The Video Game Release List of 7/5 - 7/11: Battlefield 1943, Tales of Monkey Island Chapter 1

2009-07-04T09:22-06:00

Morning Battlefield 1943, it's nice of you to join us. We've been ...expecting you.

Go ahead and hit up the full list, or, if you're looking for a particular system, skip right to the PC, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii and PSP. Should you want to check out any past release lists, scope out our handy archive.

Retail releases should be at North American stores by Wednesday, July 8, with Tales of Monkey Island - Chapter 1 PC debuting v...

Weekend Discussion: Sky Flower Edition

2009-07-04T09:17-06:00

What with today being Independence Day here in the good old United States of America, I can't help but recall the immortal words of renowned statesman William Smith, first imparted to me many, many years ago around this time: "Welcome to Earth."

In all seriousness, please do take care if you opt to partake in the traditional explosive festivities. Celebrations just aren't as much fun when they involve hospital trips.

Alpha Protocol Dev Diary Explores Its Options

2009-07-03T13:36-06:00

"We really tried to make the different approaches not necessarily equivalent but always balanced," explains Alpha Protocol creative designer Travis Stout in a new developer diary, "and there's always something and interesting and fun going on in each path."

[video]14707[/video] Shackvideo users can use the HD Stream.

Publisher Sega recently announced a release date of October 6 for Obsidian's PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 espionage RPG, with the creative tagline "The Espionage RPG."

Left 4 Dead 1 DLC Announcement Coming Shortly, Sequel's Pre-orders Double Those of Original

2009-07-03T12:20-06:00

Though Left 4 Dead 2 is slated to arrive on PC and Xbox 360 come November 17, developer Valve has reaffirmed that it will continue to support the original edition of its cooperative zombie shooter with as-yet-unspecified downloadable content.

"More info will be coming shortly on the [Left 4 Dead 1] DLC," Valve's Chet Faliszek told Shacknews, adding that the DLC will come in addition to enhancements, such as the promised team-based matchmaking update for the first Left 4 Dead.

Left 4 Dead versus Left 4 Dead 2

"We plan to keep supporting Left 4 Dead 1," Valve marketing VP Doug Lombardi recently told

Morning Discussion

2009-07-03T09:00-06:00

There'll be only a dribble of news today as US Independence Day is tomorrow, meaning everyone is busy stocking up on illegal fireworks, canned chickens, whole sides of beef, torso-sized cans of hot dogs and crates of low-quality lager. Happy Friday, world.

Tim Schafer Narrates 17 Minutes of Brutal Legend

2009-07-03T04:03-06:00

Taking the day off for an early start to the holiday? Then you've got the time to sit around and watch 17 minutes of Double Fine's Brutal Legend, all narrated by Tim Schafer himself.

Brutal Legend is set to arrive on October 13 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. [video]14710[/video] Shackvideo users can use the HD Stream.

Click through for the rest:

[video]14711[/video] Shackvideo users can use the HD Stream.

[video]14712[/video] Shackvideo users can use the HD Stream.

Borderlands Interview: Gearbox's 'Games Are Fun' Epiphany and Why It's Already Thinking DLC

2009-07-02T22:00-06:00

"The art style...is the glue to everything," Gearbox's Mikey Neumann explains above the gentle hum of a crowded meeting room during E3. "It allows us to embrace what our game actually is, and man, when we had that epiphany, when it all came together, we were like, 'shit man, that's what this game is, this game is about having fun.'"

Neumann, whose job title today is "a guy who can get you things," is talking about the radical change that the studio's shooter-RPG Borderlands recently underwent, shifting from a gritty realistic aesthetic to something a bit more... stylized.

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Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising Screenshots Take a Trip to the Farm

2009-07-02T19:02-06:00

Codemasters seems to be on a screenshot kick today, with some new screenshots of Operation Flashoint: Dragon Rising accompanying this morning's DiRT 2 screens.

Developed internally at Codemasters, not by creator Boehmia Interactive, the tactical shooter sequel is slated to appear on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 this fall.

Indie Platformer 'Fez' Coming to XBLA in 2010

2009-07-02T17:34-06:00

The IGF award-winning platformer Fez will be released on Xbox Live Arcade early next year, according to developer Polytron.

The clever indie title makes use of perspective shifts and optical illusions, some of which can be seen in the trailer below. [video]13957[/video]

PlayStation Store Update: The Punisher

2009-07-02T17:10-06:00

Another quiet week of PlayStation Store updates, outside of Zen Studios' downloadable shooter The Punisher: No Mercy.

The FPS title set in the Marvel universe promises six multiplayer modes--Vigilante, Team Deathmatch, Punish the Punisher, Elimination, Time Trial, Survival--and supports up to eight players online. A story mode offers four levels and supports two player co-op.

Click below for the full list:

Downloadable Games

Punisher: No Mercy ($9.99)
Zen Stu...

