Battlefield 3 Open Beta Update NO.1

Here are the changes (apparently not complete though)

A SELECTION OF CHANGES FROM OPEN BETA TO FINAL, PART 1
(Not a complete list – for up to date news, visit the News section in Battlelog)
* Fixed occasional client crash when reviving.
* Fixed killcam showing glitched area under map if your killer is dead.
* Issue with spawning on dead squad mates fixed.
* Fixed a bug where shooting at a moving enemy could cause more than the intended amount of damage.
* Crosshairs for shotguns have been replaced with a new, thinner, art.
* A subtle low health screen effect has been added.
* Tweaked scores of Medals and Service Stars.
* Tweaked the Rank progression.
* Pushing prone on console will not play the animation twice.
* Fixed loss of Squad Leader after EOR at some times.
* Framerate stability fixes.
* The 3D spotting icons has been tweaked to better match the target’s visibility. Icons will show frequently less on mostly obscured targets.
* Fixed issue with crosshair disappearing after round transition.
* Fixed issue with crosshair disappearing after trying to deploy while the countdown timer still active.
* Squad list now shows specializations chosen, VOIP activity and dead squad mates.
* Non working options in squad menu fixed: "Private" flag and "Switch Teams".


Awesome Lists !


Thanks to Battleblog

BF3's Battlelog and Platoons Trailer (REALLLY!)

With Battlelog, we are expanding the social aspect of playing Battlefield 3, and Platoons is one of the central concepts in doing that. Check out the Battlelog video above for a closer look at the social platform Battlelog as a whole. Read on for the full details on why being in a Platoon is the most engaging and rewarding way to play Battlefield 3.

A Platoon is essentially the classic concept of gaming clans, only taken to the next level of flexibility and social interaction. Anyone can start their own Platoon easily in Battlelog. Give your Platoon a name, a description, and an abbreviation, and then you’re ready to start inviting friends through the slick Battlelog interface.

To personalize your Platoon, you can use the built-in emblem feature in Battlelog, where you pick and choose from ready-made shapes and templates and then place and format them to your liking. Up to 100 players can be part of a Platoon at any given time, and you can be a member of three different Platoons at the same time – you just need to select which of these you want to be active at any one time.

Every game you play will help your Platoon and will be tracked. Click image for full size.

Play for the glory of your Platoon
Every game you play when part of a Platoon (whether you play on your own or with other members) will count towards your Platoon’s aggregate statistics, scores, and rank. Having a large pool of skilled players who play a lot of games is a good idea if you want to rise to the top in the Platoon-specific leaderboards.

Just like on an individual player level, the Platoon page will have detailed stats on how you are doing collectively. What’s your record for winning and losing online? What’s the breakdown of classes within your Platoon? Who is the most valuable player in your Platoon? What is the mean rank of your Platoon? and so on.

You also have a Platoon specific feed in Battlelog that will show everything that concerns your Platoon – people joining, internal chats, new match records for your members, and anything else you need to keep track of what is happening in your group of players.

Battlelog users can search for Platoons in their country or area, become fans of Platoons, or apply for membership. In the regular news feed for Battlelog, fans and friends can follow your latest progress and awards.

With Platoons, we are making it easier and more fun than ever to play together. It’s not just a group of people playing together, either – it’s a large group of people where everything you do will ultimately have an impact on your Platoon’s standing and be reflected in their statistics.

You can get a first taste of the Platoon functionality in Battlefield 3 right now in the Open Beta.* While not having every feature turned on, this is a great chance for you to try it out, and see how it will give you that extra incentive to play and to contribute to the greater good of advancing your Platoon.

Thanks to Battleblog

Watch the Trailer below!

