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Reminiscing about Warhammer Online with Mark Jacobs
When it comes to the 2008 phenomenon of Warhammer Online and the story of its rise and fall, there's one obvious source for the full dish: Mark Jacobs. The former big kahuna of Mythic Entertainment is now CEO of City State Entertainment, and while Jacobs is no longer in the WAR business, he's still passionate about making games and talking about his past experiences. We sat down with Jacobs to look at WAR and what he thought went right and wrong with the title. Even today, many gamers are passionately divided on the game's build-up to release and design decisions. Some lay the blame at Jacobs' doorstep, while others admire the passion and vision of this MMO creator. So what does Jacobs have to say when put to the question about WAR's outcome? Find out in this exclusive interview!
The Game Archaeologist seals up 2011
You know what I love about the end of each year? The lists. Man, but I'm a sucker for lists, especially when they come in "best of" varieties. In the lull between Christmas and New Year's, there typically isn't a lot happening in the world of entertainment, so it's a good time to look back before we head forward. And so it is for The Game Archaeologist. 2011 marks the second year I've been doing this column, and it's been one of my personal favorite series to write. Every week I'm learning more and more about the history of the MMO genre, and I'm encouraged to see just how much passion and interest there are for the titles that started it all and got us to where we are today. So before we head into 2012, let's take one last glimpse back at the road we've traveled. If you've missed out on any of these columns or want to revisit your favorite classic MMO, I've compiled a huge list of everything I talked about this year, from histories to interviews to player stories. There's also a special request for you (yes, you) at the end of this column, so do me a favor and hit that jump!
Bloodforge coming to XBLA, looks bloody
While the website for Bloodforge does a good job describing the upcoming XBLA game from Climax – promising "a brutal combat system, stunning art style, and a deeply compelling story" – it does very little to explain exactly what a bloodforge is. Is it a forge fueled by blood? Is it a forge that produces blood? Like, do you make blood with it? We'll have to wait to find out, it seems, as even a brief teaser trailer and a handful of screenshots do little to elucidate things. Hopefully Microsoft won't keep us hanging too long before revealing the truth (or the game's release date, for that matter).%Gallery-137258%
The Game Archaeologist and the What Ifs: Climax's Warhammer Online
Let's begin with a little personal history. Back in 2008, I decided to get into the blogging scene by jumping on board the latest MMO hotness -- in this case, Warhammer Online. As I was growing increasingly tired of World of Warcraft, WAR seemed to offer a refreshing alternative: a darker world full of brutal PvP and awesome new ideas. So I joined the elite ranks of bloggers (hey, stop laughing so hard) and spent the better part of two years jawing about Mythic's latest fantasy project. And while Warhammer Online was, in my opinion, a solid product, it certainly failed to live up to the extremely high expectations held by both the development team and the players. No matter how it turned out, I really enjoyed talking about WAR, especially in the days leading up to its launch. One of the first articles I ever wrote for my blog WAAAGH! dealt with the first attempt to bring Warhammer Online into the MMO genre (as a fun aside, it was one of the first times I got my name on Massively!). It's a "what if?" tale that's tantalizing to consider -- an entirely different studio, Climax Online, creating a much darker version of Warhammer than we've ever seen online. The tale of the game's rise and fall (and subsequent rise and fall again) captivated me, and I wanted to expand my old article as part of our recent series into exploring MMOs canceled before their launch. So what if Climax had brought Warhammer Online to bear? Would it have eclipsed Mythic's vision or been its own animal? Hit the jump and let's dive into the pages of ancient history!
