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'Elite Squad' pulls together a Tom Clancy dream team on mobile
Ghost Recon: Breakpoint wasn't the only Tom Clancy-related game Ubisoft showcased at its E3 event. It revealed the trailer for Tom Clancy's Elite Squad, a mobile RPG that pulls together characters from Rainbow Six, Ghost Recon, The Division and Splinter Cell to form a spec-ops dream team.
Latest 'Division' exploit delivers unlimited damage
Just days after The Division community was warned they could be banned from the game for exploiting shoddy code comes one doozy of an exploit for Ubisoft's hit game. Due to a bug in the "Competent" talent, players can build up a short burst of obscenely high damage in the 1,000,000-plus DPS range.
Ubisoft to ban 'Division' players who exploit its shoddy coding
A community manager for Ubisoft's hit game, The Division, warned players against exploiting in-game glitches to gather extra end-game loot. The issue first appeared last week with the debut of the game's Falcon Lost expansion map pack, which offers large-scale raid missions and valuable rare items for players that beat the dungeon. That loot was only supposed to drop once a week; thereby requiring users to play through repeatedly to collect the full armor/weapon sets.
The Division's PC experience won't suffer because of consoles
Ubisoft Massive says that PC gamers looking forward to its Division shooter won't be sacrificing any presentation quality because of their console counterparts. "Obviously we want to make a game that looks the best it can on its respective format, so Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC," Massive's Martin Hulberg told Open World Games. "We address every console, every platform as its own version, so we try to stay away from the thing where you go for the least common denominator and everybody suffers for it," Hulberg explained.
The Division's director on gameplay, customization, and The Cleaners
Ubisoft has released a video filmed at last month's E3 featuring The Division game director Ryan Barnard and a bunch of slick-looking footage. Barnard touches on gameplay, character customization, Clancy-style tech, and a group of baddies known as The Cleaners who take no prisoners when it comes to dealing with The Division's infected populace. Click past the cut to have a look!
The Division dev talks districts, mobile, and more
Co-Optimus has posted an interesting video Q&A with Division IP developer Martin Hultberg of Ubisoft. Hultberg talks a bit about the game's backstory as well as how players will interact with the game world. There are certain level restrictions, for example, as well as equipment requirements for entering a given area (gas masks to deal with contagion levels, etc.). Hultberg also mentions that players who buy The Division get a tablet version as well, so if you can't make it home to your console (and eventually, your PC, right Ubi? RIGHT?), you can be a fifth wheel of sorts and "support the four other players" via your tablet. The interview clip has a lot of gameplay footage spliced throughout, so head past the cut and have a look for yourself.
E3 2014: The Division recaps its demo
Eager to hear more about The Division in the wake of the E3 media blitz? For those of you not on the ground during the convention, the latest development blog recaps the fine points on display in the game's E3 demo. As the blog explains, the core conceit of The Division is that you're not accepting the collapse of civilization but pushing back against it, chiefly by shooting the heck out of bandits and creeps until they're not a problem any longer. As described by the blog post, the game utilizes a complex AI for enemies -- sniping a bandit but not his friends results in the others running back for reinforcements, leading to a pitched firefight and a chance to use special unlocked abilities. The demo also showed off using the support app to take control of a drone, allowing you to see around walls and provide important data to allies even without being directly in the game. Check out the full recap for a thorough breakdown of where the game is right now in terms of game mechanics. Massively's on the ground in Los Angeles during the week of June 10-12, bringing you all the best news from E3 2014. We're covering everything from WildStar and Landmark to Skyforge and H1Z1, so stay tuned!
The Division's E3 teaser is all... Christmasy
The Division may not be coming out until next year, but you can get a (very) brief taste of it in Ubisoft's new E3 teaser. Really, it's nothing more than a teaser for the show and the upcoming reveals, but the shot of New York City in fast motion set against a soft voice singing "Silent Night" delivers on atmosphere if not details. You can check it out after the break.
The Division developers explain the 2015 delay
A lot of people weren't particularly surprised to learn that The Division was being delayed until 2015, but it's still nice to find out exactly why. After all, if you're looking forward to the game at all, you would like to see it sooner rather than later. Gamereactor recently spoke with the development studio, and the developers explained the core reason behind the delay as simply being a matter of properly exploring the concept rather than releasing an unfinished game on a tighter schedule. According to the interview, the development team was upset at the original announcement of a 2014 release, as there had been no in-house discussion of release dates. The game's engine is quite powerful, but even the 2015 date may be overly optimistic, with The Division's multiplayer components still having major issues with implementation. Hopefully the delays will help ensure that the game is more polished and playable when it does release, whether that's in 2015 or later.
The Division delayed to 2015
Remember that rumor where an Ubisoft employee used the word "laughable" to describe the 2014 launch window for The Division? As it turns out, it was pretty much spot on. "As you have noticed, The Division is not included into our full-year guidance," Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot said during today's financial call. "It will now be released in calendar 2015. We will provide more information on this highly anticipated new brand at E3."
GDC 2014: Ubisoft shows off its Divison-powering Snowdrop engine
Ubisoft Massive showed off a three-minute trailer focused on its Snowdrop game engine at this week's GDC event in San Francisco. The first title powered by the new tech is UM's MMO shooter The Division, which also features heavily in the clip's behind-the-scenes footage. "Working with the engine is kind of like solving a puzzle," explains environment artist Jill Jarlestam. "The elements are already there so it's just a matter of how you combine them together." You can watch the full video by clicking past the cut.
