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Archived News:
Tactical Simulations Interactive (TSI) is a new developer formed by veterans of
Strategic Simulations Inc. (SSI), which is today's
second invocation of a classic
computer gaming brand. And they are taking their roots seriously, saying they
are looking to provide a new generation with the classic "gold box" RPG
experience that made SSI famous. A TSI Games
website is online, but this is currently just teasing us with a countdown
that will hit zero on August 18th at midnight EDT. Here's what they have to say
for themselves for now: Tactical Simulations Interactive (TSI), a new
independent video games studio with old school RPG sensibilities, has been
established by Strategic Simulations Inc. veterans Paul Murray and David
Shelley, and company President David Klein.
Drawing on their experience at SSI, the team at TSI aims to provide the next
step in meaningful player experiences in the same way that SSI's ‘Gold Box’
titles did during the 1980s and 1990s.
David Shelley takes on the role of Producer/Lead Designer, while Paul Murray
serves as Technical Designer at TSI. The team was integral to the international
success of Strategic Simulations Inc.’s genre-defining RPGs, such as Curse of
the Azure Bonds, Pool of Radiance, and Wizard's Crown.
David Shelley, Producer/Lead Designer, TSI said:
“Tactical Simulations Interactive is a return to providing the player full
control of their party, with a focus on creating immersive and unforgettable
story experiences, exciting exploration, meaningful social/political choices,
and robust tactical combat.”
The Fighter Collection and Eagle Dynamics announce they are now conducting open
beta testing of DCS: Fw 190 D-9 Dora, the latest installment in their
Digital Combat Series flight simulators. They show off the some work-in-progress
footage in
this
video, and those interested in the beta can download it from the
DCS Eshop.
Here's a feature list:
- Unmatched flight physics that allow you to truly
feel what it's like to fly this legend.
- Highly detailed, six-degrees-of-freedom (6 DOF)
cockpit.
- Interact with cockpit controls with your mouse.
- Accurate Fw 190 D-9 model, squadron markings, and
weapons.
- Detailed modelling the Fw 190 D-9 instruments,
weapons, engine, radios, fuel, and electrical systems.
- Battle the P-51D Mustang in single and multiplayer
games.
The Crew
website announces plans to conduct a second round of beta testing for the
Windows edition of The Crew on August 25th. They say participants in the
first beta (even if you redeemed a key without actually playing) are
automatically included, and that anyone who preorders the game can also
participate in the one-day test. Here's the deal: Get ready for the
second PC Closed Beta! Because you made our first Beta period such a resounding
success, we’ve decided to open up another session for an end-of-summer driving
bash. Prepare yourself and brush up on those driving skills. A massive
persistent world loaded with exciting driving challenges, iconic places, amazing
cars – and best of all, a world filled with friends to crew up with and rivals
to compete against – awaits!
If you’ve already participated in our first Closed PC Beta – or simply redeemed
your key for that Beta period – guess what? First, thank you for participating,
and second, you’re automatically included in our second PC Beta! Simply log in
to the game on August 25th, and get started. All progress from your first Beta
experience will be reset.
DON’T HAVE A BETA KEY? REGISTER FOR ONE NOW!
/!\ Due to technical limitations, a limited number of keys will be distributed.
If you’re chosen to participate, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with
your access key. For GUARANTEED ACCESS into the Beta, pre-purchase The Crew from
one of our retail partners below.
Indie developer BitBunch announces Chain of Command, a World War II
real-time strategy game coming to Windows PCs, though a release date is not yet
specified. There are details along with some concept art on
the BitBunch website, where they are also
accepting signups from those interested in the project. Here's word: Change
the course of history!
In Chain of Command the player assumes command of large bodies of troops and
directs them to victory. Battle plans can be drawn directly on the historically
accurate maps and troops will execute these to the best of their abilities.
Players need to adapt their plans as the situation changes due to enemy action,
unexpected changes in weather, the supply situation or to improve their lines of
communication. Based on their battle performance, players can get promoted
to higher ranks, greater control and the chance to change the course of history!
Features
Chain of Command features a revolutionary control system based on the command
hierarchy used in actual armies. This system allows players to effectively
manage large amounts of troops by giving orders at different levels in the
hierarchy. Maps are geographically accurate representations of the
battlefields in World War II, created using data from actual maps of the time.
The detailed simulated environment in Chain of Command includes dynamic weather,
logistics and communication. Units are controlled by an advanced AI system,
making
them react realistically to changing battlefield conditions, freeing the player
from micromanagement and allowing them to focus on higher level strategy.
Deconstructeam and Devolver Digital announce the release of a new "Mercy" update
for Gods Will Be Watching, showing a little mercy to those struggling
with some of the more difficult areas in the adventure game. They explain: "The
update to the critically lauded title brings new challenge settings that adjust
the game’s overall difficulty and a new option to remove the element of chance
from decisions made throughout the game. It’s still no cakewalk though, chumps."
