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Thursday, October 6, 2011
Bethesda Speaks Out on the Scrolls VS Elder Scrolls
9:16 PM - - 13 Comments

Pete Hines spoke to Kataku to weigh in on the ongoing controversy and give some of the other side of the story.

“Mojang’s public comments have not given a complete picture as it relates to their filings, our trademarks, or events that have taken place," Hines stated.

It appears that the US government also thinks that "Scrolls" would be too easily confused with "The Elder Scrolls", giving some additional validity to the suit.

“The examining attorney refuses registration under Trademark Act Section 2(d), 15 U.S.C. §1052(d), because the applicant's mark ... so resembles the marks in U.S. Registration Nos. 2634683, 2861127, 3375520, 3421731 and 3584564 (THE ELDER SCROLLS) and 4010219 (SCROLLS) as to be likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake, or to deceive. ... Regarding the THE ELDER SCROLLS marks, the applicant has merely deleted the term ELDER from the registered mark. The mere deletion of wording from a registered mark may not be sufficient to overcome a likelihood of confusion.”

I still think it is somewhat of a nonsense suit, though I guess I can't blame Bethesda (and parent company ZeniMax) for wanting to protect their franchise that they've spent years building. Does hearing more explanation from the other side sway your opinion on this case?

Topics: General News
Related Games: Scrolls (PC)
Red Orchestra 2 Patched
9:01 PM - - 0 Comments
Red Orchestra 2 just received a hefty 3.4 gigabyte update on Steam. The main issue it fixes are the messed up stats and achievements. Unfortunately, everyone’s stats are going to be reset. However, experience (for honor, class, and weapons) will be doubled (for some indeterminate period of time) to make up for it. Still, it sucks if you actually earned 30 levels of proficiency with the Mp40 (or if you didn't, but you just loved the double magazines).

Read The Changelog
Topics: Patches, steam, FPS
Related Games: Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad (PC)
Ezio Gets Schooled On Bomb-Making In Assassin's Creed: Revelations
4:51 PM - - 2 Comments
Ezio is going to have a sizable selection of bombs and traps at his disposal, each of which he'll eventually learn how to make for himself. Turns out the components to make them are even scattered about the city, talk about convenience!

Topics: Games, Videos, Trailer
Related Games: Assassin's Creed: Revelations (PlayStation 3), Assassin's Creed: Revelations (Xbox 360), Assassin's Creed: Revelations (PC), Assassin's Creed: Revelations (Signature Edition) (PC), Assassin's Creed: Revelations (Signature Edition) (PlayStation 3), Assassin's Creed: Revelations (Signature Edition) (Xbox 360)
Hardware & Tech Roundup
4:36 PM - - 0 Comments
Gaming

Graphics

Cases

Cooling

Motherboards

Storage

Power Supplies

Memory

Other

Topics: Hardware, Technology
Become A Gun Totin' Juggler In Saints Row: The Third
2:42 PM - - 0 Comments
THQ and Volition just kicked off a new "Cherished Memories" video series for Saints Row: The Third. The first involves the fine art of juggling via the use of exploding bullets.

Topics: Games, Videos, Trailer, Action / Adventure
Related Games: Saints Row: The Third (PC), Saints Row: The Third (Platinum Pack) (PlayStation 3), Saints Row: The Third (Platinum Pack) (Xbox 360), Saints Row: The Third (PlayStation 3), Saints Row: The Third (Xbox 360)
Steam Weekend Deal: Fable 3 + DLC
11:56 AM - - 11 Comments
This weekend's Steam deal is for Fable III and DLC. The so-so RPG is going for 66% off, bringing the price down to $16.99 USD, with DLC as low as 67 cents. Deal ends on Monday at 10AM Pacific. Decent deal; you'll definitely get your money's worth since the game has a lot of content.
Topics: Games, RPG
Related Games: Fable III (PC)
Of Orcs and Men Screenshots
11:40 AM - - 0 Comments
A batch of screenshots from Cyanide's upcoming RPG, Of Orcs and Men, which will be out in 2012 for PC, PS3 and 360. This is a pretty neat sounding role reversal storyline.

