far-cry-5Source: UbiBlog

On February 27, Far Cry 5 will give you the chance to build a resistance and save Hope County, Montana, from the predations of fanatical doomsday cult The Project at Eden’s Gate. And when it arrives, fans on the hunt for collectibles can snag a collector’s edition packed with exclusive items designed to evoke Hope County – along with the game and its Season Pass.

The Hope County, MT Collector’s Case is available for pre-order exclusively from the Ubisoft Store. In addition to the Gold Edition of Far Cry 5 – which includes the Season Pass for access to future expansions, as well as a Digital Deluxe Pack that adds new vehicles, weapons, and outfits – the Collector’s Case includes a Deer Skull Trophy that measures 17.72 inches (45cm) wide, an exclusive Steelbook case, the official Far Cry 5 soundtrack, and a double-sided tourist map of Hope County.

View the Far Cry 5: E3 2017 Official Gameplay Trailer HERE.

Far Cry 5 will be available on Xbox One, PS4, and PC on February 27, with enhancements for Xbox One X and PS4 Pro. For more information about Far Cry 5, please visit http://farcry.com.

mount-blade-2-bannerlord-logoTaleWorlds Entertainment has released two videos showing an extended look at the large-scale, epic combat in their upcoming follow-up to Mount & Blade: Warband – Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord.

[VIDEO] Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord E3 2017 Cavalry Sergeant Gameplay

[VIDEO] Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord E3 2017 Horse Archer Sergeant Gameplay

KEY BATTLE IMPROVEMENTS

Battles are at the very core of the series and play better than ever in the latest installment.

  • Advanced Formations – Merge and split forces at your behest, with intuitive but powerful control over the movement, form and behavior of every unit! Order heavy infantry to hold together, shoulder-to-shoulder in a slowly advancing but near impenetrable shield wall; or launch your cavalry in lightning charges using the skein formation.
  • Battlefield AI – AI commanders can execute complex tactics, utilizing the advanced formation options to present a formidable challenge. Their behavior is drawn from actual historical tacticians, for example Alexander the great, who used his superior cavalry forces to rout their counterparts in the opposing army, before delivering a crushing blow to the enemy’s main force. This not only creates the feeling of an authentic medieval battle but also proves effective in-game, as in reality.
  • Sergeant System – Commanders now designate units to other lords in battle, including the player! Execute the orders issued by your commander throughout the fight, and use your own instincts to do your part and help secure victory on the field of battle. Lead the horse archers as they skirmish and harass the enemy to disrupt their lines before your allies finish them off, or take control of the cavalry and charge into the fray to devastate entire units at once!

KEY COMBAT UPDATES

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord also features greatly updated combat, which builds on previous installments in a number of ways while retaining its intuitive, direction-based core that made it so popular among players.

  • Directional Shield Blocking and Shield Bash – These two features revitalize the sword & board gameplay, making it a more engaging experience than ever before! Blocking in the wrong direction will not necessarily get you killed but it will cause your shield to break faster, leaving you defenseless against missiles and vulnerable against multiple foes. Shield bashing, a highly requested feature, temporarily stuns your opponent and knocks them back, lowering their defenses and giving you room to breathe.
  • Attack Chaining – Swings that complete their motion can now be chained into follow-up attacks which can catch your opponent off-guard after a miss. Unbalanced weapons such as hammers and axes also use the momentum of the first swing for a faster follow-up!
  • Improved Animations and Combat Engine – Huge effort has gone into making Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord’s combat as fluid and visually appealing as possible. Damage dealt is now calculated with a great degree of physical depth, factoring in the weight distribution of every individual weapon. This means that whether you are executing a perfectly timed thrust while thundering towards a hapless archer on horseback or shooting an arrow across the battlefield to whittle down your opponent’s infantry forces before the melee, the game will understand all of the forces involved and produce consistent, realistic and satisfying results every time.

