Psychonauts, Call of Duty 2, City Life & More On Steam // UPDATE #2

The folks from Valve pumped several Steam-related news in our inbox this week, revealing six more games that will be released via their digital distribution service. After DEFCON a couple of weeks ago, Psychonauts is now also available for download on Steam, and soon it will be followed by RoboBlitz and four Activision titles: Call of Duty, Call of Duty: United Offensive, Call of Duty 2 and Gun.

Right, so let's take them apart one by one. First in line is Tim Schafer's Psychonauts, available now on Steam for $19.99.

"Psychonauts is Double Fine Productions' critically acclaimed, mind-bending comedic action / adventure about a young circus performer's desperate quest to save a summer camp for psychics from a mysterious, brain-stealing lunatic. Created by industry veteran Tim Schafer, designer of classic games such as Full Throttle and Grim Fandango, Psychonauts has received numerous awards, including game of the year from Eurogamer and, last week, the prestigious BAFTA.



"So for the press release. uh. man, it's tough because every single 'steam' related play on words has already been done," said Schafer. "Double Fine and Valve: With a love this hot, you know there's gotta be STEAM! How about that?"

Not content to simply craft a stunning play on words about Valve's full-featured broadband platform for the delivery and management of games, Schafer ordered award-winning cartoonist and Psychonauts art director Scott Campbell to create a special comic commemorating the warm digital relationship between Double Fine and Valve. The impressive result is available here."

In the coming weeks, the Unreal Engine 3-based action game RoboBlitz will also be released via Steam, for $14.99. Word is RoboBlitz is a humorous, physics-driven action game full of inventive gizmos, weapons, and environments. Players take on the role of Blitz, a multi-talented robot who must activate an aging Space Cannon to save his world from a band of maladjusted space pirates. Set in seven distinct environments, RoboBlitz features 19 levels of puzzle-solving and high-intensity action.

And last, but certainly not least, Activision will be re-launching four of its PC games on Steam, namely Gun and the Call of Duty series. Meaning the original game, the United Offensive add-on and the Call of Duty 2 sequel. No word yet on when these titles will hit Steam, but we're waiting to get some clarification on that from Valve.

UPDATE: Valve has just sent us not only the clarification we wanted, but also another press release, informing us that City Life was also added to the Steam catalogue. Available now for download, Monte Cristo's city builder is priced at $39.95.

As for Activision's games, all four of them will re-launch this month on Steam (although Valve couldn't offer an exact date yet). Gun, Call of Duty and CoD: United Offensive will each cost $19.95, while Call of Duty 2 will be downloadable in exchange for $39.95.

UPDATE #2: Earlier I think that they would have expected, Valve have already pumped the four Activision games through the Steam pipe. And they also said that those who purchase Call of Duty 2, Gun, Call of Duty or CoD: United Offensive during their first two weeks of availability on Steam will receive a 10% discount. [16.10.2006, 14:50]

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Gothic 3 Finally Out In Europe, Download First Patch

All's well when ends well? We're certainly hoping that's the case with Piranha's brand spanking new Gothic 3 RPG, that launched today in several European countries. So it looks like JoWooD pulled it off eventually, despite that buggy gold version being recalled from replication in late September, and threatening to delay the game's release all over again.

But even after the second gold version, Gothic 3 is still far from being perfect - as evidenced by the simultaneous release of the first patch for the game's European version. The 60 MB update addresses different problems related to quests, interaction with the game wolrd, user interface and the handling of party members.

We are clearly dealing with a very rushed launch here, and I believe JoWooD took a real gamble by not allowing Piranha to test the game further, and have a proper release ready, instead of putting out a patch from day one (even one day ahead of Gothic 3's release, actually). So now we're waiting to see if there will be any price to pay for their retail stunt.

We sure hope not, because the Germans from Piranha Bytes are clearly capable of making an outstanding role-playing game. But it will take some time until we'll now for sure if they managed to squash enough bugs, in time for this hasty release.

It all comes down to how many days / hours will it be until the next patch is released...

