AusGamers :: News

Torchlight Demo Released

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:09:04 +1100

A demo of Torchlight has been released, offering a glimpse at the action in this newly released Diablo-esque game which is currently generating quite a bit of buzz at the moment. The demo is actually just a time-limited version of the full game; it will give you a two-hour taste and then if you get addicted you can just buy a product key which will unlock the full version. A snippet of the story:

The adventure is set in the mining settlement of Torchlight, a boomtown founded on the discovery of rich veins of Ember � a rare and mysterious ore with the power to enchant or corrupt all that it contacts. This corruptive power may have dire consequences however, and players set out into the nearby mountains and depths below to discover the full extent of Ember�s influence on the civilizations that have come before.

You can download the demo now locally from AusGamers. Don't forget to check out our review for some more information on the full game!

DJ Hero Review

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:35:09 +1100

Under the instruction of the great Grandmaster Flash, AusGamers has been spinning decks to some pretty amazing music and mixes in Activision's latest rhythm game entrant, DJ Hero.

Offering up all exclusive mixes with an easy-to-master peripheral, DJ Hero presents itself as a great party game for the lounge, but unfortunately falls short in a few key areas that could have made it a real force to be reckoned with. If you dabble in any form of music that requires mixing and decks, you might want to hear our full verdict.

Click here for the review.

Carmack: No Dedicated Servers for Rage?

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:57:28 +1100

The depressing news continues to roll in with this post on Variety's gaming blog indicating that Carmack and id Software are not planning to have dedicated servers for Rage:

It�s too early to say what Rage will use, but Carmack indicated he believed the servers are something of a remnant of the early days of PC gaming.

Given that id Software essentially pioneered the dedicated server (despite never releasing a standalone server package for any of their games, sad face), this is not news the hardcore PC gamer will greet with enthusiasm, especially if they live in Australia and know how futile it would be trying to play a large-scale FPS game on a home broadband connection.

DICE Announce Bad Company 2 PS3 Beta with a Trailer

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:33:34 +1100

It looks like PlayStation 3 users will be the first to get a taste of the upcoming Battlefield: Bad Company 2, with DICE revealing that a mutliplayer beta program will be kicking off on November 19 2009.

The Battlefield: Bad Company 2 multiplayer beta will feature the Arica Harbour map, where up to 24 players can compete in one of the game�s four intense multiplayer modes called Rush. This new map displays a superb balance of vehicle and infantry combat, as the American assault unit attacks the Russian army base with full force, advancing further through a beautiful desert town and towards the industrial area in a desperate attempt to overtake the Arica Harbour. Heavy vehicle warfare on the first bases gradually turns into an intense infantry fight as the level progresses, showcasing this best-in-class online war experience.

Gamers can get a taste of this incredibly intense action by a numbers of ways including reserving the game with participating retailers. While supplies last.

As for the participating retailers? Well they've only named Best Buy and Gamestop for North Americans, informing the rest of us to "Keep your eyes open for local opportunities!".

As for other platforms, word is that an open beta for PC games is pegged for December with a mutiplayer demo earmarked for "early next year" on Xbox 360, PC and PlayStation 3.

Battlefield Bad Company 2 is due on March 5 2010 on all three platforms. For full details on the PS3 beta, check out the official battlefield blog.

Splinter Cell: Conviction "Create A Hero" Dev Diary

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:20:54 +1100

Despite MW2's impending release in the next few days, Ubisoft have reminded us we have even more action coming early next year with the next instalment in the Sam Fisher saga with Splinter Cell: Conviction.

This is demonstrated today with another developer diary, this time talking about the changes to the game's main character on both a narrative level and in an action and gameplay sense. With his daughter dead, and his primary goal roaming around personal retribution, his usual laws of conduct have changed, making him even more dangerous than before.

For the full developer run-down, check out today's video.

