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FZ: It has been revealed in earlier previews that either team's commander can request artillery fire, which has awaken misgivings about the function being abused in order to eradicate the entire opponent team and/or some crucial vehicles right at the start of a game. What measures has DICE taken to prevent this?
LG: These artillery shots are not available directly at start of a game but are "loaded up" under a certain time. Once they have been used there is a certain reload time that makes it an effective weapon but not devastating. The enemy can also destroy the actual artillery objects to prevent these attacks. As a response to this the commander who owns these destroyed artillery objects can ask the engineers of the team for help to repair them which makes it like a game in the game.
Dragons of Norrath Q&A;11:31 am
- Jeff Tom
- games: mmog(0 comments)
FileFront have whipped up an interview with Sony Online Entertainment on their latest expansion for the original EverQuest, Dragons of Norrath:
Q: In your opinion, what are the most important changes this expansion makes?
A: On the graphics side, another step forward in producing beautiful art without raising the minimum spec, on the design side, probably the mission system. The new mission system lets players adventure in an instance specific to their group as they undertake challenging quests to advance the goals of their chosen faction and uncover lost treasures. It's getting great reviews in beta.
Take-Two Games Does Reservoir Dogs11:29 am
- Jeff Tom
- games: general news(5 comments)
PC.IGN reports that Take-Two's label 2KGames will take over publishing duties for the Reservoir Dogs video game along with other franchises in a new agreement with SCi Games:
"We are very pleased to again be working with SCi and building on the successes of this partnership," said Christoph Hartmann at 2K Games. "All three of these titles illustrate 2K Games' commitment to producing high quality games from proven franchises and exciting licenses."
According to an official statement from Eidos, closing Ion Storm "is part of the Company's move to consolidate and strengthen its technical and management capabilities into a smaller number of studios which are capable of scaling up in order to meet the competitive challenges that lie ahead, particularly in anticipation of next generation technologies and platforms."
Factory production and distribution of pirated PC and console games, often undertaken by organized criminal syndicates, remains a leading concern for all industries that make copyrighted works available on optical media such as CDs and DVDs. IIPA's report identifies a number of countries in addition to those mentioned above that are critical to the game industry, including Russia, which house factories responsible for the illegal production of hundreds of millions of infringing discs per year. Also, during 2004, increases in commercial "burning" of pirated entertainment software contributed to high piracy rates in Brazil (74%), India (86%) and Saudi Arabia (68%).
Ubisoft shares have gained over 80 percent since EA bought the stake on Dec. 20, sparking speculation it could launch a bid. They closed Wednesday at 31.68 euros. The French video games maker has vowed to stay independent and has dismissed EA's approach as hostile until it gets more information.
EA is now Ubisoft's largest shareholder and has 20.88 percent of its voting rights. But the Guillemot brothers, the French company's founders who together own 17.5 percent, still control 22.8 percent of the voting rights.
Computer Games - What sorts of characters and professions will be available in the game?
Adam Ghetti - There are many different character styles players will be able to choose from. When they start the game, they will not only be able to choose the look of their character, but the culture from which their character originates. As far as professions go, there is a long list of unique paths a player may follow, but they are not limited to just one; players will be able to advance within the game in enough ways as to avoid monotony. We will be focusing on the exciting, dangerous, and entertaining aspects of the following professions: DJ; Rapper; B-Boy; Car Customizer; Clothing Designer; Basketball Player; Hustler; Gambler; Interior Designer; Cop; Doctor; Lawyer; Bail Bondsman; Street Racer; Pilot; Hobo ...and many more.
AI has seen some major improvements too. In Irrational's own words managing team-mates in the first game often became "Adventures in babysitting" with you having to fight with your heroes rather than have them fight for you. AI controlled team-mates are now much more sensible with their power management. No longer will you return to an AI character to find they've used up all their energy overkilling a minor henchman leaving nothing for you to use on the big Arch-Villain. Powers are now divided into four categories numbered 0 to 4 that correspond to the amount of energy needed to use them. AI will only use 0-cost powers automatically, ensuring they have plenty of oomph left when you take control of them.
Konami Goes GTA10:33 am
- Andrew Burnes
- games: action(1 comment)
Konami has today revealed Crime Life - Gang Wars, a GTA-esque title set in the fictional Grand Central City. Taking after GTA once again, players start at the bottom of the gang ladder while dodging bullets and cops, but while also protecting their fellow gang members from abuse, exploitation, and anal probes.
Slated to appear Fall 2005, you can check out a trailer here.
