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GDC10: Massively's day 1 roundup
Massively staffers descended on GDC 2010 yesterday like a horde of....well, Horde. Our intrepid reporters are slaving away with microphones, tape recorders, and keyboards in hand to make sure you get all the latest MMORPG tidbits directly from the folks making the games. We'll be bringing you a ton of content over the next few days, so fear not if your favorite forthcoming game hasn't received the red carpet treatment. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled throughout the remainder of the week, and in case you missed it, here's a brief rundown of yesterday's coverage. Fallen Earth iPhone app demo Sword of the New World additions Taikodom coming to America EA to publish Copernicus' Project Mercury Battlestar Galactica MMO revealed FFXIV Beta via FFXIII DCUO Mass Animation contest Can't get enough of our GDC 2010 coverage? Check out our Sword of the New World GDC 2010 gallery below, and be sure to return throughout the week as we continue to bring you all the latest on your favorite games and developers. %Gallery-87809%
Battlestar Galactica MMO announced (don't get too frakkin' excited)
This is the type of news that just hurts to report: Battlestar Galactica is becoming -- wait for it -- a browser-based MMO. We know! It's painful, right? The "game" is being developed by Bigpoint, which operates several titles in the genre. Battlestar Galactica Online will infect your internets like a Cylon-based virus sometime this autumn on the Syfy(lis) website for an exclusive 30 day period. Battlestar Galactica, and its fans, deserve better. We're not saying they deserve a BioWare RPG version of Wing Commander but ... actually, that's exactly what we're saying. [Via Big Download]
GDC10: Battlestar Galactica MMO coming
German game-maker Bigpoint has just announced its forthcoming MMORPG based on the SyFy Channel's popular Battlestar Galactica reimagining. The company, owned in part by NBC Universal which also owns SyFy and consequently the Galactica brand, plans on releasing the game later this year. Bigpoint representatives broke the news at GDC today. "We believe in the value of IP, and the second thing we believe in is cross-platform," said Bigpoint CCO Nils-Holger Henning. Hit the link to read the full write-up courtesy of Gamasutra's Christian Nutt. Stay tuned to Massively this week as we'll have an interview with Bigpoint and more details as GDC rolls on.
Caprica premiere lands on PlayStation Store for free
This Saturday, January 23, the PlayStation Store will be updated with a free pilot episode of the new Battlestar Galactica spin-off, Caprica. It's a great way to catch up, in case you miss the first broadcast tonight on SyFy at 9PM. (Of course, you could just watch it right now on SyFy.com.) While you're downloading Caprica, you might want to consider some of the other free TV offerings on the PlayStation Store. Pilot episodes of The Deep End, a new ABC law drama, and The Buried Life, a new MTV reality series, can be downloaded right now. There are also seven free webisodes of the Crackle original series The Bannen Way. Remember that SD content will play on both your PS3 and PSP, while HD content can only be played on the PS3.
The Queue: The bird is most certainly not the word
Welcome back to The Queue, WoW.com's daily Q&A column where the WoW.com team answers your questions about the World of Warcraft. Mike Sacco will be your host today. Normally I'm all right with birds, but this one kept murdering me in cold blood last night on my priest, even though I was several levels higher than him. I mean, there are elite magnataur out there in the same zone with one-fourth the HP of this damn bird. What do you want from me, Alystros? I pay my taxes, I vote, I volunteer at the local museum. The least you could do is cut your HP and damage by about 75% so I can convert your corpse into gold and experience. And what does that have to do with The Queue? Nothing, dear readers. Absolutely nothing. Brysterside asked via Twitter: What is the best way to start a WoW blog? Simply put? Start writing! If you want to blog, you have to write. Find something you're passionate about in the game and write write write, because two things will keep readers coming: good content, and regular content. Make sure that you can provide both. It's not easy getting the discipline to be a regular blogger -- just ask me -- but the payoff can be big in many ways. WoW.com has a series of articles on starting your own WoW blog, which you can start here. Hope that helps!
First seasons go on sale on the PlayStation Store
The US PlayStation Video Store is having its "First Season Summer Sale." From now until September 17th, you'll be able to download episodes from the first season of 30 Rock, Battlestar Galactica, Eureka, Friday Night Lights, Heroes, Psych and The Office for only 99 cents each in SD. (HD episodes are $1.99 each, and will only work on the PS3.)
BlizzCon 2009: Chris Metzen talks about casting Tricia Helfer
We snagged a couple of minutes with Blizzard's Chris Metzen as he strolled across the BlizzCon floor in search of fresh air and daylight, and we asked him about the voice casting of Battlestar Galactica's Tricia Helfer as Sarah Kerrigan in the upcoming Starcraft 2, and both expansions as well. They're going to keep her around for awhile. "For the road that Kerrigan will be set upon for the arc of the storyline, I just felt that Tricia had the right depth and emotional resonance that would work one to one," Metzen explained.Metzen himself has done a couple of voices as well, including the "Battlecruiser operational" line from the original Starcraft, and as Thrall in several Warcraft games. Listen to the rest of the audio interview right below, where he talks more about Helfer, and obliges us by doing some of the voices.