Those who enjoy a good challenge need not fear, as the game's original
difficulty is preserved: "New challenge settings range from Original Mode, which
keeps the game’s full difficulty intact, to a new Puzzle Mode that removes all
elements of chance and Narrative Mode for gamers looking to just experience the
story with minimal obstacles to success."
Square Enix and United Front Games announce plans for a Sleeping Dogs
Definitive Edition, saying this will be released in PAL territories on
October 10th for Windows, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4. Word is this will update
the game's dated graphics, which have 2012 written all over them: SLEEPING
DOGS: DEFINITIVE EDITION is a re-mastered update of the critically acclaimed
SLEEPING DOGS which released in 2012. The capabilities of today’s hardware have
truly brought the vibrant Hong Kong experience to life. In addition, a total of
24 pieces of downloadable content have been integrated into the gaming
experience including the story-extending episode Year of the Snake and the
horror-themed add-on Nightmare In North Point.
“It was an exciting opportunity for the original development team to be able
revisit a game we’re so passionate about”, said Dan Sochan, Senior Producer at
United Front Games. “We’re giving old and new fans a lot reasons to pick up the
game, as we’ve gone beyond just increasing resolution and running at 1080p. We
listened to the fans: we tuned gameplay, we added to the ambience of Hong Kong,
increased audio fidelity and pushed the visuals further than we could on the
previous generation of consoles.”
4A Games' Metro Redux is on display in
a new "Uncovered" trailer
from the first-person shooter remake that's due for release in North America on
August 26th. Word on the new clip is accompanied by this description: "Improved
graphics, complete with Ranger, Spartan and Survival game modes, hours of
additional content and features packed into games that were rebuilt on 4A Games'
brand new engine -- Metro Redux from Deep Silver is a beautifully re-mastered
package for newcomers and Metro fans alike." Continue here to read the full story.
Here's a new behind the
scenes video for Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, pulling back the curtain on
development of the upcoming Tolkien-inspired action game. Word is a couple of
the game's actors are on display in the clip to spill the beans on the game:
"Get a look behind the scenes of this autumn’s highly anticipated action game,
Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, as Troy Baker, who stars as Talion (The Last of
Us, Batman: Arkham Origins) and Alastair Duncan, who stars as Celebrimbor (Mass
Effect, Uncharted 3), discussing their experiences creating the game." Continue here to read the full story.
Alpha testing of Das Tal
is underway, offering an early crack at this sandbox PvP MMORPG, helping refine
the game and support its
Steam Greenlight campaign. You can see some very early gameplay footage in
this video, and if you
are interested in testing, you can sign up
using this form. Here's a bit on the game: "The game is a new take on our
beloved sandbox MMORPG genre, for the first time enabling players to create
their own custom server rule sets without having to deal with the legal problems
of freeshards and the hacker-infestation of modern survival sandboxes."
- Legends of Eisenwald on
Steam. Save 50%.
- A Midsummer Gamer's Dream on
GOG.com. Save 70%.
Link of the Day: All-New
Thunderbirds Revealed! Thanks Kareem.
Sierra Entertainment ceased to exist in its original form a long time ago, most
obviously when Ken and Roberta Williams sold the company, which helped usher in
the first golden era of computer gaming (there is some history on the
SierraGamers website). The company
formerly known as Sierra On-Line eventually wound up the property of Activision
after their merger with Vivendi, but now a
Sierra website has popped up suggesting the brand is being revived. The site
has a caption reading GamesCom 2014, which gets underway next week in Cologne,
Germany, so we should learn more about this soon enough. This seems similar to
how Infogrames started using the Atari brand several years ago, but the dynamics
are different, because Activision is a far more established brand than
Infogrames and the Atari brand is considerably more recognizable than Sierra. We
shall see.
Origin's Game
Time now offers timed trial versions of Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning and
Battlefield 4. Those interested in Kingdoms of Amalur can play the game for as
much as 48 hours, though this will require diapers, as the time runs continually
once you first launch the role-playing game. They offer more time than that to
check out Battlefield 4, as the military shooter sequel will be good for a week,
saying: "7 days. 64 players. Use Game Time to explore every inch of the
battlefield. This is the entire Battlefield 4 experience." Taking advantage of
either offer requires an Origin account, and word is that these offers are for a
limited time only.
The
Battlefield Blog specifies they will stop offering downloads of the BF4
trial on August 14th.
Kalypso Media announces plans to bring an HD remastered edition of Wings! to
PCs, reviving this World War I aerial combat game that was a hit on the
Commodore Amiga back in the day. This is coming to Windows; OS X; and mobiles
later this year, with a PS3 edition to follow at some point after that. They are
proud of the game's arcade nature, calling it "more than just a simulator," and
still hold a grudge, as we can't recall the last time someone invoked "hun."
