PC Game News

gamingo AG today announced that the "King of Kings 3" closed beta will begin on Monday.

"With the start of the game's closed beta testing phase this coming Monday, June 28, 2010, gamigo will be opening up the world of King of Kings 3 to players from North America and Europe, who can discover the incredible depth of the game and the many types of warfare available against other players and guilds. Players can register via the official website.

King of Kings 3 redefines the idea of guilds in an online RPG, expanding upon it greatly. Players first join together to form a guild, later they can band together with other guilds to form a legion and complete an epic quest to create their own kingdom. Every guild, legion, and kingdom is leveled up by the players, earning it more access to features of the game.

At the start of their adventuring career, players can choose from three basic classes. More specializations become available during the course of the game, with a total of 27 classes available to choose from. The hunters and gatherers among the players will be especially excited about the wealth of equipment available for their characters. An added appeal is the ability to build cities with a wealth of buildings and other objects available. Houses can also be built and decorated to suit each player's taste."

Valve announced a new "Perils of Summer" sale going on now, in which many top games are discounted.

"Through July 4, gamers will find massive savings on today's top releases, classic titles, and publisher catalogs. In addition, special 1-day sales will offer discounts up to 90% off regular prices. Don't get caught without your sunscreen, the savings are hot. For more information, please visit www.steamgames.com"

Valve sent word that "Counter-Strike: Source" has been released for the Mac platform, opening up cross-platform play with the PC.

"The #1 online action game in the world, Counter-Strike: Source (CSS) has received a major update and is available now for the Mac. CSS is a Steam Play title, so if you own it on the PC – you own it on the Mac. Besides PC Vs. Mac cross-platform play, this update also adds achievements, stats, engine updates and more.

To celebrate this launch, CSS is being offered at 66% off its regular price on Steam for a limited time.

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

Activision today announced that "Transformers: War for Cybertron", a third-person shooter by High Moon Studios, has been shipped.

"Complete with full online co-op and a variety of deep, competitive multiplayer modes including the ability to create your own TRANSFORMERS character for the first time ever in a video game, Transformers: War for Cybertron is the title fans have been waiting for.

"Transformers: War for Cybertron has absolutely been a passion project from day one, a true reimagining of the franchise that transports gamers straight to the core of the TRANSFORMERS universe," said David Pokress, Head of Marketing for Licensed Properties, Activision Publishing, Inc.  "Players will experience full online co-op along with several deep multiplayer modes while they can create their very own TRANSFORMERS character and compete head-to-head with their friends."

"Hasbro is thrilled to see the highly anticipated Transformers: War for Cybertron game come to market based on our iconic TRANSFORMERS brand," said Mark Blecher, General Manager and Senior Vice President of Digital Media & Gaming at Hasbro.  "Working closely with Hasbro, Activision has delivered an outstanding game that explores a story within TRANSFORMERS mythology that hasn't been explored this deeply before and will become canon within the lore.  This is truly an exciting format to experience a new, action-packed and visually stunning telling of an important part of TRANSFORMERS history."

Transformers: War for Cybertron takes players to the final moments of the grand civil war that will determine the survival of the entire TRANSFORMERS race.  Fans will be able to explore the TRANSFORMERS war-ravaged home planet in full 3D environments for the first time, armed with a diverse arsenal of high-tech weaponry and the ability to convert instantly from robot to vehicle form at any time as they engage in heart-pounding battles on land and in the air in this gripping, third-person action shooter.  Complete with several multiplayer modes, Transformers: War for Cybertron allows gamers to play through story missions with their friends in drop in/drop out online co-op, and also create their own TRANSFORMERS character for competitive head-to-head multiplayer modes, choosing among four distinct character classes, personalizing their character's look and selecting from a huge variety of weapons, skills and abilities.  Additionally, the game introduces Escalation, a four-player online co-op mode that allows gamers to fight together as their favorite AUTOBOTS or DECEPTICONS against increasing waves of enemies utilizing strong teamwork to survive.

Transformers: War for Cybertron is rated "T" (Teen – for Violence) by the ESRB and is available now on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC."

Square Enix announced the released of an update for "Just Cause 2" called "Tuk Tuk Boom Boom", enhancing the Tuk Tuk vehicle.

"It’s safe to say, there’s never been a ride quite like the Tuk Tuk Boom Boom. Pimped-out and pumped-up, this auto rickshaw rolls with style, grace and a roof-mounted weapon of mass destruction, capable of devastating even the most persistent of pursuers. Other features include heavily reinforced and multi-layered carbon fibre composite shielding, a polycarbonate laminated armour windscreen and quad front-mounted air horns.

