EA Shutting Down ‘Battlefield Heroes’ and Other Free-to-Play Titles

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EA Shutting Down ‘Battlefield Heroes’ and Other Free-to-Play Titles

Battlefield Heroes Battlefield Heroes/Facebook

Christian Post Report – Battlefield Heroes Facebook image. April 15, 2015.

EA has released information it will be canceling “Battlefield Heroes,” along with three of its other free-to-play games two months from now.

Once one of Entertainment Arts’ major attractions, “Battlefield Heroes” is due to be shut down on July 14, together with three other EA titles, “FIFA World,” “Battlefield Play4Free,” and “Need for Speed World.”

Launched in 2009, “Battlefield Heroes,” a third person shooter game, was EA’s original free-to-play model. The game was created to be less demanding on PC specifications to help the developer increase its audience base.

While EA has put its stock on free-to-play games in the past, with “Battlefield Heroes” reaching 10 million registered users in 2012, the developer is looking at moving forward on a different path, and has started shutting its free-to-play titles down.

Patrick Söderlund, EVP for EA Studios pointed out that “Battlefield Heroes” as well as the other titles were released over five years ago, and video games have drastically evolved since then.

EA has been looking at other free-to-play game experiences for PC gamers around the world, and it has concluded some of its own games have lost their popularity over the years. Söderlund further mentioned of another of its titles, the MMORPG “Star Wars: the Old Republic,” which has garnered a strong following. EA is ready to take their games towards that direction with strong story-driven themes and updates.

Earlier on, EA closed down “Dawngate” MOBA game after 18 months in beta stage. It also canceled “Shadow Realms,” then under development by BioWare Austin.

“Battlefield Heroes” and the other endangered titles will continue to operate for another three more months before EA ceases development and support for them and they go offline.

EA has also informed players of the soon-to-be-canceled titles that the shut down will delete all characters and game progress. It has also advised gamers to spend their in-game currency balance as no refunds will be available after July 14.

Source : Christian Post

‘The Real Housewives of New York’ Star Bethenny Frankel Slammed by Ex Jason Hoppy’s Lawyer for Calling Herself ‘Homeless’

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‘The Real Housewives of New York’ Star Bethenny Frankel Slammed by Ex Jason Hoppy’s Lawyer for Calling Herself ‘Homeless’

Real Housewives of New York Bravotv/ The Real Housewives of New York

Christian Post Report – Bethenny Frankel has a meltdown during a drive with her realtor, on The Real Housewives of New York

Bethenny Frankel is back on “The Real Housewives of New York,” and in the season 7 premiere of the show earlier this month, Frankel is seen bemoaning her current state, saying that she’s the “richest homeless person in Manhattan right now.” In the episode, the 44-year-old sobbed as she reveals that she has been living in hotels after she left the home that she shared with her ex, Jason Hoppy.

“I was broke six or seven years ago … I worked so hard, and now he lives in the apartment that I worked my whole life to buy?” she cries.

But now, Hoppy’s attorney Bernard Clair has said that the reality star is just looking to paint herself as the victim, Page Six reports.

Clair said that Frankel’s claims are “inaccurate and false” adding that the stories have been “planted” by persons concerned with “Ms. Frankel’s newly minted efforts to cast herself as a victim, like when she recently called herself ‘homeless’ on national TV.”

Meanwhile, Frankel appeared on Andy Cohen’s “Watch What Happens Live” on Tuesday, April 14 to defend her comments after a fan called in to tell her the homeless comment was a bad choice of words.

“By being on the show, I open myself up to scrutiny,” she told Cohen. “I said I was the wealthiest homeless person. It was a pun. I don’t actually think I’m homeless. I donate a lot of money to Dress for Success and help a lot of women who would be homeless or who were homeless every year with the money that I make from [my company] Skinnygirl.”

Hoppy and Frankel separated in December 2012. They have a daughter together, Bryn, 4.

