Author: Dustin Murphy

The Beastmen Strike in the Latest Total War: WARHAMMER Campaign Pack

/ Dustin Murphy / Leave a comment

cygor_withlogo_1468255176

Your empire has risen from the ashes and become strong. Your allies know your prowess in combat, your enemies have felt your wrath, and your people have grown to love you. Peace has begun to resume over the lands, but as of today, that is all changing. A dull roar has come from the countryside as your soldiers take to battle against the vampires, the elves, and even the dwarves. As the Beastmen, you will undertake their Grand Campaign, custom games, and multiplayer battles, with the experience of their own story mission Campaign titled “An Eye for an Eye”.

The Beastmen are the masters of guerilla warfare, they strike fast, hard, and ambush their enemies when the chances provide. Their prowess with weapons is irrefutable as they send chaotic magic ahead to doom their enemies. These magics were only told of from The Lore of the Wild. When their combat ends? They will vanish once more into the safety of the forests. Their Beastmen Grand Campaign may be led by two of their famous Legendary Lards from the Warhammer Fantasy Battles. The first is Khazrak The One Eye and Malagor The Dark Omen. Each of these leaders, much like the others, comes with their own quest-chains, and even an new starting positions for their Grand Campaigns. Their warriors are unique, hideos, and filled with Centigors, Minotaurs, and the devastating Cygor.

With the support of the ongoing free content program that is on-going with the game, Call of the Beastmen also brings in the Amber Wizard hero for all players to use, even if they didn’t purchase the DLC. This wizard can utilize the power of the Lore of the Beasts by summoning Manticores directly into battle to chain the odds into their favor. Want to know how the DLC looks?

As part of Total War: WARHAMMER’s ongoing free content program, Call of the Beastmen also introduces the Amber Wizard hero for all players, regardless of purchase. Wielding the Lore of Beasts, the Amber Wizard can summon wild Manticores into the thick of battle. For another look at the game, check out the battle video here. The DLC can be purchased via Steam at http://store.steampowered.com/app/404012/

About the Writer:

dustin_batgr_prof

Dustin is our native console gamer, PlayStation and Nintendo reviewer who has an appetite for anything that crosses the boarders from across the big pond. His interest in JRPG’s, Anime, Handheld Gaming, and Pizza is insatiable. His elitist attitude gives him direction, want, and a need for the hardest difficulties in games, which is fun to watch, and hilarity at its finest. You can find him over on Twitter, Google+, and or you can find him on PSN with RaivynLyken.

Fallout 4’s Vault-Tec Workshop Is Available Now

/ Dustin Murphy / Leave a comment

Fallout4_DLC_Automatron01_1455633116

So you’ve finally arrived at your final destination. Well temporarily. You’ve been promoted to being a Vault-Tec Vault overseer. You’ve finally gotten to where you wanted in order to create your vault, bring in your Dwellers, and even made it feel complete thanks to the retro-nostalgic feeling. Furniture, lighting, and art will always feel unique as well as perfected for the time frame. Much as you would expect, let alone can you decorate, you can also run experiments on your dwellers. Wouldn’t be a good position if you couldn’t, now would it? The Vault-Tec Workshop, is available today for download worldwide on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC for $4.99!

Additionally, you can try your hand at building more Vaults with Fallout Shelter, now available for download on PC for free via the Bethesda.net launcher.

If you are going to QuakeCon, we’ll see you there folks!

About the Writer:

dustin_batgr_prof

Dustin is our native console gamer, PlayStation and Nintendo reviewer who has an appetite for anything that crosses the boarders from across the big pond. His interest in JRPG’s, Anime, Handheld Gaming, and Pizza is insatiable. His elitist attitude gives him direction, want, and a need for the hardest difficulties in games, which is fun to watch, and hilarity at its finest. You can find him over on Twitter, Google+, and or you can find him on PSN with RaivynLyken.

Tripwire Interactive Launches Merchandise Store

/ Dustin Murphy / Leave a comment

Tripwire_Store_Preview

By now you’ve already turned enough zeds into splattered goo across most of Europe, you’ve taken your time turning a farm house into a scene from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and you’ve even mastered your favorite talent tree. You’ve taken on enjoying Tripwire Interactive’s series Killing Floor and have taken up the new changes that have hit the series with Killing Floor 2. So what more is there to do to show your fandom?

