|
|
 |
Archived News:
NCsoft announces the release of the first update for
Dungeon Runners, their free-to-play
MMOG.
This post has details on the update, referred to as Chunk #1, though we're
not convinced that "chunk" will gain widespread acceptance as a new term to
replace the word "version." Word is: Austin, Texas, August 29,
2007–NCsoft® announced today the release of Dungeon Runners’™ first feature
expansion, Chunk #1, an ambitious content update that includes
player-versus-player (PvP) worlds, support for multiple characters, item linking
over its chat system, a new high level dungeon, and a variety of new skills and
quests. Most of the features in Chunk #1 are available to all active Dungeon
Runners players except for a new set of exclusive member-only servers that will
come online with the new expansion release.
Dungeon Runners is a free to download and play online multiplayer role playing
game in a fast-paced sword-and-shield setting, where defeating monsters and evil
enemies results in piles of loot and treasure.
Topping the features of Chunk #1 is PvP action. The Dungeon Runners PvP worlds
eliminate all player-versus-environment tasks, focusing solely on
player-versus-player combat in a variety of maps and settings. Chunk #1 provides
two PvP session types including group practice PvP, which focuses on small PvP
free-for-all maps where players can hone their battle skills without a time
limit; and group-versus-group death match PvP, which automatically pits
similarly powered groups in seven-minute matches.
“The introduction of PvP combat to Dungeon Runners rounds out the features that
MMO players expect to see in their RPG games,” said Stephen Nichols, NCsoft’s
producer and lead programmer for Dungeon Runners. “Even though we provide most
of our game for free, we are still able to regularly deliver large blocks of
feature content and this is just the first of many additions to the game our
players will see. Chunk #1, which includes PvP, will add a whole bunch of new
content that will give every one of our players new challenges and new
opportunities to have fun.”
Chunk #1 will also give players up to three characters for each account created
so they can play multiple characters in a variety of shapes, sizes and sexes.
“It is common in MMOs for boys to be girls and vise-versa,” said Nichols. “With
multiple character slots, our players can take on whatever roles they like,
depending on their mood.”
Additionally, Chunk #1 includes 70 new quests, several new armor sets and many
new skills, including teleport, heal self and a skill that improves a weapon’s
slashing ability, called “awesome cleavage.” A new, tough dungeon for level
75-100 players has been added where new quests, monsters and an all-new boss can
be found. Chunk #1 will also allow players to trade items over their chat
windows, which gives other players the ability to see the name and attributes of
the items up for trade.
This content update also includes improvement to player controls which reduces
movement delays.
Turbine announces the availability of a seven-day free trial for Lord of the
Rings Online: WESTWOOD, MA -- August 29, 2007 -- Turbine, Inc. has
launched the official 7-day free trial of The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows
of Angmar™ (LOTRO). Beginning today, fans in North America, Australia and New
Zealand can play the best online game for free by visiting
http://trial.lotro.com.
LOTRO has received critical acclaim from around the globe. Since its launch in
April, LOTRO has quickly become the second largest MMORPG with an estimated 4
million characters calling Middle-earth their home. The game continues to grow
with two massive updates that have increased the world by over 20%:
- 10,000,000 square meters of new landscape to explore
- Over 200 new quests that extend the epic story
- Introduction of Legendary Play where players can experience
PvP as a powerful Ranger or a fearsome Troll
- New and updated features including the Reputation,
Bartering and Music systems
“We have surpassed our goal of combining the greatest fantasy of all time with a
state-of-the-art online social experience,” said Jeffrey Anderson, CEO of
Turbine, Inc. “And now we want everyone to have the opportunity to walk through
the Shire, climb the Misty Mountains, fight with their own fellowship in the War
of the Ring and fully experience the greatest fantasy of all time.”
