Dead Space 2: Severed DLC Hits Tomorrow

Dead Space 2: Severed extends the Dead Space 2 story with the haunting story of Gabe Weller, two stand-alone single-player chapters

Have you finished Dead Space 2? Are you already screaming for more? If so, you’re not alone. Visceral Games has the answer with an all-new digital download pack -- Dead Space 2: Severed. Releasing tomorrow, March 1, Dead Space 2: Severed extends the Dead Space 2 story with the addition of two stand-alone single-player chapters. This digital pack will take players through the haunting story of Gabe Weller, who fans will remember from the award-winning game Dead Space Extraction. As a security officer, Weller comes equipped with a one-of-a-kind security suit and an upgraded, more powerful Pulse Rifle that will help him unleash his own blood-curdling adventure across the Sprawl. Lurking behind every corner is another bloodthirsty monster but the big surprise for Weller (and fans) is the return of the Twitcher, a grotesque enemy who first appeared in the original Dead Space game.

Dead Space 2: Severed will be available March 1 worldwide on Xbox LIVE Marketplace and the PlayStation Network in North America for $6.99 or 560 MS Points. Dead Space 2: Severed will be available March 2 on the PlayStation Network in Europe.

Heralded by critics worldwide as the first big blockbuster of 2011, Dead Space 2 pushes the limits of action, horror and terror. After mysteriously awaking in a sprawling, massive city orbiting around one of Saturn’s moons, hero Isaac Clarke again finds himself thrust into the middle of a relentless Necromorph outbreak. Surrounded by the screeching cries of undead monsters and the haunting drum of echoing noises, Isaac plots a course through The Sprawl. Dead Space 2 is noted by critics worldwide for delivering an epic terror experience that takes players on an explosive thrill ride filled with intense action and spine-tingling scares through deep space.

Mortal Kombat Banned By Aussie Ratings Board

Mortal Kombat returning to it's brutal roots and fatalities doesn't sit well with Australian censors

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment's (WBIE) has released a statement confirming that Mortal Kombat has been banned by the Australian Ratings Board and calling for the introduction of a mature rating for games in Australia.

"The highly anticipated video game Mortal Kombat, published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (WBIE) in Australia, has been refused classification by the Australian Classification Board and will not release in Australia. We are extremely disappointed that Mortal Kombat, one of the world's oldest and most successful video games franchises, will not be available to mature Australian gamers. WBIE would not market mature content where it is not appropriate for the audience. We understand that not all content is for every audience, but there is an audience for mature gaming content and it would make more sense to have the R18+ classification in Australia. As a member of the iGEA [Interactive Games & Entertainment Association], WBIE is reviewing all options available at this time."

According to the Classification Board's official report, Mortal Kombat is unable to accomodate the maximum MA15+ rating guidelines due to its explicit violence and limb dismemberment during fatalities.

"Kung Lao throws his metal hat into the ground and it spins like a buzz saw. He grabs his prone opponent by the ankles and drags their body through the saw, explicitly slicing them vertically in half. Copious bloodspray is noted. Kung Lao then holds up both halves of the corpse as blood pours out," reads the report.

"The game includes over 60 fatalities (some of which are noted above), which contain explicit depictions of dismemberment, decapitation, disembowelment, and other brutal forms of slaughter. Despite the exaggerated conceptual nature of the fatalities and their context within a fighting game set in a fantasy realm, impact is heightened by the use of graphics which are realistically rendered and very detailed. In the opinion of the board, the game contains violence that exceeds strong in impact and is unsuitable for a minor to see or play. The game should therefore be Refused Classification pursuant to item 1(d) of the computer games table of the National Classification Board."

Mortal Kombat is due to hit retailers April 19, 2011 for the Xbox 360 and PS3. It has been rated "Mature" by the ESRB and "18+" by PEGI.

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Blizzcon 2011 Coming To Anaheim

Blizzard Entertainment’s sixth BlizzCon gaming celebration to be held at Anaheim Convention Center October 21-22, 2011

BlizzCon is a celebration of the global player communities surrounding Blizzard Entertainment’s Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo universes.


"We look forward to holding another exciting BlizzCon this year, filled with some great entertainment and competition, as well as the latest news about Blizzard games," said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. "BlizzCon is built from the ground up with our community in mind -- we're pleased to be able to host an event where players can come together to have fun and celebrate their passion for gaming."


In addition to serving as a gathering place for Blizzard Entertainment gaming communities, BlizzCon will offer attendees a chance to enjoy:

• Hands-on play time with the latest versions of Blizzard Entertainment games

• Discussion panels with Blizzard Entertainment developers

• Competitive and casual tournaments for players to showcase their talents

• Community contests with great prizes

• Commemorative merchandise based on Blizzard Entertainment’s game universes

• More activities and attractions to be announced

The previous BlizzCon was held in Anaheim in October 2010. Tickets to the event sold out in minutes, and some of the highlights included the unveiling of Diablo III's fifth and final playable character class, the demon hunter, and an epic closing concert featuring Tenacious D.

Further details about BlizzCon 2011, including ticket availability and pricing, will be announced on the official Blizzard website, www.blizzard.com, as the event draws closer.

