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Archived News:
Steam
News announces the
Andy Priaulx Crowne Plaza Raceway is now available as a free add-on for RACE
07, SimBin's racing simulation. Word is: Blue skies and white beaches
frame the mystical Andy Priaulx Crowne Plaza Raceway, a unique challenge even
for a World Champion. Designed to challenge the best, the island track weaves
its way past palm trees and luxury hotels. Can YOU master it?
Andy priaulx As Triple World Champion Andy Priaulx is without doubt one of the
biggest stars in the touring car racing world. And you can drive his car! Push
the BMW 320si WTCC to its limits around Crowne Plaza Raceway and feel the
adrenaline rush of driving a World Championship winning race car!
Fabrizio Giovanardi Once again Vauxhall took the British Touring Car
Championship in 2007. The man taking the honours was Fabrizio Giovanardi in his
Vauxhall Vectra VXR, defending the colours of Holiday Inn. He took the
championship in a glorious manner, beating the opposition in a thrilling fight
to the flag. Can you be as succesfull as the 'Italian Master'? Take his winning
Vauxhall Vectra out for a spin and see if you can break the lap record!
The Frontlines: Fuel of War
Website has word to expect a playable demo for the PC edition of the
military shooter within the next couple of weeks: We will be releasing a
PC demo of Frontlines: Fuel of War in the first half of July.
The demo will have the following specifics:
• English language only
• It will be current with the 1.1.1 version of the client
• Maps: Oilfield and GNAW
• No CDKey validation will be needed by players
Watch for more news about the demo in the coming weeks!
GSC Game World and Deep Silver offer new details on S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky,
their upcoming first-person shooter prequel: Hermosa Beach- Jun 26,
2008 S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl was one of the best-selling
first-person shooters of 2007. In late August 2008, the Ukrainian developers
from GSC Game World and the publisher Deep Silver will invite gamers to join
them on a new foray into the nuclear zone: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky is set one
year before the events of part 1 - at a time when the Zone is changed forever by
a huge anomalous eruption of energy.
War of factions
In S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky, the player assumes the role of Scar, a mercenary
s.t.a.l.k.e.r. In a unique mixture of first-person shooter and complex role-
playing game, Scar fights for survival within the Zone and its hostile sectors.
The new Zone territories are explored by s.t.a.l.k.e.r.s scattered in groups -
and these individual factions soon engage in relentless battle. As a mercenary,
Scar quickly finds himself in the middle of a war of factions over territory,
artifacts, and power. It is up to the player to find out on whose side Scar has
the greatest chance of prevailing.
Clever adversaries, luscious graphics
Just like its predecessor, Clear Sky perfectly captures the sinister atmosphere
within the death Zone. DirectX 10 support enables spectacular graphics,
including dynamic transitions between day and night with absolutely realistic
light effects, as well as very detailed landscapes and lifelike animations. At
the same time, the developers saw to it that S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky also works
with DirectX 8 and DirectX 9. Special attention was given to realistic,
independent thinking and actions of the NPCs. The artificial intelligence from
the predecessor game was strongly improved, so that foes and allies now make
their own situation-based decisions that impact the further course of the game.
For instance, the outcome of battles is not predetermined. Only in the last few
levels is the player guided towards a given end of the story, which leads to the
events described in Shadow of Chernobyl.
Key features
· Unique mix of action-laden first-person shooter and complex role-playing game
· Gigantic scope: many new levels are available, plus some completely overhauled
levels from S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl and many side quests with
motivating rewards · Realistic simulation of the extensive S.T.A.L.K.E.R. world:
enemy factions fight each other, mutants hunt of their own accord. ·
Intermediate movie-quality cut scenes complement the thrilling back-story
leading up to the events of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl · Numerous new in
game features, such as fast travel, or extensive modification and repairing
armor and weapons · Greatly improved artificial intelligence · Complete DirectX
10 support for state-of- the-art graphic effects (God rays, soft particles,
SSAO, dynamic volumetric smoke, dynamically wetting surface (rain effect) etc.)
· Dynamic transitions between day and night with realistic weather effects ·
Detailed graphics, including an all-new animation engine · Hugely expanded
multiplayer part with many varied game modes and up to 32 players online or over
LAN.
Carmack frees Quake on GamesRadar is a Q&A with the id Software Technical
Director about Quake Live, the upcoming free first-person shooter formerly known
as Quake Zero. Along the way he calls this an effort at speaking to the future
of PC gaming: I would say that there is this sense of trying to figure
out what to do with PC gaming. Historically, id Software has been a PC gaming
company, with consoles a secondary business that happened later. And even though
the PC doesn’t get the focus that it used to, in many ways our hearts are still
there, and we’d like to do things where the PC is the appropriate platform.
