New content out in June; introduces new game type and maps.

Epic Games has announced an upcoming DLC pack for Gears of War: Judgment called “Lost Relics”.

Gears of War: Judgment has a new online mode oncoming.

According to the official news on the Epic Games forums, the new DLC will introduce a new online multiplayer game type called Breakthrough. Here, players will need to form two teams; one team must deliver a flag onto set locations, while the opposing team must stop them and are granted unlimited resources to do so.

The new pack will also feature four new maps for this version of the game: Gears of War 3′s map Checkout, Lost City, Museum, and Ward. Players can also expect new armor and weapon skins, though Epic Games has yet to list them out in full detail.

Gears of War: Judgment was out on March 19 and was set as a prequel to the previous Gears of War titles. The game was praised for its difficulty modifiers in the single-player campaign and multiplayer modes, but was criticized for its narrative flow and aftermath campaign.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot

Read more here: Game Spot News

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.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot

Read more here: Game Spot News

The fourth and final “Chōzenshū – Super Encyclopedia” was also released

Following the Dragon Ball Z: War of Gods hoopla, a new Dragon Ball Chōgashū – Ultra Complete has been released in Japan this week. The collection of over 400 illustrations from between 1985 and 2013 includes new material such as Akira Toriyama’s Tōhoku quake/tsunami support work and movie promo illustrations, as well as a new interview. More after the jump.

Read more here: Crunchy Roll

Art of War and Manindo team up for “Battle of Berserk: Board Game”

I’ve personally seen fist fights over games of Parcheesi, so I could only imagine the potential for violence involved with a game inspired by the brutal medieval horror/action Berserk. Art of War, known for their fabulously expensive statues, has gone for something a big more affordable this time with the release of a board game. Check it out after the jump.

Read more here: Crunchy Roll

WWII RTS to feature a series of single-player and co-op missions to bridge the gap between single-player and multiplayer.

Company of Heroes 2 developer Relic Entertainment has unveiled the upcoming WWII RTS’ Theater of War mode.

Theater of War is a string of single-player and co-op missions, each themed around a particular battle across the game’s Eastern Front setting. Missions take place in a particular year of the war, and will feature units and abilities that reflect the mood and setting of the conflict at the time.

Company of Heroes 2′s Theater of War mode will ship with a series of 18 missions set in 1941. More missions will be added as downloadable content, including the mini-campaign offered to customers who preorder the game.

SEGA says the missions will include “solo challenges where players are pitted against overwhelming odds, AI battles against an enemy commander with a unique play style, and co-operative scenarios for fans to enjoy with their friends”

While the game will feature its own single-player campaign and multiplayer modes, game director Quinn Duffy said Theatre of War will act as a bridge and help “to introduce traditionally solo players to the online elements of the game.“

Relic Entertainment recently said that a third game in its Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War series was a “strong possibility” for the developer.

Company of Heroes 2 will be released for PC on June 25. For more information, check out GameSpot’s previous coverage.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot

Read more here: Game Spot News

Scott Stuber signs on to produce film adaptation of Gears of War.

Scott Stuber has signed on to produce and begin work on the script for the Gears of War film, Variety has reported.

Talks to adapt Epic Games’ third-person shooter Gears of War for the big screen have been underway for several years. The project, which was revealed in 2007, encountered development troubles in 2010 and was reportedly revived in 2012.

Stuber is no stranger to the action genre, having produced such films such as Safe House and the upcoming 47 Ronin.

Several Hollywood names have been attached to the project in the past, including directors Tony Scott (Top Gun, Man on Fire), Len Wiseman (Underworld: Evolution), and writer Chris Morgan (Wanted; The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift). The Creative Arts Agency, which represents Epic Games, was reportedly eager to meet with producers to discuss the film in October last year.

Lord of the Rings studio New Line originally picked up rights to the movie adaptation, but the project was put on hold in order to focus efforts on the Hobbit trilogy. Stuber reportedly has a first look deal with Universal.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot

Read more here: Game Spot News

Kendall Boyd leaves Gears of War studio after three years to manage marketing for Halo.

Gears of War and Unreal Engine studio Epic Games will move forward without its top marketing person. Kendall Boyd has left the company after three years and will take on a similar role at Microsoft, where he will head up marketing efforts for the Halo brand.

