PC Game News

Paradox today announced that "Ship Simulator Extremes" has gone gold and is scheduled to be released on August 27.

"The development of the all too real simulation game, Ship Simulator Extremes has completed and the pre-order has commenced on leading digital distribution outlets. As an exclusive bonus from select distribution sites, pre-orders for the game will grant the unique bonus fishing vessel "Sigita" and six bonus missions to feature more challenges as you endeavor in the rescue attempts of your fellow vessels.

Ship Simulator Extremes offers exciting missions all over the world as you pilot an impressive array of vessels, and live the story of real ship captains. The most realistic simulator ever set on the high seas is scheduled for release on August 27th and will be published worldwide by Paradox Interactive. The PC title will be available in stores and on all leading digital distribution platforms.

To check out the latest news and information on the game, join the community on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/shipsim and on https://www.twitter.com/shipsim or visit the website https://www.shipsim.com"

Sony Online Entertainment today announced that the seventeenth expansion to "EverQuest", titled "House of Thule", will be released on October 12.

"Now in its unprecedented twelfth year, House of Thule brings immersive gameplay, captivating storytelling and exciting worlds to continue the EverQuest legacy, now set in a never-before-seen dreamland full of mystery and adventure. House of Thule offers an expansion rich in content and packed with game-changing features including a level cap increase and the addition of player housing, which new players, veterans and MMO fans will relish.

The adventure continues across Norrath where prominent figures are falling into dream-induced comas. The clerics and mystics of the land are powerless to wake their leaders from their unnatural sleep, evidence that something is deeply wrong in the world of dreams.

A strange home has also appeared in the Feerrott jungle, its look sinister, its purpose, unknown. Upon entering the house, the air is thick with tension, caused by an ensuing conflict between the Thule deities; Cazic, Terris and Morell; the Lord of Dreams. Their turmoil has affected the world of Norrath, clashing reality with delusion, and around every twisting passageway, dreams and nightmares take on their physical forms. Unhinged by imagination, there’s no way of knowing what beings lay in wait for intrepid explorers. Prevail over the overlords of the House of Thule. Unravel its secrets and prevent Norrath from being consumed by the power of its dreams.
New Expansion Features and Additions:

• +5 Level Increase – 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 to 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

The scheduled release date for EverQuest House of Thule is October 12, 2010."

Codemasters today announced "Operation Flashpoint: Red River", the next chapter in the series by Bohemia Interactive.

"Taking a small step into the future, Red River  depicts a fictional conflict with contemporary geopolitical themes, which will unfold over three distinct acts in both single player and drop-in-drop-out co-operative play for up to four players online. Faced with new counter-insurgency combat and the returning threat of the Chinese PLA, players will feel the tension, brutality and carnage of modern conflict from the perspective of a marine fireteam on deployment in a hostile country, thousands of miles from home.

Building extensively on the successes of Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising, Red River brings wide-ranging advancements including a deeper narrative-led campaign, streamlined inventory and control system, a refined enemy and squad AI system, player class roles including customisable XP upgrades and loadout choice, close-quarters combat, new air support options and comprehensive tutorials.

“Operation Flashpoint: Red River is being built around four player co-op online play, complete with a strong narrative, new enemies and combat scenarios to deliver gameplay that immerses players in the reality of war like never before. The new setting of Tajikistan is a diverse and exciting backdrop for the wide range of military challenges the US Marines face around the world in real life. We’re excited to push the series in new directions while staying true to the core tactical combat that is the hallmark of Operation Flashpoint,” said Sion Lenton, Creative Director.

“In creating Operation Flashpoint: Red River, we’re building on our strengths whilst taking on board feedback from the community and focussing on key areas and enhancements to further refine the Flashpoint experience,” said Adam Parsons, Executive Producer. “Whether playing solo or co-operatively, players will experience the tense and exhilarating tactical gameplay the series is famed for, expressed through a range of gameplay enhancements and an exciting new setting and narrative.”

