For PC gamers, dedicated servers are a big deal, as they usually mean that the matches they play online against other PC gamers will be easy to access and lag-free. For these gamers, dedicated servers are never a sure thing, especially with the Call of Duty franchise which has flip-flopped with their servers over the past few releases.
However today in a very small tweet, Cesar Stastny of Treyarch wrote: “Confirmed: Ranked Dedicated Servers for #BlackOps2.” So rejoice fans of FPS on PC, you will be able to pull off head-shots with no concern of lag when the game is released on November 13.
EastAsiaSoft has announced that their RPG, Rainbow Moon, will be coming out this July exclusively on the Playstation 3, and will be available via the PlayStation Network. Rainbow will be releasing in Europe and Australia on July 4th for $14.99. There are currently no dates for North America and Asia, but Rainbow Moon will be launching in those regions sometime in July.
EastAsiaSoft has also announced that free and premium DLC will be available at launch. The premium DLC will cost between $0.50 to $6.99 per item 24 in total, and range from currency to equipment, and complete sets. The DLC can be purchase from the in game menu. Please enjoy the trailer below and let us know what you think about the game in the comments below.
The season of Summer Sales is about to get into full swing and GoG not wanting its customers to be left out on the fun have just announced their new promotion “Battle of the Games”. Battle of the Games is the first promo in GOG.com’s history to allow gamers to decide which games will be discounted. The “Battle of the Games”sale will run between June 19 and July 5. Ever day two games will battle it out between themselves whilst GOG.com gamers vote on the Battle of the Games page decide which title wins. Each Round of the Battle will begin at 1 PM GMT (9 AM EST) and will end after 24 hours. After each round, the winner of the popular vote will be discounted 60% and the runner-up will be discounted 40%, both for the following 24 hours. So either way, the game will end up being discounted, but you will have the power over where that extra 20% discount is placed.
The first #BOTG faceoff will be between two PC gaming classics, Myst: Masterpiece Edition and The 7th Guest. If you are over the age of 10 and haven’t heard of these two PC gaming monoliths well then, you need to get your head examined soon. The list of games that will face off in the “Battle of the games” has not been announced yet, though GOG promises users they can expect to see high quality games such as Psychonauts, The Witcher, and Broken Sword: Director’s Cut. Also remember, since they are sold by GOG all of these games are DRM free (we’re looking at you Diablo 3).
Apparently a summer sale wasn’t enough for GOG so they have teamed up with EA to offer you Worlds of Ultima: The Savage Empire and Ultima: Worlds of Adventure 2: Martian Dreams free to all users. So if you are currently lacking Lord British’s creations in your gaming library then you can pick them up for free only at GOG.
Neal Stephenson’s Subutai Corporation has so far managed to raise $290K for their “Guitar Hero, with swords” game CLANG. This leaves them with 21 days to raise the remaining $210K they need to reach their funding goal on Kickstarter.
For those of you who don’t know what CLANG consists of well then I guess I’ll have to explain it to you… awww effort is involved. CLANG itself is an upcoming PC arena game that promises to offer one on one multiplayer duelling, using the Sixense Razer Hydra motion controller. The Razer Hydra is basically a Wiimote on steroids as it has reduced latency and is far more accurate. This allows CLANG to feature a deep combat system which goes further then previous games, with the combat system set to involve parries, pommel strikes, grappling, feints as well as different stances. The game itself will be fairly loose on storytelling hence the arena setting, though the team has said they will add some adventure tales in later instalments which will be co-written by 47 North.
Whilst Subutai is committed to making a game one of their real goals has the potential in their own words “to make sword fighting games better” is to create a series of MASEs (Martial Arts System Embodiments) which could be used by other game developement firms to make their own more realistic. Basically this would be a series of pre-motion captured fighting styles that could be employed by game devs.
Personally I hope they succeed as I not only think the project could help to improve motion control games in the long run (we all know Kinect needs some help), but their page contains the best Kickstarter videos I have seen yet.
Also their may be a certain appearance by Gabe Newell and a crowbar in their original launch video, so worth a watch if only for the comedy elements. Check below the break to see their recent 50% funding update video.
Koume’s Potion Shop presents the Capsule Computers Podcast number 049 where we discuss what had been in occurence at the worlds largest video game conference, E3. We also discuss various aspects of the show and we even give our thoughts on Usher’s hit performance of his latest single.
Cast: Michael Marr, Luke Halliday, Dustin Spencer, Travis Bruno, Benjamin Webb
Music for this podcast is from Megaman II, Team Nekokan
Thanks for listening and let us know what you think!
Thanks for listening. Copyright Capsule Computers Pty Ltd – All Rights Reserved.
All Other Samples Are Copyright And Property Of Their Official Copyright Holders.
