First-Person Shooters

New planes and leaderboards are added in the just released ‘Planes & Ladders’-update for the popular free-to-play World War 2 game Heroes & Generals.

With the addition of new fighter planes all three factions in the game now have two Medium Fighter planes besides a Reconnaissance airplane and a Heavy Fighter. Bringing the total number of planes to 12 – and more are coming.

The three new planes in the ‘Planes & Ladders’-update are:

• The Soviet Medium Fighter Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3
• The German Medium Fighter Messerschmitt Bf 109D-1
• The US Medium Fighter Seversky P-35A

The new planes are placed as the first Medium Fighters players unlock after Reconnaissance planes. They are easier to control, easing the learning curve for new pilots on their path toward higher tier planes.

Introducing leaderboards in Heroes & Generals

Players in Heroes & Generals now get to compare their performance with other players across a wide variety of activities and achievements. More than 30 new leaderboards cover not only classic stats like kills, headshots, etc, but also stats for support roles, tactical actions and how good the Generals are at commanding their troops in the war.

The leaderboard categories are:

• OVERALL – ranking soldiers based on score, kills, headshots, etc.
• SUPPORT – ranking by support activities such as first aid, deploying vehicles, etc.
• TACTICAL – ranking soldiers based on their tactical performance.
• WEAPONS – ranking soldiers by weapon usage.
• VEHICLES – ranking soldiers based on their destruction of enemy vehicles.
• ASSAULT TEAMS – ranking assault team performance and activity in the war.

The leaderboards can be found at www.heroesandgenerals.com/leaderboard/ and they all show player performances from the last 30 days. So to stay on top, you will need to play regularly.

“We’re really excited about giving the players another layer of engagement for Heroes & Generals with the new leaderboards. I’m especially glad that we, besides the usual boards with kills, etc, also give credit to support roles and other aspects of the game.” says Jacob Andersen, Game Director at Reto-Moto: “It is a team effort and eventually we would like to expand the leaderboards to cover enough aspects of the game for every player to find a board where he ranks high on or even for players to set up their own leaderboards using an open API.”

Future updates for Heroes & Generals will provide even more more leaderboard categories.

The full changelog for the 1.08 Update ‘Planes & Ladders’ can be found HERE.

Heroes & Generals is available for free at HeroesAndGenerals.com.

Following its reveal a few weeks ago (watch trailer), Bohemia Interactive announces the official release of the Laws of War DLC for Arma 3. This new package lets players explore a different perspective on the battlefield in a story-driven singleplayer mini-campaign, and enriches the Arma 3 sandbox via the addition of a humanitarian faction, van, drone, clothing and gear, and more. To further introduce the DLC, Bohemia Interactive shared a new developer diary video, in which Arma 3’s Creative Director Jay Crowe and Project Lead Joris-Jan van ‘t Land examine the new content, discuss the origin of the project and its development process, and talk about the studio’s collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Instead of imposing any gameplay limitations, the Arma 3 Laws of War DLC aims to help players develop their understanding of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) by placing a stronger emphasis on the consequences of their actions. This is also one of the central themes in the “Remnants of War” mini-campaign. Here you take on the role of EOD specialist Nathan MacDade, who is tasked with deactivating mines after the war on the Republic of Altis & Stratis has ended. While being interviewed by an investigative journalist, you uncover what happened in the town of Oreokastro via memory fragments that let you experience the perspective of various sides, ranging from a NATO soldier, to a CSAT special operative, FIA guerrilla fighter, and local car mechanic.

On top of the mini-campaign, the Laws of War DLC adds a variety of new premium character outfits, vehicles, and weaponry to Arma 3’s sandbox. This includes the IDAP humanitarian faction (multiple character outfits), a van (multiple variants with over 20 liveries), utility drone (different variants used either for cargo transport or demining operations), the controversial APERS Mine Dispenser weapon system, new vests, bags, head gear and face wear, a paramedic outfit, time trial challenges, and more. The DLC is supported by a major free platform update, which delivers free new content and gameplay feature extensions to everyone who owns Arma 3. Its highlights include refined cluster strikes, the simulation of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO), improvements to the identification and deactivation of mines, the ability to drop custom informational leaflets from the sky using the new drone, a wide variety of emergency and medical supplies, faction-specific cluster bombs and bomblets, and many new decorative objects such as shelter tents and new furniture. In line with Bohemia Interactive’s existing DLC strategy for Arma 3, players who do not own the DLC will still be able to join multiplayer servers that make use of its premium content. However, some restrictions to the usage of the premium content will apply.

