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Haze may be coming "real soon"
It's almost comical how often Haze has been delayed, touted as improved, set for release, then delayed once more. Over at the Haze forums, it seems one of the men from Free Radical took the initiative to post a reply to people complaining that the game won't actually ever release. He said, basically, there have been a lot of improvements made, the game is not like Duke Nukem Forever and will be released very soon. Ubisoft changed their listing from May to March. So, seems like if all goes according to plan, those who've been waiting for Haze may finally get to see it in the next month.[via NeoGAF]
Haze delayed again, to clear in next fiscal year
The name chosen for developer Free Radical's oft-delayed FPS Haze has become something of a self-fulfilling prophecy. While we were almost ready to get excited for the game to make its retail debut sometime before April, publisher Ubisoft broke news (and gamers' hearts) today by once more pushing the game out until an unspecified time during the coming 2008-09 fiscal year (read: after April).The game's release date has become something of a running gag in certain circles, with Haze originally expected for the holidays before being brushed aside for what we were told was a final bit of spit polish. It would seem, however, from this latest news that Haze was in fact more sullied than previously believed. If there is one ray of sunshine to cast on this gloom it's that the delay has caused Ubisoft to raise its guidance for coming fiscal year to €1 billion (or nearly $1.5 billion in Earth currency) up from the €975 million previously forecast – though we're doubtful that Ubi's financial wherewithal will comfort those of you who have been told once again to wait your turn.
Haze release still hazy, but Ubisoft says before April
An actual release date for Haze is slowly becoming clear, in so much as we've now got a three month window to focus on. Ars Technica spoke with Ubisoft who confirmed that the game is expected between now and the end of March (for you fiscal calendar trackers that's Ubisoft's Q4).The release date of Haze has certainly kept up with the game's name. Originally expected for the holidays, the title was mercifully delayed for what Ubisoft says was to "put the final touches to the game." More recently there were rumors of a possible January release, which finally lead to Ubisoft giving this Q4 window -- but we've had a confirmed release date before, so hopefully by the time the Nectar causing this ridiculous release experience wears off the game will be out.[Via PS3 Fanboy]
Free Radical assures that Haze will be out before March [UPDATE]
Free Radical, developers of the Timesplitters franchise and upcoming PS3 exclusive Haze, have confirmed to Ars Technica that, yes, Haze will be released before March (see update). The game was originally touted for an autumn release, but was delayed in order to "put the final touches to the game" (as well as, we suspect, to make sure it didn't get lost amongst all the other strong titles released around the same time). Since then, various retailers have displayed the release date as March, with some rumours even stating that Haze wouldn't be out until September. With no specific release date to go on, we'll just have to keep our eyes peeled over the next two months to see when it eventually pops up. We've been waiting to play this game for a long time, so hopefully "before March" doesn't mean "end of February". We'll keep you informed. [UPDATE] Whoops, would you look at that? It turns out that March is included as part of the release window. Ars Technica have updated their post with new info given to them by Ubisoft. So to clarify: we'll probably be seeing Haze arrive sometime in March.
PS Fanboy Wallpapers: Volume 13
Every week, PSP and PS3 Fanboy will bring you new backgrounds for your Sony consoles, in resolutions up to 1080p. Download them directly to your PS3 by accessing PS3 Fanboy on your system. Download PSP wallpapers directly to your PSP by accessing the site wirelessly at m.pspfanboy.com. For those having trouble accessing the site on your PS3, please visit m.ps3fanboy.com or disable Javascript.This weekend, we're focusing on Free Radical's upcoming PS3 title Haze.
Gamer TV delivers some fresh Haze footage
It seems the good folk over at ThreeSpeech have brought a Haze special to our attention, courtesy of Gamer TV. Since they don't have the video on their site, they redirected us to GameTrailers, which resulted in the above movie for your enjoyment. This dump truck we call the internet ... it's wonders never cease. Oh, and Haze is looking pretty cool, too.[Thanks, Noshino!]
