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Archived News:
The Word of Notch has news on plans for the full launch of Minecraft on November 11, which is also the release date for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, inspiring the unofficial tagline "us too." Notch also acknowledges that the official launch of a constantly changing game is a little hard to pin down: "It’s a bit tricky to really do a release for Minecraft as we keep updating it all the time. For one, the version we deem as the “full version” won’t be very different at all from what the game was like a week ago, and we’ll keep adding features after the release as well, so it’s really more of a milestone when we finally get rid of the Beta label, and some kind of goal for us to work towards. The plan is to be open with this and try to get people to cheer us on as much as possible, but to be open with the fact that the game won’t change much at the actual release day. (It’s more a progress up until that point)." He also offers an update on the game: We’ve been working on finishing up Achievements and Statistics for 1.5, I ran into some issues with JSON, got frustrated, and added weather instead. Developing new features like that is what I enjoy doing the most, so I ended up covering a lot of ground. There’s periodic downfall (snow in snowy areas, rain in others, nothing in deserts) that make the sky darker, hides the sun, moon and stars, and makes everything wet. Ice grows back in cold regions, and snowfall covers the ground when it’s snowing. During rain/snow, there can be occasional thunderstorms with lightning. I haven’t finished the actual lightning bolt yet, but everything else is fairly done. Once the stats are done and the weather has been tested through, we’ll release 1.5. I’m guessing this will be next week. The piston mod might get added, but it will not be in time for 1.5.
Square Enix announces June 21 is the new North American street date for Dungeon Siege III, the action/RPG sequel in the works art Obsidian Entertainment previously planned for release on May 31. They also announce a delay to the European release of the game from May 27 to June 17. "Square Enix is committed to delivering the ultimate Dungeon Siege experience," said Mike Fischer, president and CEO of Square Enix, Inc. "Although the final polish phase has demanded a bit more time than originally planned, we want to assure fans and followers that the additional effort will allow us to deliver an action–RPG worthy of its rich heritage."
MTV Networks today announced the formation of 345 Games, a new developer to create games based on the programming on Comedy Central and Spike TV. Their first project is Deadliest Warrior: Legends, a PSN/XBLA sequel to Pipeworks Software's console Deadliest Warrior game. This will be followed by Ugly Americans: Apocalypsegeddon, a four-player co-op console game. Thanks Gamasutra.
The Bethesda Blog offers a first screenshot from Prey 2 along with a piece of concept art from the upcoming first-person shooter sequel. Word is: "And in the coming weeks, you can expect more previews, interviews, etc. online. Once that’s all out there, you’ll know more about what (and who) is in the game, and how it all relates to the original game."
There's an interview with Roman Ribaric on Gamertag Radio talking with the CEO of Croteam about Serious Sam 3: BFE, their upcoming first-person shooter prequel. Topics include how the game ties in with Serious Sam: The First Encounter, similarities with the other games in the series as well as differences, new enemies, how 16-player co-op is supposed to work, a denied request to know what BFE stands for, and more. We didn't know BFE was a mystery, we've been assuming it means Before First Encounter.
Better Know Gabe Newell on IndustryGamers is a brief Q&A with the Valve co-founder, exploring some interesting topics, like how he "got fired from a German gymnasium working as a towel boy after one day." Along the way he reveals his proudest career moments: "Each year when we hand out bonuses. I am very proud that the company is working so well for the people who work here and their families." He also offers his vision of the future of the games industry: I think it's always useful to project out the most basic characteristics of things that have a huge impact and are fairly predictable. That's things like the CPU performance, GPU performance, hard drive cost/bit, network costs, and so on. Anytime you project five years down the road, you almost always realize you need to rethink what you're doing. For example network costs are going down, but they are not going down as fast as computing or rendering costs, which paradoxically makes you want to push work out to the edges of the network (although there's something weird about humans' current ability to absorb data through audio and video that may create a floor).
GamesCampus announces Asda 2, a sequel to Asda, their anime-themed MMORPG. The new game will supplement the previous one, rather than replace it, as they explain: "Asda 2 will launch as an all-new game which includes vast customization possibilities, intense PvP, and more." Applications for the closed beta test are being accepted on the Asda 2 Website. Word is the game will feature "hardcore" PvP, a marriage system, and "limitless customization and endless variety."
