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SOCOM 4 to support PlayStation Move
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/SOCOM_4_to_support_PlayStation_Move_Joystiq'; During its GDC 2010 conference Sony has revealed that Zipper Interactive's upcoming shooter SOCOM 4 will support the (just officially named) PlayStation Move motion controller. Controlling the shooter requires the PlayStation Move and its optional secondary device known as the Move "Sub-controller" -- a wand like device which sports an analog stick. During Sony's Game Developer's Conference keynote SOCOM 4 was demoed using the precise motion-control scheme to varying accuracy success. PlayStation Move support was also showcased in a demo for LittleBigPlanet (originally shown at TGS 2009) where PlayStation Move players could interact with the environment around Sackboy (or Sackgirl!). Sony also featured a handful of mini-games for an upcoming compilation title titled Sports Champions, including a gladiator-style fighter and table tennis. The PlayStation Move will release later this year in a variety of bundles.
Socom 4 debut trailer deployed
Yesterday, Zipper Interactive announced its return to the SOCOM franchise with the sequel to the sequel's sequel, SOCOM 4. This first trailer reveals a bit more about the project, including -- spoiler! -- confirmation that there will be at least one Irish lady and a burning boat at some point in the campaign. Thankfully, the trailer seems to indicate that the game will still focus on shooting dudes with guns and telling other dudes to do the same. It's a tactical shooter, remember? Just tell us one thing, Sony: is it just "SOCOM" or is it SOCOM 4?
SOCOM 4 announced for PS3, Zipper developing
Click to enlarge Hot off the release of MAG, Sony has revealed that the game's developer, Zipper Interactive, will be returning to the SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs franchise for the development of SOCOM 4 on PS3, slated for release this fall. Unlike the Slant 6-developed, online-only SOCOM: Confrontation and Zipper's own MAG, this new SOCOM will include a full story-driven, single-player campaign comprised of 14 missions that the dev expects to offer around 12 hours of gameplay (according to IGN). Of course, the developer's experience on the excellent 256-player MAG will undoubtedly be carrying over (in as many ways as possible) to the announced 32-player online component of its new project. Only 32 players? (We kid.) %Gallery-87398% Source -- PlayStation.Blog Source -- IGN
Take aim at big prizes in MAG tournament
Amidst all the debate about whether or not MAG qualifies as an MMO, not to mention the recent Playstation Network brouhaha, it might be easy to lose sight of the actual game underneath everything. And it'd be a shame if you did, because you'd be missing out on a tournament centering around MAG run by Major League Gaming's Gamebattles site. The prizes? Straight-up cash money. Well, straight-up Sony Style gift cards and Playstation Home items, which is just about as good. (Although you can't rifle through a $1500 gift card like a pack of twenties.) Here are the details: the tournament will have three phases, with each lasting one full month. Each phase is a contest to earn the highest score in a different area -- MAG XP for March, headshots for April, and total kills for May. There will be leaderboards available on the site, as well, to help track how well you're doing compared to all the entrants. If you think you've got what it takes to make the top of the charts, head on over and take a look at the official entry rules. And no matter what, it couldn't hurt to give it a shot.
MAG moves to patch 1.03
For better or worse, most MMOs these days live and die by combat. That goes doubly so for the MMOFPS field, since it's difficult to have a game with "shooter" right in the genre descriptor without some form of lethal ordnance being unloaded. MAG, the massive squad-based shooter on the PS3, has made a major overhaul to its combat system with patch 1.03, designed to address several community concerns and elements that the designers felt were unfair and unfun. A large-scale weapon overhaul has taken place as the centerpiece of the patch, with the effectiveness of several weapons and strategies being re-tuned. The short version: shorter-range weapons have been toned down in terms of their accuracy at range, sights have been toned down for a similar reason, and both battle rifles and rocket launchers have received notable buffs. There's also greater consistency in firing through thin materials such as tents. With changes to the warnings for charges, faster gear switching, and decreased respec costs, the patch also brings improvements not solely linked to weapon balance. MAG players have the patch available now, and we're hoping that the shifts are keeping players more entertained and less frustrated at someone sniping them from half a map away with a shotgun.
