7 Days to Die Alpha 12.0 Release Date

Like most of you, I follow the 7 Days to Die Blog, and I have some good news.  Alpha 12 update initial released date was June 29, 2015.  Some say that its buggy and only getting 10 fps so the date may get pushed back.  I heard some bloggers saying its definitely getting released before July 4th, so that's the deadline to have the product out and available to consumers.

I'm getting most my information from observing the video which I will post a link the bottom. I saw a lot of new video menu options, usability enhancements, minibike, weapon models, weather, new terrain enhancements, trees fall over and hurt objects in its path, new fireaxe, ragdoll physics, alternate ammo support like steel tip and flame arrows, steel pick ax, bears fighting zombies, rainfall, snowfall.

My opinion on the update from the video was skeptical.  From what I saw, I have good news and bad news for those who haven't seen it. I will cover the bad news first.  I think that the minibike was loud as heck, and it should attract a horde every time you ride it.  I never was a fan of the ragdoll physics in any game, so I'm not anticipating it's integration into the game.

The good news is there is a giant leap in progress in the performance capabilities from Alpha 11.0 to Alpha 12.0 of 7 Days to Die. The weather effect alone is ground breaking.  I saw rainfall and snowfall that accumulates.  I'm sure that will have an affect on gameplay later.

The new enemies and inventory were solid.  I feel like alternate ammo will help add a new challenge and dynamic to how you combat enemies.  I wonder if certain enemies will be more vulnerable to certain ammo types.  As in every game, fire can hurt pretty much anything, lol.  One notable update was the use of the Random Gen 3.0 to help biomes blend-in instead of getting separated by rivers.  For now on, biomes will be based on altitude, temperature, and humidity.

I look foward to what's to come.  I feel the game is approaching a finished in development stage. Here is the link to the video:
https://youtu.be/XFA6Uhg7MG4

The Forest 0.19 Patch Complete List of Updates

On June 25, 2015, a new patch came out for The Forest.  Here is a complete list of all the updates and bug fixes that developers did for us hardcore players that love a good open world survivor horror game:

