The fellows behind RPG Maker have announced the release date of RPG Maker VX Ace which will improve pretty much everything, you can pre-order too and grab yourself some bonuses!RPG Maker has birthed many games over the years and not all of them RPGs we’ll have you know! It’s a simple to use development tool – you don’t even need be one of those math-geek programmers to make a game with it. Yes, it’s quite something to allow just about anyone with a couple of braincells to make a game and that is what RPG Maker is all about.Those in the RPG Maker community have been gearing up for the release of the latest rendition of the program, RPG Maker VX Ace, which launched in Japan back in December 15th 2011. The Western side of the world can now rejoice as the release date for them has been set in stone as March 15th 2012.The features of this new version of the program have been teased on the offical site the last couple of weeks, with posts about how Ace improves character customization, enhances mapping, and changes brought about with its Region IDs.

Original Source: ‘RPG Maker VX Ace’ Lands On March 15th

This Article was originally posted on our sister site, The Indie Game Magazine written by Chris Priestman.

This actually happened – you can now pre-order your very own LEGO Minecraft, that is, if you want to stop playing Minecraft and play with a limited version of it in your boring real life.Call me grumpy, whatever you want, but unless you’re a huge LEGO fan is there any point in this? When you consider that Minecraft is the open-ended computer game version of what LEGO is, it kind of just seems…”yeah, so what?”Oh right, I forgot myself there – we’re supposed to be huge fans of this and support it outright because it’s indie game related, right? Let’s do this! If you’re a Minecraft fan and/or a LEGO fan, guess what?

Original Source: ‘LEGO Minecraft’ Arrives, Pre-Orders Being Taken Now

This Article was originally posted on our sister site, The Indie Game Magazine written by Chris Priestman.

Last week when I covered Hothead’s Deathspank getting a PC release on October 26, I apparently missed a coinciding announcement for Klei Entertainment’s Shank heading to the platform on the same day. That’s mah bad, so let’s talk some good.

Steam is offering 15% off a bundle of both games, dubbing it Shank and ‘Spank. The titles will run $15 each upon release (currently $13.50 for pre-orders) but those who purchase before launch can get the two titles for $25.50. That’s slightly more savings than paying early for each title individually, and better than the standard Steam pre-order offer of 10% off.

Read up on our Shank review if you’re a PC’er who didn’t take a look because of its former console exclusivity, or if you’d just like a little refresher on the side-scrolling beat ‘em up.

[Klei Entertainment]

Update: Arcen Games has informed us of the release of the Tidalis launch trailer, which you can view below.

Original: Arcen Games next stop on the video game genre list Tidalis is set to arrive this Friday via digital distribution.

The casual puzzler promises hardcore depth (See dev’s other title AI War) with “a new addictive mechanic,” over 20 game styles, two player co-op and competitive play, the ability to create levels, themes and adventures. Even options for colorblind players, players averse to lots of light and motion, and those running the game on older computers.

Impulse has listed the $10 title as available for pre-order, offering beta access prior to the game’s release on July 16. Check out the launch trailer.

Here’s some encouraging news. Mode 7 Games has opened Frozen Synapse to pre-orders, and you don’t have to wait until release to play the game.

Everyone who puts down the asking price — £16.99, €18.99 or $25.99 depending on where you’re from — gets access to the beta. For a few more units of your currency, you can get music, your face in the game and a copy of Determinance, the game that combines flying and swordplay. Oh, and you also get a copy to give to a friend.

Frozen Synapse is a top-down tactical game. Each side plans out their turn, and then the movement plays out simultaneously. So whoever is better at anticipating the other player’s actions holds the advantage. You can even run simulations with the other player’s team while you’re planning, so you can fine-tune your strategy.

Right now the beta focuses on the multiplayer modes, but a solo campaign will be included in the full release, which is expected near the end of 2010. And for those who missed it the first time, the trailer is below.

[via Mode 7 Games]

Unknown Worlds has made it official that their upcoming shooter/strategy hybrid Natural Selection 2 will be heading to Steam. Those who pre-ordered the title will be able to activate a Steam copy of the game with their key, the dev has confirmed with Valve.

While a Steam version of NS2 was always assumed, Unknown Worlds wasn’t able to confirm that pre-order keys would be transferable until now. It’s also been revealed in an interview with ShackNews that “voice support, friends lists and server browser” will be implemented through SteamWorks with the dev noting “we’ll probably use their anti-cheat as well.”

NS2 can be pre-ordered now for $20 from Unknown Worlds, which offers beta access, with a $40 ‘Special Edition’ also granting access to the alpha and to a pre-alpha engine test due soon, plus exclusive black armor. The level editor is already available for pre-orderers to create content which has a shot at being included in the final release.

Natural Selection 2 doesn’t have a release date, with the developer simply stating it’ll be out “when it’s ready.”

Though the game doesn’t release until next Tuesday, Nimblebit’s indie kart racer Zero Gear has released an update that can be downloaded by those who pre-ordered and have access to the beta.

If you’re unaware, those who buy the game before its release on January 12 get a 25% discount off the total price along with early access to the vehicle combat racing game. If you do have the beta set-up on Steam the update will begin when you restart the client. Full change log after the break.

Update: Chris Park of Arcen Games has informed DIYgamer that the January 12 release date is currently tentative, but will most likely release on or around that day. Park explained that there’s still much to be done for the expansion and he’s against putting up a target release date and then having to release something that potentially may not be finished. Impulse users won’t have access to the beta right away, but don’t worry, Park states that he plans to have full license keys and beta codes sent out within a week.

Original Story: With the ever-developing beta in full swing, AI War: Fleet Command expansion ‘The Zenith Remnant’ has received a release date, set to arrive for PC January 12 according to Impulse’s pre-order listing for it. The expansion brings quite a lot of new content to the game including 80-100 new ships, at least four new map styles, 12 new AI types, an additional minor faction, new music and more.

Most of the features provided are estimates as the expansion is currently in beta with the developer constantly tweaking and updating based on community feedback. The beta is currently open to those who pre-order through the developer, though its unclear if the same is true for those who go through Impulse.

We’ve sent word to Arcen Games to get some confirmation on the release date listing as well as whether Impulse pre-orders get access to the expansion’s beta, any response shall be posted.

Features list after the break.

Positech Games has announced the release of their space strategy title Gratuitous Space Battles, an RTS/Tower Defense hybrid game that offers colorful, sprawling battles with hundreds of ships at the player’s command. The gameplay starts in the design stage of this ships, from there you position your fleet and give out the pre-battle orders, then you sit back and watch like a proud papa.

GSB has been in beta for a couple of months and now the full release can be picked up now from the dev’s website, a demo is available to try as well.

Interestingly, while the game’s not yet available on Impulse, the $3 off pre-order deal still is, and probably will be until the digital distributor updates the title’s status sometime later today.

Makivision has announced that their upcoming RTS Sacraboar has moved into beta and is now available to play for those who have pre-purchased the title. The game pits players against one another in a ‘capture the trophy’ scenario, toting fast paced gameplay with less emphasis on building up and more on the action.

The early beta access ends up being around a week as Sacraboar arrives November 6 on both Steam and Impulse. Pre-orders get 25% off the launch price.