Apocalypso's Atomic Arcade: 5/30/10

2010/06/07

NAG August Issue Cover DVD Request Thread Now Open

It’s all ready that time again. Time for the suggestions for the August issue of NAG Magazine’s Cover DVD to commence. The July one seemed to go so quickly, and it’s now down from what I can see.

Miktar Dracon gets very serious about August’s Cover DVD suggestions:

“DIRECT LINKS ONLY - if your link does not bring up a download window when clicked, you're doing it wrong, and your file has zero chance of appearing on the DVD.

Errant posts will be deleted.”

Well, I guess there is the new Version 1.02 of The Dark Mod I could suggest they put on there. Anyway, if you want anything on the August issue of the Cover DVD, then follow the link at the bottom and join up so you can post something.

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Source: NAG August DVD Request Thread [NAG Online Forums]

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II Arriving on the PC

The first Star Wars: The Force Unleashed game didn’t release on the PC, but made it to most other consoles out there.

Then Star Wars: The Force Unleashed: Ultimate Sith Edition did make it to the PC with some added features that weren’t in the original, albeit more than a year later.

Now it’s been confirmed that the second game, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II, announced late last year, will appear on the PC this time. The PC port is being worked on by Aspyr, who ported Star Wars: The Force Unleashed: Ultimate Sith Edition to the PC.

The title should be released on October 26, 2010. Hopefully the PC version will come out at the same time, this time.

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Source: Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II confirmed for PC via Asypr [Big Download]

My Time as a Video Game Character: Doomguy

There were likely a few times in my life as a young boy were I tried to dress up and imitate a character in a video game – something which the initiated called Cosplay – which seems to be big not only in America, but Japan as well. It’s huge there, from what I’ve seen.

There was a time years ago when I was in school and they class project was to dress up as either a spaceman or an alien of sorts. I decided I wanted not only to be a space man – but a space marine.

I’d just gotten my new computer that year: a Pentium 100 MHz, and on it I had the shareware version of Doom with the famous episode named “Knee Deep in the Dead”.

This inspired me to dig in the cupboards and see what I could get to make myself look the part. So I managed to get a fishbowl. You’ve seen pictures of people or adverts on TV [I have], where people put a fishbowl on their head and pretend they’re in space. I did that. What did I do for a gun? I could have had a bb gun, or a water pistol; something even mildly realistic. But what did I do? I used a snorkel.

So there I was running up and down the driveway with my getup on, getting a headache because of a mix of the sun beating down on my head, the hyperactivity of a child, and the fact that I probably wasn’t getting enough oxygen with that bloody bowl on my head.

I went to school the next day and the teacher just laughed at my “costume”, which probably looked nothing like Doomguy at all. But kids have something called an imagination, and so we think we look the part.

We had to line up outside the classroom – which was a bungalow, seeing as the school was still expanding at the time – to get ready to head in to the neighbouring class to show off our outfits. All I remember before going in was that some idiot clubbed me over the head with something, intentionally or by accident I’m not sure, which not only gave me another headache, but cracked my helmet as well.

There I was – a space marine with a hole in my head gear. At least I could finally get some oxygen. On Phobos, Deimos, or Mars I’d be dead though.

2010/06/06

The Dark Mod Version 1.02 up for Download

By now you’ve surely heard of The Dark Mod: a Thief-inspired mod for Doom 3. Recently another update for the mod was released, bringing it up to version 1.02 now. What’s in this new update: new textures, models, AI fixes as well as some new vocals for the guards and so on.

The download weighs in at 500 MB. There’s a mew trailer to show off some of the new features as well.

There’s also some new Fan Missions [FMs] that have been released, including most recently “Alchemist”, just the other day.

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Source: The Dark Mod [via Doom world]

Alan Wake Hampers June 2010 Competition

I saw something in the latest issue of NAG when I got it on Thursday, and that was an two page spread near the end of the magazine. I talked about a competition where you can win Alan Wake Hampers.

