Weekly Video Game News & Trailers – 03/30/2012
By Patrick Newman
Mortal Kombat Vita Street Date
A release date for the PlayStation Vita version of Mortal Kombat has just been announced. In North America, the wildly successful reboot of the gory fighting franchise will arrive in stores May 1st, and in Europe on May 4th.
Wasteland 2 News
The Kickstarter-fueled development of the turn-based action RPG Wasteland 2 might receive additional input from Obsidian Entertainment, for a price. If inXile, the current developer of Wasteland 2, can raise the project’s current Kickstarter budget from 1.7 million to 2.1, creative consultancy and resources from the developers behind Fallout: New Vegas and Knights of the Old Republic 2 will be brought to the table. There are 17 days remaining on the Kickstarter campaign, with 4K left to send the game’s potential soaring.
Assassin’s Creed III – Connor Trailer
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Polytron’s Fez Next Month
Soon to be entering into the sparsely populated market of 2D platformers is Polytron’s Fez. Using a visual style evoking 8-bit games like Super Mario Bros., the game gives you the ability to change its game environment at will to allow its hero, Gomez, safe passage. On Friday, April 13th, Fez will be available for download in the Xbox Live Arcade for $10 (800 Microsoft Points).
New Fall of Cybertron Release Date
In a recently-dropped trailer for Transformers: Fall of Cybertron, Activision announced a new release date for the new third-person shooter. The multiplayer-heavy continuation of the transforming robots series, which left off with 2010’s War for Cybertron is due on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 this fall, on August 28th.
Age of Empires Online – Overview Trailer
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The Unreal Government Network
The Unreal 3 Engine, initially developed by Epic Games, is now being used for simulation purposes by government agencies, through the new Unreal Government Network (UGN).Virtual Heroes, the interactive learning simulation company behind FBI Academy training and Duke University anesthesiology training, is being brought into the UGN’s fold to diversify the engine’s usefulness to the public sector.
New Xbox 360 (Not Next-Gen) in 2013?
Though Microsoft has been stern in its reluctance to discuss the possibility of releasing new hardware before the Xbox 360 has had its due, an anonymous Microsoft blogger says that a stripped-down version of the console will arrive in 2013. The blogger posted comments on Reddit asserting that the hardware would likely cost somewhere around $100, and would presumably focus on arcade-style games and Kinect applications. Microsoft issued the following response: “Xbox 360 has found new ways to extend its lifecycle like introducing the world to controller-free experiences with Kinect and re-inventing the console with a new dashboard and new entertainment content partnerships. We are always thinking about what is next for our platform and how to continue to defy the lifecycle convention. Beyond that we do not comment on rumors or speculation.”
Tribes Ascend – Cloak & Dagger Preview Trailer
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Capcom Opening Retail Store
Most serious gamers have loved at least one Capcom classic, be it the birth of survival horror with Resident Evil, or the sweet simplicity of one of their loud, brightly-colored 2D fighters. Now, their continued fandom is being rewarded by the opening of the first Capcom retail store, located in Odaiba, Tokyo. Basically an outlet for the online E-Capcom store, the shop will sell exclusive merchandise as well.
Phantasy Star Online 2 – Updates!
Phantasy Star Online 2, a multi-platform sequel to the Sega Dreamcast original, will utilize a free-to-play business model, entailing an item transaction system that requires money to aid in level-building. No release date for the game, which will be available for the iOS and Android as well as PC and PS Vita, has been planned outside of Japan. The PC version will drop first in early summer 2012, while Vita owners have to wait until 2013.
Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City – Launch Trailer
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