SteelSeries Zboard Limited Edition Keyset release dates
Now you can get a customised keyset for your AION game with dedicated short-cut keys, stunning graphics and increased actions per minute that will enhance your playing experience and sharpen up your game. It includes a removable standard keyset for everyday use plus the specially developed gaming keyset for AION.
For those not in the know, AION is a multiplayer on-line role-playing game set in a world of epic adventure and celestial beauty seen through the eyes of a winged character with devastating powers and abilities.
The keyset has been developed in cooperation with NCsoft and incorporates a layout that features in-game commands on 69 colour-coded and dedicated action keys, group leader specific commands, and menus that are intuitively designed to speed up reflexes in battle. There are also 24 emote keys that can be quickly accessed to interact with friends or used to taunt or intimidate enemies.
SteelSeries Z Engine software means that the entire keyboard can be customised by dragging and dropping macros on to specific keys. Guaranteed to increase the user’s actions per minute with 7 simultaneous keystrokes as opposed to the industry standard of 2-4 you are destined to become the master of the Aion universe and it’ll only cost you £21.73 exc. VAT.
DiRT-2 plus DLC is on the shelves now
Codemaster’s exciting new driving game is the ultimate off-road racing with superb handling, exceptional visual and audio detail, exciting new locations and driving situations that can be played with multiple players or solo.
DiRT2 follows on from Colin McRae: Dirt and is the first video game in the McRae series since the Scottish rally driver’s untimely death in a helicopter accident in 2007. This time the game offers more in the way of graphics with details like water splashing on to the windscreen, slick vehicle handling and realistic crash sequences as with the screech of twisted metal, handbrake turns and roaring engines, you’re thrown from one event to another. One minute you may be in a rally cross event, the next you may be racing monster trucks or negotiating a point-to-point rally with a co-driver.
Taking place in real-world environments of Asia, Europe, Africa and North America, DiRT2 includes five different events: rally, rally cross, trailblazer, land rush and raid requiring mastery of different driving styles with canyon racing, jungle trails and city-stadium based events. Players can test their skills against the likes of Ken Block or Travis Pastrana – all the other drivers on the track respond to your driving method – ie if you play dirty and drive them off the course, they’re liable to hold that against you and give you a rough ride in future events. A flashback feature allows you to return to the scene of a crash up to three times so you can rectify your driving mistakes and difficulty levels can be altered before every event.
Codemasters have also released multiple downloadable content packs for DiRT 2 which can be used by players to customise and add features to the boxed game; the Access All Areas Pack for £3.19 which gives VIP entry to 100 events set on 41 tracks with access to X-Games events and their courses and The Trust Fund Pack at £3.19 means you can download and experience 35 killer rides and upgrade liveries.
With positive reviews from major gaming companies, DiRT2 is a white knuckle ride and a genuine test of your driving skills and you can buy it now.
Mass Effect 2 is being released on 26th & 29th January
The heroic Commander Shepard is back for the second installment of the epic trilogy Mass Effect and will be on the shelves on 26th January 2010 in North America and 29th January in Europe.
Leading games developer BioWare has also announced pre-order incentives to be released at key retailers in North America and across Europe with codes for downloading being provided on the release of the game. Described as “awesome bonus content” by co-founder of BioWare, Dr Ray Muzyka, these incentives include special in-game armour and weaponry to boost skills and abilities.
Having fought off the threat of the invading Reapers in Mass Effect 1, Commander Shepard now faces an even more terrifying enemy that lurks on the edges of the known universe and is responsible for the disappearance of entire human colonies.
Assuming his role, you have to assemble the crew of elite operatives and command the most powerful ship ever built. Then you have to train and equip the team to survive and choose from a powerful arsenal of heavy weaponry that can end a battle in seconds. The team members are potentially dangerous and a new recruit who has a tattoo for every person she has killed, there could also be a threat from within the team, or maybe not…
With intense shooter action and cinematic effect, you’ll be transported to a vast universe filled with alien life and mysterious planets as you embark on what is described as a “suicide mission” to save humanity. Have you got what it takes to prove them wrong?
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David Bowie features in new Lego Rock Band
Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment has announced that the legendary rock star David Bowie is being immortalised in a Christmas edition of the blockbuster video game LEGO Rock Band, to be released in November 2009.
The chameleon-like performer has reinvented himself several times, but never previously as a mini LEGO figure and now, sporting a dapper shirt and 1980’s style mullet, he joins the illustrious list of stars and performers who’ve featured in the interactive family music action game in the past including the father of punk rock Iggy Pop who also provides the voice-over in tutorials.
