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Macgamestore.com, in partnership with Encore Software, today announced the release of Hoyle Card Games as a digital download. The game was previously available in a boxed format only.

Step up to the best deal in town and test your skill. Shuffle the cards and deal yourself in to the greatest card games of all time. HOYLE drops you right into the action with over 150 classic games, official rules, tips and strategies. From classic games like Cribbage to new favorites like online Texas Hold¹em, HOYLE Card Games 2008 has something for everyone.

Features:
- All games are based on the official rules from HOYLE , the authority for over 200 years
- Create your own character with Face Creator, customizing everything from facial features to clothes
- Interactive computer opponents with multiple skill levels to challenge everybody
- Play together on the same computer and challenge your friends and family for bragging rights or play solo with 55 different solitaire games included.
- Over 75 card games including: Texas Hold¹em, Hearts, Bridge, Crazy Eights, Gin Rummy, Omaha Hold¹em, Pinochle, Rummy 500, and much more.

Hoyle Card Games is available for $19.95 through Macgamestore.com. A free Universal Binary demo version of the game, which is 780 MB in size, is available for download on the web page.

Buy Hoyle Card Games

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Blizzard Entertainment has released version 2.4 of World of Warcraft, the largest patch thus far released for the popular MMO. Titled Fury of the Sunwell, the hefty 260 MB download includes the new Sunwell Plateau area as well as a host of adjustments, additions, and bug fixes.

Here's some of the new content in the patch:

Fury of the Sunwell
The glorious fount of arcane energy known as the Sunwell empowered the high elves for millennia, until the death knight Arthas laid siege to the elven kingdom and corrupted its sacred energies. Seeing no other alternative, a band of survivors led by Prince Kael’thas destroyed the ancient fount. Over time the surviving elves fell pray to a crippling magical withdrawal.
Now, promising salvation for his people, Kael’thas has returned. Soon the Sunwell will shine once again, but whether the sacred fount will usher in deliverance or destruction remains to be seen.

Global Arena Tournament
Players will be able to create level-70 characters with epic equipment and compete on special tournament realms in a new global arena tournament. For more information, details and entry requirements, please visit the official tournament pages.

User Interface
The Interface Options screen has been completely redesigned. AddOns that interact with the Interface Options screen will need to be updated.
Players will now be able to inspect other players via their chat link.
Players may now inspect players of the opposing faction while they are not flagged for PvP.

Fury Of The Sunwell Patch Notes

Blizzard Entertainment

World of Warcraft

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Eurogamer has posted a new article examining the universe of EVE Online, CCP Games sci-fi MMO. The article attempts to guide new players through the complexities of the game's universe with tips for success and links to helpful websites.

Yes, dying is inevitable, and hardcore. When you die you really lose something. But don't worry: a bit of work and you can always get it back. The crucial thing is that you learn from your mistakes. Working out how your ship can take on the tasks that have been set for you by agents teaches you a great deal about the game systems. For tips, solutions, and information on how to make the most of all these missions, from combat to industry, it's worth taking a look at the player-run website, eveinfo.com, which catalogues enormous amounts of game information.

Missions will take you through what is called "Empire" space. This is the central tract of the galaxy in which players are relatively safe. Each system has a security rating, and while you can attack someone anywhere in EVE, an attack in a system with 0.5 - 1.0 security rating will end up with the attacker dying horribly at the hands of NPC police. Nowhere is safe, however, and pirates have been known to suicide their ships to loot cargo ships carrying incredibly expensive loot.

Below 0.4 things are even more terrifying, and some pirates actually choke off areas of space by blockading them with a hoard of ships. Learning to avoid these deathtraps is one of the crucial skills that Empire-dwelling life will teach you in EVE.

Eurogamer: Getting Into EVE Online

CCP Games

TransGaming

EVE Online

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