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Archived News:
Voodoo Extreme has
word that id Software and Activision are seeking active FPS clans to help beta
test Enemy Territory: Quake Wars: idSoftware is now accepting applications
from active clans for entry into the Enemy Territory: Quake Wars Multiplayer
Closed Beta. If your team is interested in helping us improve our product,
please send an email to
etqwbetatest@activision.com with all of the required information shown
below. Thank you and good luck!
1. Clan name
2. Number of 'active' members
3. Games played regularly
4. Games played competitively
5. Clan website
6. Clan IM details
7. Clan email
Telltale Games
reveals first details on Reality 2.0, the upcoming fifth installment in the
episodic adventures of Sam & Max. They describe the next episode like this:
"With an internet crisis looming and a viral video game holding its players
hostage, Sam & Max will need to slip into a new reality to set things right. But
can the Freelance Police crack this virtual case in time to avoid worldwide
system failure?" A trailer and new screenshots accompany the announcement, and
word is that Reality 2.0 will debut on GameTap on March 29, followed by a
worldwide release on Telltale’s website on April 12.
Codemasters
announces HEI$T, an upcoming criminal enterprise game in the works at inXile
Entertainment for release on PCs and consoles by the end of this year. The first
screenshots from the project can be viewed on
AtomicGamer,
and here's word: Burbank, CA – Tuesday, March 20, 2007 – Kindly place
your wallets, purses, jewelry and all other valuables into the bag in front of
you as Codemasters announces HEI$T™ – an all-new job pullin’, bank robbin’
action-drivin’ game set in a helter skelter version of San Francisco, circa
1969. Currently in development at inXile Entertainment, HEI$T is expected to
ship this fall for next-generation consoles and the PC.
HEI$T allows gamers to become the leader of a group of renegade criminals as
they rob and steal their way throughout San Francisco, all the while their sites
set on the big score – the Mint. It’s 1969, the summer of love in San Francisco.
Enter Johnny Sutton, fresh out of jail and a descendant from a long line of
big-time thieves, including his father who was gunned down during a job some
years back. Playing as Johnny, and together with his Uncle Sal and reunited
crew, players are set to pull off dozens of heists that will inevitably make a
name for him as the greatest bank robber of all time.
HEI$T is more than just a game about cops and robbers. In addition to robbing
banks, each with their own specific set of security precautions, players will be
highly motivated to pull off other jobs, including knocking off bars,
restaurants, strip clubs, armored cars, and more in order to acquire bigger and
better tools needed to penetrate increasingly more difficult banks.
And what great bank robbery is even worth while without ending in a hot pursuit
police chase that endangers lives at every turn? After each hit, HEI$T will
challenge players to make a quick getaway, speeding and screeching through the
streets of San Francisco as the cops trail inches behind. The fuzz will do
everything within their means to stop gamers from making the great escape; they
will bump and ram, form barricades, and attempt to force PIT maneuvers to spin
the getaway vehicle out of control – always trying to keep civilian losses to a
minimum of course.
“We designed HEI$T so that players feel like a part of the best robberies and
car chases from classic movies,” states Maxx Kaufman, Creative Director at
inXile Entertainment. “Everything from the different types of jobs to pull and
the reckless pursuits by the police through the streets of San Francisco, to the
sarcastic banter back and forth between the members of the crew gives HEI$T the
action and style of the great attitude and rock-driven films of the 60’s.”
For more information on HEI$T, be sure to visit the official website and sign up
for the crew online at:
http://www.codemasters.com/heist .
Ubisoft announces that Silent Hunter: Wolves of the Pacific is shipping, and the
fourth installment in this submarine simulation series is surfacing in U.S.
stores: SAN FRANCISCO - March 20, 2007 – Today Ubisoft, one of the world's
largest video game developers and publishers, announced that Silent Hunter®:
Wolves of the Pacific for the PC is now available at video game retailers
nationwide. Developed by Ubisoft's studio in Romania, Silent Hunter: Wolves of
the Pacific is the latest addition to the award-winning Silent Hunter submarine
simulation series renowned for its legendary authenticity and breathtaking
graphics. Silent Hunter: Wolves of the Pacific is rated "T” for Teen by the ESRB
and has an MSRP of $49.99.
