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Even more of your Halo Wars questions answered
Technightly posted an extensive Halo Wars Q&A that aims to answer some common and rather peculiar game-related inquiries. The list of 74 questions covers topics from UNSC and Covenant unit details, to the explanation of Flood's involvement in multiplayer. If there's a random Halo Wars question in need of answering, reading through this informative Q&A would be a good place to start. Then again, one could wait a week for the game's retail release to become an all-knowing Halo Wars expert.[Thanks, Mills]
New Alan Wake information doesn't tell us much
Fresh Alan Wake information text has made its way online, with a cryptic message appearing on the official Alan Wake forums. The paragraph, penned by Alan Wake himself, was posted by the forums' community manager and supposedly comes from developer Remedy Entertainment. It reads:"The amount of pages keeps growing each night. There are also new edits on the old pages. They keep getting more aggressive. The story is rewriting itself. The protagonist is now my namesake, and his wife is called Alice. The most worrying aspect: the genre seems to be shifting. It's turning into a horror story. I can no longer be certain whether the hero can succeed or even survive. Apart for jumbled fragments of bad dreams and an oppressive feeling, I can remember nothing of the process when I wake up. But this morning, a breakthrough! When I came to my senses, I could smell her perfume on my shirt. I am close. I know it. I must push on. - Alan Wake"So, some pages are being re-written, a horrible horror story is starting and there's perfume that smells like shirts ... or something. Honestly, we have no idea what this all means, but feel free to share your thoughts. Who knows, maybe there's a new trailer or a release date hidden in there somewhere.[Via IGN]
Halo Wars lesson: Don't play basketball with Spartans
Obvious advice, really, but it's nice to have it delivered in the form of some Halo Wars fan fiction. And before you castigate us for our seemingly derogatory description of Graeme Devine's efforts, note that the Halo Wars lead designer himself has labeled one section of his personal website as such: "Bits and pieces not in the game, but made to support the story and help the team get the vibe of what it was like to be on 'Spirit of Fire' (essentially this is fan fiction)."If you'd like to dig into the backstory of the Spirit of Fire and her crew -- including the aforementioned altercation on a b-ball court -- then there's plenty for you to absorb on Devine's page. Should you happen to stray over to Devine's resume page, you might also absorb some forgotten facts. Did you know he was lead designer on The 7th Guest and Quake III: Team Arena? It's true!
Joystiq Review: Halo Wars
click to enlarge Halo Wars is a loaded game. For one, it's the first Halo title developed outside of Bungie, and you can bet Microsoft doesn't want anyone killing its golden goose. Furthermore, the developers have touted the control scheme since the game was first announced, allowing myself and others to hope that it might, just might, do for console RTS games what Halo did for console FPS games. And then, of course, it's the last game from Ensemble Studios ... ever. That's a lot to live up to.%Gallery-45393%
Ensemble gives strategic advice in Halo Wars ViDoc 4
The fourth and final Halo Wars video documentary (the cool kids call 'em ViDocs) just made its way online. This time, Ensemble Studios talks about the design process, how much enjoyment can be had with the various multiplayer modes and a few Ensemble members even detail their personal Halo Wars strategy. Pottinger's plan that involves two Scarabs firing blue death like an uncontrollable fire hose is pure strategic genius.
A Halo 3 Valentine: I Won't Teabag on the First Date
Halo 3 minstrel Bryan Simon is at it again. This time, he has directed his song writing talents (as well as those of his wife) to create a Valentine's Day anthem to rival them all. Entitled "I Won't Teabag on the First Date," the song some of Halo 3's most sentimental moments: Long walks on the beach in Last Resort, a night time stroll through Avalanche and even a romantic Mongoose ride. Teabagging on the first date, though? That's a no-no -- unless your date really wants it. It's a bit late, but we're sure you'll enjoy the bizarrely romantic ballad. Find it after the break.
Rumor: Forza 3 races to a Christmas 2009 release
Microsoft's currently unannounced Forza Motorsport 3 will allegedly cross the developer finish line just in time for Christmas 2009, reports VG247.Official acknowledgment of the game's existence is hopefully not too far off, as leaked assets and details, regarding the game's 400 cars and multiple discs, were already racing around the rumor mill since last year. If it's really penciled in for a holiday release, don't be too amazed if Microsoft talks up Forza 3 at GDC or June's E3 at the latest.
