Bethesda Zenimax’s E3 Announcements Could Be Huge – What We Expect May Be There

/ Dustin Murphy / Leave a comment

You probably already read our article about BE3 starting tomorrow for Bethesda Zenimax. You may also already know? They’ve released one of this years biggest titles already that has kept me reeling in demon’s for the slaughter and even has kept me busy from finishing my review for the multiplayer of DOOM. If that’s not enough? We also have been hammering out plenty of their possible titles that could be coming out and ones we know are. With the announcement they’ll be showcasing entirely new games this year, we’ve decided to take down a list of things we know will be there since they are about to release, and ones we expect could be the announced titles for this year. If it’s good to say anything now? We know id Software may have something to showcase pertaining to DOOM or an entirely new title all together.

So what games can we lean towards being there for sure? It wouldn’t be a surprise if we got to see a few announcements regarding content updates for both DOOM, Fallout 4 as well as The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited. Why? These games are the hot cookies for Bethesda Zenimax right now. However, all this can change when the announcements start rolling out tomorrow. So what exactly can we expect out of them outside of new content for the previously mentioned titles? Lets take a look at sequel possibilities first.

Prey 2

screenshot-prey2-01

 Originally announced back in 2011, Prey 2 was slated as an ambitious futuristic title that would have sated the masses that wanted a new cyberpunk-esque title. Prey 2 would have taken us on the road as Killian Samuels, a U.S. Marshal who had started out on a passenger flight, which just suddenly happened to crash into the Sphere (recall the plane crash in Prey back on PC or 360? Direct reference). Ending with a short lived battle against a few aliens, which he lost by default, Samuels returns several years later as a bounty hunter on the alien world known as Exodus. Even though he has remained aware of his past, Samuels has also gained some new skills, and has also been thought to be the only human on Exodus until he runs into former protagonist Tommy Domasi. Unfortunately due to his memory loss, Samuels doesn’t remember Domasi at all, and resumes on his way.

With the title having gone through development for quite some time before being cancelled, it won’t be surprising to see if Bethesda Zenimax lets this title return to us in a new format, and hopefully an open world one utilizing the astonishing id Tech 6 engine we got to know with DOOM. With all the buzz circling the title? There’s a good chance we’ll hear something about it with E3 kicking off for Bethesda today.

Rage 2

TheScorchers01

While the series has been dead in the dark for quite sometime, Rage remains one of Bethesda Game Studio’s most beloved title to have come out of id Studio since DOOM 3 and the recently released DOOM (2016). Rage, for those unfamiliar with it, takes place on Earth after most of the world has been wiped out by an asteroid that just happened to target Earth head-on. With a few survivors in cryogenic stasis in special units, a few people managed to hide underground unscathed. While Life on the outside remained normal for most survivors, some have turned into gangs, cannibals, and all around psycho’s while the existing “government” wants survivors for their own reasons if they are coming out of the cryochambers.

While it sounds outdated, the open-world FPS title could very well turn into a rather influential and positive series. With DOOM having proven there’s still love for such titles, even though DOOM is more of an FPS, the possibility for a sequel is fully there. The question now is? Will Bethesda take us once more into their non-nuclear post-apocalypse with a new title from id Software? We’ll see.

Quake (Reboot)

quake2_Sc01

Riding on the heels of DOOM’s success, it wouldn’t be surprising to see id Software take another spin with the fan favored Quake franchise. Fortunately for us? That means that Quake will be done the way a remake should be done and their success with DOOM proves they have the resources to do it. Quake, as many know, is one of the most influential arena shooters out there when it comes to multiplayer. Much like its online, the campaigns have always been fast, furious, bigger, better, and even more drenched in blood than ever. Unlike DOOM, however, Quake doesn’t offer up demon’s from Hell, but instead the twisted and menacing mysterious enemy force known as “Quake”, which are extra-dimensional being’s seeking to wipe out humanity. Later this involved an enemy foce known as the “Strogg”, which were half human and machine combined to make a lethal force.

