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The European Commission has fined Valve, owner of the online PC gaming platform “Steam”, and the five publishers Bandai Namco, Capcom, Focus Home, Koch Media and ZeniMax € 7.8 million for breaching EU antitrust rules.
Valve and the publishers restricted cross-border sales of certain PC video games on the basis of the geographical location of users within the European Economic Area (‘EEA'), entering into, the so called “geo-blocking” practices. The fines for the publishers, totalling over €6 million, were reduced due to the companies' cooperation with the Commission. Valve chose not to cooperate with the Commission and was fined over €1.6 million.
Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “More than 50% of all Europeans play video games. The videogame industry in Europe is thriving and it is now worth over € 17 billion. Today's sanctions against the “geo-blocking” practices of Valve and five PC video game publishers serve as a reminder that under EU competition law, companies are prohibited from contractually restricting cross-border sales. Such practices deprive European consumers of the benefits of the EU Digital Single Market and of the opportunity to shop around for the most suitable offer in the EU”.
Death AwaitsContinue here to read the full story.
Agent 47 returns as a ruthless professional in HITMAN 3 for the most important contracts of his entire career. Embark on an intimate journey of darkness and hope in the dramatic conclusion to the World of Assassination trilogy. Death awaits.
Play Your Way
Experience a globetrotting adventure and visit exotic locations that are meticulously detailed and packed full of creative opportunities. IOI’s award-winning Glacier technology powers HITMAN 3’s tactile and immersive game world to offer unparalleled player choice and replayability.
A World of Assassination
HITMAN 3 is the best place to play every game in the World of Assassination trilogy. All locations from HITMAN 1 and HITMAN 2 can be imported and played within HITMAN 3 at no additional cost for existing owners – plus progression from HITMAN 2 is directly carried over into HITMAN 3 at launch.
Throughout the event, players can obtain voting coupons by watching the esports broadcast and/or by purchasing exclusive event in-game items. Starting February 6, these voting coupons can be used to predict the winners of PGI.S. Successfully predicting the winners will award Esports Points (EP), which can be redeemed for exclusive in-game items. 30% of the profits earned from the event’s item sales will be added to the event’s current $3.5 million USD total prize pool.
The Legend Award recognizes individuals and organizations that exhibit a significant, sustained body of work that shows exceptional achievement and innovation. Past recipients of the Legend award include Reggie Fils-Aimé, Jade Raymond, Richard Garriott, Todd Howard, Rockstar Games, Ralph Baer and earlier this month, Jerry Lawson, Brenda Romero and John Romero.
“There’s no one like Hideo Kojima; he’s proved that he’s a legend among legends,” said Reggie Fils-Aimé. “In the game industry that has always focused on franchises and marketing, Mr. Kojima has always been honest with us and himself. Yes, Mr. Kojima can market with the best of them, but he knows how to tell a unique, epic story as clearly and robustly as anyone, and he injects you with something brand new every time he releases a game.”
Opera GX, YoYo Games and GameMaker will unite under Opera Gaming, focusing on innovating across the gaming, game development, and browser experience. "We look forward to further growing Opera GX and driving the growth of GameMaker as part of a broader ecosystem, making it more accessible to novice users and developing it into the world's leading 2D game engine used by commercial studios," continued Krystian Kolondra. "Opera Gaming will be focusing on accelerating the growth of this emerging ecosystem, combining the 7+ million highly engaged gamers using Opera GX with millions of GameMaker creators. We are also thrilled to continue realizing synergies between YoYo Games' products and Opera GX."
Patiently waiting to hunt its prey, the Predator has emerged from Stealthy Stronghold and is now ready to be unlocked as a Chapter 2 Season 5 Battle Pass Outfit!Continue here to read the full story.
Throughout the galaxy, there are few species feared more than the Yautja. Fearsome warriors that hunt for honor and sport, this one followed John Jones on its quest for a worthy competitor. Completing the Jungle Hunter Quests, players can also unlock the Predator Outfit with built-in Bio-helmet Online Emote, as well as a unique Heat Vision Hunter Spray, Banner, and Emoticon.
After unlocking this new Hunter in the Battle Pass, post your best screenshots from Stealthy Stronghold and/or using the Predator Outfit on Twitter and Instagram using the #Fortography hashtag, and we’ll share some of the best in an upcoming blog!
Slim Round-up
Thanks Ant and Neutronbeam.Science
- Widespread use of coronavirus face masks can help control virus transmission: study.
