New Demos and Patches

Paradox and Graviteam released a new patch for "Achtung Panzer: Kharkov 1943", improving the game's realism.

"The update turns up the realism dial from 10 to 11, going so far as to improve the algorithm that determines how grenades interact with tree branches. One should expect nothing less from a team whose developers previously worked on military simulations for the Ukrainian army.

Changes in patch #7E:

• Targets visible to a selected unit or vehicle are now highlighted.
• Grenades' interaction algorithm with tree branches has been modified.
• Detachments' visibility indication algorithm has been modified.
• Default camera position [Num+5] setup logic has been modified. Now the camera rotates north.
• Aircrafts' actions algorithm has been corrected.
• Wehrmacht operations have been modified.
• Some minor improvements and fixes have been implemented.
• Czech soldiers names updated for more historical accuracy."

More details and digital distribution patch instructions can be found in the Paradox forums.The 42MB patch is mirrored on AtomicGamer, FileFront, and Gamer's Hell. A trailer was released along with the patch:

Soldak Entertainment today announced the release of a demo for "Din's Curse," giving players a chance to try out the upcoming action RPG.

"In Din's Curse, you will explore an extensive underground, slaying dangerous monsters, solving dynamic quests, dodging deadly traps, and in your spare time, plundering loot. Quell uprisings, flush out traitors, kill assassins, cure plagues, purge curses, end wars, and complete other dangerous quests or the danger WILL escalate. Not all is as it seems though, traitors will gladly stab you in the back, renegades can revolt against the town, spies can set up ambushes, and items might even curse or possess your friends.

Choose one of 141 class combinations and journey to an infinite number of dynamically generated towns with vastly different problems. Every game is a surprise! Your actions have real consequences in this dynamic, evolving world. Your choices actually matter!"

You can find a list of mirrors for the 100MB demo on the official site.

A demo for "Napoleon: Total War" has been released through Steam, giving players a chance to try out the recently released real-time strategy game by Creative Assembly.

"The Napoleon: Total War demo will take you through the new and playable "War on Land" tutorial as well as the epic land Battle of Ligny, one of the many historical scenarios included in the full version of the game.

•  War on Land tutorial – Set during the Siege of Toulon, you will be given command of the French artillery battery. Aided by Napoleon's most trusted aide, you will learn the art of warfare in the defeat of the British army.
• Historical scenario – Battle of Ligny – The Battle of Ligny (16th June 1815) effectiveky determined the outcome of Napoleon's 100 day return to power. Although victory was achieved here, the Prussian General Gebhard Von Blucher was allowed to escape, something which very soon proved to be a fatal mistake. Play as the French or the Prussian faction."

A demo for "Just Cause 2" was released through Steam, giving players a chance to try out the upcoming shooter that's scheduled to be released later this month.

"The Just Cause 2 demo features a massive 35 square miles of the Lautan Lama Desert, a vast expanse of stunning, sun-scorched scenery taking up just one of the many islands in the 400 square miles of the Panau archipelago. Packed with towns, villages, military installations, mountain ranges, missions and more, the demo will feature an astonishing amount of activities for the player… and opportunities for adrenaline-fuelled chaos are limitless."

Paradox released a "Rise of Prussia" demo today, giving players a chance to try out the upcoming turn-based strategy game by AGEOD.

"The Rise of Prussia Demo gives you two scenarios, the short invasion of Saxony scenario and the option to play the opening turns of the grand campaign.

Rise of Prussia is scheduled for release on March 9th, 2010 and is currently enjoying a pre-order campaign which offers AGEODs previous classic, Birth of America 2 for a 75% discount and is available via most major digital retailers.

For more information about Rise of Prussia, please visit www.paradoxplaza.com and follow @pdxinteractive on twitter for more information."

A list of download mirrors can be found in the Paradox forums – note there is also a hotfix that corrects a glitch.

An "Aliens vs. Predator" multiplayer demo has been released on Steam, giving players a chance to try out the upcoming new version of the game by Rebellion.

"The multiplayer demo will allow gamers the chance to play as all three species – the Colonial Marine, the Predator and the Alien – and pitch their skills against each other in Deathmatch mode on Refinery, one of the game's multiplayer maps."

Game info:

"Aliens vs Predator is an entirely new title for PC and high-definition consoles from acclaimed British developer Rebellion, the team behind the 1999 original PC gaming classic.

Bringing the legendary war between two of science-fiction's most popular characters to FPS fans, AvP delivers three outstanding single player campaigns and provides untold hours of unique 3-way multiplayer gaming.

