wired posts

It's not exactly a shock but the latest (some might say infamous) annual entry in Wired's Vaporware List is topped this year by StarCraft II. Blizzard's long awaited RTS game was first announced in 2007 and at one point was targeted for a late 2009 before Blizzard quickly changed that to a release sometime in the first half of 2010. It certainly deserves the top spot this year.

Two other PC games made the list. At number seven is Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode 3. The third chapter in the comic strip-based adventure game from Hothead Games has been a no show this year despite the first two chapters being released in 2008. The other "game" mentioned on the list is actually a mod. At number four it's Black Mesa, which has been trying to do a total Source Engine graphical remake of the first Half-Life game. We question why Wired picked a mod to be on this list since by its very nature mod teams tend to be on the flaky side when it comes to actually releasing a game.

Oh and what about Duke Nukem Forever which has appeared on practically every year on the Vaporware list? Wired feels that 3D Realms' shut down earlier this year means that it would not be fair to put the first person shooter on the list without a clear idea if the game has been canceled or not.

The surge in ransom-based piracy off the coast of Somalia is on the minds of many people, including Wired. Fueled by there article dissecting the issue in terms of finances and theory, a browser-based game was made to show off just how Somali pirates fit into economical terms. The game, Cutthroat Capitalism, is not particularly deep, but it's fun in its own way and makes one think.

To play Cutthroat Capitalism, you must select a target an intercept it. Based on the size, speed, tenacity, and aggressiveness of the two crews, the ship will either escape, or you will capture it. Once captured, you can then negotiate with a negotiator for the lives of the crew members. Your goal is to get as much money as possible by intimidating the negotiator into giving you more.

[Via Rock, Paper, Shotgun]