Konami and Gaijin Entertainment have announced Birds of Steel for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. Birds of Steel is an upcoming World War II flight combat game set to come out in early 2012. Birds of Steel will offer a mix of 20 historical missions and fictitious missions, over 100 planes, and online modes. Co-Op missions can be undertaken with friends and there will also be online dogfights. Gaijin are also working on online missions like Co-Op Strike, Airfield Raids, and tournament play. The Debut trailer and screenshots can be seen below.
Press Release
KONAMI and Gaijin Entertainment take the chocks off stunning WWII combat epic
Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has announced a stunning new blend of flight combat and battle theatre genres, with the advent of Birds of Steel for PlayStation®3 and Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.
Developed by Gaijin Entertainment, Birds of Steel is a breath-taking combat simulator featuring some of the most pivotal air battles of World War II, including the battle of Midway, Guadalcanal, Coral Sea, the historic attack on Pearl Harbour, the Mediterranean Maltese island, Germany’s Ruhr Valley, and others. Players can select how detailed they want each campaign to be, and are offered a wealth of single and multi-player campaigns.
Birds of Steel offers 20 historical and a wealth of fictitious missions, spanning eight world-famous campaigns, and users are given access to over 100 famous planes from the entire axis and allied forces rosters. A number of planes ideal for each campaign can be selected, and have been faithfully recreated in terms of handling, capabilities and weaponry. The classic Spitfire, P-51D Mustangs, and Messerschmidt 109 are all lined up for combat, as players opt to player opt to fight for the Allies, Japanese or Axis forces.
The game features a breath-taking level of detail, with the weather effects of each war zone brilliantly brought to life, while the handling and battle-scarred planes are susceptible to damage and will suffer in terms of control accordingly. Similarly, a series of camera views allow users to witness their skills from a series of external views, or within the varied cockpits of the 100 planes. The missions are presented in a pre-conflict briefing, and players can also see how their contributions related to the overall path of the scenario, with new planes available on the completion of specific goals. Birds of Steel also offers the user a number of control systems, ranging from simplistic arcade-style movements, to entirely faithful control systems that offer total control over every aspect of flight.
Birds of Steel also enjoys a huge online element. Players can support co-op missions alongside friends, or enter massive multi-player online dogfights to see who owns the skies. Gaijin are busy creating a series of absorbing missions for online users, with team death matches, co-op strike missions, airfield raids, and tournament play all set to throw open the skies for the most intense aerial combat ever to grace the PlayStation®3 and Xbox 360 systems. Squadrons can even edit their finest hours to showcase their skills, and share them with their peers.
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“For far too long, first-person shooter fans have been tied to the foot soldier point of view, but we aim to bring the seat-of-their-pants skill and daring of dogfighting and aerial combat to a wider audience,” said Martin Schneider, General Manager, Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH. “Birds of Steel pushes the throttle of realism by giving fans what they’ve been missing when it comes to co-operative online gameplay, incredibly realistic visuals and game dynamics, while spanning the entirety of the war’s air campaigns.”
Birds of Steel will be available for PlayStation®3 and Xbox 360 early 2012.
About KONAMI CORPORATION
KONAMI CORPORATION was established in 1973, and became a holding company on March 31, 2006. KONAMI CORPORATION covers the fields of "Digital Entertainment Business", "Gaming & Systems Business" and "Health & Fitness Business". KONAMI CORPORATION went public on Tokyo Stock Exchange in 1988, the London Stock Exchange in 1999, and the New York Stock Exchange in 2002. Home Page URL: www.konami.co.jp. Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH is a wholly-owned subsidiary, responsible for popular franchises like Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill and Pro Evolution Soccer amongst other top sellers. Konami is also the manufacturer of the wildly popular Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME, which has sold more than 22 billion cards worldwide. For more information concerning Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH and its products, please visit www.konami-europe.com.
