CS-Nation

Updates for both the Steam client and the Source SDK were released tonight. If you love reading change logs, you're going to be positively delighted in about three seconds.

Hammer
• Fixed bug in which the model browser can become unresponsive
• Game overlay no longer attaches to Hammer which fixes incorrect 3D camera position bugs
• Google Sketchup to Hammer exporter now ships in the Source SDK

Steam Client
• Add D3D9Ex support for the in-game overlay (for ArmA 2)
• Fix unneeded assert/mdmp creation when Steam connection falls back to TCP
• Fix lobbies/chats trying to update metadata while disconnected from Steam servers
• View available downloadable content link on game's DLC tab now goes to game's DLC page in store
• Fix a potential memory leak with lots of friends notifications being triggered while a full screen window has covered the desktop
• Add a limit of queued friends notifications to show of no more than sixteen
• Fix a potential case of dropping input events in the in-game overlay
• Improved overlay compatibility with OSD from recent versions of RivaTuner
• Fixed Cloud sync issues when in offline mode
• Fixed filtering by a mod in the server browser making it unable to retrieve servers from the master server

If you haven't already started up Steam to grab the update tonight, you will download the new content the next time the client loads.

The NEOTOKYO modification is almost upon us! The Source mod is slated to be released to the public on July 3, while the server files are slated to drop on July 2. The initial release of the server files will be for Windows only, but Linux support will arrive later.

Some helpful information about the release...
• Neotokyo will be available for download at various sites and torrent.
• Download links will be released in our irc #neotokyo on gamesurge network during our release party. Then posted here and elsewhere.
• This first public release will contain 10 maps total ...all capture the ghost gametype.
• We recommend max 24 player slots. (9v9 to 12v12 are best as far as gameplay and flow). 32 players is fun but a bit spammy.
• Total size of the installer is about 900megs and unzipped is 2gigs.
• In order to run NEOTOKYO, you need to have any game that gives you the source sdk base installed.

Server admins should check out #NTservers on the GameSurge IRC network for the most up-to-date information.

ModDB also has a brand new article up about NEOTOKYO. This new feature takes a look at the NEOTOKYO soundtrack, composed by Ed Harrison.

As part of a massive and very engaging interview with id Software's John Carmack and Tim Mustaine, Shacknews has discovered that the company has been toying around with the idea of iPhone DLC.

What's your take on iPhone DLC? Is that something you're considering for Resurrection?

Tom Mustaine: Yeah, we are absolutely. It won't be in the shipping version, we actually kind of got sideswiped by the 3.0 launch happening so quickly. But we actually have a version of the game that does cooperative multiplayer, so you can actually do peer-to-peer multiplayer, where you see two persons on the screen at the time, and maybe we'll actually have more than that, up to four players.

And it's a blast. You can play through the levels, they scale up, and you can compete for score and play cooperatively. And then also this game really fits well with downloadable content, so we're definitely looking at those with a future 3.0 update.

John Carmack: Yeah, we still really don't even know what the plan is going to be for the 2.0 to 3.0 transition in terms of using new features. We haven't checked into how the App store handles things. Can somebody accidentally download something they don't want in an upgrade? How fast is the market going to migrate over?

And unfortunately Apple is unlikely to give us any statistics of what's going to be a guess about when you want to start doing something 3.0-only on there. I've got the same problem with Doom Classic, where right now it plays on your 2.0 with Wi-fi multiplayer, and eventually we expect to do a 3.0 Bluetooth multiplayer and downloadable content on there. I'm still leaning on doing a 2.0 version first and a 3.0 version later.

Obviously, there may or may not be a charge for this DLC. All that can be taken from this response is that the idea of DLC is one that the company is certainly interested in and a prospect that can be facilitated by the new iPhone update.

The full interview is three pages long and features a great look at id Software's present and future, the ZeniMax acquisition, development of iPhone games, and much more. Look for Doom Classic to arrive at around $5 and Doom Resurrection is priced at $9.99.

The popular torrent site, The Pirate Bay, has been picked up by a "legitimate company" to the tune of $7.8 million. Global Gaming Factory, a company that specializes in Internet cafes states that they will "introduce models which entail that content providers and copyright owners get paid for content that is downloaded via the site."

According to The Pirate Bay's official blog, the millions will not be pocketed, but given to a good cause.

The profits from the sale will go into a foundation that is going to help with projects about freedom of speech, freedom of information and the openess of the nets. I hope everybody will help out in that and realize that this is the best option for all.

The founders also note that "if the new owners will screw around with the site, nobody will keep using it. That's the biggest insurance one can have that the site will be run in the way that we all want to. And - you can now not only share files but shares with people."

This latest chapter in The Pirate Bay saga comes on the heels of the ruling back in April where the founders were each fined $905,000 and sentenced to one year in prison.

Update: The Escapist notes that EA has cleared up any pricing confusion. The two outfits are set to be free to all players of Battlefield Heroes. A quick thanks to community member, Thlis, for this updated information.

