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Archived News:
Dvision Production has a post in
Russian by Natiq "defonten" Aghayev along with a piece of concept art he did for
Interplay's project V13, aka Fallout Online.
No Mutants Allowed
has a translation of the accompanying text, saying he may possibly be able to
show off more in the future.
Joystiq reports that The Agency and DC Universe Online are
both expected in 2010. The revelation came in a keynote by John Smedley,
president of Sony Online Entertainment, though apparently no other details about
either the superhero or the espionage MMOG were offered.
This GameTrailers movie
offers a presentation from the OnLive service that was just revealed
today as Steve Perlman explains how the service works, saying that any game
can be ported to it, and that PC and Xbox 360 games are easy, while PlayStation 3
games are a bit harder, but still portable. He outlines the requirements for
this gaming on demand service as a 5 Mbps broadband connection for 720p graphics
or a 1.5 Mbps connection for standard definition, and that any entry level PC or
Intel-based Mac will be capable of running the service without a GPU. He also
describes some of the advantages of their approach in terms of in-game
communication, spectators, and sharing things like video clips of your gaming
exploits, and addresses the issue of lag in their client/server setup by
describing how your in-game actions involve very small code exchanges for the
servers, saying: "your computer screen or TV screen updates so fast, that
perceptually, it's as if the game is running right there. It's really, really
cool. It's a brand-new technology. Took seven years of development to get it to
where it is." Part two
of that interview discusses the publishers they've lined up to release game
on the service, and discusses how pricing will work in general terms, though no
specific prices are offered. Steve says any PC controller can work with the
system, how the system will benefit beta testing, and more. Word is the service
will beta test this summer, and launch in the winter. There's also
a Steve Pearlman interview on MTV Multiplayer.
MediaWeek reports on a new study by The Nielsen Company saying Americans
play enough video games that they collectively would constitute the
fifth-largest TV network; outdrawing the CW (theoretically a full network itself), and apparently closing in on NBC.
Word is: "According to the report (the full version of which is available on
nielsenpreview.com), though it’s possible that given the continued growth in
popularity of video games may push that number higher in the coming years, the
TV business doesn’t necessarily need to feel threatened. Nielsen (which like
Mediaweek, is owned by The Nielsen Company) found that since 1999 console usage
has grown steadily while TV usage has remained steady, even growing slightly."
So which system logged the most playing time? Nintendo's: "Overall, the Wii now
accounts for the highest percentage of usage minutes for adults, per the report.
And not necessarily young adults; nearly of third (32 percent) those usage
minutes were consumed by women 35 and older."
Steam announces a new
update is now automatically available for Merchants of Brooklyn, Paleo
Entertainment's recently released CryENGINE 2 first-person shooter. The update
enables cheats in single player play and adds a dedicated server among other
single-player and multiplayer changes. It is warned that this patch will break
existing saved games, but
this forum thread outlines how to best work around this.
Casualgaming.biz reports the beta of
Tetris Friends Online is now live, offering the chance to party like it's
1989. Word is: "The portal boasts a number of new single and multiplayer game
modes that have been designed to be accessible to players of all ages and
experience. It also includes high-score leaderboards, personal profiles, avatars
and unlockable items."
The
BattleForge Website announces EA Phenomic's collectible card-based RTS game
is now available in North American retail stores and for digital distribution
Thanks Gamer's Hell. With beta testing ended, they offer a link to a playable demo, and
instructions on how to redeem any promotional codes: The big day for our
Skylords in North America has arrived! The full retail version of BattleForge is
available in stores and also as download from
online retailers. If you have received any promotional codes for cards for
preorders, you can redeem them by entering the code at the in-game marketplace.
Note that these cards won't be added to your collection automatically, you have
to collect them in your in-game mailbox.
