Archived News:

Tuesday, Sep 01, 2015

METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN Released

Steam News announces the release of METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN. Konami offers a new Official Debriefing video to celebrate the news, a live clip featuring Kojima and his groovy glasses as well as a couple of very sentimental messages. Here's word from their update on the news:
Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today releases the eagerly awaited METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN for PlayStation®4, PlayStation®3, XboxOne™, Xbox 360 and via Steam.

METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN is the series’ largest and most ambitious edition to date, expanding upon themes and content seen in its predecessor: METAL GEAR SOLID V: GROUND ZEROES. Set within huge open-world environments, METAL GEAR SOLID V: THE PHANTOM PAIN is brought to vivid life with realistic weather patterns and day/night cycles. Thus, players can adapt their tactics to match the changing environment, creating an intuitive and non-linear gameplay experience. Similarly, a host of acclaimed METAL GEAR SOLID features return in hugely advanced forms, including expanded CQC (Close-Quarter Combat) skills, vastly improved enemy AI, online elements that complement the single player campaign, and an all-new version of METAL GEAR ONLINE, a competitive multiplayer mode, included within the main game and which goes live on October 6th.

KONAMI’s groundbreaking title sets a new standard in stealth-action, with the series’ famed sneaking elements greatly expanded within the sprawling play area. A host of new characters – both allies and enemies – tell a story driven by revenge, as franchise protagonist Big Boss enters a series of battlefields following the deaths of his colleagues. Central to the game is a hideously disfigured adversary known as Skull Face, while the ongoing conflict also introduces the new, iconic characters, such as the mysterious Quiet – a mute female sniper with incredible abilities.
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Battlefield 4 Night Operations Released

The Battlefield 4 Battlelog has word that the Battlefield 4 summer update is now live, which includes the new Night Operations DLC as a free release for the military shooter sequel. Here's a Battlefield 4 Night Operations cinematic trailer and here's word on the release:
It’s time to turn out the lights. The Battlefield™ 4 Summer Update is now rolling out worldwide for all platforms today, September 1st, 2015. Battlefield 4 Night Operations, a free* DLC release for all Battlefield 4 players, is also rolling out today in most territories (with PS3/PS4 in Europe coming on September 8).

Check out the Summer Update notes here!

Night Operations includes Zavod: Graveyard Shift, the first map for Battlefield 4 that takes place entirely at night. As you might expect, this changes things up – instead of being able to rely on your eyes, you’re going to need to listen closely, and focus on tools like night scopes and your radar to survive. We put together a tactical strategy guide with some tips for players looking for that competitive edge.

Ready to try out the Graveyard Shift? It supports Conquest, Rush, Obliteration, Team Death Match, Domination and Gun Master, so head out and make your enemies afraid of the dark.
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Star Wars Battlefront Beta Next Month

The Electronic Arts website announces that beta testing for Star Wars Battlefront will get underway next month for Windows, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4, teasing a new game mode they will discuss further soon. They also gild the lily with word of a companion mobile app that will also be in beta as they test the Star Wars action game. Here's the news:
Ever since we revealed Star Wars™ Battlefront™ in April at Star Wars™ Celebration, you've been asking us if there would be a Beta. Today, we are thrilled to finally be able to answer that question, and the answer is yes!

Coming early October to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and on Origin for PC, the Star Wars Battlefront Beta* is a technical test and will feature Walker Assault on Hoth, a 40-player multiplayer battle featuring Rebels and the Empire. Walker Assault will also give you the chance to play as two of the most iconic characters in the Star Wars™ universe: Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. The Beta will also feature our Survival Mission on Tatooine, where you and a Rebel friend must fight back waves of Imperial forces.

