Platform Update for Windows Vista 971644 is going to bring support for DirectX 11 to Windows Vista users.

Windows 7 already comes with DirectX 11 so this is good news for Vista owners with compatible graphic cards.

This update is likely to be available directly from Windows Update on relevant machines.

Windows XP users are as usual out of luck as they are stuck with DirectX 9.

Microsoft might have practically discontinued their Windows XP operating system but it remains the preferred operating system for gamers.

Valve has released the latest Steam user metrics and majority of gamers on this platform are still using Windows XP operating system.

Looking at the stats, 68% of Steam users are on 32-bit version of Windows XP.

Around 21% of the users are running Vista and a DirectX 10-capable video card.

25% of the Steam users are running Windows XP along with DirectX 10-capable video card.

While, majority (54%) of the gamers are still stuck on DirectX 9 or below video cards.

There are more interesting statistics in this report. Nvidia dominates ATI with 64% market share. ATI is at 27%. Intel’s share is at a low 2%.

One good news is that almost half of the gamers are on dual-core processors. Around 10% gamers are using a quad core processor system. Rest of the gamers are still on single core processors.

Intel has a solid market share here with a 64% market share. AMD is trailing with 37% share.

Checkout: Valve Steam

TorrentFreak has revealed that the latest edition of Prince of Persia for the PC platform has arrived without any form of DRM to restrict the usage of the game.

Ubisoft community development manager Chris Easton said in a statement on this decision:

You’re right when you say that when people want to pirate the game they will, but DRM is there to make it as difficult as possible for pirates to make copies of our games. A lot of people complain that DRM is what forces people to pirate games but as PoP [Prince of Persia] PC has no DRM we’ll see how truthful people actually are.

Incidentally, the company faced massive criticism for the DRM that was included in their earlier title Rainbox 6: Vegas 2. The company later released a fix for this game which was found to be based on a no-CD crack developed by a warez group.

Things are getting exciting in the videogame industry!

Checkout: Ubisoft Dumps Prince of Persia DRM, Remains Skeptical

World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King managed to sell 2.8 million copies in its first 24 hours of launch.

The developers of the game claims that this is a record of its kind for PC based games.

Blizzard Entertainment claims that this is better than the sales of The Burning Crusade again a WoW related title.

The Burning Crusade had sold 2.4 million copies in the first 24 hours of launch.

Blizzard had launched this game in North America, Europe, Chile, Argentina, and Russia simultaneously.

This is a major victory for the company as they can manage to generate massive profits in these tough times.

Rockstar Games has announced that they would be launching the PC version of their hit game Grand Theft Auto IV for the PC platform.

The PC edition of this game would be released in November this year. The game is already a smash hit on the Sony Playstation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360 gaming consoles.

The game would hit the stores on November 18 in North America and November 21 in Europe.

Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games spoke about this new development: “We are very excited to be releasing the PC version of Grand Theft Auto IV. The whole team is dedicated to bringing an amazing gaming experience to the PC. The game looks and plays beautifully on PC and we can’t wait for people to play it.”

Jay Watamaniuk, community manager of Bioware has made a statement on the official system requirement for their Mass Effect gaming title.

Here are the details:

Minimum System Requirements:
Operating System:
Windows XP or Vista
Processor:
2.4+GHZ Intel or 2.0+GHZ AMD
Memory:
1 Gigabyte Ram (XP)
2 Gigabyte Ram (Vista)
Video Card:
NVIDIA GeForce 6 series (6800GT or better)
ATI 1300XT or better (X1550, X1600 Pro and HD2400 are below minimum system requirements)
Hard Drive Space:
12 Gigabytes
Sound Card:
DirectX 9.0c compatible sound card and drivers

Recommended System Requirements:
Operating System:
Windows XP or Vista
Processor:
2.6+GHZ Intel or 2.4+GHZ AMD
Memory:
2 Gigabyte Ram
Video Card:
NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GTX or higher.
ATI X1800 XL series or higher
Hard Drive Space:
12 Gigabytes
Sound Card:
DirectX 9.0c compatible sound card and drivers – 5.1 sound card recommended

Checkout: Mass Effect System Requirements revealed

Award-Winning Epic Will Be Published By EA

Leading video game developer, BioWare™, an Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) company, has announced that the award-winning space epic Mass Effect™ will be released for the PC in May 2008. Published by EA and re-designed for the PC, Mass Effect invites players to take the role of Commander Shepard as they set out on an adventure to save the galaxy from imminent destruction. Wrought with treachery, heroism, difficult decisions and a universe filled with unique and colorful species, Mass Effect delivers a truly compelling storyline.