While the idea of seeing a Quake reboot in the plausible future might not be realistic, we know that DOOM’s dev team has been hard-on-heels to flesh out the minor bugs, and working on the multiplayer DLC to bring more fresh content to the PvPer’s that have been at DOOM for countless hours since its launch.

The Elder Scrolls VI

the_elder_Scrolls_Valenwood

While there have been many “leaks” stating Argonia or Valenwood are next? I’m hard-pressed to believe we may see a new title announced this soon, especially with the success rate of The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited, and its constant updating with new content. Granted the content ranges between $20-$30, it’s popular. While it has been stated they’ll be releasing a new entry in the series, it’ll be interesting to see the elven lands of Valenwood in the flesh with its own standalone title outside of The Elder Scrolls Online.

We can only predict the new title will be using many of the mechanics from the Fallout 4 engine as well as the Fallout 4 engine itself with possible mod support in the future, just like Fallout 4. If this title is announced? We’re sure it’ll have a lot shown later this year at QuakeCon while we are only teased a glimpse of it at E3.

The Evil Within 2

The_Evil_Within_Logo

If Tango Gameworks didn’t screw with your mind the first time, we’re not surprised if Shinji Mikami and his team won’t try again. After the success of their first title, a masterpiece of horror, mind you, we can only hope they’re working on a follow up. With the first title having left many questions behind what was going on and the long term effects of the experimentation’s that lead up to the games major events, we can only keep our fingers cross hoping the effects were more widespread than we thought.

While it will be hard for Shinji in his team to surpass their spectacular work from the first time around, we can hope that Shinji is looking for new ways to make our skin crawl outside of rooms made out of giant porcelain baby doll faces. Excuse me while I find a blanket to hide under.

While we can speculate across the countless franchises that Bethesda Game Studios produces, we already know there’s a few we’re half expecting to be at E3, and a few that may just surprise us if they are. So lets take a look at the games we’re sure will be there with some new content and a bit more information regarding them.

Dishonored 2

Dishonored_2_Still

Following up the works of Corvo, we know that Ms. Emily isn’t the little royalty we thought she would grow up to be, not after her family was assassinated infront of her and her guardian framed for it. With Corvo having retired from his “civic” duties, Emily is now well on her way to mastering her prowess as an assassin while wielding the mask and even grappling with mastering her equipment and abilities. Dishonored 2 by Arkane Studios has been one of the most anticipated first-person open-world titles that takes us into a beautifully portrayed steampunk world that fuses both modern sensibilities with colonial beauty.

While the title is slated for a release later this year, we’re highly anticipating finalized gameplay and new additions prior to the games release this week.

Fallout 4: DLC/Mod Support

Fallout_4_Automatron_pre-release_4

We know that Fallout 4 is taking the sand-box world by storm since it’s bridging the gap between consoles and PC with mod support. Launching here shortly on Xbox One and later on PlayStation 4, we know mods have been a big deal with the franchise. Be it upped graphics, appearance items, new gameplay mechanics, companions, even some more adult-oriented content; Mods are a huge deal. With Fallout 4 it’d be surprising not to see something in regards to another large DLC along the scope of Far Harbor, which has recently been released for all platforms, and is rather enjoyable with the framerate fixes for consoles.

Since DLC’s are this games big deal, we’ll most-likely see something in regards to this manner. What we see? Now that’s the mystery.

Closing Thoughts

While the list of games we could see announced already and existing is slim, we know titles like DOOM, Dishonored 2, and Fallout 4 will more than likely be there, Bethesda Zenimax has a lot of ammunition up their sleeves. The question is now? How much of it will they spend before QuakeCon this year or will we be seeing it all at once with touch-ups on previous announcements? Right now it’s all wait and see.

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.