"Silent Hunter is unquestionably the benchmark for naval simulations,” said Tony
Key, vice president of marketing at Ubisoft. "Silent Hunter: Wolves of the
Pacific breaks through by incorporating intense action, crew management, and
breathtaking Hollywood-style visuals.”
About Silent Hunter: Wolves of the Pacific:
Developed by Ubisoft's studio in Romania, Silent Hunter: Wolves of the Pacific
takes players to the depths of the Pacific Ocean as the skipper of a WWII
American submarine. Immersed in this intense environment with the help of
amazing graphics and sound, players will engage in massive battles with enemy
units, manage and evolve an entire submarine crew, and earn promotions and
commendations to ensure victory in the Pacific.
Key Features Include:
• Hollywood Blockbuster Experience: Lifelike graphics and
spectacular audio/visual effects offer an incredibly immersive gaming
experience.
• Innovative Crew Evolution: Earn upgrades and experience to
help create the most effective naval force in the Pacific Theater.
• Immersive Single-Player Gameplay: Diverse mission
objectives and events on more than 15 maps, combined with unique rewards, make
each campaign a unique experience.
• Addictive New Online Adversarial Mode: Join forces with up
to eight friends via LAN or four via Internet in either cooperative or
adversarial gameplay modes. Scripted and generated mission types allow for epic
online battles and unlimited replayability.
Paradox Interactive announces that Frontline: Fields of Thunder is shipping to
stores in North America and is now available for online purchase from
Gamer's Gate. A demo for the World War
II RTS game once known by the title of Frontline: Kursk is available
( story), and here's word: New York, USA (March 20, 2007) -
Paradox Interactive, a leading publisher and developer of critically acclaimed
strategy titles, announced today that their next strategy release, Frontline:
Fields of Thunder, has shipped to stores in North America and is available via
download on Gamer's Gate.
The game follows in the footsteps of the original "Blitzkrieg" and offers a
gameplay experience on a strategic level as well as a tactical level. The
detailed giant battle map gives players both immense scope and historical
accuracy. In addition, the historical settings and scenarios are so accurate
that the game comes with a complete encyclopedia of all units represented in the
game.
This press release announces that U.S. shipments are underway for F.E.A.R.:
Gold Edition (thanks Gamer's Hell),
which combine's F.E.A.R., Monolith's first-person shooter, with the Extraction
Point expansion, which was developed by TimeGate Studios. Also included is
F.E.A.R. Director's Edition, offering behind-the-scenes footage including
"Making of" F.E.A.R. documentary video, machinima episodes created by Rooster
Teeth, and more.
EA Sports
Ships Official UEFA Champions League 2006-2007 Videogame to Stores Worldwide
announces the availability of the soccer/football simulation in stores
worldwide, though the PC and mobile phone editions of the game are apparently
only destined for release in Europe. Here's a bit: Play the official UEFA
Champions League 2006-2007 videogame the traditional way on Xbox 360,
PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation® Portable)
system, and in Europe on PC and mobile phones as your favorite club team from
qualification right through to a virtual reproduction of the UEFA Champions
League Final. Re-create or customize the real-world groupings of the official
UEFA Champions League tournament by taking control of a selection of clubs.
Plus, the new UEFA Champions League Challenge option will test even the most
hardcore soccer fan by re-creating classic moments in UEFA Champions League
history using modern teams.
1C and Battlefront.com announce April 19, 2007 is to be the release date for
Theatre of War, their upcoming World War II real-time strategy game. As is the
way with Battlefront releases, the game won't be available in stores, but will
only be sold online at Battlefront.com
as a digital download, a snail mail delivery, or both. They also announce they
will begin accepting preorders later this week, which will earn the purchaser a
$10.00 discount. They also promise a free Gold demo for download early April.
