Photojournalist Brian Taylor brings us a gallery of PAX images centered on the theme of players playing games today at the Convention Center. If you can't be here in person, let your eyes take you to PAX with pictures.
Check out more of Taylor's work on his website or follow him on Twitter.
Diversity is the theme of the 2010 IndieCade, as the 32 finalists highlight games from a variety of genres and from developers in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
Decided by a jury of 160 from a pool of 350 submissions, the 32 finalists include games such as indie darling Limbo and the alternate-reality game Socks, Inc. in 12 categories.
The 2010 IndieCade festival is October 7 to October 2010 throughout Culver City, Ca. Actor/author/director Levar Burton (aka Geordi La Forge on Star Trek: The Next Generation) is the host of the Red Carpet Awards.
Here at the finalists:
Got any tips, corrections, or feedback? Contact GamePro's news team or follow GamePro on Twitter.
NIS America is slating retro-styled dungeon crawler ClaDun: This is an RPG for a September 21 release date.
This PSP game won't be at your local GameStop, however; it's only available as a download over the PlayStation Network.
Players create their pixelated characters with a graphics editor in this Japanese role-playing game. The dungeons are randomly generated, and you can explore them via ad-hoc multiplayer with other players.
With the annual PAX concerts set to rock the faces off of thousands of gamers, GamePro's Culture Club talks about one of the most popular kinds of game music -- chiptunes -- and the genre's foremost artist Anamanaguchi.
Host: Dave Rudden Music: "Blackout City" and "Mermaid," Anamanaguchi Discussion Group: Dave Rudden, Ben Perlee Length: 28 minutes
Like the show? Be sure to subscribe, rate and comment on our podcast's iTunes page.
Got any tips, corrections, or feedback? Contact GamePro's news team or follow the author of this story on Twitter.
The developers behind Super Stardust HD are bringing a new action-adventure to the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live in early 2011: Outland.
Developed by Housemarque for Ubisoft, Outland focuses on the balance between light and darkness, a gameplay mechanic inspired from arcade classic Ikaruga. Players use their skills with swords, jumping, climbing, and running to save a world facing collapse.
Outland also features music from Ari Pulkkinen, who composed music for Trine. If you're at PAX, check out the game at Ubisoft's booth.
Killzone fans: You might want to set aside Tuesday, February 22, as that's the release date for Killzone 3.
Sony announced Killzone 3's release date today on its PlayStation blog. Killzone 3, the subject of Features Editor Patrick Shaw's July cover story, is the fourth game (don't forget the PSP game) in one of Sony's flagship series. It's also coming in 3D.
You can play Killzone 3's multiplayer, which debuted at GamesCom last month, on the show floor during PAX, which began today and ends Sunday.
Game Designer Warren Spector revisited the theme of his GDC Europe talk during the PAX Prime 2010 keynote, urging everyone to treat games as art.
"Games are an art form," he said to a round of applause. "I proudly wear my scarlet letter - A for art!"
Spector began his talk by issuing a challenge to everyone in the industry: expect more from video games. "We can't just settle for Deus Ex 34," he said.
Spector then followed up with more traditional PAX Keynote material in the form of an autobiographical talk establishing his geek cred. The loudest applause he enjoyed during this part if the talk was for playing the Wing Commander opening crawl while talking about the games that excited him in the period of time just before he made Deus Ex.
"No one would say that my games have ever been on the bleeding edge of graphics," Spector admitted. But even if he isn't front and center in terms of technology, he wondered at how far video games have come just on that front. "We put movies to shame."
The point of Spector's talk was both to celebrate geekdom -- but also to warn "the tribe" that is gamer culture not to get snobby with newcomers (non-gamers, casual gamers, etc.) who finally, finally take an interest in the medium.
"We spent 20 years trying to convince the masses that we were cool... And we WON," he said. "We have to get past this not letting people into the club [mentality]."
Every medium has gone through this period of development of being reviled and snubbed, Spector said. "Whatever medium the adults don't get is the on that marks the 'end of civilization.'" The solution, he said, is to wait for the previous generation to die. "Just be patient!"
Even with that laid back attitude, Spector warns that we are at risk. He cited the upcoming Schwarzenegger vs EMA Supreme Court case which could cost video games first amendment protection. He urged the audience to go to the Video Game Voters Network and to have a welcoming attitude toward new gamng attitudes.
He then showed a screen from FarmVille and became the second keynote speaker booed at PAX (after Alex St. John). To close, Spector showed the second half of Epic Mickey's opening cutscene (the first half of which premiered at GamesCom.)
The second half of Epic Mickey's opening will be viewable on GamePro soon. For now, here's a link to the first half.
The developer of upcoming music-rhythm game Power Gig: Rise of the SixString released its full track list, adding tracks from not only Eric Clapton, Dave Matthews, and Kid Rock but also Smashing Pumpkins, Black Sabbath, and The Offspring.
Clapton, Matthews, and Kid Rock have three tracks apiece in the collection of 70 songs. Each musician or group has given developer Seven45 Studios the original master tracks for each song. More than 80 percent of the songs are making their rhythm-game debuts.
Seven45 Studios also plans delivering future tracks via DLC. The game comes out Oct. 19 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It differs from other music games by using a real six-string guitar.
Here is a full list of the songs in Rise of the SixString:
The long-troubled – and previously aborted – development of Duke Nukem Forever is getting a new life, as 2K Games revealed Friday morning at PAX that the game is not only in development but is playable on the show floor.
The game's coming to the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC for 2011. Gearbox Software is finishing development. Here is GamePro's preview of Duke Nukem Forever from the show floor at PAX.
"I can't believe it, either," said Gearbox Software CEO and President Randy Pitchford in the livestream showing off the game. " You guys [the crowd at PAX] are among the first people in the world to play it.
"I know it's hard to believe, but it's totally real. We can't let the Duke die."
Duke Nukem Forever was first announced in 1997 by 3D Realms. 3D Realms finally halted development in 2009 due to financial troubles.
With the recent relaunch of Digg, GamePro is hoping to nab a few new followers on the hot-again social network. If you're already following or join the Digg bandwagon today, you could win a free game courtesy of GamePro.
Every week for the past few months, we've run separate contests for each of our groups of followers (on GamePro.com, Twitter, and Facebook). Sometimes, with all of the prizes and pools of friends, some entrants would get their wires crossed and we'd get a Facebook entry on Twitter. This time around, we're giving everyone on the aforementioned three networks the same goal. Follow us on a fourth network.
Yes, with the relaunch of Digg, GamePro has set up an account on the news aggregation/social media website at digg.com/gamepro. We'll be giving out six random games to our followers this week, and here's how we'll pick the winners.
To win this contest, you must follow GamePro on Digg. Unfortunately, Digg doesn't have a method of directly-messaging followers, so you'll need to let us know you're a GamePro Digg follower by spreading the word via the other social networks. So jump into the comments, reply the GamePro Facebook story link, and reply to our Twitter account and tell us, "I follow GamePro on Digg, and my Digg username is _____."
