Sonic the Hedgehog 4 might not have an actual release date, yet, but the field of contenders has been narrowed down from some time during the summer, to a day this July. The title is officially set to release for the Wii, PS3 and Xbox 360, but current gossip and uncovered screens indicate that there will be a version for the iPhone as well.

Source: Destructoid

The Swarm, is a 3rd person action adventure title that places you as a survivor of an alien invasion in post-apocalyptic Moscow. Buka Studios and 505 Games have announced a May 2010 release date for the alien shooter game. The game offers some unique features, such as the decision at the start of the game as to whether to absorb alien DNA (which brings ability enhancement at the expense of mutating gradually into a monster) or to remain human. The game offers mini puzzle solving games, and a unique adaptive combat system.

“This is not your standard third-person shooter,” announced Adam Kline, president of 505 Games U.S. ”The game’s adaptive combat allows players to mold their characters, draw them into the alien takeover and force them to make tough decisions typically not found in other shooter games.”

The renditions of an alien ravaged Red Square are meant to be particularly amazing.

Strategy game developer, Battlefront.com, has linked up with Snowball (a leading Russian software publisher) to update the Battlefront series and bring it into the modern era. The new standalone game is set to cover two periods of the Russian-Afghan conflicts – the early part 1980-1982 and the period of the highest intensity of the fighting 1985-1987. The game includes new artwork, terrain, units, weapons and obviously nations. A new feature will be ‘exit objective zones’, where presumably you have to lead your units to safety through enemy units trying to stop you! It is understood you can opt to lead Soviet Regulars, Republican Afghan Units or Mujahedeen guerrilla forces. The game is expected to be released in the second quarter of this year. Time enough for you to learn how to wear a ‘pakul’ properly.

(click to play the video)Distant Worlds is a vast, real-time, space strategy game. The title aims to enable players to experience the full depth and detail of large turn-based strategy games, but with the simplicity and ease of real-time, and on the scale of a massively-multiplayer online game.

Vast galaxies are made to order: up to 1400 star systems, with up to 50,000 planets, moons and asteroids. Build, expand and improve your empire endlessly. The galaxy is packed with life and activity. Encounter other empires, independent alien colonies, traders, pirates and space monsters. Explore star systems, asteroid fields, gas clouds, supernovae, galactic storms and black holes.

You can also play Distant Worlds your way, with either a quick, intense game in a crowded galaxy or take your time with an epic, spread across a vast galaxy!

Episode 64 of the Avault Podcast features Amanda Fitch, CEO of Amaranth Games. Amanda stopped in to talk about episodic games, JRPGs and her history that led up to founding one of the few female owned game companies in today’s industry. She also provides advice on how to get your non-gaming girlfriend interested in your favorite hobby.

This week’s conversation also covers drunks in bars, an in depth discussion of Mass Effect 2 (Patrick’s in love), BioShock 2 (will it live up to the hype?) and its 2007 predecessor, and Patrick shares some of his experiences with Star Trek Online.

Tune in now.

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Speaking to CVG in London this week, Ray Muzyka stated that Bioware is up to the challenge of topping Mass Effect 2.

“The way we approach it is that each game has to be better than the last one. That’s always been true for the last 20 years we’ve been doing this, that’s just what we do. It’s kind of in our culture now. I think the team finds it reassuring that you’ve done something good, you’ve got great sales, great critical success, but they’re driven by making the next thing even better. That’s what drives me.”

Muzyka said he hasn’t thought about how hard it’s going to be to top their latest game, but he’s optimistic about tackling the prospect.

“If it wasn’t difficult it wouldn’t be worthwhile. Our best work is still ahead of us. That’s why I’m doing it, because I think our best work is still ahead of us and that’s why our teams are doing it I think.”

Apple can’t use the iPad name in Europe, but they’re working on it. The name IPAD (Integrated Passive and Active Devices) is apparently already in use for chips for mobile phones made by the French/Italian company, STMicroelectronics. A company believed to be a front for Apple filed for a trademark on the iPad name with the Trade Marks and Designs Registration Office of the European Union. Its application, on January 18, is for rights to the name under a much wider range of classifications than STMicroelectronics.

When asked about whether his company will seek a deal with Apple or file a lawsuit over the trademark, STMicroelectronics President and CEO Carlo Bozotti said, “our ambition is to have a great customer named Apple.” He declined to comment on any specific action the company might take.

Source: Macworld

All-new Dark Void DLC will be available for the Xbox 360 and PS3 starting next week. In the Survivor Missions, relive key events from the game as you battle waves of increasingly difficult enemy troops. Rack up massive points with score multipliers for headshots, and hijack enemy aircrafts. Fight back against the alien armada, but never forget what matters most – Survival!

The new DLC will be an arcade-esque experience where the player battles through hoards of enemies on the ground and in the air while collecting points and upgrading weaponry, with the goal being to survive to Round 10 and increase their previous high score. Xbox users will be able to download this content beginning on February 10 for 400 points ($5.00) and PS3 users on February 11 for $4.99.

(click to play the video)Zeno Clash: Ultimate Edition will be available on Xbox Live on March 30. The “New Attacks” video highlights the lengths to which developer ACE Team has gone to build and improve upon their game, and shows off an assortment of new combat moves.

“Initially, ACE Team had offered to demonstrate the new moves in Zeno Clash: Ultimate Edition in person for the Atlus staff,” chuckled a grimacing Aram Jabbari, Manager of Public Relations and Sales for Atlus. “We all thought they were kidding when they talked about cool-sounding moves like the ‘headbutt’ and ’spin kick.’ After a week in the hospital, I’m happy to say that fans can expect to find those and equally punishing new attacks in Zeno Clash: Ultimate Edition, and that the moves deliver the same satisfyingly visceral feel as all the other injury-inducing first-person melee combat Zeno Clash has to offer. In other good news, the doctor says the swelling on my head will go away in about a month or so.”

An LA casting call last month, for a Marcus Nispel-directed F.E.A.R. 3 web promo, might have leaked significant plot and character details. The auditions allegedly took place on January 14 and 15, for a web-only promo for the heavily rumored, but as of yet, unconfirmed game.

Paxton Fettel is to make a major comeback, and the info included in the call describes him as a “malevolent genius” who is “most excited about the delivery of the latest member of the family.”
Fettel is Alma’s second son, and he’s narrating the promo. The game’s iconic girl-woman, Alma, will feature in the video, and is “consumed with revenge. With her latest pregnancy and delivery, she may be ready to unleash all of her powers in a final bid for the destruction of mankind.” As for Point Man, Alma’s first son, he’s the “perfect killing machine” and “unbeatable in combat”.

Source: VG247