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Just when you thought it was safe: Missing Aliens games back on Steam
It's like that bit at the end of Alien. You're finally able to relax in the knowledge that it's all over, you're safe. You give Jones a hug, put him in the cryotube, get undressed down to your skimpy underthings, all ready to chill. Then suddenly... OH CRAP. You aren't safe. You never were. You thought you'd escaped, but Aliens: Colonial Marines and Aliens vs. Predator 2010 are... Still. On. Steam. And you're in nothing but your undergarbs. The two Aliens games mysteriously left the Steam station last week, but now they've returned with just as little explanation. The new year timing suggests licensing issues played their part, but there's not been any official comment on the matter - we've reached out to publisher Sega to find out more. In any case, the important thing is they're back, everything appears to be in order, and you should probably get some clothes on. Update: Sega had no comment for Joystiq, perhaps lest the Aliens hear it. [Image: Sega]
Aliens: Colonial Marines, AvP (2010) vacate Steam's air ducts
The age of digital distribution brings with it many joys: sales are frequent, there's less clutter around the home, and no more blowing into cartridges. Unfortunately, it also brings unique disadvantages, such as games suddenly disappearing from digital marketplaces. Such is the tale of Aliens: Colonial Marines and Alien Vs. Predator (the 2010 version) on Steam. It's likely that the games being removed from Steam is due to a licensing issue, considering that the games (which utilize properties owned by 20th Century Fox) were available right up until 2015 started. However, it's interesting to note that Aliens: Colonial Marines is still available as a digital purchase on both PSN and the Xbox Marketplace, while AvP is available not on the former, but the latter. Alien: Isolation is still available on all fronts, and the original version of Aliens Vs. Predator from 2000 is also still up for grabs on Steam. We've reached out to publisher Sega for more information, and will update if we hear back. In the meantime, stay frosty. [Image: Sega]
Free Aliens vs. Predator Classic 2000 on GOG now, not a sweet music festival
"Hello, Internet!" screams Good Old Games as it steps to the mic. "Are you ready to rock?!" Guitars squall, a banner covered with snarling beasts drops from the background, and fireworks erupt from the back of the stage: It's Alien vs. Predator Classic 2000 time. The 2010 remake of Rebellion's seminal sci-fi shooter is absolutely free for 48 hours on GOG.com. Getting your hands on the game for free requires light maneuvering. Anyone who signs up to test the GOG Galaxy beta before Friday, October 17, at 9:59AM GMT will receive an e-mail with an activation code after a few days. Help GOG do some testing of its multiplayer servers, get a much-loved old game gratis. Aliens vs. Predator Classic 2000 isn't exactly the game Rebellion released all the way back in 1999. It's actually 2010 remaster that optimized the original game for modern PCs, bundled in additional material from its Millennium expansion and Gold Edition, all with Xbox 360 controller support thrown on top. [Images: 20th Century Fox]
Sins of a Solar Empire dev discusses 'Rebellion' lawsuit
Following two years of legal battles, Ironclad Studios has been granted the right to use the word "Rebellion" in the title of its latest space exploration epic, a decision it hopes will set a precedent for the increasingly litigious gaming industry. "Rebellion Developments [developer of Alien vs Predator] and its founders (Chris and Jason Kingsley) have aggressively opposed or petitioned to cancel trademarks containing the word 'Rebellion' and have been very successful in preventing third party use of the word 'Rebellion' in conjunction with video-games in the U.S. and Europe," Ironclad stated in a recent blog entry. In court, Rebellion attempted to argue that the title Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion was an attempt by Ironclad to trade on Rebellion's success as a developer, but Judge Victoria Roberts saw things differently. "...Defendants' use of REBELLION is expressive speech and is protected under the First Amendment," Roberts stated in her judgement. "Plaintiffs cannot satisfy the Rogers test; they cannot establish that REBELLION has no artistic relevance to Defendants' computer game, or that it is explicitly misleading as to source or content. Defendants' Motion to Dismiss is GRANTED." Though this is good news, Ironclad isn't out of the woods just yet. The studio recently learned that Rebellion has filed to oppose Ironclad's trademark in Canada, and there have been "unconfirmed reports that [Rebellion] issued a cease and desist order to our partner in the United Kingdom." [Image: Stardock]
Sega's Fourth of July sale includes iOS, Android, PSN and XBLA savings
If we've learned anything from the world of digitally distributed video games, its that virtually any American holiday is a good excuse for a sale. Not that we're complaining, mind you, we're as into the idea of a discount as we are blowing up a good chunk of our back yard once a year.Sega's contribution to the festivities comes in the form of discounted iOS, Android, XBLA and PSN titles, including House of the Dead III and various mobile Monkey Balls. The full list of deals can be found after the break and, while some last longer than others, you should be fine so long as you make your purchase on the fourth itself.
