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Deus Ex: The Fall trademarked, while Human Defiance points toward film
Square Enix trademarked and registered domains for something called 'Deus Ex: The Fall' this week, adding to the speculation of what's up next for the franchise. Meanwhile, it's emerged Deus Ex: Human Defiance, which the publisher trademarked last week, is likely the name of the film in production; after associated domains were registered by CBS Films.In the case of Deus Ex: The Fall, however, Square Enix Europe filed both the trademark and the domain registrations. Square Enix hasn't announced a sequel to Human Revolution, while developer Eidos Montreal, who unveiled the Thief reboot this week, is working on an unannounced third project alongside the Deus Ex and Thief franchises.
'Thief' graces cover of latest Game Informer
The Thief reboot announced back in 2009 re-emerges from the shadows as the cover of next month's Game Informer magazine. The game is planned for PS4, PC and "other next-gen platforms" in 2014.Game Informer mentions Thief finds series hero Garrett returning to the "Gothic, industrial metropolis" known as the City in the midst of social tension and a plague. Hopefully Garrett can make it through his adventure without becoming Dishonored.The previous update we had about the project were rumors from last summer that development was in trouble.The best news of all: It's not called Thi4f anymore.
Deus Ex: Human Defiance trademarked by Square Enix [update]
Square Enix trademarked the name 'Deus Ex: Human Defiance' yesterday, suggesting a follow-up to 2011's Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Square Enix Europe filed the trademark, and the list of goods associated with it heavily indicates a game in development.Square Enix hasn't announced a sequel, and Human Revolution developer Eidos Montreal is understood to be working on an unannounced third project that's "alongside" the Deus Ex and Thief franchises. Straight Right, the Mass Effect 3 developer for Wii U, is reportedly porting a major Square Enix game to the Nintendo console, and if that's accurate Human Revolution is a contender and Human Defiance may relate to that.At this moment, however, Square Enix has kept any upcoming entries in the Deus Ex franchise as stealthily hidden as Adam Jensen in an air vent - perhaps until now, that is. We've reached out to the company for comment.Update: A company representative tells us, "Square Enix does not comment on rumor and speculation."
Borrowing campaign-crafted viciousness for Tomb Raider's multiplayer mode
We caught wind of rumors that the latest Tomb Raider might include multiplayer late last month, right before the rumors were officially confirmed by Square Enix. During the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show, the shrink wrap officially came off, and Square Enix allowed members of the press to sit down and play the two multiplayer modes they're currently willing to reveal from the upcoming Lara Croft reboot.Team Deathmatch was the first, but its clash of warring sides offered nothing fresh on the staple multiplayer mode. The other mode, however, offered much more promise. In the mode dubbed Rescue, two teams are tasked with separate goals. Lara Croft's faction, the Scavengers, is sent after a medpack item in the level, and given a goal zone to bring it back to, scoring five times to win. The opposing team, called the Solarii, is given a kill goal (20 in the current build, though that may change), with the trick being that shooting the other side will only down them, making it necessary for the trigger-happy team to run to and finish off their wounded enemy in order to score a point.While Team Deathmatch is more or less standard multiplayer chaos, the balance of goals in Rescue makes the mode vastly more interesting. And while the screenshots will probably bring plenty of suggestions that Eidos is borrowing a page from the Uncharted playbook, the complexity hints that there's something new here.%Gallery-176100%
Tomb Raider survives with friends in first multiplayer footage
The groundwork for Tomb Raider's multiplayer was laid some time ago with Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light. This episode of The Final Hours of Tomb Raider explores that and how multiplayer was an afterthought that eventually snowballed into a realized game mode.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution live-action teaser augments our interest
Deus Ex: Human Revolution had some impressive trailers, and this live-action teaser for a short flick by DCode Films isn't bad either. The Miami-based production company boasts a portfolio of big name clients, so that experience should culminate in a production as eye-catching as its teaser.[Thanks, Saeddine]
Steam deals: Shatter on sale today; Deus Ex and Sam & Max this weekend
Steam is making it easier on the wallet this weekend with some sales on Shatter and the Deus Ex and Sam & Max series. Serieses.For today only, developer Sidhe's retro-inspired brick-breaker, Shatter, is 75 percent off, bringing it down to $2.49. That's less than the cost of a Monster energy drink and, really, everyone agrees you need to stop drinking those things anyway.Over the weekend, every game in the Deus Ex series, including Eidos Montreal's prequel, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, is 75 percent off – that's $14.99 for the whole bunch, including some item packs and "The Missing Link" DLC for Human Revolution. You can also buy each game piecemeal.If you like your protagonists a little less gritty, Telltale's Sam & Max games are also on sale for 66 percent off this weekend – $14.99 for seasons one and two, and The Devil's Playhouse.