Of Orcs and Men immerses you into a brutal world at war, where the Empire of Men’s oppressive threat looms over the territories of the Orcs and the Goblins. Goblins are systematically persecuted and slaughtered, while Orcs not killed in battle are captured and enslaved. The game first puts you into the role of an elite Orc soldier from the legendary legion of Bloodjaws, a league of warriors deeply involved in the war opposing the Orcs and Goblins on one side to their persecutors, Humankind.


Topics: Games, RPG
Related Games: Of Orcs and Men (PC), Of Orcs and Men (PlayStation 3), Of Orcs and Men (Xbox 360)
Dota 2 Blog Updated With News Of Unique Spectator Features
10:42 AM - - 0 Comments
The Dota 2 team at Valve have officially lifted the curtain on some of the previously rumored unique spectator features that are now implemented into the game. Some of the highlights from the lengthy blog update include search functionality all the way down to hero type, or player name, perspective choices including player specific cams (to see their play from their POV), and commentary that can actually be saved within the replay file itself. My own personal favorite is the new "Directed Camera" mode, where an early version of Skynet predicts where the player should be looking to see the most action.

When you’re watching a tournament match, you’re usually watching it at the same time as a large number of other spectators. We wanted to improve the experience of watching live games, and the first problem we identified is that individual spectators don’t have a shared view of the game. This makes it harder to have a conversation with other spectators around what’s happening onscreen, because everyone will be watching from a different position. This problem led us to creating the Directed camera mode, where we were able to leverage our experience with Source TV to build a smart camera that knows what’s about to happen, and tries to make sure it’s in a good position to let you see that action unfold. So in addition to being able to kick back and relax knowing that the camera will always be where the action is, you’re also able to talk about anything happening onscreen because you know that everyone else watching the Directed camera is seeing the same thing you are.
The blog update also links to a new site called StreamDota2, which as you probably guess is full of streams showing some of the most active Dota 2 beta testers.
Topics: Games, Role-Playing Strategy, Real-Time Strategy
Related Games: Dota 2 (PC), Dota 2 (Macintosh)
Latest AMY Trailer Features Developer Commentary, New Details
10:28 AM - - 2 Comments
AMY takes the whole zombie-horror-survival gimmick in a new direction. Players now take control of a character that's actually infected by whatever it is that's turning everyone into zombies. The infection must be managed to avoid death, but can also provide benefits if allowed to run its course at times, as explained in the developer commentary. AMY is scheduled for release sometime this year on the PC, and consoles.

Topics: Action, Horror, Videos, Trailer
Related Games: Amy (PC), Amy (PlayStation 3), Amy (Xbox 360)
Orcs Must Die! Available On Consoles, Launch Trailer Released
10:20 AM - - 4 Comments
You guys may recall that Socketboy mentioned a few days back that Orcs Must Die! is prepping for release on Steam. Well, now it's out for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. The Steam version is still lined up for release on October 12th.

Robot sent over a launch trailer to celebrate the release, which you'll find below. If you're wondering what Orcs Must Die! is, it's essentially like Tower Defense mixed with Dungeon Keeper mixed with a quirky little action-RPG. Here's the official blurb:

Orcs Must Die! is an action-strategy game that challenges players to defend fortresses under siege. With a wide variety of traps and weapons to choose from, Orcs Must Die! dares players to find the best ways to hack, launch, flatten, gibletize, and incinerate an endless army of filthy orcs and their vile allies. Orcs Must Die! features a vibrant look, addictive gameplay, and a blatant disregard for the welfare of orcs.
  • Play as the War Mage and defend 24 fortresses from an enraged mob of orcs and 11 other villainous monsters.
  • Choose from a selection of 6 weapons and magic spells and 17 traps that hack, launch, flatten, gibletize, and incinerate your enemies.
  • Upgrade your traps, spells and weapons to cater the game to your personal play style.
  • Cleverly combine traps and spells for higher scores on the leaderboards.
  • Expertly wield your wits and your weapons through the story-driven campaign and unlock a brutal "Nightmare" campaign.
  • Replay fortresses endlessly, combining different defenses and tactics every time!
Topics: Games, Videos, Trailer, Real-Time Strategy
Related Games: Orcs Must Die (PC), Orcs Must Die (PlayStation 3), Orcs Must Die (Xbox 360)
New Anno 2070 Trailer Shows Off Military Option
10:09 AM - - 6 Comments
It'll be interesting to see how balanced military options are between the Ecos and the Tycoons in Anno 2070. I'm thinking Tycoons will have the upper hand, but who knows.

