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Archived News:
Cartoon
Network's Thrillville Off the Rails Page offers a demo for LucasArts'
theme park simulation sequel. The demo is a 312 MB download, apparently released
a few weeks ago, but hitherto undiscovered until spotted by sharp-eyed Frans who
went hunting after a French demo for
the PC edition of the game recently surfaced. On a related note, an Xbox 360 demo is on the Xbox LIVE Marketplace
( story).
Bungie Actually Leaving Microsoft? on GameInformer lends a little of their
credibility to rumors that a Bungie split from Microsoft is in the offing
( story). Word is: While the majority of Internet denizens
are stating that this could never happen and that it’s not true, we’ve heard the
opposite. From a source close to Bungie, Game Informer has learned this rumor
has some merit. It looks like with Halo 3, Bungie really is finishing the fight.
Our source stated that Bungie is “tired of Making Halo, and didn’t want to do
future Halo games.” For an unstated, but significant amount of money, Bungie
shareholders bought the studio name back from Microsoft. Our source also
revealed that even though Microsoft will retain the rights to Halo, Microsoft
also has “the right of first refusal on future games.” This means that Microsoft
has the first shot at publishing Bungie’s future titles. How this will come into
play if Bungie decides they want future game X to appear on the PlayStation 3
and Wii alongside an Xbox 360 release will make things quite interesting.
Dreamcatcher Games announces Loki has shipped to stores in North America. A demo
for Cyanide Studios' action/RPG is available for those interested in a sample
( story), and here's a description of the game: Egyptian
God, Seth, once condemned to a sealed tomb for his evil and malice ways, has
escaped to release a fury of pent up revenge onto the Norse, Greek, Aztec and
Egyptian worlds. You have been chosen by the other gods to help bring order
back. Play as a mighty Norse Warrior, a fierce Greek Fighter, a powerful
Egyptian Sorcerer or a mystical Aztec Shaman in your quest, traveling through
vast territories in fierce battle against hundreds of legendary and deadly
enemies. Prepare yourself for fast-paced, action-packed gameplay where it is up
to you to conquer all four worlds and put Seth back where he belongs.
Features:
• Endless possibilities – Experience your adventure as one
of four different mythological heroes each with distinct strengths and combat
styles. Worship different gods in order to gain access to more than 200
different skills. A powerful random level generator ensures that you never
experience the same game twice.
• Create your legend your way – Embark upon your quests
solo or with your friends as part of a group. Challenge others in PvP mode
inside a dedicated online arena or dice with death by taking part in one of the
online challenges.
• Collect and exchange thousands of items, including 500
unique objects, such as Thor's Hammer and Achilles' Armor. Customize your
weapons and armor by visiting the blacksmith's forge. Disassemble and rebuild
weapons with new attributes and increase their magical powers with runes.
Loki: Heroes of Mythology is developed by Cyanide Studio and has an ESRB Rating
of M (Mature). For further information please visit our website at
www.dreamcatchergames.com.
Strategy First
Announces Urban Empires has word of a publishing deal for Urban Empires, the
RTS game from Radioactive Software formerly known as Gang Wars. The
Urban Empires
Product Section is online with some info and screenshots, and here's a bit
from the announcement, which says the game is due early next year:
Montreal, Canada. October 2nd, 2007. Software Publisher Strategy First
Inc., a subsidiary of Silverstar Holdings, Ltd. (Nasdaq: SSTR), announced its
commitment today to complete the RTS and 3rd person shooter game “Urban
Empires.” Developed by Radioactive Software, Urban Empires is set to be
releasing worldwide early 2008. Attached are new screenshots for “Urban
Empires”.
"Urban Empires is a gang simulation which strives to fill a void in the world of
strategy games. It features two gameplay modes: Command and Action. These two
modes allow you to choose the degree of management involvement you wish to
engage in,” says Danny Green, President of Radioactive-Software.
"I'm very excited to have Radioactive-Software's first title published by
Strategy First. It has been a great relationship so far, and I look forward to
working with them on Urban Empires and future titles," says Green.
Macworld News has
word that the Mac edition of Flyboys: The
Game is now available, offering online World War I aerial combat based on
the movie Flyboys in the vein of iEntertainment's Warbirds. Though it is not
specified, it seems reasonable to presume the Mac edition will be able to
interoperate online with the PC edition.