GameTap's Myst Online: Uru
Live announces the launch of the Mac edition of the Myst-inspired virtual
world. The launch coincides with the addition of new content for the game, and
is accompanied by an offer to allow new players to check out the game for free.
The Vicious Cycle Software Website
offers a new home to the developer's various projects, such as Dead Head Fred,
the Marvel Trading Card Game, and Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords.
- Shivering Isles
The
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - Shivering Isles' Q&A on Killer Betties
talks with Bruce Nesmith about Bethesda's RPG expansion: "The player begins
the Shivering Isles expansion by answering the call of the Daedric Prince
Sheogorath. Sheogorath is the Daedric Prince of Madness, one of the
incredibly powerful beings in the Elder Scrolls pantheon. When the player
encounters him, Sheogorath is in search of a champion—there is an impending
threat to his realm, and because of the nature of the threat he needs a
mortal’s help. The player will need to rise in the ranks of the Court of
Madness in order to earn the respect of the citizens of the Shivering Isles
and eventually repel the threat. Along the way, the player will unravel the
mystery of the Greymarch and the motivations of the Daedric Prince. "
- Games for Windows
The
Games
for Windows Q&A on Computer and Video Games talks with Rich Wickham
about Microsoft's PC gaming initiative: "I think we may have to prove -
because we're Microsoft - our intentions over time, and that's exactly what
we're going to do with Games for Windows. We're going to continue to invest
in retail, we're going to continue to invest in the Games for Windows brand,
we're going to continue to make sure that great titles come out on this
platform and that you see... We're absolutely going to commit to what we're
doing on Live."
- The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar on
RPG Vault.
- Warmonger - Operation: Downtown Destruction on
Gameplay
Monthly.
Wow did a bunch of games ship today, or what? It's almost like a quarter ended,
or something. Oh, wait…
THQ Ships
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl announces the U.S. release of GSC Game
World's long-in-development first-person shooter (thanks
Gamer's Hell): AGOURA HILLS,
Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI - News) today announced that
critically-acclaimed S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl has shipped exclusively
for Windows PC. Offering a unique combination of First-Person Shooter (FPS) and
Survival-Horror action, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl gives gamers
unprecedented freedom to explore the devastated exclusion zone that surrounds
the Chernobyl power plant following a second apocalyptic explosion.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl is now available at retail outlets
nationwide for the suggested price of $39.99.
About S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl
In 1986, the world's most horrific nuclear disaster took place in Chernobyl.
After subsequent unexplained explosions in 2006, a military exclusion zone is
set up preventing access to the area. Stories of huge anomalous energy
disturbances and sightings of strange creatures within the Zone are widespread.
Players assume the role of a S.T.A.L.K.E.R., a mercenary paid by scientists and
other undisclosed groups, who is trying to regain his memory. Players will
experience a unique "Survival-Shooter" game that combines action, stealth,
survival and Role-Playing Game (RPG) elements to create an incomparable
experience in the Zone. Developed by GSC Game World, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of
Chernobyl delivers an immersive storyline that seamlessly blends with a living,
breathing, non-linear open-world environment featuring accurately modelled
real-word buildings and locations from around the devastated Chernobyl power
plant.
DreamCatcher announces that Genesis Rising is shipping to North American stores,
following the release of a playable demo for the futuristic RTS game earlier today
( story). Here goes: Toronto, Canada. March 20, 2007 –
DreamCatcher Games, a leading worldwide publisher and distributor of interactive
entertainment software, today announced that Genesis Rising, its highly
anticipated futuristic space RTS for Windows®, is now shipping in North America.
Genesis Rising will sell for a suggested retail price of $39.99 USD. Featuring
unique organic spaceships, this title is loaded with high intensity action and
features the best elements of strategy and RPG games, sure to draw a wide
audience into an epic crusade that they won’t soon forget.
Features
• The non-linear Single Player Campaign is comprised of
over 30 branching missions that unfold as choices are made based on the actions
you take.
• GameSpy® Multiplayer featuring 12-player support and many
multiplayer maps on which to flex your dominance!
