Friday, July 31, 2015

DARK CORRIDOR—A CRIME-ADVENTURE THAT WILL KEEP READERS GUESSING


Writer and artist Rich Tommaso (Clover Honey, 8 ½ Ghosts) brings readers an all-new crime-adventure that will keep readers tuning in for more month after month. DARK CORRIDOR is set in the fictional coastal city of Red Circle, a town totally controlled by mobsters. But after decades of wielding power, the mobster’s stronghold is slipping and some unidentified female assassins are picking them off one-by-one.

"This first serial in Dark Corridor, The Red Circle, is one that I've wanted to do for a long time,” said Tommaso. “A comic book inspired by old gangster films, but one where the male archetypes are fatally removed from power by the women who usually only serve as mothers, lovers and/or damsels in distress in those stories."

DARK CORRIDOR #1 will be available on Wednesday, August 5th.

ABOUT IMAGE COMICS

Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

Post by Vikki
Twitter: ProfessorWhite
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STAR WARS’ WOOKIEE WARRIOR TAKES THE SPOTLIGHT IN CHEWBACCA#1


New Star Wars series from Gerry Duggan and Phil Noto gives “Chewie” his due this October. Legendary and relentlessly loyal Wookiee warrior, Chewbacca, has continued to battle the empire in the hopes of restoring freedom to the galaxy. Through unwavering and steadfast devotion to the rebel cause Chewbacca has always stood on the frontline to bring peace to a galaxy far, far away. This October, Chewbacca, along with an unlikely side-kick, proves why he is one of the fiercest warriors among the stars in CHEWBACCA #1 from writer Gerry Duggan and artist Phil Noto.

Known for his big heart, short temper, and booming voice, Duggan plans to get to the core of what makes Chewbacca one of the strongest warriors in the Star Wars universe. Speaking with Marvel.com, Gerry Duggan says, “He’s a hero, plain and simple. He’s a giant-sized underdog. He’s faithful, fierce, and can be playful. At the beginning of the story he’s on a very important mission. One he sets aside to help those in need. By the end of this arc we’ll have met the soul of the Wookiee. We’ll understand what he fears, and we’ll know why he picked up his bowcaster. Yes, this story will be an action-packed thriller, but I think it has a very strong Wookiee heart, too.”


Accompanying Chewbacca in this brand new series is a young and feisty co-star, Zarro, whose home comes under attack from the Empire and Duggan and Noto are excited to show how this unlikely pair take on the ruthless grip of the Empire. “Zarro’s home is under threat, and when others shrink, she stands tall,” says Duggan. “At first glance, she sees Chewie as the extra muscle she needs. The brains attached to those muscles will be a surprise for her….and I think how Chewie and Zarro manage to deal with the threat will be a fun surprise for fans. Both Phil and I are so excited to be collaborating on a Star Wars comic. The term ‘dream project’ is probably overused, but there is simply no other way to describe the gig. If fans have half as much fun as we do, then everybody's in for a fun ride.”

Don’t call him a fuzz ball. Don’t call him a walking carpet. This is Chewbacca – fierce and loyal warrior of Kashyyyk in a brand new Star Wars series coming from Marvel this October!

Also, be sure to catch up on the blockbuster Marvel series – STAR WARS and DARTH VADER – from the very beginning! Pre-order STAR WARS VOL. 1: SKYWALKER STRIKES and DARTH VADER VOL. 1 on sale later this year!


CHEWBACCA #1
Written by GERRY DUGGAN
Art & Cover by PHIL NOTO
Variant Cover by ARIEL OLIVETTI
On Sale in October!

Post by Vikki
Twitter: ProfessorWhite
Facebook: Fangirl Review

THE LAST DAYS OF AMERICAN CRIME OVERSIZED, HARDCOVER HITS STORES


The stunning classic crime noir back in print and remastered. The critically-acclaimed, smutty, sci-fi noir—the first collaboration between Rick Remender (BLACK SCIENCE, LOW) and Greg Tocchini (LOW)—THE LAST DAYS OF AMERICAN CRIME returns to print. The remastered edition will be available in an oversized, hardcover format this August.

With one week until the end of all crime in the United States, can the last heist in American history be pulled off? THE LAST DAYS OF AMERICAN CRIME is set in the not-too-distant future and as a final response to terrorism and crime, the US government plans in secret to broadcast a signal making it impossible for anyone to knowingly commit unlawful acts. To keep this from the public, the government creates a distraction, installing a new currency system using digital charge cards.

Enter: Graham Bricke. A career criminal never quite able to hit the big score, Graham intends to steal one of the charging stations, skip the country, and live off unlimited funds for the rest of his life. But the media has leaked news of the anti-crime signal one week before it was to go live, and now Graham and his team have just a few days to turn the crime of the century into the last crime in American history.

THE LAST DAYS OF AMERICAN CRIME (ISBN: 978-1-63215-431-6) hits comic book stores on August 19th and bookstores on September 1st, and will be available for $24.99. It can be pre-ordered now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and IndieBound.

ABOUT IMAGE COMICS

Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.


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“Gears of War: Ultimate Edition” Goes Gold, Digital Pre-download Now Available


Attention “Gears” fans, The Coalition is proud to announce that “Gears of War: Ultimate Edition” has officially gone gold! And to celebrate, the studio has shared a behind-the-scenes look the development of the game, digital pre-order and pre-download details, as well as the fully recreated opening cinematic to help fans get ready for the game’s release on Aug. 25.

Pre-order and Pre-Download Starting Today. “Gears of War: Ultimate Edition” is now available for pre-order and pre-download. Fans who can’t wait to jump into the action on Aug. 25can visit the Xbox Store to pre-order and pre-download the Standard and Deluxe Editions of “Gears of War: Ultimate Edition,” so that it’s ready to go when the game releases. Those who pre-order will also receive exclusive bonus skins and characters including:
  • · Standard Edition ($39.99 USD) – The landmark original “Gears of War” returns, offering a full digital game download, plus pre-order bonus items including the Adam Fenix and Civilian Anya multiplayer skins and Animated Imulsion Weapon Skin for use in multiplayer matches.
  • · Deluxe Edition ($59.99 USD) – The ultimate “Gears” experience. On top of the Standard Edition items, the Deluxe Edition also includes the Deluxe Weapon Skin Pack featuring 10 different Animated Weapon Skins and 36 standard Weapon Skins, as well as the Civilian Marcus Fenix and Aaron Griffin multiplayer characters.
New Opening Cinematic Video

Catch a preview of what’s to come in “Gears of War: Ultimate Edition” by watching the opening cinematic, debuted by The Coalition today. In the video, Emergence Day sets in motion a brutal war that would both shatter humanity and forge a valiant band of heroes. Revisit the explosive events that led to the beginning of “Gears of War” in this opening cinematic.

