 |
SWAT 4 Gone Gold 07:30 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Action
(8 comments)
VU Games announced that Irrational's SWAT 4 has gone gold and will be in stores starting April 5th in North America. World-wide availabity is one week later. You can learn more about the game by checking out the new official website where they're sporting a new video trailer in addition to a bunch of other game related content.
Halo 2 Expansion? Weekly Update! 07:06 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Consoles: Xbox
(6 comments)
Thanks to HBO for the word that Bungine posted a short weekly update which centers around some upcoming cheat and bug fixes for Halo 2. Hey also address rumors of a expansion to (low blow inc) their recently released expansion pack, Halo 2:
What's up with the listing on Xbox.com in Korea that says the downloadable content is coming out as a retail game release??
Next week, we're going to have a major announcement about the details of our new maps. Right now, there are some dates, details and ideas out there that are actually wrong, so please take everything you read between now and then with a grain of salt. We can't talk about how and when the new maps will be released, we'll leave that to the smart folks who actually do all the logistical work for this stuff - marketing and PR, but we can tell you this much - our entire plan is designed to make new content available for everybody, those with Xbox Live and those without Xbox Live. We hope in the end, everyone will be satisfied.
Lastly, the Penny-Arcade guys are sore losers. :)
Imperial Glory Impressions 07:04 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Real-Time Strategy
(0 comments)
PC.IGN shared some hands-on impressions of Pyro's upcoming wargame, Imperial Glory:
There are also naval battles which share a resemblance to the ones we've seen in Port Royale--3D, multiple shot types, boarding, positioning, and appropriation. It's nothing too complex, offering a blend of realism and smoothness to maximize fun. The sound effects are great, with commanders shouting orders in their native language, the roar of an onrushing regiment, the clash of steel, and some pleasant background music. The terrain is nicely modeled, and you'll get the occasional rainstorm or snowstorm, with lightning and everything. It's pretty neat.
World of WarCraft Pwns Bingo on NPR 06:50 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: MMOG
(0 comments)
Mention on the World of WarCraft site is that WoW was featured on the "All Things Considered" segment of National Public Radio (NPR) where Robert Holt proclaimed it to be the best of all MMORPGs. Next up, Paul Harvey! In totally unrelated news, there are more server transfer options open for players in overpopulated realms.
Friday WPG 06:39 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: General News
(0 comments)
Jade Empire Preview and Interview 04:28 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Consoles: Xbox
(0 comments)
Gamespy is sporting a hands-on preview of BioWare's Xbox role playing game Jade Empire, plus an interview with Dr. Zeschuk to learn about it as well:
GameSpy: Jade Empire is all about choices. You can choose to follow the Way of the Open Palm or the Way of the Closed Fist. How is this reflected in the fighting styles that you can use or the way that you can use them?
Dr. Greg: Well, there's a set of styles in the game that you can actually make a conscious moral and philosophical choice to get. There are actions you can undertake. The Open Palm, for instance, is all about helping people and contributing to society and not serving your own needs. You just won't get certain styles, because they're given to you by guys who don't want you to do any of that stuff. There are even a couple masters that will actually size you up and check you out to decide if you're Open Palm enough or Closed Fist enough.
Gamespot Rumor Control 04:23 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: General News
(7 comments)
In this week's Gamespot rumor control, topics include the name selection of the next-generation Xbox (yes, again), the N-Gage 2, stores breaking the embargo on PSP sales and the gutting of Knights of the Old Republic 2. Here's some poop from that:
...Feargus Urquhart told GameSpot, "The truth of the matter is that, much like a movie, a certain amount of the game ends up on the cutting room floor...When it comes to KOTOR II, there was material cut at various times in the game's making, including at the end of the game's development cycle." However, he denied accusations that the game was rushed to make the tail end of the crowded 2004 holiday season. "Often the original ideas or design just don't make sense when put in the context of the final game as it is being put together," he said, as though deadline pressures weren't a factor.
Auto Assault Preview 04:20 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: MMOG
(0 comments)
Gamespot greased up some hands-on impressions of Auto Assault, Netdevil & NCsoft's upcoming massively multiplayer auto-dueler:
As you may have already heard, Auto Assault will be a fast-paced game that focuses on action. But as we found out, the game--at least in its early state--is surprisingly easy to play. While it will apparently have full support for peripherals, such as gamepads, its default control scheme will use the mouse and keyboard's WASD keys, which is similar to a first-person shooter. You move and turn with the keyboard and aim your weapons manually with your mouse. Then you can either press the control key or the right mouse button to fire. Other than a set of special abilities that you'll be able to assign to hotkeys in battle, that's pretty much all there is to the game's control scheme, which, according to NetDevil president Scott Brown, is intended to be easy to pick up and play for beginners and veterans alike.
Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Nudies 02:22 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Role-Playing
(24 comments)
Bethesda sent over a few rather tasty screen shots of Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion which show off a troll, a corner of a quiet town, plus a lush forest scene in its upcoming role playing game sequel. The troll one is from the March issue of PC Gamer, but the other two are new. They're kinda big, but in a good way:
(Click to Enlarge!)
Top 20 Best Selling Games Last Month 02:10 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: General News
(3 comments)
More charts today, as the NPD Group released the list of top-20 best selling PC games in the US for the month of February:
1) World Of Warcraft Vivendi Universal $50
2) Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords LucasArts $46
3) Half-Life 2 Vivendi Universal $52
4) The Sims 2 Electronic Arts $47
5) The Sims Deluxe Electronic Arts $19
6) Halo: Combat Evolved Microsoft $28
7) Call Of Duty Activision $27
8) Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 Atari $38
9) Lord of the Rings: Battle For Middle Earth Electronic Arts $48
10) Seaworld Adventure Parks Tycoon Activision $16
11) Lemony Snicket: Series Of Unfortunate Events Activision $25
12) MS Zoo Tycoon 2 Microsoft $37
13) Rome: Total War Activision $44
14) Galaxy Of Games 350 JC eGames $10
15) MS Flight Simulator 2004: Century Of Flight Microsoft $29
16) Sid Meier's Pirates Atari $48
17) EverQuest: Dragons Of Norrath Expansion Pack Sony Online Ent. $29
18) MS Zoo Tycoon: Complete Collection Microsoft $30
19) World Poker Championship Valusoft (THQ) $20
20) Doom 3 Activision $38
Ghost Recon 2 Not Worth Porting to PC? 12:59 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Action / Adventure
(21 comments)
In light of yesterday's Ubisoft 2005-2006 release schedule completely omitting Ghost Recon 2 for the PC, Computer Games Magazine ponders if a port is ever actually going to be released:
Ironically, that new subtitle [Stonewall] also describes the reaction by Ubi Soft about the status of Ghost Recon 2 for the PC. Computer Games Magazine contacted the game's PR rep and he stated, "Yesterday's press release focused on new titles for 05-06, rather than on different platform versions of already-released titles - so no GR2 PC mention. Unfortunately, I don't have any further details about the game at this time - I'm still waiting for confirmation of specific features and when the game might ship." It seems only time will tell if PC hard drives will ever contain Ghost Recon 2 but we will report if anything changes.
Project Snowblind (PC) Ships 12:40 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Action
(4 comments)
Eidos sends word that it has shipped the PC version of Project Snowblind off to stores today:
Windows gamers today is your day to suit up and ready your weapons for battle. Project: Snowblind for PC has shipped and is now in stores in North America. To celebrate this milestone in the Project: Snowblind saga, we've uploaded a new trailer on the Eidos.com site for all to download and use (link below). Once again, Project: Snowblind for PC is in stores in North America. Now everyone that has wanted to experience the future of warfare will have their chance. Check out that movie here.
GDC Developers Get Extreme 12:14 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: General News
(16 comments)
Gamespot posted a transcript of the "Burning Down the House: Game Developers Rant" where developers take off the gloves and try to get 'street credit' back. Here's an example from Warren Spector about being a slave to publishers who seem to encourage the development of really crappy sequels: Warren Spector: Look, there are very few ways to get a game done these days, at least in my experience, and like I said, I'm sure we're going to get yelled at. Publisher fully funds, publisher distributes and promotes [indiscernible]. Money--comes from and returns to the business guys, and developers just--I mean, why should we own anything in that model? Why should we get a huge return in that model? We're taking--sure, we're taking some of the risk, but that $10 million belongs to somebody else, that marketing budget belongs to somebody else, and that retail space belongs to somebody else, that ad space belongs to somebody else. It's a bad model. The end result is that we have a winner take all business that has a lot of risk. And I think it's a business that has to change, and that's change in ways that--maybe we can influence a little.
The first thing is, I think, we have to find alternate sources of funding. How am I doing on time?
Eric Zimmerman: You've got about 2 or 3 minutes left.
Warren Spector: I'm totally hosed!
No comment.
