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Go behind-the-scenes with Secret Level's Iron Man
This video goes behind-the-scenes with San Francisco developer, Secret Level -- the dev studio working on PS3 and 360 versions of Iron Man. The crew talks about the challenges and techniques involved with making the game, but also focus on how they harnessed Iron Man's flying abilities. Not only that, but the video also displays tasty in-game footage and concept art.So far, we like what we've seen of the game. We need to pat Secret Level on the back. The flight gameplay looks glorious, as does the environments when flying. We hope it will remain this way once we play the game for ourselves.
New screens of Golden Axe: Beast Rider
San Francisco-based studio Secret Level has released new screenshots from the upcoming Golden Axe: Beast Rider. The title was first announced waaay back in 2006, and promises to be a next-gen upgrade to the classic side-scrolling, hack 'n slash Sega series. The game is currently slated for a summer 2008 release, and is coming to Xbox 360 and PS3 (no beast-riding love for the Wii, it seems).The shots disclosed so far don't reveal much in terms of the gameplay, but our journalistic sixth-sense tells us that the game will possibly focus on riding various kinds of beasts (honestly, sometimes we give ourselves goosebumps). Check out the gallery for all the Beast Rider images. %Gallery-15436%
'America's Army' grows to 8 million, actual Army increase costly
According to America's Army PR (ostensibly paid for by US tax dollars), the PC version of the popular shooter registered its 8 millionth user this past weekend. The America's Army user base now apparently spans more than 60 countries, likely owing to the fact that the "game" is freeware; the payoff is in the propagation of a positive image of the US Army throughout various parts of the world. It's no secret that the US Government developed the project as a propaganda device, but it's difficult to measure its impact on worldwide opinions, not to mention US Army recruitment success. We do know that the Army met its recruitment quotas in the two years following the game's release (in 2002).Lt. Gen. Stephen Speakes, a deputy chief of staff, estimates that increasing the size of the Army's active troops by 65,000 (as recommended by Defense Secretary Robert Gates), would cost $70 billion (to be budgeted between 2009 and 2013). Nearly half of that proposed increase has already been accomplished under a temporary program that will likely be made permanent. It's unclear what portion of the estimated $70 billion, if any, would be spent on future upgrades to America's Army. If US troop growth is indeed this costly, then America's Army's true strength may be in its potential to win over the minds and bodies (enlisted in the militaries of US allies) of non-US players.[Via press release]
Golden Axe, very little armor
Joystiq had a post about some blurry next gen Golden Axe screens a few days ago. Turns out that SEGA actually released some very nice non-blurry character art during E3. Readers, meet Tyris. Tyris, readers. Check out one more shot after the jump (safe for work, but that doesn't mean your co-workers won't think you're a perv).
Fuzzy E3 Golden Axe shots surface
Close to a year ago, Sega announced a partnership with Secret Level that would revive a classic Sega franchise. A few guesses about what that franchise might be were tossed around over the months, and then, during this year's E3, Sega quietly announced that Golden Axe would be the series receiving the next-gen makeover.A trailer for the new Golden Axe was previewed behind closed doors at Sega's E3 booth. For whatever reason, the video has been slow to turn up on the internet. Retroplayer.tv recently posted 20 -- extremely blurry -- still frames. Anyone else have a link to a better reproduction?
Sega acquires Secret Level & Sports Interactive
Sega moved one step closer to gaining further ground in the Western market by acquiring San Francisco developer Secret Level through an undisclosed deal. Last July, Sega put Secret Level to work, tasking the developer with reviving a classic franchise - rumored to be After Burner - for the Xbox 360 and PS3. Apparently, pleased with the studio's work, Sega decided to acquire Secret Level, rather than build an internal team from scratch. Sega has also announced the acquisition of UK studio Sports Interactive, developers of the Football Manager series. [Thanks, The1]
