Author - Jerry Paxton

WSGF Reveals 2011 Award Recipients

2012/02/18
Jerry Paxton
News

HOUSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Widescreen Gaming Forum (WSGF) announces the recipients of its 2011 Awards.

Field of Vision – These awards recognize developers for implementing proper support of widescreen, Eyefinity and Surround Gaming displays. They are voted by the WSGF community, and only games with perfect widescreen, Eyefinity and Surround implementation may be considered for Game of the Year.

  • Game of the Year: Dirt 3 (Codemasters) – The wildly popular Dirt 3 was selected by the WSGF community as Game of the Year, not only for its stellar gameplay but also for perfectly supporting widescreen, Eyefinity and Surround display configurations.
  • Mainstream Developer of the Year: Codemasters – For their perfect implementation of widescreen, Eyefinity and Surround gaming support in their DiRT and F1 racing series. Codemasters sets the standard for producing games that support modern display configurations.
  • Indie Developer of the Year: Mojang AB – This small studio achieves perfect widescreen and surround implementation with their first release, the runaway success story that is Minecraft.

Narrow Minded – With tongue firmly planted in cheek, the WSGF recognizes developers who actively discourage or prevent support of widescreen, Eyefinity or Surround display configurations.

  • Bethesda – The cinematic role-playing games produced by Bethesda would be the perfect fit for multi-monitor gamers. However, Bethesda’s constant disregard of this modern display technology in their Fallout and Elder Scrolls series has earned them this year’s Narrow Minded Award. Fortunately the Widescreen Gaming Forum community developed fixes to allow gamers to enjoy the game the way it should have been released.

For additional details, and to see the 2011 WSGF Awards featured on NewEgg TV, visit: http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/2011-wsgf-awards

Carte Reveals New Screenshots and Card Manager

2012/02/16
Jerry Paxton
News

Sunnyvale, Calif. (February 16, 2012) – Do you hold the cards of destiny?  Leading online game publisher, GamesCampus.com (www.GamesCampus.com) tipped their hand with new assets for their first global online trading card game, Carte, due to launch in North America early 2012.

GamesCampus’ website has been upgraded with additional screenshots, to give players another peek at this game-changing online TCG.  Pre-registration is now open, and bonefide card carriers can dash over to http://carte.gamescampus.com and become among the first to experience all of the card-slinging action when Carte enters beta later this month.

“Carte isn’t like any other online card game, and it’s not just for TCG fans!” said Chris Ahn, Head of Marketing at GamesCampus. “An easy to learn system, the game is geared for beginners and TCG enthusiasts alike which means no one is left behind while there’s plenty of challenge to discover too.”

Whether a member of The Iron Empire, slithering out of the Kingdom of Darkness, planting roots in the Kingdom of Nature, being a devotee in the Divine Empire, or casting a shroud over the Magician’s Association, the cards of Carte are your primary weapon. The right card at the right time in the right deck can mean the difference between crushing your opponent or scurrying away whimpering.

Carte’s user-friendly interface makes casting spells and attacking with creatures feel natural, and the in-depth tutorial will teach even the newest TCG players what they need to compete right from the start. Players are also given a beginner deck for each of the five colors to quickly get in game and learn which faction works best for them.

For veterans, Carte provides tons of card mechanics that can be used in fun and exciting ways to create combinations that may have never been thought of before. Intuitive game design means that Carte is easy to learn, with its intuitive game design, but difficult to master because of the vast breadth of abilities and combinations available.

Carte: Cogito Ergo Sumis a fast paced global online trading card game.  Choose a Hero, build a deck and launch into exciting battles with fierce weapons and allies.  Create and master endless strategies with an arsenal of spells and creatures to conquer your opponents.   With an easy to learn system coupled with a user friendly interface, Carte is ready for new players as well as grizzled TCG veterans and everything in between.

For more information about GamesCampus.com or Carte, please visit www.carte.gamescampus.com

Screenshots

Razer Announces Mass Effect 3 Product Line

2012/02/16
Jerry Paxton
News

Carlsbad, Calif. – Feb 16, 2012 – Award-winning developer BioWare, a label of Electronic Arts Inc. along with Razer, the world leader in high performance gaming hardware, reveal today peripherals and gear created for the highly anticipated Action RPG Mass Effect™ 3.  Fans of the Mass Effect series can arm themselves for the all-out galactic war with the Razer Mass Effect 3 Edition peripheral line which includes a Razer Imperator gaming mouse, Razer Vespula dual-sided gaming mouse mat, Razer BlackWidow Ultimate gaming keyboard, Razer Onza Tournament Edition Xbox 360® controller, and Razer Chimaera Xbox 360 gaming headset. The cutting-edge peripherals will give fans of the series a competitive advantage in the epic battle to save the galaxy from the ancient alien race known only as the Reapers.

“BioWare is pulling out all of the stops for Mass Effect 3 to ensure it’s the best and boldest game in the series,” said Robert ‘RazerGuy’ Krakoff, President, Razer USA.  “With our official line of peripherals and gear for Mass Effect 3, we’re giving fans the best gaming weaponry and hardware to meet the challenge head on – and come out victorious.”

“With Mass Effect 3 we’re delivering a truly epic experience for both the existing fans and newcomers into the series,” said David Silverman, Marketing Director for BioWare. “Mass Effect 3 is an all-out Galactic war and partnering with Razer gives us an opportunity to raise the stakes even higher and provide gamers with a product line that will certainly help them take Earth back on March 6.”

