Archived News:
This story details the financial reporting at Electronic Arts, as second
quarter losses at the gaming giant widened to $310 million. This has had a
negative impact on their stock price, their forecast for the year, and will take
a toll on their workforce, as word is: "The company will eliminate 6 percent of
its workers to save $50 million a year, Redwood City, California-based
Electronic Arts said today in a statement." On a semi-related note,
Riccitiello: EA Thinks Long-Term With $150 Million For Digital Distro, Online,
EAP on Gamasutra has more detail on EA's earnings call relating their plans
for the future.
Shacknews has a
statement from EA on the threat their Online Community Manager
made that users being banned from the EA forums could be banned from playing
their own games. EA's statement clarifies how an EA "Nucleus" account works,
which is not how APOC described: ""Players can be banned if they breach the
Terms of Service or Code of Conduct in a forum, game or service. Each forum,
game and service is managed independently by customer support representatives
responsible for that specific forum, game or service."
We chatted briefly with Pete Hines today to get a follow-up to
yesterday's story about Fallout 3 DRM, but there's a more complete
statement on the
Bethesda Blog: For Fallout 3’s copy protection on PC, we use the same
security model as we did for Oblivion - a simple disc check. We only use
SecuRom’s disc check functionality for copy protection. We do NOT limit the
number of installs. We do NOT use online authentication or any other SecuROM
functionality except for a disc check when you install the game and when you
launch the game. We do not install any other programs and we don’t have anything
that runs in the background while you’re playing the game.
If you experience issues installing the game, try running setup.exe directly off
the disc. That will resolve most compatibility issues.
Get the latest information from our tech support forums, including this
specific
thread related to SecuROM.
This press release
announces the official launch of
Atlantica Online
NDOORS' MMO strategy game that recently announced an offbeat
satisfaction guarantee. The official launch of the subscription-free game
also marks the launch of its business model: "Along with Atlantica’s official
launch, the game’s item mall has opened. The item mall contains many different
power-ups, licenses and scrolls to aid players in their journey to Atlantis.
Players can also take advantage of deals to get these items at a discounted
rate. Items range from $5-$20, with 100 Gcoins equaling $1. Purchased items are
transferred directly into a player’s accounts."
GameTap now offers a new episode of
American McGee's Grimm, kicking off the second season of the adventure
game series with a dark take on the world of fairy tales. The new episode is
The Master Thief,
which is free through tomorrow to celebrate Halloween. Here's a description:
"Once upon a time, fairy tales were valuable cautionary yarns filled with dire
warnings and sage advice. However, over time, the stories have become so watered
down with cute woodland creatures and happy endings that they have lost their
true meaning and purpose. No more! Happily Ever After ends now! When the Master
Thief is challenged to steal three unobtainable items, he has to use every trick
in the book to save his life. Will things play out according to his fairy tale
plan? Not if Grimm has anything to say about it!"
Obama And Palin Coming to 'Mercenaries 2' As Playable Characters has the
report that US politicians Barack Obama and Sarah Palin are heading to
Mercenaries 2: World in Flames as playable characters in an upcoming update.
They offer gameplay footage showing each doing combat in scenes ripped from
today's headlines, provided you take hallucinogens before reading the paper.
Blizzard announces World of
Warcraft- Wrath of the Lich King Midnight Store Openings for launch of the
MMORPG expansion on November 14. The announcement lists a handful of US
locations that will be open the crack of midnight selling the add-on, and points
the way to the
Wrath of the Lich King Midnight Signings on the World of Warcraft Website
that can direct you to participating international locations as well.
A new "origins demo" for Dragon Age: Origins shows off BioWare's upcoming
RPG and features Dan Tudge's narration explaining how player origin stories are
customized by class, and how the choices the player makes influences the way the
game's story unfolds. The clip is available on
ActionTrip,
AtomicGamer,
FileFront, Gamer's Hell,
and
MyGameTrailers.
The first TV commercial for Left 4 Dead is online, offering an advance
look at some of the upcoming advertising for Valve's upcoming co-op zombie
shooter, without even denting the campaign's $10 million budget. The spot is set
to hit the airwaves on November 8, but it can be seen now on
AtomicGamer,
ComputerGames.ro,
FileFront, and Gamer's
Hell.
The futuristic combat racing action of Pyroblazer is on display in a new
gameplay trailer that runs about a minute and a half. The clip is posted on
AtomicGamer,
FileFront, and Gamer's
Hell.
Fell way behind for some reason today, sorry about that. There's still some
catching up to do, so the morning update will not be ready at midnight like it
would normally be.
MTV Multiplayer has a quote they picked up at BlizzCon 2008 from
StarCraft II producer Chris Sigaty that's sure to attract attention, as he
says: "We’ve trying to make sure that it’s perfectly balanced for e-sport, but
look — I’m going to try to get my mom to play this game. I mean, I know she
can’t [micromanage] at the level that these pro gamers can, so we’re actually
experimenting back in the opposite direction… so that even the layman can come
in and get a grasp of these cool things in the game." He describes how the
frenetic pace of many RTS games can be off-putting to newcomers, and their
efforts to counteract that.
