Archived News:
There's a Battlefield Bad Company 2 PC Beta forum on the Electronic Arts UK Website with feedback on the just-launched Battlefield Bad Company 2 Beta. The forums offer the chance to report bugs and find possible workarounds, and this sticky post addresses the tendency of the server browser to crash to the desktop: "We are aware of a number of crashes when people are using the server browser in game. Please help us pin point the issue by avoiding the use of the browser and instead using the PLAY NOW button. This will help us locate the cause as well as allow you into the beta servers without CTD." Thanks Joao.
A number of Aliens vs. Predator clips we haven't seen before have snuck onto the internet. There's a Marine Cinematic, Marine Gameplay, Alien Cinematic and Gameplay, Predator Intro and gameplay, and Predator Gameplay 2. Unfortunately, each clip will attempt to reinforce your hatred for General Hospital with an intro commercial. Thanks Ant, who found them in a Voodoo Extreme forum post.
SouthPeak Games and Nobilis Games announce that Hotel Giant 2 for Windows is now available in stores, offering the chance to get in touch with your inner Howard Johnson. Word is: "With over 26 hotels to manage in dazzling destinations like Paris, Phuket and Rome, Hotel Giant 2 gives players the freedom to let their imagination run wild. Hospitality mavens can design their own rooms, add services like restaurants and spas, and use over 1500 items to decorate and satisfy their customers." Here are some new Hotel Giant 2 screenshots.
Steam News announces another new update is automatically available for Team Fortress 2, Valve's teamplay shooter. The new version fixes a crash during startup for the Linux dedicated server, and fixes crafting related to a few hats.
Steam News announces a new update is now automatically available for Aliens versus Predator Classic 2000, Rebellions recently re-released first-person shooter, adding the promised multiplayer support. The change list includes an odd note that doesn't seem like it belongs in patch notes: "Dedicated servers are not supported or planned." The full notes follow. Continue here to read the full story.
A new version 2.4.1 of ZDoom is now available on the ZDoom Website where they have the compiled executable for Windows as well as the source code for this updated version of id Software's DOOM engine, which is available under the GNU General Public License. All they say about the release is this: "This version fixes a few issues that were present in the previous version." Thanks Ant via Doomworld, where they have further details on what's new.
Mod DB has the release of the Jumper and the City modification for Crysis. This is described as a cross between Mirror's Edge and Prototype. Word is: "Feel the full freedom and the superman power in the Miracle City. Enjoy the new features such as gravity boots, gravity gun, slow motion and 3rd person camera." They also note that the mod is only compatible with Crysis 1.2 or 1.21, but they are working on a release for Crysis Wars to include extended gameplay and multiplayer support. Thanks Ant.
- Gratuitous Space Battles on Impulse. Save 50%.
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Still on sale (previously reported)
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Gearbox and 2K Games announce The Secret Armory of General Knoxx for Borderlands, which they describe as "the largest DLC for Borderlands to date." The DLC is coming to PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3, though a release date is not being specified at this time. A pair of screenshots accompany the announcement, which reveals plans for a "huge" new environment, new missions, and a level cap that's being raised: 2K Games and Gearbox Software are excited to announce the largest DLC for Borderlands to date: The Secret Armory of General Knoxx (coming to the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC)! Get ready to face off with brutal, never-before-seen enemies in a huge new environment complete with tons of brand new missions. Don't worry, you'll be able to get guns (yes, even more guns!) to give you the firepower you'll need as you discover entirely new weapons and items!
This DLC extends the Borderlands experience, providing new challenges and opportunities for growth for characters from around level 34 to level 50. Growth for characters at 50? Yeah, that's right, we've raised the level cap; even players who think they've seen it all have tons more to do! The Secret Armory of General Knoxx offers hours of thrilling shooting and looting for Borderlands players!
Edge Online spoke with id Software CEO Todd Hollenshead, who reflects on being acquired by Zenimax about seven months ago. "It’s actually worked out really well. They value development for its own sake, rather than just trying to put something in a box and relying on marketing for sales," said Hollenshead. "They believe in the quality of the product you put in and the value of the entertainment the consumer gets out as what ultimately drives the business. Even more so now than in the past, having a high-quality publishing partner is critical, because the business is so much about either having a hit or being totally irrelevant. There really isn’t a lot of room in the middle."
The Battlefield Blog looks to ease the pain of trying to join the Battlefield: Bad Company 2 beta by offering a list of over two dozen locations where the beta client is available for download. You will still need a key to get into the beta, but some of those sites are offering keys for the military shooter sequel beta as well.
