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Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory Co-Op Nudies 04:30 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- games: action
(7 comments)
Ubisoft fired over five new screen shots of Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory which show off the co-op mode in the game. Chaos Theory is powered by the Unreal engine and set to be released on the PC and various consoles soon:
(Click to Enlarge!)
Dragonshard Designer Diary 04:14 pm
- Jeff Tom
- games: real-time strategy
(0 comments)
Another designer diary from the guys over at GameSpot, this time on the real-time strategy Dragonshard: In order for the dual-layer system in Dragonshard to be as robust as possible, we knew we needed to ensure that each layer presented a distinct yet familiar gameplay experience. To do so, we went to great lengths to ensure that the above-ground gameplay provided the player with a unique and dynamic large-scale real-time-strategy experience by means of squads, captains, soldiers, and other gameplay innovations (as discussed in earlier diaries). The underworld, on the other hand, was an entirely different story. It was here that we hoped to re-create the atmosphere and gameplay dynamics that were so familiar to us from Dungeons & Dragons. In doing so, not only have we implemented a wide array of tombs, shrines, and temples scattered throughout the ancient sunken city that encompasses our underworld, but also we have packed it with gold, treasure, traps, and, of course, monsters.
Republic Commando Designer Diary 04:13 pm
- Jeff Tom
- games: action
(0 comments)
GameSpot have slapped up a designer diary for Star Wars: Republic Commando, going over the recently gold first-person shooter: Well, Republic Commando not only had those elements, but it featured them. This wasn't a view of the Star Wars universe through the rose-colored glasses of the Jedi…this was the Star Wars universe as seen through the battle-weary eyes of four highly trained, very intense soldiers, and I wanted it to sound that way. The battledroids needed to be a bit rustier and raspy, the weapons needed to sound slightly more militaristic and ballistic, the armor and gear needed to be heavy and loud, and the music needed to provoke a sense of military pride, bravery in the face of death, and just a hint of tragedy. But finding the balance between the new and the familiar was going to be quite a challenge. How do you keep Star Wars sounding fresh and exciting without straying too far away from the brilliant film sound design and music?
Valve News Update 03:54 pm
- Andrew Burnes
- games: action
(7 comments)
Here's the latest news update from Valve, which just happens to include some tasty content:
In advance of the Counter-Strike: Source update we've mentioned here recently, we'll be releasing an update for Half-Life 2: Deathmatch. This update will include two new weapons (the StunStick and the Slam) as well as a return of the trusty crowbar. We've decided to also include a new map called "Steam Lab."
Here are a few images:
SteamLab1, Steamlab2, Steamlab3 and SteamLab4
Right around the same time, we'll be releasing the source code to Half-Life 2: Deathmatch in the SDK.
This release will happen some time next week. Right now, we're shooting for Thursday the 17th.
And just a quick note for those of you who have been asking -- yes, VAC 2 is coming.
New Movies For PSP Announced 02:36 pm
- Andrew Burnes
- consoles: psp
(11 comments)
Come April 19th Sony will release XXX, Hellboy, Resident Evil 2 and One Upon A Time in Mexico in UMD format for the Playstation Portable:
The unit did not set a price for the movie discs. The small UMD holds 1.8 gigabytes of data, three times the capacity of a CD-ROM. It was designed as a vehicle for games and other media on the PSP.
Republic Commando Interview 01:46 pm
- Jeff Tom
- games: action
(2 comments)
ComputerGames Online have scored an interview with LucasArts on their first-person shooter, Republic Commando: Computer Games - First, the PC and Xbox demos of both games were recently released. What sorts of reactions did you get from players and are you incorporating any last minute changes in the game based on their comments?
Chris Williams - The response from both the demos has been overwhelmingly positive. The Xbox demo is available on KOTORII, the Xbox Exhibition Demo Disk, and on the cover-mount game disk for the February issue of OXM. It was eagerly anticipated and as soon as gamers got their hands on it the forums lit up with high praise for how fun the action was and how easy it was to control their squad. The PC demo is actually very different content and is available for download on a variety of prominent gaming sites. Gamers really loved that you got a sneak peak at some Episode III content in the PC demo when you see General Grievous. Based on some of the feedback we've seen about the demo we did fine tune some of the weapons and balancing in the game but overall we felt like people were really enjoying the game as is.
SWAT 4 Interview 01:41 pm
- Jeff Tom
- games: action / strategy
(0 comments)
Another SWAT 4 interview today, this time over at Computer&VideoGames;: How important do you think multiplayer is going to be to the success of SWAT 4?
Irrational: I think it's going to be one of the key components that keeps the game alive. SWAT 3 is still being played at this point because of multiplayer. Multiplayer is a huge piece of SWAT 4. Adding co-op multiplayer with up to five people is going to be a very big thing I think. Multiplayer I think both in the sense of combat and in co-op is really going to extend the life. Plus the quick mission maker allowing... Essentially, once you play through your 14 missions, the community's going to continue to make missions for other players, so it's got a lot of legs to it.
