Strategy Informer  

Valve has announced the 'Heavy Update' for the PC version of Team Fortress 2 will be released next week. The update, which goes live next Tuesday, will add three new unlockable weapons as well as new maps and game modes. Valve has hinted that the changes will make the Heavy class more playable as a solo class and will not be so dependant on medics.

Details of the update are being slowly revealed on the Team Fortress 2 website, and a new community map, cp_steel, has been unveiled.

While the actual application of the new technology isn't quite ready for mainstream yet, the possibilities can't be dismissed. AMD had game devs pricking their ears.

'Cinema 2.0' can produce photo-realistic characters after capturing them in a globed room that's packed with high-def cameras. It can then render them real-time with effects.

Paradox Interactive today announced a new release for early next year. The Fantasy Strategy game Elven Legacy is being developed by 1C company, and is scheduled to be released in Q1 2009.

Elven Legacy delivers a world filled with magic, and a thrilling nonlinear storyline, gauged to provide many hours of gameplay for strategy enthusiasts. Through an epic quest to restore the former glory of the Elven race, this fantasy strategy game offers both depth and scope, all in colorful and inspirational settings.

David Jaffe has confirmed his new game won't be included on the Leipzig billing next week, but should be ready for a first public airing six months from now.

Rik Alexander, bossman of Monumental Games has said that he'd need "a billion quid" to take on Blizzard's King of MMORPGs - World of Warcraft.

That's why the studio is producing a Football MMO and not some fantasy flavoured game. "Sports just makes the most sense," he proclaimed at the EIF event.

The XBLA title Braid, which has been flooded with glorious praise, is coming to the PC but no other platforms yet. Jonathon Blow wants to "focus" for "high quality" versions.

A PS3 version could be in the cards for the future but nothing's concrete. Blow also revealed a Wii expedition is "not going to happen for this game", the models wrong.

Strategy Informer has been talking with Chris Stockman, studio director of Blazing Lizard, about the upcoming Xbox Live Arcade release Pirates vs. Ninjas Dodgeball, which will be released on September 3rd for 800 MS points.

During the Interview we asked Stockman about the possibility of future PvN titles, such as Pirates vs. Ninjas Volleyball or Party Games, and Stockman revealed that the company is planning further titles in the PvN series, as it's something the team would like to see.

PCs are gamed on more than any console the research group claims, but did stress that some groups are "more likely to use consoles than a PC to play video games."

Their data also shows that PlayStation 3 owners are more likely to own other next-gen consoles than their counterparts, and only 10% of PS2 owners have a PS3.

John Carmack, president of id Software has said it's hard to try and pinpoint exactly what's caused the PC to fall from grace. "You can say piracy. You can say user migration."

While speaking with Tom's Games he says that id still thinks PC gaming is "worth supporting" but decisions aren't finalised with the platform in mind.

Chris Deering, chairman of the Edinburgh Interactive Festival has voiced a warning to the videogames industry that we must look to other sources of revenue.

He points to rising development costs and predicted falls in the software market. Micro transactions and advertising - "these business models must be explored."