Last chance to Win The Last of Us Joel Special Edition for the PlayStation 3

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We have three copies of The Last of Us Joel Special Edition to give away, and these special editions are no longer available to buy!

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When Sony released The Last of Us back in May, they also released two special editions.

Each edition is packaged in a unique canvas wrap, and filled with exclusive physical and downloadable content.

Contents:

· The Last of Us mini artbook: explore the world of The Last of Us through some of the remarkable artwork that gave shape to the game

· The Last of Us: American Dreams Issue #1: the first in a series of comics created in partnership with Dark Horse to delve into the backstory of Ellie. The version included features a variant cover found only in these special editions

· Exclusive game pack: The Joel Edition features Joel’s face

· Collectable poster: an exclusive screen print effect poster of Joel

· DUALSHOCK 3 skin: skin your PS3 controllers with Joel

· Survival DLC Pack

o Multiplayer Bonuses:

§ Bonus XP

§ Melee booster

§ In-game currency

§ Customizable character items

o Bonus Joel skins available once the single player game is completed

· Sights & Sounds DLC Pack

o Official Game Soundtrack by Academy Award winning musician Gustavo Santaolalla

o PS3 Dynamic Theme

o PSN Avatar: Winter Joel

· LittleBigPlanet Sackboy Skins: voucher codes for a downloadable Joel skin for your Sackboy character depending on which special edition you choose

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What you have to do to win

So we have three copies to give away of this rare special edition for the PlayStation 3, and you have to do a few things in order to be entered, but I think you will agree it’s worth it!

1 – Check out our Unboxing The Last of Us Joel Edition post to see what you can win

2 – Watch the unboxing video on that page (it’s short)

3 – Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

4 – Click here or click on the Contact Us link at the top of any page and confirm you have watched the video and subscribed to our YouTube channel

5 – If you follow us and retweet this contest on Twitter as well as as liking us on Facebook you will get an extra chance to win for each

Usual contest rules apply, and the three winners will be selected at random and will each get a copy of The Last of Us Joel Edition. You must have completed all the steps in order (apart from number 5) to be entered. This contest is open to anyone in the world, just make sure you tell us where you are – however please note that the game will not work outside of the UK so only enter if you are ok with that!

The contest closes Sunday 11th August, so good luck.

Good luck and thanks to our friends at Sony for the Joel Editions.

Saints Row IV EXCLUSIVE Lets Play Part 7 The Real World

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Later this month Deep Silver and Volition will be releasing Saints Row IV, and we have some exclusive never before seen gameplay footage for you.

Here is part 7 and this mission is called The Real World. The very end of the mission is a huge spoiler which I am not allowed to post yet so it is not there, sorry!

And did you see we got to play with the real Dubstep Gun:

Stay tuned for more shortly.

So what do you think of Saints Row IV? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment below. I can’t wait to play more!

Ubisoft declassifies Splinter Cell Blacklist 101 trailer

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In this latest video join tech ops specialist Charlie Cole on a thorough debriefing of Sam Fisher’s most challenging mission and more.

And here it is:

In Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist, players take on the role of lethal operative Sam Fisher who is armed with a new mandate to hunt down the masterminds behind The Blacklist, a series of escalating attacks on US interests. Faced with his biggest mission yet, Sam and his Fourth Echelon team must figure out how to stop these global assaults before the countdown reaches zero.

Delivering a gripping modern-day storyline, the game brings back core elements of the franchise and incorporates a new level of technical innovation and design to create the biggest Splinter Cell to date. Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist will push the series to even greater heights by offering a complete package where single-player, co-op and multiplayer are tied to a universal economy system that supports a wide variety of play styles.

Splinter Cell: Blacklist be released in North America on August 20th, and in the UK on August 23rd.

What do you think of the game? Personally I can’t wait, but let us know by leaving a comment below.

The Story of The Bureau: XCOM Declassified Part 2

A few weeks ago I visited the 2K Marin studio in San Francisco to take a look at The Bureau: XCOM Declassified. Whilst I was there I had the opportunity to talk with Erik Caponi who is the Lead Narrative Designer on The Bureau.

