For the past many months, Quake Live has been in a beta, where a ton of players have been testing the game. Now id Software has ended the beta and the game is now in stable operation. Which also means that you’ll probably start paying for the game as well. While the standard version will remain free, id Software has introduced two subscription levels (via Joystiq):
The premium subscription, which will run you $24 each year, nabs you 20 “Premium-only” maps, a combination of all-new and classic Quake maps; a “freeze tag” game mode; the ability to “create your own clan and join up to five separate clans”; and more.
The pro subscription will run you $48 each year, will nab you all of the premium features along with “the ability to start your own game server, specify a server location, determine the game mode and invite who you want to join you”; and the generous ability to invite three friends with free memberships to join you in any premium-level map.
Amanita Design’s Machinarium was a big success — at least on the critical side. Sales haven’t been all that stellar, and Amanita Design’s Jakub Dvorsky estimates that only around 10% of people who played the game actually paid the $20 it costs. Now the developer is offering “pirate amnesty” for those who pirated the game: they can now redeem their souls for just $5.
Sony has released new screenshots of the upcoming Heavy Rain Move Edition which will bring PlayStation Move support. The Move Edition of the game will be released as a free DLC and will be available later this year. Two more screens after the break. READ ON »
Activision has announced their quarterly earnings for the second quarter, which were at $967, compared to $1 billion during the same period last year. Profits however, increased to $219 million — 12 percent better than last year’s $195 million.
2K Games has confirmed that the “Protector Trials” DLC has been delayed on the PC, and no new date has been given. The DLC was supposed to be released with the Xbox 360 and PS3 version. The DLC offers new single player missions and will retail for $5.
According to a new report, Google has acquire casual game developer Slide for an estimated $190 million. Slide is the developer of several casual games, including SuperPoke. Google is strengthening their Google Games project, after recently investing over $100 million in Zynga.
That’s right, game streaming service OnLive has been valued at $1.1 billion, according to a filing the company did with the SEC, where the total value of its 342 million shares is set at $1.1 billion — which seems kinda lot for a largely unproven service.
After the huge success of Batman: Arkham Asylum, it was a no brainer that a sequel was in the works. It has now been revealed that Arkham City, developed by Warner Interactive, will be released on 2011 on the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360.
