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Terminator: Salvation BD-Live director commentary impressions
One of the main problems with initial Blu-ray director's chat sessions was a lack of feeling any life or interactivity, but Warner gave it another shot this weekend by offering audio over BD-Live as a moderator bounced audience provided questions off of director McG while watching Terminator: Salvation. Despite a less than stellar reputation, BD-Live has continued to slowly creep along, adding features and enhancements, so we wanted to if this event bodes well for the future of internet enabled discs. Check after the break for our impressions, plus a few clips of the director talking about what he did and didn't like about the finished product, director's cuts in general, and the possibility of doing another Terminator movie. %Gallery-79793%
Terminator: Salvation's McG hosts the first audio Blu-ray director's chat session tonight
It's been a little over a year since we first checked out a live director's chat session on Blu-ray with Guillermo del Toro and Hellboy II, and now Warner is prepared to take the next step by letting interested fans hear their questions answered rather than simply reading text for the duration of the movie. the first release so honored? Terminator: Salvation and its director McG. Everything's set to go off at 9 p.m. est, with only a copy of the movie, BD-Live connected player, registration on Warner's website and an appetite for yet another sequel in an action movie franchise that topped out two movies and almost as many decades ago. A chance to see if Blu-ray's interactive potential can ever pay off means we're in, interested parties can sign up at the read link below, if you can't make it check back later, we'll try and grab some audio. Update: Well, we're logged in and ready to go, we'll save you our 30 seconds of confusion and remind that you'll need to insert the director's cut disc to access the BD-Live menu. Feel free to add "Rjcc" as a buddy on Warner's BD-Live setup.
Blu-ray releases on December 1st 2009
The reviews are in and now Terminator Salvation can be enjoyed in the comfort of your own home -- we do wonder why Warner didn't take the opportunity to release the ultimate Terminator collection, but we suppose that'll come later. Warner definitely has the strongest offering of any studio this week with a total of four titles including old favorites like Gremlins and The Green Mile. Also this week are two of our favorite British films with Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, which are both entertaining and hilarious -- although not really comedies. Terminator Salvation (Warner) Ben 10: Alien Swarm (Warner) The Green Mile (Warner) Gremlins (Warner) Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (Universal) Snatch (Sony) A Christmas Tale (Criterion) Deadline (First Look) Death Warrior (Lionsgate) The Mask of Zorro (Sony) Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (Fox) Paper Heart (Anchor Bay) Ride Around the World (Image) Secondhand Lions (New Line) UltraMarathon Man (ChannelSources)
Terminator: Salvation Blu-ray review roundup
It didn't crack the podium on our most anticipated Blu-ray poll behind current number one selling Star Trek, but Terminator: Salvation's feature-laden release December 1 has already made the review circuit and come away with some widely varying opinions. The good news is the picture doesn't disappoint, with a clear transfer and elaborate special effects, although BigPictureBigSound's reviewer found a few issues with a bluish matte line appearing at times, plus a few notes about compression and noise in clouds of dust and smoke also noted in other reviews. On the audio front, the DTS-HD MA soundtrack by all accounts is an impressive treatment, with the only "problem" that viewers might want to dial back slightly on the bass to avoid waking the neighbors. Of the extras included in the U.S. release of the film, the only real issue seems to be a lack of seamless branching, requiring viewers to forego the Director's Cut and its extra few minutes of Moon Bloodgood in order to walk through the flick in Maximum Movie mode with director McG and others showing how they pulled off many of the shots. The European edition released by Sony does feature seamless branching, although CNET UK and DVD Times both complained of slow loads and glitches on their players as a result, with the latter also finding some possible compression issues from being squeezed on one disc. Whatever your choice, check the reviews and make it soon as Warner is planning a one time only BD-Live community screening with the director answering questions via audio December 5.
