Huawei Reveals the MediaPad 7 Vogue Tablet

Huawei has unveiled the MediaPad 7 Vogue tablet. The 7-inch Android slate is powered by a quad-core 1.2GHz Cortex-A9 CPU with 1GB of RAM, and enables users to carry out voice calls.

Huawei MediaPad 7 Vogue

Sporting a 1,024 x 600 IPS display, the tablet also includes 8GB of storage, a 3-megapixel rear camera and a microSD slot.

“Building on the popularity of the HUAWEI MediaPad series, we’ve created a new tablet that caters to fashionistas, technology seekers, entertainment junkies, and people who simply expect more from their technology,” said Huawei chief Richard Yu.

“We’re delighted to introduce the MediaPad 7 Vogue, our call-enabled tablet with world-class entertainment capabilities and long-lasting battery power. The MediaPad 7 Vogue is a perfect example of Huawei’s dedication to making extraordinary experiences possible.”

The MediaPad 7 Vogue will be available in Black or White in China later this month, with other markets to follow afterwards.

Saint’s Row 4 Refused Classification in Australia

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Saint’s Row 4 has been refused classification in Australia according to a new statement issued by the Australian Classification Board.

“In the Board’s opinion, Saints Row IV, includes interactive, visual depictions of implied sexual violence which are not justified by context. In addition, the game includes elements of illicit or proscribed drug use related to incentives or rewards. Such depictions are prohibited by the computer games guidelines,” says the statement.

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Since some of the game’s scenes “depict, express or otherwise deal with matters of sex, drug misuse or addiction, crime, cruelty, violence or revolting or abhorrent phenomena in such a way that they offend against the standards of morality, decency and propriety generally accepted by reasonable adults to the extent that they should not be classified,” the game will not be released in Australia.

Volition is working with the Australian Classification Board, and are now reworking some of the code to create a version of the game for this territory by removing the content which could cause offence without reducing the outlandish gameplay that Saints Row fans know and love.

Saint’s Row 4 will still release on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 in the North America on 20th August, and Europe on 23rd August.

The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot Announces Open House Event

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The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot, which had recently entered Closed Beta, has today announced a new program that will allow ANYONE and EVERYONE a chance to sample the goodness that is Mighty Quest for a short time.

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The first Open House event for The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot will take place from 2nd July at 4:00pm to 5th July at 9:00pm. Players will be able to sign up for the free event from today to June 28 by visiting www.themightyquest.com.The first Open House event for The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot will take place from 2nd July at 4:00pm to 5th July at 9:00pm. Players will be able to sign up for the free event from today to June 28 by visiting www.themightyquest.com.

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India To Get PS4 Later This Year

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PlayStation India manager Atindriya Bose has revealed that PlayStation 4 will release in the country this year, although it may be delayed by a month due to logistical issues.
“It will be matched with the European launch; give or take a bit to account for Indian logistics. The consoles have to be shipped in advance and currently all consoles also require certification for the India market. In terms of targeting, we’re looking to synchronise with the European launch,” Bose said.
“That’s this year.” he pointed out, before adding that any delay would be “one month at most, unless there is an issue at the certification level.”
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This seems to suggest that we could be seeing a global PS4 launch this year, with perhaps even Japan getting in on the action. Reading between the lines it also seems to suggest that PS4 will arrive in Europe before December.

MOGA – New Handheld Mobile Gaming System – Now On Sale

The MOGA Mobile Gaming System, which is the new mobile gaming experience is now officially on sale in the UK. The MOGA system is a mobile gaming systems and transforms existing Android smartphones and tablets into portable, precision gaming devices, making clumsy and uncomfortable gaming on phone screens a thing of the past.

The MOGA Mobile Gaming System, consisting of the MOGA Pro and MOGA Pocket, will start retailing in the UK today.  The MOGA Pocket will be sold online at GAME, Carphone Warehouse, TescoDirect and Amazon.com, while GAME will also sell both the MOGA Pocket and MOGA Pro exclusively in store until October.

