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Archived News:
The Official
Shadowrun Community Forum has news that FASA Studio has closed down (thanks
Shacknews), after
valiantly supporting Shadowrun to the bitter end: Dear Friends,
It is my sad duty to announce that FASA Studio has officially closed its doors.
Today was the official last day of employment for those of us who had not moved
on to other positions within Microsoft Game Studios. While the rumors have been
circulating forever, we chose to wait on an official announcement because we
didn’t want people’s attention distracted from our last product, Shadowrun, a
game we love.
As a testament to the team's commitment to Shadowrun, we released three title
updates to improve the product even after the team learned we were losing our
studio. We have kept our Community Manager and Technical Support Manager on the
job to aid and support you and will continue to do so while people continue to
play our game. I am pleased that about half of us have found great positions
elsewhere in MGS and Microsoft where they can share their experience and passion
with the great people there.
But now, as the last of us say our goodbyes to each other, I’m saying goodbye to
you on behalf of a group of talented and dedicated professionals who busted
their humps for the love of the game. I am proud to have worked with and
represented them to you and know that wherever they go, they will continue to
kick ass.
Mitch
inCrysis offers an update from Crytek about the Crysis multiplayer beta,
clarifying why the first round of testing was not announced, and that when
testing is opened up further, no paid subscriptions will be required (see
update). Update: It has been pointed out that the way this is worded
makes it possible that paid subscriptions may still be required for subsequent
rounds of testing: Missing public announcement
As many of you may have recognized, there was no public announcement from either
EA or Crytek regarding the Crysis MP Beta. The reason for this was that this
batch 1 of the Beta is an internal test only and is not the actual start. The
official Beta for Fileplanet subscribers is almost ready and there will be a
huge global announcement with lots of information included. Additionally this
announcement is just the beginning of an upcoming community focus – so expect a
lot more information in form of screenshots, videos, reports, events and much
more to be ready for you!
Batch 1 - Friends & Family internal test
Quite a few of you wonder why you haven’t had any chance to sign-up for the
first batch of the Beta. This was due to this first batch being available for a
pre-selected group only. The members of this group are people who have been
invited by EA and/or Crytek to join the Beta program of Crysis. There has been a
very limited number of available keys for them. Additionally Fileplanet gave a
few of their Founder’s Club Members the chance to sign-up for this event as
well.
This is our final test to verify the stability before the initial Beta begins.
It is an important test for EA and Crytek since we can see how everything works
under real life conditions. This internal test is not directly related to the
rest of the Beta. Therefore we did not plan to official announce it.
Payment required to access the Beta? No!
We have read a lot of posts about people who mentioned that you need to pay
additional money to be able to join the Beta. Just let me get this straight –
this is definitely not the case. When you have a subscriber account you will be
able to sign-up for one of the upcoming batches.
The payment many of you have been discussing about was related to the Founder’s
Club membership of Fileplanet which was needed to get one of the very few places
in the first batch. Founder’s Club membership is not necessary to take part in
the upcoming batches.
Paradox Interactive announces Galactic
Assault: Prisoner of Power is now available in North American stores, and
the science fiction military strategy game is also available for online purchase
via
Gamer's Gate: New York, USA (September 12, 2007) – Global publisher
Paradox Interactive announced today that their explosive Sci-Fi strategy title
Galactic Assault: Prisoner of Power is available in stores across North America
and via digital download on GamersGate.
"We are thrilled about the release of Galactic Assault: Prisoner of Power", said
Fredrik Wester, Executive Vice President for Paradox Interactive. "This is a
high quality wargame that we've all spent a lot of time with and its bound to
appeal to wargamers as well as strategy fans looking for a new challenge in a
completely different setting"
Galactic Assault: Prisoner of Power has been referred to by critics as one that
"strategy wargame fans won't want to miss"* and introduces players to four
unique races who battle for supremacy on the planet Saraksh. Each race posses
and can easily develop distinguishable technologies, leading to the presence of
vastly different heavy armoured units, transport units and aviation units on the
battlefield. The battles take place among vivid extraterrestrial landscapes in
3D with day and night changes as well as dynamic weather conditions that affect
the gameplay. In addition to the interesting story line, Galactic Assault offers
a revolutionary tactical combat system with more than 70 unique units of great
power and high-definition visuals that will immerse players in a horrendous
story of war and survival.
The Russian Pacific Storm Website
offers a Russian playable demo for Aggression: Europe 1914, Lesta Studios'
upcoming World War I RTS game, while the
Pacific Storm
Forums offer a utility to translate the demo's Russian content into English,
add new loading screens and music, and tweak performance to work better on
lower-end systems. There are a few issues with the converter, which are outlined
in the post. Thanks Gamer's
Hell, who discovered this, and there are also mirrors on
3D Downloads and
FileFront.
