Archived News:
A tweet noted on NeoGAF says that layoffs have hit id Software: "Some layoffs at idSoftware today, perhaps more to come later." Joystiq has a statement from id parent Zenimax Media saying they are "still recruiting and hiring qualified developers" for id Software, and that "development work on future id titles continues unabated," while offering this confirmation of cuts at the formerly indie developer: As part of its standard business practice, id regularly evaluates staffing to ensure it has a workforce that meets the needs of the studio. As part of that process, some id employees were recently let go.
Ubisoft announces the Mediterranean Traveler Map Pack, new DLC for Assassin's Creed Revelations expected on January 24th for the Windows, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 editions of the stealth/action sequel. Here's word on what to expect: San Francisco - January 10, 2012 - Today, Ubisoft® revealed the Mediterranean Traveler Map Pack, all-new downloadable content for Assassin's Creed® Revelations for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC. The Mediterranean Traveler Map Pack extends the Assassin's Creed Revelations multiplayer experience with the addition of six multiplayer maps, each introducing new gameplay opportunities through their varied terrain, perches and hideouts.
Players can journey to the majestic holy city of Jerusalem, the opulent imperial district of Constantinople and the colorful mercantile district of Dyers. Fans of the franchise can also revisit favorite Italian Renaissance maps from Assassin's Creed® Brotherhood specifically requested by Assassin's Creed players to be included in the pack. To start, players will explore the historic city of Firenze (Florence), then travel to the mountains of San Donato and visit nighttime Siena with its carnival lights, talented performers and deadly hiding spots.
The Mediterranean Traveler Map Pack will be available for download on January 24 for 800 Microsoft Points on Xbox LIVE® and $9.99 on PlayStation®Network and Windows PC.
2XL Games now offers a free-to-play PC edition of Ricky Carmichael's Motocross Matchup PRO, an off-road motorcycling game that's also available for mobile gamers on iOS and Android. The twist here is players can compete against each other on all three platforms. Here's word: Ricky Carmichael's Motocross Matchup PRO pits PC players against online competitors from around the globe on iOS and Android devices for the first time! Racers have the chance to bang bars with some of the best in the business, including Ricky Carmichael himself! Players can either select a rider outfitted in all of the latest Fox gear riding an official Suzuki racing bike or create their own rider and design their own personalized bike from hundreds of rider and bike attributes. Featuring Practice and Online Multiplayer Match-up modes, Ricky Carmichael's Motocross Matchup PRO includes a full achievement system and leaderboards and the opportunity to compete in varied pre-set control schemes. In Online Multiplayer Match-up mode, players can go head-to-head on indoor tracks based on real 2011 Supercross track layouts or race on Outdoor National tracks including Ricky's very own backyard. Video out support allows players to crank up the action on their TV in multiple camera views including first-person with handle bars.
The DC Universe Online Website has word that update eight is now live in the superhero MMORPG. This adds crafting in the form of a new R&D system. Word is: Research & Development brings Equipment Mods - a new type of item that will socket into players' existing gear to give them a stat and combat rating increase. Players can use different Equipment Mods to increase various stats, allowing them to further customize their gear to suit their needs. In addition, players will be allowed to make superior consumables that not only restore health and power, but also provide a stat buff.
The Warhammer Herald has word that a pair of servers were retired today from Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning (thanks VG247 via Ten Ton Hammer). Word is: As of today, the servers Gorfang and Karak-Azgal are being set to 'retired' status. Both servers will be offline for a 5 hour maintenance window from 11am EST (5pm CET) on. After the maintenance, players will no longer be able to log in to those servers. Any remaining characters on this server can then be transferred via the Mythic Account Center.
As always, thank you for your continued support and understanding.
- Aztaka on Steam. Save 66%.
- Lunar Flight on Desura. Save 50%.
Link of the Day: The Page Turner. Thanks The Flying Penguin.
Gizmodo has a video by way of Bright Side Of News showing that a CES 2012 ultrabook gaming demo by Intel was not actually a demonstration of the ultrabook's ability to run F1 2011 smoothly, but rather its ability to run a video of the racing game in a VLC media player window. They have a response from Intel saying the game has also been shown successfully live behind closed doors. They also have responses from readers saying the pre-recorded demo is legit, but decry the idea of giving a pass to such behavior. Thanks Neutronbeam.