Special Behind-the-Scenes Look at “Gears”

Each week starting today through launch, GearsofWar.com will feature a series of new videos on “Remastering ‘Gears of War’” with behind-the-scenes footage leading up to the game’s release. Check out this week’s installment where fans can get an insider look at how the original “Gears” was ushered into the modern age – painstakingly remastered in 1080p, modernized for Xbox One with 60 frames-per-second competitive multiplayer, and loaded with new content including five campaign chapters never released on Xbox.

Post by Vikki
Twitter: ProfessorWhite
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Thursday, July 30, 2015

Pre-Order Rare Replay Now!


Veteran gamers and newcomers alike can pre-order a copy of Rare Replay on Xbox.com or directly from the Xbox dashboard. Releasing this summer as part of the greatest games lineup in Xbox history, Rare Replay is one of the most anticipated collection of games exclusively on Xbox One. Iconic adventures, such as brawling with the Battletoads or grabbing Jiggies with Banjo and Kazooie, are just a handful of gaming moments Rare released over the last few decades – and 30 of its memorable games will be playable in Rare Replay.

See how many characters you recognize in the new Rare Replay video and check out the full list of games included on Xbox.com.

Longtime fans who have dedicated time to the Xbox 360 titles will be able to take existing saved progress and achievements tied to their profile and carry everything over onto Xbox One. From there, they can begin earning points on games with no previous gamerscore and unlock additional exclusive features and interviews.

Whether or not you’re familiar with Rare’s adventures, eager players can look forward to Rare Replay’s all-new snapshot challenges, exclusive bonus features, and 10,000 gamerscore when the game releases on August 4.

That’s 30 years of Rare Ltd. celebrating a collection of 30 games for $29.99 US (€29.99 / £19.99 / $49.95 AU) exclusively on Xbox One starting August 4.

Post by Vikki
Twitter: ProfessorWhite
Facebook: Fangirl Review

OEMING FANS REJOICE, OEMNIBUS ARRIVES


The definitive collection for Michael Avon Oeming fans. Perfect for fans of Michael Avon Oeming (Powers, THE MICE TEMPLAR), OEMNIBUS trade paperback, by Michael Avon Oeming, Neil Vokes, Bryan J.L. Glass, Daniel Berman, and Ethan Beavers, is slated to hit stores this August.

Collecting seven one-shots and short stories published by Image Comics over the past 15 years, OEMNIBUS includes out-of-print and rarely-seen stories by Powers co-creator Michael Avon Oeming. OEMNIBUS collects such stories as: 86 VOLTZ, PARLIAMENT OF JUSTICE, GOD COMPLEX, SIX, and more.

OEMNIBUS (ISBN: 978-1632154811) hits comic book stores on August 5th and bookstores on August 18th, and will be available for $24.99.

ABOUT IMAGE COMICS

Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

Post by Vikki
Twitter: ProfessorWhite
Facebook: Fangirl Review

COLOR YOUR OWN DEADPOOL Puts the Hue in Humor in 2016!


New Line of Adult Coloring Books Expands to Include Deadpool! Deadpool is many things. Mercenary. X-Man. Soon-to-be-Uncanny Avenger (we’re not kidding). But next February, he’s breaking new ground. Taking the world by storm in a whole new way. That’s right – adult coloring books! Deadpool’s got guns, he’s got grenades, he’s got swords. But this January, he needs YOU! Because the Merc with a Mouth is the Merc Without Color – and he needs your help to fill in the lines with the COLOR YOUR OWN DEADPOOL adult coloring book.

Called therapeutic and stress relieving by the New Yorker, Adult Coloring Books are the perfect way to unwind after a long day. And what could be more stress relieving than sitting down for a night of coloring with Deadpool? We can't think of anything! Jam packed with 120 pages of Deadpool goodness, fans of all ages can be part of the creative process as they bring to life artwork from some of Marvel’s biggest artists! Now is your chance to color inside the lines – or not! What color will you make Deadpool? Red is so last season, after all.

So dig out those crayons, markers and colored pencils, True Believer. But don’t forget your imagination – you’re going to need it! Channel your creative energies, unwind after a hard day’s work, and spend some quality time with the Merc with a Mouth! Look for COLOR YOUR OWN DEADPOOL on sale this January!

Plus – don’t miss the first entry in Marvel’s exciting upcoming adult coloring book line when the AGE OF ULTRON COLORING BOOK is released this October!


COLOR YOUR OWN DEADPOOL
120 Pages….$9.99
On Sale in January!

Post by Vikki
Twitter: ProfessorWhite
Facebook: Fangirl Review

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Miiverse Major Update: Everything You Need to Know!

Miiverse gets a major update that makes discussing games easier than ever. (Photo: Business Wire)


Notice something different about Miiverse today? That’s because the free family-friendly service that lets players communicate with other Nintendo players around the world just got a redesign. The makeover is not only visual – the update comes with new features that make sharing tips, drawings and comments about Wii U or Nintendo 3DS games more enjoyable than ever.

The new features included in the redesign include the following:
  • Screen Shot Album – Saving and organizing screen shots that people take in games are made easier with the new Screen Shot Album. The private album can only be viewed by the player and can hold up to 100 screen shots from a variety of games. The images can even be neatly sorted by game name for easy searching.
  • Play Journal – With the Play Journal, players can record their unique game experiences by writing journal entries about games as they play them. Creating a journal entry is as easy as opening Miiverse while playing a compatible game, and each entry will include a screen shot that shows exactly what was happening in the game when the player pressed the HOME button. The new Play Journal feature replaces the ability for users to post directly to their own activity feeds.
  • New Look – In the main community for each Wii U and Nintendo 3DS game, posts will be categorized in three easy-to-browse sections:
  • Play Journal Entries – All Play Journal entries from players about a specific game will be located here. By viewing the displayed screen shots, players can quickly find other players who are in the same section of the game, making it easy to find relevant tips, comments and experiences.
  • Drawings – Miiverse is full of incredible drawings from fans. This community section will display artwork other players have created about the game, in order of popularity.
  • Discussions – If players want to ask questions or start conversations about a game, this is the perfect place to do it. The inclusion of tags in these discussions makes it easier for players to find what they are looking for.
Miiverse can be accessed on the Wii U or Nintendo 3DS systems, as well as via Web browsers. For more information about Miiverse, visit https://miiverse.nintendo.net/.

