|
 |
Thursday , July 20, 2006 |
 |
|
 |
Rise of Legends $100,000 Showdown 07:38 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Real-Time Strategy
(1 comment)
Big Huge Games sends word of a Rise of Legends $100,000.00 tournament which gives some sweet incentives to play a little RoL multiplayer:
"Rise of Legends" players finally have their moment to shine and prove their rank. Beginning Sept. 15, 2006, gamers can square off against the world's best real-time strategy (RTS) players in the "Rise of the Ultimate Champion" tournament, sponsored by Intel, , ATI, and Logitech. With $100,000 on the line, when the dust settles, the Ultimate Champion will take the lion's share of $40,000. Equipment from supporting sponsors ATI and Logitech will also be randomly awarded throughout the tournament.
All gamers will compete on the latest installment of the award-winning RTS "Rise of Nations" franchise for Windows, the critically acclaimed "Rise of Legends."
Participants can play in one of three preliminary events that will take place beginning Sept. 15, Oct 13, and Nov. 17, 2006. Results from the first three events will be used to determine seeding for the Ultimate Championship, which kicks off Jan. 12, 2007. The top eight will win a trip to the finals where they will battle it out for the title of Ultimate Champion! For a complete set of rules and more information on "Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends," please visit http://www.bighugegames.com/100k/.
I just ran the in-game auto-updater and grabbed a new patch as well. Not sure WTF it does as I couldn't find any notes, but it's there if you want to grab it.
[H]ardOCP vs Firing Squad: Benchmarking Battle 05:26 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- hardware: Intel
(14 comments)
It might not be as much fun as watching two hot girls tear each others tops off in a chic fight, but it's close. [H]ard|OCP called out Firing Squad for how they benchmark:
We have jokingly referred to the Firing Squad as the "Firing Squid" for years now. You know, the website that will post pages and pages of canned benchmarks without any analysis at all? Here is an example of them going on for 7 pages without any interpretation for the readers. They do however follow up with a 6 sentence conclusion and an award. Wow, more pages of canned benchmarks than conclusion sentences? No wonder they are threatened by HardOCP showing you what actually happens during real gameplay and describing our experience to you.
This is how Firing Squad replies:
This silliness though that [H]ardOCP is somehow doing something dramatically different than other sites simply isn't true and it needs to stop. Clearly they haven't reinvented the wheel when it comes to benchmarking.
To claim that what they're doing is "real-world" testing and that what other sites is doing is "total BS", "misleading", and "worthless" is unfair to all other websites with Core 2 reviews. Especially in light of how narrow the scope of their "real-world" testing was, only 3 CPUs were tested, and multi-GPU performance was never touched.
If this is what hardware journalism has resorted to, we want no part of it.
What site do you think has the best benchmarks?
Age of Titans: Brian Sullivan Q&A; 05:07 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Action / Roleplaying
(1 comment)
Gamasutra interviewed Iron Lore's main man Brian Sullivan who as you might've guessed, chats about its recently released hack-n-slash flavored RPG, Titan Quest: As for making a name for themselves in the market, Sullivan feels that some of the biggest competition comes from MMOs, not because they are competitors in the genre, but because people simply enjoy playing them so much.
"For retail PC games, I think the biggest problem is World of Warcraft," Sullivan said. "It is such a compelling MMO game that it sucks up a lot of money and time that would normally be spent on other retail PC games."
I think the real problem was that Titan Quest shipped nearly unplayable for a lot of folks. Plus also there's a lack of any secure multiplayer server setup (aka, too many cheaters). If they had better quality assurance and invested a little cash into a closed server system, the game would appeal to people who would normally be playing on Battle.net (or even Arena.net). I don't think it's too late, they just little to address those problems -quickly- and advertise a little. It's not like we're knee-deep in new releases atm.
Thanks TQ Vault.
Prey Dedicated Windows Server 05:03 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Action
(1 comment)
Finding a good Prey multiplayer server may have just gotten easier as 3D Realms has released the Windows dedicated server package which allows owners of the game to run their very own dedicated multiplayer server. They recently released a Linux dedicated server as well.
LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy Dev Diary & Screenshots 01:50 pm
- Andrew Burnes
- Games: Action
(4 comments)
LucasArts sent over the following LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy development diary:
Episode V: Your Favorite Moments, LEGO Style!
With less than two months to go until the release of LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy on September 12, the teams at LucasArts, TT Games and developer Traveller's Tales are continuing to offer insight regarding the development of this tongue-in-cheek romp through the Star Wars galaxy. Now that the Episode V The Empire Strikes Back portion of the game with its six unique movie-based levels is nearly complete, what scenes did they most enjoy giving fans the chance to build and battle their ways through?
"The Battle of Hoth is a huge blast of spectacle and action to kick-start the movie, and it was an absolute joy to bring this vast battle to life in LEGO," says Jonathan Smith, director at TT Games Publishing. "The AT-ATs had a massive impact on me when I first saw the film as a child, and their existing LEGO toy models - as well as the AT-STs and of course the snowspeeder - are just so cool. We had a lot of fun creating a Hoth battlefield for two players to zoom around on simultaneously, and we're really proud of the storytelling sequences too."
David Perkinson, producer at LucasArts, is particularly amused by the cutscene accompanying his favorite moment from the film. "You want to know how they handle Darth Vader saying 'I am your father' to Luke with LEGO characters that don't talk, don't you?" he teases. "Well, I'm not going to ruin anything for you. But trust me, it'll have you laughing out loud."
"Of course, there's something to be said for the gameplay actually leading up to that cutscene," adds Jeffrey Gullett, assistant producer at LucasArts. "From the carbon freezing chamber to the central chasm within the bowels of Cloud City, the lightsaber battle itself between Vader and Luke will always be a classic. You've possibly played this classic scene in a past Star Wars game, but Traveller's Tales has absolutely nailed it - and with the added bonus of a few healthy chuckles along the way."
But that's not the only thing Gullett enjoys while visiting Cloud City. "Lando is my favorite character in the game to play as, without a doubt," he says. "With his unique melee attack, you can bust out some mad kung-fu skills with him as you take out stormtroopers en route to a boss fight with Boba Fett. Everyone also laughs when they see how he tilts his blaster to the side as he shoots. Someone at Traveller's Tales has a lot of love for Lando!"
"We all love him and all of the other characters in the game," assures William Thompson, character artist at Traveller's Tales. "And we love developing the classic scenarios into LEGO form just as much. In one way, you feel like you're making a tribute to the amazing characters and sequences that thrilled you so much as a child. In another, you also just have so much fun sticking in the slapstick gags and adding all those little important details that you hope fans will notice - things like making R2-D2's periscope on Dagobah an essential gameplay element during your time on Yoda's swamp planet. This particular example serves the double purpose of both making you laugh and helping you get through the level."
Through working on Dagobah for LEGO Star Wars II, Smith came to appreciate the swamp planet even more than before. "Until we really got into our research, we didn't realize how much LEGO there is littered across the swamps of Dagobah," recalls Smith. "The area around Yoda's house is full of junk to fool around with! Now, when we watch the movie, we almost expect to see a LEGO washing machine or a LEGO tractor half-submerged beside Luke's X-wing!"
(Click to Enlarge!)
Sony Online Entertainment Licenses Unreal Engine 3 01:22 pm
- Andrew Burnes
- Games: General News
(4 comments)
A brief SOE press release reveals that the company has licensed Epic's Unreal Engine 3 for use in several titles, including the as-of-yet-unnamed DC Comics MMOG:
Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE), a global leader in the online games industry, today announced a licensing agreement with Epic Games to use their Unreal Engine 3 technology for the development of content for some next-generation console and PC-based games. SOE will utilize this technology for a number of future projects, including the DC Comics-based game currently under development at SOE-Austin.
"Our development teams are very excited about harnessing the power of Unreal Engine 3," said John Smedley, president of Sony Online Entertainment. "The combination of a top-notch graphics engine and a robust set of design tools will enable our teams to deliver incredible and innovative game content for next-generation consoles and the PC."
This agreement allows Epic Games to include another impressive name to an already extraordinary list of licensing partners.