Guild Wars Video Interview09:56 am
- Jeff Tom
- games: mmog(0 comments)
GuildWarsOnline.net sends word that there's a new site has a new 6+ minute long video interview with Patrick Wyatt, Mike O'Brien and Jeff Strain, the founders of ArenaNet. The interview touches on the Korean frontier testing, some of the concepts behind the design of Guild Wars, and the Worlds at War tournament idea.
Brothers stands out in its authenticity. The developers have gone to great lengths to ensure that the world represented in the game is as accurate as possible, from the weapons used to the lay of the land. Archival aerial maps were used in the planning of the levels and thousands of on-location photographs were used to ensure that the buildings and environments look as they should. While some compromises were certainly made for the sake of gameplay, it looks and feels very real.
In related news, Computer Games Magazine chats with Gearbox's Randy Pitchford about the game.
Set in the world of Eberron (home to many a Forgotten Realms miniatures campaign), Dragonshard will offer three playable factions: the magic-oriented Dark Elf/underground creature alliance, a technology-oriented human/elf/dwarf collective, and an all-new lizard folk race. These scaly guys employ bizarre "siege creatures" consisting of huge battle turtles, war drakes, Pteradon "bombers" and, naturally, dragons. Each faction has basic soldiers, captains, and the obligatory high-fantasy hero leaders (from a selection of four distinct heroes for each side). While only one hero can lead a mission at any given time, each one of them can be individually equipped with newer, better weapons or items as missions are completed.
In Other News...12:04 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- in-house: in other news...(25 comments)
Yay, it's tax time. Nerf paying taxes all at once in one big lump sum. The joys of being a freelancer, I suppose. On a happier note, that Dark Age of Camelot server clustering is a big hit. Once again, there are people to play with. Go Mythic! They can still improve it quite a bit by allowing cross server alliances and what not, but it's a great start to getting people back. Especially with the whole bored and level 60 scene in WoW. Battlegrounds or bust. :)
Today's question:
Do you owe any taxes this year, or do you expect a little reach-around from Uncle Sam? If so, what are you going to spend your returns on?
Ever wanted to make your own playable comic books? Don't have any modding skills? Then the new story-based multiplayer mode in Freedom Force vs. the 3rd Reich might be just the thing for you. It's designed to address the lack of context that is found in many other multiplayer games.
In most multiplayer games, you're fighting against the other player … just "because"; there's no real reason for the conflict. It's the Amazon woman versus the Navy Seal vs. the guy with the chicken head. Story-based multiplayer provides a fictional wrapper for the match -- a reason why these characters are fighting and why the outcome matters to them. You can even create a series of missions that tell a larger story. Anything a comic-book fanboi can create, they can bring to life in story-based multiplayer.
This demo gives speed freaks a chance to try out 2 QuickRace tracks
(Beach Race and Downtown Cup 3), or try your luck with 2 adventure mode
missions, with 3 available cars.
1) Half-Life 2 Vivendi Universal - $50
2) The Sims 2 Electronic Arts - $45
3) World Of Warcraft Vivendi Universal - $49
4) Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 Atari - $31
5) The Sims Deluxe Electronic Arts - $18
6) MS Zoo Tycoon 2 Microsoft - $35
7) Lord of the Rings: Battle For Middle Earth Electronic Arts - $43
8) MS Flight Simulator 2004: Century Of Flight Microsoft - $27
9) Halo: Combat Evolved Microsoft - $29
10) Call Of Duty Activision - $30
Available in March 2005, the special DVD set will include both the award winning original version and its expansion pack, Battle out of Hell.
As a special bonus, the DVD will also contain a "Making-Of" video feature with developer interviews, the Painkiller title track music video by rock band Mech , the upcoming Painkiller Xbox� trailer, Mapping/Editing tools and documentation, as well as over a dozen Cyberathlete� Professional League (CPL) enhancements.
"As the official title of the CPL World Tour, Painkiller is speeding along on its journey of becoming an extremely successful franchise, " says Byron Gaum, Product Manager at DreamCatcher. "With the Gold Edition , we are excited to offer gamers everything the original game had to offer, as well as the added features from the expansion."
Shack: At first glance, it would seem Battlefield 2 and Battlefield: Modern Combat are the same game, just on different platforms. What makes your game stand apart from its big brother?
