Electronic Arts Inc announced that the playable demo for Dante’s Inferno will be available as a free download on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live on December 24.  Dante’s Inferno takes gamers on a quest through hell, in an action-packed adaptation of part one of Dante Alighieri’s epic poem, The Divine Comedy.  The ‘Gates of Hell’ demo includes the entire opening level and gives gamers a taste of the terrifying odyssey to come in the Nine Circles of Hell as depicted in the full game.

In the demo of Dante’s Inferno, players are introduced to Dante Alighieri’s re-imagined past as a crusader who returns home to Florence to discover his true love, Beatrice, murdered.  As her soul escapes her body, she is kidnapped by the dark shadow form of Lucifer.  Sworn to her rescue, Dante must journey to the Gates of Hell and beyond to battle undead monstrosities, unholy boss demons, and Death himself.  Offering a glimpse into the vast world of Dante’s Inferno, the demo serves as a prelude to the player’s perilous journey to the inner bowels of hell.

“The world of Alighieri’s Dante’s Inferno is such a rich, detailed, and often alarming universe, that all of us at Visceral Games put our hearts, and dare I say souls, into creating something truly intense and exciting,” said executive producer Jonathan Knight. “We hope gamers enjoy this tease of hell, and come away from the experience lusting for more when the game comes out.”

Developed by Visceral Games, the award-winning developers behind the critically-acclaimed Dead Space franchise, Dante’s Inferno is an epic descent through Dante Alighieri’s nine circles of hell – limbo, lust, gluttony, greed, anger, heresy, violence, fraud and treachery. At a blazing-fast 60 frames per second, each circle features unique environments, all new creatures, terrifying demons, story elements and are scored distinctly to set a tone that fits each circle of sinners.

Gamers will get to go to hell in New Zealand beginning February 5, 2010 for PlayStation3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 36 video game and entertainment system as well as the PlayStation Portable (PSP).  The Gates of Hell demo will be available on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles.

Dante’s Inferno is not yet rated in New Zealand. For more information on Dante’s Inferno, please follow the Dante’s Inferno team at Visceral Games on Twitter at www.twitter.com/danteteam and visit the game’s official web site at www.dantesinferno.com where the team explores a new circle of hell, with new content and updates on the ninth day of every month.

I’m not a cosplayer (costume player) but I do know a few people that really get into their dressing up for certain events such as Armageddon etc. I stumbled upon these images for Bioshock characters and thought they were seriously kickass and well worth posting.

Check these out – the costumes are so well done!

Thanks to /film for the images courtesy of Dim Horizon Studio.

An update from 2K games regarding the latest downloadable content for Borderlands on Xbox 360:

Zombie Island of Dr. Ned, (the first in a series of downloadable content for Borderlands) will be available for the Xbox 360 and PS3 starting November 24, 2009 for 800 Microsoft Points ($12.95).

In The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned, get ready to square off against ferocious brain-eating zombies, carnivorous Were-Skags and face biting midget zombies as you continue your pursuit for all of that sweet, sweet loot. You’ll need a copy of the original Borderlands game in order to experience this downloadable content.

Details of the Dante’s Inferno demo follow from the official press release announced via EA:

Coming this December, the ‘Gates of Hell’ demo includes the entire opening level and gives gamers a taste of Visceral Games’ blockbuster adaptation of Dante Alighieri’s epic poem, The Divine Comedy.

The ‘Gates of Hell’ demo will introduce players to the game’s hero, epic story and intense action gameplay, tracing Dante’s battles from the surface all the way to the Gates of Hell. Players will experience fast-paced hack-n-slash combat as they fend off waves of enemies before taking on the ultimate battle against Death. After defeating this boss, Dante will be armed with Death’s scythe, a powerful holy cross, and will be ready to tear open the Gates of Hell. The demo also features two stunning cinematic movies made by Blur, the award-winning visual effects, animation and design studio.

EA’s Dante’s Inferno is an epic descent through Dante Alighieri’s nine circles of hell – limbo, lust, gluttony, greed, anger, heresy, violence, fraud and treachery. At a blazing-fast 60 frames per second, each circle features unique environments, all new creatures, terrifying demons, story elements and are scored distinctly to set a tone that fits each circle of sinners.

Gamers will get to go to hell in New Zealand on February 12, 2010 for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, and the PlayStation Portable.  The Gates of Hell demo will be available on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles.

