Randy Nelson
Articles by Randy Nelson
Mad Catz launches ThunderHawk Studios, gets into flight sim development
Peripheral maker Mad Catz has announced that it's moving beyond just making flight sticks -- it's actually going to make the flight simulations to use them with. Forming an internal development group called ThunderHawk Studios, the company has set its sights on creating massively multiplayer air combat games that CEO Darren Richardson says will "leverage the market share leadership and global distribution enjoyed by our flight simulation hardware products." "The formation of ThunderHawk Studios is an important milestone as we pursue our longer term goal of expanding our participation in developing, publishing and distributing games," Richardson added. The first title from ThunderHawk is slated to go wheels-up in 2012, and we'd be surprised if we didn't see it in some form at next week's E3 expo.
FEAR 3 trailer has a lot of soul, survival
Joining the likes of "Soul King" and the imaginatively titled "F***ing Run!" in FEAR 3's array of multiplayer modes is "Soul Survivor," a twist on the last man standing scenario. Players will face an ally turned evil and, if killed, become spectres themselves, tasked with eliminating the living.
Now hear this: Sony's wireless PS3 stereo headset arrives in September
If you've found the official PlayStation 3 Bluetooth headset a little too monaural (or small) for your liking, listen to this. Sony will be releasing the PS3 Wireless Stereo Headset this September, offering one more audio channel and a much larger, over-the-ear form factor for a cool $100. It's not actually a Bluetooth device -- the headset comes with a USB dongle needed to make it work, so getting that USB hub you've been thinking about would be a good idea if you want these cans. In addition to delivering "virtual" 7.1 surround sound and a fold-away boom mic, the rather hefty-looking accessory appears to include a PS2 Slim console over either ear. Weird, right?
InFamous 2 imPorts your inFamous Trophy data to grant rewards, alter story
Sucker Punch wants to reward its fans for being especially good ... or especially bad. IGN reports that InFamous 2 offers an option to import Trophy data from the original InFamous, which is then turned into starting bonuses in Cole McGrath's new adventure. We've got a rundown of what your Trophies are worth in the sequel after the break -- starting XP bumps and the like -- but the most interesting bit of info is that having unlocked specific story-related Trophies will actually alter the dialog and side missions in InFamous 2. We'd tell you what they are, but then you'd have to kill us. And also, we don't know, because IGN didn't say. Of course, you could also look at this feature as one big morality test: Will you be a goodie two shoes and choose not to import your data, or do it and effectively use a "cheat" right at the start of the game?
Alice: Madness Returns screens are hysterical
There's nothing funny about a disturbed young girl clutching a giant butcher knife -- especially if she's near death and her Hysteria meter is full. When those morbid criteria are met, the star of Alice: Madness Returns can launch into a psychotic frenzy that would make Ryu Hayabusa proud.
Red Faction: Armageddon PC demo hits OnLive exclusively (for now)
You may have already noticed, but cloud gaming service OnLive and publisher THQ have developed quite the relationship. First the two began offering free games and hardware as pre-order bonuses, and now they're offering an exclusive demo for Red Faction: Armageddon. While it's already available to Xbox 360 owners via Xbox Live, the only way that PC (and Mac) users are going to play the demo in the immediate future is through OnLive. The service calls this an "industry milestone," saying that the demo will remain its exclusive until Armageddon's retail release on June 6. An OnLive account (free) is required to play the trial, which concludes with an offer to pre-purchase the full game from a retailer or the streaming service. Doing the latter will also net buyers instant access to Red Faction: Guerilla and a free MicroConsole system, in a promotion originally launched earlier this month.
Mortal Kombat retailer-exclusive DLC koming for all
NetherRealm Studios head and Mortal Kombat co-creator ko-kreator Ed Boon has revealed via his Twitter feed that all of the retailer-specific pre-order DLC released for the series' ninth installment will soon be made available as one downloadable, for-pay kollection. "The 7 Klassic outfits & 3 Klassic fatalities that were retailer exclusives will be bundled into one DLC package," Boon writes. "Trailer coming on Friday." For those who haven't been keeping tabs on said content, it includes "classic" variants of Ermac, Jade, Kitana, Mileena, Reptile, Scorpion and Sub-Zero, along with additional fatalities for Reptile, Scorpion and Sub-Zero. Hopefully Friday's trailer will be accompanied by a date and price, so we can note it on our kalendars and put aside some kash.
