Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight

Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight
Developer(s)	EA Los Angeles
Publisher(s)	Electronic Arts
Producer(s)	Michael Glosecki Raj Joshi
Designer(s)	Samuel Bass
Composer(s)	James Hannigan Timothy Michael Wynn Jason Graves
Series	Command & Conquer
Engine	SAGE
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows
Release date(s)	NA March 16, 2010[1] EU March 19, 2010[1]
Genre(s)	Real-time tactics
Mode(s)	Single-player, cooperativemultiplayer
Rating(s)	ESRB: T PEGI: 16+
Media/distribution	DVD, digital download
System requirements Mouse, keyboard OS: Windows XP (SP3), Vista (SP1), 7: CPU: Intel Core 2 or AMD 64 X1 RAM: 1.0 GB (XP) / 1.5 GB (Vista, 7) Graphics card: 256 MB compatible with Shader Model 3 support (DirectX 9.0c) 10 GB HDD space 8× DVD-ROM drive Internet connection Recommended System Requirements[2] Intel CPU: Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz AMD CPU: Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 5400+ Nvidia Graphics Card: Geforce 7900 GTX ATI Graphics Card: Radeon X1900 Series RAM Memory: 3 GB Internet connection

Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight is a real-time tactics video game and the latest installment of the popular Command & Conquer franchise, released March 16, 2010. It constitutes the final chapter in the Kane saga. Command & Conquer 4 is the first game in the series to implement a form of DRM that requires constant Internet access; this type of restrictive DRM is fairly new and targets the used games market as well as ensuring that households must buy a copy per person. The game was released for digital download via online gaming distribution service, Steam on March 19 2010 and did not require constant access to the Internet to run.Command & Conquer 4 also utilizes EA's own servers for online play, rather than GameSpy Servers which EA has relied on for previous Command & Conquer games. A closed beta of the game was officially released by EA to contest winners on November 21, 2009.

Gameplay

The gameplay in Command & Conquer 4 no longer follows the same resource-gathering dynamic as previous games in the series. In the main game mode, the player must capture control nodes scattered across a map, and retain more nodes than the enemy player, gaining enough points over time to win the match. Command & Conquer 4 utilizes class-based gameplay as well as some RPG elements.

There are two playable factions: the Global Defense Initiative (GDI) and the Brotherhood of Nod. The storyline begins with the world being consumed by the rampant growth of Tiberium, which is threatening to render the earth uninhabitable. Each faction is split into three upgradeable classes: offense, defense and support, each with their own specialized focus. The classes consist mostly of their own unique units, with the only shared unit among classes being the engineer. The offense class is focused on tank-based, front-line combat, relying less on any kind of fortified emplacements or bases. The defense class is focused on infantry-based combat as well as utilization of rudimentary base defenses, and are also the only class to have access to superweapons. It is the only class that allows the player to construct buildings in order to develop their base (analogous with the previous games). The support class is focused on air-combat and specialized vehicles to traverse the environment, and is also equipped with special support powers that are used to assist teammates. As it relies on air support, the support MCVs of both factions are able to lift off in the air. Command & Conquer 4 contains two non-playable factions from previous games in the Tiberium Universe: The Scrin (C&C3) and the Forgotten (Tiberian Sun), the latter of which returning as a minor part of the story as well as a neutral class on the map. Command & Conquer 4 includes a total of about 90 units, including many new units and updated versions of previous Command & Conquer units.

In Command and Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight, each faction features its own campaign with the story told and played out from their perspective, each resulting in an ultimate conclusion to the Kane saga. In addition to the two brief single player campaigns, Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight features a cooperative campaign mode, which will allow multi-class play and integrated player progression. The difficulty in co-op campaign mode varies depending on the player's level, and objectives will be shared. Campaigns for both factions take place simultaneously.

At this time of crisis, the leader of the Brotherhood of Nod, Kane, heads straight for the headquarters of the Global Defense Initiative, in hopes of using the Tacitus and GDI's resources to construct a worldwide Tiberium Control Network, which would allow the spread of Tiberium to be controlled, as well as turn it into an inexpensive power source. Even though the idea of alliance was met with hostility by many (which sparked a brief Incursion War conflict), the two factions have nevertheless united. The campaign itself starts 15 years after the formation of the alliance between the two factions, as the Tiberium Control Network is nearing completion, and the spread of Tiberium is finally stopped, bringing the light of optimism to the world's remaining population. However, extremists from both factions cause unrest, which sparks the Fourth Tiberium War.

The prologue takes place in the year 2062, 15 years after the events of Tiberium Wars (which led to the invasion and defeat of the Scrin), and 10 years after the final events of Kane's Wrath (where the prophet regained possession of the Tacitus). During this time period, Tiberium has evolved and is spreading at such a rate that the whole planet is expected to become uninhabitable by 2068. Humanity is on the brink of extinction.

The player takes the role of Commander Parker, a GDI military officer who receives an optical implant after his battle wounds cause him to lose his eyesight. The player is presented with the possibility to aid either Colonel Louise James' GDI extremists or Kane's Nod Loyalist forces during the Fourth Tiberium War. Both campaigns' events are considered canon, even though some details of characters' interactions are different.

