Archived News:
THQ announces the release of the Windows edition of MX vs. ATV Reflex, saying the off-road racing game is now available via Steam as well as through retailers across Europe and Australia. In addition to the game itself the PC edition also includes all the DLC released for the console versions. Word is: "Rush through raging rivers, slash though swampy everglades, and blaze through desert dunes as the terrain gets altered with every turn. Gain on your opponents lap after lap as you force the competition to carve new race lines, but beware, they can do the same to you."
Paradox Interactive announces December 14 as the release date for Europa Universalis III Divine Wind, the upcoming expansion that adds Asian territories and factions to the grand strategy game. Word is: "The fourth expansion to this classic historical strategy epic, the trailer for Europa Universalis III Divine Wind illustrates the brand new options for players to look forward to including defeating rival Daimyos in the quest to become Shogun in feudal Japan, playing off the factions at the Imperial Chinese court, as well as new and improved in-game graphics." A new Divine Wind Trailer shows off the improved graphics and new features from the expansion.
DreamCatcher Games and JoWooD announce a new release date for SpellForce 2: Faith in Destiny, the RPG sequel they promised was due this month just three weeks ago. The game is now expected in January 2011, as they gamely say they "have extended the release date" for the game. No explanation for the setback is provided.
Bigpoint announces Drakensang Online, a browser-based version of this role-playing game planned for launch in spring 2011. Though the game will be free-to-play, they say its "high-quality graphics and intricate details are sure to captivate viewers like no other browser-based game has done before, strengthening the online game's renowned reputation." They also say more information can be found on the game's website, but that is premature, as it is just a registrar's parking page as of this writing.
The Aion Website announces Friday will kick off a 10-day reactivation period for Aion starting on Friday, offering the chance for lapsed subscribers to return to NCsoft's fantasy-themed MMORPG to see the game in its current state. Word is: "The reactivation period starts 8:00am PST on 3rd December 2010, and runs until 8:00am PST on 13th December 2010. Tell your online friends and Legion mates to come back to enjoy the new increased drop rates of Aion 2.1! For more information, visit our Aion Community Event Calendar." Thanks Voodoo Extreme.
As many as 19 jobs have been lost at Driver: San Francisco developer Ubisoft Reflections, reports Develop, saying the cuts include several members of the senior development team. They report: "A Ubisoft spokesperson later confirmed that 19 people could either be made redundant or not have contracts renewed, while staff at Ubisoft Montréal will continue to assist on the Driver project as an associate studio."
Trion Worlds sends a reminder that, as promised, three days of closed beta testing will kick off on Friday for RIFT, their upcoming MMORPG. The test will kick off at 18:00 GMT on December 3, offering the chance to play the game's first 20 levels, PvP combat, and more. There's still time to sign up for an account, which includes the chance of being selected as a tester.
New patches are now available for ANNO 1404 as well as the North American edition of the strategy prequel, which is known as Dawn of Discovery. The version 1.3 patches for the European and North American editions can be found on The Patches Scrolls. There's also a version 2.1 patch for the EU edition of ANNO 1404: Venice on The Patches Scrolls as well as an ANNO 1404 Gold Edition EU patch on The Patches Scrolls.
The Star Ruler Website announces the release of a new patch for Star Ruler, updating the space strategy game to version 1.0.3.0, a patch that's also now automatically available though Steam. The patch to upgrade version 1.0.2.8 is mirrored on AtomicGamer and the patch for version 1.0.2.4 is mirrored on AtomicGamer. The change log also states that the new version "breaks multiplayer compatibility with previous versions." The patch notes follow. Continue here to read the full story.
A new patch to update Rulers of Nations is now available, which will bring the strategy game (also known as Geo-Political Simulator 2) to version 4.19. Word is: "The game now separately manages the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives, and takes into account the results of the recent election cycle." The patch can be found on AtomicGamer, Gamer's Hell, and WorthPlaying.
Steam's Give and Get Sale offers daily deals, and each day 30 customers will get the top five games on their wish lists. On Direct2Drive 1-in-5 orders is free. Also, there are a bunch of strategy games on sale on Matrix Games. Finally, there are also several items on sale in the Valve Merchandise Store.
- 48 Hour Madness on GoGamer. Cyber Monday Madness. Thanks Batman.
