DC Comics, NCsoft team up for limited edition Aion comic

NCsoft’s Aion, the next original massively multiplayer online game from the company responsible for Lineage, will come alive in a comic book being created by DC Comics. NCsoft and DC Comics announced “Aiva’s Story,” a limited edition comic book based on the world of Aion from renowned artist Neil Googe and writers David Noonan and Ricardo Sanchez. This one-time collectible will be made available free with purchase of Aion exclusively at GameStop stores in the United States, as well as Electronic Boutiques in Canada. Additionally, in celebration of this week’s Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle, a limited number of copies will be made available free for show attendees in NCsoft’s Aion booth.

The comic tells the story of Aiva, a young Asmodian warrior who vows vengeance against the Elyos who killed her family during a raid. Aiva trains ceaselessly, hoping to become a Daeva and someday find her nemesis on the battlefields of the Abyss (where only Daevas can go). Her story unfolds in the limited run comic by NCsoft and DC’s Wildstorm Studios.

If you’ll be at PAX this week, stop by NCsoft’s Aion booth to learn more about the game and the comic.

Dark Horse, BioWare team for Mass Effect comics

BioWare and Dark Horse Comics have teamed up for a new comic book series based on Mass Effect, its popular sci-fi action RPG. In Mass Effect: Redemption, the story takes readers through the events leading up to Mass Effect 2, which opens with galactic hero Commander Shepard mysteriously missing and left to fight for survival. What unfolds next will expose readers to new locations, aliens and extended storyline in the Mass Effect universe. Mass Effect: Redemption is scheduled to launch in January 6, 2010.

The Mass Effect: Redemption story is written by Lead Writer Mac Walters at BioWare, who is also the script writer behind Mass Effect 2. The comic is scripted by John Jackson Miller (Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic, The Invincible Iron Man) and drawn by Omar Francia (Star Wars Legacy). This first four-part series explores the “exotic and dangerous future Milky Way of Mass Effect,” revealing new locations, aliens, and enemies.

Mac Walters and Omar Francia will be autographing a Comic-con exclusive Mass Effect signing card at the Dark Horse booth (#2615) on July 24th at 4:00pm - 5:00pm at Comic-Con International 2009 in San Diego, CA.

Mass Effect: Redemption issue 1 hits comic shop shelves on January 6, 2010. Mass Effect 2 is scheduled for release on Xbox 360 and PC in early 2010.

Dante’s Inferno comic book announced

EA’s Visceral Games will collaborate with DC Comics’s WildStorm imprint to develop a comic book mini-series based on Dante’s Inferno, EA’s video game adaptation of part one of “The Divine Comedy.” The comic will make its world debut at Comic-Con International in San Diego from July 23 - 26. Also at the show, Visceral Games and Starz Media will screen the world premiere trailer of the Dante’s Inferno animated feature, which will be released on home entertainment platforms day-and-date with the EA game in 2010. Both of these projects are based on EA’s adaptation of Dante’s epic story from a contemporary perspective.

A special Issue 0 preview edition of the Dante’s Inferno comic will be given away at Comic-Con International 2009 in San Diego this week July 23 - 26 at the EA (Booth #5213) and DC Comics (Booth #1915) booths. The game will also be featured at the Go to Hell With Dante’s Inferno Panel (12:30 PM - 1:30 PM on Thursday, July 23rd in Room); Dante’s Inferno animated feature trailer preview (12:30 PM - 1:30 PM on Thursday, July 23rd in Room 8); Dante’s Inferno Comic Preview Issue signings (Artist Diego Latorre and writer Christos Gage, DC Comics booth - 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM on Friday and Saturday); Christos Gage Comic Signing (EA booth on Thursday from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM); and the Dante’s Inferno Limited Edition Lithograph signing (creator Diego Latorre, 750 copies available at the EA Booth Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM). The game will also be playable at the EA booth during the show.

Second Watchmen game dated, priced

As you probably already know, the second game based on The Wathmen film is due for release at the end of July on various platforms. To take advantage of the upcoming Blu-Ray release, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment is offering the second title, Watchmen: The End is Nigh Part 2, in various formats.

Developed by Deadline Games A/S and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Watchmen: The End is Nigh is a mature themed action brawler featuring visceral combat in settings taken from and inspired by the film. Watchmen: The End is Nigh Part 1 takes place more than a decade before the film’s main story, delving into the partnership of urban vigilantes Rorschach and Nite Owl before the Keene Act sent them all underground. In Part 2, the duo team up again to help solve the case of a missing girl, Violet Greene.

