Grand Theft Auto IV PC Patch number 3 Released - Link here

The third patch for the PC release of Grand Theft Auto 4 is now available from FileShack.

Update 1.0.3 brings improved graphics and physics performance, greater user control over graphic settings, and the elimination of remapping restrictions for keyboard and mouse.

Full change notes follow

Version 1.0.3.0 - March 19, 2009

GRAPHICS:

• Interior Lights for ATI 1900 series cards:
  
• All light sources appear for users with 1900 series ATI cards. (ie. Pool Mini Game)
  
• ALT-TAB fixed
  
• Graphics Settings:
  
• Added menu option " OFF " for Reflection quality
  
• Added menu option " OFF " for Shadow quality
  
• PERFORMANCE:
  
• Physics optimizations to improve situations with heavy physics calculations (ie. 32 player races)
  
• Graphical Performance Optimizations
  

MULTIPLAYER:

NAT Type detection
Detect if user has a " strict " NAT and displays message for user
Voice chat is received even if your microphone is turned off

CONTROLS:

• Keyboard / Mouse
  
• Remapping restrictions removed
  
• Allow Enter, Backspace, and Arrow keys to be remapped by user
  
• Allow multiple mouse buttons to be mapped
  
• Enable/Disable DirectInput in Menu
  
• Users can now activate/deactivate Direct Input devices from "Controls" menu.
  
• If commandline "-usedirectinput" is active, it will override pause menu setting.
  
• Use 2 direct input devices simultaneously (ie. Wheel and Gamepad)
  
• Users can now use 2 different controllers at once, including 1 XInput and 1 Direct Input device.
  
• Added more Direct Input / XInput device support
  
• Saitek P380/P480/P580/P990
  
• Saitek PS1000/PS2700/P3200/P3600
  
• Gravis Eliminator Shock gamepad
  

SECURITY:

• Detect modified files and prevent users from entering multiplayer if found
  
• Game will prompt with a message after blocking user with modified data files from entering multiplayer
  
• Should prevent multiplayer access from cell phone and GFWL join in progress
  

VIDEO EDITOR:

• Scroll Bar improved response
  
• Tweaked to respond better to keyboard inputs
  
• Sped up load times for users with many clips
  

TITLE UPDATE 2 FIXES:

• Return of Hot Dog Stands and other props
  
• Missing hot dog vendors, fences, gates, pylons should be present throughout the world.
  
• Scrolling signboards
  
• Activate missing scrolling signboard text (ie. highway signs, Star Junction, Clock Tower Sign)
  
• ALT-TAB pauses game during cutscenes
  
• Cutscenes should now pause and resume correctly after an ALT-TAB task switch. Audio remains in sync.
  

GENERAL ADDITIONS / FIXES:

• Mismatched MODO/Perseus Clothing
  
• Fixed a bug when Niko mixes clothing from Perseus and Modo
  
• 360 Controller Texture
  
• Controller image should be visible in Controller Configuration screen
  

Source: ShackNews

Bug delays Xbox 360 Grand Theft Auto IV DLC Midnight Club Los Angeles South Central but PS 3 goes ahead...

A statement from Rockstar advises, "The Xbox 360 version of Midnight Club: Los Angeles South Central, set to release on Xbox LIVE and PlayStation Network today, has not yet gone live on Xbox LIVE due to an unforeseen bug in the title update.



"We are currently working as quickly as we can to resolve this issue, and we will notify everyone as soon as the DLC is made available. Thank you for understanding and your patience. Please note that this issue does not affect the DLC on the PlayStation Network – it is currently live and available for download."

Entropia PC video game granted banking licence by Sweden

Online game Entropia Universe has been granted a licence to be a bank.
Issued by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority, the licence means the game can be more closely tied to the real world finances of players.
Mindark, the developers of the game, said it aimed to launch a fully-functioning in-game bank within the next 12 months.
At current exchange rates, 10 PED (Project Entropia Dollars) are worth one US dollar.

Unlike many other online games, which charge a monthly subscription fee, the software for Project Entropia is free to download and install.

