10-23-2007, 01:04 AM
On Screen - July ´03
Computer Gaming News and Reviews
GLOBETROTTER rounds up the latest developments ...
AS USUAL, the recent month has seen a plethora of announcements of forthcoming releases - and an almost equal plethora of games suffering from the dreaded 'delayed' syndrome. The practice of premature press-releases hyping a game, only for the project to be put back by several months (or even years) is a blight on the computer games industry. As with delayed-release films, it is usually a sign that the actual product isn't much cop. But let us look at some games which show every sign of actually reaching the shelves of games shops:
Evil Genius
VU Games is showing the PC strategy game Evil Genius behind closed doors at the E3 Show. Evil Genius is being developed by London-based Elixir Studios and is scheduled for a Quarter 3 2004 release. This unique simulation is a tongue-in-cheek take on popular spy franchises like Austin Powers and James Bond - but with a twist: Evil Genius offers you the chance to play as the villain and control a secret island base complete with gadgets and traps. You'll need to master a variety of game-play elements to thwart the forces of justice - including building and maintaining a secret lair, training your minions to defend your base in real-time combat and developing doomsday weapons. Also on the exhaustive list of things to do is taking on dangerous missions to increase your power and notoriety. Evil Genius will be available in the fall of 2004 for the retail price of 'one m-m-million dollars!' (Just kidding about the price. I couldn't resist.) Elixir is currently developing 'Republic: The Revolution' for Eidos.
All Access
Sony Online Entertainment has introduced plans for an all-encompassing subscription service that'll allow gamers access to all of the company's entertainment content - from EverQuest to PlanetSide to EverQuest II - for $21.99 a month. The All Access subscription offer began on May 19th. The subscription also gives players access to EverQuest Online Adventures for PlayStation 2 and all of the casual games The Station offers. SOE currently charges separate amounts for each of its titles. However, annoyingly for players worldwide, this offer will not be available for non-SOE published titles such as LucasArts' eagerly awaited Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided or versions of EverQuest or PlanetSide published outside of North America. The All Access subscription also can't be used in connection with SOE's wireless and handheld games or Game Card subscriptions.
Frozen Throne
Blizzard is giving E3 attendees an exclusive look at one of Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne's single-player campaigns. The campaigns are among the last of many new features being finalized in preparation for the expansion set's launch this engine - includes modes like Dueling and 25 Card Draw. Players "saddle up" as one of 25 frontier characters ranging from a gunslinger to a witch capable of hurling deadly spells. These characters traverse eerie settlements and richly textured towns either on foot or by horseback. Other modes of transportation include a stagecoach and a train. Players have over 30 weapons at their disposal. Classic western favorites like the Colt 45 Peacemaker and Parker Shotgun promise to announce their presence with authority. Finding mystical alternatives like the Angelic Bone Sword and Mace of Devouring unlocks new ways of killing off foes.
Half Life: Day of Defeat
Activision and Valve have jointly announced a partnership that grants Activision exclusive worldwide publishing rights to upcoming games created by the developer of Half-Life. The agreement grants Activision the publishing rights to Day of Defeat - a multiplayer game powered by Valve's Half-Life technology. Day of Defeat is scheduled for release this May. Day of Defeat is a World War II multiplayer first-person action game that pits players in Axs vs Allies battles in Western Europe in 1944. Players enlist as different characters and then hit the frontlines running using authentic weaponry. The game - which initially debuted as a mod - features multiple modes and 15 maps. The retail version will include 10 new maps and all-new character models as well as hundreds of new animations and new particle effects. Day of Defeat will also launch with a new Allied squad - the British.
The Sims
Electronic Arts have announced plans to release The Sims Superstar in May or June. Players will be able to pursue the dream of being a star or a supermodel and live the lifestyle of a celebrity. The product includes new social interactions and a new in-game destination. Sims start by signing with an agent and shuttling to Studio Town - a new destination that's home to television and movie lots as well as recording studios. Players can also find fashion facilities in Studio Town. Sims can then network their way to stardom. A new cast of characters will be available to assist the Sims in their quest for celebrity. A fashion designer and a record producer along with a movie director will be available for career advice. A butler and a sushi chef will be on-call as well. And life in the spotlight wouldn't be complete without the glare of the paparazzi and the adoration of fans. Sims owners can expect the usual assortment of new objects - including a skydiving simulator and a satellite dish as well as new art and furniture. Sims will also be able to take advantage of the new day spa - which comes complete with mud treatments and steam baths as well as massages and an oxygen bar. Even domestic staff is available for hire so manicured Sims won't chap their hands with the drudgeries of household maintenance.
I'd be interested in hearing your views on these games and particularly happy to receive recommendations for reviews or subjects for discussion in future columns. Contact me at: ainderby@yahoo.co.uk
Computer Gaming News and Reviews
GLOBETROTTER rounds up the latest developments ...
