"The Witcher: Enhanced Edition will be a completely polished product. A product that is rarely found on the PC market. Of course, it would be best if the premiere edition could look that way. For different reasons that was not achieved, now we're trying to make up for it. It should be easier for the fact that there aren't that many elements in the game which need improvement. Work is being done on two levels. One concerns the removal of technical obstacles that hinder the player from properly using the game and thus gaining enjoyment from it. By that I mean level loading times, which will be reduced by 80%, the stability of the game on different configurations, as well as a whole array of smaller fixes that will increase interactivity and precision in combat. The other level consists of very important changes that are not usually found in patches. First and foremost, the English language version will be, for the most part, completely re-done. The amount of text in that version was reduced compared to other language versions and that was said to cause a significant decrease in immersion and atmosphere. Now the English version will be as polished and atmospheric as the other language versions. Speaking of language versions, most of them will be more or less improved. Significant changes will also be made in the German version, where we are planning to re-record the voices for many of the characters. The most important improvements concern those elements of the game that the players criticized the most. So for example, over 50 new supporting character models will be added, so that the player won't run into the same person too often. The inventory panel will be re-designed and improved, and some elements of the main game screen will be polished. However, one of the biggest changes that will greatly increase the player's immersion in the game world will be improvements concerning dialogue scenes. Both Geralt and the NPCs will get over 100 new animated gestures which will make their "body language" during a conversation much more natural. Additionally, the face animation and lip-sync system will be re-created, making the faces of the speakers now even more natural as well. Of course, I've mentioned only the most important changes, and that's still a lot. There will be many smaller changes that will make the game more fun. I'm convinced that, thanks to them, The Witcher will be an almost ideal game."

witcher.com

Simbin seems to have a lot up their sleeves lately as just days after announcing GTR Evolution, the Swedish Studio has presented a new project. The Simbin crew is currently working on STCC - The Game, a simulation based on the Swedish Touring Car Championship.

Similar to GTR Evolution, the planned game will be available both as addon to RACE07 as well as standalone game. Contrary to GTR Evolution, the mixup with RACE07 makes full sense here as the STCC runs to the same (Super2000) regulations as the WTCC on which RACE07 is based on.

Interestingly, even though the STCC is a national championship, the field of competitors offers more variety than the WTCC. This means the game will feature some new models along with all the Swedish tracks of course:

Volvo S60
Audi A4
Opel Astra GTC
Opel Astra Coupé
Mercedes C200

Since Simbin is a Sweden-based Studio and has a similar game completed, releasing a STCC game makes full sense. It its doubtful if Simbin or the STCC have any interest in buyers outside of Sweden as Simbin’s international site holds no info on the STCC game yet.

Players which are interested in the upcoming sim should keep a close eye on stccgame.se. The site is not yet opened, promises a release in 2008 though.

Diablo 3 Announced

It has been twenty years since the events of Diablo II. Of those who faced the Lords of Hatred, Terror, and Destruction in the battle over the fate of Sanctuary, there are few still living who can bear to remember the horrors that the Prime Evils wrought upon the world. And of those who did not witness the terrible events firsthand, most believe the stories to be little more than myth. But something evil is stirring once again in Tristram, and it may already have claimed its first victim: Deckard Cain.


<Blizzard>

Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning
Release Date: Sep 23, 2008



This upcoming massively multiplayer game will focus on competitive head-to-head play online, all the time. Warhammer Online will combine the colorful fantasy (and dark humor) of the Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay universe with the years of experience of the creator of Dark Age of Camelot.



Gamespot.com

You'll play as the general manager of one of 65 official cycling teams and will handle all aspects of a professional team's season. Numerous duties, including team recruiting, transfers, contracts, training and handling finances are required for you to create and manage the most competitive team. Throughout the 180 real-time 3D playable races, it's up to you to determine and put into action the best strategies by combining tactics, attacks, relays and much more. With so many options to consider that will affect the outcome of the race, you are guaranteed action packed intense stages.

tothegame