PC Game News

Sony Online Entertainment today announced that the EverQuest: Veil of Alaris expansion will launch on November 15th.

"The EverQuest saga continues on the continent of Alaris, a land long hidden through magic, and takes players to an unseen side of Norrath where even the Gods are under threat by deadly new forces. The Veil of Alaris experience consists of multiple quests, boss battles and raids – all among some of the EverQuest franchise'smost stunning environments to date, including the twisted sea temple Rubak Oseka, the bronze bastion of law and order Erillion, the architecturally captivating coastal city Sarith, and the grand scaling mountain fortress Argath.

To pre-order EverQuest: Veil of Alaris now, please visit: https://www.everquest.com/everquest.vm."

Square Enix today announced that Deus Ex: Human Revolution – The Missing Link DLC has been shipped and is now available.

"Tortured by Belltower agents and with his augmentations disabled, Adam Jensen must escape from a freighter destined for an unknown location. Jensen uncovers a new layer of conspiracy, befriends new allies, and fights ruthless enemies to discover what was happening in the shadows during the events of DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION!
 
“We are thrilled to bring DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION – The Missing Link to fans,” said David Anfossi, producer of DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION at Eidos-Montreal. “This unique DLC provides an enhanced DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION experience with deeper insight into the conspiracy, visual improvements, new characters and enemies, and a twist on gameplay elements.”

DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION – The Missing Link is available at a cost of 1200 Microsoft Points via the Xbox LIVE® Marketplace (XBLM) for Xbox 360, and $14.99 on the PlayStation®Network and Windows PC platforms. Providing an average of four to six hours of compelling gameplay, players will be able to earn ten new achievements/trophies and 250 Xbox Gamerscore points. Players must own DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION in order to download and play DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION – The Missing Link.

For more information about DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION – The Missing Link visit www.deusex.com/themissinglink"

Her Interactive today announced that Nancy Drew: Alibi in Ashes has been shipped and is now available.

"In this all-new Nancy Drew adventure, a local contest turns into an arson scene and deceit now smolders among the charred ruins of the River Heights Town Hall. Police have several suspects, but well-placed incriminating evidence and poisonous local gossip have compelled authorities to make only one arrest: Nancy Drew. Can you, as the teenage detective, and her closest friends catch the real arsonist and extinguish the accusations among the embers?

"Our extremely talented development team has raised the bar in terms of graphics and storylines for this 25th special edition," stated Stuart Moulder, CEO, Her Interactive. "Our fans have been eagerly anticipating the release of Alibi in Ashes since first hearing that Nancy Drew would be returning to her hometown of River Heights.  I believe that we’ve succeeded in giving our loyal fans a great gameplay experience while expanding the legacy that is Nancy Drew.”  

Key features include:

• Play as Nancy Drew and explore her hometown of River Heights
• Assume the roles of Nancy and her friends Bess, George, and Ned
• Identify fingerprints at the local police lab
• Pursue multiple lines of inquiry as the clues vary depending on which character is in play
• Collect evidence and narrow  the suspects
• Visit the Drew home and explore Nancy’s room
• Hunt for clues to find the real arsonist
• Save Nancy’s reputation before it goes up in smoke

More information about the company and the Nancy Drew games can be found at www.herinteractive.com."

The list of new PC game releases, DVD and Blu-ray releases, and movies opening the week of October 17th, 2011.

PC Games:

• Cities XL 2012
• Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Missing Link DLC
• Football Manager 2012
• Nancy Drew: Alibi in Ashes
• The Sims 3 Pets

Movies opening this week:

• Glitch in the Grid
• Johnny English Reborn
• Margin Call
• Martha Marcy May Marlene (limited)
• Paranormal Activity 3
• The Three Musketeers

DVD and Blu-Ray releases:

• A Better Life [Blu-Ray]
• A Christmas Wedding
• A Very Merry Daughter o the Bride
• American Pickers: Volume Two
• Attack on Leningrad [Blu-Ray]
• Baaria [Blu-Ray]
• Bad Teacher [Blu-Ray]
• Batman: Year One [Blu-Ray]
• Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest [Blu-Ray]
• Canibal Holocaust [Blu-Ray]
• Cape Fear [Blu-Ray]
• Clowns [Blu-Ray]
• Darkness Falls [Blu-Ray]
• Eclipse Series 29: Aki Kaurismaki's Leningrad Cowboys
• Fire in Babylon
• Founding of a Republic [Blu-Ray]
• Freerunner [Blu-Ray]
• Gift Of The Magi
• Grave Encounters
• Harimaya Bridge [Blu-Ray]
• Hellraiser: Revelations [Blu-Ray]
• His & Her Christmas / Will You Merry Me
• Holiday Wishes
• Kevin Smith: Too Fat For 40 [Blu-Ray]
• Kuroneko [Criterion Collection Blu-Ray]
• Little Malcolm [BLu-Ray]
• Live at Budokan [Blu-Ray]
• Masterpiece Mystery: Complete Inspector Lewis
• Mindcrime at the Moore [Blu-Ray]
• Monte Carlo
• Monte Carlo [Blu-Ray]
• More [Blu-Ray]
• More Brains! A Return To The Living Dead
• Nothing But The Night
• Page One: Inside The New York Times [Blu-Ray]
• Pearl Jam Twenty
• Peter Gabriel: New Blood – Live in London [Blu-Ray]
• Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides [Blu-Ray]
• Red State [Blu-Ray]
• Senna [Blu-Ray]
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars: The Complete Season Three [Blu-Ray]
• Sundays at Tiffany's
• The Bridge School Concerts 25th Anniversary Ed.
• The Captains – A Film By William Shatner
• The Crow [Blu-Ray]
• The Goonies [Blu-Ray]
• The Guns of Navarone [Blu-Ray]
• The Hollywood Knights [Blu-Ray]
• The House By the Cemetery [Blu-Ray]
• The Howling Reborn [Blu-Ray]
• The Last Circus [Blu-Ray]
• The Real L Word: Season Two
• The Robber [Blu-Ray]
• Tomcats [Blu-Ray]
• Under Suspicion [Blu-Ray]
• V: The Complete Second Season [Blu-Ray]
• War Games [Blu-Ray]
• We Wish Ewe a Merry Christmas
• Willy Wonka & Chocolate Factory [Blu-Ray]
• Zombie [Blu-Ray]
• Zombie Apocalypse: Redemption

A teaser image was released today, titled XIII Lost Identity, which displays the text: "In November, go back to the XIII conspiracy origins on PC, Mac, iPhone and iPad." No additional details are available at this time.

The original XIII was released in November of 2003 and was known for it's comic-like cel-shaded graphics. The series is based on the Belgian comic book series of the same name that began in 1984. The  general reception for the original game was average earning a 72 on Metacritic and ~74 on Gamerankings.

Funcom today released a new trailer for The Secret World, which highlights secret wars that take place between the Illuminati, Templars, and Dragon factions vs. evil.

"For there really is a world within ours, a secret world, where magic exists, monsters roam and ancient forces are fighting for the dominance of earth. It is a world of legendary stories, ageless conflicts and powerful cabals. In this world, even modern cities hide secrets. In this world, players can take part in the greatest conspiracies of our age, and battle the forces of darkness across the world and throughout time."

A launch trailer for Batman: Arkham City has been released, which is scheduled to be released next month for the PC but next week for consoles.

"To help prepare you for the intense melee combat, sprawling cityscape and dangerous encounters in Arkham City, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment are presenting a new Batman: Arkham City trailer featuring some of Gotham’s greatest villains.  Mr. Freeze, Hugo Strange, Two-Face, Penguin and The Joker are just some of the adversaries who are out to stop the Dark Knight in this hotly-anticipated release. "

We wouldn't normally post any stories related to political elections but a story has surfaced at Huffington Post that is relevant and too humorous to pass over. If you aren't aware GOP candidate Herman Cain is proposing a "999 tax plan" that would throw out the old system and replace it with a 9% business tax, 9% individual tax and 9% national sales tax. If that sounds familiar it's because the default tax rates in SimCity 4 were set to: 9% industrial tax, 9% residential tax  and a 9% commercial tax. We certainly aren't endorsing the plan, or Mr. Cain, but it's hard not to wonder if Cain's economic adviser has ever played the game.

