Press Release

Capcom, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, ended its panel at the PAX East convention today with the announcement that three titles from its revered catalogue - DuckTales ,  Dungeons & Dragons®: Tower of Doom and Dungeons & Dragons®:  Shadow over Mystara - are making a welcome return on multiple platforms in the coming months. Originally released in 1989 on the Nintendo Entertainment System, DuckTales was widely acknowledged as one of that generation’s seminal platform titles. Taking its cue from the Disney cartoon series of the same name, DuckTales Remastered follows the adventures of Scrooge McDuck as he explores differently themed worlds to collect their treasures and become the world’s richest duck.

DuckTales Remastered has seen the development team take the levels and layout from the original 1989 release as a foundation before expanding upon them to significantly enhance the gameplay experience but where this update truly impresses is its graphics and sound. All of the visuals from the 8-bit game have been beautifully re-created as hand-drawn and animated sprites, across a backdrop of luscious, re-envisioned level backgrounds. Furthermore, original Disney Character Voices talent, including some from the cartoon TV series, bring in-game characters to life with charm and wit, while the classic melodies of the original soundtrack are given a modern twist.

Further additions to the original include an all new tutorial level where players can get familiar with the iconic pogo jump and cane swing; while Scrooge McDuck’s Museum allows players to track all their stats and compare their progress with others via global leaderboards.

A Disney Interactive licensed property,  DuckTales Remastered is being developed for Capcom by WayForward and is scheduled for release digitally on Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and Wii U™ this summer.

As the first modern role playing game, the Dungeons & Dragons franchise from Wizards of the Coast gave birth to numerous products including two arcade titles from Capcom, Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom and its sequel Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystara.  Both these titles are now being re-released with updated HD graphics and a wealth of other enhancements as a definitive double pack entitled Dungeons & Dragons ®: Chronicles of Mystara™. Scheduled for release digitally on PlayStation 3, Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360, Wii U and Windows PC in June, the title is being developed for Capcom by Iron Galaxy and will be priced at $14.99/€14.99/£11.99/1200 MSP.

Just as in the arcades, up to four players will select their character class before doing battle against the mythical beasts from the Dungeons & Dragons’ universe with a mix of melee, range and magic attacks. But now, thanks to GGPO, there’s no need to jostle for position around a cabinet as Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara offers seamless drop-in/drop-out online gameplay in one of two modes. In addition to the classic arcade mode with its branching paths and multiple endings, players can utilize the all new House Rules feature and customize gameplay for a completely different experience.

The new extras don’t stop there. The Character Visualizer lets players track which characters they and their friends use most often and can help create a more balanced multiplayer dungeon party, or point out which characters are most under-used; with further gameplay stats tracked via a global leaderboard. Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara also includes a Challenge system that sets players in-game goals in return for level-ups and coins which can be spent in the Vault: a treasure trove of unlockables and gameplay loot. Finally, owners of the Wii U version will be able to use the GamePad touch screen to select spells and items with ease, allowing for a more streamlined gameplay experience. 

 
 
by Brian LeTendre

I absolutely love the Saints Row series of games. Saints Row 2 and Saints Row: The Third are both among my favorite games this console generation. Between their super campy storylines, wonderfully disturbed worlds and chaotic gameplay, these games are a blast to play.

Last week, the first trailer for the upcoming Saints Row IV was released, and it perfectly encapsulates everything I love about the series. Apparently the storyline this time around invlves the Third Street Saints ascending to the White House, so I can only imagine the international incidents that will follow. 

Feast your eyes on this trailer, and then help me build a time machine so it can be August right now.
 
 
Press Release

HappyGiant, in association with Dark Horse Comics, announce “Usagi Yojimbo: Way of The Ronin”, a game now available for iPhones & iPads, and coming soon to Android devices and desktop PC’s (www.usagiyojimbogame.com).
 
In conjunction with the release of the game, Dark Horse Comics is announcing the first new Usagi Yojimbo collection after a year hiatus working on 47 Ronin. The first new book will be Usagi Yojimbo: A Town Called Hell, which will see release on July 17.
 