"Sony Online Entertainment has a reputation for delivering detailed, truly engaging, interactive online worlds," said Mark Rein, Vice President, Epic Games, Inc. "It is a great privilege for us that they're using Unreal Engine 3 to help create their next generation projects."
Yeah, not so sure about that Mark…
Free Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45 Booster Pack Next Week! 11:54 am
- Andrew Burnes
- Games: Action
(1 comment)
Tripwire may have borrowed EA's naming scheme for a content update, but unlike EA their content update is free:
Tripwire is happy to announce our next free update for Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45, due out next Thursday, July 27th, to be downloaded automatically off Steam. This is the next in our planned series of free content updates for the game. A quick summary of the new content:
- Brand new map - "Lyes Krovy". This is a brutal close-quarters fight for a German trench-and-bunker position in a forest in northern Russia, in the summer of 1944. The Soviet forces get to assault into and through a strongly-fortified position, while the Germans fight hard to hold them off. This one has rapidly become a firm favourite with the test team!
- Brand new weapon system - smoke grenades. We've teased about this one on the forums... on some maps, infantry commanders will now have smoke instead of explosive grenades, which can be used to create quick cover for assault routes, or to momentarily blind the defenders. We're finding that clever use of smoke can change tactical stalemates at a stroke!
- Tank reloading: we've listened to the requests and we have changed the tank reloading so that you now choose the next round to load, without having to unload first. Quicker, more realistic, more intuitive.
- Victory conditions changed so round can no longer end in stalemate "No Decisive Victory" situations.
- Multiple fixes, including a fix from Creative Labs for choppy VOIP with EAX, no more players "bouncing" off prone players and no more "telefragging" when players change stance.
Check out this thread for screenshots and a more in-depth list of additions and changes included with the content release.
Test Drive Unlimited's Going For A Song 07:33 am
- Andrew Burnes
- Consoles: Xbox 360
(12 comments)
Holy cripes Batman, Atari's going to sell Test Drive Unlimited for just $39.95, a rather odd move seeing how they're near broke:
Atari, Inc., one of the world's most recognized brands and a leading third-party video game publisher, today announced official pricing for its upcoming, highly- anticipated next-generation racing game, Test Drive Unlimited. Atari will offer Test Drive Unlimited for Xbox 360TM video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for US$39.95. To further extend consumers' gaming experiences, Test Drive Unlimited car packs featuring six or more cars, complete with genre-specific radio stations, will be available for download monthly, beginning six weeks after launch on Xbox Live Marketplace.
"Innovation should be available to everyone, not a privilege for those can afford high price tags," said Bruno Bonnell, Chairman, CEO and Chief Creative Officer of Atari. "Our GamersFirst program demonstrated the positive impact of flexibility in pricing. We believe it is our mission to deliver triple-A games that are accessible to the masses. As such, we are offering Test Drive Unlimited - a game that is being positively touted and recognized by the media - for $39.95, and furthermore, will continue users' experiences past launch by featuring new cars and free music for download."
Test Drive Unlimited's monthly car packs will feature a mixture of manufacturers and models of the world's finest vehicles. Each downloaded car pack will also include a free radio station. Radio stations will be set according to genres, such as Rock, Blues, Electronic, R&B;, Jazz, Latin, etc., and feature between 10-20 songs.
Hardware & Tech Nuggets 12:37 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- hardware: General News
(4 comments)
RPG Vault Goodness 12:36 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Role-Playing
(0 comments)
Horizons: Empire of Istaria Peek #8
A new point of view from Tulga's design team as we continue our in-depth examination of Peter S. Beagle's quest - Includes six exclusive screenshots
Game Reviews 12:23 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: General News
(0 comments)
In Other News... 12:00 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- In-House: In Other News...
(25 comments)
Team Fortress Incredible looked pretty sweet. Okay, Team Fortress 2, but I think Team Fortress Incredible would've been a much cooler name. I wasn't sure what to make out of this when it was first announced last week (the confusing previews didn't help much) but actually seeing the movie myself gives me a lot more confidence in what they're trying to do.
