Impulse Driven - SALE

Impulse has over 50 titles on sale. Check them out here!

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 - PC Beta Delayed

We wanted to update you, and slow the flood of tweets, on questions surrounding the BFBC2 PC Beta being cancelled. I'll get right to it and say "the BFBC2 PC Beta is not cancelled". Now this all started due to changes made to an earlier blog that removed the PC Beta from the details and the reason for this was the plan changed. With the huge success of the PS3 Beta we decided to drastically increase the PC Beta's capacity to insure as many people as possible could participate. Unfortunately this meant we had to delay the Beta to very early next year giving us more planning time to make it happen and implement more optimizations.

Here is a recap of the current PC features, and we can now confirm DX11 support with more details to come later!

PC Enhanced Features

Up to 32 Players on PC (24 on consoles) - Play with up to 32 players online in the biggest  multiplayer Maps in Battlefield. Each with a different tactical and gameplay focus set across a variety of environments.

Full DirectX 9, 10 & 11 Support - Immerse yourself in the Battlefield world as Frostbite engine brings tanks, planes, and explosions to vivid life on your PC. The game will fully support Windows XP, Vista, and 7 with new tech that further improves things like lighting and shadows.

Enhanced Gameplay - The PC version also includes wide peripheral support like Joysticks for flying, NVDIA 3D Vision, Logitech LCD Keyboards and VoIP Support plus a variety of specific features tailored for PC play.

Friend Support - Find your friends online with the new buddy list to see if and who is online so you can quickly join their game.

Dedicated Ranked Server - Everyone gets non-stop action with no connection penalties based on some other player's internet. Ranked Server Provider program will give players opportunity to rent their own server(s) located in professional grade datacenters, ability to modify settings like map rotation, create reserved slots for friends or clan members, kick & Ban players, and custom name your ranked server.

Clan Support & Private Servers - Independent Clan Tag, and ability to rent servers for hosting and controlling private password protected competitive servers with expanded control over the settings from public ranked servers.

PC Squad Play System - Updated from previous Battlefield PC titles now gives control of your squad before heading into combat.

Steam - Holiday Sale

The Steam Early Holiday Sale has begun, and there are some pretty hot deals in there, such as:

• Batman: Arkham Asylum - 50% Off
• Champions Online - 50% Off
• Dragon Age: Origins - 25% Off
• GRID - 75% Off
• Fallen Earth - 50% Off
• Far Cry 2 - 50% Off
• Osmos - 2 USD / 2 GBP / 2 EUR

Avatar - Demo Released

James Cameron's Avatar: The Game is the official videogame based on the highly anticipated film James Cameron's Avatar. The videogame will take you deep into the heart of Pandora, an alien planet that is beyond imagination. Encounter the Na'vi, Pandora's indigenous people and discover other life forms the likes of which have never been seen in the world of video games before. Download from FilePlanet.

Note: During installation, press the Ignore button when the CRC error for a ReadMe_uk.txt file appears. The demo will install with no issues and includes the UK readme file.

Twin Sector - Demo Released

824MB North American Twin Sector demo now available for download, direct from the publisher's servers:

Got Game Entertainment LLC, a leading publisher of interactive entertainment games, today announced the release of the playable demo for its highly-anticipated, action-adventure game Twin Sector. The demo provides players an in-depth look at the innovative, and completely physics-based, high-energy gameplay. Twin Sector is a thrilling physics-based action-adventure for the PC that allows players free interaction with their environment. Using the advantages of the powerful HAVOC-Engine, innumerable puzzles, challenges and enemies await the players in a hostile and threatening futuristic environment. Featuring more than 15 missions, alongside a thrilling story line unfolding over the course of non-stop action, Twin Sector appeals to core gamers worldwide.

Demigod - Demon Assassin

Demigod v1.2 is here and users can now unlock the highly anticipated new Demon Assassin.

The Demon Assassin is a Melee Assassin fighting for the Forces of Darkness. He wields a sword and knife in battle, and is highly mobile, quickly closing the gaps between himself and his opponent through the use of warp attacks.

Not only does v1.2 unlock the new assassin, but the new update will also add:

• New AI options
• A Mod Manager
• And new game-play balancing and tweaks

To see the full v1.2 change log, click here.

Supreme Commander 2 - March 2nd Release Date

Supreme Commander 2 will be released March 2nd, 2010 on the PC. 

Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix interactive entertainment products in North America, announced today that SUPREME COMMANDER 2, created by critically-acclaimed developer Gas Powered Games, will be available on PC-DVD March 2, 2010 and on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft on March 16, 2010. SUPREME COMMANDER 2 is the next installment in the award-winning SUPREME COMMANDER franchise, set 25 years further into the future. Featuring numerous game enhancements, an in-depth campaign mode, online multiplayer and a unique storyline, the game represents a new dimension in RTS gaming.
Boasting intense battles on a massive scale, players will wage war, creating enormous customizable armies and experimental war machines that can change the balance of power at any given moment. Assume the role of one of the three enigmatic commanders, each representing a unique faction with a rich story that brings a new level of emotional connection to the RTS genre.
“The partnership with Square Enix has been a highlight of my career,” said Chris Taylor, Founder and Creative Director of Gas Powered Games. “I couldn’t be more proud of what the team has accomplished, as the game has continually exceeded all of my expectations throughout its development.” “Supreme Commander 2 is a shining example of our strategic partnership with Gas Powered Games,” said John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix, Inc.
Features

Take on the role of three enigmatic commanders; former friends from each of the unique factions - the United Earth Federation (UEF), The Illuminate and the Cybran Nation - who get dragged into a conflict of galactic consequences.

Explore a rich, character-driven single-player game which spans over 18 missions and delivers a new level of emotional connection to the RTS genre, or take the battle online for an exhilarating multi-player experience.

Fight action-packed battles on a massive scale, waging war with enormous land, air and naval units in visually spectacular environments, brought to life by all-new rendering technology and a true evolution of RTS controls on both platforms.

Upgrade and customize armies with new weapons and technology and deploy them instantly on the battlefield, turning a base-level tank into a high-powered, multi-barreled, anti-aircraft-sporting multipurpose battle unit.

Deploy wild experimental war machines that can change the balance of power at any given moment. Experience a streamlined economy and redesigned UI that put the focus squarely on combat, battlefield tactics and high-level strategic decision making, and give improved player feedback in Strategic Zoom view.

King's Bounty: Armored Princess - Demo Released

The demo for King's Bounty: Armored Princess has been released. Download from Fileplanet here.

Here are some of the features in game:

• A new and exciting story set in an uncharted world.
• The opportunity to play a female character – Princess Amelie!
• Three character classes: Warrior, Paladin and Mage, each with their own gameplay style.
• Medals awarded for special achievements, rewarding the player with bonuses.
• A pet dragon to aid you in battle: as he increases in experience he will learn and refine nine unique skills.
• A new race – the bloodthirsty Lizardmen.
• The ability of your trusty steed to transform into a Pegasus and fly!
• Instantaneous over-sea voyages between any of the discovered continents.
• Ability to employ an armor-bearer.
• Revival of the classic system of contracts and
  headhunting quests!
• Enhanced role-playing system, including dozens of parameters
  and skills, with the potential to develop your
  character to level 50 and above.
• The combination of a dynamic adventure and turn-based
  tactical battles.
• Numerous spells to use on the battlefield – as
  well as Wanderer Magic, which can be used on the
  adventure map.
• New unique bosses: Driller, Zilgadis, Arch-demon
  Baal, and others.
• Hundreds of different battle arenas. Unique battlefields
  for the capturing of castles and the upgrading of items.
• Various traps and bonuses that appear within
  the battle arenas, which can be used by the clever
  commander to turn the tide of battle.
• Unique system of living items, capable of
  exerting their own will, and sometimes even
  changing their essence.
• New types and classes of objects.
• A modern game engine that supports
  all the latest graphics cards.
• Attractive and well thought
  out interface.
• Beautiful artistic style based
  on classic fantasy characters.
  

Widescreen Fixer - v1.62 Released

Widescreen Fixer v1.62 has been released which enables proper widescreen support for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.

 

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 - Will Utilize DirectX 11

Via PlanetBattlefield comes word from AMD and DICE of DirectX 11 enhancements for the forthcoming PC version of Battlefield: Bad Company 2:

DirectX 11 is a key feature of Windows 7 and is important for two key reasons: it helps consumers experience better performing games and faster computing. To do this, DirectX 11 brings several new features which collectively improve the graphic fidelity of games and 3D applications while also enhancing the ability of the CPU and GPU to work together more efficiently. This in turn will allow end-users to potentially realize significant increases in performance as application developers harness the power of tessellation, multi-threading and compute shader technology, three key new features of DirectX 11.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 - Beta Key Give away

While this is a PC gaming blog, I do have a beta key for the Playstation 3 version of Battlefield: Bad Company 2. First  person to comment on this post with their email address will be the owner of a shiny new beta key. (requires playstation network account)

Warhmmer Online - Endless Trial Client

A new Warhammer Online trial client has been released which has no time limit and allows you to take as many  characters to level 10 as you like.

