The Ubisoft Club announces that to celebrate Ubisoft's 30th anniversary, they are giving away one game per month for the next seven months. This will require a Uplay account, but other than that the games will be free to keep forever. They kick things off with a free copy of Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, but warn that this will only be available for a limited time, and the Princes cool rewind feature will probably not help with that. Thanks GameInformer.

Tripwire Interactive announces Killing Floor Incursion, a virtual reality game based on their Killing Floor series of survival/horror games in development for Oculus Touch, the upcoming motion-controller version of the Oculus Rift. The game's official website is already online, offering first images from the project, which does not yet carry a release date. Here's word:

Revealed on-stage during the PC Gaming Show at E3 2016 in Los Angeles, California, Tripwire Interactive is excited to officially announce Killing Floor: Incursion, a new VR game based on the long running and highly successful franchise, Killing Floor, is officially in development for the upcoming Oculus Touch. Killing Floor: Incursion brings all of the horror sci-fi carnage that fans have come to recognize and love to the next level in this upcoming VR title. Killing Floor: Incursion will offer intense and unmatched cooperative VR shooter combat in the deep and richly compelling Killing Floor universe.

“Working with Oculus to bring the Killing Floor universe to VR has been a dream come true,” said Leland Scali, Project Lead at Tripwire Interactive. “The technology is expressive and brings an amazing amount of control and immersiveness that traditional games can't begin to compete with.”

Players must take on the role of an elite Horzine Security Forces soldier as they, along with allies, team up to fend off the horrific Zed hordes with an array of weapons including guns, blades and more. Players will be able to freely explore the area as they move throughout the environment scavenging for weapons and ammo while searching for the best locations to fight the monster onslaught. Battle in diverse environments from creepy farmhouses to high tech facilities through Horzine Security Forces missions and unlock the secrets of the Zeds origins.

“We’re thrilled that Tripwire Interactive is bringing their beloved franchise to Oculus with Killing Floor: Incursion,” said Anna Sweet, Head of Developer Strategy at Oculus. “They are a leader in creating unique and engaging FPS titles, and anyone who has played their award-winning games knows they will deliver a VR experience that is exciting, scary, and cool. We can't wait to play more."

Boss Key Productions showed off a new trailer at E3 today which explains the process for alpha testing the upcoming shooter. They say the game's first dedicated closed alpha test will take place this weekend, and that the game will enter early access "later this year." Here's word on testing and plans for new content:

In addition to scaling tests taking place over the course of the summer, Bleszinski announced there will be an Early Access program on Steam later this year. This phase will allow Boss Key to open the game up to more players while they continue to iterate on and add new features, maps, modes, roles and more.

“While we’ve given people a glimpse of the game at various events over the last year of development, this weekend is the first time we’ll begin really showing LawBreakers off publicly,” said Bleszinski. “I can’t wait for everyone to see the results of all the blood, sweat and tears our development team has poured into this project so far. And it doesn’t stop here; we’ve got a lot more content we’re working on that we’ll continue to roll out during the alpha, Early Access and beyond, collaborating with the community to shape and improve the game.”

The first new content to be added to LawBreakers during the closed public alpha tests this summer will be revealed at E3 this week in Los Angeles, where the game is playable by appointment only: “Turf War” mode, a unique take on capture-and-hold amplified by the game’s thrilling combative moments, and the “Promenade” map, based on the iconic Third Street location in sunny Santa Monica, Calif.

LawBreakers promises a bloodbath of role-based vertical team conflict, creating endless mastery and competition across an alternate American landscape. Players will choose whether to kill to uphold the “Law,” or go out for blood as a “Breaker,” as they take part in the combat raging across iconic locations including the boiling oceans off the Santa Monica coastline, a gravity-ravaged Grand Canyon and beyond.

Players can continue to sign up for the chance to be part of the public alpha tests on Steam at www.lawbreakers.com.

Continue here to read the full story.

Ubisoft announces Trials of the Blood Dragon, and without missing a beat has also now released this latest installment in the Trials series for Windows and consoles. They offer this over-the-top video (NSFW) as a combination E3/launch trailer, and the following details:

Today, during Ubisoft’s E3 press conference, Ubisoft announced that Trials of the Blood Dragon, the follow-up to the successful Trials series, is now available for download worldwide on Xbox One, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Windows PC. Trials of the Blood Dragon is an explosive single player experience with a wicked combination of the Trials series’ renowned, competitive, physics-based gameplay and unique, neon-drenched Blood Dragon attitude. Trials of the Blood Dragon is available for an MSRP of $14.99 and is rated T for Teen.

Trials of the Blood Dragon expands the notorious motocross platforming gameplay of Trials into a full narrative-driven adventure. Players will journey through 30 missions spanning seven different worlds, from Vietnam War 4 to Space and even Hell.

Traversing through these unique worlds, players will be using a range of gravity-defying vehicles, weapons and tools from bikes to jetpacks; plasma rifle and CD launcher; and a grappling hook to get over and through anything they need to. With Trials of the Blood Dragon, there are also narrative-driven objectives supported by a colorful cast of characters along the journey.