Last but not least, as part of the free platform update, there are also two free new Showcases available for all Arma 3 players. These individual scenarios serve as an introduction to the DLC’s theme and the new IDAP faction. In Showcase IDAP, you are a reporter visiting one of organization’s open days on Altis. Here you can learn more about IDAP’s history and activities. In Showcase Laws of War, you are a soldier attending one of IDAP’s instructional courses, in which you can run through three virtual training simulations that explain some of the basic principles of International Humanitarian Law.

The Arma 3 Laws of War DLC is now available for purchase on Steam and the Bohemia Store for € 9.99 / $ 11.99 / £ 8.99. Half of Bohemia Interactive’s net revenue from direct sales (not as part of bundles) of the Arma 3 Laws of War DLC in 2017 will be donated to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The total amount raised will be announced on www.bistudio.com in 2018.

For a complete overview of the Arma 3 Laws of War DLC, please visit the official website at https://arma3.com/dlc/lawsofwar. If you wish to learn more about the project and its development, we also recommend you to read the ’OPREP: Laws of War’ devblog.

About Arma 3
Arma 3 is the latest installment in Bohemia Interactive’s award-winning Arma series, and offers a truly authentic combat experience in a massive military sandbox. Set across richly detailed large scale terrains, the game features a diverse range of official and unofficial singleplayer and multiplayer content, complemented by a wide variety of weapons, gear, equipment, vehicles, and different factions. An in-game scenario editor enables players to create their own scenarios. These custom scenarios can be shared and installed via the Arma 3 Steam Workshop, alongside player-created addons and total conversions. Arma 3 is exclusively available for Windows PC and has sold more than 3 million copies to date. More information about Arma 3 is available at www.arma3.com.

A lot has happened in the 14 years since the Nazis have won World War II. It’s now 1961, the Reich has overtaken almost the entire world, and BJ Blazkowicz is returning to his home to rally the resistance and repel the invaders. But this isn’t the America BJ fought for during the war. Not anymore. Check out our latest video for a look at what’s in store for “Terror-Billy” in Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus.

“This game is all about liberating the U.S. and creating a platform there to liberate the rest of the world,” says Creative Director Jens Matthies. But first BJ needs to shoot, blast, hack and stab his way through New York, New Orleans, New Mexico – and several other locations – all of which have been significantly altered by years of Nazi oppression. From Nazi propaganda to straight-up subjugation, America has changed – but that won’t stop BJ from doing his job to liberate his country… and the rest of the world.

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus releases on October 27, 2017, on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC. Winner of more than 100 awards at E3 2017, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus also received four nominations from the official E3 Game Critics Awards (including Best of Show) and won Best Action Game.

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

Tripwire Interactive is pleased to share some new screens and a preview video for the upcoming Australian themed update for Rising Storm 2: Vietnam, revealed at their PAX West panel on Saturday, September 2, 2017 (Rising Storm 2: Vietnam starts at approximately the 5 hour mark). Featuring new maps, new weapons, and a whole new fighting force, the Australian update is the first major content drop for Rising Storm 2: Vietnam since the game debuted in May of this year.

The Australians were a major player on the anti-Communist side of the war for 10 years, between 1962 and 1972, along with supporting elements from New Zealand. They will be fully represented in this free update, with new uniforms, unique customization options and specially recorded voice-over.

Check out the new work in progress teaser trailer HERE.

To check out the new screenshots please click HERE.

This update* for Rising Storm 2: Vietnam is chock full of new content including:

• 3 New Maps (One of which has rain)
• New Commander Ability – Canberra bomber strike
• New Chopper – Bushranger (Huey gunship)

New Weapons Currently Planned:

• F1 SMG
• Owens SMG
• L1A1
• L2A1g
• Browning Hi-Power
• Car-15 Carbine

*The current update scope as of Sept 2017

Rising Storm 2: Vietnam is developed by Antimatter Games and published by Tripwire Interactive for PC. Stay up-to-date with the latest Rising Storm 2: Vietnam news and information at www.rs2Vietnam.com.