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Genesis Rising Invites You To The Public Beta Test

Space strategy fans will unfortunately have to wait a bit longer for the final version of Genesis Rising: The Universal Crusade, as the game was recently delayed until early 2007. But the good news is that DreamCatcher is now accepting applications for a second public beta test phase. Due to "overwhelming demand", they decided to start a new application process, that began yesterday and will close on Thursday, October 19, 2006.

If you're into Homeworld and other futuristic RTS games (and are over 18 years old), I'm sure you'll be more than happy to sign up for this beta. You can do so on DreamCatchers' Genesis Rising Beta Test Application Form, which includes the standard questions - about system specs, previous beta testing experience, so on, so forth...

Homeworld might very well be he first game that comes to mind, when looking at the Genesis Rising screenshots available so far. But looking a bit closer, I think that Metamorf Studios' space strategy will be more like Nexus: The Jupiter Incident really. And that can bring nothing but joy, because Nexus was a truely great game, though sadly overlooked.

Here's a brief presentation of the game, for those you missed it earlier this year:

"Genesis Rising: The Universal Crusade is a futuristic 3D game that uses the best elements of role-playing games within the context of a fast moving real-time strategy game, set in a mysterious future universe where organic machines are built using genetic engineering. Through a familiar RTS-like interface, improved to support quite a few original features, you will:

- Command a fleet of fully customizable organic spaceships in order to takeover the last galaxy unconquered by the human race.

- Alter your ships' DNA on the fly, and watch them morph in real-time as they gain new abilities.

- Fight dynamic and evolving space battles from up-close, where you can manage each ship and weapon system."

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Benoît Sokal's Sinking Island Also Drifting To Nintendo DS

Whereas adventure games have been "dying" on the PC for years, the classic genre is slowly finding new life on Nintendo's DS handheld platform. A coupe of weeks ago, dtp's Anaconda division announced plans for a DS prequel to their recently released Undercover: Operation Wintersun PC game, and now we learn that Benoît Sokal's studio, White Birds is also planning a handheld adventure title of their own.

As revealed by Adventure Gamers, the DS version of Sinking Island has entered the pre-production phase over at White Birds, and they even have a mock-up image of how the game will look on the Nintendo DS.

"White Birds will retain the same storyline, characters, and gameplay of the PC version, and adapt the controls and presentation to the unique features of the DS. The main screen will be the lower one, while various secondary interface features such as the inventory, map, and notes will be shown on the top screen."

The PC version of Sinking Island was featured this year at E3, where it was introduced as the first game in what Benoît's studio hopes to become a series of detective adventures. The game is set to take place on a private tropical island that is sinking under the weight of a colossal hotel built upon it. The plot revolves around the murder of the hotel's billionaire owner, but the interesting thing is that, as the island is sinking, so is the evidence found in the lower level areas! So you will only have a simulated three day period (around six-seven hours of play) to solve the case, before all the evidence is lost forever to the sea and the "Game Over" screen sinks in.

Benoît Sokal's team plans to finalize Sinking Island for the PC in Spring 2007, but there's still no word on when to expect the DS version. We have, however, some screenshots from the PC version in our gallery today, courtesy of Adventure Gamers.

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World of Warcraft Loses 11 Million Gold And 76,000 Accounts

You can "blame" Blizzard for preventing World of Warcraft from reaching a virtual population of 7 million players sooner. Just last month, the blues closed more than 76,000 WoW accounts, and as a result some 11 million gold was removed from the game economies in the US, Europe and Korea. Think of all the epix mounts you could buy yourself with that kind of money... Or in real-life cash, 11 million gold would cost you anywhere between 1.5 and 2 million US dollars!

As alawys, the vast majority of the banished accounts were associated with cheating through the use of third-party programs, or with farming gold and items - activities that violate World of Warcraft's Terms of Use, and can severely impact the economy of a realm (not to mention everyone else's game experience).

"We will continue to aggressively monitor all World of Warcraft realms in order to protect the service and its players from the harmful effects of cheating. Please note that selling World of Warcraft content, such as gold, items, and characters, can result in a permanent ban of the involved accounts from World of Warcraft", warned the blues.

