Archived News:
The NovaLogic Website now has an image
that looks like a box shot for a PC game called Delta Force Xtreme 2.
Big Download, who discovered this, offer speculation based on fan forum
posts that this is an all-new game, rather than a remake of a previous installment
in the military shooter series, but that is all conjecture at this point, as
NovaLogic has not yet responded to requests for clarification on this.
Shacknews has another
revelation from Electronic Arts' financial reporting, saying that Battlefield
Heroes is promised before the end of the current financial quarter, which
concludes at the end of March. EA recently announced plans to
reopen beta testing of the microtransaction supported online shooter.
A new Wanted: Weapons of Fate Website
is online as a home to the upcoming game based on the bullet-curving action
movie. The announcement of the website launch also includes a release date for
the game, saying it is due for PCs and consoles on March 24, 2009. Thanks Gamer's Hell.
1UP.com has word from
Free Radical's Rob Yescombe that Crytek has purchased the company, settling the
fate the TimeSplitters designer, which had been up in the air
since the company entered administration. Word is: "Yescombe said
that he was unsure what the deal would mean for those made redundant on New
Year's Eve, but that he hoped the company could ramp back up to its former size.
Asked about what the team will be working on -- and specifically if this means
we will one day see TimeSplitters 4 -- he said, 'We don't know yet. We'll find
out over the coming weeks.'"
NorbSoftDev is announces War3DII: Gettysburg, an upcoming combat
simulation set during the American Civil War. They say the game will be released
later this year, expressing confidence in that date based on the two years the
project has already been in production. The
official website for the
game is online, offering information and images. Word is: "W3DGB is the next
generation of Civil War combat command simulations. Taking lessons learned from
their last ground breaking Civil War engine, the Team at NSD has gone beyond
themselves to fill in the final features to make this the premier 19th Century
Combat Simulation. Not only will the player be able to test themselves against
the award winning AI, online play will now make this one of the best strategic
and tactical internet game challenges to date."
Aspyr Media announces they will be distributing the retail version of Puzzle
Quest: Galactrix in North America on February 24, and will be making the
game available at that time for digital distribution on gameagent.com. Here's
the party line on the game: "Puzzle Quest: Galactrix is a rich new addition to
the beloved Puzzle Quest universe. The game incorporates a powerful blend of
casual and hardcore gameplay elements, similar to those adored by fans of the
critically acclaimed Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords, into an all-new
futuristic, science-fiction setting. An innovative hexagonal puzzle board allows
for a wide range of strategic depth, allowing both hardcore and casual gamers to
play on their own terms. A rich and detailed storyline and fresh gameplay
elements make the world of Puzzle Quest: Galactrix a captivating new adventure
to explore and conquer."
My view- Keep
adult entertainment from kids on Deseret News is an Op Ed piece penned by
none other than Jack Thompson, described as "a former practicing attorney" in an
odd non-disclosure of his disbarment. Thompson outlines a bill to be introduced
in Utah he helped author: "It doesn't define what content is 'harmful to
minors,' so we avoid the phony First Amendment arguments Hollywood loves to
make. The bill simply states: If you promise the public you don't sell
adult-rated entertainment to kids, then you had better be telling the truth,
because if a parent catches you selling this stuff to his or her kids, then
you're guilty of fraud under the Truth in Advertising Law."
GamePolitics has a follow-up on this, saying: "The
Salt Lake Tribune has confirmed
that a Republican state legislator will introduce a video game bill crafted by
Jack Thompson."
Good Old Games announces the addition of two new old games to their DRM-free
marketplace at GOG.com. They now
offer the historical construction sequel
Stronghold Crusader
and the RPG sequel
Gothic 2 Gold
Edition, each priced at $9.99.
A pair of new cut-scenes from CID: The Dummy offer a pair of cinematic
looks at Twelve Interactive's upcoming action/platformer starring a crash impact
dummy. The first clip is available from
AtomicGamer,
FileFront, and
Gamer's Hell; and the second clip is posted on
AtomicGamer,
FileFront, and
Gamer's Hell. If you are interested in crash testing the game, a
playable demo is now available.
- The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena on
Big Download.
- F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin on
GameSpy.
- Street Fighter IV on
IGN.
- Terminator Salvation on
GamePro.
