Archived News:
This directory on the Aperture Laboratories Website has a countdown timer, which currently stands at a bit under 13 hours. There's nothing else on the page, and there's no indication what connection this has with the release of Portal 2, which is scheduled for next week, though clues in the Valve PotatoFoolsDay ARG are said to suggest the game will be released tomorrow. Thanks nin via Ant.
The Command & Conquer Blog has word that the prequel mission is now available to all Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight owners, a preorder mission called Night Moves ("I woke last night to the sound of thunder..."). Word is: "Just check your campaign screen for the “PRE-ORDER BONUS – Night Moves” mission and be part of Gideon’s master plan to lay a trap for the false prophet Kane." They also offer help for those who can't access this: "If you registered your C&C4 Tiberian Twilight account after March 2011, you will not be able to play the bonus mission right away. Just post in the prepared help thread on our official forum, and we will manually grant you access to the bonus mission!" Thanks Ant via Planet Command & Conquer.
This post on the Total War Website announces the upcoming second patch for Total War: Shogun 2 will add DirectX 11 support to The Creative Assembly's strategy sequel, saying they expect to release the patch in the first week of May. This is only appropriate, since the game's recommended system specs call for an: "AMD Radeon HD 5000 and 6000 series graphics cards or equivalent DirectX 11 compatible graphics card." They add that patch two and other future updates will also include multiplayer fixes, saying: "Since Shogun 2’s launch, we’ve been completely blown away by the success of multiplayer. However, the multiplayer issues many of you have identified require our thorough attention, so that’s a really big priority as well. You can expect a raft of multiplayer fixes and modifications in Patch 2, and beyond." Thanks Gamer's Hell.
A tweet by pcdev retweeted by Treyarch Community Manager Josh Olin reveals they are hoping to release modification tools for Call of Duty: Black Ops next month: "News: We are shooting for mod tools release in May. #codblackops #pc." Thanks Kotaku.
The pick-your-own-price Humble Frozenbyte Bundle, which will run for another 12 days, sold approximately 100,000 units in the first 48 hours of the promotion, bringing in about $500,000 for the indie developer, Child's Play, and the EFF. They are celebrating this success with the release of three songs from the Trine 2 soundtrack to all purchasers of the bundle. The main theme from Trine 2 is also available as a free stream and on the YouTube, and word is: "The Trine 2 soundtrack is again going to be composed by Ari Pulkkinen, whose most recent work include Angry Birds (for Rovio) and Outland (for Housemarque), in addition to all the soundtracks to Trine, Shadowgrounds and Shadowgrounds Survivor which are included in the bundle." They also announce a few further bits of tid:
- Jack Claw now supports keyboard & mouse! This brings the game available to a lot more people and doesn't require the Xbox 360 Controller anymore (which is still recommended but not mandatory). The new version is available from the bundle download page.
- Jack Claw Mac/Linux ports are progressing, hopefully release is soon!
- We are also working on a new FAQ to answer some frequent questions (incl. technical). It will go live at http://www.frozenbyte.com/help_humble/ (there's already a barebones version but it will get better shortly)
- There seems to be a bit of a fight going on on the top contributors list... one upping by $0.01 is awesome. ;) Notch and Garry are great. :)
The Priston Tale 2 Website announces a new patch is now available to update this free-to-play MMORPG to version 2.1.9. Included in the new version is a new zone called the Desert of Frontier. This trailer shows off the new zone.
Problems with the launch of Test Drive Unlimited 2 may result in more than free DLC for the racing sequel, if a rumor on French website GameKult proves accurate, as it says parent company Atari plans to lay off more than half the staff at French developer Eden Games in the coming weeks. A source is not described (a translation of the report simply states this is "according to our information"), but they say 51 employees are facing the axe, which would leave 50 developers remaining. They attempted to reach the developer for a comment to no avail. Thanks Ken via the TDU2 Forums.
The Battlefield Blog notes that the Battlefield FaceBook Page looks to coerce people into liking it by offering the chance to unlock a full Battlefield 3 trailer including producer's commentary when the page has reached the one million "like" plateau. Also, BF community site BATTLEFIELDO is holding a contest to remix the original Battlefield soundtrack. The EA Forums have a post from a user on this providing a link to download the soundtrack itself. Finally, BATTLEFIELDO is also hosting a BF2 Community Night tomorrow night.
The Games By Design Blog has the latest on A Valley Without Wind, the side-scroller in the works at Arcen Games. This outlines several recent additions and improvements to the game, including weather, monsters, a new female character, and other new visuals. They also offer a new trailer showing off these additions.