• (multiplayer) Fixed some cases of creepy mutants not targeting remote players correctly
• (multiplayer) Increased priority of mutants, making them smoother/less laggy
• (multiplayer) Fixed issues with log sled after loading a saved multiplayer game
• (multiplayer) Typing in chat no longer triggers in game actions
• (multiplayer) Fixed chatbox being locked when input loses focus
• (multiplayer) Fire now spreads/replicates
• (multiplayer) Rope is now buildable
• (multiplayer) Players will now appear as the correct body type/clothing for everyone
• (multiplayer) Game invites are now properly queued
• (multiplayer) Clients now have a different save per server and respawn after loading where they saved instead of in plane (respawn after dying is still located in plane)
• (multiplayer) Fixed a bug with experimental stairs in saved games which could cause issues for clients loading
• (multiplayer) Added message when alt tabbing as host to warn about risks of disconnecting clients
• (multiplayer) Fixed issues where dead bodies would sometimes not replicate correctly
• (multiplayer) Fixed bug where modern axe would appear as old yellow axe to other players
• (multiplayer) Fixed bug where killed turtles would give infinite shells and no meat for client players
• You can now toggle the color of stick markers (SP only)
• Fixed Stick Marker flying above floor (not retro active)
• Fixed several tree structures which did not properly save which tree they are built on (not retro active)
• Fixed tree structures not getting destroyed when their attached tree is found cut down after loading a saved game
• It is now possible to build small structures (like log holders ;) on top of rafts !
• Added collision box to log holder
• Cut down trees are now accounted for by the tree occlusion system
• Improved building placement formula, now handles better big height variations like you can have near edges of floors
• Deer will react more to being shot with arrows
• Deer can be seen nibbling at bushes sometimes
• Tiered destruction system! Enemies can now only damage certain structures, depending on how strong they are. Only armsy can bring down defensive walls.
• Armsy will attack structures more often and deals more damage
• Improved animation for Armsy behaviours
• Improved animation for Virginia
• Crocodiles can now swim and attack player in water, also have more health and deal more damage
• Fixed player arms not aligned to mutant sometimes during drag away cutscene
• Fixed water vanishing at some angles from the camera
• Fixed pickups looking solid white when viewed underwater
• Fixed some issues with loaded plane prefab/multiplayer plane prefab- flying seats, missing decals, misaligned geo
• Fixed judder when sprinting and low stamina
• Player must stop running now before stamina will recharge
• small delay added to stamina recharge if you run out of stamina while sprinting
• New plane dirt chunk added to plane crash
• New save slot system, you can now have up to 5 SP games and up to 5 mp games (as host)
• Save slots are organized per steam user id to prevent cloud from messing things up when using the game with multiple steam accounts on a single computer
• Saving now archives the previous save file in case you need to restore a backup (local only)
• New save slot selection screen when saving in game
• Save black screen is now in sync with the time saving takes
• Improved cloud save management
• Added “Equiped” status display to rebreather inventory tooltip
• New mutant type “pale skinny” added to caves
• Shadows now fade off to darkness when player is in a cave, and fade to bright when not in a cave
• Sun/Moon are no longer faded out when in caves – making transition from outside to caves more natural and allowing light to bleed in from outside
• Improved terrain around beaches
• New small burial sites added
• Fixed bug where inventory would appear black if an integrated (intel) graphics card was used
• Fixed some winter pine trees sitting on ocean
• Happy birthday trap is now twice as wide
• Noose trap has a wider trigger zone, making it easier to catch enemies
• Lighting camp fires now requires player to hold the lighter over the fire until it is lit
• Enemies will react properly to walkman placed as a distraction device
• Fixed a save/load issue that could cause experimental walls to increase size of save game drastically and crash loading
• Added a 60s delay in between displays of lighter tutorial
• Burning weapons & arrows no longer burn things when not attacking with it
• Burning weapon stay up longer when idle but use fuel quickly when attacking
• Burning arrows no longer damage owner player when fired
• Cave combat layout tweaks for balance
• Player feet sink slightly now when walking through sand and speed is slightly reduced
• Some collected story items are now stored in back of survival book in notes section
• Standing fires are now destroyed upon collision with enemies
• Timmy photo added to backpack as reminder to be a better parent
• Player camera no longer clips through terrain when entering a rope from above
• Better position of exit rope trigger on fishing stands
• Removed weird delay on gravity when exiting a rope
• Pickups added to top of some fishing stands
• Animation added now when player drinks at ponds/lakes
• Balance – removed rebreather pickups from overworld, can now only be found in cave location. Modern axe removed from yacht. Air canister added to yacht location. Removed old axe in wooden door at cave entrance. Changed cave dead to always be in cave 2 location. Removed lights from cave hats. Re-worked pickups in cave 1 dead room.
• Revamped multiplayer start game UI to be compatible with gamepads and save slot system
• Cave mutants can be found sleeping on the ceiling again
• Plastic torch now rotates more in line with camera, making it useful to look up and down
• Pale versions of armsy/vag added to world. Faster, stronger, with more armour
• Underwater fog added!
• Fixed a broken link when navigating in survival book with “prev/next page” gamepad buttons (left & right shoulders by default)
• Repairing buildings now costs 2 treesap plus an amount that increases with damage suffered
• Fixed missing Tooth & Feather upgrade recipes for stick & stick upgraded
• Fixed flare gun sometimes hitting player when firing
• Smaller scale on stealth armor leaves to make things easier to see
• New art added: Boar skull, boar skull on stick, boar decorative statue
• New prop added : Lifesaver
• New prop added : Skull pile
• Cave 9 added
• New usable item added: Compass
• New item added: World Map (torn apart in 4 pieces to find and combine on crafting mat)
• Replaced “pedometer” input action by “Utility” which toggles latest item used from inventory of Pedometer/Walkman/Compass
• New art added: better looking Lichen rock
• Lowered amount of sharks and moved further away from shore to avoid sand sharks
• New props added to cargo crate
• Added physics to (some) hanging bodies, hit them and see them swing around
• North area cold is now only occurring in the higher mountain part and no longer on the beach
• Fixed fires not being lightable after burning out once
• Fixed exploding trees leaking objects
• Aligned turtle shell to upper part of tarp to make it easier to find in inventory
• (audio) Added sound effect to metal door opening/closing
• (audio) Increased FMOD mix buffer size when system sample rate is high to prevent stuttering audio
• (audio) Better balancing of wind, falling leaves and animal footsteps
• (audio) Fixed missing distant calls between mutants
• (audio) Boar attacks and feet sounds added
• fixed dead bodies moving away from player when picked up and dropped repeatedly
• You can now exit room behind metal door, by jumping into pool of water,swimming up, finding rope, jumping into another pool of water, and swimming up and exiting via… geese lake
• Increased tree draw distance for the Ultra High draw distance setting
• Smoothed out work scheduler response to lag spikes to prevent it from inducing stuttering

