Archived News:
The day two Team Fortress 2
The Sniper Update is online, describing the new Payload Race gameplay mode
to be included in the imminent Sniper class update for the multiplayer shooter.
The update also features screenshots from the two new Arena maps that will be
part of the Sniper update, one called Sawmill, and the other Nucleus.
GamesRadar has a trailer from Armored Front, the second DLC pack planned for
F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, Monolith's horror/shooter sequel. They say
the DLC will include a pair of new maps and some mechs for your meching
pleasure, and the trailer concludes with a release date of May 21. Thanks Mike Martinez.
Bethesda's Pete Hines Speaks
on the Official Xbox 360 Magazine has an indication from Bethesda's
spokesperson that it is still possible that more DLC could be released for
Fallout 3. He says their surprise at the commercial success of the DLC they've
already released means it's not decided for sure that the third pack, Broken
Steel will end things, saying: "Whether it's the absolute last one remains to be
seen."
SOE announces some
previously unrevealed details about The Agency, the upcoming
espionage-themed MMOG. Here's the list of what they've unveiled: • Live
the Life of an Elite Agent: The Agency requires spy world skills in combat,
stealth, and style. Players jet around the globe to exotic locales picking up
intel, forming networks and taking out criminal masterminds for a multitude of
unique missions with numerous goals. With gameplay ranging from sneaky
infiltration to all out firefight assaults, there's something for every aspiring
agent.
• Fun Now, No Waiting: The Agency blends the action of shooter gameplay with
the persistence of an online virtual world. At any point, PS3 or PC players can
jump right in and frag opponents in head-to-head combat or advance the ranks in
a rich story packed with exciting missions.
• Mercenary or Spy - the Choice is Yours: Operate as a slick super spy or a
gritty mercenary, administering arms deals, executing assassinations, managing
espionage, counter intelligence, and more. Collect the right weaponry, gadgets,
gear, attire and aliases to gain access to numerous locales and influence over
the people within them.
• Put Operatives to work: Operatives are collectible non-player characters who
provide the goods and services players desire, and the in-mission support to
keep them alive. Operatives work 24/7 to help players concentrate on the mission
at hand. Trade them with friends or sell them to the highest bidder.
• Build Your Own Agency: As players advance through the ranks of their
faction, they'll also begin building their own Agencies. Players increase their
power even further by creating Joint Agencies with others.
PsychicSoftware announces the launch of Darkwind: Tactical, a new free
sandbox system within Darkwind, a
turn-based auto combat MMOG, not to be confused with
Darkwind Online. Here's the
explanation: "Darkwind: Tactical, a new free-to-play sandbox system within the
game, is targeted at those players who enjoy the challenge of PvP but wish to
play combats without the requirement to build up their own resources in a
persistent game-world. Players choose the map, the precise vehicle
configurations and the characters involved, selecting from 52 types of chassis,
57 types of weapon, 19 types of engines and 47 wilderness maps."
Playlogic Entertainment announces Aliens in the Attic, a "family
friendly," action/adventure game based on the upcoming movie of the same name.
The game is expected on July 28 for Windows, Wii, DS, and PlayStation2, and
here's word: "Aliens in the Attic for Wii, PS2 and PC gives players a whole new
way to experience the storyline by allowing them to assume the identity of one
of four different alien explorers whose mission it is to take over the summer
home, and possibly the world! This version of the game features 15 exciting
levels that are carried out in four different locations. Plus, players can
switch between characters on the fly for fast-paced action."
Slitherine Strategies announces the release of Conquest! Medieval Realms,
a turn-based puzzle/strategy game developed by Illustrious Software, is now
available for online
purchase. They say: "Conquest! Medieval Realms, developed by Illustrious
Software, is a turn-based game where the objective is to conquer up to 7
opposing players (either AI players or other human players) by defeating their
armies and capturing their lands - to do this you will need to unite all of your
lands, build up a powerful economy, and raise armies to defend the homeland and
to take lands from your enemies."