“We can confirm that Kendall Boyd has joined Microsoft Studios as Director of Halo Global Marketing,” A Microsoft spokesperson told Games Industry International. “We’re thrilled to welcome him into the Halo fold, but have no other details to share at this time.”

Boyd’s exact title at Epic Games was director of marketing for worldwide studios. In the role, he oversaw the marketing of top-line franchises like Infinity Blade and Gears of War, as well as the Unreal Engine. Boyd was also responsible for establishing and maintaining marketing relationships with clients like Microsoft, Electronic Arts, and Apple.

An Epic Games representative acknowledged Boyd’s departure in a statement to Games Industry International, but did not detail its plans for the position moving forward.

Numerous high-profile personnel have left Epic Games in the past year, including design director Cliff Bleszinski, president Mike Capps, Gears of War executive producer Rod Fergusson, and People Can Fly co-owner and creative director Adrian Chmielarz.

Chinese Internet company revealed last month that it paid $330 million for 40 percent ownership of Epic Games and had appointed to representatives to the company’s board.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot

Read more here: Game Spot News

“We had a great working relationship with Games Workshop,” says Relic Entertainment game director.

A third Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War game from the now Sega-owned Relic Entertainment is a “strong possibility,” according to game director Quinn Duffy.

Speaking to Eurogamer, Duffy confirmed that Warhammer owner Games Workshop would get to choose who worked on any sequel to the RTS franchise, but that there is a good chance it would be Relic Entertainment.

“Dawn of War, because it’s a license and it’s owned by Games Workshop, they have the opportunity to work that license with whoever they want,” said Duffy.

“I would hope it would be us again. We had a great working relationship with Games Workshop. Sega is establishing one now with the fantasy license for Creative Assembly. There’s a strong possibility we’ll all be working together again on Dawn of War.”

Relic Entertainment had previously worked on both Dawn of War games and associated expansions. A Dawn of War III was once in the works, but has been affected by THQ’s bankruptcy. Relic Entertainment’s next title, Company of Heroes 2, will be released for PC in June.

Sega announced in December 2012 it had acquired the Warhammer license for Total War developer Creative Assembly. The publisher also purchased Relic Entertainment earlier this year for $26.6 million.

Homeworld, which was also predominantly developed by Relic Entertainment, had its rights snapped up yesterday by Gearbox.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot

Read more here: Game Spot News

Overview

Overall hardware sales decrease by 13 percent week-on-week. Week-on-week sales are only up for the DS which is only up by one percent. Overall year-on-year sales are down 25 percent. Also no platforms are up year-on-year. The PSP has dropped by 73 percent, the biggest by percent, while the 3DS had the smallest drop at seven percent.

One game debuted in the top 30 this week. Cardfight!! Vanguard: Ride to Victory (3DS) debuted at number seven with sales of 44,685.

Software milestones this week in the top 30: BioShock Infinite (X360) passed the one million mark; Call of Duty: Black Ops II (X360) passed the 12 million mark; Tomb Raider (2013) (PS3) passed the one million mark; and God of War: Ascension (PS3) passed the one million mark.

Worldwide Hardware

Hardware home console sales week-on-week are down across the board. PlayStation 3 sales are down 11,778 (-9%) to 122,293 units sold. Xbox 360 sales are down 12,832 (-13%) to 83,627 units sold. The Wii U sold 434,153 units, a decrease of 10,841 (-24%). The Wii sold 29,043 units, a decrease of 4,092 (-12%).

Handheld sales week-on-week have only increased for the DS, while the other three handhelds, the PSP, 3DS, and Vita, are all down. The 3DS sold 145,500 units, which is down 24,238 (-14%) week-on-week. The PlayStation Vita is down 8,046 (-21%) to 30,389 units sold. The DS sold 22,205 units which is up 309 (1%) compared to last week. The PSP is down 2,169 (-13%) to 14,861 units sold. Total week on week sales are down 73,687 units (-13%) to 482,071 units sold.

No platforms are up year-on-year. The PlayStation 3 is down 28,482 (-19%), the Wii is down 37,909 (-57%), and the Xbox 360 is down 35,167 (-30%). The PSP is down 40,840 (-73%), the DS is down 23,422 (-51%), the Vita is down 20,464 (-40%) and the 3DS is down 10,512 (-7%). Year on year sales are down 162,643 units (-25%).