Tripwire Interactive has announced that their Tripwire Interactive Merchandise Store has officially launched for the fans to drop in on. It features signature clothing from Killing Floor 2 including hoodies, t-shirts, and even a pretty badass Killing Floor 2 poster. The amazing part? This is the first time the merchandise has been purchasable for fans of the title. So go over there, grab a few pieces of gear, then get back into the game and slay some more zeds.

About the Writer:

dustin_batgr_prof

Dustin is our native console gamer, PlayStation and Nintendo reviewer who has an appetite for anything that crosses the boarders from across the big pond. His interest in JRPG’s, Anime, Handheld Gaming, and Pizza is insatiable. His elitist attitude gives him direction, want, and a need for the hardest difficulties in games, which is fun to watch, and hilarity at its finest. You can find him over on Twitter, Google+, and or you can find him on PSN with RaivynLyken.

 

Pokémon Fan Creates Pokémon as Armor – They Could Work in Monster Hunter

/ Dustin Murphy / Leave a comment

GOBC_Infernape

Lets pretend you haven’t been apart of the huge Pokémon Go craze. Trust me, we’re all there, myself included, which has actually taken away from some of my time from Blast Away the Game Review and Now Loading. However, deciding to take a break after hitting trainer level 10 and around 60 Pokémon, I decided to rejoin the world of social media and even gaming journalism. Trust me, the game is addictive, but fun. One fan by the name of “That Grumpy Old Bastard Creations“.

GOBC_Umbreon.jpg

In his artwork on his Facebook page (the link above), he’s released 33 sketches that are quite fitting to Pokemon, and they honestly seem inspired by both Monster Hunter as well as Pokémon. It’ll be interesting to see if any of his sketches could inspire Capcom to team up with Gamefreak and Nintendo to see if they can make this happen. To check out the full gallery, take the link above and take a glimpse at his astonishing artwork and designs. While they are rough, they are concept pieces, and they are absolutely filled with creative imagination.

What armors out of his entire gallery would you like to see? I know that Umbreon looks mighty awesome with its scythe-like weapon.

About the Writer:

dustin_batgr_prof

Dustin is our native console gamer, PlayStation and Nintendo reviewer who has an appetite for anything that crosses the boarders from across the big pond. His interest in JRPG’s, Anime, Handheld Gaming, and Pizza is insatiable. His elitist attitude gives him direction, want, and a need for the hardest difficulties in games, which is fun to watch, and hilarity at its finest. You can find him over on Twitter, Google+, and or you can find him on PSN with RaivynLyken.

QuakeCon’s Annual Welcome Features Dishonored 2, Prey, and Quake Champions

/ Dustin Murphy / Leave a comment

UAC-Badge-Featured

QuakeCon 2016 is almost upon us. The show will undoubtedly herald in a higher anticipation than ever for some of their upcoming titles that have already received a heavy round of applause. On August 4th, at 10am CT, the doors for QuakeCon will open, welcoming in thousands of the publishers fans from all walks of fandom. Remaining open till 12pm CT on August 5th, fans will prepare to see a rather large kick-off at 3PM CT where they will open up the show with the highly anticipated title Quake Champions only to give attendee’s some exclusive gameplay presentations of their recently announced Prey and the follow up title Dishonored 2.

Prey_Trailer_SC01

If you can’t make it in time for the Thursday presentation? Arkane Studios’ Harvy Smith and Raphael Colantonio will return to the Ventrillo stage on Saturday, August 5th, where they will lead up with encore presentations of both Prey and Dishonored 2 for another exclusive look at the game.

 

Along with these presentations, Bethesda has announced that attendee’s will have a chance to experience DOOM‘s multiplayer, Fallout Shelter for PC, and the in-beta title The Elder Scrolls: Legends. In addition to this, players can also head down to the Exhibit Hall where they can get their hands on Bethesda VR. While down there, attendee’s can also meet up with featured exhibitor events, exhibitors, and sponsors for the event. 

