PC gaming has an inconsistent history. There was a time when PC gamers were the ones getting the optimal interactive experiences, while console gamers still got great content that sadly didn’t look as good. More recently, however, it seems that PC versions of countless games just don’t deliver when compared to their console counterparts. Sure, they may look better, but oftentimes you’ll hear about how bugs and technical issues plague PC games, and that’s after these games launch a considerably long period of time after the console versions.

In an interview with PC World, Rockstar Games went into detail regarding the specs of Max Payne 3 for the PC. Judging from what the company had to say, it looks like gamers who have been waiting patiently for the PC version of Max Payne 3 won’t be disappointed.

“In terms of the original list of specs we distributed, they were the extremes of the entire range that we had tested, from the lowest players could reasonably run, through to the most powerful rigs we could put together.,” said Kevin Hoare, lead PC designer for Max Payne 3. “We know that variety and customization is one of the strengths of the PC platform, so if you’re a hardcore PC player with an incredibly customized rig, our game is going to shine on your system. If you’re coming in at the bottom end, you’re still going to be able to have a great time playing Max Payne 3.”

Additionally, Hoare stated that Rockstar managed to “close the gap” between the console and PC versions of Max Payne 3. Considering the PC version is releasing just under three weeks after its Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 brethren, it’s easy to see the truth in that statement.

It’s great to see a developer taking great strides to ensure that its game is equally impressive across all platforms. Check out Rockstar’s official site for a full list of PC specs and graphical customization options. Scalable water quality, anyone?

If you’ve been endlessly scrounging up rare items in preparation for the launch of Diablo 3′s real-money auction house, well, you’ll have to wait a bit longer to cash out. The company has decided to postpone the launch for an indefinite period of time, amid post-launch issues of which you are most certainly aware of. The launch was previously slated for late May. more »

Are you still playing Skyrim? Yeah, same here. It looks like those of us who have been taking our time with the game (as well as those who plan to revisit it) are getting something super sweet: mounted combat!

According to Bethesda, the new 1.6 update also fixes a number of bugs including situational crash issues, randomly immobile enemies, and button input problems. The beta update is available to Steam users, so be sure to check out Bethesda’s blog for details on how to download the patch.

It’s good to see continued fixes making their rounds for Skyrim. I doubt the game will ever be completely glitch-free, but at least little things (and in some cases big things) are still getting patched up. Seriously, though, mounted combat! That’s so awesome!

Stay tuned for details on when the 1.6 update will be available for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of Skyrim.

It goes without saying that Diablo 3 has endured a rocky launch thus far, but despite all the cries from fans over server outages and the lack of an ‘offline’ mode, the title has been a huge boon financially for Blizzard. The company announced today that over 3.5 million copies were sold on day one, making it the fastest-selling PC effort to date.

It’s worth noting that the count does not include copies that given out as part of the World of Warcraft Annual Pass promotion, which 1.2 million players took advantage of, bringing the day one tally to an impressive 4.7 million. Post-launch sales haven’t showed any signs of slowing down either, with Blizzard reporting a total of 6.3 million copies sold with first week sales added in.

In a statement, Blizzard CEO Mike Morhaime acknowledged the raft of issues that Diablo 3 players experienced during the launch hours, which seem to have settled down since.

“We also regret that our preparations were not enough to ensure everyone had a seamless experience when they did so,” said Morhaime. He added, “I want to reaffirm our commitment to make sure the millions of Diablo III players out there have a great experience with the game moving forward, and I also want to thank them for their ongoing support.”

As any Blizzard fan knows, the company has a strong commitment to polish. We’d expect more refinements to be made as the company takes in feedback from the community. Later this month, Blizzard will launch the in-game Diablo 3 Auction House – allowing players to buy and sell items with real money or Battle.net credits.

Yesterday we reported that Max Payne 3 had sold approximately three million units since its launch last Tuesday. We also learned that the PC version of the game is set to drop next week. Today we have some more news straight from Take-Two Interactive, this time regarding Max Payne 3‘s upcoming DLC.