Topics: Games, Real-Time Strategy, City Building, Videos, Trailer
Related Games: Anno 2070 (PC)
Duke Nukem Makes Cameo In Choplifter HD
8:58 AM - - 1 Comment
Duke Nukem gets offered a ride in Choplifter HD, which is coming to PC, PSN and XBLA soon.

Topics: Games, Action
Related Games: Choplifter HD (PC), Choplifter HD (Xbox 360), Choplifter HD (PlayStation 3)
Slitherine And Matrix Need Beta Testers
8:47 AM - - 0 Comments
Slitherine and Matrix have recently announced a several new titles and are looking for a few good beta testers to help get these released. We already reported on the forthcoming Panzer Corps DLC, but Matrix has just announced a new expansion for Battle Academy entitled Operation Sealion. In addition to these, they need beta testers for Field of Glory – Decline and Fall, Team Assault- Baptism of Fire, and Commander the Great War. Head over to Slitherine’s beta test page if you are interested in testing these upcoming strategy titles.

Read On For Details On Operation Sealion
Topics: Announcements, Industry News, Strategy
Related Games: Panzer Corps (PC), Commander -- The Great War (PC), Team Assault: Baptism of Fire (PC), Battlefield Academy (PC), Field of Glory: Decline and Fall (PC), Field of Glory: Decline and Fall (Macintosh)
Take On Helicopters New Website & Environments Preview
8:46 AM - - 0 Comments
Bohemia Interactive has launched the official website for the upcoming PC sim, Take On Helicopters. On the site you can find a new feature on the environments to be found in the game. Take On Helicopters is scheduled for an October 27th release. Ohmwrecker and I are both taking a look at the game for an upcoming preview, so keep your eyes on our fries!


Topics: Games, Simulation
Related Games: Take On Helicopters (PC)
Xbox 360 Version of Tropico 4 Dated
8:40 AM - - 0 Comments
El Presidente brings Tropico 4 to the Xbox 360 on October 21st. Be sure to check out our Tropico 4 review here.

Tropico 4 sees players return to the Caribbean paradise of Tropico, challenging them to turn the backwater island into a global superpower, be it through financial or forceful means! Will you play as a man of the people? Or as a jackbooted dictator with the goal of increasing your Swiss bank account? It’s up to you! New buildings, import/export features, global superpowers to deal with and much more, will make El Presidente’s return to Xbox 360 an experience gamers won’t want to miss.


Topics: Games, Consoles
Related Games: Tropico 4 (Xbox 360)
Team Bondi Closes Its Doors
8:16 AM - - 14 Comments
According to Edge, Team Bondi, the developer of L.A. Noire, is closing its doors.
Earlier today, forms were submitted confirming that a liquidator has been appointed, with the company to be wound up, following a meeting of creditors last week. The liquidator will now handle the sale of Team Bondi's remaining assets and payment of outstanding debts.

What a sad denouement for a developer that just released a critically and commercially successful game. Rest in peace, Team Bondi.


Topics: Industry News
Related Games: L.A. Noire (PlayStation 3), L.A. Noire (Xbox 360), L.A. Noire The Complete Edition (PC)
Stronghold 3 Goes Gold, Check Out New Trailer
8:00 AM - - 4 Comments
Stronghold 3 has gone gold and will make its worldwide release date of October 25, 2011. Huzzah!

Topics: Games, Strategy
Related Games: Stronghold 3 (PC)
King's Bounty: Warriors of the North Announced
7:45 AM - - 11 Comments
A new iteration of the King's Bounty series has been announced by 1C Company. King's Bounty: Warriors of the North is scheduled for a spring 2012 release.
A new hero, young Olaf, the son of the Northling King, dedicates his life to the fight against the undead infesting the Northern Lands of Endoria. He will face epic battles, valor and love. Accompanied by gorgeous Valkyries who will assist Olaf on the battlefield, he will liberate the icy wastelands of the North, dwarven dungeons and Darion, the heart of the Endoria, from the reign of necromancy.

