PC Game News

VG247 is reporting that according to one source, Infinity Ward will not be developing Modern Warfare 3 and is instead working on a completely new project. Apparently, a Canadian developer may next in line to take the Call of Duty reigns.

"Infinity Ward has this far avoided the issue of its work after Modern Warfare 2, saying no decision had been made on further projects in the run up to the shooter’s launch last November.

“Right now we don’t have a clue what our next game is going to be, and we won’t know what it will be until we finish with Modern Warfare 2, which won’t be for a while,” studio frontman Rob Bowling told IGN UK last October.

MW2 DLC packs are scheduled to release this “spring” as a timed 360 exclusive.

It’s unclear where the third game will be made if IW really has gone AWOL from the series.

We were told by one dev source that a Canadian studio was handling it, but another pointed to newly-formed Sledgehammer Games, headed by ex-Visceral bosses Glen Schofield and Michael Condrey."

Read the full story on VG247.

A "Half-Life 2" mod titled by Filip Victor titled "Half-Life 2: Update" has been released, which updates Half-Life 2 to the Orange Box Engine, adds HDR lighting, updates models and textures, and adds 32 Steam achievements. This mod requires owner ship of Episode Two and a comparison video can be viewed below.

You can find download mirrors and some additional information on the Steam forums. We recommend downloading this file from our partner site GameUpdates.org (torrent). Note that there are additional mods out there that attempt to accomplish similar tasks such as the Cinematic Mod.

A new trailer for "Mass Effect 2" has been released, highlighting the vanguard class in the anticipated upcoming sequel.

"Vanguards are outfitted with a L5n implant giving them powerful biotic capabilities; coupled with their weapons training, they become lethal at close range. Vanguards are capable at closing the distance instantly on an enemy with their unique Charge ability. Gathering immense biotic power, Vanguards will Charge toward an enemy, passing over chasms and through obstacles where upon they collide with their target, sending them flying through the air. Additionally Vanguards are able to release an explosive Shockwave, tossing enemies and knocking them from cover. If Vanguards find themselves in trouble, they are also able to use their Charge ability for a quick escape to safety."

cdv released a launch trailer for "Divinity II: Ego Draconis," giving players more of a look at the newly launched game.

"In Divinity 2 – Ego Draconis, players find themselves once again in Rivellon, a timeless world full of awe and magic, shattered and frightened by the apocalyptic wars of the past. No one knows why so many people had to give their lives. Everything seems to be over, but the peace was deceptive, for the demon has returned and the horror once again runs its course."

The list of new PC game releases, DVD and Blu-Ray releases, and movies opening the week of January 4th, 2010.

PC Games:

• Divinity II: Ego Draconis

Movies Opening This Week:

• Bitch Slap (limited LA/NY/SF)
• Crazy on the Outside (limited)
• Daybreakers
• Leap Year
• Wonderful World (limited LA/NY)
• Youth in Revolt

DVD and Blu-Ray Releases:

• 10 Things I Hate About You [Blu-Ray]
• 50 Dead Men Walking [Blu-Ray]
• 8 Mile [Blu-Ray]
• American Experience: The 1930s
• Battlestar Galactica: Season One [Blu-Ray]
• Between the Folds
• Big Love: The Complete Third Season
• Burn Notice: Season 1 and 2
• Chuck: The Complete Second Season [Blu-Ray]
• Circuit
• Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
• D. Gray-man: Season Two, Part Two
• Dawn of the Dead [Blu-Ray]
• Doctor Who: The keys of Marinus
• Doctor Who: The Twin Dilemma
• Dogtown and Z-boys [Blu-Ray]
• End of Days [Blu-Ray]
• Everybody Loves Raymond: The Complete Seasons 3-4
• Good Witch
• Jane Austen: Complete Collection
• Kendra: The Complete First Season
• Laila's Birthday
• Loren Cass
• Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures
• Riding Giants [Blu-Ray]
• Super Friends: Season One, Vol. One
• The Final Destination [Blu-Ray]
• The Green Berets
• The Hip Hop Project
• The Philanthropist: The Complete Series
• The Waltons: The Complete Seasons 1 & 2
• The Warning

cdv Software Entertainment today announced that "Divinity II: Ego Draconis" has been shipped to North American retail stores and is now available.

