A hotfix update has been released for X3: Albion Prelude 3.0, which fixes a crash that some users experienced after loading certain savegames.

Release Notes for 5/15/2013

[ MAPS ]
- de_train: Fixed grenade collision bug, other minor bugs.

[ MISC ]
- Added a convar sv_vote_allow_in_warmup defaulting to off and controlling whether votes are allowed during warmup.
- Shooting through a nodraw surface now doesn't count as a gun penetration (you can always shoot through nodraw).
- Consolidated Map Groups in Classic Casual and Demolition modes.

Version 1.07 (May 14th)

A new update is now available for download. Here are the 1.0.7 patch notes:

— Added a button at the center of the quarter wheel in the city screen. When pressed, it’ll position the camera on general city view.

Fixed:
— A bug that caused essential for progressing provinces appear on shards with standard conditions.
— Archmage’s inability to use two spells in his first turn.
— ‘Parry’ and ‘Forced March’ skills weren’t working properly in the first turn.
— Game’s freeze after diplomatic capture of a province.
— Event spam after hiring gargoyles.
— Wrong color of information display when a province is 100% explored.
— ‘Unrest’ icon will no longer be shown on the map if inhabitant’s attitude to player’s reign is positive.
— An exploit involving an exchange between heroes and hiring units in besieged enemy capital’s garrison.
— A bug that allowed learning spells during enemy capital’s siege.
— A bug that allowed learning spells from scrolls if the Library isn't constructed.
— Health indicator display at 1 HP for dragon and hydra units.
— A bug that allowed summoning creatures from eggs and keeping the eggs at the same time.
— Ability to summon creatures from eggs outside the garrison.
— Icons of guards unavailable for hire weren’t displayed correctly.
— A bug that allowed constructing planned buildings at the start of a turn during enemy capital’s siege.
— Mistiming in multiplayer caused by use of summoning skills or spells.
— Found ritual scrolls, guard pacts and building blueprints now won’t be displayed if hero’s inventory is full.
— Player’s portrait incorrect display on the statistics screen during the tutorial.
— A bug that caused wrong camera positioning in the city screen when a building from Foreign Quarter was selected.
— A bug that caused recurring uprising in a captured province.
— Inability to place units in a hot-seat or multiplayer battle after starting and leaving the tutorial.
— Upgrades for units weren’t displaying on the strategic map after using auto-battle or ‘Illusionary Battle’ ritual.
— A bug that caused the game to freeze after an enemy slug used ‘Necrophagy’ skill.
— Battle continuation after victory based on morale is achieved.
— Game’s freeze caused by using ‘Double Shot’ skill and enemy unit dying by the first shot arrow.
— Missing screen for choosing the second specialization for a hero when he was leveled up exploring a province.
— Game’s freeze caused by fighting in two battles in a row with different armies with auto-battle set to ‘On’.
— Game’s freeze caused by fighting in a battle and refusing to fight in the next one with auto-battle set to ‘On’.
— A nearby province was highlighted as impassable when ‘Forced March’ skill was used.

Sanctum 2 is Now Available on Steam

Sanctum 2 is the sequel to the world’s first Tower Defense/FPS hybrid game. Pick from four unique character classes and embark on a mission to protect the oxygen-producing Cores from hordes of deadly aliens who are threatened by their existence. Outfit your character exactly the way you want through the new and extensive customization system. Choose your own loadout of towers, weapons and perks, but choose wisely because you are humanity’s last defense against the unrelenting hordes set out to destroy it.

Anomaly 2 is Now Available on Steam and to celebrate, it is 10% off for the first week!

Anomaly Warzone Earth owners also receive a additional 10% off when they purchase before May 31st.

As the sequel to Anomaly Warzone Earth, Anomaly 2 adds new features to the single-player campaign and finally puts your skills to a test in a completely unique experience: the dynamic tower defense vs. tower offense multiplayer mode!

In the years following the invasion of Earth in 2018, the planet is overrun by alien machines. Humankind is on the verge of extinction. Banded together in huge convoys, they search the frozen tundra for food and supplies. Since the war, the roles have been reversed: now our species seems to be the Anomaly on a machine-controlled planet. Your convoy, Commander, is called Yukon.

*Offer ends May 22nd at 10AM Pacific Time.

Thunder Wolves is Now Available on Steam!

