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Peter Molyneux's 22cans partners with DeNA to publish Godus

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American McGee's new Oz game revealed as OZombie

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Temple Run 2 update adds a dangerous new course, more chances to earn loot

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Sonic the Hedgehog, Nintendo, The Last of Us, CounterSpy: Speed Run

By Alexa Ray Corriea on May 17, 2013 05.17.13

Nintendo announced a partnership with Sega to publish the next three Sonic the Hedgehog games exclusively for Nintendo's platforms — one title of which is still unannounced. New Super Luigi U will be released digitally and as a physical standalone at retail this summer. Nintendo will bring playable demos of its unreleased titles to more than 100 Best Buy stores during the week of E3. We went hands-on with Naughty Dog's The Last of Us and Dynamighty's CounterSpy. Sega and Nintendo partnership spans three Sonic games, one unannounced Sonic: Lost World coming exclusively to Nintendo Wii U and 3DS Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games coming to Wii U New Super Luigi U coming to eShop June 20, standalone at retail Aug. 25 Nintendo bringing playable, unreleased Wii U...
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Runescape 3 dev diary embraces the game's audio, orchestral music and the technology behind it

By Jenna Pitcher on May 17, 2013 05.17.13

In the latest Runescape 3 developer diary from Jagex Games Studio, head of audio Mod Lord explains the creation of the game's score, sound effects, voice acting and the technology to support it. "For the first time we are installing servers dedicated to Runescapes sound," said Mod Lord, Runescape 3's head of audio. "That means full CD quality music and sound streamed directly through to through your browser, with no performance impact on the game as we are no loner using midi." The music of band Mo's Gold Teeth will also feature in the game. As member Robin Jones explains in the video, the band was contacted after a gig they played at a local pub. New Runescape 3 music can be listened to on the game's Soundcloud page. Jagex Games Studio will release the free-to-play massively...
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CounterSpy merges mythologies of the Cold War with espionage platforming

By Tracey Lien on May 17, 2013 05.17.13

Dynamighty's debut title, CounterSpy, is a platforming game inspired by the bizarre mythologies of the Cold War, the art of Saul Bass and the aesthetic of the espionage genre from the 1960s, according to developer David Nottingham. In a demo of the Cold War-era action espionage game, Nottingham showed Polygon an early build of CounterSpy where the player — working as a member of a politically-agnostic, non-government agency — has to enter a missile facility and sabotage the efforts of a hostile faction to stop it from launching explosive rockets. Each level has a countdown to the rockets launching, so players have disarm them as quickly as possible. But first, they have to navigate their way through the facility, performing stealthy take-downs and leaping into action through...
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Dungeon Defenders 2 hero showcase reveals the Man and Machine

By Jenna Pitcher on May 16, 2013 05.16.13

The second hero reveal trailer for Trendy Entertainment's tower defense action role-playing game, Dungeon Defenders 2, showcases the Man and Machine hero in action during the game's PvP mode. Man and Machine's abilities include Pocket Rocket, which is good for far off enemies and Incendiary Grenade which is great when enemies are tightly packed. Commanding Shout will get "troops moving double time" and Frenzied Bombardment rains down damaging elements at a target. His hero spell is Smokescreen, which emits a low visibility haze. The competitive mode is a multiplayer online battle arena where five players must protect their respective towers from other players. Alpha gameplay footage of Dungeon Defenders 2's cooperative mode was released in March and more information about it will be...
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Angry Birds Seasons Abra-Ca-Bacon update promises portals

By Dave Tach on May 16, 2013 05.16.13

Angry Birds Seasons received a free "Abra-Ca-Bacon" update today on iOS and Android that adds portals to the seasonal installment of Rovio's bird-flinging franchise. Check out the video above for a pitchfork portal prank and a look at how the teleportation devices have been incorporated into Angry Birds Seasons. The free update for the $0.99 app, its 36 levels and the new exploding AllakaBAM item are available now in the iOS App Store and on Google Play. Windows PC and Mac versions will "follow in the coming weeks," according to a post on Rovio's official website. The update is Rovio Stockholm's first release. Last year, the company announced that Just Cause 2 and Battlefield Heroes developer Oskar Burman would head the Swedish studio.
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Sonic the Hedgehog remastered edition launches today for iOS and Android

