Resistance
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Resistance 2 trademark discovered (no one is surprised)
We all knew it was coming. Resistance 2, sequel to Insomniac's PS3 launch FPS, has been appearing in the rumor mill for quite some time now. Well, it looks like the game is getting closer to being officially announced. A new trademark for Resistance 2 was filed by SCEA, suggesting the game is being prepped for a release later in 2008. We're not surprised, really. We just like to think of this trademark filing as a little pre-Christmas gift that SCEA Claus decided to leave in our stocking.[Thanks, Mork!]
PSN Thursday: Heap on the 'Pain' with Resistance maps and Motorstorm vehicles
This week's PSN Thursday update brings the Pain (sorry). The idea behind this $10 PSN downloadable game is to inflict as much pain as possible on your pitiable pixelated counterpart through myriad ill-advised (and physics-based!) scenarios. If you enjoy watching people getting launched from a slingshot into the side of a building, then we know the game for you (and we've also got the number of a great therapist). Not into the pain thing? There are also new maps for Resistance: Fall of Man, vehicles for Motorstorm, David Bowie Rock Band DLC, and Oblivion's Shivering Isles. For the PSN European update please check out sister-site PS3 Fanboy, US folks can hit up the full update list after the break.
Resistance patches some old wounds, so to speak
Are you hankering for a reason to turn Resistance: Fall o f Man back on? It seems the good folk over at Insomniac, after taking a short reprieve from the completed Ratchet and Clank, decided to issue a patch for everyone's favorite FPS launch title. We'll describe the update below: Ability to take screenshots in game using a USB keyboard. Weapon balance changes and new round balancing options. Dual Shock 3 support added for online AND single player. Password protected custom games. Numerous bug fixes. Seems the DualShock 3 is starting to pop up in most of the games, which is always a good sign. Weapon balancing is a nice touch and taking screenshots is never a bad idea. It's very cool to see that developers are continuing support of their titles this generation. This update should be out now, so go check it out!
GameSpot hosts Resistance: Fall of Man tournament
Think you're good at Resistance: Fall of Man? Brush up your skills as Insomniac's FPS game is featured in a brand new GameStop tournament. Winners of the tournament will get a Star Wars Battlefront PSP, jacket and more. You must be 17 years of age or older to register. Make us proud, PS3 Fanboys.
Church of England forgives Sony for Resistance
Resistance: Fall of Man drew some unusual attention when the Church of England criticized it for featuring the cathedral as one of the game's spotlight levels. The game was criticized for representing what the Church called "a virtual shoot-out in the cathedral's nave in which hundreds of soldiers are killed." The Dean of Manchester Cathedral, the Very Rev Rogers Govender said they were disgusted "at the virtual desecration of Manchester Cathedral."In light of Resistance's failure to pick up a coveted BAFTA award, the Church has since come to forgive Sony for the game. "I think some important lessons have been learned. So we do forgive Sony for what they have done, even though they still believe they have done nothing wrong. In an industry that is breaking new frontiers, it is important that long held traditions of film and television are maintained. These traditions include having courtesy, respecting the dignity of your subject, and admitting when mistakes have been made."The Church also acknowledges that since the game's release (and controversy afterwards), the church has had more young people and tourists visit. Coincidence?
Man. Cathedral accepts Sony's Resistance apology, sort of
Forgiveness is the Christian way, so it's not too surprising that Manchester Cathedral officials have officially forgiven Sony for their use of the historic church in Resistance: Fall of Man. But the subtext of the public acceptance shows there is still some ill will behind the words. Despite two apologies from Sony for any offense caused, Cathedral Dean Rev. Rogers Govender could only passive-aggressively tell the BBC that "we do forgive Sony for what they have done, even though they still believe they have done nothing wrong." Govender went on to urge the game industry to follow the "long held traditions of film and television" by "having courtesy, respecting the dignity of your subject, and admitting when mistakes have been made." Such traditions of filmic church respect can be seen in this action-packed church scene from Face/Off and this bloody church shootout from The Killer. On the plus side, Govender admitted to the BBC that the controversy over the game has caused "an increase in visits from young people and tourists." It might not be the "substantial donation" they were looking for, but we're sure the Church doesn't mind the extra money.