Refining the Operation Flashpoint co-op infantry experience further, players will be able to team up with their friends to play through additional co-operative game modes. Whether escorting a convoy to safety under heavy fire, or falling back from the enemy against almost insurmountable odds, each unique mode will test players’ tactics and teamwork in distinct ways. New player class roles mean that gamers can play the way they want, honing skills in their chosen fields as they rank up through the new XP reward system and customise their equipment with numerous upgrades.

Taking the tactical infantry shooter to a deadly new battlefield where one bullet can kill, Operation Flashpoint: Red River will set a new standard for authentic and intense tactical combat when it arrives in 2011 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and PC. Sign up to ‘get some’ USMC style with the latest briefings direct from the Operation Flashpoint studio at www.facebook.com/flashpointredriver"

A new game website for "Torchlight 2" has been launched, announcing the RPG sequel by Runic Games.

"Torchlight II is richly textured with our unique art style, drawing from traditional animation influences and expanding on the whimsical and quirky world captured in the original Torchlight. We aim for that broad appeal that’s appropriate for older kids, but is really intended for the kid in every adult.
CO-OP ACTION

The most exciting new feature of Torchlight II is the multiplayer element. Play with your friends, and use the free peer-to-peer matchmaking service to meet new players of a similar level and interest. Together players will discover expansive randomized outdoor areas and deep ominous caverns; random instanced and persistent dungeons, a huge variety of all new monsters and villains, endless variations of loot to find, and quests to complete. Players journey through the perilous Overworld, enjoying all new weather features, time of day events, and a rich and cunning story to drive gameplay.
BACKSTORY

Beyond the town of Torchlight lies a world shrouded in adventure and mystery. Guardian-warrior Syl appears in a prophetic dream, summoning the player to the Estherian Steppes. There, you meet with the Destroyer and soon venture across the continent of Vilderan, an exotic frontier besieged by forces of evil. A discovery unfolds, that the Alchemist, following his conquest of dark ember, disappeared on his quest to defeat the unknown corrupted force responsible for destroying the mystical race of Estherians. Aided by Syl, the remaining Estherian Guardians, and clues left behind by the missing Alchemist, you will find yourself battling a powerful enemy that threatens to unravel the elements of the entire world.

Runic Games will release Torchlight II initially as a digital download in Spring of 2011.

KEY FEATURES

• Multi-player – Play with your friends over a local area network, or over the Internet. A free matchmaking peer-to-peer service lets you make new friends for exciting co-op play.
• Customizable Characters – Players create and customize a character from one of four classes available and choose an animal companion. Through cosmetic, class, and gender choices, skill path decisions, and the treasures they acquire, each character can be custom-tailored to each player’s needs.
• Moddability – Torchlight II will release with an updated version of TorchEd, the Torchlight editor. Players have the option to create their own mods, adding even more content to the world. You and your friends can download the same mod and play together!
• New User Interface – Torchlight II boasts an entirely new, improved user interface, designed to be easier than ever for new players to pick up and play. Thanks to this intuitive interface, players have immediate access to a rich and varied world, with little experience necessary.
• Overworld Areas – Torchlight II has large randomized overworld areas to explore with weather, time of day cycles, and random events that provide players with even more content to experience.
• Random Dungeons – Delve into randomly generated dungeons within the game at any time for extra experience and rare loot. Dungeons in Torchlight II have even more branching paths to explore with friends filled with random events, rewards and dangers.
• Retirement System – Once characters are sufficiently leveled up, they can “retire” and bestow specific benefits and perks onto new characters.
• Pets – Players choose a pet to accompany them. Pets level up along with the player, and help in battle, learn spells, carry items, and perform a variety of support services.
• Fishing – Fishing returns in the sequel! Players can take a break from the high-energy pace of adventuring to relax by one of the many fishing holes and see what they can catch. Fish have unique benefits for the player and pet, while a number of other rewards can also be discovered."

