With the addition of the new region-wide and RvR-wide chat channels we have seen a marked increase in Open RvR participation. In order to encourage this trend even further, we have made an additional adjustment to the experience awarded for killing enemy players in an Open RvR area. Previously we increased this amount by 50%. As of today, that bonus has been raised to 100%. With this change players killed in Open RvR will now be worth double the experience than those killed in scenarios!

"The casting for this game and for our previous game, C&C3;, was kind of a collaborative effort between certain members of the development team as well as PR and marketing." says Ajami -- who explains that there was a "four-tiered filter" in place when evaluating whether or not actors fit the game.

"One, of course, is that we're always after big-name Hollywood stars. And you see that a lot in our game," says Ajami. "We also look for people who kind of have geek cred that satisfies certain members of our audience." Or who don't mind being in something as offbeat, objectively, as Red Alert 3.

"But George Takei is a perfect example of that," says Ajami. "He's in Heroes, and just before that, Star Trek."

"We also look for actors who just kind of bring a smile to your face, who might not have starred in a lot of big name movies. We think people like Peter Stormare kind of fit that role."

Actors like Stormare, says Ajami, might not have top-of-your-head name recognition -- "but you'd certainly recognize the face and point to the VW commercials or his work on Armageddon as the cosmonaut there."

"And the last filter, of course is, this being a video game, and a C&C; game, and with a 97 percent male audience, you look to have a couple of hot females in the game," he adds. "We have that with Jenny McCarthy and a lot of our co-commanders as well."

But all the familiar faces beg the question of budget -- does the slate of actors affect revenue projections?

"Yeah," says Ajami. "Needless to say... if you take a movie, for example, and you cast somebody big, then your expectations of that movie is going to be higher. While it's to a lesser extent, that does apply to games as well."

When I was first approached about PAIN, I really didn’t know what to think. I mean, it’s great to think that someone would want to put me in a game, but THIS game is all about flinging people into walls, smashing them into cars, and spanking monkeys. While I wholeheartedly approve of the monkey spanking, I wasn’t too sure about the rest of the game. When I finally got my hands on PAIN though, everything changed, and I “got it”. If anybody can understand silly fun, it’s me.

I am a man of many emotions so when you throw me around the Movie Studio, I need to express myself. What better way than in song! So to commemorate my invasion onto the PS3, I made a cover song of Culture Club’s “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me” exclusively for PAIN. I’m really happy with the way the track turned out. We definitely brought something new to such a classic, well-known tune, and when you hear it, you’re going to like it. Sure, you know David Hasselhoff, but this song is like nothing I’ve done before.

PC

• Hinterland - Gamebanshee - 6.5/10
• Mercenaries 2: World in Flames - Computer Games.ro - 55%
• Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization - YouGamers - 85%
• Sid Meiers' Colonization - Gamepyre - 96%
• Warhammer Online - Tweaktown - 8.5/10

  360
  

• Dead Space - Atomic Gamer - 96%
• Fable 2 - Game Revolution - B+
• Fable 2 - Crispy Gamer - Try it
• Fable 2 - Strategy Informer - 9/10
• Fable 2 - ActiveWin - 94%
• Far Cry 2 - Game Revolution - A-
• Far Cry 2 - GameSpy - 3.5/5
• FIFA 09 - Strategy Informer - 8.8/10
• Fracture - Boomtown - 5/10
• LEGO Batman - Boomtown - 8/10
• Portal: Still Alive - 1Up - A
• Saints Row 2 - GamesXtreme - 8/10
• Saints Row 2 - Action Trip - 7.9/10
• Spider-Man: Web of Shadows - Games Radar - 8/10

  PS3
  

• BioShock - 1Up
• BioShock - Crispy Gamer - Buy it
• Golden Axe: Beast Rider - Crispy Gamer - Fry it
• FIFA 09 - RealGamer - 8.8/10
• SOCOM: Confrontation - Crispy Gamer - Fry it
• Spider-Man: Web of Shadows - PS3.IGN - 5.5/10

  DS
  

• Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia - GameSpy - 4.5/5
• Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia - 1Up - A-

Today's question:

What level is your Warhammer character?

Assuming you still play (ahem).

cdv Software Entertainment USA, a premier North American publisher of video games, and Atari, Inc., a leading distributor and publisher of interactive entertainment, today signed a multi-year third-party distribution agreement. Through the deal, Atari will serve as the exclusive North American distributor for key console, handheld and multi-platform videogames released under the cdv USA brand.

To launch the partnership, Atari, Inc. will initially release several of cdv USA's key titles, including the upcoming action-RPG Sacred 2: Fallen Angel (Games For Windows, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system), I Heart Geeks! and My Little Baby (Nintendo DS). Sacred 2: Fallen Angel will ship for PC on November 11, 2008, and will be released for consoles on February 17, 2009.