By Alexa Ray Corriea on May 16, 2013 05.16.13

A remastered edition of the original 1991 Sonic the Hedgehog launched on iOS and Android today, Sega announced on its official blog. This remastered edition includes a "robust overhaul," according to the post. The title now features widescreen support and moves at 60 fps, as well as grants access to online leaderboards, achievements and a new Time Attack mode. Players can unlock Tails and Knuckles as playable characters and enjoy a completely remastered soundtrack. Today marks the game's debut for Android. The title was released earlier this year for iOS, and those who have already purchased the game will receive a free update that adds the new graphics and features. Sonic the Hedgehog is available on Google Play and the iTunes App Store for $2.99. The iOS version is compatible with...
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Broken NES revived with Raspberry Pi and emulators

By Alexa Ray Corriea on May 16, 2013 05.16.13

Reddit user JBaker1225 made the most of his broken Nintendo Entertainment System, using a Raspberry Pi mini computer board to transform it into a game emulator ready for the living room. In a thread on Reddit's gaming forum, JBaker noted that he followed this "Super Nintendo Pi" tutorial when constructing his system. After gutting the console, he created a framework to hold the Pi board in place using Gorilla Glue and several Lego blocks. To make turning the Pi on and off easier, he wired a circuit that would activate the Pi through the NES's buttons. Using a dremel, he expanded the ports on the back of the NES and added adapters for Ethernet, HDMI and USB cords, then modified the NES controller ports to accomodate USB plugs. Upon completion, JBaker was able to load up his "new"...
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Developer King to release Facebook title Pet Rescue Saga for mobile this summer

By Alexa Ray Corriea on May 16, 2013 05.16.13

Candy Crush Saga developer King will launch its popular Facebook game Pet Rescue Saga for iOS and Android this summer, the company announced this morning. Pet Rescue Saga tasks players with rescuing more than 10 small animals in need of assistance escaping block puzzles. Players can use special boosters to clear blocks, both individually and columns at a time, to maneuver their pets to safety and onto the next level. The mobile version of Pet Rescue Saga will incude more than 72 levels and cross-play compatibility between the Facebook and mobile versions. Online leaderboards, scores and progress can also be saved across all devices. According to a press statement from King, Pet Rescue Saga ia the third largest game on Facebook, boasting more than 6 million daily players. Candy Crush...
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Phosphor Games-developed World War Z mobile game coming May 30

By Jenna Pitcher on May 16, 2013 05.16.13

Chicago-based developer Phosphor Games and Paramount Digital Entertainment will release a World War Z first-person mobile game tie-in on May 30 for tablets and smartphones, according to IGN. The first-person action game features touch controls, upgradable weapons and armor, 28 levels and puzzle-solving. "We were excited to be able to use the cutting-edge Unreal Engine 3 to bring World War Z to life," Chip Sineni, Phosphor Games studio director said in a statement provided to IGN. "Our goal was to build Paramount a AAA game, and with that came all our favorite bells and whistles, like ambient occlusion lighting, multipass blended textures, and hordes of enemies to fight." The World War Z film is an adaptation of Max Brooks' post-apocalyptic zombie novel published in 2006 titled World...

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Gameloft adding Google Play game services to Modern Combat 4, Dungeon Hunter 4, Asphalt 7

By Samit Sarkar on May 15, 2013 05.15.13

Gameloft is updating three of its top games — Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour, Dungeon Hunter 4 and Asphalt 7: Heat — with Google Play game services, the French studio announced today. Google announced its game services program today at Google I/O as a suite of services designed to make it easier for developers to deliver Android games with the same feature sets as their iOS and Kindle Fire counterparts. Google's game services, which will be available on iOS devices and the web as well as Android, include leaderboards, achievements and cloud saving — all powered by Google Plus. Gameloft updated Modern Combat 4, a first-person shooter, to support game services today. The company said in a press release that similar updates for Dungeon Hunter 4 and Asphalt 7 will be released "in the...
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Google Chrome experiment Racer spans multiple mobile screens

By Megan Farokhmanesh on May 15, 2013 05.15.13

A new experiment through Google Chrome called Racer teams up Android and iOS devices to create a racing game across multiple devices, as demonstrated today during the Google I/O keynote speech. The game works by linking several devices to create one racing track. Players control tiny cars by touching the screen to accelerate and releasing to brake; going too fast will cause players to fly off the track. Racer is compatible with any device able to run Chrome, and players can enter current games by entering in individual race codes. The game can be played alone or with several friends. Check out Racer's website for more info, or download it from Google Play.
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New Google Play services brings Google Plus-powered friends, leaderboards, achievements to Android, iOS and web

