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Carmack joins Oculus VR as Chief Technology Officer [Update]
John Carmack, co-founder of id Software, has joined Oculus VR as Chief Technology Officer. Carmack will begin work on the Oculus Rift augmented reality headset on a full-time basis out of Dallas, Texas. Carmack has experience in working with the headset in the past, showing it in conjunction with Doom 3 BFG at QuakeCon 2012. Whether Carmack has officially left id Software is undetermined at this time. Update: Carmack will not be leaving id Software, according to a tweet issued by the company, which states that Carmack "will continue to provide leadership for our games in development."
Dishonored 66% off in final day of Quakecon Steam sale
Sunday is the final day of the Quakecon Steam sale, and it's going out with a quiet, stealthy bang – Dishonored is 66 percent off ($10.20) through August 5 at 10AM PT. Also 66 percent off are the three Dishonored DLC packs, Dunwall City Trials ($1.70), The Knife of Dunwall ($3.40) and Void Walker's Arsenal ($1.35). Still on offer today is the Quakecon Pack, which includes 45 id Software and Bethesda games for $90, normally priced at $344. The Quakecon Pack features Dishonored and its DLC, Doom 3 and all of its variants, Fallout 3 and New Vegas, the Elder Scrolls series, Rage, Wolfenstein 3D and the Quake games. Each game is available at an individually discounted price as well. During Quakecon this week, we got a peek at John Carmack's explanation of ambient occlusion and learned that the Rage franchise isn't dead quite yet.
'Rage' franchise not dead, says Willits
Rage, John Carmack's MegaTexture technical spectacle, is not the alpha and omega of its intellectual property, id Software co-founder Tim Willits told us during this week's QuakeCon 2013 event in Dallas, Texas. "I'm proud of what we did, I'm proud of the universe that we built. The franchise is not dead," Willits said. "We're not doing anything immediately with it, but when I designed the universe, I designed it in such a way that it would be easy to step back into. I'm still proud that we did something that was different – it wasn't like the games that we've done in the past." Willits also said that Rage's development fueled innovations in id Tech 5 that continue to pay off as the engine is adapted for use on next-gen consoles and in other Bethesda products. "We really tried to do one engine that worked for everything," he said. "It really helps establish a robust tech that, as John [Carmack] said last night, we're adding stuff into it based on the new consoles, and it's allowed people to make different games because the technology is flexible and robust and works on everything."
Steam sale celebrates Quakecon with 45 discounted games
Quakecon, an annual PC gaming tournament and celebration of all things id Software, is going down this weekend in Dallas, Texas but if you weren't able to make the trek, Steam is offering a less expensive means to get in on the celebration. This weekend, up until August 5, Steam is discounting several games from Bethesda and id Software's catalogs. The Doom series, Fallout games, The Elder Scrolls and Quake (obviously) series are all up for grabs on the cheap, available as individual downloads or in special predetermined bundles. Games from Bethesda's publishing side, like Rogue Warrior, Hunted: The Demon's Forge and Brink are also on sale. The Quakecon bundle, which includes all 45 of these eligible games, is priced at $90; the full list of what's up for grabs can be seen here. At this year's show, id Software co-founder John Carmack's keynote mentioned that development for the Wii U and PS Vita was an "extremely unlikely" proposition. His three-hour talk addressed a number of topics, including next-generation consoles and how he doesn't expect "radically better games enabled because of the new capabilities on the consoles."
Carmack: 3DS, Wii U, Vita 'extremely unlikely' in id Software's future
In his keynote speech at QuakeCon this week, id Software's John Carmack revealed that the company is "extremely unlikely" to pursue software development for the Nintendo 3DS, the Nintendo Wii U, and the PlayStation Vita platforms, citing issues with publisher acceptance and adoption rates. "I always thought that the Wii U and Vita would be great targets for Doom 3: BFG Edition," Carmack explained. "We should be able to bring that over directly, but [the platforms have] generated nothing for us on the publishing side of things, because they're somewhat marginalized platforms." "Clearly there's a difference on the handheld platforms," Carmack continued. "While the 3DS is doing okay, the Vita's really not doing particularly well." "A lot of that has to come from the fact that [...] everybody is carrying a pretty good gaming platform already, and selling a new one to them is a little bit of a harder sell," Carmack said, referring to the widespread adoption of smartphones. "I'd love to be able to develop on the 3DS and some of the other small platforms," Carmack said. "I'd like to see the games show up on the Vita or the Wii U, just to play with some of the characteristics they've got there, but it's extremely unlikely to happen. There's a finite amount of time and only so many things we can focus on."
