Red-Storm-Entertainment
Latest
GRAW developer: PS3 not harder to code for than 360
Despite the steady hiss of internet pundits that suggests otherwise, Ubisoft's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter development team doesn't believe that it's harder to code games for the PlayStation 3 compared to the Xbox 360. Yann Le Tensorer, who co-created the graphics engine powering GRAW and the upcoming Beowulf, re-ckons that any uphill development battles are to blame on the learning curve associated with newer hardware. "It's wrong to say it's harder to code on the PlayStation 3, it's just something that needs to be learnt," he told GamesIndustry.Biz. He goes on to stun the less observant by pointing out that "it's just a different console." Le Tensorer isn't the first to comment on the hardware's perceived difficulty. In June, Team Ninja's Yosuke Hayashi engaged in less subtle commentary by simply telling complaining PS3 developers to "get out of the ring." The GRAW developer goes on to state, "Developers might says [sic] it's harder because it just takes time to understand the technology, we're still early in the lifecycle." In other words, it is tougher to program for the system, but only while you're still learning the technological ropes. It seems a fair explanation for the publisher's poorly received Splinter Cell: Double Agent port and EA's lack of frames in Madden NFL 08 -- at least from a developer's point of view. Consumers may feel otherwise as they await the PS3 arrival of Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2.
Ghost Recon creative director moves to Bungie
Christian Allen, former creative director at Red Storm, which creates the Ghost Recon games, has taken a new job at Bungie as "design lead." Allen doesn't say what game he'll be working on, but having been a Marine and working on one of the top military-themed franchises in existence, we're going to guess it involves guns -- which he seems well-versed in. So, super speculation time. Now that Bungie has Halo 3 almost in the bag and they've brought this guy on board, what could they be working on? A Halo-themed squad game? A Halo-themed squad game? Or, a Halo-themed squad game? What, you don't think it'll be a squad game? Ohhh, you don't think it'll be Halo-themed. OK, in other news, Nintendo isn't making Mario games anymore either.
GRAW 2 demo coming to the EU PSN this week
According to the French site Play3-Live, a Community Manager (aka Blog/Forum liason) at SCEE gave them a sneak peak at some of the upcoming updates to the EU PlayStation Store. Headlining the list is a demo for the heavily delayed PlayStation 3 version of Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 as well as a couple of PSX titles. Here's the full list: August 2nd: Demo: GRAW 2 Video: Lair Video: Ratchet and Clank: FToD Video: Juiced 2: Hot Nights August 9th: PSX: Ridge Racer 1 PSX: Tekken 2 [Via N4G] *Updated* Changed title to point out the demo is coming out this week -- not next.
GamerTV reveals foggy footage of GRAW 2
The N64 was home to a ton of brilliant classics, but it was notorious for one crucial flaw ... fog, and lots of it. Having just watched footage of the PSP version of Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2, we'll admit we haven't seen fog this bad since the days of Superman 64. Of course, we jest (somewhat). Let's hope the graphics are indicative of the way this game plays. [Via PlayStation]
GRAW2 on PS3 delayed until August 31st
Despite their best efforts, Ubisoft announced that Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 wouldn't be making its way to PS3 audiences this June. The new projected release date is August 31st. Initially, Ubisoft (who prefers the Xbox 360) intended the PS3 release to coincide with its Xbox 360 cousin this past March. When that didn't happen, the June release date was given, and now, we're being told a late August release. Judging from the last two delays, we won't hold our breath for this release date either Lets hope the additional time spent in the developer incubator produces some stellar goodies upon its release.
GRAW 2 gets some extra features on the PS3
Tom Clancy's GRAW2 is about to hit the PlayStation 3 and we've all been wondering a few things: any noticeable differences between this and the 360 version? Additional content? Will multiplayer function execute adequately, or fall short in matchmaking skills compared to Live? While we don't have all the answers to these questions, we can at least address some of them -- what's new for the PS3 version and what's been added. Let's list it up! SixAxis features: Controller features used for Mitchell and Cross-com control SP: Drive the supports (drone, M.U.L.E.) with the SixAxis SP/MP: Change Mitchell stances with the SixAxis SP: change the Rules of Engagement with the SixAxis Consistency increased between SP & MP: Scope, Movement, Aiming PS3 specific adaptation of controls: Menus, Shoot button 14 additional maps resulting in a total of 32 multiplayer maps 32 new adversarial multiplayer maps of up to 16 players, an expanded arsenal of multinational weapons, character customization options, new optimizing re-spawn system, new female operatives and hundreds of new game mode options are available. 2 new coop modes, "Evasion" and "Exfiltration", to vary the game experience in multiplayer. 6 missions co-op campaign with a fully immersive experience and storyline. Featuring open-ended play that rewards teamwork as you play with up to sixteen players. So it seems there have been quite a few delicious changes to the basic frame of the title between then and its release on the PS3. Still a mystery, however, is if all will pan out and operate smoothly. Ports aren't kind to the PS3, but if they've put so much effort into adding stuff to the game, they should put the effort to make it work well, too.
