Red-Faction-Guerrilla
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THQ CEO: Saints Row and Red Faction at E3, De Blob going multiplatform
In an interview with IGN, THQ CEO (that's a lot of three-letter abbreviations right next to each other) Brian Farrell provided more details about the company's upcoming lineup. For one, we can expect to see the new Saints Row and Red Faction games as soon as E3, as well as other assorted games from THQ's lineup. "I think we're going to blow people away at E3," Farrell said. "You'll be seeing Saints Row 3. You'll be seeing the next Red Faction. You'll be seeing more of Homefront. We've been talking about it, but we'll actually show some of our Warhammer 40k MMO, and I think people are going to go, 'Oh my God. They've got their stuff together.'" And Saints Row 3 will evidently cause some to remark, "This is not your father's THQ." Farrell also suggested that THQ has learned its lesson from the last few years of the Wii market, and won't be trying anything like Deadly Creatures again -- a "fun experience" that "didn't find much of an audience." A few "brand extensions" will be shown on Wii this E3, Farrell said. And speaking of extended brands and the Wii, the executive said that the upcoming SyFy-fueled relaunch of De Blob won't just be a Wii game -- it'll be released across multiple platforms, still developed by Blue Tongue. "Actually, I prefer it on a normal controller," Farrell said.
Darksiders' hidden code reveals free copy of Red Faction Guerrilla
Early copies of Darksiders contained an insert (see above) that quite explicitly asked buyers to not to throw it away -- that's what "do not discard" means. Today it was revealed that the code will net the bearer a free copy of Red Faction Guerrilla for PS3 or Xbox 360. The code will also grant them "a digital Hellbook disc featuring Darksiders art, videos, and other awesome stuff." Yeah, that's great but let's get back to that whole "free game" thing. The offer is only available in the US and ends March 7, 2010. We've got a call in to THQ about whether recent Darksiders printings still have the card. Of course there's a catch: there's a $5 shipping charge; however, we can guarantee (because it was all over our "Best of the Rest" for 2009) that $5 is an incredibly small price to pay for hours of joyous Martian destruction. [Thanks Salvador and Stephen McB]
Steam: Pre-order Metro 2033, get Red Faction Guerrilla free
With a Steam pre-purchase of THQ's upcoming Metro 2033 (which releases March 16) for $50, deal-seekers will also nab Red Faction Guerrilla for free. The Red Planet Revolution sim is regularly priced at $20 -- but, you know, the right Steam sale comes along and that price drops like a Martian communications tower. Our recent hands-on with Metro 2033 gave us a "good" vibe, but we definitely need more time with the game to see if the feeling lasts. Red Faction Guerrilla, however, made it onto five Joystiq editors' "Best of the Rest" of 2009 lists, and it's totally worth picking up -- even if you have to pay for it. [Via 1UP]
Direct2Drive opens European-centric online store
Dear Europe, Man, you guys don't even know it yet, but you just got access to something wonderful. Direct2Drive recently launched a European-focused branch of its digital distribution racket, which allows shoppers to purchase games using Euros, instead of America's bizarre, chartreuse currency. If you've shied away from D2D's storefront due to its adoption of dollar bills, you've got no reason not to use it anymore. At the very least, give it a look-see whenever the store is doing one of its absolutely ridiculous fire sales. Oh, there's one right now! Red Faction: Guerrilla for 12,50€? You so crazy, Direct2Drive!
Darksiders rides into 1.2 million homes, THQ recovering financially
THQ today announced to investors its financial holdings for the year ending December 31, 2009, reporting a net income of $1.4 million and sales of $701.5 million in the final nine months of the year. To put that in some perspective, the net income for the same period last year was a $334.2 loss. No doubt well-reviewed titles like UFC Undisputed 2009 and (personal favorite) Red Faction: Guerrilla helped that financial 180° turn -- a much needed one after a rocky 2008 and a mess of layoffs in 2009. The publisher also announced "first four week" sales of Darksiders have already reached 1.2 million in the US (Ahem, Mr. Greenwald? Did you hear that?). Interestingly, THQ called the game part of its "growing portfolio of owned brands," among Red Faction, de Blob, Drawn to Life, and Saint's Row. And with this afternoon's investor call, it would certainly appear we'll be seeing more from that portfolio in the coming year.
