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Quake Wars demo headed to XBLM any day now
Thanks to an online advertisement that is in rotation over on Gamespot, we're thinking an Enemy Territory: Quake Wars demo will be hitting the Xbox Live Marketplace any day now. We say this not because we love XBLM demos and would actually enjoy playing some Quake Wars, but because the advertisement says that you can "download the demo now from Xbox Live Marketplace". Don't hurt yourself though, we already checked the XBLM and there is not Quake Wars demo to be found. But we say it'll be up soon, because we have faith in online advertisements and their validity. We are trusting fanboys. [Thanks, VIP0R]
Strogg unite! Quake Wars Live Weekend
To celebrate the release of Enemy Territory: Quake Wars to the Xbox 360, the Xbox Live gods are sponsoring a Quake Wars Live Weekend where prizes can be won, developers can be fragged and competition will be encouraged. As part of the Live Weekend fun that starts next Friday, June 6th, there will be a special Quake Wars Play & Win where hourly prizes will be awarded and Xbox 360 Elites will be given away. Also, a few of the id developers will be online Friday evening to participate in a Game with Developers event and show Quake Wars fans how to really play the game. Finally, there will be a weekend long Leaderboard Tournament where even more prizes will be awarded including an all expense paid trip to QUAKECON this July. Now go sign up and be prepared for the Quake funnery that'll be going down next weekend.
Metareview -- Quake Wars vs. Quake Wars
"A Tale of Two (different) Ports" has reached its (anti-) climactic conclusion, as Enemy Territory: Quake Wars was released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 this week. Development of the console ports was fractured between two different studios, and when we checked in on the games six weeks ago, Underground Development's PS3 version was lagging behind -- yet refused to be delayed. And so, broken and stuttering, the port pushed on, crossing the finish line (into the retail market) hand in hand with its Xbox 360 counterpart. A tie then? Clearly not:
Shipping this week: Stroggbad & Akrid
First we should get this out of the way, I'm not Richard. As our American readers know it's Memorial Day and our fearless leader is spending time with his family so he asked Dustin or myself to take care of his weekly "Shipping This Week" post. Considering how well received it was the last time Dustin did one of Richard's regular features, I took the reigns. As a Canadian I'm not entirely sure what Memorial Day is. Okay, you can pretty much guess what it is based on what it's called. According to Dustin it's a day when American's memorialize stuff, but that just makes it sound like there's a lot of scrapbooking involved. Either way, Happy Memorial Day! This week brings us two new, yet old, games. id Software and Splash Damage's class-based PC shooter, Enemy Territory: Quake Wars, hits the Xbox 360 in a port by Nerve Software. While the PC version landed at retail around heavy-hitters like The Orange Box and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Quake Wars finds itself on the Xbox during a gaming release lull and hopes to catch a wider audience the second time around. Also hitting the Xbox 360 is Capcom's definitive version of Lost Planet with all new content including the ability to play as the evil Akrid. Lost Planet Extreme Condition: Colonies Edition, a game with a name so long I had to eat a sandwich in the middle of typing it for fear of losing strength, lands tomorrow for the price of a platinum release. So there you go, two new/old titles hit the Xbox. Planning on picking up either? And yes, we promise Richard will be back to tell you about the games of the week next time.
Enemy Territory achievements rescued
Achievement fans rest easy. Thanks to the crack team of soldiers (pictured above) we've found the full list of Enemy Territory: Quake Wars achievements. The elusive achievement list was hiding out at Xbox360Achievements.org and have since been rescued from danger. Promising to soon line your Gamerscore pockets, these points cover everything from completing the multiple campaign modes (North America, Europe, Africa and Pacific) to online ranking achievements that most of us will never get. As for these guys? If you have a problem. If no one else can help, and if you can find them ... maybe you can hire, the Quake-Team.
Video: Quake Wars cures 'Projectile Dysfunction'
Did you know 32.6% of Americans and 39.4% of Europeans suffer from a condition doctors now refer to as Projectile Dysfunction? It's a problem that, if not treated, can cause inner turmoil, relationship issues and a loss of interest in the shooter genre. If you know or are one of the millions who suffer from Projectile Dysfunction, we urge you to talk to your doctor about Stroyent. Stroyent is a topical cream that can only be obtained through any Enemy Territory: Quake Wars purchase and promises to cure your disorder by offering up a shootlicious shooter experience. Please, don't be embarrassed, get the help YOU need today. Also, if you're in the market for a new Human Juicifier, then check out the amazing offer after the break!
Video: Quake Wars goes cinematic
There are quite a few different types of video game trailers. You have teaser trailers which usually try to tease viewers without actually showing anything of importance. Then you have gameplay trailers where (you guessed it) actual gameplay is shown, giving gamers a nice sampling of what the game has to offer. Finally, you have cinematic trailers. A trailer that presents the game as if it were an epic six week television mini-series or Summer blockbuster movie. Cinematic video game trailers try to balance mood, visuals and story just enough to get gamers excited and captivated. So, now that you've been informed, here you go. A new Quake Wars cinematic trailer for you to love and enjoy.