Eldar Announced for Warhammer 40,000: Eternal Crusade

/ Dustin Murphy / Leave a comment

Once a proud and strong race, the ancient Eldar brought a terrible curse upon themselves, one that caused them to no longer rule the stars, but also one that caused them to be divided from the empire forever. Struggling with both against the dying of the light, and even ongoing wars that require their remaining few forces to face off against the gravest of threats, the Eldar find themselves fighting for their planet Arkhona, one that will decide their face as a failure of the Eternal Crusade could lead to their very loss of existence.

Warhammer 40k EC - Eldar_June'16 (2).jpg

For those unfamiliar, Warhammer 40,000: Eternal Crusade is a massively multiplayer third person shooter (MMOTPS) developed by Behaviour Interactive that currently features four factions: Space Marines, Chaos Space Marines, Eldar, and the Orks. These factions all must deploy on tactical terms using strategy and cunning as they assault strongholds, defend their outposts, and delve deep within the Underworld to take on the hordes of Tyranids that seek to destroy everything. As players work in harming together, they will conquer on and off battlefields to advance their faction goals and to reign supreme over their enemies.

Warhammer 40k EC - Eldar_June'16 (1)

Warhammer 40,000: Eternal Crusade will be available on the PlayStation 4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One system, and Steam for PC. It is currently available on Steam via Early Access. Stay tuned for our continued coverage of the game.

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.

Review: Total War: Warhammer – Ringing the Bells of War

/ Dustin Murphy / Leave a comment

Pros:
+Depicts the Warhammer universe in an immaculate manner
+Mod support works greatly since launch
+Online multiplayer is challenging, fun, and keeps the game functionally alive
+Amazing combat rendering for each faction
+Extremely easy to navigate and moderate active mods through the launcher.
+Runs amazing even on lower spec computers

Cons:
-Can be complicated for beginners to learn even with tutorials

WarHammer_Flat_FinA_White_small_1429545740

When you think of strategy games what do you think of? Some may think of games such as Starcraft, X-Com: Declassified, Warcraft, Total War, Age of Empires, and many others when it comes to the famed genre. When you ask me? I think of even older games, ones like Sid Civilization or Missionforce: Cyberstorm. However, none of these games truly have the depth of Total War: Warhammer, but this one isn’t the usual for the franchise. Known for its historic approach to events of true history and an approach to some of the worlds most interesting conflicts, Total War: Warhammer takes away from events such as the era of the Shogun and Napoleon Bonapartes greatest achievements in history.

Created by the masterminds behind the Total War franchise and even Halo Wars, Creative Assembly has created a solid franchise, one that fits a specific niche for some gamers, and continues to do great at it. With this latest expansion, they’ve done something astounding, and followed lore many Warhammer fans have come to know as well as love in the fantasy universe. For many of us, we know the Warhammer franchise hasn’t had the best of all records with games such as Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine, which lost sight of its source material and aimed to create an epic adventure in the renowned science fiction universe. While we’ve seen other games that have taken this route, the series has had a bit of a rocky road, but thanks to Creative Assembly, it seems that bit of unfortunate circumstances has been turned around as of late.

No_Logo_TWWH_Battle_Review7

Hardware Used for the Review:
Asus RoG G53SX-DH71 Gaming Laptop (External Link to Asus RoG Website)
Windows 10 Premium – 64-bit
1920 x 1080 resolution screen
8GB DDR4 RAM
1TB 7200RPM HDD with a 1TB 7200RPM Backup HDD
Nvidia GTX 560M 2GB

As a series that has been always evolving and making itself stronger, Total War hasn’t stopped itself from doing so even with its latest endeavor into the tabletop universe that has taken the world by storm for well over two decades. For my campaign? I couldn’t resist taking on the gameplay of the worlds adventurous as well as opportunistic Vampires. While I’d have loved to take to playing as the Dark Elves, Elves or Skaven, I was quite content with the selection that was made possible. While Vampire Counts is by far my favourite, I was quite content seeing Dwarves being one of my largest opponents even though they quickly became a nuisance.

