raven software
Latest
Singularity trailer unveils the Deadlock feature
If we had a high-tech time gauntlet thing, we'd probably just go around turning dogs back into puppies all day. The world needs more cute puppies, right? For Singularity's protagonist, however, it's a tool to aid in the destruction of his enemies. The latest trailer for the game highlights the Deadlock feature, an ability that generates a small field slowing the momentum of anything caught in it. This can stop enemies dead in their tracks or help the player navigate past a deadly electrical hazard. Perhaps its greatest ability is how it affects munitions -- bullets slow down to a crawl, making what would otherwise be a bullseye for a huge rocket result in a miss.
Video: Singularity's age-defying destruction
We've known about the ability to age and "revert" objects and people in Singularity for a while. It acts as a way to destroy cover, rebuild broken bridges and age enemy soldiers into dust. We wondered before why reverting soldiers didn't turn them into babies, and now we know why: It actually turns them into an exploding pile of goo. Okay, so you can also revert enemies into a raging, feral beast but, come on, exploding pile of goo (as seen in the video after the break). Singularity will be released next month.
Report: Raven Software working on Call of Duty: Black Ops DLC, alleged Bond game on hold
If reports from G4 sources are to be believed, Singularity developer Raven Software is working on a "stealth-centric Bond game" (not to be confused with the unannounced Bond racer). Not only that, but the game has supposedly been put on hold so that Raven can create map packs for this November's Treyarch-developed Call of Duty: Black Ops. Apparently, in the wake of Activision's kerfuffle with (now former) Infinity Ward staff, the publisher is having to assign substitute developers to work on various components of the lucrative Call of Duty franchise. While the situation sounds less than ideal for Raven, it beats the pretty heavy layoffs suffered by the studio last year. Now having too much work sounds like a good problem for Raven, especially in a still-ailing economy. We reached out to Activision to confirm this report, but hadn't heard back as of publishing. Update: Activision responded, "Activision does not comment on rumor and speculation."
Singularity trailer shows there's no use crying over spilt vodka
The latest Singularity trailer --- with no actual gameplay -- totally makes us wish we had one of these timey-wimey continuum-altery devices at parties. It'd be so handy for recovering spilled drinks. Also, we'd use it to keep our dogs in perpetual states of puppydom. Hmm, come to think of it, that device would be super convenient. Somebody should make one for real -- what could be the harm?
Xbox 360 copies of Singularity to offer free Prototype 'for a limited time'
Here's a real concern everyone should be cognizant about: Just how many times can you reduce people to decrepit, withered husks writhing in agony until it starts getting a little ... old? Wouldn't it be nice if, between face-melting blasts of temporal energy, you could resort to dismemberment, impalement and tentacular catastrophe? What if you didn't have to suffer the slightest penalty or inhibition for spending the day shooting and stabbing anonymous meatbags, just as your desires dictated? We'll likely never find out, but you can do all of that stuff in a video game if you buy Singularity on Xbox 360 and take advantage of a limited-time mail-in offer for a free copy of Infamous Prototype. Raven's time-twisting shooter is out on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC on June 29th. %Gallery-45668%
Singularity falls in line for a June 29 point of delivery
Last we heard about Singularity, the game got pushed back to an amorphous "June" release date by publisher Activision. Heck, the game's developer, Raven Software, even had to lay off some folks last summer to reflect a lightened workload after the release of Wolverine and Wolfenstein. But the game popped back up on our radar last night when its latest trailer was shown on GameTrailers TV, complete with a solidified June 29 release date (as Amazon and Gamefly listings previously indicated). If you're into WWII-era alternate realities featuring god-like special abilities, the trailer that we've embedded after the break is right up your alley. If not, well, here are the Wonderpets with a very sewious message. Update: We've added the trailer above.
