Village Gamer

Today at gamescom, the world’s biggest gaming show in Cologne, Germany, Microsoft announces new content for EA Sports™ FIFA 14 only on Xbox, unveiled a new map and multiplayer mode for Call of Duty®: Ghosts and new details on the Independent Developers @ Xbox program (ID@Xbox), which enables game developers of all shapes and sizes to build, publish and sell their games digitally on Xbox One. In addition, Microsoft unveils the full launch lineup for Xbox One and offers hands-on with a slew of hotly anticipated blockbusters, including Forza Motorsport 5, Ryse: Son of Rome, Kinect Sports Rivals and Killer Instinct.

The Biggest Blockbusters are Better on Xbox One

Xbox announces today that legendary footballers will be playable in FIFA 14 Ultimate Team only on Xbox. This season, fans will be able to craft their FIFA 14 Ultimate Team with a mix of legendary players playing alongside today’s football stars on Xbox One and Xbox 360.  Joining Xbox and EA SPORTS Senior Vice President and General Manager Matt Bilbey on stage to make the announcements, superstars Freddie Ljungberg and Ruud Gullit were confirmed as two of the first Legends to join FIFA 14 Ultimate Team.  Throughout the season, additional Legends will be introduced to FIFA 14 Ultimate Team.

In addition, the award-winning team from Infinity Ward unveils a new multiplayer mode, Blitz, for Call of Duty: Ghosts. Tune in to Xbox Live this Wednesday, Aug. 21 at 11:00 AM PDT (18:00 GMT) for a deep dive into the game’s multiplayer, along with interviews, news and more.  And don’t forget, gamers will get all downloadable content for Call of Duty: Ghosts first on Xbox 360 and Xbox One.

In partnership with Ubisoft, Xbox announced that Tom Clancy’s The Division, will also bring exclusive content to Xbox One.  Specifically designed by the Ubisoft teams to deliver a truly next-generation experience, The Division is a gripping open world game that sees a classified unit of tactical agents fighting an epic conspiracy and combating the effects of a devastating man-made virus which sweeps through New York City.  Powered by Ubisoft’s new game engine Snowdrop™, tailor-made for next-gen consoles, The Division achieves an entirely new level of gameplay quality.

Xbox Reveals Bundles for FIFA 14 and Call of Duty: Ghosts

Xbox also announces that all pre-order Xbox One consoles in launch countries in Europe this holiday will include a digital version of a blockbuster game and the first of these bundles will be the best-selling sports franchise FIFA 14 (available while stocks last). All pre-orders to date and pre-orders from today will include FIFA 14, while stocks last.

To make the launch of Xbox One even more exciting, Xbox is also teaming up with Activision and Infinity Ward to create an exclusive Call of Duty: Ghosts bundle across various European markets when the game is released in November.  The bundle will also include special bonus content, exclusive to Xbox One.

Xbox One is the Best Place for Games, From AAA to Indies

Microsoft’s Independent Developers @ Xbox (ID@Xbox) program will make Xbox One home to the best and broadest selection of games, with an ever-expanding portfolio of innovative titles.

Xbox is committed to helping independent developers bring great new games to Xbox One, where every game will be easy to find in the new Xbox One Store – whether it’s the biggest blockbuster from a team of hundreds or a creative new title from an individual.

New features for Xbox One will bring games to the forefront, no matter who they are developed by:

• Trending will show what your friends and the community are playing
• Recommendations will highlight new games you may like, based on what you like to play
• Spotlight will showcase Editor Picks for great games across the entire store
• With Game DVR and Upload, gamers can instantly capture their favorite moments and edit and share them with their friends around the world
• Achievements and Challenges enable developers and the community to create special events out of games

The ID@Xbox program will offer game developers the same great benefits that existing Xbox developers have today, including the full power of the console, cloud services, Kinect and the Xbox Live toolset such as Xbox SmartGlass, multiplayer, Achievements, Gamerscore and more. A global support team, forums and local events will provide education and assistance to foster creativity and help developers with getting their games published on Xbox One quickly and easily.

Applications for the first phase of the Independent Developers @ Xbox program are accepted starting today. Check online for more information on ID@Xbox and how to apply.