Marcus Nilsson: Battlefield Modern Combat is a game for console gamers. Everything has been done with them in mind. Controls, vehicle handling, graphics, lighting etc. BFMC will however deliver same type of gameplay as the original. For anyone not familiar with this gameplay it's best described using the rock/paper/scissors metaphor. Anyone on the Battlefield will, given using the tools (weapons, vehicles, kits) at disposal, never stand without a chance. "Easy to learn - Hard to master" is something that's been in the designers minds from the start. This means first 5 minutes are spent figuring out how to handle weapons, kits and vehicles and after that you start realizing how to best use them on the Battlefield.
Reloading Delta Force02:12 pm
- Jeff Tom
- games: action / strategy(4 comments)
PC.IGN has the scoop on an updated version of NovaLogic's Delta Force, with a graphics overhaul and more. Hit the link for the full details but here's a cut:
Sadly, the original will look dated now. Rather than abandon the title, however, NovaLogic today announced Delta Force: Reloaded, a spruced-up, modernized version of the original game. Reloaded features a full graphical overhaul, including new renders and particle and weather effects. The game engine has been optimized for current machines, and NovaLogic is also adding 25 co-op missions in addition to the original roster. You'll also see online stat tracking and improved anti-cheating features.
The power of the human mind is expressed through Empire Earth II's new diplomacy screens. Basically a trading and communication interface, it allows players to work out trades and treaties with each other that go far beyond just declaring war or asking for an alliance. The game's diplomacy screen puts everything up for grabs. Players can offer treaties to one another that are peppered with terms, inducements, and conditions. Say, for example, a player needs a specific resource, but his or her own territory is a bit short. They can then offer a treaty to another player in which they trade resource rights back and forth, but don't allow military units to cross the border. If this is unacceptable, the second player can make a counteroffer, asking the first to declare war on a third player in exchange for access to the needed resource.
Star Wars Republic Commando is a squad-based first-person shooter that lets the player explore the elite world of the Star Wars military. Leading a three-man squad of Republic Commandos, the missions take players behind enemy lines on more than 14 levels through three different campaigns against more than ten brutal enemies. The player will have more than a dozen deadly weapons at their disposal, but none more lethal than the squad itself.
April 4 Doom Day01:55 pm
- Jeff Tom
- games: action(11 comments)
id software have confirmed April 4 as the release date for both the XBox version of Doom 3 and the Doom 3 expansion, Resurrection of Evil. Here's a clip from the story:
"Brace yourself for a new breed of fear and excitement," said Todd Hollenshead, CEO, id Software. "DOOM 3 for the Xbox brings gripping action, unparalleled graphics and sound, and a truly terrifying experience to the home theater. This is DOOM 3 built for the Xbox, including 480p and wide-screen support, full Xbox Live multiplayer, and the Xbox exclusive two-player co-op campaign. For fans of DOOM 3 on the PC, Resurrection of Evil takes you to the undiscovered depths of the UAC's Mars base and back to Hell itself for a vicious new battle with the forces of evil and the most ferocious demons imaginable."
"The urban oppression of the Matrix is captured in the looming skylines and bleak alleyways," Ragaini explains. "Each building has complete interiors and there are no load times as players transition from exterior to interior and back. You
can hyper-jump onto a rooftop, run down a stairway, get in a fire-fight, flee out of a balcony and jump to the ground without experiencing a single load."
SWAT 4 Nudies03:15 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- games: action(8 comments)
Here are a few screen grabs from some of the early SWAT 4 missions for your viewing pleasure which were captured on a oh-so sassy Radeon X800 XT graphics card. SWAT 4 is developed by Irrational Games and uses a modified version of the Tribes: Vengeance engine (which at its core is the Unreal engine) and is due out soon. Starting on our left, we have some looks at your squad; on the far right we have some hostage chick who was about to become some dude's lunch. As you can tell, we have some serious donut bumping going on. Err, bump mapping I mean.:
Big Huge Interns Needed - "Big Huge Games is in need of playtest interns to work out of our offices in Timonium, MD. You will be testing our as yet unannounced RTS game.
For more information on the jobs and the requirements, please visit: this website."
StarGate Website - "Not sure if this is newsworthy enough for you, but the Stargate game, The Alliance, now has an official website. It contains some screen shots that are quite nice."
In Other News...12:02 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- in-house: in other news...(34 comments)
I finally checked out the beta of SWAT 4 last night, and as you might've read from various glowing previews, the game is really polished. I've never actually gotten into the whole tactical action genre before, but I'm digging SWAT 4 quite a bit. I've just played through the tutorial and a few of the early single player missions, but I snapped off a few screens which we'll post here in a little bit.
Today's question: What resolution and general video settings do you typically play games at?
