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World of WarCraft Q&A; 07:03 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- games: mmog
(2 comments)
PC.IGN wrangled up an interview with Blizzard about World of WarCraft:
IGNPC: WoW offers much faster character progression than other MMOs out there, with many players reaching the level cap in just a couple weeks. Since this design seems to favor PvP end-game, do you have plans to add content specific to the PvE servers to keep things interesting for those high-level players?
Jeffrey Kaplan: The introduction of PvP Battlegrounds along with continual live content update patches should please maximum-level players. And we have some really cool stuff planned, too. Currently, we have two outdoor raid monsters in the queue, along with a maximum-level group dungeon and a raid dungeon. Plus, the PvP honor system will really open things up on both PvP and normal (PvE) servers.
WorthPlaying Goodies 06:52 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- games: general news
(0 comments)
- 'Pro Rugby Manager 2' - Demo
- This single-player demo gives you a month of in-game gameplay with
Gloucester at the start of the Zurich season, featuring two stadiums for
Gloucester and London Wasps.
- 'Terrorist Takedown' - Mouse Patch
- This update fixes mouse sensitivity so that adjustments are
automatically saved.
- 'War Times' - Bonus Mission
- This map is a single-player bonus mission in which a Spanish
General from the Blue Division prepares a plan to conquer the Rock of
Gibraltar with German resources.
- Various Game Trailers
Dungeon Lords Preview 05:21 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- games: role-playing
(1 comment)
Those wacky lads at ActionTrip tossed off a hands-on preview of Dungeon Lords:
There are several instances in the game I immensely liked. One was in a certain temple where I found myself in a completely empty room - empty, that is, apart from two impressive 'Athens guards' statues positioned against two walls. I exited the room and followed the corridor to the right, only to discover the door has closed in front of my very nose. The same happened in the left corridor, so I turned around in order to go back where I came from. And there they were, two intimidating stone guards on the stairs, with their eyes glowing blue in the dark. I wasn't expecting that, so they managed to scare the hell out of me. I started a fight with them, only to realize I didn't stand a chance. I managed, however, to notice a switch situated where the stone guard previously slumbered. I flipped the switch, dodged the elemental abominations and went back into the corridor - the doors were open once again and I followed the right corridor only to walk through the shadow portal and more importantly, away from the enchanted statues.
Dark Age of Camelot Clustering Underway 04:08 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- games: mmog
(0 comments)
Mythic has begun phase one of its server clustering, which includes Palomides, Iseult, Bors and Gawaine. Plus, launched the highly anticipated v1.74 patch which adds quite a few tasty bits including Darkness Falls ownership rule changes, "herding", crafting improvements, better artifact drop rates, easier to farm Volcanus scrolls and oh-so much more. Other servers will be "clustered" later this week.
The Matrix Online Q&A; 03:54 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- games: mmog
(0 comments)
Another Matrix Online Q&A; is up at Gamespot, this one deals with the game's combat system:
GS: Tell us about the hacker combat system. How will this set of skills function in combat? Will it be tied to specific crafted items, player skills, or timed player responses? How will it stack up against hand-to-hand and weapon-based enemies?
MP: There are many paths for hackers to specialize in. They can focus on attacking single targets or groups of targets; damage over time or direct damage; or just hindering their opponents enough to give their teammates an edge. Hackers have two major types of abilities: quick launch programs that they can use in or out of interlock and more-powerful programs that require more time and concentration, which can only be used outside of interlock.
Hackers have abilities, such as paralyzing or slowing attacks, that give them the potential to keep their distances from soldiers. Hackers specializing in the coder branch can also create simulacra, which are programs that will appear in the Matrix to fight at the hacker's side.
SWAT 4 Interview 03:45 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- games: action
(0 comments)
Gameshark took a bite out of Irrational Games interviewing them about SWAT 4:
GameShark: First the million dollar question - When Irrational took over this project what were their main goals to breathe new life into the franchise?
Paul: One of the things that we wanted to do, and was a no-brainer, was to bring it into modern times in terms or graphics.
We wanted to streamline the command interface so that new users and casual players could really get into the game quickly. At the same time we knew we did not want to sacrifice any of the depth of command from SWAT3. We have succeeded in this goal with the new graphic command interface which is mouse driven and completely context sensitive.