No_Logo_TWWH_Battle_Review5

One of the most admirable parts of the game is the gameplay itself where the game focuses heavily upon regiments and their strategy. Something that ties almost perfectly with the tabletop game where the rules are implemented as if they were made just for Total War. As one would expect, the veterans to the franchise would find themselves at a bit of an advantage due to their knowledge of unit times as well as what they will contend best against in real-time combat be it in large groups or individual battles.

The one thing that may take them for a bit of a spin is the games required maintenance for their empire as they take on their enemies. Because of this players will find themselves carefully recruiting, filling in defenses, but also bargaining for truces with enemy factions. This can include the factions players can choose from such as the Human Empire, Vampire Counts, Chaos Warriors (available as a pre-order bonus for pre-order folks or as an optional DLC) as well Orks and Goblins.

Total War: Warhammer – PC (Reviewed)
Developer: Creative Assembly
Publisher: Sega
Price: $59.99 USD
Released: Available Now

While one would expect them all to play the same, it’s actually not the case here, as each has their own strengths, weaknesses, and even their own resources needed to keep their factions alive. Some may take on larger infantry scales as the Human Empire or the terrifying Terrorgheists and monstrosities of skeletons from the Vampire Counts. Others may see magic become a lacking feature of the Dwarves focus more on combat prowess as well as their capability of controlling the battlefield the best they can. While it’d been interesting to see the nimble yet cunning races such as the Elves in or the terrifying Skaven taking to the battlefield, players won’t be disappointed when they see what Creative Assembly has brought to life even if their faction didn’t make the games initial cut. As someone who has played plenty of Warhammer games such as Dawn of War, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine, it’s hard to not say this game isn’t near-perfect as a deep and complex empire building title with its strategy focus for combat, but also; the best Total War game I’ve played to date. This has easily taken the spot from Total War: Shogun 2. You can be guaranteed our review will get updated over time as we experience more and more with it.

Our review is based on a copy provided to us by the games publisher.  For information about our ethics policy please click here.

 Final Score: 9 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.

Bethesda to Kick Off E3 2016 with the Bethesda 2016 E3 Showcase

/ Dustin Murphy / Leave a comment

 

As many of you know, E3 is this weekend, starting June 12th. To get the party started? Bethesda Zenimax E3 spirit by celebrating their games, their developers, and of course you, their fans with the BE3 Plus experience. The event will be headlined with Bling-182 performing live while media, industry insiders, and you, their biggest fans as you get to experience a Showcase for all their attendees with a first-hand special Bethesda E3 Experience, which has game demos, hosted interviews, and even an unforgetttable performance by the blink-182.

 

Beth_Logo_fullres

For those unfamiliar with it, Adam Sessler & Morgan Webb, the former hosts of G4 TV’s X-Play, will be opening the show as well as setting the stage for some of the publishers largest new gameplay reveals coming this weekend. Bethesda has announced they will be returning later this Sunday evening to be broadcasted live from BE3 – Plus for exclusive interviews. The schedule can be found below.

Official Bethesda Press Information:

 

Tune In to Watch Live

For those who can’t make it in person, we’ll begin broadcasting at 6:15pm PDT live on our official YouTube (www.youtube.com/BethesdaSoftworks) and Twitch (www.twitch.tv/bethesda) channels, taking E3 out of the confines of Los Angeles and into the homes of millions of fans from around the world. The Showcase will begin at 7:00pm.

Standby Line 

Don’t have a ticket? At BE3 2015 we had over a thousand fans in the audience, and this year we plan to have at least as many in attendance! If you’re local or find yourself in LA, we will once again have a ‘Standby Line’ for our E3 Showcase. The event takes place at The LA Hangar – 2627 Medford Street, Los Angeles, 90033. The standby line opens at 1pm. The line starts forming along Medford Street. There will be signs and staff around if you have any questions.

Any reserved tickets not claimed by 630pm will be released to stand-by fans. We also have an outdoor theater set up that will be streaming the Showcase where we can accommodate an additional 300 people. Everyone that is allowed inside our event space to watch the Showcase is invited to join the BE3 Plus festivities that take place in the same location directly following the Showcase.

