socom
Latest
SOCOM Confrontation artwork & screens update
Over at ThreeSpeech, there's a nice gallery of SOCOM Confrontation concept art and screenshots. The concept art are quite beautiful, so check that out. As suggested by the artwork above, the game incorporates day/night environments, very cool. The screenshots on the other hand are not as exciting as previous ones you may have seen before. This time around, you get to see mostly images of grunts posing for the camera. That's not revealing much, but SOCOM fans would probably still get a kick out of it. The game is coming on September 16, so mark it on your calendar.
Get a new look at these SOCOM Confrontation screens
Click for high-resolution images. SOCOM.com has been updating non-stop about the upcoming PSN title, SOCOM: Confrontation. With each update, they've included a screen or two, all of which we've compiled here. The title is being handled by Slant Six, which made the excellent (and underappreciated) SOCOM Tactical Strike on PSP. While Confrontation brings the series back to its roots, we have to echo the sentiment of many of our readers: this title doesn't look like it's pushing the PS3 very far, from a visual perspective. Hopefully, the gameplay will stay true to the SOCOM heritage.%Gallery-3193%
American PC Store update for May 8
Today's PC Store update is a laughable joke compared to the glorious one being given over on the PS3 side of things. It's almost as if the PC Store was forgotten this week with nothing to show but a slapdashed demo of a game from 2006. Here's the list single item:Playable content: SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 2 demo (free) (290MB) It also looks like the European PC Store is without an update today. We guess Tuesday's update covered for this week. C'est la vie.
SOCOM over here and watch this 'Confrontation' footage
Above you'll find some fresh footage of ... wait. Stop. Did we really just write that headline? Yes, yes we did. ...Above you'll find some fresh footage of the "next-gen SOCOM experience," SOCOM: Confrontation, courtesy of the folks at 1UP. In addition to all the tactical shooty bits, the video features a chat with the game's director, Seth Luisi, who mentions things like the "tight feel" of "urban environments." Luisi also notes that Sony plans to support the online shooter post-release with "some sort of update" on a monthly basis, along with larger content downloads every three months. As for pricing? "Comparing it to Warhawk is a fair comparison."%Gallery-3180%
SOCOM Confrontation exclusive gameplay footage from 1UP Show
The 1UP Show has some exclusive first footage of SOCOM Confrontation. In the video above, about half of the total eight minutes is dedicated to showing off some gameplay, as well as in-game interior and exterior environments. The map shown looks like it's set somewhere in the Middle East (as expected). The other half of the video, you'll see Joe Rybicki (former senior editor of the now defunct but awesome OPM) interview SOCOM Confrontation director Seth Luisi and design director David Seymour. Luisi confirms that the game will ship with seven maps. Luisi says the goal is ultimately to push for new maps that will give a "next-gen" SOCOM experience; however, they're also still looking into "[seeing] what the interest level is for classic maps." With Luisi also confirming that DLC should come in regular monthly updates with huge content updates "every three months," it's possible to see some more classic maps (and of course new ones, too) in these updates. Pricing for DLC? None yet, but Luisi says "I think comparing it to Warhawk is a fair comparison." David Seymour chimes in to clarify "destructible cover," as opposed to being misconstrued as destructible environments. Seymour says destructible environments "break the flow and intended design of a map," so instead, less intrusive but equally strategic destructible cover will turn safe spots into hotbed targets. Last but not least, the previously revealed retail bundle (with a headset) might also come with exclusive videos on the disc -- just another reason to choose the retail version over PSN.
SOCOM: Confrontation community site is now online
The new SOCOM community site is up! Fans of the series can log on and get psyched up ready for SOCOM: Confrontation's release in September. The website includes a message board and a blog which, we're promised, is where a lot of new info and media will be shown between now and release. That's all that's available right now, but the SOCOM team have much bigger plans for when they implement what's called "Phase 2". Phase 2 will be a "whole new website which will integrate your SOCOM Confrontation experience onto the web." This sounds like a Warhawk style stat-tracking system to us, but Seth Luisi isn't forthcoming regarding any further details. He does, however, mention a closed beta occurring sometime in the future. Those of you who fancy getting involved will need to become strong members of the SOCOM community. More details are coming soon, but Luisi says that "only the top contributors at the Official SOCOM Blog will be selected. We are on the look out for people who have intense knowledge of all the previous SOCOM games and can also demonstrate their leadership in the Message Boards and Comments section."
