Filed under: Strategy

Starcraft 2 'in the final stretch,' beta this year 'unless something crazy happens'

by Griffin McElroy { 9 months ago }

The official forums for Starcraft II were recently alive with the hustle and bustle of curious Zergling enthusiasts when a member of the much-anticipated game's dev team dropped in to answer a few quick questions. Most of these dealt with gameplay intricacies, which he answered in explicit detail -- though when it came to the game's release and beta schedules, his responses were fairly ambiguous (much to the chagrin of the rabidly excited forumgoers).

To manage these unanswered queries, Starcraft II lead developer Dustin "Cavez" Browder began a new FAQ thread, in which two titilating timelines were referenced -- first, he explained that the beta will be opening in 2009 "unless something crazy happens." Second, while he couldn't give any set-in-stone answers regarding the game's launch date ("our target dates are not something we hit more than half the time," he explained), Browder teased that the dev team is "in the final stretch." Sounds like it's nearing completion -- could Starcraft II be Blizzard's promised "frontline release" for this year?

Ensemble already 'looking into' Halo Wars DLC

by Dustin Burg { 9 months ago }

Even though Halo Wars has already gone gold, Ensemble Studios isn't sitting back twiddling its thumbs and drinking celebratory martinis. In fact, the developer is busy plotting post-launch plans and even kicking around the idea of Halo Wars DLC.

"We are committed to supporting the franchise," studio producer Jason Pace told Electricpig in a recent interview. Pace admitted that while the studio doesn't have definite plans, "additional downloadable content is something we're looking into." We just hope that Ensemble's studio closure doesn't factor into the DLC decision. And if we end up receiving additional Halo Wars content, our only requirements are that it be cheap, expansive, cheap, story driven and well ... cheap. Get our drift?

See how Spore evolves with 'Galactic Adventures'

by Randy Nelson { 9 months ago }

It's universally agreed upon that the best bits of Spore are its creature creation and galactic endgame. It's really no surprise, then, that the first expansion for the game -- Spore Galactic Adventures -- seeks to produce a viable cross-breed of the two modes.

One of several Spore projects on tap for 2009, the expansion will give players the ability to design whole planets and build their own adventures, then share them via the same web-based mechanism as other game creations. Maxis has put together a "behind the scenes" look into the concept -- which, even if it doesn't address all of Spore's sore spots, will at least allow for planets that look like adult novelties.

Halo Wars goes gold, demo detailed

by Andrew Yoon { 10 months ago }

Click to embiggen.

Putting the finishing touches on Halo Wars must be bittersweet for its developers. The long-awaited RTS game for Xbox 360 has gone "gold" today, just a few days before Ensemble Studio shuts its doors at the end of the month.

In addition to announcing the game's gold status, Microsoft released further details on Halo Wars downloadables. A video documentary that goes behind the scenes of the game can be downloaded from Xbox Live today. (Also available after the break) The playable demo will be available on February 5th at 5AM EST (2AM PST).

The demo will include beginner and advanced tutorials and the first two campaign missions from the story mode. The demo will also include "Chasms," one of the 14 multiplayer maps included in the full game. Players will be able to battle against the computer AI in Skirmish mode, playing as either the UNSC or the Covenant. No online play was mentioned in the release.

Gallery: Halo Wars (XBL Demo)

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Crystal Defenders prepare to protect XBLA, PSN, WiiWare

by Alexander Sliwinski { 10 months ago }

Crystal Defenders, Square Enix's mobile and iPod* tower defense game, is ready to make the move to consoles. Japanese mag Famitsu reveals (via IGN) that the WiiWare version will be known as Crystal Defenders R1. Aside from the fact that it'll offer "Wi-Fi connection support," little else is known about the title.

Crystal Defenders R1 will be ready to protect the Wii in Japan on January 27 for 1,000 Wii Points. The XBLA and PSN versions, which will allegedly be updated forms of the original game, currently have no price nor release date. Check out a trailer of the mobile game here.

*Regular version costs $8, Lite version is free.

Red Alert 3 'Ultimate Edition' marches to PS3 in ... March

by Alexander Sliwinski { 10 months ago }

Electronic Arts has officially announced Command & Conquer Red Alert 3: Ultimate Edition for PlayStation 3. The additional features setting this one -- due to arrive in March -- apart from the Xbox 360 and PC versions were revealed last week, when the title was listed for pre-order on the EA Store.

The only thing that we're a little curious about is this tidbit: "PlayStation 3 gamers will navigate ... via the Command Stick 2.0 interface." This is allegedly an "intuitive control system" designed for players of various skills. We've contacted EA to find out more and will update if we hear anything. Sounds like a fancy term for, "This RTS is playable on your controller, we promise!"

Update: EA answers our query after the break.

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GOG in the Machine: Stronghold catapults onto service

by Justin McElroy { 10 months ago }

As much as we've been inspired by today's peaceful transfer of power, we've had a bellyful of it. Now, we've got a thirst for totally violent and brutal transfers of power, the sort which only Stronghold and Stronghold Crusader can deliver. Good Old Games has just added the first game to their service for $5.99, with Crusader coming soon for $9.99.

If you're unfamiliar, Stronghold is a strategy series focused on the taking of castles and fortresses. If you'd like to take a closer look before you buy, check out the video we've lovingly placed for you after the break.

