In an age of gaming where developers come up with schemes to milk us gamers of our hard earned cash comes yet another method. Mircosoft has announce price hikes on their Xbox Live users as follows:

Starting Nov 1, 2010

1Month Gold:  $9.99

3 Month Gold:  $24.99

12 Month Gold:  $59.99

All is not lost however as Mircosoft will be merciful to their loyal fans. If you re-subscribe before Nov.1 You will get the current rates for a Live subscription.

All this being said. Why the increase? Mircosoft is quiet on this matter but does say,  “We’re confident that when the new pricing takes effect, an Xbox LIVE Gold membership will continue to offer the best value in the industry.”  My opinion on that is PC gaming has the best value as Steam and most other online gaming programs and platforms are FREE!

Don’t believe the horrible news look for yourself here.

Interested in more of this  strange concept of free online gaming? Check out the HCG Geek Attack Cast. We won’t charge you.

To the Monday Night Combat Community:

First of all, we want to thank you for playing Monday Night Combat and supporting Uber Entertainment. We’ve been busy fixing bugs, exploits and optimizing based on your feedback on our forums, emails, Facebook, and Twitter. Our first Title Update is being tested right now and then it will be handed off for certification and in your hands as soon as possible. Here’s a full list of fixes and changes that will be in the Title Update.

Hit the jump for more!

(more…)

2K Games announced today that Minerva’s Den*, the final installment of single-player focused downloadable game add-on for BioShock^® 2 is now available for download from the Xbox LIVE^® Marketplace for the Xbox 360^® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for 800 Microsoft Points and from the PlayStation^®Network for the PlayStation^®3 computer entertainment system for $9.99. Minerva’s Den is a self-contained narrative experience that introduces new characters, locations and mystery to the fiction-rich world of Rapture. The game add-on puts players in the role of an all-new character who has teamed up with Brigid Tenenbaum to unravel a megalomaniac’s stranglehold on a key district in the distinctive city under the sea.

Prepare to explore Rapture Central Computing, a never-before-seen location inthe undersea city, and uncover the dark secrets hidden in its founder’s past. Wield new high-tech weaponry and a devastating new Plasmid to best the towering threats in Minerva’s Den: more dangerous Splicers that command the power of the elements, upgraded Security Bots that throw rockets and lightning bolts, and even a never-before-seen type of Big Daddy. Developed by 2K Marin, Minerva’s Den offers new twists on the story-driven experience that drew players into BioShock 2 when it launched earlier this year.

UPDATE:  HERE’S THE LINK FOR THE GAME.

The Heroes is the first in a series of upcoming chapters. It is based on the first book of the bible, the Genesis. Players slip into the role of Abraham and his descendants and have the opportunity to reenact and witness the incidents of their times.

The Bible Online: Chapter 1 – The Heroes is a massively multiplayer online strategy game. As the leader of their tribe, players have to construct their villages, manage recources and the budget. They will have to decide between diplomacy and warfare. However, players do not stay in one place. They will go on a quest to go to the Promised Land. Leading Abram’s tribe from Ur to Haran and finally to Canaan, players and their heroes will face many challenges before reaching their goal.

The game also offers role playing elements. The birth right system introduces Abraham’s successors Isaac and Jacob. Side quests allow users to experience less known stories of the Genesis.

Dr. Alan Kim, president of FiAA GmbH says, “The Bible Online is developed for players of all ages to easily get closer to the Bible, while enjoying the game. The Beta is planned for the 6th of September. We plan to service the game in most of the European languages by the end of the year. We will also develop following chapters to cover all the stories of the Bible.”

Key features of The Bible Online: Chapter 1 – „The Heroes“
- Browser game (MMORTS + RPG) – no installation required
- Environment and quests according to the stories of the Genesis
- Integrated chat system
- Birth Right system: Abraham  Isaac  Jacob
- Graphics are made according to the historical investigation of the times of Abraham
- Compatible with all current browsers

Founded in 1999, Arkane has offices in Lyon, France and Austin, Texas and is led by co-creative directors Raphael Colantonio, Arkane’s founder and CEO who will also serve as president of Arkane, and Harvey Smith, lead designer on Deus Ex.   Arkane’s first title, Arx Fatalis, was released in 2002 and became a fan favorite with its highly detailed environments and innovative gameplay. In addition, Arkane developed Dark Messiah of Might and Magic (PC version), and has collaborated on a number of high profile game projects, including Bioshock 2. Arkane is currently working on an unannounced project with Bethesda Softworks.

“This is an exciting moment for Arkane. After 11 years of independent development, we couldn’t think of a better publishing partner,” said Colantonio. “We share so many creative values. Joining the ZeniMax family will allow us to grow stronger while staying true to the games we love.”

Arkane joins a group of development studios which includes id Software and Bethesda Game Studios, two of the finest, most respected videogame developers in the world. This deal further underscores Bethesda’s commitment to delivering premier titles to gamers worldwide.