Home console hardware sales have decreased for all platforms for two straight weeks. The increases and decreases between the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 have been very similar, it is just the PlayStation 3 has been outselling the Xbox 360 by 30,000 to 40,000 units per week. The PlayStation 3 has led for the last 15 weeks. The Wii U has outsold its predecessor, the Wii, for four straight weeks.

The PlayStation 3 has a 52 percent market share for the seventh generation; the Xbox 360 has a 36 percent market share; and the Wii has a 12 percent market share. Compared with ten weeks ago all four home consoles are down

Handheld hardware sales have decreased for two straight weeks for the 3DS, DS and PSP, and decreased for three straight weeks for the Vita. The gap between the 3DS and Vita has decreased slightly to 115,000 units this week, down from 131,000 units last week.

The DS has a 60 percent market share this week for the seventh generation handhelds, while the PSP has a 40 percent market share. The 3DS has an 83 percent market share for the eighth generation of handhelds, while the Vita has a 17 percent market share. Compared with ten weeks ago the Vita us up, while the 3DS, DS and PSP are down.

Worldwide Software

One game debuted in the top 30 this week. Cardfight!! Vanguard: Ride to Victory (3DS) debuted at number seven with sales of 44,685. The game launched in Japan.

Here are the other games in the top 10 that are not debuts: Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon (3DS) is at the top of the charts in its fourth week with sales of 186,095. BioShock Infinite (X360) is at number two in its third week with sales of 92,576. DEFIANCE (X360) is at number three in its second week with sales of 64,372. BioShock Infinite (PS3) is at number four in its third week with sales of 60,156. Call of Duty: Black Ops II (X360) is at number five with sales of 49,258.

Gears of War: Judgment (X360) is at number five in its fourth week with sales of 46,386. Tomb Raider (2013) (PS3) is at number seven with sales of 43,325. Halo 4 (X360), the oldest game in the top 10, is at number nine with sales of 42,726. Tomb Raider (2013) (X360) rounds out the top 10 with sales of 42,021.

Software home console sales week-on-week are down across the board. The PlayStation 3 sold the most games this week with sales of 1.34 million, a decrease of 314,667 units (-23%). The Xbox 360 sold 1.28 million games this week, a decrease of 509,295 units (-25%). Wii software sales are down 45,738 units (-7%) to 582,165 games sold. The Wii U sold 128,752 games, a decrease of 48,118 (-27%).

Handheld software sales week-on-week are down across the board. The 3DS sold 651,299 games, which is down 232,474 units (-18%). The DS sold 394,292 games, a decrease of 33,964 units (-8%) week-on-week. PSP game sales are down 35,700 units (-21%) to 131,169 games sold. The Vita sold 118,166 games, a decrease of 30,783 (-21%). Total combined software is down 1.18 million games units (-20%) week-on-week to 4.63 million.

Year on year software totals are up for the 3DS and PlayStation Vita, and down for everything else. The PlayStation 3 is down 314,667 units (-23%), the Wii is down 618,854 units (-52%) and the Xbox 360 is down 509,295 units (-28%). The DS is down 246,462 units (-38%), the PSP is down 147,734 units (-53%), the 3DS is up 232,474 units (56%), and the Vita is up 18,780 units (19%). Total combined software is down 1.46 million units (-24%) games sold year on year.

Home console software sales have decreased for all four platforms for two straight weeks. Software sales between the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 have been nearly identical for four straight weeks.

The PlayStation 3 has a 42 percent market share, the Xbox 360 has a 40 percent market share, and the Wii has an 18 percent market share. Compared to ten weeks ago the Wii U is up, while the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii are down.

The 3DS sold the most software for a handheld for the 17th straight week. The 3DS and DS have remained above their rivals, the Vita and PSP respectively. The 3DS sold more than five times as many games as the Vita. The DS sold more than three times as many games as the PSP.

The DS has a 75 percent market share for the current generation handhelds and the PSP has a 25 percent market share. The 3DS has an 85 percent market share for the next generation handhelds, while the Vita has a 15 percent market share. Compared with ten weeks ago the DS is up, while the 3DS, Vita and PSP are down.

The Top 75 can be seen below or click here to view the full chart.

