Steam 'Perils of Summer' Sale Day #5

Giving us a reason to dust off our wallets today, Steam has rolled out a fresh batch of 24-hour deals as part of their "Perils of Summer" sale. But enough with the chit-chat! Let's get down to business:

Monkey Island Complete Pack - $11.90 (reg $34.99)Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising - $4.50 (reg $29.99)King Arthur - The Role-playing Wargame - $13.60 (reg $39.99)Oddworld Pack - $2.50 (reg $9.99)Order of War - $10.20 (reg $29.99)Joint Operations: Combined Arms Gold - $5.00 (reg $19.99)Dogfighter - $8.49 (reg $16.99)All Europa Universalis Titles - 66% Off

Not an amazing selection today, but the Monkey Island pack is pretty tempting. ;)

Steam ‘Perils of Summer’ Sale Day #3Ashley Greene, Kristen Stewart Style Risks Pay Off At ‘Eclipse’ Premiere

Singularity Ships

Spreading the good news today, Activision and Raven Software have announced that their Sci-fi FPS, Singularity, has begun shipping to stores worldwide. Here's the official word:

SANTA MONICA, Calif., June 29, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ -- Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) announced today that its eagerly-awaited new first-person action title SINGULARITY(TM) is now available across the globe. Published by Activision and created by acclaimed developer Raven Software, who is celebrating their 20th anniversary in videogames, SINGULARITY, throws players into the heart of a conspiracy that sends players hurtling through time.

"SINGULARITY seamlessly combines a heart-racing, story-driven experience with epic sci-fi combat and gameplay," said Brian Raffel, studio director, Raven Software. "This new title reflects our heartfelt passion to bring an all-new, fresh experience to the first person action community. We can't wait to take the action online!"

Thrust onto the mysterious Russian island base of Katorga-12, filled with Cold War secrets that threaten time itself, players must fight their way through an ever-shifting environment, haunted b20eey time-ravaged creatures and mysteries. Armed with an arsenal of high-powered weapons and the Time Manipulation Device, players must contend with sudden time waves that hurl them back and forth between 1955 and the present day. In addition to a story-driven narrative, SINGULARITY offers players a unique multi-player experience, where Russian Special Forces with individual powers take on a team of creatures from another time including the powerful Radion, the gravity-defying Phase Tick and the time-altering Zek.

SINGULARITY is developed by Raven Software and is rated M (Mature) by the ESRB due to blood and gore, intense violence and strong language. SINGULARITY is available for Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation(R)3 computer entertainment system for a suggested retail price of $59.99, and Windows PC for a suggested retail price of $49.99.

Let the time manipulation begin!

Angelina Jolie Talks ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ Sequel, Brad PittSingularity ‘Age and Revert’ Trailer

Metro 2034 confirmed, 2033 DLC on the way

4a games' atmosphere-heavy shooter Metro 2033 seems to have become a sleeper hit since its release earlier this year, warranting a sequel by the name of Metro 2034. If our talky words make your noggin confused, this means the game will take place shortly after the events of its prequel.

Publisher THQ's core games VP Danny Bilson confirmed the game in an E3 interview, also adding it will be on the shortlist of its titles to use 3D technology.

Metro 2033 isn't overwith yet, either. Bridging the gap between the two titles will be DLC, the first pack for which will arrive in "the very near future." The content includes new weapons, achievements, and "Ranger Mode" game rules.

Source:ComputerAndVideoGames.com

Sections:Microsoft Consoles, Console Games, PC Games

|

moreRelated news storiesBad Company 2 'Onslaught' mode launches with lag fixesJune 25, '10You Don't Know Jack to make witty and snarky returnJune 22, '10E3 2010: Nintendo 3DS impressionsJune 22, '10Otomedius Excellent flies into US Xbox 360s this yearJune 16, '10New 'Dragon Age' DLC gets intimate with LelianaJune 16, '10

“Rapture Metro Pack” available now for BioShock 2Angelina Jolie Talks ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ Sequel, Brad Pitt

E3 2010: XCOM strikes again

Resurrecting a series rarely goes well; publishers and developers unfamiliar with the property spark anger from the masses. With XCOM, the fan base has wished for a successor to the series but not in the way that 2K Marin presented. The new XCOM shifts perspective to first-person, focusing the game into a hybrid take on action, adventure and RPG foundations. The 1950s set the tone, the world finding innocence again while the government examines the unexplained oddities dotting the news headlines. It is here William Carter emerges, an FBI agent set to study and solve the unexplained growth in the country.

The base of operations comes in multiple levels; the main hall patches through emergencies and listens for key unnatural reports. The main floor has a map of all active events; each act as an individual quest or mission for Carter to undertake. The lab is the next center of attention, showing where all the latest recovered artifacts go for testing. The lab and engineering center are toy chests; the information and weapons created from the two stations makes tackling the alien menace a breeze.

After some walking, the guide picks his mission. The next stop is a family terrorized by an unidentified threat; with partners and ammo selected, they head out. The scene plays with a sense of dread; the street is silent and there are unsettling sounds all around. The team is ready to hunt; they navigate the block for survivors and signs of alien foul play. While chasing a scream, they break into a sprint, finding a man drowned in black alien fluid while the creature escapes to the street. The thrill of the hunt and sense of unknown are what drive the new XCOM; while a shooter, the demonstration focused on the pursuit and documentation of each finding. The chase brought the team to a house in the suburb area; the husband stumbles from the door, lungs filled with fluid and collapsing in terror.

The team pushes forward; showing the new technology created from our investigations -- a lightning gun and flame grenade are the stars of the show. In a boom of fury, the lightning gun strikes the aliens down, cooking them in their own fluid. As partners rally to support, the alien invasion scales higher, overwhelming one of the men while he throws the grenades out to start a bonfire in the house. The drama is a central role in XCOM; throughout the demo I was always in a sense of alertness to what was going on.

While the game is a deviation from the franchise, it may have the power to stand alone as an alternate universe perspective. XCOM by 2K Marin is a shooter, but it thrives to surpass the stigma of being a BioShock clone.

Sections:Microsoft Consoles, Console Games, PC Games, E3

|

moreRelated news storiesE3 2010: Conduit 2 single player revealedJune 28, '10E3 2010: Spec Ops: The Line leaves us hangingJune 28, '10E3 2010: Tecmo shows unique dual-gameplay in Quantum TheoryJune 25, '10Game therapy restores vision in child's eyeJune 24, '10X-COM inspired project UFO: Alien Invasion version 2.3 releasedJune 21, '10

Debut XCOM trailer feels more like BioShock than X-COMAngelina Jolie Talks ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ Sequel, Brad Pitt

Bad Company 2 PC patch coming June 30, CrossFire fix released

Great as DICE's Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is, the game has been suffering from some fairly serious problems (knifing not working properly, hit detection not always great), and a few critical ones (lag, crashes, freezes). On the whole the experience tends to be pretty good, but a patch to fix these issues and others has been eagerly awaited for more than a month now.

