Be a good sport and earn that “Honorable Opponent” badge…

We also have a slightly troll-ier version:

Or, if you’re looking for something a little more form fitting:

These League of Legends tee shirts are also DotA tee shirts, and work just as well as HoN tee shirts. They’re all really soft (perfect to LAN in) and ridiculously comfy.

Post a picture of yourself wearing your new Noble Press digs and tag us @NoblePress for an Instagram or Twitter shoutout.

Feel free to email destrada@noble-press.com with any questions, comments, or tee shirt suggestions. We’d love to hear from you!

Check out all the different colors and styles here: http://noblepress.bigcartel.com

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GAMEPLAY

At first blush, the game is infuriatingly difficult. Each run feels like it ends extremely prematurely, which instantly lends that “just one more round” quality. The ball flies off the track with wanton abandon, and the screen often fades to white before you can land back on the track further down.

There’s a pretty noticeable learning curve, though, and after a while, you’ll realize that looking farther along the track (instead of directly at your white ball) helps with planning your moves. Plus, you learn to control a little better. This is where I am right now–I don’t feel like I’ve mastered the game, but it’s definitely a lot more comfortable. The shortness makes it the perfect mini-game to pass the time during waiting periods. Some things, though, could really help improve gameplay.

POSSIBLE CHANGES

Agree

Instant restart: I would definitely allow for the user  to immediately restart the game from the beginning at any point. Watching your ball twang off into white nothingness is definitely disheartening, and I’ve experienced enough impatient moments staring at a blank, white screen, waiting for the timer to run out just so I could go again.

Increased time off track: Although I don’t think the game should simply be made easier, it feels like increasing the time off track (before game over) by maybe 1 second would improve the amount of fun the player gets. There’s more of a chance to continue your long streak, which feels extremely rewarding. Plus, it gives you more of a chance to make really huge, tricky jumps to farther down the track. The current time allotment doesn’t allow for truly legendary moves.

Levels: It would be nice to also have a mode where you can race the clock to beat the level, alongside the existing endless track mode.

Disagree

Increase visibility: Some player feedback has suggested making the ball someone see-through (it’s currently a solid white) to make the game easier. I’m strongly against this, at least for the main version of the game. A huge part of the game’s appeal is the difficulty caused by having your vision obstructed; Impossible Road triumphs in causing split second decisions based on partial visual information.

Provide a landing beacon: Seriously? Some players want a little indicator that shows where your ball is going to land. I’d estimate that coordinating (and strongly hoping for) a successful landing is about 50% of the gameplay, so I’m against this.

PROMISED CHANGES

In the upcoming Impossible Road patch, a quick restart button, score caching (upload scores once your device gets back online), and iCade support will become available. Although these changes are minor, I’m really excited about the restart button. Plus, it shows awesome responsiveness from the developer (Kevin Ng).

THE RUNDOWN

I’d recommend anyone to give this game a shot. Its simplicity makes it accessible, but its difficulty keeps it interesting. You’ll especially enjoy Impossible Road ($1.99 on the App Store) if you like skill-based minigames that you can play when you’ve got to a few minutes to kill. The game is a lot more challenging on the iPhone, as opposed to the iPad, because of the decreased screen space, which makes seeing what’s going on more difficult, and the controls more difficult to hit.

The post Impossible Road Review appeared first on Noble Press.

37,000 backers, $1.8 million, and some licensing ninja action later, Harebrained Schemes’ revival of the 25 year old dystopian RPG Shadowrun is finally slated for release in June 2013.

BACKGROUND

The original Shadowrun game depicts a modern-day earth in which magic is reawakened, causing the (d)evolution/splintering of the human race into Elves, Dwarves, Trolls, and Orks. As time goes on, magic is combined with fast developing technologies while the government is replaced with corporate conglomerates. By this time, Shadowrun is a full-blown cyberpunk (think Blade Runner) dystopia–the only outliers are “Shadowrunners,” disposable corporate pawns who scrape by with questionable technology, magicks, and general wiley-ness. Once in a while, these wildcards act out in protection of Shadowrun’s citizenry (but don’t hold your breath).