DOOM_20160516014709

If you’re looking for something to do Friday and Saturday – look no further. Bethesda is offering the opportunity for attendee’s to see their developers as well as industry personalities discuss the importance of creating entertainment, giving fans a behind-the-scenes looks at went on behind the scenes with the development of DOOM and much, much more. Take a peak at the full list below. If you are attending? Head over and download the official QuakeCon App on your Apple, Android, or Windows mobile device to ensure you don’t miss a thing! The app will contain a full listing of daily events and will be continually updated throughout the show.  It’ll be updated over the course of the event.

If you can’t attend? Don’t be worried, you aren’t being left out, you can head onto Twitch.tv/Bethesda for live streaming of select panels and presentations, as well as Twitch.tv/QuakeCon to watch all of the official QuakeCon tournament action in real time. So stay tuned for our coverage as we will be covering the event live at QuakeCon with constant article updates, and possibly some live interviews!

QuakeCon_2015_PreDOOM

Before we wrap up, we want to give a special thanks to all the support that both id Software, Bethesda Softworks, the exhibitors, the 2016 event sponsors, and all of the Volunteer Staff give for the event to happen. If you are interested in attending, head on over to http://registration.quakecon.org, and pre-register now. For more information on QuakeCon 2016, you can check out: www.quakecon.org.

Official Schedule

(Please note: All times listed are Central Time.) 

FEATURED EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

 

Thursday, Aug 4th 

 

 Annual QuakeCon Welcome

3:00pm | Streaming Live from the Ventrilo Main Stage

 
 

Friday, Aug 5th 

 

  

Panel: Uncapped: DOOM and the Power of idTech 6

Moderated by Marty Stratton, Game Director

2:30pm – 3:30pm | Sapphire Room

·         Sit down with members of id Software’s technology team  (Robert Duffy, Chief Technology Officer; Billy Khan, Lead Programmer; Tiago Sousa, Lead Rendering Programmer; Shale Williams, Technical Specialist) to get an inside look on how they drive technology decisions and push the limits on graphics, framerates, and performance.

 

Panel: Creating Worlds: A Discussion About Bringing Life to Games, Movies, and Books

Moderated by Andrea Rene and Geoff Keighley

3:30pm – 4:30pm  | Streaming Live from Topaz Room

·         Join Hugo Martin (id), Harvey Smith (Arkane), Ricardo Bare (Arkane), Andrew Reiner (Game Informer), Scott Porter (Actor), and Rick Malambri (Actor/Streamer) as they discuss the creative process and differences behind entertainment.

 

Fast as Hell: Live Speedrun

Moderated by Bethesda’s Global Community Lead, Matt Grandstaff and id’s Peter Sokal (Gameplay Systems Designer) and Kurt Loudy (AI Gameplay Designer)

4:30pm | Streaming Live from Sapphire Room

·         Watch as record-holder DraQu puts his world class speed-running abilities on display while playing DOOM running on Vulkan.

 

Master Pancake Theater

9:00pm – 12:00am | Ventrilo Main Stage

 
 

Saturday, August 6th 

 

  

PC Perspective Hardware Workshop

10:00am – 12:00pm  | Streaming Live from the Ventrilo Main Stage

·         Get ready for two hours of prizes, games, and raffles during the annual PC Perspective Hardware Workshop

 

Panel: Creating Hell: The Art and Design of DOOM

Moderated by Adam Sessler

12:00pm – 1:00pm | Sapphire Room

·         Join key members of id Software’s development team (Marty Stratton, Game Director; Hugo Martin, Creative Director; Shinichiro Hara, Animation Director; Jerry Keehan, Level Design Director; Chris Hite, Audio Director) to get a unique look at creating and designingDOOM’s epic single-player.

 

QuakeCon Attendee Exclusive Presentation of Prey and Dishonored 2

2:00pm | Ventrilo Main Stage

 

Panel: Bringers of DOOM

Moderated by David Houghton (GamesRadar+)

3:00pm – 4:00pm | Streaming Live from Topaz Room

·         Join DOOM’s senior leadership team (Marty Stratton, Game Director; Hugo Martin, Creative Director; Robert Duffy, Chief Technology Officer) as they share stories about their journey to bring DOOM to a modern audience.  Learn about their reactions to the post-launch acclaim as well as get an exclusive look at never-before-seen production assets and art.

 

Official QuakeCon Tournament Finals Party!