It is great to be back at E3 with Bannerlord, demonstrating the best Mount & Blade battles ever. Our team worked very hard on developing all aspects of the battles, which are so central to the game. We are thrilled to showcase our work and looking forward to seeing the response.
Armagan Yavuz – CEO / Founder, TaleWorlds

More game information is available via the Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord website.

fields-of-glory-2Award-winning wargame designer Richard Bodley Scott is back. The mastermind behind successes like Pike and Shot and Sengoku Jidai, returns to his roots and is busy at work on the sequel of one of the most successful wargaming systems ever: Field of Glory.

The first digital adaptation of the most popular ancients and medieval tabletop wargaming rules served as a stepping stone in the foundation of the Slitherine Group as we know it today”, said Iain McNeil, Development Director of Slitherine. “We are happy to have RBS working on the next iteration of this PC game as he is both the father of the original tabletop game and the creator of its digital conversion”.

It’s 280 B.C. The Republic of Rome has just finished defeating its Italian neighbours and already the Southern territories are menaced by King Pyrrhus of Epirus. Carthage, to the South-West is also a threat to the newborn Mediterranean power. In the north, the Gaul’s continue to see the rich Roman cities as inviting targets.

A new age of war is coming.

Set during the Rise of Rome from 280 BC to 25 BC, Field of Glory II will accurately simulate the battles of the Ancient World, before the full establishment of the Roman Empire. Boasting a set of unique and detailed Army Lists for each faction, the game offers a wide variety of tactical choices with more than 80 beautiful and fully animated 3D models, each with multiple uniform variations.

We really wanted Field of Glory 2 to be a big step up both in terms of visuals and in gameplay. We knew that with RBS on board, gameplay would fit well with both the historical setting and the nature of warfare at the time. For the visuals, we have put together a team that includes Pat Ward, formerly Art Director at Shenandoah and our Art Director Richard Evans. The result is a wargame that will please the fans, but also attract a brand new generation of gamers”.

Players can already join the beta of Field of Glory II by applying here.

Expect to experience a Classic Age that’s more vibrant than ever in this tabletop miniature wargame brought to life to PC! Field of Glory II is set to release this fall.

Find out more about Fields of Glory II at the games official webpage.

wolfenstein2-the-new-colossusWorldwide Launch Includes Collector’s Edition for Sequel to Critically Acclaimed First-Person Shooter

Bethesda Softworks, a ZeniMax Media company revealed that Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, the highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed first-person shooter Wolfenstein: The New Order, is slated for release worldwide on October 27, 2017 for Xbox One, PlayStation® 4 computer entertainment system, and PC. Developed by the award-winning team at MachineGames, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus sends you to Nazi-controlled America where you’ll embark on an exhilarating adventure to free the world from the evil empire’s stranglehold.

You are BJ Blazkowicz, aka “Terror-Billy,” member of the Resistance, scourge of the Nazi empire, and humanity’s last hope for liberty. A heart-pounding journey brought to life by the industry-leading id Tech  6, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus sends you on a mission to recruit the boldest Resistance leaders left. Fight back against the Nazis in iconic locations such as small-town Roswell, New Mexico, the flooded streets of New Orleans, and a post-nuclear Manhattan. Equip an arsenal of badass guns, and unleash new abilities to blast your way through legions of advanced Nazi soldiers, cyborgs, and über soldiers in this definitive first-person shooter. Only you have the guts, guns, and gumption to return stateside, kill every Nazi in sight, and spark the second American Revolution.

On October 27, Bethesda will also release the Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus Collector’s Edition, which includes a 1/6 scale 12-inch action figure of the game’s Nazi-killin’ hero William Joseph “BJ” Blazkowicz, packaged in a premium, 1960s-style box. BJ comes fully equipped to rally the Resistance and free America, with an arsenal of accessories including four high-powered guns, a hatchet, and his bomber jacket. Available through participating retailers across the globe, this limited Collector’s Edition also includes the eagerly awaited game inside an exclusive metal case, and a 9″x14″ Blitzmensch poster. Fans are encouraged to check with preferred retailers for pre-order incentives and additional special edition offerings.