"Many account closures come as the direct result of tips reported to our Game Masters in game or emailed to our Hacks Team by legitimate World of Warcraft players. If you suspect that a World of Warcraft player is using an illegal third-party program to farm gold or items, or is otherwise violating our Terms of Use, please report the suspected infraction to the Game Master team using the In-Game Help Request. All reports will be investigated, and those that prove false will not result in corrective action."

With The Burning Crusade expansion drawing ever so closer, and the beta already upon us, a new World of Warcraft population boom is sure to follow. And with it, a new tsunami of account closures for sure.

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Little did I know when I woke up this morning afternoon, that I would find something so precious in my inbox, as a beta key for the World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade closed beta phase! This has got to be the best mail I received in the last two years - that is, since the European beta phase for the original World of Warcraft began in late 2004. So I guess this means the start of The Burning Crusade beta is now as official as it gets. And if you'd rather hear that from a "blue", please, be my guest.

If you're hoping to receive a beta key as well, you need not dispair just yet: it could take a few days until Blizzard sends out all the mails, like it happened two years ago. Do note, however, that in order to participate in the beta test immediately, your retail World of Warcraft account must be active as of October 8, 2006.

For this beta phase, participants are entitled to copy up to four level 55+ characters to the expansion test realms. The option to copy premade characters (full of epixx sets) is not available yet, so you can only go with your normal characters for the time being. Once copied, you will finally be able to travel through the Dark Portal and discover the new Outland regions. Not to mention the new playable races, Draenei and Blood Elves, the flying mounts, and... well, loads of other things!

I won't keep you any longer right now; after all, the installer is a massive 2.13 GB download, and there's still plenty of things I need to do in the remaining 74%. Because once it's done, I'll be lost for humanity all over again... Good luck, and speedy download for all ye chosen ones!

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There is no place for "creativity lovers" in today's gaming industry, it seems. Despite having created the well known Viewtiful Joe series, as well as the newly released God Hand action game and the artistically impressive Okami, Japanese developer Clover Studio will sadly be shut down by Capcom. The decision was made at today's Board of Directors' meeting held by Capcom, who also announced that Clover is to be dissolved at the end of March 2007.

Their reasons? As always, purely financial:

"Reason for the Dissolution:

Clover Studio Co., Ltd. has met the goal of developing unique and creative original home video game software, however, in view of promoting a business strategy that concentrates management resources on a selected business to enhance the efficiency of the development power of the entire Capcom group, the dissolution of Clover Studio Co., Ltd. has been raised and passed at a Board of Directors' meeting.

Schedule of Dissolution:

End of March, 2007

Impact on Financial Forecasts:

The impact of the dissolution of Clover Studio Co., Ltd. on the financial forecasts, separately announced on the same day, is inclusive as part of Extraordinary Losses amounting to 400 million yen."

Clover Studio was fouded on July 1, 2004 in Osaka, Japan. The name itself, "Clover", comes from the abbreviation of "creativity lover". So perhaps their tragic fate would have been different today, had their ideology been "cash lover" instead...

R.I.P. Clover Studio (2004-2007)

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There aren't many game designers left out there like Sid Meier, who can pride himself with being credited for 50 games (give or take) throughout his career, some even genre-defining (as opposed to re-defining), and who can still fill us with joy every time his team at Firaxis releases a new one. His latest Pirates! remake, Civilization IV, the recent Warlords add-on - none of these new titles let us down, and hopefully neither will Sid Meier's Railroads! later this month.

As announced by Take-Two, the game had reached Gold status and is ready to ship in North America on October 17, and in Europe on October 27.

"Sid Meier's Railroads! marks the return of one of the most beloved strategy titles of all time and a concept that launched a whole genre and inspired a new generation of strategy games.

Sid Meier's Railroads! returns in a vibrant 3D world delivering exciting multiplayer options, in-game customization tools, streamlined interface and unmatched gameplay that's easy to learn yet challenging to master. Legendary game designer Sid Meier and Firaxis Games, creators of the highest rated computer strategy game* Civilization IV, put gamers in charge of building the greatest rail empire in the nation - managing trains, cargo and the bottom line - while engaging in all-out corporate warfare against rival tycoons, slick entrepreneurs, and robber barons.

