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Archived News:
Variety.com reports the video game based on the Saw series of gore
movies lives, after it seems the project had died following
the demise of Brash Entertainment. Word is Konami has picked up
the rights to make the game, and it will be released for PC, PS3, and Xbox 360
this fall coinciding with the release of the sixth film in the series. The
nature of the presumably "M" rated game is vaguely described as relating to
rigging the movie's signature traps, and apparently the game features the voice
talent of Tobin Bell, the actor who plays the anti-hero Jigsaw in the series.
The Capcom Blog offers a Bionic Commando release date, though the May
2009 date they offer does not cover the Windows edition of the swinging action
game, saying" "Capcom is also confirming Bionic Commando, for the Xbox 360 and
PlayStation 3, will be releasing this May with the PC version available in the
following months." The post goes on to outline the history of the original 8-bit
game. Thanks 1UP.
A new movie from Ghostbusters: The Video Game reminds us of rule two:
"Don't look directly into the trap!" The short clip shows the Ghostbusters
putting those traps to good use as they protect the city from a disaster of
biblical proportions. You can find the movie on
ActionTrip,
AtomicGamer,
FileFront, Gamer's Hell,
and
MyGameTrailers.
A new movie from Aion: The Tower of Eternity shows off NCsoft's upcoming
fantasy-themed MMORPG. The clip offers a tour of the Verteron zone in the game,
showing off the environments they're creating with the CryENGINE. The clip is
posted on AtomicGamer,
FileFront, and Gamer's
Hell.
Two new video interview are online for Wanted: Weapons of Fate, GRIN's upcoming game based on the comic-inspired action movie. There's an interview
with musician/actor Common about his voice role on
AtomicGamer,
FileFront, and
Gamer's Hell; and there's an interview* with producer Pete Wanat discussing
the game's cast of Hollywood talent on
AtomicGamer,
FileFront, and
Gamer's Hell. *You should be warned the Pete Wanat interview contains
spoilers for both the game and the movie.
R.I.P.: Cramps founder, singer
Lux Interior dies. The punk pantheon loses another. Thanks WalterEgo.
THQ announces European
pre-purchases and preloads of the digitally distributed edition of Dawn of War
II can be done through
this page,
which outlines preorder bonuses beyond those we've seen already,
including an extra multiplayer map. Word is the game will be activated at the
stroke of midnight on February 20.
They also announce
Relic's RTS sequel will use Steamworks for game authentication, following up on
this story and this one indicating they were hoping
to avoid objectionable DRM. The announcement quotes lead designer Jonny Ebbert
saying: "We love Steamworks because it offers so many advantages for the
player," and: "Gamers who purchase the game and register with Steam can install
the game on as many PCs as they want, can play online or offline and no CD is
required to play. Best of all, if the player ever loses the CD, the game can be
downloaded for free from Steam."
StarWraith 3D Games announces the release of Evochron Legends, the
next installment in their series of freeform space combat, trading, racing,
exploration, and mercenary simulations. As is the StarWraith 3D way, the game is
also available as a playable demo, which can be unlocked for the full game
through the online purchase of a game activation key, and the game can also be
purchased through
GamersGate.
Downloads of the demo are also available through the
Evochron Legends Website,
AtomicGamer,
FileFront, and Gamer's
Hell. Here's the deal on the game: You control your destiny in true
freeform gameplay with a variety of activities and objectives to complete.
Customize the look, functionality, and performance of your ship with the
component-based shipyard. Design your ship for the role you want to play.
Explore a 'seamless' universe without required jump gates or trade lanes to
limit your movement, use optional gates to save time and fuel. Master
devastating new weapons and technology. Pilot Alliance military ships into
battle to defend Evochron.
Keep the ship, upgrades, equipment, money, weapons, crew, and commodities you
acquire in the game for use in both single player and multiplayer.
Join forces with other players in multiplayer to complete more challenging
cooperative objectives that can offer much better pay.