THE REVIVAL

Harebrained Schemes started off on the right path by incorporating lead game developers and designers from the original Shadowrun. Shadowrun Returns’ own writers, mixed in with original story writers, then collaborated to create short stories which became the premise for game missions. The new game is meant to have satisfying depth in the narrative, which is dynamic dependent on your interactions with NPCs and objects (Planescape: Torment and/or Baldur’s Gate fans, rejoice).

UNIQUE CHARACTER CLASS EXPERIENCES

Depending on the character’s class, the Shadowrun world is experienced in different ways. This is because there are four different realms that the world simultaneously exists in, and each character belongs to one. These realms, nearly as unique as different dimensions, are the Physical, Digital, Mystic, and Astral.

Physical Realm

Those whose experience lies in the physical realm get a ‘threat assessment’ interface much more robust than a mere Spidey-sense. The physical realm includes enemy appraisals (cue the Metal Gear “!”), cover options, possible weapons, and even statistics on drawn weapons.

Digital

Those in the digital realm are above mere physical combat, and can see the potential in digital circuitry that lets them manipulate objects in the physical realm.

Mystic

Since classes in the mystical realm are engaged in magic, they are able to see the magical auras of objects/spells. This allows them to do wizard-y things like locate magical items, see what spells are being prepared, and recharge their power by finding intersections of magic lay lines.

Astral

Those of the astral plan are connected to the true world, and hence, are able to see the ‘true’ nature of living beings and magical objects, but ‘dead’ or otherwise inanimate objects simply appear as shadows.

Since all these classes have very different realities while living in the same world, missions will often involve drawing on all four dimensions at the same time. You can do this by using information gathered form each character’s perspective to pick the best plan of attack to live another day. As you can see, doing all of this in real-time would probably severely decrease the depth of the game. Shadowrun Returns, therefore, is turn-based so that users can take their time considering all options given the information available and execute a well-planned action.

LEVEL EDITOR

While there will not be the ability to mod the game, Harebrained Schemes wanted to bring the stories and customizability of tabletop role-playing to Shadowrun Returns with PC based level editor, which will be released at the same time as the main game. Players will be able to create their own runs, which can be made public, or Friends Only.

THE RUNDOWN

Of course, players of the original Shadowrun game will be most excited for the Shadowrun Returns release, but those that loved Final Fantasy Tactics and Fallout 1 and 2 will also enjoy this tactical RPG. It will be available Apple and Android tablets, PC, and Mac (and Linux, soon after). With the release date scheduled for less than a month away, be sure to preorder to save 10%!

The post Shadowrun Returns: Kickstarter Success appeared first on Noble Press.

Design:

RainDesign’s iRest is one of the most visually appealing iPad stands on the market. RainDesign has always done a fantastic job at meeting Apple’s top tier design quality along with keeping up a functional form. Even down to the small details of the RainDesign logo and how it compliments Apple’s logo, they give their utmost attention to everything.

When designing a product for Apple devices, you have to pay attention to the small details on the devices you are trying to compliment. RainDesign understands this in spades…

The post iRest: Relax with your iPad [REVIEW] appeared first on Noble Press.

Kotaku’s video editor compiled footage of the media’s blunder. I counted 10 stations across the board who continuously provided not only the same story but dialogue as well. It’s absured to see so called “professional” main stream corporations hack out content so redundantly, it literally copies dialogue and headlines word for word. They never once mention the tournament or give any commentary related to Esports. I believe this is due to how out of touch they are. They literally wouldn’t be able to cover MLG properly because they wouldn’t know what they are talking about. Here’s the footage.
Mainstream media is so out of touch with the gaming industry that they are actually doing damage to the community. The portrayal of these tournaments and other stories within the gaming industry are not taken seriously. They have been contributing to the political variables that the industry faces every day. The audience adopts their perspectives based on the media and it shows all too well. We still face ridicules for violence in games, and free speech is consistently threatened. This continues to happen despite the data regarding violence in video games and its effects on children tend to prove that there is almost none. Football is the most popular sport in America, yet the most dangerous. Many athletes have had various complications from back injuries, to brain damage and serious migraines. Why is there not more light being shed on these negative effects? Maybe because the media is focused on positive aspects of the game. There needs to be a better understanding within our society of the positive aspects that can come from gaming. A whole new platform in the gaming industry has been created from Esports alone. We have new genres, official leagues, and a community of fans that are all examples of the positive progression which has been made.

