PC Game News

Electronic Arts today announced "Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam", an upcoming expansion by EA DICE that's scheduled to be released this winter.

"Fighting as either U.S. Marines or North Vietnamese Army (NVA), the hostile combat terrain of the Vietnamese jungle is brought dramatically to life via the Frostbite engine with a host of authentic vehicles and weapons with which to engage the enemy. The punishing jungles, powerful air invasions, and guerilla tactics of an unpredictable enemy deliver non-stop action in this sandbox environment, a signature design style of the award-winning Swedish studio. With more than 5M units sold, Battlefield: Bad Company 2 has been hailed as, “…a better game than Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2” by Seth Schiesel of The New York Times.

The Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam digital expansion pack takes all of the intensity, action and addictive gameplay of Battlefield: Bad Company 2 and ups the ante with enhanced persistence, new weapons, vehicles, unlocks, awards, achievements and trophies. Featuring four new maps playable in classic Battlefield modes including Conquest and Rush, Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam will be available worldwide this winter for the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC. Price will be announced at a later date.

Defined by its exceedingly intense vehicular warfare, destruction, variety of weapons and huge sandbox environments, Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is one of 2010’s top selling action games. The game is available in North America and Europe for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC.

For more information on DICE, please visit www.dice.se. For more information on Battlefield: Bad Company 2 please visit: www.battlefield.com. Or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/OfficialBFBC2. "

2K Games today announced that "Civilization V", the anticipated upcoming sequel in the series by Firaxis, is scheduled to ship in North America on September 21 and internationally on September 24.

"Sid Meier’s Civilization V reinvigorates the classic turn-based strategy genre with an astonishing new engine built from the ground-up for this flagship edition of the Civilization franchise. Players are introduced to a heightened tactical combat system; vast, realistic landscapes to explore; deeper diplomatic interactions; and an array of expanded features that deliver a fully immersive experience providing hours of entertainment as players build and defend their empire on their quest to become the greatest ruler the world has ever known. Additionally, the new in-game community hub allows Civ fans to share content and compete against each other without leaving the game, marking a new era that will forever change the “one more turn” addiction of the franchise. "

Focus Home Interactive today announced "Faery: Legends of Avalon", an upcoming role-playing / adventure game by Spiders Studio.

"Faery: Legends of Avalon is a Role Playing / Adventure game packed with an original and unique atmosphere, and a graphics design close to illustration. The game immerses players in a fantasy world inhabited by many colourful characters and magical creatures.

In Faery: Legends of Avalon, the player plays as an elf or a fairy that will evolve during the story, through numerous quests and epic turn-based battles. Throughout the adventure, the player will customize his avatar thanks to a unique system changing not only the whole look of the character in every detail, but also its spells and special abilities!

The player will recruit various companions during his journey to assist him in his mission, and he will be given the chance to explore mythical places full of magic such as the World Tree, the famous 'Flying Dutchman' ghost ship, and many others, in order to try to understand why the Kingdom of Avalon is dying. "

Valve today announced that "Team Fortress 2" has been released for the Mac platform via Steam.

"Like all the titles Valve have brought to the Mac platform, TF2 features Steam Play which allows gamers to make one purchase and play the game on both the PC and Mac. In addition, TF2 supports cross platform play — so Mac gamers can play against/with PC gamers.

Those who play TF2 on the Mac will receive a free set of "earbuds" for their player character. Purchase the game this weekend on either platform and save 50% off the regular price. Or, try it via the Team Fortress 2 Free Weekend happening now on Steam.

In addition to all the TF2-Mac goodness, a new single-player training mode has been rolled out for both PC and Mac.

For more information, please visit https://www.teamfortress.com/macupdate/"

1C Company today announced "Death to Spies 3", a new sequel in the stealth action series by Haggard Games.

"Once again players will meet Captain Strogov from the 4th department of the Soviet counterintelligence service named SMERSH. SMERSH literally stands for “Death to Spies” in Russian.

World War II finished over 20 years ago but counterintelligence services have no time to rest. The Cold War took espionage to a completely new level, more secretive and complex.

The new missions will be even more intense and dangerous, but this time Captain Strogov is not alone. Two new playable characters – Strogov’s comrades: Viktor Kovalev and Olga Godunova-Lopes, each with unique skills and abilities, will help him defeat the enemy. The storyline brings players to different cities in North America, Cuba and Europe.

