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Archived News:
Valve:
Episodic game plan may not last on Computer and Video Games highlights a
tidbit from a Gabe Newell interview they will publish soon indicating Valve will
reexamine their approach to episodic gaming when Half-Life 2 Episode Three is
done. He entertains the possibility they would return to developing a full scale
game, described by the Valve honcho as "large monolithic projects," or that they
might tighten down the scheduling of episodes in the manner of Telltale's
episodic games, or WoW updates, which he likens to MMO episodes.
EA announces a "Return to Brittania" campaign to celebrate the tenth anniversary
of Ultima Online, granting all former players in good standing amnesty for the
crime of canceling their accounts, and allowing them free play through October
9: Redwood City, CA, September 25, 2007 - Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:
ERTS), the world's leading interactive entertainment company, today celebrated
the 10th anniversary of the classic massively-multiplayer online game (MMO),
Ultima Online(TM). Launched on September 25, 1997, Ultima Online broke new
ground in the multiplayer game space and ushered in the modern MMO era.
Anniversary celebrations include special in-game activities and rewards, plus a
new amnesty program that invites former players back to experience the major
game update, Ultima Online Kingdom Reborn, for free.
"Ultima Online has thrived for 10 years and achieved the status of an MMO
classic, thanks in large part to the devoted player community," said Mark
Jacobs, VP and general manager, EA Mythic. "We are very excited to celebrate
this special anniversary with players."
In celebration of the 10th anniversary, EA is kicking off the "Return to
Brittania" campaign, an amnesty program that welcomes former players to discover
the gameplay and graphics upgrades implemented in Kingdom Reborn. Past
subscribers in good standing will be able to play for free through October 9,
2007 by visiting
www.uo.com/kingdomreborn/gamefiles, downloading Ultima Online Kingdom Reborn
and logging in using their former account name and password.
During the in-game 10th anniversary celebration, players will be able to take
part in a monster hunt with special prizes including an ankh pendant necklace,
map of Brittania, Ultima Online commemorative sculpture and virtue armor set.
Additionally, all players will receive 10 décor tokens and a wand of fireworks
in their characters' inventory.
For more information on the 10th anniversary celebration, please visit
www.uoherald.com/tenth
Activision announces the release for World Series of Poker 2008: Battle for the
Bracelets for PC, Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PSP, and DS: Minneapolis, MN –
September 25, 2007 – Raise the ante! World Series of Poker® 2008: Battle for the
Bracelets has shipped to retailers nationwide from Activision Publishing, Inc.,
a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI). The game features
Phil "The Poker Brat" Hellmuth Jr -- owner of a world record eleven WSOP
bracelets -- in a special "Beat The Brat" Heads-Up mode and thrusts players deep
into the high-stakes world of tournament poker to face off against other A-list
pros such as Johnny Chan, Chris “Jesus” Ferguson, and Mike “The Mouth” Matusow
on the quest to win the championship bracelet for the $10,000 Main Event and
over $60MM in total prize money.
“World Series of Poker 2008: Battle for the Bracelets allows gamers to challenge
all of their favorite poker pros in one of the largest sporting events in the
world,” said David Oxford, Activision Publishing, Inc. “We are proud to deliver
intense poker tournament action to gamers who want to experience the high-stakes
competition of championship poker from the comfort of their homes.”
In World Series of Poker 2008: Battle for the Bracelets, the #1 poker video game
franchise returns as players challenge over 30 of the world’s top poker
champions. With intense heads-up tournament play, expansive poker tutorials, and
strategy clips from Phil Hellmuth’s Ultimate White to Black Belt Course as
produced by iAmplifyVegas.com, players can learn from the very best in the
industry and take on all opponents in real-world locations such as Las Vegas and
New Orleans.
World Series of Poker 2008: Battle for the Bracelets is available on the Xbox
360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION®3
computer entertainment system for a suggested retail price of $49.99, the
PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation® Portable) system
and Nintendo DS™ for $29.99, and the PC for $19.99. The game is rated “T” (Teen)
by the ESRB. For more information on World Series of Poker 2008: Battle for the
Bracelets please visit www.BeatTheBrat.com.