Haze gets December release in Europe
If you love Haze and live in Europe, rejoice and be glad! You've acquired Release Date (1)! Use this item to locate hidden release date information ... Haze will be released December 14th, if you'd like us to stop beating around the bush with strange RPG innuendo. This information comes with the above video, which is less of a Haze trailer and more of a look around Free Radical's office. It's for fun and we thought we'd share it with you. The American release of Haze is currently slated for December 4th.[via Joystiq]
Haze on track for December release
Free Radical's first-person romp through cutting-edge war, crippling drug addiction and nebulous PlayStation 3 exclusivity agreements is on track for a December arrival, reports Gamasutra. Publisher Ubisoft has confirmed a European release for December 14th, noting that America can expect to receive Haze within the same merry month (online retailers currently list it for December 4th). Haze looks to be the last major FPS of the year, and had best hope its vaunted script and gameplay guarantees a spot at the illustrious table already seating BioShock, Call of Duty 4, Metroid Prime 3, Half-Life 2: Episode 2, Halo 3 and TimeShift Crysis. %Gallery-6686%
Some more Haze gameplay footage -- shaky cam style
High definition, this is not. This is shaky-cam footage of what's assumed to be the first several minutes of Haze. It had been a while since we had something to share with you on this game due out in a few weeks, so we thought we'd toss this your way and see if you found it interesting. Even though it's a shaky-cam, you can still see the detail that's gone into this game and it looks pretty nice. Check it out.
Let's talk about the vehicles of Haze
If you haven't been keeping up with Free Radical's Haze, a few weeks ago we talked about their weaponry and today we're going to talk about the vehicles you'll run across. We'll start with the Mantel vehicles. Boxcart - lightweight buggy of sorts. BigBoy - a transport truck with a big ol' rail gun. Mrs. Mantel - a ship that drops soldiers off with really impressive speed. And the Promised Hand vehicles: Macho (Stag) - a hodgepodge vehicle built for jungle missions Mula (Mule) - a very light buggy. Palo Hueco - a helicopter with crappy armor, apparently. Diente de la Serpiente - think about it. A really slow vehicle with a nuclear missile attached. Sounds like a winner! All of these vehicles will make an appearance in the single player campaign as well as four player co-op and multiplayer. It seems there's more vehicle action than previously expected. Let's hope they keep the battlefield balanced!
Korn, while on Nectar, record song out of Haze love
Most American music listeners know of the band Korn. Some remember the highlights of their career, like appearing on South Park and the hilarious antics that ensued. Whether or not you like their music, Korn has made video game buzz today by recording a song they say was "inspired by" the upcoming shooter Haze. The song's launch is going to coincide with the game's release, so you know it's a little more than inspiration on the band's part. Conspiracy theorists, unite!The song, entitled "Haze", will act as a "testament to the synergy possibilities between music and video games, which often share the same audience," says Ubisoft's Christian Salomon. Also speaking out is Korn's singer Jonathan Davis, who rehearsedly exclaimed "Gaming for me is a religion and Haze is the shit! I had to come up with a track that can hit up that kind of rush I get from the game and I think we really rocked it!!" The double exclamation marks are, of course, to emphasize how much the band "rocked it". Well, take it however you like, but it seems the marketing train for Haze is underway. But will it pay off?
Haze is commentary of game violence, of itself
The scriptwriter for Free Radical's upcoming shooter Haze, Rob Yescombe, sat down with the friendly Gamasutra to discuss the meaning behind the script he penned. In addition to the heavy political overtones found throughout the game, Yescombe admits part of the script is talking about violence in videogames. He said "As a [futuristic private military operator] Mantel guy, it makes sense that you play it like a game, because you're absolved from responsibility. It's weird that our entertainment is founded on shooting people in the face! The truth is that I enjoy it as much as anyone else, but I find myself weird for liking it so much. That's less than a big political statement; it's much more about, 'What are we, as people who are entertained by this?'" Good question, we guess. It's just entertaining to do stuff we can't do in real life, perhaps? No good answer, really.Originally, Yescombe planned to pen a story akin to Apocalypse Now, which would make the game a lot more narrative-heavy, if Conrad's Heart of Darkness taught us anything. He claimed the story became a bit too overt and controversial for a new IP to push, so a lot of the heavier political stuff seems to have gone hidden in the depths of the game. You can still look for it, he says, as it's still there, but it's not the crux of the tale. After all, Yescombe says, if the game isn't fun to play, it doesn't matter what sort of political commentary you toss in. From the looks of it, Haze will be damn fun to play and the story seems like it's just going to grow if future installments are planned.
