PC Game News

The official "SHIFT 2 UNLEASHED" website has been updated with the announcement that the "Legends" and Speedhunters" DLC packs will be released for PC this Thursday for free.

"Beginning June 30th, the DLC packs will be available to download, for free, from Origin.com.  In case you missed it: the Legends Pack features a dozen cars and 5 new tracks from racing's golden age, and the Speedhunters Pack added two new game modes – Drag and Standing Mile – as well as 14 new vehicles to try against your friends for epic Autolog battles."

Heatwave Interactive today announced an exclusive deal with Amazon to sell a limited edition roman helmet made of carbon steel.

"An authentic replica of a Roman Centurion headpiece made of heavy gauge high carbon steel, the Gods & Heroes helmet features a pronounced red plume complete with brass accents and fittings. The 27 inch circumference and six pound weight ensure that the fully wearable helmet provides a genuine experience for any would-be warrior. The helmet will be available for purchase on July 21, 2011 for $219.00, however, consumers are encouraged to pre-order now, as supply is limited to just 200 pieces!

Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising is a full-scale action-adventure MMOG that plunges its audience into the rich history of Romanmythology. Players must regain their honor and rebuild their Ancestral Estate while defending Rome from an evil cult.  To defeat the enemies of Rome, these heroes must recruit and command more than 130 unique minions against an ancient enemy, the Telchine gods, who have unleashed a horde of cultists to topple the realm and take vengeance against the Olympian gods.

For more information on the game, please visit https://www.godsandheroes.com"
 

Bohemia Interactive announced the launch of "ArmA 2: Free", a free-to-play version of the realistic war simulation game.

"Arma 2: Free redefines the free-to-play battlefield with its truly unrivaled scale and gameplay possibilities. Arma 2: Free serves up almost everything offered by the original Arma 2 – the '13th best PC game of all time', according to North American PC Gamer – minus the campaign, HD graphics and support for user-made addons and mods. Arma 2: Free Public Beta is available now via https://www.arma2.com/free/

Create your own custom-built scenarios or deploy a massive selection of missions and game-modes made by others. No micro-transactions, no hidden costs, just the same epic terrain and huge variety of equipment! This is Arma 2 Free – virtual war without the training wheels. Arma 2: Free to download, free to play, free to share, free to host, free to create… free to play redefined!"

Sony today announced that "Star Wars Galaxies" will come to an end on December 15th, 2011. A producer's note has been posted on the official website.

"This is the producer note that I never wanted to write. As was announced today, the Star Wars Galaxies service will come to an end on December 15th, 2011. Galaxies has been a part of all our lives for so many years that it's really going to be hard to see it end. It has meant different things to each of us. For some it's about combat. For others it's about socializing, or crafting, or collecting, or decorating, or fishing, or adventuring, or more. For all of us, though, Galaxies is about sharing experiences with our friends. May of this year was my 7th year working on this game. As a developer, Galaxies has been an opportunity for me to learn how to create a virtual universe and to interact with a community that is very passionate about the product I work on. When you look back at all the updates over the years, it's very impressive how much we managed to get done. In the end, it is our fans that made all the hard work and effort worth it."

Read the full post at: starwarsgalaxies.station.sony.com

Valve today announced that "Team Fortress 2" is now free to play. In addition, the Uber Update has been released along with details on updates to the medic class.

"New players interested in experiencing what PC Gamer calls "the most fun you can have online" will have access to training and offline practice modes, so they can hone their skills before jumping into the ever-expanding TF2 universe.

TF2 is now Free to Play for PC & Mac players via Steam.

For more information on Free to Play, please visit https://www.teamfortress.com/freetoplay."

Meet the Medic:

"Dr. Frankenstein. Dr. Moreau. Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman. Any time a physician starts messing around creating life, trying to improve the species with a giraffe neck or two, or taming a cowboy's heart, you can bet things are going to end badly. The moral of these stories? Play God, and there is a 100% chance you will be mauled to death by leopard men.

To that we say pshht. The real moral of Frankenstein is: If you're going to bring a guy back to life with lightning, maybe don't give him the brain of a serial killer. Try a vegan librarian. If you're stitching together animal-man hybrids, how about not jumping straight to ravenous hyenas? Start with hamsters, see how that goes, and work your way up the food chain.

Never toil in God's domain? Good advice if you're an idiot. If you know what you're doing, though, toil away. Why not give the Demo a couple extra livers? Why not replace Sniper's spine with a giant piece of sheet metal? Why not stitch a mouth onto Scout's backside so he can literally talk out of his ass?

Which brings us to our point. Not every mad doctor lives in a castle surrounded by villagers with pitchforks. Sometimes they live in the trenches, where there's plenty of spare parts flying around and a pressing need to get inventive with them.

Let's Meet the Medic."

