Featuring concept art and commentary by BioWare on the games' characters, locations, vehicles, weapons, and more, "The Art of the Mass Effect Universe" is the most complete companion available to gaming's most compelling series.

    The Art of Fire Emblem Awakening contains an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at the smash-hit 3DS game, from beautifully illustrated renditions of your favorite characters, to storyboards for in-game events, character designs, weapon designs, character profiles, and the entirety of the script with every possible branch of dialogue! Relive some of the most poignant moments of the game, or see what might have been if you had made different in-game decisions with the Art of Fire Emblem Awakening!

    From its humble beginnings as a three-person console-game development studio in 1991 to the creation of the blockbuster Warcraft®, StarCraft®, and Diablo® series, Blizzard has a history of crafting stunning worlds of science fiction and fantasy. The company’s distinctive gameplay and storytelling styles have captivated an international audience numbering in the tens of millions whose passion cannot be quelled. Twenty years after Blizzard opened its doors, the company’s World of Warcraft® boasts the title of the world’s most popular subscription-based massively multiplayer online role-playing game, and the studio is widely recognized as one of the leaders in creatively driven game development. An epic volume of art and behind-the-scenes insights, The Art of Blizzard® celebrates the studio’s genesis by examining the creative forces behind these games and showcasing their artistry through more than 700 pieces of concept art, paintings, and sketches. Commentary on the art is provided by Blizzard Entertainment’s own Nick Carpenter, Sam Didier, and Chris Metzen, who’ve each played important roles in shaping Blizzard’s game universes over the years.

    Every set and minifigure from the LEGO Batman universe will now be at your fingertips.Explore each LEGO Batman set according to its location, key themes, events, and characters, including the cunning Catwoman, the daredevil Robin, and the villainous Joker. Other famous DC characters like Wonder Woman, Superman, and Green Lantern will also be featured in minifigure form alongside their corresponding sets that will be hitting stores in 2012.Go beyond the bricks to look at the wider world of LEGO Batman -- including video games, merchandise, and the intense fan community. As an extra bonus, the bottom corners of each page create two great flip-books!LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Brick configuration and the Minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO Group. (c) 2012 The LEGO Group. Produced by DK Publishing under license from the LEGO Group.Copyright (c) 2012 DC Comics. All related characters and elements are trademarks of and (c) DC Comics. (s12)

    Recognized for having some of the richest, most-engrossing art and storytelling in the industry, Assassin's Creed transcends video games, branching out into other entertainment experiences including comic books, Facebook games, novels, short films and more.Assassin's Creed III sees the franchise step into a brand new era, with a new assassin in a revolutionary world. With intricately detailed environments and finely-honed and evocative historical reimaginings, this is a world into which you can immerse yourself and feel the echoes of the past come to life. Continuing in the footsteps of this already world-renowned franchise, Assassin's Creed III promises to be the biggest and best yet.Highlights in the game, and in the book, include new interactive cityscapes, frozen winter landscapes, threats from the natural world, weather systems that affect gameplay, and a wholly new environment for any Assassin so far - all stunningly and historically-correctly recreated by the Ubisoft studio.

    Set in the aftermath of Halo 3, it marks the beginning of a new trilogy as the Master Chief confronts an ancient evil that threatens the fate of the entire universe.Awakening: The Art of Halo 4 will give gamers an in-depth look behind the scenes at the creation of the stunning worlds of Halo 4, with commentary from the art director and game designers throughout. Concept art, character sketches, detailed environments and an additional section on the forthcoming multiplayer game make this the definitive guide to 343 Industries' take on the Halo universe.

    Now comes the ultimate in-depth guide to the turbulent and fascinating world featured in the game — The Old Republic.Created in full collaboration with LucasArts, this in-depth companion covers the spectrum of characters, weapons, vehicles, events, and planets of Star Wars: The Old Republic. More than just an encyclopedia, it is the ultimate guided tour of the dangerous and mysterious universe found in a galaxy far, far away.© 2012 Lucasfilm Ltd. ® & ™ All Rights Reserved. Used Under Authorization.

