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Tuesday, December 20, 2011
World of Tanks Hits V7.0, Ze French Are Coming In 7.1
6:16 PM - - 0 Comments
Arthur from Wargaming.net let us know that World of Tanks has reached a major milestone today - version 7.0. According to the press release, the patch adds many long-expected features, including two new maps, improvements to "Tank Company" mode, camouflage, and new visual effects.

Patch 7.0 is also setting the foundation for the launch of update 7.1, which will introduce the 18 new French vehicles. We were sent images of a couple AMX tanks, and the Renault FT. A French themed trailer was also included, which you can find below.


Topics: Free2Play, Games, Trailer, Video
Related Games: World of Tanks (PC)
DCS: A-10C Warthog & Black Shark 2 Patched
6:06 PM - - 0 Comments
Thanks to our friend Wags for sending word that both DCS: A-10C Warthog and Black Shark 2 have been updated via patch 1.1.1.1 today. Here's a short breakdown of the patch highlights:

  • Bug fixes
  • User requested features
  • Options to improve fps
  • In parallel with these updates, improvements have been made to the master multiplayer server to improve stability.
For full patch notes hit up the official change log thread.
Topics: Flight, Games, Simulation, Patches
Related Games: DCS: A-10C Warthog (PC)
Star Wars: The Old Republic Launches, Your Saga Begins
5:58 PM - - 8 Comments
Here's a little documentary style video that EA rolled out with the launch of Star Wars: The Old Republic. Did you guys manage to snag a copy? I hear the Collector's Editions are hard as hell to find, although nowadays most publishers just go and reprint them after a short period of time.

Topics: Games, Video, Trailer
Related Games: Star Wars: The Old Republic (PC), Star Wars: The Old Republic (Collector's Edition) (PC)
Renegade Ops Accolades Trailer
5:23 PM - - 0 Comments

Topics: Games, Action
Related Games: Renegade Ops (PC), Renegade Ops (PlayStation 3), Renegade Ops (Xbox 360)
Sniper: Ghost Warrior Lays Down Good Foundation For Sequel
5:05 PM - - 0 Comments
City Interactive has announced that sales for Sniper: Ghost Warrior have reached a new milestone by shifting in excess of 2 Million units worldwide. Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 is set for a 2012 release.

Sniper Ghost Warrior is set on the fictitious South American island of Isla Trueno, where a despotic military regime lead by the ruthless General Vasquez has overthrown its democratic government to seize control. As one of a group of covert commandos, the player is charged with infiltrating the rebel stronghold and overthrowing the unelected powerbase. Intelligence reports indicate that Vasquez is due to chair a meeting with his cohorts in an old refinery facility, and a government plant is in place to set up an assassination opportunity for the crack unit. But as the unit arrive on the island, it soon becomes clear that the plan has gone awry, and the team must adapt and use their combat skills if they are to complete the mission.


Topics: Games, Action
Related Games: Sniper: Ghost Warrior (PC), Sniper: Ghost Warrior (Xbox 360), Sniper: Ghost Warrior (PlayStation 3), Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 (PC), Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 (PlayStation 3), Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 (Xbox 360)
Saints Row: The Third - Warrior Pack DLC Released
4:37 PM - - 1 Comment
Hit up Steam if you're looking for some new DLC for Saints Row: The Third. The "Warrior Pack" is $2.99 and includes four combat-ready outfits.


Topics: Games, Action
Related Games: Saints Row: The Third (PC)
Activision Holiday Song Contest @ GOG.com
12:55 PM - - 5 Comments
Good Old Games has just announced its Activision Holiday Song Contest. To enter, you just have to write a "merry holiday song" that somehow relates to one of the Activision games that Good Old Games sells. Winners get a free Activision game of their choise. Read on for more details.
Now we’re giving you a chance to make use of your creative side and write a merry holiday song featuring an Activision game, character, or level! We only require that you write lyrics to the song--you don't have to produce it into a Grammy-winning music video unless you want. The easy route is for you to take a famous Holiday song or carol and re-write the lyrics to suit the theme (Here's a terrible example that TheEnigmaticT knocked out in a few minutes), but you can take it further if you'd like and wow us with your creativity. Be it a Youtube video, an audio file of you and your whole office preforming or soulful duet featuring you and your cat, feel free to wow us with your creative skills.

Once you've written (or performed) your Activision-themed holiday song, post the lyrics (or a link to the audio file / video) in the comments for this thread on the forums or as a comment on our Facebook post. The contest is live from now until the 22nd of December 11:59 (AM) GMT. After that, we will comb through the entries and announce the winners of the contest. Each winner will be able to select an Activison game of his or her choice to receive for free!

Topics: Contest
Non Steam Digital Distribution Deals For December 20th
12:38 PM - - 0 Comments
Steam is not the only Digital Download service sporting a holiday sale. Here are some of the sale highlights from Valve’s competition.

Amazon.com is offering 60% Off several THQ titles.

Direct2Drive is having 12 days of Christmas deals. Today’s deals are as follows.

Gamersgate currently has about 400 games on sale. Today’s specials are listed below.

GameStop/Impulse Driven is also having a holiday sale. Their daily specials and featured games are listed below.

Meanwhile, Good Old Games is continuing its impressive holiday sale. Just about every title they sell is half off.

Origin is also sporting a few holiday deals. They are offering the following packs and games:

Topics: Deals
Steam Holiday Sale's Day 2 Deals And Objectives
11:34 AM - - 4 Comments
The second day of Steam’s holiday sale has begun. Here is a list of today's deals.

Of course, in addition to the sales, Valve worked in a contest designed to entice you to purchase additional games. We’re not certain if anyone ever wins these things. Regardless, in case you are feeling lucky, I’ve posted today’s objectives for Steam’s The Great Gift Pile Contest below.

Topics: Contest, Games, Deals, steam
Meet The Cast of Final Fantasy XIII-2
9:48 AM - - 0 Comments
There's a new characters trailer out for Final Fantasy XIII-2. Click on the YouTube image below to check out the video. I'm still working on local copies of today's flicks. Final Fantasy XIII-2 is scheduled for release at the end of January 2012.

Topics: Games, Consoles
Related Games: Final Fantasy XIII-2 (PlayStation 3), Final Fantasy XIII-2 (Xbox 360), Final Fantasy XIII-2 (Collector's Edition) (PlayStation 3), Final Fantasy XIII-2 (Collector's Edition) (Xbox 360), Final Fantasy XIII-2 (Crystal Edition) (PlayStation 3), Final Fantasy XIII-2 (Crystal Edition) (Xbox 360), Final Fantasy XIII-2 (Limited Collector's Edition) (PlayStation 3), Final Fantasy XIII-2 (Limited Collector's Edition) (Xbox 360)
New DLC Announced For Batman: Arkham City
9:36 AM - - 5 Comments
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment have announced two new DLC packs, as well as a free Batman Inc. Batsuit Skin for Batman: Arkham City. The goods are now available through Games for Windows Live, PSN and XBLA. The Arkham Bundle brings together the Nightwing Bundle Pack, Robin Bundle Pack and the Arkham City Skins Pack for 1,200 Microsoft Points, or £11.99 on PSN and Games for Windows Marketplace. Ouch, sounds a bit steep in the pocket lint department.

Also available for download today is the Challenge Map Pack, which includes The Joker’s Carnival Challenge Map, the Iceberg Lounge Challenge Map, and a brand new invisible predator challenge map, The Batcave. The Challenge Map Pack is available for 240 Microsoft Points, or £2.39 on PSN and Games for Windows Marketplace.

The new Batman Inc. Batsuit Skin for free. Hit the YouTube image for the DLC trailer.


Topics: Games, Action / Adventure
Related Games: Batman: Arkham City (PC), Batman: Arkham City (PlayStation 3), Batman: Arkham City (Xbox 360)
Notes From The Bunker
12:01 AM - - 15 Comments

I've just gotten into the beta for DOTA2, which I'm enjoying despite my characters' predilection for constantly dying. Often, I won't have the slightest clue what killed me, as a maelstrom of enemy heroes descends upon my character. But it sure is rewarding when my giant bear finally chases down and rips the stuffing out of an enemy hero.

My wife has been taking to it a lot quicker than I did, despite that fact that I had the benefit of Ohm's tutelage. From my point of view, she's been kicking a lot of ass. As I write this, the Valkyrie besides me has been silently slaughtering the enemy for the last several hours.

However, I don't think that DOTA2 alone will get me through the months to come. I've put aside a little money to splurge on myself this Christmas, and I've decided that, given my victory in the neighborhood arms race, it'd be better to buy a lot of cheap games than an SKS. What are the must get games of 2011 in your humble opinion? What will you pick up this holiday season?

Topics: In-House, In Other News...
Monday, December 19, 2011
Minicraft is the 48 Hour Minecraft Experience
11:13 PM - - 8 Comments

The latest Ludum Dare challenge is afoot, and the dare this time is to create a game, solo, in 48 hours, with the theme of "alone". Markus Persson, A.K.A. Notch (creator of Minecraft) has turned in 'Minicraft', a top down, 2D version of Minecraft. You win the game if you can hunt down and kill the only other non-mob being, the air wizard. It is surprisingly in-depth; there is crafting, mining, farming, fighting, etc. It is also unsurprisingly fun and addictive surviving in this mini world. I haven't found the air wizard yet, but this entry into the Ludum Dare Challenge is top 'Notch', and of course free. Try it!

Topics: Games, Free To Play
New Premium DLC For Renegade Ops
5:11 PM - - 13 Comments
SEGA has announced details of a new premium DLC for Renegade Ops. A story expansion called Coldstrike Campaign and The Vehicle Pack for both multiplayer and single player will be released on December 20th for the PC, 360 and PS3.

As the Renegade Ops storyline continues, the plot thickens with a new nemesis, Coldstrike. The Coldstrike Campaign pack contains three new icy levels and challenges, with the aim to defeat the cold-hearted enemy in arctic environments. Watch out for the Golems, large armored Drone factories that continuously produce low-flying enemies.

The Vehicle Pack introduces new heroes Crystal and Blazemo; both join the elite fighting unit equipped with their own unique abilities and weapons to help wreak ultimate destruction on their enemies. Military operative Crystal comes to the team with her custom armored vehicle and her ability to produce a large force field, absorbing enemy weapons to give you and your team time to breathe. Navigating Blazemo’s off-road Racer enables you to drive across all terrains while destroying everything in your path. Blazemo gets his name from the catastrophic damage caused by burning environments and enemies with a stream of intense fire from his special weapon, the Incinerator.

Topics: Games, Action
Related Games: Renegade Ops (PC), Renegade Ops (Xbox 360), Renegade Ops (PlayStation 3)
Remedy Announces Arcade Mode In Alan Wake's American Nightmare
5:06 PM - - 4 Comments
Remedy's upcoming standalone Alan Wake title will be getting the arcade mode treatment. Alan Wake's American Nightmare for the Xbox 360 will feature "Fight till Dawn" mode. The game will be release in the middle of the first quarter of 2012.

The main story mode in Alan Wake’s American Nightmare is part of the ‘Night Springs’ TV show fiction and offers an exaggerated pulp action adventure where the horrors of reality have the all too easy habit of coming true. Alan Wake finds himself stuck in an altered reality filled with dangerous shadows; he must leap into action and pursue his evil doppelganger, Mr. Scratch, across the Arizona mesa towards the town of Night Springs. Scratch, a supernatural serial killer, has his evil plans set on Wake’s wife, Alice. Wake must learn to control reality itself and unravel the secret to Mr. Scratch’s demise while using the power of light to put an end to the darkness.

The previously unannounced “Fight till Dawn” arcade mode places Wake in the battle of his life. Players must survive a full night of enemy onslaughts while racking up their score. With loads of new enemies to battle, players will require a deep arsenal of weapons; from old stalwarts like the flare gun to wild new favorites like the nail gun and old school Remedy favorites like the Uzi. Thankfully, safe havens and unlockable weapons dot the landscape, allowing for a momentary respite from the darkest of nights. Surviving until dawn is only the beginning as online leaderboards pit friends head to head to see who the real champion of light is.

Topics: Games, Consoles
Related Games: Alan Wake's American Nightmare (Xbox 360)
Freebie Christmas DLC For Dungeons & Dungeons - The Dark Lord
4:36 PM - - 0 Comments
Kalypso's dungeon building / strategy games Dungeons and Dungeons - The Dark Lord get some Christmas themed DLC. The new DLC is only available for games purchased through Steam. Holiday content includes new decorations, gimmicks and settings. The new content is only available from today through January 1, 2012. Here's the menu:

Holiday Swag

Available Permanently

Topics: Games
Related Games: Dungeons (PC), Dungeons: The Dark Lord (PC)
Santa Has A Big Gun In Bunch Of Heroes
4:10 PM - - 0 Comments
The indie action game Bunch of Heroes has a new DLC available for free. Sounds like a good one as well; the key feature is the ability to play as a new hero... Santa. In the new Bunch of Heroes: Holiday Pack you can play as the fat man, who wields his special Jollygun and own Ultra. Santa can be played in Campaign, Survival and the new Timed Survival mode.

Bunch of Heroes is also on sale right now for 75% off, bringing the price down to a mere $2.49 USD. It's a fun little time waster.


Topics: Games, Action
Related Games: Bunch of Heroes (PC)
Sony Sued Over Lawsuit Waiver In The PSN’s Terms Of Services
2:34 PM - - 17 Comments
Sony has just been sued over its PlayStation®Network terms of service update designed to limit class-action lawsuits. The following details come courtesy of Gamespot.

According to court documents obtained by GameSpot, a Northern California man filed suit against Sony late last month on behalf of all customers who purchased a PlayStation 3 and signed up for PSN access before the September change to Sony's terms of service. The suit alleges that Sony engaged in unfair business practices by forcing consumers to either give up their right to file a class-action lawsuit or give up access to the online gaming network they effectively paid for when they purchased the hardware.

The suit says Sony buried the clause section describing the changes near the bottom of a 21-page form viewable through the PS3 and neglected to post an easily accessible version of the form online, even though it had done so with past user agreement updates. While the suit notes that Sony allowed an opt out from the class-action provision, the only way for consumers to do that was to contact the company in writing (no emails, phone calls, or online forms accepted) within 30 days.

Naturally, Sony didn’t comment on the story. Would the VE3D readership care to comment on it?

Topics: Industry News, Lawsuits
GamersGate CEO: Steam Too Hardcore, Will Lose Market Share
2:18 PM - - 23 Comments
In an Interview with Industry Gamers, Gamersgate CEO Theo Bergquist said that Steam has peaked and its market share can only shrink.

IG: You've been critical of Valve's Steam in the past, but Steam continues to dominate digital distribution. What's your take on their position - do they have a weakness?

TB: I don’t think I’ve been overly critical, but it could appear that way when everyone tends to just hail them. I've said it before and I’ll say it again, Steam's market share can only shrink. Just look at Origin. It came from nowhere and is now a player in the industry. Steam is doing a good job for the super hard-core audience, but everyone knows that's not where the money is. The market is mostly made up of people who buy 2-3 games a year and want a fast, easy and seamless way of buying games. They don’t want a bulky client.

The interview also revealed some good news for the Swedish Digital Distribution firm. Gamersgate grew its sales by 50% in 2011 and is even opening an office in New York City to help foster more growth.

Topics: Industry News, steam
Today's (Non Steam) Digital Distribution Deals
1:59 PM - - 4 Comments
Steam is not the only Digital Download service sporting a holiday sale. Here are some of the sale highlights from Valve’s competition.

Gamersgate currently has about 400 games on sale. Today’s specials are listed below.

Direct2Drive is having 12 days of Christmas deals. Today’s deals are as follows.

GameStop/Impulse Driven is also having a holiday sale. Their daily specials are listed below.

Meanwhile, Good Old Games is continuing its impressive holiday sale. Just about every title they sell is half off.

Origin is also sporting a few holiday deals, but there isn't much there if you aren't a fan of EA sports titles, The Need For Speed Franchise, or The Sims.

Topics: Deals, Industry News
Black Prophecy - Episode 3: Rise of the Boids Trailer
11:08 AM - - 3 Comments
It's time for space MMOG Black Prophecy to expand some more with the launch of Episode 3: Rise of the Boids. Find out more about the new expansion below.

The Boids are a robotic race who have been waiting eons for a mysterious, universe-altering event to occur. Though the Boids continue to wait in ritual, players of the epic space combat MMO no longer have to wait for many widely requested features, including a level cap increase to 50, new story missions, one new warzone, a new open world sector for players level 40 and up, 11 new job missions and a brand new PvE raid system.

Long desired by Black Prophecy players, PvE raids have finally earned a prominent place in the game. Players can form large groups and battle alongside each other through two raids that are the longest, most complex missions the game has seen to date. PvE raids will also culminate in large-scale boss fights that offer unique and epic rewards. 11 new special abilities will also be implemented to bolster team play during each raid. A

long with this major addition, various tweaks have been made to a number of areas, including tutorial mode, missions and mission debriefings, along with improvements to the HUD and mission tracking. With all of these tweaks and new features, "Episode 3: Rise of the Boids" refreshes the overall Black Prophecy experience. While the Boids continue to await the universe-altering events, players will be immediately thrilled with the alterations made to their roles within the Black Prophecy universe.

Topics: Games, MMO
Related Games: Black Prophecy (PC)
Steam 2011 Holiday Sale Begins - Complete WIth Contests
10:45 AM - - 8 Comments
Steam has started its Holiday Sale, which will run through Sunday, January 1, 2012. They have some special promotions in which people can win free stuff. Read on! "The Great Gift Pile" requires gamers to complete up to six objectives each day. Completing the objectives will give you the chance to win games and coupons. If you don't win you score a piece of coal.

Coal is the ticket to enter the "Epic Holiday Giveaway". It's called Epic because the top prize is every game on Steam. The more coal you have, the better your chance of winning. Players may alternatively choose to magically mix their coal into something shiny and new by "crafting" seven pieces into a gift from the Great Gift Pile. You can also trade coal and prizes with friends.

