PC Gaming Roundup - February 19, 2009

Here's today's gaming goodness roundup, starting with news on the Unreal tournament 3 titan Pack, Dawn of War II and Atlantica Online.

Unreal Tournament 3 Titan Pack Next Month
Epic and Midway announced early this morning that the upcoming Titan Pack for Unreal Tournament 3 will not only be free, but will see a release on March 3 for the PC and PlayStation 3. The Titan Pack adds 11 new multiplayer maps for Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, Vehicle CTF and Warfare modes. The Titan Pack also includes eight maps yanked from the Xbox 360 version and the first content pack. Two new game modes also made their way into the mega update: Greed and Betrayal as well as new units, the Titan mutator, two turret units and two new playable characters.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II Ships
Today THQ shipped the sequel to Relics RTS game for the PC, now available at retail and online outlets in the US for the suggested retail price of $49.99. et in the 41st Millennium amidst "the chaos of relentless warfare," Dawn of War II offers a non-linear single-player experience and a fully cooperative multiplayer campaign via Microsoft’s free Games for Windows – LIVE service. "Dawn of War II transports players into Games Workshop’s vast Warhammer 40,000 universe, where an intergalactic war between ancient races has raged on for countless millennia. Featuring vicious front-line combat, destructible environments, a fully cooperative multiplayer mode, four unique playable races and a non-linear single-player campaign with branching storylines, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II delivers the ultimate sci-fi fantasy RTS experience."

Atlantica Online Updated
NDOORS Interactive recently updated its strategic turn-based MMORPG, Atlantica Online. The update adds two new main character classes: Musician and Maniac. The update also includes a new mercenary, the Elementalist, a Class B magic mercenary that can be recruited in north America after players reach level 100. Atlantica Online also now offers new dungeons, including the Alcatraz Prison and the Valley of Oblivion. Player characters now can present his/her own birthday and sport three new options for hairstyles (long wave, afro, rasta). MMORPG junkies MUST give this game a try, as it comes highly recommended... unfortunately my hands-on preview wasn't completed and published before Tom's Games got flashy :(

Ubisoft Shows the Love for Mac Gamers
While not exactly PC related, Mac users will certainly rejoice in glee from the news that Ubisoft has teamed up with TransGaming Inc to expand its portfolio of Mac titles into digital downloadable territory. According to the company, it will release Prince of Persia and Shaun White Snowboarding to the Mac community in March 2009 via Ubisoft's online digital store, GameTree Online and "traditional retail locations." Additionally, Mac versions of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Hard Evidence, Rayman Raving Rabbids and Petz Sports will also be released at select retail outlets in March 2009. currently Mac gamers can download full versions of CSI: Hard Evidence, Petz Catz 2, Petz Dogz 2, Petz Sports, Prince of Persia The Two Thrones, and Rayman Raving Rabbids.

Mirror's Edge DLC Released
DICE said today that a new downloadable content pack for Mirror's Edge is now available to purchase for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Games for Windows. For $10 or 800 Microsoft points, players will receive seven "all-new and totally redesigned" Time Trial maps; PlayStation 3 owners get an additional map for free. "Time Trial is a popular mode in Mirror’s Edge that challenges players to find the fastest route across various maps. Players can upload their best time to the Mirror’s Edge leaderboards for their friends to download and compete against. Players can see their friend’s ‘ghost’ run as they race their way through the course to the top of the leaderboards."

From the Ashes Rise Bonfire Studios
Bonfire Studios is the second company to form from the remnants of Ensemble Studios, the developer behind Halo Wars, Age of Mythology and Age of Empires. The new team comprises of 35 employees now working on an original IP to be announced in the coming months. “Ensemble had an incredible group of highly talented people and the companies coming out of it are really made up of the best of the best. Ensemble was one of the few studios with two A-teams,” said David Rippy, president and CEO of Bonfire Studios. “We are already working on an original IP that we’ll start talking about in the next few months.”

Sequel to American McGee's Alice in the Works?
According to EA, the publisher has signed a deal with Spicy Horse to develop a new game based on American McGee's Alice, with the famed game designer returning to his creative post. Although no other details were given, the upcoming game is expected to hit the PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. “This new project is a dream come true for me and the fans who’ve kept the Alice flame alive,” said American McGee, senior creative director at Spicy Horse. “EA gave us creative latitude and support on the original game which resulted in something beautiful and daring. This trip through the looking glass promises to be even more exciting.”

Tom Salta Scores Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X.
Composer and music producer Tom Salta returned to the Tom Clancy franchise to compose the soundtrack for the upcoming air combat H.A.W.X. title due to ship for the PC the week following March 3. Salta previously scored previous Tom Clancy titles including GRAW and GRAW2. "In Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X we had to explore five emotional dimensions: the patriot, the life of a mercenary, betrayal, hopelessness and open war on U.S. soil," said Emil Gheorghe, producer of H.A.W.X. "Tom Salta managed not only to tie all these elements together in an astoundingly rich and memorable score but he also crafted an acoustical identity for our game to stand up in the midst of the Tom Clancy's titles. Using orchestral arrangements, high-tech sounds and a mix of traditional instruments, he built an incredibly diverse soundtrack ranging from flavorful traditional themes to military tracks."