News archive

This page contains an archive of older game related news. For the latest news, please read the Main Page.

The following news items were listed on the Main Page in 2010. For previous news, please see the news archives for years 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006.

News Archive

Amnesia: The Dark Descent demo released

Frictional Games, the makers of the Penumbra series, has released a demo for their upcoming first person survival horror Amnesia: The Dark Descent.

Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a first person horror game with focus on immersion. It is a game where atmosphere and story comes first.

The game begins with Daniel awakening in a desolate Prussian castle, without any memories to explain his situation. A letter written by himself, reveals that the amnesia is actually self-inflicted. The mysterious message urges him to seek out and kill Alexander, a man residing deep below the castle. Hunted by a dark shadow, Daniel can see no other way out than to trust his former self. If he is to save his life and mind, he needs to find out what it is all really about. It is his only hope for salvation. A dark descent awaits.

Amnesia will be released on the 8th of September and can be purchased in Frictional Game's own online store as well as most major online retailers. Players can also pre-order the game on the developer's online store for a 10% discount. At the same time, fans of horror games can purchase the games in the Penumbra series taking advantage of a 70% discount.

Dungeon Defenders announced

Reverb Publishing has announced that their new game titled Dungeon Defenders will march onto the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and computers running Windows this autumn.

Developed by Trendy Entertainment using Epic Games' award-winning Unreal Engine 3, Dungeon Defenders throws action-RPG and tower defense gameplay into the proverbial blender to create a seamless mix of leveling, looting and high-action territorial combat for casual and core players alike.

The game will feature a lovingly-rendered watercolor art style and will allow up to 4 players, online or locally, to take one of four distinct classes into fierce battle against ever-increasing waves of baddies and bosses across 15 arenas and multiple modes.

Portal 2 release date announced

Rock Paper Shotgun has announced that Portal 2 will be released on the 9^th of February 2011.

The game will also feature Stephen Merchant as the voice of Wheatley, a small robot that helps players along their way.

There is also a video available on Youtube with new footage from the game, as it was presented at GamesCom 2010.

Borderlands DLC "Claptrap's New Robot Revolution" announced

2K Games and Gearbox Software have announced today that the fourth Borderlands DLC will be available to all players in September 2010.

Titled Claptrap's New Robot Revolution, the add-on invites single-player and co-op fans back to try to suppress a deadly Claptrap revolution using one of four infamous vault hunters. The foursome find themselves caught in the crosshairs of a deadly civil war between the Hyperion Corporation’s well-armed armadas and the ever-amassing army of homicidal Claptraps led by one of the most eagerly awaited characters in the franchise’s history - the cunning Ninja Assassin. As vault hunters, players must put aside their past differences with the Hyperion Corporation, namely the organization’s repeated attempts to wipe them from existence. For a hefty payday, they will join forces to help beat down the mechanical uprising and thwart the dastardly kung-fu expert, the Claptrap known only as Ninja Assassin.

Xbox 360 owners will be able to buy this DLC for 800 Microsoft Points, while Playstation 3 and Windows PC owners will be able to buy the game for £6.29.

Theatre of War 2: Kursk release date announced

Excalibur Publishing Ltd has announced that Theatre of War 2: Kursk will be available in stores on the 10^th of August, 2010.

The game introduces players to the historic Battle of Kursk, one of the most crucial conflicts of the WWII between Germany’s Grossdeutschland and the Soviet Red Army. Players will take part in the last armoured strategic offensive the Germans were able to mount in the east and whose defeat resulted in giving the Red Army the strategic initiative for the rest of the war. Acting under direct orders of division commanders Ivan Chistyakov or Walter Hoernlein, players will control their troops in historical scenarios on precisely reconstructed authentic battlefields.

The game will cost £29.99 and can be pre-ordered at the official website.

Mount & Blade: Warband update released

Paradox Interactive and game developer Talewords have released today a new update for Mount & Blade: Warband, bringing new content and gameplay improvements to the popular game.

