PC Gaming Roundup - February 24, 2008

Square Enix games are heading to Steam, and Paradox Interactive is looking for gamers to test Hearts of Iron III, offering you a little chunk of gaming goodness until I sort through my inbox. Hopefully I won't blow the text off the screen again.

Testers Needed for Hearts of Iron 3
Paradox Interactive is looking for beta testers to give the upcoming game Hearts of Iron III a hard time, the company's long-awaited third installment of its World War II strategy series. "Hearts of Iron III is now approaching the critical Beta stage of development," the company said.  "The last few months have seen the team stabilizing the foundations of the AI, tightening up the rules and mechanics of the game, along with implementing new artwork and interface features." Apparently, they don't need any goon off the street testing the game, but rather "keen, enthusiastic gamers who are willing to give up a few hours a week to play." Paradox also needs help from historical researchers in order to improve the databases, as apparently the development team slept through History class (not really, it just sounded fun to write).

The Dark Eye: Drakensang Ships
THQ's party-based RPG for the PC The Dark Eye: Drakensang was kicked out the doors and now heads to your local retail outlet. Based on the popular European pen-and-paper game and developed by the original game's authors, this marks the first time the franchise has appearing in the United States. "Featuring stunning vistas and tactical turn-based fights displayed in a real time environment, The Dark Eye: Drakensang takes players on a mystical journey centuries back in time." Players will be able to control four characters within the party, and can even threaten, persuade and charm "through a universe full of unique characters, creatures and locations."

Square Enix Gets Steamy
Publisher Square Enix and Valve jointly announced that The Last Remnant will show up on the Steam service on April 9. Both parties said that Square Enix will continue to add its library of games in the future, providing users with instant access. And because purchased games are tied in to user accounts rather than PC's, gamers can take Square Enix titles anywhere there's a working processor. “We are excited to offer the millions of Steam customers online access to Square Enix titles beginning with our major action RPG, THE LAST REMNANT,” said John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Inc. and Square Enix Ltd.  “Square Enix is committed to delivering the best quality titles to PC gamers and distribution on Steam is one of the many steps we are taking to increase accessibility for fans globally.”

More Square Enix: Last Remnant for PC in March
Along with its marriage to Valve's Steam service came news that Square Enix's upcoming action RPG game for the PC, The Last Remnant, will ship to retail outlets on March 24. The Games for Windows version offers additional new features including Japanese or English voice-overs, improved character animations, the ability to allow multiple leader units to form unions and faster gameplay during battles. “We hope to reach a new audience with the Games for Windows version of THE LAST REMNANT,” said John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix Inc., and Square Enix Ltd., Square Enix’s European subsidiary. “The work that has been put into this version of the game is truly stunning and I hope that fans enjoy this exciting new adventure.”

Hang on more to come...