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Oddworld: Abes Oddysee and Abes Exoddus now available via Steam
Written by SN at 09:56:19 AM, 29th August 2008
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Gods be praised! There aren't too many occasions when, after reading through my news feed, I literally stand up and cheer. This, however, is one of those moments.
GT Interactive's Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee and sequel Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus are now both available via Steam for the respectable price of US$9.99 indiviudally, or as a the Oddworld Pack for US$14.99. A special discount of 10% off is available until 4 September.
These two games offer an exceptionally unique, challenging, charming and topical puzzle-platforming experience, which also deals with a range of issues ranging from environment destruction, corporate domination and the forced subordination, and uprising, of a suppressed people.
In Abe's Oddysee, for instance, Abe, a clumsy floor-waxer working in the meat processing plant, Rupture Farms, discovers that his race, the Mudokons, are about to be turned into Tasty Treats by the Mullock the Glukkon and the Cartel. Along the way, he reconnects with nature and is able to save his fellow slaves, wreaking vengeance on Mullock, who is destroying the environment.
Find more information on [Abe's Oddysee here] and on [Abe's Exoddus here].
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Team Fortress 2 Heavy update, free TF2 weekend
Written by SN at 10:43:34 AM, 22nd August 2008
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This week, Valve released a rather "Heavy" update for Team Fortress 2, weighed down with delicious, though fat-free, sandvichy goodness. New features include; 3 new Heavy weapons, 35 new Heavy achievements, new "Arena" game mode and 2 new maps.
Full details regarding the Heavy Update may be found at [www.steamgames.com/tf2/heavy].
To celebrate the Heavy Update, Team Fortress 2 is free to play between Friday 22 August and Sunday 24 August, to ensure that everyone gets a chance to eat a sandvich, and possibly pay up for the whole loaf.
In addition, a huge stack of changes and bug fixes were thrown in with the update, too. Check out [the forums] for a more detailed breakdown.
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Razer Goliathus mouse pad review sits firm at GamingSA
Written by SN at 02:05:30 PM, 18th August 2008
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Testing mouse pads is a strange thing to do because unlike a mouse, graphics card or a even a keyboard, there are no quantifiable qualities to it that can be said to amount to XXX per centage increase in perceived performance. With that said, the Razer Goliathus "Control Edition" mouse pad offered roughly the same "increase in performance" as the SteelSeries QcK Pro Gaming mouse pad I've reviewed previously. That is to say, it's better than any shiny, cracked and chipped desktop surface. So, how much better is the Goliathus than a chipped desk? [Click here to read the full Razer Goliathus "Control Edition" mouse pad review on GamingSA].
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Star Wars: Force Unleashed demo drops this week
Written by SN at 10:19:05 AM, 18th August 2008
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This Thursday 21 August, download the Star Wars: The Force Unleashed demo for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, then play with your lightsaber, if you know what I mean.
In the demo, play as The Secret Apprentice, fighting through the TIE Fighter Construction Facility, leaving no witnesses, as you hunt down the Jedi General, Rahm Kota. In addition, a tutorial on learning to use the Force Grip power. Errr, Force Grip your lightsaber... heh, heh, heh. It's every geek's dream.
The Force Unleashed explores the period between Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, as Vader's secret apprentice helps wipe out the Jedi, changing the fate of the universe.
Visit [www.lucasarts.com] for more information.
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EA to publish next Epic Games game
Written by SN at 09:50:08 AM, 18th August 2008
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All those EA haterz out there, just thought I should let you know that Electronic Arts have just announced they'll be publishing Epic Game's newest IP, which is not Gears of War, as the misleading picture to the right insinuates.
The yet to be named, or officially announced, title is predictably an action game, to be released on PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 and is currently being developed by Epic's People Can Fly studio, Poland.
From Mark Rein, vice president, Epic Games:“Epic is excited to work with EA Partners to launch our next big IP on the global stage. EA Partners gives independent developers like Epic the muscle of a global publisher like EA, along with the focus and flexibility of a smaller team committed to working with our individual needs.” Frank Gibeau, President of the EA Games Label, was quoted this in the press release:“In the last year, EAP has become a powerhouse player in the publishing world with the best of breed developers signing on to leverage EA’s studio-focused philosophy, global scale and publishing leadership. Epic brings first class talent and technology to the development of this new title. We are very proud to have Epic join the growing roster of EA Partners.” Finally, senior vice president and general manager, EA Partners, David DeMartini:“Epic is a legendary studio that is synonymous with quality and EA Partners jumped at the chance to team up with them on the launch of their next blockbuster IP. EA Partners is committed to giving the world’s best independent developers access to EA’s global publishing resources, letting them focus on what they do best – making great games.” The new title is rumoured to be announced at the Leipzig Games Convention, which is set to kick off 20 August.
Visit [www.epicgames.com] for more information on Epic Games and {www.gc-germany.com] for more informaiton on the Leipzig Games Convention.
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80GB PlayStation 3 for $699, doubles storage, includes DualShock 3
Written by SN at 05:20:44 PM, 15th August 2008
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On 28 August, a new 80GB PlayStation 3 bundle will replace the current 40GB PlayStation 3 bundle, effectively doubling the storage space, while throwing a DualShock 3 just to *shake* things up, and all for the same $699 price as the 40GB model.
Not a bad deal, considering the DualShock 3 controls sold separately have a costly $99 price tag. And that extra space? A nice bonus. Dissapointingly, no return for PS2 backward compatibility, a rarity found only in the original 60GB launch models.
From Michael Ephraim, Managing Director SCE Australia and New Zealand:“Having achieved an install base of over 350,000 consoles to date, the PS3 has already found its place in many Australian homes. With more compelling content being made available to PS3 owners every week through the PLAYSTATION®Network, the extra storage offered in this new model will prove invaluable.
In addition, the 80GB memory allows you consolidate all of your digital music, photos and movies in one central place within the home and experience them on a high definition TV. Add to this the ability to enjoy Blu-ray movies and games and it’s clear why the PS3 has earned its place as the leading entertainment hub in today’s home.” I can [think of a use for that extra HDD space].
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Crysis Warhead confirms date for detonation, multiple detonations, in fact
Written by SN at 10:25:33 AM, 15th August 2008
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Been a while since I used a terrible play of words in the headline! Oh, wait, [no it isn't].
Electronic Arts have announced Crysis Warhead will be available from Australian stores 18 September. Are your PCs ready for [the explosive] duplicate sequel to PC hardware destroying Crysis?
From Cevat Yerli, CEO and President of Crytek:“We think Crysis Warhead is going to offer a tremendous experience to a wide range of gamers. Fans of Crysis are going to enjoy more of the open-ended gameplay, cutting-edge visuals and huge, epic battles from the first game, while also finally finding out what kind of havoc Psycho was wreaking on the other side of the island.
At the same time, we designed Warhead to be more accessible for gamers new to the Crysis franchise. It is a game with a story that can stand on its own, it has been optimized to run better on a wider range of PCs, and we are introducing Crysis Wars®, a tailor-made experience for multiplayer gamers within the Crysis universe – all at a great value.” *Copied from press release* Crysis Wars features three multiplayer modes, including TeamInstantAction, a new match type that mixes fast-paced action in a team-based environment, in addition to the insanely frenetic gameplay style of InstantAction and the hardcore team-based PowerStruggle, both of which return from Crysis. The game will include 21 maps, six new maps for TeamInstantAction and InstantAction, and one for PowerStruggle and Crytek will also have a support team dedicated to meeting the needs of the Crysis Wars community.
Visit [www.crysiswarhead.com] for more information.
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