Pos	Game	Weekly	Total	Week #
1	Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon (3DS) Nintendo, Adventure	186,095	1,344,977	4
2	BioShock Infinite (X360) Take-Two Interactive, Shooter	92,576	1,008,282	3
3	DEFIANCE (X360) Trion Worlds, Action	64,372	237,771	2
4	BioShock Infinite (PS3) Take-Two Interactive, Shooter	60,156	588,732	3
5	Call of Duty: Black Ops II (X360) Activision, Shooter	49,248	12,046,858	22
6	Gears of War: Judgment (X360) Microsoft Game Studios, Shooter	46,386	1,099,688	4
7	Cardfight!! Vanguard: Ride to Victory (3DS) FuRyu, Misc	44,685	44,685	1
8	Tomb Raider (2013) (PS3) Square Enix, Action	43,325	1,011,777	6
9	Halo 4 (X360) Microsoft Game Studios, Shooter	42,726	8,110,964	23
10	Tomb Raider (2013) (X360) Square Enix, Action	42,021	902,669	6
11	God of War: Ascension (PS3) Sony Computer Entertainment, Action	40,804	1,013,638	5
12	Call of Duty: Black Ops II (PS3) Activision, Shooter	40,515	10,045,156	22
13	New Super Mario Bros. 2 (3DS) Nintendo, Platform	39,783	5,823,842	38
14	Animal Crossing: New Leaf (3DS) Nintendo, Action	36,962	3,174,110	23
15	FIFA Soccer 13 (PS3) Electronic Arts, Action	30,569	6,324,821	29
16	SimCity (2013) (PC) Electronic Arts, Simulation	29,739	689,266	6
17	Pokemon Black / White Version 2 (DS) Nintendo, Role-Playing	28,044	6,495,455	43
18	StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm (PC) Activision, Strategy	26,695	742,377	5
19	FIFA Soccer 13 (X360) Electronic Arts, Action	26,252	4,591,551	29
20	Mario Kart 7 (3DS) Nintendo, Racing	25,990	7,823,709	72
21	Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity (3DS) Nintendo, Role-Playing	24,611	606,497	21
22	NBA 2K13 (X360) Take-Two Interactive, Action	24,175	2,361,826	28
23	Lego City Undercover (WiiU) Nintendo, Action	23,218	215,336	4
24	Need for Speed: Most Wanted – A Criterion Game (PS3) Electronic Arts, Racing	23,155	1,819,125	24
25	DEFIANCE (PS3) Trion Worlds, Action	22,976	88,150	2
26	Nintendo Land (WiiU) Nintendo, Action	22,185	1,864,048	21
27	NBA 2K13 (PS3) Take-Two Interactive, Action	22,039	1,796,402	28
28	Just Dance 4 (Wii) Ubisoft, Misc	21,960	5,432,293	28
29	Far Cry 3 (PS3) Ubisoft, Shooter	21,813	1,999,507	20
30	Super Mario 3D Land (3DS) Nintendo, Platform	21,259	8,320,114	76
31	Monster Hunter Tri (3DS) Capcom, Role-Playing	Pro	N/A	71
32	New Super Mario Bros. U (WiiU) Nintendo, Action	Pro	N/A	21
33	New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii) Nintendo, Platform	Pro	N/A	178
34	Forza: Horizon (X360) Microsoft Game Studios, Racing	Pro	N/A	25
35	Mario Kart Wii (Wii) Nintendo, Racing	Pro	N/A	262
36	Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch (PS3) Namco Bandai Games, Role-Playing	Pro	N/A	74
37	MLB 13: The Show (PS3) Sony Computer Entertainment, Sports	Pro	N/A	6
38	Madden NFL 13 (X360) Electronic Arts, Sports	Pro	N/A	33
39	Madden NFL 13 (PS3) Electronic Arts, Sports	Pro	N/A	33
40	Assassin’s Creed III (PS3) Ubisoft, Action	Pro	N/A	24
41	Battlefield 3 (X360) Electronic Arts, Shooter	Pro	N/A	77
42	BioShock Infinite (PC) Take-Two Interactive, Shooter	Pro	N/A	3
43	Far Cry 3 (X360) Ubisoft, Shooter	Pro	N/A	20
44	DEFIANCE (PC) Trion Worlds, Action	Pro	N/A	2
45	Battlefield 3 (PS3) Electronic Arts, Shooter	Pro	N/A	77
46	Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (PS3) Sony Computer Entertainment, Action	Pro	N/A	76
47	StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty (PC) Activision, Strategy	Pro	N/A	142
48	Gran Turismo 5 (PS3) Sony Computer Entertainment, Racing	Pro	N/A	125
49	Assassin’s Creed III (X360) Ubisoft, Action	Pro	N/A	24
50	Hitman: Absolution (PS3) Square Enix, Action	Pro	N/A	21
51	One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2 (PS3) Namco Bandai Games, Action	Pro	N/A	4
52	Batman: Arkham City (X360) Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Action	Pro	N/A	78
53	Gears of War 3 (X360) Microsoft Game Studios, Shooter	Pro	N/A	82
54	Wii Sports (Wii) Nintendo, Sports	Pro	N/A	334
55	The Sims 3 (PC) Electronic Arts, Simulation	Pro	N/A	202
56	Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (PS3) Konami Digital Entertainment, Action	Pro	N/A	8
57	The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct (X360) Activision, Misc	Pro	N/A	4
58	Zumba Fitness (Wii) Majesco Entertainment, Sports	Pro	N/A	126
59	Nintendogs + cats (3DS) Nintendo, Simulation	Pro	N/A	112
60	BioShock (X360) Take-Two Interactive, Shooter	Pro	N/A	295
61	Grand Theft Auto IV (X360) Take-Two Interactive, Action	Pro	N/A	259
62	Dead Island (X360) Deep Silver, Action	Pro	N/A	84
63	New Super Mario Bros. (DS) Nintendo, Platform	Pro	N/A	361
64	The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (X360) Bethesda Softworks, Role-Playing	Pro	N/A	75
65	Major League Baseball 2K13 (X360) Take-Two Interactive, Sports	Pro	N/A	6
66	Mortal Kombat (PS3) Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Fighting	Pro	N/A	104
67	The Walking Dead: A Telltale Games Series (X360) Telltale Games, Adventure	Pro	N/A	18
68	WWE ’13 (PS3) THQ, Action	Pro	N/A	24
69	Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 (PS3) Namco Bandai Games, Fighting	Pro	N/A	6
70	Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii) Nintendo, Fighting	Pro	N/A	272
71	Dishonored (X360) Bethesda Softworks, Shooter	Pro	N/A	27
72	Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14 (PS3) Electronic Arts, Sports	Pro	N/A	3
73	The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (PS3) Bethesda Softworks, Role-Playing	Pro	N/A	75
74	Skylanders Giants (Wii) Activision, Action	Pro	N/A	26
75	Kinect Adventures! (X360) Microsoft Game Studios, Misc	Pro	N/A	128

