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Archived News:
Manual version 2.502 patches for the boxed version of Company of Heroes:
Tales of Valor are now available, offering the same tweaks and fixes as
yesterday's Steam CoH patch. Downloads of the US English patch are
available from
ActionTrip,
AtomicGamer,
FileFront, Gamer's Hell,
and The
Patches Scrolls. Some or all of the other localized patches are available on
AtomicGamer,
Gamer's Hell, and
The Patches
Scrolls.
Steam News has word of
another automatic patch that's now available for Counter-Strike
addressing a couple of bugs in the multiplayer shooter, though the version
number remains at 1.6. Also on
Steam is news that a new
update is now automatically available for Left 4 Dead with some tweaks,
bug fixes, and fixes for Survival mode exploits.
A new FUEL movie shows off the GPS in the upcoming racing game, something
that may come in handy in a 5,000 square mile open world environment. The clip
is available on the new Fuel Website as
well as on
ActionTrip,
AtomicGamer,
FileFront, and Gamer's
Hell. The clip is accompanied by
a batch of three new
screenshots and word that the game is expected in stores for Windows, Xbox
360, and PlayStation 3 on May 29.
A new Battlefield 1943 trailer offers some footage from the Wake Island
map for DICE's upcoming installment in the Battlefield series of military
shooters. The clip is on display at
AtomicGamer,
FileFront, Gamer's Hell,
and
Planet Battlefield.
Happy
Talk Like Shakespeare Day (thanks Ant). Wordeth to thine mother.
Paramount Digital Entertainment officially announces Star Trek: D-A-C,
which turns out to be headed to Windows as well as consoles, with the PC release
to follow "shortly" after the console editions. Here are some
screenshots,
and here's the announcement: LOS ANGELES – April 23, 2009 – Paramount
Digital Entertainment, Bad Robot Interactive, CBS and Naked Sky Entertainment
today announced the launch of Star Trek®: D-A-C, coming to Xbox LIVE® Arcade for
the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft this May, and
to PlayStation®Network and Windows PC shortly thereafter. Inspired by the
upcoming “Star Trek” movie from Paramount Pictures, Star Trek: D-A-C is a
fast-paced, top-down space shooter where players take the captain’s chair and
engage in intense online multi-player or co-op battles. Pick up and play, then
lead your team to victory.
“The upcoming ‘Star Trek’ film has ignited interest among a new generation of
fans as well as longtime fans of the original,” said Tom Lesinski, President
Paramount Pictures Digital Entertainment. “With that same goal in mind, Star
Trek: D-A-C was designed to appeal to ‘Star Trek’ fans and gamers alike. The
pick up and play arcade-style game play lets fans take the command and boldly
go!”
Star Trek: D-A-C allows fans to directly control a variety of ships and pitch
battles between Starfleet and the Romulan Empire. Up to 12 players can compete
in thrilling team combat. There are three game play modes - single player,
online multiplayer and online co-op. For each mode, there are three different
game types - Team DeathMatch, Assault and Conquest. Players can choose from
three ship types for each faction, including the new U.S.S. Enterprise featured
in the “Star Trek” film. Each ship – the powerful Flagship, the nimble Fighter
and the devastating Bomber – offers its own unique capabilities for players to
master and manipulate as they fight for victory. In addition to featuring the
new U.S.S. Enterprise, Star Trek: D-A-C incorporates music and signature sounds
taken directly from the new “Star Trek” film.
Star Trek: D-A-C is scheduled to launch May 2009 for the Xbox LIVE Arcade for
the Xbox 360, and for the PlayStation Network and Windows PC shortly thereafter.
It is rated “E” by the ESRB.
Acclaim announces the official launch of
The Chronicles of Spellborn, the MMORPG they are calling a "Freemium" game,
as it has subscription fees, but also offers a free area. Here's word on how
that works, including a way to sample the premium area for free and a way to get
a discount by using Acclaim Coins: Los Angeles, CA (April 23, 2009) –
Acclaim Games is pleased to announce the official release of The Chronicles of
Spellborn MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game). To celebrate
the official launch, Acclaim will offer all players a free 2 week premium
subscription, along with the introduction of a new credit card payment option
for added convenience. With the official release, players are invited to join
the fun in one of the most innovative MMORPG’s on the market featuring a unique
real-time combat system that truly sets the game apart!
Acclaim now offers a new credit card payment option to easily purchase premium
subscriptions online using a major credit card! With the addition of this new
purchase option, players have the option of buying premium subscriptions with
either a major credit card or Acclaim Coins, the universal virtual currency used
for all Acclaim games. Those who purchase with Acclaim Coins can also take
advantage of the special introductory discount pricing, offered for a limited
time only.
