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Epic wants your help building the next Unreal Tournament
After a nearly seven year hiatus, Epic has announced plans to create a new entry in its beloved Unreal Tournament franchise. Even better: The game is going to be released at no cost, and Epic wants fan input on its design. Epic made this announcement earlier today, saying that from "the very first line of code, the very first art created and design decision made, development will happen in the open, as a collaboration between Epic, UT fans and UE4 developers." This will involve frequent forum updates and ongoing discussion as well as regular Twitch streams showing exactly where development stands. Further, all code created during the development of this new Unreal Tournament will be available to Unreal Engine 4 developers via GitHub. Though obviously this design process will take quite some time, Epic has revealed that the game will appear on PC, Mac and Linux platforms at the very attractive price of "free." Not "free to play," but actually free. Borrowing a page from the Team Fortress 2 playbook, Epic plans to recoup its development costs with an in-game marketplace where modders can sell their creations to players, earning funds which are then split between the modder and Epic itself. Those interested in joining Unreal Tournament's extended development team should pay a visit to the Unreal Engine forums, where registering a free account is all that's required to offer input on the game's creation. [Image: Epic Games]
Captive Minecraft world puts baby in a corner
YouTube video production team The Farlanders created a special save file for the PC version of Minecraft that offers a new, more claustrophobic spin on the blocky survival game. Called "Captive Minecraft," the modified game spawns players into an enclosed 1x1 block in the game's world, which expands as players earn achievements for activities such as looking at their inventory, gathering wood from trees or building items like workbenches and furnaces. The Farlanders launched beta version 1.3 of Captive Minecraft this morning, which adds more gold ore to the world and relies less on the Nether regions to earn sugar cane and the "Into Fire" achievement. To install Captive Minecraft, players simply need to download the world save from the spin-off's site. It requires version 1.8, snapshot 14w18b or later of Minecraft. [Image: The Farlanders]
Dark Souls 2 now killing adventurers on PC
PC gamers jealous of their console contemporaries who've spent the past month dying over and over again in the gloomy labyrinths of Dark Souls 2 now have a chance to plumb the depths themselves. As Xav mentioned a few weeks back, the PC version of Dark Souls 2 "looks to be the best looking and performing version of the game." However, those who'd like the game to look even better may want to download the newly-released "GeDoSaTo" mod, which, in simple terms, adds customizable lighting effects and allows the game to run at extremely high resolutions. Obviously these tweaks will make Dark Souls 2 a bit more taxing on your gaming rig, but if you've got the necessary hardware, the end results are certainly more attractive than the base incarnation of the PC game. On the opposite end of the spectrum, some players are reporting issues with the PC incarnation of Dark Souls 2. So far these glitches don't seem to be widespread, but if you pick up the game and find that it refuses to function properly, you should take a look at Steam's support page. From crashes to missing pre-order content, that site should cover all the problems you'll potentially encounter. [Image: Bandai Namco]
Skywind dev diary is a call to arms for would-be Morrowind heroes
Skywind, the mod to recreate The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind inside of The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, is chugging along like a Siltstrider on its way to Seyda Neen - which, to those who may not be aware of what a Siltstrider is, means well. It's coming along well. The team behind the mod, calling itself the TES Renewal Project, has just released a new dev diary showcasing their progress on several fronts, including new voice acting, models, animations, textures and music. The video also serves as something of a recruitment reel, as the process of bringing Skywind to completion requires many helping hands. It's almost like re-building an island nation of giant mushrooms and flying jellyfish monsters is hard or something. If you want to help out and serve the TES Renewal Project as a modeler, artist, writer or voice actor, be sure to read up on the contributor guidelines via their official site. [Image: The TES Renewal Project]
Portable N64 mod boasts internal memory, analog stick, real cartridges
Whether you harbor fond memories of the Nintendo 64 or despise its baffling controller and chunky, untextured polygons, one thing everyone can agree on is that the system was not very portable. At least, until a hacker calling his or herself "Bungle" got a hold of the machine. According to a description Bungle wrote on the Bacman retro console modding forums, this modified Nintendo 64 features support for both Expansion and Rumble Packs, custom buttons, a legitimate N64 analog stick, internal memory and a 3.5" screen. As you can see, it accepts actual cartridges, and Bungle claims that the device's 4400mAh battery offers about four hours of juice. That's not quite on par with the Nintendo 3DS or Sony's Vita handheld, but is respectable for hardware that was never intended to fit in your pocket. Best of all, this isn't some hyper-rare one-off project. Bungle claims that this is the fourth such device he or she has created to date, and that more are on the way. It's unknown if these things will ever be available for purchase, but we're keeping our fingers crossed. [Image: Bacman]
Bohemia Interactive acquires a new team for DayZ and assembles a roadmap
Are you ready to kill your fellow survivors and take their stuff in DayZ? If so, you've got plenty of company; according to creator Dean Hall, the game has sold 1.7 million copies on Steam thus far. It's given the team good reason to expand, at that. Bohemia Interactive has acquired Cauldron Studios, now renamed Bohemia Interactive Slovakia, and will be putting that team to work developing more content and systems for the zombie sandbox experience. Hall also outlined a roadmap of the game's coming updates, stating that the end of April should see the inclusion of fireplaces, loot respawns, and crossbows. New pistols and AI pathfinding are next on the list, followed by a 64-bit upgrade and the inclusion of animals for players to hunt and cook. Whether you're looking forward to what comes next or just like the current state of beating up players and taking what they've found, if you're a fan of the game you should take a look at the full rundown.