Best of the Rest: Chris' picks of 2009
Secret of Monkey Island: Special EditionA high-definition update – with high-quality voice work to boot! – of the adventure gaming classic, Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition represents a sea change in how LucasArts treats its adventure gaming roots. Instead of squirelling them away in a vault while development continues on Star Wars title after Star Wars title, LucasArts is putting them up on Steam, and remastering them for a whole new audience, with the first Monkey Island adventure leading the charge.
Best of the Rest: Ludwig's Picks of 2009
Silent Hill: Shattered Memories I mocked this "re-imagining" of Silent Hill when it was first announced. I thought Harry Mason had become an older, life-hewn Harry Potter and considered the town's frosty makeover as nothing short of sacrilege. But an encounter with the game at E3 2009 (and with candid producer Tomm Hulett) quickly changed my mind. While the game departs significantly from the franchise's known lore, it retains and streamlines much of what made Silent Hill stand out against games like Resident Evil. Encased in the game's frigid atmosphere, you'll experience a sense of bewilderment that, if you've been playing these games for a long time, you will not have felt in years. Indeed, the best surprises prey on those of us who think we know everything about Silent Hill.
Best of the Rest: Alexander's Picks of 2009
Valkyria Chronicles "BUT THAT GAME WAS 2008!!11one!1!" Well, yes, in the strictest sense. Sega's strategy role-playing game, an epic tale chronicling the hardships and victories of Gallian militia Squad 7, was sent out to die by the publisher when it released in November 2008. However, word-of-mouth, critical praise and some discounted pricing helped the saga find a place in many people's lives (and hearts) by mid-2009. One of the most endearing mechanics implemented in the game was giving all the playable members of Squad 7 bonuses (or flaws) based on their neuroses, relationships and desires. Also, every character had a different personality that shined during their turn through little quips and order recognition comments. It gave the entire cast more depth of character, even as the player only saw a handful of the troops during cutscenes. Despite the requisite Japanese RPG flair and melodrama, there was a simple beauty and charm in the storytelling, while the gameplay introduced a great basis for iteration. Valkyria Chronicles is a series that, with love and attention, could become so much more. I look forward to returning to Gallia and hope future installments recognize that the delightful characters are as important to the series as the strategic gameplay.
Best of the Rest: Ben's Picks of 2009
Red Faction: Guerrilla Arriving approximately seven months late to the party, I didn't play RFG until earlier this month when I desperately cobbled together 2009's game releases for a massive pre-GOTY playstravaganza. That marathon came to a long pause while I smashed through the many structures of Mars with my trusty sledgehammer, constantly hearing "Space A$&%*#&" playing along the way in my mind. Sure, RFG was a bit rough around the edges, but what it lacked in mechanical prowess was more than made up for by the sheer amount of childlike joy I experienced while demolishing everything in my path.
Best of the Rest: Griffin's Picks of 2009
DJ Hero What started out as tepid fascination in DJ Hero quickly turned into a deep, passionate love. I initially thought it was just another rhythm game knock-off with an obtuse peripheral and a too-high price point. However, as my turntabling improved, my fondness for the game multiplied. Based on the game's lackluster sales, I'm guessing most people shared my outright hesitance -- but once you invest a bit of time and patience into DJ Hero, I guarantee you'll get hooked. (And that soundtrack! Oh, man, that soundtrack.)