The game is compatible with the existing Guitar Hero and Rock Band equipment and allows up to four players to use instrument controllers to play lead, bass, drums and vocals on well-known rock songs. Players can use Lego bricks to customise their mini-figurine avatars and notes are represented by coloured Lego bricks.
The whole family can metamorphose into rock gods as they as they attempt to play guitar, drum or provide screaming vocals on classic rock songs like Bon Jovi’s ‘You Give Love a Bad Name,’ Europe’s ‘The Final Countdown’ and of course, Bowie’s cool 80’s classic ‘Let’s Dance’ as well as favourites selected with the younger audience in mind including Elton John’s ‘Crocodile Rock’ or Ray Parker Jr’s ‘Ghostbusters’. The idea is to successfully complete the songs to earn Lego studs which may be used to enhance players’ avatars, vehicles, entourage and “rock den”. There will also be a chance for competitors to demolish buildings and summon up storms with their demon playing and vocal prowess. With a new Super-Easy mode added for young players the game works across the generations and unites families.
LEGO Rock Band will be released on Sony PS3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii and DS on 27th November 2009.
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Obscure: The Aftermath is to be released on 9th October
Enter the world of Obscure: The Aftermath if you dare! The keenly awaited survival-horror game Obscure: The Aftermath for the PSP system is out on 9th October when it may be downloaded through PlayStation Network for the PSP Go System and previous PSP models.
Inspired by the current trend for slasher teen horror movies, the vividly graphic action follows the plight of a group of friends at a university party. Inevitably the innocent celebrations turn to carnage and destruction as the friends discover a mysterious black flower that has the ability to induce terrifying dreams and ultimately they find themselves fighting for their very survival.
One of the best things about Obscure: The Aftermath is that it’s one of the few horror games available to play with two players. You become embroiled in the gruesome action by helping the characters to survive by solving riddles and battle monsters with a deadly array of weapons. Also featuring a spine-chilling soundtrack, the fully optimized controls include a redesigned menu and a co-op mode that means the second player can join in at any time.
“This is a heart-pumping, thrill-seeking teen horror title that is loaded with dark humour, intense combat and an unusual blend of genuine gore,” said Roger Smith, executive vice president of Playlogic Entertainment. “Combine that with stunning visuals, a unique story-driven plot and Obscure: The Aftermath delivers a truly horrific experience that will no doubt send a chill up your spine!”
Rated for players of 16 and above and developed by Hydravision Entertainment, Obscure: The Aftermath retails for £19.99 in the UK and €29.99 across Europe.
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Guitar Hero World Tour
Thwarted rock stars now have the chance to strum the air guitar to their heart’s content in the ultimate music game, Guitar Hero World Tour.
Players can use guitar shaped controllers to simulate the playing of rock music. An additional feature is the drum and microphone controllers allowing percussion and vocal possibilities as well as the original guitar, meaning that up to four would-be musicians can play at the same time. The idea is to hold down the correct fret buttons on the touch sensitive instruments or coloured drum head as the respective notes scroll across the screen … not an easy task, believe us.
Rave reviews have been received about the improved quality of the instrument controllers and a new customization feature whereby it’s possible to choose clothes, change facial and body structure and add tattoos and accessories to create your very own rock god.
The drum kit is pretty authentic too with three drum pads and two raised cymbals. A music studio means that you can compose digital music which you can later perform to a worldwide audience – if you’ve got the bottle – the Battle of the Bands game allows eight players to challenge each other to achieve global musical domination. On the other hand, if you’re feeling less brave, a set list of recordings from guitar greats like Van Halen, Linkin Park and the Eagles provides over 85 tracks for rocking the night away with downloadable singles and tracks.
PES 2010 release dates
Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has provided a tantalising foretaste of the amazing graphics to be featured in the up and coming PES 2010 title due for release on October 23rd on PS3, Xbox 360, mobile phone and PC.
A series of incredibly realistic images of members of several national football teams has to be seen to be believed with lifelike representations of the likes of Rio Ferdinand, John Terry and Steven Gerrard portrayed in all their glory – even down to blemishes, hairs on arms and weave of kit.
