Star Wars Battlefront 2
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Dice is moving on from ‘Battlefield V’ and ‘Battlefront II’
A new Battlefield game will arrive next year
Xbox One X is $100 off during Microsoft's E3 sale
It's one of the most wonderful times of the year for gamers as E3 is upon us. Not only will the next week or so bring more game announcements than you can shake a stick at, but you can expect sales galore from many of the big hitters. Microsoft, for one, has stepped up to the plate with an array of deals, including a hefty discount on Xbox One X.
The latest 'Star Wars Battlefront II' mode mixes human and AI players
DICE and EA are determined to keep Star Wars Battlefront II fresh a year after the loot box fiasco effectively came to an end. They're releasing an update on March 26th that introduces Capital Supremacy, a Clone Wars-era mode that includes AI characters for the first time in competitive Battlefront II matches. Two teams of 20 human players, each augmented by 12 computer-guided troopers, will race to invade each other's spaceships. It's a complex, multi-stage mode that could lead to prolonged fights if there are any big upsets.
GOG.com adds six Star Wars games, including KOTOR 2
GOG.com added a second helping of Lucasfilm games to its classic PC gaming catalog today, giving players the opportunity to download six Star Wars games on its platform, DRM-free. Three of the games are available digitally for the first time according to GOG.com: Star Wars: X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter ($10), Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance ($10) and Star Wars Galactic Battlegrounds Saga (Seen above, $6). The other three Star Wars games now available on GOG.com will be 20 percent off for the next three days: Star Wars Battlefront 2 ($8), Star Wars: Dark Forces ($4.79) and Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 2: The Sith Lords ($8). Six other LucasArts games were introduced in late October, including The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Those two games, in addition to Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, are also 20 percent off until Friday, January 30 at 8:59 a.m. ET (5:59 a.m. PT). [Image: Lucasfilm]
50 EA games going offline due to GameSpy shutdown
EA's efforts to transition its GameSpy-based games have been in vain, after the publisher revealed 50 of its titles are going offline once the matchmaking service shuts down. Not only is it a big list of games, but it includes casualties like Battlefield 2142 for PC and Mac, and Star Wars: Battlefront on PC and PS2. Other games on the list include Battlefield 2 (PC), Command and Conquer 3 (PC and Mac), C&C Generals (PC and Mac), Red Alert 3 (PC and Mac), Crysis (PC), Crysis: Wars (PC), Crysis 2 (PC), Medal of Honor: Allied Assault (PC and Mac), Neverwinter Nights (PC, Mac and Linux) Neverwinter Nights 2 (PC and Mac), and Star Wars Battlefront 2 (PC and PS2). EA's service site has the full list of affected games, all of which lose their online services on June 30. "Unfortunately, due to technical challenges and concerns about the player experience, we do not have a solution at this time," EA said on its service page. The company noted some of the games retain sizable audiences, and it's "investigating community-supported options" in a bid to retain online functionality. However: "Significant technical hurdles remain, and at this time we don't have anything to announce." If EA doesn't come through, users may turn to services like GameRanger, which provides server support for some of the games in question. However, for many games it'll likely be so long and thanks for all the online fun soon after GameSpy's services go dark on May 31. [Image: EA]
PSA: Last weekend to play Xbox 1 games on Live
This is it. Cue The Doors record, because next Thursday, April 15th, Microsoft will be turning out the lights on the servers that run original Xbox games on Xbox Live, which means that this weekend will be the last non-workdays you've got to play Star Wars: Battlefront 2, Crimson Skies, or Halo 2 online. If it's any consolation, remember that the reason for the shutdown is that older hardware on the service is keeping Microsoft from being able to update things like the friends list limit, so in this case, change should bring some welcome progress. But as for us, we'll be vegging out all day on Sunday playing Conker: Live and Reloaded. We just called Aunt Emma to tell her this weekend's visit will have to wait -- something more important has come up. [Thanks, Chris!]
Xbox Live service for Xbox 1 games to be discontinued on Apr. 15
[Image: Bungie] Microsoft is pulling the plug on the Xbox Live services that still cater to the original Xbox. As of April 15th, all Xbox 1 games -- including those playable on Xbox 360 or via the Xbox Originals service -- will be severed from the online realm. "I want to start by saying this isn't a decision we made lightly," Xbox Live general manager Marc Whitten said at the start of a letter to Xbox Live members, "but after careful consideration, it is clear that this will provide the greatest benefit to the Xbox Live community." Whitten added that in continuing to "evolve the service," Microsoft requires changes that are "incompatible" with the previous console's games. "We will contact the Xbox LIVE members directly impacted by this change and if this includes you, I encourage you to check your LIVE messages and associated e-mail account over the coming weeks for more details and opportunities." According to Major Nelson's most recent list of top Xbox 1 Live titles, Star Wars: Battlefront 2 and Counter-Strike players will be hardest hit. Well, sure, Halo 2 is still the most widely played game, but at least those guys will have some consolation when they leave the house and discover that two three more Halo games have come out since 2004. By the way, if you have anything terribly important to say to your clan mates, we suggest you say it now.