GameSpot now features a new developer diary movie from East India Company,
Nitro Games' upcoming naval combat game. In the debut entry in the diary series,
lead designer Kim Soares provides an overview of the game's battles and trade
management and introduces the three primary views in the game: strategic level,
port level, and tactical level.
A new trailer from Ghostbusters: The Video Game offers a look at
multiplayer play from the upcoming game based on the ghost-busting movies. The
clip demonstrating what appears to be co-op play is posted on
AtomicGamer.
Thanks Mike Martinez and Ant.
The
World of Warcraft Forums have a response from Blizzard community manager
Zarhym clarifying that Blizzard's unannounced fifth project is an
MMOG based on an entirely new intellectual property. Here's the key quote,
courtesy of
IncGamers: "We have nothing to advertise for the new MMO because it’s a
shell of a game thus far. We’ve already stated it’ll be a brand new franchise,
which means the lore, art, and game play are being developed entirely from
scratch. It’s an overwhelming process, but a process through which we excel. Our
track record supports this."
dtp entertainment provides a report on
Divinity 2: Ego Draconis indicating the RPG sequel is on track for its
planned release this summer for both Windows and Xbox 360. The latest news is
that they have completed all the voice recordings for the English edition of the
game, incorporating the voice talents of professional actors like
Bill Bingham,
Johnnie Lyne-Pirkis,
Jeff Rawle, and
Josefina Gabrielle. Word is:
"Voice actors for over 400 game characters had to be cast, and dtp entertainment
and Larian Studios have recorded 100,000 words in nearly 10,000 takes."
It looks like the seventh Call of Duty game is currently in production,
according to the LinkedIn profile
of David Kim, where the Treyarch Studios senior animator lists the
following: "I am currently on my second title as a senior animator in the games
industry with Activision / Treyarch on Call Of Duty 7." Thanks
superannuation.
The Team Fortress 2
Website has a follow-up to yesterday's Sniper news with a
clarification about the new Sniper bow that's coming to the teamplay shooter.
Word is: "No, the Huntsman doesn't stun. It pins dead/dying players." They offer
a screenshot illustrating the effect.
Bloomberg.com has word that creditors of Midway Games are suing Sumner
Redstone and his National Amusements holding company over claims that Midway was
"hurt" when Redstone sold his 87% stake in Midway. According to
Midway's creditors, "The transaction caused Midway irretrievably to lose the
ability to take advantage of its valuable accumulated net operating losses and
other tax assets," while according to a National Amusements spokesperson, "This
suit is completely without merit."
Manual versions of the patch for Tom Clancy's EndWar released
yesterday via Steam
are now available in various languages. The patches can be downloaded from
The Patches
Scrolls, where they have the
patch notes (or
note), which says the new version fixes random crashes.
Trembling Hand - What Makes a Good Game Review?
Long answer: I've long wrestled with the notion of what makes a good
review from three distinct perspectives: as a journalist and game reviewer
myself; as a commissioning editor of games reviews; and as a gamer. But I've
come to a conclusion that instead of defining a review by what it is, it's
better to define it by what it's for; a functionalist defnition, if you
will.
I went on some errands yesterday and achieved an unparalleled degree of failure
in accomplishing anything. I found a listing at Wal-Mart for a water-mister
dealie we've been looking for to cool people on the deck during the summer, but
it was impossible to find anyone there capable of reading their own name tag,
much less help me locate this hard-to-find item. Plan B was to hit PetSmart and
find a new raised food/water bowl for the doggies, but the selection of these
they had was bizarre, as they all seemed designed to accommodate dogs small
enough that they could walk under our two leggy beasts. Having failed at my two
efforts at productivity, I stopped at Best Buy, as I have some Reward Zone
credits to redeem, and there's no way a geek like myself could fail to find
something there. Of course, following my theme of futility, they were in the
midst of some sort of localized power outage, and were closed when I arrived.
Sometimes you can't win.
R.I.P.:
Phair, woman who named Pluto, dead at 90.
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