PC Game News

Paradox Interactive has released a new trailer for "Elven Legacy", the upcoming turn-based strategy game by Ino-Co.

Calling all you heroes of fantasy. The time has come once more! Unsheathe your swords. Ready your shields. Unsling your bows. For across the once peaceful lands of Eiola, the storm clouds of war have begun to stir. Whether it be deep beneath the Northlands of the reclusive Dwarves. Across the evergreen forests canopies of the mysterious Elves, or throughout the bustling towns of the Human Empire.

Swordsman, axeman, archer, spearman or knight, warriors one and all, rally in response to the sound of drum and horn. Even within the inhospitable wastelands of the Orc tribes, they to gather in readiness and what’s more, what manner of creature lies hidden in the countless dark caves that populate the dangerous wildlands.

Maybe these savage beasts be recruited to fight for the cause!?

Time is ticking, as the sands of peace run down. So make haste and unfurl the blood-splattered regimental banners from long ago and make ready…. For war is upon us!

Ubisoft, Midway, and Tigon Studios have announced that "Wheelman" has been shipped to North American retailers and is now available.

"Wheelman is available for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC and is rated "T" for Teen by the ESRB.

In Wheelman, Milo Burik gets caught in a crossfire of chaos and corruption while trying to stay one step ahead of local law enforcement and rival gangs in the beautifully re-created city of Barcelona, Spain. In Wheelman, the player’s car is the weapon. Players weave in and out of traffic, engaging in intense vehicular warfare, leaving wreckage in their wake as they take out anything or anyone that gets in the way with innovative super moves like "Vehicle Melee," "AirJack" and the "Cyclone."

"First and foremost Wheelman is designed to be action packed, accessible and over-the-top driving fun," said Tony Key, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Ubisoft. "Wheelman’s dynamic systems adjust to the player’s experience level so that everyone – from a novice to an expert gamer – can play and feel as if they’re an action hero in a driving game."

Inspired by Hollywood’s most famous action-sequences, Wheelman will deliver powerful cinematic moments throughout the game’s compelling storyline. In addition, there are more than 100 side missions available, giving players plenty of opportunities to steer through the streets of virtual Barcelona, while earning vehicle upgrades, achievements and trophies.

For more information about Wheelman, please visit www.ubi.com."

The video game industry isn’t except from a bad economy. Unfortunately, Lighthouse Interactive, a game publisher that publishes titles mostly outside of the U.S. has been declared bankrupt and FileFront.com has shut down.

From the Lighthouse Website:

"Dutch/Canadian videogame publisher, Lighthouse Interactive has officially been declared bankrupt. A spokesperson pointed out that due to the demise of its parent  company Silverbirch Incorporated and the bankruptcy of its largest debtor Pinnacle Entertainment, Lighthouse was unable to carry on.

Lighthouse Interactive was sold to SilverBirch Inc in 2008 and was a wholly owned subsidiary. The company was best known for publishing many critically acclaimed PC titles including Ship Simulator, Sword of the Stars and Overclocked.

The Lighthouse personnel would like to thank all business partners, press and its customers for their support over the past years."

FileFront.com Farewell:

"We regret to inform you that due to the current economic conditions we are forced to indefinitely suspend the FileFront site operations on March 30, 2009. If you have uploaded files, images or posted blogs, or if you would like to download some of your favorite files, please take this opportunity to download them before March 30th when the site will be suspended.

We would like to give a warm thank you to all of you who have been part of the FileFront communities we have built together. Your support has had a meaningful impact for all of us here at FileFront. Again, we want to give you a sincere “thank you” for your support over the years and wish you all the very best.

Keep gaming alive,

FileFront Management and Team."

It’s sad to see this turn of events and regrettably, it probably won’t end here.

Ubisoft today announced "R.U.S.E.", an upcoming real-time strategy game by Eugen Systems.

"R.U.S.E. is optimized for Intel’s latest core processors, including the Intel Core i7 processor, and will be demonstrated for the first time in public at the Intel booth during the Game Developers Conference (GDC) at Moscone North Hall, booth #6006 at 5:00 PM Pacific on Wednesday March 25 in San Francisco.

R.U.S.E. is a one-of-a-kind real-time strategy game that allows players to bluff their enemies to lead their nation to victory, controlling the action using views that range seamlessly from the heart of the battlefield to the full theatre of war. Players will be plunged into the action thanks to the exclusive IRISZOOMTM Engine which offers an intuitive interface that allows for smooth, rapid transitions from a birds-eye view of the entire conflict, down into the heat of the battle and vice versa.

