Empire Earth II Impressions 08:14 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- games: real-time strategy
(0 comments)
PC.IGN shared its hands-on impressions of Empire Earth II:
Empire Earth II received a facelift from the original, as one would expect. This is a new engine that allows for better realization of battles and armies. It isn't going to wow anyone like some of the Age of Empires III or Earth 2160 screens have been, but everything is certainly functional with a good level of detail.
But aside from mere environments, buildings, and units, Empire Earth II has some nice effects. Explosions are pretty and bright, but there are also those with meaning. Weather effects have a drastic effect on how the game plays. While units won't necessarily stop working (unless they're aircraft that's been grounded by storms), they'll suffer a huge drop in speed and sight radius. This means keeping an eye on the month and time is a good idea. Sending your giant army out only to get caught in a blizzard could be detrimental to their health when they accidentally wander into a fortified base.
Empire Earth II has a lot going for it. There certainly are some things that need to get fixed before everything is running perfectly, but they have a while to finish things up so hopefully that will be enough time. If so, this game could be one that fans of the hardcore RTS genre can get all bubbly about.
TGIF WPG 06:30 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- games: general news
(0 comments)
Star Wars Republic Commando Diary 04:47 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- games: action
(0 comments)
Gamespot greased up a new designer's diary for Star Wars Republic Commando which was written by Senior Engineer John A. Hancock who talks about the process of bringing the squad to life through recorded dialogue and vocal cues.
Guild Wars Fansite Friday Q&A; 04:41 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- games: mmog
(0 comments)
The Guild Wars Tome is this week's lucky fansite friday Q&A; host for Arena.net's Guild Wars. Topics include: the upcoming beta event, accidental battles, guild vs guild fights and more. Thanks Guild Wars Slovenija.
SWAT 4 Hands-On 04:34 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- games: action
(0 comments)
ActionTrip shot up a hands-on preview of a near final beta build of SWAT 4:
From a technical standpoint and in terms of the game play mechanics, SWAT 4 might be about the smoothest tactical shooter I have played yet. The AI handled themselves impeccably during missions, and the highly intuitive system in which you issue orders with a simple press of the right mouse button is truly refreshing and enjoyable. As ever, a great deal of expertise went into the designing of the missions, and obviously, Irrational had a lot of help from real-life SWAT operatives. The great thing about this game is that even though you do most of the stuff 'by the book,' you still get the suspense and the thrill of a good action game - truly a commendable feat by the programmers.
RPG Vault Bits 03:37 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- games: general news
(0 comments)
Champions: Return to Arms First View (preview)
Snowblind's impending PS2 action RPG in which you can fight for or against evil within the world of EverQuest
Dungeon Siege Media #1
Two images of the strapping Half-Giant race we'll be able to see in action this spring in Gas Powered Games' sequel
*An exclusive concept drawing and character model*
Valve News Update 02:23 pm
- Andrew Burnes
- games: action
(12 comments)
Here's the latest Valve news update from Steam:
Over the next month or so there will be a couple of interesting releases via Steam, in addition to the upcoming Counter-Strike map de_compound.
First, we'll be releasing an update to Half-Life 2: Deathmatch that will include the Slam, Stunstick, and the Crowbar. We're not ready to release the contest winning maps just yet, but we will be releasing a new map we've built at Valve to tide people over while we sort out the contest winners. There will also be a release to Counter-Strike: Source around the same time that will address a few minor issues.
One feature that we'll be adding to the Source engine in the coming months is high dynamic range lighting. To showcase this we've taken a part of the Highway 17 chapter of Half-Life 2 and worked it into a single level that incorporates HDR along with some new gameplay. We're calling this short level "The Lost Coast," and it will be made available free of charge to Half-Life 2 customers that meet a specific set of high end hardware requirements. We'll be publishing those requirements soon.
Lost Coast Concept Sketches: [Image 1], [Image 2], [Image 3], [Image 4]
Violent Games Are Poison 11:17 am
- Andrew Burnes
- games: general news
(20 comments)
The game-banning nut jobs are out in force once again, blaming violent and sexually-explicit games for the crime in their area, and as usual have totally ignored the guidelines and laws already in place:
"Why are they selling this [GTA:SA] game to our children?" said Ronald Moten, a leader of Peaceaholics, which mentors troubled youths in the District and Maryland. He and others drew a direct line between the make-believe mayhem in such video games as Grand Theft Auto and the very real pain they see in their neighborhoods.