After failing QA several times, the patch has finally passed and is expected to roll out next Wednesday, June 23. The one that passed is the EA version -- the Steam version (which requires some special code of its own) still needs to be cleared in time, so it's possible it won't roll out for everyone until Monday, June 28 (holiday, end of the week would push it), though Associate Producer Barrie "Bazajaytee" Tingle says it's "looking good."

It turns out the reason for the patch continually failing testing was related to the SPECACT kits, which are camo gear packs for the various units. As such, these will be cut from the patch. It's definitely one of the highlights, but we can live without if it means a stable and reliable experience. The kits of course will come later -- we assume the next patch, if they figure out the issue by then.

However, players can look forward to Map Pack 3 -- all the details on that are here.

On a related note, CrossFire users may have noticed a performance drop on Bad Company 2 with the new 10.6 drivers -- ATI has confirmed this and will be releasing an application profile to fix it later today. We'll let you know when that and the patch go live.

Update: unfortunately the patch didn't pass Steam's QA -- something to do with mouse sensitivity. This means we'll likely see the patch Monday. Meanwhile, CrossFire users can grab the app profiles from Rage3D -- these will restore performance.

Update 2: at last, the patch will be arriving Wednesday, 11AM (GMT plus-2), complete with the new server. Maintenance starts 7AM that morning.

Source:Electronic Arts UK Community

Alternate Source:KitGuru

Section:PC Games

|

moreRelated news storiesBad Company 2 'Onslaught' mode launches with lag fixesJune 25, '10Game therapy restores vision in child's eyeJune 24, '10Alpha Protocol patch in the works, DLC unlikelyJune 24, '10Counter-Strike: Source now available for Mac OS XJune 23, '10X-COM inspired project UFO: Alien Invasion version 2.3 releasedJune 21, '10Mass Effect 2 PC patch 1.02 releasedJune 16, '10Bad Company 2 returning to Vietnam with multiplayer expansionJune 15, '10Adobe Flash Player 10.1 released for Windows, Mac, LinuxJune 11, '10Bad Company 2's Onslaught mode dated, priced, picturedJune 10, '10Valve teases Team Fortress 2 for Mac and moreJune 09, '10

Bad Company 2 PC patch estimated for June 28, CrossFire fix released‘Eclipse’ Director David Slade Reveals Kristen Stewart’s Deleted Scenes

Dead Rising 2 gets launch date

Capcom announced the release date for Dead Rising 2 today, so that's pretty damn awesome.

If you miss Frank West, prepare for more effin' ridiculous mayhem this fall with Chuck Greene in zombie-infested Las Vegas Fortune City. On September 28, we'll get more weapons, more zombies, and by "more" we mean thousands more than the first.

And don't forget the series' all-new 2-player co-op play. Can there be anymore hyphens in such a short train of thought? Probably not.

Again, the date to remember is September 28. A bit further away than some would like, but at least it's an actual number.

Sections:Microsoft Consoles, Console Games, PC Games, Sony Consoles

|

moreRelated news storiesNintendo 3DS set to launch in 2011June 26, '10Capcom: Japanese gaming market in danger of fadingJune 25, '10iPhone 4 issues reported shortly after launchJune 24, '10Lady Gaga spotted in Super Street Fighter IVJune 22, '10OnLive goes live for PC June 17, free membership offeredJune 16, '10

Amnesia: The Dark Descent Gets September Release Date‘Eclipse’ Director David Slade Reveals Kristen Stewart’s Deleted Scenes

Front Mission Evolved Video Dev Diary #2

Moving right along, Double Helix Games has released a new video developer diary for their upcoming 3rd Person shooter, Front Mission Evolved. Clocking in at just over five minutes long, this video focuses on Wanzers, their mobility, firepower and general character design. Pretty cool stuff! Check it out:

Thanks to GameTrailers for the above stream. Mirrors are also available at GamersHell and the FileShack.

Front Mission Evolved is scheduled for release on September 14th.

‘Eclipse’ Director David Slade Reveals Kristen Stewart’s Deleted ScenesF1 2010 Video Dev Diary #3

Cities XL 2011 Announced

Wrapping things up tonight, Focus Home Interactive has announced that they've acquired the Cities XL IP and are currently working on a sequel titled "Cities XL 2011". Due out this October, the game will feature hundreds of new buildings and structures, along with new maps, public transportation, a more elaborated tax system and more! To help whet our appetite, the developers have released five screenshots. Enjoy:

 

 

 

 

Men Of War: Assault Squad Screenshots‘Restrepo’: The War That Won’t End, By Kurt Loder

Singularity Multiplayer Trailer

Keeping us on our toes this afternoon, Raven Software has released a brand new gameplay trailer for their upcoming first person shooter, Singularity. Clocking in at just over two minutes long, this video offers us a quick rundown on the multiplayer portion of the game. Pretty cool stuff! Check it out:

Thanks to GameTrailers for the above stream. Mirrors are also available at the following websites:

GamersHellFileFrontFileShack

Singularity is scheduled for release on June 29th.

Singularity ‘Age and Revert’ TrailerPeter Jackson Reportedly Negotiating To Direct ‘The Hobbit’

Steam 'Perils of Summer' Sale Day #4

Right on schedule, Steam has fired-up a new batch of 24-hour deals as part of their "Perils of Summer" sale. So what's on the menu today? Read on:

Max Payne Bundle - $3.74 (reg $14.99)Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II Gold Edition - $19.99 (reg $39.99)Half-Life - $1.99 (reg $9.99)Gothic Bundle - $4.99 (reg $19.99)Kane & Lynch: Dead Men - $4.99 (reg $19.99)EVE Online: Tyrannis - $1.99 (reg $19.99)Flotilla - $2.50 (reg $9.99)All Civilization Titles - 75% Off

Some awesome deals in there. So don't miss out! :D

Steam ‘Perils of Summer’ Sale Day #3Robert Pattinson Likens End Of ‘Twilight Saga’ To ‘Divorcing Someone’

MDK 2 coming to Wii, HD upgrade to PC

BioWare's semi-obscure and absurd adventure game MDK 2 (Murder Death Kill) is getting a revival later this year on the Wii and later, PC.

The PC version and its Interplay-developed prequel were re-released on GOG.com years ago, but fans will see it in upgraded HD format on developer Beamdog's digital distribution platform (and hopefully others later). The game should be in good hands as members of the original team are still kicking around there.

“It is a great pleasure to announce that we are returning to the adventures of Kurt Hectic, Dr. Hawkins and the 6-legged gun-toting robotic dog Max,” said Herv Caen, CEO of Interplay.

“MDK2 was a great title to work on and we're happy to have some of the original team working on these new versions,” seconded Trent Oster, co-Founder of Beamdog.