- The persistence of memory in B cells- Hints of stability in COVID immunity.
- 100-million-year old beetle fossil sheds light on family of ancient bugs.
Media
- The folding process of origami Samurai Warrior. Just takes 50 hours, get to folding. Thanks Kotaku.
- Chihuahua Chooses Piggyback Ride over Walking in Snow.
Bloober Team today debuted the second installment in its premonition video series, which shines a light on how upcoming psychological horror title The Medium plays.Continue here to read the full story.
The latest quickfire video entitled What Does A Medium Do? explains what it means to be a medium like Marianne - the game’s protagonist - and showcases some of the unique psychic abilities she is able to use to navigate the spirit world and unravel its mysteries.
Play Ghost Recon Breakpoint for free this weekend!Continue here to read the full story.
From 21st to 24th January, download the game for free and discover the dangerous Auroa Island. Become a Ghost and fight against your worst enemy, ex-brothers in arms gone rogue, on their territory.
During this Free Weekend, you will also have access to the new Ghost Recon Breakpoint 10-day live event: Operation Amber Sky. Team up with Rainbow Six operators Ash, Finka, and Thatcher on new exclusive missions!
At the end of 2020, after considering feedback from the community we announced we’re standardizing the Fortnite Champion Series (FNCS) format to Trios for all of 2021 with more info coming in the new year. Now we’re ready to share more details on FNCS for 2021, including prizing, format, broadcast plans, gameplay adjustments, and additional tournament offerings. We break it down below.Continue here to read the full story.
2021 FNCS
Our overall goal is to create better consistency throughout the year and tie the 2021 seasons together for a more cohesive experience. For 2021, the pinnacle of Fortnite Competitive, FNCS, will have $20,000,000 in prizes - compared to $17,000,000 in 2020 - and format tweaks also after considering player feedback.
Today, Ubisoft announced the Road to S.I. in-game event is returning to Tom Clancy’s® Rainbow Six Siege, running every Thursday through Monday between January 21st and February 22nd. The Six Invitational 2021 Battle Pass is also available, which contributes to the Six Invitational prize pool.Continue here to read the full story.
The ultimate competitive Stadium map is back, combining elements of both the Border and Coastline maps. All Operators will be unlocked in a three-minute, three-round, unranked Plant Bomb, with Pick and Ban mode. The Captains - Mira, Capitão, Ash, and Vigil – and their teams will harbor outfits from the Battle Pass themed content.
The Six Invitational 2021 Battle Pass is still available until February 22nd with one Free track and one Premium track, available for 1200 R6 Credits. This year, the Battle Pass includes 100 tiers and 135 rewards to earn before February 22nd. Progress through the tiers and obtain exclusive gear for the Captains and their teammates, as well as additional exclusive content. 30% of the revenue from this Battle Pass will support the Six Invitational 2021 prize pool, up to a maximum of 3 million USD.
In preparation for this season we’ve revamped the in-client watching experience and you’ll find a ton of new ways to watch and follow along with the scene. The “Watch” tab now has a comprehensive schedule and shows you the the current team standings. You’ll quickly get a snapshot of where things stand and what games are happening in the moment and where to watch. You’ll also be able to follow your favorite teams to make sure you never miss one of their matches. We’ve also updated the DPC app (iOS and Android) so you can follow along and track the new leagues and teams there as well.
If you’ve been following professional Dota for a while you’ll know we’ve explored a few ways for you to cheer on your favorite teams. In the coming weeks you’ll be able to back your favorites by purchasing content packages featuring in-game effects, sprays, emotes, loading screens and (of course) chat-wheel lines from your favorite teams. This content is coming straight from the teams themselves and they are submitting some great stuff for you to equip across your account.
Independent games publisher Versus Evil in partnership with Yokereba Games today announced that action puzzler Jumpala is now available on Steam for PC. Jumpala is a fast-paced competitive game that's all about superpowers, sabotage, and stage control. Lightning-fast reflexes and some keen strategy will be the order of the day as players look to stay one step ahead of their opponent.Continue here to read the full story.
Players will choose between 7 characters each with unique abilities as they race to the top of the stage and platforms plummet from beneath their feet. Players turn the platforms their color as they land them, claiming them and earning points for each claimed platform that falls off the stage. Players must vie for control for the platforms and achieve the highest score at the end of each match. A Special meter allows players to activate their character's special moves, allowing them to drop bombs, freeze opponents in place, and more. Power-ups drop throughout the matches, turning each match into a nail-biter.
