Category: Previews
Third-person tactical shooter, SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs ships, out April 19
It has been confirmed that third-person tactical shooter SOCOM 4 will be released in North America on April 19th.
Last week, Zipper Interactive, the developers behind the Playstation game, announced the news on the SOCOM.com web site, saying as the company “counts down the days and weeks to April 19, you can expect plenty of news, details and media to get you hyped up for what we think is the best SOCOM game yet..”
If you want to keep up with Socom 4, you can follow Zipper Interactive on Twitter, twitter.com/zipper
So what’s all the hype about?
Here’s a look at the SOCOM 4 “Not For Self” trailer.
Bodycount: Why first person shooters must distance themselves from Call of Duty to be successful
If you’re tired of playing Call of Duty or its clones, Andy Wilson of Codemasters promises that Bodycount, its upcoming video game to be released in 2011, will deliver an innovative new way for gamers to enjoy first person shooters.
To be successful in a market clearly dominated by Call of Duty, Andy Wilson told a reporter for Edge Magazine, “I think the biggest thing in the FPS genre right now is trying to distance yourself from the hugely successful examples like Call Of Duty or Battlefield.”
An excerpt of the interview was published on CVG (Computers and Videogames) in a story titled: Distancing from CoD is ‘genre’s biggest issue’ – Bodycount dev.
Andy Robinson, the author of the CVG article writes: “The director told Edge the Codies team has deliberately gone out to find a place of its own with Bodycount, and both visually and gameplay-wise it’s already pretty different. “I can’t think of anything comparable at the moment,” he said.”
The CGV story which provides good insight into how game developers are evolving, can be read in its entirety here.
About Bodycount
Bodycount rips apart the first person shooter as genre-defining gunplay comes alive in a balletic orgy of bullets and destruction.
Experience the intense thrill of close-quarters combat in a shreddable world as Bodycount blasts outrageous fire-fights and ferocious action from both barrels. Become a powerful combat asset green-lighted to eliminate enemies known only as ‘Targets’ on behalf of the ‘Network’, ensnared in a clandestine global power struggle that rages away from the headlines and under the cover of conventional war zones.
This exhilarating shooter drops players into chaotic areas of operations equipped with a mouth-watering selection of contemporary weapons to tear through environments and enemies, chaining kills, earning power ups and building up a bullet meter to unleash devastating air strikes on enemies.
Complimented by co-operative online play and multiplayer modes, Bodycount will set new standards for spectacular, visceral gun play and put the fun back into the FPS.
If you’d like to keep up on the latest Bodycount news, follow @bodycountgame on Twitter or visit the official Bodycount blog.
If you’re wondering what all the hype is about, here’s a look at one of the newest Bodycount trailers provided by IGN.
Bulletstorm rating write-up by ESRB is Badass
“Specialty kills (i.e., Skillshots) represent the most intense instances of violence: enemies can be dismembered with explosives; impaled on spikes; and drilled into walls, resulting in body parts breaking into pieces. During the course of the game, players can consume alcohol and kill enemies in order to receive an Intoxicated Skillshot; the screen turns blurry during these sequences…”
And that’s only part of it.
There’s no denying that Bulletstorm is one of the most anticipated first-person shooters of 2011.
The rating summary of “Mature” could very well be one of the best rating summaries by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), the non-profit self-regulatory body that independently assigns ratings to videogames.
The ESRB summary has made a number of headlines, some for news reasons, others mainly because of the seriously badass description.
Headlines have ranged from Bulletstorm ESRB Description Is Full Of Awesome over at MTV to Bulletstorm ESRB Rating is Comedy Gold by Escapist Magazine.
Here’s a look at the full ESRB summary, which in itself, is mature:
This is a first-person shooter in which players assume the role of a space pirate who must escape a planet populated by mutant cannibals. Players use futuristic machine guns, shotguns, magnum revolvers, assault rifles, and chain guns to perform over-the-top kills that dismember and decapitate foes. Injured enemies emit large sprays of blood that stain the ground and surrounding walls. Specialty kills (i.e., Skillshots) represent the most intense instances of violence: enemies can be dismembered with explosives; impaled on spikes; and drilled into walls, resulting in body parts breaking into pieces. During the course of the game, players can consume alcohol and kill enemies in order to receive an Intoxicated Skillshot; the screen turns blurry during these sequences. The dialogue contains numerous jokes and comments that reference sexual acts, venereal diseases, and having sex with one’s mother (e.g., “Guess I know where the ol’ gal got that limp.”). The names of some Skillshots are infused with sexual innuendo (e.g., Gag Reflex, Rear Entry, Drilldo, Mile High Club); one Skillshot (i.e., Fire in the Hole) allows players to shoot at enemies’ exposed buttocks. Language such as “f**k,” “sh*t,” “p*ssy,” and “c*ck” can be heard in dialogue.
