Use the Force, be the Sith
“Star Wars: The Old Republic” wants to put geeks and nerds in the “Star Wars” universe with its new massively multiplayer online (MMO) game officially released today. As organized as the "Star Wars" fan base is, it's no surprise that game-makers BioWare and Electronic Arts' servers are swamped.
While some of those who preordered were able to start playing around December 13, the development team at BioWare is very anxious for fans of the classic franchise to jump in and experience what it is like to live with (and perhaps battle against) Jedi and Sith. The writing team for the game spent 60 man years (that’s 525,600 hours) in crafting a world that they know is going to be closely analyzed by “Star Wars” enthusiasts.
Daniel Erickson, the lead writer on “SWTOR,” and his writing team pored over every bit of information they could get – from movies to books to comics to encyclopedias. He said they have to be on their game because there are three different types of fans out there, and they will all be looking for details specific to their memories of “Star Wars.” FULL POST
Appealing gifts for the gamer in your life
The important thing to keep in mind about gamers when you’re attempting to buy them holiday presents is this: They have freakish abilities. They can concentrate on one thing for hours on end. They have especially good hand-eye coordination. They can immerse themselves in the rules of improbable universes and can master environments quickly. Buying presents for a gamer is sort of like buying a present for some kind of government special agent.
But don’t worry. The Geek Out! team has reduced the gaming landscape to some essential qualities, so shoppers can target their prize as easily as a first-person-shooter champion. FULL POST
In between comics and gaming lies 'The Darkness'
Ever since the first "Superman" game in 1979, comic books have sought to bring to life their characters through video games.
But recently, developers of both comics and games have recognized the advantages of being able to tell more stories and delve deeper into their characters by crossing over to the other's turf.
While games involving comic book superheroes like Batman or Spider-Man show off the characters, “The Darkness II” wants to truly bring the comic book style and look to video games. FULL POST
Rational superpowers in video games? There's a nerd for that
The video game “Deus Ex: Human Revolution” features Adam Jensen, a cop who was forced to undergo electronic augmentations after he was injured. Some of his augmentations allow him to do things like see through walls or fall unhurt from great heights, things that normal people can’t do – yet.
That’s where Will Rosellini, CEO of a medical device research company called MicroTransponder, comes in. He was a fan of the first “Deus Ex” game and wanted to help make the game believable. His company works on developing electrical implants to control nerve impulses in the human body.
Rosellini’s insights into human augmentation and his predictions for the future of prosthesis ended up lending credibility and authenticity to ‘Deus Ex: Human Revolution’s’ world said Mona Hamilton, vice president of marketing for Square Enix Inc. Eidos Montreal and Square Enix are the companies who create "Deus Ex" and they enjoy a fruitful, ongoing relationship with Micro Transponder. FULL POST
The not so simple revision of 'God of War'
Taking a classic video game designed for a two-dimensional, small screen and converting it for display on a larger, 3D screen takes a little bit of fearlessness, a dash of persuasion, and a healthy dose of hard work and dedication to make it look great.
Sony Computer Entertainment America is releasing “God of War: Origins Collection” as a PS3 exclusive on September 13 for the PlayStation 3. It is rated M for mature due to blood and gore, intense violence, nudity, and sexual content. The pack contains “God of War: Chains of Olympus” and “God of War: Ghost of Sparta” - games that were originally released on the PlayStation Portable (PSP), but have been remastered in high-definition and 3D for the PS3.
It is the first time PSP titles have ever been made available for the PS3 in the US. Chip Blundell, director of marketing at Sony, said the goal was to take fan favorites from the PSP and present them in HD and 3D for gamers to enjoy.
The 3D upgrade was particularly challenging for the Ready At Dawn team, who designed the original PSP games and were given the task of updating their work. FULL POST
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