Square Enix’s Antique Carnevale, teased several weeks ago with a unique character trailer, has officially launched. No, you didn’t read that incorrectly – as it turns out, the newest property from the Final Fantasy developer is a free to play, browser-based game available on Yahoo! Games Plus in Japan. Talk about sudden.

Antique Carnevale sees the player functioning as a game master with other characters that can be summoned as pieces in battle. In-app purchases are supported and the actual game combines JRPG and board game elements (namely from Chess and Reversi). Though not officially available on mobiles, it’s possible to access through a web browser on iOS and Android along with PC and Mac.

Check out the launch trailer for Antique Carnevale below and let us know what you think. Are you disappointed that this isn’t a new release for consoles or even mobiles? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

The advantages of avoiding legacy issues and a “quirky language like Javascript” are also manifold. However, when asked if this would become a threat to the traditional publishing model – since you wouldn’t need console specific versions if games could be run off the browser itself – Sweeney replied that, “It’s a big area of future tension.

“There’s great competition between all the browser makers to make them all as standards-compliant as possible, but when you combine that with the platform-holder who wants to tax app sales on their platform, there’s an economic motive to resist fully-standardized, high-performance HTML5 and Javascript.”

Rein chimed in by stating that, “With consoles, since they’re the same configuration, for the most part, you work really hard to make those games push into every crevice of performance for the platform, and the compiled Javascript will never get you that kind of performance you get from optimizing native to the hardware.

“But on PC, where you have virtually unlimited ranges of power – and most people have more PC than you need to play what you consider “web games” – you’ll have lots of capabilities. But on the console, you see the big blockbuster games like Gears of War, people expect every last pixel to be lit up.”

And as long as people expect those kind of experiences from their specialized consoles, it’ll be a while before they’re willing to play a more “generalized” version off their web browsers.

As part of a concentrated war effort, with all players being part of the German forces, Silent Hunter Online’s Dynamic Campaign has players cooperating together to help unlock further missions. This can be done by completing objectives, both primary and secondary, along with defending against the Allied Forces when they try to retake theaters.

The Wolfpack Missions in particular focus on co-op gameplay, as you can invite friends and community members to cooperate with you in any single-player mission. Interestingly, the rewards will be randomized depending the help you receive due to the dynamic nature of the campaign.

Check out all the action go down in the new dev diary. As of now, Silent Hunter Online’s release date is to be announced.

Now, the game has achieved its Kickstarter goal but just barely with $204,680 pledged by 2,681 backers. McGee stated that, “We’ll get working on delivering campaign rewards – starting with virtual items like Karma. The development team will begin work on their planning and we’ll post info about delivery dates ASAP.

And since there will be an Android version, the topic of development for the console Ouya came up. “Lots of questions about Ouya, so we’ll start figuring out what we can do to support that demand. Physical items will start to get shipped around, signed and sent out. And we’ll keep you updated throughout.”

Akaneiro: Demon Hunters is a Japanese mythological spin on the classic tale of Red Riding Hood, with action elements and, well, demons.

Source: GIBiz

Roadhouse has also announced its Founder’s Program for the same, which consists of three packages for fans. Thankfully, regardless of which one you go for, you’ll still have early access to the game from January 9th.

These packages include:

Veteran Founder’s Package ($20)
– $25 value of in-game currency (2,500k C-Bills) for in-game item purchases.
– Two exclusive, Seventh Kommando MechWarrior units
– Four limited edition Seventh Kommando decals
– Seventh Kommando Veteran rank badge
– One-month Lance Tier Premium Account to MechWarrior Tactics at launch

Elite Founder’s Package ($50)
– $60 value of in-game currency* (6,000k C-Bills) for in-game item purchases.
– Two exclusive Seventh Kommando MechWarrior units
– Two limited edition Seventh Kommando ‘Mech Chassis
– Two limited edition Seventh Kommando skins
– Four limited edition Seventh Kommando decals
– Seventh Kommando Elite rank badge
– Two-month’s Company Tier Premium Account to MechWarrior Tactics at launch
– Early access to the game starts January 9, 2013

