Bluepoint Games
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Sony buys remake and remaster studio Bluepoint Games
Sony has acquired Bluepoint Games, the Austin-based studio best known for remaking Demon’s Souls and Shadow of the Colossus.
Watch the first gameplay from the 'Demon's Souls' PS5 remake
Vanguard looks more monstrous than ever.
Demon's Souls is getting a PS5 remake
From Software's PlayStation classic, Demon's Souls, is being remade for the PlayStation 5.
'Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection' is free on PS Plus in January
Sony is giving the PS4 a proper send-off by making some of its most important games available to just about everyone... if they have PlayStation Plus subscriptions, that is. The company has announced that January's free PS Plus games will include Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection, giving you a chance to play the first three games in Drake's story (no multiplayer, alas) in remastered PS4 versions. Some games have aged more gracefully than others (the original feels like a prototype for what the others would become), but it's a good way to catch up -- or just to avoid digging your PS3 out of the closet.
Xbox 360 Titanfall pilots will be Marked for Death on July 21
Late is better than never, a rule that will be reaffirmed for Titanfall's Xbox 360 pilots when the Marked for Death mode sets its sights on the console this week. The Titanfall Twitter account tweeted a July 21 arrival date, which is just enough time to string Monday night plans together with your friends and potential targets. If you've yet to try it, Marked for Death hangs a literal target above one member of each team, leaving the remaining members to protect their singled-out pilot while trying to off the other team's. A marked player's target can always be seen, so pilots have a general sense of where to find their prey. Killing a marked pilot earns a point for your team and places the target above different pilots for the next round. Marked for Death started singling out players a few weeks ago on Xbox One in an update that also added 14 burn cards and Titan insignias. [Image: EA]
Titanfall updates to reach Xbox One and PC first, then Xbox 360
Like a pilot shadowing its powerful tank of a Titan, Bluepoint Games' Xbox 360 version of Titanfall followed Respawn Entertainment's Xbox One and PC versions out of the launch gates. Given that Bluepoint is tasked with mirroring Respawn's game as closely as possible on less powerful hardware, the follow-me strategy makes a lot of sense - so much so that it's going to continue with future content updates, including free patches and the Expedition DLC. "We have [Bluepoint] following Respawn's lead bringing updates and improvements to the Xbox 360," a post on the Titanfall website reads. "We are fully committed to supporting the Xbox 360 version and to ensure that regardless of what platform you play Titanfall on, the experience is as good as can be." The post notes that Bluepoint is currently working on the Expedition DLC in addition to Content Update 2, which added the gooser challenge and support for private matches to the Xbox One and PC versions. Expedition will reach the Xbox One and PC in May for $10, with Bluepoint's follow-up planned to reach the Xbox 360 in June. [Image: EA]
Titanfall averages 46.5 frames-per-second on Xbox 360, Digital Foundry reports
The recently released Xbox 360 version of Respawn Entertainment's mech-dropping first-person shooter Titanfall maintains an average unlocked framerate of 46.5 frames-per-second, gaming performance analysis site Digital Foundry reports. Digital Foundry finds that the Xbox 360 version of Titanfall runs at a 1040x600 native resolution, compared to the Xbox One's 1408x792 resolution. The Xbox 360 version boasts an unlocked framerate of up to 60 frames-per-second, along with an option to lock the framerate at 30 FPS to eliminate screen tearing and input lag. Presentation-wise, Digital Foundry notes that the Xbox 360 version of Titanfall has "a necessary reduction in texture detail compared to the other versions, but nothing that overtly compromises the look of the game." The testing results are consistent with pre-release claims from porting studio Bluepoint Games, which promised a framerate above 30 frames-per-second in the final Xbox 360 version of Titanfall. [Video: Digital Foundry / Respawn Entertainment]
This is what Titanfall looks like on Xbox 360
Titanfall doesn't officially release for Xbox 360 until tomorrow, but somehow a few gamers have gotten it early and, what's more, they've decided to show it off. The good news is that the game appears to play exactly the same on the Xbox 360 as it does its current-gen counterpart -- just as developer Bluepoint Games promised. The graphical fidelity isn't as easy to judge, however. Two of the videos below (spotted by NeoGAF) aren't what we'd call great representations of the title: one is a Twitch stream and another looks like it was shot with a cheap handheld camera. A third is a full direct-feed Attrition match on Boneyard. In the Twitch stream, the game is a bit laggy and the frame rate dips quite a bit in spots, but that could be a result of the game running on pre-release servers. We spoke with the user and he said that since that stream he's had a much better experience with very low ping.