Post by Vikki
Twitter: ProfessorWhite
Facebook: Fangirl Review

Greek Mythology Mashup Pack coming to Minecraft on Xbox


Athenian Minecraft players (and everyone else), rejoice! Your favorite historical figures from ancient Greek mythology are now available for Minecraft: Xbox One Edition,Minecraft: Xbox 360 Edition and other console editions for $3.99.

Zeus, Poseidon, Athena and many more have descended from Mount Olympus to engage in all sorts of blocky adventures. Along with a custom texture set, new UI and 39 unique skins, the pack also has an original orchestral soundtrack composed by Gareth Coker. Build a pantheon fit for the gods, trap the Minotaur in an elaborate maze, or set sail for adventures across the sea – the world is your square oyster!

The full list of Greek mythology skins includes:

Satyr, Cyclops, Minotaur, Hephaestus, Erinyes, Medusa, Helen of Troy, Minos, Harpy, Dryad, Cerberus, Siren, Spartoi, Prometheus, Hydra, Heracles, Achilles, Theseus, Odysseus, Perseus, Jason, Zeus, Hades, Aphrodite, Poseidon, Apollo, Ares, Artemis, Athena, Hera, Hermes, Argonaut 1, Argonaut 2, Sea Monster, Trojan Warrior, Atlanta, Medea, Stygian Witch, and Cadmus

Happy Mining!

Post by Vikki
Twitter: ProfessorWhite
Facebook: Fangirl Review

INVISIBLE REPUBLIC, VOL. 1—GRITTY SCIENCE FICTION LANDS IN AUGUST


The first story arc of the hit new series is collected into trade paperback. Fan-favorite comic book writer and film storyboard artist Gabriel Hardman (writer: KINSKI, Hulk, Planet of the Apes, storyboard artist: Inception, The Dark Knight Rises, Interstellar) teams up with artist Corinna Bechko (HEATHENTOWN, Savage Hulk, Star Wars: Legacy) for an all-new science fiction series in INVISIBLE REPUBLIC, VOL. 1. This collects issues #1-5 into trade paperback and will be available in August.

In INVISIBLE REPUBLIC, VOL. 1, when a reporter unearths the secret history of the recently deposed dictator of a remote colonized moon, he discovers that exposing secrets can be deadly.

INVISIBLE REPUBLIC, VOL. 1 (ISBN: 978-1-63215-408-8) hits comic book stores on August 19th and bookstores on September 1st, and will be available for $9.99.  It can be pre-ordered now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and IndieBound.

ABOUT IMAGE COMICS

Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.


Post by Vikki
Twitter: ProfessorWhite
Facebook: Fangirl Review

Nintendo Wins Patent Case Filed Against Nintendo 3DS and Other Hand-Held Systems


Nintendo Continues to Defend its Innovations Against Patent Lawsuits.  Nintendo won a patent case in federal court in Oakland, California. Judge Saundra Armstrong found that eight of Nintendo’s popular hand-held systems, including the Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DSi, Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance systems, do not infringe a patent asserted against those products by Quintal Research Group, Inc. Judge Armstrong therefore dismissed the case. Quintal is a patent-assertion company run by the named inventor of the asserted patent, who is also a patent lawyer.

“We are very pleased to have this case dismissed,” said Devon Pritchard, Nintendo of America’s General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Business Affairs. “The result in this case continues to prove that Nintendo will vigorously defend its innovations against patent lawsuits and will not pay to settle cases simply to avoid litigation. Nintendo continues to support patent reform efforts that reduce the unnecessary and inefficient burden cases like this one place on technology companies in the United States.”

For more information about Nintendo, visit http://www.nintendo.com.


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Twitter: ProfessorWhite
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Gaming on Windows 10 is here


Microsoft is days away from releasing Windows 10 on July 29, the best version of Windows ever for gaming. With an estimated 1.2 billion gamers in the world (Nielson) and PCs as the top device where people play games (Newzoo Games Market Research), gaming plays a huge role in the PC industry today. Below is a snapshot of what gamers can look forward to with the release of Windows 10.


  • · The Xbox App. Built into Windows 10, the Xbox app brings together the most important aspects of your gaming life: Games, Friends, Messages, Activity Feed, Game DVR, Achievements, Xbox One navigation, and more.
  • · Xbox Live & Multiplayer. Xbox Live is social, interactive, and included in Windows 10 for free, bringing experiences gamers love from Xbox to Windows 10 PCs and tablets. Features like multiplayer gaming (in new games) against players on Xbox One, and messaging and party-chat with friends on PC, phone, and console.
  • · Game Streaming. Play Xbox games on your Windows 10 PC or tablet, streamed from your Xbox One console. Game streaming happens on your home network over wired or wireless connection. The stream is a mirror of the Xbox One console experience as if you were sitting at the Xbox One.
  • · Game DVR. Game DVR is built into Windows 10, helping gamers capture, edit, and share their greatest gaming moments or take screenshots. Press Windows + G to pull up the Game bar and record any game clip, or take a screenshot – whether on Xbox Live, Steam, or other services – then edit and easily share clips on virtually any social network.
  • · Graphics. Games developed for DirectX 12 can see improvements in speed, efficiency, and graphics. DirectX 12 uses every ounce of performance from existing hardware and can reduce processor power consumption up to 50%, ensuring longer battery life for gaming on the go without sacrificing performance.