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The year is 1962, JFK is President and the Cold War has the nation gripped by fear – but a far more powerful and insidious enemy than communism is threatening America. Known only to a select few, a top-secret government unit called The Bureau begins investigating and concealing a series of mysterious attacks by an otherworldly enemy. As special agent William Carter, players call the shots, pull the trigger and lead their squad in a gripping third-person tactical shooter set within a high-stakes, covert war to protect humanity. The Bureau has been erasing the truth for decades. The time will come for the truth to be revealed.

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So back to Erik for part two:

And in case you missed it, we also talked with Jeff Weir who is the Art Director, and you can check out Part 1 and Part 2 here.

For more information, please visit Facebook, or the official web site: http://erasethetruth.com.

And stay tuned for more soon from my 2K Marin visit, if the Bureau allow us to publish it.

The Story of The Bureau: XCOM Declassified Part 1

A few weeks ago I visited the 2K Marin studio in San Francisco to take a look at The Bureau: XCOM Declassified. Whilst I was there I had the opportunity to talk with Erik Caponi who is the Lead Narrative Designer on The Bureau.

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The year is 1962, JFK is President and the Cold War has the nation gripped by fear – but a far more powerful and insidious enemy than communism is threatening America. Known only to a select few, a top-secret government unit called The Bureau begins investigating and concealing a series of mysterious attacks by an otherworldly enemy. As special agent William Carter, players call the shots, pull the trigger and lead their squad in a gripping third-person tactical shooter set within a high-stakes, covert war to protect humanity. The Bureau has been erasing the truth for decades. The time will come for the truth to be revealed.

ErikCaponi

So over to Erik for part one:

And in case you missed it, we also talked with Jeff Weir who is the Art Director, and you can check out Part 1 and Part 2 here.

For more information, please visit Facebook, or the official web site: http://erasethetruth.com.

And stay tuned for more soon from my 2K Marin visit, if the Bureau allow us to publish it.

Black Ops II Apocalypse DLC Map Pack Preview Video

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Treyarch have posted a behind-the-scenes video for Call of Duty: Black Ops II Apocalypse.

The fourth and final DLC Map Pack from Treyarch, Apocalypse marks the thrilling conclusion of the Call of Duty: Black Ops II DLC season. Apocalypse introduces four new Multiplayer maps: Pod, Frost, Takeoff, and Dig. Takeoff is a reimagining of Stadium from the original Black Ops, while Dig draws inspiration from Courtyard, the classic map from Call of Duty: World at War.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gId6lQsCvYs?feature=player_detailpage%5D
Also included is Origins, Treyarch’s deepest and most imaginative Zombies experience to date. Taking place in a Dieselpunk-themed First World War,
Origins reunites players with the four original Zombies heroes as they team up to fight off hordes of the undead.

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Apocalypse arrives first on Xbox LIVE on August 27th, with other platforms to follow.

Mega Evolution Will Transform Pokémon Battles in Pokémon X and Y

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A Special Limited-Time Wi-Fi Distribution Event to Celebrate Mega Evolution Begins

Worldwide on October 12th, 2013

Mega Evolution is a new, awe-inspiring transformation certain Pokémon can undergo during battle in the highly anticipated Pokémon X and Pokémon Y video games. Pokémon that Mega Evolve will tap into hidden reserves of strength and power that have never been realized in their regular Evolutions, giving players battling with a Mega-Evolved Pokémon a dominant advantage. Mega Evolutions will revolutionize Pokémon battles and usher in a new Pokémon transformation never before seen in the Pokémon world.

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Pokémon like Mega Mewtwo and Mega Lucario will harness the power of Mega Evolution in battle and will see their looks change and stats increase, giving Trainers a great advantage against their opponents. Some Pokémon that Mega Evolve may even change their Ability or type while in battle. Only certain Pokémon, under certain conditions, can Mega Evolve, and unlike regular Evolution, Mega Evolution only occurs during battle—once the battle ends, the Mega-Evolved Pokémon will return to its usual state. One crucial element to undergoing Mega Evolution is a particular kind of item called a Mega Stone. Mega Stones are special stones that exist for all Pokémon that can Mega Evolve, each named after the Pokémon to which it grants power. For instance, the Lucarionite Mega Stone will help Lucario Mega Evolve. Mega Stones are hidden throughout the Kalos region, and players must find them to unlock the incredible power of Mega Evolution.