A new Fireteam Reloaded Website
is online, dedicated to the upcoming revival of Fireteam in the works at Pixel
Mine. The site is offering
Beta Signups for
upcoming closed beta testing of the fast-paced multiplayer game.
The Saga of Ryzom
Website has word that this MMORPG is now in "liquidation judiciaire," the
same form of receivership they came through at the end of last year
( story). WarCry
has word that the game's rescue might once again come from the
Virtual Citizenship
Association, but in the meantime subscribers are not being billed for the
game, and while free trial accounts can still be created, at this time there is
no way to upgrade these to full accounts.
The Combat
Mission: Shock Force Demo and Patch Download Page now offers the promised
new version 1.04 patches for the Paradox Interactive and Gamer's Gate editions
of Combat Mission: Shock Force. These patches include the same changes and fixes
in the Battlefront edition of the patch released yesterday
( story).
Steam
News announces pre-purchases are now being accepted for Enemy Territory:
QUAKE Wars, the just-released teamplay shooter from Splash Damage and id
Software. Word is the game "will make its digital debut via Steam on October 5th
(for customers outside North America) and Oct 9th (for customers in North
America)."
- Europa Universalis: Rome
The
Europa Universalis: Rome Q&A on GameSpot talks with Johan Andersson
about the just-announced installment in the Europa Universalis strategy
series. Topics include an overview of the game, events, nations, eras, the
map, and more.
- Age of Conan
WarCry
Network's Age of Conan Q&A chats with Shannon Drake, Funcom's new
community manager, to learn more about Age of Conan, the upcoming barbaric
MMORPG. They talk with her about her role in the company, and the transition
from her prior gig, not coincidentally at Warcry.
- World in Conflict
World
in Conflict Heaven's FasT Q&A talks with the #2 ranked infantry player
in World in Conflict, learning how he picked up his skills and asking for
some game play tips along the way.
No "Deadwood" TV Movie
Finale (thanks Ant). Okay, I'm super pissed.
A new version of World of Warcraft is now automatically available, bringing
Blizzard's MMORPG to version 2.2.2. For those seeking to manually update, the US
patch is available from
3D Downloads,
ActionTrip,
FileFront, and
GameSpot (registration required). Additionally,
GameSpot (registration required) carries the UK patch, and there is a Mac patch, which can be
found on
3D Downloads.
EA announces The Command & Conquer Saga, an updated compilation of the RTS
series that will offer 13 games in one box when it is released later this month:
LOS ANGELES, Calif., October 2, 2007 – Experience Command & Conquer™ like
never before—thirteen Command & Conquer games spanning three generations of the
series in a single package! Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced
The Command & Conquer™ Saga, a massive compilation of over a dozen Command &
Conquer games including the award-winning Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars™ and
all the titles featured in Command & Conquer™ The First Decade. Available in
North America this October for the PC, The Command & Conquer Saga marks the
largest PC franchise compilation to date.
With over 25 million copies sold worldwide, the Command & Conquer franchise has
defined the Real-time strategy (RTS) genre with fast and fluid gameplay,
cutting-edge visuals, epic storylines, and rich campaign missions. The series
has evolved over a decade, spawned over a dozen titles, and continues to be the
genre benchmark by which all RTS games are measured. With its explosive style of
warfare, the Command & Conquer franchise has grown over the years to span
multiple fictional genres, including the science fiction Tiberium Universe, the
revisionist history of the Command & Conquer Red Alert Universe, and a twist on
modern warfare with Command & Conquer™ Generals.
The Command & Conquer Saga contains the following titles:
• Command & Conquer™ (Aug. 1995)
• Command & Conquer The Covert Operations™ (April 1996)
• Command & Conquer Red Alert™ (Oct 1996)
• Command & Conquer Red Alert Counterstrike™ (Mar. 1997)
• Command & Conquer Red Alert™ The Aftermath™ (Sept. 1997)
• Command & Conquer™ Tiberian Sun™ (Aug 1999)
• Command & Conquer™ Tiberian Sun™ Firestorm (Feb. 2000)
• Command & Conquer Red Alert™ 2 (Oct. 2000)
• Command & Conquer™ Red Alert™ Yuri’s Revenge™ (Oct. 2001)
• Command & Conquer Renegade™ (Feb. 2002)
• Command & Conquer™ Generals (Feb. 2003)
• Command & Conquer™ Generals Zero Hour (Sept. 2003)
• Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars™ (Mar 2007)
The Command & Conquer Saga has a US MSRP of $49.99. All games included in the
compilation are rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB.
