PC Game News

Perfect World Entertainment today announced that the closed beta for "Heroes of Three Kingdoms" has been launched.

"To celebrate our retelling one of history's greatest battles, Perfect World Entertainment is giving away some of the great prizes for players who participate in the closed beta. Players who redeem a closed beta key between now and July 27, 2010, will have a chance to win one of the following prizes: the latest Kindle DX Reader, a ViewSonic 22 Inch LCD monitor, a flip Ultra HD Camcorder, a Radeon HD 5750 1GB Graphics Card, an Apple iPod Nano 8 GB, one of three Razer laser mice, one of three Razer keyboards or one of eight DVD copies of John Woo's 'Red Cliff' movie.

"We're very excited to be offering our fans and players a chance to win some of the hottest technology products out there by just redeeming a closed beta key for Heroes of Three Kingdoms to experience one of history's greatest battles," said AJ Potter, Product Manager for Heroes of Three Kingdoms. "The battle of Red Cliff is a story that has endured the ages from the 14th century novel, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, written by Luo Guanzhong to the movie, 'Red Cliff', directed by John Woo. Good luck to all participants and we hope that you'll enjoy the story of Red Cliff, whether it's playing Heroes of Three Kingdoms , watching the movie or even reading the digital novel on an e-reader."

For more information about Heroes of Three Kingdoms or to sign up for the closed beta, please visit the official website at: https://hotk.perfectworld.com"

Perfect World Entertainment today announced that a closed alpha version of "Natural Selection 2" will be available to customers who have pre-ordered the special edition of the upcoming game on July 26.

"This special edition, which also gives players exclusive all-black marine armor, will not be available after that date. The introductory pricing will also end at that time and the regular edition price will increase (currently $20). Over 12,000 players have pre-ordered to date.

“We actively supported the original Natural Selection over a period of five years and 20 versions. We added 18 maps, new weapons, alien movement abilities and a new gameplay mode. Getting NS2 to a playable alpha state marks the beginning of a new journey for us – one that we intend to support just as much.”

“Instead of taking the big-company approach and not giving access to a game until it’s too late to make major changes, we wanted to give our fervent community early access so we can make the game the best it can be. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for our community and their support so it only seems right that we let them try NS2 at the earliest phase.”

About Natural Selection 2Natural Selection 2 is the sequel to the popular Half-life mod, Natural Selection, which was the most popular independent Half-life mod and was played by over 300,000 players for over 2 billion player-minutes. Natural Selection 2 is a online-only first-person shooter and real-time strategy hybrid. Players can play as marines, aliens or commanders and fight in atmospheric sci-fi environments.

We have released our simple game tools, SDK and our environment art to everyone that pre-ordered the game for testing, feedback and to jump-start community mapping. For more information about Natural Selection 2, please visit https://www.naturalselection2.com/."

The list of new PC game releases, DVD and Blu-ray releases, and movies opening the week of July 12, 2010.

PC Games:

• Disciples III: Renaissance

Movies Opening This Week:

• Inception
• The Sorcerer's Apprentice

DVD and Blu-Ray Releases:

• 8: The Mormon Proposition
• Black Cat: The Viridian Collection
• Chloe [Blu-Ray]
• Don't You Forget About Me
• Feeding The Masses – Horror Collection
• Film Noir Classic Collection, Vol. 5
• Greenberg [Blu-Ray]
• In Bruges [Blu-Ray]
• Insomnia [Blu-Ray]
• Jet Li 8 Film Set
• Mystery Science Theater 3000: XVIII
• Naruto Shippuden, Vol. 11
• Our Family Wedding [Blu-Ray]
• Psych: The Complete Fourth Season
• Saturday Night Live: The Best of Will Ferrell
• Saving Grace: The Final Season
• Shark Week: Jaws of Steel Collection
• Street Hawk: The Complete Series
• The Bounty Hunter [Blu-Ray]
• The Greatest
• The Greatest [Blu-Ray]
• The Lucy Show: The Official Second Season
• The Son / There Was a Father: Two Films by Yasujiro Ozu [Criterion Collection]
• The Super Hero Squad Show: Volume One
• The Ultimate Crime Spree Collection
• White Collar: Season One [Blu-Ray]

Bohemia Interactive today released an in-game trailer, showing off new features in "ARMA 2: Operation Arrowhead"

"Already available in stores, Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead introduces a range of new features, from authentically-modelled thermal imaging to an all-new optics system, alongside three new world maps comprising the fictional Central-Asian state of Takistan.

