Blue's News - All the carnage that's fit to post!

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Jace Hall Show - Aliens, Borderlands, Rage, & DOOM 4 [August 28, 2008, 5:44 pm ET] - 5 Comments

Lucky Episode 13 of the Jace Hall Show on Crackle (NSFW) is the season one finale of this online series featuring TEH KING. This week Jace visits Gearbox Software to talk with Randy Pitchford and check out what they are up to. Along the way he gets to fire Gearbox's actual pulse rifle, a real firearm modeled after the Marine weapon in Aliens. He then gets one of his signature second-hand demonstrations with a ShakyCam look at Borderlands before stealing a surreptitious peek at Aliens: Colonial Marines. After his Aliens shenanigans ostensibly get him kicked out of Gearbox, Jace visits id Software, talking with Todd Hollenshead about id's legacy and getting a martial arts demonstration from John Carmack where Jace does the darndest Richard Belzer impression. His efforts at scoring exclusive game footage falls short at id, though, as he gets to see the DOOM 4 team taking a break, and watches the Rage trailer that we've all seen already. They also offer a couple of humorous "real-life" demos, with the DOOM 4 bit involved taping a flashlight to a rifle (with the words "scoop" flashing on the screen), suggesting that the contrivance of the two-handed DOOM 3 flashlight may be eliminated.

EA: Second-Hand Games a "Critical Situation" [August 28, 2008, 4:46 pm ET] - 32 Comments

Electronic Arts considers second-hand game sales a "critical situation" reports GamesIndustry.biz in a bit of from an interview with EA's Jens Uwe Intat that will published in its entirety tomorrow. According to Intat, senior VP and general manager for European publishing at EA, the publisher is experimenting with a number of different business models to combat the problem of the same game being sold and resold to different users. He points out that games have a unique problem compared to most other goods sold on secondary markets because they do not degrade with use. To address this, he says: "What we're trying to do is build business models that are more and more online-supported with additional services and additional content that you get online. So people will see the value in not just getting that physical disc to play at home alone, but actually playing those games online and paying for them."

Shattered Suns & Oddworld Pack Now on Steam [August 28, 2008, 4:45 pm ET] - Post a Comment

Steam News has word that Shattered Suns, Clear Crown Studios' real-time strategy game, is now available for online purchase via Steam for $39.99. Steam News also has word that Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee and Abe's Exoddus are both now available via the online platform for $9.99 each, or for $14.99 as a combo "Oddworld Pack," offering an additional 10% off those prices for purchases between now and September 4.

More Halo 4 Rumors - Yu to MS; Ken Scott Leaves id? [August 28, 2008, 4:45 pm ET] - 2 Comments

Kotaku reports that programming wiz Corrinne Yu will be departing Gearbox Software for Microsoft after Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway goes gold to "lead the team to build the engines and games for future Halo's on Xbox'es and PC's at Microsoft." They feel this lends credence to recent rumors that Gearbox will make the next Halo game (story). Shacknews adds their own piece to this puzzle, pointing out that Yu's husband Kenneth Scott is no longer on the id Software staff page, where he had been listed as the company's art director, but that Scott is now listed on Microsoft's Facebook page.

Ships Ahoy - Outcry [August 28, 2008, 2:45 pm ET] - 1 Comment

The Adventure Company announces that Outcry is now available in North American stores for $19.99, offering puzzling gameplay and photorealistic environments. Here's a description of the game: "Assume the role of a middle-aged writer who receives a strange invitation from his brother that he hasn’t seen for years. Accepting his invitation, you are soon confronted with the discovery of his sudden disappearance and his connection to a mysterious machine which, according to your brother, can separate one’s consciousness from his body. Explore the boundaries between dreams and reality as you delve deep into your subconscious and confront your innermost conflicts."

Dominions 3: The Awakening Patches [August 28, 2008, 1:58 pm ET] - Post a Comment

New patches are now available for Dominions 3: The Awakening to update Illwinter Game Design's fantasy-themed turn-based strategy game to version 3.20. There are separate patches for the Windows, Linux, and Macintosh editions of the game, all of which can be found on this page, and these patch notes outline what's involved in the new version. The Windows patch is mirrored on AtomicGamer, FileFront, and Gamer's Hell. The Linux patch is mirrored on AtomicGamer, FileFront, and Gamer's Hell. The Mac patch is mirrored on AtomicGamer, FileFront, and Gamer's Hell.

Spore Preloads [August 28, 2008, 1:18 pm ET] - 23 Comments

Pre-downloads are now underway for preorder customers for the downloadable PC edition of Spore from the EA store who will be able to acquire about 99% of the game in advance of its release on September 7 in North America and September 5 in Europe (though you will be charged for the game immediately). When the game goes live on those dates, these customers will be able to complete download and installation to begin playing within 30-60 minutes. This applies to digital downloads of the PC edition only, as the Spore Collector's Edition is only available as a boxed copy, and Mac users interested in digital distribution can preorder from GameTree Online, but they do not seem to be offering preloads at this time.

