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Ubisoft reps: Haze is staying on PS3
Ubisoft reps confirmed at the Play.com Live event to Ripten in a "resolute fashion," and with an "as far as [we] know" to our own man on the scene, that Haze will remain a PS3 exclusive and won't come out for Xbox 360. Publisher Ubisoft and developer Free Radical must have gotten something nice out of the exclusivity deal other than money, because we all know that Sony doesn't buy exclusives.Haze, which was originally announced for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC, was later hinted as a timed exclusive for the PS3. The game is now expected to release in May on PS3 and ... well, never for anything else.
Joystiq hands-on: Haze
The last time we saw Haze, it was being shown off at the Leipzig Game Convention and, not too long after, the Penny Arcade expo, with both appearances garnering mixed receptions. Seven months and a long delay later, the public were finally able to get their hands on the game again at the Play.com Live event in London. With eight pods for the game set up in two groups of four, Ubisoft missed a trick by not linking them up to show off the much-anticipated co-op play. Instead, the company presented an underwhelming single-player demo which never managed to really amaze. With so much time out of the public eye and with a less-than-stellar last showing, Haze needed to impress.We spent the majority of our time inside one of the game's vehicles, driving around some sparsely populated cavern environments whilst avoiding explosive mines and enemies. Using Nectar -- a drug ideally suited for this kind of trip -- we were able to see the mines more clearly, making them glow against the dull texture of the rocks.The environments didn't seem particularly inspired and boasted only a minimal level of destructibility. Knocking over fences (evil fences, possibly) was the best we could manage.%Gallery-6686%
Rumor: Haze to remain PS3 exclusive
According to Ripten.com, representatives from Ubisoft at the Play.com Live event at UK's Wembley stadium are telling anyone within earshot that Haze will never see life on the Xbox 360. While there have been signs that all-out exclusivity was in the works, Ubisoft had never officially confirmed Haze would only release on the PS3. Visiting Free Radical Design's official product page for Haze adds to exclusivity confusion with the wording in the features press release, "[Haze] is now scheduled for release exclusively on the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system in May 2008." Which, based on the wording, sounds like it will remain a timed-exclusive only. We're waiting for the official word from Ubisoft but color us surprised if PS3 does get the exclusivity nod based on Ubisoft's past (and public) love for the Microsoft machine, the déjà vu effect of Assassin's Creed "exclusivity," Free Radical Design's use of a pull quote from the April 2007 issue of 360 Mag [German Edition] on the Haze product page and that new video of Haze writer Rob Yascombe showing off the game in the Free Radical office with visible Xbox 360 development kits in the background of the action. Yeah ... we think we'll wait for the press release before we call this one confirmed. Developed by Free Radical Design, makers of the award-winning TimeSplitters series, Haze is a political first-person shooter that explores such subjects as corporate social responsibility and shooting dudes in the face and is set to hit stores this May.
Rob Yascombe dreams about Haze being 'awesome'
Rob Yascombe is a name PS3 fans may want to remember. His performance in this stunning Sci-Fi channel promo is one for the books -- the crazy books, that is. The video is all about Haze, the upcoming PS3 FPS game (ignore the Xbox 360 dev kits in the background, please!). While his explanation of Nectar and Mantel are familiar, he reveals a few tidbits, such as the massive length of the script: over 1000 pages long. The Royal Shakespeare Company is also partaking in the voice acting and they only go where there's either: a) a lot of money, or b) a great script. Supposedly, they didn't have too much money.[Via Joystiq]
Yascombe: Haze's script is over 1,000 pages long
We've all heard quite a bit about Haze, the next big (and easily-swappable) FPS coming exclusively to the PS3 sometime in May, but during a recent tour through Free Radical Studios led by lead writer Rob Yascombe (who is, in fact, a bona fide, bug-eyed madman), it was announced that the script for the nectar-enriched shooter is over 1,000 pages long. As a point of reference, the script for "Gone With The Wind" clocks in at a crisp 650 pages. Probably.Before you linguaphiles begin frothing at the mouth in anticipation of a Bioware-caliber dialogue extravaganza, Yascombe explains that a lot of the script is composed of mid-battle NPC retorts -- some of which, he adds, will be delivered by none other than the Royal Shakespeare Company. We wonder if those dandy artistes will be able to deliver their bullet-riddled screams of agony in iambic pentameter.
EB: Play Haze for a week, then get your money back
In what's bound to be one of the most bizarre trade-in deals ever, EB Games in Canada is offering a unique deal for customers who pre-order the PS3 FPS Haze: they can return it a week later for a full refund.The deal, as seen on their website, states that customers who pre-order the Ubisoft game will be able to pick it up on the release date and play it for a full week, then be able to sell the used game back to EB for full retail price. The deal only applies if the game, case and manual are kept in good condition, and if the game is returned within a week of purchase. If we were Sony or Ubisoft, we would be less than thrilled with this promotion, which seems to suggest that Haze is only worth a week's investment of time. Then again, a sale is a sale, and maybe more Canadians will be tempted to purchase the title, if they know ahead of time that they don't have to keep it.
