PC Game News

Paradox Interactive released a new developer interview with Orsolya Toth, a PR representative with NeoCore Games, in which she discusses new features in the upcoming sequel.

"King Arthur II will feature a new and dark fantasy setting.  No longer the valiant ruler, King Arthur is now the Maimed King trying to mend a land almost beyond repair in a stunning new plot.  More heroic, large scale battles with bigger armies are at reach to defeat more power foes. Intense boss fights never seen before promise to pit hero’s forces against unique and terrifying enemies.  A new wide range of new camera control options, revised animations and an extensive tutorial will provide for the ultimate gaming experience. "

Electronic Arts released another new trailer for "Crysis 2" titled "Be Fast", highlighting the speed technology given to the main protagonist and how it is one of a number of elements needed to save humanity.

"Accelerated speed will help you in the fight to save NYC and the world from an all-out alien invasion by slipping into the shadows and using stealth to surprise, confuse and eliminate your opponents."

Valve today announced that "The National" will record an original song that will be featured in "Portal 2". The game is scheduled to be released next month on April 18.

"The inclusion of the original song, Still Alive, in the first Portal game was part of what made the game special," said Chet Faliszek, writer at Valve. "For Portal 2, we wanted to extend the use of music. When Bug Music mentioned to us that The National might be interested, we  jumped at the opportunity to work with them."

"After I met with Valve and learned about the intricacies and story line of the first Portal game, I knew The National's music would fit beautifully in the sequel." said Julia Betley, Bug MusicManager. "The National's raw and emotive music evokes the same visceral reactions from its listeners that Portal does from its players. It was exciting and a privilege to bring together two exceedingly talented creative teams to create something special for Portal 2."

Visit thinkwithportals.com for more info.

A gameplay trailer for an upcoming indie game titled "Hawken" was released today, which is getting quite a bit of buzz. It's a mech FPS mutiplayer game built on the Unreal Engine by a company called Adhesive Games, and the trailer below is taken from actual network matches.

"Hawken is a multiplayer mech combat game. The focus is on creating an intense and enjoyable battle experience that captures the feeling of piloting a heavy war machine while keeping the action fast-paced and strategic."

You can find more info on the official game site.

Paradox Interactive today announced that the free-to-play MMORTS "Dreamlords: Resurrection" by Lockpick Entertainment has been launched. The game can be downloaded from dreamlords.com for free.

"To celebrate the launch of Dreamlords: Resurrection, Paradox and the game’s developer, Lockpick, are offering all new players 1,000 Paradox Ducats valued at more than $10, just for signing up. The Ducats can be spent on in-game items and enhancements that you’re your Dreamlord more powerful as you conquer your enemies faster. The promotion will last for a limited time, so players are encouraged to start a new character today.

Dreamlords: Resurrection, developed by MMO studio Lockpick Entertainment, is a unique mix of two genres – the Real-Time Strategy (RTS) and the Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG) – where the player takes on the role of a Dreamlord. Through a combination of both long -term strategic planning as well as intense real-time battles, Dreamlords must inspire and unite a small group of followers into a battle-ready army ready to conquer land, defend the populace against the Nightmares that roam the world, and band together with other newly awakened Dreamlords.

The inclusion of Cooperative Player-vs-Environment (PvE) play, allows for even greater intensity as players team up with a friend to launch an assault on the nightmares that haunt your people or attempt to slay one of the world bosses.

Features:

• Free to play
• Fast paced RTS action
• Long term character progression and specialization
• Advanced Empire management
• Achievements and rewards
• Clan based co-operation (Convergence)
• Intense Player vs Player combat
• Research new troops and technology
• Pay Tribute to the gods in order to receive blessings and gifts from them"

Good Old Games today announced an agreement with Ubisoft that will bring more classic games to the GOG catalog.

"The first games being re-released as part of this partnership are available now. They include Might and Magic® 7: For Blood and Honor™, and Heroes of Might and Magic® IV Complete Edition, both critically lauded games in the Might and Magic® universe. Might and Magic® 7: For Blood and Honor™ is available here for $5.99, and Heroes of Might and Magic® IV Complete Edition is available here for $9.99.