To commemorate the release, a special launch promotion will be available from
April 23 to May 7 offering a FREE 2 week premium subscription for all new and
existing players giving everyone a chance to evaluate the game and experience
the unique real-time combat system of Spellborn. New players must register
between April 23 and May 7 to get the free subscription.
“We meet with the gamers every week to discuss Spellborn, they tell us the
fighting system is the most amazing thing about the game. The idea being that
your ‘moment-to-moment’ control during battle, mixed with your own custom skill
deck gives endless possibilities. To see a smart level 5 player take down a
level 15 player is something that SHOULD be possible in MMOs, and is something
that really good players deserve to be able to do!”, says David Perry the USA
Director for the Spellborn Project.
Once players download and install the game for free, they can choose between a
PvE (Player vs Environment) server called “Dorzhan” and a PvP (Player vs Player)
server called “Deiquonril” for a more intense combat experience.
In all regions, Spellborn will be a “Freemium” game, with a Free to Play zone
and a required premium subscription service in order to access the full game
past the Free to Play zone. The Spellborn game client is completely free to
download and install from the official website. For game updates check the
website http://spellborn.acclaim.com
or follow the Spellborn twitter at
http://twitter.com/tcos
Acclaim will provide Spellborn game service to players in North America, South
America, United Kingdom, Albania, Andorra, Australia/New Zealand, Bosnia &
Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece,
Hungary, Italy, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova, Poland, Romania,
Serbia & Montenegro, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Turkey.
Download the game client:
http://spellborn.acclaim.com/downloads.html
DICE announces the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of Battlefield 1943
will be released in June, while the Windows edition of the World War II
multiplayer shooter will follow in September. They also announce a $15.00 price
point for the game, which will be digitally distributed on all three
platforms: Stockholm, Sweden – April 23, 2009 – DICE, an Electronic Arts
Inc. studio (NASDAQ: ERTS), today announced that Battlefield 1943™ will be
available in June for $15 USD in the Xbox LIVE™ Marketplace (1200 MS Points) or
the PlayStation®Store. The action-packed arcade title will also be available for
PC in September. Battlefield 1943 is an all-new multiplayer game that offers
endless hours of 24-player action in popular maps inspired by Battlefield 1942™,
now updated with the Frostbite™ engine. The total destructibility afforded by
the Frostbite engine ups the ante and leaves players with nowhere to hide.
In Battlefield 1943, intense battles ensue over three classic and tropic
locations; Wake Island, Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. Gamers play as the US Marines
or the Imperial Japanese Navy, competing by land, air and sea. Players have the
freedom to pick their path in battle - be it as a rifleman crawling through the
trenches, a steel fisted tank commander, or a dog fighting pilot that protects
the skies.
“Using the same Frostbite engine that we developed for Battlefield: Bad Company,
we are able to take players back to WWII and return to the roots of the
Battlefield franchise, but with a new twist – destruction,” said Gordon Van
Dyke, Producer on Battlefield 1943. “We want to offer gamers the most accessible
online shooter experience and the best value found in any premium download title
with Battlefield 1943.”
Perfect World Enters into Publishing Agreement with Runic Games announces
Torchlight, an action MMORPG in the works at Runic Games, one of the
developers that formed from the ashes of Flagship Studios by
Travis Baldree and Max Schaefer of Flagship's ill-fated Mythos. Here's
word on the game, which will attempt to bridge the gap between eastern and
western tastes in gaming: BEIJING, April 22 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Perfect
World Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq: PWRD) ("Perfect World" or the "Company"), a leading
online game developer and operator in China, today announced that it has entered
into a publishing agreement with Runic Games, Inc. ("Runic Games"), a
specialized developer of PC-based entertainment software in the United States,
for the exclusive rights and license to publish "Torchlight," an action-packed
massively multiplayer online role-playing game ("Action-MMORPG") that's being
developed, throughout the world.
Being developed by Runic Games' experienced team of industry veterans,
"Torchlight" is an adventure-themed Action-MMORPG. Adventurers set out from the
town of Torchlight into the nearby mountains in search of the magic ore that
imbues their equipment with power, yet imperils their very existence.
"Torchlight" emphasizes a simple and intuitive interface, fast and furious
action, and a colorful and compelling game world.
Mr. Max Schaefer, Chief Executive Officer of Runic Games, said, "Runic Games is
very pleased to partner with Perfect World. Perfect World's strength and
expertise in creating and running MMORPGs and track record of high quality of
service to the playing community give us great confidence and hopes for a long
and prosperous partnership. With 'Torchlight,' we strive to bring the best of
Western and Eastern gaming together, creating a truly global title."
