Xseed Acquires Atlus Online, Becomes Marvelous USA

Xseed grew today starting with the acquisition of Atlus Online from Index Digital Media. Atlus Online handles MMORPGs like BattleSpace, Knights of the Sky, Pandora Saga, and Shin Megami Tensei Imagine.

This new company has a rather familiar name, Marvelous USA, and will be run by Shinichi Suzuki, who is the current President and CEO of Xseed and former President of Atlus USA. Ken Berry will continue to direct publishing and localization efforts for console and handheld games. Tatsuya Nishioka from Marvelous AQL will handle digital titles from Marvelous Online.

“Marvelous USA unifies our US operations under the global Marvelous brand while giving our customers topnotch products and support for both traditional and online social and mobile games,” said Shinichi Suzuki, President and CEO of Marvelous USA. “Our Xseed Games console and PC brand will continue to offer the quality games and service for which it is known, and Marvelous Online gives us expanded reach into mobile and online social gaming markets.”

Read more stories about Atlus & Marvelous AQL & Xseed on Siliconera.

Shining Ark's Two DLC Only Characters Are Lorna Murasame And Seraphim

Shining Ark has a cameo character from Shining Hearts. Lorna Murasame can join Freed and Panis if you pick up a copy of the game with the angel fan disk, a bonus which includes the soundtrack on MP3s, a radio drama, and a digital art book. Since the fan disk was a preorder bonus for Shining Hearts, it might not be easy to come by anymore. If you purchase Shining Ark from the PlayStation Store before March 6 you can still get Lorna.

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A code to unlock Seraphim is in the first print copies of Nana Mizuki's album "Rockbound Neighbors." Shining Ark is available now for PSP.

Read more stories about PSP & Shining Ark on Siliconera.

Border Break, Sega's Mecha Arcade Game, Is Transforming Into A Card RPG

While it isn't available in North America, Border Break is one of Sega's most successful series generating millions in revenue. Sega is spinning the online enabled mecha fighting game off into a mobile title.

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Border Break Mobile: Gun Front Hurricane is coming to iOS this winter. It's a card training RPG that's free to download with additional items available to purchase. Border Break Mobile: Gun Front Hurricane will launch this winter. Sega will start signing players up on February 12.

Read more stories about Border Break Mobile: Gun Front Hurricane & iPhone on Siliconera.

atelier escha logy brings more new characters to the mix

Dengeki has a few new characters to introduce from Atelier Escha & Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky, and you can read about them below. Note that any romanizations of names you see from this point on should be taken with a grain of salt. Gust are known for simply making names up, so it’s impossible to predict how something is supposed to sound in English until they provide an official English spelling.

Auin:

20-years-old. He wears glasses and works as an engineer that does maintenance work. Auin uses a hammer as a weapon and is Escha's step brother. He has a gentle nature.

Sleia:

A 26-year-old silver-haired historian. She uses an earring as a weapon. The earring acts as a catalyst for her special ability. Sleia is described as elegant and glamorous. Does she have a relationship with 'that person?' (Note: I have no idea who “that person” is.)

Reifar:

32. Treasure hunter. Described as a romantic person and nihilistic.

Also mentioned are a couple of system details. Support attacks in Atelier Escha & Logy are tied to a gauge. Attacking in succession (like a chain combo) increases the amount of damage you deal. Additionally, a screenshot shows HP bars for six people; however, six people are not actually shown on the screen at once. At most you have two characters doing partner attacks.

Read more stories about Atelier Escha & Logy: Alchemists of the Dusk Sky & PlayStation 3 on Siliconera.

EA's Lost Marvel Fighting Game Looks Kind Of Like Marvel Vs. Capcom 3

Long before Capcom and Marvel started working on Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Electronic Arts signed a deal with Marvel. Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects was the only game to come out from the partnership, but EA Chicago, the studio behind the Def Jam fighting game series, was working on another Marvel title.

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An artist that worked on the unreleased Marvel fighting game shared some assets from it. Spider-Man, Hulk, and Captain America were playable characters. One screenshot showed the proposed control scheme which had weak attack, strong attack, a run button, and a lock on which suggests 3D arenas. The canceled Marvel fighting game had a campaign mode, what if scenarios, and online play.

