Smite Beta Testing Starts

Hi-Rez Studios announced the Smite beta testing starts now for North America and Europe. The open beta program PC download has gone live after an eight month-long closed beta that 900,000 players tried out!
Game description: “SMITE will be a free-to-play online battleground between gods. Players choose between a selection of mythical gods, join session-based arena combat, and use custom powers and team tactics against other player-controlled gods and non-player controlled minions. With SMITE we draw inspiration from DoTA-style RTS titles, but leverage the Unreal Engine 3 to introduce original action oriented combat mechanics, great graphics, and a mythology themed setting.
SMITE is similar to DoTA gameplay but instead of being above the action you are IN the action. Close third-person camera instead of RTS view. Move with WASD instead of clicking on a map. Detailed graphics and visual effects. ACTION combat, dodging, and aiming. Everything is a skill-shot. Free-to-play but not pay-to-win.”
Watch the Smite Open Beta trailer that shows off the newly added features and content:
All player progress and unlocks up until now will be preserved through Open Beta and into Release with no planned character wipes.
Also, a Limited Edition cosmetic skin for the frost giant Ymir will be awarded to all players who reach Level 30 during the Beta period. That award will be granted upon Smite’s official release.
The following new Smite content and features are included in the Open Beta version:
• Graphical upgrade of Conquest Map
• Practice match against new AI opponent Ra
• In-game Team & Roster Management
• Ranked Team Conquest queue – Draft Picking for ranked and Challenge Conquest matches Improved Spectator Camera for Tournament Admins – including a 3-minute delay for spectators to prevent cheating and improved spectator controls (slow-motion, pause, rewind, fast-forward)
• Refer-A-Friend Program
Todd Harris, Hi-Rez Studios Chief Operating Officer, said:
“SMITE has been our fastest growing game to date, with over 900,000 players participating in Beta already. We’ve been giving out keys very liberally, but today we officially drop the key requirement in order to stress and stabilize our North American and European servers in preparation for release. We will continue to polish the game, release additional gods, and further refine the god and item balance over the coming weeks before a general release later this quarter.”
Smite is set for release sometime in 2013 for PC only.

Dust 514 Beta Testing Starts

Sony & CCP Games have announced the Dust 514 beta testing starts now with beta program downloads gone live on the PlayStation Network Store and the Sony Entertainment Network Store!

Dust 514 is a PS3-exclusive triple-A free-to-play MMOFPS (massively multiplayer online first person shooter), directly set in and connected in real-time with the science fiction universe of EVE Online.

Here’s how the creators further explain how the gameplay works:

“What that means is that not only is DUST a full-fledged MMOFPS in its own right, with unrivaled persistence and customization, it also coexists on the same servers as its older PC sibling, EVE Online. DUST and EVE share several game systems such as mail, text and voice chat, corporations, the in-game market and more.

Not only are the players of the two games able to communicate with each other and belong to the same social institutions, they can also interact in real time. Spaceship captains of EVE Online are able to provide real-time support in the form of orbital bombardments to the boots on the ground, the DUST 514 mercenaries, all while coordinating in a shared voice chat.”

Watch the Dust 514: PSN Open Beta launch trailer here:

To quote the developer about the open beta starting after a year-long closed beta:

“We are now ready to open the game up to a wider audience by moving to an Open Beta. There will be no more character wipes or inventory resets. We will lift all access restrictions to our servers. Anyone with a PS3 and a PSN account can download the game, create a character and join in on the fun. We will be updating the game regularly, soliciting feedback from you on our forums, balancing and tuning, replacing and polishing.”

If the above trailer didn’t explain the gameplay well enough, check out the PlayStation Blog for more developer quotes.

Watch a Dust 514 gameplay demo:

Dust 514 is set for release sometime in Summer 2013 for PS3 only.

Will you be trying out the Dust 514 Beta?

Top 10 Bestselling Video Games Worldwide in Week 4, 2013

What are the top 10 bestselling video games in America, Japan, and Europe? Thanks to Amazon online sales data here are the video games that are the hottest worldwide right now.

What follows is a listing of the Top 10 bestsellers per region, for all systems combined.

