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Two more tactical shooters: PRISM and Army Rangers May 31, 2005

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Canadian game developer Groove Games (Pariah, Playboy Mansion, etc…) is creating a FPS based on the events leading up to the historic Mogadishu firefights. The game will be called Army Ranger: Mogadishu and over 10 singleplayer missions will have set objectives such as; defending headquarters, escorting rescued hostages and destroying enemy facilities. Visit the game site here for screenshots, trailers and more info.

Meanwhile across the pond, Dutch publisher and game developer Playlogic is planning to release a game called Prism: Threat Level Red.
The “campaign mode contains scenarios that include attacks on key US infrastructure such as seaports, airports, museums, shopping malls, and areas along the borders” using “new and emerging weapons and surveillance technologies in the war against terrorism”. The upcoming game hopes to highlight gameplay blending stealth and tactics in real world US locations re-enacting scenarios taken from the news headlines. Using a tie in with a game being developed for the Army National Guard, Prism hopes to create a “revolutionary use of cameras and surveillance systems”.

Quake 4 teaser site May 31, 2005

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Quake 4 teaser site now open. Official site to open in summer but for now video trailer is released along with brief storyline. Not for kidz (heh).

Huxley May 26, 2005

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Webzen Games has a few games that have been generating more and more attention lately, of note is: Huxley, a massively multiplayer online first person shooter (MMOFPS) with “millions of users engaged in fast-paced, large-scale combat”is being developed for both the pc and the X-Box 360 using the Unreal 3 game engine.

The scenario is as follows:

“Huxley takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where human beings have mutated and are divided into two opposing races, Sapiens and Alternative”

and while online

“everything a character does in the Huxley world directly affects the success of not only the individual, but also of their race and party; from battles to behaviors, all interactions are linked to the survival of a character’s entire race”

replayability and motivation to continue will come from the

“quests in Huxley will take players on paths of intrigue to uncover conspiracies resulting in confrontations. Each quest is continually updated so players feel as though they are enjoying a new story mode every time they play. The characters in Huxley are continuously growing, which is rare in FPS games. Players are able to enhance their own combat styles by obtaining out-of-this-world weapons and new skills, which in turn continuously challenges players to adopt different gameplay styles as they progress”.

Now this is a huge undertaking and Webzen has not specified whether this game will be subscription based either but this game is a long ways away (third quarter 2006) but the potential is definitely there.

Check out impressive screenshots and info here.

Ghost Recon 3 teaser site now open May 26, 2005

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Check out some screenshots, video trailer and wallpapers here.

Can’t wait for some Q&A from developers as this game might belt out some stiff competition for Electronic Arts: Battlefield 2, in the meantime visit their forums for more info.

Netjak Game reviews May 21, 2005

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Finally a no holds barred review site, the team at Netjak shows no restraint in their critiques which is refreshing considering most of the gaming sites out there appear to have their reviews written by the game companies themselves. Unfortunately for the pc gamer their focus seems to be on the consoles and they don’t especially seem to be huge fans of the FPS genre but neglecting to cover games of this type would definitely not help their cause. Make sure you check out their reviews of Half-Life2 (PC), Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory (X-Box) and Brothers In Arms(X-Box).

Brothers In Arms: Earned in Blood announced as sequel May 19, 2005

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Ubisoft and Gearbox have announced that they will be releasing in the fall of 2005 “the next chapter” to follow up their hugely succesful Brothers In Arms game.

Brothers In Arms: Earned In Blood will follow a new character’s exploits past Hill 30 and further into the Normandy liberation . Focusing on the urban close quarter combat warfare and against a revamped enemy AI, the coming version will feature new weapons, vehicles and new multiplayer “missions”. Modders rejoice as bundled in the new version we will find the SDK (Software Development Kit). Most importantly for all those who have been wanting a shooter game with a coop mode one will be included in the upcoming version.

Rainbow Six: Lockdown May 19, 2005

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Ubisoft has issued a release for the game Rainbow Six: Lockdown with an expected date for consoles in September 2005 and the pc version (after all the kinks are worked out hopefully) in 1st quarter 2006 see here more info: http://forums.ubi.com/eve/ubb.x/a/tpc/f/8081011862/m/4571047913

Following a chat on irc with the developers of Ubisoft’s next Rainbow Six game 1up.com is reporting more details on what to expect from the following chapter including weapon attachments and the unforgettable heartbeat sensor (new features and effects). The PC version is contemplating a respawning feature and will have the capability of hosting online games for 16 players or possibly more. Interestingly in such a tactical game the Havok physics engine will be much more interactive (you might knock a flowerpot over alerting enemies to your presence) and the network code has been rebuilt in an effort to detect cheaters.

