gamescom-2011
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The Daily Grind: What was the juiciest reveal at Gamescom?
Every summer, the Massively staff spends time lurching from con to con in a drunken haze of MMO reveals. And every summer, we mull over those reveals, mentally ranking each one for quality, practicality, guts, and comic-relief. Gamescom has provided another such opportunity. WildStar? 2007 called; it wants Tabula Rasa back. The Secret World in April? Ambitious. Otherland? About time. Huttball? Wait. Really? Huttball? Then again, we'll play just about anything. So you tell us: What would you deem the best reveal of Gamescom? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
PSA: Dota 2 International Championships finals begin (early) Sunday morning
The International Dota 2 Championships will crown a victor Sunday, starting at 9 a.m. GMT (5 a.m. EDT), broadcast live via the official tournament site. Teams Ehome and Sythe.SG will battle in the loser's bracket for the chance to face team Na'vi for a $1 million first prize. Even "losers" in the International Championships end up winners in our eyes, with second place earning $250,000, third $150,000, and down all the way through eighth place's $25,000. It's just like T-ball, but more lucrative.
Gamescom 2011: More details on RIFT's patch 1.5
RIFT hasn't been out for all that long, but the game is already rapidly approaching its fifth major patch since launch. A recent demonstration at Gamescom reveals more of what will be coming along with the patch, which promises more options for endgame players as well as for players without a great deal of time. For the former group, the game is adding a new Planar Achievement System that will give players points to spend in unique supplemental skill trees, adding some fine-tuning and character customization. For the latter group of players who don't have time to delve into large-scale group content, solo instances will be added, with one or two players easily able to clear the area depending on equipment. Hammerknell will be one of the first sorts of this dungeon, allowing players a chance to see more of the game as a whole. Higher-end players aren't forgotten, however, with a new Master Mode added to give dungeons extra sting and rewards. It looks like patch 1.5 will be a good time for all RIFT fans, whatever their level of commitment to the game.
Gamescom 2011: CCP talks DUST 514 microtransactions
Joystiq caught up with CCP at Gamescom, and the Icelandic dev house responsible for EVE Online and its first-person shooter spin-off called DUST 514 dropped a few hints as to how the microtransaction business model will function in the latter game. DUST, which is launching exclusively on the Playstation 3 in 2012, will carry an initial $20 digital download fee, after which the user will receive access to the game as well as approximately $20 worth of virtual currency. "You're basically getting that bundle of cash that you're using to start the game, and from there if you choose to play for free and just grind, you're welcome to do that," a CCP rep said. CCP also said it expects many gamers to avoid DUST'S shooter gameplay altogether and focus on playing the market, as many capsuleers do in EVE Online. Head to Joystiq for the full report.
Dust 514 preview: Contractual murder
Here's that Gamescom preview where I tell you how shocked I was about a game I didn't expect to be all about. You've been warned. Still with me? Great. Dust 514, a first-person shooter MMO cross-platform experience from CCP Games, is without a doubt the biggest surprise for me of Gamescom. At the end of a long week of previewing dozens of games, I didn't expect to be blown away by the little hyped game from the Icelandic devs at CCP, but here we are. As promised, Dust 514 ties the bizarre, often unbelievable world of EVE Online and its reality reflecting politics into an instanced first-person shooter MMO, seamlessly combining both games into a universe ("New Eden") that's been thriving for years now on PC. But CCP did more than offer lofty promises in a preview session I attended earlier today in a private hotel suite near Gamescom -- a team of devs from various CCP offices demonstrated the madness in real-time. Make no mistake, Dust 514 is no Huxley. It's a very real MMOFPS with very deep economics and political systems tied to EVE Online, and it's already incredibly impressive, even though it's not set to launch until next summer.%Gallery-131217%
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning preview: Reckon the combat is solid