By Christopher Grant on May 15, 2013 05.15.13

The service uses the company's Google+ social network to power leaderboards, both social and public; an achievement system similar to the one on Apple's platform; the ability to save game states in the cloud; and real-time matchmaking. The entire suite of services also work across the Android, iOS, and "web" platforms, with the exception of the real-time matchmaking component with remains Android-only "for now." While the most recent version of Android, dubbed Jellybean, shipped nearly a year ago, over 70 percent of all Android phones operate an earlier version of the operating system. Eager for developers to implement the service into their games, it was important that it work on as many Android devices as possible, a problem complicated by the platform's gradual upgrade cycle. Greg...
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Tokyo Game Show 2013 Indie Games Area and Sense of Wonder Night now accepting applications

By Jenna Pitcher on May 15, 2013 05.15.13

Tokyo Game Show 2013 is accepting applications now for its new Indie Games Area and the Sense of Wonder Night 2013 project. The Indie Games Area will take place on the exhibition site and will feature 50 exhibition spaces per day. Applicants for the Indie Games Area exhibition can download and submit a form from the TGS website. Submissions close Friday, June 14. Featured at TGS since 2008, the Sense of Wonder Night presentation showcases game prototypes and concepts. Entry for SOWN is open to international submissions, amateurs, professionals, individuals and corporations. Finalists of SOWN will be granted space on the Indie Games Area. Applications for presentations can be submitted via SOWN's page on the TGS website and entries close on Monday, July 8. TGS 2013 will encompass a...
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Karateka Classic bringing original game to mobile May 16

By Dave Tach on May 14, 2013 05.14.13

Karateka Classic, an iOS and Android port of Jordan Mechner's first published game, is headed to mobile devices this Thursday, May 16. The $0.99 game includes the pixelated throwback version of Karateka, which was originally released for Apple II computers in 1984. Mechner, who would later create Prince of Persia, developed the side-scrolling Karateka while he was a student at Yale. Last year, Liquid Entertainment brought a Karateka remake to Steam, Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network and iOS. For more on the game and the remake, be sure to read Polygon's interview with its creator.
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Angry Birds dev launches Rovio Stars, third-party publishing label

By Samit Sarkar on May 14, 2013 05.14.13

Angry Birds maker Rovio Entertainment will soon begin publishing third-party mobile games under its new Rovio Stars initiative, the Finnish company announced today. "Rovio Entertainment has positioned itself as one of the powerhouses of mobile entertainment, so moving into publishing is a logical step for us at this point," said Jami Laes, the company's new executive vice president of games, in a press release announcing Rovio Stars. The first game the studio will publish under its Rovio Stars label is Icebreaker: A Viking Voyage. Developed by London-based Nitrome, which is known primarily for web-based Flash games, Icebreaker is a physics-based puzzle title in which you help a Viking apprentice survive obstacle courses by doing things like slicing massive blocks of ice. It is set for...
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Mobile Watch List - Impossible Road, Sid Meier's Ace Patrol and Daddy Was a Thief

By Russ Frushtick on May 14, 2013 05.14.13

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Impossible Road (iOS) In the tradition of impossibly difficult games like Super Hexagon comes Impossible Road. A groovy, minimalist art style, mixed with deviously difficult ball-rolling makes this well worth your time. Sid Meier's Ace Patrol (iOS) The makers of the Civilization series bring us a surprisingly deep turn-based strategy game on iOS this week. Rather than battling throughout history in Ace Patrol, you're really just dealing with World War I-era biplane combat, but there are plenty of tactics to master and missions to unlock. It's also free-to-play, which cuts down on your level of risk! Daddy Was a Thief (iOS / Android) Yes, it seems that even your daddy was a thief. I'm sorry to mention this to you now. Seems like an awkward time, and all, while you're in the midst of...
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Nvidia Shield shipping in June to retailers for $349

