Razer are known for bringing the gaming world some of the most advanced and high-end peripherals, and now it looks like we are going to see even more from the developer in the coming years. The company have just opened a new Technical Research Center in Austin, Texas which will focus on creating new technologies to change the future of gaming and consumer electronics.
“It really made sense to develop a technical research center in the heart of what people are calling the Silicon Hills,” said Min-Liang Tan, CEO and Creative Director, Razer. “We are moving full speed ahead to change the gaming space via a collaborative effort to focus even more on our intricate and high-quality designs, such as our recently announced Razer Switchblade. We intend to bring on only the best and most ambitious team members to help make the new research center a place where dreams and new technologies come true.”
Razer are also planning to build relationships with gaming developers and independent software providers to not just improve, but define the future direction of hardware technology. Lead Technologist, Rick Carini, will be at the forefront of the effort in Austin, which will include a technology lab where engineers and developers will create new concept vehicles as well as technology demos to help stimulate the market for ground-breaking technologies and ideas.
“If you were blown away by the Razer Switchblade and its dynamic interface, well then you haven’t seen anything yet,” adds Min. “The new research center will provide what we believe to be the future of several innovative technologies around the world. Our purpose is to be real game changers out there.”
With this new research center opening, it certainly looks like if you were not keeping up with Razer before, now is the time. I have a feeling with this announcement will come nothing but new technologies and releases that may very well change the way we not only play games, but also set a bar that all other developers will have to aim for. Kinda makes you want to get into those offices and see just what is being produced, but for now we must now wait impatiently to see just what is next for Razer.
Its been something console gamers have long awaited: the release of Crysis on the Xbox 360 and PS3. While we are still not getting the first game, at least we get the sequel. Having never had a PC powerful enough to run the original game, it is awesome to finally be able to play a game from the franchise. And what a game it is.
A squad of regular Marines is on a mission to rescue a man named Nathan Gould. While on their way to the waypoint, they are attacked and only one man survives. While laying there, groggy as all get out, he sees what looks like a vision of a superhuman that rescues him and fends off the enemy.
Soon enough, it is revealed that New York City is in turmoil, its people being infected by a strange disease, the politicians doing nothing but looking out for themselves and, to top it off, an independent military has taken control of the streets.
The next scene is so good that I would hate to ruin it for you; it is so emotionally impacting that it sets the stage for the entire game. Lets just say that eventually you end up getting a super human suit of your own and are tasked with saving the day.
Crysis 2 tells a story that has all the elements that many other games also have. Namely, there are aliens, infections, bad guys and morally confused scientists that created the superpowers that you currently use. Sound familiar? However, Crytek managed to make this story seem unique & they put in enough heart, detail and polish to make it memorable. In addition , the characters are interesting and will make you care about what happens to them.
During the game, there are a variety of ways the story told. There is the overarching storyline dealing with the aliens and the spore that has contaminated many citizens. Then there is the story that deals with how the nano-suit came to fruition and what is happening to it now and why. Next, there is the plot about how you came to be in your current situation. Although these are slightly separated, they eventually all feed into one overall experience full of mystery, intrigue, action and revelations. It is a little confusing, but eventually, it does make sense and it is worth sitting through the cut scenes to understand the greatness that Crytek has created.
Speaking of cut scenes, I would like to compliment Crytek on their implementation of this critical game component. They made sure that every scene was intricately filled with everything they wanted to show. In other words, they did not skimp on the scenes; this made the story so much more real and it prevented a lot of the confusion that often happens in video game stories. Some may say that cut scenes in the game are too long, but although they are long, I appreciated the effort they obviously put into them. Even the character models are finely crafted and they rank up there among the best, although they are still not perfect. For example, lip syncing is a small problem.
