PC Game News

NCSoft today announced several upcoming Halloween themed in-game events, quests, costumes and contests for Aion, City of Heroes, Guild Wars, Lineage and Lineage II. The full details on each of the game events are listed below:

"Aion – Harvest Revel

The Harvest Revel is upon us once again! This year, the residents of Pandaemonium and Sanctum decided to treat their immortals with homemade treats and candy. However, in the ultimate Trick or Treat heist, a bunch of devious Shulacks have stolen the sugary, sweet lollipops and fled the two cities.

Now it's up to players to find those crafty Sugarcrooks and teach them a lesson! Players will have to find the lollipops, confront the Shulacks and save the Harvest Revel. Every day during the event players will be rewarded for their efforts to save the Harvest Revel with Pumpkin King’s present boxes, pumpkin pouches and surprise boxes full of useful items such as manastones, enchantment stones, scrolls and more.

• Starts: Wednesday, October 27, 2010
• Ends: Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Visit www.aiononline.com for more Aion-specific information.

City of Heroes – Not Even Pretoria is Safe from the Halloween Apocalypse!

Even the utopian, clean streets of Emperor Cole’s empire hide dangerous secrets this Halloween season. Those caught “Trick or Treating” and knocking on doors in Praetoria, the Rogue Isles and Paragon City may be greeted with treats such as temporary costumes or tricks such as rocks or unique monsters. And no area is safe enough to repel zombie hordes, as the nefarious walking dead that will infest Praetoria, the Rogue Isle and Paragon City this Halloween, lead by powerful monstrosities such as Eochai and Jack in Irons.

Meanwhile, along with new badges and accolades for 2010, Paragon Studios brings players a special Halloween-only Tip Mission which will start a new story arc… to recover a mysterious artifact known as the Malleus Mundi and a chance to decide its fate.

• Starts: Thursday, October 21, 2010
• Ends: Sunday, October 31, 2010

Visit www.cityofheroes.com for more City of Heroes information.

Guild Wars – Halloween Signals the Return of the Mad King

Once a year, Mad King Thorn and his spooky cohort return to Tyria for a creepy celebration full of new holiday quests, the Costume Brawl PvP event, Halloween-themed guild vs. guild battles, imposing new Halloween costumes, and lots of other surprises.

Earn special Halloween headwear by playing the Mad King’s games when he appears in both Lion’s Arch and Kamadan on October 31st, or just revel in the spirit of the season during the 13-day Halloween Festival. Whether you’re collecting spooky treats or embarking on quests new and old, you’re sure to have a frightfully good time!

• Start: Thursday, October 21, 2010
• End: Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Visit www.guildwars.com for more information about the Guild Wars Halloween 2010 Festival.

Lineage – Lineage Halloween Event

Forget running from things that go bump in the night, you’re going to hunt them! Follow the story hints in the forums as they lead up to the monster-hunting Halloween Event. Players can use the Candle of Reminiscence to reallocate stats, hunt down monsters for their souls then trade them in for special Halloween-themed items. Watch out for tricks along the way as well, as players quest and conquer ghouls and monsters in their effort to obtain the Spartoi Doll.

• Start: October 27, 2010
• End: November 10, 2010

Visit www.lineage.com for more Lineage information.

Lineage II – GM Event: Trick or Treat

This year the treats come swiftly during the Halloween Event. While out hunting for tricks and treats, players may randomly encounter an elpy. Tell this elpy the secret Halloween phrase and be transported to a special room of elpies. Once there, players will undergo a Halloween transformation and for a limited time will be able to collect as much loot as they can! The loot will vary, but players will have the chance to walk away with fun, useful and valuable items.

• Start: Tuesday, October 26, 2010
• End: Thursday, October 28, 2010

Visit www.lineage2.com for more Lineage II information."

Blizzard released the system requirements for "World of Warcraft: Cataclysm" today, filling interested gamers in on what it will take to run the highly anticipated expansion.

Minimum System Requirements:

• Windows XP 32bit (SP3), Windows XP 64bit (SP2), Windows Vista 32bit (SP1), Windows Vista 64bit (SP1):
• Intel Pentium 4 1.3 GHz or AMD Athlon XP 1500
• 1GB or more of RAM
• NVIDIA® GeForce® FX or ATI Radeon™ 9500 video card or better
• DirectX-compatible sound card or motherboard sound capability
• 25 GB free hard drive space
• A keyboard and mouse are required. Input devices other than a mouse and keyboard are not supported
• You must have an active broadband Internet connection to play

"World of Warcraft: Cataclysm is the next expansion for World of Warcraft. Dark and forgotten threats that have long stayed out of sight have finally arrived on our shores, unleashing a cataclysmic event upon Azeroth and now preparing more nefarius plans to take it back."

