Archived News:
CERFY has impressions of Battlefield 3 from the C2E2 show in Chicago. We've seen lots of speculation about map sizes in the game, since the military shooter sequel will support 64 player multiplayer on PCs, but only 24 players on consoles. It was confirmed for them that the console versions of BF3 will actually use scaled-down versions of the maps. It was also explained to them that pilots on the console versions will have a larger airspace for maneuvering than the ground troops. Thanks Ant.
THQ announces they estimate Homefront has sold over one million units globally, and that they have now shipped 2.4 million units of Kaos Studios' first-person shooter. "We are very pleased with strong worldwide shipments and sell-through for Homefront, and we continue to fulfill new retail orders for the game across the globe," said Brian Farrell, THQ President and CEO. "Homefront is clearly resonating with gamers and we are certainly pleased with our initial sales results."
The promised pre-purchases of Sanctum on Steam are now underway, offering a 10% discount on this first-person shooter/tower defense hybrid. Those who make this advance commitment will be entitled to join in the game's ongoing closed beta test. The also have two-packs of the game that carry a 20% discount.
The GDC Vault now offers some free streaming videos from this year's Game Developers Conference. These include some postmortems of classic games, including this postmortem of DOOM conducted by John Romero and Tom Hall. Thanks Ant via Doomworld.
Major Nelson outlines LIVE Activity for week of March 14. As always, this includes Games for Windows Top LIVE Titles (based on UUs), which are listed below. Continue here to read the full story.
Week three of the 5th Anniversary Sale on GamersGate offers another huge selection of games up to 75% off. The IGN PC Store offers 20% off on over 3000 games when you use the code "ignpcstore" on checkout and Direct2Drive offers the same discount with a different code: "marchmadness".
- 18 Wheels of Steel - Extreme Trucker on Impulse. Save 75%.
- Astral Masters on Impulse. Save 50%.
- DiRT 2 on Games For Windows. Save 50%.
- Dragon Age Origins - Ultimate Edition on Impulse. Save 50%.
- F1 2010 on Steam. Save 50%.
- Fate of the World on Impulse. Save 25%.
- Full Spectrum Warrior Complete Pack on Impulse. Save 50%.
- Jets'n'Guns Gold on Impulse. Save 66%.
- The Sims 3 on IGN PC Store. Save 50%.
- The Stalin Subway on Impulse. Save 50%.
- The Stalin Subway - Red Veil on Impulse. Save 50%.
Still on sale (previously reported). Continue here to read the full story.
- The Games We Play exhibition in San Francisco is coming to a close at the end of this month.
- MASSIVE Giveaway on Mass Luminosity. Angel Munoz returns. Site has a bad WoT rating, but we're assured it's safe.
The MyCrysis Forum points to a number of posts for users having specific problems with Crysis 2, Crytek's just-released first-person shooter sequel. This thread and this FAQ are for those having trouble entering their promotional code. This thread offers a workaround for those having trouble with Crysis 2 not remembering their multiplayer key or saying their key is in use, and this thread has another possible solution to the key in use error (a patch is in the works for this). This thread explains that EA is working on fixing a "temporary issue" preventing the game from saving players' multiplayer statistics and unlocks. Meanwhile, this thread explains why they removed auto-aim with their day one patch and this thread discusses a bug causing graphics flickering on multi-GPU systems, and this thread offers a possible solution for this for Crossfire configurations that involves renaming the game executable.
Publisher Paradox Interactive and developer Fatshark are offering a free weekend for Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West, the online shooter set in the wild west. In addition, an automatic patch is now available for the game to address some issues, and add a new versus mode map called Appendoah Valley - The Crops of Wrath. Last but not least, though the game can be played for free this weekend, it is also on sale for 75% off. The discounted game is for sale on GamersGate and Steam, and the free weekend is being conducted through Steam, so the game's Steam page has details on that as well.
Codemasters officially announces F1 2011, saying their Formula One racing simulation sequel will be roaring onto PCs, Xbox 360s, and PlayStation 3s in September of this year. Here's word on the game, which is in development at Codemasters Birmingham: "In F1 2011 players will be challenged to ‘Be the driver, live the life, go compete,’ with wide-ranging technical and gameplay advancements on and off track and vastly extended competitive and co-operative multiplayer components. F1 2011 will feature all of the official teams, drivers and circuits from the highly anticipated 2011 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, including the current FIA FORMULA ONE Drivers’ World Champion Sebastian Vettel. The 2011 season also sees the debut of the 2011 FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX OF INDIA at Delhi’s Jaypee International Race Circuit and the return of the iconic Nürburgring to the calendar." They have also released this video in which Stephen Hood, chief designer on the game, explains how you can get to be one of the first to get to play the game by recording a question for the development team, and uploading it to the YouTube. There are further details on how this works on the game's FaceBook page, and here's the embedded version of the trailer. Continue here to read the full story.