BlizzCon 2009: BSG's Tricia Helfer to voice StarCraft 2's Kerrigan
During a StarCraft 2 lore panel taking place at BlizzCon this weekend, Blizzard vice president of creative development Chris Metzen revealed the voice replacement for Sarah Kerrigan. Battlestar Galactica star Tricia Helfer will replace Glynnis Talken as voice over actress in the upcoming sequel(s). It seems as though the BSG star is getting her fair share of video game voice over work these days, as she'll also be voicing a character named Dare in Halo 3: ODST. We're thinking if she gets to talking with gaming's every man Nolan North and they work out a monopoly, we'll have a serious issue on our hands.
Blu-ray releases on July 28th 2009
Universal really comes to the rescue this week with a very nice slate of releases. As if Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series wasn't enough -- although totally unaffordable for most people -- there is also Season 4.5 as well as the entire Fast & Furious franchise. On top of all that, there is 12 Monkeys which is a classic that we can't wait to see in HD. Fox also has a few titles this week including the first season of Dollhouse and Sony has the classic depressing drama, A River Runs Through It. The other really notable titles this week -- for geeks at least -- is a little Doctor Who and Torchwood, both courtesy of the BBC and Warner. This should give you plenty to watch in the next few weeks, which is a good thing since releases get skimpy again next week. Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series (Universal) Battlestar Galactica: Season 4.5 (Universal) Fast & Furious (Universal) The Fast And The Furious (Universal) 2 Fast 2 Furious (Universal) The Fast And The Furious: Tokyo Drift (Universal) 12 Monkeys (Universal) Dollhouse: Season One (Fox) Miss March (Fox) A River Runs Through It (Sony) Green Lantern: First Flight (Warner) Doctor Who: Planet Of The Dead (BBC Warner) Torchwood: Children Of Earth (BBC Warner) Torchwood: The Complete Second Series (BBC Warner) Gilbert And Sullivan: The Pirates Of Penzance (Kultur) The Inglorious Bastards (Severin) National Geographic: Rhino Rescue (NatGeo) HD Aviation - 100 Years of Flight (Picturebox) Repulsion (Criterion)
Another video game soundtrack to suffer Bear attack
Listen, we don't have a dude-crush on Battlestar Galactica and Dark Void compose Bear McCreary -- rather, we have an ear-crush on his musical creations. Once you finally get your hands on Capcom's jetpack-infused action title, you'll understand why -- though during a recent interview with Examiner, McCreary revealed that those who suffer from unbearable jetpackphobia might be able to hear his work on yet another video game in the near future.In the Examiner interview, McCreary revealed he's "doing another video game this summer," as well as "a couple other non-science fiction projects [he] can't announce just yet." We hope one of those projects is following us around, composing live musical accompanyment for our every action. We'd just love to hear some sweeping violins as we enjoy our daily bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios, you know?
FF7's Cloud spotted in BSG spin-off, Caprica
Battlestar Galactica and gaming culture seem to go together like carrots, celery and onion (what, mirepoix too fancy for ya?). And so it's with little shock that we bring you the screen you see above from the upcoming Battlestar Galactica spin-off series, Caprica, captured by a gracious Joystiq reader. Is that ... Cloud? Cloud Strife? It is! Well, sorta, kinda.Though the show isn't set to air until the beginning of next year on the Sci-Fi Syfy Channel, the two-hour pilot premiered via DVD and non-analog download this past week. Clearly the show's writers and/or set designers ... err ... someone on the set, decided to show their love for the critically acclaimed game and drop an Easter egg into the pilot in the form of Final Fantasy VII's protagonist. And while the image is a cartoony representation of the sharp-haired young gentleman, we'd be hard-pressed to not recognize that stance anywhere.[Thanks, Thomas P.!]
BSG: Complete Series Blu-ray set official specs: 20 discs, BD-Live, July 28
Finally, Universal has confirmed the rumors that Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series will arrive on Blu-ray July 28, packing the previously noted $349 MSRP for the 20 disc set. There's plenty of exclusive Blu-ray features planned, with U-control, DTS-HD MA soundtrack, an interactive guide to the ships and characters from the series, a BD-Live powered "Ultimate Battle" game, look behind the scenes with composer Bear McCreary and more. Not mentioned? Whether or not all that cash can buy a slightly better case design this time around.[Via TheHDRoom]
Battlestar Galactica: The Complete Series coming to Blu-ray this year
The hit Sci-Fi (er, SyFy) series, Battlestar Galactica, is finally coming to Blu-ray. The show made a brief appearance on the now-defunct HD DVD format, but Blu-ray fans have been left in the cold for quite some time. Online retailer amazon.com recently started taking pre-orders on the box set, which appears to include all four seasons, for a MSRP of $349.98 (thankfully, most retailers don't actually sell media at MSRP).The Caprica DVD supposedly includes a promo for the complete series on Blu-ray. According to TheHDRoom, the box set is pegged for a July 28th date, so sci-fi geeks willl want to start saving up pretty soon.
