PC Gamer - October 2011

“All the News
We Don’t
Sell as DLC”

Today’s Horoscope Beware those bearing gifts today. They may not have your interests at heart.

August 8th, 2011

by Chris Hanel and Michael O wen

1200 Microsoft Points The battle between World of Warcraft and MMO newcomer RIF T spilled into the arena of live vents with the announcement of Trion’s brand-new convention RIF TCON; opening to the public simultaneously and across the street from BlizzCon 2011. “You know, I poked my head in, and it looks rather similar to BlizzCon,” said one Wo W player. “I’m definitely going to check it out some more.” The announcement has led to an arms race of sorts between the two companies, both attempting to attract a larger audi- ence. The attractions of both events continue to proliferate. Trion’s promise that RIFTCON visitors would receive “twice the swag” led to Blizzard increasing the amount of game-themed items available at its convention. From there, Trion upped the ante by offering their con-goers an opportunity to meet several in-game

RIFTCON to compete with BlizzCon
Nukem in alleged
‘decency scandal’
Settles for undisclosed sum

characters as portrayed by actors. Blizzard came back by holding a press conference with VP Chris Metzen wearing a costume of the character he voices, Thrall, that was rumored to cost $700,000 and weigh 300 pounds. The following week, Trion’s Item Design and Experimental Extradimensional Science depart- ment informed the community that they would be “Breaching the very barriers between worlds,” and attempting to open their own dimensional rift over Anaheim on the final day of their event using “Forbidden and arcane research.” As of this printing, Blizzard
Entertainment was in a high-level
meeting reportedly discussing the
viability of genetically engi-
neering and cloning flying,
sparkly ponies to hand out to the crowd at the closing
concert. PC Gamer will continue to provide updates as
the situation develops.

NEWSLINE

Steam Raises Prices to $10,000 a Title ■ Gamers: “Steam is Great!” “I bought 19!” “Best Sale Yet!” Business

A D V E R T I S E M E N T Videogame icon Duke Nukem is in hot water today after public sightings wining and dining an anonymous female beauty at a swank New York restaurant, and shocking fellow diners by pulling out chairs, holding open doors, and extinguishing his cigar at the dinner table. Developer Gearbox Software is aid to be considering litigation, citing the ungentlemanly conduct clause in Duke’s contract. “We’re very concerned; these rumors of civilized and well-mannered behavior need to be investigated so the company can protect its invest- ments,” said a representative for the company. Nukem could not be reached for comment, but his publicist released the following statement: “Duke is, always has been, and always will be, the face of all that is tasteless and ridiculous, and no court pro- ceedings are going to change that. Duke would like to assure all his fans that he will wait a minimum of two weeks to return any subse- quent phone calls from his date.”

SWTOR: Troopers Will Gain XP ‘Canonically’

Day[ 9] Tests Positive for Red Bull ■ Tournaments unable to ban due to it not being a foreign substance Health

Minecraft Player Hospitalized After Constructing Plato’s Allegory of the Cave ■ Enlightenment, nervous breakdown suspected. Notch: “Sounds like a great feature.” Living

A developer Q&A revealed today that TOR’s Trooper Class would stay true to the Star Wars universe and only progress through levels by missing their targets wildly.

“Whether it be a nearby bulk-
head, large tree, or even an inno-
cent bystander, you’ll have plenty of
ways to improve your highly profi-
cient inaccuracy,” one Bio Ware
employee promised in a forum
post. Players will customize their
weapons to change how often and
how wildly they miss, and even
have a special stat category for
managing to hit the worst possible
target in the room, such as sleeping
rancors or your own superior
officer.