For those of you who haven't picked up World of Warcraft: Cataclysm yet, Blizzard Entertainment is now offering a 10-day free trial of their latest expansion. So if you want to see what all the fuss is about, just head over to the official free trial page and sign-up!
Note: you must own a full version of WoW and the previous two expansions to participate in the Cataclysm free trial.
Saving us some cash over the Holiday break, Steam is offering major discounts on games from now until Sunday, January 2nd, 2011. In addition to the standard savings on select titles and bundles, they'll also be rolling out daily deals and "Holiday Bonus Deals", which offer even greater savings if you already own a specific title. Monday's Bonus Deal: Portal for $3.74 or $2.25 if you already own Half-Life 2. As for the rest of Monday's 24-hour deals...here's the scoop:
FEAR Complete Pack - $9.99 USD (reg $39.97)F1 2010 - $19.99 USD (reg $39.99)Titan Quest Gold - $4.99 USD (reg $19.99)Super Meat Boy - $3.75 USD (reg $14.99)Peggle Complete - $7.99 USD (reg $19.98)The Oddboxx - $12.49 USD (reg $24.99)LEGO Batman - $4.99 USD (reg $19.99)Fallout 3 - $20.09 USD (reg $29.99)All Prince of Persia Titles - 75% OffBattlef208cield: Bad Company 2 - $6.79 USD (reg $19.99)The Dues Ex Collection - $2.99 USD (reg $19.98)My wallet is going to take a major beating this Holiday... :x
December 21st Update: Here's the 24-hour deals for Tuesday:
Aion: Assault on Balaurea - $10.00 USD (reg $39.99)Resident Evil 5 - $10.20 USD (reg $29.99)PuzzleQuest: Challenge of the Warlords - $1.50 USD** (reg $9.99)The Polynomial - Space of the music - $2.50 USD** (reg $9.99)Defense Grid: The Awakening - $2.00 USD (reg $9.99)Men of War: Gold Edition - $8.75 USD (reg $34.99)Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box - $5.00 USD (reg $19.99)Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light - $5.10 USD or $3.60 if you own any Tomb Raider game. (reg $14.99)Disciples III - Renaissance Steam Special Edition - $7.50 USD (reg $29.99)The Witcher: Enhanced Edition Director's Cut - $5.00 USD (reg $19.99)BioShock 2 - $9.99 USD (reg $19.99)Gothic Bundle - $34.99 USD (reg $69.99)December 22nd Update: Here's the 24-hour deals for Wednesday:
Aliens vs. Predator - $5.00 USD (reg $19.99)Recettear - $6.80 USD (reg $19.99)Zuma's Revenge! - $8.00 USD (reg $19.99)Trials 2: Second Edition - $2.50 USD (reg $9.99)Bully: Scholarship Edition - $3.75 USD (reg $14.99)SPORE Complete Pack - $19.99 USD (reg $79.97)Day of Defeat: Source - $2.50 USD (reg $9.99)Railworks 2 - $6.00 USD (reg $39.99)Just Cause 2 - $7.50 USD (reg $29.99)Assassin's Creed 2 - $14.99 USD or $12.00 if you own Assassin's Creed (reg $29.99)Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare - $14.99 USD (reg $29.99)Tales of Monkey Island Complete Pack - $17.49 USD (reg $34.99)December 23rd Update: Here's the 24-hour deals for Thursday:
Wings of Prey - $6.00 USD (reg $29.99)DeathSpank - $7.49 USD (reg $14.99)All Silent Hunter Games - 66% OffPatrician IV - Steam Special Edition - $7.50 USD (reg $29.99)Blood Bowl Legendary Edition - $19.99 USD (reg $39.99)Dead Rising 2 - $19.99 USD or $15.99 if you own Resident Evil 5 (reg $39.99)Blur - $14.99 USD (reg $29.99)Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising - $3.00 USD (reg $19.99)Darksider - $10.00 USD (reg $39.99)Risen - $14.99 USD (reg $29.99)Mass Effect 1 & 2 - 50% OffAlpha Protocol - $7.50 USD (reg $29.99)December 24th Update: Here's the 24-hour deals for Friday:
Battlefield 2: Complete Collection - $4.99 USD (reg $19.99)ARMA II - $9.99 USD (reg $39.99)King Arthur Complete Pack - $5.39 USD (reg $35.96)Torchlight - $4.99 USD (reg $19.99)All Ghost Recon Games - 75% OffSam & Max: The Devil’s Playhouse - $9.99 USD (reg $34.99)All Overlord Games - 85% OffDevil May Cry 4 - $9.99 USD (reg $19.99)Saints Row 2 - $7.50 USD (reg $29.99)Borderlands & DLC - 50% OffFallout: New Vegas - $29.99 USD or $24.99 if you own Fallout 3 (reg $49.99)Counter-Strike: Source - $4.99 USD (reg $19.99)December 25th Update: Here's the 24-hour deals2117 for Saturday:
50% Off All Splinter Cell Games (60% Off Conviction if you already own Double Agent.)Shank - $7.49 USD (reg $14.99)Tropico 3: Gold Edition - $6.00 USD** (reg $19.99)X SuperBox - $13.60 USD (reg $39.99)Altitude - $2.49 USD (reg $9.99)50% Off Dragon Age: Origins & Awakening75% Off All Red Faction GamesMonkey Island: Special Edition Bundle - $3.75 USD (reg $14.99)90% Off All FlatOut GamesCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - $29.99 USD (reg $59.99)Batman: Arkham Asylum - $7.50 USD (reg $29.99)Civilization V - $37.49 USD (reg $49.99)Keep an eye on this post for updates!
Assassin's Creed Brotherhood hasn't been out very long, and there's more DLC on the way. No telling how far along Assassin's Creed III is, but Ubisoft recently teased a "project" related to the series.
A vague post went up on the publisher's official Twitter yesterday, specifically mentioning Nordic developer Massive:
Ubisoft's Massive studio teaming up on a project for Assassin's Creed. Openings to join them or at Ubisoft Annecy..."
Ubisoft Annecy, if you didn't already know, was responsible for the multiplayer portion of Brotherhood, while Ubi Montreal handled the single-player as usual. Massive is perhaps best known for their RTS lineup, so their involvement does come as somewhat of a surprise.
Source:TVG
Sections:Console Games, PC Games
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If you purchased the Oddboxx on Steam this week, you were likely very disappointed with what you got from the two new titles: Munch's Oddysee and Stranger's Wrath. Users have cited a wide range of issues and complaints, from poor control setups to performance problems and lack of PC specific options. In short, they're not great ports, particularly Munch.
If you've been around the NeoGAF forums since the launch, you'll have likely spotted a "warning" thread, filled with reports of the aforementioned problems. Developer Just Add Water's CEO Stewart Gilray stopped in to address them and take in feedback, eventually leaving in exasperation (you know how forums can be). Since then, he's returned and apologized, saying it came off different than intended but was immature regardless, and has since formulated a plan, which has been met with very warm reception.
First thing's first: the crash issue for Munch has just seen a fix released. As for the performance issues with Stranger, they're making progress, so there should be an update there before long.
The big news is they'll be converting both games to proper PC versions, meaning better control and display options for both titles. While you won't see things like configurable shadows and so on (those are "deep in the game engines and were never intended to be switchable"), the result sounds like it will be sufficient, considering. Morphological anti-aliasing is coming to the PS3 version, anyway, and they say this will likely make it into the PC versions around the time that hits (April). This is just a short list -- the full plan will take time to craft. Remember also an HD update is coming to Stranger, based on the PS3 overhaul. They're still taking suggestions, too, so head to the thread via the source, the Steam forums, or try them on Twitter to request any feasible items.
As for why they launched the games in this state, Gilray says it's partly due to how demands in PC gaming have changed. While PC gamers today are often the "hardcore" enthusiast types with fairly extensive technical knowledge, and as such, want a wide variety of options, features, and benefits, when he last developed for the platform, this type of gamer was a minority, and basic options were considered acceptable. In any case, it's never too late to learn. While PC gamers can be a harsh bunch at first, most will turn around if you act on feedback, so we expect in a few months time (if not awhile longer), this will all be cleared up, around which time we'll give our review.