Experience distinctly new and thrilling first person gameplay as you survive, hunt and prey in the deadly jungles and swamps surrounding the damned colony of Freya's Prospect."

An exclusive demo for "Dark Void" has been released on FilePlanet, which requires free registration. You can probably expect to see it mirrored across the web after a certain number of hours but that's just an assumption. The game is currently scheduled to be released next Tuesday.

"Dark Void is a new sci-fi action-adventure game that combines an adrenaline-fuelled blend of aerial and on-foot combat set in a parallel universe called "The Void". Players will take on the role of Will; a pilot dropped into incredible circumstances while on a routine air cargo flight crashes in the Bermuda triangle leading him to be trapped in the Void. This unlikely hero soon finds himself swept into a desperate struggle for survival at the head of a group called The Survivors. Trapped in the Void, these resistance fighters are battling to hold off a mysterious alien race that plans to threaten Earth."

cdv released a demo for "Divinity II: Ego Draconis,' giving players a chance to try out the upcoming role-playing sequel by Larian Studio that's scheduled to be released on January 5th.

"The Divinity II – Ego Draconis demo give players an early peek at groundbreaking features rarely seen in an action RPG, like Mindreading, a robust classless Skill Tree and upgrade system, and even a harrowing encounter with a dragon! This several-hour demo offers plenty of combat, exploration and questing for players to get a glimpse of the adventure and intrigue that awaits them in Divinity II – Ego Draconis.

Developed by Larian Studios, Divinity II – Ego Draconis allows players to battle the forces of evil not just as a human warrior but also as a powerful Dragon Knight, boasting a robust fantasy adventure with more than 60 hours of gameplay teeming with massive dungeons and outdoor spaces to explore. It offers deep on-the-ground and aerial combat, and a mystery to unravel that could reveal hidden truths and revive forgotten evils, altering the face of Rivellon forever!

For more information about Divinity II – Ego Draconis, which is rated “M” for “Mature” by the ESRB, please visit https://www.divinity2.com."

The 1.77GB demo can be downloaded from AtomicGamer, FileShack, Gamer's Hell, Strategy Informer, or Worthplaying.

Valve announced that "Torchlight" has been updated with support for the Steam Cloud and Steam Achievements.

"Runic's critically-acclaimed action RPG, Torchlight, receives a major update tonight adding support for Steam Cloud functionality and Steam Achievements. With Steam Cloud support, Torchlight saved games and characters now follow you to any PC. In addition to adding Cloud support, Torchlight players may now slash their way to over 60 Steam achievements. For more information, please visit www.steamgames.com"

Paradox today announced that an upcoming patch will add a map editor to "Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim."

"Subjects of the royal lands of Ardania can look forward to an expanded adventure with an upcoming patch, and for the first time, a free map editor that enables the loyal subjects of the Majesty 2 community to create their own missions and battles for themselves.

Upcoming Patch
A third patch is in the works which will include fixes and updates, as well as a much requested randomization feature. With the patch, it will be possible to assign randomization to the original campaign maps. Randomization will be added to items in treasure chests, non-quest monster dens, the special zones for trading posts, and temples.

Brand New Map Editor
As a reward to those looking to further control the magic with their own hands, Paradox and 1C: Ino-Co plan to open up the game and provide endless replayability with the release of an official Majesty 2 map editor. This mission creator toolset will enable savvy players to take full advantage of the soon-to-be incorporated additions and create their own custom adventures to truly shape their own destinies.

Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim is available in retail and for digital download on all leading digital distribution platforms. For more information about Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim, please visit https://www.majesty2.com or follow the game on Twitter @majestygame."

A demo for "Europa Universalis III: Heir to the Throne" has been released, giving players a chance to try out the upcoming third expansion.

"The demo gives players a timed experience of what the full expansion is set to offer, with the option to play as one of eight major European powers between the turbulent years of 1492 and 1550 – The Age of Discovery – an era that would forever change the future of the world. Vast unchartered territories await even as the cracks widen in the unity of the Catholic Church and the Mohammedans march on Vienna.

Choose Castille or Portugal and discover the Americas. Expand your trade league with Venice or the Hansa. Experience the rivalry between Bohemia and Austria as they vie for control of the Holy Roman Empire. Conquer Europe with France, or unite the British isles under the Tudor dynasty."

The 265.5MB demo can be downloaded from AtomicGamer, FileShack, Gamer's Hell, Gamer's Gate, StrategyInformer, or Worthplaying.

Stardock announced the release of a new patch for "Demigod" delivered through Impulse, bringing the strategy game by Gas Powered Games to version 1.2.