Rockstar Games today announced that "L.A. Noire" will be heading to the PC platform this fall. Now how about Red Dead Redemption Rockstar?

"Developed by Rockstar Leeds and built to run on a wide range of PCs, L.A. Noire's robust feature customization includes keyboard remapping and gamepad functionality to both optimize and customize performance and user experience. Along with increased fidelity and improved graphical enhancements, the PC version will also feature 3D support for an even greater sense of interaction and immersion within a painstakingly detailed 1940s Los Angeles.

Originally developed by Team Bondi in conjunction with Rockstar Games, L.A. Noire is a crime thriller set in post World War II Los Angeles. As Detective Cole Phelps, players must search for clues, interrogate suspects and chase down criminals to solve a series of cases based on real world incidents. As he rises through the ranks of the LAPD, Phelps comes face-to-face with the corrupt heart of Los Angeles: from fallen starlets to double-dealing police officers and the vast reaches of the criminal underworld  and finally, the darkness of his own personal demons.

For much, much more about L.A. Noire, visit www.rockstargames.com/lanoire and stay tuned for the PC version release date announcement."

The "Team Fortress 2" website has been updated again with more details on the upcoming Uber Update, which details several class updates. Details that have been released so far include Mobster Monday, Timbuk Tuesday, World War Wednesday and surprise Scout details yesterday. The update will be released tomorrow.

Day 3:

"War. Hunh. Yeah. What is it good for? Up until right this second, absolutely nothing. We'll say it again: Absolutely nothing.

But now Edwin Starr's going to have to rewrite that stupid song of his to something more accurate, because as of this moment, war is good for something. Like what, you ask? Free stuff. March on over to World War Wednesday for all the details—or "SITREP", as we learned when we stole Tom Clancy's mail."

Day 2:

"Ahhhhhh, the desert. Sandy, camel-filled seductress. What secrets does she clutch to her fig-stuffed, wind-swept bosoms?

Lots. Don't believe us? The Sphinx. Bam. That's just one secret, too. We've got so many we just threw that one away and we don't even miss it.

It's probably clear to you by now that we've been doing quite a bit of research about the desert. And why? We're going to write a book about the desert. The great American desert book. We honestly can't believe nobody’s thought of this before. We are going to be billionaires.

Anyway, since you're probably already camped out at a bookstore waiting for our desert book to come out, why not take over one of the computers at the information kiosk and enjoy TimbukTuesday?"

Tripwire Interactive today announced that "Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad" will be released on August 30th worldwide through Steam, other digital distribution platforms, and retailers.

"Tripwire Interactive are also very excited to announce the selection of PunkBuster™ Anti-Cheat software and PBBans streaming ban support for the game. "With the selection of PunkBuster and PBBans in addition to VAC we're taking a three pronged approach to cheat protection for Red Orchestra 2," said John Gibson, Tripwire Interactive President. "We hope this sends a strong message to gamers that we take cheating very seriously and are tackling it head on BEFORE the game ships."
 
Red Orchestra 2 redefines the WWII shooter genre with unique and innovative gameplay including first person cover, immersive first person tank warfare, all new multiplayer gametypes including the multiplayer campaign mode, and unrivaled weaponry with systems such as full ballistics and suppression of enemies. Red Orchestra 2 also gives you the opportunity to fight through both the German attacks into the city and the Red Army's crushing reply in single player.
 
Keep up to date with the latest development news for Heroes of Stalingradby following the official Steam game group here: https://steamcommunity.com/games/RO2."

Paradox Interactive today announced that PvP mode for "Magicka" has been launched.

"If you are the unfortunate owner of a conscience that prevents you from retaliating against your friends when they “accidentally” explode your head, your chance to seek sweet revenge in one of Magicka’s sanctioned arenas is finally here!

Nothing feels better than taking matters into your own hands, right? Plus, we’ll be on the sidelines cheering! Cheering for hysterical demises, that is.

Players will be able to wreak havoc in the Havindir Arena and Training Ground maps, and a new Reservoir wizard robe will be available as new free content.

Available for sale will be the all-new Final Frontier Map Pack, priced at .99, which include the never-before-seen Vulcanus Arena, a sci-fi themed map that doubles as a PvP map and a challenge map. Also available for purchase is the chilling Frozen Lake map as well as a “stop staring at me, you’re freaking me out” Watch Tower map, both priced at style="".99. As always players will be able to play the maps even if they didn’t purchase them – as long as the player hosting the map owns the map. Players will be able to don new robes suited for the new PvP game modes – a tank robe, a support robe and rogue robe."

Square Enix today announced that "Dungeon Siege III" has been shipped and is now available.