Watch the awesome Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus – E3 2017 Full Reveal Trailer HERE.

For more information, please visit the official Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus website.

assassins-creed-originsSource: Blue’s News

More leaked news is now unleaked, as UbiBlog has the official announcement of Assassin’s Creed Origins, confirming the ancient Egypt setting for the next installment in the assassination sequel. This already has a release date, as they say it’s expected on October 27th. This trailer accompanies the news to show this off, and they also have this article with all the details you need for this. Here’s word:

Amongst the Great Pyramids, the last pharaohs, and the myths of Ancient Egypt, the Assassin’s Brotherhood was born. As Bayek, a protector of Egypt, you’ll experience the origin story of the Brotherhood as it unfolds against the backdrop of one of history’s greatest empires, plunging you into a living world where epic battles will be fought and ancient secrets discovered.

Assassin’s Creed Origins features new action-RPG elements, which allow you to level and customize your own version of Bayek with unique gear and powerful weapons before engaging in a new combat system designed to offer more tactical freedom than ever before in the franchise. Likewise, a new quest experience gives you the opportunity to explore and uncover the mysteries of Ancient Egypt at your own pace.

In addition to the standalone game, Assassin’s Creed Origins will be available in Deluxe and Gold Editions. The Deluxe Edition includes the base game, a printed version of the hand-drawn world map, the official soundtrack, and a variety of digital content that includes the Ambush at Seas naval mission, the Desert Cobra Pack, and three bonus Ability points. The Gold Edition includes all of the Digital Deluxe Edition content as well as the Season Pass, which grants access to all upcoming expansions and equipment sets.

Assassin’s Creed Origins will be available at the launch of Xbox One X and on October 27 for Xbox One, PS4, PS4 Pro, and PC. For more information, stay tuned to UbiBlog.

metro-exodusFlee the ruins of Moscow and embark on an epic, continent-spanning journey across post-apocalyptic Russia in the greatest Metro adventure yet

After a spectacular gameplay reveal during the Xbox E3 2017 Briefing, Deep Silver and 4A Games today announced that Metro Exodus – the next chapter in the critically acclaimed series of Metro games – is planned for release in 2018 on Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, and PC.

A quarter-century after nuclear war devastated the earth, a few thousand survivors still cling to existence beneath the ruins of Moscow, in the tunnels of the Metro. They have struggled against the poisoned elements, fought mutated beasts and paranormal horrors, and suffered the flames of civil war. But now, as Artyom, you must flee the Metro and lead a band of Spartan Rangers on an incredible, continent-spanning journey across post-apocalyptic Russia in search of a new life in the East.

Metro Exodus is an epic, story-driven first person shooter from 4A Games that blends deadly combat and stealth with exploration and survival horror in one of the most immersive game worlds ever created. Explore the Russian wilderness across vast, non-linear levels and follow a thrilling story-line that spans an entire year through spring, summer and autumn to the depths of nuclear winter.

Inspired by the internationally best-selling novels Metro 2033 and Metro 2035 by Dmitry Glukhovsky, Metro Exodus continues Artyom’s story in the greatest Metro adventure yet.

We are so proud to finally be able to reveal our next Metro game to the world, and would like to thank all the Metro fans for their patience,” said Andriy Prokhorov, Creative Director and co-founder at 4A Games. “Metro Exodus has been in development for three years between our Malta and Kyiv studios, and represents our most ambitious project yet.

Be the first to learn more about this incredible new title by registering for updates at MetroTheGame.com. You can watch the Announcement Gameplay Trailer here.

MORE ABOUT METRO EXODUS

The year is 2036.

A quarter-century after nuclear war devastated the earth, a few thousand survivors still cling to existence beneath the ruins of Moscow, in the tunnels of the Metro.