Source: Battlefield Blog

Starting today, Battlefield 1 Premium Pass owners can start their two-week early access of Battlefield 1 In the Name of the Tsar. On September 19, the most extensive Battlefield expansion yet – and winner of the “Best Add-On/DLC” Gamescom Award – will be available for purchase for all players.

With 6 new maps (including the newly released Lupkow Pass), new weapons, new vehicles, the new Supply Drop mode, the Hussars, and the Russian Army joining the fight, Battlefield 1 In the Name of the Tsar is packed with fresh content. To learn more about the expansion, head to the Battlefield 1 In the Name of the Tsar page.

New to Battlefield 1? Play the In the Name of the Tsar content today and get early access to all other unreleased expansions with Battlefield 1 Revolution*.

Revolutionize Your Play – Battlefield 1 Revolution

With the Battlefield 1 In the Name of the Tsar update comes a new addition granting even higher fidelity and immersion to Battlefield 1: HDR10 support.

HDR (High Dynamic Range) makes the visuals of Battlefield 1 even more stunning for owners of the required tech (a screen with HDR support together with a console/PC with HDR capabilities.)

With an expanded contrast ratio and color palette, more realistic, immersive, and natural visuals will be possible. As you charge through the snowy Lupkow Pass or scout the dark alleys of Tsaritsyn, the light and dark areas will be more detailed, and look more similar to what the human eye would register.

We hope you will enjoy all that Battlefield 1 In the Name of the Tsar has to offer.

* Check www.battlefield.com/games/battlefield-1/premium often for details and release dates for each expansion pack.

Today, Ubisoft announced that Operation Blood Orchid, the Year 2 Season 3 add-on content for Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege, has launched on Playstation 4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One and Windows PC. The Theme Park map will be available at no additional cost for all players. Starting today, season pass holders will be able to access three new operators and their signature weapons skins. All other players will be able to unlock the new content starting September 12th using Renown or R6 Credits.

Theme Park Map and Two New SDU Operators
In Operation Blood Orchid, players will have to raid an abandoned theme park, identified by the Special Duties Unit (SDU) – also known as the Flying Tigers – as a criminal organisation’s nest for narcotic manufacturing. After establishing a connection with the Hong Kong Triad, two Flying Tigers are chosen to lead a lethal raid in the Theme Park, a colourful and eclectic map filled with dynamic and fast-paced face-offs.

• Ying: Siu Mei Lin is recognised as an all-purpose operator. After a few operations, she decided to join Team Rainbow, representing Hong Kong’s Flying Tigers Unit. Equipped with the T-95 LSW and the SIX12 shotgun as primary weapons, she knows how to intervene in densely populated areas with her non-lethal unique gadget. Her Candela device is a new breed of flash grenade: when deployed, it releases a cluster of flash charges that can be anchored on surfaces, or it can be thrown out as a grenade or rolled along the floor.
• Lesion: Liu Tze Long is known to take his work seriously and to thrive in high-risk situations. Demonstrating a natural calm while handling highly corrosive substances, he’s also an expert in mine-clearing. Equipped with the SIX12 SD silenced shotgun and the T-5 SMG, Lesion can handle any situation with his Gu mines. When an attacker triggers these mines, they are injected with a toxin that deals an initial burst of damage, and then slower damage over time, limiting their speed until the affected player removes the poison dart. Starting with two Gu mines, his inventory will increase by one Gu mine every 35 seconds until it reaches a maximum of seven mines.

New Polish GROM Operator, Ela Bosak

• Ela: Ela Bosak is the latest and one of the youngest recruits to Team Rainbow. This thirty-year-old operator is a member of Poland’s Military Unit, GROM, and is equipped with the Scorpion EVO 3 A1 SMG and the F0-12 shotgun as primary weapons. Ela also is equipped with the RG15 pistol with a red dot sight, the first pistol in the game with a sight. She is known for her determination and prowess in the field. Her sticky Grzmot mines are proximity concussion mines that affect anyone within radius with reduced movement speed, aiming and vision. Ela’s signature move when in a downed state is the ability to trigger one last concussion mine.

