Archived News:
Edge Online has word that Codemasters is working on DiRT 3, confirming plans for the next installment in the rally racing series with Codemasters Studios vice president Gavin Cheshire. He indicates the title may be a little more British than DiRT 2: "I guess in today’s world, every day you’re dealing with people from all over the world. So it’s a British company and the last bastion of British publishing, and there is some pride in that, but it doesn’t take control of your life. It’s about the culture we’ve created and making the best games you can. Dirt 2: brilliant game but it’s all American accents, so maybe we’re a little over the top with those. Maybe we should fly the flag a bit more."
The Red Faction Underground has details on an upcoming second patch for Red Faction: Guerrilla, outlining what's being fixed, what's not being fixed, and what Volition is still working for their ground-breaking shooter sequel. The patch release schedule is TBD, but a later post says "things are looking good," and that they are in the "final stages of testing everything listed, including the 3 items that were on the bottom." Thanks Dustin.
Cryptic Studios has issued a Common Ground Fact Sheet with details on the next content update for Star Trek Online, which is due for release shortly. Included are perks for lifetime subscribers, PvP updates, new ships, new missions, new skills, and more. The new information is accompanied by a new trailer, which is embedded here. Continue here to read the full story.
The Star Wars: The Old Republic Website has an update on ancient prisons of Belsavis "and the horrible secrets contained within its vaults." The profile includes this video and screenshots in the media section of how Belsavis is depicted in the upcoming Star Wars MMORPG. In addition they have word on plans for Blood of the Empire, a second webcomic created in collaboration with Dark Horse Comics they will be publishing on the website. They offer a sneak peak and say to expect the first issue "soon."
PC Games Hardware has a response from NVIDIA to a recent statement by ATI that developers other than Epic use PhysX for physics "because they’re paid to do it." NVIDIA's Nadeem Mohammed, Director of Product Management, PhysX, who says: "we do not pay developers to select PhysX instead of other physics solution." He also states that PhysX is not proprietary, even though it obviously is, saying: "PhysX is a complete Physics solution which runs on all major platforms like PS3, XBOX360, Wii, PC with Intel or AMD CPU, and on the PC with GeForce cards; it even runs on iPhone. It's available for use by any developer for inclusion in games for any platform - all free of license fees. There's nothing restrictive or proprietary about that."
The OnLive Blog has word from CEO Steve Perlman that OnLive is planning a free service, in addition to the premium offering from the cloud computing company (thanks Shacknews). Here's word: "The OnLive Game Portal is for gamers looking for direct access to OnLive games without being required to subscribe to the features of the full OnLive Game Service. Through the OnLive Game Portal, gamers will be able to play select games directly on a rental basis as well as game demos for free; subject to available OnLive service capacity and whatever usage limits are associated with each given demo. Rentals will be priced on a per-game basis. There is no service fee for the OnLive Game Portal."
Battlefront.com now offers a patch for Theatre of War 2: Kursk 1943, updating the just-released World War II strategy game to version 1.2.4. The read me offers details on the new version. The patch is mirrored on The Patches Scrolls.
The Battle.net Forums announce the release of patch 5 for the StarCraft II beta, outlining a number of balance changes and a single bug fix: "Fixed an issue with High graphics settings that could cause particles not to render."
There's a Transformers: War for Cybertron Interview on Giant Bomb unveils some details about the upcoming Transformers prequel game. The conversation covers the millions of years of war between the Autobots and the Decepticons "long before they had even heard of humans or the planet Earth" (which makes it quite impressive that they figured out what Earth cars, trucks, and planes look like).
- Batman: Arkham Asylum on Steam. Save 50%.
- Batman: Arkham Asylum + Just Cause Bundle on Steam. Save 66%.
- Cities XL on Direct2Drive. Save 50%.
- Fallen Earth on Direct2Drive. Save 50%.
- FINAL FANTASY XI Ultimate Collection on Steam. Save 50%.
- Hacker Evolution: Untold on Direct2Drive. Save 50%.
- Just Cause on Steam. Save 50%.
