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Archived News:
An article on latimes.com about the blockbuster launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 concludes with word that a third team is now making Call of Duty games and another mention of possible MMO plans for the military shooter series: As Activision seems to be discovering this year with Guitar Hero, there's danger when a title is overexposed with too many iterations. Nonetheless, the publisher has aggressive expansion plans for Call of Duty. Although Infinity Ward and Treyarch have produced sequels in alternating years since 2005, the publisher now has a third development studio working on future versions.
One person close to the company said it also was considering adapting Call of Duty as a massively multi-player online world. The genre, in which Activision's Blizzard Entertainment subsidiary is a leader, requires huge upfront investments but can be very profitable as players pay a monthly subscription fee.
The InLaws Website outlines plans for The InLaws, an episodic adventure game in the works at GolemLabs (thanks The Patches Scrolls). Word is: "The InLaws is an adventure game that features two families, specifically two sisters and their husbands. The two couples are part of the more or less (mostly less) functional family that are waging a quiet but entertaining war." The first episode, called Nolan's Birthday, is expected for release via digital distribution this year. Word is: The first episode tells the tale of an "incident" that occurred in 1985. Vinny is organizing a family BBQ for his son Nolan’s birthday. He plans on cooking chicken for the whole family to enjoy, but as usual, Ed is determined to ruin the day by any means available.
When you have the perfect guests, the perfect occasion, a gas BBQ, clowns and a bear, really what can go wrong?
Find out in the first episode of The InLaws - coming Q4 2009 to your favorite online store.
Telltale Games and LucasArts announce Rise of the Pirate God is due for release on December 8, offering the final chapter in the episodic Tales of Monkey Island. They celebrate the news by offering the four previous chapters in the series for sale individually on the Tales of Monkey Island Website. Word is: SAN RAFAEL, Calif. -- November 18, 2009 -- Telltale Games and LucasArts today are reporting the purported demise of Guybrush Threepwood, one of gaming's greatest heroes and the Caribbean's mightiest pirates.
Details are sketchy and authorities have not named any suspects, but unconfirmed reports suggest that the recently reformed pirate LeChuck may somehow be involved. Investigators have not been able to locate the former demon pirate, or Threepwood's wife Elaine Marley-Threepwood, for questioning.
As the chronicler of Threepwood's recent exploits in Tales of Monkey Island, Telltale Games assures the masses that answers to many vexing questions will be revealed in the grand finale episode, Rise of the Pirate God, which releases on Tuesday, December 8 at http://www.telltalegames.com/monkeyisland.
Square Enix and PopCap Games announce the release of Gyromancer, their "Puzzle/RPG Opus," which is available for Windows via Steam and for Xbox 360 via Xbox LIVE Arcade. There is a playable demo on Steam and a gameplay trailer on FileFront. Word is: "Players assume the role of Rivel, a summoner who ventures through the enchanted Aldemona Wood. Each stage contains its own objectives, from defeating beasts that block the player’s way, to solving puzzles before time runs out. Rivel can learn to summon dozens of the unique beasts he encounters, bending their power to his will and commanding them in battle. Hidden within each stage are a number of rewards earned for completing feats great and small. Finding them all won’t be easy. Are you up to the challenge?"
The 2009 Stardock Customer Report is a 28 page Adobe Acrobat-format document penned by Stardock's Brad Wardell, who explains that while as a privately held organization they do not publicly release financial results, they have thrived on being transparent to their customers, and thus lay out future plans for Impulse, PC games, and consumer software along with the results of their 2009 customer survey. The article discusses why they've dropped their "one world, one price" requirement since it resulted in many titles being offered solely in North America, the challenges of Steamworks' DRM, getting content onto Impulse more quickly, improving the user experience, and more. They also mention Blue's News among the gaming sites carrying reports of online sales, which he says "have resulted in an unprecedented reduction in price for PC gamers." Their games Demigod, Sins of a Solar Empire, and Elemental are all discussed along the way, as is the Gamers' Bill Of Rights.
The Decline and Legacy of EALA on GameReplays.org gives a brief history of Electronic Arts Los Angeles' Real-Time Strategy team, who face an uncertain future amid cuts at EA as the work on completing Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Dawn. The article describes the studio's high and low points, touching on the various games they've produced over the years. Thanks Ant.
