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Sniper Elite 3 debut trailer has magic bullet, crashing culprits
Did you know that it only takes a single well-placed bullet to explode even the nimblest of military vehicles? Well, that's how things work in Sniper Elite 3 at least, which is slated to launch on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC sometime next year. Sniper Elite 3 takes series protagonist/OSS operative Karl Fairburne's World War 2-era adventures to North Africa, where the hunt is on for secret German technology that could turn the tide of the war. This hunt will, presumably, involve shooting tons of dudes/jeeps/tanks from varying distances with high-powered rifles.
Sega's Shogun 2 expansion leads the charge on Origin
Sega's PC games have been available on Steam and other internet portals for some time, and are now on the way to EA's Origin service.Starting today, folks can pre-order the upcoming Total War Shogun 2 expansion, "Fall of the Samurai," and more content will follow in the coming weeks. Beyond the Japanese publisher, Origin added Team 17, Rebellion, Kalypso, "and more" to Origin today, and their games will start showing up "in the coming months."
Rebellion (Rogue Warrior, AvP) seeking to emphasize quality, rebuild reputation
Rebellion, the studio behind Rogue Warrior and Aliens vs Predator, is looking to change its reputation for less-than-average quality. Speaking to Edge (via MCV), CEO Jason Kingsley says the company is trying to turn things around. "It's now a deliberate policy to move away from making games that might have been good for business, but not necessarily good for our reputation," Kingsley stated. "You're only as good as the deal you're offered. If someone says 'Can you make me a game in nine months?' then the answer is, 'Probably. But it won't be as good as a game where we've had creative input and the time to mature the idea.'" Rebellion is currently working on NeverDead and Sniper Elite V2. The road to redemption is a tricky one after high-profile incidents. Just ask Obsidian.
AvP game engine Asura 'fully functional' on NGP
Go ahead and add Aliens vs. Predator to the list of console games that are possible on Sony's next-generation portable. Rebellion has a "fully functional" version of its Asura game engine ready -- and ready to be licensed -- for NGP game development, reports CVG. According to MobyGames, Rebellion has used the engine since 2003's Judge Dredd: Dredd Vs. Death, with the most recent incarnation powering last year's multiplatform FPS AvP. The studio says it has an Asura-based, multiplayer third-person shooter demo running on NGP. "We'll be attending DICE [this week] and GDC to show what we have created and look for business partners," pitched CEO Jason Kingsley. "The technology, design and art teams have worked incredibly well with Sony's newest device," boasted Kingsley. "We have managed to make our engine fully functional and looking great on the hardware in double quick time." Okay -- but does the frame rate hold up in triple time?
GOG offering Rebellion titles for up to 50% off this weekend only
You probably don't need to buy 11 games this weekend, but for the low-low asking price of (approximately) $41, GOG.com is offering a smattering of Rebellion's titles. The entire Empire Earth series, Judge Dredd's battle against an entire planet, and Evil Genius (among others) are on sale for 30 percent off individually or 50 percent off in a big ol' bundle. Forget about Castlevania: Lords of Shadow and next week's Vanquish -- you've got strategy games to play. For, like, ever. The sale ends Monday at 11:59PM EDT, so get on it before these good old games go back to more appropriate prices.
Sega scraps plans for Aliens vs. Predator support on consoles
According to a post on the game's forum by a Sega community manager, plans for future patches for Aliens vs. Predator have been inexplicably canceled. In said post, the Sega representative (posting under the username Clumsyorchid) laments, "I apologize, as I know there are many features and updates that you'd like to see. I'll keep fighting internally for this to happen, but until I hear otherwise, there will not be a console patch for either Xbox or PS3." This decision has understandably upset the AvP-playing community, who has begun to rally support for the game on various fan sites and forums. We've contacted Sega to find out why future support has apparently been pulled from the title -- and why this decision was made just one week after the game received a fairly sizable DLC map pack.
Aliens vs. Predator gets Bughunt Map Pack DLC July 7
The problem with the struggle between the Aliens and Predators is that both are pretty equally matched: Predators have a lot of technology and stand about 200 feet tall (give or take a couple hundred feet), while Aliens have greater numbers and acidic blood that could eat through a truckload of fruitcake in milliseconds. Humans have -- uh, actually, we just have soft, fertile bodies and aesthetically-pleasing skull shapes. Talk about your bum deals, right? But for those who like to roleplay as one of the aforementioned extraterrestrial species, know that Sega is deploying some DLC for Aliens vs. Predator in the form of the Bughunt Map Pack. Available on July 7, the DLC adds 4 brand new maps: two for Deathmatch, Predator Hunt, Infestation, Species Deathmatch, Mixed Species Deathmatch and Domination, and two for the game's Survival mode -- each featuring new environmental hazards and weather effects. The new maps are called "Crash Site," "Furious," "Tempest" and "Monument" Look for the Bughunt Map Pack on July 7 on PSN, Xbox Live and Steam for $6.99 (560 Microsoft points). If you're looking for something a bit more on the free side, then check out the stills in our gallery below and click past the break for a teaser trailer. %Gallery-96657%
NeverDead, a new Rebellion game for Konami
Hey, do you like Devil May Cry? Because during the Konami press conference, the publisher announced a new action game in the same vein of Capcom's series. It's called NeverDead, currently under development at Rebellion Studios. Even more interesting is that Konami's Shinta Nojiri, whose last game was Metal Gear Acid 2 for the PSP, is designing it. The game utilizes an interesting mechanic: immortality. The characters cannot die. The example shown during the press conference had a hero getting dismembered and physically pulling himself back together, into one piece. Gruesome! There was no mention of specific platforms.
