Alone in the Dark 5 tech demo raises the survival horror bar

by Tiberius Jonez

While Resident Evil and Silent Hill are the most famous names in the survival horror genre, we musn't forget who created the genre in the first place, Alone in the Dark. The tech demo for Alone in the Dark 5 (AITD5) shown in this video is absolutely stunning and shows some fantastic gameplay possibilities.

No release date has been announced, but we do know that AITD5 will be released on both the Xbox 360 and PS3. In the video, producer Nour Polloni of Eden Games, the studio developing AITD5 for Atari, demonstrates some of the game's amazing visuals and gameplay possibilities. Sticky tape and everyday objects are used in ways that would make MacGyver proud. Atari may very well have a much-needed hit on their hands. We'll be following this one closely as more details come to light. See what I did there? :0-)
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"Ender's Game" game in the works

by Tiberius Jonez

Ender's Game and the "Ender" series of novels are some of the most memorable books I've read, so I am excited to see Orson Scott Card, the series' author has given permission for a game to be developed based on his work.

Chair Entertainment Group, developers of the Xbox Live Arcade game Undertow, and author Orson Scott Card announced a partnership that allows Chair to develop the first video games based on Ender’s Game. Details of the announcement were specific in scope, stating that Chair would focus on the Battle Room, a central aspect of the novel. Development will begin later this year, with the first games coming as downloads. Chair said its games will be available on all next-gen consoles, handheld platforms and PC.

"I have been a huge fan of Ender's Game since I was ten years old, so it is a true honor for our team to be entrusted with creating the first video game inspired by this classic story," said Donald Mustard, creative director at Chair. "Our goal is to create an authentic Ender's Game experience that delivers awesome gameplay and can be enjoyed by both longtime fans and gamers new to the series."

In Ender’s Game, Earth’s best and brightest children are enlisted in the fight against a vicious alien enemy, the Formics. There, the kids are taught military tactics through battle simulations in the Battle Room.

"From the moment I started working with Donald Mustard and his team at Chair, I knew that these were the guys I wanted to do the first Ender's Game video game," said Orson Scott Card. "It's not enough to slap the Ender's Game name on just any game - it has to be exciting, memorable, and endlessly replayable. Chair shares my understanding of this and I am looking forward to working with them to ensure the game is as authentically Enderish as possible."
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PS3 RED RING OF DEATH?

Last Monday I fired up my PS3 in anticipation of watching Superbad on Blu-Ray, which the wife had so graciously picked up for me. Unfortunately, when I put the disc in nothing happened. No title screen, no indication that the PS3 knew the disc was present at all. I'm not a noob, so of course, I cycled the power on and off and tried again...no luck. O.k., I tried shutting down with the all-powerful black switch in the rear that essentially resets everything on the PS3 and still no luck.

Now I was genuinely concerned. I took out Superbad and put in Call of Duty 4...nothing. "Oh no", and several other choice phrases unfit for print rolled from my tongue, then I went to my computer hoping to find a simple solution online. Instead, I found a wide assortment of posts on various forums reporting the same problem - a sudden inability of the PS3 to recognize any disc - and the solutions weren't exactly what I was hoping. Apparently the problem is caused by leaving a game or movie paused for an extended length of time, or even leaving a disc in at the title screen. Eventually, that fancy Blu-Ray laser burns out forever. Goodbye $600.

Every report invariably lead to a return of the console to Sony for a replacement with varying degrees of success or failure. Worse yet, there were many reports of posts being taken down from Sony's own forums in an apparent attempt to keep the problems out of the press. Unsubstantiated reports said the problem was as common as 25% of all consoles sold. What?!

This was beginning to sound just like my experience with the Xbox 360's red ring of death.

With great trepidation, I called Sony's customer support line.

After waiting on hold for nearly 20 minutes, I was greeted by an American-sounding woman. The next five minutes were spent getting all of my personal information, literally one letter at a time. It was extremely irritating to have to spell out the word "road", but whatever...if it helps me receive the correct service the first time through, then I'll put up with it. After all that, I explained my problem and the rep told me they would send me a prepaid shipping box with detailed instructions on how to box up my console and prepare it for pickup. Turnaround time, she said, would be approximately two weeks for me to receive a new console.

She explained that I could copy all the information I had on my console, including game saves, to a memory card so I would not lose my all-important save data. Then, the genius that is my wife noticed the Best Buy receipt said I still had four days to return or exchange it there since it was a holiday purchase. I explained this to the Sony Rep and she gave me an incident number in case I needed to call back and have the box sent anyway.

I copied all my PS3 data to a mini USB drive, packed up the PS3 and headed to Best Buy with my receipt in hand.

After the Geek Squad checked out the console and verified it was, in fact defective, they told me I could exchange it with no problem as long as they removed the UPC code from the new box - since I had already mailed in the original code for my Blu-Ray movie rebate - and the Spiderman 3 Blu-Ray movie, since I had forgotten to pack it in the box. "Sounds great", I said.

I then decided to purchase the two-year replacement plan for the console for $59.99, which I normally never do. In this case I decided if I had a problem in the future it was worth $60 for the convenience of not having to return it to Sony, plus it bought me an extra year beyond the Sony one-year warranty period.