Ubisoft celebrates the fifth anniversary of the release of the Rayman Raving Rabbids, the rabbidy spin-off of the Rayman series. This is arguably a bit premature, as according to Wikipedia the game was first released on November 19, 2006, but what's a few months between friends. They offer the following rabbidy statistics: "Yes, these past five years have been very busy for the Rabbids: they sold more than nine million copies of their video games, produced more than five million collectible figurines, have been viewed by more than 50 million people on YouTube, used roughly 296,025,123 rolls of toilet paper and “bwaaaaaahed” an approximate total of 7,985,275,569 times. Only five years, and the Rabbids are everywhere, especially where no one would have expected them to be. We asked them what their plans are for the years to come. 'Bwaaaaaaaaaaaah!' they answered. We couldn’t have said it better." The festivities include this trailer, which is embedded below. Continue here to read the full story.
A new unofficial patch is now available for Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines, updating the Source-engine action/RPG from defunct developer Troika Games to version 7.4. The unofficial patch is available on its official home at The Patches Scrolls, where they have this change list, which is reproduced below. Continue here to read the full story.
Links of the Day: Making of The Hobbit: On set (thanks nin). Also this: Rise of the Planet of the Apes Trailer (thanks Neutronbeam). Better be a reboot, because I still have nightmares about the Marky Mark remake.
Hi-Rez Studios announces the release of version 1.4 of Global Agenda, the promised Free Agent update that makes the MMO shooter free-to-play. The game now offers Elite Agent status for a one-time fee, an honor which is automatically bestowed on anyone who has paid for the game. The new version also adds some new content, which is outlined below. Continue here to read the full story.
GOG.com has a recap of their awesome presentation on CDP Days. Included is the announcement of the release of Alone in the Dark on GOG.com, which includes AITD 1, 2, and 3. They also tease the future addition to their DRM-free marketplace of games from new publishers, saying one of either Microsoft, Electronic Arts, LucasArts, Take2, or Square Enix as already signed on, and two more from the list are "almost on board," though they are playing it close to the vest with details. They also say those with preorders of The Witcher 2: Assassin of Kings will be able to pre-download about 90% of the game starting May 10, so they will be set for the game's release on May 17. They also announce they will offer The Witcher: Enhanced Edition Director’s Cut at a 50% discount between May 10 and May 24. Finally, there are some further details about The Witcher 2 on Shacknews (thanks nin), where they note the game will have 16 different endings, and while the version of the game sold on GOG.com will be DRM-free, versions sold elsewhere will use SecuROM, in spite of CD Projekt's stated distaste for DRM. Update: Big Download has further details on the DRM, saying the SecuROM used by the game will use an internet check each time the game is launched, but will not require an ongoing connection after that. Player will be able to install the game an unlimited number of times on an unlimited number of PCs, and it can be played on up to five different machines at one time.
A post on Computer and Video Games takes Daily Mail columnist Anne Diamond, Channel 5 presenter Matthew Wright, and former heartthrob Stephanie Powers to task for their hysterical commentary on video games. This prompts them to create a W.R.O.N.G. badge, which honors the "Witless and Ridiculous Opinions Of Non-Gamers." They transcribe a portion of a television exchange (which can't be viewed in this territory) to explain: Matthew Wright: It was one of the most shocking news reports I've ever seen. That someone could peddle up, take his machine gun out and spray people [with bullets], almost without looking at who he was hitting. [Turns to Powers]: But I guess as an American, you've seen more than your fair share of teenagers and gun stories.
Stefanie Powers: I'm afraid so. And I hate to think that as Americans we've exported along with rap music and the horrible video... I say the horrible video culture. It's the horrible violent video games [wiggles thumbs] which, I'm terribly sorry, they've been used far too long as baby-sitting devices, so that children are raised with these flashing, hot symbols of violence. And irresponsible violence; there's no responsibility to the violence.
MW: Absolutely. Which you can equate with a teenage boy who almost certainly would have played just those games, spraying a machine gun without...
Anne Diamond: Well in fact, having just that sort of armoury under his bed - just like you'd have a couple of Nintendos and a PlayStation under your bed.
MW: Yep. Yep.
SP: And it's probably that emotionally he's just as detached from the potential of this as he would be with his Nintendo.
Though it's not yet offered on the Need for Speed Downloads Page, a new patch for Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit is now available on the Criterion Games Website, updating the racing sequel to version 1.05. The new patch addresses game crashes that could occur when players are presented with the "press any key" prompt. The download is mirrored on AtomicGamer, Gamer's Hell, and The Patches Scrolls.
A since-deleted post on 4chan (mirrored here) offers purported details on Diablo III, posted by someone who claims to have been an internal tester at Blizzard before being fired. A post on Lo-Ping puts the /v/ chat in a more easily read format, allowing one to read all the information provided, while skipping most of the seemingly endless accusations that this is all a big troll. It certainly may all be made up, but if it isn't, obviously spoilers abound. Thanks Gamer's Hell.
A new trailer from The First Templar introduces Roland, one of the three playable characters in the upcoming co-op action/adventure game. Here's word: "In this exciting new trailer, we see Roland showing off his powerful melee combat skills and finishing moves, as he battles through relentless waves of foes." The game is due in North America on May 10, and more details can be found on the game's official website. The embedded trailer follows. Continue here to read the full story.