Does the gameplay hold up to the same standards as the story? Yes, it does. Basically, you are the ultimate soldier that can do anything and take on the most difficult assignments. You wear a nanosuit that literally attaches itself to your body and forms a symbiotic, syncing relationship with it. However, in this relationship, you get the better deal. You are granted the ability to be invisible. Or have super speed and strength. Perhaps a grenade has been thrown too close your person. One simple press of the RB button and the suit tightens up, building a heavy layer of webbing that protects you from the effects of the blast until the suit runs out of energy. Super jumping is also a trait that is enabled with the suit’s mighty powers. The best part about the suit is that, even though the energy runs out frequently, it is quick to recharge and you will hardly ever be without a power that you desperately need.
Using these powers in combat is truly one of the best moments you will ever experience in your video game life. At first, it took me awhile to shed my typical FPS gaming habits (the cover and shoot, if you will.) Often this led to me to my untimely death, even when using my newfound nano suit of incredibleness. But, once I ACTUALLY started using the powers, by running around in stealth mode taking out enemies and then using my Supermanerrific speed or jumping skills to get out of there, I found that the gameplay was much more rewarding. This suit of all trades could also be upgraded. Collecting alien DNA allows you to customize the various features of your suit. Simply press “Select” and you can do all sorts of stuff. One option was to allow you see a bullet’s trajectory before it hit you. Decreased energy loss was another upgrade. In total, there are 16 upgrades spread across four menus. You can only have four of these active at a time though. Your guns can also be upgraded in a similar way. Basically, your a walking arsenal that can pick and choose between weapons and abilities that are available at your fingertips. I can’t even begin to express how much innovation there is in the customization options. Nevertheless, often times, the nature of the game prevents you from feeling like a total bad ass all the time.
For one, your nano suit alerts you to when there are tactical options available to use. For example, it may alert you to the presence of a re-suppply station or sniping spot. However, often 3 or 4 of these markers will show up at once, and they are meant to be completed in a specific order. But, Crytek also wanted to give you the option to plan your own attacks and use your own tactics. Therefore, if you perfectly replicate the steps of their plan, using the tactical options, it most likely will turn out well. If you fail a step, or you try to use your own tactics, the environment basically just turns into a standard firefight. Admittedly it is still a firefight that you can use your suit in, but is still more or less the firefight that have you played in countless other games. It seems as though the game could have had more paths and options to use a in the areas that you mess around in. For instance, once I could not find my way out of a building. There were numerous windows, platforms and other things where I could have used my nano-tuxedo to break out, or climb out , but the level was set up in such way that I could only go out one way. Unfortunately ,the game wanted me to find a tiny, obscured lock in the basement to progress. It took me 15 minutes of running around the stairwells to finally stumble upon the solution. While writing that, I realized that there was one more little error in game design. Selecting guns and equipment to use was time consuming. To open doors, the main character had to literally look at the handle of the door. The same applied to trying to pick up guns on the floor. Just one little annoying trait that was often maddening.
Also, the game rarely needs you use all your abilities. I ran around the game using the stealth & armor options the most, and I didn’t use the other combos as much as I wanted too. Sometimes, yes, they were extremely useful, but rarely did feel like I NEEDED them. More levels that required platforming or running/sliding would have been appreciated.
Finally, the last fault with the game is the AI. Sometimes, they were super smart, and seemed as though they had eyes in the back of their head. Other times, these enemies were complete idiots, not seeing me run to them until I was at their throat. And then there the glitched ones. These buggy bad dudes would get stuck in the terrain, run into parked cars or go around in circles. It was a laugh riot for sure, but it was also awfully disheartening. I actually felt pity for them a few times.
All in all though, when used correctly, the suit is source of awe inspiring power that will make you feel like a true super soldier. At the same time though, it was as if the suit was so powerful, the developers had to overcompensate in level design to make it so that the game was not just piece of cake. Unless I am really missing something though, I think more tactical options for the PLAYER to choose would have been a stellar idea and one that could have provided the challenge that gamers like.
Now, the moment you have all been waiting for. The first Crysis has been the game that PC players flock to to set the bar for video cards. This game does not disappoint on the Xbox 360 either. All the art assets are crazy detailed to the finest degree, and it is stunning. It is readily apparent that graphics were lovingly created.