Criterion Games
announces the PC edition of Burnout Paradise is now available, as it has been
for a couple of days now, and they offer a link to buy Burnout Paradise: The
Ultimate Box from
the EA store. For those interested in a sample of the racing game, there's
now a
playable demo on nZone, which is a pretty staggering 2.9 GB download, as
this is apparently a time-limited version of the full game. There are also
references to a version 1.60 patch (thanks Marty), a significant jump from the
recent version 1.0.0.1 patch, as there's a report of
network page
issues with Burnout Paradise patch 1.60, but no downloads of such a patch
are offered at this time. Update: The playable demo is now mirrored on
ComputerGames.ro,
FanGaming, and
Gamer's Hell.
Valve announces the L4D Survival Pack, downloadable content to be released
this spring for the PC and Xbox 360 editions of Left 4 Dead. They also
announce a "Critic's Choice Edition" of the game that will be available at
retail around that time that will include the new DLC, and also say they will
release the SDK for PC owners around that time as well. Here's word on the plan,
which outlines the new game mode called Survival and two new campaigns for
Versus mode: February 5, 2008 - Valve, creators of best-selling game
franchises (such as Half-Life, Portal, Team Fortress, and Counter-Strike) and
leading technologies (such as Steam and Source), today announced a series of
content and development releases for its latest title, 2008's best-selling new
game property for the PC and Xbox 360, Left 4 Dead (L4D).
The first L4D DLC - dubbed the L4D Survival Pack -- is due for release this
spring and introduces a new multiplayer game mode entitled, Survival, plus two
complete campaigns for Versus Mode . A Critic's Choice Edition of the game is
also heading to retail stores this spring, and will include access to all the
content introduced in the L4D: Survival Pack.
In addition, for PC gamers and aspiring developers, the first Left 4 Dead
release for the Source Software Development Kit (Source SDK) will allow the
creation of custom Left 4 Dead campaigns that will be discoverable via L4D's
matchmaking system. The SDK update is also due for release this spring, and is
free of charge to all owners of L4D on the PC.
"Since Half-Life launched in 1998, Valve has made continuous efforts to expand
the offering of its products beyond what's included on the day of launch," said
Gabe Newell, co-founder and president of Valve. "With Half-Life and
Counter-Strike, and more recently Team Fortress 2, we've learned that we're no
longer making stand-alone games but creating entertainment services. With Left 4
Dead we're extending that tradition by creating additional gameplay and
releasing our internal tools to aspiring developers so they may also create and
distribute new Left 4 Dead experiences."
Left 4 Dead is a survival action game from Valve that blends the social
entertainment experience of multiplayer games such as Counter-Strike and Team
Fortress with the dramatic, narrative experience made popular in single player
action game classics such as the Half-Life series of games. Released in November
of 2008, L4D has earned over 25 industry awards from outlets around the world.
For more information, please visit www.l4d.com
The Battlefield Website
has the announcement of Battlefield Bad Company 2, revealing a PC release
is in the works for the sequel to the console-only installment in the
Battlefield series of military shooters. The site offers a screenshot for the
game, which is due next winter, and here's word: Stockholm, Sweden -
February 5, 2009 - DICE, and Electronic Arts Inc. studio (NASDAQ: ERTS) today
announced Battlefield: Bad Company 2™, the sequel to last year's blockbuster
title.
In this installment, the Bad Company crew again find themselves in the heart of
the action, where they must use every weapon and vehicle at their disposal to
survive. The action unfolds with unprecedented intensity, introducing a level of
fervor to vehicular warfare never before experience in a modern warfare game.
To get ready for the assault this winter, players can prepare for action in
Battlefield 1943™, and all-new multiplayer game available this summer via
PlayStation®Store, Xbox LIVE™ Marketplace and on the PC.
In Battlefield: Bad Company 2, the 'B' company fight their way through snowy
mountaintops, dense jungles and dusty villages. With a heavy arsenal of deadly
weapons and a slew of vehicles to aid them, the crew set off on their mission
and they are ready to blow up, shoot down, blast through, wipe out and utterly
destroy anything that gets in their way. Total destruction is the name of the
game, delivered as only the DICE next generation Frostbite™ engine can. Either
online or offline, enemies will soon learn there is nowhere to hide.