The game's missions chronicle Kane's attempt to activate the Threshold 19, a tower constructed by Scrin aliens during the Third Tiberium War, which functions like an interstellar portal. Kane (who is explained through canon to be Cain from the story of Cain and Abel, who was punished to walk the earth forever after killing his brother), explains how he has been around for thousands of years. He is very anxious to leave Earth so he can finally rest, and plans to bring about an "ascension" by using the tower. He claims to have used the Tacitus to help create both the Tiberium Control Network and the optical implants; these are, in fact, the keys to the activation of the tower. While the GDI and Nod are officially allied, two groups of separatists desperately try to spark a war to stop (or punish) Kane. The Nod separatists are led by the madman Gideon, while the GDI side is commanded by Colonel Louise James.

After the final battle for the Threshold 19, Kane is about to leave Earth using the Scrin tower. He convinces Commander Parker (the player) to activate it for him, as the other four implant recipients had been hunted down and killed by Gideon. However, before activating it with the optical implant, the player is mortally wounded by Colonel James, but succeeds in activating the portal nonetheless. Kane promptly thanks the player before entering it in both campaigns. After Kane traverses the portal, the commander succumbs to his wounds and dies. With Kane fulfilling his "ascension" and disappearing from Earth, the Tiberium growth recedes following the complete activation of Tiberium Control Network. In the ending cut-scene, news channels announce that all Nod followers have strangely disappeared as well after entering the Scrin tower, which leads to the conclusion that Kane's promises of ascension for all of the Brotherhood of Nod were, at least partially, real.

Need for Speed: The Run

Need for Speed: The Run
Developer(s)	EA Black Box Firebrand Games(Wii/3DS)[1]
Publisher(s)	Electronic Arts
Composer(s)	Brian Tyler
Series	Need for Speed
Engine	Frostbite 2
Platform(s)	iOS Microsoft Windows Nintendo 3DS PlayStation 3 Wii Xbox 360
Release date(s)	NA November 15, 2011[2] AUS November 17, 2011[3] EU November 18, 2011[2] JP December 1, 2011[4]
Genre(s)	Racing
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer
Rating(s)	ACB: PG ESRB: T, E10+ (Wii/3DS) PEGI: 12
Media/distribution	Optical disc, download,memory stick
System requirements Microsoft Windows Windows Vista (Service Pack 2) 32 bit 2GHz Dual Core Processor 2GB RAM 20GB of free HDD space AMD DirectX 10.1 compatible graphics card with 512MB RAM or NVIDIA DirectX 10 compatible graphics card with 512MB RAM DirectX compatible sound card Keyboard and Mouse DVD-ROM Drive

Need for Speed: The Run is a racing video game, the 18th title in the Need for Speed franchise, and is being developed by EA Black Box and will be published by Electronic Arts. The 3DS version is being developed by Firebrand Games, the team behind Undercoverand Nitro (both DS version). It is scheduled for release in North America on November 15, 2011 and November 18, 2011 in Europe.The Run is the first title in the series to be rated T by the ESRB since Undercover.

The game is described as "An illicit, high-stakes race across the country. The only way to get your life back is to be the first from San Francisco to New York. No speed limits. No rules. No allies. All you have are your driving skills and sheer determination as you battle hundreds of the world's most notorious drivers on the country's most dangerous roads."

The Run features quick time events, with the player for the first time in Need for Speed history, exiting their car and travelling on foot.

In The Run, players will participate in an "underground world of illicit, high stakes racing," in a race from San Francisco to New York, with stops through Las Vegas, Denver, Detroit, and many other locations, making it the first title in the series to use real locations. The cops aren't the only ones after the player though, as the player "blows across borders, weaves through dense urban traffic, rockets down icy mountain passes and navigates narrow canyons at breakneck speeds." There are over 300km of track, three times more than Hot Pursuit, making it the biggest Need For Speed game.

The Run is powered by DICE's Frostbite 2 engine, making the game the first non-shooter and one of the first console titles to use the engine, which provides visuals and car physics that "hug the road even at top speeds all built around a gripping storyline." Additionally, Need for Speed Autolog, the Need for Speed franchise's social competition functionality, which was introduced in Hot Pursuit and was previously used in Shift 2 Unleashed, is also back as it will continue to track career progression and compare game stats.

The game features quick time events, with the player for the first time in Need for Speed history, exiting their car and travelling on foot. These events won't always be about harsh success or failure states. In some sections there are branching outcomes, so if the player mangles a certain button press, they'll get another chance to pull through.

The driving model of the game is described as "sit somewhere between Shift and Hot Pursuit", not as arcade-styled as Hot Pursuit.The Run employs a large range of real-world vehicles, seemingly taking in the usual mix of muscle cars, street racers and refined exotics, described as "each car presents a different driving challenge for the player." Exclusively digitized for the game is the 2012Porsche 911 Carrera S and the Pagani Huayra.

