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Archived News:
Launch Day
Is Here announces the Stardock Forums, announcing the release of Sins of a
Solar Empire, Ironclad's new 4X space strategy game. They have a
Launch
Day FAQ describing how to get your hands on a copy online, in stores, or if
you have preordered. The FAQ mentions a version 1.01 patch that's an 11 MB
download, available automatically.
GameTap announces they are ending support for
Myst Online: Uru Live, the MMOG based on the Myst franchise that they
revived in May 2006 ( story) after Cyan killed the first version
of the game exactly four years ago today ( story). Here's the
statement from GameTap: I have some news that some of you have probably
not been looking forward to. GameTap has decided to discontinue the operation of
Myst Online: Uru Live.
The decision was a very difficult one and was made for business reasons rather
than due to any issues regarding the design and vision of the amazing world that
Cyan Worlds and Rand Miller have brought to us. Despite the great Myst Online
experience coming to a close, Cyan is still a very valued partner of GameTap, we
are on excellent terms, and we look forward to continuing our relationship in
the future.
Many of you have made good friends while playing Myst Online, so here is the
bittersweet part. Although Myst Online: Uru Live will be completely shut down in
the near future, the game servers will remain live for the next 60 days. During
that time, both newcomers and existing players can continue to experience the
amazing world of Myst Online, explore the game’s many Ages, and interact with
other players in the game and on the
MystOnline.com website and forums. After 60 days, the title will be removed
from the GameTap service, though MystOnline.com
will remain live and active for fans to continue to share their passion for this
important game franchise.
I know this is not the news fans of Myst Online wanted to hear. I want to thank
all of you who have been extremely supportive of the game and made this grand
experiment in an alternative MMO format so much fun. All of us at GameTap also
want to thank you again for your tireless enthusiasm for the title.
There has been a clamor for information about the status of season 2 for some
time, and the reason we haven't announced anything sooner is because we have
literally been examining a wide variety of possibilities for maintaining the
game, but in the end, we had to bring the exploration of the great cave to a
close.
So thanks again for supporting us as we launched this truly unique game. GameTap
is still committed to exploring new genres of gameplay and encouraging bold
visions. If you haven't already tried Season 2 of Sam & Max, give it a try, it
is as anarchic as one could hope. And I can tell you from first hand experience
that the upcoming Grimm is novel and exciting experiment as well.
A blog
update on the Battlefield Heroes Website offers the first details on
Battlefield Heroes, the upcoming free to play installment in the Battlefield
series of multiplayer military shooters. Included in the introductory update is
word that the game engine will be based on the Battlefield 2142 engine and will
introduce more role-playing elements. They also outline the game's three high
level goals, which are to preserve the core feel of the BF series, that the fun
would be more accessible ("faster, cheaper and easier"), and finally: "We wanted
to return to the crazy unrealistic feel of Battlefield 1942 and Codename Eagle,
games which we had both been fans of."
A new
Steam Update has word that Goldrush, the first post-release map for Team
Fortress 2, is due sometime this month: TF2 update: you may’ve heard that
new achievements, maps, and unlockable items are on the way. The first map,
Goldrush, introduces a new game mode. The BLU team must escort a high-tech
mining cart through a series of checkpoints to the RED base within a time limit.
The more BLU players near the cart, the faster the cart moves. The cart stops if
any RED team member is in the vicinity. We’re balancing the map now; look for it
within the month.
The Combat
Mission: Shock Force Demo and Patch Download Page is now serving up new
patches for Combat Mission Shock Force, updating the military strategy game to
version 1.06. There are separate patches depending on whether you have the
Paradox, Gamersgate, or Battlefront editions. This is an "all-inclusive" patch
that will update any prior version of the game, and an updated version 1.06 is
promised to follow.
Massgate.net has a blurb about plans for
a coming update 6 patch for World in Conflict, expected in the "near future
(thanks Gamer's Hell). Word is: "This sixth update primarily fixes some balancing
issues, but also introduces a number of new features, including enhanced server
filters, improved “Play Now” functions and measures against clan smurfing. Aside
of that, there are also several additions to the various communications tools in
the game."