Square Enix to reveal new MMO by April 2012
Even though Square Enix has yet to iron out all the kinks in Final Fantasy XIV, it plans to announce a third MMO during its current fiscal year (ending March 31, 2012). According to CEO Yoichi Wada, the title will co-exist with the company's two existing MMOs, the aforementioned FFXIV and still-running Final Fantasy XI. In Wada's recent investors presentation (translated by Andriasang), the CEO doesn't indicate when the company plans to launch the new title, but does say that the game should be announced before the end of the fiscal year -- so by next April. For now, Square Enix is focused on shaping up the troubled FFXIV in hopes of an eventual release on PS3.
THQ takes on distribution of four Codemasters releases this year
THQ announced today that, through its THQ Partners unit, it would be handling the North American distribution of four of Codemasters 2011 releases. In fact, THQ Partners actually began its task today, with the release of Dirt 3 into the retail channel. The deal also encompasses distribution of Operation Flashpoint: Red River, Bodycount and F1 2011. The new Operation Flashpoint hits June 7, with Bodycount set for "later this summer." Financial details of the deal weren't disclosed, but it has been confirmed that Codies will continue to handle the marketing of all four titles in-house.
The Gunstringer gets level commentary (a la Mystery Science Theater)
Twisted Pixel is taking a page from the script of TV's Mystery Science Theater 3000 -- and its web heir, Rifftrax -- for some of the bonus content in its upcoming Kinect shooter, The Gunstringer. Designer Dan Teasdale dropped the news on the developer's blog, saying that the team was inspired to create "full commentary for the entire game" by the spirited online riffing given to Sonic the Hedgehog (2006). "It's not just us talking about making the game," Teasdale says of the commentary. "Much like how some of the best Rifftrax are the ones that have special guests, we've asked some special friends of ours to comment on specific plays in the game." The identities of the guests may be a secret, but we already know one possible candidate: Troma's Lloyd Kaufman, who's already been signed to play the role of a reporter in the game's live-action sequences. Of course, the developer could go all out and get the master of riffing, MST3K and Rifftrax's Michael J. Nelson, to contribute -- something sure to get fans of his work all MSTy-eyed. Whoever's involved in them, the commentary tracks will be unlocked using in-game currency, after which, Teasdale says, "you'll be given the option to turn on the soothing voices of either us, or (more likely) our awesome special guests!" [Note: not an actual gameplay image]
Alice: Madness Returns preview: Pretty weird
Ten years after the original American McGee's Alice debuted -- ten years! -- its sequel is nearly here. With its June 14 launch just over a month away, I accepted an invitation to dive into its fractured Wonderland and play through the first of its five chapters. Although a decade has passed, it felt like I'd never left. While the core game design hasn't changed much -- platforming interspersed with combat -- Alice: Madness Returns is harnessing today's tech to convey a visual spectacle that's closer to McGee's original concepts than the first game could get at the time. It's also capitalizing on some new design ideas dreamt up by its imaginative designers at Spicy Horse.%Gallery-123547%
Konami announces venues for E3 press conference 'viewing parties'
Konami is totally, deadly serious about hosting viewing parties around the globe for its E3 2011 press conference, in addition to a live web feed. Today it announced specific venues in San Francisco, Toronto, Mexico City, Los Angeles and São Paulo for the festivities, along with some sweepstakes to win a chance to attend. There'll presumably be booze on hand at these locations to help wash away the disappointment when you realize that, no, there's still no news on Zone of the Enders 3. Full details on the locations, times and contest can be found past the break. (Don't hold us to the booze thing.)
Read 'Naked Angel' from L.A. Noire: The Collected Stories
Known for his "Hap and Leonard" tales, Joe R. Lansdale is one of the crime novelists lending their skills with prose to the upcoming L.A. Noire: The Collected Stories eBook from Rockstar. Today you can read his contribution, "Naked Angel," in its entirety for the low, low price of free. Complex has posted Lansdale's short story, which is one of several that will comprise the full collection, due out June 6 as a digital-only release at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and the iTunes Store. That timing's just right for investigating more of the L.A. Noire universe after solving finishing the game.
