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Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Kuma/War Designer Amir Mizra Hekmati Faces Death In Iran
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You may have recently read about an ex-US Marine's death sentence in Iran for espionage, but for the most part his ties to the free-to-play game Kuma/War have gone unmentioned in big name media. Gamasutra made the link, and introduced some very interesting details about the accusations made against Amir Mizra Hekmati, including the supposed CIA ties to his efforts.

After the former U.S. marine was detained while visiting Iran in August (supposedly to visit family), local daily newspaper Tehran Times published excerpts from a purported confession in which Hekmati admitted to helping create games designed to "manipulate public opinion in the Middle East" at New York City-based developer Kuma Reality Games, under the CIA's direction and payroll.

Hekmati allegedly said, "[Kuma] was receiving money from the CIA to (produce) and design and distribute for free special movies and games with the aim of manipulating public opinion in the Middle East. The goal of the company in question was to convince the people of Iran and the people of the entire world that whatever the U.S. does in other countries is a good measure."

An episode released to the Kuma/War community in 2007 called "Assault on Iran" involved a raid on an Iran nuclear power plant, although it does not appear that any other modules involving the country have been released for Kuma/War since.

One thing's for sure, this may very well be the first time that a game developer from any country has faced a death sentence over, among other things, the content of their game(s).

David Jaffe Shares Twisted Metal Inspirations & Character Backgrounds
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In the four minute clip below Twisted Metal creator David Jaffe shares a bit about the inspirations for the franchise, and goes into the backgrounds of some of the key characters that'll be blasting stuff to bits on your TV screen next month.

IGN Previews Assassin's Creed: Revelations Mediterranean Traveler DLC
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Three new maps, plus three classic Brotherhood maps with enhancements for $10? Sign me up! Assassin's Creed: Revelations' multiplayer is a blast and a half, for serious. Check out this video if you want to get an idea about what it's like when playing the tighter deathmatch game mode.

Minecraft "Mine" Music Vid Parodies Nicki Minaj & Rihanna's "Fly"
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Minecraft fans take note, a goofy "Mine" parody song is in the process of making waves on Youtube, and it deserves your attention. "Mine" switches up the popular song "Fly" by Nicki Minaj featuring Rihanna with Minecraft related lyrics and visuals.

Giant Bomb Confirms id Software Hit By Layoffs
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Details are still a bit hazy, but GiantBomb.com confirmed yesterday with Bethesda that there were indeed layoffs at RAGE and Doom 4 developer id Software. Unknown at the moment are how many employees were let go, or which products if any will be affected. Here's the official comment sent along to Giant Bomb by Bethesda VP of Marketing Pete Hines:

“As part of its standard business practice, id regularly evaluates staffing to ensure it has a workforce that meets the needs of the studio,” said VP of marketing and PR Pete Hines in an email.

“As part of that process, some id employees were recently let go, he continued. “id is still recruiting and hiring qualified developers, and development work on future id titles continues unabated.”

Topics: Industry News, Games, Gossip
Related Games: Doom 4 (PC), Doom 4 (PlayStation 3), Doom 4 (Xbox 360)
Blah... Randomness
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I'd like to take a moment to give my wonderful lady a big ol' Happy Birthday, even though she'll never read this. The extent of her interest in games ends once you get past stuff like Bejeweled and Plants vs Zombies. Pretty much anything Popcap now that I think about it, and once in a blue moon Angry Birds. I don't think she's ever visited a gaming site like VE in her life, and any attempts to get her to expand her interests have ended in failure. That's fine though, she's got her addiction to shoes and clothes, and I've got my games.

Normally I get my fill of press releases and announcements just from the incoming games bits, but I was pleasantly surprised yesterday when I saw that Magnus aka Souleye released a new chiptunes album called "Adventure". Honestly there are very few modern day chiptune artists that I actually like enough to jam out to once in awhile, and Souleye captured me with his tracks for VVVVVV (which is now on the 3DS). Check him out if you enjoy a good chiptune track or two once in awhile like me.

Oh, and I've got a few videos for you guys this morning. Nothing too special, just an Honest Holiday Card courtesy of CollegeHumor, a look at a real-life version of Skyrim: 2012, and some Battlefield 3 shenanigans in the video below.

Topics: General, In-House, In Other News...
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Good Old Games Adds Team 17 Titles
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Good Old Games has just announced that it’s adding Team 17 to its roster of publishers and developers. The first two Team 17 games coming to GOG are Worms United (Worms plus the Reinforcements expansion) and a pack that includes Alien Breed and Alien Breed Tower Assault. These are both priced at $5.99 and will be followed shortly by Superfrog and World Rally Fever: Born on the Road. More Team 17 titles will be released on GOG over the course of the year. I’m hoping that 1999’s Worms Armageddon will be added before too long, because that was the pinnacle of the Worms series for me.
Ubisoft Confirms Ghost Recon Future Soldier For PC & Console Demo
- 19 Comments
Today Ubisoft has confirmed that a PC version of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Future Soldier will be available in May along with the console versions. Additionally, a multiplayer beta will be up for grabs for both the 360 and PS3. The beta will roll out in April.

