New Demos and Patches

VSTEP and Paradox Interactive today released a new patch for "Ship Simulator Extremes", which includes a new mission editor, bringing the simulation game up to version 1.3.

"The new update not only improves performance and gameplay, but also adds a host of new features, a large number of bug fixes along with a brand new Mission Editor allowing you to create and share your missions with the rest of the Ship Simulator Community. For existing players looking for some new missions, the update  includes 9 new missions created with the new Mission Editor!

New features in patch v1.3:

• Free Ship Sim Extremes Mission Editor: Create your favourite maritime missions and share them with your friends
• New Cinematic Camera allowing for those impressive vessel shots
• New vessel & environment functionality: bridges now have fully operational and moving dials and radar, anchor chains and dropping anchor option has been added, buoys now have navigation lights, and charts have added depth functionality.
• Several Performance improvements
• Visual improvements, brighter colours & reflections
• Multiplayer improvements

The update is now available for all Ship Simulator Extremes owners through all leading digital distribution platforms."

Patch v1.3 can be downloaded from (upgrade v1.2 to v1.3 linked) The Official Site, Atomic Gamer, FileShack, Gamer's Hell, or Worthplaying.

Bohemia Interactive today released a new patch (1.57) for "ARMA 2: Operation Arrowhead", which fixes a number of issues and adds a new single-player mission to the Private Military Company DLC.

"Included alongside several improvements and stability tweaks detailed in the attached change-log files, this update also brings new engine improvements, such as improved netcode (better locality handling), new scripting commands as well as four brand new scenario missions for owners of A2:PMC. One showcase and three distinctive single-player missions add extra weight to PMC's substantial co-op campaign playable content:

• Infiltration: Sneak under the cover of darkness to destroy a rocket artillery test site.
• Reaction: Battle through the mist to recover missing clients.
• Provision: Take to the air to deliver a crucial cargo drop for UN troops in central Takistan.
• Showcase: Enjoy the diversity of the PMC faction in a showcase mission.

The update is available for immediate download from project´s homepage at www.arma2.com"

Electronic Arts today announced that a "Dead Space 2" demo will launch on the 21st worldwide, giving players a chance to try out the upcoming sequel. The game is currently scheduled to be released in January.

"In the Dead Space 2 demo, players will take engineer Isaac Clarke on a terrifying adventure through the Church of Unitology, an expectedly “safe” place that quickly becomes dangerous and deadly, during the Necromorph outbreak on the Sprawl. Players will also have access to a variety of new tools that Isaac can use to fight Necromorphs, including the new Javelin gun, updated stasis recharge mechanic and enhanced telekinesis ability. Players will also experience the advanced suit, equipped with jets that will allow Isaac full 3600 control in Zero-G space.

For additional information and news, visit https://www.deadspacegame.com"

EA released a new patch along with two new DLC packs for "Medal of Honor" today, adding the "Clean Sweep" and "Hot Zone" content. The patch prepares the game for the DLC.

"The DLC can be downloaded via the in-game store by everyone who has registered the Medal of Honor Online Pass."

Patch release notes:

Single Player

• Fixed the CAS issue that prevented some players from firing at certain vehicles.
• Fixed a rare issue in Bagram that would cause areas of the map not to load in a timely fashion.

Server

• Lowered scores on all defensive support actions
• Changed spawn points on Shah-i-Khot Mountains, Combat Mission
• Changed spawn points on Kandahar Marketplace, Sector Control
• Changed spawn points on Kandahar Marketplace, Team Assault
• Changed spawn points on Diwagal Camp, Sector Control
• Changed spawn points on Kunar Base, Sector Control
• Changed spawn points on Kabul City Ruins, Sector Control
• Changed spawn points on Kabul City Ruins, Team Assault
• Changed spawn points on Garmzir Town, Sector Control
• Changed spawn points on Garmzir Town, Team Assault
• Tweaked damage on M16 and M24
• Tweaked damage on M4

Client

• Added Hot Zone and Clean Sweep (added the levels/UI changes in server browser etc)
• Server browser makes snapshot instead of subscribing to servers
• Fixed hang when joining on a friend that’s playing on a password protected server
• Ribbons and medals no longer appear on unranked servers
• Added aiming spot in binoculars in hardcore mode
• Added text chatting while dead and in end of round
• Increased the points needed to win a domination/tdm game
• Decreased accuracy while shooting from the hip
• Increased the amount of recoil and spread
• Added server details in loading screens and spawn screen
• Fixed an issue where holding your breath and moving forward would take you out of scope

Paradox Interactive and NeoCore Games released a demo for "Lionheart: Kings' Crusade", giving players a chance to try out the recent real-time strategy game.

