All Topics Users older than one year ago

After an explosion allows some of Gotham City’s most wicked villains to seize control of Blackgate Prison, Batman enters the fray to return order to the once-high security prison in a unique story set three months after the events of Batman: Arkham Origins. The Joker, Penguin and Black Mask have each carved up their own turf within the walls, and with several other strong enemies also haunting the halls, it’s going to be a long, dark night for the Caped Crusader in Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate – Deluxe Edition, available from Nintendo eShop on Wii U.

The Dark Knight can grapple, glide, crouch and clamber around Blackgate Prison, surprising enemies with gadgets such as explosive gel or his trusty Batarang. Seek out hidden objects by switching into Detective Mode, and collect equipment to open up new routes and areas to explore. Players can take on the line-up of supervillains in any order that they choose, but beware – some foes will be tougher to defeat without certain tools strapped to your utility belt!

Free-flowing combat has been completely redesigned for the side-scrolling viewpoint, with enemies waiting in the wings before jumping into full-force fisticuffs. Batman can also take a more stealthy approach, lurking in dark corners before striking in silence or triggering a variety of hidden traps. Activate Predator Mode and you can even see exactly where enemies are looking – or how close you are to being detected.

Explore Blackgate Prison in high definition, using the new isometric map and hint system to find your way around and track your objectives more easily than before. Choose to display the map on the Wii U GamePad, or continue the adventure even when the television isn't available with off-TV play.

A unique storyline set three months after Batman: Arkham Origins, told through hand-drawn cut scenes with full voice acting
Explore Blackgate Prison in high definition using the new map and hint system
Experience the series’ fast, fluid combat from a 2D perspective
Navigate Blackgate Prison and take on villains in any order with Batman’s wide array of gadgets

@YouOldSoAndSo probably not, but likely Steam, PS4/Vita and possibly 3DS depending on the CPU/GPU requirements.

— Retro City Rampage (@RetroCR) March 25, 2014

@Vactro Undecided. I need to take care of back/neck issues before I jump into the next game. That's my priority right now.

— Retro City Rampage (@RetroCR) March 25, 2014

@KamikazeKane719 Lots of ideas for new games but not sure which I'll go with yet.

— Retro City Rampage (@RetroCR) March 25, 2014

@okray90 No plans for a direct sequel but I do have lots of ideas.

— Retro City Rampage (@RetroCR) March 25, 2014

@signzzed Waiting on feedback from the upcoming update to see. Hopefully it'll be out soon. Was submitted 3 weeks ago.

— Retro City Rampage (@RetroCR) March 25, 2014

It’s not quite April 1st yet, so I guess this is happening. Oculus VR, the daringly sexy eyeware fashion company/hobbyist virtual reality outlet has officially been purchased by, um, Facebook, of all things. It sort of makes sense, I suppose, given that VR stands to radically alter the way people communicate from long distances, and that seems to be Facebook’s focus here. Problem is, the social media goliath sent out a press release that’s full of bits like, “mobile is the platform of today, and now we’re also getting ready for the platforms of tomorrow” and hey wasn’t Oculus Rift a PC gaming device at one point? Also John Carmack works for Facebook now, and that’s just weeeeeeeeird.

… [visit site to read more]

TADAAAAAAA!!!!! Artwork from our new game! pic.twitter.com/9nsfywZgmj

— Zoink (@zoinkgames) March 25, 2014

Hey friends! If you play Wii U and/or 3DS, please take this Nintendo survey when you have a spare moment: http://t.co/vQ5bZ1GXqj Thanks!

— Dan Owsen (@DanOwsen) March 25, 2014

Evofish is slated for this April. Let's hope it meets the target! http://t.co/6OkOiFVJx5 #WiiU #eShop

— Vernon Schieck (@kitroplious) March 25, 2014

Here's one you probably didn't see coming.

Facebook announced today that it is acquiring Oculus VR, creators of the still-in-development Oculus Rift VR headset, for $2 billion in cash and shares of Facebook stock. Go ahead, take a moment to process that. Facebook now owns Oculus Rift.

"Mobile is the platform of today, and now we're also getting ready for the platforms of tomorrow," Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in the company's official press statement. "Oculus has the chance to create the most social platform ever, and change the way we work, play and communicate."

"We are excited to work with Mark and the Facebook team to deliver the very best virtual reality platform in the world," said Brendan Iribe, co-founder and CEO of Oculus VR. "We believe virtual reality will be heavily defined by social experiences that connect people in magical, new ways. It is a transformative and disruptive technology, that enables the world to experience the impossible, and it's only just the beginning."

The Oculus Rift has been in development since 2012, following a successful Kickstarter campaign that netted the company nearly $2.5 million in funding. The Rift has only been available in dev kit form thus far, with the final consumer model expected to hit the marketplace in late 2014/early 2015. Most recently, the company retained the services of longtime id Software figurehead John Carmack for the role of chief technology officer.

And now Facebook owns Oculus Rift. Facebook. Anyone else having a hard time parsing this one?

Roll a die.

On a 5-6, you have scored a success, and may read the rest of this board game news column.

If you fail, close the browser.

… [visit site to read more]