FFXIV: 'Welcome Back' and 'Legacy' campaigns begining soon!

 

In an attempt to reclaim the honor to the Final Fantasy Franchise, SquareEnix has announced two new campaigns starting with the upcoming mega-update, a.k.a. FFXIV Version 2.0. Plenty has changed Eorzea sense the last time I set foot there myself. From the "Nothing-changed from the Beta" days that was almost two years ago to the battle involving Ifrit and more, a good chunk of change has happened to the much-laughed at MMO. With 2.0 coming out in 2013 (Probably reflecting the PS3 release) players may find reason to return. 

First of the new campaigns is the "Welcome Back" campaign. Anyone who currently has an inactive account will be allowed free access to the game from May 9 (8 PM PST) and May 20 (11:59 PM PST). They will have access to new game-play features, Seventh Umbral Era content access, and the ability to participate in the new Primal Battle against Garuda

Second of the upcoming campaigns is the "Legacy Campaign" being offered to all FFXIV players who have been subscribed for at least 90 days between the start of version 2.0 beta testing and 1/6/12. These players will be offered a lower subscription rate ($9.99 verses $14.99), an in-game Chocobo mount, and your name in the credits. This will all be come to the life when the 2.0 update is released in early 2013.

Nintendo eShop Update: Metroid!

   For those of you who were not lucky enough (foolish enough) to be apart of Nintendo's 3DS ambassador program, you can finally download another of the eight NES original games released. This week it's Metroid, the original search and destroy game. For 4.99 it's not a bad deal to relive or experience for the first time. Once you spend a few days shooting questionable monsters and getting lost in pixel hell, you can continue the journey with Metroid 2: Return of Samus, also in the 3DS eStore.

Back when Ridley looked more like Puff the Magic Dragon.

    Another 3DS demo is out this week as well. Sega's Crush 3D demo is out for anyone who wants to give it a try. Let's hope they give us more then 10 times to play this game though. I'm looking at you Nintendogs + Cats >.>

Game: One Piece Kaizoku Musou First DLC Announced!

   AnimeNewsNetwork.com reports that the first DLC for the One Piece Musou game will be released in Japan on March 1st. First up is an alternative costume for Luffy featuring the Samurai armor he wore in a picture from one of the One Piece Color Walk art books. Following up on March 8 will be Kimono Nami. Here in the States some of us are just hoping to get the game announced for our side of the world, with still little-to-no-word on an announcement. The term Pirate Warriors was licenced for Europe, but that doesn't say much for America.

   We'll be posting as soon as we hear good news!

Gaming: Another Challenger Appears! SNK Playmore introduce a new NeoGeo Handheld!

   Like an unexpected friend showing up at your house, SNK Playmore has announced a new NeoGeo portable system out of the blue. The last time SNK tried this they were met with lukewarm reception and little support for the Neo Geo Pocket / Pocket Color. The original NeoGeo Pocket brought us early GBA-like games in a GameBoy Color era with titles like Fatal Fury & King of Fighters receiving their own ports.
   This new system shows a little promise: With 4.3" screen, two gigs of internal storage, room for a memory card (perhaps for games?) and also 20 classic NeoGeo games included. The games range from fighting game classics like World Heroes and KoF '94 to shooters like MAN-1975 and Metal Slug.

   In these times where Nintendo & Sony are having difficulty due to cell phone & ipad games, is there really room for another portable system? Will this be an affordable alternative to other portables? Or is it just SNK Playmore trying to milk the SNKow for more milk?

   For future reference, I do own two Neo Geo Pocket Colors >.>;