  • · Minecraft Beta. The Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition beta releases July 29 in the Windows Store. Existing Minecraft PC/Java players will be able to download the beta free. New players will be able to download it at a discounted price of $10 in the Windows Store for a limited time. 
  • · Games. Games played on the PC today – from many different gaming services – play great on Windows 10, and games written for DirectX 12 can run faster and have richer visuals. Square Enix announced this morning Rise of the Tomb Raider will be releasing a Windows 10 version in early 2016, through the Windows Store and Steam. Additional games coming to the Windows Store on Windows 10 over time include the following:
    • Gears of War: Ultimate Edition (The Coalition) 
    • Killer Instinct (Iron Galaxy)
    • Rise of the Tomb Raider (Square Enix) 
    • Cuphead (Studio MDHR)
    • Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition (Mojang) 
    • Gigantic (Motiga)
    • Fable Legends (Lionhead Studios) 
    • Sea of Thieves (Rare)
    • Final Fantasy Agito (Square Enix) 
    • #IDARB (Other Ocean)
    • Age of Empires: Castle Siege (Microsoft Studios)
    • Wasteland 2 (inXile Entertainment)
    • Siegecraft Commander (Blowfish Studios) 
    • Shovel Knight (Yacht Club Games)
    • Super Dungeon Bros. (React Games) 
    • Pinball FX2 (Zen Studios)
    • Microsoft Solitaire (Microsoft Studios)
    • Candy Crush Saga (King)
    • Microsoft Minesweeper (Microsoft Studios) 
    • Microsoft Hearts (Microsoft Studios)


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Facebook: Fangirl Review

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Xbox at gamescom 2015: Everything You Need to Know

gamescom 2015, the largest consumer gaming show in the world, is nearly upon us – and, as usual, Xbox will be there in full force. To kick things off, this year’s Xbox gamescom 2015 Briefing starts on Tuesday, August 4 at 4:00 p.m. CEST (10:00 a.m. EDT). You’ll get in-depth looks at tons of upcoming games coming in 2015 and beyond. We’ll give you a solid rundown of the things you should be looking forward to on Xbox and Windows 10. You can watch the Xbox gamescom 2015 Briefing live on Xbox One, Xbox.com (both on your desktop and on mobile), and Xbox 360.Regardless of how you catch the show, we think you’ll enjoy it!

 Xbox is happy to announce that they are bringing gamescom home to their fans with Xbox Daily: LIVE @ gamescom. They will cover everything Xbox happening at gamescom – breaking news, exclusive announcements, trailer reveals, game demos, and interviews with game creators. The 60 minute live show will be hosted by Larry Hryb, Xbox Live’s Major Nelson, Graeme Boyd, Xbox Live’s AceyBongos, and Julia Hardy, and will include guest stars and industry elites, including guests from top game studios that are creating amazing games for Xbox One and Windows 10. Xbox Daily: LIVE @ gamescom will bring the show home to fans around the world on August 5th and 6th starting at 6:00 p.m. CEST (12:00 p.m. EDT) and can be streamed live on Xbox One, on Xbox.com (both on desktop and on mobile), and on Xbox 360. Each show will also have interactive experiences created just for fans watching live on Xbox One.
The week kicks off with exclusive access to the “Xbox FanFest Showcase” the night of Tuesday, August 4. Get hands-on with the best games lineup in Xbox history before any other gamescom attendee. It also includes:

• A secret Wednesday day-time activity.
• VIP Access to the very first Xbox Party on the Rhein on Wednesday, August 5. Take an evening cruise while enjoying an epic Xbox event, just for our fans.
• Exclusive fan swag and Xbox-branded backpacks.
• Meet and greet some of the industry’s top developers, leaders and influencers.

Finally, this year’s Halo 5: Guardians gamescom Invitational by ESL will take place on Friday, August 7 beginning at 3 p.m CEST (9 a.m. EDT) in the ESL Arena on the gamescom show floor. The Invitational will provide fans with a first look at high-stakes Arena gameplay, which focuses on pure, skill-based 4v4 combat. Four top teams have been invited: Epsilon Esports (EU), Supremacy (EU), CAZ.Esports (EU), and OpTic Gaming (NA).

The pro teams will have an opportunity to get reacquainted with Halo 5: Guardians Arena multiplayer during the week at gamescom, and on Friday, duke it out against one another in a four-team bracket. Be sure to tune into the action on the Halo Channel and Twitch.tv/Halo to see the first look at pre-launch Arena tournament goodness. Keep an eye on Halo Waypoint for info about the teams, format, maps, and more as we get closer to the event.

Xbox has an amazing lineup planned for gamescom 2015. Stay tuned to Xbox Wire for all of the latest news and updates on the greatest games lineup in Xbox history.

Post by Vikki
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Facebook: Fangirl Review

Marvel Becomes Inspired by the Music Industry with Marvel Comics’ Hip-Hop Variants

Expression and art form merge between Marvel Comics and the world of hip-hop with a unique line of HIP-HOP Variants covers inspired by some of the most iconic and well received hip-hop and rap albums of all time.  Accompanying each all-new #1 from Marvel Comics coming this fall, fans will get the chance to purchase their own Marvel Comics variant cover featuring their favorite Marvel characters paying homage to some of the most well-known and vocal musical artists over the past couple of years.

"For years, Marvel Comics and Hip-Hop culture have been engaged in an ongoing dialog," says Marvel Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso. "Beginning this October, we will shine a spotlight on the seamless relationship between those two unique forces in when we unveil the first of more than fifty variant covers, each of which pays tribute to an iconic album cover from the past 30 years that shaped pop-culture over the past three decades."

Look for Marvel’s HIP-HOP Variants to grace the covers of these exciting Marvel comics beginning in the month of October:



  • · Amazing Spider-Man #1- HIP-HOP Variant by Mike Del Mundo
  • · Angela: Queen of Hel #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Annie Wu

  • · The Astonishing Ant-Man #1- HIP-HOP Variant by Mark Brooks
  • · Contest of Champions #1 - HIP-HOP Variant by Denys Cowan

  • · Doctor Strange #1- HIP-HOP Variant by Juan Doe

  • · Extraordinary X-Men #1- HIP-HOP Variant by Sanford Greene
  • · Guardians of the Galaxy #1- HIP-HOP Variant by Shawn Crystal

  • · Invincible Iron Man #1- HIP-HOP Variant by Brian Stelfreeze
  • · The Mighty Thor #1- HIP-HOP Variant by Mike Deodato

  • · Sam Wilson, Captain America #1- HIP-HOP Variant by Mahmud Asrar
  • · Spider-Gwen #1 – HIP-HOP Variant by Humberto Ramos

  • · The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #1- HIP-HOP Variant by Phil Noto
  • · Uncanny Inhumans #1- HIP-HOP Variant by Damian Scott
  • · Uncanny Avengers #1- HIP-HOP Variant by Jason Pearson

Look for these additional HIP-HOP Variants coming later this fall:

  • · All-New All-Different Avengers #1- HIP-HOP Variant by Jim Cheung
  • · All-New Wolverine #1- HIP-HOP Variant by Keron Grant
  • · Carnage #1- HIP-HOP Variant by Ariel Olivetti
  • · Howard the Duck #1- HIP-HOP Variant Juan Doe


  • · Ms. Marvel #1- HIP-HOP Variant by Jenny Frisson
  • · Old Man Logan #1- HIP-HOP Variant by Tim Bradstreet
  • · Spider-Man #1- HIP-HOP Variant by Adi Granov
  • · Spider-Man/Deadpool #1- HIP-HOP Variant by Dave Johnson

  • · Squadron Supreme #1- HIP-HOP Variant by Mike Del Mundo



  • · Star-Lord #1- HIP-HOP Variant by Tradd Moore
  • · The Totally Awesome Hulk #1- HIP-HOP Variant by Mahmud Asrar
  • · Web Warriors #1- HIP-HOP Variant by Damian Scott

No fan can afford to miss out when Marvel Comics stands alongside the hip-hop industry with covers celebrating some of the most iconic albums which have crafted the sound of a generation. Be there when Marvel Comics’ HIP-HOP Variants drop this fall in your local comic book shops.

Post by Vikki
Twitter: ProfessorWhite
Facebook: Fangirl Review

RUNLOVEKILL, VOL. 1 KEEPS READERS ON THE EDGE OF THEIR SEATS


The first story arc of the hit new suspense series is collected into trade paperback. Fan-favorite writer Jon Tsuei (Comic Book Tattoo) teams up with artist Eric Canete (The End League, Iron Man: Enter the Mandarin) for an all-new thriller/suspense that will hook readers and keep them on the edge of their seats in RUNLOVEKILL, VOL. 1. This collects issues #1-4 into trade paperback and will be available in August.

In RUNLOVEKILL, VOL. 1, a mysterious military organization known only as “The Origami,” is on the hunt for one of their former assassins: Rain Oshiro. Their stronghold on the city of Prygat is tightening and Rain has fewer than 24 hours to get out of their radius of influence before she’s trapped forever. Rain must face the decisions of her past while utilizing every last resource at her disposal to avoid capture—or even worse—death.

RUNLOVEKILL, VOL. 1 (ISBN: 978-1-63215-445-3) hits comic book stores on August 19th and bookstores on September 1st, and will be available for $9.99. . It can be pre-ordered now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and IndieBound.


ABOUT IMAGE COMICS

Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.

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Monday, July 27, 2015

Massive August Update Brings a Boatload of New Content to Splatoon




On Aug. 5, a free software update in the Splatoon game for the Wii U console brings a large amount of new content to the game, including two new matchmaking modes, new weapon types, an increase to the game’s level cap and more than 40 pieces of new gear. Players will now be able to create a winning strategy and fight to be the best and most battle-tested squid squad around.

The new update introduces Squad Battle and Private Battle matchmaking options. In Squad Battle, players can participate in Ranked Battle rule sets with friends, rather than being teamed up with other players through a random selection. After a player creates a squad, friends can be recruited to form a team of two to four Inklings. Friends will always play together on the same team and battle against other squads at random.

In Private Battle, friends can splat it up in private, customizable matches. Two to eight friends can battle together by selecting their favorite map, mode and weapons. The number of participants ranges from 1v1 to 4v4, but teams don’t have to be even: If the host chooses, he or she can select a 1v4, 1v2, or any other combination of players.

With this robust new update also comes an increased level cap in both Regular Battle and Ranked Battle modes. After downloading the software update, players will be able to reach level 50 (raised from level 20) and rank S and S+ (both higher than A+).

While Inklings around the world are enjoying and mastering the current arsenal of weapons in Splatoon, two new weapon types will be available with the update, adding a new layer of strategy to the game. The bucket-like Slosher weapons hurl ink straight ahead at an impressive range. By adjusting the angle, these new weapons can be used to splat opponents who are up high or even on the other side of a wall. With the Gatling-style Splatling, players can charge blasts of all-powerful ink. A maximum charge unleashes the full potential of this particular weapon type. In addition to the new weapons, more than 40 pieces of gear, including everything from a leather jacket to a sushi-chef costume, are coming to the various in-game shops in Splatoon.

Despite its size and scope, this massive August update is not the end of the splat-acular free content coming to Splatoon. Following this update, more content will continually roll out through the rest of the summer and fall, including the Rainmaker Ranked Battle mode, additional maps and new weapons. More details about these additions will be revealed in the future.

For more information about Splatoon, visit http://splatoon.nintendo.com/.

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LIFE IS STRANGE EPISODE 4 RELEASING TUESDAY JULY 28


Square Enix and DONTNOD Entertainment are incredibly proud to announce that LIFE IS STRANGE has reached 1 million sales – a huge achievement for the small team working on the game.

In other great news the wait is nearly over! LIFE IS STRANGE: EPISODE 4 – DARKROOM will be launching on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on July 28. A new trailer, artwork and screens are available to download now.

In Episode 4, Max pushes the investigation surrounding the disappearance of Rachel Amber and the strange happenings in Arcadia Bay into unexplored and daunting territory. As the End of the World party approaches, Max must use her powers to put all the pieces of the puzzle in place.


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Rise of the Tomb Raider destined for Windows 10, Steam, and PS4 in 2016


Square Enix today announced its latest title in the critically acclaimed and award-winning Tomb Raider® series, Rise of the Tomb Raider ®, will be available for Windows 10 and Steam in early 2016. The game will be a console exclusive to Xbox One and Xbox 360 for one year after its initial launch, coming to PlayStation® 4 (PS4) in Holiday 2016. Renowned developer Crystal Dynamics, a Square Enix studio, is leading development in the latest entry in the iconic series for additional platforms.

In the critically acclaimed Tomb Raider, Lara Croft survived a harrowing experience only to be discredited as part of a cover up. Now, after uncovering an ancient mystery, Lara must explore the most treacherous and remote regions of Siberia to find the secret of immortality before a ruthless organization known as Trinity. Lara must use her wits and survival skills, form new alliances, and ultimately embrace her destiny as the Tomb Raider.

Experience high-octane action moments, conquer beautifully hostile environments, engage in brutal guerrilla combat, and explore awe-inspiring deadly tombs in the evolution of survival action. In Rise of the Tomb Raider, Lara becomes more than a survivor as she embarks on her first great Tomb Raiding expedition.

