Age of Conan webiste vamped again...

Eidos and Funcom launch new Age of Conan website
– Revamped www.ageofconan.com website launches – Four new videos now available

Durham, USA – January 18, 2008 – Funcom and Eidos are proud to reveal that a new website for Age of Conan has launched. Conveniently located at www.ageofconan.com, the site gives both new and existing fans an exciting look at the fascinating Age of Conan universe. Filled with several new videos, a selection of some of the best screenshots from the game, popular links and much more, the new site is an entertaining and informative experience for both new and existing fans.

Click Here to read more...

I'm underwhelmed...

I reported a little while back that Microsoft was going to offer a free Xbox Live Arcade game in order to assuage the hurt sensitivities of Xbox Live users for the recent woes experienced while using the Xbox Live service. It was my opinion that Microsoft should just give us the points and not a specific title. Well, guess what they did? They decided to give us a specific title. It turns out to be none other than Undertow. An underwhelming game that I suspect might not have lived up to sales expectations. Gee thanks, Microsoft. I played the trial version and wasn't thrilled. Here is the press release:

The free XBOX Live Arcade game promised by Microsoft as compensation for the downtime has been announced. Undertow (normally 800 Microsoft Points) will be available to download from Wednesday 23rd January 2008 till Sunday 28th January 2008 for free.

Developed by Chair Entertainment Group, Undertow is one of the highest-rated and best looking games available on Arcade. Undertow redefines aquatic based shooters through a mix of high-definition graphics, intuitive controls and multiple modes of game play action. The game features a full story driven-single player campaign, on and offline co-op, and multiplayer for 2-16 players over Xbox LIVE for Gold subscribers. Players battle for control of the oceans as one of three selectable races, each with four unique, upgradeable units.

Mythos

I just found something that might bring me back to PC gaming....

Boogie Bunnies

In the latest installment of "I play demos so you don't have to", I would like to take a look at the newly released Xbox Live Arcade game: Boogie Bunnies. One might wonder what would possess me to play a game like this. It's all for YOU dear reader. Plus, there was some morbid fascination when I saw that it was released. Mind you, I played the trial version. I've got your backs, but not that much. Anyway, if you are curious what type of game this is, think of it as a sickly cute version of Astropop. A brace of various color bunnies is arranged on the screen in front of you and your task is to get them off the playing field before they march inexorably forward into a ditch. You do this, but launching a colored bunny so that he ends up next to at least two other same colored bunnies which by some means unexplained, causes them all to be removed from the screen. That sounds pretty much exactly like Astropop except this game has the small twist of allowing the player to launch bunnies from the sides of the screen too. If the bunnies happen to be dancing at the time (hence the name I think) you get bonus points. The whole thing is sickly and cute and is the kind of thing I am sure your girlfriend will love and thus annoy you by taking up valuable Xbox 360 time that could be better spent playing Call of Duty 4. If you like these kinds of games, it is decent but highly unoriginal. Hopefully Sierra Online has better things up their sleeves in the coming months.

Yahtzee on Crysis...

A little help from Crytek

The folks over at Crytek are concerned that not enough of you are playing their new game Crysis. I don't doubt that they are considering how lousy the sales numbers have been. They were kind enough to spec out some upgrade parts that will allow people to play the game decently in High detail. Here they are:

CPU - Intel Core2Duo E6750
GPU - GeForce 8800GT 512MB
Motherboard - NVIDIA nForce 650i Socket 775
PSU - 600W ATX12V
RAM - 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit
HDD - SATA 250GB 7200RPM
DVD - 20x DVD±R Burner
Case - ATX Midi Tower Computer Case
OS - Microsoft Windows XP Home with SP2

They claim these parts can be had for just under $900. I don't doubt that, but I could get an Xbox 360 and a PS3 for that much. The difference in graphics isn't THAT much. Thanks, Crytek, but no thanks.

Sign the Save XP Petition

HELP SAVE XP Petition

Please complete this petition so we can add your name to those who want Microsoft to keep Windows XP available indefinitely, rather than force users to upgrade to Windows Vista. With your support, we can convince Microsoft to spare XP’s fate of being discontinued on June 30, 2008.

I am not deluded enough to think that very many people read this blog, but for the few of you who do, please check out this petition. Microsoft will no longer be selling any new licences for XP in just under 170 days. That means it will be really hard to find any new copies of it anywhere. On a related note, tests were done on Windows XP SP3 and Windows Vista SP1 on the same machine and the machine performed a lot faster with XP.

Click here for the petition.

Idea for NHL 08

I enjoyed both NHL 08 and NHL 2K8 this year. I think NHL 08 made a lot of strides, but it is most fun while playing as the goalie. So much fun in fact, that I think I am going to play an entire season as a goalie. As in real hockey there are times when a goalie is extremely busy and focused and other times when the puck is at the other end of the rink. During these times it would be nice to get a better view of the action. While it is realistic to see from the perspective of what a real NHL goalie sees, it is a bit boring at times. This is a video game after all, not the real thing. I am proposing that the developers add a button that lets the user switch quickly to the action by following the puck or a particular player. They could map it to the right bumper button and allow you to switch back and forth between the goalie and this view. It sure would be nice to see what is going on in the other end of the rink more clearly. EA if you are listening, this is a freebie.