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Archived News:
The Team Fortress 2 Blog has an update written in the voice of Whitaker, owner of the gun shop across from the Liberty Mall in Left 4 Dead 2. Whitaker outlines free Team Fortress 2 items to be awarded to anyone who purchases Left 4 Dead 2 by 7:00 pm EDT tomorrow. Word is: So now you can see I am familiar with the merchandise I speak of. While I do not understand the machinations of this skillet and hat scheme, I do know that if you purchase the said game Left 4 Dead 2, it will reward you with a free hat from my friend Ellis and a handy skillet to fry yours or more importantly your enemy's bacon. These items all manifest themselves in some infernal game called TeamFortress2 which I have no understandin' of but my good friends what I do know is these items know no class, color, weight or gender. They work for all peoples.
Now if I could get a hat and a skillet for $6.80 — I would own a new hat and skillet. At that price, I implore of you, if you see a hatless or skilletless friend, buy them one.
Matrix Games announces the release of a new patch for Armada 2526 to update this science-fiction, turn-based strategy/real-time tactics hybrid to version 1.4.0.0. Word is: "The update includes many bug fixes, a host of minor improvements to the AI for both the strategic and tactical layer, and two new features: a brand new race and faction, The Gray Order, who come complete with eight new ship models and random faction selection so factions can be randomly chosen when setting up a custom game." The patch is available on this page and it is mirrored on AtomicGamer, FileFront, and The Patches Scrolls.
A new patch is now available for Pro Cycling Manager 2010, updating the bicycle racing simulation to version 1.4.0.2. The incremental patch to update version 1.0.3.0 is available on AtomicGamer and The Patches Scrolls, while the cumulative patch for any previous version is available on AtomicGamer and The Patches Scrolls.
In addition to the plans for a PC edition of DeathSpank announced earlier, this press release also reveals plans for an OS X edition of the Ron Gilbert-designed adventure game, though a release date for this version is not yet established. "Bringing the game to PC and Mac was a direct response to the repeated requests by our fans and we are thrilled that DeathSpank has become so popular and such a phenomenon, ensuring that we can fulfill those requests," said Vlad Ceraldi, Director of Game Development at Hothead Games. "The humor, story and core gameplay elements in DeathSpank were all inspired by some of our favorite PC games."
Thanks Acleacius and Mike Martinez.
Steam is now offering pre-purchases of a PC edition of DeathSpank, the previously console-only adventure game designed by former LucasArts designer Ron Gilbert during his stint at Hothead Games. Gilbert hinted that a PC edition was coming when he departed from Hothead, referring to plans for a "[REDACTED]" version, and now Steam says to expect it on October 26. Steam also announces that same day is when to expect the release of Shank, Klei Entertainment's upcoming fighting game. They are offering a 10% discount on pre-purchases of DeathSpank, a 10% discount on pre-purchases of Shank, and a 15% discount on a bundle of both games. Thanks joao via Rock, Paper, Shotgun.
Steam News has word on a new patch for R.U.S.E. that's now automatically for Ubisoft's real-time strategy game. The new version removes the region lock from multiplayer matchmaking, and includes measures to counteract cheating, including implementation of the Valve Anti-Cheat System.
GOG.com announces Icewind Dale Complete is the latest addition to their online marketplace for DRM-free good old games, updated to run on modern PCs. In addition to the Forgotten Realms role-playing game from Black Isle Studios originally released in 2000, the complete edition also includes both the Heart of Winter and Trials of The Luremaster expansions, all for $9.99 USD. Thanks nin via Shacknews.
Kotaku has a follow-up reporting that upcoming military shooter reboot Medal of Honor will not be sold on U.S. military bases, in spite of the recent announcement that the opposing force will no longer be referred to as the Taliban. The Taliban label sparked controversy, and was one of the reasons it was originally announced the game would not be sold in U.S. bases, but a spokesperson told them the name change is not inspiring a policy change. "Out of respect to those touched by the ongoing, real-life events presented as a game, Exchanges will not be carrying this product," Army & Air Force Exchange Service Commander Maj. Gen. Bruce Casella told Kotaku. "While we regret any inconvenience this may cause, our position is consistent with the direction stated a month ago. I expect the military families who are authorized to shop the Exchange are aware, and understanding, of the decision not to carry this particular offering."
A debut Pride of Nations Developer's Diary written by Philippe Thibaut reveals this new strategy game set during the Victorian era in the works at AGEOD. He offers details on the game along with some screenshots and a bit on what will set this game apart: "I would say, first and foremost, the scope of the game: 70 years of the Victorian Age, full of action and events. But at the same time, you can also enjoy fast, short sessions with the included battle scenarios. The scenarios allow you to try some of the most striking and unusual conflicts of the era that are rarely, or even never, covered in other games: if you've dreamed of playing the Sepoy Rebellion of 1857 or the Russo-Japanese war in 1904, they will be there!" Here's a feature list:
- Immerse yourself in realistic historical gameplay set on a global map
- Play as the world’s Great Powers between 1850 and 1920
- Lead one of eight different countries, each with their own personality and agenda: USA, Great Britain, Germany, France, Japan, Russia, Austria-Hungary, and Italy
- Experience the most original diplomacy model ever created for a grand strategy game
- Explore a revolutionary system for building armies and fleets
- Fight against a strong AI through a number of new game mechanisms
- Battle it out with others in multiplayer with a new simultaneous turn-based engine
- Engage in a detailed world economy with realistic components
Eversim LLC announces that Rulers Of Nations is now available in U.S. stores, offering this geopolitical simulation sequel that puts the player in the role of a world leader. Here's word on the challenges this involves: "Players are immediately confronted with significant and ever-changing world situations requiring immediate action – just like real life – and they must quickly react to the resulting consequences of their actions." The game's release is accompanied by a Facebook game testing what sort of world leader you will be. Here's more: Among many of today’s real-world challenges in Rulers of Nations are the U.S. deficit, the crises in Afghanistan and Iran, and the persistent problem of global warming. Other critical issues are creating energy sources from solar to deep-sea oil drilling, managing refugees after a catastrophe, colonizing countries, and buying black market weapons. Have fun playing in the complicated and challenging scenarios of economic wars, armed conflicts, alliances, spying, treason, and terrorist attacks!
Ars Technica has a look at game prices over the years, pointing out the cost of new games has steadily dropped. Though the prices of games look about the same as they have for years, they are only unchanged if you make like the Federal Reserve and pretend inflation doesn't exist. Taking inflation into account shows the current equivalent of 1990s prices for games from the N64 and Genesis era approaching the $100.00 USD mark.
BitMob - Harmful Matter: Gaming's Freedom of Speech.
That, to me, is a clear violation of several personal freedoms, expression being one. Are there games minors should not be exposed to? Absolutely, and it's the parents' job to make the call, not the government's. In our nation's history, legislation censoring what books we can read, what film and TV shows we can watch, what music we listen to, or what games we can play has never been ruled constitutional. That could change less than a month from now.
Well, the cold war between MrsBlue and myself came to a rapid conclusion this year. We have an annual standoff over who will be first to turn on the heat when autumn comes. The stakes were a bit higher this year than usual, since we got our gas meter fixed recently, and are apparently still within the period where they are monitoring our gas usage to correct our back billing. Bill adjustments and bragging rights be damned, once the thermostat showed 63 degrees, I caved and fired up the furnace. I may have lost the war, but I won the battle, or something like that, as at least I'm not freezing.
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