|
|
 |
Archived News:
A Heroes of Annihilated Empires open beta is now available, offering the chance
to get an early look at GSC Game Worlds upcoming strategy/RPG by helping to test
it out. The demo features one mission for a 209 MB download, which can be found
on the Heroes of
Annihilated Empires Beta page and mirrored on
3D Gamers,
Gamer's Hell,
Strategy Informer, and
Worthplaying.
Battlefront.com and Hungarian developer Hussar Games announce a partnership,
revealing plans for two games
1848, a
historical turn-based strategy game to be released for free in Q2 2006 and
For Liberty
a game using an enhanced version of the 1848 engine, planned for release on the
Fourth of July of this year. Here's a bit: "1848"
1848 is turn based computer strategy game for the PC. The game set during the
violent era of the Hungarian Independence War of 1848-49. 1848 was a year of
revolutions. Most of the uprisings were crushed quickly, but Hungary was an
exception. In the spring of 1849 the Hungarian army seized victory from the
Austrians and liberated the entire nation but victory was short and sweet – in
the summer the Tsar of Russia intervened with 200,000 troops. In history, this
force could not be stopped. Can you change history?
1848 is a turn based operational strategy game for the PC. The game plays out on
a large hexagonal map. You are responsible for all your forces and must decide
what do with each of them. Attack, retreat, recon, defend, fortify, siege an
enemy fort or build a new army – the choice is up to you.
The game was sponsored by the Hungarian Ministry of Education and the Hungarian
version was released for the anniversary of 1848 in March 2005. It was a huge
success in Hungary: in a country of 10 million people, the game had more then
100,000 downloads. The English version of 1848 will also be released FOR FREE as
a full version download in Q2/2006.
"For Liberty!"
For Liberty! is a turn based computer strategy game for the PC, covering two
wars of independence - the American Revolution (1775-1783) and the Rakoczi War
of Independence in Europe 1703-1711. The game is based on the same engine as
1848, but has added many features and visual improvements. One notable new
feature is the tactical battle system that features a randomly generated maps.
The game also features new unit types and formations as well as an all new
resource management component, random and historical events and more!
"For Liberty!" will be released on the 4th of July, 2006, and will be available
from www.battlefront.com for only
$35!
- Gearbox
Into
The Transmission Randy Pitchford On Gearbox’s Ethos, History, Future on
Gamasutra is a Q&A with the Gearbox prez about the company's history and
the game business: "Fundamentally, what we have here is something really
ironic; video games are the new rock 'n' roll. The thing that's interesting
is the people that are worried about this are the same people the defended
rock 'n' roll from their parents 40 or 30 years ago. I find it really funny
that lessons like that haven't been learned yet. The few laws that have been
passed by a legislative board have been broken by a judicial examination of
the constitutionality of the law. It will of course be an issue for
politicians, and it will cost the taxpayers money while they argue, but
eventually what's going to happen is that the old people will die. The new
people play video games: 95% of school-age children choose video games as
their #1 choice for entertainment."
- Rogue Trooper
The
Rogue Trooper Q&A on GameSpot discusses the upcoming third-person action
game with Rebellion's Mike Burnham: "With Rogue Trooper, we have had the
pleasure of working with 2000AD's Gordon Rennie. As the Rogue writer for the
past five years, along with writing for numerous other fan favorites
including Judge Dredd, Gordon knew what was needed in any situation--and the
overarching situation we presented him was an interesting one, to retell the
birth of the Rogue Trooper legend. So for anyone picking up the game for the
first time, this allowed us to involve them right from the start of the
story while also showing those that already knew Rogue some of the details
of how the legend was born."
Crown Of Glory
Announced is the press release with word that Crown Of Glory is headed to
Europe next month: Today Black Bean announces a historical addition to
its product portfolio, Crown of Glory puts players in direct control of a
European nation in the time of the Napoleonic Wars. Simulating one of the
bloodiest periods in history Crown of Glory focuses on the driving forces behind
war as well as combat itself.
Players will be thrust into the world of Napoleon and take control of a European
nation and attempt to guide that nation to glory. Diplomacy, economics, strategy
and combat must be balanced in order to become a successful ruler.
Crown of Glory gives players total control over diplomats, trade negotiations,
treaties as well as powerful military units to expand his nations influence.
Your opponents however, driven by powerful AI, will not be easily led or swept
asunder so any budding leaders will have their tactical muscles tested to the
limit.
Crown of Glory will be mobilizing forces from May 2006
Ubisoft now
offers a new patch for the Mac edition of Myst V: End of Ages (thanks Frans).
