Game developer BlueGiant Interactive today officially announced their upcoming title, APOX. APOX is a real-time strategy game set in a near post-apocalyptic, Mad-Max-esque universe.

APOX is an RTS game at its core, although it blends in elements of FPS and RPG genres. We introduced FPS concepts like equipping multiple weapons, weapon drops, and limited ammo. We added RPG elements such as experience (veterancy) and giving units a high level of customization.  We can put any soldier type into any vehicle type and essentially create dozens of unique unit variations,” said Mark Currie, Lead Designer.

BlueGiant has released a gameplay video which is viewable at the APOX website www.apoxgame.com. APOX is using the open source rendering engine OGRE. The video demonstrates the high level of visual quality that can be achieved with OGRE. We are really proud of APOX. We are the first Indian studio to make a game of this quality and scale,” said Vinnie Reddy, CEO of BlueGiant.

Key Features of APOX

• Prone, cover, and realistic line-of-fire
• Realistic ammo and fuel supply system
• Soldiers can be placed in vehicles to create new unit types
• Over 100 maps
• Map editor for player-designed maps and game modes
• Supports multiplayer games with up to 32 players

APOX has community features like online matchmaking, stat tracking, ladders, clan matches, and tournaments. The developers will provide frequent updates to support the player community.

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Check out the latest screen shots of MMA fresh out of the upcoming demo, soon to be released September 28th.

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Sniper: Ghost Warrior has shown you the art of achieving the perfect headshot, how to navigate through dangerous terrain, and keep your wits about you in the process; now, check out the latest downloadable content, featuring:

• 5 new multiplayer maps;
• Longer range shooting distances;
• New battles to take control of ruined oil rigs;
• A fight to capture one of the mystic stone towers.

The content will be available for download via Xbox Live and through Steam for PC.

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Check out some new screenshots of Dungeon Siege 3

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Created by the developer VSTEP, Ship Simulator Extremes offers exciting missions as you pilot an impressive array of vessels, and live the story of real ship captains. Do you have the calm nerves of a real ship captain, even in the most demanding conditions?

“We are confident the latest installment of the Ship Simulator series will more than please the sim community and open up the genre to a new set of gamers,” said Mattias Lilja, Executive Producer at Paradox Interactive. “The VSTEP team went above and beyond with this project, and we couldn’t be happier with the end result.”

Ship Simulator Extremes is available today for digital download on all leading digital distribution platforms, in European retail stores and through the Paradox webshop.

Ship Simulator Extremes is available now via retail or download.

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Recently, Digital River launched in-game e-commerce solutions for the following leading game titles:

• Bubble Island: Developed by wooga, Bubble Island is an exciting puzzle game based on a popular arcade concept operated in StudiVZ and Facebook.

• Dawn of Nations: This browser-based massively multiplayer online (MMO) strategy game, published by Element 36 Interactive, lets players adopt roles of military commanders in an immersive World War II setting.

• MonsterWorld: wooga’s third title in the social gaming space allows Facebook and StudiVZ users to grow exotic plants and realise their own unique vision of a monster world.

• onGOLF: A MMO 3D simulation golf game, onGOLF features some of the most recognisable golf brands as well as realistic and intuitive game play.

• Pirate Galaxy: This browser-based MMO game from Splitscreen Studios is set in space in the distant future.

• Qraut: Qraut is a browser-based MMO game developed by Innova Systems, a leading Russian online game publisher.

• Vikings of Thule: Developed by Game Studio Gogogic, Vikings of Thule is a revolutionary Facebook-based MMO game.

• WebbliWorld: Produced by Aardman, WebbliWorld is a global online virtual world for children that addresses the environment, climate change and recycling.

Summer is almost over, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy what time we have left. GamersGate, as a part of their ‘Deals of Summer’ promotion, has one last summer sale for PC gamers.  Check out this week’s deals on some of the latest PC titles:

Summer Sale Week (Now through August 29th):

• -   A Kingdom for Keflings – 66% OFF
• -   Alter Ego – 10% OFF
• -   And Yet It Moves – 60% OFF
• -   Avernum V – 60% OFF
• -   Beat Hazard –60% OFF
• -   Bob Came in Pieces – 60% OFF
• -   Braid  – 60% OFF
• -   Droplitz – 50% OFF
• -   Emberwind –60% OFF
• -   Flotilla – 60% OFF
• -   Geneforge 5 –60% OFF
• -   Machinarium – 60% OFF
• -   Osmos – 60% OFF
• -   Plain Sight – 60% OFF
• -   Saira – 60% OFF
• -   The Path – 60%
• -   World of Goo – 60% OFF
• -   Zombie Driver – 75% OFF
• -   Zombilution – 66% OFF
• -   ArcaniA: Gothic 4 – 15% OFF Pre-order Discount
• -   Medal of Honor Limited Edition – 10% OFF Pre-order Discount for owners of Battlefield Bad Company 2 via GamersGate
• -   Ship Simulator Extreme – Get Exclusive Bonus Content with Purchase
• -   Tom Clancy’s HAWX 2 – Buy Tom Clancy’s HAWX2, get Blazing Angel 2 for Free

For a complete list of deals, please visit www.GamersGate.com

Worms Reloaded, like its predecessors, is a turn-based game that places your team of four worms on small islands against an opposing team. The object is to annihilate the opposing worm team before they do the same to you, but this is easier said than done. Since each environment varies in size with many obstacles to destroy, strategy is required to traverse the map. An enemy worm could be halfway across the map and almost untouchable, but with a little forward-thinking (and with the help of your arsenal of goodies), you can dig, blow torch, and even blow holes through the scenery to reach the other side. For the more bolder gamers out there, you can aim your long-range weapons toward the sky (bazooka, grenade launcher, etc.) and try to fire it across the landscape to hit the enemy.