The Just Cause 2 “Tuk Tuk Boom Boom” is available to download today for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Games for Windows®.

From today, players can also access all the downloadable items previously available only as pre-order promotional items.

You can find out more information on the official website at www.justcause.com."

Paradox Interactive today announced that "Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West" will now be hosted on dedicated servers.

"The transition to dedicated servers signals Paradox Interactive and developer Fatshark's continuing dedication to providing an optimized gameplay experience to fans of the adrenaline-fueled action and fast-paced gunfights found in Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West. While the gameplay will remain as crazy as ever, the servers will be more stable than ever before.

Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West Features:

• Four distinct playable characters with a multitude of strengths and weaknesses
• A diverse level-up system letting you adapt your character to each game round as it unfolds
• A multitude of different game modes and settings, all with a distinct feeling of the Old West
• Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West rewards players that play as a team through the incorporation of the Synergy system.
• Game modes and mechanics are designed to be easy-to-understand with a minimum of prerequisites

For more information on the game, please join the Lead & Gold Facebook fan page, visit www.leadandgold.com or follow the game on Twitter @leadandgold. "

The list of new PC game releases, DVD and Blu-Ray releases, and movies opening the week of June 21, 2010.

PC Games:

• Transformers: War For Cybertron

Movies Opening This Week:

• Grown Ups
• Knight and Day
• Restrepo (limited)
• Wild Grass (limited LA/NY)

DVD and Blu-Ray Releases:

• A Star is Born – deluxe ed.
• Afro Samurai [Blu-Ray]
• Avatar The Last Airbender: The Complete Book 1 – collector's ed.
• Checkmate: The Complete Series
• Close Up [Criterion Collection Blu-Ray]
• Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs [Blu-Ray]
• Death Race 2000
• Entourage: The Complete Sixth Season
• ESPN Films 30 for 30: Straight Outta LA
• Fuel
• Green Zone [Blu-Ray]
• Hung: The Complete First Season [Blu-Ray]
• Le Combat dans I'ile
• Nosferatu: Gothic Horror Collection Vol. 1
• Red Desert [Criterion Collection Blu-Ray]
• Remember Me [Blu-Ray]
• Riverworld [Blu-Ray]
• Rock Slyde Private Eye
• She's Out of My League [Blu-Ray]
• Stall on Salvador
• The Bourne Trilogy [Blu-Ray]
• The Good Guy
• The Last Station [Blu-Ray]
• Tom & Jerry – deluxe anniversary ed.
• Tromeo and Juliet [Blu-Ray]
• u2 – 360 degrees at The Rose Bowl – special ed.

We missed this announcement last week with all the E3 mess going on. Frozynbyte announced "Trine 2" last week at E3, an upcoming sequel to the side-scrolling action adventure game.

"Trine 2 takes the first game's beloved triad-the powerful knight, the swift rogue, and the crafty wizard-and puts them into an all-new adventure filled with more action, more puzzles, and the introduction of online support for the series's popular cooperative 3-person gameplay.

"The Trine series is a bastion of pure gaming fun," stated Aram Jabbari, Manager of Public Relations and Sales for Atlus, "Expanding upon what was considered one of the best cooperative multiplayer experiences in recent memory, Trine 2 introduces online cooperative support for up to three players, dramatically expanding the fun and appeal of the game's spectacularly rich action platforming. In addition, the unique traits and abilities of the three character types in Trine 2 mean more now than ever before, with enhanced skill trees and progression ensuring perfect balance. As a result, the game's new arsenal of thrilling physics-based puzzles delivers just as much challenge and satisfaction for a sole player as for three friends playing together."

Boasting sumptuous visuals, a masterful musical score, and clever physics-based gameplay, Trine 2 is the perfect mix of old-school platforming action, original physics-based level design, and cooperative multiplayer fun!

Trine 2 is currently scheduled for release Spring 2011 via digital distribution. Details regarding platforms and availability will be released soon. For more information, please visit https://www.trine2.com."

Flying Lab Software today announced that "Power & Prestige", the upcoming expansion, is scheduled to launch at the beginning of August.

"This expansion includes more than 60 new missions, 4 new factions, Port Governance and a new “brawling” combat school.

“With nearly 2 million ships sunk on the Burning Sea over the last 2.5 years, our players have been busy,” said Russell Williams, CEO of Flying Lab software.  “We have been listening to our players and incorporating their input as much as possible into this new expansion. We’re very proud of what we’ve achieved, as this expansion allows players to reach new levels of power and prestige!”
Pirates of the Burning Sea is an MMORPG featuring high-seas action and adventure in a bold world of pirates and plunder. Set against the backdrop of the New World of the 18th century, players can choose one of three nations — England, France or Spain — or choose the role of a Pirate to battle it out for glory and power. 