This is one of those native patch dealies, intended only for owners of
Intel-based Macs.
Seems my theory about the Girl Scout cookies from this morning has support in
that everyone else seems to have gotten theirs in February. Thankfully there are
those who fail to recognize the supremacy of Thin Mints and actually buy other
varieties, leaving an ample supply of the ultimate GS cookie experience for us
latecomers.
The SiN Episodes Blog
has word Ritual's episodic shooter sequel is gold, and is due on May 10. Here's
a bit on the game and some new related materials: So, as Emergence comes
to a close, I find myself straddling two worlds. On one side, I'm looking back
at Emergence – seeing all that we've accomplished and feeling immensely proud.
On the other, I see all that we're going to accomplish with Episode 2, and I'm
humbled.
Now that we're sitting on this side of Gold Master, it's a great time to hit
Steam and preload the game
for free. And remember, if you pre-order before May 10th, you can get 10%
off.
In other news, we launched the
Ritual Podcast today, which is going to be a regular series of both audio
and video content that will enable you guys to get a closer look at how we're
doing things here at Ritual. The first episode features our resident audio guru
Zak Belica talking about creating one of the many audio cues in the game - it's
truly fascinating stuff, so be sure to give it a listen.
Also, Tom Mustaine has set up a kicking
MySpace page for
SiN Episodes, so all you folks with kicking MySpace pages of your own, be
sure to add us ;) Lastly, keep an eye out here for some very exciting E3
announcements coming soon.
At any rate, I hope all of you enjoy Emergence as much as I do, and I hope all
of you stick around for Episode 2. It's going to be a wild ride.
Rise of
Nations Rise of Legends Gets Gold-Plating is the press release with word
that Big Huge Games' RTS follow-up is complete, at least of European
territories, though its in-store date is still a month off: The epic battle between technology and magic is about to
begin – "Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends" for Windows has gone gold and is
in position to ambush UK retail stores on 26th May.
"Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends" morphs the real-time strategy (RTS) genre
into the fantasy space, allowing gamers to rampage through towering cities,
flame-swept deserts and brutal ice plains in battles filled with mystic
creatures, fantastic machines and stunning acts of magic.
The RTS gameplay of "Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends" has been improved for a
more rewarding experience – gamers have the choice of drawing out battles
for multiple hours for the classic RTS feel or focusing on shorter, 20-minute,
campaigns.
As the second installment of the "Rise of Nations" franchise, "Rise of Legends"
also extends the gaming experience using a 3-D engine with dynamic lighting,
deformable terrain, destructible buildings, ground-rattling earthquakes and
massive armies locked in enormous strategic battles. "Rise of Nations: Rise of
Legends" combines cutting-edge, industry-leading technology with awe-inspiring
art design to create environments unlike anything ever seen.
Developed by Big Huge Games, "Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends" continues the
innovative gameplay tradition established by the critically acclaimed and
best-selling, "Rise of Nations," the best-selling RTS released in 2003 that
garnered numerous Game of the Year awards, including GameSpot's Best PC Game of
2003.
In addition to being able to lead vast fantasy armies into strategic battles,
"Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends" introduces a host of gameplay innovations
that are unique to the RTS genre. Additionally, the popular Conquer the World (CTW)
Campaign returns with fresh concepts that make each strategic decision critical
to eventual victory over a constantly adapting enemy. The revamped and improved
CTW Campaign immerses players in a land of magical armies and never before seen
technologies in an epic battle to save the world against an ominous evil
force.
A demo for Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter is now available, offering the
chance to sample GRIN's PC edition of the latest installment in the squad-based
shooter series. The demo offer two missions from the full game and includes
multiplayer support. The download is available on
3D Downloads, 3D Gamers,
Boomtown (registration required),
Computer Games,
eXp Download,
FileNuts,
Gameguru Mania,
Gamer's Hell,
GameSpot (registration required),
Gameswelt,
VGPRO,
Strategy Informer, and
Worthplaying.
ArenaNet announces that Guild Wars: Factions is shipping, and that the MMORPG
follow-up is appearing in stores worldwide: Wednesday 26 April 2006/...
ArenaNet®, developer of the award-winning online roleplaying game Guild Wars®,
and NCsoft® Europe, the world's leading developer and publisher of online
computer games, announce today that one of the year's most-anticipated PC
titles, Guild Wars: Factions™, has officially shipped. For fans of the game that
revolutionised online roleplaying, the wait is nearly over as Guild Wars:
Factions goes out today to retail stores worldwide.