The Wii edition will launch this winter, with the PC version to follow.

Sections:Console Games, PC Games, Nintendo Consoles

|

moreRelated news storiesBioWare still strong PC supporterJune 24, '10Fallout Online website launches, beta entry begins [Update]June 17, '10New 'Dragon Age' DLC gets intimate with LelianaJune 16, '10Mass Effect 2 PC patch 1.02 releasedJune 16, '10Old Republic grants players custom star ships, epic trailerJune 15, '10Battlefield 1943, Call of Duty Classic both Deals of the Week on LIVEJune 07, '10Earthworm Jim HD trailer is all kinds of groovyJune 02, '10

Deathspank hits July 13, pricing announced

Hothead Games' action RPG Deathspank will be hitting consoles next month: July 13 on PlayStation Network and July 14 on Xbox LIVE Arcade.

Fans of parody-themed games like The Bard's Tale should find themselves right at home with this one, and will be pleased to know it will cost just $14.99 / 1200 Microsoft Points. Also, co-op has been confirmed, if you couldn't guess from the image above.

PC hopefuls: remember the developer and publisher EA's Jeff Green both stated the plan is to get the game out to as many people as possible, meaning a later PC release is all but assured.

Image Gallery

Sections:Microsoft Consoles, Console Games, PC Games, Sony Consoles

|

moreRelated news storiesMedal of Honor screens offer another glance at multiplayerJune 21, '10

ME2 Equalizer Pack hits Cerberus Network this Wednesday

Need for Speed: World Video Dev Diary #2

Keeping things rollin' tonight, Electronic Arts have released a new video developer diary for their upcoming massively multiplayer online racing title, Need for Speed: World. Running exactly a minute and a half long, this video touches on power-ups and the strategy they bring to the game. Check it out:

Thanks to GameTrailers for the above stream. A mirror is also available at GamersHell.

F1 2010 Video Dev Diary #3‘Twilight’ Author Stephenie Meyer ‘Very Happy’ With ‘Eclipse’ Film

Steam 'Perils of Summer' Sale Day #3

Keeping things interesting this weekend, Steam has rolled out a fresh batch of 24-hour deals as part of their "Perils of Summer" sale. So what's on today's list? Here's the skinny:

Left 4 Dead 2 - $10.20 (reg $29.99)Company of Heroes Complete Pack - $24.99 (reg $49.99)AudioSurf - $2.50 (reg $9.99)Zeno Clash - $3.75 (reg $14.99)Supreme Commander 2 - $7.47 (reg $21.99)Star Wars: The Force Unleashed - $7.49 (reg $29.99)City of Heroes:209e Architect Edition - $9.99 (reg $19.99)Hearts of Iron Series - 66% Off

$10 for L4D2? How can you say no?! ;)

Steam Sale: 75% Off Tropico 3

E3 2010: Black Ops demo sends players into space

While Activision works out its Infinity Ward problems, Treyarch's keeping busy with Black Ops, the Cold War Call of Duty.

At their closed demo last week, a small room of people were shown two levels that were meant to convey the game's variety. The first stage is called "WMD" and has players infiltrate a Russian base. The entire process takes several steps, starting with the off-site stealth jet you're tasked with flying. The player can control acceleration in the interactive take-off sequence, and once you've breached Earth's atmosphere, you'll be assisting ground troops by scanning for enemies. Once you have successfully led the troops to safety, you take control of them and continue the mission from the ground.

Much of the following gameplay is familiar territory, back to scaling ice walls, breaking into Russian bases, and shooting anything that moves. The new crossbow weapon is more awesome than it sounds, perfect for silently taking out and/or blowing up enemies. You can only fire one shot at a time before having to reload, but the results are a pleasure to watch. Schadenfreude? Yes, please.

The WMD level ended as players are making their escape down a cliff, only to get caught inside an avalanche. The second stage, called "Payback," boasts much nicer weather and covers an incredibly embarrassing time in US military history: the 1960s. Troops have been deployed in Laos following (inaccurate) intel claiming the Russians have taken root in the Southeast.

In Payback, the player is tasked with stealing a helicopter from the people who killed your buddies. When you successfully pull off the heist, the chopper is at your complete command. The objective is mostly "blow everything up" as you fly through the river valley, eventually taking out a bridge to ruin your enemies' day. Treyarch was quick to point out that the airborne sequence is "not on rails," though they didn't specify how far you're allowed to deviate.

If you're a Call of Duty fan, nothing anyone says will stop you from getting Black Ops. Based on what I saw though, Treyarch is trying their damndest to match IW in every way. The studio has already promised an engrossing narrative, and gameplay is more interactive than before.

Call of Duty: Black Ops is set to arrive later this year, on November 9, 2010.

Image Gallery

Sections:Microsoft Consoles, Console Games, PC Games, Sony Consoles, E3

|

moreRelated news storiesE3 2010: Vindictus shows Nexon still targeting mature gamersJune 25, '10E3 2010: Tecmo shows unique dual-gameplay in Quantum TheoryJune 25, '10E3 2010: GoldenEye 007 stars Daniel Craig, adapted from latest moviesJune 24, '10Activision less dependant on console game sales than you thinkJune 23, '10E3 2010: Battlestar Galactica Online utilizes Unity engineJune 23, '10E3 2010: Platinum presents gorgeous third-person shooter, VanquishJune 23, '10Infinity Ward begins search for new recruitsJune 22, '10E3 2010: Brotherhood does multiplayer, Assassin's Creed styleJune 22, '10Medal of Honor screens offer another glance at multiplayerJune 21, '10E3 2010: NFS Hot Pursuit takes friendly competition to a new levelJune 21, '10

Infinity Ward begins search for new recruitsAshley Greene, Kristen Stewart Style Risks Pay Off At ‘Eclipse’ Premiere

Civilization V able to import Civ IV maps

If you've got a favorite user-made campaign that you're wary of moving on from with Civilization V on the way, no need to fear. Civ V's world builder tool will be able to import Civilization IV's custom maps automatically.

Every aspect of the maps will carry over in the conversion process so you won't lose any cities, units, and other elements. It's a perfect way to boost all the user-made content out there for Civ V and not have newcomers miss out on older stuff they might miss.

However, mods are a different matter and won't be able to be converted. More than likely it's a case of Civ V not being able to recognize the extra content added so creators will have to go back and retool their work as a Civ V mod.

