Call of Duty XP event unveiled

Call of Duty XP event unveiled

CALL OF DUTY XP, THE BIGGEST CALL OF DUTY FAN EVENT IN HISTORY, TAKING PLACE IN LOS ANGELES SEPTEMBER 2-4

Call of Duty World League Culminates as Best Esports Players in the World Compete for More Than $2 Million in Prizing at the Call of Duty World League Championship, Presented by PlayStation®4

Epic Fan Celebration Also Includes the World Premiere and First Hands-On of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered Multiplayer, and New Downloadable Content for Call of Duty: Black Ops III

Multi-Day Experience to Feature Interactive Call of Duty-Themed Activations, Including the First Call of Duty VR Experience, Exhibits, Developer Panels, Surprise Musical Guest and More

Tickets On-Sale June 12

Auckland, New Zealand – June 9, 2016 – Call of Duty fans, prepare for the biggest gathering of the global Call of Duty® community, as Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI), presents Call of Duty XP, the ultimate interactive experience and fan celebration, taking place at the Forum in Inglewood, California, September 2 - 4.  Call of Duty XP 2016 will bring the thrilling finals to the Call of Duty World League Championship, Presented by PlayStation®4 and played on Call of Duty: Black Ops III, as well as the reveal and first hands-on for Call of Duty®: Infinite Warfare multiplayer, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered multiplayer and new Call of Duty: Black Ops III Downloadable Content. Fans will also get to play the firstCall of Duty VR experience on site, and will have other ‘you-had-to-be-there’ live action experiences inspired by Call of Duty, including Nuketown paintball, Zombies laser tag and other fun. 

The epic Call of Duty XP festivities centre around the eagerly-awaited Call of Duty World League Championship, Presented by PlayStation®4, the culmination of the inaugural season of the Call of Duty® World League (CWL), Presented by PlayStation®4. After nearly a year of tough competition from across the globe, 32 of the top teams worldwide will compete for more than $2 million in prizing, as part of the CWL’s 2016 prize pool which tops $3.5 million.  Both prizes are the largest in Call of Duty history. After setting viewership records for Call of Duty competitive events during the Stage 1 Finals, the CWL is moving toward the highly-anticipated Stage 2 Finals, where the first Call of Duty World League Championship qualifiers will be determined. Major League Gaming is the official tournament operator of the Call of Duty World League Championship, Presented by PlayStation®4. Fans can watch the excitement unfold live in game (Black Ops III PS4) via the Live Event Viewer, MLG.tv on the web and mobile devices, and at www.callofduty.com.

Additionally, live at Call of Duty XP, thousands of eager fans will witness the world-premiere of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare multiplayer, and be the first in the world to go hands-on with multiplayer as well as Infinity Ward’s all-new cooperative zombies mode.  Attendees will also be the first to play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered multiplayer. Fans have the rare opportunity to play the latest Call of Duty games before their highly-anticipated November 4^th release. Additionally, further reflecting the full breadth of the Call of Duty franchise, attendees will be among the first to play new downloadable content for Call of Duty: Black Ops III. All Call of Duty XP attendees will have the chance to compete for prizes by showcasing their skills in 6 vs. 6 competitive matches, as more than 500 gameplay stations will be set up on site for fans to enjoy.

"Call of Duty XP is going to be the biggest Call of Duty fan celebration in history,” said Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing. “The best Call of Duty players in the world will be front and centre trying to win the first Call of Duty World League Championship at what is sure to be our biggest Esports event ever. Plus, fans will be able to see and play more hands-on content and reveals in one place than we’ve ever had, from Infinite Warfare, to Modern Warfare Remastered to Black Ops III DLC. Plus, there will be an off-the-charts list of Call of Duty inspired activities that you can't experience anywhere else.”

Built specifically for the community, Call of Duty XP immerses fans in all of the action and excitement that embody Call of Duty. Players will be able to challenge each other in a frenetic paintball battle on a life-sized Call of Duty: Black Ops Nuketown multiplayer map, or team up with other fans in an intense laser tag experience inspired by Infinite Warfare’s new zombies game mode.

“As a presenting partner of the Call of Duty World League, it’s been exciting to watch these talented teams compete and we’re looking forward to the culmination of the tournament during the Call of Duty Championship. We’re also thrilled to be bringing PlayStation VR to the amazing line-up of event activities, where fans will experience the thrill of piloting their own Jackal fighter jet,” said Adam Boyes, VP of Publisher Relations, Sony Interactive Entertainment America. “We’re proud to partner with Activision and Call of Duty on the return of this historic fan celebration and this can’t miss Call of Duty community gathering.”