They have struggled against the poisoned elements, fought mutated beasts and paranormal horrors, and suffered the flames of civil war. But now, as Artyom, you must flee the Metro and lead a band of Spartan Rangers on an incredible, continent-spanning journey across post-apocalyptic Russia in search of a new life in the East.

Metro Exodus is an epic, story-driven first person shooter from 4A Games that blends deadly combat and stealth with exploration and survival horror in one of the most immersive game worlds ever created.

Explore the Russian wilderness across vast, non-linear levels and follow a thrilling story-line that spans an entire year through spring, summer and autumn to the depths of nuclear winter.

Inspired by the novels of Dmitry Glukhovsky, Metro Exodus continues Artyom’s story in the greatest Metro adventure yet.

  • Embark on an incredible journey – board the Aurora, a heavily modified steam locomotive, and join a handful of survivors as they search for a new life in the East
  • Experience Sandbox Survival – a gripping story links together classic Metro gameplay with new huge, non-linear levels
  • A beautiful, hostile world – discover the post-apocalyptic Russian wilderness, brought to life with stunning day / night cycles and dynamic weather
  • Deadly combat and stealth – scavenge and craft in the field to customize your arsenal of hand-made weaponry, and engage human and mutant foes in thrilling tactical combat
  • Your choices determine your comrades’ fate – not all your companions will survive the journey; your decisions have consequence in a gripping storyline that offers massive re-playability
  • The ultimate in atmosphere and immersion – a flickering candle in the darkness; a ragged gasp as your gasmask frosts over; the howl of a mutant on the night wind – Metro will immerse and terrify you like no other game…

 

Hardware | Donster | |

historical-article-wars-song-barry-sadlerHow Barry Sadler’s “The Ballad of the Green Berets” became the No. 1 single of 1966.

By Marc Leepson @ Historynet.com

A little more than 50 years ago, on May 7, 1967, a 26-year-old Green Beret staff sergeant let his term of enlistment expire and took his honorable discharge at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He had served five years, including a tour of duty during 1964-65 as an A Team medic in Vietnam’s Central Highlands. He left the service, he said, to pursue a career in music and movies.

Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler had a good start on the music part. His song, “The Ballad of the Green Berets” came out of nowhere in January 1966 to become the No. 1 single of the year, selling some 9 million copies. The album sold 2 million. Sadler earned $500,000 in royalties in the first six months after the song hit. In the process Sadler—who dropped out of high school to join the Air Force in 1958, served four years and then joined the Army—went viral decades before anyone knew the word “internet.”

Read on…

Military History | Donster | |

steel-division-normandy-44By Ian Boudreau @ The Wargamer

Steel Division: Normandy ‘44 is a game about combined arms warfighting, but it’s very easy to over-focus on the movie stars of the Second World War, infantry and armor. These are the branches that have provided the basis for the war’s human dramas, and it’s not hard to see why. Thousands of troopers storming the French beaches, paratroopers dropping in over the countryside, and the rumble and terror of the Tiger all are immediately recognizable as moments of human valor and fear.

Artillery in Steel Division is divided into four types, and using each effectively means the difference between smashing the enemy to pieces and getting stranded on the wrong side of the front without fire support. Being that there are 400 unique units and vehicles in the game, we’ll talk broadly about the four types of artillery and where they’re most effective in the fight.

Read on…

mare-nostrumMatrix Games announce Mare Nostrum, a strategy game by the developer of Qvadriga, set during the turbulent war galleys era, when the civilizations along the Mediterranean Sea started to extend their ambitions towards new lands!

Naval Squadrons employ real tactics of that time, and the WEGO system will force you to think three moves ahead of your opponent!

Choose between fourteen ship types, ranging from the small and primitive penteconter to the powerful decares, and wage war in 24 historic naval battles!

Ram enemy ships, board them, or make use of your on-board harpax to make their encounter with Neptune the last!

Click here to sign up to participate in the Beta testing!

Tim Stone, from Rock Paper Shotgun, has just posted a nice article on it! Check it out here!

Get more information about Mare Nostrvm from its official product page.