Rebellion accused of not paying dismissed employees
Something's apparently rotten at Rebellion. Not only was the dev forced to shutter its Derby office doors back in March, but those ex-employees seemingly aren't getting their deserved cash. Develop reports that numerous sources have come forward, claiming they've never received their promised salaries or redundancy pay. Sources tell Develop that a few of the employees had been working there "for nearly 20 years" and are due large compensation packages. An even worse reality, one source posits, could result in Rebellion filing for bankruptcy -- which would mean that anybody due compensation could very well never receive payment. Grim stuff, for sure. Rebellion's Derby office effectively closed its doors back in March. Founding brothers Jason and Chris Kingsley could not be reached for comment as they're currently traveling.
Sega expects profits in fiscal Q4 2010 forecast
Sega recently posted quite the surprise for its investors: a revised earnings forecast. In an interesting turn of events, Sega has foregone the doom and gloom of having to admit it will likely earn less money during its Q4 2010 forecast -- the period between December 2009 and March 2010 -- for something a bit more on the cheery side: profits! First, Sega estimates net sales of ¥380 billion ($4.08 billion), a 9.5 percent decline from its previous estimate of ¥420 billion ($4.51 billion) -- wait, we thought we had good news in here? Aha! Here it is: net income. Sega previously forecast net income of ¥15 billion ($161 million), but has now adjusted that to ¥18 billion ($193 million). This spontaneous spike in cash money is attributed to "improved profit margins in the pachislot and pachinko machine business and amusement machine business." We imagine sales of Bayonetta and Aliens vs Predator also helped. And in case you're wondering what the difference between net sales and net income is: Net sales accounts for the total profits a company makes based on the products it sells, while net income takes into account net sales and other operating costs, such as licensing fees and taxes. [Via GameSpot]
Rebellion confirms layoffs, Derby closure
Although Aliens vs Predator has been deemed successful, Rebellion has been forced to swing the axe. A report from Develop claims that Rebellion's Derby office has closed its doors and that several positions at the home office in Oxford, UK have also been eliminated -- something we heard murmurs of back on March 10. There are no exact figures on how many Oxford employees were handed pink slips, though a Rebellion spokesperson told Develop "a few staff in junior positions had been let go." Our hearts go out to the recently unemployed and, as always, if there's anything you'd like to add to the story, feel free to let us know.
Rebellion's Derby studio on the verge of shutting down
Echoing grim sentiments made earlier this year, Rebellion Studios' CEO Jason Kingsley recently told Develop that the Derby branch of Rebellion that birthed Lara Croft (previously at Core Design) may not be around for too much longer. "It's quite likely that [the Derby studio] won't be kept intact in the way it did, but that individual consultancy period is not over yet," he said. He's concerned, however, with that fact that "no one has stepped up" to purchase the ailing third branch of Rebellion Studios. "We would obviously like someone to, but no one has done so as yet." When we reached out to our contacts at the studio, we were unfortunately met with no response as of publishing. Kingsley revealed that Rebellion otherwise is in the "mid-stages" of "two big projects," and reiterates that "nothing's been decided yet" for the Derby offices. As always, if you are a member or representative of the studio in question, don't hesitate to contact us if you'd like to clarify.
Latest Aliens vs. Predator trailer has disco fever
There are plenty of things worth highlighting in this Aliens vs. Predator trailer. The foreboding "blip ... blip ... blip" of the motion tracker and the lone marine with only a pistol to protect himself from the onslaught of scurrying Xenomorphs are just a few, but what irks us most is the digital lady dancing on the pole of the disco. Is that, like, really the future of t3h pr0nz? We were hoping for some kind of Star Trek Holodeck-type action.