Source : Christian Post

Marvel’s ‘Daredevil’ on Netflix Becomes Second Most Pirated Show (VIDEO)

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Christian Post Report – Netflix’s “Marvel’s Daredevil”

Following in the footsteps of “Game of Thrones,” Marvel’s “Daredevil” on Netflix has just become the second most pirated television show of the week.

Netflix show, “Daredevil” has seen massive downloads via torrent files this week, making it the second most pirated show after “Game of Thrones,” Excipio, a piracy tracking company has said.

Despite Netflix’s video streaming service costing less than $10 a month in over 50 countries around the world, more than hundreds of thousands of people have taken to torrent sites to download the show, with a total of 2.1 million individual users having downloaded the Marvel series online from April 10 to 16.

The most number of downloads were traced to Brazil, with 190, 274 download users, followed by India, the US, UK, France, and Australia. All the countries in Excipio’s list, except India, have access to Netflix’s streaming service.

Despite the substantial numbers of illegal downloads, Netflix has capped an all-time high for the first quarter of 2015, adding another 4.9 million subscribers from around the world, exceeding its own expectations, and resulting in a spike in its shares by as much as 13 percent.

The popularity of “Daredevil” may spell good news for Netflix, as the show marks the video streaming service’s first high concept series from Marvel Studios. Matt Murdock, played by Charlie Cox, is slated to return to “The Defenders” together with other Marvel heroes, a.k.a. Jessica Jones, played by Krysten Ritter; Luke Cage/Power Man, played by Mike Colter, and Iron Fist. These characters will also be given their own 13-episode this year, just like “Daredevil.”

While HBO’s has managed to brush aside the 6.5 million illegal downloads of “Game of Thrones,” Netflix needs its viewer-to-membership subscription conversions. However, with the rave reviews “Daredevil” has been receiving, piracy may cease to be an issue when Netflix proceeds with the rest of its planned superhero standalone seasons starting with “A.K.A. Jessica Jones” later this year.

Source : Christian Post

Mayweather-Pacquiao Fight: Tickets for May 2 Megafight Have Yet to Go On Sale

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Mayweather-Pacquiao Fight: Tickets for May 2 Megafight Have Yet to Go On Sale

Manny Pacquiao vs Floyd Mayweather Youtube Screenshot/ file

Christian Post Report – Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao have a stare-down at the first and only press conference for their May 2 fight

It’s only two weeks before Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao get to duke it out in the most anticipated fight in recent times, yet according to ESPN, tickets for the fight have yet to go on sale.

According to the website, the two camps and MGM Grand are currently locked in a standoff over allotments, and when tickets finally go on sale, only a few will reportedly be sold at the listed price.

“It’s bizarre, normally there’s a public sale 10 weeks before the fight,” Connor Gregoire, an analyst for Seatgeek.com to ESPN. “To our knowledge, no one has a printed ticket in their hands right now.”

It was reported that MGM officials have been tight-lipped about the availability of the tickets. The hotel issued a statement on Friday saying there would be a “limited number of tickets available for sale” and that it is coordinating with promoters to finalize a date for their release.

Last month, it was announced that tickets at the MGM Grand Garden arena will cost from $1,500 to $7,500. But those prices have reportedly already tripled in the resale market even before tickets are available, and Pacquiao’s and Mayweather’s camps are said to be arguing over how many seats and at what price level each party gets.

Pacquiao’s manager, Michael Koncz, blames the Mayweather camp for the dispute, saying that they refused to sign a term sheet negotiated months earlier that specified ticket allotments for each camp.

“I can only surmise the motivation is greed and an attempt to manipulate the tickets, otherwise, why the holdup?” Koncz said.

Koncz also said that despite both boxers having plenty of celebrity supporters, no one is getting in for free.

“Nobody’s getting free tickets,” said Koncz to ESPN. “Even Bob [Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter] has to pay for his ticket in the first row.”