"Kip Katsarelis, a senior producer for Maxis, the company that created the SimCity series, was excited that politicians may be looking to video games for ideas.

"We encourage politicians to continue to look to innovative games like SimCity for inspiration for social and economic change," said Katsarelis. "While we at Maxis and Electronic Arts do not endorse any political candidates or their platforms, it's interesting to see GOP candidate Herman Cain propose a simplified tax system like one we designed for the video game SimCity 4."

Rich Lowrie, the Ohio Wells Fargo employee who is the brains behind Cain's plan, did not return a request for comment regarding whether he is a fan of SimCity and looked to the game for inspiration."

Read the full story at Huffington Post

Ubisoft today announced the release of Might & Magic Heroes IV, which is now available worldwide. In addition, the first patch for the game has been released, bringing the game up to version 1.1.

"In celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Might & Magic universe, Heroes VI reboots the acclaimed classic by rediscovering the essence and richness of previous universes and introducing a high-fantasy atmosphere in Ashan. In this updated installment, the landscapes and creatures from the World of Ashan are presented in improved 3D designs and includes an exclusive new bestiary. Also new to the franchise is the Reputation System, which allows Heroes to shape their own destiny through two intriguing scenarios, Blood and Tears.

Heroes VI is available as a PC Download for $49.99. A Deluxe Edition is also available for $54.99. This bonus edition of Heroes VI contains exclusive content including one bonus single player Skirmish map, four Dynasty Heroes, two Dynasty weapons, a one month subscription to Might & Magic Heroes Kingdoms, game soundtrack, artbook and poster.

For more information, visit: www.mightandmagicgame.com"

Patch:

"On top of various bug fixes and balancing, this “Day-1 Patch” also adds 5 new Multiplayer maps! Your game should update automatically when you launch the game while connected to Internet."

Electronic Arts announced that multiplayer will be coming to the Mass Effect series in the third installment.

"With the Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War system, players will fight for the survival of the galaxy against an ancient alien race known only as, Reapers, in both the single player campaign and through a suite of Mass Effect games and applications. Progress made in each of the components of the system, including the new multiplayer mode, will directly link back to the player’s main campaign, helping Commander Shepard rally the forces of the galaxy to eliminate the Reaper threat once and for all. The Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War feature can be activated via the Online Pass code found in every new copy of Mass Effect 3. The Mass Effect 3 Online Pass can also be purchased separately on the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.

 “The theme of galactic war in Mass Effect 3 presents us with the perfect opportunity to introduce multiplayer into the Mass Effect series,” said Casey Hudson, Executive Producer of the Mass Effect series. “Multiplayer not only features amazing combat and deep customization options, but it will give players another way to help the war effort against the Reapers in the main event — the single player campaign.”

Featuring four-player cooperative gameplay, multiplayer in Mass Effect 3 puts players in the role of a team of elite Special Forces soldiers sent to protect resources and assets that can help the war effort against the Reapers. Players will have the option of playing as one of six classes and from six different races: Human, Krogan, Asari, Drell, Salarian and Turian.

Multiplayer and other components of the Mass Effect 3: Galaxy at War system provide alternative ways for players to wage the final war against the Reapers. The new system will also connect players to their BioWare Social Network accounts to stay up to date on the latest Mass Effect 3 news and access downloadable content (DLC) and add-ons."

Gala Networks Europe today announced that Allods Online: Undaunted, the latest expansion for the MMORPG by Astrum Nival.

"The update brings some significant changes to the impressive MMO title, with improvements across the board for new players and seasoned veterans alike. Also announced today to celebrate the launch of Allods Online: Undaunted is a novel take on a lucky-dip lottery, which sees every single player gaining access to free items in the premium store!
 
Each player who has an account with Allods Online, as well all new accounts who reach level 20 by January 1, 2012 will receive a Box of Boutique Coins. The Box can be opened once a day and up to 10 times in total, and when opened the player is guaranteed to receive a total of at least €1, but also has a chance to win a grand prize of €100 worth of Boutique Coins! The Coins can be spent in the premium shop, or traded to other players in game for gold or items.
 
