Latest Gaming and MMORPG Updates

How Killer is Dead Could Learn From Grasshopper’s Past
Rumor
TERA Taiwan reveals monthly fee
GameFly Buys Direct2Drive
PAX: Penny Arcade Adventures Bares Its Naked Inspiration

How Killer is Dead Could Learn From Grasshopper’s Past

Posted: 09 Apr 2012 11:41 PM PDT

Max Payne and I go way back. Throughout the series’ first two installments, I was
wholly immersed in its stark shadows, smoky atmosphere, and hard-boiled
dialogue. I brandished my pistols and dove sideways more times than I
could count.
I cherished the horror and violence of his revenge as if it were
written by Raymond Chandler himself, and yet, a place that I’d never
experience Max Payne’s world was online. That void was quickly remedied
when I got my hands on a small slice of the multiplayer portion of
Rockstar’s next effort, Max
Payne 3.

MP3 is attempting to destroy
the barriers between single and multiplayer in a wide variety of ways. We’ve
written about the solo portion before,
but this time we got to spend some time in the online Gang Wars.
The story in Gang Wars, the most fleshed out mode of multiplayer, runs
alongside that of the solo campaign. The skirmishes you take part in
online will oftentimes be set moments before Max’s arrival to a
location during the story, or sometimes in the charred remains of where
his whirlwind tour of revenge previously swept through. While third-person works fine offline, the perspective can oftentimes lead to
ineligent combat that feels more like a frantic crapshoot than a
strategic faceoff; even phenomenal titles like Red
Dead Redemption suffer in
moments of intense action. While I was a bit worried that MP3′s
multiplayer would stall under the same stress, I’m happy to report that
the impeccable energy from the series’ singleplayer campaigns transfers
over quite well into the online arena. Yes, there were still a handful
of moments where it seemed like my opponent and I both cracked under
pressure, especially once combat became an up close affair, but the
game remained a controlled experience for the most part.

Rockstar showed off a slew of
game matches, most of which were slight variations on genre classics
like team deathmatch and king of the hill. One unique mode is called
Payne Killer, which starts off as a free-for-all until someone scores
the first kill. After this occurs, the killer becomes Max Payne, while
the victim transforms into his singleplayer sidekick Passos. These two
characters come equipped with special weapons, higher health, and
unique abilities. It then becomes the task of the remaining players to
work together in taking down these two protagonists. Whoever scores the
kill against Max or Passos earns the right to play as the powerful
hero. This mode encouraged players to work together in short spurts to
take down the two powerhouses, but those alliances you make will
quickly be severed once one member gets the kill and joins the other
side.

Similar Article: http://www.1up.com/previews?cId=3186968

Rumor

Posted: 09 Apr 2012 05:44 PM PDT

According to foreign reports, The9 and Red 5 Studios is set to sign another multi-million deal for Firefall’s Russian server. Recently signed to various parts of Asia under Garena for USD 23 million (link), the publisher for Russia will apparently be Innova (link). Using its expertise in operating another successful online shooter, Point Blank, Innova sees Firefall as yet another chance to solidify itself as the leading FPS operator in Russia as well as a push towards the growing e-Sports and competitive gaming business.

Similar Article: http://www.mmoculture.com/2012/04/rumor-firefall-going-to-russia.html

TERA Taiwan reveals monthly fee

Posted: 09 Apr 2012 05:42 PM PDT

TERA will be hitting Taiwan next after Korea, Japan and North America, and at the publisher OMG’s company event, the CEO (pictured below) candidly talked about some details behind thrashing a deal with developer Bluehole Studio. Apparently, Bluehole Studio stood by a monthly fee of TWD 650 (USD 22) which OMG strongly opposed. As a final resolution, the monthly fee for TERA Taiwan will now be TWD 500 (USD 17) instead.

He also talked about various discounts for TERA Taiwan, including inviting friends to join and buying time cards which contains more game time. For example, buying the yearly time card will cut the monthly fee to just TWD 350 (USD 12). TERA Taiwan will also feature a cash item shop with cosmetic clothing, mounts and items which “will not affect game balance”. OMG plans to launch the game in Q3 later this year with the same version and content as the North American launch.

Similar Article: http://www.mmoculture.com/2012/04/tera-taiwan-reveals-monthly-fee.html

GameFly Buys Direct2Drive

Posted: 09 Apr 2012 05:40 PM PDT

Leading US game portal GameFly has entered the European market, having bought out Direct2Drive and all its assets. The combined portfolio of games now available on GameFly.co.uk totals more than 50,000 and includes top titles like Mass Effect 3 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, as well as new indie games.

GameFly's social hub also brings gaming news, video and account features in a one-stop package that also connects Xbox Live, PSN, Mac and Wii gamers to PC gamers. There's also a new, lightweight download client – currently in beta – to facilitate your GameFly account and organise your titles into a convenient library. You can check the GameFly client and browser out on the official UK GameFly website.