In recognition of these games’ availability on GOG.com, Good Old Games is giving customers the chance to become a GOG hero. Good Old Games will award prizes to those brave souls that complete the quests, and one lucky hero will win the grand prize of a Good Old Games-branded sword and shield, as well as $150 in coupon codes for GOG.com. Customers can declare their intent to be a hero by following Good Old Games on Twitter and retweeting this tweet: “Become a GOG Hero, help spread the word about our new Ubisoft releases, and win a free GOG game #gogcom https://t.co/MJWo2JG”. Further quests will be posted on GOG.com for the next three weeks."

Electronic Arts released a launch trailer for "Dragon Age II", the RPG by BioWare that was released on Tuesday.

"Dragon Age II allows gamers to experience the rise to power of Hawke, a refugee who survives the destruction of his homeland, to become the Champion of Kirkwall. Hawke’s rise to power is shrouded in myth and rumor, with these mysteries being the driving force behind a story that spans an entire decade. Players will experience how the legend unfolds by gathering the deadliest of allies, making tough moral choices, and amassing fame and fortune as they seal their place in history and change the face of the Dragon Age universe forever. "

Paradox today announced "Europa Universalis III Chronicles", which will include the original game along with the four expansions: Napoleon's Ambition, In Nomine, Heir to the Throne, and Divine Wind.

"Europa Universalis III: Chronicles includes the award-winning epic strategy game where players take control of a nation and guide it through the ages to become a dominant global empire.

FEATURES:

• Play any historical nation between 1399 and 1820 to build your Empire through the use of exploration, trade, warfare and diplomacy
• Co-operative multiplayer over LAN or online for up to 32 players
• Engage in the thriving Europa Universalis III online community: downloads mods to add to the gameplay, find friends to play online
• Augmented province and unit production
• Enhanced economy and trade"

Perfect World Entertainment today announced that "Forsaken World", the MMORPG by  has been launched and is now in open beta.

"All servers are now live for the launch of the Forsaken World open beta!

You can now log in and start forging your own path through the world of Eyrda!  With the launch of Open Beta, no more character wipes will occur.  Everything from this point on is for keeps!  If you've been waiting for this moment to come, then come and join the thousands of other people that are now playing Forsaken World!

Remember that this is just the beginning!  Get yourself situated in everything Forsaken World has to offer, because a lot more is coming on the horizon!

For more information on Forsaken World, visit the official website at  https://fw.perfectworld.com/"

Square Enix today announced that the North American release date for "Deus Ex: Human Revolution" will be August 23, 2011.

"Telling the story of Adam Jensen, a man cybernetically augmented against his choice who finds himself in the middle of a global conspiracy to which he holds the key, DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION is set in a near-future world where humanity is at a turning point. By offering players the chance to play the game in multiple and vastly different ways, DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION challenges the foundations of gaming and provides an immersive experience where every choice has a lasting consequence.

DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION will have an Augmented Edition that boasts features such as the same exclusive mission as the Explosive Mission Pack, 10,000 extra credits to buy or upgrade weapons, plus a Huntsman Silverback Double-Barrel Shotgun, the SERSR Longsword Whisperhead silenced sniper rifle, the Linebacker G-87 multiple shot grenade launcher, and an Automatic Unlocking Device and the M-28 Utility Remote-Detonated Explosive Device (UR-DED). The Augmented Edition also contains an exclusive bonus DVD featuring a 44- minute “making of” special, game soundtrack, motion-comic (adapted from DC’s official series), the E3 trailer and animated storyboard, and a 40-page art book.

Preorders are available today and include exclusive rewards to enhance the game play experience, including weapons, upgrades, bonus mission and credits.

For more information about DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION visit www.deusex.com"

Codemasters today released a new trailer for "Operation Flashpoint: Red River" titled "Shifting Focus", giving viewers more of a look at the upcoming next installment by Bohemia Interactive.

"In this next narrative trailer titled 'Shifting Focus we see how the mission for the Marines in Tajikistan turns into a far more dangerous flashpoint than they could have imagined. After initially embarking on a campaign to quell a destabilising insurgency that threatens American interests, they must now take on the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China which seeks to stake its claim as "the preeminent military authority in the region."