The first prize is a Collector’s Edition of Alan Wake, along with an Xbox 360 Elite, a Mini Mag torch, and some Halloween goodies like false vampire teeth and so on.

The 2nd and 3rd runners-up get the standard edition of Alan Wake for Xbox 360, and the Mini Mag torch.

I like the idea of the torch seeing as light plays quite a big role in the game from what I’ve seen. My brother has one of those torches – but the big one – and let me tell you could easily club some attacker over the head and they’d know about it.

To enter the competition, just SMS “light” sans quotes to 36560. SMSs cost R5. Winners will be notified via SMS, and the competition ends on Wednesday, the 30th June, 2010. Only people from SA can enter.

The competition is sponsored by wantitall.co.za

Video Games Coming out This Week [06-06-12-06, 2010] - Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

AAA’s Targets of the Week: Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands, Call of Duty: The War Collection, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

Last month we saw the console versions of Prince of Persia release, and now this month, this week, the PC version is out. In addition to that, there’s the long awaited and anticipated Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker for the PSP. It’s a sequel to the events of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snaker Eater and Portable Ops, and has you controlling the lovable Naked Snake, AKA Big Boss.

Another thing to watch out for is the Call of Duty War Collection for Xbox 360, which contains Call of Duty 2, Call of Duty 3, and Call of Duty: World at War, also known as CoD 5. It’s a WW II FPS bundle for those of you who haven’t played some of the CoD games besides Modern Warfare.

Links go to game detail pages at retail and digital distribution outlets like Amazon and Steam, etc. You can also check out my Amazon aStore for the latest and greatest games released this year.

[PC]

Hearts of Iron III: Semper Fi [Digital – D2D]
Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands [Digital - D2D]
WarBirds Red Baron

[Mac]

WarBirds Red Baron

[Xbox 360]

Call of Duty: The War Collection
Earthworm Jim HD [XBLA]
Green Day: Rock Band
Green Day: Rock Band Plus
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11

[PlayStation 3]

Green Day: Rock Band
Green Day: Rock Band Plus
Joe Danger [PSN]
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11
Voodoo Dice [PSN]

[PSP]

Cubixx
Disgaea Infinite
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker PSP Entertainment Pack

Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker Accessory Set
Vibes

[Wii]

City Builder
Green Day: Rock Band
Let's Play Ballerina
Let's Play Garden
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11
Vacation Isle: Beach Party

[Nintendo DS]

Flametail [DSiWare]
Let's Play Ballerina
Let's Play Garden
Mega Man Zero Collection
Mind Over Matter
Samantha Swift and the Hidden Roses of Athena
Satisfashion: Rock the Runway

[iPhone]

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 [iTunes]

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Sources:

The Video Game Release List of 6/6 - 6/12 [Shacknews]

New Releases Week of Jun 06, 2010 [Gamespot]

2010/06/05

Thi4f, AKA Thief 4, Not Showing at E3, Possible PS3 Version

Little has been heard about Thi4f for some time now, with the odd tweet by Eidos Montreal, usually concerning stuff that doesn’t really have anything to do with the game.

Now, Connected Consoles say that Eidos will not be bringing anything about the game to E3. The main focus is no doubt on Deus Ex: Human Revolution, also in development at the studio, which will be at the event, and scheduled for an early 2011 release, according to the latest trailer.

This means Thi4f will likely only see a release sometime next year at the latest, but I have to admit – even that seems unlikely. Late 2011 to early 2012, I’d say right now, but you never know.

Another piece of speculation on the internet is that Thi4f may make make an appearance on the PlayStation 3 console. This was thought to be the case after a tweet was spotted on PlayStation’s twitter account where a Sony employee tweeted:

"Oh man: http://www.thief4.com/".

But this doesn’t necessarily mean anything, seeing as I’m still seeing people who are appalled at the title of the game. So this guy could have been saying: “Oh man! I don’t believe! How could they name it that? THI4F!?”

See? There is a character limit on Twitter after all. Or else he only just noticed that the game existed now, even though it was announced a year ago now.