Ensemble talks controls in Halo Wars ViDoc 3
The third in the Halo Wars video documentary series has been released. The third ViDoc centers around the game's control scheme, which was crafted from the ground up for the Xbox 360. The boys (formerly) from Ensemble Studios discuss how the control scheme came about and explain some of its nuances, such as the circle menu. Sure, you could watch the video to learn about the history of Halo Wars, or you could just watch it to see tiny men slaughter each other. We won't judge.[Thanks, Sgt Barone]
Game Developers Choice Awards finalists announced
The finalists for this year's Game Developers Choice Awards have been announced, with Media Molecule's LittleBigPlanet adoring judges with nine nominations, including one for Game of the Year. Other titles up for the prestigious award include Fallout 3, Left 4 Dead, Grand Theft Auto IV and, of course, Fable 2. The Joystiq darling is also a shoe-in for snub of the year with Lionhead's opus going overlooked entirely in the Best Writing category. Seriously, what's the deal?Braid, Far Cry 2, Spore, World of Goo, Metal Gear Solid 4 and Gears of War 2 are all up for multiple awards, with winners set to take the stage during next month's gala event as part of the 2009 Game Developers Conference. The show will be hosted by Grim Fandango and Brütal Legend's Tim Schafer, promising a tongue-in-cheek good time even if our personal faves leave empty handed.
Listen up! Halo Wars soundtrack debuts on AOL Radio
Even though Monday has all but expired, there's still time to catch a preview of the upcoming Halo Wars soundtrack. All day today, AOL's Video Game Scores channel is exclusively debuting Spartan-inspired songs from the album. The tracks will air every hour, on the hour throughout the evening.The Halo Wars soundtrack will be releasing to stores February 17th, which means it'll be available just in time to melodically accompany your Halo Wars gaming this March and your Mega Blok construction this Summer.
Bungie talks Mythic maps, confirms ODST will be final content offering
Chatting with IGN, Bungie's Lars Bakken and Brian Jarrard talk Halo 3 Mythic Map Pack specifics, including the addition of Sandbox forgable items like red / blue lighting, a new "Kill Ball" as well as crouch height tunnels.Bungie also confirmed that with the release of Halo 3: ODST this Fall, no more multiplayer content (or Halo 3 content for that matter) will be released. "We are viewing the ODST campaign and the included multiplayer maps as the final exclamation point in our ongoing efforts to extend the Halo 3 experience," said Jarrard. "We're really grateful to our fans for standing by Halo 3 for so long and continuing to show us such strong support."We're sure their bloated bank accounts are equally grateful.
MS could bring Halo to other genres if it wouldn't 'gut the franchise'
Talking with VideoGamer.com at a recent London press event, Microsoft Halo Studios lead producer Jason Pace admitted that there is potential for the Halo franchise to expand into other genres ... as long as it makes sense within the Halo universe."I can tell you that if you could think of a game that would work with a party atmosphere that would not gut the [Halo] franchise, or milk it, we would think about it, seriously," Pace said. The only stipulation for expanding into other genres would be the "need to take an element of the universe that made sense." But if you think you'll be seeing Chief in some sort of upcoming DDR-style game, you're mistaken, because Pace was sure to point out that "you're never going to see a dancing Master Chief game." A dancing grunt game, we're told, is a possibility.
Build your own war with licensed Halo Wars Mega Bloks
Here's an interesting business partnership to consider. MEGA Brands and Microsoft Game Studios have entered into an agreement to manufacture officially licensed Halo Wars Mega Bloks construction toys. You read correctly: Halo Wars construction toys that are said to include "iconic characters and vehicles of the video game." You know, things like Warthogs, Spartans and (dare we get too excited) Grunts. Our only worry about the Halo edition of Mega Bloks is that they'll look too much like Mega's current "kid friendly" offerings. If they're a bit more manly, we have no qualms about buying ourselves a Halo construction toy.Halo Wars Mega Bloks construction sets are coming to a retailer near you, Summer 2009.
Halo Wars ViDoc 2 explains why Spartans, Scarabs are awesome
It's not like we really needed an explanation. Oh sure, it's nice to hear the folks behind Halo Wars discussing why the various units are all so cool, but it's another thing altogether to watch a Scarab literally burn its way through a screaming army of marines, or to see a Spartan slam an Elite to the ground and subsequently kick it in the head. The fact that this much detail is present in a game that's played from a bird's eye view only makes it that much more impressive. But enough gab: Watch (and then be sad).