In addition to those two modes, we are excited to reveal a brand-new mode that will be available in the Beta, Drop Zone. We’ll be sharing more details on Drop Zone in the weeks ahead.
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Killing Floor 2 Free Content Pack

Tripwire Interactive now offers a new Incinerate ‘N Detonate pack as a free update for Killing Floor 2, updating the Steam Early Access shooter sequel with what they say is 50% more content than before. Here's a video showing this off, and this post has a complete list of what's included. They also note that they plan on providing everyone with a chance to check this out, as this weekend the game will be free to play on Steam beginning on September 3rd. This trailer offers a look, and here's an overview:
Fans can expect a multitude of new features including two brand new perks, Firebug and Demolitions, each equipped with its own deadly weapons and grenades. The update also includes 2 new maps that introduce different types of gameplay tactics. Zeds are lurking in every dark corner in the terrifying underground Catacombs map and players must employ the sharpest strategies in order to fight and survive the Evacuation Point map.

With today’s free content update, KILLING FLOOR 2 becomes the first title to integrate and showcase brand new cutting-edge gore technology, powered by NVIDIA’s new PhysX FleX technology (for NVIDIA GeForce 770’s and above cards). This ground-breaking new technology enables more spectacular and realistic physics-led effects. For more details and a full list of hardware requirements, please visit: the Official KILLING FLOOR 2 Game Group on Steam.
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Hyperspace Pinball This Month

Solo indie developer Gamieon announces a September 30th launch date for Hyperspace Pinball on Steam, their Greenlit Windows, OS X, and Linux pinball action/shooter. This trailer offers a look at the game, and here's an outline:
Hyperspace Pinball is an arcade shooter for PC, Mac and Linux with pinball controls that has players battling aliens and making big skill shots through more than 20 challenging and beautifully rendered levels.

Score big points by collecting power-ups, running loops, defeating mini-bosses and conquering mini-challenges. You can even compete with other players on the campaign leaderboards and earn Steam badges, trading cards and more than a dozen achievements!

Tom Clancy's EndWar Online Beta

UbiBlog announces the commencement of beta testing of Tom Clancy's EndWar Online, their upcoming browser-based tactical MMOG. They discuss all the new content being added to the game in a new version 0.6.0 update that's going live on a brand new server as well as a bunch of in-game events to welcome new players. Word is: "More beta testers will be invited in the coming weeks, so if you feel like starting your career as a general now to help us build the best strategy game, you can still enlist at www.endwaronline.com and take a chance at the daily lucky draw to win your direct access to the beta."

Act of Aggression Launch Trailer

Here's a new launch trailer to celebrate tomorrow's release of Act of Aggression, the new "techno-thriller" real-time strategy game from Eugen systems. Here's a refresher on the game:
The RTS dry-spell is over as strategy veterans Eugen Systems release Act of Aggression, their techno-thriller strategy game that harkens back to the Golden Era of RTS gaming, pitting three classic factions against one another to an original plot filled to the brim with espionage, warring nations, and political intrigue.

Watch the brute-force US Army, dynamic Chimera, and shady Cartel prepare for war in the official launch trailer for the game, where resource farming, base building, and management of nuclear armaments is the key to success on the battlefield.

Launching with two campaigns set along converging time-lines, Act of Aggression will allow players to follow the story of the Chimera – the quick reaction strike force - through a political climate of severe instability, then following the story from the perspective of the enemy: the illusive Cartel.

With multiple game modes and up to 4v4 multiplayer or vs the AI, Act of Aggression promises to quench the thirst of those yearning for more classic RTS experiences, albeit with high production values and the established Eugen touch.

Prior to the launch, the -15% offer still stands, allowing players to get into the action early and start earning XP in the game’s multiplayer and vs AI game modes, where Act of Aggression already enjoys a large active community!
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Assassin's Creed Syndicate Trailer

A new London Horizon trailer from Assassin's Creed Syndicate offers a look at 19th century London as depicted in the upcoming installment in the stealth/action series. The description of the clip is quite brief: "Welcome to London, 1868. Here is a brief glimpse into the industrialized world Jacob and Evie will take by storm in Assassin’s Creed Syndicate." There's more new info on the game to be found in a new article from Ubisoft taking us into the "stealthy mind of Evie Frye." Continue here to read the full story.

