Cognition: An Erica Reed Thriller

Three years ago, FBI agent Erica Reed lost her brother to a serial killer who was never caught. During this desperate investigation, she developed the strange and unpredictable power of post-cognition: by touching an object, she can see its past and the events that happened on, to, or around it. Though undeniably useful in her line of work, this skill makes her uneasy and has caused her problems professionally and personally. Now a new serial killer is on the move—one who leaves behind clues perfectly suited to Agent Reed's unique abilities. Has someone learned her secret? What do they want from her? More importantly: by working this case, will Erica finally uncover enough evidence to bring her brother's killer to justice?

Cognition: An Erica Reed Thriller will release as a series of four episodes, a format Phoenix knows well from their work on the ambitious freeware game The Silver Lining (http://www.tsl-game.com). After playing The Silver Lining, Khaeon representatives approached Phoenix to developCognition, a project originally conceived by Khaeon's art director Romano Molenaar. The game's design team will work closely with story consultant Jane Jensen on Cognition's plot and investigative gameplay.

"I'm very impressed by Phoenix's work on The Silver Lining - this is a talented team who has shown incredible dedication to a fan game. Now they're a young company moving into commercial production and I'm happy to be involved. I hope to help them make their first project a success," says Jensen, creator of the acclaimed Gabriel Knight adventure game series. "Cognition is a perfect fit, too, with its supernatural storyline and graphic novel style."

Via Kickstarter, Phoenix and Khaeon hope to raise $25,000 to help fund the game's initial development. Funds raised will be used for software licenses, development resources, and other start-up production costs. Prizes for backers include free downloadable copies of the finished game, signed hard copies, and rare opportunities to appear in the game, name characters, and participate "behind the scenes" in its development.

"Phoenix Online Studios would never have come this far if not for the dedication of our fans. They encouraged us to stick with it, they had our backs when we ran into copyright issues, and they helped us show the world that there's still a huge audience for games like The Silver Liningand Cognition," says CEO Cesar Bittar. "Now we're hoping they'll join us on this next step in our company's adventure, and in return we're looking forward to including the fans in Cognition's development process as much as we can."

Born to Fire

Born to Fire, a gritty new massively multiplayer online first-person shooter (MMOFPS). Whether it’s a suave agent with a license to kill, a take-no-prisoners tough guy, or an elite Special Forces operative, Born to Fire’s character-driven gameplay is designed to suit any player’s style.

Following the Cold War, the Russian Federation has lost ground in an arms race with the United States and turned to more unconventional methods of warfare. As the rules of engagement are thrown out the window, Special Forces around the world are sucked into the fray of a chaotic, anything-goes political landscape. The fate of these elite troops, and the interests they represent, is in the players’ hands as they step into a global free-fire zone.

Players can choose to lock-and-load as a Duelist, Heavy-Hitter, Rifleman, Warden, or Ranger as they battle for domination. Each class comes with its own distinctive backstory, unique tactics, and a diverse arsenal that is fully customizable. Varied maps and modes encourage innovative team strategies in unique PvP warfare. Fast, one-click matchmaking offers players an optimized way to battle it out, while built-in replay tools enable players to improve their game by studying their own moves alongside those of fellow combatants.

“In Born to Fire, players step in the boots of five distinct classes of elite operatives engaged in a global firefight for domination,” said Tom Nichols, Director of Publishing at Aeria Games. “With the instant gratification of one-click matchmaking and the in-depth analysis provided by elaborate replay tools, Born to Fire represents a new class of character-driven, highly customizable MMOFPS that’s easy to get into but nearly impossible to fully master.”

 

 

 

Age of Wulin - Legend of the Nine Scrolls

Schools of Age of Wulin , and their fighting styles present.In this action-packed MMORPG is one of the focal points of it on the acquisition and mastery of martial arts and powerful combinations. With a selection of different schools, all offering their own unique techniques and practices that reflect the diversity of the game Far Eastern martial arts. it is open to players to join one of eight different schools, each with its particular history and tactics. The names of schools for players to choose from are as follows: Shaolin , Wudang , Emei , the beggars , the valley of bliss , Imperial Guard , Tang Klan and the scholars . While each school its own orientation to Good, Neutral or Evil pursues the schools maintain highly individual fighting styles, which are shaped by their identity and philosophy. For the "good" schools are strong melee abilities characteristic. 