In response to the community demand, the new game mode Duel requires players to test their weapons in battles of wit, speed and skill and allows protected 1 on 1 duels with no interruptions from others. Up to 64 players can use this game mode.

In addition to this new game mode, there are also two new horse armors, one available for the Sarranids and another for the Vaegir/Khergit factions.

Crackdown 2 launched in Europe

Ruffian Games has announced that the sequel to the popular game Crackdown is now available in the UK for an estimated retail price of £44.99.

Published by Microsoft Game Studios, Crackdown 2 is available exclusively for Xbox 360. The game builds exponentially upon the action-packed gameplay of its predecessor, offering the all-new 4-player co-op and 16-player multiplayer modes.

With formidable new enemies called the Cell and the Freaks standing in the way of the Agency’s goal to restore order, players return as genetically enhanced Agents in Crackdown 2 to once again bring peace to Pacific City – by any means necessary in one of the most explosive and interactive open worlds for fans to explore and experiment with. In addition, fans are invited to take the action even further in the popular Facebook game, Chuck’s Ducks 2, which is tied to the gameplay. By participating in the carnival-inspired game, players and their friends can earn and activate an exclusive, daily supply of explosive sticky duck bombs, called Quackers, for use in the game's multiplayer mode.

Age of Conan: Rise of the Godslayer free for ten days

Funcom has announced that both active and inactive players of Age of Conan:Hyborian Adventures can now try out the critically acclaimed Age of Conan: Rise of the Godslayer expansion for free for 10 days. For inactive players, this offer also includes 10 days of free access to the core game.

Age of Conan: Rise of the Godslayer is the first expansion pack to the 2008 MMO of the year, a game that was sold to over 1.2 million gamers around the world.

Pirates of the Burning Sea: Power & Prestige launch date announced

Flying Lab Software has announced that the expansion Pirates of the Burning Sea:Power & Prestige will be officially launched at the beginning of August, 2010. Power & Prestige is the first major expansion for the company's critically acclaimed MMORPG title Pirates of the Burning Sea.

This expansion includes more than 60 new missions, 4 new factions, Port Governance and a new "brawling" combat school, offering players high-seas action and adventure in the world of pirates and plunder of the 18^th century.

Everyone can take part in the beta program but new players have to pay for the first month of play, as an active subscription is required to access the beta server.

Fallout: New Vegas launch date announced

Bethesda is preparing to pass the retro-post-apocalytia legacy of Fallout to Obsidian Entertainment with the new game Fallout: New Vegas, after they have bought the rights for the game series.

The new title is set in the ruins of Las Vegas, a location alluded in Fallout 2, and will include a variety of places like the "towns of Good Springs, Primm, Novak (the home of Dinky the Dinosaur), the super mutant encampment at Black Mountain, the military/scientific installation Helios 1, Camp McCarran, site of the real-world Las Vegas airport and the city itself, New Vegas.

According to the game developers, players with powerful video cards will be able to enjoy New Vegas in it's full glory due to the very long drawing distance. Gamers will also enjoy an improved VATS system and better free aim.

The game will be available starting from the 16^th of November 2010 at a price of $49.99 for PC and $59.99 for Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. A "Collector's Edition" priced $20 higher will come with Fallout-themed Lucky 7 poker chips, playing cards, a "recreation of the game's highly coveted Lucky 38 platinum chip", a hardcover graphic novel and a "Making of Fallout: New Vegas" DVD.

Lord of the Rings Online will become free to play

According to Warner Bros. Interactive, Turbine Inc. will release an update for the Lord of the Rings Online this fall, converting the game to free-to-play for everyone.

The game will be launched this fall across North America and Europe and players will be allowed to download the game and play for free, purchase expansions, quest packs, items or join a VIP program to get unlimited access to all services related to the game.

Gamers who wish to try out the beta can sign up for a chance to participate on the official website, starting from the 16^th of June.