    • Every secret, every unlockable, every side-quest, every mini-game, every Achievement and every Trophy revealed and explained in a dedicated Extras chapter. We've also added a story recap and an artwork gallery. • The dedicated Walkthrough charts the critical path through the main narrative. It also provides regular prompts and tips to direct players to side quests and other optional features within the game world. • The Tour Guide chapter includes one section per game location in each time period. This complements the Walkthrough by examining all optional activities offered in the game (side quests, mini-games, puzzles and power-leveling spots). • The Completion Timeline chapter offers a visual and streamlined guide to 100% completion. • The Strategy & Analysis section gives an advanced analysis of the game's key important systems and features. This covers even the most complex topics such as character development in a thorough, yet user-friendly way. • All-encompassing Inventory and Bestiary chapters feature exhaustive lists and tables covering all enemies, weapons, accessories, items and shops.• Carefully designed to avoid unnecessary story spoilers.

    “Eggman” Robotnik and the rest of the cast of the comics and SEGA games in this first-of-its-kind Best of Sonic the Hedgehog graphic novel collection! After nearly twenty years of comics, specials and mini-series, Sonic the Hedgehog has hundreds of great stories to his name. Through the laughs and thrills, the action and adventure, the highs and lows, some stories stand out among the rest. Join us as the Archie Comics Sonic Team picks their favorite stories from the history of the series and presents them in this thematic must-have collection! Included in this collection are "Mecha Madness" (featured in Sonic Archives 10 and Sonic Select 2), chosen by writer Ian Flynn; the finale to "Endgame" (featured in Sonic Archives 13), chosen by artist Patrick Spaziante; "Order from Chaos" (from Sonic the Hedgehog issues 168-169) chosen by artist Tracy Yardley!; and "Future Tense" (from Sonic the Hedgehog issue 215), chosen by artist Jamal Peppers. Don't miss out on this collection of the best Sonic stories to date, chosen by the most popular Sonic creators!

    You'll also find character profiles, promotional artwork, rare concept art, and a detailed look at the origins of the "Blue Blur".

    Follow the Blue Blur through Mobius and beyond! An all-new, encyclopedic look at the world of Sonic the Hedgehog, complete with character profiles and storyline recaps in easy-to-use reference format! What is Sonic's dog's name? Who's the robo-villian who knocks his foes down like bowling pins? Where is the Special Zone? What powerful force keeps Angel Island afloat? Find the answers plus all the in-depth info we could squeeze inside these pages!Whether you've been a fan since Sonic the Hedgehog #0 or you're new to the world of Big Blue, The Complete Sonic the Hedgehog Comic Encyclopedia is a crucial element to your Sonic library-- the definitive guide to the Sonic comics universe, and the ultimate gift for any Sonic fan!

    Learn how the team created the Mass Effect universe from Cinematics to Characters, Art, Audio, and more• BONUS Digital Guide Access - With interactive multiplayer maps and video strategy• See Mass Effect 3 like never before - Discover environments and parts of the game you won't see anywhere else. Panoramic views will leave you amazed With this guide you will: • Fight YOUR Way - Multiple approaches to every key battle• Dominate in Multiplayer - Comprehensive maps prepare you for battle and help you survive• Choose the Best Gear - Every weapon and piece of armor revealed, including mods and upgrades• Take Earth Back - Class breakdowns and build recommendations give you the advantage you need against the reapers• Avoid Spoilers - Special callouts strategically placed and text turned upside down at critical story moments ensure your experience won't be spoiled

    The Eyes of Bayonetta collects the stylish artwork behind this cinematic action game, featuring character sketches, CG models, monster, weapon, and location designs, and creator commentary. Also included is an exclusive hour-long DVD interview with the game's creators, taking you behind the scenes of Bayonetta's creation!