Star Wars Retrospective: Episode V marches off to war
It's been nearly two months since the last installment in GameTrailers' look back at the catalog of games based off of George Lucas' magnum opus. The series returns today with the crackle of blaster fire, the hum of a recently activated AT-AT, the whistle of an armed thermal detonator -- you see, all the games featured in this episode focus on those titles that let you relive the film's major battles. From RTS classics like Galactic Battlegrounds and Empire at War, to the best-selling Star Wars game of all time, Star Wars: Battlefront 2, we can't help but get misty-eyed recalling some of our great galactic campaigns. We just... we lost so many good men on Kashyyyk...
Transformers PSP in disguise
Savage Entertainment is working on a PSP Transformers game based on the movie. Savage has previously made Star Wars Battlefront 2 and Scooby Doo for the PSP, so they have experience with Sony's portable. Based on Micheal Bay's upcoming Transformers movie, Transformers: The Game the title will feature Optimus Prime, Megatron, Starscream among other well known robots and give players the choice to play Autobot and save the world or Decepticon and try to take it over. Each Transformer has their own set of skills and abilities and players can choose at any moment to move from robot to vehicle form. Over the course of the game, players will travel through fully destructible environments and each character's scale and weight will affect how they fight. You'll use range and melee combat to fight your way to your ultimate goal. The console versions are being created by Traveler's Tales of Lego Star Wars fame and all versions are said to have similar content, which is very good considering how well Lego Star Wars worked on the PSP. Of course the PSP edition has exclusive content. This time it comes in the form of an expanded storyline and multiplayer. The last Transformers game (for PS2) was quite enjoyable and I have high hopes for this rendition. Anyone else looking forward to this game? [Via IGN]
Best selling PC games: AoE 3 and Civ IV battle for top spot
For the week ending November 13th, here's the best sellers list for PC games in the U.S. 1. Age Of Empires III 2. Civilization IV 3. Call Of Duty 2 4. Star Wars Battlefront II 5. World Of Warcraft 6. The Sims 2 7. City Of Villains 8. The Sims 2 Nightlife Expansion Pack 9. Battlefield 2 10. Call Of Duty 2 Collectors Edition As is obvious from the list, Civilization IV and Age of Empires 3 are deeply involved in a strategic battle for getting the most cash out of gamer's wallets. Age of Empires 3 has been out over a month now but is still topping the chart. With Civ IV being out just under a two weeks, has it already lost the momentum required to knock AoE 3 off the top spot?
Xbox games that won't play on the Xbox 360
If you take the list of backwards compatible Xbox games that'll play on the Xbox 360 and then subtract them from every single Xbox game released, you have a list of all your old games that won't work on your Xbox 360. That's the philosophy behind Planet Xbox 360's list of incompatible Xbox games, which gives a good (and slightly depressing) idea of the amount of gaming action you'll be missing out on if you sell your old Xbox. Whilst the incompatiblity list has some inaccuracies (contrary to the list, Jedi Academy is backwards compatible) it still makes you wonder about the logic behind some of the choices for backwards compatibility. As the article points out, why is an unknown title called Yourself! Fitness compatible, when popular titles like The Chronicles of Riddick, Burnout 3 and Star Wars: Battlefront 2 are missing out on a high definition makeover? Hopefully Microsoft's list of compatible games will be updated to accommodate these and other gaming gems as soon as possible. [Thanks, Matt]
Metareview - Star Wars: Battlefront II (Xbox)
Do the additions of playable Jedi and space combat make Star Wars: Battlefront II a worthy sequel? Tough question. If you're a Star Wars fan and enjoyed the predecessor, then yes. If you weren't sold on the first Battlefront, then (probably) no. Still, Battlefront II could give your Live account a much needed workout-at least it should carry you through the next two weeks... Review highlights: Computer and Video Games (90/100) - "A walloping, beautiful example of what Xbox Live can do." Gaming Age (83/100) - "[A] good sequel, but it's got too much in common with the first game to make the upgrade a no-brainer." IGN (70/100) - "[The] faults and quirks of Battlefront II stand out and become glaring because the new adds feel unpolished while the old gripes manage to rear their heads for a second time." [via Metacritic; also available for PC, PS2, & PSP]
Disturbance in the force: Battlefront II early?