Bionic Commando developer GRIN closes
Recent reports of layoffs revealed that Swedish developer GRIN was in financial trouble. Today, in a statement on the GRIN website, founders Bo and Ulf Andersson announced that the company was officially closing, citing an "unbearable cashflow situation" due to delayed payments from unnamed publishers.In the statement, the founders mentioned "our unreleased masterpiece that we weren't allowed to finish" and thanked many of the companies they worked with, including Ubisoft and Capcom -- but not Warner Bros., for whom GRIN made Wanted: Weapons of Fate and Terminator: Salvation. As reported earlier today, several GRIN staffers who had previously been laid off have gone on to form Outbreak Studios.[Via Kotaku]
Rumor: Nobody's smiling about more GRIN layoffs
It appears that the rumors of layoffs at Stockholm-based developer GRIN are getting worse, with the company itself allegedly on the brink of collapse. Gamasutra has been informed by reliable sources that the studio has had another round of layoffs and that some employees have been told not to show up for work. Two of the company's studios have already shut down, with the main Stockholm office being the next domino. Despite critical acclaim for Bionic Commando Rearmed, the studio saw sluggish sales and tepid reviews from big-budget titles like Terminator Salvation, Wanted: Weapons of Fate and -- the game that could really have given it a boost -- Bionic Commando. We'll update as we hear more.
Review: Terminator Salvation
Terminator Salvation is a truly terrible game. My reviews might occasionally sacrifice a touch of clarity in exchange for glibness or sesquipedalianism, so I find it important to write this review with its ultimate conclusion as its preface. The game is supremely awful, and you shouldn't buy it, rent it or play it. If that stern recommendation was all you were looking for, feel free to move on without reading the remainder after the jump. If you want a lesson in how not to make a game, read on. Especially if your name appears anywhere in the Terminator Salvation credits. (Yes, even you, Rose McGowan -- IF THAT IS EVEN YOUR REAL NAME.)
Rumor: GRIN lays off more than 100
GRIN sort of exploded onto the scene recently with Wanted, Bionic Commando and Terminator Salvation all releasing within a couple of months of each other. Like a star post-supernova though, it seems that the company might be shrinking in on itself. Kotaku's reporting that various sources have indicated to them that the company has let go of more than 100 staff members.We're working on getting official confirmation from someone at GRIN, we'll let you know what we find out.
Christian Bale loves video games, lost sleep over Super Mario
Taking time out of his Terminator Salvation press tour to sit down with Conversations, Christian Bale spoke about his childhood love for our lifetime passion, video games. When the interviewer brings up Roger Ebert's review of the film (video game reference in tow), he then asks Bale if he played video games "in his younger years," to which Bale replies, "I played video games in my entire growing-up years. One of my favorites is Super Mario. I wouldn't sleep until I finished the game, you know."Not quite the drug-addled gaming experiences of Alec Baldwin, but sleepless nights in front of the television are something we can all relate to regardless. Not everyone can be a Jack Donaghy, ya know?
Terminator Salvation PC replacement begins
Evolved Games has begun its replacement program for recalled defective retail copies of Terminator: Salvation on PC. For those of you not keeping score at home, Terminator: Salvation PC shipped with an unfortunate feature, it wouldn't allow users to install the game at all. Add that to the fact that the game itself is virtually unplayable (that's not a glitch, it just isn't very good) and Terminator: Salvation has turned into one of the biggest movie-based gaming debacles since Charlie's Angels hit the GameCube.Retail PC users looking for a replacement can find more information on Evolved Games' support site. The studio also released a statement apologizing for "any inconvenience that end users may have suffered." Digital distribution copies were unaffected by the bug.%Gallery-48219%[Via Shacknews]
Terminator: Salvation for PC recalled from front lines
If you were one of those folks that rushed out and scooped up Terminator: Salvation for PC this week, you've probably been disappointed with the game -- mostly because you haven't been able to play it. There was a replication issue when manufacturing the PC version of the game, which doesn't allow users to install the game at all, Evolved Games notes on the official forums. Right now, Evolved Games is currently recalling all copies of the game in North America, with the plan being that each copy will be replaced "in a few days." Could this actually be some plot by Skynet to keep humans from playing a game that trains us to kill robots? We doubt it, but it's fun to imagine, which is all you can really do at this point ...%Gallery-48219%[Via Terminator: Salvation: The Game forums]