“Today we are feature complete in our MP, Single player and 4 player coop campaign modes. We have taken the decision to move the date in order to ensure that all these ingredients are pushed to the highest level and provide a truly unique shooter experience. The Ghost Recon franchise is known for setting the standard of high definition gaming and we believe the extra couple of months will allow us to reach that goal. We would like to thank all Ghost Recon fans for their patience and look forward to unveiling some exciting new elements in the coming weeks.”


Topics: Games, Action
Related Games: Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Future Soldier (PC)
Bang Bang Racing - Car Classes Video
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Check out four car classes from Bang Bang Racing, a top-down, family-friendly racing game from Digital Reality. Bang Bang Racing will hit the PC, PS3 and 360 later this year.

b>Featuring four distinct car classes with five models each, there’s a car for every type of racer in the family:

Within each class you’ll find five different models that have different acceleration, top-speed, nitro, strength and steering/handling attributes. Customization is also key and the look and paint jobs for your car are up to you – there are even eight unlockable skins to earn! Gamers can find a car in each class that fits their exact racing style and the track selected for racing.

Topics: Games, Racing
Dustforce Sweeps Its Way To Steam Next Week
- 2 Comments
Angry dude with a broom goes on a platformer rampage in Dustforce, which is heading to Steam on January 17th for PC, with a Mac update coming soon after.

Update: TruePCGaming has a preview up for Dustforce, and they loved it.

Topics: Games, Platformer
Crusader Kings 2 "Greed" Trailer Released
- 2 Comments
Paradox Interactive has just released the fourth live action trailer for Crusader Kings II. Each trailer has been based on one of the Seven Deadly Sins. This time around the theme is greed.

True to the game, our King has overstretched himself, conquered the lands of far too many rulers and finds himself with a list of enemies as long as his codpiece. Only his spymaster can save the day, and the man is a conniving, filthy, traitorous, two-faced scoundrel. Could anyone ask for a better political ally*?

* SPOILER: Probably they could, yes.

Topics: Role-Playing Strategy, Trailer
Related Games: Crusader Kings II (PC)
Press Release: Fallout MMO Rights Restored
- 9 Comments
We've all heard about the ongoing battle royale for the rights to "Fallout MMO", between Bethesda and Interplay. Rights to Fallout Online have been restored to Bethesda, and for those that might be interested, here is the full press release on the matter:

January 10, 2012 (London, UK) – ZeniMax® Media Inc. today announced that a settlement had been reached in the lawsuit filed by its subsidiary, Bethesda Softworks®, against Interplay Entertainment Corporation in 2009, Bethesda Softworks LLC v Interplay Entertainment Corp., seeking cancellation of the license granted to Interplay to develop a massively multiplayer online game (MMO) based on the Fallout brand. Bethesda maintained in its complaint that Interplay had failed to meet the conditions for the license and the license was therefore of no continuing validity.

Topics: Games, MMO
Related Games: Fallout Online (PC)
A Game of Thrones Screenshot Six-Pack
- 3 Comments
Six new screenshots from Game of Thrones have been released to get the old juices flowing for the upcoming RPG based on the HBO television series and books by George R.R. Martin. Speaking of which, I'm pumped for the next season of Game of Thrones, which starts in April. Just in time to take over for all of the shows going on summer hiatus. Woo?

Through these six exclusive images, follow the two playable characters in their quests leading them to the heart of mythical locations from Westeros. The fate of Mors, sworn brother of the Night's Watch, will lead him from the Wall to King’s Landing, through the hostile lands of the Gift. Alester, the red priest, will face troubles during his journey from Riverspring in Lannister territory, to Red Keep in the capital. Their epic quest will be guided by revenge, loyalty, honor, and family, along a twisting plot filled with betrayal and violence.

Like the novels, the stories of our two heroes are told in alternation, each character getting the main role in his chapter to deliver an exciting and original story ... until their paths first cross at the corner of a common quest.

Game of Thrones will be out for PC, PS3 and 360 in Q2 2012.


Topics: Games, RPG
Related Games: Game of Thrones (PC), Game of Thrones (PlayStation 3), Game of Thrones (Xbox 360)
Assassin's Creed Revelations "Mediterranean Traveller Map Pack"
- 0 Comments
Ubisoft has announced new downloadable content for Assassin's Creed Revelations on the PC, 360 and PS3. The Mediterranean Traveler Map Pack extends the Assassin’s Creed Revelations multiplayer experience with the addition of six multiplayer maps, each introducing new gameplay opportunities through their varied terrain, perches and hideouts. Watch for the new DLC to go live on January 24th.


Topics: Games, Action / Adventure
Related Games: Assassin's Creed: Revelations (PC), Assassin's Creed: Revelations (Xbox 360), Assassin's Creed: Revelations (PlayStation 3)
Notes From The Bunker
- 8 Comments
Well, today is the New Hampshire primary and the 2012 American election season is really starting up. However, none of the major party candidates speak about the most important issue for me at this moment: the removal of the Thalmor’s insidious presence from Skyrim. For the love of Talos, I may have to abandon conventional politics and throw my lot in with the Stormcloaks!

Topics: In Other News..., In-House

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