Author - Jerry Paxton

Alan Wake Now on PC

HELSINKI, FINLAND (February 16, 2012) – Remedy Entertainment Ltd. is excited to announce that Alan Wake has finally made its way home and is available now for PC through Steam, Valve’s digital distribution platform. Remedy is also working with Nordic Games to bring the PC version of Alan Wake to retail shortly. With their rich history of PC games, with titles like Max Payne, Max Payne 2 and Death Rally, Remedy has always wanted a PC version of Alan Wake, and now, it’s here. This critically acclaimed game has been revamped for the PC with stunning high-resolution graphics and enhanced PC features. Head over to the Steam store right now for a special offer and get the collector’s edition DLC free until February 23! Otherwise, you can grab the normal edition for $29.99 and the limited collector’s edition for $34.99.

The PC version includes the original game along with the two pieces of downloadable content (The Signal and The Writer) and everything you’d expect from a PC version and more. Players will experience Alan Wake’s Pacific Northwest with higher resolutions and even higher fidelity. Players will experience the interplay between light and darkness like never before. With plenty of graphical customization options, every player can get the most out of their rig. Other refinements include a fully configurable mouse and keyboard setup as well as Microsoft gamepad support. Fan sought-after options such as field of view adjustments and “hide HUD” have also been include. Finally, the game supports multiple screens and stereoscopic 3D.

“Since our roots are firmly placed in PC development, we’re delighted to finally be able to bring Alan Wake to the PC” says Matias Myllyrinne, CEO at Remedy. “We’ve worked hard to reward those faithful PC players and did everything we could to make it worth the wait. I hope the fans agree with us, the PC version looks absolutely stunning.”

In Alan Wake, players assume the role of Alan Wake, a best-selling suspense author suffering from writer’s block. Wake escapes to the small town of Bright Falls, only to experience the mysterious disappearance of his wife. Players will unravel the riveting plot through multilayered character interactions, unique problem-solving and intense combat against the darkest of enemies. In this nightmarish world, where the boundaries between reality and fiction become increasingly blurred and ambiguous, Wake must use a variety of weapons to survive, including his most powerful ally against the darkness – light itself.

Alan Wake on PC is available now for PC via Steam. The normal edition costs $29.99 and the limited collector’s edition costs $34.99.  For more information, please check Facebook www.facebook.com/alanwake – Twitter @Remedygames – Website www.alanwake.com and Steam Store: http://store.steampowered.com/app/108710/ .  Can’t get enough Alan Wake? Don’t forget that the standalone spin off adventure, Alan Wake’s American Nightmare, is coming to Microsoft’s Xbox LIVE Arcade on February 22 for 1200 MS Points.

Last Batch of Wargame: European Escalation Screenshots

Focus Home Interactive has released the last group of screenshots for its soon to be released Wargame: European Escalation. Enjoy!

Screenshots

Jagged Alliance Online Goes into Open Beta

Hamburg, February 16, 2012 – Jagged Alliance Online, the next part of the legendary turn-based strategy series with a full-fledged multi-player mode, is leaving closed beta testing today. The game’s publisher, gamigo, would like to thank all the testers for the feedback and is now inviting all players to to experience the quality of the thrilling PvE missions and PvP matches first-hand during the open testing phase.

The advent of open beta testing will also bring a number of new features to the game: Defeated opponents now drop loot that can be collected by the mercenaries during the mission. When a player aims at an explosive barrel or crate, the explosion radius will be shown, making it easier to judge to results of one’s actions. Aiming at an opponent will now show which direction he is most vulnerable from.

2K Sports Partners With SPIN Media for MLB 2K12 Soundtrack

New York, NY – February 16, 2012 – 2K Sports today announced that they have partnered with SPIN Media, the premier resource for music discovery, to create a 13-song soundtrack for the upcoming Major League Baseball® 2K12, the eagerly anticipated next iteration of the popular MLB 2K series, which hits stores nationwide on March 6, 2012.

The release of MLB 2K12 marks the first time that SPIN has collaborated on a video game soundtrack and the first time 2K Sports has worked with a music media company. The baseball-loving team behind SPIN jumped at the chance to curate the game and enlisted a hard-hitting team to select the songs.