About Gaijin Entertainment
Gaijin Entertainment is a fast growing game development company established in 2002. Gaijin team specializes in creation of games for various platforms (PS3/Xbox 360/iOS/PC) but it also gives much attention to technology-related research work which provides attraction and applicability to the company's solutions in changeable IT market conditions. At the moment Gaijin team is represented by six departments and over sixty highly qualified employees. The company's projects have received a range of mass media and game industry awards including several KRI Awards as "Best simulation game", "Best technology", "Best sound" and many more.
Gaijin Entertainment, Birds of Steel and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Gaijin Entertainment
Corporation or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are property of their respective owners.
Sony have announced a new Limited Edition PSP Entertainment Pack is coming to the USA this June. for $159.99 you get MLB 11 The Show and Gran Turismo, as well as a 2GB Memory Stick and of course the PSP 3000
Namco Bandai have released new screenshots for Armored Core V. these in-game screenshots show several giant mechs fighting each other. some of the screens also show some customisation options, however they are in Japanese. it is currently unknown if Armored Core V is going to be released outside of Japan.
Neverrealm Studios have released a behind the scenes look at fatalities in Mortal Kombat. the video has several members of the developer team talking about the process of creating and adding a fatality in the game. the video shows mo-cap sessions and development tools.
Wizards Of The Coast have announced Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012 for the Xbox 360 XBLA, PS3 PSN, and On PC via Steam. The games release is expected from 15th June 2011. The original Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers game was a good success for them, with over 500,000 units being sold on XBLA.
Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012 builds on the previous game by adding improved deck editing, enhanced co-op, new games modes, new Planeswalker Opponents, decks, puzzles, and more. Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012 will also have a single player game, a tutorial, and unlockables.
“We are thrilled with the success of Magic: The Gathering and the tremendous growth of our player community worldwide,” said Greg Leeds, President, Wizards of the Coast. “Smart, strategic and competitive gamers love to get together to battle and have fun using their intellectual strengths. With more than 12 million players and fans in more than 70 countries and 500,000 units of Duels of the Planeswalkers sold on XBLA alone, Magic is experiencing record growth and delivering players a truly integrated gaming experience across both digital and real world.”
Building on the success of the original Duels of the Planeswalkers, Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012 featured improved deck editing, enhanced co-op game play, all new game modes, Planeswalker opponents, decks, puzzle challenges and more.
With an easy to use tutorial, Duels of the Planeswalkers is the best way for new players to learn Magic: The Gathering. Players that are already familiar with Magic will enjoy a new-to-digital multiplayer game mode called Archenemy where up to three players team up against the AI.
Duels 2012 will also feature strategic single player campaign game scenarios as well as competitive play, robust community features and unlockable content. More information can be found at duelsoftheplaneswalkers.com.
*Release date may vary by platform and region.
Magic Celebration
An event unlike any other we’ve run before, Magic Celebration will bring together Duels of the Planeswalkers and Magic 2012 Core Set players on September 10th at WPN locations around the globe. More details will be unveiled as we get closer to the event, but you can learn more about Magic’s in-store events and find a hobby store near you at Wizards.com/ locator.
There’s never been a better time to get into Magic: The Gathering. With an easy-to-use tutorial, Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012 is the best way for new players to learn how to play Magic. And for those that would rather test their metal with the original paper game, the Magic 2012 Core Set is a blend of brand new cards and old favorites from Magic’s 18-year history. Together, Duels 2012 and Magic: The Gathering 2012 Core Set encourages players to gather their friends (or allies) and experience what Magic 2012 has to offer.
EA have detailed the new features and some of the revamped modes in this years NHL 12. NHL 12 comes out on 9th September in Europe and 13th September in North America. The Be A Pro mode has been revamped and the game engine has also been changed. the game engine now has a Full Contact Physics Engine which makes everything interactive to the player, from the ice, glass, and other players. bigger players can throw their weight around more, for example.