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The menus are interesting because they have a comic book feel like Marvel vs. Capcom 3. Perhaps, Marvel presented this style to Capcom and Capcom expanded on the idea of idea of a playable comic book?

Read more stories about Electronic Arts & Marvel & Marvel vs. Capcom 3 on Siliconera.

square enix expands kingdom hearts x[chi] s storyline, adds stitch

Kingdom Hearts X[chi], a browser game where players can create a keyblade wielder, has been updated with new stories. Agrabah, Wonderland, and the Dwarf Woodland has new missions and events. The PC game has new Heartless to fight in these areas too.

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Players can also get a Stitch card by completing a summer mission between now and August 29. As of now, Kingdom Hearts X[chi] has only been released in Japan.

Read more stories about Kingdom Hearts X[chi] & PC on Siliconera.

here's drakengard 3 s leading lady dressed as kaine from nier

Drakengard 3 has a crossover with Nier. No, we're not talking about how the two series connect chronologically either. The Drakengard 10th anniversary box includes the PlayStation 3 game, a bunch of items to celebrate the Drakengard series, and a Kaine costume for Zero.

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This limited edition item will only be sold from Square Enix's online store and it costs 19,800 yen ($200). Drakengard 3 comes out on December 19.

Read more stories about Drakengard 3 & PlayStation 3 on Siliconera.

Batgirl DLC Spotted For Injustice Gods Among Us

YouTube user SFlip has discovered what looks like Batgirl DLC for Injustice: Gods Among Us, the DC Comics fighter by NetherRealm Studios. In the video below, spotted by Polygon and GameInformer.com, you can see the Batgirl DLC listed on the Xbox Live Marketplace:

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Warner Bros. announced some time ago that Injustice would have at least four DLC characters. The first of these is Lobo. The other three have yet to be announced, but it looks like Batgirl may be one of them.

Read more stories about Injustice: Gods Among Us & PlayStation 3 & Videos & Wii U & Xbox 360 on Siliconera.

THQ licenzia ufficialmente CEO e Presidente

Un altro piccolo passo verso il game over.THQ ha ufficializzato il licenziamento del CEO Brian J. Farrel e del presidente Jason Rubin in data 31 Gennaio 2013. Rubin era stato chiamato a prendere le redini della società a Giugno del 2012, vista la sua grande esperienza nell’industy, dopo la fondazione di Naughty Dog nel 1985. I tentativi in extremis non sono purtroppo serviti a salvare THQ, che è ufficilmente fallita per bancarotta il 23 Gennaio 2013. Dopo la svendita degli studi di proprietà del gruppo, questo nuovo annuncio non significa altro che THQ sta per morire ufficialmente, anche in sede legale. Per saperne di più sullo smembramento del gruppo, potete cliccare qui.THQ licenzia ufficialmente CEO e Presidente, 5.0 out of 5 based on 2 ratings

Borderlands 2 Vita Port Being Published By Sony

The PlayStation Vita port of Borderlands 2 is being developed by Divekick developer Iron Galaxy Studios, Sony revealed today. Sony will be publishing the game themselves.

Borderlands 2 will allow for four-player co-op on Vita, but Sony haven’t shared any further details on the port. The game is slated for release sometime in 2014.

Read more stories about Borderlands 2 & PC & PlayStation 3 & PlayStation Vita & Xbox 360 on Siliconera.

Here's A Look At Zod In Injustice, Along With A Man of Steel Skin

Zod is coming to Injustice: Gods Among Us as a playable fighter via DLC, and this morning, Warner Bros. and NetherRealm released a video showing him in action.

Additionally, a Man of Steel skin inspired by the movie will be released for Superman for in-game use. Zod will be available on July 2nd for $4.99/€4.99/£3.99 on PSN and Xbox Live. The Man of Steel skin cost $0.99.

Read more stories about Injustice: Gods Among Us & PlayStation 3 & Videos & Wii U & Xbox 360 on Siliconera.

Final Fantasy XIV A Realm Reborn Update Brings PvP, Housing, And More

During a special Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn stage at Tokyo Game Show, producer/director Naoki Yoshida provided a peek at what to expect from the anticipated version 2.1 update, where we’ll be seeing new dungeons, personal housing, player vs. player and more. Here’s a look at some of the key features.