The EGOSOFT Website
announces the release of a new patch for X3: Terran Conflict, updating
the space combat game to version 1.2.1. The patch is not compatible with the
Steam edition, which will get its own update. Word is: "Rather than keep you
waiting for the full set of fixes and enhancements planned for the next full
patch, we have made a 1.2.1. hotfix available which addresses a performance
issue that increased over time. A number of other small fixes are also included
in this patch, but fixes to the plot and other missions require further testing
and will be released in the 1.3 patch which we plan to deliver as soon
possible." In addition to the patch in the
EGOSOFT Downloads
Area, the patch is also mirrored on
AtomicGamer,
FanGaming,
FileFront, Gamer's Hell,
and The Patches Scrolls.
CD Projekt RED proudly announces The Witcher has sold over one million copies
since the release of the RPG one year ago, humorously observing that:
"Scientific research has proven that those sales numbers are quite good for a
debut game based on a relatively unfamiliar IP from an unknown studio on a
'dead' platform." A new
The Witcher- Enhanced Edition One Year Anniversary Movie celebrates the
milestone, and looking forward, the announcement quotes CD Projekt cofounder
Michal Kicinski saying: "We’re also rather close to breaking our silence about
the multi-platform project underway at Metropolis Software, in which we recently
acquired a majority stake. Needless to say, we’re very excited about the future
and we think gamers will be, too!"
MTV
News has a follow-up on yesterdays indications of a deal for a
Beatles music game with Harmonix, saying it will be released for the holiday
season next year, but it will not be a Rock Band game. They quote
Harmonix CEO Alex Rigopulos from the conference call on the project saying "It's
not a 'Rock Band' game, it's a new creative exploration of their music and a
celebration of their legacy in a way that hasn't been done before." Rigopulos
also says it will be a "music-making game. ... There will be interactive
performance of the music ... and stuff you haven't seen from us before." This
does not necessarily rule out the possibility of the fab four in Rock Band, as
they say: "The MTV and Apple Corps representatives on the conference call
declined to say whether this deal would deliver the band's music to 'Rock Band'
itself."
MTV Multiplayer has the official press release on the project, but the
article about the conference call offers more about the game, while the
press release, which offers quotes from Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Star as
well as Yoko Ono Lennon and Cynthia Harrison, concentrates on heaping lavish
praise on The Beatles for their illustrious career.
Prepare to
Choose the Path of Good or Evil With Pandemic Studios The Lord of the Rings:
Conquest outlines a delay to January 2009 for Pandemic's action game that
will reenact The Lord of the Rings series in the way their Battlefront games
depicted the Star Wars movies.
The Lord of The Rings
Conquest Website still indicates a Fall 2008 availability for the game, but
the new announcement says the game will be ship for Windows, Xbox 360,
PlayStation 3, and DS in North America on January 13, 2009 after shipping to
other international territories on January 9. The announcement does not
acknowledge this as a delay, so obviously no explanation for the setback is
provided.
NCsoft and
TransGaming Announce City of Heroes for the Mac has word that City of
Heroes is coming to Intel-based Macintosh computers courtesy of
TransGaming's "Cider Portability Engine," aka "wrapper," aka anything but "an
emulator." Word is the Mac edition will enter public testing with the release of
the "Power and Responsibility" update later this fall, while the retail release
of the Mac edition of the superhero MMORPG will be via digital distribution
before the holidays.
Command & Conquer Customer Support has a post for users having trouble
installing Red Alert 3 because their game activation code is 19 characters
instead of 20 due to a printing error. They offer instructions on how to contact
them by email, phone, or fax for a replacement code. They also offer a simpler
brute-force workaround, pointing out since the misprint leaves off the final
character in the code, you can experiment with trial-and-error for the final
character, as there are only a total of 36 alphanumeric choices, meaning you can
enter your code with as few as 20 keystrokes if you guess it right the first
time. Thanks ToeBert.
Update: EA has corrected this report, saying APOC's statement
is not accurate. Original Story:
A post on the
EA Support Forums from APOC, online community manager for Electronic Arts,
outlines a new policy for their new forums, saying users who earn a ban based on
their behavior in the forums will be locked out of all of the EA games tied to
that account. Thanks
Ripten. Word is: Well, its actually going to be a bit nastier for
those who get banned.
Your forum account will be directly tied to your Master EA Account, so if we ban
you on the forums, you would be banned from the game as well since the login
process is the same. And you'd actually be banned from your other EA games as
well since its all tied to your account. So if you have SPORE and Red Alert 3
and you get yourself banned on our forums or in-game, well, your SPORE account
would be banned to. It's all one in the same, so I strongly reccommend people
play nice and act mature.
All in all, we expect people to come on here and abide by our ToS. We hate
banning people, it makes our lives a lot tougher, but its what we have to do.