Rumor: Resistance: Fall of Man 2 details
If you casually walked into this post thinking you'll find some meaty details about the not-even-confirmed (but obviously going to occur) sequel to Resistance: Fall of Man, you'll be disappointed by the critical edge with which we approach this rumor. Don't you love writing vague BS that can't be proven true or false because it's so broad and generalized? Case in point: random blog Surfer Girl claims to know the first details about Resistance 2, but the things pointed out are so incredibly sweeping you could really pin the features on any FPS ever created.So, Resistance 2 is going to take place in America and have battles in major cities? Do tell more, as that's the only piece of information that makes us wonder why Insomniac would move the title there instead of Russia (battling the Cloven). You "may or may not" play as Sgt. Nathan Hale? Sounds appropriately vague! Another cliffhanger, paving the way for a third in what was already "tentatively" planned as a trilogy? No way. Vehicles? How did you come across this information? Our point is this: we'd be surprised if the game didn't have any of the above things. Don't make these ludicrous, generalized claims about a game.In summary, sorry guys, but we don't think you should buy into this stuff. If Insomniac releases details on a Resistance sequel, you'd damn well believe it'd be a little more specific than this garbage.[via Kotaku]
Church of England offended by Resistance BAFTA nomination
If the headline seems a little familiar, it's because we've been here before. First, the Church of England issued a statement regarding the "offensive" presence of Manchester Cathedral in Sony's Resistance: Fall of Man for the PS3. Sony followed up by issuing an apology, stating that they had no intention of offending, but that the content was staying. Church of England responded by saying that the apology wasn't good enough, and Sony responded to the response of the response by apologizing again. Now, following the announcement of the nominees for this year's BAFTA Video Game Awards, the Church of England is once again up in arms, this time issuing a statement pleading that the nomination for Resistance: Fall of Man be pulled, claiming that the nomination "is like rubbing salt in the wounds" of the Church. The spokesman for the Church of England claims that the nomination comes from the game's solid sales, which they believe were increased substantially by the controversy. No word yet of a response from either Sony or BAFTA. Resistance: Fall of Man was only nominated for one award by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts: The PC World Gamers Award, which will be decided by a public vote, and not by a BAFTA panel.
Euro rating system PEGI goes online
The Pan European Game Information, or PEGI, rating system is currently used for all offline video game releases in the United Kingdom and Europe. Now it's looking to tackle online, too. The PEGI Online has been a project eighteen months in the making. A multi-language website has launched to inform about the new initiative and provide resources to explain online gaming to the not-so-tech savvy parents. Additionally, a PEGI Online symbol has been created to go on the back of games who adhere to the PEGI Online Safety Code. The code insists that license holders (developers, publishers) use their "best endeavors" to prevent offensive material from proliferating through the online service. We applaud the clause for a coherent privacy policy, but are cautious toward a call for disallowing all game content not appropriately rated through PEGI, BBFC or German USK from a website. Pending interpretation of the wording and the aptitude of lawmakers regarding technology, that could be applied to user-made content such as Halo 3 replays or entrants in the Unreal Tournament mod competitions. We want a code to protect children, so long as it's not inappropriately used in a detrimental manner.
Sony apologizes about Manchester Cathedral ... again
Sony has apologized again, this time "unreservedly," to the people of Manchester and the Church of England for the depiction of Manchester Cathedral in Resistance: Fall of Man. In response, the cathedral has created a set of "sacred digital guidelines" and the Very Rev Rogers Govender said, "We still fear that the next buildings to be cloned for virtual desecration could be a mosque, synagogue, temple or other church." There is no word if money changed hands, but according to the Manchester Evening News Sony did admit to "using the images" of the cathedral without permission. Sony also placed an apology advertisement in the newspaper to the people of Manchester. The newspaper then shows its gratitude by calling Resistance a "bloodthirsty game." Dr. David Reeves, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, said, "We have offended some of the congregation by using the cathedral in our science fiction game. It was never our intention to offend anyone in the making of this game, and we would like to apologize unreservedly to them for causing that offense, and to all parts of the community who we might also have offended." So, does this mean the Church of England is over wanting money, or was that just done under the table? [Via NextGen]
WoW Rookie: All you needed to know about stats, part 4
In the conclusion to this series of posts, we're going to be discussing the game's defensive stats -- which are probably only of minor importance unless you're interested in tanking. Though if you're one of those people (like me!) who has to know everything about the game, this is interesting information which will explain a lot of things about how damage is handled in World of Warcraft. If you're tuning in to all you needed to know about stats for the first time, it may be worthwhile to go back and read part 1 (covering the five basic attributes), part 2 (covering physical damage stats), and part 3 (covering spell damage stats) first -- but if you can't wait to know all there is to know about defense, resilience, spell resistance, dodge, parry, and block, keep reading!