id Software president departs after 17 years of service
id Software president and former CEO Todd Hollenshead has left the company, Bethesda confirmed with IGN today. "After many years with the studio, Todd Hollenshead decided to leave id Software to pursue other personal interests," Bethesda's Pete Hines said. "While Todd was not part of the development teams, he was an integral part of id Software's success as the business head of the studio and we wish him the very best in his future endeavors." Hollenshead joined id in 1996 as CEO, then served as the company's president following id's acquisition by ZeniMax in 2009. Hollenshead additionally hosted the annual QuakeCon gaming convention. Development of id Software's current project Doom 4 has been reportedly troubled, as anonymous sources alleged that the game suffered at least one complete reboot following RAGE's mixed reception in 2011. These sources also claim that a proposed RAGE sequel was canceled in order to focus development efforts on Doom 4.
Wolfenstein 3D returns to XBLA, PSN
Wolfenstein 3D is back on Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network in North America after a brief absence, and is coming to PSN in Europe soon. You can snag id's seminal shooter for $5 on Xbox Live Arcade, PSN or Steam. Activision had originally published Wolfenstein 3D on consoles just a few weeks after Bethesda acquired id Software in 2009. Bethesda's Pete Hines told Joystiq the re-rating was a necessity for both the ESRB and console manufacturers. "No changes. Was originally published through Activision, so now that it's reverted back to us we have to jump through ESRB (ratings go to the publisher, they don't "follow" the game to a new publisher) and console hoops (game has to be "re-certed" by the new publisher)." A new entry in the series, Wolfenstein: The New Order, is currently in development at MachineGames, with a tentative launch window slated for later this year.
Wolfenstein 3D re-rated by ESRB, gets new page on XBLM [update: housekeeping]
There's something odd going on with Wolfenstein 3D on PSN and XBLM. First off, this week the ESRB re-rated the classic game on Xbox 360 and PS3, nearly four years after it arrived on the platforms digitally. Secondly, it's sprouted an additional page on XBLM. Playing Spot the Difference between the two pages, the new one lists the publisher as Bethesda rather than Activision. Developer id Software was acquired by Bethesda's parent company Zenimax in June 2009, just a few weeks after Wolfenstein 3D came to XBLM and PSN. Also, the release date is now listed as May 31 of this year, which is a bit odd. The box art is slightly different too, and once more notes Bethesda's name instead of Activision's. Overall, the whole thing's as curious as Adolf Hitler in a mech suit. The timing's certainly interesting given the recent reveal of Wolfenstein: The New Order. When approached on the matter, a company spokesperson told Joystiq, "No comment on that from Bethesda." Update: Bethesda VP of PR and Marketing Pete Hines told Joystiq there's nothing to see here. "No changes. Was originally published through Activision, so now that it's reverted back to us we have to jump through ESRB (ratings go to the publisher, they don't "follow" the game to a new publisher) and console hoops (game has to be "re-certed" by the new publisher)," Hines said.
Bethesda opens a Play Test Lab at id Software in Dallas
Bethesda has announced it has opened a Play Test Lab in Dallas, Texas, inside the offices of id Software. The lab will be used to test upcoming games with local Dallas players, and Bethesda promises some extra "games or swag" to anyone who comes in for testing. You'll need to be 18 or over to apply, and Bethesda says it's looking for gamers of all types, both casual and hardcore. If you're around Dallas and want to put your name in the hat, you can sign up on the website right now.