Ubisoft Massive releases new concept art for The Division
Ubisoft Massive has released a new piece of concept art for its Division shooter. MP1st speculates that it may depict some sort of social hub, but the devs behind the Tom Clancy-inspired game haven't said one way or the other. The Division was first announced at E3 2013. Earlier this year, rumors circulated relating to the title's proposed 2014 release date and whether or not it can actually be achieved.
Tom Clancy's The Division due in late 2014
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot dropped the tiniest tidbit of information in regard to the studio's upcoming open-world, shooty title The Division during a call with investors this morning. According to Guillemot, the game should land on Xbox One and PS4 sometime near the end of 2014. No specific date was given, though Guillemot did note that players should expect the game to land "closer to the end of the year than the beginning." The Division is a persistent-world online tactical shooter that combines elements of MMOs, RPGs, and the normal Tom Clancy-type stuff we've all come to know and expect. Check out the E3 gameplay reveal after the break to see it in action.
Ubisoft reads the internet, may bring The Division to PC
Ubisoft continues its coy dance with PC gamers regarding The Division, a new action MMO announced at E3. Initially the firm said that the title was coming to next-gen consoles. Shortly thereafter, Division developers implored interested PC gamers to make their voices heard, and they did via an internet petition that garnered over 100,000 signatures. Now, in a video published on IGN, Ubisoft's Ryan Barnard says that "we're not ruling out other platforms because we do also read the internet. I think Ubisoft as a company considers maximizing the potential of a game, so if the audience is there and the desire is there..." Curiously, IGN's video was recorded at E3 but held for publication until June 24th, so Barnard's comments indicate that Ubisoft was considering a PC version of The Division even before the aforementioned brouhaha.
Over 50,000 gamers petition Ubisoft for a PC version of The Division
Last week's E3 reveal of Ubisoft's The Division MMO shooter was met with some oohs, some ahhs, and some WTFs as PC gamers realized that the software giant was ignoring their platform of choice to focus on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. What's a disgruntled gamer to do? Sign a petition, of course, and as of press time, over 50,000 disgruntled gamers have expressed their desire to see the Tom Clancy-style title find a home on the PC. According to Dark Side of Gaming and PC Gamer, Division developers encouraged potential players to "sign petitions, get on forums, and post their requests."
Disney's Interactive Media division reduces losses in Q3
Disney's studio shutdowns may have had at least some of the desired effect: The Disney Interactive Media Group reports that the third quarter has brought decreased losses for the division year-over-year. The group remains the only division in the company operating at a loss, but revenues increased (thanks to Lego Pirates of the Carribbean and Cars 2, according to the studio) and losses decreased to $86 million a year. Disney still blames most of the losses on the acquisition of social developer Playdom last year, but good news is good news. Hopefully this means an end to all of the layoffs around the division.
WSJ: Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division getting a 'shakeup,' J Allard expected to leave
We were surprised enough to hear tales of J Allard possibly leaving Microsoft, but the Wall Street Journal is painting a bigger picture, saying "the organizational shakeup is broader than Mr. Allard's departure." We're taking that to mean there could be a larger changing of the guard here, particularly since the article is worded somewhat oddly and seems to imply the reshuffling could reach even Entertainment and Devices Division president Robbie Bach. As for Allard, WSJ reaffirms Mary Jo Foley's earlier report that there's a strong correlation between his departure and the Courier's swan song. An announcement pertaining to these moves is said to potentially come as early this week, so stay tuned -- this could be big.
EA, Namco set sights on iPhone development
Two big gaming companies have made stark moves towards some major iPhone development in the future. Electronic Arts has made what seems to be the strongest move: they've put together a division in the company specifically for making iPhone games, and not just any games. Specifically, the kind that cost 99 cents. 8lb Gorilla is the name of the group they've put together in-house, and apparently it's a bunch of young developers given the task of putting together quick and cheap games about once a month that can sell for 99 cents, keep customers happy, and still bring in a profit for EA. The first title out of the group is a game called Zombies and Me, which appears to be an action game where you blow up zombies with explosives. Who wouldn't pay 99 cents for that one, right?Namco is also making moves toward the platform, though not that specific (or risky, though EA's gambit could pay off big if the young devs turn out a hit). They've created an "Apple Games" division within their company, designed to make games specifically for the iPhone and iPod touch, and presumably for any other platforms that Apple decides to release games on. We hear the Mac is pretty popular -- does "Apple Games" include those other computers they make? Yet another Pac Man remake is the first title from them, but hopefully more original releases are coming.Very interesting to see major companies start setting aside resources specifically to target the App Store's unique market. Mac gamers have been fighting for years to get devs to pay attention to their platform, and now it looks like Apple's handheld devices, along with the relatively easy money of the App Store, have finally done it.
Rubinstein retained as Apple consultant
Back in March, John Rubinstein resigned from his position as senior vice president of Apple's iPod division - but it appears that one does not quit Apple so easily. John has apparently been retained as an Apple consultant, cutting a deal to work the equivalent of one business day per week until April 16th of 2007. For his services, Macsimum News is reporting he will be compensated "a non-material flat fee."