Rise of the Tomb Raider will premiere first, exclusively on Xbox One and Xbox 360 on November 10, 2015.

For more information on Rise of the Tomb Raider, please visit the official website and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Related Links:
Official Homepage: www.TOMBRAIDER.com
Official Twitter: @TOMBRAIDER
Official Facebook page: http://facebook.com/TOMBRAIDER
Official YouTube Channel: http://youtube.com/TOMBRAIDER


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Movie Review: Pixels


IMDB Storyline: As kids in the 1980s, Sam Brenner (Adam Sandler), Will Cooper (Kevin James), Ludlow Lamonsoff (Josh Gad), and Eddie "The Fire Blaster" Plant (Peter Dinklage) saved the world thousands of times - at 25 cents a game in the video arcades. Now, they're going to have to do it for real. In Pixels, when intergalactic aliens discover video feeds of classic arcade games and misinterpret them as a declaration of war, they attack the Earth, using the video games as the models for their assaults -- and now-U.S. President Cooper must call on his old-school arcade friends to save the world from being destroyed by PAC-MAN, Donkey Kong, Galaga, Centipede, and Space Invaders. Joining them is Lt. Col. Violet Van Patten (Michelle Monaghan), a specialist supplying the arcaders with unique weapons to fight the aliens.


My Thoughts: This movie was a surprise to me. I had enough sense to know that this movie had to be viewed in 3D. You will not get the full effect unless you watch it in 3D. During a few of the fight sequences you are literally sucked into the classic arcade game. It is fun watching Pong tear apart the Taj Mahal. The other games that you see are Centipede, Donkey Kong, and Pac-man.

The movie had great moments where you laughed as well as random nerd references. There were so many great moments in this movie that I feel like I need to watch it twice just to get everything. The CGI was well done and it was funny to watch James as the president. I was happy that the thin love story was not annoying and did not take over the whole story. 


I would recommend checking out this movie. It is PG-13 but overall it is just cartoon violence so decide if it is appropriate for your little ones. It was a simple concept that was executed well. Check it out and let me know what you think. 

S/N: The star of the movie to me was Q-Bert. He was perfect and I want one!



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Kids Can Press debuts on ComiXology



ComiXology, the revolutionary cloud-based digital comics platform, announced today a digital distribution agreement with Kids Can Press, the largest Canadian-owned children’s publisher in the world. This agreement with Kids Can Press brings such noted series as Bigfoot Boy, Three Thieves and the Binky Adventures to comiXology.

“We are always on the lookout for creative and effective ways of getting the work of our creators into the hands of readers,” said Kid Cans Press President Lisa Lyons Johnston. “Having our graphic novels on comiXology allows us to speak directly to the target market segment — it’s a great fit.”

“Kids Can Press has carved a great line of all-ages graphic novels from some of the greatest creators and cartoonists working in Canada today,” said Chip Mosher, comiXology’s VP of Communications and Marketing. “It’s fantastic to get these great works by Faith Erin Hicks, Scott Chantler, J. Torres, Ashley Spires and others into the hands of comiXology fans everywhere – whether young or just young at heart.”

The following Kids Can Press titles can be found on comiXology today:

Bigfoot Boy series, written by J. Torres and illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks, including:
Bigfoot Boy Vol. 1: Into the Woods
Bigfoot Boy Vol. 2: The Unkindness of Ravens
Bigfoot Boy Vol. 3: The Sound of Thunder

Three Thieves series, written and illustrated by Scott Chantler, including:
Three Thieves Vol. 1: Tower of Treasure
Three Thieves Vol. 2: The Sign of the Black Rock
Three Thieves Vol. 3: The Captive Prince
Three Thieves Vol. 4: The King's Dragon
Three Thieves Vol. 5: Pirates of the Silver Coast

A Binky Adventure series, written and illustrated by Ashley Spires, including:
A Binky Adventure Vol. 1: Binky the Space Cat
A Binky Adventure Vol. 2: Binky to the Rescue
A Binky Adventure Vol. 3: Binky Under Pressure
A Binky Adventure Vol. 4: Binky Takes Charge
A Binky Adventure Vol. 5: Binky: License to Scratch

With over 75,000 comics, graphic novels and manga from more than 75 publishers, comiXology offers the widest selection of digital comics in the world. ComiXology’s immense catalog and cinematic Guided View reading experience make it the best digital platform for comic and graphic novel fans worldwide.

Find your favorite comics and graphic novels at comixology.com and try the comiXology app available on all major mobile platforms.

About Kids Can Press
Kids Can Press, part of the Corus Entertainment family, is the largest Canadian-owned children's publisher. Its catalog includes an award-winning list of over 700 picture books, nonfiction and fiction titles for young readers. For over forty years, Kids Can Press has distinguished itself as a publisher of high-quality children's books and continues this tradition with its digital publications, custom publishing partnerships and brand marketing initiatives. Browse Kids Can Press books at kidscanpress.com.


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Saturday, July 25, 2015

SQUARE ENIX COLLECTIVE: In XO, Battlestar Galactica meets The Lost Fleet via FTL!


CAN YOU HELP HUMANITY SURVIVE AN UNBEATABLE ENEMY IN THIS STYLISH SPACE-BASED STRATEGY GAME XO? Humanity is on the brink of extinction, under threat from an enemy possessed of overwhelming force, and time is running out. Only you, a lone starship captain, has a chance to save the remnants of civilization and escape to safety – but how will you choose who to save, or when to fight?



That’s the starting point for XO, a stylish and deep new space-based strategy game designed by Portland, Oregon-based Jumpdrive Studios – influenced by legendary sci-fi experiences including Battlestar Galactica, The Lost Fleet and FTL.  The project launched on Kickstarter on Monday, July 20 seeking an initial total of $40,000 to complete development, and is the latest campaign to be supported by Square Enix Collective. The last five projects supported by the initiative have all been successful, with developers raising over USD 600,000 in the process.

Kickstarter link: http://j.mp/XOkck

With an immediately recognizable visual style and a soundtrack provided by the incredible Jim Guthrie(Sword and Sworcery, Indie Game: The Movie), we’re pretty sure that indie gamers the world over will like what they’re seeing.