Xbox One Announces Fable Legends and Cobalt as well as Blockbuster Launch Lineup

Microsoft Studios debuts a brand-new exclusive for Xbox One: Fable Legends from Lionhead Studios. With the next-generation capabilities of Xbox One, Fable Legends brings you back to Albion like never before. For the first time, up to four heroes can cooperatively play and explore, or even play the villain and mastermind the entire game in real time.

Also coming to Xbox One is award-winning Mojang’s highly anticipated Cobalt, an action-packed platform shooter, which features a multiplayer mode with up to eight players that lets you punch rockets and deflect bullets to win the day.

In addition, Microsoft unveils the full list of Xbox One launch titles, which includes the industry’s biggest blockbusters and most highly-anticipated exclusives.  On launch day, fans will be able to enjoy titles from a diverse range of global developers and renowned studios. Xbox One launch titles include:

• Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag (Ubisoft, Ubisoft)
• Battlefield 4 (DICE, Electronic Arts)
• Call of Duty: Ghosts (Infinity Ward, Activision)
• Crimson Dragon (Grounding/Land Ho!, Microsoft Studios)
• Dead Rising 3 (Capcom Vancouver, Microsoft)
• FIFA 14 (EA Sports, Electronic Arts)
• Fighter Within (AMA Ltd., Ubisoft)
• Forza Motorsport 5 (Turn 10 Studios, Microsoft Studios)
• Just Dance 2014 (Ubisoft Paris, Ubisoft)
• Killer Instinct (Double Helix, Microsoft Studios)
• LEGO Marvel Super Heroes (TT Games, Warner Bros. Interactive)
• Lococycle (Twisted Pixel, Microsoft Studios)
• Madden NFL 25 (EA Sports, Electronic Arts)
• NBA 2K14 (Visual Concepts, 2K Sports)
• NBA LIVE 14 (EA Sports, Electronic Arts)
• Need for Speed: Rivals (Ghost Games, Electronic Arts)
• Peggle 2 (Popcap, Electronic Arts)
• Powerstar Golf (Zoe Mode, Microsoft Studios)
• Ryse: Son of Rome (Crytek, Microsoft Studios)
• Skylanders: Swap Force (Vicarious Visions, Activision)
• Watch Dogs (Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft)
• Zoo Tycoon (Frontier Developments Ltd., Microsoft Studios)
• Zumba Fitness: World Party (Zoë Mode, Majesco)

New Gameplay and First Hands-on with the Biggest Xbox One and Xbox 360 Exclusives

gamescom attendees will have the chance to experience how games are better on Xbox One through hands-on gameplay experiences with launch titles like Ryse: Son of Rome, Killer Instinct, Forza Motorsport 5 and Dead Rising 3, as well as other titles launching within the first year and beyond like Titanfall, Kinect Sports Rivals, Project Spark, and more.

Fans will have the chance to try out new multiplayer, Kinect, and SmartGlass gameplay features, as well as experience how the Xbox Live cloud will power a new generation of gaming.

Forza Motorsport 5 Debuts Groundbreaking Physics Engine and All-new Tracks

Turn 10 Studios reveals a brand-new playable Forza Motorsport 5 experience featuring the debut of an all-new next-generation physics engine. The team at Turn 10 Studios worked closely with partners at Calspan – the leading tire technology organization in the world – to develop a completely new tire simulation. Including improvements in tires, aerodynamics and suspension modeling, the Forza Motorsport 5 physics engine was not possible using last-generation hardware. For the player, this means a new level of responsiveness and fidelity for all cars, and a new level of immersion and challenge each time they race.

Turn 10 Studios will also unveil two new tracks for Forza Motorsport 5 exclusively at gamescom; arriving all-new to the series, the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, and playable on the show floor for the first time in the new generation, the American circuit Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Nestled in the Ardennes countryside of Belgium, the 4.3-mile Spa track is home to legendary corners like “La Source” and “Eau Rouge” and has been one of the most requested tracks from fans of the Forza series.  Laser-scanned and meticulously recreated at 1080p and 60fps, Spa makes its franchise debut in Forza Motorsport 5. Located in central California of the USA, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is home to “The Corkscrew.” Famous for its staggering drop in elevation, it has become an institution in American racing, known for its busy racing calendar, including the American Le Mans Series as well as the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, taking place this weekend as part of the Monterey Peninsula’s Classic Car Week.

