|
 |
Tuesday , October 17, 2006 |
 |
|
 |
Smedley Talks up PS3 Online 11:35 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Consoles: PS3
(0 comments)
SOE Prez John Smedley updated his blog about the growing online market for console games:
Online console games are going to be huge. They're growing at an extremely rapid rate and we already have several MMO's in development for the PS3 that are cross platform with the PC. We're working on cool new ways to allow people to communicate (online keyboard interfaces, voice-to-text and other ideas). The power of the PS3 is going to allow us to bring a lot of computing power to bear on the challenges of communicating with other players. To me the idea of an online universe of gamers as large as 100 Million or more is really exciting and is going to end up really allowing all kinds of awesome games.
Thanks RPG Watch.
Lord of the Rings Online Blow-out 11:11 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: MMOG
(0 comments)
GameSpy has a heaping helping of Lord of the Rings Online coverage for curious massively multiplayers. Included, is a hands-on preview, an art & design interview, a look at the class & races, a peak at some of the monsters and oh-so much more.
BF2142 First Impressions 09:08 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Action
(6 comments)
Having the wisdom to not post a phoney-baloney review before the live game launch, PC.IGN served up some first impressions of Battlefield 2142: Lastly and unfortunately, as of this morning, we've been having serious connection issues to the EA Master server after downloading and installing the first patch for the game, which was released to coincide with 2142's arrival in stores. Firsly, a patch on the first day is never a good sign. Secondly, I can't even play the game long enough to take decent screenshots at this point. This may just be a server issue rather than a client patch issue, but either way it's basically impossible to play the game at the moment. We'll update this article with any changes as we keep trying to play the game and take some screens.
Bethesda Announces Knights of the Nine 02:48 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Role-Playing
(15 comments)
If you're like me and didn't want to buy all those little plug-ins seperately, Bethesda announced that it is releasing Knights of the Nine, which includes all of the downloadable content for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. They also released a trio of Playstation 3 shots (which includes KotN):
(Click to Enlarge!)
  
Bethesda Softworks today announced plans to make its new Knights of the Nine™ content for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion™ available for the Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows via download and a new retail Windows product. Knights of the Nine will be available through Xbox Live® Marketplace for Xbox 360 and www.OblivionDownloads.com on November 21st.
Knights of the Nine will also be available as a Windows boxed product at retail on the 21st. The retail version of Knights of the Nine is a compilation that will include all the other Oblivion downloadable content released to date: Horse Armor, The Orrery, Wizard's Tower, Vile Lair, Thieves Den, Mehrunes' Razor, and Spell Tomes. Bethesda Softworks will publish and distribute Knights of the Nine at retail directly in North America and through a co-publisher arrangement with Ubisoft in Europe.
"We're pleased to bring this new content to Xbox 360 and to Windows gamers who have been so supportive of Oblivion," said Vlatko Andonov, president of Bethesda Softworks. "To date, the response to our new downloadable content has been terrific - it's easily the most popular downloadable content on Xbox Live Marketplace for Xbox 360and has been very popular for Windows as well - and we think the opportunity to enjoy an entirely new faction and quests is something our fans will be eager to try."
Knights of the Nine features an all-new faction and quests for noble characters and answers many of the questions surrounding the Ayleid ruins found throughout Oblivion. Players can join a new faction and found their own order of holy knights - leading them into battle against a sorcerer-king and his demonic minions while exploring massive dungeons and searching for legendary relics - the holy armor and weapons of the Divine Crusader.
Released in March 2006 for the Xbox 360™ videogame and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows, Oblivion is currently the highest rated game available for the Xbox 360 according to MetaCritic.com and GameRankings.com. The game has won countless awards and accolades to-date including G4's "Best Game of 2006" and the #1 ranking on PC Gamer's (UK) list of the top 100 games of all time.
In addition, Bethesda Softworks announced in September that Oblivion will be coming to the PLAYSTATION® computer entertainment system in North America, and that a version for the PSP (PlayStation®Portable) system is also in development for release next year. The PLAYSTATION®3 system title will contain the Knights of the Nine content.
Sins of a Solar Empire Screenshots 01:00 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Space Strategy
(12 comments)
Five new screenshots from Sins of a Solar Empire:
(Click to Enlarge!)
    
Vista to Push Videocard Sales? 12:40 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: General News
(9 comments)
Obviously Vista will push the next-generation of DirectX10 capable video cards to the creme of the PC gamer crop, but Wired suggests that low-end users who would normally have an integrated graphics chip will now seek something better to run the OS:
To realize the charm and brilliance of Vista, the user has to have a decent graphics card, because otherwise it looks like crap: It is all washed up and the colors look bad," said Jon Peddie of Jon Peddie Research.