Key features:

• Brand new engine with support for the latest graphic technologies
• The first game of the series to be featured on PC and Xbox 360
• New time setting – Cold War
• Travel across the globe including North America, Cuba and Europe
• Three playable characters with different skills and abilities
• Manually switch between characters at any time
• New special abilities to eliminate enemies
• New high-tech gadgets
• Spy sense – a special game mode to aid in making tactical decisions
• Different mini-games such as lock-picking, poisoning beverages, etc

More information about the game can be found at www.death2spies.com"

GamesCampus today announced that the closed beat for "Heroes in the Sky", the upcoming free-to-play MMO flight combat game, will begin tomorrow.

"To celebrate, GamesCampus is hosting a special event on June 10, where the first 10 users will win $100 in GamesCampus credit. Additionally, throughout the day, 100 random users will be chosen and
will win $10.

The aerial combat game features hundreds of exhilarating war planes and is scheduled to launch mid-summer 2010.  Players can enter to win a key for the closed beta testing with select partners. To grab a key or for more information, visit https://HIS.GamesCampus.com   

"We're excited to provide an opportunity for some lucky players to check out the closed beta testing stage of Heroes in the Sky," said David Chang, EVP of Marketing and Business Development for GamesCampus. "We know they're going to enjoy a WWII adventure where we've pulled out all the stops to make it a fun and exciting online aerial combat experience!"

Heroes in the Sky is an intense airborne MMOTPS that combines high impact PVE and fast paced PVP as it chronicles the events from the beginning to the end of World War II.  PVP combat is taken to a new level as players must not only worry about the basic dangers from the front, behind, and sides, but also from above and below. Heroes in the Sky is dog fighting at its finest; cannon fires, machine gun blasts, missiles, and bombs flood the skies as up to 16 players shoot it out for air superiority!  If that isn't enough, players will soar across the sky with WWII war planes. Cities to bomb, boats to sink, blimps to burst, and fighters to be torn asunder — all this and more unfold as players compete to become the top Ace in Heroes in the Sky. Heroes in the Sky will also feature some of the most famous WWII aircraft in history.  Players will choose from a variety of intense and realistic planes including both experimental and field tested all while reliving history and participating in intense aerial combat. 

The free-to-play game features fast-paced aerial combat that embodies the intense danger akin to WWII dogfights.  In Occupational War Game Mode, players will recreate critical battles of the European and Pacific front complete with WWII planes to help their side take control as they experience epic battles across the history of WWII from both sides!  Players will find an easy-to-use upgrade system to help tweak planes and become the ultimate airborne marauder along with additional modifications that will allow players to, not only jam the electronics of their opponent, but also let them keep their own engines cool during boosts.  Heroes in the Sky will give players a chance to relive history as they fly dozens of planes from WWII- both experimental and battle hardened –  that can be customized to meet their own creative standards."

NeoCore Games today announced "King Arthur: The Saxons", an upcoming expansion to the role-playing strategy game.

"King Arthur: The Saxons is a sandbox expansion where you lead the devoted warriors of Christianity, the Saxons against the tides of pagans and the gathering darkness.

King Arthur: The Saxons offers

• A brand new campaign with 30+ hours of gameplay where you take the role of the Saxon king. The campaign is set during the events of King Arthur: The Role-playing Wargame, but it follows a stand-alone story with a different ruler.
• A totally new gaming experience with the free sandbox gaming mode – the objectives are only strategic goals and not the compulsory elements that lead you through the background story.
• A complex diplomatic management:  you can establish diplomatic relations with your fellow kings and also with the guild of the outlaws, the Christian Church, the Sidhe, famous knights and brides-to-be.
• Customizable Victory Conditions: you can set your own goals for the endgame (the number of Provinces conquered, the number heroes gathered, Gold accumulated and many more)
• Customizable characteristics for the gaming environment: you can change the importance of magic in the world or the aggression level of the AI.
• 5 new unique heroes:  gather the knights who follow the traditions of Beowulf, the legendary monster-slaying champion.
• 3 new and unique unit types: the Guardians have many aspects, but they are all mighty and otherworldly warriors.
• 5 new units
• 10 new Hero Skills
• 5 new Unit Skills
• More than 30 unique artifacts (among them 5 sets of items that work more efficiently if collected)
• More than 30 unique diplomatic and battle quests."
   

