Minecraft 1.1 Update Available Now
Despite being on the market for quite some time now indie smash hit Minecraft continues to chug along at a healthy pace. While iconic creator Notch may have given up creative control over the game to work on bigger and better things, updates are continuing the flow like the gracious water found within the game’s landscape.
Today, news has broke that Minecraft 1.1 is being pushed to all. Seeing how it’s just an incremental update, don’t expect too many hard hitting features similar to those found in the Adventure Update but there is still some fun to be had. Below is a list of what’s included courtesy of Mojang:
- Bow Enchantments
- Golden Apple recipe
- New language translations.
- Slightly smoothed color transitions between biomes
- Reduced brewing time to 20 seconds
- Added spawn eggs to creative (the colors of the eggs even look like the mobs)
- Added world type options (currently only super-flat and default)
- Removed collision box from ladders
- Sheep eat grass and regain their wool
As always the update will be pushed to your client as soon as you boot it up so there shouldn’t be a need for any manual updating. On that note, if you get a chance to give Minecraft 1.1 a whirl let us know how it goes. Additionally, you can check out a video released by Mojang showing of 1.1′s features after the break.
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Rockstar Twitter Contest Puts Your Face in Max Payne 3
After a near decade long hiatus Rockstar’s Max Payne franchise is finally set for a reboot with Max Payne 3. From the looks of it, Max Payne 3 will be a very welcome addition to the series. Seeing how the last game we saw from the Max Payne series was Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne in 2003, gamers can expect a major boost in tech as was displayed quite some time ago in a tech demo (which you can view here).
Max Payne 3 is slated to launch in March of this year which means it’s about time for Rockstar to start the hype train. And what better way to start the hype train than with a contest? Rockstar has just announced they will be holding a Max Payne 3 contest that won’t gift you with money, fame or beautiful woman but instead, something much better. That’s right, lucky contestants will actually get a chance to have their face immortalized in the game’s multiplayer.
So far, Rockstar has picked 4 winners as made evident by the above image but fret not as there is still room for 4 more. To enter the contest all you have to do is follow @RockstarGames on Twitter and tweet out anything you deem worthy of their attention with #MaxPayne3 included somewhere in said tweet. Sounds easy enough but with such ease is sure to come an onslaught of contestants.
If you’re willing to fare the competition and want some more info, that can be acquired here.
[Rockstar]
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Modern Warfare 3 Maps Incoming, Lots of Them
Activision has struck gold many times in the past with franchises such as Guitar Hero but it’s hard to find a franchise as popular as Call of Duty. Spanning a massive amount of titles and many different consoles, Call of Duty has gone on to become the de facto FPS game putting others to shame in terms of sales numbers.
Modern Warfare 3, the franchise’s latest release, is no different selling a massive 6.5 million copies during the first 24 hours it was on the market. But, if you thought Activision would be satisfied with making a mere $400 million in 24 hours, you would be sadly mistaken.
A lot of talk has circulated in regards to future DLC for the game. In the past, Activision has taken it upon themselves to release various DLC packs (mostly consisting of multiplayer maps) for Call of Duty titles. Well, it seems that they are looking to ramp this up considerably with Modern Warfare 3 by releasing a massive 20 DLC packs in the next 9 months.
The first content pack will be made available on January 24th for Xbox Live gamers who subscribe to Call of Duty: Elite containing two maps dubbed Liberation and Piazza. Furthermore, those who subscribe to said service can expect at least monthly installments of these downloadable packs.
This is all fine and dandy, but there’s been virtually no word on when PC, PS3 and non Call of Duty: Elite subscribers can get access to the any of this content. We’ll keep you posted as more information is made available. In the mean time check out a trailer for the first Modern Warfare 3 DLC pack after the break.
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Razer Naga Hex Gaming Mouse for MMORPGs
Hardcore gamers know that when it comes to peripherals perfect for a competitive scene, Razer is one of the premiere manufacturers. Already Razer has a ton of different products on the market ranging from keyboards and mice to game controllers and headsets. While many of these products are perfect for gamers across the board, Razer frequently comes forth to show off products that target a specific niche.
Today, for example, the company has come forth to show off the Razer Haga Hex gaming mouse. At first blush this may look like nothing more than a typical mouse but the magic happens on the side (quite literally, actually). Razer has included several macro keys for use with MMORPGs such as World of Warcraft and more. Instead of having to press the number on your keyboard, all you have to do is tap the key on the side of the Razer Naga Hex and your spell will be cast (or whatever else you have assigned to said key).
Not much has been said in terms of an official release date but those who want to slap down a $79.99 pre-order for the Razer Naga Hex can head here.
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Diablo 3 February 1st Best Buy Release Date Shot Down by Blizzard
If you’ve been paying attention you’ll know that just the other day a leaked Best Buy advertisement let us know that Blizzard’s highly anticipated Diablo 3 would be hitting store shelves on February 1st. This sent a flurry of excitement through the Internet as Blizzard is notoriously silent in regards to the release date of their products. But, at the time of the leak, we let you know not to get too excited about this release date as it was not officially confirmed.
Unfortunately, Blizzard has stepped forth today to dash everyone’s hopes and dreams. According to the popular game developer, February 1st is not, and never was the release date for Diablo 3. According to Blizzard, Best Buy had guessed when the game will be released presumably in hopes to spur pre-orders.