Quake Wars: Four new screens, screens, SCREENS!
Upcoming multiplayer focused shooter, Enemy Territory: Quake Wars is closing in on release and we have a few fresh screens of the Xbox 360 version. In development from Nerve Software, the team behind the Return to Wolfenstein Xbox port, Enemy Territory: Quake Wars is a class based first person shooter in the Quake universe. While the original PC release from Fall '07 was marketed as a serious shooter, the console version's marketing has taken a slightly different approach, hence our silly headline. The Xbox 360 and PS3 version of Enemy Territory: Quake Wars lands at retail on May 27. %Gallery-21370%
Enemy Territory: Quake Wars, a tale of two (different) ports
Huh. Well, this is surprising. Instead of pushing for platform parity in their upcoming console ports of Enemy Territory: Quake Wars – like several other recent multi-platform releases have strived for – id Software has created two relatively unique versions. The practice of using two different developers to handle the ports – Nerve for the Xbox 360 port and Activision's Underground Development (formerly Z-Axis) on the PS3 port – accounts for some of the disparity, but certainly other dual-developed ports have been relatively similar, at least in feature-set if not quality (take Orange Box, for example). In this case, as revealed to MTV Multiplayer, the Xbox 360 version of Quake Wars has a robust Achievement system that actually includes an entirely separate single-player campaign mode, as well as a training mode and all the Xbox Live integration you would expect from a team-based shooter. Meanwhile, Underground Development "was focusing in on other things like ... making the game look as good as it could on the PS3" and "creating systems that do what Xbox Live [already] does like matchmaking [and] server migration." Unfortunately, as relayed by PlayStation fansite PSU, the "near complete" PS3 port suffers from a hefty 4.1GB mandatory installation and "falls short of expectations, showcasing the same broke visuals we have become accustomed to in deprived PS3 ports, delivering an unpolished experience." With the title's May 27 release rapidly approaching, it's unlikely the PS3 release will look radically different than it does now. And to think, we thought the era of gimped PS3 ports was at an end.
Quake Wars trailer goes for the hard sell
This, quite simply, is the best thing we've seen all day. Imagine, if you will, that video games were cars. Now imagine that they were also advertised by your local car dealership. Starting to get the picture? Perhaps a different analogy then. If video games were monster truck rallies, how would you advertise them? Things coming into focus yet? Well, even if they aren't, you should watch this trailer for Enemy Territory: Quake Wars. You will be glad you did. Find it embedded after the break.
Retailers set console Quake Wars release in May
Word on the intertubes is that Activision and id have settled on a May release for Enemy Territories: Quake Wars, or so say retailers. According to various reports from retail sources, Quake Wars (which has been available on the PC since late last year) will make its Xbox 360 debut May 30th in Europe and we expect a Tuesday, May 27th release in North America. But so far, Activision has refused to comment on any of this May release talk, so it isn't officially official. And is it just us or does this Spring / early Summer seem loaded with video game releases?
Android does one better at CTIA, plays Quake
While largely steering clear of the limelight, Android managed to make the occasional cameo at CTIA last week, including a prominent presence at Qualcomm. PC Magazine checked out a very fresh build of the platform running on some weird, giant, prehistoric-looking prototype handset running Qualcomm's MSM7201 silicon, but be cool -- the phone certainly won't see the light of day looking anything like this, and more importantly, it runs Quake at a nice clip. They've got a full gallery highlighting a new UI and the rather hilarious handset itself, so we really do recommend a quick peep.
Found footage: Quake 3 multiplayer on iPod touch
Despite getting punk'd on the Mortal Kombat for iPhone April Fool's joke, we're still innocent and trusting enough to buy into this video demo of Quake 3 running -- in multiplayer, accelerometer-enabled fragging glory -- on a pair of iPod touch handhelds. Is it real? Is it coming soon to a jailbroken device near you? Can you even stand the suspense until June when the SDK-based games start shipping? Yep, us neither.[via 9to5 Mac / Techmeme]
Conquering fear of PvP (before conquering the Alliance)
It's an interesting moment, the one that mikkeneko talks about over on WoW LJ. It's the one where you first enter a battleground, or an Arena, or just head out into the world, attack someone of the opposite faction and win, and first realize that yes, you can PvP.I come, like many more experienced gamers, from a Counterstrike background (and a Doom and Quake background before that), so I've almost always known the thrill of taking on other humans at their own computers. But this moment happened for me before I ever played WoW -- back in the days of Dark Age of Camelot, I entered a battleground, saw nameless player opponents in front of me flagged red, actually killed one, and realized that yes, I could actually do this. Our own Dan O'Halloran just recently had this experience in WoW, I believe -- he told us on the podcast a little while back that he'd never played PvP, and a week or so later, he told me he'd tried out a battleground and learned it was actually a lot of fun.PvP isn't hard -- you mostly play the character as you play it in PvE, and as fast as high-end Arena matches can get, battlegrounds especially are simple enough for even casual players to enter and at least partly influence the battle. I don't remember what's so scary about PvP but I do remember it being scary way back when. If you haven't played PvP yet, though, you're missing out -- jump into a battleground, throw some spells or swords around, and you'll find that you too can PvP.