The semi-finalist deadline has come and gone for the PONG Indie Developer Challenge, which means that all the videos showing off the games are now available online and what I feel is one of the better entries can be seen below. Overall, the entries range from really good looking to being hard to tell what the evolution really is, but that might just be how the video is cut. Most of the videos show off some pretty interesting gameplay and unique ideas.
Right now the games are being run through a judging process to get the competition down to at most 10 finalists, which will then be released and, depending on how they rank out in the wild, receive cash prizes. The finalists will be announced on June 26th, but to see all 15 semi-finalist videos, players can check out the Atari YouTube Channel HERE.
Fans of the Cthulhu Mythos should be excited to hear that the developers of the Call of Cthulhu: The Wasted Land game have had 1 specially made mug designed by the game’s lead artist, which players can see above. The mug is now the prize for a competition they have going on in honor of the game coming to PC through the GamersGate website. So, that makes the game, which Capsule Computer’s has reviewed HERE, available on the iOS, Android, and PC.
Details of the contest come from the developer, Red Wasp Design, facebook HERE, but the contest is easy enough. All players have to do is come up with the best ending for the sentence starting, “When Cthulhu wakes…” and post it on the facebook thread linked above or tweet it with the hashtag #whencthulhuwakes. Players are able to enter until the 28th of June with the developers picking a winner the 28th. Good writing and good luck.
Agent 47 is up to his old tricks once again in the latest issue of the Hope News Times, the fictional newspaper of the fictional town of Hope, South Carolina, the setting of Hitman: Absolution. This time, Agent 47 has assassinated another local resident, Joe the Plumber. Joe was a legend loved by all, so his death burdens the whole of Hope. However, if Agent 47 had to do the dirty deed, then Joe must have enraged someone quite important.
Expect Joe the Plumber to be one of the targets for Agent 47 in Hitman: Absolution. The game will be released on November 20 on the Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and PC. In the meantime, the latest edition of Hope News Times is available for viewing below.
Star Wars the Old Republic Gaming Keyboard Manufacturer: Razer Device: Keyboard Price: AU$349.95 Purchase:Razerstore
Within the realm of competitive online gaming every player strives to grab whatever advantage they can get. Whether it is being the first to grab a particular weapon on a map, capitalise on a combo or glitch, or even using the most up to date gaming equipment to better our chances, online gamers want to get every edge they can. This is true of pretty much every online arena the modern gamer could imagine. So naturally, when it comes to one of the most popular MMORPG’s of recent years, players can expect to see a quite a few pieces of gamer specialised merchandise released bearing the Old Republic colours. And if you’re an avid PC game enthusiast, then you probably already know about Razer as a brand name. Combining their ingenuity with high quality gaming products with the popular force of a Star Wars themed MMO is a feat that can’t be scoffed at.
Earlier this year, several of the editors here at Capsule Computers had the fortunate opportunity to test out and review several SWTOR Razer devices, including the gaming mouse, gaming headset and gaming mouse pad. However, the best was definitely saved for last: the Star Wars – The Old Republic Gaming Keyboard. This particular device is not only the flashiest piece of equipment in Razer’s SWTOR arsenal, it boasts numerous unique features that promise to be a boon to not only the game in question, but in many other gaming arenas as well. As one of Capsule Computers avid SWTOR playing staff members, I was genuinely interested to see what sort of difference the keyboard would make to my in-game experience. The answer was: A WHOLE LOT.
From the moment I opened the box and pulled the keyboard out, it was clear that this piece of hardware had something special about it. The sleek metallic silver, available touch screen and unique sidebar buttons honestly seemed unworldly. Alien in fact. Additionally, each key on the keyboard is marked with a piece of Star Wars themed text. It was like looking at a piece of technology that really comes from a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. The multi-coloured LED backlighting also added to this effect once I had the keyboard plugged in. This aesthetic design point alone shows how Razer really does care about the intellectual property they’re working with. When a company puts this much effort into even the simplest of design choices, it makes you think that there will be quality to back it up.
While clearly designed with the MMO genre in mind, it should be mentioned that the keyboard also has its uses within different genres too, courtesy of the ‘Switchblade’ user interface. Those who are familiar with MMO keyboards will no doubt be reminded of the extendable World of Warcraft keyboard which required users to purchase additional “extensions” to be able to access the widest and most varied array of macro functions. However, the Switchblade interface erases any need to buy more parts to be functional. The entire array of keyboard commands are at the players fingertips from the word go.