Fable 3 confirmed

Microsoft Game Studios and Lionhead Studios have confirmed that a new chapter in the Fable franchise will be released exclusively on Xbox 360 and Windows this Christmas.

Fable 3 will be available in a £49.99 Standard and a £59.99 "Limited Collector’s Editions" for Xbox 360, or a £39.99 PC version which will also be available as download on Games for Windows. The Limited Collector's Edition will contain special in-box items and will be packaged in a distinctive book-like box.

Fable 3 features:

• A new quest: Uncover the mystery of the haunted forests of Silverpines and earn the legendary sword, Wolfsbane, deadly against wolves and balverines.
• Exclusive location: Unlock a new region, ideal for settling down with a family and discovering new treasures.
• "Fable 3" playing cards: Created by Lionhead, these cards depict every type of character in "Fable 3" including Heroes, royals, rebels and villains from across Albion and beyond.
• Guild Seal Coin: The coin features a Good side (blue) and Evil side (red) to assist players in making critical decisions that will impact the fate of the world forever.
• A new dog breed: Renowned for its loyalty, the Boxer is a brave canine companion worthy of greatest Queens and Kings.
• One unique outfit: Unearth one male and female outfit from the mysterious, faraway land of Aurora, a new destination in your "Fable 3" adventures.

Hearts of Iron 3: Semper Fi release date announced

Paradox Interactive has announced today the release date for the first expansion of the company's World War II strategy game.

Hearts of Iron 3: Semper Fi will be released on the 6^th of June 2010 and will be available through major digital distributors like Steam or Impulse.

I'm Not Alone!

I'm Not Alone! release date announced

Lace Mamba Global has announced today that TGC - The Games Company Worldwide will bring the zombie themed game I'm Not Alone! to players on the 18^th of June, 2010 in UK and other European countries.

In I'm Not Alone! players will be in the character of a bold young exorcist who dares to tread where others feared, to an old mansion deep in the Austrian mountains. His aim - to free the mansion from the terrifying grips of a supernatural power. Disfigured demons have risen from the underworld and spread fear and terror devouring anyone in their path! His special skills as a psychic medium enable him to change between reality and demon world in order to take up the challenge and fight the creatures from hell. With a quick trigger finger and a sharp mind the player explores the eerie mansion to reveal a horrifying secret.

Indie game "Power of Defense" launched

Independent game developer 4sdk Game Development has announced the launch of their first commercial game titles Power of Defence.

In Power of Defense, players take control of a robot warrior production headquarter between the parallel universes on the one side the world of the humans and on the other side the strange oil-smelling world of the robots. Players are tasked with keeping humans world clean from robots and to pass as much own produced robots through portals to the robot world. Through combining different robot types and releasing them in the right moment, players must think quickly and inventively.

Left 4 Dead 2 DLC "The Passing" released

Valve studios have announced today the release of their first Left 4 Dead 2 DLC, "The Passing".

This game add-on brings the original Left 4 Dead Survivors down south for a meeting with the original Left 4 Dead 2 Survivors. "The Passing" introduces 3 new maps, new weekly game modes (Mutations), a new "uncommon common" zombie class (the fallen survivor), melee weapon (golf club), firearm (M-60), support for infected bot play in Versus and 10 new achievements.

The PC version of Left 4 Dead 2 will be automatically updated with this DLC. Xbox 360 owners can purchase it from the Xbox marketplace.

Free DLC level for Trine released

Finnish game developer Frozenbyte has announced the release of the free DLC level "Path to New Dawn" for their action-platformer Trine. Gamers that wish to play the new level can either download it for free or purchase the game bundled with the DLC level at 75% off until the 26^th of April.

Path to New Dawn is a unique level with new visuals and challenging gameplay, especially on Very Hard difficulty setting. It also features 10 special items for the player to collect. The level is unlocked and available in the Select level menu once the game has been completed.