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One Mega Stone, Blazikenite, will not be found during normal gameplay in Pokémon X or Pokémon Y. Players of the new titles will need to participate in a special limited-time Wi-Fi distribution event via Nintendo Network to get a Torchic holding a Blazikenite Mega Stone. This is how players can receive the Blazikenite Mega Stone when the new titles launch. The character distribution begins October 12th, the same day Pokémon X and Pokémon Y launches worldwide for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems, and this distribution event will only last for a short period of time. Players will need to evolve the Torchic they receive via the distribution into Combusken and finally into Blaziken in order to harness the power of this Mega Stone and Mega Evolve Blaziken into Mega Blaziken.

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The Torchic received in this distribution also has the Hidden Ability Speed Boost, a very powerful Ability that increases a Pokémon’s Speed at the end of every turn. This limited-time character distribution event allows players to get a Torchic with Speed Boost, which becomes incredibly effective once they Mega Evolve Blaziken into Mega Blaziken.

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Brand-New Method of Pokémon Training: Super Training!

Super Training or S.T. is being introduced in Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, allowing players to help their Pokémon grow stronger when they’re not in battle. On the Touch Screen of the Nintendo 3DS system, players can have their Pokémon participate in Super Training, activities that will increase a Pokémon’s base stats, the underlying values that define its HP, Attack, Defense, Sp. Atk, Sp. Def, and Speed stats.

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One Super Training activity involves having Pokémon train by facing huge Pokémon-shaped Balloon Bots in a virtual space, with both sides trying to shoot balls into the opponent’s goal. Using the Circle Pad and Touch Screen to avoid shots from the Balloon Bots while landing their own in the goal, players will enjoy this action-packed feature while increasing their Pokémon’s base stats to help them become stronger for battle.

Dedenne Screenshot 2

For a more casual way to help Pokémon strengthen their base stats, Core Training lets players set up training bags, earned by completing Super-Training Regimens, for Pokémon in their party to use. Pokémon will work on Core Training by themselves, raising their stats on their own. By tapping on the Touch Screen during a Core Training session, players can help their Pokémon increase their base stats, too. Players will be able to see how their Pokémon are doing at their Core Training at any time from the main Super Training screen.

More never-before-seen Pokémon that players will encounter in the Kalos region have been announced by The Pokémon Company International. You can check them out at Pokemon.com/XY.

By emitting radio waves from its antenna-shaped whiskers, new Electric- and Fairy-type Pokémon Dedenne can communicate with far-off allies. It can also plug its tail into outlets to drain electricity from them. Its Ability, Cheek Pouch, is new to Pokémon X and Pokémon Y. If a Pokémon with this Ability eats a Berry during battle, it will not only reap the benefit from the Berry, but the Pokémon will also be able to regain HP. Dedenne can learn the new Electric-type move Nuzzle, which looks cute as the user nuzzles up to a target with its cheeks fully charged, but it’s quite dangerous! Nuzzle will do damage while paralyzing the opponent.

Bunnelby is a new Normal-type Pokémon that creates its den by digging in the ground with its large, shovel-shaped ears. These powerful ears are strong enough to chop right through thick tree roots, making them a force to be reckoned with in battle. Bunnelby can learn the Ground-type move Dig. On the first turn, the user burrows underground, and on the second turn, it attacks! In Double Battles, a Pokémon can use Dig to avoid its ally’s attack and then dish out damage on the next turn.

 Bunnelby Screenshot 1

It is now known that Skiddo evolves into the already announced Gogoat. A Grass-type Pokémon, Skiddo has a gentle nature and is said to be the first Pokémon to live alongside humans. Because of this relationship, Skiddo doesn’t mind carrying people or supplies on its back, and it has become able to read the feelings of its riders through their grip on its horns. Skiddo can learn the Grass-type move Leaf Blade, where the user wields a sharp leaf to slice like a sword.