A PC needs an 800-MHz CPU, 512 MB of RAM and an integrated graphics processor that can handle Microsoft's DirectX 9 graphical interface just to run Vista, according to Microsoft. For a PC that is Windows Aero ready, the requirements are more stringent. A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC for Windows Aero needs at least a 1-GHz CPU, 1 GB of RAM, DirectX 9 graphics, 128 MB of graphics memory and pixel shader 2.0, which means an external graphics card or processor is almost invariably required.
Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars Screenshots 11:44 am
- Andrew Burnes
- Games: Real-Time Strategy
(9 comments)
Seven natty screenshots, and a screenshot showing off the UI (accompanying descriptions of UI elements can be found in the comments):
(Click to Enlarge!)
Red Orchestra Mapping Contest Announced 10:09 am
- Andrew Burnes
- Games: Action
(1 comment)
Fancy winning a top-end PC? If so, create an awesome Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45 map:
Destineer Publishing's Bold Games is pleased to announce their Custom Map Competition for Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45, the WWII Eastern Front FPS from Tripwire Interactive, now selling strongly in stores across America and Europe. The top prize will be a brand new, high-end gaming rig, with additional prizes of top graphics cards and gaming keyboards/mice. The contest will be held in two phases starting immediately, with major prizes from our sponsors in both phases and the opportunity for the best new maps to be published on a special edition of Red Orchestra!
"Blitzkrieg" is the first phase, for maps already in existence and entries close October 27th. The prizes in this phase will include a top-of-the-line graphics card, sound card and gaming keyboards/mice. The aim of this phase is to find - and reward - the best maps already created using the Red Orchestra SDK, for the game.
"Deep Battle" is the second phase, for new maps and entries close December 15th. The top prize in this phase will be the high-end gaming rig, with more high-quality graphics cards and other great add-ons as further prizes. In this phase we will be looking for the best new maps, as well as giving people the time to substantially enhance maps they have already created so they can get a shot at winning the top prize.
For more information on the contest, including the full rules and the ever-expanding list of prizes, as well as to enter, head for the competition website.
Splinter Cell Double Agent Review @ IGN 09:57 am
- Andrew Burnes
- Consoles: Xbox 360
(20 comments)
IGN's 'Perry has reviewed Splinter Cell Double Agent, with the final score clocking in at 9.0/10.0:
Unlike all other Tom Clancy games (save Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter), Splinter Cell: Double Agent follows a story that's more than a series of random missions strung together. The Shanghai studio has brought to life the newly angst-ridden Sam Fisher with great voice acting by Michael Ironside, telling cinematics directed by Andy Davis, and an edgy soundtrack by Amon Tobin. The first mission, essentially a trial run/training mission, quickly fills you in with all the crucial details: Sam loses his young hireling in Iceland, then loses his daughter in a car accident. It all sends him spiraling to rock bottom.
The first two levels are really set-up missions, established to prep the stage. You're hurled into prison because there is little left to live for and you befriend Jamie Washington. The young rebel belongs to John Brown's Army, a homegrown American terrorist organization with powerful allies and Red Mercury-powered weaponry. Once you break out of jail, you've started down the dark path of the JBA. You arrive at the JBA's headquarters and are given a series of tests, which, throughout the game, help leader Emile to decide how trustworthy you really are.
I checked out the multiplayer demo on a friend's 360 the other day and was so dismayed at how it has been dumbed down for the console crowd, and I just know the PC version will be equally consolised, which is a total disappointment as I got a hell of a lot of play out of Chaos Theory's multiplayer modes.
DSG Refuses To Sell Bully In UK 09:48 am
- Andrew Burnes
- Consoles: PS2
(10 comments)
DSG International, owner of some of the largest digital outlets in the UK, has refused to sell Rockstar's Bully in its numerous stores as it is not appropriate for their "family friendly image," though for some reason Grand Theft Auto IV is.
More here.
Sam & Max Episode 1 Released 09:31 am
- Andrew Burnes
- Games: Action / Strategy
(0 comments)
Sam & Max Episode 1 is now available exclusively via GameTap until its general release on November 1st:
Today GameTap, the first-of-its-kind broadband entertainment network from Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS, Inc.), celebrates its first birthday by giving subscribers exclusive access to "Sam & Max Episode 1: Culture Shock." The title, co-published with interactive entertainment pioneer Telltale, Inc., heralds the type of games subscribers can expect from the just-established "GameTap Original" label, under which GameTap will create and publish new and original titles from independent developers for distribution on its broadband network.
