Archived News:
Battlefield 3 Interview with Patrick Bach on MSXboxWorld talks with DICE's Executive Producer on Battlefield 3, discussing various aspects of the upcoming military shooter sequel. Near the end, they ask if a demo is to be expected, and Bach's response was simply: "Yes!" There are also Patrick Bach interviews on Xboxer360.com and ThisIsXbox.com. Thanks Ant via Planet Battlefield.
It looks like insolvent Austrian videogames publisher JoWooD will not be emerging from its financial woes, according to German news site boerse-express. A translation of their report indicates that negotiations with potential investors have collapsed, and it looks like they will be closing up shop. Thanks GameInformer.
Gearbox Software tweets about plans to enhance the already presumably awesome season finale of Archer tonight with a new Duke Nukem Forever trailer: "Heads up! We're airing a new Duke Nukem Forever trailer on FX tonight during the Archer finale at 10 PM EST/9 PM CST/10 PM PST!" There's an uncensored "come get some" Duke Nukem Forever trailer now available on GameInformer, though it's not clear whether this is the clip that will be on TV tonight. The trailer features a bunch of gameplay, as well as unblurred stripper boobs, which will probably be censored if this is the clip shown during Archer, as that's probably too much, even for FX.
Focus Home Interactive announces that The Next BIG Thing is now available for Windows via digital distribution as well as at European retailers. Here's an overview of this adventure game: The Next Big Thing is Pendulo Studios' biggest production to date, a spiritual successor to their million-selling Runaway series. The game takes players on a wild adventure set in an alternate version of classic Hollywood, where monsters and humans live side by side. To solve the unbelievable case, players take the helm as unlikely journalist duo Dan Murray and Liz Allaire, searching the environment for clues and chatting with witnesses. The visuals shine with HD graphics up to 1920x1080 resolution featuring a gorgeous hand-drawn style.
EA announces gamers participating in its fundraising efforts have contributed over $1 million USD to earthquake and tsunami relief efforts in Japan. "The devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan last month touched everyone at EA," said Curt Wilhelm, Vice President of Real Estate, Facilities and Corporate Services at Electronic Arts. "We’re very proud to see our employees and Labels come together quickly and decisively to help those truly in need after such a tragic event."
The Bethesda Blog offers a new trailer called "Call of the Forge" from Hunted: Demon's Forge, Bethesda's upcoming third-person action game. Word is: "Hunted is just over a month away and to help get you ready, we’re releasing several behind-the-scenes videos. In the first video, Call of the Forge, the developers discuss the world of Hunted and the secrets the Demon’s Forge hold. Stay tuned for new videos, and be sure to catch up on the recent press coverage highlighting Crucible — the game’s level editor."
Hacking NetFlix has news that the U.S. Postal Regulatory Commission has ruled that the U.S. Postal Service "...had unduly discriminated against GameFly" (thanks Mike Martinez via Slashdot). This comes almost exactly two years after GameFly claimed that their postage costs doubled after they were forced to use protective mailers to prevent breakage, but that Netflix and Blockbuster discs got preferential treatment preventing them from suffering the same fate. An Order on Complaint ( Adobe Acrobat-format) has all the details, here's a bit: [1004] DVDs returned by subscribers to Netflix in its prepaid letter-sized mailers are non-machinable, and are frequently damaged or cause machine jams. DVDs returned by subscribers to GameFly also are damaged from processing on automated letter processing equipment. The Postal Service separates and hand processes a substantial proportion of Netflix’s returns without imposing a non-machinable surcharge. The Postal Service is unwilling to hand process GameFly’s returns causing GameFly to incur an additional ounce charge on its mail, which the Postal Service refuses to waive.
[1005] To remedy this unreasonable preference, the Commission orders the Postal Service to establish two parallel rate categories within First-Class Mail for round- trip DVD mail. One category establishes that DVDs sent as presorted First-Class Mail letters to subscribers will not be subject to the non-machinable surcharge when returned. The other rate category provides that DVDs mailed as First-Class Mail flats to and from subscribers will not be subject to an additional ounce charge.
The Arma 2 Official Website now offers a new trailer from Arma 2: Reinforcements, the recently released expansion for Bohemia Interactive's military shooter sequel. The clip features ground combat, air-to-ground attacks, vehicles, cutscenes, and more.
Save 25% on orders over $19.95 at Direct2Drive when you enter the code "BUNNY" at checkout.
- Fable III on Steam. Get 4 in-game weapons and 5 tattoo sets with pre-purchases.
- The First Templar on Steam. Save 15% on pre-purchases.
- Resident Evil 5 on Games For Windows. Save 50%.
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic on Direct2Drive and Direct2Drive, Jr. Save 25%.
Still on sale (previously reported). Continue here to read the full story.
Xbox LIVE's Major Nelson reports LIVE activity for the week of April 11, which includes Games for Windows Top LIVE Titles (based on UUs). The full list follows. Continue here to read the full story.
- Fallout: New Vegas Honest Hearts on The Vault. Promotional image.