Agent 47 takes a careful walk through Hitman: Absolution's 'Hope'
There are more than a few ways to play through Hitman: Absolution's "Streets of Hope" mission, as two expert drivers showcase in the latest, lengthy playthrough video. Poor Lenny never saw it coming.
Deus Ex film rights picked up by CBS
CBS Films has picked up the rights to Square Enix's Deus Ex franchise, and plans on producing a movie based on the latest game in the series, Deux Ex: Human Revolution. Developer Eidos Montreal will have a stake in the film, Variety reports, with CBS Films working "closely" with Eidos Montreal on adapting the game for the big screen."No one knows Human Revolution like the team that created it, and we look forward to working with them from day one to make a film adaptation worthy of the 'Deus Ex' name," CBS Films co-president Terry Press said. Adrian Askarieh will act as one of the producers, a name you may recognize if you're still waiting for that sequel to Hitman.
Get your robotic hands on the Deus Ex series for $15 on Steam
The entire Deus Ex series is 75 percent off on Steam through June 25, as individual titles or as a package deal. Deus Ex: Human Revolution (Augmented Edition) is $7.50, and the original Deus Ex Game of the Year edition and Invisible War each run $2.50.Grab all of these, plus The Missing Link DLC, Tactical Enhancement Pack and Explosive Mission Pack DLCs for Human Revolution for $15 in the collection sale.
Report: Thief 4 development in trouble
As disconcerting as it may be that we haven't heard or seen anything regarding Thief 4 in quite a while, recent career changes for several key folks at Eidos Montreal suggest there may be trouble with the game's development. After all, it took Eidos Montreal four years to bring Deus Ex: Human Revolution to retail – almost how long Thief 4 has been in development.According to a report on Kotaku from internet sleuth Superannuation, not only did audio director and composer Paul Weir leave Eidos Montreal, but so did lead level designer Adam Alim, senior concept artists Nicolas Ferrand and Dan Blomberg, senior technical level designer Eugene Kuczerepa, senior animator Marie-Chantal Larocque and senior level designer Patrick Garon. In addition to the departures, there's also apparently a completed CG trailer created by Goldtooth Creative – the same firm responsible for Deus Ex: Human Revolution's CG and cutscenes – that never saw the light of day, and was planned for a December 2011 unveiling, according to this resume.So what could be the situation? One level designer still at Eidos Montreal says he designed the last level in the game – take from that what you will. In light of all this, we've followed up with Eidos Montreal and Square Enix for official comment.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution sneaks to Mac on April 26
Square Enix is preparing Deus Ex: Human Revolution for an April 26 launch on Mac, finally bringing raspy cyber-puncher Adam Jensen to the platform.The Deus Ex: Human Revolution "Ultimate Edition" contains the retail game along with the Missing Link DLC, and the Mission and Tactical Enhancement packs. In addition to those perks, the Ultimate Edition also comes with the soundtrack, an art book, a making-of documentary, motion comic, animated storyboard and CGI trailer.In other words, it's the "Augmented Edition" with the Missing Link DLC.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution PC players complain of stuttering, request patch
Several users have complained about a persistent issue in Deus Ex: Human Revolution on the PC -- an issue that Square Enix and Eidos Montreal have not addressed yet, according to emails from our readers. Users have complained of in-game stuttering, even with lowered graphical settings, and say these issue have persisted since launch.Threads on the Steam and Eidos forums have languished since being posted in August, with no official response from Eidos despite each still being active with user complaints. We've contacted Square Enix, who acquired Eidos back in 2009, to find out if there are any plans to address ongoing complaints.
Rumor: Thief 4 features online play, runs on Unreal Engine
Thief 4 remains (appropriately) shrouded in mystery, but Linkedin profiles spotted by NeoGAF users suggest the game will be running on Unreal Engine 3, and will feature an online multiplayer component.Several of the profiles state that Thief 4 runs on Unreal Engine 3, which isn't too surprising given Square Enix's recent UE3 licensing deal. Among the profiles is an online programmer who is "involved in many aspects, such as networking, gameplay, debugging online and offline tools on Thief 4." The programmer in question specializes in game networking (matchmaking, etc.), so online play may be a consideration.We haven't heard an official peep out of Thief 4 since November of 2009, so who knows what form the game has taken by now?
