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Archived News:
Stardock now
offers online sales of The Conquest of Britannia the first "micro-expansion"
pack for Imperium Romanum, Kalypso's city-building game (thanks Gamer's Hell). Word
is: The Conquest of Britannia expansion includes four new scenarios that
will take players across Britannia to found new cities for the glory of Rome.
New task tablets will provide even more bonuses, surprises and goals, while
gamers fight off barbarian hordes and more. The micro-expansion also includes
improved art and game design from the original Imperium Romanum.
Battlefront.com announces Empires of Steel, a turn-based strategy
game set way back in the 20th century that's planned for release early next
year. Word is: Empires of Steel is a turn-based game of world conquest
set in the 20th century. Players command various ground, armored, naval and
airforce units against up to 20 human or computer-controlled (Artificial
Intelligence) opponents.
Empires of Steel uses a simultaneous turn-resolution system, better known in
gaming as „We-Go“. You can form alliances, capture and trade precious resources,
research new technologies, and of course form huge invasion fleets and armies to
conquer your opponents.
Empires of Steel was built from the ground up with multi-player in mind, and
includes voice and text chat systems, matchmaking features, and even a download
system for mods, maps, and custom unit sets all integrated seamlessly into the
game! Single-play against the the Artificial Intelligence Computer Opponent is
of course fully supported as well – be prepared to see the computer declare war
against you, or offer you a trade!
Gravity Interactive announces they are set to launch Requiem: Bloodymare
on June 19, but that premium accounts in the M-rated free-to-play MMORPG will be
able to access the game three days before that: MARINA DEL REY, Calif. –
June 6, 2008 – Requiem: Bloodymare will bring a new era of mature horror to the
MMO space with its commercial launch. Players that pre-order subscriptions will
be able to begin playing on June 16, three days before gamers using the
free-to-play option.
This M-rated horror title brings a new option to mature MMO players looking for
an alternative to the standard game fare. In addition to the controversial
content, Requiem: Bloodymare’s gameplay challenges conventional MMO approaches.
Character development is not restricted to just choosing a class and skills.
Players will use the DNA system to experiment with their own genetic code.
Ghoulish experiments with DNA will allow characters to obtain traits that nature
never intended.
Players will also not be tied down to just the skills open to their class. Using
the Beast Possession system they will be able to transform into some of the most
violent and grotesque monsters they encounter. Regardless of initial class,
players are free to choose between monsters that rip prey to shreds with their
bare claws to ones that call up dark magical forces that rot the flesh off their
enemies’ bones.
The world is a deadly place in Requiem. When day turns to night the world decays
in a Nightmare-ish landscape and terrifying monsters come to life. Imbued with
unholy power, they are many times more powerful than the daylight denizens.
“We’ve put together a title that is going to turn the MMO world on its ear.
Requiem: Bloodymare is, quite simply, one of the best free-to-play MMOs out
there,” said Jay H. Choi, vice president, Gravity Interactive.
The game will be free-to-play with two levels of subscriptions. Players who
purchase a Basic or Premium package for Requiem: Bloodymare will receive an
exclusive 3-day early access pass into the game and a special experience bonus
for the early period. Players must purchase the monthly package from June 5 to
June 12 to be eligible.
The basic and premium packages cost $7.99/month and $14.99/month, respectively.
The packages also include faster character development, increased item drops,
bonus points from Item Mall purchases as well as enhanced chat functionality.
To play the game, go to www.playrequiem.com,
create your account and download the client.
On the anniversary of D-Day, the Red
Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45 Website has news of the release of beta 1.0 of the
Darkest Hour Modification that
brings action from Normandy to the World War II shooter. Also, a sale is
underway in
Steam where the game can be purchased at 75% off.
More steaminess:
Steam
News has word that GRID, Codemasters' new racing game is now
available via Steam, Valve's content delivery service (thanks Dagok).
Steam
also has word on a sale on EVE Online, allowing the purchase of CCP's MMORPG for
$9.99.
The Frontlines: Fuel of War
Website has word on a Conquer mode that will be added to Kaos Studios'
military shooter in an upcoming patch: Kaos Studios and THQ are pleased to
announce the upcoming release of a bonus game mode for their exciting
multiplayer shooter. The added mode, named Conquer, allows players to capture
objectives in any order, anywhere on the map. The mode is reminiscent of an old
fan favorite in previous shooters such as Rainbow Six, Star Wars Battlefront,
and Conquest in the Battlefield series; though the Frontlines version will have
a few of its own tweaks.
Kaos Design Director, David Votypka states: “We’re excited to bring another
avenue of gameplay to Frontlines fans. With our original flagship game mode
(frontlines), we were very pleased with the type of action and teamwork it
created, and the fan reception to it. By adding an additional free mode for fans
to play, our goal is to extend the enjoyment and gameplay time players can get
from the product. We’re working hard to show continued support and dedication to
our products and the community.”
This mode will be a free download for PC and Xbox 360’s Marketplace, and will be
active in all of the original multiplayer maps that shipped with the game. In
addition, all new downloadable content maps for the game will also feature the
bonus Conquer mode gameplay.
An exact release date is not yet final, but Kaos is currently aiming for late
June to early July.
PCGH has new video from S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky showing off the DirectX 10
graphics in GSC Game World's upcoming first-person prequel. The thing is this is
a ShakyCam™ trailer that was shot off a monitor, which is a less than ideal way
to show off visuals, though they do a respectable job with the camerawork.