Gamers who weren’t turned off by the first game will be able to get the Watchmen: The End is Nigh The Complete Experience, a retail Blu-ray Hi-Def game and film hybrid which will include Watchmen: The End is Nigh Parts 1 and 2 and the Watchmen: Director’s Cut on Blu-ray. This includes an additional 25 minutes of footage not seen in theaters, available only on Blu-ray and DVD. The two-disc collectible set will also feature exclusive artwork in a premium package. The game will be playable on the PS3. The Watchmen: The End is Nigh The Complete Experience will be available on July 21 for a suggested retail price of $49.99.

Watchmen: The End is Nigh Parts 1 and 2 will be released as a single game available for the Xbox 360 on July 21 for a suggested retail price of $29.99. Watchmen: The End is Nigh Part 2 will be available for download on PC on July 29 and PlayStation Network on July 30 for a suggested retail price of $14.99 and on Xbox LIVE Arcade on August 26 for 1200 Microsoft Points.

Meet Loose Cannon Studios

Loose Cannon Studios has opened its doors in Seattle, Washington this week. The company founded by Dev Madan and Matthew Scott, formerly of Sucker Punch Productions, and Ricci Rukavina, who held creative and production positions at Universal Interactive Studios, Vivendi Games and The Walt Disney Company. The founders at Loose Cannon Studios have a collective 40 years of experience in the game industry.

Dev Madan worked as a freelance illustrator and comic book artist for Dark Horse Comics, Marvel Comics and DC Comics. Dev also helped launch Humongous Entertainment and worked at Sucker Punch Productions, where he helped lead the development on Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus, Sly 2: Band of Thieves and Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves.

Technical Director and Co-Founder of Loose Cannon Studios, Matthew Scott has spent over 10 years in the game industry. He has held a number of interesting jobs over the years including Crave Entertainment and Monolith and worked on a number of critically-acclaimed titles, such as No One Lives Forever and the Sly Cooper series, more recently lending his expertise to the upcoming PlayStation 3 title, Infamous.

President and Co-Founder Ricci Rukavina started his entertainment career at Amblin Entertainment - Steven Spielberg’s film production company behind E.T.: the Extra Terrestrial - where he immersed himself in the world of digital filmmaking. Ricci worked on a string of blockbuster film properties spanning Jurassic Park, Alive and Twister. The experience led him through the doors of Universal Interactive Studios and Vivendi Games, where he served as Creative Director, working on the Spyro the Dragon series and led development of several titles including The Thing and Scarface. His experience and success took Ricci to The Walt Disney Company, where he served as Vice President of Creative/Product Development for several years.

Loose Cannon Studios is currently developing an original IP for next-generation consoles that will be announced in the coming weeks. The company is also developing another wholly original IP built upon Loose Cannon Studio’s singular vision to create a new breed of inventive entertainment products. We wish them luck. Learn what there is to know at www.loosecannonstudios.com.

Doomsday Invades DC Universe Online

 Everybody’s favorite Kryptonian creature will be a villain in DC Universe Online, Sony Online Entertainment announced today. According to DC Comics lore, Doomsday was bred to embody hate and rage - with the sole purpose of extinguishing all other life, including the citizens of Metropolis and protector Superman. Here’s more from SOE:

Born on the planet Krypton during a time when only the strongest creatures could survive, Doomsday was the result of a rapid natural selection process bred to hate all life. Doomsday’s body is covered with vicious bony spurs that can rend even Superman’s skin. His endurance makes him almost impossible to kill. He is the epitome of villainous power and strength. With the ability to regenerate after every battle, Doomsday becomes bigger and stronger; therefore no opponent of his has ever defeated him twice.

Don’t think that Doomsday is a mindless creature destroying everything in his path just because he hates all living things. He can think and reason, which makes him a valuable weapon to anyone seeking to manipulate and control his rampages of mayhem and destruction. But who could possibly want to do such a thing? That’s right: Lex Luthor is obsessed with capturing Doomsday to turn him into the ultimate minion for Luthor’s destructive plans.

The story of when Doomsday attacked Metropolis is a tragic one. During Doomsday’s rampage, an epic battle erupted on the streets of Metropolis where neither Superman nor Doomsday would back down. Superman knew Doomsday’s rage would fuel the fight driving the battle on as Superman continued to weaken, incurring severe wounds which began to drain his stamina. In the end, the two combatants attacked each other simultaneously with a fatal blow, leaving both lifeless in front of The Daily Planet Building - perfectly situated for a cover story that would shatter the world.

The first screenshot and renders can be found below:

Batman: Arkham Asylum Web Site Live

The official web site for Batman: Arkham Asylum is now live at www.batmanarkhamasylum.com.
The official website and community hub for DC Comics’ Batman: Arkham Asylum, the forthcoming action-adventure game developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Eidos, and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment in North America. The official web site promises the usual assortment of attractions including forums, developer blogs, interviews, podcasts, news, videos and the latest screenshots.

Batman: Arkham Asylum is set for release on June 27 for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.