Muse Games has released the latest gameplay footage of Guns of Icarus Online taken during the latest closed beta weekend.

The footage is of the game in its current form and it shows how teamwork is necessary for this cooperative airship combat game where, in the opening seconds, it shows the gunner asking the captain to steer the ship straight into the enemy so that the howitzer can face them before firing.

What follows, then, are a series of scenes showing off the air combat between multiple airships, from single howitzers firing head-on to multiple guns being fired in a broadside. We are shown the action as the vessels are blown out of the sky and we even get to see the vessel, from which the viewpoint is shot, go down in flames.

The indie developer revealed that during the most recent beta test, which started May 11 and ended May 13, there were more than 200 matches which saw 7,000 ship components destroyed. It also said that the most popular ship was The Junker, which features five small guns that makes up for the lack of maneuverability. As for the most used weapon, the Small Howitzer was the favorite because of its long range and high damage, which helps to counter the low ammo count and limited firing arc.

The game itself is an amalgamation of first-person action with team-based strategy in which there are three roles for players to choose from – the Captain, Gunner, and Engineer.

The next beta event will take place on May 25.

Muse Games boss Howard Tsao recently chatted to us about the game’s development.

Follow Sean on Twitter: @SeanDKnight

What are you playing?

Jonny Neeves, @Jonny_Neeves - Despite my frustration at the ridiculous time it took to update, I have returned to the unforgiving world of Skyrim. Therefore, I shall be plowing through that game in order to try and get every achievement and go top of its leaderboard on Raptr. Other than that, I have to get around to playing Deus Ex: Human Revolution, about which I’ve heard varying opinions, so it’ll be fun to see where I stand on the various issues raised.

Graham McCann, @GrahamSMcCann - Max Payne 3 for Xbox 360; can’t say how incredibly impressed I am with it. F.E.A.R. 3 and perhaps Arkham Asylum (so I can finally get into Arkham City) will be on the list as well. All this even though I have an unopened Collectors Edition of Diablo III. I am waiting for a while on that one, just so issues cool down.

Sean Knight, @SeanDKnight - This weekend it’s all about the single-player games. I’m going to be revisiting Legend of Grimrock and spending all my time staring at walls. Then, when my eyes start to bleed, I’ll head on over and play some Torchlight. I’ll be rocking with my alchemist and pet dog named, for laughs, Diablo. And, if I have 45 minutes to spare I’ll get in a game of DOTA 2 while I’m at it.

Tyler Zehner, @TylerZehner - Diablo III will probably consume most of my weekend. However, if I can get away long enough, I plan on diving incredible slowly into Max Payne 3. And if all else fails and I feel like enduring the worst kind of punishment, I might see what that little blue ball of disappointment is up to in Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2. Wish me luck!

Phil Nachum, @philpee2 - I’ll be playing through more of Max Payne 3, which has been incredible so far. It’s really incredible how it manages to feel like its ten year old predecessors in some ways, and yet feel so ahead of other shooters in other ways. I’ll also try to get in some multiplayer, so feel free to add me on XBL (Gamer Tag: philpee2).

Just takin' it easy, shootin' some guns

Marcus Mac Dhonnagáin, @M_M_DH - With nothing else but a DS, I’ve started another playthrough of GTA: Chinatown Wars. It’s a return to the old top down perspective that GTA and GTA 2 both had but manages to nearly recreate the map found in GTA 4. It’s fantastic because it brings the old and the modern together and develops its own little quirks that sets it apart from its predecessors. Who knew selling drugs could be so much fun?

Melissa Kay, @THEquadskater - In light of recent Pokemon news and a lack of 3DS titles, Melissa has backtracked to the Johto & Kanto regions via Pokemon Heartgold and might even dare to pick up a copy of Black or White. She’s also busy being overwhelmed in the aisles of Walmart, starring in confusion at various packages of Pokemon cards as she attempts to fullfill a long lost childhood dream.

Sam Neal, @SnealIV - Huh… what? Fill out a form saying what I’m playing this weekend? Yeah, yeah sure. I’ll get right on that.

Just as soon as I beat this dungeon boss in Diablo III.

Nate Hales, @nhales80 - I don’t know if people have noticed, but I love RPGs. LOVE THEM. So this weekend I am looking at The Last Story and my first foray into Diablo. Which is proving to be entertaining and… clicky. I am also going to be building, digging and stealing in Minecraft.