The gameplay is fairly similar to Hot Pursuit. Players race down freeways until they meet a police car. The officer will then try to chase them down and wreck their car. They will also encounter other objectives such as a straight-up race. There is another mode where players duel a rival. They can also race to toll booths that double as checkpoints.

The 3DS version will also feature Autolog, which is integrated throughout the career mode and uses 40 in-game challenges scattered throughout the campaign. The game also takes advantage of StreetPass, letting players upload their best Autolog scores to other Nintendo 3DS devices. In multiplayer, the game will feature a straight race mode where eight people compete. There is also a four-on-four Cops vs. Racers mode. The game will support Wi-Fi and local wireless connections.

In Need for Speed: The Run will feature a linear story mode, which places you in the shoes of Jack. Jack owes the wrong people a whole lot of money and both cops and crooks want his head on a platter. To repay all the money, he participates in an illegal, off-the-grid cross-country race from San Fransisco to New York known as "The Run". If he wins this race, he will receive $25 million which he intends to use to solve all his problems.

Assassin's Creed: Revelations

Assassin's Creed: Revelations
Developer(s)	Ubisoft Montreal Additional work by:[show]
Publisher(s)	Ubisoft
Designer(s)	Alexandre Amancio
Writer(s)	Darby McDevitt
Composer(s)	Jesper Kyd[1] Lorne Balfe (main themes)[2]
Series	Assassin's Creed
Engine	Anvil
Platform(s)	PlayStation 3 Xbox 360 Microsoft Windows
Release date(s)	November 15, 2011[3]
Genre(s)	Third-person action-adventure, Sandbox
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer
Rating(s)	ACB: MA15+ BBFC: 15 ESRB: M PEGI: 18+ USK: 16
Media/distribution	Optical disc, download,memory stick

Assassin's Creed: Revelations is an upcoming video game in the Assassin's Creed franchise to be developed and published by Ubisoft Montreal. Throughout the course of the game, the three protagonists from the previous games will be featured: Altaïr, Ezio and Desmond. It has been announced that it is the last game to feature Ezio Auditore Da Firenze and Altaïr Ibn La'Ahad, and the final game to be set in the Renaissance era. The game is set to be released for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows on November 15, 2011. Ubisoft confirmed that Revelations will be one of their games on display at this year's Tokyo Game Show.

Plot

The game will also continue Desmond's story in the modern day, following the events of Brotherhood, where he will be trapped in the Animus, in comatose state, in which he has found a safe mode known as the Black Room. In the Black Room, Desmond must find a key memory that links him with Altaïr and Ezio to reintegrate his splintered subconscious and regain consciousness. While in game Ezio will meet a variety of historical characters, including Manuel Palaiologos, a heir to the now lost Byzantine Empire, Byzantine Templars who will be lurking in the shadows of Constantinople, Prince Suleiman, a man who will one day become one of the Ottoman Empire's greatest Sultans and his uncle, Prince Ahmet.The game will feature all three of the series' major characters so far: Altaïr ibn La-Ahad, Ezio Auditore da Firenze and Desmond Miles. It will take Ezio to Ottoman Constantinople in 1511 AD, consisting of four districts: Constantin, Beyazid, Imperial, and Galata;Cappadocia at the peak of the Ottoman Empire, part of which will be a completely underground city populated solely by Templars;and Masyaf, which holds the old Assassins' stronghold (featured in the first Assassin's Creed game) to which Ezio travels at the beginning of the game.He discovers Altaïr has sealed within the fortress an ancient artifact that is said to be a powerful weapon which could end the Templar and Assassin war forever, and has hidden the keys in Constantinople. Ezio uses relics of the first civilization that hold memories of Altaïr to relive Altaïr's experiences, during which players will control Altaïr.

• Roger Craig Smith as Ezio Auditore da Firenze
• Philip Shahbaz as Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad
• Nolan North as Desmond Miles
• JB Blanc as Tariq
• Peter Reneday as Al Mualim
• Chris Parson as Yusuf Tazim
• Steven Jay Blum as Leandros
• TBA as Manuel Palaiologos
• TBA as Prince Suleiman
• TBA as Prince Ahmet

The game will follow the series' standard open-world gameplay. New gameplay additions include an item called the hookblade, which can be used to zipline across the city or grab enemies to yank them in for a combo attack. The hookblade reportedly speeds up navigation by around 30 percent. Along with the hookblade, Ezio will also have 300 different bomb variations at his disposal, which will be craftable.

Multiplayer gameplay is also making a return in Revelations. The mode expands the basics of online modes from Brotherhood with new characters and locations. Players will be able to customize their characters' appearance and weapons, as well as start a guild and create its unique coat of arms. Matchmaking and game interface will be improved. Ubisoft says that while the component is returning, they’re putting greater focus towards the narrative, as it’s the heart of the franchise. As players level up in the multiplayer game, they will move up in their Abstergo Templar rank and gain access to more information about the company. New multiplayer modes will be added to the already existing modes, including "story-oriented quests", as well as a much requested Capture the Flag mode. Some multiplayer maps will be based in the island of Rhodes.