Topics: Games, Promotions
Gears of War 3: Raam's Shadow Trailer
10:37 AM - - 0 Comments

Topics: Games, Consoles
Related Games: Gears of War 3 (Xbox 360), Gears of War 3: Raam's Shadow (Xbox 360)
The Darkness II Co-op Cliplettes
10:32 AM - - 0 Comments
Click on the four images below to view some short character videos from The Darkness II co-op.


Topics: Games, Action / Adventure
Related Games: The Darkness II (PC), The Darkness II (Xbox 360), The Darkness II (PlayStation 3)
Civilization V PC Update Notes
8:56 AM - - 6 Comments

MULTIPLAYER

UI

BUGS

Topics: Games, Strategy
Related Games: Sid Meier's Civilization V (PC)
Dead Island 50% Off @ Steam
8:46 AM - - 6 Comments
A decent deal on Dead Island today over on Steam. The game is 50% off right now, bringing the price down to $24.99 USD. Which reminds me, I still have to finish the game. There's nothing like clubbing zombies to death. Hrm, they're already dead. So there's nothing like clubbing zombies even deader!
Topics: Games, Action
Related Games: Dead Island (PC)
Dungeon Defenders Gets Steamy New Content
4:46 AM - - 4 Comments
Dungeon Defenders Quest for the Lost Eternia Shards: Part 1 is now available on Steam, and will hit XBLA and PSN on December 21st. This first part in a series of DLC is $3.99 USD, and it will allow players to take their first look outside of the castle and into the rest of the Dungeon Defenders universe. Each quest will take players through an entirely new campaign map, a new PvP map, and a new challenge mission with new story cinematics, enemies, 10 all new weapons, a new pet, a new boss, and more. When gamers complete the quest, even more secrets may await. The 10 new weapons and pet will be patched into the Console version in the first patch early next year.
Topics: Games, Role-Playing Strategy
Related Games: Dungeon Defenders (PC), Dungeon Defenders (PlayStation 3), Dungeon Defenders (Xbox 360)
Skyrim Takes Manhattan, Then It Takes The UK
4:42 AM - - 16 Comments
Skyrim is top of the pops for the week ending December 17th.

  1. THE ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM
  2. JUST DANCE 3
  3. CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 3
  4. FIFA 12
  5. SAINTS ROW: THE THIRD
  6. BATTLEFIELD 3
  7. ASSASSIN'S CREED: REVELATIONS
  8. MARIO & SONIC LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES
  9. NEED FOR SPEED: THE RUN
  10. PROFESSOR LAYTON AND THE SPECTRE'S CALL
  11. BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY
  12. MARIO KART 7
  13. FORZA MOTORSPORT 4
  14. UNCHARTED 3: DRAKE'S DECEPTION
  15. SUPER MARIO 3D LAND
  16. MOSHI MONSTERS: MOSHLING ZOO
  17. ZUMBA FITNESS
  18. LEGO HARRY POTTER: YEARS 5-7
  19. SONIC GENERATIONS
  20. ABBA: YOU CAN DANCE
Topics: Games, Sales Charts
Related Games: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (PC), The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (PlayStation 3), The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (Xbox 360)
This Week's Releases
12:03 AM - - 10 Comments
What do you plan to spend money on this week?

Week of 12/18/11 - 12/25/11
-[Title Highlights]-:

N.A.:
Star Wars MMO: The Old Republic [ PC ]
Trine 2 [ PSN | XBLA ]
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) [ Theatre ]

E.U.:
Star Wars MMO: The Old Republic [ PC ]


-[Next Week (12/25 - 01/01)]-
Trine 2 [ X-Box360 ] (EU)


Topics: Games, Releases
The Morning Juberish
12:01 AM - - 30 Comments
Good lawd, would you believe it if I said I was sick again? I actually had two healthy days in between colds. You'd think I was a school teacher or something. I've made a list of things that strengthen the immune system. Now all I need is someone to fetch the shit and serve it up to me. I wonder if Booster Juice delivers. I'm single-handedly keeping Dristan in business.

I got an email last week from StormPowered digital distribution. I had never heard of it before. StormPowered, SteamPowered, WTFPowered. Colour me temporarily confuzzled. But the scariest thing was their landing page... before you click on the link (assuming you might be planning to click on the link) let me warn you that it's creepy and in your face, so try not be too sceered. ;) Here is the linkage.

What did you play over the weekend?

A little blast from the past.

Topics: In-House, In Other News...

Archives: 12/19/11 | 12/17/11 | 12/16/11 | 12/15/11 | 12/14/11
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