Aliens vs. Predator is $5 on Steam until Thursday
This week's Steam sale is Aliens vs. Predator, Rebellion's "critical success," on sale for $5 (75 percent off) until Thursday at 7pm ET. It may not have been the most well-received game by critics, but for $5, you can make up your own mind. Figuring things out for ourselves is truly the only freedom anyone has, after all. Additionally, both DLC offerings for the game -- the Bughunt and Swarm packs -- are also discounted by 75 percent, down to $1.87 apiece.
AvP, Modern Warfare 2 on XBL Games on Demand, Bayonetta next week
Let's just start this post by advising readers not to purchase Modern Warfare 2 via Xbox Live Games on Demand. The game was just added to the service and currently commands a price of $60. Please, if you must purchase Modern Warfare 2, buy it elsewhere -- like, literally anywhere else. You'll save some money. Now, with that out of the way, two other games are now available on demand, namely Aliens vs. Predator and Rapala Tournament Fishing. The former will set you back $30 while the latter can be reeled in for $20. Finally, Sega has also announced that Bayonetta will strut her way onto XBL Games on Demand next week for an undetermined price. We're going to guess it's lower than $60.
AvP game engine Asura 'fully functional' on NGP
Go ahead and add Aliens vs. Predator to the list of console games that are possible on Sony's next-generation portable. Rebellion has a "fully functional" version of its Asura game engine ready -- and ready to be licensed -- for NGP game development, reports CVG. According to MobyGames, Rebellion has used the engine since 2003's Judge Dredd: Dredd Vs. Death, with the most recent incarnation powering last year's multiplatform FPS AvP. The studio says it has an Asura-based, multiplayer third-person shooter demo running on NGP. "We'll be attending DICE [this week] and GDC to show what we have created and look for business partners," pitched CEO Jason Kingsley. "The technology, design and art teams have worked incredibly well with Sony's newest device," boasted Kingsley. "We have managed to make our engine fully functional and looking great on the hardware in double quick time." Okay -- but does the frame rate hold up in triple time?
Sega scraps plans for Aliens vs. Predator support on consoles
According to a post on the game's forum by a Sega community manager, plans for future patches for Aliens vs. Predator have been inexplicably canceled. In said post, the Sega representative (posting under the username Clumsyorchid) laments, "I apologize, as I know there are many features and updates that you'd like to see. I'll keep fighting internally for this to happen, but until I hear otherwise, there will not be a console patch for either Xbox or PS3." This decision has understandably upset the AvP-playing community, who has begun to rally support for the game on various fan sites and forums. We've contacted Sega to find out why future support has apparently been pulled from the title -- and why this decision was made just one week after the game received a fairly sizable DLC map pack.
