Bethesda Announces "Hearthfire" DLC for Skyrim

Bethesda recently announced some very unique DLC for Skyrim that will allow players to build and customize their very own house. Hearthfire will allow you to construct your own house outside of city walls on your own plot of land where you can fill the insides with a multitude of items and furnishings. 

  

 

A new drafting and carpenter's table allow you to craft items that will fill your house. Looking at the video that was released with the announcement of Hearthfire, it looks like you'll also be responsible for crafting not only your furniture and decorations, but even the fine details such as locks and hinges for doors will be important in constructing your home.

You'll be able to construct various rooms that meet your characters needs such as an alchemy lab, mage's tower, training room, an armory or even a trophy room. The trophy room in the video shows off some awesome looking trophies which look like preserved enemies ranging from trolls and Draugr, to Hagravens and Dwemer sphere warriors.

The customization doesn't end inside though;outside you can build gardens and other areas responsible for harvesting food and consumable items. Stewards can be hired to maintain your home, provide transport and deliver furniture to your home as well. A new adoption system will allow you and your spouse to adopt children to live in you house. You can raise your children by assigning them chores or playing a game with them. In maintaining your house, it is important to wipe out skeever infestations and fend off those nosy, dumb giants to protect your family and livestock.

This is a new level of customization to The Elder Scrolls and should be popular among players. Allowing players to build a house to their liking is so cool because you can really interject your character's personality and skills into the game. If you're a mage or an alchemist, having a large greenhouse, garden, and mage's tower complete with a lab can be built to meets your character's specific needs. If you have a lot of rare weaponry and armor you want to show off, you can now build an entire room dedicated to displaying your collection. Being outside of city walls and being able to choose your own plot of land is even more intriguing since you can find the perfect climate and piece of land to settle your estate on. 

 

Right now, Hearthfire is only slated to release on the Xbox 360 on September 4, for 400 Microsoft points. As for the PS3 and PC however, there has been no word on when or if they will receive the Hearthfire content. This raises concerns, especially for PS3 players who are still waiting for the release of "Dawnguard" the first DLC released for Skyrim. Dawnguard has been available to Xbox 360 players and recently to PC players but is still not ready for the PS3 due to "performance errors". 

I'm sure Hearthfire will be released on the PS3 and PC eventually but Bethesda is playing catch-up still. Bethesda VP, Pete Hines explains that they "are working on multiple projects, even beyond those two things," and that Hearthfire will not effect the work on Dawnguard for the PS3. No release date on Dawnguard for PS3 has been given but we can only hope that it will be soon.

Star Wars 1313 Takes Players to "Hell"

Star Wars 1313 is a more gritty take on Star Wars that will take players below the surface of Coruscant to the criminal filled, deadly underworld of level 1313. The developer diary below describes the dark world of 1313 as the most dangerous place in the galaxy and it is even equated with Hell at one point. I think it's safe to say 1313 doesn't play host to common thugs but is full of deadly and formidable criminals.

The video also shows off some great looking artwork that'll give you an idea of what to expect from the world of 1313. Unfortunately there isn't any new gameplay but the video is definitely worth a watch. Will you be a resourceful enough Bounty Hunter to survive 1313? Star Wars 1313 doesn't have a release date as of now but will release on the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

[source] IGN

Sony Reveals PlayStation Network game, Rain

At Gamescom yesterday, Sony revealed a new PlayStation Network game entitled, Rain. In Rain, you play as an invisible boy who can only be seen under pouring rain. The boy is not alone however and the trailer below suggests there is an entire world that rain can reveal. As the boy explores in the rain, you can see other invisible characters and even enemies. A four legged invisible creature is seen chasing the boy at one point. Sony is staying tight-lipped about the game right now so not much more is known concerning the actual story or gameplay but the concept is very intriguing. So far there is no release date but I think it'd be safe to say we can expect to see the Rain on the PS3 sometime in 2013. Keep an eye on Game Quest for future updates on Rain.