I also really liked the art direction of the game. A devastated city would normally just be boring colors. But this game’s color palette included much brighter colors, like silver, blue and orange that made the everything feel futuristic, and it improved the atmosphere of the game even more.
Hans Zimmer composed the soundtrack to Crysis 2, and, as usual, he hit it out of the park. A mix of techno beats, classical style and modern orchestra, I couldn’t get enough of it. The spookier parts of the game are perfectly exacerbated by the creepy tracks, and the faster songs pump up the adrenaline to max levels during action sequences. If there was one feature that I had to pick as my favorite from the game, it would be soundtrack. Voice acting is also quite good, as is virtually every sound that you will hear in the game. Every weapon sounds different, and every audio cue is right on the money.
Multi-player in Crysis 2 is also a treat, especially if you like twitchy, one burst kills. Plus, you can use your nanosuit in this mode, and that is great. Of course, there are those who abuse the suit, and who camp while invisible. Luckily, you can use your superhuman traits to take down these game wreckers, and it usually ends up being pretty fun. Using all your combat effectiveness with the suit is just as key in the online modes as it is in single player, and its just as fun too. The suit changes up the FPS formula so well that it almost feels like less of shooter and more of an all out war. A war where every advantage must be taken, and where you can’t just rely on your gun, reflexes and headshots.
Online playing will also keep the game going for a long time after you have finished. There are hundreds of unlockable dog tags to score, and there are plenty of weapons and other collectibles to get. Of course, there are also custom class options and these must be unlocked too.
Kill streak rewards are another way the game innovates. To get a kill streak award, you have to actually collect the dog tags of your fallen opponent. This slows the ultra killers down and prevents people from getting to the better stuff too fast. It also allows those who are not as good at the game to collect the tags their comrades missed and use the special rewards themselves. Overall, this is another unique feature that helps Crysis set the bar for the modern shooter.
The other really cool thing that Crysis multi-player features is the kill cam. It not only shows you where they guy who shot was, it also shows what weapons and suit powers he was using when he got you. It does move very quickly though, so you have to know what your looking for, or read it fast. Luckily, it can help you find different play styles that may make you a better player. This feature is another indication of just how much attention the developers put into this game.
All in all, one of the most frustrating parts of the game is the loading times. It takes as much as 1 minute to get into a multi-player match AFTER the lobby finishes choosing a map and waiting in between matches. Single player loading times are also atrocious. Waiting so long in between battles is awful, and it may be the worst part of the game.
In conclusion though, this game is something all shooter fans should play. The engaging story is complemented with fun gameplay and the graphics & audio make it all the better. Even the errors in level design and AI are overshadowed by the other fine parts of the experience. Multi-player is another high point in the game’s repertoire of superb elements. This is a game that will not disappoint you.
With the release of the 3DS just hours away in the UK and a few days from release in North America, many will be looking to test out the 3D aspects in all forms possible. Nintendo are now providing all users who update the system a nice incentive, the video for OK GO’s “White Knuckles” in full 3D. This video features a plethora of rescue dogs (and one goat), and has exceeded over 9 million views on Youtube alone.
“We shot the ‘White Knuckles’ video in 2D and 3D at the same time, but until now, there hasn’t been much opportunity for people to see the 3D version,” said Trish Sie, the video’s Grammy-winning director. “I’m fired up for people to watch the video again with Nintendo 3DS and experience it in a whole new way. This opens up all kinds of creative opportunities.”
For users who want to grab the video, all you have to do is just go into “System Settings” from the Home Menu, select “Other Settings” and scroll the page right to select “System Update.” Simple as that, really. This bit of news also makes me wonder just what sort of updates and videos we can expect later on in the handheld’s lifespan as the opportunities are truly endless. For now though, this update will serve as not only a great way to watch an awesome 3D video, but also will enhance the communication features of the Nintendo 3DS system so don’t forget to update when you pick up your 3DS.