Epic Games and People Can Fly, the development studios behind the game, have been perfectly up front about the over-the-top shooter. If you haven’t watched any of the Bulletstorm trailers, you should.
Here’s a look at one of the game’s recent over-the-top trailers.
Bulletstorm, published by Electronic Arts, is currently scheduled for a February 22, 2011 release. More information can be found on Bulletstorm.com. On Twitter @Bulletstorm and on Facebook at Facebook.com/bulletstorm
Killzone 3 rated “Mature” by ESRB for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, and Strong Language
Examiner is reporting that the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), a non-profit self-regulatory body that independently assigns ratings, has classified Killzone 3 as “Mature” for blood and gore, intense violence, and strong language. According to the ESRB: “Titles rated M (Mature) have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.”
M for Mature, comes in right below an Adult rating: “Titles rated AO (Adults Only) have content that should only be played by persons 18 years and older. Titles in this category may include prolonged scenes of intense violence and/or graphic sexual content and nudity.”
It’s good to see Killzone 3 get a Mature rating. A rating of M indicates the game will have plenty of action that gamers have come to enjoy.
Here’s a look at the rating summary by the ESRB:
This is a first-person shooter in which players assume the role of interplanetary soldiers who must salvage mankind’s future. Players use electricity guns, pistols, machine guns, flamethrowers, and plasma grenades to destroy robot drones and enemy soldiers. Frenetic battles are highlighted by realistic gunfire and screams of pain; enemies emit large splashes of blood when shot. The game also depicts intense close-up attacks against enemies: snapping necks, slicing throats, stabbing or gouging eyes. Some weapons (e.g., boltgun and sniper rifle) can decapitate enemy soldiers with headshots, and one blood-splattered environment depicts severed human limbs. Language such as “f*ck” and “sh*t” can be heard in the dialogue.
If you haven’t seen footage of Killzone 3, here’s a gameplay demo of the game in Alpha mode. The game is scheduled to be released on Feb. 22, 2011.
Crytek’s first online FPS called Warface is a military shooter that is free-to-play
Set in the future, Crytek’s first online FPS called Warface is a military shooter that will be free-to-play. The game is dedicated to the Korean and other Asian markets, according to a press release issued in late November. In a genre dominated by Call of Duty, Crytek aims to revolutionize the online FPS gaming space for first person military shooter games.
Here’s a quick look at the press release that went out last month.
The military shooter in its near future setting offers a cinematic experience with next gen visuals, AI and physics based on Crytek’s proprietary CryENGINE® 3 game development solution. Warface provides gamers with a constantly updated extensive PVE universe full of dramatic multiplayer co-op missions, a full set of class based PVP and will be available for PC. This new Crytek IP is especially dedicated to the Korean and other Asian markets and is co-produced by Crytek Seoul. Warface is supported by a free-to-play business model.
“Our passion is to always deliver the best gaming experience possible. That’s why we opened our Crytek Seoul office in 2008 which today enables us to offer a game that is tailored to suit its market. We’re excited to debut with Warface in South Korea and to deliver a compelling and truly unique experience soon.” said Cevat Yerli, CEO & President of Crytek.
“Crytek’s proven pedigree with its multi-award winning AAA FPS games combined with our own cutting-edge technology CryENGINE® 3 and our dedicated team of experts makes us confident Warface will revolutionize the genre and become the next generation in online FPS.” added Yohan Kim, Managing Director of Crytek Seoul.
A video teaser and two screen shots have been released for the game so far, and judging by the video, the game play looks to rival even the best FPS games available.
Crytek, actually owns the domain name Warface.com, but at the time of this story there is no web site online.
The game studio looks to have acquired the name from its previous owner in early February according to the Whois records. The company made a smart move to purchase the domain before announcing the news of Warface, given that the price may have gone up had Crytek prematurely announced the title, then tried to acquire the name.
To get all the details on the game and to watch the video, visit: http://crytek.com/games/warface/overview
Prototype 2 video game confirmed at Spike VGAs
It is now confirmed: The “Murder Your Maker” teaser images, video, and web site are for a Prototype 2 video game.
Chriss Raven over at TGN Times, who had been speculating early on that one of the options to “Murder Your Maker” was a sequel to Prototype, was correct. The game is scheduled to be released in 2012.
Resistance 3 screenshots released by Insomniac Games through Facebook
Digital Trends reported earlier that independent game developer Insomniac Games had released screenshots for its upcoming 2011 release of the science fiction first person shooter video game: Resistance 3.
Insomniac games released the photos in an unconventional way, through the company’s Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/insomniacgames) which has nearly 25,000 fans at the time of the story. In order to view the exclusive content, Facebook users have to “Like” the company to get access.