- S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky
PCGH
Extreme's Technical Q&A on S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky talks with what's
described as the marketing department behind the upcoming shooter prequel,
choosing to ask them only technical questions about the game, its graphics
engine, advanced DirectX 10 support, and more.
- World in Conflict
This
Emma Jones Q&A on World in Conflict Heaven Forum chats with the
Community Manager for World in Conflict, Massive Entertainment's
alternate-history RTS game. They discuss covers her work, how much she gets
to play, the game's setting, medals, and what they are up to now.
- Jane Jensen
The
Escapist Interview with Jane Jensen asks the adventure game programmer
about her career, and Gray Matter, her upcoming project.
- Fallen Earth
WarCry
Network's Fallen Earth Q&A stretches out with Lee Hammock for an
article-format conversation about this upcoming post-apocalyptic MMORPG.
- DC Comics MMO
DC
Comics MMO Q&A on WarCry Network is a brief article based on chatting
with John Blakely about the upcoming MMORPG based on the DC comics universe.
- Issue #116 of
The Escapist
is called "Editor's Choice," which follows a themeless theme…
In answer to a question from Ant, until I recover my mailbox, I probably don't
have access to anything sent prior to about 5:15 pm EDT yesterday, so if you
care to, feel free to resend anything you urgently want me to see from before
that time.
The Tabula Rasa
Beta on FilePlanet Page is now accepting sign-ups to beta test Tabula Rasa,
in spite of the fact that Destination Games' MMORPG has already been declared
gold ( story). This beta seems open to registered users and not
just paid subscribers, and
this page has details on how those who pre-order in North America can earn
10 days of free gameplay.
Ubisoft announces The Settlers: Rise of an Empire is now available in the US,
offering the sixth installment in Blue Byte's strategy/management series:
SAN FRANCISCO – September 25, 2007 – Today Ubisoft, one of the world's
largest video game publishers, announced that The Settlers® Rise of an Empire
has shipped to retailers nationwide and is available exclusively for Games for
Windows®. The Settlers Rise of an Empire is the sixth game in the popular PC
strategy franchise that was created by Ubisoft's Blue Byte studio and has sold
more than six million copies worldwide. The Settlers Rise of an Empire is rated
"E10+” for Everyone 10 and Older and has an MSRP of $49.99.
In The Settlers Rise of an Empire, the player builds lively, bustling towns in a
medieval world. Everything is visible, lovingly animated and realistic. Each
settler has his or her own daily routine, with a range of different actions and
behaviors that can be observed by the player at all times. By expanding the
empire, the player can aspire to become a legendary king or queen.
The most popular features of the predecessors in the series have been retained
and many of the fans' requests were incorporated into Settlers Rise of an
Empire, creating an all-new Settlers atmosphere. The result is a realistic
medieval world, captured in intricate detail. The game features an immersive,
yet transparent economic system based on the resources, wares and goods produced
by the settlers in their various trades and occupations.
Key Features:
• Create big, bustling medieval cities: Plot your expansion, manage your
resources wisely and provide for your people. The Settlers Rise of an Empire
offers gameplay that is easy to pick up and allows everybody from beginners to
strategy experts to enjoy the game.
• Protect your citizens and your empire: Build up armies, vehicles and walls to
protect your empire. Everything depends on your economy: Is your empire wealthy
enough to supply a powerful defense force?
• Exciting multiplayer experience: Work cooperatively with a friend and play
against another team: Will your division of labor be efficient enough to beat
your opponent?
• A full living, detailed atmosphere: The RenderWare engine creates an extremely
detailed universe with numerous plants, animals and other details that bring the
environment to life in rich detail.
• Four climatic zones: The four climatic zones and four seasons have full impact
on resource management and gameplay.
• Natural interaction of Settlers: Every Settler has his or her own daily life
and interacts naturally with others.
Ubisoft announces Tom Clancy's Air Combat, describing this as a franchise,
rather than a game, saying the "brand will launch in 2008" for PCs and consoles,
offering aerial combat, and what they're hoping will be "an instant online
multiplayer hit." Here's word: Ubisoft Takes To The Skies With New Tom
Clancy Air Combat Brand
Chertsey, England – September 25, 2007 – Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest
video game publishers, announced the creation of a new Tom Clancy franchise
being developed by Ubisoft’s Bucharest studio for next generation consoles and
PC. The first air combat game taking place in Tom Clancy’s universe, the brand
will launch in 2008.
