May 6, 2008
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Blizzard Opens Digital Download Store

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Warcraft and StarCraft developer Blizzard has begun offering direct downloads of select PC titles via a new portion of its online store.

At present, the store's digital download section only contains three listings: the StarCraft Anthology, Warcraft III, and the WarCraft III Frozen Throne expansion. They mark the first digitally distributed releases of any Blizzard game, apart from World of Warcraft.

Furthermore, owners of certain Blizzard efforts can now register their CD keys on the site to add the titles to their Blizzard Account and download them for free at any time, though Diablo II-related downloads are not yet ready.

A new beta lottery program is also available, allowing registered users to be automatically entered into a drawing for beta access. However, no public betas are known to be underway.

At present, the company is known to be working on StarCraft II as well as a title only referred to as "an unannounced Next-Gen MMO," which some speculate to be a new Diablo game.

A list of PC titles that can be registered and downloaded from the Blizzard Store follows, as well as a description of the beta lottery.

* Diablo II*
* Diablo II: Lord of Destruction*
* Diablo II Battlechest*

* StarCraft
* StarCraft Battlechest
* StarCraft Anthology

* Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos
* Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne Expansion Pack
*digital download coming soon

Blizzard Beta Lottery
Enter the Blizzard Beta Lottery to put your Blizzard Account in the running to participate in the beta tests for future Blizzard games! By registering, your account will have a chance to be added to the list of invites for each Blizzard public beta test as it begins.

Posted by: XGhozt

April 17, 2008
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Alienware Launch Cheaper Gaming Desktop

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Alienware , known for designing high-octane PCs, has just announced an update to its Aurora desktop line. With prices starting under an astonishing $1,000, these new rigs will feature quad-core AMD Phenom 9850 processors, and your choice of ATI Radeon 3870 X2, HD3850, or HD3870 graphics cards set up singly or in a dual CrossFire arrangement.

The powerful gaming systems are built around an AMD Spider/ASUS 790FX-based motherboard, and can be configured with up to 4GB of main system RAM and a vast 4TB of hard drive space—with drives ranging in speed from 7,200 to 10,000 rpm. Keep in mind that tricking your machine out to the limit will seriously raise the sticker price.

All Aurora systems will feature the traditional alien-head chassis. The case is fan-cooled by default, but can be upgraded to use a more efficient liquid-cooling system. The new Aurora Desktop is currently available for purchase directly from Alienware's Web site.

Posted by: XGhozt

April 17, 2008
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Eu Clears Activision Blizzard Merger

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Despite Activision being sued by some of its own investors over the proposed merger with Vivendi, which will purportedly result in the world's largest, most profitable video game publisher, the companies today cleared yet another hurdle with the European Commission approving the $18.9 billion deal under its antitrust guidelines.

The Commission found no evidence that the deal would halt competition in the gaming market, stating that the merged company, to be called Activision Blizzard, would still face strong competitors such as Electronic Arts and game console manufacturers such as Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft. With this, the merger is moving ahead as anticipated and should be concluded by June. Hopefully, the combined company will continue to bring the same standards we’ve seen in popular games such as Call of Duty, Guitar Hero, and World of Warcraft to the map.

Posted by: HG-Bounder-X

April 11, 2008
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Microsoft Making 'wiimote" For The Xbox?

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The fine reporters at MTV News have netted themselves quite a scoop: an unnamed source tells them that Microsoft has secretly been working on a motion controller for the Xbox 360 styled after Nintendo's Wii remote (pictured), which may see release before the end of the year. The project has been rocky, however, with the source reporting difficulty hitting deadlines.

The source, who wished to remain anonymous so as to not jeopardizing their business relationships, says the project has been in active development since last August. Rare has reportedly taken a major stake in the project, tasked with designing the interface and look of the controller. The source even passed along a rough sketch of the last prototype, which may look a bit familiar.

According to the source, the controller would have four face buttons, a trigger button, an analog stick and a built-in microphone. It would not have a port for any controller attachments, such as the Wii's nunchuck. There have also been plans for the remote to somehow work in conjunction with the Xbox Live Vision Camera.

When contacted by MTV News, Microsoft spokesperson Jessica Lange stated that "Microsoft does not comment on rumors and speculation." Helpful! In addition to their unnamed tipster, though, MTV News reports other industry sources have confirmed to them that Microsoft has been working on a motion controller.

Posted by: XGhozt

April 5, 2008
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Gibson Sues Game Stores

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Dude, this is so not metal: Gibson is suing Wal-Mart, Target, Toys "R" Us, Amazon.com, K-Mart, and Gamestop for selling Guitar Hero, the overwhelmingly popular game from Activision .

The reason? Because Gibson claims that the controller used in the game is in violation of one of its patents, according to the Associated Press. The patent in question seems a little iffy: "...simulate participation in a concert by playing a musical instrument and wearing a head-mounted 3-D display that includes stereo speakers," it reads in part.

The company had already sued Activision, and has extended its suit to protect its intellectual property, according to the company: "In Gibson's lawsuit, it states the company 'has been damaged and will continue to be damaged by the aforesaid infringement unless defendants are enjoined, preliminarily and permanently, from selling and offering for sale infringing products ...'" the AP reported.

Naturally, those retailers that have responded have said the suit is without merit. Activision stopped just short of indemnifying them, though, which would have offloaded all legal liability onto Activision's shoulders.

Posted by: XGhozt