TimeSplitters 4 in the works, hopefully coming to Wii
var digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/nintendo_wii/TimeSplitters_4_Coming_to_Wii'; Free Radical Design has confirmed that TimeSplitters 4 is under development as we speak. And, before you ask, yes we were in the middle of consuming a tasty beverage before reading the news, only to spit it out in a moment of sheer surprise/ecstasy all over our laptop. Good chances are it could very well make its way onto the Wii, as both the folks at Free Radical and us want it to grace the system. If you've got fingers, we suggest you cross them for the next indeterminate amount of time.[Via Cubed3]
Haze weaponry revealed, detailed, explained
Free Radical have recently updated their blog over on IGN, deciding to enlighten us to some of the weapons available in the upcoming, hotly-anticipated shooter Haze. Since there's a lot to say about each weapon, we're going to give you the shorthand version here and leave it up to you to research further. Diplomat pistol -- standard Mantel weaponry, seems most useful in short-range situations. Blacksaw assault rifle -- depleted uranium are the bullets, pain is the result. Also available: silenced version. Donkey Puncher shotgun -- " ... this high-end shotgun is more than enough to kick any ass presented to you." Enough said. Hard Candy rocket launcher -- apparently makes Sloppy Joes out of the enemy. Pinpointer sniper rifle -- it's a sniper rifle. Need we say more? Heavy Gun -- uh, we're not sure, but it sounds extremely useful. Seems to be a stationary weapon of mass destruction. Razor Tongue knife -- standard Promise Hand melee weapon. You can smear it with Nectar, which causes Mantel soldiers to overdose on Nectar if you slice 'em. Nice way to make a knife useful without being ridiculously overpowered (Warhawk). Lobo -- the assault rifle of choice for Promise Hand soldiers. Oso -- shotgun! Notice the trend of Spanish names for Promise Hand weaponry. Mano del Dios -- the "Hand of God" is essentially a minigun you really don't want to see from the wrong end. Dragon de la Gente -- take a guess! It's a flamethrower for the people, by the people. There are more sniper rifles and grenades to be had, but we think you get the point. All of these weapons are, admittedly, standard FPS necessities, but we can't believe this is all there will be offered. Maybe it is. But if not, we're sure there will be quite a few interesting ways to lace Nectar into more weaponry. We're excited for this one to come out, so we'll wait for November with bated breath.
TimeSplitters 4 makes monkey outta Halo, sans poo-flinging
Free Radical made some games in the past that were both humorous and enjoyable. These games came to be known as the TimeSplitters franchise. We do like the parody video announcing the title on IGN. Seems like the game is coming back for a fourth installment on the latest consoles and we welcome them back.The Free Radical website announces the game thus: " ... We can't tell you the details yet, the monkeys have a loaded banana pressed against our skull, but this game will take the first person shooter to gaming nirvana. Save the world or die laughing, Timesplitters 4 is coming to getcha!" We can't wait to see what sort of juicy, informative fruit is hidden behind that skin. Let us peel away at this banana of mystery in due time -- that is, we'll let you know more on TimeSplitters 4 as we get information![via IGN]
Timesplitters 4 officially official
Though Haze is still deep in development, Nottingham-based developers Free Radical have taken a moment out of their busy days to announce Timesplitters 4, the latest in their tongue-in-cheek FPS series of tom-foolery and time-foolery (did you see what I did there?). Not a lot of information about the game is available, except that Free Radical's site promises more crazy characters, weapons, and monkeys. The site also features a few cute pokes at major action franchises, including Halo 3 and Gears of War, but it's unknown if satire will play a role in the game (since we all know how well games parodying other games seems to go over these days). Free Radical also reminds their fans that they are hiring, and considering their recent decision to start paying overtime, it might not be a bad place to get that industry job you've been hoping for.