This technique requires precession on the player’s part to accomplish. Luckily your weapons have crosshairs to help you aim, and when the spacebar is held to fire a weapon, a color meter extends from the weapon barrel indicating the strength of the shot. Seasoned veterans will already have this technique down stone cold, but for the newcomers out there – watch out. This long-range firing technique takes practice and patience.

For newcomers, Worms has a simple tutorial that trains you on the basics of Worm combat. Controlling your worm is as simple as using the keyboard and mouse. The left and right arrow keys move your worm, and the up and down arrow keys aim your weapon. Tapping the enter key once will make your worm jump, while tapping it twice will make your worm double-jump (or backflip) over higher terrain. Pressing the spacebar will fire your weapon. By holding down the spacebar, you can increase the distance and intensity of your attack. The mouse is used for scrolling through the playfield, launching air strikes to kill your enemy (this is done by highlighting the cursor over your enemy and pressing the left mouse button), and selecting your weapons (by pressing the right mouse button).

i
Your worms all share the same arsenal, so choosing wisely will be in your best interest. Some scenarios will give you a multitude of weapons to choose from (i.e. bazookas, grenades, dynamite, and shotguns to name just a few), and while some have infinite ammo, other weapons like grenades have a limited use. Depending on where your worms are positioned, parachutes may be given to help you reach lower sections of the level. If you run out of parachutes, you can use a teleporter device that can teleport one worm anywhere on the map. This device comes in handy when you’re down to your last worm or when an enemy is difficult to reach.

Worms is a turn-based game in every sense of the word. Each worm takes its turn, moves, and attacks based on a counter. The counter slowly ticks down when no movement occurs, but it will deplete much faster when an action is taken. The gameplay is well balanced; the first worm in your team begins, and once his turn ends it switches over to the enemy.  Once the enemy worm reacts, it switches back to another teammate respectively. The game continues on like this until a victor is determined.

Funny animations play throughout as your worms attack their enemy, blow holes through the scenery, and die from a lack of health. Each worm starts with 100 health points, and once these reach zero you are treated to a hilarious animation of your worm committing suicide (this also starts a chain reaction in the environment). This chain reaction can harm friends and foes alike; it will cause an explosion that will punch a large hole in the environment, making it difficult for others to cross. Ingenuity is needed to work around sudden terrain changes.

Worms Reloaded for PC is a pillar of perfection. The only complaint I have about Worms Reloaded are the comical one-liners said by your worms at the beginning of each turn. While the one-liners seem cute and hilarious at first, they are repeated so often they tend to grate on your nerves. There is no option  available to disable the voices which is quite unfortunate. However, there is an option to disable the sound effects, but then you would be missing out on the explosions and funny sounds your worms make during combat.

Fans of the series will enjoy Worms Reloaded by Team 17. Newcomers will discover a game filled with endless possibilities and countless hours of gameplay. Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to this incredible game; you certainly won’t regret it.

Worms Reloaded by Team 17 will be available on Steam for $19.99.  If you pre-order your copy now, you will receive 10% off your purchase.

Mike ‘STGuy1040’ Pittaro

Developer / Publisher: Team 17
Platform: PC

Available on: Steam on August 26th, 2010

Review Score
Graphics
The 2D graphics are colorful and pleasing to the eyes
Sound
With the one exception where your worms repeat the same jokes, the sound effects are full of explosions and comical screams.
Gameplay
Perfection... I can't stress it enough.

Overall
Worms Reloaded is well worth the investment

Reverb Publishing, an initiative of Reverb Communications, cdv Software Entertainment USA and Trendy Entertainment today announced that Dungeon Defenders will march onto the PlayStation Network for the PlayStation 3, Xbox LIVE Arcade for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows-based PCs on Steam, Direct2Drive, IGN Entertainment’s digital retail game site, Impulse and GamersGate this fall.

Developed by Trendy Entertainment using Epic Games’ award-winning Unreal Engine 3, Dungeon Defenders throws action-RPG and tower defense gameplay into the proverbial blender to create a seamless mix of leveling, looting and high-action territorial combat for casual and core players alike.

We’ve worked with the Trendy team members on numerous games in the past and couldn’t be happier about launching the publishing side of our business with such a strong partner,” said Doug Kennedy, general manager of Reverb Communications.

Dungeon Defenders turns the tower defense genre on its head and adds a degree of depth seldom seen in a digital title,” said Jeremy Stieglitz, development director of Trendy Entertainment. “There is meaty character leveling and customization, awesome loot drops and plenty of team-oriented defensive strategy to manage, but then you have this action-packed wave-based standoff that gets continually more intense. It’s as deep as it is instantly fun.

Dungeon Defenders features a lovingly-rendered watercolor art style and allows up to 4 players, online or locally, to take one of four distinct classes into fierce battle against ever-increasing waves of baddies and bosses across 15 arenas and multiple modes.

Dungeon Defenders will be available for Xbox 360, PlayStation^®3 computer entertainment system, and Windows-based PCs on Steam, Impulse, & GamersGate this fall. Dungeon Defenders is one of the first games to take advantage of GameSpy Open, GameSpy Technology’s independent developer program, allowing Trendy access to several pieces of GameSpy technology, including server and network tools, voice chat and stat tracking services.

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Check out the latest incoming screenshots to the next installment of Fable 3

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