Source:Bitmob

Section:PC Games

|

moreRelated news storiesMod Database folks launch IndieDBJune 21, '10New Civilization V screens conquer your monitorJune 16, '10Final Fantasy XIV PC benchmark tool available for downloadJune 16, '10[Update] Konami struts its stuff with two dance gamesJune 15, '10The Sims 3 1.12/2.7/3.3 patch out now, new Ambitions infoJune 03, '10StarCraft II mod features Final Fantasy-style battlesMay 31, '10Splinter Cell "Insurgency Pack" now available for downloadMay 27, '10New Lost Planet 2 map pack making planetfall in JuneMay 27, '10BioWare planning "bunch of" DLC between Mass Effect 2 and 3May 20, '10

StarCraft II mod features Final Fantasy-style battles

MicroVolts Beta Sign-ups Begin

Spreading the good news today, Rock Hippo Productions has announced that they are now accepting applications to beta test their upcoming massively multiplayer online 3rd person shooter, MicroVolts. No word on when the beta will begin, but if you're interested in participating, just head over to the game's official website and fill in your info! ;)

Test Drive Unlimited 2 Beta Sign-ups Begin

Amnesia: The Dark Descent Gets September Release Date

Pinning down an exact release date for us this afternoon, Frictional Games has announced that their upcoming Survival-Horror title, Amnesia: The Dark Descent, will officially launch on September 8th. To celebrate this big news, the developers have released a short teaser trailer. Check it out:

The above stream is courtesy of YouTube.

Two Worlds II Debut Trailer

Bad Company 2 PC patch estimated for June 28, CrossFire fix released

Great as DICE's Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is, the game has been suffering from some fairly serious problems (knifing not working properly, hit detection not always great), and a few critical ones (lag, crashes, freezes). On the whole the experience tends to be pretty good, but a patch to fix these issues and others has been eagerly awaited for more than a month now.

After failing QA several times, the patch has finally passed and is expected to roll out next Wednesday, June 23. The one that passed is the EA version -- the Steam version (which requires some special code of its own) still needs to be cleared in time, so it's possible it won't roll out for everyone until Monday, June 28 (holiday, end of the week would push it), though Associate Producer Barrie "Bazajaytee" Tingle says it's "looking good."

It turns out the reason for the patch continually failing testing was related to the SPECACT kits, which are camo gear packs for the various units. As such, these will be cut from the patch. It's definitely one of the highlights, but we can live without if it means a stable and reliable experience. The kits of course will come later -- we assume the next patch, if they figure out the issue by then.

However, players can look forward to Map Pack 3 -- all the details on that are here.

On a related note, CrossFire users may have noticed a performance drop on Bad Company 2 with the new 10.6 drivers -- ATI has confirmed this and will be releasing an application profile to fix it later today. We'll let you know when that and the patch go live.

Update: unfortunately the patch didn't pass Steam's QA -- something to do with mouse sensitivity. This means we'll likely see the patch Monday. Meanwhile, CrossFire users can grab the app profiles from Rage3D -- these will restore performance.

Source:Electronic Arts UK Community

Alternate Source:KitGuru

Section:PC Games

|

moreRelated news storiesGame therapy restores vision in child's eyeJune 24, '10Alpha Protocol patch in the works, DLC unlikelyJune 24, '10Counter-Strike: Source now available for Mac OS XJune 23, '10X-COM inspired project UFO: Alien Invasion version 2.3 releasedJune 21, '10Mass Effect 2 PC patch 1.02 releasedJune 16, '10Bad Company 2 returning to Vietnam with multiplayer expansionJune 15, '10Adobe Flash Player 10.1 released for Windows, Mac, LinuxJune 11, '10Bad Company 2's Onslaught mode dated, priced, picturedJune 10, '10Valve teases Team Fortress 2 for Mac and moreJune 09, '10Bad Company 2 console patches, Map Pack 3 releasedJune 09, '10

Alpha Protocol patch in the works, DLC unlikely

BioWare still strong PC supporter

In case there was any question, particularly after the release of the fabulous Dragon Age: Origins, BioWare is still backing the PC like crazy. The studio's designer and writing director Daniel Erickson says there's a lot of misconceptions about the platform that go around, but for them it's a very successful format.

In our interview with Mass Effect 2 project director Casey Hudson back in January, he noted Dragon Age was "making an incredibly strong case for the viability of large single-player PC games, which seem to have struggled in recent years." Erickson echoes these sentiments today, stating things are as good as ever.

"Every two or three years we hear the announcement of fantasy being dead, PC gaming being dead and RPGs being dead. And yet, all of the biggest games that ever come out - that set the records - are nearly always PC games, and a lot of them are fantasy games. The biggest game in the world is a fantasy, PC, RPG MMO.

We all know the drawbacks of PC. We all scream at our boxes and try to make stuff work. But at the same time, the interface is made for games. The mouse/keyboard interface allows so much less restriction [than console]."

He later adds this is the reason there was "no question" Star Wars: The Old Republic would be the lead format, and the same went for Dragon Age -- it's just the "natural place to be."

To reference another interview, Stardock CEO Brad Wardell told us in March, "When PlayStation and all that came out, it ate into the PC market. Other than that brief time, it was always like what it is today. Basically, everything's just returning to the historic norm." He added the biggest reason PC games don't sell sometimes is they're not built for the hardware that's in most people's systems, not piracy or console gaming or anything else.

That enough debunking for ya?

Source:ComputerAndVideoGames.com

Section:PC Games

|

moreRelated news storiesE3 2010: Vindictus shows Nexon still targeting mature gamersJune 25, '10Alpha Protocol patch in the works, DLC unlikelyJune 24, '10[Update] Portal 2 trailer goes under construction, makes jump to PS3June 18, '10Fallout Online website launches, beta entry begins [Update]June 17, '10New 'Dragon Age' DLC gets intimate with LelianaJune 16, '10Warhammer 40K: Dark Millennium MMO trailer, screens debutJune 16, '10

Dragon Age “Leliana’s Song” DLC Revealed

DC Universe Online Video Dev Diary

Giving us a peek behind the scenes tonight, Sony Online Entertainment has released a new video developer diary for their upcoming superhero-themed MMORPG, DC Universe Online. Running just under two minutes long, this video talks briefly about the game's loot, what it looks like and how you acquire it. Check it out:

DC Universe Online is scheduled for release in November 2010.

Mafia II Video Dev Diary #2

LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 Demo Released

Giving us a chance to "try before we buy", Traveller's Tales has released a demo for their latest Action-Adventure title, LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4. No word on what this demo includes exactly, but if you're still interested in checking it out, you can grab the 780MB installer from any of the following websites:

FileShackFilePlanetMore to come...

LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 hits stores in Europe today and will begin shipping in North America on June 29th.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1 ‘Debut’ Trailer

Alpha Protocol patch in the works, DLC unlikely

Though our review of Alpha Protocolwas glowing, there are definitely some problems with the game that could use patching. We can only speak for the PC version (though console gamers have certainly reported problems too), but the biggest include stuttering and mouse lag (fixable with a tweak, but still), enemies not respawning when they should, and in certain situations, poor keyboard and mouse support.

Interested parties then should be glad to know Obsidian is in fact working on a patch, despite speculation to the contrary. Company CEO Feargus Urquhart says they wanted to release a quick patch based on feedback, but "[Sega] wanted to take a different approach by gathering more information over a longer period of time and provide a patch then. That's what we're figuring out right now."