For example, if I were to enter the contest, my entry would read "I follow GamePro on Digg, and my Digg username is dlrudden." You can enter one time each on GamePro, Twitter, and Facebook, for a total of three entries. At 5PM PST, we'll pick two winners each from each network and send them a random game for the current-gen console or portable of their choice.
You can enter multiple ways but you can win only once. For further information regarding the contest, check out the official rules.
The creators of the long-running sports-gaming podcast the Sports Anomaly are bringing their expertise to a new podcast. GamePro is proud to premiere the first episode of the new 4th String podcast.
Running for over three years on 1UP, The Sports Game Guy's Sports Anomaly podcast became the biggest sports-gaming Internet radio show over the course of its 163 episodes. Unfortunately, that show is no more.
Sports-loving game fans needn't fret, however, as we've summoned a new podcast from the ashes of the Sports Anomaly. The 4th String podcast features the same crew that made the aforementioned show a hit -- Todd Zuniga, Greg Ford, Andrew Fitch and Mike Suszek -- speaking about current sports events as well as current and upcoming sports games.
Here's the audio for the first episode:
To subscribe to the 4th String podcast, please visit the show's official iTunes page. For more information on the show, check out the official 4th String website and Twitter page.
The last day before PAX Prime 2010 brought a few announcements, a lot of anticipation, and a handful of bizarre links from around the internet. We've collected a few of the final thing and dropped them into this morning's daily stale bread.
9/2--PAX Prime countdown concluding...
Halo Kitty
Jason: Again, in AJ's absense, here is today's alotment of adorable.
Dave: And since the Clockwork Orange one looks so bad-ass, I don't feel emasculated buying it. That's a win-win in my book.
Puzzle Quest 2 PSP only available via PSN, lacks multiplayerTae: Wow... I didn't think it was possible to make me uninterested in Puzzle Quest, but this is doing the trick.
Dave: This is why the PSP is the biggest clusterhump of a console this generation.
Conduit 2 delayed until 2011, getting new control optionsDave: Well, this is a bit of a disappointment... but not exactly the biggest surprise.
Tae: Considering how uneven the first one was, if any game could use a bit more time in the kitchen, it's this one. Plus, with GoldenEye releasing this year, it's best to space the rare Wii shooters out.
Left 4 Dead 2 80's Commercial
Dave: While I do admire the retro-commercial-quality applied to this video, there's no way that kid could shoot that well with that form. Unless he pulled the old "put the Zapper right up to the screen" trick.
PAX Prime 2010 is set to kick off tomorrow, so we asked our Twitter followers which games they're most looking forward to trying out and learning about. Read on to find out the fan-approved top titles of PAX.
Here's the query we posed to our 18,000+ Twitter followers:
Are you going to PAX or planning on scoping the coverage out this weekend? What games and panels are you most interested in hearing about?less than a minute ago via TweetDeckGameProGamePro
The only games to earned multiple mentions from our follower-base were Star Wars: The Old Republic and Portal 2. Considering the track records of Valve and BioWare, we're inclined to agree. Here's the shout-outs for the aforementioned game:
@GamePro I'm interested in Torchlight 2, and Star Wars: The Old Republic at #PAXless than a minute ago via webJustinDirrtyJJ
@GamePro Child of Eden, SpyParty, and Portal 2 as well Gamepro! Though I'm most excited for SWtOR. #PAXless than a minute ago via webMaxmaxaguirre5
@GamePro Portal 2 and Donkey Kong Country Returnsless than a minute ago via TweetDeckAlejandro CifuentesShigeru_San
A handful of other top upcoming titles got shout-outs from our followers. Here's the best of the rest:
@GamePro Megaman Universe!less than a minute ago via TweetDeckMichaelAPMichaelAP
@GamePro need for speed hot pursuitless than a minute ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®Matthew Scottreclaimerm3gtr
Finally, one mysterious title seemed to catch on amongst respondents. Technically, it could be considered the most-requested game of PAX, but we're not quite sure these Tweeters are being serious:
@GamePro Duke Nukem Forever ? ;)less than a minute ago via webCorentin BillemontCocodwor
@GamePro Duke Nukem Forever? :)less than a minute ago via TweetDeckRene SørensenRemon255
What do you think of these choices? Are there any else you'd care to bring up? What's the deal with Duke Nukem Forever's continued fan fervor? If you care to comment on any of these questions, please reply below or follow GamePro on Twitter.
Sega's planning a Gold Edition for its 2009 turn-based strategy game Empire: Total War that bundles the game with its sequel, Napoleon: Total War. The Gold Edition debuts October 19 for $49.95.
The Empire part of the package includes the Elite Units of the East, Elite Units of the West, Elite Units of America, and the Warpath campaign. New additions to the Napoleon portion of the Gold Edition includes campaign multiplayer and the DLC packs The Peninsular Campaign, Coalition Battle Pack, and the Elite Regiment.
Empire: Total war is the first game in the long-running Total War to include 3D naval combat. In Empire, you can play a role in the birth of the United States in the episodic "Road to Independence" campaign. In Napoleon, the campaigns deal with Italy, Egypt, and the continent.
The series has more than 7 million in sales since its debut a decade ago.
For more on Empire: Total War, check out GamePro's review.
EA's official Madden NFL 11 simulation of the upcoming NFL season has the Green Bay Packers and the Baltimore Ravens building on their successes of a year ago.
Picked by a number of experts to win the NFC, the Madden sim has the Green Bay Packers finishing the regular season with a 12-4 record and MVP and Offensive Player of the Year honors for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Also tabbed by many NFL prognosticators as the top team in the AFC, the Ravens secure a 13-3 record behind a defense led by outside lineback Terrell Suggs (the Defensive Player of the Year). Madden predicts the Indianapolis Colts will tie the Ravens for the best record in the AFC, but Baltimore secures home-field advantage on the strength of its better divisional record. The Ravens' John Harbaugh, the brother of former NFL quarterback and current Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh, receives Coach of the Year honors.
Last season, Madden was a little off in some its predictions. Madden tabbed the New England Patriots to dominate the AFC, with Tom Brady throwing for 4,500 yards and 47 touchdowns. While Brady threw for more than 4,300 yards, he had 19 fewer TDs (28) than Madden predicted – and it was the Indianapolis Colts, not the Pats, who dominated the AFC. Madden also predicted that the Philadelphia Eagles would rule the NFC roost. Instead, it was the New Orleans Saints who finished on top in the NFC -- and won the Super Bowl.
Division winners in the Madden sim include the New England Patriots, the San Diego Chargers, and the Colts in the AFC, with the New York Jets and the Houston Texans (finally) taking the wild-card slots.
The Minnesota Vikings tied the Packers with a 12-4 record, but since the Packers had a better NFC North record, the Vikings had to settle for a wild-card slot. The San Francisco 49ers return to the playoffs for the first time since 2003 by winning the NFC West. The Dallas Cowboys (NFC East) and New Orleans Saints (NFC South) also won their divisions. The Atlanta Falcons secured the final wild-card spot.
Read the October issue of GamePro (on newsstands now) and the November issue (available October 5) for more predictions on the NFL season from one of our Madden experts, Todd Zuniga.