Here's how Titanfall's Xbox 360 and Xbox One versions differ
We've long known that Titanfall was coming to the Xbox 360 in addition to the Xbox One but, aside from that sliver of info, there hasn't been much to go on -- unless you count release delays, that is. Now we're learning that on paper, at least, it won't stray too far from the Xbox One version's shadow when it comes out next week. The last-gen version has all of the maps, modes and features of the Respawn-developed game, but naturally some concessions have been made to accommodate the 360's nine-year-old hardware. As developer Bluepoint Games' senior producer Daryl Allison writes, the game can't hit the same frame rates as its sibling, but it runs "above 30 fps" -- around half the speed you'd get on the Xbox One. Update: We still haven't seen the actual game on Xbox 360, but copies are apparently out there already. One YouTuber posted a video of the intro sequence including the BluePoint Games logo, but that's all you'll get since the servers aren't available yet -- check out the so-close-but-yet-so-far tease after the break.
Titanfall runs 'above 30fps' on Xbox 360, is 'the true experience,' according to dev
Bluepoint Games had its work cut out for it when the studio agreed to port the Xbox One's flagship shooter Titanfall to the Xbox 360, but to hear senior producer Daryl Allison tell it, the jump was a success. "Titanfall on the Xbox 360 is the true experience: all the maps, modes, pilots, titans, weapons, burn cards, you name it, found in the Xbox One and PC versions," Allison recently wrote on the Titanfall website. "The game looks great, sounds great, and above all it plays great. There are of course some technical differences that are due to the technical limitations of the hardware – for example, the game runs above 30fps - but rest assured, the intense 6v6 wall-running, titan dropping action is all there." Allison then defends the decision to delay the Xbox 360 version of Titanfall by saying that the game was just not ready for release alongside its PC and Xbox One brethren. "We wanted Xbox 360 gamers playing Titanfall at the same time as everyone else, but it needed more time," Allison wrote. "EA and Respawn made the right call and the extra time has paid off. Titanfall on the Xbox 360 is definitely a game that Bluepoint Games is proud of, and we're excited for you to get your hands on it." The Xbox 360 version of Titanfall is currently slated to be released on April 8. [Image: EA]
Titanfall for Xbox 360 delayed
Titanfall for Xbox 360 is receiving a two-week delay. Originally scheduled for titanfall on March 25, the game will now be ready for pilots on April 8 and April 11 in North America and Europe, respectively. "We see a few things that can be made even better, so we're giving Bluepoint a little more time to do just that and deliver an epic Titanfall experience for Xbox 360 players," said EA's Patrick Soderlund in an official post. "The game will feature the same 6v6 gameplay, maps, modes, weapons and Burn Cards as the Xbox One and PC versions of the game." We should note that we've yet to see or touch the Xbox 360 version. The Xbox One version is pretty fantastic. [Image: Respawn]
Titanfall season pass confirmed [Update: $25 for three map packs]
Respawn co-founder Vince Zampella confirmed Titanfall is getting a season pass, in news that isn't giant-mechs-dropping-out-of-the-sky levels of surprising. Speaking to GameSpot, Zampella revealed there are plans for a variety of updates, both free and paid. "We're going to do paid DLC, we're also going to do free updates," Zampella told GameSpot. "There are things that we want in the game that we didn't get to ship in the final game. So we'll add private matches and things like that for free. There will be some paid DLC. We're going to do a season pass just because if you buy it up front, it's a deal. We're not going to do microtransactions. So a season pass is just buy it up front, and you get a better price." Respawn's multiplayer shooter combines the studio's FPS heritage with a big dollop of mechanized walkers to pilot and tear stuff up with. It's coming to Xbox One and PC on March 11, while the Xbox 360 version outsourced to Bluepoint Games is due on March 25. Asked if Xbox 360 players can expect the same longevity other platforms will receive in terms of upgrades and patches, Zampella said, "We'll have to sit down with EA and talk about that. My assumption is yes, but I don't know if I'm the best person to speak for that." Update: Respawn announced the Titanfall season pass is priced at $25, and represents a discount of $5 on three map packs. The packs may contain other content additional to the maps, but Respawn said that's "still to be determined and will be announced as we get closer to their release." The season pass is confirmed for all platforms, and PC players can opt in on a $80 Digital Deluxe bundle that includes the game on Origin and the pass. [Image: EA]
Titanfall lands on Xbox 360 on March 25, after Xbox One, PC launch
Titanfall on Xbox 360 has been delayed to March 25 in North America and March 28 in Europe, EA announced. Titanfall launches on Xbox One and PC on March 11 in North America, and before now, that date has been associated with the Xbox 360 release as well. Bluepoint Games is developing Titanfall for Xbox 360. "In these last few weeks before launch, Respawn is in the final stages of polishing the Xbox One and PC versions of the game," EA Studios EVP Patrick Soderlund said. "Bluepoint is doing the same with the Xbox 360 version. To give them the time they need to put the finishing touches on the current-gen version of the game, we are moving the Xbox 360 ship date to March 25 in North America and March 28 in Europe. The extra two weeks will ensure the full world of Xbox gamers has an awesome experience." [Image: EA]
Titanfall on Xbox 360 to land courtesy of Bluepoint Games
Titanfall on Xbox 360 is in the hands of Bluepoint Games, the port specialists responsible for the HD Collections of Metal Gear Solid 1-3 and Ico & Shadow of the Colossus. Respawn's Vince Zampella, whose studio is developing the mech-stuffed shooter on Xbox One and PC, confirmed the 360 version was outsourced to Bluepoint's Texas-based studio. Bluepoint also developed the PS4 and Vita ports of the rather less mech-stuffed Flower. The news comes as Zampella also confirmed the game's inevitable beta on Xbox One and PC, with details "in the coming days." As soon as they drop from the sky, we'll let you know. As for the game proper, all versions are being deployed on March 11.
