Shields Are Online

Sniper Elite V2 gets competitive on PC version

2012-04-18T16:08:01Z

The PC version of Rebellion Games' Sniper Elite V2 will contain a competitive suite, the developer announced on the game's official forums.

The 12-player team deathmatch option was added by Rebellion themselves, as they are self-publishing the PC version of the game. 505 Games, however, is pubslishing the console versions. Responding to the matter on Twitter, Rebellion said, "We only had the power to make that decision on the PC version. We chose to include it."

All versions of Sniper Elite V2 will contain co-operative play when it releases early next month.

[TVGB] Sniper Elite V2 Gets PC-Only vs Mode

Max Payne 3 comic series coming from Marvel

2012-04-18T03:38:19Z

An original three-part Max Payne 3 comic book series from Marvel Comics is set to release as a digital graphic novel and in limited print, Rockstar Games announced today.

Written by Dan Houser and Remedy's Sam Lake, the comic series will explore events revolving around the first two games in the series as well as events that lead up to the upcoming game's release. You'll also explore Max's early years.

Issue #1, "After the Fall," will release for free on Rockstar Newswire, the official Max Payne 3 website and other digital comic distributors.

[Rockstar Newswire] Original Max Payne 3 Comics Series Produced by Marvel Coming Soon

Starhawk devs want their DLC to stray away from big expansions

2012-04-18T03:29:46Z

Starhawk is poised to have a steady stream of post-launch support after its May 8 release, Sony Santa Monica producer Harvard Bonin told RespawnAction. That is, however, if there's a market for it.

"If Starhawk doesn't do all that well there will be less DLC for the title," Bonin said. He did, however, go on to mention what the minds at Lightbox Interactive and Sony Santa Monica are envisioning for post-launch support.

"I can say that we'd like to move away from the 'big expansion' type of release," he revealed, adding that making the content affordable is also key.

"By doing this we're hoping to increase awareness of the DLC and also sprinkle it around to lots of players rather than a very core few. We'll see. We're not sure quite yet."

In addition to adding more content to the core game, Bonin stated that creating downloadable content can be beneficial to team members looking to advance their careers.

"Downloadable content is also a great way to give team members a route of advance in companies. Team members that might be looking to take on more responsibility can find a proving ground in creating DLC for the main title."

Last week, Bonin gave us some insight on creating a well-rounded multiplayer experience with Starhawk.

Resident Evil 6 now dated October 2, will feature three playable story paths

2012-04-10T16:42:22Z

Resident Evil 6 will now see release on October 2, Capcom revealed at its Captivate event last week. The game was originally slated for a November release.

Additionally, the game will feature three playable story archs, each different in their own way yet all are interwoven into a bigger picture. Each arch will also be playable co-operatively, both online and offline; Leon S. Kennedy will be paired with U.S. government agent Helena Harper, Chris Redfield with BSAA agent Piers Nivans, and the previously mysterious character, now revealed as Albert Wesker's son, Jake Muller, is joined by Sherry Birkin. Birkin is the daughter of former Umbrella scientists, William and Annette.

As announced earlier, Resident Evil 6 will re-introduce zombies into the mix, who are now joined by the brand new C-Virus. Not much is known about the new outbreak, but it offers a slew of new transformations, such as the Chrysalide, "where a full metamorphasis occurs, spawning a whole whose of horrific creatures."

There are no plans for Max Payne 3 demo

2012-04-10T14:05:08Z

Rockstar Games today confirmed that they have no plans for a Max Payne 3 demo, tweeting plain and simple, “There are no plans for a demo of Max Payne 3." Doesn't get more straightforward than that.

If you were fortunate enough to have traveled to PAX East this past weekend and were then willing enough to withstand the wait to play the on-hand demo of Max Payne 3, it turns out it was all worth it. Well, as if it already wasn't, that is; it's Max Payne, after all.

Max Payne 3 will see release on May 15 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.