Amazon and Gamefly agree: Singularity out June 29
The upcoming Singularity from Raven Software is supposed to give you the power to age objects just by gesturing at them, and it appears that ability is being tested on the game itself: Its release date has been slowly edging into the future, from early 2010 up into March and then on to June. But it seems like the timeshifting has finally come to an end, as both Amazon and Gamefly have listed the game as releasing on June 29th of this year. Activision originally cited the delay as an attempt to keep the game away from a crowded slate of "competitive titles," so perhaps the game will do better kicking off the dog days of summer. If Raven's time-bending twist on the FPS captures your interest, it'll be one more good reason to stay out of that hot, hot summer sun. [Thanks, Shagittarius]
Raven's Manveer Heir urges industry to address ethnic misrepresentation
If there's one thing that Commander Shepard, Nathan Drake, Agent 47, Marcus Fenix, and ... uhh ... Mega Man all have in common, it's not just that they're all video game characters -- they're also all white dudes. And Raven Software's Manveer Heir takes umbrage with that fact (and, more importantly, the fact that being caucasian is a rather pervasive theme across game characters), telling Develop in a recent interview that "There are a large number of hispanic and black children playing games, percentage-wise more so than white children, but these guys aren't getting into the industry because they are not seeing themselves in the games." Moreover, Heir says it's not just a question of equality, but rather a question of missed market opportunity. "It's not about being fair. It's about bringing something new to the art." The Wolverine/Singularity dev also makes a point of sending out a rally call to the rest of the industry, saying, "I'm sure many people in the game industry are starting work on new IP. If we can ask people to think about it, then they are more apt to say 'hey let's try this.' You just need one game to succeed. The first developer or publisher to do this will enjoy a lot of success." For a much more thorough discussion on the subject, we've embedded a video after the break of a panel from DICE 2010, titled "Games of Color," in which Manveer speaks in far more detail on the subject.
Writers Guild of America announces 2010 game writing nominations
Well folks, we've been here twice before -- it's that very special time of year when the Writers Guild of America announces nominations in the category of "Videogame Writing." As has been the standard for the past two years, the list of games is a dubious mix. We'd certainly point to Naughty Dog's Uncharted 2 (our 2009 Game of the Year, lest you forget) and Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed 2 as worthy of the title, but ... well, nearly everything else on the list strikes us as either unworthy or straight up misplaced. It reads as follows: Assassin's Creed 2 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Wet X-Men Origins: Wolverine We're just as flummoxed as you are that titles like Wolverine and Modern Warfare 2 showed up -- especially while a litany of other great writing falls by the wayside (we're looking at you, Dragon Age and Professor Layton 2) -- but that might have something to do with the WGA membership requirement for consideration in the nominations. Regardless, we'll find out who's going to take the golden manuscript home when the show takes place simultaneously in both Los Angeles and New York City on February 20. [Via GamesIndustry.biz]
Rumor: Singularity delayed beyond Activision's Q1 calendar
If a recent change to Singularity's GameStop releases listing is accurate, Activision's oft-delayed shooter will see another push down the 2010 calendar. Originally slated for release in 2009, Singularity was delayed to March 2010 to help establish the game as a "must have" and distance it from Modern Warfare 2's nuclear explosion -- mostly, the latter. While a changed retailer listing is not confirmation of a delay, another bump may be absolutely necessary for Raven Software's title to have a shot at success (and Raven could use a lift). When the original delay was announced, Activision suggested that the March release window provided "fewer competitive titles" for Singularity to go up against. While Capcom has made that statement slightly more believable, Activistion is still wrong. Like, really, really, really, really, really wrong. If Singularity's new listed date of June 1, 2010 isn't what the publisher intends, perhaps Activision should consider it. [Via BigDownload]
PC version of Wolfenstein gets crash-fixing patch
Though the PC version of Wolfenstein has been out for nearly two months now, the game's been persistently affected by a number of minor bugs. Nothing really huge, mind you -- just a handful of game-crashing, save file-corrupting, SecuROM-breaking errors which are capable of completely crippling your enjoyment of the title. Like we said, no biggie. Fortunately, id Software recently released patch 1.11 for the title, which is designed to fix all of the above bugs, effectively restoring your Nazi-massacring experience. Sadly, the patch doesn't include a fix for the glitch which prevents Robo-Hitler from spawning at any point in the game. What gives, guys? [Thanks, Merrick.]
Wolfenstein demo marches onto Xbox Live
If you've been itching to give Wolfenstein a try but aren't willing to plunk down any cash -- a likely possibility at this point -- you'll be happy to know that a Wolfenstein demo is now available on Xbox Live Marketplace in Australia, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, United Kingdom and United States. If you are somehow unfamiliar with the game allow us to sum up. There are Nazis. They are doing evil, occult-y things. You, the good guy, must stop them. With guns. And magic. If your experience varies significantly from this description, please check the game title. You're probably playing something else. Add the Wolfenstein demo to you 360 download queue [Via Major Nelson]
Storm the castle against Wolfenstein devs tonight
Those of you looking to throw down in a challenging series of class-based WWII shootouts should be on the look out on Wolfenstein multiplayer tonight. From 6PM (that's now!) to 8PM EDT developers from Raven Software -- the ones that are left, we assume -- and id Software will be on hand to battle for glory against Xbox Live Gold members in another rousing session of Game with Developers.Unlike the last GwD event, gamers don't have to pre-purchase content in order to play with the game's development team! Well, unless you count the game itself. Which, technically, we guess you have to.
