Archived News:

Tuesday, Oct 16, 2012

Diablo III Patched

The Diablo III Website announces that patch 1.0.5 is now live in Blizzard's action/RPG sequel, an announcement that went up a few hours before this was actually the case, but the game is operating again. The patch notes outline changes, including the new Monster Power system and the Infernal Machine event, as well as changes to the auction house. There are also manual versions of the various localized patches on The Patches Scrolls for those who like to roll their own.

Sword of the Stars: The Pit Announced

Kerberos Productions announces they've gone "full indie" with the announcement of Sword of the Stars: The Pit, a light-hearted roguelike RPG set in their Sword of the Stars universe. The game is currently in the alpha stage of development, and there is a crowdsourcing campaign underway on Indiegogo to fund the project. The Pit website is online with details and this trailer, and its Facebook page is up if you want to be BFFs. Here's a feature list:

  • 3 Characters to choose from…Marine, Pilot and Engineer!
  • Go up levels and improve your skills as you try and find a way to survive the depths.
  • 30 Levels of ancient evil science between you and the cure!
  • Dozens of enemies drawn from the SotSverse!
  • Over 30 weapons and armors with a variety of special effects including flamethrowers, rocket launchers, plasma cannons and powered Brawler armor!
  • Randomized augmentation effects to make each game unique Crafting lets you make special items from bits and pieces of your enemies.
  • Over 60 items to discover, ranging from the familiar to the ancient exotic tech.
  • Dozens of room types containing a host of exotic devices to help and hinder the player
  • Many fiendish ways to die including poisoning, disease, traps, radiation, starvation and of course…MONSTERS.

Ships Ahoy - DOOM 3: BFG Edition

The Bethesda Blog announces today is the North American release day for the DOOM 3: BFG Edition, an enhanced edition of id Software's first-person shooter series. Here's the Launch Trailer, and here's word:
Relive your favorite moments of DOOM with the newly-released DOOM 3 BFG Edition — available now in North America and this Friday in Europe on Xbox 360, PC, and PlayStation 3!

BFG Edition includes the original versions DOOM and DOOM II, as well as re-mastered versions of DOOM 3 and its Resurrection of Evil add-on pack. And for the first time ever, play eight never-before-seen DOOM 3 levels in ‘The Lost Mission’.

Later today, PS3 players will be able to download the game directly on PSN. And if you already own DOOM 3 on Steam, between now and November 13th you can save $10 on your purchase.

Ships Ahoy - Rocksmith Guitar and Bass Edition

Ubisoft announces that Rocksmith Guitar and Bass Edition is now available for PCs, along with the re-release of the console editions of this music game that uses real guitars. Here's word:
Today, Ubisoft® announced that RocksmithT guitar and bass edition for the PC has shipped to retail, along with the re-release of the original standard edition game on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the Playstation® 3 computer entertainment system. All versions of the game now ship with the Bass Expansion pack included on the disc, along with the Rocksmith Real Tone CableT. The game is available for $79.99. The popular guitar bundle will also be available for $199.99 and includes an Epiphone Les Paul Junior guitar, along with the bass expansion and the Rocksmith Real Tone Cable. Rocksmith is rated "T" for Teen.
Continue here to read the full story.

Ships Ahoy - Chivalry: Medieval Warfare

Steam News announces that Chivalry: Medieval Warfare is now available, while the game's official website lists all the places the medieval combat game is being sold. Here's a trailer, and here's word:
Chivalry: Medieval Warfare is a first-person slasher with a focus on multi-player. Featuring competitive online combat that seeks to capture the experience of truly being on a medieval battlefield. Inspired from the intensity and epicness of swordfighting movies such as 300, Gladiator and Braveheart, Chivalry: Medieval Warfare aims to bring that experience to the hands of a gamer.

The game is skill-based and controls like a FPS, but instead of guns and grenades, players are given swords, shields, maces, battleaxes and longbows. Set in a fictional, yet gritty and realistic world, players will fight in fast paced online battles besieging castles, raiding medieval villages and fighting for glory in the arena with up to 32 players.

Medieval Mayor Announced

Sticking with the medieval theme, Tilted Mill announces Medieval Mayor, a strategy game that puts players in charge of their own hamlet:
Tilted Mill Entertainment -- independent developers of strategy, simulation and role-playing games – today announced Medieval Mayor, a real time strategy city-building game set to release next year. The game represents a return to the team's roots on such city-building classics as Pharaoh™, Caesar™ and Zeus™.

The game begins in the dark ages where you must establish, build and govern a city by planning and laying out road networks, building housing, attracting immigrants and advancing education, culture, commerce, science and the arts, while also providing for the health and prosperity of your citizens. As your city continues to grow, so do the challenges of managing it - will your city become a beacon of hope and light to the known world, or will it fall back into darkness?

"Medieval Mayor has that wonderful combination of depth, challenge and straightforward gameplay loved by fans of the genre," said Chris Beatrice, president of Tilted Mill and the game's lead designer. "We want to bring the thrill of real time, strategic city-building to a new audience, while also giving our core fans a game they'll really love."