The resulting playlist covers all bases with a wide range of musical genres from hip-hop and electronic, to rock and pop, and includes both established and emerging artists, reflecting the true diversity of baseball fans.  Earning themselves the unofficial title of “most valuable players,” Alabama rap duo and SPIN breaking-out artists, G-Side, recorded an exclusive original track called “Put Me in the Game” – hitting a home run with the fresh, futuristic, synth-heavy beat.

G-Side’s exclusive track, which is inspired by “defying odds to achieve something greater in life,” can be downloaded for free at SPIN.com/mlb2k12 starting February 21. The rest of the soundtrack will also be available to stream.

“When the match is right, music and sports can complement each other in a profound way, so curating SPIN’s first video game soundtrack was an exciting challenge. We were thrilled to be asked by 2K Sports, and took seriously the responsibility of sharing some of our favorite tracks with MLB fans,” said Charles Aaron, SPIN Editorial Director. “Many special thanks, of course, go to G-Side for providing an awesome new track.”

MLB 2K12 features AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander on the cover along with a robust list of features and game modes, improved gameplay, and the return of the $1 Million Perfect Game Challenge, which will award one MLB 2K12 gamer the coveted grand prize. SPIN’s hand-picked soundtrack bolsters an immersive baseball experience.

“This year’s soundtrack is easily the best yet thanks to SPIN,” said Jason Argent, vice president of marketing, 2K Sports. “They are experts in the music industry and our fans are really going to enjoy the playlist they selected when playing MLB 2K12. Music is a key element in our sports titles, so when we’re working hard to create the best, most authentic experience for fans we expect the soundtrack to follow the same beat.”

The complete track listing for the MLB 2K12 soundtrack includes:

  1. Bass Drum of Death, “Get Found”
  2. Explosions in the Sky, “Trembling Hands”
  3. The Cool Kids, “Boomin'”
  4. The Vaccines, “If You Wanna”
  5. G-Side, “Put Me in the Game”
  6. Grouplove, “Colours”
  7. JEFF the Brotherhood, “Shredder”
  8. My Morning Jacket, “Holdin On to Black Metal”
  9. Skrillex, “Nice Sprites & Scary Monsters”
  10. Telekinesis, “Please Ask for Help”
  11. The Joy Formidable, “Austere”
  12. Atmosphere, “Just for Show”
  13. Pretty Lights, “Hot Like Dimes”

MLB 2K12 is rated E for everyone by the ESRB and will be available March 6, 2012 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation® 3 computer entertainment system, Wii™ system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Nintendo DS™ and Windows PC.

The Walking Dead Game Gets Website, New Screens

San Rafael, CA – February 15, 2012 – Telltale Games and Robert Kirkman, the Eisner Award-winning creator/writer of The Walking Dead, announced that the first episode of Playing Dead, a new online talk show discussing their upcoming game, The Walking Dead, is now live and available to view on the games’ official website, which also debuted today.

Based on Robert Kirkman’s groundbreaking comic book series, The Walking Dead is an episodic Adventure Horror game series set during the same apocalyptic period witnessed by Sheriff Rick Grimes.  Telling the story of a new group of survivors as they struggle to flee the horror of Atlanta and the surrounding communities consumed by the undead, The Walking Dead offers players the chance to experience the very first days of the apocalypse, meeting people and participating in events that intersect with the story seen in the comic books.

Playing Dead is an online talk show that takes fans behind the scenes to reveal what has gone into making the game.  Hosted by AJ LoCascio (the voice of Marty McFly in Telltale’s Back to the Future: The Game series), the nine-part show will feature guests including The Walking Dead creator/writer Robert Kirkman and Gary Whitta, screenwriter for The Book of Eli and story consultant for the game.

After a 24-hour period of exclusivity on the official website, Playing Dead will also be available to watch on YouTube, iTunes and soon after, other online outlets including Xbox LIVE® and PlayStation®Network.

“Telltale has always believed in sharing and interacting with our fans as much as possible as we head towards the launch of a game and Playing Dead is an exciting evolution of that process,” said Dan Connors, Telltale co-founder and CEO. “I don’t think any other developer or publisher has created anything quite like this before and we really hope that people will enjoy it.”