Read full post here on the BBC

Microsoft to turn Xbox 360 into more than a console....

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has spoken of how well Microsoft’s Xbox business has been doing, and has hinted at a broader future for the 360.
Speaking during a media conference in New York (as covered by MediaMemo.com), Ballmer said that the Xbox business was doing “great”, describing it as both an “incredible asset” and “opportunity”.

According to the transcription, Ballmer spoke of how the Xbox business had “turned the corner”, and that with a big base of subscribers and the upfront costs paid, Microsoft had a real opportunity to turn the 360 into “more than a console”.

Ballmer didn’t specify how exactly this would be achieved, but suggested that gamers would “see that 12 months from now.”

In recent times, Microsoft has spoken of wanting to unify ‘the three screens’ of mobile, television and PC. It could be in reference to that – or it could be something else entirely.

Whatever it is, it seems like Microsoft won’t be talking about it until it’s good and ready. Our guess is that we may hear something at E3, although as soon as anything happens, we’ll let you know.

Source: Gamer

Sherlock Holmes v Jack the Ripper - The Hunt Continues video game update

Frogwares Studio and Focus Home Interactive are pleased to share with you new images from Sherlock Holmes vs. Jack the Ripper, the upcoming adventure/detective title for PC but also for the first time on Next Gen console. Indeed, Sherlock Holmes will also track down the atrocious serial killer on a Xbox 360 version specially adapted by the Parisian studio Spiders Games.

Sherlock Holmes vs. Jack the Ripper allows you to play as the greatest detective of all in the London of 1888. A series of particularly horrible murders creates a real psychosis throughout the country. Atrociously mutilated prostitutes' bodies are found by the police without them being able to find a serious lead. Sherlock Holmes starts looking for clues in the dark and sinister alleys of Whitechapel in order to follow the macabre trail of the one the press now calls Jack the Ripper. During an adventure full of twists, Sherlock Holmes will try to bring out the true identity and the motives of the one who hides behind this scary alias.





The Sherlock Holmes series is known as one of the best franchises in adventure games and is very popular with around 1.5 million copies sold worldwide. Now, Sherlock Holmes is back with a game that will give a new dimension to the series. Indeed, Sherlock Holmes vs. Jack the Ripper will offer players two different views that are accessible at any time: a third person view in the purest style used in point & click adventure games, as well as a first person view. The player will be free to play in one or the other modes or even combine them for greater immersion into this terrifying adventure. Another novelty: the player will also find an original crime scene reconstitution system that will allow him to test his theories during his progress in the investigation to follow the bloody trail of the terrifying serial killer.

Sherlock Holmes vs. Jack the Ripper will be released for DVD ROM PC in May of 2009.

EA Active exercise game on Nintendo Wii this May - with video

We get it: in the battle of couch versus gym, the couch usually wins. It’s so much easier to find an excuse than to actually do the workout.

But what if your gym was two feet away from the couch and your workout was actually fun to do?



Meet EA SPORTS Active, the motivating fitness program you can do at home at any time. With over 25 calorie-burning, muscle-toning exercises and activities, daily progress reports, and encouraging virtual personal trainers, you’ll get gym-worthy results without even thinking of making an excuse!

DJ Atomika's Power Playlist in Burnout Paradise City from the sub-zero heights of Peak 3

Hey, it's DJ Atomika back to sea level in Paradise City from the sub-zero heights of Peak 3.

Being a well-worked radio DJ like myself, I've gotta be serious about staying in shape, and man have I got a tip for you. Boost Specials.

Let me tell you, I've traded my Wii Fit - these "Pro" vehicles are giving me all the workout I need.

So head over to the Burnout Store and get yourself the Boost Specials Collection. And once you get behind the wheel, I've got the perfect Power Playlist for you:

They may be from Germany, but they hit the heights in 1990, first on the list is Snap and The Power.
Rocking over from the USA, a record that hit the heights in 1984 it's the instantly recognisable Jump by Van Halen
No Hot Rod fantasy is complete without ZZ Top. Bearded by nature (and one by name) Gimme All Your Lovin' also from the early 80's demands to be in your playlist.
and I'm rounding out today's recommendation with Survivor - Eye of the Tiger - enough said.