Thanks Mike Martinez and Ant.
Thanks Mike Martinez and Ant.
Electronic Arts sees loss as it delays 3 games reports EA's financial
results, saying: "EA's fiscal third-quarter net loss was $641 million, or $2.00
a share, compared with a loss of $33 million, or 10 cents a share, a year ago.
Excluding costs related to restructuring and other special items, EA had a
profit of 56 cents a share for the quarter ended December 31, far short of
analysts' expectations of 88 cents, according to Reuters Estimates." The story
also reports three game delays, the previously reported delays to The Sims 3
and Dragon Age: Origins, as well as a setback for Godfather II,
which is now expected in EA's fiscal year 2010. The financial results also have
word that EA's job cuts are going even deeper than previously expected: "The
company, based in Redwood City, California, also said it would cut 1,100 jobs,
or about 11 percent of its workforce, higher than the 1,000 it announced in
December. It also plans to close 12 facilities as it narrows its product
portfolio. EA expects to incur total restructuring charges, including severance
and facility closures, of $65 million to $75 million, which will be recorded
over the next 12 months."
Activision sends long their Comic-Con line-up, describing plans to show off
X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 and
PROTOTYPE at the show that kicks off here in the big apple on Friday.
Included is word that the release date for PROTOTYPE has been narrowed to June,
as they say: "Hands-on – fans get their first chance to play the highly
anticipated open-world/action thriller, PROTOTYPE, planned for release in June."
The open-world action game was previously expected some time this
year. The other Activision activities at the show will include in-theater
showings of Wolverine by Raven, the debut of a new MAU2 trailer, green-screen
photo-ops, and live debates on the Hero Registration Act.
BioWare announces a delay to the Windows edition of Dragon Age: Origins,
saying the PC installment is now due in the second half of this year coinciding
with the release of the console editions of the role-playing game. They do not
offer a reason, but the pronouncement does include reassurances from Dr. Ray
Muzyka, who says: "Dragon Age: Origins is shaping up to be quite amazing in its
level of quality and polish," going on to say, "I’m really proud of our team,
who are working very hard to make Dragon Age: Origins the biggest and most
exciting BioWare game yet, and we will work to ensure it not only meets, but
exceeds the expectations of our loyal audience of fans."
EA
announces a new worldwide ship date of June 2, 2009 for The Sims 3,
confirming recent indications the lifestyle simulation sequel has
been delayed from its planned release this month. No reason for
the setback is provided, but the announcement quotes marketing dude Russell
Arons saying: "The June launch combined with the break-through game the team is
building gives us the perfect runway to create awareness for The Sims 3." Also,
a new trailer from the game is available on
AtomicGamer and
Gamer's Hell.
1C Company announces Time of Shadows, an add-on to be released later this
year for Blood Magic, SkyFallen Entertainment's action/RPG. A
Time of
Shadows product section is online, offering info, and
some
screenshots. Here's a bit on the game: "Time of Shadows is an add-on to the
popular action RPG Blood Magic which now unveils its world of magic even
further. Over hundred new spells, divided into 12 magic schools, bring fresh
power to your fight against hordes of enemies as you stop their invasion. Follow
your destiny and uncover the truth behind the sinister plot. As with Blood Magic
you can again create unique combinations of spells which are especially useful
in multiplayer mode. This system of magic is the most innovative ever seen in a
modern RPG. Players can also compete in 2-person duels or in large arenas
against many others in true melee combat."
A demo for NecroVisioN is now available, though this sample of the
upcoming Painkiller-engine supernatural first-person shooter is entirely in
French, which presents a complication for those of us who don't parlez. If
you're still game, put down the French Toast and French Fries and head over to
AtomicGamer,
FanGaming, and
Gamer's Hell.
SEGA Announces Iron Man 2, the Video
Game, a video game sequel tied in with the upcoming superhero movie sequel,
expected for release in conjunction with the movie's debut next year. Word is:
"The game is currently in production at SEGA Studios San Francisco. SEGA has
continued to refine its game engine so that players can expect an entirely new
and enhanced gameplay experience."