Joystiq Top 10 of 2011: Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Skyrim is going to get tons of accolades all over this year, and deservedly so, but Deus Ex: Human Revolution pulled me into its world more effectively than any other game in 2011. It didn't do everything right. Obviously, there were the boss battles. They required a narrow combat approach, playing to some of Deus Ex: Human Revolution's weakest elements. But those encounters were only disappointing insofar as they contradicted the fluidity of gameplay styles and approaches the rest of Human Revolution offered.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution now available on European PSN
Deus Ex: Human Revolution is available now for download on the European PlayStation Network. Interface with the standard version for £39.99 / €49.99, while the "complete edition," which includes all the DLC and "The Missing Link" mission, is £47.99 / €59.99. Neither Sony nor Square have anything to share about the stealth action title hitting the North American PSN. *Activating personal encryption protocol* We are now speaking directly, away from prying eyes. We feel obligated to mention that the title is currently £11.99 at Game and £17.51 at Amazon.uk for the PS3. We trust if you're savvy enough to figure out the PSN, you're surely slick enough to recognize the savings.
Square Enix Montreal opening in 2012, working on Hitman; Eidos Montreal adds 100, working on 'third AAA project'
Following the strong reception of Deus Ex: Human Revolution, one report indicated Square Enix planned to expand developer Eidos Montreal by as many as 350 additional employees, while earlier reports suggested that Square would establish a new studio elsewhere in Canada in 2012. Turns out, both were half right. Square Enix announced today plans to add 250 new jobs in Canada, with 100 going to the team at Eidos Montreal, and 150 being dedicated to a new studio named, cleverly enough, Square Enix Montreal. The 100 new employees at Eidos Montreal will be "driving work on a third AAA project at the studio" alongside the existing Deus Ex and Thief franchises, while the "first project at Square Enix Montréal will be to work on a new premium quality game in the award-winning Hitman franchise," adding a second studio to augment Copenhagen-based IO Interactive's work on the series. The new studio will be under the guidance of general manager Lee Singleton, who's "been leading Square Enix London Studios, a UK-based team which focuses on shaping and bringing to market great games from some of the world's most talented independent development teams." Those games include Just Cause 2 and Batman: Arkham Asylum which you've probably never heard of.
Eidos Montreal fesses up to poor boss fights in Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Even though the recent release of "The Missing Link" DLC featured a more appropriate boss encounter, the majority of Deus Ex: Human Revolution's boss fights force players to forgo whichever strategy they employed throughout the game and, you know, just shoot 'em in the face. Unless that is your strategy, in which case all we have to say is: you monster. Eidos Montréal producer David Anfossi told Edge that farming out the boss fights to Grip Entertainment was a mistake -- not because Grip failed, but because the implementation and design of boss encounters was poor. "We knew that it would be a weakness for the game, that we had to make a compromise to deliver it [on] two levels. First, the boss fights were forced, which is not the Deus Ex experience. Second, there is no mix [of] solutions to tackle the boss fights, which is not Deus Ex either. We knew that before the release of the game, but there had to be some compromise. It [was] our decision." That's not to say Anfossi isn't proud of Deus Ex -- he's quite content with the hacking, stealth, social and combat aspects of the game -- but if he had a chance to do it all again, he'd handle the boss fights differently rather than taking them out entirely. "There are two options: no boss fights, or do boss fights correctly. I'm pretty sure that now we have the knowledge to do it correctly."
PSA: Deus Ex 'The Missing Link' DLC available now; major discount on full game at Amazon, Steam
Deus Ex-cellent DLC "The Missing Link" is available today for PC, Xbox 360 and, once the update occurs later today, PSN. The five- to six-hour campaign finds augmented security agent Adam Jensen on a mother lovin' boat, but not the kind you see in rap videos. Check out our review to find out what you'll receive for $15. For those who haven't picked up the game of the year contender yet, Amazon and Steam have some significant discounts on the game for a limited time. On PC, Valve's platform has the title at 25 percent off for $37.49 as part of its "midweek madness" sale, while Amazon's downloadable version is 40 percent off and $29.99. Console owners can grab Deus Ex: Human Revolution for $36 from Amazon as part of the site's "deal of the week" promotion. %Gallery-136828%
Deus Ex 'Missing Link' DLC finds launch date, price
If you aren't busy creeping through the shadows for other reasons, the Deus Ex: Human Revolution DLC, "The Missing Link," should be ready to play on October 18 in North America. Eidos Montreal also confirmed the DLC will launch on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC for $14.99 (1200 MSP). For more info on the 5-8 hour mini-campaign, check out our preview. Or, if you're the patient type, we'll have a review up very shortly. %Gallery-134718%
