Steam Mobile App Released January 27, 2012
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Valve has done quite a suprising thing and released their own Steam application for iOS and Android. With it, Steam users will be able to access their friends list, read news and chat while on the go.
I wasn’t expecting Valve to do this, but it does make sense. The fact is that Microsoft has already released a similiar program worldwide to allow mobile access to Xbox Live, and Sony has also released a similiar application for the Playstation Network (although it has not come to North America yet). Valve obviously intends to continue to extend Steam accessibility past the PC. We’ve already seen them release console games that have Steam connectivity (Portal 2 for the PS3) and it looks like this is the next volley to continue that expansion.
However, don’t expect to be able to use the program just by downloading it. Valve is currently not accepting all users into testing this app right now, but if you want a chance at joining this program in beta testing, you will need to have a Steam account and download the program to your mobile device of choice. Once you log into the app for the first time you will need to verify your device by e-mail, and Valve will add your account to the list of possible beta testers.
You can grab the iOS version here and the Android version here.
The Darkness II Launch Trailer and System Requirements January 26, 2012
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2KGames has released a pretty bad-assed CGI launch trailer for The Darkness II, which, while is completely pre-rendered, captures the feel of the game quite well. You can clearly see the extent of the powers of the Darkness and what emotional baggage Jackie is bringing with him this time around.
The Darkness II is coming Feb 7th, 2012 for the PC, Xbox 360 and PS3. Here are the PC system requirements.
Minimum:
- OS:Windows XP/Vista/7
- Processor:Intel Core 2 @ 2GHz / AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+
- Memory:1.5GB RAM
- Hard Disk Space:10GB
- Video Card:256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600 / ATI Radeon HD 2600
- Sound:DirectX Compatible
- Additional: Requires installation of Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable, DirectX and nVidia PhysX version 9.11.1107 (included with download)
Recommended:
- OS:Windows XP/Vista/7
- Processor:2.4 GHz Quad Core processor
- Memory:2GB RAM
- Hard Disk Space:10GB
- Video Card:512+ MB NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GTX
- Sound:DirectX Compatible
- Additional: Requires installation of Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable, DirectX and nVidia PhysX version 9.11.1107 (included with download)
The PC version of the game will require STEAM. If you want to check out how the game runs on your PC before its released, you can download a playable demo through the STEAM marketplace free of charge.
If you’re interested in knowing more about The Darkness II, 2K Games will be streaming the first hour of the game here at 4PM PST today.
Alan Wake’s American Nightmare Release Date January 24, 2012
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Major Nelson has officially announced the release details for Alan Wake’s American Nightmare, as well as a few other games that will be released next month through Xbox Live Arcade.
There’s been a lot of buzz about the game since it’s preview at this year’s Consumer Electronic’s Show. All the gameplay of Alan Wake returns. The game will also feature both licensed music and new music exclusive to the game, including a brand new single by The Old Gods of Asgard (who sound eerily similar to Poets of the Fall, wink wink). The game’s storyline promises a four hour campaign storyline and a separate game mode called Fight ‘Till Dawn, where you’ll have to defend yourself against respawning enemies until the sun rises.
Alan Wake’s American Nightmare, developed by Remedy, the creators of Alan Wake and Max Payne, will be released February 22nd, 2012 exclusive to the Xbox Live Arcade. The final cost of the game will be 1200 Microsoft Points or $15US. Since this is an Xbox Live Arcade release, there will be a free demo/trial version of the game released alongside the full version.
Quakecon 2012 Dates Announced January 24, 2012
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The official Quakecon site has announced that the 2012 Quakecon will take place August 2nd-5th, 2012 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas.
Quakecon is the yearly event which is a celebration of all things id Software created. There is always a major bring your own computer gaming tournament, and previews for upcoming games. Best of all it is free and open to the public. In order to participate in any competition you simply just need to register. Signups are not yet posted, but I’ll be sure to keep you all posted on when they do.
Playstation Network Undergoing Maintenance Today January 19, 2012
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I noticed that when trying to log in to play Global Resistance that the Playstation Network login page was down. There was a little blurb that the PSN was undergoing some routine maitenance and logins would not be possible during the downtime.
This also extends to the rest of the Playstation Network. Until the service is brought back up you will not be able to play PS3 games online or purchase anything on the Playstation Store.
