|
|
 |
Archived News:
The Fable: The Lost
Chapters Designer Diary on IGN features designer Dene Carter sharing
thoughts on the upcoming PC edition of Fable, though this all may be the
outgrowth of some chemical experiments. Also, a new
Imperial Glory Dev Diary
on IGN is authored by Álvaro Vázquez, designer on Pyro's upcoming strategy
game, as he discusses land combat, naval combat, the campaign, historic battles,
and multiplayer. Also, a new
producer's diary on The Godfather Website written by Hunter Smith, who kicks
off his diary series by offering thoughts on The Godfather game, as well as the
book and movie (thanks Frans.
This Steam
Update (thanks Richard) has word that Valve plans on releasing de_port and
de_inferno next week along with an updated version of the current CT model. They
also have a new shot from the inferno map online, as well as an outline of their
E3 plans: "Half-Life 2 Xbox will be shown in the Xbox area of Microsoft’s booth.
Meanwhile Half-Life 2: Lost Coast, which is the new, single-player level created
to introduce High-Dynamic Range (HDR) lighting to the Source engine, is slated
to appear in the Games for Windows area at the show."
- SWAT 4
There's
an in-house Irrational
Games Q&A on Freedom Force Universe (thanks Frans) talking with
programmer Chris Kline about his work and the police shooter sequel: "The
first thing that happened was that everyone on the team played SWAT 3 at
work if they hadn't already played the bejeezus out of it on their own time.
Then the entire company brainstormed about what aspects of SWAT 3 were
great, which ones sucked, and how we wanted to take the SWAT concept and
"make it our own". In the end we decided that we wanted to take most of SWAT
3 and improve it with better AI, better graphics, an improved command
interface, the feeling of being immersed in a dark, gritty, miserable
world."
- S.C.A.R.
The
S.C.A.R. Q&A on Blackhole Motorsports discusses Squadra Corse Alfa Romeo
with Simone Bechini, producer at Italian developer Milestone about their
racing game: "SCAR is an innovative racing game that aims to introduce some
new issues in the genre. We focused on the driver psychology, both
simulating emotions and mind dynamics and advanced AI behaviours. For sure
SCAR is not designed for hardcore simmers, like, for instance, GTR. BTW, as
I’m an hardcore simmer myself, along with many of our developers, we spent a
big effort on the game physics and handling, accurately modelling each and
every car in the roster (there are 25 Alfa Romeos available) with
appropriate behaviour in accordance with drivetrain, suspension stiffness,
tires type and time of production."
- Squad Assault
Double
the Fun, Double the Warfare in Squad Assault: Second Wave on GameZone
talks with Eric Young about the upcoming updated version of his World War II
real-time strategy game: "The primary reason is the new content. Operation
Bloody Ground is a wonderful set of battles set in the Hurtgen Forest in
1944. The Market Garden Maps are excellent, and the modder upgrades to the
stock maps make the new version head and shoulders above the old version. I
would like to give credit to Benjamin Donaldson, Kari Salo, Wilf Thorn,
Robert Tupniak, and Thomas Daxner, for their excellent work on maps included
in this build and for the shadow tool Thomas put together."
- NFS: Most Wanted
The
Need For Speed: Most
Wanted Q&A on 1UP talks with (the other) Michael Mann and Justin Wiebe
about EA's street racing sequel: "A lot of the Underground guys are now
working on Most Wanted. We are trying to create a fresh, new look for the
franchise and part of that is moving the experience to daytime. Habib and a
number of MW's very talented team members did extensive concepting and
prototyping on the look and feel for the new game. The team has done an
amazing job creating an edgy, illicit feel to the game."
- Auto Assault on
bit-tech.
- Dungeons & Dragons on
GameZone.
- Hitman: Blood Money on
IGN.
- The Suffering: Ties That Bind on
IGN.
MacGame Files
has downloads of a map pack for the Mac edition of Call of Duty: United
Offensive, the World War II shooter expansion. Word is: "The pack includes 8
maps total - 6 which update original Call of Duty maps, and 2 brand new maps."
