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Enemy Territory: Quake Wars, a tale of two (different) ports
Huh. Well, this is surprising. Instead of pushing for platform parity in their upcoming console ports of Enemy Territory: Quake Wars – like several other recent multi-platform releases have strived for – id Software has created two relatively unique versions. The practice of using two different developers to handle the ports – Nerve for the Xbox 360 port and Activision's Underground Development (formerly Z-Axis) on the PS3 port – accounts for some of the disparity, but certainly other dual-developed ports have been relatively similar, at least in feature-set if not quality (take Orange Box, for example). In this case, as revealed to MTV Multiplayer, the Xbox 360 version of Quake Wars has a robust Achievement system that actually includes an entirely separate single-player campaign mode, as well as a training mode and all the Xbox Live integration you would expect from a team-based shooter. Meanwhile, Underground Development "was focusing in on other things like ... making the game look as good as it could on the PS3" and "creating systems that do what Xbox Live [already] does like matchmaking [and] server migration." Unfortunately, as relayed by PlayStation fansite PSU, the "near complete" PS3 port suffers from a hefty 4.1GB mandatory installation and "falls short of expectations, showcasing the same broke visuals we have become accustomed to in deprived PS3 ports, delivering an unpolished experience." With the title's May 27 release rapidly approaching, it's unlikely the PS3 release will look radically different than it does now. And to think, we thought the era of gimped PS3 ports was at an end.
Quake Wars trailer goes for the hard sell
This, quite simply, is the best thing we've seen all day. Imagine, if you will, that video games were cars. Now imagine that they were also advertised by your local car dealership. Starting to get the picture? Perhaps a different analogy then. If video games were monster truck rallies, how would you advertise them? Things coming into focus yet? Well, even if they aren't, you should watch this trailer for Enemy Territory: Quake Wars. You will be glad you did. Find it embedded after the break.
Retailers set console Quake Wars release in May
Word on the intertubes is that Activision and id have settled on a May release for Enemy Territories: Quake Wars, or so say retailers. According to various reports from retail sources, Quake Wars (which has been available on the PC since late last year) will make its Xbox 360 debut May 30th in Europe and we expect a Tuesday, May 27th release in North America. But so far, Activision has refused to comment on any of this May release talk, so it isn't officially official. And is it just us or does this Spring / early Summer seem loaded with video game releases?
Kaplan to train you for the SATs through your DS
For those of you looking to bone up on your college-level analogies, Kaplan, Inc. has teamed with Aspyr Media to bring you a SAT prep title for the DS. The project is still early in development, so there is no name or screens yet. Sadly, that's about all we have to go on right now.We must say, the decision to bring such an application to the DS shows (to us, at least) the kind of smarts that would score well on the SATs. [Via Joystiq]
Kaplan SAT test prep coming to Nintendo DS
Kaplan, Inc. has teamed with Aspyr Media to create an SAT prep game for the Nintendo DS, according to Newsweek. Versions are also on their way to PC and Mac, where the test prep software is already fairly common. The project is early in development and does not yet have a name. Newsweek reports that it was Aspyr who pitched the idea to Kaplan. If this is a success, can we get a DS game to help us understand Special Relativity? Perhaps we can get Professor Layton or perhaps even Wario as our virtual teacher.
Splash Damage growing, confirms new multi-platform project
London-based Splash Damage has been noticeably quiet since the release of last year's tactical shooter Quake Wars, though we've been at this gig long enough to know that no news does not necessarily mean the code monkeys are all on sabbatical. As it turns out, the company plans to do its best mitosis impression this year by doubling in size as it ramps up for a new mysterious project, and it's seeking new blood to help out in areas such as art, programming, and design. Your guess is as good as ours as to what Splash Damage is up to, though the company confirms that the project is a multi-platform title and -- wait for it -- "genre defining." As Quake Wars left many of us cold, we'll be sure not to get too excited until there is reason to do so, though the studio will be on hand at this month's GDC, and company owner and design guru Paul Wedgwood will be waxing poetic about his company is a panel titled "From Amateur to Triple-A in Five Years," so perhaps we'll be able to glean more information from him without having to slip the exec a mickey. We'll keep that as plan 'B,' you know, just in case.