An English-language demo for The Next BIG Thing is now available, to accompany the semi-recent German demo for Pendulo Studios' adventure game. Word is: "The demo puts you in the shoes of young Liz Allaire, one of the game’s two playable characters, in the midst of a journalistic investigation with her colleague Dan Murray. The Horror Night Ceremony is in full swing, and while our journalist duo is covering the event, Liz stubmles [sic] upon some suspicious activity. She witnesses the famous Hollywood monster actor Big Albert breaking into the office of his boss, Fitz Randolph, who also happens to be the biggest horror movie producer in the biz. The demo will give adventure fans a taste of the crazy, funny adventure to come. The Next Big Thing is loaded with whacky characters and puzzles of all types." The demo is available on the game's official website, and mirrored on AtomicGamer, Gamer's Hell, and Strategy Informer. The full game is due for release next Thursday.
Candella Software, KrazyMotion, and Saga Wonderworks announce Alien Jihad, an upcoming arcade shooter for Windows, iOS, Android, and consoles. The game is set in the near future when the earth has achieved a peaceful state, which is interrupted by an alien invasion: "Hundreds of aliens from the planet Virginopolis invaded Earth. Using their advanced Fatwa technology, they turned greedy Wall Street investment bankers into ravaging alien clones." The game's edgy title seems to reflect an edgy approach, as the announcement includes odd references to the British Nazi Party, aboriginal genocide, the Italian Prime Minister's underage girlfriend, fearless Danish cartoonists, and more. Here are a logo and a piece of concept art from the game.
The Phantom EFX Online Store now offers sales of Battle Slots, a roll-playing game that uses the slot machine skinner box paradigm to calculate loot and other gameplay mechanics. "We’ve been creating award-winning and industry leading slot machine titles for years now, and with Battle Slots, we’re applying that skill to an entire new realm to create a deep and fulfilling RPG experience the likes of which has never been seen in the industry," said Aaron Schurman, CEO of Phantom EFX. "Our talented crew has been working hard on Battle Slots for quite some time now, and I know I speak for everyone here when I say I’m unbelievably thrilled to be launching and giving gamers the chance to play through one of the best games we’ve ever produced." There are more details on the Battle Slots Website, where they also offer a link to the recently released playable demo.
This open letter from the IGDA Board of Directors is addressed to all members of the game development community, expressing concerns over Amazon's current Appstore distribution terms "and the negative impact they may have on the game development community," saying they urge developers to educate themselves on the pros and cons of submitting content to Amazon." They express concerns over Amazon's ability to exclusively dictate sale prices to their own benefit, as summed up in this statement: "The IGDA's bottom line is simple: under Amazon's current terms, Amazon has little incentive not to use a developer's content as a weapon with which to capture marketshare from competing app stores." They urge developers to educate themselves on all the implications of this distribution agreement, and add that: "Any goodwill that Amazon shows developers today may evaporate the minute Amazon's Appstore becomes so big that Android developers have no choice but to distribute their content via the store. It would be foolish to assume that because Amazon's Appstore is small today, it will not become the Walmart of the Android ecosystem tomorrow."
Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb tweets about the launch of the Kinect for Windows SDK Website, which says the Windows SDK for the motion controller is coming later this spring (thanks VG247). This press release has further details on what the SDK will include:
- Robust Skeletal Tracking for high-performance capabilities that track the skeleton image of one or two persons moving within the Kinect field of view
- Advanced Audio Capabilities, including four-element microphone array with sophisticated acoustic noise and echo cancellation for great audio; beam formation to identify the current sound source and integration with the Windows speech recognition API also included
- XYZ depth camera for standard color camera stream access and depth data that indicates the distance of the object from the Kinect camera
Ars Technica - The incredible shrinking game.
According to The Entertainment Software Association, the average game buyer is 34 years old and has been gaming for 12 years. At that age, they have more than just video games to worry about. And unlike when they were younger, they now have more money than free time.
"They've got jobs, families, kids to take care of. They don't have time to sit and go on an eight-hour bender," said Kagel who's 34, himself. "You go to work, you come home, you have dinner with the family, you play with the kids. At the end of the day, how much time do you have to spend on gaming?"
Last night I nodded off on the couch after MrsBlue went to bed. I awoke this morning to the eager face of the Gunnar-man, and heard the familiar sound of Hudson the wonder dog's "please let me in" bark. Yup, before going to bed, MrsBlue let both dogs out, but when Gunnar asked to come in, apparently Hudson was in the middle of some adventure, which turned out to be an all-nighter in the yard by herself. This has me a little upset, but she seems none the worse for the experience, as she has a very independent feral side (as befitting a terrier), and I think for the most part she probably enjoyed herself.
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