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Archived News:
Whohauntsneil.com is online as
home to Wayward Manor, an upcoming Windows/OS X video game from the
imagination of famed author Neil Gaiman. The site includes
a video of Neil
introducing the project and explaining why this story seemed best suited to an
interactive format. He also explains that "the first part" of the game will be
released this fall, and introduces the game's setting in 1920s New England, and
the role of the player protagonist as a ghost looking to frighten residents of
Wayward Manor. The website offers the chance to support the game's development
with various pre-purchase tiers, ranging up to the opportunity to meet Neil for
the spookiest dinner ever (for Los Angeles). There's more on the game's story in
the announcement: Set in a 1920s Victorian Gothic pastoral estate,
WAYWARD MANOR players unravel the mystery of a ghost (player) seeking a peaceful
after-life. After a remarkable cast of characters moves into Wayward Manor and
wakes him from his post-mortem slumbers, the ghost must find ever-more inventive
and brilliant ways to scare them away. As the ghost learns more about the living
characters, he also learns more about his own death and after-life, and the
danger they are all facing. WAYWARD MANOR will be available just in time for the
holidays on PC, Mac, and tablets.
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announces they will distribute The
Witcher 3: Wild Hunt in North America when CD Projekt RED's RPG is finished
next year: BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Bros. Interactive
Entertainment will be responsible for the distribution and promotion of The
Witcher 3: Wild Hunt in North America. The third installment of the Witcher saga
will be released in 2014, developed by CD Projekt RED for PC, PlayStation®4
computer entertainment system and Xbox One®, the all-in-one games and
entertainment system from Microsoft.
“The premiere of The Witcher 3 is the most important event in CD Projekt’s
history. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment is an extremely valuable partner
for us because of their experience and established position on the American
market, which is crucial to CD Projekt’s further rapid development. We’re very
happy that our partners share our faith in The Witcher 3’s success and are ready
to become fully engaged in providing promotion and sales support for the
franchise in North America,” said Adam Kiciński, President, CD Projekt.
New Voodoo DLC is now available for Tropico 4, adding a new
mission and related items to the island dictator sequel. The DLC is available
from the Kalypso launcher,
GameStop PC
Downloads, and Steam
for USD $4.99. Here's word on how this will allow you to do that voodoo that you
do: July 25, 2013, Ridgewood, NJ – Tropico fans have a new reason to
rejoice, as Kalypso Media is pleased to announce a new DLC pack for Tropico 4,
the city-building game loved by fans and critics alike. Aptly titled "Voodoo",
the new DLC pack adds a Voodoo Curse mission, along with fun extras like the
Voodoo Priest avatar costume, a new character trait and a new building, all
designed to help El Presidente alleviate an evil curse placed on him by a Soviet
sorceress. Can you, as El Prez, put together everything you need to save the
day, while attracting tourists to the new Voodoo Manor building?
Steam News announces
they are now accepting pre-purchases of
Lost Planet 3, which
includes one of their escalating reward programs that will add bonuses as more
copies are purchased. Here's the deal: Pre-Purchase
LOST PLANET® 3 now on
Steam and help unlock special rewards. Possible rewards include weapons and
character rigs from The Freedom Fighter Pack, The Punisher Pack, and The Assault
Pack, plus free copies of Lost
Planet: Extreme Condition and
Bionic Commando ReArmed.
The extreme and unpredictable conditions that characterised the Lost Planet
series return, harsher than ever before. Lost Planet 3 reveals new truths about
the foreboding planet and the colonial history of E.D.N. III.
Lost Planet 3 will deliver a diverse range of gameplay including on-foot battles
and intense first person action. With a number of multiplayer modes and a
compelling single player experience, Lost Planet 3 will delve deeper into the
Lost Planet universe, uncovering hidden truths within the unique and dynamic
environment of E.D.N. III.
This new trailer offers
a decidedly unscripted look at the campaign in Total War: ROME II. Word
is: "Trish Ryniak and Campaign Designer Dom Starr from Creative Assembly are
discussing factions, diplomacy and the campaign map in this episode of Let’s
Play – Total War: ROME II – Campaign. Dom talks us through some of the factions,
houses and traits and how your starting choice could influence your entire game.
