Archived News:
Bungie.net is now offering Bungie beta tester signups, saying those accepted will be offered opportunities to do things like participate in play tests and usability testing at Bungie and Alpha and Beta Testing their next game. Bungie signed a long term deal with Activision earlier this year, and as noted on Big Download, there are indications that the developer's first project since their break from Microsoft looks like it may be coming to PCs as well as consoles.
Eurogamer has word on some cryptic clues about BioWare's upcoming announcement at the Spike VGAs, explaining how some complicated clues bring us back to where this started, with the idea that this will be Mass Effect related. In a later story they point out a Russian tweet translated by RipTen that pushes back on the Mass Effect Online rumor, and once again suggests all this hype is for Mass Effect 3. The truth will be revealed on December 11, though it seems apparent we will hear more about this between now and then.
There are two new automatic patches on Steam for Call of Duty: Black Ops. One is a Multiplayer Update and the other a single-player update, though much of the change logs are the same. Included are CPU performance improvements and server browser bug-fixes and tweaks "to populate faster and do full refresh less often."
The Left 4 Dead Blog has details on the return of the Gib Fest mutation for Left 4 Dead 2, saying: "For our coop mutation this week we return to everyone’s favorite Gib Fest. Simple, go play." They also announce they are also "featuring" Realism Versus, saying: "This week we added quicker spawns for the infected. If you haven’t played recently, you are missing out on one of the most intense Left 4 Dead 2 competitive experiences. It is like regular Versus but no health kits in the world, no glows on fellow survivors, harder to kill commons and now faster Special Infected spawns (coming soon to the 360)." Steam News has the accompanying patch notes that include balance tweaks in addition to the mutation, saying: "The following changes are for the PC and will be available for the XBOX 360 in a future update." The patch notes follow. Continue here to read the full story.
The Natural Selection 2 Website has an update with details on the just-launched Natural Selection 2 closed beta. They offer details on the project's past and future, and also directly address concerns that the netcode from the alpha was not ready for beta, explaining how this was improved: "The other big change you'll probably notice from our previous versions is improved performance on both the client and the server. With the last few updates we've been putting a lot of effort into this and we're going to continue to work on it until it's perfect."
Lots of auto-patches on Steam today. There's an update for Team Fortress 2, Counter-Strike: Source, Day of Defeat- Source, and Half-Life 2: Deathmatch with fixes, balance changes, and the new Telltale Games items, as well as a small update for Team Fortress 2. There's also a new version 1.7.2 of Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West, a pretty extensive patch for Men of War: Assault Squad, a minor update for Killing Floor, and finally, a small patch for Twin Sector.
Computer and Video Games reports some impressions of the OnLive cloud-based media service from EA senior VP Patrick Soderlund. While their headline is: "OnLive games rival 'highest-end PC titles' - EA," that doesn't really reflect the whole story, as while Soderlund does say: "I've tested it myself I've played high-end games like Crysis or Bad Company 2 and they looked exactly like they would do on the highest end PC," he is talking about visually. As for latency, he tells a different story: "The stream and the mechanism that controls the stream, that's the problem right now, getting the latency down so that it feels like you're playing on your TV at home rather than a server somewhere else," he says. "They still have some minor technical challenges to overcome in terms of transferring data to you to have the same experience but this is very impressive technology and these companies - there are several of them - are on to something really big I think." He says he thinks such services are still a couple of years away from becoming mainstream.
Amazon.com: Holiday Central in Video Games. Black Friday prelude continues.
- BioShock 2 on Games For Windows. Save 50%.
- Command & Conquer 4 on Impulse. Save 50%.
- Command & Conquer - Red Alert 3 on Impulse. Save 50%.
- Command & Conquer - Red Alert 3 on Impulse. Save 50%.
- Commander: Conquest of the Americas on Impulse. Save 50%.
- Company of Heroes Gold on Impulse. Save 50%.
- Dark Void on Impulse. Save 66%.
- Dawn of Discovery Gold on Impulse. Save 50%.
- Dragon Week on GamersGate. Save up to 66%.
- Flock! on Impulse. Save 50%.
- GalCiv I: Ultimate Edition on Impulse. Save 90%.
- Grand Ages: Rome on Impulse. Save 75%.
- Grand Ages Rome Gold Edition on Impulse. Save 75%.
- Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition on Direct2Drive. Save 75%.
- Hearts of Iron III on Impulse. Save 70%.
- Imperium Romanum: Gold Edition on Impulse. Save 75%.
- MinerWars 2081 Pre-Alpha on Impulse. Save 60%.
- Saints Row 2 on Games For Windows. Save 90%.
- Sniper: Ghost Warrior on Steam. Save 50%.
- Space Rangers 2 on Impulse. Save 50%.
- S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Bundle Pack on Impulse Driven. Save 80%.
- Star Trek Online on Impulse. Save 50%.
- Sword of the Stars - Complete Collection on Impulse. Save 50%.
- The Political Machine 2008 on Impulse Driven. Save 70%.
- The Settlers 7: Paths to a Kingdom on Impulse. Save 50%.
- Total Annihilation on Impulse. Save 50%.
- Tropico 3 on Impulse. Save 75%.
- Ubisoft Titles on GOG.com. Save 30% individually, or 50% on the complete bundle.
- Zombie Driver on Impulse. Save 50%.
Still on sale. Continue here to read the full story.
Steam News announces the launch of a "Recommended For You" feature for Valve's online marketplace. They say: The "Recommended For You" services on Steam are designed to help gamers discover new games and DLC based upon their tastes and recent purchases, as well as games recommended by friends.
Recommendations will appear both on the "Recommended For You" pages as well as in your Steam Community News Blotter. In addition, individual game pages will now include Recommendation info, providing gamers with even more information on the 1,200-plus titles available on Steam.
Turbine announces The Lord of the Rings Online: Rise of Isengard, a new expansion planned for release in Fall 2011 for The Lord of the Rings Online, their free-to-play MMORPG. This trailer is a teaser for the add-on, which will offer an increased level cap, the new region of Isengard, enhancements to monster play and more. "2010 has been a year of unprecedented growth for The Lord of the Rings Online with our successful introduction of a free-to-play option for our players," said Kate Paiz, Executive Producer of The Lord of the Rings Online. "This is going to be another outstanding year for the game as we progress on our journey toward Mordor and it all begins with our upcoming November update. The journey will carry through 2011 ending with our arrival in the epic region of Isengard where players will confront the raging war and shadow that has spread across Middle-earth."
Battlefront announces Strategic Command World War 1, a new installment in the Strategic Command series in development at Fury Software which does not yet carry a release date. Here's a bit on what to expect: "Strategic Command World War I: The Great War 1914-1918 provides you with the opportunity to re-write history in a war that changed the destiny of Europe but of the whole world. To win, you must manage your resources wisely, incorporate diplomacy and shrewd decisions, invest in technological research, and apply sound warfare strategies. Will you lead your forces to total victory, or ultimately fail and fall to bitter defeat?"
The Telltale Games Blog has a release date for Poker Night at the Inventory, saying their upcoming poker/game culture mash-up is due on Monday, November 22, and in the meantime there are still pre-order exclusive offers to be had. Word is: "The team has been hard at work to finish the game for you guys and it's simply looking awesome! Come Monday, you'll finally get the chance to beat Penny Arcade's Tycho, Max, Team Fortress 2's Heavy, and Strong Bad in a little game of Texas Hold Em' and win some Poker Night exclusive Team Fortress 2 items from them in the process." Thanks jimnms.
The Steam Page for Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad is online, offering some new info on Tripwire Interactive's upcoming World War II shooter sequel (thanks joao). The game was announced with a "when it is ready" release date, but the Steam page includes a Q1 2011 release window, as well as a set of system requirements, which follow. Continue here to read the full story.
Paradox Interactive is offering the opportunity to participate in closed beta testing of Magicka, the fantasy-themed adventure game based on Norse mythology due for release in Q1 of next year. This is not reflected on the Magicka Website, but rather is being operated through the game's Facebook Page, where to qualify you must post a photo of yourself in a Magicka robe (apparently any robe will do), and they say those who are selected will receive a confirmation within two to three weeks. This is all reflected in the Magicka - Get Your Robes Ready! Teaser Trailer, which is rated MA (contains Man Ass).