All beta players get their Firedancer card. To get it, you must redeem your full
product key on the same EA Account you played the beta with. For example, if you
played the beta on the EA Account battleforgebetaplayer@hotmail.com, you have to
play with the same mail address to get the special, upgraded Firedancer. You'll
find the Firedancer card in the card collection of your first character.
You can take a short tour of the World of Nyn with the BattleForge
demo. You can unlock the full version of the game from the demo by entering
a retail code.
You can read more about the release of BattleForge in the
forum!
Rock, Paper, Shotgun has an extensive preview of R.U.S.E., the
just announced real-time strategy game in the works at Eugen
Systems. The preview outlines the concept for the game and gives a feel for how
the game will manage battlefields of tremendous scale. It also includes a canned
Q&A and a link to a
R.U.S.E. Exclusive Trailer on YouTube that has a couple of male models
pretending to play the game on a Surface-like surface, sure to confuse as well
as enlighten.
The Pitt is now available via
Games for Windows LIVE as well as Xbox 360 ( where problems have
been reported). Here is word on this DLC for Fallout 3, Bethesda's RPG
sequel: "The latest exclusive Marketplace download allows you to travel to the
post-apocalyptic remains of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and become embroiled in a
conflict between slaves and their Raider masters. Explore a sprawling settlement
ravaged by time, neglect, nuclear radiation, and moral degradation. The Pitt is
filled with morally grey choices, shady NPCs, new enemies, new weapons, and much
more."
Microsoft announces new features are coming to
Games
for Windows - LIVE, including an anti-piracy solution: LONDON – 24
March 2009 - Windows gaming took center stage today in San Francisco at the
annual Game Developers Conference, as Microsoft announced new features coming to
the Games for Windows – LIVE online gaming service and community:
• Anti-piracy Solution: Zero-day piracy protection and server-side
authentication help prevent game piracy before street date, and protect
publishers and consumers by requiring authentication for online play
• In-game Marketplace: New Marketplace APIs let developers create unique in-game
store fronts and experiences surrounding the sale of additional content,
providing developers and publishers with new revenue streams, and consumers with
a seamless gaming experience
• Roaming: PC gamers can now save their personal settings back to their Games
for Windows – LIVE account in the cloud, providing access to their settings on
any compatible and connected Windows PC
“This update and other features currently in development represent a tipping
point in the evolution of Games for Windows – LIVE as a leading online PC gaming
network,” said Ron Pessner, general manager of Games for Windows – LIVE. “In the
coming months, we will continue to deliver on our promise to provide gamers and
publishers with the industry’s best connected gaming experiences through the
LIVE service.”
SEGA of America announces that
Stormrise is now available for Windows ( Vista only), Xbox 360,
and PlayStation 3, as Creative Assembly's latest real-time strategy game is a
multiplatform offering. Here's a bit on the game: "Developed by The Creative
Assembly team in Australia, Stormrise features revolutionary controls in
the form of the Whip Select™ system allowing for easy navigation of the
battlefield. The game is also a true 3D RTS game in that units not only traverse
through the air and on the ground, but battles and maneuvers can take place
below ground as well."
Flying Fish Works announces
Hellion: Mystery of the Inquisition, a first-person shooter to be released
next year for Windows, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3. Nobody expects the Spanish
Inquisition, much less a game about it, so here's word: Frankfurt,
Germany / Gdynia, Poland, March 24th 2009 – Today Flying Fish Works
announces their upcoming product “Hellion: Mystery of the Inquisition” coming on
XBOX360, PS3 and PC in 2010. The team is using the latest technology to present
an outstanding reality, authentic locations and impressive combats within the
13th century. “Hellion” also represents an epic plot set in a lively medieval
world charged with upgradeable exorcisms and uncompromising brutality according
to this period.
As an armed man of the newborn Inquisition, the player will battle heretics,
execute exorcisms, face demons and unintentionally become part of a political
and religious intrigue. Realizing that all of mankind is standing on the verge
of doom, he will have to use all the physical and spiritual abilities he ever
acquired to face the fiends of hell and, finally, discover the Mystery of the
Inquisition.
