All Jedi Knight Games to Steam and D2D [Sep 12, 2009, 12:24 pm ET] - Share - 14 Comments Lucasartsgames tweets a clarification of the news that the Jedi Knight series of Star Wars first-person shooters (and slicers) is coming to Steam with a confirmation that this will include the entire series, saying simply: "What games from the Jedi Knight series? All of em!" In another Tweet they also indicate the series will be also coming to Direct2Drive when it is released next Wednesday.
Call of Duty: World at War Patch Next Week [Sep 12, 2009, 12:24 pm ET] - Share - 4 Comments The Call of Duty Forums have a status report on the promised version 1.6 patch for the PC edition of Call of Duty: World at War, Treyarch's World War II shooter sequel. The patch will include tweaks and bug fixes, and the maps contained in Map Pack #3 for the game. Word is: "Additionally, we do expect a concurrent release of the Mod Tools 1.4 package, Linux dedicated 1.6 bins, and the Steam 1.6 day-of-date with this patch. More details on those will be made available once they get cleared through testing." Thanks ClanBase.
Trademarking [Sep 12, 2009, 12:24 pm ET] - Share - Post a Comment As noted on superannuation, ZeniMax has filed a trademark registration for Deathmark. Not content with that, the trademark hounds also note that HBO has filed a game-related trademark for True Blood, and that Activision has filed a trademark registration for Sledgehammer Games. But wait, there's more: as they also report that Ubisoft has filed a trademark registration for Treasure Mania and that a French job listing indicates this is a new Facebook game. Last, and likely least, they conclude by reporting a Nashville based company called Digital Hero Games has filed a trademark registration for Cowbell Hero. I've got a fever... and the prescription is more cowbell!
Galaxies to get Zombies [Sep 12, 2009, 12:24 pm ET] - Share - 4 Comments There are apparently plans to add a zombie-themed quest in an upcoming update for Star Wars Galaxies, SOE's undead Star Wars MMORG. This was discovered by Big Download in an update on the Random House Website, of all places, as this ties in with an upcoming Star Wars novel. Word is:
Star Wars Galaxies, the popular massively-multiplayer online game from Sony Online Entertainment and LucasArts, is introducing a quest series into the game this Fall based on the recently announced Random House novel Death Troopers. (Read more about the book here). The Death Troopers series of adventures will mark the first time that the Star Wars Galaxies game has introduced content inspired by a current novel and given gamers and Star Wars fans the chance to live out these adventures together online. Players will be able to join together to fight horrific new enemies with a frightening affliction.
Fallout Legal Fallout [Sep 12, 2009, 12:23 pm ET] - Share - 9 Comments Gamasutra follows up on previous indications that a legal battle is brewing over the Fallout IP. This is not actually over the rights to create a Fallout MMOG that Interplay retained when they sold the Fallout rights to Bethesda, but rather over recent bundles and other deals concerning the original Fallout games. Bethesda is seeking preliminary and permanent injunctions against manufacture, sale, and distribution of the Fallout Trilogy, which includes the classic PC games Fallout, Fallout 2 and Fallout Tactics, saying "while Interplay was permitted to sell pre-existing Fallout games, it was required to submit to Bethesda all relevant packaging, advertising, and promotional material prior to bringing the catalog titles to market." Word is:
But Bethesda claimed that Interplay never sought pre-approval for those materials. The plaintiff said because of the alleged trademark infringement, consumers have become confused between the makers of the pre-existing Fallout games and Bethesda's more recent Fallout 3 -- a situation that Bethesda wanted to avoid.
Bethesda also accused Interplay of breaching the trademark agreement by signing licensing agreements with digital distribution sites like Steam, GOG.com, and GameTap to sell older Fallout games. The company claimed Interplay's alleged actions have caused the studio "immediate, substantial, and irreparable harm."
Bethesda is also asking the court for a declaration stating a trademark licensing agreement between the two companies is terminated. In 2007, Bethesda purchased the Fallout franchise from Interplay in full for $5.75 million. Within that purchase agreement was a trademark licensing agreement, the complaint said, that allowed Interplay to license back the rights to develop an MMO based on the Fallout series.
