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Cue the groaning: Writers Guild announces video game nominations
The Writers Guild of America has announced five nominees for best video game writing in 2008. This will be the Guild's second year giving out the award, with last year's nod going to Dead Head Fred. Hmm, well, this year's nominees are certainly an interesting group and are sure to generate some conversation about what constitutes good writing in a game ... provided said game was written by an eligible WGA member, that is. Fallout 3 Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Tomb Raider: Underworld Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3 Dangerous High School Girls in Trouble! Although most of those titles are instantly recognizable, Dangerous High School Girls is an indie title that's (clearly) gaining some recognition. Are you betting on the dark horse? The winner will be announced Feb. 7.[Via Big Download]
Dead or Alive's Valance joins Red Alert 3: Uprising camp
Dead or Alive actress Holly Valance is trading in her sword (and vial of box office poison) for a pen and paper as journalist Brenda Snow in the recently announced Red Alert 3: Uprising. Valance will lend her live action camp to the upcoming expansion, which is earmarked for a digital-only release this March.The Australian-born starlet describes her role in the game as "a camp, over-dramatised character," telling Eurogamer that "it was fun to go a little bit over the top." We're sure that's quite a change from DoA's Christie Allen. The four people who saw that movie tell us that she was the very picture of Hollywood grace.
Red Alert 3 expanding in March with 'Uprising'
Don't count the filthy Reds out yet, as Electronic Arts has detailed Uprising, an upcoming expansion to Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3. The add-on will send players back to the front lines with a new single-player campaign, new units and a greater quantity of live-action cutscenes, just in case the original's love affair with camp left you wanting more.Uprising will also include a new mode, dubbed 'Commander's Challenge', which will allow players to test their strategic skills across 50 different stages with different rules and conditions. However, while Red Alert 3 is available for the Xbox 360 and a PS3 version should arrive ... someday ... only those playing on computers will be able to come away with bragging rights. Uprising will be a PC exclusive when it is released as a digital download in March.
EA gets Steamed in Europe, except for UK
European* Steam users can now join its American brethren in downloading Electronic Arts titles from Steam. The release schedule is mostly identical to that of the US and Canada, with Spore, Spore Creepy & Cute Parts Pack, Mass Effect, Need for Speed Undercover and FIFA Manager 2009 available now (notable exception: Warhammer Online) and Red Alert 3, Dead Space and Mirror's Edge coming in a few weeks.... What's that, reader? What's the asterisk for? Turns out, the EA library is available on Steam only to "most of Europe," with the odd man out being the United Kingdom, according to both Eurogamer and independently verified by our mates at the Joystiq UK offices. We've extended an offer of Earl Grey and a scone to Valve for answers.[Via BigDownload]
The Best of Big Download: December 15-21
This week is the last one in 2008 that will likely have a lot of major gaming news but Big Download still has lots of plans to cover the past year and looking ahead to 2009 in the next several days. In the meantime let's look at the highlights from the past week:Exclusive features Contests: We have lots of contests that we are running this week. You still have time to enter for your chance to win a free copy of Galactic Civilizations II, Demigod, Prince of Persia, a Red Alert 3 game and swag pack or game codes for GoG.com. Reviews: We have our final verdicts on Prince of Persia, Strong Bad Episode 5, and American McGee's Grimm: A Christmas Carol. Cities XL preview: We go hands-on with the upcoming ambitious city sim game from Monte Cristo. Left 4 Dead game guide: Our final game guide for Valve's shooter takes a look at some of the more interesting achievements. Countdown to the biggest PC game news stories of 2008: What was the biggest story in 2008 for PC gamers? We give our picks for the most memorable events of the past 12 months. Big Download's 2008 Rose Ceremony: We give out roses to those folks and groups who made news in PC gaming in 2008 and refuse to give roses to others. GamerApps - GamerDNA: We take a closer look at the new social networking site for games. Indie Showcase: Our weekly look at the indie games scene takes a look at some new artistic minded browser based games. Big Ideas: Our weekly look at game themes takes a look at in-game health features. Big Iron: Our weekly hardware column gives out their first annual hardware awards Freeware Friday: Our weekly look at free games takes a look at the B-movie game inspired title Cottage of Doom. Virtual Bargain Bin: Our look at cheap games takes a look at two games that have been released for free at GoG.com, Beneath a Steel Sky and Lure of the Temptress.