By Griffin McElroy on May 14, 2013 05.14.13

Shield, the now official name of Nvidia's Android-powered portable Project Shield, will arrive at multiple online and offline retailers for an MSRP of $349, according to a post on the company's official blog. The units will begin shipping to stores in June, and interested parties can secure their purchase ahead of time once pre-orders for the Shield open up May 20. Anyone who signed up for the Project Shield newsletter on Nvidia's site can start pre-ordering today. Stores that will carry the Shield include GameStop, Newegg, Micro Center and Canada Computers. The handheld will come bundled with two titles, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 and Expendable: Rearmed. Other titles on the Google Play store will be compatible with the device, and Nvidia announced new partnerships today to...
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BlastPoints goes free-to-play on Android devices

By Emily Gera on May 14, 2013 05.14.13

The second major update for Space combat game BlastPoints brings with it a number of new features, in addition to access on Android devices and the ability to play at no cost. Updated features for the game include 15 new special abilities, a new objective system, four new planetary maps and four new game modes. The title was previously only available for iOS devices. BlastPoints is developed by Melbourne-based indie studio Pub Games. The title is powered by Unreal Engine 3 and allows the player to customize and control a fighter ship as it dogfights across space.
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Saban Brands appoints video game veteran Jack Sorensen as The Playforge president

By Jenna Pitcher on May 13, 2013 05.13.13

Jack Sorensen, a 20-year veteran of the video game industry and former executive vice president of all studios worldwide at THQ, has been appointed president of Saban Brands' mobile social games division, The Playforge, the company announced. At THQ, Sorensen oversaw numerous franchises including Saints Row, WWE Smackdown and Company of Heroes. Prior to his seven years at THQ, Sorensen served as president of LucasArts from 1991 to 2000, where he managed brands such as Star Wars and Indiana Jones. "I am honored to have been provided with the opportunity to further grow such a talented studio's leadership position in the digital space," Sorensen said in a statement announcing his hiring. "Saban Brands has undertaken ambitious initiatives to expand its digital footprint in the last year...

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Mobile Watch List - Impossible Road, Sid Meier's Ace Patrol and Daddy Was a Thief

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Twitch to feature free-to-play games from Kabam

By Samit Sarkar on May 13, 2013 05.13.13

Free-to-play gaming publisher Kabam will bring its catalog to streaming site Twitch on the web and mobile devices, Kabam announced today. Starting this month, Twitch users will be able to play Kabam's own games, as well as third-party titles the company publishes. The Twitch website will feature a new "Play Games" section for web-based Kabam games, and the publisher's mobile titles will appear in Twitch's iOS and Android apps. "Partnering with Twitch is an excellent way for Kabam to get our own popular games, as well as games Kabam publishes for our third-party developer partners, in front of a growing audience," said Chris Carvalho, Kabam's chief operating officer, in a press release announcing the companies' collaboration. Kabam's top titles include The Hobbit: Armies of the Third...
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Amazon launches Coins, virtual currency for Kindle Fire and Appstore purchases

By Samit Sarkar on May 13, 2013 05.13.13

Amazon launched its new virtual currency, Amazon Coins, today, giving Kindle Fire users a new way to purchase content in the device's Amazon Appstore and within Kindle Fire apps. The company said in February that it would debut Amazon Coins this month. Coins correlate directly with pennies — $1 equates to 100 Coins — and to mark the currency's launch, Amazon has given every Kindle Fire owner in the U.S. a free 500 Coins, $5 worth. Kindle Fire owners can buy Coins on Amazon, with discounts of up to 10 percent for bulk purchases. "We will continue to add more ways to earn and spend Coins on a wider range of content and activities — today is Day One for Coins," said Mike George, Amazon's vice president of apps and games. Amazon Coins don't change anything for people making Kindle...
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GungHo's mobile title Puzzle and Dragons earned $199M in April alone

By Alexa Ray Corriea on May 13, 2013 05.13.13

Japanese game corporation Gungho Online Entertainment reported sales of Puzzle and Dragons were $113 million in April, according to the company's recent financial report as translated by Japanese consultant Dr. Serkan Toto. On his website, Toto wrote that based of sales of the social puzzle/role-playing game hybrid in April, which currently boasts 13 million users in Japan, amounted to around $3.76 million per day. Sales for the fiscal quarter ending on March 31, 2013 showed an 800 percent increase to 30.9 billion yen ($303 million), with a reported net profit of 18.6 billion ($183 million). Overall sales for the month of April were 12 billion yen ($199 million). The company's overall sales for April show a year-on-year increase of 1,142.8 percent, according to Toto. GungHo's market...
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