6:00pm | Streaming Live from the Ventrilo Main Stage

 

 

QUAKECON TRIALS

Participants in this year’s QuakeCon trials will need to complete five unique goals tied to DOOM, Dishonored, The Elder Scrolls Legends, Fallout Shelter, and Quake Champions for a chance to win raffle tickets for Ventrilo ‘Ultimate Power Up’ sweepstakes. All participants will also have an opportunity to win $5,000 during the QuakeCon Finals Party. The QuakeCon Trials will be held Thursday, August 4th – Saturday, August 6th from10:00am – 5:30pm in the Exhibit Hall. Visit booth #212 to register.

 

FEATURED TABLE TOP VILLAGE ACTIVITIES

Table Top Village will be open for the duration of QuakeCon (Thursday, August 4th at 10am – Sunday, August 7th at 12pm) and the full schedule of events will be available on the Official QuakeCon App.

 

FEATURED EXHIBIT HALL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

This year’s Exhibit Hall hours, exhibitors and sponsors are listed below. In addition to the schedule of events above, the Exhibit Hall’s Alienware Event Stage will feature numerous presentations and activities from our 2016 exhibitors and sponsors. The full Alienware Event Stage schedule will be available on the Official QuakeCon App.

 

Exhibit Hall Hours:

Thursday, August 4th: 10:00am – 6:00pm

Friday, August 5th: 10:00am – 6:00pm

Saturday, August 6th: 10:00am – 6:00pm

QuakeCon 2016 Sponsors

  • Alienware (Premier Sponsor)
  • AMD  (Premier Sponsor)
  • BenQ America Corp. (Premier Sponsor)
  • Corsair
  • CybertronPC
  • DXRacer (Premier Sponsor)
  • iBuyPower
  • Fatal1ty
  • HTC VIVE
  • Intel (Official Tournament Sponsor)
  • Magic Box
  • NVIDIA  (Premier Sponsor)
  • Razer
  • Ventrilo  (Premier Sponsor)

 

QuakeCon 2016 Exhibitors:

·         1UpOnCancer
·         Alienware

·         Altex Computers and Electronics
·         Attic Space Games
·         BAWLS Guarana
·         BenQ America Corp.

·         Bethesda Softworks

·         Catalyst Mints
·         Cheshire Cat Studios
·         Corsair Components Inc
·         CPU Magazine
·         Dallas Pets Alive
·         Devolver Digital
·         DXRacer

·         Extra Life
·         FSP Group USA
·         Glitch Gaming Apparel
·         iFixit
·         Inspired by Nerd
·         Modders, Inc.
·         New Blood Interactive
·         NVIDIA
·         Roll2Play
·         SolarFlare Games
·         Steam Knight
·         ThermalTake USA

·         Think Geek

Attending? Let us know, we’d love to meet up, and talk!

About the Writer:

dustin_batgr_prof

Dustin is our native console gamer, PlayStation and Nintendo reviewer who has an appetite for anything that crosses the boarders from across the big pond. His interest in JRPG’s, Anime, Handheld Gaming, and Pizza is insatiable. His elitist attitude gives him direction, want, and a need for the hardest difficulties in games, which is fun to watch, and hilarity at its finest. You can find him over on Twitter, Google+, and or you can find him on PSN with RaivynLyken.

Still Learning to Play Warframe? Our 4th Tutorial is here!

/ Dustin Murphy / Leave a comment

warframe

So beginning Warframe can be a lot to take in. It can be overwhelming at first, but you know what? We got that covered for you with our latest video.

Got questions? Feel free to let us know!

About the Writer:

dustin_batgr_prof

Dustin is our native console gamer, PlayStation and Nintendo reviewer who has an appetite for anything that crosses the boarders from across the big pond. His interest in JRPG’s, Anime, Handheld Gaming, and Pizza is insatiable. His elitist attitude gives him direction, want, and a need for the hardest difficulties in games, which is fun to watch, and hilarity at its finest. You can find him over on Twitter, Google+, and or you can find him on PSN with RaivynLyken.