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today announced "Batman: Arkham City", an upcoming sequel in the series by Rocksteady.

"Batman: Arkham City will be available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Games for Windows PC and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system in Fall 2011.

Developed by Rocksteady Studios, Batman: Arkham City builds upon the intense, atmospheric foundation of Batman: Arkham Asylum, sending players soaring into Arkham City, the new maximum security “home” for all of Gotham City’s thugs, gangsters and insane criminal masterminds. Set inside the heavily fortified walls of a sprawling district in the heart of Gotham City, this highly anticipated sequel introduces a brand-new story that draws together a new all-star cast of classic characters and murderous villains from the Batman universe, as well as a vast range of new and enhanced gameplay features to deliver the ultimate experience as the Dark Knight.

Batman: Arkham City is based on DC Comics’ core Batman license. Fans can visit www.batmanarkhamcity.com to sign up to receive updates regarding the game."

Microsoft and Lionhead today released the intro cinematic video for "Fable III", giving players a glimpse at the upcoming RPG.

"Dashing through city streets and hurdling through the air, witness the daily struggles of Albion’s citizens through the eyes of a chicken as he makes the ultimate gamble for freedom.

In a world where freedom is nothing more than a dream, Albion’s oppressed and downtrodden citizens desperately need a hero. Against all odds, our aspiring hero dares to take a stand against his sworn enemy and puts up a rebel’s fight, paving the road to revolution for those who follow. However, he’ll quickly learn that revolutionaries can’t triumph alone. Will this brave chicken succeed in his quest for freedom or will he pay the ultimate price? The tide is turning and the uprising has begun – will you follow his lead?

The list new new PC game releases, DVD and Blu-ray releases, and movies opening the week of August 2, 2010.

PC Games:

Looks like none this week

Movies Opening This Week:

• Flipped (limited)
• Middle Men
• Step Up 3D
• The Disappearance of Alice Creed (limited)
• The Other Guys
• The Oxford Murders (limited)
• Twelve

DVD and Blu-Ray Releases:

• A Prophet [Blu-Ray]
• After.Life
• Bull Durham [Blu-Ray]
• Days That Shook the World
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid [Blu-Ray]
• Dora's Big Birthday Adventure
• Eclipse Series 23: The First Films of Akira Kurosawa [Criterion Collection]
• Elvis 75th Anniversary DVD Collection
• Elvis: Blu-Ray Collection [Blu-Ray]
• Escape from New York [Blu-Ray]
• Great Waldo Pepper
• Hawaii Five-O: The Ninth Season
• Heroes: Season Four
• Humanoids from the Deep [Blu-Ray]
• James and the Giant Peach Special Ed. [Blu-Ray]
• Kick-Ass [Blu-Ray]
• Lytton's Diary Complete Collection
• Mercy: Complete First Season
• Open House
• Pandora and the Flying Dutchman
• Piranha [Blu-Ray]
• Road to Perdition [Blu-Ray]
• Saturday Night Live: Best of Will Ferrell – Vol. Three
• TCM Spotlight: Errol Flynn Adventures
• The Breakfast Club [Blu-Ray]
• The Ghost Writer [Blu-Ray]
• The Kim Novak Collection
• To Save a Life

The Xfire website has been updated with word that it has been purchased by Titan Gaming from Viacom.

"Titan will be taking on the Xfire name, with a focus towards ongoing innovation in the gaming space. The Xfire services will continue uninterrupted for its users. Xfire redefined how gamers communicate, Titan intends to build upon this tradition and utilize the Xfire platform to help gaming companies better engage their users. We look forward to continuing and expanding upon the Xfire service."

gamigo and Reakktor today released details on crafting in the upcoming MMOG "Black Prophec".

"Crafting components and ship modules requires different resources, parts and blueprints. Once all the pieces have been acquired, items can be created using a "constructor", which is found in the workshop of each space station.

