Demigod: v1.01 patch preview 35% less bandwith needed...

Gas Powered Games is hard at work on Demigod v1.01. These are done separately of the recent updates Stardock has done to put in its own connectivity library to help the online multiplayer experience.

Here are some of the things already being tested:

* Bandwidth used reduced by 35% (more people with marginal connections able to play). This should reduce some of the “stutter” some people run into when they play with someone with a marginal Internet connection.
* Updated the way stats are submitted to make stat reporting significantly more robust.
* If a player loses connection with another player (or one player with a group of players but not all) only 1 user is disconnected instead of multiple.
* Demigod is better at detecting the difference between quitting and a disconnect (no connection dialogs when someone leaves).
* Significantly better handling of users who have shaky connections to keep them in game without adversely affecting in game performance.
* Favor Points, Achievements, Items stored on server more reliably (thanks to the updated stats system).

I don’t have an exact ETA as there needs to be a lot of testing on this (next week maybe). But so far, it’s looking pretty good.

Source: Demigod forum

BioShock podcasts Episode two: Level design

This month's issue of GamePro has a hefty article about BioShock 2 (including info on both Single Player and Multiplayer!)

Subscribers should be getting their issues starting today, and the magazine will be on stands in a week or two.

Until you get to crack open the pages and start reading, here's a cover. And yes, that's you - the Big Daddy.
Download the podcasts here...

Little Mac boxing helmet hits Animal Crossing: City Folk as download

I think this may only be available in Europe as of right now.

If you’ve been playing, get ready to receive a letter with a gift, just like the one below!“I’m preparing my return and i need you help! Wear my helmet proudly and do your best on the ring! - Little Mac”

Southpeak Games crafts a recipe for success in Fast Food Panic on Wii and Nintendo DS

SouthPeak Games announced today that it will publish Fast Food Panic for Nintend Wii and Nintendo DS in North America. A multifaceted title that requires players to not only cook but also interact with customers and manage a business, Fast Food Panic combines numerous gameplay elements to create a new and addictive experience for gamers. Fast Food Panic is scheduled for release this fall.

“Just like a fantastic restaurant, Fast Food Panic offers the consumer an incredible menu,” said Richard Iggo, VP of Marketing at SouthPeak Games. “Players will not only prepare food, they’ll have to keep customers happy, clean their restaurant, make deliveries and more. There are a lot of food games out there, but we’re confident that Fast Food Panic wins any taste test hands down.”

In Fast Food Panic, players are determined to have their restaurant become known as the best in the country. In order to achieve that recognition, they will have to handle an increasing amount of pressure and manage a growing list of priorities, from greeting and quickly serving customers, to making the best food possible, to keeping dining tables clean and making deliveries. The game features a wide variety of food to prepare, and also offers numerous bonus games to add to the fun and variety.

Fast Food Panic is scheduled for release this fall. For more information visit www.southpeakgames.com.

Perfect World: Dawn of the Elementals expansion release for PC

Games-Masters.com Ltd is proud to present its biggest update for Perfect World MS - the Multilanguage-version (English, Spanish, German, French and Turkish) of the popular and successful Free-to-Play MMORPG created by Perfect World Beijing.

With "Dawn of the Elementals", a whole new set of features is available for the players, extending the already wide possibilities even further, way beyond expectations.

The Main-Element of this Content-Update is the addition of the so-called "Elemental Elves" - tiny little flying companions, that grow in level and possibilities with its master or mistress. Bound to one or more of the five elements, each Elemental Elf will become unique, and a companion, that assists in PvE- and PvP-Battles - depending on the abilities it has available, and on the wish of its master.

Another important part of this update is the upgraded User-Interface, that appeals more to the nature of the Multilanguage environment, one example being replacing the chat-buttons with according symbols, instead of text. An increased camera-control, allowing further zooming than before, and a casting-trigger, enabling automatic self-buffs or heals when in a battle also add to the usability of Perfect World MS.

A whole new questline opens the added feature of the Supply box to all of the players. This box makes useful and new items available to the players, once they have reached a distinct level. Rare awards and sample cash-shop items are among the items that you can receive, as well as weapons and other interesting equipment, that can assist you in your dangerous journeys.

It is time to wake up, It is time to experience and see the

"Dawn of the Elementals"

Please find more information at: http://www.perfectworld.ms/doeexpansion

Final Fantasy - Square Enix suffers annual profit drop

Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest publisher, Square Enix, has announced full year financial results for the twelve months ending March 31, 2009, noting that both sales and profits dropped during that time.

The company, which recently acquired Tomb Raider publisher Eidos, saw revenues fall by 8 per cent compared to the previous year at JPY 135.7 billion (USD 1.44 billion), while net income dropped 31.1 per cent to JPY 6.3 billion (USD 67 million).

Despite that, the company ended the year in a strong cash position, up JPY 400 million (USD 4.25 million) to JPY 111.9 billion (USD 1.2 billion), while the total dividend payout will be JPY 3.45 billion (USD 36.7 million).

The figures reveal that the company's key expense was salary payments, hitting almost JPY 16 billion (USD 170.2 million) and up nearly JPY 2 billion (USD 21 million) on the previous year.

The majority of sales came from the Amusement division under the Taito group, although that segment made a loss on high operating expenses. Offline games made the highest profit, followed by mobile phone content and publications.

The company is currently working on the latest instalment of the Final Fantasy franchise - Final Fantasy XIII - which will be the series' first foray on to the Xbox 360 platform.