PC Piracy and DRM Analysis

An article on Eurogamer speaks with a few figures from the game industry seeking to answer the question "How Bad is PC Piracy Really?" The general consensus is that it is impossible to definitively determine what percentage of PC games are pirated, or how many legitimate sales are actually lost as a result, but that doesn't stop some of the people they spoke with from taking guesses: Reinhard Blaukovitsch from SecuROM vendor Sony DADC says "between 40 and 80 per cent of total copies of a game being played are pirated," and: "The commercial value of global software piracy is growing by 14 percent annually." Analyst Michael Pachter tells them: "Ubisoft told me that their PC game sales are down 90 per cent without a corresponding lift in console sales," and that he guesses "40 to 50 per cent of PC games played are not purchased." Capcom's and PCGA's Christian Svensson says he thinks it ranges from 50/50 at the low end and: "At the higher end you can see 90 per cent illegitimate usage to 10 per cent legitimate."

They also discuss solutions: "[There's] no public data to suggest that DRM works," says Pachter. "But the fact that more companies are imposing it strongly suggests that they believe it works." They also have a separate article about Pachter's comments. "Yes, piracy is ruining PC gameplay, and yes, it is forcing PC games online," the analyst says. "This happened in China 15 years ago, and in Korea in the last decade, and it's happening in the West now." One thing all their respondents seem to agree on is that it's a problem when DRM punishes legitimate users and encourages piracy. Here's a chunk with a few takes on that concept:

"Consumers are right to complain about DRM, since it impacts both legitimate and illegitimate users," reckons Pachter. "The problem is that the companies think it limits piracy, and an industrious and determined hacker can work around DRM, while a normal, legitimate user must deal with a hassle. I'm not sure where to come down on this, as I respect the companies' right to protect their intellectual property, while acknowledging the legitimate consumer's complaint about the problems created with DRM."

"The challenge nowadays is to reward loyal users," GOG.com's managing director Guillaume Rambourg believes. "If you make the whole gaming experience more complicated and more frustrating for people who buy the game; if it's easier to play a game that is pirated because they removed all the technical restraints, then I think there is a big issue on the plate now. It should be easier to play a game that you bought legally than play a game that you pirated."

"Through the use of DRM, a publisher can meaningfully improve profitability on a project." Christian Svensson, PCGA and Capcom "There's good DRM and what we call bad DRM," explains Svensson. "There's a huge breadth of parameters and technologies available, and no one technology is bad - it's the implementation that can be bad, the communication around the implementation that can be bad. What we try and do - and we haven't always been successful in this - is never hurt the legitimate user. If the legitimate user is ever going to have a more negative experience than a pirate, you've done something wrong."

Taken from Blues

Very interesting!

Portal 2 Free DLC Next Week (no Valve Time) !

Valve announces an October 4th release of Peer Review, the promised free Portal 2 DLC, which will offer a new co-op campaign, a single player and co-op Challenge Mode, and Challenge Mode leaderboards for the Windows, OS X, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 editions of the puzzle/platformer sequel. The DLC was scheduled for this past summer, making so it's right on schedule (Valve Time). Here's the announcement, which includes word that the final installment in the "Songs to Test By soundtrack on the Official Portal 2 Website:

"September 29, 2011 -- Valve, creators of best-selling game franchises (such as Half-Life and Counter-Strike) and leading technologies (such as Steam and Source), today announced the free DLC update for its bestselling game franchise Portal 2 will be rolled out across all regions on Steam, Xbox LIVE and PSN starting October 4th. The free DLC, titled "Portal 2: Peer Review", is available to all owners of Portal 2 for download on PS3 and Xbox 360, and will be automatically downloaded via Steam on PC and Mac.

In "Peer Review", you and a friend will continue the story of loyal bots P-Body and Atlas as you puzzle your way through a mysterious new co-op test track and once again match wits with GLaDOS. The DLC also features a single player and co-op Challenge Mode, and leaderboards to compare Challenge Mode scores with friends and the Portal community.

To hold you over until the release next week, visit http://thinkwithportals.com/ for the final installment of the Portal 2 soundtrack Music to Test By.

Portal 2 is a hilariously mind-bending adventure that challenges you to use wits over weaponry in a funhouse of diabolical science. For more information on Steam, please visit http://www.steampowered.com."

Finally, the No-Valve Time announcement  !

Taken from Blues 

RAGE – Jackal Canyon Official Gameplay Trailer

With less than a week until launch, we’ve released the sixth and final RAGE gameplay video! Watch as your character infiltrates the Jackal bandit clan’s camp in order to retrieve a data decrypter that could help the Resistance defeat The Authority.