Yet this is not what makes me angry. What really grinds my gears is the damage they are doing to the female gamer in the community. Breaking news: Girls, out of nowhere, play video games? I mean to go as far and say “video games are not just for boys anymore.” Really? As if women never had a place in gaming before? It’s sexism as a culture.

“ Think of all the great games that will be left unmade if this continues. The plethora of ideas that could have been at your finger tips.”

Women in the gaming industry has become a controversial subject for some reason. Many do not like to talk about it and when it happens it tends to end dirty. There is an oppressive mentality that restricts creative advancements in the industry. I have read and talked about the subject time and time again. Being a woman in corporate America is hard enough as it is. Let alone the gaming industry; considering the vast majority of the professionals are men. Many women have the perspective that men dominate the work place and men have this perspective in which they feel women have the advantage due to certain God-given assets. One friend of mine pointed out that men often see things this way because they feel threatened. In turn, it’s also the same reason why women aren’t fully taken seriously, which makes it even more difficult to get where they want to be. It is almost a paradox. The industry is hurt because many creative women will feel they do not have a place for themselves there. Think of all the great games that will be left unmade if this continues. The plethora of ideas that could have been at your finger tips. Because of what? Society is still embedded in sexual prejudice?

My point is that as a modern society we continue to be so out of touch within the age we live in that ignorance still runs rampant on many levels. We are at the point where we have to question: “Is the media so far out of touch that it’s actually hurting industries and creating discrimination within a community?” If so, where do we get our information? How do we end stigmas with girls who play video games. How do we end misconception of the gaming community from the main stream media? I figure this is the best way. To talk about it.

The post Mainstream Media Mayhem: Video Games & Girls appeared first on Noble Press.

Personally I have not enjoyed a LucasArts game since “Star Wars: The Old Republic”, a game developed by the infamous BioWare. Here is a short list of the games that LucasArts has developed over the last 5 years.

2008:

Fracture
Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures
Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Jedi Alliance
Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Lightsaber Duels
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

2009:

Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings
Lego Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues
Lucidity
Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron
Star Wars Battlefront: Mobile Squadrons
Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Republic Heroes
Tales of Monkey Island

2010:

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II

2011:

Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars
Star Wars: The Old Republic
Angry Birds Star Wars (with Rovio)
Kinect Star Wars

While we all may have pseudo-fond memories of a few of these tittles the vast majority are money grabs and or children’s games. The LucasArts that brought us “Knights of the Old Republic” died back in 2004. What we were left with was a company with decent ideas and low tier execution.

Call me a blastfomer but I had no faith in LucasArts. Every game to hit the shelves with “Star Wars” in the tittle was an automatic failure to me. None of the games felt genuine or unique. Take “Star Wars: The Old Republic” for example. There is such potential on a Star Wars MMO but somehow BioWare, the company that created the best Star Wars game to date and LucasArts pissed on the possibilities and released a game that should have been in its beta stages to the masses.

There was hope in this dark, dark, shallow existence that was LucasArts. A new IP entered the ring, it went by the name of “Star Wars: 1313″. A new story line that has little if anything to do with the characters we are so fond of. Star Wars 1313 took us into the slummy side of Coruscant. We got to play a  character that none of us knew. We don’t jump into a game knowing what the ultimate outcome will be. It was fresh, a new life to the Star Wars universe… and then Disney shut that dream down.