What Mario Bros looks like with unreal engine

If Nintendo wants to develop a Mario game using the Unreal Engine 4, then this a concept of what the game would look like.  By comparison we see Mario is leaping and yahoo-ing around inside a variety of environmental assets available with a UE4 license. The animations are all created from scratch and pre-scripted.

Here's the link to the project https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUKcSiAPJoQ

New Dragon Ball TV series airing in Japan

When I heard Dragonball z had a new tv series airing, I thought it was a hoax like that new sailormoon series that never aired.

This time things are legit, and the first episode will air on July 6, 2015.  I know the anime fan community will stream or post the episode with English subs so I can't wait.  I can't believe it's happenin.  This is first series I can see that will air that's not a redub while I am alive.  The rest were 20 years older.

Dragonball Z Resurrection of F movie Tickets on Sales

FUNimation Entertainment announced today that tickets for "Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F'" are now available for purchase via www.dragonballz.com. The new feature film will screen in more than 1,000 theaters across the United States and Canadafrom August 4 – 12, 2015. The theatrical event, with an approximate 105-minute run time, will feature a special 15-minute pre-show featuring Dragon Ball Z trivia and cast interviews.

"Last year's phenomenal fan response to Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods resulted in sold out theaters across North America," said Gen Fukunaga, CEO and founder of FUNimation. "For Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' we've expanded our theatrical distribution to more than 1,000 theaters to meet fan demand, but it wouldn't surprise me if theaters sell-out again.  This movie is visually stunning and offers even more action that Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods."

As a special bonus for the next two weeks, each fan, who purchases tickets to "Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F'" and attends either Anime Expo or San Diego Comic-Con, will receive a complimentary collectible Goku or Frieza phone charm* imported from Japan by simply showing proof of ticket purchase at the FUNimation Entertainment booth at either convention. 

"We're excited to be bringing Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection 'F' to so many theaters across North America this coming August," said Mike DuBoise, COO of FUNimation. "With more theaters, more action, and the brilliance of series creator Akira Toriyama on the big screen, this limited engagement will be an epic Dragon Ball Z experience that fans of all ages across the U.S. and Canada will not want to miss."

Horizon Zero Dawn

Horizon Zero Dawn looks like the is a in which players take control of Aloy, a hunter and archer, as she progresses through a post-apocalyptic land which is ruled by mechanized creatures, such as robotic dinosaurs. I saw some stealth elements, farming for resources, nice variety of combat and weapons.  Graphically it reminds me of Heavenly Sword.  

Players can use a variety of ways to kill enemies, such as setting traps like tripwires, shooting enemies with arrows, utilizing explosive and melee combat, or performing silent takedowns. Players can also craft new items by collecting materials and machines parts found in the world. The game also features an open world, which can be explored by players when they are not completing missions.  A dynamic day-night cycle and weather system will also be featured as well. Guerrilla Games also promised that loading screens will not be included in the game.  The release date for Horizon Zero Dawn is 2016.