The new WAR endless free trial replaces the original 10-day time-limited trial program, and gives new and returning players the opportunity to create and play any of the 24 different careers to find their perfect character match for use during extended gameplay if they purchase the game and/or subscribe. The endless free trial limits players to progress through character level 10 as they explore the tier one Empire vs. Chaos zones of Nordland and Norsca. In addition, players can explore the newly added tier one dungeon, Hunter’s Vale, or battle other players in the instanced scenarios Nordenwatch, Khaine’s Embrace and Gates of Ekrund. Endless free trial players will embark on the recently introduced New User Journey, which features enhanced tutorials and new community elements, such as a “new player” guild, to streamline the transition of new players into WAR and its vibrant community of players.
“With the introduction of the endless free trial and streaming client, we are making it easier than ever for a new player to join the WAR,” said Jeff Hickman, executive producer, Mythic Entertainment. “We’ve worked hard to create a more informative and community driven new user experience, and now we are giving players an unlimited amount of time to explore the early parts of the game at their own pace. We are confident that players new and old will find all the enhancements we’ve made to WAR over the past year worthy of their time and commitment.”
Available now, the new streaming endless trial client is a seamless way for new users to get into the game. After an initial download of just over 1GB, additional content streams in the background as required while playing. All closed 10-day free trial accounts have been converted to open endless free trial accounts and are ready for returning players to resume their journeys across the frontlines of WAR.

Download the client here.

Heroes of Newerth - Beta Key Giveaway

So I have 3 beta keys available for Heroes of Newerth for anyone that's interested. Just leave a comment on this article with your email address and I'll send it to you. First come first serve basis.

Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising - Patch

A patch will be released tomorrow (11/05/09) for OPDR. You can read the release notes below:

1. The game now displays the version number on the front end

2. Video can now be captured with the software FRAPS.

3. When using the Mission Editor, if the player clicks off the game in order to move an object in the mission editor, the game will now not loses focus.

4. Gameplay online

• Lag issues reduced for 32 players pvp
• The Client and Host shooting are now synchronised. The client will no longer empty a magazine into a player and not killing him.
• In an online game, the mines are now correctly synchronised. The player can place mines on the ground with no problems.
• The weapon will now continue working if the player spam the fire button and the change fire rate button.
• The Players will now position correctly when re-spawned inside a vehicle
• Clients are now able to enter vehicles with no problem

5. All sniper rifles will now have a sway effect

6. When a building is destroyed any corpses that are within the building are removed, so they are not floating in the air.

7. The inventory UI from the crate or corpse can now be opened correctly when the player is standing at distance.

8. A rare online crash bug has been fixed when the Client is assaulting the fuel depot towards the end of the mission Bleeding Edge

9. If the fireteams are following orders and then the player select an ROE order on all fireteams including themselves the orders will now be spread across all fireteams.

10. On a Pvp game, the counter will now count correctly when the settings are restricted to no re-spawns

11. Games via a private server and password are now correctly protected. The players will now require the password to join the game.

12. The mouse wheel will now respond to the input control if the player enters a vehicle and continues to switch positions using mouse wheel.

13. The player can now change weapon with number keys while in a vehicle

14. The player can now scroll the list of names in the lobby using the middle wheel

15. The reloading time is now correct when the player is going prone straight after firing a SMAW or Queen Bee weapons.

16. The chat box will not overlap on 800x600 resolution

17. In the polish SKU, the apostrophe key is now translated correctly when changing keyboard configuration in the Front end

18. When exiting the credits, the heading will not transition twice.

19. The game has been modified to only use the original data to prevent cheating or hacking by modifying the configuration files.

20. Added script command OFP:setAIConfigPropertyValue to allow mission designers toverride the AI configuration values found in the global AIConfig.xml file in user generated missions only.

Left 4 Dead 2 - Demo Available

The super short Left 4 Dead 2 demo is now available on Steam.

Three point something gigabyte too much to handle? Check out a video playthrough instead.