Original: Two new Michael Jackson themed clothing options are headed to EA's and DICE's free online game, Battlefield Heroes. The news came from an ad posted on the Battlefield Heroes public test page.


The "Smooth Suit" and the "Thuggin' Outfit" are said to carry a $3 price tag, but no word yet on if that price is for both of if it will be $3 a pop.

The PlayStation Blog updated with a developer presented view of MAG's three main factions. This developer diary from Zipper Interactive sheds some light on the high-tech Raven PMC, the tradational style of Valor, and the S.V.E.R. which resembles a heavily armed gang.


Based on what you see here, what faction looks to be more of your style?

A small update for Left 4 Dead was released just a few moments ago. The update contains just four items of interest.

• Removed the "Are you ready to play Versus?" confirmation
• Fixed a crash when using mouse wheel or keyboard to select Campaign chapters
• Fixed sv_steamgroup_exclusive servers advertising for public lobbies
• Restored the ability to vote for a new campaign in Versus mode

As always, the update will automatically download the next time you start up Steam.

The location of the 2009 QuakeCon event has been changed up ever so slightly. Typically held at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas, this year's event will shift to Grapevine, Texas. The Gaylord Texan will play host to this year's event and it is still slated to take place between August 13th through the 16th.

"The Gaylord Texan is a perfect venue for QuakeCon and we're excited to have even more space and greater resources to deliver a bigger BYOC, better exhibitor area, and totally new events and entertainment for everyone that joins in the excitement," said id Software president Todd Hollenshead. "We know the magnitude of this announcement, but we haven't lost a step in planning for the biggest and best QuakeCon yet."

"The Gaylord Hotel was the site of the two largest previous QuakeCon events in 2004 and 2005," id noted in its announcement, adding that attendees will be able to net "exclusive looks at id Software's own anticipated games Wolfenstein and RAGE."

Those who made reservations at the Anatole will have their reservations automatically canceled. New arrangements should be made at the Gaylord Texan. Prices should be equal to or less than those found at the Anatole.

The Seattle Times had a chance to whip up a brief glimpse as to what Bungie has in store in the upcoming years for Halo fans. Undoubtedly the Halo 3 expansion, ODST, is still ranked high on many "most anticipated" lists of 2009. With that in mind the company hopes that the fans respond well to playing as someone other than Master Chief.

"ODST" picks up the story of the supporting cast — orbital drop shock troopers, the "regular" soldiers who fought alongside Master Chief.

For "the kind of story we want to tell — which is a little bit more human story — they seemed like a really great candidate for a hero in the 'Halo' universe," explained Joseph Staten, writer and creative director.

A bit about ODST's new multiplayer option was also revealed. Dubbed "Firefight" the new mode lets groups of players cooperatively work through small chunks of the game that last about 30 minutes a pop.

Taking a look at an early version of "Project Natal" the company seems to be a fan of the new tech.

Bungie also received an early look at the "Project Natal" motion-sensing controller Microsoft is developing for the Xbox. Studio President Harold Ryan said he's enthusiastic about the device and it could be used in "Reach," another version of "Halo" expected in the fall of 2010. "I absolutely think 'Reach' could be enabled with it," he said.

While it is no guarantee that Natal integration will make its way into Reach, it is an interesting prospect to think about. Check out more details from Bungie over at the Seattle Times page.

The iPhone is a hot little item for the crew at id Software. It's so much of a hot item that they are planning on bringing Quake, Quake 2, Doom 2 RPG, and RAGE to the iPhone in some capacity. There is even the possibility that Quake 3 will find its way to the mobile system.

"There’s no doubt that we’ll go through ‘Quake’ and ‘Quake 2.’ I think that I can probably manage to do ‘Quake 3′ on the conventional iPhone platform, if Apple winds up addressing just a few things in their system software. When you start looking at the 3GS, ['Quake 3'] would not be a problem at all.

"We’ve got our 3 major prongs, with the classic games ['Wolf 3D Classic,' 'Doom Classic']. We have the from scratch games, that ‘DOOM Resurrection’ is the first of, and we’ll probably have something ‘RAGE’-themed there.

"Then we’ve also got our traditional mobile games, starting with ‘Wolfenstein RPG,’ which is already done and in the can, but EA thought everyone was going to be confused about ‘Wolfenstein RPG’ and ‘Wolfenstein 3D Classic.’ They’re sitting on that for a while and I don’t know when they’re gonna get that out.

Then the expectation is that the id Mobile team will be doing the DOOM 2 RPG for the iPhone after the finish with the Java and Brew versions. I expect we’ll have an iPhone project every two to three months over the next year."

Doom, Quake, Wolfenstein, and more headed to the iPhone. Which one of these upcoming games are you most looking forward to playing on your iPhone or iPod Touch?