For Honor

Preview materials for For Honor depict skirmishes between Knights, Vikings, and Samurai in large-scale engagements. Centered around a system called the "Art of Battle," For Honor depicts a brutal melee combat focus with a series of stances and authentic close range weapons appropriate to the warrior and period.

Characters in For Honor are assigned to color-coded teams and participate in large-scale battles alongside and opposed by AI and human characters.

Overarching factions include Knights (The Legions), Vikings (The Warborn) and Samurai (The Chosen), each with their own combat specialties.

Players will be able to choose between both male & female characters, and the game will feature named characters with personalities.

There will be a variety of multiplayer modes similar to common FPS modes.

Map cycling is based off of popular First Person Shooter games, with constant team rotations and map changing along proven systems.

The only currently known mode is Control. Two teams of four heroes must fight to control 3 points on the map, one of which is usually the main focal point of both armies' NPC fighters. A team gains points for as long as they control a point, and the point must be clear or enemy players, or have routed the NPC army. 

If a team can capture all 3 points, the enemy team will no longer be able to respawn. It is up to the team with the control points to defeat the remaining players before a control point can be re-taken.

There isn't a lot of marketing for the game For Honor which is odd.  Makes me believe it's not finished.  There isn't a release date either.  Game is in alpha testing so as it develops hopefully there will be more information. 

E3 2015 Hidden Gems

E3 2015 had the return and sequels of a lot of popular franchises like Tomb Raider, Uncharted, Final Fantasy or Mario Bros, but I want to shine the spotlight on some new franchises that made an impact and caught my eye this E3.

The first game I want to play is Horizon Zero Dawn.  It looks like the is a in which players take control of Aloy, a hunter and archer, as she progresses through a post-apocalyptic land which is ruled by mechanized creatures, such as robotic dinosaurs. I saw some stealth elements, farming for resources, nice variety of combat and weapons.  Graphically it reminds me of Heavenly Sword.  The release date for Horizon Zero Dawn is 2016.

The second game that caught my eye was For Honor.  Preview materials for For Honor depict skirmishes between Knights, Vikings, and Samurai in large-scale engagements. Centered around a system called the "Art of Battle," For Honor depicts a brutal melee combat focus with a series of stances and authentic close range weapons appropriate to the warrior and period.  There isn't a lot of marketing for the game For Honor which is odd.  Makes me believe it's not finished.  There isn't a release date either.  

Batman Arkham City Legendary Easter Egg

How do you keep a secret from the world's best detective?  You put the secret right in front of his face the whole time, lol.

The fact that we are here, three years after Batman: Arkham City release and still finding Easter eggs, proves how brilliant this game was. Here is step by step how to solve the mystery and trophy for being the best detective is a tear in itself.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

This is the Metal Gear Solid game fans have been waiting years for development.  A lot of drama and hoaxes with producer Hideo Kojima, but Metal Gear Solid V: Phantom Pain is finished and available for all platforms except Nintendo.  

In the aftermath of the events of Ground Zeroes and the destruction of MSF, Big Boss awakes from a nine year coma to lead the mercenary group called Diamond Dogs.  Big Boss takes up the name of Venom Snake. 

The game takes place during the Soviet War of 1984 in Africa and Afghanistan.  On the battlefield, Snake reunites his old rival Ocelot and encounters a unit of warriors robbed of their past, present and future. 

While abstracting his revenge, Snake unearths a plan by Cipher Organization that involves the development of weapon that has the potential to surpass the metal gear system.

In The Phantom Pain, players will take the role of Venom Snake of (also known by his alias Big Boss) in a massive collection of open-world environments. 

The gameplay elements are largely unchanged from Ground Zeroes, meaning that players will have to sneak from several points in the game world, avoiding enemy guards and remaining undetected.

Included in Snake's repertoire are binoculars, maps, pistols, assault rifles and explosives. Following one of the series traditions, the Phantom Pain encourages players to progress through the game without killing, using non-lethal weapons. 