Rise of the Tomb Raider for PS4 Gets Dated to Celebrate 20 Years of Lara Croft

/ Dustin Murphy / Leave a comment
RoTT_Classic_Lara

Classic Lara is Playable in Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration

Known for her prowess in scaling cliff sides, ancient ruins, and her capabilities as an archaeologist have become known around the world over her 20 year reign. Lara Croft has become one of the most iconic heroines in the history of gaming and one that proceeds to remain so even today. To celebrate the 20 year anniversary – Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20th Celebration has officially been announced for PlayStation 4 on Oct. 11th, 2016. This new version of Rise of the Tomb Raider features a completely new story chapter named “Blood Ties”. The game will also feature a new co-op Endurance gameplay mode, PlayStation VR will be supported for “Blood Ties”. The title will include all previously released DLC, more outfits, weapons, and Expedition Cards for players to find. A Limited Edition has been announced and will feature a Limited Edition art book.

PS4_ROTTR_Infographic_Layered

The newly announced Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration will also be available for PC and Xbox One. Own the season pass? Square Enix has announced that all PC and Xbox One Season Pass owners will get the content for free, but with the exception of VR support. Moving Forward the Season Pass will be updated with new content that is upcoming. As for the PlayStation 4 version? All the content will be included with this versions upcoming release on launch. So there will be no need for fans to download post-release DLC at this time,.

“The studio is celebrating with all Tomb Raider® fans, thanking them for being on Lara’s 20 year journey with us,” said Scot Amos, co-Head of Studio at Crystal Dynamics. “The team has packed in surprises, new story, and the top-requested special features into this 20 Year Celebration edition.”

For a bit of background on the DLC “Blood Ties,” Square Enix has released a bit of background about the new story more, which takes place in the famed Croft Manor. In this new story mode, Lara Croft must fight against a zombie invasion in “Lara’s Nightmare”. This story gets underway with Lara’s uncle contesting for ownership of the Manor, and forces Lara to explore the estate in order to find the proof that she is the rightful heir. As she fights for the proof of the mansion, players must fight swarms of zombies as she attempts to hold onto her birthright and father’s secrets for good. Want to replay the mission to find all the secrets? You can re-test Lara’s zombie-killing skills in the “Lara’s Nightmare” mode, which forces her to fight her way through the haunted Croft manor in order to rid it of the evil presence holding onto it. This can all be done in support with the PlayStation VR so that players can explore and unlock the mysteries of Croft Manor in first person.

“This year we celebrate 20 years of the iconic Lara Croft,” said Ron Rosenberg, co-Head of Studio at Crystal Dynamics. “This provided the perfect opportunity for us to deliver a new Tomb Raider experience. With the addition of PlayStation VR support, you can play the world through Lara’s eyes for the first time in franchise history.”

With all the new content, Square Enix has also announced that the game will come with a first-time experience for the franchise: a new online co-op expansion. The Endurance Mode will allow fans to raid tombs in the games brutal wilderness together.This mode will allow two players to team up in order to survive the harsh elements by day while fighting off against enemies by night. Players will gather fuel for fire, food to restore health, and even more as all resources will be hunted, collected, and or crafted. All of this will be recorded on the leaderboards for players to show off their longest survival run.

 

Additionally, in partnership with long-time partner Nixxes Software, the development team also created a numerous about of new additions in order to celebrate Tomb Raider over the years. This includes a re-envisioned version of Lara’s cold-weather outfit and the Hailstorm pistol from “Tomb Raider III”. Also, classic character models of Lara will be available for play when the game launches, including classic Lara from 1996. With the request of fans, the game will have an “Extreme Survivor” setting, which causes the game to get even more difficult, brutal, and will test players with their skills as all checkpoints will be removed from the game. This means saving is only available for those with campfires being lit – if you have the resources.

ROTTR_PS4-front

Square Enix, in order to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Lara Croft, has also announced a new “Scavenger Hunt Promotion” that will launch and allow fans to use their wits and skill to obtain some awesome prices. The Scavenger Hunt is a website for PC and Mobil, which allows fans to enjoy a photo, trivia, and social media challenges every week. Accomplishing these will allow fans to earn points to unlock in Rise of the Tomb Raider’s Expedition Cards. Players can also earn sweepstake entries for prices such as ATV’s, Rise of the Tomb Raider skinned PS4 consoles, and an epic grand prize that’ll take fans to the Artic for an adventure. Players can Pre-order today exclusively at GameStop’s int he United States and participating retailers in Canada to gain entry into the experience.