RPG Vault Features 01:35 pm
- Jeff Tom
- games: role-playing
(0 comments)
Here's the latest from RPG Vault on this Friday:
Black & White 2 Interview 08:40 am
- Andrew Burnes
- games: real-time strategy
(5 comments)
Over on the Lionhead Times they went in-house and spoke to Black & White 2 Lead Designer, Ron Millar:
LHtimes: Do you think Black and White 2, compared to the first installment of the game, is much more about the world and the environment changing depending on how you play the game?
Ron Millar: I don't think the world and environment are the way to say it; everything changes depending on my style, even the game mechanics! So for example if I am an evil player my people will start to request barracks and walls and more people to feed this war machine. They will start not to care about the beautification of their city or having gardens around their homes. But then when I am a good God I have to take care of my people, not build the different buildings too close to each other which will make people happier and they will respond to that. It's really about the relationship between you as a god and your people and your creature. Remember that your tribe is what makes you exist in the world so you have to have a connection with them.
Thanks Sam.
SWAT 4 Q&A; 07:00 am
- Andrew Burnes
- games: action
(1 comment)
In the latest SWAT 4 interview on 10-David they spoke to Ken Rosman, Paul Pawlicki, and Rob Loftus about the cancellation of Urban Justice, the choice of Irrational to finish SWAT 4, weapons licensing, cheating, reactions to the recent FilePlanet beta, plans for the next demo, and the possibilities of a console version of the game:
10-David: Can you touch on the challenges of getting weapons licensed from their manufacturers for the game?
Vivendi: We've found that the challenge has been minimal. With the emphasis on tactics and procedure within SWAT 4, we attract not only gamers, but SWAT enthusiasts as well. Those are some of same people that our licensors want their brands to reach.
It's more of a challenge to make sure you are representing the licensor's products in the way they intended. You don't want their weapons to function or look fundamentally different from their real life counterparts. With SWAT 4, the team worked very hard on both the look and the feel of each weapon in the game. The result is a realistic and satisfying weapon experience to gamers and enthusiasts both.
Sparta: Ancient Wars Revealed; Developer Hidden 06:00 am
- Andrew Burnes
- games: real-time strategy
(13 comments)
A new real-time strategy game from a yet-to-be-revealed international developer has been unveiled today, and boy is it a doozie. Featuring DirectX9 features such as pixel shaded water, Sparta: Ancient Wars is just the first title in a planned new franchise that will hopefully take real-time strategy gaming to a new level. Featuring 30 missions across 3 campaigns, Sparta should be with us sometime in 2006.
(Click to Enlarge!)
Batman Begins Cast Voice Game 05:28 am
- Andrew Burnes
- games: action
(3 comments)
The likes of Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, and Morgan Freeman have reprised their roles and lent their voices to the Batman Begins action game from EA:
"Actors spent a lot of time developing their character for this movie, and having the talent reprise their role in the game is a way for them to maintain the integrity of what they've done," said Jason Hall, senior vp Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. "And it's cool!"
The actors have approval over how they and their characters are represented. Business terms of the project were not disclosed, though Hall did say such deals vary too widely to draw any generalizations.
Misc. Previews 05:24 am
- Andrew Burnes
- consoles: general news
(0 comments)
Uh huh:
Sega Updates Racing IPs For Next-Generation 05:19 am
- Andrew Burnes
- consoles: general news
(0 comments)
Sega revs up with UK Racing Studio on MCV reveals today that the company has established a new studio in the central England to focus exclusively on next-generation racing titles, including updates of popular franchises such as Crazy Taxi and Sega Rally.
Xbox Next By November? 05:13 am
- Andrew Burnes
- consoles: xbox next
(33 comments)
A number of outlets have today been stating, via sources, that the Xbox Next will launch simultaneously in both North America and Europe by Christmas. GamesIndustryBiz however claims that late October - early November is the specific time frame, with a European release following a few weeks behind the North American.
Without Warning Preview 12:40 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- games: action / adventure
(2 comments)
The chaps at Gamesdomain whipped up a preview of Without Warning, which is under development by some of the gang who created the original Tomb Raider:
Without Warning is a mission-based shooter (e.g., diffuse bomb, rescue hostage, etc.) that fuses weapon-based combat, puzzle-solving, and exploration through the corridors and main rooms of the compound, as well as some outdoor areas.
The environment is fairly interactive, therefore gamers can fire at lights to dim the room or target the undersides of huge ceiling-suspended barrels that will leak chemicals onto enemies. Players can also break open crates, which may contain goodies inside (such as a security keycard), or firing at exploding barrels may take out nearby baddies.
Hardware & Tech Nuggets 12:20 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- hardware: general news
(0 comments)
Game Reviews 12:15 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- games: general news
(0 comments)
In Other News... 12:04 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- in-house: in other news...
(43 comments)
TGIF! Today's question is: What games are you currently playing? Right now my top 3 are SWAT 4 (beta), Empire Earth 2 (beta) and Dark Age of Camelot.
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