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While not quite as epic as yesterday’s matches, the WCS EU Round Of 16 Group B competition today held some similar surprises. Finnish newcomer Welmu ended up winning the day, knocking out veteran competitors Lucifron and Duckdeok on his way to the round of 8. In the lower bracket, Lucifron knocked out last year’s WCS champion, Stephano in an exciting match, but fell to Korean Duckdeok in the following series. It’s notable that, of the four players who will be moving on the round of 8, three of them are Protoss players. This is a stark contrast to last year’s competition where only one Protoss player made it beyond the round of 16.
Today’s results were especially important as Stephano has announced that this will be his last professional Starcraft II competition, and that he is retiring from eSports. His elimination in this round ends his pro gamer career. Ever the controversial figure, Stephano has been polarizing the eSports community with those who decry his wild partying, outspoken personality, and dismissive demeanor, coming up against those who feel that he added much needed attitude to a sport where players typically have very quiet dispositions. Whether you love him or hate him, it’s hard to deny his impact on eSports as a whole. He was the first non-Korean to gain real recognition in professional eSports, and his offscreen antics brought a lot of attention to a sport that was struggling to get attention. His abilities were impressive to say the least, and today, eSports loses one of it’s original icons.
The full replay of today’s matches can be seen here
Stephano’s final words on his pro gaming career can be seen here
Deep Silver and Volition have launched the Saints Row 4 Inauguration Station, allowing you to create your future President before release day release Day on August 20.
The Inauguration Station can be downloaded for free and allows you all the infinite creative possibilities you’ll find in the game. Take the time now to create your character and then hop right into the virtual world of Steelport with that character once Saints Row 4 launches. Zero time wasted.
The Inauguration Station is available for download on Xbox 360 and PC, with the PS3 version becoming available in the Americas on August 13, 2013. However, PS3 users outside of the Americas can download it tomorrow. Either way, you have plenty of time until the game’s actual release.
Once you create your president, head over to the community portion of Saints Row 4’s website and begin campaigning.
Virgin Media Games Space created for games players and developers
Oculus Rift and Cello Fortress to showcase latest innovation
Superfast 1Gb broadband powers new hub on Silicon Roundabout
Virgin Media is creating a pop-up games hub in the heart of London’s technological innovation, Silicon Roundabout¹, to champion the future of British gaming. The Virgin Media Games Space will be powered by the company’s superfast broadband, providing speeds of up to 1Gb, and will include a stellar line-up of games to play, industry talks to inspire and workshops to help create the next generation of gaming developers.
Games curator and event producer David Hayward is overseeing the creation of the space to provide a environment for gamers and budding developers of all ages to come play, learn and develop their digital skills. The free Virgin Media Games Space will open its doors to the public on 27th August until 21st September, and the best parts will also be available for visitors to enjoy at this year’s Eurogamer Expo.
The British video gaming industry is a valuable contributor to the national economy and considered an area of growth with some of the world’s largest franchises already developed here, as well as strong communities of independent game developers. With gaming high on Government agenda, measures are being introduced to help develop programming skills as part of the national curriculum. Virgin Media Games Space is celebrating this welcome news by offering gamers a glimpse of the future and helping wannabe developers build it.
Virgin Media has a track record of championing undiscovered talent and now, after the success of last year’s 100 Day Game Project which saw a winning team of students from Essex University create and launch ‘Super-Fluid’ as an Android and iOS app in just 100 days, has invested to help even more raw talent hidden amongst the gaming community.
All visitors will have the opportunity to experience the latest in virtual reality gaming courtesy of Oculus Rift, plus have a chance to test yet-to-be-released indie titles such as Super Pole Riders, There Shall be Lancing and Krautscape.
Some Virgin Media Games Space highlights include:
Week 1 – Lifelites Game Jam a 24-hour developer session to produce games for children with limited mobility
Week 2 – Cello Fortress showcase
Week 3 – New Sony Computer Entertainment tiles, Beyond: Two Souls (PS3), Tearaway (PS Vita)
Week 4 – Arcade Jam – Games collectives and artists from all over Europe will come together to build DIY arcade machines and games. See the results at VMGS, all week from September 17th – 21st
Richard Larcombe, director of advertising and sponsorship at Virgin Media said: “We’re excited to be able to provide a space where anyone can come and play games all day long but also where visitors can come and learn or be inspired by experienced developers from across the industry.
