Archived News:

Tuesday, Jun 19, 2012

Dungeons of Dredmor: Conquest of the Wizardlands Announced

Gaslamp Games announces Dungeons of Dredmor: Conquest of the Wizardlands, boastfully calling this "another entry in its ongoing series of hastily-named expansion packs" for Dungeons of Dredmor. This will carry a $2.99 pricetag, and carries a release date of "Pretty darned quick." Here's what this will add to the dungeon crawler:
For the past four months, a secret strike team of game development commandos has been secretly crafting arcane components into something for you… something about wizards. Something about their lands. Yes, this summon you must join the Conquest Of The Wizardlands.

New Features:

  • Explore the Wizardlands! Trade Wizarding Graffiti with your friends and enemies alike to gain access to the fractured extra-dimensional domains of the Wizards using an innovative retro-inspired magic password system.
  • Harness the expanded storage space of your very own Pocket Dimension where interdimensional gnomes probably won’t steal all your crafting-junk.
  • Encrust your Equipment with our powerful new Encrusting System! Upgrade weapons and armour with powerful crusts, offering special abilities and horrifying instability effects as crust is encrusted upon crust!
  • Tackle new foes from the terrifyingly fun Baron Samedi to the small and annoying Cloud Gremlins who shoot small and annoying lightning bolts at you! Beware the Monstrous Rutabaga, scourge of the Vikings, who will run you down at unexpected speed with the monstrous dash ability.
  • Drunkenness!
Continue here to read the full story.

Final Secret World Beta Weekend

Funcom announces this weekend will be the final weekend beta event for The Secret World, their upcoming conspiratorial MMORPG. They say this will be the game's largest beta weekend yet, and to ensure this, they are promising access to everyone who signs up on The Secret World Website before the event kicks off on Friday, as well as everyone who has previously signed up and other Funcom customers. Here's the deal:
Your secret society needs you! On June 22nd at 9am PDT (16:00 GMT / 18:00 CEST / noon EDT) the fourth, biggest and final Beta Weekend for The Secret World kicks off, offering a preview of the epic conflict between the three secret societies: the Illuminati, the Dragon and the Templars. The Beta Weekend will run until June 24th at 11.59pm PDT (Monday June 25th, 06:59 GMT / 08:59 CEST / 2.59am EDT).

This marks the first public opening of the massive, persistent player vs. player war zone where over two hundred players clash in adrenaline-fueled battles for power and world domination! Stonehenge and Eldorado are also opening up, allowing smaller groups of players to fight for control over the power held within these legendary locations.

In addition to all these exciting, new player vs. player experiences, all content from the previous Beta Weekends will be available. Your character progress from previous Beta Weekends carries over to this event, so you can continue your adventures in Kingsmouth, The Savage Coast, The Polaris and Hell Raised! You can also visit London, New York and Seoul to enjoy the Templars, Illuminati and Dragon starter experiences.
Continue here to read the full story.

MechWarrior Online Founders Packages on Sale

As expected, MechWarrior Online Founders Packages are now on sale. The game is free-to-play, but each of the three packages includes in-game currency. Here are the three levels of participation:
$120 LEGENDARY Founder's Package Includes:

• All 4 exclusive “Founder's BattleMechs.” These Mechs include a lifetime, per-match C-Bill booster.
• $80 value of in-game currency* for in-game item purchases.
• Three-month premium account to MechWarrior Online at launch: Earn XP & C-Bills faster.
• Founder's Tag - sets your status apart from the crowd & get noticed in-game and on the forums.
• Game credits – The player’s name included as one of the “Legendary” in the MechWarrior Online game credits.
• Early access to the game along with Founder's assets availability starts August 7th.

$60 ELITE Founder's Package Includes:

• One exclusive custom “Founder's BattleMech.” This Mech includes a lifetime, per-match C-Bill booster.
• $80 value of in-game currency* for in-game item purchases.
• Two-month premium account to MechWarrior Online at launch: Earn XP & C-Bills faster.
• Founder's Tag - sets your status apart from the crowd & get noticed in-game and on the forums.
• Early access to the game along with Founder's assets availability starts August 7th.

$30 VETERAN Founder's Package Includes:

• $40 value of in-game currency* for in-game item purchases.
• One-month premium account to MechWarrior Online at launch: Earn XP & C-Bills faster.
• Founder's Tag - sets your status apart from the crowd & get noticed in-game and on the forums.
• Early access to the game along with Founder’s assets availability starts August 7th.