What if...? Ten canceled MMOs that could've changed history
What if...? Some of the most intriguing questions known to mankind start with those two words, as well as the most maddening. What if...? An entire genre known as "alternate history" is derived from these questions, with scholars and average blokes alike speculating on what might have happened if things went just a little differently. What if Hitler got the bomb first? What if Microsoft developed the iPod instead of Apple? What if Abraham Lincoln decided to see a different play that night? When it comes to MMORPGs, what if's can drive one up the wall. In this volatile genre, more projects have started, canceled, launched, struggled, faded and morphed into new creations than most of us know. Today, we want to look at 10 MMOs that were axed before their launch, 10 MMOs that could've changed gaming history as we know it... if only they got the chance to prove themselves. Let's take a journey, you and I, through history itself, and ponder the greatest of questions: How would the MMO industry be different if these titles had made it to release? Click the first picture on the gallery below to start. %Gallery-94702%
This Wednesday: Rocket Knight, Things on Wheels on Xbox Live Arcade
It's a double-header of fast moving objects on Xbox Live Arcade this week. First up is Things on Wheels, an R/C racer of miniaturized yet epic proportions, complete with four-player online and offline play. Next is Rocket Knight, whose fast moving object is ... a possum with a jet pack. It may sound weird, but it's a proven formula. Things on Wheels will be available this Wednesday for 800 ($10); and Rocket Knight will set you back 1200 ($15). %Gallery-90099% Source -- Things on Wheels [Xbox.com] Source -- Rocket Knight [Xbox.com]
Rocket Knight screens have that special Spark
Click to huge-ify We're not sure what it is about this batch of screenshots for Rocket Knight that fills us with such euphoria. Perhaps it's all of the pretty colors. Perhaps they remind us of the simpler days of our youth. Perhaps we've only recently realized how preposterous the concept of an opossum strapped to a rocket really is. Seriously, think about it. Really think about it. It makes zero sense. Check out the gallery below to see Sparkster -- the flying, furry contradiction -- in action. %Gallery-92358%
Rocket Knight touches down May 12 on XBLA and Steam, May 18 on PSN
We've known for a while that Rocket Knight, Konami's resurrected opossum adventure (a resurrected adventure about an opossum, not an adventure about a resurrected opossum), would land on XBLA, PSN, and Steam in May. On Facebook, Konami just announced precise US arrival dates for the airborne marsupial. PC and Xbox 360 owners will be able to download the game on May 12, while those looking to play on PS3 will have to wait until May 18 to join the fight against Axel Gear. But what's a six-day wait after the years spent anticipating a new Rocket Knight? %Gallery-90099% [Thanks, Joey]
Hands-on: Rocket Knight
With everyone focused on the 2D return of a certain cerulean hedgehog, I'd like to point out that another nocturnal hero in blue is making a comeback: Sparkster, the armor-clad, jetpack-wearing opossum star of Rocket Knight. Konami has brought in UK developer Climax to resurrect the series, which hails from the 16-bit era and included two games: Rocket Knight Adventures and Sparkster. Having played through the first couple of levels from this XBLA, PSN and Steam release, I can say that not a whole lot has changed from Sparkster's adventures of yore -- and that's a compliment. There must be something inherently difficult about capturing the feel of a 2D game using entirely polygons, since the number of remakes that have gotten it right far outnumber the successes. But, like Bionic Commando: Rearmed and even Street Fighter IV, this snappy action platformer should feel like revisiting a childhood home for retro junkies. %Gallery-90099%
New Silent Hill in the hands of Vatra Games
1UP reports that the recently revealed "next Silent Hill" game will not, in fact, be developed by Climax, which is fresh from the totally awesome Silent Hill: Shattered Memories. Instead, the lead has been taken by Vatra Games, a Czech studio whose only other credit is retro relaunch Rush'N Attack: Ex-Patriot, also announced on Friday. It's not that we think Vatra will do a bad job -- we frankly have no clue what they'll do. But we were so looking forward to seeing where Climax took the franchise after Shattered Memories that it's hard to not be a little deflated and, perhaps, even ... shattered by its absence. On a slightly more informative note, Vatra's official page says it's working on two games for PS3, 360 and PC, so that likely gives an indication of the platforms on which the new Silent Hill will appear.
Brand sparking new Rocket Knight art
click to rocket-size We're going to level with you: There's not a lot of new info to be found in the latest batch of character art from Konami's upcoming reboot of Rocket Knight. The press release does mention a few of Sparkster's abilities. While most should be familiar to players -- wall ricochet jumps, etc -- one new addition is the "burst vortex," which can reflect projectiles back toward enemies. Beyond that, however, we're left only with images of Emperor Sweinhart and Sparkster's nemesis, Axel Gear, both of whom can be seen above. Konami has also released a high resolution version of Sparkster himself. Yes, it's not much but, when it comes to Rocket Knight, we'll take what we can get. %Gallery-84964%
Climax: We want to make another Silent Hill
We always suspected we had nothing in common with Silent Hill: Shattered Memories developer Climax. We crave Coke, they prefer Pepsi. We swoon for Daniel Craig, they say George Lazenby is the best. We say tomato, they say ... well, that one works better when you say it out loud. Finally, though, we've found something we agree on: We both want them to make another Silent Hill game. Speaking with the UK's Official Nintendo Magazine, lead designer Sam Barlow said, "For us we felt we've put our stamp on the series with Shattered Memories so we'd love the opportunity to do another one. So everybody go and buy it!" He's absolutely right, you should do that this moment. ... Hey! That's more common ground already. [Via Nintendo Everything]
Best of the Rest: Richard's Picks of 2009
Halo Wars Say what you will about the game's simplicity, or the brevity of the single-player campaign, but Ensemble Studios absolutely nailed console real-time strategy with Halo Wars. The controls work beautifully, allowing for the kind of granular management required in RTS games, and yet they remain simple enough for almost anyone to get the hang of the game. Add great online multiplayer and it's one tasty proposition. Frankly, I was so addicted to the Skirmish mode when reviewing the game that it ate into my work hours. Remembering that makes it harder to face the fact that Ensemble was shuttered once work on the game was complete. I can only hope that Robot is given the chance to further the series, or at least work the controls into an entirely new game.