Clutch Revealed [August 28, 2008, 12:00 pm ET] - 6 Comments

GFI announces Clutch, a vehicular combat/racing game in the works at Targem Games for release during the first quarter of next year. Clutch will be ripped from today's headlines, to use the cliché, as it is set in the post-apocalyptic ruins of the Large Hadron Collider, in what is described as a completely open, sandbox-style environment. The game will feature 20 story missions, six gameplay modes, advanced physics, numerous cars and artifacts, and "high speed destruction, heaps of broken bones and wrecked cars." Here's a bit more to set the story: "A hobo former mechanic known as 'Clutch'; finds a new home in the camp of the Harvesters, a miscreant bunch of daredevils who hunt for treasure in the warped ruins of the Large Hadron Collider. Hiding inside the quarantine perimeter, they build cars and equipment to infiltrate what used to be the LHC campus before the thing was powered up for the first time. Radiation and mutants take their toll, but things brought into this world by the unknown energies of the LHC are worth a life, especially if it's someone else's. Once something new is located, the death race begins. And the rumor has it that deep down in the core of the LHC there is the ultimate prize..."

Game Lobbying Gears Up [August 28, 2008, 12:00 pm ET] - 1 Comment

The Entertainment Consumers Association Announces they are now offering membership to Canadian citizens, creating an international reach for this lobbying organization. Word is: "The ECA will soon be unveiling a host of unique benefits and programs that will be specifically targeted towards Canadian consumers. Canadian chapter organizations are already underway in local gaming communities and these newly-formed networks will continue to grow and offer a great way for videogame players to stay informed and connect with like-minded ECA members in their area." Here's the ECA Website. On a related note, Edge Online reports a dramatic increase in spending on game lobbying in the US, saying the $1.7m spent by The Entertainment Software Association in the first-half of this year tops the $1.4m spent by the lobby group all of last year. They contrast this with the Motion Picture Association of America, which has spent less than a million dollars in the first half of this year.

LEGO Batman TV Show [August 28, 2008, 12:00 pm ET] - 1 Comment

Traveller's Tales president Jon Burton recently mentioned ambitions to create a TV series based on TT's LEGO game properties, and now word is a one-off 20-minute TV episode is in the works that not only is based on LEGO Batman, but will also use the upcoming game (along with some pre-rendered CGI) to create the show. The show is said to be in production at "a separate studio in the States," but it's not clear where or how the finished product will be released.

Afternoon Consolidation [August 28, 2008, 12:00 pm ET] - Post a Comment

New PS3 bundles revealed.
BioShock PS3 DLC 'right now exclusive'.
Demo: NFL Head Coach 09 on Xbox LIVE.
'Rock Band 2' offering new slate of full albums. Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jane's Addiction, Megadeth, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and No Doubt.
GH dev mocks Rock Band cymbals.
Meteos Wars heading to XBLA.
PS3 Home going live in Asia this autumn.
Lag is “huge problem” for online SFIV.
No super-slim PS2 for the UK.
Guitar Hero to feature branded equipment and famous stages.
Qimonda Begins to Ship XDR Memory for Sony PlayStation 3. Thanks Mike Martinez.

X3: Terran Conflict Movie [August 28, 2008, 11:30 am ET] - 8 Comments

A "think" trailer from X3: Terran Conflict show off how to use your kidneys (points at brain) in the upcoming continuation of Egosoft's space combat series. Thinking aside, the primary focus of the clip is to outline the revamped structure of how players will receive and execute missions within the game. The narrated clip is available on the YouTube that all the kids are talking about, and mirrored on AtomicGamer, FileFront, and Gamer's Hell.

Blackstar Movie; SpaceTime Studios "Heads-Down" [August 28, 2008, 11:29 am ET] - Post a Comment

Another space combat game movie can be found on the SpaceTime Studios Website, where they have posted a minute-long clip from Blackstar, their space-combat MMORPG that's currently in limbo without a publishing deal or funding for further development (story). As for this uncertainty, they have posted this update: "The studio is heads-down and figuring out our next move right now. We will be meeting with folks at Austin GDC, so if you would like to discuss business please contact us at this address." The clip is mirrored on AtomicGamer, FileFront, and Gamer's Hell.

Tomb Raider Underworld Movie [August 28, 2008, 11:29 am ET] - Post a Comment

Another clip from Tomb Raider Underworld shows off more of Lara Croft acrobatically maneuvering her way through the ruins of temples in Thailand. The clip is posted on German website GameStar.