A look at three new Gameloft iPhone games
I have been in love with Gameloft games on the iPhone since I bought my first one last year. Not only do their games have great graphics, they also have great controls and game play. Gameloft has recently released several new iPhone/iPod touch games, and I'm going to give you a first look at three of them: Terminator Salvation, Assassin's Creed, and Let's Golf. Terminator Salvation ($5.99 US)If you have followed the Terminator franchise or television series, then you may already know the plot of this game. In this third person shooter, you'll travel around as John Conner, the leader of the resistance against the machine invasion. The game is in a 3D landscape of Los Angeles in 2018, and the gameplay is what we've come to expect from a Gameloft game. There is an "analog" control in the bottom left of the screen that allows you to move around; when you are ready to pan around the landscape, you can do so my touching and dragging anywhere on the screen. By touching the fire button in the bottom right of the screen you can fire the weapon. There are four different control types to choose between: using the Virtual Pad (details described above), the wheel pad (drag your fingers along the corner of the screen to adjust viewing angle), the accelerometer (tilting the iPhone/iPod touch to move the characters around on-screen), or reversed accelerometer. You can also reverse the orientation of the screen in the controls; this is a feature that I think all iPhone games should have. In the game, you can play either the roles of John Conner or Marcus Wright -- when you assume each of the characters, you will gain different abilities. There are 6 weapons and 8 levels that you can unlock, which will undoubtedly provide you with many hours of play. This game really packs a punch in the iPhone gaming scene and is definitely worth a look. You can check out Terminator Salvation on the App Store for $5.99 US. %Gallery-63553% Assassin's Creed ($9.99 US)Assassin's Creed has been around for a few years on many of the larger game platforms (PS3, Xbox, etc.), but recently came to the iPhone/iPod touch, and puts the same great gameplay into the hands of players around the world. In the game you play a master assassin named Altaïr who goes out on a quest to find an object that will end the crusades in the Holy Land. In this realistic 3D RPG, you'll find yourself in sword fights, learning combat moves, and in hand-to-hand combat with enemies you encounter. You will be able to earn 6 weapons throughout the game, and there are mini-games to unlock. I love RPG games, and this one definitely kept me coming back for more until I completed every level. Hands-down, this is the best iPhone game that I have ever played -- I was blown away from the first time I picked it up. Beautiful graphics, great controls with virtual "analog" stick, and great cinematic cuts in-between levels and missions.You can check out Assassin's Creed on the App Store for only $9.99 US -- this will well worth the price in my opinion. %Gallery-63554% Let's Golf ($4.99 US)The iPhone has its fair share of golfing games, and I've taken a look at a few of them myself, but I have yet to find one that provides both great gameplay and great graphics. Until now. Let's Golf provides the right amount of features that any golfer would love to have, such as the ability to control what your player looks like or precision controls for your swing.You have the ability to choose between several playing modes including instant play and tournaments. There are also over 63 holes located in 4 separate 3D environments: Fiji, America, England, and Scotland. If you are a casual player, you'll enjoy the basic controls, but if you are an experienced virtual golfer, you can switch to the advanced controls where you can precisely adjust the power of the swing and even add spin. For $4.99US, this game is packed with features, and even includes a local Wi-Fi multiplayer mode that will allow you to challenge your friends to a golf match. You can check out Let's Golf in the App Store. %Gallery-63555%
John Connor destroys a bunch of robots in Terminator: Salvation trailer
In another clip from GRIN's upcoming Terminator: Salvation, we see more of the usual: John Connor killing robots. Luckily for us, being the warm sacks of flesh that we are, that's exactly what we want to see. So, feast your eyes on the clip above and learn how to take down the many enemies of humanity. Y'know, in case you ever find yourself in Skynet's artificial dog house.
Humanity fights back in latest Terminator: Salvation video
For as much as Sarah Connor and the rest of humanity talk about John's fight against the machines, it isn't a fight that he has taken up on his own. There are many human allies behind the man, toiling day in and day out to quell the robotic onslaught from finishing off what little meat bags are left on this big, blue spinning rock. Thankfully, the folks at GRIN know that, and have sent our way this video from Terminator: Salvation that shows off some co-op gameplay. Looks like John gets by with a little help from his friends.
