StarCraft 2 Not This Year
May 31, 2007
Blizzard game designer Rob Pardo has confirmed that StarCraft II will not be released this year. “The only thing I can give you [that’s] concrete is it’s not going to be this year,” he told MSNBC. “Some people were hoping, because of how advanced the game looks, that we’d have it out by Christmas, but that’s definitely not happening.”
Apparently, the company uses a different design philosophy than other game designers: “Different companies have different philosophies on how long they spend on products,” he said. “We’re able to do that because we have smaller teams and we give ourselves time to iterate through the product…You see a lot of companies that are so focused on the release date that they put 100-person, 200-person teams together to hit that date, and at that point you’re really the runaway train. You have to hit that date and live with decisions that you might not have been 100 percent happy with. We take the opposite approach.”
So, it’s going to be released “once it’s done”. There you have it.
Free Tracks for Dominator
May 31, 2007
EA offers you the chance to keep driving like a maniac in Burnout Dominator. The company has released two brand new tracks for the PSP version of the game, available free of charge and downloadable directly to the PSP.
First up is Carnival Point: “As the late afternoon sun shines overhead, drift around long mountainous bends, hurtle past the sandy beach and wreak havoc in the downtown traffic of a South American metropolis.”
Red Gate will be available on June 7: “Race and boost chain your way through the busy streets of an Eastern European city at night.”
The tracks can be downloaded directly through the game itself, or through the game’s official website.
Pre-orders Get Dirty
May 31, 2007
Those looking to get dirty can now do so as Codemasters has unveiled its pre-order program for DiRT’s June release. Those who pre-purchase the game through various retailers across North America will receive an exclusive access code that unlocks 10 cars in the game, as well as access to exclusive videos of off-road racing star Travis Pastana.
Cars included in the offer are the Subaru Impreza WRX-RA STI version II, Toyota Celica GT-FOUR, Peugot 205 T16, Lancia Delta S4, Icker Jimco buggy, McMillin Racing Car, Kamaz 4911, MAN TGA, Freightliner Century Class S/T and the Kenworth T2000.
DiRT will ship this June for PC and Xbox 360; a PS3 version will follow shortly thereafter.
Darkness Within Announced
May 31, 2007
Ever read anything by H.P. Lovecraft? If you’ve not, you should seriously check out his literary works. They are amazing.
With that out of the way, Lighthouse Interactive has announced Darkness Within: In Pursuit of Loath Nolder, an upcoming Lovecraft-inspired horror adventure game. Scheduled for release this Fall, the game explores the human psyche, immersing players in the world of nightmares, the occult and a frightening psychological world, according to the release.
“This is truly a game that will send shivers up your spine”, said Lighthouse Interactive’s Vice President, Steve Wall. “People love both a good mystery and suspenseful psychological thrillers. This is a great combination of both. Players are sure to turn the lights on while playing this game.”
Here’s the deal:
As police detective Howard E. Loreid, players are tasked to solve the murder of Clark Field, a wealthy man involved in the occult. At the top of your list of suspects is Loath Nolder, a highly respected private investigator who mysteriously abandoned his last case for reasons unknown. Rumor had it that he ventured to several exotic places around the world. It remains a great mystery as to why Loath Nolder disappeared so suddenly, resurfacing five years later and resuming his investigations just as abruptly as he had left them. Why does this venerated P.I. now sit on the other side of the law?This seemingly routine investigation takes a dramatic twist as strange and terrifying happenings begin to plague your psyche. You experience lucid horrifying dreams and are tormented by paranormal happenings. Why do days pass instead of hours when you sleep? What’s real and what’s not? As you pursue fugitive murder suspect Loath Nolder, you must face dire truths hidden deep within a haunting darkness and the recesses of your mind.
The game will feature a built-in hint system with 3 difficulty levels, an unique inventory system, dynamic puzzles, and “eerie” gameplay atmosphere, among other things.
Gans Helming Onimusha
May 31, 2007
T
hose who have seen the Silent Hill movie will either love or hate it… there’s no middle ground. With that in mind, IGN reports that Christophe Gans, the director behind the Silent Hill movie, will direct the film adaptation of Capcom’s Onimsha.
Budgeted at $70 million, the movie’s screenplay is by Leslie Kruger and John Collee (Master and Commander). Shooting is expected to begin in China next February, with the film being targeted for a December 2009 release.
“I have loved the Onimusha story for years and am overjoyed to have the opportunity now to bring it to life for worldwide film audiences and to access the unparalleled film resources of China to do so on the scale that the story demands,” Gans told ScreenDaily.
Producer Hadida added, “There is nothing else in the marketplace like Onimusha. It combines swashbuckling adventure, passion, and heroic destiny on an epic scale. … I have worked with Christophe on three successful productions and am confident that he brings the ideal vision to realize this incredible story.”
Onimusha is now being shopped around to prospective buyers, with several studios showing interest in the project.
King of Fighters Movie Coming
May 31, 2007
Well, at the very least it should be more logical than The Sims movie, right? Variety Asia reports that Double Edge Entertainment has picked up the movie rights to the King of Fighters series. According to the report, the movie will be directed by Hong Kong action helmer Gordon Chan.
The rest of the article talks about how BenQ and the Taiwan government are involved in the movie, alongside Hollywood movies such as Smother and The Heaven Project. The movie is also being backed by Japanese shingle Micott & Basara and sales agent Arclight/Easternlight as co-producers.
The movie has no release date yet and has no cast attached yet.
Drew Carrey to Play FIFA for Charity
May 31, 2007
Drew Carey, comedian and star of the upcoming CBS show The Power of 10, will play five players from both the US Men’s and Women’s National Teams in FIFA 07 on Xbox 360, and for every game he loses, he’s going to donate $10,000 to benefit the Mooch Myernick Memorial Fund. This event will occur at a VIP invitation-only at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, on June 5 from 7-10 pm. Here’s why they think he’s gonna give away the whole $50,000:
While Drew is clearly a FIFA Soccer 07 and Xbox 360 aficionado -he may have bitten off a little more than he can chew in this challenge, even if it is in the virtual soccer world. In Los Angeles Galaxy striker Landon Donovan, he faces the USA’s second all-time leading scorer, the all-time leader in assists and the two-time U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year. And it only gets worse. Four-time World Cup veteran Kasey Keller has set virtually every U.S. goalkeeping record there is for the men, including wins and shutouts. U.S. Women’s National Team striker Abby Wambach has scored a whopping 70 goals in 91 games for the United States. New England Revolution forward and 2005 Major League Soccer MVP Taylor Twellman is currently the leading scorer in MLS, already with seven goals in just nine games this year and 82 total in his career. And U.S. Women’s goalkeeper Hope Solo has been in the nets for most of the USA’s current 41-game unbeaten streak.
The event will also see the invitees getting the chance gift packs after each match, which includes signed jerseys from all the participating US soccer players, two EA Sports games, three nights’ accommodation at a Doubletree Hotel, and more. Fans will also get the chance to bid on an Xbox 360 Elite signed by Drew and the US Soccer participants, which will be on eBay starting June 6.
Unreal Tournament 3 Looks Better than Gears of War
May 31, 2007
It’s a pretty big claim these days to say your game will look better than Gears of War did, but one developer is claiming that, and rightfully so. Epic’s (Gears of War creator) upcoming Unreal Tournament 3 has seen some reworking to the Unreal Engine, which should make for an even better graphical experience. If the word of the developer was not enough, word of the title comes from a nice little six-page spread in the recent issue of the Xbox Official Magazine. They confirm that the title is indeed looking superior to Gears of War at this stage.
But the 6 pages alone didn’t just contain praise for the look; naturally the game will feature a single player and multiplayer endeavors, as well as two or four player co-op. The title will also include 18 vehicles, 5 turrets and a brand new hover board that lets you attach on to vehicles just like Marty McFly in back to the future (picture above). Apparently the title plays so well on the Xbox 360 that much of the team prefers to play the game on the console versus the PC. Definitely this is shaping up to be another big title. While Epic probably won’t steal the show this holiday season against Halo 3, they will definitely be one of the top tiered titles to look forward to.
Read (Team Xbox)
Gears of War Update to Include More Achievements
May 31, 2007
Strategy Informer, a site that is dedicated to strategy games as the title suggests, reports that Epic’s Mark Rein has revealed new information about an upcoming Gears of War update through the game’s forums. He said that new achievements relating to Annex and the Hidden Fronts will be included in the update, which does not have a release timeframe yet. However, they are making “significant” progress, and they plan on improving roadie run, as well as squash exploits and do other “general housekeeping”.