[We’d like to] do something that really speaks to the future of where the PC can
be superior to consoles.
Obviously, we have examples like World of Warcraft that show how the PC can be
viable and vibrant in its own way. But in terms of first-person shooters, if you
look at something like Crysis and say that’s the height of what the PC market
can manage, I don’t think that’s necessarily that exciting of a direction for
the PC to be going in the future. With Quake Live, we hope that there’s an
opportunity for people who’ve never played shooters to give this a try, and with
that, the potential of actually growing the PC gaming market. I still have a lot
of a faith in simple gameplay formulas - it might not be the game that everyone
plays for three hours a day to be the best at, but it’s something that offices,
dorms, and schools across America can have fun with.
- Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway
Brothers
in Arms: Hell's Highway Q&A on GameSpot chats with Mikey Neumann about
Gearbox Software's upcoming World War II shooter. In addition to answers to
a number of questions the article offers a gameplay video.
- Last Chaos
RPG
Vault's Last Chaos Q&A- Part 1 talks with Tim Adams about
T-Entertainment's free-to-play MMORPG that was launched in North America in
February, 2007: "The most unique aspects of the game are the castle siege
modes. Player guilds and mercenaries fight to capture two different types in
a struggle to gain control over both land taxes, and certain dungeons."
Troxit Services and their subsidiary Panzar Studio announce Forged by Chaos,
an online fantasy game that will make use of Crytek's CryENGINE 2. The
Forged by Chaos Website has images
and information on the project, concept art, some rough movies, a
developer diary, and more.
The game does not currently carry a release date, but here's the announcement,
which offers some serious CryENGINE pimpage and a Mad Libs dateline:
(City),(date) - Troxit Services Ltd, a Cyprus company, together with its
wholly owned subsidiary development company Panzar Studio, are pleased to
announce that they have begun working on their brand new online fantasy game
Forged by Chaos (www.forgedbychaos.com),
which will be powered by the latest state of the art CryENGINE® 2 game engine
and tools from Crytek.
Forged by Chaos will include all of the latest developments in computer games
such as customizable characters, interactive environments, multi-player
interaction, and enhanced game world dynamics. “For such a game as this we were
searching for a modern graphics engine that was capable of utilizing DirectX 10
technology.” said CEO Vladimir Valkov. “The release of Crytek's latest computer
game – Crysis®, powered by their revolutionary CryENGINE® 2, opened new horizons
for us. CryENGINE® 2 combined a number of innovative programming ideas and
creative decisions to create product which eliminated a lot of the previous
limitations which used to exist for game developers. We were also impressed by
their handy Sandbox™ 2 editor, which was designed to work with very expansive
and highly detailed locations, their modern dynamic lighting model, and their
character animation systems, including inverse kinematics and dynamics. With all
these amazing features there was no other alternative for us except to license
this remarkable software product. Today we pleased to announce that we have
successfully entered into the license agreement.”
“CryENGINE® 2, with its versatile capabilities, is the perfect fit for Troxit
Services/Panzar Studios´ promising and ambitious online fantasy project Forged
by Chaos. We feel very confident the studio’s unique creative talent and
experience combined with our tools and technology will result in an outstanding
gaming experience.” said Faruk Yerli, Managing Director of Crytek.
Forged by Chaos (www.forgedbychaos.com)
is an online, PC-based, fantasy game with many RPG elements. The game is based
on the Chaos theme - worlds powered by steel and battle magic. The Player's
avatar is always an evolving character, progressing from NOVICE to WARLORD
through the accumulation of battle experience, the obtaining of new armor and
weapons, and the development of Chaos Magic skills, as they seek to become a
mighty warrior in the Forged by Chaos world.
The new
Jumpgate Evolution Community Website is live, offering a
Beta Signup Page
for those interested in participating in closed beta testing of NetDevil's upcoming
MMOG revival. Here's the deal: There are a limited number of Closed Beta
spots available and not everyone that applies will be admitted. Closed Beta
testers will be selected based on a variety of factors, including computer
system specs, game experience and community involvement. The Closed Beta is
limited to players 18 years of age or older, and requires the acceptance of a
Non Disclosure Agreement provided upon your acceptance.
ZOO Digital
Publishing announces Premier Manager 09, the next installment in
their soccer/football management series, planned for release on PC and PS2 in
August (thanks Gamer's Hell). The PC
product section has some platform specific details, and here's the general
announcement: Premier Manager, one of the most established football
management games on the market, is getting ready to kick off another season with
a host of new improvements on previous outings.