ComputerExpert and Digital Interactive Systems today announced an agreement to bring the Sharkoon X-Tatic gaming peripherals and hardware to North America. Stay tuned for an upcoming review of the digital headset, which should be posted here in about a week.

"Sharkoon has recently introduced and seen enormous success in the European and Asian markets with their unrivaled platform: X-Tatic: the Dolby certified X-Tatic Digital. The headset Sound Control Unit and cable adapter can be attached to practically all analog and digital audio sources, PC, Mac, Home-theater, DVD player, Xbox 360 , and PlayStation 3.

"We are delighted to distribute the Sharkoon Family of products and are thrilled to lead with the X-Tatic Digital Headphones.  We are looking forward to bringing their other excellent family of products to Market," stated Joseph Konowiecki, CEO of Digital Interactive Systems Corp.

Johannes Schneider, CEO of Sharkoon, is also excited about the partnership with CompuExpert.  "After the Sharkoon X-Tatic had already found such a large appeal with European and Asian consumers, we wanted to roll out the North American Market.   As the leader of specialized Distribution within the gaming domain, we have found our ideal partner in CompuExpert."

"The Sharkoon X-Tatic digital is simply the best sounding and most innovative pair of headphones I've ever used. They are well built, perform equally well across the board and support just about any device you can think of. Along with this, they actually offer a new technology as well, that being 'self contained non-algorithm based 5.1 sound,"  stated  James Vozar of Tweak Town, a leading technology site.

"Compuexpert will be showcasing Sharkoon's X-Tatic family of products including, X-Tatic Digital, X-Tatic SP for PS3, and X-Tatic SX for Xbox 360 at E-3 in the South Hall, booth # 629.  Contact CompuExpert for a private showing of the X-Tatic Digital where you will have a true gaming experience.The Sharkoon X-Tatic Digital is immediately available for the retail price of $159.99. For more information, please contact CompuExpert at: www.compuexpert.com"

In a creative and humorous note, Aperture Science sent word that "Portal 2" has been delayed to 2011.

"Aperture Science, doing business as Aperture Laboratories LLC, in partnership with Valve today announced the successful completion of an ethics-review-panel-supervised release date restructuring process. Portal 2, the sequel to the ground-breaking title that earned over 30 Game of the Year awards despite missing its original ship date, is now targeted for a 2011 release.

Representatives from both companies acknowledged that public safety concerns factored into the decision. They went on to say that even though Portal 2 will arrive slightly later than planned, all life on earth won't instantaneously stop as every molecule in your body explodes at the speed of light, which is what would happen should a rip ever appear in the fabric of Valve Time.

"Also, the game will be even better," they added, missing an historic opportunity to create the first product delay press release to mention that a product is being delayed to make it worse."

The list of new PC game releases, DVD and Blu-Ray releases, and movies opening the week of June 7, 2010.

PC Games:

• Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands
  

Movies Opening This Week:

• Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work (limited)
• The A-Team
• The Karate Kid
• Winter's Bone (limited LA/NY)

DVD and Blu-Ray Releases:

• 180 Degrees South [Blu-Ray]
• Before & After Stonewall
• Bleach Uncut Box Set: Season 5 – The Assault
• Bob Hope: Thanks for the Memories Collection
• Caddyshack [Blu-Ray]
• Cinema Pride Collection
• Coach
• Curb Your Enthusiasm: The Complete Seventh Season
• Family Matters: The Complete First Season
• From Paris with Love [Blu-Ray]
• Ghostwriter: Season One
• Happy Together [Blu-Ray]
• Jackie Chan & The Karate Kids 8 Film Set
• Jim Henderson's Dog City: The Movie
• Monty Python: Not the Messiah [Blu-Ray]
• Neil Young Archives 1 (1963-1972)
• Nip/Tuck: The Sixth and Final Season
• Oceans
• Shaun the Sheep: One Giant Leap for Mankind
• Shinjuku Incident
• Shutter Island [Blu-Ray]
• Starstruck: Got to Believe
• Stigma
• Tales of the Gold Monkey: Complete Series
• The A Team: The Complete Series
• The Cry of the Owl
• The Illusionist [Blu-Ray]
• World Is Out
• Z-Rock: Season 2

1C Company today announced the development of "Men of War: Vietnam", a new sequel in the real-time strategy series.