Two surveillance camera style trailers from Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days promote IO Interactive's just-announced action sequel. There's a "Bowling For Shanghai" trailer available on ActionTrip, GameVideos, and WorthPlaying and a "BurgerJoint" trailer on ActionTrip, GameVideos, and WorthPlaying.
Steam News announces the availability of an automatic patch for Left 4 Dead 2, their just-released zombie shooter sequel. The update fixes a "stability problem during level transition experienced by some users." Valve also announces an updated Steam client is now available.
Steam is now serving up the first patch for the version of Borderlands purchased on their service. This is the same version 1.01 update released yesterday in manual form, addressing lost skill points and other issues with Gearbox's role-playing shooter.
Steam News announces the availability of an automatic patch for Section 8, updating TimeGate Studios' first-person shooter to version 1.1. The patch notes seem to indicate this is the same patch released automatically through Games for Windows LIVE last week. In case there's not enough confusion about all this, there's also a manual version 1.1 patch on AtomicGamer and The Patches Scrolls.
Digital pricing can go up and down "without penalty" - Valve.
- AaaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAA!!! - A Reckless Disregard for Gravity on Steam. Save 50%.
- Rogue Warrior on Steam. Save 10% on pre-purchases.
- Colin McRae DiRT 2 on Steam. Pre-purchase and save 80% on DiRT.
Still on sale (previously reported)
- Alganon on
Direct2Drive. Preorder and get beta access and in-game items.
- Capitalism II on Impulse. Save 33%.
- Crayon Physics Deluxe on Direct2Drive. Save 50%.
- Dungeon Siege II Expansion Pack on GamerDeals. Only $1.99. Thanks Batman.
- Elven Legacy on GamersGate. Save 50%.
- Evochron Legends on GamersGate. Save 20%.
- Grappling Hook on SpeedRunGames. Now $14.95.
- Luxor Complete Pack on Steam. Save 50%.
- Luxor Games on Steam. Save 70%.
- Plants vs. Zombies on
PCGameStore.
Only $6.99.
- Quantz on Steam. Save 50%.
- SFI Mission 4-Pack on
the Strategy First Website. Four games for $19.99.
- Star Wars Classics Pack on Direct2Drive. Save 50%.
- 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%.
Link of the Day: This is what you call a Train Set! No kidding! Thanks Cutter. Also, Disney's Mickey Mouse celebrates his 81st birthday today. Thanks Ant. How long are copyrights valid again?
There's an Assassin's Creed II Interview on Strategy Informer where they loosen their definition of strategy to pull Sebastien Puel into a conversation about the stealth/action sequel. Topics include what they wanted to change about the original game, reasons for the renaissance setting, other periods they considered, language, Altair versus Enzio, the control system, and RPG elements. Also, there's a launch trailer for the game on ActionTrip and Worthplaying. Finally, there's a trailer about Jesper Kyd's soundtrack for the game and a photo session of it being recorded. The soundtrack is for sale through iTunes, Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.fr, and Amazon.de.
A new trailer for Twin Sector shows off Got Game Entertainment's upcoming action/adventure. The trailer can be found on Filefront, Gamer's Hell, and Worthplaying, and here's an overview of the game: "Twin Sector is a thrilling physics-based action-adventure for the PC that allows players free interaction with their environment. Using the advantages of the powerful HAVOC®-Engine, innumerable puzzles, challenges and enemies await the players in a hostile and threatening futuristic environment. Featuring more than 15 missions, alongside a thrilling story line unfolding over the course of non-stop action, Twin Sector appeals to core gamers worldwide."
Ubisoft announces the promised "VIP Beta" for R.U.S.E., their upcoming real-time strategy game, will begin on Steam on November 30. Word is: VIP beta content, which will initially include two factions (US and Germany), three maps and a chance for players to experience multiplayer features, will be updated on an ongoing basis throughout the beta time-frame with new content including four additional factions (USSR, France, Italy and UK), more maps and more game modes.
The VIP beta, designed for a limited number of players to get the full R.U.S.E. gameplay experience, will be available for download and installation on Steam. A limited number of codes are being distributed on different partner websites worldwide.
There's a new ShakyCam trailer from The Witcher 2 from a CD Projekt presentation of the action/RPG sequel. It seems safe to presume the movie was surreptitiously shot based on the 40% angle the clip is skewed ("I am big, it's the bootlegs that got small"). There's probably something to be learned from listening to the presentation as well, but that would require understanding Polish. Thanks Eurogamer. Update: We're told by reader Dots that the language is actually Russian, and he believes it says the game is due within a year.