Put yourself in the pilot’s seat of a combat helicopter and become a member of the most experienced and dangerous helicopter team in the world, the Thunder Wolves! Support the Thunder Wolves in their global battle against terrorism. Take part in varied operations and do whatever it takes to thwart the diabolical plans of your enemies! Defeat them once and for all, and save the world!

Sanctum 2 is Now Available on Steam!

Sanctum 2 is the sequel to the world’s first Tower Defense/FPS hybrid game. Pick from four unique character classes and embark on a mission to protect the oxygen-producing Cores from hordes of deadly aliens who are threatened by their existence. Outfit your character exactly the way you want through the new and extensive customization system. Choose your own loadout of towers, weapons and perks, but choose wisely because you are humanity’s last defense against the unrelenting hordes set out to destroy it.

Today's Deal: Save 75% on LEGO Batman and LEGO® Batman 2 DC Super Heroes™ !

Look for the deals each day on the front page of Steam. Or follow us on twitter or Facebook for instant notifications wherever you are!

X3: Albion Prelude 3.0 - Shady Business is available as a FREE update to everybody who owns X3: Albion Prelude and includes support for LINUX as STEAMPLAY.

To celebrate the update X3: Albion Prelude, X3: Terran War Pack Bundle, X3: GoldBox, and the X Superbox will be 33% until May 22nd.

X3: Albion Prelude 3.0 - Shady Business brings three unique new plot lines and for the first time can be completely controlled with gamepads!

A plethora of new ships, new sectors, new gamestarts and new generic missions rounds of this big update to the X3 universe.

New Features and Improvements:

- New plots: Shady Business, Corporation Troubles, Breaking Grounds
- New generic mission: Repair Station, a service to repair damaged player stations (below 95% hull)
- New generic mission: Multiple Transport, to transport multiple passengers with different collection/delivery points
- New generic mission: Tour of a Lifetime, to take a group of tourists on a tour to various sectors to see the sights
- New generic mission: Escort Dual Convoy, to aid two convoys on different routes which need protecting
- Added controller support
- New ships: Lotan, Acinonyx, Pteranodon
- Changed the 'close to target' warning during the Follow Ship Mission from a popup message to a help text
- New special sector, including new soundtrack
- New special UFJD sector
- Unlockable Gamestarts: Aldran Adventurer, Lost Lar, Goner Witness
- Added ability for missions to enable/disable war behaviour
- More Terran factories available in shipyards

Fixes:

- Fixed Generic Patrol by removing extra 'missions accepted' increment statistic on acceptance
- Fixed Deliver Matching Ship increment statistic on acceptance for war mission
- Fixed Super Shipyard dock which caused M6 ships to collide while undocking
- Fixed Boron Equipment Dock orbiting objects being in the wrong position
- Fixed Argon Stock Exchange billboard which was located below some docking clamps
- Fixed messages sent to player in Transport Passenger Missions when there is insufficient cargo space or no Life Support
- Fixed Yaki Stock Exchange unlock requirements
- Fixed Escort Convoy Mission being offered by enemy race
- Fixed Escort Convoy Mission not ending if you attack an escort ship
- Fixed cleanup for the NPC contact in the Assassination Mission once the mission is finished
- Fixed issue of captured ships being destroyed by war manager
- Fixed bug with MD command
- Fixed loading of ware templates
- Fixed Ice miner Job so it no longer stays docked when it has nothing to mine
- Fixed default values for ship hue/saturation
- Added cleanup for escorts created for the Escort Convoy Mission
- Added checks to avoid Xenon Invasion Missions continuing when Xenon leave the sector
- Added checks during the Build Station Mission for when the Beacon is moved to avoid problems completing the mission
- Changed Tyr cargospace to 8800

Renaissance Heroes is Now Available on Steam!

Renaissance Heroes is an online multiplayer first-person shooter (FPS) set in the beautifully re-imagined world of 16th century Renaissance Europe.

The game combines fast paced arena, adrenaline-pumping action coupled with easy accessibility in a completely free to play environment with unparalleled visual realism powered by the Unreal Engine 3 technology.

Renaissance Heroes takes place in an alternative history in which famed inventor Leonardo da Vinci has created a machine that could change the world. In the wake of his death, the plans for the mysterious invention have been scattered, and warring factions vie to claim them

Play "Misery", "She Will Be Loved", and "Harder to Breathe" by Maroon 5 on any electric guitar or bass. Each song includes a new authentic tone accessible in AMP mode.