Evening Crowdfunding Roundup

On Sale

  • eden on Steam. Save 60%.
  • The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited on Steam. Save 33%.
  • Exile's End on Steam. Save 15%.
  • Humble Tom Clancy Bundle on Humble Bundle.
  • NOBUNAGA'S AMBITION: Sphere of Influence on Steam. Save 17%.
  • STASIS on Steam. Save 20%.

Into the Black

Link of the Day: Maggie's Canine Hepatitis Treatment by Chris Johnson - GoFundMe. Spotted this appeal from an old friend of the site... he didn't ask me to post that, but you know me and doggies, so I hope this helps.

Mad Max Game Released; Movies on Steam

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announces the release of Mad Max, and we can now get behind the wheel in Avalanche Studios' new game based on the hard-driving movie series. This is available in stores and via digital distribution, and taking the theme further, in addition to the game, Steam now offers the ability to buy all the movies in the series, including Mad Max: Fury Road, the recently released installment that's become an instant classic. Here's word on the game:
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today announced that Mad Max, the open-world, third-person action game developed by Avalanche Studios and set in a post-apocalyptic setting, is now available for PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One and Windows PC.

The Mad Max video game introduces an original story set within the universe of Mad Max and features deep car customization that impacts its handling, metal-grinding vehicular action and gives players a vast arsenal of mobile weaponry within The Wasteland. Players become Max, the lone warrior who must fight to stay alive by engaging in vicious on-ground fighting, as well as physics-based vehicular combat, against savage factions who are fighting for domination and survival in this gritty, dynamic open-world.

Resident Evil Origins Collection Announced

This new trailer from Capcom celebrates their announcement of the Resident Evil Origins Collection, which is coming on discs to Xbox One and PlayStation 4 on January 19th, and for PCs via download on Steam early next year. They accompany the trailer with what they call a "concise" fact sheet, though that seems to be an understatement, as here is all it says: "Experience an introduction to the Resident Evil origin stories that started it all with Resident Evil Origins Collection, a physical disc product that contains the newly remastered survival horror games Resident Evil 0 and the recently released critically-acclaimed Resident Evil." Continue here to read the full story.

Heroes of the Storm Placement Match Changes

A post on Battle.net has word from Blizzard that they have now implemented some of the changes to Heroes of the Storm matchmaking they recently outlined. Here's word on how placement matches in the MOBA should do a better job of evaluating players' level of competition:
We’ve just finished deploying several changes that we mentioned in our recent Placement and Ranking System Update blog:

  • With today’s update, we’ve made improvements for placement in the mid to lower ranks, which should result in less conservative placements for players in this range.
  • Additionally, we’ve added bonus points (extra points earned for wins when your matchmaking rating is higher than your current rank) back to ranks 5 – 1, so that highly rated players can more easily return to their proper rankings.

These changes are now live for all regions around the world. As always, we’ll keep an eye on how each affects Ranked play, and will make further adjustments if necessary. Keep sending feedback our way as we continue to make improvements for Ranked play in the future.

Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited Patch & DLC

A new patch is now available for Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited, updating Bethesda's MMORPG to version 2.1.4 and paving the way for the Imperial City game pack, the game's first premium DLC. Imperial City is also now available for individual purchase, or as a free part of an ESO Plus membership. Here's an overview of the 10GB patch:
Take a nostalgia trip as you wander through the Imperial City Districts and Sewers, though be on your guard – other players will be lurking around every corner trying to slay you for your Tel Var Stones. You can also gather a group and try to conquer the White-Gold Tower and Imperial City Prison; both are 4-player instanced dungeons. We’ve also added almost two dozen new item sets, a number of fun, new collectibles, and have introduced two new motifs: Xivkyn and Glass!

In addition to Imperial City, we have made many improvements to Cyrodiil, its campaigns, and rewards which you can read more about below.

Due to the Veteran Rank increase with this update, every dungeon will now scale to the maximum Veteran Rank - VR16 - and we have also added three new Undaunted Pledges for you to complete.