New Free Grimm Episode [August 28, 2008, 10:45 am ET] - 3 Comments

GameTap now offers The Girl Without Hands, the latest episode in American McGee's Grimm, the episodic series bases on a grim take on Grimm's fairy tales. Once again the episode is free as an ad-supported release for 24 hours, after which normal fees will apply. Here's how the new episode is described: "The devil tricks a man into trading his daughter for wealth. Each time the devil comes to collect, the girl is soaked with tears, so he decides to come back another time. Thus, the man cuts off the girl's hands so that she's constantly crying and therefore, unwanted by the devil. The girl ends up marrying a king, but when he goes off to war, the devil returns and tricks her into thinking that the king has ordered her execution, driving her back to her father. She's, of course, grateful to return home until Grimm reminds her of the soon-to-be-famous phrase "an arm for an arm."

Spore and "Horizontal Expansion" [August 28, 2008, 10:09 am ET] - Post a Comment

We Chat With Will Wright About The Evolution Of Spore on GameInformer talks with the designer behind Maxis' imminent life simulation. They discuss design challenges, gameplay, evolution versus intelligent design, and learn that Wright is not unaware of the amount of attention Spore is receiving, nor is he unconcerned about living up to what he describes as "too much hype." The most interesting topic is probably expansion, as he says: "With The Sims, we were basically selling expansion packs to the same customers over and over." He sees the possibility for as much expansion for Spore as The Sims (eek!), but in a different way: "I think Spore lends itself more to horizontal expansion, where we take components of the game like levels or editors into totally different formats and hit people that maybe never even played the hardcore PC game, but would enjoy a lighter experience using one of the editors. Or, using the content in new ways outside of Spore the game." On a related note, Why isn't everyone copying Will Wright? on Develop discusses the user-generated content in games like Spore and LittleBigPlanet and examines whether "UGC" is really a hot trend in gaming.

EVE Online Expansion Interview [August 28, 2008, 10:09 am ET] - 19 Comments

EVE Online interview on MMORPG.COM is a video interview with CCP associate producer Arend Stuhrmann about the EVE Online expansion they plan to launch next month. He discusses the player-oriented approach to the add-on, as it will incorporated a number of requests from the community. He goes on to discuss the following add-in, codenamed "Midas," which will offer lots of new content, and will focus on science and industry. Hopefully as video interviews grow more prevalent, content providers will invest in external microphones, because the audio quality of the answers is awful (while the camcorder mic picks up the questions quite clearly). Thanks Eurogamer.

Video Games Contribute to Pro Tennis Split [August 28, 2008, 10:09 am ET] - 1 Comment

Brad Gilbert admits poor relationship with Andy Murray but backs Scot for success follows-up on a split between Andy Murray, the number-one ranked tennis player in the UK, and Brad Gilbert, an American tennis coach who has contributed to the success of Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick. Gilbert comments on the reasons behind his firing, indicating their frequent arguments were a primary cause, but he also mentions a generation gap, twice referencing Murray's love of video games, saying: "And then he plays video games seven hours a day. So if he is not playing video games or playing tennis, he is with his girlfriend." He follows this up by saying: "He lives a quiet relaxed life, focused on being a tennis player. But he is obsessed with video games. I don’t play video games."

On AU Games Classification [August 28, 2008, 08:47 am ET] - 16 Comments

Australian Classification Board Speaks On Games, R18+ & Fallout 3 on Kotaku Australia has a Q&A with the folks in charge of censoring media content in Australia after Fallout 3's recent brush with prohibition (story) and subsequent censorship for sale down under (story). Interesting topics include whether the board plays the games it rates, the legality of importing banned games, specifics about the drug references that got Fallout 3 in trouble, and a few questions about the R18+ rating that many are hoping will be added to the system to allow adults to buy games that are prohibited under current guidelines.

Would Pirates Have Bought Crysis? [August 28, 2008, 03:24 am ET] - 169 Comments

Edge Online has some quotes from Harald Seeley taken from an upcoming interview with the Engine Business Manager at Crytek about controversial remarks by Crytek CEO Cevat Yerli about the dire impact of PC piracy on sales of Crysis (story). Harald concedes that not everyone who pirated their first-person shooter would have bought it, but he thinks there is an argument to be made that those still playing the game and downloading patches (they apparently still have more active users than unit sales) could be considered lost customers: "I think we can safely say if they were still playing the game by the time our latest patch released, and if they were playing on a pirated copy, then they were a sale that didn’t happen but probably would have had it not been possible to obtain the game illegally." He also makes observations about DRM, saying: "For example, the consoles themselves are, in one sense, simply very good DRM technologies that consumers welcome and pay for, in order to receive the benefits that come with them…"

Ryzom Resumes [August 28, 2008, 03:24 am ET] - 5 Comments

The Ryzom Website is now accepting new players into this science-fiction MMORPG that recently resumed operation following another forced hiatus (story). The game is currently free to download and play, but it is not clear if that will change nor is the game's current business model apparent. Thanks Eurogamer.

