FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward Available Now

SQUARE ENIX, Inc. launched FINAL FANTASY® XIV: Heavensward™ in North America, the highly anticipated first expansion pack for the popular MMORPGFINAL FANTASY XIV®, which has already captured the hearts of more than four million adventurers worldwide. Players can adventure together with seamless cross-platform play on PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems, Windows PC, and for the first time, Mac®.

FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward features a new story that plunges adventurers into the heart of the Dragonsong War, the bloody thousand-year conflict between the knights of Ishgard and the dragons of Dravania. Adventurers can enjoy an increased level cap from 50 to 60 for all disciplines, a new playable race, new dungeons and raids, new primal battles, and new mounts that allow players to take to the skies—flying black chocobos, single-rider airships, dragons and more.

“FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward marks the beginning of the second season of our journey through the vast FINAL FANTASY XIV universe,” said Naoki Yoshida, producer and director of FINAL FANTASY XIV. “Having laid a strong foundation in A Realm Reborn®, we are extremely excited that Heavenswardwill build upon this with new and diverse gameplay and content that continue to be the hallmarks of the online FINAL FANTASY experience.”

Key Features

• · All the hallmarks of the FINAL FANTASY® franchise, including genre-leading graphics and real-time cut scenes, an all-new soundtrack, and an immersive story experience
• · Level cap increased from level 50 to level 60
• · New player race, the Au Ra – with unique curved horns and scaled skin, the Au Ra hail from the eastern continent of Othard
• · New jobs: dark knight, astrologian and machinist – players will be able to master three FINAL FANTASY jobs such as dark knight (Tank) who wields a two-handed greatsword and the power of darkness, astrologian (Healer) who use a divining deck and star globe to call on the powers of the stars to heal allies and support party members, or machinist (DPS) who deals damage from afar by using a combination of firearms and mechanical turrets that can be deployed on the battlefield
• · High-end raids, includes a new raid dungeon series within the mechanical colossus “Alexander,” based off the legendary boss in the FINAL FANTASY series

New beast tribes and powerful primals – players will encounter the Vanu Vanu and their primal, Bismark, and the Gnath, and their primal Ravana, allowing players to form new allegiances
Flying mounts – Accompanying the vast new areas that feature floating islands are flying mounts for players to pilot such as the flying black chocobo and single-rider airships· New gear, recipes and more

FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward is available now for PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 systems, Windows PC and Mac for $39.99. The physical Collector’s Edition is available for $129.99 and the digital Collector’s Edition for $59.99. FINAL FANTASY XIV Online, the new all-in-one bundle that includes both A Realm Reborn and Heavensward, is available for $59.99. A free 30-day trial is included for new FINAL FANTASY XIV accounts, with monthly subscriptions starting at $12.99.

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Critically-Acclaimed 'Tales from the Borderlands' Continues in Episode 3, 'Catch a Ride'