Rockstar Games’ current DLC plans for its hit shooter are as follows:

• Local Justice Map Pack – June 2012
• Disorganized Crime Map Pack – Summer 2012
• Deathmatch Made In Heaven Mode Pack – Summer 2012
• Hostage Negotiation Map Pack – Summer 2012
• New York Minute Co-Op Pack – Summer 2012
• Painful Memories Map Pack – Fall 2012
• Trickle Down Economics Map Pack – Fall 2012

It looks like Rockstar’s got the next few months covered as far as Max Payne 3 is concerned. The DLC listed above includes new characters, maps, items, modes, and more, all designed to further enhance the game’s stellar online multiplayer component. Worth noting is the New York Minute Co-Op Pack. While Rockstar didn’t release details on that DLC, the fact that there’s a cooperative mode planned for the game is pretty interesting to think about.

Publisher Take-Two has announced that 2K Martin’s FPS take on the classic strategy game XCOM has been pushed back to fiscal 2014. Take-Two’s fiscal year begins on April 1, 2013 and runs through March 31, 2014. 2K hasn’t mentioned potential platforms for the title, so it’s not clear if the slip means it’ll land on the PS3 and Xbox 360 successors, which are rumored to release in late 2013 to early 2014.

Beyond that, Take-Two revealed that Max Payne 3 has been quite the success, selling approximately 3 million units during its initial launch on consoles. The PC version is scheduled to release next week on June 1. A steady stream of downloadable content is also planned throughout summer and early fall.

Some more DLC is now available for Saints Row: The Third players. The Penthouse Pack download lets you add a few new homies to your gang, specifically a bunch of buxom ladies famous for their work with Penthouse.

You’ll be able to enlist the services of Penthouse’s Nikki Benz, Justine Joli, Ryan Keely, and Heather Vandeven. Oh, and I don’t mean those types of services. Geez! That means you’ll be able to gang bang (urban warfare, not the other thing) your way through the city of Steelport alongside these respectable adult models and performers.

Despite the fact that the original announcement for the Penthouse Pack stated that the DLC would be free to Season Pass owners, it seems that’s not the case. The content is priced at 240 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360 gamers and $3.00 for folks gaming on the PlayStation 3 or PC.

Umm … Strap it on?

Dead Island first landed on consoles and PC on September 6 in North America. The game, while not without a few flaws, managed to deliver a zombie experience that was just pure fun and worth the price of admission.

Publisher Deep Silver has just announced Dead Island: Game of the Year Edition. You’ll get the main game plus the Ryder White’s Campaign DLC, which offers a different perspective on the story of Dead Island. The game will also include the Bloodbath Arena DLC and the Ripper weapon mod.

Dead Island: Game of the Year Edition lands on June 26, just in time to provide a nice summer gaming experience for those of us who have yet to play the zombie fest. The game will be available for $29.99 across the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.

Capcom’s announced that the Ninja Theory-developed DmC Devil May Cry reboot will arrive on PS3 and Xbox 360 next year, January 15, 2013 to be specific.

Alongside the announcement, Capcom confirmed that a PC version of the title is coming after the  console equivalents. Beyond that, the company wasn’t specific on a release window, though did say development is “well underway.” This should please those that were upset over the decision to target 30 FPS on consoles, as the PC edition will no doubt run 60 FPS or above if you have a rig capable of handling it.

In terms of aesthetics, DmC represents a complete makeover from previous entries in the franchise, starring a new — younger — Dante. Retained is the fast-paced gameplay, which sees players hack n’ slash their way through legions of demonic foes, while performing stylish combos.

Look for plenty of hands-on impressions to surface soon, as Capcom says the title will be playable at E3 2012 next month. Also, we’ve uploaded a few new screens over at VGIMG, showcasing character Kat.

Blizzard can’t seem to catch a break with Diablo III. First the intermittent server outages following launch and now, reports of accounts being hacked. Several users on the official Diablo III forum, including Eurogamer editor Christian Donlan, are reporting unauthorized account access.

It’s not clear how the hackers gained access at this time, though signs are pointing to a possible breach on Blizzard’s own servers – as even some users that use a authenticator for login claim to have been hit. So far, Blizzard has yet to issue an official statement over the rash of hacking reports. For affected users, Blizzard’s tech support is apparently suggesting to purchase an authenticator to increase account security.

For all we know, this could just be a result of poor security practices by end users, or social engineering tactics. However, the sheer number of people reporting issues suggests otherwise. Just take a gander in one forum thread to see for yourself. Obviously, if the hack was performed server-side, that’s much more concerning. Here’s hoping Blizzard addresses this soon. In the meantime, it may be wise to keep an eye on your account.