To mark the culmination of Operation Health, Operation Blood Orchid will be the largest update for Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege ever deployed, bringing fixes and improvements to the game, including an updated lighting system, data clean-ups on operators, optimized stability, reduced load times and a smaller memory footprint. New and improved servers will also be deployed around the launch of Season 3 to enhance stability, connectivity and overall performance. For more information about this patch, please consult the full patch notes on rainbow6.com/bloodorchid.

Watch the new Rainbow Six: Siege – Operation Blood Orchid trailer here.

Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege is currently available worldwide for consoles and PC. For more information about the game and news on the upcoming title update, Operation Blood Orchid, please visit www.rainbow6.com.

Source: UbiBlog

There’s a new video showing off the dark, eerie interior of the new map coming on August 29 with the launch of Operation Blood Orchid. Dubbed “Theme Park,” the map is set in a deteriorating amusement park in Hong Kong, where smiling tiger and monkey mascots welcome players to the field of conflict. Proceeding past teacup rides into a spacious hall, players will have to resist the temptation to check out the arcade games and stop for a snack at the concession stands while proceeding to the objective. Gargoyles and mummies await inside what appears to be a haunted house section of the park, as you can see in the teaser video HERE.

The Theme Park map will be available for free to all players when Operation Blood Orchid launches on August 29.

For more information about Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege, please visit the games official website.

Fight for Freedom and Steal What You Can Through the Underbelly of Hitler’s Third Reich

Prepare to fight dirty and dictate new world disorder with RAID: World War II as Starbreeze, Lion GameLion and 505 Games today revealed release dates for the highly- anticipated shooter, starring John Cleese as the British intelligence officer Control. Coming to PC on September 26th and digital and physical retail formats of PlayStation®4 and Xbox One this October, the action-packed four-player cooperative first-person shooter is set during the terrifying time when the German war machine was tearing through Europe, and hope was in short supply.

Known for contributing to critically-acclaimed heist game PAYDAY 2, developers Lion Game Lion lead by Game Director Ilija Petrusic (Co-founder of OVERKILL Software and lead level designer of PAYDAY: The Heist and PAYDAY 2) and Starbreeze Publishing bring their trademark fun and exciting cooperative gameplay, stealth mechanics and superb sound design to this thrilling period shooter. RAID’s unique character classes, hero special abilities, customizable weapons and uniforms, and real-life war-torn locations bring the surreal conflict to lifeas players fight for their freedom through sabotage, robbery, and assassination of the dastardly Nazi regime.

“The goal in RAID: World War II is simple – sabotage, assassinate and pulverize everything bearing a swastika – mess with Hitler and steal his treasures,” said Ilija Petrusic, Game Director at Lion Game Lion. “With the Nazi regime as the ultimate evil, RAID brings together four unique characters with playstyles that complement and enhance each other as they fight and steal across Europe.”

In RAID’s world-wide fight against evil, four prisoners of war are freed by an ominous secret British intelligence officer, “Mrs. White,” who needs to take down Hitler and his Third Reich once and for all. Players will utilize key game features to save Europe from the Nazi threat and get rich, including:

• Class Based Gameplay – Players choose from four different classes – Recon, Assault, Insurgent, or Demolitions – each with theirown highly developed skill tree that allows for various play styles;
• War Cries – Each character class can unleash their own powerful War Cry to buff their player or the entire team;
• Character Customisation – RAID’s four heroes represent the main combatants from the European theatre of WWII: GreatBritain, USA, Germany and the Soviet Union. Each character possesses a unique look and a customisable uniform;
• Lethal Weapon Modifications – the Second World War was infamous for arming the world with deadly and experimentalweapons that went “bang” in lethal fashion. RAID: World War II gives players access to an array of precision killing machines complete with weapons upgrades such as custom barrels, stocks, fore grips, optic sights and much more to satisfy a variety tastes;
• Operations Mode – RAID: World War II offers players the opportunity to play through extended versions of their favoritemissions by undertaking the “Operations” gameplay mode. Operations challenges players through a chained series of highlymodified raids, featuring new storylines, and added content and objectives;
• Challenge Cards – By participating and completing successful raids, players will earn Challenge Cards that allow them tocustomize the rules of a raid in a give-and-take fashion. For example, enemy ammo drops will increase, providing players withmore ammunition to hold enemies at bay; however, the damage inflicted by enemies will be greater;
• Real-World Locations – The game’s setting takes place in real-world locations across war-torn Europe. From mighty m dominating the heart of Berlin, to the idyllic bridge over the Elbe, players will travel through a war-torn Europe and bringdestruction to Nazis in every corner of Hitler’s Reich.

