PC Game News

How about this for a nice Monday surprise? Ministry of Action and A-Team have announced the release of version 1.0 of "Action Half-Life 2", sequel to the original Half-Life modification but of course this time, as  Half-Life 2 mod.

"Yes.. it’s release day… after several months of work we’ve finally reached our first release!

It’s been a lot of work and much effort has gone in from all involved… so well done guys! We made it!

Since it’s a first release, beta, etcetera etcetera, yada yada, you know this talk: It’s by no means done, polished or complete. It’s rough around the edges and in various other places, but so far we’ve been having a massive blast playing it, and we hope you will too.

After downloading close the steam service, install, restart, and it should work by magic.

Fun is mandatory, the rest is optional. So enjoy.

With the best regards of your favorite mod team"

The mod can be downloaded from Ministry of Action or ModDB. ModDB also has a trailer.

New "BioShock 2" screenshots were released at E3 last week, giving viewers more of a look at the highly anticipated sequel by Irrational Games.

"Set approximately 10 years after the events of the original BioShock, the halls of Rapture once again echo with sins of the past. Along the Atlantic coastline, a monster has been snatching little girls and bringing them back to the undersea city of Rapture. You are the very first Big Daddy as you travel through the decrepit and beautiful fallen city, chasing an unseen foe in search of answers and your own survival.

Multiplayer in BioShock 2 provides a rich prequel experience that expands the award winning BioShock gameplay. Set during the fall of Rapture, players assume the role of a Plasmid test subject in the underwater city that was first explored in the original BioShock. Players will need to use all the elements of the game’s toolset to survive as the full depth of the BioShock experience is refined and transformed into a unique multiplayer experience that can only be found in Rapture."

Singleplayer Features:

• Evolution of the Genetically Enhanced Shooter: Innovative advances bring new depth and dimension to each encounter. New elements, such as the ability to dual-wield weapons and Plasmids, allow players to create exciting combinations of punishment
• Return to Rapture: Set approximately 10 years after the events of the original BioShock, the story continues with an epic, more intense journey through one of the most captivating and terrifying fictional worlds ever created
• You Are the Big Daddy: Take control of BioShock’s signature and iconic symbol with the original prototype Big Daddy, and experience the power and raw strength of Rapture’s most feared denizens as you battle powerful new enemies
• Continuation of the Award-Winning Narrative: New and unique storytelling devices serve as the vehicle for the continuation of one of gaming’s most acclaimed storylines

Multiplayer Features:

• Genetically Enhanced Multiplayer – Earn experience points during gameplay to earn access to new Weapons, Plasmids and Tonics that can be used to create hundreds of different combinations, allowing players to develop a unique character that caters to their playing style.
• Experience Rapture’s Civil War– Players will step into the shoes of Rapture citizens and take direct part in the civil war that tore Rapture apart.
• See Rapture Before the Fall – Experience Rapture before it was reclaimed by the ocean and engage in combat over iconic environments in locations such as Kashmir Restaurant and Mercury Suites, all of which have been reworked from the ground up for multiplayer.
• FPS Veterans Add Their Touch to the Multiplayer Experience – Digital Extremes brings more than 10 years of first person shooter experience including development of award-winning entries in the Unreal® and Unreal Tournament® franchise.

       
       

The US Army has launched a graphic novel based on "America’s Army 3", which is available for free on the AA website.

"This exclusive online novel allows readers to explore the storyline behind the AA3 game through stories that showcase Army operations, Military Occupational Specialties, and high tech equipment while following the lives of U.S. Army Soldiers at home station and while deployed. Readers will discover stories of bravery and teamwork by Soldiers whose jobs include Intelligence Analyst, Medic, UAV Operator, Infantryman, and Apache Helicopter Pilot.

Chapter 1, "Knowledge is Power" opens with the deployment of a U.S. Army Long Range Surveillance (LRS) team as a conflict arises between two fictitious countries, Czervenia and the Republic of the Ostregals. In this issue, U.S. Army Soldiers demonstrate combat readiness through superior military intelligence and elite training as they join coalition forces providing humanitarian aid to an allied country under genocidal attack. When an ominous plan is discovered and a dangerous conflict erupts, the U.S. Army answers the call.

"Many America’s Army players are huge graphic novel fans so this is an excellent way to further explore today’s Army and the lives of Soldiers," said Michael Barnett, Executive Producer for the graphic novel. "This is the most authentic graphic novel about the Army every produced. U.S. Army Special Forces Soldiers ensured the accuracy of every detail from the dialog to the uniforms to the placement of the glow sticks strapped onto the gear of an airborne LRS team as they skydive from the back of a C130. And by reading the graphic novel, players may find useful game tips that may give them an edge when playing AA3 this summer."

