2009/05/30

Duke Nukem 3D Dukeism HD Recordings and new Grabbag Remix

Duke4.net reports that Clint Basinger has made some a sound pack for the Duke 3D HRP (high resolution pack) or Duke Plus (mod for Duke 3D HRP). It's a HD replacement of Jon St.John's samples that are played throughout the game. Some are quite good, and others are just funny and make you blush. I'd say it's a good attempt, but there was too much blowing into the microphone sometimes. I wonder if the original files, which are VOC, can be converted and clarified a bit. I've seen it done for other games, but it might take too much time or be too hard.

There have been numerous covers of Lee Jackson's Grabbag, and an artist known as Liquid has updated one of his mixes. This one isn't so good. To me, it sounds little to nothing like Grabbag at all.

Among some other artists that have covered this song are Gigadeth and Megadeth. Megadeth's one is used in the Duke Nukem Forever Demo Reel, and it's excellent.

Sources:

http://www.duke4.net/news.php
http://www.duke4.net/download.php?view.73
http://www.duke4.net/download.php?view.14

Prepare for Rapture Break: Wentworth Miller in Bioshock?

Wentworth Miller, The British born actor who played the tattooed Michael Scofield in Prison Break, tweeted something like this: “Prison Break may be ending, but I’ve got things in the works. Hint…one word: Bioshock.”

His Twitter page is now down for some reason - perhaps for leaking info...

What he's talking about though is anyone's guess. He could be talking about the BioShock movie, directed by Gore Verbinski and currently halted, BioShock 2 - the game, or the Bioshock novel.

Maybe now that Prison Break's Fourth Season is over and it is no more, he has time to play the original BioShock - who knows?

Prison Break: Season 1 was great, season 2 was okay, and I could care less about season 3 and 4.

Some people don't seem too keen on the idea of Wentworth in BioShock. Maybe it's because of the rumours of his sexual preference. Doubt it's true because so many women keep harping on about the man.

Let's say that Wentworth does star in BioShock. Who else would we like to star in the movie? I think that Tom Hanks would make a good Andrew Ryan. Any bald guy could be Fontaine, like Kevin Spacey when he was in Superman. Rachel Weiss or Keira Knightly could be the beanpole, AKA that German broad, AKA Tenenbaum.

Other comments on this story that made me laugh:

"Wonder if he's already running around his house, in his jammies, shouting "BBZZZZZ" at the postman as he pretends to shoot bees out of his arms..." - Luke Plunkett, Kotaku

Sources:

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/16316

Grumpy Old Men: Console Wars over at TTLG

These two posts are so funny and yet so true as well. Most of us probably know about all this stuff anyway.

One guy goes on about how he hates the PC, and the other about why he hates consoles so much. I've got the posts here, but I've had to edit out all the swearing.

If you want to see the full versions, you can follow the links below.

It made me laugh so hard reading these. Two angry old men just letting loose...

My Last Words as a Hardcore PC Gamer

"F@#K PRODUCT ACTIVATION

I apologize, but I had to do that. It's what completely ruined my PC gaming experience.

For those who don't know what I'm talking about, Product Activation is where you have to activate your PC game online, and then you're only allowed to install it on a pathetically low number of computers. Then that's it. You can never install it again for the rest of your life.

Why that bothers me so much? Because I'm a game collector. I buy extra copies of console games as backups because I know I can't play burned backups on a console unless it's modded, and I don't want to have to go through that. For PC games, it's *was* much easier, because I can play burned backups on my computer without worrying about damaging the original copy.

Now because of that SATANIC PRODUCT ACTIVATION THAT'S BECOMING SO POPULAR AMONG COMPANIES, it's no longer possible.

In fact, we collectors HAVE A F@#KING RIGHT TO MAKE BACKUP COPIES FOR ARCHIVAL PURPOSES!! And now by doing this, they're denying us that right. Wondering who's doing the illegal practices now?

This last line has been deleted by the user."

My Last Words As A Casual Console Customer

"F@#K CONSOLE GAMING

I've been on the fence for a long time because I had a Sega and NES just like most kids. Fond memories of Mario, etc.