 

P.S. Keep an eye on our social channels for more info and updates about BE3 2016. And be sure to tune into the streams, which you can find on our official YouTube (www.youtube.com/BethesdaSoftworks) and Twitch (www.twitch.tv/bethesda) channels.

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.

Square Enix Releases a New Trailer for Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue

/ Dustin Murphy / Leave a comment

Kingdom_Hearts28

There’s a world beyond ours, one where heroes fight with unimaginable powers, where legends of Disney lore live true and among one another on other planets. Welcome to Kingdom Hearts, a franchise that has taken the world by heart as it introduced new roles to famous characters such as Donald, Goofy, Mickey, Minni, Pluto, and many more to travel along side our famed heroes. In their latest chapter, Square Enix has showcased the famed character Aqua, one of the original wielders of the Keyblade, and her battle against the relentless Heartless.

This trailer features a battle that is completely new and playable in the new episode Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep – A fragmentary passage -, which will be included in the new HD compilation that includes next-generation graphics. This brand new storyline will provide players with a preview to the upcoming events of the highly anticipated Kingdom Hearts III slated for consoles such as the PS4. This new game will also include new HD gameplay footage for Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance, which was an exclusive 3DS game till now. Stay tuned for more news as well as an upcoming review.

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.

Atlus Street Dates Persona 5 for PS3 and PS4

/ Dustin Murphy / Leave a comment

Been wondering what it would take to steal your heart away? As of today, Atlus has officially street dated Persona 5 as well as announced the “Take Your Heart” Premium Edition that’ll be landing on shelves near you on February 14th, 2017.  This edition? It’s exclusive to PlayStation 4 when it launches and features a large bit of goodies for you collector’s.

persona5_02

The upcoming edition comes with a 64-page hard-covered art book featuring the works of Shigenori Soejima whom will appear at the ATLUS booth at E3 this year. Think that’s all in it? You’re wrong. Atlus has also announced it will come with a 4-inch plush figurine of Morgana, a member of the Phantom Thieves, and the mascot of the group (Teddy is no more folks, that’s all). Morgana is a cat by day and a cat-like, Persona-wielding thief by night. This plush will feature Morgana’s Phantom Thief appearance, with bandana, mask, and all! This edition will also feature a Steelbook collectible case exclusive to the game, soundtrack, and a bad ass high school bag modeled after Japanese-style school bags.

Because of how colossal box the goodies are? The box is the size to match it all. Wanting to grab it? You can pick up the “Take Your Heart” Premium Edition retails for $89.99/CA$109.99. You can be guaranteed we’ll be doing an unboxing of this edition.

persona5_01

For those just interested in the PS4 version of the game, we’re releasing a limited pre-order/day-one run of the Steelbook Launch Edition, arriving in the same SteelBook case as the Premium Edition (while supplies last). The PS4 version of the game will retail for $59.99/CA$79.99.

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.

Guardians of the Rose Heads to Kickstarter

/ Dustin Murphy / Leave a comment

If you’ve ever wanted to go on a tale of adventure with companions and an attempt to stop the great witches to free a kingdom, this game is your choice for the taking. As a member of the Royal Guard, a freshly inducted member that is, you are part of the magic keepers of the king. As you begin, you’ll discover corruption within the Royal Guard as the witches have now tainted them to their needs. As you begin your adventure, your chance is to attempt to overthrow the witches curse that has enslaved the kingdom while taking on giants, river spirits, dragons and more.

guardians_of_the_Rose3

For those wondering about the play style, the game is one that is open-ended in its adventure, one that allows players to explore whatever direction they wish and even choosing the progress to the storyline at, which they prefer. Luckily quests aren’t to feel like errand boy quests, but instead offer players a feel of accomplishment once completed. As players get their story underway, the choice is theirs between good, bad, and evil to influence a players ending. Driven like any, the game takes the familiar turn of graphical prowess and gameplay mechanics of titles like The Legend of Zelda, Gauntlet, and elements from the famed The Elder Scrolls Franchise.