Other Call of Duty XP activities include:

·         Immersive PlayStation® VR Experience, where fans can feel what it’s like to pilot a Jackal, the personal fighter jet in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare

·         Dedicated Call of Duty developer panels and Q&As from Infinity Ward, Treyarch and Sledgehammer Games

·         Onsite Call of Duty armoury and franchise museum

·         Call of Duty photo booths and experiential activities

·         Surprise musical guest

·         More attractions to be announced at a later date

Tickets for Call of Duty XP are available at three price levels and will go on sale at 6:00am NZ Time on June 12:

·         Enlisted Ticket: $US49* – General Admission seating for three days of the Call of Duty World League Championship, Presented by PlayStation®4 and access to Call of Duty XP gameplay and activities

·         Veteran Ticket: $US129* – General Admission seating for three days of the Call of Duty World League Championship, Presented by PlayStation®4, access to Call of Duty XP gameplay and activities, the $US80 digital Legacy edition of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare and a Care Package with exclusive Call of Duty XP swag

·         Prestige Ticket: $US199* – Scheduled activities and gameplay, VIP line for activities and gameplay, Player Meet and Greets, access to the VIP lounge, parking pass, premium seating for theCall of Duty: Infinite Warfare multiplayer reveal and Call of Duty World League Championship, Presented by PlayStation®4, a $US100 Digital Deluxe version of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare and a Care Package with exclusive Call of Duty XP swag

*Ticket prices will include additional service fees.

Additionally, all ticket levels will include bonus digital content for both Call of Duty: Black Ops III and Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, which include a calling card and weapon camo for each game.

For fans who can’t attend Call of Duty XP in person, select events from the celebration, as well as the Call of Duty World League Championship, Presented by PlayStation®4, will be livestreamed in HD on Twitch at www.twitch.tv/callofduty and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/callofduty.

Call of Duty XP precedes the year’s most anticipated entertainment launch on November 4^th when Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare launches worldwide, along with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered*, both of which to release on PlayStation® 4, Xbox One and PC.  The titles are not yet rated.

Deus Ex Universe Announcements

Deus Ex Universe Announcements

THE DEUS EX UNIVERSE EXPANDS WITH

DEUS EX: MANKIND DIVIDED - BREACH and DEUS EX GO

- Deus Ex: Mankind Divided’s experience reinforced with the “Breach” mode -

- Deus Ex joins the GO line up-

SYDNEY, 9^TH June 2016 – Award-winning Canadian studios Eidos®-Montréal and Square-Enix® Montréal today announced two new additions to the Deus Ex Universe®: Deus Ex: Mankind Divided® – Breach and Deus Ex GO™, both bringing new elements to the rich transmedia universe.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided – Breach is an innovative game mode included in Deus Ex: Mankind Divided. This new take on the game offers, for the very first time, an arcade approach on the gameplay of Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, providing players with a connected puzzle shooter experience. As a Ripper, your objective is to obtain and sell highly classified corporate data by infiltrating some of the world’s most secure servers, using the funds you acquire to upgrade both your skills and arsenal. As you play, the rewards you earn, including XP, credits, and booster packs, will allow you to face the increasing difficulty of the game. Challenge yourself, your friends, and people from around the world in the ultimate Deus Ex® arcade twist. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided – Breach is a live game mode, introducing new challenges and features by rolling out updates on a regular basis.

Watch Deus Ex: Mankind Divided – Breach 101 trailer

“We are introducing a brand new game mode to Deus Ex. In addition to being a new visual approach for the players, the Breach mode broadens the lore of the Deus Ex universe” said David Anfossi, Head of Studio at Eidos-Montréal. “Breach also reinforces Deus Ex: Mankind Divided’s gameplay experience with a totally different setting”

Deus Ex GO is a turn-based infiltration puzzle game set in a stylized interpretation of the Deus Ex Universe. As double agent Adam Jensen, you’ll use hacking, combat, and augmentations to solve the most challenging puzzles of the entire GO series. Work alongside your allies in TF29 and the Juggernaut Collective as you infiltrate locations to unravel the conspiracy behind a terrorist plot.”

Watch the Deus Ex GO Reveal Teaser

“With Deus Ex, we are taking the GO franchise to another level. We are building on the learnings of Hitman™ and Lara Croft® to go a step further with Deus Ex in terms of visual, game design and social features” said Patrick Naud, Head of Studio at Square Enix Montreal.

The Deus Ex Universe is also expanding outside of the video game world: Eidos-Montréal has partnered with Open Bionics, the award-winning robotics start-up and Razer, the world leader in creating connected devices and software for gamers to bring Deus Ex inspired augmentations to life. The three companies will partner up to help bridge the gap between fiction and reality, working together to design, 3D print, scan, power, and create affordable bionic hands. This initiative will combine the expertise of each company, with the ultimate goal being to make fashionable robotic prosthesis accessible to a larger audience. More information can be found here.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided will launch on August 23^rd for PlayStation®4, Xbox One, and Windows PC.