“We've received a tremendous amount of support from the indie community so far,” said Corey Warning of Jumpdrive Studios. “I think we initially struck a chord with the game's visual style, and once we started diving into the political system, people started to get really excited. We’ve teamed up with one of my favorite composers Jim Guthrie - who I very much admire. His work on Sword & Sworcery and Indie Game: The Movie is what inspired me to start making games with my friends in the first place, which set me on my path into the games industry.”

The Jumpdrive Studios team (like all developers supported through crowdfunding by Square Enix), passed the Collective Team Assessment process last week; this means that we have examined the capabilities of the team and believe they possess the expertise and tools needed to create the game they are describing.

Square Enix Collective is a platform that aims to help independent developers find an audience for their projects, by enabling them to tap into our community and media resources. Projects which gamers support through the initial Feedback phase may be offered continued support through crowdfunding too; but developers are free to choose whether to accept, and always retain IP and complete creative control over their projects.

Square Enix Collective website: collective.square-enix.com
Follow @SQEX Collective on Twitter®: twitter.com/sqexcollective

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Friday, July 24, 2015

Splatoon: An in-depth review

SPLATOON

11 Weapons. 4 Maps. 3 Amiibo. 2 Match Types. 2 Splatfests, 1 Campaign, and over 200 hours later by DrFeelGood


Well here we are. An in-depth review of one of the most controversial games of the 8th generation. Its been a while since my impressions review before the game’s release. While there are those that say they will wait until the full game comes out, I say it’s their loss.

NEW SHOOTER INKOMING
For those that know nothing about and/or do not follow gaming, Splatoon is a 3rd person shooter that released on May 29th developed and published by Nintendo exclusively for the Wii U. It sold over 1M units in less than a month. It is rated E for Everyone. Think about that. A shooter…that anyone…can play. The focus is covering the most turf with your team’s ink which doubles as your ultimate weapon and defense. This game possesses the same flair and addiction that Mario Kart and SSB has. Easy to pick up, understand, play, and enjoy. However, it is hard to master. Whats worse is that it is impossible to put down. Don’t believe me? Ask anyone who owns the game. Hell, ask my wife…or me. That 200 hours in the title is my total playtime as of recent. Keep in mind that I do have a social life, fulltime job, and responsibilities…not to mention my own business. In this game, you can be victorious even if you never lay eyes upon or splat any opponent. In fact, avoiding confrontation is essentially encouraged. It is literally the videogame version of paintball with a twist.

INKLOSED CONTENT
In terms of content, many will say that it Splatoon was lacking…especially at launch. However, lets look at things objectively. The game launched with 5 maps, 1 campaign tons of preset weapon loadouts, tons of gear, and one play mode being Turf War. That being said, I would have to agree…objectively. As the days and weeks have gone by, Nintendo has unlocked and/or added various content on a consistent basis from maps and modes to weapons and events. Within launch weekend, the Ranked mode was unlocked which is basically all or nothing. You either earn big winnings while also increasing in rank or lose which gets you nothing at all and a decrease in rank. The current match types available in Ranked Mode are Splatzones and Tower Control. Splatzones require that your team ink and maintain control of specific zones on a map. The team that maintains control the longest wins. Meanwhile, Tower Control requires that you ride a tower directly to the enemy base. The team that rides the tower the furthest towards their opponents base wins. In this mode, inking turf is not needed. Be warned, both these modes basically force all 8 players to a specific area which results in a Splatfest. Pun intended. Speaking of Splatfest as mentioned in the title, there have been two thus far. It is a 24-hour worldwide special event that everyone HAS to play if they want to play the game online during the specified timeframe. Nintendo asks everyone to vote for their preference and it varies by region. In North America, the first was Cats vs Dogs and the second was Roller Coasters vs Water Slides. In Europe, I believe the first Splatfest was Rop vs Pop.

It is the only game which brings everyone together for a common goal through a cool event theme. With all this, there is still more to come as many players are looking forward to the August update which according to Nintendo should add custom matches and allow friends to team up…among other things.

LIQUID INKOURAGEMENT
Before anyone jumps down my throat, know that I have played and invested tons of hours in many shooters…from COD and Battlefield to Halo and Gears of War. Having said that, the weapons and loadouts in Splatoon are the most diverse and balanced of any shooter I have played…EVER. The shooters are the assault rifles made for those who like versatility and love to spray and pray. The chargers are the sniper rifles made for those who love splat from a distance. Lastly, we have the rollers which are basically the shotguns/melee weapons. Those that love to be up close and personal while delivering a single decisive blow will feel right at home. No weapon is overpowered and no loadout is superior. In Splatoon, I can say that I have seen the use of every loadout available. I can say that I personally tried all of them. I can say that with each loadout, I have found myself in both advantageous and disadvantageous scenarios. The sub and special weapons are even more varied and suit any playstyle. If you like to camp (yes camping is possible in this game. I still do it), the ink mine is for you. If you like to lob grenades, you have 3 options: instant detonation, delayed, and sticky. If you like to pressure your opponents, the disruptor is the way to go. As for the special weapons, there is something for everyone. From inkzookas and ink strikes to krakens and killer wails (yes I spelled it correctly), they are all extremely powerful and/or useful. However, the million dollar question is does it come bundled with your preferred weapon? Why? Because the preset loadouts in Splatoon consist of main, sub, and special weapons which cannot be customized. Although frustrating, it creates balance. Some think that the inability to customize your loadout is stupid. Lets examine the game to which Splatoon is most similar…COD. In COD, you can choose your perks, weapon, sub-weapon, and killstreaks. Being objective, I am sure we call all agree that most players online in other popular shooters use similar weapons and loadouts even though they have the option to customize. Most people pick what is obviously the most efficient and most times, it creates imbalance. For example, In MW2, most people used Ninja, Cold Blooded, and Stopping Power. Each weapon, sub, and special needs to be just as useful as the others and Splatoon does this successfully.



FASHIONABLY INKLINED
Next up is the gear. They contain the abilities (perks) that augment your weapons, subs, or inkling. Each piece of gear has one primary perk and can have up to 3 sub perks. The primary yields the greatest benefit compared to the sub perks. The great, but frustrating thing about the gear is that you cannot choose which perks you want…at least not completely. Why is it great? Because it balances the game. Why is it frustrating? Because you typically cannot have the gear you want with the perks you desire. Why? Because the primary perk cannot be altered or transferred and the sub perks are completely randomized. For example, I love the Red Timberland boots, but I do not like the main perk. I have 2 options: loadout efficiency or preferred fashion. Do I wear what I believe is fashionable or wear the samurai outfit with a pair of Chucks and a football helmet which greatly augments my preferred loadout? Now you do have the ability to re-roll the sub perks for 3 more random sub perks, but that costs tons of in-game currency or a super sea shell which currently can only be won via special events. Let me tell you that I have spent over $100K re-rolling perks on a single piece of gear only to get more bullshit I did not want or care for. However, this prevents players from creating overpowered sets of gear. Another great addition is the fact that any duplicate perks yield smaller benefits, so stacking identical perks does not yield great benefits. Law of diminishing returns.