*Blue's News may receive a commission on sales of this item.
Today two classic titles published by My Little Planet return to GOG.COM to bring us joy once more!
Startopia is a management game where you rebuild the network of space stations to a standard accepted by the individual alien races, attracting them to harness their expertise and research new technologies.
Urban Chaos, on the other hand, throws you into the heart of a modern urban jungle where you'll need a lethal combination of stealth, physical agility, and martial art skills to survive.
Both Startopia and Urban Chaos games are available on GOG.COM with a 25% discount that will end on 26th January 2021, 2 PM UTC.
Added 10 new skins and 10 new emblemsContinue here to read the full story.
Skins and emblems can be viewed by choosing "Select a Skin" and "Select Emblem".
Note: Skins and emblems can only be changed in campaign mode after completing campaign mode once.
In multiplayer mode, they can be changed from the beginning.
Dead Zeppelin is the third and final mission in Season 2’s thrilling new Death from Above campaign. The Resistance airfield may have been saved, but the jarring terror of an undead airship and its hellish arsenal still looms over mankind.Continue here to read the full story.
You and your fellow deadhunters must chase the demonic airship down and bravely dare to board it. Will you be able to destroy it before it rains death upon the Earth?
In a world with no memory of its past. The House of Sayadi sends its thousand-ton military ships to the skies. Stirring the peace of nations inhabiting the earth they strive to bring back what they have lost.Continue here to read the full story.
As a commander of the Sayadi Task Force you’ve been sent to regain control of the rebellious Kingdom of Gerat by whatever means necessary. To succeed will require careful exploration, clever resource management, cautious diplomacy and building a fleet capable of ruling the skies unchallenged.
But maybe a much greater destiny awaits you in this journey. As this forsaken land still hides the mysterious prophecies of a long forgotten past.
This is the story of people who fought in the World War II: brave pilots who soared through the vast skies, and the smart engineers who helped them by managing their planes. In Until the Last Plane, you've been assigned to the management of a WWII airfield. Spend your military goods wisely, recruit pilots, and create the right parts for your planes. When you're ready, send a squadron out to accomplish your next mission!Continue here to read the full story.
A daily train commute gone wrong: Speed Limit is a one-take, non-stop arcade experience that never slows down. No cuts, no lapses in the chaos, Speed Limit is an old-school action extravaganza boiled down to its core elements: Hard. Fast. Addictive.Continue here to read the full story.
Additionally, thanks to gameplay that transports players to a different genre and perspective every couple of stages, not only does Speed Limit keep you on your toes, but it also promises an experience that showcases the very best of retro gaming. From running and gunning inside a commuter train, through tearing up the streets in a convertible, all the way to a speed-of-sound breaking fighter jet, as the speed intensifies, so does the challenge. Speed Limit is fast, varied, and unforgiving. From the moment you start to the moment you die, you are in control. And it'll take all your skill to survive.
“We are thrilled to have partnered with Maximum Games,” said Andrew Czarnietzki, co-owner and lead developer at Only By Midnight. “Working with the Maximum team has afforded us the opportunity to bring our vision to reality and we are confident players will love the intense, wild action of Curved Space,” added Jen Laface, co-owner, creative director and producer at Only By Midnight.Continue here to read the full story.
Curved Space is an intense arcade-style shoot ‘em up that takes the classic formula and plunges it into the weirdest reaches of space. Battle cosmic space-invading spiders across curved landscapes where bullets hug the terrain while the horizon drops sharply out of sight. Players will have to hunt for weapon power-ups and upgrades while dodging enemy fire, blasting interdimensional bugs, and wrangling some enormous boss monsters.
The Collector’s Edition is full of must-haves for any soon-to-be time mages, and includes:
- Collector’s box
- An adorable Matias plush
- Lithographic art prints
- 3 character stickers
- Set of 4 enamel character pins
- A 60-page artbook
- 4 desktop wallpaper downloads
- 8 phone wallpaper downloads
- 10 character avatars
Second-Guessed Round-up
Thanks Ant and Neutronbeam.Stories
- Lost wallet in San Rafael sets off chain of good deeds.
- Masked Mandalorian Rides LA Streets, Spreading Happiness During Pandemic.
Science
Media
- FOR YOUR EYES ONLY (1981)- Roger Moore: James Bond Revisited.
- Why Dogs Are Truly Amazing - Dog Copies Owner Out of Sympathy. Thanks Boing Boing.
The Funnies