Leading and award-winning developer and publisher of digital entertainment Telltale Games, in collaboration with award-winning developer Gearbox Software, creator of the beloved Borderlands franchise, and publisher 2K, today announced the release of 'Catch a Ride,' the third of five episodes for Tales from the Borderlands: A Telltale Games Series. The episode is available today on PC and Mac from the Telltale Online Store, Steam, and other digital distribution services, and on the PlayStation®Network for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3. The episode will be available Wednesday, June 24thon the Xbox Games Store for Xbox One® and Xbox 360, and will be available for compatible iOS and Android-based devices via in-app purchase starting on Thursday, June 25th. "Our collaboration with Gearbox and 2K kicks into high gear with this third episode in a story that dives even deeper into the Borderlands universe," said Kevin Bruner, CEO and co-founder of Telltale Games. "The humor is some of the best in the season so far, and choices are more important than ever. We wouldn't want to spoil too much, but fans can expect to see even more intense action, more faces they'll recognize from Pandora, and one core character in particular that holds the key to the group's big score." Set on the unforgiving world of Pandora after the events seen in Borderlands 2,Tales from the Borderlands is a five part episodic game series full of Borderlands' trademark humor following two adventurers on their quest for greatness. In Episode 3, after a dizzying escape from a very-near-almost-certain-death scenario (involving statuesque buttocks), Rhys and Fiona find themselves looking for another piece of the puzzle that will lead them to the untold riches of Vault key ownership. Lost in the mysterious jungle of an Atlas terraforming facility, Fiona finds help from an unexpected mentor, Rhys continues to share brain-space with the disembodied mind of a dead dictator, and love is in the air. Pursued by the ruthless criminal 'Queenpin' Vallory, and with very little help from Vaughn's accountancy skills (or stellar abs), getting anywhere near the Vault will be entirely up to you. GamesBeat awarded the season premiere of Tales from the Borderlands a96/100 score, calling it, "A hilarious knockout," adding, "Zer0 Sum stands tall as the ultimate point-and-click science project: combine the beloved Borderlands lore and setting with the shining vision of an artistic studio, crank up the heat, and enjoy."GameSpot awarded the episode a 9 out of 10 score, calling the episode, "...a beautiful new twist on the Borderlands experience with loveable leads and breathless action sequences." Destructoid also awarded the game a 9 out of 10score, saying, "Telltale really knocked it out of the park with this one," later adding,"...this might be the funniest Borderlands game to date." Tales from the Borderlands: A Telltale Games Series - Episode 3: 'Catch a Ride' is rated 'M' (Mature) for Violence, Blood and Gore, and Language by the ESRB. The series is published digitally by Telltale Games in partnership with Gearbox Software and 2K. For more information on Telltale Games, visit the official website, Facebook, and follow Telltale Games on Twitter. For more information on Gearbox Software, visit the official website, follow Gearbox Software on Twitter, and like Borderlands on Facebook. For more information on 2K, visit the official website, follow 2K on Twitter, and like 2K on Facebook. Post by Vikki Twitter: ProfessorWhite Facebook: Fangirl Review

Rising Storm 2: Vietnam Officially Announced!

While appearing onstage at the inaugural E3 2015 presentation of The PC Gaming Show, Tripwire Interactive and Anti-Matter Games revealed that Rising Storm 2: Vietnam, the sequel to 2013's critically acclaimed Rising Storm, was officially in development for the PC. To accompany the announcement Tripwire released a teaser trailer for the game that shows the popular FPS series moving to the Vietnam War, where American and Vietnamese forces square off in a whole new generation of warfare. Tripwire's military shooter series featuring Red Orchestra and Rising Storm has been widely heralded as one of the most authentic and realistic multiplayer FPS experiences since the award winning original game, Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45, debuted in 2006. 2011's Red Orchestra 2 came next and won PC Gamer's award for "FPS of the Year (Multiplayer). Rising Storm then moved the action to the Pacific conflict and won PC Gamer's 2013 Multiplayer Game of the Year. Rising Storm 2: Vietnam looks to once again raise the bar and move the series into a new era of combat.

"We're bringing our gritty and realistic military shooter gameplay forward to a time when assault rifles ruled the ground, choppers ruled the skies, and every tunnel could hide an ambush," said Tripwire Interactive President, John Gibson, "The iconic setting of Vietnam opens up so many opportunities for exciting asymmetrical gameplay."  Rising Storm 2: Vietnam is being developed by Anti-Matter Games and Tripwire Interactive and published by Tripwire Interactive for the PC. This title has not yet been rated by the ESRB.

To view the new Rising Storm 2: Vietnam Announcement Trailer on YouTube please visit: https://youtu.be/yBYMluk3R4s. For more information on Rising Storm 2:Vietnam as it becomes available, please visit http://www.risingstorm2.com/


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Marvel Entertainment Renews Exclusive Single Issue Digital Comics Agreement with ComiXology, and Expands to Amazon

Marvel, comiXology and Amazon announced an expanded and renewed exclusive relationship to distribute and sell Marvel’s digital comic books across the comiXology, Amazon and Marvel Comics platforms. This newly expanded relationship will continue Marvel’s single issue digital comic books exclusive on comiXology’s worldwide platform and also expand the exclusive deal to the vast universe of the Amazon Kindle readers for the first time in history.