    Are you ready?Premium Papercraft - Build five exclusive, collectible papercraft models on high quality paper model stock with web-supported video building instructions from the voice of Claptrap himself.Exclusive Travel Guide -Explore Pandora with the unofficial Pandora Travel Guide sponsored by the Businesses of Pandora. This unique art section focuses on the vast environments ofPandora, while highlighting the ads and billboards that make Pandora feel inhabited.Developer Interviews -Behind-the-scenes interviews with the Borderlands 2 brain-trust: Anthony Burch, Jeramy Cooke, Matt Armstrong, and Raison Varner.Collectible Hard Cover -All the game-tested strategies of our Signature Series packaged in a high-quality hard cover with special art by Scott Kester created specifically for the BradyGames Limited Edition.Crimson Raiders’ Path of Most Resistance - A complete walkthrough of the main story, featuring maps for every area, collectible locations, expert tips from the development team at Gearbox, and an A-to-Z index of all the optional missions.Marcus Munitions Monthly - The massive Borderlands 2 arsenal is described as only Marcus could—with expertise and snark! It’s all here: damage calculators, weapon generation, the specialties of each manufacturer, and choosing the best weapon for your class. Plus, coverage of black market items (SDUs), class mods, relics, and more!Sir Hammerlock’s Almanac of Pandoran Beasts - A bestiary of all creatures, big and bigger, in Pandora. Sir Hammerlock imparts his insights and observations—including a symposium on each species and mob family. Spawning locations, critical hit diagrams, likely drops, and loads of valuable stats!Hyperion’s Most Wanted- A breakdown of all four classes. Get to know each character’s personality and history, as well as the special abilities, skill trees, and possible builds for solo play and co-op roles that will make your Vault Hunter unique.Claptrap’s Secret Vault - A quick reference to all challenges and Achievements/Trophies, along with a customizable heads gallery. Plus secrets!About the game - Borderlands 2 follows the story of four new Vault Hunters as they fight to free Pandora from the clutches of Handsome Jack, the brilliant, charismatic, and utterly despicable CEO of the Hyperion Corporation. Players will fight across the whole of Pandora to stop Jack from awakening an ancient alien evil known only as "the Warrior." Their quest will bring them into contact with some familiar faces from the old game- most notably, the original four Vault Hunters: Roland, Lilith, Brick and Mordecai. They, along with some brand new characters, will help players defeat Jack, destroy the Warrior, and save Pandora.

    This unique and dangerous world has captured the imaginations of millions of gamers, and here you can see it come to life on the page.Filled with hundreds of images, including close-ups of Pandora's environments, vehicles and one-of-a-kind weapons; you can also follow the creation of your favourite characters and creatures, from the first sketches to the finished product.

    • The latest, most up-to-date National Pokédex, including newly revealed Pokémon • Tips and strategies on training and battle to help you master the games • Insider info on Pokémon moves and Abilities in the new games • A spectacular full-color Pokémon poster• A password to get a special Gothorita with the Hidden Ability Shadow Tag

    

    The ultimate guide to videogames, Gamer's 2012 is completely updated with amazing new records and the very best images from this year's top titles. There are also exciting news stories and fascinating nuggets of trivia detailing recent and upcoming developments in the world of gaming, along with Top 10 charts ranking the most impressive scores and achievements. Discover a dazzling array of essential facts and figures about record-breaking videogames and the highest-scoring players, along with fascinating quotes from the leading figures in the industry. There's also an entertaining taglines quiz that will test just how much you know about the games' stories and characters.

    • EXCLUSIVE Content – Includes an additional 48 pages of 'Behind-The-Scenes' content, interviews, concept art, and photos from 343 Industries.• EXCLUSIVE Map Cards – 10 War Games specific Dry-Erase Cards with MLG pro tips.• EXCLUSIVE Free Download  – Includes free download for the Cryptum Avatar T-Shirt.• MLG Pro Strategy – Get expert advice for every War Game map and game type from MLG pro Halo players and MLG tournament champions- Michael "Strongside" Cavanaugh, Michael "Flamesword" Chavez, Marcus "Elumnite" Lovejoy, and Brett "Naded" Leonard. • Free Online Updates – Complete the Spartan Ops weekly episodic campaign. Redeem the digital access code provided to learn key strategies, watch gameplay video from the devs, and complete all missions.• Critical Appendix – Details info on Achievements, Emblems, and Multiplayer medals.• Become a Legend – Offers the very best tactics to get you through the campaign with a Heroic walkthrough and Legendary tips.

    Following the successful campaigns in Northrend and in the lands opened by the Shattering, and the deaths of the Lich King at Icecrown Citadel and Deathwing the Destroyer at the Maelstrom, the expansion refocuses primarily on the war between the Alliance and Horde, in the wake of the accidental rediscovery of the mythical and long-forgotten lands of Pandaria, a continent far to the south that has until now been shrouded in magical mists and touched by the ancient malevolence known only as the Sha. With both factions landing on Pandaria, adventurers rediscover the ancient pandaren people, whose wisdom will help guide them to new destinies; the Pandaren Empire's ancient enemy, the mantid; and their legendary oppressors, the enigmatic mogu. As conflicts heat up between the Alliance and Horde, the land changes over time, with subsequent patches having escalated the conflict between Alliance leader Varian Wrynn and the increasingly unbalanced Horde warchief Garrosh Hellscream... eventually leading to a schism within the Horde itself. As civil war wracks the Horde, the Alliance and forces in the Horde opposed to Hellscream's violent uprising join forces to take the battle directly to the enemy, leading to direct confrontation with Hellscream and his Sha-touched allies in the expansion's concluding showdown deep within the bowels of Orgrimmar itself.