Empires in Arms Patch [August 28, 2008, 03:24 am ET] - Post a Comment

Matrix Games now offers a new patch for Empires in Arms that updates the Napoleonic grand strategy game to version 1.03.14. The accompanying explanations says: "The update addresses dozens more issues that have become evident since the major v1.02 update in addition to adding multiple AI improvements and a few other overall enhancements." The download can be found via this page.

Stargate Worlds Trailer [August 28, 2008, 03:24 am ET] - Post a Comment

A new Stargate Worlds trailer is online to promote the upcoming Stargate MMORPG. The clip showcases a number of the game's environments in some flyby sequences and a bit of gameplay footage. The clip is located on Gamer's Hell and MyGameTrailers.

Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir Trailer [August 28, 2008, 03:24 am ET] - Post a Comment

A new Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir trailer looks at Obsidian's upcoming NWN2 expansion. The clip shows off a few locations, spell effects, some hacking, as well as some slashing. You can find the clip on ActionTrip, AtomicGamer, and FileFront.

New Dead Space Animated Comic [August 28, 2008, 03:24 am ET] - 3 Comments

Gametrailers now offers issue 5 of the animated Dead Space comic that's setting the story for the upcoming science fiction-themed horror game. The Dead Space Website has the previous four installments if you haven't kept up.

On Full Throttle's Throttled Sequels [August 28, 2008, 02:03 am ET] - 4 Comments

The rise and fall of Full Throttle on Adventure Classic Gaming sits down with Bill Tiller to get the full story behind Full Throttle: Payback and Full Throttle: Hell on Wheels, two sequels to LucasArts' biker-themed adventure game that were each cancelled before seeing the light of day. The article discusses what there is to know about the projects, changes in corporate culture at LucasArts over the years, the frustration the development teams experienced due the games being axed, and more.

Gatherings & Competitions [August 28, 2008, 02:03 am ET] - Post a Comment

The Golden Joystick Awards. Add new edgy Edge awards.

Morning Consolidation [August 28, 2008, 02:03 am ET] - 2 Comments

Mobilization [August 28, 2008, 02:03 am ET] - 1 Comment

Thanks Ant and Mike Martinez.

Metaverse [August 28, 2008, 02:03 am ET] - Post a Comment

Thanks Mike Martinez.

Safety Dance [August 28, 2008, 02:02 am ET] - 1 Comment

Thanks Mike Martinez.

Revealed: The Internet's Biggest Security Hole. Thanks Ant and Broadband Reports.
How Loss of Privacy May Mean Loss of Security. Thanks j.c.f.
Data Fusion The Ups and Downs of All-Encompassing Digital Profiles. Thanks j.c.f.
Researchers develop cloud-based antivirus.
Time may be running out for a 64-bit Vista-based ZoneAlarm. Thanks Ant.
California classifies LED building block as human carcinogen.
Parents Are Never Going To Be Able To Monitor All Kids Online Activities.
Computer viruses make it to orbit. NASA investigating how the laptops (with no A/V software) got infected.

Legal Briefs [August 28, 2008, 02:02 am ET] - 1 Comment

Thanks Mike Martinez.

Game Reviews [August 28, 2008, 02:02 am ET] - 2 Comments

Birth of America 2: Wars in America on Boomtown.
Sauerbraten on Linux.com. Thanks Ant.
Space Siege on ActionTrip and Crispy Gamer.

Hardware Reviews [August 28, 2008, 02:02 am ET] - Post a Comment

Acer X193W+ 19" Widescreen LCD Monitor on TheTechLounge.
AMD Phenom X4 9750 Quad Core CPU on Hardware Canucks.
ASUS Eee PC 901 Netbook on Phoronix.
ASUS Eee PC 1000H Netbook on Hooked Gamers.
Corsair XMS2 DHX DDR2 800MHz 2 x 2GB RAM on Overclockers Club.
CSX Diablo 2000MHZ DDR3 RAM on XSReviews.co.uk.
ECS GF8200A Motherboard on Digit-Life.
EVGA GeForce GTX 260 896MB FTW Graphics Card on TheTechLounge.
GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 260 Graphics Card on Legion Hardware.
Tagan EL DIABLO APLUS Case on Motherboards.org.
Thermaltake Bigwater 780e ESA 3-Bay Liquid Cooling System on ThinkComputers.org.
XFX GeForce 9800 GTX+ Graphics Card on TweakTown.

etc. [August 28, 2008, 02:02 am ET] - 1 Comment

Playing for profit on the Economist.com. "Why video gaming can be good for business." Thanks Ant and Slashdot…
Larian Studios now offers the Divinity 2: Ego Draconis fan site kit…
True Games Interactive Signs Exclusive Deal with European Publisher, GOA, for Its Upcoming Online Strategy Game From Petroglyph…
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. to Report Third Quarter Fiscal 2008 Results on Thursday, September 4, 2008…
Steam News announces that Flatout: Ultimate Carnage is now available via Steam…
Pro Gamer on Survivor…

Out of the Blue [August 28, 2008, 02:02 am ET] - 10 Comments

I finally figured out why there is so much beeping coming from the guys working on the sidewalks outside the BlueTower. It's not from having a truck in reverse, it's when the large cement mixing truck is pouring, as I guess that makes the rear-end of the truck a dangerous blind spot for the driver similar to backing up. I guess that makes *twitch* sense *twitch*.