With only a mere week until Dynasty Warriors 7 hits Western shores, Koei has released some new assets that highlight some of the inner workings of the story mode. Story mode is basically the campaign, you choose which faction you are going to place as and then proceed to play out their place in Chinese history.
In previous installments the story mode wasn’t as robust as it is in Dynasty Warriors 7, often being little more than a chain of regular missions strung together while you played as one character. Now, some story missions will have intermissions in between the battle that will develop the story a bit more and where you switch between characters mid-battle in order to give you a better “angle” on the battle and how the story is unfolding.
The story mode looks to be as intense and fun as ever, bringing siege weapons into the mix that the player will be able to operate in order to destroy set pieces like the Hulao Gate or clear some debris.
As you may have come to expect DW7 boasts quite the respectable roster, complete with 62 characters spanning 5 different factions. The various factions are Shu, Wu, Wei, Other and Jin. The former four have been a staple of the series, but the last one, Jin, was newly introduced with DW7. Head on over to the official site to get a glimpse of the roster and more information dealing with some of the news talked about here.
Dynasty Warriors 7 is looking better and better with each passing week. Just as a reminder, it hits American shores on March 29th and European shores on April 8th. Keep a look out for more news as the release nears closer and closer.
With the Green Lantern hitting theaters everywhere this summer, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment have now announced that they would not only be bringing out a game for consoles, but now for the 3DS. Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters is set to launch alongside the June release of the movie release of The Green Lantern and as you might have guessed, will fully utilize the handheld’s 3D features.
This announcement for the 3DS version of the game comes just a bit after confirmation that a Nintendo Wii, DS, PS3, and Xbox 360 version of the same title would also be releasing in June. The PS3 and Xbox 360 versions will be available in 3D as well and much like the Arkham Asylum Game of the Year edition, will include 3D glasses bundled with each copy of the game. Not a whole lot is known on how Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters will actually play on the 3DS aside from the 3D elements included which leads me to wonder if this version is packed with some action packed gameplay, or simply just a quick cash-in on 3DS owners. Either way, on June 7th Green Lantern fans everywhere will be able to get their hands on Rise of the Manhunters when it hits the 3DS in full force.
Readers may not recognize the name Robert Pelloni, but they may remember his creation, Bob’s Game. While probably no one has played Bob’s Game, it got quite a bit of attention from the gaming community a few years ago when its creator protested Nintendo’s decision to reject his application for a DS development kit. After the rejection notice, things got…weird. Pelloni locked himself in his room for what was to be 100 days while broadcasting his protest against the game publishing giant, only to trash his confined space after a month to the unease of his supporters. After a few other publicity stunts and quite a bit of silence, Robert Pelloni is back with a new creation.
If you were to visit Pelloni’s website, www.bobsgame.com, you wouldn’t find any information about the eponymous game. What you would find is a YouTube video about a portable gaming app store called the “nD” that is apparently in development by Pelloni. There are very few details given, but it seems as though the would-be developer is attempting to stick it to the big app-based business by offering a low-cost indie handheld capable of playing app-style games. It is unclear whether Pelloni is planning on manufacturing an actual portable unit or if he is simply planning the marketplace on which they would run. The video seems to imply that the manufacturing could be undertaken by anyone with an interest in furthering these goals or in selling apps on the system.
Pelloni also lists on his site, in a convenient, easy to read chart, the specs of the nD as compared to other devices with similar capabilities which you can see above. While the idea is certainly admirable (and definitely desirable!) I would keep in mind that Pelloni has yet to deliver Bob’s Game (now apparently being retooled for a PC release) and the Bob from which its name is derived has been less-than-reliable these past few years. I think that at best gamers should take this as a great idea by a man who has big ambitions. I suppose we’ll see what’s to come of this nD in the months (or years) to come, but until then check out the eerie yet entertaining announcement video.
