Return of the Messiah

We have a United Offensive headquarters server running again at 205.234.159.210:28960. I've repaired (and updated) the last Messiah Mod, which is now at version D. Unfortunately, we don't have the http redirect working yet, so the download will be extremely slow for the moment. For those IT( )E members with GTalk, I can send the mod to you that way, which should only take a few minutes.

Windows 7 RTM has "critical" bug

From DailyTech.com:

Microsoft is now in code-red panic mode as a major bug has been found in Windows 7's RTM build, one which threatens to kill the OS's release party. The RTM build -- 7600.16385 -- thus far only received by a handful, features a reportedly massive memory leak in the unassuming, but frequently used program chkdsk.exe.

When scanning a second hard disk (a non-boot partition or second physical drive) using the "/r" (read and verify all file data) parameter the utility starts to leak memory like its a monsoon and quickly runs up a high enough memory debt that it blue screens and crashes the system, according to some (others merely report a memory usage of around 98 percent within seconds, but without the legendary "blue screen of death").

The bug has been confirmed on many different hardware setups --it's been verified to occur on everything from a Intel Atom-based netbook running the 32-bit version, to a Intel Core 2 Duo notebook running the 64-bit version, and a VMware Workstation 6.5.2 virtual machine running the 32-bit version.

Explorer.exe, which runs the utility does not release the excessively large amounts of memory it gobbles up, compounding the problem.

"We're surrounded"

Back in April, Atomic's Six Days in Fallujah was the subject of much discussion here at IUN (see: post 1, post 2, post 3, post 4). It seems that the search for a new publisher hasn't gone well since then, and the developer has been forced to lay-off several employees. From Gamasutra:

Atomic Games says fears over Six Days In Fallujah's subject matter have meant it hasn't gotten funding nor a publisher for a project, and that it's had to make an unspecified staff reduction today.

"In the words of Marine officer Chesty Puller, 'We're surrounded. That simplifies the problem,'" said Atomic in a press statement. The studio says development at Atomic will continue with a smaller team funded by sister company Destineer.

Atomic, which also cites "low video game sales this summer" as a reason for its current challenges, notes that its staff of 75 has remained intact until the reductions this week. It called this a "testament" to their commitment to the project in the face of challenges.

IUN saw this coming way back when, though we take no pleasure in being right. Atomic's management can beat their drums all they like, but the fact remains: their decisions - to make this game, and to market it stupidly - cost people their jobs. Six Days was a bad idea from the jump, and the din it generated may well end up being the soundtrack for the developer's demise.

Steam going down tonight

No L4D for you this evening. From Steam News:

Beginning at 6:00 pm Pacific time Thursday August 6th, we will be performing software maintenance on some Steam servers. We expect the resulting downtime to last three hours at most, putting the end of the window at 9:00 pm Pacific time.

Some Steam services will be offline during this time. Affected services will include the Steam Community, in-game matchmaking or lobbies, downloading games from Steam content servers, and making purchases from the Steam store. Games that do not rely on Steam matchmaking services should remain playable.

News updates and any further information will be posted in this space.

We will work to make this downtime as short as possible. Thank you for your patience!

Left 4 Dead DLC coming next month

From Steam News:

Entitled "Crash Course," the latest DLC delivers new single-player, multiplayer and co-operative gameplay to both platforms. Targeted for release in September, "Crash Course" bridges the gap between the end of the "No Mercy" campaign and the beginning of "Death Toll" in the original game, expanding the game universe with new locations, new dialogue from the original cast, and an explosive finale[.]

While containing both Survival maps and a Co-operative Campaign, the primary goal of "Crash" is to deliver a complete Versus mode experience in just 30 minutes, resulting in a streamlined version of the game's existing Versus campaigns. A recharge timer for infected teammates has also been added, and item spawn behavior has changed for more balanced gameplay.

No charge for PC guys. For the Xbox, players will have to lay out 560 Gamer points (whatever the hell those are).

Wolfenstein multiplayer leaked

From the Wolfenstein community forums:

It was brought to our attention on Friday, 7/31 that a build of the Wolfenstein Multiplayer was leaked and is now being distributed illegally through breach of NDA and mirrors posted on the internet. I must warn anyone involved that Activision’s legal department is taking this matter very seriously.

Same applies here on the forums. If you mention that you have acquired this build, you are openly admitting to illegally obtaining the build and will be banned straight away. You have been warned.

Eurogamer reviews Alpha Protocol

The whole thing is worth a read if you're looking to branch-out a bit. This line piqued my interest (a little):

Adaptation to your play-style, not punishment. In fact, Alpha Protocol could even be said to be rewarding you for playing however you like. While clearly this is only one example, if Obsidian can stretch this philosophy across all 30-odd hours of the game (which sounds short for an RPG, but the 120 hours of dialogue hint at huge scope for replay) it could achieve something role-playing developers have been chasing in vain for years: a game that's truly shaped by you, not one that simply tumbles into arbitrary good, bad, and somewhere-in-the-middle.

And, here's the trailer:

Video Games | Alpha Protocol | E3 09: Exclusive Trailer HD

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

Starcraft II delayed

Yet another highly-anticipated title will not find its way into Santa's jolly red sack this holiday season. Activision Blizzard announced yesterday that they're pushing StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty into the first half of 2010, because their proprietary online gaming service, Battle.net, won't be ready this year.


This isn't much of a surprise, given that the beta release had already been delayed. Still, it's one less AAA title to compete with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, which is now projected to sell an extra gazillion units. 1UP has a rundown of all (most?) of the games of 2009 that have become the games of 2010.

North Korea Rejects Gore

All I can say is : I read the headline : North Korea Rejects Gore

And I laughed my ass off.
This is in no way intended to begin a political discussion or to extend my political views to any of you, I really just thought it was hilarious.
The Man who brought us the Internet .... The Man who has saved us all, REJECTED ?
hehe Sorry no offense intended to any Al Gore fans.
I can't stop laughing though.
'
Sorry Jimbo, you fat piece of shit.... I know you wanted Al Gore to Mount you.

Music Monday

Because your musical tastes aren't as refined:

Elbow - Grounds for Divorce (better audio quality here)



Vinx - I'm Yours Tonight



And one in honor of our long lost friend, Remco Van Der Tuin:

Golden Earring - Radar Love (better audio quality here, but it's just not the same)