Today, a Steam client was released along with the release of Prototype, and a handful of game updates. Without further ado, let's cram all of those updates and releases into fresh newsbits.
• The Steam client was given a fairly significant update today. There are a good number of fixes included in the update.[spoil=patch notes]- Changed the Steam service to warn users when it's disabled
- Added Steam HD usage to the hardware survey
- Changed system information dialog & hardware survey wizard page to show before system info gathering starts
- Fixed system info summary showing the last of the text, instead of starting at the top
- Tools tab can now be opened with steam://open/tools
- Clicking on the download complete notification for a movie now opens the media tab, and a tool opens the tools tab
- Fixed server browser crash when trying to add a favorite
- Fixed the in-game overlay not capturing/blocking input in some games using buffered Win32 raw input
- Improved the reliability of reconnection attempts after a dropped connection to the friends/VAC servers
Fixed locking and unlocking of group chats
- Fixed incorrect reporting of rate in bandwidth graph dialog
- Fixed potential crash on game launch
- Fix potential issues during screen resolution change
- Improved URL detection in friends chats to
- Fix memory leak in some Steamworks apps
- Fixed a bug where if you had received multiple gifts or guest passes you may only see a pop-up notice about one of them on starting the client
- Fixed the "Failed to open key" error when trying to update Steam[/spoil]• Prototype is now available through Steam, but only for North America. For just $49.99 you can take control of Alex Mercer, a shape-shifter with no memory and an open world to destroy. The rest of the world will get the game on June 12.
• Blueberry Garden, $4.99, is also now available through Steam. The winner if the IGF 2009 award for Best Independent Game, tasks you with finding out what is going on in an ever-changing ecosystem.
• Company of Heroes received a large update earlier today. Check out the changes in the spoiler box below.[spoil=coh change log]Bug Fixes
* Fixed an issue where Bergetiger audio volume was lower than intended.
* Fixed an issue with speech mixing.
* Fixed an issue with the game crashing while trying to exit from cinematic mode.
* Fixed a number of issues with the World Builder.
* Updated the help text for a few units.
* Fixed an issue with incompatibility between save games and version.
* Fixed a bug with long scenario descriptions.
* Cool-downs are now working properly for all weapons.
* HMGs in buildings will now switch targets as intended; there is a 3.5 second delay before the hmg will fire at another target.
* Squads will no longer rush at an undeployed weapons crew when ordered to attack.
* Fixed an issue where Pak38s could stack their first-strike modifiers.
* Fixed an issue with the lobby and front-end slowing down and operating slowly. This makes joining games and automatch teams much more reliable.
* Fixed a networking issue that caused a player's stats to appear as all zeroes.
* Fixed an issue that caused the last played map to be forgotten when starting a game of the same type.
* Fixed an issue where a host's game would crash when both host and client would try to move to an empty slot simultaneously.
* Fixed a few issues with players swapping slots and gameplay types within the lobby.
* Fixed an issue with "Swap Starting Location" functionality.
* Fixed a usability issue with the Autopatcher error messages.
* Fixed an issued that caused the game to crash upon loading the Mission 4 from Invasion of Normandy.
* The help text for the British Staghound has been updated to correctly reflect its role.
* Raised Panzerschreck squads preference to target Light Vehicles while garrisoned in buildings.
* SCAR Bug reporting has been turned off while players are running with -dev.
* Purple box no longer appears when trying to place British emplacements next to each other.
* Panzerkrieg: Fixed exploit that let players create Defensive Infantry for free ignoring the cool down timer.
* Repair bunker pioneers now repair engine criticals when repairing damaged vehicles.
Maps
* Added a new map called Panzerkrieg: Hebecrevon.
* 2p Sturzdorf has been updated to its proper version.
* 2p Beaux Lowlands has been updated to its proper version.
* 2p Wrecked Train has been updated to its proper version.
* 2p Langres has been updated to its proper version.
* 6p The Scheldt has been updated to its proper version.
Gameplay
* Improved the reliability and effectiveness of the American's Strafing Run.
* The T17 armored car's damage output has been reduced.
* Penetration of the T17 armored car has been reduced.
* The Panzer Elite's Schwimmwagen Scorched Earth ability has been replaced with an "Incendiary Trap" ability.
* The British Command Truck's mobile ability will no longer be available while the Truck is setting up.
* Panzergrenadier's Suppression Volley can properly target weapon crews that are set-up.
