PC Gaming News: CryENGINE 3 Info and More

CryENGINE 3 Announced
Earlier this evening, Crytek GmbH said that CryENGINE 3 will make an appearance at this year's GDC Expo held in San Francisco on March 25-27. Crytek said that the new engine features scalable computation and graphics for all major upcoming platforms as well as current platforms including the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, MMO, and DX9/DX10. Additionally, the complete engine package contains the CryENGINE 3 Sandbox level editor and a WYSIWYP (what you see is what you play) tool. “CryENGINE 3 is a revolutionary change from our previous PC-only engines – and we’re applying a similar revolution to the service we provide to developers using the software to create extraordinary games. CryENGINE 3 will set the benchmark for complete game engine solutions in performance, and services to game engine licensees and their players. We’ve been preparing a long time for CryENGINE on consoles and we’re confident that Crytek will again amaze developers at GDC.” said Carl Jones, Director of Business Development CryENGINE.

Disney Changes Track with Split/Second
This morning Disney Interactive Studios dished out a nice surprise for PC gamers: an intense action racing game entitled Split/Second. The premises may sound remotely familiar, throwing gamers into the world of a hyper-competitive reality television show. The ultimate goal is to become the season champion, however the game offers more than the thrills and spills of most racing titles. According to developer Black rock Studio, player actions can alter the dynamics of the race by triggering explosive events, thus providing a strategic element. “Split/Second elevates action racing to a new level by enabling players to strategically take out their opponents by dynamically altering the course in real time,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “Split/Second further showcases Black Rock Studio’s ability to innovate and deliver a compelling experience that has wide appeal beyond the traditional racing genre.” Split/Second is scheduled to hit the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC in early 2010.

Meridian4's Obulis Heads to Steam
Game publisher Meridian4 said that its physics-based hardcore casual game Obulis will soon appear on Steam March 19th for $9.99. Based on IonFX’s mobile game of the same name, Obulis fuses highly compelling gameplay with outstanding graphics, music and "state of the art" physics effects. The game's object is to drop all of the colored spheres into their like-colored pots.

Men of War Invade GamersGate
Looks as though 1C Company's Men of War in now an exclusive title over on GamersGate for $39.99, available today to purchase and download. Men of War takes place in Europe and North Africa during the height of World War II, offering three campaigns (Soviet, Allied and German) that feature individual scenarios and structured timelines. Gamerankings currently scores Men of War with a 83 percent rating.

EVE Online Expanded... Again
The tenth free expansion for Eve Online, entitled Apocrypha, has now gone live. According to the developers, unstable wormholes have mysteriously appeared, offering gamers pathways to "dangerous and rewarding, hereto unexplored regions of space." The expansion also implements a new level of technology for ship production and a re-imagined introduction for rookie starship pilots. Apocrypha also brings to the table a huge list of improvements including full Russian support, a Premium Graphics Client for Mac gamers, a newly designed skill queue and more.

New FUEL Video Showcases Weather Effects
As the heading states, the new "Extreme Weather" video is up over on the official FUEL website, showcasing the game's powerful weather effects including snowstorms, thunderstorms and tornados. "The new video demonstrates the game-changing effect of just some of the game’s extreme weather: lightning strikes illuminate the sky, torrential rain destroys surface grip and blizzards create treacherous racing conditions. The video culminates with the awesome destructive power of the tornado, as an immense twister obliterates homes and throws a truck into the path of racers as they battle against each other and the elements." FUEL hits Games for Windows LIVE, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 this May.

F.E.A.R.2: Project Origin DLC Soon
WBIE and Monolith said that new downloadable content for F.E.A.R.2: Project Origin will be available beginning mid-April. Not only will the DLC offer gamers a premium theme and picture pack, the new content will also include a "Toy Soldiers" multiplayer map that "will allow players to experience multiplayer from a new perspective." Does this mean players will take on the size of action figures and play on giant maps? Oh SiN how we miss thee... As for specific platforms, WBIE did not offer details, however given that Project Origin is a Games for Windows title, it's highly likely that PC gamers will be included. Of course, that assumption may be incorrect.

The Path Launch Trailer
A new video is now live over on the official The Path website, a "launch" trailer as Tale of Tales puts it. "At first we were going to make a traditional launch trailer." Explain creators Auriea Harvey & Michael Samyn, "You know, a little movie that explains the narrative premise of the game, shows some gameplay and then serves some kind of challenge. And our first sketches were just fine. But then we started cutting things up and working with the recordings of [composer] Jarboe reading the original fairy tale. The end result much more clearly reflects the experience of the game: strange, disjointed and completely open for interpretation while simultaneously feeling very comfortable and intimate."

Harpoon 3: Advanced Naval Warfare Patched
Matrix Games released a patch for its naval warfare simulator, Harpoon 3: Advanced Naval Warfare, updating the retail version to v3.9.4. According to the company, the update includes over 50 fixes and several additions an tweaks to overall gameplay. In addition, both the publisher and the developer -Advanced Gaming Systems- the x3.9.x updates are aimed at "improving game stability and increasing responsiveness to customer feedback." Fans are encouraged to visit the official forums and become a part of the process.

Wanted: Weapons of Fate Pre-Order Comic
Thanks to Gamestop, fans of the Wanted franchise can pick up one of three versions of Wanted Comic Issue #1 -each featuring a different and unique cover- by preordering the upcoming game, Wanted: Weapons of Fate. These special edition comics, each packaged in a "Blind" black polybag, include original cover art from comic-artist JG Jones with a select number personally signed by JG Jones himself. The game is slated to hit the PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on March 24.

Luna Online MMORPG Opens This Spring
Gala-Net said that it will publish the fantasy-based, anime-inspired MMORPG Luna Online this spring on the North American market through its online game portal. Luna Online is a free-to-play MMORPG developed with communities in mind, providing extensive social systems for players to connect and meet other players via its Family System, Matchmaking System and its Guilds Alliances System. For example, the Family System allows players the ability to run a farm together, whereas the Matchmaking system finds the perfect match to accompany the player (with complimenting attributes). There's dating too just in case lonely gamers need to find a virtual significant other.