Along with all the new content and systems, we have made many improvements and fixes to existing content including combat, gameplay, crafting, dungeons, quests, game performance, and more. Due to the number of fixes in this update, all skill points will be refunded upon login.

Torchlight Burns Out Runic

Runic Games recently announced Hob, an upcoming exploration game, and during a conversation at PAX, IGN learned from the developer that burn out and a reluctance to compete with Diablo III are the reasons they chose not to pursue development of a third Torchlight game at this time. "We’re just burnt out," Runic Games President Marsh Lefler explains of the decision to eschew Torchlight 3. "Let’s admit it, Diablo 3 is killing it right now. Diablo 3 is a really fun game. Not that Torchlight 2 isn’t a fun game, it is, but it’s just different. For us to try to compete with Diablo 3? We weren’t trying to compete before."

U.K. Sales Charts

GFK Chart-Track took a day off yesterday, but is now back with their weekly sales charts for the U.K. The Sims 4 remains number one on the PC top 30 chart where the top five remain intact. Things are not nearly so static on the all platforms top 40 where the top four are all new, culminating with Gears of War Ultimate Edition in the top spot. Their write up discusses the new activity:
After the doldrums of summer the new releases begin to arrive and sees the start of a busy release calendar right up until early December.

Kicking us off this week we have 5 new releases within the Top 10 and 4 of those arrive at the top of the chart. New at No1 is Microsoft’s Xbox One ‘Gears of War: Ultimate Edition’ - this is the original 2006 Xbox 360 Gears of War remastered and a first outing on Xbox One, also including access to the Gears of War 4 beta in 2016. Debuting at No2 is Sony’s survival horror ‘Until Dawn’ for PS4 by Supermassive, a UK indie that has specialised in Sony platforms. Debuting at No3 is Disney’s ‘Disney Infinity 3.0’, the first of 3 hybrid toy franchises due over the next few weeks. EA debut at No4 with ‘Madden NFL 16’ and last week’s No1, Warner’s ‘LEGO Jurassic World’ drops to No5 (+2%). The 5th new release of the week is Bethesda’s PS4/Xbox One ‘Dishonored: Definitive Edition’ which debuts at No7, in advance of a full Dishonored 2 update, scheduled for some time in 2016. There’s one more new release within the Top 40 and that is Bandai Namco’s ‘One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3’at No27 for Vita, PS3 & PS4.

Rememoried Released

Rememoried is now available on Steam, offering an adventure from one-person studio Hangonit. The Rememoried website points to this older trailer showing off the game, and here's a bit on the game and its unusual game mechanic of forgetfulness, though it may raise more questions than it answers:
If you fall asleep while stargazing, a gate to a new world situated in between the world of memories and the world of dreams will open for you. That intermediate world gradually turns reality to fragments and infuses the player with the desire to know the unknowable. But the most persistent can feel the unknowable.

The basic element of gameplay is the ability to forget. Some elements in the surroundings change when the player turns away or leaves, and become more than just a direction sign: they become the way along which the player walks, flies and falls. Finding such a way to the higher levels is a matter of his aptness and intuition, rewarded by advancing higher. Failure, on the other hand, brings a return to the lower levels, which may be more or less altered then.

Game Reviews

Hardware Reviews

Out of the Blue

I expected the Petite Randy Moss DirecTV commercial to be pulled shortly after it was approved by bad judgment Rob Lowe, but I keep seeing it. I am not sure what they think is funny about that, but the approval rating on the video on YouTube suggests I'm not the only one who finds it a little mean, and I'm actually considered tall... I imagine I'd feel even more strongly about it if I wasn't. Seems tone deaf.

Petite Links: Thanks Ant and Acleacius.
Play: Spiderman and Venom: Maximum Carnage.
Nambers - Level Pack.
Video Game Monsters.
Story: TV.com's 10 Most Anticipated New Series for Fall 2015.
Science: Self-healing material can repair itself two seconds after being shot.
Media: The Death Star Architect Speaks Out.
We're over salting our food and it's not what you think.
Time to wake up or ... evacuate?
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