The keyboard features a massive amount of personalised customization features to accommodate players of all kinds. The afore mentioned LED backlights can be changed to whatever colour of the rainbow the player chooses. Naturally, as a Sith Marauder, this reviewer sported a wrathful bloody red to complement my play style of “stab everything that moves”. The keyboard’s Switchblade interface also allows for a high degree of customization with 10 interchangeable game keys. Using the Razer Synapse 2.0 program, not only are players able to create brand new hotkey functions, but have an entire array of pre-made digital images to assign to the keys. Each of the 10 keys features a small LCD display below the clear key itself. Each screen displays an image selection of the player’s choice ranging from the existing catalogue of SWTOR commands to commands from other EA titles such as Dragon Age 2 and Battlefield 3. And if the player so chooses, they can upload their own image for use on the keyboard. It must be said there’s something rather satisfying about creating your own personalised button labelled “Sick ‘em!” that commands your ally to attack the closest enemy in range. Better still, you can actually create your own ‘Awesome Button’ to perform taunts or social actions. However, in all seriousness, when it came to engaging in combat within the game, the inclusion of these extra keys went a long way to helping out my game by making my combos and attacks more effective, and allowing me access to a wider range of skills at the push of a button.
However, to be able to customize the keys to the fullest extent, the player will need a working knowledge of how to record and assign macro commands. This particular feature will take less informed players a while to figure out, even with the assistance of the online manual. Additionally, the macro commands and customization features can only be performed by using the free to download Razer Synapse 2.0 program. This means that you will require an active connection to the internet to interact with these features. Not such a big issue if you plan on playing an online game, but it might seem like an additional hassle to some.
The Switchblade interface also features a touch screen that allows players to user their finger to take control of the cursor. This is a feature that I would highly recommend in augmenting conversation scenes in SWTOR. However, this is not the limit of the Switchblade screen’s capabilities. The touch screen might not a feature for some players. In which case, these players might feel obliged to instead use the keyboard’s quick-open keys to open up a brand new, completely separate browsing window on the touch screen itself! With this feature, players are able to experience the convenience of having the full game opened on the main monitor, while checking emails, Facebook, Youtube videos or any other webpage on the Switchblade’s touch screen. It was quite convenient being able to have the small screen open to an online guide revealing the locations and methods for obtaining in-game holocrons while I actually perused them for myself on the main monitor.
If pulling off some of these commands is sounding confusing, don’t be troubled. The controls do not take long to learn, and a handy user guide is available on Razer’s support site. One area of improvement I could suggest is to include the support guide inside the box with Razer’s other stack of goodies. It’s a minor issue at best but would help players avoid that initial feeling of being overwhelmed by the technology.
While on the topic of the Razer’s stack of goodies, it should be noted that the keyboard comes packaged with several items of interest including: The quick set-up guide; a set of Razer and SWTOR stickers to show off the fact that you’ve got a Razer product; and for fans of free DLC (which should be effectively everyone) a instructions on how to receive a free downloadable Lightsaber colour crystal to customise your in game weapons.
Besides the Synapse interface and lack of physical manual, the only other noteworthy hassle that some players might experience are those who are shorthanded on USB ports. To get complete functionality out of the SWTOR keyboard, players will require 2 close proximity USB ports instead of one. If your PC is one which already has a large variety of devices plugged into it, you might need to make some room.
Despite the steep price tag, for the avid fan of Star Wars the Old Republic, the Razer SWTOR keyboard is a must have for their gaming armoury. Besides boasting great functional advantages, it’s also visually appealing and a unique gaming experience in and of itself. The remarkable number of customization features also makes it a product that can be tailored to be strictly unique and individual to the gamer using it. This remarkable piece of technology will see many players cruise to more comfortable victories in any Star Wars MMO arena whether they be PvE or PvP. Unless you’re against a Wookie. In which case: “Let the Wookie win.”
Today the Australian Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Justice, Jason Clare, announced that (finally) an R18+ category for computer games in Australia will become a reality.
The legislation passed through the Senate without amendment, officially bringing the gaming classification categories in line with the existing film classifications, and finally bringing Australia up to speed with the rest of the world so we can play some of the more adult games that we have been denied so far.
Question is, what will happen now? How many publishers are willing to re-release their games under the new classification system? And how will this affect the Australian gaming landscape?
Mr Clare, the driving force behind the reform, had this to say:
“These are important reforms over 10 years in the making. The R 18+ category will inform consumers, parents and retailers about which games are not suitable for minors to play, and will prevent minors from purchasing unsuitable material. The reforms also mean that adults are able to choose what games they play within the bounds of the law.”
It is now up to the states and territories to pass their own complementary legislations in reference to R18+ computer games. This will be affecting the roll out of the national scheme, although it is scheduled to commence on January 1, 2013.
What do you guys think? Are you cheering for this finally happening? Or are you disappointed that it took this long to come about?
Today the Australian Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Justice, Jason Clare, announced that (finally) an R18+ category for computer games in Australia will become a reality.