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Resistance is futile: Puzzle Quest Galactrix launches Flash demo

by Alexander Sliwinski { 10 months ago }

A Flash demo is available now for those looking to try Puzzle Quest's sci-fi follow-up, Galactrix. The rules may be slightly different (the no extra turn for 4-of-a-kind is a doozy), but be warned, star gazing gem shifters: the refined spice which made the fantasy realm of Puzzle Quest so addictive is still quite potent in this new form.

Galactrix is expected to arrive the relatively near future for Nintendo DS, PC, XBLA and PSN. The demo doesn't seem to take prisoners, so hit the enemy with lasers and use shields when opportunity allows.

[Via X3F, Evil Avatar]

Red Alert 3 'Ultimate Edition' coming to PS3

by Alexander Sliwinski { 10 months ago }

The EA Store now has a listing for Command & Conquer Red Alert 3: Ultimate Edition for PS3. The publisher had previously announced that the PS3 version would utilize the "high-defness of Blu-ray" and now, comrades, we have a better idea of what that means.

The Ultimate Edition, which currently doesn't have a release date, features bloopers, new battleground maps, developer strategy videos and behind-the-scenes footage. The game's soundtrack will also be available, along with a "Unit Profiles video encyclopedia." The most titillating item on the disc is the "Girls of RA3" presented in full "HD Blu-ray with enhanced visuals." That's, like, twice the Blu-rays. Sadly, if the controls are anything like the Xbox 360 version, no amount of special videos will prevent you from begging for a keyboard and mouse.

[Via PS3 Fanboy]

Dead or Alive's Valance joins Red Alert 3: Uprising camp

by Jason Dobson { 10 months ago }

Dead or Alive actress Holly Valance is trading in her sword (and vial of box office poison) for a pen and paper as journalist Brenda Snow in the recently announced Red Alert 3: Uprising. Valance will lend her live action camp to the upcoming expansion, which is earmarked for a digital-only release this March.

The Australian-born starlet describes her role in the game as "a camp, over-dramatised character," telling Eurogamer that "it was fun to go a little bit over the top." We're sure that's quite a change from DoA's Christie Allen. The four people who saw that movie tell us that she was the very picture of Hollywood grace.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 2 beta on Jan. 21

by Kevin Kelly { 10 months ago }

click for hugeness

Relic Entertainment's Mark Noseworthy has confirmed with Joystiq that the Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 2 closed beta will begin January 21st if you purchased the original Dawn of War expansion, Soulstorm. Procrastinators, take note: you'll be introduced into the public beta just a week later on January 28th. Or, break the cycle of lethargy and pick up the expansion in order to grab an early beta spot.

We got a closer look at Dawn of War 2 during CES, and fans of real-time strategy games will not be disappointed ... unless you don't own a PC (but c'mon, how could you be an RTS buff without owning a PC?). Dawn of War 2 will be a PC-only release with Games for Windows Live features like voice chat and Achievements.

Red Alert 3 expanding in March with 'Uprising'

by Jason Dobson { 10 months ago }

Don't count the filthy Reds out yet, as Electronic Arts has detailed Uprising, an upcoming expansion to Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3. The add-on will send players back to the front lines with a new single-player campaign, new units and a greater quantity of live-action cutscenes, just in case the original's love affair with camp left you wanting more.

Uprising will also include a new mode, dubbed 'Commander's Challenge', which will allow players to test their strategic skills across 50 different stages with different rules and conditions. However, while Red Alert 3 is available for the Xbox 360 and a PS3 version should arrive ... someday ... only those playing on computers will be able to come away with bragging rights. Uprising will be a PC exclusive when it is released as a digital download in March.

CES 2009: Halo Wars demo coming to Xbox Live on Feb. 5

by Randy Nelson { 10 months ago }

Microsoft's entertainment and devices boss, Robbie Bach, revealed during the company's CES 2009 keynote that a demo of Ensemble Studios' Halo Wars will hit Xbox Live Marketplace on February 5th. Additionally, Bach announced a February 28th ship date for the full game, which fits nicely with what Microsoft had previously announced. If the demo is anything like most others -- i.e., the earliest parts of the game -- it will likely contain a lot of what we played just a couple of months back.

Gallery: Halo Wars

BigDownload previews PC titles for 2009 and beyond

by Alexander Sliwinski { 10 months ago }

BigDownload has been butting together an extensive preview of all the titles they hope will release in 2009. Granted, a fair chunk might get hit with the delay stick and be knocked out until 2010, but we're not about to get in the way of their PC gaming dreams (they hack stuff when they're angry).

The previews have been broken up into several sections below. This'll give you a great jump on your ~~pirating~~ holiday wish list for next year.

Source - Action-FPS Titles Part 1
Source - Action-FPS Titles Part 2
Source - Strategy-RTS Games
Source - RPG-MMO Games
Source - 2009 PC Game Preview: Other Games

Study suggests games do the aging brain good

by Ross Miller { 11 months ago }

It turns out that massive, floating, Andross-esque visage we affectionately dub Brain Age bastard Dr. Kawashima might have been onto something. Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (via Reuters) conducted a study with 40 adults in their 60s and 70s, divided into two groups with one playing Rise of Nations approximately 23 hours over the span of a month and the other playing nothing.

The results? Those who gamed reportedly showed improvements in cognitive tests for memory, reasoning and multi-tasking. Researchers caution against jumping to conclusions until further studies are conducted. May we suggest seeing what happens when they try to play Space Giraffe and Left 4 Dead?