Because co-op games were becoming increasingly uncomfortable on the PC (try playing Lego Star Wars with a 60 lb. 7 year old in your lap), I broke down and bought the first console I've owned since the late 80's - a PS2. I was also curious to see what all the fuss was about.

Ten games and many saint-killing curses later, I am prepared to leave behind the days of casually mocking console gamers and b@tching about DRM and system requirements on PC games. I am now fully convinced that playing games on consoles is about the most retarded experience I've ever had in my life. And I've been chased across a Gaza strip farm by a herd of goats.

1) The graphics. I play Thief, so obviously I don't care about graphics, but seriously, I can't see a F@#KING thing on this piece of s#1t. It's blurry people. It's VERY BLURRY. We got Lego Batman a few weeks ago and you can't play the damn thing because you can't tell what anything is. It's like looking through the bottom of the 15th bottle of beer. Who the hell can stand to look at this s#1t?

2) Games - the available games suck. ADMIT IT GUYS, THEY SUCK. Even the ones that are also available for PC have been modified so that someone in a coma can play them. AND HOW MANY F@#KING VERSIONS OF NAASCAAAR 200X can any one person possibly play in a lifetime. YOU ARE PRETENDING TO DRIVE A F@#KING CAR.

3) There's not enough buttons. There are no tutorials. The save systems suck. I have to play in the living room where the light of a thousand suns glare on the screen even if I close the blinds. Games for kids are ridiculously hard, games for adults are annoyingly simple. I HAVE TO TELL IT I WANT TO QUIT ON 5 DIFFERENT MENU SCREENS. I'M LATE, LET ME QUIT THE F@#KING GAME.

So I've finally taken a side and no offense if you love consoles, but I say F@#K F@#K F@#K console gaming. I hate it and I will NEVER convert. And don't tell me an XBox is better because if the PC ports I've seen are any indication, it's more a POS than the PS system. Give me patches, Secu-ROM hacking, and shelling out $200 for new cards every few years over this nightmare."

Hilarious!

http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=126933&goto=newpost
http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=126948&goto=newpost

2009/05/29

Two Major games have Release Dates: BioShock 2 and Wolfenstein

Two major releases this year will be id Software's Wolfenstein and 2K's BioShock 2, and they have now received official release dates, except some analysts doubt BioShock 2's date and claim that more may be revealed at E3.

BioShock 2 - 11-03-2009

Preorder now

PC- Xbox 360- PS3

Wolfenstein - 08-04-2009

Preorder now

PC- Xbox 360- PS3

Father's Day DS and PSP Sale at Amazon

DS

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars $23.97
Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution $13.97
Don King Boxing $13.97
MLB 2K9 Fantasy All Stars $13.97
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare $19.97
X-Men Origins: Wolverine $19.97

PSP

Grand Theft Auto Liberty City Stories $13.97
Grand Theft Auto Vice City Stories $13.97
Midnight Club 3 DUB Edition 13.97
Midnight Club: LA Remix $27.97
Major League Baseball 2K9 $19.97
X-Men Origins: Wolverine $27.97
PSP Logitech PlayGear Pocket - Slim $6.97

3D Realms Store to get Overhaul, and Remastered Games

According to former employee and webmaster Joe Siegler, the 3D Realms store is going set to get a major overhaul. More importantly, Siegler says that he spent his last days at 3D Realms remastering all the games available.

This includes packaging all the games with DOSbox (a DOS emulation program for older titles) and making formerly CD-only games available as downloadable titles.

Some think that 3D Realms might be using this overhaul to attract buyers so they can raise money for the looming Take-Two lawsuit. Ouch.

List of 3D Realms games and merchandise
Free Downloads

Sources:

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/28/3d-realms-store-to-get-overhaul-remastered-games/

AVP Showing at E3, and Some new Screens

Rebellion’s game, Aliens vs Predator (some call it Aliens vs Predator 3) will be at E3, and until then there have been some news screens online to view.