Usagi Yojimbo is the beloved character and world created by award winning author and illustrator Stan Sakai, following the tales of a ronin (masterless samurai), set in feudal Japan. This is the first videogame based on the property in over 25 years and will introduce the epic series to a new generation of fans.
 
“It’s been far too long since the last Usagi game, and I am so excited to be working with HappyGiant to bring Usagi and his friends back to these new platforms,” said Stan Sakai, “The game turned out great!”
 
“Happy Giant is thrilled to be working with Stan Sakai and Dark Horse to bring Usagi Yojimbo to the mobile and gaming worlds”, said Michael Levine, CEO of HappyGiant. “This is one of the most treasured properties in the comics world, and we are proud to be adapting it as a game for fans, and for a new generation of fans who will discover it for the first time. This is a real labor of love.”
 
The title is a “2D side-scrolling hack-and-slash game”, done in the comic’s art style, and in the vein of the old Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade game, to which Usagi is often linked, as the characters have appeared in each other’s comics and TV series over the years. The game features over 60 different enemies, over 13 boss monsters and several of Usagi’s friends who fight along his side as companions.
 
 
by Brian LeTendre

Walking Dead fans, you're in for a treat. Later this month, a brand new game set in the world of The Walking Dead television show is coming to all major consoles..
 
The game follows the mysterious, crossbow-wielding survivor Daryl Dixon, brought to life by TV series star Norman Reedus, alongside his overbearing brother Merle, voiced by Michael Rooker, on a haunting, unforgiving journey across the Georgia countryside. Players will need to tread carefully on this desperate quest, scrounging for food, water, and ammunition to survive against nightmares both living and undead.

In the Friday, March 15th episode of Secret Identity, we'll feature an in-depth interview with Glenn Gamble of Terminal Reality, the developer behind the upcoming game. We discuss the story behind the game, how this zombie game sets itself apart from others, and Glenn offers a lot of insight into the design process itself.

The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct is scheduled to be released in North America on March 19 for the Xbox 360®, PlayStation® 3, and PC and on March 26 for Wii U™. It is rated “M” for Mature by the ESRB.  For more information, visit www.TheWalkingDeadBegins.com.

Check out the latest trailer for the game below, and then tune in on March 15th for the interview!
 
 
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Co-Op Critics is Secret Identity’s gaming-centric podcast, where we focus on a game or an aspect of the hobby as a topic for a longer discussion than would fit in a regular episode of Secret Identity.

In this extra-long episode of Co-Op Critics, Brian and Dan are joined by Christina Grenhart and Erik Halston to talk about the current culture of gaming, from online interactions to how games are covered by the enthusiast press.



You can get the episode by clicking here.

You can follow Brian on Twitter @BrianLeTendre and check out his blog at www.seebrianwrite.com.

Dan Evans can be found on Twitter @Sk8j

You can find Christina’s amazing blog “Bioware According to Mom” at http://biowareaccordingtomom.tumblr.com, and you can follow her on twitter at @clgrenhart

You can find Erik Halston on Twitter @Erik_Halston, and he will also be posting on Co-Op Critics blog in the future.

For more gaming discussion, head over to www.co-opcritics.com!


 
 
by Brian LeTendre

Today, Wizards of the Coast and our friends at Drive Thru RPG announced the launch of DnDClassics.com, an online store that will sell PDF versions of materials from every edition of Dungeons & Dragons.

This is fantastic news, as so many of the materials from earlier editions have been out of print for years now. I've spent hundreds of dollars filling in my collection from eBay auctions, and there's still plenty of supplements that I don't have on my shelf. Being able to get a nice clean copy of Keep on the Borderlands to play with my kids is awesome.

If you've never played D&D, or you've been out of it for years, you definitely should head over and check out DnDClassics.com. as there is a good amount of free products  including quickstart rules and intro adventures, that can introduce you, your friends and your kids to the game of D&D.

