PC Game News

Paradox Interactive announced the release of "Majesty 2: Monster Kingdom", the latest expansion in the strategy series by Ino-co.

"In this third installment, players continue the story from the land of Ardania.  Only now the king has been overthrown and has fled the safety of his palace.  With only his trusted advisor and his bedclothes to spare his blushes, the unseated king must turn to former enemies in order to reacquire the throne.  Gather the gaggle of creatures, train them, equip them and send them forth.  Order them to attack your betrayers and retake what is yours. Monster Kingdom contains a new eight mission campaign called “Exiles of Fate”.  With a host of new buildings, heroes, abilities and guild powers to discover.

The final expansion Majesty 2: Monster Kingdom is released via digital download for a suggested retail price of $14.99, €14.99 and £9.99. And furthermore, to celebrate the release of Monster Kingdom, Majesty 2 and the previously released expansions Kingmaker and Battles of Ardania are currently 75% on all digital download portals. You lucky, lucky people! https://www.paradoxplaza.com/deals"

Sony Online Entertainment today announced the launch of "DC Universe Online", the MMORPG by SOE Austin.

"To capture the true essence of the DC Universe and its iconic characters, Sony Online Entertainment tapped the top talent at DC Comics, including legendary artist and co-publisher of DC Comics, Jim Lee, who served as executive creative director for DC Universe Online and provided the art style for the game.  Famed DC comic book writers Geoff Johns and Marv Wolfman were tasked with establishing the back-story of the Universe and creating thousands of compelling story arcs, epic quests and action-packed in-game events.  For example, players might be tasked with rescuing Batwoman from the fear gas that Scarecrow has unleashed in Gotham City ’s sewers, or battle Power Girl as they work with Lex Luthor to create an army of mutants out of Metropolis citizens.

DCUO combines the immersive environments and fascinating story arcs of MMOs with fast-paced, physics-based combat to deliver more super-powered action than ever before.  In the game , playerscan pick up buses, fly into the air and throw them at enemies, run up the sides of buildings to engage in melee brawls while shooting flames of fire from their hands, or cling to the side of buildings while using a grappling hook to pull flying opponents out of the sky – all while interacting with the iconic characters of DC Comics.

Rated T for Teen by the ESRB with the content descriptors Mild Blood, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes and Violence, DC Universe Online is available for PC and PlayStation 3 for the suggested retail prices of US$49.99 and US$59.99, respectively. One 30-day game subscription is included with purchase of the game for new subscribers, with monthly subscriptions available thereafter starting at US$14.99, with discounts for longer durations. For players of the PC version of the game, DCUO will be included in SOE’s all-in-one Station Access subscription (game software is sold separately). DCUO will be available in North America on January 11, 2011 at Best Buy, Gamestop, Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, Target, Toys R Us and at other participating video game retailers.

For more information about DC Universe Online, visit www.DCUniverseOnline.com."

The list of new PC game releases, DVD and Blu-Ray releases, and movies opening the week of January 10, 2011.

PC Games:

• DC Universe Online
  
• Venetica
  

Movies Opening This Week:

• A Somewhat Gentle Man (limited)
• Barney's Version (limited)
• Ong Bak 3 (lmited NYC, Hawaii)
• The Diemma
• The Green Hornet

DVD and Blu-Ray Releases:

• Alfred Hitchcock – set
• All in the Family: The Complete Eight Season
• Alpha & Omega [Blu-Ray]
• Army of Shadows [Criterion Collection Blu-Ray]
• Bonanza – collector's ed.
• Clint Eastwood Collection
• Dances with Wolves
• Downtown Abbey
• ER: The Complete Fourteenth Season
• Great Performances: Macbeth
• Greek: Chapter Five – The Complete Third Season
• Heartbreaker
• Hot in Cleveland: Season One
• Lennon NYC [Blu-Ray]
• Love Hurts
• NASA – DVD set
• Nature: A Murder of Crows [Blu-Ray]
• Once Upon a Time in America
• Piranha 3D [Blu-Ray]
• Raging Bull – 30th anniversary ed. [Blu-Ray]
• Robinson Crusoe on Mars [Criterion Collection Blu-Ray]
• The Endless Summer [Blu-Ray]
• The Freebie
• The Great Debaters [Blu-Ray]
• The Green Hornet – 75th anniversary Original Serials Collector's Set
• The Jon Wayne Collection
• The Narnia Code
• The Social Network [Blu-Ray]
• The Three Stooges – collector's ed.
• The Universe: 7 Wonders of the Solar System [3D Blu-Ray]

Chris Cao, game director for DC Universe Online, introduces Oolong Island in a new video for "DC Universe Online" from Sony Online Entertainment.

