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Archived News:
EA announces plans for a Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Limited Edition, saying this will offer some of the cars in the racing game already unlocked, but will be the same price as the standard edition. Word is: "The Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Limited Edition delivers six exotic cars; Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, Ford Shelby GT500, Audi TT RS Coupé, Chevrolet Camaro SS, Porsche Cayman S and Dodge Challenger SRT8. The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione and Ford Shelby GT500 are only available in the Limited Edition – and will not be available at any other time. For those players who miss the opportunity to pick up the Limited Edition, the Audi TT RS Coupé, Chevrolet Camaro SS, Porsche Cayman S and Dodge Challenger SRT8 can be unlocked by leveling up in the game."
Matrix Games announces Panzer Command: Ostfront, a turn-based tactical wargame that will include single battles, multi-battle operations, and full war campaigns "with realistic units, tactics and terrain and an informative and practical interface." The game is due by the end of this year, and the announcement includes word that Ostfront will be made available as a free upgrade for owners of Panzer Command: Kharkov, the previous game in the series. A product page is online for the new game, and they have a video showing it in action. According to Matrix Games Director of Product Development Erik Rutins: "Panzer Command has been very well received, but we felt it needed a little extra push to put it over the top. Thanks to the hard-working Panzer Command: Ostfront team, drawn primarily from the Panzer Command community, we can now show you Panzer Command as it was meant to be. There are more new features and improvements than we can list in this release, but perhaps the most important one is that we will give this one to owners of Panzer Command: Kharkov at no charge, while also establishing it as the new affordable starting point for those that have always wanted to give the Panzer Command series a try. Thank you to the members of the community that made this possible, both through their support of the previous Panzer Command releases and through their dedicated help with the development of this release."
The StarCraft II Website has word that a new patch is now available for StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, updating the real-time strategy sequel to version 1.0.3. The new version fixes an issue preventing some players from accessing offline play from the login screen.
A new trailer from Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. 2 uses cinematics and a little gameplay footage to highlight the story in the upcoming aerial combat sequel. The embedded version of the trailer follows. Continue here to read the full story.
Link of the Day: Searching For Me in Red Dead Redemption. Thanks Mike Martinez.
Steam News has word on a small patch for Portal, Half-Life 2, Half-Life 2: Episode One, and Half-Life 2: Episode Two with a single entry in its patch notes, saying: "Fixed door getting stuck as metro-cop behind it opened it in d1_trainstation_01." This is followed by a second announcement of a much more substantial update for Counter-Strike: Source, Team Fortress 2, and Day of Defeat: Source. The patch notes for that patch follow. Continue here to read the full story.
Cliffski’s Blog announces the completion of patch 146 for Gratuitous Space Battles, which is now available on Steam, and presumably on other digital distributors as well. Word is: "The big feature of the patch is it lets you toggle between the new and the old post-battle stats now with a mere click of a button. Hurrah. The rest is just bug fixes." The change list from Steam follows. Continue here to read the full story.
BioWare announces March 8, 2011 as the North American release date for Dragon Age II, saying the RPG sequel will follow in Europe on March 11. They announce preorders are now available for the sequel, which they say will improve on the original with "faster-paced action, striking new art direction and an updated method of storytelling that will allow gamers to experience the rise to power of one of the most important characters in the Dragon Age universe." The announcement is accompanied by a new cinematic trailer, which follows. Continue here to read the full story.
Following the revelation of Valve's plans for a Defense of the Ancients game and their recent trademark on DOTA comes word on PC Gamer that Steve "Guinsoo" Feak and Steve "Pendragon" Mescon, who participated in DOTA development before working on the DOTA-like League of Legends at Riot Games, are not pleased about this trademark. They explain that in order to keep DOTA in the hands of the community, they have filed their own trademark registration, so we will have to see how this all plays out. Here's word on the TM competition: "The situation is not as simple as a single person having total ownership over the name. But now we are exploring options to protect the DotA name. We [Dota-Allstars, LL--the company run by Pendragon] have filed for the “Defense of the Ancients” trademark to protect the work that dozens of authors have invested to create the game and on behalf of the millions of DotA players all over the world. If we were to obtain the trademark, we would keep the game and the DotA name freely available to the mod community. That way the game can continue to be worked on and enjoyed by the independent community. We want to ensure that the DotA name remains in the hands of the community and that it is free for all to use." Thanks joao.