Raven Software confirms layoffs, new size 'reflects' upcoming work load
It seems the unfortunate rumors we've been hearing to this effect for some time are true -- Raven Software has confirmed that a round of layoffs recently hit the developer (reports range from 30 to 56 folks cut from the studio's 180-man staff). Raven and Activision issued a statement explaining that after releasing X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Wolfenstein so close together, the Raven is "slightly reducing its workforce to better reflect the studio's upcoming slate," which only includes the development of Singularity. Of course, other reports include unconfirmed, cause-and-effect-esque reasons for the layoffs. Kotaku reports that sources have attributed the firings to the over-budget (and underselling) Wolfenstein, as well as the holiday-to-Q1 delay of Singularity. Regardless of the reason for the downsizing, we hope the affected parties can get back on their feet with a quickness.
New Singularity trailer pours one out for Mother Russia
Interested in returning Mother Russia to its once great stature ... and crushing the imperialist dogs that toppled the former empire? Raven Software's Singularity promises just that. Oh, also, you can turn enemies into dust. Sold! We're a bit worried that the game has been pushed back into the surprisingly crowded early-2010 time frame -- considering we'll be playing Dark Void, Splinter Cell Conviction, BioShock 2, and, ahem, a million other games. That being said, Singularity looks to bring some originality to a season already overloaded with FPS games. Let's just hope we have time to check it out!%Gallery-45668%
QuakeCon 2009: The Wolfenstein launch trailer
Before sharing the very first video footage of Rage with the crowd at QuakeCon today, id Software CEO Todd Hollenshead shared the final piece of video marketing material for another title: the launch trailer for the Raven Software-developed Wolfenstein. Despite being in development for what seems to be an eternity (we first heard about this one-time Xbox 360 exclusive in 2005!) the game hits retail next week. Let us know if this launch trailer makes your wallet itchy. Download in HD (124MB)
Raven dev to reimburse your Wolfenstein purchase ... if
And folks, it's a BIG if. Raven Software designer Manveer Heir tweets that if the upcoming Wolfenstein manages to surpass sales of Madden 10 this month, he'll happily pay you back for the money you spent on his game. Of course, there are a few stipulations: Offer only applies to sales in August NPD figures will be used to calculate the totals You have to follow Manveer Heir on Twitter Limit one copy per person -- with receipt! Obviously, there isn't a snowball's chance in hell of this happening, but we'd be lying if we said we weren't crossing our fingers for the little nazi-killing-sim-that-could to tackle the gridiron giant.[Thanks, "Sammy Davis Jr."; via Destructoid]
Wolfenstein pre-order goodies revealed
If you're a diehard B.J. Blazkowicz fan looking to pre-order id's recently delayed WWII FPS, Wolfenstein, then know a few outlets are offering exclusive pre-order bonuses. According to the game's official site, four different retailers will provide extra incentive to pre-purchase: GameStop: 2,000 in-game gold pieces for multiplayer (also listed for PC) Best Buy: Early access to the Flammenwerfer weapon Game Crazy: Limited edition collector's medal Amazon: Free copy of Wolfenstein 3D for PSN or Xbox Live Personally, we think Amazon has the best bonus, but we know full well the appeal of limited edition collector's medals.[Via VG247]
News flash: Wolfenstein has a castle
You'd better be sitting down, gaming enthusiasts. Activision has released a new video of Wolfenstein that will blow your mind and, this time, it won't be done by filling your eyeballs with cheese. Above, you will find a brief video look at Wolfenstein's "Castle" environment. That's right. A castle ... in a Wolfenstein game.All kidding aside, the video basically encapsulates everything that typifies the series: Castles, Nazis, the occult and blowin' stuff up. Give it a watch.
Here's your order of two Wolfenstein motion comics with extra cheese
If you've been keeping up with these motion comics for Wolfenstein, then you've likely come into this post prepared. There's plenty of cheese to be had here, as we've got not one new comic, but two. We'll just say this: These comics make any Command & Conquer FMV scene look like Citizen Kane.You can find the other video ... *dramatic pause* ... past the break.%Gallery-27813%
