godfather
Latest
The Road to Mordor: Kicking back with Ales & Tales
Every Friday, The Road to Mordor brings you the latest in Lord of the Rings Online news, guides and analysis. Massively's legal department has asked me to make a standard disclaimer here: I am not a role-player. Believe you me, I have tried. It's kind of like me with the guitar -- in theory, I want to play it and I like the idea of it, but in practice, I just have no innate talent for it. I like the idea of role-playing, I appreciate those who do, and I'm in full support of it -- but I really, really suck at it. Maybe it would be different if I grew up playing pen-and-paper RPGs, where the friends and rules were more defined. But for some reason, in MMOs, I never quite know the "rules" to role-playing, and subsequently always end up ticking people off and never fit in. I have tried, though... oh how I have tried. And I continue to try. So my latest endeavor in expanding my RP sensibilities came this past Monday evening, when I finally devoted an evening to doing something I've wanted to do ever since rerolling on Landroval (the unofficial NA RP server): I was going to go to Ales & Tales.
Steam adds EA's Godfather 2, NFS: Shift, Battlefield 2, more
Electronic Arts' continued comfort with Steam opening up its sales op-pore-tunities is clear, as the mega-publisher adds six more titles to the service. Valve's digital distribution network now provides access to: Need for Speed: Shift ($50) The Godfather ($10) The Godfather 2 ($40) Battlefield 2: Complete Collection ($30) Command & Conquer Red Alert 3: Uprising ($20) Medal of Honor: Airborne ($10) Curiously, Steam still doesn't have EA's mega-hit The Sims 3, which is available on Stardock's competing Impulse system. We've asked EA about this discrepancy before, but still don't have a clear answer.
EA in legal shootout over 'Dillinger' machine guns
EA is suing for the right to use the "Dillinger" name in association with weapons found in its Godfather series of games. GamePolitics reports the publisher filed suit in San Francisco federal court for the right to use the name after Dillinger LLC's legal team, which works for -- wait for it -- the grandson of the famous bank-robber's half-sister, contacted EA. Dillinger LLC apparently wants, according to EA, "millions of dollars for the game elements."The "Dillinger Tommy Gun" is in the first Godfather game and the "Modern Dillinger" -- a $4 piece of DLC -- was featured in the sequel. We expect the great-great-great-grandchild of a famous historical figure's ex-roommate's second-cousin's babysitter to sue Civilization developer Firaxis any day now.
EA exec states there won't be more Godfather games
Electronic Arts told the LA Times during an interview this week that the Godfather franchise is done at the publisher. EA Games label president Frank Gibeau told the paper, "We're not going to do another one." He then noted that there was no Godfather game in the schedule going out three years.EA's PR followed up with the Times to say no decision had been made about the fate of the mafia franchise and that "Paramount is a great partner." The speculation is that EA is toning down its focus on licensed properties and working on making a stable of original franchises to exploit.
Godfather II release day patch adds new multiplayer mode
EA hasn't been just kicking back, watching The Godfather II hype build ( ... it's building, right?). The Redwood Shores studio has been tinkering with the final game during the strategic delay, and EA has announced today that a new multiplayer mode will be added -- free -- in addition to the four preexisting modes. "Don Control" will be patched into the game on release day, April 7, and features a 16-player scenario where money from the single-player game is wagered for, well, ultimate Don-ination! (Geddit?) Confirmation of the Godfather freebie comes just days after Capcom was forced to defend its $5 multiplayer patch for Resident Evil 5 after it became clear that the modes were being prepped before the game's release. Was EA's decision to offer Don Control for free (and not save it for post-release premium DLC) influenced by Capcom's faux pas -- perhaps even a subtle swipe at its industry competitor? We like to think EA is tossing in the new mode out of the kindness of its heart (its very strategic, consumer value-bearing heart). Then again, this is the same company charging $10 for XBLA Connect Four and Yahtzee -- a piece.
Godfather II takes hit out on April 7
As promised, living room mobsters will have to wait a while longer before pounding the streets as the Don. Electronic Arts announced that Godfather II will now ship in North America on April 7, with Europe getting the game later that week on April 10. First revealed in 2007, the sequel was expected to ship for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC on February 24, however it was pushed back earlier this month in order to generate more buzz around the game's release. Thanks for the heads up EA, though we've circled the new release date on our calendars in pencil. You know, just in case you want to feed the hype machine some more, or if the economy takes out another hit on your bottom line.