Here are weapons such as swords and daggers in the center. These schools include the following: the Shaolin, the true masters of melee combat and are usually to use sticks or bare hands.The martial art of Wudang is very elegant and they are experts with swords. The Emei have incredible stamina and healing ability. In battle, they specialize in daggers and Emei needles. Finally, put the beggars their palms and bars for a powerful attack. the "bad" schools are known for their ruthless techniques with bladed weapons. The dreaded valley of bliss cultivated an indirect, insidious style of fighting with splash damage and traps. The weapon of choice here are double short swords and other blades. As a former military organization, the School of the Imperial Guard to switch from high-damage attacks on the defense with long decay times. They use evil weapons such as claws. 

Neutral schools do not differ significantly from each other and alliances. The School of the mysterious Tang clan is known for Absorbierungs and impediment or Störfähigkeiten. And their daggers concealed weapons are notorious. Of all the schools are the scholars of the most unique. You can maintain a smooth, dance-like fighting style with which they can match with multiple opponents. The main focus is on the melee with swords and double kicks. Although all schools have their own fighting styles, all easily apply the skills with which characters seem to be as light as air. They can run up steep walls to repel in the air and walk along the water's surface.These skills complement the combat moves, as the two capabilities can be combined, thus opening up a wide range of tactics. Success in the fight results from the preparation, cultivation of the arts and knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of the opponent.

Omerta - City of Gangsters

The Capo Crimini of Kalypso Media are pleased to unveil Omerta – City of Gangsters, a strategy game focusing on the activities of organized crime in Atlantic City in the 1920’s.  In Omerta, players will take on the role of a fresh-off-the-boat gangster, as he struggles to make a name for himself and build a criminal empire in a meticulously recreated prohibition-era Atlantic City. Gameplay will combine with strategic elements, as players spread their empire across the map, and tactical combat, with players fighting fierce gun battles with rival gangs and the police. It’s all about building your crime family in Omerta – City of Gangsters, which is set for a Q4 release on Windows PC.

Omerta - City of Gangsters  is a simulation game with tactical turn-based combat. Taking the role of a fresh-from-the-boat immigrant, with dreams of the big life, the player will work his way up the criminal hierarchy of 1920’s Atlantic City. Starting with small jobs, his character recruits a gang and expands his empire by taking territory from other gangsters. Eventually he establishes his own crime syndicate and becomes the de facto ruler of Atlantic City.

The player strategically manages his business and his minions in a real-time format, slowly but steadily increasing his influence over the city. The player sends his henchmen out on missions ranging from assassinating an informant, to raiding a warehouse, springing a friend from prison, robbing a bank, or attacking a rival gang's hideout. Nobody is above the law in Atlantic City, so it always helps to have a little cash handy to bribe a policeman or pay off a politician.

The turn-based combat in Omerta - City of Gangsters focuses on the tactical command of “The Boss” and his henchmen. Cover and stealth are essential parts of any shootout in the game. Finding the best vantage point to gun down an enemy, while taking cover from a hailstorm of bullets, can be just as satisfying as sneaking quietly behind a foe and taking him down.

• Historically accurate representation of Atlantic City and its landmarks
• Strategic gameplay allows city overview, planning, expansion and gathering of intel 
• Turn-based tactical combat with a cover system and stealth action
• 15 unique player controlled characters each with a unique personalities and backgrounds
• An RPG system for development of player characters and managing their gear
• Competitive and cooperative multiplayer mode with persistent multiplayer gang
• 15+ hours of gameplay in a single play-through
• 20 unique maps visualizing the various districts of Atlantic City

Rise of the Guardians

Let your imagination soar in Rise of the Guardians: The Video Game as you play in an action-packed adventure game as one of the classic childhood legends, including: North (aka Santa Claus), Tooth (aka the Tooth Fairy), Bunnymund (aka the Easter Bunny), Sandman, and Jack Frost.  Each player has their own set of upgradable and never-before-seen extraordinary abilities to help you take on the evil spirit “Pitch” and his infectious nightmares.  With drop-in-and-out multiplayer and up to four players on consoles, cool team attacks, and an arsenal of spellbinding moves, you and your team of Guardians will protect the hopes, beliefs and imaginations of children all over the world!

