Updated: Aug 11, 2016 09:47 am Eastern Daylight Time (GMT -04:00)
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Thursday, Aug 11, 2016



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Quantum Break Win10 Support Wanes?

Remedy seems to be dropping support for the Windows 10 edition of Quantum Break. This follows the news that a Windows 7 edition of the third-person shooter is coming. Responding to questions about ongoing Win10 issues, Thomas Puha tweets that these will probably remain unaddressed. He says, "@sabin1981 @QuantumBreak sorry to hear you are having problems. Its unlikely we release another Win10 patch." Thanks GameSpot.

Master of Orion This Month

This Steam announcement offers a release date for Master of Orion on Steam. Word is the space strategy game will officially launch for Windows, OS X, and Linux on August 25th. A release teaser trailer celebrates the news. Here's the announcement, which discusses the game's successful run in early access and plans for post-release support:

Over the past six months Master of Orion has been in Early Access on Steam and it has been an incredibly valuable experience. In this crucial time we've received an unbelievable amount of feedback on the game. Player passion for Master of Orion is exactly why we incorporated the Early Access route into the development process. It's been a long road with challenges along the way, but our mission from the start was to include your voice in any decisions we made during this phase and you have helped shape this game.

Release Date
We are excited to announce that on August 25th, 2016 Master of Orion will be officially launched. At that time the Standard Edition will become available for purchase at $29.99 USD (regional pricing varies).

About the Standard Edition

The Master of Orion Standard Edition has all of the core gameplay experience, including:

  • 10 races
  • Custom races
  • Tactical combat
  • Ship design
  • Espionage
  • Multiplayer
  • Diplomacy
  • All victory conditions

The in-game content not available to players as part of the Standard Edition will be the Terran Khanate race and the Retro Fleets alternate ship models feature. However, if you enjoy the Standard Edition and would like to upgrade to the Collector's Edition later, we will be offering an upgrade option so there is no need to repurchase entire game.

Continue here to read the full story.

IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Moscow Begins

1C Game Studios now offers IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Moscow for Windows via digital download. This is available as a Standard or Premium edition, as detailed on the game's official website. This is also available as DLC on Steam for owners of IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad. Here's an overview of the new installment in the flight sim series:

IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Moscow is a combat flight simulation dedicated to the Battle of Moscow, one of the most decisive battles on the Eastern Front in WWII. This new project from 1С Game Studios continues the next generation of combat flight simulations with the latest development technologies – from a new higher level of physics modeling, damage modeling and aerodynamics to modern modes of gameplay with detailed, immersive environments.

Another Mafia III Trailer

With Mafia III due in a couple of months, 2K offers another new trailer from the open-world crime sequel. New Bordeaux is one of the game's main characters and they kick off a series showing off the fictional city's districts. Here's word:

2K and Hangar 13 today revealed the first trailer in the Mafia III – The World of New Bordeaux Gameplay Video Series covering the different City Districts players will explore in Mafia III in a re-imagined New Orleans.

In “The World of New Bordeaux – City Districts,” get a crash course on the various neighbourhoods in the city that our main characters call home, and get a sneak peek at the secret underground network run by Italian mob boss Sal Marcano. From the perfectly manicured lawns of Frisco Fields to Lincoln Clay’s home in gritty Delray Hollow, find out what criminal activity is lurking just beneath the surface.

Continue here to read the full story.

Stars in Shadow Early Access Next Month

Iceberg Interactive announces Stars in Shadow will come to early access on September 15th. They also say they will show off the Windows 4X space strategy game next week at Gamescom. Details, discussions, and images for this are on its official website and Steam page. Here's the announcement:

Iceberg Interactive, the publisher well-known for its love of sci-fi games and 4x strategy titles, today announces that their brand new PC space strategy game, Stars in Shadow (PC) will be launching on September 15, 2016 via Steam Early Access and other digital platforms. The game marks the first title for the Canadian development studio, Ashdar Games, and long-time fans of the popular 4x genre will not be disappointed.

Stars in Shadow is a turn-based 4x strategy game set deep in space featuring seven playable factions, comprised of six different alien races. Offered in a highly distinctive comic-book art style, Stars in Shadow draws players into its galactic universe with an immersive backstory. By competing with alien factions, exploring nearby star systems, developing colonies and empires, and much more, the galaxy can be unified through either diplomacy or by force – the choice will be left entirely up to the player.