Portal also looks like a lot of fun. It mixes that old school nerdy scientist vibe Half-Life used to have with, well; portals in Prey. But these are portals you can open on your own, which gives them an entirely new dimension. Obviously, I think there will be limits using them (or you'd just portal yourself off the map into limbo), but I can still think of a lot of neat things to do assuming there's an actual game in there.
Today's question:
Which Valve doodad impressed you the most? Team Fortress Incredible 2 or Portal?
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, July 19, 2006 |
|
|
|
Dark Messiah Multiplayer Previews 07:50 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Action / Roleplaying
(3 comments)
PC.IGN, Gamespot and Gamespy wrangled up looks at the multiplayer featured in Dark Messiah of Might & Magic. Here's a slice from the IGN write-up which includes some cool pictures of the maps:
It's the see-saw battle between maps that makes the Crusade mode especially interesting. This type of multiplayer mechanic is one that's been starting to show it's head a bit more. Basically any time one side wins a match, the next game will take place on a map closer to the loser's stronghold. Should the opposite team win in the next match, the campaign with move back to the original map in the middle of the territory once again. The eventual goal of each side is to win enough consecutive matches to eventually attack and destroy the enemy stronghold on their home map.
Andy's been playing this too and really digs it. It's nice to see a game like this come with compelling multiplayer (as everyone already expects the single player stuff).
Pirates of the Burning Sea Q&A; 07:43 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: MMOG
(0 comments)
The swabbies at Firing Squad interviewed Flying Labs about its upcoming buccaneer themed massively multiplayer game, Pirates of the Burning Sea: FiringSquad: How hard has it been to make an MMORPG that has such a different setting and gameplay than your normal fantasy themed game?
John Tynes: Very hard. In the field of tabletop RPGs, there's long been a phenomenon where people who were fed up with the rules of Dungeons & Dragons would make their own homebrew game systems, to "fix" the problems of D&D;, and then publish them. This made for dozens of copycat fantasy games, each of which was just yet another reinvention of the wheel. Why? It's far easier to start with something you know and alter it than it is to create something new from scratch.
It's been the same thing in MMORPGs. Actual innovation is rare. People have been "fixing" the likes of Ultima Online and Everquest since the day they shipped and in general, it's a lot easier to start by designing a game that is based on one you know intimately. We see this in other areas such as the first-person shooter or the real-time strategy game. I saw this at E3 and really loved the visuals. The water was like, 10x better than even Age of Empires 3. Which makes sense, as you'll sailing most of the time (cough).
Star Wars Empire at War v1.05 06:09 pm
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Real-Time Strategy
(5 comments)
Petroglytph released the v1.05 update for Star Wars Empire at War. Snag it from: Looks like it's mostly gameplay tweaks, but it also fixes a saved game problem as well. The patch weighs in at 22 megs.
Team Fortress 2 Trailer Now Available! 08:59 am
- Andrew Burnes
- Games: Action
(40 comments)
Now available is the promised Team Fortress 2 trailer featuring one minute of footage that shows off the new locales and graphics of the game, which are mighty impressive, and also introduces the re-designed characters you'll be utilising later this year upon the game's launch. Download from:
Cartoon Network Developing MMOG 08:56 am
- Andrew Burnes
- MMOG: General News
(5 comments)
A Business Wire story reveals that the Cartoon Network is working with Korean developer Grigon Entertainment to create a massively multiplayer online game:
The Cartoon Network MMOG will launch in spring 2008 and target the growing and sophisticated kids' interactive gaming market. The game will be free to download, with subscription and micro-transactions available to players to enhance the gaming experience. New areas for exploration and play are planned and will be added regularly over a span of several years. The game brings Cartoon Network's beloved characters and sensibility to the fast-growing online gaming realm with an "East-meets-West" creative approach. Grigon Entertainment is best known for successfully developing and launching several online games in Asia, including Seal Online, a light-hearted role-playing game (RPG) that took the online gaming world by surprise. Localized versions are available in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China, Indonesia and Thailand.