It's hard not to be skeptical about Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. An RPG, by known strategy developer Big Huge Games, that was rejiggered to fit into Curt Schilling's 38 Studios long-in-development MMO's universe after the developer's acquisition. In our March preview of the game at GDC we said that the developer "might just pull this off." Now, after playing Reckoning at Gamescom, I have to say that Big Huge Games could exceed expectations when the game launches February 7. During my demo with Reckoning I played as a mage and warrior, the two had distinct animations, but at their core were similar when it came to the rules of combat. Both characters I tried were level 20, so I was dropped right into a high-level character without much training. It wasn't really a problem as the combat system is quite intuitive. If you've played Batman: Arkham Asylum, Bayonetta or Fable, you'll easily pick up the fantastical warfare. %Gallery-129421%
Here's how Dust 514's microtransactions work on your PS3
When Dust 514 was revealed back in 2009, its Icelandic devs at CCP also explained that it'll be microtransaction-based when it launches sometime next summer. Given that the game is now heading exclusively to Sony's PlayStation 3, I couldn't help but wonder exactly how PlayStation Network would handle microtransaction purchases in the game, not to mention what kind of price point Dust 514 would launch at given its business model. "You effectively pay what we call a 'cover charge,' we're looking at likely around $20 for the initial download. That download gets you the game client plus a bundle of virtual currency which has the equivalent in-game value of $20. So you're basically getting that bundle of cash that you're using to start the game, and from there if you choose to play for free and just grind, you're welcome to do that. But of course we know a lot of people will convert," a CCP rep explained to me this afternoon. As of now, the plan is to release Dust 514 exclusively via the PlayStation Network. Additionally, the player-driven marketplace so popular in CCP's other big MMO, EVE Online, will also be made available to Dust 514 folks, giving gamers a chance to build up their virtual empires without the use of their hard-earned spondulicks. "Bought currency items and non-currency items can be freely exchanged between the players," creative director Atli Mar Sveinsson added. To CCP, the free flow of the two marketplaces will keep the user base from splitting into two separate factions. "It avoids the buy/win problem that some microtransaction-based games have." Like EVE Online, CCP expects some players to never even touch the actual first-person shooter gameplay of Dust 514, and simply spend all their time acting as virtual businesspeople. "I wouldn't be surprised if we get quite a few EVE players that join Dust but actually don't play Dust at all, they're just on the market speculating ... and they never go into a match," the rep added with a laugh. Here we go again!%Gallery-131217%
The Joystiq Show - Gamescom 2011 Day 3
Day 3 is here, and don't you dare go looking for Day 2 -- seriously, there isn't one. It's a special edition of the Gamescom 2011 wrap-up with guests from the development and publishing sides of the fence, as the boys are joined by GRiN co-founder Ulf Andersson and ex-creative director Simon Viklund, both currently of Overkill Software, developer of Payday: The Heist, as well as ex-Capcom director of production Adam Boyes, current head of Beefy Media. The guys hit the history of GRiN, Ulf and Simon's new studio, Adam's insights into the problems with games publishing, and a host of other rarely discussed issues on the business-end of games. Outside of big reveals and a slew of trailers, inside industry talk is one of the best parts of these big conventions, and we have that covered in spades. Get the podcast: [iTunes] Subscribe to the Joystiq Podcast in iTunes [Zune] Subscribe to the Joystiq Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace [RSS] Add the Joystiq Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator [MP3] Download the MP3 directly Hosts: Alexander Sliwinski (@xandersliwinski), Ben Gilbert (@BigBossBGilbert) Guest: Ulf Andersson (Overkill Software), Adam Boyes (@thebooya - Beefy Media) and Simon Viklund (@simonviklund - Overkill Software) Producer: Jonathan Downin (@jonathandownin - Game Thing Daily) Music: "Bust This Bust That" by Professor Kliq Stream the show after the break.