The popular video games have become an equally popular target in city halls and statehouses nationwide. D.C. Council members and Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D) yesterday backed a bill that would prevent merchants from selling such games as the Grand Theft Auto series, Halo 2 and Mortal Kombat to minors. A store that violates the law could lose its business license and face a fine of as much as $10,000.
Council member Adrian M. Fenty (D-Ward 4), in announcing his legislation at the news conference, held up a copy of the game, and community activists wore T-shirts with a red "X" on a scene from the game.
Hal Halpin, President of the Interactive Entertainment Merchants Association sent over their response the DC wackos:
IEMA retailers, last year, introduced their own self-regulatory measures which have already addressed these same issues. Working with parents, consumers, federal policy-makers and special interest groups, major retailers of computer and video games committed to ID-checking for the sale of all "Mature-rated" games, and have too instituted or re-doubled efforts regarding in-store signage, staff and customer education regarding the ratings system, and many other voluntary measures toward this same end. As has been proven time and again, the entertainment industry enjoys First Amendment protection and substantially-similar pieces of legislation have already been stricken down each and every time. Knowing that in advance, politicians who seek the spotlight would rather go through the exercise of wasting valuable taxpayer resources, the court's time, and put businesses and jobs at risk than work cooperatively and productively with the industry.
The IEMA remains steadfastly opposed to this unnecessary and highly-politicized legislation and expect that the courts will continue to side with our perspective.
Make Love To The BioWare Camera 10:45 am
- Andrew Burnes
- games: general news
(5 comments)
BioWare's looking for people to be in their games today and tomorrow:
Where: West Edmonton Mall Phase 1 - Near Sport Chek
When: Friday Feb 4, 4:00pm - 8:00 pm & Saturday Feb 5, 10:00am - 5:00pm
If having your face in a BioWare game isn't incentive enough, you will be paid a small fee. Head here for more info.
28 Days Later Screenwriter Pens Halo The Movie 10:19 am
- Andrew Burnes
- games: general news
(20 comments)
Variety is reporting that Microsoft recently completed a million dollar deal to secure the services of Alex Garland, 28 Days Later and The Beach writer, who is now in the process of penning a screenplay for Halo The Movie. Once the script is complete and signed off by Microsoft, it will be sold to a studio with ex-Columbia Pictures President Peter Schlessel keeping a close eye on the proceedings.
Mac Doom 3 At Apple's Austin Store 10:10 am
- Andrew Burnes
- games: action
(2 comments)
If you head on over to Apple's Austin store on Monday you can check out Doom 3 on one of those odd white computers:
Aspyr Media, Inc. will be showcasing id Software's critically acclaimed blockbuster hit, DOOM 3, Friday, February 18th at 7p.m. at the monthly Aspyr game night at Austin's Apple store.
The Apple Store at Barton Creek Mall hosts this free community event each month to demonstrate the quality of Mac gaming with the latest Macintosh games and the newest Macintosh equipment. Aspyr representatives Andrew Brazell and Glenda Adams will give a short demonstration.
Capcom Announcements 09:29 am
- Andrew Burnes
- consoles: general news
(4 comments)
Capcom held their press gig in Vegas today, with several new titles being announced:
Without Warning - PS2 & Xbox
Capcom today announced a global publishing agreement with UK developer CiRCLE Studio, a development house founded by the creators of the world renowned Tomb Raider series. Capcom will publish the studio's first title, Without Warning, for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox video game system from Microsoft.
Without Warning is a highly charged action shooter set against the backdrop of a brutal terrorist siege of a U.S. based chemical plant. The story takes place over a 12 hour period, during which players will experience the events from the vantage point of six characters that are caught up in the crisis situation.
Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance - PS2 & Xbox
Set in the seedy underbelly of Las Sombras, players are immersed in an urban setting ruled by a criminal
underworld of power, greed and corruption. This intense, urban action game features a twisting storyline
filled with betrayal, warring cartels and hard-hitting battles. Players must use their wits and depend on their
fists above all else, as they seek vengeance against their enemies.
Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance includes multiple modes, diverse gameplay and an open format that offers players a high level of freedom.