Dante’s Inferno has not yet been rated by the ESRB or PEGI.  For more information on Dante’s Inferno, please follow the Dante’s Inferno team at Visceral Games on Twitter at www.twitter.com/danteteam and visit the game’s official web site at www.dantesinferno.com where the team explores a new circle of hell, with new content and updates on the ninth day of every month.

Xbox 360 gamers in NZ are hard at it already with the release of MW2 today. If you like your shooters, you’d be kinda silly to miss out on one seriously cool game.

We’ve only played a little bit into the campaign (which by the way, picks up where you left off in ‘Modern Warfare’ ) but already we can tell you that the game is SERIOUSLY kick ass! Graphics are beautifully fluid, sound is amazing as usual but the gameplay is hardcore. We’ll be featuring our review later this week (once we’ve picked it apart for you tee hee), but rest assured, if you’re thinking of buying this game or just sitting on the fence – take it from me, it’s a game you SHOULD definitely own… like, now!!

Press release details for all you MW2 nuts:

It’s time to gear up for all-out, high-speed action and epic combat, as  Activision Publishing, Inc. announced today that the most anticipated game of the year, developer Infinity Ward’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is now available at retail stores everywhere.  Following a number of midnight store openings, Modern Warfare 2 has begun to unleash a new threat upon the world, putting gamers on the front lines of an epic, global battle that has advanced onto American soil, proving that no one is safe from an impending invasion.

“From day one the goal was to bring our fans around the world the most riveting and authentic experience we’ve ever created in Modern Warfare 2,” said Vince Zampella, CEO of Infinity Ward.  “Every design from the smallest detail was crafted to place gamers in the centre of their own epic, action movie – with the suspense, excitement and adrenaline as if they were starring themselves.”

Following an unprecedented number of pre-order reservations across the globe, the sequel to the best selling first person action game in history kicked-off its worldwide invasion earlier today with a series of midnight celebrations from Sydney to London, Paris to New York.

Picking up following the historic events of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Modern Warfare 2 completely immerses players in one of the most intense storylines, filled with unexpected plot twists and death-defying battles set in exotic locales across the globe.  As gamers fight to save the world from annihilation, the soundtrack of Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Grammy Award and Tony winning composer Hans Zimmer sets the dark and ominous tone for a truly cinematic gaming experience.  Modern Warfare 2 marks the first time that the legendary artist has scored a video game.

Delivering the complete package, in addition to the heart-racing intensity of the single player campaign, Modern Warfare 2 also offers an entirely new gameplay mode, “Special Ops,” which supports 2-player co-operative play via online or split screen dropping gamers into a surplus of time-trial and objective-based missions.  As players rank-up, ever challenging missions are unlocked, including highlights from the single player campaign, fan favourites from Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and all new, exclusive missions.  While, the all-new Multiplayer mode raises the bar even higher from the world-record setting online play from its predecessor delivering new capabilities, customization, gamestates and modes, including customizable killstreaks, accolades and new create-a-class features.

Modern Warfare 2 is rated “ R18 ”  contains violence and content that may disturb  by the Classification Board and is available now for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC.

Gamers have numerous options to enhance the Modern Warfare 2 experience with the Xbox 360 Limited Edition Console featuring a 250GB hard drive, Xbox 360 headset, two wireless controllers and a standard edition copy of the game.  Also available now for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation3 system are the Modern Warfare 2 Collector’s Edition packages, including the Hardened Edition, which contains a token to download Call of Duty Classic, a limited edition SteelBook™ case and the “Behind the Lines” collector’s artbook, and the individually numbered, one-time only limited quantity Prestige Edition, which includes the Hardened Edition plus a pair of fully functioning night vision goggles and an individually numbered “Soap MacTavish” night vision goggles collectors’ stand.

Also available today for Nintendo DS is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Mobilized.  Developed exclusively by n-Space, the DS title delivers a unique storyline and an arsenal of handheld features.  Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Mobilized is rated “M” by the Classification Board.

Additionally, for Wii fans Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Reflex Edition is also now available. A port by Treyarch of the record-setting and award-winning, original Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, the title is rated  R18 Contains violence and content that may disturb.

Modern Warfare 2 press kit assets are available for download at http://www.activision.com/index.html#presscenter|en_US. Players anxious to answer the call can visit www.modernwarfare2.com for more information and updates.