Get your ass back to Mars for quintuple XP in Red Faction: Guerrilla
Ah, Total Recall references -- does it get any better? Well, five times the XP for five days in Red Faction: Guerrilla is a start. Any of you Quaids out there who jump online for some jetpack-fueled fun will get quintuple XP from today up until Monday, December 21. And if you've not downloaded the multiplayer DLC pack yet, check out Volition's Twitter feed, @RedFaction. Volition's going to be giving away codes for the DLC to a few lucky followers throughout the event.
Games for Windows Live adding Games on Demand beginning Dec. 15
Games on Demand, a.k.a. full game downloads, is one of the more recent additions to Xbox Live -- and today Microsoft has announced that it's bringing the service to its Games For Windows Live platform beginning December 15. GFWL creative director Chuck Osieja calls the initiative "Microsoft's return to delivering Windows games built on unique LIVE experiences." The service has a rocky history of sporadic supported releases and last summer ditched its subscription fees in the face of competition from the likes of Steam. The move puts Microsoft up against Valve's digi-distribution service, which similarly offers community features and its own Achievements system, but boasts a much larger catalog at present. The GFWL Games on Demand initial lineup will include Resident Evil 5, Red Faction: Guerrilla and Battlestations Pacific along with new GFWL-enabled versions of 2D Boy's excellent World of Goo and Hemisphere Games' Osmos -- all titles currently offered by Steam, with some available via Stardock's Impulse service. Microsoft hasn't divulged pricing for titles offered via GFWL Games on Demand. A reworked version of the former Windows Vista Ultimate Extra Tinker will be made available free to GFWL users when the Games on Demand service launches a week from next Tuesday.
This is really how Red Faction DLC 3 debuts
We just got the first word on the latest Red Faction: Guerrilla DLC, the Smasher Pack, due October 1st. Included are eight new maps for the Wrecking Crew mode, and a new "Behemoth" mode that adds the giant robot walkers to the multiplayer action. Sounds cool, right? Yeah, we thought so. What we don't understand is why Volition would accompany the announcement with this video, which features the cast of Lord of the Rings in various stages of receiving their make-up prosthetics as they make bets that involve wearing silly hats. No, that's really what it's about. It's like watching a lady-free episode of Salute Your Shorts.
Red Faction: Guerrilla assembles DLC for PC retail assault
The PC port of Martian liberation sim Red Faction: Guerrilla will include all downloadable content released thus far. IGN notes that the September 15th release will include Demons of the Badlands single-player campaign, which acts as a prequel to the events in the game, and the multiplayer DLC. The latter will add two exclusive maps for PC and another two that were previously only available as a console pre-order bonus. It's a great deal for $40 -- just make sure you've constructed a system powerful enough to demolish the bad guys. %Gallery-19834% [Via Big Download]
Red Faction: Guerrilla multiplayer DLC hammers down Sept. 17 release [update]
The second of three planned DLC packs for Red Faction: Guerrilla will add more multiplayer mayhem on September 17 -- just over threeeee weeeks from now. The pack adds eight new maps and two new modes (listed after the break!), some of which are shown and discussed in the the video above.Volition is aiming to release the Multiplayer Pack for PS3 and Xbox 360 at $7 (560). Oh, and for those who've yet to play Guerrilla, we totally recall telling you to "get your ass to Mars."Update: THQ has ninja-switched the DLC date to Sept 17 from the 10. Don't believe us? The original date can still be heard in the video.
Next Red Faction: Guerrilla DLC to be multiplayer-focused
Okay, so Red Faction: Guerrilla is set to receive three different DLC injections. The first, Demons of the Badlands, drops tomorrow. Old hat, we know, but you may be interested in what Volition had to say about the other two packs during a recent chat with Loading Reality.Volition specifically named "Multiplayer and Wrecking Crew" as the focus of the next two DLC releases. Sadly, the studio would not divulge any other details concerning the upcoming content, like a timetable for release and price, but you can bet we're crossing our fingers for at least some more animal weaponry. [Thanks, Brandon T.]