Bioshock and Enemy Territory on sale on Steam, 20% off
Maybe you're still hungover from a turkey overdose, or perhaps you have a completely rational fear of crowded malls on Black Friday, but if you weren't able to haul your keister out of the house to get your gaming deals (last minute stragglers: see our handy dandy Black Friday deals list here) then Valve's got your back. If you're looking for either BioShock or Quake Wars: Enemy Territory, you can nab them on Steam for an extra 20% off, placing these previously $50 games at a far more palatable $40 price point. And unlike those inconveniently short Black Friday sales, this one will be around until Monday morning at 10am so you've got some time to mull it over. Joytip: Best Buy has BioShock – and Orange Box – boxed for only $25 if you can get there in the next couple hours.
Turok goes dino hunting on PC
Turok still has every intention of making his console debut on Feb. 5, '08, but Propaganda Games has announced that a PC version is also in the mix. The PC version will release on the same date and is being converted by Aspyr Media, complete with multiplayer mode supporting 16 players. Turok really was a sleeper surprise as last year's E3 and our hands-on time with it had us wanting more. The console versions should get a little more attention from a post-holiday lull and will hopefully match our initial impressions. 'Cause, you know, hunting dinosaurs is cool.[Update: Added PC version release date.]
Quake Wars patch to add voice, better balance
Though they've just delivered what, by all accounts, is an extremely solid shooter in Enemy Territory: Quake Wars, developer Splash Damage hasn't taken much time for themselves. For that is the horrifying double-edged sword of video game success, your fans may be legion, but they are also voracious. They are like vampires that crave content, and can be slowed in their advances only by nerfs. For now, Splash Damage is satiating the hoard with patch 1.2. In addition to balancing issues you'd expect to be fixed, the patch will also bring some user interface improvements and improve bots. Also, you can look forward to full voice support, so you'll finally be able to tell if "PrincessTeddyRainbow" you've been fighting alongside is a Hot Lips or a Klinger.
GameStop inserts Mario in Quake Wars
What better way to ring in your Wednesday morning than with a little "Fun With Copy Editing Errors"? A listing for Enemy Territory: Quake Wars on GameStop's home page says that players of the game will get to "Duke it out with characters from your favorite Nintendo games, Mario, Link, Kirby, Pikachu and more!" You can allow yourself a bit of fan fiction day dreaming before you realized that somebody probably screwed up. It's not the end of the world, but you have to admit it's good for a laugh. This entry might be gone by the time you click your way to GameStop's front page, but thankfully it's saved here in digital amber for you and your grandkids to enjoy. [Thanks, dg10050]
Today's shredingest video: Guitar Hero III victor
Game Revolution's Nick Tan recently played Guitar Hero III song, Through the Fire and Flames by Dragonforce, on expert. That website describes it as the hardest in the game, designed to be "unbeatable." And Nick conquered it.Yes, weeks before you adoring, fake guitar fans get a chance to play, the hardest song has been bested by a player on his fourth attempt. The video of the event is mediocre, and the moment of triumph is anticlimactic. ("Go balloons, go balloons, we need more balloons. ...") But we were still floored watching this face-melting song --and player -- in action.Be amazed by the clip after the break.
Quake Wars demo now available
Admit it: Releasing a big multiplayer shooter a few days after Halo 3 is just plain scrappy, and it's the kind of scrappy that calls for a sports movie analogy. If late September were a movie, we'd like to imagine that it would be The Mighty Ducks. We see Halo 3 as "The Hawks," strong and confident, while Quake Wars is the Ducks, short on hype, but big on heart. Continuing our analogy, the newly released demo for Quake Wars could be the game that the team wins to clench their slot in the playoffs that gives Emilio Estevez the opportunity to start hitting on Charlie's mom. It could also be the game after Emilio is fired from his lawfirm and the team is so demoralized that they get beaten to a pulp. You can only find out by playing. We admit that the big game between Quake Wars (Ducks) and Halo 3 (Hawks) won't actually have much gravitas, what with them being on different consoles. But as long-time Quake fans, it would warm our hearts to see them pull out a triple deke.