MAG developers provide instructional videos on how to be better at MAG
What, you think the Joystiq Biomass, MAG's premier, S.V.E.R.-aligned clan will accept any greenhorn off the street to join its ranks? No, no -- we're only looking for cold-blooded, military-minded killing machines. If you're hoping to join our prestigious organization, you might want to give PlayStation.Blog's recently concluded MAG Developer Tips series a look-see. It provides helpful information on how to play each archetype, how to fill each leadership role, and to not get destroyed in the various gametypes. You'll find links to all of these lessons posted after the jump. Study up, and we might just reconsider your application.
MAG patch 1.03 arrives tomorrow
We've gotten pretty into MAG here at Joystiq HQ, but it's had the unintended side effect of causing us all to get really excited about incredibly minute things in patch notes. Take for example the recently-detailed 1.03 patch for the game, due tomorrow. We know for a fact that at least one Joystiq staffer sent a co-worker an instant message reading "'Changed resuscitated player's camera orientation to match the last camera direction used while incapacitated instead of the pre-harm camera.' YES." See? Super nerdy. Sure, there are some bigger, easier-to-understand balancing changes in there, too, but if you're a MAG fan, we imagine you'll be inclined as we are to ravenously dissect all the nuts and bolts.
MAG resuscitates their medic class with update, prepares to launch stats on MAG.com
Medics of the Shadow War, unite! MAG's latest patch did many favors for you, and even those who aren't of the resuscitation persuasion will find some tasty benefits in their latest version, patch 1.02. The last patch has cleaned up the field support's HUD by removing resuscitation icons from those players who can't be resuscitated, resulting in a much cleaner field of view for medics. Downed players who can be brought back to life also now carry a distance indicator icon on their body, so now you too can GPS your way to help a teammate. The same tracking system has also been given to players who have equipped explosive detectors, pointing out the location of mines. Lastly, medic icons will only be given to soldiers carrying defibulators, so those only holding a healing gun will no longer be medics. The patch has also improved server performance, resulting in reduced lag during high-end matches, and has made a change to the statistics system to prepare it for integration into MAG.com. So, if you're going to be jumping into the medic class after this patch, MAG's art director Steve Suhy has some tips for you when playing support. We've got the video embedded for your viewing pleasure right after the break.
MAG 1.02 patch cleared for duty, to deploy tonight
Medics, it's been a long, hard road in MAG -- hopefully until now. The PlayStation Blog reports that a new patch -- version 1.02, the first of many coming down the pipe -- will be available for download on your console war station tonight at 1 a.m. PST / 4 a.m. EST. The central theme is medical improvements -- specifically, the elimination of the onscreen medic icon from anyone who has a Medical Kit. Now, only those who have the Resuscitation Kit will have the cross. Also, the only soldiers who will see icons over downed players waiting for a resuscitation are those that can actually resuscitate them, which should help get some of that clutter off the screen. Finally, Zipper has added distance counters for those fallen comrades, giving medics a better idea of how far away those in need are. If you're looking for more intel on starting out (or just some general tips on being a badass), hit up the PS Blog.
Interview: Zipper's Alan Van Slyke on MAG's past, present and future
The folks at Zipper Interactive have been in an unenviable position for the past eighteen months. Ever since the studio's flagship PS3 title MAG was revealed during Sony's E3 2008 press conference, the gaming populace's collective expectation (or, alternatively, apprehension) for the title set an impossibly high bar for the developer to clear. We first spoke to the game's producer, Alan Van Slyke, during PAX 2009, when he explained a bit of the techno-wizardry which powers the game's internal servers. Yesterday, we got a chance to speak with Van Slyke once more -- this time about the pressures associated with developing a game of this (forgive the pun) magnitude, whether the game's rigorous beta testing paid off, and how one of MAG's three factions has evolved into an unstoppable victory machine. Joystiq: When did Zipper Interactive decide on making a multiplayer game with 256 players? None of your studio's earlier games are nearly that large in scope – what kind of factors led to that decision? Alan Van Slyke: Well, I think that specific number actually came more from design than it was just an arbitrary number -- but definitely the early thinking was we want to build something big. %Gallery-51370%
MAG designed to be a 'platform,' balancing patches coming soon
We recently got a chance to speak with Zipper Interactive's Alan Van Slyke, who produced the company's recently released multi-multi-multiplayer FPS, MAG. When asked about ongoing support for the title, Van Slyke responded that the developer won't let the game go stale -- in fact, he explained that Zipper sees MAG as a platform on which new content can be added in the future. Van Slyke explained, "we made a big investment, we had a lot of learning, we built a lot of tech, and we have this awesome multiplayer platform that we can build upon and add new gametypes to." He later added, "the possibilities are endless for us, and in many ways, even though we just released the game, looking forward for us is super exciting, knowing what we can do with the engine we have today." The producer also addressed concerns many players have had with balancing issues -- particularly that the ragtag S.V.E.R. faction is far too overpowered. "It's something we're definitely aware of, and we've already got a number of fixes in the pipe. We're definitely committed to making sure all the maps, factions and gear is perfectly balanced." For more information on MAG's past, present and future, check out our full interview with Van Slyke when it goes live tomorrow afternoon.