Richard Hayden, @HaydenOnP2R - After a week away from my computer, I’m itching to get back into Minecraft. I can’t wait to see what the others on the server have been up to while I was away. I also hope to find time to test out Dear Esther, which has recently been released for Mac via Steam. I’m keen to experience some of the eerie atmosphere Sean talked about in his review of the PC version earlier this year.

Aenne Schumann, @PeachyAenne - Video games and I have gone through some turmoil as of late. I had ragequit The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings after dying at the Kayran, but after giving it another go (with some help) I feel in love with it again. I will be joining Geralt and Iorveth on their sexy adventures.

Then I had a rocky start with Diablo III; I couldn’t play it due to the infamous errors. But we’ve rekindled our differences and I will playing Diablo III until my eyes bleed… or I fall asleep, whichever comes first!

Randy Lamberson, @RandyOnP2R - My weekend is all planned out. I am going to pop a bunch of pills and chase them down with some whiskey. No, not in real life because drugs are bad and we here at Press2Reset don’t condone their use. I am of course talking about Max Payne 3. Who would have guessed that getting wasted would slow down time and give your aim the added boost to take out groups of enemies. So far the game has really impressed me. The story, the narrative, the setting; everything is top notch. Hit us all up, we are starting a Press2Reset gang and we will take you all down in a firery hail of bullets.

Chris Root - This weekend I’ll be running around like a madman shooting as many people in the head as possible. Then, on the assumption I don’t get arrested, I’ll be playing Max Payne 3.

Marc Lynch, @MarcOnP2R - My soul is going to be pulled between Diablo III and Minecraft on my PC, and Game of Thrones on my PS3. With so many things to do, it’ll be a wonder if I get any work done this weekend!

Next entry in the franchise will improve the physics system

EA has announced that four new features will be coming to NHL 13. The publisher promises that these additions are “the biggest change to the franchise since the introduction of the Skill Stick in NHL 07.”

The new features are True Performance Skating, EA Sports Hockey IQ, GM Connected and NHL Moments Live.

True Performance Skating adds over 1,000 new animations to create a more physics-driven skating system that “authentically replicates the explosiveness, momentum and top end speed displayed by today’s NHL players.”

EA Sports  Hockey IQ is a new AI system for controlling players and goalies. In previous games, computer-controlled players were only aware of other players in close proximity, and goalies were only aware of the player with the puck. In NHL 13, they will be aware of everything on the ice, making their reactions more authentic.

GM Connected is an online version of the Be a GM mode. It acts as an online fantasy league and allows players to manage their own teams. This mode will also be available as an mobile companion app.

NHL Moments Live allows players to replay moments from today’s NHL. Moments from the 2011-12 NHL season will be included on the disk, while new moments from the 2012-2013 season will be added when available.

EA Sports general manager Dean Richards said, ”With our feature set in NHL 13, hockey fans and sports gamers have a lot to be excited about as we are again going to deliver major innovations that will change the way you play the game.”

Follow Phil on Twitter: @philpee2

No fee; big win

Games made possible thanks to crowd-funding venues such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo will not be hit with early distribution costs on EA’s digital platform Origin.

Developers who have titles ready to be digitally published will be free from this fee for the first 90 days after launch. EA said this is to give these developers a chance to show their games to more than 12 million Origin users.

Origin senior vice-president David DeMartini said, “It’s also incredibly healthy for the gaming industry. Gamers around the world deserve a chance to play every great new game, and by waiving distribution fees on Origin we can help make that a reality for successfully crowd-funded developers.”

inXile Entertainment chief executive Brian Fargo said, “Having Origin waive their distribution fees for 90 days for fan-funded games is a major economic bonus for small developers. We look forward to bringing Wasteland 2 to the Origin audience.”

Wasteland 2 is in the works after reaching nearly $3m through 61,290 backers on Kickstarter.

Pinkerton Road boss Jane Jensen said, “Crowd-funded projects are like the ‘people’s choice awards’ – a way for gaming fans to express what they want to buy and play. It’s great to see a big publisher like EA acknowledging that and opening up distribution opportunities for these games.”

 Follow Graham on Twitter: @GrahamSMcCann

Director Matt Firor has stated that despite long development cycles associated with developing MMOs, The Elder Scrolls Online has learned from its predecessors in how players with interact with its systems, according to an interview with GameInformer.