Silent Hill: Shattered Memories debuts on Wii Dec. 8
It looks like GameStop got it right, as IGN reports that Silent Hill: Shattered Memories will arrive on the Wii on December 8. The PS2 and PSP versions have yet to be given solid release dates, with Konami promising to reveal further information at a later time. Given the Wii version's proximity to the holiday shopping season, it sounds like PSP and PS2 players can consider their sanity safe until 2010 -- though not long after, considering our experience with the PSP version at Tokyo Game Show. Wii owners, on the other hand, should start preparing now by stocking up on flashlights, blankets and plenty of batteries. Just remember, so long as you're completely covered they can't get you. Braver readers might consider perusing some of our terrifying Shattered Memories preview coverage.
Retailers move Silent Hill: Shattered Memories release date again
Konami has yet to offer an official release date for Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, and the unofficial release dates keep shifting identities like some kind of haunted village. After Nintendo dated the game on its release schedule, we thought we could safely expect the game in November, but retailers have changed their dates once again.GameStop now expects to have Shattered Memories in stock on December 8. GameFly, whose dates tend to differ from official ones by a few days, lists the Wii game as being available November 26, but the PS2 and PSP versions on December 31. Wal-Mart's dates put the Wii version at November 24 and the PlayStation games on Christmas Day (which is probably not the real ship date, on account of there not being any mail delivery that day). Basically, the game is coming out later. It's not in stores right this second. That's all we can say with any degree of certainty.%Gallery-49995%[Via Kotaku]
Rocket Knight returns to XBLA, PSN and Steam in early 2010
We wish for a million dollars! ... Well, after the return of classic adventure games -- and now Sparkster -- our magical roll of granted wishes was bound to come to an end. 1UP and Konami have revealed a brand new game for the powerfully propelled opossum, set to debut on Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network and Steam in early 2010. The 2.5D sequel (not a remake!) comes 15 years after the last game, which is a period more wasteful than the gap between the original Star Trek TV series and the first feature film. Sorry, our nerd analogies flare up when we get excited. Rocket Knight (as the game is tentatively dubbed) is being developed by Climax, which previously worked with Konami producer Tomm Hulett on Silent Hill: Origins. The team is currently finishing up the promising Silent Hill: Shattered Memories. %Gallery-76146%
New Silent Hill logo and screens scared up
click to look for Cheryl Konami has released some new screens of the upcoming Silent Hill: Shattered Memories. The shots are looking pretty nice, and include some of the more Wii-centric features, like object manipulation and Harry's mobile phone. There's also a monster or two and the bloody snow seen above. Remember kids, never eat red snow.On another note, Konami has freshened up the game's logo. It's essentially the same, although the cheesy icicles have (thankfully) been removed. Find the new logo and screens in the gallery below.%Gallery-69800%
Deal watch: Grab Overlord: Dark Legend for $37
Being that games are an expensive habit, we're always on the lookout for a decent savings. With that in mind, please direct your attention to Amazon, where you can pick up a copy of Overlord: Dark Legend for $36.99. That's $13.00 off the standard price of $49.99 and nothing to sneeze at. The game has been reviewed fairly well thus far and, at the very least, we can vouch for the charms of its PS3 and Xbox 360 brethren.If you like your games funny and evil, you might consider picking it up.%Gallery-45512%
Hands-on: Silent Hill: Shattered Memories (Wii)
"I've heard 'Shat-On Memories.' That's a good one," remarks Shattered Memories producer Tomm Hulett, taking the complaints from the so-called "unreasonable" Silent Hill fans in stride. Remaking -- or "re-imagining," rather -- a horror classic is no easy task, least of all when the leading platform's scariest trait is its abundance of minigames. Calling it a re-imagining seems appropriate, with familiar characters and themes returning in unfamiliar ways, but that belies the fact that the upcoming Wii title (PSP and PS2 versions are also en route) is the freshest and riskiest Silent Hill game to come along in years. Conveying an intense, unnerving experience in the din of E3 is like reciting a poem behind an airplane barreling down a runway. The packed show floor, filled with colossal sub-woofers and eccentric excessiveness, couldn't be a less ideal place to play a survival-horror title. And yet, despite the copious distractions and some truly awkward sensor bar placement, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories managed to fool us -- if ever so briefly -- into thinking we were skulking around the world's least hospitable and most perplexing town. %Gallery-49995%
Hands-on: Overlord Dark Legend
Overlord Dark Legend is an all-new Wii adventure set in the fractured fantasy world of the dark lord and his minions. The game puts players in the steel shoes of a younger overlord in a more fractured fairy tale setting than those of the series proper.Despite Dark Legend taking the minion's debauchery down a notch (they don't get drunk, vomit or pee), the core evilness is still present in the adolescent Overlord. The title is still a "core" gamer's game, which is part of publisher Codemaster's strategy for the console. For those who have never played an Overlord title before, Dark Legend brings the authentic experience in a new package.%Gallery-45512%