Fantasy football players: Tight end Jermaine Gresham is likely available in your league (he's owned in 15.2 percent of ESPN leagues), and you may want to pick him up, as Madden predicts he'll be the Offensive Rookie of the Year. Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden earns Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in the Madden sim.
Here's a look at other top offensive performers in the sim of the NFL 2010 season. GamePro assumes no responsibility for those of you that base your fantasy football teams on these predictions.
Got any tips, corrections, or feedback? Contact GamePro's news team or follow the author of this story on on Twitter.
Check out gameplay footage of Call of Duty: Black Ops newest multiplayer features where you can gamble and earn COD currency by excelling in the art of modern warfare.
Fight with only one bullet in the chamber and your knife to keep you safe. Eliminate your enemies to take their bullet and move on.
In "Sticks and Stones" players are armed with a crossbow with explosive arrows and a ballistic knife (a blade you can shoot). Kill as many as you can to earn the most COD points.
In "Sharpshooter" players cycle out different guns at random times. The player with the most proficient handling of each gun wins all the COD points.
In "Gun Game" players cycle out a better gun for every kill they get. The player that cycles through all 20 guns first wins the match.
GameStop stores on base at Army & Air Force Exchange Service installations across the world will no longer advertise and will not stock copies of the upcoming first-person shooter Medal of Honor, which includes a multiplayer mode that allows players to take on U.S. soldiers as members of the Taliban.
When asked if the U.S. military requested this action, AAFES spokesperson Judd Anstey said, "No, sir." This decision, Anstey said, comes from the AAFES. "No one requested it. It was a determination made by this entity, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service."
The person ultimately responsible for the decision is Major General Bruce Casella, the commander of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, who said in a statement that "out of respect to those we serve, we will not be stocking this game. We regret any inconvenience this may cause authorized shoppers, but are optimistic that they will understand the sensitivity to the life and death scenarios this product presents as entertainment. As a military command with a retail mission, we serve a very unique customer base that has, or possibly will, witness combat in real life."
Preorders from a GameStop at an AAFES will be transferred to the nearest off-base GameStop location. The situation grows a little less clear when it comes to used copies of Medal of Honor once a soldier wants to trade in the game at a GameStop on an AAFES installation.
"Since the game's not been released yet, we're still working through those details," Anstey says. "Certainly, this is exclusive to the newest incarnation of the game."
We also contacted GameStop and Medal of Honor publisher EA for comment.
Anstey says that the AAEFS is part of the Department of Defense but that it doesn't receive tax dollars -- revenue comes from sales at its exchanges.
This isn't the first time a product has been made unavailable on military bases. In 1996, Congress passed the Military Honor and Decency Act, which bars the sale of "sexually explicit material." It was challenged on First Amendment grounds, and the U.S. appeals court upheld the law in 2002.
Got any tips, corrections, or feedback? Contact GamePro's news team or follow the author on Twitter.
Even the publishers of Red Dead Redemption were surprised by the game's success as Take 2 has reported sales of almost 7 million units since the game's May launch. Red Dead and the recently-released Mafia II will have to keep 2K-loving action gamers satiated for the rest of the year, as L.A. Noire has been pushed into next year.
Take 2 reported revenue of $354 million for the quarter running from May 1 to July 31 almost quadrupling the revenue earned during the same period last year -- $94.9 million in 2009. The jump was largely attributed to Red Dead Redemption's success in the marketplace, though Grand Theft Auto IV, Episodes from Liberty City, NBA 2K10, and Borderlands were all cited as factors in the growth. Digital downloads also made up a lot of the profits, leading the company to reveal a DLC-heavy release slate for the rest of 2010.
The company has seven DLC packs from four games slated for the rest of the year -- Red Dead Redemption, Mafia II, BioShock 2, and Borderlands -- alongside seven retail releases. One game that won't hit this year despite initial predictions is Rockstar's next open-world game, L.A. Noire. The game is now slated to come out during the first half of 2011. The company also slated the recently-revealed BioShock Infinite for a 2012 release.
GamePro is currently listening in on Take 2's quarterly conference call and will report any further announcements from the company.
Harmonix announces that the Rock Band 3 Avatar Store is now open, and its first special offer will get you in the mood for the 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards.
The items include a Moonman -- the same award given to winners of the annual MTV Music Video Awards -- and a Moonman suit that transforms your avatar into the iconic MTV symbol. A variety of Rock Band 3 merchandise is also available, such as new outfits, shoes, shirts, music instruments (such as a Fender Stratocaster, a keyboard, and drums), etc. It ranges from 80 ($1) to 400 ($5) Microsoft Points.
Music from various VMA nominees, such as Lady Gaga, Green Day, The Black Keys, Gorillaz, and more are highlighted in the Rock Band Music Store. Tracks from Snoop Dogg will join that lineup September 7.
Visit the Rock Band 3 Avatar Store for a complete list of items.
The 27th annual MTV Video Music Awards will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on September 12 at 9 p.m. ET.
PlayStation Plus subscribers will get early access to the God of War: Ghost of Sparta PSP demo September 7..
Subscribers get the demo 2 weeks sooner than regular PlayStation Network subscribers, according to the PlayStation.Blog. The blog didn't reveal how much content is in the demo, but I assume it's enough to get players amped up for the game's release on November 2.
In addition to the early taste of Kratos's latest adventure, Plus members get the Blast Off mini for PSP and the UFC Undisputed 2010 and Warhawk Booster Combo add-ons for free.
A 1-year PlayStation Plus membership runs $49.99. For a limited time you can get an additional 3 months free when you buy a 1-year membership.
The Crackdown 2 Toy Box downloadable content is now available on Xbox Live, offering some free goodies and some additional content that you can purchase on Xbox Live Marketplace.
The free part of the DLC includes a new Vehicle Tag mode, level 6 rewards, and the Keys to the City. Vehicle Tag is a multiplayer vehicular-combat mode for up to eight players across six arenas (Speed is the Quay, Industrial Action, Maim Street, Skid Row, Beachhead, and The Sum of Human Knowledge). Keys to the City gives players the ability to activate a number of cheats such as god mode, max skills, infinite ammo, fly cam, weapon and gadget spawns, and time-of-day freeze. The Level 6 rewards -- for players who have managed to max out all of the skills in game -- give players a new Thruster Ability that functions as a jetpack.
If you happen to have 560 Microsoft Points ($7) to spare, you can purchase 10 additional Achievements, eight new agent suit colors, two Avatar Awards, two new vehicles (the Agency ATV and the Squad Chopper), and five new lethal accessories.
Activision announced this morning that rapper and Wu-Tang Clan founder RZA is a playable character in DJ Hero 2.
Two piece produced and mixed by RZA come with the game as well: LL Cool J's "I Can't Live Without My Radio" mixed With Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five's "The Message," and Damian Marley's "Welcome To Jamrock" mixed with Walter Murphy's "A Fifth of Beethoven."
RZA joins other notable artists in DJ Hero 2 such as Deadmau5, David Guetta, DJ Qbert and Tiësto.
