First-Person Shooters

Source: Blue’s News

These Battlefield 1 Update Notes detail the Spring Update that’s now live in the World War I first-person shooter. This post is long and quite detailed, but the intro is a pretty concise summary:

Being a successful Battlefield player is all about playing the objective and working together as a team. With the Spring Update, we want to further push the team aspect of Battlefield and make teamwork an even bigger part of the experience – with the introduction of Platoons as this update’s central feature.

In this update, we are also releasing some much asked for server administration settings – yes, we heard you! More on that below.

We hope you will like the new features, bug fixes, and balance tweaks. See you on the Battlefield!

Source: The Activision Blog

Today, Activision and Sledgehammer Games provided the first glimpse of the title that’s taking Call of Duty back to its roots – Call of Duty: WWII. We’re talking boots- on- the- ground gameplay delivering a visceral and immersive gameplay experience unlike anything we’ve seen before.

In addition to watching the worldwide reveal stream today, we also met with Sledgehammer Games Co-Founders and Studio Heads, Michael Condrey and Glen Schofield for added insights on what’s to come in the new game. They explained to us that Call of Duty: WWII is a very personal journey for the team, as they have been hard at work on this project for the last two and a half years. “This is based on one of the most monumental moments in human history, and we get to honor and respect that global sacrifice, to honor the men and women who fought for freedom on all fronts, on a global scale,” said Condrey.

Schofield added that the team named the main character after his father, who passed away during production. “The story Call of Duty: WWII follows a global and diverse cast, but for me it honors my father Ronald “Red” Daniels and his squad, and not just what they went through from a global perspective, but what they went through personally. We like to tell a story within a story, and this is no different.”

Both Condrey and Schofield underscored the fact that Call of Duty: WWII is about a squad’s remarkable journey of personal growth and heroism across Europe in World War II, and is a story about common men and women doing uncommon things to preserve freedom.

Welcome to the Fighting First
No mission too difficult. No sacrifice too great. Duty first!

Call of Duty: WWII focuses on the actions of a squad from 1944 to 1945, but will also touch on events from 1940 to 1944 to help set the stage for the narrative and establish the characters. It takes place in the European theater of conflict, at a time when the Allied forces were finally starting to gather strength on their march into Germany. You and your squad will fight your way through occupied France, Belgium, and across the Rhine into Germany.

The Front Lines and Beyond
Highlighting the diverse ensemble cast, players will also encounter the French resistance movement, featuring strong and vibrant characters who were fighting for their homeland even after all seemed lost. The game takes players from the beaches of Normandy to the liberation of Paris and beyond, across a variety of heart-racing engagements and epic battles.

To complement today’s gameplay reveal trailer (NSFW) and touch on more of the action that is coming in Call of Duty: WWII, here’s a few insights on two of the missions from the Campaign:

• Hürtgen Forest: An old-growth forest on the German border where Allied forces engage in devastating encounters. In the heat of battle, the German Army uses tree burst bombs that detonate at treetop level, showering soldiers with wooden shrapnel. When your unit is zeroed-in-on by hostile artillery, the forest explodes around you as debris rains down.
• Normandy: From inside a Higgins landing boat, your squad will storm Omaha Beach in a visceral audiovisual experience unlike any D-Day landing experienced in a game to date. You and your fellow soldiers must overcome the enemy defenses to serve as the tip of the spear for the Allied invasion.

Multiplayer
There will be a Multiplayer reveal for Call of Duty: WWII at E3, which will take place in Los Angeles from June 13-15. You won’t want to miss it.

Multiplayer elements coming to Call of Duty: WWII include:

• War: This narrative-driven mode brings a gripping new layer of excitement to Axis vs. Allies team play.
• Divisions: A new approach to Create-a-Class and character customization as you enlist in a division and progress through the ranks.
• Headquarters: A brand-new, social feature for Call of Duty, where you rally and interact with your fellow soldiers.

Call of Duty: WWII will be released on November 3, 2017. Pre-orders at participating retailers include access to the Private Beta, available first on the PlayStation4, scheduled for later this year.

Visit the official Call of Duty website to watch the hour plus long Call of Duty: WWII Worldwide Reveal Pre-show.

Also: FREE map, mode and Survival mission for ALL Players!

The second chapter in DEATHSTORM, a BRAND NEW mini-campaign for Sniper Elite 4, is available to purchase today on PlayStation®4, Xbox One and PC. This exciting addition headlines a glut of new content, including a huge FREE update for all players that delivers a new map, competitive mode and Survival mission.

DEATHSTORM PART 2: INFILTRATION is the second chapter and mission in the new three-part campaign for Sniper Elite 4 for 1-2 players.

Agent Karl Fairburne has recovered the ‘Deathstorm’ package – canisters full of deadly plutonium particles. Now he’s been dispatched to the Fascist-occupied north of Italy to find out what the Nazis are planning for their new weapon. The beautiful medieval town of Niroli, now a regional centre for the Nazi propaganda machine and garrisoned with a strong Italian force, holds the key to Deathstorm. Karl must infiltrate the town, find a prominent Italian scientist and rescue his wife – a crucial Allied informant – before it’s too late.