The
Tabula Rasa Website has word from Starr Long that this upcoming MMORPG from
Richard Garriott's Destination Games is going to miss its target launch date of
October 19 (thanks PropheT), in spite of it having been declared gold almost a
month ago ( story). The new target launch date is November 2, with
the head start for preorder customers to begin on October 30: Many of you
have heard my mantra for game development: "Stable, Fast, Fun. In that order."
We need a little more time to make that happen.
To this end we are moving our Pre-Order headstart date to 10/30/07 and our
commercial service start date to 11/2/07. This short but critical amount of time
will give us time to address several issues including stability and balance as
well as allowing our players to test the continent of Ligo (L38+) and our major
changes to crafting for a few weeks rather than a few days. Our entire
development staff feels this extra time is needed as does our beta community. We
feel confident that this extra time will make a difference on launch day.
That said we are excited about launching the game and moving into a "live"
environment where the entire future of the AFS is ahead of us. Expect more posts
from Richard Garriott, Paul Sage, and other dev staff over the next few days as
they discuss plans for elder content and content updates both long and short
term. One of us will also be posting to the website every Friday in order to
directly address your feedback, which you can submit via the Feedback Form found
here on the RGTR.com website.
See you in game as we wrap up this final leg of testing and get ready for the
end-of-beta blow out!
Jeauxfrance.com has a snippet about Half-Life 2: Episode Three in the site's
native French, offering a "confirmé" that Valve will indeed conclude the shooter
series as if that was in doubt (thanks Mike Martinez and
Kotaku). A
translation of the site, which for some reason includes a spoiler about the
ending of Episode Two even before it is available, indicates this information
comes by way of the November issue of PC Gamer magazine.
EA Sports announces NBA Live 08 is tipping off today in North America for PC,
Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, Wii, and PSP, and that the latest installment in the
long-running hoops series will be released in Europe on Friday: REDWOOD
CITY, Calif. – October 2nd, 2007 – When the game is on the line and the ball is
in your hands, what will you do? Will you penetrate, drive the lane and rise
above the rim for a monster dunk, or find an opening on the perimeter and sink a
game-winning three? Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced that NBA LIVE
08 hits stores across North America today and will be available in Europe on
October 5. NBA LIVE 08 features Washington Wizards All-Star Gilbert Arenas on
the cover, and is available on the Xbox 360™ video game system from Microsoft,
PLAYSTATION®3 and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment systems, PSP®
(PlayStation®Portable), the Wii™, and PC.
Providing an unrivaled level of authenticity to the sport, NBA LIVE 08
introduces Hot Spots, where real NBA shot data is used to illuminate the
locations on the floor where your players are most effective. Couple this with
an intuitive gameplay mechanic called Quickstrike Ballhandling that gives you
the direct responsiveness you need to perform a full repertoire of ballhandling
moves, and the new shot-countershot control called Own the Paint. On the
perimeter, in the paint, and with complete authenticity to the sport of
basketball, dominate with your Go-To Move in NBA LIVE 08.
For the first time ever, NBA LIVE 08 will feature eight international teams as
part of a multi-year licensing agreement with FIBA, the world governing body for
basketball. The game features a number of the NBA’s biggest international stars
on packaging across Europe, including Tony Parker and Boris Diaw (France), Dirk
Nowitzki (Germany), Pau Gasol (Spain) and Andrea Bargnani (Italy).
EA SPORTS™ also continues its partnership with the NBA for the second year of
NBA Europe Live presented by EA SPORTS, which begins on October 1. This year’s
tour features the Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics and
Minnesota Timberwolves in a series of training camps and exhibition games in six
cities across Italy, Spain, Turkey and the UK. The inaugural NBA Europe Live
drew more than 36 million viewers and 115,000 spectators in October 2006.