Final Fantasy IV Coming 2007?
May 31, 2007
A new trailer for the Final Fantasy 4 remake for the Nintendo DS, (which will be receiving the same treat number 3 did last year) has made its way out after the Square-Enix Party. The notable part, apart from the game shaping up to be another great re-make, falls at the end of the trailer which marks the game coming for 2007. That’s all fine and dandy until you consider the sizeable delay between regions. While it’s probably a sure bet Japan will be receiving the title, can they manage to sneak it out in English speaking regions before the holidays? That remains to be seen.
Need for Speed: ProStreet Announced
May 31, 2007
As promised, EA today officially announced the next chapter in the Need for Speed series. Dubbed NFS: ProStreet, this entry in the game “accelerates street racing culture” and will let gamers build the ultimate performance car, taking it to multi-disciplinary showdowns all over the world. Here’s more:
Need for Speed ProStreet boasts impeccable precision and impressively detailed photo-realistic graphics, effectively transporting you to the center of the action. It pushes the “Autosculpt™” technology to a new level, allowing you to directly impact your car’s performance for the first time as well as personalize its appearance. Need for Speed ProStreet is a true taste of raw adrenaline and racing with consequences. Every dent, every scratch and every crumpled body panel is a battle scar, proof of your commitment and competitive mettle. With an aggressive and skilled AI system, you become immersed in an unmatched believable race experience. Add in a revolutionary online mode that will redefine the meaning of competitive social play, and Need for Speed ProStreet is the ultimate formula for an emotionally charged street racing showdown.
The game will be available for the PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PC, PS2, PSP, DS and mobile this November. Screenshots, as well as a trailer, can be found on the game’s website.
Game Publishers Join New Copyright Group
May 31, 2007
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), representing video game publishers, has joined with 28 other organizations as part of the Copyright Alliance, a new non-profit group with the goal of “promoting the value of copyright as an agent for creativity, jobs and growth.”
Other members include the RIAA, MPAA, AAP, BMI, Microsoft, Viacom, Disney and Major League Baseball, just to name a few.
The formation of the group was welcomed by entertainment industry advocates in Congress, with House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Coyers sayig: “Strong copyright laws are essential to protect the livelihoods of millions of artists and inventors, but just as importantly, strong copyright is important to all Americans by driving creativity and innovation in our economy.”
The Copyright Alliance will be headed by former journalist and think tank senior fellow Patrick Ross.
7 Minutes of Bioshock
May 31, 2007
Lots of decent PC/360 games coming out this year, and Bioshock is near the top in anticipation. The game takes place in a realm we don’t often venture, and know very little about. Being completely underwater, and constantly having the knowledge that at any moment a wall of water could overtake you is a little eerie, and just the kind of feel the title is looking for. My personal favourite part of the montage is when the portion of a plan crashed into the walkway, making you quickly exit before it fills up completely.
Worms Live HD Gets Downloadable Content
May 30, 2007
Xbox Live Arcade’s Worms has received some additional items up for download. The content comes straight from Team 17, including new maps, sound packs and even gamer profile pictures. The best part is that some of the content is free. One of the three new locations as well as the sound pack can be downloaded free of charge, while the rest will run you 150 MS points each. Full list of content added after the jump.
Space Landscape
Take the Worms into Outer Space with this all new Landscape pack brought to you FREE OF CHARGE by Team17.
Cost: Free of Charge
Hell Landscape
The Worms enter the depths of Hell in this all new Landscape pack brought to you by Team17.
Cost: 150 Microsoft Points
Jungle Landscape
Take the Worms on an expedition deep into the Jungle in this all new Landscape Pack from Team17.
Cost: 150 Microsoft Points
Football Superstars Announced
May 30, 2007
CyberSports has announced Football Superstars, its massively multiplayer online sports game that promises to deliver a “unique football game experience.” The game is being created in collaboration with Nottingham based developer Monumental Games.