But seeing as it is the case nowadays, the game could well be coming to the consoles, and maybe even the Xbox 360. As long as it comes to the PC, I’m happy.

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Sources:

No Thief 4 Appearance At E3 Eidos Montreal Fully Dedicated To Deus Ex [Connected Consoles]

'Thief 4' May Be Coming To PS3, But Definitely Not To E3 2010 [multiplayerblog.mtv.com]

Trent Reznor not Working on Doom 4

It’s a long way off until Doom 4 will ever see the light of day, seeing as Rage – the title that id is currently working on – will only arrive next year as it is.

Still, there were those who probably wondered whether Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails fame would be working on Doom 4 as far as sound and music goes.

The answer it turns out, is “No”. Apparently he said that he doesn’t have the time to work on the game.

"I haven't been contacted by them and find it unlikely that I would have time at this point."

Trent previously worked on the music in Quake, and also did some work on Doom 3 that didn’t even make it into the final version of the game.

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Source: Trent Reznor Unlikely to be Involved with Doom 4 [1UP]

AAA – Now Playing: BioShock 2

Months ago I bought BioShock 2 and to my disappointment I couldn’t get it to work for some reason.

But just lately after updating my DirectX drivers and other such things, I decided to give the game a go once more. Sometimes these things happen.

And I was right: this time it works nicely. So, the game was released several months ago, back in February, and might not be as good as the original according to some, but here I am, catching up on playing this game. And I quite enjoy it too.

Right now on this play through I’m harvesting the little sisters, but like the first game, I probably end up going back for a second play through where I’ll be Mr. Nice guy and save them from a life of servitude and horror.

2010/06/04

Study: Gamers Have Control Over Their Dreams

I’ve sometimes had stuff on here under the “Keen Dreams” title, which goes in to how I often dream about video games as well as going into detail about what the dream was about.

I’ve read several posts over the past week talking about some study that was undertaken which apparently came to the conclusion that gamers have some of the best dreams – mainly because they are able to have some sort of control over what happens in them.

They claim that gamers can control events that happen in the dream or nightmare, and in the case of being chased or hunted by something, they can even “turn the tables” and assume control and start directing and even dictating what happens. This is because we’re actually more aware that we are dreaming, and perhaps lose some of our fear and fight back. Apparently spending hours in a virtual world, playing games, is like preparation. We’ve been labelled the “dream warriors” and excel in what is called “lucid dreaming”.

And the chances of you dreaming about games increase if you do it just before bed, so they say.

I have noticed this myself over the years. When I was young I would often flee in my dreams and fly up into the air and away. But nowadays, when I occasionally do dream or have nightmares, especially during a bad night’s sleep and waking up every few hours or so [more chance of REM which induces dreams, I reckon], I’ve found that I not only dream about games, but that I can also take control and act more like I would in a game I suppose.

You can’t always run away.

At any rate, it’s a refreshing thing to see after having seen so many “studies” and theories that suggest that gaming is bad. Now you know what to do when your kid has nightmares or complains about a monster under the bed: get them to a PC or video game console post-haste, and fire up a game.

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Sources: Video gamers can control dreams, study hints [MSNBC]

Deus Ex: Human Revolution Screenshots, Trailer Coming

These screenshots are said to be taken from a trailer, which will arrive today, Friday, for Deus Ex: Human Revolution, a prequel to the first game released in 2000.

Although not developed by Ion Storm, who did the first two games, it’s being worked on by Eidos Montreal, who also picked up Thi4f, or Thief 4, with the last entry in that series also developed by Ion Storm.

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Source: Deus Ex: Human Revolution shots get out [VG247] via All Games Beta

Alan Wake Novel, Based on the Game, Now Out

Alan Wake was released for Xbox 360 just last month, with the PC version said to be too much effort for a little studio like Remedy, developers of the title.

Alan may be a best-selling author suffering from writer’s block in the game, living the events of his book, but in real life, late last month saw a tie-in novel, which I personally hadn’t heard about before, arrive.

