Dear Steam Users and Steam Forum Users

We continue our investigation of last year's intrusion with the help of
outside security experts.  In my last note about this, I described how
intruders had accessed our Steam database but we found no evidence that
the intruders took information from that database.  That is still the
case.  

Recently we learned that it is probable that the intruders obtained a
copy of a backup file with information about Steam transactions between
2004 and 2008.  This backup file contained user names, email addresses,
encrypted billing addresses and encrypted credit card information. It
did not include Steam passwords.    

We do not have any evidence that the encrypted credit card numbers or
billing addresses have been compromised.  However as I said in November
it's a good idea to watch your credit card activity and statements.
And of course keeping Steam Guard on is a good idea as well. 

We are still investigating and working with law enforcement
authorities.  Some state laws require a more formal notice of this
incident so some of you will get that notice, but we wanted to update
everyone with this new information now.

Gabe

Seems like hackers may have seen Gabe’s comments about Steam Guard as a competition. Just keep checking those bank statements just to be sure.

We’ve already heard of Remedy’s deal with the Origin platform, so we can be sure it’ll hit the service in due time.

The PC release has been a long time coming, and Remedy are going to do it right. The company has announced stereoscopic surround display compatability for both AMD and nVidia graphics cards. Meaning you’ll be able to experience Alan Wake in some crazy resolutions with the right kit. It’ll also put some quad core proccessors to use, have native Xbox 360 controller support and of course, offer tweakable graphics options.

Markus Mäki, Remedy CTO had this to say:

We're very proud of what we've done so far with Wake - but for gamers
who've always wanted the "every setting maxed out" experience, the modern
PC hardware takes Alan Wake to new heights... and we bring the high
definition goods. Believe it: You've never seen Alan Wake looking like
this.

Alan Wake releases February 15 for PCs via Steam.

Those of you who have been itching to try out Frogster and Blue House’s localisation of the revolutionary Fantasy-MMO, TERA, finally have a shot to do so before the closed beta test even starts!

This weekend, those with Sneak Peek keys can download and play TERA all weekend, and we’re giving them away on our Twitter page. You can grab one by simply rewteeting the appropriate tweet and making sure to follow us!

The game takes place in the fictional country of Arulco, where a dictator has taken power of the people and only a hand-full of rebels are fighting back. These are some key elements the player will come across whilst playing the game:

• Unrivaled mix of combat (tactics), role-playing, business and strategy
• Innovative “Plan & Go” combat system combines RTS gameplay with turn-based elements
• Realistic battlefield settings with authentic firearms
• Laptop/computer menu as a central anchor point for the player
• Assemble squads from numerous individual mercenaries, each with their own personalities
• Simultaneous control of multiple squads using a strategic map
• Convincing characters who interact with and comment on game events
• Acquire resources by capturing mines and encampments

Jagged Alliance: Back in Action is available from today on PC. We shall see you in battle soldier.

As the official headset of MLG, Astro gaming headsets have to be of high standard and quality. The A40 audio system comes boxed with the Astro Gaming headset, Mix Amp Pro, and all the cables needed to enjoy the headset. It also has a feature list as long as your arm, some of which being unparalleled quality of sound, noise canceling microphone, mixamp functionality, etc.

Sound is important to any video game, without it people have a less immersive experience. The quality of sound that the Astro headset provides is quite excellent, it works perfectly for almost any game, be it Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Battlefield 3, Final Fantasy XIII-2 or anything to give the player that edge, immersive, and quality experience. On top of that players who love playing multiplayer games like Call of Duty will find that the noise canceling microphone will have crystal clear voice communication and eliminates any background noise. The headset alone does more with the MixAmp pro.

The MixAmp pro has controls for volume and game or voice balancing. You’ll have to find the right sweet spot for each game and so experiment with both the volume and game/voice knob. As it is the controller for all volume levels, this device will have to be daisy-chained from the headset to the MixAmp to your choice hardware. Nicely this headset works on all devices, and so is packaged with every cable you need for the Playstation 3(USB and Optical), Xbox 360(USB, Optical and Xbox Chat Cable), PC (USB and Optical), and more for flexibility.

The construction of this headset also favors flexibility, comfort, and accessibility. It adjusts to any shaped head, along with being designed for long-term gameplay without any ear ache. Most headsets on the market are not even fully configurable, whereas the Astro Gaming Headset lets the user adjust the position of the mic so it can be on either side of the head, or be removed completely. Those who get the Saint’s Row 3 edition can even swap out the speaker tags with Saint’s Row 3 designed speaker tags. The cord of the headset shouldn’t even get in the way at all as it has been designed to be unobtrusive  and provides accessibility to the controls for mute and boom/incline mic volumes.

At the end of the day, the Astro Gaming A40 audio system is perfect in every way. The sound quality is top-notch by giving the players Dolby Digital and surround sound immersive experience. The MixAmp pro gives the user the controls they need to find the balance or sweet spot between game and voice, along with volume. The A40 audio system is even universal. The construction of the headset even tailors to everyone personal style, comfort, and accessibility. Overall, the Astro Gaming A40 audio system will tailor to the needs all. At the market price of $260, the complete universal set is well worth the money.

Final Score: 5/5

Between 19:00-21:00GMT tonight, the TERA servers will go live. During that time they need as many people as possible to log into the “Velika” server to see just how well the systems can cope with the sudden surge of players a live MMO would experience so regularly. The 2-hour long test will not be the best time to experience the game, but it’ll bring us closer to a date when that can happen. Go help out!

When the game is eventually complete, you’ll get to take up the role of the ring-bearer and follow the quest line in a similar fashion to the Tolkien books. You aren’t limited to just being the hairy footed Frodo, you can in fact choose from one of ten playable races, races that include elves, hobbits, dwarves and men.

You can still play the work that the team have done for Oblivion by downloading the Mod.

The Skyrim mod will no doubt be very impressive thanks to the new quest and voice features that Bethesda have brought in for the TES V Construction Kit

Source: Kotaku

As usual, a new champion is introduced with a very brief back story, as if they actually need one. There has been no word on when exactly this “Titan of the Depths will become available in-game, but we’ll keep you posted.

Figures for what Arkham City actually sold however have not been released, but it’s first week sales were nearly double those of its predecessor Batman: Arkham Asylum. Just before the end of 2011 Arkham City’s retail sales were just below those of Arkham Asylum‘s lifetime sales.

We gave Arkham City a 5/5, read the review to see why it deserved such a perfect score.

Source: Thesixthaxis