Rise of Legends Preview 08:04 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Real-Time Strategy
(0 comments)
Gamespy cranked out a nice four page preview of Rise of Legends after checking out the upcoming RTS at Big Huge Games. Here's a taste:
Rise of Nation: Rise of Legends, is, for those unfamiliar with the game, the follow-up to Big Huge Games' critically acclaimed and very successful RTS Rise of Nations. Unlike the previous game, however, Rise of Legends is neither a true sequel, nor a historical epic. Instead, the game takes place on the world of Aio, where the Alin, a race of desert warriors, have built up an incredible civilization by harnessing the powers of fire, sand, and glass magic and using the abilities of a variety of summoned djinn. Change is coming to Aio, however. A new power is rising in the Vinci -- a technological civilization based on the scientific concepts of Leonardo Da Vinci. A clash between magic and technology seems inevitable. As the player discovers, however, the Vinci and the Alin have an enemy far greater than each other. It's one that, if left unchecked, will eliminate both of their civilizations.
BFME 2 Beta Update: SAFECAST fix 07:56 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Real-Time Strategy
(1 comment)
If you are among the very vocal minority of people who can't get the Battle for Middle Earth II beta working, fret not as EA fixed the SAFECAST authorization problems that were plaguing some. Hit this link to get the fix. Plus, if you haven't already, make sure to vote!
Valve Weekly Update 07:27 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Action
(8 comments)
This week's Valve update showcases a pair of upcoming models for Counter-Strike: Source:
(Click to Enlarge!)
 
Bungie Weekly Update 06:58 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Consoles: Xbox
(3 comments)
This week's Bungie update is in classic mailbag style. Topics range from transfering Live accounts to the 360, to that idiotic "Halo 3 is done" story from Hexus. /slap
Auto Assault Vault Launches 05:02 pm
- Joe 'Steejee' West - Games: MMOG
(0 comments)
Corporate hoe reporting! This time around it's our newest Vault site: Auto Assault Vault! Any Mad Max fans or people looking for an MMO version of Twisted Metal should look into this vehicular shooter MMO with lots of Havoc powered insanity. Just remember, people don't believe in heroes anymore.
Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter Screenshots 03:01 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Consoles: Xbox 360
(13 comments)
Ubisoft's lovely and talented spokesmodel Kjell fired over some new screenshots of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter for the 360. I think we've seen two of them before, but these are the higher res versions. Dig it:
(Click to Enlarge!)
       
The Venues of Fight Night Round 360 02:01 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Consoles: Xbox 360
(12 comments)
EA released a batch of 18 screenshots showing off the various venues in Fight Night Round 3. Just click on the big image below to enter the gallery (click the next button to see the others since I'm too lazy to sort out thumbnails). Originally, these were those crazy 4400x3600 resolution format, but since no one seems to like those, I scaled them down to 1280x720:
(Click to Enlarge!)
Supreme Commander and S.T.A.L.K.E.R in 2007 01:02 pm
- Elias 'Mithan' Doulia
- Games: Real-Time Strategy
(13 comments)
THQ released its 3rd quarter conference call today and in it they announced that Supreme Commander and S.T.A.L.K.E.R will not appear until 2007. Company of Heroes and Saints Row will appear in fiscal quarter 3 (September to December for THQ). Titan Quest is still schedule for June. They also have a new IP they plan to announce soon called "Avatar".
You can listen to the conference call online here. The info I posted above can be found between 20:00 and 22:00 minutes.
Thanks Sflufan.
RF Online Beta at Fileplanet 12:48 pm
- Elias 'Mithan' Doulia
- Games: MMOG
(7 comments)
Sick of WoW? Fileplanet has managed to land the Rising Force Online beta, though its for subscribers only. What is RF Online?
RF Online is an epic mix of traditional fantasy MMOG mixed with unique futuristic sci-fi action to bring an entirely new and original take on the existing MMORPG genre. Set in a deep space galaxy known as Novus, take your pick from three all-powerful warring factions leading your character into the final battle for total control over the entire Novus galaxy. Choose from either the Bellato Union, taking control of individual robot battle units the like never seen before within any MMOG, Holy Alliance Cora, the mystical and fantasy orientated race utilising the power of magic and finally the mighty Accretia Empire, a futuristic alien race intent on spreading destruction across the entire sector with their advanced weaponry systems.
You can find the official RF Online Site here.
The Movies Demo 12:38 pm
- Elias 'Mithan' Doulia
- Games: Simulation
(4 comments)
Activision has released a demo of Lionheads "The Movies" which is a movie-mogul 3D management strategy simulation. The demo includes a tutorial and allows you to start building your movie studio. The demo is about 286 megs.