Source: http://www.gamesindustry.biz

Microsoft to launch controller-free computer game

A computer game that senses the movements of players – removing the need for hand-held controllers – is to be launched by Microsoft. The Xbox 360 system, which is expected to be launched next month, means people can drive a virtual car, kick a computer-generated football and dance with an on-screen partner simply by moving in the correct way. A gun can be fired by pulling an imaginary trigger and a fighter plane flown by holding an invisible joystick.

The machine, which uses infra-red light to monitor movements in three dimensions, is designed to end the dominance of the Nintendo Wii, which has revolutionised computer gaming by using the players' own movements to control the action. However it uses motion-sensitive hand or foot controls.

More here...

Classic action role-playing game ZENONIA for iPhone and iPod touch now available

GAMEVIL announce classic action role-playing game ZENONIA for iPhone and iPod touch is available on the Apple App Store. ZENONIA features anime style characters and graphics which will bring back nostalgic moments from epic role-playing games in the past.

The game has numerous quests to follow with an interesting story line, as the hero goes on a journey to figure out his past. For each different skill class, there is a unique set of skills to master along with hundreds of items and weapons to acquire.

“We’re thrilled to launch ZENONIA on the Apple App Store”, said Kyu Lee, president of GAMEVIL USA. “The revolutionary iPhone and iPod touch have allowed us to develop a unique version of this game and we are certain fans will love the engaging gameplay and captivating fantasy world we’ve created.”

ZENONIA is now available for $5.99 from Apple’s App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/

Victory - The Age of Racing to make its debut at the E3

GamersFirst, a service of K2 Network and one of today's most popular free2play online game destinations, introduces Victory: The Age of Racing. Victory will make its debut at the E3 Expo June 2nd – 4th.

A world inspired by the 1960’s Formula One racing scene, sets the stage for Victory, a Fantasy Formula One MMO Racing game.

The Racing Authority organizes the racing movement in the world of Victory as it converts old industrial locations and cities into high performance race tracks. Players complete quick competitions to gain experience, collect performance points and customize their cars to increase their effectiveness in a style unique to each driver. The mix of esthetics from the past and the modernization of new technology give Victory a unique feel amongst other racing games. With realistic and detailed car physics, Victory gives you the thrills of driving without ever having to leave your home.

“Our goal is to deliver top quality games to the Free2Play market and Victory is one of these titles we are proud to have on our site,” said Carlo Natividad, Associate Producer, GamersFirst. “Victory is a fun and exciting game that everyone can enjoy.”

With an innovative multiplayer mode, Victory is based on quick competitions giving experience points to increase the cars characteristics and ascetic appeal.
Victory’s car physics engine is derived from the full-featured Net Kar Pro physics engine. Victory uniquely blends a realistic and detailed car physics simulation to deliver an unprecedented car handling racing game. The car customization system starts with an innovative blocks system that provides players with different car parts to choose from to create a unique car model. Endless combinations allow players to choose the car’s features and looks they truly value.

“GamersFirst is the perfect partner to publish Victory; not only are they one of the best free- to- play publishers out there, but they also share with us the great passion for gaming and for the integration between games and social networks,” stated Antonio Moro, Creative Director, Vae Victis. “The GamersFirst Connect platform permits us to realize what we just dreamed one year ago; a fully featured social network behind our game and this collaboration will bring players a whole new level of gaming.”

Fuel video game world record 5,560 miles playing environment

5,560 Square Miles: The Largest Playable Environment In A Console Game Recognised By Guinness World Records. It covers the approximate area of Trinidad & Tobago, it’s larger than Hong Kong, Singapore, St Lucia and the Isle of Man put together.

Innovative open-world racer FUEL – launching on June 5th for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and a Games For Windows edition to follow - boasts 5,560 square miles of accessible in-game terrain, making it officially the largest playable environment in a console game ever.



The accolade, presented to FUEL developers Asobo Studio, was confirmed by Guinness World Records, who have verified the record for inclusion in the next Guinness World Records Gamers Edition of the best-selling guide.

Guinness World Records presented Codemasters and Asobo Studio with a certificate that officially documents:
“Largest playable area in a console game: The largest playable environment in a console game is 5,560 square miles (14,400 km²), and is featured in FUEL (Codemasters, 2009). The area features rivers, deserts, forests and mountains and was demonstrated at the offices of Guinness World Records, London, UK, on 20 May 2009.”

“We’ve been very impressed with the technology powering FUEL, and I’m pleased to welcome Asobo and Codemasters into the Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition,” said Gaz Deaves, Video Games Records Manager for Guinness World Records, “What we’ve seen from FUEL places it right at the cutting edge of the open-world racing genre and really raises the bar for games developers in the future.”

“We knew FUEL was going to be big,” said Phil Wright, Producer, Codemasters, “but to have this confirmed officially by Guinness World Records justifies our faith in this ground-breaking title. No other game comes close to offering the variety of environments, the range of vehicles or the sheer size of FUEL. It’s one of the most innovative racers ever, and we’re thrilled it’s been recognised as the biggest console game of all time.”

To celebrate the award, today Codemasters has released a new video featuring David Dedeine and Sebastian Wloch, two of the co-founders of Asobo Studio, who explain gameplay features and the technical challenge in creating the record-setting FUEL.
FUEL’s world is one of staggering size and beauty. To put it into perspective, if players choose to drive from one side of the map to the other, it will take over 3 hours straight. This unprecedented virtual playground offers 19 environmental regions and features some of the most dramatic weather effects ever seen in a racing game. FUEL’s free-roaming nature allows players to pick and choose their route, races and career progression, offering almost limitless ways to play.

FUEL is set to become the ultimate racing sandbox when it launches Friday June 5th localise per territory for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft with a Games For Windows LIVE edition to follow.