PC Game News

Meridian4 today announced the release of "Arma 2: British Armed Forces", a new DLC pack in the series by Bohemia Interactive.

"Less than two months after Operation Arrowhead successfully routed the Takistani military regime, NATO coalition forces face a large-scale outbreak of guerilla insurgency. A mechanized force of British troops are about to deploy and embark upon a large-scale counter-insurgency campaign, which will define the future of the coalition presence in Takistan: Operation "Crimson Lance".

The development of the brand new content has demanded engine updates, resulting in unique features and new gameplay options. The fully modelled artillery and mortar strikes, and the extension of the engineer class to include new duties – such as vehicle repair and bomb disposal – add a new depth of realism to the most authentic mil-sim available.

This brand new faction, with a large number of units, vehicles and models, will redouble the allied efforts in this volatile Central-Asian nation.

Arma 2 – British Armed Forces key features:

• New vehicles and weapons
• Modern British troops in multi-terrain, desert and woodland camouflage
• Personal weapons: L85A2 and L86A2 rifles, L110A1 machine gun, LRR and AW50 sniper rifles, N-LAW AT launcher
• New vehicles: Jackal 2 MWMIK all-terrain vehicle, modernized FV510 Warrior
• New helicopters: AH11 Wildcat (multi-role), HC3 Merlin (transport)
• British versions: off-road car, Chinook HC2 transport helicopter, Apache AH1 gunship
• Desert and woodland paint schemes of the ground vehicles
• New single player campaign
• Player will command a mobile observation team of British troops into battle with Takistani insurgents. Short campaign will focus on depicting asymmetrical warfare with a guerilla force and counterinsurgency operations.
• Multiplayer modes
• Cooperative scenarios featuring the British units, vehicles and equipment.
• Engine Improvements
• Extension of the Engineer's role
• Ability for players to effectively operate and command artillery and mortar units.

Set in the visually attractive environment of rugged Central Asia, Arma 2: British Armed Forces will add even more depth to the already extensive size of the most realistic combat simulation experience available. Unprecedented freedom of movement, action and tactics – together with hundreds of models and epic sandbox-style maps – creates the most authentic military simulation game: war without the training wheels.

For more information on Arma 2 – British Armed Forces, please visit: https://www.meridian4.com/games/arma2baf/index.html"

THQ today released a new trailer for "Company of Heroes Online", giving viewers more of a look at the upcoming online RTS installment. An open beta is scheduled to be released next week.

"This video highlights the three specialized divisions in the Allied Army: Infantry, Armored and Airborne.  Additionally, with the closed beta phase coming to a close, THQ and Relic Entertainment are happy to announce the Company of Heroes Online open beta is scheduled to go live next week.  For the latest information on Company of Heroes Online, please go to www.companyofheroes.com."

Valve today released a new teaser trailer for "Portal 2", giving viewers a brief glimpse at co-op play in the upcoming sequel.

"The cooperative portion of the game features different characters, challenges, and story than the single player portion of the game. More details on Portal 2 coop will be revealed (and shown) next week at PAX in Seattle, WA. For more information about Portal 2, please visit https://www.thinkwithportals.com/"

THQ today released a "Metro 2033" demo, giving players a chance to try out the first-person shooter by 4A Games that was released back in March.

"It allows hardcore gamers to experience heart-stopping visuals with 4 chapters of free play. To survive the dangerous subways beneath Moscow and fight off the army of horrors that await, all you need is top-notch gaming components like the MSI Big Bang series of gaming motherboards, featuring powerful graphics performance and audio-realistic THX® and Creative EAX® audio technologies.  With support for multiple, scalable graphics cards, you will enjoy unbeatable gaming performance. "

The 2.95GB demo can be downloaded from AtomicGamer, FileShack, or Gamer's Hell.

Valve released a new "Portal 2" trailer featuring Wheatley, the new companion character in the upcoming sequel.

