The PC Centric Extravaganza 2.19.08
Posted by Chris Evans on 02.19.2008
Ah indie games are great, uni work sucks!
The PC Centric Extravaganza 19th February 2008
It has been a busy week and even now as I write this I should be cracking on with my university work…it sucks so I am taking a break for this! Anyway this week for me has seen an interview go down, an indie game get previewed and another one get reviewed. Oh and of course there was Valentine's which was a great night with my amazing girlfriend. Anyway, on with the (brief) news!
Red Alert 3 Announced
Well as you all know by now EA have confirmed that Red Alert 3 will be released, don't know when, but it will be! The BattleCast PrimeTime video with some information from the Executive Producer follows with more info after the jump.
- aping C&C3's introduction of The Scrin, RA3 also has a new, third faction - the Empire of the Rising Sun ("UNLIKE ANYTHING YOU'VE EVER SEEN BEFORE!" - actual quote. Hmm), which will presumably continue the series' proud tradition of affectionate racial stereotyping. The shtick is the Japanese Empire survived into the modern age - dare we dream of cyberpunk ninja, steam-powered samurai?
- It's about World War III
- It sounds as though it may be a divergence from the pre-existing Red Alert plot into something new. But don't quote me on that.
- Naval combat (conspicuously absent from C&C3) will be pretty meaty
- Tesla-tech returns
- The campaign is playable in co-op. This = ace.
- It appears to look pretty much exactly as you'd expect Red Alert in the Generals/C&C3 engine would look
- Intelligent dolphins!
- Armoured bears!
Don't see why they needed to introduce the Japanese when Yuri could easily have returned, ah well! Information regarding a Beta will hopefully be forthcoming.
– Blog and 411.
Quick thoughts – great to see more C&C, especially some Red Alert, that was always my favourite universe in the series. Early screens are….looking ok I guess, nothing especially exciting, but it is early days so in time we will see more and get to judge more on how the game looks.
I wonder why Japan gets involved though; I think the press release said that the Russkies go back in time but end up coming back to World War 3 with Japan fighting America? Then again I may have dreamt that! Anyway the Red Alert games are always a bit on the wild side so as long as it is fun then I will have no complaints.
UK Gaming Ratings
A report by the Guardian newspaper says that UK ministers are discussing plans for introducing a cinema like age rating system for all games sold in the UK.
At the moment only games showing sex or "gross" violence to humans or animals require legally enforceable age limits. Ministers plan to impose measures requiring all games to carry a legally binding age restriction rating. Ministers also are thought to make a recommendation to parents that games should only be played in the kitchen or in an area where parents/carers can view and manage what is being played.
Ideas are also being discussed regarding enforcing filters on internet sites that are deemed unsuitable for children.
Hugo Swire, a former shadow culture secretary, has suggested that the default setting for internet content would be for children, with a password or pin needed for unfiltered material.
Finally it is expected that Tory MP Julian Brazier will launch a private members bill aimed towards setting up a new body to assess and appeal against BBFC classification of games and DVDs.
Small update here on CVG regarding the PEGI's position on this issue. For me I think that what we have is fine here in the UK, I don't buy the argument that parents don't understand the PEGI ratings as they are simple as anything, nice easy age rating and you are done. Keep things the way they are, just make retailers check ID and who the games are being bought for.
Far Cry Movie
.....that is not what a Far Cry movie should look like...thanks Uwe. I still will go see this just to see how bad it is, honestly can't Uwe Boll do anything right? I can't wait til he actually stops making game-film conversions.
Spore Release Date
Go here watch the movie, smile. September 7th 2008 is when Spore will fall into our laps. The following message comes with the first newsletter.
While we finish up the game over the next few months, we'll be sharing more information with you and other fans. As a newsletter subscriber, you'll be among the first to get new Spore information, screenshots, videos and other cool features from the Spore team. Check out our launch date teaser, and of course you can visit Spore.com for updates anytime.
Oh and the European version is coming out two days earlier :D
Taken from my blog.
Bits n Bobs
Cliffy B the man behind Gears of War is getting ready to turn his back on the PC and go console crazy! This makes me sad =[ (linky)
It seems that AMD, Intel, Microsoft and nVidea are coming together to try and get the PC back on track as a gaming platform….I have little hope that anything good will come out of this =[ (RPS)
Aliens and Red Faction 3 have been given big meaty full titles, find out all here.
Interview, Preview and Review
Check out my interview with Frank Klepacki the legendary gaming composer right here on 411! We talk about a whole load of shit, and we even talk about his thoughts on working on Red Alert 3!
I have Previewed World of Goo….and I loved it! Check it out here and watch and wait as it may get posted here on 411 with Ramon's blessing!
I have also Reviewed AudioSurf…and guess what? I loved it! Check it here and watch and wait as it may get posted here on 411 with Ramon's blessing! :P
World of Goo and AudioSurf are two games nominated for the top prize at the Independent Games Festival awards, and I really think that both have an outstanding chance to win it. They are two amazing indie games and are shining examples of how good the PC is right now as a gaming platform!
Anyway, as I have to get back and crack on with my uni work I will love you and leave you all, sorry for the
short column but sometimes these things happen! Hopefully we can get back to normal service next week.
