After much tooing and frowing and back and forth’ness my review of Dawn of War: Soulstorm has finally been published on GAME.com

Due to some issues of not being a GAME employee it has been published as a ‘Featured Customer Review.’ But don’t worry it is mine! I say things such as:

The latest ‘expandalone’ from Relic and Iron Lore in the Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War series, Soulstorm is the third expansion for Dawn of War and is potentially the biggest one yet. Introducing two new armies and a massive new single-player campaign this is an immense proposition.

Soulstorm builds on the same basic principles of all the games in the Dawn of War franchise, build your base, attack using cover, capture control points and crush the enemy. Subtle differences in gameplay arrive with the introduction of the two new races and the addition of flying units.

And the rest can be found here.

AMD have launched a new PC labeling system based on the performance of the PC the label is thrown on. The AMD Game! (AMD exclamation mark) system has been designed to show to prospective PC buyers the PC gaming potential of the PC at hand.

There are two labels, both of which will be updated with performance levels every six months, the labels are known as AMD Game! and AMD! Game Ultra.

AMD’s Brent Barry told Shacknews this:

“We’re trying to help people identify PCs that are really ready to play the latest games,” AMD desktop gaming strategist Brent Barry explained to Shacknews. “Basically, to bring a little bit of that console-like simplicity to the mainstream gamers.”

While this is an innovative and novel idea to help push the PC as a gaming platform the system only applies to PC systems based on AMD or ATi processors and graphics cards.

UPDATE - I have been kindly informed that AMD are actually part of the PC Gaming Alliance. My mistake!

The self-proclaimed fastest growing US specialist chain is making plans to transition accross the pond to the UK and do battle with old-fashioned retailers like GAME.

The franchise based company has told MCV that it plans to have stores up and running in the UK by the second quarter of 2009, and if they locate the right partner they may arrive before the end of 2008.

“The US is definitely ahead in the games retailing arena.” Play N Trade CEO Roger Lloyd told MCV. “Our in-store design is very cutting-edge, and our training, support and customer service is second-to-none.

“Our entry point into the UK will move the evolution of games stores forward faster. We’re going to raise the bar.”

The presence of leading UK retailer GAME does not seem to deter the company. Following the acquisition by GAME of Gamestation there is no clear independent game retailer in the UK, and certainly nothing to offer support to the game trading community.

“GAME has a very strong presence in the UK and beyond, but I like competition,” he said. “GAME will have to adapt to Play N Trade – we will push them to new heights. Ultimately, the consumer will win out.”

It will be great to see a new gaming retailer come to the UK and provide some competition to GAME and to focus on the game trading market. I am surprised that it wasn’t GameSpot making the announcement. Regardless, expect to see Play N Trade in the UK by the second quarter of 2009 at the latest.

[MCV]