Operation Flashpoint: Red River Gets April Release Date

Pinning down an exact release date for us this afternoon, Codemasters has announced that their upcoming tactical shooter, Operation Flashpoint: Red River, will begin shipping to stores across Europe on April 21st and North America on April 26th. To celebrate this news, the develeopers have released a new gameplay trailer, which "introduces the game’s conflict in Tajikistan from the perspective of Corporal Ryan Balletto and focuses on his hope that the dangerous and strange world of Tajikistan can be his personal proving ground." Enjoy:

Rage 'Untethered' Trailer

Also available for download this afternoon is a new trailer for id Software's highly anticipated first person shooter, Rage. Clocking in at just under two minutes long, this video offers some storyline tidbits via a mix of cinematic cutscenes and in-game action. Check it out:

The above stream is courtesy of GameTrailers. Prefer a manual download? We have you covered:

GamersHellFileShackFilePlanetWorthPlaying

Rage is scheduled for release in North America on September 13th and Europe on September 16th.

Rare art staff suffers cutbacks, replaced by contractors

Not all is well at Rare, as anonymous sources have revealed to the media. Rumors first began circulating last month following a post on 4Chan, which read, "In an effort to cut costs. Rare has cut their last permanent members of art staff. All artists working there are temps.” Confirmation came only recently, by way of two individuals who've been promised anonymity in exchange for information.

According to one source, the entire 42-person art department at Rare has been informed that jobs at the company's Twycross headquarters are at risk of redundancy -- or layoffs. As such, staff members were told to apply for 23 managerial positions at Rare's new Birmingham office, meaning 19 employees will be losing their jobs. However, the source also mentioned "some negative feeling has led to additional artists taking the very generous voluntary redundancy packages," putting the total number above 20.

The second source didn't have solid numbers to offer, but noted that "due to the consultation period coming in, it would seem to be more than 20." Under EU employment law, 19 is the max number of layoffs allowed without the need for a full consultation process.

Sources indicated that the remaining positions are all “management roles in name or fact, chiefly project managers. Meaning that all the actual artists are redundant.” When contacted for comment, a Microsoft spokesperson stated that only "a small number of employees" in the art department have been notified that their jobs were at risk.

“I can confirm that a small number of employees in the art department of Rare Studios have been informed that their roles are at risk of redundancy," the spokesperson said. "While redundancies are never easy, these organizational changes are part of Rare’s ongoing strategy and operational planning which typically coincides with the shipment of a title. We are working closely with the affected employees to support them through this transition and help them apply for other roles within Microsoft."

"Whilst we’re not discussing the exact numbers involved, I can assure you that it’s far fewer than you’ve indicated and represents a small percentage of the total Rare team."

This certainly isn't the first time a studio turns to independent contractors for development. As a whole, the gaming industry has been following in the footsteps of the movie industry, employing the "Hollywood model" of employing workers on short-term contracts and outsourcing development to different studios. By doing so, companies save money on wages and would not be subject to employment legislation.

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SHIFT 2 Unleashed trailer introduces next-gen supercar Pagani Huayra

So how about them fancy cars? Right, the ones we could never afford to drive in -- much less race them. That's why EA has Need for Speed, and the latest SHIFT 2 Unleashed trailer gives us a closer look at the Pagani Huarya, the "next-gen" in supercars.

Before we get to the oh-so-shiny trailer, however, there is a bit of bad news for Europeans waiting on the game. SHIFT 2 was originally meant to hit EU and the UK before North America, but release dates for the first two regions have been pushed back.

While North America is still getting the game on March 29, the EU and UK releases are delayed by a week, now falling on March 31 and April 1, respectively. Recently (though not entirely relevant), Tecmo Koei's upcoming hack 'n' slash titles Dynasty Warriors 7 and Warriors: Legends of Troy also suffered a week's delay across the pond.

But it's okay, because there's a totally awesome trailer to help mitigate your pain. Here, just watch the video, and do not resist the fuzzy feelings that this trailer stirs within your soul. Select "720p" and just embrace it.