Ryse: Son of Rome Unveils Co-op Multiplayer and New Look at the Combat System

Crytek gives aspiring gladiators a taste of the heart-pounding action they’ll engage in this holiday with the first look at Gladiator mode, the cooperative multiplayer experience in Ryse: Son of Rome.

Plunging you into the brutal world of gladiatorial combat, Gladiator mode lets you relive the intense and brutal battles of the Colosseum as you fight cooperatively with your friends against an ever-changing array of enemies to the roar of thousands of spectators. Dynamic tile sets, unique challenges with user-generated playlists and deep character customization deliver an immersive and unpredictable combat experience unlike any other action game.

Alongside the first look at multiplayer, Crytek will reveal more details around the combat system in Ryse, which features a deep, multi-layered experience that challenges and arms the player with a plethora of tools. Showcased in full for the first time at gamescom, the combat demo offers a fresh look at a myriad of brand-new features and refinements never before seen, including a deeper look at attacks and timing, the multi-tiered execution system, the Perks system, combo counters and ranged weapons.

Dead Rising 3 Unleashes Stunning Cinematic Trailer and First Look at Combo Vehicles

Microsoft and Capcom Vancouver unveil an action-packed new cinematic trailer for Dead Rising 3 produced in partnership with award-winning studio Blur. The trailer offers a glimpse of the game’s adrenaline-fueled action and all-new storyline, characters and gameplay innovations.

In addition, Capcom showcases how the Dead Rising 3 sandbox will expand by empowering players to create a huge variety of Combo Vehicles, like the devastating RollerHawg – a hybrid between a motorcycle and Steamroller with flamethrower attachments. The gameplay unveiled at gamescom also features food combinations, SmartGlass integration and in-game survivors.

Kinect Sports Rivals Delivers the First Hands-On with Wake Racing and Rock Climbing

Rare and Microsoft are excited to give fans their first-ever hands-on with Kinect Sports Rivals at gamescom where fans will get to create their own virtual in-game athletes or Champions and demo two sports: Wake Racing and Rock Climbing. Wake Racing combines the fun of a jet ski with the precise and intuitive movements that only the new Kinect can capture to create an experience you couldn’t have gotten before and Rock Climbing lets you scale the side of a mountain without your feet ever leaving the ground.

Kinect Sports Rivals will launch in spring of 2014.

Interact with the Animals in Zoo Tycoon Like Never Before

gamescom will also be the first hands-on with Frontier Developments’ Zoo Tycoon on Xbox One. Fans can check out the four player multiplayer, how Kinect enhances the game and how the Zoo Tycoon community can get involved in real life conservation efforts.

Kinect for Xbox One takes your animal interactions to a whole new level.  Your zoo animals will recognize your face and your voice, and react to your movements and instructions like never before.  You can seamlessly switch back and forth from Kinect to controller with ease. Through the collaborative power of the cloud, you can upload your zoo and share it with Tycoons all over the world.  In the Xbox One version, up to four of your friends can join in on the fun through Xbox Live to create and manage your zoos together. You can also engage in large scale community-wide conservation efforts where players can come together and work on achieving a goal related to the care and support of these amazing animals. You’ll be able to communicate with other Tycoons via Skype and loan and trade animals with the entire community.

Zoo Tycoon on Xbox One will launch in holiday 2013.

Project Spark Unveils Personalized Voice and Motion Capture Studio

Team Dakota showcases several innovative features for future Project Spark creators through the reveal of the Project Spark voice and motion capture, which uses the power of Kinect to bring you into the game like never before. Players can capture their facial animations, body motion, voice and sound to create custom character animations, dialog or even cinematic cut scenes.

Team Dakota also announce the official beta launch dates for Project Spark – invitations will begin rolling out to registered beta participants starting at the end of October 2013 for Windows 8 devices and January 2014 for Xbox One creators. Players can register for the beta on the Project Spark website.