The Final Hours of Portal 2 Teaser Website mentioned last night now reveals this is for The Final Hours of Portal 2 for iPad on the iTunes App Store, as Geoff Keighley has created an app based on his "unprecedented 'fly on the wall' access [to Valve] over the past three years to create this staggering 15,000 word multimedia experience." The intro also mentions a "hush-hush Portal prequel that was shelved," and looking to get the most of their $1.99, Kotaku shares details about this, saying that for five months in 2008 Valve was developing a Portal prequel set in the 1950s which did not actually include Portals. They say this was based on a new " F-Stop" gameplay mechanic that Valve was very excited about, but apparently play testers had a different vision for a Portal follow up, wanting it to include Chell, GLaDOS, and yes, portals. It seems this F-Stop gameplay mechanic will still show up in a future game, as Valve is keeping it under wraps, though Keighley's app includes F-Stop concept art that keeps its secrets safe. Also included is word on a Half-Life reference that was cut from Portal 2 and details on game prototypes Valve worked on during a three-month period when they took a break from other scheduled projects.
TopWare Interactive announces Two Worlds II: Castle Defense, a standalone game to be released next month based on a free demo level released late last year. This page offers screenshots, more info, and downloads of the demo, and here's a bit on what this entails: Use the one-time opportunity to slip into the role of the Emperor Gandohar and his henchman Sordahon! These villains from the "Two Worlds" universe are now playable for the first time ever in this strategy game, thus opening an entirely new perspective into the fantastic world of Antaloor. Using foresight and skill, you must defend abandoned ruins, dark forests and winding catacombs against the onrushing Orcs. Ward off each attack with clever tactics and weaponry, defending Gandohar's throne in the Oswaroth fortress! Are you ready to break the high score, meeting the ultimate Castle Defense challenge against online opponents from around the world?
A new trailer from Dungeon Siege III introduces Anjali, another of the characters in the upcoming action/RPG sequel. Word is: "Anjali is an Archon - a literal legend, come to life. In the stories of old, archons were spirits of fire, who served the long-lost creator gods. However, Anjali was raised by those who were sympathetic to the plight of the Legion. As such, Anjali does not know how she came to this world, what happened to the others of her kind or the true extent of her awesome power. Anjali is able to shift freely between her human form and an incarnation of pure elemental fire. In human form, she fights with a staff or a spear, allowing her to fend off multiple attackers while leaping in and out of the fray. In her fiery incarnation, she can hurl bolts of flames at ranged targets, flood entire areas with heat and fire, or inflict searing wounds that injure her foes over time. Anjali has many surprises for those who oppose her from both the martial to the mystical, but few strike terror into the hearts of her enemies like the summoning of her Fire Jackal." Here's the embedded version. Continue here to read the full story.
A new "The Journey Begins" Trailer from Dungeons & Dragons: Daggerdale sets the story for the upcoming Dungeons & Dragons Forgotten Realms RPG. Word is: "The journey begins in the remote Desertsmouth Mountains where the evil Rezlus and his Zhentarim in [sic] are attempting to invade and conquer the Dalelands of the Forgotten Realms." The embedded version follows. Continue here to read the full story.
Hi-Rez Studios announces SMITE, an upcoming free-to-play DoTA-inspired online battleground featuring combat between gods. The Smite Website and Smite Facebook Page are online, offering some background and images. The game does not yet carry a release date, but they say they already have a playable version working, and they "look forward to sharing additional details about the project in the coming months." Here's a bit more: Players choose from a selection of mythical gods, join session-based arena combat, and use custom powers and team tactics against other player-controlled gods and non-player controlled minions.
"As a studio and as gamers, we love competitive multi-player games that reward teamwork and strategy", says Todd Harris, Hi-Rez Studios COO. "With SMITE, we draw inspiration from DoTA-style RTS titles, but leverage the Unreal 3 Engine to introduce original action oriented combat mechanics, great graphics, and a mythology-themed setting. These session-based games depend upon balanced class design, sophisticated stat-tracking, and matchmaking functionality.
Steam and RaceRoom Online now offer the GT Power expansion for RACE 07, the third of five announced expansions for the racing sequel. The pack features new cars and new tracks on which to put them through their paces. Here's word: "Three high profile exotic GT sportscars are ready to hammer around new tracks from both sides of the old iron curtain. Also two completely new and exciting race tracks will make their debut in the 'GT Power Pack': 'Mid-Ohio' and 'Chayka'. 'Mid Ohio' is often named as 'the best road course' in the USA whereas 'Chayka' is the first track out of the former Soviet Union to make it to a SimBin title."
Microsoft announces Fable III will be released through Steam simultaneously with the retail launch of the RPG sequel on May 17 in North America, though obviously a game developed by Microsoft-owned Lionhead Studios and published by Microsoft Game Studios will also be sold through the Games for Windows Marketplace. A new Fable III PC Video Diary #4 is online discussing development, and the announcement notes different preorder bonuses from the distributors: “Fable III” will be available for pre-order on both Steam and Games for Windows Marketplace starting 21 April. Fans who pre-order through Games for Windows Marketplace will receive “Fable: Lost Chapters” – the start of the Fable saga - for free! And those who purchase on Steam will receive the Rebel's Weapon & Tattoo Pack, a collection of four exclusive weapons and five exclusive tattoo sets to customize their rebel hero.