EA games roll onto Steam
EA has accepted the warm embrace of Steam and will begin using the digital distribution service. Following reports that Spore was crawling out of the primordial ooze to Steam, Valve announced today that several of the latest EA titles are available now, with many more coming over the next couple weeks. Available now: Spore Spore Creepy & Cute Parts Pack Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning Mass Effect Need for Speed Undercover EA Sports' FIFA Manager 2009 Coming Soon: Mirror's Edge Red Alert 3 Dead Space Sister site Big Download contacted EA to find out if older PC games would become available, but the publisher wouldn't comment. Also, in case you're wondering, EA games on Steam apparently don't install or use third-party DRM set-ups. According to Valve "the only DRM it uses is Steam itself."[Via Big Download]
Red Alert 3 demo up on Xbox Live Marketplace
In the rare and somewhat disturbing event that Tim Curry's illustrious presence doesn't result in an automatic purchase from you, you might want to test your real-time strateeh-gery in EA's Red Alert 3 demo. It's up on the Xbox Live Marketplace right now, says Major Nelson, who also lists "the game's cinematic opening, 1 campaign mission from both the Soviet and Allied campaigns, and an interactive tutorial" as part of the downloadable snippet.But seriously, Tim Curry is in there. You really don't have this yet?
Alert! C&C Red Alert 3 demo now on XBLM
Available for download off the Xbox Live Marketplace is a fresh and alert Command & Conquer Red Alert 3 demo. The 1.5GB demo download can be grabbed in all Xbox Live regions and (from what we gather from the demo description) features single and Live multiplayer play. Also according to the Red Alert 3 demo description, the game comes complete with "War Bears" and "psychedelic Japanese schoolgirls" ... no, really. That's what it says.[Via Major Nelson]
The Best of Big Download: November 3-9
Are you already decorating for Christmas? If so take a break from the tree and check out our highlights at Big Download for the past week:Exclusive Features Reviews: We review Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3 and American McGee's Grimm: The Singing Bone plus the Dead Space Downfall animated DVD. We also have some impressions of the Left 4 Dead PC demo. Interviews: We chat with the dev teams behind Demigod, Theatre of War II and Death Track: Resurrection. PC Game Character for President: We have a new person in the White House, but what would it be like if some of of the most famous PC characters ran for President of the US? Beyond Left 4 Dead: Zombies in PC Games: We take a look at a ton of undead characters in our favorite PC game titles. Mac Monday: Our weekly look at Mac games takes a gander at the kid title Majestic Forest MODmonday: Our mod feature this week looks at the graphical revamp King's Quest VGA. Independent Minds: Our weekly look at the indie game industry takes a look at overly-ambitious game designs Big Ideas: Our weekly column on themes in the industry looks at how the PC game audience could be bigger than it is. Freeware Friday: Our weekly free games column is about the recently released ad-supported free version of The Suffering. Virtual Bargain Bin: Our weekly cheap game column takes a look at the Valve Complete Pack collection on Steam. BigCast: It's the latest installment of the best PC game podcast out there (well, we think so anyway).
Red Alert 3 still coming to PS3, but not this year
It seems the folks at EA have slapped on some shades and a gratuitous amount of SPF 15+ lotion in an attempt to brave the "exotic and tough" development climate of the PlayStation 3. Red Alert 3 producer David Silverman told VideoGamer that the alternate history, real-time strategy romp is back in development for Sony's system, after having been placed on hold in July. Silverman assures that there are "definitely people working" on it (sea otters just weren't getting the job done) and that the PS3 version would benefit from the "the high-defness of Blu-Ray." Though his other comments seemed to imply a release as soon as December, EA confirmed to Eurogamer that there "are no plans for a PS3 release of Red Alert 3 anytime before Christmas." As for when exactly armchair generals can join Tim Curry, J.K. Simmons and the gang ... time will tell. Sooner or later, time will tell.Source -- 'EA: PS3 Red Alert back on'Source -- 'No Red Alert 3 PS3 this year'
Red Alert 3 back on PS3, with 1080p and other 'really cool' PS3 features
While the system may deserve the "DelayStation" moniker that many give it, delays have had some genuinely good effects on games arriving on the challenging PS3. For example, Oblivion arrived on PS3 with extra content, and better stability. BioShock made the transition to PS3 with added content and exclusive DLC. Eternal Sonata also received additional content. The upcoming Alone in the Dark features an extra chapter and bonus PS3-exclusive features like "controls." The list goes on and on.Red Alert 3 is now completed for Xbox 360 and PC. With these two projects out of the way, EA can now focus on a PS3 version, according to Videogamer.com. "If you're a PS3 owner and you don't own a PC and you don't have an Xbox 360 you don't have to write on your Christmas or Hanukkah list that you want to have an Xbox," David Silvermann said. "You can play Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3, bide your time and you'll be very pleased. We're looking at doing some really cool things with the PS3 version. Since it is shipping later we're putting in a lot of cool content and really taking advantage of both the 1080p nature and the high-defness of Blu-Ray and also the fact that it can hold just so much more space."It sounds like PS3 owners will get added content if they're truly taking advantage of Blu-ray. But let's hope that the devs at EA don't forget an oft-forgotten PS3 feature: the ability to plug in a mouse and keyboard.[Thanks, Kspraydad!]