Pre-registration for QuakeCon 2013 open now
Pre-registration for QuakeCon 2013 is now open and being offered alongside a few special packages. General admission is free, but extras are available at additional cost.The Swag Pack, of which there are 250 available, costs $60. It includes three different shirts (including an officially branded QuakeCon tee), a QuakeCon-branded Logitech G400 Mouse, and a $10 voucher for use on Bethesda's site.The Swag Pack is available in conjunction with a "Bring Your Own Computer" Select-a-Seat, which nets you a reserved spot in the special BYOC section for $90, with only 500 available. You can also get a BYOC seat along with just a "QuakeCon done Quick" pass, which will grant you express lane access to all of the show's panels and events. That package with a single shirt is available for $50, and 250 are available in total.Finally, if it's just a BYOC reservation and shirt you want, you'll pay $30 for one of 1,250 packages available.All package options and prices are listed in full over on the official website. QuakeCon 2013 will be held at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas, from August 1 until August 4.
Report: Doom 4 development still rocky, Rage 2 canned
Doom 4 is locked in development Hell – even for Doom, that's not a good thing. Since its announcement in 2007, developer id Software has completely rebooted Doom 4's development at least once and still doesn't have much to show as far as an actual game goes, Kotaku reports. The website provides the following breakdown from a series of anonymous people:Doom 4 began as a Call of Duty-inspired shooter, with cinematic, scripted sequences, but after the lukewarm launch of Rage in 2011, id took another look at the project and started from scratch. Within that process, Rage 2 was canceled and id tried to merge the Rage and Doom teams, to focus solely on Doom 4.By January 2012, id wanted Doom 4 to be as big as Skyrim, but the disparate teams had trouble finding a groove. Additionally, much of the project's "top talent" left id throughout 2012. This year, Zenimax, id's parent company, issued an ultimatum that could see id cleaned out to refocus on tech, two people tell Kotaku.For now Doom 4 is still alive, though it may not be immortal. In October 2011 and February 2012, Doom 4 had two cancelation scares, each of which Bethesda refuted. The image above was part of a series that leaked in early 2012, though id Design Director Matt Hooper said it didn't represent actual Doom 4 direction. Last we heard – back in August 2012 – Doom 4 was attached to the Oculus Rift's VR push.
Bethesda launches online store featuring merch from Skyrim, Fallout and more
Until now, there just hasn't been a suitable place to pick up a pair of snazzy Vault 101 sneakers or a tasteful lithograph of the Skyrim landscape. Bethesda has solved that problem with a brand new online store, hocking wares that run the gamut from t-shirts to that recently announced and expensive Dragonborn statue.The store also hosts Elder Scrolls merch, Dishonored pendants, and a nearly convincing Vault-Tec work shirt – you know, in case you pick up that quest to infiltrate a robot manufacturing plant.
MMO Burnout: A week with id Software's Rage
So I've been dabbing in id Software's RAGE over the last little while. Actually, I'm not sure whether the late-2011 shooter is called RAGE or simply Rage, but either way, it has the worst (or perhaps least descriptive) video game name of all time. Also, yes, I know it's not an MMO. This is MMO Burnout and I thought we were past that already. Anyhow, I'm afraid I'm going to have to recommend the title to burned-out MMO gamers for several reasons. It's quite beautiful, quite fun, and it's the perfect getaway from the typical massively multiplayer grind.%Gallery-176557%
PSA: Rage: The Scorchers DLC out today
Rage's first bundle of DLC, "The Scorchers," is available now on PC and Xbox 360 for $4.99/400 MS Points, with the identically priced PS3 version dropping with this evening's PSN update. The package adds a new clan, new weapons, new areas to be angry in, a new "Ultra-Nightmare" difficulty level and the added ability to keep playing the game, even after the story has ended.We're sure at least some of that stuff is represented in the new screenshots below, but we can't get past the weird gross fungus guy to check. Eugh. %Gallery-173677%
Rage, Sleeping Dogs DLC packs firing up on PSN Dec. 18 [Update: Rage DLC also on 360/PC, details confirmed]
Rage and Sleeping Dogs are getting new DLC expansions on PSN via next week's North American store update. As revealed by this week's PlayStation Blogcast, December 18 sees Rage receive the long-rumored "The Scorchers" content, while Sleeping Dogs receives its second gameplay-extending DLC with the "Zodiac Tournament Pack."Rage publisher Bethesda and developer id haven't disclosed any details on The Scorchers, although uncovered trophies suggest it brings a new job path and "Ultra Nightmare Difficulty" to the shooter. As for Zodiac Tournament Pack, publisher Square Enix revealed it introduces a new island area to Sleeping Dogs, along with two unlockable outfits and some extra fighting moves to unleash.The podcast also revealed Karateka makes the jump to PSN on December 18, along with PS3 digital downloads of Lego Lord of the Rings and Batman: Arkham Asylum.We've reached out to publishers Square Enix and Bethesda for more information on the Sleeping Dogs and Rage DLC packs respectively.Update: Bethesda has officially announced The Scorchers over on its official blog, confirming the addition of an "Ultra Nightmare" difficulty level, as well as six new areas, new mini-games and a new Nailgun weapon. The DLC pack will also arrive on Xbox 360 and PC this Tuesday.
