Archived News:
The Steam Holiday Auction has
restarted. Valve confirms suspicions that the auction
was halted due to exploits: NOTE:
On Thursday Dec 11th we had an issue with Gems that meant we needed to reset the
Auction and start over. We apologize for the interruption. Any placed bids will
need to be placed again.
- All Gems created by you have been returned to your
Inventory
- All Gem purchases from the Community Market have
been reimbursed.
View your Store Transactions
to see the Wallet Credit to your account.
- All previous Auction bids have been canceled and
the Auction has been reset.
- Additionally, anyone who traded away items in
exchange for Steam Gems on the first day of bidding will receive a copy of
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
in their Inventory.
Steam News announces the
release of the Windows edition of
FINAL FANTASY XIII-2,
saying: "It is no longer about facing destiny. Create a new future and change
the world! Now enhanced for Windows PC." This includes a bunch of previously
released DLC for the RPG sequel, though some of it will remain unavailable due
to licensing problems. Here's word on the game: Now enhanced for Windows
PC, FINAL FANTASY XIII-2 is created with the aim of surpassing the quality of
its predecessor in every way, featuring new gameplay systems and cutting-edge
visuals and audio. In this game the player has the freedom to choose from a
range of possibilities and paths; where their choices affect not only the
immediate environment, but even shape time and space!
It is no longer about facing destiny. Create a new future and change the world!
Publisher Deep Silver and developer 4A Games announce the release of Linux and
SteamOS versions of Metro:
Last Light Redux and
Metro 2033 Redux, saying these "set a new technical benchmark for native
Linux videogaming." They are available on Steam where each is on sale for
half-off, as is the Metro
Redux Bundle. They also take the opportunity to provide an update on the OS
X edition, saying it's due later this month. "Thanks to huge advances in driver
support, the Metro Redux titles were developed for Linux using OpenGL 4.0," said
Oles Shishkovstov, chief technical officer at 4a Games. "This has allowed us to
deliver an experience that rivals the DX11 version for Windows in terms of
graphical fidelity and performance - something that was just not possible when
we ported the original Metro: Last Light to Linux a year ago." Finally, they
offer Linux system specs: Minimum:
OS: 64-bit Ubuntu 12.04 or 14.04 or Steam OS
Processor: Intel Core i5 2.7 GHz (or equivalent AMD)
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Graphics: NVIDIA Geforce 460 / AMD 5850 with 2GB VRAM
Open GL: OpenGL 4
Hard Drive: 10 GB available space
Recommended:
OS: 64-bit Ubuntu 12.04 or 14.04 or Steam OS
Processor: Intel Core i7 2.5 Ghz (or equivalent AMD)
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: NVIDIA Geforce 680 / AMD 7870 with 2GB VRAM+
Open GL: OpenGL 4
Hard Drive: 10 GB available space
The
World of Warships Blog has news that a "Rock, Paper, Scissors" test weekend
is underway in World of Warships, allowing them to evaluate game balance
in the upcoming MMO naval warfare game. They have links to the various place
where it's possible to score a key, and offer the following explanation of the
event's name: “This weekend with World of Warships, we are starting with a
new model of testing and are looking forward to seeing the results of this new
approach,” states Daniil Volkov, World of Warships Development Director. “The
game is still in the early stages of development. Opening it to a larger
audience will allow us to get a lot of relevant feedback that will be
instrumental in defining player expectations and outlining what we are to focus
on in the coming months.”
The event will feature three classes of military vessels, offering players the
chance to experience the unique “Rock-Paper-Scissors” approach to naval combat.
Players will have the opportunity to command American cruisers and destroyers as
well as Japanese battleships, cruisers, and destroyers.
Kalypso Media has released
a new trailer with a flyover of the game world in Grand Ages: Medieval to
give the lay of the land in the upcoming strategy sequel. Their description
offers more details on the game: "Witness for yourself the unrivaled scale and
majesty of Grand Ages: Medieval as Kalypso Media is excited to reveal its first
ever Flythrough Trailer. The debut footage shows off the gigantic in-game
environment where players can build, develop and conquer Europe as they see fit.
From luscious green woodlands and the crags of mountainous peaks, to
river-filled rolling hills, the entirety of Europe is available to explore and
utilize. How you begin to develop an empire is completely up to you - whether it
is the considered approach of diplomacy or the strength of military arms that
forges your path to greatness. Craft useful trade routes (watch out for
plundering bandits), develop key relationships with surrounding settlements or
intimidate the opposition with the might of your army." Continue here to read the full story.