Power & Prestige expands upon the game’s already stalwart real-time Conquest system, allowing players to not only capture ports on behalf of their parent nations, but to also become a Port Governor with great economic and strategic influence.

Players can apply to take part in Flying Lab Software’s Power & Prestige™ beta program by visiting https://www.burningsea.com/page/ppbeta. New players will be able to apply once they pay for their first month of play, as an active subscription is required in order to access the beta server. "

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment released new screenshots and a trailer at E3 for "F.E.A.R. 3", giving viewers more of a look at the upcoming FPS horror sequel.

"F.3.A.R. continues the F.E.A.R. brand legacy, unleashing a paranormal horror first person shooter that delivers frenetic combat grounded in reality. F.3.A.R. evolves the brand, introducing Divergent Co-op for two players: deep, social gameplay that gives players distinctly different abilities that affect their own play as well as the experience of gamers they are playing with…or against. Players can take on the roles of Point Man, a genetically enhanced soldier with superhuman reflexes and the ability to manipulate time, or the undead spirit of his brother Paxton Fettel, a paranormal entity who possesses incredible psychic powers."

 2K Games released new screenshots and a trailer for "XCOM" at E3, giving viewers more of a look at the upcoming FPS by 2K Marin.

"XCOM is the re-imagining of the classic tale of humanity’s struggle against an unknown enemy that puts players directly into the shoes of an FBI agent tasked with identifying and eliminating the growing threat. True to the roots of the franchise, players will be placed in charge of overcoming high-stake odds through risky strategic gambits coupled with heart-stopping combat experiences that pit human ingenuity – and frailty – against a foe beyond comprehension. By setting the game in a first-person perspective, players will be able to feel the tension and fear that comes with combating a faceless enemy that is violently probing and plotting its way into our world.

XCOM is not yet age-rated. For more information on XCOM please visit www.XCOM.com"

2K Games released new screenshots and a trailer for "Spec Ops: The Line", giving viewers a look at the new revival of the old shooter series in development at YAGER.

"Currently in development at YAGER, Spec Ops: The Line is a provocative, cinematic third-person military shooter that challenges players’ own morality by putting them in the middle of unspeakable depravity where brutal life-or-death choices take them on a journey into the heart of darkness.

Spec Ops: The Line’s emotional narrative unfolds within the destroyed opulence of Dubai. Once a playground for the world’s wealthiest elite, now Dubai has been reclaimed by Mother Nature, buried underneath the most devastating sandstorm ever recorded. Spec Ops: The Line allows gamers to play as Captain Martin Walker, leader of an elite Delta Force team ordered to infiltrate the treacherous region and bring home U.S. Army Colonel John Konrad."

2K Games released new screens and a trailer for "Civilization V" at E3, giving viewers more of a look at the highly anticipated sequel by Firaxis.

"Sid Meier's Civilization V is the fifth offering in the multi-award winning Civilization strategy game series featuring the famous “just one more turn” addictive gameplay that has made it one of the greatest game series of all time."

2K Games released new screenshots and a trailer at E3, giving viewers more of a look at the upcoming sequel that's scheduled to be released at the end of August.

"From the developers of the award-winning Mafia comes Mafia II, a beautifully crafted look into the dark and unforgiving world of the Mafia where clothing, cars, music and advertising are meticulously created to replicate an American city in the ‘40s and ‘50s. Players will easily become engaged in the game’s cinematic, Hollywood-style experience with strong, believable characters in a living, breathing city that transports them to a time when rock-n-roll first strummed its guitar and chrome-plated hot rods roared down boulevards.

Powered by 2K Czech’s next-generation Illusion Engine built specifically for Mafia II, players will experience the true evolution of the game. Gunfights, hand-to-hand combat and vehicular exploration feature new depth and dimension that allow players to experience the world of Mafia II in a way that will keep them coming back for more."

dtp Entertainment released new screenshots from "Drakensang: The River Of Time" at E3, giving viewers a look at the upcoming RPG prequel by Radon Games.

"The prequel to Radon Labs's award winning RPG, Drakensang: The River of Time introduces a brand new story within the Drakensang universe. The new story brings many innovations and new game elements for experienced as well for first time players, who will jump right into the fascinating medieval fantasy RPG scenario of Drakensang: The River Of Time."