DJ Hero 2 is available October 19 for PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii. The game is also coming out with a Turntable Bundle that includes a turntable controller and a DJ Hero 2 Party Bundle that includes two turntables and a microphone.
Gaijin Games has revealed its next WiiWare game, and -- surprise -- it's not a Bit.Trip game. The company's first game outside of the franchise -- and the first to be self-published instead of put out by Nintendo -- will be a port of the indie-developed iPhone darling lilt line.
While lilt line has already been developed by another company (online game development collective differentcloth), the trailer shown above shows that the title has a lot in common with Gaijin's popular Bit.Trip franchise -- particularly the rhythm-based gameplay. While all of the company's Bit.Trip games have been met with critical acclaim, Gaijin will have a high standard to live up to with its version of lilt line, as the iPhone original captured the Mobile Audio Achievement Award at the 2010 Independent Games Festival Mobile.
lilt line will be released on WiiWare this Fall, but eager gamers will be able to try the game out at this weekend's Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle, Washington. Any Bit.Trip fans looking to check this one out?
SOURCE: Why Wait for PAX? Check out lilt line NOW! [Gaijin Games]
Apple's new gaming reveals and the potential addition of multiplayer to the Batman Arkham franchise dominated our thoughts on this news day, but a few weirder stories still got some notice from us. Check them out in this morning's daily stale bread.
9/1--Now begins the onslaught of holiday games...
Looks Like Sega Is Getting Ready To Roll Out A New Valkyria Game
AJ: More fuel for the Valkyria Chronicles 3 fire. And look... no tubas!
Music Unlimited Powered By Qriocity Coming To PS3AJ: I pinged Sony U.S. about whether this music service will spread beyond Europe, but all I got was a "we'll have more information for you shortly." Which is kind of like confirming -- but not enough for a real story.
Dave: Sony still doesn't have an equivalent of Last.fm on Xbox 360? I just assumed they would have shacked up with Pandora a few weeks after Microsoft's announcement.
3D Blu-ray Playback For PS3 DelayedTae: Looks like one PS3 innovation (Move) is enough for Sony for September.
Dave: Man, and I had all of these thousands of dollars to spend on a new 3DTV this month.
Sadly, This StarCraft Baneling Plushie Doesn't Explode
Tae: As you can see above, I have discovered the cutest thing ever.
Dave: Glad to see that someone will be picking up the slack of finding cute game-related things on the internet while AJ's at PAX. My expertise in that area is unfortunately limited to kittens.
Cloud-based on-demand gaming service OnLive today announced the highly anticipated introduction of Wi-Fi support, a half-off Labor Day sale, and an extension of its Founding Members Program.
Where the OnLive instant-play gaming service has insofar been limited to hard-wired connections, September 6th will see the launch of a Wi-Fi Beta program, which will allow both Mac and PC gamers to connect to the OnLive cloud servers via a wireless internet connection.
"Wi-Fi support has been the most requested feature among OnLive members, so we made it a top development priority and were able to roll out a Beta version ahead of schedule," said Mike McGarvey, OnLive's COO in the press release. "We're continuing to add new features and enhance the service, as well as expand the list of top new release games. We're also pleased to provide outstanding promotions, such as the 50% off game sale and the AT&T Founding Members Program, as the OnLive community continues to grow. Stay tuned for more offerings, new features and great titles."
Labor Day will also see the launch of a half-off sale on every OnLive title in the service's cloud-based library, as well as an extension of the Founding Members subscription program. Presented by wireless service provider AT&T, the Founding Members Program offers a free one-year subscription to the OnLive service, as well as an optional second year at $4.95 a month afterward.
A slew of leaked screenshots for Batman: Arkham City have caused speculation about the addition on multiplayer to the formerly single-player-only Arkham franchise. Inspired by that potential addition, we asked our Twitter followers to name the franchises they want to expand beyond one player.
First, our question posed to the Twitter-verse, inspired by this report:
Numerous sites are pontificating on the possibility of Arkham City multiplayer. Which other 1-player franchises would you want to go multi?less than a minute ago via TweetDeckGameProGamePro
Thanks to a timely retweet by Kmart's gaming team, we saw a very wide range of responses to our query. A pair of our followers thought the first-person action antics of Fallout would translate well to the multiplayer realm. Here are there votes of confidence:
@GamePro Fallout: New Vegas maybe?less than a minute ago via TweetDeckTrevor Weddinggingertastic_10
@KmartGamer @gamepro #gamerchat a single player game gone multi would be Fallout... it would be nice if i could get some co-op help.less than a minute ago via webRobert Richburg Jrbigrob029
Frequent GamePro contributor Mitch Dyer provided one of the most eloquent explanations of a franchises that could easily make the multiplayer jump in explaning the reasons for Mass Effect to incorporate many players:
@GamePro Mass Effect. BioWare's Star Wars MMO allows co-op dialogue decisions, and I already have a squad of killer characters. Why not?less than a minute ago via EchofonMitch DyerMitchyD
Meanwhile, a few other games were bandied about -- some that could legitimately incorporate multiplayer, others not. We'll let you decide which are serious and which are not:
@KmartGamer @gamepro valkyria chronicles definitely #gamerchatless than a minute ago via TouiteurKakashi_donoKakashi_dono
@gamepro the force unleashedless than a minute ago via txtDhruv Pateldhruvpatel
@GamePro Freecell.less than a minute ago via Tweetie for MacJasonXaiaX
And finally, a handful of our followers made the point that multiplayer doesn't have to be implemented in every game -- particularly when the single-player component is strong enough to stand alone:
@GamePro none. I'm tired of publishers/devs incorporating MP in SP games. Uncharted 2 being the lone exception.less than a minute ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®Gustavo Castrogoose_7
@GamePro Games always feel the need to go multi. Not a fan. Stick to what works. Not all single games transfer to multi properly.less than a minute ago via webBrandonMoney_Launderer
Much like how Arkham City's multiplayer remains a mystery, the public opinion of taking popular franchises from solitary to online experience varies. Some users brought up valid games that could possibly make the transition, while others have seen too many titles shoehorn in awkward multiplayer to add a bullet point to the box. One thing is for sure -- this is a debate that looms as large amongst gamers as it does developers. To get in on the chat, comment below or follow GamePro on Twitter and keep the conversation alive.
Perusing the schedule for PAX Prime in Seattle reveals a startling number of panels populated by and dedicated to community managers. We count six (technically five) panels alone on the subject and numerous panels with a community manager on board to explain some aspect of the video games industry.
Look at this picture and decide if the character is a community manager or an angry fan. Kind of like a psych test, isn't it?
At PAX 2008 in Seattle, there was only one panel that had anything to do with community management. At PAX East in Boston this year, there were about three panels. Now we're looking at five panels, one of which is broken into two parts with more than a dozen experienced community managers between the six sessions.
One of those community manager, Activision's Dan Amrich, explained the uptick as a result of gamers' evolution. "The core requirement of a CM is strong communication skills -- forums, Twitter, talking with other gamers," he said. "A lot of gamers already do those things, so I think they're naturally curious to know if they can do that as part of a gaming career. Right now it looks very attainable, as so many companies add CMs to their rosters."