Battlefield 3 co-op preview: Army of one
If EA weren't already inviting so many comparisons between the two, maybe I'd feel guilty about juxtaposing the co-op section of Battlefield 3 that I played with the co-op ("Spec Ops") section of Modern Warfare 3 I played this week at Gamescom. Like MW3, my colleague Alexander and I were given hands-on time with a specific co-op mission in BF3 -- the same one played on-stage during EA's press conference. Unlike Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games' demo, however, Battlefield 3's co-op section didn't feature any interesting kink in the experience. Moreover, Battlefield 3's co-op section wasn't co-op at all, other than the fact that I was playing it with a buddy. It could've been ripped from any section of the campaign and I'd have been none the wiser. While the Spec Ops mission we played in MW3 was built around the concept of cooperative play, with one player acting as eye in the sky and the other as bomb defuser, the mission in Battlefield 3, well, it wasn't. It was just a campaign mission with two people.%Gallery-130745%
PSA: Gamescom hits capacity
Gamescom, currently taking place in Cologne, Germany, hit capacity earlier this afternoon, with event organizers closing off entrances "temporarily." Representatives for the Koelnmesse told Joystiq that the complex's capacity is 62,000. Reports from attendees state that the lines outside each of the convention center's entrances are currently packed. If you are attending the show, please stay safe. And for the love of all, please wear deodorant. [Image Credit: @KyozoKicks]
Wappy Dog screens are the wappiest screens you'll see today
We've seen new media for a lot of games during Gamescom. But what about Wappy Dog, the DS game about interacting with a robot dog? We made it all the way to Friday without seeing any more about the only game that comes with a robot. Luckily, Activision Publishing finally indulged us with some wappy new screens of the DS game component. You and your battery-powered pal will be able to play a Whack-a-Mole game together, catch falling fruit in a basket, play rock-paper-scissors, shoot ... cannons at sharks ... and then just have a heart-to-cold-robotic-heart.%Gallery-131143%
Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster preview: A children's game for adults
I'll let you in on a little secret about me and Double Fine's next game, Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster -- I played it back at E3, but unfortunately let my preview writeup fall to the wayside as the days after the big show continued. What's more shameful is that it was essentially the best game I played at E3, so I was more than happy to check out a new area at Gamescom and get a second opportunity to speak about it. A chance for redemption, if you will. Luckily, nothing has changed, and Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster remains a magical experience two months later.%Gallery-130943%
Awesomenauts preview: Looking pretty awesome
There's a reason Awesomenauts is called Awesomenauts, and not Goodenoughnauts. The 2D online battle arena game by Ronimo Games (Swords & Soldiers) was one of the surprise delights of Gamescom 2011. The title features a style of gameplay that's becoming familiar with the mainstream rise of games like League of Legends and Dota 2, but is a more arcade-style experience that is reminiscent of Monday Night Combat or Super Smash Bros. Expected to launch on XBLA and PSN, all the game's matches are 3v3 and allow for every combination of couch and online co-op. Players have a home base, with two turrets (towers) to protect in each lane of the several available maps available in the game. Most maps include two lanes and a fog of war "jungle" area where teammates are can pick up extra cash, bonuses and health packs. %Gallery-123964%
Asura's Wrath preview: Drunken boxing on the moon
We saw Capcom's bizarre CyberConnect2-developed action game Asura's Wrath back at E3, and JC wrote up an excellent preview at the time. Walking into the Gamescom presentation of a previously unseen part of the game, I was reticent to write up yet another preview just a scant few months later, but that feeling quickly vacated my brain and was replaced with pure, unadulterated madness -- madness that I'd be remiss not to share. If you're not already sold on Asura's Wrath, here's why you should be: you fight a dude on the moon. Oh, is that not exciting enough? Would it be better if you knew the dude you fight is a god? Oh, and he's also obsessed with battle, constantly going on about how he "lives for it" and ... pffft, whatever, Asura's not listening. He's too busy being furious and punching that dude in the face with one of his six arms. You'll excuse my lack of tact, but I came out of the presentation grinning like a child, ready to evangelize the uniquely bizarre experience that is Asura's Wrath.%Gallery-130728%
The Sims Social officially launches on Facebook
EA "officially" launched The Sims Social on Facebook yesterday, but it's been in open beta since August 9. That enabled EA to achieve the seemingly impossible task of having almost 5 million "monthly active users" listed on the game's release date. Nice trick! In addition to that achievement, EA is launching its creepy, creepy game bolstered by a Gamescom award. The shadowy cabal of "independent experts" awarded The Sims Social with its "best browser game" award. We suppose there wasn't a "best browser game with which to proposition your Facebook friends" award.