Paradox Interactive announces the King Arthur Collection, an RTS/RPG bundle due late next month which will offer King Arthur: The Role-playing Wargame along with its two expansions, The Saxons and The Druids, as well as the Knights and Vassals and the Legendary Artifacts DLC. This trailer shows off the new collection, and here's a bit on what to expect: From building up armies to slaying mystical beasts, this collection will transport players back to the time of Merlin and Sir Lancelot as they battle their way through an engaging campaign mode that challenges them to prove that Arthur is the Once and Future King of prophecies.
Project Zomboid is an upcoming zombie-themed survival/RPG that's now available for preorder which will be playable as a standalone game for Windows, OS X, and Linux, as well as in a browser. The Project Zomboid Website has media and further details, saying a playable demo should be released by the end of this month. Word is: "If you think it’s a bit cheeky us asking for pre-orders / donations before we even have a demo out, then we kind of agree, but we really had no choice. Please read a bit of history on why we needed to do this. It wasn’t our original plan and we understand why people would be apprehensive or cynical about it and we understand if it’s something you personally are not comfortable with, and look forward to you seeing the demo when it’s released." Thanks Reddit.
Valve says it has no interest in submitting Steam sales data to planned digital game charts, reports MCV. Head of Steam Jason Holtman explains: "The idea of a chart is old. It came from people trying to aggregate disaggregated information. What we provide to partners is much more rapid and perfected information." He offers a self-fulfilling criticism that charts don't accurately reflect sales because they have failed to include digital sales in the past: "“If you look back at the way retail charts have been made, they have been proven to be telling an inaccurate story," said Holtman. "They apparently had shown how the PC format was dying when it was actually thriving." He goes on to explain it's not important to developers and publishers to know how other games are performing, just how their own games are selling.
A post on the PlayStation Blog by Gearbox Software president Randy Pitchford reveals that over 6,000 man-months have been invested in development of Duke Nukem Forever, the once-cancelled and now fairly imminent first-person shooter. Word is: "I have estimated that 3D Realms invested between 3,500 and 4,500 man-months of effort into the game, a lot of which has been lost to the ages. Meanwhile, by the time Gearbox ships the game we’ll have put in another 2,500 man months of effort. I’ve never been involved with a project of this magnitude. By comparison, Borderlands, which is by no means a small game and involved the invention of an entirely new universe and new technologies to support crazy features like millions of guns, involved between 3,500 and 4,000 man-months of effort." Oddly, this means that Gearbox has invested well over half the time in developing the game as 3D Realms did, even though 3D Realms worked on the game around six times longer than they did. Shacknews did the math on this, saving wear-and-tear on our calculators. A man month represents about 175 man-hours, meaning DNF development has consumed over one million man-hours.
A new trailer from Prototype 2 features some of the developers at Radical Entertainment clarifying the underlying conflict in the upcoming open-world action game sequel, describing the motivations of its protagonist and antagonist. Word is: "The video explains the reason why Alex Mercer is now the enemy and also features new pre-alpha gameplay footage." The clip is accompanied by this Heller Montage Poster. Here's the embedded clip. Continue here to read the full story.
Interinactive - The fall of Rainbow Six. Thanks Suibriel.
In 2006, Rainbow Six: Vegas was released on the Xbox 360 with a delay to the PC version. The game visually looked the part (minus the crammed FOV) but unfortunately this is where the series really took a departure. For a game that was once so reliant on the player to overcome difficult situations by using their wits, Rainbow Six had now resorted to overly used gameplay mechanics such as health regeneration, a 3rd person cover system, corridor based levels and over the top action orientated gameplay. Health regeneration… in a Rainbow Six game? Blasphemy. At one time the playing field was leveled, now you were virtually invincible.
I finished the single-player Portal 2 campaign, and I am very impressed at how it lived up to the expectations set by its predecessor, which I've long considered a "perfect" game, or close to it, and certainly one of my favorites of all time. I think that Portal 2 fits into both those categories as well: It's near perfect, and it also already ranks among my favorite-ever gaming experiences. I generally take my time when playing games, but this one I tore through voraciously, though according to Steam I have played for 13 hours (I would have guessed a little less). This is in part because I know I'll play the game over again, and probably in part because I got into a "how quickly can I solve this" mode during a blast through the original Portal prior to the sequel's release, which I completed in about 90 minutes; including close to 30 minutes navigating through Aperture Labs for the final encounter. Anyway, the pacing of the game was great, the new puzzle elements like the gels were integrated very smoothly, Stephen Merchant and J.K. Simmons are brilliant, and some of the puzzles turned out quite challenging in a satisfying sort of way. Very simply, I'm making a note here: HUGE SUCCESS. It's hard to overstate my satisfaction.
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