The free DLC is part of Patch 1.07, which also includes a couple of minor additions to the game, such as visible experience bottle information in the Inventory menu for treasure hunters. The patch comes hot in the heels of Patch 1.06, released earlier in April, which among other things removed copy-protection from certain retail versions of the game and improved multi-keyboard and mice support and featured many smaller tweaks and fixes.

Third open beta for Craft of Gods scheduled

Kalicanthus Entertainment has announced that the new open beta event for the massively multiplayer online role playing game Craft of Gods will begin on the 2^nd on April.

Created by Russian developer studio Cyberdemons, Craft of Gods is a new 3D fantasy MMORPG based on Slavic mythology. Set in a huge world with 25 different maps, Craft of Gods provide players with a great Realm versus Realm (RvR) and Player versus Player (PvP) experience, but it will also appeal to Player versus Enviroment (PvE) oriented gamers.

Players can choose between 6 different races divided into 3 factions (Light, Darkness and Neutral) and create their character that can then be completely customized; in facts there are no classes in Craft of Gods, only skills: each player can choose from 14 schools of skills, each containing 15 powers – for a total of 210 different skills that assure a great depth of customization.

Deus Ex 3 renamed to Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Square Enix has announced at Game Developers Conference 2010 that the RPG and first person shooter Deus Ex 3 will be released as Deux Ex: Human Revolution.

The game is currently produced by the Eidos Montreal studios.

Achtung Panzer: Kharkov 1943 launched

Paradox Interactive had announced the launch of Achtung Panzer: Kharkov 1943 a World War II strategy game developed by Graviteam and Snowball Studios.

The game was designed with a battlefield realism in mind and is now available from most major digital distributors, including GamersGate and Impulse and other select digital distributors.

DarkStar One: Broken Alliance announced

Kalypso Media has announced that the space combat/adventure title DarkStar One: Broken Alliance is currently under development at Gaming Minds studio and will be released on Xbox360 in summer 2010.

DarkStar One: Broken Alliance sees players exploring the vast reaches of space, encountering, battling and trading with six mysterious alien races in a quest to unravel the mysterious death of the protagonist’s father. Players can create their own career paths – be it brigand, mercenary, privateer, merchant or whatever mix they please, while buying (or capturing) alien technology to customise their highly adaptable ship, the DarkStar One, with hundreds of possible combinations of weapons, shields, armour and components.

Lineage 2 free trials available again

NCsoft has announced that free trials for Lineage 2 are available again. At the same time, players can refer friends to the game, players bringing new subscribers earning additional game time.

The free trial will give players 14 days to test all 36 character classes available and the new content offered by the latest patch titled Gracia Epilogue.

Order of War: Challenge launch date announced

Wargaming.net studios have announced that the multiplayer expansion Order of War: Challenge will be available exclusively on Steam starting from the 25^th of February.

Gamers that don't own the base real time strategy game Order of War can purchase this expansion for $9.99. The expansion contains 12 additional maps, 4 co-op missions and 6 new multiplayer modes.

Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City launch date announced

Rockstar has announced that the PC version of Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City will be launched on the 30^th of March.

This package will contain the final two episodes in the Grand Theft Auto IV saga, Grand Theft Auto IV - The Lost and Damned and Grand Theft Auto IV - The Ballad of Gay Tony.

Fans of the series will experience new songs on the updated soundtrack as featured across Liberty City's 13 diverse radio stations, alongside in-game television and Liberty City's own internet.

System requirements for Alien vs. Predator announced

SEGA has published the minimum and recommended system requirements for the first-person shooter Alien vs. Predator.

The minimum requirements are:

• Windows 7 or Windows XP or Windows Vista
• 3.2 GHz Intel Pentium 4/Athlon 64 3000+ or equivalent processor
• 1 GB System RAM on Windows XP or 2 GB System RAM for Windows Vista or Windows 7
• DirectX 9.0c compliant video card with at least 128 MB RAM (NVIDIA 6600 or better, ATI X1600 or better)

The game will be launched on the 19^th of February 2010 on PC, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360.