Native Hive Rise Linux Client now available free download link here

Last week the free Hive Rise client was released. Of course it was a Windows version, although Vulcando Games didn’t explicitly indicate the needed operating system.

But that shouldn’t be a matter of course: Now there’s a version that runs natively on Linux! The download has 79 MB and is thus a little bit larger than the Windows version. Cross platform playing is now possible without any restrictions.

Just like the Windows version the Linux client can be downloaded here for free:
http://www.HiveRise.com.

Hive Rise is an extremely fast running real time strategy game. It takes place on huge maps, each providing space for over 1000 human players. There are 12 different play modes, each offering a unique trophy. What makes it even more outstanding is the fact that the short matches (about 10 minutes) can be started at once without having to wait for your teammates. You can start playing instantly, no registration is needed!

World of Kung Fu - Differences Hunting in Screenshot Collection Event

We can’t play games forever, but we can be friends forever. Form the very beginning until now, we have been enjoying a variety of gaming experiences. They are all precious memories. How to cherish our memories? Picture is a good way!

Now a fantastic event to welcome players to offer their screenshots will be launched next week. It is called “Screenshot Collecting and Differences Hunting Event”! Just as the name implies, this event can be divided into two parts. The first one is collecting screenshots from gameplayers, and then screenshots will be processed and become footage material of the "Differences Hunting". “Differences Hunting” means there are two pictures which look very similar at first sight. But if you compare them carefully, you will distinguish tiny differences between them. So the second part is that players need to tell us how many differences there are between the two pictures.

Players can choose either or both parts of this event to join, Screenshot Collecting or Differences Hunting. This event will be held from August 17th to September 17th as a daily event. If your screenshots are selected, or if you are the first player who gives the correct answer about the number of differences between two pictures, you will win some excellent items in the game!

More details about the rules and the rewards of this event, please visit http://www.worldofkungfu.com or check the “Event” section of http://forum.worldofkungfu.com to join the discussion with other players.

Steel Sentinels video game launched

“In the far future, rival forces do battle using giant robots, warring for control over the valuable solarite resources. As a sentinel commander, you must wage war on those who stand in your way, complete missions, win solarite, acquire new technology, and use it to make your sentinel the deadliest in the galaxy.

Steel Sentinels offers the following features:

* Extensive single player campaign that unlocks a variety of sentinels and equipment (we recommend you play through this as far as possible before embarking on multiplayer);
* Up to 12 players can take part in the multiple multiplayer battle modes, which include head-to-head, team games and co-operative play;
* 12 different sentinels to unlock;
* Fully customisable sentinel chassis, with a vast array of weapons and components;
* A host of Achievements and in-game 'tags' for you to collect.”

Star Alliances - Beyond Protocol's new MMORTS with the emphasis on the fighting download now

Dark Sky Entertainment, the company behind the new MMORTS named Beyond Protocol, has just unleashed yet another revolutionary experience to the masses. Its name is Star Alliances.

Star Alliances gives the player massive amounts of customization with the ability to jump into the midst of interstellar war instantly, for FREE (more on the FREE part later).

There are similarities between Star Alliances (SA) and Beyond Protocol (BP), but they are very different games. Unlike BP, SA focuses more on the intensity of fighting for supremacy, and less on the complex strategy of building an empire. However, much like BP, SA takes place in a galaxy with hundreds of environments in which war can rage simultaneously. Environments range from any of the 8 planet types and 5 planet sizes, to the orbit above those planets, to the very center of any of the 100+ star systems, to the cold outer reaches of space.

Allow me, DSE’s Diplomat, to walk you through the basic actions that compose SA, a game that can most accurately be described as a Massive Multiplayer Online Real Time Tactical (MMORTT).

The game begins by choosing one of three factions, the Legion of Systems, the Unification Alliance, or the Galactic Confederacy. Each faction comes with its own premise of governance, basic hull designs, and region of space inside the SA galaxy.

After choosing a side, the player is taken to the home system for the chosen faction, and presented with a window summarizing research, production, and deployment options for their units.

Research in SA is based heavily on combat, mainly because research costs influence and influence is gained only by destroying enemy ships. The more and bigger the ships destroyed by the player, the easier it is for them to design a behemoth or sleek set of corvettes of their own.

The 10 different resources in the game are collected automatically, and directly relate to the different components in the game (engine, radar, weapons, etc.). The faction’s home system provides a steady and secure flow of resources, but by branching out into contestable systems, higher accumulation rates can be achieved. From these minerals, custom buildings, ships, and tanks can be made.

Deploying units to the action is made easy, by allowing the player to place them in any system linked to the faction’s main system. Wormholes are the main method of transit in SA. So long as the player’s faction (one of three in the game) controls the wormholes which connect, units can be placed in that system instantly. Intense battles can form very quickly where these control points intersect.

