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Paradox Interactive today announced that the new expansion pack, Argos Naval Yard, to the critically acclaimed 4X space strategy game series Sword of the Stars is releasing today. The game will be available on the four major digital download portals: GamersGate, Impulse, Steam and Direct2Drive.

Argos Naval Yard is an expansion to Sword of the Stars and requires previously released expansions or Sword of the Stars Ultimate Collection. Argos Naval Yard will provide players with:

• 19 new technologies, including Advanced Drones, Overthrusters, two new Satellite designs, defensive Interceptor micro-missiles, and Polarized Plasmatics, unlocking a new weapon type

• Over 75 new ship sections to build

• 10 new weapons, including the new inertial cannons, Kelvinic torpedoes, and the fearsome Rail Cannon

• 3 New Scenarios

• Single Player / Multi-player with co-op scenario maps

Sword of the Stars: Argos Naval Yard is available on GamersGate, Impulse, Steam and Direct2Drive for a SRP of $8.99 and £6.99.

Looking for a great deal on a new game? Trying to figure out the perfect gift for Father’s Day? Look no further. GamersGate announced their weekly discounts just in time.

Father’s Day Special: June 18-21

Godfather 2 US – $24.99 – 50% OFF

Games of the Weekend – from June 18 to 21

Flock! – 50% OFF

Warhammer 40k Dawn of War Soulstorm – 50% OFF

On Sale until June 28th:

Dark Sector – 50% OFF

To find out more about GamersGate, please visit www.gamersgate.com

Leading Independent RTS Developer Brings Famed PC Game Franchises to Digital Distribution Platform

GamersGate, a leading platform for digitally distributed PC games, today announced its partnership with Magitech Corporation, an independent PC game developer renowned for its work in RTS games, to publish Magitech’s Sango 2 and Takeda 3 on GamersGate’s digital distribution platform. Sango 2 is an historical war game based on the Chinese classic, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and in Takeda 3, you take command of the powerful Daimyo, feudal lord of one of 25 historical clans of feudal Japan; engaging in diplomacy, managing your castles and territory, and commanding your armies in epic real-time 3D battles.

“Working with Magitech will provide our users with a unique set of high quality, historical real-time strategy games,” said Theo Bergquist, CEO of GamersGate. “Part of our philosophy is to support independent developers and providing Magitech with a commercial outlet is a great achievement for us.”

Sango 2 features immersive and highly detailed real-time 3D battle terrains based on actual Chinese landscapes. Players can control large numbers of units through chain-of-command-style fighting, trap enemies, and use tricks to gain a strategic advantage. Make use of the Tech Tree screen to choose from 3 unique forces—Sky, Earth, and People—to upgrade your nation, and vie for political supremacy.

Takeda 3 features thirty-seven realistic castles based on the historically accurate layout of Feudal Japan. Immersive 3D terrains offer dynamic views of battles and weather effects like fog, rain, and snow can influence the outcome of the battle. In Palace Mode, you can plot out extensive strategic plans by tracking your relations with other clans, your trade ties and by making offerings to the Emperor. The most masterful leaders will rise to the rank of Shogun and conquer all of Japan.

“Bringing our critically acclaimed titles to GamersGate is an incredible opportunity to reach a new audience, and build our community of fans,” said Ming-Sheng Lee, CEO of Magitech Corporation. “We’re optimistic about the support GamersGate is providing, and appreciate the effect digital distribution has had on the independent development community.”

For more information, or to download Sango 2 and Takeda 3, please visit: http://www.GamersGate.com.

The Film Noir Private Eye Returns to the Spotlight as the DRM-free Site Releases the Acclaimed Tex Murphy Series

GOG.com (http://www.gog.com), the internet’s premier spot for DRM-free classic PC games and an unmatched digital distribution experience, has signed another deal to revive a new batch of classic adventure games. Thanks to the deal with Aaron Conners, one of the creators of the Tex Murphy games, GOG.com will offer the whole series including Mean Streets, Martian Memorandum, Under a Killing Moon, The Pandora Directive and Tex Murphy: Overseer. With the announcement GOG.com releases a bundle of 1989’s Mean Streets and 1991’s Martian Memorandum for the low price of $5.99 and the third part in the Tex Murphy saga – Under a Killing Moon – for $9.99, DRM-free and XP and Vista compatible.

Tex Murphy thinks of himself as a classic 1940’s-style detective: hard-boiled and cynical with an ex-wife, a few good friends, a lot of enemies, and a drinking problem – the problem being that he can’t afford the good stuff. Unfortunately for Tex, he was born 100 years too late: he’s living in mid-21 century, post-World War III San Francisco. There is plenty of work for a down-on-his-luck P. I. Now he just needs to figure out how to get paid for it.

“Tex Murphy’s adventures are the essence of classic adventure games. Add to this an array of crazy and funny characters including Chris Jones as Tex Murphy, and you have an absolute classic,” said Adam Oldakowski, Managing Director of GOG.com. “It’s basically our duty to revive this incredible series for a new generation of gamers, as well as those who played these games back in the 90s.”

