Archived News:
GOG.com announces they are now offering The Temple of Elemental Evil via digital distribution, free of DRM. Here's word: The Temple of Elemental Evil is a role-playing game based upon the famous Greyhawk adventure and created by now-defunct Troika Games. The story revolves around the rise of evil in the once peaceful and prosper city of Hommlet. The sudden appearance of evil forces seems to be originating from the once defeated and sealed Temple of Elemental Evil. The history likes to repeat and it's up to you and your party to not allow it happen again.
The game allows you to create a party, of up to 5 adventurers and up to three NPCs, and chose the party's alignment which will affect the plot and choices it makes throughout the game. The developers used a turn-based combat system which was acknowledged by many gamers as the most faithful representation of the pen-and-paper D&D 3.5 rules in a computer game. If you're a true D&D fan you can't miss this creation from true D&D fans.
The EverQuest Players Website has word that EverQuest: House of Thule, the 17th expansion for Sony Online Entertainment's MMORPG is now live. They also now offer a handy "how to" guide to acquaint players to what's new.
Vindictus Website announces open beta testing of this upcoming MMORPG is underway, as promised. Here's what they have to say: "The Vindictus team is proud to announce that the Vindictus Open Beta is now live! Now, all players in the Continental US and Canada will have the opportunity to join the battle against the Fomors and Early Access Beta testers will be able to keep thier [sic] characters along with any leveling, skills, items and gold they have acquired!"
SouthPeak Interactive Corporation Reports Financial Results for Fiscal 2010, with the dizzying array of numbers expected of such a report. Here's the bottom line: "Net loss attributable to common shareholders improved to ($5.8) million, or ($0.12) per share based on 47.9 million weighted average shares outstanding, compared with a net loss of ($13.3) million, or ($0.36) per share based on 37.0 million weighted average shares outstanding, in fiscal 2009." They say they currently have $15.9 million invested in upcoming projects, and expect to release 18 titles during fiscal 2011. Here's a bit more on the future: Terry Phillips, Chairman of SouthPeak, added, “We are actively generating momentum for some of our games designed for the hardcore gamer, such as Two Worlds II and Stronghold 3. We are particularly excited about releasing the long awaited third installment of FireFly Studios’ popular global franchise Stronghold, which we expect to be a hit among both retail and digital platforms.
Rebuildbrotherhood.org is online as a tongue-in-cheek counseling resource for those who lose trust in their friends after multiplayer sessions in Assassin's Creed Brotherhood. The site has video clips of case studies, lessons, tools to mend friendships, and a hotline number.
Elemental interview on Big Download talks with Stardock's Brad Wardell and new senior producer Derek "Kael" Paxton about what Derek will bring to Elemental: War of Magic, Stardock's 4X strategy game. Here's a bit of what he has to say on the topic: "I think that Stardock is devoted to making Elemental great. I will contribute toward that goal, but I don't want to take anything away from the Elemental team that has been, and will continue to be, improving Elemental. My goal is to create a consistent vision for the final version of Elemental that is flexible enough to respond to feedback and ideas. Then to create an implementation plan that builds toward that vision while making sure the game remains playable and fun throughout. As for growing the audience and sales, if you make a great game I believe everything else takes care of itself."
The Duke Nukem Forever Interview on IncGamers talks with Gearbox's Steve Gibson about their upcoming first-person shooter. Topics include how much of 3D Realms' work remains in the game, adult content, how the game's problematic development may impact sales, appealing to gamers who aren't familiar with Duke, and more.
Valve officially announces DOTA 2, their upcoming sequel offering DOTA's "unique blend of online RTS and RPG action," for PC and Mac next year. This follows on comments from IceFrog, a hint from voiceover artist Jon St. John, and Valve's controversial DOTA trademark. There is an article on the reveal on Game Informer, where they offer an extensive history of the original Defense of the Ancients mod for Warcraft III, a description of Steamworks upgrades that will accompany the release, and word that not much gameplay will be changed from DotA-Allstars, though other alterations are coming: DotA-Allstars' roster of 100+ heroes is being brought over in its entirety. The single map games take place on is functionally identical to the one that you can download for free today in the Warcraft III mod. Items, skills, and upgrade paths are unchanged. Some hero skills work slightly better due to being freed from the now-ancient Warcraft III engine, but Dota 2 will be instantly familiar to any DotA player.
A few things will make significant differences to players making the transition. Dota 2 uses Valve's Source engine, so the game is much prettier. Source itself is getting a few upgrades, including improved global lighting and true cloth simulation. Dota 2's integrated voice chat is a huge step up from having to set up your own Ventrilo server, and the speed of voice communication is very nearly a requirement for a game as team-focused as DotA.
AI bots will take over for disconnected players, and will be available to play against in unranked training matches as well. However, don't get your hopes up for a full-fledged single-player game, though. Johnson says, "Our goal with the AI is just that their experience isn't destroyed just because one person couldn't finish the game."
THQ announces development of a Windows PC edition of MX vs. ATV Reflex, their off-road racing game, which is expected later this year on Steam and at European retailers. Word is the PC edition will include all the console DLC: "We are thrilled to bring the #1 off-road racing franchise, MX vs. ATV, to the PC platform for all the fans," said Michael Lustenberger, Vice President of Global Brand Management - Online, THQ. "As a huge added bonus, we developed a substantial amount of dynamic downloadable content post-console launch that will be included in MX vs. ATV Reflexon PC."
The 2K Forums have word on plans for the first major patch for Sid Meier's Civilization V, though there is no set plan for when this will be released yet (thanks The Patches Scrolls). The list of planned changes follows. Continue here to read the full story.
Big League Online is a new online baseball game now in open beta testing where you take on the role of an individual player on a team. Word is: "You can play with random people or on a team with friends. Play any position you like. BIG allows for public games as well as private games and tournaments. Training is available for those that want to brush up on their skills. Just enjoy watching baseball? BIG offers playback and replays or you can join a game as a spectator. If you enjoy playing or watching baseball, this is the game for you!" Thanks Matt.
In the vein of the 2004 EA Spouse incident comes a blog called EA Louse, which is ostensibly by an EA/Mythic employee disgruntled because he will be laid off next month. The blog has scathing comments, saying Mythic is dying, the project leaders on Warhammer "did not know what they were doing," Mark Jacobs was fired, that BioWare has spent more money on Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic ($300 million) than James Cameron spent on Avatar, that in spite of that the Star Wars MMOG is "a joke," and more. He sums up his concerns saying: "So there it is. Rewarding the incompetent. Firing the competent," and explains his anonymity saying: "I say it anonymously so I can keep my next few paychecks coming." It should be stressed again, however, that this has not been confirmed as being genuine. Thanks Computer and Video Games.
Steam News announces a new update is automatically available for Team Fortress 2, Valve's teamplay shooter sequel. The change list follows. Continue here to read the full story.
CNN - Are simpler video games better?
Even the most sprawling modern-day gaming experiences, such as "World of Warcraft" and "Call of Duty: Black Ops," still bow to the classic game design principle of keeping play easy to learn but hard to master.
As fall progresses in these parts, the annual migration of spiders into my attic office seems complete, as from where I sit I can see a good five of them nestled into corners. I know some spiders hibernate, but I have no idea if that's what these guys are trying to do, or if they just headed to the warmest remaining spot in the house hoping to find food (which seems pretty nonexistent). I am tempted to relocate them outside, figuring if they are hibernators this will help them enter stasis, and if they are not, at least this will spare them the fate of starving to death, though at this point I'm still letting nature take its course.
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