The Best of Big Download: October 27-November 2
We've had another busy (and sometimes scary) week here at Big Download. If you want our highlights, you won't be disappointed:Exclusive Features Reviews: We have our final word on Fallout 3, Dead Space, Strong Bad Episode 3, and American McGee's Grimm: The Master Thief. We also have some first impressions of Atlantica Online. Interviews: We have multi-page chats with the creators of Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3, Defense Grid, and Natural Selection 2. Video Games Made Me Do It: We take a look at some of the most disgusting things that have happened in game. Scary Games For Free: Want to be scared and not pay for it? Check out our list of free game demos and full games that will frighten you. Video Game Cosplay Gallery: We've completed our Halloween themed gallery feature with lots of real people in real cool video game themed outfits. BigVersus: Our comparison column returns looking at the differences between the PC and Wii versions of World of Goo. Mac Monday: Our weekly look at Mac games takes a gander at Mystery Case Files: Ravenhearst MODmonday: Our weekly look at mods is all about Duke Nukem 3D and how you can improve its graphics by installing the High Resolution Pack. Boot Disk: Our look back at classic PC games of the past is also about Duke Nukem 3D. Big Ideas: Which is better for games: sci-fi or fantasy? We give some thoughts on the subject Big Iron: Our weekly hardware feature looks at how your PC rig can "go green" Freeware Friday: Our look at free PC games this week is on the browser game Jetpack Brontosaurus BigCast: It's our weekly podcast with team members debating several points about out industry. Contests: You have a few more hours to enter our Command and Conquer 3: Red Alert 3 game giveaway and you still have time to enter our Far Cry 2 giveaway and our Freaky Creatures Beta contest.
EA details fixes for Red Alert 3's broken serial keys
EA ran into two separate, yet equally important, serial key problems with the release of Red Alert 3. The first issue was that the serial key pinged back as being "invalid," while the other involved a missing digit in the 20-digit code. Here are the solutions from the EA site: Invalid key issue: EA says the issue should be resolved by now. It involved a "small amount" of keys not being pre-loaded to the company's "backend." Coincidentally, the same place where customers probably felt like they were kicked. Manual has 19 digits instead of 20: Either click here to contact customer service, or resolve the issue by trial and error. The only thing missing is the last digit, which is either "a number from 0 - 9 or a letter from A - Z." That leaves only 36 possibilities. EA apologizes for the inconvenience. In Soviet Russia, inconvenience apologizes to EA![Thanks, Nut Man]
The Best of Big Download: October 20-27
What a week. We started with the long awaited BioWare Star Wars MMO announcement, then had the official word on E3 2009 getting big again and ended the week with friggin' NAZI ZOMBIES!. You can't get much better than that.Exclusive features Previews: We got an invite to the big Star Wars: The Old Republic press event and have a full report on what may be the next big MMO game. Reviews: We have the final verdict on the PC version of Brothers In Arms: Hell's Highway. Interviews: We have interviews with the dev teams behind Call of Duty: World at War, Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir, Battlefield Heroes and Wanted: Weapons of Fate, plus a chat with MMO dev Turbine on their future expansion plans. E3 Booth Model Retrospective: We look back at over 10 years of E3 booth models in this gallery feature Celebs take over Red Alert 3: So what famous actors and MMA fighters are in the cut scenes in the upcoming RTS game? This gallery feature has the answer. Mac Monday: Our look at Mac games takes a look at the special edition of Hollow Ground. MODMonday: This week our mod column takes a look at the Doomsday Engine which puts some new features in old Doom engine games. Indie Showcase: Our indie games column this week takes a look at four game titles you may want to check out. Boot Disk: Our look at classic PC games is for a true classic title, Doom Big Ideas: Our weekly column about game industry themes looks at the coming of the mature gamer. Freeware Friday: Our look at free games is all about the online multiplayer shooter Continuum Virtual Bargain Bin: Want a cheap game to play? This week our column picks the action-RPG Sacred Gold. BigCast: It's our regular weekly podcast on all things PC gaming. Contests: You like free games? We have three copies of Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3 we are giving away to some lucky readers.
Red Alert 3 trailer showcases actors, kinda sorta
There are a few things that are wrong about the trailer you just watched, if you haven't watched it yet we'll wait. The montage of female actors taking on roles in Red Alert 3 is criminally short with a disclaimer that players can witness more by purchasing the special edition of the game. Now, we're not saying it's criminally short because we just want to look at beautiful women but can these actors get a name card?Quick blurry images of female actors and not one mentions them by name but the male actor portion of the video is complete with multiple shots of each actor, their credits and spends so much time showing off one actor we could have read their biography if included. We know Electronic Arts wants to hype up the anticipated sequel and the Collector's Edition but let's use a little tact, shall we? We're not mad though because George Takei is one sexy beast of a man.