Get a glimpse of some of the inner workings of the cities as he has a look
around his latest in-progress campaign as Carthage, and take a peek at
diplomatic relations and some of the sworn enemies he seems to have
unfortunately made…"
Precursor Games has a
new Kickstarter campaign underway for Shadow of the Eternals,
offering the
planned
renewed effort at crowdsourcing the funding of their spiritual successor to
Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem (Precursor includes many former employees
of defunct Eternal Darkness developer Silicon Knights). Here's word on the new
campaign, and how it differs from the fundraising effort they
cancelled last
month: The new Shadow of the Eternals Kickstarter campaign boasts a
refined set of financial tiers and concrete goals that are easy and accessible.
Precursor Games’ financial goal of $750,000 provides a fully complete, 8-10 hour
action-adventure game steeped in psychological horror for PC and Wii U. And now,
as Precursor Games is an officially licensed PlayStation®4 developer, the team
has added the next-gen console as a stretch goal.
Kickstarter backers are all invited into the “Order of the Unseen,” an elite
group of fans whose goal is to participate in designing the game through a
unique community-driven model, by working directly with the developers.
Shadow of the Eternals is a single-player, story-driven action-adventure steeped
in psychological horror that is the spiritual successor to the critically
acclaimed Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem (GameCube, 2002). The game weaves
historical fact with disturbing fiction, centered around a Louisiana detective
whose fate is somehow linked to the true story of the infamous Blood Countess
Erzsébet Báthory in 17th century Hungary.
Developed by Precursor Games, Shadow of the Eternals is expected to launch in
fall 2014 on PC and Wii U. For more information about Shadow of the Eternals,
please visit
www.ShadowOfTheEternals.com, follow the game on Twitter ShadowEternals or
‘Like’ the game on Facebook.
Shadowrun Returns has unlocked
on Steam, marking the
official release of this tactical RPG reboot from Harebrained Studios. The game
is available as a standard edition and there is also a deluxe edition, which
includes a soundtrack and a digital anthology chronicling the series and the
creation of the new installment. Here's the elevator pitch on the
game: MAN MEETS MAGIC & MACHINE. The year is 2054. Magic has returned to
the world, awakening powerful creatures of myth and legend. Technology merges
with flesh and consciousness. Elves, trolls, orks and dwarves walk among us,
while ruthless corporations bleed the world dry. You are a shadowrunner - a
mercenary living on the fringes of society, in the shadows of massive corporate
arcologies, surviving day-by-day on skill and instinct alone. When the powerful
or the desperate need a job done, you get it done... by any means necessary.
In the urban sprawl of the Seattle metroplex, the search for a mysterious killer
sets you on a trail that leads from the darkest slums to the city’s most
powerful megacorps. You will need to tread carefully, enlist the aid of other
runners, and master powerful forces of technology and magic in order to emerge
from the shadows of Seattle unscathed.
The unique cyberpunk-meets-fantasy world of Shadowrun has gained a huge cult
following since its creation nearly 25 years ago. Now, creator Jordan Weisman
returns to the world of Shadowrun, modernizing this classic game setting as a
single player, turn-based tactical RPG.
Ubisoft announces a Windows edition of Rayman Legends, saying this will
be released alongside the already announced console and mobile versions of the
platformer sequel on August 30th in Europe and September 3rd in
North America. Here are
some
screenshots from the PC edition, and here's word on the game, and how
preorders include a free copy of Rayman Origins: SAN FRANCISCO —
July 25th, 2013 — Today, Ubisoft announced that its forthcoming title Rayman
Legends, already announced for the Nintendo Wii U, Microsoft Xbox 360 Sony
PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and PlayStation VITA, will now be
available on PC. All versions will hit shelves in North America on September
3rd, 2013.