There's a new "state of the game" update for Star Trek Online on the Official Website for Cryptic Studios' imminent Star Trek MMORPG, saying they are already working on content additions, bug fixes, and "quality of life" improvements to roll out over the next couple months. They discuss plans for the Borg, high-end episodes, and the first major patch for the game, which they are already developing, which will "have more PvP, Klingon exploration content, more ground fleet actions, more ship costume pieces, more playable species, and then some." They also acknowledge that there will probably be a scramble to address bugs and exploits following the game's launch, and they say: "We’ll be fine tuning as well, but don’t expect thoughtless or harsh changes to game balance. We’re more than willing to wait and make sure everything we do is measured and calculated." There's also a new installment of Ask Cryptic where Al Rivera discusses the Skill system in Star Trek Online.
Three new trailers are now available for Divinity II - Ego Draconis, Larian Studios' RPG sequel. These seem to be TV commercials, as the spots are 15, 30, and 60 seconds. The 15 and 30 second clips are just shorter versions of the longer clip, so the 60 second spot is the one we have posted to the YouTube and embedded below. Continue here to read the full story.
Codemasters has cancelled development of Hei$t, a life of crime game that was in development at inXile Entertainment which was originally planned for release by the end of 2007. This is reported on Computer and Video Games, where they say Codemasters tells them they have "terminated" Heist, and they are focused on "high quality titles," which may be an indication of their opinion of Hei$t. "After a much extended development period, Heist has been terminated as a project and removed from our release schedule," a Codemasters spokesperson tells them. "Codemasters is focusing its future portfolio on high quality titles that will, in the majority, be developed and produced by our internal studios."
BioWare's Illusive Man Live Q&A on Eurogamer transcribes an online chat with BioWare's Ray Muzyka, who answers questions about Dragon Age, Mass Effect 2, DLC, and even Mass Effect 3: "We haven't formally announced Mass Effect 3 yet (though I can say that the team is working on the next installment in the trilogy now)." Perhaps the most interesting answer is the one-word response to the question "I should ask what else we can expect from BioWare in 2010? Reveals at E3?" Dr. Ray's response was simply "Yes!" Thanks VG247.
SouthPeak Games announces that Blood Bowl for Windows and Xbox 360 is now available in stores in North America, offering the Warhammer-themed tackle football game for brick-and-mortar customers. The announcement includes some new Blood Bowl screenshots and word to expect a PSP release this spring. Here's word, which includes a euphemism for the game that must not be spoken: "With the big game right around the corner, there's no better time to brush up on your football tactics and skills. With the unlikely forefather of American football and inspiration from the fantasy universe of Warhammer, Blood Bowl is an ultraviolent team sport. Assemble a team of Orcs, Lizardmen, Goblins and many other fantasy creatures and enter the bloodiest arena ever!" Okay, I can't resist: Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super aaaaaagghhhh!
The first person shooter known as They is on hold is a revelation in the CD Projekt interview on Big Download that was mentioned earlier today (thanks Joystiq). CD Projekt acquired They when they purchased Metropolis Software two years ago, but rumors emerged late last year that Metropolis Software had been closed down and the game was on hold. Now the interview with CD Projekt co-founder Marcin Iwinski confirms the game is on hold, though it sounds like rumors of the demise of Metropolis were not accurate: "Unfortunately due to tough economy we had to put They on hold, as we have decided to allocate all resources to the next Witcher game in production. The Metropolis team is working together with CD Projekt RED to make sure we deliver an outstanding Witcher experience to our fans. Having said, that we have by far not buried They, and we would really like to return to it."
A new trailer from Aliens vs. Predator focuses on the Predator from Rebellion's upcoming shooter remake. Being invisible, using special vision modes, distracting and destroying humans, and making cool clicky sounds are all demonstrated, though there isn't quite as much evisceration as one might expect. The embedded version follows. Continue here to read the full story.
The Battlefield Blog has word that the PC demo for Battlefield Bad Company 2 will begin today: "A PC beta would also be available to players that pre-order the game at participating retailers in North America, Europe and Asia, and through select community channels at 6pm CET today." 6:00 pm CET is noon Eastern Time. The PC beta involves similar content to the just launched Xbox 360 demo (word is the console demo will launch on PS3 on February 4): "The Battlefield: Bad Company 2 console demo and PC beta will feature Port Valdez, a new vehicle focused map where up to 24 players (32 on PC) will compete against each other as either the US or Russian armies in the game's Rush multiplayer mode. Players will have access to five land and three air vehicles where the Russian side can use everything in their arsenal including Main Battle Tanks as well as the fast-moving Quad Bikes and Mobile Armored AA. The fight will also be packed with plenty of infantry combat fought alongside the waterline towards a great oil industrial landscape in the Alaskan mountains." There's a new trailer showing off gameplay on the Port Valdez map from the beta and demo, and the trailer is embedded below. Continue here to read the full story.