“With R.U.S.E., Ubisoft is once again shaking up a genre, offering an RTS with a twist that will thrill gamers,” said John Parkes, EMEA marketing director at Ubisoft. “Ubisoft is known for innovation and R.U.S.E. continues that tradition, offering the most immense and detailed maps ever seen in an RTS. Players can explore the maps using IRISZOOM Engine, which provides an aerial, smooth interaction unlike anything ever seen before.”

Ubisoft and Intel are committed to working together to ensure R.U.S.E. takes full advantage of Intel technologies. “Ubisoft and Intel are demonstrating some of the benefits gamers will experience when playing R.U.S.E. on the Intel® Core™i7 processor based platforms,” said Elliot Garbus, vice president Intel Software and Services Group, general manager Visual Computing Software Division. “Gamers will experience more immersive game play with smooth zooming from satellite to ground view, superior AI delivering more complex unit movements and more realistic physics throughout the game.”

In R.U.S.E., players use their brain as the ultimate weapon, fighting a war of perception, where the ability to deceive and mislead the enemy determines success. A first in a strategy game, R.U.S.E. reinvigorates the genre by using deception to give new-found depth to the game play.

To learn more about R.U.S.E., visit www.rusegame.com"

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has announced that "Wanted: Weapons of Fate" has been shipped and is now available.

"Based on Universal Pictures’ action-thriller Wanted, the game is an intense, third-person action game that takes combat to a new level with iconic techniques and moves drawn directly from the film – such as "Curving Bullets" and "Assassin Time" — as well as an innovative, multi-layered cover mechanic.

The storyline of Wanted: Weapons of Fate picks up where the film leaves off, providing fans with a new stage to explore in hero Wesley’s journey to becoming an über-assassin in a secret organization of killers. In the game, players can take on the role of Wesley or his father, Cross, to confront all new enemies — including the French chapter of the Fraternity, a group that is fanatical about upholding the code of the Loom of Fate. The French chapter is headed by The Immortal, a severe Fraternity leader with a grudge against Wesley and his family. It also employs Araña, a beautiful-but-deadly Spanish assassin and Brummel, the businessman/assassin who is as street smart as he is sophisticated.

The game includes the vocal talents of Thomas Kretschmann, who reprises his film role as Cross, a former member of the Fraternity who finds himself the target of those who were once his allies. Terence Stamp also returns to his role from the film as Pekwarsky, a close friend of the Killer with knowledge of the inner workings and secrets of the Fraternity. Grammy® Award-winning hip-hop artist and actor Common voices the role of Brummel, while Paz Vega plays Araña. Additionally, award-winning actor Peter Stormare lends his voice as The Immortal, the leader of the French Fraternity who will stop at nothing to follow the film’s Fraternity of Weavers.

Wanted, starring James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie, the blockbuster feature film upon which the games is based, recently debuted on DVD and Blu-ray Hi-Def from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Universal Studios Home Entertainment’s Wanted DVD and Blu-ray feature 10 secret codes for the Wanted: Weapons of Fate video game hidden among the menu screen and bonus features. Eight codes are on both the 2-disc special edition DVD and Blu-ray editions, and two additional codes reside solely in the Blu-ray version. The codes unlock a new character, access enhanced weaponry and exclusive game modes, among other options.

Wanted: Weapons of Fate is rated “M” for Mature and is available for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 for the suggested retail price of $59.99. It is also available for Games for Windows at retail outlets for the suggested retail price of $49.99. For more information on Wanted: Weapons of Fate and the Wanted film, please visit www.wantedvideogame.com. "

Telltale Games has announced the launch of "Wallace & Gromit: Fright of the Bumblebees", the first of four episodes in a new adventure series.

"Wallace and Gromit, the well-meaning but accident-prone inventor and his capable and highly-intelligent canine companion, have been delighting audiences with their animated adventures for twenty years. Their most recent outing, Wallace & Gromit in A Matter of Loaf and Death, aired with record-setting viewership this past Christmas. Telltale’s Wallace & Gromit games are designed for the same all-ages crowd as the films, and will be appreciated by gamers and non-gamers alike.

Alternating between the roles of both Wallace and Gromit throughout the game, players will banter with a charismatic cast of characters, tinker with Wallace’s creative contraptions, and enjoy four all-new stories set in the colorful Wallace & Gromit universe. Given the franchise’s global appeal, Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures includes subtitles in German, French, Italian, and Spanish. In today’s debut episode, "Fright of the Bumblebees," Wallace attempts to save his bumbling honey business through the growth of supersized flowers. When these giant flowers lead to an unintended consequence, giant bees, Gromit must step in to save the town from the angry swarm.

