said that the US retailer “actively flipped a switch” to remove Rainbow 6: Patriots from its systems.

The source continued by saying that the retailer does not remove games from major publishers without official confirmation that the title has been cancelled.

A GameStop spokesperson told GameSpot that the retailer has “stopped taking reservations as we wait to hear further from Ubisoft on an official release date for Rainbow 6: Patriots.”

When asked about the possible cancellation of the title, a Ubisoft representative added that “we have nothing further to share about Rainbow 6: Patriots at this time.”

At time of writing, no other major retailer has pulled the game from its listings.

Officially, Rainbow 6: Patriots is due to be released in 2013 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC, though Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot said in November 2012 that there is a “good chance” the game will be released for next-generation consoles.

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Retailer marks down BioWare’s role-playing game as part of wide-ranging digital PC sale; Saints Row: The Third going for $10.

Gamers in the market for the PC version of Mass Effect 3 are in luck. Amazon is currently offering the digital version of BioWare’s role-playing game for $6.

By comparison, Electronic Arts’ own Origin store is currently selling the title for $20. No matter where Mass Effect 3 is purchased, players must register through Origin to play.

The deal is part of a wide-ranging PC download sale at Amazon that also includes markdowns on various single titles like Bastion ($3.75), Saints Row: The Third ($10), Deus Ex: Human Revolution ($5), and Lord of the Rings: War in the North ($5).

Numerous compilation packs are also on sale, including the BioShock Dual Pack ($10), the Dead Space Dual Pack ($8), the Dragon Age Dual Pack ($10), and the Firaxis Complete Pack ($20), among many others.

For the full rundown of discounted digital PC titles, check out the Slickdeals forum post.

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David Jaffe appointed creative advisor at Pixelbionic where he will contribute to vehicular combat game Autoduel; Kickstarter campaign launching soon.

The next project from Twisted Metal and God of War creator David Jaffe has been revealed. Independent game studio Pixelbionic announced today that Jaffe has joined the company’s advisory board as a creative advisor for the company’s first title, vehicular combat game Autoduel.

The game appears to play to Jaffe’s strengths, as it is described as one that pays homage to classic car games like Interstate ’76 and Jaffe’s own Twisted Metal. The game is a PC online multiplayer game that “combines the high-octane thrills and spills of team-based car combat with RPG-influenced persistence and progression.”

Autoduel is set in a post-apocalyptic future where warriors “drive to survive” in armored vehicles scavenged from the crumbled landscape. Players will be able to choose from over 20 cars divided into three factions: Ratters, Scavengers, and Techies.

These cars can be upgraded with everything from mechanical modifications to weapons and armor. Gamers can also customize the paintwork and add decals to “show their allegiance and express their unique style.”

Pixelbionic management said it created the studio to create games like Autoduel because they are “ignored by publishers.” As such, the game will be funded by a crowd-funding campaign through Kickstarter said to launch “soon.”

Jaffe joins Pixelbionic’s self-described “dream team” assembled by cofounder Maxx Kaufman, formerly of inXile Entertainment. Other members of the Autoduel team include designer Scot Kramaric (Interstate ’82) and coder Rafael Paiz (The Matrix: Path of Neo).

“Our mission is to assemble a team of car combat visionaries to deliver the game fans want to not only play but also help create,” said Pixelbionic cofounder and President Mike Arkin. “Autoduel pairs the vision of the best talent in the industry with the enthusiasm and support of gamers, a combination we are confident will set the bar for what can be achieved in a new PC vehicular combat game.”

Others sitting on Pixelbionic’s advisory board include Interstate ’76 creator Zack Norman and Microsoft veteran Chanel Summers.

Jaffe left Twisted Metal studio Eat Sleep Play last year.

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Former THQ president Jason Rubin claims developer 4A Games was “never playing on a level field,” says devs worked in freezing temperatures when heat went out.

Former THQ president Jason Rubin has opened up on the challenges developer 4A Games faced during the development of the warmly received Metro: Last Light.

In a Games Industry International column, Rubin said the Kiev, Ukraine studio was at a disadvantage from the get-go and had just a fraction of the budget of its competitors.

“Let’s be honest: 4A was never playing on a level field,” Rubin said. “The budget of Last Light is less than some of its competitors spend on cut scenes, a mere 10 percent of the budget of its biggest competitors. Yet it is lauded for its story and atmosphere.”

“It is built on a completely original and proprietary second-generation engine that competes with sequels that have stopped numbering themselves, with more engineers on their tech than 4A has on the entire project,” he went on. “Yet its tech chops are never in question.”

Compounding the struggles for 4A Games was the working conditions for the Ukrainian team at its office Kiev, Rubin said. He claimed the studio’s office was undersized and that developers sat on folding chairs elbow-to-elbow.

“And all of this is compounded by the conditions this Ukrainian team works under in Kiev. The entire 4A studio would fit easily in the (underutilized) gym at EA Los Angeles’ offices,” Rubin said. “Yet Last Light’s Metacritic score blows away Medal of Honor: Warfighter. As undeniably fantastic as competitor BioShock Infinite may be, the team was given whatever resources they needed to make the title. At the same time, 4A’s staff sat on folding wedding chairs, literally elbow-to-elbow at card tables in what looks more like a packed grade school cafeteria than a development studio.”

Rubin went on to explain that when 4A Games needed another development kit or a high-end PC, someone from the studio had to fly to the United States and sneak it back to Ukraine in a backpack or else it be “seized at the border by thieving customs officials.”

He also said that the Ukrainian government’s heating facilities break down a few times a year for a week at a time. This did not keep 4A Games staffers from coming to work, Rubin said.

“Then 4A works in their parkas and struggles to keep their fingers warm in temperatures well below freezing. That is unless it snows and they get stuck home for a few days at a time because snow clearing isn’t up to Western standards,” he said.

Rubin explained that it is not his intention to guilt gamers into buying Metro: Last Light with his report of the working conditions for 4A Games. Rather, he said much in the same way that sports fans may have been more interested in Jeremy Lin after learning he received no scholarships and went to the NBA undrafted, the same can be true for 4A Games.

“If you care about the art of making games then you have to care about more than the final product,” Rubin said. “The struggle and the journey becomes part of the story. Like sport, you cheer when the underdog comes from behind, and triumphs in the face of incredible odds.”

Metro: Last Light launched yesterday for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC published by Deep Silver, which acquired the franchise from THQ in January for $5.8 million. For more, check out GameSpot’s review.

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