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

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moreRelated news storiesDead Island trailer a huge hit, animators "blown away" by positive receptionFebruary 19, '11Bizarre Creations cinematic director bids studio farewell with a videoFebruary 18, '11Medal of Honor sequel confirmedFebruary 18, '11One million Dragon Age II demo downloads unlock in-game itemsFebruary 18, '11Bulletstorm "Whip, Kick, Boom" trailer features P.O.D. and more skillful killsFebruary 18, '11Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 'Reverie' DLC delayed to MarchFebruary 17, '11NFS Hot Pursuit content packs adds two new game modes, six new carsFebruary 17, '11

Portal 2 System Requirements & Valentine's Day Trailer

Spilling the beans this afternoon, Valve Software has revealed some official minimum system requirements for their highly anticipated puzzle game, Portal 2. So what kind of setup will you need? Here's the skinny:

OS: Windows 7 / Vista / XP / 2000Processor: 3.0 GHz P4, Dual Core 2.0 (or higher) or AMD64X2 (or higher)Memory: 1GB XP / 2GB VistaHard Disk Space: At least 7.6 GB of SpaceVideo: Video card must be 128 MB or more and should be a DirectX 9-compatible with support for Pixel Shader 2.0b (ATI Radeon X800 or higher / NVIDIA GeForce 7600 or higher / Intel HD Graphics 2000 or higher).Audio: DirectX 9.0c compatible

Also, Valve has released a new Valentine's Day-themed trailer. Enjoy:

The above stream is courtesy of YouTube. Mirrors are also available at FilePlanet, FileShack and WorthPlaying.com.

Alice: Madness Returns Teaser Trailer

Fresh out of the oven, Spicy Horse Games have cooked up a new teaser trailer for their highly anticipated Action-Horror title, Alice: Madness Returns. Running exactly a minute long, this cinematic video features Alice's return to a dark and twisted Wonderland. Enjoy:

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

Alice: Madness Returns is scheduled for release in Q4 2011.

Latest Guild Wars 2 trailer tours Kryta, the last bastion of humanity

ArenaNet will be spending the next few weeks familiarizing us with each major race in Guild Wars 2. Not surprisingly, these week-long spotlights have kicked off with a special on humans, and we're betting the charr come next.

This week is all about the squishy but oh-so-beautiful humans of Guild Wars2, and they've come a long way since the first game. If you've kept up with developing lore, then you're no doubt aware that Kryta is currently the last known bastion of humanity and a starting point for human players. Today's trailer focuses on the human race's homeland, and it is absolutely gorgeous; then again, this is Guild Wars, so you hardly need us to tell you that.

Humans might not be doing quite as well as the other races, but that doesn't mean their home can't look pretty. Between Kryta's natural slendor and the medieval European architecture, you'll be spending a lot of time just standing around taking screenshots.

Section:PC Games

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moreRelated news storiesMortal Kombat trailer shows off Noob Saibot's movesFebruary 16, '11Tactics Ogre launch trailer celebrate PSP remake, plenty of gameplayFebruary 16, '11Anomaly: Warzone Earth gameplay detailed in latest trailerFebruary 16, '11Marvel vs. Capcom 3 launch trailer recaps full roster, reveals costume DLCFebruary 15, '11Final Fantasy IV Complete screens shows updated graphicsFebruary 15, '11Chibiterasu takes on Astroidean in latest Okamiden trailerFebruary 15, '11Paxton Fettel playable in F.E.A.R. 3 single-player, new trailer and screensFebruary 14, '11CliffyB appears in final Bulletstorm 'Bulletpoints' videoFebruary 14, '11Valve opens Portal 2 pre-orders with hilarious Valentine's Day trailerFebruary 14, '11Crysis 2 raw gameplay video shows off weapon stats, stealth killsFebruary 14, '11

DC Universe Online serial keys are one-time use only

So apparently nearly 50 percent of DC Universe Online players are running the PS3 version. Fascinating stuff. Well, we hope you really like the game and plan to play for a long, long time. Why? Because that's all your copy is good for, whether you've got it for PS3 or PSN.

That serial key you punched in to activate DCUO was only good for one-time use, meaning you can't (or shouldn't, at least) resell the game at a later date to someone else. This is pretty old news to PC gamers, who are probably making a face at their monitors right now and saying, "Thank you, Captain Obvious." For console gaming, however, it's a bit of a change.

