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Saturday, Sep 12, 2009

  

All Jedi Knight Games to Steam and D2D

Lucasartsgames tweets a clarification of the news that the Jedi Knight series of Star Wars first-person shooters (and slicers) is coming to Steam with a confirmation that this will include the entire series, saying simply: "What games from the Jedi Knight series? All of em!" In another Tweet they also indicate the series will be also coming to Direct2Drive when it is released next Wednesday.

Call of Duty: World at War Patch Next Week

The Call of Duty Forums have a status report on the promised version 1.6 patch for the PC edition of Call of Duty: World at War, Treyarch's World War II shooter sequel. The patch will include tweaks and bug fixes, and the maps contained in Map Pack #3 for the game. Word is: "Additionally, we do expect a concurrent release of the Mod Tools 1.4 package, Linux dedicated 1.6 bins, and the Steam 1.6 day-of-date with this patch. More details on those will be made available once they get cleared through testing." Thanks ClanBase.

Trademarking

As noted on superannuation, ZeniMax has filed a trademark registration for Deathmark. Not content with that, the trademark hounds also note that HBO has filed a game-related trademark for True Blood, and that Activision has filed a trademark registration for Sledgehammer Games. But wait, there's more: as they also report that Ubisoft has filed a trademark registration for Treasure Mania and that a French job listing indicates this is a new Facebook game. Last, and likely least, they conclude by reporting a Nashville based company called Digital Hero Games has filed a trademark registration for Cowbell Hero. I've got a fever... and the prescription is more cowbell!

Galaxies to get Zombies

There are apparently plans to add a zombie-themed quest in an upcoming update for Star Wars Galaxies, SOE's undead Star Wars MMORG. This was discovered by Big Download in an update on the Random House Website, of all places, as this ties in with an upcoming Star Wars novel. Word is:

Star Wars Galaxies, the popular massively multiplayer online game from Sony Online Entertainment and LucasArts, is introducing a quest series into the game this Fall based on the recently announced Random House novel Death Troopers. (Read more about the book here). The Death Troopers series of adventures will mark the first time that the Star Wars Galaxies game has introduced content inspired by a current novel and given gamers and Star Wars fans the chance to live out these adventures together online. Players will be able to join together to fight horrific new enemies with a frightening affliction.

Fallout Legal Fallout

Gamasutra follows up on previous indications that a legal battle is brewing over the Fallout IP. This is not actually over the rights to create a Fallout MMOG that Interplay retained when they sold the Fallout rights to Bethesda, but rather over recent bundles and other deals concerning the original Fallout games. Bethesda is seeking preliminary and permanent injunctions against manufacture, sale, and distribution of the Fallout Trilogy, which includes the classic PC games Fallout, Fallout 2 and Fallout Tactics, saying "while Interplay was permitted to sell pre-existing Fallout games, it was required to submit to Bethesda all relevant packaging, advertising, and promotional material prior to bringing the catalog titles to market." Word is:

But Bethesda claimed that Interplay never sought pre-approval for those materials. The plaintiff said because of the alleged trademark infringement, consumers have become confused between the makers of the pre-existing Fallout games and Bethesda's more recent Fallout 3 -- a situation that Bethesda wanted to avoid.

Bethesda also accused Interplay of breaching the trademark agreement by signing licensing agreements with digital distribution sites like Steam, GOG.com, and GameTap to sell older Fallout games. The company claimed Interplay's alleged actions have caused the studio "immediate, substantial, and irreparable harm."

Bethesda is also asking the court for a declaration stating a trademark licensing agreement between the two companies is terminated. In 2007, Bethesda purchased the Fallout franchise from Interplay in full for $5.75 million. Within that purchase agreement was a trademark licensing agreement, the complaint said, that allowed Interplay to license back the rights to develop an MMO based on the Fallout series.

Champions Online Patch Notes

The Champions Online Website outlines a number of issues that will be addressed in a patch to be released for Cryptic's MMORPG this evening.

New X-Motor Racing

The X-Motor Racing Downloads Page announces a new version 1.15 of this indie racing simulation is automatically available from within the game. The new version includes improved tire modeling, sound code changes, OpenAL support, engine load changes, and more. As always, an updated playable demo is also available, reflecting these changes.