* Infantry sections with Bren upgrades can now use 'Button Enemy Vehicle' when garrisoned inside a building.
Panzerkrieg
* Recon flight will now detect camouflaged vehicles and infantry (Panzerkrieg only).
* Panther health decreased by 11%.
* Panther Damage Multiplier reduced by 7%.
* Panther Range Multiplier reduced by 7%.
* Hellcat weapon reload modifier decreased by 11%.
* Hellcat damage multiplier increased by 9%.
* Hotchkiss health decreased by 10%.
* Churchill range increased by 7%.
* Stealth infantry units now cost 35 Manpower.
* Stealth infantry sticky bomb damage reduced by 27%.[/spoil]• Finally, X3: Terran Conflict was also given a rather significant update today. Check out the 2.1 changes below.[spoil=x3 changes]New Features and Improvements:
* The Treasure Hunt Story Mission
* A fabled, unique ship to acquire
* Improved performance
* New Large Crystal Fab factories
* New functionality to run the game in the background, located in the gameplay options menu
* Improved tractor beam tow behaviour
* Improved Universal Trader
* Improved mine minerals command
* Added scan single asteroid command
* Several script optimisations
* Added sector camera button to the sector map
* Improved sector camera contrast
* Additional marine information in trade, freight and ship info menus
* Additional ship information in shipyard and HQ menus
* Reduced the number of crystals needed for the HUB repair mission
* Added mission service to buy asteroid information
* Several missiles rebalanced
Fixes:
* Defend sector command fixed
* Patrol command fixed
* Freight transfer with multiple freight drones fixed
* Fixed the unbuyable drone factories in shipyards
* Fixed incorrect enemies during corporation missions
* Fixed several issues in freight scan mission
* Fixed several minor plot and generic mission issues
* Fixed marine selection during boarding
* Fixed marines being replaced by passengers after boarding pod destroyed
* Fixed several Mission Director bugs
* Fixed diagonal cursor movement in the sector map
* Incorrect station wrecks for Xenon stations removed
* Incorrect Terran station icons fixed
* Fixed Argon Gladiator right missile launcher
* Fixed Terran Skirnir forward missile launchers
* Fixed asymmetrical turret configurations on several ships
* Fixed compatible lasers for the Springblossom rear turret
* Fixed several ship graphical issues
* Minor improvements and bugfixes [/spoil]
Here ends another reading of the CS-Nation Newsbits.
- Added Steam HD usage to the hardware survey
- Changed system information dialog & hardware survey wizard page to show before system info gathering starts
- Fixed system info summary showing the last of the text, instead of starting at the top
- Tools tab can now be opened with steam://open/tools
- Clicking on the download complete notification for a movie now opens the media tab, and a tool opens the tools tab
- Fixed server browser crash when trying to add a favorite
- Fixed the in-game overlay not capturing/blocking input in some games using buffered Win32 raw input
- Improved the reliability of reconnection attempts after a dropped connection to the friends/VAC servers
Fixed locking and unlocking of group chats
- Fixed incorrect reporting of rate in bandwidth graph dialog
- Fixed potential crash on game launch
- Fix potential issues during screen resolution change
- Improved URL detection in friends chats to
- Fix memory leak in some Steamworks apps
- Fixed a bug where if you had received multiple gifts or guest passes you may only see a pop-up notice about one of them on starting the client
- Fixed the "Failed to open key" error when trying to update Steam[/spoil]• Prototype is now available through Steam, but only for North America. For just $49.99 you can take control of Alex Mercer, a shape-shifter with no memory and an open world to destroy. The rest of the world will get the game on June 12.
• Blueberry Garden, $4.99, is also now available through Steam. The winner if the IGF 2009 award for Best Independent Game, tasks you with finding out what is going on in an ever-changing ecosystem.
• Company of Heroes received a large update earlier today. Check out the changes in the spoiler box below.[spoil=coh change log]Bug Fixes
* Fixed an issue where Bergetiger audio volume was lower than intended.
* Fixed an issue with speech mixing.
* Fixed an issue with the game crashing while trying to exit from cinematic mode.
* Fixed a number of issues with the World Builder.
* Updated the help text for a few units.
* Fixed an issue with incompatibility between save games and version.
* Fixed a bug with long scenario descriptions.
* Cool-downs are now working properly for all weapons.
* HMGs in buildings will now switch targets as intended; there is a 3.5 second delay before the hmg will fire at another target.