"The new, story-driven campaign lets you taste the explosive mix of the jungle, Hueys and rock-n-roll in 1968.

During this conflict the US troops were using not only new weapons, but new tactics as well. The war in Vietnam became the first military conflict where helicopters played a significant role, and this is one of the major features of this game.

The campaign is 10 missions and focuses on a team of elite special ops soldiers, and each one of them has a personality. The unit includes Sergeant John Merrill, machinegunner Jim Walsh, sniper Sonny Armstrong, grenade launcher operator Carl Dillan and combat engineer Bill Kirby. In some missions they can count only on themselves, while in the others they act together with regular US and South-Vietnamese troops.
Missions in Men of War: Vietnam range from special operations (rescuing a shot-down pilot, escorting a reporter, etc.) to full scale battles.

Key features

• The new campaign tells the story of the US special ops team in the Vietnam War
• Breathtaking missions including an ambush on the Ho Chi Minh trail, a game of cat and mouse in the Mekong Delta, raids into Cambodia and Laos, bridge defense during the Tet offensive and more
• New weapons and units: M-16, T-54, M-113, Patton III, M-60, AK-47, M-14, RPG-2,

M-72 LAW, RPK and many more

More information about the game can be found at https://www.menowargame.com"

Meridian4 today announced that "ARMA 2: Operation Arrowhead" has gone gold and is scheduled to be released on June 29.

"Built upon over 10 years' experience, Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead thrusts gamers into the heart of the most realistic military combat simulation ever developed, featuring cutting edge technology, vast, detailed environments and authentically modeled units, weapons and vehicles.  On June 29, current owners will be able to pick-up the standalone expansion pack, while new comers to the series will be able to purchase Arma 2: Combined Operations, a bundle that includes both the original Arma 2 and Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead.

“Bohemia has done an exceptional job of listening to their vast fan base and implementing a variety of new features that they’ve been yearning for,” said Steve Milburn, Marketing Director, of Meridian4.  “We’re very excited to deliver this one of a kind experience to both current and new users when it releases at the end of the month worldwide.”

Bohemia’s CEO, Marek Spanel, comments: “We're very proud to have finally finished work on Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead. Despite being labeled as a standalone expansion pack, the amount of content we have produced for Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead constitutes a full game by any reasonable measurement, and we’re certain that once players get their hands on it on the 29th of June, they won’t be disappointed.”

The action resumes in Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead three years after the conflict in Chernarus, portrayed in the original Arma 2. A new flashpoint in the Green Sea region heats up and coalition forces led by the US Army are sent to Takistan to quickly restore peace and prevent further civilian casualties.

In Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead’s all-new single-player and multiplayer campaigns, players will experience new large-scale maps, and new simulation features that include new radio chatter and languages, controllable Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, thermal imaging, decoy flares and smoke screen cover.  Additionally, owners of the original Arma 2 will now be able to utilize Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead’s new weaponry, vehicles and factions in the multiplayer mode of Arma 2, breathing new life into the battle.

Both Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead and Arma 2: Combined Operations will be available on June 29 for $39.99 and $49.99 respectively.  For more information on Arma 2: Operation Arrowhead, please visit: https://www.arma2.com/arrowhead/arrowhead.html. "

Square Enix today announced "Dungeon Siege 3", an upcoming sequel to the series in development at Obsidian Entertainment.

"With input from the original developer, Gas Powered Games®, Obsidian Entertainment will develop the next incarnation of the DUNGEON SIEGE franchise with Square Enix as the game’s publisher. Coming for the first time to high-def home video game consoles, DUNGEON SIEGE 3 will be available for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, the Xbox 360®  video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and Windows PC.

DUNGEON SIEGE 3 is representative of Square Enix’s ongoing strategic partnership with Western game developers and its commitment to increasing its presence in those markets. The game will bring together the beloved aspects of the DUNGEON SIEGE franchise with Obsidian Entertainment’s expertise, to create an evolved action-RPG experience. In addition to its arrival on high-def consoles for the first time, the game will also feature an all-new co-op multiplayer mode.