Set at dusk amidst the winding alleys, yawning rooftops and lofty towers of a venerable walled city, DEATHSTORM PART 2 offers an atmospheric and tactically varied environment packed with deadly opportunity, a new elite enemy unit and an explosive new weapon…

The new Sniper Elite 4 content doesn’t end there; The URBAN ASSAULT EXPANSION PACK also arrives on April 25th packed with 8 urban-themed rifle skins, male and female ghillie characters and 3 iconic new weapons: the Winchester, Sten and Walther PPK.

In addition, Rebellion have released a HUGE FREE UPDATE FOR ALL PLAYERS packed with new content and gameplay tweaks.

A free new map, “Urban”, works across Survival mode and all competitive multiplayer modes, including a returning favourite – Capture the Flag!

Stay tuned for more updates in late Spring and Summer as Sniper Elite 4 continues to deliver fans a compelling flow of free and paid post-launch content.

For more game info head to the Sniper Elite 4 website.

Today is the day Sniper: Ghost Warrior fans around the world have been waiting for. Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3 officially launches today globally on Windows PC, Xbox One, and on PlayStation®4 systems.

Go behind enemy lines to help the resistance and discover what has happened to Jonathan North’s younger brother, Robert. With three sprawling open-world maps set in the country of Georgia, it’s up to the player how he or she would like to approach each mission. Will you snipe from afar, creep in the shadows, or go in guns blazing? Only by perfecting all three tiers will you become a true Sniper Ghost Warrior.

Watch the Launch Trailer HERE.

Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3 tells the story of brotherhood, faith and betrayal in the most complete sniper experience ever. Take the role of an American sniper named Jonathan North, who is dropped into enemy territory in northern Georgia, nearby Russian borders. Explore large open-world maps with dynamic weather and a day and night cycle that actually impacts play and decisions. Customize weapon equipment, accessories, vehicles and a drone, and utilize the three pillars of gameplay to your liking: Sniper, Ghost and Warrior.

To learn more about Sniper: Ghost Warrior 3, visit the games official website.

Source: Jason Schreier @ Kotaku

The next Call of Duty is probably set during World War II, as is evidenced pretty strongly by its title, Call of Duty: WWII. Activision announced the game today, adding that there will be an official “reveal” next Wednesday at 1pm ET.

We’ve known about Call of Duty: WWII since last month, when it was leaked via early marketing materials. This one is developed by Sledgehammer Games, the Activision-owned studio that was last responsible for Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare.

 Source: Gamers Hell

Ubisoft today announced that Narco Road, the first expansion for Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Wildlands, is now available for season pass owners across all platforms. Season pass owners will have access to Narco Road one week before it releases for individual purchase on April 25 on consoles and PC for the suggested retail price of $14.99.

Narco Road trades in stealth and assault for subterfuge and tasks players with infiltrating three gangs of smugglers led by the elusive El Invisible. Players will have to go undercover and work their way up the ranks and earn the trust of the mysterious leader if they have any hope of bringing him to justice. Playable entirely in solo or co-op, players will have to earn the respect of gang leaders by completing brand new campaign missions and taking part in adrenaline-fueled racing challenges.

Watch the Narco Road DLC Trailer HERE.

It’s been a long time coming, but it looks like Call of Duty is finally heading back to where it all began, World War II, and that makes a lot of sense.

By Nathan Lawrence @ IGN

Around this time two years ago, I predicted that Treyarch’s 2015 Call of Duty game would go back to the trenches of World War II. I even labelled that prediction as “extremely likely”. Turns out I was on the wrong side of history with that one, and while I’m happy to eat humble pie, I firmly believe that Call of Duty 2017 will jump back to where the series began, in the trenches of World War II.

Naturally, it helps that recent leaks suggest that Sledgehammer Games’ 2017 series entry will be called Call of Duty: WW2. Obviously, it’s possible that these leaked images are fake – we do, after all, live in the Photoshop age – but it’s likely they’re on point. Here’s why.

Read on…

All Arma 3 players receive aircraft carrier as free bonus content

In follow up to their latest dev diary, which discussed the planned new content for Arma 3 in 2017, Bohemia Interactive today announced the release date of the first upcoming DLC package: Arma 3 Jets. Available worldwide on May 16th 2017, the Jets DLC will enhance the combined arms experience by adding three new air-superiority jets, an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), a new Showcase scenario, and more.

As is protocol with each Arma 3 DLC release, the Jets DLC will be accompanied by a free platform update that improves the game for everyone. The main highlights of this update are the ‘sensor overhaul’ to improve targeting and target detection, an upgraded fixed-wing damage model with more hitpoints and new damage effects, dynamic vehicle loadouts, and various other jets-related improvements.