Amrich worries, however, that it'll be hard for gamers to balance their identity and their identity as a spokesperson in the role of a community manager. It's very difficult even for experienced professionals, so like Amrich, we're curious to see how community managers present themselves at these panels -- as serious professionals, or as seriously lucky fans with the best job in the world.
Below are the five panels in order of importance to GamePro. The full PAX Prime schedule is posted here.
Saturday, 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Serpent Theatre -- Twittering for the Man: Social Media & Game Publishers Panelists include: Larry Hryb [Director of Programming for Xbox Live, Microsoft], Dan Amrich [Social Media Manager, Activision], Jeff Rubenstein [Social Media Manager, SCEA], Jeff Green [Editor-in-Chief, ea.com, Electronic Arts], John Davison [Editor-in-Chief, GamePro]
Sunday, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM, Wolfman Theatre -- SO I HAVE THIS WEBSITE... Panelists include: Matthew Pruitt [FPS Community Manager, Electronic Arts], Jon Goff [Community Manager, 343 Industries], James Stevenson [Senior Community Manager, Insomniac Games], Justin Korthof [Community Manager, Robot Entertainment]
Friday, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Unicorn Theatre -- The Various Roads to Becoming a Community Manager Panelists include: James Stevenson [Senior Community Manager, Insomniac Games], Jay Frechette [Community Manager, Visceral Games], Allison Thresher [Community Manager, Harmonix], Arne Meyer [Community Strategist, Naughty Dog], Jennifer Kye [Company Blogger, Gameloft], Sam Huston [Independent]
Friday, 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM, Pegasus Theatre -- The Community Manager Challenge Panelists include: Larry Hryb [Major Nelson, Xbox], Stephanie Bayer [Community Mgr, Bioware], Alexis Hebert-Ruiz [Community Mgr, Terminal Reality], Sam Houston [Social Media Mgr, Perfect World], Christa "Trixie360" Charter [Xbox], Arne Meyer [Naughty Dog], Will Kinsler [EA Sports], Kathleen "cookiecups" Sanders [Xbox Indie Games], Robert "fourzerotwo" Bowling [Infinity Ward], Jeff Rubenstein Rubenstein [Playstation], John Drake [Manager, Communications and Special Projects, Harmonix]
Saturday, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Pegasus Theatre -- The Community Manager Challenge Part 2 Panelists include: Larry Hryb [Major Nelson, Xbox], Stephanie Bayer [Community Mgr, Bioware], Alexis Hebert-Ruiz [Community Mgr, Terminal Reality], Will Kinsler [Community Mgr, EA Sports], Sam Houston [Social Media Mgr, Perfect World], Christa "Trixie360" Charter [Xbox], Arne Meyer [Naughty Dog], Will Kinsler [EA Sports], Kathleen "cookiecups" Sanders [Xbox Indie Games], Robert "fourzerotwo" Bowling [Infinity Ward], Jeff Rubenstein Rubenstein [Playstation], John Drake [Manager, Communications and Special Projects, Harmonix]
Friday, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM, Serpent Theatre -- What Do Fans Want? Fan Feedback on Community Panelists include: James Stevenson [Senior Community Manager, Insomniac Games], Allison Thresher [Community Manager, Harmonix Music Systems], Arne Meyer [Community Strategist, Naughty Dog], Ben Swanson [Senior Community Manager, Visceral Games], Stephanie Bayer [Community Manager, Roundhouse Media]
UPDATE: PAX organizers tell us today that the two Community Managers Challenge panels are canceled.
Bad news! The 2 Community Manager Challenges (Fri-2:30p, Sat-11:30a) got canceled. Good news! We have two other cool panels to replace them.less than a minute ago via HootSuitePAXOfficial_PAX
If you want to take in everything you can related to Fallout: New Vegas before its late October release, then you might want to check out a free preview.
The hardcover graphic novel, which will be published by Dark Horse Comics, features a story written by New Vegas Creative Director Chris Avellone. It also features cover art by artist Geof Darrow (Conceptual Designer for The Matrix film trilogy) and color by Peter Doherty (Shaolin Cowboy). Other artistic contributions include Jean Diaz (Incorruptible) and Wellington Alves (Shadowland: Blood on the Streets, Nova). The first ten pages of the graphic novel are available on iTunes.
The graphic novel comes with the Collector's Edition of Fallout: New Vegas, which runs $79.99.
UPDATE: Creative Director Chris Avellone replied to this story: "It's been one of my childhood dreams to write for comics, and another of my dreams to return to the Fallout universe - All Roads was a chance to do both and tell stories beyond the ones the player will experience in Fallout: New Vegas."
Cryptic Studios and Atari are celebrating the one-year anniversary of superhero/villain MMO Champions Online's launch by offering a free trial beginning today.
The free trial for Champions Online runs from today, September 1, through Tuesday, September 7. Cryptic Studios spokesperson Christopher Clarke says that the game will be on sale later this month for $6 at Direct 2 Drive, and this includes 30 days of free playtime.
Clarke also says that content in the free trial is "largely unrestricted play. Players new to the game will be able to enjoy the game with friends of any level."
All content in the Champions Online store is also 20 percent off during this timeframe, save the new "Millennium Costume Set."
Apple revealed new models of almost all of its major products and upcoming software updates at its annual September press conference. Some of the event's highlights include the first public showing of Game Center, Epic's upcoming iPhone game Project Sword, and the first iPod model to include a camera.
Image courtesy MacWorld.
While previously touted at past press events, the Game Center feature for the iPhone/iPod/iPad devices was finally shown to the press. The Game Center will will be a downloadable App that functions as an API for the platform's many games. Game Center will allow easier access to online mulitplayer and the ability to see what games your friends are playing and how they're performing. The Game Center App will be available on select iPhone and iPod Touch models starting next week.
Attendees at Apple's event and the select few that were able to stream the conference properly from Safari were able to observe Game Center in action as Epic Games debuted its upcoming title for Apple platforms in the form of Project Sword -- an action role-playing game. After Epic President Mike Capps was downed during a fierce battle, an Game Center achievement popped up, showing the integration of the API in the new game. The final version of the code-named game will be due out before the end of the year.
Meanwhile, amongst the throng of new products revealed at the conference -- including an iPod Shuffle that brings back buttons, an iPod Nano that will now include a touch-screen, and an HD-streaming Apple TV -- Apple CEO Steve Jobs showed off the next iteration of iPod Touch hardware. Due out this holiday season in a $230 8GB model, a $300 32GB model, and a $400 64GB model, the next iPod Touch will include the higher-resolution display and increased motion control employed in the iPhone 4, as well as a single camera located near the device's display. All three of the new features could lead to increased implementation in features in upcoming games as the installed base for the features grow.
Which new reveal at the Apple event impressed you the most?