King's Bounty: Warriors of the North features:

  • New plot, telling the story of the fight between the Good and the Evil, betrayal and love
  • New companions - 5 Valkyries, assisting Olaf on the field of battle.
  • New locations
  • New units
  • New skills
  • New awards and achievements
  • New school of magic - Rune Magic

More King’s Bounty is a good thing, in my opinion. If you are unfamiliar with the series, then I’d sum it up as a quirkier take on the Heroes of Might and Magic formula of adventuring across a fantasy world, looting stuff, and subduing all opposition to your tomfoolery in turn-based battles.

There is a good reason for why the series are so similar; both were originally created by Jon Van Caneghem. King's Bounty came along first, and was often considered a part of the Heroes of Might and Magic series. For example, it was included in the Heroes of Might and Magic: Millennium Edition compilation. Additionally, Heroes of Might and Magic: Quest for the DragonBone Staff was a remake of King’s Bounty for the PS2.

1C Company licensed the rights to the King’s Bounty name and has published three King’s Bounty titles since 2008. Presumably, Warriors of the North will be developed by Katuri Interactive, the Russian company behind the series’ 2008 reboot. There is also an additional King’s Bounty title in the works. King's Bounty: Legions is being developed by Nival, the Russian company that made Heroes of Might and Magic V for Ubisoft.

Topics: Announcements, Adventure, Role-Playing Strategy, Strategy, Turn-Based Strategy
Related Games: King's Bounty: Armored Princess (PC), King's Bounty: Crossworlds (PC), King's Bounty: Legions (Web Games), King's Bounty: The Legend (PC), King's Bounty (Macintosh), King's Bounty (Apple IIe/c/c+)
Dustforce Gameplay Trailer
7:15 AM - - 3 Comments
Here's some new gameplay footage from Dustforce, a platformer from Hitbox Team.

Topics: Games, Platformer
Get Your Name In Crusader Kings II
6:56 AM - - 0 Comments
Who wouldn't want their family name to live on forever in a video game? Especially if you missed the bus and won't have any sticky spawn of your own to carry on your family name. Or maybe you didn't miss the bus but it's just best that you don't pass on your crappy genes. Paradox Interactive has announced a contest where you can get your name included as one of the dynasties in Crusader Kings II, the Strategy / RPG releasing on PC in early 2012.

To enter the contest you have to tell Paradox the most outrageous story about your family name (true or false!). Include family name, origins and story behind it. Submit your entry by October 31st to be in with a chance of immortality in Crusader Kings II.

I decided to look up my last name to see what it means. So, I hopped over to the most accurate source of information that I could find... Urban Dictionary. My last name means:

  • To be a complete dork, or loser...but still loved among the 'gang'.
  • Cool person who is socially magnetic.
  • Someone who draws cocks all day, its a syndrome, a sickness. OR Someone that has a very small brain and complains about the sun being to bright.
  • Used by youngsters in the UK to meaning bum hole. Usually used when describing anal sex between two men.
  • Ninja COD master! Could easily perform a 10 second nuke if he wanted to, but way too cool to show off in this way. Nobody on this planet is capable of more amazing COD skills.
  • One who is a master of drunken adventures. The adventure is normally to places of which little is known about. The pale skin of one is a beacon in the dark to all fellow adventurers. Known to have caught a keystalope, can be very cocky at times, but is still a valuable friend to have.

Sounds about right.

Topics: Games, Role-Playing Strategy
Related Games: Crusader Kings II (PC)
The AM Socket Stuffer - And the Winner is...
12:01 AM - - 11 Comments

OK the results are in. Last week I asked you to help come up with a concept for a banner I can use for my weekly morning update posts. Several of you entered, but there can only be one winner. First, lets see who our runners up are:

  • The entry that was the least winning: timeh_au. If that's what you think of every time I post, I've done my job. You're welcome. I've made you envision the thing you love the most with my wonderful words.
  • The most winningest without winning entry: 1badmf. That was a very winning answer, unfortunately I have to disqualify you for cheating off of Jube.
  • The most logical entry: Species8472. I like this visual, but I don't think it is quite right for the venue. You get credit for my album cover if I ever learn to play an instrument and start a band though.
  • The most incestually fresh: AtariFTW. We're all family here at VE3D, so Jube trying to stick anything in a socket should probably be illegal.
  • SolomanAu. Although enticing, "someone", "something", and "socket" are a little too vague for me to create a banner out of.
  • The most visionary entry: raistmaj42. Picturing this is an awesome, and beautiful scene. Unfortunately I don't have the skills to do it justice nor does it fit with the theme of the site very well. I also like the skull idea, but not sure I want to see a skull with coffee in his eye when I wake up.