“Hellion” is an epic journey through different medieval cultures full of
real-life characters, wild animals, rough warriors, powerful Templar knights,
deadly assassins and, ultimately, horrifying demons.
“Our vision is to create a historical fiction game that will put the player in
the center of the medieval world, full of its cruelty, intransigence and
diversified beliefs. In this ruthless reality, the player will become an
eyewitness of great political machinations, unseen brutality and betrayal. He
will pave his way to the truth just to find that it is more horrible and
dreadful than anyone could imagine.” says Simon Grabowski, CEO at Flying Fish
Works.
A playable demo is now available for Wanted: Weapons of Fate, offering a
sample of GRIN's just-released third-person shooter movie tie-in. Word is: "The
game continues were the movie Wanted left off with hero Wesley Gibson in an
entirely new chapter exploring his journey to becoming an unmatched über
assassin. Featuring intense third-person action, learn the basic moves in the
demo and take combat to the next level with iconic moves -- such as 'Curving
Bullets' and 'Assassin Time' -- drawn directly from the film, as well as an
innovative, multi-layered cover mechanic." The download is available on
AtomicGamer,
ComputerGames.ro,
FanGaming,
FilePlanet (registration required), and
Gamer's Hell.
Ubisoft announces R.U.S.E., a new intellectual property developed by
Eugen Systems ( Act of War: Direct Action), an RTS game due for release
for Windows, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 "for fiscal year 2009/2010," which
would seem to be a window stretching between now and March 31, 2011.
A teaser website for the game
is live, and
a first screenshot accompanies the announcement, showing an interesting
cross between a real landscape and a board game. And though the game is heading
to consoles, the announcement stresses how it will be optimized for Intel PC
processors: SAN FRANCISCO — March 24, 2009 — Today, Ubisoft announced the
launch of R.U.S.E., a new intellectual property developed by Eugen Systems,
creators of the critically acclaimed strategy title Act of War: Direct
Action(TM). R.U.S.E. is scheduled for release on Windows PC, the Xbox 360® video
game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PlayStation®3 computer
entertainment system for fiscal year 2009/2010.
R.U.S.E. is optimized for Intel's latest core processors, including the Intel®
Core(TM)i7 processor, and will be demonstrated for the first time in public at
the Intel booth during the Game Developers Conference (GDC) at Moscone North
Hall, booth #6006 at 5:00 PM Pacific on Wednesday March 25 in San Francisco.
R.U.S.E. is a one-of-a-kind real-time strategy game that allows players to bluff
their enemies to lead their nation to victory, controlling the action using
views that range seamlessly from the heart of the battlefield to the full
theatre of war. Players will be plunged into the action thanks to the exclusive
IRISZOOMTM Engine which offers an intuitive interface that allows for smooth,
rapid transitions from a birds-eye view of the entire conflict, down into the
heat of the battle and vice versa.
"With R.U.S.E., Ubisoft is once again shaking up a genre, offering an RTS with a
twist that will thrill gamers,” said Tony Key, senior vice president of sales
and marketing at Ubisoft. "Ubisoft is known for innovation and R.U.S.E.
continues that tradition, offering the most immense and detailed maps ever seen
in an RTS. Players can explore the maps using IRISZOOM Engine, which provides an
aerial, smooth interaction unlike anything ever seen before.”
Ubisoft and Intel are committed to working together to ensure R.U.S.E. takes
full advantage of Intel technologies. "Ubisoft and Intel are demonstrating some
of the benefits gamers will experience when playing R.U.S.E. on the Intel®
Core(TM)i7 processor based platforms,” said Elliot Garbus, vice president Intel
Software and Services Group, general manager Visual Computing Software Division.
"Gamers will experience more immersive game play with smooth zooming from
satellite to ground view, superior AI delivering more complex unit movements and
more realistic physics throughout the game.”