Darkstalkers Chronicle: The Chaos Tower - PSP
This hard hitting fighting game summons the return of Capcom's greatest monster warriors to once again battle for control of the night. This fierce brawler not only encompasses all 18 menacing characters from the five critically acclaimed instalments of the franchise, it is also remastered to include additional content with Wi-Fi functionality. Darkstalkers Chronicle: The Chaos Tower will redefine hand held 2D fighting by delivering the quintessential arcade game to PSP handheld system owners. Darkstalkers Chronicle: The Chaos Tower is set for release throughout PAL territories with the launch of the PSP handheld.
Megaman Battle Network 5 - GameBoy Advance
The handheld cyber battle resumes as Capcom today announced plans to release Megaman Battle Network 5 in two versions - Team Protoman and Team Colonel for the Game Boy Advance video game system.
Free the internet once and for all from the cyber menaces that await Megaman, his pal Lan and friends as players experience the most exciting 'Battle Network' adventure yet. Building on the prior Megaman Battle Network games, the Protoman and Colonel versions will be distinctly enhanced with different enemies, characters, souls and battle chips. Megaman Battle Network 5 Team Protoman and Megaman Battle Network 5 Team Colonel are scheduled to be released across PAL territories this summer.
Full details of each title can be read in the comments, with screenshots available via our linked game names.
Bond Heads To Casino Royale 07:36 am
- Andrew Burnes
- games: general news
(3 comments)
CNN & The Hollywood Reporter today reveal that the next Bond film will be based around Ian Fleming's first 007 novel, Casino Royale.
Despite a new Bond yet being cast, you can be sure EA is already working on an all-platforms title to accompany the cinema release.
SWAT 4 Q&A; 07:29 am
- Andrew Burnes
- games: action
(0 comments)
10-David, the biggest SWAT fan site on the net grabbed an extensive interview with the head programmer of the forthcoming SWAT 4:
10-David: One of the more advanced features in SWAT 4 is its ballistics modeling, which includes the ability to shoot through certain types of walls. Does this sort of feature have an impact on gameplay, especially in the single player? Will suspects fire through closed doors or even walls?
A: Suspects will sometimes fire through closed doors in certain situations, such as when they've fled from you and barricaded themselves in a room, and they hear you approaching the door too loudly.
Bullets will not penetrate walls. This was something that we felt would actually be a detriment to the fun factor of the game because players would die for unknown reasons and would lose missions without any sense of what was going on.
Fallout 3 Q&A; 07:24 am
- Andrew Burnes
- games: role-playing
(2 comments)
Duck and Cover gabbed about Fallout 3 with Bethesda Executive Producer Todd Howard:
Q: Would you say you plan to work on Fallout 3 alongside Oblivion, or wait until Oblivion is nearly ready to ship before really getting into work on Fallout? I noticed you're looking to hire new people who preferably have experience with the Fallout series...
A: We stagger projects, so while one is in full production, another is in pre-production. They're very different modes of developing. Pre-production is a lot looser, trying ideas, doing concepts, and really getting a small version of the game up to try all the risky ideas and see what works and what doesn't. Pre-production is done with a smaller team. Once we have a good nugget of the game pinned down, we move a lot of staff on the game and start "production," where we are really churning out content. So you don't really want to throw lots of people on a project until that pre-production version is really tight, or you end up with a lot of people doing a lot of work that ultimately you may redo, which only frustrates everyone and lengthens the development time.
Metal Gear Acid Preview 07:21 am
- Andrew Burnes
- consoles: psp
(0 comments)
Also on Worthplaying is a look at the card-based Metal Gear Acid, one of the numerous North American PSP launch titles:
The graphics, voice acting, and sound are up to Konami's usual high standards, and the plotline's got the usual manically insane edge that I've grown to associate with the series. ("Snake, you must steal a bioweapon because two angry clowns have hijacked a plane. Let's talk about this and what it means for twenty minutes.") It's a much better-looking game than the PSOne Metal Gear Solid, with crisp polygon models and plenty of hand-drawn art.
When Snake starts a turn, he'll draw a random hand of cards from his current deck. You can select a deck between each level, as well as find new ones in the field or buy them with points earned by successfully completing a mission. Most cards serve a dual purpose, allowing you to attack an enemy or perform a special maneuver; alternatively, you can play the card to move Snake a set number of spaces across the field. You'll recognize a lot of the cards from the first two Metal Gear Solid games, such as the Genome Soldier.
