Iron Helmet, the devious devs behind Neptune’s Pride, are releasing their next project, Blight of the Immortals, in January, and I couldn’t be more excited. I’m like a sugar-loaded child over here. I’m even more excited because I’m currently in the beta of Blight of the Immortals, and over the last few days I’ve been learning precisely what the game’s about. Basically, it’s about worrying. (more…)

The Grim Christmas Of The Future, there is only that stuff that isn’t Lego, but wants to be. It’s sort of similar, but not as various or as versatile. And you can’t really build anything good with it, so that’s just a waste of money basically, isn’t it, eh? Some people. Tsk. On the other hand, we’re probably all going to be destroyed by the hordes of aliens sweeping down upon us, so why worry? By which preamble we must mean that the fifteenth game of Christmas is close at hand… (more…)

Did you know indie devs Chair Entertainment were working on an official Ender’s Game game? They were! And now you’ll never be able to play it, ever>, because in the words of Chair Entertainment co-founder Donald Mustard, “Epic’s primary objectives is to create original and unique franchises. I don’t know that Ender’s Game fits into that strategic objective anymore.” Mustard also says that the team had an “amazing” design for the game, which is mean of him. Oh, Mean Mr. Mustard. You know who doesn’t fit into my> strategic objective anymore, Mr. Mustard? YOU! That is all. Thanks to Joystiq for the news.

Usually we expect mods – amateur creations, let’s not forget – to utilise game engines to a less effective degree than professional developers would manage. But what I love about the mod scene is that sometimes we’re thrown a complete curveball in that respect. We’ve seen what Robert Briscoe’s doing with Dear Esther, for example. And sometimes, it’s an even older engine that has new life breathed into it by some talented bedroom coders. Have a read below the jump to see what I’m talking about, and to peruse the week’s mod news. (more…)

Like so many series that saw their beginnings on the PC, then ABANDONED US LIKE DIRTY TURNCOATS, the Oddworld games hitched up their trousers and stomped off to the consoles in the last decade. SCREW THEM! you may cry. But it’s important to be forgiving, especially in the face of contrition. So it is that we’ve known the complete collection of Oddworld games, amidst rumours of a new addition to the series, is to appear on all manner of PC download services, maybe later this month. And now we know the prices.

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This is the worst trailer I have ever seen. (more…)

Having watched Lego Star Wars creator John Smith get up in front of a thousand bemused Nordic game developers at a conference in Malmo a couple of years ago to sing a song about all the games he’s failed to finish, I know I’m not the only person who feels bad about abandoning a couple of games each year. In fact, I quite often use a few quiet days over the Christmas holiday break to finish something I started in the year. All too often I have a bit of a play of something and then have to quickly move on to something I need to play for review, or otherwise spend more time with. That leaves a bunch of excellent games hanging. This year that’s Starcraft II, whose multiplayer I have caressed lengthily, but whose single-player game I have left unloved in favour of Men of War’s co-op delights. Christmas, for me, will be in real-time, and full of Terrans.

So, I’m certainly not alone… but what about you guys? Anything to finish?

Finally a trailer for moneybags racer Test Drive Unlimited 2 that isn’t about the environment. This one reveals the multiplayer modes, accompanied by some THUMPING BEATS.

Race on »

Is Homefront poorly-timed or perfectly-timed? I’d love to have been a fly on the wall in THQHQ when news broke about the recent violence between North and South Korea. “Does this mean the game’s screwed or a guaranteed success?”, I imagine a man with expensive business cards saying. No-one at THQHQ actually said that, of course. I’m just imagining what it might have been like. It’s like The West Wing, but with Rachael Bilson’s dad and some Space Marine statues in the halls. (more…)

You may recall this Spring’s Humble Indie Bundle, in which an assortment of delectable indie treats lined up and asked for however much/little you were willing to offer them, then duly forked over a portion of proceeds to Child’s Play and the EFF. It sold rather well, and there was much rejoicing. It was an epochal moment, which could never possibly happen again.

Somehow, it’s happened again. Five super indie games, at a price of your choosing. (more…)