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id loves the iPhone, but won't bring Orcs & Elves to App Store
Touch Arcade got to speak with none other than John Carmack himself at QuakeCon last weekend, and he had some disappointing news about getting old school id games on the iPhone. While Carmack said that he's excited about releasing Rage on the iPhone, he admits that id's past titles haven't sold up to snuff on the iPhone. That means that Orcs & Elves, originally created for mobile phones and then later released on the DS, won't be coming to Apple's App Store. That's too bad -- you'd think that since Orcs & Elves was actually designed for mobile platforms, it would be one of the easier titles to bring over. But it sounds like Carmack is more interested in bringing new games to Apple's platform. id Software still has a mobile game division going, but it's just not worth porting the old games over when there's so much work to be done on the new ones. I guess we can live with that.
One Shots: The prettiest orc on the block
While it may not be a game that many people have played over here in the states, NCsoft's long-running fantasy MMO, Lineage 2, continues to enchant players in its home market. What you may not know is that it also boasts some beautiful character art! Indeed, when you look at this attractive orcish lass, you can see where cousin Aion got its good looks. Nonetheless, today's lovely Lineage 2 image comes to us from Matt P., who tells us only that this is "a screenshot of my level 13 orc mystic from Lineage 2, in the orc village." Where that village is, we couldn't tell you -- but we're relatively certain there are some happy male orcs there. We are on the hunt for more screenshots, and you can help! Just email your MMO screenshots to us here at oneshots@massively.com. Be sure to include your name, the name of the game, and a description. Also, please make sure that your images are no smaller than 1024 pixels wide and have as few visible UI elements as possible in them.Yours could be the next one we feature! %Gallery-85937%
John Carmack 'in talks' to make exclusive Wii game
Despite the fact that Nintendo really isn't his thing, John Carmack can't ignore how many Wii owners are out there. That's why he's been in talks to develop a title exclusively for the Wii, he told MTV Multiplayer."We've been pitched and talked about a project to do a title that would fit well on the Wii, and it's actually related to an iPhone title that we're doing," Carmack said. We know that id is working with Gameloft on the iPhone, but what game could he be referring to? We're going to place our bets on Orcs & Elves for the Wii."I'd like to do something there, because I love a lot of what Nintendo has done with the Wii and the DS, but it's just out of sync with the developments that are currently going on at id." So nothing is being worked on right now, but there's hope: Carmack has Wii on the brain. "I actually spend far more time playing Wii with my four year-old boy than I do with any other game console."
$10 Orcs and Elves on Gamestop shelves
This tempting deal applies to brick and mortar stores only, but some eagle-eyed Cheap Ass Gamers noticed that Orcs and Elves is available at Gamestop for $9.99. The game may be a cell phone port, but $10 for John Carmack's fantastical dungeon-crawler is a more-than-fair price. Ten bucks appears to be the going rate at all Gamestops, but we'll throw in a "your mileage may vary" warning just in case. Unfortunately, you won't be able to snag the sweet-looking wand stylus with this purchase, but cheap gamers like us just have to cut corners sometimes.You may not be able to buy the game online, but by clicking on the picture or the "Source" link below, you can see if it's available at a Gamestop near you. Gallery: Orcs & Elves [Via CAG]
John Carmack to make a cell phone MMO
So when you think of the next shiny new MMOs coming out, do you think of any being released on a cell phone? Apparently John Carmack has said he does in a recent CNNMoney article. He says it will probably be after a sequel to one of id Software's newest original IP, Orcs and Elves. We can't imagine a cell phone MMO would have a very long development cycle (more akin to the PC-side of things) so the game could see light of day much sooner than anyone may think. Carmack goes on to say that his reasons for the idea is a lack of interest in competing with Blizzard. That's understandable given how saturated the massively game market continues to become, however we can't help but wonder if a cell phone MMO would even be very successful unless some serious innovations were made. Considering mobile phone functionality, there are definitely some interesting possibilities such as being able to play easily with anyone in your contact list permitted they have the game as well. However, this isn't the first time we've heard of a mobile MMO, so maybe Mr. Carmack is going to run into a little competition after all.[Via VirginWorlds]
Orcs & Elves & a John Carmack autograph
As if having the words "Orcs & Elves" emblazoned on your DS isn't enough to get you made fun of at school/the office by fantasy-hating jocks/co-workers, id Software went the extra mile and slapped on some dragon artwork onto this customized system to multiply its dorkiness rating tenfold. Oh, and the John Carmack autograph on the lid is sure to bring in a few putdowns, too: "Who is this John guy supposed to be? Your boyfriend?" So what if he is?Thankfully, we won't ever have to worry about Alisha heckling us for carrying one of these around, as only two were made, and they've both already been given away as part of a recent GamePro contest. We just might end up printing out a similar decal for our own DS, however -- the idea of designing our handheld to match the dragon posters we've put up in our cubicle is too tempting.
Wolfenstein planned for the DS
For those of you who enjoy first-person shooters on the DS, or at least were hoping to see the genre expand, you may be glad to know that id Software is bringing Wolfenstein 3D to the dual-screened handheld. Anyone excited to shoot more Nazis?The announcement of this game is not official, but id's John Carmack and Anna Kang told Wired about their plans in a recent interview. The husband and wife developers also mentioned that they would like to bring Quake Arena to the DS, and id's recent DS release Orcs & Elves to the Wii.