• A Co-op mode in which two players can work together and
control one fleet!
• All of the 20+ gene-based Organid ships in the game can
be customized with over 50 different weapons and abilities; giving the player
thousands of possible combinations to choose from when constructing a fleet.
• As genes are inserted, ship models will morph in
real-time to reflect the choices that you make!
• Expand your genetic capabilities through the invasion of
enemy vessels, steal unsuspecting technology and maximize your gene bank’s
diversity.
• Change genetic makeup on-the-fly and adjust your approach
based on your enemy’s fleet; recycling unused genes to meet any demand.
• Resource gathering, technology upgrades, and combat are
refined, making Genesis Rising accessible to even the most novice RTS players.
• The universal resource in the game is blood air, which in
addition to genes, can be harvested from the lifeless carcasses of Organid
ships.
• Many non-player character alien races share the vast
emptiness of space with Humankind. Make alliances with other races to secure
their support and technology, or purge them completely and take whatever you
want!
Game Summary
Three thousand years in the distant future after what was believed to be the
arrival of “The Savior,” mankind has carved a bloody path across the known
Universe. Considering themselves a divine race and beyond reproach as a species,
they view all alien races as inferior. Those that do not bend and acknowledge
the infinite superiority of the Human genome are subsequently punished or simply
destroyed. The dominion of the Human race was ensured by Organids – genetically
designed organic machines, easily adaptable to any enemy strategy.
Take on the role of Captain Iconah, a battle-hardened fleet commander and a
brilliant genetic designer, as you control a fleet of fully customizable organic
ships in an attempt to conquer the last region of the galaxy: the Universal
Heart, an enigmatic entity that spawned all life and matter in the universe. At
least that’s what the Human’s believe…
Take command and lead your fleet to a glorious destiny and ensure the survival
of mankind.
Genesis Rising is developed by Metamorf Studios. The title has an ESRB rating of
‘T’ for Teen in North America. For further information, please visit
www.GenesisRisingGame.com.
Cowabunga! Ubisoft announces North American availability of TMNT: The Video
Game, the cross-platform tie-in with the upcoming CGI feature film starring the
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. A playable demo of the PC version is available
( story), and here's the announcement: SAN FRANCISCO –
MARCH 20, 2007 – Today Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game developers
and publishers announced that its TMNT(TM) video game, based on the upcoming CGI
feature-length film starring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles®, is now available
at video game retailers in North America. Developed by Ubisoft's world-class
Montreal and Quebec City studios, TMNT, the video game, is rated E10+ and is
available for the Xbox 360(TM) video game and entertainment system from
Microsoft, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP®
(PlayStation®Portable) system, Windows® PC, Game Boy® Advance, Nintendo DS(TM),
Nintendo GameCube(TM) and Wii(TM).
The new TMNT video game incorporates the same dark and dangerous environments
and extends the adventurous themes featured in the new TMNT CGI film being
developed by Imagi Animation Studios and Mirage Licensing and distributed by
Warner Bros. The TMNT movie, which opens in U.S. theaters on March 23, 2007,
takes place in a New York City plagued by secretive villains and strange,
otherworldly creatures. Faced with these perils, the Turtles will experience
their most trying time both as heroes and as a family, as Raphael, Donatello and
Michelangelo lose their focus and struggle to maintain their unity and ninja
discipline. In the movie and in the highly immersive video game adventure, it's
up to Leonardo and the faithful father figure Splinter to reunite the band of
brothers and save New York City from a monstrous evil that lurks around every
corner. Video game players will engage in over-the-top acrobatic navigation,
collaborative combat and powerful fighting moves.
"Ubisoft is proud to be introducing everyone's favorite Turtles to the next
generation of video games,” said Tony Key, vice president of marketing at
Ubisoft. "Ubisoft has worked closely with the creators at Imagi and Mirage to
develop an immersive gaming experience that gives players a chance to expand the
adventures in the film by submerging themselves in the sewers and scaling the
rooftops of New York City in true ninja style.”