Sean Clarke, Head of Aardman Rights said: "The partnership with Telltale was a natural one. Their talent for crafting engaging adventures with humour and charm fits well with the Wallace & Gromit style, and the four games of Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures make excellent new additions to the series."

To celebrate the series premiere, Telltale is offering the full series on PC for the limited-time special price of $29.95 (approx. GBP21), a 15% savings on the regular price of $34.95 (approx. GBP24). During the launch week, customers who purchase Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures will also get an amazing 50% discount on all other items in Telltale’s store, including the acclaimed Sam & Max games, Strong Bad’s Cool Game for Attractive People, and related merchandise. These special offers expire March 29.

To buy Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures or download the free demo, visit https://www.telltalegames.com/wallaceandgromit."

Valve has announced an update to Steamworks, expanding the service to developers with Customer Executable Generation (CEG), Support for DLC, Matchmaking, and more.

"Headlining the new feature set is the Custom Executable Generation (CEG) technology that compliments the already existing anti-piracy solution offered in Steamworks. A customer friendly approach to anti-piracy, CEG makes unique copies of games for each user allowing them to access the application on multiple machines without install limits and without having to install root kits on their PC.

The new features also include support for in-game downloadable content (DLC) and matchmaking. The in-game DLC support allows developers to deliver new content as they choose (paid or free) from inside the game itself, allowing users to make immediate purchases and experience the new content in the same game session. The Steamworks matchmaking now includes the robust lobby system shipped and tested in Left 4 Dead.

"Delivering this extension of services on Steamworks first anniversary, demonstrates our commitment to continually develop the platform to better serve the community working with these tools," said Gabe Newell, president and co-founder of Valve. "As we roll out these features, we continue to look for new ways make PC games easier to create and better for customers to experience."

Steamworks was launched in early 2008 and has already shipped in products distributed at retail and electronically with major PC releases such as Empire: Total War, Dawn of War II, F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, and Football Manager 2009.

The Steamworks services are offered free of charge to developers and publishers around the world. In addition to the services added in this spring’s extension, Steamworks offers support for Steam Achievements, Steam Community, Auto Updating, Statistics, Steam Cloud and more.

Steamworks is fully integrated with the Steam, a leading platform for the delivery and management of PC games that has grown to reach 20 million accounts throughout the world, up from 15 million accounts just one year ago. Steam now offers over 500 applications to gamers in every country of the world.

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

The list of new PC game releases, DVD and Blu-Ray releases, and movies opening the week of March 23rd, 2009.

PC Games:

• Dark Sector
• Death Track: Resurrection
• Monsters vs. Aliens
• Stormrise
• The Last Remnant
• Wheelman
• Wanted: Weapons of Fate

Movies Opening This Week:

• 12 Rounds
• Monsters vs. Aliens
• The Education of Charlie Banks (limited)
• The Haunting in Connecticut

DVD and Blu-Ray Releases:

• A Mighty Heart [Blu-Ray]
• Andy Richter Controls the Universe: The Complete Series
• Bolt
• Claymore: Volume Four – The Rumors of War
• Fling
• Goldfinger [Blu-Ray]
• Happily N’Ever After 2: Snow White
• In Treatment, Season One
• James Bond Blu-Ray Collection
• Moonraker [Blu-Ray]
• Quantum of Solace
• Room 222: Season One
• Secrets of the Furious Five
• Stephen Hawking and the Theory of Everything
• The 400 Blows [Blu-Ray]
• The Fast and the Furious Trilogy [Blu-Ray]
• The Kite Runner [Blu-Ray]
• The Riches: Season Two
• The Venture Bros.: Season Three
• The World is Not Enough [Blu-Ray]
• Watchmen: Tales of the Black Freighter & Under the Hood [Blu-Ray]

Electronic Arts has announced that Need for Speed SHIFT will be released in North America on September 22nd and in Europe on September 18th.

"Need for Speed SHIFT brings a true driver’s experience to some of the world’s most iconic racing tracks, including the storied Brand’s Hatch in the UK. The game also features the largest roster of high-performance cars in Need for Speed history including race cars such as the Pagani Zonda F, Porsche 911 GT2 and Lotus Elise.

“With Need for Speed SHIFT, we set out to create a racing game that pushes the genre and delivers something never before seen in a Need for Speed title,” said Patrick Soderlund, Senior Vice President at EA Games Europe. “By focusing on the driver’s experience through the first-person view, we are able to capture the high-speed intensity and gripping emotions of racing.”

