Black Ops Somehow Sells 23 Million In Its First Nine Months

Castrum - Somehow, Call of Duty: Black Ops has managed to sell 23 million copies in its first nine months on store shelves, numbers generally unheard-of outside of Nintendo games.

As well, Black Ops' DLC map packs have collectively sold 18 million at this point in time.

Expect those $15-for-3-maps "deals", as well as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 176 - Warfare Harder, to continue on into the future.

Source: Joystiq

Nintendo Weekly Update - Week Of August 28th

Castrum - Here's your weekly Nintendo systems release list. Nothing much this week of note:

WiiWare

• Trenches Generals (Fishing Cactus, 1-2 players, 700 Wii Points): A side-view tower defense game in which you defend your bunker using an assortment of soldiers and your very own trench.

3DS eShop

• Pac-Man (Game Boy) (Nintendo, 1 player, $3.99): When we were your age, we had to play Pac-Man with a scrolling maze, in black and white. And we liked it!

DSiWare

• House M.D. - Blue Meanie (Legacy Interactive, 1 player, $7.99/800 DSi Points): Yes, they're still doing these episodic House games on DSiWare. It wasn't a hallucination.
• GO Series Fishing Resort (Gamebridge, 1 player, $1.99/200 DSi Points): A simple, touch-controlled fishin' game.

Source: Joystiq

Trailer Roundup - September 1st

Castrum - Many trailers from the past couple of days:

Street Fighter III: Third Strike Getting DLC

Castrum - The re-release of Street Fighter III: Third Strike will be getting its first taste of DLC soon, with Color Pack 1 ($3.00) showing up the week of September 6th. This pack adds 7 new colors for each character.

Within the next month or so, a few more packs will be showing up: Music Packs, Unlock Keys, and a few Match Packs, which consist of spectator-view matches from a tournament Capcom held with expert commentary.

Source: Capcom Unity

Steam Daily Deal - Alien Shooter 67% Off

Castrum - Today's Steam daily deal is 67% off Alien Shooter:

http://store.steampowered.com/app/33100/

I've tried this game out before, and it's decent fun for a coffee break or when you're bored. For $2.00, I'd say it's worth it.

Steam Weekend Deal - 50% Off All Call Of Duty Games/DLC

Castrum - This weekend's Steam deal is 50% off all Call of Duty games and DLC, except for Modern Warfare 3 and Black Ops' DLC. As well, Black Ops itself is only 33% off, though that's better than nothing.

I should also note that this weekend is a Free Weekend for Black Ops until Sunday at 1 PM Pacific.

http://store.steampowered.com/sale/Call_of_Duty_Franchise_Weekend

The sale is on until September 5th at 10 AM Pacific.

BlazBlue: Continuum Shift 2 Coming To PS3, 360

Castrum - The expansion for the sequel to one of the best Fighting Games in recent memory, BlazBlue: Continuum Shift 2 (Electric Boogaloo?), is coming to the PS3 and Xbox 360 as well as its original announced system, the PS Vita.

This new game will feature a new character, Relius, new online modes, and all the DLC from the previous console game (presumably, the DLC from Continuum Shift).

Source: Andriasang

PSN Store Update - Week of August 28th

Castrum - Here's your weekly PSN Store update. Nothing much here that I'm not already getting on 360, though I may try my hand at the Mortal Kombat Kollection:

PS3

Updates

• Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Variety Map Pack – Sale (PS3) (now $4.99, original price $9.99)
• Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 French Resurgence Package – Sale (PS3) (now $7.49, original price $14.99)
• Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 French Stimulus Package – Sale (PS3) (now $7.49, original price $14.99)
• Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Resurgence Package – Sale (PS3) (now $7.49, original price $14.99)
• Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Stimulus Package – Sale (PS3) (now $7.49, original price $14.99)
• Call Of Duty: World At War Map Pack 1 Dlc – Sale (PS3) (now $4.99, original price $9.99)
• Call Of Duty: World At War Map Pack 2 Dlc – Sale (PS3) (now $4.99, original price $9.99)
• Call Of Duty: World At War Map Pack 3 Dlc – Sale (PS3) (now $4.99, original price $9.99)
• Call Of Duty: World At War Map pack Bundle – Sale (PS3) (now $12.49, original price $24.99)
• Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Deployment Network Theme – Sale (PS3) (now $0.99, original price $1.99)
• Call Of Duty Classic – Sale (PS3) (now $7.49, original price $14.99)
• Call Of Duty Classic French – Sale (PS3) (now $7.49, original price $14.99)
• Wakeboarding HD – Sale (PS3) (now $4.99, original price $9.99)
• Lord Of Arcana Digital – Price Change (PS3) (now $19.99, original price $39.99)
• Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together Digital – Price Change (PS3) (now $19.99, original price $39.99)
• The 3rd Birthday Digital – Price Change (PS3) (now $19.99, original price $29.99)
• Blue Toad Murder Files: Episode 1 – Price Change To Free (PS3) (now Free, original price $0.99)