Spike TV announces the nominees for their 7th annual Video Game Awards, which will be broadcast live on Saturday, December 12 at 8:00 pm EST. The Video Game Awards 2009 Website has all the nominations broken down by category, and here are their game of the year candidates, only 40% of which were released within the last 24 hours: • Assassin's Creed 2 (Ubisoft / Ubisoft Montreal)
• Batman: Arkham Asylum (Eidos Interactive - Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment / Rocksteady Studios)
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Activision Publishing / Infinity Ward)
• Left 4 Dead 2 (Valve)
• UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves (Sony Computer Entertainment / Naughty Dog)
The New York Post has some quotes from actor Kevin McKidd where the star of HBO's Rome series says he may be reprising his Rome role in a movie, and there are discussions of him playing his Captain "Soap" MacTavish role from Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 on the big screen, as there are discussions of a movie based on the Call of Duty series (thanks Ant via Dark Horizons). "They were looking for a rough, Scottish actor in Hollywood they probably couldn't get Gerard Butler, so they got the No. 2 Gerard Butler, me. I had no idea it would be so huge, and now there are talks of a feature film," he revealed to PopWrap. Then came the kicker, when asked if he would be bringing Soap to life in the movie, he said, "if the script is good, and Gerard isn't available [laughs], then absolutely."
Square Enix announces a spring 2010 release window for Supreme Commander 2 in PAL territories for both Windows and Xbox 360. A batch of new screenshots from Gas-Powered Games' real-time strategy sequel accompany the announcement, and there's a graphics and units walkthrough trailer on GameTrailers. Here's a bit: SUPREME COMMANDER 2 is the next installment in the award-winning SUPREME COMMANDER franchise, set 25 years further into the future. Featuring numerous game enhancements, an in-depth campaign mode, online multiplayer and a unique storyline, the game represents a new dimension in RTS gaming.
Boasting intense battles on a massive scale, players will wage war, creating enormous customizable armies and experimental war machines that can change the balance of power at any given moment. Assume the role of one of the three enigmatic commanders, each representing a unique faction with a rich story that brings a new level of emotional connection to the RTS genre.
Abandon Interactive announces the release of Freaky Adventures, the first major content update for Freaky Creatures, their subscription-free MMORPG. If you want to get your freak on, here's the deal: In Freaky Adventures, players delve deeper into the Freaky Creatures universe as they explore uncharted destinations beyond the familiar creature lairs and battle arenas. The previously unexplored environments in Freaky Adventures bring a wealth of strange life forms, items and enemies, each with its own specific abilities and powers. A new world map allows easy access to over 40 missions, while a missions log helps players keep track of their progress. Players will interact with key characters in the Freaky Creatures universe, and get to enter new lands including the Veseran Jungles, Towering Plateaus and Ssorak Ruins. On their journeys, players not only gain experience to level up their creatures, but also gain access to powerful new parts, powers and lair objects.
The Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising Website now offers a new multiplayer demo from Codemasters' military shooter. The English version of the demo is mirrored on AtomicGamer, ComputerGames.ro, eXp Download, Gamer's Hell, and Worthplaying. Word is: "In the Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising PC demo, gamers take on the first full mission, 'Dragon Rising', in single player or co-operative multiplayer. As part of a Special Forces squad inserting behind Chinese PLA lines, players must eliminate a strategically critical radar station and missile sites to allow the USS Iwo Jima, carrying the main USMC battalion, to safely approach the island of Skira. Gamers experience Operation Flashpoint's uniquely tactical combat, achieving their objectives on their own initiative, deploying realistic weaponry and engaging advanced AI who act and react in real time using authentic tactics. Players can take on the mission in a range of difficulty modes, including Hardcore where HUD visual aids are stripped out for the ultimate test of their combat skills."
IO Interactive announces Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days, an action sequel planned for Windows, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 next year. Word is: Wednesday 18th November/...IO Interactive, part of Square Enix Europe is pleased to confirm that Kane & Lynch 2™: Dog Days is coming to PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC in 2010.
Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days is a raw and brutal crime shooter designed to take players on an even more intense story experience, following two of gaming’s most disturbed criminals, through the gritty Shanghai underworld.