Quake Wars demo due this month
When id Software and Splash Damage announced that work had finished on Quake Wars: Enemy Territory, they mentioned another nugget we thought you might be interested in. Splash Damage is currently working on a demo that's planned for release in mid-September. With the full game releasing in late September/early October (depending on where you live) that means you have around two weeks to assess the game before you make your purchasing decision. It also will allow you valuable time to ponder why anyone would start a war during a quake. Doesn't that seem like the worst possible time? Isn't that a time for understanding? [Via CVG]
Enemy Territory: Quake Wars shines gold
Not to be outdone by another prominent first-person shooter with a new metallic finish, id Software's Enemy Territory: Quake Wars has gone gold. According to the press release, the game will invade Europe and Australia first on September 28, followed by North America four days later (October 2). Though not mentioned, we're expecting the game to also be released via Steam much like the rest of id's catalog. No word on its impending release for Mac (being handled by Aspyr), Xbox 360 (Nerve Software) or the PlayStation 3 (Activision Foster City). %Gallery-1618%
Enemy Territory: Quake Wars coming Sept 28 to Europe, Oct 2 to North America
The PC version of id Software's Enemy Territory: Quake Wars is coming to Europe on Friday, September 28 and to North America on Tuesday, October 2, according to an announcement made at Quakecon. The public beta is still going strong, but the final product is now just two months away. Though previously announced that the game is also coming to home consoles, no details or information have been given. We wonder if this will be made available on Steam. %Gallery-1618%
Joystiq interviews id Software's Todd Hollenshead
Just minutes before he takes the stage, along with John Carmack, to deliver the QuakeCon keynote address, we bring you our E3 interview with Todd Hollenshead, CEO of id Software. We had a chance to ask him about id Tech 5 and id's future in engine licensing, that new IP they keep talking about (and will be showing off any minute now), the Games for Windows initiative, their announcement of a Nintendo DS game, and more. You guys have been laying low for a while. Laying low, but busy. I'm quite certain. At WWDC you guys come back out swinging, and I'd like to find out what your goal was there. Probably a good discussion of that would start with all of the projects that we're working on that are sort of announced just so you get up to speed. And I think some of these things, people forget this is actually id working on this stuff. You guys are working with Splash Damage and Nerve over here and then you've got ... That stuff is all going on at id too, because we have internal resources that are devoted to that. For example, the guy who is programming all of the AI bot work for PC, 360, and PS3 is actually an id employee and he's devoted full time to the project. Of course, Kevin McCloud is the executive producer for id so he's overseeing not only the Splash Damage work but also others. So there's a significant amount of id effort that goes into a project like Enemy Territory because we're working hand in hand with all of the developers, and Activision trying to coordinate stuff. It's resources and managerial? Managerial? I guess it depends on how you define that word. It's design input, it's working with Activision and Splash Damage to make sure the workflow stuff that is set up is something we think is achievable and doable and is working towards the right direction. So, yeah, there is a lot of what ends up being management but not like what I would call production management work. Nobody is sitting down and going, "I've got twenty people and this person is working this many hours on this little thing and he needs to be done with that by Thursday at noon."
Two 'casual' games coming soon via Aspyr Media
Aspyr Media recently announced the upcoming release of two so-called "casual" games for Mac OS X 10.3.9 (and up): Virtual Villagers and Travelogue 360: Paris, both created by Big Fish Games. These two titles are set to ship in August for $30 each. Virtual Villagers is a real-time strategy game in which players must guide villagers in rebuilding their land after a volcanic eruption. Travelogue 360: Paris is a simplistic puzzle game in which players must find hidden objects in multiple locales of Paris, France, and the game includes two different gameplay modes. Although these might not shake up the Mac game scene, it's nice to see some new titles coming soon via Aspyr. [via Macworld]
Joystiq impressions: Enemy Territory: Quake Wars
I have a confession to make ... I didn't know that much about Enemy Territory: Quake Wars going into this. I'd heard of the title and knew that it wasn't your normal entry in the Quake series, meaning that it's not the typical first-person shooter where your goal is to run around looking for bigger and better weapons while fragging the enemy back through the gates of Hell. Instead you'll be building those weapons, like turrets and anti-aircraft guns, ordering your teammates to repair your vehicles, and generally trying not to get killed. Just be prepared to fail at that ... a lot. In fact, imagine yourself failing at staying alive, and then multiply that by a lot. At least you'll be mentally prepared. %Gallery-1618%
Video: killing some Strogg in Quake Wars
This new Quake Wars video came across the proverbial desk this weekend. Unfortunately, it was at the bottom of the virtual "IN" pile, so we've only now just gotten to it. News about the title has been fairly scant so far, so we're happy to take what we can get. The video is taken from the PC public beta that's going on right now. The game looks decent, though we wish there was more weapon variety present in the video. What do you think? Does Quake Wars stand a chance against the likes of Halo 3 and Team Fortress 2?
Today's shootingest video: Quake Wars
Enemy Territory: Quake Wars is one of the next big shooters from Id, and GameTrailers shows some in-game multiplayer footage. We've seen better demos of the game, but this video gives an idea for some of the gameplay and style of the title, just in time for the public beta. Is Quake Wars on your FPS radar? See the video after the break, or view the HD version if unimpressed with the embedded clip.