Along with first access to every episode of Sam & Max: Season 1, GameTap subscribers will get the full Sam & Max treatment via exclusive GameTap TV offerings, including weekly releases of the complete 1997 animated Sam & Max television series and a documentary that takes gamers behind the scenes for "The Making of Sam & Max."
To top it off, beginning on November 30, 2006, all new machinima animated shorts will premiere weekly on GameTap leading up to the launch of each episode. Created by Telltale, the shorts fill in the back story and give gamers their weekly Sam & Max fix between monthly episodes.
"Working with Telltale was part of the inspiration for the GameTap Original label and Sam & Max: Season 1 epitomizes the kinds of innovative titles we'll be bringing to the service," said Ricardo Sanchez, GameTap's vice president of content. "Telltale's talent, coupled with our distribution network and a mutual understanding of true episodic gaming, means creative and challenging fun for gamers across the board."
"Delivering an episodic game series on a regular monthly schedule, along with 15 machinima shorts, is a first for the game industry," said Dan Connors, CEO of Telltale. "GameTap's subscription model for games-on-demand combined with GameTap TV makes it the perfect choice for distributing episodic content like Sam and Max."
Fifteen days after the initial premiere on GameTap, each episode of the season will be available for sale from the Telltale website for $8.95 each. The season also can be purchased in its entirety from Telltale for $34.95; those who opt to buy the whole season will be able to download each episode from Telltale's website after GameTap's exclusive period 15-day period ends.
In addition to the new season of Sam & Max and all the content that comes with it, GameTap gives subscribers unlimited access to more than 700 games at any time, along with over 600 original TV shows and videos that cater to fans of the video game lifestyle.
GameTap's $9.95 a month if you're interested, and if you are specifically interested in Sam & Max here are the release dates of the future episodes:
Thursday, December 21, 2006 - Sam & Max Episode 2
Thursday, January 25, 2007 - Sam & Max: Episode 3
Thursday, February 22, 2007 - Sam & Max: Episode 4
Thursday, March 29, 2007 - Sam & Max: Episode 5
Thursday, April 26, 2007 - Sam & Max: Episode 6
EA Assaults Retail Shelves With Battlefield 2142 09:27 am
- Andrew Burnes
- Games: Action
(8 comments)
And assaults buyers with a 0-day patch:
Prepare for titanic all-out war in the year 2142! Electronic Arts today announced that Battlefield 2142 has shipped to retailers in North America and Europe for the PC under the EA brand. The game is rated "T for Teen" and carries a MSRP of $49.99. Battlefield 2142 was developed by Sweden-based developer Digital Illusions.
Battlefield 2142 drops players into a future ravaged by a new ice age. Players are called to fight for the European Union or the Pan Asian Coalition in an epic battle for survival. Armed with an arsenal of high-tech assault rifles, cloaking devices and sentry guns, players will wage war using some of the most imposing vehicles known to man. Massive Battle Walkers patrol the ground, while futuristic aircraft rule the skies. When facing one of these new behemoths, players will need to use their wits and a selection of new countermeasures like EMP grenades to level the playing field.
Battlefield 2142 supports online multiplayer for up to 64 players in the classic Conquest mode and up to 48 players in the new Titan mode, which challenges gamers to use teamwork to destroy their opponent's Titan, a massive flying battleship, while defending their own. The game also features a deep new persistence system, with more than 40 ranks, from Recruit to Supreme Commander. Players can also customize their soldier with more than 40 unlockable weapons and gadgets for upwards of 1,000 possible combinations to match any play-style.
"Battlefield 2142 is a bold leap into the future for the franchise and represents nearly 18 months of development by the team at DICE," said Marcus Nilsson, senior producer at Digital Illusions. "Battlefield 2142 reinvents the classic Battlefield sandbox with all-new toys, deep persistence, and the massive new Titan mode - the first all-new mode since we introduced Conquest mode in Battlefield 1942."
Microsoft Ships Four 09:13 am
- Andrew Burnes
- Games: General News
(0 comments)
A Games For Windows press release announces that Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs, Flight Simulator X, Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania, and Zoo Tycoon 2: Zookeeper Collection are all now being shipped to North American stores:
Flight jockeys, military tacticians and animal lovers can rejoice this holiday season; Microsoft Games for Windows has something for everyone. Carrying the Games for Windows branding bar, new titles available today include the highly anticipated "Flight Simulator X," and extremely popular expansion packs "Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs," and "Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania." Also available today is the "Zoo Tycoon 2: Zookeeper Collection," which includes the original "Zoo Tycoon 2" and two expansion packs.