Here is the official press release from Wizards of the Coast, and you can read the FAQ about the new site here

Press Releaase

Today, Wizards of the Coast together with DriveThruRPG, is thrilled to
announce the official launch of Dungeons & Dragons Classics, a new
online PDF store containing classic content from every edition of D&D,
including fan-favorite supplement materials and iconic adventures. A
one-stop-shop for classic D&D content, DnDClassics.com offers an easy
way to access and download favorite titles electronically by computer,
mobile phone, or tablet (including iPads).

How does it work? It’s easy! Simply create an account* and instantly
gain access to a wealth of D&D titles.  There are 80 titles available
at launch, with smaller batches of additional titles being released on
a rolling basis starting in early February.  Favorite titles can be
downloaded to an online Library or saved to a “Wish List” for purchase
later. Most titles can also be printed. Settings can also be
customized and users can opt to get email alerts whenever favorite
publishers or topics get new items (*Users can also sign-in using
their DriveThruRPG.com or RPGNow.com login).

We encourage you to share this exciting news with your readers. For
more information, check-out DnDClassics.com or visit Wizards.com.
 
 
We've seen Star Wars, Indiana Jones, the Justice League and even the Lord of the Rings get the LEGO game treatment over the past few years. Finally, it's the Marvel Universe's turn, as it was announced today that TT Games is developing LEGO Marvel Super Heroes, and that we can expect the game to arrive in the Fall of 2013.

According to the press release, the game "offers an original storyline in which Nick Fury calls upon Iron Man, the Hulk, Thor, Spider-Man, Wolverine and other heroes spanning the Marvel Universe to save Earth from such threats as the vengeance of Loki and the hunger of Galactus, Devourer of the Worlds."

Game Informer also released a video featuring some of the devs talking about the game, as well as an early look at some of the characters. You can watch it in the player below.

So, are you excited that Marvel is finally getting a LEGO game?
 
 
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The other day we shared the news that Capcom would be releasing an awesome new game for Mega Man fans, and that it would be free! Well, today is the day, and you can now grab Street Fighter X Mega Man for the sweet price of nothing over on Capcom's official website.

There's a lot of traffic over there now, so you might be waiting a while to get your virtual hands on the game. In the meantime, why not enoy the video below that reveals how the project came together?

 
 
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Press Release

Capcom, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, recently shared plans to release a new fan-made crossover title featuring two of the company’s most iconic franchises.Street Fighter® X Mega Man® will celebrate the closing ceremonies of the 25th Anniversary of Street Fighter® and kick off the festivities taking place in 2013, when Mega Man takes center stage as “The Blue Bomber” reflects on his own 25 years of gaming greatness. The Street Fighter X Mega Man game will be released as a PC download beginning on December 17, 2012 and will be offered to fans for FREE through Capcom’s official website, Capcom-Unity.com

 
 
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Press Release

OneBookShelf, Inc., the parent company of DriveThruRPG.com and
DriveThruComics.com, announced last week that their advocacy event “Teach Your Kids To Game Week” begins today Monday, December 3rd, and runs through Friday, December 7th.

While DriveThruRPG is the largest digital RPG distributor on the web, the retailer also advocates the positive benefits of gaming with kids. Teach Your Kids To Game Week is a program designed to reach out to the community and will feature articles, tips, and advice to do just that.

“Teach Your Kids to Game Week is a chance for us to share our favorite hobby with a new generation.” said Matt M McElroy, Director of Marketing for DriveThruRPG, “It can be an engaging and rewarding experience for everyone involved.”

During this time, DriveThruRPG will also feature a small selection of "top choices" for gaming with kids on the Teach Your Kids To Game Week page, the site will also spotlight a Family Gaming sub-category which includes: role-playing games, core books, supplements and other goodies for gaming as a family.

Among the featured games for kids are Hero Kids, a new RPG by Hero Forge Games, Argyle & Crew by the folks at Troll in the Corner and OneBookShelf’s just launched free FirstFable.