"Developed by Larian Studios, Divinity II – Ego Draconis boasts a robust fantasy adventure of more than 60 hours, teeming with massive dungeons and outdoor spaces to explore. It boasts a bevy of features unique to the RPG market, like a classless Skill Tree system allowing for endless upgrading combinations, the power of mindreading and for the first time you’ll have the ability to play either on-foot as a Dragon Slayer or as a fire-breathing dragon!

The world of Rivellon is vast and filled with magic, beasts and deception, and hides a mystery that could reveal hidden truths and revive forgotten evils, altering the future forever!

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

The minimum system requirements for "Dark Void" have been released, filling potential customers in on the needed info on the upcoming action adventure game by Airtight Games.

Minimum Specs

OS

• Windows Vista®/XP

Processor

• Intel 2.4Ghz
• or AMD 2.0 GHz

Video card

• GeForce 7900 or Radeon HD 3850 series DX 9 Games for Windows

Memory

• 1 GB RAM
• 10 GB free hard drive space
   

As games become more complex mod development becomes more arduous and time consuming. After the release of Half-Life 2, I was really hoping for some incredible mods. There have been a few good ones here and there, but we obviously haven’t seen anything close to the fanfare that surrounded some of the mods built on the original Half-Life. Another year has slipped by and my hopes are fading. Could it be time for a new development model?

While free games are fantastic, I feel like it might be time for mod developers to start charging small fees. Before you get all riled up, just think about it for a bit. To me, it just makes sense. I think mod developers should start charging less than $5 for version 1 of their mod and take pre-orders for beta access – I know how obsessed people can become with one mod, hoping every day that it will be released. The following are just some of the initial reasons that come to mind:

• Mod developers are dedicated to the communities, even more than some game developers. It seems like most are open to extensive feedback and take suggestions seriously.
• Some mods offer an incredible amount of gameplay hours. Were you one of the obsessive Counter-Strike fans? Day of Defeat? The list goes on.
• Mod developers have little to nothing to work with. The volunteer system that most mod teams follow is something that is really fantastic but I think some basic funding could really go a long ways to pay for simple things such as web hosting.
• Just like regular games, instead of fighting for a beta spot, customers who pre-order a mod could gain early access. Early funds could help glue a team together and make its life more promising; several mod teams just seem to fall apart in development.
• A successful mod could be very profitable. Why not reward the mod developers for creating something amazing? Instead of being swallowed by a large developer, a successful mod team could go on to create a new game studio.
• More quality mods would equal more platform gameplay, which would help to raise PC gaming’s image.

I’m obviously not someone who believes that PC gaming is on a rapid decline. However, it’s easy to see that fewer games with large budgets are being released and some publishers seem to care much less about the PC. Successful and profitable mod teams could give PC gaming an entirely new meaning and could be a huge boost for the platform and its fans.

I'm on vacation this week so I have an excuse for not posting the new releases yesterday. It doesn't appear that any new PC games are shipping this week anyway, so here is the list of new movies opening this week along with the DVD and Blu-Ray releases.

Movies Opening This Week:

• The Loss of a Terdrop Diamond (limited LA/NY)
• The White Ribbon (limited)

DVD and Blu-Ray Releases:

• 9 [Blu-Ray]
• A Perfect Getaway [Blu-Ray]
• About Last Night & St. Elmo's Fire
• Baccano! The Complete Series
• Bad Boys / Bad Boys II Double Feature
• Carriers
• Case Closed: Captured in Her Eyes
• Emily of New Moon: The Complete Second Season
• Facing Ali
• Gilligan's Island: Complete Seasons 1-2
• Half-Life
• Home Front [Blu-Ray]
• Jennifer's Body [Blu-Ray]
• Muppets from Space & The Muppets Take Manhattan
• Paranormal Activity [Blu-Ray]
• Princess of Mars
• Qrgullo Pasion Y Gloria [Blu-Ray]
• Return to Paradise
• The Marine 2
• The Marine 2 [Blu-Ray]
• Time Warp: Season 2
• Two for the Seesaw
• United States of Tara: Season One
• Vampire Killers
• Waltons: Complete Seasons 1 & 2
• Weather Girl
• Whale Wars: Season 2

Three new screenshots from "Audere Semper" have been released, giving viewers a look at the upcoming adventure game by Adventure Productions.

