Archived News:
Trendy Entertainment Forums now offer an "Official 'Game is Delayed' Thread" announcing a setback to the release of Dungeon Defenders, their planned action/RPG and Tower Defense hybrid. Word is: "Sorry for the wait on this. We have just been in lockdown mode internally to do some critical development, and figure out a few things. The short of it is, while the game is essentially completed, it has to be delayed on PC and console until January, with the demo on all platforms in January as well. Why is this? Let's just say, certain parties requiring platform launch windows & requirements to do a simultaneous launch... " They also say they will be making this worth everyone's wait: "Firstly, as we have already completed two beautiful DLC maps, several item packs, and new enemies -- rather than releasing them as DLC, we're going to put these additional into the initial version of the game. So your $9.99 core title just got quite a few more hours of gaming packed into it. Secondly, we're going to make our first month's worth of post-release DLC packs post-release free for all platforms that permit it (this will include at least one additional level and our first new hero class)." Thanks Destructoid.
Steam and Direct2Drive each are offering preloads of Call of Duty: Black Ops for customers who have preordered or pre-purchased the military shooter sequel (Direct2Drive is also offering an additional 20% off any other Call of Duty game). The Direct2Drive page says has this to say about when the game will unlock: "Current Release Date: November 9th, 2010 at 7AM PST." For its part, the Steam page currently says: "This game will unlock in approximately 14 hours," which would seem to be about 10:00 am tomorrow morning, but according to what an Activison rep told Shacknews, store-bought copies can be unlocked as soon as they are purchased, even though they use Steam as well.
The version 1.010 Windows and OS X patches for Din's Curse are now out of beta, and available for download from the Din's Curse Patches Page. The Dins Curse Changes Page has word on what this changes in Soldak Entertainment's action/RPG.
Rewarding The Players: Valve On Portal 2 on Gamasutra has the entirety of a Portal 2 interview with Valve project manager Erik Johnson, which originally appeared in the October 2010 print issue of Game Developer Magazine. Topics include the complexity being added to the puzzling sequel, maintaining continuity with the first Portal, the return of GLaDOS, their interactive commentaries, revising writing during gameplay, offline versus online games, and more.
The Battlestar Galactica Online Website is now accepting applications from those interested in beta testing the upcoming free-to-play MMO space game, and Bigpoint announces the first phase in beta testing is now underway involving "thousands of hand-selected players from Europe and the United States." They say they will be continually adding new players on a daily basis leading up to the launch of open beta testing, which is expected next month. In the meantime, here are the details on the closed beta: During the closed beta period, players are prompted to complete a tutorial mission as either a human or Cylon. Once completed, players are free to explore the universe on their own, where they can engage in PvE and PvP combat, and conduct mining operations. Players can also tour the Battlestar Galactica, a Cylon Basestar, and a number of space outposts and planet bases.
Cliffski's Blog has an announcement from the developer also known as Positech Games that Gratuitous Space Battles: Galactic Conquest is now available for preorders, offering a campaign meta-game add-on for Gratuitous Space Battles, Positech's space strategy game. The add-on is not yet complete, but as noted on the newly launched Galactic Conquest Website, those who preorder are entitled to play the add-on in its beta form right away, and it is also warned that it "REQUIRES an internet connection." There's also a new trailer showing off gameplay from the expansion, and here's a bit on what it entails: The campaign 'wraps-around' the battles, so they are no longer isolated clashes, but merely engagements in an ongoing galaxy-conquering campaign. When you decide to move one of your space fleets to an enemy-controlled planet, a normal GSB battle takes place, and the winner takes control of that system. This radically changes the tactics of the game. No longer can you design ships specifically to fight a single enemy fleet, but you are forced to think ahead, to design multi-role ships and fleets that can take on all comers.
Bethesda Softworks announces the "Successful Launch of Fallout: New Vegas," saying this success is reflected in the five million units they've shipped for Obsidian's RPG sequel. "We are delighted by the reception Fallout: New Vegas has received from fans around the world," said Vlatko Andonov, president of Bethesda Softworks. "Despite the large launch quantities for this title, we have already received substantial re-orders from our retail partners, underscoring the tremendous popularity of this highly entertaining game. We believe Fallout: New Vegas will be the 'must buy' title for gamers throughout the holiday season."
The StarCraft II Website plays the race card, as they announce the release of three new videos highlighting the races of the Koprulu Sector in StarCraft II, thus there are separate Terran, Protoss, and Zerg clips for your viewing pleasure. Here's a bit more: "These videos are narrated by an old friend from the Wings of Liberty campaign, and offer you the chance to learn more about StarCraft II's opposing factions. They also serve as an excellent primer for those who might be less familiar with the game and eager to learn more."
The Company Of Heroes Online interview on GameSetWatch talks with Company of Heroes Online producer Greg Wilson about this online version of Relic's World War II real-time strategy game. Much of the conversation covers how to overcome the barrier of the game's learning curve. "COHO is an extremely deep game, and that is part of our blessing, but it's also the challenge that we have, because there's so much to learn," Wilson said. "...Most people expect to get rocked [in online multiplayer]. You go in and you just get destroyed, and it's only through perseverance that you actually learn how to play most of these games properly. Or if you're lucky enough to have friends to walk you through it, that's a real benefit there."