* Squads will no longer rush at an undeployed weapons crew when ordered to attack.
* Fixed an issue where Pak38s could stack their first-strike modifiers.
* Fixed an issue with the lobby and front-end slowing down and operating slowly. This makes joining games and automatch teams much more reliable.
* Fixed a networking issue that caused a player's stats to appear as all zeroes.
* Fixed an issue that caused the last played map to be forgotten when starting a game of the same type.
* Fixed an issue where a host's game would crash when both host and client would try to move to an empty slot simultaneously.
* Fixed a few issues with players swapping slots and gameplay types within the lobby.
* Fixed an issue with "Swap Starting Location" functionality.
* Fixed a usability issue with the Autopatcher error messages.
* Fixed an issued that caused the game to crash upon loading the Mission 4 from Invasion of Normandy.
* The help text for the British Staghound has been updated to correctly reflect its role.
* Raised Panzerschreck squads preference to target Light Vehicles while garrisoned in buildings.
* SCAR Bug reporting has been turned off while players are running with -dev.
* Purple box no longer appears when trying to place British emplacements next to each other.
* Panzerkrieg: Fixed exploit that let players create Defensive Infantry for free ignoring the cool down timer.
* Repair bunker pioneers now repair engine criticals when repairing damaged vehicles.
Maps
* Added a new map called Panzerkrieg: Hebecrevon.
* 2p Sturzdorf has been updated to its proper version.
* 2p Beaux Lowlands has been updated to its proper version.
* 2p Wrecked Train has been updated to its proper version.
* 2p Langres has been updated to its proper version.
* 6p The Scheldt has been updated to its proper version.
Gameplay
* Improved the reliability and effectiveness of the American's Strafing Run.
* The T17 armored car's damage output has been reduced.
* Penetration of the T17 armored car has been reduced.
* The Panzer Elite's Schwimmwagen Scorched Earth ability has been replaced with an "Incendiary Trap" ability.
* The British Command Truck's mobile ability will no longer be available while the Truck is setting up.
* Panzergrenadier's Suppression Volley can properly target weapon crews that are set-up.
* Infantry sections with Bren upgrades can now use 'Button Enemy Vehicle' when garrisoned inside a building.
Panzerkrieg
* Recon flight will now detect camouflaged vehicles and infantry (Panzerkrieg only).
* Panther health decreased by 11%.
* Panther Damage Multiplier reduced by 7%.
* Panther Range Multiplier reduced by 7%.
* Hellcat weapon reload modifier decreased by 11%.
* Hellcat damage multiplier increased by 9%.
* Hotchkiss health decreased by 10%.
* Churchill range increased by 7%.
* Stealth infantry units now cost 35 Manpower.
* Stealth infantry sticky bomb damage reduced by 27%.[/spoil]• Finally, X3: Terran Conflict was also given a rather significant update today. Check out the 2.1 changes below.[spoil=x3 changes]New Features and Improvements:
* The Treasure Hunt Story Mission
* A fabled, unique ship to acquire
* Improved performance
* New Large Crystal Fab factories
* New functionality to run the game in the background, located in the gameplay options menu
* Improved tractor beam tow behaviour
* Improved Universal Trader
* Improved mine minerals command
* Added scan single asteroid command
* Several script optimisations
* Added sector camera button to the sector map
* Improved sector camera contrast
* Additional marine information in trade, freight and ship info menus
* Additional ship information in shipyard and HQ menus
* Reduced the number of crystals needed for the HUB repair mission
* Added mission service to buy asteroid information
* Several missiles rebalanced
Fixes:
* Defend sector command fixed
* Patrol command fixed
* Freight transfer with multiple freight drones fixed
* Fixed the unbuyable drone factories in shipyards
* Fixed incorrect enemies during corporation missions
* Fixed several issues in freight scan mission
* Fixed several minor plot and generic mission issues
* Fixed marine selection during boarding
* Fixed marines being replaced by passengers after boarding pod destroyed
* Fixed several Mission Director bugs
* Fixed diagonal cursor movement in the sector map
* Incorrect station wrecks for Xenon stations removed
* Incorrect Terran station icons fixed
* Fixed Argon Gladiator right missile launcher
* Fixed Terran Skirnir forward missile launchers
* Fixed asymmetrical turret configurations on several ships
* Fixed compatible lasers for the Springblossom rear turret
* Fixed several ship graphical issues
* Minor improvements and bugfixes [/spoil]