Introducing Gym Leader Korrina

Korrina is the Gym Leader in Shalour City, a seaside town known for its amazing views. It’s also home to the Tower of Mastery, which seems to have a connection to Mega Evolution. Gym Leader Korrina seeks to draw out her Pokémon’s strength to reach still greater heights, and it’s said that she may hold the key to Mega Evolution! In addition to being a Gym Leader, Korrina is a fantastic roller skater.

Saints Row IV Dev Diary 2

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Today Deep Silver and Volition release the second of the Developer Diaries for Saints Row IV!

This week’s exclusive “behind the scenes” video will center on the story and the endless possibilities inside the game. Jim Boone, Senior Producer, Steve Jaros, Creative Director and Chris Claflin, Lighting Lead, from Volition and two actors Terry Crews (voice of Ben King) and Troy Baker (default player voice) share their thoughts on how the virtual world of Steelport allowed them to cross even more boundaries than before.

And take a look at some new gameplay below:

And did you see we got to play with the real Dubstep Gun:

Saints Row IV launches August 20th, 2013 across North and Latin America and August 23rd worldwide.

So what do you think of Saints Row IV? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment below. I can’t wait to play more!

The Bureau : XCOM Declassified Aftermath

2K and 2K Marin released a new video for The Bureau: XCOM Declassified showing the final video in the series called Aftermath.

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The year is 1962, JFK is President and the Cold War has the nation gripped by fear – but a far more powerful and insidious enemy than communism is threatening America. Known only to a select few, a top-secret government unit called The Bureau begins investigating and concealing a series of mysterious attacks by an otherworldly enemy. As special agent William Carter, players call the shots, pull the trigger and lead their squad in a gripping third-person tactical shooter set within a high-stakes, covert war to protect humanity. The Bureau has been erasing the truth for decades. The time will come for the truth to be revealed.

Here is Aftermath:

I also recently visited 2K Marin’s studios in San Francisco and spoke with Jeff Weir who is the Art Director:

For more information, please visit Facebook, or the official web site: http://erasethetruth.com.

And stay tuned for more soon as we just visited 2K Marin in San Francisco and saw a lot of cool stuff, if the Bureau allow us to publish it.

Tales of Xillia is Now Out for PS3 in the Western World

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The long-awaited sequel of the beloved Tales of series, Tales of Xillia is now available at retail and for download for the PlayStation 3.

NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe S.A.S. has released the acclaimed role-playing game Tales of Xillia available now at retail and for download via the PlayStation Network for the PlayStation 3.

Tales of Xillia is the latest episode in the beloved Tales of series. The game follows Jude Mathis, a clever medical student attending school in the capital
city, and Milla Maxwell, a mysterious woman accompanied by four unseen beings.

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Players will be able to choose either Jude or Milla at the outset of their adventure through the world of Rieze Maxia, where humans and spirits live together in harmony.  The kingdom of Rashugal has been experimenting with a powerful device that led to draining the mana from the world.  Realizing the harm it is inflicting on the world, Jude and Milla set off on a journey to destroy it and restore the mana back to the world.

With the latest version of the most dynamic battle system seen in JRPG gaming, players will have an advantage in the battle by using Linked Combat System to link two characters and team up in terms of attack, defence and support. They will enjoy more tactical battles by changing party members with backup members even during the battle.

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The title has been developed by NAMCO BANDAI Studios Inc. in Japan and is the first collaboration between the two prominent character designers, Mutsumi Inomata and Kosuke Fujishima, who have designed lots of characters for previous games in the Tales of series.

“After almost a year of patience, we are now thrilled to announce that the latest flagship title of the Tales of series, Tales of Xillia is finally available today in Europe and Australasia.” said Olivier Comte, Senior
Vice-President at NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe. “Following the huge success of the series in Japan and the European excitement around the Tales of series, we are proud to let the players immerse into the deep storyline of TALES OF XILLIA before they can fall back in this adventure, with TALES OF XILLIA 2, coming to the West in 2014.”