The first patch for Pariah is now available, updating Digital Extremes'
first-person shooter to version 1.01. The update addresses a "problem where the
game would not load when using Windows 98 or Windows ME." The download is
available from this Groove
Games Support Page. Thanks
Frans.
Enlight announces that TrackMania Sunrise has pulled out of the garage, and that
Nadeo's tack construction and racing sequel is now pulling into North American
stores: "TRACKMANIA SUNRISE" NOW AVAILABLE IN STORES ACROSS NORTH AMERICA
Crazy Arcade Racer Now Available in Stores
PARKVILLE, MD - May 6th, 2005 - Enlight, a leading software developer and
publisher, announced today that "TrackMania Sunrise," the racing heir to the
original "Trackmania," has shipped and is now available in stores across North
America. Developed for the PC by Nadeo, "TrackMania Sunrise" offers gorgeous
environments, competitive multiplayer race modes, and insane customizable tracks
with off-the-hook jumps, loops, and tight corners.
"We are delighted to announce that driving fans across North America can now get
their hands on this free wheeling arcade classic," said Trevor Chan, chief
executive officer of Enlight. "With two new racing modes and P2P network
community, 'Trackmania Sunrise' is destined to become one of the sleeper hits of
2005."
Features for "TrackMania Sunrise" include:
* 3 new sports cars that burn up the highway at breath-taking 250 miles per hour
in gorgeous news environment off the Pacific Coast
* Two new solo racing modes, Platform and Crazy
* Peer-to-peer network community that allows players to exchange thoughts,
comments, tracks, and skins
* Totally customized racing environments, including sunrise, day, sunset and
night
For additional information on Trackmania Sunrise please visit:
www.tmsunrise.com
Activision's Q4 and
Fiscal 2005 Year End Results (thanks Frans) are online, revealing "Record Q4
and Fiscal 2005 Year End Results." The story mentions a conference call to
discuss the news, and the results of that call are reflected in
Activision Earnings Way
Up, Hot Titles Soon on IGN, revealing an apparent fiscal third quarter
2006/calendar fourth quarter 2005 release date for Quake 4 and Call of Duty 2:
Though the company's strong performance is encouraging, perhaps most
exciting for gamers is news that many of Activision's most-anticipated titles
will arrive in time for the holidays this year. In a conference call with
investors today, Activision Publishing president and CEO Ron Doornink revealed
that new entries in the Tony Hawk, Call of Duty, X-Men Legends, True Crime,
Quake, and Shrek franchises would appear in the company's third quarter -- i.e.,
October through December 2005.
The Anarchy Online: Lost
Eden Announcement heralds development of an upcoming add-on for Funcom's
science fiction MMORPG, and there's also
a product page
online for the expansion. The site offers a
full Letter
from the Game Director outlining the project, along with some screenshots.
The project is due for release in "early winter," and here's a bit: “With
‘Lost Eden’ we are continuing our focus on the unique sci-fi aspects in ‘Anarchy
Online’, and we are giving our players extensive new gameplay options” said Game
Director Morten Byom. “The ability to raid and control orbital battle stations,
steer powerful battle Mechs, fight inside the motherships and new character
advancement options should bring great fun to all of our players.”
Oblivion-Lost.com has a story up speculating that the release of
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl has slipped until 2006, offering the
following quote from THQ responding to questions about the game's absence from
their recent financial reports covering releases through the middle of next
year: "We have no definitive release date yet for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. We do expect to
have some announcements, including a public demonstration this summer. More news
to follow." In an amusing side note, the THQ's
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Website (thanks
Rhialto) actually lists the game as "now available," much to the amusement of
those who frequent the
GSC Game World Forums.
Cauldron has released screenshots from
Knights of the Temple 2 and
Gene Troopers, revealing
development of both games (thanks Tiscali Games). The
Gene Troopers Teaser Website is up
(thanks Frans), and there's
a Gene Troopers
product sheet on Worthplaying. Here's the product sheet for KOTT2, which
is in development for PC, PS2, and Xbox: Travelling ancient kingdoms
In KOTT2 players will join the ultimate battle of Paul de Raque, Grand Master of
the Order of the Temple and hero of the first game, and the forces of Hell.
Travelling the lands and kingdoms of 13th century Europe, Paul must unveil the
secret of three mysterious ancient artefacts and fight the demon armies
attacking our world.
