Here's a little something to wash away that sorrow of seeing the Wii version of Civilization: Revolution cancelled put on hold last month: 2K Games announced a release date for the latest chapter in Sid Meier's 17-years old series, on its remaining platforms. So, without further ado (but with plenty of screenshots below), the PS3, Xbox 360 and DS versions of Civilization: Revolution are to be released on June 6. Lovely, and now for the accompanying PR'ish game synopsis.

"Built from the ground up solely for console and handheld gamers, Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution features fast-paced, pick-up-and-play action involving strategic global domination and history's most intrepid leaders, as well as a highly competitive multi-player experience. Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution brings the renowned Civilization franchise to consoles for the first time, delivering the vast re-playability and unmatched addictive gameplay that has become synonymous with the works of Sid Meier. New graphical touches and a streamlined interface will transport the Civilization franchise to a level that fans have never seen before."

 (...)

 Continue reading 'Civilization: Revolution Dated, Screenshots'...

Having shown the new Scrin unit "Mechapede" in a trailer earlier this month, EA is issuing this new batch of screenshots from GDC, for the Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath expansion. Preetee colorz! Marching in shops this March.

On the same day that EA was revealing Red Alert 3 for the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360, Vivendi also made a similar, albeit shadowed announcement, about another supposedly-hardcore RTS game heading for all three supposedly-hardcore platforms: World in Conflict. As one of last year's top strategy titles on the PC, World in Conflict was previously known to be in development for the Xbox 360, but this week a PS3 version was also confirmed.

Both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 version of World in Conflict are now set for release in autumn 2007, effectively meaning that the Xbox 360 has already been delayed almost one year from its initial date. But looking on the bright side, this way the devs (Swordfish Studios, overwatched by Massive Ent.) will hopefully have enough time to do a proper port, controls-wise.

Other-wise, World in Conflict will be reinforced with new content on the consoles, for both its singleplayer campaign and multiplayer mode. And this yet-to-be-detailed "new content" will also be made available on the PC, in the form of an expansion. More info about the latter should be interecepted soon.

We won't have to dig like madmen for any scans of some Hungarian preview, after all, because Electronic Arts have just announced Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 in a nice big press release, complete with screenshots and a trailer. The first surprise we get is that EA's Los Angeles studio is developing this RTS sequel not only for the PC and Xbox 360, but also for the PlayStation 3. Next up, Red Alert 3 boasts a fully co-operative campaign set in "a breathtaking alternate future spawned by time travel run amok", while adding "an astounding new faction that will shake-up the Red Alert universe as we know it", and "bringing naval combat into the heart of the game design". Not to mention they're already hinting at the beta! But let's take them one at a time, right after these pics.


 (...)

 Continue reading 'Red Alert 3 Details, Screenshots And Trailer'...

I distinctly recall Mark Skaggs (ex-Westwood / EA Pacific) dropping the bomb in late 2004, that work on a new Red Alert game had already started at that time, so let's not call this an "announcement". Rather, it's something even better: an unexpected details blowout, incoming very soon in the printed press around the world! So far, the Hungarian PC Guru (going on sale tomorrow, February 14) and the American PC Gamer magazines are the first to have their covers invaded by the red army, paving the way for the moment we've been waiting for, ever since EA "blew it" with Westwood.

Tick-tack...

... the bomb is ticking.

September 7, 2008, to be more precise. This is now the official new (tentative) release date for Spore, as announced in the game's first newsletter, signed by Will Wright, that popped into my inbox just now. Ironically enough, Maxis and Electronic Arts even felt the need to make a special teaser trailer for this "joyous" moment. You can watch it right here on Playkon, but there's absolutely no in-game footage, just the above release date. "Thanks again. You'll hear from us soon", he says. The nerve...


Will Wright's message: "check out our launch date teaser".
(Because it's too fucking infuriating when written down!)

- The reason why 2K Games cancelled Civilization Revolution for the Wii is now elucidated. The reason why MTV writes about games remains a mystery.

- Devil May Cry 4 (PS3, Xbox 360), Assassin's Creed DS, Sins of a Solar Empire and others are releasing this week. Next week, Duke Nukem Forever. Or when it's done.