On the topic of DLC, Urquhart implies the odds don't look great, saying, "I don't know if [Sega is] talking about that at all yet. I can say that we're not working on any DLC right now. We'd love to, but we're not." This is likely an indication of less than stellar sales -- a shame as the game is a pretty perfect setup for additional content. Nevertheless, a patch could fix things up proper and get the word spread that this is a worthy release.

Source:GameBanshee

Sections:Microsoft Consoles, Console Games, PC Games, Sony Consoles

|

moreRelated news storiesBioWare still strong PC supporterJune 24, '10iPhone 4 issues reported shortly after launchJune 24, '10Counter-Strike: Source now available for Mac OS XJune 23, '10Bad Company 2 PC patch estimated for June 28, CrossFire fix releasedJune 23, '10E3 2010: Platinum presents gorgeous third-person shooter, VanquishJune 23, '10X-COM inspired project UFO: Alien Invasion version 2.3 releasedJune 21, '10

Alpha Protocol ‘Factions’ Trailer

Infinity Ward begins search for new recruits

After the major staff upheaval following conflicts with publisher Activision, Infinity Ward is now on the lookout for new developers. New job postings on Gamasutra show various positions at the studio are available like Senior Game Designer, Senior Animator, and Associate Producer.

Presumably, Activision wants the studio to get back to work on a new Call of Duty installment as soon as possible -- recent comments from CEO Bobby Kotick would certainly indicate they're more interested than ever in making profit from the series.

Also advertised are multiple major positions at startup Sledgehammer Games, who are working on a Call of Duty title themselves.

Source:Gamasutra

Sections:Microsoft Consoles, Console Games, PC Games, Sony Consoles

|

moreRelated news storiesE3 2010: Black Ops demo sends players into spaceJune 23, '10Activision CEO would wish for Call of Duty subscriptions in an instantJune 19, '10Battlefield 1943, Call of Duty Classic both Deals of the Week on LIVEJune 07, '10Call of Duty: Black Ops trailer debates the truthMay 20, '10Guinness World Records 2010 Gamer's Ed. names top 50 franchisesMay 06, '10Call of Duty goes Black Ops this NovemberApril 30, '10Activision Publishing CEO and President resignsApril 28, '1038 Infinity Ward designers sue Activision over withheld bonusesApril 27, '10

Activision CEO would wish for Call of Duty subscriptions in an instant

E3 2010: Battlestar Galactica Online utilizes Unity engine

Bigpoint's got it made in Europe, but the online-game publisher saw greener pastures across the pond. San Francisco is now home to Bigpoint's States-side operations, and they were present at E3 last week to show off their upcoming MMOG Battlestar Galactica Online (BGO).

The series began way back in the late '70s and hasn't stopped since. BGO takes place within the Battlestar Galactica universe and promises to keep things canon. Players are separated by faction, depending on whether they choose to play as humans or Cylons. It really comes down to whose ships you prefer, as the gameplay is totally ship-based. Think Sins of a Solar Empire, where you control spaceships of various make and model, and everything happens on a much larger scale -- in space.

You can't get more epic than space, a concept so grand that I would be justified in italicizing the word in every piece of writing from here on out. As things stand now, all exploration is done from the safety of your ship, and resources will likely come from farming/mining planets or asteroids.

Not much else has been revealed in terms of gameplay, though Bigpoint has confirmed both PvE and PvP combat. During the demo, we witnessed a little human scouter ship taking on multiple Cylon crafts with a peashooter, and the ensuing battle was pure eye candy.

You won't need to worry about specs or OS support either, since BGO is a browser-based MMO. Surprised? I certainly was.

Everything is made possible by the Unity engine, a multiplatform development tool that boasts the most powerful engine "this side of a million dollars." Basically, it's like Flash but better in nearly every way. On Flash, BGO wouldn't look so awesome or run nearly as smoothly.

Being browser-based and free-to-play, the game will support microtransactions, though it's currently unclear what you can get for real money.

After about four months in development, Battlestar Galactica Online is expected to launch in another six months, give or take, and beta is practically a sure thing.

Image Gallery

Sections:PC Games, E3

|

moreRelated news storiesE3 2010: GoldenEye 007 stars Daniel Craig, adapted from latest moviesJune 24, '10E3 2010: Black Ops demo sends players into spaceJune 23, '10E3 2010: Platinum presents gorgeous third-person shooter, VanquishJune 23, '10You Don't Know Jack to make witty and snarky returnJune 22, '10E3 2010: Brotherhood does multiplayer, Assassin's Creed styleJune 22, '10E3 2010: NFS Hot Pursuit takes friendly competition to a new levelJune 21, '10E3 2010: Bulletstorm loves Schadenfreude like a fat kid loves cakeJune 21, '10E3 2010: Crysis 2 breathes life into a dead cityJune 21, '10E3 2010: Dead Space 2 boasts greater focus on environments, characterJune 20, '10

FIFA Online Screenshots

Activision CEO would wish for Call of Duty subscriptions in an instant

Activision CEO Bobby Kotick is no stranger to making comments that would make any gamer's blood boil. In a recent interview with the prolific executive, he's said some things that just might leave gamers speechless.

When asked about something he could wish for to happen right now, Kotick cited theCall of Duty series, saying he'd like it to "be an online subscription service tomorrow." And he doesn't stop there either, piling it on with the hope that subscriptions are on the way and that the CoD audience is "clamoring" to pay up.

Source, please? There's never really been an instance where gamers want to go from free to paid for their favorite series unless there was a very good reason to do so. If you'd like to prove Mr. Kotick otherwise and keep Call of Duty free (and you probably do), just don't buy any games or DLC and spread the word to friends and cohorts. "Vote with your money," as some would say.

Source:Wall Street Journal

Sections:Microsoft Consoles, Console Games, PC Games, Sony Consoles

|

moreRelated news storiesE3 2010: GoldenEye 007 stars Daniel Craig, adapted from latest moviesJune 24, '10E3 2010: Black Ops demo sends players into spaceJune 23, '10Activision less dependant on console game sales than you thinkJune 23, '10Infinity Ward begins search for new recruitsJune 22, '10GoldenEye 007 coming to DS from n-SpaceJune 18, '10GoldenEye 007 on Wii confirmedJune 15, '10Nintendo & third party publishers prepare 3DS offeringsJune 15, '10

Activision less dependant on console game sales than you think

Defense Grid: Resurgence Map Pack 4 Released

Spreading the good news today, Hidden Path Entertainment has released a new map pack for their hit Strategy title, Defense Grid: The Awakening. Available through Steam for $0.99 USD, Resurgence Map Pack #4 features two new levels that promise to "challenge your tactical planning." Here's a brief description of the new battlegrounds:

In Kill Zone, will you construct your defenses near the spiral road in, the spiral road out, or the open platform in the middle? Perhaps all three! But you’ll need to be on your toes to deter the invaders. Overflow has numerous connected platforms that will provide countless options to turn back the enemies. Will you be able to keep the cores safe? There's only one way to find out!