SOURCE: Live Update: Apple Music Event [MacWorld]
Telltale Games' upcoming adventure game set in the Back to the Future universe will include input from two artists well-known to fans of the films. Christopher Lloyd, who played Doc Brown throughout the trilogy, will lend his voice to the game, while Bob Gale -- co-writer for the original film -- will help craft the plot of the game.
Image courtesy USA Today.
Not too long ago, Telltale asked for fan input on the elements of the film franchise that should be present in the company's upcoming Back to the Future game. The developer is apparently taking it to heart as it has confirmed a slew of important elements that will be present in its version of Back to the Future.
Lloyd will be presumably be returning to the role of Doc Brown, as he has been confirmed as one of the vocal cast for the upcoming title, while both his and Michael J. Fox's likenesses will be used to create the animated in-game characters (a concept sketch of which can be seen above). Back to the Future co-writer Bob Gale will be aiding in creating the story for the five-episode series. Hopefully development for this title will go more smoothly than Lloyd and Gale's first game projects, as Lloyd starred in Toonstruck, which saw significant cuts in content, while Gale wrote the script for the unreleased Mortal Kombat clone Tattoo Assassins.
Luckily, Lloyd and Gale will have plenty of familiar elements to work with, as the game will include the series' signature DeLorean time machine, and familiar settings like Hill Valley and the 1985 time-line.
Any Back to the Future fans looking forward to this? What would you like to see in the games?
SOURCE: Telltale Games times 'Back to the Future' project [USA Today Game Hunters]
Reports this morning say there's a 30 percent staff reduction at LucasArts going into effect today. We got confirmation from LucasArts with the following statement:
"LucasArts is reorganizing its teams to better address the needs of the internal studio. Unfortunately, this means adjusting staffing. LucasArts continues to be committed to creating a first-class internal studio – and to fostering relationships with trusted external partners – in order to deliver quality games that amaze and inspire fans."
The representative we spoke to declined to name the total number of staff gone, or which departments suffered the most drastic cuts. The initial report began at Kotaku as a rumor a little over two weeks after Haden Blackman left the company.
GamePro will continue to follow this story as it develops.
Square Enix announced via its official site this morning that the Final Fantasy XIV beta planned for launch later today is postponed.
At issue are several critical bugs confirmed by the developer. Square Enix has no new date for the rescheduled beta, and they've also moved back the beta code handouts.
"With the download of client software's installer," the post reads, "it will be suspended at 19:00 (PDT) on Aug. 31, 2010."
While we wait, why not check out our latest Final Fantasy XIV preview?
UPDATE: The beta launches tonight at 7PM PST. The developers said they'd completed the bug investigation and implemented a fix.
Source: FINAL FANTASY XIV Open Beta Test Postponed [Final Fantasy XIV official site via Shacknews]
Patch 1.2 for real-time strategy game, Supreme Commander 2, is a doosey. There are over 100 items fixed, updated, or brand-new in features.
You can head over to the SC2 official blog to get the full laundry list, but of note are these known issues with the patch:
Additionally, there's some griping in the blog comments about the pre-order maps (Emerald Crater, Iskellian Coast, QAI Prototype Facility, Seraphim VII Site, and Weddell Isle) being opened up to all players as opposed to the developers adding "real" new maps via the patch. But, hey, isn't that what downloadable content packs are for?
A new Xbox 360 controller was revealed yesterday alongside release dates for a variety of DLC packs to use said accessory on. A few other links came across our browsers that didn't fit into the aforementioned criteria, but we've luckily found a home for them in this morning's daily stale bread.
8/31--WOOT NEW CONTROLLER
Studio Ghibli's Gorgeous Ni no Kuni Gets Hands-on At Tokyo Game Show
Dave: I know the demo will probably be entirely in Japanese, but Will, AJ -- you will not be allowed to return from TGS without playing this game.
Will: Thanks for the information, Dave. Or, as they say in Japan, "Dome oh oregano."
Coming soon to the Xbox LIVE MarketplaceDave: From the people who brought you 'Summer of Arcade'... here comes 'The Game Feast.'
AJ: This is the first video game marketing scheme to discriminate against anorexics.
Understanding the Cycle of Violent Videogame StoriesAJ: Interesting story, but it's hard to source all of the information within his speech.
Dave: That reminds me... I need to post a story about how Super Mario Bros. incites violence against turtles and lizards.
Where do DJ Hero tracks come from?
Dave: AJ, I know you <3 Dan (and he's a pretty cool guy from my experiences with him), but I wouldn't have him DJ my wedding.
AJ: Fair enough. The video is entertaining and informative, though.
Dave: Agreed.
Microsoft's reveal of a new design for its Xbox 360 controller presents a perfect opportunity for us to ask if any other controllers could use a tweak or two...or a dozen, if your Tweets were any indication.
Here's the innocent question we posed to our Twitter followers, brought to light by the Xbox 360 controller redesign due this November:
Microsoft is redesigning the Xbox 360 controller this fall. What other consoles and controllers do you think could use a revamp?less than a minute ago via TweetDeckGameProGamePro
The Tweet above set off a torrent of backlash against all of the current controllers. First, a few comments about the Wii Remote:
@GamePro Basic one: the Wii Remote should be reworked to include Motion Plus functionality. There are small companies doing that already.less than a minute ago via Chromed BirdRe: Gamesregames
@GamePro The PS3 controller could use concave analog sticks, and the Wii needs more buttons.less than a minute ago via TrillianRoss PollyGreedyRaven
A comparatively larger crowd weighed in with improvements for the PlayStation 3 DualShock, which has already seen one upgrade from its Sixaxis origins. Here's the qualms raised about Sony's controller:
@GamePro Make the PS3 controller less hand crampy, finger killing, woops I clicked R3 and knifed the air.less than a minute ago via webObsession88Obsession88
@GamePro Umm, how about the Dualshock 3? Too small, and grips should be more ergonomic. Needs to be widened, reshaped.less than a minute ago via webmattwendelMwendel283
.@GamePro The fucking PS3 dualshock is idiotic and needs decent fucking shoulder-button triggers.less than a minute ago via webJulian WilliamstheMirai
And finally, a pair of followers looked even further into the past to find controllers in need of improvement:
@GamePro I think the n64 could use a controller revampless than a minute ago via Twitter for iPhoneKubakiKubakicat
@GamePro The Intellivision controller needs to be redesigned. I keep losing the overlays.less than a minute ago via TweetDeckSixtyBonessixtybones
So what should we take from this feedback session? For one thing, people like to complain about hardware designs. However, all of the replies bring up valid points and the console manufacturers should be vigilant about constantly improving controller designs. Otherwise, we'd still be playing games on the original Xbox 'Duke' Controller.
EA's Madden franchise is blitzing its way to Facebook with Madden NFL Superstars, a team-management sim developed by social-gaming company Playfish.
Similar to a fantasy-football league and Facebook soccer-sim FIFA Superstars, the free-to-play Madden NFL Superstars has players creating teams and competing against their Facebook friends or other players on the social network. You acquire players by spending end-game money you earn from victories or by using real-world cash. You can also trade players with your Facebook friends.