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The game-changing MOGA Pocket Controller features dual analogue sticks, shoulder triggers and four action buttons, and connects wirelessly via Bluetooth, transforming consumers’ existing smartphones and tablets into precision gaming systems – with no extra hardware required.  Using the MOGA Arm to secure your smartphone, MOGA Pocket gamers benefit from a uniquely slim and sleek ergonomic design that maximises portability, whilst also minimising wrist fatigue during gaming sessions. Perfect for the gamer-on-the-go, the MOGA Pocket has a discreet, compact design.

 

The MOGA Pro Controller is designed for mobile gamers looking for extended playtime with console style feel. Designed for maximum comfort and control, the MOGA Pro has full-sized grips, dual analogue sticks and a D-Pad, bringing console-class gaming to the mobile environment. With the MOGA Pocket, there is no need for batteries as the controller is fully rechargeable and also HID enabled to grant a mobile gamer access to an even wider collection of gaming titles.

“With so many consumers and gaming influencers willing to recommend our products and our clear vision of where mobile gaming is heading, we are very confident of replicating the success we’ve had in the United States. The UK consumer is typically a very early adopter of new technologies and we’re eagerly anticipating their reaction to our products”, commented Eric Bensussen, MOGA President. “We really believe that this system is going to be a game changer in the mobile gaming sector, allowing consumers to play anywhere, anyhow, ultimately revolutionising their experience”.

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The MOGA Controllers benefit from an extensive library of games that can be accessed via the free, downloadable MOGA Pivot app. All a user has to do is download the app from Google Play to their tablet or smartphone to reap the rewards of MOGA Enhanced game titles. The Pivot App is constantly updating, providing MOGA users with an extensive collection of new games every month.

RRP:

MOGA Pocket- £29.99

MOGA Pro- £39.99

For more information please visit MOGAanywhere.com and get the latest news at www.Facebook.com/MOGAanywhere or Twitter.com/MOGAanywhere.

Artwork For Final Fantasy XV and Kingdom Hearts III

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SQUARE ENIX is pleased to announce that new artwork for FINAL FANTASY XV and KINGDOM HEARTS III is now available.

SQUARE ENIX has confirmed that the all-star First Production Department developing FINAL FANTASY XV include Shinji Hashimoto (producer), Tetsuya Nomura (director and character designer), Hajime Tabata (co-director) and Takeshi Nozue (lead art director). Yoko Shimomura, the famed composer who is best known for her work in the KINGDOM HEARTS series has also been confirmed for FINAL FANTASY XV.

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Additionally, SQUARE ENIX detailed the cast and synopsis of FINAL FANTASY XV:

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Noctis Lucis Caelum: A childhood affliction endowed Noctis, heir apparent to the throne of Lucis, with the mystical power to see a heavenly light, through which he could sense others’ deaths. Noctis rejects rigid royal conventions and acts as somewhat of a renegade, much to the dismay of those who tend to him. Yet while “Noct” may act brash at times, he does so in defense of those loyal to him.

 

Gladiolus Amicitia: As lord of the noble House Amicitia, Gladiolus continues a line sworn to protect the crown. “Gladio” shares a friendship with Noctis that transcends birth and title, and his loyalty to his liege is born not of duty, but of brotherhood.

 

Ignis Scientia: Ever the unwavering voice of reason, Ignis was weaned on shrewd logic and a classical education from boyhood so that he might one day counsel the would-be king, Noctis. He applies the deep mutual understanding and trust they have built over time to help smooth over Noctis’s brusqueness with others.

 

Prompto Argentum: The puckish playboy Prompto befriended Noctis in his school days. He wears a chip on his shoulder as an outsider to the royal circle, but remains eager to do all he can for the cause.

 

Cor Leonis: A living legend of Lucian lore, Lord Commander Cor Leonis’s devotion to the art of war is surpassed only by that to his king. Little love is lost between the ill-starred stalwart and Noctis’s retinue, yet honor binds him to keep watch over the group all the same.

