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MacSoft today announced it will be releasing Drop Point: Alaska for the Macintosh. Previously known as Stoked Rider, the game is a freestyle snowboarding game that will be released in January.

Here's more from the press release:

Drop Point: Alaska is one of the most immersive freestyle snowboarding games yet, putting the largest virtual mountain in the genre at your disposal. Every chute, bowl, and tree run of the expansive terrain is open for you to explore! Drop Point: Alaska also features varying time of day and weather conditions providing unique riding scenarios. Groundbreaking features include:

• Master the Mountain: Bail out of a helicopter and ride the wilds of Alaska from 10 unique drop points. From these drop points you have virtually unlimited run potential as you ride and explore miles of terrain filled with natural trick features. If you can see it, you can trick off of it. Unlock your own pilotable helicopter, fly to any point on the mountain, and bail out wherever you like.

• Own a Trick: Think you’ve got the best skills on the hill? Prove it! Master diverse challenges that you’ll come across while riding. Beat one of the over 100 challenges on the mountain to become its Owner. Video of your winning run is displayed for all other challengers to see – so it won’t be long before another rider comes along to outdo your best moves.

• Sick Tricks: Master grabs, ground tricks, rail slides, and more! Grind fallen trees, carve through powder, and take on the mountain-wide Alaska Pro Challenge, a checklist of mini-riding challenges that will put your riding skills to the ultimate test.

MacSoft

Drop Point: Alaska

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Inside Mac Games has posted a review of Arkanoid: Space Ball. Here's a clip from the review:

The game's core mechanics can be traced back to Taito's 1986 arcade title Arkanoid, which revised Breakout's ball, brick, and paddle formula by adding features such as level progression (and a final boss), moving obstacles, and power-ups. Arkanoid has been ported to several home platforms (including the MacOS) and it has spawned several official sequels and numerous clones.

Inside Mac Games Review: Arkanoid: Space Ball

WE Group

Arkanoid: Space Ball

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Virtual Programming today released Crusader Kings - Deus Vult, an expansion pack for the strategy game. The game is available as a digital download from VP's web site.

Aim to create the most powerful dynasty of medieval Europe in the
period of 1066 to 1453 A.D in this expansion to Crusader Kings. Amass
prestige; increase the greatness of your lands and your treasure
coffins, build Cathedrals and Castles, appoint vassals and battle
traitors, introduce laws and set taxes while interacting with hundreds
of courtiers and nobles.

Crusader Kings - Deus Vult

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Electronic Arts has released a patch for Battlefield 2142, bringing it up to version 1.40. The new patch brings it in line with the fixes made to the PC version and also introduces a new map, Highway Tampa.

The 83 MB patch can be downloaded from our sister site, Macgamefiles.com, by following the link below.

Macgamefiles: Battlefield 2142 1.40 Patch

Electronic Arts

Battlefield 2142

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Spiderweb Software has released a new update for the fourth RPG in the Avernum series. The update brings Avernum 4 to version 1.12 and fixes problems with the graphics in the new Leopard operating system. In A4 players must defeat the mysterious forces assaulting the underground empire before all is lost.

We have released a new version of Avernum 4 for the Macintosh. This v1.1.2 update fixes problems with the graphics in the new Leopard operating system. Getting the new version is strongly recommended if you are using Leopard.

Spiderweb Software

Avernum 4

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Scorpia's Lair has released a review of Eschalon: Book I, Basilisk Games recently released single player RPG. The review examines the game's features and recommends the game to those looking for some old school adventuring in a compact modern package.

Eschalon: Book I is inspired by classic role-playing games of the past and sends players across massive outdoor environments and deep into dozens of sprawling dungeons in a quest to uncover the mystery of their character's identity.

From the review:

Encumbrance is a factor in the game, based, as usual, on strength. The more muscle you have, the more you can haul around. There are no silly restrictions about casting spells in armor, either.

However, the combined weight of a weapon in hand and gauntlets worn does have an effect. In this case, the weight must be equal to, or less than, one-third your strength rating. Otherwise, spellcasting with enemies nearby is not possible. This is the best way I’ve seen to handle spellcasting in armor, be it heavy or light.