TMNT Video Game key features include: Intense Ninja Fighting: Harness the power
of Ninjitsu and become a master of combat. Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and
Michelangelo are playable and each have unique acrobatic moves, weapons and
combat skills, such as Michelangelo's fast nunchuck face slap and Raphael's
powerful Sai throw.
Unique Acrobatic Navigation: The Turtles jump from rooftop to rooftop, scale
tall buildings, dive into sewers and race through every corner of the city to
confront their enemies.
Powerful Tag-Team Moves: Together the Turtles can team up to reach locations
unattainable alone or defeat the enemy.
Diverse Enemies and Bosses: Features characters from the movie and the original
comic book series – including the Purple Dragon Street Gang and the infamous
Foot Clan – and a whole new group of enemies creep out of the shadows to face
the Turtles.
Nine Wii Mini-Games: The Wii version features nine exclusive mini-games and each
character has different movements and challenges. For example, Leonardo is
forced to take action in a crime-ridden hotspot and in a game called "Shooting
Alley” as he throws his Shuriken to keep enemies at bay.
Ubisoft's TMNT video game is being created under a licensing agreement with
Mirage Licensing, Inc. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are represented for
merchandising by 4Kids Entertainment. Please visit
www.tmntgame.com to access the official
game Web site and www.tmnt.com for the latest
news and information on the new CGI movie.
Enlight announces Circus Empire, an
upcoming game that allows you to run away with a circus of your own design.
Here's word on the game, which is due this May: PARKVILLE, MD - March 20,
2007 - Enlight Interactive, one of the world's leading developers and publishers
of entertainment software for the PC platform, today announced Circus Empire,
the world's first ever 3D circus simulation game. Players will be able to design
their own circus in three dimensions, complete with trapeze artists, clowns,
lion tamers and a variety of other performers, each with their own distinct
personality. Circus Empire is scheduled to release this May for the PC at a
suggested price of $19.99.
"With Circus Empire, the dream of joining the circus will soon be at your
fingertips," said Trevor Chan of Enlight Interactive. "The level of
customization lets families choose all the performers and performances in the
circus as you tour the world, entertaining thousands of people on different
continents."
Circus Empire lets players customize their very own circus, from hiring and
training the performers to scheduling tour dates to watching the show in
beautiful, realistic 3D. With more than 70 performers, including acrobats,
tightrope walkers, motorcyclists and a variety of animals, players can choose
from hundreds of different performance moves to make their circus a unique
entertainment experience. As they build their circus act, players can follow the
story campaign as their circus tours across North America, Asia and Europe,
bringing joy and excitement to thousands of spectators. Circus Empire isn't just
about great visuals, either; it's an in-depth simulation, complete with all the
details of running a circus, including hiring, training, scheduling and even
personnel and financial management.
For more information on Circus Empire, please visit:
www.circus-empire.com
EA announces The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth Anthology is
shipping in North America, though they hedge that the RTS bundle may not be on
store shelves until the 22nd: REDWOOD CITY, Calif., March 20, 2007 –
Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that the complete collection of
Middle-earth PC Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games, The Lord of the Rings™, The
Battle for Middle-earth™ Anthology* has shipped to North American retailers
nationwide.
For the first time The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth Anthology
offers fans the chance to bring together all the epic The Lord of the Rings™
battles with The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth, The Lord of the
Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II Collector’s Edition and The Lord of the
Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II, The Rise of the Witch-King™ within a
single compilation, and all for an MSRP of $39.99.
The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth puts players in command of
good or evil heroes and armies of Middle-earth in epic battles from The Lord of
the Rings film trilogy. In The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II
Collector’s Edition players wage war in the North and experience heroes and
creatures that have never been seen in The Lord of the Rings films. The Lord of
the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth Anthology is the exclusive place to
purchase The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II Collector’s
Edition, which grants players access to limited release features including
‘behind the scenes’ details of creating a blockbuster Lord of the Rings PC game,
multiple exclusive maps, as well as an exclusive fire-breathing Dragon unit. On
the battlefield, this impressive unit can only be controlled by players who
purchase the Collector’s Edition. The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for
Middle-earth II, The Rise of the Witch-King, allows players to explore the evil
side of Middle-earth through the Witch-King’s rise to power. In this expansion
pack, gamers experience a whole new depth of strategy and upgraded War of the
Ring and Create-A-Hero features, allowing more freedom in customizing game play.