In addition, as a special surprise, Bohemia Interactive is proud to reveal truly massive bonus content in the form of the CVN-83 “USS Freedom” Aircraft Carrier (watch new trailer). This nuclear-powered aircraft supercarrier, which will be available for free to everyone who owns Arma 3, serves as a naval main operating base, and can carry various aircraft and helicopters on board. In terms of in-game functionality, the ship is a static object that can be positioned across the map via the 3D Scenario Editor, but cannot be ‘driven’. The carrier supports catapult take-offs and tailhook landings, and features functional autonomous defensive weapon systems.

Arma 3 Jets DLC Key Features

• F/A-181 Black Wasp II – The F/A-181 Black Wasp II is a fifth-generation, single-seat, twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter jet. The aircraft was designed primarily as an air-superiority fighter, but also has ground attack capabilities. Its additional external hard points enable the aircraft to carry a wide variety of weapons configurations. The Black Wasp is fitted with the required equipment for carrier operations.
• To-201 Shikra – The To-201 Shikra is a fifth-generation, single-seat, twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter jet. The aircraft was designed by a CSAT and Russian joint syndicate with the goal to build a highly agile and maneuverable air-superiority fighter. Similar to the F/A-181, the To-201 also has ground attack capabilities, and is able to support various weapons configurations via its conventional pylons, but also its internal weapons bay.
• A-149 Gryphon – The A-149 Gryphon is a fourth-generation, single-seat, single-engine, and all-weather tactical fighter jet. The aircraft was designed as a multi-role platform at an affordable cost, and unlike some of the larger air-superiority jets, it can also perform well in low-altitude flight. Despite its aging platform, the A-149 has still been upgraded with the newest sensors and weapons systems.
• Sentinel – The Sentinel is a fifth-generation, state of the line, twin-engine, all-weather tactical Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV). The Sentinel was designed primarily as a reconnaissance platform, but can also perform precision ground attacks. It typically operates from an aircraft carrier.
• Showcase Fighter Jets – Take to the skies above Altis and engage in air-to-air and air-to-ground combat in a brand new Showcase scenario.

The Jets DLC is now available for pre-order on the Bohemia Store and Steam with a 10% pre-order discount (original price: € 9.99 / $ 11.99 / £ 8.99). Alternatively, if they already wish to enlist for all planned upcoming DLC, players can purchase the Arma 3 DLC Bundle 2 on the Bohemia Store or Steam (€ 22.99 / $ 24.99 / £ 19.99), which saves more than 25% over purchasing the upcoming Jets, “Orange” (working title), Tac-Ops, and Tanks DLC separately.

For a complete overview of the Arma 3 Jets’ content and features, check out the official website at www.arma3.com/dlc/jets.

Source: Blue’s News

UbiBlog has details on Title Update 3 for Ghost Recon: Wildlands, which is now available on consoles, and is coming today to the Windows edition of the shooter. This includes game stability improvements and fixes for some issues with the game. It will also introduce Live Season Challenges, and they provide this explanation of what these are about:

The Title Update also introduces Live Season Challenges – a brand new feature giving players regular access to new objectives. These Challenges will be separated into Seasons, with each lasting six weeks and featuring a specific theme and specific rewards. The first Season starts on April 18th. The update adds a new in-game menu where you can see the current Challenges, check details of how to find them, and monitor your progression.

Because the Challenges are live content, you need to be online to activate them and update your statistics – though the missions can be completed offline during the same game session.

There’ll be a total of five new missions each week, gradually allowing you to discover new pieces of Operation Kingslayer.

• Three challenges playable solo (co-op is available, but your stats are counted individually)
• A challenge dedicated to members of Task Force groups (Task Forces can be created or joined on the Ghost Recon Network)
• A community challenge that requires the contribution of all players to reach an overall objective.

Players will receive a reward after completing each challenge, totaling three rewards per season. During a season, each challenge will be available for one week and will be updated every Wednesday at 9am UTC (that’s 10am BST) – so don’t forget to complete them before then to get the reward.

Infinity Ward and Activision have released a brand new multiplayer trailer for Continuum, the second DLC map pack for Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare.

The four maps are:

• Turista – A plush spa and resort, Turista is nestled in the middle of a giant skeleton of an ancient creature. With sniper spots scattered across a majestic, central waterfall, Turista also boasts tight interiors for fans of close-quartered combat and a three-lane design that caters to a variety of play styles
• Scrap – Set in an abandoned junkyard on the Moon, Scrap features a combination of extended sightlines and tactical pathways that reward players who engage in both long and short range combat
• Archive – Fast, frenetic engagements set the pace in Archive, a post-futurist art gallery where tight engagements contrast with open exterior battlegrounds in this wide three-lane style map
• Excess – Perched atop a gilded penthouse in a sprawling future metropolis, Excess is a small, circular map re-imagined from the classic Modern Warfare 2 map, Rust, that retains the intense, fast-paced combat from the original

The 2-minute video shows off the varied gameplay styles that suit each map and the screenshots show off the combat of the multiplayer maps and the new zombies experience “Shaolin Shuffle.”