- The Settlers 7: Paths to a Kingdom Gold Edition on Direct2Drive. Free Chessmaster 9000.
Still on sale (previously reported)
Continue here to read the full story.
Link of the Day: Toyota Simulator. Thanks Ant.
A post to the 2K Forums explains why the just-released Sinclair Solutions Tester Pack DLC for BioShock 2 was already present on the game discs, saying this was to ensure multiplayer compatibility (thanks Shacknews). Word is: I noticed there was a bit of confusion about our Sinclair Solutions Tester Pack file size, and I wanted to clear things up for you. The way our engine and game structure works is that people need to have the exact same content for people to play together. One of the challenges with post launch content for MP is that it can split the player base, and we want to avoid that whenever possible. For this content, creating the DLC package the way we did allowed for us to not split the player base – so whether you purchase the new content or not, you can still play with your friends.
I know some of you have strong beliefs about DLC, and I'm not here to sway your opinion or convince you to buy our stuff - if you like what we're offering, I hope you get it and enjoy it. If it's not your speed, enjoy BioShock 2 as we released it.
I want to let you know that DLC is not interfering with our patching capabilities, which are a top priority and are still being actively worked on. We're committed to supporting you and making BioShock 2 the best experience possible.
I hope this clears up a lot of the questions and confusion in this thread!
Matrix Games announces the release of another patch for Field of Glory, updating the turn-based strategy game to version 1.1.1. They say: "The comprehensive 1.1.1 update brings several tweaks and fixes including a rule change where units can no longer change their facing if they have already engaged in a melee attack for that turn." It is also noted that the patch is required to continue using the multiplayer feature of Field of Glory, and it will also allow owners of Field of Glory to also play against people who purchase the Rise of Rome expansion, which will be released next week. The patch can be found on this page.
The Battlefield Blog addresses a report that they've asked game server providers to shut down idle Battlefield: Bad Company 2 servers, clarifying that this is a temporary measure by a single GSP, Multiplay.co.uk, meant to lower traffic on EA servers from game server browsers while DICE works on a client fix for the browser. Word is: "After previously shutting down all EA Public servers which accounted for approximately 40,000 player slots we have actually gained approximately 50,000 more player slots from new rental servers. We currently have enough server capacity to allow over 150,000 players to get in a game server at once and that is just on PC." They explain how those renting servers from Multiplay can opt out of having their server shut off for inactivity, and say that idle Multiplay and EA Public servers will all return once the client update is released.
A new cinematic trailer from Brink is now available on GameVideos, offering an impressive, albeit pre-rendered, promotion for the first-person shooter in development at Splash Damage. Though Splash Damage has been a PC developer up until now, IncGamers quotes their CEO Paul Wedgwood on how they "set out from the very beginning wanting to design the game that worked well for all three platforms." He explains: "We have developed a kind of internal approach which I believe is entirely platform agnostic. When we're trying to solve a console design issue with someone like Richard Ham, because he's the co-creator of Syphon Filter, that's the best-selling shooter on the original PlayStation."
"Oh Portal 2's great. It's the best game we've ever done," Valve's Gabe Newell tells 1UP in answer to the question of why the audience should be excited about Portal 2, their recently announced puzzle platformer sequel, saying: "It's pretty clear, just internally," when asked how he can say that about the project before its completion. When pressed for details about the game, the Valve Managing Director dodges: "Jonathan Coulton is awesome -- he's just brilliant; he's a joy to work with." Thanks Mike Martinez.
Eidos has taken the wraps off Deus Ex: Human Revolution at GDC, unveiling the next installment in the action/RPG series as a prequel in development at Eidos Montreal, and confirming the "Human Revolution" subtitle noticed earlier this year. A CGI trailer from the game is available on the Deus Ex Website along with some screenshots. There's an article on the game on Gamasutra where art director Jonathan Jacques-Belletete discusses the "credible" but not "super photorealistic" feel of the game's graphics and there's an interview on IGN speaking with game director Jean-Francois Dugas who explains the reasons this will be a prequel, confirms there will be no multiplayer support, and answers some questions about what's seen in the trailer. Word is: "The writers and development team have been working closely with the lead writer of the first two games, Sheldon Pacotti, and Deus Ex: Human Revolution segues nicely into the start of the first game, meeting some familiar characters along the way…" They say to expect more details at E3. The embedded version of the trailer follows. Continue here to read the full story.