Tom Gross, CEO and President of cdv Software Entertainment USA, said, "Atari's extensive distribution network means consumers will have ready access to our exciting list of upcoming titles on console and handheld. Atari offers us the support of a leading sales and distribution partner, while our top-notch line-up that mixes hardcore and casual titles will significantly strengthen Atari's third-party distribution business."

"We are pleased to join forces with cdv in North America to release great titles such as Sacred 2: Fallen Angel to the marketplace. This new relationship further demonstrates Atari's commitment to growing our retail distribution business in North America," said Jim Wilson, President and CEO, Atari, Inc.

Thanks, N4G.

Both Direct2Drive and Steam have it for $49.95.

GB: You ended up releasing a total of nine pieces of downloadable content for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Are you planning to release a similar number for Fallout 3? Can we expect to see DLC that adds entirely new quest lines and environments like we saw in Knights of the Nine, or will you be shooting for smaller cosmetic additions similar to what you gave us in Spell Tomes?

Gavin: For Fallout 3 DLC, we’d like to go the Knights of the Nine route. That is to say, we want to provide larger packages of content with a wider variety of new content, such as quests and gameplay areas. I can’t commit to any particular number right now. We’ll talk more about them as time goes on.

The 2009 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) will take place from June 2-4, 2009, at the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC), the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) announced today. The expanded E3 will welcome all qualified computer and video game industry audiences, including international and U.S.-based media, analysts, retailers, developers and business partners to preview the latest in interactive entertainment and technology.

“Video games are the fastest growing and most compelling sector of the entertainment industry. And, this upgraded event will reflect the growth, innovation and excitement of our industry,” said Michael D. Gallagher, CEO of the ESA, which represents US computer and video game publishers and organizes the annual event. “The breadth, scope and quality of the changes made to the show will make E3 the must-attend event of the year.”

“The E3 Expo will be the pre-eminent North American gaming show next year. The new, larger event is better for industry leaders and for serious gamers,” commented John Riccitiello, CEO of Electronic Arts.

After conducting both qualitative and quantitative research, ESA officials stated changes were necessary to better meet the needs of both exhibitors and attendees— these changes include increased booth sizes, increased qualified audiences, and an intensified focus on reinforcing the high-octane growth, innovation, and captivating entertainment that are driving the computer and video game industry.

'The video game business will be twice as big in 2009 as it was in 2006 when we had the last real E3 Expo - so get ready for some fireworks!' said Laurent Detoc, president of Ubisoft North America. 'The changes made will ensure that the 2009 E3 Expo conveys the best of what makes us proud as entertainment leaders.'

Kalypso Media have today announced they will be publishing 4 Add On packs for the hit space strategy PC game Sins of a Solar Empire. The first of these Add On packs will be published in Q4 2008 for £7.99 and available via download from Impulse.

Sins of a Solar Empire, which was brought to Europe by Kalypso Media has been a huge hit throughout Europe reaching second place in both the British and French PC game charts.

Sins of a Solar Empire has provided gamers with real-time strategy gaming in a new dimension. In Sins of a Solar Empire the future survival of the human race is at threat, with three mighty races fighting over control of the galaxy. Players have the opportunity to command one of these three races and attempt to survive and dominate the galaxy. Your success depends on your ability to govern your empire and to command your star-fleet. A finaly balanced combination of diplomacy, economics and military power are vital for gaining the upper hand and becoming Master of the Universe!

The first Add On will include:

Star Bases, which can be customized and upgraded over time

Race specific Star Bases which will have a unique variety of upgradable characteristics. The ability to upgrade your Star Bases is limited so players will have to think strategically and plan carefully!

The number of Star Bases each gamer can control will now be limited by a new research feature.

More Star Base goodies – both race specific and generic.

Mine field designs specific to each race and essential for hindering and endangering enemy forces.

More types of mines.

More defence systems both race specific and generic.

New artifacts and planet properties.

And much more…

The first Sins of a Solar Empire Add On will be available via download at the online platform Impulse in Q4 2008.

In an interview with Edge magazine, published tomorrow, Dugas says the original Deus Ex was “kind of slow”. He added, “There weren’t enough exciting, memorable moments. It was aimed more towards a simulation rather than a game experience.”

But he said developer Eidos Montreal would not attempt to dumb down the much-loved RPG-shooter franchise. “At this point we don’t know exactly which platforms we’re going to be out on. The PC, we’ll be there for sure. But for us, console-isation isn’t about dumbing down features. If we’re to go console we will want to keep the complexity alive. We want the menu interface and controller to feel simple without risking any of their potential"

Fantastic.

PC

• Far Cry 2 - PC.IGN - 8.9/10
• Far Cry 2 - GameSpot - 8.5/10

  360
  

• Far Cry 2 - 1Up - B+
• Midnight Club: Los Angeles - IGN AU - 8.9/10
• Rock Revolution - 360.IGN - 3/10

  PS3
  

• BioShock - 1Up - A
• Fracture - The Laser - B-
• LEGO Batman - GamesXtreme - 7.5/10
• Pure - The Laser - B-

Today's question:

Would you like some hookers with that?