10 Top Best Selling PC Games 12:00 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: General News
(5 comments)
The NPD group released the latest top-10 best selling PC games in the US ending the week of March 5th, with EA's cash cow franchise The Sims 2 University out-milking Blizzard's World of WarCraft for the top selling spot:
1) The Sims 2 University Expansion Pack Electronic Arts $35
2) World Of Warcraft Vivendi Universal $50
3) The Sims 2 Electronic Arts $48
4) Half-Life 2 Vivendi Universal $52
5) Star Wars: Republic Commando LucasArts $42
6) Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords LucasArts $42
7) The Sims Deluxe Electronic Arts $20
8) Halo: Combat Evolved Microsoft $29
9) Galaxy Of Games 350 JC eGames $10
10) Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 Atari $38
The EALA Exodus Continues 10:32 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Real-Time Strategy
(2 comments)
Planet CNC has a post from Adam Isgreen (how would you have liked that last name growing up?) who came to EA as part of the Westwood merger, saying that is he leaving the company to work at Petroglyph, who are comprised of ex-Westwood talent:
After spending 2 years out at EA after Westwood was "consolidated", with several abortive attempts to get a new C&C; off the ground, EA and I have parted ways.
I'm heading back to Vegas to work with the already stellar group of ex-westwoodians and great new people that make up the staff of Petroglyph. I'm very excited by what Petro has been doing, and suffice it to say that C&C; fans will not be disappointed by what's comiing in the future.... =)
I have a crazy idea, lets buy this cool RTS developer for a stupid amount of money, not make any games using the IP its famous for and watch as everyone quits. Best money spent ever!
F.E.A.R. Interview 09:56 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Action
(0 comments)
The blokes at Eurogamer interviewed Monolith's Kevin Stephens about its highly anticipated FPS, F.E.A.R. Here's a taste about the 'bullet-time' inspired gameplay:
Eurogamer: In a sense it's quite similar to a game like Max Payne in the respect of using bullet time...
Kevin Stephens: The thing you have to understand about it is that it started out as an action game from the very beginning, and so things like the slow motion, even the horror elements came later. Those were kind of the spice to the game. Action seems kind of boring, I think every game has action, so we were like 'we want to raise the bar of action', and it was like "okay, well that's great, but doesn't every game try to raise the bar?" and so we thought "how do we differentiate it, how do we make it special?" With the slo-mo, a lot of action movies slow down time and emphasise things, so we thought let's try it and see how it works - it worked great in Max Payne, it worked great in The Matrix, it's worked great in movies pretty much forever - so it wasn't a new concept. So we tried it and we really liked it, and we liked it enough that we started making it more of a gameplay feature, and thought hey, this isn't something we do once in a while, let's actually let the player control it - it's really fun to be able to slow down time, and it adds a dynamic way to kind of emphasise the action which was the whole core key element in the first place. Pretty much our whole design philosophy comes from that. Here's the goal, how are we going to get to that goal, what can we do to improve upon what's out there and kind of make it our own.
Black & White 2 Previews 09:36 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Simulation
(4 comments)
Giant cute fuzzy animals who play god seems to be a popular theme at Lionhead these days; Gamesdomain and GamePro take looks at Black & White 2:
If you nurture your oversized, lovable caretaker lion, he'll romp around spreading good will and helping villagers... but will probably blubber and cringe at an oncoming attack. Use your god-hands to beat and slap your super-sized servitor into a vicious enemy-trampling war machine and he'll be a terror in battle... but on the peaceful home front, will just stand there, soulless and dead, waiting for more divine instructions to kill (Molyneux wants you to feel very bad about this). In other words, you can't have your cake and, well, beat it, too.
And there's more. "Where have physics been all this time?" he laments. Black and White 2 is awash in real physics, and they're awesome, befitting a wannabe deity: Meticulously simulated fluidity allows rivers of lava to tentacle out from a volcano in all directions, filling channels and cracks before obliterating buildings and people in their path. Divinely summoned hurricanes twist the very air into savage vortexes, ripping real buildings off their foundations and hurling the occasional unlucky human up to a date with his meteorological destiny.
RPG Vault Bits 09:25 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Role-Playing
(0 comments)
Hardware & Tech Nuggets 09:19 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- hardware: General News
(1 comment)
Game Reviews 08:47 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: General News
(0 comments)
In Other News... 08:16 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- In-House: In Other News...
(24 comments)
Oye, sorry for the late start this morning. Some of those damn leprechauns broke in and wreaked havoc in the VE offices making a midnight update quite impossible. It was a Saint Patrick's Day miracle that we are still around to even tell the tale! Act of War is still a lot of fun. I'd suggest downloading the patch (Update: That patch sucks ass, after installing it, my DVD wasn't able to read the game and launch. I had to completely uninstall AoW and manually delete the old folder (which had the bad .exe) and reinstall for it to work again. So patch at your own risk) and make sure you have the latest video card drivers installed, otherwise the game "flickers" in full screen mode. If it does flicker (you'll know what I'm talking about if it happens) alt tab out, then back, it will go into window mode and everything will be ok (if you're too lazy to update). I still want to pick up Brothers in Arms for the PC, but that will have to wait til early next week so I can finish up Act of War. Today's question: What games are you playin?
|
|