General
• Job priorities import/export with professions

Fixed
• Crash when building a mechanism that connects a mechanical wall to power that the gnome builder is standing on (killing the gnome)
• Gemmed rings and necklaces sometimes adding or subtracting incorrect values when trading
• Job priority list disappearing for custom professions
• Rain lasting for years
• Deconstructing a powered mechanical wall leaving the top of the wall in the above floor
• Water not always moving through an open hatch
• Items not falling when a hatch opens
• Hatches and mechanical walls not properly blocking line of sight
• Hatches not updating inside/outside status of covered cells

An update to Team Fortress 2 has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Team Fortress 2. The major changes include:

• Added a missing material for the UGC medals
  
• Added server convars related to investigating server network and CPU utilization:
  • sv_netspike
    
  • sv_netspike_sendtime_ms
    
  • sv_netspike_output

Notes missed from yesterday's update:

• Added player avatars to the votekick menu
  
• Added -insert_search_path command line argument
  
• Fixed deflected Cow Mangler 5000 projectiles doing full critical damage instead of minicrit damage like other deflected projectiles
  

An update to Left 4 Dead 2 Beta has been released. The update will be applied automatically when you restart Left 4 Dead 2 Beta. The major changes include:

- Fixed inverted direction in script trace lines
- If a found game is using a Mutation add-on from the workshop, the "Download Add-on" button will open the workshop page
- Update some mutations to remove instances of invalid weapons or enemies

c11m2
- Restore freezer door in co-op mode
- Restore crane lowering sound

c9m2
- Break some barricaded doors so survivors can reach supplies
- Restore missing fire particle system
- Restore color correction for both Crash Course maps

c8m1
- Fixed survivors facing the wrong direction after intro
- Restore alarm clock in downstairs bedroom for co-op mode

c8m4
- Restore missing rain particle systems

c8m5
- Restore some missing chopper pilot lines
- Move survivors out of view during the escape sequence

kkleiner writes "The first NeuroGaming Conference and Expo took place at the beginning of May to showcase the convergent technologies that are paving the way toward gaming with your mind. Tech news has been dominated with stories about Google Glass and the Oculus Rift, which was on display for attendees to test out. Other technologies that utilize EEG are opening up possibilities of a controller-free gaming experience into virtual realities with unlimited potential. 'Deeper questions surrounding the morality of neurogames will be sure to stir debate. As virtual reality technology inches closer to lifelike resolution, should gamers simulate themselves as characters engaged in acts of violence or criminal activity? It’s unpredictable what these games could uncover about the user as neurogames gain insight into a users’ psyche and how they respond to stimuli at a subconscious level. For instance, a game could uncover how its user particularly enjoys shooting at civilians in gameplay. Games might even become expert at diagnosing psychiatric disorders. As computers become exponentially more powerful, game resolution could fully mimic our ever-present reality.'"

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

kkleiner writes "The first NeuroGaming Conference and Expo took place at the beginning of May to showcase the convergent technologies that are paving the way toward gaming with your mind. Tech news has been dominated with stories about Google Glass and the Oculus Rift, which was on display for attendees to test out. Other technologies that utilize EEG are opening up possibilities of a controller-free gaming experience into virtual realities with unlimited potential. 'Deeper questions surrounding the morality of neurogames will be sure to stir debate. As virtual reality technology inches closer to lifelike resolution, should gamers simulate themselves as characters engaged in acts of violence or criminal activity? It’s unpredictable what these games could uncover about the user as neurogames gain insight into a users’ psyche and how they respond to stimuli at a subconscious level. For instance, a game could uncover how its user particularly enjoys shooting at civilians in gameplay. Games might even become expert at diagnosing psychiatric disorders. As computers become exponentially more powerful, game resolution could fully mimic our ever-present reality.'"

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

kkleiner writes "The first NeuroGaming Conference and Expo took place at the beginning of May to showcase the convergent technologies that are paving the way toward gaming with your mind. Tech news has been dominated with stories about Google Glass and the Oculus Rift, which was on display for attendees to test out. Other technologies that utilize EEG are opening up possibilities of a controller-free gaming experience into virtual realities with unlimited potential. 'Deeper questions surrounding the morality of neurogames will be sure to stir debate. As virtual reality technology inches closer to lifelike resolution, should gamers simulate themselves as characters engaged in acts of violence or criminal activity? It’s unpredictable what these games could uncover about the user as neurogames gain insight into a users’ psyche and how they respond to stimuli at a subconscious level. For instance, a game could uncover how its user particularly enjoys shooting at civilians in gameplay. Games might even become expert at diagnosing psychiatric disorders. As computers become exponentially more powerful, game resolution could fully mimic our ever-present reality.'"