"Developed by Obsidian Entertainment®, Dungeon Siege III presents the next exciting chapter in the classic role-playing franchise, which, for the first time, is available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.  For players who enjoy dungeon-crawling and loot-hoarding on their home computers, Dungeon Siege III is also available for Windows PC via Steam®.
 
In Dungeon Siege III, players assume the role of one of four heroes, fighting for the sake of their fallen comrades to restore the kingdom of Ehb.  Conflict is constant in this action-RPG and decisions have lasting consequences, allowing players to alter the epic storyline. Fight to restore the 10th Legion with up to three friends via online co-op play. Dungeon Siege III allows for two players to experience the story from start to finish in local co-op mode. Thanks to robust cooperative AI, Dungeon Siege III allows players to seamlessly drop in and out of battle without interrupting the action or impacting the campaign.

For more information about Dungeon Siege III, please visit the official website at www.dungeonsiege.com"

The list of new PC game releases, DVD and Blu-Ray releases, and movies opening the week of June 20, 2011.

PC Games:

• ArmA 2: Reinforcements
• Cars 2: The Video Game
• Dungeon Siege III
• F.E.A.R. 3
• Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising

Movies opening this week:

• A Better Life
• Bad Teacher
• Cars 2
• Conan O'Brien Can't Stop
• Leap Year (limited LA/NYC)
• The Names of Love (limited LA/NYC)
• Turtle: The Incredible Journey (limited)

DVD and Blu-Ray releases:

• Agatha Christie's Marple: Complete Series 5 [Blu-Ray]
• Agatha Christie's Marple: The Pale Horse
• Bedways
• Bending All the Rules
• Big Time Rush: Season One Vol. 2
• Born Innocent
• Cedar Rapids [Blu-Ray]
• Ceremony [Blu-Ray]
• Chicago – Live in Concert
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules [Blu-Ray]
• Don't Go Near the Water
• Eclipse Series 27: Raffaello Matarazzo's Runaway Melodramas [Criterion Collection]
• Growth [Blu-Ray]
• Happythankyoumoreplease [Blu-Ray]
• Honeymoon Machine
• Kiss Me Deadly [Criterion Collection]
• Living in Emergency: Stories of Doctors Without Borders
• Louie: Season One [Blu-Ray]
• Medium: THe Seventh and Final Season
• Mega Python vs. Gatoroid [Blu-Ray]
• Poison: 20th Anniversary Ed.
• Priest of Love [Blu-Ray]
• Robinson in Ruins [Blu-Ray]
• Rocko's Modern Life: Season 1
• Sine Tingler! The William Castle Story
• Stonehenge Apocalypse [Blu-Ray]
• The Adjustment Bureau [Blu-Ray]
• The Closer: The Complete Sixth Season
• The Eagle [Blu-Ray]
• The Island [Blu-Ray]
• The Killing Machine [Blu-Ray]
• The Medallion [Blu-Ray]
• The Rig [Blu-Ray]
• The Romantic Englishwoman [Blu-Ray]
• The Women in Cages Collection
• Under the Hammer
• Unknown [Blu-Ray]
• Wired
• Wwe: Over the Limit 2011

NCSoft and Paragon Studios today announced that a free-to-play option for "City of Heroes" will be introduced later this year.

"Choice
Freedom means that everyone can customise their experience – those who wish to play an unparalleled amount of content for free can do so, while those who wish to enjoy a premium experience can do so as well. Players who want to enjoy the unrivalled free experience will be able to fight and fly their way to level 50 with full access to Hero and Villain zones, choosing the specific pieces of content they want. Players that decide to subscribe will enjoy all current subscriber benefits as well as new VIP exclusive benefits, content and services.

Rewards
City of Heroes Freedom will reward its loyal players through a value-packed Paragon Rewards program that provides bonus content tailored to each player’s preferences. Ranging from powers and costume sets, to unique visual effects and consumables, these all-new items are rewarded monthly and chosen by the player.

Additionally, starting July 1st, current subscribers will begin accumulating 400 Paragon Points every month up until launch, giving loyal customers unprecedented rewards and options when City of Heroes Freedom arrives. These points can be used to purchase hundreds of costumes, items, services and consumables available via the in-game Paragon Market (co-developed by online transaction leaders, PlaySpan) and will be available to use on the first day of launch.

Content
The City of Heroes franchise is already packed with unequalled content and features, with 20 free expansions, more than 1,600 missions and 375,000 user-generated missions. Now with Freedom, Paragon is delivering more content, more often and spearheading this charge is Issue 21: Convergence. Issue 21, which launches alongside Freedom, is packed with some of the highest-quality content yet including First Ward – a dynamic new co-op zone that is gripped in conflict – as well as a new Power Set, the highly-anticipated Underground Incarnate Trial and two full costume sets. Along with a completely new starting experience and a greatly enhanced character creator, Issue 21 offers content for new, returning and veteran players.