Tales of Xillia is now available at retail and for download for the PlayStation3. Its sequel, Tales of Xillia 2, which has also encountered a huge success in Japan, has been confirmed for a western release in 2014.

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Before getting their hands on the second opus, fans will also be pleased to re-discover the Tales of Symphonia titles, with HD graphics and Japanese voiceover, in the exclusive Tales of Symphonia Chronicles, coming to the West early 2014.

Preorder the “Super Dangerous Wad Wad Edition” for Saints Row 4

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Have you got your Pre order ready for this Very Special Very Limited Saints Row IV Edition.

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Super Dangerous Wad Wad Edition” aka “The Million Dollar Pack” available for pre-order now exclusively from Game

Deep Silver today unveils a very special edition of Saints Row IV.  The Super Dangerous Wad Wad Edition aka The Million Dollar Pack will contain a
selection of very Presidential items and activities for the ultimate Saints Row experience.

One Saints Row fan will be able to purchase this limited edition package which
contains:

•        Saints Row IV : Commander in Chief Edition
•        A full sized replica Dubstep Gun
•        A full day of spy training
*   A trip to space with Virgin Galactic
•        One year’s membership of E25 Super Car Club and a Lamborghini Gallardo to make it worthwhile
•        Plastic Surgery of the purchaser’s choice
•        A shopping spree with a personal shopper to create the ultimate Planet Saints capsule wardrobe
•        7 nights for two at The Jefferson Hotel in Washington
•        Hostage rescue experience
•        A brand new Toyota Prius and insurance to give something back to the environment
•        7 nights stay in the Top Royal Suite at the Burj-al-arab with flights for two

All for $1,000,000 Dollars have you preordered yet ……

Let’s Play Total War: ROME II – Skirmish vs. A.I. – Macedon vs Rome

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Creative Assembly have just released a video on their YouTube channel which shows of the A.I. in Rome II battles.

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In the Let’s Play video, Studio Communications Manager Al Bickham’s Macedonian forces take on the might of Rome in a straight-up, open terrain skirmish match. He’s playing on Very Hard difficulty, so it won’t be an easy task to supress the Roman war machine.

The Let’s Play video shows from the defender’s viewpoint, so it’s very much a case of “Come at me, bro!” as the enemy assaults his position. See how they employ their abilities and hardened military tactics to wear down our very own hero’s forces, with a sprinkle of cunning thrown in for free.

Square Enix announces Final Fantasy XIV Final Beta Test and Early access dates

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SQUARE ENIX has announced the final beta test and early access dates for FINAL FANTASY® XIV: A Realm Reborn. New users will be able to participate in the final beta test on 17th August through the 19th, both for Windows PC and PlayStation 3, giving players the opportunity to dive in to the massive-scale RPG’s final testing phase. In addition, fans that have pre-ordered the game will receive early access and be among the first to play the game beginning 24th August.

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During today’s FINAL FANTASY XIV ‘Letter from the Producer LIVE’, Naoki Yoshida (producer and director) also shared some upcoming incentives to get players even more excited for launch:

  • Veteran Rewards – Enjoy various bonuses based on how long you choose to subscribe to FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn (30, 60 & 90 days). By starting with a 90-day subscription, players receive all 30-day, 60-day, and 90-day bonuses at once.
  • Companion iOS App – A free companion app, “FINAL FANTASY XIV: Libra Eorzea,” will be arriving a week after launch.
  • Welcome Back Campaign – Those who registered FINAL FANTASY XIV 1.0 can play FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn for free until Monday 9th September.
  • Final Fantasy XIV A Realm Reborn

Set for an August 27th, 2013 release, FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn will be available on the PlayStation® 3 system and Windows PC. All new accounts will receive a free 30-day subscription to the game, with monthly subscriptions starting at £7.69 / €10.99.

To pre-order FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn and gain early access to the final game, visit: http://eu.finalfantasyxiv.com/en/product/