“After Amazon’s acquisition of comiXology in April of 2014, we collectively saw a great opportunity to expand our relationship and create more ways for fans to access Marvel’s vast library of characters as well as leverage comiXology’s technology, together with Amazon’s incredible consumer focus and reach,” said Peter Phillips, EVP of Interactive and Digital Distribution at Marvel Entertainment.

“Marvel, comiXology and Amazon are committed to bringing Marvel’s amazing stories to current and future Marvel fans across the globe,” said David Steinberger, CEO of comiXology. “And this historic extension of our relationship with the expansion of Marvel’s single issues to Amazon’s Kindle platform is an enormous opportunity to reach more fans.”

Under the new agreement, comiXology will continue to distribute Marvel’s English language single issue, trades and graphic novels via the comiXology apps on Fire tablets, iPhone, iPad, Android devices and the web at comixology.com. ComiXology will also continue to power the Marvel Comics app for iPhone, iPad and Android devices as well as the Marvel Digital Comic Shop. What’s new for fans and readers is that over 12,000 single issue digital comic books will become available for sale on the Amazon Kindle Store on June 18, 2015 and will be available on the Amazon Kindle platform around the world.

“Amazon, comiXology and Marvel share a passion for expanding the audience for comic books and graphic novels worldwide,” said David Naggar, Vice President, Amazon Kindle. “With the ever-increasing number of devices in consumers’ hands and the growing popularity of Marvel’s extensive catalogue of familiar Super Heroes we see this as the perfect time to create a whole new generation of comic book readers.”

Since Marvel and comiXology first worked together to create the Marvel Comics app for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices, the Marvel apps for these platforms have had a combined 15 million downloads. The Marvel Comics app has been the #1 grossing book app for iOS in 2015 and the #1 grossing app in the Comics Category in the Google Play app store for 2015. New fans, across all demographics, attracted to Marvel’s amazing characters through top-grossing movies, critically-acclaimed TV series, and ground breaking new publishing series have driven titles like Daredevil, Spider-Gwen, and Rocket Raccoon to record sales, alongside perennial favorites likeUltimate Spider-Man and Avengers.

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New Plants vs. Zombies Battle Coming in Spring 2016

The battle for suburbia grows to crazy new heights. PopCap Games, creator of some of the world’s most beloved video game franchises and a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA ), announced Plants vs. ZombiesTM Garden Warfare 2, the outrageous new adventure set in the Plants vs. Zombies universe. For the first time in franchise history, zombies have taken over Suburbia and plants are on the attack. Each faction has enlisted new characters from the past, present, and future to join the fight. Play your way through all new modes, discover unique gameplay features, and explore all-new maps. Launching Spring 2016 on Xbox One, the all-in-one gaming system from Microsoft, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment systems and Origin™ for PC, Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2 taps into the heart of what fans loved about the original and goes above and beyond to deliver the funniest, craziest and most over-the-top shooter – and that’s only the beginning. Garden Warfare 2 will also deliver free content updates to ensure Zomburbia stays fresh and action packed.

To see this crazy new world, watch the Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2 E3 Announcement Trailer

“We’re incredibly excited to announce this new Plants vs. Zombies adventure,” said Jeremy Vanhoozer, Senior Creative Director, Plants vs. Zombies franchise. “The first Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare was a simple idea, and we were humbled and amazed by how much players loved it. With Garden Warfare 2, we’ve continued to listen to our fans to deliver the craziest experience yet – packed with more of what they loved about the original and even more of the crazy, weird and unexpected that makes this franchise so special. ” Fans have played a huge part in the development of Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2. As a thank you, all players of the original Garden Warfare will have the ability to transfer almost every one of their unlocked characters into Garden Warfare 2 right from launch, so they can jumpstart their new adventure with their favorite plants and zombies.

Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2 reaches new levels of depth and fun. With fresh lawn-inspiring modes featuring plants on the attack, players can go on the offensive as the plants in an all-new 24-player Herbal Assault mode, or rally the zombies together and defend against the plants in the 4-player co-op mode, Graveyard Ops. Garden Warfare 2 also introduces six new character classes including Super Brainz, a zombie super hero who thinks he’s an 80’s action movie star, and Citron, a bounty-hunting orange from the future, for a total of more than 100 playable character variants. Each new character class offers outrageous powers and abilities that will provide an added layer of strategic depth to battles. All this takes place across 12 new immersive maps that are bursting with personality and humor, spanning everything from a Time Travel Theme Park to the final frontier.

Gamers can also play Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2 their way. They can play multiplayer with or against friends or enjoy Garden Warfare 2 playing solo. For the first time, we’re introducing a unique solo play experience where fans can play every single game mode either by themselves against AI, or with the help of a friend in local split screen. Solo play will also offer a new twist on how gamers experience this universe with more details to come soon.

Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare 2 is in development at EA Canada in Vancouver and has not yet been rated by the ESRB or PEGI; visit www.esrb.org and www.pegi.info for more information. Become a fan of Plants vs. Zombies on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

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Book Review: THE INCREDIBLE THREE AND A HALF SUPERHEROES - Fun for everyone!

BY FRANK SCHMEIßER

ILLUSTRATED BY JÖRG MÜHLE

TRANSLATED FROM GERMAN BY DAVID H. WILSON

(January 2015) The Incredible Three and a Half Superheroes by Frank Schmeißer and illustrated by Jörg Mühle (April 2015; $19.95; Ages 8 and Up) tells the top secret, totally true adventures of the child superhero team, the Incredible Three and a Half. Most superheroes hide behind masks as they battle against injustice in the world and, for their own protection, their true identities are kept top secret. But for reasons beyond his control, incorrigible sixth grader Sebastian Appleby-Krumble is forced to write down his exploits as part of the superhero team the Incredible Three and a Half. The Incredible Three and a Half Superheroes is a humorous, behind-the-scenes tale of the action-packed adventures of Sebastian, otherwise known as the Brain, and his friends Barbara “Action Barbie” Bakewell, Martin “the Chameleon” Koslowski, and Martin’s imaginary friend Dickie, “the Chicken.” Young readers will find out why Aunt Boadicea’s birthday ended in disaster; why Dolittle, the class hamster, wound up wearing camouflage; and how Sebastian was almost arrested while wearing a giraffe costume. Most importantly, they will discover why everyone must protect the secret identities of the Incredible Three and a Half to save the world from terrible danger!

About the Author: Frank Schmeißer lives in Cologne, Germany and is the author of several children’s books in German. Superheroes is his first book published in English. Schmeißer enjoys reading printed books rather than digital ones, although ever since several of his books sunk while he read them in the bathtub, he would rather listen to audio books there. If he had a superpower, he would want it to be endless patience.

About the Illustrator: Jörg Mühle studied at the Offenbach University of Art and Design and the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. Since 2000, he has worked as a freelance illustrator. His hobbies include listening to music, reading, horses, and playing the recorder.

My Thoughts: I recently had the chance to check this book out. I must say that it was a fun quick read. It was filled with great illustrations that only added to the story though I must admit that when I would flip to the next page and see the picture I could not help but stare at the picture and try to figure out what was going on. My eyes would constantly stray to the picture and I had to force myself to read the text and I always ended up giggling at the picture once I knew the premise behind it. The book explores the trials and tribulations of the three and a half superheroes and I know you are wondering about the half but you have to read the book to understand it. We get to read about the main character, Sebastian, who is faced with trying to save his favorite teacher from being fired as well as his dignity when dealing with a mean great Aunt. The book is well written and and easy to read for the audience. It reminds me a bit of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and if you liked those books then you will like this book. Frankly it could easily be made into a movie or television show. My only concern with the book was that there was a bit too much cursing for my tastes. Overall it is a great book to read for the aspiring superhero.


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