Prey Weekly Development Update #4 10:21 am
- Elias 'Mithan' Doulia
- Games: Action
(0 comments)
3D Realms has posted their Prey Weekly Development Update #4. This week covers voice recording sessions for Prey and has some pics of some of the people doing the voices as well.
Prey: Day 5 at 1UP 10:06 am
- Elias 'Mithan' Doulia
- Games: Action
(3 comments)
Day 5 of 1Up's Prey coverage ends with a multiplayer hands-on and multiplayer video.
In an interesting twist, they also interview Dan Harnett, member of the original PR team and 1Up Editor James Mielke "to see how kind 20/20 hindsight had been to these games". Good read.
1UP: What do you remember from the time about Prey. Were hands-on impressions really good? How do you think the concept will translate today after games like Halo and Half-Life have redefined the genre, and other sub-genres like more realistic, World War II-based shooters have risen to prominence?
DH: based on how the concept was explained to me back in 1997, I still believe that if Prey could have come through with its proposition, it would have been the foremost shooter of its time because that portal technology brought a completely different dimension to the game.
JM: While I thought the concept was cool, I really wasn't sure how a first-person shooter, which relies on pinpoint accuracy, reflexes, and timing would work when you weren't actually aiming at anything, instead just firing into a portal. I envisioned this nightmare scenario where everyone was just laying down crossfire, hoping to catch someone unawares.
nVIDIA nForce4 Drivers For Windows XP/64 09:59 am
- Elias 'Mithan' Doulia
- hardware: NVIDIA
(1 comment)
nVidia released new nForce4 chipset drivers for both Windows XP and XP-64. No word on what is contained in the update.
Thanks DailyTech.
Interviews 09:51 am
- Elias 'Mithan' Doulia
- Games: General News
(1 comment)
- 24: The Game
Like 24: The movie? Well you can read Sony's Mark Green interview with CV&G; about the new "24" game coming out.
- Devil May Cry 3
1Up has a postmortem Q&A; with Hideaki Itsuno. They discuss various aspects of DMC3.
- Dungeons & Dragons Online
MMORPG.com has Developer Interview #8 posted with Steve Moy and in it, they discuss various problems MMORPG.com had in a preview of the game from the previous day.
- D&D;: Wrath of the Dragon God (Movie)
Did you like the movie "Dungeons & Dragons: Wrath of the Dragon God?". The DVD is coming out next week so Gamebanshee interviewed the movie's co-writers, Robert Kimmel and Brian Rudnick.
- Empire Earth II Expansion
Mad Doc's Dr. Ian Davis sits down with Gamecloud for an interview on the Empire Earth 2 expansion, The Art Of Supremacy.
- Guild Wars: Factions
CV&G; interviews ArenaNet's co-founder Jeff Strain about the new expansion for Guild Wars.
- Neverwinter Nights 2
Ferret Baudoin, Lead Designer at Obsidian Entertainment talks to NWN 2 News about his work in CRPG's past, present and looks into the future as to where CRPG's are going.
- Titan Quest (Blog)
TQVault has a blog update from Tom Potter, Lead Content Designer for Titan Quest.
- Star Trek (by Bethesda)
Gamecloud interviews Bethesda's PR manager Pete Hines about the new Star Trek game that Bethesda is working on.
- Xbox Live Arcade GM Jabs Nintendo & Sony
Next-Generation talks to Xbox Live Arcade group manager Greg Canessa and he makes a few comments about the competition's online services.
Fired Sony Artist Interviewed 09:08 am
- Elias 'Mithan' Doulia
- Consoles: PS3
(23 comments)
PS3 Week has put up an interview with Josh Robinson, a former SOE Artist who was fired over some PS3 comments he made on his personal blog site. Apparently, Josh made some critical remarks about the PS3's hardware capability and got the axe for it.
Here is a clip from the Interview:
How do you respond to critics around the web who say that, as a 3D artist, you're not qualified to make a technical judgment about the PS3 development?
You know the internet/forums and blogs are a strange place. If I went online right now and said the sky was blue, 100 people would probably tell me to STFU noob or argue with me and tell me I'm not a weather man. In which case I should STFU anyway. So I don't take much to heart when people want to argue with me about that. The bottom line: If I am looking at a next-generation system (the Xbox 360 for example) I expect to see next-gen technology. If I don't see that next-gen technology then I'm inclined to be disappointed. I don't need to know how to code for the Xbox to know that I'd rather have soft shadowing in a game.
The original Blog has been removed, however Google cache has it archived and I copied it here.
New PlayStation 3 Details 08:50 am
- Elias 'Mithan' Doulia
- Consoles: PS3
(30 comments)
According to Eurogamer, the latest issue of the US PSM Magazine has some new info on PS3 capabilities that include a digital video recorder ability like TiVO and the ability to download music and movies from the "PlayStation Network". Pretty cool stuff.