According to Aaron Conners, who wrote and co-designed the last three Tex Murphy games, “What people seem to love about Tex is that he’s just an average guy…sometimes a little below average. He’s always in the middle of something that’s way over his head, but as he says: ‘Danger’s like jello – there’s always room for more.’ Most of us can’t relate to being James Bond, but pretty much everyone can relate to Tex.”

Mean Streets + Martian Memorandum bundle and Under a Killing Moon are already available at GOG.com, with the rest of Tex Murphy’s games planned to hit the catalogue in the coming weeks.

Game features exclusive GamersGate themed car

GamersGate, a premier digital distribution service for PC games, today announced that Volvo – The Game, a downloadable PC racing title based on the new Volvo S60 Concept, will be available to all GamersGate users free of charge starting today. Volvo – The Game was designed by SimBins studio, an award winning Swedish developer know for its high caliber PC racing titles including, STC – The Game and GTR Revolution.

“Volvo – The Game is an incredibly entertaining racing sim – to offer it for nothing is quite impressive,” Said Theo Bergquist, CEO of GamersGate. “GamersGate only offers the highest quality content to its users and we feel that hosting Volvo – The Game on our portal is a clear indication of its quality.”

Volvo – The Game allows players to get behind the wheel of an exclusive GamersGate skinned car, as well as a variety of Volvo models including, the new Volvo S60 Concept, the Volvo C30, the STCC Volvo S60, the Volvo S40, the Volvo 850, and the classic Volvo 240 Turbo Group A. Players can take these new Volvo cars through two courses, Gothenburg Eco Drive Arena in Göteborg, Sweden, and Chayaka outside Kiev, Ukraine – the first time ever that this course has been featured in a racing game.

For more information, or to download Volvo – The Game, please visit: www.gamersgate.com

New In-game Trailer “Are You Hungry for the Challenge?” Showcases Gameplay

Paradox Interactive has announced that Enlight Software’s Restaurant Empire 2 has been released worldwide. Restaurant Empire 2 builds on the highly popular Restaurant Empire franchise, a title that has already sold over 300,000 units in the United States alone.

With two handfuls of cash and a dream of creating a legacy; build, cook and hire your way to the very top of the culinary world, where tasty food is king and smart management reels in the dollars. If you’re skilled enough in the kitchen and behind the management desk, you just may go further than any aspiring restaurateur before you and cement your status as a true legend of cuisine.

You know what they say about keeping your fingers in as many pies as possible? It pays to diversify. In Restaurant Empire 2 you get the chance to grab a slice of the lucrative café and dessert house markets. Both types of establishment are available when playing the sandbox scenario, or throughout the second campaign, where you must help Delia carve out her own business empire.

Sprinkle your magic on a failing franchise, yet be wary of spreading your finances too thinly as your empire grows. Tailor your menus to include the very best and most popular beverages from teas and coffees to shakes, coolers and smoothies. Whip up some tasty treats for your customers in the form of sandwiches, salads, ice-creams, cakes, tarts, pies and many other items. Then set about decorating the interiors and exteriors with more theme-specific items, some of which must be unlocked through game events. Finally, invite the very best entertainers to perform exclusively in your outlets, making them stand out more from the competition.

If you still believe running a restaurant empire is as easy as baking a cake, here’s your chance to step up to the plate.

For now, get a small taste by viewing the new in-game trailer:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYV3DcXzd1A

Restaurant Empire 2 is available worldwide through the digital download portal www.GamersGate.com with an SRP of of $29.99 / €29.99.

Sword of the Stars series expands with Argos Naval Yard

Paradox Interactive and Kerberos Productions today announced an expansion to the critically acclaimed 4X space strategy game series Sword of the Stars.

The new expansion, Argos Naval Yard, can be combined with either the original game or any of its previous expansions and will provide players with:

· 19 new technologies, including advanced drones, over thrusters, two new satellite designs, defensive interceptor micro-missiles, and polarized plasmatics which will unlock a new weapon type
· Over 75 new ship sections to build
· 10 new weapons, including the new inertial cannons, kelvinic torpedoes, and the fearsome rail cannon
· 3 new scenarios

“With the successful release of the Sword of the Stars Ultimate Collection, the expansion Argos Naval Yard is a natural extension of the Sword of the Stars series,” said Chris Stewart, COO of Kerberos. “The new ships, weapons and technologies in Argos Naval Yard will present gamers with new challenges and capabilities.”

Argons Naval Yard is scheduled for release June 17 with an SRP of $8.99 / € 7.49 / £6.99

Sword of the Stars with an expansion is currently on sale at download portals GamersGate, Impulse, Steam and Direct2Drive and other leading digital distribution networks.

New Features Include “Blue Coins,” Credits Users Can Earn For Free Games

GamersGate, a premier digital distribution service for PC games, today announced a complete redesign of its website. Along with improved aesthetics, the new design includes several new features to further improve the users’ experience. The new site will launch on May 25.