A new cinematic trailer for Frontlines: Fuel of War offers a few minutes of high
definition footage based on Kaos Studios' upcoming alternate reality shooter.
The clip is available on
AtomicGamer.
If you're
an industry developer, this is the most important post you've ever read... on
Gearbox Software Forums is a post by Randy Pitchford about a couple of
openings at Gearbox Software to help with an unannounced project. While the
title of the post is probably inaccurate as it might relate to a John Carmack or
a Sid Meier, Randy seems pretty excited about a game he describes as
"look-at-our-line-up-and-imagine-something-even-bigger kind of big." They are
looking for a lead artist/art director type as well as a couple of programmers.
In a subsequent post, he clarifies: "The project won't be completed this year,
or the next... It will be in pre-production with a smaller, focused team until
after both Brothers in Arms Hell's Highway and Borderlands have shipped." On a
related note,
this press release announces that Cryptic is also seeking art talent, and
they will be flying strong candidates out to their studios later this month for
further evaluation.
The aftermath of the GameSpot review scandal dubbed Gerstmann-gate continues, as
GameDaily reports the departure of GameSpot editor Ryan Davis. Though the
reasons for this latest departure are not offered,
they subsequently contacted Ricardo Torres, and the new GameSpot
editor-in-chief agreed the firing of Gerstmann played a part in Davis' decision,
saying "I'm sure it was definitely a factor for him."
NVIDIA to Acquire AGEIA Technologies reports the rumored takeover of the
PhysX physics card creator will indeed happen, and that graphics giant NVIDIA is
the suitor. Details of the deal, which is still subject to "customary closing
conditions," are not revealed. Word is: "More details about the acquisition will
be provided during NVIDIA's quarterly conference call, to be held on Wednesday,
February 13, 2008 at 2:00 PM, Pacific Time."
Activision announces downloadable multiplayer maps are coming this spring for
both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation3 editions of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare:
Santa Monica, CA – February 4, 2008 – Fresh intel from Activision
headquarters (Nasdaq: ATVI) reports that new global conflicts are planned in the
form of downloadable multiplayer maps for the award-winning Call of Duty® 4:
Modern Warfare™. In development for both Xbox 360® video game and entertainment
system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, the
upcoming downloadable content will thrust gamers into a hot zone of added combat
across a variety of intense multiplayer locales.
“We’ve demonstrated our commitment to delivering the best multiplayer experience
in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and that continues with our plans for new
downloadable content,” explains Infinity Ward’s Community Manager, Robert
Bowling. “We’re excited about the new maps, and the added gameplay variety, and
we can’t wait to wrap things up and get online with everyone.”
The worldwide best-selling game in units of 2007, according to The NPD Group,
Chart Track and The GFK Group, and winner of more than 40 editors’ choice and
game of the year honors, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is rated “M” (Mature) by
the ESRB for Intense Violence, Strong Language, Blood and Gore. The new
downloadable content is scheduled for release this spring, and will be available
on Xbox LIVE® and PlayStation Network.
For information and updates on Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, players can
visit: www.charlieoscardelta.com.
The Russian Star Wolves
2: Civil War Website now features a Russian-language playable demo for the
expansion for Xbow Software's space combat sequel. The demo is also available on
ComputerGames.ro and
Gamer's Hell.
A new version 4.6 unofficial patch for Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines is now
available, continuing the ongoing homebrew support for the action/RPG created by
defunct developer Troika Games. The new patch is on its exclusive home,
The Patches
Scrolls.
The Spaceforce: Captains Website
announces the release of a new version 1.2 patch for the science-fiction turn-based
strategy game. The patch is available in English or German editions, the English
edition can be found mirrored on
AtomicGamer,
FileFront, Gamer's Hell,
The Patches
Scrolls, and
Strategy Informer. The German edition can be found on
AtomicGamer,
FileFront, Gamer's Hell,
and The Patches
Scrolls.