    

    Assassin’s Creed The Chain completes the Daniel Cross/Nikolai Orelov narrative arc, but it also sheds a new light on Assassin’s Creed III

    In the third eBook short story, the Blind Seeress Theresa encounters a destiny she can’t abide. Can she change the future without changing everything?   In a small village, an innocent girl is tormented by disturbing hallucinations and violent headaches. Like Theresa, the girl is a seer, but one whose powers will lead to madness and death. Theresa has seen the girl’s fate in a shocking vision. Refusing to accept what appears to be certain, Theresa resolves to find the mythical cure for second sight. But she needs help. Unfortunately, in a town where heroes are few and far between, Theresa is left with Elijah Stane, a drunken wretch up for one last great adventure. On a journey rife with peril, Fable’s™ most powerful seer discovers that altering fate is no easy task. And the choices Theresa must make will haunt her . . . perhaps to the grave.

    From the same team that brought you the highly acclaimed guides to Assassin’s Creed II, Brotherhood and Revelations.100% complete: Main missions, side quests and optional challenges – all streamlined for 100% completion.All secrets: All unlockables, all bonuses, all collectible items, all hidden destinations, all Achievements and all Trophies...you won’t miss a thing.Revolutionary Walkthrough: An at-a-glance walkthrough covers every step of the adventure supported by detailed, annotated screenshots.Authoritative: Statistics, diagrams and analysis from our experts provide a comprehensive understanding of all game systems and features.Story Analysis: Includes a series retrospective and breakdown of all major plot events and mysteries, with insightful speculation on future developments.Multiplayer Section: Packed with a wealth of insights, advanced tips and hi-res maps.Covers: Xbox 360®, Playstation®3, PC

    They are sent into the Sleeping Worlds, where they face new enemies and make new friends in unfamiliar worlds. If they can successfully unlock seven Sleeping Keyholes and return to their world, they will retrieve a great power and be deemed true Keyblade Masters.Complete Walkthrough - Follow this guide to gain knowledge about each Sleeping World, the characters within them, Flowmotion tricks for enemies in specific areas, and tips to achieve 100% completion.Dream Eater Bestiary - Everything you need to know about fighting Nightmares and creating, collecting, and training powerful Spirits to aid you in combat.Comprehensive Appendices - Special information and statistics about Command Attacks, spells, Keyblades, important items, and more!Detailed Maps - Easy-to-use world and area maps for each character’s walkthrough give you the locations of pertinent items, challenges, important events, and Link Portals.

    In the first eBook short story, there are high stakes on the high seas as the always cunning Reaver takes on a ruthless pirate king.   Captain Dread has made a deal with the port cities: They pay him for protection, and he doesn’t raid them. It’s a neat and tidy arrangement, all agree, except for one man, Reaver, the daring outlaw blessed with eternal youth, who refuses to cede his hometown of Bloodstone. After Reaver sends back one too many heads in a duffel bag, Dread decides to take matters into his own hands. To his surprise, Reaver surrenders willingly. But Dread’s new prisoner is no coward. It’s all part of Reaver’s unbelievably bold—and bloody—plan, which ultimately pits pirate against pirate in an explosive showdown that will live forever in the legendary world of Fable™.   © 2012 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Microsoft, Fable, Lionhead, the Lionhead logo, Xbox, and the Xbox logo are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

    Featuring the spectacular artwork of Valkyria Chronicles 2, the Sony PSP follow-up to SEGA's critically acclaimed tactical RPG! Valkyria Chronicles 2: World Artworks includes over 300-pages of character designs, vehicle and weapon designs, storyboards, and promotional art, all accompanied by detailed character information and creator commentary.