Source : Christian Post

‘The Young and the Restless’ Spoilers for Week April 20 to 24: Victoria and Chelsea Confront Each Other

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‘The Young and the Restless’ Spoilers for Week April 20 to 24: Victoria and Chelsea Confront Each Other

Christian Post Report – Last Friday on “The Young and the Restless,” Adam tells Chelsea that she can’t go through with the wedding. Chelsea tells him that she has to go and tell Billy.

The Young and the Restless CBS/ The Young and the Restless

The cast of The Young and the Restless

She heads home and tells Billy that they have to talk. He tells her that he kissed Victoria and that he’s regretted doing so. He doesn’t want to let her down anymore, and furthermore, he still wants to marry her. Chelsea tells him that maybe he ought to spend less time with Victoria. Billy is greatly relieved that Chelsea is taking things so well, and Chelsea suggests that maybe they should get married as soon as possible.

At Crimson Lights, Summer, Stitch, Dylan, Kyle, and Abby talk about Paul’s press conference about Sharon. Dylan tells Stitch that Sharon is being framed. Abby tells Summer and Kyle that Ben isn’t convinced that Sharon is the culprit. Stitch warns them to be on the lookout.

Across town, Sage arrives at the penthouse to get her things. Adam gives her the signed divorce papers, and she wonders why he’s not being more difficult about this. He says that he might have a chance to be with Chelsea. Sage says that maybe that’s true, because he’s lying to her.

Chelsea goes to the penthouse and tells Adam that that she couldn’t tell Billy and that they’re still getting married. She leaves as Billy appears. He asks her what she’s doing at the penthouse. Chelsea says that she told Gabe that he should move on.

Here are “The Young and the Restless” spoilers for April 20 to 24:

April 20 (Monday): Joe gets a life-changing news; Jack plans his escape; Nikki takes the stand in court.

April 21 (Tuesday): Victor’s secret partner is revealed; Hilary’s plan unnerves Devon; Jack’s actions shock the Abbotts.

April 22 (Wednesday): Ashley is concerned about Jabot; Victoria and Stitch reach a relationship crossroads.

April 23 (Thursday): Victoria and Chelsea get into a confrontation; Abby mixes business with pleasure.

April 24 (Friday): Avery warns Sharon to stay away from Dylan.

“The Young and the Restless” airs from Mondays to Fridays at 12:30 p.m. on CBS.

Source : Christian Post

NASA’s Messenger on a Death Dive Towards Mercury’s Surface

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NASA’s Messenger on a Death Dive Towards Mercury’s Surface

NASA Messenger (Photo: NASA/File)

Christian Post Report – NASA’s Messenger as it approaches Mercury’s surface.

After years of studying the planet, NASA’s Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry and Ranging (Messenger) spacecraft will go on a death dive at the surface of Mercury on April 30 when it runs out of propellant. The said spacecraft were the first to capture the first images of ice found on Mercury.

Launched in August 2004, the spacecraft travelled for 7.8 billion kilometer (4.9 billion miles) in a span of more than a decade. The spacecraft spent six and a half years of travelling before it started orbiting and collecting data from Mercury. Data collection lasted for one Earth year.

According to University of Michigan’s Thomas Zurbuchen, “We’re at the end of a really successful mission, and we can’t do anything anymore to stop it from doing what it naturally wants to do. The sun is pulling on it. The planet is pulling on it. It’s just physics. It has to crash.”

The mission was initially to study the first rock from the sun. Still, the mission was indeed successful as the spacecraft was able to deliver useful information from the planet. It was in 2012 that the spacecraft gave significant evidence to prove that frozen water and volatile materials exist within the polar craters of Mercury. The images sent back shows ice at the planet’s poles that are about three kilometers thick when spread over an area the size of Washington.

The ice has deposits that suggest presence of organic compounds.