Those banned will stay banned, but like most other internet services, its not
that hard to create a new fake e-mail account. However, its a lot harder to get
a new serial key =)
Avatars should be back within 2 weeks of the launch.
-APOC
Saints Row 2 PC Delayed to 2009 reports IGN, saying January 6, 2009 is the
release date for the Windows edition of Saints Row 2, Volition's
open-world action sequel. They call this a delay for this edition of the game,
which shipped for consoles earlier this month, though we weren't aware the PC
edition actually had a set release date. In any event, they confirmed this release
date for the project with THQ after it was first revealed by a community
moderator, and they have several quotes from that moderator that reflect the
approach to this port: "The PC version was delayed because we wanted to make the
highest quality game across all platforms, but it just needed more time," and
"The PC version is still being produced and tested at Volition with support from
the design and programming teams as needed. This is in no way a hands-off
external port of the game." Specifically he says "One other time factor is
coordinating the new control scheme from controller to mouse/keyboard. While the
360 controller will be fully supported for PC play, you will also be able to map
your keyboard / mouse controls as you see fit."
This press release announces that Eastern and Central European publisher 1C
Company has acquired Avalon Style Entertainment ( Sabotain: Break the Rules).
Avalon will henceforth be known as 1C Avalon, and the announcement quotes Avalon
director Vyacheslav Gordeev saying, "Our team, in its new status, will
concentrate on developing games for both PC and popular consoles."
Variety reports that the Ghostbusters game and Chronicles of
Riddick sequel jettisoned by Activision Blizzard have found a new home with
Atari, ending a long period of speculation about the future of the Ghostbusters
project in the works at Terminal Reality and Red Fly Studios. The report says
Atari has not confirmed the Ghostbusters part, but they've gotten firm word on
that from "sources close to the publisher." On the other hand, the Riddick deal
has been confirmed, and addition to publishing Chronicles of Riddick: Assault
on Dark Athena this spring, Atari has also signed a licensing deal to
continue with more Riddick games in the future. The story also catches up on the
status of other franchises impacted by the Vivendi Activision merger that gave
birth to Activision Blizzard, saying the Scarface and Jason Bourne
licenses have reverted back to their owners, 50 Cent: Blood in the Sand
was recently picked up by THQ, and Brutal Legend is wandering around like
a broke musician in search of a publishing deal or the pick of destiny.
This press release has more on the Riddick game, saying it will be released
for Windows, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 in spring of 2009, and will be expanded
from the originally planned remake of Escape from Butcher Bay: Previously
announced as a remake of hit title The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from
Butcher Bay with added content, Atari can today reveal that The Chronicles of
Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena contains a brand new full-length campaign. This
exciting announcement promises a title which will include the original game
re-imagined for a whole new audience, an entirely new chapter in the Riddick
saga and, for the first time, intense online multiplayer combat, making The
Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena a must-have experience for any fan
of intense action gaming.
Reuters reports that the Sci Fi channel has plans for a reality television
show called GamerQuest in which a dozen contestants will compete in a
series of video game challenges in "top game titles from various studios," to
determine "the best all-around gamer in the United States." Of course nothing
reflects video game skill more than physical challenges (huh?), so the program
will also include "physical challenges that bring video games to life," so put
down those Doritos if you aspire to compete here. The game will also feature
elimination challenges "in an arena before hundreds of spectators," and prizes
include $100,000 and trips to future World Cyber Games events. The program is set
to premiere early next year, and Samsung Electronics has signed on as a
production partner.
The Far Wilds Website now offers beta
testing of this card-based strategy game, kicking off testing with a tournament
that offers a $1,000.00 cash prize for first place. Here's a bit on the game:
"Unlike traditional real-time strategy games, The Far Wilds emphasizes strategy
and clever plays rather than fast clicking. The battlefield is randomly
generated so each game is very different. Players must constantly be adapting to
the changing game conditions. In addition to this higher level of strategy the
configurable armies gives The Far Wilds unique, interesting and addictive
gameplay." There's a 3D beta client for download, as well as a Flash-based
version that's playable online. Either version can be used to participate in the
tournament, which will conclude late next month.
Command and Conquer DEN has an update from EA online community manager APOC
on the status of a second patch for Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath (thanks
Ant). He requests patience, saying the Live Team they announced in
early July is taking shape, but that they are a little busy with their
new release at this moment: Guys, a few things...respectfully...
-Our Live Team is currently taking shape and they (with me included) are already
taking responsibility for Kane's Wrath and C&C 3 (in the future). We are working
on a second patch for Kane's Wrath as I type this. I already mentioned that on
the C&C 3 boards. We are currently not working on a C&C 3 1.10 patch right now,
but as you can see, we are currently releasing Red Alert 3 and giving Kane's
Wrath some more much needed love in the near future, so it's a bit challenging
to have all the resources to do all 3 things at once.
Robert Downey Jr. and Don Cheadle Sign On for The Avengers. How cool is
that? Thanks nin. And congrats to the Phillies. As a Mets fan, it caused
physical pain even to type those words.
|
Twitter 
