Archived News:
ActionSoft Games now offers sales of Insectoid, offering a Galaga-inspired space shooter for Windows and Macintosh. Word is: "Insectoid is for anyone who grew up playing classic arcade shooters such as Galaga in the 80's. Featuring fast-paced, adrenaline-inducing gameplay, over 50 unique levels, four custom ships, stunning high-res graphics that look great even on a 30" display, and a professional musical score, Insectoid is a retro shooter fan's dream come true." The game serves as a playable trial version, which can be unlocked to the full game through an online purchase.
The Sims 3 Website is gearing up for the launch of The Sims 3 World Adventures on November 17 by accepting pre-orders of the expansion. In the meantime, they are also offering a couple of free items for your little friends in EA's lifestyle simulator sequel: The Sleeker-Sleeper, "an Asian inspired bed that puts the 'sleek' back in sleeping," and The Cellar Arch: "durable and everlasting, is a great addition to any catacomb."
The Codemasters Forum has the system specifications for Colin McRae: DiRT 2 (thanks Shacknews). Here goes: Recommended Specifications: Enhanced for DirectX 11
OS
Microsoft Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7
Processor
Intel Core i7 or AMD Phenom II
Memory
3GB
HD Space
10GB
Video Card
ATi Radeon HD 5700 Series
Minimum Specifications:
OS
Microsoft Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7
Processor
Intel Pentium 4 3.0Ghz
AMD Athlon 64 3400+
Memory
1GB (2Gb for Windows Vista)
HD Space
10GB
Video Card
ATI Radeon X1500
NVIDIA GeForce 6800
GameTap announces Republic: The Revolution and Hot Dish are the new titles on their service for subscribers. Also, Battlestations: Midway is the new game in their free area, where it will remain for the next two weeks.
GOG.com announces some new good old games on their DRM-free marketplace. They now offer the 1998 point-and-click adventure Sanitarium and the vampiric action/adventure BloodRayne. Sanitarium is $9.99 and BloodRayne is $5.99.
A new "Na'vi Walkthrough" video is now available for James Cameron's Avatar: The Game, showing off combat from the upcoming action game. You can view the clip on GameVideos.
Matrix Games announces a new Armada 2526 trailer is online for this upcoming turn-based/real time strategy space game. The clip is available for download from Matrix Games and it can be streamed on the YouTube.
The Left 4 Dead 2 Interview on Gamasutra talks with Valve's Kim Swift about the original Left 4 Dead as well as the upcoming sequel to the co-op zombie shooter. There's also a Left 4 Dead 2 Interview on Strategy Informer with another conversation with writer Chet Faliszek about the project.
- Borderlands on Direct2Drive. Save $5.00 with code 5OFFBORDER.
- Crysis on Steam. Save 50%.
- Crysis Warhead on Steam. Save 50%.
- GH5 Guitar Bundle with Smash Hits & Metallica on GuitarHeroStore.com. Save 38%. Thanks Batman.
- Overlord on Steam. Save 75%.
- Overlord II on Steam. Save 75%.
- Overlord: Raising Hell on Steam. Save 75%.
- Quantz on Steam. Save 50%.
Still on sale (previously reported)
- 48 Hour Madness on GoGamer.
- All Aspect Warfare on Steam. Save 50%.
- All Aspect War Pack on Steam. Save 50%.
- Alganon on
Direct2Drive. Preorder and get beta access and in-game items.
- Angle of Attack on Steam. Save 50%.
- Best of Indie Bundle Vol. 2 on Direct2Drive. Save 75%.
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 on
Amazon and
Walmart. Includes a $20.00 credit.
- Capitalism II on Impulse. Save 33%.
- Dreamkiller on Steam. Save 33%.
- Plants vs. Zombies on
PCGameStore.
Only $6.99.
- Sacraboar on Impulse. Save 25%.
- SFI Mission 4-Pack on
the Strategy First Website. Four games for $19.99.
- Team Fortress 2 on
Best Buy and
FRYS.com.
Only $9.99. Thanks Johnny.
- THQ Classic FPS Bundle on
Impulse.