"An HD version of the Portal 2 Wheatley footage that introduces Stephen Merchant as Wheatley is now available. In addition to introducing Merchant, the footage gives a deeper look into Aperture Science and shows off some of the new rendering effects in the game, which is due for release on Feb 9, 2011 for the Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC and Mac."

Stardock today announced that "Elemental: War of Magic" has been released.

"Elemental: War of Magic is available at retail stores throughout North America starting today. The Limited Edition ($69.95) and the standard edition ($49.95) are also available via Stardock's digital distribution platform, Impulse or via the game's web site.

This latest title from Stardock is heavily inspired by classic games from the golden age of PC gaming. The game's Lead Designer and CEO of Stardock Brad Wardell said, "The main idea behind Elemental was that we wanted to create gameplay that was both an advancement of the genre and a throwback to old-school gaming on the PC. Elemental: War of Magic accomplishes that and more."

Included with the game are a series of integrated modding tools allowing fans to create their own fantasy maps, monsters, tiles, effects and much more. The game's story-driven campaign, written by Random House's writing team, was made exclusively with the built-in modding tools.

Wardell continued, "The game allows players to strategize, customize and mod in depth while also providing straight-forward accessibility for those who just want to jump in and get in the game as quickly as possible."

Besides including the sand box game and campaign, Elemental also includes a multiplayer mode in which up to 16 players can play online while taking simultaneous turns. Players can save their multiplayer games online and return to them to continue in order to support players who wish to play more epic-sized games.

Also launching today is the companion novel to the PC title, ELEMENTAL: DESTINY'S EMBERS, written by Elemental: War of Magic Executive Producer Brad Wardell. The novel weaves a captivating tale that takes place in the land of Elemental, giving readers and players alike a unique perspective on the land in which they seek to rule in the game. The novel is available at bookstores nationwide from Random House's Del Rey publishing division.

Customers who purchase a copy of the book ELEMENTAL: DESTINY'S EMBERS will be able to download the additional, exclusive video game campaign, Elemental: Destiny's Embers. The campaign will release in four stages, with the first component being released in September."

The list of new PC game releases, DVD and Blu-Ray releases, and movies opening the week of August 23 2010.

PC Games:

• Elemental: War of Magic
• Mafia II
• Ship Simulator Extremes

Movies Opening This Week:

• Centurion (limited)
• Takers
• The Last Exorcism

DVD and Blu-Ray Releases:

• Abandoned
• Bad Mother's Handbook
• City Island [Blu-Ray]
• Dorian Gray [Blu-Ray]
• Flight of the Conchords – complete collection
• George A. Romero's Survival of the Dead [Blu-Ray]
• Gossip Girl: The Complete Third Season
• Kavanagh O.C.: The Complete Collection
• King of the Zombies
• Lost: The Complete Sixth and Final Season
• Machine Gun McCain [Blu-Ray]
• NCIS: Season Seven
• Over the Hedge
• Pawn Stars: Season Two
• Sandbaggers: The Complete Collection
• The Back-Up Plan [Blu-Ray]
• The Long Good Friday [Blu-Ray]
• The Midnight Horror Collection: Blood Predators
• The Midnight Horror Collection: Flesh Eating Zombies Series
• The Midnight Horror Collection: Road Trip to Hell
• The Patty Duke Show: Season Three
• The Square [Blu-Ray]
• Three Silent Classics by Josef Von Sternberg [Criterion Collection]
• Time Bandits [Blu-Ray]
• Withnail and I [Blu-Ray]

2K Games today announced that "Mafia II" has been shipped and is now available at North American retail stores. The game will be released in Australia on Thursday and internationally on Friday.

"This pistol-packed period piece transports players to Empire Bay, a fully realized and immersive urban cityscape set in America during the 1940s and 1950s. The action unfolds with white-knuckled car chases, explosive gunplay, compelling characters and an engaging narrative set against a backdrop of meticulously detailed period environments that showcase the difference a decade can make in the evolution of music, fashion, advertising and automobiles. Mafia II will be released on August 26 in Australia and August 27 internationally.