The company has been posting other messages on its Facebook page about R3.
“Keep your eye out tomorrow during the R3 VGA trailer for one of your favorite RFOM/R2 weapons in its upgraded form. Really fun to use.”
The Spike Video Game Awards take place tonight.
Resistance 3 Synopsis
More details about the video game can be found on the company’s web site. Here’s a synopsis of the game’s story line, details and more exclusive photos.
August, 1957. America is lost. Four years after the end of the critically-acclaimed Resistance 2, dishonorably discharged Sentinel Joseph Capelli has given up fighting the Chimeran menace. Now he’s in hiding with other survivors, including his wife and young son. But when Dr. Fyodor Malikov arrives with the opportunity to deliver a blow to the occupying Chimeran force, Capelli must leave his family and journey the harrowing road from Oklahoma to New York City. Along the way, he’ll encounter the remnants of humanity left in the aftermath of the brutal Chimeran invasion.
Powered by InsomniacGames’ fifth-generation PlayStation 3 technology, Resistance 3 portrays Capelli’s heroic survival inside the brutal Resistance world. Featuring new upgradeable weapons, the return of the weapon wheel, two-player online or split-screen campaign co-op and a progression-based multiplayer experience, Resistance 3 delivers a heroic-yet savage first-person shooter experience for PlayStation 3.
Resistance 3 Synopsis
| Developer | Genre(s) |
| Insomniac Games | First person shooter |
| Publisher | Mode(s) |
| Sony Computer Entertainment | TBA |
| Engine | Rating(s) |
| Insomniac Engine | Pending |
| Platform(s) | Media |
| Playstation 3 | Blu-ray Disc |
Resistance 3 screen shots
It’s Official: Mass Effect 3 is close after EA leaks pre-order details on its own website
A sequel to Mass Effect 2 and the adventures of elite human soldier Commander Shepard, has now been confirmed after Electronic Arts posted a pre-order listing for Mass Effect 3 on its store website that confirmed the game’s imminent release.
Shortly after the listing, Electronic Arts took down the details of Mass Effect 3, but not the page (which can be found here), thanks to Google. The page says nothing more than the price of $59.99 and TBD. The pre-order button doesn’t work.
Bioware, the company that develops the Mass Effect series, was acquired by Electronic Arts in 2008.
The timing of the leak, couldn’t be worse. Bioware was hoping for a big surprise and big announcement at tonight’s Spike Video Game Awards for Mass Effect 3. But EA has bungled it up, quickly taking down the page that detailed the plot of Mass Effect 3.
Mass Effect 3 Details
Thanks to GameSpy who had a screen shot of the pre-order page, I’m able to share features about the game.
If you are having trouble reading the text, here’s a copy of what’s included in the screenshot:
Earth is burning. Striking from beyond known space, a race of terrifying machines have begun their destruction of the human race. As Commander Shepard, an Alliance Marine, your only hope for saving mankind is to rally the civilizations of the galaxy and launch one final mission to take back the Earth.
Murder Your Maker: Military tries to contain virulent plague in Prototype 2
Although it can’t be officially confirmed until the Spike Video Game Awards being held on Dec. 11, a number of vidoegame blogs and news sites are reporting that the “Murder Your Maker” teaser images, video, and web site are for a Prototype 2 video game.
Chriss Raven over at TGN Times was speculating early on that one of the options was a sequel to Prototype, the Activision game that was released in June 2009 and takes place in New York City, where a virulent plague has spread throughout Manhattan.
Those infected are mutated into hideous monsters. The United States Marine Corps, under the command of the black ops organization Blackwatch, is dispatched to contain it. At the center of it is the protagonist, Alex Mercer, a shapeshifter with no memory of his past. Alex has the ability to absorb other individuals, taking on their biomass, memories, experiences, and physical forms. Parallel to the game’s storyline is the ability to play the game as a sandbox-style video game giving the player freedom to roam Manhattan. [Wikipedia]
Yesterday, Chriss Ravven wrote another article pointing to the proof that “Murder Your Maker” is for the new Prototype 2 videogame – which comes from the YouTube trailer on the murderyourmaker.com web site.
I won’t be one to say I told you so, but I kind of did. The whole MURDER YOUR MAKER deal was Prototype 2, and the proof comes via the murderyourmaker.com website, no less. For those of you not following the story, that site was created rather recently, and it only had the large background image and some ominous music. It seems that it will be a much more story driven experience this time, focusing on the plot more than the previous entry in the franchise. And the piece of proof itself is a five second long teaser, that shows imagery from the original Prototype and pieces of teaser artwork from the MURDER YOUR MAKER teasing campaign.
Visit the Murder Your Maker web site.