    The curtain is raised on the biggest and best Transformers game in history! See never-before-revealed art from the genre-smashing Transformers: Fall of Cybertron! Watch as Optimus Prime, Grimlock, Bumblebee, and Shockwave grow from conceptual sketches into finished, fully-realized characters; witness the development of Cybertron into the most detailed renderings of the planet that have ever existed; learn the behind-the-scenes secrets from the visionary artists at Activision and High Moon Studios! The Art of Transformers: Fall of Cybertron is a must-have for any fan of Transformers, gaming, or great art! For fans who enjoyed: ART OF THE MASS EFFECT UNIVERSE 9781595827685, THE ART AND MAKING OF STAR WARS 9780811875004, HALO: THE ART OF BUILDING WORLDS 9780857685629

    Inside you'll find character designs, game covers, promotional art, rare never-before-seen sketches, and more. Plus, it's all topped off by a special bonus gallery featuring all-new pin-ups from the hottest artists in comics!

    Complete your Valkyria collection with this spectacular volume!

    The greatest war in the history of fighting games has begun! Welcome to Street Fighter X Tekken, where Street Fighter and Tekken series' stalwarts Ryu, Chun-Li, Kazuya Mishima, and Nina Williams headline a memorable cast of your favorite fighters in a tag battle dream match for the ages!Street Fighter X Tekken: Artworks collects the spectacular artwork behind this historic crossover! Inside you'll find character artwork, rough sketches, costume designs, creator commentary, interviews, and more!

    The book shows the unseen art that makes Gears of War 3 one of the most anticipated games of the year and talks to the key artists who created the blockbuster game. The Art of Gears of War 3 delves into the process of character and environment concepts with comprehensive galleries of level art, and then shows how those concepts are turned into game art along with character models, storyboards, and marketing art. In addition to the hundred-plus pages of concept art, The Art of Gears of War 3 shares insights from the game's creators, making it an invaluable learning tool for aspiring game artists.

    • The Collector’s Edition is hardcover and individually numbered, comes with a removable lenticular and four-color end sheets, and contains special Collector’s Edition-exclusive content: an interview with one of the members of the company behind the design of the games, Junichi Masuda of GAME FREAK, as well as unique art assets.• A complete walkthrough of the games, including all the new Gyms, Trainers, challenges, and even the post-game surprises!• Tips and tricks for evolving your Pokémon, so you can get the most from your Pokémon at every level!• A guide to becoming a star at the Pokéstar Studios and winning at the Pokémon World Tournament!• All the info you need to master the Medal Rally and to catch all of the Pokémon to complete your Pokédex!• Hints and special information to help you find hidden items, with a location index!• Matchup strategies to help you beat the toughest quartet of Trainers in the game, the Elite Four!

    In the second eBook short story, evil will be unmasked—but nothing is ever what it seems when Jack of Blades has the upper hand.   Finally, the people of Albion are safe. Jack of Blades, the supernatural terror, has been slayed . . . or at least, that’s what they’ve been told. But the residents of Oddwood know that Jack is alive and well. Leading a small force of mercenaries, Jack has enslaved the townsfolk and is enjoying a life of luxury—until an unassuming young man arrives on the scene, inadvertently thwarting Jack at every step. Living up to his merciless reputation, Jack of Blades decides upon a suitable punishment: throwing the newcomer into a cage with a flesh-eating Balverine. Little does Jack realize that he’s dealing with a wild card—and a shocking twist to the Fable™ saga.

    Check out the latest videogame news and achievements, see top characters face-off against each other and meet the newest gaming record-breakers, all illustrated with the best images from the year's top titles.

    but WHEN. Brian Reed and Felix Ruiz begin the final chapter of the Halo: Fall of Reach comic series! COLLECTING: HALO: FALL OF REACH - INVASION 1-4

    • Make it your islands – Fully detailed maps showing the locations of all safe houses, radio towers, relics and more.• Easy to follow walkthrough – Step-by-step coverage for Story Mode and Side Missions give you the edge you need to survive on the islands. • Master your craft – In depth list of Items and how to craft all of them.  • Know your weapon – Stats and Mods for every weapon in the game help you chose the best tool for the job. • Max gamer score – Learn where and how to unlock all achievements/trophies • Go beyond the game – See the island like never before with incredible high-res panoramics, exclusive concept art and behind the scenes developer commentary.

    Cutting to the heart of Homeworlds, Garrus must choose between fighting for the galaxy or protecting his home!

    'The Art of Portal 2' walks you through the visual evolution of the award-winning game, from concept to completion, with never-before-seen concept art and insights from the writers and artists.