GRAW 2 Throwback Pack up for download
Today, you'll get to try out the new and improved Marketplace by downloading a new map pack for GRAW 2 called the Throwback Pack. This map pack costs 800 Microsoft points and includes seven remakes of multiplayer maps from not only GRAW, but Ghost Recon 2 and Ghost Recon 2: Summit Strike. Maps included are Bonfires, Desert Gulch, Fishing Village, Jungle Mines, Mountain Base, Mountain Falls, and Peninsula. And if you need a little more information about the new maps before you commit to a purchase, head over to IGN as they have a nice preview of each map. If you've already downloaded the new maps, what do you think about the value you get for your 800 Microsoft points? [Thanks, Raymond Dubisky]
GRAW 2 gets 'Throwback Pack' for $10
We imagine it's not uncommon for soldiers to long for the battlefields of their youth, the place where they grew up and became part of a tightly-knit fighting force. Despite the adage, Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 players feeling those pangs can actually go home again, thanks to the 800-point ($10) "Throwback Pack" which whisks them from their modern battleground of Mexico on a nostalgic trip to Kazakhstan, the Korean Peninsula and ... well, other parts of Mexico. There are seven "remastered" Ghost Recon maps in the pack, which is available now. That's all the information we get from the blade description but IGN says that they're drawn from Ghost Recon 2, GR 2: Summit Strike and GRAW 1. So, how about it GRAW fans? Is a trip down Memory Lane and a fresh hit of tactical action worth a ten spot?
GRAW2 vs. the real world: GRAW2 wins
There's a very interesting article at Popular Mechanics exploring the differences between the technology of GRAW 2 and its real world counterparts. Of course, we already know that GRAW 2 is the most realistic game ever produced, but how realistic is it really? Popular Mechanics compares the Cross-Com of GRAW 2 with the American Army's Land Warrior system. So, how does GRAW 2's system compare? First of all, both systems allow for the tracking of friendly units. In Ghost Recon, these are indicated by blue diamonds that move in real time. The Land Warrior system has a similar system that uses blue circles on a GPS map. The only difference here is that the tracking is far from real time. In fact, it takes a full minute to register new movement. The article notes that the GPS system is useful for large, conventional battles, but that it proves far less useful for the smaller, faster battles of modern day warfare.
GRAW 2 border security: MEGA 64 style
We love us some MEGA64. That really goes without saying (which kind of nullifies the first sentence ... never mind). The latest video from the group is actually an advertisement for GRAW 2 but, as usual, it's pretty damned funny. Given the reaction from the Mexican government concerning GRAW 2, the video is also surprisingly relevant (in addition to the obvious hilarity). We won't spoil the video, so let's just say that it's worth watching. Click play, give it a watch, and tell us what you think. [Via Joystiq]
Mega64 parodies GRAW 2, border security
Even if you're not crazy about living Tetris blocks or Mario and Luigi meeting their maker, we think your chuckle bone could be tickled by the latest video from the gentlemen of Mega64 called "Local Leaders." Yes, it's technically an ad for Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2, but it's also technically really entertaining. A bit of forewarning: The video does feature some explicit language. However, it has been replaced by high-pitched beeps, so it should be work-safe. Unless, of course, your boss is a bat and doesn't appreciate his employees toying with his echolocation, then you might want to wait until you get home. Also, find a new job.
Original GRAW goodness for only $20
This week Circuit City is hastily clearancing out a few popular video game titles, selling the original Xbox 360 version of GRAW for $19.99. Yes sir, $20 will get you one of the prettiest looking advanced war fighting games this side of the moon. Even if you're not a huge fan of war-style games, GRAW at $20 is a great "try me" price for anyone sitting on the fence. And if you are sitting on the fence ... why? Fence sitting results in 280 deaths a year, just get down and go buy GRAW already.
Mexico is all up in arms over GRAW2
We're going write about this because it's really quite humorous. In a post we slapped up a few days ago, we mentioned how activists are trying to enlist the help of U2 frontman Bono to pull Mercenaries 2 from shelves. Someone in the comments sections said something like this: "RatBoy: Ohhh, ohhh, I got an Idea... Why don't we boycott GRAW 2 because it's set in Mexico. I know that after playing it I develop an intense urge to write my congressperson and ask them to break sanction millitary action in Mexico City." Well, you've got a gift, my friend. The governer of Mexican state Chihuahua (we wonder if it's very small and frail, shakes a lot?) has ordered the seizure of all copies of GRAW2. The mayor calls the game "a crime against the intellectual capacity of Juarez residents" and offered a similar condemnation of video games as a whole: "Violent video games instill values which are upside down, and these actions are despicable because they attempt to divide the good will of the residents of American and Mexican cities." Hmm, well RatBoy, do you think England is going to boycott the alternate timeline in Resistance next? You seem to be on top of these things!