If you were on the fence about Divinity II: The Dragon Knight Saga then now is your chance to sway your decision one way or another. Atlus has revealed today that they have placed their demo for the game on Xbox Live and is available right now. At least for the moment the demo is exclusive to Gold only members but will most likely be available to Silver members within a week. They also released a new trailer which you can catch below.
This demo arrives a few weeks before the actual release date of the game in the U.S. which is on April 12th. Anyone who picks up the game will be getting a bit of a bonus because it will come with the game’s soundtrack CD and a art book showing off various concept art and character art from the game. You can find the demo for Divinity II: The Dragon Knight Saga here.
While there have been attempts at hybridizing games with other media in the past, it usually hasn’t amounted to much. Alternative Reality Games and Social Gaming have attempted to create more community-centered gaming experiences, and there are tons of crossovers between video games and film or television. None of these examples are quite as ambitious as the new project in the works by Syfy (the sci-fi network which forgot how to spell its own name) and Trion Worlds, developers of Rift and End of Nations.
The game/television hybrid has been codenamed One World by some (although unofficially) and certainly sounds like a novel and intriguing idea. The concept behind it is that players in the MMORPG style game will interact with the same world and storyline they see taking place in the show, and the greater story arcs of the show will be determined by the players’ collective actions in the game. Imagine the show revolving around specific main characters and exploring their actions and interactions, whereas the game will revolve around the events taking place in the rest of the world.
The best example I can come up with is to imagine that the game is World of Warcraft, and it concerns the entire breadth and depth of conflict between the Alliance, the Horde, and whatever common threat they are currently facing (Deathwind as of late). The show then would be based on a small number of characters within this world. The setting would change as players affected the world of the game. If one faction gains power over another in player-vs-player battles, this may affect the status of the characters. If a worldwide event similar to the opening of Ahn’Qiraj in World of Warcraft (a server-wide event which required the cooperation of hundreds of players to open a dungeon) this would obviously open up new avenues for story development in the television show.
While many will probably remain skeptical until they are able to see it with their own eyes, this as-of-yet nameless game is certainly ambitious if nothing else. If Trion and Syfy are able to pull it off, they would be justified in calling it “a game-changer”, in the words of Syfy president Dave Howe (he also refers to it as the “holy grail”). Apparently the story will involve extra-terrestrials arriving on Earth and being forced to cohabitate with Earthlings, providing obvious tension and possibilities for a consistent game world. The show’s writers are being led by Daniel Knauf, who is the creator of Carnivale on HBO. While the project doesn’t have a title yet, it does have a projected release sometime next year.
Bethesda has released a new gameplay trailer today for Hunted: The Demon’s forge. Rather than your standard gameplay trailer however this one shows how co-op play will work with the split screen option enabled. We also see a variety of enemies being killed and the skills that Caddoc and E’lara will be able to use to dispatch them. Also we see something that looks like a mini-gun that shoots arrows.
The gameplay looks like it will rely heavily on the combined abilities of Caddoc’s strength and E’lara’s magic and accuracy to dispatch their enemies as they try to reach the Demon’s Forge. We will find out for certain when the game releases on May 31st in the U.S. and June 3rd in Europe for the PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
In a surprising but welcome move Nexon announced today that they have partnered up with Microsoft to bring their game, Dungeon Fighter Online to the Xbox 360 some point in the future. This is the first time that Nexon has brought one of their games to a console, albeit a port of their popular PC game. Though there currently has been no release date given but Nexon assures fans that it will be some point this year.
Dungeon Fighter Online will be co-developed by Neople and Softmax when it is published by Microsoft. Neople is the same studio to develop the original DFO while Softmax has been the developer of the Magna Carta games. The console version will be getting released globally and will also be an online multiplayer RPG. Also in a surprising move Nexon has stated that they will be using a Freemium business model when the game releases. Meaning that the download of the XBLA game will be free but players will be able to pay for special equipment via Microsoft Points. It is worth noting that the franchise has already been popular enough to launch a 26 episode anime in Japan which aired back in 2008 and was titled Slap-up Party: Arad Senki.