Sound good? Then click here to purchase it!

Mass Effect 2 “Overlord” DLC gets a release date

Just Cause 2 'Tuk Tuk Boom Boom' DLC Released

Spicing things up tonight, Avalanche Studios has released a new DLC pack for their hit Open-World Action title, Just Cause 2. Available through Steam, this FREE DLC introduces a new vehicle called the "Tuk Tuk Boom Boom", which features improved handling and top-end speed, a jet-pack agency paint job, an open roof and a mounted cannon. So what are you waiting for? Get downloadin'!

On a related note, the pre-order bonus content is now available for purchase through Steam. So you might want to check that out as well. ;)

Steam Sale: 75% Off SEGA Sci-Fi Pack

Steam 24-Hour Sale: 75% Off Deus Ex Titles

Celebrating Deus Ex's 10th birthday, Valve has announced that both Deus Ex: Game of the Year Edition and Deus Ex: Invisible War are currently on sale through Steam for just $2.49 USD each (a 75% discount). The offer ends at 3PM PST on June 23rd. So if you want to replay this classic series while you wait for Human Revolution, here's your chance to grab them dirt-cheap! :D

Steam Sale: 75% Off SEGA Sci-Fi Pack

APB 'Designer Tool' Trailer

Moving right along, the fine folks over at Realtime Worlds have released a new teaser trailer for their upcoming Action-MMO, APB: All Points Bulletin. Running just over three minutes long, this video shows off the power of the Designer Tool. You can create some pretty awesome logos with it! Check it out:

The above stream is courtesy of YouTube.

APB is scheduled for release in North America on June 29th, Europe on July 1st and the UK on July 2nd.

Alpha Protocol ‘Factions’ Trailer

Activision less dependant on console game sales than you think

ActivisionBlizzard had its fill of gloating overthe most epic launch ever engineeredin thehistory of digital entertainmentwith Modern Warfare 2's release, yet in the end the publisher's console gamebusiness still account for a relatively small portion of itsoverall earnings. Indeed, Activision Blizzardpresident and CEORobert Kotick is a lot less concerned than he used to be over a waning future for disc-based gaming software. That's because a great deal of Activision's recent earnings before interest and tax instead stem from "non-console-based video games",particularly its online gaming business encompassing (you guessed it) the juggernaut that is World of Warcraft.

When quizzed by the Wall Street Journal over slumping sales for "traditional disk-based games", Kotick explains:

"I care a lot less. It used to be, I would religiously look at weekly retail sell-through data, but it's a very small part of our business now. Today, probably 70% of our operating profit comes from non-console-based video games. So, while you might see a month-to-month change or volatility against expectations, that doesn't really get us too concerned."

Furthermore, Activision Blizzard's VP of corporate communications, Maryanne Lataif, later confirmed that the 70 percent figure cited by Kotick does not and is not meant to include any console DLC sales. What "non-console-based video games" do include are PC and iPhone software.

To be sure, Kotick does not expect packaged software at retail to disappear anytime soon, due in part to certain gaming experiences being impossible to deliver solely through digital download channels alone. The biggest example is Activision's Guitar Hero franchise.

Source:Wall Street Journal

Alternate Source:Gamasutra

Sections:Console Games, PC Games

|

moreRelated news storiesActivision CEO would wish for Call of Duty subscriptions in an instantJune 19, '10GoldenEye 007 coming to DS from n-SpaceJune 18, '10GoldenEye 007 on Wii confirmedJune 15, '10Nintendo & third party publishers prepare 3DS offeringsJune 15, '10Neversoft Entertainment's next project is a shooterJune 09, '10Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock announcedJune 04, '10World of Warcraft 3.3.5 includes new Battle.netJune 03, '10Modern Warfare 2 soundtrack now availableJune 01, '10Symantec uncovers 44 million stolen online game accountsMay 28, '10Red Dead Redemption debuts on LIVE activity chartsMay 26, '10

Telltale Games tests waters for new franchises with game pilot program

E3 2010: Dead Space 2 boasts greater focus on environments, character

Come next January, Isaac Clarke will be relocated to the Sprawl, a city within a space station. Unfortunately for our friend, the hostiles are still ugly, and there are religious fanatics after his head.

At the E3 2010 closed-door demo, we saw a gameplay segment of Isaac running around the Church of Unitology, the perfect example of Visceral's focus on environments. Dead Space 2 will feature a wider range of environments, and if the demo is any indication, they'll look amazing too. The Church's base is very industrial, starting with a research facility frozen over, with creatures bursting out of tanks to ambush our no-longer silent hero.

Upstairs, the architecture takes a classier theme, closer to what you'd expect inside a church. Too bad about the monsters, though. New baddies include the Puker, which literally vomits toward you, doing damage at range. A mini-boss called a "Tripod" also makes numerous appearances, like inside the Unitology cathedral.

What's also great is a renewed emphasis on character development. Isaac will actually be speaking, even giving orders to those around him -- satisfying for anyone who suffered the menial tasks of Dead Space. You'll also be seeing Mr. Clarke's face, though his appearance is what most probably expected, falling in line with the ever-popular attractively generic visage.

Here are some notable facts to chew on.

Variety of beautiful environments, attributed to city locale
Updated Zero G mechanics to play with
New enemies, like Tripod and Puker
Isaac is more fleshed out as a character, becomes a driving factor in the story
Isaac's new suit boasts better overall stats, purchased during the Unitology sequence

Again, Dead Space 2 will be out on January 25, 2011.

Sections:Microsoft Consoles, Console Games, PC Games, Sony Consoles, E3

|

moreRelated news storiesE3 2010: Brotherhood does multiplayer, Assassin's Creed styleJune 22, '10E3 2010: NFS Hot Pursuit takes friendly competition to a new levelJune 21, '10E3 2010: Bulletstorm loves Schadenfreude like a fat kid loves cakeJune 21, '10E3 2010: Crysis 2 breathes life into a dead cityJune 21, '10[Update] Portal 2 trailer goes under construction, makes jump to PS3June 18, '10Monkey Island 2 Special Edition calls for an updateJune 17, '10E3 2010: F.3.A.R. balances horror with co-opJune 17, '10Metal Gear Solid: Rising debut is a cut above the restJune 17, '10Otomedius Excellent flies into US Xbox 360s this yearJune 16, '10Zelda: Skyward Sword, Ocarina of Time revealed for Wii, 3DSJune 16, '10

Dead Space 2 Gets January Release Date

Lead and Gold Update Adds Dedicated Server Support

Kicking things off today, the fine folks over at Fatshark have released a small patch for their Western-themed multiplayer shooter, Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West. This latest update adds dedicated server support to the game, which includes a slew of admin options. You can check out the full changelog right here or just relaunch your Steam client to start downloading. Cheers!

