cdv Software titles coming to Matrix Games

cdv Software Entertainment and Matrix Games have signed a publishing deal to bring multiple cdv Software Entertainment titles to the Matrix Games community. Matrix Games is best known for publishing niche strategy and war game titles as well as the occasional role-playing and strategy game. Most of its offerings are usually from independent developers.

Particulars, like which games Matrix Games will carry on its site, were not revealed at press time, and a quick visit to the site reveals even less. Stay tuned.

cdv Software profits soar in first half of 2009

German publisher cdv Software Entertainment AG announced a “significant increase in revenues and profits” for the first half of fiscal year 2009. The company says that during 2009 it has strengthened its position and market share in the interactive entertainment industry. Most of its success so far this year can be directly attributed to the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of Sacred 2: Fallen Angel, which helped the company reach a top 3 market position in North America.

Revenues for the company in the first six months in 2009 were 11.3 million euros, compared to 6.8 million euros for the same period in 2008. The increase of 66 percent was primarily due to revenues generated from the sales of video game software in key territories.

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Sacred 2 PS3 Complete

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel has been available for the PC for a awhile, and recently Ascaron and publisher cdv Software announced that the Xbox 360 version of the game had gone gold. Now we can call it a trio because the PS3 version of the game has gone gold and will be in stores May 12. Sure, the console versions of the game have basically put the company in debt up to its ears, but hopefully it will have been worth all the risks, hard work and sacrifice.

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel is an action role-playing game set in Ascaron’s popular PC role-playing game universe promising a rich story, a seamless world filled with dungeons, hundreds of quests and lots of enemies. These enemies will apparently adapt tactics based on the player’s progress in the world by shoring up their numbers during encounters. Other features include a heavy metal soundtrack by Blind Guardian, seamless drop in cooperative and competitive multiplayer for up to four players, a deep skill system, six classes, high definition graphics and a whole lot more.

Not too many differences between the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions that I can see, but we’ll know for sure when both games ship next month.

Sacred 2 Developers File for Bankruptcy

Here’s some troubling news out of Germany: Ascaron, the maker of Sacred 2 for the PC (and the recently completed Xbox 360 version) has filed for bankruptcy protection. For those worried about Sacred 2 for Xbox 360 not making its release date - don’t fret - it’s still on schedule.

Ascaron released the following statement on its web site, revealing its financial troubles:

On Tuesday 14th April 2009, Ascaron Entertainment GmbH, Germany, went into administration at the regional court in Bielefeld, Germany.

Due to the protection offered by German administration rights, Ascaron intends to use this as an opportunity to secure the future of the company.

We, the executives of Ascaron Entertainment GmbH, thank all our fans for their superb support and assistance in making Sacred 2: Fallen Angel the success it is today.

Most of the blame is being put on the extended development of the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the action RPG. But it’s not all bad news. Ascaron believes that it can weather this temporary financial hardship and move on if things go its ways; the company told GameSpot that it is already working on an expansion to the PC version of the game and mentioned that development has already begun on Sacred 3.

We wish them luck - mainly because we want to play Sacred 3.

Sacred 2 Xbox 360: Finally Gold

Well it has finally happened - the Xbox 360 version of Ascaron’s Sacred 2: Fallen Angel has gone gold. The role-playing game was delayed earlier this year to refine gameplay on the Xbox 360 - and probably to iron out any technical problems the game may have had. The PC version, which many describe as having decidedly German flavored role-playing game mechanics (think Gothic), received mixed reviews from critics.

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel is an action role-playing game set in Ascaron’s popular PC role-playing game universe that promises a rich story, a gigantic seamless world filled with massive dungeons, hundreds of quests and lots of enemies. These enemies will adapt their tactics based on the player’s progress in the world by shoring up their numbers during encounters and using different tactics. Other features include a heavy metal soundtrack by Blind Guardian, seamless drop in cooperative and competitive multiplayer for up to four players, a deep skill system, six classes, high definition graphics and a whole lot more.

Sacred 2: Fallen Angel is being published by cdv Software in North America and will be released May 12. Find out more by visiting www.cdvusa.com.

Sacred 2 Collector’s Edition Details

cdv Software Entertainment today announced details on its limited collector’s edition of the upcoming Action RPG Sacred 2: Fallen Angel. The PC collector’s edition is available for pre-order exclusively through Amazon.com for U.S. consumers. The collector’s edition will be available in Canada through Amazon.ca, Future Shop and EB Games Canada.

This special edition will offer unique packaging, an extra DVD containing the “Elite Texture Pack,” a set of ultra-high resolution textures for users of high-end computers, a code to unlock the Carrier Imp (a special “pet” that transports the player’s treasure and additional inventory to its owner whenever summoned), a four-song music sampler from Nuclear Blast records, a printed map of the world of Ancaria, and an electronic version of the Sacred 2 “Art and Vision” booklet.

Sacred 2 for the PC is set for release later this week.

Sacred 2: Gold For Windows

The Games For windows version of Ascaron’s action-RPG, Sacred 2: Fallen Angel, has gone gold and will be in stores in November. Sadly, those waiting for the game to come to consoles will have to wait a very long time: those games won’t hit retail until February 2009!

Developed by Ascaron, Sacred 2: Fallen Angel is a hack-and-slash action-RPG promising a rich story that takes place in a giant, open-ended and seamless world. This world is apparently packed with massive dungeons, hundreds of bad guys and hundreds of challenging quests. Ascaron says that its game will also feature intelligent enemies, and multiplayer battles for up to 16 players.

Ascaron’s previous game and its expansions proved to be capable fun RPG endeavors, so this new game is not without a fair share of public interest.