Open beta testing is now underway for ARGO Online, a free-to-play post-apocalyptic steampunk MMORPG with RTS elements. Here's word on the game: "Whether they choose to side with the Noblian or Floresslah faction, each player will have a part to play in the war for control over the rare and precious Earthdium element and, ultimately, over control of the war-torn Earth of the future. Complete with thousands of quests, multiple classes with intricate skill trees, multi-character transports, and more, ARGO Online is an adventure unlike any other."
Closed beta testing is now underway for C21, a mecha-themed MMO action/RPG that ties-in with CosmicBreak by offering items in this free-to-play MMOTPS as rewards for C21 players. Here's word on the testing: "Players who participate in the Closed Beta Test will automatically receive over 50 robots to play with during the test. Experience points and money during the test will be gained at triple the normal rate, allowing players to quickly advance through the game."
This trailer from Darkspore introduces the Meditron, a hero that serves as a repair-bot in the upcoming Spore-based action/RPG. Word is: "As one of the only heroes that can cleanse debuffs in the game, Meditron is invaluable to any squad, in both co-op and PvP. Combining the ability to heal other characters, reverse positive and negative debuffs, boost the squad abilities of others and passively attack enemies with his sentry drone, Meditron is sure to be a useful asset to any squad. The new Hero Spotlight Video gives gamers a sneak peek into all of these abilities and more!" Here's the embedded clip. Continue here to read the full story.
A new trailer from Elements of War shows off "some of the in-game battles and weather-controlling weapons that will be showcased when the game hits US stores on April 12 and digital distribution services on April 15." Here's more on this near-future RTS game: "Elements of War features 12 extensive missions spread across 12 expansive maps, each mission challenging the player’s tactical skills as they battle enemy factions for control of the battlefield." The clip is embedded below. Continue here to read the full story.
Direct2Drive offers a 15% discount on the "hottest games in March" when you use the code "MARCHMAYHEM" on checkout. Strategy First is donating 20% of online sales between now and April 11th to Japanese earthquake/tsunami relief.
The Maniaplanet Forum offers the first screenshot (click on the shot to drop the surrounding page) from TrackMania 2, Nadeo's upcoming racing game sequel. This was revealed as part of a puzzle presented in the forums, and presumably we'll have another shot eventually, though this second puzzle has more pieces than the first one. Meanwhile, Nadeo CEO Florent Castelnerac has made some posts about the future of the project, saying he's not sure how long it will be after the game's unveiling at E3 that the beta would start, later clarifying that the previous estimate that beta testing would commence last year was sincere, but postponed when they eventually decided on a variety of improvements they wanted to make, also saying the post E3 beta might be pushed back if they "have some new discovery on ShootMania," their upcoming shooter. Thanks Frans.
The Brad Wardell interview on PCWorld grabs a burger with the President and CEO of Stardock, discussing games and GameStop's recent acquisition of Impulse. He explains that while Impulse was very successful last year, nearly tripling its revenue and showing a gross profit margin between 20 and 30 percent, the service would require ever-more resources to keep up with the competition. He also implies that Impulse is superior to Steam technologically: "If Impulse isn't best of breed technology, then what is, Steam?" says Wardell. "Steam is the most popular, to be sure, but technologically? Let me put it this way. The technology difference between Impulse and Steam is such that any objective developer who looked at the two would overwhelmingly...let's just say the gulf is significant enough that it's not really a 'depends on your point of view' thing." He concludes his assessment of the situation with his subjective view that GameStop is the favorite to win its battle with Steam: "I don't want there to be only one," says Wardell. "But frankly I'd be surprised if Steam is still... I mean, you look at the technology Impulse adds and the resources GameStop has--well beyond Valve's--and it's really GameStop's fight to lose."
Hi-Rez Studios today announces plans for a version 1.4 "Free Agent" update for Global Agenda that will add a free-to-play mode to their MMO shooter when it launches over the next couple of weeks. When this goes live, players will be able to purchase "Elite Agent" status with a one-time purchase of $19.99/£13.99/€15.99, and in the meantime players who own the game or purchase it before version 1.4 goes live will get the Elite upgrade automatically. Elite Agents will receive some perks and will level up faster, and both free and Elite players will also be able to purchase optional booster packs. They note that free players will have access to all the game's current playable content, will have the ability to earn all of the game's current items without spending money, and will not be hindered by level restrictions. There are further details in the Free Agent FAQ.
