PC Game News

Funcom has announced a free trial for "Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures", giving everyone a chance to try the popular MMORPG that launched last May.

"This is the chance to experience the brutal, savage and sexy world of Conan where you can live, fight and explore in the world of Hyboria together with thousands of people from across the globe.

“The time has finally come for us to open the flood gates,” says Morten Larssen, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Funcom. “There is a world of gamers out there who have never played ‘Age of Conan’ and we want them to experience what hundreds of thousands of gamers have before them. The game has matured tremendously since launch, and we feel confident that this is the time to launch a trial. ‘Age of Conan’ is simply bigger and better than it ever was, and we want both new and previous players alike to experience that!”

All you have to do to start playing ‘Age of Conan’ today is visit the www.ageofconan.com/trial website, download the game and off you go. Funcom has also teamed up with Fileplanet and Ausgamers, and depending on which source you download from you will receive between seven to fourteen days free play time and a host of special rewards. Various websites across the world will also be doing exclusive give-aways where gamers can receive a special key that will unlock rare virtual items in addition to the free trial play time."

French developer Streum On Studio today released a trailer for "E.Y.E", an upcoming action RPG based on the Source engine, which looks rather interesting.

"After unending war with metastreumonic Force, the powerful organisation Secreta Secretorum that you belong to is finally ready to undermine the head-strong federation, despite an intense struggle for power.

A dark and mysterious universe (inspired by Blade Runner, Ghost in the shell and Warhammer 40K) for hours of original gameplay thanks to 10 physical and psychic skills, 14 cybernetic and upgradable implants, along with an integrated R&D system, all serving a delicate scenario where conspiracy, horror and treason rule. Based on the RPG "AVA", developped by Streum On Studio in 1998."

Interplay Entertainment has announced a development agreement with Masthead Studios for an upcoming MMORPG codenamed "Project V:13", which is assumed to be Fallout Online.

"The game has been in design and development at Interplay since November 2007. Masthead and Interplay teams will work together under the direction and control of Interplay to complete development of the project.

As a part of the agreement, the game will utilize Masthead’s proprietary tools and MMOG technology developed for Masthead’s "Earthrise" project.

Commenting on the announcement, Interplay Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Herve Caen said, "We are looking forward to turning the vision of our game designers into a compelling online gaming experience. The planning and design completed for Project: V13 thus far, combined with Masthead’s resources, tools, and growing team of dedicated MMOG developers, will bring this unique game to reality."

Masthead Studios President Atanas Atanasov said, "This arrangement is ideal because it leverages the technology our professionals have specifically built for advanced Massively Multiplayer Online Games into what we expect will be a groundbreaking Interplay gaming title."

Terms of the deal were not disclosed."

Playlogic announced that it has signed a distribution agreement with U & I Entertainment for the North American market.

"Playlogic’s VP Sales and Business Development Paige Carlson comments: "We are excited to partner with U & I Entertainment to launch Playlogic’s multi genre and multi platform console line-up in the US and Canada. The partnership combines U & I’s proven retail sales and distribution expertise with our robust line-up of games; including Infernal for Xbox 360, They Came From Upstairs for DS, Wii, PS2 and PC and the highly anticipated Fairytale Fights for X360, PS3 and PC.”

Marty Hawk, CEO of U & I added: “We are delighted to be partnering with Playlogic. Their impressive product portfolio and aggressive launch plans for North America coupled with our extensive experience at retail, is a potent combination. We look forward to a very successful and rewarding venture with Playlogic"

U & I ("Unsigned & Independent") Entertainment is based in Minneapolis, MN and provides sales, operations and distributions services throughout North America to developers and publishers of interactive entertainment."

Finally, I got our second official video review done, uploaded, and live today. It ate up the majority of three of my weekends but this is my first one and the GTA video editor, which is what I used for a lot of the footage, loads and renders REALLY slow. An HD version is available on Youtube and the video will look a lot better if you have "I have a fast connection. Always play higher-quality video when it’s available." in your playback settings in your Youtube accont.

I apologize ahead of time for my microphone. I used a basic gaming mic and had to have it a little too close to my mouth in order to make it sound right. I was able to use an audio editor to remove a lot of my "mouth wind" though so it shouldn’t be too bad. I’ll be looking to purchase a new mic before I do my next video review.

It took a long time but I think I like the end result. I’m going to create a section on the site for these video reviews but for now, pay attention to the staff blog posts or subscribe to our channel. At this point I’m not sure if we’ll be exclusively using Youtube but it’s pretty easy and there’s a big community, which helps on our end.

Microids has announced "Syberia 3", the next chapter in the popular adventure series. A highlighted feature in this upcoming episode will be collaborative online play between PC and PS3 gamers.