Originally created by Chris Taylor and his critically-acclaimed studio Gas Powered Games, Taylor will serve as an advisor during the development of the game. DUNGEON SIEGE 3 will seamlessly blend intuitive action gameplay and a robust RPG system in an immersive world where every decision the player makes will result in consequences.

On his involvement, Taylor comments, “It has been a great pleasure to collaborate with Obsidian. They are a very talented developer who really knows what it takes to build a deep and engaging RPG experience, and I can’t think of a better group to continue the Dungeon Siege series”.

“It’s a distinct privilege and thrill to become a part of the DUNGEON SIEGE legacy,“ said Feargus Urquhart, CEO and Co-Founder of Obsidian Entertainment. “This partnership with Square Enix is a milestone for both Obsidian and the franchise, and the two companies’ strengths for compelling characters and storytelling will shine throughout DUNGEON SIEGE 3.”

“Square Enix is proud to partner with Obsidian Entertainment for DUNGEON SIEGE 3,” said Mike Sherlock, Co-Chief Operating Officer, Square Enix Europe. “The company has a history in making some of the most immersive and entertaining videogames and is a perfect fit to take the franchise forward and create a new benchmark for the action-RPG.”

About DUNGEON SIEGE 3

Story

Torn asunder, the delicate balance of power between the kingdom of Ehb's powerful factions has fallen apart. As one of the few remaining members of the disgraced protectors of the land, the 10th Legion, it is up to you to rebuild the once great Legion and stop Ehb from falling into darkness. Joined by a group of unique companions, you will travel through the striking land of Ehb defeating all manner of villains and beasts through a combination of heroic abilities, screen shaking magic and fearsome weapons.

DUNGEON SIEGE 3 seamlessly blends intuitive action gameplay, a robust RPG system featuring a large selection of abilities, an extensive multiplayer component and the depth of story Square Enix and Obsidian Entertainment are known for creating.

Features

• For the first time, play DUNGEON SIEGE on high-def consoles
• Players will be able to adventure by themselves or with friends in co-op multiplayer
• Uncover a deep story that only Square Enix and Obsidian Entertainment can deliver
• Pick from unique and highly customizable character classes with a wide range of abilities to choose from
• Recruit companions with unique personalities, abilities and views on the world around them
• Players will have weighty decisions to make that will impact their alliances, enemies and the culmination of the story"

THQ today announced "Red Faction: Armageddon", a new sequel in the series by Volition, which is scheduled to be released in March of next year.

"Red Faction®: ArmageddonTM moves beneath the surface of Mars as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As Darius Mason, players fight to save humanity from an even greater evil that threatens to extinguish all life on the planet.

Leveraging Volition's groundbreaking Geo-Mod 2.0 technology, Red Faction®: ArmageddonTM offers never-before-seen physics-based weaponry that redefines gameplay in the shooter genre. Utilizing Darius' Nano Forge abilities, players are presented with a wealth of new strategic options including reconstruction technology and the Magnet Gun in their battle to save humanity. From lava tubes to ice caves, gamers will discover a new playground for epic battles in both the single-player campaign and multiplayer co-operative modes.

About Red Faction: Armageddon

Half a century after the Red Faction resistance freed Mars, the red planet again becomes a battleground. Colonists struggle for survival in the underground mines after the surface is rendered uninhabitable. When Darius Mason, grandson of revolution heroes Alec Mason and Samanya, unknowingly releases a long-dormant evil, Armageddon is unleashed on Mars. As settlements are torn asunder, only Darius and the Red Faction can save mankind. The battle will take them to the core of the storm-blasted planet through ice caves and lava flows until they are face to face against the unspeakable threat. Red Faction: Armageddon expands on the critically acclaimed, best-selling franchise with new, groundbreaking challenges. You are humanity's last hope for survival."
 

This certainly may not be legitimate but it might be worth posting. A teaser poster with the title "Freeman" has appeared on twitpic with the date June 14 and a barely visible image of the G-man's face below. Valve did cancel the Portal 2 event that was scheduled for the 14th and promised a surprise, which might make fans of the series somewhat hopeful. We haven't heard anything about the "Half-Life" series for quite a while now and E3 would certainly be the event to break the news. I guess we'll have to wait and see.