Optimized for the PC, Mass Effect for the PC incorporates the following features:
Optimized controls designed specifically for the PC.
High resolution visuals – Mass Effect for the PC features highly detailed textures, characters and environments.
Fully customizable controls – PC gamers can re-map the control scheme any way they like.
Run & Gun Control – Players can assign biotic powers or skills to ‘hot keys’ allowing them to play Mass Effect with a heavier focus on action.
New decryption mini-game.
New inventory screen GUI and functionality – The enhanced inventory system makes it easier for players to equip and modify their weapons and armor.

“Mass Effect serves as a powerful example of video games as an art form, delivering new levels of emotional intensity, realistic characters and a gripping storyline – all set in a compelling new universe,” said Ray Muzyka, General Manager, BioWare and Vice President, Electronic Arts. Frank Gibeau, President of EA’s Games Label added, “EA has struck an agreement with Microsoft to handle future publishing for Mass Effect. We are looking forward to releasing Mass Effect on the PC this Spring and brand new titles in the future.”

Originally released for the Xbox 360™ videogame and entertainment system, Mass Effect has received critical acclaim throughout the world with more than 70 awards including Game of the Year, Console Game of the Year and Role-Playing Game of the Year. Mass Effect combines a deep story with intense combat and challenges the player to make difficult decisions that can significantly impact the course of events. An innovative conversation system allows for lifelike interaction with some of the most realistic digital actors, voiced by Hollywood actors such as Seth Green, Marina Sirtis, Lance Henriksen and Keith David. Mass Effect for the PC has not yet been rated by the Entertainment Software Rating Board.

About BioWare

BioWare is an electronic entertainment company which develops computer, console, handheld and online video games focused on rich stories and memorable characters. Since 1995, BioWare has created some of the world’s best-selling titles including the award-winning Baldur’s Gate™ and Neverwinter Nights™ series, and Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republic™. Original BioWare-created IPs include Jade Empire™ and the 2007 Game of the Year, Mass Effect™. With studios in Edmonton, Canada, and Austin, Texas, BioWare is hard at work on the epic fantasy RPG, Dragon Age, Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood for the Nintendo DS™, as well as several unannounced projects including a massively multiplayer online game. In 2008, BioWare was acquired by the world’s leading electronic entertainment publisher, Electronic Arts. For more information on BioWare, visit www.bioware.com.

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world’s leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, cellular handsets and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS™, EA™, EA SPORTS BIG™ and POGO™. In fiscal 2007, EA posted revenue of $3.09 billion and had 24 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA’s homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA’s products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.

BioWare, Mass Effect, Dragon Age and Jade Empire are trademarks or registered trademarks owned by BioWare Corp. in the U.S. and other countries. EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Xbox and Xbox 360 are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. Nintendo DS is a trademark of Nintendo. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Contacts

EA
Holly Rockwood, 650-628-7323
Director of Corporate Communications
hrockwood@ea.com
or
EA Games Label – BioWare
Matt Atwood, 780-430-0164 ext. 1450
Senior Manager, Public Relations
matwood@bioware.com
Erik Einsiedel, 780-430-0164 ext. 1146
Public Relations Coordinator
erik@bioware.com

Disney Online has announced the launch of their Pirates of the Caribbean Online game.

This is basically a new massively multiplayer online game supporting both Mac OS X and Windows users.

The first month charges are $4.95. Gamers would be required to pay $9.95 for every month thereafter.

Disney claims that this new online gaming system would enable the gamers to go on adventures as depicted in the films and explore the world beyond, as well.

Gamers would be able to create and customize their own pirates. The aim is to become the Caribbean’s most legendary and feared marauder.

Checkout: Pirates of the Caribbean Online

Aspyr Media has announced that they are working on developing a Mac version of the Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.

The company is also incidentally working on a PC version of the title. They are aiming to deliver both these versions in the market within a few weeks of the launch of the console versions.

The official launch is slated for October so PC and Mac users can expect the games by November this year.

The game is being developed by Neversoft Entertainment. Activision would be publishing it for the consoles.

The game would feature soundtrack of well-known rock and roll songs. It would also include a cast of thirteen playable characters.

Aspyr Media added that the game for the PC and the Mac would ship in a hybrid box, bundled with the USB guitar peripheral.

Just a couple of days after Microsoft launches their Halo 3 videogame title, Activision would be launching their new PC-based multiplayer game Quake Wars.

The company has announced that this game based on the Quake II storyline would be launched in the market on October 2.

Activision said in a statement that the Enemy Territory: Quake Wars for Windows has now gone gold.

The game would be launched in Europe and Australia on September 28, 2007.

This gaming title has been developed by Splash Damage and is essentially a prequel to the Quake II storyline.

The game has been rated T for Teen and would sell for US$49.99 for a standard version and $59.99 for a Limited Collector’s Edition.

The company is however still working on the PS3 and Xbox 360 editions. These are expected to be launched at a later stage.