To add insult to injury, a sequel to “Finding Nemo” was announced. Star Wars 1313 died with a whimper, and under the shadow of “Finding Dory”. Sorry for the melodrama but 1313 was one of the few games I have been looking forward to playing. While the project is not dead for good it is in limbo. Waiting for Disney to chose where it lands. Don’t f**k me Disney….

Source: D2-E2

The post What does LucasArts shutting down mean for Star Wars? appeared first on Noble Press.

The last time we ran into the lovely Jessica Nigri was during IPL 5 in Las Vegas. We got some insight on future cosplay costumes, and it was also when we first got word of her non-profit that still has a working title.

It’s been a few months and Jessica has been busy since then with conventions, signings, and of course new cosplay. When we caught her on the first day at WonderCon she was rocking her infamous Mad Moxxi cosplay. The next day she was rocking a sexy Kotobukiya Lili cosplay from Tekken Tag Tournament 2.

We had a chance to catch up with her at WonderCon. We found more about her fundraiser and charity. She also gave us the run down of the competitive gaming and cosplay group: Less Than 3. We even got to dig deeper into the quirky mind of Jessica Nigri as we talked about her ambitions and what she thinks about being a woman in cosplay.

The post Jessica Nigri // N2 [WonderCon 2013] appeared first on Noble Press.

You might be asking yourself, what is WonderCon? WonderCon is a  comic convention started in 1987 and in 2012 was adopted by the ComicCon organization. It is only in it’s second year at Anaheim but in full force with all the nerdom brought from SDCC.

What can you expect to see?  WonderCon Anaheim 2013 will include a giant Exhibit Hall (this year in Halls A and B of the Convention Center), multiple programming tracks, plus the Masquerade, Anime, Games, and much more. Here is a quick guide in a PDF format that will give you the run down of the exhibitor list and locations, a complete schedule  grid, and all exhibit maps (all information is subject to change).  WonderCon features a variety of comic content that is exclusive to the event. Make sure you get it while you can!

For anime fans you can expect to see a variety of companies showing off your favorite shows. Here is a list where you can bookmart and sync the time slots for these animes to your calander.

What would be a convention if you couldn’t get your favorite writers, illustrators, actors, and directors autograph? You can expect to meet the creative genius such as Guillermo Del Toro, or the infamous Lou Ferrigno. Be sure to check out the full line up for WonderCon autographers here.

WonderCon also features a variety of gaming tournaments. These include Magic the Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh card game tournys that will take place during the convention and after at the Anahiem Marriot. For a full rundown of the game demos and tournys going on at WonderCon click here.

WonderCon will once again host the Robert A. Heinlein Memorial Blood Drive. The Red Cross will be at the Anaheim Convention Center from 12:00 to 6:00 PM on Friday, March 29 and 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturday, March 30. This is an on going blood drive that’s lasted decades. Come and take the time out of your day to contribute to such a great cause.

WonderCon and conventions are known for their cosplay masquerades. For a full list of of rules and registrations click here. In addition to the cosplay masquerade you can catch all your favorite cosplayers roaming the floor and at their respective booths. Some of our favorites such as Jessica Nigri (booth 477)  and LeeAnna Vamp will be at the UltraLuze Movie Theater at the Anaheim GardenWalk on Friday March 29th after WonderCon from 8-9pm. You can catch these lovely ladies  for a signing and raffle. From 9pm and on guest will be able to enjoy the lounge, bar, cafe, and movies for a discounted price when you present your WonderCon badge.

In addition to the many faces I have talked about there will be even more special guest. These guest include Jane Epenson (Writer/producer, Firefly, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Once Upon A Time) and Jim Lee (Artist, Justice League, DC Entertainment co-publisher). For a full list of special guest click here.

There you have it folks. A quick rundown of the get down. We will be on sight tomorrow and all weekend at the convention. If you spot some of us in our Noble Press tees feel free to come up and conversate. This is one of our favorite conventions as socal residents and we look forward to meeting our fellow comic enthusiast neighbors. WonderCon, be there or be oblong!