Rayman Legends has been praised for its stunning visuals and innovative gameplay
and is herald as one of the most anticipated platformers of 2013. The game
retains the fantasy appeal of its predecessor Rayman Origins while adding a
multitude of clever and entertaining gaming modes, new characters, new
environments and a new soundtrack. The award-winning team of artists, designers
and composers have also returned with an advanced UbiArt engine to include
multi-dimension gameplay elements, an improved lighting system and updated game
rendering that elevate Rayman’s previous graphics to the next level.
As an added bonus, players who pre-order the digital version of Rayman Legends
on PC from the UbiShop will get the original full version of Rayman Origins on
PC for free!
Rayman Legends PC version is developed by Ubisoft Chengdu in collaboration with
Ubisoft Montpellier.
For more information on Rayman Legends, please visit:
www.raymanlegends.com
And for the latest on all of Ubisoft's games, visit the UbiBlog:
http://www.ubiblog.com
EA sends along details on the updated version of their
Battlelog service that will
accompany Battlefield 4 when DICE's military shooter sequel launches this
October. They illustrate this with
some
screenshots of the new interface, including the mobile version, and also
offer a video where the
developers show off what to expect (is it just me, or is Oskar Gabrielson
practically a dead ringer for Cliff Bleszinski?). Here's a list of Battlelog
advanced features:
- Anytime, Anywhere – No matter where players
go, Battlefield is always at their fingertips. Whether they’re heading home
on the bus, taking a lunch break at work or lounging on the couch, players
can log into Battlelog and check out their stats, interact with friends and
much more from their smartphone, tablet, browser or directly through their
console.
- Battlescreen – Battlelog is now more
seamless, offering a coherent second-screen experience to give players the
chance to better enhance their game. Whether it’s highlighting attack points
on the mini map, keeping track of squad members or playing as the team’s
Commander, every move made in Battlelog reflects directly back to the game
in real-time.
- Real-Time Load Outs – Gamers can now switch
their weapons, change their load outs and check their progression at any
time, all with real-time results in-game. Players can also select servers or
even launch a match from their devices, making the transition between game
sessions easier.
- Missions – Want to find out who is the best
tank destroyer is or who can capture the most bases? A brand-new feature
called Missions will allow players to custom create challenges for their
friends to compete. Battlelog will also notify players when they have been
kicked out of the number one spot so they won’t miss a beat to boot back up
and fight for the title.
- Geo Leaderboards – Battlelog is introducing
targeted, geo-localized leaderboards that will allow players to not only
compete with everyone in the Battlefield community, but with people in their
city, in their country or on their continent. This is a great way for gamers
to rank up while making new friends, or even adversaries, on the
battlefield.
Continue here to read the full story.
Aeria Games announces F.E.A.R.
Online, an upcoming free-to-play multiplayer game based on the F.E.A.R.
series of supernatural first-person shooters. Though the name is quite familiar,
other names previously connected with this series are not involved, as it's
being developed by Korean company Inplay Interactive and does not involve series
originators Monolith Productions, F.E.A.R. 3 developer Day 1 Studios, or
expansion pack developers TimeGate Studios. Here's word: SANTA CLARA,
Calif. – July 25, 2013 – Face your fear together with friends in F.E.A.R.
Online! Aeria Games, a leading global publisher of free-to-play online games,
announced today the upcoming brand-new installment in the popular horror FPS
series. Developed by Korean company Inplay Interactive and being brought to the
United States by Aeria Games, the new chapter in the F.E.A.R. saga will deliver
hardcore multiplayer shooting action while furthering the dark and ominous story
surrounding Alma Wade.
“We are thrilled to present the next entry in one of the most popular horror
franchises of the last decade,” said Tom Nichols, Vice President of PC Games,
Aeria Games. “F.E.A.R. Online will bring back the tense, heart-pounding action
that the series is known for and make it accessible to a huge online community
of competitive players.”
F.E.A.R. Online will focus on several team combat modes spanning over ten
ominous maps packed with grotesque details such as still-twitching bodies
hanging from meat hooks and messages smeared in blood. The battle rages between
Armacham Technology Corporation (ATC) and the elite F.E.A.R. team. F.E.A.R. 3’s
unique Soul King mode also makes a return, challenging players to possess
enemies for new abilities and collect more fallen souls than their opponents.
