Archived News:
A new patch for Darkest of Days is now available on the
Darkest of Days
Forums, updating the history-altering first-person shooter to version 1.04.
The new version adds support for mouse buttons 4 and 5, adds support for num pad
bindings, adds a mouse-smoothing option, and includes new PhysX software. The
download is mirrored on
AtomicGamer and
The Patches
Scrolls.
The Digital Combat Simulator Website now offers a new patch for DCS:
Black Shark, updating the helicopter combat simulator to version 1.0.1b. The
complete
change list outlines what's different, and the patch is also available on
AtomicGamer
and The Patches
Scrolls.
Dirt 2: Best graphics on PC due to DirectX 11 features on PC Games Hardware
looks at what DirectX 11 support is bringing to DiRT 2, Codemasters' racing game
that's coming to PCs this December. Topics include their game
engine, technical aspects of developing for DirectX 11, data streaming,
optimizations for multiple CPUs and GPUs, physics, DX11 advantages, Windows XP
support, and more.
A new clip from Dragon Age Origins introduces the Zevran, one of the
characters in BioWare's upcoming action/RPG. The clip is available on
FileFront and GameVideos,
and here's a description: The Antivan Crows are the most infamous guild
of thieves and assassins in all of Thedas, even counting members of royal houses
among their numbers. The organization’s fearsome reputation is often as
effective as the exotic poisons they have developed - letting them all but rule
their homeland through terror. Zevran, born to an elven prostitute in the
capital of Antiva, was sold to the guild at a young age. Although he resisted
the Crows’ brutal training methods at first, he eventually accepted his lot,
then began to excel. Zevran rose through the ranks to become one of the Crows’
most promising assassins, specializing in both seduction and stealth. Brash and
ambitious, he has accepted his most dangerous commission yet: A target in
far-off Ferelden, one that may bring him unimaginable rewards.
A new Singularity trailer on
GameTrailers.com offers part 3 of their walkthrough of Raven's upcoming 4D
first-person shooter. The new installment is called "Time Is Your Weapon,"
demonstrating how your enemies taking cover is not so effective when you can age
what they are hiding behind into dust or what they are hiding under into rubble.
Deep Silver offers a new video interview with Piranha Bytes, discussing the
development of Risen, the fantasy-themed RPG due for release
next month. In the clip project director Björn Pankratz and game designer
Mike Hoge "explain some details about the background story, the concept of free
exploration in a game world, the cultural localization of the English version,
and why the hero remains nameless in the game." If you speak German, the
subtitles will be an annoyance, but for those of us who speak English, they
will be vital to following what's going on. The clip is available on
AtomicGamer,
FileFront,
and Gamer's Hell.
- Age of Booty on
Impulse Driven.
Save 50%.
- Aion on
Newegg. Only $46.99.
- All EA Games in the UK on
Steam. Save 10%.
- ArmA II on
GoGamer. Save 30%.
- Brothers In Arms: Hell's Highway on
Newegg. Only $7.99.
- Capitalism II on
Impulse.
Save 53%.
- City of Heroes Architect Edition on
GoGamer.
- East India Company on
Impulse.
- Fairy Tales - Three Heroes on
Impulse.
Save $10.00.
- Fallout 3 on
GoGamer. Save 44%.
- Fallout 3: Collector's Edition on
GoGamer. Save 50%.
- Fallout 3: Operation Anchorage and Pitt Expansions on
GoGamer. Save 25%.
- F.E.A.R.2: Project Origin and F.E.A.R.2: Reborn DLC on
Steam. Save 50%.
- Halo 3: ODST on
Newegg. Save $9.00 with coupon code EMCLXNR55.
- Halo 3: ODST on
GoGamer. Save 18%.
- Hearts of Iron 3 on
GoGamer. Save 38%.
- Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim on
GoGamer.
- Naval Combat Pack on
GoGamer. Save 60%.
- Red Faction II on
GoGamer. Save 70%.
- Scrapland on
Impulse.
Save 30%.
- S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky on
Newegg. Only $9.99.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on
Newegg.com.
- Tom Clancy's End War on
Newegg. Only $7.99.
- Unreal Complete Pack on
GamersGate. Save 62%.
- The Wheelman on
Newegg. Only $7.99.
- Wolfenstein on
Amazon. Save 40%.
Still on sale (previously reported)
- Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures on
Direct2Drive. Only $5.00.
- Assassin's Creed Director's Cut on
Direct2Drive.
- Celtic Kings: Rage of War on
GoG.com.
Save 25%.
- Complete Strategy First Catalog on
GOG.com. Save
50%.
- Dark Void Preorders on
GameStop. Outlines the preorder bonus.