The in-game footage demonstrates how the might of the PLA, with vehicles, air support and state of the art weapons, presents a wholly different tactical challenge from insurgent fighters waging war from the shadows."

Paradox released a new trailer for "Defenders of Ardania", the upcoming RTS game by Most Wanted Entertainment.

"The trailer reveals for the first time some of the innovative gameplay features being introduced including an RTS-lite element.

Features include:

• An intriguing new take on the massively popular tower defense genre: players lead both offensive and defensive operations
• Ardania: the world of Majesty with three playable races and their unique environments
• Defense: 24 different upgradeable towers to erect against the invading enemy
• Attack: 24 varied units with diverse attributes to assemble into an offensive force
• Strong multiplayer component with a variety of game modes for up to four players
• Interactive environment that affects gameplay
• A wide range of offensive and defensive spells"

Electronic Arts today announced that "Battlefield Heroes" now has seven million registered players and is offering special promotions for the next week.

"From March 8 – 15, gamers from around the world will receive a pack including 77 bandages, 77 Battlefunds and 77 wrenches just by logging in. The celebration doesn’t stop there! For a limited time, players can also take advantage of a cool store offer. For only 777 Battlefunds, players get a 7-day XP boost, a 7-day VP boost, a 7-day Sarge’s stamina boost and 777 tonics.

Battlefield Heroes is a Play4Free third-person shooter that brings classic Battlefield gameplay to a mass audience. Available for download at https://www.battlefield-heroes.com, the game features fun cartoon-style graphics and gameplay that caters to players of all skill levels. Battlefield Heroes is easy to pick up and play but has robust character customization and sticky online features so gamers can spend hours building up their characters and conquering the world.

Note that these offers are only valid through Battlefield Heroes store and they end on March 15."

Ankama Games today announced that an open beta for "Wakfu", an upcoming MMORPG, will begin on April 27.

"The story of Wakfu takes place a long time after that of DOFUS. An ogre named Ogrest gathered all the six Dofus and gained boundless powers. The ogre offered his beloved the dragon eggs. But she turned down the present though worthy of the gods themselves, and Ogrest started shedding tears of rage and pique. The tears of the ogre made the ocean level increase so much that parts of the World are now submerged to the inhabitants' great displeasure. Now gods and heroes of the World are starting a new adventure before reaching Ogrest and confront him in an ultimate fight!"

For more information visit: https://www.wakfu.com/na/mmorpg

The list of new PC game releases, DVD and Blu-Ray releases, and movies opening the week of March 7, 2011.

PC Games:

• Dragon Age 2
  
• Major League Baseball 2K11
  
• The Sims 3: Barnacle Bay
  

Movies Opening This Week:

• Battle: Los Angeles
• Black Death (limited NYC)
• Certified Copy (limited NYC)
• Jane Eyre
• Kill the Irishman (limited)
• Mars Needs Moms
• Red Riding Hood

DVD and Blu-Ray Releases:

• A Man and His Music: The Collection – set
• Brenda Star, Reporter
• Care Bears Four Feature Set
• Clifford's Puppy Days Four Feature Set
• Dalziel and Pascoe: Season Three
• Doctor Who: The Seeds of Doom
• Every Day [Blu-Ray]
• Excalibur [Blu-Ray]
• Exit Through the Gift Shop [Blu-Ray]
• Four Lions
• Hannah Montana Forever: Final Season
• Inside Job
• Jackass 3 [Blu-Ray]
• Judge John Deed: Season Three
• Maneater Triple Feature 5 – set
• Morning Glory [Blu-Ray]
• Mystery Science Theater 3000: Vol. XX
• Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind [Blu-Ray]
• Off Limits
• On the Double
• Pingu Four Feature Set
• Shalom Sesame, 2010, No. 7: It's Passover, Grover!
• Tales from Earthsea [Blu-Ray]
• The Dorm That Dripped Blood [Blu-Ray]
• The Man from Nowhere [Blu-Ray]
• The Next Three Days [Blu-Ray]
• The Walking Dead: Season One [Blu-Ray]
• Through the Wormhole With Morgan Freeman