Resources and Parts

There are three types of resources in the game: metal, plasma and gas. Metal is extremely important for crafting ship modules, weapons and other items. Plasma is primarily used as a source of energy during crafting. Gas is an important resource needed for the production of high-performance computers and for operating hyper-space jump drives.

There are a number of ways players can gain resources. Destroyed spaceships become space junk from which a certain amount of resources can be salvaged. Resources can also be collected during successfully completed missions. The type and amount of resources to be had depends on the level of difficulty. The largest deposits of raw materials, known as resource stations, are conquered and controlled by clans.

Parts such as CPUs, steering units or energy sources are sold by merchants or stolen from enemy NPCs.

Blueprints

Blueprints are found in the wreckage of old ships and contain all the information needed to produce an item. They specify how much of each resource and what parts are needed. Once a module has been crafted successfully, the blueprint cannot be used again. If crafting fails, all the resources and parts used will be lost, but the blueprint will remain intact. The apex of any crafting project would be a critical success, which increases the quality of the crafted item greatly.

The Constructor

Besides producing ship and station modules, players can also modify, repair and enhance these. There are also optional items players can use during the production process to increase the likeliness of success or to shorten crafting time, for example.

https://www.blackprophecy.com"

Microsoft and Lionhead today announced the launch of "Fable III Village Maker", a character creator which gives pre-order customers can create a villager.

"Your custom in-game villager will deliver to your hero a thrilling new quest and 1,000 gold fortune, and then continue to interact with you on your journey to become ruler of Albion. I think it's very important to stress the point that this is an exclusive quest and the only way to get it is by placing a pre-order!

Fans can utilize the tool to create a male or female villager with more than 2,000 different variations, including an enthralling backstory for the character, unique personality traits, clothing, accent, hairstyles and the region they hail from. Whether you create a valiant ally, an evil villain, or perhaps the perfect spouse, let your imagination run free as you make your mark in the fantastical world of Fable III.

The fun doesn’t stop there. With the Villager Maker, you’ll be able to save your character as a desktop wallpaper and share your creation with your friends on Facebook and Twitter to see who has the coolest design. Anyone can start designing, but transporting the villager into Fable III is a reward given only to fans who pre-order the game at participating retailers. A redeemable code will be provided that allows players to bring their character creation to life in Fable III when the game launches.

We've made a short video tutorial explaining the Villager Maker which you can find below. It includes never seen before game footage so be sure to check it out. You can find the Villager Maker on www.lionhead.com/Fable3VillagerMaker and you can place a pre-order for Fable III with your local and / or participating retailer, or follow this link to our order page."

Electronic Arts today announced that customers who purchase the Limited Edition of "Medal of Honor" will gain access to a "Battlefield 3" beta.

"The Limited Edition* features a host of weapons, powerful ammunition and camouflage. The weapons and camouflage give players a tactical gameplay advantage on day one. EA also announced today that people who own the Medal of Honor Limited Edition will receive an invitation to the beta** for another highly-anticipated EA shooter, Battlefield 3™. Battlefield 3 is the latest entry in the award-winning shooter franchise from DICE in Stockholm, Sweden.

 Medal of Honor Limited Edition also features special content out-of-the-box including the MP-7, a weapon utilized by real-world Tier 1 Operators in the field. With its light weight, high rate of fire as well as its ability to penetrate body armor, the MP-7 handles like a pistol yet allows targets to be engaged like a rifle. The Limited Edition also includes two powerful shotguns with custom slugs. These devastating shotguns and ammunition are ideal for close-range fights.

For the first time in its 11-year history, Medal of Honor leaves the WWII theatre and enters the modern setting of war-torn Afghanistan. The game is told through the lens of a small band of fictional characters. Medal of Honor introduces players to the Tier 1 Operator, an elite warrior and relatively unknown instrument of the U.S. Military that operates under the National Command Authority to take on missions no one else can handle.

Medal of Honor launches on Oct. 12, 2010 in North America and Oct. 15 in Europe for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system and PC. Follow the game on Twitter at: https://www.twitter.com/medalofhonor or become a fan on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/medalofhonor."