To provide an easier access to Allods Online for new players, the first 25 levels of combat have been completely revised, without watering down the core game that over 3.5 million players worldwide have come to love. The levelling system has been streamlined and simplified as well, with the complicated fatigue system removed completely, so that players can enjoy a faster levelling experience all the way up to the maximum at level 47. From today on, players can also experience two new player classes; the Elven Psionicist, also known as Oracles, and the Xadaganian Mage, known as Specialists.
 
High-level players will be able to discover the Mausoleum of Sparks, an innovative MMORPG take on the classic survival mode, where players can compete with a single group of their compatriots to be the best on their server and win unique titles, auras, and mount skins. Allods Online: Undaunted also sees a change for the Arena of Death PvP that so far has been opened twice a day. From now on this dedicated PvP area for two raids of 24 players can be accessed constantly for player-on-player battling as a new matchmaking system has been implemented to the game. Finally, all Astral adventurers with their own ships can now customise the interiors of their craft with all manner of decor accessories, from rugs and throws to paintings and full suites of furniture.
 
For more information and to discover Allods Online and the world of Sarnaut for free on the gPotato.eu portal, players can simply register accounts and download the full game at: https://en.allods.gPotato.eu/Download/Client.aspx."

Electronic Arts announced the launch of Dragon Age II: Mark of the Assassin DLC, which includes the elven assassin modeled and voiced after Felicia Day.

"Mark of the Assassin introduces expansive open environments and a host of dark and dice-able enemies ready to be cut (or pummeled, or blasted) to pieces. After Tallis intervenes on your behalf during a perilous ambush, she asks you to help her steal a precious relic from an Orlesian Duke in his well-guarded estate outside of Kirkwall — an adventure that takes you deep into the backstory of the Orlesian and Qunari races. Dragon Age II: Mark of the Assassin can be accessed from a safe house at any point in the Dragon Age II campaign.

“We instantly recognized Felicia’s passion, expertise, and inherent knowledge of the Dragon Age lore and knew it was something special,” said Mark Darrah, Executive Producer of Dragon Age. “Felicia is a really great fit for Tallis.”

Today also marks the launch of the highly anticipated six-episode web series, Dragon Age: Redemption, which will premiere at www.youtube.com/Machinima. As in Mark of the Assassin, Felicia Day will be taking on the role of Tallis, an elven assassin searching for redemption as she sets off to capture a rogue Qunari Mage intent on wreaking worldwide havoc."

Hi-Rez Studios today announced that the planned closed beta test for Tribes: Ascend will begin on November 4th. Players interested in applying for a beta key should visit tribesascend.com.

"The Tribes games have been played by well over 1 million gamers and feature fast-paced, jetpack-enabled multiplayer combat.  Tribes: Ascend continues that tradition, delivering speed, verticality, vehicles and stunning graphics as a free-to-play game for the PC.

"Our vision is to deliver a high production, AAA multiplayer shooter that offers a refreshing alternative to today's slow paced military shooters, while also happening to be free to play." said Todd Harris, Hi-Rez Studios Chief Operating Officer.  "This holiday season, shooter players can continue to hide in cover and crawl across the ground while playing one of the familiar military-style shooters… Or they can get off their belly, strap on a jetpack and join us in high flying, high-speed combat in Tribes: Ascend!"

The Tribes: Ascend Closed Beta will be invitation only. Interested players can register at https://www.tribesascend.com. "

Capcom today announced the release of Dead Rising 2: Off the Record, a reinterpretation of Dead Rising 2 from the perspective of the original Dead Rising hero, Frank West.

"Despite a quick rise to fame after the Willamette outbreak in the original Dead Rising, Frank West is down on his luck and looking to reclaim his celebrity by competing in the zombie slaying game show “Terror is Reality.” After discovering a nefarious plan that releases zombies into Fortune City, Frank is on the scene to get the scoop and make a name for himself once again. Frank must make his way through the casinos, shops and eateries of Fortune City including the Uranus Zone, a new sci-fi themed Amusement Park with its own unique mini-games and ‘death trap’ rides.