Dragon Age Legends Becomes Offline Game

The BioWare Blog announces that Dragon Age Legends is no longer running as a live on Facebook, and in its place they now offer a downloadable version of this game that was previously an online-only spin-off of the Dragon Age series. BioWare offers their thanks for your support as part of the announcement excepted here:
In Dragon Age Legends, a hero was born. Alliances were forged, sacrifices made, and monsters vanquished. The land was on the brink of disaster when you assembled the heroes and artifacts needed to destroy the Pride Demon — at great cost and personal loss.

While the online chapter of this story has come to a close, you and your stalwart companions still live on in a downloadable game. For you are among the truest heroes of Thedas: THE DRAGON AGE LEGENDS!

Continue your legend by playing the Dragon Age Legends downloadable game with FAQs and player support forums there for you as well.

DC Universe Online Last Laugh Launches

The DC Universe Online Website now offers the Last Laugh DLC in the marketplace for all users of SOE's superhero MMORPG (contrary to the erroneous word in our since corrected story saying this would happen next week). Here's the deal: "In the largest PvP (player vs. player) content update since launch, no one is safe as Superman and The Joker encourage heroes and villains to invade The Hall of Doom and The Watchtower, as well as the player safe houses and headquarters throughout the open world. The Last Laugh also adds an all-new weapon and introduces new Legends PvP characters."

Resonance & Demo Released

Wadjet Eye Games now offers online sales of Resonance, along with a playable demo of this sci-fi action game. Would you like to know more?
Wadjet Eye Games, an independent publisher of retro-styled adventure games, is announcing that Resonance is now available for PC download from Resonance-Game.com. The first commercial release from indie developer Vince Twelve, Resonance is a complex and lovingly-crafted interactive narrative that has been under development for more than five years.

Resonance merges classic point-and-click gameplay with innovative, contemporary storytelling thanks to its nostalgic pixel-art graphics, suspenseful plotline, and creative puzzles. A brilliant particle physicist has just died under suspicious circumstances, leaving the classified details of his powerful new technology locked away in a hidden vault. Now fate has thrown together four strangers -- the scientist's protégé, a doctor, a police officer, and an investigative reporter -- to find the vault before this potentially catastrophic weapon falls into the wrong hands. Controlling each of these protagonists, Resonance players will decide when they should work together, which secrets to guard, and who to trust. But loyalties will be tested as the clock ticks down to global disaster, and you may discover that you've been mistaken all along...
Continue here to read the full story.

Quantum Conundrum Soundtrack Offer

With Quantum Conundrum due for release on Thursday, SQUARE ENIX announces this first-person "environmental puzzle game" will feature a soundtrack by Chris Ballew, Grammy nominated songwriter and lead singer of The Presidents of the United States of America who now writes children's songs under the name Caspar Babypants. "I like making music for kids because I admire their inventive imaginations, and as an adult I nurture that same creativity in myself," said Chris Ballew. "The gameplay, humor and art style in Quantum Conundrum embodies that same sentiment." Those who preorder a season pass (which includes the first two DLC packs for the game) on Steam will also receive a copy of the soundtrack.

On Sale

  • Fray on Steam. Save 20%.
  • Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis on Steam. Save 50%.
  • Men of War Franchise on Steam. Save 75%.
  • Myst Masterpiece Edition/7th Guest on GOG.com. Save 60%/40% and vote on tomorrow's sale.
  • Roller Coaster Rampage on Steam. Save 10%.
  • SpellForce 2 - Faith In Destiny on GameStop PC Downloads. Save 10%.
  • SpellForce 2 - Faith In Destiny Digital Deluxe on GameStop PC Downloads. Save 10%.
  • SpellForce 2 - Faith In Destiny Digital Extras on GameStop PC Downloads. Save 10%.

Diablo III Patched in Americas

The Diablo III Website has word that the new version 1.0.3 patch is now live for the action/RPG sequel in the Americas, offering the complete patch notes explaining what it does. There's a story on Kotaku (thanks nin) based on forum posts suggesting there is a problem collecting XP on the digital editions after patching. We have not been able to replicate this here, but the solution suggested in the forums is that this is fixed by changing your password if this happens to you.

LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes Demo

A playable demo is available for LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, TT Games' just-released LEGO action game. The demo can be downloaded from the LEGO.com Video Games Website or the and mirrors on AtomicGamer and Gamer's Hell. Word is: "Here you can download and play a demo of LEGO® Batman 2 DC Super Heroes. It might be a good idea to get your parents to help with this. This demo is available for PC and needs to be installed for you to play this awesome level. The demo works for Windows (7, XP, Vista) but not for MAC." Now go have some cookies and milk.

CD Projekt on Cyberpunk & DRM

An interview on Rock, Paper, Shotgun is the first installment in a two-parter talking with CD Projekt CEO Marcin Iwinski about a Cyberpunk, CD Projekt RED's upcoming role-playing game. They discuss the sci-fi setting, working on another adaptation like The Witcher, the possibility they will make their own IP, and an interesting discussion of DRM in light of his company's stance against it compared with Diablo III's restrictive scheme. Thanks nin.

New Magicka DLC

Paradox Interactive announces the release of The Other Side of the Coin, the latest DLC for Magicka, Arrowhead Game Studios' "kinda-co-op-but-mostly-I-killed-you-on-purpose title." Here's a release trailer, and here's word:
Entitled The Other Side of the Coin, the evil expansion features a new campaign that puts evil-doers in the shoes of the baddies as they seek out to destroy all things good and gooder. We know one of those words in the last sentence doesn’t exist, but hey—when we say we’re bad, we mean bad at everything, including spelling. Take that, elementary school teachers!

Developed by Pieces Interactive in partnership with Arrowhead Game Studios, Magicka: The Other Side of the Coin enables players to take on the role of Alucart the Vampire and his gang of Necromancers. Besides being extremely ill tempered, they’re looking to sabotage the temporary peace between the elves, dwarves, and humans that rival vampire (we mean, not a vampire?) Vlad has worked so hard to build up. With evil at one’s fingertips, what could possibly go wrong?

Magicka: The Other Side of the Coin DLC launches today on leading digital distribution platforms for $4.99 USD. Get it here: www.magickagame.com/game-info/buy-the-game

M.U.L.E. Homage Kickstarter

This Kickstarter campaign seeks to raise funds to develop Alpha Colony, an upcoming strategy game that is a licensed homage to M.U.L.E., the seminal multiplayer strategy game from 1983 designed by the late Danielle (née Dan) Bunten. Here's word:
M.U.L.E. is making its long-awaited comeback to tablets, smartphones, and desktops everywhere. With a license granted by and partnership with Dan Bunten's family, DreamQuest Games aims to raise funds by July 15th to bring a modern update of M.U.L.E. to life. The original Atari 400/800 game allowed up to four players to simultaneously select an alien race, outfit robotic workers called MULEs, and take turns producing, managing, and trading resources on the planet Irata.

Boulder, Colorado - One of the most respected video games of all-time, M.U.L.E. is making its long-awaited comeback to tablets, smartphones, and desktops everywhere. A family-friendly economic video game similar to SimCity or Civilization, 'Alpha Colony: A Tribute to M.U.L.E.' will deliver a modern sequel to this classic game and strive to fulfill the original developer's ambition.

With a license granted by and partnership with Dan Bunten's family as well as special access to previously unseen designs, DreamQuest Games aims to raise $500,000 by July 15th to bring a modern update of M.U.L.E. to life. As an added bonus, DreamQuest is also partnering with 'M.U.L.E. Returns' to deliver a faithful reproduction of the original game on iOS and Android mobile devices enabling supporters to enjoy both the classic original and a modern tribute to M.U.L.E.
Continue here to read the full story.

Ships Ahoy - LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes

WBIE announces the North American launch of LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, saying TT Games' latest cross-promotional game based on LEGO bricks is now available for Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, 3DS, DS, and Vita. "Fans of all ages are in for a real comical treat with LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, as the game brings iconic DC Comics characters to life in a brand new story set in a massive open-world Gotham City," said Tom Stone, Managing Director, TT Games. "The game delivers a fun-filled LEGO adventure never seen before with talking LEGO minifigures and unique elements such as flying through Gotham City as Superman." Here's more:
The acclaimed and award-winning LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes is the must-have sequel to the best-selling LEGO® Batman™: The Videogame, which to date has sold more than 11 million units worldwide. In LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, kids and gamers of all ages team up with Batman and Robin and their favorite DC Comics super heroes like Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and The Flash in an original LEGO adventure. Many of the scenes and characters featured in LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes can also be found in the LEGO® DC Universe Super Heroes toy collection, which was introduced earlier this year. The toy line includes five construction sets, such as The Batcave and three buildable, detailed action figures.

