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PC version of Wolfenstein gets crash-fixing patch

by Griffin McElroy { Oct 21st 2009 at 1:00AM }

Though the PC version of Wolfenstein has been out for nearly two months now, the game's been persistently affected by a number of minor bugs. Nothing really huge, mind you -- just a handful of game-crashing, save file-corrupting, SecuROM-breaking errors which are capable of completely crippling your enjoyment of the title. Like we said, no biggie.

Fortunately, id Software recently released patch 1.11 for the title, which is designed to fix all of the above bugs, effectively restoring your Nazi-massacring experience. Sadly, the patch doesn't include a fix for the glitch which prevents Robo-Hitler from spawning at any point in the game. What gives, guys?

[Thanks, Merrick.]

Wolfenstein headlines Amazon day of game deals

by Alexander Sliwinski { Sep 24th 2009 at 11:58AM }

The latest Wolfenstein is Amazon's "deal of the day" special, accompanied by more games offered during today's "lightning deals." A one-way trip to the spooky-Nazi locale of Wolfenstein will cost $40 for Xbox 360 and PS3, $30 on PC (while supplies last). Meanwhile, today's lightning deals are teased as:

9AM Eastern: Ghostbusters: Slimer Edition (Wii)
12PM Eastern: Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia (DS)
4PM Eastern: "Pyramid Head welcomes you home." [Likely, Silent Hill Homecoming]
7PM Eastern: "Zombies eat brains."
10PM Eastern: "Why worry? Each one of us is carrying an unlicensed nuclear accelerator on his back." [Likely, Xbox 360 and PS3 version of Ghostbusters]

Wolfenstein demo marches onto Xbox Live

by Richard Mitchell { Sep 23rd 2009 at 4:15PM }

If you've been itching to give Wolfenstein a try but aren't willing to plunk down any cash -- a likely possibility at this point -- you'll be happy to know that a Wolfenstein demo is now available on Xbox Live Marketplace in Australia, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, United Kingdom and United States.

If you are somehow unfamiliar with the game allow us to sum up. There are Nazis. They are doing evil, occult-y things. You, the good guy, must stop them. With guns. And magic. If your experience varies significantly from this description, please check the game title. You're probably playing something else.

Add the Wolfenstein demo to you 360 download queue

[Via Major Nelson]

Rumor: Activision pulls Wolfenstein in Germany over swastika use

by Alexander Sliwinski { Sep 23rd 2009 at 9:32AM }

Activision has reportedly and voluntarily removed Wolfenstein from German store shelves. Turns out that the German localization team charged with removing the thousands of swastikas found in the latest Nazi frag-fest apparently missed one.

Germany's no swastika rule in video games has existed for a long time, and the general guideline on the symbol's use is that it can only be utilized in a historical or artistic context -- yeah, let's ignore the "games as art" conversation. We've followed up with Activision for comment and to find out if the game will be re-released in the region at a later date.

In related news, the uncensored Xbox Live demo is out today in: Australia, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, United Kingdom and United States. Nope, Germany's definitely not on the list. [Shortcut: Add Wolfenstein Demo to your Xbox 360 download queue]

[Via Kotaku]

Wolfenstein sells 106k units in first week, all bets off

by David Hinkle { Sep 11th 2009 at 6:30PM }

When the NPD released its figures for August, we noticed Wolfenstein was absent from the top-sellers list. Sure, the title was only available for purchase during a few days of August (it released August 21 on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC), but one of those versions had to have sold more than Fossil Fighters, which was in tenth place on the sales chart with 92,000 sold, right? Gamespot says, no.

Apparently, id's resurrected shooter only sold 106,000 across all platforms -- 59,000 units on Xbox 360, 30,000 on PS3 and 16,000 on PC. In other words, the PS2 version of Madden alone outsold combined sales of Wolfenstein. Disappointing, for sure, since you must have really been hoping to get your money back.

Storm the castle against Wolfenstein devs tonight

by Xav de Matos { Sep 11th 2009 at 6:00PM }

Those of you looking to throw down in a challenging series of class-based WWII shootouts should be on the look out on Wolfenstein multiplayer tonight. From 6PM (that's now!) to 8PM EDT developers from Raven Software -- the ones that are left, we assume -- and id Software will be on hand to battle for glory against Xbox Live Gold members in another rousing session of Game with Developers.

Unlike the last GwD event, gamers don't have to pre-purchase content in order to play with the game's development team! Well, unless you count the game itself. Which, technically, we guess you have to.

Continued →

iPhone It In: Wolfenstein RPG

by Ben Gilbert { Aug 31st 2009 at 8:28PM }

I've come to expect a certain modicum of brevity in games played on my iPhone. Games like Doom Resurrection and Worms proved problematic, taking far too long to get into and out of games, or simply pushing my little 3G's processor to the limit (and being choppy as a result). Meanwhile, smaller titles like Drop7 and Baseball Slugger: Home Run Race 3D excel due to their size.

Wolfenstein RPG shocked me in this respect. I thoroughly enjoyed the deeper experience that the RPG elements offered (a leveling system and well-rewarded exploration), while save-anywhere functionality and short load times encourage quick gameplay sessions. In so many words, it offers the best of both worlds: a deep experience with jump in/jump out functionality.