And without further ado, the winner is Articwind for a solid idea that is also elementary enough for me to execute. Email me @ socketboyve3d at gmail dot com (my VE3D mail doesn't work right now) and I'll give you your prize. Sadly I was eating hot wings tonight, and I couldn't work and eat at the same time without destroying my keyboard so the image below is just a rough draft of the banner for now.

Special props to Asianwaste for correctly guessing what my previous banner image was depicting. Overall great entries everybody, thanks for playing; if you didn't win this time don't worry, I'll see if I can get another contest rolling again soon... maybe we can make Jube a banner next. And now, we have this until I can get the real banner done:

Topics: General, In Other News...
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Unreal Engine 3 Comes to Flash 11
10:41 PM - - 27 Comments

Flash is for casual games no longer; at the Adobe MAX 2011 conference Epic showed off Unreal Tournament 3, completely running in the Adobe Flash 11 environment. This means that potentially you'll be able to play a Mafia Wars game that plays closer to Mafia 2 than it does to the current offering.

"With UE3 and Flash, games built for high-end consoles can now run on the Web or as Facebook apps, reaching an enormous user base," said Sweeney. "This totally changes the playing field for game developers who want to widely deploy and monetize their games."

"We’re excited that Epic Games is tapping into the latest capabilities in Adobe Flash Player 11 to power its Unreal Engine 3," said Emmy Huang, group product manager, Adobe Gaming Solutions. "As the console of the web, Flash is delivering immersive gaming experiences across screens and we’re thrilled to have Epic Games using Flash Player to deliver its blockbuster, premier 3D games on the Web."

No word on a public demo yet, but I can't wait to see if it actually performs how they say it does. What do you think about this move? Does this take away some of the appeal of casual games if they are all now pressured to compete at a AAA level? Is that a bad thing? Or does this degrade "real" games by allowing the unwashed masses that play Farmville to experience motion blur and HDR lighting effects?

Thanks GP

Topics: General News, Technology
AMD Catalyst 11.9 Updated
10:38 PM - - 10 Comments

AMD Catalyst 11.9 has been released on Steam, and it includes a myriad of issue fixes for various games including Call of Duty Black Ops and ads HD3D support if you've got a 3D capable display. If you're sporting an ATI/AMD card, grab it to make sure all your games are running super smooth.

If you prefer to install your drivers the old fashioned way, you can download them here.

Topics: General News, Drivers
Hail To The Icons, Baby! Duke DLC Coming Next Week
6:40 PM - - 8 Comments
On Tuesday, October 11, the new Hail to the Icons Parody Pack for Duke Nukem Forever will release. The pack features four new multiplayer maps for DNF, three new game modes and new weapons. Additionally, everyone who joined the First Access Club before Duke was released will receive this DLC for free. If you aren't in the First Access Club then the standard $9.99 (Steam / PSN) and 800 MSP will apply. On the same day the DLC launches, a game update will also roll out, adding support for the new content, various bug fixes and optimizations.
Topics: Games, Action
Related Games: Duke Nukem Forever (PC), Duke Nukem Forever (Xbox 360), Duke Nukem Forever (PlayStation 3)
Cryptic's Neverwinter To Be Free-To-Play MMO
5:01 PM - - 15 Comments
It's been a while since we've heard anything about Cryptic's Neverwinter project, but IGN posts about some big changes made to the game since it was announced last year. The new Neverwinter will shift from a co-op multiplayer game tp a free-to-play MMO, and will be more action oriented than RPG. Cryptic has stated that Neverwinter will be more along the lines of Nexon's Vindictus, "where combat is controlled by mouse clicks, and where pattern recognition and reflexes are the keys to successfully murdering hordes of monsters". Vindictus is also session-based, with rounds lasting 20 minutes, this type of structure may also find its way into Neverwinter.