The beta for Battlefield Bad Company 2 will be available for PS3 users on November the 19th, 2009. More details follow from the official EA press release:

DICE, an Electronic Arts Inc studio announced the upcoming Battlefield: Bad Company 2 multiplayer beta exclusively on the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system. Starting November 19, PlayStation 3 gamers will be able to experience the unprecedented action, destruction, vehicular warfare, squad play and open sandbox environments that only Battlefield can deliver. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 provides a true all-out war experience like no other modern warfare game. Beta keys will be available in New Zealand by pre-ordering the game from participating retailers.

The Battlefield: Bad Company 2 multiplayer beta will feature the Arica Harbour map, where up to 24 players can compete in one of the game’s four intense multiplayer modes called Rush. This new map displays a superb balance of vehicle and infantry combat, as the American assault unit attacks the Russian army base with full force, advancing further through a beautiful desert town and towards the industrial area in a desperate attempt to overtake the Arica Harbour. Heavy vehicle warfare on the first bases gradually turns into an intense infantry fight as the level progresses, showcasing this best-in-class online war experience.

In December 2009, DICE will invite players to participate in a PC open beta. Then, early next year, all players worldwide will get to experience this premier shooter when DICE releases a Battlefield: Bad Company 2 multiplayer DEMO on the Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation 3 and PC.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 will be in stores on March 5, 2010 in New Zealand for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and the PC.

For more information on DICE, please visit www.dice.se. For more information on the Battlefield franchise please visit: www.battlefield.com. Or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/OfficialBFBC2.

Sony have released details about their competition to promote the latest Ratchet and Clank game Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time.

To celebrate the release of Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack In Time on PS3, Sony Computer Entertainment New Zealand (SCENZ)  is giving you a special chance to get your own weapon design bought to life by WETA. Would be creators must submit their designs to www.tvnz.co.nz/ratchetandclank.

Running from November 1st to November 28th, the competition provides people with plenty of time to put their thinking caps on, design their dream weapon and enter it on the TVNZ website.  Do you think you could better the Groove-a-tron? There are two ways of submitting your entry. You can either upload your designs to the TVNZ website or post your entry to:  Ratchet and Clank Weapon Competition, 100 Victoria Street West, P0 Box 3819, Auckland.

Entries will be judged and the winner will be picked by WETA Workshop and Brian Allgeier, Creative Director of Insomniac Games and developer of the Ratchet and Clank franchise. The winning design will then be hand-crafted by WETA Workshop into a one-of-a-kind model. WETA has worked on films such as King Kong, The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, The Lovely Bones and the current release, District 9.

So start cracking on with your design for this once in a lifetime opportunity Ratchet and Clank weapon competition.

NOTES:

Entry is open to NZ residents only. For a full set of terms and conditions, go to www.tvnz.co.nz/ratchetandclank.co.nz.

EA have released details of the Battlefield Bad Company 2 Limited Edition game which will be available in New Zealand from March 5, 2010:

DICE, an Electronic Arts Inc. studio announced a Limited Edition release of Battlefield: Bad Company 2, the premier first-person shooter of 2010. The Limited Edition game features six special gameplay unlocks that give players a tactical advantage on the battlefield from the minute they fire up the game. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 has been recognized by critics worldwide for its uncompromising action gameplay, unprecedented level of destruction, vehicular warfare, squad play and open sandbox environments in a modern warfare game. Available while supplies last, the Limited Edition version of the game will be sold at the same price as the standard version of the game with participating retailers in New Zealand from March 5, 2010.

The Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Limited Edition delivers six special customizations early to give players a day one advantage in multiplayer matches. Four vehicle warfare unlocks will immediately enhance the Battlefield: Bad Company 2 best-in-class online vehicle warfare experience, delivering extra firepower, radar, and armor for the vehicles. Additionally, the tracer dart attaches to any enemy vehicle and allows RPG-toting teammates to track, lock on, and destroy their adversary. Seasoned veterans of Battlefield 1943™ will be able to immediately re-acquaint themselves with two classic and highly powerful weapons, the M1A1 submachine gun and the M1911 pistol.