GOG.com announces a few offerings from Team17 as the latest addition to the roster of good old games they sell without DRM. They kick things off with the release of Worms United and an Alien Breed and Alien Breed Tower Assault bundle, and say this will be followed by next week's release of Superfrog and World Rally Fever: Born on the Road. That will not be the end of it either, you should be warned: They promise more Team17 games later this year.
This trailer from Ubisoft admits to delay for the console editions of Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, saying the tactical shooter sequel is now due on May 22, 2012 in the U.S. and May 24th in Europe, rather than in March, as was previously expected (thanks Gamer's Hell). IP Development Director Adrian Lacey says the extra time is "to make sure your experience is perfect," and offers word on plans for console beta testing. More significantly, he also reverses course on earlier indications that there will not be a PC edition of this game, saying: "And for those PC fans out there, yes, we are announcing officially the PC version of Ghost Recon: Future Soldier. You will, of course, get the Ghost Recon Online experience which is a free-to-play game, but Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, that wonderful big blockbuster, is coming to you as well." Update: Ubisoft sent an official announcement on this indicating the Windows PC edition will follow after the console editions "at a later date."
This new trailer from Dustforce celebrates the announcement of a January 17th release date for the acrobatic janitorial platformer on Steam for USD $9.99. They say an update offering Mac support will follow shortly after that. "We've been having a lot of fun designing the multiplayer mode,” says Hitbox's Terence Lee. "I think we've found the right balance between movement and combat, which makes for really exciting battles."
BioWare tweets about plans to support Mass Effect 3 with a demo prior to the release of the upcoming action/RPG sequel (thanks Gamer's Hell). Word is: Yes! We are absolutely doing a demo prior to launch. More info soon!
Independent developer BeerDeer Games announces Nyrthos, an action/RPG that will be playable in a browser on PCs and iOS devices. The Nyrthos Website offers some screenshots, and this FAQ with 10% more than the promised 10 questions and answers, saying beta testing and a release are both expected later this year. Here's an overview: Nyrthos is an indie RPG action game that combines classic RPG gameplay with elements from other types of games.
We were inspired by genre classics like Diablo 1 and 2 or the Gothic series, but the result is different in many ways; we also added a lot of our own flavour to it.
The main point here is that Nyrthos is not “just a game” where you slash some guys to death, we like to think of it more like “the world” that you can live in; a secret, long forgotten place you can explore. A place that has its own history that is set in stone, but the future will be up to the playerbase to decide.
Microsoft announces that Kinect for Windows will be released on February 1, 2012, featuring new hardware and software for the motion-detection peripheral (thanks ZDNet). Here's word: Today, we are announcing that the new Kinect for Windows hardware and accompanying software will be available on February 1st, 2012 in 12 countries (United States, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, United Kingdom), at a suggested retail price of US $249. Kinect for Windows hardware will be available, in limited quantities at first, through a variety of resellers and distributors. The price includes a one-year warranty, access to ongoing software updates for both speech and human tracking, and our continued investment in Kinect for Windows-based software advancements. Later this year, we will offer special academic pricing (planned at US $149) for Qualified Educational Users.
Eurogamer has news that a new THQ release schedule reveals plans to release a new product called Homefront Ultimate Edition before the end of the financial year on March 31, 2012. Details are scant, but they do have word that this will include the previously released "The Rock" and "Fire Sale" map packs.
The World of Warcraft Website has a new list of hotfixes applied to Blizzard's MMORPG with more post-release balance tweaks for version 4.3. Word is: "Hotfixes are updates we make on our end without requiring you to download a new patch. Some of the hotfixes below will go live the moment they are implemented, while others may require your realm to be restarted to go into effect. Please keep in mind that some issues cannot be addressed without a client-side patch update. We will continue to update this thread in the days ahead as additional hotfixes are applied." Thanks Ant.
GamesIndustry.biz (registration required) has word that Nottingham-based developer Monumental Games is in administration. They note the MotoGP developer also has a presence in Pune, India, but "has not yet responded to requests for comment."
There's a Dustforce preview on truepcgaming offers some details on this upcoming platformer previously revealed a pair of trailers. Word is: "what we came back with was a game that has the potential to usurp the indie platforming crown from Super Meat Boy by force."
BusinessWeek has word that Hostess Brands is prepping for bankruptcy (thanks Ant via Boing Boing). I can't tell you the last time I had a Twinkie, but for some reason this makes me picture ending up on a crazed quest like the Woody Harrelson character in Zombieland.
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