Deep Silver today announced that "Lost Horizon" has gone gold and is scheduled to be released on September 17.

"Also, the publisher revealed that, after playing Lost Horizon, adventurers will get to enjoy additional bonus contents, including a surprise puzzle and an opportunity to play parts of the original prototype.

Lost Horizon is the third title issued by Animation Arts, the developer of the award-winning Secret Files series. With its classic 1930s setting, fascinating locations such as Hong Kong, Tibet, Berlin, and Morocco, and the eventful search for one of humankind's greatest secrets, Lost Horizon is bound to have adventure fans glued to their PCs.

The story:
1936: Fenton Paddock, a former British soldier and hapless smuggler, is asked to find a lost expedition in Tibet. On his journey, he encounters Nazi henchmen who are following a trail through the Himalayas as they search for occult weapons to help with plans for further conquests, hoping to track down one of mankind's greatest secrets – the legendary Shambala.

For further information please visit https://lost-horizon.deepsilver.com or the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/losthorizongame."

Sony Online Entertainment today announced "EverQuest II: Extended", giving players the option of paying for a subscription model or a free-to-play model.

"Extended joins the highly successful EverQuest II live subscription service, and together, provide EQII  players with a choice of either a subscription-based or free-to-play business model — two distinct experiences operating in parallel, a first in the MMO industry!

“As the digital entertainment market evolves, SOE is focused on continued innovation in content delivery that best fit the needs of the growing consumer base,” said Sony Online Entertainment President, John Smedley. “Our goal with Extended is to offer players an alternative to our current subscription program that gives them the option to choose a program that best fits their play style.”

Extended provides access to premium subscription-quality content through free and optional paid membership levels.  Powered by an all-new web-based download application, new and veteran players alike can experience the excitement and depth of EQII’s content without a daunting installation or a massive download.  Players can register within minutes, download the client to join other people in an epic journey, and launch into adventure in a fantastical online 3D world.  Extended is the ultimate MMORPG experience.  Excitement with every breath and adventure around every turn is now available for free!

“The very nature of an MMO is change, and the decision to create Extended was fueled by evolution of the industry landscape,” said EverQuest II Producer, David Georgeson. “By offering two services side by side we have given the power to our players to determine the program that best fits their game play style.”

Extended players will finally experience the vast depth of content only available in EverQuest II without a subscription, credit card or software purchase. Extended will include free access to all EverQuest II game zones through The Shadow OdysseyTM. Players will be able to purchase power-up potions, armor, classes, races, weapons, mounts and more through the marketplace.

Both EverQuest II and Extended players will enjoy a plethora of recent user-interface improvements designed to improve functionality and game navigation. Players will experience a new and improved character progression through the Golden Path while creating their own legend with the Storyteller adventure journal that visually displays quest exploration. Additionally, both titles received a graphics quality update that gives a more realistic immersive experience to fully enjoy the beauty of Norrrath.

The Extended adventure includes the recently added New Halas, the ultimate starting zone with premium designed content for players levels 1-20. Extended also gives players quick and convenient game access through the web-based streaming download application that lets players get into the game quicker than ever before. Extended will also feature multiple tiers of service upgrade options that allow players to customize their gaming experience to fit their needs. Details of these options can be found at https://eq2players.station.sony.com/_themes/default/images/extended/membershipMatrix.jpg.

EQII Extended is scheduled for a beta launch on or around August 17, 2010. For more information on EQII Extended visit www.eq2extended.com and the FAQ is available at https://eq2players.station.sony.com/free_to_play/extended_faq."

The list of new PC game releases, DVD and Blu-Ray releases, and movies opening the week of July 26, 2010.