Dragon Age 2 Demo Coming In Two Weeks

EA and BioWare have announced that a Dragon Age II demo will be hitting February 22 for ALL platforms (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)

On February 22, 2011, BioWare will release a demo for Dragon Age II, allowing gamers on all platforms to experience a portion of this epic action RPG. Featuring enhanced graphics, faster, more responsive combat and a gripping storyline, the Dragon Age II demo is your chance to find out firsthand why IGN, Game Informer, MTV and The New York Times’ Seth Schiesel have endorsed Dragon Age II as one of the most anticipated games of 2011.

In the demo, players will venture through the game’s prologue, choosing from three different character classes. They’ll also learn more about Hawke and hone their skills and abilities that will make them the ultimate hero.

After finishing the prologue, players will enter a key new location in the world of Dragon Age, Kirkwall, befriending Isabela, a romantic interest in the game who is also a deadly smuggler. Upon completion of the demo, players will unlock a special weapon, Hayder’s Razor, an ancient dwarven blade which increases health, mana, and combat abilities, in the full release of Dragon Age II.

Dragon Age 2 will be available on the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system and PC on March 8, 2011 in North America and March 11, 2011 in Europe.

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A Closer Look At the User Interface and Dimentia For Dead Space 2

New Dead Space 2 Dev Diary focuses on the User Interface and Visual Effects, including behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the Visceral Games team



Isaac Clarke returns for another heart-pounding adventure, taking the fight to the Necromorphs in this thrilling action-horror experience. New tools to gruesomely slice and dismember the Necromorphs complement Isaac's signature Plasma Cutter, empowering him as he meets new characters, explores epic Zero-G environments, and fights against a relentless necromorph onslaught. Survival isn't the only thing on Isaac's mind in Dead Space 2 - this time, he calls the shots.

Dead Space 2 is available now for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. It is rated "M" by the ESRB.

Dead Space 2 Now Available Plus DLC Details Revealed

Dead Space 2 has hit retailers for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC along with details on the first DLC that will be released for the game

The psychological thrill of deep space rises to an electrifying new level as Visceral Games, a studio of Electronic Arts Inc., today announced the internationally-acclaimed action horror game Dead Space 2 is now available at retail stores in North America and on January 28 in Europe. This highly-anticipated sequel has been heralded as one of the top games of 2011 by New York Times’ Seth Schiesel and has received 25 scores of 90+ from top gaming outlets such as Official Xbox Magazine, Playstation: The Official Magazine and Game Informer. PlayStation: The Official Magazine said that “’Dead Space 2’ surpasses the original in every capacity,” while IGN calls it “a new gold standard” and Game Informer declares the game “a monster of a sequel, offering bigger scares and more excitement.”

Visceral Games also announced today Dead Space 2: Severed, an all-new digital download pack that extends the Dead Space 2 story with the addition of two standalone chapters in the single-player game. Dead Space 2: Severed will see the return of Gabe Weller and Lexine Murdock, the two main characters from the award-winning 2009 game, Dead Space Extraction. In Dead Space 2: Severed, the story of Weller and Lexine runs parallel to Isaac’s blood-curdling adventure in Dead Space 2, but this time players will take on the role of Gabe Weller. Working as a Sprawl Security Guard, Weller has to fight against his own onslaught of Necromorphs, as he attempts to get both him and Lexine to safety. Dead Space 2: Severed will be coming soon for purchase on Xbox LIVE Marketplace and the PlayStation Network.

“After years of anticipation we’re thrilled to unveil the next series of events in the Dead Space universe,” said Steve Papoutsis, Executive Producer at Visceral Games. “In creating Dead Space 2, we listened very closely to the community’s feedback and created a deeper, more intriguing, more terrifying sequel. With excitement guaranteed to keep people on the edge of their seats, players will not only experience all-new environments, weapons and Zero-G controls but they’ll also experience the other side of the battle when they play as Necromorphs for the first time in multiplayer. We cannot wait to hear what fans think about this next chapter in the ever-evolving Dead Space saga!”

Dead Space 2 pushes the limits of action, horror and terror. After mysteriously awaking in a sprawling, massive city anchored to one of Saturn’s moons, hero Isaac Clarke again finds himself thrust into the middle of a relentless Necromorph outbreak. Surrounded by the screeching cries of undead monsters and the haunting drum of echoing noises, Isaac plots a course through The Sprawl. Dead Space 2 is noted by critics worldwide for delivering an epic terror experience that takes players on an explosive thrill ride filled with intense action and spine-tingling scares through deep space.

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New Gears of War Title In The Works?

It looks like there is another Gears of War game in the works as Epic Games has trademarked for "Gears of War: Exile"

The trademark applications include "Gears of War: Exile" and a proposed logo. The trademark was filed for use with t-shirts, a "series of computer game hint books and instruction manuals," and "video game software," which means we're most likely looking at a game and not simply another novel or comic book.

In late November, Cliff Bleszinski, Epic Games' design director, promised a Gears of War-related announcement for the 2010 Video Game Awards. The announcement was pushed to 2011 on the day of the show. The project was rumored to be a Kinect-enabled Gears of War title, but there has been no confirmation from Epic Games or Microsoft.

Epic is currently developing Gears of War 3 for the Xbox 360 and will release it this fall.

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