Gallery: Wolfenstein RPG (iPhone/iPod Touch)

Continued →

Raven Software confirms layoffs, new size 'reflects' upcoming work load

by Griffin McElroy { Aug 27th 2009 at 10:01AM }

It seems the unfortunate rumors we've been hearing to this effect for some time are true -- Raven Software has confirmed that a round of layoffs recently hit the developer (reports range from 30 to 56 folks cut from the studio's 180-man staff). Raven and Activision issued a statement explaining that after releasing X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Wolfenstein so close together, the Raven is "slightly reducing its workforce to better reflect the studio's upcoming slate," which only includes the development of Singularity.

Of course, other reports include unconfirmed, cause-and-effect-esque reasons for the layoffs. Kotaku reports that sources have attributed the firings to the over-budget (and underselling) Wolfenstein, as well as the holiday-to-Q1 delay of Singularity. Regardless of the reason for the downsizing, we hope the affected parties can get back on their feet with a quickness.

Wii Sports Resort barely bests Wolfenstein in the UK

by Randy Nelson { Aug 24th 2009 at 6:30PM }

We're not sure what's more impressive: That a cricket game was actually outselling Wii Sports Resort for two weeks in the UK, or that Nintendo's latest minigame melange only outsold Wolfenstein by 2,000 copies for the week of August 16 to 22. That's what the latest numbers and report from Chart Track show, placing the id Software / Raven shooter at the top of the PS3, 360 and PC charts for its first week on sale.

We'll have to wait for NPD's numbers to see how the FPS fared on this side of the pond, but it's pretty obvious that -- the world over -- everybody loves killing some Nazis. Take a peek after the break to see what else the Brits have been buying up lately.

Source -- Chart Trak, week ending 8/22
Source -- Wii Sports Resort keeps Wolfenstein at bay

Continued →

Report: Wolfenstein multiplayer team struck with layoffs

by Richard Mitchell { Aug 18th 2009 at 5:30PM }

GI.biz reports that an unspecified number of employees from Wolfenstein's multiplayer developer, Endrant Studios, were laid off today. Adding insult to injury, today just happens to mark the official launch of the game. Making matters even worse, Wolfenstein is the studio's first title.

According to an Endrant spokesperson, now that the Wolfenstein development cycle is complete, the studio has "regrettably been forced to make adjustments to staff and headcounts," adding that the laid-off staff members "worked incredibly hard on [Endrant's] latest title." The spokesperson also issued the studio's hope that the former employees "land on their feet quickly."

For our part, we hope they do too.

QuakeCon 2009: The Wolfenstein launch trailer

by Christopher Grant { Aug 13th 2009 at 9:20PM }

Before sharing the very first video footage of Rage with the crowd at QuakeCon today, id Software CEO Todd Hollenshead shared the final piece of video marketing material for another title: the launch trailer for the Raven Software-developed Wolfenstein. Despite being in development for what seems to be an eternity (we first heard about this one-time Xbox 360 exclusive in 2005!) the game hits retail next week. Let us know if this launch trailer makes your wallet itchy.

Download in HD (124MB)

Raven dev to reimburse your Wolfenstein purchase ... if

by David Hinkle { Aug 12th 2009 at 6:40PM }

And folks, it's a BIG if. Raven Software designer Manveer Heir tweets that if the upcoming Wolfenstein manages to surpass sales of Madden 10 this month, he'll happily pay you back for the money you spent on his game. Of course, there are a few stipulations:

Offer only applies to sales in August
NPD figures will be used to calculate the totals
You have to follow Manveer Heir on Twitter
Limit one copy per person -- with receipt!

Obviously, there isn't a snowball's chance in hell of this happening, but we'd be lying if we said we weren't crossing our fingers for the little nazi-killing-sim-that-could to tackle the gridiron giant.

[Thanks, "Sammy Davis Jr."; via Destructoid]

Wolfenstein RPG escapes onto the iPhone

by Alexander Sliwinski { Aug 12th 2009 at 3:02AM }

After a premature release on the App Store back in May, Wolfenstein RPG is now officially available for iPhone/iPod Touch. TouchArcade reports the release of the game was held off because of possible customer confusion with Wolfenstein 3D, which was released a little while back.

Wolfenstein RPG on iPhone features improved graphics from its original mobile incarnation, and all that turn-based Nazi killin' can be yours for $5.

Wolfenstein pre-order goodies revealed

by David Hinkle { Aug 7th 2009 at 6:00PM }

If you're a diehard B.J. Blazkowicz fan looking to pre-order id's recently delayed WWII FPS, Wolfenstein, then know a few outlets are offering exclusive pre-order bonuses. According to the game's official site, four different retailers will provide extra incentive to pre-purchase:

GameStop: 2,000 in-game gold pieces for multiplayer (also listed for PC)
Best Buy: Early access to the Flammenwerfer weapon
Game Crazy: Limited edition collector's medal
Amazon: Free copy of Wolfenstein 3D for PSN or Xbox Live

Personally, we think Amazon has the best bonus, but we know full well the appeal of limited edition collector's medals.

[Via VG247]

News flash: Wolfenstein has a castle

by Richard Mitchell { Aug 6th 2009 at 5:00AM }

You'd better be sitting down, gaming enthusiasts. Activision has released a new video of Wolfenstein that will blow your mind and, this time, it won't be done by filling your eyeballs with cheese. Above, you will find a brief video look at Wolfenstein's "Castle" environment. That's right. A castle ... in a Wolfenstein game.

All kidding aside, the video basically encapsulates everything that typifies the series: Castles, Nazis, the occult and blowin' stuff up. Give it a watch.