Taken from Bethesda Blog

Watch it below!

PC Assassin's Creed: Revelations Delayed (like again?)

"The Windows edition of Assassin's Creed: Revelations is apparently delayed, and is now expected on December 2nd in Europe, a couple weeks after the console versions of the stealth/action sequel. This was found on the Czech Ubisoft Facebook page, as reported by Eurogamer by way of Eurogamer.cz."


Well if it's true, at least it's the Driver-typed delay and not AC-typed delay.


Thanks to Blues

L.A. Noire dated with PC !

Rockstar Games Announces L.A. Noire: The Complete Edition Release Date for PC

Download PDF

NEW YORK, Sep 28, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Rockstar Games, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), and Team Bondi Pty. Ltd., are proud to announce that L.A. Noire: The Complete Editionwill launch on Windows PC, Steam, and OnLive in North America on November 8, 2011 and in Europe on November 11, 2011. In addition to the original full game, consumers that purchase L.A. Noire: The Complete Edition will receive a multi-use code to access all downloadable add-ons and cases. This includes all previously released DLC from the console versions, including the "Nicholson Electroplating" Arson case, "Reefer Madness" Vice case, "The Consul's Car" Traffic case, "The Naked City" Vice case and "A Slip of the Tongue" Traffic case. The PC version of L.A. Noire: The Complete Edition was developed by Rockstar Leeds. It will run on a wide range of PCs and feature increased resolution and graphical detail along with keyboard remapping and gamepad functionality. L.A. Noire: The Complete Edition on PC will also feature support for NVIDIA 3D Vision for an even greater sense of interaction and immersion. System Specifications: Operating System: Windows 7 / Windows Vista Service Pack 1 / Windows XP Service Pack 3 / OnLive for PC or Mac; Processor: Intel Dual Core 2.2GHz to Quad Core 3.2GHz / AMD Dual Core 2.4Ghz to Quad Core 3.2Ghz; RAM: 2GB to 8GB; Hard drive space: 16GB; Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT 512MB to NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 1536MB / Radeon HD 3000 512MB to Radeon HD 6850 1024MB; Sound Card: 100% DirectX 9 Compatible; DVD Drive. L.A. Noire: The Complete Edition is rated M for Mature by the ESRB and will be available at retail and digitally for $49.99 / EUR 49.99 / £39.99. For more information, log onto http://www.rockstargames.com/lanoire.

Thanks to Take2games


I can confirmed this is the
A. Truth !


can't wait on PC !

Red Orchestra 2 Post-release interview

"GameSpy interviews Alan Wilson, of Tripwire Interactive about post-release support for Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad, the World War II first-person shooter sequel. Alan describes how they are "madly" working at addressing key issues with the release version of the game, listing the top three priorities as fixing crashes, the server browser, and the stats system. He also discusses performance improvements, changes to the lockdown system, how problems with lag and rubber-banding are mainly due to overloaded servers. He also admits that they mistakenly thought players were no longer interested in game manuals, and that they are working on one to add to the game on Steam, offering a draft version of it for download in Adobe Acrobat format through FilePlanet."


Thanks to Blues

Driver San Francisco now driving on PC !

Ubisoft Announces Driver: San Francisco Now Available on PC

"UBISOFT® ANNOUNCES DRIVER® SAN FRANCISCO NOW AVAILABLE ON PC

SAN FRANCISCO - September 27, 2011 - Today, Ubisoft® announced that Driver® San Francisco for Windows PC is now available in North America. Rated T for Teen, the Windows PC version of Driver San Francisco has an MSRP of $49.99.

Developed by Ubisoft Reflections under the direction of the creators of the original title, Driver San Francisco marks the return of the established video game series that has sold 14 million copies worldwide. Gamers will play as Detective John Tanner on a relentless manhunt for crime lord Charles Jericho through the hills of the City by the Bay. Thanks to a groundbreaking gameplay feature, players can now seamlessly SHIFT between well over a hundred licensed vehicles, keeping them constantly in the heart of the action.