Features

  • Unique hand-drawn comic book art style
  • Turn based 4X space strategy featuring turn based fleet combat. The tactical system allows starships to do battle using a wide range of different weapons and abilities
  • Seven playable factions comprising six alien races. Choice of faction will determine tech and research opportunities initially available. Forming alliances, conquering neighboring species, or discovering ancient artifacts may open up additional avenues of research
  • A vast range of different planet types, each with their own lore. The most prized worlds are those that hold artifacts from civilizations that vanished long ago. Map sizes up to 85 star systems. Each star can have up to 10 planets
  • Manage a growing empire. Balance the competing priorities of research, growth, and ship building and decide the fate of those alien species that come under your control
  • Galactic Politics: Of the playable alien species, three are "young races", reaching out into the galaxy for the first time. The remaining three are "old races", survivors of a terrible war fought in the distant past, they still hold to their ancient grudges. Races will impact which world will be most suitable as well as alliances and trades offerings
  • Advanced settings such as Random events and NPC factions, including pirates and marauders

Morning Patches

Morning Crowdfunding Roundup

Gatherings & Competitions

Morning Previews

Morning Mobilization

Morning Metaverse

Morning Tech Bits

Morning Safety Dance

Morning Legal Briefs

Game Reviews

Hardware Reviews

etc.

Out of the Blue

I've seen a few sad reminders lately that today is the anniversary of Paul Steed's passing. The former id artist died four years ago today, and in many ways the shock from that persists. Paul would like the attention, but not the mourning. I imagine he would far prefer the takeaway from this to be to appreciate life and friends as best you can. At least that's how I try to view it. I try to use thoughts like that as a reminder to be better about keeping in touch with people.

R.I.P.: ‘Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’ Actor Barry Jenner Dies At 75.

Positive Links: Thanks Ant and Acleacius.
Play: Special Wars.
Story: A-Rod contract- Yanks paid $317M over life of contract. Cheaters never prosper.
Science: New York Today: A Marvelous Meteor Shower.
Hydrogen molecule falls to quantum computer.
Images: Matthew McConaughey Watches Olympic Swimmers.
Media: How It's Made - Aquarium Goldfish. Fish porn!
The Worst Driving Habits With Each Type Of Transmission, Explained.
Where Real Wasabi Comes From (What You're Eating Is Fake).


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Wednesday, Aug 10, 2016

Battlefield Insiders Get Battlefield 1 Beta Early Access

Those interested in Battlefield 1 may want to sign up as a Battlefield Insider (thanks The Escapist). This is because EA says that members can get early access to the public beta of the upcoming shooter. Word is, "Enlist today to become a Battlefield Insider by subscribing to EA’s newsletter. Get early access to the Battlefield™ 1 public beta, in-game rewards, exclusive content, and a sneak peek at news about Battlefield (plus news about other EA games, services, and events)."

Overwatch Competitive Hero Limit Remaining

The Overwatch Forums have word that the one player limit for competitive Overwatch will remain in place for now. This limits each team to one of each of the game's characters in competitive matches. The limit was announced a couple of months ago, and Jeff Kaplan indicates it was a success. Responding to a thread questioning the limit, the Overwatch game director indicated it will stay for a second season: "We're not going to remove it. The response has been really good. We're keeping it for Season 2."

Rainbow Six Siege Getting More Anti-Cheat Protection

UbiBlog has word on BattleEye, anti-cheat software currently in beta testing for Rainbow Six Siege. This will help combat "shenanigans" in the shooter when it goes live, though they are not letting it hand out bans just yet. Here's word:

In their ongoing effort to keep Rainbow Six Siege free of illicit shenanigans, the development team has enlisted the help of an additional anti-cheating protection system. The new program, BattlEye, actively scans your PC while you are running Rainbow Six Siege in order to detect and block cheating software. This preventative client-side protection will act as a complement to the reactive server-side defense currently provided by FairFight in order to ensure a competitive environment that is free from cheats.

BattlEye was deployed to PC players with patch 3.4.1 and is currently in beta. During this period, the team is running tests to fine-tune BattlEye’s integration and ensure it is working properly. As such, no bans will be issued by BattlEye during this time, though FairFight will continue to issue bans as usual.

Players who are curious to learn more about the scope of BattlEye’s functions or who have questions about privacy, resource usage, or conflicts with other programs are encouraged to read the BattlEye FAQ.

Quantum Break for Windows 7 Next Month

Nordic Games announces the Quantum Break: Timeless Collector’s Edition, a new version of Quantum Break coming to retail on September 14th. This will include Steam keys, and game's steam listing indicates this will now work with Windows 7. Here's word on what the physical release of Remedy's third-persons shooter will include:

“After having worked with Remedy on the PC version of Alan Wake in 2012, and with Microsoft Studios on Ori and The Blind Forest: Definitive Edition (2016), and State of Decay: Year One Survival Edition (2016), we are proud to announce a new triangle-collaboration with two of our trusted partners”, comments Reinhard Pollice, Business and Product Development Director. “Apart from being a new IP (which is always a brave step), Quantum Break turned out to be a sophisticated, visually stunning shooter with a top-notch cast of characters. We are looking forward to work on the physical PC release of this great game."