Meridian4 and Frozenbyte announce the availability of Shadowgrounds in North
American stores: Montreal, Canada. April 26, 2006 – Game publisher,
Meridian4 and game developer, Frozenbyte are pleased to announce that their
highly anticipated action title; Shadowgrounds has shipped and is now available
in retail stores.
"It's an incredible feeling to finally have the game released in North America.
I know how much effort Meridian4 has put into Shadowgrounds, and I'm happy that
the retail box is so awesome and even includes a handy weapons chart," said
Frozenbyte CEO, Lauri Hyvarinen.
“When we first saw Shadowgrounds we knew we had to get this title released in
North America. It’s high-octane, non-stop action had us hooked the first time we
played it,” said Steve Milburn, Marketing Director at Meridian4, “For anyone
looking to have fun again playing a PC title, Shadowgrounds is your game!”
Shadowgrounds is now available in retail stores, including Best Buy and Gamestop
at a suggested retail price of $29.99. For more information about Shadowgrounds
go to www.meridian4.com.
Oklahoma Senate Passes
Game Bill Unanimously... Will Guv Sign? on GamePolitics (thanks Mike Martinez and
Kotaku) has word that a bill has passed in Oklahoma equating violent games
with pornography in restricting their sales to minors. The bill, which has yet
to be signed into law by the Governor, would make selling a restricted game to a
minor a misdemeanor that carries a $1,000 fine. Earlier this year a similar bill
in Utah died when it failed ratification in the state senate
( story).
A pair of new Titan Quest movies are online, showing off some Egyptian and Greek
enemies from Iron Lore's upcoming action/RPG. The clips can be found on the
Titan Quest Website.
Thanks Frans.
- SiN Episodes
The
SiN Episodes Q&A on Ritualistic hears from Ritual audio director Zak
Belica about the audio in their upcoming first-person shooter: "A game's
music serves much of the same purpose as film music- to lend emotional
impact to scenes and situations that the player might not otherwise
perceive. A great example of this is watching a film like Star Wars with the
music turned off- it's a completely different experience. With this idea in
mind I created a set of strong character and location themes, and made
versions of these themes to underscore moods such as 'confrontation' and
'action pursuit'. The use of strong themes also helps the player identify
what they're dealing with in the game. So, when the player hears a fast
paced action piece melded with Elexis' theme, they know 'I'm in Elexis'
territory, and she's not happy I'm here.'"
- Carpe Diem
MMORPG's
Carpe Diem Q&A talks with Ken Johnston of Persistent Worlds about Carpe
Diem, the upcoming MMORPG whose title, of course, translates to "fish of the
day" (or something, my Latin is rusty), focusing on the game's mounted
combat: "Players get different skills for use on horse back or on foot. So
you can choose which style of combat the situation calls for and use your
skills accordingly. Fighting from horseback allows you to move much more
rapidly and make lightning charges and then withdraw. One of my favorite
thrills in the game is to make a cavalry charge with four or five friends.
It is quite devastating."
- World Tour Golf
The
World Tour Golf Q&A on Boomtown discusses Oxygen Interactive's upcoming
golf game: "This is clearest in the way that you take your shot in the game,
the Pro Stroke system. You won’t be choosing any of your shots from a menu.
Instead our control system provides a genuine evolution of analogue control,
offering each player the ability to shape and adapt a shot in an infinite
number of ways. Players will discover that they can play each an every shot
just how they want to, the game isn’t going to force them into a set
selection."
- Xfire
The
Xfire
Q&A on FiringSquad discusses their recent acquisition with CEO Mike
Cassidy: "For all the reasons just mentioned above! Ultimately, everyone
involved with Xfire is driven by the vision of providing the ultimate set of
community tools for gamers so that they can do everything they ever dreamed
of. Viacom has exactly the same vision and the hugely powerful brands under
Viacom can only help Xfire achieve this vision ever faster."
- Rise of Legends
The
Podcast #52 on VGM Daily
discusses Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends with Brian Reynolds of Big Huge
Games.
RPG Vault's
SpellForce 2: Shadow Wars Strategy Guide #1 offers tips on playing the Realm
faction in Phenomic's upcoming strategy/RPG hybrid.
It's that time of year again, as we acquired some Girl Scout cookies yesterday.
As usual we picked them up from a few girls who were set up with a table at the
train station, but this is kind of weird in light of the usual way you order
them from kids who go door-to-door. I suspect that this may be one of those
deals where daddy writes a big check and then his kids cash in on the need for
immediate gratification of the local commuting crowd by having a stock to sell
on the spot. If that's the case, I feel bad for supporting someone playing a
little dirty in the cutthroat world of competitive cookie sales, though not
quite enough to forego my cookies.
|
Twitter 