THQ announces Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II - Retribution, a standalone expansion for their sci-fi real-time strategy sequel they expect to release for Windows PCs in the first quarter of next year. Word is Retribution will allow you to choose between several races in the solo campaign, as they say: "Taking place years after the events in Dawn of War II: Chaos Rising, this title allows players to choose their perspective with the first multiple-race single player campaign in the Dawn of War II series. The first race to be revealed is the savage Orks, but no matter which race is chosen players will be taken on an epic journey through each story arc, revealing the answers to many questions left open in previous Dawn of War titles." They also add: "As well as the single player campaign, Retribution will feature new multiplayer units, maps and an entire new playable faction when it ships." The news is accompanied by a gameplay trailer which is also embedded below. Continue here to read the full story.
NCsoft announces the Going Rogue expansion for City of Heroes is now live, offering a new twist on the superhero gameplay in this MMORPG by allowing good guys to go rogue, bad guys to be redeemed, and by getting chocolate in your peanut butter. Word is: "This summer's biggest super-powered MMO expansion is available today in North America and Europe. Enter the brave new world of Praetoria, an alternate universe where the line between good and evil is blurred. Battle strange new foes, wield four new power sets, and choose your character's destiny through new story arcs and missions. For the first time ever, your Hero can fall from grace to become a Villain, while your Villain can be redeemed to become a hero. Watch the new Going Rogue launch trailer, then buy it from the NCsoft store now!" They also offer a seven-day free trial of Going Rogue for PC and Mac which requires no credit card.
Ubisoft follows the revelation of plans to continue the Heroes of Might & Magic series with the official announcement of plans for Might & Magic Heroes VI, the coming installment in the series that alters its naming convention. The game is in development at Black Hole Entertainment ( Armies of Exigo, Mark of Chaos Battle March) for release on Windows PCs in 2011, and they say it "will include all the characters and features that have made this brand a worldwide success, in addition to a wealth of new innovations." The announcement includes a batch of screenshots and the Gamescom debut trailer, and here's a bit on the game, revealing it's a prequel to Heroes of Might & Magic V: The Might & Magic Heroes VI adventure starts 400 years before the events in Heroes of Might & Magic® V, showcasing a family of heroes in a thrilling, epic story where Angels plot to revive an unfinished war.
A legendary Archangel general killed during the war of the Elder races returns to life with a vengeance. Under the cover of preparations for an upcoming Demon invasion, he unites the peoples of Ashan to eradicate his ancient enemies. However, he underestimates the power of the all too human dynasty of the Griffin Dukes.
The Griffin heroes’ destinies will be written by players. In the game, players will be able to:
- Enjoy the critically acclaimed Heroes gameplay, remasterized with the well-known developer, Black Hole Entertainment, and in close partnership with the game’s numerous fans.
- Experience the unique mix of Turn-Based Strategy & RPG: Explore extra-large adventure maps, collect tons of resources and build extraordinary cities. Perfect your tactics to level-up your heroes, recruit troops & ready them for combat on exclusive battle maps
- Shape your destiny: Lead the Heroes of the Griffin dynasty within an intriguing scenario. Choose your path, assume your choices and customize your gaming experience thanks to a brand new reputation system.
- Rediscover the richness of the Might & Magic Universe: Discover fantastic landscapes and creatures from the world of Ashan. Enjoy revisited 3D designs and an exclusive new bestiary.
- Share with the community: Post content & compete with your friends using a new and intelligent, online community interface.
APB developer Realtime Worlds is insolvent, and has entered administration, reports Edge Magazine, getting official confirmation of the indication in this tweet from Luke Halliwell that says: "Official, rtw in administration." This follows shortly after a report on Develop citing "a variety of sources" saying Realtime Worlds’ studio in Boulder, Colorado is being closed, which also offered speculation that administration was the next step for the company. Once highly anticipated, Realtime World's open-world action game APB shipped just six weeks ago, receiving mixed reviews at best, along with criticisms of its business model. APB's release was followed by the rapid announcement of plans for a game called Project: MyWorld, and a month ago the company announced it was restructuring. Now with Begbies Traynor handling its administration comes word that Realtime Worlds' headcount has been reduced to 45. Thanks joao via Computer and Video Games.