Games

• The Baconing ($14.99/$11.99 for PlayStation Plus subscribers)
• Mortal Kombat Arcade Collection ($9.99)
• 4 Elements HD ($9.99)
• Ugly Americans: Apocalypsegeddon ($9.99)
• Shock Troopers ($8.99)
• World Heroes ($8.99)
• Elevator Action Deluxe ($9.99)

Game Demos

• The Baconing
• Ugly Americans: Apocalypsegeddon

Add-ons

• LittleBigPlanet 2 Toy Story 3 Costume Pack ($5.99)
• LittleBigPlanet 2 Mr. Pricklepants costume ($1.99)
• LittleBigPlanet 2 Dolly costume ($1.99)
• LittleBigPlanet 2 Trixie costume ($1.99)
• LittleBigPlanet 2 Lots-O'-Huggin' Bear costume ($1.99)
• No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise Bundle 1 ($1.49)
• No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise Motorbike 1 Add-On ($0.99)
• No More Heroes: Heroes' Paradise Sweet Berry Katana Add-On ($0.99)
• Dynasty Warriors Gundam 3 – Mobile Suit Pack 3 ($5.99)
• Deadliest Warrior: Legends: Joan Of Arc DLC ($2.99)
• Homefront – The Rock Map Pack ($4.99)
• Yoostar 2 – You Eat A Lot Of Red Meat ($1.99)
• Yoostar 2 – A Woman Who Will Arouse My Intellect ($1.99)
  Yoostar 2 – Anatomy Lesson ($1.99)
• Yoostar 2 – Live Long And Prosper ($1.99)
• Rock Band Network v2.0
  • "Bed Intruder Song (Feat. Kelly Dodson)" – Antoine Dodson & The Gregory Brothers ($1.99)
  • "Betus Blues (Retro Remix)" – dB soundworks ($0.99)
  • "Caves" – Chiodos ($1.99)
  • "Pray For Plagues" - Bring Me the Horizon ($1.99)
  • "Turning Sheep Into Goats/Systematomatic" – Rishloo ($0.99)
• Rock Band Weekly

Videos (free)

• Summer Dew Tour 2011 – Ocean Cty – PSN 1 – 5
• NBA 2K12 – NBA's Greatest Reveal Trailer
• FIFA Soccer 12 Accolades Trailer
• FIFA Soccer 12 First Official Gameplay Trailer
• FIFA Soccer 12 Player Impact Engine Teaser
• Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Confidential Information Trailer
• Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Narrative Trailer
• WWE '12 – The Rock Is Back Trailer
• WWE '12 Debut Trailer

PS3 Themes

• Destinations: Brooklyn Bridge Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
• Abstract: Bright Bubbles Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
• Animals: Monkey Business Dynamic Theme ($2.99)
• 100% Hot Static Theme ($1.49)
• 3D Shapes Static Theme ($1.49)
• Abstract Rings Static Theme ($1.49)
• Virtual Landscapes Static Theme ($1.49)

PSP

PSP minis (also available from PS3 Storefront)

• Snowy: The Bear's Adventures – Minis ($2.99)
• Carnivores: Ice Age – Minis ($3.99)

Games

• Madden NFL 12 ($39.99)
• ClaDun X2 ($19.99)
• Shock Troopers ($6.99)
• World Heroes ($6.99)

PlayStation Plus

Free BETA Access:

• Assassin's Creed: Revelations Multiplayer Beta (release date 9/2/11)

Exclusive Demo:

• God of War: Origins Collection Demo

PSN PLAY Discounts:

• Street Fighter III Third Strike: Online Edition, $11.99
• The Baconing, $11.99
• BloodRayne: Betrayal, $11.99
• Renegade Ops, $11.99

Discounts:

• Wakeboarding HD, $3.99
• Shock Troopers, $7.19
• Shock Troopers PSP, $5.59
• World Heroes, $7.19
• World Heroes PSP, $5.59

Exclusive Avatar Bundle:

• Section 8: Prejudice PSN Avatar Pack (10 Avatars), Free

Source: Joystiq

Batman: Arkham City On PC Using Shitty Games For Windows Live

Castrum - Well it seems the GFWL curse is still with us, as Square/Eidos have signed a deal with Microsoft to include their draconian, buggy DRM service with every copy of Arkham City sold on PC. As for DLC, that may be an issue, given Steam's stance on forcing developers to sell DLC through Steam.

The only good thing that can come from this is that PC gamers can get Live Achievements instead of Steam Achievements, though that's a dubious benefit at best.

Source: Joystiq

Persona 4 Coming To PS Vita, Persona Fighting Game For Consoles On The Way

Castrum - According to the latest Famitsu (Japan's big gaming magazine), Persona 4 is coming to the PS Vita. This new version of the PS2 game will feature a new character named Mary, more voice-overs, and wireless functionality.

