Tomb Raider's behind-the-scenes dev video features Multiplayer

  Before 2012 ended, Crystal Dynamics revealed via OXM that the Tomb Raider reboot is getting multiplayer. In the fourth episode of the Behind-The-Scenes developer video hosted by Chuck( Zachary Levi), we get to see actual footage of the multiplayer in action. 

This is a first for the series. A full-blown multiplayer mode with matchmaking and everything. I'm still not too keen about the idea, but the fact that Crystal Dynamics passed the multiplayer onto a Eidos Montreal (Deus Ex: Human Revolution) to focus on the single player gave me some hope, hope in a sense that I won't see the single player campaign suffer because of them splitting resources. While watching the gameplay footage shown on the video, it had a strong resemblance of Uncharted's multiplayer, which I can dig if done right.

Tomb Raider is set to be released on March 5 on Playstation 3, Xbox 360, and PC.

Pokemon X and Y announced for the 3DS

Uh oh, looks like there's a big reason to own a 3DS now. This will be the first fully 3D Pokemon game in the series. A trailer was released together with the announcement that shows actual gameplay footage. Check out the trailer below.

The announcement was made during the latest Nintendo Direct episode that just ended. From the look of things from the trailer, the game will have a mix of old and new Pokemon, but with three new starter Pokemon.

This will also be the first time a Pokemon game will release simultaneously across Japan, America, and Europe. Pokemon X and Y is planned for an October release this year.

Nvidia unveils a portable gaming device called Project Shield

Well this is a surprise. The graphics card maker Nvidia just announced during CES 2013 that they are entering the handheld arena. During a press release,they unveiled Project Shield, a handheld device that plays Steam games and Android games.

The handheld, in design looks very similar to an Xbox 360 controller, but with a 5 inch screen that has a 1280x720 HD retinal multi-touch display. The device has the standard button layout found on the actual 360 controller and PS3 controller, has HDMI (Which I have a feeling would utilize Steam's new Big Picture feature), a headphone, mini-USB outs, microSD memory slot, and its own speaker system.

Android Games on Google Play and Nvidia TegraZone are all accessible through device. With Steam games, the device can stream Steam games as long as you are near the PC. Games mentioned are Skyrim, Assassin's Creed 3, Battlefield 3, and many more are said to be playable on that 5 inch screen. It is also mentioned that Project Shield can access Android apps like Hulu and Netflix.

It is said that Project Shield can last up to 10 hours of game time and 24 hours of video playback.

Together with the unveil, Nvidia announces the Tegra 4, which they are stating to be the fastest mobile processor with 72 cores and a Quad-core A15 CPU. It is also compatible with LTE networks. Project Shield is being powered by the new Tegra 4.

Not too sure why they'd like to venture on to portable gaming now. Feels like a big risk, with a world now filled with smart phones, tablets, and iPhones/iPads. The PS Vita and Nintendo 3DS is struggling as it is, so I'm not too sure if they will do any better. Since Steam games can only be played on Project Shield if you are near your PC, then Android games is the only option if you want "On the go" gaming, but smart phones and tablets got that covered. The big question is how much it would cost? So far, no details regarding the price.

Project Shield is planned to be released during the second quarter of this year.

For more information, you can visit the official site for the device.

[Source: Nvidia Project Shield, GameInformer, VG247]

An end of an era, Sony Ends PlayStation 2 Production Worldwide

 

A sad day for Playstation 2 fans. Sony just announced that they will be ending all production of the most successful console to date. 

It was first announced that all production will cease in Japan, but Sony confirms to Guardian that they will be ending the PS2 reign worldwide.

Can you believe it? The console was in production for 12 years and since it's launch in 2000, Sony sold over 150m consoles worldwide. I still remember the day I got my Playstation 2, I was in 2nd year high school, I came from the mall and I couldn't wait to set it up at home. My first games were Devil May Cry, Final Fantasy X, and Metal Gear Solid 2.

It's definitely the most successful console to date. To survive more than a decade, living side by side with its successor the PS3 for years? But good things must come to an end.

[Source: GameInformer]

Street Fighter X Megaman getting some tweaks this month

To celebrate Megaman's 25th anniversary, Capcom released Street Fighter X Megaman last December for free. It was a great was to please fans of  megaman. Now they are showing a bit more love by releasing version 2 of the game, which fixes the many bugs that game with this free PC game. No new content was added, but its good to see Capcom is providing support to even a free game like this. 

The news of the update was brought up during an interview with Capcom's senior community manager Brett Elston. Elston.

Brett Elston also tweeted that version 2 will be released sometime this month.

If you guys are unfamiliar with Street Fighter X Megaman, it's really the old school megaman with stages themed based on the Street Fighter characters, with those characters being the bosses at the end. It's a great way to start Megaman's 25th anniversary. Again, it's free, and if you want to give it a try, head over to CapcomUnity for the download.

[Source: MegaManNetwork]