PC Game News

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today announced that "The Lord of the Rings Online" will adopt a free to play model in the Fall.

"Extending its award-winning story, LOTRO delivers the ultimate adventure featuring a massive world with 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.

Launching this fall across North America and Europe, with Codemasters operating the game free-to-play in Europe, LOTRO will introduce Turbine’s innovative new pricing model that allows players to download the game and play for free, purchase expansions, quest packs, items, and account services a la carte from the new LOTRO Store, or join the VIP program to get unlimited access to all of the game’s content for one low price. Players interested in getting a sneak peek of the new LOTRO can sign up for a chance to participate in the Beta program which begins June 16, 2010 at https://www.lotro.com.

“Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment is bringing quality games based on The Lord of the Rings to multiple platforms, and the franchise’s expansive adventure story lends itself perfectly for LOTRO free-to-play, giving a wide range of players the opportunity to experience the game,” said Jeff Junge, Senior Vice President Online Games and Digital Games Platforms, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “We are focused on expanding our game franchises onto new digital platforms to maximize quality experiences for gamers worldwide and LOTRO’s new model is a great leading example of this.”

“Turbine’s Dungeons and Dragons Online®: Eberron UnlimitedTM was the world’s first truly premium free-to-play online game that ushered in a new era of choice for online gamers seeking quality entertainment,” said Jim Crowley, President and CEO of Turbine. “The popularity of DDO validated the extraordinary demand by gamers for quality entertainment they can experience at their own pace and within their budget. Extending free-to-play to LOTRO will offer another premium game to a broad spectrum of fans.”

“Having successfully taken two titles free-to-play in the past we are very pleased to be doing the same with The Lord of the Rings Online in Europe,” said David Solari, Vice President and General Manager of Codemasters Online. “It’s a fantastic, award-winning game with a wonderfully realized world and this step will only broaden its appeal and increase its player base.”

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."

Focus Home Interactive today released a new teaser trailer for "Pro Cycling Manger 2010", giving viewers a look at the upcoming sequel by Cyanide Studio.

"For its tenth edition, Pro Cycling Manager/Tour de France 2010 features a brand new graphic engine. In order to provide a more realistic and a more intense experience, the game features high resolution textures and a new handling of the flora, which is now more luxuriant and diverse. Many advanced visual effects complete the ultimate rendering of the game: the bloom effect simulates image exposure to light, the depth of field enhances the focus of the TV cameras that follow cyclists during each race, while the motion blur simulates speed.

But all these improvements shouldn’t make you overlook that Pro Cycling Manager/Tour de France 2010's evolutions are not limited to the race. Many novelties are also implemented on the manager part of the game: a new Season mode, numerous challenges, performances and official historic records to beat, or even a new stage editor to create your stages in great detail! Without a doubt, 2010 will be a big year for Pro Cycling Manager!"

THQ today announced that "Company of Heroes Online", the free-to-play micro transaction RTS by Relic, will be making its way to North America this fall.

"Developed by THQ’s Relic Entertainment studio, creators of the award-winning Company of Heroes and Dawn of War franchises, Company of Heroes Online is an online multiplayer real-time-strategy game that is free to download and play. Building on the frenetic Real-Time-Strategy action of the original Company of Heroes, Company of Heroes Online offers army specialization, commander customization, and persistent progression, allowing players to strategize on and off the battlefield. Players will also have the opportunity to earn or purchase special units and upgrades and improve their army with each and every multiplayer victory.

Travis Plane, Vice President of Global Brand Management commented, “We are delighted to bring this award-winning franchise to gamers in a whole new way with the online version of the Company of Heroes experience. Players will benefit from the persistent upgrades and the ability to tailor their armies to really suit their play style making this a unique experience for everyone.”

About Company of Heroes Online

The critically acclaimed real-time strategy game, Company of Heroes, will be available as a unique free-to-play micro-transaction online multiplayer experience. Take command of your company as you wage online warfare across the ravaged battlefields of World War II-era Europe. Choose from one of six different divisions, from the brutal German Blitzkrieg to the deadly efficient Allied Airborne, each with its own combat style and unique Commander Abilities. Customize your army and enter each battle with your own unique set of battle-tested Heroes, upgrades, and devastating Commander Abilities. Become the ultimate military commander as you unlock new abilities with every conflict and build your army with every victory. For more information about Company of Heroes Online, please visit https://www.companyofheroes.com."