Fallout: New Vegas gets playable Enclave faction thanks to mod
The Enclave, a paramilitary organization claiming to be the last bastion and continuation of Earth's government in the Fallout universe, is now a joinable faction in Fallout: New Vegas thanks to modders Otellino, CNC and many others. The "For the Enclave" mod available via NexusMods allows players to join a splinter group of the original Enclave as it goes head-to-head against their former brothers-in-arms. The mod adds a five-part main quest, four side quests, new voice acting, a potential companion and even an Enclave radio station. Rookies need not apply, though; players who want to undertake this mission must be level 15, must have interacted with the NPC Benny, and must be running the most current version of New Vegas on Steam. The mod's description text also warns that it will be incompatible with most mods that alter Searchlight Airfield. [Image: Bethesda]
How to make your Xbox One controller work with a PC, unofficially
Microsoft hasn't yet released the official drivers to make Xbox One controllers compatible with a PC, but with a bit of finagling, those so inclined can make the two pieces of hardware play nice, and use an Xbox One controller on PC. Modder Lucas Assis has a step-by-step tutorial for view on YouTube, where he explains how the magic happens: basically, what he's doing is making his computer think that the One controller is an Xbox 360 controller. Microsoft's controller wasn't drastically altered between console generations, so the buttons, triggers and bumpers all line up just fine. That being said, this is still an unofficial modification, and those don't always work out. The video's comments are filled with people running into complications. If you choose to follow in Assis's footsteps, know that you risk damaging your hardware. If you'd rather not chance it and want to wait, Microsoft's official drivers are expected later this year. [Image: Microsoft]
Minion rounds up Elder Scrolls Online addons
It's Addon Day here at Massively, and as such we have another handy-dandy platform to help you manage your mods. ZAM has started an open beta for Minion, an addon management software designed to work with Elder Scrolls Online. Minion will help you install, manage, and update your addons for next month's ESO. It includes automatic updates and options to support additional future titles (such as World of Warcraft) and it claims to be safe from viruses, malware, and keyloggers. Minion is available for both Windows and OS X systems.
Curse opens its doors to WildStar addons
Curse would like to become your one-stop shopping hub for all of your future WildStar addon needs. The site announced that it's expanding its focus to include addons for Carbine Studios' upcoming MMO. Curse will be supporting WildStar mods with a new version of the CurseForge platform, which purportedly will streamline tools and better fit players' needs. The site is also open to authors creating and submitting their own projects to fill up the categories. Speaking of WildStar, Bogotter has a first-hand tour of the Dominion adventure, Riot in the Void, which you can watch after the break. Which path will he take? Who knows, but it will almost certainly end in glorious disaster!
Check out this Nintendo Entertainment System machined from a solid block of aluminum
If you're any kind of self-respecting gamer, you hold a special place in your heart for the true king of consoles, the original Nintendo Entertainment System and its Japanese counterpart, the Famicom. That's why Analogue Interactive, an outfit known for building bespoke Neo Geo consoles out of the finest hardwoods, is crafting a custom NES out of aluminum. Called the Analogue Nt, it's machined from a single block of metal, has cartridge slots to accommodate both Nintendo and Famicom titles and is "designed around the heart and brain of the original NES" -- which means there's no emulation going on like with Hyperkin's Retron 5. Analogue's not letting on any other details, but knowing how much its Neo Geo replicas can cost, we're betting that grabbing this bit of NES nostalgia will set you back a pretty penny when Analogue starts taking orders at the end of March.
Skywind trailer travels the road from Seyda Neen to Balmora
Balmora, Tel Naga, oo, I wanna take ya. Tel Branora, Caldera, come on pretty mama. Seyda Neen, Urshilaku (camp), baby why don't we go down to Morrowiiind! Boy, Skywind - the mod to recreate the world of The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind in Skyrim's engine - sure is looking pretty! [Image: TES Renewal]
The original Legend of Zelda goes first-person for Oculus Rift demo
What happens when you cross Being John Malkovich with NES classic The Legend of Zelda? You get the terrifying Oculus Rift demo seen in video below the break. The mod is currently just the game's overworld and its first dungeon, but there are plans to scale up the whole game to VR playability by March of this year (yes, for free -- this is Nintendo's property, after all). Should you already have an Oculus headset and a strong constitution, the demo's available right here.
Flappy Bird meets Minecraft: the inevitable made into a gif
You can build just about anything in Minecraft, so why not a working version of Flappy Bird? We love it when the internet takes care of the inevitable.