KEY FEATURES:
THE TRUE CAR CHASE EXPERIENCE
Rediscover the cinematic driving sensations of Driver: loose suspension, long drifts, sharp bends and high-speed pursuits in dense traffic. Drive over 120 licensed cars involved in some of the most intense chase sequences ever seen.

A RELENTLESS MANHUNT
Uncover a thrilling storyline in which personal revenge fuels Tanner's relentless manhunt for Jericho. Follow Tanner's survival race across San Francisco and discover how this chase will bring him to the point of no return.

SHIFT
As Tanner recovers from a terrible crash, he realizes he has acquired a new ability that enables him to instantly change vehicles and take control: SHIFT. Experience unprecedented intensity, diversity and freedom; SHIFT into a faster car, deploy civilian vehicles to destroy your enemies, and even take control of your opponent's car to force their demise.

A CAR CHASE PLAYGROUND
Drive on more than 120 miles of road, over the Golden Gate Bridge and along iconic locations throughout San Francisco. SHIFT from one car to the next and dip into the lives of different residents, a head-spinning array of characters, each with a unique perspective on a city under siege.

MULTIPLAYER MAYHEM
Experience 11 different, frantic and addictive online modes, where the SHIFT feature allows players to be anywhere at any time. Ram, tail and overtake your friends in offline split-screen or online modes.

For more information on Driver San Francisco, please visit: http://driver-thegame.ubi.com/

About Ubisoft:
Ubisoft is a leading producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products worldwide and has grown considerably through a strong and diversified line-up of products and partnerships. Ubisoft has offices in 26 countries and has sales in more than 55 countries around the globe. It is committed to delivering high-quality, cutting-edge video game titles to consumers. For the 2010-11 fiscal year Ubisoft generated sales of 1.039 billion euros. To learn more, please visitwww.ubisoftgroup.com.

© 2011 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Driver, Ubisoft, and the Ubisoft logo are trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the US and/or other countries"

 Go get em PC Drivers!

ESRB rates I Am Alive ! (so he REALLY IS alive!)

I am Alive has been getting more alive lately.

First is the new gameplay videos,

and 

NOW is the ESRB Rating.

"This is an action game in which players assume the role of a man who must find his family in a post-apocalyptic world. From a third-person perspective, players traverse through city ruins and use a machete to kill human enemies in melee-style combat. Battles are accompanied by realistic gunfire, slashing sounds, and cries of pain; characters emit brief splashes of blood when hit. Players have the ability to kill or knock unconscious wounded/vulnerable enemies via finishing moves (e.g., throat slashing, impaling, pistol-whipping); these scenes are highlighted by close-up camera angles and increased player control (e.g., on-screen prompts with button-press sequences). During the course of the game, players encounter women who can be saved from nearby enemies; sexual mistreatment is sometimes implied in the dialogue (e.g., “These guys kept me as their pet, or mascot, or something.”). One sequence depicts the background silhouette of a man fondling and threatening a captured female survivor; the exchange includes phrases such as “Do you hear me? Don't touch me!” and “Don't be like that. You know I can make your life a lot easier if you would just cooperate.” The words “p*ssy,” “f**k,” and “sh*t” can be heard in the dialogue."

You can view the original version here

Full BF3-Jay-Z TV TRAILER OUT NOW!

Remember the Jay-Z TV Teaser FOR Battlefield 3?

Now the full version is out!

Btw Battlefield 3 BETA will be available for download in less than a day.

I am definitely looking forward to download it!

Watch the trailer below on the meantime !

BF3 Beta Early Access Answers plus trailer!

The Battlefield Blog offers a new Jay-Z "99 Problems" Gameplay Teaser Trailer offering an incongruous (and arguably NSFW) soundtrack to a bit of gameplay footage from the upcoming military shooter sequel. They also have a post answering Battlefield 3 open beta early access questions. Here's the important part:

Q: What are the regular dates for the Open Beta?
A: September 29th-October 10th, 2011.