“This holiday season, Rise of the Guardians: The Video Game will bring your favorite childhood legends to life,” said Peter Andrew, vice president of product development, D3P.  “Our game will take players to imaginative worlds expanded exclusively for the game, where they will battle original enemies, and level up their characters to gain more powerful attack moves to ultimately stop Pitch and his evil nightmares.”

F1 Race Stars

 Drivers like Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, stars of the 2012 season of the FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ™, become magically animated heroes full of charm and charisma and the FORMULA ONE circuit in stunning parks theme in which the suicide rate and competitiveness are the main protagonists. In the video the pilots fly relentless in their cars F1 RACE STARS but a surprise awaits in the circuit as a cerradísima fork that rises into the sky. 

Our heroes, undaunted, will accelerate further to pursue their career. F1 RACE STARS will go on sale next Christmas for video game and entertainment systems Microsoft ® Xbox 360 ®, PLAYSTATION ® 3 and PC. F1 RACE STARS is being developed in Birmingham, exclusively licensed worldwide Formula One World Championship Limited by Codemasters Racing Studios , creators of the series of official FORMULA ONE games won several BAFTA awards. Each straight, hairpin, jump or spin along with lightning-fast racing F1 RACE STARS and the range of power-ups, players must collect and use while sprint to the finish, have the task of providing the most fun possible.   

F1 RACE STARS takes the player on a world tour FORMULA ONE emblematic circuits, like Monaco, Silverstone and the new Tour of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Friends and colleagues share the fun in split screen mode for 4 players, multiplayer for 12, in addition to the many broad Championships Career mode. Chris Gray, Senior Producer of F1 RACE STARS tells us: "It's exciting to bring FORMULA ONE entire grid to a new "circus", new and fun. We have given free rein to our designers and graphic designers to give a whole new look to the stars of F1 and create a game where fans of all ages and can jump into the ring in individual races in split screen or online multiplayer. We have long wanted to create a game like this and, thanks to our good relationship with Formula One Management Limited , we can now express the ability of Codemasters in the design of the circuits and to develop a FORMULA ONE experience that is unlike any other.

The Hip Hop Dance Experience

Ubisoft’s Experience franchise was the second largest dance video game franchise of 2011 and has sold more than five million copies worldwide* by making an artist’s musical universe accessible to fans through interactive and immersive games. The Hip Hop Dance Experience takes this concept even further by featuring iconic Hip Hop dance moves with routines arranged by famed choreographers, including Laurieann Gibson and Dave Scott and an extensive selection of hip-hop music that defines the genre.

Developed by renowned music game developer, iNiS, The Hip Hop Dance Experience features the most comprehensive hip-hop track list ever in a dance video game, ranging from chart-topping Billboard hits to old-school party jams.

The Hip Hop Dance Experience full track list:
·         Amerie – “1 Thing”
·         B.o.B – “So Good”
·         B.o.B featuring Hayley Williams of Paramore – “Airplanes”
·         Cassie – “Me & U” **
·         Chris Brown featuring Juelz Santana – “Run It!”
·         Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes – “Look At Me Now”
·         Ciara – “One, Two Step (featuring Missy Elliott)”
·         Da Brat – “Funkdafied”
·         Drake – “Over”
·         Flo Rida featuring Sia – “Wild Ones”
·         Iyaz – “Replay”
·         Jay Sean featuring Lil Wayne – “Down”
·         J-Kwon – “Tipsy” **
·         Kid Cudi – “Day ‘N’ Night”
·         Lil Wayne featuring Static Major – “Lollipop”
·         LMFAO – “Sexy And I Know It”
·         M.I.A. – “Bad Girls” **
·         Mark Morrison – “Return of the Mack”
·         Mystikal featuring Nivea – “Danger (Been So Long)”
·         N.E.R.D. – “She Wants to Move”
·         Naughty by Nature – “Hip Hop Hooray”
·         Nelly – “Hot In Herre”
·         New Boyz – “You’re A Jerk”
·         New Edition – “If It Isn’t Love”
·         Nicki Minaj featuring Drake – “Moment 4 Life”
·         Ol’ Dirty Bastard featuring Kelis – “Got Your Money” **
·         Outkast – “B.O.B.” **
·         Pitbull featuring Chris Brown – “International Love”
·         Q-Tip – “Vivrant Thing”
·         R. Kelly – “Ignition (Remix)”
·         Rihanna featuring Jeezy – “Hard”
·         Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock – “It Takes Two” **
·         Run-DMC – “It’s Tricky” **
·         Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell Williams – “Drop It Like It’s Hot”
·         Terror Squad featuring Fat Joe, Remy – “Lean Back”
·         The Sugarhill Gang – “Rapper’s Delight” **
·         TLC – “Creep”
·         Too $hort – “Blow the Whistle” **
·         Trey Songz featuring Fabolous – “Say Aah”
·         Wiz Khalifa – “Work Hard, Play Hard” **
(** Denotes songs that will appear only on the Xbox 360 version)