The minimum requirements for "Call of Duty: Black Ops" have been posted on Direct2Drive (listed below). In addition, a "Call of Duty: Black Ops" branded Jeep Wrangler was revealed, which is based on the Rubicon trimmed Wrangler.

Minimum Requirements:

• OS: Windows® Vista / XP / 7
• Processor: Intel® Core™2 Duo E6600 or AMD Phenom™ X3 8750 or better
• Memory: 2GB
• HDD: 12GB (not finalized)
• Video: Shader 3.0 or better 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600GT / ATI Radeon® X1950Pro or better
• Sound: DirectX 9.0c-compatible
• DirectX: 9.0c

Jeep:

The 2011 Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited Call of Duty: Black Ops Edition is based on the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon model and features dark Rubicon wheels in a high-gloss Mineral Gray. The vehicle's exterior color is black and features Call of Duty: Black Ops graphics on the roof and front quarter panels. The vehicle also features taillamp guards and a fuel-filler door from Mopar®. Inspired by Call of Duty: Black Ops, the new limited-edition Wrangler delivers legendary Jeep capability, aggressive 32-inch off-road tires, live axles with locking differentials in the front and rear, and a two-speed transfer case.

Tripwire Interactive today announced that Steam is taking pre-orders for "The Ball", the action adventure game built on the Unreal 3 Engine 3. In addition, a launch trailer was released.

"Pre-purchasing The Ball before October 26th will nab you 10% off the game and will instantly unlock an exclusive playable character for Tripwire Interactive’s hit co-op survival-horror shooter, Killing Floor. The Ball hero archeologist character for Killing Floor will only be available as part of this pre-purchase so move quickly if you don’t want to miss out!"

TimeGate studios announced it will host a beta for the multiplayer portion for "Section 8: Prejudice", the upcoming FPS sequel. Interested gamers can sign up now on the official site.

"The beta will provide participants with their first taste of the new features and content introduced in Prejudice, as well as the enhanced Games for Windows-LIVE integration that includes streamlined matchmaking and improved server browsing.

Prejudice is currently expected to arrive on Windows PC, Xbox 360®video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system in early 2011."

The list of new PC game releases, DVD and Blu-Ray releases, and movies opening the week of October 18, 2010.

PC Games:

• Arcania: Gothic 4
• Fallout: New Vegas

Movies Opening This Week:

• Hereafter
• Inhale (limited NY)
• Paranormal Activity 2

DVD and Blu-Ray Releases:

• Accidentally on Purpose: The First Season
• Agora
• Apocalypse Now – 2 disc special ed. [Blu-Ray]
• Assault Girls [Blu-Ray]
• Bizarre Foods With Andrew Zimmern: Collection 4 Part 1
• Charles Bukowski: One Tough Mother – DVD box set
• Colditz [Blu-Ray]
• Disneynature: Oceans
• Free to Be You and Me
• Giallo
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
• Herman Cohen Classic Horror Double Feature
• Holy Rollers
• Monster a Go-Go
• Moulin Rouge! [Blu-Ray]
• Night of the Demons
• Pee-Wee's Playhouse – The Complete Collection
• Please Give [Blu-Ray]
• Predators [Blu-Ray]
• Psycho – 50th Anniversary Ed. [Blu-Ray]
• Real L Word: The First Season
• Romeo and Juliet [Blu-Ray]
• Seven Samurai [Blu-Ray]
• Shaun the Sheep: Season 1
• Tales From the Darkside: Final Season
• The Bionic Woman: Season One
• The Lemon Drop Kid
• The Rocky Horror Picture Show – 35th Anniversary Ed. [Blu-Ray]
• Thirteen Ghosts / House of Wax – double feature [Blu-Ray]
• Wallander: Faceless Killers / The Man Who Smiled / The Fifth Woman

Paradox Interactive and NeoCore Games released a demo for "Lionheart: Kings' Crusade", giving players a chance to try out the recent real-time strategy game.

"The demo offers a taste of the complete Lionheart experience. Demo players can test the management phase and mission briefings. Forge into the first mission's battle and prepare for the battle of the second mission. View the tutorial battle on Cyprus and create a profile so that the saves you created during the demo will be available after purchase of the full game."

The 1.15GB demo can be downloaded from AtomicGamer, FileShack, GamersHell, StrategyInformer, or Worthplaying.

Blizzard released a new cinematic intro trailer for "World of Warcraft: Cataclysm", which debuted during the NFL TV programming on Sunday. The anticipated expansion is scheduled to be released on December 7.