Continue here to read the full story.
Publisher Bigben Interactive and developer Milestone announce WRC FIA World
Rally Championship 4 (WRCFIAWRC4?), a new installment in the WRC rally
racing series coming to Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation VITA
in October. Here's word: 25th July 2013, Milan (Italy) – Bigben
Interactive in collaboration with the development studio Milestone, recognized
racing videogame developer, announces WRC FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP 4, the
fourth chapter of one of the most loved series that will be on shelves in
October 2013 for PlayStation®3, PlayStation®Vita, Xbox 360® and Windows PC®.
Emotion, Authenticity, Simulation. Following the path taken with the previous
chapter of the series, WRC 4 will feature a new amazing mix of elements with
high graphical detail and real in-game sound. All these improvements are
possible thanks to the community’s feedback. The main characteristics that will
be included into this new game are: loyalty to the license, an exciting game
experience, accessibility for first-time players and a dynamic and competitive
online game mode. Among new features of this 2013 edition, players will have the
chance to experience new lighting conditions, new weather effects depending on
the stage, and a brand new Career Mode to put the player into real driver’s
shoes . Realism and immersion are two of the most important pillars of the
development, with impressive 3D environments and an HDR system that will grant
the best in-game performance.
The
Kickstarter for MotorGun - Return of the Auto Duel is now cancelled
as Pixelbionic reconsiders the plan for their car combat game. The campaign was
launched under two weeks ago with the
promising news that the project would include contributions from Twisted
Metal designer David Jaffe and Interstate '76 designer Zack Norman,
but after colleting under 10% of their $650K goal, they are going back to the
drawing board. "In this case, what we were pitching wasn’t exactly what you guys
wanted, their
latest update reads. "So, as a result we’re making the tough decision to not
drag it out, and we’re going to cancel the campaign and start working to
reformulate it." They will be working on refining their pitch over the next few
weeks and encourage those interested in this project to participate in
discussions of their plans on the
Pixelbionic website. Thanks
Strategy Informer.
Steam News announces
that Steam is now accepting preorders for
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell
Blacklist, saying it's due "this summer" (last we saw the stealth/action
sequel is expected for release on
August 20th in North America). As incentives, they will include the Upper
Echelon Pack DLC for free with all pre-purchases, and those who pre-purchase the
Deluxe Edition will get a copy of Splinter Cell Conviction Deluxe Edition to
play in the meantime. Here's word on the game: The United States has a
military presence in two-thirds of countries around the world, and some of them
have had enough. A group of terrorists calling themselves The Engineers have had
enough and initiate a terror ultimatum called the Blacklist - a deadly countdown
of escalating attacks on U.S. interests. Sam is back in his tactical suit and
goggles, and he’s more lethal and agile than ever. Granted the freedom to do
whatever it takes to stop the Blacklist, Sam flies from exotic locales to U.S.
cities as he races against the clock to find out who’s behind this devastating
threat.
The
Steam Greenlight page announces 16 new titles have been greenlit by the
Steam community (simply posting this to the
main Steam News could be one
of the improvements to the Greenlight system
Valve says they hope to make).
Here's word on the 14 games (two of them are apps) this adds to the
service:
Runic Games announces that Torchlight II has sold more than two
million copies, saying the action/RPG sequel has achieved "record sales"
(presumably a record for a Torchlight sequel). They note that the original
Torchlight sold over one million units in two years, and Torchlight II
effectively doubled that accomplishment in ten months. "I'd just like to say a
big thank you to all the players who offered their suggestions on what we could
improve, and who stuck with us and supported us during development," says Runic
Games President Travis Baldree. "It wouldn't have been possible without you, and
we're humbled and grateful at your response."
When I earmarked today for a good window of opportunity to put a pork shoulder
in the smoker, there was one aspect of this I hadn't really considered, which is
what to do with the pounds of pulled pork this would hopefully produce. Thus I
have put this plan on hold until it will more properly coincide with having
enough company on hand to help consume it all. I guess the trick there will be
to keep the number of a pizzeria handy in case it turns out disastrously.
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