Save 25%.
- X-Com Complete Pack on
GamersGate. Save
40%.
Thanks Mike Martinez and Ant.
Thanks Ant and Mike Martinez.
Command and Conquer DEN has a status report from APOC on Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight amid rumors of layoffs and turmoil at EA (thanks Ant). Word is: EALA is dedicated and passionate about C&C 4. We want to assure you that the game is on track for a great launch next year. We’re nearing the Beta, and we hope many of you will participate. Once you have the game in your hands and give it a good test drive, you’ll be able to provide constructive feedback that will help the dev team continue to finesse the game. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.
See you on the battlefield, APOC
The Left 4 Dead 2 Interview on VideoGamer.com talks with Valve writer Chet Faliszek about the imminent release of Left 4 Dead 2 on November 17, discussing the low-key way Valve celebrates such occasions, how there is still time to tweak the game based on feedback from the demo, the backlash over the L4D2 announcement with that vexing "vocal minority" phrase, and things like that. As for the future, they ask about what comes next and Chet says they are working on "other stuff": "There are quite a few teams at Valve. There are people working on other stuff as we speak now, that were working on it during Left 4 Dead." When pressed about exactly what everyone is working on, of Half-Life 2: Episode Three he says "We hate to ever talk about anything until we're close to releasing it, just because, who knows what will happen? So we'll see." When asked about other topics like the possibility of a Portal sequel, whether Portal can be more than an FPS puzzle game, or even dedicated servers, he repeatedly says "I don't know."
Kotaku has a slide from a presentation in New York today where Activison Blizzard CFO Thomas Tippl discussed the brisk business of Blizzard games. Tippl said the division has a full pipeline of content, and outlined this with a slide showing their planned 2010 products as World of Warcraft, StarCraft II, Updated Battle.net, WoW: Cataclysm, and China Online. Under the heading "Next Few Years," they list World of Warcraft, StarCraft Expansion, Battle.net, Diablo III, and "Unannounced MMO."
GameStop is will soon begin selling digital game downloads and upgrades at their stores, reports Reuters. They say this system will work in conjunction with existing download services like Xbox LIVE and the PlayStation Network, though the story doesn't adequately explain what the necessity is for a brick-and-mortar middleman in such transitions. They say: "Under the program, a GameStop shopper who learns about a new level available for, say, a war or sports game could immediately purchase that upgrade. When the shopper arrives home, the add-on will be available to download and play."
A tweet from superannuation's Twitter points to a Google Search revealing what is purported to be a page from the script of the alleged Syndicate revival that's widely believed to be underway at Starbreeze Studios. The PDF doesn't seem to be available anymore, but Google has an HTML copy and Computer and Video Games has reproduced it. The page is no big thrill, offering some dialog from the game setting up an assignment.
EA announces March 16 as the release date for Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight, their RTS sequel. They are offering Preorders of the game with several perks, including participation in the closed beta, the game's soundtrack, a bonus solo mission, and an autographed photo of Joe "Kane" Kucan, presumably suitable for framing. Word is: Command & Conquer 4 Tiberian Twilight throws players into the epic battles between the Global Defense Initiative (GDI) and the Brotherhood of Nod with its enigmatic leader Kane. With its new experience and class-based systems that are persistent across all game modes, Command & Conquer 4 Tiberian Twilight sticks to the action-packed gameplay fans have come to love while offering them entirely new ways to play Command & Conquer. Whether conquering alone, in co-op mode or in an all-new 5v5 objective-based multiplayer mode, Command & Conquer 4 Tiberian Twilight delivers an innovative social real-time-strategy experience never seen before in a Command & Conquer game.
Encore Software and Runic Games announce January 5 as the release date for the retail edition of Torchlight, confirming the previously announced January date for Runic's action/RPG. The update also makes an off-hand mention of a Macintosh edition, saying: "A Mac version is also slated for release in 2010."