Contact VGChartz at wdangelo@vgchartz.com

Read more here: VG Charts

Second expansion for shooter launching April 23 for Season Pass holders, April 30 worldwide; also introduces Masters at Arms game mode.

Gears of War: Judgment will add the Call to Arms expansion next week, Microsoft and Epic Games announced today. The game’s second expansion, which adds three new multiplayer maps and a new game mode, will be available April 23 for VIP Season Pass holders and April 30 worldwide.

Blood Drive.

The content will be available as a free download for those who hold a VIP Season Pass and will sell for 1,000 Microsoft Points ($12.50) as an individual download. Season Pass holders also receive permanent multiplayer double XP.

New maps included with the Call to Arms DLC for Gears of War: Judgment are Terminal, Blood Drive, and Boneyard. According to Microsoft, they are set against the backdrop of the Locust invasion of Halvo Bay and include a mix of close quarters and vertical combat.

The Call to Arms DLC also introduces a new game mode called Master At Arms, a free-for-all gametype that challenges players with getting kills with each of the 20 different weapons without using melee techniques or grenades. Every kill will automatically advance players to the next available weapon until they have used each and become the “master at arms.”

The Call to Arms DLC also packs in 10 new achievements worth a total of 250 Gamerscore.

The content follows last month’s Maxim-sponsored expansion, which saw a new map (Haven) and game mode (Execution) added to Gears of War: Judgment for free thanks to its partnership with the men’s magazine.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot

Read more here: Game Spot News