(...)

*According to GameRankings.com average scores of computer strategy games."

While waiting to see if Firaxis has once again delivered a top-notch title, our local Railroads! gallery has some new entries for your viewing pleasure.

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The Swedes from SimBin must be getting really good at making racing games, because their latest project RACE, announced back in August, is already due for release next month. Today's news comes from Eidos / SCi Games, who turns out to be the game's publisher in European territories. According to their press release, RACE: The Official WTCC Game will ship to retail on November 24, 2006, for the PC.

"From acclaimed Swedish developers SimBin, RACE: The Official WTCC Game features the hard-hitting, intense action of the WTCC championship for the first time ever. Boasting the complete WTCC championship season of 2006, all the cars, drivers and locations, and a variety of difficulty levels to attract every gamer from hardcore simulation gamers to beginners.

With over 60 different and accurately modelled cars and 10 officially licensed tracks from four continents, the game features a highly detailed damage system, realistic AI opponents with sprint race attitude, dynamic weather effects, real world driver involvement and support for up to 26 players online."

Further information is expected to be released on the game's website at www.race-game.org, and until that time comes, you can check out a new series of screenshots in our RACE gallery.

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New Sturmovik: 1946 Flight Simulator This November

Believe it or not, the IL-2 Sturmovik series is nearly five years old by now, and the ending is still nowhere in sight. On the contrary, Ubisoft revealed that a new flight simulator - called Sturmovik: 1946 - is in the works at the prestigious Russian studio 1C: Maddox Games. Sturmovik: 1946 is already cleared for take off this November in Europe and Australia, and from the details supplied so far, it sounds like a stand-alone (and alternate-history) expansion to Oleg Maddox's acclaimed IL-2 Sturmovik.

"Sturmovik: 1946 offers new campaigns, missions and aircraft as well as many exclusive features. Pilots can fly the skies and fight enemies over the Russian front, German occupied Europe, the Far East and the Pacific. Sturmovik: 1946 also includes all of previous Il-2 series content, thus bringing the most respected anthology flight simulator to an astonishing 229 flyable aircraft and over 300 total aircraft.

Key Features:

- New Aircraft - 32 new flyable fighters and bombers, including the long-awaited Il-10 Sturmovik, the Mig-9 Jet fighter or the Arado Ar-234 Blitz bomber; plus four new AI aircraft.

- New Maps - Large new historical maps of the Kiev region, a Manchuria region map focusing on the border between the USSR, China and Japanese-occupied Korea, a large bonus Burma map and an online Khalkin Gol / Nomonhan map.

- New campaigns - With nearly 200 missions, unparalleled realism and attention to detail, the nine new campaigns will thrust players into detailed fighter and bomber pilots missions for the German, Soviet and Japanese air forces.

- Alternate history - Three of the nine campaigns are a departure into alternate history, focusing on hypothetical battles between the Soviet Union and Germany in the year 1946 where WWII still rages on. Both the VVS and Luftwaffe now have access to advanced jet and rocket fighters.

- New features - In addition to such exotic aircrafts as Soviet mixed-power fighters, 1946 also adds an incredible variety of new ground targets, including, for the first time in the series, trenches and bunkers that give a whole new dimension to the ground attack aspect of the simulator.

- Nearly 1,000 new Paint schemes - The new planes, as well as many existing ones, come with a host of historical paint schemes, showing many of the individual aircraft or squadrons that served in WWII.

- Exclusive bonus - Making of, interview videos and screenshots of the new features, plus exclusive screenshots and never before seen videos taken from upcoming Maddox game: Storm of War: Battle of Britain. A Detailed Plane Guide, totalling over 450 pages of information, gives the low-down on every single one of your 229 flyable aircraft, and allows new players much easier access to the incredible variety of aircraft in the simulator."

So that's about it for now. We also have a few screenshots in our new Sturmovik: 1946 gallery today, but they're not too revealing in terms of graphical advancements (assuming there will be any). If not, Maddox fans can always look forward to Storm of War: Battle of Britain, which is also scheduled for a November 2006 launch window. Or at least it was, the last we heard of it.

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