The online graphic novel features an original flash interface with advanced viewing controls to grab and flip pages as one would a printed comic and to zoom-in on a specific panel to more easily read it and enjoy the art. Many pages have context links so readers can click to learn more about Army life, jobs, or gear or reference the "field manual" which offers readers a glossary of terms and Army acronyms.

America’s Army – The Graphic Novel was produced by Michael Barnett and written by M. Zachary Sherman (Shrapnel) with art by Michael Penick (The Corps!) and J. Brown (Thunderbolts).  The web interface was developed by Bill Howard."

New "Mount & Blade: Warband" screenshots and a trailer were released at E3, giving viewers more of a look at the upcoming expansion.

"The expansion to the critically acclaimed Mount&Blade introduces a number of features that players have specifically requested and which will vastly improve the overall gameplay experience of this revolutionary title.

Key features revealed for the first time at E3:

• Overhauled graphics; HDR, FSAA, Depth of Field, Soft particles, Tone Mapping and many other effects are all now implemented.
• Majority of Models are being redone.
• Multiplayer battles can now handle up to 64 players with Mods including ‘Team Death Match’ and ‘Search & Destroy’.
• Ability to become the ruler of a faction and convince lords to become your vassals in the Single Player Campaign.
• Ability to upgrade your companions to vassalage by granting them land.
• Improved Mechanics for Soldier Morale: Soldiers will break and run away if their morale gets too low.

A summary of additional features previously revealed at GDC are Multiplayer for up to 32 players, improved strategic AI, improved graphics and optimization including customizable quick battles, extended diplomatic options and new weapons, armor and animations, a new faction with unique troops and equipment.

Other aspects introduced in Mount&Blade: Warband are improvements to the combat system with more physically accurate horse archery, a variation in horse sizes, and more options when embarking on sieges."

       
       

More new screenshots can be found in the game’s gallery.

Frogster has announced that chapter II of Runes of Magic, titled "The Elven Prophecy", will launch in September.

"As the name already suggests, the core element of ‘Chapter II – The Elven Prophecy’ is the integration of the elven folk as a playable race. A widely branching background story entwines about the elves with lots of new challenges with the new pieces of lore being told by means of a multitude of new quests and epic quest series. Continuing ‘Chapter I – Rise of the Demon Lord’ the second chapter leads players into new game regions, steeped in elven history. It’s the eponymous elves who stand by mankind in their epic conflict against the demon’s menace.

According to the legends, demons of human origin – having degenerated into underworld beings under the influence of the runes – forged an alliance with the nagas in ancient times. Together, these evil forces brought war and devastation to the world of Taborea. An alliance of elves and humans succeeded in banishing the demons into the void and drove back the nagas behind a magical wall. However, when elven prince Sig’aylas removed the holy sword ‘Arclight’ from the wall to defend his human truelove, the wall perished and the naga threat flared up once again.

Together with the elves, ‘Chapter II – The Elven Prophecy’ introduces two new character classes into the world of Runes of Magic. They complement the palette of selection possibilities within the tactically interesting dual class system, creating further combinations to choose from. Advanced players will look forward to new challenges in the form of new demanding dungeons, raid instances and new PvP modes. As a consequence of the copious new game content, ‘Chapter II – the Elven Prophecy’ raises the level cap for all characters in Runes of Magic to 55.

Along with the expansion Frogster is also integrating a new pet system in the Taborea game world. Players will then have the opportunity to actively train their companions, so that they can mature and fulfil valuable supporting roles in combat situations. On top of all this, the game atmosphere in Runes of Magic will receive a thorough general overhaul. The new game regions will really shine, thanks to improved graphics with new effects and hand-drawn textures. Moreover, the renowned sound-studio Dynamedion is recording a completely new soundtrack for the launch of Chapter II. Just as with the base version of Runes of Magic and all of the subsequent updates, Frogster will offer ‘Chapter II – The Elven Prophecy’ as a free download.

Already in August, Frogster is going to integrate first content packages of ‘The Elven Prophecy’ like the new region “Weeping Coast” and raise the level cap to 52. The climax of Chapter II will follow with the official launch in September. “With the comprehensive Chapter II we will seamlessly linking in with our previous policy of regular content expansions for the Runes of Magic game world. And we will still be implementing regular content updates right up until we launch The Elven Prophecy,” Daniel Ullrich, Frogster’s Director Product Management, commented discussing the expansion plans."

       
       

Paradox Interactive has announced "Elven Legacy: Ranger", an upcoming expansion to the recently released turn-based strategy game by Ino-co.

"Expanded Storyline

The Order of Marcus, long dormant in its isolation, is expanding. The renowned ranger Cornelius, armed with his spear and trained in the arts of subterfuge, has been tasked with preparing the world of Illis for the coming of the order.