Neverwinter is being built on a modified version of Cryptics Star Trek Online / Champions Online engine. The switch to MMO has pushed Neverwinter's release date back to end of 2012.

Topics: Games, MMORPG
Related Games: Neverwinter (PC)
Steve Jobs Dies At Age 56
4:52 PM - - 49 Comments
Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, has died at the age of 56. Jobs stepped down from his position as CEO of Apple in August due to the health concerns and had been suffering from pancreatic cancer.

Upon graduating from Homestead High School in Cupertino, Calif., in 1972, Jobs briefly went to Reed College in Portland, Ore. After a stint as a video-game designer at Atari, Jobs trekked to India in 1974, where he embraced Eastern culture and religion. Shortly after that, he lived in a commune in California.

In 1975, Jobs began hanging out with the Homebrew Computer Club and a friend from high school, Steve Wozniak. Jobs, then 21, and Wozniak — the "two Steves," as they became known — co-founded Apple Computer in Jobs' parents' garage in 1976.

By 25, Jobs was a millionaire. Jobs' first go-around at Apple was highlighted by the creation and introduction, in 1984, of the Macintosh, a revolutionary personal computer with an inviting graphical user-interface and mouse that popularized PCs for the masses.

Topics: General News
Dead Rising 2: Off The Record Launch Trailer
11:17 AM - - 2 Comments
Dead Rising 2: Off The Record releases October 11th for $39.99 and will be available for PS3, Xbox 360, and PC. Hmm, I thought Off The Record was DLC, but for that price, it must be standalone.

Topics: Games, Action
Related Games: Dead Rising 2: Off the Record (PC), Dead Rising 2: Off the Record (Xbox 360), Dead Rising 2: Off the Record (PlayStation 3)
League Of Legends Introduces Xerath In Latest Champion Spotlight
11:01 AM - - 0 Comments
Xerath is an AP nuker that also has the unique passive benefit of getting extra armor as his AP stat rises. It's nice to see another character like this, it's been awhile since there was a caster that I really felt could melt groups of people as hard as say Ryze.

Topics: Games, Real-Time Strategy, Role-Playing Strategy, Videos
Related Games: League of Legends (Macintosh), League of Legends (PC), League of Legends (Collector's Pack) (PC)
Might & Magic Heroes 6 - Tears Trailer
10:47 AM - - 5 Comments
MMH6 is coming to a hard drive near you on October 13. I think socketboy said he'd be reviewing this puppy, so stay tuned!

Topics: Games, Role-Playing Strategy
Related Games: Might & Magic Heroes VI (PC)
Dungeon Siege III On The Cheap
10:45 AM - - 13 Comments
Direct2Drive is shifting Dungeon Siege III at 50% off for their mid-week sale. For today only you can pick the game up for $24.95.
Topics: Games, RPG
Related Games: Dungeon Siege III (PC)
XBLA: How Widespread Is Current Account Hijacking Issue?
8:49 AM - - 30 Comments
About a week ago I mentioned that my Xbox LIVE Arcade account had been accessed and 6000 MS Points fraudulently ordered. Since that time I've heard from many VE3D readers going through the same thing, but it appears to be quite a bit more widespread than I had realized.

This particular issue started around the time that FIFA 12 launched (end of September), and many of the unauthorized point purchases were specifically used to buy FIFA 12. In addition, those with the FIFA 12 charges also had 3 achievements unlocked for the game, and more game points spent on Gold Premium Packs and DLC. In some cases passwords and Gamertags were changed. Some people reporting this issue have not used their account in months, and were only alerted to an issue by the XBLA purchase confirmation emails.

Of course, this is nothing new, it's been happening for some time. In fact, it also happened with FIFA 11 prior to the release of FIFA 12. The standard response from XBLA support is to lock the account for investigation, with a warning that said investigation can take up to 25 days. Unfortunately there are people out there currently on their second month of waiting to get their accounts back. Le Sigh. At least the perp didn't switch my account to Russian.

The funny part is that EA Sports just reported record breaking sales for FIFA 12. Well duh, even those who didn't want to buy it ended up buying it!

Was Xbox LIVE compromised in some way? According to MS -- no.

"We do not have any evidence Xbox LIVE has been compromised. We take the security of our service seriously and work on an ongoing basis to improve it against evolving threats."