"Once the PSN key has been consumed with a disk it cannot be resold/ replayed with the second user adding a sub," Sony Online Entertainment recently confirmed. "Only the original consumer can use that account. Disk and account are one."

Basically, the key is attached to your PSN account and can't be reused by another subscriber, and secondhand buyers won't be able to apply for a new key with old copies of the game. Bummer.

Source:LazyGamer

Sections:Console Games, PC Games, Sony Consoles

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moreRelated news storiesMortal Kombat trailer shows off Noob Saibot's movesFebruary 16, '11Surprise DJ Hero 2 DLC packs in Pendulum tracksFebruary 15, '11Nearly half of total DC Universe Online subscribers are on PS3February 11, '11Black Ops 'First Strike' maps headed to PS3 in MarchFebruary 09, '11Dark Souls director sympathizes with paranoid shield usersFebruary 09, '11Luthor outwits Batman in latest DC Universe Online cinematicFebruary 09, '11The Darkness II finally announced, four years after originalFebruary 08, '11From Software spices up Dark Souls challenge, varietyFebruary 04, '11

CliffyB appears in final Bulletstorm 'Bulletpoints' video

EA, Epic, and People Can Fly have released the final 'Bulletpoints' video, and it stars CliffyB once again. He also made an appearance in the second video in the 'Bulletpoints' series, in which we see the guy sucking his thumb underneath his desk, talking about his grandfather.

But it was Epic president Mike Capps who brought a touch of class and philosophy to Bulletstorm with the first 'Bulletpoints.' We saw a man peering out from behind a shower curtain, looking not unlike a disappointed puppy. Granted, we're not sure what puppies have to be disappointed over, but the imagery fits.

CliffyB returns with a lighter and a can of Oust Air Sanitizer in the final 'Bulletpoints,' which he uses to create an unreasonably massive ball of fire. We wish that was possible, but just in case it is, please don't try that trick at home -- at least not without a friend standing by to call 911.

Bulletstorm will finally be out next week on February 22, for Xbox 360, PS3, and PC.

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

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moreRelated news storiesValve opens Portal 2 pre-orders with hilarious Valentine's Day trailerFebruary 14, '11Crysis 2 raw gameplay video shows off weapon stats, stealth killsFebruary 14, '11Combat Arms community names upcoming map 'Costa Recon,' new trailerFebruary 11, '11Latest Guild Wars 2 trailer tours Kryta, the last bastion of humanityFebruary 11, '11Homefront "Resistance" trailer marks second American RevolutionFebruary 11, '11Dissidia 012[duodecim] Final Fantasy newbies show off EX-Burst attacks in...February 10, '11New 'Orientation' video dives deeper into L.A. Noire with nothing but gameplayFebruary 10, '11Bulletstorm heavily censored in Germany despite adult ratingFebruary 09, '11Luthor outwits Batman in latest DC Universe Online cinematicFebruary 09, '11

Bulletstorm heavily censored in Germany despite adult rating

Bulletstorm is going to earn a 'Mature' rating no matter which region it releases in -- this much is a given. Even so, German versions will come heavily censored, even with the game's 18+ rating.

The German Youth Protection Board (BPjM) has banned graphic/violent games in the past, even developing a reputation for its quick actions against offensive media; but games already given a USK seal -- meaning they've been rated -- are off limits, as is the case with Bulletstorm. That said, the BPjM can still censor rated games, so like many other 'Mature' titles before it, Bulletstorm will be appropriately butchered before hitting German retail.

EA faced a similar issue with Medal of Honor, which wound up on the BPjM's ban list for containing content so offensive it could have been prosecuted criminally. Activision's Call of Duty: Black Ops, on the other hand, got by with heavy censorship.

That hasn't prevented German gamers from simply ordering uncensored versions. Retailers like Amazon.de, for instance, revealed that PEGI rated games tend to sell better than German versions.

Source:GamePolitics

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

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moreRelated news storiesMass Effect 3 will be scored by legendary composer Clint MansellFebruary 10, '11

Dragon Age 2 Goes Gold

Spreading the good news today, BioWare has announced that their highly anticipated Fantasy-RPG, Dragon Age 2, has officially gone gold and will begin shipping to stores across North America on March 8th and in Europe on March 11th. For those of you wondering if your PC is up to the task, be sure to try out our Game-O-Meter!

