Its Tuesday, July 26^th and here is what is making news today:  Assassin’s Creed: Embers, Vita’s online modes, Avatar Kinect, Mass Effects 3’s FemShep, Marvel Pinball, Game Industry wants California to pay up.

Assassin’s Creed: Embers

Short animated film

There will be an animated short film released with Assassin’s Creed: Revelations Animus, Collector and Signature Edition called Assassin’s Creed: Embers.  It will be available on the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live on November 15^th when the game’s collectors edition is released.  The film, which you can’t interact with, was made with all the same character, style and graphics of the game.

The film shows Ezio’s life after the game’s end.  He has a family and although he tries to live a normal and simple life, he seems plagued with threats.  The creators suggest that you don’t watch the film until after you have beaten the game to prevent having anything spoiled.

Vita’s Online Modes

Recently announced

Sony recently revealed the new online modes for the PlayStation Vita, they will be called Near, Party, LiveArea, and Activity.  Near is similar to Nintendo 3DS’s SpotPass, allowing users to find each other, leave gifts for each other and find out more about games.  You will be able to see where people are located in relation to where you are, what games they have played recently and what gifts they have registered for.

Party is a place to chat with your friends.  You can have up to three friends form a party similar to an Xbox Live party and can chat across different games.  You’ll also be able to launch Vita games in Party mode so your friends can join you.

The LiveArea will have three modes which can be updated by developers.  You will use LiveArea to launch your Vita.

Activity mode is where you can discuss your progress in games, things like trophies and ratings where people will be able to comment much like on Facebook.

Avatar Kinect

Puppet your avatar

Yesterday Avatar Kinect launched in the Kinect Fun Labs.  You will now be able to use your facial expressions and voice to “puppet” your Live avatar to smile, frown or talk.  You and up to seven of your friends can join together in 24 different virtual stages such as a sports party stage, performance stage, talk show stage, etc..  You can also post videos online to share on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.

Mass Effect 3′s FemShep

Winning design announced

A contest was posted on the official Mass Effect 2 Facebook page on July 23^rd for the fans of FemShep.  Fans were allowed to “like” one of the six FemShep designs presented and the design with the most votes would become the official default FemShep, gracing the cover of the Collector’s Edition box.

There was recently announced a landslide victory for the blonde version, receiving over twice the number of votes as the second place winning design.

Marvel Pinball

Joining other platforms

Two very awesome things were fused together in the Marvel Pinball downloadable for Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network, superpowers and pinball.  The game has some sweet elaborate tables and visuals and it has finally come to other platforms.  Marvel Pinball will soon be available for PC, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo 3DS, Wii U and iOS and Android mobile devices.  The release is expected to happen near the end of next year.

Game Industry sends California a bill

Wants court fees paid

Most people know that many states are struggling with their budgets, California is no different, however the Entertainment Software Association (the game industry’s lobby group) sent the state a bill to pay all legal fees after the state failed in its attempt to pass its anti-game legislation.

About a month ago the attempted legislation was struck down by the Supreme Court who ruled it unconstitutional.   The ESA wants to be reimbursed for the millions of dollars it spent fighting the legislation.