Play Haze for a week, get all your money back
Canadian EB Games stores are partaking in one of the most ... intriguing trade-in offers we've ever seen. If you pre-order Haze and return it within a week, you'll get all your money back (in the form of store credit, of course). What could this possibly mean? It seems to suggest that EB Games is placing a vote of no-confidence in this PS3 exclusive. Are they expecting people to return the game so soon after picking it up?We're imagining this might not be a closed-loop system. Imagine this, if you will: you buy Haze, get the store credit, and then buy the same used copy you sold back to the store for cheaper, and pocket the difference. Then, return the game again ...It won't actually work that way, but it would be a humorous loophole to take advantage of. (Oh, and we highly doubt American GameStop stores will be as dumb generous.)
Haze promo: making the Mantel difference
Here's an interesting promotional vid for the upcoming PS3 shooter, Haze. Mantel, the corporation behind Nectar, is seen advocating the "Mantel difference." It doesn't take a genius to realize that these guys are creeps and totally "evil." This video doesn't reveal much about the upcoming game's story, but it sets the tone for an impending release, doesn't it?
Haze gets May release, new trailer
Haze's release date is like that annoying ex-boyfriend or girlfriend you have that just won't make up their mind. Well, if IGN is to be believed, Haze is finally coming out on May 20th. Of course, we've heard this song and dance before. Many times, in fact. If Haze actually makes it May 20th release date, it'll still be a few months late ... but at the very least, it'll be in our hands. The trailer doesn't do much to excite, but those anticipating this PS3 "exclusive" should enjoy this small reminder that the game is actually going to come out. On May 20th. Maybe. [Thanks, Fernando!]
Haze clearing for May release
Today Ubisoft gave PS3 "exclusive" Haze a release window of May according to IGN. This takes the previous release window of Ubisoft's fiscal year '09 (starting in April) and cuts it down just a bit.Haze has certainly lived up to its name between questions of PS3 exclusivity and its ever-floating release date. Not to rain on the Nectar parade, but this would be the second time Haze was given a fairly firm release date. With any luck Haze will make its release date this time and add to the PS3's "breakthrough" year.
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]
Today's most cooperative video: Haze split-screen
Ubisoft's Haze may be afflicted with perpetual delays, but the footage we've seen is still impressive enough to keep us interested. The latest video shows off co-op play, which is promised as LAN, online and split-screen. Though the quality is grainy (so we can't comment on the resolution), the framerate appears assuredly consistent. Video embedded after the break. Haze will be out sometime after April.[Via PS3 Fanboy]
Haze four player co-op demonstrated
The often-delayed Haze may still be away from our grasps, but we're excited about the upcoming FPS game's multiplayer options. Like in Warhawk, having three other players join you is as simple as pressing START on the controller. There's no lobby to go through, or a complicated set up procedure. At any time in the single player campaign, your friends can join in. You can play co-op online, through LAN, or at home with friends. That's ambitious, and we can't wait to see how it looks on our TVs (because such low quality web video, we believe, doesn't do this game justice).
Haze gets delayed again, moves to '08-'09 release
Doesn't this sound familiar? The oft-delayed Haze allows us to almost copy-paste a story we ran last year.Looks like the somewhat-exclusive PS3 shooter Haze is delayed again. According to a statement by Ubisoft today, they revealed that the game will arrive Q4 of their fiscal calendar some time during their 2008-2009 fiscal year. Ubisoft fans can look forward to Rainbow Six Vegas 2 and Lost instead.We haven't seen much of Free Radical's shooter in the past few months, which has us wondering what's going on with the game. While we're assuming the game will still release this year (the next fiscal year begins in April), we're certain that many PS3 fans are quite upset to hear this news.[Via Joystiq]
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.
Pre-order Haze, get a nectar-filled syringe pen
We've seen some pretty wacky pre-order bonuses in the past, but this offer from Ubisoft might top them all. If you pre-order Haze from Ubisoft's store, you'll receive a free nectar-filled syringe pen. Of course, there's not real nectar, a "nutritional supplement" in Haze, actually in the pen, which could be a deal breaker for a few of you out there.However, this deal might be only good for Europeans since Ubisoft's asking price is about £50, which makes it one of the most expensive PS3 games you could buy. Add to that a £17 shipping fee and £10 in taxes, and you'll be spending nearly $150 for this bad boy. Yeah, best we let the Europeans keep this deal for themselves.[Via Kotaku]
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!]