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 will be available for the Xbox 360® videogame and
entertainment system, the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and the
PC.
"Bad Company 2 takes everything that players liked in the original and ups the
ante - more vehicles, more destruction and more team play," said Karl Magnus
Troedsson, Executive Producer Battlefield Franchise, DICE. "Battlefield 1943 is
a new take on a blast from the past classic coming to life with brand new
technology that we're eager to get into players hands."
The Battlefield Website announces
Battlefield 1943, revealing the next installment in the Battlefield
series of multiplayer military shooters is returning to World War II, the focus
of the original Battlefield 1942. The game is in the works for Windows,
Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3, and it seems like all three editions will be a
digitally distributed, with the release planned for this summer. The site offers
a trailer showing off the land, sea, and air combat in the game, and here's
word: Soldiers, it's time to do your part in the action packed battles of
the World War II Pacific campaign! Pick your path - be it as a rifleman crawling
the trenches, a steel fisted tank commander, or ace fighter pilot dog fighting
to protect the skies. Play as a lone wolf or with your friends, coordinating to
turn the tide of battle, whatever you choose, you get to enjoy the thrill of a
fully featured online shooter with the unique Battlefield sandbox experience.
Battlefield 1943 will be available on Xbox LIVE Arcade, PlayStation Network and
on PC for download. This give players access to the famous action packed
Battlefield gameplay quicker and easier than it's ever been. Play as the US
Marines or the Imperial Japanese Navy on match-made servers for optimal
challenge, as you gain ranks and awards. Battlefield 1943 is your own version of
one of the most famous campaigns in the history of the world!
By Land, Sea & Air!
Unleash wide destruction with Bombing Raids, Tanks, or Fighter Planes launched
from Aircraft Carriers and enjoy one of the best experiences in any multiplayer
game to-date.
Varied Locations & Up to 24 Players
Play with 24 players online in three beautiful and destructible locations from
the Pacific theatre. Whether you choose Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima or the classic
Wake Island, you'll experience the best balance of infantry combat complemented
by land, sea and air vehicles.
Frostbite-Enabled Destruction
Watch the beautiful Pacific Islands quickly turn into scarred battlefields as
destruction rains upon you and your fellow soldiers as you fight to win the
battle!
Through the Gun Experience
Use classic and iconic World War II infantry weapons with excellent feel to
defeat your foes. Hit 'em hard from afar through your sniper scope or use
explosives or melee weapons like bayonets to make it really up close and
personal.
WorldofWar.Net identifies a number of forum posts from the developers at
Blizzard outlining changes planned for World of Warcraft, outlining
class-specific changes for the
Priest, the
Rogue, and the
Shaman in the MMORPG. An overview is in
this post: As many of you know the next major content patch will
include some very exciting things, such as Ulduar, a new epic raid dungeon, a
wealth of new items, and much more. We thought players would especially enjoy
reading just a few of the class changes we're currently planning.
This is the first in a series of three upcoming class change highlight
announcements: Priests, Rogues, and Shaman. Please keep in mind, that these
lists are not at all comprehensive, and subject to change.
The Team Fortress 2 Blog has an
update from Valve designer Greg Cherlin following up on the patch
released earlier this week that included balance changes for Team Fortress
2 (thanks JaZeeL). The update includes a primer on how the new critical hit
system operates under the hood and their reasons for changing how critical hits
work. He offers statistics on the system and the changes, and a chart
illustrating the old system versus the new one. He summarizes the situation by
outlining the strategic implications of the system: In thinking about the
change we wanted to make to critical hits, we decided that there was a point on
the graph of particular interest to us, and that was the point at which your
critical hit chance was as much a result of your performance as it was the base
chance. If you look at at (A) on the old line, you'll see that point isn't
reached until you've done 550 recent damage, a feat that occurs about as often
as our backstab code works correctly. That point is reached at (B) on the new
line, around the point where you've done 175 recent damage. This means that if
you've just singlehandedly killed an enemy Demoman/Soldier/Pyro/Heavy, your next
20 seconds worth of crit chances are already more a result of that kill than the
base chance. As a result, if you're a highly skilled player, you're going to
fire significantly more critical hits than those around you. And remember, if
you've just killed 2 or 3 enemies, now's the time to push!
