Posted on 27th April 2010 by Ramajay in PC Gaming | Windows
Linux, MacOSX, PC Gaming, Steam, Valve
Valve released its much advertised User Interface reboot for Steam on Monday. The interface is a lot cleaner and has a very modern feel. You can have access to your library and related information in one easy to read screen. The layout is a lot better and is much easier to access than the previous design.
They went with a light gray theme that somehow seems to suit the interface perfectly. You always wonder just how any different iterations these designs go through before a company like Valve picks one!
On the Steam application homepage you can see your friends as well as how many people are on Steam at any one point in time. I’ve yet to see that number drop below 1 million. On the home screen you can now see almost all the information that you had to visit other menus for in the past. From online Friends, to what you have Downloading and your Achievements, Valve has made all the basic information available at your fingertips.
With even more good news, the application now uses a WebKIT browser instead of Internet Explorer. This means higher compatibility and quicker rendering of pages, plus it will be Cross Platform which is important for Valve’s future plans:
The new steam is due soon for Mac OSX and Linux operating systems.
source:Valve
Posted on 24th April 2010 by Ramajay in Apple | Linux | News | PC Gaming | Windows
Apple, Linux, PC Gaming, Valve
The popular electronic distribution service, Steam is coming finally to Mac OSX and also supposedly to Linux. This may make these two Operating Systems finally viable for consumers interested in entertainment titles.
Hopefully more developers will take this approach so that gaming on other platforms will become a reality. More choice for the consumer is always a good thing.
source:phoronix
Posted on 19th April 2010 by Ramajay in PC Gaming
Co-Op, First Person Shooter, PC Gaming
Joystiq reports that the upcoming First Person Shooter, Blacklight Tango Down will feature a Co-Op mode. Co-Op missions will pit a team of up to 4 players against AI controlled enemies.
Score another one for Co-Op gaming!
source:Joystiq
Posted on 16th April 2010 by Ramajay in PC Gaming
6 million population, Magnasanti, PC Gaming, Sim City 3000
A Sim City 3000 player has created what is arguably the best Sim City ever made in the game. He spent several years, including what appears to be months of equations and planning sessions to gradually create a series of cities until achieving the pinnacle of balanced population with this city – Magnasanti.
He claims that he used no cheats in the creation of the city, which means he actually had to play each one for the length of time it took to reach its maximum capacity (ergo the years to create).
This level of absolutely single-minded dedication is truly baffling and of itself represents an achievement.
The city has no pollution, no crime,no congestion, no abandoned buildings and it receives all its utilities from its neighbours.
It is certainly something to which real world city planners everywhere can aspire. One point to note though – the final date for this utopian state was 5th of May 50,000.
Check the video to see the creative and mathematical process which went into creating the ultimate Sim City. I guess everything *DOES* come down to math!
source:Kotaku
Posted on 16th April 2010 by Ramajay in MMORPG | PC Gaming
MMORPG, PC Gaming, World of Warcraft
Blizzard has introduced a Celestial Steed in its online store for World of Warcraft players. The Steed certainly looks incredible. It’s winged body is covered with moving constellations.
Purchasing the steed once for 25USD makes it available for all the characters on your World of Warcraft account. Its speed is tied to your characters Riding skill.
source:Blizzard Store
Posted on 15th April 2010 by Ramajay in MMORPG | News | PC Gaming | PS3 | Xbox 360
Addiction, MMORPG, World of Warcraft
From the fact that enemies drop ‘loot’ , to the requirement for 400 Frost Emblems, MMORPGs are scientifically designed to get you addicted and to keep you playing.
The sad part of all this is that many people become addicted to MMORPGs because it provides and fulfills the need for self determination, complexity and the connection between effort and reward which their Education or Careers do not provide.
Quick, tangible rewards and a sense of accomplishment are missing from the lives of many of us, and apparently these basic elements are quite important for a balanced psyche.
Now the ethics of all this can be debated, game companies are there to earn money, therefore games are structured to keep the player paying. Players though, have the power to stop rewarding the treadmill style of game design. It’s hard to see the forest for the trees when you are already addicted , however!
source:Cracked.com
Posted on 14th April 2010 by Ramajay in PC Gaming | Xbox 360
Co-Op, PC Gaming, Splinter Cell, Tom Clancy, Xbox360
The Splinter Cell Conviction Co-Op Multiplayer has several modes that increases the value of the game incredibly, in my view.
Take a look at the video here. I’m definitely picking this up for the PC when it’s out…no, actually I’ll have to pick up Two!
Awesome stuff!
Posted on 14th April 2010 by Ramajay in PC Gaming | PS3 | Xbox 360
Co-Op, First Person Shooter, PC, PS3, Tactical, Tom Clancy, Xbox 360
Ubisoft announced the next title in the Ghost Recon Series – Future Soldier. Ghost Recon has always been a 4 man Squad based Tactical First Person Shooter, where running and gunning was very likely to get you killed. Care and consideration had to be given to Cover, location of opponents, and the devices and gadgets at your disposal.
Future Soldier reprises these themes only with even more cutting edge Gadgetry and the promise of new Gameplay elements as a result. Here’s what Ubisoft themselves had to say:
The game will feature cutting-edge technology, prototype high-tech weaponry, and state-of-the-art single-player and multiplayer modes. Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier will go beyond the core Ghost Recon franchise and deliver a fresh gameplay experience, with an unparalleled level of quality that will excite long-time fans and newcomers alike.
In the meantime, take a look at the new trailer.
(more…)
Posted on 14th April 2010 by Ramajay in PC Gaming | Xbox 360
First Person Shooter, PC, Turn Based Strategy, Xbox 360, XCOM
The venerable turn based strategy series, XCOM, is being turned into a First Person Shooter by Bioshock 2 Development Studio – 2K Marin. The game is to be released for PC and Xbox 360.
Why would anyone turn XCOM into a First Person Shooter? Well I suppose 2K is hoping that the name recognition of XCOM coupled with the popularity and easy sell of a First Person Shooter will ensure high sales. They obviously have no interest in bringing a quality Turn Based Strategy title to the market, which is what XCOM was and what the fans loved.
The old XCOM, the way it was meant to be :
source: Gamespot
images: Gamespot
Posted on 14th April 2010 by Ramajay in PC Gaming | PS3 | Xbox 360
Electronic Arts, PC Gaming, PS3, Syndicate, Xbox360
The highly popular 1993 game by Bullfrog Entertainment seems set to return to the market in a modern incarnation. Over on Kotaku they’ve posted information that suggests certain trademark filings in 2009 indicate Electronic Arts may be working on a remake.
There is a dearth of similar titles on the market now. We have no more Turn Based strategy games. I had great fun with Xcom (who didn’t!) , Jagged Alliance, and Silent Storm. Sadly these games have gotten quite long in the tooth, and just don’t have the expected visual thrills that gamers have come to rely on.
A while back, the Escapist magazine also posted that a revised Syndicate Game was definitely in the works for Next Gen PCs and game consoles.
Here’s hoping that EA really does bring back good ole Syndicate!
source: Kotaku