Deus Ex GO will be arriving this winter on phones and tablets.

Deus Ex MD - Augmented Future

Deus Ex MD - Augmented Future

DEUS EX INSPIRED AUGMENTATIONS BROUGHT TO LIFE

- Prosthetic hands created by Open Bionics and Designed by Eidos-Montréal’s Team will soon be available -

- Razer Stargazer camera and motion tracking technology used to bring “Human-Like Senses” to Devices-

SYDNEY, 9^TH June 2016 – Open Bionics, the award-winning robotics start-up, Eidos®-Montréal, the award-winning video game studio that is the home of the Deus Ex® franchise and Razer, a world leader in connected devices and software for gamers, today announced that they will be working together to bring Deus Ex inspired augmentations to life. The three companies will partner up to help bridge the gap between fiction and reality, working together to design, 3D print, scan, power, and create affordable bionic hands. This “Augmented Future” initiative will combine the expertise of each company, with the ultimate goal being to make fashionable robotic prosthesis accessible to a larger audience.

The Deus Ex Universe® depicts a near future where human beings are equipped with prosthetics that give them enhanced capabilities. Although being a fantasy world, the Deus Ex Universe is recognized for being at the forefront of the discussions on transhumanism and bionic augmentations. Eidos-Montréal’s team of artists are striving to create state of the art designs inspired by this universe and the characters within it. Adam Jensen, the main protagonist in the series, was a particular source of inspiration when creating the designs for both The Titan Arm and The Adam Arm prostheses. These, and other prostheses, will soon be available for everyone, from adults to kids of all ages, with models being created for both boys and girls. Eidos-Montréal and Open Bionics are providing these blueprints and designs royalty free, granting anyone the ability to access and use them whenever they wish.

Open Bionics will devote its team of experts to bring these models to life, using the latest technology in 3D printing to create unique prostheses. "Working with Deus Ex to re-imagine the future of bionic prosthetics has been a fantastic creative process. It is has been made even better by seeing people wear the bionic arms and get so much enjoyment out of it. This collaboration goes to show how bright the future of bionics is. We feel lucky to have been able to work with the design team at Deus Ex. They've been incredibly generous with their time and ideas throughout this project. We're excited to see this relationship continue to grow" said Joel Gibbard, CEO at Open Bionics.

The Razer “Stargazer” camera and a motion tracking technology will help to bring this bionic arm initiative to a virtual setting, allowing people to digitally ‘try on’ the arm at events, effectively enabling a real-time demonstration of how the arm would look and move if it they were actually using it. “We’re excited to contribute to this incredible partnership with the Razer Stargazer. As the world’s most advanced webcam, it is a precise hand tracking solution that allows everyone to experience first-hand the future of augmentations,” said Razer Co-Founder and CEO Min-Liang Tan.

Releasing in 2017, the bionic arms will be available for viewing at multiple events, including E3 and Gamescom. More information on www.augmentedfuture.com

Injustice 2 announce trailer

Injustice 2 announce trailer

WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES INJUSTICE™ 2

Build the Ultimate Version of Your Favourite DC Characters

in the Super-Powered Sequel to NetherRealm Studios’ Injustice™: Gods Among Us

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment yesterday announced Injustice 2, the super-powered sequel to the hit game Injustice™: Gods Among Us.  The newest game in development from the award-winning NetherRealm Studios features a massive roster of DC Super Heroes and Super-Villains and allows players to build and power up the ultimate version of their favourite DC characters.  Injustice™ 2 will be available for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Xbox One in 2017. 

“In Injustice™ 2, we are introducing new features that will change the way fans play fighting games,” said Ed Boon, Creative Director, NetherRealm Studios.  “We’re always interested in pushing the genre forward and allowing players to customise and level-up their favourite DC Super Heroes and Super-Villains is a significant leap.”

“Expanding the DC Universe in games continues to be one of our top priorities, and Injustice™ 2 showcases amazing gameplay and an original story to bring the characters to life for players,” said David Haddad, President, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.  “NetherRealm Studios is offering fans an experience of customising and battling with DC’s iconic characters in an entirely new way.”

Injustice™ 2 offers the latest DC fighting game experience that expands on the previous title’s larger-than-life showdowns.  Every battle defines you in a game where players personalise iconic DC characters with unique and powerful gear earned throughout the game.  For the first time gamers can take control of how their characters look, fight and develop across a variety of game modes.