MAG review highlights strengths and flaws of the console MMOFPS
MAG is a PlayStation 3-exclusive MMOFPS title we've been keeping our eyes on at Massively. The inevitable debate aside about whether Zipper Interactive's title is an MMO or not -- yes, tanks and guns replace dragons and magic spells -- the game accommodates up to 256 players in a zone at a time. The idea of FPS gameplay with that many people at such a high degree of graphical detail is pretty mind-boggling, and it's something we've explored a bit in the MAG beta. Our parent site Joystiq recently sat down with the game now that it's officially launched and wrote a short MAG review. Joystiq's Griffin McElroy gives a brief overview of MAG's gameplay and his assessment of the title's merits and flaws. That idea of 128 players per side doesn't mean you'll all be charging towards your opponents in one awesome wave, he notes. Rather, you'll typically be interacting with your fellow soldiers on a squad level (4-8 people) to achieve objectives, with multiple squads comprising platoons, and four such platoons forming an army.
MAG's Veteran Mode explained
MAG's official launch was only a few days ago, but developer Zipper Interactive is already explaining some of the benefits to having a high level character in the MMOFPS. Players who hit the level cap of 60 can enable "Veteran Mode", which Zipper Interactive has mentioned in the past. Now, they've clarified what exactly the advantages to doing so are in a blog post -- essentially it's an incentive to reroll once you've maxed out your character, and experience more of the game. If you're looking to try something new, you'll be able to keep your past accomplishments (medals, ribbons, and related stats) when you reset your character to level 1. Even though your experience counter resets to zero, your lifetime experience will show everything you've ever earned -- a permanent record viewable on the stats page of your barracks. Players after trophies for hitting max level in all private military companies (PMCs) in MAG will want to take advantage of Veteran Mode and the experience boost it imparts. Veteran Mode gives players a permanent 10% bonus added to the experience total for each match, provided that players sticks through the entire round. Other players can easily recognize a Veteran by the gold insignia displayed beneath that character's rank. While we suspect it'll be a while before most players hit that level cap, Zipper Interactive detailed MAG's Veteran Mode on the game's official blog.
Review: MAG
MAG is one of the most ambitious, innovative games I've played over the course of the past year -- and considering the past year has seen the introduction of a disc-jockey simulator and a game you play exclusively with your feet, I think that's a braggable claim. If you're coming over to MAG straight from an extended tour of service in Modern Warfare 2, the transition is going to be a rough one. While the former rewards mad skillz and high K/D ratioz, Zipper Interactive's 256-player battles ultimately aren't affected by your personal performance. No one player can pull his team to victory -- and, alternatively, no one player can be blamed for his team's loss, which really takes the pressure off of mediocre soldiers like me. Instead, battles are won with communication, teamwork and leadership. When all three are present in your squad, MAG is one of the most enjoyable multiplayer shooters you'll ever play. When just one of them is absent, it's a total nightmare. %Gallery-51370%
The Daily Grind: What MAG faction are you?