North America’s Top 10 Games:

1. Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch (PS3)
2. Far Cry 3 (Xbox 360)
3. Far Cry 3 (PS3)
4. Call of Duty: Black Ops II (Xbox 360)
5. Halo 4 (Xbox 360)
6. Just Dance 4 (Wii)
7. Call of Duty: Black Ops II (PS3)
8. Assassin’s Creed III (Xbox 360)
9. FIFA Soccer 13 (PS3)
10. Assassin’s Creed III (PS3)

Let the vision of LEVEL-5, the animations from STUDIO GHIBLI and the music from Joe Hisaishi guide you through one of the most amazing JRPG adventures ever.

Here’s the Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch “Two Worlds” launch trailer:

Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is a heart-warming tale of a young boy named Oliver who embarks on a journey into a parallel world to become a wizard in an attempt to bring his mother back from the dead.

Japan’s Top 10 Games:

1. Animal Crossing: New Leaf (3DS)
2. Demon Gaze (PS Vita)
3. Amnesia – Limited Edition (PSP)
4. Hitman: Absolution (PS3)
5. Unlikely Knight: Monster Monpiece (PS Vita)
6. DmC: Devil May Cry (PS3)
7. Monster Hunter 3 (Tri) G (3DS)
8. Sugoroku of Gintama (PSP)
9. Fantasy Life (3DS)
10. Digimon Adventure (PSP)

After two months Nintendo of Japan has sold almost 2.3 million copies (2.186.309 according to Famitsu), making it the first 3DS game sell over 2 million this fast!

Here are the relaxing new Japanese Animal Crossing: New Leaf TV commercials.

The Nintendo 3DS-exclusive life-simulation game “Animal Crossing: New Leaf” is titled “Animal Forest: Jump Out” in Japan.It’s developed by the same creators as the previous DS & Wii versions. Making full use of the 3DS’ abilities, the game features much more customization around town on: your house’s walls & furniture, other people’s houses if you become town mayor, and even down to your character’s shirt, hat & accessories can all be changed at will. Oh and you can now swim in the ocean too!

Europe’s Top 10 Games:

1. Call of Duty: Black Ops II (Xbox 360)
2. Football Manager 2013 (PC/Mac)
3. FIFA 13 (PS3)
4. Far Cry 3 (Xbox 360)
5. Just Dance 4 (Wii)
6. FIFA 13 (Xbox 360)
7. Call of Duty: Black Ops II (PS3)
8. Far Cry 3 (PS3)
9. Assassin’s Creed 3 (Xbox 360)
10. Assassin’s Creed 3 (PS3)

Activision’s 100-million-selling blockbuster Call of Duty series debuts high on the charts worldwide with Call of Duty: Black Ops II on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. It’s one of the biggest entertainment launches of the year, selling over 7.5 million copies in the USA alone in its first two weeks on sale.

DLC Packs like next week’s “Revolution” are sure to keep it popular. Here’s the funny Call of Duty: Black Ops II “The Replacer” trailer.

To recap the top games per system:

• Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch debuts at #1 on the PS3 chart.
• Far Cry 3 becomes top dog on the Xbox 360 chart.
• Just Dance 4 dances to 1st place on the Wii chart.
• The Sims 3 takes first place on the PC & Mac charts.
• New Super Mario Bros. 2 jumps on the 3DS chart at numero uno.
• Pokemon Black & White Version 2 catch a shiny #1 on the DS chart.
• New Super Mario Bros. U is selling at a good attach rate for the new Wii U console.
• The Call of Duty: Black Ops: Declassified bundle is 1st on the PS Vita chart.
• Need for Speed: Most Wanted is still on the PSP chart.
• And lastly, Kingdom Hearts stays popular after 10 years in the PS2 chart’s Top 100!

Sales data collected from Amazon’s US, JPN (PC) & UK / DE / FR websites.

Looking for The Cave Game cheats on PC, Mac, PS3, Xbox 360 & Wii U? Here we’ll list The Cave Game cheat codes and unlockables with tips for Double Fine’s new Platformer Adventure game.

The Cave Game Cheats

The Cave is a game in which you lead unlikely adventurers on a journey into a sentient, talking cave.

Here’s an interview where its creator — adventure games legend and the man behind Monkey Island — Ron Gilbert, gives gameplay tips and talks about what people can expect to find inside The Cave.