GameStop announces the launch of their GameStop Shop on Facebook, looking to find customers to pay for games in a sea of free gaming. Word is: "The store launch reflects the rapid innovation of Facebook commerce, from early days of rigid store templates and widgets, to now full blown cutting edge shopping experiences. GameStop's Facebook store utilizes more rich media, like product videos, reviews and ratings, store finders, product carousels, likes and shares, than any store ever launched in Facebook. The GameStop store shows the beginning trend of truly customizable experiences and best of breed technologies embedded directly in Facebook. The showcase store is set to usher in a new era of Facebook store development by top retailers which utilize the most cutting edge technologies available, enabling social shopping experiences to support the rapid growth of Facebook commerce."
Wargaming.net offers some statistics from the beta testing of World of Tanks, their MMOTPS that's due for its official launch next week. Here's an overview: "Over almost a year of beta-testing World of Tanks recruited about 700,000 players in Europe and North America that took part in 5.6 million battles battering 1.7 billion shells to destroy more than 115 million tanks and artillery units. PCCU number surpassed 25,000 players." They also note the game's most popular armaments: "According to the statistics PzIV, KV and M3_Grant were the most popular German, Soviet and American tanks respectively over the course of the beta." They conclude announcing a reward for beta testers: "All closed beta-testers and those with 1000 and more battles fought will be awarded with the M4A2E4 tank in acknowledgement of their contribution to the development of the game." Here are some new World of Tanks screenshots.
Beta testing is now underway for Shmusicup (Shoot Music Up), "a hybrid of a rhythm/music game and a shoot 'em up. It is a shooter where the enemy bullet patterns are generated by any mp3 chosen from your music collection." Here's word on testing: "The Beta is now playable free at http://www.shmusicup.com. Gamers who pre-order the complete game, which will include a downloadable release version, will get instant access to the full Beta immediately." This trailer offers a look at the game, and here's a feature list:
- Unique blend of rhythm/music game and shoot'em up
- Unlimited gameplay and replayability, play any mp3s
- Awesome graphics and highly polished
- Online leaderboards for every individual song
- Play online on Windows / Mac / Linux
- Multiple skill levels to cater for different players
IGN has an interview with Michael Avon Oeming, who is part of the team producing the Portal comic book to bridge the gap between Portal and Portal 2, saying they will offer the first installment in the comic tomorrow. Here's a bit on what this entails: "All we want to say is that it fills the gap between the first and second game, while introducing a much-rumored yet never seen character. It's truly expanding the Portal world and narrative. I think we managed to touch on both the humor and subtle darkness of the game. Ted's never been known as a comedy writer, but there are some funny lines in there." Thanks Big Download.
GameStop now lists a DiRT 3 bundle that carries a $299.99 list price. Normally charging that for a game would involve a gun, but in this case it is because the rally racing sequel is being bundled with a Ken Block Gymkhana remote control car. They don't list a PC edition of this bundle, but they don't have a listing for the PC edition of the unbundled game either. Thanks VG247 via Examiner.
Matrix Games announces the release of a new video developer diary for Time of Fury, the grand strategy game in development at Wastelands Interactive. The third installment in the diary series is posted on the YouTube as well as their downloads section.
Paradox Interactive offers this trailer with the first gameplay footage from Supreme Ruler: Cold War, showing off the interface in the upcoming continuation of the Supreme Ruler series of strategy games. Here's the accompanying blurb about the game: "As the 1950’s approach, the Korean War looms, the Arms Race intensifies, and the world anticipates a new World War. As leader of the United States or the Soviet Union, you must make the correct Economic, Diplomatic, Domestic and Military decisions to successfully navigate your country through this dangerous historical era and increase your nation’s Sphere of Influence on the world stage. The trailer demonstrates Supreme Rules Cold War’s game-play, strategic complexity and depth, while also highlighting the tension during the cold war. At this tumultuous time in history, the world craves a leader—will you be it?"
The Mets are in the middle of a series with the Phillies and the Knicks played the 76ers last night. As is always the case when watching too many sporting events in Philadelphia, I am now fighting a craving for a cheese steak, as every broadcast includes at least one scene of cheese steak porn.
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