Hitman: Absolution Contract Mode

In Hitman: Absolution, you won't be restricted to assassinating but you'll be able to put hits out yourself in the new Contract Mode. This new challenge will allow players to customize a contract in which they select the target or targets, the level, and which weapons the player is allowed to employ in their assassination. You can also customize witness specifications and designate a time limit for the contract as well. Once the contract is created, you can share it online with the world or challenge your friends directly to complete your contract.

You can also browse through other players contracts which have been uploaded. Completing a contract awards you with a unique type of currency, depending on your performance, which can be used in contract mode to purchase weapons or other features to include in you contract to make it even more challenging and diverse. The currency used in contract mode can also be earned throughout the campaign, likely by completing challenges. Hitman: Absolution will come pre-loaded with several contracts that you can use to get started or draw inspiration from.

IO Interactive's Contract challenge is an awesome idea and will undoubtedly add great value to Agent 47's new adventure. Designing ways for people to be killed should provide endless fun. Hitman: Absolution is set to release on November 20, 2012 for the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC.

New Terrifying Trailer for Dead Space III

If you're excited for Dead Space 3 next year, this new trailer from EA Games is sure to increase that excitement exponentially. The new trailer assures that Dead Space 3 will be full of terror and intense survival situations that the series has become known for executing so well. Isaac Clarke along with partner Ellie and newcomer John Carver is still after the Markers, seeking to stop them and the Unitologists at all costs. The dialogue and visuals of coffins in the trailer implies that wherever the trio are, there seems to have been some kind of mass execution or genocide and then there's a subsequent breakout in which Isaac commands everyone to arm themselves. Who everyone is, we don't know. He could simply be referring to Ellie and  Carver or could he be addressing more people?

Luckily, the wait isn't too long from now. Dead Space 3 has an official release date of February 5, 2013 in North America and February 8, 2013 in Europe for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

Mass Effect 3: Leviathan DLC Revealed

Bioware recently announced the first single-player DLC (aside from the extended endings) for Mass Effect 3, entitled "Leviathan". Bioware says the DLC will add about 3-4 hours of gameplay featuring new environments, more cinematic scenes, new characters and two new weapons. Leviathan will provide more insight regarding the origins of the Reapers as Shepard and the crew of the Normandy travel to the darkest reaches of the galaxy in search of the Leviathan.

Leviathan takes place during the events of Mass Effect 3 and can be played from a new game or on your save before the assault on the Cerberus base. An email in Shepard's inbox initiates the search for the legendary Leviathan; a mysterious creature, centuries old, that has never before been seen but is apparently capable of killing Reapers. The Protheans were the first to suspect the presence of the Leviathan when they discovered a Reaper corpse. The creature is believed to be so powerful that it instills fear in even the Reapers.

The search takes Shepard to the distant uncharted reaches of the galaxy. A mysterious planet covered in vast oceans serves as the home for the Leviathan and much of the DLC's setting. In a race against time, you'll explore a derelict ship and even access the Triton; an Atlas that has been modified to explore the ocean floors. Bioware promises the all new underwater sequences will provide breath-taking visuals as you discover never before seen alien life that lurks beneath the water.

Bioware has stated that the Leviathan DLC will have a nice balance of exploration and combat. Bioware has always prided themselves in developing a compelling story driven by charismatic characters and Leviathan will be no exception. The DLC will encourage players to investigate clues to unravel the dark history of the Reapers even further and following leads to discover the extraordinary Leviathan. While uncovering artifacts and learning the history of the beast will be fun, a slightly modified combat experience will spice things up as well. Bioware reports the combat has been amped up to provide more challenging fights against hordes of reaper mutants.The new AT-12 Raider shotgun and the M-55 Argus combat rifle will be able to provide a hand these tougher battles.

Aside from the new planet, players will also be able to explore new areas of the citadel; hopefully this will unlock some side quests to play through. So far no release date has been set but the DLC is reported to be available this summer, so the wait shouldn't be long. Look for Mass Effect 3: Leviathan in the next coming weeks for the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 for $9.99 or 800 Microsoft points.