Quantum Break: Timeless Collector's Edition retails at EUR/USD 39.99 and contains:

  • Premium packaging
  • 5 Game Discs (onetime Steam key validation required)
  • Making Of Blu-ray
  • Making Of Book (where an Art Book meets a Making-Of)
  • 1 Soundtrack CD (Audio-CD)
  • 2 A3 Poster (one double-sided print)
  • Quickstart Guide

Diluvion Announced

Gambitious Digital Entertainment announces plans to publish Diluvion this fall. This is a deep sea submarine adventure in the works at Arachnid Games for Windows and OS X. They describe their influences being the works of Jules Verne layered with ship-to-ship combat inspired by games like Wing Commander and Freelancer. This trailer offers a look and there are screenshots and details on the game's Steam page. Here's the plan:

After a great flood devastates the world and its civilizations, humanity’s last remnants are left to struggle against each other for limited resources and survival beneath an impenetrable layer of permanent ice. As submersible captains, players must explore the uncharted reaches of the open sea, brimming with distinct harbors, factions, mercenaries and secrets. Salvage treasure and supplies from wherever possible, trade goods and bounties, battle enemy vessels in real-time 3D action and take on gargantuan creatures from the darkest depths of this beautifully realized aquatic realm.

Managing the nine uniquely equipped submarines available is a central challenge of Diluvion’s thoughtful and gripping gameplay. Players can recruit officers of varying skill sets and personalities from ports around the sea to helm the different battle stations of their vessels. Ships can be enhanced with new weapons to change the tide of a firefight, as well as new components to increase their range and survivability. Captains can even build and upgrade their own home bases of operation beneath the ice to house stand-by crew members and subs while increasing their notoriety and wealth.

Continue here to read the full story.

Eisenhorn: XENOS Released

Eisenhorn: XENOS for Windows is now available on Steam, with an iOS version on the iTunes App Store. This action/adventure is based on a trilogy of books set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. There are screenshots and details on the Pixel Hero Games website, and here's a new video diary. Here's word on the Steam release, which includes all upcoming DLC:

‘Eisenhorn: XENOS' is an immersive, fully 3D adventure game, adapted from ‘Xenos', the first book in Games Workshop's best-selling ‘Eisenhorn' trilogy, written by award winning author Dan Abnett.

Set in the grim, dark future of Warhammer 40,000 ‘Eisenhorn: XENOS' lets you experience firsthand the story of Gregor Eisenhorn, an Inquisitor and member of the ‘Ordo Xenos', sent out to fight and protect the Imperium of man from anything that may threaten it.

Players will get to play through and experience the events of 'Xenos' as Eisenhorn himself (as voiced by Mark Strong), exploring the vast expanse of the Warhammer 40k universe in ways never seen before.

The Steam release includes all future DLC.

Continue here to read the full story.

Mother Russia Bleeds Next Month

Devolver Digital announces a September 5th release date for Mother Russia Bleeds on Steam. This is a co-op brawler for Windows, OS X, and Linux carries a 10% launch discount between now and then. This trailer shows off gameplay and graphics inspired by the classics of the 16-bit era. Here's word:

The violent rebels of developer Le Cartel and neck tattoo enthusiasts at Devolver Digital have announced that four-player beat ‘em up Mother Russia Bleeds is launching September 5 on PC, Mac, and Linux. Both Mother Russia Bleeds and Mother Russia Bleeds: Dealer Edition, which comes with the soundtrack and a second copy of the game to gift or sell, are available now for pre-order with a 10% discount [motherrussiableeds.com].

Mother Russia Bleeds is an ultra-violent co-op brawler overflowing with an unmistakable style and unforgettably brutal action for up to four players at once. Set in an alternate U.S.S.R, the story centers on a desperate crew of imprisoned street fighters that must overcome an oppressive criminal authority and forced drug addictions through any means necessary. Battle solo or alongside friends in an exceptional story mode campaign or harden your resolve in the savage Survival Mode.

In Survival mode, you’ll face off against waves of progressively harder enemies in eight vastly different environments . Grab weapons that your enemies drop and get a leg up on bashing skulls while harnessing the power of chemistry to induce your berserker rage and watch the bodies pile up.

Post-launch content for the game includes a Versus mode where you can challenge your friends and a Boss Rush mode that you are not prepared for in any meaningful way.

“Mother Russia Bleeds has everything the kids love these days like beating someone to death with a toilet during a prison riot and injecting drugs into your neck in order to punch off a gangster’s head,” noted Devolver Digital CFO Fork Parker.

Continue here to read the full story.