Ready to step into the ring with some of the greatest boxers of all time? The latest review over on Total Gaming Network has staff writer Dairuka Sutain putting up his gloves in EA Sports' highly anticipated boxing game Fight Night Round 4. Here's the intro to the article:

With so many games coming out in such a short amount of time, it feels strange to sift through the avalanche to find a gem hidden among the many stones. Fight Night Round 4 shines through in a manner unheard of in the gaming world as a sequel that far surpasses its predecessors. Fight Night Round 4 is not your usual Fight Night. Round 4 is something more, something superior...something special. Read more...

Outside fighters should open with a jab often.

To read the rest of this new review be sure to visit this page. Please feel free to leave any feedback you have on either the review or game itself.

The latest review over on Total Gaming Network has staff writer Manzi entering the world of MMA in THQ's fighting game UFC 2009 Undisputed. Here's the intro to the article:

If you like knees to the face, body slams to the mat, and beating one another nearly to a bloody pulp, then you are probably a fan of the UFC and the Mixed Martial Arts fighting styles. It is no real surprise that developers are picking up on this new trend of rougher, bloodier fighting by bringing it into the gaming world. UFC 2009 Undisputed is not the first MMA/UFC based video game, between the years of 2000 & 2004 there were five different UFC games released by various developers and publishers all performing very poorly. This left half a decade without any new MMA games while the sport grew immensely in popularity. THQ, the publisher behind the well known WWE wrestling series are ready to bring gamers into the UFC octagon, but will you be willing to jump in and take on the challenge? Read more...

Sweat Shines And Muscles Ripple As You Take That Elbow To The Face

To read the rest of this new review be sure to visit this page. Please feel free to leave any feedback you have on either the review or game itself.

Those who subscribe to OXM UK, or pick up the latest issue from the news stands should find a new, premium theme for Left 4 Dead on the magazine's bonus disc.


The theme is free to use, provided you pick up the UK version of OXM (issue 49). There is no word yet if the theme is available for the North American version of OXM.

It has been confirmed that the theme is also available for the North American version of OXM.

A triple dose of weekend deals are underway through Steam. Both Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, Might and Magic V, and Zeno Clash are on sale this weeked for 50% off!

• Heroes of Might and Magic V - $4.99 alone or $12.99 with two expansions
• Dark Messiah of Might and Magic - $4.99 alone or $12.99 with the Heroes pack (Dark Messiah Might and Magic, Heroes of Might and Magic V, Heroes of Might and Magic V: Tribes of the East, Heroes of Might and Magic V: Hammers of Fate)
• Zeno Clash - $9.99

The Zeno Clash sale goes hand in hand with the release of all new content for the game. The DLC, called "The Pit", brings all new adventures to the challenge towers.

The Pit consists of three new extensions to the challenge towers. The player must make his or her way down the pit fighting enemies and avoiding obstacles such as huge boulders that come out of the walls and destructible floors that break. Just like in the other tower levels players will compete for time and performance (health) in the leaderboards. Three new achievements have been added for completing the levels.

As these are all "weekend deals" the sales will end at the end of the day on Sunday.

The latest review over on Total Gaming Network has staff writer Manzi powering up the lightning in Sucker Punch Productions' PS3 action exclusive inFAMOUS. Here's the intro to the article:

inFAMOUS is a new open-world third person action game from Sucker Punch Productions, the people behind the Sly Cooper series. This time, however, Sucker Punch won’t have you running around as a cartoony raccoon. Instead, you are Cole McGrath, a bike messenger with a bit more to offer then snail mail. While inFAMOUS was released exclusively on the PlayStation 3, it won’t be the game that makes you run out and buy the console, but it will provide you with an overall great experience. Read more...

Enjoy The View While Riding The Rails

To read the rest of this new review be sure to visit this page. Please feel free to leave any feedback you have on either the review or game itself.

Another update for Team Fortress 2 was released tonight. This update fixes a few outstanding issues missed and created in last night's update.

Linux Dedicated Server
• Improved connection logic to help servers that aren't automatically reconnecting to Steam, and added extra logging to track it
• Added extra data gathering to help us understand and improve Linux performance

Team Fortress 2
• Changed cl_flipviewmodels so it can no longer be set while connected to a server
• Fixed problem with Loadout Menu "Back" button not preserving the currently equipped weapon
• Fixed a case where an observer could set the observed player's view models
• Fixed the Heavy's punches not matching mouse button presses when the view models are flipped
• Fixed Bonk! ammo count exploit after using a regeneration locker
• Fixed Dead Ringer damage reduction exploit involving Spy taunting
• Reverted Force-A-Nature and airblast knockback on disguised Spies, so that they can once again be knocked back

Missed notes from previous update
• The Ambassador no longer penetrates buildings
• Removed the movement speed penalty on The Razorback

The update will be automatically applied the next time you restart Steam. Hopefully this should clear up some of the confusion gamers had over why the Razorback wasn't slowing the Sniper down.