With its "easy to learn, difficult to master" gameplay and almost infinite replayability, Medieval Mayor represents the best the city-building genre has to offer. Additional game modes and options support everything from sandbox play, for a lighter experience, to "impossible" mode, for those who really want to test themselves.

Medieval Mayor will be available for download next year for PC and tablet. For more information, please visit www.tiltedmill.com/medieval-mayor, or contact info@tiltedmill.com

Ships Ahoy - Edna & Harvey: Harvey’s New Eyes

Daedalic Entertainment announces Edna & Harvey: Harvey's New Eyes is now available for Windows and OS X. Steam offers a playable demo, and the game is available from there and GOG.com at a discount for the first week. Here's the announcement:

Daedalic Entertainment’s award-winning adventure "Edna & Harvey: Harvey’s New Eyes" is now available for PC and Mac! To celebrate the launch, the game will be on sale at Steam for 14,99€ or $14.99.

Additionally GOG.com is offering an "Edna & Harvey Bundle", including "Edna & Harvey: Harvey’s New Eyes", its predecessor "Edna & Harvey: The Breakout" and many extras such as Harvey’s Soundtrack and several pieces of artwork. The bundle is being offered at a special price of $17.99 (regular price $19.99) for the first week of release.

Continue here to read the full story.

Ships Ahoy - Serious Sam 3: Jewel of the Nile

Serious Sam 3: Jewel of the Nile is now available, announces Steam News, saying this DLC for Croteam's shooter prequel is 10% off for the next week:
Serious Sam 3: Jewel of the Nile follows the legendary hero to the mysterious Temple of Isis on the Island of Philae where a monstrous temple guardian lies in wait. Set in the midst of the events in Serious Sam 3: BFE, Sam and his team will battle through three new campaign missions against the unrelenting hordes of Mental’s forces.

Ships Ahoy - Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome

Paradox Interactive announces the release of Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome. This page outlines where the game is available, and here's word:
Intrigue and spices intoxicate the air as Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome, the scorching new expansion for the critically-acclaimed strategy/RPG Crusader Kings II is released today. Introducing an emperor’s hoard of new features, Paradox Interactive and Paradox Development Studios gives The Byzantine Empire and Orthodox Church the royal treatment in this latest expansion pack.

Free Dungeon Defenders Pack

Steam News announces that Trendy Entertainment is celebrating the one-year anniversary of Dungeon Defenders with a free content pack:
In order to celebrate the 1 year anniversary of the release of Dungeon Defenders, Trendy Entertainment has released the Dungeon Defenders Anniversary Pack, a new expansion for Dungeon Defenders. For a limited time, the Anniversary Pack is available for free!

Celebrate Dungeon Defenders 1 year anniversary and defend the Tavern with the Dungeon Defenders Anniversary pack!

This DLC contains:

Tavern Defenders Campaign Mission
Party Hats Accessories
Birthday Cake Crystal Core

Path of Exile Act 3 Details

Grinding Gear Games announces details about the third act of Path of Exile, their free-to-play action/RPG currently undergoing beta testing. The beta is available to anyone who has pre-purchased USD $10.00 of he game's "ethical microtransactions," though there are also random invites to be had. Here's word on Act 3, as well as an upcoming patch to add PvP arena combat to the game:
Upcoming dark and deep indie action RPG Path of Exile has unveiled details of its Act 3 expansion. Set in the ruined city of Sarn, players will face those who exiled them to Wraeclast and how it was corrupted.

Act 3 will become available when Path of Exile enters Open Beta in December. The game is currently in Closed Beta but has already raised over USD$1.2m in crowd-funded support, with those supporters gaining beta access.

PvP arena combat will be introduced in the next major patch, making the wait for Act 3 more bearable but bloodier. The game’s gigantic skill tree and skill gem combo system means thousands of unique character builds will be able to challenge each other.
Continue here to read the full story.

Drox Operative Beta Patches

This page has a pair of new patches for Drox Operative to update the Windows and OS X editions of Soldak's upcoming action/RPG to version 0.926. Here's the change list, and here's a summary: "This patch adds mine fields, tachyon storms, radiation storms, nanomite clouds, antimatter fields, unstable black holes, and as usual fixes a bunch of small things."

On Sale

  • Crusader Kings Franchise on Steam. Save 75%.
  • Dungeon Defenders on Steam. Save 75%.
  • Serious Sam Complete Pack on Steam. Save 75%.

Evening Screenshots

Final Project Eternity Stretch Goal

The Kickstarter Page for Project Eternity announces one final dramatic stretch goal for Obsidian's upcoming RPG if it reaches the $4 million mark, as it currently stands at over $3.7 million with four hours to go (thanks nin). Here's word:
OK! After much team deliberation we have one final ultimate stretch goal. At $4.0m we will be enhancing the whole game. We will use live instrumentation for the soundtrack, add developer in-game commentary, and use every dollar between $3.5m and $4m to enhance the game. Also at $4.0m Chris Avellone will be forced to play Arcanum.

We are streaming live now on Twitch and UStream. We will be playing board games, answering your questions, and having fun!

Indie Royale Fall Bundle

The Indie Royale Website now offers "The Fall Bundle" as their latest flexibly priced collection of indie games, composed of To the Moon, Oil Rush, Blackwell Deception, AVSEQ, and Reprisal. As always, there a musical incentive accompanies the deal, as those who pay their local equivalent of USD $8.00 will get a copy of 88:88, an 8-bit album from Makeup and Vanity Set. Word is: "This compelling bundle is led by hit RPG ‘ To the Moon’, along with the graphically gorgeous ‘Oil Rush’ *and* critically acclaimed adventure ‘Blackwell Deception’, not to mention other great titles too! With deals like this, who cares if it's getting dark earlier, since that's even more reason to stay inside and play these great indie games!"

Ships Ahoy - Borderlands 2: Captain Scarlett and her Pirate's Booty

2K Games announces the release of Captain Scarlett and her Pirate's Booty, the first of four announced add-on campaigns for Borderlands 2, Gearbox Software's recently released first-person RPG/shooter sequel. The DLC, now available for the Windows, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 editions of the game, adds new characters, locations, and weapons. "We’re so excited at how the Borderlands 2 experience continues to grow with Captain Scarlett and her Pirate’s Booty and the fifth playable character class, the Mechromancer," said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. "With hours of new story-driven content to play through and an entirely new character to play as, gamers are getting a lot of additional value. The really exciting part is that we’re just getting started." Here are some screenshots, here's a trailer (as a bonus, here's a new trailer showing off the Mechromancer preorder DLC), and here's word:
2K Games and Gearbox Software announced today that the first add-on content campaign for Borderlands® 2, Captain Scarlett and her Pirate’s Booty, is now available for download worldwide on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC. In Captain Scarlett and her Pirate’s Booty, up to four players cooperatively enter the hostile sand dunes and wastelands of Pirate Bay in search of ancient treasures. The add-on content campaign features new characters, including the eccentric and eager Shade; locations such as the town of Oasis; enemies including the Sand Pirates and Anchormen; and special weapons and loot that make it a must-play experience. No trip to Pandora is complete without a stop in Pirate Bay.

Captain Scarlett and the Pirate’s Booty is the first of four add-on content campaigns for Borderlands 2. These four add-on content campaigns will be available individually or as a combined purchase of the Borderlands 2 Season Pass. This special offer, available now, includes nearly $40.00 of add-on content and is available for $29.99 (PlayStation®Network) / 2400 Microsoft Points (Xbox LIVE® online entertainment network) / $29.99 (Windows PC). Once purchased, the Borderlands 2 Season Pass enables gamers to download all of the announced add-on content campaigns as they become available on the PlayStation®Network, Xbox LIVE and Windows PC. All four add-on content campaigns are scheduled to be available by June 2013.

MechWarrior Online Open Beta Delayed

An update from late last week on the MechWarrior Online Website reveals that open beta testing of the upcoming mech combat game has suffered a setback (thanks GameSpot and apologies to Ant, who sent a note about this at the time that was overlooked). Testing was to commence today, and here's word on the delay:
We have decided to push Open Beta back. We agree that the game's current state of stability is not allowing us to get the latest experience across to new and veteran players alike. This is a short push back on the date and will depend on the stability and playability of the build.

King's Bounty: Warriors of the North This Month

1C Company announces the release date for King's Bounty: Warriors of the North, saying the next installment in the King's Bounty series of RPGs will be available worldwide on October 26th. Word is: "The King's Bounty: Warriors of the North pre-order is now available at Steam, Amazon, GameStop, GamersGate and many others. Each shop offers additional bonuses for pre-orders." This includes the choice of a standard edition, or a Valhalla Edition which comes at a 10% premium over the regular price, and here's what that will offer:

  • Valhalla Armor Set
    These unique in-game items are an armor set the hero can collect in the course of their journeys. Combined together these artifacts give additional a strong boost to the character's attributes.
  • Digital artwork and wallpapers
    Digital bonuses: Ultra-high resolution artwork depicting an epic battle of Olaf and the Valkyries against undead hordes, and wallpapers available in all popular desktop resolutions.

Morning Previews

Game Reviews

Hardware Reviews

Out of the Blue

Had an interesting outcome with the chili I cooked up this weekend. In balancing the heat I managed to sweeten the pot, in the non-poker sense, just a little too much. The result is not terrible, just unusual, as the slight sweetness of the meat is followed by the spiciness in an oddly balanced way. It's not something I would necessarily choose to do again, but we are finding it to be appealing, in spite of being so offbeat.

R.I.P.: Farewell To British Game Design Legend Mike Singleton. Thanks Joao.

Sweet Links: Thanks Ant and Acleacius.
Play: Flightless.
Links: 21 Awkward Moments Between Video Game Levels.
Enter a world of 3D Fractals with Mandelbulber. Thanks Linux Today.
Stories: Weaving Won't Play Red Skull Again.
Science: 'Interference' Changes Colors At An Atomic Level At Harvard.
Media: Space Jump Recreated with LEGOs.
Step into an Optical Illusion.
A Couple Assholes At The Beach - Talking Baby Talk To Adults.
The Funnies: Donuts of Tomorrow 2 Cartoon - Savage Chickens.
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