Developed at EA’s Los Angeles studio, The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for
Middle-earth Anthology for the PC is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB. The
official videogame website can be found at
www.lotr.ea.com.
*Online play requires Internet Connection.
The Genesis Rising: The Universal Crusade single-player demo is now available,
just a few days late from the promised St. Paddy's Day release
( story). Word is: "The Single Player Demo is loaded with
fast-paced and high-intensity action including the game’s epic Intro Cinematic,
3 Tutorial Missions and 2 distinct and challenging Single Player Missions." The
sample of Metamorf Studios' futuristic RTS game is available on
3D Downloads,
ComputerGames.ro,
FanGaming,
FileFront,
FileShack,
Gamer's Hell,
gameSlave, and
GameSpot. Update: Some sites carried a corrupted copy, so those
mirrors have been removed.
This Capcom Investor
Relations Page confirms rumors ( story) of an Xbox 360 edition
of Devil May Cry 4 while also revealing plans for a PC edition of the sequel,
which was previously said to be a PS3 exclusive (thanks Daniel). The page is
mostly Japanese, but a translation makes it sound like the 360 version will be
released simultaneously with the PS3 edition, and while there is no such promise
for the PC edition, it is clearly mentioned as well. Update: The English
announcement can be found on
Gameplay Monthly.
The Dawn of War Patch
Page now offers a new patch for Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War: Dark Crusade,
updating every edition (except the Chinese) of Relic's RTS expansion to version
1.20. Thanks
The Patches Scrolls, where they have a mirror of the download, which is also
mirrored on
3D Downloads,
ActionTrip,
FileFront,
FileShack, Gamer's Hell,
and VGPRO.
A GPGnet World Map Patch for Supreme Commander is now available. Word is: "This
patch includes the GPGnet World Map, which is an updated matchmaking service
that features Strategic Zoom to let players see and connect to the entire SupCom
community across the world." The download debuts on
GameSpot (registration required), and mirrors can be found on
3D Downloads,
FileFront, Gameguru Mania,
and Gamer's Hell.
The FIFA Manager 07 Website offers a new
database update for the sports management sim. Word is: "The database update
works for FIFA Manager 07, FIFA Manager 07 Extra Time and for all international
versions (every language)." Thanks Gamer's
Hell.
The
Dungeons and Dragons Online Q&A on TenTonHammer talks with James Jones,
producer on Turbine's MMORPG: "One of the things we are introducing in module 4,
that I think may not have gotten as much exposure but I like, is our new
landscape adventure system that we put in. We’ve got the two adventure zones
coming in module 4, the ones called the Cerulean Hills, which is lower level,
and then there is the high level area based around the primary story arc, which
is Gianthold. These new adventure areas give players a great re-playability. You
go in, you play in what I call “meta-quests”, it is either kill quests, or
exploration quests, or special encounter quests. There are a series of many
dungeons connected to them. They are open landscapes, and when you leave, the
next time you go back to that landscape, your status, your place is remembered."
The Dystopia
Forums now offer a new version 1.1 of the Dystopia cyberpunk Source-engine
modification (thanks Ant and
Planet
Half-Life). Word is: "We've nailed a few rare crashes and added a couple of
features that didn't make it into the 1.0 release."
- Version 1.8 of Tribal Trouble
offers a new version 1.8 of this cross-platform RTS game…
Today is the last day of winter here in the Northern Hemisphere. True to that it
is pretty mild out there, and while there's still a healthy coating of snow,
this is melting off. We've still got some harsh weather in the future forecast
though, so I guess the groundhog was wrong this year.
R.I.P.:
John W. Backus, 82, Fortran Developer, Dies.
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