Archived News:
The Civilization V Website announces plans to release a playable demo for Civilization V, the upcoming turn-based strategy sequel. Word is it will be distributed in September, prior to the release of the game itself, which is expected on September 21. They say: "More details about what will be available in the demo, as well as the exact release date are coming soon, so stay tuned!" Thanks joao.
The Associated Press reports on the first quarter fiscal 2011 financial results for Electronic Arts, where they have posted a net income of $96 million (29 cents per share), compared with a net loss of $234 million (72 cents per share) for the same period last year, with net revenue up 27% to $815 million compared to $644 million in Q1 last year. Overall, word is: "On an adjusted basis, EA posted a loss of $78 million, or 24 cents per share. On this basis, analysts polled by Thomson Reuters had expected a larger loss of 35 cents per share. The loss in the same period last year was $6 million, or 2 cents per share." One element of the report is word that Crysis 2 is now expected in their Fiscal Q4, which is January-March 2011. Crytek's shooter sequel was previously expected for this year's holiday season. They also confirm recent hints of plans for Need for Speed: Shift 2, which is likewise expected in the first calendar quarter of next year.
Thought the console editions of the Protector Trials DLC for BioShock 2 are now available, the PC edition is still nowhere to be found. A post on the 2K Forums by 2K Elizabeth indicates that her recent post about the status of a future "PC Patch" was actually code for the PC edition of the DLC being delayed. Word is "I don't have a date for the PC patch for the DLC on GFWL - stay tuned." Thanks TheWeaponeer.
The Mass Effect Website announces the release of the Firepower DLC for Mass Effect 2, BioWare's sci-fi RPG sequel, which is 160 BioWare points for the PC edition. Here's word: "The Firepower Pack adds three new weapons to Shepard's armor locker: When a "heavy" pistol won't do the job, the Phalanx brings the bang! It hits like a hand cannon and features an integral laser sight for a whole new aiming experience! Ever wanted a sniper rifle without the scope or an assault rifle without the recoil? The Mattock heavy rifle is a hybrid of the two, a semi-auto beast usable by any class with an assault rifle skill! The Geth Plasma Shotgun is a three-barreled monster that creates plasma the right way – on impact! Charge it up for even greater damage, or blast away rapid-fire at longer ranges than normal shotguns!"
The Chronic Logic Website now offers a new version 1.6 of Gish, the platformer starring a 12-pund ball of tar. They are also now offering the game at the trendy pick-your-own-price deal. Word is: "On the order page you will be able to enter the amount you wish to pay for the game. There is a minimum price because we are charged fees by the companys [sic] who process our orders but the minimums are very low. If you think the game is worth $5 then that is exactly what you can pay. If you really like the game and think it is worth $50 then you can pay that amount. It is entirely up to you!" Thanks jimnms.
Top Tier Tactics details plans to destroy some of the Golden Wrenches from Team Fortress 2 for charity. Here's the deal: "So, in my infinite wisdom, I've decided that perhaps Golden Wrench #31 is better served destroyed than remaining to exist. I also decided that, if I were to destroy it, why shouldn't I try to make something good come of the situation? To create something positive of this utterly divisive, bitter issue? And for that reason, I've chosen to run a fundraiser to benefit the Child's Play Charity, culminating in the destruction of the Golden Wrench. So far, this movement has gained the support of thousands, including 6 other Golden Wrench owners who have chosen to join me and delete their gold-plated playthings for charity."
Open beta testing is now underway for Land of Chaos Online, Burda:ic's and alaplaya's MMO action/RTS game. Participating will earn you a bonus, as described here: "For the first time ever, players can build a powerful team from LOCO’s full roster of 30 heroes, each one a master of unique and varied abilities, and fight for total control of the battlefield on behalf of either the Army of Hell or the Forces of Nature. Players start out with three hero cards for free, and everyone participating in the OBT gets access to an additional three cards for a limited period of 30 days."
GOG.com now offers digital distribution of a DRM-free edition of Serious Sam: The First Encounter, Croteam's old-school first-person shooter (not to be confused with the recent HD remake of this game). "We are really pleased to be working with Good Old Games. It's hard to think of a company that we respect more and adding the original Serious Sam games to GOG is a real pleasure," said Harry Miller, co-founder of Devolver Digital.
'Writing is on the Wall' for Publishers, says Lorne Lanning on IndustryGamers hears from the co-founder of Oddworld Inhabitants as well as other developers, including Jason Rubin, Chris Taylor, Peter Molyneux, Trip Hawkins, and Cliff Bleszinski, all discussing the changing nature of the games industry. A common theme seems to be the over-emphasis on the elusive "AAA" blockbuster, though no real alternative approaches are offered. Thanks joao.
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty sold more than a million copies in 24 hours and 1.5 million copies over the first 48 hours of availability, announces Blizzard. They say this makes the real-time strategy sequel the biggest PC game launch of the year, and that this sets a record "for fastest-selling strategy game of all time."
EA announces The Sims Medieval, the next installment in the lifestyle simulation that was recently discovered through some domain name registrations. The announcement sheds light on this historical entry in the series: The Sims Medieval offers players a chance to build up a medieval kingdom, controlling characters from all walks of life, from Kings and Queens, to Knights and Wizards, Blacksmiths and Bards. It provides a host of storytelling possibilities in the form of quests, from crafting a legendary sword to arranging a royal wedding, to protecting the kingdom from an evil sorcerer, to finding the fountain of youth. Every quest plays out differently depending on which Hero Sim the player is controlling.
The Iron Grip: Marauders Website says to expect beta testing of this upcoming free-to-play browser-based game that will feature tactical combat as it puts players in the role of airship captains in a steampunk setting. They are accepting applications for the beta, and warn your chances of getting into the beta first draft are very slim if you're not already a member of the site by the time it begins.
A new patch for Counter-Strike: Source is now automatically available through Steam. Here are the latest changes in Valve's teamplay shooter. Continue here to read the full story.
NetDragon is working on a Transformers MMOG, reports Kotaku, though at this point the game is planned for release in Asia, Russia (and CIS states), the Middle East, and North Africa, with no word on whether it will eventually come to North America, Western Europe, or Australasia. There are no details for now on whether this is based on the cartoons, the Michael Bay movies, or what.
The email flow in the BlueTower was pretty light yesterday, prompting me to think people were holding off due to the passing of my dad. By this morning, however, a barren inbox made it readily apparent that there was something wrong with my mail. It took a while to straighten out, but things are back on track now.
R.I.P.: Tom Mankiewicz dies at 68. Weird that we just watched Diamonds Are Forever.
R.I.P.: Morrie Yohai, ‘Mr. Cheez Doodles,’ Dies at 90. Thanks Neutronbeam.
R.I.P.: Caddyshack Clubber, TV's Ty-d-Bol Man Dies. Dan Resin, aka Dr. Beeper.
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