Rise of the Tomb Raider, currently available for Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PC, is one of the most celebrated games of the past year. The game was nominated for more than 75 awards, winning 27. Rise of the Tomb Raider was also nominated for nine DICE Awards, more than any other title in 2015.

For more information on Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration, please visit the official website and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

About the Writer:

dustin_batgr_prof

Dustin is our native console gamer, PlayStation and Nintendo reviewer who has an appetite for anything that crosses the boarders from across the big pond. His interest in JRPG’s, Anime, Handheld Gaming, and Pizza is insatiable. His elitist attitude gives him direction, want, and a need for the hardest difficulties in games, which is fun to watch, and hilarity at its finest. You can find him over on Twitter, Google+, and or you can find him on PSN with RaivynLyken.

Sit-Rep: Warframe (Lunaro Update) – Warframe Athletics Done Right

/ Dustin Murphy / Leave a comment

Pros:
+Short ball possession duration offers up team work via passing
+Inability to use abilities enforces players to work together to keep the team from scoring
+The arena is fairly well sized allowing for a fun 8 to 10 minute match

Cons:
–Minor ball delay when passing or shooting goals
–Decent players can easily stop an entire team

Warframe_20160713172418

Warframe has been changing for many years. It has evolved past a game that was simply about going in and out of Dojo’s and missions in order to operate functionally. It has surpassed the boundaries that gave it a minimal story only to create a phenomenal story that has captivated fans from around the world. It has broken hearts, caused tears, and even created a few moments of laughter within its own story. It has even caused players to hate certain villains, and rightfully so. The evolution of story telling has also caused us to understand order and balance within the universe.

Among these designs, we’ve gotten to know our Tenno, ourselves through a fictional universe, but we have also gotten to fight against our fellow Tenno for training purposes via Conclave. Since its launch two weeks ago for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 while PC has had it for a few weeks more than the console, but that’s alright! The console version lives up to expectations just as it did on PC.

The idea behind Lunaro is rather close to several sports you may already know: Rugby, soccer, football, basketball, and a little bit of martial arts – because nothing says “HELLO!” like a swift kick to the jaw then stealing the ball. The objective to the game? Get the ball into the enemies goal point and win. The team with the most points between Sun and Moon will win the game. Much as expected, the game has two halves, and they take place over roughly ten minutes, which is nicely paced due to how fast paced the action can get.

Warframe_20160713171758

Controls are simple, all normal movement schemes remain in place for all intents and purposes of the game. The only difference? Depending on your controller (since PlayStation 4 is our primary console for reviews, we’ll be going with their button scheme if using legacy where the touchpad is enabled) L2 is to help focus on the ball so you can intercept/block/catch while L1 remains to duck/slide/slide-jump. However, doing a slide-jump with the ball in-hand does make the carrier drop it in order to provide fairness for the sake of the game. In turn normal jumping and sliding remain fully usable by the ball carrier who can pass and or otherwise launch the ball towards the enemy teams goal.

To throw or pass players can combine L2 and R2 to launch the ball even further whether they are sliding or running up-right. Doing so will allow for more range, a stronger pass, and a chance to get the ball where it’s needed to go. All-the-while making opposing players work even harder to obtain the ball. Except for when you score where they get instant grabs on the ball (much like basketball) and force you to move to the halfway point before being able to go on the offensive.

Warframe_20160713173723

While the basis of the game is short, it runs smoothly, and carries on a solid concept of what it is like to have sports in an ever-growing universe. The downsides are is the minor lag that tends to happen, which makes the ball slightly hard to track, and give those players that have mastered Lunaro a winning chance to one-man an entire match. Want to be the Kevin Durant or Michael Jordan of Lunaro? Your chance is here if you decide to take it. Lunaro is rewarding in the essence that it does provide a chance at Conclave mods and even Conclave reputation for those needing it.

All-in-all? Lunaro is a highly enjoyable game that may attract those who found a love for games like Rocket League if they decide to give it a chance. If you aren’t hooked on this Conclave mode? You surely will be if you decide to dive into it for a few hours.

Our review is based on the free-to-play game with all current updates installed.  For information about our ethics policy please click here.

