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Archived News:
October Cover Revealed on GameInformer unveils Dead Space, the subject of
their October cover story. Word is: Game Informer Magazine subscribers
should be getting their October issues shortly which features an explosive
cover-story reveal of a new survival horror game from EA, Dead Space. Fans of
the cult-classic film Event Horizon and straight-up horror aficionados aren’t
going to want to miss this one!
Total Crysis offers an update on how
multiplayer will work in Crysis (thanks
Voodoo Extreme). A number of topics are covered, including how DirectX 9
servers will be limited compared to DirectX 10 servers, not because of software,
but hardware: DX9 vs. DX10 – The endless question
To shed some light into one of the most discussed topics regarding Crysis
multiplayer I would like to explain you the differences between Crysis MP DX9
and DX10.
As for the DX9 version we won’t have physics and day and night cycle in-game.
That means you won’t be able to shoot down trees and/or alter any other objects
than vehicles on the map. Additionally the time of day setting doesn’t change
dynamically. This is caused due to the tremendous server load such physics might
cause on crowded gaming servers. Still you will be able to experience maps with
different time of day settings since the maps can be altered in the Sandbox2
Editor.
Rather than providing the community partially working features we limit this for
the DX10 version only. Due to the strong hardware available with DX10, server
load is less and performance is increased. This ensures the pure physics and day
and night cycle experience without any limitation.
Gamers with a DX10 card are able to play on DX9 servers, but with the limitation
of the respective server. Vice versa it is not possible for gamers with DX9
cards to play on DX10 servers due to the limited features.
This Valve
Employment Opportunities Page (thanks Ant) seeks a programmer lead
engineer and architect on product integration for Steam. One of the job's
listed responsibilities should warm the hearts of Linux fans: "Port
Windows-based games to the Linux platform."
Valve announces the Steam Community is out of beta in preparation for the Team
Fortress 2 beta: September 13, 2007 - After a successful trial period,
Valve is proud to announce the public launch of the Steam community features, an
expansive set of social networking and online multiplayer features available for
free on Steam, as it prepares for the launch of the Team Fortress 2 beta, which
is scheduled to begin on Monday, September 17, 2007.
The Steam Community lets gamers create a personal profile-a Steam ID-complete
with a photo or avatar, biographical details, favorite lists, and other
information. Community members can add peers to a personal Friends List that
shows in real-time who's online and available to chat or play a game. Accessible
from within the Steam client or while playing a game, the Friends List makes it
easy to invite friends to chat, play a game, or join a group.
Team Fortress 2 is the successor to the grand daddy of class-based multiplayer
action games and the multiplayer component of The Orange Box, a unique
compilation of new games from Valve. The Orange Box also includes Portal and the
full collection of Half-Life 2 games released to date for just $50 on PC and $60
on the next generation consoles.
Starting Monday, September 17, the Team Fortress 2 (TF2) beta opens to those who
pre-purchaser The Orange Box via Steam and save 10% of the regular price. The
Steam community features will allow TF2 players to track detailed player and
team statistics and achievements records.
To explore the Steam community features, install the Steam client available at
www.steampowered.com. Click the
Community tab within the Steam interface and take a tour of the features and
create a profile.
A new movie from Clive Barker's Jericho introduces Sgt. Frank Delgado, one of
the members of the Jericho squad in Mercury Steam Entertainment's upcoming
horror-themed shooter. The minute-long clip can be found on
3D Downloads,
ActionTrip,
FileFront, and Gamer's
Hell.
A new Stronghold 2 patch is now available, updating FireFly Studios' besieged
strategy sequel to version 1.4. The update is available on the
2K Games
Website, where there are complete patch notes, and mirrors are available on
3D Downloads,
FileFront, Gamer's Hell,
and The Patches Scrolls.
The Fortress Forever Website now
offers the client and server files for this Team Fortress-inspired modification
for Half-Life 2. Word is: "Fortress Forever expands on the classic team fortress
action as well as introducing elements to improve accessibility for players new
to the genre. If you ever find yourself antsy waiting to get back into the
action in other multiplayer games, then this is the game for you. It's not all
instant gratification though; within the game there are classes to suit every
player's style, be it stealth, finesse with movement, precision aim, the joy of
weilding [sic] a ridiculous amount of explosives, or simply brute force :P. Even
within these classes (9 in total) you can go about developing your own
playstyle."
This
forum post offers a running list of mirrors for the downloads.