Champions Online Patch Notes [Sep 12, 2009, 12:23 pm ET] - Share - 2 Comments The Champions Online Website outlines a number of issues that will be addressed in a patch to be released for Cryptic's MMORPG this evening.
New X-Motor Racing [Sep 12, 2009, 12:23 pm ET] - Share - Post a Comment The X-Motor Racing Downloads Page announces a new version 1.15 of this indie racing simulation is automatically available from within the game. The new version includes improved tire modeling, sound code changes, OpenAL support, engine load changes, and more. As always, an updated playable demo is also available, reflecting these changes.
Aion Video Interview [Sep 12, 2009, 12:23 pm ET] - Share - Post a Comment The Aion Video Podcast Episode 3 on IncGamers corners NCsoft's Lani Blazier to discuss the upcoming western launch of Aion after almost a year of operation in Korea. Word is: "The video gives us plenty of impressive footage that shows various mobs, environments and encounters. We also get to see what the number one ranked player in the abyss gets as a reward; The ability to look like a raid boss, and cause a lot of damage while being able to take a lot too seems a fitting reward for such a task." As they highlight separately, the podcast offers New Content Hints and news that the Western Release Will See Brand New Features.
Jumpgate Evolution Video Interview [Sep 12, 2009, 12:23 pm ET] - Share - Post a Comment
New RailWorks DLC [Sep 12, 2009, 12:23 pm ET] - Share - Post a Comment Steam News announces the runaway train of RailWorks DLC continues. The new additional content for the transport sim is the GWR Hall 4-6-0 Locomotive, described like so: "The Great Western Railway 4900 Hall Class is a mixed traffic steam locomotives designed by Charles Collett. Their range of duties fully justified this classification with them being found on almost any passenger and freight services, with the exception of small branch lines. "
Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss Interview [Sep 12, 2009, 12:22 pm ET] - Share - Post a Comment The Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss Interview on Ten Ton Hammer talks with producer Cal Crowner about the just-launched expansion to the granddaddy of all MMOGs. They discuss attracting former players back, PvP vs. PvE, Gargoyles, Ultima lore, and more.
Gatherings & Competitions [Sep 12, 2009, 12:22 pm ET] - Share - 3 Comments Play Wolfenstein against the developers.
2009 GDC China Announces Jordan Mechner Keynote.
Win one of three Tuniq Tower 120 Extreme Coolers on Overclocker Cafe.
On Sale [Sep 12, 2009, 12:22 pm ET] - Share - 2 Comments Saturday Previews [Sep 12, 2009, 12:22 pm ET] - Share - Post a Comment Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures on MMORPG.COM.
Need For Speed SHIFT on Bitmob.
Saturday Consolidation [Sep 12, 2009, 12:22 pm ET] - Share - 1 Comment The Ballad of Gay Tony will be released on XBL Marketplace on 10.29 for 1600 MS points.
22 brilliant Dreamcast games doomed to die.
Former Sega President on Dreamcast's Failure, Pranks Against Sony, His Ouster....
Saturday Tech Bits [Sep 12, 2009, 12:22 pm ET] - Share - 3 Comments
Blade Runner meets Cryengine 2- Amazing Sci-Fi images. Thanks Kxmode.
AMD's new VISION for PCs doesn't go by the numbers.
Saturday Mobilization [Sep 12, 2009, 12:22 pm ET] - Share - Post a Comment
The Palm Pixi is official, headed to Sprint this holiday season. Thanks Ant.
Metaverse [Sep 12, 2009, 12:21 pm ET] - Share - Post a Comment
Google plans to offer micropayments service to media owners. Thanks Slashdot.
Hands on- iTunes 9 refinements cool, but hard to find.
Legal Briefs [Sep 12, 2009, 12:21 pm ET] - Share - Post a Comment
Why Rap, Klingons, and Jailhouse-Rape-by-Broomstick Aren't the Best Way To Teach Kids About Piracy. Thanks Mike Martinez.
DoJ decides that Microsoft-Yahoo deal deserves more scrutiny.
Award to Alcatel-Lucent Overturned in Microsoft Patent Case. Thanks Neutronbeam. For links go to
http://www.bluesnews.com/