I'm going to see if we can get an updated statement from Microsoft.

Topics: Consoles, General News
J.U.L.I.A. Finds A Publisher
8:05 AM - - 6 Comments
J.U.L.I.A., a Sci-Fi adventure game developed by the Czech studio CBE, now has a publisher and a release date. Lace Mamba Global will release this game in Q1 2012.

Strangely enough, there is a different PC puzzle game titled Julia, which is presumably still in development, but it is based off of the comic book criminologist of the same name. J.U.L.I.A., however, is about a character named Rachel who solves puzzles on distant planets.

Read on for a brief plot synopsis, trailer, and some screenshots.

J.U.L.I.A. is an innovative narrative driven PC game. The story centers on Rachel Manners, a 35 year old astrobiologist. She is a member of an elite group of scientists, chosen to embark on one of the most critical missions ever conceived on Earth. Now Rachel is alone, orbiting an unknown planet. Her only companions are J.U.L.I.A., the space probe’s artificial intelligence and Mobot, a huge reconnaissance robot. Together, this unlikely trio will explore the mysteries of this solar system. But are they prepared for what they will find?


Topics: Adventure, Announcements, Industry News, Puzzle
Related Games: Julia (PC)
New DLC Reinforces Men Of War: Assault Squad
7:44 AM - - 4 Comments
1C company has just released a second multiplayer DLC pack for Men of War: Assault Squad. The MP Supply Pack Bravo DLC, available only for the Steam version of the game, features 5 new multiplayer maps for the Assault Zones and Combat gamemodes as well as the DLC only Day of Victory gamemode.

The new Maps are as follows:

  • 1v1 Argentan
  • 1v1 Winter Town
  • 3v3 River Bank
  • 4v4 Depot
  • 5v5 Normandy
The MP Supply Pack Bravo , MP Supply Pack Alpha, and Skirmish Pack DLCs sell for $4.99 each on Steam.

Is it just me, or does 1C Company seem to release Men of War games and DLCs at an insane rate? It makes me think that they’ve repurposed a WW2 era Tank factory in the Urals to mass produce Men of War content.

Anyway, below is a video of the Day of Victory gamemode in action from Supply Pack Alpha.


Topics: Announcements, DLC, Real-Time Strategy, steam
Related Games: Men of War: Assault Squad (PC)
SEGA's Classic Bass Fishing Hits Consoles In HD
7:31 AM - - 2 Comments
This golden oldie brings back some memories. SEGA Bass Fishing has been digitally re-mastered and unleashed on XBLA and PSN for a tenner. This might be super-messed up, but back in the day I would play Bass Fishing with a cooler of beer beside me (for realism purposes I guess?). Loved the game, played it often, spent a ton of time drunk as a result.

In SEGA Bass Fishing players can cast their lines at eight different fishing holes, utilizing 14 unique lures while battling realistic weather conditions that affect fish behaviour. Players also have the opportunity to master their angling techniques to catch as many fish as possible in four tournaments, where the best of the best cross fishing rod.


Topics: Games, Consoles
Related Games: SEGA Bass Fishing (Xbox 360), SEGA Bass Fishing (PlayStation 3), SEGA Bass Fishing (Dreamcast)
Sengoku 1.2 Patch Released
7:08 AM - - 2 Comments
Paradox Interactive just released a patch for Sengoku. The lucky winners of our Sengoku Haiku contest (as well as everyone else who owns a copy) may look forward to the following changes:
  • A new starting date of 1551 along with new characters, events as well as a new end date
  • Interface contains a ‘back’ button in dynastic view, new icons for plot, marriage & diplomacy
  • Impassable mountains, tweaked building construction and ‘death checks’
  • Smarter AI in the areas of plots, wars and clan management
  • Key bug fixes
The complete patch notes may be found here.

Have any of you had a chance to play it yet? What are your thoughts?


Topics: Announcements, Patches, Real-Time Strategy, Strategy
Related Games: Sengoku (PC)
FIFA 12 Sells 5x^-2y^10 over 2x^-1(-3x^-3y^-1)^-2 Copies
7:00 AM - - 14 Comments
EA reports that FIFA 12 has sold a record 3.2 million units since its September 27th launch, thus making it the most successful launch in EA Sports history. Fans around the world have already played more than 200 million minutes of online games of FIFA 12.