"Her adventure begins with what she thinks is nothing more than a way to pass time at the newspaper. A mysterious coded message turns up and Elisa decides to try her skills at deciphering its meaning. What she uncovers is just the first piece of a deeper intrigue. As she follows its trail, Elisa will have to choose between the scoop of a lifetime and her own ethics. And she will find herself trapped in a series of tangled events deep in the heart of Rome. For this ancient city, known for its culture and art, also has a history of dark secrets and esoteric movements."

Another new video for "Mass Effect 2" has been released, this time introducing the infiltrator class in the upcoming role-playing sequel.

"The Mass Effect trilogy is a masterful science-fiction adventure set in a vast universe filled with dangerous alien life forms and mysterious uncharted planets. In this dark second chapter, Saren's evil army of Geth soldiers has just been defeated, and humans, still struggling to make their mark on the galactic stage, are now faced with an even greater peril…"

The list of new PC game releases, DVD and Blu-Ray releases, and movies opening the week of December 21st, 2009.

PC Games:

• Avatar: The Game

Movies Opening This Week:

• Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
• It's Complicated
• Nine
• Sherlock Holmes
• The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
• Up in the Air

DVD and Blu-Ray Releases:

• (500) Days of Summer [Blu-Ray]
• 60 Minutes: Personal Foul
• All About Steve [Blu-Ray]
• American Pie Presents: The Book of Love
• Baian the Assassin: Complete Collection
• Beyond a Reasonable Doubt [Blu-Ray]
• Blind Date
• Call of The Wild
• Couture Muse Collection
• District 9 [Blu-Ray]
• Extract [Blu-Ray]
• Flowers in the Attic
• Family Guy Presents: Something Something Something Dark Side [Blu-Ray]
• Gaukuen Heaven: Complete Collection
• Guyver: The Copmlete Series
• It Might Get Loud [Blu-Ray]
• Kazuo Umezz's Horror Theatre: Complete Collection
• Kyle XY: The Complete Third and Final Season
• Staten Island
• Taxi: The Final Season
• The Philadelphia Experiment
• The Secret Life of The American Teenager: Season 3

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.

Codemasters today announced a new DLC pack for "Operation Flashpoing: Dragon Rising" titled "Overwatch," which was released today for the Xbox and is coming soon to the PC and PS3.

"The ‘Overwatch’ DLC extends the unique Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising experience in solo, co-operative and adversarial play. In new multiplayer mode Blindside the PLA must complete objectives in the shortest time possible while the USMC defends in tense, tactical engagements. An additional new mode, Supremacy, tasks opposing forces to occupy strategically vital positions featuring force multipliers like gun emplacements and air strikes.

These new multiplayer modes are complimented by two exhilarating new FTEs. In Friendly Skies, PLA anti-aircraft artillery prevents US airborne reinforcements inserting into the combat zone. Players must remove that threat and then defend the position from a PLA counter attack. In Hostile Takeover, intel reveals enemy movement in the village of Armudan, a perfect base for launching attacks deep into enemy territory. Gamers must flush out the PLA, establish a perimeter and hold their ground against a new enemy assault.

Head to www.flashpointgame.com for the new video and further information on the ‘Overwatch’ pack. The ‘Overwatch’ pack will be available from Xbox Live Marketplace (400 Microsoft Points) today and will be available on the PlayStation Network (£3.19 / $4.99 / €3.99) and PC (free to download) soon."

A new trailer for "Just Cause 2" has been released, giving players more of a look at the upcoming sequel by Avalanche Studios.

"Just Cause 2 is an adrenalin-fuelled, free-roaming action/adventure set in the island paradise of Panau. Playing as agent Rico Rodriguez, players can explore over 1000km² of tropical beaches, snow-capped mountains, arid desert and dense jungle as they attempt to eliminate their former boss and mentor who has gone rogue with agency money and secrets. Using a unique grapple and parachute combination, there is no vertical limit as the air becomes your playground: grapple a passing plane in flight, hijack helicopters or BASE jump from the tallest buildings or mountains. Just Cause 2 offers players the freedom to tackle missions the way they choose and with over 100 vehicles and countless upgrades and collectibles, the choices are limitless."