 

The only crystal left to the world lies in the Kingdom of Lucis. Upon striking a peace with the garrison state of Niflheim, Lucis rejoices in having at last brought the cold war to a close. Their celebrations, however, are premature. Under the guise of amity, Niflheim dispels the anti-armament runewall and launches a full-scale invasion of the kingdom. The peaceful lives Crown Prince Noctis and his entourage once knew are consumed by the flames of war as they struggle to mount a resistance.

 

Review of The Cave From Sega

 

You know you’re in for some noggin-scratching fun when Ron Gilbert shows up with yet another new idea to tickle your head muscle. As a huge fan of the swashbuckling adventures of yore, I dusted off my well worn spelunking gear and dove straight in.

I was not off to my best start. For a good couple of minutes I sat there, stupidly staring at the screen, blissfully unaware I was meant to be playing the game. After making some excuses, I chose my characters. From the seven available miscreants, only three are permitted at a time to enter the foreboding cave. I chose myself a Knight, a Hillbilly and a Scientist, fairly confident in thinking that they would cover a nice Venn diagram of obscure talents and traits.

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Comprised entirely of floaty platforming mechanics and plenty of mysteries to furrow one’s brow at, The Cave alternates frequently between the two, ensuring that neither your head, nor your thumbs get numb for too long. Heading on down into the shadowy depths, I came to realise that any real form of linearity was as absent as those poor four I had to leave behind before entering. With no real tutorial, you are left, unfortunately for me, to your own devices after the first section. Progression to some extent depends upon your character choices, in that different sections of the game require a specific individuals talent to advance.

These sole areas of the cave hold unquestionably, the most pondering puzzles of the game. Being unique to each character, they also house what little story surrounds them. How you press forwards in these segments breaths a little life into what these people are actually like; they are often not what you would expect! A chivalrous Knight can blur your perception of what made him chivalrous in the first place, or perhaps question your assumption that he even was at all!

Made for replayability, Double Fine Productions have made it so you can’t possibly see everything in one run. Demanding multiple ventures with alternate characters makes up for the slightly lacking completion time. Clocking in at around 3-4 hours per playthrough, you’ll still be getting your moneys worth, providing your (hopefully) insatiable lust for enigmas and dark humour doesn’t run dry.

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The art direction and overall presentation could draw you back in however. In typical Double Fine fashion, the design is unique, detailed and colourful. The dark sense of humour is genuinely funny; The Cave’s mockingly sincere quips make it very difficult to get frustrated after dying in a myriad of sarcastic ways.

Fortunately for you impatient people out there, the checkpoint system is gratuitously forgiving, often respawning you mere seconds away from your demise. It’s worth mentioning purely as the fall damage threshold is a little more punishing than you might expect. Especially worth keeping in mind due to the almost incomprehensible amount of rope climbing involved. However, to be fair, I would assume there is quite a lot of rope climbing involved with cave exploration!

Altogether, The Cave is probably exactly what you would expect from the inner workings of Ron Gilbert, the mash up of a 2D/3D adventure in a staunch visage of his earlier work is clear to see. The humour’s there, the joyous sensation of solving a particularly fiendish puzzle is there, as are a couple of knowing nods to loyal fans.

What’s not to like? Well, a couple of things I suppose. I would have preferred more interaction with the characters as their dark pasts are oddly a joy to behold, yet feel a tad underutilised and unfulfilled. The most baffling conundrum posed in the game however, is the inclusion of seven characters in a game where you may only chose three at a time. Still haven’t cracked that one…

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Reviewed on PS3, also available on Xbox 360, Wii U and PC.

Microsoft to Invest in New Data Centre for Xbox LIVE Cloud Services

A new Xbox One cloud server centre called Project Mountain will involve Microsoft spending $700 Million. With that amount setting up a new cloud server centre in Iowa in Des Moines, in order to support Microsoft’s cloud computing services and Xbox Live.

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According to a report on GI.biz, the investment will take Microsoft’s total spend to around $1 billion. Microsoft has already revealed that Xbox Live will be supported by 300,000 servers across its network, which seems pretty impressive.