Newest Aliens vs. Predator trailer explores the title's heritage
Rather than getting on Steam and playing gobs of classic Aliens vs. Predator leading up to the game's almost assured (though still "unconfirmed") February launch, wouldn't you rather spend the next three-ish minutes watching the folks at Rebellion speak about the history behind both games' development? We knew you'd see it our way! Regardless, the trailer you see above does plenty in the way of explaining the near-direct connection between the original game and the upcoming release. Hey, did you know that both games feature some aliens, maybe a predator or two, and lots of humans? It's true! Peep the trailer for more mind-blowing revelations like that one -- if you can handle them, that is. %Gallery-63762%
Rebellion to 'review the need' for Derby Studio
Rebellion, which is currently working on Aliens vs. Predator and recently blessed us with Rogue Warrior, will likely shut down one of its facilities. GI.biz reports the company plans on closing its Derby, UK studios as it focuses resources on its Runcorn and Oxford locations, the latter of which is handling AvP. The Derby studio was once home to the Core Design team, the originators of the Tomb Raider franchise before Lady Croft left for Crystal Dynamics. Studio CEO Jason Kingsley said in a statement that "growth is sometimes painful, never more so than in the current climate" and that the company has "decided to review the need for the Derby facilities, and consultation with staff at Derby is ongoing." GI.biz reports "a number of staff have been made redundant," which is the UK's horribly polite way of saying "kicked to the curb." And, with that, we have our first layoff story of 2010 -- please, we can't go through another year of this.
Rebellion refuses to 'water down' Aliens vs. Predator, readying demo
In a recent interview with AvPGalaxy, Rebellion Studios' Martin Kennedy and Alex Moore openly spoke their minds regarding last month's Australian ratings fiasco with Aliens vs. Predator before revealing news of an upcoming demo for the game. "People who want the game will get [it] imported, it's not going to hurt us ... if anything it's been a bit of decent publicity," Kennedy said. "We're not going to water down the game for countries that can't treat adults like adults," continued Moore. Moore even went as far as to compare Australia's ban-happy government (as of late, at least) to past situations with Germany. "Germany's always one of those places that we've known it was going to be difficult because the first one [game] got banned in Germany as well." When pressed on the subject of a demo, however, the duo were more careful in their wording. "There will be a demo ...that's all we can say," Moore confirmed. Considering the game is still on schedule for an "early 2010" release (maybe February?), we're hoping that the demo will be arriving sooner rather than later. %Gallery-63762%
New Aliens vs. Predator trailer says it's about story, actually about gutting
This is one of those situations where we wish we could just call up Mr. Sega (that's who runs Sega, right?) and ask him what he was thinking. How could he have possibly claimed this latest Aliens vs. Predator trailer has something to do with "story?" Here's the entire plot: There are humans, there are also Aliens, as well as a Predator. That's it! What else do you need, folks? Much like the snake and the mongoose (or 50 Cent and helicopters), these factions are natural enemies of each other. No story is required for them to make with the murdalizing -- they just do. Check out the trailer above for further confirmation of our position on the subject. %Gallery-63762%
Australian Attorney General offers insight into Aliens vs. Predator classification refusal
We've heard from Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson in the past on why he thinks certain games shouldn't be available to Australian consumers. And when he was asked recently by ABC why the upcoming Aliens vs. Predator was refused classification in his country (read: banned), he echoed previous sentiments on the interactivity of games having a stronger affect on people than other mediums. "I accept that 98 percent, 99 percent of gamers will tell the difference between fantasy and reality, but the 1 to 2 percent could go on to be motivated by these games to commit horrible acts of violence," Atkinson said. When the subject of AvP comes up, though, Atkinson put on his game reviewer cap and offered, "You don't need to be playing a game in which you impale, decapitate and dismember people." So, what're you thinking, Mr. Atkinson -- 5.0/10 maybe? 4.7/10? We're all ears. [Via GamesIndustry.biz]
Metareview: Rogue Warrior (PS3, Xbox 360)
Richard "Demo Dick" Marcinko's first appearance in a game as Bethesda's Rogue Warrior doesn't seem to have left a fantastic taste in the mouths of many critics. Aside from the overabundance of profanity, complaints range from "generic" to "last-gen." It probably doesn't help that the game's being released during an ... ahem ... less than favorable part of the year. We wish you the best, Demo Dick! We hardly knew ye! MSXbox-World (4/10): "The reality is that there's little challenge as most of the stealth elements are as scripted as they come ... There's an almost last-gen feel to the game, with one embassy snow level being reminiscent of a level in Hitman." Gamervision (3.5/10): "There are only a few locations in the story, and they all look and play essentially the same. In fact, it feels as though they could have been presented in any order without losing much storytelling ... The only thing that is even remotely memorably is the voice of the protagonist, Mickey Rourke. He's constantly throwing out quips and one-liners in his grizzly, gritty voice, but even this seems forced." HellBored (2.1/10): "There is absolutely nothing about Rogue Warrior that deserves any attention ... Combine paltry numbers of enemies, small levels, and an absurdly easy approach and you can run through the entire thing in ... four hours." GamePro (1.5/5 Stars): "It's at best a generic FPS, and at worst a nigh-unplayable mess ... The game's dark, murky textures and limited visibility make aiming a chore, and prominent clipping, slowdown and texture popping only serve to further hinder the adrenaline-fueled covert-ops experience Rogue Warrior tries so hard to recreate" %Gallery-51192%