"In Cataclysm, the face of Azeroth will be forever altered by the return of the corrupted Dragon Aspect Deathwing. Players will explore once-familiar areas of the world that have now been reshaped by the devastation and filled with new adventures. In an effort to survive the planet-shattering cataclysm, two new playable races — worgen and goblins — will join the struggle between the Alliance and the Horde."

2K Games today announced the next DLC pack for "Civilization V" titled "Mongols Civilization and Scenario Pack", which will be released on October 25. In addition, players will also be able to purchase the "Babylonian Civilization Pack" that came with the Digital Delux Edition of the game on that date.

"The Mongols Civilization and Scenario Pack calls for the strongest leaders to ride with Genghis Khan and his Mongol horsemen to establish the largest continuous land empire ever seen. Rulers lead their civilization from humble beginnings on the steppes of Asia, until all under heaven tremble at the might of the nation.

Players can continue expanding their conquests with the Babylonian Civilization Pack as the Babylonian ruler, Nebuchadnezzar II (c. 630 – c. 561 B.C.). As King of Babylon, gamers will be able to expand their empire with advanced Babylonian Bowmen to rightfully earn the title of Nebuchadnezzar the Great.

Sid Meier’s Civilization V is rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) by the ESRB and is available on the PC. For more information, please visit www.civilization5.com."

Valve today announced that Steam is continuing to grow at a rapid pace and has passed the 30 million account mark.

"During the past 12 months the platform had year-over-year new user growth of 178%, pushing the total number of active accounts to over 30 million, with over 1,200 games now offered. Peak simultaneous player numbers were also up to over three million, with over six million unique gamers accessing Steam each day.

In addition to new user growth, Steam sales during the trailing 12 months increased by more than 200%, putting it on track for a sixth straight year of realizing over 100% year-over-year growth in unit sales. To meet this demand, the Steam infrastructure has been increased and now has ability to run at 400Gps, enough bandwidth to ship a digitized version of the Oxford English Dictionary 92.6 times per second.

The period also realized continued adoption of the Steamworks suite of publishing services in tangible and electronic versions of today's popular games. Included in many of the year's biggest releases — such as Sid Meier's Civilization V, Just Cause 2, and R.U.S.E., with more to come during the holiday season — Steamworks has now shipped in over 200 since the suite of services was released two years ago. In addition, the Steam Cloud (introduced in Spring 2008) has surpassed the 100 million files saved milestone.

"Steam is on track to record the biggest year in its six year history," said Gabe Newell, president of Valve. "The year has marked major development advances to the platform with the introduction of support for Mac titles, the Steam Wallet and in-game item buying support, and more. We believe the growth in accounts, sales, and player numbers is completely tied to this work and we plan to continue to develop the platform to offer more marketing, sales, and design tools for developers and publishers of games and digital entertainment"

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

Paradox Interactive today released a new metro trailer for "Cities in Motion", giving viewers a look at the gameplay in the upcoming transportation sim game by Colossal Order.

"The Metro  trailer gives a glimpse into one of several ways for players to transport the masses across one of four cities in the game, showing an underground subway mode as well as elevated track sections with trains travelling up above the city streets on their way to various destinations."

The list of new PC game releases, DVD and Blu-Ray releases, and movies opening the week of October 11, 2010.

PC Games:

• Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition
• EverQuest: House of Thule
• Medal of Honor
  

Movies Opening This Week:

• Conviction
• Down Terrace (limited)
• Jackass 3D
• I Want Your Money
• Red

DVD and Blu-Ray Releases:

• Angel: Complete Series
• Arn: The Knight Templar [Blu-Ray]
• Astaire and Rogers Ultimate Collector's Edition
• Busby Berkeley 9-Film Collection
• CSI Miami: The Eighth Season
• Dexter's Laboratory: Season One
• Dollhouse: The Complete Second Season
• Gamera: Guardian of Universe and Gamera: Attack of the Legion [Blu-Ray]
• Ghost Whisperer: The Fifth Season
• Hollywood Singing & Dancing: Series 1920s – 2000s – set
• How to Train Your Dragon
• I Am Love [Blu-Ray]
• In Treatment: The Complete Second Season
• Jonah Hex [Blu-Ray]
• Jonny Staccato
• Ladies and Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones
• Leaves of Grass [Blu-Ray]
• Lost Boys: The Thirst
• Older Than America
• Rare Cult Cinema
• Spaghetti Western Collection – set
• The Darjeeling Limited [Criterion Collection Blu-Ray]
• The Hangover [Blu-Ray]
• The Magician [Criterion Collection Blu-Ray]
• The Original Christmas Classics – set [Blu-Ray]
• The Tudors: The Final Season
• Three Kings [Blu-Ray]
• Wolverine and the X-Men: The Complete Series

Sony Online Entertainment today announced the launch of "House of Thule", the 17th expansion for "EverQuest".