AS USUAL, the recent month has seen a plethora of announcements of forthcoming releases - and an almost equal plethora of games suffering from the dreaded 'delayed' syndrome. The practice of premature press-releases hyping a game, only for the project to be put back by several months (or even years) is a blight on the computer games industry. As with delayed-release films, it is usually a sign that the actual product isn't much cop. But let us look at some games which show every sign of actually reaching the shelves of games shops:
Evil Genius
VU Games is showing the PC strategy game Evil Genius behind closed doors at the E3 Show. Evil Genius is being developed by London-based Elixir Studios and is scheduled for a Quarter 3 2004 release. This unique simulation is a tongue-in-cheek take on popular spy franchises like Austin Powers and James Bond - but with a twist: Evil Genius offers you the chance to play as the villain and control a secret island base complete with gadgets and traps. You'll need to master a variety of game-play elements to thwart the forces of justice - including building and maintaining a secret lair, training your minions to defend your base in real-time combat and developing doomsday weapons. Also on the exhaustive list of things to do is taking on dangerous missions to increase your power and notoriety. Evil Genius will be available in the fall of 2004 for the retail price of 'one m-m-million dollars!' (Just kidding about the price. I couldn't resist.) Elixir is currently developing 'Republic: The Revolution' for Eidos.
All Access
Sony Online Entertainment has introduced plans for an all-encompassing subscription service that'll allow gamers access to all of the company's entertainment content - from EverQuest to PlanetSide to EverQuest II - for $21.99 a month. The All Access subscription offer began on May 19th. The subscription also gives players access to EverQuest Online Adventures for PlayStation 2 and all of the casual games The Station offers. SOE currently charges separate amounts for each of its titles. However, annoyingly for players worldwide, this offer will not be available for non-SOE published titles such as LucasArts' eagerly awaited Star Wars Galaxies: An Empire Divided or versions of EverQuest or PlanetSide published outside of North America. The All Access subscription also can't be used in connection with SOE's wireless and handheld games or Game Card subscriptions.
Frozen Throne
Blizzard is giving E3 attendees an exclusive look at one of Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne's single-player campaigns. The campaigns are among the last of many new features being finalized in preparation for the expansion set's launch this engine - includes modes like Dueling and 25 Card Draw. Players "saddle up" as one of 25 frontier characters ranging from a gunslinger to a witch capable of hurling deadly spells. These characters traverse eerie settlements and richly textured towns either on foot or by horseback. Other modes of transportation include a stagecoach and a train. Players have over 30 weapons at their disposal. Classic western favorites like the Colt 45 Peacemaker and Parker Shotgun promise to announce their presence with authority. Finding mystical alternatives like the Angelic Bone Sword and Mace of Devouring unlocks new ways of killing off foes.
Half Life: Day of Defeat
Activision and Valve have jointly announced a partnership that grants Activision exclusive worldwide publishing rights to upcoming games created by the developer of Half-Life. The agreement grants Activision the publishing rights to Day of Defeat - a multiplayer game powered by Valve's Half-Life technology. Day of Defeat is scheduled for release this May. Day of Defeat is a World War II multiplayer first-person action game that pits players in Axs vs Allies battles in Western Europe in 1944. Players enlist as different characters and then hit the frontlines running using authentic weaponry. The game - which initially debuted as a mod - features multiple modes and 15 maps. The retail version will include 10 new maps and all-new character models as well as hundreds of new animations and new particle effects. Day of Defeat will also launch with a new Allied squad - the British.
The Sims
Electronic Arts have announced plans to release The Sims Superstar in May or June. Players will be able to pursue the dream of being a star or a supermodel and live the lifestyle of a celebrity. The product includes new social interactions and a new in-game destination. Sims start by signing with an agent and shuttling to Studio Town - a new destination that's home to television and movie lots as well as recording studios. Players can also find fashion facilities in Studio Town. Sims can then network their way to stardom. A new cast of characters will be available to assist the Sims in their quest for celebrity. A fashion designer and a record producer along with a movie director will be available for career advice. A butler and a sushi chef will be on-call as well. And life in the spotlight wouldn't be complete without the glare of the paparazzi and the adoration of fans. Sims owners can expect the usual assortment of new objects - including a skydiving simulator and a satellite dish as well as new art and furniture. Sims will also be able to take advantage of the new day spa - which comes complete with mud treatments and steam baths as well as massages and an oxygen bar. Even domestic staff is available for hire so manicured Sims won't chap their hands with the drudgeries of household maintenance.
I'd be interested in hearing your views on these games and particularly happy to receive recommendations for reviews or subjects for discussion in future columns. Contact me at: ainderby@yahoo.co.uk
GLOBETROTTER
2004-12-06
2004-12-06