Aliens vs. Predator gets Bughunt Map Pack DLC July 7
The problem with the struggle between the Aliens and Predators is that both are pretty equally matched: Predators have a lot of technology and stand about 200 feet tall (give or take a couple hundred feet), while Aliens have greater numbers and acidic blood that could eat through a truckload of fruitcake in milliseconds. Humans have -- uh, actually, we just have soft, fertile bodies and aesthetically-pleasing skull shapes. Talk about your bum deals, right? But for those who like to roleplay as one of the aforementioned extraterrestrial species, know that Sega is deploying some DLC for Aliens vs. Predator in the form of the Bughunt Map Pack. Available on July 7, the DLC adds 4 brand new maps: two for Deathmatch, Predator Hunt, Infestation, Species Deathmatch, Mixed Species Deathmatch and Domination, and two for the game's Survival mode -- each featuring new environmental hazards and weather effects. The new maps are called "Crash Site," "Furious," "Tempest" and "Monument" Look for the Bughunt Map Pack on July 7 on PSN, Xbox Live and Steam for $6.99 (560 Microsoft points). If you're looking for something a bit more on the free side, then check out the stills in our gallery below and click past the break for a teaser trailer. %Gallery-96657%
AMD Fusion APU gets its first public demo at Computex (video)
Hey, what do you know -- the Fusion lives! AMD's CPU / GPU hybrid, which sounded so revolutionary back when it was first thought up, has finally shown off its Accelerated Processing grunt by chewing through a section of Aliens vs Predator live on stage at Computex. We can't say we were exactly bowled over by the performance -- the demo was just a leisurely walk through some leafy terrain, yet still seemed to dip below 30 frames a second at a few points, showing that the APU wasn't all that comfortable handling the DirectX 11 tasks that were put upon it. This chip is targeted at ultraportables, however, and that's a crowd with distinctly lower standards than your usual desktop gamer, so maybe there's a future for this 2011-bound slice of silicon after all. We've got video of the full AMD presentation after the break -- you'll want to skip ahead 59 minutes to see the AVP runthrough. %Gallery-94148%
Grab every Sega game on Steam for $90
If you're a supporter of all of Sega's ludological offerings -- not just the ones that include attitude-infused blue rodents -- you'll want to check out the Sega Complete Pack on Steam. For $90, you can grab all of Sega's PC games currently available on the platform; a list that includes Empire: Total War (and all its expansions), Space Siege, The Club, Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, Aliens vs. Predator and a whole lot more. (Sorry Mac users, but almost all of these games are still only available to the Windows crowd.) If you're looking for something a bit more cost-efficient, Steam is also offering Aliens vs. Predator alone at half price, for $24.99. But why not chip in the extra $65 and pick up more Total War games than you could ever play in a single lifetime? That seems like a sound economic decision to us.
Mario, Sonic, and Profits in Sega's fiscal 2010
Despite recent troubles in the North American and European branches, Sega overall had a good fiscal 2010, which ended March 31, financially speaking. The company as a whole saw its operating income rise to ¥36.7 billion ($397 million), a huge increase over fiscal 2009's operating income of 8.3 billion ($89.8 million). Operating income refers to profits minus expenses incurred in running the company -- in case you wondered why we picked up on that random statistic. The consumer games division made ¥6.3 billion ($68.2 million) in operating income, returning to profitability despite a year-over-year drop of 7.5%. The profits in this division were driven by ridiculously strong sales of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (6.53 million copies!), as well as million-plus sellers Aliens vs. Predator (1.69 million), Bayonetta (1.35 million), and Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing (1.07 million). Source [PDF] - Appendix of Consolidated Financial Statements Year Ended March 31, 2010 [Via Andriasang]
Final Fantasy XIII, Bayonetta, Modern Warfare 2, more for $30 each at Kmart
Kmart isn't a name we turn to often for game deals, but the retailer has made a pretty strong case for our continued attention, with a bunch of limited-time deals that are, frankly, a little ridiculous. How about paying for just the good half of Final Fantasy XIII? At $30, that's essentially what Kmart is offering. Time-release RPGs not for you? How about Bayonetta, Metro 2033, or Modern Warfare 2 for $30 each? Even Nier's been marked down to $44.99, though that game is ridiculous on its own merits. These deals are only available through May 10, and can be found both online and in-store. See the full list of weekly discounts after the break. [Via Slickdeals]