 

 

Shogun 2 'Cinematic Intro' Trailer

Keeping things interesting this weekend, Creative Assembly has released a new teaser trailer for their upcoming Strategy title, Shogun 2: Total War. Clocking in at three and a half minutes long, this video gives us a sneak peek at the game's intro cinematic. Pretty cool stuff! Check it out:

The above stream is courtesy of YouTube. Mirrors are also available at the following websites:

GamersHellFileShackActionTrip

Shogun 2: Total War is scheduled for release on March 15th.

Harmonix restructuring hits full-time staff with layoffs

Back in December, Viacom officially handed Harmonix back... to itself. The studio graduated to private ownership after being put up for sale by its parent company.

The inevitable restructuring process that followed hasn't been pretty. Harmonix confirmed yesterday that they had laid off a number of full-time employees, though no solid numbers were given. Joystiq reported that figures could fall between 12 to 15 percent of the 240-person staff.

"Harmonix is restructuring our organization to bring it into alignment with our current product development plans," the statement read. "Unfortunately, this means reducing the number of full-time staff. We sincerely appreciate the work of each and every one of these employees. Harmonix is working to ensure that those affected are well taken care of as we make this change."

The studio's current lineup remains a mystery for the most part. A still-unnamed 3DS music game is currently in development, and Harmonix has promised continued support for Rock Band 3 and Dance Central.

Sections:Console Games, PC Games

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moreRelated news storiesThree Super Meat Boy tracks set to appear on Rock Band NetworkFebruary 14, '11Activision to axe seven percent of total workforceFebruary 10, '11Kotick unveils new Call of Duty studio 'Beachhead'February 09, '11Activision kills Guitar Hero, True CrimeFebruary 09, '11343 Industries now hiring for the "future of Halo"January 21, '11

Homefront "Resistance" trailer marks second American Revolution

If there's one theme shooter fans never tire of, it's the whole "America is being invaded!" thing, whether by an external (often Communist) force or internally via conspiratorial plot by bureaucrats.

Homefront takes that idea one step further to a time after the invasion had already happened. The latest trailer offers more glimpses of the United States two years following the North Korean occupation, painting a picture of brewing dissidence. You know what they say: violence begets violence. So beneath the wretched surface, amidst feelings of desperation and forfeit is the impending rebellion -- the second American Revolution, if you will.

Homefront will be hitting next month, on March 15 for next-gen consoles (Is "next-gen" still valid?) and PC.

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

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moreRelated news storiesCombat Arms community names upcoming map 'Costa Recon,' new trailerFebruary 11, '11Latest Guild Wars 2 trailer tours Kryta, the last bastion of humanityFebruary 11, '11Dissidia 012[duodecim] Final Fantasy newbies show off EX-Burst attacks in...February 10, '11New 'Orientation' video dives deeper into L.A. Noire with nothing but gameplayFebruary 10, '11

The Witcher 2 Video Dev Diary #4

Giving us a peek behind the scenes today, CD Projekt RED has whipped up a new video developer diary for their highly anticipated Action-RPG, The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings. Clocking in at four and a half minutes long, this video touches on the game's environments and how they were designed. Pretty interesting stuff! Check it out:

The above stream is courtesy of GameTrailers. Mirrors are also available at GamersHell and thr FileShack.

The Witcher 2 is scheduled for release in May 2011.

DiRT 3 Video Dev Diary #3

Hitting the web today is a new video developer diary for Codemasters' highly anticipated off-road racing title, DiRT 3. Clocking in at two and a half minutes long, this video touches on car physics, handling, crashes and more! Check it out:

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

DiRT 3 is scheduled for release worldwide on May 24th.

Black Ops 'First Strike' maps headed to PS3 in March

The first Black Ops map pack has already been on Xbox LIVE for over a week, but if you own the game on PS3, know that you'll be getting the 'First Strike' DLC early next month.

Come March 3, the new maps will be released to PSN with the same $15 price tag. Probably a bit later than most prefer, but at least you can stop wondering. As for the PC version, Acti and Treyarch have only stated "later this quarter." Bummer. On the bright side, they're saying a release date should be "announced soon."