"Cartoon Network is an immersive experience for our fans, and this MMOG will allow our fans to interact with their favorite characters like never before. Not only will kids be able to play with their favorite characters like Mac and Bloo, Ben 10 and the Kids Next Door, but they will also be able to develop their own online gaming personalities and interact, virtually, with other players in a safe way," said Jim Samples, Cartoon Network executive vice president and general manager. "This MMOG is a key part of Cartoon Network's growth strategy, and is an important complement to our mobile, broadband and existing online business. With the MMOG, mobile content, our Web sites and, of course, our linear network, Cartoon Network is always on for kids."
"Online games have been the most important driver of Cartoon Network New Media's success over the last few years. With more than 84 million U.S. homes expected to have broadband Internet access by 2008, and Cartoon Network's reach and creative vision, we're excited to enter the fast-growing world of massively multiplayer online gaming," said Paul Condolora, senior vice president and general manager, Cartoon Network New Media. "In Grigon Entertainment, we have found a partner who understands how to build a successful MMOG for the casual marketplace. With our characters and creative direction, along with Grigon's experience and technical know-how, we think Cartoon Network's MMOG will have great success and longevity."
Faces of War Demo 08:50 am
- Andrew Burnes
- Games: Real-Time Strategy
(2 comments)
Out now to download is the Faces of War demo. What is Faces of War? I'll let this conveniently placed blockquote tell you:
Faces of War goes where few RTS games have gone before, offering you the ability to direct an intelligent squad of soldiers through destructible WWII battlegrounds, or take the fight into your own hands with unique 3rd person action.
Experience WWII from different perspectives as you control American, English, Russian and German troops in world-renowned battles. Manage your troop's progress against advanced AI enemies using an arsenal of authentic weapons.
- Manage the War or Fight it Yourself - Play from the traditional point-n-click RTS view, or immerse yourself directly into the battle in a close-proximity 3rd person view as you take control of a single soldier for intense, one-on-one action.
- Complex AI System - Enter the battlefield equipped with a squad of six intelligent soldiers that think and react on their own as the war rages on, while squad morale is affected by in-game events.
- Destructible Environments - Maneuver in and out of war torn buildings as you lead your squad into interactive WWII battlegrounds.
- Superior Multiplayer Experience - Gameplay includes eight multiplayer modes, up to sixteen players over a network (LAN/Internet) and four-player co-op play.
- Authentic WWII Warfare - Command American, English, Soviet and German troops during world-renowned battles that include the Battle of Bulge, D-Day and the Battle of Berlin.
- Manage Your Squad - As the battles progress, locate and furnish individual soldiers with specific weapons and equipment to achieve a tactical advantage over your enemy.
- Tactical Planning - Advanced AI reactions and real-time physics guarantee that no mission will be fought the same way, making tactical planning of great importance.
- Weapons and Equipment - Features 36 weapons including pistols, rifles, submachine guns, mini-guns and flamethrowers, along with more than ten grenade types and anti-tank mines.
If the info above tickled your taste buds for some World War II strategy gaming then download the 334MB demo from…
Dungeon Siege II: Broken World Goes Gold 08:11 am
- Andrew Burnes
- Games: Role-Playing
(2 comments)
2KG announces that Gas Powered Games' expansion pack has gone gold:
2K Games, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., and Gas Powered Games, the renowned video game developer, today announced that Dungeon Siege II: Broken World for PC has gone gold and is off to manufacturing. The game will ship to North American retail stores on August 1st.
Dungeon Siege II: Broken World picks up right where Dungeon Siege II left off with an all new campaign that concludes the story and adds two new character classes, terrifying beasts and monsters, and a newly refined tactical battle sytem. Dungeon Siege II: Broken World will require the full version of Dungeon Siege II to play.
Hellgate: London Screenshots 06:35 am
- Andrew Burnes
- Games: Action / Roleplaying
(3 comments)
Five new and rather large Hellgate: London screenshots:
(Click to Enlarge!)
Clive Barker's Jericho Screenshots 02:05 am
- Andrew Burnes
- Games: Action
(22 comments)
The very first screenshots of Codemasters' Jericho:
Codemasters, the developer and publisher of critically acclaimed video games, has signed a new supernatural horror concept and story devised by the master mythmaker, novelist and filmmaker Clive Barker.