New Features

Ranger Cornelius possesses a holy spear that can apply special powers to his attacks. In Elven Legacy, each unit’s operation could only be performed once per turn – one move and one attack. Ranger Cornelius can now use special attributes of his sacred spear without losing his turn. For example, he can activate a paralyzing stroke and then throw the spear at the enemy. The enemy unit will not only suffer damage from the attack, but they will also be unable to move during the enemy’s turn.

The order in which one completes the missions will now affect future events in the game. There will be only one final ending, but there are several ways to reach the finale.

Additional new features in Elven Legacy: Ranger:

• 16 new missions
• 3 new heroes
• 5 unique artifacts
• 12 new spells

Elven Legacy: Ranger is scheduled for release in Q3 2009 through all major digital download outlets for a suggested retail price of $9.99 / €9.99."

       
   

Konami has announced that "Metal Gear Solid: Rising" will be making its way to both the PC and XBOX 360 in addition to the Playstation 3. This is the first simultaneous multi-platform release for the long seires.

"The first Metal Gear Solid game in the series’ history to be released simultaneously on three platforms, Metal Gear Solid: Rising stars Raiden – one of the most popular characters within the MGS universe. Raiden made his debut as a playable character in Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty for PlayStation®2, and appeared as a non-playable cyborg in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots for PLAYSTATION®3."

“The Metal Gear Solid series has always pushed the bar with its cinematic visuals and entertaining story line,” commented Martin Schneider, European Marketing Director for Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH. “Now even more gamers can immerse themselves in the franchise and experience the groundbreaking series as Metal Gear Solid: Rising heads to the platform of their choice.”

THQ has announced "Homefront", an upcoming FPS by Kaos Studios set in the US ten years after an economic collapse.

"Homefront is set ten years after the economic collapse of the United States and follows the American Civilian Resistance as they fight to reclaim their homeland from an oppressive North Korean occupation. Featuring a personal, story-driven single player campaign and a full suite of multiplayer options, Homefront is scheduled for release on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC. Homefront will be unveiled at E3 2009 in THQ’s booth – number 5300 in the West Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center.

“Homefront isn’t about going to war on the other side of the world or battling aliens from another planet; it’s about fighting foreign invaders in your own backyard and defending your right to live,” said David Votypka, design director, Kaos Studios. “Homefront combines the unsettling notion of an occupied America with interactive, player-driven narratives to create a deeply engaging single and multiplayer experience.”

“Kaos Studios is using powerful narrative and environmental storytelling to create a plausible, near-futuristic setting where the people of a once mighty nation must fight to maintain their existence,” said Kevin Kraff, vice president of global brand management, THQ. “This harsh backdrop will be the foundation for an emotionally-charged single-player campaign and an intense multiplayer experience.”

About Homefront

The year is 2027. The world has suffered a decade-long energy crisis, and economies have crumbled. Reduced to a mere shadow of the super power it once was, the United States became the target of a North Korean takeover. American malls, suburbs and city streets are now battlegrounds as the civilian resistance fights for freedom. Featuring a compelling single player story crafted by John Milius (Apocalypse Now, Red Dawn), Homefront immerses gamers in an interactive and cinematic FPS experience where they will assume an infantry role or take command of a wide variety of aerial and ground vehicles. In addition to the single-player experience, Homefront will deliver a robust multiplayer experience. In a land stripped of freedom, the brave will fight for their home."

       

Southpeak released new screenshots and a trailer for "Section 8" from E3, giving viewers more of a look at the upcoming sci-fi FPS by TimeGate.

"Section 8 is a large-scale, sci-fi first person shooter where fast-paced action meets military strategy in the far reaches of the galaxy. Join the epic battle between the 8th Armored Infantry and the Arm of Orion by taking part in fierce squad-based combat across majestic alien worlds.

Choose the experience you want to play by customizing your own equipment Loadouts, and dynamically manipulate the flow of combat with on-demand vehicle requisitions, strategic asset deliveries, and Dynamic Combat Missions.

On a completely player-driven and dynamic battlefield, no two games of Section 8 will ever play the same."

You can find additional new screenshots in the game’s gallery.

Paradox Interactive has announced that "East India Company", the upcoming strategy game by Nitro Games, is scheduled to be released on July 28th.

"In East India Company, players will enjoy building the World’s most powerful trading empire and engaging in vigorous naval battles in both single player and multiplayer modes.

Starting modestly, you will build your fleet, establish connections to far away countries, and keep rival nations at bay. Choose from a wide array of ship classes, including a variety of transport and military vessels. Create diverse fleets and assign each of them specific trading routes. Control and upgrade well-situated ports as you form your strategy for domination.

For greater tactical depth, command your ship and give independent orders to each of your fleets. Fight against the other European powers to create a trading empire that will rule above all!"

View the game presentation by Kim Soares, Lead Designer for East India Company: Part 1, Part 2.