In addition to more Issues delivered more frequently, players can look forward to unique content such as monthly Signature Story Arcs (free for VIP Players) that will empower players to make a difference in the City of Heroes universe by fighting alongside iconic heroes and villains as the story unfolds.

Freedom is the Future
“After an unforgettable seven years, the City of Heroes franchise remains the world’s most popular super-powered MMO, and we’re excited to continue that momentum with Freedom,” said Clayton. “Through City of Heroes Freedom, we will be delivering more content to players than ever before, while continuing to expand the ever-evolving City of Heroes storyline and legacy.”

City of Heroes Freedom and Issue 21: Convergence will be launching simultaneously later this year and players can get their first experience with the game at San Diego Comic Con. New and existing fans are encouraged to stay tuned to the City of Heroes website for more information about Paragon Rewards, Issue 21, and more.

For more information on today’s announcement, an FAQ and a summary of benefits for VIP Members and Free Players, please visit www.coh.com/freedom."

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today announced that "F.E.A.R. 3" has shipped to North American retailers.

"In F.E.A.R. 3, players can take on the role of Point Man, a genetically enhanced super-soldier, or the undead spirit of his brother Paxton Fettel, a paranormal entity who possesses incredible psychic powers. The two brothers have a vicious history but must work together in an uneasy alliance to pursue Alma Wade, their tortured and psychically gifted mother, who is about to give birth to something that could destroy the world.

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Day 1 Studios enlisted two horror masters, legendary film director John Carpenter (Halloween, The Thing) and writer Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), to consult on the cinematics and script.

F.E.A.R. 3 evolves the F.E.A.R. franchise by introducing a unique system called divergent co-op, along with social gameplay that gives players distinctly different abilities that affect their own play and the experience of gamers they are playing with…or against. The game also offers a robust scoring and challenge system, which encourages replay, tactical variation, and exploration throughout the game.

Gamers will have access to four distinct online multiplayer modes—F**king Run!, Contractions, Soul Survivor and Soul King—each offering a unique combination of cooperative and competitive play distinctively set in the F.E.A.R. universe.

F.E.A.R. 3, developed by Day 1 Studios, is rated “M” and is available now at retail stores nationwide for the Xbox 360, PlayStation®3 system and Windows PC for a suggested retail price of $59.99.

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

The "Team Fortress 2" website has been updated with the first details on the upcoming "Uber Update", which will be released on Thursday.

"We've got a lot to announce as we get closer to the update's release this Thursday, June 23rd. We've been holding one of the surprises pretty close to the vest for months now. We don't want to ruin it, but we'll give you four clues to get you guessing:

1. It IS a "Meet the" short.
2. It involves ONE of the two remaining classes.
3. It's NOT the Pyro.
4. It's the MEDIC.

Let the speculation begin! While you're puzzling that out, why not click over to the first of our class pack announcements: Mobster Monday. To make sure everything was as accurate as possible, we went deep undercover at the most Italian place we could find, The Olive Garden. We asked the Mafia about a million questions, none of which they understood, because our mouths were full of all the free breadsticks the Mafia gives you when you visit them (they're not such bad guys).

All that hanging out with mob guys must have rubbed off on us, because we've decided to celebrate the Über Update by giving you an offer you can't (or at least shouldn't) refuse–an unprecedented WEEK-LONG FREE WEEKEND of Team Fortress 2, starting right now! "

Paradox Interactive and NeoCore Games today announced a new installment in the King Arthur Series "King Arthur: Fallen Champions", a stand-alone game that will serve as the bridge between "King Arthur I" and the upcoming "King Arthur II".

"King Arthur: Fallen Champions features the story of three brave souls – a knight, an enchantress, and a prophet – who venture through uncharted lands beyond the Forest of Bedegraine in fulfillment of their individual quests.
Sir Lionel, a brave knight from Britannia, is on a quest to rescue a damsel in distress. Lady Corrigan of the Sidhe, an enchantress of the twilight, is seeking the secret pathways that will lead her back to her lost home of Tir na nOg. Drest the Chosen, a prophet of the North, is drawn by the mystic voices and visions to explore the wild lands. Tied together by strings of fate, these three heroes must join hands in order to prevail as champions of a forgotten battle that began long time ago.

Features:

• Follow three unique heroes, each with their own storyline featuring adventure quests and epic fights. The fates of these three heroes are intertwined, and their quests lead up to one massive battle under extraordinary circumstances.
• A variety of battle types fought on unique, beautifully crafted battlemaps, ranging from smaller tactical skirmishes to grand engagements against superior numbers.
• A dark and gripping fantasy tale that bridges the gap between King Arthur and King Arthur II, set in an ancient region of Britannia, beyond the well-known territories of King Arthur – The Role-playing Wargame. "