A new patch is now available for Stronghold Crusader Extreme to update
the Firefly's extremist strategy game to version 1.2.1. The update addresses a
few bugs, including crashes that would occur upon reaching a population of
10,000 or if 2,000 units placed on the same tile. The patch is available
from AtomicGamer,
FileFront, Gamer's
Hell, and
Strategy Informer. This patch is for the retailed boxed edition alone, word
is: "If you purchased the game via digital download please obtain the patch from
the partner site you purchased the game from."
The Warrior Epic Website is now
offering sign-ups for closed beta testing of this subscription-free,
microtransaction-based online action/RPG that follows a fantasy theme. You can
register on this
page, and word is the beta will begin in "early Spring," while the game is
expected to go live for all in April.
2K Boston's Job Listings on Gamasutra offer some hints as to what's going on
at the BioShock developer, where it sounds like they are working on an
Unreal Engine 3 game that will include multiplayer support. The listing for a
Lead Multiplayer Engineer, for instance, mentions, "backend support for an
action-packed AAA multiplayer title," and: "Responsible for delivering a robust,
scalable, and responsive multiplayer gameplay code and backend services for the
PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 platforms." Thanks Mike Martinez and
1Up.
Develop has firm dates for the
Edinburgh Interactive
Festival 2009, which will run from August 10-16, unsurprisingly in Edinburgh
Scotland. This year's show is looking to expand its scope, and they are calling
for speakers from game development, publishing, and hardware, but also from the
media, government, film, TV, "and broader entertainment industries."
A new "story trailer" from Red Faction: Guerrilla offers cut-scenes and
gameplay footage to outline the background story in Volition's coming
third-person shooter, where you play the hero fighting against a vast
conspiracy, starting with little more than a crowbar
sledgehammer. The movie is available on
ActionTrip,
AtomicGamer,
FileFront, and Gamer's
Hell.
A new F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin launch trailer sets the stage for the
imminent release of Monolith's horror-themed shooter sequel. The clip features a
good deal of gameplay, as well as some cut-scene footage. F.E.A.R. 2 is due for
release a week from today in North America and a week from Friday (the 13th, no
less) in Europe. The movie is available from
ActionTrip,
AtomicGamer,
FileFront, and
Gamer's Hell.
An update on the
2D
Boy Website announces that the Linux version of World of Goo "is well
into beta," so penguin-powered PCs can look forward to a goo-filled future.
Word is: "Thanks to Maks Verver for helping us with the port and running the
beta program. He’s also the genius behind the
translation project, and the
tower visualizer." Thanks Ant and
LinuxGames.
A new Crysis Monthly
Update #9 is online, offering the notes from the recently released Crysis
Warhead patch, some contest results, and other community-related stuff. They
also have a update on testing of the SDK and editor, which is that they are
indeed in testing; apparently The Right Stuff-style centrifuge and enema testing: "As you have
all been waiting so patiently for an update on the Editor and SDK, we're once
again giving you some updated information. The new version of the editor is
currently in testing, which means that we're nearly ready to release it. There
will definitely need to be lots of tests done, so you'll still have to wait a
little while longer, but we are getting closer to the long awaited release of
the tools."
There's a brief
2 Days to Vegas interview on PC Games chatting with Tim Dvoskin about the
open world action game, and picking up some new screenshots along the way.
Here's a summary of where the game stands: "The game has been in development for
more than 3 years now, the amount of art we are putting into the game is insane.
We were playing with the idea of dynamic realistic world drawing in the player,
making the player to buy into the characters, their feelings and motivations. We
understood, that the best way to keep the player's attention is to introduce the
travel element into the game. In such way the idea of having the main character
to zip across US to turn the tables in the conflict between powerful forces was
born. 2 Days to Vegas is not just the name, that is the goal. "
That was a pretty great game, especially for a Super Bowl, and congrats to the
Steelers. I guess six rings goes the old "one for the thumb" line one better, as
now they have one for the other hand. From one odd holiday to another, today is
Groundhog Day, and according to Groundhog
.org, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, leading to six more weeks of winter
in this area. I will say I sort of smell a rat in this whole groundhog deal, as
the photos here
suggest that in order to be timely with this prognostication, they did their
checking on this before sunrise, as all the pictures look like they are shot in
complete darkness. Perhaps he was just seeing his shadow from the flash of
cameras?
R.I.P.:
John the toilet laid to rest at Utah restaurant.
|
Twitter 