“Mafia II is what gamers want in a mob game – the marriage of a compelling story with edge-of-the-seat action and lifelike characters that immerse players in an epic entertainment experience,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “When you add in a setting that accurately reflects a period in history that has never been rendered so beautifully, it sets a new benchmark not just for the action-crime genre, but for any game set in the real world with a rich story to tell.”

Born the son of a poor immigrant, Vito is a beaten down Italian-American who is trying to escape the life of poverty that consumed his childhood. Vito, along with his lifelong friend, Joe, will descend into the world of organized crime. Looking to escape the life of hardship that his father led, Vito dreams about becoming a “made man,” and together with Joe, will work to prove themselves to the Mafia as they try to make their names on the streets. However, the two quickly realize that life as a wise guy isn’t quite as glamorous as it seems.

Throughout Mafia II, players will be immersed in the music from the most influential artists of the time. Mafia II features more than 100 original licensed songs from the 40’s and 50’s that can be heard blaring from car radios and throughout Empire Bay. Among the most popular offerings of the era are "Ain’t that a Kick in the Head" by Dean Martin, “Boom Boom” by John Lee Hooker, "Mambo Italiano" by Rosemary Clooney, "It Don’t Mean a Thing" by Duke Ellington, and "Manish Boy" by Muddy Waters.

The Mafia II demo, which has been downloaded and immensely enjoyed by millions of gamers around the world, is currently available for free from the PlayStation®Network, Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 and via Steam and select Internet portals for Windows PC.

Mafia II was developed by 2K Czech, the 2K studio behind the award-winning Mafia, a game which captivated more than two million gamers around the world. Powered by 2K Czech’s proprietary next-generation Illusion Engine™ that was built specifically for Mafia II, players will experience the true evolution of the game. Mafia II is available now for the PlayStation 3 system, Xbox 360, and Windows PC and is rated M for Mature by the ESRB. For more information on Mafia II please visit www.mafia2game.com."

Atari today announced "Neverwinter", an upcoming new online role-playing game based on Dungeons & Dragons and the city of Neverwinter.

"Once a bustling location, Neverwinter has faced a great many disasters in the past hundred years. Rule of the city remains unclear following the unfortunate demise of the last Lord of Neverwinter and factions still battle for dominance after the all-consuming Spellplague took a high toll on the population. Even Neverwinter’s dead are beginning to rise from their graves and march upon the city they once called home.

“We're beyond thrilled to develop a brand new version of Neverwinter. It's been years since the original became a gaming icon and we’re honored to work with such a great franchise," said Jack Emmert, COO of Cryptic Studios. "We've been working closely with Wizards of the Coast and R.A. Salvatore to create an authentic D&D adventure filled with compelling fiction and exciting gameplay."

In Neverwinter, players choose to become one of five classic D&D classes and team up with friends or computer-controlled allies to form five-person co-op groups. Players also create their own storylines and quests utilizing an extremely user-friendly content generation system, tentatively codenamed Forge.

“Wizards of the Coast is excited to invite millions of fans back to Neverwinter with the launch of R.A. Salvatore’s Gauntlgrym,” said Liz Schuh, Brand Director for Dungeons & Dragons at Wizards of the Coast. “And we’re excited about the prospects for great digital gaming experiences based on this epic world.”

Neverwinter for PC is scheduled to release in Q4 2011 and is part of a multi-platform event, including a book trilogy from New York Times best-selling author R. A. Salvatore and a tabletop roleplaying game from Wizards of the Coast. Book one in Salvatore’s Neverwinter trilogy, titled Gauntlgrym, releases on October 5 of this year and lays the groundwork for the Neverwinter storyline. The novel previews the settings, characters and monsters from the PC game and details the events that lead up to this highly anticipated PC gaming experience.

To learn more about the game, please visit: www.PlayNeverwinter.com"

Paradox Interactive announced "Crusader Kings II" an upcoming sequel in the strategy series.

