Scoring with XXX Games 03:59 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: MMOG
(3 comments)
Wired has an amusing little story up called Scoring with XXX Games that covers the first Sex in Videogames conference where some 200 industry fodder attended:
Fryer was one of three experts on a panel about MMORPGs at last week's Sex in Videogames conference in San Francisco. The topic? "Emergent sex," or the kinds of salacious activities that show up in non-sexual games like World of Warcraft and Dark Age of Camelot. Fryer explained that the latter was especially sexy because avatars couldn't be undressed -- "so you had to get very creative."
Wha? The closest thing to sex in these games is getting cyber in Vent. You know, from a real girl! ZOMG
The Blizzard Wall Street Presentation Slides 03:40 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: MMOG
(3 comments)
The Cesspit managed to get its hands on some of the slides that were part of the Vivendi "Wall Street Presentation" which started the World of Diablo and World of StarCraft rumors. The slides really don't scream "All Blizzard franchises will become MMOGs", but perhaps the live presentation was different. Thanks Worldofwar.net.
WoW 1.11 Patch Preview - Argent Dawn 03:37 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: MMOG
(0 comments)
Blizzard updated the World of WarCraft v1.11 patch preview with a look at Argent Dawn. "The Argent Dawn reputations page has been updated with more rewards of superior and epic quality! Check out the new reputation rewards and new recipes in store for those who have proven their dedication to the Argent Dawn's fight against the Scourge."
Ritual Hiring for New Game 03:32 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Action
(0 comments)
Ritual is looking to hire a senior level designer "for a multi-platform next-generation AAA action title" which we assume isn't episode related. Here's the poop:
Ritual Entertainment is currently looking for a Senior Level Designer for a multi-platform next-generation AAA action title. This position requires a talented individual with an eye for detail and the ability to generate highly detailed and immersive real world environments. Potential candidates must have a serious passion for creating games. Candidates must also combine an ability to understand how gameplay is created with a strong aesthetic sense and interest in creating visually interesting spaces. This is a full time position and will require relocation to our Dallas, TX-based offices.
Unleash the Wiederhold!
Blizzard VP Denies MMOG Plans 03:03 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: MMOG
(4 comments)
Vivendi might have grand designs for Blizzard's massively multiplayer future, but Blizzard vice president of game design Rob Pardo states otherwise on the official boards:
Nothing in that rumor is true in regards to Blizzard. If I had to guess, there was some confusion between what Vivendi has planned for its its game division versus what Blizzard has planned. While Blizzard is owned by Vivendi, their game division operates seperately from Blizzard.
Thanks Broken Toys.
Everquest II: The Fallen Dynasty Q&A; 12:12 pm
- Elia 'Mithan' Doulia
- Games: MMOG
(4 comments)
MMOReports has a two page interview with Matthew Higby, Design Supervisor for the new EQ2 download module, "The Fallen Dynasty".
Can you tell us exactly what new zones will be included with this pack?
MH: The major zones are; "The Village of Shin," a peaceful village which serves as a quest hub and staging area, "The Mystic Lake," an overland adventure zone, much like Antonica or Commonlands, but geared to level 50+ players, and "The Forsaken City" a high level dungeon zone. There are also many instanced adventure areas.
EQ2 is definitly on a roll with these modules and expansion packs. For anybody that missed it, the third expansion pack titled "Echoes of Faydwar" was announced a while back.
Poll: World of Diablo or World of StarCraft? 03:15 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: MMOG
(32 comments)
The new(er) VE poll of the week asks for you to pick between World of Diablo and World of Warcraft. Vote on your right!
Here's the original story if you missed it.
Results of this week's earlier poll which pitted Half-Life 2: Episode One vs SiN Episodes: Emergence can be found in the comments.
Scott Miller Interview 01:11 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Action
(8 comments)
On the grill at Gameproducers.net is an interview 3D Realms' Scott Miller who chats a bit about Prey, general biz stuff and oh-so much more. Here's a taste:
GameProducer.net: 3DRealms got praise from Remedy when they were doing their first cinematic action title Max Payne. Remedy said that it has been great to work with a publisher that gave no or little pressure about the deadlines. I heard the famous slogan "When it's done" first time said by Remedy & 3D Realms. How do you approach this attitude nowadays? Do you have no deadlines at all? What it really means to you to publish a game "when it's done"?
Scott Miller: Well, we have a simply philosophy that if you're going to make a game, do it right. Another words, the game comes first. Most publishers do not see the value of this philosophy, and therefore the majority of their games are not hits. Also, since we retain ownership of our game brands, it is in our best interest to insure that our games are big hits, because not only do we like those fat royalty checks, we also like to see the valuation of our brands exceed 10's of millions of dollars. In 2002 we (us and Remedy) sold the Max Payne brand for nearly $50 million, and that was after earning some $25 million in royalties. So, was it worth the 4.5 years to make Max Payne right?
Top 10 Best Selling PC Games 01:00 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: General News
(7 comments)
Here are the top-10 best selling PC games ending the week of June 3rd:
1. World Of Warcraft - Blizzard
2. Half-Life 2: Episode 1 - Electronic Arts
3. The Sims 2 - Electronic Arts
4. Heroes Of Might & Magic V - Ubisoft
5. Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion - 2K Games
6. The Sims 2 Open For Business - Electronic Arts
7. The Sims 2 Family Fun Stuff - Electronic Arts
8. Guild Wars Factions - NCsoft
9. Battlefield 2 - Electronic Arts
10. Heroes Of Might & Magic V: Limited Ed - Ubisoft
The Levelord Q&A; 12:55 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Action
(1 comment)
3D Realms greased up a new legacy interview with Ritual's The Levelord who once upon a time worked on the old Duke Nukem Games. Here's a bite:
Is there any story/incident that stands out as interesting during your time associated with Apogee?
Yes, going to my very first E3 in 1996 with the Duke Team. It was the first E3, so that made it memorable. I had lived in Los Angeles from 1980-1990. I lived only a few blocks away from the Nakatomi building in the first Die Hard movie. I lived in the garage of my parents while going to UCLA. Late one night, at about 2am, they started filming much of the exterior helicopter stuff at the end of the movie. I thought it was a real event ;)
Anyhow, that AM/PM store is right there, where the cop bought the Twinkies for his pregnant wife. This store, being so close to home, was just a regular old store to buy smokes and gas. To most others, though, it was an icon. First thing we did at E3 was go to this store and buy Twinkies ;)
Hardware & Tech Nuggets 12:45 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- hardware: General News
(1 comment)
Game Reviews 12:30 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Real-Time Strategy
(1 comment)
In Other News... 12:15 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- In-House: In Other News...
(16 comments)
That World of Diablo and World of StarCraft stuff yesterday was pretty crazy. I can see Diablo as a massively multiplayer game, but I'll go on the record and say that I'd prefer to have a straight-up RTS sequel to StarCraft. I loved that game so much. I wouldn't mind a MMOG version of it, PLUS an RTS sequel. But, if I had to pick one or the other, I'd go with StarCraft 2 (the real-time-strategy game).
I think I'm going to mercy-kill this week's poll and do something Blizzard related.
Meanwhile, today's question asks:
If there could be only one: StarCraft 2 or World of StarCraft?
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