Don't be bear naked in Warhammer Online; preorder Red Alert 3!
You can put down that syringe full of bear hormones – EA's got a much easier (and more affordable!) way of transforming yourself into that most noble of Mother Nature's creatures: simply don Korssar's Helm. You see, the "magical Kislevite helm is imbued with the spirit of the wild North and will magically transform the wearer into a ferocious bear."There are some caveats however: your ability to live your life as a bear will be limited to the virtual confines of EA Mythic's Warhammer Online MMO (a deal breaker for some, to be sure) and those willing to confine their bearness to WAR will still need to preorder Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 on PC to access the magical helm. Preorder cross-promotion? Clever move, EA. Great to see publishers further incentivizing preorders ... but we're sure there's at least a handful of WAR-heads eager to play as a bear (a bear!) but uninterested in picking up Red Alert 3. In other words: don't throw away those bear hormones just yet.
Download Red Alert for free (also legally)
Apparently convinced that it can no longer make loads of cash from a 13-year-old PC game, publisher EA has combined motivated marketing with measured magnanimity and released real-time strategy classic Command & Conquer: Red Alert for free. Where? Right at the bottom of this Red Alert 3 promotional page, which also dangles a free copy of Red Alert 2 in front of your nose. To get it, all you need to do is pre-order the game's third, deliciously cheesy installment.And hey, if you're not sure what all this Conquer and Command stuff is, now's as good a time as any to shake Hitler by the hand and irrevocably wreck the timeline. [Thanks, WiNG]
GC 2008: Red Alert 3 cast not likely to be taken seriously
The thing about camp, i.e. the utter failure of seriousness, is that it's often difficult to judge whether it's intentional or not. The live-action cutscenes populating EA's (and Westwood's before that) Command & Conquer games have always had an aura of sincere goofiness about them, the source of which can be traced to somewhat respected actors playing all-too-silly roles all too seriously. But is this done on purpose, or did the director read about "tongue-in-cheek storytelling" in a review somewhere and just decide to go with that? Either way, we're more than happy to see EA unveil a "star studded" cast (complete list after the break) for Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3, which includes George Takei, Tim Curry and J.K. Simmons, who plays the "anti-communist U.S. President." Simmons, who doesn't give a wooden nickel about your legacy, thinks video games "are one of the new frontiers for actors" and thought of the role as a "great opportunity for a character actor like me to have some fun." Also allowed to open her mouth in the press release: Jenny McCarthy, who plays Allied commando Tanya. "What I realized is Red Alert 3 is not just a video game, it's absolutely an interactive movie. This is where the people at home get to move the story forward, and where seeing the plot thicken is a reward for a job well done." In case you weren't aware, "that's really cool."Red Alert 3 is out on Xbox 360 and PC this fall in both regular and Premier editions.
British model Gemma Atkinson to suit up for Red Alert 3
When PS3 owners are left out of EA's Red Alert 3, they won't just be left wanting for the game's exotically tough real-time strategy. They'll also miss out on the video game acting debut of English actress/model/singer Gemma Atkinson, who will exchange her flimsy lingerie for something a little more formal as Allied communications officer Lt. Eva McKenna. EA's PR machine tells us that Atkinson is best recognized for her work on the British soap Hollyoaks, as well as one of the region's most recognized models, though to be fair we're just going to have to take their word for it. The company also notes that she'll be on hand at the UK's M Festival gaming event this Friday, just make sure that when she talks you look into her eyes, and not upon her huge ... tracts of land.
Red Alert 3 skipping PS3 due to 'exotic and tough' development
Apparently, developing games for the PlayStation 3 is roughly comparable to that one time we pushed a wheelbarrow full of lovely, scantily clad ladies up and down the beach -- "exotic and tough." Speaking to VideoGamer.com, EALA producer Amer Ajami used those words to elaborate on the decision to halt PS3 development of the Hitler-free real-time strategy romp, Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3. "We actually announced a PS3 version early on but that was when we were still doing a lot of technical exploration of the architecture," explained Ajami. "PS3 is a very powerful system but as you guys know it's very exotic and tough to develop for and our engine really at the time wasn't designed for PS3." Couch commanders need not give up all hope, though, as Ajami notes EA "might go back and do something with the PS3 later on." Also just like that time we pushed a wheelbarrow full of lovely, scantily clad ladies up and down the beach.**We went back to apologize. Gallery: Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3