In version 2.1, we’ll be seeing a several new dungeons. This one in particular is called the Crystal Tower, which is based off the same area from Final Fantasy III. This dungeon will require 24 players to take on. According to Yoshida, it won’t be too tough to the point where one or a few players falling means the end of the run.

The next update will also introduce the Player Housing system, which will be available at all three city-states in Eorzea. There will be about 380 different parts to decorate your own home.

Additionally, we’ll also be getting a new PvP arena feature, called The Wolve's’ Den. The player vs. player system will pit two teams of four players up against each other. This feature will be further demonstrated tomorrow.

Here’s a look at some extra content we’ll also be seeing in the patch:

Treasure hunting: This will be a new feature that revolves around finding treasure. Not much as been revealed as to what we can expect from it, but it can be done solo or multiplayer.

Hard mode against a special foe: A hard mode battle featuring a special boss. When this enemy was first created, the developers felt that it was too difficult of a fight, and ended up omitting it from the final version. However, they've decided to have it appear as slightly weaker version, who'll be appearing in the new update. In regards to which monster it will be, Yoshida says that it'll be a secret for now.

Daily primal quests: The daily primal quests will revolve around the fights against special enemies. These will appear on a daily basis, where you can login everyday and decide how many you want to do.

Content Finder — random  matching feature: This will also have various contents with random match-ups for players willing to lend others a hand. Doing so will give you tokens that can be used to acquire stronger equipment.

Additionally, version 2.1 will also be adding a beauty parlor that allows you to change your hairstyle.

Square Enix will be revealing more on the housing system, and more regarding the 2.1 update tomorrow. Additionally, they’ll also be showcasing some of the end-game content of the current version.

Read more stories about Final Fantasy XIV & PC & PlayStation 3 & PlayStation 4 on Siliconera.

Nobuo Uematsu's Story About A Robot With A Human Emotions Is Out Now

In addition to composing scores for Fairy Fencer F and Hometown Story, Nobuo Uematsu also wrote a picture book. Blik-0 1946 is about a robot built to experience human emotions. Blik-0 lives with Dr. Mabuse, the scientist that created him.

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The short story also includes three original tracks written by Uematsu for readers to listen to while they are reading the story.

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Blik-0 1946 is available now on iTunes as a digital book.

Read more stories about Blik-0 & iPhone on Siliconera.

High School DxD Game Has Anime Cut-Ins, Lots Of Jiggling

Well, it looks like the High School DxD game is going to live up to the genre "erotic battle adventure." According to Famitsu, High School DxD has a groundbreaking boob bouncing system for the game's adventure part. Expect jubblies that jiggle and burst out. Is Senran Kagura about to meet its match?

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High School DxD also has "Dress Breaks" that Issei can trigger when he's in battle. New for the video game is a Dress Change system so you can see other costumes made just for the game. Kadokawa Games also added in key anime scenes from the first anime series that act as cut-ins during battle.

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High School DxD is slated for release for Nintendo 3DS on November 28 in Japan.

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Read more stories about High School DxD & Nintendo 3DS on Siliconera.

Square Enix's Tomb Raider Studio Hit By Lay-Offs

The latest in Square Enix’s ongoing troubles involve lay-offs at Tomb Raider studio Crystal Dynamics, Kotaku are reporting. The staff that were laid off were not working on Tomb Raider, but on a new IP instead.

“We’ve made some decisions at Crystal Dynamics last week around the second project we’re working on, which has resulted in a small number of roles (roughly 12) becoming redundant as we re-scope the project,” Square Enix confirmed in a statement to Kotaku.

“This doesn’t affect the Tomb Raider development team, who as confirmed last week are well into production on a next-generation sequel. We’re a close-knit team at Crystal and wouldn’t be making these changes if we didn’t feel it was absolutely necessary.”

Square went on to mention that they would do their best to assist those affected, and encourages other developers looking to hire the laid off talent to get in touch at: mtrout@crystald.com.

This news comes following the reveal that Cory Barlog, who directed God of War II at Sony, and then joined Crystal Dynamics’ Tomb Raider team, is no longer with the studio, and is now back at Sony Santa Monica.

Read more stories about PC & PlayStation 3 & Square Enix & Tomb Raider & Xbox 360 on Siliconera.