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Archived News:
Telltale announces Minecraft: Story Mode - A Telltale Games Series,
which will bring their signature story-driven, episodic approach to Minecraft,
the construction game that's not long on plot. This is will debut sometime next
year on Windows, consoles, and mobile devices. There's a corresponding post on
the Mojang website with a clever adventure game take on revealing the
announcement that leads to
the following
feature list:
- Minecraft: Story mode will be a narrative-driven
video game created by Telltale Games. It will be about Minecraft.
- Mojang is collaborating with Telltale and members
of the community to make Minecraft: Story Mode as Minecrafty as possible.
- The first episode will be released some time in
2015, and will be available on Xbox consoles, PlayStation consoles, PC, Mac,
iOS, and Android-based devices.
- Minecraft: Story Mode will be released
episodically, just like The Wolf Among Us, The Walking Dead, or the recent
Tales from the Borderlands, which is another developer-collaboration series
between Telltale Games and Gearbox Software.
- We’re not intending on creating an “official”
story for Steve, or explaining the world of Minecraft in detail. It will be
a cool game.
- The Minecraft 2 thing was a joke. No really. It
was a joke.
There's a World
of Warcraft in the New Year forecast on Battle.net discussing future
plans for the MMORPG. Included is word that they are looking into ways to allow
players to essentially trade gold for playing time through in-game economics.
Here's word: We’re exploring the possibility of giving players a way to
buy tradable game-time tokens for the purpose of exchanging them in-game with
other players for gold. Our current thought on this is that it would give
players a way to use their surplus gold to cover some of their subscription
cost, while giving players who might have less play time an option for acquiring
gold from other players through a legit and secure system. A few other online
games offer a similar option, and players have suggested that they’d be
interested in seeing something along those lines in WoW. We agree it could be a
good fit for the game, and we look forward to any feedback you have as we
continue to look into this feature.
iam8bit is now accepting preorders for a Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number -
Collector's Edition which includes the game as well as its soundtrack on
three colored vinyl records. Here's word: The Hotline Miami 2: Wrong
Number Collector's Edition Vinyl is a three-disc set featuring 28 selected
tracks from the game's intense and driving soundtrack. Featuring music from
returning Hotline Miami artists including: M|O|O|N, El Huervo and Perturbator --
as well as artists new to Hotline Miami 2: Megadrive, and Magic Sword. The vinyl
set also includes a custom phone card containing a download code for Hotline
Miami 2: Wrong Number and the full digital soundtrack via Steam (Mac, Windows,
Linux).
The set includes three 180 gram discs, housed in a tri-fold jacket, showcasing
original art by Niklas Åkerblad. When unfolded, the jacket expands to an
incredible 12" x 36" long! There's even more art in here that will be revealed
soon!
Ubisoft announces a DLC pack called Escape from Durgesh Prison is coming on
January 13th to Far Cry 4, adding a time trial mode to the first-person
shooter sequel for Windows and consoles. Here's word on the pack, which is
included in a season pass, and will also be available for purchase separately: Today,
Ubisoft® announced that Escape from Durgesh Prison, a new piece of downloadable
content for Far Cry 4, will be released on January 13, 2015. In this challenging
time trial players will race against the clock and other players to complete
challenges for a spot atop the leader boards.
In Escape from Durgesh Prison Ajay and Hurk wake up after being captured,
tortured and stripped of their weapons in Yuma’s prison. Thrown in the dangerous
world of Kyrat without anything to defend themselves with, players will complete
a series of challenges to find weapons and unlock new skills while trying to
reach the extraction point to safety.
Playable in single player and coop, this difficult mode will keep players
running across Kyrat to complete side objectives dictated by Pagan Min to
recover their lost weapons and upgrade their gear before a final stand-off with
Yuma's forces. To ramp up the challenge, when players die they must start the
mission over again and use the knowledge and skills they gained during their
previous run through to help them reach their extraction point
successfully.
Konami Digital Entertainment announces the release of the Windows PC edition of
Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, which contains a number of visual
enhancements compared with the original version of the stealth/action game. Word
is: "The PC edition of METAL GEAR SOLID V: GROUND ZEROES marks the first use of
4K compatibility in the METAL GEAR SOLID series, boasting an increase in the
number of simultaneous light sources, the number of models that can be displayed
on-screen and increased shadow resolution." Here's the description of the game: METAL
GEAR SOLID V: GROUND ZEROES takes place in 1975 and sets in motion a series of
events that culminate in the stunning plot lines of the upcoming METAL GEAR
SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN. GROUND ZEROES stars Big Boss - legendary hero and
mercenary - as he infiltrates a sprawling secret prison base called ‘Camp Omega’
in Cuba on a rescue mission. He soon finds himself alone behind enemy lines, in
a truly non-linear mission that showcases key advances to the series made
possible by the use of Kojima Productions’ FOX Engine.