Next up in the series of video updates introducing the unique features of Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead is the High Command tutorial video, which showcases one of this unique mil-sim's lesser-known – but exciting – gameplay features. The walkthrough provides a sneak peek at the tutorial available in-game and demonstrates the simplicity of commanding larger groups of units; issuing direct orders, setting waypoints and conditions, and assigning the behaviour of groups of units. Getting to grips with the simple command interface is important, and doing so reveals an entirely distinct type of gameplay experience. High Command is a powerful tool, which puts you in dynamic control of the entire battlefield situation in a real time strategy viewpoint – with as much, or as little control, as you like.

Set in the new, visually attractive environment of rugged Central Asia, Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead offers a realistic combat simulation experience in a modern day setting with unprecedented freedom of movement, actions and tactics. Players have the opportunity to enlist into various roles within the US Army, from basic infantryman through to special operative, to pilots and tank crew equipped with hi-end military equipment such as thermal imaging and directly controlled UAVs, in this new installment in the award winning line of military simulators for PC from Bohemia Interactive.

Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead is available now! For all the latest information, please visit www.arma2.com"

Del Rey Books today announced that it will be publishing a novel based on the "DEUS EX" series, which will be titled "DEUS EX: THE ICARUS EFFECT".

"DEUS EX: THE ICARUS EFFECT is set in the complex and enthralling world of Deus Ex, a cyberpunk-style technological dystopia where all is not what it seems. In the not-so-distant future, the world is a place of great innovation and technological advancement… but also a place of chaos and conspiracy. New technologies push the limits of human potential, even while they threaten the very future of the world. And from the shadows, dark and secret powers are coming together to take control, intent on designs so large, so intricate, they will take decades to come to fruition. But when two unlikely heroes—Anna Kelso, a Secret Service agent, and Ben Saxon, a special-ops soldier—draw uncomfortably close to the truth, the choices they make here and now will alter the course of history… or usher in an age of darkness.

“We’re really pleased to be able to announce this new DEUS EX novel with Del Rey books,” said Andre Vu, Marketing Game Manager, Deus Ex. “The novel is set in the DEUS EX universe and there will be characters and story elements in it, that will overlap with our next videogame DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION, which we hope fans will be very excited about.”

DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION the game has recently been unveiled at E3 2010 in Los Angeles, where the game received over 25 award nominations from gaming media from around the world, securing 13 awards at the show.

DEUS EX: THE ICARUS EFFECT will release in North America and Europe in 2011, the book will also be available in many other countries around the world please keep an eye on the Official Deus Ex: Human Revolution website for further details."

Kalypso Media and Akella today released a demo for "Disciples III: Renaissance", giving players a chance to try out the upcoming strategy role-playing game.

"The demo will introduce players to the three races of Nevendaar with a comprehensive tutorial and the full first missions from The Empire, The Legions of the Damned and the Elven Alliance campaigns. In Disciple's fantasy world of Nevendaar, three powerful factions are on the hunt for a mystical object which has fallen from the heavens. This object will reward its finders with great power and help each faction achieve their specific goals in this mystical world."

The demo can be downloaded from AtomicGamer, BigDownload, FileFront, FileShack, Gamer's Hell, GameUpdates, or Worthplaying.

Valve today announced that the "Engineer Update" for "Team Fortress 2" has been released and is now available through Steam.

"The update introduces new maps, items, achievements, and more. For more information, please visit www.teamfortress.com/engineerupdate/"

Focus Home Interactive today announced an agreement with Larian to publish "Divinity II: The Dragon Knight Saga", which is currently scheduled to be released in October.

"Divinity II – The Dragon Knight Saga includes the original adventure “Ego Draconis”, and “Flames of Vengeance”, the Dragon Knight's new adventure that continues the epic story and adds dozens of hours of additional gameplay. Divinity II – Ego Draconis appears here as an entirely new and re-mastered edition with improved graphics and content that make the game even more beautiful and more impressive than ever before!

As for Flames of Vengeance, this new adventure brings players new quests, new creatures and many new items. Flames of Vengeance also benefits from all the graphical improvements made to Ego Draconis, and delivers a spectacular finale to the Dragon Knight Saga!