One of our force-sensitive readers from Highland, IN claims to have seen an empty (but price labeled) slot at his local Target where a few advanced copies of Star Wars: Battlefront II for the PC recently sat. The clerk confirmed that they had copies on Tuesday and sold out quickly. The official arrival date is Oct. 31, but has anyone else seen evidence of an early release? Last week, we talked about the extras that Pandemic has promised PC users, so it might be worth a phone call to your local vendor of choice. Hurry, man! The imperial troops have boarded the Tantive IV and you-know-who is about to get a bun stun! [Thanks, Mack]
Battlefront II: Extra force for PC
Pandemic has some pleasant surprises in store for PC users who expected more from the original Star Wars Battlefront. Associate Producer Dave Baker talked with 1UP about some features in Battlefront II that will be exclusive to the desktop crowd. For starters, they've beefed up the visuals over the console counterparts by leveraging the PC's pixel shading prowess and ability to support environment mapping. There's also an improved HUD, a first-person perspective option, and support for up to 64 players online (improving on the LAN limitations of the first game). With the PSP release also getting the bonus treatment, one has to wonder if Pandemic will maintain balance in the force by providing some console goodies.
Ewoks and Gungans now in season
"You can kill Ewoks! And Gungans!", boasts Pandemic producer Phil Hong when discussing one of three game modes exclusive to the PSP release of the upcoming Star Wars Battlefront II. Hong believes it is the dream of many gamers to exterminate those furry little denizens of Endor and as an Imperial Enforcer that dream will be realized. Gungans, Wookies, and other species from the Lucas realm are also ripe for the pickin'. Other exclusive modes include Rebel Raider (a capture-the-flag style shooter) and Rogue Assassin where you can hone your mercenary skills. WiFi support allows 4 of your buddies to join in and go on a Gungan killing spree. "Ouch time" begins Oct. 31.
Star Wars Battlefront II preview
The first Battlefront wasn't a bad game. It certainly came closest to capturing the dramatic battles of the movies. Too bad the AI had the IQ of a bar of soap. The ship to ship battles were pretty pathetic as well. Still, as a Star Wars fan, it was that or nothing. Until the inevitable sequel. Which is now. Well, soon anyway. The build they played in the preview still had pretty pitiful AI, but they don't know if that's genuinely the case, if the difficulty level was on low, or if the bots weren't finished. Regardless, for those with no interest in playing online with the ravening hordes, it's a concern. Gunning down Ewoks is not without it's appeal, but a challenging AI would elevate the title to the next level. Guess we'll have to wait and see.
Star Wars Battlefront 2 E3 clip, in case you like Star Wars in the morning
Yup, my second Star Wars post in a row. Perhaps the hype has gotten to my head. This clip of Battlefront's sequel was playing at E3, and it was a genuine rubbernecker. The improvements to the game include a single player mode with "open-ended, mission based objectives" so you can sink your teeth into some AI action. You'll also get space combat, Jedi powers and the chance to fight inside the Death Star. What more could you want? Love the skirts on the troopers.
Star Wars Battlefront 2 announced for PSP
LucasArts revealed that Battlefront 2 would be released for the PSP alongside its console counterparts. The portable version will be developed by Savage Entertainment and will feature stripped-down one-player "mini" campaigns. You'll take the role of a Rebellion smuggler, mercenary for hire, or an Imperial soldier. And of course, what would Battlefront by without multiplayer? The PSP version is reported to support both competitive and co-op play via wireless networking. Sadly, only four players will be able to link-up.
Star Wars Battlefront 2 screenies
There's still a few weeks until Revenge of the Sith gets the H and IT transposed by fans. So while we're all deluding ourselves that Lucas has gotten it right for once, how about a look at a Star Wars game? Battlefront 2 is, unsurprisingly, the sequel to the mostly great Battlefront. What can you expect from the sequel? More of the same. More Ewok massacres, we hope! If we can just get Jar-Jar in there and blow the bastards head off, all will be right with the world. Go check the screenshots for some hot, imperial lovin'. Troopers all the way, baby!
Star Wars Battlefront 2 gets its lid lifted
The ever-scooping giant we call Gamespot has dug up a late night story. They have a preview of Star Wars Battlefront 2 on the homepage. The piece includes some really sweet pics and a video interview with Shara Miller, the game's producer. She seems genuinely excited about the game, and we can see why. The title will be just like the first in the series...only bigger. Among the additions that stand out in the preview: 1) Seamless space to battleship action - you can hop in a small fighter and fly out of massive battleships into the stars. The space combat is impressive in the clip. You can also land your ship in the enemy's hangar and man their own turrets to weaken the ship's shields. 2) Storyline for single player - you'll be able to play as a character in a story mode that lets you experience a little bit of everything that the main game offers. 3) Episode 3 content - of course... 4) 64 simultaneous players on the PC version (there will also be PS2 and Xbox versions) 5) Release date is in the Fall of this year.