Sources:

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/58708
http://www.thatvideogameblog.com/2009/05/26/aliens-vs-predator-headlines-sega-e3-line-up/

2009/05/28

BioShock Getting Stocked

Not only is there BioShock 2 in development, scheduled for a Q4 2009 release, but in addition to the BioShock film (to be directed by Gore Verbinski, and currently on hold), but now there's talk of a BioShock novel as well. And of course it's got Ken Levine's name slapped on it, which doesn't necessarily mean he'll write it, but that he'll contribute to it.

I still wish they'd bring the System Shock series back.

I tried my hand at writing a BioShock short story quite a while back, called Rebirth, but I haven't worked on it in a while. Here's a sample:

“Listen dude, it’s like this, now listen closely.” He said, while dragging on a cigarette, “You’ve got the reds, you’ve got the blues and you’ve got the tonics. They all work together. You shoot the reds, that’s the first step, then you shoot a tonic, then every once in a while you need to shoot a blue.”

“Have you tried any of this stuff?” I asked, feeling nervous on the inside.

“Number one rule dude; don’t try your own supply.” He said, after which he took another drag and squinted his eyes, then exhaling, the smoke billowing up and lassoing around the ceiling fan. “Now, all of this isn’t free, and I don’t take responsibility for what might happen to you. Apparently, I hear some of these dudes become so wired…” he said, and then changing his mind in mid-sentence, waved it off and turned his head, almost guiltily. “Look, I’ll start you off; $300 for a red, a plasmid, and three blues. Just try it out, dude. Come back and see me when you need a fix, cool?” he said, holding out his hand, greasy, no doubt from running it through his long frizzy hair.

“Okay.” I agreed, meeting his hand over the table, grasping it firmly, feeling it squirm in the aforementioned grease. A man over in the corner went in to the back room with the dealer, known only as Teddy.

I sat there, feeling as if I had just sold my soul to the devil. Except Teddy wasn’t the devil- he just unwittingly introduced people to him.

Sources:

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/58801

The Wish Granter: A sequel to Quake I

I know that the likelihood of this ever happening is virtually zero percent, but this is my blog, and I can dream if I want. Do you remember the first Quake and how utterly weird it was and yet so cool at the same time?

After that Quake II came out and the series direction completely changed. In fact, Quake II was originally just a working title, and id Software wanted to go with other names but couldn’t secure any of them and so they stuck with Quake II for that reason and another: it was an established brand.

So what we now know as the Quake series of games: Quake II, Quake 4, and Enemy Territory: Quake Wars, might have been known by another name entirely if things has worked out the way they wanted.

Now what I want is a sequel to the original game, Quake: Part II, even though that possibility was denied years ago. It’s been over ten years since then and people can change their minds. I found the weird and wacky worlds of Quake to be so fear-provoking and awesome that I want to go back.

Yes, we had the expansions, but the game is in need of a sequel or at least a remake of sorts.
It's a game universe that has so much potential and yet it's just fallen by the wayside.

2009/05/27

Available Now: Resident Evil 5 Original Soundtrack

Resident Evil 5 O.S.T.

$14.99

Product Details

Audio CD (May 26, 2009)
Original Release Date: May 26, 2009
Number of Discs: 3
Number of Tracks: 86
Label: Sumthing Else

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Title Movie
2. Opening -Chris's Arrival
3. Item Box
4. New Fear
5. Magic Act
6. The Butcher
7. The Town
8. First Encounter
9. Majini I
10. Hospitality
11. Majini II
12. Game Over
13. Damsel in Distress
14. Majini III
15. A Piece of the Puzzle
16. Unidentified Threat
17. An Emergency
18. The Storage Facility
19. Result
20. The Ripper
21. Executioner
22. The Crisis Reinforcements Arrive
23. Voice of The Darkness
24. Terror from Above
25. Flying Nightmare
26. Pursuer and The Pursued
27. Shaking off The Majini
28. Grand Resurgence
29. Burning with Anger
30. Delta Team's Distress
31. Shadows of the Past
32. Eerie Stillness
33. Majini IV

