PlanetSide 2 release window dated thanks to Alpha Squad package

Sony Online Entertainment announced today a PlanetSide 2 Alpha Squad Package which, in turn, could've also revealed a potential release window for the upcoming MMOFPS.

According to some fine print on the official Alpha Squad page, many of the items you'll receive for purchasing the package will arrive upon the launch of PlanetSide 2, "on or before December 31, 2012".

As for what you'll receive, the Alpha Squad package includes a variety of items including $40 worth of virtual currency (4000 Station Cash) and instant access to the PlanetSide 2 beta program. Also included is an exclusive decal, an exclusive title "Founder", an exclusive camo set, a 6-month 10% experience and resource boost, and three weapon unlocks for each of the three empires. All of these can be yours for just $39.99. 

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Mega Man might be suffering brand confusion, says senior VP

Capcom USA’s senior vice president Christian Svensson recently took to the forums, sharing his opinion on the big problem with Mega Man as a franchise.

"I (and probably I alone, so please don't ascribe said belief to "Capcom") think one of the problems MM has had as a brand is that we've had too many competing splinter sub-brands within it," he wrote. "I'm not sure starting yet another is the way to get the franchise as a whole back on track more than creating greater brand confusion, but we'll take it under advisement."

Svensson's words come in response to the user "Metal," who suggested Capcom reboot the Mega Man Legends series.

Both Mega Man Universe and Mega Man Legends 3 were canceled last year, and now only the Japanese Rockman Xover is in development as a social RPG for iPhone and iPad.

For a franchise celebrating its 25th anniversary, Mega Man is in poor shape. Hopefully, Capcom will reveal a brighter future for the icon come December, when the festivities begin in the US.

Follow @wita on Twitter for tales of superheroes, plumbers in overalls, and literary adventures.

[Siliconera]

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New dev documentary goes behind-the-scenes of the making of Dishonored

Bethesda has released a new video series taking a look at their upcoming IP, Dishonored. For those unfamiliar, Dishonored is a unique first-person title that combines stealth gameplay elements with action-oriented combat.

In it, you play as Corvo, a supernatural assassin drive by revenge. Using the highly-touted flexible combat system, you combine supernatural abilities with high-tech weapons and gadgets to quickly and quietly dispose of your foes. The flexible combat system allows you to choose between moving under the cover or darkness or ruthlessly eliminate enemies head on — each a totally viable option, but with a different outcome based on the choices you make.

To date, we've seen plenty of intriguing gameplay clips to get us excited for Dishonored, but today's video — the first in a series of developer documentaries for Dishonored — goes behind-the-scenes with the development team at Arkane Studios. Titled "Inception", you'll hear from many of Dishonored's developer team including co-creative directors Harvey Smith and Raphael Colantonio as they discuss the concept and creation of Dishonored while providing insights into developing its unique world.

Dishonored will be available in  North America on October 9, 2012 and throughout Europe on October 12, 2012. It is set to release on Xbox 360, PS3, and PC.

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Ghost Recon Online 'Arctic Pack' announced, coming September 12th

Ubisoft's premium online free to play shooter, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Online, is set to get its first content expansion. Titled Arctic Pack, the expansion will be available on September 12th and features all-new content including a new Conquest mode map, Tomsk-9, as well as six new weapon variants, three new headgear variants and 2 new body armor variants.

Tomsk-9, which will be Ghost Recon Online's largest map, is set in a nuclear reprocessing complex deep within Russia's arctic circle. It features both indoor and outdoor environments as well as a symmetrical map design. The description promises a "balanced competitive game play flow".

In addition to the new items, Arctic Pack will bring with it over 300 balance changes, improvements, and bug fixes, many of which were based upon feedback from the Ghost Recon Online community.

Below is a list of the items included in Arctic Pack:

The Arctic Pack will be available for all Ghost Recon Online players on September 12. All items are available for purchase in-game via both game (Requisition Points) and premium currencies (Ghost Coins). The Arctic weapon variants will be available for a 2 week period, while the Arctic headgear and body armor variants will be available on a permanent basis in the in-game Store.

Via: Ghost Recon Online 'Arctic Pack' announced, coming September 12th

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Ace Attorney 5 revealed for 3DS

Confirmation of the next Ace Attorney game has appeared in Famitsu magazine.

The issue looks at both Ace Attorney 5 and Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney, which is nearing completion.

Ace Attorney 5 will arrive on the Nintendo 3DS and star Phoenix Wright — this time with a new partner, a mysterious girl in a yellow outfit.

Sleuths from the website Tales Source, which receives the magazine in advance, suspect that the ad on the back of the magazine hints at a November 29 release date in Japan.

Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney is scheduled to come to Japan this year.

Follow @wita on Twitter for tales of superheroes, plumbers in overalls, and literary adventures.

[Andriasang]

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Easy mode for Dark Souls was a 'mistranslation'

Recently, game director Hidetaka Miyazaki proposed adding an easy mode to Dark Souls, a game whose tagline reads, "Prepare to die."

His argument made sense: "I suppose gamers do not particularly prefer easy games," he told Metro. "What they want is interesting and worthwhile games to play, so I think it is natural that hindrance or stress that does not attribute to such interesting and worthwhile elements will be removed in the end."

He also said, "‘It is true that Dark Souls is rather difficult and a number of people may hesitate to play. This fact is really sad to me, and I am thinking about whether I should prepare another difficulty that everyone can complete or carefully send all gamers the messages behind our difficult games."

But publisher Namco Bandai is claiming a translation error:

"This fact is really sad to me, and I am thinking about how to make everyone complete the game while maintaining the current difficulty and carefully send all gamers the messages behind it," is what Miyazaki actually meant, according to the company.

Do you think this was a "mistranslation," or is Miyazaki on to something here? Is difficulty a barrier to a bigger audience?

Follow @wita on Twitter for tales of superheroes, plumbers in overalls, and literary adventures.

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Plants vs. Zombies update for iOS brings a new mode and more

The new update to the iOS version of Plants vs. Zombies introduces a new mode and new levels and Achievements.

A variation on an existing mode, Last Stand Endless provides a limited amount of sunlight. Current players can download and play for free, as well as take advantage of five new levels and three additional Achievements (Hammer Time, Still Standing, and Stuff of Legends).

The version supports full retina display and includes an in-game menu link to the recently launched PvZ store.

A sequel to the hit game is scheduled for 2013.

Follow @wita on Twitter for tales of superheroes, plumbers in overalls, and literary adventures.

[Joystiq]

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