Here's word: "Relive the action, glory and seat of the pants daring of a WWI
Allied fighter pilot! You'll strafe Hun armies, bomb enemy aerodromes and match
wits against deadly Aces in heart-stopping dogfights, the loser going down in
flames...without a parachute! More than just a simulator, Wings! Remastered
Edition features genuine arcade action and an emotion-packed role-playing
experience. Wings! Remastered Edition is the easy to play air combat simulation
you've been waiting for... no complicated keyboard commands. Just fly and
shoot!" Here are
some screenshots and here's more on the remake: Wings! Remastered
Edition is the great comeback of the Amiga hit-game from 1990. The game has been
completely reproduced in stunning HD graphics, high-quality sound effects and a
masterful soundtrack re-scored with real instruments. Jump into the cockpit and
enjoy this re-mastered classic game experience!
Features of Wings! Remastered Edition:
- Experience a dramatic World War I storyline from
the perspective of a combat pilot unveiling right before your eyes!
- Re-live the horrors and glories of the 56th
Squadron as it strives to survive to the end of the war
- Dogfight, bomb & strafe enemies in a variety of
dramatic missions!
- Play through over 230 diverse missions taking
place between 1916 and 1918
- Enjoy a completely re-scored orchestral soundtrack
by Sound of Games, the leading game music production team!
Slitherine Group announces the release of a new Windows PC edition of
Frontline: Road to Moscow later today, offering this World War II strategy
game that first launched for mobiles. Here's the deal: In the PC version
of the game players will find all of the elements that made the iOS version so
popular. 30 breathtaking scenarios based on historical battles, a wide variety
of tactical situations ranging from capturing an armored convoy to recovering
important documents, a large array of units with possibilities of customization
and specific upgrades, and an eye-catching art direction all come together to
deliver an epic journey on the Eastern Front! Obviously this version has been
enhanced to suit the specificities of this new platform; therefore the controls
are perfectly adjusted to the mouse/keyboard combo and players can select
graphic settings adapted to their computer.
Thanks to a smooth learning curve, a straightforward gameplay, and a very
affordable price of $9.99, Frontline: Road to Moscow is the perfect entry point
to the wargaming world. Players will be glad to note that for the launch week we
also offer a great discount of 20%. Reaching the gates of the Soviet capital has
never been so cheap!
Get more information on Frontline: Road to Moscow from its
official Steam product page.
Shiver Games announces Lucius II: The Prophecy, saying this
gory adventure sequel to Lucius is slated to come to Steam early next year.
This announcement trailer
shows off the game's eerie Saw-like setting and some of disturbing goings on.
Here's a bit on the game:
Shiver Games has been developing Lucius II: The Prophecy for almost two years,
ever since the release of Lucius. The gameplay and feel of Lucius II has been
improved by adding features many felt were missing, while still respecting the
humorous and shocking integrity of the original game. “The main goal has been to
add more freedom and to deliver a sandbox-type setting for the murderous kid –
Be ready to use your creativity for inflicting pain and suffering, because this
time the restrictions are gone and the sins have multiplied!” said Johannes
Aikio of Shiver Games.
The story of Lucius II continues where the original left off: Lucius emerges as
the lone survivor of the burning wreckage his parents once called home,
unscathed from the ruthless slaughter he had unleashed. He had taken the weak
and punished the wicked. He had looked through their souls and found the true
selves they had been hiding.
Continue here to read the full story.
The Gunnar-man and I were taking a walk when I spotted some odd movement that
was hard to figure out, even though it was maybe ten yards off. Then whatever it
was saw the dog, got startled, and hopped backwards a bit, revealing this was a
combination of two birds, as a hawk had taken down a white dove on someone's lawn.
That's right, I was witnessing the origins of the cliché about war and peace, an
actual hawk versus dove scenario. The dove laid there for a second, so I thought
he was already dead, but he suddenly took off, flying low and fast to try and
take advantage of the distraction. The hawk decided this would not stand, and
instantly set out in hot pursuit. They both disappeared over a rooftop, allowing
me the chance to believe the dove got away, even though I find that extremely
unlikely. This made me wonder about where the victim came from, as I don't
recall ever seeing white doves around here, so I looked them up on the
Wikipedia to figure out
their natural habitat. The answer apparently is that they don't have one, and
they are bred to be released at ceremonial events. And while the preferred breed
for this is homing pigeons, which can be recovered after, they will also use
disposable ringneck doves for this purpose. What happens to these kind of doves
after they are released? Apparently just what I was witnessing. I don't know
about you, but I know the only thing I'll be thinking about the next time I see
one of those dove release ceremonies.
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