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The Mog Log: Final Fantasy XIV's E3 revelations
Let me open off with an apology: Last week didn't feature a Mog Log column, and that happened without warning. This was a calculated decision; I figured last Monday it would be silly to talk about a game promised many exciting E3 reveals before those reveals when there was a game that had just launched. So I held off talking about Final Fantasy XIV until this week, but I am sorry if anyone had a fear this column was being unceremoniously dropped. But oh my, was it ever worth it. Here we are in the wake of E3 fit to burst with new information, new revelations, all the fun stuff you could ask for from the convention. It's ever so joyous. So let's talk about what we've learned about the next patch, the patch after that, vague rumblings of the future, and... um... darn. There was one big thing that got unveiled at E3, wasn't there?
US Army developing Android-based smartphone framework and apps
The US Army is calling upon Android app developers to help make military life a little less stressful -- and, perhaps, a lot safer. Under a new Army framework known as the Mobile/Handheld Computing Environment (CE), third-party developers will be able to create and submit tactical Android apps, using the military's CE Product Developer's Kit. The framework, originally prototyped by the folks over at MITRE, represents the latest phase in the Army's ongoing campaign to incorporate smartphone technology on the battlefield. Any app operating under the CE system will be interoperable across all command systems, and, as you'd expect, will be tightly secured. The kit won't be released to developers until July, but the Army has already begun tinkering with its baseline suite of Mission Command apps, which includes tools designed to facilitate mapping, blue force tracking, and Tactical Ground Reporting. On the hardware side of the equation, the Army is planning to deploy a new handheld known as the Joint Battle Command-Platform, or JBC-P. The two-pound JBC-P is essentially a military-friendly smartphone designed to run on a variety of existing radio networks, while supporting the full suite of forthcoming apps. The JBC-P will be tested this October, and will likely be issued on a wider basis in 2013.
Steam weekend deal: 25% off THQ pack (includes Dawn of War II)
This weekend's Steam deal focuses on titles from THQ, as the ginormous bundle that is the THQ Collector Pack has been discounted 25%. The bundle (which now features Dawn of War II) is packed to the gills with content -- so much so that a simple paragraph alone can't describe the plethora of titles available, forcing us to utilize the bullet-point method. Here's what you'll get: Dawn of War II Company of Heroes Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts Frontlines: Fuel of War Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights (yes, that Juiced 2) S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl Titan Quest Titan Quest - Immortal Throne Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Dark Crusade Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Gold Edition Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War - Soulstorm Full Spectrum Warrior* Full Spectrum Warrior: Ten Hammers* The bundle will set you back $75.*Not available in Germany
Kaos Studios hiring for unannounced project
After letting so many employees go, perhaps THQ is running out of pink slips to hand out. The publisher announced that its New York-based Kaos Studios is actually hiring, with new staff set to work on an as-yet-unannounced project from the Frontlines: Fuel of War developer. As for what the game will be, neither company is talking. Still, there are some possible clues, with a handful of job openings on Kaos' website looking for staff with "broad knowledge" on both PCs and consoles, and one in particular seeking someone skilled in the art of taking Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 or Wii games online. We cornered a THQ rep earlier, but all we could pry out of her was that the publisher is "very excited" about the project and that it is "saving the details for E3." And Kaos, if that mysterious project doesn't work out, the extra bodies should make decent meat shields should THQ decide to swing its axe your way.
XBLM gets Frontlines DLC and it's 800 MS points
Available for download off the XBLM today is new Frontlines: Fuel of War downloadable content that'll add four mulitplayer maps to the online multiplayer gaming mix. But we think there's a typo on the DLC announcement. For some reason, this 4 Map Pack DLC is listed for 800 Microsoft points which just can't be right. Surely a game like Frontlines wouldn't (and couldn't) charge 800 points for four maps. This has to be a typo ... right?
Frontlines enables 50 players on all maps
With the release of the new (and free) multiplayer map "Boneyard", THQ flipped the magical Frontlines: Fuel of War multiplayer switch and enabled 50 player online multiplayer on all of the game's maps. A huge step up since launch, when only the map "Village" had 50 player versus enabled. Not only has multiplayer been opened up, but a patch has been released adding a "new spawn protection system, as well as expanded voice-over-IP communications, which includes squad to squad chat, proximity, and inter-vehicle communication." Enjoy your chaotic Frontlines gaming fun.
Grab your free Frontlines 'Bonyeard' DLC
If you are still playing Frontlines: Fuel of War's online multiplayer then we're going to have to label you as both "committed" and "obsessed". So, this post is for those fanboys, because they'll probably be the only ones using this nugget of DLC info to get their download on.Available for FREE as a download off the XBLM is a new Frontlines Boneyard Map which is said to include "never before seen Automatic Shotgun, Rocket Jeep and Red Star Transport Helicopter" and "Shilnaya Balka missile silos" ... fun! This is the first of five (possibly free?) Frontlines multilpayer maps, so keep your eyes peeled for more DLC in the near future. That is if you're one of those "committed" or "obsessed" Frontlines fanboys.
Kaos announces new Frontlines: FoW DLC
Videogamer.com has details on some newly announced Frontlines: Fuel of War downloadable content and, as can be expected from any first person shooter, the DLC is multiplayer focused.Kaos Studios just confirmed that the new Fuel of War DLC has been sent to Microsoft cert and is awaiting the green light to release to the XBLM and is said to include five new multiplayer maps including Boneyard, Hindsight, Sunder, Wide Awake and Infiltration. Make the jump to read a detailed descriptions about each map.We'd also like to say that seeing a developer support their game, no matter which game, after launch with DLC is cool in our book. Judgment free. Though, we'll reserve our developer praise until after the DLC pricing is revealed, because we're admittedly a bit touchy about things like the cost of content. Especially for games that didn't quite break into the popular Xbox Live multiplayer rotation .... just saying.
THQ hooks up 90 servers for Frontlines' launch
With Frontlines: Fuel of War's release this week, THQ has already setup over 90 dedicated servers for online play over Xbox Live. Why the need for dedicated servers other than the fact that it's a nice gesture by THQ? Well, because the game is supporting 50 player versus multiplayer, that's why. THQ confirmed that 50 player versus mayhem will only be enabled on one map ("Village") at launch with the possibility of more maps allowing 50 players in the future. We'll have to see if this crazy idea of having a server farm actually works for Frontlines and also ponder why dedicated servers can't be an industry norm. Down with lag, in with dedicated bandwidth! Hoozah!
Shipping this week: attack of the colons edition
First off, some of you will be pleased to know that this is NOT another hijacking of a weekly features (I wouldn't want to upset anyone two weeks in a row). I'm taking over Richard's "Shipping this week" duties simply because he's a busy man and I'm a kind hearted soul. So, here comes the informative bits ... This week's Xbox 360 releases aren't plentiful or overly stellar, but they do have one grammatical thing in common. A colon. Yes sir, a colon brings all three of this week's releases together under one unified umbrella of release week unification ... of sorts. It's the punctuation binder that is what eggs are to meatloaf. Without it, this week would be a chaotic mess of randomness. So, be thankful for the colon and be thankful for this week's new Xbox 360 releases. Game on.
