Blizzard Officially Announces StarCraft 2

 

Blizzard Officially Announces StarCraft 2
By 1UP Staff

Yes, StarCraft 2 is real. Beyond what we've already communicated to you about the sequel (and what you can see in the trailer), Blizzard released a press release to put a little more info out there to digest.

Here are the promises Blizzard is making with StarCraft 2:

• Races will be further distinguished from one another through new gameplay mechanics and new units.
• Some of the original units will also be receiving new abilities, but it is unclear which ones are included at present.
• Uses a 3D engine that "realistic physics and the ability to render several large, highly detailed units and massive armies on-screen simultaneously."
• The map editor is returning -- huzzah!
• And -- shocker -- there will be both a single player and multiplayer version of the game.
• It will be released for both the Mac and PC.
• No release date currently exists.

Check out the trailer of the first gameplay footage.

Source: Blizzard Officially Announces StarCraft 2

News: First look: War Rock

 

South Korean-developed online PC FPS promises intense tactical warfare.
Later this week we'll be taking a very close look at War Rock, but prior to that we're posting screenshots and a gameplay trailer from the front lines.

Click here to read the full article

Source: News: First look: War Rock
Originally published on Mon, 15 Jan 2007 10:25:00 GMT

Need for Speed Carbon Collector's Edition - Car FAQ and Unlockables List

 

Need for Speed Carbon Collector's Edition (PC)
Need For Speed Carbon, PC

Source: Need for Speed Carbon Collector's Edition - Car FAQ and Unlockables List
Originally published on Mon, 15 Jan 2007 20:17:00 GMT

S.T.A.L.K.E.R finally gets a date. Of sorts.

 

 

When a needlessly cryptic countdown appears on a website built to promote a specific title, we naturally assume that it's counting down to a release date. But without an official confirmation, we're a bit hesitant to call the clock currently running on the S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl website a release countdown. We've been scorned before, baby. We know your dirty little tricks.

Originally announced in 2001, GSC Game World's S.T.A.L.K.E.R has been the recipient of many a vaporware award throughout its illustrious career of back burning. Having consulted the Joystiq abacus, we have determined that the countdown ends on March 22nd, 2007. What will happen exactly is up in the air. It could be a release date, or possibly even a demo of the game. It could even be an announcement of an announcement! S.T.A.L.K.E.R to be retooled into a Daikatana expansion pack confirmed!

Read 

Source: S.T.A.L.K.E.R finally gets a date. Of sorts.
Originally published on Mon, 15 Jan 2007 20:15:00 GMT

Clive Thompson on Super Columbine RPG

 

I've been meaning to do this, but Clive beat me to the punch -- he sat down and played Super Columbine Massacre RPG. If you haven't played it yourself (or even if you have), check out his analysis of how the game is far more than the in-poor-taste murder simulator its detractors want it to be:

It's a neat stab at the mindset of the killers, who, for all their bombast about being objectified by their tormentors, did precisely the same thing to their victims. They didn't see them as individuals: They were just metaphoric targets for their hatred. Indeed, in the game, as the killers did in real life, you don't target any particular kids. You just wander around killing randomly. And Ledonne's aesthetic decision to make Super Columbine so retro-looking enhances this effect: The game's style evokes the killer's pared-down, simplistic, self-serving view of the world.

I, Columbine Killer [Wired]

Source: Clive Thompson on Super Columbine RPG
Originally published on Mon, 15 Jan 2007 19:39:36 GMT

Brian Eno Doing Generative Music For Spore

 

Reports to this effect have been floating around for a while (ever since the joint Brian Eno/Will Wright lecture for the Long Now foundation last year), but a recent Berlin lecture by ambient music maestro Eno, written up at WWMNA, seems to have confirmed that Eno is curating the Spore soundtrack, a very neat revelation.