Trophies: The Godfather II
1 Platinum4 Gold9 Silver28 Bronze Difficulty: Easy Online Trophies? No Time to Completion: 20 hoursDLC Trophies? No View Trophy List Read More About the Game %Gallery-29683%
Godfather II video takes closer look at extortion
After our last look at Godfather II gave us a broader view of what to expect in the game, a new video has zoomed in on what was our favorite feature of the first in the series: Extortion. As much as we love the splashy production values of a mob war or car bomb, there's something to be said for the simple joy of putting an elderly tailor's head through a plate-glass window, just to get half of his earnings for the day.... Did we say "putting an elderly tailor's head through a plate-glass window"? We meant "having a chat with him." ... Dammit. See, this is why we could never do this professionally.
Godfather II release date set, pre-order bonus revealed
EA's The Godfather II will be hitting PS3, Xbox 360 and PC on February 24th in North America, and February 27th in Europe. The open-world game promises to be a more strategic affair than before with the new "Don's View" feature, allowing you to see a 3D representation of your criminal activity across all three of the game's cities.Those who pre-order the game will have a distinct advantage. The pre-order bonus is an exclusive in-game character, Tommy Cipolla. Other characters in the game start off with just one skill and a level-one weapon, while Tommy is truly a talented guy. He has two skills (arsonist and medic) and can carry a level-two shotgun. How badass. Surely, this is an offer you can't refuse.%Gallery-29683%
EA not talking about Godfather II on Wii
The Godfather: Blackhand Edition was a critical success for EA and a decent seller (warning: VGChartz), and yet EA isn't announcing any plans for a Wii release of the upcoming sequel. At their press event last week, they told MTV Multiplayer that they're focusing on the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions, and not making any announcements about a Wii version.This doesn't necessarily mean no Wii version is forthcoming. It's more likely that EA plans to get this version out, then release a Wii version in six months with new content, like they did with Blackhand. This way, they have a better chance of selling two versions to people.
Video: The Godfather II is 100% mobster
Posted after the break is the debut trailer for a little game sequel known as The Godfather II ... have you heard? And after giving it a watch, we have a hankering that you'll want to partake in the activities of extortion, possibly some racketeering and maybe even a bit of blackmail. Because, you know, that's how mobsters roll in Godfather II. So, head towards the break for debut trailer love and, if you're interested in more Godfather II goodness, jump on over to the game's recently launched official webspace.
EA dates Godfather 2 for February 2009
EA has opened the briefcase on Godfather 2, revealing that the sequel you can't refuse will ship for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC in February 2009. EA also shed a bit more detail on the previously revealed "Don's View," which promises to kiss the gameplay with a touch of strategy. Here you'll build up, expand, and defend crime rings against rival families by hand picking "Made Men," and sending them out onto the streets to do your bidding. Godfather 2 will also include the previous game's BlackHand control scheme, promising "more visceral hand-to-hand brutality" this time around. As the old saying goes, if you want something done right, do it yourself.
EA: Godfather 2 in late 2008 or early 2009
EA's John Riccitiello doesn't like to keep things bottled up. Whether it's displeasure at how his gardener trimmed the bushes in his back yard or the change to the tried-and-true meatloaf recipe his wife enacted last night, if John's got something on his mind, odds are it's coming out of his mouth. And, for that, we love him.Take, for example, a recent investor call he took part in. The EA CEO spilled the beans that The Godfather 2 would be releasing shortly after another big EA title, Left 4 Dead. This would mean the game is slated for late this year to early next year for release. We're wondering if that's even possible, to tell the truth.We haven't really seen or heard much on the game, so we kind of have a hard time believing that it could release so soon. Also, with the Wii version of the game releasing later than other versions of the first title, we're wondering if EA will plan on doing that again with the sequel.[Via X3F]
Blu-ray Godfather Collection announced and available for pre-order
We know some of you must be interested in these particular films: the um ... Godfather trilogy? Why would movies about someone's godfather be all that exciting? Regardless of they are about, Paramount has just announced The Godfather Collection: The Coppola Restoration, a four-disc boxset of the trilogy, including a bonus disc. Each film will be in a BD-50 dual-layer presentation with 1080p video and English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround sound. The first two Godfather films also received frame-by-frame restoration under the direction of Francis Ford Coppola and cinematographer Gordon Willis. Extras include audio commentaries by Coppola on each film, featurettes, galleries, deleted scenes, storyboards and trailers. Look for this on September 23rd for the retail price of $119.99 or pre-order it now for $86.95.Full list of extras after the jump:[Via Blu-ray.com]