Along with the inspiration from classic books and stories the games style was inspired by old school Arcade games that I would play as a kid at Pizza Hut and the local bowling Alley.

Guardians of the Rose Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/broc/guardians-of-the-rose-story-driven-2d-action-rpg

This game will be available on PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, Xbox One with the possibility of others.

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.

Deus Ex’s Augments May be Here Sooner than You Think

/ Dustin Murphy / Leave a comment

dxmd_leg_augmentation

Imagine a world not far from our own where losing an eye, a leg, a hand, your arm, heart, or even a lung was replaceable. Imagine a world where you weren’t limited to the defects of humanity with being born with a limb that wouldn’t work or a part of your leg that has been overly damaged. Imagine a world where the impossible is now possible. Welcome to Deus Ex, a franchise that has taken the idea of humanities limitations and moved past with factual science that has begun making itself reality. It’s become a world of endless possibilities in a franchise that has made us wonder where human augmentations would go with artificial limbs, eyes, enhanced ears, and the likes. That world is a place where once career-ending limitations became a thing of the past and allowed for humans to regain control of what once seemed over.

A few years ago, I began to watch and study the world of prosthetic limbs and human enhancement. Not because I or anyone I know are disabled in such means, but because the science behind it made me curious. It made me curious to what would happen if we began to break the boundaries between man and machine only to merge into a world where humans would transcend being handicapped or disabled. After playing Deus Ex: Human Revolution, I began to question the possibilities of a future that could truly become reality, and to my amazement? That future isn’t far off.

When I talk biomedical implants or even something similar, you probably are thinking things such as artificial teeth, metal rods in legs, arms or back, but what if I’m talking mechanically engineered?

The Blind Can See Again

As someone who has always had eyesight problems. I found myself often questioning, “What would happen if I went blind?”; the answer? Now it seems not to far away thanks to scientific advances in human implants as well as artificial eyes. Back in July of 2015, I stumbled upon a BBC article written by medical correspondent Fergus Walsh that discussed retinal implants that allow 80 year old Ray Flynn to see again. Ray Flynn suffers from a disorder called Dry AMD, or age related macular degeneration. A disorder that affects at least half a million people a year just in the U.S. alone. Close to the same in the United Kingdom it comes out. The minds behind this device? A team known as Second Sight with their device known as The Argus II Bionic Eye Implant.

Ray_Flynn.jpg

Ray Flynn with his Argus II. Photo Copyrights – The Guardian.

This implant has allowed Mr. Flynn to once more begin seeing the things he love’s such as futbol, the television set, and even his computer screen again. Let alone can he see those, Mr. Flynn is also capable of making out his family again.

argus2_press_photo.jpg

Picture Copyright is held by Second Sight.

So how exactly does this augmented implant work? The bionic eye implant is first put into the eye, where a surgical procedure is done. It is then hooked up to the small electrodes around the retinal, which allows the cells to carry the visual information to the brain. From there the brain is able to process the electrical impulses while the device transmits the data being sent to the brain to his eyes from the glasses camera.

argus-ii.jpg

Doing this allows for the retina’s remaining cells to function to the best of their ability. This can be imagined as almost like seeing a computer screen’s vertical and horizontal as well as diagonal lines. Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean at this time that eyes will fully be replaced by bionics, but gives us the idea that there’s a lot more in the works, and may just give us a fighting chance against pure blindness. Now we just play the waiting games for augments like Adam Jensen’s where we can have glasses or visual receptors near our face without needing glasses or sunglasses at all times.