Whether or not this is true we haven’t a clue. It wouldn’t be too out of the blue for Blizzard to deny this release date just to keep gamers waiting around for a press release. But, as always, we’ll continue digging and come back to you with anything else we find. Stay tuned!
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Diablo 3 Release Date Leaked by Best Buy?
One of the most anticipated games of the year is none other than Blizzard’s Diablo 3. This game has been in development for quite some time as Diablo 2 originally made its way onto the market way back in June of 2000. Unfortunately, much like Blizzard’s other games, they’ve yet to give a solid release date for Diablo 3 instead telling us that it will be released when it’s ready.
That, of course, hasn’t stopped Best Buy from accidentally leaking what very well may be the official Diablo 3 release date. As you can see from the above snap shot, an unnamed Best Buy has gone live with a Diablo 3 advertisement that suggests it will drop on February 1st of this year.
Is this to be believed? We aren’t quite sure but considering February 1st is under a month away we’re sure to hear more quite soon.
[Joystiq]
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Steam Posts 100% Yearly Sales Increase For 7th Consecutive Year
Across the entire entertainment industry it’s becoming increasingly less necessary for consumers to make any sort of physical trek to consume content. The reason for this, of course, is the emergence of digital distribution outlets and mail-order companies such as Netflix, GameFly, OnLive and much more. But, while these companies have seen much success over the years, when it comes to PC games, Valve’s Steam is the clear winner.
Originally released way back in 2003 Steam was plagued with bugs but did allow consumers to grab their favorite computer games without ever leaving the house. As the years have passed Valve has managed to iron out most of these bugs and Steam has now grown into one of the largest digital distribution platforms in the world. In fact, the platform has grown to be so success that in a recent press release Valve has said Steam has posted a 100% sales increase for the 7th straight year.
With so much competition on the market, especially from low priced mobile phone games, this is quite the feat. It’s also a great thing as independent video game developers are given the chance to shine without having to go through traditional publishers.
Good luck to Steam, Valve and all of the indie game developers offering their games through the platform!
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Most Pirated Games of 2011
Online piracy is an ongoing problem for content producers. Not only have album sales taken a dive but the movie and video game industry has taken a hit as well. Regardless of your stance on the problem, and your thoughts what should be done about it, you may be interested to know of the most pirated games of 2011 across platforms including the Xbox 360, Wii and PC.
Well, lucky for you, TorrentFreak has just posted a list of the most pirated games of 2011 which we’ve included for your viewing pleasure below:
PC:
- Crysis 2 – 3,920,000 downloads
- Modern Warfare 3 – 3,650,000 downloads
- Battlefield 3 – 3,510,000 downloads
- FIFA ’12 – 3,390,000 downloads
- Portal 2 – 3,240,000 downloads
- Super Mario Galaxy 2 - 1,280,000 downloads
- Mario Sports Mix - 1,090,000 downloads
- Xenoblade Chronicles - 950,000 downloads
- Lego Pirates of the Caribbean - 870,000 downloads
- FIFA ’12 - 860,000
- Gears of War 3 - 890,000 downloads
- Modern Warfare 3 - 830,000 downloads
- Battlefield 3 - 760,000 downloads
- Forza Motorsport 4 - 720,000 downloads
- Kinect Sports: Season Two - 690,000 downloads
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Terraria 1.1 Update Out Now
If you’re one of the millions of players supporting Minecraft you may have heard of Terraria. If not, Terraria has been regarded by many as the 2D Minecraft but those who have played the game know that this is a very incomplete description. While you can mine materials and later craft various items out of said materials a la Minecraft the general premise of the game is much different.
Terraria is filled with countless enemies, boss battles, places to explore and, most importantly, the number of weapons found in the game outpaces Minecraft by a hefty margin.
Anyways, the game itself is very expansive and will take gamers quite some time to make their way through it. However, if you’re one who has been playing the game since release chances are you already have the best armor and have given Skeletron an ass kicking. Luckily for you Terraria 1.1 has been released today adding in such a wealth of content it would take more time than I’m sure you’re willing to sit there for to explain it all.
In a nut shell, Terraria 1.1 will add new bosses, new materials, new items and new places to explore. The number of new items included in the update are really enough to merit a full fledged sequel. Luckily, Terraria’s developers are very committed to the community releasing the update completely free of charge. While you wait for the update to download check out the below video showing it off included after the break.
Read more 
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The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Receives Perfect Rating From Famitsu
If you’re a hardcore gamer chances are you’re already well aware of Famitsu. If you’re not, all you need to know is that it’s one of the most iconic and authoritative video game magazines not only in Japan but quite possible the world.
Much like pretty much every other video game publication Famitsu does periodic reviews of new titles to hit the market. Due to the fact that they’re quite critical with their reviewing approach development studios everywhere strive for a high score. However, a video game made in the Western world has never received a 40/40 (Famitsu’s highest score), until now. receives
Famitsu recently released their latest issue where they give Bethesda’s critically acclaimed The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim a perfect 40/40 rating. To put this in perspective, other games that have received such a score from the magazine include The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Metal Gear Solid 4, Pokemon Black & White and finally the more recent The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.
Does this mean Skyrim will go down in history as a classic? Only time will tell.
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