The Road to Mordor: Not all who wander are lost
These are exciting times for Lord of the Rings Online, for sure. The Fellowship -- and hundreds of thousands of groupies following in its wake -- has moved south, and we are growing ever closer to Mordor and Mt. Doom. In a month, Middle-earth will grow significantly with the addition of Rise of Isengard, and level-capped players will suddenly have a whole new buffet of content to devour. It's also a good era for exposure for the game, as plenty of people will get to see the expansion at Gamescom and PAX, not to mention those already in the beta proper. While we haven't heard anything about the game's finances or player numbers lately, there's no reason to believe that it's not still going strong. That said, I want to take a step back today, as I sometimes do, and look at the larger picture. How is LotRO positioned against the current competition and the heavy-hitters yet to come? What does Turbine need to be working on over the next year or two? Are we just wandering aimlessly, or is the path laid out for journey for a long time to come?
Gamescom 2011: Get an eyeful of Trion's promo reel
One of the cool parts of visiting any video game convention is to check out all of the trailers blasting over each booth. A good trailer not only raises goosebumps but conveys crucial information about the game in a short span of time: the game's tone, genre, playstyle, graphics, lore, and ability to have a bad-ass hero fall from a great height to land on one knee with a fist on the ground. We've gotten ahold of some of the visual goodies Trion Worlds has been showing at its booth this week at Gamescom, highlighting both RIFT and End of Nations. The promo reel, which you can watch after the jump, begins with a combination of RIFT's cinematics and in-game footage. Then, around the 10-minute mark, the video shifts focus to the upcoming free-to-play End of Nations, ending with an interview with some of the devs. Unfortunately for non-German speakers, all but the interview may be linguistically inaccessible to your ears, but you should be able to follow along just fine. We also have several new official RIFT screenshots to show you, just in case you haven't gotten enough of this rip-roaring title! %Gallery-101448%
Warner Bros media roundup: Mr. Freeze, impostors, Orcs and monsters
Warner Bros Interactive went gritty at Gamescom this year with new screens from Batman: Arkham City, Gotham City Impostors, Lord of the Rings: War in the North and, most gruesome of all, Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster. We still can't believe they're marketing those fluffy, brightly colored puppets to children. The humanity, WB. Check out all the WB galleries from Gamescom right here -- if you dare.
Housemarque bringing Furmins to iOS this autumn
Having dabbled with space rocks, zombies and tribalistic warriors, Housemarque is now crafting Furmins, a game that features that most popular of portable-game species: the adorable, fuzzy critter that would have gone extinct in about five minutes had it existed on Earth. The Outland developer has released the above teaser video, which depicts Furmins as a physics-oriented puzzle game of sorts, with the titular fur-balls rolling around elaborate courses and bouncing off objects in the environment. Hmm, perhaps even five minutes is optimistic.
See every side of PixelJunk Sidescroller
In case you frequently get confused by the series name, PixelJunk games often turn out not to be junk at all. In fact, in a bizarre twist, they're often quite good. They always look good, as you can see for yourself in this trailer for Q-Games' new PSN shooter, PixelJunk Sidescroller. Or Neon Gradius, as we're calling it. Even the logo shows influence from Konami's series. As Gradius-inspired shooters go, this one is a lot easier to take in than Otomedius.%Gallery-131153%