Blizzard announces a Collector's Edition for World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, revealing additional goodies this will add to the expansion for their MMORPG. The CE will only be available at retail stores, and it will offer the following:
- Art of the Cataclysm art book, featuring 176 pages of never-before-seen images from the archives of the Blizzard Entertainment cinematics department and the World of Warcraft development team, as well as progressive visuals from multiple stages of development.
- Exclusive in-game pet: he may not be a breaker of worlds just yet, but Lil’ Deathwing will still proudly accompany heroes on their struggle to save Azeroth from his much, much larger counterpart.
- Behind-the-scenes DVD with over an hour of developer interviews and commentaries, as well as a special Warcraft® retrospective examining the rich gaming history of the Warcraft universe.
- Soundtrack featuring 10 epic new tracks from Cataclysm, including exclusive bonus tracks.
- Special-edition mouse pad depicting Deathwing menacing the ravaged continents of Azeroth.
- World of Warcraft Trading Card Game cards, including a 60-card starter deck from the Wrathgate series, two extended-art cards, and two Collector's Edition-exclusive hero cards, marking the first appearance of goblin and worgen heroes in the TCG.
Microsoft announces Age of Empires Online, a PC-only persistent version of the popular Age of Empires real-time strategy series that will feature free online play through Games for Windows LIVE. The game is currently in closed beta and expected to launch next year, and the Age of Empires Online Website is live, offering beta signups, and featuring a teaser trailer showing off gameplay and the game's stylized graphics. Also, Computer and Video Games reports Microsoft telling them that AoE vets are on board for this. "I'd say about 75% of the team have worked on Age of Empires before," Microsoft Game Studios GM Dave Luehmann tells them. "So it's the core team that you can feel comfortable with and who are well skilled with Age [of Empires]." Here's a bit from the announcement: “Age of Empires Online” will invite players to create a living, growing online world, shared with friends and friendly rivals around the globe. Begin the journey with your own Greek civilisation, and watch as it progresses from a village to an empire. Embark on quests along the way, alone or with friends, and immerse yourself in epic tales, quirky characters, adventure, history and strategy. Together with the Games for Windows – LIVE service, “Age of Empires Online” delivers a rich, social experience that lets you play however you want — anywhere, anytime.
The Age of Empires Online press release also reveals preliminary plans for Microsoft Flight, a Windows-exclusive flight simulator that's the evolution of their long-running Microsoft Flight Simulator. The Microsoft Flight Website is live, offering a teaser trailer from the game that shows a biplane flying off into the sunset (or sunrise) over a body of water. They don't offer further details at the moment, but their description indicates they plan on making the game accessible: "'Microsoft Flight' will bring a new perspective to the long-standing genre, welcoming everyone, including long-time fans, to experience the magic of flight."
IO Interactive announces that Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days is now available in North America for Windows, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3, with the third-person shooter sequel expected in Europe on Friday and in Japan a week from Thursday. They also reveal a short wait for downloadable content, saying the first three DLC packs for the game are due on August 31: In addition to the highly anticipated release, the studio has revealed details surrounding DLC. Beginning August 31, 2010 three unique packs will be available for gamers worldwide including a Multiplayer Mask Pack, Alliance Weapon Pack and Doggie Bag Pack. Each pack extends the Multiplayer modes by introducing more ‘tools of the trade’ and all-new heist locations.
“Given the history of Kane & Lynch, we expected overwhelming interest, and the initial acclaim solidifies the ever-growing phenomenon and attraction gamers have to the characters and story,” said Niels Jørgensen, general manager of IO Interactive. “And we are proud to be able to extend the experience in the coming weeks with more maps, weapons and toys to heighten the tension and pressure of pulling-off a high profile heist.”
Speaking with Dave Luehmann at Gamescom in Cologne upon the announcement of two new PC games, Computer and Video Games quotes the Microsoft Games Studios GM saying it is time for Microsoft to focus on PC gaming after neglecting this aspect of the platform for a period of a few years to a few decades, depending on your perspective. Saying the company's recent abandonment of Windows as a gaming platform was a problem of "focus," he admits it isn't realistic to expect third-party support without first-party support: "I think we need to invest in this space," he tells them. "Windows is an important space for us so we need to invest our first-party IP in it as much as anybody else. We can't really ask other companies to step up if the first party isn't stepping up." Thanks joao.