If you need a recap, 'First Strike' adds five new maps to the multiplayer, including the 'Ascension' zombie map. The other four drop players into a variety of new and familiar locations, from an abandoned research station called 'Discovery' to the city of 'Kowloon,' an overhaul of the single-player map.

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

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moreRelated news storiesDuke Nukem Forever 'Balls of Steel Edition' packs in bust of Duke NukemFebruary 11, '11Blizzard looking into console version of DiabloFebruary 11, '11Activision to axe seven percent of total workforceFebruary 10, '11No more DLC for GH: Warriors of Rock or DJ Hero 2February 10, '11Torchlight 2 delayed to July 2011February 09, '11Kotick unveils new Call of Duty studio 'Beachhead'February 09, '11Activision kills Guitar Hero, True CrimeFebruary 09, '11Dark Souls director sympathizes with paranoid shield usersFebruary 09, '11The Darkness II finally announced, four years after originalFebruary 08, '11Crysis 2 will be optimized for current hardwareFebruary 08, '11

Torchlight 2 delayed to July 2011

A little more patience will be needed before you can get your hands on Torchlight 2 as Runic Games has delayed the game's release from its May/June 2011 timeframe to July 2011. The reason for the delay was Runic Games needing some extra manpower to polish the Xbox LIVE Arcade version of Torchlightfor its March 9 debut.

There's some good coming out of this delay, however: Torchlight 2 will receive "optimisations and technical improvements" made for the LIVE version of Torchlight. Progress on Torchlight 2 is coming along nicely with the game "playing really snappy" and sporting sharp visuals along with improved animations.

Source:Digital Spy

Section:PC Games

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moreRelated news storiesCave Story headed to 3DS as launch window titleFebruary 11, '11Duke Nukem Forever 'Balls of Steel Edition' packs in bust of Duke NukemFebruary 11, '11Blizzard looking into console version of DiabloFebruary 11, '11

Torchlight II Slips To Summer 2011

Chatting with DigitalSpy.com tonight, Runic Games' Max Schaefer revealed that their highly anticipated Action-RPG, Torchlight 2, has been delayed a few months due to the team being busy porting the original Torchlight to Xbox Live Arcade. Previously scheduled for release in Spring 2011, Torchlight 2 is now expected to hit stores this Summer (possibly July). It's not all bad news though! Word is the extra time has allowed them to add some extra polish:

"It's going great, however. We've actually got some optimisations and technical improvements that went into making the Xbox version that we've been able to go back and implement into Torchlight II for PC.

"We've got load times down, we've got some animation stuff that's a little bit better, and it's feeling really good right now."

Can't wait! :)

Fray Announced

Wrapping things up tonight, Brain Candy has officially announced the development of a new sci-fi RTS called "Fray". Due out in 2011, the game will focus on squad-based play with upgradeable gear/abilities and a unique turn-based combat system. Here's the scoop:

PARIS, France - February 8, 2011Brain Candy, an independent French game developer, today revealed the first details for its upcoming sci-fi title, Fray, coming to PC and Mac in 2011. Fray is a turn-based, multiplayer, real-time strategy game that eliminates the waiting involved with most turn-based games by introducing simultaneous play.

Fray is a gritty sci-fi game set in 2098, a world where civil society is on the brink of collapse. Three mega-corporations vie for control of the Earth and its remaining resources. In a world where most human interaction is confined to cyberspace, mankind has created a variety of virtual reality modules in which to escape the harsh realities of life and experience the full range of human emotions once known by generations past. Some modules are created for human enjoyment while others have been created to serve more devious purposes. One of the most pivotal virtual environments is the combat module, Fray.

Players will enter Fray with a squad of four characters, each with their own specialties. Outfit your squad with a variety of weapons, items and abilities to prepare them for combat. Once inside, Fray is played in turns, where all players choose their actions simultaneously. When actions are chosen, or the timer has run out, the action then plays out in real time cinematic fashion with dynamic camera angles. By virtue of the simultaneous action selection system, the delay and frustration of most turn-based strategy games has been eliminated.

With an original electronic soundtrack, 3D visuals, and motion-captured animations, Fray is poised to be one of the premiere new game properties of 2011.