Additionally, players will be able to race against each other on asynchronous multiplayer leader-boards for the extra competitive edge. Completing the experience is the game’s soundtrack, composed by Power Glove that players can unlock over the course of the game.

Continue here to read the full story.

Microsoft has unveiled a new "Xbox Play Anywhere" program which makes Windows 10 part of the anywhere you can play. Word is Gears of War 4 will come to Windows 10 as well as Xbox One, and players will get a copy for each platform, supporting shared achievements and cross-platform play. Here's word:

Published by Microsoft Studios, the award-winning and billion-dollar “Gears of War” franchise has redefined the third-person shooter genre. Launched to critical acclaim in 2006, the franchise has inspired a full line of toys and collectibles, apparel, graphic novels and a book series by New York Times bestselling author Karen Traviss.

Set on the fictional planet of Sera, the “Gears of War” series charts the story of humanity’s struggle against fearsome and brutal adversaries through a captivating tale of hope, comradery and survival.

Get ready as a new saga begins for one of the most acclaimed video game franchises in history. After narrowly escaping an attack on their village, JD Fenix and his friends, Kait and Del, must rescue the ones they love and discover the source of a monstrous new enemy. “Gears of War 4” returns the franchise to the dark tone and intensity of the original and includes split-screen and online co-op, the next generation of five-player favorite, Horde Mode, 60 frames-per-second Versus multiplayer, and stunning visuals powered by Unreal Engine 4.

Available worldwide on Xbox One and Windows 10 PC as an Xbox Play Anywhere title (both versions included with single digital purchase, at no additional cost) on Oct. 11, 2016. With Cross Play functionality, Xbox One and Windows 10 gamers can play together in cooperative modes like Campaign, Horde and Co-Op Versus. More information can be found at http://www.gearsofwar.com.

The Crackdown website has word that Windows 10 will be one of the platforms for Crackdown 3 when the action/adventure sequel is released next year (thanks DSOGaming). The announcement mentions the game's multiplayer support, but does not specify if there will be cross-platform play between the Windows 10 and Xbox One editions. Here's what they do say:

At E3 2014, we announced the return of the Crackdown franchise with the unveil of our newest title – Crackdown 3 – and established an exciting and ambitious vision to redefine open-world gaming. Then at gamescom 2015, we showed that creating completely physical and destructible multiplayer environments is possible through the power of Microsoft Cloud and Xbox Live. Today, we are excited to confirm that Crackdown 3 will be available for both Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs, and will be an Xbox Play Anywhere title so you can buy one and play across either device.

Crackdown 3 is a game built for the future with a multiplayer experience that will redefine what it feels like to play games, and as we continue to work on this, it has become clear that our original timeline of delivering multiplayer to fans this summer, while maintaining the size, scope and quality of the game, would be challenging. Our top priority is to give gamers an experience they have never seen before at a scale never thought possible, and sticking to our original timeline would have compromised that goal.

We know that many are looking forward to becoming Agents in Crackdown 3 and we are committed to delivering the best experience in 2017. This decision was made with our fans and their gaming experience in mind.

While we won’t be at E3, we cannot wait to show you the future of Crackdown 3 soon.

Tripwire Interactive also now offers a new Bulls-Eye content pack for Killing Floor 2, enhancing the arsenal in the early access zombie game with a new female character, new weapons, and the long awaited return of the sharpshooter perk. This page has all the details, and here's a summary: "The brand new Bulls-Eye Content Pack includes the long-awaited Sharpshooter perk, a brand new female character, two new maps and an optimized expanded Versus Survival mode. The full Sharpshooter perk has been a long time favorite among fans of the original Killing Floor. Today’s update fully integrates the Sharpshooter perk into KILLING FLOOR 2, along with a multitude of deadly new weapons." They also offer a zeds up that the game will go on sale later this week and will be free to play this weekend.

Ubisoft announces Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands will march forth on March 7th, setting an official release date for the next installment in the tactical shooter series. Here's word:

Today, during the E3 press conference, Ubisoft® revealed that Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands, the latest in the best-selling Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon franchise, will be available March 7, 2017 on Xbox One, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and Windows PC.

Developed by Ubisoft Paris*, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands is a military shooter set in a massive and responsive open world, entirely playable in single-player or up to four-player co-op. Players will discover Bolivia a few years from now, a country turned into a narco-state by the vicious Santa Blanca drug cartel.

Sent behind enemy lines, Ghosts will have to cripple the Santa Blanca cartel’s operation, breaking alliances between the drug lords and the corrupted government, and saving the Bolivian population from the cruelty of El Sueño, Santa Blanca’s ruthless leader. To do so, players will have a total freedom of choice to accomplish their missions how they want and watch as the world reacts to their actions.

For more information about Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands, please visit ghostrecon.com.