The Godfather Collection hitting Blu-ray on September 23rd
Catching The Godfather on HD VOD is one thing; catching the famed trilogy on remastered Blu-ray is another. On September 23rd, Paramount will (re)release what's sure to be a holiday favorite in The Godfather: The Coppola Restoration. The package will be available in both DVD ($72.99) and Blu-ray ($119.99) formats, and videophiles will be elated to know that director Francis Ford Coppola oversaw the restoration process himself. The four-disc BD set will be presented in 1080p with Dolby TrueHD, and extras junkies should find plenty to love as well. For a rundown of what to expect on each disc, check out the read link below.[Via Electronic House]
Puzo's son sues Paramount for Godfather game money
Anthony Puzo (son of Godfather author Mario Puzo) is going to the mattresses with Paramount for neglecting to pay the Puzo estate the slice of profits from Godfather: The Game that they say they're owed. According to a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles yesterday, the family is claiming at least $1 million in damages.Apparently, a deal was put in place in 1992 that Puzo would get a cut of Godfather audio-visual products due to the skimpy check a then-unknown Puzo got for signing over the rights to his book.
EA boss confirms sequel to The Godfather
We actually weren't that disgusted in The Godfather, to be honest. Sure, the game takes some liberties and it isn't anywhere near the quality of the movies it's based on, but there's a certain bit of evil fun that can be found in beating up a shop owner because they refuse to pay protection money. Now, EA is talking about a sequel.EA boss John Riccitiello talked up the sequel at a William Blair & Company's investor meeting Tuesday, stating that EA's Redwood Shores studio has been working on it. "It's a game that I think we'll be talking a lot about this fall," said Riccitiello. "You can play this game both at the street level, much like a GTA-style game, but you can also play it top-down, almost like you're in an RTS, controlling the strategy of the boroughs so you can see what's going on..." EA's Hunter Smith (he worked on their previous two James Bond games) will serve as the game's producer.
Godfather II has RTS elements
Hmm, that headline was kind of misleading, wasn't it? Let's try again. Godfather II has no RTS elements and an Academy Award-winning performance from Robert DeNiro. Godfather II: The Game will possess at least some RTS elements, in addition to the Grand Theft Vito gameplay you remember from the first game.The tidbit came from EA CEO John Riccitiello who said "it's almost like you're in an RTS, controlling the strategy of the boroughs so you can see what's going on." EA Redwood Shores is apparently working on the game, presumably on their breaks from finishing up Dead Space. Riccitiello says that G II: TG is a title we'll be talking a lot about in the fall, let's hope we don't have to wait until then to hear more.
Gold sellers hold account hostage
We all deal with them. Their annoying spam, their flooding of the general channels. Those gold sellers deserve the kiss of death. Wouldn't it be nice if their industry just went and slept with the fishes?In a tactic that even Don Corleone himself would be angry at, gold sellers have sunken to a new low. John M. wrote in to tell us the tale of a fellow guild mate who fell under the gaze of a gold seller who took his account hostage, demanding payment from his guild. Sit back, open up a new window with this Godfather music, and read on after the break. I'm gonna make you an offer you can't refuse.
A guide to instances
Recently we created guides to help WoW Rookies understand how instances work and their role in them. Author Palintheist over on Livejournal has done the same with a funny, informative guide to running instances for players new to World of Warcraft. Some highlights:"Mob: No need to ask the Godfather for forgiveness - a mob is a word for monster. Also known as creep.""Healer: Who's keeping the tank from floor-hugging? Your powerful, puissant, never-to-be-offended healer. Seriously. Several classes can play this role and they all find it pretty much a thankless task, as people are very quick to blame healers when people die [but you won't, because you know better!].""Pat: Don't look around for someone androgynous - someone is warning you that a patrolling mob is coming closer and will probably [if it hasn't already] attack you. ""Buff: Keep your clothes on. Really. ""Inc: If there's no time to type "pat" or "adds", sometimes you'll see "inc", for "incoming". [Why is inc faster than pat? No idea.]"Go take a look, it's not just written with its tongue in its cheek, it's actually pretty informative for new players to the game. Save time the next newbie run and just send them the URL.