Firor said, “MMOs have evolved a lot in the last ten years and the one thing that we definitely wanted to avoid was the ‘punish the player syndrome’. MMOs are definitely moving away from this but it’s things like when two players that aren’t in a group kill a monster, why shouldn’t they both get credit for it? Why shouldn’t they both get fully rewarded for it and not split it?

“In first generation MMOs one of the players would get punished for it and not get rewarded at all. In the next generation, they split the rewards, but we’re much more inclined to encourage the players to do this, you want them to fight together. You want them to need each other so why not make it as cool as possible to fight monsters and get rewarded for it…”

Firor also spoke about how The Elder Scrolls Online would stay true to the original single-player games in how it always placed a single player at the heart of its tale.

“The part of the IP that we worked with the most to ensure that it was as closest we could in an MMO as it would be in a console solo game is that ‘I’m the hero’. In The Elder Scrolls games you’re always the hero, whether you want to or not in some cases, you know. You go out there and kill the dragons, you defeat Mehrunes Dagon in Oblivion, in Morrowind you’re up there fighting The Tribunal, those are huge global epic things you don’t want to stand in line to do in an MMO.

“The last thing you want to do is have the final confrontation with Mehrunes Dagon as he’s stomping across the Imperial City with like fifteen guys behind you waiting to kill him because they’re on the same quest.

“So, as MMO designers, the thing we needed to hit the most was that feeling that you’re awesome, you’re the hero and we do that of course through a mix of technology where when I am confronting, you know, a major foe in the game. I’m doing it in an instance where I’m alone and we have a whole part of the game that’s 100 percent solo, which is the main quest and story where the world focuses on you. You’re the hero, everything you do is solo and the world reacts to you in that way.”

Follow Marcus on Twitter: @M_M_DH

In the latest Reset Transmission I mentioned that I’d be heading out to my local Gamestop for the midnight release of Diablo 3. What I failed to mention is that I’ve been recording my time with Diablo 3 in my super secret, super awesome diary…

Entry 1
5/14/12

Dearest Diablo 3,

Tonight was your midnight launch. When I arrived at the Gamestop there were at least a hundred others waiting for you. The huge line lingered and I made my way to the end of it. I had a little less than a hour before I was to hold you, have you all to myself.

The time went by far too slowly for my liking. It was painful to watch the minute hand of my watch tick by. But, I pulled through, fought out every second and then it happened. You were in my arms, so snug and tight.

I was so excited to finally see you for the first time tonight, I could barely breathe. My heart skipped beats at the mere mention of your name and now, I have you beside me. As I watch you install, I can barely contain my happiness, a smile forever placed on my lips. I’ve never known a love like this, 47% to go and then we’ll be together forever.

Love,
Aenne

Diablo III opened itself up to me

Entry 2
5/15/12

Dear Diablo 3,

Today work was tough. After last night’s intense download, I fell asleep all too quickly to enjoy your gameplay and work dragged on way too long. I kept imagining you, day dreaming of the fantastic times we’d soon be sharing. It was a struggle to wait another whole day, but I did it. I did it for you.

I reached home, and instantly rushed to your side. I started you up and was about to behold your amazing graphics when…Emergency maintenance!? What the hell!?

Diablo 3, you promised us a future! You swore to me that we’d finally be able to celebrate together. I waited this whole time and you betray me so? I was anticipating being up to the first moments of dawn with you and now you tell me you don’t want to? You’re too busy with your friends over at Blizzard to even let me know what’s going on!

I thought we were going to be together forever….

Sincerely yours,
Aenne

I barely made it this far!

Entry 3

5/16/12

Diablo 3,

Well, after our fight yesterday I feel pretty miserable. I’ve been depressed all day and I don’t even want to look at you. My heart is shattered, but I pulled myself together enough to log in. I’m surprised it even worked, honestly.

I made a demon hunter, but I’m dreadfully upset you like brunettes over blondes.

I accepted some friend requests, that was nice to know at least someone cared. But then I noticed while I sat at level one, they had all achieved level 17, at least. I’m sinking even further into my pit of despair. How am I even supposed to play with my friends when they are at such a higher level than me? This is all your fault! Why did you deny me my wants when I needed you most?

There’s no point to it anymore; there will never be a together forever.

Aenne

Yep, she'd be way cooler as a blonde

Entry 4

5/17/12

Dearest Diablo 3,

Can we start over?

I’m ready to be together forever.

Love,
Aenne

Source: Harebrained Schemes

A run-off will be held next weekend to determine the second real-world city featured in the next installment of the Shadowrun franchise.