 Final Score: 8 out of 10

About the Writer:

dustin_batgr_prof

Dustin is our native console gamer, PlayStation and Nintendo reviewer who has an appetite for anything that crosses the boarders from across the big pond. His interest in JRPG’s, Anime, Handheld Gaming, and Pizza is insatiable. His elitist attitude gives him direction, want, and a need for the hardest difficulties in games, which is fun to watch, and hilarity at its finest. You can find him over on Twitter, Google+, and or you can find him on PSN with RaivynLyken.

Digital Extemes’ TennoCon 2016 Sold Out and is a Success

/ Dustin Murphy / Leave a comment
5_NekrosPrime

Nekros Prime is on his way.

Conventions aren’t anything new. You’ve probably been to a few of them, you’ve even seen the awesome news that comes from them, but what happens when the master minds behind Warframe get their own show? A soldout success. Having taken place in London, Ontario – Tennocon 2016 brought in over 1,100 players from around the world in order to celebrate Warframe on July 9th, 2016.

Remaining as a free and devoted to game by developer Digital Extremes – Warframe is a free-to-play smash hit from the independent developer and sole publisher of the title. With the first-of-its-kind event, Digital Extremes brought forth their players, nicknamed the Tenno; they offered up activities, panels, tournaments, and even the opportunity for the games dedicated community to meet with one another as well as the developers.

TennoCon2016_DigitalSwag_1080p

 

Earlier this year, the company pledged to donate 100% of all ticket sales for TennoCon to go to their charitable partner, Outward Bound Canada, which supports the program for at-risk youth, women survivors of violence, and military civilians that are transition from being in service to civilian life. Today, Digital Extemes is proud to announce together that they raised over $74,000 CAD in ticket sells to the charity.

“I’m not often speechless but there are no words I can say that captures the excitement and emotion felt when meeting so many fans today in person,” said Steve Sinclair, creative director at Digital Extremes. “It was an incredible experience for me and the entire Warframe development team to see how games — our game — can bring people together in such a positive way. Our community is second to none and they proved it by making our first TennoCon a huge success not only by attending but also by raising a significant amount of money for a very good cause.”

The event was brought to a close with a special edition of Warframe’s well known TennoLive show, which streamed live on Twitch.tv, which game Tenno an exclusive-first-look at some of the upcoming content, which included a new “The War Within Teaser”, which can be seen below.

 

As a final installment of the current three-part-update that has bee nunder way sarting with the release of the games already quite enjoyable sports mode, Lunaro, in June, The Specters of the Rail Last Week, and the first-look of War Within, which features Conclave Master and Operator Teshin. Console players can expect to see the content shortly after the PC debut of it.

Additionally, Tenno at the event got to see the debut of the new warframe Titania. Lead by Design Director Scott McGregor – he explained the plans for the upcoming designs as well as ability for the warframe that is currently in-the-works. Among these highlights is the explanation behind the suits ability to shrink down to 1/10th of the suits normal size, which allows players to navigate levels in archwing mode while attacking enemies with swarms of Titania’s powerful and destructive butterfly minions. Just note that not all of this is not final and is subject to change.

While there the 100 Days of Warframe teaser was revealed, which is being done with a partnership with Paul Otaking77077 and the the people at mashed. 100 Days of Warframe will be an action-packed short that pays an homage to the original awakening of the Tenno when Warframe launched. You can expect more about this later this summer when we receive the news. If you missed TennoCon 2016, you can check out the complete archive of TennoLive on the official YouTube Channel for Warframe.

Warframe is free-to-play on PlayStation Network for PlayStation 4, Xbox One through the Xbox Marketplace, and for PC on www.warframe.com. Make sure to check them out on Twitter and Instagram also.

About the Writer:

dustin_batgr_prof

Dustin is our native console gamer, PlayStation and Nintendo reviewer who has an appetite for anything that crosses the boarders from across the big pond. His interest in JRPG’s, Anime, Handheld Gaming, and Pizza is insatiable. His elitist attitude gives him direction, want, and a need for the hardest difficulties in games, which is fun to watch, and hilarity at its finest. You can find him over on Twitter, Google+, and or you can find him on PSN with RaivynLyken.

