Flagship may have lost the IP, but their overhyped MMO is still very much alive. Namco Bandai games have made an “official” annoucement by the means of a forum post:

Hello Hellgaters,

I know everyone is looking for an announcement, and we’d love to make one — but right now, many things are in flux and we don’t have all the information yet. As soon as we do, we’ll post here on the forums, on the website, and anywhere else we can find you.

In the short term, please do not worry. The game is up, the servers are not going away in the short term and any major changes to status will be communicated in advance.

I’d like to ask for your patience as we try to figure it all out and chart a new course. We value your community, your commitment, and your passion for Hellgate and we will make sure that any solution that we architect will support all of you as best as we are able.

Thanks again. We hope to have a real announcement shortly.

__________________
Zack “Ozuri” Karlsson
Sr. Director, Business Development
NAMCO BANDAI Games America, Inc.

Hellgate: London - the game itself, continues to live along. For how long, that’s anybody’s guess. But with salty responses like these, it looks as if Hellgate: London already has one foot in the grave.

JoWooD has released the packshot for their upcoming RPG; Gothic - Forsaken Gods. Check it out below:

Press Release:

JoWooD Productions has released the final cover artwork for the official AddOn of its famous roleplaying game, Gothic 3 (more than 900.000 units sold). Gothic 3 – Forsaken Gods takes the player into the fascinating Gothic world once again where exciting quests are waiting to be solved. Gothic 3 – Forsaken Gods will be available as standalone version – NO Full Version of Gothic 3 needed!

Packshot: 

The latest title to get Steamed is Silverfall: Earth Awakening, from Monte Cristo Games. Thanks to the Steam week deal, you can get it at 10% reduced price.

In this heroic fantasy world, play any one of the available six races and prepare yourself to confront an impressive array of creatures and formidable bosses to save the realm of Nelwë. Import your hero from Silverfall to Earth Awakening and keep your level, equipment and skills…or start the adventure from the beginning with a level 45 hero.

Obsidian has released a fact sheet as well as six new screenshots for their exciting RPG; Alpha Protocol. Check them out below:

Factsheet: 

OVERVIEW:

In the world of espionage, nothing is as it seems in Obsidian Entertainment’s blockbuster RPG thriller, Alpha Protocol™. Players will assume the role of Michael Thorton, a highly skilled government operative trained to eliminate threats to national security. When a mission goes horribly wrong, Thorton is the only one with the information, skills, and audacity to stop an impending international catastrophe. To do so, he will utilize the very government directive that the enemy sought to use against him - Alpha Protocol.

Set in the modern day, Alpha Protocol gives players complete control not only of Thorton’s actions but his personality and attitude as well, all of which will determine the future of the world as we know it. Blending fast-paced modern combat, significant character advancement and innovative RPG features, Alpha Protocol brings a fresh new perspective to the genre. Read the rest of this entry »

12 New Fallout 3 screenshots right from E3 2008.

At Microsoft’s E3 2008 press conference, Bethesda Software’s Todd Howard has confirmed DLC for Fallout 3. The DLC will be exclusive to PC, Xbox360.

We love Xbox Live Marketplace, we’re happy to announce that we’re going to be doing substantial DLC for Fallout 3 and it will be exclusive to Xbox 360 and Windows PC.”

Gamecock has released new media for Dungeon Hero. Screenshots/artwork below:

Dungeon Hero provides players with a fresh take on the classic dungeon based game. The in-game world is a totally functional, living, breathing community in every way. Eat, sleep, chat, socialize, trade and travel as you would in any civilized place – after all dungeon creatures are people too! Fierce adrenaline pumping close quarters combat against a multitude of enemies drives the player deep into their heroic role. The battle system is intense with savage encounters that will leave enemies wondering where they went wrong. Dark times call for one to stand against many, will you be the one strong enough to become the Hero of the Dungeon?

Screenshots:

Artwork:

Flagship Studios is no longer the owner of Hellgate: London. The studio lost the IP to HanbitSoft. HanbitSoft’s reason of IP takeover:

HanbitSoft states that the reason it is pursuing this course of action is because “It is hard for us to accept Flagship Studios’ requests for continued support in capital and funding any longer and because Flagship was being difficult”, and because it co-owns a direct stake in the IP, it therefore “has a say in reviewing and determining any course of action to be taken with Hellgate: London.”

HanbitSoft is expected to take full control over the IP. HanbitSoft goes on to state that in doing so, it will be able to “properly manage and develop Hellgate: London into a good game with proper content”, with its own in-house team of developers.

Basically, Flagship did a miserable job and the korean developer took back the IP to fix the trainwreck RPG.

Steam’s latest weekend deal will get you Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode One for $9.99. A 50% drop from game’s regular price of $19.95.

Grab the game from here.

Midway is now going the digital distribution way as the company has launched two online digital stores. MidwayArcade.com will feature Midway’s classic arcade titles while Midway.com will feature the newer titles. Midway’s digital stores are being managed by Digital River. For the time being, the following title are available on Midway.com:

• Unreal Tournament 3 - USD $29.95
• Midway Arcade Treasures - USD $19.99
• Midway Arcade Treasures Deluxe - USD $19.99
• Area 51 - USD $14.
• Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy - USD $14.99
• The Suffering - USD $9.99
• The Suffering: Ties That Bind - USD $14.99
• Rise and Fall: Civilizations at War - USD $19.99
• Stranglehold - USD $19.95
• Blacksite: Area 51 - USD $19.95

Midway didn’t reveal anything regarding the DRM method, though.
More info in the press release below: Read the rest of this entry »