Bulletstorm sequel canned early in development

2012-04-09T22:02:56Z

A sequel to last year's Epic Games/People Can Fly project, Bulletstorm, was canceled early in development, and Epic Games moved developer People Can Fly to another project, Epic president Michael Capps said at PAX East.

"We thought a lot about a sequel, and had done some initial development on it, but we found a project that we thought was a better fit for People Can Fly," he said. "We haven't announced that yet, but we will be announcing it pretty soon."

Capps mentioned that, while the original game was a critical success, the fact that it wasn't too successful in sales may have turned publisher Electronic Arts off. In the end, though, he would love to revisit the series.

"I'd love to go back [to Bulletstorm]," he said. "I think there's more to do with Bulletstorm. Heck, it kind of ended wanting more. I'd love to see another project, but right now we don't have anything to talk about."

[GameSpot] Epic Shelved Bulletstorm Sequel

Borderlands 2 to have fifth playable class, added free post-launch

2012-04-09T12:58:00Z

Borderlands 2 could be adding a fifth playable class to its roster after its September launch, developer Gearbox Software president Randy Pitchford revealed at their PAX East panel.

The new class, known as "The Mechromancer," is a young red-headed cyborg girl that can control mechanized units, such as the D374-TP, or the "Deathtrap."

However, it's only a concept at this point, and doesn't exist as of yet, but the development team will be committed to adding the new class once the core Borderlands 2 is complete and shipped.

"We're going to give it to you for free," Pitchford said, noting the Mechromancer would be added as a post-launch downloadable content for first-day purchasers. The new class is said to be added roughly two months down the line.

Players of the original Borderlands will receive a unique head and skin for each class as a nifty bonus.

[Side-Mission] Borderlands 2 Will Probably Have a Fifth Playable Class: The Mechromancer

PAX East / Hands-on with Hawken

2012-04-09T12:49:00Z

As a follower of Hawken since the beginning, I was fortunate enough to be invited to a PAX East hands-on session with a small gathering of other lucky souls. Among those in attendance was producer Jason Hughes, who reminded us that we were getting our feet wet with an early build of the game, and that any criticism and insight regarding what we the fans thought would be truly helpful toward the game's development.

We all grouped behind one another, peering over each other's shoulders to get a glimpse of the gameplay as if we were witnessing the first hadoken thrown in an arcade in the early 90s. The game looked even more gorgeous in person than it has in the brief gameplay trailers that were revealed over the past year, and I didn't think that was possible. Screens were filled with bright greens and intense oranges, and we all marveled at it.

Needless to say, the anticipation grew as we each neared one of the twelve stationed Alienwares.

Finally, I was at the helm, and after sanitizing my hands with the bottle of Purell that stood before me, I put the headset on took to the customization screen.

Sniper Elite V2 demo picks off next week

2012-04-05T22:15:53Z

A demo for Rebellion Games' Sniper Elite V2 will hit the Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Network next week. It will be available on Xbox 360 Tuesday, April 10, and on PlayStation 3 the following day.

CVG notes the demo will be comprised of a "special mission" that takes place among a crumbling Schöneberg, where you'll be tasked with infiltrating enemy lines and laying a booby-trap for an armored convoy. Oh, and there are precious V2 rocket documents to collect as well.

It may sound like a tough job, but you at least see plenty of slow-motion X-ray kill cams with each baddy you pick off.

[CVG] Sniper Elite v2 Demo Release Date Confirmed

Starhawk producer on creating a well-rounded multiplayer experience

2012-04-05T13:10:35Z

When we last spoke to Starhawk producer Harvard Bonin back in January, the game's closed-beta had just concluded, and Lightbox Interactive was gearing up for a slew of new players to join the fray.

After a successful open-beta, Starhawk is now in its crunch phase of development, with everyone at Lightbox now heavily examining walls of code and pounding through constant playtests to ensure the game will be in the best shape possible come its May release.

So, what was learned from the open-beta, and how has that affected Starhawk's development?