“We are very pleased to be able to bring another experienced, high quality developer like Arkane to the ZeniMax group of studios,” said Robert Altman, Chairman and CEO of ZeniMax Media. “Raphael and his talented team have earned a reputation for creating immersive, innovative games which enhances our ability to deliver AAA quality games to our many fans.”

The global market leader in browser-based massively multiplayer online games (MMOG), Bigpoint, (http://www.bigpoint.com/) announced that the highly anticipated Battlestar Galactica Online browser-based MMOG will feature appearances by characters from the hit TV series in game.

Based upon the second season of the Syfy TV series, Battlestar Galactica Online’s story captures the struggle between humans and cylons. Key characters from the TV series will be included in the game to create a deeper connection to the storyline, provide quests and accentuate the dramatic tension that the series is known for delivering expertly.

“These characters brought to life the story and captured the imaginations of a whole new generation of Battlestar Galactica fans and we felt strongly that they needed to appear in the game,” explains Heiko Hubertz, CEO and founder of Bigpoint. “Our goal is to create a deep connection to the mythology of Syfy series and by working with the producers, writers and actors, Bigpoint hopes to meet the expectations of the fans and allow them to write their own adventures through gameplay.”

Battlestar Galactica Online will feature the character likenesses of:

Human
William “Admiral” Adama portrayed by Edward James Olmos
Kara “Starbuck” Thrace portrayed by Katee Sackhoff
Lee “Apollo” Adama portrayed by Jamie Bamber
Galen “Chief” Tyrol portrayed by Aaron Douglas

Cylon
Number Six portrayed by Tricia Helfer
Number Eight portrayed by Grace Park
Number One (John Cavil) portrayed by Dean Stockwell
Number Two (Leoben Conoy) portrayed by Callum Keith Rennie

It’s a wrap! Full Fat Games is pleased to announce that “Zombie Flick” has been submitted to Apple. This summer’s iPhone blockbuster will be available to purchase on the App Store any day now.

During the 1970s an incurable virus spreads across mainland America. With no food or guns to hand, it’s down to you as lone survivor to make the dead masses feel the pain.

Using nothing but useless everyday objects, flick, dismember and decapitate all that come at you to survive! Wrapped up in an atmospheric cinematic style, Zombie Flick will provide a fresh and bloody challenge to gamers with the tastiest brains.

Zombie Flick offers these goresome features:

• Survival Mode
• Last Stand Mode
• Three stunning environments
• Dozens of unusual weapons, from Frisbees and Vinyl Records to Lava Lamps and Ukuleles
• Loads of Zombie types
• Intuitive easy to use flick mechanic
• Incredible 3D visuals complete with dismemberment, decapitation and gallons of blood!
• Integrated Achievements and Leaderboards
• OpenFeint Support

Bethesda Softworks®, a ZeniMax® Media company, today revealed the star-studded voice over cast for Fallout®: New VegasTM, the follow-up game to the critically acclaimed Fallout® 3. Fallout: New Vegas features Golden Globe-winner and two time Emmy nominated actor Ron Perlman (“Hellboy”, “Sons of Anarachy”), Screen Actors Guild-winner and Emmy and Golden Globe nominated actor Matthew Perry (“Friends”), Mr. Las Vegas himself, Wayne Newton, William Sadler (“Shawshank Redemption”), Zach Levi (“Chuck”), Felicia Day (“The Guild”), Michael Dorn (“Star Trek:The Next Generation”), Kris Kristofferson (“Blade Trilogy,”), Danny Trejo (“Machete”, “From Dusk Till Dawn”), John Doman (“Mystic River”, “The Wire”) and Rene Auberjonois (“Boston Legal”, “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine”).

“The Fallout franchise has taken narratives in interactive entertainment to the next level, and we could not be more excited about the all-new celebrity lineup for Fallout: New Vegas,” said Pete Hines, Vice President of PR and Marketing for Bethesda Softworks. “The voice acting provided by these actors helps drive the compelling and immersive story of Fallout and further adds to the overall gameplay experience.”

Ron Perlman returns to voice the narrator in Fallout: New Vegas, a role he has played in every major Fallout game to date. Matthew Perry plays Benny, a smooth-talking, two faced gangster, and Wayne Newton takes on the role as “Mr. New Vegas,” the radio DJ of the Mojave Wasteland.

Three celebrities take on roles as playable companions in Fallout: New Vegas: Danny Trejo is Raul the Ghoul, a mechanic and former gunslinger; Zach Levi is Arcade, a member of the Followers of the Apocalypse who hides a mysterious past, and Felicia Day is Veronica, a sarcastic Brotherhood of Steel scribe.

The epic cast continues with Kris Kristofferson as Chief Hanlon, a grizzled solider at the end of his career, and Rene Auberjonois as the enigmatic and reclusive Mr. House. Michael Dorn reprises his role as Marcus, an intelligent super mutant, who was last seen in 1998’s Fallout® 2; John Doman is Caesar, the charismatic and powerful dictator at the head of Caesar’s Legion. William Sadler plays Victor, a friendly robot with the personality of an old fashioned cowboy.

In addition to this star-studded cast, players can expect to hear even more celebrity cameos throughout the world of Fallout: New Vegas.