- Drakensang: The Dark Eye on
Direct2Drive. Only $5.00.
- Elven Legacy on
Direct2Drive. Only $5.00.
- Eve Online: Apocrypha on
Direct2Drive. Only $5.00.
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City on
Direct2Drive. Only $5.00.
- Madballs on Steam. Save 20% plus a free Guest Pass.
- MDK on Steam. Save 10%.
- Neverwinter Nights 2 on
Direct2Drive. Only $5.00.
- Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir on
Direct2Drive. Only $5.00.
- PlanetSide: Aftershock on
Direct2Drive. Only $5.00.
- Risen on
Gamestop.com. Save $10.00. Thanks
Big Download.
- Spellforce Platinum on
GOG.com. Save $2.00.
- Titan Quest Bundle on
Direct2Drive. Only $5.00.
- Tropico 3 Pre-purchase on
Steam. Save 10%.
- Unreal Tournament 3 Black
Steam. Save 60%.
- Unreal Tournament: Game of the Year Edition on
Steam. Now $1.99.
- Unreal Deal Pack on
Steam. Save 60%.
Newly released or re-released titles:
- Aion on Steam.
For Europe.
- Puzzlegeddon on
Steam.
- Rayman Raving Rabbids on
GameTap. For subscribers.
- Realms of Arkania 1+2 on
GOG.com.
- Sacrifice on
GameTap. Free for two weeks.
- Tropico 3 on
Steam. In Germany.
Valve announces the final ratings for Left 4 Dead 2 for all territories
except the UK and New Zealand, where final ratings are expected in days. They
also address the recent news that the co-op zombie shooter sequel
is refused classification by the OFLC for sale in Australia by saying they have
appealed that decision. Here is the rundown of Left 4 Dead 2 ratings as of now: COMPLETED
RATINGS
PEGI (continental Europe) - 18+
ESRB (North America) - M
CERO (Japan) -Z (corresponds to Mature in US)
IFCO (Ireland) - Approved the title for classification.
USK (Germany) - 18+
Singapore - Mature 18
FPB (South Africa) - 18+
KGRB (Korea) -18+
PENDING RATINGS
OLFC New Zealand - In progress.
BBFC (UK) - In progress.
OFLC Australia - Refused to rate on September 17. Appealed September 23.
A new patch is now available for
Heroes Over Europe to update the recently released World War II
aerial combat sequel to version 1.1. Here's word, with special kudos for the
"eliminated the decreased stability" part: "The patch 1.1 improves flight stick
functionality and ability to unlock various missions to maximize the in-game
battle experience. The patch 1.1 also increases stability on a minimum
configuration with XP64, as well as eliminated the decreased stability after
installing AMD dual core optimizer software." The patch is available on
AtomicGamer,
FileFront,
Gamer's Hell, and
The Patches
Scrolls.
The Champions Online
Website says there was some confusion about their most recent "retcon," and
as a result, they gave a free retcon to respec all toons rolled before last
night's scheduled maintenance for Cryptic's MMORPG. As related here, they will
also change how these retcons are handled in the future: To remedy this,
we will be giving all characters created before tonight's maintenance (Thursday,
September 24th, 3AM PDT) a free Retcon. Remember that as always, Retcons do not
stack, so anyone who currently has one will not receive another one. However,
from this point forward, we will make sure that when we give out a free Retcon,
the cutoff for who is eligible and who is not will always be the actual time
when we give out the Retcon. We apologize for any confusion our messaging
caused, and we hope this resolution is satisfactory to all of our
players.
Noviy Disk subsidiary ND
Games announce plans for a PC edition of Ninja Blade to be released
next month, joining Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 editions of the action game
released in April. Here
are
some screenshots from the PC editions, and here's the deal: ND Games
and From Software are happy to announce that PC version of Ninja Blade will be
shipping in October, 2009. Critically acclaimed Ninja Blade was released by
Microsoft on Xbox 360 in April 2009 and now it’s coming on PC. All PC gamers
will be now able to enjoy epic ninja action game where Ken Ogawa and his team of
skilled fighters battle a terrifying disease that transforms the citizens of
Tokyo into an infected monster horde. Armed with an extensive arsenal of ninja
weapons and abilities, including Ninja Vision and Todomé Attack, players
confront grueling challenges in their mission to save humanity.
Enjoy a cinematic experience in Ninja Blade. Extreme ninja actions and high
flexibility as well as action movie-like situations make you feel like you are
in a movie. Perform high-speed extreme ninja actions in the realistic 3D world!
GAME FEATURES:
• Action game meets movie! The gameplay seamlessly connects to the quick-time
events which provides an opportunity to directly interact with the overwhelming
in-game cut scenes. You will feel like as if you are in an action movie!