"Syberia 3, the new episode in the adventures of Kate Walker, actually allows those playing on PC and those playing on PS3 to collaborate online, thanks to a simultaneous data exchange and sharing mode on the two platforms. Syberia 3 will therefore see teams of players being formed so as to optimize their chances of reaching the end of the adventure by pooling the abilities of each of the participants. Only PS3 players who have collaborated with PC players, and vice versa, will be able to accompany Kate to the end of the adventure.

This innovative gameplay is a first in video gaming, and in particular within the "point & click” adventure segment. Microïds’ ambition is to enable all players, irrespective of their gaming platform, to be able to participate collectively in the adventure so as to live the experience of collaborative gaming. This innovation will be offered for all future Microïds titles and will also be included in games currently being developed at partner studios.

After having traveled throughout Europe in Syberia and Syberia 2, Kate Walker starts out on the mammoths’ trail in a world on the border between reality and imagination, where strange white birds indicate the presence of extinct mammals…

Syberia 3 takes Kate on an adventure which mixes suspense, myth, ecology and action. She crosses paths with a weird Vic McPherson who is investigating the murky business of international trafficking of ancient works of art and prehistoric ivory…

Syberia 3 will be entirely in real time 3D and will be released on PS3 and PC in June 2010."

The list of new PC game releases, DVD and Blu-Ray releases, and movies opening the week of March 30th, 2009.

PC Games:

• Looks like none this week 🙁

Movies Opening This Week:

• Adventureland
• Alien Trespass (limited)
• Fast & Furious
• Gigantic (limited LA/NY)
• Paris 36 (limited)
• Sugar (limited)
• The Escapist (limited NYC)

DVD and Blu-Ray Releases:

• An American in Paris [Blu Ray]
• Ghosts of Mars [Blu Ray]
• Gigi [Blu Ray]
• Hannah Montana: Keeping it Real
• Ichi the Killer [Blu Ray]
• Marley & Me [Blu Ray]
• Ricky Gervais: Out of England – The Stand-Up Special
• Schoolhouse Rock: Earth
• Seven Pounds
• Slumdog Millionare [Blu Ray]
• Spectacular!
• Tell No One
• The Great Depression
• The One [Blu Ray]
• Way of War [Blu Ray]

DLC for the console version of "Saints Row 2" was announced today titled "Ultor Exposed", and we would assume that it would also be coming to the PC but there is no mention in the news release.

"Ultor Exposed will feature an all-new mission arc starring adult film star Tera Patrick, as well as new vehicles, multiplayer maps, customization options and co-op activities.  The Saints Row 2 downloadable content will be available on Xbox® LIVE for 800 Microsoft points and PlayStation® Network for $9.99.  To see a full list of Ultor Exposed content, visit community.saintsrow.com

THQ today also announced plans to release a total of three downloadable content packs for Saints Row 2, starting with Ultor Exposed.  Details on the other two packs will be available soon."

Reakktor Media GmbH has released a cinematic trailer for "Black Prophecy" the upcoming space-action MMO game.

Amongst others, the trailer shows never before seen in-game epic battle action between the two dominant races, the Tyi and the Genides, and gives a first glimpse on the mysterious alien race known as "The Restorers".

The official Rail Simulator website has been updated with the announcement of "Rail Simulator 2: Railworks".

"RailWorks will represent a new approach to simulation. Instead of providing a product, we are attempting to provide you with a platform on which you can build and operate virtual railways. We will continue to support and develop this platform over the coming months and years, adding new features to make the simulated environment ever more compelling. We will also be focusing on a number of facilities to allow you to share and even trade elements of your virtual world with other users.

Unlike Rail Simulator, RailWorks will include all the tools that were previously downloaded separately. In addition, for those of you who are online, we also plan to make use of Valve’s ‘Steam’ technology to simplify the process of supporting and upgrading the product. Don’t worry, we’ve worked hard to ensure compatibility with content created with Rail Simulator and will continue to make backward compatibility a key priority.

There will be one world-wide version of RailWorks that will include improved versions of all the routes currently in the European and North American version of Rail Simulator. In addition, we will have new routes and new locomotives along with new scenarios and significant graphical advancements. I don’t want to say too much about the new routes now, other than that one is North American, one European and one UK based. These are in the later stages of development and all are looking very impressive. I’m confident that you are going to enjoy them all. "

New details on the upcoming "Mount & Blade" expansion, which will include multiplayer and has been titled "Mount & Blade: Warband", were released at GDC.

"Demonstrated publicly for the first time at GDC in San Francisco by the development team at Taleworlds, the expansion introduces a number of features that players have specifically requested and which will vastly improve the gameplay experience.