METAL GEAR SOLID V: GROUND ZEROES is centered on a large open environment, with
missions where time of day and weather cause a dynamic effect on the game and
its content. The game offers total freedom of movement within its missions by
allowing users to choose how they engage guards, what routes they traverse and
who they rescue. As such, the game offers incredible replay value, encouraging
players to revisit its content in order to find more secrets. Furthermore, the
game features an online global ranking system where players can compete in
unique in-game and mission challenges, as well as achievements to see how they
compare against others around the world.
The promised
Linux edition of Civilization: Beyond Earth is now available, offering
another way to play the turn-based strategy game. Thus is available through
GameAgent.com and Steam,
where the game happens to currently be on sale. Thanks Ant via
GamingOnLinux, where they have a few keys to give away.
A new Waterborne expansion for Tropico 5 is now available
on Steam, offering new
content for the Windows, Linux, and OS X editions of the island dictator sequel.
As the name implies, this allows one to live more of the life aquatic, which is
shown off in this new
video. Here's the deal: El Presidente is fed up of the boring soil of
dry land and now his latest initiative takes the island of Tropico into the
great frontier of the deep blue sea. Prepare to explore a brand new industry and
reap the rewards of innovation, as 'Waterborne,' the first major expansion for
infamous city-builder/political sim Tropico 5, is out today to download on Steam
(PC, Mac & SteamOS) and for PC via the Kalypso Launcher. Whatever type of
Presidente you are, 'Waterborne' challenges players to expand their nation into
the unknown waters of adventurous opportunity and fully harness the power of the
ocean. Develop an exotic housing market with luxury floating apartments and do
your bit for the good of the planet by constructing eco-friendly wave power
sources. Or use the sea as another military front for your empowering military
force and bolster the army with a fearsome naval presence.
Continue here to read the full story.
BadFly Interactive announces that Dead
Effect is out of early access, and their indie first-person shooter is
now in its full release on
Steam for Windows and OS X. They offer high praise for the process, saying:
"We were also able to give it a much higher quality than we’ve originally
expected. Thanks to the support and resources we’ve gained in the Early Access
stage, we had the chance to add many new core features for the PC/MAC version of
Dead Effect (for example new enemies and visual enhancements). We were also able
to add many improvements and innovations that the fan community asked for."
Here's word on the game: Story
The ESS Meridian spacecraft is travelling through space with a new FTL
technology, heading towards its destination, Tau Ceti f, the first planet
outside of our solar system ever to be colonized.
A few months later, one of the crew members is awakened from cryogenic sleep and
quickly discovers that the nightmare has only begun. What happened to everyone
aboard? Why are they all so aggressive and attack without any survival
instincts?
Gameplay
The player’s character is a member of Unit 13, an elite peace-keeping unit
aboard the ship. Upon awakening, it’s clear that something has gone very wrong.
It’s up to the player to discover what happened to the ESS Meridian and its
crew.
As the player, you must pass through 12 immersive levels aboard the ship,
ranging from hazardous laboratories and dangerous nuclear core, which will
require all of your survival skills. Are you worthy of surviving?
Game Features
- An immersive single-player campaign with a
gripping story and over 7 hours of gameplay
- Horror atmosphere and fast-paced action
accompanied by intense background music.
- Lifelike zombies and lots of detailed upgradable
weapons.
- Voices provided by professional voice actors.
- The option to choose between two playable
characters (male/female).
- The option to upgrade your character throughout
the campaign.
- Two special abilities (Bullet-time and
Devastation).
- Other challenging game modes to accompany the
campaign missions.
- A few mini games to challenge the player.
Assassin's Creed website announces the
website is live where Assassin's Creed Unity season pass owners can
claim
the
promised free game to compensate them for their troubles. Here's
word: Everyone who has purchased the Assassin's Creed Unity Season Pass or
Gold Edition is eligible for this offer. Please note, you must activate the
Season Pass for our system to recognize you as "eligible" for the offer. If your
Season Pass was activated before November 25th, you will be able to use the
website to select your free game immediately. If your Season Pass was activated
after November 25th, a delay of up to ten days may occur to define your
eligibility in our system.