This is Atomika, sounding off.

Source: Criterion Games News

Runes of Magic PC video game launched

Frogster today announced that the commercial launch of Runes of Magic has exceeded all expectations. The online role playing game was able to add considerably to its registered users: nearly 700,000 players have registered to enter the fantasy world of Taborea worldwide. Runes of Magic launched commercially on 19 March.

To handle the rush of players, the Runes of Magic team added one additional European server to the line-up. This means that right now there are already nine game worlds up and running in German and English languages. On the most frequented servers, character creation for new players has been capped until further notice. Only already existing avatars can log on to ‘Laoch’ and ‘Aotacht’. Should any other servers reach their full load, additional server capacity is on hand to guarantee trouble-free gaming enjoyment for the fans.



Runes of Magic – a world full of wizardry and adventure
Runes of Magic was commercially released on 19th March. During a successful open beta the population soar to over 650,000 players. All interested players can continue to download the fantasy online role playing game for free at www.runesofmagic.com and following a short registration process, can plunge into the game world.

With an extensive range of features Runes of Magic prepares to redefine the standard of free to play massively online role playing games. Runes of Magic conveys an absorbing story through more than 1.000 quests embedded in an atmospheric fantasy world. Players can choose between six main classes and combined with a secondary class they present 30 individual combinations of character classes over all. All characters possess unique skills with impressive combo attacks and can use mounts like war horses and more. A particularly attractive feature for guilds and players is the possibility to arrange their own virtual homes with individual furnishing. Thanks to an extensive crafting and reputation system, thrilling PvP, as well as demanding dungeons and boss-monsters, no wishes remain unsatisfied. The Taiwanese developer Runewaker has developed Runes of Magic according to western MMO standards within a time frame of three years. The studio will provide new challenges for players every four to five months with free add-ons and updates. MMO fans can find more information, pictures and videos on the official website www.runesofmagic.com.

Features

- Free to play: no monthly fees, free download
- Extensive dual class system (six primary and secondary classes)
- Versatile spell- and attack-combinations
- Enthralling background story
- More than 1.000 quests and quest series on launch
- No zone boundaries thanks to seamless architecture
- Dungeons: Instanced and tile based as well as persistent
- Individually developable skills and spells
- Armour sets with special bonuses
- Dynamic item system with hundreds of runes for upgrading
- Optional PvP system with arena battles and guild wars
- Ranking system with player-ranking lists
- Multitude of unique mounts
- Epic crafting system with the chance to improve existing items
- Personalization of player houses through individual furnishing
- Reputation system
- Customisable user interface with the option to use Add-Ons
- Map and radar system to find dealers, resources and quests easily
- In-game auction houses for trading items
- Teleport-Runes for instant travel
- Mouse and keyboard controls for movement
- Regular updates with new content
- Guild castles in special zones
- Cross-server fights in three-server-battle in development

Facts
Titel: Runes of Magic
Genre: Fantasy-MMORPG
Platform: Windows-PC
Publisher: Frogster Online Gaming
Developer: Runewaker Entertainment Ltd.
Release: March 19th 2009
PEGI: 12+

Capcom release Street Fighter IV Classic Costume Pack

This is not one of them....
Classic Costume Pack available today on European Xbox Marketplace Capcom today announced that Classic Costume Pack, a new content for Street Fighter IV, is now available in Europe via Xbox Marketplace.

The Classic Costume Pack features new costumes for characters Guile, Blanka, Dhalsim, Gen and Fei Long. PS3 fans will be able to download this new pack next Thursday, March 26th.

E74 Xbox 360 error on the rise say Joystiq

When we recently posted about the Xbox 360's E74 error and asked for your input, we weren't prepared for the staggering response we'd receive.

Within a few hours, we had dozens of emails from readers like you who had experienced this particular hardware failure (typically caused, according to unofficial web reports, by a loose scaling chip).

It was surprising to touch such a nerve, but what really knocked us for a loop was what we found when we started compiling the data sent to us.

Read full post here on Joystiq