Ubisoft announces February 14th is the release date for For Honor, their upcoming historical sword fighting game. They reveal there will be a couple of special editions offered, and entice those interested in the game to head over to the For Honor website to register, as there will be chances to participate in both alpha and beta testing before that release arrives. Here's a portion of the news:

Playable in solo and two-player co-op, online and split-screen, For Honor’s full-fledged story campaign is a tale of warriors in which players will live from the inside a crucial moment in the war amongst Knights, Vikings and Samurai. A thousand years after a huge cataclysm destroyed their world, the Knights, the Vikings and the Samurai have united their scattered forces and what was a rampant conflict is about to turn into a total open war. Embodying the greatest warriors in each faction, players will need all their wits and skill to ensure the survival of their people and foil the plans of Apollyon, the merciless and bloodthirsty leader of the Blackstone Legions. Storming castles and fortresses, turning the tide of massive battles and confronting deadly bosses in intense duels, players will become Heroes of legend, symbols and models for their warrior legacies.

In addition, it was announced during the E3 Ubisoft press conference that players and fans can start registering now at www.forhonorgame.com for a chance to take part in the forthcoming alpha and beta that will happen on all platforms. Registered fans will have a chance to play the game and provide feedback that will aid the For Honor team in providing the most immersive and enjoyable experience at launch.

Deluxe and Gold Editions** of For Honor were also announced. With the Deluxe Edition, gamers will be able to dominate the battlefield faster and in style with exclusive content, including gear, customization items, a special execution effect for all heroes, boosters and more. Additional details about the Deluxe Edition will be available at a later date.

The Gold Edition will include the base game, the Deluxe Pack items from the Deluxe Edition, plus the full Season Pass.

Additionally, fans who pre-order For Honor will receive the exclusive Legacy Battle Pack. This pack includes three exclusive armor designs, inspired by ancient tales of our warriors, and gamers can embody the legendary sprit of each faction in these legacy armor designs. These three armor styles are exclusive to the Legacy Battle Pack and wearable by the Warden, Raider, and Kensei Heroes.

Rebellion announces an official release date for Sniper Elite 4, saying their sharpshooting series will fire off its next round on February 14, 2017 for Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, a setback for the game, which was announced for release this year. Here are some new screenshots from the game to show what they are working on. The announcement quotes both Kingsley brothers on the news, and we like to imagine them either saying the exact same thing simultaneously, or at least finishing each other's sentences:

Independent UK developer Rebellion is delighted to announce the release date for Sniper Elite 4: its new entry in the award-winning, chart-topping World War 2 shooter franchise will open next year’s Q1 of big-hitting game releases, landing worldwide on February 14, 2017 for PS4, Xbox One and PC.

Jason and Chris Kingsley, co-founders of Rebellion, explained the decision to release the studio’s marquee title in February:

“When we revealed Sniper Elite 4 back in March our plan was to release it at the end of 2016,” they explained, “However, we now know Battlezone will release in October as a launch title alongside PlayStation VR. That gave us a tough decision to make. Ultimately, we’re a relatively small independent studio, and releasing two major titles in the same quarter didn’t seem like a sensible thing to do. A few of our shared internal teams will probably sleep a bit easier now!”

While this does mean players will have to wait just a little longer to get their hands on the title, there is another big benefit to a 2017 release:

“Launching Sniper Elite 4 in February gives us the opportunity to take a game that’s already received some of the best preview feedback we’ve ever had, and give it that extra bit of attention,” the Kingsley brothers affirmed, “We know a lot of you will be disappointed you won’t get to play Sniper Elite 4 this year, but we feel this decision will prove in the long run to be a win-win for both us and you, the fans.”

Keep your eyes peeled for further developments throughout E3, and keep your ears open for more details on one of the most anticipated World War 2 shooters for a generation.

In an odd coincidence, a delay was also revealed today for Sniper Ghost Warrior 3, the next installment in a different sharpshooting series. Here's word on the one-month setback for this game:

Today, CI Games announced that Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 will be released on January 27, 2017. The extra months will help ensure that the quality of the game meets fans’ - and the team’s - lofty expectations.

“As we got close to the finish, we realized we were near the target but still needed a bit more time to hone some of the details to make sure Sniper Ghost Warrior 3 is exceptional,” says Marek Tymiñski, CEO, founder of CI Games S.A.. “We sincerely appreciate players’ patience and commitment to the game. It’s just a few more months. And it’s going to be worth it.” For more details, please visit: www.sgw3.com

Here's an E3 2016 trailer for Watch Dogs 2, called "Hack Everything," highlighting your ability to do just that in the upcoming open-world sequel. Word on this is: "Watch Marcus use the city of San Francisco as his playground. Taking on enemies, parkouring through the streets and driving fast vehicles, Marcus is having a good time in the Bay Area." Ubisoft also offers another trailer with a gameplay walkthrough of an infiltration mission. Here's the description of that: "Watch the first-ever Watch_Dogs 2 gameplay walkthrough, in which Marcus and his Dedsec allies infiltrate the home of a social media mogul. In this mission, Dedsec is looking to expose the CEO of popular social media platform, !NViTE, who is using the citizens’ personal data to engineer a corrupt voting process." Continue here to read the full story.

• Hero Realms, a Deckbuilding Adventure Card Game by Robert Dougherty — Kickstarter. "A deckbuilding game from the makers of Star Realms. Choose your character. Battle a friend or quest as a team. Gain XP and level up!"
• Stygian - A Lovecraftian Computer RPG by Cultic Games — Kickstarter. "'Stygian: Reign of the Old Ones' is a Lovecraftian computer roleplaying game of horror, loss and madness."