UK: Win THQ's custom Red Faction Xbox 360
In order to promote the imminent release of the "Demons of the Badlands" DLC for Red Faction Guerrilla, THQ is giving away a sweet, custom painted Xbox 360. The contest itself is pretty simple: Visit the contest page (THQ membership required) and answer an easy question about where the DLC takes place (hint: Mariner Valley). Entries will be accepted until August 31. The only catch is that the contest is only open to residents of the UK, although the entry form, for some reason, still allows users to choose the United States as their location.So, we wish the best of luck to all of our UK readers. The rest of us will just have to stare at the pretty picture.[Via @SAGExSDX]
Red Faction patch out Aug. 6, brings long double XP weekend
Here we are, only a day after Volition detailed the upcoming patch for Red Faction: Guerrilla, and now we have an official release date for both the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions, August 6. It should hit the 360 at around 4am PT, while the PS3 should receive the update in the afternoon (presumably alongside the weekly PSN update).One of the new features that the patch enables is the ability for Volition to allow double XP, and the dev is ready to kick the doors off with an extended double XP weekend. Starting tomorrow, once the patch releases, players can earn double XP until Sunday, August 9, midnight PT. With that much double XP, it'll be ostrichin' time before you know it.
Red Faction patch inbound, adds new mode, fixes
Volition has announced that a patch is on the way for Red Faction Guerrilla, which will add some new features and contain some tweaks to the game as well. The biggest of the additions is a new variant of Wrecking Crew called Challenge Mode. Wrecking Crew Challenge Mode, appropriately enough, challenges players with three consecutive levels, each with different weapon and backpack settings. The ultimate goal, as usual, is to rack up as high a score as possible. Additionally, all other Wrecking Crew modes will be available for single-player games.There are a number of other additions, like the ability to disable specific weapons and backpacks in custom games. Ore that hasn't been mined will also now show up on the mini-map, which is good news for Achievement / Trophy hunters. Finally, the patch will add support for the upcoming DLC, which is set to release next week. Head over to the official Red Faction site for the full patch notes.
THQ CEO gives Red Faction: Guerrilla launch a B; promises to do better next time
Though "pleased" on the game's sell-through, THQ CEO Brian Farrell told a conference call on Tuesday, "I'd give us a B on the launch of Red Faction: Guerrilla." So, with a strong quarter – mostly driven by sales of its UFC game but also owing in part to RF:G – what did Farrell think THQ could do better for "the next iteration"? (What? You didn't think that was it, did you?). Farrell said, "We've shipped more than one million units of this title to date" and reported that "the game was a top 10 best seller in the US and UK in June" but admitted that THQ could have done a better job "creating day one demand." "We moved the title a couple times, that doesn't help," Farrell confessed. "I'm very pleased with a lot of the strides we've made recently but that doesn't mean we can't do some things better." Sounds like a refreshingly honest assessment to us in the press and, we imagine, to the hundreds of thousands of gamers out there who picked up the game on incredibly strong word of mouth. Farrell acknowledges as much, saying, "The amount it's been dropping off, week after week, has been something that would indicate good word of mouth on the game based on the high Metacritic ratings." Sure enough, at "85" it ranks fifth for recent releases. To make up for those ostensibly not-as-good-as-they-could've-been day one sales, THQ is looking to "drive future sales of Red Faction: Guerrilla with continued advertising support and new downloadable content," Farrell said. " We hope Red Faction has a long tail on it as we move into the holiday season." Downloadable content – which THQ has used to great effect with Saint's Row 2 – is about more than just revenue, Farrell says. "When we look at DLC, the revenue, it's not that great. It's good, but we also like the fact that it keeps the customers engaged with our games for a long period of time." Of course, this reduces trade-in and used game sales, he explains, but it also helps "keep that brand active with consumers." Which is precisely what they'll have to do if they want to keep sales up in the increasingly spartan (and sans Spartans) but nevertheless competitive holiday shopping season.
