Archived News:
Gearbox Talks DLC, Borderlands Level Cap on GameInformer.com hears from Randy Pitchford of Gearbox Software about Borderlands, and plans for DLC for the role-playing shooter (which Mikey Neumann confirms is coming to the PC). Topics include revisiting zones like Old Haven, the possibility of a weapons locker, increasing the level cap, zombies, and more.
GameStop's Left 4 Dead 2 Pre-Order Page has a new "become the zombie" dealie where you can upload your photo and see yourself as a zombie getting your just deserts at the business end of a baseball bat. There are also some new Left 4 Dead 2 wallpapers on the Left 4 Dead Blog.
The Star Trek Online Website points the way to an Associated Press Story on how the ability to visit the bridge will be part of Star Trek Online. This apparently was a late addition to the game, as for some reason this was not part of the original design, an oversight reminiscent of Star Wars Galaxies launching without space flight. Their version of the bridge sounds a bit like a pub: "Your bridge will be a social area where you and your friends can meet to talk about plans for your future missions, or reminisce about the heroic deeds you've already completed. We hope you'll enjoy it as soon as you begin playing Star Trek Online in February."
Gamasutra relates SouthPeak's quarterly financial reporting, which include GAAP profits of $687,000 for the fiscal quarter, up from a $2.7 million GAAP loss in the same period last year. They also report that SouthPeak managed to wrestle the rights to TNA wrestling as part of the Midway fire sale, and are planning a couple of mobile installments in the series.
We have dinner plans this evening, so the evening update is early. That should make up for the morning update being late, right? No, that's not right either.
Evercracked! The Phenomenon of EverQuest Ep. 1 is the first in a series of clips where Jace Hall looks at the ten year history of the EverQuest MMORPGs. This is all in the style of the Jace Hall show, including our narrator, angry smoking jacket guy. Also, IncGamers has posted a clip to the YouTube where the Jace visits Blizzard's offices on the launch of the Wrath of the Lich King expansion for World of Warcraft, cracking some painful jokes and getting Felicia Day smitten by Tom Chilton's GM powers.
The Windows edition of Star Trek: D-A-C is now available on Steam, offering 2D space combat based on the Trekkie reboot movie. Here's a bit of the description: "Star TrekŪ: D-A-C is a fast-paced, top-down space shooter inspired by the new motion picture. This pick-up and play game allows you and your friends to choose from five classes of starships (including the all-new U.S.S. Enterprise flagship class) and battle it out online! Command the large and durable Flagship, the nimble Fighter, the devastating Bomber, the indispensable Support Frigate, or obliterate hostiles with the powerful Missile Cruiser. Each ship class has their own unique strengths and capabilities. But be careful, as each of these classes also have their weaknesses, and only the best commanders will be able to minimize these shortcomings. Enlist in Starfleet or join the Romulan Empire as you battle with up to 11 friends. Engage the enemy in unique game play modes, including: Online Versus, Online Co-op, and Survival mode, a single player experience that pits the player against wave after wave of Romulan enemies and features exciting new Super Special Pickups, unique enemy ship classes, and more. Choose your side, fire your weapons, boldly go!"
Star Wars: The Old Republic Website now has the promised HoloNet update on the Imperial Agent ("hug it out, bitch!") with more details on this faction from BioWare's upcoming Star Wars MMORPG. The update also has some Imperial Agent Wallpapers for your desktop. Word is: "Outfitted in the smartest, sleekest, high-tech gear, the Imperial Agent always has the right tools at the right time. Using their abilities of subversion and subterfuge, these covert operatives infiltrate and assassinate enemies of the Empire with deadly efficiency."
The Warrior Epic Website announces open beta testing is now underway for Warrior Epic: Battlegrounds, the new expansion for True Games' subscription-free online action/RPG. "We are thrilled that the new studio has done such great work on the new expansion, and when players get a chance to check out the new content we think they will agree," said Peter Cesario, Director of New Business and Product Development at True Games. "Now for the first time our community can experience Co-Op PVP gameplay and the all-new HUB City of Providence where they can meet up, socialize and show off all the cool gear they have earned."
THQ talks about the company entering into the MMO space on GameZone talks with THQ about dipping their toes in the MMOG market: "Our joint venture relationship in THQ*ICE, to build our presence and portfolio in the MMO segment, is indeed strategic, bringing together a world-class, expert, deeply experienced online/MMO platform operator (in ICE), with a world-class, worldwide games publisher/developer (in THQ). We value our partnership with ICE tremendously, and look forward to continuing to develop our presence within the MMO space through this partnership in impactful and significant ways."
The Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Direct-Feed Walkthrough on G4tv.com has a look at DICE's upcoming military shooter sequel narrated by producer Gordon Van Dyke. The clip concentrates on what can be expected from the upcoming multiplayer beta test, showing the PS3 version.
Gamers With Jobs - A Dirge for the Sinking Ship.
I honestly have a genuine fear about what the next 3 or 4 years might bring in the gaming marketplace. Even if there is not dire writing on the wall some troubling graffiti has turned up portending dark days ahead. The industry has been in a struggle for nearly a decade to monetize their transactions outside of the initial purchase, and instead of making progress the rise of the used market, an unreliable consumer base and the omni-present piracy revenue suck have just made things worse.
- The Lord of the Rings Online: Siege of Mirkwood on GameZone.com.
- PT Boats: Knights of the Sea on Battlefront.com. Developer diary.
- Star Trek Online on NPR. Thanks Neutronbeam.
Another lost morning for me in the haze of painkillers, hopefully I'll be back on track next week. Also, something funky happened that broke the front page for IE users overnight. Frans spent some time in the Jefferies tubes and has things cranking again. Apologies for that.
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