Unlike many games today, the world is not linear. For example, in Neverwinter 2 , locations showed only when you learned about them in some way, and so travel was very restricted. Eschalon is more like Oblivion , where you can start walking in any direction, without waiting for someone to tell you about an area.

Going some places too soon, however, can get you killed. Unlike Oblivion , monsters do not scale to your level. So it’s entirely possible for you to wander into an area you’re not strong enough to handle yet.

Scorpia's Lair: Eschalon Book I Review

Basilisk Games

Eschalon: Book I

Buy Eschalon: Book I

The Mercury News has posted a new interview with Blizzard Entertainment's Mike Morhaime about the recent merger resulting in the creation of Activision Blizzard. The Q&A covers a variety of topics related to Blizzard's standing after the merger as well as brief mention of the status of Starcraft II.

Q: Do you want to go on to more platforms and do that more easily? You’ve had a lot of PC focus.
A: Our focus continues to be on the PC. We love playing console games. There are a lot of Guitar Hero fans and Call of Duty fans at Blizzard. We’re always looking at what are the most appropriate platforms for the games we are developing. I wouldn’t rule anything out in the future but right now our focus is on the PC.

Q: The future for the PC looks pretty good?
A: It looks great to us. Our player base for World of Warcraft continues to grow. We are having a great year. This is the third year in a row that World of Warcraft is the best selling PC game of the year.

Q: How is Starcraft 2 progressing? What stage is it in?
A:  Starcraft 2 is coming along great. It’s still pre-alpha. We don’t have anybody outside the company playing it yet. We’ll open it up with the alpha to the whole company. Then we will have the beta open up to outside players. We’ll take their feedback.

Q: Anything else?
A: I want to make sure you understand the branding strategy going forward. Some of the articles confused it a little bit. The name Activision Blizzard signifies the two main divisions of this new company. It’s not a replacement for other brand. You are not going to see Blizzard on any Guitar Hero boxes. You won’t see the Activision name on World of Warcraft. You will not see Activision Blizzard on any games. It is not a consumer facing brand.

The Mercury News: Mike Morhaime Interview

Blizzard Entertainment

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MacSoft has announced the retail version release of Tradewind Legends for Mac OS X. Developed by Sandlot Games, the casual adventure and trading game allows players to choose from one of five unique characters, or build one of their own, before engaging in combat and trade to create an empire.

Set sail for adventure! MacSoft, a leading publisher of Macintosh games, is proud to announce the retail version of Tradewinds Legends™ for Apple’s Macintosh computers. Developed by Sandlot Games®, the world’s premier developer and publisher of casual and family-friendly games,Tradewinds Legends has already been downloaded over 7 million times, and will now make a course for a whole new audience on the Mac.

Tradewinds Legends transports you back to a time of magic, genies, flying warships, and a rich universe of swashbuckling adventure. Sail through the seas and skies of the Ten Kingdoms while building your empire through trade, combat, and strategic alliances. Unravel the histories and fates of five characters as they seek honor, revenge, reconciliation and redemption.

“The Macintosh is an excellent gaming platform for casual games,” said Daniel Bernstein, founder and CEO, Sandlot Games. “We are thrilled that Mac gamers can now purchase Tradewinds Legends Mac at their favorite retail outlet. Let the adventure begin!’

MacSoft

Sandlot Games

Fastforward Software has released Galder 1.1, a new update for the Mac OS X puzzle board game. In Galder, the player must remove gem stones from an interactive circular game board by matching identical stones to get the highest score. Version 1.1 increases performance, improves the graphics with a new graphics filter, and resolves several bugs.

Galder has everything you're looking for in a puzzle board game. Interactivity and dazzling graphics come together in this unique and attractive gem stone game for the Mac. With Galder, you'll have non-stop fun while removing gem stones from the circular board to achieve the highest score .

You can compete against your friends online with Galder's excellent network playability . Join the global highscore ladder to become the best sorcerer in the world amongst thousands of players.

Buy Galder

MGF: Galder 1.1

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