Telltale Games announces Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse, a new set of monthly episodic adventures of the madcap freelance police. This will kick off on April 15 with the release of the first episode, titled the Penal Zone, for Windows, Mac, as well as PlayStation 3, as the series makes its first appearance on the PlayStation Network. The new series can be preordered from Telltale Games, and those who preorder the PC edition will get a bonus free episode from the Telltale library. Word is: "The PC pre-order for the series which begins today at www.samandmaxgames.com/thedevilsplayhouse includes a FREE game episode from the Telltale library along with exclusive membership in the Freelance Police "Elite Forces" -- all for just $34.95. Freelance Police Elite Forces members will gain access to a private forum for scheduled chats with Sam & Max creator Steve Purcell and Telltale designers along with first look posts about upcoming episodes before they release. Additionally, these customers will get special deals at the Telltale Store over the course of the season, as well as custom forum avatars and desktop wallpaper downloads. The pre-order for PlayStation users is expected to begin March 18th on the PlayStation Network."
Kotaku has a speculative article on why we have not heard about an exodus from Infinity Ward following the firing of Infinity Ward bosses Vince Zampella and Jason West and the subsequent lawsuit over royalties, saying "sources" tell them royalties are being withheld from the developers of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. They explain that salaries at Infinity Ward are "regular," if not "low," but that bonuses are "ridiculous" to compensate. They've been told that Activision is delaying paying royalties to employees to keep them at the company, and that "morale at Infinity Ward is reportedly extremely low." Thanks nin.
Telltale Games announces they are now accepting orders for the Tales of Monkey Island full season Collector's DVD on the Telltale Games Website. The DVD includes all five episodes for the PC and Mac along with additional content. There is also a Deluxe edition offering further bonuses, described here, along with word on how those who bought the game digitally can get a discount: "A special Deluxe Tales of Monkey Island package is also now available for order, which includes the standard DVD as well as a collection of outstanding exclusive extras: a previously un-discovered Voodoo Lady card, a map from Reginald Van Winslow's collection, a piratey piece of eight coin, a drink coaster from Club 41 and a souvenir button from the Trial of the Century. Fans who missed out on the cover art by Monkey Island art legend Steve Purcell with the series pre-order, can now secure this with their Deluxe Edition order. This amazing collection is available for only $14.95 for customers who already own Tales of Monkey Island, and $49.95 for new customers."
Namco announces UniteSDK, a new cross-platform game engine which will allow gamers to play each other using Windows, Mac, and iPhone (thanks Ant). This press release announces the iPhone release of Pool Pro Online 3 saying the game "will be available for PC, iPad, Mac, Android, Java, BREW, RIM and Windows Mobile in the coming months." Here's a bit on this from an article on Betanews: "In addition to allowing interoperability, UniteSDK also gives games the ability to support achievements, records, leaderboards, gamer profiles, in-game chat, buddy lists, one-on-one challenges, and tournaments."
CNN.com - What's not fun about Assassin's Creed 2.
You blame the game's publisher, Ubisoft, for implementing the most egregious form of digital rights management (DRM) ever seen by mere gamers; in order for the game you bought at a store to work, it has to interact at all times with the company's server online. Consumers, naturally, are the ones to suffer. Thanks, Ubisoft.
With all the spring-like weather lately, we still have evidence of winter on our front lawn, which almost never sees direct sunlight thanks to a large pine tree. This has kept the mountain of snow I cleared lately from melting too much, and it is still about four-feet high at its peak. They're calling for bucket loads of rain here today, which will probably remedy this... I can only hope that the combination of runoff and snow melt doesn't end up in our basement.
|
Twitter 
