Alien Swarm Gets its First Update

Updates include:

• Fixed weapon switch key in the 360 controller config
  
• XP and level are stored in the Steam Cloud
  
• Fixed duplicate rows in the "Find Public Games" screen
  
• Reduced screen shake when you have high ping
  
• Fixed dedicated server always starting in LAN mode
  
• Fixed custom item button binds not displaying properly on HUD
  
• Fixed full network updates causing duplicate client ragdolls to spawn
  
• Added console commands to change game access on the fly (make_game_public and make_game_friends_only)
  
• Fixed welding icon sometimes getting stuck above player's head
  
• Fixed HUD elements being cut off in ultra wide resolutions
  
• Removed cheat flag from a number of cosmetic console commands
  
• Now firing, meleeing, or reloading while welding will break you out of the weld
  
• Fixed spectators earning achievements
  
• Fixed infinite ammo exploit
  
• Fixed XP exploit

Nothing after the jump.

>>>Click here to read more...

3rd-Person Shooter Alien Swarm Released as Freeware on Steam

Alien Swarm, a class- and squad-based game that embroils players in a space marine-vs-alien bugs fragfest, is finally out. What's more, this multiplayer PC shooter is now free to play, the only catch is that you must have a Steam account. The game is powered by the Source engine so expect impressive graphics and physics. (Examples of Source-powered games: Half-life 2 and Counter Strike Source.)

"Alien Swarm is a game and Source SDK release from a group of talented designers at Valve who were hired from the Mod community. Available free of charge, the game thrusts players into an epic bug hunt featuring a unique blend of co-op play and squad-level tactics. With your friends, form a squad of four distinct IAF Marine classes."

Links on where to download Steam and the 3rd-person shooter game after the jump.

>>>More free (legal) PC shooters HERE
>>>Free PC strategy games HERE
>>>Free PC RPGs HERE
>>>Get Steam HERE (registration required).
>>>Get the game HERE

>>>Click here to read more...

Nvidia Fixes GeForce/ION 257.21's Profile Bug, Releases GeForce/ION 258.96 (Beta)

Nvidia's release last June 15, v257.21, was an excellent video driver in terms of image quality. However, it had some flaws in the form of a game profile bug --- some users complained that the GeForce/ION driver didn't save the game profile parameters they set in the Nvidia video driver's control panel. A few days ago, Nvidia released a beta, GeForce/ION 258.96, and from what I've read, the driver doesn't seem to have the profile bug that its predecessor had. Will test this out tomorrow.

The download link after the jump.


>>>See Nvidia video driver benchmark results here

Get the Nvidia GeForce/ION video driver HERE. Please take note that this is just a beta (but hey, if you've been reading the forums---and my post above, WHQL drivers have bugs. :P). Also please remember to choose your video card and the OS you're using in the drop-down fields that the webpage supplies.

>>>Click here to read more...

Freeware Strategy Games Update: UFO: AI v2.3 Released

The developers of UFO: AI, a freeware turn-based PC strategy game, have finally released the long-awaited version 2.3 of their endeavor to replicate the gameplay of X-Com (albeit with a storyline that's unrelated to the PC classic). I've been following the development of this free turn-based game for two years now and for this version to finally surface is exciting news. The gameplay of its predecessors has been perfect except for two glaring flaws: the lack of an ending and aliens not being able to launch attacks on your headquarters. This freeware version fixes these and more.

This game may be based on an ancient game engine but its gameplay aspects are nearly unparalleled even compared to retail games (small surprise given that the game it tries to emulate has been hailed as one of the greatest games of all time by several reputable websites). I'm even more psyched with this news than Mektek's freeware release of Mechwarrior 4: Mercenaries.

Classics: The game engine that put doom and gloom in Romero's heart coupled with X-Com gameplay = epic. (Picture credit: UFO: AI official site)

The link to the freeware game after the jump.



>>>Download the free PC turn-based strategy game HERE

>>>Free PC FPS HERE
>>>Free PC RPG games HERE
>>>More freeware strategy games HERE

>>>Click here to read more...

How to Install Mechwarrior 4 Using Mektek's MTX

A lot of people have been asking me about how to install the free PC shooter game Mechwarrior 4: Mercenaries. The problem lies with MTX, a software developed by Mektek to act as a "centralized distribution and patching point" for the downloadable PC games it distributes.

While it proves buggy for some, the predominant issue lies in the somewhat lengthy procedure the software requires. Gamers who don't usually tinker with their PC may find the process confusing.

If you are sure you've done things right and you're still experiencing problems, please go to the official forums and post your questions there; you'll get more detailed answers. Please take note that I am in no way connected with Fasa, Microsoft, or Mektek. I did not develop MTX. I'm just another gamer who's putting out guides and reviews in the hopes of helping other people.

However, if you're just simply curious or confused about how to install Mechwarrior 4: Mercenaries using Mektek's MTX, read on.

A friendly Bushwacker scans the terrain for enemy mechs

>>>I hit my head with a rock and can't remember what Mechwarrior is. Give me a quick recap on the history of the franchise.

The guide after the jump.


Before reading the guide, I would like to point out two things:

1. This game is really free. Microsoft cleared Mektek to release Mechwarrior 4 as a downloadable free PC simulator-shooter/strategy game.

2. As mentioned before, I am in no way connected with Fasa, Microsoft, or Mektek. I did not develop MTX. Install at your own risk. If you encounter problems using the software, I cannot offer technical support.

Ok with those two things cleared up, here's the guide:

1. Download and install MTX from HERE.


2. It will ask where you will put your Mektek games. I chose the same folder where I've installed MTX:


2. Since I've heard a lot of people were experiencing problems with MTX in downloading the free PC game, I used Mektek's torrent links:

As of this date the latest FULL install is v.0021.

Downloaded using uTorrent):



(Don't mind the patches, I thought I'd be having problems patching with MTX but it turned out downloading the patches using uTorrent was unnecessary.)

3. I put the downloaded .mtx file in a folder I created:


(Don't mind the second and third files; those are the aforementioned patches.)

4. Launch MTX and click Open File.


5. Find the free Mechwarrior 4 .mtx file that you downloaded.
6. MTX will copy the .mtx file.


7. Once it has finished, wait for it to patch the free PC mech shooter.


You can launch the game from your Start menu.

Enjoy!

>>>More free PC FPS HERE
>>>Free PC RPG games HERE
>>>Freeware strategy games HERE

>>>Click here to read more...