A countdown on the TotalWar.com that has since ended revealed "Shogun 2: Total War", a new sequel in the strategy series by Creative Assembly. A video is available on the official site.

"In 2000, the Creative Assembly re-invented the strategy genre with Shogun: Total War, an unprecedented blend of 3D real-time battles and turn-based management game and the first offering in the multi-award winning series. With over 7 million units sold and universal acclaim from the press and community, Total War has consistently been at the cutting edge of the genre and is today one of the most successful PC franchises of all time.

In 2011, the makers of Rome and Empire: Total War will release the sequel to the game that started it all. Shogun 2: Total War will take long-time veterans and newcomers alike to the next level of strategy gaming on PC. Based on 10 years of experience in making Total War, Shogun 2 is the perfection of the series with a new Artificial Intelligence (AI), revolutionary multiplayer modes, brand new campaign map options and epic 3D real-time battles.

It is the middle of the 16th century in Medieval Japan. The country, once ruled by a unified government, is now split into many warring clans. The player takes on the role of one Daimyo – the clan leader – and will use military engagements, economics and diplomacy to achieve the ultimate goal: re-unite Japan under his supreme command and become the new Shogun – the undisputed ruler of Japan.

Set during the golden age of Samurai warfare, Shogun 2 brings to life the most turbulent period of Japanese history.

Total War redefined:

Shogun 2 is the ultimate refinement of the original formula with a new, cutting-edge AI, more polish and online functionality than ever before. The result is the perfect mix of real-time and turn-based strategy gaming that invites both veterans of Total War and new players to experience the enjoyment and depth of the series.

New character progression:

Choose from 9 different clans and compete on and offline for the undisputed supremacy of Medieval Japan. Gain experience to level up your own character-warlord as well as your generals and agents.

A complete single and multiplayer offering:

Play through the Main Campaign in single player or invite a friend online to play competitively or cooperatively in Campaign Multiplayer mode. Join 8-player multiplayer battles with your own upgradable avatar and climb the online Leaderboard to show the world who reigns supreme. Also including exciting new modes of team play for clans, a first in the Total War series.

New Generation AI system:

Developed according to Sun Tzu’s principles in the Art of War, the Artificial Intelligence constantly analyzes its situation and reacts to your every move with greater precision and variety.

Improved land and naval battle gameplay:

Land battles never felt so realistic with new multi-staged castle sieges and terrain features changing according to the weather and time of the day – turning each engagement into a tactical challenge. Set buildings on fire to force garrisoned troops out and use your units’ special abilities to turn the tide of the battle. Naval combat also offers more variety with the addition of coastal battles. Islands can work as effective cover for your ships, while sand bars and reefs can be used as traps against an enemy fleet.

Accessible and in-depth empire-building gameplay:

A streamlined User Interface makes management of your kingdom much easier. Build and govern cities, recruit and train troops, conduct diplomacy and manage your agents – each feature is now introduced with comprehensive tutorials, gradually revealing the depth of the Shogun 2 campaign map – the heart and soul of the Total War experience."

Focus Home Interactive today revealed the norse team in the upcoming "Blood Bowl: Legendary Edition", which is scheduled to be released at the end of the year.

"Coming from the Old World's coldest lands, the Norse have proudly made a stadium from their own lands available for the new Blood Bowl season! Make sure you take warm clothes, as it is a snow-covered, outdoor pitch! Norse teams are composed of real heavy-hitting warriors. Although their teams include traditional ‘ball-handling’ players such as throwers, blitzers and runners, the Norse feel more comfortable in all-out assaults utilizing their brutish Ulfwerners. They aren’t afraid to block even the strongest of opponents! And if their natural berserk playing style is not enough to take down a particularly tough opponent, they can still count on a little helping hand – or huge helping claw to be more precise – from the Yhetees, shaggier, fiercer and much wilder than many of the big-guys from other teams!

A brutal team sport unfolding in a fantasy world based on Warhammer and American football, Blood Bowl is an incredible, brutal game in which no holds are barred as you lead your team to the Blood Bowl final! Blood Bowl: Legendary Edition is the ultimate Blood Bowl edition! 11 new playable races join the 9 races already available in the 2009 edition: Undead, Amazon, Ogres and 9 other races enter Blood Bowl's tournaments. All 20 races have their personal style, tactics and unique skills which give each game a diversity rarely seen in a strategy game. New and more impressive stadiums welcome all these new teams: from the snowy Norse stadium to the creepy interior of a crypt, a change of scenery is guaranteed!