GGL to be showcased on tv’s “The Apprentice” May 14, 2005

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As one of the final tasks for the participants in the televison “reality” game show “The Apprentice” they will compete in an online tournament of Fight Night Round 2 from EA Sports (a boxing game) produced by the Global Gaming League (GGL), making this event “the most watched videogame tournament in history”.

The GGL has recently affiliated itself with betOG a company that runs online gaming bets where you can gamble your money on clan matchups in various online videogames therein drawing the parallels between online gaming and sport even closer. The GGL is gaining more and more notoriety and must be seriously considered as a contender in the electronic sports entertainment and gaming industry.

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Ghost Recon 3 to be confirmed at E3 May 13, 2005

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Some tangible news from Ubisoft:

“Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon® 3 includes a wealth of groundbreaking features, including the Cross-Com, a communication device attached to the soldier’s monocle and powered by satellite technology, which will deliver constant and complete battlefield awareness seamlessly within the action. In addition, Ubisoft will employ increased processing power to its fullest, with breathtaking graphics, lighting and textures, multi-windowing, and state-of-the-art physics. Current-generation versions of the game will be custom-built using top technologies that push each platform to its limits.

In Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon® 3, players will embody Captain Scott Mitchell as he commands the Ghosts and Special Forces allies equipped with the IWS in the quest to save the president of the United States, recover stolen nuclear codes and eliminate a vicious band of renegade soldiers hell-bent on unleashing catastrophe. The game, on all platforms, unfolds entirely in Mexico City, where numerous, meticulously researched and detailed environments will deliver complete immersion into the future of urban warfare. Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon® 3 will also include multiplayer and cooperative gameplay with exciting new elements, continuing the Ghost Recon tradition of setting the bar for multiplayer action.

In 2013, the U.S. Army will implement the Integrated Warfighter System evolving what we know as the modern soldier. IWS combines advanced weapon systems, satellite communication devices and enhanced survivability into one fully integrated combat system. The IWS program has been developed to meet these new threats head on. Now, it can be tested on the battlefield.

Following an insurgence in the heart of Mexico City, the U.S. Army’s most elite Special Forces team is deployed to the center of the conflict to regain control of the city. Greatly outnumbered but fully equipped with the IWS, this elite team is the first and last line of defense on the battlefield. They are the “quiet” professionals. They are the Ghosts.

Key Features

  • Next-generation gaming technology: Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon 3 is built from the ground up for next-generation consoles, maximizing increased power to deliver phenomenal graphics and a host of innovative features. Current-generation versions will be custom-tailored for each platform.
  • Become the soldier of the future: Gain access to the future of military technology. Using a fully integrated combat system with cutting-edge weapons and communication systems, gamers will embody the soldier of the future. Based on actual military research, the Ghosts give gamers a realistic view of how war will be fought in the next decade.
  • Revolutionary feature: Use the revolutionary Cross-Com, a communication device powered by satellite technology. Attached to the soldier’s monocle, the Cross-Com provides full situational awareness and command of the battlefield. Command the Ghost squad and remote allied forces and drones, and direct artillery and air strikes. See what the squad sees and receive visual and auditory intelligence from allied forces and unmanned drones.
  • Stunning urban environment: One capital, multiple locations. Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon® 3 takes place entirely in Mexico City, one of the world’s largest cities. A stunning, meticulously detailed universe will provide complete immersion in the urban war of the future.”

(from: http://www.ghostrecon.com/us/newspost.php?id=11058

Muahaha look out Mexico..??!!
Stay tuned for more info during E3

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E3 2005 May 9, 2005

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Finally, with each passing day we get closer to E3. This year’s Electronic Entertainment Exposition is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles on May 16th to May 20th and is yet again sold out and not open to the public. This is “THE” event of the year in the videogaming industry which not only showcases upcoming games for all platforms but also has all the latest gadgets. This year’s E3 attendees expect to be treated to over 1000 new products inlcuding of course the Xbox 360 (to be released supposedly in November 2005) and the Playstation 3 (probably released around the same time but in 2006).

Just as important though is their conference program ;

“the 2005 E3 Conference Program will highlight the people, trends, and opportunities which define and advance today’s fast-paced, competitive, and lucrative game industry.

Designed to make you smarter, wiser, and more successful, this year’s sessions will cover topics such as:

  • Making the mass-mobile marketplace a reality
  • Understanding in-game advertising
  • Successful strategies behind sponsorships, community marketing, and grass roots promotion
  • Tapping the potential of downloadable games
  • Cross-platform content integration: how it works and why it matters
  • Understanding the Chinese marketplace
  • New pay models and other trends in online gaming
  • How to manage the bigger budgets of next-gen game development
  • Digital downloads: what is possible today and what’s in store for the future
  • Videogame visionaries and their plans for the games of tomorrow
  • Reaching the hardcore influencers and making the most of their networks
  • Innovations in wireless broadband content”

from http://www.e3expo.com/e3expo/conference_calendar.asp

For more info visit http://www.e3expo.com