In R.U.S.E., players use their brain as the ultimate weapon, fighting a war of
perception, where the ability to deceive and mislead the enemy determines
success. A first in a strategy game, R.U.S.E. reinvigorates the genre by using
deception to give new-found depth to the game play.
To learn more about R.U.S.E., visit
www.rusegame.com
The second day in Valve's week-long Ubisoft special is a one-day
sale for Prince of Persia on
Steam, offering the latest installment in the platformer series for half-off
for 24 hours. They also celebrate the release of Wallace & Gromit
Episode One by offering a 14% discount if you buy the whole series now via
Steam.
MacNN
has news that the MacOS edition of Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 is now
available. Here's word on the Mac edition of the real-time strategy sequel:
"Command & Conquer: Red alert 3 requires Mac OS X 10.5.6 or later, 1GB RAM, and
an ATI X1600 or Nividia [sic] 7300GT or better video card. The game is priced at
$40 and available for purchase from Game Tree Online." Thanks Ant.
WBIE announces Wanted: Weapons of Fate is now available for Windows, Xbox
360, and PLayStation3, offering a game tie-in with last year's action movie that
features curvy bullets and an even curvier Angelina Jolie. Here's word:
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wanted: Weapons of Fate, published by
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment in partnership with Universal Pictures
Digital Platforms Group and developed by GRIN, is available today for the Xbox
360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 Computer
Entertainment System and PC. Based on Universal Pictures’ action-thriller
Wanted, the game is an intense, third-person action game that takes combat to a
new level with iconic techniques and moves drawn directly from the film — such
as “Curving Bullets” and “Assassin Time” — as well as an innovative,
multi-layered cover mechanic.
The storyline of Wanted: Weapons of Fate picks up where the film leaves off,
providing fans with a new stage to explore in hero Wesley’s journey to becoming
an über-assassin in a secret organization of killers. In the game, players can
take on the role of Wesley or his father, Cross, to confront all new enemies —
including the French chapter of the Fraternity, a group that is fanatical about
upholding the code of the Loom of Fate. The French chapter is headed by The
Immortal, a severe Fraternity leader with a grudge against Wesley and his
family. It also employs Araña, a beautiful-but-deadly Spanish assassin and
Brummel, the businessman/assassin who is as street smart as he is
sophisticated.
Freeverse announces the
release of the promised MacOS edition of Commander: Napoleon at
War, which can be purchased online through their site (the PC edition
was released last September). There is also a playable demo for
the Mac edition of Slitherine Strategies' turn-based strategy game, which can be
found on AtomicGamer
and Gamer's Hell. Here's
a quick refresher on the game: "This installment of the Commander series places
the player at the brink of war in the Napoleonic era. Re-write history with the
same outstanding gameplay mechanics as Commander: Europe at War, but in a new
dynamic setting, complete with amazing graphics and compelling campaigns."
Valve announces new "Custom Executable Generation" (CEG) technology "that
compliments the already existing anti-piracy solution offered in Steamworks" is
now part of the Steamworks package of free developer tools, claiming this makes
DRM "obsolete," presuming you do not consider this DRM. Coincidentally,
GameSpot quotes 2D Boy's
Ron Carmel calling DRM a "waste of time." Here's word on the new Steamworks
feature: STEAMWORKS MAKES DRM OBSOLETE
Suite of Services Expands With Customer Executable Generation (CEG), Support for
DLC, Matchmaking, and More
March 24, 2009 - Valve today announced a new set of advanced features delivered
in Steamworks, a complete suite of publishing and development tools that are
available free of charge to developers and publishers worldwide.
Headlining the new feature set is the Custom Executable Generation (CEG)
technology that compliments the already existing anti-piracy solution offered in
Steamworks. A customer friendly approach to anti-piracy, CEG makes unique copies
of games for each user allowing them to access the application on multiple
machines without install limits and without having to install root kits on their
PC.
