Rock, Paper, Shotgun

The Big K has news that the major digital download services are boycotting troubled enormo-shooter Modern Warfare 2 because of the inclusion of Valve’s Steamworks. Apparently Direct2Drive were first out with the news, saying they had “told publishers that they’d stop selling games bundled in such a manner until Valve “decoupled its retail marketplace” from Steam’s other services.”

GamersGate and Impulse will also be boycotting the title for the same reason. The implications of this aren’t clear. Does it play into Valve’s hands and given them an even larger grip on the market? Or is this the bell tolling for Steam’s retail service as a part of Valve’s gaming community?

[EDIT: Actual price for this is $14.95.] Exquisitely clever time-bending platformer Braid will finally see a PC release on March 31st, and the $15 pre-orders are up on Stardock’s DRM-free digi-delivery system, Impulse. Blow says: “”I’ve signed the game with 3 different online distributors. One of them, Impulse, has already announced. The other two haven’t put out their press releases yet, so I don’t want to jump the gun saying who it is.” (Thanks, Paul.)

The IGF winner is one of the most heavily praised indie games of the past few years, and has caused many people to say “beeeeoooowwwoop!” in earnest. Creator Jonathan Blow gave a memorable keynote at FreePlay in 2007, in which he both talked up Braid and described the reward scheme of World Of Warcraft as “unethical”. Braid trailer after the click.

Read the rest of this entry »

We also post about Stardock’s Impulse thinger, which is like Steam, only different. They have a sale on and look at this: Galactic Civilizations I: Ultimate for $3.99, Space Rangers 2 Complete for $3.99, Supreme Commander for $9.99, and Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords for $9.99. Ace.

Anyone using Impulse out there? Thoughts? Complaints? Concise user-reviewers to inform and aid your fellow consumers in their task of identifying and purchasing entertainment bargains? Anything?

So the left over footage from PAX includes a few minutes of Demigod footage with some detailed developer commentary. The explanations highlight your demigod’s character development as you play – the big old central unit in your battle will grow stronger and expand in powers during each bout against another demigod. So it’s that whole RTS-but-ooh-we-have-RPG-stats-for-heroes thing. The footage also give you some idea of how the game plays – a fairly fast-paced action RTS, via way of the tower of Babel and cosmic battle-chess. It’s looking good.

The limited beta, which should begin any day now, will be available to folks who pre-order via Impulse.
Read the rest of this entry »

Stardock’s digital distribution platform, Impulse, goes live today. I know what you’re thinking, but Epic Games, THQ, AVG, iolo, Gas Powered Games, Hothead Games, Ironclad Games, Meridian4 have apparently signed up to the platform. Notable games on there include Sins Of A Solar Empire, Unreal Tournament III, Gal Civ, and Space Rangers 2. No, Space Rangers 2 was awesome, go play it. Details below.
Read the rest of this entry »