Lenovo Announced the IdeaPad S210,S400,S500 Touch and the U330,U430 Touch

Lenovo has announced several new touch-enabled Windows laptops, along with Lenovo Miix, a platform-bending multi-mode device that adapts to a user’s every need. As a 10.1-inch tablet that converts instantly into a fully-functioning, Windows 8 laptop, the Lenovo Miix combines versatility and power in one touch-enabled device. The IdeaPad S400 Touch, S500 Touch, S210 Touch, U330 Touch and U430 Touch all hail from the company’s S Series and U Series, which are notable for their thin and lightweight designs.

The new Lenovo Miix, S Series and U Series devices demonstrate Lenovo’s commitment to “touch” as a defining trend in consumer computing. Research analyst firm IDC expects the penetration rate of touch laptops, which now sits at close to 15 percent, to double next year. Leading that trend, Lenovo is innovating across traditional technology segments – such as desktop and laptop PCs – with its new multi-mode, touch-enabled devices.

“Users don’t want to choose between a laptop and a tablet. They want both without compromise, and Lenovo Miix delivers,” said Vincent Fauquenot, vice president Products and Channels, Lenovo EMEA. “Bringing touch to our laptops is about more than adding a touch-enabled screen. It requires a rethink of the way we interact with our devices, starting with the expectations of customers for a fluid, intuitive user experience. With these devices, touch becomes mainstream.”

The new Lenovo Miix multi-mode device, S Series and U Series laptops run Windows 8, providing users a touch-optimized experience utilizing Intel processors for superior performance. The devices also offer pre-loaded software to improve user experience with security and support applications, internet solutions, multimedia and productivity software.

“Lenovo continues to develop sleek and slim touch devices, and the new Miix tablet is a great example of its innovation,” said Jordan Chrysafidis, vice president of WW OEM Marketing, Microsoft Corp. “We look forward to continued collaboration with Lenovo to provide amazing devices and experiences to customers that want all the capabilities of a PC in a very mobile tablet design.”

Lenovo Miix
The latest entry to Lenovo’s rapidly expanding range of multi-mode PC innovations, the Lenovo Miix is a 10.1-inch Windows 8 tablet with a PC processor, perfect for entertainment and productivity on the go. Sporting a “quick-flip” detachable folio case with an integrated AccuType keyboard, the Lenovo Miix instantly switches between PC mode and tablet mode to quickly adapt to user’s needs.

The Lenovo Miix display has a 10.1-inch HD (1366×768) IPS display that is accessible in both laptop and tablet mode. The device runs on an Intel Atom dual core processor and comes with 64GB of built-in eMMC storage, expandable up to 32GB with a micro-SD slot. The Lenovo Miix tablet weighs in at only 1.2 pounds and is just 0.4 inches thin. It also includes integrated Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi and/or optional3G-GPS connectivity and boasts up to 10 hours of battery life.

Lenovo Miix

Lenovo Miix

 

IdeaPad S400 Touch/S500 Touch/S210 Touch
Lenovo S Series laptops are defined by their elegant design and full performance at an attractive price point. Designed to look even more stylish with a tactile metallic finish and a thin (from 0.8 inches) and light (from 3 pounds) frame, S series devices pack a solid punch with far greater performance than comparably priced laptops. The IdeaPad S400 and S500 can be configured with up to 3rd generation Intel Core i5 processors and optional discrete graphics. The IdeaPad S210 is equipped with up to to 3rd generation Intel® Core™ i3 processors. All three devices also offer Dolby Advance Audio v2 certification for high-quality immersive experiences with multimedia. Lenovo Companion, Lenovo Support and Lenovo Cloud applications help S Series users easily share data and access their computer’s full functionality, while OneKey Recovery makes data backup and recovery simple. The S400 and S500 come with 14-inch and 15.6-inch HD widescreen displays, respectively. The S210 comes up with an 11.6-inch HD widescreen display.