Terminator Salvation video has gameplay
We thought about coming up with a better headline for this post, but given our recent hands-on time with Terminator Salvation, we thought we'd let the video speak for itself. The above video is comprised solely of gameplay footage from Grin's upcoming John Connor simulator, replete with plenty of gun shootin', grenade throwin', cover grabbin' action.While we'll have to wait until next month to pass judgment on the final game, the action certainly looks decent. At the very least, the video does confirm one thing: They definitely got the music right, so that's a plus.
Terminator: Salvation trailer includes sweet action, bad voice acting
Grin is on a licensed game streak, having taken the reigns on Capcom's Bionic Commando reboot, breathing digital life to Mark Millar's Wanted and now shining light on Linda Hamilton's dark vision of the future in Terminator: Salvation. Based on what we've seen and our hands-on impressions, Terminator: Salvation has potential; however, the voice actor responsible for John Connor does not.For actor Gideon Emery, dialog -- that we presume was written to convey a sense of urgency -- is delivered flat and weak. We're seriously disappointed, considering how his previous work as British Commando #3 in Resistance 2 was so pivotal to that game's complete story experience.%Gallery-48219%
GDC09: Terminator Salvation hands-on
click to enlarge Set two years before the movie bearing the same name, Terminator Salvation's, well, salvation from the realm of mediocre shooter-dom is in the hands of Bionic Commando dev Grin. Embedded within the film's production team from day one, sharing creations back and forth, the Swedish group hopes to set the game apart from every other third-person action game on the market by playing off the toughness and tenacity of the titular robots. When we sat down to play the game for the first time, we found a functional shooter that didn't manage to terminate our generally low expectations of movie tie-ins.While we were assured that the game does indeed look like the film on which it precedes in the series' canon, the wash of browns and greens which made up the first level's scenery, combined with its cover mechanic and even the look of John Connor himself, had us wondering if this really was a Terminator title or if someone had played way too much Resistance: Retribution. (It looks eerily similar at times; check out the screens.)%Gallery-48219%
Da-da-dun-da-dun, this is Terminator Salvation
Taking place two years before the movie of the same name, Terminator Salvation: The Video Game puts players in post-apocalyptic Los Angeles at the time AI-overlord Skynet rises to power. This means series hero John Connor is still a legend-in-the-making, and time-traveling Terminators have yet to learn the catchy Spanish phrases that would make them famous.We watched a live demo of Salvation earlier this month, taking in the shooter's "cover and flank" battle system, the cinematic, HUD-less interface and the constant barrage of that thematic riff (the one that goes *Da-da-dun-da-dun. Da-da-dun-da-dun*). As much as we love hearing the tune, we're not too enamored, thus far, with the game's presentation regarding its generic weapons arsenal and bland on-rails sections; however, that opinion might change once we finally get some hands-on time at GDC next week. For now, here's a trailer and some screen shots to check out.%Gallery-48219%
Trophies: Terminator Salvation
How good will a game be when the developers put this much effort into making Trophies? Unless the game is impossible on Hard, this may be the easiest Platinum in a video game to date. View Trophy List | Visit Trophy Portal
Voice cast for Terminator Salvation revealed, balefully Bale-less
A press release promoting the upcoming technopocalypse sim Terminator Salvation: The Videogame (not to be confused with Terminator Salvation: The Movie or Terminator Salvation: The X-treme Bible for Time Traveling Robots) which recently landed in our inbox was a grab bag of mixed blessings. It unveiled the talent which will lend their voices and likenesses to the game -- notable names include hip-hop artist Common, actress Moon Bloodgood, and Rose McGowan, who will voice a role exclusive to the game.Sadly, the film's star, Christian Bale, wasn't on the list of included voice actors we received. We contacted Mr. Bale for a comment, and received the following (NSFW) response: "WHAT THE (explitive deleted) IS IT WITH YOU? WHAT DONT YOU (e.d.)ING UNDERSTAND? YOU GOT ANY (e.d.)ING IDEA ABOUT, "HEY IT'S (e.d.)ING DISTRACTING HAVING SOMEONE ASK ME ABOUT VIDEO GAMES WHILE I'M WORKING ON A (e.d.)ING SCENE? GIVE ME AN ANSWER! WHAT DON'T YOU GET ABOUT IT? (e.d.)'S SAKE MAN, YOU'RE AMATEUR."Full presser's after the (e.d.)ing break.