The only football management available on the PS2 for the 2008-2009 season,
Premier Manager 09 is the ideal introduction to the high pressure, high stakes
world of football management (well virtual football management anyway).
New features for this season included an innovative stadium builder so that you
can change your ground to hold your growing legions of fans and the introduction
of a Favourites system that allows you to bookmark your favourite screens for
even faster navigation.
Highlighting playability and ease of use over complicated databases and menu
structure this is a game that will appeal to more casual or younger players and
those new to the genre.
This year’s outing also features sponsorship from Mitre, one leading footall
manufacturers in the world and will result in some exciting giveaways and
competitions as we near release date.
Muzzy Lane Software
announces plans for a Gold edition of MAKING HISTORY: The Calm & the
Storm, a gilded version of their World War II turn-based strategy game that
will be released some time this summer (thanks Gamer's Hell). The Gold edition will
include the entire original game, a new "Rise of the Reich" scenario that allows
playing as Germany, user-created scenarios, and several other enhancements,
described like so: New Military Unit properties expand strategic play
Your military units now have both offensive and defensive properties, adding a
whole new level of strategic play. Choose the right mix of forces to mount key
offensives or dig in to defend against the blitzkrieg! Players now have more
control over their military units. Rename your units, preset rally points and
set waypoints for more tactical movement.
Players can play as ANY nation! Always wanted to create a South American empire?
Play as Brazil or Argentina! Like living dangerously? Play Romania and see if
you can keep your nation from a ruinous alliance with Germany or the USSR.
The MAKING HISTORY® Editor Create completely new nations and cities, set
treaties, develop entirely new military units and research projects. Alter
existing scenarios to suit your own play style.
Insurgency! Watch your back as you conquer the world. Partisans may seize
control of captured enemy regions unless you leave troops to garrison them.
Regional development now faster but more fragile Regions can now upgrade
defenses, transportation, and food production simultaneously and more quickly,
but extended combat will reduce a region's transportation, food production and
defenses.
Reckless spending can defeat you without a shot fired Beware of overspending!
Severe deficits slow production. New financial reports make it easy to see
exactly how your treasury is being spent.
Improved performance Overall gameplay performance is improved for single and
multiplayer.
Expanded User Interface Map views Get more detailed information about everything
in the game by simply moving your mouse over it. New map views show regional
food, transport and fortification levels across the globe at a glance.
The GOLD version of MAKING HISTORY: The Calm and the Storm operates on Windows
2000, XP and VISTA, requires a Pentium 4 processor or greater, 2 GB of hard disk
space, 512 MB of system RAM and 64 MB of video RAM.
For more information or to purchase the GOLD version of Making History® online,
visit www.making-history.com.
A new patch for Ship Simulator 2008 adds amBX environmental effect support to
the high seas simulation. Word is: "Ship Simulator 2008 with amBX will feature
variable speed fan effects to simulate wind speed and direction as players sail
their vessels through the different environments. LED Light Effects – across a
16 million color range - will deliver immersive weather light effects, including
sunlight, sunsets and lightning storms. Rumble effects will be featured to
simulate ship engines, vessel collisions, and roaring thunder during storms,
giving players a true feeling of captaining a ship in a host of different
circumstances. The upgrade is suitable for players with v1.4.2. of Ship
Simulator 2008 and the official add-on Ship Simulator 2008: New Horizons and is
compatible with all available language versions." The download is available on
FileFront and Gamer's
Hell.
- Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir
The
Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir Q&A on GameBanshee converses (sorry
ADIDAS) with Matthew Rorie of Obsidian to learn more of their plans for a
new NWN2 expansion. Along the way he spills some beans on "Doomguide of
Kelemvor," one of the prestige classes in the expansion.
- Dark Salvation
The
Dark
Salvation Q&A on gry.o2.pl is posted in both English and Polish,
offering speakers of either language the chance to learn more about this
upcoming Quake III-engine game that's been in the works at Mangled Eye
Studios for several years now.
I finally saw a "smart car" on the road, as one of them was headed towards the
supermarket here in town. With spiraling gas prices I'm kind of surprised I
haven't spotted one before, as a little Mayberry-style place like this seems
particularly well suited to them (in fairness there has been a noticeable recent
increase in bicycle and scooter traffic). I wouldn't want to be in one on the
open road (are they even legal on highways?), but a place like New York City
would probably be a lot better off if all the cars were so compact.
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