Paradox Interactive announces plans to publish Penumbra: Black Plague, a
follow-up to Penumbra:
Overture scheduled for release during Q1, 2008. They are calling this the
final chapter in the Penumbra series, which is confusing in light of how
Penumbra: Overture was described as the beginning of a three-part series. We
contacted Paradox about this paradox, and they confirmed this is the final
chapter in the series without clarifying the status of a theoretical middle
chapter. Here's the announcement: New York, USA (September 13, 2007) –
Paradox Interactive announced today that the company has secured the publishing
rights to Penumbra: Black Plague. The highly anticipated final chapter in the
Penumbra story will thrust players into a creepy environment of psychological
horror, as they are challenged in this unique action adventure experience
"Penumbra: Overture has been referred to as the scariest adventure game to
appear in years, and with Penumbra: Black Plague, the developers have managed to
push the boundaries of psychological horror even further, said Fredrik Wester,
Executive Vice President of Paradox Interactive. "Their unique and innovative
approach to gaming adventures made Penumbra a fan and media favorite and we are
convinced that Penumbra: Black Plague will have an even bigger impact on the
gaming community".
"Penumbra: Black Plague is horrific, life-like, interactive and unique and we
are thrilled to be working with Paradox Interactive to introduce this game to a
worldwide audience, said Jens Nilsson, Co-Founder Frictional Games". "We've
worked with Paradox in the past and their support for our vision and ideas has
made it possible for us to keep on developing games that we believe in."
A second English playable demo for Loki is now available, offering another
sample of Cyanide Studios' action/RPG. While the first Loki demo offered the
chance to play as the Norse Warrior ( story) , this new demo is a
chance too try out the Egyptian Mage character. The download is available on
3D Downloads,
FileFront, Gamer's Hell,
and PixelRage.
The World Series of Video Games Website
has word that the remainder of the 2007 season of their global gaming
competition has been cancelled, eliminating tournaments planned for Los Angeles,
London, and Sweden. While they proudly point out the successful aspects of the
series, the economics did not come together, though they do promise to pay out
all awards due to winners of prior tournaments. Word is: Effective
immediately, Games Media Properties will no longer produce the World Series of
Video Games. The remainder of the 2007 season in Los Angeles, London and Sweden
is cancelled.
The World Series of Video Games launched with the goal of expanding interest and
participation in competitive gaming. Over the course of two seasons, we have
been honored by the strong support the community has shown in attending our
festivals, and watching our competitions online and on television-- all in
record-setting numbers. We have been grateful for the generous support provided
by Intel and other sponsors since our inception.
However, the continuing challenges of securing adequate revenues to sustain the
production of the WSVG's large scale events and television programming, in a
very crowded field of competitive gaming leagues, has prompted us to re-evaluate
our direction as an organization.
Unfortunately, the decision is to cancel the remainder of the WSVG season, as we
shift our focus solely to growing our online advertising network of websites,
which currently reach seven million users each month.
We are proud of the accomplishments and memorable entertainment we have provided
through the World Series of Video Games. While we are sorry that this news will
disappoint our fans and players, we are deeply appreciative that we have had the
opportunity to contribute to the growth of eSports.
Games Media Properties
The Age Of Empires
Website now offers patches to update various localized editions of Age of
Empires III: The WarChiefs to version 1.04a. The patches, for the Brazilian,
French, German, Italian, and Spanish editions, are mirrored on
FileFront, Gamer's Hell,
and The Patches Scrolls.
The Ship Simulator 2008 website
now offers a new version 1.1 patch, described as a free add-on for the seafaring
game. The patch is accompanied by the game's mission editor. Both downloads are
available on the Ship
Simulator 2008 Website, and one or both of the downloads are mirrored on
FileFront, Gamer's Hell,
Strategy Informer, and
The Patches Scrolls.
The Dark Age of Camelot
Bring-a-Friend Program offers a free month of gameplay to players of EA
Mythic's MMORPG for each friend they can get to join. Those who join after a
friend's referral can also earn free time by referring others under this
program.
The
Empire: Total War Q&A on Pro-G gets creative with Creative Assembly's Mike
Simpson and James Russell in discussing the next installment in their
large-scale RTS series.
- Hellgate Resistance has a
contest to reward the best impersonation of a Hellgate: London character.
Well DirecTV is working on getting back on my good side, after my recent
incidents with failed hardware. When I learned their new HDTV programming
requires a new dish, I thought it would be a pain to work that out, but they
actually proactively called to make an appointment for this afternoon to upgrade
me for free. Pretty neat, and not really a pain at all.
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