“Ubisoft has an unrivalled track record of creating and sustaining new brands,”
said Serge Hascoet, chief creative officer at Ubisoft. “Our commitment to
refreshing our catalogue with regular introduction of new IPs is what keeps
gamers coming back for more. With this new brand we’re redefining the aerial
combat genre and extending the Tom Clancy universe to deliver a compelling new
action titles to next-generation gamers.”
Set in the near future, the game imagines a world where a private military force
has accumulated such power that it attacks the USA. Thrust into the cockpits of
incredibly powerful and technologically advanced jet fighters, gamers will
benefit from hi-tech piloting assistance, providing comfort, security and
enhanced perception. As players gain skills and confidence, they will be able to
shed the assistance. But before choosing performance over security, they’ll have
to weigh the risks carefully.
“We are confident that this new brand will become the new benchmark for flight
combat games and will be, like other Tom Clancy based games, an instant online
multiplayer hit,” says Sebastien Delen, managing director of Ubisoft’s Bucharest
studio. “The player will experience all the action and excitement of modern air
combat, from intense dog fighting to tactical strikes.”
Sierra announces November as the US release date for Empire Earth III, the RTS
sequel from Mad Doc that carried a fall release date when it was announced
earlier this year ( story). The announcement also offers word on a
pre-order program that should go live this week with exclusive bonuses:
LOS ANGELES (Sept 25, 2007) – Sierra Entertainment, a division of Vivendi
Games, announced today that the third iteration of the popular multi-million
unit selling Empire Earth® series will be shipping this November to PC.
The pre-order campaign kicks-off at select retailers nationwide this week and
features three exclusive unlockable units.
• Machine Mortar (Far East Region, Future Epoch) – A
genetically engineered soldier that launches a devastating, area-affect salvo of
shells.
• Persian Mercenary (Middle East Region, Ancient Epoch) – An
ambidextrous warrior armed with a pair of lethal blades.
• Urban Special Forces (West Region, Modern Epoch) – A highly
disciplined, well-armed Urban Special Operations soldier.
“Empire Earth is an award winning real-time strategy franchise where players can
grasp the entire globe within the reach of a mouse,” said Al Simone, senior vice
president, Global Marketing for Sierra Entertainment. “Empire Earth III will be
one of the most expansive strategy games for the PC.”
For more information, please visit the game's official Web site at
www.empireearth.com.
The new update for World of Warcraft is now available, bringing Blizzard's
MMORPG to version 2.20, adding the promised in-game voice chat capabilities (as
requested by Leroy Jenkins) along with an assortment of changes, tweaks, and
fixes. The
WoW Forums offer a list of the realms that have enabled voice chat (thanks
Ant). For those having problems with automatic updates, the manual version of
the US/Aus patch is available on
ActionTrip,
FileFront,
FileShack, Gamer's Hell,
GameSpot (registration required), and
Strategy Infomer.
THQ Ships
Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts announces the release of the Opposing
Fronts expansion for Company of Heroes, Relic's critically acclaimed World War
II RTS game: AGOURA HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI
- News) today announced Company of Heroes(TM): Opposing Fronts(TM), developed by
award-winning Real-Time Strategy (RTS) developer Relic Entertainment, has
shipped for the Windows PC platform. Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts is the
next installment in the highest-rated RTS franchises of all time, building on
the success of the original Company of Heroes(TM) with two new armies and vastly
enhanced multiplayer options. The game is now available at major retail outlets
worldwide.
"A year ago, THQ shipped Company of Heroes and shattered all barriers for
cinematic intensity in the RTS genre," said Kevin Kraff, director of global
brand management, THQ. "Today, we are thrilled to release the next
critically-acclaimed chapter in the Company of Heroes franchise and once again
establish a new standard for excellence."
"Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts delivers Relic's best RTS gaming experience
to date, weaving together the epic stories of the Battle for Caen and Operation
Market Garden with countless advancements in soldier and vehicle AI,
environmental strategy, and visual realism," said Tarrnie Williams, general
manager, Relic Entertainment. "The addition of two new unique armies opens up
many exciting possibilities within the Company of Heroes universe, and we are
very proud to deliver the highest level of RTS gameplay to our fans
worldwide."
New patches are now available for both Company of Heroes and Company of Heroes:
Opposing Fronts, updating the World War II RTS game and its newly released
expansion to version 2.101. There are an assortment of patches to cover both the
game and the add-on in multiple languages, which can be found on
FileFront, Gamer's
Hell and The Patches Scrolls. The English Opposing Fronts patch is also on
ActionTrip and
Strategy Informer and the English Company of Heroes patch is mirrored on
Strategy Informer.
A Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 Demo is now available, offering the chance to kick
around the PC edition of the next installment in this football game (or Soccer,
as it's known around here, in spite of David Beckham's effort at bending our
perception of the sport). The 1.1 GB download is available on
3D Downloads,
ActionTrip,
ComputerGames.Ro,
FanGaming,
FileFront, Gamer's Hell,
Internode
Games Network,
PixelRage, and
Strategy Informer.
GameSpot is reporting the PC demo for Clive Barker's Jericho should be
expected tomorrow, and that Xbox 360 and PlayStation3 demos will be released on
Thursday via the respective online services for each console. Meanwhile, they
offer a new
trailer from the game, which is mirrored on
ActionTrip,
FileFront, and Gamer's
Hell.
Version 2.0 of the Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars SDK is now available,
offering an update to this resource for mod developers. A number of new models
are included in the update, which can be found on
Gamer's Hell.
Sony Entertainment offers the chance to "take a walk on the wildside," but
before you start shaving your legs, read on for details on how this announces
the end of subscription fees for three of their online games,
Tanarus,
Cosmic Rift, and
Infantry: Sony
Entertainment, recently. switched 3 of their online multiplayers to indefinite
free play, games that usually required a monthly fee of $6.95, are now completed
free to all current and new members. This announcement came as a shock to the
public, but they ensure everyone that these games will be around for many many
years to come. Sony has been in the gaming industry for a long time, and never
have they announced this many free games at one single time. The announcement
has brought in hundreds of new players to these classic games, and hundreds more
are expected to be joining in the next few weeks. The players are extremely
excited to hear the news, and we all wait anxiously for the coming of some huge
tournaments in the next few weeks.
The games announced by Sony Gaming to be free indefinitely are as follows:
• Tanarus (http://www.tanarus.com/main.jsp)-
An online multiplayer tank warfare game
• Cosmic Rift (http://cosmicrift.station.sony.com)
- An allout battle royale arcade game
• Infantry (http://infantry.station.sony.com)
- Another free/for/all battle royale with an arcade twist
These games are home to a couple thousand players, and the playerbases' are
growing continually at a decent rate so you will always have fresh competition!
Take a walk on the wildside, and test drive these games at the Sony Station
today!
Altaïr Was Here on the
Ubisoft Website offers a new cinematic trailer from Assassin's Creed,
setting some of the story from the upcoming game. The site does not include the
PC-CD logo, continuing the trend of ignoring the PC edition in favor of the
console versions.
Well, I finally busted my work machine yesterday, I guess I was subconsciously
trying to put the old girl out to pasture, as I succumbed to the urge to fix
something that wasn't broken. As often happens, this quickly lead to something
that was indeed broken, leaving me in a scramble to get myself up and running on
my games machine. This wouldn't have been a scramble at all, except I never
remembered to change my backup scheme to point back to this machine after I
recently replaced its power supply. So I picked up an enclosure to make the
internal drive external to ease my data transfer, but this only lasted 5
minutes, just long enough to locate my data, before mysteriously dying itself.
Once I got back in off the ledge I just concentrated on getting things running
without my old mail and such, so until I can get a new enclosure I'm just
working off a fresh start, which means I am missing some mails from yesterday,
as well as some older mail that still warranted follow-ups. Apologies for the
resulting lack of updates later yesterday, as well as for any problems caused by
my mail loss.
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