Service is scheduled to be restored at 9PM PST
Max Payne 3 Delayed Until May January 17, 2012
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Well, I’m done with preordering anything for quite a while as this makes the second game delay reported for the second game I’ve preordered this month. Might as well wait for them to hit shelves.
Max Payne 3, which was originally slated for release in March, has been delayed until May 15th for the Xbox 360 and PS3 in North America. The PC version is coming a little bit after that, on May 29th. International releases will be just a few days after the North American release dates for each platform.
My interest in this game sparked up after seeing it demoed at the New York Comic Con. A Collector’s Edition is still coming but required advance preorder. There was no mention what the delay will do to the preorder cutoff date for the CE but if there’s any mention of that I will be sure to post it up.
The Darkness II Demo Announced January 12, 2012
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The official 2K Games Twitter Feed has announced that The Darkness II will see a demo release starting January 17th.
It will release worldwide on the Xbox Live Marketplace and Gold Subscribers will get access to it on January 17th. On Tuesday the 24th, it will be released on the North American Playstation Network and Worldwide for the PC through Steam. This will also be the day free Xbox Live accounts will be able to download the demo. Worldwide Playstation Network release will follow on the 25th. You can read all the specific platform details here on their official website.
I was lucky enough to play The Darkness II while at the New York Comic Con and had a lot of fun with it. I have no idea what part of the game the demo will show off but if it’s anything like what I demoed earlier I’m sure a lot of people will enjoy it.
The Darkness II will release Feb 2012 for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.
Alan Wake’s American Nightmare CES 2012 Details January 12, 2012
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Remedy has been showing off Alan Wake’s American Nightmare at the Consumer Electronics Show this year and some new details has been released about the upcoming game.
Alan Wake’s American Nightmare is a standalone game which will have a single player campaign length similar to one episode of the original game (or of a DLC episode). In it, Alan finds himself trapped in Arizona in a story he wrote for the Night Springs television series. The game’s visuals and engine has been improved in a lot of ways. The enviroments are far more destructive, but the traditional fight with light gameplay is completely intact.
Completing the single-player game is expected to take about four to five hours, but that is not all that’s included with the game. American Nightmare will also include a Fight Till Dawn mode, which will feature ten minute segments (similiar to Horde Mode) where you will need to survive against waves of enemies until dawn rises. If you complete all the maps in the mode you will unlock a hardcore mode.
Since the game is going to be released through Xbox Live Arcade, you can expect there to be a demo or more appropriately a trial version you can unlock to the full version.
Alan Wake’s American Nightmare is coming Feb 2012 exclusive to the Xbox Live Arcade.
Inside the Dragon’s Lair Documentary Teaser January 11, 2012
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As a recent Dragon’s Lair fan given the game series resurgence with the iOS and HD ports, I had been following the pre-production of director Martin Touhey’s documentary on the cult phenomenon that is the game Dragon’s Lair.
Originally designed as an arcade game in the early 1980s, Dragon’s Lair was an interactive laserdisc game. Programmed by Rick Dyer and with animation by the one and only Don Bluth, the game revolutionized arcades forever with its animation and gameplay. Since its release in arcades in the early 1980s, Dragon’s Lair has seen over twenty home releases ranging from Sega CD to Blu-Ray Disc. It has the honor of being one of only three games kept by the Smithsonian.
What is it about this game that has kept it popular for thirty years? Well, this documentary intends to find out. Inside the Dragon’s Lair is in production and has released its first official teaser trailer which you can watch on their Facebook page.
No release date has been given yet but the director promises you can keep informed on their progress on the documentary’s official twitter feed. I thought the scene depicted in the teaser was phenominal. If the rest of the movie is like that this could be the next major gaming documentary.
Most Disappointing Games of 2011 December 21, 2011
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I would consider Wired fantastic at making up some pretty good end of the year lists. They have been doing it for over ten years.
Well, the Vaporware Awards aren’t out yet for 2011, but they have posted up their list of the 9 Most Disappointing Games of 2011. While they may have included some games on the list that I personally enjoyed, I would agree with Wired that I certainly had higher hopes for them, and from the sounds of it, so did they. It’s an interesting nostalgic read for the year, and I recommend giving it a look.
