TimeGate
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Section 8 open beta is go
TimeGate Studios has announced that the Section 8 open PC beta for North America, Europe and Australia is now ... open. The beta grants users with access to two of the game's multiplayer maps and offers up "a variety of some of the vehicles, weapons, deployables, missions, and equipment." The beta is free, and all that's needed to get fragging is a Fileplanet, IGN or GameSpy account. To sign up, simply visit this link and fill out a few forms. You'll then be given a CD-Key and access to download the beta. The beta is on a first come, first serve basis, so hop to it if you want in. To find out if your rig can handle the game, check out the PC specs after the break.
Video: The story behind Section 8
We know what you've been thinking. You've been watching the videos and reading the articles about Section 8 and you've thought, "Sure, it's pretty cool that I can drop from space, charge across half a mile of terrain in 10 seconds and then have HQ drop a tank right on the battlefield for me, but what's my motivation?" Thankfully, the fine folks at TimeGate have your answer in the form of a new developer diary. The video delves into he history of Section 8 (the good guys), the rise of its best soldier, Alex Corde, and the group's conflict with the Arm of Orion (not the good guys). With that out of the way, hopefully we can all just focus on the whole drop-from-the-sky-and-kill-everything aspect of the game now.
Plenty of post-release content planned for Section 8
We've got high hopes for Section 8, a promising sci-fi FPS from TimeGate. But today we learned that the game has even more going for it than the ability to drop from space and kill a tank (which you can admit is already quite a lot). The devs are also pretty adept at forward thinking. Producer Robert Siwiak told Gamasutra, "We're already planning on releasing additional map packs and other content, potentially new weapons and vehicles into the mix. After the game has launched, we fully intend to support the community and add in additional content and otherwise fill the gap between now and a potential Section 8 sequel." Yikes, already thinking sequels, TimeGate? Live in the now!
New Section 8 trailer drops in
Okay, so the latest trailer for TimeGate's Section 8 certainly looks cool. What with the robo-solders dropping into battle from the sky, calling in tanks and giant mechs, and FPS action, we'll give it that. Our only question is this: Where's the heart?What's that? You don't care about heart? You're more interested in all the action and nifty multiplayer features? Oh, well you should watch the trailer then.
Section 8 pre-order bonus revealed, GameStop exclusive
SouthPeak has revealed a special Section 8 goody for those who pre-order the game from GameStop (and only at GameStop). Pre-order either the PC or Xbox 360 version of Section 8 and you'll get a special set of armor known as the Captain's Armor. The armor can be worn by either of the game's factions. Members of Section 8 will don the armor with a golden eagle on the shoulder, while members of the rebellious Arm of Orion will sport a helmet with a gold-trimmed lion. Considering what some people are willing to go through for an in-game set of armor, we'd say pre-ordering is a pretty simple option. Check out shots of the armor in the gallery below. %Gallery-66033%
Section 8 brings user-created dedicated servers to Xbox 360
We got a chance to see Section 8 at E3 this year. Summing things up, our experience was pretty much in line with what we played at GDC earlier this year. So, let's just skip that and get to the news, shall we? Section 8 will be the very first Xbox 360 game to allow users to set up their own dedicated servers, according to producer Robert Siwiak.Players will be able to download an application on their PC that will allow them to turn it into a dedicated server for the game. When playing on a dedicated server -- developer TimeGate will be hosting some as well, incidentally -- Section 8 will support multiplayer matches of up to 32 players. This a significant boost over the standard 16-player offered by regular servers. Sporting some very impressive sci-fi inspired gameplay bolstered by this extra online support, Section 8 is shaping up to be quite a game. Expect it to drop (from 15,000 feet) this fall.%Gallery-4522%
Paramount won't use 'Section 8' name, TimeGate drops suit
We were just getting geared up for a protracted legal cat fight between developer TimeGate and movie studio Paramount over the rights to the name "Section 8" ... but the whole thing fizzled nearly before it began. If you'll remember, TimeGate claimed that it shared the name of its FPS with Paramount, which later announced it was working on an interactive property of the same name, prompting the game developer to sue the studio. Now, Paramount has agreed to not use the name and, in turn, TimeGate has dismissed the suit. Bor-ing.
TimeGate sues Paramount for using Section 8 name
We know that legal squabbles can be a little dry, but a new conflict between Section 8 creator TimeGate and Paramount at least has an interesting story behind it to spice things up. According to a suit recently filed by TimeGate, the two companies met several times to discuss business opportunities related to the game. But after said meetings, Paramount allegedly cut off contact with TimeGate and, three days later, announced a new interactive project entitled "Section 8." We asked TimeGate for further comment, a request which its lawyers advised it to decline. It's a shame, too, because we had a great suggestion for their next legal battle.