The Goalkeepers are now dynamic, players can now knock them down or push them out of position. the fighting engine has also been enhanced with goalkeepers now getting involved. the gameplay presentation has also been changed to look more like real life hockey broadcasts. the 2011 NHL Winter Classic is now in the game and EA have added the EA Sports Action Tracker.
Press Release
Guildford, UK.– May 24, 2011 – With the Stanley Cup® Playoffs heating up, Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) is getting in on the action with the announcement of new features for EA SPORTS™ NHL® 12, shipping on September 9thin Europe and September 13thin North America. Play your way to superstardom in the revamped Be a Pro mode and experience the authentic action and energy of real life hockey with the Full Contact Physics Engine.
In the revamped Be a Pro mode, experience the pursuit of greatness and legendary moments in your playing career, shatter historic records and cement yourself in NHL history. Additionally, the better you play, the more ice time you’ll get where you can simulate to your next shift so you’re always on the ice as you play out your entire career in pursuit of the Stanley Cup.
The NHL 12 Full Contact Physics Engine puts you in the rink with everything now live on the ice, from players to the environment - everything is interactive and in play. Experience the skill and aggression of hockey from shattered glass to flying helmets to knocking players over the boards and into the bench; crash the crease too hard and you’ll knock the net off and send the goalie flying. Size and physicality will be emphasized as bigger players will be able to throw their weight around as they screen the goalie and battle in front of the net.
This year marks the first time players will face dynamic goalies in the game. Players can knock the net off and make contact with goalies, knocking them down or out of position, as they crash the crease. Watch as goalies battle through screens to make awe-inspiring saves. Additionally, we’re reigniting the beloved fighting engine that first appeared in NHL 10 with all-new goalie battles. When the action gets heated, send a message by leaving the net, dropping the gloves, and trading punches with rivals during fights.
All new gameplay presentation creates an authentic, fresh new look and feel throughout NHL 12 with presentation graphics that mimic real life hockey broadcasts. For the first time ever lace up outdoors under the lights in one of the biggest hockey events of the season, the 2011 NHL Winter Classic® at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, within seconds of putting in the disc. Inspired by the NHL GameCenter Ice Tracker, the all-new EA SPORTS Action Tracker simulates action without missing a beat with a shift-by-shift breakdown of stats and key moments leading up to your next shift.
NHL 12 is in development at EA Canada in Vancouver. It has not yet been rated by the ESRB or PEGI; visit www.esrb.org and www.pegi.info for updated rating information. For more information on NHL 12, please visit www.easports.com/nhl or become a fan of EA SPORTS NHL on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/easportsnhl and follow us on Twitter via http://www.twitter.com/easportsnhl.
For more information about EA SPORTS, including news, video, blogs, forums, fantasy leagues and game communities, please visit www.easports.com to connect, share and compete.
EA SPORTS is one of the leading sports entertainment brands in the world, with top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, global videogame competitions, and breakthrough digital experiences. EA SPORTS delivers personal access to the emotion of sports through industry-leading sports simulation videogames, including Madden NFL football, FIFA Soccer, NHL® hockey, NBA JAM, NCAA® Football, Fight Night boxing, EA SPORTS MMA, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® golf , and EA SPORTS Active.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The Company’s game franchises are offered as both packaged goods products and online services delivered through Internet-connected consoles, personal computers, mobile phones and tablets. EA has more than 100 million registered players and operates in 75 countries.
In fiscal 2011, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.6 billion. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for critically acclaimed, high-quality blockbuster franchises such as The Sims™, Madden NFL, FIFA Soccer, Need for Speed™, Battlefield, and Mass Effect™. More information about EA is available at http://info.ea.com.
NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup and the word mark NHL Winter Classic are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. All Rights Reserved.
EA SPORTS and EA SPORTS Active are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. John Madden, NFL, NBA, NHL NCAA, Tiger Woods, PGA TOUR and FIFA are the property of their respective owners and used with permission. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