"The demo offers a taste of the complete Lionheart experience. Demo players can test the management phase and mission briefings. Forge into the first mission's battle and prepare for the battle of the second mission. View the tutorial battle on Cyprus and create a profile so that the saves you created during the demo will be available after purchase of the full game."

The 1.15GB demo can be downloaded from AtomicGamer, FileShack, GamersHell, StrategyInformer, or Worthplaying.

JoWood Entertainment today released a demo for "ArcaniA: Gothic 4", giving players a chance to try out the anticipated upcoming sequel by Spellbound Entertainment.

"The official demo comprises the first two hours of the game and shows the beginning tutorial level on Feshyr Island featuring selected quests.  As a shepherd, the new nameless hero is living on the Island in peace but dark clouds are coming over to Feshyr and now it's time for the hero to come to terms with his fate."

The demo is available to download from FileShack, GamersHell, GameUpdates (torrent), or Worthplaying.

VSTEP and Paradox Interactive today released a new demo for "Ship Simulator Extremes", which contains two full playable missions, taken from both the Tourist Tales and Greenpeace campaigns in the game.

"Captain a fast craft in the Tourist Tales Mission, taken from the Tourist Tales Campaign, as you take tourists on a guided evening tour around Sydney harbor. Be sure you make specific calls at the magnificent Opera House, The Rocks, Darling Island and more as you take in the beautiful scenery. Don’t forget to bring your passengers back to their cruise ship in time, because after all, time is money.

Become a Greenpeace activist in the Greenpeace Mission as you sail Esperanza, the Greenpeace vessel, to the Whale Sanctuary in the Antarctic to track down the whaling fleet. Take direct action and approach with your inflatable boats to disrupt and stop their illegal whaling activities."

The 598MB demo can be downloaded from AtomicGamer, Fileshack, Gamer's Hell, or Worthplaying.

2K Games today announced that "Civilization V" has been shipped and is now available in North American retail stores and through digital distribution portals. In addition, a demo has been released, giving players a chance to try out the new installment before deciding to make a purchase.

"Civilization V takes this definitive strategy game series in new directions with the introduction of hexagonal tiles allowing for deeper strategy, more realistic gameplay and stunning organic landscapes for players to explore as they expand their empire. The brand new engine delivers a spectacular visual experience that brings players closer to the Civ world than ever, featuring fully animated leaders interacting with players from a screen-filling diplomatic scene and speaking in their native language for the first time. Wars between empires feel massive, as armies dominate the landscape and combat is more exciting and intense than ever before. The addition of ranged bombardment allows players to fire weapons from behind the front lines, challenging them to develop clever new strategies to guarantee victory on the battlefield. In addition to the new gameplay features debuting in Civilization V, an extensive suite of community, modding and multiplayer elements will also be available.

Sid Meier’s Civilization V is rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) by the ESRB and is available today on the PC for $49.99. A playable demo is now available to download for free. Additionally, the Sid Meier’s Civilization V Digital Deluxe Edition is available at participating digital distribution sites for $59.99, and the Sid Meier’s Civilization V Special Edition is available at select outlets for $99.99. For more information please visit www.civilization5.com. "

THQ today released a "Metro 2033" demo, giving players a chance to try out the first-person shooter by 4A Games that was released back in March.

"It allows hardcore gamers to experience heart-stopping visuals with 4 chapters of free play. To survive the dangerous subways beneath Moscow and fight off the army of horrors that await, all you need is top-notch gaming components like the MSI Big Bang series of gaming motherboards, featuring powerful graphics performance and audio-realistic THX® and Creative EAX® audio technologies.  With support for multiple, scalable graphics cards, you will enjoy unbeatable gaming performance. "

The 2.95GB demo can be downloaded from AtomicGamer, FileShack, or Gamer's Hell.