- Aliens vs. Predator on Steam. Save 66%.
- Arcen Games on the Arcen Online Store. Save 60%. Thanks Big Download.
- Assassin's Creed: Director's Cut Edition on The Official Ubisoft Online Store. Save 75%.
- Beat Hazard on Steam. Save 75%.
- Colin McRae DiRT 2 on Steam. Save 75%.
- Indie Air Pack on Steam. Save 92%.
- Mafia II on Steam. Save 25%.
- Metro 2033 on Steam. Save 75%.
- Monkey Island 2 Special Edition: LeChuck’s Revenge on Steam. Save 75%.
- Peggle Deluxe on Steam. Save 50%.
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic on Steam. Save 75%.
Still on sale (previously reported). Continue here to read the full story.
Link of the Day: The Big Lebowski - Tronitized. NSFW. Thanks Devicer.
R.I.P.: Irvin Kershner.
The Lord of the Rings Online Website announces the arrival of the November content update for Turbine's free-to-play MMORPG, just in the nick of time with December on the horizon. This page has an overview of the November update, while here is where to find the complete patch notes. In addition to the addition of a Yule Festival to roll in the holidays, the new version makes more content freely available to all players, as word is: "As part of our continued mission to make The Lord of the Rings Online™ the best Free to Play game in the world, we’ve now made all epic storyline quests in the game free allowing players to level all the way to 65! This grants all players access to all the epic storyline quests in Moria, Lothlórien and Mirkwood. All players can now delve into the depths of Moria, visit Galadriel in the Golden Wood and lay siege to the fortress of Dol Guldur."
Computer and Video Games has more on recent indications that a new Tomb Raider game is in the works. A Game Informer advertisement suggesting that the "a survivor is born" tagline is hinting at the next Lara Croft adventure. They point to a trademark noted by Tomb Raider BIZ showing that phrase has been registered by Square Enix. The mystery should be cleared up soon enough, as the ad indicates we should expect a reveal next week on December 6.
The FINAL FANTASY XIV Online Website has details on a recent "comprehensive" update to the fantasy MMORPG. The change list is significant, outlining balance changes, new features, bug fixes, and changes to how characters progress. There's also this update with word on perks Square Enix is offering to those who are actually playing both FINAL FANTASY XIV and FINAL FANTASY XI, the other online FINAL FANTASY game.
The Story of X-COM on Eurogamer talks with Julian Gollop about the history of X-COM, the turn-based strategy series he developed with his brother Nick. Along the way he explains how legal complications lead to the eventual change in direction for the series: "There was some dispute about who owned the licence. In those days, companies weren't terribly good about intellectual property protection. Our lawyers said that if it went to a court battle, we'd probably lose, and have to hand over the X-Com name. But strangely, their lawyers were telling them the same thing! We eventually struck a deal that we would get increased royalty rates for X-Com Apocalypse, and they would take the licence. And then, of course, Microprose took it in a slightly different direction."
MCV - Retail vs Steam.
This creative working of pricing, promotions and catalogue is something I am convinced retail can learn and benefit from. It frustrates me greatly that once a game is six weeks old, it is written off and consigned to the bargain bins, never to rise again. We have a 10-year-old simulator title that still sells regularly on digital platforms. This brings me to a quick recommendation. The Long Tail by Chris Anderson is an essential read for anyone who wants to understand the differentials and opportunities offered by the digital platform.
Cliffski’s Blog - Achievements.
I just can’t make my mind up about in-game achievements. The pseudo-intellectual whiny part of me says ‘they are just like pavlovs dog being trained, don’t give in to that manipulative OCD crap’. The rest of me goes ‘Oh YES! I just scored 47 hits with the flamethrower whilst running backwards, that’s the ‘platinum running backwards with flamethrower achievement’ checked off.’ (High-fives all-round).
So today is the so-called Cyber Monday, a celebration of online consumerism where deals should abound, which apparently works, as I've seen it estimated that well over 100 million Americans plan on doing some online shopping today. Today is also unofficially Hug A Gamer Day, so you should attempt to cash in on that as best you can. The occasion is inspired by the anniversary of the launch of the arcade version of Pong in 1972.
R.I.P.: Leslie Nielsen Dead At 84.
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