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Aion is the single most pre-ordered MMO this year
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/pc_games/Aion_is_the_single_most_pre_ordered_MMO_this_year'; In a piece of news that we're betting surprises precisely nobody at all, Aion has just broken the 400,000 pre-order mark. What's notable about this number is that it's enough to make Aion the largest number of pre-orders on an MMO for 2009. As Aion is also holding strong in the Steam and Direct2Drive sales charts, we wonder how many more we'll see added to that number before the official launch next Tuesday. With highly polished graphics, over two million words of quest text, and a series of tweaks to make Aion more Western-friendly, NCsoft seems to have finally hit the right stride with Western MMO gamers. That said, as we've learned from all the other games that have come before it, the real numbers that count are the retention numbers after the initial launch. Whether or not Aion is the goose that lays the golden egg - at least in terms of the Western markets - we'll have to wait and see.
Celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day with free and cheap Monkey Island games
Telltale Games and LucasArts are observing the September 19 not-quite-holiday Talk Like a Pirate Day in fine form. What do pirates talk about? All the games they got without paying, of course! On that great day, you'll be able to unlock the demo of the first episode of Tales of Monkey Island by gathering a code from the company's website. You'll also be able to get the full season for five bucks off. You can grab that demo now straight from Big Download so you're good and ready. LucasArts is also dropping the price of the Secret of Monkey Island Special Edition on Steam and Direct2Drive to $5, as well as cutting down the iPhone version's price to $4. That offer is available right now through September 21. With savings like that, you'll be able to afford your own parrot! [Via Big Download]
Direct2Drive's $5 deals on BioShock, Dark Athena, Pirates, many more
Outdoing its own sale from a couple months back, Direct2Drive is having a massive sale on many great PC titles for a mere $5 each. Today marks the beginning of Week Two which, as promised at the outset of this promotion, would be all about "action games." Many of last week's titles are still available, but that's old news. There's a fresh batch of ten titles, handily listed for you after the break. Keep your eye out for newer titles like Saints Row 2, Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena and BioShock which, at $5 each, are steals. The bargains are part of Direct2Drive's five-year anniversary, which will offer a plethora of $5 deals for another four weeks. Next week features RPG/MMO titles, followed by indies and, finally, war games.
Direct2Drive celebrates 5-year anniversary with 50 games for $5 each
Over the next five weeks, Direct2Drive is offering a special discount on a host of different titles in celebration of its five-year anniversary. Every Monday, Direct2Drive will feature a new set of titles, reducing them to $5 (or £5 UK), with the first week of the promotion focusing on "Ubisoft and Strategy titles." While the upcoming week's titles have yet to be revealed, Direct2Drive has teased us with utterly vague descriptions of what to expect: Week Two: Action Games Week Three: RPGs & MMOs Week Four: Indie Games Week Five: War Games The first week of the promotion ends on September 14. Games differ slightly based on your geographical region -- for instance, Ubisoft is strangely omitted from the European promotion. Check out a full list of this week's games for both regions after the break.
PAX 2009: BioWare offers Star Wars: The Old Republic fans discount on KOTOR
We're all about MMOs at Massively (shocker), but once in a while something from our RPG past resurfaces and captures our attention again. Clearly we've got a number of Star Wars fans among our readers looking at how many people are following our Star Wars: The Old Republic coverage, and for many gamers the original Knights of the Old Republic (circa 2003) was a memorable experience. BioWare announced at PAX 2009 that they're handing out $10 doses of nostalgia by offering KOTOR downloads for PC through both Direct2Drive and Steam. Getting back to the MMO angle, there's another 25% off of that for Star Wars: The Old Republic community members who download the game from Direct2Drive. Sure, PAX attendees get their KOTOR downloads for free -- damn you, Kyle Horner! -- but seriously, it's only $10 to begin with. If you missed Knights of the Old Republic the first time around, this is as good a time as any to catch up. Check out the announcement over on the official SWTOR site and create your account before September 15th if you're really adamant about saving a few bucks.
Star Wars: KOTOR on Steam, Direct2Drive now - free for PAX panel attendees
At this afternoon's Star Wars: The Old Republic panel at PAX, attendees were given a special treat: knowledge that LucasArts continues to expand its digital offerings, bringing the BioWare-developed classic (and precursor to SW:TOR) Knights of the Old Republic to both Steam and Direct2Drive for $10 ... starting today. KOTOR joins a digital lineup of LucasArts adventure game classics, as well as some more recent fare like Republic Commando. Still missing: X-Wing, TIE Fighter, X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter, and X-Wing and TIE Fighter Meet Frankenstein. We suppose the free Steam download code they Oprah'd away ("You get a code! And you get a code!") could be considered a treat by some; however, we've already given ours away on Twitter (@joystiq) convincing ourselves that sharing the knowledge is a far greater treat. Right? [Note to PAX attendees: There's a repeat of today's panel tomorrow morning at 11am; even money is on Lucas repeating this code-away there. That's from us to you. Off the record, on the QT, and very hush-hush.]