Sean Solomon from Columbia University explained, “The water now stored in ice deposits in the permanently shadowed floors of impact craters at Mercury’s poles most likely was delivered to the innermost planet by the impacts of comets and volatile rich asteroids.”

The Messenger will have a dive speed of 3.91 kilometers per second (8,750 miles an hour) and will be completely out of propellant after its last orbit on the April 24.

Source : Christian Post

‘Invisible Inc.’ News: Release Date for PC, Linux and Steam Announced (VIDEO)

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‘Invisible Inc.’ News: Release Date for PC, Linux and Steam Announced (VIDEO)

Invisible Inc. Title Card YouTube/File

Christian Post Report – Screenshot of game title card from Announce Trailer.

Klei Entertainment has announced its turn-based tactics game, “Invisible Inc.” is slated for release on PC, Mac, Linux, and Steam next month.

“Invisible, Inc.,” which made its debut on Microsoft Windows and OS X in January this year, is gearing for its launch on PC, OS X, Linux and Steam on May 12, with a PlayStation 4 version arriving at a later date.

The turn-based tactics game, allowing players a full run of espionage operations, incorporates rogue-like gameplay inspired by “X-Com.” The players take on the role of an agent handler with a playing team of two characters who perform covert operations involving stealth and espionage.

The story arc involves a threat to the agency which must be solved within five days of game time. The two operatives go around the world on various missions to retrieve information, acquire valuables, and perform other espionage activities. With all the data and items gathered, at the end of five days, the threat to their agency must be nullified before the game is lost.

The player, as the Operator, is tasked with choosing the targets, what to steal from corporations, and upgrading the two-man agents when possible. Once an agent dies in the game, they remain dead until the end.

“Invisible, Inc.” features character selection, deep customization for builds, randomly generated environments, five different game modes, and a number fully animated cutscenes with voice overs.

Klei earlier released a Steam Early Access version, but removed the game during for additional development. According to the developer, they are gearing up for users to experience the full version of the game when it launches, including the additional content, new agents, game modes, programs, and other new game elements.

Klei has also announced a PS 4 version is currently under development, but did not release information on when the version will be slated for release.

Source : Christian Post

‘Fast and Furious 8’ Rumors: Vin Diesel Teases New Location and New Character, Cody Walker to Replace Paul?

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‘Fast and Furious 8’ Rumors: Vin Diesel Teases New Location and New Character, Cody Walker to Replace Paul?

Fast and Furious 7 (Photo: Reuters/File)

Christian Post Report – Fast & Furious 7 finally announces its release date.

Following the record box office success of “Fast and Furious 7,” one of the movie’s stars is already talking about a sequel. Vin Diesel recently hinted on a new storyline for the next movie as well as a new character. Rumors have also started circulating that Paul Walker’s younger brother Cody is interested in continuing the role that his brother played if he is considered.

During an interview on the “Jimmy Kimmel Live” show, Vin Diesel talked about the role that the actor Kurt Russell played in the recent movie. He hinted that the next movie’s setting will be in New York City and that Kurt Russell’s character will play a major part in the sequel.

“You know I always think of these films multiple pictures in advance. I think of them as trilogies. Kurt Russell came in for this movie, but he was really, we really hired him because of a story that follows this. That takes place in New York,” he said.

Another cast member, Dwayne Johnson, was said to have confirmed that he will reprise his role in the movie. He also mentioned a conversation he had with Diesel about “raising the bar” not only in terms of action but also in story and characters.

On the issue of who will play the role that Paul Walker left if there will be a sequel, reports are saying that his younger brother who is also an actor, Cody Walker, has indicated his interest. He was the one tapped to finish his brother’s scenes in the “Fast and Furious 7” after Paul’s death. Cody’s manager said that “Cody might be keen on working in Fast and Furious 8 if the producers were interested in signing him on.”

These reports are unconfirmed.

Universal Pictures has yet to confirm reports about a sequel in the works.