This social-game take on Madden also showcases its take on Madden's "Game Changers," giving your team a needed boost (such as a kickoff return for a TD) when used. It'll also have achievements. The game is available now at Facebook.
To celebrate the launch of the upcoming Professor Layton and the Unwound Future in the U.S., Nintendo has a Ladies vs. Gents puzzle challenge planned for downtown San Francisco.
The event happens at Union Square on September 7 between 11AM PST and 6PM PST. Actors dressed like characters from the game guide visitors into a red telephone booth set piece to play a level from the game. Scores from men and women are tallied separately, although there is no prize for the gender with the best score.
The bottom line is you get to play Unwound Future almost a week before the game's September 12 release -- and stare at funnily-dressed people (but you can do that in San Francisco pretty much any day of the week). Other product demos, like the PlayStation 3 kiosks showing off MLB: The Show games at AT&T Ballpark, certainly don't have actors staffing them.
Liveries and new cars highlight the content in a pair of DLC packs coming September 1 to the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live for racing game Split/Second -- and one is free.
The free DLC pack from developer Black Rock Studio is the Elite Vehicle Livery Pack. This piece of DLC adds new liveries for Elite vehicles of Brawn, Vixen, and Raptor.
The other DLC is the High Octane Supercar Pack, which adds three new supercars and a new livery for the Ryback Cyclone. The price is $2 (that's 160 Microsoft Points).
Click here to read GamePro Reviews Editor Tae Kim's Editor's Choice appraisal of Split/Second.
Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb hopped on YouTube today to show off a new Xbox 360 controller with "transforming D-pad." Check it out:
The controller is part of a $64.99 Play & Charge Kit that launches in the U.S. on November 9. A Microsoft spokesperson told CVG the U.K. gets the kit in "early 2011."
If you're at PAX Prime this weekend, Major Nelson has a few of these controllers to give away for free during his Live Podcast session on Sunday.
Source: New Xbox 360 Wireless controller featuring a transforming D-Pad [Major Nelson's blog]
Minerva's Den is available today on the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade for $9.99 (that's 800 Microsoft points).
Minerva's Den introduces new characters and areas as the player teams up with Brigid Tenenbaum as you explore the Den. This includes a visit to Rapture Central Computing, a new location in Rapture, and encounter the ominous artificial intelligence running the show, The Thinker . The DLC includes new high-tech weapons (the Ion Laser) and a new Plasmid (the "Gravity Well") -- and Minerva's Den introduces a new type of Big Daddy.
Developed by 2K Marin, Minerva's Den is the final single-player-focused piece of downloadable content for BioShock 2 (read Will Herring's 5-star review here.) For more details on Minerva's Den, read this preview.
With barely a week gone since Mafia 2's debut, 2K Games has downloadable content. The first DLC pack, Jimmy's Vendetta, hits Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Network on September 7.
The DLC features 30 new quests in the role of Jimmy -- the guy the mob calls in to "finish the job." Vendetta will set you back 800 Microsoft Points or $9.99, depending on your system.
Prices aren't coming down on the base game just yet, however. By the time they do, 2K might well have more DLC out.
The day was filled with price fluctuations, network outages, and company changes, but our in-office conversations were filled with stories of a different ilk. Read on to see the craziness that composes our daily stale bread.
8/30--Price formerly XL, now just L
awesome super mario sweaters: only in japan
Want! But alas... Japan-only. :(
Dave: $425?! For that much, it should come with the attractive Japanese model of your choice.
Dead Rising 2: Case Zero Is NOT Delayed in the WestDave: I'mappy that Dead Rising: Case Zero wasn't delayed (and is available now), but sad that a DLC mini-prequel is this week's biggest Xbox 360 game.
Will: Here's some more salt for the wound... there are twice as many PSP games out this week.
If You 'Like' Lost in Shadow on Facebook, Child's Play Gets A DonationAJ: So 'Liking' Lost in Shadow on Facebook will send 10 cents to Child's Play via Hudson, while having your profile picture turned into a shadow will up the ante to a buck.
Dave: I'm in for a dime, but my extreme vanity won't allow me to alter my profile. Sorry, kids...
Looks Like Vinnie Chase Is In The Kinect Beta
Dave: The title has the wrong character's name, but since everyone in the show leeches off of Vincent, it's possible that Turtle leveraged his relationship to get the Kinect early. Also, Entourage sucks.
Will: D-bags demoing products? It's like Microsoft doesn't want us buying the Kinect...
We posed questions relating to some of the day's top stories to our twitter followers, and they provided us with astute observations in less than 140 characters. Read on to see how our followers really feel.
To start the day, we brought up the significant price shifts of the day in the following tweet:
XBL sub prices are up (http://bit.ly/clOVD6 ) while DSi prices are down (http://bit.ly/bgaBRw). What price shifts do you see happening soon?less than a minute ago via TweetDeckGameProGamePro
While we asked for thoughts on other price shifts, our user-base instead used the occasion to rail on Microsoft's price hike. Here's a few choice barbs thrown by GamePro followers:
@GamePro total dogshit on the live pricing. Costs have gone DOWN if anything.less than a minute ago via FlipboardThomas Inghamtingham
@GamePro they're raising xbl yearly to 60$ and psn is still free! That's such crap I know times are tough but don't take it out on us.less than a minute ago via Twitter for iPhoneJohn Drelickjohndrelick
Later in the day, we used the news of corporate reorganization at Atlus to pique user thoughts on other companies that may not have much more financial life left in their bodies. Here's what folks had to say:
@GamePro I think THQ may be on the bubble. Despite many quality titles and many more in the pipe, they can't seem to turn a profit.less than a minute ago via DestroyTwitterParallax AbstractionPXAbstraction
@GamePro It seems like every developer is one bad game away from closing. That's why its so easy to play it safe by iterating not innovatingless than a minute ago via TrillianRoss PollyGreedyRaven
As you can see, gamers know that most moves being made in the industry are safe bets, which is not good news for experimental publishers like THQ and developers of quirky fare like Atlus. Hopefully we'll see both companies flourish in the coming months instead of floundering.
Have something to say about the topics above or other gaming-related matters? Follow GamePro on Twitter and keep an eye open for daily questions from the staff.
Capcom's taking an interesting approach to spreading the word about an upcoming event for Dead Rising 2 at the PAX Prime. Instead of the traditional "Come play X with us," Capcom's public-relations handlers are wrapping up the event in the guise of a hardware-store sale.
The flyer for the special sale at "Greene's Hardware Store" on Friday, Sept. 3 advertises "blockbuster sales of your favorite combo weapons and accessories only walking distance from the convention center."
In other words, Capcom's announcing an event for Dead Rising 2 where you'll get to play with the game's combo weapons. The event's at 909 Western Ave. in Seattle. The first 50 attendees also receive a prize (sadly, it's not the awesome-looking "Freedom Bear" that would look perfect on Stephen Colbert's desk on The Colbert Report.)
Is the sheer depth of Borderlands' DLC keeping you from diving into the epic role-playing-first-person shooter? 2K Games and Gearbox are aiming to make your initiation easy, with a 'Game of the Year' edition collecting all four expansion packs into one retail purchase.