"Flight Simulator X" (Microsoft Game Studios). The franchise that's been flying high for more than two decades lets gamers of all ages and skill levels experience what it is like to be an aviator traveling the globe either solo or online with others. With more than 50 new missions to choose from, Windows aviators can pilot dozens of new aircraft, including the AirCreation 582SL Ultralight and Maule M7-260C Orion. "Flight Simulator X" is available in standard and deluxe versions. The deluxe edition will come with additional planes and missions. Each carries a estimated retail price of $49.99 (U.S.) and $69.99 (U.S.), respectively.
"Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania" and the "Zoo Tycoon 2: Zookeeper Collection" (Microsoft Game Studios). These additions to the wildly popular, award-winning franchise will appeal to the animal lover in all of us and are fun for families and sim enthusiasts alike. Players experience an ocean of fun in the expansion pack "Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania." They can care for 20 new aquatic animals, create breathtaking underwater exhibits, train animals to do tricks, and then create splashy marine shows. "Zoo Tycoon 2: Zookeeper Collection" triples the zoo fun by combining three award-winning fan favorites -- "Zoo Tycoon 2," "Zoo Tycoon 2: Endangered Species" and "Zoo Tycoon 2: African Adventure" -- to deliver the ultimate in zoo fun. Estimated retail prices are $29.99 ($U.S.) for "Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania" and $39.99 (U.S.) for "Zoo Tycoon 2: Zookeeper Collection."
"Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs" (Microsoft Game Studios). The new expansion pack for the best-selling real-time strategy game of 2005, "Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs" lets gamers of all ages lead three new playable Native American civilizations as they expand their empires and fight for control of the Americas or enjoy an all-new, single-player campaign. "The WarChiefs" also brings new maps, units and technologies to the European civilizations from "Age of Empires III." The estimated retail price for "Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs" is $29.99 (U.S.).
Battlefield 2142 Patch Released 08:59 am
- Andrew Burnes
- Games: Action
(20 comments)
You there, in the back, stifle your laughter!
Download from:
Neverwinter Nights 2 Goes Gold 06:42 am
- Andrew Burnes
- Games: Role-Playing
(27 comments)
After a few delays Neverwinter Nights 2 is finally ready for primetime:
Atari, Inc. and Obsidian Entertainment today announced that the highly-anticipated Neverwinter Nights 2 has gone gold and is on schedule to ship to stores nationwide on October 31 in North America and on November 3 in Europe. Neverwinter Nights 2, the sequel to BioWare Corp.'s best-selling and genre-defining role-playing game, is set in the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Forgotten Realms universe created by Wizards of the Coast, a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc., and will transport players back to the embattled city of Neverwinter. DUNGEONS & DRAGONS is under license from the Hasbro Properties Group, the intellectual property development arm of Hasbro. Neverwinter Nights 2 will be released for the Windows platform.
Developed by Obsidian Entertainment, Neverwinter Nights 2 features a new, extensive single-player game with deep character development and a powerful new toolset that provides players with unprecedented ability to create their own universes, quests and storylines
"Neverwinter Nights 2 has been an incredible game to produce, as we have aimed from the beginning to develop an immersive gaming experience that will satisfy both the RPG and modding communities," said Feargus Urquhart, Obsidian Entertainment's CEO. "Now that Neverwinter Nights 2 has gone gold, we are proud to say we are delivering a game that should exceed fans' expectations."
The Neverwinter Nights franchise has sold more than two million copies worldwide, is translated into 10 languages, sold in more than 40 countries and features one of the largest and most active fan communities in all of gaming. To date, fans of the franchise, which includes Neverwinter Nights, Neverwinter Nights: Shadows of Undrentide and Neverwinter Nights: Hordes of the Underdark, have created nearly 4,000 modifications to the original game using the original, award-winning Aurora Toolset. A more robust toolset will be included with the release of Neverwinter Nights 2.
More information about Neverwinter Nights 2 can be found at www.nwn2.com, which includes user forums, project news, development updates and more.
Threewave Licenses Source For Episodic Development 06:09 am
- Andrew Burnes
- Games: Action
(5 comments)
Remember Threewave? The guys who did Capture The Flag for Quake and other subsequent id titles? Well today they announced that they're branching out and making their own titles that will be heavily ad-driven if this recent article is anything to go by.