Source: WonderCon

The post WonderCon 2013 appeared first on Noble Press.

Its been awhile but Valve has yet another new hero for us to sink our teeth into. Introducing Rigwarl The Bristleback. Bristle  is a welcomed addition to the many great strength heroes in Dota 2. His main role is that of a tank he  can  soak  up all the  damage while his allies pound away at the enemy team. I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot of Bristleback  play  in  the coming week hes sure to be a great  addition to many team comps.

Be sure to check below for the latest changes in the patch notes. And don’t forget to follow our resident Dota 2  experts recommended build for Bristle. Good luck with the  new hero everyone, be sure to let us know how  you like him or if you have any of your own home brewed Bristle builds we’ll see you all in game!

Bristleback Build:

Phase Boots

Soul Ring

Vangaurd

Shivas Guard

Patch Notes:

 Added Bristleback!

GAMEPLAY
- Broodmother: Fixed Insatiable Hunger cooldown on level 1 and 3.
- Dragon Knight: Fixed Dragon Blood armor bonus not carrying over to Illusions.
- Dragon Knight: Fixed Elder Dragon Form frost slow getting dispelled when target initially becomes Magic Immune.
- Doom: Fixed Doom damage being blocked by Pipe.
- Enchantress: Fixed Nature’s Attendants lasting 1 second less than intended.
- Huskar: Fixed Life Break leap moving too fast.
- Magnus: Fixed Shockwave hitting units behind you.
- Mirana: Fixed Mirana’s Leap range being slightly too short.
- Nyx Assassin: Fixed Impale traveling too far.
- Phantom Lancer: Fixed being able to have 1 juxtapose illusion too many
- Razor: Fixed Static Link break range being 25 too short.
- Shadow Shaman: Fixed Shackles doing a little less damage than intended.
- Slark: Fixed Pounce not initiating an attack order on the leashed target.
- Templar Assassin: Fixed Meld buff getting dispelled.
- Visage: Fixed Familiars not getting affected by Chronosphere.
- Weaver: Fixed being The Swarm units being unable to Latch onto sleeping units.
- Weaver: Fixed The Swarm getting permanently dispelled if the enemy is invulnerable .
- Weaver: Fixed the Swarm units not doing their initial attack immediately upon latching.
- Added Psuedo Random chance for Roshan’s Bash.
- Fixed Eye of Skadi frost slow getting dispelled when target initially becomes Magic Immune.
- Fixed Diffusal Blade proccing multiple damage instances.
- Fixed heroes flickering on the minimap when walking by Sentry Wards while under Smoke of Deceit.

UI
- Pausing in a practice or tournament game now prevents the team that paused from querying units, moving the camera or accessing the shop.
- Added ability and item notes, detailed tooltips that will display only if ALT is pressed.
- Adjusted Replay Highlight scene leadin time a bit.
- Arcane Boots now has ‘mana’ as a shop alias.
- Wisp name change to Io.
- Added 10 second rewind button to replay controls.
- Spectator Items panel now takes up less space and shows items ordered by value.
- Steam friends can be added, removed, and friendship requests confirmed/ignored from within Dota 2.

VISUALS
- New Vengeful Spirit model.
- Added in-game models for when the following items are dropped from inventory into the world: Gem of True Sight, Observer Wards, and Sentry Wards.

BOTS
- Added Bounty Hunter bot.
- Significantly revised how Roam mode works.

AUDIO
- Revised Beastmaster’s voice.

DOTA 2 STORE
- Added the Treasure Key of the Cursed Wood and the Treasure Key of the Shaper Divine.
- Several old keys have returned to the store along with a very low drop rate for some older community chests.
- The current set of community crates will no longer expire, but their drop rate will be decreased over time and their rarity increased over time.
- Added new sets for Brewmaster, Lich, Riki, Juggernaut, Beastmaster, and Spectre.
- Added a couple new couriers!

Sources: DotaCinema, Dota2 DevForums

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