The new features also include support for in-game downloadable content (DLC) and
matchmaking. The in-game DLC support allows developers to deliver new content as
they choose (paid or free) from inside the game itself, allowing users to make
immediate purchases and experience the new content in the same game session. The
Steamworks matchmaking now includes the robust lobby system shipped and tested
in Left 4 Dead.
"Delivering this extension of services on Steamworks first anniversary,
demonstrates our commitment to continually develop the platform to better serve
the community working with these tools," said Gabe Newell, president and
co-founder of Valve. "As we roll out these features, we continue to look for new
ways make PC games easier to create and better for customers to experience."
Steamworks was launched in early 2008 and has already shipped in products
distributed at retail and electronically with major PC releases such as Empire:
Total War, Dawn of War II, F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, and Football Manager
2009.
A new "torch bearer" movie from Demigod shows off more of the
action/strategy/RPG currently under construction at Gas Powered Games. The clip
is narrated by Brad Wardell, Stardock's executive producer on the game. The
clip is taken from a recent beta of the game, "done with minimal editing and
full amateurish flair by a techie." The clip gives the sad history of the torch
bearer in the game. The clip is available on
ActionTrip,
AtomicGamer,
Gamer's Hell, and
MyGameTrailers.
A new movie showing off Stalin vs. Martians is now available from the
official website of the upcoming
offbeat real-time strategy game. The clip features in-game combat, and, of
course, dancing. They have also posted the techno "Stalinator" song that serves
as the movie's soothing soundtrack. The clip is posted on
FileFront and Gamer's
Hell.
A new RC5 of P.U.R.E. is now available, updating this large-scale
freeware real-time strategy game. For some reason this game is not listed on the
website of developer WolfeGames, but
there is an outline of the new version on
Mod DB, describing new units,
improved performance, new real-time lighting, a new economy, and more. The game
can be downloaded from
AtomicGamer and Gamer's
Hell.
Update 4 is now available for FIFA Manager 09, updating this European
football (soccer) simulation with new images, bug fixes, and a full database
update. The patch is located on the
FUSSBALL MANAGER 09
Offizielle Webseite, and mirrored on
AtomicGamer,
FileFront, and
The Patches Scrolls.
Double Fine's Tim Shafer has channeled his angst over being unprepared to host
the Game Developers Choice Awards
tomorrow into a Flash game where you play a game developer named Tim Shafer
who is unprepared to host the Game Developers Choice Awards, and must go on a
hunt for jokes with which to regale the crowd. The art imitating life game is
posted on the
Double Fine Website.
A new "weapons vendor" trailer from
CrimeCraft shows off how you can shop until your opponents drop in Vogster
Entertainment's upcoming Unreal Engine 3 persistent-world shooter. The
developer-narrated clip introduces a weapons vendor and his role in, well,
vending weapons, and also makes mention of weapons upgrades that put the craft
in CrimeCraft. You can find the movie on
ActionTrip,
FileFront, and Gamer's
Hell.
CNET,
VentureBeat, CNBC.com, and
FT (and likely others) have articles on a new cloud computing gaming service
called OnLive after
Variety posted a story in advance of the unveiling of the service today. The
service is the brainchild of entrepreneur Steve Perlman (QuickTime, WebTV) and
has the backing of Warner Bros' WBIE. All the stories on the topic portray this
as a potentially serious competitor in the home gaming scene, offering the
ability to stream AAA quality games to any system without wait times, and if it
works as planned, it does sound like it could significantly change the games
market. Here's a summary from CNBC: OnLive
includes a tiny set-top box Perlman calls the "MicroConsole" that links the
internet and the company's service to your TV, as long as your part of the
country (that's the 70 percent part) has a broadband connection. Any laptop with
a wi-fi, other wireless or network connection won't need the box.