Introducing a new visual experience, Kane & Lynch 2™: Dog Days is inspired by documentary filmmakers and the user-generated era. Every aspect of the game has been designed to deliver a fresh perspective to the words ‘intensity’ and ‘realism’ in video games.
“Gamers are always looking for something new and that is exactly what they are going to get with Kane & Lynch 2™: Dog Days,” said Niels Jørgensen, general manager of IO Interactive. “A special thanks to gamers worldwide for their feedback. They are certainly in for a shock as we, with immense pride, welcome back our two dear, violent and somewhat unfortunate friends.”
Kane & Lynch 2™: Dog Days will be released on the EIDOS games label and will be coming in 2010.
Please visit www.KaneandLynch.com for updates
The Command & Conquer Website has details on how to access the Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight beta test if you are a Red Alert 3 Premier Edition owner who registered their "Future Beta Access" code. There are other ways to gain entrée into the beta test of the real-time strategy sequel for those who have preordered the game, are a GameSpot subscriber, or have won one of the C&C4 beta contests, and these are all outlined on Command and Conquer DEN. Thanks Ant.
The Massive Assault Network Website offers a new version 263 demo for Massive Assault Network 2, the "online strategy game featuring sci-fi conflicts on distant planets." The new version adds Windows Vista support and a bunch of screenshots. Thanks The Patches Scrolls.
MCV has word that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has now tallied over $550 million in sales in five days. "In just five days of sell through Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has become the largest entertainment launch in history and a pop culture phenomenon," says Activision CEO Bobby Kotick.
The Infinity Ward Forums have numerous posts from players who have experienced virus and Trojan attacks while playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. There is speculation that this is thanks to the game's peer-to-peer multiplayer connectivity, but no concrete answers have surfaced already. Thanks Eike via the Steam Users' Forums.
The Battleswarm: Field of Honor Website announces tomorrow's official launch of this subscription-free online first-person shooter and real-time strategy game they describe as a cross between Tribes, Command & Conquer, and the Starship Troopers movie. The launch was yesterday but the site was offline for a while as a result. They will celebrate the launch with a weekend-long tournament, with prizes including thousands of in-game prizes, an Alienware m15x gaming laptop, and a 1GB GeForce GTX 260M graphics card.
The Fighter Collection and Eagle Dynamics announce plans to release the Lock On: Flaming Cliffs 2.0 upgrade next year, adding new missions, campaigns, and aircraft to the combat flight simulator. Word is: "Lock On: Flaming Cliffs 2.0 will feature all the flyable aircraft of Lock On: Flaming Cliffs and include several fan-requested upgrades to aircraft, sensor, and weapon systems. Lock On: Flaming Cliffs combines a large stable of modern U.S. and Russian aircraft to fly over Russia and Georgia with game play for both casual and hardcore flight simulation enthusiasts."
Lunia Chronicles is now live in Europe, offering an MMOG "that combines the fun of arcade gameplay with the strategies and adventures of an MMORPG" They say all players over level 50 by December 16 will be entered into a drawing for a Dell XPS laptop. Word is: "PC gamers from all over the continent can sign up NOW, create a character and start playing TODAY, absolutely FREE of charge."
The S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat Website offers a new benchmark based on GSC Game World's shooter expansion. Word is: "This benchmark is based on one of the ingame locations – Pripyat . The testing process includes four stages, those utilizing various weather and time of the day settings (day, night, rain, bright sun). In order to test your system thoroughly the benchmark is provided with a number of presets and options including different versions of DirectX (9.0, 10.0, 11), screen resolutions, antialiasing etc, all at your disposal." Thanks The Patches Scrolls.
Direct2Drive announces the top 10 games on their digital marketplace for the week of November 8-14:
- Dragon Age: Origins
- Dragon Age: Origins Digital Deluxe Edition
- Borderlands
- Dragon Age: Origins Digital Deluxe Edition w/ Prima Guide
- Torchlight
- Best of Indie Bundle Vol. 2
- Tropico 3
- Civilization 4: The Complete Edition
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
- Fallen Earth Fallen Earth, LLC
Today is the anniversary of the push-button phone, which I was surprised to learn was introduced 46 years ago, though it was not in widespread use until much later. Um, or at least so I'm told... by my grandparents. Yeah, that's the ticket!
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