"House of Thule brings more immersive gameplay, captivating storytelling and exciting worlds to the EverQuest legacy, set in a never-before-seen dreamland full of mystery and adventure. A content-rich expansion, House of Thule  is packed with game-changing features including a level cap increase, 18 raids, 13 zones, 17 missions, more than 120 quests and the addition of player housing, which new players, veterans and MMO fans will relish.

• Go from 85 to 90  – Achieve a new max level of 90 and set a new standard of gameplay
• More than 800 AAs – Elevate your power and abilities beyond the norm
• In-game Housing Addition – Make your permanent mark on the world! Collect and display  treasured  items
• New Housing Trophy System – Display your trophies and receive statistical benefits
• Hundreds of New Housing Items – Decorate your house to your own style
• 18 Raids – Collect valuable rewards from all new adventures
• 13 Zones – Be the first to discover untouched lands of Norrath
• 450+ Spells – Exponentially add to your caster’s arsenal
• 17 Missions – Experience intriguing lore and immersive Missions
• 120+ Quests – Challenge your skills and gather useful loot
• Inventory Increase – Indulge the packrat in you and collect even more game goodies"

Valve today announced "Defense of the Ancients 2", an upcoming sequel to the popular Warcraft III mod by Icefrog.

"Coming to the PC & Mac in 2011, Dota 2 promises to take the unique blend of online RTS and RPG action that has made Dota popular with tens of millions of gamers and expand upon it in every way."

Gameinformer has an exclusive article on the game but their site seems to be extremely sluggish at the moment. Here are a few snippets:

"Valve's approach to Dota 2 is unusual in that the gameplay itself is remaining almost entirely untouched."

"DotA-Allstars' roster of 100+ heroes is being brought over in its entirety. The single map games take place on is functionally identical to the one that you can download for free today in the Warcraft III mod. Items, skills, and upgrade paths are unchanged. Some hero skills work slightly better due to being freed from the now-ancient Warcraft III engine, but Dota 2 will be instantly familiar to any DotA player.

A few things will make significant differences to players making the transition. Dota 2 uses Valve's Source engine, so the game is much prettier. Source itself is getting a few upgrades, including improved global lighting and true cloth simulation. Dota 2's integrated voice chat is a huge step up from having to set up your own Ventrilo server, and the speed of voice communication is very nearly a requirement for a game as team-focused as DotA."

"The bulk of innovation in Dota 2, however, is ancillary to the gameplay itself. Valve is upgrading Steamworks (the company's backend technologies for matchmaking and other gameplay and community-related things) to allow them to create in-game rewards for participating in the Dota 2 community. The idea is to have everything a player does in or out of game tie back into their online identity. Like the improvements to Source, the Steamworks upgrades will be available to third-party developers who choose to use Valve's tools when Dota 2 launches in 2011."

2K Games today announced that "Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition" has been shipped and is now available. Customers who purchase the game will get early access to an upcoming Duke Nukem Forever demo.

"The Borderlands Game of the Year package comes complete with the best-selling Borderlands stand-alone game, its entire downloadable add-on library, a fold-out map and membership certificate to enter the Duke Nukem Forever® First Access Club. This certificate entitles owners to a wealth of ballistic bonuses, including early access to a playable demo of the legendary, long-awaited video game – Duke Nukem Forever.

Borderlands Game of the Year edition is a highly charged, value-packed collection of the critically acclaimed and best-selling Role-Playing-Shooter that has captured the imagination and attention of single-player and cooperative gamers around the world. Borderlands Game of the Year edition customers will also receive all four frenzied downloadable adventures, including The Zombie Island or Dr. Ned*, Mad Moxxi’s Underdome Riot*, The Secret Armory of General Knoxx*, and the latest robotic Claptasticadventure – Claptrap’s New Robot Revolution* – where players will join forces in an attempt to suppress the infamous Interplanetary Ninja Assassin Claptrap.  

In addition, fans will find a membership certificate to the Duke Nukem Forever® First Access Club inside the packaging. After entering the one-time use code from the certificate on the website, fans will receive access to exclusive bonuses, including demos which will be available prior to the retail launch of the game. This select group of First Access Club members will be the first to play the game and experience the life of the King of All Shooters. Hail to the King, baby!

Borderlands, rated M for Mature by the ESRB, is currently available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 system and Windows PC. The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned**, Mad Moxxi’s Underdome Riot**, The Secret Armory of General Knoxx** and Claptrap’s New Robot Revolution** add-on packs are all available separately on the Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 for 800 Microsoft Points and on the PlayStation® Network and Windows PC for $9.99. "