Twitchy Links:	Thanks Ant and Mike Martinez.
Play:	Cyborg Livestock From Outer Space.
Link:	Guy Builds Full Lego Boba Fett Costume, Somehow Manages to Keep Marriage Intact.
Story:	Spanish town blushes with annual tomato fight.
Science:	Why you should go with your gut feeling. Technology turning chocolate into a sweet science. Chocolate is now boxing? Mars rover driving out of crater.
Image:	Target - No Warcraft? Here, Try This Poorly Kitten.
Media:	YouTube in 1985. Wii Music. The Ultimate Show Off Car - Can Self Drive & Go Underwater. Simultaneously interesting and boring.
Follow-ups:	Museum Backs 9/11 Game Exhibit.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

GTR: Evolution Sept. 1 - Preorders get Race '07 Free Now [August 27, 2008, 6:44 pm ET] - 17 Comments

Steam has word that preorders are now being accepted for GTR: Evolution, and that the latest installment in SimBin's RACE series, will be released on September 1. Those who preorder the game before release (at a 10% discount) will immediately get the full version of Race 2007 for free, and those who already own Race '07 can prepurchase the game for half-price.

Strange Attractors 2 & Demo Released [August 27, 2008, 6:44 pm ET] - Post a Comment

Greenhouse Interactive now offers online sales of Strange Attractors 2, a top down puzzle game that, like its predecessor, utilizes the simplest possible control scheme, though they have added an optional second button this time around. Word is: "Use your ship’s gravity drive to navigate and escape from a complex series of labyrinths full of secrets, hazards and unlucky spacemen. New to Strange Attractors 2, you now have two attractor switches at your command, also offering you control of an 'Anti-Gravity' button. But, don’t despair! – The game is still completely playable with a single switch. Strange Attractors 2 is incredibly fun, incorporates lessons learned from its predecessor, and features improvements upon an already successful one-switch game." The site has more details on the game as well as some screenshots. A playable demo is also available, and this is mirrored on AtomicGamer and Gamer's Hell.

Impulse Phase II Released [August 27, 2008, 6:43 pm ET] - Post a Comment

The Sins of a Solar Empire Website announces the release of "Phase II" of Impulse, Stardock's digital delivery platform. Phase II includes a number of new games and other software titles, a revamped user interface, new ImpulseReactor developer tools, and the ability to add and update third-party games. Word is: "Phase two has already addressed user feedback and incorporates significantly faster load times, downloads, a smart queue option and a smarter updating process which exponentially decreases processing time for updates."

Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir Q&A [August 27, 2008, 6:43 pm ET] - Post a Comment

Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir Q&A - Part 2 on RPG Vault continues this discussion of Obsidian's upcoming D&D RPG expansion. They discuss the narrative in Storm of Zehir, open-endedness, party creation, new feats, new enemies, new items, and general newness. The Q&A includes a couple of new screenshots.

Space Siege DVD Patch [August 27, 2008, 6:43 pm ET] - 12 Comments

A small patch is now available for Space Siege to address a DVD recognition issue that could impact owners of certain optical drives running Windows Vista SP1. The patch is available on AtomicGamer, FileFront, Gamer's Hell, and The Patches Scrolls.

Prince of Persia Diary Movie [August 27, 2008, 6:43 pm ET] - Post a Comment

The first diary movie is now available for the upcoming return of the Prince of Persia. Word is: "The game's developers delve into the dynamics of the game's open world structure, unveil an exciting new ability the Prince will possess, and give a deeper look into the game's combat system." Specifically the clip highlights the game's open world setting, the new roof running maneuver, and more on the game's combat. The clip is available on AtomicGamer.

NVIDIA Beta ForceWare Drivers [August 27, 2008, 6:43 pm ET] - 7 Comments

The NVIDIA Driver Downloads Page leads the way to new beta version 177.92 ForceWare reference drivers for NVIDIA GeForce 6-series, 7-series, 8-series, 9-series, and 200-series GPUs. The new drivers include PhysX support, SLI enhancements, a number of performance improvements, and more. Thanks Tadej.

Op Ed [August 27, 2008, 6:43 pm ET] - Post a Comment

Evening Previews [August 27, 2008, 6:43 pm ET] - Post a Comment

City of Abandoned Ships on RPG Vault.
Divinity 2: Ego Draconis on RPGWatch.
Empire: Total War on HEXUS.
Far Cry 2 on Hooked Gamers.
Postal III on Hooked Gamers.
LEGO Batman on Eurogamer.
Quantum of Solace on Joystiq.
Silkroad Online on RPG Vault.
Spore on Rock, Paper, Shotgun and GameSpot.
Stargate Worlds on Eurogamer.
World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King on MTV Multiplayer.
X-Blades on Hooked Gamers.

