EA And Maxis Announce Free Download For SimCity Owners Due To Launch Issues, Reveal 1.1M Sales

EA And Maxis have announced SimCity has sold over 1.1 Million in its first 2 weeks on sale, of which around 54% were digital downloads. EA estimate it's Origin service had 44% of those 54% digital sales.

In just two weeks:

• SimCity players have logged more than 15 million hours of online gameplay.
• More than 5.7 million original cities have been created since launch.
• More than 780 million buildings have been built.
• SimCity mayors to date have built enough road and railroad tracks to circle the globe more than 40,000 times.

Due to demand for the game, Maxis have increased server capacity by more than 400% and increased the server optimizations by 40. However though, because of the difficulties the game has had over this launch period with features being removed and people being unable to play the game, EA and Maxis have announced that every player who has activated their copy of SimCity will receive an Email with directions to redeem a free game.

This free game period requires those with a copy of the game to register it before the end of 26th March, and the free game to be claimed by early 31st March. the free game will be available from EA's Origin Service and your choice of free game is out of the following:

Battlefield 3 (Standard Edition)

Bejeweled 3

Dead Space 3 (Standard Edition)

Mass Effect 3 (Standard Edition)

Medal of Honor Warfighter (Standard Edition)

Need For Speed Most Wanted (Standard Edition)

Plants vs. Zombies

SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition

Press Releases

Frima Studio Announce Nun Attack Comes To PS Vita From 19th March

Frima Studio have announced they are bringing Nun Attack to PS Vita. Nun Attack was already a mobile game from Frima and now they are enhancing the game for it's PS Vita release. the game is set to come out first on the USA PSN for $2.99 on 19th March with the EU getting the game on the 3rd April. the game will not feature microtransactions, whereas the mobile version of the game does.

Nun Attack is a tactical action game that lets you use touch screen controls to direct your Nun squad as you fight your way through various types of evil. the game features new redesigned levels and upgraded graphics as well as:

• Challenging tactical action and reflexive gameplay
• Rebalanced leveling and weaponry for PS Vita play
• Improved graphics for PS Vita
• 40 missions to conquer in multiple stunning environments
• Four nuns, each with a unique personality and special power
• A full shop with over 80 guns to equip with various effects (stun, slow, DOT, AoE, Knockback, Fear, Charm)
• Seven miracles to cast

• Full PS Vita game, not a PlayStation Mobile title

Screenshots


Source: USA And EU PlayStation Blog

Square Enix Have Released New Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Screenshots For The Dead Dunes

Square Enix have released new screenshots for Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII. these screenshots are from an area called The Dead Dunes. the screenshots show Lightning is looking for treasure in the Dunes and to get through them you can slide down. the screenshots also show 2 of her special abilities, Lightspeed which slows down enemies and recovery spells. to use such abilities you need Energy Points.

Screenshots

FuturLab Have Released A New Features Trailer For Velocity Ultra On The PS Vita.

FuturLab have announced they will be attending this years GDC where they will be showcasing their upcoming PS Vita game Velocity Ultra. FuturLab have also released a new trailer for Velocity Ultra where they use in-game action to show it's many features including a Platinum Trophy and touchscreen controls.

Sony Announce They Are Bringing Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two To The PS Vita

Sony have announced they are bringing Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two to the PlayStation Vita. Sony are doing the porting as the company that originally developed the title, Junction Point, no longer exist. this will be a port of the PlayStation 3 version of the game with some additional features. these extras include touch screen support and local 2 player co-op via wifi, the latter being exclusive to the Vita. Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two is set to come out this year.

Source: EU PlayStation Blog

Capcom Detail The 73 Monsters, 339 Quests And 3061 Pieces Of Equipment In Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate

Capcom have been providing more information about Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate.

There are 73 Monsters in the game including:
 

from Monster Hunter Freedom Unite

• Anteka (small)
• Bullfango (small)
• Azure Rathalos (subspecies)
• Silver Rathalos
• Pink Rathian (subspecies)
• Gold Rathian
• Plesioth
• Green Plesioth (subspecies)
• Black Diablos
• Nargacuga

from Monster Hunter Portable 3rd

• Gargwa (small)
• Slagtoth (small)
• Wroggi (small)
• Arzuros
• Great Wroggi
• Lagombi
• Volvidon
• Nibelsnarf
• Duramboros
• Zinogre
• Crimson Qurupeco (subspecies)
• Purple Ludroth (subspecies)
• Jade Barroth (subspecies)
• Baleful Gigginox (subspecies)
• Sand Barioth (subspecies)
• Steel Uragaan (subspecies)
• Glacial Agnaktor (subspecies)
• Green Nargacuga (subspecies)

new to Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate

• Brachydios
• Rust Duramboros (subspecies)
• Stygian Zinogre (subspecies)
• Lucent Nargacuga (subspecies)
• Ivory Lagiacrus (subspecies)
• Abyssal Lagiacrus (subspecies)
• Savage Deviljho (subspecies)
• Hallowed Jhen Mohran (subspecies)
• Goldbeard Ceadeus (subspecies)
• ... and a brand new final boss!

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate will also ship with 3061 pieces of equipment:

59 Great Swords, 83 Long Swords, 71 Sword & Shields, 122 Dual Blades, 73 Hammers, 99 Hunting Horns, 78 Lances, 108 Gunlances, 76 Switch Axex, 91 Heavy Bowguns, 96 Light Bowguns, 115 Bows; Total number of weapons is now 1398!

1028 new Armor pieces; Total number of amor pieces is now 1663!

As well as 3 new areas, The Tower, Mistey Peaks and the Tainted Sea, the game will come with 339 quests on Disc, with more quests coming for free as DLC, the new Quests including:

63 from the Village High-rank, 136 from the Port Tanzia G-rank and 12 Arena quests

Source: Capcom Unity

Nintendo Announce LEGO City Undercover: The Chase Begins Comes Out Across The EU On 26th April On 3DS

Nintendo have announced the 3DS game LEGO City Undercover: The Chase Begins comes out across the EU on 26th April. LEGO City Undercover: The Chase Begins is the prequel to the Wii U game LEGO City Undercover. in this 3DS game you are playing as Chase McCain who is a rookie cop who is trying to put away Rex Fury. the game features costume changes like the Wii U version and you can use the bottom screen to scan the environment and move the 3DS around to see hidden objects.

Screenshots


Press Release