Portal Update Released

Weekend Impulse Deals

Attention bargain shoppers! Stardock's Impulse digital distribution service is offering discounts on several titles that may be of interest to you. Here's the skinny:

Lost Planet: Extreme Condition - Colonies Edition - $9.99 (reg $19.99)Tom Clancy’s EndWar - $9.99 (reg $19.99)Making History II w/Making History Bonus - $39.99 (reg $59.99)Out of the Park 11 - $19.99 (reg $39.99)Skyscraper Simulator - $16.34 (reg $27.24)CID The Dummy - $3.49 (reg $4.99)

A couple decent titles in there. ;)

Weekend Impulse Deals

Kings and Castles Video Blog #19

Keeping us entertained this weekend, Gas Powered Games have released a new video blog for their upcoming RTS, Kings and Castles. In this latest episode, Chris Taylor talks briefly about the development process and answers some community questions regarding their E3 trailer. Check it out:

The above stream is courtesy of YouTube.

Kings and Castles' release date is still TBA.

Kings and Castles Video Blog #14

Fallout Online website launches, beta entry begins [Update]

Interplay's "Project V13" has finally taken an official name: Fallout Online. The game has been in some stage of development or another for a few years now, though crippled by a lawsuit from recent rights owner Bethesda.

In any case, they've managed at last to get a website up with the official name and also offer a chance to get into the beta. We got a look at the site last evening which seemed to have minimal information and assets, though was well-done.

Unfortunately at the moment it appears to be more or less down, but you can keep checking back for a chance to get into the beta -- we'll update when it's running proper again. Update: seems to be in order, though it takes awhile to load.

All that's involved is signing up for the newsletter and selecting your favourite Fallout game (Fallout, Fallout 2, or Fallout: Tactics) -- we assume an indication of the directions they're considering.

Source:Fallout Online

Section:PC Games

|

moreRelated news storiesWarhammer 40K: Dark Millennium MMO trailer, screens debutJune 16, '10Old Republic grants players custom star ships, epic trailerJune 15, '10Oblivion total conversion mod "Nehrim" finally hits completionJune 09, '10Earthworm Jim HD trailer is all kinds of groovyJune 02, '10Guild Wars 2 gets personal with playersMay 26, '10APB launches in June with unique payment modelApril 30, '10

Crysis 2 release window pegged, beta entry begins

Medal of Honor screens offer another glance at multiplayer

The Medal of Honor multiplayer beta has officially begun today. If, for whatever reason, you aren't getting in on the FPS action, EA's got a few screenshots to keep you happy. Stare at them for a while, and they might start feeling like the real thing. That, or your blood sugar is getting low.

The beta's available for PC and both HD consoles. The "my PC can't handle it" excuse just isn't going to fly here.

Image Gallery

Sections:Microsoft Consoles, Console Games, PC Games, Sony Consoles

|

moreRelated news storiesNaughty Bear's multiplayer modes are cuddly and deadlyJune 21, '10E3 2010: NFS Hot Pursuit takes friendly competition to a new levelJune 21, '10E3 2010: Bulletstorm loves Schadenfreude like a fat kid loves cakeJune 21, '10

Medal of Honor MP beta goes live June 21

Arcania: Gothic 4 E3 2010 Trailer

Also available for download this afternoon is a new gameplay trailer for Spellbound Entertainment's upcoming Fantasy-RPG, Arcania: Gothic 4. Clocking in at exactly a minute and a half long, this video gives us a sneak peek at the Southern Islands and its inhabitants. Check it out:

The above stream is courtesy of GameTrailers. Hit-up any of the following websites for a mirror:

GamersHellFileShackActionTrip

ArcaniA: Gothic 4 is scheduled for release in Fall 2010.

F.E.A.R. 3 ‘Fettel’ Trailer

Trine 2 Announced, Features Co-op!

Grabbing our attention tonight, Atlus and Frozenbyte have announced that they are working on a sequel to their hit 2009 Action-Platformer, Trine. Scheduled for release in Spring 2011, Trine 2 will feature a brand new campaign with full 3-player co-op support, along with all-new puzzles, enemies and character abilities. Here's a short teaser trailer to help whet your appetite:

Thanks to YouTube for the above stream. A mirror is also available at the FileShack.

The Heavy E3 2010 Trailer

Counter-Strike: Source for Mac OS X on the way

Valve has been mighty busy earlier this week but that doesn't mean they've forgotten about us lowly gamers back at home. They took a small moment of their time to let out Counter-Strike: Source will arrive on the Mac during the week of June 21.

The popular team-based FPS pits terrorists versus counter-terrorists against each other as one side tries to prevent the other from successfully carrying out an objective such as the terrorists planting a bomb or counter-terrorists rescuing a hostage. New players should take a moment to learn the ropes as CS has some realistic elements in gameplay such as gun recoil, accuracy reduction when moving, and no respawning allowed per round.

Last major update we heard about CS:S was last month when the game would be receiving various stat-tracking features from Team Fortress 2 and some Source engine updates. There's probably a good chance that these latest changes will arrive the same day CS:S makes its Mac debut.

Source:Steam

Section:PC Games

|

moreRelated news stories[Update] Portal 2 trailer goes under construction, makes jump to PS3June 18, '10Adobe Flash Player 10.1 released for Windows, Mac, LinuxJune 11, '10Team Fortress 2 now available for MacsJune 10, '10Valve teases Team Fortress 2 for Mac and moreJune 09, '10Valve delays Portal 2, ruins E3 surpriseJune 09, '10E-mail to fan from Valve's Gabe Newell is epic, hilariousJune 04, '10

Portal is free until the end of May

New Civilization V screens conquer your monitor

No matter what you do in a round of Civilization, you're always bound to get yourself in a tussle with barbarians and rival civilizations. Civilization V is no different where the battles are just as epic and prettier than ever.

What may change, however, is your battle strategy as the square tiles fans have been used to for the last few years are now being replaced by hexagon tiles, adding more movement options and mix things up a bit on how you and your enemies approach each other. That should also make your escape route more flexible when Gandhi's nuking your main city.

The interface has also undergone some changes and tweaks, showing more info, stats, and frequently used options where needed; today's batch of screens also reveal the ability to buy tiles which should make getting access to resources a little easier. Managing your civilization and units will be smoother than ever when the game hits this September 21 (September 24 in Europe).