Quake II homebrew released for DS
It took quite a bit of finagling, but the devs over at Drunken Coders have finally ported Quake II to the Nintendo DS. The homebrewed version contains the entire single-player game, and retains a number of fancy features like dynamic lighting, particle support, and a full ARM7 sound effects system.According to the devs, creating Quake2DS was quite the audacious task, as the original Quake II had memory requirements that far exceeded the DS's limitations. As a result, the port will only run on flash carts with RAM expansions. Those willing to give it a go will find relevant instructions and files on the port's website.
Solid port of Quake II almost a reality on your DS
That is, if you have the proper equipment to support homebrew on your DS. And, on top of that, the port of Quake II on the DS runs less than optimally. So, there will need to be a few sacrifices on your end if you so desire to enjoy the FPS on your DS.First of all, there's no multiplayer at this time. Sucks, we know. Second, some of the code can get a bit funky. Because the game demands so much from the DS hardware, some of the levels don't really run that well. And, on top of that, some of the textures are misaligned. We're sure there are some other spots that need to be ironed out, as well.It may not be a perfect release, but we're glad to see the homebrew community trying projects like this. The DS may not have been designed with PC games in mind, but seeing the homebrew community work toward solid releases for these games is something we very much appreciate.[Thanks, Craig!]
Splash Damage growing, confirms new multi-platform project
London-based Splash Damage has been noticeably quiet since the release of last year's tactical shooter Quake Wars, though we've been at this gig long enough to know that no news does not necessarily mean the code monkeys are all on sabbatical. As it turns out, the company plans to do its best mitosis impression this year by doubling in size as it ramps up for a new mysterious project, and it's seeking new blood to help out in areas such as art, programming, and design. Your guess is as good as ours as to what Splash Damage is up to, though the company confirms that the project is a multi-platform title and -- wait for it -- "genre defining." As Quake Wars left many of us cold, we'll be sure not to get too excited until there is reason to do so, though the studio will be on hand at this month's GDC, and company owner and design guru Paul Wedgwood will be waxing poetic about his company is a panel titled "From Amateur to Triple-A in Five Years," so perhaps we'll be able to glean more information from him without having to slip the exec a mickey. We'll keep that as plan 'B,' you know, just in case.
The homebrew cookbook: Recipes and recommendations for 2007
When we think about DS homebrew, we imagine a bunch of talented people with their laptops hooked up to their bathtubs, using all sorts of magic and blood rituals to produce the things that they do. It's one thing for paid developers to make games, what with their fancy-schmancy development kits and other perks. Homebrewers, on the other hand, don't get as many helpful tools, or recognition, or rewards for their labor. That's why we're completely in awe of the homebrew community.Because of that, we compiled a list of some of our favorite homebrew creations of this year, with our best guesses on how they were made.**Note: DS Fanboy strongly recommends that you don't try these recipes at home.
Jiminy Cricket is a Manga Fighter: free-to-play producer interview
Over at freetoplay.biz, there's a candid interview with YJ Jin, the producer of Manga Fighter, which is best described as a fast-paced third person shooter MMO. With hawaii shirts.The interview is a little on the short side, but it's refreshing to hear an honest take on the distinctions between the commercial subscription market and the free-to-play sector. The tactics used for Manga Fighter? Viral marketing, email collectibles, and extended open betas that wouldn't hurt the game in the long-term. The specter of secondary markets also rears its head.As for Manga Fighter: don't let the "fighter" part confuse you, it looks to be more Quake than Street Fighter. I'm reasonably confident it's also the first and only game to feature a (manga) Jiminy Cricket lookalike jumping on a trampoline and unloading a 9mm handgun at a gigantic gateaux. No, really.
Bioshock and Enemy Territory on sale on Steam, 20% off
Maybe you're still hungover from a turkey overdose, or perhaps you have a completely rational fear of crowded malls on Black Friday, but if you weren't able to haul your keister out of the house to get your gaming deals (last minute stragglers: see our handy dandy Black Friday deals list here) then Valve's got your back. If you're looking for either BioShock or Quake Wars: Enemy Territory, you can nab them on Steam for an extra 20% off, placing these previously $50 games at a far more palatable $40 price point. And unlike those inconveniently short Black Friday sales, this one will be around until Monday morning at 10am so you've got some time to mull it over. Joytip: Best Buy has BioShock – and Orange Box – boxed for only $25 if you can get there in the next couple hours.