It's MAG's launch day! Yaaaaay! The servers are up, the sides are being formed, and the never-ending Shadow War and contract tossing has begun. Another MMO action game has invaded the console realm and that's a good thing, even if you may not be a huge fan of MAG. Even if MAG isn't your thing, you can still participate in today's question, dear readers! MAG prominently features three different armies -- Raven, VALOR, and S.V.E.R. Each army has its own style and way of getting things done. Raven Industries leans heavily on technology, preferring to use devices and upgrades to carry out the mission in a suave, European style. Meanwhile, across the pond, VALOR Company recruits ex-soldiers from the American military, preferring to win conflict through grit, determination, and large guns. Then, coming from the cold climate of Russia, Seryi Volk Executive Response (S.V.E.R.) is all about finishing the mission with what you have available. They cobble together their weaponry, their uniforms, and whatever they need to get the job done. Of these three factions, which one are you joining, or would you join in MAG? Why does that army pop out at you over the other two? Take your time, think it through, and then declare your allegiance in the comment threads. Go go go!
The Daily Grind: Going out to pick up MAG tonight?
So today's the morning of the 25th, dear Massively readers, and that means tonight is the midnight release of MAG! The PS3 is going to get a little more MMO this evening as thousands of players log in for intense "I don't know where I got shot from" action with 256 players. So, we'll make this short and sweet for you guys. Are you visiting the midnight release tonight to pick up your copy? If so, how early are you going to be there to take part in the "late night festivities?" Are you going to camp out at 10 PM or are you just going to show up 5 minutes before midnight? Bonus question: If you're getting MAG tonight, are you going to go home and spam it, or are you saving it for Tuesday? Take your opinion, load it in your keyboard, and then fire it directly into the comment box below. We're waiting, maggots!
MAG dev calls Xbox Live 'more juvenile' than PSN
Zipper Interactive's Ben Jones has some fighting words against Xbox Live users. At a recent European press event for MAG, he told Gamerzines that "Xbox Live [is] the more juvenile of the two," blaming "the things that are being said over Xbox Live." Certainly, anyone that's played a match of Halo 3 or Modern Warfare 2 on Xbox has had to endure trash-talking bigoted 12 year olds, like this one. But, we'd disagree with Jones. Uncharted 2 and Modern Warfare 2 on PS3 play home to players that are just as foul-mouthed as the ones on Xbox. Here are just a few examples. Imagine how terribly offensive the service would be if more players used headsets! If only there were more people like PlayStation VP Kevin Butler playing games online. At the very least, the online world would be a funnier place. Check out his new ad after the break. [Via VG247] Source - Zipper: Xbox Live "more juvenile" than PSN - Gamerzine Source - It Only Does 256 Players - PlayStation.Blog
Final MAG beta statistics released, over one million served
The last beta phase for Zipper Interactive's pseudo-MMOFPS MAG has ended, and the developer has compiled some facts and figures you may find fascinating. According to a recent post on the studio's blog, over one million people downloaded the MAG beta client worldwide. Of that group, around 619,000 people gained at least one point of experience, 52,846 became eligible for Squad Leader status, 10,249 became Platoon Leaders, 3,181 hit the rank of Officer in Charge, and only 143 players reached the level 60 experience cap. Zipper also broke down the populations of the three factions: Raven and Valor each netted about 38 percent of the game's player base, while SVER only picked up 24 percent. However, despite its smaller size, SVER ended up winning out overall for the Sabotage gametype. Well, now we know which private military contractor is the plucky underdog.
MAG Trophies revealed, not a walk in the park
If you were looking for the more punishing end of the "Trophy Difficulty Spectrum," you've found it: PlayStation.Blog recently revealed the full list of Trophies for Zipper Interactive's MAG, which will require completionists to get a character to the level cap for each of the title's three factions. Based on our time with the demo, we estimate that process will take you about until MAG 2: Now With 257-Player Battles comes out. Click past the jump to see the rest of the game's unlockable accomplishments.
MAG release dates announced for Europe, Australia & New Zealand
Though Americans have known for some time when they'd be getting their hands on Zipper Interactive's 256-soldier battlefest, MAG, would-be troopers living in other countries haven't been so fortunate. Luckily for these poor souls, a SCEE community manager recently confirmed the game's release dates for a few territories: According to a forum thread created by the Sony rep, the game's coming to Europe on January 27, Australia and New Zealand on January 28 and finally, to the U.K., on January 29. We don't think it's very fair to give the rest of Europe a two-day head start on the U.K., but we really can't complain -- by that point, our characters will have become three-day-old murder machines.