"Demigod v1.2 is here and users can now unlock the highly anticipated new Demon Assassin.

The Demon Assassin is a Melee Assassin fighting for the Forces of Darkness. He wields a sword and knife in battle, and is highly mobile, quickly closing the gaps between himself and his opponent through the use of warp attacks.

Not only does v1.2 unlock the new assassin, but the new update will also add:

• New AI options
• A Mod Manager
• And new game-play balancing and tweaks

To see the full v1.2 change log, click here.

Incredibly dangerous – in the right hands or a massive feeder in the wrong hands, it doesn’t matter, get your hands on the Demon Assassin and the new updates today!"

A demo for "Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising" has been released, giving players a chance to try out the recent first-person war simulation game by Bohemia Interactive.

"Information on how to download the demo and play the first full mission, “Dragon Rising” is available at www.flashpointgame.com in the “Public Affairs” section. The critically acclaimed Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising is now in stores for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®, PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system and PC.

Codemasters also revealed today that a wide range of exclusive Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising premium avatar items will be available soon from Xbox LIVE Marketplace® for the Xbox® 360. Players can customize their avatars with a range of Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising and military themed clothing, from t-shirts and baseball caps to camo suits and Special Forces tactical clothing. Items are priced starting from 80 Microsoft Points.

In the Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising PC demo, gamers take on the first full mission, “Dragon Rising,” in both single player and co-operative multiplayer modes. As part of a Special Forces squad inserting behind Chinese PLA lines, players must eliminate a strategically critical radar station and missile sites to allow the USS Iwo Jima, carrying the main USMC battalion, to safely approach the island of Skira. Gamers will experience Operation Flashpoint’s uniquely tactical combat, achieving their objectives on their own initiative, deploying realistic weaponry and engaging advanced AI who act and react in real-time using authentic tactics. Players can take on the mission in a range of difficulty modes, including Hardcore, where HUD visual aids are stripped out for the ultimate test of their combat skills.

Complete with four-player online co-operative play throughout the campaign and individual multiplayer Fire Team Engagements, Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising delivers the lethality, tension and adrenaline of real war like never before. Target www.flashpoingame.com to see details on how to download the demo and get the latest screens, updates and videos for the game."

The demo is also available to download from FileShack, GamersHell, or Worthplaying.

Valve announced that the "Left 4 Dead 2" demo that was previously only released for pre-order customers, has now been released for everyone via Steam.

"The Left 4 Dead 2 demo features gameplay taken from "The Parish" campaign, set in the New Orleans French Quarter. Playable by 1 to 4 players over local or Internet connections on both the Xbox 360 and PC (with two-player split screen available on the Xbox 360), the demo features all the new boss infected zombies and many of the new melee weapons included in the full product.

Coming exclusively to Xbox 360 and PC, L4D2 promises to set a new benchmark for co-operative action games and become one of 2009’s marquee titles. Set for release on November 17, the title adds melee combat to enable deeper co-operative gameplay, with items such as a chainsaws, frying pans, axes, baseball bats, and more.

With the AI Director 2.0, L4D’s dynamic gameplay is taken to the next level by giving the Director the ability to procedurally change weather effects, world objects, and pathways in addition to tailoring the enemy population, effects, and sounds to match the players’ performance. The result is a unique game session custom fitted to provide a satisfying and uniquely challenging experience each time the game is played.

Adding new Survivors, boss zombies, weapons, and items, Left 4 Dead 2 offers a much larger game than the original, featuring more co-operative campaigns, more Versus campaigns, new Survival maps, and the new competitive game mode, Scavenge, all available at launch.

For more information, please visit www.l4d.com"

Valve sent word that the promised "Left 4 Dead 2" demo for customers who pre-ordered the game has been released.

"The Left 4 Dead 2 Demo is now available on both the PC and Xbox 360 for those who pre-ordered and obtained early access to the demo. For more information on Left 4 Dead 2, please visit www.l4d.com"

"Set in the zombie apocalypse, Left 4 Dead 2 (L4D2) is the highly anticipated sequel to the award-winning Left 4 Dead, the #1 co-op game of 2008.

This co-operative action horror FPS takes you and your friends through the cities, swamps and cemeteries of the Deep South, from Savannah to New Orleans across five expansive campaigns.

You’ll play as one of four new survivors armed with a wide and devastating array of classic and upgraded weapons. In addition to firearms, you’ll also get a chance to take out some aggression on infected with a variety of carnage-creating melee weapons, from chainsaws to axes and even the deadly frying pan."