“Our new layout and features have been in the works for a long time,” said Theodore Bergquist, CEO of GamersGate. “We listened to the feedback of our users and we’ve been able to create a quicker, sleeker, and more social site based on their suggestions. We want GamersGate to be more than a store, we want it to become a burgeoning community and this is a massive leap in that direction.”

The most prominent addition to GamersGate is the introduction of the Blue Coin system and the Game Tutor program. Blue Coins can be used to purchase games and can either be purchased with cash or earned through activity on the site. Users can earn Blue Coins by writing reviews, ranking games, and participating in the new Game Tutor program. With the Game Tutor service, users can ask questions to other gamers regarding difficult levels or other game related questions. The user who provides the solution will then earn Blue Coins. GamersGate will still accept all major credit cards and PayPal for transactions.

“The Game Tutor program is a feature that we are extremely proud of,” Mr. Bergquist continued. “Not only is it a more effective way for us to provide technical help on a game-by-game basis, but we’re also able to reward our most active members for helping fellow GamersGate users.”

The new layout of the site includes redesigned menus that will improve the navigation of the website, along with advanced search options and sub-categories that will make finding games easier. The new “intelligent” search functions include a “suggest as you type” feature and game recommendations based on previous purchases and recently browsed games.

GamersGate users can now create profiles where they can list games they own, ratings they’ve assigned games, reviews they’ve written, their wishlist, a personal image/ avatar and their membership status. Membership status is now based on points received by overall activity on the site. There are five different levels of membership status: white, green, yellow, red and black, with black being the most exclusive. Members will also be able to contact each other with an internal messaging system.

GamersGate currently has over 1,070 titles in its catalog from a variety of publishers including EA, Ubisoft, THQ, and many others. Their diverse catalog consists of a dynamic mix of major AAA titles, niche titles, and the best selection of indie titles on the web.

To find out more about GamersGate, please visit www.gamersgate.com.

Join Wallace & Gromit in The Last Resort, the Newest Game from Telltale and Aardman

Crafty inventor and canine companion ready for beach holiday, even if the English weather isn’t

Telltale and Aardman are announcing the release of The Last Resort, the latest of four monthly Wallace & Gromit games that open up the world of West Wallaby Street like never before. “The Last Resort” is available today for PC from www.telltalegames.com as part of the Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures series. The games will also be coming soon to Xbox LIVE Arcade.

Telltale’s Wallace & Gromit games are like interactive films, with humorous storylines and creative characters conceived in collaboration with Aardman’s award-winning team. In the new episode, Wallace and Gromit’s Blackpool holiday is rained out, so the enterprising inventor and his clever dog bring the beach to their basement with the construction of West Wallaby Waterworld, a makeshift resort complete with sun, sand, and Wallace’s homemade boardwalk attractions. Keeping their guests satisfied turns out to be tricky business, particularly after one is thumped on the head by an unknown assailant. Everyone is a suspect! Now Wallace and Gromit must work together to finger the culprit, with a little help from Wallace’s latest invention: the Deductomatic.

Customers can purchase the Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures series from www.telltalegames.com, and the first two episodes, Fright of the Bumblebees and The Last Resort, will be delivered digitally with their checkout. The full series purchase from Telltale also includes the Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures Collector’s DVD, containing the four games plus bonus content for just the cost of shipping shortly after the finale episode. The third and fourth Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures episodes will release for PC in June and July.

Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures launched in March to rave reviews, with Yahoo! Games UK calling the premiere episode “Wallace and Gromit’s finest and best looking video game outing to date.” IGN awarded the episode with its coveted Editor’s Choice Award, saying, “Telltale nails the look and feel of a Wallace & Gromit short film.”

The four-episode Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures series sells for $34.95 (approx £24). To purchase the game, visit http://www.telltalegames.com/wallaceandgromit.

RTS Arcade Title Starring a 30-foot Tall Joseph Stalin Released Along with New Music Video

Mezmer Games today released the highly anticipated arcade-RTS game Stalin vs. Martians. The game is a joint development of BWF, Dreamlore Studios and N-Game Studios. 

Stalin vs. Martians is an absolutely over-the-top PC thriller. Fun and accessible, it takes a simple arcade-like approach to the genre of real-time strategy. The player controls the Red Army, as it defends Earth from the Martian Invasion of 1942, a highly classified military operation which even today remains a closely guarded state secret. Stalin himself conducts the mission briefings and later even becomes a playable unit. 

“Late last week, Stalin informed us that he’d be ready on the 29th,” said Tom Söderlund, Executive Producer at Mezmer Games. “And when Stalin tells you that he’s going to be ready, you listen and act accordingly. We had no choice but to unleash the game today.” 

To commemorate this defining moment in PC gaming history Mezmer has also unveiled a new Stalin vs. Martians video. The music video “S.T.A.L.I.N.” by the rock group Firelake, features geckos, mushrooms and other alien life forms headbanging like there is no tomorrow.

The new music video can be viewed here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdBhTwxp9LQ 

Read more on the official website:http://www.stalinvsmartians.com/en/