The
Cycling Manager Forums offer new patches for Pro Cycling Manager 2007,
updating the CD or downloadable editions of the sports management sequel to
version 1.0.2.1. According to the notes, the patch updates the game's StarForce
copy protection to eliminate a problem that occasionally caused game crashes.
Thanks The Patches Scrolls.
Slitherine Strategies now offers a
new beta patch for Commander: Europe At War, updating the RTS game to beta
version 1.03. The release is accompanied by a new beta version of the game's
editor said to make use of some of new features in the game. Thanks The Patches Scrolls.
Happy Rosh Hashanah!
R.I.P.:
Alex, a Parrot Who Had a Way With Words, Dies (registration required).
Company of Heroes: Opposing
Fronts Goes Gold For PC announces completion of development on the World War
II RTS expansion. The game has carried a fall release window since it was
announced ( story), but the announcement does not yet narrow that
down: THQ Inc. today announced Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts,
developed by award-winning Real-Time Strategy (RTS) developer Relic
Entertainment, has reached the gold master stage of development and is now
entering manufacturing. Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts is the next
installment in one of the highest-rated RTS franchises of all time, building on
the success of the original Company of Heroes with two new armies and vastly
enhanced multiplayer options. Developed for Windows PC, the game is expected to
begin shipping to retail outlets in North America later this month. "Company of
Heroes: Opposing Fronts delivers the most cinematic and intense RTS experience
available on any platform," said Kevin Kraff, director of global brand
management, THQ. "Relic Entertainment's reputation is legendary among strategy
gamers and Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts blasts away all previous
benchmarks for brutally dynamic battlefield action."
"Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts is a massive game, featuring two new
campaigns with more campaign content than the original, significant enhancements
to our proprietary Essence engine, and two totally unique new armies for
multiplayer action," said Tarrnie Williams, general manager, Relic
Entertainment. "We've consistently redefined the standard for excellence in the
RTS genre over the last five years, and Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts
represents another leap forward in technology and strategic gameplay."
Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts is the next chapter in the critically
acclaimed Company of Heroes franchise. Players take command of the German Panzer
Elite as they struggle against the might of the Allied forces, or lead the
British 2nd Army in the vicious battle for Caen, France. Internally developed by
Relic Entertainment, this standalone title does not require the original Company
of Heroes to play, features two unique armies with full length campaigns, new
multiplayer options when combined with the original Company of Heroes, Microsoft
DirectX 10 support, mission persistence, improved vehicle and soldier AI,
enhanced physics and a dynamic weather system. Company of Heroes: Opposing
Fronts is fully compatible with the original Company of Heroes, allowing players
to wage war with four unique armies.
Call of Duty 4: Modern
Warfare Limited Collector’s Edition Announced for Xbox 360 and PC offers
details on CE's for the military shooter sequel: Activision, Inc.
announced today that a Limited Collector’s Edition of Infinity Ward’s Call of
Duty 4: Modern Warfare for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from
Microsoft and Windows PC will begin deployment on November 5 as part of the
worldwide launch of the most intense and cinematic action game ever. Each
Limited Collector’s Edition includes a special hardcover book featuring
exclusive concepts, never-before-seen imagery and final artwork from the
award-winning team that details the breath-taking action from the soldier to the
satellite.
The Xbox 360 edition also takes gamers behind-the-scenes with a bonus DVD
containing more than four hours of interviews and features, an exclusive
documentary exploring the British S.A.S from World War II to modern day, and a
series of “making of” vignettes highlighting Infinity Ward’s research,
technology and story development for Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. For Windows
PC fans, in addition to the hardcover art book, the Limited Collector’s Edition
for PC will include a digital copy of the BradyGAMES Official Strategy Guide.
The strategy guide provides players with a detailed single-player walkthrough,
top-down maps, multiplayer strategies, weapon load-outs, and numerous other tips
for the hardcore soldier.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare for Xbox 360, Windows PC and PLAYSTATION 3
computer entertainment system will begin deployment on Tuesday, November 5, 2007
and has been rated “M” for Mature by the ESRB for Intense Violence, Strong
Language, Blood and Gore. The game will also be available for and Nintendo DS
and has been rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB for Teen for Blood and Violence.
The Agency Q&A on Multiplayer
Online Games Directory talks with Hal Milton, lead designer on SOE's
upcoming espionage-themed MMORPG. They discuss the game's inspirations, the
development team, the rivalry between the game's two factions, combat, vehicles,
and more.
It's getaway day for Frans, as we are heading off to the airport to get him on
his morning flight out of here. We had a fine old time seeing sights and hanging
out, and we are sad to see him go. His visit, of course, has disrupted things
here a bit, and as that disruption comes to an end, I thank you for your
indulgence and patience during that span.
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