“Collaborating with Telltale on The Walking Dead continues to be a fantastic process.  They understand the world and the characters that I created and what it takes to make a game out of them.  What’s really exciting is that they’re telling a new story with new characters, so you’ll get to see the same world Rick Grimes did, but now from a different point of view,” added Robert Kirkman, creator of The Walking Dead.   “Playing Dead is going to be an awesome way for fans to learn about the game and how it was made.  It makes sense that Telltale are talking to people in this unique way because The Walking Dead is going to be a unique zombie game.”

Screenshots

Antec Releases EarthWatts Platinum PSU Series

Fremont, CA – February 16, 2012 – Antec, Inc., the global leader in high-performance computer components, announces EarthWatts Platinum, the latest in its series of power supplies. With the addition of EarthWatts Platinum, Antec has effectively upgraded the EarthWatts family of energy-conscious power supplies to the highest standard of efficiency.

With 450W, 550W and 650W models in its desktop lineup, EarthWatts Platinum ensures that environmentally-conscious corporations and energy-savvy end users alike can take advantage of the benefits of 80 PLUS® PLATINUM efficiency.

Maximum Efficiency – As one of the industry’s first mainstream 80 PLUS® Platinum certified PSUs, EarthWatts Platinum offers an ideal combination of industry-leading reliability, guaranteed continuous power and up to 93% energy efficiency compared to prior models, saving users on average up to 25% on their electric bill.

Whisper Quiet – Simple 120mm two ball-bearing fan controlled by Antec’s renowned Thermal Manager and CircitShield™ operates with minimal noise even at full load.

Premium Components – EarthWatts employs fully-protected High Current +12V rails with high load capabilities to ensure maximum CPU and GPU compatibility. It’s designed with 100 percent Japanese capacitors, ensuring maximum DC stability and regulation.

Safety Precautions – Patented CircuitShield™ includes voltage, current, power, under voltage, and short circuit protection which automatically shuts down the PSU to prevent further system damage.

“The 80 PLUS® PLATINUM certified power supplies have so far only been available in higher wattage classes and not for the everyday gamer,” said Mafalda Cogliani, Global Marketing Director at Antec. “Our EarthWatts Platinum power supplies enable more mainstream users and system builders to truly make a difference in their total energy consumption, benefiting both monthly electric bills as well as the environment.”

Availability:

The Antec EarthWatts Platinum power supply series is available in the US on Newegg, Central Computers, Buy.com, and Provantage and in Canada on NCIX and Canada Computers at the following MSRPs:

EarthWatts Platinum MSRP
EA-450 Platinum USD 109.95
EA-550 Platinum USD 119.95
EA-650 Platinum USD 129.95

Resistance 3 Original Soundtrack Out Now

New York – February 15th, 2012 – Sumthing Else Music Works, through a licensing relationship with Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC (SCEA) and Insomniac Games, proudly presents RESISTANCE® 3 Original Soundtrack featuring the critically acclaimed original music score from SCEA’s epic sci-fi first-person shooter video game developed exclusively for PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system by Insomniac Games. The RESISTANCE 3 Original Soundtrack CD is now available at retail outlets including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, BestBuy, GameStop and Walmart, through Sumthing Else Music Works www.sumthing.com.

 

Hailed as one of the top video game scores of 2011 by Classical Minnesota Public Radio, Boris Salchow’s dark, cinematic soundtrack for RESISTANCE 3 reflects the struggle of the remaining group of human survivors against an overwhelming force of alien invaders. To capture an authentic and unique sound for this alternate history sci-fi story set in the 1950’s, Salchow and Insomniac recorded the emotionally diverse musical score with orchestra at the historical Abbey Road Studios in London.

 

Set four years after the end of RESISTANCE® 2, dishonorably discharged Sentinel Joseph Capelli has given up fighting the Chimeran menace. Now he’s in hiding with other survivors, including his wife and young son. When Dr. Fyodor Malikov arrives with the plan to defeat the occupying Chimeran force, Capelli must leave his family and journey the harrowing road from Oklahoma to New York City.  Along the way, he’ll encounter the remnants of humanity left in the aftermath of the brutal Chimeran invasion. For more information visit www.myresistance.net and www.insomniacgames.com.

 

For more information on Sumthing Else Music Works and its complete catalog of video game soundtracks, visit www.sumthing.com and www.sumthingdigital.com, follow SEMW on Twitter http://Twitter.com/SumthingDigital and become a fan on http://Facebook.com/SumthingElseMusicWorks.