Microsoft Game Studios announces Flight Simulator X: Acceleration is gold, and
the flight sim expansion is set to touch down in North American stores on
October 23: Expansion pack for “Flight Simulator X” franchise adds a host
of new planes, missions and modes and hits store shelves Oct. 23rd
Microsoft Game Studios today announced the first expansion pack for the
critically acclaimed “Flight Simulator X,” released last Fall, has gone gold and
will begin hitting retailers throughout North America on Oct. 23rd.
Developed by ACES Studio, “Flight Simulator X: Acceleration” adds a wealth of
new content and features, allowing gamers to race against each other in amazing,
highly-detailed locations around the world. Aviators are able to test their
skills and heroism in many new missions while enjoying three exciting new
aircrafts and the ability to share rewards, photos and videos with friends and
the broader flight simulator community.
“Flight Simulator X,” which launched in October 2006, introduced gamers to a
beautifully rich and realistic world offering a completely new and innovative
gaming experience. Available in both standard and deluxe versions, “Flight
Simulator X” allows gamers of all ages, types and skill levels opportunities to
cruise more than 24,000 airports and experience first-hand what it’s like to be
an aviator traveling the globe. With the addition of more than 50 missions and
increased online game capabilities, “Flight Simulator X” is more than just a
simulator and has proved to be the fastest selling addition to the 25-year
“Flight Simulator” franchise.
“Flight Simulator X: Acceleration” will be available for the estimated retail
price of $29.99 for Windows. “Flight Simulator X: Acceleration” is rated “E10+”
for everyone 10 and older. “Flight Simulator X” is required to play “Flight
Simulator X: Acceleration.”
For more information about “Flight Simulator X” please visit
http://www.microsoft.com/games/pc/flightsimulatorx.aspx.
Activision announces that the PC edition of Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars is now
available in North American stores, offering teamplay combat in the QUAKE
universe as envisioned by Splash Damage and id Software. A version 1.1 patch for
the game is on the
ETQW Website
( story), as the game is already available in Europe and Australia
( story), and a playable demo is also available
( story). Here's the heartwarming tale of a boy and his Strogg:
Santa Monica, CA – Oct. 2, 2007 – The battle for Earth has begun with the
announcement that id™ Software’s Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars™ for Windows PC,
published by Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI), is available on North American
store shelves now. Developed by Splash Damage and named one of the
most-anticipated new games of 2007 by nearly a dozen publications from around
the world, Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars pits the armies of Earth’s Global Defense
Force (GDF) against the invading alien Strogg in the multiplayer strategic
shooter that transports players to the front lines in this ultimate battle for
the planet.
”Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars is a new and unique approach to multiplayer combat.
It combines team objectives with distinct player classes, cutting edge graphics,
cool vehicles, and powerful deployables,” said id Software CEO, Todd
Hollenshead. “Whether your thirst is for the savior or domination of Planet
Earth, Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars is there to quench it.”
Set within the expansive QUAKE universe in the year 2065, Enemy Territory: QUAKE
Wars offers the ultimate in objective-based multiplayer action, either online or
offline with computer controlled players. Up to 24 gamers can play online,
electing to play as the human GDF or alien Strogg in one of five unique
character classes. Employing an arsenal of weapons, vehicles and deployable
armaments, players engage in an action-packed test of skill and coordinated
teamwork through a series of combat objectives. Persistent character growth and
achievements reward gamers for teamwork, while clearly defined mission and class
objectives guide new players to meaningful contributions on the battlefield.
"Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars represents Splash Damage's first full retail game
and it would not have been possible if it weren't for the support of id
Software, the incredible investment on behalf of the team members over these
past four years and the dedication of such an active community around the Demo
and the Betas," said Splash Damage Owner and Creative Director Paul Wedgwood.
"We really can't thank fans enough for their incredible support and getting us
this far. We can't wait to see the game on store shelves!"
Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars delivers the most diverse battlefields, from
real-world locations, including deserts, glaciers, mountains and countrysides.
id Software’s new MegaTexture rendering technology renders unprecedented large,
highly-detailed and un-tiled outdoor environments all the way to the horizon.
Outdoor dynamic lighting allows for every battle to be fought during day or
night, with accurate simulation of shadows, atmosphere, vegetation, and weather.
Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars for Windows PC is rated “T” by the ESRB and carries
a suggested retail price of $49.99 for the regular edition and $59.99 for the
Limited Collector’s Edition.
The Limited Collectors Edition comes complete in a premium package with a bonus
DVD featuring tons of additional items and content, including: 10 beautifully
rendered, oversized collectible cards, highlighting select Strogg and GDF
vehicles and deployables; a bevy of concept art and final artwork, as well as
must-haves like exclusive ringtones.
Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars is also in development at Nerve Software for the
Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and at Activision
Foster City for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system.
To learn more about the game visit
http://www.enemyterritory.com/.
Steam is now offering preloads of
Portal (thanks
Voodoo
Extreme) so that those interested in the multidimensional puzzle game will
be able to fire it off as soon as it goes live a week from tomorrow.
A new unofficial patch for Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines is now
available, not to be confused with the other unofficial patch for the action/RPG
from defunct developer Troika (and why would that cause confusion?). The "True"
version 5.04 Unofficial patch is available on
GameSpot
(registration required), where word is: "This unofficial patch, unlike other unofficial patches, is
intended to do nothing but fix bugs and restore broken, but intended, content.
See the readme for the full list of changes."
The Everlight Website
offers a German demo for Everlight: Elfen an die Macht, which translates to
Everlight: Power to the Elves (thanks
Gamer's Hell). The demo, which is entirely in German, offers the first four
chapters of the game.
1C Company has new websites for some of their upcoming projects (thanks
Gamer's Hell). There is a new
Cryostasis: The Sleep of Reason Product Section and a new
Cryostasis Website, each offering
the same trailer from Action Forms' upcoming action game. Also, the
Death Track:
Resurrection Product Section is live, featuring a trailer and a pair of
screenshots. Likewise, there are screenshots and a trailer on the new
NecroVisioN
Product Section, dedicated to The Farm51's upcoming first-person shooter. A
new Kings
Bounty: The Legend Product Section includes new screenshots and a pair of
trailers, one of them the E3 2006 trailer that goes back to when the game's name
was Battle Lord. A new trailer and some screenshots can also be found on the new
Rig`n`Roll Product Section.
Finally, as noted on
the German CDV Software Website, the German
The Chosen Website is also now live.
The
Sacred 2: Fallen Angel Website now offers a new gameplay movie from
Ascaron's upcoming RPG sequel (thanks
Gamer's Hell). Word is: "This video displays a Seraphim by a desert
campfire. While the camera turns 360° around the model, the environment runs
through a Day and Night cycle." Also,
a new
Sherlock Holmes Vs Arsène Lupin Trailer offers a serene look at the upcoming
adventure game featuring the famed detective.
- Stargate Worlds
The
Stargate
Worlds Q&A on MMOGInfo is the English edition of a Q&A (also
in Spanish) with Kevin Balantine discussing Cheyenne Mountain
Entertainment's upcoming Stargate MMORPG. Topics include their choice of
level-based progression, combat, vehicles, ship boarding, transporters, and
more.
- SimCity: Societies
The
SimCity: Societies
Q&A on IGN.AU socializes with Rachel Bernstein of Tilted Mill
Entertainment about the coming continuation of the venerable SimCity series.
They discuss the team's involvement in the series, the society thing, city
construction, special buildings, modification support, and more.
- The Club
The
Club Q&A on Gaming Nexus talks with Matt Cavanagh about Bizarre's
upcoming third-person shooter. Topics include the change in genre for this
racing game developer, the game engine, the lack of cross-platform play,
weapons, levels, scoring, and more.
When we got up this morning there was this steady beat of noise coming through
the window that had me assuming it was raining. When I let the dogs into the
backyard, however, I learned the truth, as the sun was rising, but the pups
caused a flurry of activity in a flock of birds that was so large I cannot even
estimate how many of them there were. In fact, after they were stirred up, half
of them flew off, and the half that settled back into the trees in the yard
would still qualify as the largest group of birds I've ever seen in such a small
space, still making a remarkable racket. I presume they are migrating to warmer
climes for the winter, but in stopping off in our yard along the way they gave
me one of the most impressive sights I've ever seen.
R.I.P.:
Olympic discus great Al Oerter dies at 71.
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