Q: Who is eligible for early access to the Battlefield 3 Open Beta on September 27th?
A: Customers who have pre-ordered the PC digital download version of Battlefield 3: Limited Edition on Origin, or registered their first-hand copy of Medal of Honor: Limited Edition/Tier 1 Edition, or purchased Medal of Honor Limited Edition from Steam prior to July 26th, 2011.

Watch it below

Thanks to Blues

DICE: Happy To Be Back on PC "For Real Now"

More BF3: A video interview on GeForce.com from the Eurogamer Expo talks with a man who "needs no introduction," Karl Magnusson, General Manager at DICE (either we or they do need an introduction, since we thought his name was Karl Magnus Troedsson). Karl discusses Battlefield 3, their upcoming military shooter sequel, touching on the beta test, their plans to support the game long after launch, improved visuals over past games, and more. On the topic of improved visuals, he explains their joy at being back on the PC "for real now." Here's that part:

It also feels good to be back on PC for real now. You know, we're bringing back jets, we have 64-players. We really pushed the PC as a main platform, especially in the beginning of the development of Battlefield 3. So hopefully everyone will start building their rigs at home and really build something that can utilize all the visual quality of the game.

Good to know DICE!

Thanks to Blues

Pop up edition for Max Payne 3 Trailer

A "new" trailer for Max Payne 3 has just been released. This trailer provides more insights about Max Payne 3 that you never seen before.

Watch it here

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Arsenal Modes Revealed

Valve announces two "Arsenal" gameplay modes for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, their upcoming continuation of the Counter-Strike series of tactical first-person shooters:

September 22, 2011 - Valve, creators of best-selling game franchises (such as Counter-Strike, Half-Life, Left 4 Dead, Portal, and Team Fortress) and leading technologies (such as Steam and Source), today announced the new game modes for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO).

Targeted for release via Playstation Network, Xbox Live Arcade, and Steam (for PC and Mac) in early 2012, CS: GO will expand upon the team-based action gameplay that it pioneered when it was launched 12 years ago.

Arsenal Mode is based on the popular Counter-Strike: Source mod Gun Game. "Arsenal: Arms Race" and "Arsenal: Demolition" add eight new maps and expand on the classic Counter-Strike gameplay.

Valve is working directly with creators of Gun Game to create Arsenal Mode. "We are excited that Valve reached out and is working with us to ensure Arsenal Mode is the best version of Gun Game.", Michael Barr project lead of Gun Game.

This is just getting more interesting!


Thanks to Blues 

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Patch Released, DRM Removed

The promised patch for Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is now available, offering changes and updates for DICE's military shooter sequel, including the removal of the SecuROM wrapper from the non-Steam version of the game. The patch is automatically available through Steam, and a manual version of the 2.6 GB patch is available for download on AtomicGamer, AusGamers, and The Patches Scrolls. Here are the recently released patch notes:

• Removed some memory leaks
• Fixed crashes when the game attempted to render lots of content (high detail, high FOV or multiple-monitor modes); this should particularly help multi-monitor users
• Chat window no longer causes lag spikes
• Chat window reworked opacity & visibility-time is controllable through settings in settings.ini
• Clantag is remembered when using auto-login
• Banner URLs can be up to 252 characters in length
• SecuROM wrapper removed from non-Steam version
• Minor performance enhancements
• Reduced rubberbanding on servers with more than 24 active players
• PrintScreen takes a screenshot, file stored in Documents\BFBC2\Screenshots directory

It's good to see they still support Bad Company 2!

Thanks to Blues

Crytek (YEAA CRYYTEKK) Developing Homefront Sequel

HQ and Crytek Collaborate to Develop Next Homefront Title

"THQ AND CRYTEK COLLABORATE TO DEVELOP NEXT HOMEFRONT TITLE

Legendary FPS Developer Set To Take THQ's Successful Original IP To New Heights

AGOURA HILLS, Calif., September 20, 2011 - THQ Inc., (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced that the next title in its Homefront® franchise will be developed by multi-award winning FPS veterans Crytek.