Evening Screenshots [August 27, 2008, 6:43 pm ET] - Post a Comment

Atlantica Online on RPG Vault.
East India Company on Gamer's Hell.
Fallen Earth on the Official Website. New female character concept art.
Heroes over Europe on FileFront.
International Athletics on FileFront.
The Sims 2: Apartment Pets on FileFront.
Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X on FileFront.
World War One on FileFront.

Evening Consolidation [August 27, 2008, 6:43 pm ET] - 1 Comment

Thanks Mike Martinez.

Rock Band - Rush Delay Info. Moving Pictures borked -- won't be out for "a couple of weeks."
LittleBigPlanet to feature personal 'copyright' system.
Guitar Praise: Guitar Hero for Christians.
Watch the Joker's MK vs. DC fatality.
Blockbuster, 7-Eleven and Riteaid get PSN cards in September.

Evening Tech Bits [August 27, 2008, 6:42 pm ET] - Post a Comment

Thanks Mike Martinez and Ant.

etc., etc. [August 27, 2008, 6:42 pm ET] - 1 Comment

No Known Survivors is a new teaser website, offering media and mini-games for Dead Space. Be careful entering your DOB in the age-gate, as it is a pain to fix…
'Spore' designer spills on explicit creatures. Will Wright digs Sporn. Thanks Voodoo Extreme…
A new patch to update the German edition of Drakensang: The Dark Eye to version 1.01 is available on AtomicGamer, FileFront, and Gamer's Hell…
Bambi terrorizes Northrend. Thanks Mike Martinez and Joystiq…

Into the Black [August 27, 2008, 6:42 pm ET] - 7 Comments

As I recently mentioned, I'm trying to get these evening updates posted a little earlier so they don't run into the midnight updates for the next day.

Left 4 Dead Trailer [August 27, 2008, 5:50 pm ET] - 3 Comments

Here they come! The GC 2008 trailer for Left 4 Dead offers a cinematic look at a boss battle in the zombified shooter in the works at Valve subsidiary Turtle Rock Studios. The clip can be found on FileFront and Gamer's Hell.

Battleforge Trailer [August 27, 2008, 5:50 pm ET] - Post a Comment

The official Battleforge trailer from the Leipzig show is live, offering a look at EA Phenomic's upcoming collectible card strategy game. The movie is posted on the official BattleForge website and mirrored on Gamer's Hell.

Far Cry 2 Console Trailer [August 27, 2008, 5:50 pm ET] - 3 Comments

A new Far Cry 2 trailer shows off a console version of the upcoming first-person shooter. It's not clear which system the game is running on, but that it's a console is evident from the player's attempts at aiming his weapons (not to mention how it says "console footage" in the lower right-hand corner). The clip is available on ActionTrip, AtomicGamer, FileFront, and Gamer's Hell.

Culpa Innata 2: Chaos Rising Trailer [August 27, 2008, 5:50 pm ET] - Post a Comment

A teaser trailer for Culpa Innata 2: Chaos Rising is online promoting the cyberpunk adventure game sequel under construction at Momentum AS. To be clear this clip is more teaser than trailer as it offers neither gameplay nor game cinematics; it is a concept piece featuring a giant snake and a naked woman that you probably don't need to be Freud to interpret. The clip is posted on AtomicGamer and Filefront.

Divinity 2 Movie [August 27, 2008, 2:39 pm ET] - 6 Comments

The first movie from Divinity 2: Ego Draconis is now available, offering a look at the RPG sequel in the works at Larian Studios. The clip introduces what seems to be the central question of the game: What happens when a dragon slayer becomes a dragon? The trailer is mirrored on ActionTrip, AtomicGamer, FileFront, and Gamer's Hell.

A Vampyre Story Movie [August 27, 2008, 2:39 pm ET] - 3 Comments

The GC 2008 trailer for A Vampyre Story is now available, offering a guided tour of the game's hometown of Draxsylvania. The clip is available on the A Vampyre Story downloads page. The movie is mirrored on AtomicGamer, FileFront, and Gamer's Hell.

MMOG Updates [August 27, 2008, 1:33 pm ET] - 7 Comments

A few new updates are available or near in the ever-changing world of massively multiplayer online gaming. The City of Heroes Website announces plans for "The Architect," Chapter 13 in the super-powered MMORPG. The update will offer new power sets and offline character progression in the form of "day jobs" for City of Heroes, but most significant is the Mission Architect, which will allow players to create their own missions for the game. Issue 13 may seem impressive, but that pales in comparison to the new Asheron's Call update, which marks the 100th(!) update to the game, adding the beginnings of the Elder Game system and two new PvP controllable towns. Details on this update as well as future plans for Turbine's MMORPG can be found in this post. Finally, the INFINITY Online website has details on a new update that adds an auction house to this subscription-free MMORPG.