This press release announces the record $70 million sale of a 23,000 square
foot Beverly Hills mansion to a "Swedish billionaire and game developer," who
turns out to be Minecraft creator Marcus "Notch" Persson. Persson
famously came out a couple of billion dollars in the black after selling Mojang
to Microsoft in September,
and this helps answer the question of what someone does with that kind of money.
Here's word on what helps drive the price up on a house like this:
Entertaining will be a snap with vodka and tequila bars, a candy room, an
18-seat tiered screening room, a state-of-the-art kitchen and an exquisite
18-foot onyx dining room table for 24 that includes place settings by Roberto
Cavalli at a cost of $3,700 each. Three high-definition 90-inch television
screens bring panoramic views of Los Angeles from the roof into the downstairs
lounge – especially breathtaking at night, says De Los Reyes. Art pieces include
a replica of James Dean’s motorcycle and a chromed Ma Deuce machine gun. On a
conventional note, the home has eight bedrooms and 15 bathrooms all equipped
with Toto Neorest toilets at a price of $5,600 each.
The Holiday Sale is now underway on
Steam, kicking off two weeks of bargains. Word is: "The Steam Holiday Sale
is on now thru January 2, 2015. Throughout the sale, Steam customers may take
advantage of special deals running every 12 hours and new Featured Deals
happening each day. In addition, holiday shoppers may vote in the Community
Choice promotion to determine which games receive deeper discounts. And those
who participate in the sale may also earn exclusive Holiday Sale Trading Cards."
Here are the current featured deals:
- DARK SOULS II on
Steam. Save 63%.
- Euro Truck Simulator 2 on
Steam. Save 85%.
- METAL GEAR SOLID V: GROUND ZEROES on
Steam. Save 33%.
- Rocksmith 2014 on
Steam. Save 65%.
- Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth on
Steam. Save 40%.
- Sniper Elite 3 on
Steam. Save 50%.
- Space Engineers on
Steam. Save 50%.
- State of Decay on
Steam. Save 75%.
- Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition on
Steam. Save 75%.
2K Games announces that beta testing for Evolve will commence next
month on the Xbox One, as they gear up for the eventual release of Turtle Rock's
asymmetric multiplayer game. There are fuller details on the
Evolve blog where they explain that this will be open to all Xbox One owners
with an Xbox LIVE Gold account, but that there will also be more limited closed
beta testing the game on Windows and PlayStation 4. Here's word: PC
Players: Starting January 16th, we’ll be holding a smaller closed technical test
on PC. If you were invited to the Big Alpha on PC, you will have access to these
closed technical tests as well. And if you already own Left 4 Dead or BioShock
Infinite in your Steam library you can participate in the closed technical test,
which is limited in scope and will not include Evacuation or have Hunter and
Monster unlocks carry over to Evolve’s launch.
Space Hulk Ascension ascends further today, as the Imperial Fists
add-on is now available for Full Control's turn-based strategy game. The
Windows, OS X, and Linux expansion is now
on Steam, adding 15 new
story missions and 20 flash missions to the mix. "We can't wait for our fans to
experience all the new content," said Thomas Hentschel Lund, CEO of Full
Control. "On top of the new missions, the Tarantula Turret adds a whole new
layer of strategy to the game. We think players will relish the opportunity to
test it out!" Here's more on what this is about: The primary objective of
the Imperial Fists, is to prevent the Genestealers breaking through a defense
zone and attacking the flank of the beachhead. As the main campaign expands, the
Terminators slowly cleanse areas of the Space Hulk to prevent the Genestealers
from building a larger force. Meanwhile, hidden in the Space Hulk, the
Genestealers have started massing into a vast force. During the campaign the
Imperial Fists are armed with the ferocious Tarantula Turret; a powerful
automated weapons platform that can decimate the Genestealer hordes in
seconds.
The
GeForce website now offers new version 347.09 beta drivers for NVIDIA
GeForce accelerators. Word is: "The new
GeForce Game Ready Elite: Dangerous and Metal Gear Solid V: Ground
Zeroes 347.09 beta drivers are now available to download automatically
through GeForce Experience,
and from GeForce.com. With
performance optimizations, SLI profiles, and other tweaks, the new drivers are a
recommended update for players of the two eagerly anticipated games."
A blog update announces that
tomorrow will see the Steam
release of Sportsfriends, "a compendium of award-winning local multiplayer games
for living rooms, parties, and even backyards."