“The digital world is creating incredible job opportunities as well as entertainment for people and the rise of the British gaming industry is something to be proud of. This is going to be a unique place for people to use who’ve got the same passion for gaming we have. Whether it’s to debate, develop, or push the boundaries of new technologies, Virgin Media Games Space will provide something for everyone no matter their gaming abilities.”
David Hayward, curator and event producer, said: “It’s immensely exciting that London is getting its first game space, and I’m very pleased to be curating it. Games are such a diverse thing now, and I think Virgin Media Games Space will be an excellent way of supporting that.”
The Virgin Media Games Space will be open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-7pm before it’s re-homed to take centre stage at this year’s Eurogamer Expo. It’s free to visit anytime. To attend any of the organised events, visitors can secure their place from 19th August at www.vmgs.com.
Independent game developer Reptile Games is pleased to announce their game, Megabyte Punch is currently available to the public via the Humble Bundle Store, Desura and Gamersgate. Described best as a mash-up of SSB, Megaman and Custom Robo. Megabyte Punch is an electro fighting/beat ‘em up game in which players can build and customize their own player. The game is currently on sale for $11.99 (US), 20% off its original price of $14.99 for PC (Windows), Mac and Linux. Megabyte Punch fans can also purchase a special edition of the game that comes with the original Soundtrack with 27 tracks, HD Wallpapers, and extra custom levels for $20.00.
In Megabyte Punch players battle various creatures in the story mode to get their parts and upgrade their own fighter; like Tornado shoulders for a whirlwind attack or powerful hips for a devastating pelvic thrust attack. Then, using the abilities of their customized fighter, they can compete in tournaments or battle against other players in a destructible arena.
In the multiplayer battle mode players can fight other players with the abilities each customized creature gives them. Players can also enter the tournament to win rare new parts for their character. Players will have the opportunity to create their own versus levels with an external image editor and add it into the game for endless destructive fun.
Features of the full game: * Chunky stylish graphics. * 6 unique electro-worlds with boss fights. * 150 parts to collect and endless combinations to customize your character. * Pumpin’ Electro Soundtrack. * Compete in the tournament for rare parts. * Up to 4 player local co-op and versus mode.
“There are loads of different parts and abilities players can use to build a unique fighting character”, states developer Tim Remmers. “We’re very excited to release Megabyte Punch onto the world and anxious to see how players will use and abuse the abilities of their customised characters!”
Fans of the game are encouraged to visit the Steam Greenlight page and vote to see it available on the distribution platform.
OK, so I told Lone I wasn’t going to write about this, but after watching the Starcraft II WCS Europe Round of 16, Group A competition today, I had to share, because the series between HasuObs and Grubby was FRAKKING GORGEOUS. Easily my favorite series of the day, the competition was so intense that it ran nearly double what a standard matchup would have, even going so far as to push back the start of the WCS America broadcast later in the day. Each of these matches is a constant back and forth between two absolute masters bringing everything they had to bear.
The final game of the day between Grubby and MvP, which starts at 28:10, was also incredible, though far shorter. Grubby lost the first game of the series, and often seemed to be right on the verge of losing to MvP’s incredibly aggressive style, but managed to overcome and pull off the wins needed to advance to the round of eight. It’s worth it to stick around to the end to see Grubby’s reaction to his win.
The day ended with German underdog HasuObs taking down former WCS EU champion, and favorite to win, MvP to win the day. MvP then fell in the lower bracket to The Netherlands’ Grubby. Both Grubby and HasuObs will move on to compete with the other winners of the round of 16 groups to play in the days to come.
This day of competition sums up so much of why I love eSports. If this is what it’s like at the round of 16, I can only imagine what the subsequent rounds will be like. The skill and passion displayed by the competitors today was so much fun to watch, and it’s games and players like these that are why eSports will continue to grow.