The first trailer from CITIES XL is now available, showing off one of
Monte Cristo's upcoming urban-planning games. Word is: "The new video for Monte
Cristo's next-generation city-builder showcases the game's graphics engine,
giving viewers a virtual tour of a variety of locations and cities from multiple
perspectives." The clip is available on the
CITIES XL Website and mirrored on
AtomicGamer,
FileFront, and Gamer's
Hell.
Version 1.0.1.1317 (to be precise) of
Bloodstone: The
Journey Home is the debut release of this Half-Life 2: Episode One
modification. Word is: "Bloodstone: The Journey Home is a third person
role-playing total conversion of Valve’s Half Life 2 - Episode One, using the
Source engine. In this modification, Khrinz, a common farm boy is plunged into
an unknown world of magic and deceit, on the brink of an unstoppable invasion by
a technologically advanced race. Bloodstone - The Journey Home is being
developed by the 3rd year project group "Greenhorn Production" of the "Computer
and Video Games" course at the University of Salford, UK." Thanks
Mod DB.
Splash Damage has put out the
call for a new Character Artist and a
number of other positions, and
though they are located in the UK, word is: "we accept international
applications and offer relocation assistance and VISA sponsorship where
appropriate." Also, The Obsidian Jobs
Page has word they are seeking a
Gameplay Programmer for their "forthcoming role-playing game projects."
Obsidian's offices are in Orange County, California. Thanks Gamer's Hell.
- Mirror's Edge
Cue Aerosmith, as
Living On The Edge on Gamasutra offers a Q&A with DICE's Owen O'Brien
about Mirror's Edge, their upcoming first-person adventure title,
admitting that Firefly is one of the project's inspirations: "We have, yeah.
We have. I'm quite happy with it. (laughs) But, to be very honest, I'm a big
Joss Whedon fan, and a lot of the things in the story of the game came from
Firefly and Serenity. I was listening to this director's commentary, and...
"
- World in Conflict: Soviet Assault
The
World in Conflict: Soviet Assault Q&A on 2404 chats with Magnus
“Soundboy” Jansén, lead designer on the upcoming alternate-history real-time
strategy follow-up.
- NCsoft Europe
RPG
Vault's NCsoft Europe Q&A sits down with folks from the management team
at NCsoft Europe to discuss their operation.
Thanks Mike Martinez and Ant.
Reports are surfacing indicating a number of layoffs have taken place at
LucasArts over the past few days, where than 100 jobs may have been cut.
Kotaku has word from some purported former employees discussing the
impact this may have on several games, both announced and unannounced. This
includes references to KOTOR 3, which they are told is an MMOG, which is
"most likely a joint project between LucasArts and BioWare," which supports a
number of rumors to the same effect we've seen for more than a year now
( story, story, story, and
story). These reports they're collecting also share an opinion
that this leaves the company understaffed to complete these existing projects,
leading to speculation that some ongoing development will be outsourced.
Eurogamer
has word that Chris Taylor of Gas Powered Games has spoken of a third Dungeon
Siege game to Eurogamer Germany.
It seems clear this is forward looking as work progresses on Space Siege,
but Chris describes a vision for Dungeon Siege 3 that would have more of Space
Siege's single-player focus, indicating he's giving thought to how the next game
in the action/RPG series will play out.
Amazon.com
now includes a product listing for a
Fallout 3: Amazon.com Exclusive Survival Edition, a $120.00 PC and $130.00
console variant on the Collector's Edition of the post-apocalyptic RPG sequel in
the works at Bethesda Softworks. The
Survival Edition includes an actual Pip-Boy 3000, well not an actual one, but a
digital clock based on the device from the game. Word from Pete Hines on the
Fallout Website is they actually considered trying to get the device to
interface with the game, but having to support three different platforms among
other issues rendered this impractical.
The Alien Arena Website now offers a
new version 7.10 of Alien Arena 2008, COR Entertainment's freeware
cross-platform first-person shooter. Word is: "Some of the new features include
seven new/rebuilt maps, improved lighting and visibility, optimizations for
performance increases, map voting system, contrast filter, and improvements to
the Galaxy server browser."
The 3000AD Downloads Page
features a new patch for Galactic Command - Echo Squad SE to update the space
combat game to version 2.10.08. Everything that's new or different is listed in
the version control
file.
As noted on the THQ UK
Website, the first gameplay trailer from Dawn of War II is now
online, offering at look at the upcoming sequel to Relic's Warhammer 40,000
real-time strategy game. The
clip can be found here.
Thanks Gamer's Hell.
A new trailer from City Life Edition 2008 shows off more of Monte Cristo's
upcoming urban planning game. The clip is available on
AtomicGamer,
FileFront, and
MyGameTrailers.
A new teaser trailer from
BlackMoon Chronicles: Winds of War offers a look at the graphic novel
inspired MMORPG that recently resumed development ( story). You
can find the movie on
AtomicGamer and Gamer's
Hell.
Chris Easton on The Prince of Persia on
Play.TM is a Q&A with Ubisoft about the upcoming return of the acrobatic
monarch. They discuss expectations for the title, and how the use of the engine
from Assassin's Creed is influencing development.
Sorry for the late update, some odd happenings behind the scenes here needed
further investigations, and I took advantage of Frans' availability and
willingness to help poke around this morning, which has put me a little off
track. It seems like he may be figuring out what's going on here, but this
remains to be seen. And here's a huge thank you to Frans, who never fails to
step up in such spots.
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