Eligible fans can participate in The Lord of the Rings Online trial program and
play the game for 7 days free of charge. At the end of the trial, players will
have the option of continuing to play LOTRO, and to keep the characters created
during their 7-day free trial time, by purchasing the game either online or at
retail. To participate in the 7-day free trial or to find out where to buy
LOTRO, visit http://trial.lotro.com.
The Lord of the Rings Online delivers an interactive experience brimming with
life and filled with the familiar people, places and monsters from the most
beloved fantasy adventure of all time. From the quaint surroundings of the Shire
to Angmar, the vile kingdom of the Witch-king, players will experience the world
of Middle-earth as never before. The Lord of the Rings Online is available for
purchase at major retailers across North America. For more information about The
Lord of the Rings Online, please visit
www.lotro.com.
Tiscali Games
has a trio of ShakyCam videos for Armed Assault 2 that were shot off a monitor
at the recent Games Convention in Leipzig. The clips show off various aspects of
gameplay in the recently announced military shooter sequel.
Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45 is
slated to receive the promised ( story) summer update today, among
other things adding a new map and new vehicle to the World War II shooter
(thanks C.J.). This paves the way for a free play event for the game that should
kick off at Noon Eastern time today and run through midday on Monday. Details on
the free event can be found on the
Steam website. A full changelog for the new patch is located in the
Red
Orchestra Forums.
Need for Speed ProStreet
Ships In October offers set release dates for Need for Speed ProStreet, the
next installment in the high-octane series. Word is the game, which previously
carried a general fall release date, is now expected on October 31, 2007 in
North America, and the following day in Europe: Electronic Arts announced
today that Need for Speed ProStreet, the latest version of the blockbuster
franchise, will hit stores in North America on October 31 and across Europe on
November 1, 2007. In Need for Speed ProStreet, you have to build the ultimate
battle machine, take it to multi-disciplinary showdowns and pit your skills and
reputation against the world's best street racers. This is your chance to prove
that you have what it takes to be crowned the next street king. "The Need for
Speed franchise has always been on the cutting edge of car culture," said
Executive Producer, Larry LaPierre. "Street racing is getting more organized and
Need for Speed ProStreet is our interpretation of where we anticipate the
culture to be in three to five years. We're delivering on the ultimate proving
ground, bringing you out of your neighborhood back alleys and on to the world
stage. This is a next-gen game, packed with the raw intensity and visceral
aggression that defines street racing at the highest level."
Need for Speed ProStreet is a racing experience like no other. For the first
time, you're designing and building a car, competing in iconic locations from
around the globe and battling in four distinct racing styles -- grip, drag,
drift and the all-new speed challenge. The atmosphere is electric -- complete
with energetic crowds, photo-realistic vehicles and billowing smoke -- all
designed to embody the pressure and intensity of the gladiatorial challenge
known as Show Down. Need for Speed ProStreet is the realization of the power,
aggression and rivalry that embodies street racing culture.
Need for Speed ProStreet will be available for Xbox 360 video game and
entertainment system, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, and Wii as
well as the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo DS, PC and
mobile. More information can be found at
http://www.needforspeed.com.
Telltale Games now
offers a gameplay trailer showing off the upcoming Season Two for the Sam & Max
series of episodic games. In addition to the new cinematic trailer, they offer a
new selection of screenshots and some "scintillating" facts. Here's word on what
will be new in Season Two, which does not yet have a set release schedule:
So, what's new?
You mean apart from the slew of new characters and stories brimming --
overflowing even -- from the idea pot that is Season Two (possibly staining our
new carpet in the process)? How about...
Changes to all the recurring locations, and a few brand new ones! More lively
NPCs who move around the world instead of standing rooted to one spot like
pieces of furniture! Even more bizarre scenarios that will take Sam & Max from
the arctic to the tropics and beyond! All-new, unique mini-games in every
episode! Characters who pipe up of their own accord with useful information if
they think you're stuck!* Updated driving game with improved controls and the
ability to upgrade your DeSoto! ... Flint Paper!
Also, Sam can run now if you want him to, and the games will finally support
those giant widescreen monitors the kids seem so crazy about these days.
*You smart guys who don't want hints can turn this one off.
The Official BioShock SM 2.0 Fix Blog
now offers a new version of this homebrew graphics downgrade for 2K Games'
first-person shooter. The new beta 1 offers significantly improved visuals, as
shown in a bunch of comparison movies they've posted. They also point the way to
the
Asankel Fix, a separate project working towards the same goal of making a
way to play BioShock on older video cards. Thanks Acleacius.
Tri Synergy and Fireglow announce Blackbeard’s Revenge, a casual action/arcade
game set on the high seas, due for release in a couple of weeks. Update:
It turns out this is the game previously announced as Pirate's Revenge
( story - thanks Gamer's Hell): Upton,
MA, August 29th, 2007 – Tri Synergy, Inc. (www.trisynergy.com)
and Fireglow Games (www.fireglowgames.com)
are thrilled to announce that they will be co-publishing Blackbeard’s Revenge, a
fun and addictive arcade action game set on the high seas, developed by Fireglow
Casual Games Studio. The ship captains and fierce pirates among us can expect to
see Blackbeard’s Revenge boarding retail shelves in mid-September.
Blackbeard’s Revenge is an arcade action game on the high seas. Successful
pirates are rewarded with money and resources which are looted from defeated
enemies’ sunken ships. From your island base you can use these resources and
treasure to build better ships, weapons and cannon balls to turn the tides in
your favor for future battles. If you’re lucky enough to obtain an enemy ships’
design plans you can build faster ships with better armor and equip them with
more powerful cannons. Now you’ll be capable of shooting further, faster, and
inflicting more damage. Blast your way to victory and riches!
Features of Blackbeard’s Revenge include:
• 35 Single player missions
• Fierce naval battles
• 4 Buildable ships
• Night, day, and weather effects
• Multiplayer LAN & internet play
• Weapons and ships upgrades
Stay tuned for more information on Blackbeard’s Revenge as there will be plenty
of screenshots and videos to plunder in anticipation of the game’s maiden
voyage!
The World
War II Online Downloads Page now offers a new version 1.27.0 of the MMO
World War II game. The
Battleground
Europe Forums offers a read me with full details on the new version, which
is also available automatically from within the game. Thanks Lerx.
- Gabe Newell
Gabe
Newell Q&A on ActionTrip talks with the Valve front man on a variety of
topics, including Steam, episodic content, development cycles, the source
engine, and more. The question about whether Valve would be developing new
IPs generated this interesting response: "You know, if you get two Valve
people together, they're inventing new games. We're just sort of looking to
find out how much we can design. God, I would love to work on a turn-based
strategy game, personally. Maybe we'll get around to it, but not a lot of
people would agree. But our ambitions have stripped our ability to ship by a
couple of orders of packaging. But I'm sure there will be some doing new
worlds, doing new game types. Hopefully, the flexibility we get by going for
smaller projects will let us be more experimental rather than spending half
a decade to come up with a whole project."
- Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer
Joystiq
Interviews Obsidian's Nathan Davis about NWN2: Mask of the Betrayer
discusses the upcoming expansion for the D&D RPG sequel. They cover subjects
like camera controls, system performance, 3D character portraits, pacing,
other changes in the add-on, and more.
At first I didn't think my face was as swollen from my recent oral surgery as it
was after my prior bout with the scalpel. I then noticed it was not so much my
upper lip isn't swollen as it is that the area under and around my nose is also
swollen, so they sort of match. Once you notice this, however, it starts to
become apparent that the real net effect of all this that I don't so much look
like someone recuperating from surgery as I look like a different person
altogether. I guess this is something folks who have plastic surgery
have to live with, but it's a little disconcerting seeing a stranger's face in
the mirror.
Get well soon:
Bo Diddley
Suffers Heart Attack. First famous musician I ever saw in person.
|
Twitter 
