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The Game Archaeologist jacks into The Matrix Online: The highlights
It's not every year that a movie comes along that captures the pop culture zeitgeist so powerfully and so quickly as The Matrix did. I recall lugging a few college friends along to see this in 1999 -- having heard only a few sparse details about it beforehand -- and coming out of the theater feeling as if we we'd been electrified. The bold mix of science fiction, martial arts, philosophy, action, and leather ensembles became the smash hit of the year, and a franchise was born. And while we had great hopes that this would be this generation's Star Wars, The Matrix ultimately proved to be a lightning-in-a-bottle phenomenon, impossible to recapture once unleashed. Sequels, animated shorts, video games, comic books -- none rose to the height of the original film, and eventually the franchise petered out. During this period, an odd duck of an MMO was born: The Matrix Online. When you think about it, an online virtual world where people log in and fight against programs was a really short hop from the movie series. MxO, as it was abbreviated, was an audacious game with unique features, story-centric gameplay and a sci-fi bent in a field of fantasy competitors, and while it only lasted four years, it was enough to make a huge impression for its community. So by popular demand, this month we're going to revisit the 1s and 0s of The Matrix Online to see just how deep the rabbit hole (and well-worn cliche) goes -- and what made this game stand out!
The Road to Mordor: Four more years, four more years!
While four years is not a nice round number -- or even a halfway number like five -- it's a substantial milestone for any MMORPG. Debuting in early 2007, Lord of the Rings Online introduced something we'd never seen before: a fully realized 3-D virtual Middle-earth where we could not only enjoy a deep MMO but explore the lands and meet the people we'd only read about before. It might not be a universal truth that all LotRO players are big Tolkien fans, but I'm sure enough that it's a sizable chunk of the playerbase. There's something special about the IP that gives a weight and richness to the game, especially when a long-time reader of the books is given leave to actually go on adventures through Eriador, Moria and Mirkwood. It's a giant sight-seeing tour of lore, a thrill with every brush one has with the source material. It's heady to consider that four years ago we were but starting on this journey, feeling out the mechanics of combat, crafting and pie-running. Four years later, LotRO has emerged to be one of the most significant MMOs of the past decade, growing strong with no signs of slowing down. Hit the jump as we reminisce about the ups, the downs, and the off-the-beaten-path hikes of our beloved game as it celebrates its fourth anniversary.
Meghan "Patience" Jenks leaves Turbine, Andy Belford departs Mythic
Today, Turbine lost its Patience -- but not in the way you're thinking. Over Twitter, Meghan "Patience" Jenks announced that after six years, she is leaving the studio to move back to California: "I guess it's time to break the news -- Friday is my last day at Turbine. I'm heading back home to CA. It's been an AMAZING 6 years working on amazing games, but I need to be closer to my family." Jenks has been the online community manager for Turbine since 2004; she was one of the studio's most vocal personalities and the face that the community most often saw in interviews and on convention panels. She indicated that she does indeed have a new job lined up, although she called her stint overseeing Lord of the Rings Online's community "THE highlight of my career." If this news upsets you, then Jenks has a few words to cheer you up: "Don't be sad -- if you play Turbine games, you're still in excellent hands with the awesomeness of the Community Team! And no -- YOU CAN'T HAVE MY STUFF. :)" Update: Meghan's not the only one going to California. BioWare Mythic Community Manager Andy Belford also made his farewells on Twitter earlier today. "Jumping on the go west mentality... I'm no longer with BioWare Mythic. I'm moving closer to the family and have a great new opportunity. [... ] Thanks to the WAR and DAOC communities for the last 2+ years. Thank[s] to Mythic for all of the amazing opportunities. I'll forever be grateful." The west coast (and, no doubt, the gaming companies therein) is certainly about to become much richer! Best of luck to the both of you!
The Road to Mordor: A year in Middle-earth
What a difference a year makes, eh? One year ago, and you didn't have to put up with me yammering at you every Friday like a hyperactive badger with a personality disorder. One year ago, and we weren't free-to-play-anything, Turbine was its own company, the festivals were nowhere near as cool as they are today, and shrews freely roamed the land without fear of reprisal. So in my last Road to Mordor (of the year, stop rejoicing over there!), I thought it'd be great to look back at the wild rollercoaster that was 2010 in Lord of the Rings Online. I also thought I'd get an easy column out of all this, but that was before I had to read through 1,337 posts and my eyeballs began to lose pressure. January Stuff happened. Let's move on.