Apparently the new online service, titled PlayStation Network, won't just offer matchmaking and ranking lists. You can expect an iTunes-type store that lets you download films and music, and you'll be able to use the console as a Location Free Player. Which means you'll be able to upload stuff from your PS3 onto your PSP, and watch Blu-Ray and DVD movies on your handheld.
Rather excitingly, the PS3 will act as a digital video recorder, so you can digitally store all your favourite telly programmes just like with Sky+ and TiVo. Plus, you'll have the option to control the DVR function using your PSP.
THQ Forms Kaos Studios 08:40 am
- Andrew Burnes
- Games: General News
(0 comments)
A THQ press release announces the formation of Kaos Studios, a new internal New York-based development studio under the leadership of Frank DeLise, lead developer of the Desert Combat mod for Battlefield 1942, and former DICE employee, until they shut down his studio and screwed the employees out of $200,000 of course:
THQ Inc. today announced the opening of Kaos Studios, founded by veterans of Trauma Studios, creators of Desert Combat and Battlefield 2 R&D; projects. Kaos' first project is an original intellectual property for next generation consoles and Windows PC scheduled for release in 2007.
"THQ is a great home for experienced, creative teams like ours," said Frank DeLise, lead designer, Kaos Studios. "When we looked at all the opportunities available to us, we found they truly foster creativity and embrace new, original intellectual properties. THQ was absolutely the best choice, hands down."
"THQ is committed to supporting strong creative talent, as evidenced by our growing internal development system which now numbers 18 teams across 12 studios," said Dan Kelly, senior vice president of business development, THQ. "We are thrilled to make the full resources of THQ available to the Kaos team to help them realize their vision of building a world-class studio in New York City that will deliver compelling original properties."
More information about Kaos Studios and their first project will be forthcoming in 2006.
Living in Oblivion 02:22 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Consoles: Xbox 360
(64 comments)
The official Xbox site is sporting an interview with Bethesda's Todd Howard about Oblivion (thanks RPG Dot). Topics include developing on the 360, why they went with the 360, how the 360 can improve your sex life and get you a raise at the office, NPCs, length of the game (not just size, but girth), 360 vs PC and oh-so much more. Here's a sample:
Xbox.com: Anything you'll be able to do with the game on Xbox 360 that just wouldn't be possible anywhere else?
Howard: Hmmm, I guess it's more about the fact that we can do it all and not really have to cut corners. So for instance, in the PC version, depending on your PC, there's a part of it you won't be seeing in all its glory, but on the Xbox 360, you get it all. Please, everyone, buy an HD set ... just please.
Xbox.com: Touching on something you mentioned before, just how much more glorious an adventure can owners expect from the title than their PC-loving counterparts?
Howard: Again, it depends on their setup. If they have the absolute latest PC with a video card that is fully shader model 3.0 compatible and a giant HD monitor, they're about the same. The question is, can they get all of that for $399? And does it let them play Geometry Wars? That game rules.
Tons more where that came from. Check it out!
Top 10 Best Selling Games in Japan 01:30 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Consoles: General News
(5 comments)
Nintendo's stranglehold on Japan weakens this week starting Jan 23rd:
1) Dirge of Cerberus -Final Fantasy VII- (PS2) Square Enix
2) English Training DS (DS) Nintendo
3) Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams (PS2) Capcom
4) Brain Age 2 (DS) Nintendo
5) Animal Crossing: Wild World (DS) Nintendo
6) Brain Age (DS) Nintendo
7) Ar tonelico (PS2) Banpresto
8) Bleach DS (DS) Sega
9) Mario Kart DS (DS) Nintendo
10) World Soccer Winning Eleven 9: Bonus Pack (PS2) Konami
Really the only chance Microsoft has to break into this market with the 360 is to release a lot of really wacky Live Arcade games (e.g. - Brain Training Panty Machine IV Fever) until more big Japanese developers get on board.
Assorted Downloads 01:15 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: General News
(0 comments)
Hardware & Tech Nuggets 01:00 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- hardware: General News
(0 comments)
Game Reviews 12:45 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: General News
(0 comments)
In Other News... 12:30 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- In-House: In Other News...
(30 comments)
TGIF! I'm a bit over half way finished with PDZ and have mastered the art of looking up and down at will with a gamepad. I've found that if you set the sensitivity to 100 it helps a bit too. It's still not as responsive as I would like, but it's much better than the default 50. Gonna try a co-op game with Mithan in a bit. I think there's a bot match mode in here too, so that might be interesting to check out as well. Perfect Dark Zero sure has lot of cool features, I'll give it that.
Since it's Friday, today's question is:
What were your top 5 played games of the week?
Here's mine:
5) Age of Empires III
4) Galactic Civ 2 beta
3) Battle for Middle Earth II MP beta
2) Perfect Dark Zero
1) Project Gotham Racing 3
|