Source : Christian Post

Sarah Jessica Parker Returning to HBO in New Comedy TV Movie ‘Divorce’

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Sarah Jessica Parker Returning to HBO in New Comedy TV Movie ‘Divorce’

Sarah Jessica Parker (Photo: Reuters/Fred Prouser)

Christian Post Report – Actress Sarah Jessica Parker poses at the 2008 MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles June 1, 2008.

Sarah Jessica Parker has been announced to star in a new TV show on HBO over a decade after the popular “Sex and the City” aired its series finale.

Sarah Jessica Parker of “Sex and the City” fame, is returning to HBO for a new comedy show, “Divorce,” a departure from her fashionista columnist character Carrie Bradshaw from her previous award-winning series.

While fans of “Sex and the City” may expect a crossover of the popular show, the new series will present a different storyline and set of characters altogether.

“Divorce” tells the story of a long and drawn-out separation between spouses, played by Parker, 50, and “Wings” actor, Thomas Haden Church, who plays her husband.

Parker will take on the role of Frances, who, after making a lengthy evaluation of her life and marriage, decides to make a clean break from her husband, Robert (Church) in order to start fresh, but finds the whole process more difficult than she expects it to be.

Like “Sex and the City,” “Divorce will be set in New York, and has a cast of characters that include Talia Balsam as Dallas and Molly Shannon as Diane, two of Frances’ close friends. “Flight of the Conchords” actor Jermaine Clement has also been signed for a part in the new series.

“Divorce” was written and created by actress Sharon Horgan, who also penned “Pulling,” “Angelo’s,” and “Dead Boss.”

The new HBO series was greenlighted for a pilot in February, and while no further information on a premiere date has been set, the show is likely to get an 8 to 10-episode run for the first season.

Parker, who was last seen on TV in three episodes of Glee’s season four where she played Isabelle Wright, has just completed filming “All Roads Lead to Rome,” which is slated for release this year.

Source : Christian Post

Changes and Upgrades for ‘The Avengers: Age of Ultron’ Costumes Revealed (VIDEO)

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Changes and Upgrades for ‘The Avengers: Age of Ultron’ Costumes Revealed (VIDEO)

Avengers Age of Ultron Avengers: Age of Ultron/Facebook

Christian Post Report – Avengers: Age of Ultron. Facebook image. March 1, 2015.

New changes in superhero costumes have been announced just two weeks before “The Avengers: Age of Ultron” hits the big screen.

While audiences have viewed a number of different trailers and movie posters for “The Avengers: Age of Ultron,” Marvel has just released the details of characters’ costume changes since the last installment was released.

With superhero costumes considered a constant work in progress, wardrobe designers have added several changes over the years, and costumes for Marvel’s Avengers have not been made exempt from the upgrades.

Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow suit received the most alterations for “Age of Ultron.” The suit came with a big battery pack the actress had to drag around with her wherever she went to accommodate the firing of electrical blasts of energy at the enemy. Added to her pregnancy during the shooting of the movie (Johansson gave birth to a baby girl in September last year), her suit had to be modified to hide her growing stomach, making it the most uncomfortable wardrobe to wear on set.

Chris Hemsworth had his metal scale sleeves removed from his classic Thor costume, unveiling his muscled arms, a sight his female fans in the audience are likely to appreciate when the movie premieres on May 1. A grateful Hemsworth told Kevin Polowy of Yahoo Movies in an interview the sleeves were “ridiculously hot and uncomfortable.”

Paul Bettany, who plays J.A.R.V.I.S. come to life in the person of Vision, also complained about the heat in his first costumed role.

Mark Ruffalo, who escaped being costumed throughout the movie as his Hulk character is a CGI-version of him, was at first envious of his co-stars until he saw then carrying portable air conditioners around the set.

“I’m like, ‘I’m kinda stoked I don’t have to wear a costume. But no, I want a superhero suit, though,” He told Yahoo!

Source : Christian Post

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