The Steam Holiday Auction page
reveals that this event was halted shortly after
last night's
launch. Though Valve doesn't reveal the "issues" they are "working
frantically" to sort out,
a post on reddit says a gem duplication exploit is what they are scrambling
to address. Here's Valve's official statement: Sorry, but there have been
some issues with Gems and the Steam Holiday Auction has been temporarily closed.
The elves are working frantically to get the issues sorted out, and the auction
will start again as soon as they're done.
FreeSpace Tactics by FreeSpace Development Corp — Kickstarter is seeking
funding for a miniatures game based on the 6DOF computer shooter series. Their
goal is $75,000, or ten times what the entire IP sold for
earlier this year. Among
the comments they note that this physical game based on a computer game
series is to gauge interest in another computer game: "Part of why we are doing
with this project is to gauge interest in the FreeSpace universe. If this is
successful, it will certainly help us get a couple steps closer to a new PC
game." Thanks Austin.
The
Australian
Classification website now has a listing for Borderlands: Remastered
Edition filed by Gearbox Software and 2K Australia, showing an MA15+ rating.
There are few details, but this is filed under the category "computer games" and
the version "modified" supporting the obvious implication of plans for a
rerelease of the original Borderlands with additions and modern
improvements. The first installment in the role-playing shooter series was
released just five years ago. Thanks
Playerattack.
The
Vox Machinae website officially announces Vox Machinae, a mech combat
game designed to fully exploit the fledgling VR headset market. The
Vox Machinae website has some artwork
and details, and they promise a VR-only playable demo will be released on
Monday. Here's a description of their planned experience: Vox Machinae is
built from the ground up to be a stunning virtual reality experience. Aim where
you look: Your Grinder's weapons systems will track with your head. Check
yourself out: A virtual body and realistic real-time reflections add an
undeniable sense of presence to the VR experience. Speed matters: Highly
optimized for smooth VR performance.
Satellite Reign is now available
on Steam as an early
access release, carrying a 10% launch discount. This Kickstarted turn-based
strategy game from the creator of Syndicate Wars is intended as an homage to
that game. Here's word: Satellite Reign is a real-time, class-based
strategy game. You control a team of four agents, each with distinct and
unique abilities, collectively battling for control of a simulated,
living cyberpunk city.
The game world is designed to facilitate emergent gameplay, giving you
the tools and freedom to play how you want to play, so you can create
strategies and scenarios that not even we had anticipated!
Customise your team with the strength to destroy your enemies head-on, or hack
into their facilities to manipulate their infrastructure without them ever
knowing you were even there.
Will you take down your enemies with brute-force? Covert espionage and
infiltration? Or will you use propaganda to influence the citizens of the city
and overthrow the controlling powers?
West Games is back at trying to raise funds for their own spiritual successor to
the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series (thanks
PC Gamer). Their first go at this with a game called Areal went poorly, as
questions about the legitimacy of the project led to it being
suspended by Kickstarter, as claims
that a AAA game could be developed for $50,000 were met with widespread
skepticism. They have now launched a new crowdfunding campaign on
World Wide Funder seeking
$600,000, for a project called STALKER Apocalypse. That sounds like it
might be infringing on the acronym title from the "S.T.A.L.K.E.R." series, but
they don't see it that way, saying: "We have registered a trademark for Stalker
Apocalypse, and have every right to use it as our title. Stalker by itself is a
common word, and anyone can use it."
Polygon - Grand Theft Auto 5's misogyny is a problem its creators must
finally address.
"Take-Two and publishing sub-brand Rockstar want to be able to say
whatever they like about whomever they like, without consequence. At the
same time as they reduce GTA 5 to a mere purchasing choice, they also want
you to believe that the game is an essential work of art that is being
stifled by a mob of censors.
But this is really about a corporation profiting from the depiction of some
of the most brutalized members of our society, being further brutalized, for
fun. It's about a game that displays incredibly bad taste, that has made
ignorant choices, and that is happy to trade on the misery of the victims
who it portrays so mercilessly.
Look, let's get one thing straight. We live in a free society. GTA 5 should
be available for any adult who wants to buy it, through any retailer who
wants to sell it. But that doesn't mean its makers ought to be allowed to
feel comfortable dismissing its critics in the most derisory fashion
imaginable."
- The Last Tinker: City of Colors on
PCWorld. Thanks Ant.
Okay, with under two weeks to go before Christmas, I think I have to acknowledge
the season is upon us. Actually I set up the tree over a week ago, as last year
I found one that perfectly suits my level of motivation for this sort of thing.
We have a genuine (albeit artificial) Charlie Brown Christmas tree, just like in
the TV special, swaddled in a Linus-blue blanket and everything. The only setup
required is to put the base together, and make sure the lone ornament is
properly causing it to properly bend over. The fact that it can play a sample of
the Vince Guaraldi Trio is just a bonus.
|
Twitter 