The deal will see Codemasters work with Barker to realize his concept as an original paranormal/horror gaming experience. The alliance is a further significant move for Codemasters as it expands its portfolio and collaborations with major entertainment owners and creative talent. Titled 'Clive Barker's Jericho', the game will launch exclusively for next-generation console platforms and PC, late in 2007.
Clive Barker's Jericho is being designed as an action horror title that will up the stakes in visuals and phantasmagorical special effects. Mingling the darkest elements of Barker's horror fiction and films with an ambitious, age-spanning story, the title will be aimed at mature gamers, fans of Clive Barker and horror fiction enthusiasts.
Says Clive Barker, "It's incredible when a company as admired as Codemasters embraces your vision the way they have embraced Jericho. This project is very close to my heart and I don't believe there's ever been anything like it. It promises to be the most spectacular, creative, and unflinching realization of a Clive Barker nightmare that will drag players in kicking and screaming."
Clive Barker's Jericho deals with the mysterious reappearance of a lost city in a remote desert. When a form of evil that goes right back to the dawn of days resurfaces from there, a Special Forces squad, trained in both conventional warfare and the arcane arts, is sent in. Their mission: Hunt down and destroy the evil that lurks at the heart of the city before it destroys humanity.
"Players will constantly be given new challenges, new environments, and yes, new horrors and abominations to face every step of the way," continues Barker. "However, unlike a conventional game in which the characters are attempting to escape at the end of their ride through Hell, our protagonists have a much more difficult task. The closer they come to the end of their trek into darkness, the nearer they get to the source of that darkness: Evil Incarnate, we'll call it for now…"
Says Barry Jafrato, Codemasters' Senior VP of Brand on signing the deal with Barker:
"Clive's astounding skills in creating the darkest of fantastical scenarios that twist our dreams makes him the perfect creator for a rich horror video game. The visual and audio capabilities of the next-generation gaming formats will enable this project to be realised as an incredible experience with scenarios and cinematographic effects that will both thrill and terrify."
Clive Barker's Jericho is now in development for next generation consoles and PC and is schedule to launch late in 2007.
(Click to Enlarge!)
Dark Messiah of Might and Magic Screenshots 01:57 am
- Andrew Burnes
- Games: Action
(5 comments)
Seven multiplayer screenshots for your viewing pleasure:
(Click to Enlarge!)
Further Dark Messiah info here.
Hardware & Tech Nuggets 12:50 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- hardware: General News
(0 comments)
RPG Vault Goodness 12:46 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: Role-Playing
(0 comments)
Darkfall Peek #26
Aventurine offers a glimpse into the kind of play those who focus on trading in the world of Agon can anticipate - Includes five exclusive screenshots
Horizons: Empire of Istaria Peek #7
Tulga Games' Heather Rothwell tells us about working with Peter S. Beagle to help implement his quest in the world - Includes six exclusive screenshots
Game Reviews 12:32 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- Games: General News
(0 comments)
In Other News... 12:30 am
- Robert 'Apache' Howarth
- In-House: In Other News...
(23 comments)
With expectations set to low, I headed out to the theater last night to finally see "Superman Returns". Despite its relatively lukewarm critical reception, I ended up enjoying the movie quite a bit. My first reaction was, 'everyone looks too young', but Brandon Routh turned in a performance worthy of a 6 ft 4 Tom Cruise. I'll give it a steady thumbs up. Or 3/4 stars, whichever you prefer.
The TV repair guy came to the homestead yesterday to check out my ailing set. Sun stroke appears to be the cultprit, as after he took the case off and pointed a fan in the direction of a trio of overly hot circuit boards, the television stayed on. Returning the case and removing the air flow resulted in a system shutdown. The set isn't really "broken", it just isn't fit for Arizona Summer viewing. Perhaps in three months I'll start watching TV again on it...
Today's question is from KevlarGorilla, who asks:
Which FPS has the best level design/flow/progression from a gameplay perspective?
P.S. - The Team Fortress 2 movie comes out this morning at 11 AM PST.
|
|
|
|
|