Dawn of War 2 'There Is Only War' Beta Begins

2009-07-02T16:33-06:00

The beta for the Dawn of War 2 update 'There Is Only War' is now live on Steam.

Users can participate by opting into the beta. In Steam, select "file," then under the "beta participation" section, click "change." Select Dawn of War 2, restart Steam, and the patch will automatically download.

The beta brings eight new multiplayer maps, balance changes, bug fixes, and a multiplayer map editor to Relic's RTS.

The insanely long list of content is copied below:

New Content

World Builder

World Builder, the map editor is now available to allow users to edit, create, and add new m...

2K 'Huge' Steam Pack Bundles 20 Games for $54

2009-07-02T16:01-06:00

Now this is a deal. 2K Games just launched its Huge Game Pack on Steam, bundling 20 of its games--which would normally sell for $229.80 individually--for the total price of $60.

The pack has also been marked down by 10% for a limited time, bringing the cost to $54--a real steal considering the quality of games.

Bundled titles include Civilization III, Civ IV and its expansions, BioShock, X-COMs, Freedom Forces, Railroad Tycoon II and 3, Prey, Sid Meier's Railroads! and Pirates!, and more.

The full list:

Sid Meier's Pirates!
Shattered Union
Prey
CivCity: Rome
Sid Meier's Railroads!
Railroad Tycoon 3
Railroad Tycoon II Platinum
X-COM: Terror From the Deep
X-COM: Apocalypse
BioShock
X-COM: Interceptor
X-COM: UFO Defense
X-COM: Enforcer
Freedom Force
Freedom Force vs. the Third Reich <...

Report: Fourth Resident Evil Film In Development

2009-07-02T15:35-06:00

A fourth Resident Evil film is in the works according to a new report by ShockTillYouDrop.

The film, to be written by series producer Paul W.S. Anderson, is purportedly titled "Resident Evil: Afterlife." STYD has apparently confirmed a release date of September 17, 2010.

No other details on the film were available, though series star Milla Jovovich has apparently been hinting at a reprisal of her role as Alice.

Darksiders Trailer Accompanies Release Date

2009-07-02T14:55-06:00

Originally scheduled to arrive earlier this year, publisher THQ today announced that Vigil's Darksiders: Wrath of War (PS3, 360) will now make it to stores on January 1, 2010.

A new trailer for the action game was released to mark the dating. Check it out below. [video]14703[/video] Shackvideo users can use the HD Stream.

Zoom In on These Elemental: War of Magic Screenshots

2009-07-02T14:08-06:00

Stardock has released new screenshots of its upcoming PC fantasy 4X strategy title Elemental: War of Magic.

"The best way I can describe the battles is that they're tactical with XCom being a major inspiration but designed to be relatively short," wrote Stardock CEO Brad Wardell. During the battles, players can zoom far down to the front lines (see below, left).

Wardell also noted that while city growth in the turn-based game is largely cosmetic, players will be able to zoom in to view their towns, and design roads that connect them.

Elemental is slated for release in February 2010. A beta test is scheduled to begin later this year.

Risen Receives Release Date

2009-07-02T13:38-06:00

Piranha Bytes, developer of the first three Gothic games, has announced that its RPG Risen will rise October 2 on PC and Xbox 360, with heavy testing now underway.

Described as a mature action-RPG, Risen is set in an open world on a tropical volcanic island, with multiple paths through the story and of course oodles of monsters to bash.

Piranha Bytes' entries in the Gothic series were often criticised as being buggy, but publisher Deep Silver points out that three quality assurance teams are already at work.

"We've been in beta for a few weeks now," said Deep Silver marketing VP Cathy Tische, "and are focusing on stamping out the remaini...

Splinter Cell Conviction Trailer: 'It Was Time to Do Something Kinda New'

2009-07-02T13:00-06:00

The first developer diary for Splinter Cell: Conviction sees the team at Ubisoft Montreal discussing their plans to push the stealth-action series "further" while staying true to it.

The oft-delayed title, once due in 2007, is now expected on PC and Xbox 360 this fall. [video]14704[/video] Shackvideo users can use the HD Stream.

Alpha Protocol: The Espionage RPG: The Release Date

2009-07-02T12:22-06:00

Obsidian's spy-themed action-RPG Alpha Protocol will ship off to North American retailers on October 6, publisher Sega has just announced.

The game is now tagged "The Espionage RPG," going by the box art issued today, with all three versions--PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360--to be released simultaneously.

In addition to Alpha Protocol, Obsidian has two other projects in the works--Fallout: New Vegas and a secret mystery title--with its Aliens RPG recently confir...

Batman: Arkham Asylum Talks Crazy

2009-07-02T11:57-06:00

A new Batman: Arkham Asylum developer diary introduces the twisted minds the instution houses and the creative souls of several developers plus writer Paul Dini.

[video]14706[/video] Shackvideo users can use the HD Stream.

Batman: Arkham Asylum is released on August 25 for PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

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