SOCOM Confrontation deploys Sept. 16 on PS3, community site launches today
Sony's SOCOM Confrontation plans to tactfully invade stores on September 16, but operations for the game actually begin today with a new community site. 1Up reports SOCOM.com will provide news updates and a forum leading up to the game's arrival. After the title launches, the site will provide "real-time stat tracking, clan management tools, and more." EGM's May issue looks to provide a plethora of information on the upcoming PS3 title. With SOCOM's Sept. date, it appears Sony is really stacking its big announced titles for the last few months of the year. Start dropping change in the coin jar now because holiday '08 is already looking just as brutal on the wallet as '07.%Gallery-3180%
SOCOM Confrontation: 9/16, community site tomorrow
SOCOM Confrontation is coming in September. At least, according to a recent update by 1UP. The popular tactical shooter will make its debut on the PS3 as both a downloadable and Blu-ray title. Tomorrow, SOCOM.com will be launched, and will provide regular updates for fans as they await the official release of Slant Six's shooter. Hopefully, it won't be too long before everyone's favorite four letter word will be echoed through the interwebs: b-e-t-a.[Via Joystiq]
SOCOM Confrontation's Special Forces organizations revealed
Fans of Sony's popular militaristic 3PS series are probably already keen to the fact that the upcoming May issue of EGM will blow the doors off of the highly secretive next installment, SOCOM Confrontation. 1UP recently added to the meager pile of info for the game in the form of a correction for their ink-and-paper counterpart -- the list of Special Forces organizations featured in the game is apparently incorrect in EGM's upcoming feature.As it stands right now, clan-bound players can join up with and enjoy the unique equipment options made available from five different, actual military units: U.S.'s Navy SEALs, U.K.'s Special Air Service (SAS), Germany's Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK), Spain's Unidad de Operaciones Especiales (UOE), and France's 1er Régiment Parachutiste d'Infanterie de Marine (1er RPIMa). We're sure this will make for some realistic, intense firefights -- still, we wish there were more eccentric units we could sign our digital soldiers up with, like the Michigan Militia, or McHale's Navy (the Tom Arnold remake regiment, of course).
Special forces of SOCOM Confrontation revealed
The May issue of EGM will have a cover story, likely going into great depth about the upcoming PSN title, SOCOM Confrontation. However, 1UP has a small sneak peek: it's given readers a list of all the special forces squads that players can join. 1UP explains: "Joining a special force is now a perk associated with joining a clan ... special forces (and their associated uniforms, gear, and weapons) will only be available to clan members." As expected, the SEALs and SAS are available in the game. But what else can players find? Navy Sea, Air, and Land (SEALs, United States) Special Air Service (SAS, United Kingdom) Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK, Germany) Unidad de Operaciones Especiales (UOE, Spain) 1er Régiment de Parachutistes d'Infanterie de Marine (1er RPIMa, France) [Thanks, Philip K.!]
Rumor: SOCOM Confrontation bundle includes new Bluetooth headset
A supposedly leaked PowerPoint presentation revealed a new official Bluetooth headset for PS3. Set to launch in July/August, the headset would retail for $50 individually. More exciting, however, is SOCOM Confrontation bundle that's mentioned: both the game and headset would hit retail for $60.The design of this rumored headset is an improvement over the one offered with Warhawk. However, don't get your hopes up quite yet. When asked for comment, a SCEA representative told us that "we have currently made no announcements for a new PS3 headset so any information is speculation and rumor."
New details on SOCOM Confrontation
Since the announcement was made last May, Sony has remained somewhat tight-lipped on the topic of SOCOM Confrontation, the multiplayer-only PS3 entry into the Navy-oriented series. The May issue of EGM will end all that, however, with a massive feature on the anticipated title, including all new details and screens.To whet the pallet, Sony has revealed two new screenshots of Confrontation in action, with accompanying information about what players are seeing. The above image displays a ruined shopping mall, on a map that supports 16 player combat, but can expand to fit up to 32. A second screen features Crossroads, a classic SOCOM map that will make an HD reappearance in Confrontation. In addition to a new over-the-shoulder camera, the classic SOCOM camera option will still be available in Confrontation, for those of us frightened by change. Check out high-res versions of both screens, as well as all the screens released so far, in the gallery below. %Gallery-3180%
SOCOM Confrontation screenshots show old, new maps
The new SOCOM game is gracing the cover of EGM this May, so in some sort of celebration, two new screenshots have been posted. They look very, very good. Especially when you compare them to the original screens released a while back. However, SealTeam-6, the team working on the game, say there is no new information to share at this time.There are some quick comments on the PlayStation Blog about the new screenshots. You can read them for yourself, or listen to our summary of their comments. One is of "Crossroads", the most requested map by fans. The second is a brand new map that has a 16-player smaller arena space, but can expand itself to fit 32 players. Also, you can choose to use the classic SOCOM camera option. If you guys were worried.[via PlayStation.Blog]
Warhawk, SOCOM coming to online PS Store
In addition to updating the PlayStation Network store, Sony has updated its online PC counterpart to include the original PS One title Warhawk as a downloadable game. The price is still the same, $5.99, and you can transfer the game from your Memory Stick-equipped PSP to your PS3 so long as you are signed in to the PSN account that originally bought the game.The other major title to arrive on the PC PS Store, according to the official PlayStation blog, is SOCOM US Navy Seals Fireteam Bravo for $14.99, as well as a trailer for the game an a handful of others including the Metal Gear Solid 4 Tokyo Game Show footage. Those are not up at the store yet, however. Full list of PC PS Store updates after the break.