• Free movement in all directions! Jump between walls and run on a wall
vertically and horizontally. 3 dimentional ninja actions make for extremely
exciting gameplay!
• Extreme battles in overwhelming situations! Vertical combat allows for
different types of combat. Fight against enemies while you are falling down. •
Special Ninja Skills! Use «Ninja Vision» to detect and analyze potential enemy
weak points and hidden information within the environment. Enjoy Ninjutsu which
features 3 different types of Shurikens and Plasma Shield protects the character
from enemy attack!
Ubisoft Tweets
about a delay to the PC edition of Assassin's Creed 2 until the first
quarter of next year,
subsequently tweeting that the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 editions are still
on track for November 17 in the US, and November 19-20 in Europe. Here's word on
the PC delay: "Assassin’s Creed 2 PC has moved to the first quarter of 2010. A
bit more time for the dev team to deliver the best quality game to you."
Codemasters
announces Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising is gold, and the PC,
Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 military shooter is on track for its
planned release on October 6 in North America, October 8 in EPAC
territories, and October 9 in the UK. The announcement is accompanied by a new
"Eagle Offense Mission" trailer on the
YouTube and a batch of
new screenshots. Also, though a playable demo was promised
before the game's release, a post on the
Codemasters forums (thanks
Big Download) from about a week ago now says: "The demo plans now are that
we will now be releasing a single player and co-op demo on PC only post launch
of the full game." Here's a bit from the announcement: The violence,
ferocity and carnage of war is brought to life as troops on both sides attack in
authentic formations, use cover realistically and engage in ranged,
close-quarters and vehicular combat. USMC forces fight through the airfield’s
perimeter before infiltrating the Control Tower, eliminating enemy targets with
rapid, ruthless aggression. The Marines then assume defensive positions in
readiness for the PLA counter-attack. A Chinese WZ-10 attack helicopter is
spectacularly blown out of the sky by a shoulder-launched surface to air
missile, before the conflict culminates with PLA armour advancing across a
battlefield surrounded by mortar fire and strewn with burning wreckage. This
flashpoint is still white hot…
Ubisoft
announces a release date for Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Conviction,
specifying the stealth/action sequel will ship for Windows and Xbox 360 on
February 26th, 2010. Here's an under 50-word explanation of the game: "Combining
innovative gameplay features with a high-octane, no-holds barred storyline, Tom
Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction arms the player with the lethal skills of an
elite operative, and invites them into a dangerous world where justice means
making your own rules."
GameTrailers.com has a new "release date" trailer from the game.
MarketWatch has a denial from Microsoft of yesterday's rumors
that the Redmond computing giant is planning a takeover of Electronic Arts
(thanks
MCV).
It's quite straightforward, as they quote an MS spokesperson saying: "We have no
plans to acquire EA."
Network World's Steve Perlman interview is a chat with the CEO of
OnLive conducted during a tech conference
where he discusses more of their plans for a cloud-based gaming service. The
article quotes Perlman saying: "In a lot of ways we've solved cloud computing,"
though there's no follow-up question about which ways it is not
solved. In addition to the conversation, the article outlines the current state
of the service's beta testing.
A new trailer from Final Fantasy XIV Online was unveiled at the Tokyo
Game Show, offering another look at the upcoming PC and PS3 MMORPG in the works
at Square Enix. The clip runs about two and a half minutes, mixing CGI and
gameplay footage to show off the game's setting and environments as well as some
combat. You can find the trailer on
MMORPG.COM. There's also a new trailer from Final Fantasy XI showing
off the other MMO installment in the RPG series on
GameTrailers.com.
Crispy Gamer - The 60-Buck Dilemma.
But whether through blind luck, dark magic or something more insidious,
videogame console prices have stayed relatively lockstep generation after
generation. While gamers once paid $40 for a top game in past generations,
now $60 remains the ironclad rule of game pricing. It makes sense to wonder:
Why $60, and not some other random number?
The answers fall into three broad categories: sensible greed, consumer
stupidity or evil conspiracy. Which explanation fits the fact? That depends
on how you look at the facts.
Well I spoke with the doctor about the back pain side-effect of my
Protonix, and was told it should subside, and sure enough my back didn't start
hurting until the middle of the night, so hopefully that's getting better. As
for caffeine withdrawal (which is a perfect match for being up part of the night
with a backache), this has not been as bad as most are implying, since I spent a
couple of weeks reducing my prodigious daily coffee consumption to a single cup
before cutting off, and I only suffered a headache the first evening. On the
other hand, I'm not sure my brain is as adjusted as my body, since I've made a
couple of odd errors over the past couple of days, but I'm sure that will
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