Rage is getting 'The Scorchers' DLC soon, new trophies suggest
Rage is shortly receiving new DLC over a year after release, if a trophies listing is accurate. PS3Trophies.org reports ten new trophies are being added to id Software's shooter, five of them based around a new job path called 'The Scorchers.' Another trophy is for finishing the campaign on 'Ultra Nightmare difficulty,' suggesting the DLC includes a new difficulty level even tougher than plain ol' Nightmare setting.The trophies are backed up by a PEGI listing from earlier this year for 'Rage: The Scorchers,' content rated for Xbox 360, PS3, and PC. id Software founder John Carmack has also said mod tools which were supposed to ship with Rage were coming to the game "soon." It's just speculation, but if the DLC is accurate it may coincide with their release.We've reached out to Bethesda for confirmation of the DLC.
Doom Classic Complete hits PSN today, includes Master Levels and Final Doom
A 'Doom Classic Complete' bundle shoots onto PSN today for PS3, and it includes Ultimate Doom, Doom 2: Hell on Earth, The Master Levels and No Rest for the Living expansions for Doom 2, and Final Doom. The price rockets in at $14.99.The Master Levels and Final Doom weren't included in the recent release of Doom 3: BFG Edition. Master Levels contains 20 independently designed levels for Doom 2 (21 if you're counting the secret level). Final Doom offers two standalone Doom 2 mods, The Plutonia Experiment and TNT Evolution, and was officially distributed by Doom developer id Software back in 1996.
Doom 3 (:Normal Edition) available on Steam again
Doom 3 in non-BFG form has returned to Steam. RockPaperShotgun took note of the re-addition, which is the version you'll want if you're into mods for the shooter.The original game was yanked from Steam last month for the sake of the recently released BFG Edition, but it's now possible to buy Doom 3 as a standalone bundle again for $13. Doom 3: BFG Edition, which includes Doom and Doom 2, is still available for $30. However, Doom and Doom 2 are only $5 apiece separately, so we have no idea how this math is working out for the BFG bundle.Perhaps the premium is for The Lost Missions, or the ability to wield the flashlight and gun simultaneously? Anyway, wait a month and all of this will be $3 during some Steam holiday sale.
PSA: Don't install Doom 3 on Xbox 360 if you want to play Doom 1 & 2
A peculiarity in the Xbox version of the Doom 3 BFG Edition prevents access to Doom and Doom 2 when Doom 3 is installed on the hard drive. According to publisher Bethesda this is not a bug."Doom 1 and 2 are the same games that are currently available on Xbox Live. Installing Doom BFG files to the system's hard drive could cause a conflict with the existing XBLA game files," a Bethesda spokesperson told Joystiq. "Players should not see a performance advantage by installing Doom 3, so we recommend not installing the game to the Xbox HDD." They added, "If people do install DOOM 3 BFG Edition to their hard drive, they should still be able to access both titles from the Xbox Live Dashboard under 'My Games'."[Thanks, Justin]