The number of ships a player can control at one time is determined both by technology level and prowess in battle. As technology level increases, so does the basic number of units and buildings that player can create, represented by Command Points (CP). Prowess is rewarded by experience points gained in battle on a per unit basis. With as much as a 10:1 reduction in CP requirements per unit, superior tactics are very much a necessity in domination.

Community is also a cornerstone of any MMO, and SA does not disappoint. A friend list keeps track of who is online and how high they rank. An alert system allows players to place markers with text, arrows, and other symbols in various colors to better communicate a winning strategy. Of course a full chat and mailing system are included as well. The mail can even be sent out of game to an email address or SMS capable mobile device.

Well this all might sound incredible, but I know that somewhere in your mind you are thinking, “He said I can play for FREE?” I certainly did, and here’s how. Trial accounts in SA never expire. They can be played 7 days a week and 52 weeks a year just like a paid account. However, of course there is a catch or two. The first day a trial account is registered, that account is given 2 hours of play time. After that first day, each subsequent day the account is given 1 hour to play. Additionally, access to higher technology, like corvettes, destroyers, and battleships, is restricted making fighters and escorts the mainstay for trial accounts. However, trial accounts have the same front row seat to the carnage that paid accounts do, perhaps only with smaller guns. The time limit should fit most any casual gamer’s daily allotment, but should you need more, a one time subscription can be bought at any time.

Well? What are you waiting for? Go to www.Star-Alliances.com and start downloading WHILE you register! Tell ‘em that Diplomat sent you, and they’ll treat you right!

Oscar De La Hoya joins first boxer download for Fight Night Round 4 video game

Electronic Arts revealed that its first downloadable boxer pack for Fight Night Round 4 will be available in late August on Xbox LIVE and the PlayStation Network for 800 Microsoft points and $9.99, respectively. The downloadable boxer pack will include Oscar De La Hoya, Vitali Klitschko, Wladimir Klitschko, and alternate versions of George Foreman and James Toney. Named the Game Critic Awards “Best Sports Game of E3 2009”, Fight Night Round 4 has been winning over reviewers and fans since its release on June 23rd.



In addition to the boxer pack, EA SPORTS will also be releasing a free downloadable game update at the end of August. The free update will include additional trunks, gloves and shorts, as well as a free button control scheme that will allow gamers to use face buttons on the Xbox 360 and PS3 game controllers to throw punches, hooks, uppercuts and haymakers. A new demo featuring the button controls will also be available on Xbox LIVE and the PlayStation Network by early September. The 12 round demo will feature Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali as playable boxers.

“We are extremely excited to be able to add Oscar and the Klitschko brothers as part of our roster,” said executive producer, Dean Richards. “As three of the most globally recognized names in the sport, they are an important addition to the Fight Night Round 4 lineup.

Fight Night Round 4 is currently available for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360 video game system from Microsoft. This game has been rated T for Teen by the ESRB, and 16+ by PEGI.

Battle for Fallen Earth video game open beta opens August 17th

The post-apocalyptic massively multiplayer online (MMO) game of the same name will begin an Open Beta program August 17. Players who want to get an early glimpse of Fallen Earth on August 17 need only register on FilePlanet beginning Friday, August 14 at 1 p.m. ET (GMT-4).

Taking place in the Grand Canyon, Fallen Earth gives players the choice to rebuild the decaying world or participate in its destruction through use of the classless advancement system, real-time crafting and the seamless integration of first-person shooter and role-playing game mechanics.

"The Open Beta and Pre-Order programs give a much larger group of players the opportunity to experience Fallen Earth," says Jessica Orr, product manager for Fallen Earth. "We are excited that players want to get a jump on the game, and we are including a little something extra for being among the first to order."

Those who pre-order Fallen Earth at Direct2Drive get an exclusive in-game mount-the Wasteland Runner-which has four more points of defensive skills, 2500 more Stamina and six more pack slots than other horses. Additionally, pre-orders receive a guaranteed spot in the Open Beta and a five-day head start in the game, beginning September 4.

EVE Online's Fight Against Currency Farmers

Massively has a writeup discussing the way CCP Games is battling ISK-farmers in EVE Online (ISK is the game's currency).

The developers felt that merely banning sellers whenever they could was not enough, so they introduced a system where players could purchase game-time codes that could then be sold within the game to other players. Since players are unlikely to give up buying ISK voluntarily, CCP's thought is that they can at least keep the money and currency distributed among the real players.

Some of the player-base has been critical of the plan, but it's becoming more and more popular as time goes on — and the old ISK-sellers aren't pleased.