Divinity II – The Dragon Knight Saga offers an epic total of over 60 hours of gameplay and more than 180 original quests that combine into a fantastic role playing experience. We invite you to discover more about Divinity II – The Dragon Knight Saga throughout a series of new images, that offer a glimpse into the new adventure Flames of Vengeance.

Divinity II – The Dragon Knight Saga includes the complete and re-mastered adventure Ego Draconis, and the brand new adventure Flames of Vengeance. The game will be released in Europe in October 2010 on PC and Xbox 360."

Focus Home Interactive today announced "Cities XL 2011", an upcoming new sequel in the city building series.

"With Cities XL 2011, build and develop gigantic cities on realistic 3D maps, thanks to an incredible collection counting more than 700 buildings and unique structures. You are the virtual mayor and as such, you will need to find the right balance between economic development for your city, public transportation, housing, social services, leisure activities and even special events in town. Realism has been pushed a little bit deeper with larger cities, more realistic and more sophisticated than ever before!

Broaden your horizons!

Cities XL 2011 pushes its limits further: hundreds of new buildings and structures appear for a total of more than 700 constructions, leading the way for new building and combinations options never seen before in a City Builder. Many new maps are also available, for a total of 45 buildable maps. City management will offer the full experience thanks to the addition of public transportation (subway, bus) which will decongest downtown traffic while lowering pollution levels and increasing the population's satisfaction. A more elaborated tax system will let all apprentice mayors adjust personal and local business taxes. A new commercial user interface will permit trade between cities in single player mode if a player decides to develop several cities.

Thanks to these big novelties and to a lot of inspired improvements, Cities XL 2011 truly reaches a whole new dimension to please all City Builders’ fans"

Kerberos Productions today released an update for "Fort Zombie", bringing new weapons, properties, fixes and more to the action RPG.

"In addition to the vital gameplay improvements and bug fixes, you can avenge the flesh-hungry undead with new weapons and properties while encountering new missions and much more.

Update 1.0.7 features:

• 2 new guns and 3 new melee weapons
• New properties and missions including the dreaded corn maze and the Theater of Evil
• The incursion of Deadworld into our reality has caused small objects around Piety to gain magical properties
• Power of the Deadworld is now tracked by the time of nightfall – the earlier it falls, the more power they have
• Guns with tac lights now offer improved survival chances in the dark
• NPC engagement range commands
• New targeting instrument
• Improved NPC path finding
• Crash bugs are now fixed

Now is the perfect time to jump into all of the terrifying action of Fort Zombie. Fort Zombie is available through all major digital distribution channels for the suggested retail price of $9.99 and €9.99.

For more information, please visit: www.fortzombie.com"

Valve today announced the Enginner Update for "Team Fortress 2", which will be the largest single-class update.

"The update introduces new maps, items, achievements, and more.

Between now and Thursday, when the update is released, Valve is issuing Golden Wrenches to TF2 players. Every time Engineers "craft" (build) something in the game, they have a chance of getting a Golden Wrench. Every 25th Wrench awarded unlocks more info about the update. Visit https://www.teamfortress.com/engineerupdate/wrenchlog/ to track the Wrenches found.

For more information, please visit www.teamfortress.com/engineerupdate/"

The list of new PC game releases, DVD and Blu-Ray releases, and movies opening the week of July 5, 2010.

PC Games:

• Moonbase Alpha

Movies Opening This Week:

• Despicable Me
• Grease
• Great Directors (limited)
• Predators
• [Rec] 2 (limited)
• The Girl Who Played with Fire (limited)
• The Kids Are All Right (limited)

DVD and Blu-Ray Releases:

• A Single Man [Blu-Ray]
• Battlestar Galactica: Season 4.0 & 4.5
• Bitten
• Brooklyn's Finest [Blu-Ray]
• Chicago
• Columbia Pictures Film Noir Classics, Vol. 2
• Continental Divide
• Doc Martin: Series 4
• Dr. Giggles / Otis – double feature [Blu-Ray]
• ER: The Complete Thirteenth Season
• Eyeborgs [Blu-Ray]
• Game: Season Three
• Jason and the Argonauts [Blu-Ray]
• Jimmy Hollywood [Blu-Ray]
• Ladybugs [Blu-Ray]
• Last Man Standing / The Last Boy Scout – double feature [Blu-Ray]
• Legal Eagles
• Life on Mars (UK) – complete collection
• Lost Keaton: Sixteen Comedy Shorts
• Love and Other Disasters [Blu-Ray]
• Monk: Season Five & Six
• Practical Magic / The Witches of Eastwick – double feature [Blu-Ray]
• Project Runway Season 7
• Rhoda: Season Three
• Sci-Fi Movie Collection – box set
• Steamboat Bill, Jr. – 2 disc ed.
• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo [Blu-Ray]
• Twins

NASA today announced the release of "Moonbase Alpha", a free game available via Steam that gives players a chance to explore the moon in a futuristic lunar settlement. The game includes both a single and multiplayer component.