A new Story mode is also introduced, in which players will play as a freelance coach. They will have to lead several famous teams and take up many challenges through a story revealing the origins of Blood Bowl, the Old World and its many races that relentlessly compete with each other in merciless games. A newly scripted tutorial will teach all new comers everything they need to know about coaching a Blood Bowl team! In order to stay as close as possible to the official rules, many additions and updates have been made to better match the latest Blood Bowl Rulebook, used in all official board game official tournaments.

Blood Bowl: Legendary Edition is planned for release on PC Q4 2010. "

The list of new PC game releases, DVD and Blu-Ray releases, and movies opening the week of May 31, 2010.

PC Games:

• Aplha Protocol
• The Sims 3 Ambitions

Movies Opening This Week:

• Get Him to the Greek
• Killers
• Marmaduke
• Ondine (limited)
• Splice

DVD and Blu-Ray Releases:

• Alice in Wonderland [Blu-Ray]
• Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Vol. 7
• Band of Brothers with The Pacific Part One – set [Blu-Ray]
• Burn Notice: Season Three
• Change of Habit [Blu-Ray]
• Clint Eastwood Collection – set
• Drop Dead Diva: The Complete First Season
• Elvis 75th Birthday Collection
• For My Father
• Kelly's Heroes/Where Eagles Dare – double feature [Blu-Ray]
• Life (narrated by David Attenborough [Blu-Ray]
• Life / Planet Earth Collection
• Madigan
• Pale Rider [Blu-Ray]
• Peanuts: 1970's Collection, Vol. 2
• Rescue Me: Complete Fifth Season
• Stranger
• The Man From Laramine / The Desperadoes
• The Man with No Name Trilogy [Blu-Ray]
• The Red Baron [Blu-Ray]
• The Three Musketeers/The Four Musketeers – set
• The Three Stooges Collection
• The Wolfman [Blu-Ray]
• U2: 360 Degrees at the Rose Bowl [Blu-Ray]
• War of the Worlds [Blu-Ray]

SEGA today announced that "Alpha Protocol" has been shipped to retail stores.

"The long awaited espionage title, developed by world-renowned studio Obsidian Entertainment, takes the role-playing genre into the murky, deadly underworld of terrorism and sinister conspiracies.

In Alpha Protocol the player is Michael Thornton, a rookie spy tasked with tracking down a group of fanatical terrorists behind a tragic missile attack on a passenger jetliner. Soon though, Thorton discovers there are much more devious forces at work, and before he realizes it, he is pulled into a dark and dangerous conspiracy orchestrated by ruthless, corrupt businessmen determined to control the fate of the world. He must use every tool and skill at his disposal to stop a cartel hell bent on shaping the world as they see fit.

Thornton has access to the latest in military weaponry and possesses tremendous raw physical and mental capacities, but it’s completely up to the player to develop his abilities and determine how he interacts with every character in a vast, exotic real world locales. Alpha Protocol breaks new ground in gaming with the implementation of a decision-based mechanic where the player’s every action and choice shapes the outcome of the game and its constantly evolving story. No two players will experience the game in the same way.

“Alpha Protocol tweaks the RPG formula in a way that makes the world lifelike and ultimately unforgettable,” said Mike Hayes, CEO of SEGA of America and SEGA Europe. “For the first time in videogames, players will feel like they are a real spy, where fooling an enemy operative is every bit as life-or-death as explosive firefights. Obsidian has delivered a game that points to a new direction for the genre.”

Alpha Protocol is available now. For more information visit www.alphaprotocol.com."
 

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today released new screenshots and a trailer for "F.E.A.R. 3", giving viewers a look at Paxton Fettel.

"The new trailer features more gameplay footage and dives deeper into the F.E.A.R. 3 story.

Set to release on the Xbox 360, PS3, and Windows PC, F.E.A.R. 3 is a heart-pounding paranormal horror first person shooter unleashing intense combat, compelling narrative and co-op play that evolves the franchise. Alma returns in F.E.A.R. 3 but this time her sons Point Man and Paxton Fettel are characters available to play in divergent co-op, giving players distinctly different abilities affecting their own play as well as the experience of their co-op partner. Gamers participate in single player or co-op modes as Point Man, and they can play cooperatively as his conniving brother Paxton Fettel whose incredible telekinetic power has given him life beyond the grave.