Here are some other stats:

  • FIFA 12 sell-through is estimated to be up approximately 23 percent over last year’s record-breaking launch.
  • FIFA 12 for iPhone and iPad has already sold 879,000 units, and achieved the Top Grossing App for iPhone on 30 worldwide storefronts.
  • October 1, 2011 was the busiest day for online gaming in EA SPORTS history. Fans registered more than 10 million EA SPORTS game sessions, including almost eight million game sessions of FIFA 12.
  • Almost 350,000 fans engaged in the early web-start for FIFA 12 Ultimate Team via easportsfootball.com, and more than 14 million trades have already occurred within the Ultimate Team mode. For the first time ever, FIFA Ultimate Team is available on disc for fans to enjoy the thrill of building, managing and playing with their ultimate team of football superstars.
  • The launch of FIFA 12 also saw the introduction of EA SPORTS Football Club – the heartbeat of FIFA 12. Millions of fans around the world have already pledged their allegiance to their favourite team through the Support Your Club feature. To date, the clubs with the most supporters*** are:
    • Manchester United – 241,767 supporters
    • FC Barcelona – 144,709 supporters
    • Arsenal – 131,305 supporters
    • Real Madrid – 126,806 supporters
    • Liverpool – 118,182 supporters
Topics: Games, Sports
Related Games: FIFA Soccer 12 (PC), FIFA Soccer 12 (Nintendo 3DS), FIFA Soccer 12 (Wii), FIFA Soccer 12 (PlayStation Portable), FIFA Soccer 12 (PlayStation 2), FIFA Soccer 12 (iPhone), FIFA Soccer 12 (iPad), FIFA Soccer 12 (Xbox 360), FIFA Soccer 12 (PlayStation 3), FIFA Soccer 12 (Macintosh)
A Quad-Wielding Trailer For The Darkness II
6:40 AM - - 6 Comments
Two in the hand and two in the bush?

Topics: Games
Related Games: The Darkness II (PC), The Darkness II (Xbox 360), The Darkness II (PlayStation 3)
Dungeon Defenders Developer Diary 3 - Combat Phase
3:44 AM - - 0 Comments
Check out the third developer diary for Trendy Entertainment's upcoming co-op tower defense / action-RPG title, Dungeon Defenders. The game is set to release on October 19 for PC and XBLA, and on October 18 for PSN. In the new diary Trendy touches on defense building, upgrading and action in the combat phase and give a sneak peak at some of the game’s epic boss fights.

Topics: Games
Related Games: Dungeon Defenders (PC), Dungeon Defenders (PlayStation 3), Dungeon Defenders (Xbox 360)
Blah... Game Swag Edition
2:35 AM - - 12 Comments
Between the release of RAGE, and Dark Souls, I'm guessing that a fair portion of you guys have been wrapped up in video game land. I actually went on a little real life quest yesterday to try to score one of those Dark Souls Collector's Editions. I had trusted that my Dark Souls pre-order was in good hands at Newegg, but they ended up cancelling it on the day of release instead of shipping my copy out because they wound up getting shafted by Namco. Despite the bad news, I did succeed in scoring a PS3 copy thanks to a cancellation at a nearby Gamestop, but now the collector in me wants to keep it sealed.... ugh.

Unfortunately that pesky collector bug really gets me sometimes. Without even turning my head I'm seeing so much swag, some of it from games that I haven't played in many years now. We're talking framed game posters and lithographs (one is even signed), a 5ft Jim Raynor standee from the Starcraft 2 launch, a couple art books, Half-Life 2 stuffed animal things (don't ask), and a whole bunch of other stuff.

I've definitely got to find a way to better manage my collection as it increases, because I'm running out of space in the man cave. Perhaps I should adopt some sort of policy where game swag can only stay out for as long as it's relevant to what I'm playing. Last thing I'd want is to one day be featured as some crazy old dude on Hoarders that can't let go of old gaming relics. Throwing stuff out is off the table, so don't go there. ;)

Youtube's selection today was pretty crappy, so you're stuck with College Humor's take on the War of 1812. I'm sure G'Moist will get a kick out of it given his obsession with history. Alternatives #1, #2.

Topics: General, In-House, In Other News...

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