DS releases for the week of November 12th
Hmm, with all the games out this week, it seems like there should be something that really gets our hearts pumping. Maybe it's WordJong. After all, we liked it, but nah, that's not really an incomparable thrill ride. Cooking Mama 2? Just doesn't seem like it. We can cross off Baby Pals and all the Petz and Horsez games, too. It's right there, on the tip of the tongue ... what could it be?Oh yeah: Contra 4. At last, dear friends, it's here! Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? Baby Pals Contra 4 Cooking Mama 2: Dinner With Friends Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends: Imagination Invaders Impossible Mission Jenga Monster Jam Need for Speed ProStreet Orcs & Elves Petz: Catz 2 Petz: Dogz 2 Petz: Hamsterz Life 2 Petz: Horsez 2 Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 Strawberry Shortcake: The Four Seasons Cake Super Fruit Fall Ultimate Mortal Kombat WordJong WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2008
Carmack attack: Orcs & Elves developer supports homebrew, wins our hearts
Homebrew rules. We know it, you know it, and apparently Orcs & Elves developer John Carmack also knows it. He recently told IGN, "It is a shame that homebrew development can't be officially sanctioned and supported, because it would be a wonderful platform for a modern generation of programmers to be able to get a real feel for low level design work." Okay, so maybe our reasons for loving homebrew are slightly more selfish than his, but we're all on the same page here, amirite? Too bad Nintendo won't ever feel the same way, due to the high potential for piracy. Carmack also mentioned that the DS was the most fun platform that he has worked on to date. Speak no more, Mr. Carmack -- you had us at hello.[Via Games Industry]
Limited edition Orcs & Elves stylus can't cast real spells
In an attempt to build some hype for the soon-to-be-released Orcs & Elves, EA has unveiled this limited edition stylus. And why not? It worked for another game you may have heard of.You won't have to pre-order Orcs to get your hands on this stylus, which was designed to match the wand used in the game. However, since it is limited, those of you wanting the game should pick up your copy sooner rather than later. The editions of Orcs with the pack-in will cost the same as regular copies, but they'll only be available at specific retailers. Unfortunately, they'll only be sold in the US, too. Sorry, PALs!Don't worry about it scratching up your DS, though. This stylus is Nintendo approved. It's also DS Fanboy approved, which is all that really matters, right?
Fresh Orcs & Elves screens
Hot on the heels of yesterday's Orcs & Elves boxart comes a sheer avalanche of new screens for id's first-person RPG -- 28 of the things, to be exact, which we immensely enjoyed downloading and then uploading again. Cough.Anyhow, the game is looking suitably dark, gloomy and dingy, as any good old-fashioned, pointy-eared slice of dungeon-crawling worth its salt should.Look forward to slaying the orange chap to the right next month, and feast your eyes on the screens below in the meantime.%Gallery-9392%
John Carmack ponders Orcs & Elves on Wii
"Maybe we will do a Wii version next... with a magic wand."Those were the words of John Carmack, CTO and co-founder of id Software. While his company has made their fortune in the PC sector, the company has also outsourced development for some of its titles for gaming consoles, as well as most recently entering the mobile phone market. Now, they're bringing one of their mobile phone games, Orcs & Elves, to the DS.But, John apparently thinks the game could do well on the Wii. Having never played Orcs & Elves before, we're looking forward to the DS installment. Still, the premise of utilizing the Wiimote as a wand, casting spells and cleaning up dungeons, is one we can get behind.Any of you play Orcs & Elves before? Think the game can be adapted for the Wii?
John Carmack taps DS for latest game
In a brief interview with Game|Life's Chris Kohler, the lead ego at id Software (psychology joke!) expresses interest in porting one of his recent cellphone titles to Nintendo's touchy-feely portable. John Carmack explains that the potential port of Orcs and Elves (not to be confused with long-rumored comedy adventure, Orko and ALF) would be enhanced and would represent his first step back into the historically colorful lands of Nintendo. Carmack recalls that "we were always just kind of peeved at the whole Nickelodeon censor arrangement with Nintendo. So we've kept them at arm's length for many console generations now." Thankfully, Nintendo has long since embraced limb-severing violence and is unlikely to inject bizarre green blood into Carmack's tale of swords, sorcery and ... is that Smaug?
Carmack returns to cell games with Orcs & Elves
MTV News has a story on Doom co-creator, and gaming guru, John Carmack's latest FPS megahit Orcs & Elves; only thing is, it's not based on some new super-engine that he hand-coded -- using only one hand, mind you -- while building rocketships with the other. Nope, it's a cell phone game. And it's not even an FPS really, it's "an interpolated first-person action-adventure sort of RPG." Err, right.So why return to cell phone gaming so soon after the unlikely hit of last year's Doom RPG? Sure, Fountainhead, the game design company working on Orcs & Elves for EA (who bought Doom RPG's publisher Jamdat last year) is run by Carmack's Mrs., but there has to be more to get one of PC gaming's biggest power-developers trading in his Ferrari for a Yugo. His vision: "'I do sort of have this grand scheme of, we do Orcs & Elves and we do a sequel and we go into this massively multiplayer Orcs & Elves world.' He sees people connecting across their cell phones, using the phone's built-in speaker and earpiece to communicate through the fantasy world."Some Verizon customers can get the game this Sunday, with additional cell phone platforms available in July.