For media interested in a first-look demo of the game at GDC San Francisco from March 1-3, 2011, please contact: sam@triplepointpr.com

For more information, please visit Brain Candy’s official website at: http://www.braincandy.fr.

Follow Brain Candy on twitter: www.twitter.com/braincandygames

H2225ead over to the game's official website for some artwork!

Crysis 2 will sport dedicated PC servers

Hot on the heels of the new multiplayer trailer and demo news, we're told the PC version of Crysis 2 will support dedicated servers.

"We know that we have a lot of enthusiastic PC fans out there and we think it’s awesome!" EA writes. "A great community is something that every gaming company strives for. We also know how much our PC gamers love dedicated servers, and we’re pleased to announce that Crysis 2 will support them!"

Server support will extend worldwide -- to see the full list of partners, head to the source.

Source:Crysis 2 Blog

Section:PC Games

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moreRelated news storiesCrysis 2 video explores multiplayer upgrade pathsFebruary 10, '11Crysis 2 will be optimized for current hardwareFebruary 08, '11Crysis 2 'Be Strong' trailer shows more Nanosuit actionFebruary 03, '11Crysis 2 multiplayer demo confirmed for PCJanuary 27, '11Play Crysis 2 with Crytek this SaturdayJanuary 27, '11Crysis 2 briefing gives tour of 'Skyline,' explains gameplay in detailJanuary 25, '11Crysis 2 multiplayer demo coming January 25, Xbox LIVE exclusiveJanuary 21, '11Crysis 2 'Be The Weapon' trailer is a keeper, features NINDecember 17, '10Crysis 2 multiplayer beta footage surfacesNovember 09, '10

Blizzard looking into console version of Diablo

There's a demand out there to see the Diablo series make an appearance on consoles once again (you remember the old PlayStation Diablo from 1998, right?) and if you're wondering when that'll happen, the day may not be far off. Blizzard CEO Mike Morhaime revealed the company is looking into how Diablo could be handled on consoles.

Before you get excited over the possibility of seeing Diablo III on your Xbox 360 or PS3, Blizzard has a few issues to solve before they can go on with the project. These issues range from patching the game in a timely manner to adding expansions. Morhaime does admit that Diablo would be the easiest game to port out of all the Blizzard franchises out there so have a little hope.

We think Blizzard might take a good look at Xbox LIVE Arcade version of Torchlightsince it plays very similarly to Diablo. If Runic Games can pull off the feat, Blizzard should have no problem doing it themselves.

Source:Joystiq

Sections:Console Games, PC Games

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moreRelated news storiesTorchlight 2 delayed to July 2011February 09, '11Kotick unveils new Call of Duty studio 'Beachhead'February 09, '11Black Ops 'First Strike' maps headed to PS3 in MarchFebruary 09, '11Killzone 3 open beta patch fixes stat updating, flickering issuesFebruary 09, '11Marvel vs. Capcom 3 gets Shadow Mode DLCFebruary 07, '11Fallout: New Vegas 'Dead Money' headed to PC, PS3 on February 22February 04, '11Retail versions of Tales of Monkey Island headed to EuropeFebruary 04, '11Yars' Revenge being remade into on-rails shooterFebruary 03, '11

Two Worlds II Video Dev Diary #3

Giving us a peek behind the scenes tonight, Reality Pump has cooked up a new video developer diary for their latest RPG, Two Worlds II. Clocking in at three and a half minutes long, this video touches on the different game modes available and various feature upgrades. Check it out:

The above stream is courtesy of GameTrailers. A mirror is also available at GamersHell.

Two Worlds II is in stores now!

Steam Weekend Deal: 85% Off King Arthur

Saving us a few bucks this weekend, Valve has announced that NeoCore Games' Strategy-RPG, King Arthur - The Role-playing Wargame, is currently on sale through Steam for just $2.99 USD (an 85% savings). The deal runs from now until 10am Pacific Time on Monday, February 7th. So if you're into medieval warfare, you might want to give is a shot. :)

Retail versions of Tales of Monkey Island headed to Europe

Europe will soon get two special retail versions of Tales of Monkey Island that are filled to the brim with bonus items. If you haven't played the latest entry in the Monkey Island series, these goodies may entice you to try it out.