A quick recap, developer Harbrained Schemes offered players the ability to vote on an additional city to be featured in the final build of the game if their project raised over $1,000,000. The project ended at $1,836,447.

Players voted between Denver, Hong Kong, Chicago, Berlin, London, and Seattle. However, the difference between the top two cities of Berlin and Hong Kong was less than 1 percent, so Harbrained Schemes will hold a run-off vote this weekend to determine the winner. Only backers of the Kickstarter have access to the run-off vote.

Harebrained Schemes will announce the results of the run-off vote on May 21.

The Kickstarter website lists Shadowrun Returns as the third most funded video game project. The newest installment will return the franchise to its roots as a 2D, turn-based strategy game.

For a full breakdown of the initial voting results, check here.

Follow Sam on Twitter: @SNealIV

Let's discuss the amount of blood coming out of that guys chest...

Following last month’s official (unofficial) announcement of Dragon Age 3, Bioware has finally set out to canvass ideas from fans of the franchise through a series of questions and discussions.

Each month, the developer will ask a question or discuss a topic with fans about Dragon Age through the developer’s official forums. Fans will be given a week to discuss the topic with other fans, the community team and developers.

Speaking on the official BioWare blog, community manager Jessica Merizan said, “Consider this a conversation between fans, the community team, and the developers. Everyone at BioWare is incredibly excited about the future of the franchise but we’re interested in what you have to say. Every month, we will discuss a topic or question about Dragon Age and game development. You will have one week to post your thoughts, desires, and hopes before we close the thread for review. Moderators and developers will pop into the thread to chat every now and again, so keep an eye out.”

Merizan also makes it clear that the ideas that are discussed will not necessarily materialize into a game, saying “the purpose of these exercises isn’t crowd sourcing or soliciting your game dev concepts.

“We won’t guarantee that things we discuss will materialize and we’re not showing anything until we’re ready,” she said.

Furthermore, Merizan poses the first question to fans, asking “What kinds of things would you like to discover and learn about the Dragon Age world?”

You can hit up the games official forums to join the discussion.

Follow Tyler on Twitter: @TylerZehner

More Pandora-based mayhem ahead for Borderlands fans

2K Games and Gearbox Software have announced that Borderlands 2 will receive two special editions: the Deluxe Vault Hunter’s Collector’s Edition and the Ultimate Loot Chest Limited Edition.

The Deluxe Vault Hunter’s Collector’s Edition costs $99.99/£64.99 and includes a copy of the game, a Marcus Kincaid bobblehead, a hardbound art book, a collectable sticker set, a map of Pandora, a digital comic download code, and bonus DLC.

The Ultimate Loot Chest Limited Edition, which costs $149.99/£99.99 (or £74.99 on PC in the UK), includes all of the above, in addition to a replica of the red loot chests found in the game, a steelbook case, the Creatures of Pandora wide-format ID chart, a lithograph postcard set, field notes from Sir Hammerlock, a cloth map of Pandora, and a numbered certificate of authenticity.

In addition, pre-ordering any version of Borderlands 2 will grant players access to the Borderlands 2 Premier Club. Members will receive the Gearbox Gun Pack, a Golden Key, and the Vault Hunter’s Relic. These items will help loot hunters find more rare loot along their journey. Pre-ordering the game also adds a fifth character class called the Mechromancer.

Borderlands 2 will be available on 360, PS3 and PC on September 18 in North America and September 21 internationally.

Follow Phil on Twitter: @philpee2

Rocksteady has released a new trailer for its upcoming Batman: Arkham City DLC titled Harley Quinn’s Revenge.

The trailer shows that something new is cooking in Arkham City. A number of police officers have gone missing and it’s up to Batman to investigate the disappearances. After Batman rescues a police officer, Harley Quinn gets the jump on him, nailing the Caped Crusader with a bullet to the chest.

The scene then switches to Nightwing. Apparently, the Dark Knight is also now missing and Nightwing is his only hope of survival. The footage shows Dick Grayson as he battles through different groups of thugs using his own array of gadgets and weapons (most notably his staff).

The character of Nightwing was playable before but only in challenge rooms. This new DLC will allow Batman’s former sidekick to take on the gritty streets of Gotham City.

Harley Quinn’s Revenge DLC will be bundled with the Game of the Year edition of Batman: Arkham City September 7 for the PS3, 360, and PC.

Follow Randy on Twitter: @RandyOnP2R