Source:NeoGAF
Section:PC Games
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Wrapping things up tonight, Unknown Worlds Entertainment have released a new teaser trailer for their upcoming FPS/RTS, Natural Selection 2. This two and a half minute-long clip features some gameplay from the ongoing beta. Enjoy the carnage:
Thanks to YouTube for the above stream. Mirrors are also available at the following websites:
GamersHellFileFrontFileShackNatural Selection 2's release date is still TBA.
Giving us something to try out tonight, Larian Studios have released a short singleplayer demo for their upcoming Fantasy-RPG, Divinity 2 - The Dragon Knight Saga. In this demo you start your career as a Dragon Slayer, heading to the Broken Valley in search of a Dragon Knight. Sound good? Then head over to the game's official website for a list of mirrors!
The Dragon Knight Saga is scheduled for release in North America in Q1 2011.
To get you into the holiday spirit, Team Fortress 2 wants players everywhere to royally flail on each other in the new Medieval Mode. It's a melee-only affair here so you must be ready to tackle the other team face-to-face in the new DeGroot Keep control point map.
In keeping with the medieval theme of DeGroot Keep, there's lots of new old-fashioned weapons and hats for each class to acquire. If you want to get your hands on the new stuffright now, the Mann Co. store will be having a sale over the December 17 weekend on all items including a new backpack expansion upgrade. Just remember you can't trade items you've bought!
Source:Team Fortress 2 - Australian Christmas
Section:PC Games
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If like us you've been curious about the PC version of multiplayer action game Monday Night Combat, you'll be pleased to know not only did it start off as a PC game, but developer Uber Entertainment has a rich history in the field, and are giving it the love and care it deserves, offering up a long list of features and adjustments with which to satisfy your manly needs.
Besides the standard higher resolutions, you get bigger textures, tweakable graphics (the best part), a proper default keyboard and mouse control scheme, balance changes (more to come throughout the beta), reworked menus and multiplayer lobby, a server browser, and then favourites and custom games.
Monday Night Combat launches January 17 on Steam.
Source:PC Gamer
Section:PC Games
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Looking to create a little hype this weekend, W!Games have released a launch trailer for the PC edition of their turn-based strategy game, Greed Corp. Running exactly a minute and a half long, this humorous video features a mix of CGI and in-game action. Check it out:
The above stream is courtesy of YouTube. A mirror is also available at GamersHell.
Greed Corp is available on Steam right now!
Getting in on the action tonight, Realmforge have whipped up a new gameplay trailer for their upcoming Strategy-Sim, Dungeons. Running just under two minutes long, this video gives us a sneak peek at the game's environments and the tools at your disposal. Check it out:
Thanks to GameTrailers for the above stream. Prefer a manual download? We have you covered:
FileFrontFileShackWorthPlayingDungeons is scheduled for release in February 2011.
Keeping the deals coming this weekend, Stardock's Impulse digital distribution service is offering discounts on several titles that may be of interest to you. Here's the skinny:
Supreme Commander Gold Edition - $14.99 (reg $29.99)Crazy Machines - $14.99 (reg $19.99)Crazy Machines 1.5 - $14.99 (reg $19.99)Crazy Machines Bundle - $29.99 (reg $39.99)Demigod - $9.97 (reg $19.95)BOH - $5.50 (reg $11.00)Some decent games in there. So don't miss out! ;)
Square Enix CEO Yoichi Wada made another appearance at the Final Fantasy XIV player site to apologize for the ongoing issues present in the PC version of the game. He announced that the PS3 version of FFXIV would be delayed from its March 2011 release to implement all of the updates that are currently being added to the PC version. A new launch date has not been announced.
