Week in Games - November 13th

Steam Forums Back Online After Hack Attack - Last Sunday the Steam forums were hacked and the main page defaced. It seems like this wasn't the only action taken however, as Valve this week announced that the database of usernames, passwords, and possibly credit card details may have been compromised, in a similar manner to the PlayStation Network hack and subsequent downtime earlier this year. While all details have been encrypted, and indeed it is unlikely that this encryption can be broken, Valve is nevertheless recommending people change their passwords on the Steam forums (these are different to the Steam client itself). While the forums are now back online, Valve has been silent, especially on the issue of compensation - following the aforementioned PSN hack, Sony gave away several free PS3 and PSP games. Of course, this is nowhere near the scope or duration of that hack - the Steam service itself was unaffected, so perhaps expecting free stuff is a little presumptuous of the community.

Skyrim Finally Releases, Basement-Dwellers Even Less Likely to Go Outside - This Friday 11th was the release of Elder Scrolls: Skyrim, the most recent high-fantasy adventure from Bethseda. Skyrim is a lot more expansive than their previous releases of Oblivion and Fallout 3, with the largest and most detailed game world they've made yet. Combat has been reworked so it's more fluid than Oblivion (though that's not saying much), and robust character-creation options means you can build your Tolkein-esque hero or heroine just the way you want. Also, there are dragons. A lot of dragons.

Gotta Get Games on Friday This Friday is looking to be a pretty big day for game's releases in the UK, with several major or anticipated titles getting a release on November 18th. Arguably the two with the largest profile are Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, the latest in the Legend of Zelda series, and widely regarded as the last hurrah of the Wii; and THQ's Saints Row the Third, which will be releasing on PC, PS3 and 360, continuing the "mayhem" established in the series' first two titles. Another notable Nintendo title released Friday is Super Mario 3D Land, for the 3DS, it seems that with the Christmas season in full swing, the 3DS is finally coming into its own with some decent game support. Perhaps one of the more interesting titles getting a "release" on Friday is Minecraft which, despite being playable and in development for two and a half years will finally be getting a full release on PC. The only real change existing users will see, however, is the game will change from "Beta" to release. Other games of note being released next Friday include Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7, concluding the saga; Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, and EA's Need for Speed: The Run.

Italian Plumber raises Japan's confidience in the 3DS - While the UK has to wait until the 18th for Super Mario 3D Land, it has already been released in Japan - and its initial sales have been very impressive. In its opening week, Super Mario 3D Land sold over 343,000 - already competing to be one of the best-selling Mario titles. Super Mario 3D takes graphical cues from the modern Mario titles (the Super Mario Galaxy and New Super Mario Bros. series), but makes an effort to create levels and challenges similar to the older generation, Super Mario Bros. 3 in particular. The 3DS had a very weak launch, and Nintendo has paid for it. Hopefully the sales of this and Mario Kart 7 will put the handheld back on track.

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