Ubisoft: Europe Our Biggest Territory [August 27, 2008, 1:33 pm ET] - 11 Comments

GamesIndustry.biz excerpts some quotes from its full interview with Yves Guillemot where the Ubisoft boss says that Europe has surpassed the US as the largest territory for the game publisher: "So for Ubisoft turnover Europe is actually more important than the US now, and by more than 5 percent. It's become a very strong market for us." He goes on to explain this has something to do with accessibility and loving to play: "I think there are lots of customers that want to play - because in Europe we love to play - the only problem we had was that the games were becoming more and more difficult to play. Now that there's more accessibility, some accessories that are helping people to have fun, I think this market has no limit in the growth it can have if we can make sure that the people that are coming in are staying."

Afternoon Consolidation [August 27, 2008, 1:33 pm ET] - 3 Comments

Ships Ahoy - Penumbra: Requiem [August 27, 2008, 11:15 am ET] - 7 Comments

Paradox Interactive announces the release of Penumbra: Requiem, saying the expansion will "tie together the previous Penumbra games and give the series its climactic resolution." The add-on, which requires ownership of Penumbra: Black Plague, is available from GamersGate and theoretically somewhere on Direct2Drive (though I can't find it there). Requiem picks up where Black Plague lets off, and word is: "Players will be taken on a tense journey filled with psychological horror and the most unspeakable things lurking in the darkness. This time telling what is real and what is not will be even harder and questioning your senses will be essential to survival. Your decisions could make the difference between life and death."

PC Burnout Paradise in January [August 27, 2008, 11:00 am ET] - 18 Comments

Operation Burnout has word that the PC edition of Burnout Paradise is expected in January 2009, having noticed the release date in a recent GameSpot preview of the open-world racing game. The PC edition will include the camera functionality of the console versions, allowing you to capture images for licenses and online takedowns via any USB webcam, and word is developer Criterion may tweak the single-player progression slightly, though no details on that are provided. Thanks N4G.

Rockstar Developing Max Payne 3? [August 27, 2008, 10:39 am ET] - 25 Comments

The latest print issue of EGM Magazine has a rumor that development of Max Payne 3 is not taking place at original Max Payne developer Remedy Games, who are busy completing Alan Wake. Computer and Video Games says that EGM reports the Payne sequel will be handled by the same internal Rockstar team (Rockstar Toronto) that created The Warriors. Max Payne... come out and pla-ay.

Europa Universalis: Rome - Vae Victis Announced [August 27, 2008, 08:58 am ET] - Post a Comment

This press release announces Vae Victis, an expansion for Europa Universalis: Rome planned for release "during the latter half of Q4, 2008." The grand-strategy add-on will require the original game to play, and will offer revised military AI, a greater emphasis on the machinations of the Senate, an overhauled interface, and more.

Far Cry 3: Not Out of Africa [August 27, 2008, 08:42 am ET] - 11 Comments

Videogaming247 reports on plans for a third installment in the Far Cry series, even as Ubisoft finishes up work on Far Cry 2. Speaking with Ubisoft Montreal's Patrick Redding at the recently completed Leipzig GCDC they learned the third Far Cry game is already in the planning stages, and that they have "a commitment to the African setting" of Far Cry 2. He says their engine is flexible enough to depict virtually any setting, but they would probably continue to explore the African setting because the "exotic, dangerous environment" fit the "Far Cry brand," not to mention all the African art assets they have already created.

More on Gearbox & Halo 4 [August 27, 2008, 08:42 am ET] - Post a Comment

A post on Variety's The Cut Scene Blog adds a little fuel to the fire of rumors that Halo 4 is in the works at Gearbox Software (story). By way of their source, they tell us that while "Gearbox has definitely had conversations with Microsoft" about creating a new Halo game, and "is very excited at the prospect," but their source also tells them no deal is in place at this point. Thanks Videogaming247.

Advanced Tactics: World War II Patch [August 27, 2008, 08:21 am ET] - Post a Comment

Matrix Games now offers a new patch for Advanced Tactics: World War II, updating the World War II turn-based strategy game to version 1.20. The new version offers multiplayer enhancements like new support for weather seasons, diplomacy, sharing lines of site, and nukes! Version 1.20 also addresses a few bugs and enhances PBEM security. The download is located here.

Ships Ahoy - MindHabits [August 27, 2008, 12:00 am ET] - Post a Comment

Got Games Entertainment announces the release of MindHabits, the latest game to claim to improve your mental acuity (arguably anyone believing that probably needs the help). The game is available for sale online sale for both Windows and Macintosh, offering your choice of physical or digital delivery. A playable demo is also available.