Inception Blu-ray with Limited Edition Briefcase gift set is available in the US
For a moment it appeared that the sweet Limited Edition release of Christopher Nolan's Inception on Blu-ray would be a European only thing, but Warner Bros. has made it available for US customers as well, exclusively via its WBShop.com website. Located by a few Blu-ray.com forum posters, it looks to have all the fixings, with art cards, totem, PASIV instruction manual and of course the metal briefcase itself with Inception Blu-ray and DVD held inside. Preorders are $49.95 and ship December 6, so don't forget to figure in overnight shipping.%Gallery-107316%
Jax returns to Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat creative lead Ed Boon took to GameTrailers TV last night in order to reveal the latest character for the forthcoming series reboot: Jax. For the handful of you who've never made the acquaintance of the metal-armed gentleman, his Christian name is Jackson Briggs and he was first introduced in Mortal Kombat 2. Though he didn't end up with metal arms until Mortal Kombat 3, he'll be appearing in next year's MK fully kitted out. As for more characters in the series being revealed, Boon teases the final roster, saying, "It's gonna be somewhere in the 20s, but we don't have a final number." He also points out that DLC will bring more characters to the game's lineup, so you hardcore Noob Saibot fans can relax.
Mortal Kombat: HD Arcade Kollection listed by GameStop
For the second time in as many months, an online retail site has listed an HD Mortal Kombat collection, further fueling rumors of an HD remake of the first three MK games for PlayStation 3. TRMK spotted a listing for the appropriately titled "Mortal Kombat: HD Arcade Kollection" on GameStop.com. Though the page has since been taken down, a quick Googling of the URL reveals it was a GameStop page for the unannounced title. Unlike the listing from UK retailer ShopTo, the GameStop one has no description of what might actually be contained in the repackaged "Kollection." Oh, and it also changes the name from the UK listing's "collection" to the more thematically accurate "kollection." WB reps wouldn't offer comment though, if the November 16 release date is correct, we'll be hearing more about the game in an official manner very soon. [Image credit: ExtraGuy]
Batman: The Brave and the Bold review: the lighter side of the Dark Knight
From the moment the campaign kicks off, it's patently obvious that Batman: The Brave and the Bold: The Videogame hails from an entirely different lineage than Arkham Asylum. That's not a knock on the game, nor even a reference to the cartoon-stylized visuals; rather, the game's tone is much sillier than the dark and serious approach of last year's smash. By the end of the first chapter, both Batman and Robin have been transformed into housecats, and before the game concludes, Batman's floating in space, blasting a giant starfish with an endless supply of batarangs in a simple shoot-em-up ('rang-em-up?) sequence. It's weird, no doubt, and though The Brave and the Bold suffers due to kid-friendly gameplay mechanics and a total lack of challenge, it maintains a slight winning edge with its total adherence to this playful demeanor. %Gallery-95864%
Spy Hunter movie getting a second chance from WB
Striking while the iron is ... absolutely frozen, Warner Bros. may be looking to restart the Spy Hunter movie project, following its acquisition of the IP from Midway. According to Variety, WB has hired screenwriter Chad St. John, who is also writing an adaptation of DC Comics' Sgt. Rock, to write the script. The last Spy Hunter movie, intended to star The Rock, fizzled out when director Paul W.S. Anderson removed himself from the project after discovering that the script -- adapted from a game about a car that shoots at other cars -- was of poor quality. Had it actually been made, it would have been an appropriate tie-in with the 2006 game Spy Hunter: Nowhere to Run, also starring The Rock. No stars have been named for this version of the movie yet. [Via MTV Multiplayer]
New Lego Harry Potter trailer has us rowling with laughter
TT Games has been at it for some time now with its Lego-themed games, taking on everything from Star Wars to Rock Band, each entry coupling the same goofy, self-referential comedy with a family friendly low barrier to entry. The new trailer for Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 takes these recurring tropes and adds them to the world of Hogwarts, Muggles, and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, sprinkling in iconic moments from the first four blockbuster books throughout. Without a release date for the game – and with the first half of the final Harry Potter film not hitting theaters until next November – we worry it might be awhile before we get our hands on this block-breaking version of Harry.
Batman: Arkham Asylum dev diary has English sensibilities
Has your recent playthrough of the Batman: Arkham Asylum demo left you wondering exactly how the sausage got made? Lucky you -- Warner Bros. and Rocksteady recently released a behind-the-scenes look at the stealth-action superhero sim, which keen-eyed readers have probably already noticed is posted above.The game's creators do a great job of explaining what makes the game so successful -- elements such as the intensive mocap work done to bring the animations to life, story contributions from DC's Paul Dini, and of course, Rocksteady's own "English sensibilities." We're pretty fond of our American sensibilities thankyouverymuch -- but if that's the secret ingredient that makes Arkham Asylum so rad, we guess we can't complain.
Comic-Con 2009: Scribblenauts towers over everything
Just back in June at E3, we barely noticed Scribblenauts, tucked away in the far reaches of WB's space, tucked behind potted plants and up against the back walls of the convention center. Thankfully we did notice it -- everyone at Joystiq now has an extreme case of Scribblenauts fever. It seems like WB got the hint as well. In the middle of the main Comic-Con floor hall, WB has a towering booth touting every film, tv, and video game it has coming out. Of course, prominently featured is Batman: Arkham Asylum, with trailers playing on a ginormous WB water tower surrounded by video screens. However, also showing on that same screen is a Scribblenauts teaser urging players to "Write anything. Solve everything."MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
Schrodinger's Gossip Girl: It's dead but it's still alive
It's been a long run for the Gossip Girl simulation on Second Life, two years in the making actually, but all good things must come to an end. The well trafficked sims will be closing the doors tomorrow, as Warner Brothers and The CW discontinue their virtual marketing campaign for the show of the same name.But that doesn't mean the Gossip Girl community is dying...Fans of the simulation will be overjoyed to hear that the Gossip Girl community is transitioning to a new home thanks to the Metaverse Mod Squad, the builders and moderators of the original official sims. While the official sims, and the setting of the Upper East Side, will be retired on June 30th, the new doors will open on July 1st to large fanfare and a great number of festivities.