Resistance map packs available; Global servers up
After numerous delays the Resistance: Fall of Man update is finally here. While the full patch notes are too long for us to put here, you will see them before you get updating. In order to update the game, simply load up the online multiplayer menu. The game will then offer to update (you have to do so in order to play online). Once this is done, you will be able to play against any other players anywhere in the world. You may also notice that the online multiplayer has changed. There is a new "purchase" button. From here you can buy the two new maps.Interestingly, the game is able to access the PSN Store directly, switching from the Resistance purchase menu to the store checkout seamlessly. As well as this, there is now an option in the online multiplayer menu to access your friends list without leaving the game. This allows you to do anything you can do from the friends list section of the XMB, including messaging. While this can only be reached from the menu, so no in-match access, it is still one step closer to our dreams of having in-game XMB access. So get updating. The wait is finally over!
Long-delayed Resistance update coming Friday
An update to Resistance: Fall of Man that Once Upon a Time was to be released at the end of May is finally coming this Friday. The download, so far confirmed only for Europe, will enable global multiplayer matches. Servers will be down for 16 hours, from 2:00 am to 6:00 pm BST, while they are updated, according to Eurogamer. Also coming tomorrow is the first Map Pack, which includes maps Westmorland and Camborn, for £2.99 GBP and US $7.99. No word on the map pack or update outside of Europe; we've contacted Sony Computer Entertainment America for information on the status of the update in the US. [Update: Included US information care of Sony's shiny new blog. Thanks for the heads-up!] [Via PS3 Fanboy]
Resistance update finally bursts out of the trenches this week
After a seemingly endless amount of delays, the much anticipated Resistance: Fall of Man update will be hitting our PS3s this Friday. In preparation for this, Insomniac will be taking down the online servers starting at 2:30 A.M. UK time while they work on integrating the servers for international online play. That night the servers should be back online and people will be able to connect to them to download the update. Coming in alongside the update is the Resistance Map Pack, with two new multiplayer maps available for purchase. At this point, it's not confirmed that the Resistance update will be available worldwide this Friday, or if it's going to be rolled out first to the UK and then here and Japan. We'll update this post as soon as we know more.[Thanks SpiderMike!]
Church of England thanks Sony for apology, it's not enough
And here we go into week two of the Church of England vs. Sony over the use of Manchester Cathedral in Resistance: Fall of Man. The Church of England has responded to Sony's apology letter saying that they "thank Sony for the apology" however they are not budging from their previous issues with the game and the portrayal or use of the cathedral in it. The Church of England in their statement says, "In the meeting with Sony we will discuss our outstanding demands, how this game came to be produced and where the images of the Cathedral came from." Those outstanding demands? Oh, removing the game from store shelves for the use of guns (to protect the planet from Aliens in an alternate time line) within the church and a "substantial donation." Please find the full text of Sony's apology letter after the break including the Church of England's full response [Via GamePolitics]
Sony apologizes over Manchester Cathedral gunfight scene
Sony's PR department has got to be one of the oddest places in the world to work: what other job requires doing damage control over accusations of running a racist marketing campaign and apologizing to the Church of England about violent video games in the same breath? Well, the latter is the current situation report from the whole "Resistance: Fall of Man level being set in Manchester Cathedral" brouhaha. Apparently, the company and the Church are going to sit down and discuss the Church's demands -- how much the company will be donating, and whether there will be a recall of the game -- with the background of Sony sincerely apologizing to anyone that was offended by the depiction. In light of this controversy, the embarrassment from asking a Church "can we make a video game where we shoot aliens inside this Cathedral?" would have been far less damaging than all this negative publicity: next time Sony, just ask permission![Via Joystiq]
You think you're good at Resistance? Prove it.