The full list of six unlocks are as follows:

Four vehicle warfare unlocks

• Improved Vehicle Armor – An up-armor package is mounted on all vehicle types, decreasing the effect of both explosive and penetrating warheads, significantly improving vehicle survivability.
• Supreme Vehicle Firepower – Additional weapon packages are mounted for the driver of all armored vehicles, greatly expanding the range of targets the vehicle can successfully engage and destroy.
• Vehicle Motion Sensor – Use this electronics warfare package to locate enemy units in direct proximity to the vehicle.
• Tracer Dart Pistol – This magnetic dart attaches to any vehicle surface, allowing squad members to track, lock on, and fire rockets onto moving targets even beyond line of sight.

Two classic Battlefield 1943 weapons

• M1A1 Submachine Gun – Reliable but heavy this classic weapon is a powerful force in the hands of any Battlefield veteran.
• M1911 Pistol – Highly customized M1911 are favoured for its dependability and the power of its large .45 calibre round.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 will be available on March 5, 2010 in New Zealand for the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and the PC.

For more information on DICE, please visit www.dice.se. For more information on the Battlefield franchise please visit: www.battlefield.com. Or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/OfficialBFBC2.

Sony reveals details of the Eyepet (Press Release:)

Are your kids clamouring for a pet? Take them home an EyePet – the fully interactive and magical new creature for PLAYSTATION3 (PS3) from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. Cool, playful, and just bursting with fun and games, EyePet is your new family playmate, and he won’t make a mess or chew your TV cables! In stores today, EyePet brings endless entertainment and fun to all members of the family.

Interact with EyePet through PLAYSTATION Eye, the interactive camera for PS3. PLAYSTATION Eye will capture your surroundings and show them on your television screen, so your EyePet will appear in your very own living room. Call him with your Magic Card – a simple device that can create all sorts of fun and games for EyePet to play with – and watch as he hatches from egg and grows from a baby ball into a cub!  Throw a ball and he’ll scramble after it, pat him and he’ll roll over for a tummy scratch. Use your Magic Card to select toys for him, including a trampoline, bubble-machine along with other fantastic toys to play with!

By completing daily tasks, you can teach your EyePet brand-new games to play. The more he learns – the more exciting new tasks you’ll get to teach him! EyePet is fully aware of people in the room, and will play with you and your family in your home. Poke him and he jumps, stroke him and he’ll roll over in contentment, tickle him and he’ll laugh!

Watch on as your youngsters play, learn and laugh with EyePet – just as if they would with a real-life pet. Kids and adults alike will love to customise him, dress him and see his various reactions: surprise him with a new toy, cheer him up when he looks sad or happy when you stroke him. Bring home your family the perfect pet when EyePet. Please visit www.playstation.com for news and updates.

Press release from Nintendo Australia:

Super Mario Bros. comes to Wii for the first time on 12 November!

Take all the fun of a classic side scrolling Mario game, couple it with the innovative controls of the Wii Remote, plus new features and multiplayer options and you have New SUPER MARIO BROS. Wii!

New SUPER MARIO BROS. Wii allows up to four players to play together, competitively or cooperatively. Pick other players up to save them from danger, or throw them into it! New SUPER MARIO BROS. Wii brings family entertainment into living rooms and engages groups of friends and family in fast-paced Super Mario Bros. fun!

As you navigate your way through the side scrolling worlds of New SUPER MARIO BROS. Wii, additional players can jump into the game at any time and on any level!

Mario, Luigi and two Toads are all playable characters in New SUPER MARIO BROS. Wii, while many others from the Mushroom Kingdom make appearances throughout the game. Players can even ride different Yoshi characters and use Yoshi’s tongue to swallow enemies – or their fellow players.

New items in New SUPER MARIO BROS. Wii include Mario’s new ability to transform into Penguin Mario, and also the propeller suit. The propeller suit shoots players high into the sky with just a shake of the Wii Remote.

New SUPER MARIO BROS. Wii also contains a Super Guide feature. If players have trouble with a tough course and lose a life enough times in a row, the Super Guide icon will appear in the course. Once activated, Mario’s brother Luigi will take control of the game and show players a safe route through the course as he heads for the goal.

New SUPER MARIO BROS. Wii features a classic gaming experience that anyone can enjoy, but what about for the seasoned players out there? Brand new power-ups, tricky jumps, and clever co-op techniques will provide plenty of challenges – even for veteran Mario gamers. As you play through the game, Hint Movies can be unlocked that show off some serious platforming finesse by the best players on Nintendo’s development team.

New SUPER MARIO BROS. Wii comes packaged in a special red case AU SRP $99.95 / NZ SRP $119.95*

* Prices may vary at retailers