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IdeaPad S400 Touch

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IdeaPad S500 Touch

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IdeaPad S210 Touch

 

U330 Touch/U430 Touch 
The Lenovo IdeaPad U series laptops are notable for their very thin and light designs, starting from only 0.77 inches, as thin as a smartphone, qualifying them as Ultrabooks™. U Series devices are ultra-responsive, offering advanced options such as motion control, voice control and a multi-touchtouchpad. The latest touch-enabled U Series laptops also offer 10-point capacitive multi-touch. U Series are available with up to 4th generation Intel Core i7 processors plus optional NVIDIA GeForce graphics with DirectX 11 and up to 1TBHDDwith 16GB SSDor 500GB SSHD with integrated 16GB NAND flash or 256GB SSD storage, all packed into a metal frame that still stays light at as little as 3.7 pounds. The U330 Touch comes with a 13.3-inch HDor FHDdisplay and the U430 Touch comes with a 14-inch HD+ or FHDdisplay.

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U330 Touch

 

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U430 Touch
Pricing and Availability*

The Lenovo Miix will be available August beginning at £449.99

The IdeaPad S210 Touch will be available August beginning at £349.99

The IdeaPad S400 Touch will not be coming to the UK market.

The IdeaPad S500 Touch will be available August beginning at £549.99

The IdeaPad U330 Touch will be available August beginning at £649.99

The IdeaPad U430 Touch will be available August beginning at £699.99.

Bungie’s Destiny Given Huge Financial Backing by Activision

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Bungie’s Destiny has become the biggest ever investment in terms of a new IP by Activision. That’s according to CEO Eric Hirshberg who stated as much in a new interview with IGN.

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“It’s a sizeable investment – probably one of the biggest investments in a new IP that’s ever been made in this industry,” he told the site. “We wouldn’t be making that investment if we didn’t believe in the potential.

“From the earliest days of sitting down with Bungie and hearing their vision for the game, it was a truly impressive and ambitious idea. To me, the best thing about it is that it has elements that are tremendously familiar as well as elements that are tremendously innovative. I think that’s a great combo.

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“At the end of the day, it’s a first-person shooter by Bungie. Everyone who loved Halo is going to love Destiny. At the same time, what you saw on the stage with Sony is a demo of the shared world shooter, this demonstration of how you’re in a PvE experience fighting artificial intelligence, but you have other live people popping up who you may know or you may not know.

“I think it strikes a great balance between being something that people will immediately spark to and something that will have a lot of new discoveries as well.”

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Nokia Announces the Nokia Asha 501

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Nokia announced that the Nokia Asha 501, the first of a new generation of smartphones to run on the new Asha Platform, will start selling this week in Thailand and Pakistan, with availability in India soon to follow. The new device will roll out in subsequent weeks across countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America.

“The new Nokia Asha 501 helps people quickly access everything they love with just a simple swipe,” said Timo Toikkanen, executive vice president, Mobile Phones, Nokia. “Coupled with beautiful design, it’s a smartphone with both style and substance, offered at a great price.”

The suggested retail price for the Nokia Asha 501 is 99 USD before taxes and local subsidies.

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Standout colour and design

The Nokia Asha 501 is available in a choice of six striking colours: cyan, bright red, yellow, bright green, black and white*. Its seamless design comes in just two parts: a durable, removable shell and the scratch-resistant, tempered glass display. The compact, easy-to-use Nokia Asha 501 weighs only 98 grams, for the ultimate in portability.

Fast, intuitive user interface

The Nokia Asha 501 works with just a simple swipe. Swipe unlocks the phone, closes apps and is used to shift between two screens: ‘Home’ and ‘Fastlane’. Home makes full use of the three-inch capacitive touchscreen, displaying a traditional application launcher. Fastlane is the second screen that adapts to display recent activity on the phone as well as upcoming events, helping people multi-task. Fastlane also supports social integration with Facebook and Twitter, by allowing people to post directly from within Fastlane.