Disc: 2

1. Majini V
2. Unite but
3. Too Late
4. Get out!
5. Majini's Trap I
6. The Patrol Boat
7. Evil Mutation
8. A New Clue
9. Ancient Noise
10. Majini VI
11. Majini's Trap II
12. Excella and Wesker
13. Underground Garden
14. The Claw 15. Huge Facility
16. Gigantic Attack
17. The Enigma
18. Majini VII
19. Haze of Horror
20. UROBOROS
21. The Mask
22. Two on Two
23. Old Friends, New Enemies
24. Sad but true
25. Trust 26.
The Tanker

Disc: 3

1. Majini VIII
2. Shot or Death
3. A New Nightmare Begins
4. Fragment of Fears
5. The Sign
6. A Big Despair
7. Message
8. Majini IX -in flames-
9. Rematch
10. Wind of Madness
11. The Vulnerability
12. Sky-high Skirmish
13. The Final Curtain
14. Deep Ambition
15. Striker
16. Homeward Bound!
17. Pray -Theme Song
18. Plan of Uroboros
19. Menu
20. Viewer
21. Colors
22. Assault Fire
23. Dreamy Loops
24. On the Bass
25. Rust in summer 2008
26. KILLERS
27. Do you challenge Again?

Sources:

http://www.joystiq.com/
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0027GN6GA?ie=UTF8&tag=apocalypso-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B0027GN6GA

Releasing Soon - Preorder Now: Grand Theft Auto PC Trilogy

Grand Theft Auto PC Trilogy

$27.99

This item will be released on June 9, 2009

Product Features

Fist fight or choose from more than two-dozen weapons
Cruise on streets bustling with motorcycles and cars
Vice City build a reputation or simply explore the city, hijacking an assortment of vehicles and wreaking havoc on foot
San Andreas, bring down anyone who gets in your way
Grand Theft Auto III, places you in a 3D game environment with a compelling storyline and open game play

Product Description

Featuring three Grand Theft Auto titles, including Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City and San Andreas.

Beginning with Grand Theft Auto III, you've been betrayed and left for dead. Now you are taking revenge, unless the city gets you first. Mob bosses need a favor, crooked cops need help and street gangs want you dead. You will have to rob, steal and kill just to stay out of serious trouble.

In Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, you take to the streets and underground crime of the '80s. The location is Vice City and the vibe is glamour, power and corruption. Like Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City offers an in-depth storyline and a go-anywhere style of game play.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas features a new city, fresh cars and even more territory to explore. You take on the role of Carl Johnson, a man who managed to escape the rough life in Los Santos, San Andreas, and a city torn apart by corruption, drugs and gang warfare. Five years ago, you escaped the burdens of life in the city for greener pastures. After learning of a family tragedy, however, you must return to a world you thought you had left behind forever.

- Amazon

Sources:

http://www.nowinstock.net/
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026EV5FC?ie=UTF8&tag=apocalypso-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B0026EV5FC

2009/05/26

Games Releasing Soon - Preorder Now: Prototype

[PROTOTYPE]

PC - $49.99
Xbox 360 - $59.99
PS3- $59.99

Product Features

- A deep, conspiracy driven storyline set in a realistic recreation of New York City that delve into the true nature of Alex Mercer's power and his part in a conspiracy 40 years in the making.

- Fast & deadly shape-shifting combat that allows players to reconfigure body parts into offensive and defensive items like claws, blades, hammers, whips, shields and armor.

- Use of advanced sensory powers like thermal vision and infected vision to track your enemies and keep the action going.

- Fluid, over-the-top locomotion & agility based on real-life Parkour movement styles that allows you to bound from building to building, run up walls, bounce off cars and everything in your path.

- Unique disguising abilities derived from Alex's ability to "consume" characters, and in doing so acquire their appearance, memories and special abilities.

Amazon.com-Exclusive: Prototype Digital Comic

Order "Prototype" and receive a digital copy of a limited edition Prototype Comic from Wild Storm.

