Today word got out that Activision will be launching a new subscription based service called Call of Duty Elite in conjunction with the launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 this fall. Activision is still trying to determine the right subscription pricing for the service which is said to “provide extra content that isn’t offered on game discs sold in stores, including downloadable map packs.”

Aside from extra content, Elite will also provide gamers with stat tracking tools that analyze their performance and tendencies in game, in hopes of directing the player to guides and tutorials on how to improve. “These can cover things like the best way to employ a certain weapon, pros and cons for their attachments, or how to make the best use of different perks. Video tutorials will also be part of the package.” Read more… »

While E3 still remains an industry and press only event in the physical world, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) is partnering with IDG Entertainment/GamePro Media to give gamers virtual access to 2011′s largest gaming expo. Announced Tuesday, the E3 Insider site will give players the ability to see exclusive E3 interviews, previews as well as tour the plethora of exhibitor booths.

ESA senior vice president for communications and industry affairs, Rich Taylor, said, “E3 is the leading computer and video game event in the world. Millions of enthusiasts who want to attend will now be able to have the same incredible experience as the attendees on the exhibit floor.”

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Japanese company Cave is known by many gamers as a producer of quality shmups since 1995: in fact, Cave has identified themselves with the shmup community so deeply, that most people can’t fathom a Cave product involving of another genre. Enter Nin2-Jump, a score attack platformer in the same vein as N+ and League of Evil.

Most gamers wouldn’t hesitate to pick up a new Cave game, given their pedigree, but how do they fare in the platform arena? Read more… »

It takes more than a look at the title for most to recognize Hard Corps: Uprising is actually part of the venerable Contra series.  The original Hard Corps a Sega Genesis game that was well-received but never made it to the level of greatness that its predecessors on the NES or even Contra III on the Super Nintendo did.  Like an increasing number of retro franchises Xbox Live and PlayStation Network have given Hard Corps a platform for a follow-up game and thus Hard Corps: Uprising was born.

Producer Kenji Yamamoto said that the intent was to make Hard Corps into a brand new franchise.  Does Uprising launch this new series into the stars or is it a failure to launch?  Hit the jump to find out.

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Open beta begins Thursday for World of Battles: Morningstar. To kick it off, developer Frogwares has released the above video. Much can be gleaned from a trailer such as this — World of Battles: Morningstar is a Real Time Strategy (RTS) game. It offers many customizations that allow the player to really tailor the experience to his or her style. There are a variety of fantastic and less fantastic creatures that you get to control in heated battle  (8 to be exact).

Arguably, the surprising thing about this trailer is that the game looks good, F2P or no. I’ll leave it up to you decide whether it has the power to steer you away from Starcraft II or League of Legends for a prolonged period of of time; but at the price point of zero, where’s the risk of trying out new IP?

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Today table-top games giant Wizards of the Coast released some new details about the up coming sequel Magic: The Gathering Duels of the Planeswalkers 2012. Slated to arrive on June 15 for PC, Xbox 360 and PS3, Duels 2012 features a whole slew of improvements over the previous iteration. These changes include:

• Improved Deck Editing
• Enhanced Co-Op Game Play
• All New Multiplayer Game Mode “Archenemy”
• New Planeswalker Opponents
• New Decks and Puzzle Challenges
• Integration between the digital and paper product offering – Duels players get the first look at cards from the upcoming Magic 2012 Core Set releasing July 15, 2011

It is also said that Duels 2012 will feature “strategic single player campaign game scenarios” as well as “competitive play, robust community features and un-lockable content.” Read more… »

Yes, it’s that time of year again when Activision roll out the first reveal trailer of the next Call of Duty game ready for release in November. This time it’s Modern Warfare 3, and it’s a predictable affair: real-life locations have come under siege, husky soldiers riot through sprawling urban locations guns blazing, and helicopters crash and explode with cinematic bombast. And not to be outdone by Battlefield 3, it too has a falling skyscraper shot straight out of Transformers 3.

The trailer also hints at the game’s globe-trotting locations which includes the likes of Germany, France and England which is a refreshing change from the Middle East.

Set your sights on the first gameplay reveal of Modern Warfare 3 after the jump.

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Jonathan Blow (Super Meat Boy, Braid), Chris Hecker (Spy Party, Spore) and Alex Neuse (Bit. Trip Beat, Bit. Trip Runner) touch down May 26 in the UC Santa Cruz Media Theater. The three indie designers will hold an open panel discussion for the college’s Foundations of Interactive Game Design course, or in college speak, CMPS 80K.

The special thing about this panel is that it’s open to the public and free. Aspiring designers and general gamers alike, if you ever wanted to attend a GDC panel but don’t have $200+ to spend, now is your chance to learn the nuts and bolts of meaningful and entertaining game design from tried and true designers.

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Today the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced that it’s extending its partnership with both EA and Take-Two Interactive. These multi-year agreements ensure that both publishers have the rights to use NBA teams and players in their games, and to associate their game marketing efforts with the NBA license.

NBA global merchandising executive VP Sal LaRocca stated, “We have had successful and longstanding relationships with both 2K Sports and EA Sports. Extending our agreements with the top sports video game developers continues to maximize our presence in this category, while ensuring our fans the best selection of NBA video games. Read more… »

Tonight, the night before rapture, myself and my friend Curtis will be diving into Portal 2 co-op now that PSN is back. Won’t be paying attention to chat but feel free to hit the jump and tell us how fail we are.

Update: I love Portal 2 so much. Co-op was an absolute blast. Still plenty to go but myself and Curtis worked real well together and didn’t have too many issues. Way too many funny moments as well. Enjoy the night’s Gamer Limit Live above. At the least, watch for one minute at about 1 hour 29 minutes in. Good times. Read more… »

Have you played the latest lego adventure? Leave your thoughts in the comments!

Today Czech developer Bohemia Interactive announced that the third installment in its ARMA series will be hitting PCs everywhere in Summer 2012.

For those of you who may not be familiar with the ARMA series, allow me to fill you in. Basically ARMA is a military simulator for the hardest of the hardcore. While the game has a learning curve the size of Mount Everest, once you get a hang of things it becomes one of the most engrossing gaming experiences. To get an idea of what I mean, check out this video from PC Gamer showing some co-op multiplayer action. Read more… »