Mr. Michael Chi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Perfect World
commented, "We are very pleased to cooperate with Runic Games, whose members
have a first-rate track record. Leveraging Perfect World's marketing
capabilities and deep understanding of Asian culture and player preferences,
'Torchlight' is expected to be a 'global title,' catering to the tastes of both
Western and Eastern players. In addition to our involvement in game development
leveraging our extensive experience with MMORPG, we will also strive to
demonstrate our excellent game operating ability and to offer players unique and
exciting online game experience. We treasure this opportunity to work with the
professional team of Runic Games, and look forward to the success of
'Torchlight,' as a cornerstone for the long-term strategic relationship between
Runic Games and Perfect World."
MCV
outlines Codemasters' upcoming plans for games based on Formula 1 racing, saying
sensational world champion Lewis Hamilton will make his game debut in the autumn
launch of F1 2009 for PSP and Wii, to be followed next spring by F1
2010, a high resolution game for Windows, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3. Word
is: This title boasts an ‘authentic’ F1 experience, and makes use of
Codemasters’ EGO Engine technology, which powered the BAFTA award-winning Race
Driver: GRID.
“Formula One is the pinnacle of motorsport,” said Codemasters chief executive
Rod Cousens. “We are producing a series of games that will deliver the passion,
glamour and exhilaration that fans deserve and we know how to do that.
Joystiq follows up on an anonymous tip they received, saying they have
confirmed with Trion World Networks that Jon Van "Canegham" Caneghem "has
transitioned out of his role as president and no longer holds any operational
responsibilities at Trion. His creative and operational roles have been
distributed among the talented senior team." The "inflammatory" tip they
received said the Might and Magic and Heroes of Might and Magic
designer was let go, but the Trion statement is unclear, saying, "JVC's
departure is a part of the natural evolution of the growing company. To manage
an ambitious and successful operation, the Company will always rely on its core
belief that great teams plus great processes make great games." Last
June Trion announced Van Caneghem was designing a fantasy-themed massively
multiplayer online role-playing game, and while that project is not referenced,
word is: "Trion is well funded, has strong teams with ambitious games in
production and its partners are the leading players in the media, technology and
finance worlds."
A new version 6.1 patch is now available for Vampire: The Masquerade -
Bloodlines, further advancing the unofficial support for the action/RPG from
deceased developer Troika. The new version has bug-fixes, tweaks, balance
changes, and adds more restored dialog and art. The patch is available from its
exclusive homepage of
The Patches
Scrolls.
Steam News announces a
pre-purchase discount on
Stalin vs. Martians, offering 20% off between now and the release of this
unusual RTS game on April 30.
The
Battle.net Forums outline plans for an upcoming version 1.13 patch for
Diablo II that will be accompanied by a ladder reset in Blizzard's MMORPG
(thanks Ant and Planet Diablo).
Word is: We’re preparing for a Diablo II ladder reset to coincide with the
release of the 1.13 patch that’s currently in development. We don’t have a final
release date for the patch yet, but we’re providing early warning as a reset
could occur as early as the end of April. We’ll be providing updates with more
certain dates once the patch is closer to release.
Please be aware that with a ladder reset all ladder characters are moved to
non-ladder. This means that your characters will still be accessible but
will no longer have access to ladder-only features and games. In order to play
in the new ladder season after the reset you will need to make new ladder
characters.
This thread will be updated with more information as it becomes
available.
Gameplanet - Five features that changed gaming.
While there is a definitely an argument to be made for open level versus
linear level design (after all, it's much easier to give focused experience
in a linear game), if it’s done right, an open world game can give you an
experience like few others. Fallout 3 and Grand Theft Auto IV are but two
examples. Those are large worlds filled with so much to see and do that not
only will they keep you busy for hours, but you’ll enjoy most of that time
too. And best of all, it’s completely your own experience. In a linear game
you can share a great moment with your friends, as you all experienced it.
However, in a sandbox world you will all have had a different experience
with the game.
- The Left 4 Dead Blog
has word that some new L4D items are available in the Valve store…
We tend to get lots of thunderstorms around here in recent years, and the
BlueTower is pretty prone to momentary power outages during bad weather, but
yesterday was a combination of the two I hadn't experienced before. It was a bit
stormy, and there was some lightning, but the weird thing was how on three
separate occasions the power dipped right as a thunderclap sounded, suggesting
there was a direct cause-and-effect. I also think I need to get another UPS in
my office for other connections, as there are far too many things that go dead
when that happens.
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