"Players must work to restore critical systems and oxygen flow after a meteor strike cripples a solar array and life support equipment. Available resources include an interactive command center, lunar rover, mobile robotic repair units and a fully-stocked equipment shed.

The game is a proof of concept to show how NASA content can be combined with a cutting-edge game engine to inspire, engage and educate students about agency technologies, job opportunities and the future of space exploration. Moonbase Alpha is rated "E" for everyone.

It is the first game in NASA's Learning Technologies project. The project supports the delivery of NASA content through interactive technologies such as virtual worlds, games and software applications to enhance science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, education.

Moonbase Alpha is a precursor to a planned NASA-based massively, multiplayer online game project. The project is being designed to have content and missions that require players to gain and demonstrate STEM knowledge to succeed.

NASA released the game on Valve's Steam network. The agency will use the Steamworks suite of services for server browsing, leaderboards, statistics and more. Steam has more than 25 million accounts and has released more than 1,100 games. It was built on Epic Games' Unreal Engine 3.The Army Game Studio developed the game with support from Virtual Heroes, a division of Applied Research Associates in Research Triangle Park, N.C. This collaboration between NASA and the Army's Aviation Missile Research Development and Engineering Center is an example of government agencies working together to improve education in the STEM fields.

For more information about Moonbase Alpha, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov/moonbasealpha"

Paradox and VSTEP today announced that "Shim Simulator Extremes" will ship with a multiplayer mode.

"The new multiplayer mode allows up to 24 players to take on the the elements in different vessels.  Sail online with your friends and fellow captains and take on your own freeroaming missions in the multiplayer mode. A Co-op mode is scheduled for release at a later date.

Your own imagination is the limit. In the multiplayer mode, you can tackle anything from oil rig explosions to rescue missions and work together as a unit – seeking to improve response time and efficiency. Salvage your friend’s distressed boat as the tugboat captain or seek assistance from other players in your quest to get into port on time. Missions that seem a daunting task to take on alone, can now be tried with the help from your online friends. 

“We are looking forward to have players sail together in the multiplayer mode of Ship Simulator Extremes. Players can use their imagination to create their own scenarios and take them on together. In most real life missions, a coordinated effort is required to tackle the toughest of situations. The multiplayer mode will allow players to do just that in Ship Simulator Extremes,” said Frank Dolmans, CMO at VSTEP.

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.

Follow the latest information about the game on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ShipSim and @shipsim on Twitter or visit the website: www.shipsim.com"

Funcom today announced a free 10 day trial for "Age of Conan: Rise of the Godslayer" for both active and inactive players.

"For inactive players, this offer also includes 10 days of free access to the core game. This is a great opportunity for everyone to try out the first ever expansion to the massively multiplayer online role-playing game ‘Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures’.

‘Age of Conan: Rise of the Godslayer’, the first expansion pack to the 2008 Best-Selling New MMO of the Year, has received universal critical acclaim, with medias such as PC Gamer, Eurogamer and MMORPG.com giving it a 8/10 score. StrategyInformer wrote in their review that the launch of the expansion “… may well mark the perfect time to jump into Conan’s low-fantasy world”, while Eurogamer.de gave it a 9/10 saying “… atmosphere and courageous design-decisions makes Age of Conan’s first expansion do almost everything right.”

“We are delighted to see how well the expansion has been received both among our own players as well as the worldwide gaming press,” says Morten Larssen, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Funcom. “After a full-scale release in retail and online the expansion has performed well in terms of both sales and traffic, and the activity on our servers has increased significantly in the last month. ‘Age of Conan’ has once again proven that it is truly one of the top MMOs on the market right now, and we remain dedicated to supporting it.”

The offer is available until July 15th and includes 10 days of free access to the expansion, as well as 10 days of free access to the core game for those with currently inactive accounts. All players have received a campaign e-mail, and can take advantage of the offer on their account page.

To learn more about ‘Age of Conan: Rise of the Godslayer’ visit https://www.ageofconan.com"