Gears of War PC certificate expires, breaks game
It looks like whoever pushes the button that renews the Gears of War PC certificate -- perhaps the relative of the guy that pushes the Zune button -- fell asleep at the switch. As of January 28, 2009, the certificate for Gears of War on the PC has expired, rendering it unplayable for any user with a later system date. The Gears of War forums are ablaze with reports of broken games, though many are reporting that simply changing the system clock to an earlier date will allow the game to run. It's not a permanent fix, obviously, but it should get the job done in the meantime.According to Epic forum moderator joeGraf, Epic is aware of the situation and is "working with Microsoft to get it resolved."[Via Ripten]
NPD: Console exclusives performed with mixed results in '08
According to the NPD, a good exclusive does not necessarily equal good sales. The group has collected data for 2008's exclusives on each platform and, well, there have been some under-performers. On the Xbox 360 side, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts was a disappointment, selling only 140,000 units. The other exclusive on Microsoft's console, Fable 2 (Joystiq's GOTY), was more of your traditional success story with a respectable 1.2 million copies sold.And what about the industry-leading PS3? We already know MGS4 sold extremely well, but the same cannot be said (yet) for LittleBigPlanet and Resistance 2, both of which seemed to perform lower than expectations; LBP sold 611,000 copies in North America while R2 unloaded 600,000 units. As for Nintendo, well ... it won. It always does. Last we heard, Nintendo stopped making games and was in the process of building a Kirby-shaped Death Star to orbit the planet.
Banjo-Tooie to beat up on XBLA this April
When Microsoft said Banjo-Tooie was coming to Xbox Live Arcade in early 2009, we were hoping for something in the first quarter or so. Rare's announcement this week puts the game just beyond that window and into April. Rare is calling it a "note-perfect migration" with upped graphics and framerate. BT will also feature the ill-fated Stop 'n' Swop, a relic from the Nintendo 64 days allowing items collected in Banjo-Kazooie to materialize in the sequel. No indication on what such items will be or how they'll affect gameplay. As for the cost, mum's the word for now, but our guess is it'll be at or near BK's 1200 ($15) price tag. %Gallery-43257%
Lionhead: We're not working on Fable 2 PC
While we're certain the point-and-click enthusiasts among us would like to get their paws on Joystiq's favorite game of 2008, Fable 2, it looks like they'll be waiting for a while longer -- on a Lionhead forum post asking whether or not the Albionic caper would be making its way to computers, community manager Woody swiftly answered, "We're not working on a PC version of Fable 2." As far as we can tell, no winks, nods or suggestive elbow nudges were included in the dispatch.Woody's statement seems contrary to a report which made the rounds late last week -- a report which claimed that a Lionhead rep confirmed that a PC version of Fable 2 was "likely imminent". Why the discrepancy? We contacted Lionhead's senior community manager, Sam Van Tilburgh, who explained that the quote embedded in said report wasn't legit. Get comfortable, WASDers -- it's looking like Molyneux's hero sim won't be hitting your platform of choice in the near future.[Via VideoGamer]
LittleBigPlanet leads in AIAS award nominations
The game industry's closest approximation of Hollywood's Academy Awards has to be the Interactive Achievement Awards. The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) has revealed its nominees for 2008, and LittleBigPlanet has managed to run away with ten category nominations, the most of any game this year. Ahem. And the nominees are: Overall Game of the Year: Fallout 3 Grand Theft Auto IV Left 4 Dead LittleBigPlanet Metal Gear Solid 4 Console Game of the Year: Fallout 3 Gears of War 2 Grand Theft Auto IV LittleBigPlanet Metal Gear Solid 4 See the rest, after the break.
Halo Wars is gold, new behind the scenes documentary
click to enlarge Microsoft announced today that the Spartan-fueled RTS Halo Wars has gone gold and will soon be winging its way to retailers the world over. The company also revealed new details regarding the upcoming demo, which will hit Xbox Live Marketplace on February 5. The demo is set to include the first two campaign missions of the game as well as one of the game's 14 multilayer maps, Chasms, which can be played against AI in Skirmish mode. In skirmish mode, players can play as either the human UNSC or alien Covenant. Don't worry about wrapping your head around the control scheme, as the demo will contain both a basic and advanced tutorial. Curiously, the press release does not mention if the demo will feature any kind of local or Xbox Live multiplayer, which is a disappointment. Finally, Microsoft has released the first in a series of Halo Wars video documentaries. You can check out the video after the break, and don't forget to take a gander at some new screens in the gallery below. Gallery: Halo Wars (XBL Demo)