The Hip Hop Dance Experience also includes an array of new features and game modes, including:
·         Dance routines designed exclusively for the game by top choreographers Laurieann Gibson (Nicki Minaj’s creative director, BET’sBorn to Dance), Dave Scott (So You Think You Can Dance, Battle of the Year) and Kid David (Step Up 3D)
·         Authentic music video and live performance footage, paired with dynamic visual effects triggered by your movements, transform your living room into a real-time music video
·         Progressive difficulty levels provide varying levels of challenge for everyone from beginners to professionals. Perform over 700 dance moves!
·         Multiplayer gameplay designed to simultaneously accommodate varying difficulty levels. Pro or novice, each player can choose their individual difficulty level and play along together!
·         Complete Avatar customization with hundreds of looks and accessories to express your personal fashion sense
·         Dance modes with high-energy multiplayer challenges:
•      Dance Party: Jump in and light up the dance floor with your favorite dance partner.
•      Dance Battle: Challenge your friends to high-energy dance battles in true hip-hop style.
•      Dance Marathon: Test your stamina by dancing to an endless stream of tracks.
•      Power Skooling: Perfect the most iconic and extreme hip-hop moves in step-by-step tutorials.

Wipeout 3

"Much of  Wipeout's success has stemmed from the fact that people of all ages enjoy the show," said Matt Kunitz, Wipeout's Creator and Executive Producer.  "We want to capture that essence with  Wipeout 3 so that kids, parents, and even grandparents can plunge into this easy-to-learn, zany game."

Wipeout 3  boasts all-new features and effects that catapult players into the most intense, body-contorting action yet!  Fans will recognize their favorite obstacles like the Sweeper Arms and the Big Balls, but will be blown away by 12 fresh winter and summer course themes with dozens of obstacles allowing for non-stop fun. Players will be running through wild, over-the-top challenges created exclusively for  Wipeout 3, experienced through a fun over-the-shoulder perspective, and with a hilarious "Instant Replay" function that will have families and friends in stitches as they watch and relive their worst wipeouts over and over again.

Wipeout 3 also includes split-screen multiplayer and team modes supporting up to four players, so groups of friends and families can compete for the best times. Players can also visit the new  Wipeout Shop which is loaded with useful items that enhance performance, and will be able to unlock characters and special themed episodes as they advance through the game's hours of non-stop, replayable fun!

Army of TWO The Devil's Cartel

ARMY OF TWO ™ The Devil's Cartel , the third installment in the franchise hit action, particularly appreciated for its two-player cooperative gameplay to a remarkable intensity, will soon day. In development at Visceral Games ™, the creators of Dead Space ™ winning repeatedly, Army of TWO The Devil's Cartel is about to redefine the series, a pioneer in co-op experience, through a more intense tone, and adult realistic. In the guise of Alpha and Bravo, two soldiers working for the international Tactical Operations (TWO), a private military organization (PMC) which sends the midst of an armed conflict between drug gangs, players will find themselves in the deadly streets of Mexico to a mission where corruption and betrayal reign supreme. 

Players are able to sow chaos and destruction, will work in teams to fulfill their different objectives, understanding the obscure alliances, and withstand fierce opposition. "We wanted to give new blood to the franchise Army of TWO for a new generation of fans of action games, while remaining faithful to the original concept, which had allowed for the first two games of games that are popular with players, said Julian Beak, Executive Producer at Visceral Games. With, as a central element, coop fluid gameplay and exciting, and new features in totally explosive team, players must work both tactically and strategically as they progress in a city dominated by one of the largest Mexican drug cartels.