Wargaming.net announces they are now accepting preorders for World of Tanks, their upcoming MMO third-person shooter, which is currently in beta. They offer three different preorder packages, and those who buy any of the three between now and April 12 will receive a unique tank as well as a limited-time offer to purchase the game's gold at about a 10% discount. European preorders are being accepted on this page and North Americans can preorder on this page. Here are some new screenshots, and here are the three different preorder levels:
- Heavy Package: 25,000 gold and the unique American tank M6A2E1 just for $90 (American), €75 and £63 (European)
- Medium Package: 18,700 gold and the unique German tank Pz. Kpfw. V/IV just for $67 (American), €56 and £47 (European)
- Light Package: 12,500 gold and the unique Soviet tank A-32 just for $45 (American), €38 and £32 (European)
This trailer from Duke Nukem Forever features Gearbox Software's Randy Pitchford with a special announcement about the upcoming first-person shooter, having fun with the revelation that the game's release is being pushed back a little over a month. The game is now slated for international release on June 10, followed by a North American release on June 14, a turnabout from the game's previously announced May dates, where the North American edition was to come first. No reason is offered for the delay, though the trailer does have a tagline saying "Duke Never Comes Early." 2K Games has also issued this press release on the topic, but that sheds no further light on this either, though it quotes 2K president Christoph Hartmann saying: "We’re committed to deliver a laugh-out-loud, politically incorrect experience that people will talk about for years to come. We thank Duke’s fans for their continued patience - I promise this won’t take another 15 years." Here's the embedded version of the trailer. Continue here to read the full story.
1C Company announces Theatre of War 3: Korea is now available. Word is: "Considered to be the most realistic strategy game ever produced, this PC only title can be purchased immediately from 1C's online shop, Steam, Battlefront.com and other online and retail stores." Here's more: The Theatre of War series is known for its unprecedented level of battlefield simulation including sophisticated ballistics, visibility and damage systems. Replay the events of the first hot war of the Cold War era, the Korean War. Players will be involved in two campaigns, both set in the 1950's: the North Korean (June 25 - August 20) and the American (September 15 - October 8).
In this title tactical engagement experts can test their skills on a new strategic level. Move your forces over the entire Korean Peninsula, managing reserves, as well as fuel and ammo supplies. Battles in Theatre of War 3: Korea are generated based on the strategic situation.
Steam News announces the availability of a new automatic patch for Team Fortress 2 which updates localization files in the teamplay shooter and also adds "Japan Charity Bundle items." The Team Fortress 2 Blog explains: Today, we'd like to offer a chance to help out at a time when that help matters most. To support the relief efforts currently underway in Japan, we're introducing three limited edition hats and two special noisemakers to the Mann Co. store. The "Humanitarian's Hachimaki" ($7.99), the "Benefactor's Kanmuri" ($19.99) and the most prestigious "Magnanimous Monarch" ($99.99) will be available from now through April 6. All proceeds (net of applicable taxes) will go directly towards the Japanese disaster relief fund that the American Red Cross has set up. The hats can be equipped by all classes; however, they cannot be traded or used for crafting.
DasReviews - How Crytek doomed Crysis 2's PC version. Thanks Ant.
All in all, the PC version of Crysis 2 is a console port and nothing more. We haven’t discussed the gameplay as we wanted to focus on specific PC features that are present in Crysis 1 and everyone would expect them to be still present. After all, this is not a review of the game. It is also funny witnessing Crytek’s employees wondering why PC gamers need ‘Advanced Settings’ when they can edit the cVar files to change whatever setting they want. How about it’s easier to find out what settings can impact the framerate with the in-game advanced settings?
We are pretty sure that Crytek will be blaming PC piracy if the PC version sales don’t meet their expectations. Instead of the PC piracy however, Crytek should blame themselves for letting down their PC fanbase and offering them a simple console port that lacks features that made Crysis what it is today. Maximum disappointment!
GeForce GTX 590 reviews are in.
Good news everyone! ComicMix has a clip revealing that Futurama is renewed for another season (thanks Ant). The video, by voice actor Maurice LaMarche, also reveals we missed two special occasions on Sunday, as besides the first day of spring, it was William Shatner's 80th birthday, which also marked the 3rd Annual International Talk Like William Shatner Day. Better late than never, I plan on talking like Shat all day. I think I will also put the moves on any green alien chicks I encounter.
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