The game is developed by Day 1 Studios, developer of the original F.E.A.R. console games in collaboration with Monolith Studios."

Focus Home Interactive today announced that "World of Battles", the free-to-play MMORTS by Frogwares, has been launched.

"Nine races fight a terrible combat in a medieval universe to control the world. Choose your side, recruit, train and equip units in order to create a powerful army able to face online opposing armies created by other players.

Take part in huge battles in order to establish yourself as a the supreme War Lord and progress in the online World of Battles' rankings. Players will be free to connect for quick play or to participate in one of the many official competitions of World of Battles.

Before launching into your first battles, you'll need to prepare your fighting troops. If you don't, your army will surely take a beating. A very high level of customization for your army is available. Equip your units with better weapons and armors and watch their effects on the battlefield!
The management gameplay then switches to pure real time strategy. Take command of your armies and show everyone who's the greatest War Lord in the desolated lands of World of Battles. You can also join friends to confront other clans in titanic and epic wars in which tactics and team work will be essential to claim victory.

World of Battles is free and accessible to all in order to allow a greater number to share an intense, and truly unique online gaming experience."

The 1.41GB game client is mirrored on AtomicGamer, FileFront, FileShack, or Worthplaying.

Electronic Arts today announced that "Need for Speed World" is scheduled to launch on July 20.

"Need for Speed World will be available as a free client download at world.needforspeed.com. The free client gives gamers a taste of the action with access to all races, pursuits and career progression up to level 10.

Players who pre-order Need for Speed World will have a one-week headstart to the game on July 13th, with increased Rep (XP) gain for the duration of the headstart event and guaranteed access to all upcoming Need for Speed World beta events. Finally, players will also be able to reserve their driver names in advance of the game going live and have VIP status permanently displayed in their driver profile. Pre-orders are available now at eastore.ea.com or at participating digital retailers nationwide.

Need for Speed World brings together best in class action racing with an unparalleled social experience. Players can compete against any one of their friends, family or pick from thousands of top ranked players to challenge in intense online battles and police pursuits across 150 miles of sprawling open world. Need for Speed World combines new content with the most popular cities from Need for Speed Most Wanted and Need for Speed Carbon to create the biggest, most exciting race world ever released in the Need for Speed universe.

Need for Speed World is being developed by Black Box, an Electronic Arts studio. Need for Speed World will be available on July 20, 2010. More information and details on the beta test can be found at world.needforspeed.com or follow us on Twitter at NeedforSpeed."

1C Company today announced "Men of War: Assault Squad", an upcoming stand-alone expansion that features a new co-op skirmish mode, which is scheduled to be released in Q3 of this year.

"The expansion pack will deliver fans and newcomers an intense new WW2 spectacle with almost limitless replayability.

What makes the new skirmish game mode so unique?

• Different historical settings and battlegrounds for every nation will ensure that each time players will face a different variety of enemies and tactics.
• Unique hero units for every nation with powerful abilities such as increasing units’ firepower, boosting morale or providing other advantages to defeat the enemy against all odds.
• Fantastic bonus abilities such as remote controlled bombs that can flatten entire residential blocks, airstrikes able to destroy incoming tank columns, special "For the Motherland!" charge attacks and many more.
• Improved and dynamic AI ensures that no two games will play out the same way, making each battle a new experience against an AI that really fights back.
• Choose from a variety of scenario locations ranging from Western Europe, to Eastern Europe, North Africa and the Pacific.
• The ability to play this impressive game mode with up to four friends in LAN or cooperative online play.

New features:

• New multiplayer maps and game settings
• Improved multiplayer balancing to provide a more authentic use of equipment and vehicles
• Overhauled infantry squads and the ability to buy individual soldiers to suit players’ needs
• More realistic weapon behavior and penetration values
• A reworked artillery system that provides innovative assault and defense strategies
• New types of ammunition that increase the depth of tank combat

Men of War: Assault Squad takes place across the globe during the height of World War II and features five different armies each with their own unique units, vehicles and abilities. The game also features the unique “direct control” feature which enables players to maneuver units using the directional keys, rather than pointing and clicking. PC Generals can get behind the controls of a tank to smash through obstacles, crush soldiers under its tracks and fire armor-piercing shells at enemy emplacements, or take control of individual soldiers as they fight. More information about the game can be found at www.menowargame.com"

Revealed yesterday, Valve released "Half -Life 2", "Episode One", "Episode Two", "Portal", and "Eve Online: Tyranis" today as promised.