 " Steve Papoutsis, Managing Director at Visceral Games, said: "With ARMY OF TWO The Devil's Cartel, our goal is to apply the design principles that have made ​​recipe, namely an exciting and immersive gameplay , an intense storyline and an impeccable quality of play, to help improve a franchise that we believe, has always had enormous potential. " Through a coop mode, available both online and split screen, and through a system customization and enhancements richer and deeper than ever, Army of TWO The Devil's Cartel offers players the opportunity to differentiate themselves from their friends. The mask that protects them during combat weapons that allow them to survive, players can customize the characters of Alpha and Bravo to create the pair of mercenaries that is the most formidable. 

The Dark Eye: Demonicon

Demonicon  is a thrilling action-RPG set in the extraordinarily popular universe of “The Dark Eye”, a richly crafted fantasy world beloved by fantasy gamers throughout the world.

Demonicon  tells the tragic story of a brother and sister who become pawns of sinister forces in a world of cruelty and depravity.  In this bleak yet magical world, their affection is both a blessing and a curse.  Both are constantly threatened by mortal danger and demonic temptation, and must find a way through their tortured lives by facing serious moral decisions.  Their common destiny will determine that of the entire continent, and will be decided by the choices they make.  Hordes of fiends block their way to freedom and peace, and only through battle and magic they will truly become free of the darkness.

Features of The Dark Eye - Demonicon

• A third-person action-RPG featuring brutal melee attack combos and dazzling magic spells
• Powerful storytelling with an elaborate narrative rich with twists as well as believable conflicts and ethical decision-making opportunities
• Action-packed battles, where pin-point timing and clever tactics play important roles
• Unique magic system: a dark talent grants the player devastating mystical powers
• Important events in “Demonicon” will be part of “The Dark Eye” universe’s history
• State-of-the-art 3D visuals using the powerful “Vision” engine

 

 
 

 
 

 

GRiD 2

GRID 2 will challenge players to be fast, be first and be famous as they enter a stunning new world of competitive motorsport. In pre-production for two years, GRID 2 is now in full development on the latest evolution of the award-winning EGO Game Technology Platform. Following the success of GRID, which set new standards for damage, AI, visuals and introduced the Flashback time rewind feature - now adopted by many racing games –  Grid 2 will again raise the gameplay and technological bar for motorsport gaming and remain true to the series’ core value – it’s all about the race.

“GRID’s back and we’re going to make street, track and road racing exciting again,” said Clive Moody, Executive Producer. “The core design philosophy for GRID 2 is that we treat the race as a character, not a consequence of simply putting cars on tracks. Everything that goes into the game impacts on that second-to-second, in the moment, blockbuster drama – the feel and personality of the race.”

“We’re pushing boundaries once again with what can be accomplished in the genre via new tools, technology and innovations. In single-player, split-screen and online, the next-generation of the EGO Game Technology Platform will power graphics, AI, handling and damage advancements that will immerse players in the racing experience like never before. Like its predecessor, GRID 2 will put the sheer thrill and adrenaline rush of the race at the heart of the experience. It’s what we call Total Race Day Immersion.”

In an expansive career mode, players will experience aggressive wheel-to-wheel racing against advanced AI where each spectacular race unfolds with cinematic immersion. Building on the handling model fromGRID, the new TrueFeel Handling System will use real physics to hit a sweetspot between accessibility and simulation and deliver handling that is approachable yet challenging to master.

Going behind the wheel of a handpicked selection of automotive icons spanning four decades and three continents – USA, Europe and Asia – players will race their way to the top of a new, evolving world of motorsport. From Paris to Abu Dhabi, Miami to the sun-kissed California coast and beyond, beautifully created city streets, licensed circuits and edge-of-control mountain roads will become home to the most visceral and exhilarating races in games.

GRID 2 will also set new standards for a racing multiplayer experience with an entirely distinct and extensive gameplay component and unique progression system. Deep customisation options and integration with RaceNet* – the online community portal for Codemasters Racing games which tracks player’s races, rewards and rivals – will offer further immersion and connectivity in GRID 2’s new world of motorsport.