A "Mafia II" demo has been released on Steam, giving players a chance to try out the upcoming sequel by Illusion Softworks.

"Vito Scaletta has started to make a name for himself on the streets of Empire Bay as someone who can be trusted to get a job done. Together with his buddy Joe, he is working to prove himself to the Mafia, quickly escalating up the family ladder with crimes of larger reward, status and consequence… the life as a wise guy isn’t quite as untouchable as it seems."

IO Interactive today released a "Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days" demo on Steam, giving players the chance to try out the upcoming sequel.

"Experience 48 hours of hell with two of gaming’s most notorious criminals in Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days. Kane and Lynch face the consequences when a simple job gone wrong sets off a desperate and frantic struggle to escape the entire Shanghai underworld. Ground- breaking art direction, relentless action gameplay and innovative multiplayer redefine the action shooter experience and positions Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days as the standout shooter of 2010.

Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days will release on August 17, 2010 in North America, August 20 throughout Europe and other PAL territories and August 26 in Japan."

Paradox Interactive today released a new patch for "Mount & Blade: Warband", adding a new multiplayer mode and other content updates.

"In response to community demand, Duel, the newest multi-player mode requires you to test your steel in one-on-one battles of wit, speed and skill. This new mode allows for protected 1 on 1 duels with no interruptions from others. Similar to the other servers, Duel supports up to 64 players and contains all the other options as the normal servers.

An update would not be complete without new gear for battle. In time honored DLC fashion, Mount & Blade: Warband is putting new armor on old horses at a cost of zero denars. Mount up with two newly modeled horse armors, one available for the Sarranids and another for the Vaegir/Khergit factions. In addition, there is now a server setting that bans ranged weapons eliminating those pesky archers.

Mount & Blade: Warband is available for sale in stores and all major digital distribution outlets and is currently enjoying a 50% off sale via digital outlets. For more information www.mountandbladewarband.com and join the Mount & Blade community on www.facebook.com/mountandblade and follow the game on www.twitter.com/mount_and_blade"

Meridian4 today released an "ARMA 2: Operation Arrowhead" demo, giving players a chance to try out the recently released stand-alone expansion by Bohemia Interactive.

"The 3GB demo plunges players straight into the unique game play featured in the full version of Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead.  It showcases the realistic sandbox environment, offers multiplayer game play, and gives you a peek at the vast array of vehicles, weapons, and units at your disposal.

The demo offers a massive amount of highly detailed content, giving you a hint of the epic new environment that is modeled on real-world data, a full taste of the mission editor, and a real opportunity to experience the most authentic mil-sim available."

The demo is available to download at AtomicGamer, Gamer's Hell, GameUpdates or StrategyInformer.

Kalypso Media and Akella today released a demo for "Disciples III: Renaissance", giving players a chance to try out the upcoming strategy role-playing game.

"The demo will introduce players to the three races of Nevendaar with a comprehensive tutorial and the full first missions from The Empire, The Legions of the Damned and the Elven Alliance campaigns. In Disciple's fantasy world of Nevendaar, three powerful factions are on the hunt for a mystical object which has fallen from the heavens. This object will reward its finders with great power and help each faction achieve their specific goals in this mystical world."

The demo can be downloaded from AtomicGamer, BigDownload, FileFront, FileShack, Gamer's Hell, GameUpdates, or Worthplaying.

Kerberos Productions today released an update for "Fort Zombie", bringing new weapons, properties, fixes and more to the action RPG.

"In addition to the vital gameplay improvements and bug fixes, you can avenge the flesh-hungry undead with new weapons and properties while encountering new missions and much more.

Update 1.0.7 features:

• 2 new guns and 3 new melee weapons
• New properties and missions including the dreaded corn maze and the Theater of Evil
• The incursion of Deadworld into our reality has caused small objects around Piety to gain magical properties
• Power of the Deadworld is now tracked by the time of nightfall – the earlier it falls, the more power they have
• Guns with tac lights now offer improved survival chances in the dark
• NPC engagement range commands
• New targeting instrument
• Improved NPC path finding
• Crash bugs are now fixed

Now is the perfect time to jump into all of the terrifying action of Fort Zombie. Fort Zombie is available through all major digital distribution channels for the suggested retail price of $9.99 and €9.99.

For more information, please visit: www.fortzombie.com"