It’s a 320 page novel written by Rick Burroughs, and it’s naturally based on the game. So for everyone who didn’t get a chance to play the game, can head over to Amazon and grab it for about $10.

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Source: Remedy Alerts [Twitter]

2010/06/03

Modern Warfare 2 Soundtrack Available Now

Video game soundtracks are usually released before or just about the same time the game which features the OST releases. Modern Warfare 2 is different, seeing as the OST for this game, which was released last November, was only released this month – this week in fact.

The score is by Hans Zimmer, and features 17 tracks from the game, which in total clocks in at just under an hour’s play length. It retails for $7.99 at Amazon, saving you over $8 if you bought all the songs individually, and also $2 cheaper than you’d find it on iTunes.

Track list:

1. Opening Titles       3:25
2. Extraction Point     3:35
3. Breach                  3:22
4. Guerrilla Tactics     2:58
5. Siege                    4:05
6. Infiltration               4:27
7. Espirit de Corps     3:07
8. Retreat and Reveille     2:57
9. Ordinance              1:58
10. Contingency         2:15
11. Onwards              2:27
12. Code of Conduct     2:09
13. Chain of Command     2:00
14. Safeguard             2:43
15. Deadline               3:55
16. Protocol                3:47
17. Coup de Grace      3:21

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Source: Modern Warfare 2 Soundtrack [Blues News]

Alien Breed Evolution, Renamed Impact, Coming to Steam Today, Sequel in the Works

Alien Breed Evolution by Team 17, the makers of the original series back in 90’s along with the likes of Worms, came out last year for the Xbox 360 on XBLA. Nearly a year later, the PC is set to get a port of the game, but it’s been purposely renamed to Alien Breed: Impact. There’s word that the PS3 version will be named this as well. It’s good that the PC version will have more stuff than the XBLA one did, like upgradeable weaponry, co-op play, and a better campaign, naturally.

Martyn Brown, studio head:

“We’re always very keen to hear what our communities are saying about our titles and greatly consider feedback. For Alien Breed: Impact, it was great that we went back to the design and improved the game in many areas, meaning a much tighter gameplay experience for all.”

The game will be available to download off of Steam this week – today in fact: June 3rd. It retails for about $14.99 and if your pre-order it, you get 10% off that price, and a digital comic book - nice. There’s also a demo that you can grab off of there, as well as a trailer.

There’s also been word that a second game, called Alien Breed 2: Assault, is going to arrive sometime in the future, according to some ESRB listing. Right now, only listed for Xbox 360, the same thing is bund to happen where they port it to PC – perhaps a little sooner this time though.

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Sources:

Alien Breed Evolution PC coming this summer; renamed Alien Breed Impact [Big Download]
Alien Breed Impact demo released via Steam; game release on June 3 [Big Download]

NAG June 2010 Issue Out Today

Last week the NAG June issue ran into some complications and was delayed for a week. just like they said however, Monday NAG put up a post and in it was the usual cover for the issue as well as the contents page to see what’s in it, and what’s on the Cover DVD.

There’s a feature on Call of Duty: Black Ops, the latest in the series which is set to possibly be one of the biggest ever, maybe even more so than Modern Warfare 2. There’s also some stuff on the new XCOM game which was announced this year, as well as Halo: Reach and Alpha Protocol, which came out this week.
Reviews include one on Alan Wake, Metro 2033, Supreme Commander 2, and Splinter Cell: Conviction.

Great cover by the way, don’t you think?

The cover DVD has the usual stuff on it like drivers, patches, an lots and lots of videos and trailers. There are a few demos on there too, including The Whispered World.
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Sources:
NAG June 2010 issue [NAG Online]
[NAG Magazine] June 2010 Issue [NAG Online Forums]

2010/06/02

Video Game Deals on Amazon [June 2, 2010 Edition]: BioShock 2 Special Edition, UFC Undisputed 2010

This week has seen some deals like BioShock Special Edition drop on the Xbox 360, as well as price drops for the standard game as well. UFC Undisputed for the Xbox 360, only released this month is $20 off at the moment, and there are several deals where you can get $10 off on games on several different consoles.