The write-up of the Berlin lecture explains: "Generativity plays a role in many fields now, with gaming being no exception. Also built around this notion and probably one of the currently most eagerly awaited games is Will Wright's Spore, for which Brian Eno, as he revealed, will be making the soundtrack! He was asked to do it, because the designers wanted sound that is just a procedural as the game itself, instead of the loops which are tied to certain stages or areas which we are used to experience in games."

What's more, Eno "...went on to demonstrate a simple software called "The Shuffler" which he uses to create fragments for the soundtrack of Spore and which even with a simple combination of samples possibly would never create the same composition twice within a lifetime." So basically, it's a bit like Koan Pro only crazily wired into a game? Of course, one might ask what Eno is doing if the music is infinitely different every time, but I guess he's the... DJ? [Via The-Inbetween.]

Source: Brian Eno Doing Generative Music For Spore
Originally published on Tue, 16 Jan 2007 05:02:33 GMT

Blizzard hints at new StarCraft by 2008

 

At a WoW: TheBurning Crusade launch event, Blizzard's VP of Business Development hints at the next instalment in the StarCraft series.

Source: Blizzard hints at new StarCraft by 2008
Originally published on Mon, 15 Jan 2007 23:29:11 GMT

New ForceWare NVIDIA GeForce 8800 Drivers Released

 

New ForceWare NVIDIA GeForce 8800 Drivers Released

NVIDIA has released new ForceWare drivers for cards that use their new GeForce 8800 graphics chips. The new 97.92 version of the drivers can be downloaded at NVIDIA's web site and fixes issues in games like Splinter Cell: Double Agent, Halo, and Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. This is just for the 8800 chip; no other NVIDIA cards support this driver release.

Frag Dolls Win Rainbow Six Vegas Tournament

 

Make a comment to them about "being in the kitchen." I dare you.

Source: Frag Dolls Win Rainbow Six Vegas Tournament
Originally published on Mon, 01 Jan 2007 02:08:08 GMT

QuakeCon 2007 Details

 

12th annual event proving to be the largest yet

Source: QuakeCon 2007 Details
Originally published on Mon, 01 Jan 2007 02:08:04 GMT

Ever wonder why BF2142 process is named "pace2142?"

 

Apparently, the EA Downloader version of Battlefield 2142 has an anti-piracy wrapper around it that installs a kernel-level driver.

Source: Ever wonder why BF2142 process is named "pace2142?"
Originally published on Mon, 01 Jan 2007 03:00:02 GMT

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl Pins Down Release Date

 

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. provides a dynamic gameplay of fast and tough combats, where you oppose smart & dangerous enemies, a large set of diverse weaponry, possibility to control machinery, detailed and interactive game world, story-driven single player with original team gameplay, and multiplayer with numerous modes. A THQ release schedule reveals that STALKER, 5 years after its announcement, will launch March 16, 2007.
News source: Worth Playing
View: Official website
Read full story...

Source: S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl Pins Down Release Date
Originally published on Fri, 29 Dec 2006 17:46:25 GMT

iBuypower Dream 2006 CrossFire Gaming System

 

When Comparing GeForce Quad SLI and Radeon X1900 in CrossFire, Radeon is the DX9 King: Part 2
 

Source: iBuypower Dream 2006 CrossFire Gaming System
Originally published on Fri, 22 Dec 2006 07:32:39 GMT

EA Announces C&C 3: Kane Edition

Electronic Arts today announced Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars: Kane Edition, a numbered collector's edition of the PC game set to hit in March. Kane Edition will come packed with a DVD featuring a behind the scenes documentary, deleted scenes and a blooper reel from the live action video shoots, a series of gameplay strategy videos from the game designers, five wallpapers and exclusive in-game content including five new multiplayer maps and three unique unit skins--one for each of the three factions in the game. "The Command & Conquer fans are among the most dedicated in the world. It's very exciting to be able to create a special bonus edition of C&C 3 with our fans in mind," said Mike Verdu, Vice President and Executive Producer at EALA. "The exclusive maps, strategy tutorials, special unit skins and 'making of' video provide hours of enjoyment to anyone who loves Command & Conquer. The 'blooper reel' is just flat out funny. I can't wait for Command & Conquer fans to get their hands on this game." more @ source. Source: http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/command-%26-conquer-3...