PS All-Stars Battle Royale live-action TV ad, the European take
This European TV ad for PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale is an interesting take on the live-action vid rolled out by Sony last month. The guy supposed to be Drake looks like the one person who didn't dress up at a Halloween party.
All-Stars Battle Royale ad sees PlayStation heroes fight in live action
When you think about it, this was a predictable step from the creators of last year's "Michael' commercial for PS3. After successfully expressing the thoughts of live-action PlayStation characters, this ad for PS All-Stars Battle Royale shows the time for talking is over. Maybe because the budget was blown on fancy special effects; Nolan North doesn't come cheap, you know.Though it doesn't quite match the brilliance of last year's ad, it's another imaginative and fun effort for what will hopefully be a game with similar qualities. On a side note, live-action ads seem to be the rage at the moment. Last week Need for Speed: Most Wanted and Halo 4 got their real on, and now All-Stars Battle Royale follows suit. If only Nintendo would join the club.
Armature Studio assisting with Metal Gear Solid: HD Edition on Vita
In 2008, staff from Metroid Prime developer Retro Studios broke off to form a new company, called Armature. Though it was initially partnered with EA, nothing has come of that deal, and to date no projects have come out that are officially attached to Armature.It's quite a surprise, then, to see the studio's name on this Japanese website for the PlayStation Vita version of Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection. Its name is listed as co-developer along with fellow Austin studio Bluepoint Games, who was responsible for the console versions (and many other HD remakes of this generation).So if you decide to pick up Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3 in handheld form this summer (June in Japan), you'll be playing the first game(s) by Armature Studio!%Gallery-150439%
Bluepoint Games offers insight into MGS, Ico, God of War remake process
At one point, God of War, Ico, and Metal Gear Solid games were all being made in the same location ... in Austin, Texas. Well, remade, anyway. Bluepoint Games, the company behind the God of War, Ico/Shadow of the Colossus, and Metal Gear Solid HD Collections, recently explained elements of its process to Edge. According to company president Andy O'Neil, Bluepoint reverse engineers the games, rather than collecting the original source files and recompiling. "The problem with source asset drops is that you don't know if it's the final shipped data," O'Neil said. "People will go and make last-minute changes." Of course, Bluepoint is careful to keep the games running as-is, even when that keeps bugs found in the original versions. Some bugs were fixed for the PAL Shadow of the Colossus update --- "But it was a deliberate decision: this can break the game," O'Neil explained. "But we won't change anything without talking to the original developers."
Ico remastered preview: Not too little, definitely not too late
I'm going to say something now and I don't want you to get mad. Promise that you won't? Promise?! Okay, fine -- I've never played Ico. It just didn't happen. A mixture of procrastination and disc-read errors have conspired to keep me from the lauded PS2 classic. That changed late last week at a Sony press event, where the publisher showed off the forthcoming, double-game remaster Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Collection. %Gallery-102414%
God of War Collection coming to PS3 this holiday
It's like this, but more definition-ier. Backwards compatibility is back ... sort of! SCEA has announced that the PlayStation 2 God of War games will be coming to PlayStation 3 on a single, HD-enhanced Blu-ray disc. Previously hinted at in a consumer survey, the God of War Collection will feature "reworked" versions of both games, running at 60 frames per second and 720p resolution. The port is being handled by Bluepoint Games, the team behind the PSN-exclusive shooter, Blast Factor. Hopefully, the games will be more than simply upscaled, giving original PS3 owners a reason to partake in the double dip. Update: And yes, it will have Trophies.The Blu-ray collection will be available this "holiday season," and will cost $39.99 -- the same price as buying both of the games on PS2. This HD remix should give fans some time to practice Kratos' moves before God of War III completes the "triology" (oh, press release typos!) in March.[Thanks, Rob H.!]