Injustice™ 2 continues the epic cinematic story introduced in Injustice™: Gods Among Us as Batman and his allies work towards putting the pieces of society back together while struggling against those who want to restore Superman’s regime.  In the midst of the chaos, a new threat appears that will put Earth’s existence at risk.  Players can play from the biggest DC roster ever offered in a fighting game, from classic fan favourites such as Batman, Superman, Supergirl and Aquaman, to astonishing new villains like Atrocitus and Gorilla Grodd.  Battles will take place across arenas that have evolved in scale and span across iconic locations such as Metropolis, Gotham City and Atlantis.

To celebrate the announcement of Injustice™ 2, fans who have downloaded the hugely successful Injustice™: Gods Among Us mobile game can unlock the Injustice™ 2 versions of Superman and Aquaman through the in-game Challenge Modes.  Released in 2013 and developed from the ground up by NetherRealm Studios, the Injustice™: Gods Among Us mobile game is available as a free download on the App Store and Google Play.

For more information or to join the Injustice 2 conversation, visit www.injustice.com or find us @injusticegame on Facebook and Twitter. 

New Kingdom Hearts E3 2016 trailer

New Kingdom Hearts E3 2016 trailer

 

Agents of Mayhem unveiled

Agents of Mayhem unveiled

Deep Silver Proudly Announces Agents of Mayhem®;

a Brand New IP from Volition, the Creators of Saints Row

Discover an amazing new comic hero universe bursting with unforgettable characters,

as the Agents of M.A.Y.H.E.M. do battle against the sinister forces of L.E.G.I.O.N.

in a brand-new open-world extravaganza

Sydney, Australia – June 9, 2016 - Volition are back with a brand new IP in their latest open-world epic - Agents of Mayhem® - coming to Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC in 2017.

The developers of the highly acclaimed and hugely successful Saints Row series have taken it to the next level with the creation of a new comic hero universe.

Meet the Agents of M.A.Y.H.E.M. (the Multinational Agency for Hunting Evil Masterminds) – a motley outfit of

unique and diverse Super Agents recruited from around the world to thwart the destructive schemes of the evil supervillain organization L.E.G.I.O.N. (the League of Evil Gentlemen Intent on Obliterating Nations).

Featuring an original storyline, trademark over-the-top open-world gameplay, and the look-and-feel of a distinctive superhero cosmos, Agents of Mayhem is a true Volition game. This new IP is a part of the Saints Row universe, sharing certain story elements, symbolism, and design inspiration with the multi-million selling franchise. Building on the unique skill of the AAA studio to continuously surprise, endear, and engage players, Agents of Mayhem represents the culmination of over a decade of open world experience and creativity.

THE STORY

In a simultaneous global assault, LEGION has taken control over the nations of the world and the only force left to stop them is MAYHEM. Led by the mysterious and no-nonsense Persephone Brimstone, MAYHEM’s elite Super Agents are called to the city of Seoul, South Korea. Led by LEGION Minister Doctor Babylon and his diabolical lieutenants, a nefarious plot is set in motion to build a world-altering device that will grant unrivaled power to the supervillain organization. In order to stop LEGION and take back the world, the Agents of Mayhem will traverse a sprawling urban battlefield from the ground to the rooftops and team up as a super-agent collective to stop LEGION at any cost.

Success is far from guaranteed and collateral damage will be substantial, but it’s all in a day’s work for the Agents…

Facts

Title: Agents of Mayhem

Developer: Deep Silver Volition

Publisher: Deep Silver

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC

Genre: Third Person Open World Action

Release: 2017

Target Age Rating: M / 18+

The Rehearsal will have its World Premiere at NZIFF 2016

 The Rehearsal will have its World Premiere at NZIFF 2016

The Rehearsal will have its World Premiere at NZIFF 2016 We are thrilled to announce the World Premiere of Alison Maclean’s hotly anticipated adaptation of Eleanor Catton’s debut novel The Rehearsal as our Centrepiece Presentation. Unpacking the dramas that energise a class of budding young actors, The Rehearsal mounts an enticing inquisition of performance, identity and moral anxiety with resonance far beyond its hothouse setting. Starring James Rolleston, Alice Englert, Ella Edward, Kieran Charnock, Michelle Nyand and Marlon Williams, the film carries a potent extra-textual charge: there’s enough talent in this fictional drama school to constitute a real-world new wave. Kerry Fox plays the key role as a formidable drama coach. Like the novel, the film (co-scripted with Emily Perkins) is as attentive to the misleading effect youthful nerve can have on the ‘mature’ as it is to the crises the teachers so blithely incite in the taught. It’s also its own sharp, original thing, a film by Alison Maclean, alive with ambiguity and cinematic verve. The full NZIFF programme will be available online from Monday 20 June 7pm, and on the streets from Tuesday 21 June for Auckland with tickets going on sale from Friday 24 June.