The Problem with PC Gaming in the Summer

Doesn't help when the average temperature has been 95+ degrees.

And it's even more of a problem trying to run games on a Macbook.

I'm probably sterile now.

Steam Summer Sale 2012 Confirmed to Start July 12

It actually is time, this time.  The Steam Summer Sale 2012 is confirmed to start July 12, 1:00 pm EST.  Prepare your wallets.

Check this post for a list of the leaked bundles

Steam Summer Sale 2012 Bundles Leaked

Each of the last two years Steam has started its massive summer sale the last weekend in June.  This year it is late in coming, but Valve have confirmed that the sale will still be happening.

Here's a list of the confirmed bundles that will be available.

• Day 1: Anomaly Warzone Earth, The Baconing, Cave Story+, EDGE, Lone Survivor.
• Day 2: Botanicula, E.Y.E, Oil Rush, Splice, Universe Sandbox,
• Day 3: Bit Trip Beat, Braid, Bunch of Heroes, Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet, Runespell Overture,
• Day 4: A Valley Without Wind, Atom Zombie Smasher, Blocks that Matter, Sanctum, Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP,
• Day 5: Audio Surf, Gemini Rue, Greed Corp, Tiny Bang Story, Ys: The Oath in Felghana
• Day 6: Awesome, Defcon, Space Chem, Ticket to Ride, Trauma
• Day 7: Avadon, Dungeons of Dredmor, Qube, Vessel, Zombie Driver
• Day 8: Demolition Inc, Hoard, Sol Exodus, Swords and Soldiers HD, Wings of Prey,
• Day 9: Capsized, Jamestown, Revenge of the Titans, VVVVVV, Zeno Clash
• Day 10: All Zombies Must Die, Beat Hazard, Bit trip Runner, Eufloria, Machinarium
• Day 11: Hydrophobia, Orion: Dino Beatdown, Star Ruler, Waveform, World of Goo

Other confirmed bundles:

• 1C Collection Pack
• Adam's Venture Complete Bundle Retail
• Anno 2070 Pack
• Batman Arkham Asylum, Batman Arkham City and Batman Gotham City Imposters Bundle
• Bethesda Collection (BRINK, Fallout New Vegas, Skyrim, Hunted)
• Bioshock Franchise Pack
• BIT.TRIP.BEAT Bundle
• BIT.TRIP.RUNNER Bundle
• Carpe Fulger Bundle (Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale, Chantelise, Fortune Summoners)
• Civilization Collection
• Command and Conquer Franchise
• Dawn of War Franchise Pack
• Dead Island Complete
• Duke Nukem Bundle
• Foreign Legion Bundle
• Kalypso Collection (Tropico, Jagged Alliance, Airline Tycoon, etc)
• Majesty Franchise
• Paradox Collection (Magicka + dlcs, Mount and Blade, etc)
• Pendulo Adventure Pack
• Railworks 3 - Summer Sale Collection
• Red Orchestra Franchise Pack (ROW)
• S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Bundle
• Saints Row: The Third Franchise Pack
• Sniper Elite Franchise Pack
• Square Hit Collection (Hitman, Tomb Raider, Just Cause 2, Deus Ex, Deus Ex Human Revolution, Quantum Conundrum, Thief)
• Stardock Collection Pack
• Strategy First Complete Pack
• Sword of the Stars Franchise
• THQ Collection (Dawn of War, Warhammer, Stalker, Nexuiz, Darksiders, Metro 2033, etc)
• Total War: Shogun 2 Pack
• Victoria Franchise
• Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine Pack
• Wings of Prey

So get ready, and save up.  Keep in mind these won't be the only bundles or games available... just the ones that leaked.

I'm still working through the Indie Humble Bundle games myself, but it never hurts to shelve a couple of good titles for a hot price.

Valve Said to be Working on Secret "Steam Box" Console

Numerous reports are out this week that Valve is working on a "Steam Box" Console.  This could shake up the console world severely, as Steam relies on digital distribution for its games where the current gen consoles still use copies of physical media.  The Steam model has revolutionized PC gaming, and could prove to be a portent for the future of console gaming as well.

I love Steam even though I'm not a huge gamer in general.  I think the Steam sales and user interface are great for driving sales and making playing with friends very easy.  I see no reason why this model wouldn't succeed for console games as well.  It could even solve the "used game problem" that current development and distribution companies seem hell-bent on solving.
Full Story at The Verge

On top of this news, I saw these photos floating around of the supposed "Steam Box"

Turns out these are just pics of a fan-made PC case-mod... which was a triumph.  But I could see a Steam console having some sweet design, or even interchangeable shells.



So keep this story in mind as the current gen consoles reach the end of their runs.  Could be there's a new champ by the time the next gen gets released.

Game Review: Dungeons of Dredmor

So, I recently got a mac... and I wanted to pick up a cheap time-waster game from Steam.  I settled on Dungeons of Dredmor, from Gaslamp Games.  I have to say, it was money well spent (only $4.99).  It's a hack and slash dungeon crawler with humorous content, pretty much a send up of the genre.  In my short time playing I've picked up on Diablo II, Indiana Jones, Starcraft, LOTR, and A Song of Fire and Ice references.

  

The gameplay reminds me of Nethack, but with better graphics and a more light-hearted storyline.  You can die pretty randomly, but the characters are pretty much a throw-away each time you play.  You do have a save feature, but the notice on the screen "Congratulations, You Died" each time you bite it should be an indication of the gameplay style.  It really satisfies my loot-lust born from Diablo, and it has a skill and crafting tree to boot.

All in all if you're looking for a solid hack/slash dungeon crawler to waste some time on, you'd do well with Dungeons of Dredmor.  Now if you'll excuse me, my bloodmage archaeologist viking vampire has some killing to do.