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Archived News:
GOG.com announces
that the versions of
Star Wars
X-Wing and
Star
Wars TIE-Fighter are now upgraded to the Star Wars: X-Wing Collector's
CD-ROM and Star Wars: Tie Fighter Collector's CD-ROM editions. On a related
note, Steam now offers TIE
Fighter Special Edition,
X-Wing Alliance, X-Wing
Special Edition, X-Wing
vs. TIE Fighter, and an
X-Wing Bundle of all four (thanks
Shacknews via nin). Back to GOG.com, they also
announce the release of
Star
Wars: Jedi Knight II - Jedi Outcast and
Star Wars:
Jedi Knight - Jedi Academy, capping this all off by
also announcing the release of
Star Wars: Rebel
Assault I & II. May the Force be with you.
Ultima 8 Gold Edition is now available for free
on Origin as the latest installment in their
On the
House program (thanks
GamePolitics). Here's word on 1994's "Super Avatar Brothers" installment in
the RPG series: The Guardian has tricked you, Avatar. After you defeated
Batlin on Serpent's Isle, he banished you to Pagan, a world under his control.
Once, it was a beautiful land, but ever since the ancient battle between the
Elemental Titans and the evil "Destroyer", it is engulfed in eternal twilight.
Titans - now worshiped as gods - are cruel and uncaring. They bestow power on
their most dedicated followers who, in turn, terrorize Pagan's population. To
find a way back home, you need to become a Titan yourself before the Guardian
succeeds in his plot to conquer Britannia--and then Earth itself.
The eighth installment of the Ultima series takes a much darker tone. The story
is much more mature (do the ends justify the means?) and the game focuses more
on action, like climbing and jumping across platforms. Training your character
has also changed: the more you use an ability, the better you are with it.
Without a party to assist you, you must rely on your own strength, dexterity,
intelligence, and magical abilities to save Britannia and Earth.
Nordic Games announces the release of Shadowrun Chronicles - Boston Lockdown
Cliffhanger Productions' "unique and tactically challenging online game" for
Windows, Linux, and OS X. The
Shadowrun Chronicles website has details on how to pick this up. Here's
a launch trailer
showing the game's cyberpunk setting, and here's the release announcement:
Shadowrun is the mother of all cyberpunk settings, captivating fans
around the globe for over 25 years. Now, with Shadowrun Chronicles: Boston
Lockdown, Cliffhanger Productions is releasing a unique and tactically
challenging online game. In a world where magic and technology collide, the
player takes control of the combat unit of one of the mighty megacorporations,
tasked with doing their dirty work. And there's a lot of that in the world of
Shadowrun Chronicles…
The campaign mode in Shadowrun Chronicles: Boston Lockdown can be tackled either
solo or in co-op multiplayer mode. First, you create your own hero in true RPG
fashion in a level-free character system and gradually assemble a formidable
team of Runners. With over 50 different enemy types, the missions require smart
and prudent planning, cover from fire, suppressive fire, heavy weaponry and, of
course, the well-considered use of powerful magic.
The Early Access phase of Shadowrun Chronicles: Boston Lockdown officially ends
today and, following the successful Kickstarter campaign with over 6,000
supporters, to whom the developers extend their special thanks, is finally
available in stores off- and online.
Paradox Interactive announces the release of Magicka: Wizard Wars, a
free-to-play PvP game based on the Magicka series. The full version has
additional features not found in the Early Access release, and these are details
in this launch trailer.
Here's the announcement: Paradox Interactive, a publisher of games that loves the spell of napalm,
today announced that Magicka: Wizard Wars has officially launched worldwide on
PC. Magicka: Wizard Wars, the free-to-play player-versus-player (PvP) action
game based around the iconic Magicka spellcasting system, has finished its Steam
Early Access period and is now available as a general release. Today’s launch
includes an all-new game mode, “Soul Harvest,” for the more strategically-minded
sorcerer, where Wizards will have to worry about fighting AI creatures and
monsters in addition to their opponents, all while dodging the always-on
friendly fire of their own well-meaning teammates. Magicka: Wizard Wars is free
to download and play at www.wizardwars.com/.
In Soul Harvest, player-Wizards play a 4v4 match where each team must reach and
destroy a magical effigy possessed by the opposing team. In order to destroy the
effigy’s defenses and reach the target, players must collect souls by casting
deadly spells upon AI monsters roaming the map – or upon enemy Wizards. True to
the on-the-fly strategies and action of Magicka, there are no lanes,
last-hitting, or levels in Soul Harvest – only pure skill at spellcasting and
picking the right magic for the right moment. It’s never too late for a
comeback!
Continue here to read the full story.
Perils of Man is now available
on Steam is now available
for Windows and OS X, offering a new adventure game from Bill Tiller and Gene
Mocsy. Here's the launch
trailer and here's the pitch: Swiss independent developer IF Games
today announced that Perils of Man, the award-winning adventure game co-created
by veteran adventure game designers Bill Tiller and Gene Mocsy, will launch
today at 9AM PDT / 6PM CEST on Steam for PC and Mac.
An unexpected gift from her missing father catapults young protagonist Ana
Eberling into an enthralling mystery that will take her on a journey through
time. Ana is amazed to learn that her ancestors were inventors of an incredible
technology that enabled them to eliminate uncertainty – a power hidden from the
public for generations, which might have something to do with her father’s
disappearance. Ultimately, Ana must decide if a perfectly predictable world is a
curse on humanity, or a triumph for mankind.
Co-created by celebrated adventure game veterans Bill Tiller (The Dig, The Curse
of Monkey Island, Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine) and Gene Mocsy (1954:
Alcratraz), Perils of Man reboots the beloved classic adventure genre with a
refreshing blend of 3rd/1st person gameplay, striking 3D animations, challenging
puzzles and a captivating story that catapults players into a hidden world of
time-travel, global catastrophe and personal triumph.
Developed for PC and Mac in collaboration with Vertigo Games, the Steam release
includes both episodes of the two-part Perils of Man series, with support for
Steam Cloud and built-in Steam Achievements.
Continue here to read the full story.
WBIE offers details on Batman: Arkham Knight Season Pass and the Premium Edition
of the superhero game, both of which are now available for preorder. Word is the
Season Pass will include a six month DLC run, though they don't state how many
releases this will include: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC
Entertainment today announced the Season Pass and Premium Edition for Batman™:
Arkham Knight, the epic conclusion to the award-winning Arkham trilogy from
Rocksteady Studios. Both the Batman: Arkham Knight Season Pass and Batman:
Arkham Knight Premium Edition are now available for preorder from participating
retailers. The Season Pass is priced at $39.99 and the Premium Edition, which
includes both the Season Pass and the main game, is priced at $99.99.
The Batman: Arkham Knight Season Pass will deliver regular new content for six
months post-launch including new story missions, additional super-villains
invading Gotham City, legendary Batmobile skins, advanced challenge maps,
alternative character skins, and new drivable race tracks. The Batman: Arkham
Knight Premium Edition includes the main game and the Season Pass.
Behind the Scenes: Part
II - The Cast is a new trailer from Not A Hero (now with 57% fewer
capital letters), the upcoming 8-bit styled action/adventure. A playable demo
was released last week and word is to expect its
release on May 14th. Here's a description of the clip: "Today the handsome
geniuses at Roll7 and Devolver Digital bring you a behind-the-scenes look at the
making of Not a Hero. The second video in this series explores the characters in
the game and how they were created, and who they are based on - childhood
classmates, political figures, movie stars. This is amazing." Continue here to read the full story.
- Dungeon Defenders II on
Steam. Save 33%.
- Humble Indie Showcase on
The Humble Store.
- Humble Might & Magic Bundle on
Humble Bundle.
- Star Wars Blaster Bundle on
GOG.com.
- Star Wars Saber Bundle on
GOG.com.
- Ubisoft Arcade Midweek on
Steam.
- Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Collection on
Steam.
Save 75%.
The pcdev Twitter account has a bunch of
information from the Treyarch director of development on the PC edition of
Call of Duty: Black Ops III. Along the way he expresses his
dislike for FPS
caps on PC, that the upcoming military shooter sequel will
ship with an
adjustable FOV slider, and that
they will use
"100% dedicated servers for all ranked matches," noting this is just like the
prior Black Ops games, saying "This is how we do it." Thanks
PCGamesN.
EA's Battlelog announces the release of a new patch for Battlefield
Hardline, updating the law enforcement shooter to version 1.02. According to
the
patch notes, this offers battlepacks, battlepacks, battlepacks, bug fixes,
and a couch nerf. Here's word:
Battlepacks
- Bronze packs – changes made to the last slot drop
to improve the chances of collectibles and vouchers rather than boosts.
- Silver packs - made the first 3 slots like a
Bronze pack, and removed any chances of getting standard drops and increased
the chances of collectibles for the last slot.
- Gold packs - made the first 4 slots as Silver
pack, and removed any chances of getting standard items, drops advanced
vouchers and greatly increased the chances of getting superior or
distinguished items.
- Shortcut Battlepacks added.
- Added the Prima Guide's Gold Battlepack.
Continue here to read the full story.
Publisher Nordic and developer Double Fine announces the release of Broken Age
Act 2, marking the complete release of Broken Age, their crowd-funded adventure
game. Here's a launch
trailer and the announcement: Adventure fans, rejoice! The saviour has returned and blesses you with his
latest masterstroke: Broken Age – the "Double Fine Adventure", the cornerstone
of the Kickstarter boom has finally been completed. After a long wait, adventure
legend Tim Schafer delivers the second act of his fascinating adventure.
The story of the two protagonists Shay and Vella is now heading towards its
brilliant finale. What once started out as an auspicious campaign on the
crowdfunding platform Kickstarter and then found a legendary $3,336,371 and
87,142 supporters, has finally come to an end. Following his ingenious escapades
with Day of the Tentacle and Grim Fandango, the doyen of the point-and-click
adventure now delivers his latest masterpiece!
Broken Age is available now. The complete adventure belongs in absolutely
every adventure collection on earth (preferably as a boxed version, of course).