The29.99 Premium Edition offers PC desktop wallpapers, forum avatars, and a digital production art gallery. For big spenders,the49.99 Collector's Edition packs in a map of the Gulf of Melange, Voodoo Card, Club 41 coaster, Pirate piece of Eight coin, Trial of the Century badge, and all the content from the Premium Edition.

PC owners and Monkey Island fans can pick up their copy starting April 8.

Section:PC Games

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moreRelated news storiesThe 3rd Birthday 'Twisted Edition' coming to EuropeFebruary 02, '11Lengthy Marvel vs. Capcom 3 intro unites heroes together for battleFebruary 02, '11Portal 2 PS3 co-op mode requires Steam account to playFebruary 01, '11Next Combat Arms battle map revealed, will be named by playersJanuary 26, '11Magicka launch trailer demonstrates tons of magic spell varietyJanuary 25, '11Super Street Fighter IV 3D's Figurine Mode can be distributed to any 3DSJanuary 24, '11

THQ pulls plug on Company of Heroes Online, WWE Online

Early this week THQ pulled the rug from under players currently in the open beta for Company of Heroes Online by abruptly announcing that the testing period will end on March 31st as it "evaluates the next steps for the Company of Heroes series

DiRT 3 Gets May Release Date

Spreading the good news today, Codemasters has announced that their upcoming off-road racing title, DiRT 3, will begin shipping to stores worldwide on May 24th. To celebrate this news, the developers have released two new screenshots. Enjoy:

 

 

Battlefield 3 Debut Trailer & First Details

Getting our adrenaline pumping this afternoon, EA DICE has released a debut trailer for their highly anticipated first person shooter, Battlefield 3. This minute-long clip doesn't offer any real gameplay footage, but it does provide a release date: Fall 2011!

Even more exciting, EA DICE has revealed via a blog update that BF3 will include jets, prone, and 64-player multiplayer on PC. I'm sure BF fans will be pleased with this news. :D

Dragon Age II demo arrives February 22, awards free item

The Dragon Age II demo will be up for grabs on February 22, giving players a glimpse of the three classes Hawke can utilize. You'll go through the game's prologue and pay a visit to the city of Kirkwall, all while befriending a potential love interest by the name of Isabela (Remember her?).

Want another reason to play the demo? Here you go: complete the trial to get Hayden's Razor for use in the full version of Dragon Age II. This blade gives a nice boost to your health, mana, and combat abilities.

Dragon Age II launches March 8 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. Pre-order your copy to receive more in-game gear and access to The Black Emporium market.

Source:Dragon Age II

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

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Battlefield 3 surfaces with teaser trailer, 64-man multiplayer, single player, co-op confirmed

Excepting Half-Life 2: Episode 3, Battlefield 3 might win the award for longest teased game to date. After years of speculation surrounding the upcoming flagship FPS and more recently, a few hints, we've finally got the first reveal.

Aside from the PC features we reported on previously (being built primarily for DirectX 11 and Windows 7 64-bit and being multiplatform are the big ones), we can now confirm single player and multiplayer, though whether or not single resembles that of Battlefield 2, we cannot be sure yet.

Update: 64-player multiplayer is confirmed for PC (EA says 24 on consoles, so get to upgrading!), as are jets and prone, a Limited Edition (contents to be revealed soon), and finally, a full single-player and co-op campaign.

Onto the teaser:

No, it doesn't actually tell us much of anything, but the presentation is excellent. The tidbit is the release window: expect it to arrive fall of this year, following a beta.

We're expecting more details to arrive throughout the month, so check back, as we'll be keeping up with everything. For now, visit our Battlefield 3 wiki.

DICE says the big reveal is coming March 1 at GDC -- also check back here then for the real goodies, which may well include a gameplay trailer.

Source:Battlefield Blog

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

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Trapped Dead Goes Gold

Hot off the presses, Iceberg Interactive and Headup Games have announced that the English edition of their zombie survival RTS, Trapped Dead, has officially gone gold and will begin shipping to stores on February 25th. Here's the scoop:

Haarlem, The Netherlands – 2 February 2011 – Trapped Dead, the award-winning zombie survival RTS for PC is now Gold, and has entered the manufacturing process in anticipation of its English-language release later this month. This is what videogames publisher Iceberg Interactive announces today.