Players are thrust into the loud, intense, and athletic experience of racing a car from the driver’s perspective through the combination of perception based G-forces, the hyper reality of the cockpit view, and the all-new brutally disorienting crash dynamic. Need for Speed SHIFT features an accurate, accessible physics-based driving model that allows you to feel every impact, every change of track surface and every last bit of grip as you push yourself to the edge.

Need for Speed SHIFT is being developed by Slightly Mad Studios in collaboration with Black Box and Patrick Soderlund. Slightly Mad Studios includes developers and designers that worked on the critically acclaimed games GT Legends and GTR 2. The PSP version is being developed by EA’s Bright Light studio.

Need for Speed SHIFT will be released on PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, PC and PSP® (PlayStation® Portable) in fall 2009. More information can be found at www.needforspeed.com."

How about some positive news for a change? The PC Gaming Alliance has announced that the PC Gaming industry, the largest platform for games worldwide, took in revenue of about $11 billion in 2008.

"The report provides an overview of the PC gaming market and the growth of the largest single platform for games with annual revenue of about $11 billion.

The PCGA’s goal is to provide an honest, vendor-neutral appraisal of the worldwide PC game business entering 2009. The report describes the three biggest trends in 2008 as the growth of online digital distribution via services like Valve’s Steam™; the growth of free games with a virtual item model; and the increased presence of game cards at major retailers like 7-Eleven®.

“The biggest story in PC games is the expansion beyond retail,” said Randy Stude, president of PCGA. “PC games have successfully pioneered online subscription and distribution models that have resulted in a global boom that shows no signs of slowing. Despite the advances of the likes of Xbox LIVE® and the PlayStation® Network, the online platform that remains the most accessible and robust worldwide is the PC.”

The report also highlights industry revenue shifts, which include Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs) as the leading products for both revenue and profits. Other significant revenue generators include several Asian MMOGs making over $100 million in annual revenue after five-plus years on the market; World of Warcraft® producing over $1 billion in annual revenue; and the Lich King expansion to World of Warcraft outsold its predecessor. In 2008, two major subscription MMOGs (Age of Conan® and Warhammer™ Online) sold over 1 million units at retail.

The report was commissioned by the PCGA, written by DFC Intelligence and is available upon request. To find information, visit www.pcgamingalliance.org."

1C Company has announced "Death to Spies: Moment of Truth", an upcoming sequel to the original strategy game that was released in 2007.

"The game’s main character is Semion Strogov, Captain of the 4th department of the Soviet counterintelligence service called SMERSH. SMERSH literally means in Russian Death to Spies, which was the name for a set of counterintelligence departments in the Soviet Army formed during World War II. Strogov is back from his previous missions and must now participate in a series of even more complicated and exciting military operations under the code name Death to Spies: Moment of Truth.

The hero possesses all the skills required to accomplish especially dangerous missions including, getting information about the disposition of hostile military and civil units, assassination of enemy agents and representatives of Wehrmacht’s high-ranking officers and espionage.

By the order of his supreme commander Strogov, who passed through a serious retraining, will have to accomplish various top secret missions. His task is to capture spies, saboteurs and gather information about their actions using unique technologies and devices.

Death to Spies: Moment of Truth is scheduled for a Q3 2009 release. Please find more details about the game at https://www.1cpublishing.eu/game/death-to-spies-moment-of-truth."

Paradox Interactive has announced that "Hearts of Iron 3" has moved into the Beta stage of development and is scheduled to be released towards the end of the year.

The Paradox team want to express their gratitude for the long time fans that is supporting and offering their help for the development of Hearts of Iron 3:

“We at Paradox were stunned by the response we got for the Beta testing, with over 10,000 people registering an interest in contributing. It made it one of the hardest selection process for Betas we have ever had, as there were just so many well qualified candidates to chose from. “ says Johan Andersson, Lead Developer on Hearts of Iron III.

Hearts of Iron III has now in the Beta stage of development. These last months has seen the team stabilizing the foundations of the AI, tightening up the rules and mechanics of the game, along with implementing brand new artwork and interface features.

With the Beta crew now in place the testing has already started and Hearts of Iron III is scheduled for release during the latter half of 2009.

“We have a keen an enthusiastic beta team in place who are already working hard to do their bit to make Hearts of Iron 3 the best game it can be.” Says Chris King, game designer for Hearts of Iron 3."

A game presentation from earlier this year in Stockholm is now available:

Remedy has been busy with "Alan Wake" for a couple of years now but it looks like Take Two isn’t going to wait around to start a new "Max Payne" sequel. The company announced "Max Payne 3" today, which will exclusively be developed by Rockstar Vancouver.