Victory
A Grand Master of the Order of the Temple, Paul de Raque has fought many battles
in the eternal war between Good and Evil.
But now he faces his greatest challenge yet. Visions of evil forces invading our
world, undead beings ravaging the peaceful lands of northern Europe and a dark
menace opening a portal closed millennia ago.
Fight your way through a forgotten Roman city, deadly dungeons of the Saracen
empire, discover long forgotten islands, ruins and catacombs on a search for a
secret hidden on the ground of an ancient underwater fortress.
Test your fighting skills, overcome the hordes of darkness and discover that
victory must be paid with blood, pain and even your very own soul...
Product Highlights:
1 Non-linear game play - Move freely between levels, choose
quests and follow the main storyline your way.
2 Interactive dialog system - Choose from different dialogue
options, gather bonus information, new side quests or follow the storyline. NPC
characters will react to your choices.
3 Trade mode - Sell or buy items, weapons and armour, or have
them repaired.
4 Side quests - Solve 18 side quests and discover new areas,
encounter new NPC’s and acquire new, powerful items.
5 RPG elements - Additional RPG elements make your character
even more complex (new active and passive abilities).
6 Alternative endings - Your decisions determine how the game
will end.
7 Multi-player - Play with different multi-player characters,
each with its individual upgradeable special skills, just like the game’s main
character.
Exceptional warrior
Knights of the Temple II is the sequel to last year’s acclaimed Knights of the
Temple, which followed the epic exploits of the young templar Paul de Raque in
his battle against the demonic forces of Hell.
Continuing the story of this exceptional warrior in the Dark Ages of medieval
Europe, we added additional innovative game play elements.
KOTT2 features non-linear storytelling, interactive dialogues and fully
customizable character development and quest solving. Players are free to choose
how to go forward in the storyline and to bring an end to the quest of a
lonesome holy warrior
www.cauldron.sk
Destineer
acquires Atomic Games on GameSpot has the news that Destineer Studios has
acquired wargame developer Atomic Games, providing a Q&A with Destineer's Peter
Tamte about the move: " Every military game now promises 'authenticity,' but
virtually nobody actually delivers it. Atomic figured out authenticity back in
1996 with Close Combat. The military community will tell you that Close Combat
is still the most realistic military real-time strategy game ever created
because its realism is based on simulating the human aspects of combat. Still to
this date, nobody else has done this well. Atomic is doing work now with the
Marine Corps that's going to result in some very authentic real-time strategy
games, starting with Close Combat: Red Phoenix next year."
The Witcher Official Website
has details on plans to limit press showings of CD Projekt's upcoming RPG at E3,
as well as a new gameplay trailer showing off the game. The movie is mirrored on
3D Gamers,
FileFront,
Filerush (torrent), and
Worthplaying.
Also, the French
website for the Singles 2 (thanks Frans) offers a new French gameplay movie
showing off some Frenching in the upcoming get your groove on simulator.
Steam News
has word on the release of an updated Source client as well as a SourceTV
update: "An update for the Steam Client (and the HLDS Update Tool) has been
released, along with some improvements to SourceTV. (SourceTV is for
broadcasting Source games to large numbers of spectators.) The update will be
applied automatically when your Steam client is restarted. "
RPG Vault's Gods
and Heroes Rome Rising Peek #2 is another look at Perpetual's upcoming
persistent-state combat game, as lead designer Stieg Hedlund elaborates on the
rock/paper/scissors principle that guides their design. Also,
Alex Seropian Begins Blog
on 1UP (thanks Frans) kicks off a
series by the Wideload Games cofounder about Stubbs the Zombie, their
upcoming tongue (and brains)-in cheek horror game.
- City of Heroes
City
of Heroes Issue 4 "Colosseum" Live! has details on the latest content
update for Cryptic Studios' MMORPG: "With Issue 4, heroes of all levels will
be able to test their tactics and skills against their peers in the new PvP
Arenas. Other new features in Issue 4 include a whole host of new costume
additions, body scaling options, and the ability to link Super Groups
together through Coalition Chat."