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

kkleiner writes "The first NeuroGaming Conference and Expo took place at the beginning of May to showcase the convergent technologies that are paving the way toward gaming with your mind. Tech news has been dominated with stories about Google Glass and the Oculus Rift, which was on display for attendees to test out. Other technologies that utilize EEG are opening up possibilities of a controller-free gaming experience into virtual realities with unlimited potential. 'Deeper questions surrounding the morality of neurogames will be sure to stir debate. As virtual reality technology inches closer to lifelike resolution, should gamers simulate themselves as characters engaged in acts of violence or criminal activity? It’s unpredictable what these games could uncover about the user as neurogames gain insight into a users’ psyche and how they respond to stimuli at a subconscious level. For instance, a game could uncover how its user particularly enjoys shooting at civilians in gameplay. Games might even become expert at diagnosing psychiatric disorders. As computers become exponentially more powerful, game resolution could fully mimic our ever-present reality.'"

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

kkleiner writes "The first NeuroGaming Conference and Expo took place at the beginning of May to showcase the convergent technologies that are paving the way toward gaming with your mind. Tech news has been dominated with stories about Google Glass and the Oculus Rift, which was on display for attendees to test out. Other technologies that utilize EEG are opening up possibilities of a controller-free gaming experience into virtual realities with unlimited potential. 'Deeper questions surrounding the morality of neurogames will be sure to stir debate. As virtual reality technology inches closer to lifelike resolution, should gamers simulate themselves as characters engaged in acts of violence or criminal activity? It’s unpredictable what these games could uncover about the user as neurogames gain insight into a users’ psyche and how they respond to stimuli at a subconscious level. For instance, a game could uncover how its user particularly enjoys shooting at civilians in gameplay. Games might even become expert at diagnosing psychiatric disorders. As computers become exponentially more powerful, game resolution could fully mimic our ever-present reality.'"

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Build 3067

Content Update

Main Menu:
• Added a new Main Menu layout
• Added new menus: Ranked Match (new design), Custom Match, Player Profile, Tutorial, Achievements, Leaderboard, Credits
• Removed Quick Match, Choose Match options

Score System:
• Leaderboard (platform icon): shows Global, Local and Friends stats, divided into different game modes and general
• Player Profile : shows personal stats and ranks, Game Modes - Classes - Equipment stats
• Players personal match score is shown on the HUD in a game
• Updated end of game score screens with awards and scores

Ranked Match:
• Now you can play predefined game modes that track your rank and scores

Custom Match:
• Now you are able to set up your own game rules / settings
• You are able to chat while in a custom lobby
• You are able to join your Steam friends matches
• Host can create teams (options: neutral, blue, green)
• Match Settings:
o Privacy (Invite, Friends, Open)
o Mode (all game modes)
o Max Players (2-24)
o Match Length (5-90)
o Map (Standard, Classic, Mafia)
o Game Rules (Enable/Disable Classes, Enable/Disable Weapons, Changing Game Rules, Changing General Game Features)
________________________________________

Fixes & Tweaks


Graphics:
• New Loading screens that shows maps, modes and scores
• General HUD refinement
• Occupation Mode: added smoke animation onto bomb

Classes:
• Edited the Rocketeer into an Engineer class
• Changes health amounts for each class
• Commando: Moved both RPGs under the Secondary Weapons, Removed Pistol and Block Cannon and added new Prefabs
• Marksman: Removed Block Cannon, added new prefabs, Sniper Rifle renamed as Bolt-Action Rifle, Rifle renamed as Semi-Auto Rifle, Increased Landmine max number to 5
• Engineer: Removed Spade and Block Cannon, added Engineer Jetpack, new prefabs
• Miner: Removed Block Cannon, new prefabs

Weapons:
• Snowblower: removed Christmas design, renamed as Block Cannon
• Knife: faster movement
• Added Classic SMG, Classic Shotgun for Classic CTF selection
• Votekick:
o Players are able to kick other players by pressing ‘K’
• Gameplay:
o Removed the limit on the length of block lines
o Occupation Mode is now score based - 50 points to win the match
o Default match length for Classic is now 90 minutes long
• Sounds:
o Added diamond disappear sound
o New sound when hitting water with melee weapons
• Bugs:
o We have made a whole host of bug fixes, and hope that you have a better gaming experience.