Penny Arcade 3 Trailer

A new trailer from Penny Arcade's On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness 3 shows off more of the upcoming third installment in the adventure game series based on the webcomic. The clip shows off some state-of-the-art 16-bit graphics accompanied by a soothing midi soundtrack (AdLib compatible sound board required). Thanks VG247. Continue here to read the full story.

RAGE DLC Plans?

The Pan European Game Information Website (PEGI) now offers age guidelines for Rage: The Scorchers, which sounds like it may be DLC for id Software's latest first-person shooter. This is listed as coming from ZeniMax Europe Limited/Bethesda Softworks Europe, and all it says is: "The content of this game is suitable for persons aged 18 years and over only. It contains: Extreme violence - Strong language This game allows the player to interact with other players ONLINE." There is also a June 14th, 2012 release date, which is obviously not accurate. Thanks Siliconera.

DOOM 3 BFG Edition in October

The Bethesda Blog announces the DOOM 3 BFG Edition will be released in North America on October 16, 2012, and the re-mastered version of id's shooter sequel is due in Europe three days after that. Here's the announcement, which also includes pricing information:
We’re pleased to announce that DOOM 3 BFG Edition is slated for release in North America on October 16, 2012 and throughout Europe on October 19, 2012. DOOM 3 BFG Edition will feature re-mastered versions of both DOOM 3 and the Resurrection of Evil add-on pack, as well seven new levels of content entitled ‘The Lost Mission.’ DOOM 3 BFG Edition will be available in North America on PC for $29.99 and on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 for $39.99.

Re-mastered for both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, DOOM 3 and it’s expansion pack offer enhanced visuals further immersing you in the demonic world like never before. DOOM 3, Resurrection of Evil, and ‘The Lost Mission’ have been optimized in 3D, featuring 5.1 surround sound, Xbox 360 Achievements, PlayStation 3 trophies, improved rendering and lighting, and a new check point save system allowing for smoother progression through the game. id Software has fine-tuned the controls to bring the intensity of the DOOM single and multiplayer experience to the consoles, and DOOM 3 now features the new armor-mounted flashlight, allowing players to illuminate dark corners and blast enemies at the same time.

DOOM 3 BFG Edition will also include the original DOOM and DOOM 2 games, making it the definitive collection of the genre-defining games developed by id Software, the pioneers of the first-person shooter genre.

Diablo III Down for Patching

The Diablo III Forums announce scheduled maintenance is underway for Diablo III to update the action/RPG sequel to version 1.0.3 in North America, while the European Diablo III Forums announce the new version will be applied across the pond tomorrow. This process currently may cause confusion, as although the announcement says that they expect the game to be back in action around 4:00 pm EDT today, attempts to login at the moment produce a message saying the game must restart to apply the patch, which just results in a crash loop. While you are waiting for the game to return, you can read about some of the changes in version 1.0.3 in this preview.

Tencent's Epic Investment

Chinese tech company Tencent Holdings announces an agreement to acquire a minority stake in Epic Games, as laid out in this press release (Adobe Acrobat-format), which calls this a strategic investment. Terms of the deal, which is expected to close in about a month, are not disclosed. "Tencent’s investment will empower Epic to help us do even more of what we do best, which is making great games and game technology. Their expertise in the global online gaming market is second-to-none, and the opportunity to work with them to bring richer experiences to players all over the world is irresistible," said Epic Games President Dr. Michael Capps. "Epic is excited to be full steam ahead on all of its current plans for this generation of games and the next, with the support of a fantastic partner that believes in our strategy and shares our dream."

Ships Ahoy - Civilization V: Gods & Kings

2K Games announces the release of Sid Meier's Civilization V: Gods & Kings in North America, offering what's described as a "massive expansion" for Firaxis' turn-based strategy sequel. A new video developer diary for the add-on was released yesterday, and today's release is accompanied by a new launch trailer. Here's word:
2K Games and Firaxis Games announced today that Sid Meier's Civilization® V: Gods & Kings, the expansion pack for the award-winning Civilization V, is now available for Windows-based PC and Mac in North America and will be available internationally on June 22, 2012. Sid Meier's Civilization V: Gods & Kings enhances the Civilization V experience with new gameplay content and provides even more ways for players to achieve world domination. Spanning the breadth of human civilization, the Gods & Kings expansion pack takes players from founding the first Pantheon of the Gods and spreading religion across the world, to deploying spies in enemy cities to steal information and technology, and much more.