Fan-Favorite Thunder Returns in Killer Instinct

Microsoft and Double Helix announce the official inclusion of Thunder to Killer Instinct. Thunder joins the previously announced Jago, Sabrewulf and Glacius in the lineup of Killer Instinct characters coming to the game’s fall release on Xbox One.

“Killer Instinct” for Xbox One will be free to download with one free playable character available. Additional characters will be available for purchase starting at $4.99 / £3.99 / €4.99 each. Players can also purchase special discounted character packages:

• Combo Breaker Pack – $19.99 / £16.99 / €19.99 – Saves 50%. Includes:
  • The first 8 characters (6 at launch, plus 2 characters before their official post-launch release)
• Ultra Edition – $39.99 / £34.99 / €39.99. Includes:
  • The first 8 characters (6 at launch, plus 2 characters before their official post-launch release)
  • Character accessory packs
  • Character costumes
  • The original “Killer Instinct” arcade game

Popcap Games Announces Peggle 2 Exclusively for Xbox One

PopCap Games, creator of some of the world’s most beloved video game franchises and a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA), today provided the first glimpse of Peggle™ 2, the sequel to the number one puzzle game of 2007. Launching later this year first, exclusively on Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, Peggle 2 propels players to the peg-popping paradise of the original while delivering a host of new features and functionality. Unveiled today at gamescom, Peggle 2 offers all-new levels, new and improved power-ups, fantastic multiplayer modes, gesture controls with Kinect for Xbox One, the ability to customize the Peggle Masters who host the game, and much more.

Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare Debuts Xbox Only Features, Including SmartGlass and Kinect

PopCap Games, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA), today revealed a host of game features planned for its highly anticipated, immersive action experience, Plants vs. Zombies™ Garden Warfare. Plants vs. Zombies Garden Warfare will roll-out exclusively first on Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft and the Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from Microsoft, with pre-orders being taken now in advance of the game’s launch in Spring 2014.  New game features showcased at gamescom include 24-player multiplayer action, 4-player online co-op, personalization of your favorite plants and zombies with hundreds of unique items, plus Xbox One exclusive modes 2-player split screen co-op and Kinect and SmartGlass gameplay in Boss mode.

Microsoft Announces Cobalt and Max: The Curse of Brotherhood for Xbox One

Adding to the lineup of highly anticipated titles, Microsoft reveals two more brand-new games for Xbox One and Xbox 360 – Cobalt and Max: The Curse of Brotherhood.

Continuing the long-standing partnership between Xbox and award-winning Minecraft developer Mojang, Cobalt is an action-packed platform shooter launching in the first half of 2014, which features a multiplayer mode with up to eight players that lets you punch rockets and deflect bullets to win the day. Players can slide, climb, roll and jump smoothly through levels while shooting and deflecting projectiles back at enemies. Bullet time enhances the excitement and intensity of gameplay as players strive to master the intricate timing of combat and maintain momentum in the smooth platforming experience.

Coming in early 2014, Max: The Curse of Brotherhood is a follow-up to the popular game “Max and the Magic Marker” and tells the story of a boy named Max who embarks on a journey to find his little brother, Felix, after a giant monster steals him away. With the power of Kinect, players will guide Max through a mystical, blighted fantasy world, using powerful magical abilities to overcome puzzles and enemies and save Felix before it’s too late.

In addition, Microsoft and Twisted Pixel announce that its combat motorcycle racing game Lococycle will launch alongside the Xbox One in November for $19.99.

German and U.S. Heavy Tanks Storm the Battlefield in World of Tanks: Xbox 360 Edition
In addition to all the exciting Xbox One reveals, Microsoft Studios and Wargaming.net introduce new Tier VII and Tier VIII Heavy tanks in the eagerly anticipated Xbox 360 exclusive, World of Tanks: Xbox 360 Edition. The German and U.S. modeled Heavy tanks are among the most powerful tanks in the game and one of many class models players can expect to see in this free-to-play with Gold title which will be released later this year.

Microsoft Studios and Wargaming.net also announce the expansion of the game’s beta to European regions. Fans in the U.S., Canada, and now Europe can register for the beta online.