Finally, we wanted to make the head to head multiplayer experience as full featured and fun to play as the single player and co-op were in SWAT3.
Other than that, we wanted to keep everything that was great about SWAT3 intact: unprecedented replayability, unpredictable AI, and realistic SWAT tactics.
Republic: The Revolution Trial 03:35 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- games: simulation
(3 comments)
3D Gamers is hosting a free trial for Elixer's Republic: The Revolution which includes all the content in the full game should you enjoy the demo portion of the download (available after you purchase a CD Key, of course). It comes in at 778 megs.
Battlefield 2 on June 24th? 03:31 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- games: action
(0 comments)
Thanks to BF2Gaming.net for the head's up that according to this post on the Spanish EA Games site, Battlefield 2's release date is now set at June 24th. EA is now saying it's not true, however.
KOTOR 2 (PC) Shipped to Stores 03:25 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- games: role-playing
(3 comments)
Knights of the Old Republic II for the PC has shipped to stores today:
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords for the PC has officially shipped and will slash its way into stores on February 10, 2005. The highly anticipated next chapter successfully launched December 6, 2004 on Xbox.
The Sith Lords picks up five years after the events of the original KOTOR and features an all-new perilous storyline, as well as new characters, classes, locations and force powers.
The PC version features high-resolution textures, optimized screen resolutions and a variety of other graphic card enhancements.
Brothers in Arms Feature 03:58 am
- Jeff Tom
- games: action
(0 comments)
GameSpy have posted a feature comparing screenshots of the game with real-life photos of Gearbox's upcoming first-person shooter, Brothers in Arms, due to hit in March. Here's a cut but obviously you'll want to follow the link to see what they're describing: This scene from Brothers in Arms, Road to Hill 30 depicts an American M5 Stuart light tank firing on some German troops. The M5A1 "Stuart VI" was a light tank with thin armor and was designed to be used for infantry support and reconnaissance. The M5 was never intended to battle head to head with German armor and its tiny 37mm gun was not effective against most German tanks. The M5 weighed 15.3 tons, carried a 37 mm gun, a .30 caliber machine gun in the bow, a .30 caliber machine gun mounted coaxially with the main gun and a .30 caliber machine gun on the top rear of the turret for infantry to use when standing on the back deck of the tank. The M5 had a crew of 4. On D-Day, 6 June, 1944, the 70th Tank Battalion of the 4th Infantry Division rolled off of their landing crafts and onto Utah beach. D Company, equipped with M5 light tanks, linked up with the 101st Airborne Division which had parachuted behind the German defenses during the night. They also have a counter on their front page counting down the number of things left to do before the game ships. Currently, we're at 85.
Galactic Civilizations 2 Q&A; 03:56 am
- Jeff Tom
- games: turned based strategy
(0 comments)
GameSpy have slapped up an interview with Stardock's CEO on their turn-basted strategy game, Galactic Civilizations 2: The Dread Lords. Here's a bit on the gameplay: GameSpy: That sort of segues into combat. Can you tell us how combat has changed?
Wardell: Sure. In your standard 4X strategy game you have attack and defense ratings. From a statistical point of view, that's great, but from a strategic-fun point of view it gets old. What happens is you think you're doing very well but the Drengin Empire or whatever manages to get Avatar class battleships before you and they just come in and wipe you out. It also happens in reverse. The human player manages to get to a super mega ship and he can go through everyone else and there's not a lot of strategy when you're doing that kind of brute force thing.
New Call of Duty Games 03:51 am
- Jeff Tom
- games: action
(2 comments)
In Activision's conference call yesterday they announced that Infinity Ward is working on new games in the Call of Duty franchise, one due for the PC and one due for consoles in their fiscal year of 2006. Check it: Doornink did not specify which consoles the new Call of Duty would be released for, whether or not it would be a sequel to Finest Hour, or whether or not Finest Hour developer Spark Unlimited would be developing the game. However, last May, Infinity Ward posted a job listing for "seasoned next-generation console engineers to join its ranks to meet the challenge and expectations for these high-end development platforms," meaning it will likely develop the game itself.