 

Source: EA Announces C&C 3: Kane Edition
Originally published on Sat, 23 Dec 2006 16:15:58 GMT

Dreamfall: The Longest Journey Demo

 

This demo lets you get a taste of the science fiction adventure game.

Source: Dreamfall: The Longest Journey Demo
Originally published on Fri, 22 Dec 2006 10:30:52 GMT

Did you know?: You Don't Know Jack is back

 

Filed under: PC, Online, Puzzle

Since the 2004 release of the relatively small You Don't Know Jack 6: The Lost Gold, our favorite fast-paced, irreverent, slightly-adult PC quiz show series has unfortunately lay dormant. No more! This month saw the premiere of YouDontKnowJack.com, and the Daily DisOrDat -- a two-minute, Flash-based matching quiz updated every weekday with You Don't Know Jack's trademark voice acting and comic pacing.
Being online means the questions can be a little more topical than the dated references in the classic disc games. Today's quiz is about Donald Rumsfeld, for instance, and gamers might find this quiz oddly familiar. What's more, the setups are genuinely funny, and there are quite a few laugh-out-loud moments to be found in the archives.
We're not one to look a gift horse in the mouth or anything, but we can't help but imagine the possibilities for online versions of other Jack favorites like Gibberish Questions or even the Jack Attack. And would some multiplayer modes have killed them? I mean Jack ain't jack without a friend. We'd even be willing to pay or look at ads or something if it comes to that. Just, please, give us more Jack!
[Via Game|Life]

 

Source: Did you know?: You Don't Know Jack is back
Originally published on Thu, 21 Dec 2006 10:30:00 GMT

Sid Meier's Railroads! Holiday Scenario

 

This free scenario puts you in charge of saving Christmas by helping Santa and his elves out. Includes a custom train, holiday-themed goodies and music, and a North Pole map.

Source: Sid Meier's Railroads! Holiday Scenario
Originally published on Thu, 21 Dec 2006 13:11:35 GMT

Call of Duty PC played with Wiimote & Nunchuk

 

We’ve seen plenty of Wiimote PC/bluetooth “hacks”, now after only a few days of the nunchuk being well “hacked” we have the first videos emerging.

See how to set up the Wiimote & Nunchuk to your PC

Source: Call of Duty PC played with Wiimote & Nunchuk
Originally published on Wed, 20 Dec 2006 20:07:13 GMT

Valve Pens In-Game Ad Deal for Counter-Strike

 

Making the (now fondly remembered) Subway Counter-Strike ads a reality, Valve has inked a deal with the content pusher IGA. An article at GamesIndustry states that this may be the biggest in-game ad deal ever, as this still insanely popular title racks up something like '5 billion player-minutes each month' From the article: "'As the world's premier online action game, Counter-Strike's player minutes exceed its closest competitor by more than 100 per cent,' said Doug Lombardi, marketing director for Valve. 'Additionally, Counter-Strike rivals many of the current top ten watched shows on American televisions. For instance, a top ranked, one hour, weekly program garners 20 million viewers and results in approximately 4.8 billion viewer minutes per month. Conversely, Counter-Strike generates over 5 billion player minutes in the same period of time. And, nobody fast-forwards through any part of Counter-Strike,' added Lombardi."

Source: Valve Pens In-Game Ad Deal for Counter-Strike
Originally published on Wed, 20 Dec 2006 20:38:00 GMT

Asus Announces "Commando" Gamer Motherboard

 

ASUSTeK Computer Inc. (ASUS) this week announced the "Commando," a motherboard that forms part of its overclock-friendly "Republic of Gamers" line.

Source: Asus Announces "Commando" Gamer Motherboard
Originally published on Wed, 20 Dec 2006 23:16:03 GMT