“Sid Meier’s Civilization V: Gods & Kings continues the tradition of content-rich expansion packs for the Civilization series,” said Sarah Anderson, senior vice president of marketing for 2K. “It is the ultimate Civilization V addition, giving fans and newcomers another reason to keep playing ‘one more turn.’”

Developed by Firaxis Games, Sid Meier’s Civilization V: Gods & Kings takes players through time as they engage in new quests and global competitions, interact with new types of city-states, and master exciting new systems for land and naval combat. Nine new civilizations, each ruled by a new leader; nine new wonders; three original scenarios; and dozens of new units, buildings, technologies and resources have also been added, offering even more ways for players to expand their empire on their quest to rule the world.
Continue here to read the full story.

EVE Online: Inferno Launches

The EVE Online Website announces the release of EVE Online: Inferno, the 17th free expansion for CCP's sci-fi MMORPG. Here's word on what this offers:
Inferno, the 17th free expansion to EVE Online, sounds the clarion call to war. Inferno invites new players with a lower barrier to entry, empowers veterans with more control over their wars, and entices combatants of all types with advanced new weaponry. Inferno then wraps it all in upgraded graphics, creating a visually stunning experience unlike any other online game. Enter the fray… and set the universe on fire.

A Valley Without Wind Patch

A new patch is now available for A Valley Without Wind, updating Arcen's side-scroller to version 1.1 in what they justifiably call a "huge" update, as it adds over 160 new room maps, 15 new regular enemies, 8 new bosses, and much more. You can find more on what this adds in this update on the Arcen Games Blog, which also includes a trailer showing off the new version. All the details are in the Release Notes, and there are even more reflections on the new version on Games By Design. The Arcen Store has links to the various venders where the patch can be found. Here' the summarized feature list: Continue here to read the full story.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 Trailer & Preorders

Activison sends along details on preorder incentives for Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, saying those who preorder the military shooter sequel from Amazon will receive a digital wallpaper, those who go through GameStop will receive a two-sided poster, and preorders through Best Buy will receive a set of free dog tags. Also, this E3 trailer offers a behind-the-Scenes look at the game. Word is: "Treyarch head Mark Lamia and the Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 development team discuss their motivations heading into this exciting entry in the Call of Duty franchise. Learn about weapons & technology, the campaign, graphics, multi-player and the return of Black Ops zombies." Continue here to read the full story.

Game Reviews

Hardware Reviews

Out of the Blue

Through process of elimination, we have determined pretty clearly that the Gunnar-man's indoor peeing episodes are not medical and are some sort of message. Yesterday he left a small puddle as I had to run a half-hour errand immediately after a walk, and it basically seems like he's showing his displeasure at being left behind, though maybe he's just claiming territory he feels we've abandoned. This has me wondering if he needs to be re-acquainted with crate training, which seems like the obvious solution to this, except for my twitch-inducing memory of just how horribly it went when we tried to crate him as a puppy, as he threw himself against the door for hours until we simply gave up (and yes, that may be part of how we ended up in this predicament). What can I say? He's always been amusing, and now he's a pisser.

Pisser Links: Thanks Ant and Acleacius.
Play: The Aquatory Games.
Zombotron 2.
Links: The Final Night at Snow White’s Scary Adventures.
The Barbecue Grill Briefcase.
Stories: Wuff! Wuff! Arsenio Hall is Returning to Late-Night TV.
Vandalism of Picasso painting caught on video.
Hebrew National hot dogs not kosher, lawsuit claims.
Science: Science gets burned by Prometheus. *Spoilers*.
Media: Roller Coaster Tycoon Disaster.
The Dark Knight Rises - Exclusive Nokia Trailer Debut. Thanks Fantaz.
This Dog Wants To Play With That Penguin.
The Funnies: Cyanide & Happiness.
Follow-up: Yet another study confirms global warming is human-caused.
Studies of Human Microbiome Yield New Insights.
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