Fans can also receive gear to protect and safeguard peripherals and gadgets from the intensity of the intergalactic warfare in Mass Effect 3. The Razer Mass Effect 3 Edition gear line includes a sleek, hard protection case customized for the iPhone 4/4S, and a sleek N7 messenger bag for ample storage. Both the Mass Effect 3 peripherals and gear line are emblazoned with Mass Effect iconic N7 design, bestowed only to the highest-ranking soldiers of the Systems Alliance military, worn by Commander Shepard on his armor. Mass Effect 3 peripherals are available now for pre-order from Razerstore.

For more information, head to www.razerzone.com/me3.

Digital Storm 10th Anniversary Sale

2012/02/16
Jerry Paxton
News

Fremont, Calif. – (February 16, 2012) – Digital Storm, the predominant name in computer system integration and engineering, proudly marks its 10th anniversary. From humble beginnings in an East Bay garage, to an expansive facility that produces thousands of custom built PCs a year, Digital Storm’s relentless pursuit of innovation has transformed the brand into one of the world’s foremost system integrators.

“The driving force behind Digital Storm’s growth has been our passion for building the finest high-performance computers with personalized customer support,” commented Harjit Chana, Digital Storm’s Chief Operations and Marketing Officer. “It’s because of this laser focus that our brand has been fortunate enough to double in size every other year.”

Whether it’s winning CES Innovations Awards for developing bleeding edge technologies or being heralded by leading PC enthusiast and gaming media outlets for its benchmark crushing systems, Digital Storm’s passion for excellence has been a driving force for the entire industry.

“It might sound cliché, but it’s our customers who fuel our innovation,” added Harjit. “Digital Storm customers dream up outrageous builds that push our engineering teams to rethink the status quo and develop the most extreme configurations possible. That’s what is so special about our work: it’s the dynamic we have with our customer base that fuels our team to create new options, products and features that we might have never thought of.”

During this year, Digital Storm is poised to release several industry “firsts” for its 10th anniversary. While details will be divulged at a later date, Digital Storm is now offering its customers the biggest discounts it has ever offered. For example, the 2012 CES Innovations Award-winning Cryo-TEC system is being offered $400 below its normal price. To see Digital Storm’s special 10th anniversary pricing, please visit: http://www.digitalstormonline.com/gamingdesktops.asp

Sid Meier’s Civilization V: Gods & Kings Announced

2012/02/16
Jerry Paxton
News

New York, NY – February 16, 2012 – 2K Games announced today that Sid Meier’s Civilization® V: Gods & Kings, the expansion pack for the award-winning Civilization V, is being developed for Windows-based PC. Developed by Firaxis Games, Sid Meier’s Civilization V: Gods & Kings introduces new gameplay content, enhancing the Civilization V experience and providing even more ways for players to achieve world domination. The Gods & Kings expansion pack spans the breadth of human civilization, taking players from founding the first Pantheon of the Gods and spreading religion across the world, to deploying spies in enemy cities to steal information and technology.

“Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword set a precedent in new content and game features in a Civilization expansion pack. 2K Games is continuing that tradition with Gods & Kings,” said Sarah Anderson, senior vice president of marketing for 2K. “The Gods & Kings expansion is the quintessential Civilization V addition, making Civilization more addictive than ever before.”

Sid Meier’s Civilization V: God & Kings takes players through time as they engage in new quests and global competitions, interact with new types of city-states, and master exciting new systems for land and naval combat. Nine new civilizations; nine new wonders; three original scenarios; and dozens of new units, buildings, technologies and resources have also been added, offering even more ways for players to expand their empire on their quest to rule the world.

“Our team has a strong vision for bringing religion and espionage to Civilization V and the incomparable Civ community has expressed their enthusiasm for these features as well,” said Sid Meier, director of creative development for Firaxis Games. “We’re excited to deliver this robust expansion pack that will give players countless hours of new gameplay experiences and more reasons to take just one more turn.”

Key features include:

    • Expanded Epic Game: The core game experience has been greatly expanded with the addition of new technologies, 27 new units, 13 new buildings and nine new Wonders.
    • New Civilizations and Leaders: The expansion features nine new civilizations including Carthage, the Netherlands, the Celts and the Mayans, each with unique traits, units and buildings. Gods & Kings also adds nine new leaders including William I, Prince of Orange, Boudicca and Pacal the Great.
    • New Game Scenarios: Three new scenarios let gamers experience the medieval period, the fall of Rome, and embark on a new adventure in Empires of the Smoky Skies, a Victorian science-fiction scenario.
    • The Return of Religion: A first for Civilization V, players seek out Faith, choosing a Pantheon of the Gods and creating Great Prophets to found and spread their customized religion across the world.
    • World Domination: The fight for world domination is more dynamic than ever. Gods & Kings features a reworked combat system and AI that places more emphasis on a balanced army composition. Additionally, the navy is now split into two different ship types, melee and ranged, making coastal cities vulnerable to a surprise naval attack.
    • Enhanced Diplomacy and Espionage: Establish embassies at foreign courts for closer ties or clandestine operations. As the religions of the world start settling in and the world moves into the Renaissance, spies can be unlocked to establish surveillance of foreign cities, steal advanced technologies from your strongest competitors, or garner influence with City-States through election rigging, or even a coup.
  • City-States: Two new city-state types have been added, Mercantile and Religious, adding new gameplay to a greatly expanded quest system to further the narrative of the game and making diplomatic victories more challenging.

Sid Meier’s Civilization V: Gods & Kings is not yet rated by the ESRB and will be available for Windows PC in late spring 2012. For more information on Sid Meier’s Civilization V: Gods & Kings, please visit www.civilization.com.

Alan Wake Now on PC

2012/02/16
Jerry Paxton
News

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.