- Amazon

Sources:

http://www.nowinstock.net/
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012LGHZI?ie=UTF8&tag=apocalypso-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B0012LGHZI
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WQWPOQ?ie=UTF8&tag=apocalypso-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B000WQWPOQ
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WQWPP0?ie=UTF8&tag=apocalypso-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B000WQWPP0

New All-Time Low Prices for PC Games

Ice Age 2: The Meltdown - $12.49 - Save $7.50
Keepsake - $14.99
Legendary - $47.49 - Save $2.50
Murder in the Abbey - $11.39
Rome: Total War - $10.42

Sources:

http://www.nowinstock.net/

Duke Nukem Special on GOG.com

Until Monday, June 1, you can get the Duke Nukem bundle from GOG.com, which includes Duke Nukem 3D Atomic Edition and Duke Nukem Manhattan Project- with a 25% discount. It will cost you $8.98. To receive the 25% discount you have to buy both games in one order or if you already have one of the games, you can get the other one with a $1.50 discount.

Sources& Resources:

http://www.gog.com/en/news/date/all#g_1207317370
http://www.gog.com/en/page/duke_promo
http://www.gog.com/en/act/c/duke_nukem_3d_atomic_edition/duke_nukem_manhattan_project

2009/05/25

New All-Time Low Prices for PC Games

The Last Remnant - $26.98 - Save $10.01
Guild Wars Platinum - $33.49 - Save $6.50
Archlord - $38.98
Ultimate Flight Collection - $11.76

Bill Clinton Might Have been president in Fallout 3

It's been rumoured that none other than Bill Clinton was thought of to voice the role of John Henry Eden, the president in Fallout 3, who was often heard on those funny floating things around town, on the Enclave radio station, and eventually in Raven Rock, the Enclave HQ.

It was just an idea though, and never a serious one - Bethesda got Blindlight to ask, and the answer was "no", unsurprisingly.

It's just as well. Imagine this scene, if ol' Slick Willy had been in Fallout 3:

"I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Ghoulinsky."

Apocalypse Then-Thief: Deadly Shadows

Developer: Ion Storm Inc
Publisher: Eidos Interactive
Engine: Heavily-modified Unreal Engine 2 (with flash renderer)
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox, Mobile phone
Release date: May 25, 2004 (US)
Genre: Stealth

On this day in gaming, in 2004, Thief: Deadly Shadows was released. That would make today the fifth anniversary.

It was the third game in the series, and the first and last game in the Thief series developed by Ion Storm. They were planning to develop a sequel but eventually closed down. The game is so far the least popular among purists in the series due to people claiming it was a dumbed-down game made specifically to appeal to Xbox owners. It is still a pretty good game, though.

There is a sequel in development as of 2009 by Eidos Montreal, named Thi4f. Eidos was the publisher of all Thief games up until now, including Thief: The Dark Project, Thief Gold, Thief II: The Metal Age, and Thief: Deadly Shadows.

Other games released on this day:

Motocross Madness 2 (2000)

Frank Klepacki’s Birthday

Frank Klepacki on an insert photo of his Morphscape album

Africa Day (holiday)

On this day, in 1974, Frank Klepacki was born. He turns 35 today. Frank Klepacki is a renowned Polish-American musician, video game music composer and sound director, best known for his work on the Command & Conquer and Red Alert games, as well as other Westwood and EA series.