Gameplay will be all about real football simulation with more versatile goalkeepers and intuitive zonal defending with players constantly needing to look out for new ways to attack. The referees have also been revamped. Crowd reaction will be more realistic too with rumours that the Tokyo-based development team has tried to differentiate between crowds at home and away fixtures. Gamers can also now move several players at once and the individual talents of each player will be reflected in the way they play and will affect the way in which the other players react.
Taking the world of virtual football to another level, the development team has added a further degree of realism in the new lighting system where real-time shadows and weather conditions influence the game – in fact – all the realities of a UK football match replicated in grim detail – never mind, it could be worse – you could actually be there!
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SteelSeries Qck Limited Edition Aion Asmodian Mousepad release dates
SteelSeries Qck is a high quality mousepad featuring spectacular graphics from Aion, the seminal multiplayer game from NCsoft.
If you don’t already know Aion, it’s a visually stunning masterpiece of a game set in the fantasy world of Atreia full of compelling beauty and epic adventure.
With official graphics from the game, the SteelSeries Qck has to be the only mousepad that’ll match up to its superb visual quality and is designed to set the mood for the playing experience, making the world of Aion even more tangible. Made of a durable cloth material with a textured surface that provides optimal glide with smoothness and precision, the non-slip rubber base prevents the pad from sliding off any surface and is optimised for laser and optical technology.
The SteelSeries Qck has been researched, designed and tested by professional gamers across the world who agree that it makes winning tournaments and competitions just a little bit easier.
“SteelSeries has a reputation for designing high quality products that resonate with gamers,” says Chris Lee, Senior Global Brand Director for NCsoft. “NCsoft believes that SteelSeries creates great gear that visually represents Aion and provides excellent tools for our players to have a great gaming experience.”
The Qck has also been extensively used in professions such as graphic design where precision and accuracy is paramount.
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Halo 3: ODST release dates
Halo 3: ODST, the first-person shooter Xbox 360 video game, is now on general release with an RRP of £34.99. Introducing a set of new characters, film-noir setting, graphical enhancements, epic adventure and multi-player option it ships with the added bonus of the mind-blowing co-operative mode, Firefight.
A spin-off from Peter Jackson’s acclaimed trilogy and conceived by Bungie, ODST explores events leading up to Halo 3. Set in the 26th century, humans are embroiled in a bloody war with a theocratic alliance of aliens known as the Covenant. Unlike Halo 3 however, which focussed on the protagonist, Master Chief, Joseph Staten’s storyline follows the ODSTs, or the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers, the black- armoured elite command soldiers, centring on one young member in particular – The Rookie.
After having crash landed on Earth the Rookie has to locate his teammates by following clues and solving mysteries. When a clue is discovered, for example, a sniper rifle hanging on a lamppost, flashbacks allow the player to operate as the other ODSTs as well.
Although there are some similarities to Halo 3, ODST comes with many changes that escalate tension and action. Improved graphics with a full-screen-shader system, parallax mapping and depth of field include touches of realism provided by details like advertisement hoardings and civilian characters. Much of the action takes place in the dark, in the urban environs of New Mombasa in Africa, but enemies are outlined in red and allies in green thanks to a new feature called VISR (Visual Intelligence System Reconnaissance). Exclusive weapons include the addition of a suppressed machine gun and re-vamped pistol.
Receiving universal praise for its visuals, atmospheric jazz-influenced music and for its powerful audio, ODST comes as a two disc set; the first contains the campaign mode and the Firefight co-operative mode. The latter allows players to show off their skills in an on or offline battle with increasingly formidable enemies and is claimed by some fans to be one of the best features of ODST. The second disc contains the multiplayer mode with the complete set of Halo 3 maps, plus three others and open world environment.
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The official box-art for BioShock 2 isn't yet available, here's a mock-up the fans came up with!
The original BioShock was one of the huge surprises of 2007, and finally, it’s time for the long-awaited sequel, BioShock 2.
Bioshock 2 promises to continue the deeply disturbing game-play from the original BioShock. This time around, you switch sides. Instead of re-visiting the role of Jack, you control a rogue Big Daddy. If you haven’t played the first game, this all sounds a little bit dodgy, but trust us, if the original BioShock – which turned the classical First Person Shooter (FPS) genre inside-out – is anything to go by, its sequel will be something quite special indeed.
This time around, the game doesn’t end once you’ve played through single player mode: Multiplayer in BioShock 2 will provide “a rich prequel experience that expands the origins of the BioShock fiction.”, according to Take 2 Interactive, who produce the game.
The game will be available on Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and for Windows from the 9th of February 2010.
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