Archived News:
Reinventing the Wheel, the personal blog of programmer Semi Essessi, goes public with his dispute with his ex-employers at Codemasters, alleging unpaid overtime and an odd tale of Codemasters attempting to claw back what was said to be an overpayment in his final paycheck (thanks joao). Eurogamer has a response from the studio, who deny Essessi's allegation that they have pursued this through legal avenues, and the latest from Essessi is that "negotiations are ongoing" and according to Codemasters: "The company's advisers are now aware of the additional comments that Semi has published and these will be addressed with him directly through the appropriate channels as necessary."
A new patch for Might & Magic Heroes VI is now available, to update the various language editions of the strategy sequel to version 1.2.1. The download can be found on AtomicGamer, Gamer's Hell, and The Patches Scrolls.
New patches are now available for IL-2 Sturmovik to update the World War II flight simulator and its various expansions to version 4.11. There are patches for the base game, Forgotten Battles, 1946, and more, along with corresponding dedicated server files on AtomicGamer and The Patches Scrolls.
Kalypso announces Tropico 4: Modern Times, an upcoming expansion for Tropico 4, the island dictator simulation. This is expected in March, and will add a number of modern problems to the game: "The times are changing and the island nation of Tropico is evolving. The Internet, a New World Order, terrorists, global financial markets and space exploration are on the rise and pose new challenges to El Presidente and his regime in Tropico 4: Modern Times." Here's a trailer, and here's a feature list:
- Make Tropico fit for the 21st century: Evolve the island from the Cold War era to modern times and even into the future
- 30 new buildings become available as time progresses, including condos, skyscrapers, organic ranches and biofarms. Replace obsolete buildings with these modern and inspiring designs.
- Upgrade old buildings to new variants – modernized apartment buildings, banks, museums and much more
- 10 new edicts allow even more control over your citizens’ lives. Block or limit citizens’ Internet use, create a police state or be a “good guy” and launch the Festival of Love edict.
- New single player campaign comprised of 12 comprehensive scenario missions. Protect Tropico from unseen and sinister forces.
Edge Magazine has word on what's going on at Mojang, the developer formed by Minecraft creator Markus "Notch" Persson. Word is in addition to the previously announced Scrolls, they are also working on two other games. There aren't any details on these, but that may change soon, as they have indications from Mojang CEO Carl Manneh that both games should be announced by mid-year, and they may actually be released by then as well.
The Hollywood Reporter has the latest U.S. video game sales figures courtesy of the researchers at NPD Group. Offering a preview of figures that will be finalized in March, they offer some figures that probably make sense, though the seem to contradict each other a bit. Word is spending on video games in the new physical channel fell 8 percent to $17 billion in 2011. They then say spending on all video-game content in the U.S. was approximately $16.3-16.6 billion in 2011, down about 2 percent from 2010. They add: "Retail sales of new physical sales of video-game content declined 8 percent to $9.3 billion, compared with the $10.1 billion recorded in 2010. Hardware sales and accessory sales each fell 11 percent to $5.6 billion and $2.6 billion, respectively." However those figures are reconciled, the takeaway is physical sales continue to decline. This also has word that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 was the top-selling game of 2011, and the top five are rounded out by Just Dance 3, Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Battlefield 3, and Madden NFL 12, and that Batman: Arkham City ranks seventh for the year.
Maniaplanet has word on a new optional patch that's available for TrackMania 2: Canyon, Nadeo's racing sequel (thanks Frans). This post has more details, including what this changes: Continue here to read the full story.
The World of Warcraft Website now has updated patch notes for the version 4.3.2 update that's in testing on the Public Test Realm for Blizzard's MMORPG. The notes include word on a few more balance updates that will be included in the game's next official update.
This new trailer offers the first video developer's diary for Naval War: Arctic Circle, the upcoming naval real-time strategy game. Word is: "The development team shares their vision of a seamless ocean span where modern warships battle for control of precious natural resources."
Focus Home Interactive sends a new trailer from Wargame: European Escalation, Eugen Systems' real-time strategy game that's expected next month. This shows off the game's IRISZOOM engine, which can depict maps up to 150 square kilometers and 100 million scenery objects while hundreds of units do battle. Word is: "Fully created using in-game footage, this all new video presents NATO forces and a few of the 361 units of the game, in breathtaking action. The ambush set up by the Warsaw Pact quickly escalates into a full-blown, spectacular battle, as NATO units call in for reinforcements to strike back the aggressor." Continue here to read the full story.
- Afterfall: Insanity on IGN.
Happy Friday the 13th! Here's hoping it's especially lucky for all of us. And remember: "Thirteen-month-old baby broke the looking glass. Seven years of bad luck, the good things in your past. When you believe in things that you don't understand, then you suffer. Superstition ain't the way."
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