Modern Warfare 2 Official Launch Trailer

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:02:14 +1100

It's literally only a few days away, and in celebration, Infinity Ward have debuted their official launch trailer for arguably the year's most anticipated release, Modern Warfare 2.

With all the hubbub surrounding elements such as a lack of dedicated servers, the seemingly controversial airport/terrorist sequence (which isn't actually as bad as the 'interwebz' would have you believe), and seeing America burning in flames - MW2 certainly has garnered more attention than even IW probably thought it would get. But there's no denying the quality of what's at-hand, and today's trailer demonstrates this in spades. The big secret reveal here: Space! Seriously, look out for the space bit.

Check it out here.

Mass Effect 2 Collector's Edition Announced (Plus New Trailer)

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:55:23 +1100

EA have sent through word they'll be releasing a special Collector's Edition of BioWare's forthcoming action/RPG sequel, Mass Effect 2, for Australian shores at EB Games exclusively, and in limited numbers.

Available on January 28 in Australia alongside the standard edition, the Collectors' Edition of Mass Effect 2 comes in a premium, tin case and includes the full version of the game, a 48-page hardcover "Art of Mass Effect 2" book, Issue 1 of the Mass Effect Redemption comic book, and a bonus DVD with behind-the-scenes and making-of videos. In addition, the Mass Effect 2 Collectors' Edition will include unique in-game weapons and armour that can only be obtained by purchasing this version.

Sounds pretty cool. We have some images of packaging of the CE as well as the armour you can view right here.

Mass Effect 2 is due to release on PC and Xbox 360 January 31, 2010, in Australia. We also have a new video showcasing some of the baddies you'll be facing throughout the game, which you can view right here.

The Copyright Wars Continue

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:28:10 +1100

More interesting information has emerged from the ongoing case against iiNet. ITnews.com.au continue their excellent coverage, in which the iiNet CEO Michael Malone has admitted "that half or more than half of traffic by volume across his company's network is BitTorrent traffic". In a more bizarre twist, the lawyers for the media companies are now trying to argue that the Freezone content encourages people to pirate more.

On the other side of the planet, the EFA reports on the secret Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement negotiations that are currently underway, where evidence has come to light that it is also very much about copyright enforcement on a global scale, which may have strong effects on Internet usage if it is taken up. Read Nic's analysis for more information, but here's a good summary:

There is a real danger here that Australia may abdicate its ability and responsibility to determine appropriate domestic copyright laws. If the text of the ACTA requires changes to our law, we risk being once again locked into the US-driven copyright agenda, without either public discussion and debate or proven benefit to Australia. The level of secrecy in these negotiations, for measures that could potentially drastically alter our copyright balance, is completely unacceptable. There is no rational reason that such negotiations need to be kept secret � copyright laws are assumed to be enacted to achieve a balance for the benefit of society; it is only if they do not achieve this balance that their details would need to be kept from the public.

GTA4: The Ballad of Gay Tony Review

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:13:41 +1100

The final entrant in the GTA 4 story arc finally hit late last week, and it hasn't disappointed one bit. With an over-the-top story and mission structure, the game offers a more varied and 'fun' approach to events at-hand, while its compelling characters do an amazing job of carrying it all forward.

This is by far the best of all three games, and its main character, Luis Lopez, is the strongest extension to the player, acting as a believable vessel through which Liberty City can be conquered. This review also celebrates the release of Episodes From Liberty City, which features The Ballad of Gay Tony and the Lost and Damned - two games for the price of one at retail.

Click here for our full review.

Left 4 Dead 2 - Censorship Comparison Video

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:18:44 +1100

Dan has whipped up a handy video for anyone that hasn't seen the differences between the censored, watered-down Australian version of the Left 4 Dead 2 demo and the awesome hardcore rest-of-the-world-except-Germany version.

The video shows the two versions running split-screen, side by side at the same time (so half the scene is the censored version and the other half is raw). You really get a feel for the differences between the two versions. Check it out before deciding to spend money on the Australian version!