Prosthetic Limbs That Work Like Real Limbs

For many of us, the thought of losing an arm, a leg, a finger, a part of our foot, all of it is terrifying, and for some? It’s a reality. After sitting down on YouTube the same night I read about Mr. Flynn, my mind began to wonder about realistic prosthesis and what the future could hold. For example, what if I was injured in a crash, how would I write, how would I play games, how would I hold a child if I had one? To YouTube I went and stumbled upon various advances in prosthesis. There I stumbled upon a video that had my interest. Here I watched a man by the name of Hugh Herr – if you don’t know about this man, he’s MIT Media Lab’s Biomechatronics head honcho. Meaning? He’s the badass behind the prosthetic limbs.

dr_hugh_herr

Photo Courtesy of Sports Illustrated/Getty Images

Hugh Herr, for a bit of background, is a double amputee. He lost both of his legs in a climbing accident that left him bed bound for years. In his speech it was hard not to find myself interested as he began to discuss the teams advancement in limb replacement. Granted the limbs come off at the end of the day, these limbs allow him to walk as you and I do, get around as you and I do, and even do the things he loves such as running, walking, climbing, and even jogging.

This is thanks to the 48 year old doctor’s want for new and impossible prosthetics to replace the old conventional ones that come with hindering limitations. On his designs, Dr. Herr has designed a beyond complex board system that allows for a onboard system to work with microprocessors, environmental sensors, control loops. springs, struts, and muscle as well as tendon like motors. What does this mean? Almost realistic body parts, but in a prosthetic. His prosthetic title? BiOMs. That means these legs will automatically adjust reflexively as they move with the patients strides, the slopes in their terrain, but they also recycle energy as if they were our own flesh, blood and bone.

Thanks to his advancements in this technology, we can only wonder when his team of scientists will replace legs, arms, and even other body parts with functional augmented parts that don’t have to be removed, and will forever seem as if they were the real limb they replaced. You can watch his Ted Talk fascinating as well as captivating speech here.

BioChips

As one could imagine, it’s not hard to see a world where things such as BioChips exist (External Link to Fox News), because they already do. These chips allow for people to hold their personal information on a single RFID, allowing them to unlock their houses, send faxes, unlock cars, pay with the swipe of their hand, and be on with their lives. These chips also have personal information such as GPS location and the likes on them so that they can also find missing children, Alzheimers patients, and even identify a missing persons.

While those certainly do have their possible uses, what about more daily uses such as opening your house with the swipe of a hand, loading your grocery list to the chip via NFC from your computer so it could be loaded to your phone or a AR set of glasses? What about paying your bills by simply swiping your hand over an app or going to an ATM and simply moving your hand with the chip over the device that will activate it? While it all seems scary, this future is already happening in many places and has become useful for those using those devices. Several have already shown that their lives have become easier, more stress free since having been chipped. While privacy concerns are still there, it seems the route is quote possible and even useful for those intending on using the technology.

The Deus Ex Future Isn’t Far

While many of us have seen the trailers, the shorts, and even the effects of what can happen through augmentation. It’s hard not to imagine a world where we aren’t quite human anymore, but have surpassed many limitations through the use of technology. While the idea of having a chip inside my hand isn’t ideal, it’s an idea that may not be too far off with the way cellphones, necklaces, wristbands, and the likes are now becoming wearable technology.

dxmd-still-2

While the future for true merger between man and machine is far from being perfected, it’s interesting to see where it will go, when it will become to fruition in an easily accessible and when we will fully be able to utilize some of the technologies seen within the franchise. While I don’t expect to see people smashing through walls with artificial limbs, I do hope to see people returning to normal and functioning lives through technology.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is set to launch on PlayStation 4, PC, and Xbox One August 23rd, 2016.

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 Makes Killing Floor 2 Global Publishing Deal for PS4 with Deep Silver and Iceberg Games

/ Dustin Murphy / Leave a comment

Killing Floor 2 as you know has already been a huge game for both David and I. We’ve put quite a bit of time into it blowing up zombies, beating them to a bloody visceral mess, and even stacking their corpses for a bonfire on PC. You may also know I have way too many damn mods for my PC version of the game. However, that’s not a problem, and that’s because the PlayStation 4 version is officially on its way as Tripwire Interactive has signed a publishing deal with both Deep Silver (Dead Island, Saints Row) and Iceberg Games.