Legendary Founder’s Package ($120)
– $100 value of in-game currency* (10,000k C-Bills) for in-game item purchases.
– Four exclusive Seventh Kommando MechWarrior units
– Four limited edition Seventh Kommando Mech Chassis
– Four limited edition Seventh Kommando skins
– Four limited edition Seventh Kommando decals
– Seventh Kommando Legendary rank badge
– Two-month’s Battalion Tier Premium Account to MechWarrior Tactics at launch

Utilizing Stage 3D and Flash, the game presents a fully 3D world with bright, vivid colours. For those with more humble configuration, you can switch between different views like Simple (right), with Real view (left) showcasing an active fight. Regardless of which view you go for, the game will function pretty much the same.

The publisher is looking for members to sign up for the closed beta that begins in early 2013. For more information, check out the site. Players who sign up early will receive a complimentary Gold Shield.

Source: Siliconera

In the one level demo, you’ll be taking control of a wicked dual katana wielding rabbit as he mows down raccoons, boars and crowds. Of course, there’s also a giant skeleton boss who feels like ruining the so-called scarecrow’s day. Despite requiring more polish, the game is fast and fluid, and quite a blast to play.

Samurai Scarecrow isn’t the kind of game you sink hours into. It’s a cute little diversion and would work great with smartphones or some casual gaming. Check out the Kickstarter page here, and pledge a few bucks if you enjoy the demo.

Source: WeeaboswithControllers

On the official site, Star Galaxy is described as “a simulation strategy game that takes place in the galaxy”. The objective of the game is to develop the territory of one’s planet and organize officers on the basis of proficiency. One can also cooperate with friendly forces to ensure victory.

As of now, the game will be entering into closed beta. And really, that’s all that’s really known about it. Granted, Star Ocean would have been a much more profitable announcement for Square-Enix in terms of hype and saleability, but when even companies like Disney are looking to expand in the free to play/social games market, it only makes sense that Square-Enix would want to have a strong presence in this market.

In order for you not to have heard about this game, you would have had to have been living under a very large and impermeable rock for the past 10 years or so. It is recognised by the Guiness Book of World Records as being the world’s most popular MMO, and for good reason. Provided you don’t mind a game of fantasy (and the occasional paedophile) it is possible to sink thousands of hours into this game. Imagine the browser equivalent of WoW. It is, of course, completely free with the option to pay a monthly fee for some extra content. It features fantastic graphics for an aged, not to mention free, engine, and there is a diverse world to explore, things to stab and people to meet.

29. Dark Cut

This is not a game for the faint of heart. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a doctor in the Middle Ages?  Then this is the game for you. Operate on a ‘variety’ of patients, using a multitude of tools to ‘cure’ them.

Happy buchering.

28. Faerytale Online

Another MMO, with a similar theme; kill people, gain respect, build up your friends list and make your character as strong as possible. In Faertale Online, there is even a permanent death feature, so watch who you pick your fights with! The graphics are nothing to get excited about however; don’t come to this game looking for rig-killing realism.

27. Stick Trampoline

Now here is an interesting game. Bounce your man up and down as high as you can to gain the most points. Highly addictive.

26. Space Invaders

Ah, space invaders. What a cult classic eh? Its on Xbox Live, its on mobiles, and now it’s on flash. You owe it to yourself to play this game.  The music is thoughtfully retro, and adds a sense of class.

25. Stick Arena

They should make people pay for a game of this calibre. In Stick Arena, you control your stickman from a top-down view, and lead him to fight against other ‘stickmen’ online using everything from Katana swords to Mini Uzis.

24. Stair Fall 2

Boy oh boy, throwing people down stairs is so fun! Seriously, you will never have so much fun throwing people down stairs.

23. Robot Rage

This is another Multiplayer online game, where you build and customize a robot killing machine, then battle it out to the death! It’s a shame about the amount of cheating that goes on though.

22.  Atomic Badger Racing

Betting has never been so fun! All you have to do is select your badger, then race them. Using ‘cat crap bombs’ and nitrous, you can even ‘influence’ the outcome!

Go go badger racing!

21. Falling Sand Game

Ah, the Falling Sand game. A cult classic. Words, literally, cannot describe this game, you have to play it for yourself!

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