Close Combat: First to Fight Preview 07:18 am
- Andrew Burnes
- games: action
(0 comments)
Worthplaying checked out the co-op mode in Take Two's Close Combat: First to Fight:
First to Fight's cooperative multiplayer mode was truly a lesson in patience and teamwork. The deathmatch play showed just how important tactics and precision were to survival. While first aid will give a bit of a boost, there's no timely health recharge to resurrect you. First to Fight draws on your ability to exercise a tactical advantage quickly and precisely, but it is still easy enough to get into the game as a novice.
European PSP Release May Be Delayed 01:27 am
- Andrew Burnes
- consoles: psp
(4 comments)
Reuters is reporting that the launch of Sony's PSP handheld may once again be delayed in Europe, despite no firm date ever being given:
Sony has fallen behind Nintendo from its launch as it began selling the PSP in Japan on Dec. 12, a week after Nintendo debuted its latest portable, Nintendo DS.
Sony plans to launch the PSP in the United States on March 24, whereas Nintendo has been selling its DS there since Dec. 2. The source said Sony still planned to ship 3 million PSPs by March 31, but it was not sure how the distribution of those units would change if the launch in Europe was delayed.
Star Wars Republic Commando Preview 12:32 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- games: action
(8 comments)
TeamXbox took the Xbox version of Star Wars Republic Commando for a hands-on spin:
The visuals of Republic Commando are a treat. Being this is only being released on the PC and Xbox, LucasArts wasn't inhibited by lesser hardware. The character models are very well done with each Delta having a unique look. Enemies obviously appear a bit more common because there are so many of them, but they also look fantastic. The Wookies are simply behemoths that make Chewie look like Benji. The HUD is laid out well and isn't restrictive despite the amount of info provided. The low-light visor mode is pretty sexy although you won't use it all that often. The high resolution texture work and fairly large levels provide a new take on the locales of the Star Wars universe.
Lesser hardware? Cough, Xbox. ;)In other SW: RC news, there's an interview about the game up at Filefront.
Unreal Champ 2 Demo in OXM 12:29 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- consoles: xbox
(11 comments)
Beyond Unreal has the poop that the Official Xbox Magazine will be sporting a Xbox Live enabled demo of Epic's Unreal Championship 2, which should be in newsstands at the end of this month.
Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory Q&A; 12:25 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- games: action
(0 comments)
Computer Games Magazine interviewed Ubisoft Producer Mathieu Ferland about Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory:
Computer Games - The multiplayer modes for Chaos Theory have been getting a ton of attention, especially the co-op features. How hard was it to develop co-op that truly meant cooperation between players, rather than just two people just shooting at the same target?
Mathieu Ferland - You mention cooperation rather than just shooting at the same thing, which is really the key to co-op. We wanted to create a new multiplayer mode that delivers a brand new experience, and I think we've succeeded quite well. With all of the special moves, and the level design (which includes areas that are inaccessible for just one player) it was plenty of work, but the results are fantastic. The coop experience is highly based on trust where partners need to rely on each other. They will need to execute new moves to reach otherwise unreachable areas in a map, such as synchronizing their actions to elude security. One player alone cannot complete a coop level and will need a partner he can count on at all times. One of the things that will be particularly interesting is the fact that with more tension and power, comes more dependency and trust... So the stealth gameplay is multiplied because even if you are well hidden, your partner might not be so lucky!
Hardware & Tech Nuggets 12:20 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- hardware: general news
(2 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...
(36 comments)
I checked out the beta of Empire Earth II a bit last night and it's pretty cool so far (if you never played EE, It's kind of like Age of Empire meets Command & Conquer). The highlight of series is that you can play in epochs ranging all the way back to the stone age up to the space age, so the replay value (or just sheer variety for that matter) is very high. Obviously, a tank would roll (literally) some dudes with spears, but that's one of the fun things about the game. There's nothing like sending out a flight of bombers against a city when they don't have any anti-air defense yet. Kind of reminds me of the US in the Middle East... After I get a hang of things a bit better (and build some sexy bases) I'll pop up some screen shots.
Today's question is: If you could pick any show on television to make a game out of, which would you choose and who would you get to develop it?
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