- Darwinia
The
Darwinia Website (thanks Frans) has an update on Introversion Software's
evolutionary strategy game, marking two months since the project's launch.
The update discusses sales ("good but not great"), where this leaves them as
a company ("Enough for us to stay working for Introversion and push on with
our other projects, but not enough for us to start hiring and expanding and
moving into offices. Or buying Ferarris."), , as well as mods, their
upcoming webstore launch, and a look ahead ("Future patches will concentrate
on modding facilities, and maybe, just maybe, multiplayer.").
- Auto Assault
There are a bunch of updates on the Auto
Assault Website, here's the summary: "There are two new Recon updates up
this week, a new chapter in our historical preludes to the game called “For
the Greater Good", and a look at the
Biomek Terminator class. Our
forum poll has been updated as has the NetDevil
Auto Assault team page."
- Battlefield 2
The
Battlefield 2 Website (thanks Frans) has details on a mod day at EA to
introduce some mod teams to the toolset and engine they will be using to
create Battlefield 2 modifications.
- World of Warcraft
The
World of Warcraft Community Site (thanks Frans) announces a new version
1.4.2 auto-update patch for Blizzard's MMORPG.
- Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows
Romero
Lays Down the Gauntlet on Computer and Video Games is a Q&A with the
famed designer about his work at Midway on Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows: "We're achieving this by removing as much corny
stuff as possible and making the story and content more adult and serious.
One thing you realize when you play this new Gauntlet is how fast,
responsive and brutal the action is. Secondly, you will notice that the
characters are realistically portrayed and don't engage in clichéd dialogue.
The major tasks you do in the game aren't cheesy 'Bring the talisman of
Megabadman to me!' but more serious fare with a lengthy story behind each
goal. There's a reason why you're accomplishing each task.
- Fairyland USA
RPG
Vault's Mystic Journey: Fairyland USA Q&A talks with several of the
folks behind this online world that isn't your father's MMORPG: "Fairyland
USA is not your typical massively multiplayer game. The goal with the title
was always to appeal to a much broader audience than the current crop of
generic fantasy titles. We feel Mystic Journey is more 'timeless' in its
appeal to both young and old. The gameplay runs the gamut from non-violent
to grouped combat, and so on. It's really up to the players themselves to
decide how they wish to experience Mystic Journey."
A new Hard Truck Tycoon
Product Page is online, unveiling a new economic simulator in the works at
G5 Software. Here's the deal on Hard Truck Tycoon, due in the fourth quarter of
this year: Immerse yourself into the atmosphere of the US infrastructure
development of heavy truck transportations. The game provides you with the
unique possibility of becoming a part of the awesome process which shaped the
world greatest transportation system. It makes you feel what it takes to evolve
from clumsy farmers’ motorized vehicles into superpower heavy trucks.
Hard Truck Tycoon is an economic simulator. It tests your capability to make
tough decision under realistic business conditions. Start from the scratch, try
to develop your infrastructure and find out whether you are up to follow or
exceed the success of the great founders of US transportation system.
-
'Video Games Live' kicks off July 6 (thanks Mike Martinez), a concert series that
"features music from some of the biggest video games performed by top
orchestras and choirs across the country combined with video footage,
lasers, lights and live action to create an explosive and unique
entertainment experience."
-
Free Play '05 Announced. Thanks Mike Martinez.
A new Honor
System F.A.Q. is online, to answer some burning questions about the new
Honor System in World of Warcraft.
Hudson the wonder dog and I visited the Devicers' for a bit yesterday to renew
her friendship with their pair of pooches. Since the arrival of her young ward
Gunnar, she has fully emerged as an extremely alpha dog, and has taken to
putting other dogs in what she deems their appropriate places on a regular
basis. Things went great on our visit, helping confirm that she doesn't seem to
have a problem with her existing friends, and that she seems to have more of an issue with male dogs than females. Sure enough, this morning walking with her pack of trail
friends she got to face off with the male Irish Wolfhound who ran over one
of our Smurfs a while back, and demonstrated her wild (dare I say insane) side
by completely backing down this 150+ lb monster with a display of furious
barking. As the old saying goes, it's not the size of the dog in the fight...
it's the size of the fight in the dog.
|
Twitter 