With this delay comes restructuring to the development team; FFXIV producer Hiromichi Tanaka will be stepping down from his position and Naoki Yoshida will take his place as game producer and director. Tanaka also wrote out an apology totake responsibility for having put FFXIV in its current state:
"...I would like to apologize for our inability to fully satisfy our users with the initial release of FINAL FANTASY XIV. I take full responsibility for the game's current situation, and have therefore made the decision to step down from my role as producer. ... Though no longer producer, I will be continuing to support the development team in other capacities, and personally hope that you will continue your adventures in the realm of Eorzea."
If you're still willing to giveFFXIVa chance, the free trial period has been extended once again to let players try out the MMORPG for themselves.
Source:FINAL FANTASY XIV - The Lodestone
Sections:Console Games, PC Games, Sony Consoles
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On December 21, Dead Space fans who own a 360 or PS3 can get reacquainted with Isaac Clarke and his newest abilities through a Dead Space 2 demo. He'll need to do whatever he can to survive a sudden Necromorph outbreak in the Church of Unitology.
Available for you to try out in this demo is a new Javelin gun, tweaked stasis recharge, and enhanced telekinesis to take on whatever comes your way. Isaac's suit now sports jets to give players full 360-degree control when floating about in Zero-G space.
PC, 360, and PS3 owners can get their hands on the complete version of Dead Space 2 on January 25, 2011. And yes, the game is just as frightening as ever.
Sections:Microsoft Consoles, Console Games, PC Games, Sony Consoles
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Spicing things up today, SouthPeak Interactive ha released a new teaser trailer for their upcoming Fantasy-RPG, Two Worlds II. Running just over two minutes long, this video helps setup the game's storyline with some tasty cutscenes. Check it out:
The above stream is courtesy of YouTube. A mirror is also available at GamersHell.
Two Worlds II is scheduled for release in January 2011.
Also available for download tonight is a singleplayer demo for WizarBox's upcoming Point & Click Adventure title, Gray Matter. No word on what this demo includes exactly, but if you're still interested in checking it out, you can grab the 1.6GB installer from any of the following websites:
GamersHellFilePlanetFileShackGray Matter is scheduled for release on February 25th, 2011.
Back around the time BioShock Infinite was revealed, we were somewhat dissapointed to learn such a fresh looking game would be relying on old mechanics. Seems there may not be anything to worry about -- art director Nate Wells is saying it's right at home.
"The main thing we can say without getting into too much detail is: trust us, the BioShock gameplay belongs there. There was never a thought that we wouldn't use it. But we are resting on the faith of the fans to believe us, that the BioShock name is neither tacked on nor a misnomer."
Creative director Ken Levine adds, "But I do encourage people to think about what their expectations are, and how low they've been set by other sequels."
Some of that detail was covered previously, when Levine stated Infinite would "not be a corridor shooter", and would host more varied gameplay and be sniper-friendly.
Source:Official Xbox 360 Magazine
Sections:Microsoft Consoles, Console Games, PC Games, Sony Consoles
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Electronic Arts is the publishing force behind Rock Band, so you'd think it would jump at the chance to grab franchise developer Harmonix for its own now that's confirmed to be on its own following its release from the hands of Viacom. As it turns out, EA is no longer in any rush to be coughing up for multi-million dollar business acquisitions.
Recall yesterday's article regarding EA cooling its jets over licensed movie tie-in software. Essentially EA Games' plan is to renew focus on better aligning the interests of its label developers and marketing departments, to better polish original IP. This turns out to be the driving force behind EA being a little more careful with who it plans to acquire as well.
In an interview with Bloomberg, EA CEO John Riccitiello explains that his company wants to better ripen its fruits of revenue from digital distribution, be it PC or mobile platforms. The rumored $400 million USD that EA coughed up for social gaming developer Playfish isn't exactly chump change, but it would certainly be less than what it would have had to pay if it chose to go after competitor Zynga and its masterwork, FarmVille, instead. EA may well been able to cover whatever Zynga's asking price would have been, but the publisher in fact made a point to stick with Playfish and not go after the bigger fish this time around.
"There is going to be a time when perception catches up with the facts," Riccitiello added.