Image Gallery

Section:PC Games

|

moreRelated news stories[Update] New Pokémon Black and White creatures spotted in the wildJune 12, '10Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock announcedJune 04, '10

Bad Company 2 screens showcase Onslaught mode

Zeno Clash Devs Announce "Rock of Ages"

Kicking things off today, Atlus and the ACE Team have officially announced the development of a new Strategy game called "Rock of Ages". Due out in Spring 2011, the game has you rolling giant boulders through enemy defenses in an attempt to destroy their castle. Miss and it's their turn! Here's a little snippet from the press release:

"A rock-solid combination of deep strategy, rock-rolling action, and captivating art and music from throughout history, Rock of Ages delivers incredibly satisfying castle-crashing gameplay with a look and feel that's much more than a stone's throw from the competition," stated Aram Jabbari, Manager of PR and Sales at Atlus. "Truly, the satisfaction felt when successfully crushing your opponent's intricate defenses with your gigantic siege stone, seeing their forces driven from before you and hearing the lamentation of their citizens, has no equal. Multiplayer support means you can compete against a friend. Will the end of the battle find you yelling 'I rock,' o220er will you be crying out 'no moss' instead?"

And here's a short teaser trailer:

Thanks to GameTrailers for the above stream. A mirror is also available at the FileShack.

Left 4 Dead 2 “Follow the Liter” Mutation available now

The First Templar E3 2010 Trailer

Moving right along, Haemimont Games have released a debut trailer for their upcoming Action-Adventure title, The First Templar. Running just under two minutes long, this video introduces us to the game's main character via a mix in cinematic cutscenes and in-game action. Check it out:

Thanks to GameTrailers for the above stream. Mirrors are also available at the following websites:

GamersHellFileShackFilePlanet

The First Templar is scheduled for release in Q1 2011.

The First Templar debut screens carry a familiar feel

Mass Effect 2 PC patch 1.02 released

The Overlord DLC launched today for Mass Effect 2 if you didn't notice, as did a new patch for the PC version of the game. This update focuses almost entirely on bug fixes, which will please those that've been running into any particularly bothersome issues. As well, mining gets yet another improvement.

See below for the release notes and grab the patch at the source.

Changes to 1.02Reduced the amount mining time required to acquire all upgrades.Fixed an issue where DLC weapon selections would appear blank on the Weapon Loadout screen after removing DLC.Fixed an issue where heavy weapon crosshairs sometimes remain on screen after entering a vehicle.Fixed an issue where enemies sometimes 'pop-up' onto cover after taking damage.Fixed an issue where Grunt's loyalty power sometimes doesn't unlock.Fixed an issue where the Squad screen wouldn't update properly after removing the Alternate Appearance Pack #1 DLC.Fixed an issue where save games that used DLC while offline could not be loaded.Fixed an issue where the active save career would sometimes change after loading saves with unmounted DLC.Fixed an issue where the game would sometimes crash during the Jarrahe mission when using Windows 7 (64-bit).Fixed an issue where ammo powers activated by a henchman would sometimes overwrite the players active ammo power.Fixed an issue where under certain circumstances, spacebar would not activate objects.Fixed an issue where Loading saves while DLC is unmounted will change your active career.Fixed an issue where the text for some characters in the keybinding GUI would appear as English in foreign language versions of the game.

Source:BioWare Social Network

Section:PC Games

|

moreRelated news storiesBad Company 2 PC patch estimated for June 23, CrossFire fix todayJune 18, '10New 'Dragon Age' DLC gets intimate with LelianaJune 16, '10Mass Effect 2 PC, Xbox 360 demo releasedJune 15, '10Old Republic grants players custom star ships, epic trailerJune 15, '10[Update] Mass Effect 2 "Overlord" DLC gets a release dateJune 11, '10Adobe Flash Player 10.1 released for Windows, Mac, LinuxJune 11, '10Valve teases Team Fortress 2 for Mac and moreJune 09, '10Bad Company 2 console patches, Map Pack 3 releasedJune 09, '10Demigod 1.30 patch releasedJune 08, '10MAG patch 1.06 releasedJune 08, '10

Mass Effect 2 PC, Xbox 360 demo released

Mass Effect 2 PC, Xbox 360 demo released

BioWare doesn't traditonally release demos for its games, but that changed when we heard last week a demo would be coming for Mass Effect 2 -- the Xbox 360 version, at least.

Today it's released for both PC and 360, so everyone but PS3 gamers can finally get a taste of what the fuss is about. And if you are new, don't fret as it's designed to introduce new players to the series with its "Story-so-far" video and possibly the tutorial. You may want to skip over the video if you like to remain spoiler-free -- the original game is definitely essential playing if you're keen.

It's a juicy demo, too, featuring the first two missions and one bonus mission, adding up to about 90 minutes of gameplay. Also cool: any progress you make can be carried over to the full version of the game.

Both PC and Xbox 360 gamers should head to the source to begin their download; PC users can also use GamersHell as an alternate.

Source:BioWare | Mass Effect 2

Alternate Source:GamersHell

Sections:Microsoft Consoles, Console Games, PC Games

|

moreRelated news storiesMass Effect 2 PC patch 1.02 releasedJune 16, '10[Update] Mass Effect 2 "Overlord" DLC gets a release dateJune 11, '10War for Cybertron multiplayer demo hits Xbox LIVEJune 10, '10Guild Wars 2 skipping E3, first hands-on at gamescomJune 03, '10Alien Breed: Impact demo, debut trailer releasedMay 28, '10Green Day: Rock Band demo now availableMay 26, '10Legendary Pictures picks up rights for Mass Effect filmMay 25, '10BioWare planning "bunch of" DLC between Mass Effect 2 and 3May 20, '10Dragon Age: Origins PS3, Mass Effect 2 360 patches releasedMay 18, '10

BioWare planning “bunch of” DLC between Mass Effect 2 and 3

Medal of Honor MP beta goes live June 21

Many gamers are looking forward to the new Medal of Honor, what with the franchise being out of commission for so long. The FPS wars are escalating at the same time, with EA and Activision going head to head, fighting for genre domination.

As Call of Duty maintains its grip, EA's fighting back, wielding their not-so-secret weapon without shame -- I mean DICE, by the way. The Battlefield developers are making their mark in the Medal of Honor, molding the multiplayer as EALA takes care of the campaign, with some assistance from Tier 1 Operators.

You'll get a taste of the new MoH in a week, when the multiplayer beta launches for PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 next Monday, June 21. If you happen to be Bad Company 2 VIP and pre-order MoH, then the beta will become available to you this Thursday, June 17.

The EA press conference today, we watched 24 players participate in Team Assault, a team deathmatch mode. The map, Kabul City Ruins, is one of two available in the MP beta, the other being Helmand Valley.

Do we have screenshots? Yes. A few are taken from the "Leave a Message" trailer, and the rest give you a little glimpse of the potentially epic multiplayer.

Image Gallery

Sections:Microsoft Consoles, Console Games, PC Games, Sony Consoles, E3

|

moreRelated news storiesE3 2010: F.3.A.R. balances horror with co-opJune 17, '10

“Rapture Metro Pack” available now for BioShock 2