• Dota 2 Update - June 13th 2016.
• StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void 3.3.2 Patch Notes.

• League of Legends Champion and skin sale- 06.14 - 06.17.
• Nation Red on Steam. Save 85%.

• Game publishers treading carefully at E3 in wake of Orlando tragedy.
• Summer 2016 TF2Maps.net 72hr Creation Jam.

• Project Scorpio unveiled at E3. Takes Xbox One "beyond generations" by updating the current generation.
• Project Scorpio is a 4K-capable, VR-ready Xbox One launching next fall.
• Cortana Coming to Xbox Live.
• Xbox At E3 2016 Recap (13 June 2016).

• Apple announced iOS 10 for iPhones and iPads at WWDC today.
• iOS 10 will let you delete most of Apple’s default apps.
• watchOS 3.0 promises faster app loads, better navigation, and more.

• Apple announces new IoT app called Home.
• Apple will update tvOS with Sling, sports, apps, and more in the fall.
• After nearly 15 years, Penny Arcade chief Robert Khoo calls it quits.

• Goodbye, OS X: Apple’s new desktop OS is “macOS Sierra.”
• AMD announces two more Polaris video cards- RX 470, RX 460.
• Alienware Celebrates 20 Years of Putting Gamers First with Four New Products at E3.

Thanks j.c.f.

• Wendy's Finds More PoS Systems Hit by Malware.
• Trihedral Patches Flaws in SCADA Software.
• Crysis Ransomware Appears Out of Thin Air to Take TeslaCrypt's Place.
• New Mozilla fund will pay for security audits of open-source code.
• VMware Patches Critical Flaw in NSX, vCNS Products.

• Supreme Court says win for patent holders won’t embolden patent trolls.
• Walgreens severs ties with Theranos, boots blood tests from all locations.

• Notch Slams Jonathan Blow Over the Effects of Video Game Violence…
• GWENT: The Witcher Card Game – register for the beta…
• New League of Legends free champion rotation…

E3 or not, I was pretty surprised at the amount of news today.

UbiBlog has a post about Just Dance 2017, saying the rhythm franchise will hit the PC for the first time when the game is released this fall. Here's an announcement trailer and here's word:

The best-selling music-game franchise of all time is coming back this October to get you moving for another year, and this time it’s hitting more platforms than ever. In addition to PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Wii, and Wii U, it’s launching digitally on PC for the first time ever, and is officially confirmed for Nintendo’s NX.

What’s Just Dance 2017 bringing to all those platforms? For starters, there’s Just Dance Machine, a frantic new mode that challenges you to perform different kinds of dances (including flamenco, ballet, and the cancan) to help your alien captors return home. It also introduces 40 new tracks by diverse acts including Sia, Major Lazer, Hatsune Miku, and Queen.

Speaking of which, here’s an early look at Just Dance 2017’s track list:

• “Sorry” – Justin Bieber
• “DADDY” – Psy Ft. CL of 2NE1
• “Cheap Thrills” – Sia Ft. Sean Paul
• “Lean On” – Major Lazer Ft. MØ & DJ Snake
• “Worth It” – Fifth Harmony Ft. Kid Ink
• “Don’t Stop Me Now” – Queen
• “PoPiPo” – Hatsune Miku
• “Radical” – Dyro & Dannic
• “El Tiki” – Maluma
• “September” – Equinox Stars
• “What Is Love” – Ultraclub 90

Also returning are Just Dance Unlimited, the dance-on-demand service that features more than 200 tracks; Sweat + Playlists, the fitness mode that lets you create your own playlists and track your activity; the worldwide Dance Quest challenge mode; and the improved Just Dance Controller app, which lets up to six players join in by using their smartphones as motion sensors, with no camera, Kinect, or PS Move required.

Just Dance 2017 will be available in October for PS4, Xbox One, Wii U, PC, Wii, PS3, and Xbox 360. It will also be available on Nintendo NX. For more on Just Dance 2017, the Just Dance Controller App, or Just Dance Unlimited, visit www.justdancegame.com.

Continue here to read the full story.

Ubisoft announces Steep, an open-world action game set in the Alps and Alaska which will center around winter and extreme sports, saying this will come to Windows and consoles by the end of this year. They also are planning several beta phases between now and the release, and those interested in participating should register on the game's official website. Here's an announcement trailer and a gameplay video.

With development led by Ubisoft Annecy,* Steep drops players onto the peaks of mountains, with exhilarating experiences that include skiing, wingsuiting, snowboarding, and paragliding. These sports establish an incredible level of freedom to explore the game’s open world, allowing players to choose the way they travel and play. Steep’s vast playground offers a wide range of activities that give players the opportunity to discover, compete, pull off crazy stunts, and more. Players can meet with friends from all over the world to create unique and memorable moments.

In Steep, players can use the innovative trail feature to relive their most inspiring rides and trailblazing achievements, and share them on social networks with friends. Along with sharing ride replays, players can also use this feature to challenge friends to outrace them on a shared path, create epic stunts or set out to discover the massive mountain playground.

Continue here to read the full story.