Atlantica Online Refer-a-Friend Program [August 27, 2008, 12:00 am ET] - 8 Comments

Atlantica Online announces the launch of a refer-a-friend program for this turn-based strategy MMOG. Players who invite 10 friends into the game's beta test will earn in-game items consisting of three Skill Reset Books, two seven-day Extra Inventory Licenses, and 50 Ambrosia.

Op Ed [August 27, 2008, 12:00 am ET] - 11 Comments

Mobilization [August 27, 2008, 12:00 am ET] - 3 Comments

Thanks Ant.

Metaverse [August 27, 2008, 12:00 am ET] - 1 Comment

Thanks Mike Martinez.

IE8 Will Contain an Accidental Ad Blocker.
Facebook hits 100 million users.
Off-air clips of celebrities are golden on Internet. Thanks Devicer.

Safety Dance [August 27, 2008, 12:00 am ET] - 3 Comments

SUPERAntiSpyware version 4.20.1046 is now available.
TSA declares war on large breasts. Thanks Ant.

Legal Briefs [August 27, 2008, 12:00 am ET] - 5 Comments

Thanks Mike Martinez.

Game Reviews [August 27, 2008, 12:00 am ET] - 4 Comments

Alone in the Dark on ComputerGames.ro.
American McGee's Grimm. Episode 4 on Crispy Gamer.
Art of Murder: FBI Confidential on Out of Eight.
Code of Honor 2: Conspiracy Island on Gaming Nexus.
LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures on RealGamer.
Space Siege on TrustedReviews.

Hardware Reviews [August 27, 2008, 12:00 am ET] - Post a Comment

Acer Aspire One Netbook on The Tech Report.
Acer X193W+ 19" Widescreen LCD Monitor on The Tech Lounge.
Asus Eee PC 1000 on bit-tech.net.
ASUS M3A78-T AMD Motherboard on Techware Labs.
BFG Tech ES 800W PSU on SysOpt.
Cooler Master GeminII S Cooler on InsideHW.
CyberSnipa Stinger Mouse on Legion Hardware.
FSP Everest 80Plus 700 Cooler on Pro-Clockers.
Gigabyte GA-MA790GP-DS4H Motherboard on bit-tech.net.
Lenovo ThinkPad X200 Ultraportable Notebook on HotHardware.
Lian Li XB01 Xbox 360 Case on bit-tech.net.
Logitech MX 1100 Cordless Laser Mouse on I4U News.
MSI X58 Eclipse Motherboard on bit-tech.net.
NVIDIA GeForce 9400 GT Graphics Card on PCGH.
NZXT Guardian 921 Case on Overclockers Club.
NZXT Sentry LX Fan Controller on OCIA.net.
OCZ Alchemy Series Elixir Keyboard on Virtual-Hideout.
Saitek Cyborg Keyboard on Digital Trends.
Samsung SyncMaster 2263DX 22" + 7" LCD Monitor on TrustedReviews.
Samsung SyncMaster 2263UW 22" Widescreen LCD Monitor on ThinkComputers.org.
Swann Security BlueAlert Security Kit on DragonSteelMods.
Vantec Aeroflow FX 120 Cooler on Pro-Clockers.
VIZO Ninja II Laptop Cooler on Techware Labs.
Western Digital VelociRaptor 10,000RPM Hard Disk in RAID 0 on TweakTown.
YOYOtech NightHawk Nova XT Desktop System on Elite Bastards.

etc. [August 27, 2008, 12:00 am ET] - 22 Comments

Dyack: EVE’s better than WoW…
Campaign begins for larger Ontario games tax credit…
La Tale is a subscription-free side-scrolling MMORPG, now entering open beta testing…

Out of the Blue [August 27, 2008, 12:00 am ET] - 16 Comments

Analyst, MS Advocate Christina Wise-Mohr on Washingtonpost.com is the obituary for my aunt who died a few weeks ago. She was an inspiring person, and the article offers insights into some of the obstacles she overcame in living with MS, and some of the things she was able to accomplish in spite of her affliction.

Accomplished Links:	Thanks Ant and Mike Martinez.
Play:	Survivor115. Thanks Jay is Games.
Stories:	Cat survives being walled in under bath for 7 weeks. Nine-year-old told he's too good for Little League. Most Sung-About Body Part? The Eyes Have It. Thanks nin.
Science:	Human exoskeleton suit helps paralyzed people walk. Cattle shown to align north-south. Monkeys experience joy of giving, too, study finds.
Media:	Cheeky German Swimmer Wins Gold. Panther! "The most exciting entertainer on planet Earth."
Auction:	eBay Find of the Day: Michael Keaton's Batmobile #5 of 5.
Follow-ups:	Invaders! artist provides context to controversial piece. No nuns on catwalk, priest stops beauty contest. Sydney Comes Clean on Olympic Miming.