The key features revealed –

• Multiplayer – previously announced, the ability for up to 32 players to play simultaneously on a single map in Team Death-Match style battles
• Faction Rulers – A new in-depth system allowing the player to gain followers even as a rebel and to become the ruler of their own faction and recruit Lords as their vassalals
• Accessibility – Improved and additional detailed game information for players.
• Improved Graphics and optimisation – The introduction of state-of-the-art rendering technologies including HDR (High Dynamic Range), as well as significant improvement in the level of detail on characters, armour and weapons
• Increased interactivity  – New interactivity implemented in the environments that the AI will recognize and adapt to, directly impacting the Siege mode

Commenting on the development of Mount&Blade: Warband, Armagan Yavuz, Producer at Taleworlds Entertainment said, “As a development team, we are used to short development circles, fast feedback from our users and the ability to have our gamers in the development loop. That is why we decided to create this expansion. We have received a large amount of requests from players for multiplayer and when we had published the game we saw an opportunity to explore this as well as additional improvements that our gamers requested. I feel that the multiplayer mode adds tremendously to the game experience.´´

A summary of additional features includes customizable quick battles, extended diplomatic options and  new weapons, armor and animations. 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.

Mount&Blade: Warband is scheduled for release in Q3 2009."

Paradox Interactive released a new "East India Company" trailer today, giving viewers more of a look at the upcoming strategy game by Nitro Games.

Paradox also revealed new details about the gameplay in East India Company. The innovative Direct Command mode during naval battles allows players to take direct control over a single ship, giving players previously unseen control over the ship’s actions during battle. Players are able to toggle between the more traditional RTS mode where you control multiple ships and the Direct Command mode where you take the command of an individual ship.

"In Direct Command mode the players can toggle through different views from  3rd person view behind the ship to a 1st person view that puts the player in the middle of the crew in action on ships deck, thus allowing better control over cannons & aiming and ship manoeuvring. The players experience the action firsthand as enemy fire flies overhead and the ship rocks in the turbulent seas.

When taking the control of the flagship players can take advantage of the skills of the fleet commander. All fleets have their own unique fleet commanders with a set of active and passive skills. The passive skills are in force throughout the battle where as the active skills can be activated by player and are in force for a short period of time.
For example, one commander will have an accuracy skill that will improve the accuracy of shots fired from the ship, where as another commander will have an feared skill resulting lowered morale for all enemy ships.

East India Company is a naval war strategy game based on the 18th century East India Companies. Players will attempt to build the world’s most powerful trading empire in a breathtaking cinematic environment. Offering both single and multiplayer modes, players will fight, manage and rule to build immense trading empire spanning from Europe to the Far East using a wide array of ship classes. The game will feature fierce naval battles and direct command of individual ships."

Paradox Interactive has announced that "Elven Legacy" has gone gold and is scheduled to be released in April.

"Elven Legacy sends players on an epic quest aimed to restore the former glory of the Elven race. With a thrilling, non-linear storyline and tools that allow players to create their own missions and campaigns and share them in multiplayer mode, Elven Legacy will provide hours of exciting gameplay for strategy fans.

Elven Legacy is scheduled for retail release in April 2009 and will be published worldwide by Paradox Interactive and will also be available on all leading digital download portals for a suggested retail price of $29.99 / €29.99.

For more information, go to www.elven-legacy.com."

New screenshots of "Warrior Epic" were released at the Game Developer’s Conference, giving viewers more of a look at the upcoming MMORPG by Possibility Space.

"Warrior Epic is an online, action role-playing game set in an original fantasy universe. In the game, players will assume command of a Warrior Hall from which they manage their characters’ adventures. They can recruit from a wide array of Warrior Classes, each with its own style of play. The Classes and the Hall itself can be upgraded visually as well as functionally. Players adventure together in multiplayer campaigns, adventure mode, solo quests and PVP."

       
       

THQ and Relic have announced that "Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor", the anticipated real-time strategy sequel, has gone gold and is scheduled to ship on April 9th.

"Developed by award-winning Real-Time Strategy (RTS) developer, Relic Entertainment, Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor offers three, intense single-player campaigns, three new multiplayer modes and an innovative “direct-fire” feature that offers an unprecedented amount of control on the battlefield.

“Building upon the recent critical and commercial success of Dawn of War II, Relic Entertainment is set to deliver the next great chapter in the award-winning Company of Heroes franchise,” said Kevin Kraff, vice president of global brand management, THQ. “Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor strengthens Relic Entertainment’s reputation as a leading RTS developer, with an unwavering dedication to innovative, ground-breaking gameplay experiences.”

“Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor brings an exceptional amount of tactical control and intimate combat to the franchise,” said Tarrnie Williams, general manager, Relic Entertainment. “The three new single-player campaigns, new multiplayer modes and advanced gameplay mechanics emphasize precision and require players to use a new level of strategy and skill to achieve victory during the historic battles of World War II.”

Scheduled for a nationwide release at all major retail and online outlets on April 9, 2009, Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor will be available as a Games for Windows® PC title for a suggested retail price of $29.99."