Sega expects profits in fiscal Q4 2010 forecast
Sega recently posted quite the surprise for its investors: a revised earnings forecast. In an interesting turn of events, Sega has foregone the doom and gloom of having to admit it will likely earn less money during its Q4 2010 forecast -- the period between December 2009 and March 2010 -- for something a bit more on the cheery side: profits! First, Sega estimates net sales of ¥380 billion ($4.08 billion), a 9.5 percent decline from its previous estimate of ¥420 billion ($4.51 billion) -- wait, we thought we had good news in here? Aha! Here it is: net income. Sega previously forecast net income of ¥15 billion ($161 million), but has now adjusted that to ¥18 billion ($193 million). This spontaneous spike in cash money is attributed to "improved profit margins in the pachislot and pachinko machine business and amusement machine business." We imagine sales of Bayonetta and Aliens vs Predator also helped. And in case you're wondering what the difference between net sales and net income is: Net sales accounts for the total profits a company makes based on the products it sells, while net income takes into account net sales and other operating costs, such as licensing fees and taxes. [Via GameSpot]
Aliens vs. Predator in PlayStation Home dance-off
It's time for another PlayStation Home dance-off! Unlike the original Hamsters vs. Humans dance-off, this one is a community-driven event, powered by passionate fans of Sony's online service. To participate in the least violent conflict between these two species, you'll want to log on to Home's Central Plaza this Wednesday, April 7 at 9:00 p.m. EDT (6:00 p.m. PDT). Anyone else suddenly reminded of the tagline to the AVP movie? [Via @SonyPlayStation]
Sega: we can 'sequel-ise' Bayonetta, AvP, Alpha Protocol
In a recent interview with CVG, Sega West president Mike Hayes spoke briefly on the future of the company's portfolio of intellectual properties. Hayes explained, "If you think about it, we can sequel-ise Bayonetta, AvP, Alpha Protocol and we can make a hit of something like Vanquish." Those are some mighty bold plans, considering only two of those games have actually been released. We're fairly unsurprised by Sega's interest in a follow-up to Bayonetta. Not only because it's been a commercial success for the company, but also because the developers need another chance to do all the crazy action sequences they couldn't fit in the first game. Like, for instance, throwing a church at a dragon. Wait, they did that in Bayonetta? How about riding a motorcycle in space? Really, that too? Well, then ... we're stumped.
Rebellion confirms layoffs, Derby closure
Although Aliens vs Predator has been deemed successful, Rebellion has been forced to swing the axe. A report from Develop claims that Rebellion's Derby office has closed its doors and that several positions at the home office in Oxford, UK have also been eliminated -- something we heard murmurs of back on March 10. There are no exact figures on how many Oxford employees were handed pink slips, though a Rebellion spokesperson told Develop "a few staff in junior positions had been let go." Our hearts go out to the recently unemployed and, as always, if there's anything you'd like to add to the story, feel free to let us know.
Aliens, Predators and prey available as Home costumes
No matter which species wins, we all lose. PlayStation Home has been invaded by Aliens vs. Predator costumes, in Europe at least. The outfits are available for a limited time and leave the Home universe on March 31. Virtual cosplay prices are: €2.99 for a complete costume. €1.99 for a pair of trousers or a top. €0.99 for a helmet or mask. We're having a tough time finding the costumes in the US store (maybe they're using Predator camo?), so if you know where they are hiding and pricing, please let us know in the comments. Outfits exist for both genders and are perfect for Quincying. %Gallery-88006%
Report: Rebellion cuts 20 staff, Derby studio shuts down
Rebellion has allegedly let go approximately 20 staff from its main studio in Oxford, UK, while its Derby location has been shut down, reports Develop. Rebellion, which most-recently released Aliens vs Predator, has yet to confirm the details As is typical with these types of stories, it's hard to tell if the layoffs were part of the natural game development cycle after a major release, or if there's an actual "issue" going on. As for the Derby studio, which once upon a time was Core Design (Tomb Raider), it has been on the chopping block for months. If you are a member or representative of the studio, please don't hesitate to contact us (whether on or off the record) with clarification. [Via Edge]