GDC09: Hands-on with sci-fi shooter Section 8
Getting killed isn't really a treat in any multiplayer experience. Sure, it gives you a little time to hastily make a sandwich, but that's not really why you're playing the game in the first place, is it? Developer TimeGate (you know, the one behind the F.E.A.R. expansions) has figured out a clever way to circumvent that in its FPS Section 8. After death, you literally dive back onto the battlefield from 15,000 feet in a location of your choice and woe to anything or anyone that's in the way. It's a clever way to make even death enjoyable, and it's just one of the smart tweaks TimeGate has made to the eternal battle between gun-toting guys in space armor and -- well, other gun-toting guys in space armor. %Gallery-4522%
Monolith designer blames loss of F.E.A.R. fans on expansions
The original F.E.A.R. garnered universal critical praise when it launched, but it seems like we've heard less and less about the subsequent installments in the series. In a recent interview with CVG, Monolith's Dave Matthews, lead art designer for F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, blamed the Extraction Point and Perseus Mandate expansions (which were created by TimeGate studios) for "[killing] off a few" fans. Later in the interview, he did a positively heart-melting acoustic rendition of "Crash Into Me". Matthews' main qualm with the expansions is that TimeGate took the story in a direction that Monolith wouldn't have followed -- they took the focus away from the series' young, unsettling antagonist, Alma. With Monolith behind the PC version and console ports of Project Origin, Matthews is confident that the story will continue "the way we originally intended." This is great news for fans, and terribly unfortunate news for the faint of heart. [Via X3F]
EIEIO 08: Section 8 details fall from the sky
click to embiggen It's been a long time since we first heard about TimeGate Studios' Section 8. Based on the "not even pre-alpha" game on display at this year's EIEIO, it's going to be even longer before we see a final game. It's currently slated for the third quarter of next year on Xbox 360 and PC. But developer TimeGate Studios – they did the F.E.A.R. expansions, if you'll recall – did give a short gameplay demonstration, and revealed one of the major facets of the Section 8 experience. The game's name comes from the nickname given to the future 8th Armored Infantry, of which your character is a member. This group consists of soldiers who have volunteered to wear a super-powerful armored suit (awesome!) and be launched into combat from space. The joke is that you would have to be crazy to volunteer for that, so the squad is informally called "Section 8" after the military code for a psychologically-motivated discharge. %Gallery-4522%
Video interview with Gamecock on Section 8
Leave your innuendo at the door and enter the house that Gamecock and Timegate built. Section 8 is an interesting first person shooter in that it takes place on ... Mars? Well, at the very least, it seems there will be a heavy space-travel aspect as the game is touted as "epic". They plan to break the mold of FPS games and from what they say, in a few years, who knows. We might have another great game. But for now, we've got these interviews.
Section 8 freefalls into orbit in 2009
The latest title announced by independent publisher Gamecock is futuristic first-person shooter Section 8 by TimeGate Studios. The studio previously worked on the Kohan series and did the F.E.A.R. expansion for PC, Extraction Point. Section 8 is an elite unit of powered armor infantry fighting on war-torn fringe planets on the frontier colonies. The soldiers will have on-demand vehicles and the teaser trailer can be found after the break.The whole project sounds incredibly ambitious, as do many of Gamecock's titles, and FPS' typically have a very high bar to hit nowadays; however, the game isn't expected until 2009 so there is some time. We have very little background as to why the group is called Section 8, as Section 8 has a very specific connotation in the US. Section 8 is a subsidy program to assist the fiscally challenged with housing. Then again, they couldn't call it Section 9 because then all the Ghost in the Shell fanboys would freak. Is Section 7 taken? Oh well, we'll talk to the developers next week at Min-E3 and get an answer to the meaning behind Section 8.Update: The developers let us know their Section 8 is based on the military reference to being discharged from service for being mentally unfit.%Gallery-4522%
Gamecock reveals Section 8
It's not exactly like the Xbox 360 is short on futuristic first person shooters. Let's see, we've got BlackSite, Haze, TimeShift, and of course we can't forget about Halo 3. That isn't stopping the lads at Gamecock from announcing Section 8, though. Coming from TimeGate, developers of F.E.A.R. Extraction Point. Section 8. The trailer shows off some impressive graphics as shock troopers descend through a planets atmosphere. We're immediately reminded of Halo's Hell Jumpers, which isn't a bad thing. The game promises to give players command of special tactical maneuvers like on-demand vehicle deliveries. We don't know much more about the title, save that it is scheduled to arrive in 2009. With any luck, we may see something at E3 next week.
TimeGate Studios unveiling three new titles this year
Remember those games Axis & Allies and the beloved F.E.A.R. Extraction Point? TimeGate Studios was behind those and they've come out and announced they've got three titles in the works for the rest of the year. They're trying to expand their development team and get some clout in the developing industry. We don't blame them. It sounds like a fierce, competitive business.So what did they say? Here's what Tom Ohle, Evolve PR man, had to say: "TimeGate is hard at work on three new games, each of which is poised to smash through the competition thanks to the company's ability to create engrossing new worlds and to seamlessly blend genres to deliver the best games possible ... one of these games marks the first time console gamers will get a taste."What will we get a taste of? IGN reports one of the games is called Section 8 and is due out for the PC, PS3, and 360. Nothing is known except for the concept: FPS plus strategy. We'd like to imagine a Freedom Fighters-esque game. That game rocked. Does anyone else want to take a guess on the other games?
F.E.A.R. expansion announced, TimeGate to develop
Sierra Entertainment has announced that Extraction Point, the first F.E.A.R. expansion, is in the works and will be released for the PC this fall. TimeGate (Axis & Allies, Kohan) is handling the development, including the story concept. However, according to Vivendi (Sierra's parent company), Monolith is working closely with the studio to ensure that the expansion maintains the integrity of the original game.Monolith, now owned by Warner Bros., is working on its own sequel to F.E.A.R. and would do well to steer TimeGate in the right direction, as the expansion will likely tie the first and second games together. Monolith is also working with Vivendi to release the v1.5 patch, which will enhance F.E.A.R.'s multiplayer.Note: whether or not the expansion content will make it into the Xbox 360 port of F.E.A.R. has not been revealed.