Space Jam comes back to life with NBA 2K14 mod
A new NBA Jam may not be in the cards, but that's okay; a different kind of jam is here. A Space Jam. NBA 2K series modder MGX has released a set of files that transform NBA 2K14 into an adaptation of the 1996 classic film, with the Looney Tunes and Michael Jordan on one side and the Monstars on the other. Transforming a 2D anthropomorphic animal or space monster into a 3D model is no easy feat. Combine this with the fact that the 3D model versions of the Looney Tunes crew are basically human bodies with animal heads attached and you have a recipe for some serious nightmare fuel uh ... '90s nostalgia. If you want to get in on this mod or others, check out MGX's Facebook page. Now's your chance. Do your dance. At the Space Jam. [Image: 2K Sports/MGX]
Civilization 5 mod adds playable Papers, Please nation
Glory to Arstotzka! The bleak Papers, Please nation is now a playable world power in Sid Meier's Civilization 5 thanks to a Steam Workshop mod from Snakeeater337. Arstotzka comes to Sid Meier's Civilization 5 replete with its own unique units, buildings, custom dialogue and music. Arstotzka has its own custom Border Guard unit, a cheaper version of the Rifleman that gets combat bonuses fighting on native soil. There's also the Border Checkpoint building, which adds protection from spies and produces extra gold each turn. Arstotzka begins the game with its custom "Glory to Arstotzka" trait, which increases worker production at the cost of population happiness and city growth speed. All cities also start with a free worker. The only downside to this mod is that it requires Brave New World, the latest expansion for Sid Meier's Civilization 5, in order to play. Sid Meier's Civilization 5: The Complete Edition, along with several other games bearing the eponymous developer's name, are currently available in the Humble Sid Meier's Bundle. [Image: Snakeeater337 on Steam]
The Elder Scrolls Online has been given (very) unofficial Oculus Rift support
If you're looking forward to playing The Elder Scrolls Online but want to really feel that you're in the game, your options are a bit limited. Odds are you don't want someone standing by to hack at your torso with an edged weapon during on-screen combat, for instance. But if you've got an Oculus Rift and want the full VR experience, that might be a bit more doable after all; a fan has hammered together unofficial support for the headset. The video contained past the break shows about five minutes of footage -- nothing novel, but more than enough to get a sense of the game running on the Rift's paired screens. The fan in question is aware that this is breaking the terms of his testing agreement; however, he hopes that this will convince ZeniMax Online to add in native Oculus support before the game goes live. If you want a peek at what it looks like, feel free to check out the video past the break.
Kerbal Space Program plots course for the classroom
Hoping to make rocket science a bit more palatable to the average person, the developers behind Kerbal Space Program have joined forces with TeacherGaming to launch a modified version of the game called KerbalEdu. Kerbal Space Program, for those unaware, is a construction game that gives players a wide range of components, then asks them to build and launch a spacecraft. The game's physics are meticulously detailed, making this easier said than done. In the course of designing a functional spaceship, players will repeatedly crash, explode and lose ships in increasingly spectacular fashion, but with each failure they learn a bit more about how to push their rocket into space. This is what KerbalEdu hopes to capitalize on. "KSP is about making rocket science fun, which is why we didn't need any complex algorithms to realize an educational version is a great extension," said Adrian Goya, co-owner of Kerbal Space Program developer Squad. The first release of KerbalEdu has yet to appear, but TeacherGaming has revealed plans to alter the game's UI to make data collection more simple and akin to real world scientific methods. Further, the educational developer also plans to build a series of lessons into the game that focus on specific topics. These will be complemented by more traditional educational materials which expand upon the lessons taught by the game. Educators interested in this modification can follow its progress and receive details on how to employ it in the classroom on the official KerbalEdu website.
Alienware Steam Machines will be upgradable
Hardware manufacturer Alienware has clarified earlier statements it made regarding the moddability of its upcoming Steam Machines lineup, revealing that component upgrades will be possible but difficult. "Upgrading the internal components will not be as easy as compared to other platforms [...]," company general manager Frank Azor explained in a statement to Eurogamer, "but we will not prevent a customer from upgrading." Azor cited the small physical size of Alienware's Steam Machine as a specific factor impeding hardware upgrades. Azor recommends that users who approach PC hardware with upgrading in mind should stick with pre-built setups like the Alienware X51. Previously, Azor implied that Alienware's Steam Machines hardware would not be moddable at all, noting that "this particular product is restricted in its upgrade options." Alienware announced this week that new models of its Steam Machines hardware will be issued yearly as the company updates internal components and specifications. Alienware's first Steam Machine will launch in September.
Spelunky mod lets players share specific generated levels
A newly released mod for the 2013 PC version of Mossmouth's roguelike platformer Spelunky enables custom seed functionality, allowing players to bypass the game's random level generator and replay specific level layouts. The "Seedlunky HD" mod automatically generates repeatable level layouts based on any entered text string. The added utility is especially useful for competitive purposes; players can distribute seeds among friends, subjecting them to particularly challenging levels. See if you can create a series of dark stages filled with tons of instant-kill spikes. Your friends will love you for it. Spelunky already offers a similar feature in its Daily Challenge mode, which pits all players against pre-designed level layouts as they compete for leaderboard rank. Daily Challenge levels are only playable once, however, whereas Seedlunky HD-generated levels can be loaded and replayed at will.