"Representing Steam's first day-and-date release for the Mac and PC, EVE Online: Tyrannis will be available to gamers later today,

The Half-Life 2 titles available now feature cross-platform support for Steam Cloud, allowing players to save their game progress on one computer, then seamlessly resume from that save point on another computer (Mac or PC).

In addition, HL2 and Episode One have been updated to include over 40 new Steam Achievements, which are available to all owners of these titles. The HL2 games also support Steam Play, enabling customers to purchase a game once and play it on all Steam supported platforms.

To celebrate the launch of the Half-Life 2 games, the titles are available for 30% off their regular price (for a limited time).

For more information on Steam, please visit www.steamgames.com."

Activision today announced that "Blur", the racing game by Bizarre Creations, has been shipped to North American retail stores.

"Created by famed developer Bizarre Creations, Blur delivers next-generation racing to both hardcore enthusiasts and novice drivers alike by offering intuitive, pick-up-and-play controls along with the challenge of mastering multiple racing and car-combat tactics.

"Our focus for Blur is to bring the 'fun' back to racing and create the most electrified, action-packed racer to date," said Gareth Wilson, lead designer at Bizarre Creations. "With 20 cars on track at the same time in multiplayer, a first for the racing genre, along with an arsenal of Power-Ups, every race is an unpredictable fight to the finish."

Blur is the ultimate powered-up racing experience, where players collect intense Power-ups throughout each course, including the ability to blast other cars out of the way with huge bursts of energy, boost speed with Nitros, drop Mines and generate defensive shields to fend off other racers.

With over 50 licensed cars, more than 30 real-world track locations, a deep single player career mode, four-player split screen and an immersive multiplayer experience that features a progressive ranking system which rewards players the more they play, Blur delivers a new style of powered-up racing for all. 

Additionally, Blur brings the social experience to both single and multiplayer with an innovative "Share" button that lets players choose to send Friend Challenges through the Xbox 360 dashboard and PlayStation®Network, or utilize the integration of Twitter and Facebook to light up the competition with friends.

Blur is now available nationwide for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and Windows PC, and is rated "E10+" by the ESRB. 

For more information on Blur, please visit the official game web site located at www.blurthegame.com, and check-out Blur on Facebook at www.facebook.com/blurthegame."

The list of new PC game releases, DVD and Blu-Ray releases, and movies opening the week of May 25, 2010.

PC Games:

• Blur
• Making History II: The War of the World

Movies Opening This Week:

• Micmacs (limited)
• Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
• Sex and the City 2
• Survival of the Dead

DVD and Blu-Ray Releases:

• All Creatures Great & Small: The Complete Collection
• Ancients Behaving Badly – set
• Bing Crosby: The Televisions Specials Vol. 1
• By Brakhage: An Anthology, Vol. Two
• City of the Living Dead – special ed.
• Clash of the Titans [Blu-Ray]
• Dear John [Blu-Ray]
• Django [Blu-Ray]
• Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog [Blu-Ray]
• Flashbacks Of A Fool [Blu-Ray]
• Flashpoint: The Second Season
• Hoarders: The Complete Season One
• Justice League: The Complete Series
• Leverage: The Complete Second Season
• My Dog: An Unconditional Love Story
• Mystery Team
• No Orchids for Miss Blandish
• Owl & The Sparrow
• Rain Fall
• Royal Pains: Season One
• Sandock
• Seven Swords [Blu-Ray]
• Silver Lode
• Spartacus [Blu-Ray] – anniversary ed.
• Stagecoach [Criterion Collection Blu-Ray]
• Tell Tale
• The Guild: Season 3
• The Road [Blu-Ray]
• The Shortcut [Blu-Ray]
• The Virginian – Complete First Season
• Thomas & Friends: On The Go Pack
• True Blood: The Complete Second Season

Valve sent out a new teaser trailer, which is a spin on the classic Apple ad from 1984. It reveals that both "Portal" and "Half-Life 2" will be available for Mac via Steam beginning tomorrow.