Discography

Video game music

DragonStrike (Westwood Studios, 1991)
Eye of the Beholder II (Westwood Studios, 1991)
Dune II (Westwood Studios, 1992)
Dungeons & Dragons: Warriors of the Eternal Sun (Westwood Studios, 1992)
Order of the Griffon (Westwood Studios, 1992)
The Legend of Kyrandia (Westwood Studios, 1992)
Lands of Lore (Westwood Studios, 1993)
The Legend of Kyrandia II (Westwood Studios, 1993)
Disney's The Lion King (Westwood Studios, 1994)
The Legend of Kyrandia III (Westwood Studios, 1994)
Young Merlin (Westwood Studios, 1994)
Command & Conquer (Westwood Studios, 1995)
Parker Brother's Monopoly (Westwood Studios, 1995)
Command & Conquer: The Covert Operations (Westwood Studios, 1996)
Command & Conquer: Red Alert (Westwood Studios, 1996)
Command & Conquer: Red Alert: Counterstrike (Westwood Studios, 1997)
Command & Conquer: Red Alert: Aftermath (Westwood Studios, 1997)
Lands of Lore 2 (Westwood Studios, 1997)
Blade Runner (Westwood Studios, 1997)
Command & Conquer: Red Alert: Retaliation (Westwood Studios, 1998)
Command & Conquer: Sole Survivor (Westwood Studios, 1998)
Dune 2000 (Westwood Studios, 1998)
Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun (Westwood Studios, 1999)
Lands of Lore 3 (Westwood Studios, 1999)
Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun: Firestorm (Westwood Studios, 2000)
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 (Westwood Studios, 2000)
Nox (Westwood Studios, 2000)
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2: Yuri's Revenge (Westwood Studios, 2001)
Emperor: Battle for Dune (Westwood Studios, 2001)
Pirates: The Legend of Black Kat (Electronic Arts, 2001)
Command & Conquer: Renegade (Westwood Studios, 2002)
Earth & Beyond (Westwood Studios, 2002)
Star Wars: Empire at War (Petroglyph Games, 2006)
Star Wars: Empire at War: Forces of Corruption (Petroglyph Games, 2006)
Universe at War: Earth Assault (Petroglyph Games, 2007)
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 (EA Los Angeles, 2008)

Band, film, and solo music

There's a Home (I AM, 1995)
Mmm, Mmm, Mmm, (Home Cookin', 1997)
Unreel Invasion (short film, 1999)
Pink in the Middle (Home Cookin', 2000)
Essence of the Force (short film, 2002)
Morphscape (2002)
Rocktronic (2004)
Virtual Control (2005)
The Bitters (The Bitters, 2006)
Awakening of Aggression (2006)

Commercial music

MTV (1997)
Cupid (abc, 2000)
Miller Genuine Draft (2001)
Ultimate Fighting Championship Pay-per view (Fox Sports, 2003–2006)
The Ultimate Fighter (Spike TV, 2005–2006)
Ultimate Fight Night (Spike TV, 2005–2006)
Amp'd Mobile (Spike TV, 2005–2006)
Inside the MMA (HDNet, 2007)
HDNet Fights (HDNet, 2007)

Resources:http://www.frankklepacki.com/

2009/05/24

PC Games Now Available for Preorder

07-08-2009 - Casebook Episode 1 - $19.99
07-29-2009 - Build In Time - $19.99
08-09-2009 - Party Down - $19.99
08-09-2009 - Party Down (game download) - $9.99
08-16-2009 - Hearts Of Iron 3 - $39.99
08-23-2009 - Supple - $19.99
10-18-2009 - Plants Vs. Zombies - $19.99

New All-Time Low Prices for PC Games

James Bond 007: Quantum of Solace - $17.99 - Save $2.00
Comic Life Deluxe: Comic Strip, Comic Book Creator (Mac) - $25.49 - Save $1.50
Hell's Kitchen - $11.99 - Save $3.00
Prince Of Persia Compilation (Sands of Time Trilogy) - $16.99 - Save $1.00
Doggie Daycare - $14.99 - Save $1.00
The Sims Carnival BumperBlast - $4.32 - Save $0.23

Half-Life 2: Night at the Museum

I watched the movie Night at the Museum today, and I laughed when I saw one of the actors playing a security guard. No- it wasn't Barney, it was Eli Vance!

You remember Eli Vance. That guy who had the missing leg who eventually got offed at the end of Half-Life 2: Episode 2.

But if you think the similarity in the looks between Eli Vance and Bill Cobbs above is quite uncanny, then you'll be somewhat disillusioned to learn that Eli Vance's looks were based on Larry "The Count" Heard, a man on the street that Valve hired as a model. Eli's voice was done by Robert Guillaume too.