KF2_ReturnOfThePatriarchUpdate_006

This new deal will allow for fans to experience the outbreak caused by Horzine’s Biotech experiment’s that failed causing the collapse of the European Union as everything from government, to military forces, to communications, and eventually financial structures collapsed. In its wake, the European content has been swallowed by swarms of the undead, leaving survivors to fight for their lives in order to stop the infestation from getting worse. For those of you that haven’t experienced the title that features new perks, return of fan-favored bosses, and a replayability like non-other? Here’s your features for this upcoming title:

Visceral Gore – KILLING FLOOR 2 ramps up the gore with a proprietary, high powered persistent blood system bringing new levels of fidelity to the genre. Players will send entrails, severed limbs, and blood flying as they wade through hordes of enemies. But they need to watch out! If caught, enemies will rip them, and their entire party limb from limb

Six player co-op or solo play— A multitude of varied playable characters await for players to choose from as they enter the fray in online co-op mode or solo mode for those willing to brave the horrific specimens alone

Terrifying Zeds – New enemies and fan favorites from the original game are back with expanded and smarter artificial intelligence, dishing out powerful attacks, working as a group to weaken the player’s party and pushing the challenge level and fear factor to new levels

Unique Blend Of Weaponry – From modern militaristic assault rifles, brutal improvised makeshift weapons, classic historical guns, and off the wall “Mad Scientist” weapons, KILLING FLOOR 2 has a unique blend of killing tools that will satisfy any gamer

Expanded Perk System – Perks from the original game have been reimagined with more added to the fold. All perks now progress with meaningful talent choices that amplify different play styles, giving players a progression path that is expansive and full of rewarding milestones

Brutal Melee Combat – KILLING FLOOR 2 reinvents melee combat completely. Players now have control over the type of melee attacks they can perform, enabling them to deliver bone-breaking crippling attacks to Zeds

KF2_May_Manor_8

If you haven’t already? You can check out our impressions(Hands-on-Impressions: Killing Floor 2 – Return of the Patriarch – The King has Returned, Preview: Killing Floor 2 Incinerate ‘n Detonate Update Part 1 – Demolitionist, Preview: Killing Floor 2 Incinerate ‘n Detonate Update Part 2 – Firebug and More) for the content that’s up-to-date.

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.

 

Brighton-based Studio PaperSeven Announces Blackwood Crossing as First Title

/ Dustin Murphy / Leave a comment

BlackwoodCrossing_04.jpg

If you didn’t already know, I’m one for games that have plenty of story. As you may also know, I loved a small game called Firewatch, which was a very story driven game that appealed to fans as an adventure title. While Campo Santo isn’t the one developing the new title, it’s titles such as Firewatch and now PaperSevens upcoming title Blackwood Crossing that have garnished a bit of my attention to the indie scene.

The studio has announced their first title will be launched on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC this year. The team behind it? Is largely composed of former Disney Black Rock Studio developers, as well as writer Oliver Reid-Smith, the man behind renowned title The Room.

The title will heavily focus upon first-person exploration while taking on the task of following the relationship between characters Scarlett and Finn. Both are orphaned siblings who just happen to be growing apart as Scarlett begins to come of age and depart from her childhood. However, all changes as they end up crossing ways with a mysterious figure, which just happen to lead them upon a tail of life, love, and loss in a beautifully magical way.

“This is our first original game since forming PaperSeven and we are immensely proud to be announcing it” said Alice Guy, co-founder of PaperSeven. “There’s been some fantastic narrative adventure games coming out in recent times – we’re hoping to take a place at this table whilst offering something different to what’s come before. Blackwood Crossing is evidence of our desire to explore experiences with depth and meaning, and create characters that challenge the often clichéd gaming landscape.”

With their first release being a rather large task, it’ll be wonderful to see how the title handles the ordeals of life in their upcoming adventure title! Definitely stay tuned for our review of it.

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.