The Reich will get hit hard and the personal riches of the Fuhrer will be stolen on PC September 26 and on PlayStation®4 and Xbox One onTuesday, Oct. 10 in North America, and Friday, Oct. 13 in Europe, Middle East and Asia. The game’s ESRB rating is pending. For more information, visit www.raidworldwar2.com.

New humanitarian faction, van, drone, mini-campaign, and more

Previously referred to under its codename “Orange DLC”, Bohemia Interactive today revealed the next addition to its military sim-game Arma 3. Available worldwide in the beginning of September, the Arma 3 Laws of War DLC explores a different perspective on the battlefield via the addition of a humanitarian faction, van, drone, mini-campaign, and much more. Some of the basic principles of the laws of war, which are also commonly referred to as International Humanitarian Law (IHL), are further introduced in the DLC’s new reveal trailer.

The Laws of War DLC delivers new playable content, together with many new in-game assets, providing even more opportunities for various types of combat operations and roleplay in Arma 3. Its key features include:

• International Development & Aid Project (IDAP) – This new faction, IDAP, is a non-governmental organization which is specialized in rapidly responding to humanitarian disasters. The faction is composed of new IDAP-branded clothing and gear, including outfits for specialized roles such as Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists, as well as many other tools, supplies, and other items.
• “Remnants of War” Mini-Campaign – Take on the role of IDAP explosive specialist Nathan MacDade, who is tasked with identifying and deactivating mines after the war in the Republic of Altis & Stratis has ended. While you are being interviewed by an investigative journalist, you will uncover what happened in the town of Oreokastro, experiencing the events from the perspective of various sides, in recollections that span multiple periods of time.
• Van – IDAP makes use of a new van, which comes in multiple variants, with over twenty custom liveries in total. Each variant caters to a specific purpose, such as cargo logistics or the transport of people. There is also an ambulance variant available.
• Utility & Demining Drone – IDAP has a new drone at its disposal to be able to quickly move cargo or supplies to a specific location. A special variant of the drone is used as part of IDAP’s demining operations.
• APERS Mine Dispenser – The APERS Mine Dispenser is an effective but controversial area denial weapon system. It is typically only used in desperate situations, and can have devastating effects even long after a conflict has ended.
• Vests, Bags, Headgear & Facewear – Various pieces of new gear are available to help you carry out your duties. This includes safety vests, messenger bags, hard hats and press helmets, ear protectors, safety goggles, and much more.
• Additional Content – The Laws of War DLC adds a variety of miscellaneous additional content, such as time trial challenges for the new van and drone, a paramedic outfit, and a training mine.

In addition, the Laws of War DLC will be supported by a major free Arma 3 platform update, adding a lot of new content and feature extensions related to the DLC’s assets and theme. This platform update is free for all owners of Arma 3. Its highlights include: refined cluster strikes, the simulation of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO), the ability to drop (custom) leaflets from the sky, two new Showcase scenarios (Showcase Laws of War and Faction Showcase IDAP), a wide variety of emergency and medical supplies such as food bags, water bottle packages, blankets, stretchers, and IV bags, plus decorative objects such as shelter tents and new furniture, extra Steam Achievements, and much more. A complete overview of the Laws of War DLC, and its supporting platform update, is available at www.arma3.com/dlc/lawsofwar.

Head on over to Steam and play Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare Multiplayer for free this weekend! Steam is also having a Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare sale at a 50% savings. The offer ends on July 31st.

About Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare:

Infinite Warfare introduces an all-new story happening throughout our solar system, delivering gameplay innovations, such as space dog-fighting and zero-g combat, as well as seamless transitions from experience-to-experience keeping players constantly immersed in the action. Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare is published by Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc and developed by Activision’s Infinity Ward.

Learn more at the official Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare website.