Some new screenshots from the Watchmen: The End is Nigh offer glimpses of
Night Owl and Rorschach in action in the episodic movie tie-in. The shots are
accompanied by some environment art from the game. The shots are posted on
Primotech. My favorite quote from the Watchmen series just popped to mind:
"I'm not trapped in here with you. You're trapped in here with me!"
This press release announces A-Train 8, a railroad simulation to be
released on February 27. There are some screenshots on
Gamer's Hell,
and here's a small portion of the lengthy announcement: The A-Train brand
has become one of the most respected and sought after titles and with A-Train 8,
as manager of a railroad company, elected as mayor of your city, you will have
your time engaged with many motivating tasks. The aim is to create the best
public transport systems possible, manage them and adapt fares to successfully
improve your city though the year, taking into account the different seasons and
the effect they could have on the system you create!
Create cities as realistic as you wish and the choice of options and parameters
are as impressive as the structures offered. You can choose from any of the main
monuments which include Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower or even the Empire State
Building. See the setting you have created spring into life and watch the city
vibrantly take on a persona you have personally adapted. A-Train is a simulation
with its graphical interface that is unsurpassed in terms of details and virtual
authenticity; all orchestrated with simple and intuitive mouse and keyboard key
strokes and movements
A Blood-Red Moon Rises Over
the Armies of Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning as the Night of Murder
Approaches announces that tomorrow will see the launch of this in-game event
for Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning that will last until February 15. Full
details are on
this page.
The
Godfather II Interview on The Game Reviews talks with Dave Woldman about the
upcoming game sequel based on this thing of ours. They discuss living up to the
movies, the absence of Al Pacino, outdoing the original game, whether ports to
other consoles will follow the release, stiff competition from other games,
development progress, and DLC.
Steam News has word that
Valve's digital distribution service now offers three strategy games from
Paradox Interactive, offering a 10% discount on each between now and February
11. The three titles are
Europa Universalis III Complete,
Knights of Honor, and
Take Command - Second
Manassas.
Ten Ton Hammer - The
Lone Superhero and the MMO Game.
"All forms of fiction are character centric, but comic books in particular
have a very specific focus around their heroes. Unless Jimmy Olsen requires
saving, how much do we really learn about him? Secondary characters always
play their roles but specifics are always revealed in bits and pieces as
filler. My point is, that while you’re in the world of Batman there is only
him and that is our focus. In a Batman MMO game no one would want to play
Alfred the Butler or random Gotham City police officer number 224. There
must be an entire world of interesting character types that players could
take the role of and many comic IP's don't provide that."
Gameplayer - Rockstar Discovers Blizzard’s Secret to $$$$.
"Enter Rockstar. The developer has pulled the plumb from the pie and is set
to gorge on its sweet juices with The Lost and Damned. The developer has
found the sweet spot with their episodic DLC for GTA IV, blending the
winning business model of World of Warcraft with a system that is supported
and functional for console owners. We’ve played it, and it is set to change
the face of console gaming forever. Let us explain…"
My monitor up and died on me yesterday, which was the first time I realized this
was the only monitor in the BlueTower, which is a problem. I then learned Acer has taken
over support for my Gateway monitor, and while it is covered under warranty,
they need me to ship it to them to see if they can "repair" it (no really)
before authorizing a replacement. Old Gateway support would have had a new
monitor here within a couple of days by holding my credit card number in case I
didn't send the broken one back in return, but this thing is going to be gone
for three weeks at the very least, which is frustrating. In the meantime I
picked up a HANNspree monitor with an insane refresh rate, which I'll try to use in a dual-monitor setup when my "repaired" monitor comes back, and at least
I'll have some redundancy there going forward.
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