"The follow-up to the highly-acclaimed grand-strategy title Crusader Kings, CK2 promises to take the franchise to the next level.

"The community's outspoken demand for CK2 has been nothing short of incredible,” said Fredrik Wester, CEO of Paradox Interactive. “Since the game was released in 2004, every single time we've announced a new title we've been barraged with questions as to when we'd finally do a Crusader Kings sequel. So it's with great enthusiasm that we are formally announcing that we've started development on the game."

In Crusader Kings 2, players will get to control one of the great Christian Dynasties of the West, attempt to conquer all of Europe and liberate the Holy Land.

“Crusader Kings character system is what made it stand apart from any other game released on the market. With this sequel, we are committed to offering even more depth to the characters, making them feel truly alive with agendas and plots of their own” said Johan Andersson, Head of Development at Paradox Interactive.

Crusader Kings 2 is scheduled for release in Q1 2012. "

Bohemia Interactive today released a new trailer for "ARMA 2: British Armed Forces", an upcoming add-on for ARMA 2: Operation Arrowhead. The add-on is scheduled to be released next Thursday.

"Next in the line-up of military simulators, this huge add-on for the recently released Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead deploys on August 26th and delivers a new campaign, numerous single missions and a brand new faction, expanding upon the already epic collection offered up by Arma 2's mil-sim sandbox.

Players take on the role of British paratroopers and engage the enemy on an asymmetric battlefield. Less than two months after Operation Arrowhead successfully routed the Takistani military regime, NATO coalition forces face a large-scale outbreak of guerilla insurgency. A mechanized force of British troops is about to deploy and embark upon a large-scale counter-insurgency campaign, which will define the future of the coalition presence in Takistan: Operation "Crimson Lance".

BAF provides an opportunity to explore the beautiful country of Takistan in even more depth, and offers the chance to hop across the border to Karzeghistan in the Shapur e-Dalanper region – a brand new area included as bonus content. A small, strategically important area, Shapur consists of pockets of densely developed settlements and industrial complexes within its regional boundaries, located just on the Karzeghi side of Takistan’s volatile borderlands. Unprecedented freedom of movement, action and tactics – together with hundreds of unique models and epic sandbox-style maps – create the most authentic military simulation game available in the world today: war without the training wheels.

With British forces moving in to initiate a counter-insurgency campaign, players can outfit themselves with Multi-Terrain Pattern uniforms and DPM smocks designed for arid desert areas. Amid the array of the available armaments are the trademark L85A2 infantry assault rifles, machine guns in the form of the L86A2 Light Support Weapon, the L110A1 and the legendary GPMG, along with the L115A1 Long Range Rifle and the formidable AS50 for snipers. Vehicles include the modernised Warrior and Jackal 2 MWMIK armored trucks, with air support provided by Apache AH1 gunships and AH11 Wildcat multirole helicopters. The Merlin HC3 and Chinook HC2 are the backbone of airborne troop transportation.

Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead is available now! Check out the project´s homepage https://www.arma2.com and learn more about Arma 2: Combined Operations – a unique collection of the original Arma 2 and the massive standalone expansion pack, Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead."

Valve today announced the addition of paysafecard as a payment option on Steam.

"In celebration, customers who spend 20 EUR or 20 GBP on Steam using paysafecard will receive a free copy of Portal, the ground-breaking title that earned over 40 Game of the Year Awards, when they shop before August 25th.

Supported countries include: Austria, Belgium, The Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and The United Kingdom.

The addition of paysafecard makes it easier than ever to purchase and play any of the 1,200-plus games available via Steam from leading publishers and developers around the world.

For more information about this promotional offer, please visit www.steamgames.com/paysafecard."

EA and BioWare released a trailer for "Dragon Age 2" at GamesCom, giving viewers a look at the newly announced sequel.