PC Games:

• Commander: Conquest of the Americas
• StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty

Movies Opening This Week:

• Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore
• Charlie St. Cloud
• Dinner for Schmucks
• Get Low (limited)
• The Concert (limited LA/NY)
• The Extra Man (limited LA/NY)

DVD and Blu-Ray Releases:

• Agatha Christie Hour Set 1
• Agatha Christie's Poirot: The Movie Collection, Set 5
• Appointment With Danger
• Batman: Under the Red Hood [Blu-Ray]
• Clash of the Titans [Blu-Ray]
• Crack in the World
• Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon [Blu-Ray]
• Dark City
• Don't Look Up
• Eclipse Series 22: Presenting Sacha Guitry [Criterion Collection]
• Fanboys [Blu-Ray]
• FIFA World Cup DVD Collection 1930-2006
• Hannie Caulder
• Ip Man
• Jesse Stone: No Remorse
• Operation: Endgame [Blu-Ray]
• Rambo [Blu-Ray]
• Rambo: The Complete Collector's Set [Blu-Ray]
• Repo Men [Blu-Ray]
• Sabrina the Teenage Witch: The Final Season
• Sgt. Bilko: The Phil Silvers Show – First Season
• Stargate Universe SG-U: 1.5
• The Art of the Steal
• The Australian Story
• The City: Season 2
• The Mothers-in-Law: The Complete Series
• The Only Way
• Union Station

Blizzard Entertainment today announced that "Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty" has been shipped and is on sale in North America, Europe, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and the regions of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau.

"StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty is the sequel to Blizzard Entertainment’s 1998 hit StarCraft, which has been hailed by players and critics worldwide as one of the top real-time strategy games of all time. Sporting a vibrant 3D-graphics engine, StarCraft II once again centers on the clash between the protoss, terrans, and zerg, with each side deploying legions of veteran, upgraded, and new unit types. Unparalleled online play for StarCraft II is available through a new version of Battle.net®, Blizzard Entertainment's world-renowned gaming service. Battle.net has been redesigned from the ground up to be the premier online gaming destination for Blizzard gamers, with several enhancements and new features, such as voice communication, cloud file storage, leagues and ladders, achievements, stat-tracking, and more.

“We've worked hard to deliver an epic continuation of the StarCraft story line as well as the ultimate competitive real-time strategy game with StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “Combined with the next-generation online environment of the new Battle.net, we believe players will agree that StarCraft II offers an experience unlike anything we've ever created, and we're excited to finally be able to share it with them.”

The solo campaign for StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty picks up the saga where it left off in StarCraft: Brood War®. The story line chronicles the exploits of marshal-turned-rebel-leader Jim Raynor and features both familiar faces and new heroes. Players can tailor the experience, choosing their own mission path and selecting technology and research upgrades to suit their playing style throughout the 29-mission campaign. Several challenge missions are also included, with focused goals designed to ease players into the basics of multiplayer strategies.

StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty is available on DVD-ROM for Windows® XP / Windows Vista® / Windows® 7 and Macintosh®. The standard edition sells for a suggested retail price of $59.99 and will also be available as of 10 a.m. PDT today as a digital purchase at www.starcraft2.com. The special Collector’s Edition package, available only at retail stores at a suggested price of $99.99, includes the following bonus items in addition to the game disc:

• The Art of StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, a 176-page book featuring artwork from the game
• An exclusive 2GB USB flash drive replica of Jim Raynor's dog tag, which comes preloaded with the original StarCraft and the StarCraft: Brood War® expansion set
• A behind-the-scenes DVD containing over an hour of developer interviews, cinematics with director’s commentary, and more
• The official StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty soundtrack CD, containing 14 epic tracks from the game along with exclusive bonus tracks
• StarCraft comic book issue #0, a prequel to the comic series
• A World of Warcraft® mini Thor in-game pet that can be applied to all World of Warcraft characters on a single Battle.net account
• Exclusive Battle.net downloadable content, including special portraits for your Battle.net profile, decals to customize your units in-game, and a visually unique version of the terran Thor unit

For more information on StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, visit the official website at www.blizzard.com/games/sc2/."