"As a traditional action-based MMO that combines fast-paced, twitch-based combat with an interactive physics system to deliver a new and unique gameplay experience, DC Universe Online brings the DC Universe to life, allowing players to create their own superheroes – or villains – and join forces with their favorite DC Comics characters such as Superman , Batman and The Joker to aid in saving – or destroying – the universe."

VSTEP and Paradox Interactive today released a new patch for "Ship Simulator Extremes", which includes a new mission editor, bringing the simulation game up to version 1.3.

"The new update not only improves performance and gameplay, but also adds a host of new features, a large number of bug fixes along with a brand new Mission Editor allowing you to create and share your missions with the rest of the Ship Simulator Community. For existing players looking for some new missions, the update  includes 9 new missions created with the new Mission Editor!

New features in patch v1.3:

• Free Ship Sim Extremes Mission Editor: Create your favourite maritime missions and share them with your friends
• New Cinematic Camera allowing for those impressive vessel shots
• New vessel & environment functionality: bridges now have fully operational and moving dials and radar, anchor chains and dropping anchor option has been added, buoys now have navigation lights, and charts have added depth functionality.
• Several Performance improvements
• Visual improvements, brighter colours & reflections
• Multiplayer improvements

The update is now available for all Ship Simulator Extremes owners through all leading digital distribution platforms."

Patch v1.3 can be downloaded from (upgrade v1.2 to v1.3 linked) The Official Site, Atomic Gamer, FileShack, Gamer's Hell, or Worthplaying.

Atari released a new developer diary for "Test Drive Unlimited 2", discussing the decision to go with a new engine and the realistic nature of the upcoming sequel by Eden Games.

"Test Drive Unlimited 2 puts the world's most desirable vehicles in players' hands. These ultra-limited edition masterpieces are flawlessly replicated with Eden's finely tuned driving technology."

SEGA today announced the release of the fourth installment of the SEGA Genesis classics evergreen games, which are available via various digital distribution outlets.

"SEGA Genesis™ fans will once again be able to relive memories playing these golden oldies. This collection features games including the legendary Sonic The Hedgehog™ 2, Gunstar Heroes™, Streets of Rage™ 2, ToeJam & Earl™, Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair and many more! These popular SEGA titles will be available via digital partners starting at $2.99.

For a full list of games, find out more at www.sega.com."

Funcom today announced an agreement with EA Partners to co-publish "The Secret World", the upcoming MMORPG.

"The Secret World is a next-generation massively multiplayer online game for the PC platform, where players are given total freedom to create and progress their characters, unbound by the restrictions of classes and levels. Players will get the opportunity to join one of the three secret societies and fight for power over important locations throughout our own world.  Players will also journey through familiar places across the globe, such as Egypt, New England, London, New York and Seoul and battle monsters of myth and legend.

For more information, visit the official website at www.darkdaysarecoming.com."

THQ today announced that a collector's edition and six race packs are available to pre-order for "Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II – Retribution".

"Leading the charge, the Dawn of War^® II – Retribution^™ Collector’s Edition will give the most dedicated Warhammer^® 40,000^® fan access to all of the available bonus wargear for each of the six playable races in the game. It also includes an exclusive poster, six race art cards and a high-quality collector’s box all for $39.99. Gamers in North America can only get the collector’s edition by pre-ordering through THQ.com store. Limited quantities are available.