Newly formed social and casual gaming outfit Zattikka announces they've acquired the license to create games based on Monty Python's Flying Circus, the BBC's classic geek favorite sketch comedy show, which joins their previously acquired Mr. Bean license. They say the game will debut of Facebook, and promise more details on this next month. They also say members of Python are involved, particularly Terry Gilliam, and producer Jim McDonagh says: "Knowing they are looking over our shoulder has inspired the entire team to create a game that will live up to the standards set by the Pythons themselves and delivers a fantastic experience for the fans."
Positech's Cliff 'Cliffski' Harris announces the launch of Show Me the Games, a new web-portal for indie games, saying: "As an indie game developer, I've heard the discussion about how indie devs should start their own portal more times than I've had bacon sandwiches, and I finally got fed up with the debate enough to try and make a tiny nudge in that direction at last…" Here's the deal: SMTG is a crazy plan to try and prove that indie game developers, despite theoretically being in competition, can come together as a group, throw some money in an 'advertising' bucket, and help promote each others games. It's true that getting indie developers to organise together is like herding cats*, but I've owned 4 cats over my life, so I'm not scared. Using the amazing nasa-like technology of random numbers, the SMTG site randomises the games listing so nobody gets 'top slot'. This simple listing of games is hopefully just the start, there may well be competitions, discount bundles or all kinds of stuff happening on SMTG in the future. The main point is that we now have a fixed location to host that kind of thing.
For incredibly talented and remarkably good looking journalists such as yourselves, there is an additional benefit to SMTG. The website is intended as a perfect answer to the question "What are indie games?" and specifically "what are decent indie games on the PC?". For a long time, the answer to that question has been "Err... well there is that one, or this one" and now the answer is simple, it's SMTG.
(We called it SMTG as a homage to Jerry McGuire, a film about a corporate drone who cares more about his customers than his boss, so quits his job to run his own business)
*Actually it's much harder. Cats at least respond to food reliably.
The Two Worlds II Website now offers a new patch for Two Worlds II to update Reality Pump's role-playing sequel to version 1.0.1. The download is also available from AtomicGamer, Gamer's Hell, The Patches Scrolls, and WorthPlaying. The patch notes follow. Continue here to read the full story.
The Breach Website now offers a complete list of the weapons players will find in Breach upon next year's launch of Atomic Games' military action game. They have images and details on each of these weapons, and the following explanation of the realism they seek to achieve: "Every real-world weapon in Breach has its own physics baked into the engine to provide combat authenticity. Each weapon is a true replica of what is used every day on the battlefield by both the US and the opposition, including many weapons not included in other shooters, which have been licensed by their manufacturers for use in Breach. These weapons can also be outfitted with attachments such as scopes and suppresors. With each caliber firing from each weapon differently, and destroying cover as it would in real life, survival depends on knowing the right weapon to use in every situation."
The downloads page for The Babylon Project offers the recently released Zathras 2.0 patch for this fan-created standalone Freespace 2-engine game based on the Babylon 5 property. The most recent "official" update for the game is a version 3.4b from May 2008, which is its final version, but the new Zathras patch released last week continues past that. Word is: "Simply it is a patch in the form of a mod that allows you to both enjoy the game as it was originally released as well as experience new features from both Zathras and the FS2 Source Code Project. It is also required for playing multipalyer [sic] on FS2NetD." Thanks Wesp5.
The Bethesda Blog offers The Bethesda Podcast Episode 5, which features id Software technical director John Carmack. Word is: "On a very special hour-long edition of the Bethesda Podcast, id Software co-founder and technical director John Carmack joins us for a long discussion on topics ranging from the development of RAGE Mobile to space exploration and Ferraris. Also featured on the podcast is Bethesda Game Studios level designer Joel Burgess, who shares his Minecraft expertise, as well as his advice on breaking into the video game industry."
The Grumpy Sociologist - Kobe Bryant, Jimmy Kimmel, and Call of Duty- Black Ops. Thanks Examiner.
What we see in this commercial, is that war is not just permissible. It is cool. If Kobe Bryant and Jimmy Kimmel can have fun re-enacting war games and show "they have a soldier in them," video gamers should likewise view war-based video games that bring death upon others in fiction uncritically. But in real life, these media blitzes simultaneously and covertly also support American military efforts, without problematizing the tragic outcomes of war on all sides of the battlefield.
Seven score and seven years ago, Abraham Lincoln first spoke the words "Four score and seven years ago," as today is the 147th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address.
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