E3 2016 presentation (NSFW) for South Park: The Fractured But Whole, the upcoming South Park action/RPG sequel. The clip features Matt Stone and Trey Parker helping introduce the game. Word is: "Darkness has spread across South Park, and Coon and Friends are the only ones who can stop it. Matt Stone and Trey Parker tell us what we can do to help." Continue here to read the full story.

Ubisoft officially announces Star Trek: Bridge Crew, the VR game about which they already teased us. Here's word on this chance to strap a holodeck to your face and boldly go:

Today at E3, Ubisoft® announced Star Trek™: Bridge Crew, a new virtual reality game where players explore space as a member of the Federation. Playable co-operatively with a crew or solo as Captain, Star Trek: Bridge Crew puts players directly onto the bridge in a Starfleet ship. Under license by CBS Consumer Products, Star Trek: Bridge Crew will be available on PlayStation®VR, Oculus Rift and HTC Vive this fall.

The mission: explore a largely uncharted sector of space known as The Trench, in hopes of locating a suitable new home world for the decimated Vulcan populace while coming into direct conflict with the vaunted Klingon Empire. Star Trek: Bridge Crew puts a player and their friends into the heart of a new starship, the U.S.S. Aegis, where every action and decision that is made together will determine the fate of the ship and crew.

Developed by Red Storm Entertainment, a Ubisoft Studio, Star Trek: Bridge Crew was designed exclusively for VR, capitalizing on the powerful sense of social presence possible through virtual reality. Through hand tracking and full-body avatars, including real-time lip-sync, players can experience what it’s like to serve as an officer on the bridge of a Federation starship.

As a crew, players will form a team of four to operate the roles of Captain, Helm, Tactical or Engineer. Each role is crucial to the success of the varied missions players face, and only by working together can the crew complete their objectives. Also playable in solo, players will assume the role of Captain and dispatch orders to their NPC crew mates. The Captain’s strategic decisions will be vital in order to successfully complete missions.

Here's an E3 2016 trailer from Mirage: Arcane Warfare, the upcoming title from Chivalry: Medieval Warfare developer Torn Banner Studios. Torn Banner also takes the occasion to announce the game is slated to launch this autumn, and those who can't wait are encouraged to sign up on the official website for possible inclusion in beta testing. Here's the accompanying word: "Mirage: Arcane Warfare is a skill-based multiplayer FPS that lets you tear your enemies limb from limb with destructive magic and melee combat. Experiment and find your perfect playstyle between six diverse classes including assassins, powerful mages and more." Continue here to read the full story.

Here's an E3 2016 trailer from Vampyr, the upcoming vampire gaym from DontNod coming next year to Windows and consoles. The clip is accompanied by a description of the moral and practical decisions this game will involve:

Vampyr, the new Action-RPG from acclaimed game-development studio Dontnod, explores protagonist Jonathan Reid's moral plight in the E3 trailer. Set in London, 1918, Vampyr promises to offer a unique and deeply immersive experience with a strong and engaging narrative steeped in vampire mythology. The E3 trailer unveiled today introduces the nightmare your hero must live every day now he has become a real monster.

You play as a veteran of World War I, Doctor Jonathan Reid as he tries to come to terms with his transition, and the hunger that drives him to kill. Vampyr includes a unique level-up system that plays on this narrative conundrum, where huge amounts of experience points can be gained by feeding on innocent people, compared to combat. As a doctor, you must decide how many lives must be sacrificed in order for you to find a cure for this “disease”, the ultimate goal of Jonathan.

Taking lives in London is not easy. Killing too many in a district may cause its infrastructure to collapse and turn into disarray. Every single life will also have a butterfly effect on the other NPCs surrounding them; a merchant's wife could be killed and he could decide to close shop and leave town. Every life you take away will have consequences for the city and the people around them: Cursed be the choice!

Continue here to read the full story.

This video is the E3 trailer for Mafia III, the upcoming open-world crime sequel set in the vintage New Orleans-inspired city of New Bordeaux. Word on this is: "There’s only so far down a man can go. Now one man will declare war on New Bordeaux’s Italian Mafia, taking it apart piece by crooked piece. Soon Sal Marcano will learn what it feels like to lose everything." They also offer the game's E3 2016 demonstration, allowing you to experience the game as it is appearing at the show without having to wait on line for a cab. Here's word on this clip:

New Bordeaux is a model of southern hospitality, but underneath it's a city ruled by organized crime and corrupt officials. Get an inside look at the districts of New Bordeaux, how you'll take them down and build your own criminal empire any way you want. Buckle up and experience the Mafia III - E3 2016 Gameplay Demo presented by Haden Blackman, Studio Head and Creative Director at Hangar 13.

Continue here to read the full story.

BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment sends a note about the games they are showing off this week at E3. This includes what we believe is the first official confirmation of plans for a PC version of TEKKEN 7, the fighting sequel, as they say Steam is one of the platforms this will come to early next year. Here's the E3 trailer for the game, and here's word:

TEKKEN 7 (Fighting genre for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via STEAM) – Available early 2017
TEKKEN 7 sets a new standard in graphics quality and fighting dynamics for the series, featuring highly detailed characters and deadly environments. For its debut appearance on home videogame systems, TEKKEN 7 will feature numerous modes and enhancements taking it beyond its arcade counterpart, including an in-depth Story Mode that draws players deeper into the TEKKEN canon storyline. For the first time outside of arcades, players will be able to select new fighters for battle, including; Kazumi Mishima, Claudio, Josie, Shaheen, Katarina, Lucky Chloe, Gigas, and more.