This launch trailer
celebrates the news (thanks
Ars Technica). Sportsfriends was originally released for the PlayStation Network, and
word is one of the included games, Johann
Sebastian Joust, will not work on Windows upon launch. The issue is that
this requires a PlayStation Move controller, and while they've been able to work
out support for this on OS X and Linux, this has proven trickier on Windows.
They are going to Open Source the game with hopes that this can help work things out.
Here's word: He also spent time researching Bluetooth issues that prevent
the Move controller from reliably pairing to Windows machines. Unfortunately, it
seems like Windows is engineered in a way that makes it infeasible for us to get
pairing working robustly. We looked
for experts to help us, and even got in touch with an engineer at Microsoft,
who told us "this is NOT possible in any way shape or form." Yeah, we weren't
too thrilled either.
This means that, despite all our research, the Windows version of Sportsfriends
will not support JS Joust. However, anyone who buys Sportsfriends is also
entitled to the Mac and Linux versions of the game. We're also still looking
into creating a custom Linux "JS Joust distro" that you can boot into from your
Windows machine by USB stick. More on that later.
In the future, we're still looking to open source JS Joust. The game was built
on top of open source projects, and we feel some responsibility to give back to
the community. After we release this week and handle any support issues,
Jonathan is going to continue his work preparing the source.
Continue here to read the full story.
Clockwork Demon announces Adopted, a single-player exploration game that
puts the player in the role of a family dog that's expected for Windows, OS X,
and Linux in 2016. An
announcement trailer offers a first look at the game's simple graphics
style, which follows the myth that dogs don't see color (gameplay highlights
notwithstanding). Here's word: Ever wondered what your dog might have to
say about all the bad decisions they have silently watched you make? Independent
developer Clockwork Demon is excited to announce Adopted, a PC game where
players get to explore the messy side of human nature through the eyes of the
family dog.
Adopted is a 3D, single-player exploration game where you play as Luchador, a
recently rescued Boston Terrier thrust into a world of complex human problems
with only a few simple tools to solve them. Players will sniff to discover
important clues and then bark, chew, and fetch to manipulate their humans to
make smart choices, or not. Unlike games where fail states give players do-overs,
Adopted asks you to investigate and influence the right people in the right
moments to produce real-time consequences that affect future gameplay and
storyline.
Players will explore the lives of three twenty-somethings who are about to have
a very stressful night in their southwestern suburban home. Who you choose to
help or hinder throughout the evening will have dramatic effects on how the game
progresses.
“We want players to feel torn between their relationships with owners and
constantly ask how they should spend their time and who they should be concerned
about next,” said Clockwork Demon co-founder Leo Glass.
Continue here to read the full story.
- Elite: Dangerous on
XP4T.
- AMD FX-8350 and FX-6300 on
TechSpot.
- Apple iPhone 6 and 6 Plus smartphones on
The Tech Report.
- ASUS GeForce GTX 980 Poseidon Platinum on
ocaholic.
- ASUS X99-A Intel X99 Motherboard Performance on
Legit Reviews.
- CalDigit T4 Thunderbolt 2 Quad-Drive RAID Array Storage Unit on
TweakTown.
- CH Products Pro Pedals USB on
OverClocked inside. German.
- Code Keyboard 104 key and TKL models on
LAN OC.
- Corsair Hydro H80i Liquid AIO CPU Cooler Update on
HARDOCP.
- COUGAR 700K on
Vortez.
- Inateck FE2005 USB 3.0 UASP External 2.5- SATA Enclosure on
PC Perspective.
- Lian Li PC-O5SX on
techPowerUp.
- MSI GeForce GTX 970 Gaming 4 GB on
techPowerUp.
- Phanteks Enthoo Luxe Gehäuse im Test on
Technic3D. German.
- Samsung S32D850T 32- LED Slim Gaming Monitor on
IncGamers.
- Seagate Enterprise Performance 15K HDD v5 600GB HDD on
TweakTown.
- Thermalright Macho 90 CPU Cooler on
Nikk Tech.
I got very lucky yesterday when I found the winter boots I was seeking in an
actual store. Shoe sizing is always a little funny, and the fit on boots to be
worn over heavy socks can be trickier, so I was wary about having to order these
online. Sure enough, though I normally wear a 9½-10, I needed to get these in a
size 11, so if I'd tried this through Zappos or some other website, it probably would have
involved two returns before getting the size right.
Also, for those in the pool, remember today is
Football
Thursday.
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