Source: Slashdot

amBX takes its games technology to professional sector

amBX UK announced that lighting giant TMB will distribute its first professional LED lighting control system, amBIENT XC, a deal which could see amBX’s award-winning games technology take the professional lighting world by storm.

amBIENT XC pioneers completely new concepts in the control of lighting and effects, by using amBX proprietary patented technology to allow the creation of lighting effects in a revolutionary way. Unique immersive experiences in professional productions and architectural installations of all kinds can now be achieved easily and quickly by lighting professionals.

As with amBX’s games technology, amBIENT XC can be pre-programmed or will respond in real-time to visual and/or aural stimuli, such as video or audio signals. Sophisticated control of interpretation and output parameters offers dynamic control of mood and atmosphere, providing an innovative, maintenance-free, cost-effective means of creating appealing immersive environments in spaces of all kinds, including hotels, nightclubs, restaurants and retail. The amBIENT XC control system also provides a low-cost yet impressive upgrade solution for venues or productions currently only capable of limited lighting effects.

The use of amBX to control lighting through the amBIENT XC transforms the way in which professional lighting installers use LED lighting, from large scale projects and installations to smaller bars, restaurants, and home theatres.

“amBX is the most exciting, groundbreaking technology in LED control to appear in quite a while,” says TMB Architectural Sales Director Sarah Cox. “Any installation or show that uses media combined with RGB LEDs can benefit from this product: Nightclubs, lounges, hospitality suites, museums, theme parks, corporate boardrooms, live productions, you name it – the possibilities are unlimited.”

Jo Cooke, amBX Chief Marketing Officer, adds: “We have been delighted and excited by the reception of the lighting industry to amBX and we are as keen to support the fantastic creativity we are finding there as much as that in the games industry where amBX was introduced.”

amBX has already licensed its technology to many content developers and publishers in the gaming sector, and holds a middleware licence from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe for PlayStation 3. It enables content creators to add real world effects in entertainment media using light, colour, rumble and even air flow, through licensed amBX hardware. With amBX the entertainment world can be brought into the real world to create incredible immersive experiences.

Ship Simulator Extremes gives players the opportunity to take on exciting missions all over the world

Paradox Interactive today announced Ship Simulator Extremes, the next instalment of the acclaimed Ship Simulator Series. Created by Dutch game developer VSTEP, Ship Simulator Extremes gives players the opportunity to take on exciting missions all over the world as they captain an impressive array of vessels and live the story of real ship captains.

Have you ever wondered how it feels to sail a half-million ton supertanker through the perfect storm or to take on illegal whale hunters in the Antarctic? Feel the rush of serving as a coast guard as you evacuate an island threatened by a volcanic disaster. With missions based on actual events that take place in realistic environments and locations from all over the world, Ship Simulator Extremes has you endure extreme conditions, fight the elements and face all of the challenges associated with being a ship captain.

“Following the successful legacy of our game series, we look forward to cooperating with Paradox Interactive and continue to give gamers worldwide all the excitement of being in the captain’s helm chair,” said Frank Dolmans, CMO of VSTEP.

Wide range of vessels to control, including hovercrafts, coast guard interceptors, mammoth tankers, tugs, cruise liners, and many others.

Key features:
• Wide range of vessels to control, including hovercrafts, coast guard interceptors, mammoth tankers, tugs, cruise liners, and many others.
• Includes exciting storylines and missions all over the world.
• From the very hot to the very cold, sail to the most enchanted regions of the world. Explore the Antarctic or take in beautiful Bora Bora. Includes famous harbours and locations worldwide.
• Official Greenpeace license : sail famous Greenpeace ships and take on ecological missions based on real events!
• Realistic water & weather system. Sail a calm sea or take on the most extreme conditions ever witnessed at sea.
• Online Multiplayer mode. Sail online with your friends and take part in cooperative missions and community events.
Ship Simulator Extremes is scheduled for release in Q1 2010 and will be officially introduced to world press at the Gamescom 2009 in Cologne.

Evil Plans are Revealed as CJ Internet Unleashes the Third Story Trailer for Action MMORPG Mini Fighter! PC video game

When we last left the story of Mini Fighter, Cro and Hikaru were facing off in the semifinals of Delta-M’s Grand Arena Tournament, each hoping to earn the title of Strongest Fighter.
As the fierce battle raged, resulting in one regrettable casualty from the arena’s audience, Delta-M and the villainous Marshall hinted at their evil plans for the tournament. Everyone arrived expecting a fair fight, but things may not be what they seem…

Will the warriors find out about Delta-M’s sinister goals? Will Kang survive the injuries he took as an audience member? And just who are those six, shadowy figures waiting in the wings? Check out the third story trailer for Mini Fighter, “New Beginning,” to find out!