Direct2Drive Champions Online buyers get an exclusive contest
Did you pre-order Champions Online from Direct2Drive, or did you purchase the game? Well, if you did, you might want to keep a special eye on your inbox, as one lucky buyer will be getting a lifetime subscription to the game.Everyone who pre-ordered and everyone who picks up the game between now and September 7th will be entered to win a lifetime subscription. While only one person will grab the grand prize, five others will be grabbing themselves the six month subscription package, which certainly isn't anything to scoff at. The subscription packages will also contain the special items as well, including the retro future costume set, the art deco costume set, the Foxbat action figure pet, the mirror universe uniform for Star Trek Online, and, of course, STO beta access.For more information on the whole contest, check out D2D's information page.
Fallen Earth's special pre-order ATV goes vroom vroom
Remember when we mentioned that if you pre-order Fallen Earth over at Direct2Drive that you would get a special horsey known as the Wasteland Runner? Yes, of course you remember, because we just gave you the link to the story so you would remember.But, apparently, there's a second pre-order gift in town now. A gift that goes by the title of the Fallen Earth ATV. Pre-ordering the game straight from the developer will get you this nifty vehicle that comes with more hitpoints, a larger gas tank, better fuel efficiency, more storage, and a special Fallen Earth paint job. Plus, you get the ability to tell anyone you kill that they can "stick it in your tailpipe and smoke it." Horse riders just don't get that social ability.So, if you're pre-ordering Fallen Earth, it looks like you have a decision to make. Horse or ATV? It's up to you!
Fallen Earth beats out Aion in D2D sales last week
While most other MMO news sites are pointing out the fact that Champions Online has taken the #1 spot in Direct2Drive pre-order sales, and Aion's Collector's Edition is in 3rd place, we couldn't help but notice that Fallen Earth's pre-order sales seem to fit snugly right in the middle at the #2 spot. In addition to this, Aion's Collector's Edition also secured the #2 spot for total Steam sales last week, which is quite an achievement when you consider what it was up against. So we would like to congratulate the indie Fallen Earth team on the chance to shine among the big boys, and the Aion team for showing other gamers that MMOs are alive and well. Now is the part where you tell us all about the horrible experiences you've had with Direct2Drive and/or Steam. Ready, go!
Cities XL launching in North America on Oct. 9th
This year's October seems like a busy month for gaming, and if you're into city building games it just got a little more crowded. Monte Cristo Multimedia has announced that Cities XL will be released in North America on October 9th and that it will come in two formats. You can either get it through a digital download or by mail order in case you prefer a boxed copy, and shipping is free. Both options will be available through the official website, but it's also possible to get the digital version from Steam, Direct2Drive, Trygames, Impulse Driven and Gametap.We're sure plenty of you are excited to hear this news, or at least the small legion of you who've been building (or have wanted to be building) massive cities for the past several months.
Fallen Earth moves into open beta on August 17th
Yes, that's right, the apocalypse opens up its doors to all on August 17th. If you're really eager for the apocalypse, however, then we suggest you hurry on over to Fileplanet and sign up for an account, as they're going to be the ones handing out access to Fallen Earth. Fileplanet will be making the Fallen Earth beta accessible for download on Friday, August 14th, for all of you who want to get that download rolling early.If you're really excited for Fallen Earth's launch on September 9th, then you can also hop over to Direct2Drive and grab yourself a pre-order of the game. Pre-orders not only get guaranteed access to the beta, but they also get the exclusive in-game mount, the Wasteland Runner. The special mount has four more points of defensive skills, 2500 extra stamina, and six more pack slots over other horses.Even more importantly, pre-order customers will be getting a five day head start in the game. Yes, that's right, five days! This means the pre-order customers will be jumping into the game on September 4th, while everyone else will get to experience the Grand Canyon on the 9th.
Direct2Drive's Best of Indie bundle is a great deal
If you've yet to take that first trepidatious step out of the mainstream and into the world of indie gaming, Direct2Drive's got a great starter kit for you. For just $17.75, you can pick up five indie gems that would have normally run you around $78.Though we're not intimately acquainted with Cogs, Democracy 2 or Defense Grid, we think Zeno Clash is worth $18 on its own, not to mention the singular experience of The Path. Yes, that's the same The Path that we described as like getting punched by a centaur. Are you honestly saying you wouldn't want to try that?