There are no The Cave Game cheats on Xbox 360, PS3, PC, Mac & Wii U yet. So until they are discovered.

The Elder Scrolls Online Beta Testing Begins

Bethesda & ZeniMax Online Studios have announced The Elder Scrolls Online beta testing starts with beta program sign-ups this week!

When will the first round of the beta begin? The answer doesn’t confirm a date. To quote:

“If selected, you will be one of the first people to embark upon the newest Elder Scrolls adventure, and help us beta test The Elder Scrolls Online. Please be aware that this is just beta sign-ups. The first beta test will begin soon—watch our official website, Facebook, and Twitter for an announcement about the first round of invites.”

What can you do in the beta? Here’s what it is about:

“Tamriel is at war. Three alliances — the Aldmeri Dominion, Daggerfall Covenant, and Ebonheart Pact — square off for control of The Imperial City.
The time to vow your allegiance is swiftly approaching, as the official sign-up for The Elder Scrolls Online beta program begins today. If selected, you will be one of the first people to embark upon the newest Elder Scrolls adventure, and help us beta test The Elder Scrolls Online.
Now is the time for future members of the Aldmeri Dominion, Daggerfall Covenant, and Ebonheart Pact to rally and show your support!”

To celebrate the opening of the beta sign-ups, an The Elder Scrolls Online “The Alliances” cinematic trailer has been released. Watch it here:

Next, we have the first video of The Elder Scrolls Online — a documentary-style introduction to the game, presented by members of The Elder Scrolls Online Development Team. This video covers the basics of ESO, including a first look at the game’s Elder Scrolls-style combat system, massive PvP battles, Megaservertechnology, exploration-based content, and much more.

An introduction to The Elder Scrolls Online:

The Elder Scrolls Online is set for release sometime in 2013 for PC and Mac.

Are you first in line to try out for The Elder Scrolls Online Beta?

This Ni No Kuni walkthrough will guide you through the beginning to ending moments of gameplay with strategy tips for this JRPG exclusively on the PS3.

Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is an epic tale of a young boy, Oliver, who embarks on a journey to become a master magician and bring back his dead mother from the parallel world of Ni no Kuni. Along the way he encounters some extraordinary characters, many of whom become helpful allies. They guide Oliver as he explores the vast world and learns the magical skills that will make him strong enough to face his most deadly foes, and ultimately survive an encounter with the White Witch herself.

Please note that viewers must be at least 10 to watch, so no harm comes to those with innocent eyes. This game includes Alcohol and Tobacco Reference, Comic Mischief, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling.

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Ni No Kuni Walkthrough

Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, a heart-warming tale of a young boy named Oliver, who embarks on a journey into a parallel world in an attempt to bring his mother back from the dead. Along the way, Oliver makes new friends and adopts many of the wonderful creatures that inhabit the world, raising them to battle other creatures on his behalf as he takes on formidable enemies. Developed by LEVEL-5 with animation by the legendary Studio Ghibli, Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch combines beautiful animated visuals, masterful storytelling and a sweeping score into an epic role-playing adventure like no other.

The world of Ni no Kuni actually runs parallel to the real world. Players will be able to travel between the two. Characters who appear in one world appear in the other as well, but with different roles in this unique RPG experience.

Key Game Features:

• All-Star Production — LEVEL-5’s mastery of the RPG genre is combined with Studio Ghibli’s world-class animation and music composed by the renowned Joe Hisaishi.
• Another World — Stunning visuals, made possible by utilizing the full capabilities of the hardware, create the world of Ni no Kuni and immerses players into Oliver’s journey within this vibrant, animated world.
• Captivating Story — A charming and tragic tale unfolds including animation storyboarded and created by Studio Ghibli with English and Japanese voice overs.
• Role Playing Mastery — New and traditional RPG elements expertly crafted and designed featuring dozens of locations to explore, hundreds of creatures to battle and a wealth of quests and secrets to uncover throughout the sweeping journey.
• Dynamic Fights — Freely switch control of characters and familiars in an exciting battle system that combines real-time and turn-based tactical elements.

Part 1: A Sombre Start

It’s finally here! After years of waiting through the Japanese DS and PS3 releases, Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch has been translated! Let’s start the Ni no Kuni walkthrough with the game’s introduction.

Part 2: A Whole New World

Oliver gets his first wand and makes the journey to Drippy’s world.