An online MMO game for the PC, Football SuperStars will allow players to meet within a utopian soccer-styled virtual world and take part in 3, 5, 7 and 11-a-side football matches. Players will take control of a single footballer and will interact on and off the pitch living the football superstar lifestyle whilst pursuing fame, glory and success, striving to join the best clubs, compete at the highest level and progress within the game through skill and sporting prowess. The player will exist in a persistent football-themed world and be able to join or form and manage their own teams and careers whilst engaging in various leagues, competitions, events and tournaments. “The MMO is the perfect platform for team sports games,” said Malcolm Clark, CEO of CyberSports. “This is the focus that has enabled us to bring authenticity and real competition to a football game for the first time, by playing against real people instead of AI. Participants pit their skills against those of others in an MMOG where everyone knows the rules. Breath-taking design, a brilliant team and world-class technology has produced a game with lasting appeal targeted at a huge global audience. We’re all big football fans here and it shows.”
Rik Alexander, CEO of Monumental Games, added “Football SuperStars will capture both the magic of the beautiful game on the pitch and also to bring football lifestyle elements like fame, fortune and glory to the table. Football already has great communities and fan bases and we’re hoping to capture that passion and bring it together in a virtual world where players can literally live, breathe and eat football.”
The official website for the game is up, offering further details on the game, as well as the chance to register for beta access, promising a free in-game item for those who get accepted.
Jackson Expects Halo Movie to Progress
May 30, 2007
Since the movie studios dropped out of the Halo movie project, things have been quiet. However, executive producer Peter Jackson has spoken recently on the project, saying that he and longtime co-writer Fran Walsh will not be involved in the project if Neill Blomkamp, the film’s only attached director, does not remain attached. “We wouldn’t want to do it with anybody else,” he said. “It’ll be Neill’s call.”
He also said that he expects the project to gain steam once Halo 3 is released later this year.
Call of Duty 4 OFFICIALLY Announced
May 30, 2007
Following up on my last post, Activision and Infinity Ward have now officially announced Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, which was basically revealed some time ago via a video trailer. However, the official announcement reveals some further details: the game will offer players various warzone experiences such as “fast-roping from Blackhawk helicopters”, being a “sniper, under concealment, in a Ghillie suit miles behind enemy lines” and “engaging hostiles from an AC-130 gunship thousands of feet above the battlefield.”
In the graphics department, the game will make use of depth of field, rim-lighting, character self-shadowing and texture streaming, among a list of technically impressive features.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare will be released for the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 this Fall.
Smash Bros. Brawl Website Updated
May 30, 2007
Lots of interesting things about the upcoming Smash Bros title have slowly slipped up. The pacing is decent, with about two major things from characters; levels, items or abilities released every day. Each post is loaded with a few screen shots as well, which makes this easily the most we’ve learned about the title in a long time. At the current pacing we’ve still got quite a few months before they’ve exhausted all of the possibilities.
Today’s update was a brand new feature to the game, called the Final Smash. The Final Smash is an item, which allows the character to use their big move. Mario for example releases waves of fire/energy, which hits every character on the field if properly positioned. His move is pictured here. The final smash will remain a rare item, something akin to the hammer seen in previous titles. It’s definitely something which will add a huge new dynamic to the title, but beyond that, doesn’t it look pretty?
Read (Smash Bros.com)
Gamer Shot While Trying to Block Robbers
May 30, 2007
With all the bad press games and gamers have been getting, thanks to Jack Thompson and his buddies, it is very hard to come across inspirational stories, or anything of that sort. However, one such story comes courtesy of The Sun, who reports of a brave gamer who was shot when trying to block two armed robbers.
Adam Mapleson, 24, was shot as he tried to help a security guard who was being held at gunpoint by two men whose faces were covered. He was shot at close range and was taken to the nearest hospital where his situation improved, though he is still in the high dependency unit.
According to his MySpace profile, he likes metal music and loves playing Counter-Strike, Oblivion and GTA: San Andreas, all violent games which would turn anyone into a sociopath, according to retards who I’d prefer not to name.
Free Half-Life 2 Titles for Radeon Owners
May 30, 2007
Effective immediately, ATI Radeon owners can download a free copy of Half-Life 2: Lost Coast and Half-Life 2: Deathmatch through Steam. The software will automatically detect the hardware on the user’s machine and offer access to the two titles.
Valve also disclosed that Steam will be included with the ATI Catalyst driver until early 2008 and that ATI Radeon HD 2900XT owners will receive Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Portal and Team Fortress 2 once they are released.
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