IGN has a Gamescom preview of Homefront, the upcoming military shooter from KAOS Studios based on a Korean invasion of the US. They talk with Digital Extremes executive producer Frank De Lise about their work on the PC edition of the game, and he offers some reassurances for PC gamers: "PC players will be able to set up and host Homefront dedicated servers and enjoy additional community features including clan support. We believe the core PC first-person-shooter fan will really appreciate these features, which are becoming increasingly rare." Thanks joao.
Kotaku reports a rumor that LucasArts has cancelled Star Wars: The Force Unleashed III, though we're not sure a third installment in the Star Wars action series was actually announced. They report hearing from "sources" that the game was axed by new LucasArts president Paul Meegan, and that this may somehow tie-in with the recent departure of Haden Blackman. They also say an unannounced project slated to ship next year avoided a similar fate, members of the Force Unleashed team will be let go as a result of all this, and that "morale and productivity are at all-time lows" since the new boss took over. On a semi-related note, there's a Star Wars The Force Unleashed 2 interview on Games On Net discussing the game with associate producer Brett Rector.
A new Crysis 2 trailer takes a look at the Central Station level in Crytek 2, clearly based on Grand Central Station (do you have to license that name?). The clip features commentary from Crytek executive producer Nathan Camarillo and CEO Cevat Yerli, who call this encounter a pivotal story point in the game, and explain the various graphical and gameplay elements on display, showing how gameplay remains interactive, even during scripted sequences. The embedded version follows. Continue here to read the full story.
The Bethesda Blog now offers a new video diary from BRINK, the first-person shooter in development at Splash Damage. The clip is called The Dawn of S.M.A.R.T. Word is: "Watch it above to learn about the game’s intuitive (you could even say smart) movement system in the game."
The DC Universe Online interview on The MMO Gamer chats with Chris Cao, Game Director on the upcoming superhero MMORPG. Chris introduces himself and the game, delves into the history of the project, the appeal of it coming to PS3 as well as PC, the impact of console considerations on their game design, other superhero games, how combat is handled, working with the DC license, and more.
Rock, Paper, Shotgun - Redundancies At Real Time Worlds. By an alleged ex-Realtime Worlds Employee. Thanks joao via Kotaku.
But the real killer, IMO, is the business model. This was out of the team’s hands. The game has issues, but I think if you separate the business model from the game itself, it holds up at least a little better. A large scale team based shooter, in big urban environments, with unprecedented customisation and some really cool, original features. The problem was that management looked at the revenue they wanted to generate and priced accordingly, failing to realise (or care) that there are literally a dozen top quality, subscription free team based shooters. Many of which, now, have progression and persistence of some sort – for free. The game would have been immeasurably better received it had simply been a boxed product, with paid-for in-game items, IMO. This may not have been possible, given what was spent on the game and the running costs, but the market is tough. You can’t simply charge what you feel like earning and hope the paying public will agree with your judgement of value. Many of us within RTW were extremely nervous at APB’s prospects long before launch, and with good reason, as it turns out.
GameZone - The Fallout of the Kane & Lynch Debacle.
GameSpot and CNET weren’t the only entities under fire, though. Countless gamers shunned Eidos Interactive and panned Kane & Lynch. What would this mean for a future installment in the series? Well, it looks like we’ll find out when Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days launches on August 17. It’s very likely that a number of gamers won’t be purchasing the game, based simply on the politicking that Eidos was seemingly a part of back in 2007. The events that transpired over those few weeks have created animosity in some gamers and feelings of confusion in others that live on to this day. This freelance writer, for instance, felt a little uncomfortable while trying out the demo for Kane & Lynch 2 at this year’s E3—it was part of the job, though, and it had to be done.
Wired.com - Why Videogames Need Exercise Ratings.
To help foster this new era in gaming, I believe the time is right for a new, additional ratings system for videogames that shows the average calories burned per hour while playing the game. This secondary rating scheme would be similar to the current Entertainment Software Rating Board system, which helps parents understand which games include content appropriate for their children.
After commenting on last night's cable show premieres (and pooh-poohing the NFL preseason in the forums), I ended up getting caught up in the Giants game, so thank goodness for the DVR. Traditionally, the Giants play the Jets in the third game of the preseason, but since their new shared stadium was making its NFL debut, they moved it to the first game. Preseason games are usually snoozes, but with a lot of smack talk leading up to the game, things got pretty intense. And with the Mets making their now-annual swoon earlier than usual, I am not unhappy at all that the tackle football season is getting underway.
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