Threewave Software, a videogame developer specializing in multiplayer first-person shooters, and Valve, a leading entertainment and technology company, today announced a licensing agreement for Threewave Software to leverage Source, Valve's next-generation game technology, for its upcoming projects.
In development for the PC, Threewave Software's Source-based products will be officially announced at a later date. The first Source-based project is a first-person action title that extends Source's advanced physics system to open new gameplay dynamics, as well as provide a unique opportunity for sponsors to reach gamers in the first-person shooter genre.
"While planning our next project, we evaluated all the leading game engines, and Valve's Source was the ideal fit for Threewave's direction," said Dan Irish, CEO of Threewave Software, Inc. "As we move into our sponsored content initiatives - particularly episodic content - we know that Source provides some of the best new features available. Valve's industry-leading support and Threewave's technical expertise, are a winning combination for creating the very best experiences for gamers worldwide."
Source technology is available for licensing to any digital content creator working on PC and/or Xbox 360 products.
"It's a compliment to have a talented team such as Threewave licensing our software as a core part of their business strategy," said Gabe Newell, president and co-founder of Valve. "The trust they have put in Valve speaks highly of Source's capabilities, and we look forward to seeing some exciting innovations in sponsored content from Threewave Software."
World of WarCraft: The Burning Crusade Screenshots 01:45 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: MMOG
(7 comments)
The World of WarCraft: The Burning Crusade beta goodness continues with three lovely new screens:
(Click to Enlarge!)
  
More nudies from Sunday and Monday.
Gears of War Almost Golden 01:23 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Consoles: Xbox 360
(9 comments)
TeamXbox is reporting that Epic's Gears of War is glitch-free and close to going gold:
"So far, Gears of War is glitch free. Whether this is due to expert programming, Epic's in-depth knowledge of the Unreal Engine or combination of both, we aren't complaining!"
Hardware & Tech Nuggets 01:15 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- hardware: General News
(0 comments)
Previews Aplenty 01:08 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: General News
(0 comments)
Interviewage 01:00 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: General News
(1 comment)
Assorted Downloads 12:56 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: General News
(1 comment)
RPG Vault Goodness 12:54 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Role-Playing
(0 comments)
The Chronicles of Spellborn Peek #5
The team takes us deeper into its upcoming persistent state game to learn more about the adventures that await us - Includes five exclusive screenshots
Game Reviews 12:32 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: General News
(0 comments)
In Other News... 12:30 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- In-House: In Other News...
(16 comments)
I'm surprised the Playstation 3 is in dead last place in our Most Wanted Holiday Swag poll.
Today's question is from raistmaj42, who asks:
Which publisher has consistantly released the worst games?
|
|
|
|
Monday , October 16, 2006 |
|
|
|
Spyware 2142? 09:28 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Action
(28 comments)
Planet Battlefield links to a Computer Gaming World podcast that talks about some sort of Spyware that ships with Battlefield 2142:
"The software may incorporate technology developed by IGA worldwide the advertising technology. The purpose of the advertising technology is to deliver in game advertisements to when you use the software while connected to the internet. When you use the software while connected to the internet the advertising technology may record your internet protocol address, and another anonymous information, that advertising data is temporarily used by IGA to enable the presentation and measurement of in game advertisement and other in game objects which are uploaded temporally to your personal computer or game console and changed during online game play. The advertising technology does not collect and personally identifiable information about you and EA will not provide…."
Battlefield 2142 Review at Gamespot 07:09 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Action
(11 comments)
Without pointing out the obvious (little stuff like reviewing a multiplayer game that has no players yet), Gamespot has the first review of Battlefield 2142 giving it an 8.1/10: When you get down to it, Battlefield 2142 is a solid entry in the series, as it feels like a slightly more refined version of its popular predecessor. Aside from the new Titan mode, there's not a lot new here, though, so this doesn't feel anywhere quite like the leap that Battlefield 2 represented from its predecessors--it's more akin to what Battlefield: Vietnam was to Battlefield 1942. Still, if you're looking for more multiplayer mayhem, it's hard not to recommend Battlefield 2142.