Sony and Insomniac Games have just announced that they're collaborating with GameStop and GamePlay for the first official Resistance: Fall of Man tournament. And this isn't some wussy tournament either -- no, this is a serious 5 week MARATHON of Resistance skill. According to an e-mail circulated to PlayStation Underground members, registration for the tournament will start June 18th (next Monday), so excited fans should be fast on the refresh button come the next work week in order to sign up for a coveted position.There are two different competitions going on, a single player (aka Deathmatch) competition, and a team competion consisting of 3 on 3. Either way the reward pay-out is pretty damn generous, for first place in the single player competition you are rewarded the following: A Sony Platinum DVD Dream System, a $500 dollar GameStop giftcard and $1000 dollars cash. And for the Team game, each member of the winning team gets the following: A Sony Platinum DVD Dream System see above comment), a $500 dollar GameStop giftcard and $500 dollars in sweet, sweet cash. Not bad, not bad at all. Of course, you need to be good enough to get first place -- and it sounds like you're going to have a LOT of competition. Think you can do it?[Thanks mccomber!]
Japanese hardware sales, Jun. 4 - Jun. 10: E-scandal Edition
And so, the Church of England vs. Sony saga at last seems to be inching towards a resolution. How did it ever turn into such a mess? The answer to that question, obtained only through ingenious hacking techniques, lies after the break (that place we put all the nonsense that has nothing to do with sales charts). The lesson to be learned, of course, is that when you're creating a work of fiction or designing a game, it's best to avoid any real locales. Actually, just make sure the whole thing takes place in outer space. There's nobody there. - DS Lite: 117,193 5,947 (4.83%) - Wii: 64,529 5,219 (7.48%) - PSP: 24,711 1,647 (6.25%) - PS2: 11,097 717 (6.07%) - PS3: 8,776 222 (2.47%) - Xbox 360: 2,533 314 (14.15%) - Game Boy Micro: 481 171 (55.16%) - GBA SP: 302 55 (22.27%) - Gamecube: 167 59 (26.11%) - DS Phat: 35 36 (50.70%) - GBA: 16 -- 0 (0%) [Source: Media Create] See also: Previous Japanese hardware sales charts
Sony says sorry to Church of England
Sony has apologized to the Church of England about any offense that may been caused regarding the use of Manchester Cathedral in the game Resistance: Fall of Man. Sony says, ""It was not our intention to cause offense by using a representation of Manchester Cathedral in chapter eight of the work ... If we have done so, we sincerely apologize." Sony confirmed the letter is legit and says that they also offered to meet with the Church to discuss their grievances. The Very Rev. Rogers Govender said they'll accept the offer to meet, but says they've still got issues. Yeah, like where's their money? The Church of England went into this for a payday. Originally the Church started off saying they were shocked that a "place of learning, prayer and heritage [was] being presented to the youth market as a location where guns can be fired," but in the end, it just comes down to money. Sony's letter did make one point very clear. There is no connection between "contemporary issues in 21st century Manchester and the work of science fiction in which a fictitious 1950s Britain is under attack by aliens." We'll see what happens after Sony meets with the Church. Ethically, the final outcome should be announced publicly considering the Church made such a public stink in the first place. Update: We did contact Sony to receive the full contents of the letter abridged by the AP. They informed us they are not making the letter public. Sony also said, "We believe that our letter adequately sets out our position and we look forward to showing the Cathedral authorities the game in its full context." Update 2: The Sony letter as reprinted by the Church of England found after the break
Church of England asks Japanese to join campaign
The Associated Press reports the Church of England is now asking the people of Japan to join their campaign against Sony and the game Resistance: Fall of Man, which has one scene of fighting aliens in an artistic rendition of Manchester Cathedral during an alternate time line. Ready to watch the AP drop the ball just like CNN? Here we go, the AP reports, "The new PlayStation 3 game, 'Resistance: Fall of Man,' involves a virtual shootout between rival gunmen with hundreds of people killed inside the cathedral. Church officials have described Sony's alleged use of the building as 'sick' and sacrilegious." OK kids, what's wrong with that paragraph? Looks like somebody didn't even bother to Google the game. The Church of England says they have received a "silent response on the issue" from Sony since contacting them on Monday and deem it "not acceptable behavior." Sony says it's in talks, which the Church denies, and even Prime Minister Tony Blair chimed in yesterday with his thoughts on the issue. The Church of England stands by their claim that "for a global manufacturer to recreate the interior of any religious building such as a mosque, synagogue, or in this case, a cathedral, with photo realistic quality and then encourage people to have gun battles in the building is beyond belief and in our view highly irresponsible." The Church, speaking through the Very Rev. Rogers Govender, said they want an apology ... and a "substantial donation" to the Church's education department. Money makes everything better. [Via GamePolitics]