Mafia III Trailer

2K Games offers a new "inside look" trailer for Mafia III. This introduces another in the cast of underworld characters in the upcoming organized crime sequel. Today we meet Cassandra. Word is she is "one of Lincoln Clay’s three underbosses who join forces with him to dismantle Sal Marnano’s criminal empire." The short clip includes gameplay snippets, cinematics, and developer commentary on what we're seeing. Continue here to read the full story.

Evening Crowdfunding Roundup

Evening Patches

On Sale

  • Cogs and Cowboys on Steam. Save 30%.
  • Mirror's Edge on Steam. Save 75%.
  • Ray Gigant on Steam. Save 40%.

Evening Interviews

Evening Consolidation

Evening Mobilization

Evening Metaverse

Evening Safety Dance

Evening Legal Briefs

etc., etc.

Into the Black

PC Dead Rising Next Month

A Dead Rising 10th Anniversary Trailer offers a look at the recently revealed rerelease of the survival/horror series. This will include the debut of the original Dead Rising for PCs, and the clip shows off improvements to the zombie mayhem game. CapCom Unity says this is due on September 13th, and has more details: "In celebration of Dead Rising’s 10th Anniversary, we’re bringing Dead Rising, Dead Rising 2 and Dead Rising 2: Off the Record to a new generation of zombie slayers on the Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC. All games feature Dead Rising’s classic zombie sandbox gameplay will include all DLC costumes and upgraded graphics presented in 1080p at 60 frames per second." They celebrate the news with the launch of a new Dead Rising website. Continue here to read the full story.

Hacker Evolution IMMERSION Announced

Exosyphen Studios announces Hacker Evolution IMMERSION is coming to PCs via Steam later this year. This is the fourth installment in this hacking series that was last updated in 2011 with Hacker Evolution Duality. This is already available in early access on Steam for Windows, OS X, and Linux. This website is online as home to the project, and this movie shows off gameplay. Word is, "IMMERSION takes you on a mesmerizing hi-tech 'hacking journey' from the past to the present on a quest to unravel the dark secrets of Russia’s space technology program beginning with 'Sputnik 1'." Here's more:

IMMERSION offers a completely new and innovative design. Once again, the popular console becomes the centerpiece of the action and features an enriched and improved set of player-commands at your disposal. GUI-elements in the new version are re-created from scratch with stunning attention to detail resulting in a highly realistic and visually impressive environment. Tasks, challenges and missions within the game now requires additional player-interaction; gone are the simplistic hacking- and decrypting-tasks from previous encounters.

Continue here to read the full story.

PAC-MAN Championship Edition 2 Next Month

BANDAI NAMCO announces a September 13th release date for PAC-MAN Championship Edition 2. This is a follow-up to the arcade remake, and it will come on that date to Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Here's the news:

PAC-MAN™ Championship Edition 2 will be hitting gamers digitally on September 13, 2016 in the Americas for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC via STEAM. With the launch of PAC-MAN Championship Edition 2, a whole new generation of power pellet chomping competitors will begin their individual journeys for high scores and bragging rights!

PAC-MAN Championship Edition 2 will deliver fresh new modes and challenges to players to conquer including, Score Attack mode, Adventure mode, big boss battles, and the fastest action in any PAC-MAN game to date. Carrying an MSRP of $12.99 in the USA, PAC-MAN Championship Edition 2 will be a title that any gamer can add to their collection of great BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment games.

PC DOOM Sells 1M

SteamSpy indicates that the Windows edition of DOOM has sold more than one million copies on Steam (thanks DSOGaming). A QuakeCon sale-inspired surge last week appears responsible. They report the Steam version is now owned by 1,002,067 players.

Gatherings & Competitions

Morning Interviews

Morning Consolidation

Morning Mobilization

Morning Metaverse

Morning Legal Briefs

Game Reviews

Hardware Reviews

etc.

Out of the Blue

Every time the Olympics roll around I talk about my disinterest. Then I end up seeing a bunch of games and end up enjoying myself. This year I finally admitted that this was bound to happen again. So of course almost a week in I have not seen a single minute. There is still time for this to change. In fact a shocking amount, as I just looked it up and the closing ceremony is still almost two weeks away. Dang!

Olympic Links: Thanks Ant and Acleacius.
Story: ‘Horrible accident’- Woman fatally shot by Florida cop role-playing as ‘bad guy’ during citizen police academy.
Science: Toxic chemicals in drinking water for six million Americans.
Why Olympic Boxers Aren’t Wearing Headgear Anymore.
Human Ancestor Hoax At Piltdown Finally Solved.
Media: RESIDENT EVIL: THE FINAL CHAPTER - Official Teaser Trailer.
The Real Reason Why Firefly Was Canceled. Odd coincidence.
Honest Trailers - The Bourne Trilogy.



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