Instant access to apps and more

The new Asha comes with the Nokia Xpress Browser pre-loaded, which compresses Internet data by up to 90%, making mobile browsing faster and more affordable. People can enjoy a world of entertainment on the Nokia Asha 501, including pre-installed social apps like Facebook and Twitter; chat services like Line, Nimbuzz and WeChat; as well as up to 40 free EA games available to download, such as Plants vs. Zombies. Even more free apps and games are available from Nokia Store, including HERE Maps** and the new Nokia Xpress Now content discovery web app.

Hexodiux Out Now for PC via Steam Coming to Xbox This October

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Developed by Brain Slap Studios and published by NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe, HEXODIUS throws players into the heat of the blaster battle as they conquer multiple game modes and explore six varied worlds, each with a multitude of challenging arenas. The goal is to reach the exit of the Hexodius complex unscathed, but the droids are on the hunt and there’s nowhere left to hide.

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Players will explore the entire Hexodius complex with its variety of tricky and surprising gameplay mechanics designed to unseat all but the swiftest and most level-headed drone warriors. Master all the difficulty settings, conquer the story mode, smash the mighty bosses, then aim for the top of the online leaderboards where the real action is. Are you ready to engage?

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HEXODIUS is available today via Steam, and is coming to Xbox Live in October 2013.

Episode Two of the Payday Web Series 2 is Here

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When left the Payday crew, they were trying to make their escape from the First World Bank vault as security closed in on them.  Problem one – they need to get out alive.  Problem two – they need to get the cash out.   Problem three – those are the least of their problems!

Nominated for 7 awards at E3 2013 and winner Polygon – Editor’s Choice Award E3 2013 and Co-Optimus – E3 2013 Game of the Show,  Payday 2 the game releases on Steam, PS3, 360 this August –  pre-order now to receive the Lootbag DLC.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbFrvg8J9rY?feature=player_detailpage%5D

Arma 3 Beta Available on June 25th

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Bohemia Interactive confirmed the 25th of June as the official release date for the Arma 3 Beta. Building upon the well-received Arma 3 Alpha, the Arma 3 Beta features a varied selection of brand new content – including 10 vehicles, 7 weapons, 4 showcase missions (Combined Arms, Supports, Commanding & Night), 2 multiplayer scenarios and 4 challenges.

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Set against the beautiful backdrop of Stratis (20 km²), the Arma 3 Beta turns its focus towards firepower and logistics. The Challenges game mode will also be making its first appearance, enabling players to practice their weapons handling and movement across a selection of firing drills. Plus, all of the content from the Arma 3 Alpha will be available, alongside the popular scenario editor and modding support.

Joris-Jan van ‘t Land, Project Lead on Arma 3, adds:
“Having just showed off the Beta for Arma 3 at E3 2013, we are keen to get it into gamers’ hands quickly. Bringing some heavy firepower and additional transport options will allow for more diverse scenarios in both singleplayer and multiplayer. We also can’t wait to open up the Steam Workshop scenario publication, which will make content-sharing with other players much more convenient.”

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People who are currently participating in the Arma 3 Alpha will gain access to the Arma 3 Beta through an automatic Steam update. Those who are new to Arma 3 can join in by purchasing the Arma 3 Beta (which includes a version of the full game) from Steam or Store.bistudio.com.

The price of the Arma 3 Beta, in comparison to the Arma 3 Alpha, will be increased. The regular Arma 3 Beta will be available for 34.99 EUR/29.99 GBP/44.99 USD (current price: 24.99 EUR/19.99 GBP/32.99 USD), while the Arma 3 Digital Deluxe Edition will be sold for 44.99 EUR/39.99 GBP/59.99 USD (current price: 39.99 EUR/34.99 GBP/49.99 USD). Please note that the current (heavily discounted) Alpha deal, which includes Beta-access and the full game, will still be available until Tuesday June 25th.

Those who would like to sponsor development further have the option to purchase the Arma 3 Supporter Edition (69.99 EUR/59.99 GBP/91.99 USD) from Store.bistudio.com. The Arma 3 Alpha Lite, a free but limited variant of the Arma 3 Alpha, will be discontinued after June 25th.

More information on Arma 3 can be found on http://www.arma3.com