Who could make Halo 4? MTV's Stephen Totilo speculates
There's a bit of bubbling on the internets that post-Halo 3, Bungie and Microsoft might split ways. This is seeming more and more unlikely, but if it were to ever happen, Microsoft would most likely retain rights to their FPS cash cow, and the milking would begin. The question is, who would be signed to develop the next true Halo sequel?Over at MTV's Multiplayer blog, Stephen Totilo does the dirty work and compiles a list of likely suspects to continue the franchise. Notable on the radar are developers like Rare, Free Radical, and id, with each possibility being given "wholly speculative" odds on the likelihood of such a thing ever happening.Of course, it's all just speculation at this point, but it never hurts to wonder. Who could work best with Bungie's golden franchise? For that matter, who could do the most damage to its hallowed reputation?
Free Radical reads our diary
Aside from the pages of hearts and unicorns we have drawn in it, our diary talks about TimeSplitters mostly. Seriously, TimeSplitters: Future Perfect was an amazing game that came so close to perfection it was like kissing an angel. When the only issue a game has is its omission of a jump button, well that's a damn good game.And a damn good franchise. One that Free Radical's David Doak thinks is well-suited for the Wii, as he stated during an interview with Game Informer. Doak explained "I think it's a good thing to do, and I think we want to put it on the Wii. And I'm sure it's possible to do a control scheme that works. Also, if you want to start a petition for remaking Second Sight on the Wii, I'd like to see that as well, because I think that game worked really well, [laughs] because of the manipulation stuff."So, it isn't a definite "yes, the game is coming," but the possibility is good enough for us.
Rumor: New Timesplitters is in development as a PlayStation 3 exclusive
According to OPM UK, a new Timesplitters game is already under development by the guys over at Free Radical. Though the team is currently wrapping up the timed PS3 exclusive Haze, supposedly work has already started on a next-gen version of Timesplitters's unique brand of monkey and fire fueled mayhem. The best part is that the game is suppose to be a PS3 exclusive, and a real PS3 exclusive unlike Haze.While this is fantastic news, it was reported by a user on the EU PlayStation forum who said he had read it in the most recent copy of OPM UK, so this is still firmly planted in Rumorville. There is some circumstantial evidence that lends credence to the theory though. Free Radical has expressed an affinity for Sony hardware in the past and even recently in interviews with their top developers. Also Ubisoft hinted that they were working on a PS3 exclusive a couple months ago, and even though a lot of people thought that Haze was that title there have been a lot of rumblings that it was something we hadn't heard about yet.So who knows, this might be one of those fun rumors that actually turns out to be true! It would make a lot of people happy and would be a nice exclusive feather in the cap of the PS3. There's something that's just so magical about setting a screaming Gingerbread man on fire while running from a pack of rabid Snowmen with machine guns ... [Thanks Joe!]
Haze box art steps out of the ... haze
The final box art for the European release of Haze has just been revealed by Free Radical. Sporting the now iconic image of Shane Carpenter with a smashed helmet, it's nothing overly special but still manages to pull off a certain amount of cool creepiness. Something about the guy's insane stare from behind the shattered front of his helmet is a little unsettling.Interestingly, it appears that the main character getting his face smashed in is a key part of the storyline in Haze. If you download the European PSN Haze video that was released last week, you'll see how it actually happens and the importance of the event in the storyline. This combined with hints dropped in various interviews by Free Radical suggests that the beatdown delivered to your character will massively change his view on the world and the direction of the game.It's great to see the developers putting a lot of attention and care into the storyline, their previous efforts, the Timesplitters series, were fantastic games but had just the lightest fluffiest storylines ever. Meanwhile Haze looks like it's going to rival the Metal Gear Solid series in political and moral complexity. Bring on the Machiavellian plot twists!