Battlestar Galactica Complete Series Blu-ray set ready for preorder on Amazon
Just like that, a couple of days after being confirmed, the Battlestar Galactica Complete Series Blu-ray set is up on Amazon for preorder. Sporting an MSRP of $349.98 (Amazon price: $244.99) it might make the wallet choke but we're pretty sure the three of you that didn't already click over, credit cards out, are the only ones not willing to shell out for what is (hopefully) the perfect way to catch every episode and the extended cut of Razor. Cylon pumpkin not included.[Via TheHDRoom]
Battlestar Galactica Complete Series Blu-ray release confirmed
Waiting for Battlestar Galactica to come home properly has been the source of heartbreak more than once so far, but the upcoming Caprica DVD appears to confirm rumors we'll be seeing a full series Blu-ray set sooner rather than later. Internet rumors have pegged the date as July 28, and on the prequel's DVD release a promo is included referencing the complete series coming soon on DVD and Blu-ray high def, so get your pennies together, while it will certainly be expensive this should be the one that's worth buying -- if they didn't get rid of the technology for disc packaging yet.
Infringers of Dune: Dune role-players shut down by Herbert Estate. Spice keeps flowing
Among the various business, educational and social uses to which Second Life is put, Role-Playing gamers have quite a number of thriving communities. If you want to role-play in the world of Joss Whedon's Firefly, or Straczynski's Babylon 5, Lucas' Star Wars universe(s), Tolkien's Middle Earth, John Norman's Gor, Frank Herbert's Dune, Roddenberry's Star Trek, or the settings of Doctor Who, Torchwood, Battlestar Galactica, Harry Potter, Final Fantasy VII or CCP/White Wolf's World of Darkness, Second Life is home to all of these and more. Well, until this week anyway. According to Wagner James Au, Trident Media Group, a literary agent "designed for the twenty first century",which maintains the Herbert Estate sent cease-and-desist notices via Linden Lab requiring one non-profit role-playing community to remove Dune-related names and objects from the virtual environment within two days.
Battlestar Galactica composer previews music for Dark Void
Hey, guy -- what's the matter? We've noticed you've been looking positively sullen these past few weeks. Has the series departure of Battlestar Galactica got you down in the frakking dumps? There's not much we can do about that, though your spirits may be lifted by checking out a recent blog post from Battlestar composer Bear McCreary, the recently revealed songsmith behind the score of Dark Void. His blog contains a video (posted after the jump) previewing a few clips from the game's soundtrack, which is shaping up to sound just as awesome as the title looks.If soaring orchestral tunes aren't really your thing, you might still want to check out the preview for a few new Dark Void gameplay clips. Then again, if you've yet to be swept off your feet (and propelled hundreds of feet into the air) by Capcom's jet pack-centric action title, you may be entertained by McCreary's declaration of love for Mega Man -- any composer who creates 8-bit versions of their pieces then saves them on hard drives named after Robot Masters is okay in our books.
Fan made EVE video Day of Darkness II blows away players and devs alike
A well-crafted science fiction story can deal with powerful themes. Fans of television shows like Battlestar Galactica know very well that a story of humanity's struggle for survival has a particularly strong emotional pull. The creators of EVE Online recognized this long ago, creating an extensive body of lore about the races of New Eden and their clashes with one another on a galactic scale. Their long history of conflicts creates endless ripples of discord felt by later generations, resulting in the subjugation of entire races countered by the will to be free of such tyranny. The struggle to survive in the face of a great threat is central to the EVE Online machinima "Day of Darkness II", which is nothing short of exceptional. It's a short film created in-game by EVE player Dire Lauthris and a retelling of a key bit of EVE's lore. In fact, Lauthris drew upon one of the actual Chronicles called "The Breakout". Day of Darkness II focuses on the strife between the Caldari and Gallente races of New Eden, turning back the clock to a historic battle 200 years ago between the Caldari State and the Gallente Federation.
Dark Void scored by Battlestar Galactica's Bear McCreary
Capcom has outed TV's Battlestar Galactica composer Bear McCreary as a sign-on ... for third-person jetpack-em-up, Dark Void. McCreary will create the soundtrack for the Airtight Studios-developed shooter, which is slated to launch on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC later this year. "I have been looking for the opportunity to compose a game score for a long time, but I've been waiting for the right one," said McCreary, who is held in high regards by fans of the recently departed syfy sci-fi show. He noted that Dark Void's "epic story and unique gameplay" drew him in, a somewhat generic admission that only serves to highlight a terrible injustice. Not only will he score Dark Void, but he'll probably score an early copy too.
WRUP: All frakking things must come to an end
Tonight we begin saying our last goodbyes to Battlestar Galactica. She was a sturdy show that evolved the space opera and gave us plenty of thrills, drama and frakking over the years. Although we hold out hope for Caprica, we'll certainly miss the adventures of humanity's last survivors. We'll miss you Galactica ... but we still got no love for those ridiculously long breaks between seasons. Hugs. Let's see what everyone's playing ...