This Trinigy Press Releases announces their Trinigy game engine has been licensed by TimeGate Studios on "their upcoming AAA, next generation MMO game." There are quotes about the engine and the deal, but no specifics about the unannounced project. On a possibly related note, TimeGate Studios Tweets (thanks Big Download) about an opening listed on their TimeGate Studios Careers Page for a Sr. Environment Artist for a next-gen first person shooter.
Activision reports that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 sold 4.7 million units in 24 hours in the US and UK, grossing over $310 million on the release day for Infinity Ward's military shooter sequel. MCV quotes Mike Griffith, CEO of Activision Publishing, on the topic: "The shattering of these entertainment records is a testament to the compelling, cinematic and uniquely engaging experience that the Call of Duty brand delivers. Modern Warfare 2 has taken interactive experience to unprecedented heights setting a new standard for entertainment."
A playable demo is now available for King's Bounty: Armored Princess, offering a sample of this fantasy-themed adventure sequel with tactical turn-based battles and RPG elements. The demo is available on AtomicGamer, ComputerGames.ro, Gamer's Hell, and Worthplaying. Here's what the demo offers: • A big island to be explored
• New female character - Princess Amelie
• Tamed dragon which performs special actions on the battlefield
• New races
• Many new spells to be used in fights and on the map
• Possibility to turn the horse into a Pegasus which can fly
• New engine supporting the latest graphic effects
Steam News announces the Steam edition of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has unlocked for preorder customers, and is now available for online purchase.
The Alganon Website announces the beginning of open beta testing of Quest Online's fantasy-themed MMORPG. If you are unfamiliar, here is part of Quest's description of the game: "Alganon is an upcoming fantasy-based MMORPG that allows thousands of people to play together in a virtual world that features a rich history dominated by commanding deities, powerful weapons and armor, deadly magic, epic quests, ancient places to discover, the utilization of detailed tradeskills, and more. Designed from scratch and based in a uniquely created world, the initial goal in designing Alganon is to provide 'Simple Gameplay with Unlimited Growth in a massive world of immersion and interaction'."
A new version of The Ball modification for Unreal Tournament III is now available, which is the final release of this as a mod before a commercial release. Word is: "Cahua level I takes you through a big cave near the heart of the volcano and have you fight a number of Tlaloc's. The guardians of Cahua. At the end of this level the player arrives at the 'factory', the last level and home to 'them'. This release is more combat focused than previous releases. There is not that much puzzling." Thanks BeyondUnreal.
Battlefront.com's Media Section now offers a new trailer from PT Boats: Knights of the Sea showing aerial combat in the naval combat game. Here's the deal: "Air to surface combat plays an important role in any even halfway serious naval combat simulation, just as attacks from above are one of the biggest threats for any marine vessel in real life, even today. No surprise that PT Boats features a rich and detailed simulation of air-to-surface combat in the game. This week’s video release highlights the aerial action that takes place above the sea – watch as planes break apart on a critical hit, pilots bail out, or a Stuka dive bomber executes a perfect bombing run."
LGR Nexus - Modern Warfare 2 Unreview.
Where are the reviews that talk about the truth? Where are the reviews about how Infinity Ward gave PC gamers an almost direct port, took away dedicated servers, stripped a COD title of its console commands and ability to be moded, and charged an extra $10.00 just because THEY called it the most anticipated game of the decade?
It seems that most 'big name' sites are reviewing 1 console version of the game and applying it to the rest. I know some of you are going to find a review or two that doesn’t do that just to spite me, but simple irrefutable facts about this title release still remain.
IncGamers - The Great Escape.
Yes, this week it’s gaming clichés or, more specifically, environmental clichés. No, I’m not talking about Sting but rather the way in which game developers use the same hackneyed tools when creating their game worlds. The excerpts above are great examples of how we’re still mining away at the same coalface over ten years on from Resident Evil and Silent Hill.
I don't really relish the cold weather, but it will be a bit of a relief when it gets colder, as we are having the most insane tick season around these parts. The summer was fine, but in the past few weeks I've pulled more ticks off the dogs than in their entire lives prior to that point. Weird. Anyway, speaking of dogs, these Dogs Welcoming Home Soldiers videos (thanks Ant via Boing Boing) are enough to make a grown man cry.
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