Part 3: Guardian Grapple & Guardian of the Woods Boss Fight

Oliver faces his toughest foe yet in the Guardian of the Woods boss fight, of the steadfast Defender of the Forest.

Part 4: Ding Dong Dell

Oliver and Drippy return to Ding Dong Dell to visit the lazy King Tom Tildrum the XIVth. Unsurprisingly, things don’t go quite as planned…

Part 5: The Bottom of the Well

With his Meowjesty missing, Oliver and Drippy return to Motorville to hunt down the King’s soul mate in Timmy the cat, then it’s off to the bottom of the Ding Dong Well.

The Ni No Kuni Trophies guide lists every Trophy for this PS3 JRPG game and tells you how to get and unlock them in the English version titled Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch.

There are 34 Trophies (16 Hidden) that can be earned in the PS3 version. Earn Bronze (19), Silver (9), Gold (5), and Platinum (1) Trophies to increase your Gamer Level.

Ni No Kuni Trophies Guide

1. Out of this World (Bronze) — Awarded for casting Gateway and traveling to another world.

2. Guildering the Lily (Silver) — Awarded for amassing a fortune of half a million guilders.

3. Man of Steal (Bronze) — Awarded for successfully stealing 50 times.

4. Glim Reaper (Bronze) — Awarded for gathering 2,000 glims.

5. Little Battler Experience (Silver) — Awarded for winning 1,000 battles.

6. Overfamiliar (Bronze) — Awarded for maximizing a familiar’s familiarity.

7. Pedigree Breeder (Bronze) — Awarded for training a familiar to its full potential.

8. Viva the Evolution! (Bronze) — Awarded for managing 10 metamorphoses.

9. Familiarizer (Bronze) — Awarded for taming 20 different species.

10. Boy Scout (Bronze) — Awarded for running 15 different errands.

11. New Sheriff in Town (Bronze) — Awarded for completing 10 different bounty hunts.

12. Pop Pop Fizz Fizz (Bronze) — Awarded for alchemizing 10 different items.

13. Treasure Hunter (Silver) — Awarded for finding all hidden treasure chests.

14. Globetrotter (Silver) — Awarded for setting foot in all secluded regions.

15. Raising the Stakes (Bronze) — Awarded for collecting your first prize at the casino.

16. Magic Master (Silver) — Awarded for learning all of Oliver’s spells.

17. Prima Donna (Bronze) — Awarded for learning all of Esther’s songs.

18. Gunslinger (Bronze) — Awarded for learning all of Swaine’s trickshots.

Hidden Trophies:

19. Wizardry Whiz (Platinum) — Awarded for becoming a master magician. Congratulations! You truly are a whiz at wizardry!

20. En Guardian! (Bronze) — Awarded for defeating the Guardian of the Woods and bringing him back to his senses.

To get the Trophy En Guardian in Ni No Kuni you must defeat the Guadian of the woods known as Steadfast Defender of the Forest.

21. Anchors Aweigh (Bronze) — Awarded for obtaining the Sea Cow.

22. Fly the Friendlier Skies (Bronze) — Awarded for befriending Tengri.

23. Wonder Wand (Bronze) — Awarded for restoring the legendary wand Mornstar to its former glory.

24. A Tonic for the Djinn (Bronze) — Awarded for defeating the Dark Djinn.

First Encounter:

25. Council Trouncer (Silver) — Awarded for freeing the other world from the clutches of the Zodiarchy.

26. King of the World (Gold) — Awarded for defeating the Guardian of Worlds.

27. Familiarologist (Gold) — Awarded for taming 250 different species.

28. Humanitarian of the Year (Silver) — Awarded for running 60 different errands.

29. Bounty Hunter (Silver) — Awarded for completing 40 different bounty hunts.

30. Super Hero (Gold) — Awarded for collecting all the merit awards.

31. Mad Scientist (Gold) — Awarded for alchemizing 120 different items.

32. High Roller (Silver) — Awarded for collecting all of the tickets for the Mem-O-Vision by winning big at the casino.

33. Solosseum Slugger (Bronze) — Awarded for winning your first bout in the Solosseum Series.

34. Solosseum Supremo (Gold) — Awarded for becoming the champion of the Solosseum Series.