Aion Video Interview

The Aion Video Podcast Episode 3 on IncGamers corners NCsoft's Lani Blazier to discuss the upcoming western launch of Aion after almost a year of operation in Korea. Word is: "The video gives us plenty of impressive footage that shows various mobs, environments and encounters. We also get to see what the number one ranked player in the abyss gets as a reward; The ability to look like a raid boss, and cause a lot of damage while being able to take a lot too seems a fitting reward for such a task." As they highlight separately, the podcast offers New Content Hints and news that the Western Release Will See Brand New Features.

Jumpgate Evolution Video Interview

NetDevil’s Scott Brown Takes Us on a Tour of Jumpgate Evolution on Ten Ton Hammer is a video interview with NetDevil’s Scott Brown at PAX where he talks about Jumpgate Evolution, the upcoming MMO space combat revival. Topics include AI improvements, PvP, and how recycling centers can help you make use of items. The clip also includes some narrated gameplay footage, but this is blurry ShakyCam that's blocked at various points by arms and the microphone.

New RailWorks DLC

Steam News announces the runaway train of RailWorks DLC continues. The new additional content for the transport sim is the GWR Hall 4-6-0 Locomotive, described like so: "The Great Western Railway 4900 Hall Class is a mixed traffic steam locomotives designed by Charles Collett. Their range of duties fully justified this classification with them being found on almost any passenger and freight services, with the exception of small branch lines. "

Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss Interview

The Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss Interview on Ten Ton Hammer talks with producer Cal Crowner about the just-launched expansion to the granddaddy of all MMOGs. They discuss attracting former players back, PvP vs. PvE, Gargoyles, Ultima lore, and more.

Gatherings & Competitions

On Sale

Direct2Drive's 5 Year Anniversary will offer 10 games a week for five weeks at $5.00 each.

  • Postal Pack on GOG.com. Save 25%.
  • Resident Evil 5 Preorders on GamersGate, Impulse, and Steam. Save 10%.

    Still on sale (previously reported)
     
  • All Strategy First Games on Steam. Save 50% off each individual title.
  • All SEGA Games on GamersGate. Save 50% on all games (except preorders).
  • Braid on Steam. Save 66% this weekend.
  • Call of Juarez on Direct2Drive. $5.00.
  • Civilization 4 on Direct2Drive. $5.00.
  • Dark Void Preorders on GameStop. Outlines the preorder bonus.
  • Darkest of Days on Steam. Save 10%.
  • Dawn of Magic 2 Pre-Purchase on Steam. Save 10%. Not in North America.
  • Empire Earth Gold on Direct2Drive. $5.00.
  • Fallen Earth Preorders on the Fallen Earth Store. Save 10% on multiple keys.
  • Far Cry on Direct2Drive. $5.00.
  • Knights of the Old Republic on Direct2Drive. Save 25% this week if you register for The Old Republic community.
  • Majesty 2 Pre-purchase on Steam. Get Majesty Gold Edition for free.
  • Majesty 2 Preorder on GamersGate. Save 20%, get Majesty Gold, plus new GG bonuses.
  • Nation Red on Steam. Save 25% for the first week of availability and get features exclusive to Steam.
  • The Settlers: Heritage of Kings on Direct2Drive. $5.00.
  • Section 8 on Direct2Drive. Save $5.00 with code 5OFFSECTION8 at checkout.
  • Sid Meier's Railroads! on Direct2Drive. $5.00.
  • Simon the Sorcerer on GOG.com. Save $1.00 this week (discount not reflected on the page).
  • Strategy First Complete Pack 2009 on Steam. Save 50% off the package price.
  • Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2 on Direct2Drive. $5.00.
  • Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory on Direct2Drive. $5.00.
  • Ubisoft Games on Ubisoft European E-Shop. Games as low as £9.99.
  • Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Game of the Year Edition on Direct2Drive. $5.00.
  • X-Com Complete Bundle on Direct2Drive. $5.00.
    Time of Shadows Pre-Purchase on Steam. Save 10%. North America only.
  • Zuma'a Revenge Pre-purchase on Steam. Save 10%.

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