Champions Online open beta starts August 18 [update]
[Update: Cryptic Studios has clarified that the open beta for Champions Online will be open to everyone who pre-orders the game, not just those who do so through Direct2Drive. Also, subscribers to FilePlanet will be able to download the game client ahead of the official launch, and have an opportunity to snag one of 50,000 beta keys that will be offered by the site.]Sure, it's an exciting headline if you've been jonesing to join legions of other adults as they pretend to have super powers, but it does come attached to a couple of caveats. For one, the Champions Online beta will only be running until August 26, scarcely enough time to get our tights broken in.Also, you won't be able to get entrance to the beta unless you pre-order the game through IGN's Direct2Drive service beginning on August 5. Maybe that's not a problem for you, but if that's a deal breaker (ladies), you'll be sitting on your latex-gloved thumbs until the game launches for real on September 1.
LucasArts games also going Direct2Drive starting with Monkey Island SE
If, for some reason, you should find yourself in need of an alternative to Steam but don't want to miss out on LucasArts's recent reissuing of back catalog titles, you're in luck. IGN has sealed a deal to distribute the publisher's titles via its Direct2Drive service, beginning today with The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition for $9.95. Unfortunately, the announcement makes no mention of what other LucasArts games will be offered, saying only that there will be others. At some point. We've contacted IGN to find out if its lineup will mirror Steam's, or if there'll be any notable additions (or omissions).
Direct2Drive hosting huge 2K Games half off sale
Digital distribution retailer Direct2Drive is playing host to a pretty sweet deal for those who've been hesitant to pick up 2K's PC gaming offerings for reasons financial. D2D is offering a huge selection of their 2K Games catalog for half off until May 31. For just $9.95, you can nab Bioshock, Civilization IV, Serious Sam Gold, Prey and a few others -- or, for just $7.50, you can pick up the entire five-game X-Com series. That's $1.50 per game. If that doesn't blow your mind, you should really consider getting your frugality receptors examined.[Via Big Download]
The Direct2Drive Top 10: Week of February 27
Everyone loves the NPDs, but sales data for digital distribution channels has been much, much harder to come by. That's why we're happy to bring you the top 10 sales chart for the Direct2Drive service. As you can see in the chart after the jump, new kid on the block Dawn of War II was at the top of the pile, but Galactrix is putting up a fight in the number 2 position. See, we think this stuff is interesting, but we want to make sure you do too. Is this the sort of thing you guys and gals would want to see every week? Let us know in the comments.
FEAR 2: Project Origin going digital over Steam, Direct2Drive
Alma just won't be contained in a box. Warner Bros. sent word that the recently renamed F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin will be released over both Valve's Steam and IGN's Direct2Drive digital distribution services on February 10, 2009. If that date sounds familiar, it's the same day the survival horror FPS will scare up PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 retail shelves as well. Just think, now you won't even have to leave your house to get creeped out by Monolith's spooky little girl. [Via press release]
FFXI goes boxless
Square/Enix has taken another step towards the all-digital age, with their decision to go boxless with Final Fantasy XI sales. Downloads of the title and its expansions are now offered through Direct2Drive, already well-known for bringing a number of PC titles to gamers, eliminating trips to the store to pick up installation discs. Or dealing with rainchecks. Whether the download is actually faster than driving to the local GameStop is debatable, but that's beside the point. Digital distribution of Final Fantasy XI puts the title in the club with EVE Online as well as the many Sony Online Entertainment titles which are distributed without boxes, and on demand. Direct2Drive is offering Final Fantasy XI and the expansions at $19.95 each; game manuals are available for download as well. Via 1UP
Rockstar distributing through IGN's Direct2Drive
Rockstar's collection of PC games has gone digital distribution, but they're not going the Steam route. Three Grand Theft Autos, two Max Paynes, a Midnight Club sequel and Manhunt are now available via IGN's Direct2Drive service. The games are $9.95 apiece except for San Andreas and, inexplicably, the original Manhunt, which go for $19.95. Two sets are available, the Grand Theft Auto collection for $29.95 ($39.85 if all bought separately separately) and the entire Rockstar collection for $59.95 ($89.65 separately). The best part? Digital distribution downloads immediately, no waiting in the pre-holiday traffic. Last-minute Christmas gifts just got more controversial.[Via Gamasutra]
BioShock gets Steamed, also heading Direct2Drive
If you need to play BioShock at the absolute earliest time possible and have exhausted your other options (e.g. Toys 'R' Us, Joystiq, X3F), both Valve's Steam and IGN's Direct2Drive service are offering pre-sales for downloading the anticipated title.Although Direct2Drive is offering a $5 coupon to be used on a later purchase, they also write that you will be able "download and play BioShock on approximately August 21." If the word "approximately" scares you, Steam lays out their plan more directly: "pre-load now, purchase when ready, play as soon as the game is available."European gamers can pre-order BioShock via Direct2Drive here, due out "approximately August 24."Pre-order from SteamPre-order from Direct2Drive%Gallery-3725%
