PC

"Us And Them - Cold War" is a turn-based strategy game about Cold War. Although it is a game of territorial expansion, the rivals do not attack their opponent using military force. Instead they are using an army of Spies, Assassins and Experts of various kinds (like economy, technology etc.) in order to destabilize the enemy's countries socially, economically, politically and finally to change their governments' ideology and attach them in their own political block.

The players will have to manage resources like money, oil and technology. They must place their units strategically on the map and create a series of spy networks waiting for the right moment to unleash a series of sabotages, assassinations, bribes, revolutions, arrests and interrogations of enemy units. Since most of the units are hidden to the enemy, the collection and interception of crucial information about the countries, the units' attributes and their whereabouts is essential for victory.

Anybody who knows me knows that I am a dedicated chess player for a whole host of reasons that I have explored in my blog.  There is just something…unique about the Royal Game.  It possesses an elegance that has often been shabbily imitated by other strategy games, but has yet to be successfully duplicated.  Strategy, tactics and the classic battle of wits, all in a convenient package that can be played anywhere.  What more could you want?    
 
You could want some skull-splitting mayhem!  Chess may be many things, but it is most definitely not an action game.  Of course, that hasn’t stopped some past computerized incarnations from trying to inject a little action, most notably Interplay’s successful Battle Chess from many years past.  Unfortunately, most titles that have attempted to merge the thoughtfulness of chess with some spirited action have failed because they simply could not please both the chess and action gamer.  Hence, the dearth of such titles.

Matrix Games (www.matrixgames.com) and Slitherine Strategies (www.slitherine.com) have announced the release of Field of Glory – Rise of Rome, the much anticipated expansion to their hit ancient warfare strategy game.

Please note: Field of Glory – Rise of Rome REQUIRES ownership of the original full Field of Glory game. Also please note that the Matrix Games and Slitherine editions are identical and no differences exist between the two.

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “Rise of Rome greatly expands and improves the famed Field of Glory system. Both existing fans and people still on the fence about Field of Glory should have a look at the Rise of Rome expansion because there’s plenty of ancient warfare goodness to be had!”

Based on Slitherine’s popular tabletop wargaming system by the same name, Field of Glory now comes to the PC in a faithful adaptation of this acclaimed miniatures wargame! Without the calculations and measurements required for a tabletop game of Field of Glory, the PC version accurately represents ancient and medieval combat where you make the important and fun decisions on the battlefield.

Meridian4 (http://www.meridian4.com) has announced that it has signed a digital publishing agreement with The Games Company (http://www.the-games-company.com) to digitally publish their PC version of their XBLA hit game, Biology Battle.

“Biology Battle is an excellent title and performed extremely well on XBLA. We are very optimistic to create a similar impact on the other platforms together with our new partner Meridian4 and are very excited to add Biology Battle as one of the key titles in our upcoming line up for its release in second quarter of 2010!” said Christian Sauerteig, Director Marketing & Sales at The Games Company.

“We are delighted to be working with The Games Company on Biology Battle. The game was an instant hit with us and we know everyone will enjoy it on the PC. This game is the definition of adrenaline-packed action; the game will have you twitching for hours.” said Andy Sher, CEO at Meridian4.

If you haven’t already heard, OnLive is a potentially revolutionary step in gaming.  What is it?  Well, OnLive is the brainchild of Steve Perlman, of WebTV and QuickTime fame, and will allow gamers to play any game from any platform as easily as they can view a YouTube video.  

Stop and think about that for a second.  ...As easily as you can view a YouTube video.

You see, Onlive utilizes “cloud computing” technology.  What that means is that there is no need to download software or, for that matter, even have a computer.  All you need is something that can access the video stream. 

ArmA II is one of those games that you either love or hate.  In fact, to call it a ‘game’ is a mistake as ArmA II is an authentic military simulator with a heritage that stretches all the way back to the original Operation Flashpoint (not to be confused with Codemasters dreadful sequel, Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising).  It is a ground combat simulator (and decent air sim, for that matter) that is simply unrivaled.  Period.

Unfortunately, because it is a true simulator and not a mere game, people who are looking for another CoD: Modern War 2 clone are often infuriated by the game's hardcore and deadly combat model.  Try to play Rambo in ArmA II.  I dare you.  And that is where the hate comes in...well that and the loads of bugs and quirks.

Enter the modders.  Bohemia Interactive, unlike Codemasters, has the wisdom to realize that they could never smooth out every last rough edge in such a complex sim. As a result, they are more than willing to allow modders to take their solid mil-sim and attempt to elevate it to something epic.