A new patch for AGEOD's American Civil War brings the military strategy game to
version 1.09. The 63 MB download is available from
The
Patches Scrolls.
A new version 1.03a patch for AGEOD's Napoleon's Campaigns updates the
Napoleonic strategy game clears up some issues with some of the campaigns. The
patch is a 23 MB download, available on
The
Patches Scrolls.
Egosoft announces X³:
Terran Conflict a standalone follow-up to X3: Reunion, calling the game a
culmination of the space combat "trilogy" that actually includes four titles
counting the new game (or five if you count the X-Tension expansion). The game
is expected during the third quarter of this year, and the
X³: Terran Conflict
Product Page is live, though all it offers for now is a logo and the
announcement, which is reproduced here: Computer games developer Egosoft
and Koch Media, a leading distributor of games and application software, today
announced the conclusion of an exclusive publishing and distribution agreement
for the title X³: Terran Conflict. X³: Terran Conflict will be released under
the Deep Silver label.
"The X series has always been one of our top quality brands, and an integral
part of the Deep Silver portfolio," states Dr. Klemens Kundratitz, Managing
Director of Koch Media. "So we are very happy to be presenting the gripping next
installment of the X universe's story in X³: Terran Conflict."
"We look forward to adding another successful chapter to the X story, together
with Koch Media," says Bernd Lehahn, Managing Director of Egosoft.
X³: Terran Conflict is a brand new, stand-alone game set in the universe of X³.
It is the culmination of the X trilogy, with a grand finale that takes us all
the way back to Earth's own solar system. Gamers can take on the roles of
different characters in the X universe, or of a Terran military pilot, and
experience a multitude of stories in the largest X universe ever featured - for
X³: Terran Conflict will offer more missions than any other X game before.
Meanwhile, X³: Terran Conflict will pose questions such as: How has Earth
changed in all these years? And how will relations between Earth and its
counterparts in the X universe develop?
X³: Terran Conflict is scheduled for release in the third quarter of
2008.
American McGee’s Blog reveals plans for a second game project in the works
at the developer's China-based Spicy Horse Games (thanks
Gamasutra).
Details are scant, with the former id designer saying the unnamed game is not
yet in preproduction, but he is putting out the call for developers for the
project, which is described as a "UE3 based, big publisher, multi-platform,
twisted tale project, saying it will appeal to the same sensibilities as Alice
and the upcoming Grimm. As for Grimm, he also mentions they are halfway through
development, having completed 12 of the game's planned 24 episodes.
The Change Log on the Savage
2: A Tortured Soul Website outlines another patch for the action/strategy
sequel (thanks Gamer's Hell). The brief update concerning the new version 1.2.3 update
simply says: "Stats will now submit properly."
A new Drakensang Product
Section is live for this upcoming party-based RPG based on a German
pen-and-paper game, offering information and screenshots. On a related note,
there are two new Drakensang: The Dark Eye trailers on
Gamer's Hell. Likewise,
there are new screenshots and details on a new
Treasure Island
Product Section, dedicated to this upcoming point-and-click adventure game
inspired by the Robert Louis Stevenson novel. Thanks Gamer's Hell.
The
Turok Q&A on Gaming Nexus hears from Tim Lewinson about Propaganda Games'
upcoming first-person shooter revival. They discuss reinventing the Turok
franchise, standing out from other shooters, working with the Unreal engine 3,
multiplayer play, and more.
Wow!
It's probably pretty easy to guess how ecstatic I am over the Giants'
performance yesterday. The word proud doesn't seem to do justice to how I feel
about this team for overcoming a disastrous 0-2 start to end up knocking off a
team that had already been immortalized by so many. Eli played flawlessly, the
offensive line was stalwart, the pass rush was ferocious, and the big plays
were, well, big. Oh hell, either you saw the game already or you don't really
care, but I'm walking on air right now.
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