New items littered throughout the environment help Frank fight his way through the crowds of zombies. Players can use one of the numerous maintenance rooms to combine the everyday items into weapons of mass zombie destruction. In addition to those taken from Dead Rising 2, combo weapons from Dead Rising® 2: Case West and all-new ones are introduced to help kill zombies in even more humorous ways.  Tennis ball launchers and motor oil create flaming turrets, rubber alien masks and gems create a mask that shoots lasers, and Uranus Zone Escape Pods combined with fire extinguishers create Cryopods which when placed on a zombie hover in the air freezing zombies underneath. More than 10 new combo weapons have been added to the already robust list of unique and deadly weapons.

For the first time in the Dead Rising franchise, a new sandbox mode is available in Dead Rising 2: Off The Record, allowing players to explore Fortune City without the pressure of clock. Filled with unique and grisly challenges, Sandbox Mode helps players earn additional Prestige Points and cash for use in pawn shops and vending machines. Sandbox mode is available from the beginning of the game and can be played in both single-player and co-op modes.

Frank West never travels without his camera and Dead Rising 2: Off The Record is no exception. The camera returns allowing players to photograph the bizarre events happening in Fortune City and break the story of what’s happening from the inside. In addition to camera-based missions and challenges, players increase their Prestige Points by snapping pictures that fall into the categories of Brutality, Erotica, Horror, Drama and Outtake. Stickers placed throughout Fortune City also hint at objects and scenes that will offer additional Prestige Points and unlock new combo weapons when photographed."

The list of new PC game releases, DVD and Blu-ray releases, and movies opening the week of October 10th, 2011.

PC games:

• Dead Rising 2: Off the Record
• Disciples III: Resurrection
• Might & Magic Heroes VI

Movies opening this week:

• Father of Invention
• Fireflies in the Garden
• Footloose
• La piel que habito
• Texas Killing Fields
• The Big Year
• The Thing
• Trespass

DVD and Blu-ray releases:

• Arena
• Art of Revenge [Blu-ray]
• Beautiful Boy [Blu-ray]
• Boccaccio '70
• Bonekickers [Blu-ray]
• Bones: The Complete Sixth Season [Blu-ray]
• Call Me Mrs. Miracle
• Camp Nowhere [Blu-ray]
• Casper the Friendly Ghost: The Complete Collection
• Christmas Cupid
• Chuck: The Complete Fourth Season [Blu-ray]
• Cruel Game [Blu-ray]
• Dark Night of the Scarecrow [Blu-ray]
• Deep Gold [Blu-ray]
• Disorganized Crime [Blu-ray]
• Dragon Dynasty Triple Feature – Jet Le Collection [Blu-ray]
• Exorcist [Blu-ray]
• Ghost Hunters: Season 6: Part 2 [Blu-ray]
• Greatest Tank Battles
• Green Lantern [Blu-ray]
• Grey Skies
• Gunsmoke: The Fifth Season, Vol. 1
• Horrible Bosses [Blu-ray]
• Indian Summer [Blu-ray]
• Jewels [Blu-ray]
• Judy Moody and NOT Bummer Summer [Blu-ray]
• Ladder Match 2: Crash & Burn [Blu-ray]
• Last Exit to Brooklyn [Blu-ray]
• Lessons for an Assassin [Blu-ray]
• Live at the Royal Albert Hall 2005 [Blu-ray]
• Lucky [Blu-ray]
• Lunopolis
• Master Harold… and the Boys [Blu-ray]
• Masterpiece Classic: Mansfield Park [Blu-ray]
• Masterpiece Classic: Northanger Abbey [Blu-ray]
• Masterpiece Classic: Wuthering Heights [Blu-ray]
• Merry Christmas Thomas
• Mr. Nice [Blu-ray]
• Night Before The Night Before Christmas
• Penguins of Madagascar: The All-Nighter Before Xmas
• Princess of Montpensier
• Scrooge [Blu-ray]
• Snuff Box
• Taylor Swift: Journey to Fearless
• Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos.4-6 [Blu-ray]
• Terri [Blu-ray]
• The Bad Seed [Blu-ray]
• The Family Man [Blu-ray]
• The Four Feathers [Criterion Collection Blu-ray]
• The Tree of Life [Blu-ray]
• The Trip
• War of 1812
• Without Motive
• Zombie Diaries 2
• Zombie Diaries 2 [Blu-ray]
• Zookeeper [Blu-ray]