Available on October 12 for $60 on the Xbox 360 and $50 on the PC, Borderlands Game of the Year will have $40 worth of DLC packed with the game disc (which currently retails for $40 itself). The first three DLC packs -- The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned, Mad Moxxi's Underdome Riot, and The Secret Armory of General Knoxx -- will be included on the disc, while a voucher for the upcoming fourth DLC, entitled Claptrap's New Robot Revolution, will be sold with the package. The package will also include a map of all of the unique areas included in the Borderlands world.
Is this new package enticing any of you shooter fans looking to finally make a run for Borderlands? If so, what kept you away before?
Between now and the end of the 2010 fiscal year in early 2011, several massively multiplayer online games we've known and played for years will receive expansions. Now's as good a time as any to find out if things really do change the more they stay the same.
Right now, the eyes of many MMO players are fixed on World of Warcraft's third expansion, Cataclysm. In addition to the usual content MMO players expect from expansions (such as new dungeons, new quests, and maybe even new races), the expansion also adjusts gameplay elements like the talent system and takes a stab at integrating DirectX 11. While the world waits for a release date, however, EverQuest and EverQuest II publisher Sony Online Entertainment chose September to announce its own set of expansions for both games. EQ is on its 17th expansion, which adds in-game housing, and EQII introduces flying mounts in expansion No. 7.
It seems like the changes to EQ and EQII are mostly cosmetic when compared to Cataclysm. Housing gives EQ players a place to stick their collectibles, and flying mounts -- while sometimes practical -- are mostly just a style thing (plus, WOW has them, too). But even though neither expansion dramatically changes the landscape of their respective games, they are still part of a set of MMO "game-changers" developers invest in over time.
"Game-changers" are aspects of development that significantly improve not just the game but the entire genre. They're especially important for MMOs. Consider this MMO game-changer: fast travel. Before MMOs evolved a system of warp points or in-game transportation, it could take up to half an hour for players to get to the action in an MMO like EverQuest. As if that wasn't bad enough, you'd spend 10 minutes fighting and then another half-hour running back to turn in a quest. And trying to meet up with buddies to fight the same thing? Forget it.
Eventually, MMOs introduced in-game transportation in the form of mounts or waypoints that would warp groups of players to different points in the virtual world. This evolved from various fast-travel systems and buddy-to-buddy warp points into flying mounts like the ones coming to EQII -- and even into player flight like in Aion: Tower of Eternity.
Other MMO game-changers include player versus player combat (PVP), instances where everyone gets their own Xeroxed copy of a dungeon or battlegrounds to play in, and even microtransaction payments.
Longstanding MMOs like EQ, EQII, and WOW were bound to evolve systems like travel over time just to stay competitive with each other and on top of new technology. But no successful game-changer happens overnight (if it does, it can be a disaster). Smaller game-changers or added content introduced an MMO over time serve the dual purpose of freshening a stale game and paving the way for bigger changes, like fast travel that evolves the genre as a whole.
EverQuest Producer Thom Terrazas tells GamePro that his expansion, House of Thule, doesn't count as a game-changer in his opinion. Rather, he thinks of it as a "value added" element that keeps EQ current.
"We've seen in other games how successful [houses] have been," he says. "You can obviously reinvent the wheel [with expansions], but if you start to see that everybody has got a better solution or something much better, then you're going in the wrong direction. Obviously, you want to make sure that you can do something bigger and better the next time around."
Without revealing too much, Terrazas says that while houses aren't a game-changer, they do lay the groundwork for "bigger and better" changes down the line. While players can opt out of even having a house, a lot of technical work went into building them, and Terrazas wants his team to build on that for their 18th expansion -- something that he would consider a game-changer.
"This is a business," he explains. "There are going to be business decisions, and there are going to be gameplay decisions, and they have to live together. And it'll be difficult, but I think that players need to see the benefits before they make the decision to opt-out."
Rolling out a change or a new feature of any kind is always a risk for MMO developers, even when players can opt out of it or play the game for months without even seeing it. MMOs are dependent on fan loyalty, and fans don't like surprise overhauls of their beloved games for what they think of as no good reason.
Take for example the New Game Enhancement (NGE), a second update made to Star Wars Galaxies. The changes were major, like the overhaul of the profession system that allowed players to choose "Jedi" instead of working for it, and the backlash from fans was intense. Though LucasArts doesn't call Galaxies a failure or mention the impact NGE had on the MMO's lifecycle, three years later the company announced a new Star Wars MMO, The Old Republic, and other MMO developers speak openly of NGE as a "fan rebellion" disaster.
"There's two things that you have [if you want to change your MMO] -- one, you have to have guts that you're willing to tamper with your game. And two, you have to have a lot of time, because the big features require a lot of effort," says David Georgeson, senior producer for EQII. While his next expansion, Destiny of Velious, "barely" counts as a game-changer in his own words, he's a fan of looking ahead to the changes he could make in the future -- if fan support and resources allow.
"There are some things we'd love to do to EQII, but we're going to have to suss them out with our existing players to make sure that they're cool with it. And of course we have a lot of work to do before that, and we're certainly not getting to it before we launch Velious," he says. "Let's just say that it would be great if there were different ways to play EverQuest II than the current combat model -- we have combat and we have trade skills -- and when you get right down to it, we have lots and lots of flavors of those. But it'd be great if there were other things to do, also."
Japanese video-game publisher Atlus Co. was dissolved today by its parent company, Index Holdings, according to a report from 1UP.com. A representative for the company says the brand will continue to exist under the merger. What this means for Atlus U.S.A. at this point is uncertain.
GamePro Media asked Atlus U.S.A. Manager of Public Relations and Sales Aram Jabbari on how this moves would affect the U.S. arm of the company. We are awaiting comment.
Gamers know Atlus for its publication of Japanese games such as the Shin Megami Tensei series, Trauma Center, and surprise 2009 hit Demon's Souls. The U.S. arm was founded in 1991.
Source: Atlus dissolved by parent company [1UP.com]
It's going to cost Xbox Live members a little more to play games online as Microsoft plans to raise rates for its popular service beginning November 1.
For players in the United States, the cost of an Xbox Live Gold account increases from $7.99 a month to $9.99 a month. For those who pay every three months, the increase is from $19.99 to $24.99. Users who subscribe for the year see their fees change from $49.99 to $59.99.
Xbox Live Gold account holders in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Mexico shall also see an increase in their membership dues.
GamePro will update with comment from Microsoft when it's available.
Current Xbox Live Gold account holders in the U.S. can renew their subscriptions now for $39.99 under a special promotion that ends October 31.
UPDATE: Larry Hryb, Xbox Live's "Major Nelson," confirms that this is the first price increase since the online service's launch in 2002.
The PlayStation Network will be down today until 12:30PM PST for scheduled maintenance, Sony tells us. PlayStation 3 users be advised:
While maintenance is underway, you won't have access to the PlayStation Store or the accountable management system. You'll also have problems signing in to PSN.
Stay up-to-date on PSN's progress via their Twitter feed.
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