Top 10 upcoming DirectX 11 games

October 27th, 2009 26 Comments   Posted in Action, Adventure, FPS, Industry, PC, Shooter, Software

Digg this article!

Windows 7 is out, and with it is the latest version with DirectX — DirectX 11. The new graphics API is an evolution from DirectX 10, but it doesn’t only include more features, it’s faster than the previous version (unlike the DX9 to DX10 transition). Among the new features is Tessellation, which increases the amount of visible polygons, and multi-threaded rendering, which takes advantage of multicore CPUs a lot better than previous DX versions.

While only ATI’s 5000 series of graphics cards support DX11, Nvidia will join the club later this year, when new games which support the standard will emerge as well. We’ve picked top 10 games that are confirmed to include DirectX 11 support when released.

10: Battleforge (EA Games, out now)

Battleforge is the only game that’s currently available that supports DirectX 11. While it’s a card-based RTS with out much action to fully shocase the new visual features, the game was patched with DX 11 goodies, which provided smoother gameplay and better visuals. While it’s still not a Crysis-caliber game, it’s officially the first game to support the new API.

9: The Lord of The Rings Online (January 2010)

While LOTR: Online was released a few years ago, the game has received visual overhauls over the years, and it’s no different with DX 11 — the upcoming LOTR: Online patch will include DX 11 features, and will be developed in cooperation with AMD.

8: DIRT 2 (Codemasters, December 2009)

DIRT 2 was released on the Xbox 360 and PS3 a few months ago, but the PC version was delayed until December so Codemasters could implement DirectX 11 features into the game, with an added investment into the game by AMD (makers of the only DX11 available graphics cards on the market). And it appears the wait will be worth it for PC gamers, as DIRT 2 for PC will support tessellation, delivering more fluid crowd, particle and water animations.

7: F1 2010 (March 2010)

Codemasters not only have a rally game with DX11 support, the developer/publisher is also working on a new F1 racing game, which will used an enhanced version of the DIRT 2 engine, and will include even more DX11 features. Look for F1 2010 when the new F1 season starts next March.
More »

20 games to look forward to in 2010

October 16th, 2009 107 Comments   Posted in Action, Adventure, Driving, FPS, RPG, Racing, Shooter, Sports, Strategy

Digg this article!

While 2009 is drawing to an end, and with all the great AAA titles only weeks away, keep in mind that 2010 is going to see more top-notch titles released than the last few years. Here are 20 games that should/will make an impact next year, and while a lot more games are coming out, we obviously couldn’t include them all — our list grew from ten games to twenty games simply because even we were surprised how many title are lined up for 2010. Here’s our 20 games for 2010, in no particular order.

Postal 3 (PC, Xbox 360, PS3, Running With Scissors, Q2, 2010)

The original Postal was both hailed and damned for its controversial content, and the sequel, Postal 2 only made it better (or worse, if you’re a politician looking for some media attention). Postal 3 will expand on the sandbox style gameplay, and will even feature director Uwe Boll (who made the 2008 Postal movie) in a cameo role.

APB (PC, Xbox 360, March 2010)

After developing Crackdown for the Xbox 360, which has since become a cult classic on the console, Realtime Worlds shifted all their manpower to APB (All Points Bulletin), a revolutionary MMO set in a huge city where players battle each other as either law enforcement agents, or criminals. A kind of GTA online, as creator David Jones (the man behind GTA) is noted saying APB is “the bastard child of everything we’ve been striving towards over the 15-20 years”.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360, March 2, 2010)

Battlefield: Bad Company almost managed to perfect something no other FPS had done before: creating a fully destructible battlefield, where walls would no longer provide infinite cover — one tank shell and you better be looking to hide somewhere else. Coupled with a single player campaign and a solid multiplayer, Bad Company has been one of the most played FPS on the Xbox 360 and PS3. Bad Company 2 will bring “destruction 2.0″, taking destruction to a whole new level, this time, entire buildings and towns can be leveled to the ground.

Heavy Rain (PS3, February 2010)

Heavy Rain has been highly anticipated ever since it was first showcased at E3 2006 for the PlayStation 3, the film-noir, thriller-styled game will feature an intertwined storyline, with four playable characters, all looking for a serial killed going under the name “The Origami Killer”.

Halo Reach (Xbox 360, Q4 2010)

The next chapter in the Halo series and Master Chief’s battle against the Covenant was unveiled at E3 2009, without any further details other than the game would be the last Halo game to be developed by Bungie. Owners of Halo 3: ODST will have a chance to check out the game’s multiplayer beta in the middle of 2010, by then we should have more details on Reach.

Red Steel 2 (Wii, February 16, 2010)

The original Red Steel was the very first Wii game that was revealed, and rode a wave of anticipation until its release — as a Wii launch title — where it showed a flawed control scheme, dated visuals and uninspiring gameplay. Red Steel 2 is said to correct all those issues, and will require (and be bundled with) the Wii Motion Plus accessory, giving it a true 1:1 control input, paving the way for some great sword fights. We sure hope so.

Crysis 2 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Q4 2010)

The original Crysis is still bringing even the most powerful PCs to their knees, and is still hailed as the best looking game available, at least if a tropical island is what you crave. Crysis 2 continues the story where the original left off, and will use the new CryEngine 3, creating an even more immersive world. There aren’t many details of the game yet, but one thing is for sure: start saving for a new PC rig.
More »

Crysis 2 on consoles had to be done

June 11th, 2009 1 Comment   Posted in Business, Console, FPS, PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Crysis was known for its great graphics capable of melting pretty much any rig you threw at it but Crytek failing to release the game on consoles evidentally wasn’t a very smart move as they were missing out on a huge chunk of change.

Well, it looks like the company has woken up as Crytek president and CEO Cevat Yerli was quoted to say the following:

“It’s a question of more than economics. At the end of the day we’re paying salaries and we all have to live, but that’s one side of this job. But most importantly and a bit more tangible to us are the families, the nephews, and sons who ask, ‘Why aren’t you going to consoles?’”

So not only did they need to do it for the money, but they were doing it to make those poor Crysis deprived children happy. You get em’ Crytek!

Read (Kotaku)

Crysis 2 graphics will be similar for PS3 and 360, better on PC

June 4th, 2009 1 Comment   Posted in FPS, PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

With the recent announcement that Crysis 2 will be going multiplatform, one can’t help but question how the game will perform graphically. Crytek CEO Cevat Yerli mentioned to Develop that the game will push the console’s limit, but gamers will not see a noticeable difference between the two.

As for the PC version, “…will outscale and outperform the consoles,” Yerli said. “Between each console I believe the experience will be finally both next-generation, but similar experience.”

“Our mindset, goal and approach was to look at deliver the best FPS when we ship, not just for a specific platform,” he said. “So that approach won’t be different, just this time the challenge is not only to lead, but to make sure that our leading FPS is accessible and enjoyable by the widest possible audience possible.”

Read (The Escapist)

Crysis 2 Going Multiplatform

First person shooter Crysis was hailed by many PC gamers as the proof that consoles were outdated relics. They claimed that no console had the sheer processing power to handle the graphics-heavy title. Unfortunately for PC owners the sequel will be released for the PS3, Xbox 360 and of course the PC. Unfortunately for the studio the title was one of the most heavily pirated titles of last year, leading to less profits than they’d hoped for.

Crytek is developing the sequel, Crysis 2 for multiple platforms and have entered into an arrangement with EA to publish it. Both companies are excited, with Crytek being stoked about their first console title and the continuation of the Crysis franchise and EA exchanging high fives and chest bumps about pulling a quality studio like Crytek into what could likely be an ongoing business relationship.