"Selecting Crytek to take Homefront forward underscores our strategy of working with the industry's best talent," said Danny Bilson, EVP Core Games, THQ. "Homefront's unique setting and storyline captivated gamers the world over. With Crytek's industry leading technology and legendary experience in the FPS genre, we're supremely confident that the next Homefront will deliver that AAA-quality experience that players demand."

"We see Homefront as a really strong universe that has a lot of potential and that has been expertly created and marketed by THQ," said Cevat Yerli, Founder, CEO and President of Crytek. "We believe that bringing our level of quality, creativity and production values to the next Homefront title creates an opportunity for both THQ and Crytek to deliver a truly blockbuster game. It's really important to us that THQ has the faith in giving us a lot of creative freedom over one of its most important properties to allow us to bring the Homefront world to life in a new and innovative way."

The first Homefront title was released in March 2011, and proved to be a commercial success for THQ. The yet-to-be-named sequel is scheduled for release in THQ's fiscal year 2014 on console and PC platforms.

About Homefront
The year is 2027. The world as we know it is unraveling after fifteen years of economic meltdown and widespread global conflict over dwindling natural resources.

A once proud America has fallen, her infrastructure shattered and military in disarray. Crippled by a devastating EMP strike the USA is powerless to resist the ever expanding occupation of a savage, nuclear armed Greater Korean Republic.

Abandoned by her former allies, the United States is a bleak landscape of walled towns and abandoned suburbs. This is a police state where high school stadiums have become detention centers, and shopping malls shelter armored attack vehicles. A once-free people are now prisoners ... or collaborators ... or revolutionaries.

Meanwhile, the splintered nations of Europe struggle to maintain peace at home, as the global economy continues its downward spiral, and civil order disintegrates. The world is teetering on the brink of ruin ...

About Crytek GmbH
Crytek GmbH ("Crytek") is one of the world's leading independent development studios for interactive entertainment. It is based in Frankfurt am Main (Germany) and has additional studios in Kiev (Ukraine), Budapest (Hungary), Sofia (Bulgaria), Seoul (South Korea) and Nottingham (UK). Crytek is dedicated to creating exceptionally high-quality video games for next-generation consoles and PC, powered by their proprietary cutting-edge 3D-Game-Technology, CryENGINE®.

Since its foundation in 1999, Crytek has created the multi-award winning PC titles Far Cry®, Crysis® (awarded best PC Game of E3 2007 and Best Technology at the 2008 Game Developers Choice Awards), Crysis Warhead® (awarded Best Graphics Technology at IGN Best of 2008 Awards) and Crysis® 2 (awarded Best Shooter of E3 2010 and Gamescom 2010).

Crytek, Crysis and CryENGINE are registered trademarks or trademarks of Crytek GmbH in the USA, Germany and/or other countries.

About THQ
THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices and the internet. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. More information about THQ and its products may be found at www.thq.com. THQ, Homefront, Kaos Studios and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.

Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, the Xbox logos, and the Xbox LIVE logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.

"PlayStation" is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Creative Artists Agency, which represents Crytek, brokered the deal."

  This is just interesting! I am looking forward to it!

Battlefield 3 Beta This Month!!!

We are happy to announce that the eagerly awaited Battlefield 3 Open Beta starts Thursday, September 29th!

Running until October 10th, the Battlefield 3 Open Beta is your chance to play the game early, try out our free social platformBattlelog, and help us make the game even better by sending us your valuable feedback.

If you pre-order Battlefield 3 (PC digital download version) on Origin before September 25th, or if you have registered your first-hand copy (by activating its Online Pass) of Medal of Honor: Limited Edition/Tier 1 Edition, you will get 48 hours early access to the Beta, meaning you can start playing Tuesday, September 27th. The full details on how you will be granted early acess is available on our new Beta section.

For Xbox 360 and Playstation 3, the Open Beta will be visible on the consoles' digital marketplaces under Battlefield 3. For PC, you need to install Origin and download the Open Beta from within the Origin application.

For all your Open Beta questions and answers, head to our new Beta section at the official Battlefield 3 site. Enjoy the Beta, and let us know what you think! 

Now go and mark September 29 on your calendar!

Thanks to Battleblog