Capcom unleashing Monster Hunter: Dynamic Hunting on iOS devices next month
The world of Monster Hunter will spread to another platform in June, franchise creator Capcom has announced. Monster Hunter: Dynamic Hunting is in development for iOS devices and will offer a "new intuitive control system...eschewing the typical D-pad" -- i.e., finger swipes and taps. It all looks a bit Infinity Blade-ish to us. That's it for details, though more are sure to be revealed at next month's E3 ... just in time for the game to leap onto the App Store.%Gallery-123967%
Awesomenauts fights its way to XBLA and PSN
Calling it a "Multiplayer Online Battle Arena" (MOBA) title, Ronimo Games has announced its latest creation, Awesomenauts. Destined for XBLA and PSN release, the game is "inspired by '80s animated series" and, though details are slim, appears to be a Smash Bros. style brawler. Ronimo made its debut last year with the side-scrolling RTS title Swords & Soldiers for WiiWare, PSN and Steam. Awesomenauts will make its playable debut at E3 next month.%Gallery-123964%
Infinity Blade 'Arena' update adds multiplayer, survivor modes this Thursday
The next big content update for Chair Entertainment's epic iOS sword battler, Infinity Blade, comes out swinging this Thursday, May 19. By far the most notable addition, the new Arena Mode introduces 1v1 multiplayer combat via Game Center. Also making the cut is Survivor Mode, which challenges players to last as long as possible in an endless gauntlet of Titan battles. A variety of new weapons and items are also being introduced, including special holiday-themed helms. Finally, Infinity Blade will gain Facebook integration with the update, enabling players to take and share screenshots of their characters through a streamlined process. The "Arena" update will be free of charge and, if past Thursday releases on the App Store are any indication, will actually roll out in North America this Wednesday night around 11:30PM ET.
Jason Rohrer's Inside a Star-Filled Sky shoots onto Steam
The latest game from the indie genius behind Sleep Is Death has arrived on Steam, and we're infinitely happy. That's because Inside a Star-Filled Sky ($8) is a shmup that happens to explore the idea of infinity, letting players journey into enemies, power-ups and even their character, which all become new levels -- all with more things to transition into and out of. If it sounds different and, well, kind of weird, it is. But you can find videos that do the best job of explaining its unusual premise at the Steam store, reachable via the Source link below. Just don't get lost in there.
Duke Nukem Forever demo lands June 3 for Borderlands GOTY owners and pre-orders [update]
2K Games and Gearbox Software have just announced that members of the Duke Nukem Forever "First Access Club" -- those who purchased the Borderlands Game of the Year Edition or pre-ordered DNF -- will be able to download the first-person rauncher shooter's demo on June 3. You should have received an email asking you to confirm which platform you'd like it on. Watch Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford drop the news after the break. Update: Adjusted post to reflect that pre-orders also get in on the demo.
Borderlands joins OnLive's flat-rate PlayPack service
OnLive is aiming to make its flat-rate, "all-you-can-play" PlayPack plan more attractive -- this time down the barrel of a cel-shaded rifle. The cloud gaming company announced today that Gearbox's Borderlands is joining the $10 per month selection of titles on tap for unlimited play. The hybrid FPS slash RPG joins a library of about 50 games available to plan subscribers, including the likes of Just Cause 2 and Tomb Raider: Underworld. Along with news of Borderlands joining their ranks, OnLive revealed that PlayPack games -- some of which are not offered for sale -- can all be demoed for free as of today. Just recently, the company extended its program offering free MicroConsole hardware to anyone who pre-orders Duke Nukem Forever -- another 2K Games title -- via its game streaming service.
Starhawk gameplay footage highlights 'build and battle' features
You've read about it -- now see Warhawk's successor, Starhawk, in action in this developer video featuring LightBox Interactive boss Dylan Jobe. Using plenty of gameplay footage, he breaks down the new universe, "build and battle" strategy elements and, of course, transforming jets -- er, Hawks.