Theo Engell-Nielsen's LinkedIn Profile adds new fuel to the off again/ on again rumors that Hitman 5 is in the works. The work history in the résumé for the developer includes "Hitman 5 (2011)" among the "finished titles" from his five-plus year stint at IO Interactive. Thanks Computer and Video Games via Playstation Lifestyle.
The Battlefield Blog has details on four new (remastered) maps that are on the way to Battlefield: Bad Company 2 though the upcoming release of VIP Map Pack #7 for the military shooter sequel, following hot on the discovery of Oasis and Harvest Day running on a test server. They offer a Q&A with level designer Cristian Pavel on the process of reworking Bad Company 1 maps, and the following overview of their plans: "VIP Map Pack 7 is all about listening to the community. When we ask for your favorite maps from Battlefield: Bad Company, Oasis and Harvest Day always come out on top. We are happy to announce that in VIP Map Pack 7, these two much-loved maps have been reworked for Battlefield : Bad Company 2. This means full Destruction 2.0 (buildings collapsing and micro destruction), enhanced graphics and lighting, and remastered ambient sounds and backgrounds. Below is a full brief of what's included in VIP Map Pack 7:" Continue here to read the full story.
U.K. Charts: Football Manager is No.1 on MCV has overall sales charts for the U.K. for the past week, and Computer and Video Games has the PC-specific breakdown, which follows:
- Football Manager 2011
- The Sims 3: Late Night
- The Sims 3
- Fallout: New Vegas
- Civilization V
- Farming Simulator 2011
- The Sims 3: Ambitions
- StarCraft 2
- Medal of Honor
- FIFA Manager 11
A new Lullaby Multiplayer Trailer from Dead Space 2 offers a haunting look at the upcoming sci-fi/horror sequel. Remember, in space, no one can hear you sing. The embedded version follows. Continue here to read the full story.
The Duke Nukem Forever "Uber Interview" on Games On Net is an interview with Randy Pitchford and Steve Gibson of Gearbox Software during their recent appearance in Australia to show off Duke Nukem Forever at Yahtzee's Mana Bar. Topics include their post-release strategy, what went wrong during the game's lengthy development at former owner 3D Realms, whether Duke's style of humor is still relevant, censorship, stripper interactivity, and more.
The Dungeons interview on Gaming Nexus talks with Christian Wolfertstetter of Realmforge Studios about Dungeons, their upcoming strategy game. Along the way they discuss Dungeon's similarities and differences compared with classic Dungeon Keeper, the appeal of punishing do-gooders, the challenges of a bad guy as the lead character, possibilities of console releases, dungeon variety, and more.
A new Majesty 2: Battles of Ardania Video Interview features Mattias Lilja, executive producer on Majesty 2, discussing Battles of Ardania, the upcoming second expansion for the fantasy-themed strategy sequel. The clip only runs 90 seconds, so it provides a very general overview, covering new features and units as well as multiplayer additions.
Cliffski's Blog has details on a new patch for Gratuitous Space Battles that owners of Positech's space strategy game should expect automatically soon, if they have not received it already. Says Cliff: "Campaign news to come soon. I needed to get this patch out there and live first." The new version 1.48 has both bug-fixes and balance tweaks, which are outlined in the patch notes, which follow. Continue here to read the full story.
The Alter Aeon MUD announces a major expansion for this online RPG that's intended to serve both sighted and sightless gamers. The Recent Changes and Additions page outlines what's new, and here's an overview: "Combining the features of this expansion with the previously existing classes gives players an unprecedented number of new ways to investigate and play the game. The Necromancers don't just summon demons and raise undead armies. They also have new dark magic and spirit abilities and can use dragon teeth as powerful spell components. High-level necromancers can create and manage many minions at once."
GameZone.com - Imitation or Inspiration?
As games grow larger in scope, so do budgets, and thus, the risks involved with any deviations from the norm. Can we really blame DICE for playing to the crowd in Medal of Honor? Creating a new scheme for multiplayer would mean building a completely new fanbase. Now, DICE can count on attracting former Call of Duty players on the lookout for something new, or at least, mildly different.
Sydney Morning Herald - More Consultation On R18+ Gaming Classification.
This is what O'Connor terms "the silent majority" — non-gamers who are likely to care too little about this issue to ever contact their local member and tell them that an adult classification for games really is needed, and could we please hurry up and get one. Yet the urgency is real. The lack of an R18+ classification leads the Australian Classification Board to make inconsistent decisions when rating adult content. Games that should be rated R18+ are slumped into the MA15+ category, meaning Australian 15-year-olds are consuming content reserved for 18-year-olds in other countries. The introduction of an R18+ for games would provide a better set of guidelines to the Australian Classification Board, who would finally be able to draw a very real line between content suitable only for 15-year olds, and content suitable only for 18-year-olds and above.
- Dead Space 2 on Eurogamer. Multiplayer hands-on.
I am being asked to do my civic duty today, as I have been called in for Jury Duty. I fully plan on going in and demanding to know whether they know who I am, and I fully plan on the answer being no. Kidding aside, I will try an beg off based on being a sole proprietor, but I tried this when I served a dozen or so years ago, and it didn't work at all. We'll just have to see, but this may end up affecting updates here, and apologies in advance if it does.
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