 

Warframe Can Change the Way Players Should View Triple-A and Free-to-Play Titles

/ Dustin Murphy / Leave a comment

Warframe_SolarRailSabotage

It’s been a long journey that has taken my Tenno across the solar system. She has traveled across the vast and sprawling landscapes of Saturn to the harsh and venomous climates of Venus. She has fought unimaginable threats of an old world to an enemy long forgotten in order to attempt keeping peace in the solar system. She has tested her skill against her own fellow Tenno and proven her loyalty to the Lotus. In her free time away from fighting threats to the universe to keep balance, she has now taken on a sport once forgotten in time titled “Lunaro” where she has shown her prowess and agility outside of combat.

Truth is, Warframe is not just a game, but a living and breathing entity.

Warframe – developed and published by Digital Extremes – has proven that the game has more than what it takes to market itself as a triple A title. The title itself has received multiple updates that have pushed story, new exploration, weapons, time-based exclusive items for players, and even new innovations to gameplay performance as well as tweaks to mechanics already in place. Truth is? Warframe is not just a game, but a living and breathing entity. It has changed itself in ways to better perform as well as keep fans interested as the years go on. It has also changed the way I look at playing games such as Call of Duty, which receives constant content drops, but at the cost of personal time, money, and grinding. Something Warframe players are well adapted to thanks to the in-game store that uses real-money currency called “Platinum”.

Warframe_Lotus_Tenno_SC01

If you’ve played games like Smite, you are used to the word “Gems,” if you’ve played Grand Theft Auto V it’s the equivalent to the in-game cash cards you’ll purchase for GTA Online. The difference here? Almost everything in Warframe is virtually ready thanks to how developer Digital Extremes has made the game accessible for fans on both ends of the spectrum; paying and non-paying. Thanks to their approach to how the monetary system works, over 98% of Warframes content is free thanks to how Digital Extemes worked their virtual market. With exclusive Renown Packs launching on both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One; it’s not surprising when players get a chance to dash across their screens to equip their new gear they just purchased. Let alone does this help fuel the in-game economy, Digital Extemes has made the game more widely accessible than any other title to the current date.

Warframe doesn’t just offer up massive content updates that feature new warframes, weapons, attachment, appearance items, mods, etc – the game is virtually a gamers wet-dream thanks to their approach. With a public trade system, Warframe has allowed for a mass market of in-game purchasing to become possible. Here is where the game surely makes most of its money as players will dive into the platinum portion of the store to, buy a few platinum, and purchase the latest frames and mods needed. You might be asking though, what does this have to do with this game being a triple A title even though it’s free?

Th answer lies deep within Warframes very core, which varies itself as game that can be competitive, it can be cooperative, and even the constant bit of content that is released through the games major updates. These updates will only be getting bigger with the upcoming major update titled “The War Within” in the games 19th update, which will continue our current story arch from Second Dream. If anything from the trailers above and below show us anything? Warframe seeks to take the industry by storm as the first big triple a free-to-play title since its launch and even inception.

For players that have been playing on both console and PC – the game has seen itself grow in multitudes of ways to fit players from all walks of gaming preferences whether it’s competitive, cooperative or even sports. As one of the major new additions to the Conclave function of the game Warframe has now sought to attract players with its own take on a mix of sports such as basketball, soccer, and even football with its own custom sport “Lunaro” (review for the Lunaro content coming soon).

Warframe_20160713171558

In short, Lunaro may remind fans of multiple sports to be exact – but this one sticks unique to its own. With a ball being at its core, a goal, and the need for fans to stop each other from scoring – it’s a huge twist on the earlier mentioned sports. This is only a small example of how the game has been evolving in the past and continues to do so with each passing day.

If Warframe proves anything? It’s that the title will be heading into an entirely new territory when Update 19 launches in the upcoming days. For more information about update and its future, please feel free to visit the Official Warframe Website.

About the Writer:

dustin_batgr_prof

Dustin is our native console gamer, PlayStation and Nintendo reviewer who has an appetite for anything that crosses the boarders from across the big pond. His interest in JRPG’s, Anime, Handheld Gaming, and Pizza is insatiable. His elitist attitude gives him direction, want, and a need for the hardest difficulties in games, which is fun to watch, and hilarity at its finest. You can find him over on Twitter, Google+, and or you can find him on PSN with RaivynLyken.