VGDs feature on AAA once or twice a week with deals at least $7.00 [R50] or more making the big list. Deals which are $10 or more make the best deals list.

Links go to game detail pages at retail and digital distribution outlets like Amazon and Steam, etc. You can also check out my Amazon aStore for the latest and greatest games released this year.

Best deals:

BioShock 2 Special Edition - $64.99 - Save $23.67 [360]
UFC Undisputed 2010 - $39.99 - Save $20.00 [360]

The Whispered World - $16.99 - Save $13.00 [PC]
Call of Duty: World at War - $19.99 - Save $10.00 [360]
Split / Second - $39.99 - Save $10.00 [360]
Star Wars: Clone Wars: Republic Heroes with Blaster - $19.99 - Save $10.00 [Wii]

[PC]

The Whispered World - $16.99 - Save $13.00

[Xbox 360]

BioShock 2 Special Edition - $64.99 - Save $23.67
Call of Duty: World at War - $19.99 - Save $10.00
Split / Second - $39.99 - Save $10.00
FIFA Soccer 09 - $15.97 - Save $9.00
UFC Undisputed 2010 - $39.99 - Save $20.00

[Nintendo DS]

Bakugan Battle Brawlers - $10.99 - Save $7.00

[Nintendo Wii]

Shrek Forever After - $39.99 - Save $10.00
Star Wars: Clone Wars: Republic Heroes with Blaster - $19.99 - Save $10.00
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor - $16.30 - Save $9.00

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Sources: Amazon - Nowinstock

Direct2Drive now Selling Splinter Cell Elite Echelon Pack, Insurgency Pack

I picked up the Splinter Cell Trilogy box just the other day. That pack contains the first three SC titles, namely Splinter Cell, Pandora Tomorrow, and Chaos Theory.

Direct2Drive is now selling a downloadable compilation pack containing all but one of the Splinter Cell titles, which would also mean Double Agent, and Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction, which was released just barely a couple of months ago – except this is the Deluxe Edition. That’s four games – the only one seemingly left out for some reason is Pandora Tomorrow.

The Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Elite Echelon Pack is available for $75.95.

Speaking of Splinter Cell, the Insurgency Pack DLC for Splinter Cell: Conviction is now on Direct2Drive as well.

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Source: Direct2Drive [via Twitter]

2010/06/01

Buy Borderlands, get two DLC Add-ons Free at Amazon

It was a bank holiday in the US and the UK yesterday, and Amazon started something by putting up a deal for Borderlands, the hit game of late last year by Gearbox Software.

You can grab the game, currently going for $27.99, saving you a whopping $2 - but with it you’ll get the first two DLC packs released this year, The Zombie Island of Doctor Ned and Mad Moxxi's Underdome Riot, collectively known as the Borderlands Double Game Add-on Pack, for FREE. And that saves you about $20 right there.

By the way, this deal is only available for the PC version of the game.

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Sources: Amazon - Borderlands on sale at Amazon.com with two DLC expansions for free [Big Download]

The Sims Could be Getting Medieval on Your @ss

Couldn’t resists the heading, the saying made famous in Pulp Fiction years ago. But Superannuation spotted some domains that were registered by EA recently, which seem to indicate that there will soon be yet another expansion or add-on pack for The Sims 3 that has something to do with anything and everything medieval – as in back in the Middle Ages, which by looking at the names could be something like The Sims Get Medieval, or something to that effect.

These domains include simsmedieval.com, simsmedieval.net, thesimsmedieval.com, thesimsmedieval.net, thesimsgetmedieval.com, and thesimsgetmedieval.net.

I have to say that this is the expansion for The Sims that I have waited for for ten years. I think a few other add-ons may have dabbled in it a bit, but I mean, I want to build castles, and moats, have jousting tournaments, and so on.

I’ve yet to buy any of the expansions for the game, namely World Adventures and Ambitions, but this one just got my attention. If it is an expansion, that is. It might not be. It could be something else entirely.

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Source: superannuation