"Dragon Age 2 thrusts players into the role of Hawke, a refugee who survives the destruction of his homeland and becomes the Champion of Kirkwall. The lore around Hawke’s rise to power is shrouded in myth and rumor and is the driving force behind this all-new story spanning 10 years in the Dragon Age universe timeline. Players will uniquely experience how this legend unfolds by gathering the deadliest of allies, making tough moral choices, amassing fame and fortune, and sealing their place in history.

For more information on Dragon Age 2, please visit www.DragonAge.com, follow the game at twitter.com/dragonage and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DragonAgeOrigins."

Warner Bros. and Turbine today announced that "Lord of the Rings Online" will switch to the free to play model on September 10.

"Extending its award-winning story, LOTRO delivers the ultimate adventure featuring the massive world of Middle-earth brought to life through state-of-the-art graphics and gameplay, and a rich set of features that until now could only be found in premium subscription-based online games.

“Our LOTRO beta program has been a huge success and we want to thank all of our players who worked with us to get the game ready for launch,” said Kate Paiz, Executive Producer of LOTRO, Turbine. “Our unique pricing model has revolutionized the industry and starting in September, players will be able to choose how they pay for and play one of the world’s best online games and we can’t wait to welcome millions of new players to Middle-earth!”

LOTRO will offer players unlimited choice!

• Free means Free! – Players will download LOTRO by visiting www.lotro.com and join with millions of other adventurers as they explore the most complete and authentic recreation of Middle-earth ever created and participate in LOTRO’s award-winning epic story up to level 50 for free.
• Visit the new LOTRO Store! – The LOTRO Store is loaded with thousands of convenience items as well as expansion packs, premium content, additional character slots, potions, character customization and more! The LOTRO Store is seamlessly integrated into the game and lets the player identify new and exciting ways to enhance and customize their experience using points which can be purchased in the store or earned through gameplay.
• Be a LOTRO VIP! – Players who elect to become a LOTRO VIP will have unlimited access to all premium content, receive priority server access, 5 character slots, a shared bank slot, and a monthly allotment of points to spend in the new LOTRO Store.

The Lord of the Rings Online is the ultimate adventure. This award-winning massively multiplayer online role-playing game delivers an interactive experience brimming with life and filled with the familiar people, places and monsters from the most famous fantasy of all time. From the picturesque surroundings of the Shire to Moria, the most fearsome underground realm ever imagined, players will soon experience the world of Middle-earth for free! For more information, visit www.lotro.com."

The list of new PC game releases, DVD and Blu-Ray releases, and movies opening the week. of August 16, 2010.

PC Games:

• Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days

Movies Opening This Week:

• Lottery Ticket
• Mao's Last Dander (limited)
• Nanny McPhee Returns
• Piranha 3D
• The Switch
• Vampires Suck

DVD and Blu-Ray Releases:

• Black Orpheus [Criterion Collection Blu-Ray]
• Blood Bath – 12 movie collection
• Bloodsuckers – 12 movie collection
• Cemetery Junction [Blu-Ray]
• Cougar Town: Complete First Season
• Cult Terror Cinema
• Dark and Stormy Night
• Dexter: The Complete Fourth Season [Blu-Ray]
• Drive-In Cult Classics
• Friday Night Lights: The Fourth Season
• Furry Vengeance [Blu-Ray]
• Hamlet [Blu-Ray]
• John Wayne: Ultimate Collection
• Keeping Up with the Kardashians: The Complete Third Season
• Kelling: The Owl Man [Blu-Ray]
• L'enfance Nue [Criterion Collection]
• Nanny McPhee [Blu-Ray]
• One Tree Hill: The Complete Seventh Season
• Orlando
• Pure Terror – 50 movie pack
• Rocky & Bullwinkle & Friends: Season Four
• Simon Schama: A History of Britain
• Temple Grandin
• The Assassin Next Door
• The City of Your Final Destination [Blu-Ray]
• The Conversation
• The Good, the Bad, the Weird [Blu-Ray]
• The Last Song [Blu-Ray]
• The Lost Skeleton Returns Again
• Ugly Betty: The Complete and Final Season