CLOSE INKOUNTERS
Lets talk multiplayer. The game currently has 9 maps to play on and more are coming. If you include the slight variations of those maps in Ranked Battle, you could say it technically has more. Although they may appear to be tailored to specific loadouts and playstyles, I have found myself splattered by someone who used a loadout many players would think is ill-suited for that particular map. Just saying. The strategies are almost limitless…unlike other shooters and are determined by the mode you are playing. I can honestly say that I do not dislike any of the maps. Of course I have preferences, but I enjoy all the maps. The maps change every 4 hours and both modes get their own maps meaning no map in the current rotation will be available in both modes. There are some that do not like the map rotation and I can agree to a certain extent. However, I can understand why Nintendo chose to do it. With there only being 5 maps initially, I think some would grow tired of the online multiplayer quickly. You would see all the maps many times over. This way, it keeps the game “fresh.” It gives everyone equal time to take advantage of, learn, and play the maps. It keeps everyone on the same page. Technically, I am sure it keeps server stress to a minimum. I do however hope they add a third map to the rotation. Nintendo, I hope you are listening. Although there are not many maps even now, no match is ever the same. You can dominate one match and get demolished immediately after. The tide of battle can change at any time. You can literally control the entire match and lose in the last 10 seconds. All it takes it one person and/or mistake. This goes for both Turf War and Ranked Battle. In this game, upsets and comebacks are common…so much so that you are encouraged to give it your all until the timer stops or the match is over. I have literally lost many Turf Wars by 0.1%. I have also been 1 point away from winning in Ranked Battle early in the match only to lose later on. Such scenarios turn even the most disciplined and reserved players into raging sailor mouths. Thank goodness there is no voice chat as everyone online would be banned.



INKREDIBLE JOURNEY
The campaign is loads of fun. Think of it as a tutorial for online play. I recommend completing it BEFORE playing the online multiplayer. It truly teaches you many techniques that are crucial to playing competitively. From beginner moves such as squid jumping to advanced tactics such as bomb throw to jump shooting, you will be pretty good when you play online. As you would expect from Nintendo, it starts out easy and then the difficulty spikes relatively quick. Finding the weakness of every boss is easy although exploiting it can be tough. The best part about the campaign is that you unlock additional content as you complete the various levels. How long has it been since games allowed you to unlock content rather than paying for it? Heads up: the final boss is probably the best of any Nintendo platformer in history.

DLC INKLUSION
Using the amiibo, you can unlock even more content within Splatoon’s campaign to use in online multiplayer. The best thing about it is that content you earn is not overpowered, but definitely not worthless. Each Splatoon based amiibo has an exclusive set of gear for you to earn. It basically has you playing some of the campaign levels again with either a different weapon or parameters/goals. For some, it adds a whole new challenge to the campaign and extends it in a sense. I will not spoil all the exclusive amiibo content, but I find it worthwhile.

MIIVERSE INKORPORATION
As a side note, Splatoon’s utilization of Miiverse is the best in my opinion. It has its own in-game plaza known as Inkopolis which is similar to Warawara Plaza. You will see various inklings of players walking about interacting with each other or doing their own thing such as talking, dancing, or just straight up chillin. Each is wearing the currently equipped gear the player has on their inkling. You can also see their most recent Miiverse post. What’s more is that you can interact with all of them…either giving a “yeah” to their post or scoping out their gear. If you like what you see, you can even order it. Nintendo also places various Miiverse post artwork throughout the plaza and multiplayer maps. Whether you take notice during Turf War is a different story. Its even more noticeable in the plaza during Splatfest.



SUCH DISTINKTION
Looking at how fun, accessible, and addictive Splatoon it is definitely my game of the year. I honestly have not had this much fun in years…if ever. Add to that the amount of content Nintendo continues to provide and you have a game that is definitely worth full price despite its absent features. Nintendo has taken a stale genre and completely turned it on its head. It is THE game of this generation for there is nothing else like it. So…ARE YOU A SQUID NOW or A KID NOW?



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Football Season Arrives with the Xbox One “Madden NFL 16” Bundle


Football fans, rejoice: The Xbox One bundle you’ve been waiting for is here, just in time for football season. Featuring an Xbox One console with a 1TB hard drive, giving you tons of space for games, a full download of Madden NFL 16 to play when the game launches on Aug. 25, plus a one-year subscription to EA Access, the Xbox One Madden NFL 16 Bundle is built for sports fans.

Madden NFL 16 brings back your favorite Madden NFL modes: Connected Franchise, Ultimate Team, and last year’s new mode, Skills Trainer. Plus, it introduces brand-new modes like Draft Champions, a Madden-style take on fantasy football. New and improved controls give you way more playmaking options on both ends of the play, whether you’re a quarterback or a wide receiver fighting for the ball in the air. And the new presentation modes make the whole thing look, feel, and sound like a prime-time broadcast. All in all, you’ve got a massive newMadden NFL experience to keep you busy for many, many hours.

Plus, if you’re a fan of any EA game, the Xbox One Madden NFL 16 bundle with one year of EA Access is a dream come true. On top of access to The Vault, a collection of awesome EA titles that are free to play anytime, and saving 10 percent on all EA digital purchases, EA Access gives members the chance play upcoming EA games on Xbox One for a limited time before their release and the ability to keep your progress if you decide to purchase the game. That’s right, with EA Access, you can take Madden NFL 16 for a spin beginning on Aug. 20 before the full game launches on Aug. 25 only on Xbox One.

And don’t forget, Xbox One is the official game console of the NFL, so you can enjoy the NFL experience with the NFL on Xbox One App, and the ability to watch games right from your console.

Available for $399 USD, you can pre-order the Xbox One Madden NFL 16 Bundle at participating retailers now. The bundle hits stores Aug. 18, a week ahead of the full game’s launch on Aug. 25. Let’s get ready for some football!

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