GRAW 2 to be seized by Mexican state gov't
Chihuahua Governor Jose Reyes Baeza Terraces has ordered the seizure of all copies of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 that are in regional distribution, according to a report in Juárez newspaper El Diario. The governor's order follows Juárez Mayor Héctor Murguía Lardizábal's harsh criticism of the game, which proposes a not-so-distant future in which the citizens of the Chihuahua border city have apparently fled, replaced by sparsely populated pockets of resistance, known as insurgents (not to be confused with terr'ists). "Violent video games ... attempt to divide the good will of the residents of American and Mexican cities," declared the mayor in a carelessly worded blanket statement. So who's behind this divisive propaganda...? France?! But how do the French stand to benefit from the eruption of the fragile border issue across the Atlantic? Why, Ubisoft Paris? Why rub open centuries-old wounds? Don't you know that the only suitable wargame villains are Nazis and Cold War commies? Best watch yourself lest Chihuahua sic Bono on your ass. Source: El Dario [Google translation]
GRAW 2 being pulled from Mexican retailers
According to a Spanish newspaper called El Diario, the Governor of the Mexican state of Chihuahua is demanding all copies of GRAW 2 be pulled from retailer's shelves. The Governor's knee jerk reaction to the game seems to be coming from the city of Juarez's mayor who has openly criticized GRAW 2's content calling it "a crime against the intellectual capacity of Juarez residents". And if you don't know, GRAW 2's storyline does deal with Mexican rebels and US forces duking it out on the US / Mexican border ... something the Mexican government obviously doesn't like. What do you think, silly government officials on their soap box or something to be really concerned about? [Via GamePolitics]
Ubisoft makes Tom Clancy lovers wait
CVG is reporting that Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 for PSP has been delayed from March 30th to June and Rainbow Six Vegas from May to a much more ambiguous spring. While Driver 76 slid back to June for more development time. Checking EBgames' website revealed indeed GRAW 2 is listed for June, but neither of the other games were listed at the dates CVG gave. This could just be a case of EB's site not being updated yet though, so make sure you call before rushing out for these Ubisoft titles. [Via DCEmu]
Game saves unlock headgear in GRAW 2
With the release of GRAW 2 this week those quick purchasers over at VideoGame News unearthed a few unlockable headgear items. What's interesting about these pieces of headgear is that they are only unlockable if you've previously played other Tom Clancy games on your Xbox 360. To unlock them, GRAW 2 will search your hard drive for game saves of either Rainbow Six: Vegas or Splinter Cell: Double Agent and unlock the corresponding headgear. It's kind of an interesting way to unlock goodies, but forces players to either borrow the other games or purchase them. Marketing 101 for the win! So, what do you think about this interesting way of unlocking extra items? Is it innovative or just pure sales and marketing bologna?
GRAW 2 MP Demo Impressions
After having had a few days to delve deep into the demo for GRAW 2's multiplayer, we don't feel that it has made the same steps forward as the single player has. We're still stuck with no cover system, but we do get the new full screen cross-com by holding down the right bumper. The Co-Op missions are a lot of fun, and the ability to invite friends to games in a demo is really nice, but the user interface is more or less identical to the previous version. Sure, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, but GRAW's UI wasn't exactly perfect. The graphics in multiplayer did however look closer to the caliber of the single player, but their still is a noticeable difference between the two. With the game having gone gold recently, it looks like we won't have long to find out how the retail version is. What did you think of the demo? Does it make you want to buy GRAW 2, or do you pretty much have to because "everyone else" is?
GRAW 2 is gold, new feature revealed
Tom Clancy fans eager to get their hands on GRAW 2 will be happy to learn that the game has officially gone gold. TeamXbox reports that Ubisoft made the announcement today, stating that the game should be available on store shelves by Thursday, March 8th (just in time for our heads to asplode from covering GDC). In celebration of this momentous occasion, Ubisoft also revealed the entire list of achievements for the game. Achievements are more or less evenly spread among campaign, co-op, and adversarial modes. The adversarial achievements all require that at least 5 gamertags be in the session, presumably to prevent boosting. So, the game has gone gold and the achievements have been uncovered, but that's not the best part. No, Ubisoft had one more surprise for us. GRAW 2 will feature an in game achievement tracker. The achievement tracker, surprisingly, keeps track of your achievement progress. In other words, if you're wondering how many more sniper kills you have to make to acquire the "100 sniper kills" achievement, all you have to do is pull up the tracker and check. We're going to go on record and say that this feature should be in every game. You listening Microsoft? Now that we've all had a chance to try both campaign and multiplayer demos, what do you think? Is a GRAW 2 purchase inevitable?
GRAW 2 Multi demo coming Monday
Today, Ubisoft confirmed that there will be a GRAW 2 multiplayer demo available next Monday, which is February 26th for those not keeping score. On the map that is playable, you will be able to participate in both co-op and adversarial matches with up to 15 other gamers. The thing gamers are most curious to find out is what new gameplay mechanics from the single player experience will make the jump over to multiplayer. Which features do you want to make the cut, aside from a cover system? [Thanks, Machiavelli 420]