Longhorn Beta By June 03:48 am
- Jeff Tom
- hardware: general news
(6 comments)
C|Net has news that Microsoft will have the first beta of the next version of Windows, codenamed Longhorn, by June: Microsoft has not talked a great deal about what features will be part of the beta release. Montgomery said many of the updates have to do with improving the "operational characteristics" of the operating system--basically making Windows easier to manage and more reliable. Among the changes will be a new model for drivers--the bits of code that allow Windows to work effectively with hardware add-ons such as graphic cards and peripherals.
Cops 2710 Interview 03:44 am
- Jeff Tom
- games: real-time strategy
(0 comments)
More from FileFront today as they also have an interview with MiSTLand on their game Cops: 2710 as they get the inside scoop on this RTS: Q: Can you tell our readers a little bit about the storyline behind Cops 2170?
A: As I mentioned earlier, you play as a young police officer Katy just out of the Academy and eager for action. Right from the start you can choose your way as either a "Good" or "Bad" cop and can change this decision throughout the game as there are points in the plot that allow you to change sides. Either way you choose, you have problems to solve, such as: rising criminal activity, Martian colonists returning from Mars (mutated and angry), consequences of secret biocybernetic projects and also finding the notorious Corporation behind it all.
Cossacks II Preview 03:42 am
- Jeff Tom
- games: real-time strategy
(0 comments)
More real-time strategy previews as FileFront have slapped up a preview of Cossacks II: Napolenoic Wars, comparing it to Axies & Allies: Roadways also become important now that troop fatigue is a key factor in the game. Troops marching into battle have many paths to get to the fight that include roads or across the open terrain. If you decide to take the roadways your troops will become much less fatigued while traveling. The downside is that your enemies might be able to ambush your troops if they are in plain sight and unprotected by the surrounding environment, as 19th century marching troops are simply not well-equipped to quickly deploy for complete combat effectiveness. If you decide to walk across open terrain, you may be able to retain an ideal combat formation but your troops' fatigue will rapidly increase; at some point this will negatively affect their morale and make them much more likely to flee when the first shots are fired. The choice is ultimately yours, but there are many ways to tackle the of picking how, when, and where to fight the enemy.
Stronghold 2 Preview 03:40 am
- Jeff Tom
- games: real-time strategy
(0 comments)
GameSpy have whipped up a preview of Stronghold 2, taking a look at FireFly Studios RTS: Missions are separated over multiple objectives, each of which will add to your honor if successfully completed. We were shown one mission where you must rescue a group of warrior monks who are surrounded by a pack of wolves. If you come to their aid, they will join your ranks and raise your honor. Next, you assist a town under siege that subsequently pledge their allegiance to your cause … then help you raid a camp full of bandits. We finally got to the main course, attacking a rival lord's castle and sending him to Kingdom Come, or holding it just long enough for the flag to change into your colors, which means the lord has left the building.
Empire Earth II Nudies 03:15 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- games: real-time strategy
(12 comments)
To take advantage of my newly purchased Paint Shop Pro 9, here are a few screen captures of Empire Earth II we snapped off, which show off a few of the flying units, their impact (no pun intended) on enemy bases; a tank vs cavalry charge, plus a scene from the World War 1 epoch (which you can view by clicking the next button after checking out the first shot). Empire Earth II is being developed by Mad Doc Software and will be released this Spring.
(Click to Enlarge!)
Misc. Lubings 01:16 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- games: general news
(1 comment)
- Sven Co-Op Update - "The Sven Co-op site has been updated regarding the results of the Golden Spanner Mod Awards, some news from Valve, etc. New screenshots from Sven Co-op 2 have also been posted, showing off a HL2 co-op map and the mod's Gordon Freeman player model."
- New Fallout 3/Van Buren shots - Not to be confused with Bethesda's upcoming Fallout 3.
Hardware & Tech Nuggets 12:30 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- hardware: general news
(0 comments)
Game Reviews 12:20 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- games: general news
(0 comments)
Knights of the Old Republic II for the PC hits stores today:
In Other News... 12:15 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- in-house: in other news...
(36 comments)
Well hot damn, that Cell processer technology sounds pretty damned cool. It remains to be seen what impact it will have on the PC world, but the idea of having a 4.6Ghz Playstion 3 makes my shorts tight in front. Just imagine the games they can make where the lowest common denomiator is a 4.6Ghz CPU. Time to jump on the bandwagon? :)
Today's question is: Will this new Cell CPU kill off x86 (AMD, Intel) architecture as we know it? We'll find out more about it later today.
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