Precious Lord of the Rings license goes from EA to WB
The Lord of the Rings license has journeyed to EA and back again to Warner Bros. The Cut Scene reports that the licensing deal for EA to create titles based on the Lord of the Rings films quietly expired at the end of last year. At that time, the rights reverted back to New Line, which is part of Warner Bros. When EA received the Ring license back in 2001, Warner wasn't fully committed to the game business ... that's certainly changed this decade. Warner has also heavily invested in Turbine, developer of Lord of the Rings Online. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment apparently declined to comment on the story.The movie industry is certainly attempting with increasing regularity to enter the game space, hiring executives that may get the job done. Paramount is ready to publish (the rumored) Star Trek DAC in a couple months, while Disney has become far less reliant on licensing its properties to THQ over the years. In time, it appears we'll see more in-house development of games that we currently see "licensed" out, which will hopefully mean better products.
Joker brings the funnies in latest Arkham Asylum trailer
It's time for another trip into the out-of-kilter crazy house that is Batman: Arkham Asylum. Though the first teaser and most recent screenshots highlighted the game's moody lighting and dour atmosphere, the latest Breakout Trailer (embedded after the fold) finally gives us a glimpse at the gameplay. Sailing through the air, sneaking through enemy territory and punching goons in the stomach -- yup, that sounds like the Batman we know. Download Batman: Arkham Asylum Trailer #3 HD (24 MB) %Gallery-39919%[Thanks, Carl V.]
Video: Devs talk Battlestations Pacific specifics
To get you really thinking about and understanding what Battlestations Pacific has to offer, Eidos just released the first of what we expect to be many video developer diaries that touches on the game's features and the thought process behind the game. This first diary touches on the two distinct campaigns offered, how strategy works into the gameplay and the general engine upgrades gamers will experience. Our only question, when did secondary mission objectives equate to an acceptable form of replayability?
Video: Meet the crazies of Batman: Arkham Asylum
Embedded above is a newly released trailer for Batman: Arkham Asylum and, just as one could expect from the game's title, there are quite a few crazies running amok. The Joker seems as deranged as ever, Batman looks to be stressed, there's an overly large (possibly steroid fueled), chain wielding baddie on the loose and well, everything is rather gloomy. Actually, the game doesn't look too bad. Non-video game related pro-tip: Go buy The Dark Knight.
Wii Fanboy Review: Guinness World Records
Back when I got my hands on Guinness World Records at E3, I was surprised at how engaging and fun the title was. Whether that was due to sheer exhaustion or the game actually being that good is anybody's guess. Luckily, the fine folks behind the game sent us a copy to review so we could decide, once and for all, if I was just crazy or if the game really was that good.Which is it? Read on and find out!
First Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe gameplay trailer is toasty
The weekend before E3 is a magical time for video game trailer connoisseurs -- many game developers, in an attempt to get a head start on the hype frenzy, will release new media for their blockbuster titles in order to pique the interest of E3 attendees. Not exactly the wisest move, as most of these West Coast-bound bloggers will be spending most of their weekend deciding if it would be a fashion faux pas to bring a fanny pack to the convention, in order to house their digital cameras, iPhones, audio recorders, handheld gaming devices, and their precious energy drinks.With our staunch anti-fanny pack mentality already set in stone, we're able to skip said deliberation and show you these trailers -- the first of which being the gameplay debut for Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. While our mind still boggles at the logistics of how Superman can even feel our measly human punches, the game looks gorgeous, and the mid-air combat between arena tiers looks badass. Hopefully, Midway's E3 booth will give us a chance to get our hands on MK vs. DC, and, as a result, murder some of our favorite childhood heroes.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and the debut trailer
We would love to get excited for the upcoming video game adaptation of the sixth installment in J.K. Rowling's wildly successful series of books -- unfortunately, our ambitions of striding through Hogwarts' hallowed halls have been sullied by previous lackluster Harry Potter titles from Electronic Arts. To make sure Half Blood Prince is as faithful and entertaining as it can possibly be, we've written up a quick cheat sheet for the game's developers to inform them which elements from the source material should be included when the game hits store shelves in November. Epic wizard duels -- Awesome. Magical puzzles -- Entertaining. Exciting quidditch matches -- Compelling, if handled properly. Collecting "Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans", "Chocolate Frogs", "Fizzing Whizbees", or any other form of magical confection -- About as enjoyable as catching a faceful of Avada Kedavra.