Continue here to read the full story.

EA announces October 28th is the official release date for Titanfall 2, Respawn's upcoming mech shooter sequel. This confirms previous indications that the game would come out around that time. Interestingly, this is just one week after the planned October 21st release of Battlefield 1. Here's part of the announcement covering the single-player campaign, their release date, and plans to hold an open technical test before the game comes out:

In single player, Titanfall 2 will deliver a crafted experience that explores the unique bond between man and machine. Playable offline, the single player campaign in Titanfall 2 will let fans step out onto The Frontier as a Militia rifleman with aspirations of becoming an elite Pilot. Stranded behind enemy lines and facing overwhelming odds, players must team up with a veteran Titan to uphold a mission they were never meant to carry out. In multiplayer, Respawn is continuing to evolve their best-in-class gameplay to provide a more robust experience that delivers expanded depth and variety that includes six new Titans, deeper Pilot abilities, more customization options, and a robust progression system that is sure to satisfy fans.

Fans wanting to hit The Frontier first on October 28 can pre-order Titanfall 2 now at Titanfall.com. For those looking to have the ability to customize every Titan day one, the Titanfall 2 Deluxe Edition offers instant access to exclusive Warpaints and Nose Arts, two camouflages, and more.

Prior to release, Titanfall 2 will have an open technical test designed to help Respawn ensure a successful launch on October 28. Fans interested in getting technical test news first can sign up here for Dispatches from The Frontier – the Titanfall 2 Newsletter that provides news, exclusive offers, and much more.

The Tyranny blog offers a new trailer called "From The Ashes" from Tyranny, showing off gameplay from Obsidian Entertainment's upcoming RPG. Word is: "This trailer, which debuted at the PC Gaming Show at E3, shows the gameplay of Tyranny in action for the first time, along with a glimpse of what challenges lie in store as a Fatebinder in the game’s dark and cruel world. The world of Tyranny is a realm where the forces of evil have triumphed, and players must find their role within the empire of Kyros the Overlord – imposing their will as arbiter and executioner among the subjugated peoples of the tiers. This merely one of many paths that a Fatebinder might walk." Continue here to read the full story.

Croteam announces Serious Sam VR, a virtual reality installment in their fast-paced first-person shooter series. They offer this trailer showing this off, and say this should come to early access this summer with support for HTC Viva and Oculus Rift. Here's the news:

The Parking Lot Behind the Hooters Across the Street from the L.A. Convention Center – Sam Stone is back! And this time it's real. Real developer Croteam and virtual publisher Devolver Digital announce Serious Sam VR, coming to a VR headset near you later this year.

It is the period of the first Mental War. Earth's defense forces are crumbling under the hordes of the vicious Mental. He managed to break the will of many nations by destroying the ancient shrines of the domestic people. A fearless EDF general, Sam 'Serious' Stone, is leading the resistance from the battlecruiser 'BC Saratoga' in a desperate attempt to save the galaxy. And it's all going down in the virtual realm.

For the first time, immerse yourself in the universe of Serious Sam – travel the galaxy, meet interesting aliens, and blow the shit out of them all in a mind-blowing, fast-paced, guns-blazin' virtual reality environment. Get into the action immediately after choosing one of several missions, drop in and start wreckin' faces. Featuring multiple levels on multiple planets, the bosses you'll encounter in this virtual world are bigger, badder and uglier than you've yet encountered as Sam Stone. And the bigger they are, the harder they fall.

Mental's hordes are about to unleash their fury on you from every direction – some of them are familiar, and others you're going to wish you never met. Pick up and master new weapons or use trusty favorites (dual-wielding shotguns, anybody?) Serious Sam VR gives you a seemingly never ending supply of enemy-eviscerating weapons, and use your power ups to navigate your skill tree to be the boldest, biggest and most virtual Sam you can be. Customize or upgrade your gear on the Saratoga battlecruiser in-between missions using in-game currency that has nothing to do with real-world currency (sorry Fork Parker, no microtransactions.)

Get ready to strap it on, get in and get shooting. Serious Sam VR hits Early Access this summer.

Continue here to read the full story.

Bethesda announces Quake Champions, a return to id Software's Quake series of first-person shooters, saying this will feature fast-paced, arena-style gameplay and esports support. Here's a short trailer showing off the game, and the Quake website is now the online home to the project. Here is what they have to say about it for now:

The fast, skill-based arena-style competition that turned the original Quake games into multiplayer legends is making a triumphant return with Quake Champions. Running at an impressive 120hz with unlocked framerates, id Software’s new multiplayer shooter is getting ready to take PC gaming by storm once more.

Quake Champions features a roster of unique characters, each with their own distinctive abilities, giving every player a chance to play to their strengths. Get your first look at Quake Champions and some of its heroes in the cinematic reveal trailer, debuted during the BE3 2016 Showcase.