New screenshots from "Black Mirror 2" were released at E3, giving viewers more of a look at the upcoming adventure game by Future Games.

"Twelve years after the events of Black Mirror: The coast village of Biddeford/Maine is gleaming in the colours of Indian Summer. Here works the main character of Black Mirror 2, Darren, as a temp in a photo studio. He, a withdrawn young lad in his 20ies, is studying physics. If photography hadn’t been his only passion, he would have left his poorly paid job and his sleazy boss Fuller ages ago.

One day, a stunning English girl named Angelina steps into the shop to have her picture taken. Darren is instantly captivated by her beauty – he has never felt like this. But suddenly, Fuller is bursting in. He insists on serving the pretty customer himself while Darren is sent out to town. When he comes back, it’s only by chance that he can fix an appointment with Angelina for a photo shooting.

Shortly after Angelina has left the shop, Darren notices a man following her secretly. Soon, something horrible is happening. In Darren’s opinion, Fuller has to do with it and he wants him to pay for it.

During the next weeks, the student is plagued by nightmares. He starts a journey leading him to Willow Creek in England. This is the village of Black Mirror Castle where the tragedy of part one took place."

       
       

House of Tales and dtp Entertainment announced "15 Days" at E3 today, an upcoming adventure game that’s based on political activists that steal art for "good causes."

"15 Days is a fast-paced and sophisticated adventure game about Cathryn, Mike and Bernard – a troupe of political activists – stealing art for good causes. In meticulously planned coups, the three Londoners living in a hip loft steal precious paintings from the best guarded museums in the world. The group then donates their millions, Robin Hood style, to development projects in Africa. Their goal is to share out the money of eccentric art collectors to the poor.

“We unfold the narrative in two parallel storylines and let the action rotate quickly between four main characters. This makes 15 Days a fast-paced and very dynamic adventure game – both in terms of narrative and aesthetics”, says Martin Ganteföhr, Creative Director of House of Tales. The Bremen/Germany-based developer studio is responsible for several award-winning genre highlights such as Overclocked – A History of Violence, The Mystery of the Druids and The Moment of Silence.

Only two weeks ago, Cathryn and her comrades broke into a special exhibition in Cape Town, South Africa. From there, they purloined the portrait of Cecil Rhodes, former British Governor of Rhodesia, nowadays Zimbabwe. The next painting to steal is a portrait of Winston Churchill located in the London Modern Museum.

In the meantime US special agent Jack Stern has a murder case to solve. British Foreign Secretary Henston collapsed at his desk, bleeding from his ears and nose. He died the next day in hospital. As he is a member of the British government, an assassination has to be considered. Agent Stern’s attention is caught by a note about the transport of Rhodes’ portrait from the Secretary’s office to the special exhibition in South Africa and back.

The next weeks will be a hard trial for the young thiefes as well as agent Stern, entangling all four into affairs of international politics.

Together with the conspiring gang, the player will steal precious paintings in spectacular coups using interesting gadgets. Their paths are destined to cross with Jack Stern regarding the obscure Henston murder. Do the anarchistic young thieves have something to do with the Secretary’s death?

www.15days-game.com"

 

New E3 screenshots from "Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria – Volume II: Book 8: Scourge of Khazad-dum" have been released.

"Turbine has just released the first batch of screenshots for the upcoming Volume II: Book 8: Scourge of Khazad-dum, the next upcoming free content update for The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria which will go live in June. The new screenshots illustrate the Water Wheels, which will be added with Book 8."

       

Paradox has released two new developer diary videos and new E3 screenshots for "Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim", the upcoming real-time strategy sequel by Ino-co.

"Majesty 2 – The Fantasy Kingdom Sim will follow closely in the footsteps of the original game as well as bringing all key elements up to date. The charm and humor that made fans out millions of gamers worldwide will remain at the core of the title along with the indirect control aspect of the game."

       

More new screenshots can be found in the game’s gallery.

CD Projekt RED has announced that version 1.5 of "The Witcher" will soon be released, which includes 5 new fan-made adventures and also removes the DRM for the DVD version.

"The Witcher: Enhanced Edition 1.5 is the newest version of the game, including all bonus content from The Witcher: Enhanced Edition and five additional fan-made adventures. Most importantly, The Witcher: Enhanced Edition 1.5 is completely DRM-free! Playing The Witcher will be even more fun without any form of annoying copy protection. Moreover, the 1.5 version of The Witcher will remove the disc check, allowing you to play the game without the DVD in the drive.

All available versions of the game will be upgraded to 1.5, including the forthcoming The Witcher: Enhanced Edition Director’s Cut for North American gamers.

As usual the patch containing the additional content will be available to download for free from our website for all registered The Witcher and The Witcher: Enhanced Edition owners!

More detailed information will be released on our website https://www.thewitcher.com."