A new Fighting Game was also announced for Xbox 360 and PS3, called Persona 4: The Ultimate In Mayonaka Arena, being developed by the creators of BlazBlue.

Source: Andriasang

The Witcher 2 Almost Sells 1 Million Copies

Castrum - The Witcher 2 sold 940,000 copies in the first half of 2011.

Pretty good for a PC RPG in this day and age, especially one that is very-easily pirated due to GOG.com's No DRM policy.

Source: Joystiq

Dragon Age Info Extravaganza

Castrum - Lots of Dragon Age 2 and 3 info at the link below, but here's a few highlights:

- Dragon Age 3 will feature the majority of the DA world, with your party going from Tevinter to Orlais and so forth.

- DA1's hero's and Hawke's stories are finished now, and DA3 will feature yet-another new hero.

- More big DA2 DLC coming down the line, rather than shitty piecemeal stuff. Will feature Varric, Leliana, Morrigan, and Flemeth.

- No co-op in DA3, though they are looking into it (though why they would waste time and resources on it for a single-player personal experience RPG is beyond my ability to discern).

- Followers/companions' armor can be modified in DA3 to some extent.

- Combat in DA3 will be a combination of DA1's tactical stuff and DA2's action stuff.

Source: Neogaf

GOG.com - Ultima 1+2+3

Castrum - The three original Ultima games, which I myself have never tried, are now available at GOG.com in a 3-pack for $6.00:

http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/ultima_1_2_3

Trailer Roundup - August 29th

Castrum - A few more than yesterday's:

75% Off Far Cry Games

Castrum - Steam's mid-week deal is up, and it's 75% off Far Cry 1 and 2, as well as the bundle for both:

http://store.steampowered.com/sale/FarCryMidweek

I absolutely loved Far Cry 2, and for $5.00 you really can't go wrong.

The sale ends September 1st at 4 PM Pacific.

Game Releases - Week of August 28th

Castrum - Your weekly game releases. Nothing much this week if you're not nuts for Madden:

TUESDAY

Bodycount (360, PS3)

DeathSpank 3: The Baconing (PC, PSN)

Madden NFL 12 (360, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii)

Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection (PSN)
Serious Sam: Double D (PC)

The Sims Medieval: Pirates and Nobles (PC)

WEDNESDAY

DeathSpank 3: The Baconing (XBLA)

Elevator Action Deluxe (PSN)

Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection (XBLA)
Rock of Ages (XBLA)
Ugly Americans: Apocalypsegeddon (PSN, XBLA)

THURSDAY

Tropico 4 (PC)

Source: Kotaku (with some adjustments on my part)

Hard Reset Release Date/Specs Announced

Castrum - Hard Reset, the indie FPS-RPG that looks like a AAA game, will be out on Steam on September 13th for $30.

Here's the Specs your PC will need to run it:

MINIMUM:
OS: Windows XP/Vista/7
Processor: 2.5 GHz Intel Pentium 4 / AMD Athlon 64
RAM: 2 GB
Graphics card: 512 MB NVIDIA GeForce 8800GS / ATI Radeon HD 3870 or better
Sound Card: DirectX Compatible
DirectX: DirectX 9.0c
Hard Drive: 4 GB free hard drive space

RECOMMENDED:
OS: Windows XP/Vista/7
Processor: Intel Quad Core 2.3 GHz / AMD Phenom II x4 2.5 GHz
RAM: 3 GB
Graphics card: 512 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT / ATI Radeon HD 4870 or better
Sound Card: DirectX Compatible
DirectX: DirectX 9.0c
Hard Drive: 4 GB free hard drive space

Source: Kotaku

Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword Getting A Shiny Gold Bundle

Castrum - Skyward Sword is getting a fancy golden bundle at launch, which comes with the above (the game, a music CD with performances from the Zelda 25th Anniversary concert, and a special Wii Remote Plus). The bundle will cost $69.99, whereas the game itself is still just $49.99.

Note that, in order to play Skyward Sword, you are required to have either a Wiimote Plus or the MotionPlus add-on, so for anyone who hasn't yet jumped on the bandwagon, this would be a good time to do so.

Source: Joystiq

Gears Of War 3 Getting $30 Season Pass, First DLC In November

Castrum - Gears of War 3 will be getting an L.A. Noire-like Season Pass, available for $30 on Xbox Live, which grants access to the first four of GoW3's DLC from launch onwards. According to Microsoft, this will equate to a 33% discount compared to buying all four individually (which means each will cost 800 Points/$10 on their own, meaning you will save the cost of one entire DLC).

This pass goes up on Live on September 20th, and comes with a "Liquid Metal" weapon set. The first DLC in this pack will be released sometime in November.

Source: Joystiq

Trailer Roundup - August 28th

Castrum - Enjoy: