Batman: Arkham Asylum 'Inside The Asylum' Trailer

Keeping things interesting on this slow news day, the guys over at Rocksteady Studios have released a new behind-the-scenes trailer for their upcoming Action-Stealth title, Batman: Arkham Asylum. Running just over two minutes long, the video focuses the game's setting and some of the characters you'll encounter. Check it out:

Thanks to GameTrailers for the above stream. Mirrors are also available at the following websites:

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Batman: Arkham Asylum is scheduled for release in North America on August 25th and Europe on August 28th.

Star Wars: The Old Republic Timeline Trailer #3

Grabbing our attention this afternoon, BioWare has released a new timeline trailer for their upcoming massively multiplayer online RPG, Star Wars: The Old Republic. Clocking in at three and a half minute long, the video focuses on the Mandalorians, their nomadic ways and their recent resurgence. Pretty interesting stuff! Enjoy:

Thanks to GameTrailers for the above stream. Hit-up any of the following websites for a mirror:

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Star Wars: The Old Republic's release date is still TBA.

Fan-made Mega Man X RPG is best thing since MMX2

We're generally not the flash gaming type, you may have guessed, but a new title on Newgrounds (NG) really floored us: Mega Man X RPG.

Developed by NG member ChamberACR, Chapter 1 was released recently, a follow-up to the "0" chapter released earlier in the year -- ACR recommends you just skip that one, though, and just head straight to Chapter 1 which is much improved. The game essentially plays like the Paper Mario series (complete with timed hits) crossed with the Mega Man X series, and it does it so well you wonder why the actual creators haven't thought of this before, instead of, you know, plodding out god knows how many new iterations without too much spirit or innovation (Mega Man 9 is excepted, of course).

There are cutscenes, an RPG-style story that actually seems quite good, random battles, dropped items, great music, and save support -- all the standards we love so much. The game runs at a max 720x540 resolution, and unfortunately you can't fullscreen it, which does kind of bring you out of the experience, but hey, it's great enough you're not terribly bothered.

A "semi-sequel" to Chapter 1 is in development, subtitled "Mission Pack" -- the developer, sadly, will be heading off with the Army in August, so no release date is firmed up, though he hopes it will be before then. Below are the planned features and their status -- quite ambitious for a little flash game.

- Save Transfer feature enables all equipment/stats/etc to carry over. (90% complete)
- New enemies/bosses. (10% complete)
- New animations for main characters. (0% complete)
- Items are now broken into four parts: Consumables, Treasures, Scrap and Key Items. This should help alleviate any confusion as to what items do. (100% complete)
- Mix and match scrap to create new items and equipment! (0% complete)
- More efficient code. (100% complete).

The bottom line with the title is this: if Capcom have any sense (and we like to think they'd appreciate something like this), they'll make something commercial out of this in collaboration with the developer, quite unlike what Square Enix did with the Chrono Trigger title Crimison Echoes. BioWare's Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood did pretty well after all -- where's our traditional Mega Man RPG after all these years?

EVE Online player robs his own clan for real world cash

(Image not by me -- it was found in photobucket here.)

The space-ship themed MMORPG EVE Online has been at the forefront of virtual economies, with a thriving gaming world containing billions of virtual credits, overseen by a real-life actual economist. Like any good MMORPG, all those virtual credits add up to a couple of real-world dollars -- a fact that proved tempting for one player of the game.

RicDic -- a name that will live on in infamy -- decided that while he was rich in EVE, he wasn't all that well off IRL So, he decided to pull a good ole fashioned robbery. Being a CEO of an in-game corporation (the equivalent of a guild in a fantasy game), he had access to all the funds collected by his gaming-group. With one massive withdraw, he purged the company accounts, ending up taking somewhere around 200 billion space-credits. Sold to other players in the real world, this worked out to about $5,000 USD.

"I'm not proud of it at all, that's why I didn't brag about it," the terrible person was quoted as saying. "But you know, if I had to do it again, I probably would've chosen the same path based on the same situation," said the thief, as quoted by the Reuters news agency.

This big huge robbery caused a run on the in-game banks, and caused all sorts of anger explosions to break out in the game's forums.

"Anyone who 'understands' RicDic's actions and sees them as justifiable should be treated as a future scammer and should not be trusted with anything worth more than a Mexican peso. RicDic mismanaged his finances and found himself in a situation not uncommon to many people in these current times," said Lecherito, one of many upset EVE players.

"He should have stepped down and sold his computer, sold his car, moved to a house/apartment actually affordable on what must be an absolutely dismal salary, get a second job, etc etc etc etc. When **** hit the fan he made the decision of a weaker man. Stabbing friends in the back for his own benefit."

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Launch Trailer

Looking to create some hype for tomorrow's big launch, EA Bright Light Studio have released a short teaser trailer for their upcoming movie-inspired Adventure title, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Running just under two minutes long, the video features a mix of cinematic cutscenes and in-game action. Check it out:

Thanks to GameTrailers for the above stream. Mirrors are also available at the following websites:

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Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince scheduled for release in North America on June 30th and in Europe on July 3rd.

Dreamkiller Announced

Creating a little buzz today, Aspyr Media and Mindware Studios have officially announced the development of a new first person shooter called "Dreamkiller". Due out this Fall, the game promises "mega-bloodbath" action and a twisted storyline that revolves around a psychologist who enters her patients minds to battle their demons. Here's the scoop:

AUSTIN, TEXAS – June 29, 2009 – Aspyr Media and Mindware Studios probe the insidious depths of the subconscious to bring Dreamkiller to the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC. A fast, frantic and mega-bloodbath first-person shooter, Dreamkiller takes gamers inside the dark and twisted nightmares of tortured souls possessed by unknown forces.

Gamers will take on the role of Alice Drake, a psychologist with the extraordinary ability to enter the minds of her patients and combat the ravenous foes haunting their dreams. Utilizing a host of fantastic weapons and her own special abilities, Alice confronts our common demons only to discover an even deeper menace reigns within. The ultimate showdown becomes inevitable between that which would torment and she who will protect, and only one force will p 21de revail amidst a variety of dreamscapes as varied and bizarre as the human mind itself.

Dreamkiller features 12 rich levels of single-player gameplay each laced with swarms of hideous and disturbing enemies reflecting the mind’s infinite palette of fear. The onslaught continues with numerous multiplayer modes and a host of over-the-top weapons and supernatural abilities. Stay awake, Dreamkiller will be available this fall.

Included with the announcement are some new screenshots. Enjoy:

 

 

 

 

Sounds like something id Software would do if they had the Psychonauts IP. lol

Steam Weekend Deal: 50% Off Might and Magic, Zeno Clash

Giving us a reason to dust off our wallets this weekend, Valve Software has announced that the Heroes of Might and Magic V games, Dark Messiah Might and Magic, The Heroes Pack, and Zeno Clash are all 50% off through Steam from now until Sunday, June 28th. So if you're looking for something new to play this weekend, you may want to consider checking them out! ;)