"Developed by Rockstar Vancouver, Max Payne 3 tells the story of a retired police detective embroiled in a world of corruption, turmoil and intense violence.

The award-winning Max Payne franchise put players in the role of Max Payne, a hard-boiled New York City detective with a penchant for violence, out to avenge the death of his family. The latest installment delivers more of the classic elements and hyper-intense action that fans have come to love, while moving the story of Max in a new direction.

"We’re starting a new chapter of Max’s life with this game," said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games. "This is Max as we’ve never seen him before, a few years older, more world-weary and cynical than ever. We experience the downward spiral of his life after the events of Max Payne 2 and witness his last chance for salvation."

Since leaving the NYPD and New York itself behind, Max has drifted from bad to worse. Double-crossed and a long way from home, Max is now trapped in a city full of violence and bloodshed, using his weapons and instincts in a desperate search for the truth and a way out.

Max Payne 3 will be available in winter 2009 for Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and PC.

For more information, log onto www.rockstargames.com/maxpayne3."

Update: Apologies to Rockstar Vancouver, we’re getting our Rockstars mixed up. Rockstar North (Toronto) did the GTA IV port. Rockstar Vancouver did Bully.

A post was recently made by one of our new forum members from London, discussing the health of the PC gaming industry. "Humorguy" makes the point that PC gaming has been moving away from the mainstream over the years and that the gaming media, among several other things, are to blame. Whether you agree or not, he does make some interesting arguments.

"We are seeing major changes in video gaming generally. Hardcore gaming and hardcore gaming machines (PC, 360, PS3) are not doing as well as casual games and more casual machines (Wii and DS). We are seeing huge interest in retro games on the consoles (360 Live and PS3 Arcade) and both PS and 360 hardware and games sales are beginning to show signs of ‘levelling off’.

Change is afoot on many levels, but to say PC gaming is struggling, and in effect, without change, is on it’s last legs, is a truism we, as PC gamers have to deal with. We need the media to get onboard to. 5 hour gameplay games have to stop getting 82% scores. Interviews have to be more hard-hitting with hard questions being asked about past decision and current decisions of those companies and media still dealing with PC gaming."

What do you think? Join in on the discussion in our forums. Keep it civil though, this is a respectful discussion.

Atari has announced that "The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena" has gone gold and will be released on April 7th in North America and on April 24th worldwide.

"Developed by the acclaimed team at Starbreeze Studios in conjunction with Tigon Studios and Universal Pictures, The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena features a brand new 11 hour chapter in the Riddick saga with six intense online multiplayer game modes including the unique and thrilling Pitch Black mode.  In addition to the full Assault on Dark Athena campaign, the disc includes a stunning HD remastering of celebrated title The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay.

The game is scheduled for launch on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft ($59.99), PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system ($59.99) and Windows PC ($49.99) on April 7 in North America and April 24 worldwide.

In The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena the player takes the role of Riddick, as played by Vin Diesel, using stealth and action to overcome the merciless crew of the predatory Merc-ship Dark Athena which awaits its prey in the dark reaches of space.  Cheating death through a series of spectacular battles and events, Riddick will fight for his life amid a storm of malevolence and horror.  The Chronicles of Riddick series of games takes the player deeper into the universe of Universal Pictures’ films The Chronicles of Riddick and cult classic Pitch Black, which first introduced Vin Diesel as enigmatic anti-hero Riddick.

Starbreeze Studios has created an exciting and original multiplayer component in The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena.  The game features six multiplayer modes, including the original and inventive Pitch Black mode and intense Butcher Bay Riot.  Unlike traditional MP modes, Pitch Black features a nerve-wracking stealth hunt through the darkness.  A six player mode on all maps, five players take the role of Mercenaries trying to hunt down and kill Riddick across levels swathed in darkness, with only weapon-mounted flashlights to see by.  Butcher Bay Riot presents a fast paced three team mode, in which 12 players split into teams of Guards, Prisoners and Mercenaries fight over a power cell.

Playable demos of The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena for both Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION®3 are currently available for download.  Featuring the Athena Main Decks level, the demo showcases the evocative art style and breadth of the gameplay contained in the game, including brutal melee combat, nerve-rattling stealth, and high-powered gunplay.  Among other gameplay elements, the demo also lets players try one of the game’s unique features, controlling a Drone, while classic Riddick cut-scenes bring the harsh Riddick universe into sharp focus.

Featuring a tense and brutal new adventure, a high-definition re-work of the classic Escape from Butcher Bay campaign and exhilarating multiplayer gameplay, The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena launches worldwide in April 2009.

For more information visit the game’s official website at https://atari.com/riddick/"