Once you're linked to the subscription based service, you'll have access to game
titles from Warner Bros., Ubisoft, Take-Two Interactive, Electronic Arts, Eidos,
Atari and a host of other top publishers who will all be announcing partnerships
with the new service. Games can be accessed through the web, either bought or
rented, and played by just a few participants, or players can play against
thousands. There are no downloads, the games will live on OnLive's servers. It's
an application of so-called "cloud computing" that the industry really hasn't
seen before.
But here's the rub, and why Perlman tells me the days of the traditional console
might be dwindling: Because the games live on servers and aren't downloaded, it
won't matter what console you need, or what platform the games were developed
for. They'll simply work on any TV, PC or Mac.
"When you watch a movie on TV, you don't think about what it was developed for,
it just works," Perlman tells me. The same will be said of video games. And
players will be able to access the games at a fraction of the cost of today's
experience. Says Perlman, "Some consoles cost $300 or $400 or $500. Even more in
some cases. So now, instead of spending all that money on a console, they can
spend it on the games instead. Doesn't that sound more fun?"
He might have something here. While only a couple of dozen titles will be
available when the service officially launches later this year, Perlman easily
envisions entire libraries of titles available instantly with a simple click.
The games, their graphics -- no matter how complex -- will go directly to TV or
computer through compression technology Perlman and his team have been slaving
over for the past seven years. Publishers love the idea because there's
virtually no chance of pirating the games on the service they're stored on the
company's secure servers.
Telltale Games now offers Fright
of the Bumblebees, the debut episode of
Wallace & Gromit's Grand
Adventures, the episodic adventure based on the Claymation series. They are
offering a special launch week price of $29.95 for the four episode series (15%
off the regular $34.95 price) as well as a 50% discount on everything else in
the Telltale store for people who buy Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures.
Episodes two through four are expected in May, June, and July. Here's word on
the series: Wallace and Gromit, the well-meaning but accident-prone
inventor and his capable and highly-intelligent canine companion, have been
delighting audiences with their animated adventures for twenty years. Their most
recent outing, Wallace & Gromit in A Matter of Loaf and Death, aired with
record-setting viewership this past Christmas. Telltale's Wallace & Gromit games
are designed for the same all-ages crowd as the films, and will be appreciated
by gamers and non-gamers alike.
Alternating between the roles of both Wallace and Gromit throughout the game,
players will banter with a charismatic cast of characters, tinker with Wallace's
creative contraptions, and enjoy four all-new stories set in the colorful
Wallace & Gromit universe. Given the franchise's global appeal, Wallace &
Gromit's Grand Adventures includes subtitles in German, French, Italian, and
Spanish. In today's debut episode, "Fright of the Bumblebees," Wallace attempts
to save his bumbling honey business through the growth of supersized flowers.
When these giant flowers lead to an unintended consequence, giant bees, Gromit
must step in to save the town from the angry swarm.
If Software now offers the first
beta of Doom: Fall of Mars, the freeware Diablo-style action/RPG set in the
world of DOOM. Here's word on beta 0.1.0a: "The first beta release of
Doom: Fall of mars This is a complete re-work of the conceptual demo and
features much more content. Yet more is still to come!" Thanks Evil Timmy, who
sends along a more complete description: "It now includes a 'town', multi-level
dungeons, more of everything (items/levels/tilesets/enemies), and now allows
saving games. Much more is planned feature-wise, but the game is playable and
stable already."
The indie development team behind Mob Ties
Tokyo announces Mob Ties Moscow is in development for a 2010 release,
as their series reflects the old joke about going to exotic locations, meeting
new people, and shooting them. The new game is announced in
this press release
( Adobe Acrobat-format, proving their criminal intents). According to the announcement,
"With the sequel, the team plans to continue the same successful formula of
combining an immersive storyline with non-stop 'shoot ‘em up' action."
I've got this trifling little whine coming from my computer speakers. It's
barely audible, so it's surprising how *twitch* mental this can *twitch* make
you feel after a while.
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