Fans of a specific race can pledge their allegiance by pre-ordering one of the six available specific race packs for the same $29.99 suggested retail price as the regular version of Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II – Retribution. These race packs are available for electronic distribution and are ONLY available at pre-order stage. Each race pack includes four unique ability and Wargear items that can be used to enhance the single player campaign. The Ork Race Pack is exclusive through STEAM and the Tyranid Race Pack exclusive through THQ.com. The Space Marine, Chaos Space Marine, Eldar and newly announced Imperial Guard race packs are also available for pre-order through THQ.com, STEAM and other electronic distribution partners. After launch, gamers will have the option of purchasing the individual race packs digitally through STEAM for a nominal fee.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II – Retribution is scheduled to be released for Windows PC in North America on March 1^st, 2011."

Masthead Studios today announced the release of a new beta version of "Earthrise", the upcoming post-apocalyptic, sci-fi MMORPG. The game is currently scheduled to be released on February 4.

"The new Earthrise beta version features player-centric enhancements such as upgraded combat and tactics skills, crafting skills, insurance, teleports, as well as more advanced graphics and sharper animations.

To celebrate the new beta client, Masthead Studios will be releasing thousands of Earthrise testing keys to those who have been waiting patiently to dive into crafting, trading and battles in the world of Enterra.

Visit https://old.play-earthrise.com/beta/betasignup.html to sign up for a chance to win a beta key."

NVIDIA today announced that it will be developing ARM-based central processing units under the codename "Project Denver" for personal computers, servers, workstations, and supercomputers.

"Known under the internal codename "Project Denver," this initiative features an NVIDIA® CPU running the ARM instruction set, which will be fully integrated on the same chip as the NVIDIA GPU.

This new processor stems from a strategic partnership, also announced today, in which NVIDIA has obtained rights to develop its own high performance CPU cores based on ARM's future processor architecture. In addition, NVIDIA licensed ARM's current Cortex™-A15 processor for its future-generation Tegra® mobile processors."

In some interesting tech news out of CES that landed in our inbox, six Hollywood studios have announced support for new "UltraViolet" branded media that includes digital downloads as well as traditional Blu-Ray and DVD discs. Users will create a cloud-based account and will be able to watch purchased media on up to 12 UltraViolet registered devices. The six studios that have signed-on include Lionsgate, Paramount, Sony, Twentieth Century Fox, Universal, and Warner.

"Complementing the physical DVD and Blu-ray home entertainment markets, studios will begin offering UltraViolet content this year through digital online retailers and digital rights that come with packaged media, giving consumers the ability to watch digital entertainment across multiple platforms such as connected TVs, PCs, game consoles and smartphones."

For more information visit: https://www.uvvu.com

Shacknews has confirmed that Ubisoft's controversial DRM, which requires a constant internet connection, has been patched out of "Assassin's Creed II" and "Splinter Cell: Conviction". We will probably find out if this is the beginning of the end for this technology with the release of the upcoming PC release of "Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood". Ubisoft informed Shacknews that the removal is being done on a case-by-case basis and new titles could still include the technology.

To learn more about Ubisof'ts "Online Services Platform" head to https://support.uk.ubi.com/online-services-platform/

Wargaming.net today announced that its free-to-play MMO "World of Tanks", which is currently in beta, now has over 1 million registered users in the US, Europe, and Russia.

"To handle the rush of players, World of Tanks team is installing additional European servers to the line-up. The steady growth of the World of Tanks’ population will enable Wargaming.net to continuously update and polish the game in the run-up to its commercialization for the Western audience in the first quarter of 2011."

Join the beta at: https://game.worldoftanks.com/registration/cbt/

For more information on World of Tanks, visit www.worldoftanks.com

Atari SA announced that Jim Wilson is the new Chief Executive Officer of the company. Wilson was previously the CEO of Atari, Inc. the US subsidiary who was hired in 2008 and led a turnaround.

"Wilson led the turnaround of Atari`s US business before focusing on the rationalization of activities in Europe, the re-launch of a worldwide publishing plan around Atari`s proven franchises and the strategic shift toward digital, online and mobile businesses. He will continue to focus on the development and execution of strategic objectives and profitability goals, including the launch of numerous branded entertainment properties across multiple distribution channels."