The beta for Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight goes live at noon Eastern time today through Gamespot (free GameSpot registration will be required to participate). EA's APOC tweets about the promised details on the public beta for the upcoming RTS sequel. Full details are on this page, where word is: "If Gamespot is temporarily out of keys, DO NOT WORRY, you will be placed on a short waitlist if necessary. You do not need to re-register. Once Gamespot releases more keys, you will be assigned a key in the order you joined the waitlist. Your own key is displayed on the page, as well as sent to you by email."
This press release announces March release dates for Metro 2033, and a bunch of Metro 2033 tweets offer further release details for 4A Games' upcoming post-apocalyptic shooter based on a Russian novel by Dmitry Glukhovsky. First off they offer release dates: "Metro 2033 release date - confirmed! March 16th for US and Germany, March 19th for UK and Europe, March 18th for Oz." They also reveal limited edition details: "Metro 2033 Limited Edition contains exclusive weapon unlock - the Heavy Automatic Shotgun - and four beautiful art cards." They also tease plans to release a new video trailer for the game. Finally, they reveal the game will not be getting a prerelease demo.
A post on the Battle.net Forums has word that the PC and Mac editions of StarCraft II will be on the same DVD when the real-time strategy sequel is released. Word from Blizzard Europe is: "Also the StarCraft II installation DVD will include both PC & Mac versions of the game. Further details on digital download possibilities will be released as we get closer to the ship date." Thanks Big Download.
There's a preview of Aliens vs. Predator multiplayer on Games On Net where they offer details on four multiplayer modes in Rebellion's upcoming first-person shooter. They discuss Deathmatch, Species Deathmatch, Domination, and Survivor, which a previous preview suggested will be the game's bread and butter. Word is: "In 'Survivor', four human controlled-marines face off against oncoming waves of AI Aliens in a frantic, tense battle in cramped quarters. Death is permanent, so if you end up as face-hugger food, it’s up to your buddies to carry the flag. Guns, ammo and health are in ample supply… but so are the wall-crawlers. Think of a claustrophobic Left 4 Dead in space and you’ll be on the right track. Friendly fire was thankfully turned off during our short test, but if you think you and your mates are hardcore, you’ll find a solid challenge if you flip the TK switch. We sampled two 'Survivor' maps – a dark, dank underground mausoleum and a dimly lit spaceship – but inevitably there’ll be more in the near future.
GOG.com announces the addition of Activision games to their online marketplace for DRM-free good old games. Word is: "With the announcement we're revealing first two classics which should be instantly recognizable to any fan of good, old games: Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura and Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers. Other games from the Activision catalogue will be unveiled gradually in the coming weeks, so expect more from this publisher during Month of Activision on GOG.com!" There's an interview on Big Download talking with CD Projekt co-founder Marcin Iwinski about the plan, sneaking in a question about The Witcher 2 along the way. There's also a Good Old Games interview on Neoseeker talking with PR representative Lukasz Kukawski.
Gamasutra - Modern Warfare 2's Singleplayer, Multiplayer Conundrum. Thanks Joker961.
The game’s science fiction storyline, bad writing, and spotty pacing are enough to tarnish it in my memory, but it commits many more errors within the mechanics of the game itself. Still, the multiplayer is incredible: Infinity Ward is so close to creating an incredibly addictive MMOFPS; another development cycle or two should do it. What’s alarming about Modern Warfare 2 is that Infinity Ward seems dead set on inflicting their bad brand of single player FPS upon us for years to come. If they moved on to a different franchise and genre (as they may be doing), they’ll take their overblown sense of drama, amazing design experience, and broken sense of gameplay narrative and pacing, and slip it into another game. They make single player (portions of) games that “push the envelope” of design in only the most superficial of ways, and they set the standard for the rest of the industry.
It's a winter wonderland in these parts as the snow is still falling. It's not all fun and games out there, however, as I ran into a neighbor this morning who said her husband had a fender-bender with a telephone pole due to icy roads. Be careful out there!
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