“20 years ago, Quake set new standards for multiplayer competition and pushed the boundaries for graphics and gameplay,” said Tim Willits, Studio Director, id Software. “It’s important to all of us at id Software that Quake Champions remains true to the Quake legacy, and delivers the speed and gameplay our longtime fans expect, while also pressing forward by introducing new gameplay opportunities with new Champions and abilities.”

Following its launch, Quake Champions will be supported at eSports tournaments around the world, including the annual QuakeCon, which takes place in Dallas. We’ll have more details to share about Quake Champions at this year’s QuakeCon, August 4–7, so keep an eye on Bethesda.net.

Continue here to read the full story.

Bethesda also announces Prey, a new installment in this first-person shooter series that's had a wild ride since the first planned Talon Brave game was announced by 3D Realms back when. Prey 2 was a planned sequel from Human Head that was cancelled in 2014, but now word is that Arkane Studios is handling the series. This is currently expected next year, and this trailer offers a look. Here's word:

Arkane Studios, the team behind the critically acclaimed Dishonored series, is bringing their unique vision to Prey, a first-person sci-fi action game that reimagines the franchise from the ground up… with an added psychological twist.

You are Morgan Yu, the subject of morally dubious experiments designed to improve the human race. You awaken aboard the Talos 1 in the year 2032 and must uncover the secrets hiding in the depths of the space station while being hunted by the mysterious alien force that has taken over. You’ll have to rely on the tools you find on the station – along with your wits, weapons and mind-bending abilities – to combat the growing threat and, hopefully, survive. Get your first look at Prey in the cinematic reveal trailer.

“At Arkane, our passion for creating unique worlds where you can improvise, experiment and play your way has driven our vision for Prey,” said Raphael Colantonio, president and co-creative director at Arkane Studios. “We’re excited to show you more of the sci-fi world we’re creating at QuakeCon this summer.”

Prey will be available on PS4, Xbox One and PC in 2017.

Continue here to read the full story.

A playable demo for DOOM is now available on Steam, offering the chance to check out id Software's new first-person shooter revival (thanks Frans). Though it doesn't seem to be mentioned on the demo page, an update on Bethesda.net explains that this demo is only being offered for the next week in celebration of E3. During that time this offers the ability to play through the entire first level of the game. The website also describes plans to update the game, offering highlights of a planned SnapMap update as well as new multiplayer modes coming next month via a free patch and a paid DLC pack. Here's word on the multiplayer updates:

Multiplayer – Free Updates

In the next month, id Software will release two new modes:

• Exodus: a one-flag CTF mode that Stratton describes as a “uniquely DOOM experience”
• Sector: a multizone capture-and-hold mode

Later this summer, DOOM will also be updated with three additional free-for-all modes, including beloved classic mode. All of these new modes will be playable on any existing or future maps, and will be free for all players.

Multiplayer – Unto the Evil

DOOM’s first premium DLC pack will also release next month. Unto the Evil will include:

• Three new multiplayer maps: Offering, Cataclysm and Ritual
• A new player-controlled demon: Harvester
• A new weapon: UAC EMG Pistol
• New equipment: Kinetic Mine
• New ways to customize your DOOM marine, including additional armor sets, patterns, colors and taunts
• New hack modules

Bethesda.net also offers a new E3 2016 trailer from Dishonored 2, showing off Arkane Studios' upcoming assassination sequel. The post is lengthy, covering a number of topics, and includes this outline of the game's new setting:

A New Setting
In Dishonored 2, players will return to the Empire of the Isles, but this time they’ll experience most of the game in a new setting. While Dishonored 2 begins and ends in Dunwall – the bleak industrial city of the first game – most of the action takes place in Karnaca, often referred to as the Jewel of the South. The capital of Serkonos – which is the southernmost island in the Empire – Karnaca is a dazzling Mediterranean-inspired metropolis with distinctly different culture and style.

“Our approach to world creation is layered,” Smith said. “Our art and design teams work together to create a strong sense of place, with a well-realized culture based on the factions living there, the architecture, the economy, climate, plant and animal life, and even the food and songs.”

Karnaca is brought to life with the Void Engine: a custom game engine built to support Arkane’s signature art direction and level design, and create atmospheric and exploration-rich spaces.

Continue here to read the full story.

Bethesda reveals plans to release a VR version of Fallout 4 within the next 12 months. Here's the deal:

At this year’s BE3 Plus event, Bethesda demoed two virtual reality experiences. Along with a tour of hell in DOOM, which exhibited idTech 6’s impressive next-gen graphics and rendering, attendees also had an opportunity to experience the world of Fallout 4 in VR. Dogmeat your Pip-Boy and combat come alive like never before.

“Since we first showed off modern VR with DOOM 3 BFG at E3 2012, we have dedicated ourselves to the technology, constantly pushing ourselves forward,” said Bethesda VP of Marketing & PR Pete Hines.

We plan to release Fallout 4 for VR headsets within the next 12 months.

“We think that VR is the perfect fit for truly immersive games like our massive open-world RPGs,” Hines said. At BE3 Plus, attendees were given a taste of what’s to come, exploring the world of Fallout 4, using the game’s Pip-Boy and interacting with Dogmeat – all in full virtual reality. “If you thought Survival Mode was an intense Fallout experience… you ain’t seen nothing yet,” Hines said.