Players may traverse the game world with vehicles such as cars and tanks, in addition to travelling on foot or on horseback, and as certain locations are mountainous, players can opt to scale a rock face as a short cut.  

In Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Snake can also call on AI companions—including Quiet, a female soldier with supernatural abilities; as well as a horse with a customizable saddle for carrying more equipment on the field; and DD, a trained wolf acquired on the battlefield of war-torn Africa as a pup and trained on the new motherbase —to assist him in the mission. 

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain will feature a mode called Mother Base build which allows you to collect and gather resources as well as recruit soldiers for your army.  As a result of the variety of resources, no one will have the same base which I found interesting.  

A new game design direction will allow the player to choose in what order the story events take place by selecting missions in any order they like, and yet still "understand the encompassing message by the end. Also there will be an online multiplayer feature which alway gamers to interact and complete missions worldwide.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain will be released in September 1, 2015 for Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, and PS4.

Super Mario Bros 30th Anniversary E3 2015

For Super Mario Bros' 30th Anniversary, Nintendo wants you to visit www.letssupermario.com and post a fan video to the site celebrating the game.  

Shigeru Miyamoto and Nintendo will make a donation to the non-profit group Operation Smile.  Let's have fun and a support a great cause.

Nintendo E3 2015

I'm looking forward to seeing what Nintendo has to offer.  It's struggling compared to Xbox and Playstation.  Some of the legends like Zelda and Mario have underperformed.

Nintendo has tried to recruit different franchise to overhaul its brand and stay relevant, but in my opinion anything short of a big day full of surprises...Nintendo will be dead in the water like Sega and or systems that aren't around.

Assassin's Creed Syndicate, Ubisoft's Redemption

My first impression of Assassins Creed Syndicate was it seems like a Gangs of New York but sat in 1868 London at the height of the Industrial revolution.  This time around the story will have two protagonist, the twins Jacob and Evie Frye.

The dialogue in  Assassins Creed Syndicate seemed comical in a dark way.  The protagonist Jacob Frye is a brute that likes to fight, but he was rich in character.  London is under the control of the corrupt Templars who use street gangs to bully the working class.  Jacob leads his Rooks gang  and vows to take power from the underground up.  His twin sister Evie is a more grounded and quiet determined leader that gets things done.

Graphically, London looks great.  There will be vehicles like trains and horse drawn characters. There will not be a multiplayer this time around.  There will be a complete focus on single player.  For the first time ever in an Assassin's Creed game, there are systemic vehicles that will impact each of the core pillars: navigation, stealth and fight. 

Players will be able to ram their pursuers, but be aware that enemies will be able to use this against you, ramming you off the road or hijacking your vehicle.  Also to allow combat on top of vehicles, developers enabled carriages to independently follow targets on the road. With vehicle damage, changing to another carriage is critical.

There was an emphasis put into design for locations in the historical London such as Victoria train station. 

Another new innovation is the gadget "rope launcher". It's traversal tool, which helps you quickly go up and across buildings.  The rope launcher can also be used as a horizontal fast travel tool, making navigation faster and easier.

The new combat system will focus on short hand weapons and close combat.  There will be weapons like a hidden blade in the cane, and under sleeve knife that will make taking on large groups of powerful targets easier.

Ubisoft had a 30 minute package to address the problems of Assassin's Creed Unity.  Ubisoft said they wanted this to be the best game possible, but things went wrong. They were honest about what went wrong like faces melting off and glitches, and they promises to get it right this time around. They even addressed negative reviews by critics and gaming analyst.

Assassin Creed franchise has been an up and down valley of success and disappointment. AC1 was great.  AC2 was good.  AC Revelations and Blackflag were bad.  AC3 was okay.  AC Unity was a good attempt, but it was too ambitious and failed to deliver a solid performing game. I was so excited about each AC games, but I'm afraid that I will waste my time and money again on a game that disappoints.  I will honestly, wait to see how this game develops and what others say about it before I make the investment in buying it.

Assassins Creed Syndicate release date is October 23, 2015 right before the release of Halo 5.