Bully Reviews at Game Informer & IGN 05:35 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Consoles: PS2
(7 comments)
Game Informer and PS2.IGN have the first online reviews of Bully, Rockstar's latest and greatest controversial offering. Overall score was 8.5/10 at Game Informer, and 8.9/10 at IGN:
Pull away the layers of controversy surrounding this release, and you'll find a lighthearted story about a troubled youth finding his lot in life at a school of hard knocks. Like most Rockstar games, Bully embraces an open-world mentality, letting players decide whether their hot-tempered miscreant will attend class, find love on campus, or help the nerds rise up against the jocks. These activities are brilliantly captured and are joined by clever gameplay designs. You can't help but feel a sense of satisfaction wash over you when you stand up for a kid that is being picked on. Conversely, you can't help but laugh out loud when you give someone a wedgie. Bully is loaded with content that everyone can relate to, and may even have experienced in their childhood. It's witty and fun, but it's the moments that hit close to home that really makes this game a must play. There's nothing else out there that is even close to this.
More Gears of War Demo Rumblings 04:25 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Consoles: Xbox 360
(0 comments)
Both Epic's Mark Rein (VP Biz type) and CliffyB (Lead Designer) have stated about a half-dozen times in the past week that there is no Gears of War demo yet, and that they are busy finishing the game, but Gamespot has some more demo rumors up for the unbelievers:
But today, a few gamers think that Rein may have been putting up a smoke screen, with a surprise announcement of a demo coming soon. Some keen-eyed Web surfers tipped off Xboxic.com to a page on the UK branch of Xbox.com. In a page header promoting content downloads for Marketplace, a graphic clearly reads "Gears of War Demo" (pictured above--click to enlarge) alongside already released games Frogger, Pac-Man, and Joust. What's more, on the page for game demos on Marketplace, there is clearly a picture of Gears of War. In case you're really dense, here's another post by Mark Rein: There is no Gears demo and there won't be before launch. I suspect that is a generic header with the Gears image in it. There aren't any plans at the moment to make a demo of Gears. We have other things we're going to be working on as soon as Gears has gone gold but I can not elaborate on them at this point in time.
Supreme Commander in PC Gamer 04:00 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Real-Time Strategy
(0 comments)
The latest issue of PC Gamer has a feature on Gas Powered Games' eagerly anticipated RTS, Supreme Commander. Supreme Commander Universe has an overview of some new information in it.
DX 9.0 L for DirectX 10 Games? 03:47 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Action
(11 comments)
Worried your $500+ videocard of today won't take advantage of games like Crysis or Alan Wake? The Inquirer suggests that won't be the case:
DirectX 9.0 L is simply a renamed and refurbished DirectX 10 for Windows XP. It will make DirectX 10 games to work on Windows XP.
And games such as the upcoming Crysis won't work on the existing DirectX 9.0 c. they need a DirectX 9.0 L
One of the biggest issues is the fact that Nvidia or ATI won't have any mainstream or entry-level cards until at least mid- to end of Q1 2007. This suggests that if Vista tips up around the beginning of the year, gamers will be turned off by it.
Xbox Live! Charges for Cheat Codes 03:17 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Consoles: Xbox 360
(31 comments)
Clever strategy or the lamest move ever? Major Nelson posted about how you can now buy "premium content" for Tiger Woods 07, which are little more than cheat codes:
Xbox Live members can now download the following premium in-game content for 'Tiger Woods PGA Tour '07':
Unlock Golfer:-200 points
Pro Shop - 300 points
Maxed out Player - 200 points
Sunday Tiger- 240 points
Unlock Courses - 200 points
F.E.A.R. Extraction Point Update 01:44 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Action
(6 comments)
Producer Tim Hall updated his .plan blog with the latest poop on F.E.A.R. Extraction Point: Along the lines of F.E.A.R. Extraction Point we've got some new features that will keep the hair on the back of you F.E.A.R. fans necks standing straight up. First off you may have heard that there are some new weapons and indeed there are. The most fun of which is our new mini-gun. It's horrifically satisfying to be able to hit units with such an immense amount of force that you can actually blow units back up into the air when they are jumping or repelling down towards you. Combine that with the F.E.A.R. physics and the destructible environments and there is a whole lot of destructive mayhem coming your way.
Mini-guns for the win.
G4 Not Getting Axed 12:56 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: General News
(17 comments)
The folks over at G4 sent word that rumors of its demise were greatly exaggerated:
Let us put your fears/hopes to rest: G4 isn't going anywhere.
We are owned by Comcast cable, which also owns E! and the Style channel, Golf Channel, Versus (formerly OLN), AZN and Sprout. Comcast has decided to fold G4's operations into E! to combine departments where possible so that more money can be spent on programming and other cool stuff.
That doesn't mean we're becoming E! or that we're being taken-over or that we're being taken off the air, or anything, really. All it means is that our boss's boss's boss got a new boss.
In short: Your G4TV experience will remain the same… actually, we think it will only get better because of this…
Now let us get back to making immature jokes about people who can't defend themselves, ok?