Fallout 4’s upcoming VR release is just a glimpse of where Bethesda is headed with VR. It’s all part of Bethesda’s drive to remain a leader in cutting edge technology – including VR – and to offer fans the best games on whatever platform they choose.

An enhanced edition of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is coming, updating the ancient RPG sequel that was released way back in 2011. This will include upgraded graphics, and, brace yourself for possible controversy, full mod support on consoles. Here's a trailer about the news, and here's a bit:

e Special Edition includes the game and add-ons with all-new features like remastered art and effects, volumetric god rays, dynamic depth of field, screen-space reflections and more.

Skyrim Special Edition also brings the full power of PC mods to consoles. New quests, environments, characters, dialogue, armor, weapons and more – with Mods, there are no limits to what you can experience.

Like Fallout 4, you can browse and search for the latest and greatest Skyrim Mods, choose your favorites, post feedback, and install them – all from within the game. Simply select Mods from the Skyrim main menu, and start browsing. You can also browse through Skyrim mods online on Bethesda.net.

And that’s not all. If you own the PC version of Skyrim and all its add-ons – Dawnguard, Hearthfire and Dragonborn – on Steam, you’ll get a free upgrade to Skyrim Special Edition when it releases on October 28. The same applies to anyone who owns the Legendary Edition on Steam.

Skyrim Special Edition releases on October 28, 2016, on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC.

Continue here to read the full story.

GfK Chart-Track is back with their sales charts for the past week in the U.K. Overwatch squeezes into the number one spot on the PC top 30 chart, and retains that position on the all platforms top 40, where Mirror's Edge Catalyst shows up at number two. Here's word:

Activision’s ‘Overwatch’ (-44%) holds on to the crown for a third successive week, just beating off the challenge from EA’s ‘Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst’ debuting at No2.

The original ‘Mirror’s Edge’ was released on previous generation consoles PS3/360 back in week 46, 2008 and was something of a sleeper hit, having sold through only 60% of lifetime sales after 12 weeks (most major titles are usually north of 80% over the same number of weeks). Bethesda’s ‘Doom 3’ takes a third consecutive week at No3 (-28% ) and Sony drop 2 places to No4 with ‘Uncharted 4’ (-45%). In the week where Euro 2016 finally kicked off, Konami’s ‘UEFA Euro 2016 Pro Evolution Soccer’ makes the Top 10 for the first time since launch 8 weeks ago, up 6 places to No8 (-4%). Nintendo debut at No15 with 3DS ‘Kirby: Planet Robobot’ and completing the Top 40 new releases is Big Ben’s ‘Sherlock Holmes: The Devils’ Daughter’ for PS4, Xbox One, PC at No37.

• Mirror's Edge Catalyst Benchmarks (German).

• Matt Chat 344- Michael Witwer on Gary Gygax Pt 1. Thanks Ant.

• Xbox One Slim Leaks, Will Be 40% Smaller Than Xbox One. Thanks HARDOCP.
• EA SPORTS Announces Madden NFL 17 Franchise News at EA Play.

• RX480 Leaks-Rumors Timeline Megathread. Thanks Simon.
• Razer Exhibits OSVR HDK2 VR Headset, And $5 Million Developer Fund At E3 2016.
• Intel Launches 4S and 8S Broadwell-EX Xeons- E7-4800 v4 and E7-8800 v4 Families, up to 384 Threads.
• Get Microsoft Visual Studio For Free Instead Of $1000. Thanks Ant.
• Deep Learning & CUDA Benchmarks On The GeForce GTX 1080 Under Linux.
• Microsoft will acquire LinkedIn for $26.2B.

• ISIS Hackers Leak Details from Arkansas Library Association. Thanks Slashdot via Ant.

• 2 thieves dressed as SoHo Apple Store employees steal 19 iPhones. Thanks Slashdot via Ant.

• Slain! on Christ Centered Gamer.

• AudioMX HB-8A Bluetooth Headphones on Nikk tech.
• GIGABYTE GA-990X Gaming SLI Motherboard on Vortez.
• LucidSound LS30 Gaming Headset on Gaming Nexus.
• MSI GTX 1080 & GTX 1070 Gaming X 8G Graphics Cards on Overclockers Club.

Thanks Ant.

• Fallout Shelter – Quests and PC Version Announced…
• It Took 33 Years For Someone to Find the Easter Egg in This Apple II Game. Thanks Slashdot…
• Fallout 4 Bluetooth Pip-Boy from ThinkGeek…

Tomorrow marks the beginning of E3 2016. Traditionally that would make today the unofficial start of the show, but EA and Bethesda had big presentations kicking things off yesterday, so we're already in the midst. Enjoy the festivities, and please remember to take occasional oxygen breaks to keep from drowning in hype.

Hyped Links:	Thanks Ant and Acleacius.
Play:	Top League Manager.
Media:	DARK SOULS 3 (REACT- Gaming). Wingsuit Flight Over An Active Volcano. Cyanide & Happiness - Dairy Aisle.
The Funnies:	Jerky Boys - FoxTrot. Ignoring the warnings « EXTRALIFE.