MTV talks Playstation Store in thorough interview
Sony's PC-based Playstation Store launched in late November with very little fan-fare -- a move that seemed somewhat uncharacteristic of the confident console maker. Still, despite the company's best efforts to downplay the service, MTV's Stephen Totilo sees what he feels could be the future of the industry.In an interview with Playstation's director of network operations Eric Lempel, Totilo learns pretty much everything there is to know about the Playstation Store, including the decision to restrict the downloads to PC (as opposed to allowing purchases directly from the PSP's browser). The interview also reveals more titles coming to PSPs via the download service, including SOCOM: Fire Team Bravo and Twisted Metal: Head On.
Play SOCOM: Tactical Strike, win stuff
We <3 SOCOM: Tactical Strike, although we'll admit that fans of previous SOCOM games may be disparaged by the sudden change in genre for the franchise. This strategic approach to SOCOM will make you appreciate the real tactics employed by the SEALs and will challenge you with some of the most compelling gameplay we found on the system so far.It takes a lot of hands-on time to really understand what Tactical Strike is about -- and thankfully, there's a downloadable demo on the PLAYSTATION Store. It's a hefty download, but it's worth it, featuring videos that aren't even in the final version.SCEA wants you to download the demo and answer a few questions. If you do, you'll be entered in a drawing for some Tactical Strike prizes. And hopefully, you'll get to see why we loved the game so much.
PSP Fanboy review: SOCOM Tactical Strike
SOCOM: Tactical Strike is one of the most compelling games of the year. With component cables in hand, never has a portable game garnered such a stunned audience. Friends and roommates would stare at the TV with the kind of attention reserved for games like Bioshock, Halo 3 and The Orange Box. It didn't matter that the game was running on a PSP: Tactical Strike is filled with more polish than average console games can dream of.Slant Six Games' first foray into game development takes the SOCOM franchise to completely new places. No longer a shooter, the game turns into a tactical action game, akin to a real-time strategy game. SOCOM fans new and old may find the change to be jarring, and a bit disappointing. However, the game requires careful execution of masterfully thought-out plans, and the tension caused by the brevity of each battle has created a game more tense than anything the series has ever offered. Stealth is encouraged, of course, but there will be many battles where a barrage of bullets will be flying through the air, and the environment around you gets destroyed. An apt film comparison? This is Black Hawk Down: the game.%Gallery-3218%
New SOCOM: Tactical Strike vids awesome in several languages
After reading Andrew gush over SOCOM: Tactical Strike like a schoolgirl with her first crush, it's hard not to be intrigued at Sony's upcoming tactical shooter. To add to that excitement are these new gameplay videos, which, not only feature the game's impressive squad-based gameplay, but also its multi-language voice acting for our international friends out there. Pretty cool stuff.
PSP Fanboy hands-on: SOCOM Tactical Strike
SOCOM: Tactical Strike recently went gold, and it's been in our hands for the past week or so. We have to admit, we're totally enamored with this brand new re-imagining of the SOCOM series. It's hard to think of a single flaw with Tactical Strike -- it's just that good. Of course, there's a lot more we have to do. After the first five hours of play, we've only gone through three missions. Ignoring any Instant Action replays or Infrastructure-enabled multiplayer, it's clear that Tactical Strike will offer at least twenty hours of gameplay, if not more.Tactical Strike delivers on so many levels, and is easily on its way to becoming more than just PSP Game of the Year. No, the sheer quality of this title makes it an easy contender for Game of the Year on any platform. The technical excellence is absolutely astounding. Graphics like these simply shouldn't be possible on the PSP, as it easily bests most of the PS2 library. If you thought Logan's Shadow of Chains of Olympus looked good, you haven't seen Tactical Strike. Textures are incredible, especially for a PSP game. The character models are well detailed, and feature incredibly detailed animations. Then, you add real time lighting, fantastic volumetric smoke effects, and large, expansive, detailed environments that must be seen to be believed. Just wait until you see the streaks of sunlight pour through the jungle flora above you. On the PSP screen, or connected to a TV, this game looks absolutely incredible. These screenshots just don't do the game justice: it must be seen to be believed.%Gallery-3218%
SOCOM Week: Interview with Ryan Eames
The upcoming SOCOM: Tactical Strike is an international affair, bringing more than US NAVY SEALs into the battle. We talked to Ryan Eames, producer and generally awesome guy, about Tactical Strike's newfound global approach. Tactical Strike features soldiers from all over the world. What are some of the squadrons you can play as?We are excited to bring international Special Forces to the SOCOM franchise. We came up with a list of Special Forces we felt would fit well with the story and style of SOCOM Tactical Strike. This was certainly not an easy decision, as just like the U.S., there are many Special Forces to choose from. As we finalized the list, these are the groups that rose to the top: U.S. Navy SEALs (Sea, Air and Land) British SAS (Special Air Service) Australian SASR (Special Air Service Regiment) French GIGN (Groupement d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale) Italian COMSUBIM (Commando Raggruppamento Subacquei ed Incursori Teseo Tesei) Spanish UOE (Unidad de Operaciones Especiales) German KSK (Kommando Spezialkrafte) Netherlands KCT (Korps Commandotroepen) South Korean 707th (707th Special Missions Battalion)