With the first act of this magnificent tale having already garnered top ratings,
with the likes of IGN and Destructoid awarding it a brilliant score of 9.5/10,
the developers are now putting in place the grand finale with the final act.
Continue here to read the full story.
Last year Valve was
forced to offer refunds in Australia following a legal
case with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) over
consumer rights for digital purchases (thanks Darth Guybrush). Now
ZDNet reports the ACCC is also bringing EA's Origin service in line with
Australian consumer laws, though they do specify that this will be for
"defective" games. Here's a bit: After receiving complaints, the ACCC
investigated the issue, and EA made a court-enforceable undertaking to the ACCC
that for the next three years, the company will not have a "no refunds" policy,
and won't prevent customers from obtaining refunds for games purchased through
Origin.
The company has also said it will amend its terms and conditions to comply with
Australian Consumer Law.
Any customer who bought a defective game on Origin after January 1, 2012,
wishing to obtain a refund can now contact EA to have a claim assessed. EA will
set up a complaints number, an email address, and a post office box for
inquiries associated with the undertaking.
"Businesses such as EA selling digitally downloadable goods cannot avoid their
responsibilities under the Australian Consumer Law just because they are located
outside of Australia," ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said in a statement.
"It is a breach of the Australian Consumer Law for businesses to state that
customers are not entitled to refunds under any circumstances. Where a product
has a major failure, consumers can insist on a refund or replacement at their
choice. Representations that this right has or can be excluded, restricted, or
modified are false or misleading."
A new trailer offers a
look at Just Cause 3, the upcoming open-world action sequel. And they are
serious about calling this a "gameplay" trailer, saying: "This footage is all
actual gameplay. It was captured in-game using cinematic camera angles. It
contains no cut scenes. Nothing was staged or scripted." Here's more: "Wingsuit,
Grapple Hook, Massive Explosions: The first Just Cause 3 Gameplay trailer takes
you straight into the intense action. Watch Rico Rodriguez cause chaos to the
regime of the ruthless dictator General Di Ravello, and stopping at nothing to
liberate Medici, his home."
2K announces the promised release of WWE 2K15, offering the first
chance to get a hold of this wrassling simulation on the PC platform. The game
is now available, and a free DLC pack is coming soon. The announcement is
lengthy, going into great detail on the Windows edition, and here's part of that
covering the game: 2K today announced the Company’s prominent WWE® video
game franchise, WWE 2K, has made its Windows PC worldwide debut with the release
of WWE® 2K15 via Steam. Available now for $49.99, WWE 2K15 for Windows PC
mirrors the in-game content offered in WWE 2K15 for the PlayStation®4 computer
entertainment system and Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system
from Microsoft, including a notable roster of WWE Superstars, Divas and Legends,
the story-driven 2K Showcase and franchise-first MyCareer experience.
In addition to these features, WWE 2K15 provides consumers with a wealth of
downloadable content, including playable characters, new moves and new
story-driven content at no additional cost. This offering represents significant
savings for consumers looking to experience WWE 2K on Windows PC for the first
time. The free downloadable content is currently scheduled for release in spring
2015.
Verdun is now officially available
on Steam for Windows,
Linux, and OS X after a successful run in Early Access, offering a multiplayer
military shooter set in the bloody trenches of World War I. Here's a
launch trailer and
here's word: The Battle has begun
Verdun has officially been released, surprising the players with a new sector of
the Western front; Aisne! Verdun is the first multiplayer FPS set in a realistic
First World War setting. The merciless trench warfare offers a unique
battlefield experience, immersing you and your squad into intense offensive and
defensive battles.
The new map Aisne represents a large sector of the Western front, which was held
by the French for most of the war. It is noticeably different in setting,
because the environment is as of yet unspoiled by the ravages of war with lots
of greenery, something the game hasn’t covered yet.
To celebrate the years of hard work, Verdun has a special 10% release discount.
Also, there are a number of celebration events that you can attend, amongst
which the first ever official Verdun Tournament!
Continue here to read the full story.
I passed a new threshold of geekiness over the weekend by tuning in to the
Heroes of the Dorm for a virtual viewing party with a couple of the mutants
to watch the online semifinals together. I have not been drawn in by eSports too much
in the past, but since Heroes of the Storm is one of the games we're currently playing the most,
we managed to get pretty caught up in this. The broadcast was interesting, though I would say it was not ready for prime
time, as there were many issues, not the least of which was the poor job they
did of adequately showing the on-screen action. They frequently scrolled past
points of interest, had a maddening obsession with crowd reactions (so they'd pull out
to show the audience on takedowns while other important action was going on),
and for some reason did not keep the minimap visible (the only times they
brought it up was to cover the entire screen). The funny part for me was
recording the finals on real TV and forgetting that it could run long, just like
a traditional sports event, but luckily I was able to find it online.
And the fact that it makes a supreme putz like
Colin Cowherd bust out the snark
about guys living in their parents' basements makes it that much better, because
it leaves him trying to justify the idea that being a sports radio host makes
you an athlete or something completely different from being a pasty nerd who
watches other people play games (except that's *exactly* what he is). I hope
ESPN makes him cover the next one to test his threat to quit/put a gun in his
mouth.
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