Accompanying this press release are four new screenshots. These can also be downloaded at www.iceberg-interactive.com.

Trapped Dead is an award-winning zombie survival RTS in the tradition of classical evergreens such as "Commandos" and "Desperados". Players control their characters in a 3rd person isometric view through a mature Zombie survival scenario inspired by the successful horror movies of the early 80s.

Iceberg Interactive will bring Trapped Dead to retail stores throughout the UK, Scandinavia, Benelux and Australia/NZ by Iceberg Interactive on February 25 2011. Retail copies are also available for pre-order in the Iceberg Webshop (http://www.iceberg-shop.com/trapped-dead.html) and will be delivered on release with free shipping.

Trapped Dead Features

Terrifying, cinematic game atmosphereThrilling on- and offline multiplayer co-op modeAppealing tactical gameplay with numerous shock- and surprise elementsHighly detailed locations such as a mall, jail, scrap yard & many more7 different playable charactersInteractive and dynamic game environment including various trapsManifold weapons, gadgets and other items

For more information on Trapped Dead, please visit our gamepage here (http://www.iceberg-interactive.com/games-mainmenu-27/336-trapped-dead.html).

Head over to the game's official website for some new screenshots!

Hearts of Iron III: For the Motherland 'Interview' Trailer

Keeping things interesting tonight, Paradox Interactive has cooked up a new teaser trailer for their upcoming Hearts of Iron III: For the Motherland expansion pack. Clocking in at six and a half minutes long, this video touches on the game's AI, improved to internal politics, the Theatre Interface and more! Check it out:

The above stream is courtesy of YouTube. Mirrors are also available at the following websites:

GamersHellFileShackWorthPlaying

Hearts of Iron III: For the Motherland is scheduled for release in Q2 2011.

Premium paid content outlined for Age of Empires Online

Series grognards have had to put up with the fact that Age of Empires will be getting a major facelift meant to make it more appealing to the masses (as reasoned by Microsoft Game Studios), but they can take solace that the soul of series developer Ensemble Studios is living on for the most part behind production for the new Age of Empires Online. That said, becoming a free-to-play online RTS of sorts entails a business model that leverages the newfound appeal in social networking.

To this end, AoE Online wants players to create persistent civilizations; players have their own home base that serves as their civilization's Capital City, which they will develop and grow for the long haul as in popular Facebook simulation games like FarmVille. As reported last year, the basic gameplay in AoE Online will be free-to-play, but Microsoft and developer Robot Entertainment today confirm that players can also use real-world money to make a variety of purchases in-game.

One of the most important will be the "Premium Civilization Pack" upgrades, which unlock all of the player's given civilization's possible Tech Tree upgrades at once, Unique Units and Civilization Powers, more inventory slots, workshops, Crafting Halls, as well as the ability to earn in-game currency from your Capital City and "Empire Points".

Other players will actually be able to visit your Capital City to join you for co-op missions, make purchases at your City's shops using the in-game currency you can earn by making your civilization Premium, or just to shoot the breeze through in-game chat if you roll out the welcoming carpet. Empire Points are another form of currency you can redeem toward unqiue loot, like the exclusive "rare" and "epic" level loot for that extra boost to a civilization's units. Non-paying casuals will otherwise have to settle for the "common" and "uncommon" levels of loot scored in-game, like the commoners they are.

Other purchasable extras include "booster" packs, which will offer paying players new quests, gameplay modes post-release, and vanity packs which are solely to customize your civilization's appearance.

Oh, and the Egyptians were announced as the next civilization you can play as in AoE Online.

Source:Age of Empires Online FAQ

Section:PC Games

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Crysis 2 multiplayer demo confirmed for PC

PC fans were naturally disconcerted by the announcement of a 360 only multiplayer beta and demo for Crysis 2, given the technically advanced nature of the game and its heritage. However, the team has just confirmed via the official Twitter account a multiplayer demo is coming to PC after all, and before launch (unlike that silly Bulletstorm).

No other details are on hand as of yet (more to come), but we'll keep you in the know as always. For now, check out the multiplayer demo briefing video to whet your appetite.

Source:Twitter / Crytek

Section:PC Games

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