The Games News

To quote a famous future game hero, “It’s about time!”

After 4 years, Electronic Arts finally released Flagship’s signature piece. Bill Roper, ex Blizzard North and currently CEO of Flagship Studios (with several ex-Blizzard members whom worked on Diablo) is convinced that the game will bring a lot of enjoyment to all rabid fans out there, waiting for another quality hack-n-slash-action RPG.

I have played the demo, things are looking up, and this will probably a GREAT game. You just need to go to the local game shop and get convinced yourself. I just wouldn’t want to be paying to play multiplayer (still not very sure what the plans are about this).

Duke Nukem Forever (DNF) is the upcoming First Person Shooter (FPS) from 3D Realms. The Garland, Texas-based company, 3D Realms, has been a multifaceted pioneer and innovator in the PC gaming industry. It is part four in a series of PC games featuring Duke Nukem as the hero. Parts one (Duke Nukem) and two (Duke Nukem 2) were side scrollers / platform games, and part three, Duke Nukem 3D, was an FPS. DNF will initially be released for Windows only. It is also possible, but not definite, that Duke Nukem Forever will be ported to the Macintosh. It all depends on whether or not DNF sells well enough. Editing tools like DukeEd, 3D Realms’ modified version of the multipurpose UnrealEd and many more will be included free on the Duke Nukem Forever CD for all of your level design, art importing, and scripting needs. The developers of DNF do not commit to any release dates. The only matter of concern here seems to be that Duke Nukem Forever (DNF) which has been in development for over 8 years now and the only choice the gamers have is to wait and watch!!!

Oklahoma, Louisiana, and now Minnesota seem to be great places to raise your children, especially if you are raising video game playing teenagers. Due to recent signings of the “Inappropriate Games” bill, minors who purchase M-rated (Mature) and/or AO-rated (Adult Only) video games will levy a fine of $25 dollars, instead of fining the retailer who sold the game to the minor. This poses a paradox of sorts: Why fine the minor who bought it when it was the retailer who failed to ask for ID that sold it?

Minnesota Representative Barb Gordon, however, tried unsuccessfully to amend the bill so that retailers would get fined as well. “It’s the retailers that buy the games or rent the games that know what they’ve got there. If they choose to rent those to children then they ought to pay the fine,” said Gordon. That’s one statement, if you’re a state government that is trying to pass a bill of this sort, which you need to heed to. If you are going to punish one, then you should punish all. Fine the minor who bought it, the retailer who sold it, and the company who made it. There should be no fine line anywhere in this equation. If you’re going to punish someone, don’t be biased.

Bungie Studios is releasing a Windows Vista version of its first person shooter, Halo 2, still wildly popular after two years on the market. The game is slated to ship after the December release of the new Microsoft operating system. With the Xbox 360 release of Halo 3 slated for Fall 2007, you have to ask yourself, what’s the point? Why release the dated game on the PC platform around the same time the new version is being released? There are plenty of reasons to get this enhanced port. Halo 2 Vista supports a 16 multiplayer mode like the Xbox (although interplay between PC and Xbox is not possible) and overall gameplay is expected to be similar to the Xbox version. However, Bungie points to massive improvements in visuals. Halo 2 Vista will support DirectX 10, which brings with it nearly photorealistic enhancements. And the game will take advantage of next generation video cards and computer hardware. (more…)

While every company in the upcoming generation of video game consoles are trying to make their individual systems and accessories backwards compatible, it seems that Sony is trying to give the PS3 controller a downgrade for use with the PS2 and PC, leaving it forwards compatible with the PS3.

The new PC, PS2, and PS3-compatible controller, named the eDimentional G-Pad Pro Gyroscopic Gamepad (quite a mouthful), will feature a 12-button analog configuration along with a motion sensor detection system allowing for third-dimensional movements using the controller. Along with all other controller options, you will be able to set custom settings, control sensitivity, and will be able to use the controller as a mouse, keyboard, and joystick all in one. PS3’s motion-sensor fight with Nintendo seems to be underway, with this controller being the first step. The PS3 controller downgrade will be available in July.