Big-Ass Burning Crusade Preview 12:52 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: MMOG
(3 comments)
Wow Vault conjured up a big-ass preview of World of WarCraft: The Burning Crusade covering all the little features players are bound to enjoy reading about. Lots of stuff about loot is in there as well. In other WoW news, Blizzard posted a New Interface LFG Preview.
Source Engine 360 Now Available 12:44 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Consoles: Xbox 360
(6 comments)
Valve let us know that the Source Engine tools are now available to 360 developers:
Source, the technology that powered Valve's Half-Life® 2, is already the benchmark game technology on Microsoft's Windows platform, offering state of the art performance in graphics, networking, artificial intelligence, physics simulation and more. The version of Source, available for Xbox 360, is optimized to utilize the platform's advance graphics hardware and offer full support for Xbox Live®.
"The combination of Source and the Xbox 360 provides game designers throughout the industry the chance to create powerful entertainment experiences," said Gabe Newell, president and co-founder of Valve. "Whether they're pursuing a traditional FPS, RTS, RPG or delving into new genres, Source and the Xbox 360 are designed to offer the flexibility and tools to allow designers to pursue any design imaginable." In other Valve happenings, Shacknews posted up a new feature called The Potential Profits and Perils of Digital Distribution that takes a look at the online business model of selling games digitally.
World of WarCraft: The Burning Crusade Screenshots 11:15 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: MMOG
(12 comments)
Three more sassy new 1920x1153 resolution screenshots of the World of WarCraft: The Burning Crusade's Outland zones we snapped off for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!
(Click to Enlarge!)
  
Yesterday's shots.
Guild Wars Nightfall Screenshots 09:21 am
- Andrew Burnes
- MMOG: Role-Playing
(2 comments)
10 screenshots from a recent European press event that I recently attended:
(Click to Enlarge!)
Fight Night Round 3 Screenshots 09:00 am
- Andrew Burnes
- Consoles: PS3
(22 comments)
Fight Night Round 3's being spruced up for the PS3; here are 10 screenshots of the game in action:
(Click to Enlarge!)
Superman Returns Screenshots & Trailer 07:55 am
- Andrew Burnes
- Consoles: General News
(11 comments)
Various pics of C.K. from various versions of the game (Xbox all the way through to Xbox 360 and PS3), and then a natty trailer hosted in-house:
(Click to Enlarge!)
(Click to Play!)
Could this finally be, a Superman game that doesn't suck?
The Week Ahead... 07:50 am
- Andrew Burnes
- Games: General News
(10 comments)
Your guide to all that is being released in the week ahead.
PC:
- Age of Empires III: The Warchiefs
- Barbie: 12 Dancing Princesses
- Battlefield 2142
- Brigade E5: New Jagged Union
- D.I.R.T.: Origin Of The Species
- Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening Special Edition
- Evidence: Missing 2
- Face Factory 2
- Jaws Unleashed
- Jewel Quest Solitaire
- Lineage II: The Epic Collection
- Microsoft Flight Simulator X
- Nancy Drew: The Creature of Kapu
- Panzer Command
- Sam & Max Episode 1: Culture Shock (GameTap Exclusive)
- Sid Meier's Civilization Chronicles
- Sid Meier's Railroads!
- The Guild 2
- The Sims 2: Pets
- UFO Extraterrestrials
- Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania
- Zoo Tycoon 2: Zookeeper Collection
Playstation 2:
- Bully
- Cabela's African Safari
- Destroy All Humans! 2
- Eureka Seven Vol 1: The New Wave
- Family Guy
- Flushed Away
- Jampack Volume 15
- Justice League Heroes
- Kim Possible: What's the Switch?
- SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab
- The Sims 2: Pets
- Tokobot Plus: Mysteries of the Karakuri
Playstation Portable:
- Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception
- Family Guy
- FIFA Soccer 07
- Ford Bold Moves Street Racing
- Scooby Doo! Who's Watching Who?
- WTF: Work Time Fun
Xbox 360:
- Splinter Cell: Double Agent
- Splinter Cell: Double Agent Limited Edition
- Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07
Xbox:
- Destroy All Humans 2
- Family Guy
- Justice League: Heroes
GameCube:
- Flushed Away
- SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab
- The Sims 2: Pets
Nintendo DS:
- Contact
- Flushed Away
- Justice League Heroes
- Nintendogs (Dalmatian)
- Scooby Doo! Who's Watching Who?
- SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature From the Krusty Krab
- Strawberry Shortcake StrawberryLand Games
DVD:
- Al Pacino Collection: Author! Author!
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents - Season Two
- American Dreamz (Full Screen)
- American Dreamz (Widescreen)
- Astaire and Rogers Ultimate Collector's Edition
- Barney Dino-Riffic Collection!
- Behind Enemy Lines Box Set
- Behind Enemy Lines II: Axis of Evil
- Big Black Comedy Box Set
- Big Love: The Complete First Season
- Blackwater Valley Exorcism
- Bob the Builder: Bob's Hard at Work Collection!
- Boris Karloff Horror Flicks Collection
- Charmed: Six Season Pack
- Charmed: The Complete Sixth Season
- Close Call
- CSI: Miami - The Complete Fourth Season
- CSI: NY - The Complete Second Season
- Deadfall
- Eternal Enemies
- Feast
- Going Back
- Hard Luck
- In Search of the Jaguar
- La Femme Nikita: The Complete Fifth Season
- Last Stand of the Great Bear
- Masters of Horror: Larry Cohen, Pick Me Up
- Murder, She Wrote: The Complete Fourth Season
- National Geographic Wildlife Box Set
- Nick Jr. Favorites Box Set
- Only Human
- Over the Hedge (Full Screen)
- Over the Hedge (Widescreen)
- Panic Room (Superbit Deluxe)
- Peeper
- Rest Stop
- Rest Stop (Unrated)
- Starsky & Hutch - The Complete Fourth Season
- That 70's Show: Season Five
- The Astaire and Rogers Collection: Volume Two
- The Break-Up (Full Screen)
- The Break-Up (Widescreen)
- The Magus
- The Omen (Full Screen)
- The Omen (Widescreen)
- The Omen: The Complete Collection
- The Panic in Needle Park
- The Wiggles: Wiggle-Tastic Collection!
- They All Laughed
- Whales in Crisis
Blu-Ray:
- American Psycho
- Dark Water
- First Blood
- Gattaca
- Glory Road
- Gone in Sixty Seconds
- Saw II
- The Brothers Grimm
- The Haunted Mansion
- The Professionals
- Young Guns
HD-DVD:
Movies - Now Showing:
- Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker [Limited]
- Deliver Us from Evil [Limited]
- Driving Lessons [Limited]
- Infamous [Limited]
- Little Children [Limited]
- Man of the Year
- Shortbus [Limited]
- The Grudge 2
- The Marine
Movies - Opening Friday October 20th:
- Flags of Our Fathers
- Flicka
- Marie Antoinette
- Running with Scissors [Limited]
- Sleeping Dogs Lie [Limited]
- The Nightmare Before Christmas [3D version]
- The Prestige
Blimey, bit of a busy week - Age of Empires III: The Warchiefs, Battlefield 2142, Sam & Max Episode 1: Culture Shock, Sid Meier's Railroads!, The Guild 2, Bully, Destroy All Humans! 2, Splinter Cell: Double Agent (I'd rather have the delayed PC version however), and Contact are all on my 'to acquire' list.
As you'll likely have noticed I've added Blu-Ray and HD-DVD releases to the list, so all three of you with players will surely be happy to see that addition.
What will you be spending your money on in the week ahead?
Poll: Most Wanted Holiday Swag? 03:00 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: General News
(23 comments)
This week's VE poll asks for your Most Wanted Holiday Swag. Vote on your right! As there's too much swag to list, the choices were narrowed down to: Gears of War, a Geforce 8800, Neverwinter Nights 2, the Nintendo Wii, Playstation 3 and World of WarCraft: The Burning Crusade. Results of last week's poll:
Are you buying Battlefield 2142?
Nope. [2044 votes]
Yes! [476 votes]
Maybe? [452 votes]
Waiting on reviews... [393 votes]
Hardware & Tech Nuggets 12:54 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- hardware: General News
(0 comments)
Interviewage 12:48 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: General News
(1 comment)
RPG Vault Goodness 12:44 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Role-Playing
(0 comments)
Game Reviews 12:27 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- In-House: In Other News...
(4 comments)
In Other News... 12:16 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- In-House: In Other News...
(18 comments)
Happy Monday. Looks like we have quite the week for new releases with BF2142, Bully, Splinter Cell: Double Agent, AoE 3: Warchiefs, Sam & Max EP 1 and Microsoft Flight Sim X amongst others coming out.
Today's question is from melfo, who asks:
Do you think staggered game release dates for different regions (US, Europe, Aus, etc) encourages piracy?
|
|
|
|
|