Once I got home I restored my wireless settings, restored all my save data, and then put Superbad in...hallelujah, success! Of course, I had to re-download all my PSN purchases, but that was no big deal as I set them up to download overnight.

Now, I just hope this one doesn't go bad.

I'll let you know if it does. In the meantime, anyone else had a similar experience? Let us know in the comments.
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Happy New Year - 2008 may be a lot like 2007

by Tiberius Jonez

After an extended holiday vacation, I am back and excited about the new year and what it means for the world of gaming. Sony is expecting big things for the Playstation 3 in 2008, and Nintendo hopes to keep the Wii in high demand. Microsoft is looking to move beyond its past hardware problems and let the Xbox 360's staggering library of great games carry it forward. 2008 is going to be a pivotal one for the console makers and game designers alike.

However, before we get too far ahead of ourselves, we need to take a look back at the lessons learned from what many consider the greatest year in video games history, 2007.

In terms of sales, 2007 was unquestionably the biggest year in the history of the video games industry. Even as companies continued to consolidate, seemingly shrinking the number of players on the field, the industry as a whole saw incredible growth. Analysts predict that by the end of 2008, video games will surpass movies and music combined in sales. For an industry barely in its 30's, eclipsing its gray-haired older brothers is impressive.

However, despite the amazing numbers, not all was well. The Playstation 3 continued to stagnate, forcing Sony to release the 40GB PS3 at a $399 price point in order to spark a late surge in sales. While the Wii continued to sell like hotcakes, the lack of quality games for the system began to become a glaring problem for the console's owners. The Xbox 360's long-downplayed hardware problems finally forced Microsoft to invest over a Billion dollars to extend the console's warranty to an unprecedented 3 years as a show of good faith to their loyal customers.

Only a week into the new year, we are already receiving clues of where 2008 may lead us. Several developers, including EA, have committed huge resources to making new games for the Wii over the next year. Microsoft has had some technical issues with Xbox Live over the past few weeks, leading to more bad publicity and consolations to customers. But, the 360 version of Call of Duty 4 continues to sell in huge numbers. Sony's streak of bad luck continues as word came that two of their most important games of 2008, Metal Gear Solid 4 and Little Big Planet have been delayed until at least fall. HOME remains MIA with no word of when gamers can expect to see something from Sony's alleged answer to Xbox Live.

Blu-Ray received a boost this week with their rumored $500 Mil payoff to Warner Brothers securing the studio's exclusive backing of Sony's HD format. Unfortunately, Sony's desire to market the PS3 as a movie player rather than a game console continues to alienate many gamers. At the same time, it has been reported that during their upcoming CES presentation, Microsoft will announce their intent to license the Xbox 360 platform to other manufacturers, a move that could potentially lead to a HD-DVD version of the 360.

If console sales are truly dependent on software, Microsoft is in the best position moving forward since they have the most impressive library of next-gen games available. Based on price, the Wii is clearly in a different situation than either the PS3 or 360. I've been saying for more than a year that Sony needs to get focused on games rather than Blu Ray movies to sell PS3's.

As it stands, the more things change the more they stay the same. By the time 2008 comes to an end we will hopefully have a clearer picture of where the battle between the console manufacturers stands. Right now, the only thing that is crystal clear is the DS is killing everything out there. As someone who owns all three consoles, I know my 360 gets the most play. I like my PS3 but I can't stand online play on it compared to Xbox Live. The Wii needs games...period.

What do you think? Which console(s) do you own? What do you think 2008 will bring us in terms of games? Comment and tell everyone what you think!
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Bullet Hell: Gaming Heaven

by Adam Montgomery

Attack, defend and destroy. Then, you die.

It’s this never-ending cycle that lies at the heart of all Bullet Hell games. Required is a ballet dancer’s toe-tip grace to survive the characteristic blanket-fire that engulfs these game’s screens. Please refrain from recalling Ikaruga, as the game’s tactical element classes it away from the hardcore manic shooters – like the intimidating Batsugun, or Psyvariar.

On the surface, the genre is a band of anti-games: the very opposite of the defining empowerment at gaming’s core. You have a limited agency – a life before an assigned death. Most people will pick up and then immediately put down, startled and stopped by the mountain-like difficulty arc.

Claw away the outer shell, however, and you will find a shocking beast within – a therapeutic one. These games have no agenda to take power from the player, they simply pass it to the deserving. The joy of an underdog’s success is to be found within the relentless waves of a boss’s fire; you elate in your survival with a force few other genres can summon.

Progression, even in small steps, is the main source of reward in these games. Whether it’s getting to stage 4-2 or adding another 10,000 points to your top score, nothing beats topping a personal best. "The zone" is where the real fun lies. Usually you have dropped a few lives by now, but this time you have all your lives left to burn – this run is special. Eagerly, you shoot and navigate your way further, until...YES! You have done it. You’re there. Regular “zone” states, those minutes of unbreakable concentration, occur and you can traverse the landscape of adversity – as laid out by the cruel game master – with ease. Here, you have reached a state of tranquility. Games that pain others now bring you only satisfaction and peace; the hardcore becomes the casual as you become elite.

Then you start again and again. Paradoxically, the games that work the hardest to thwart you with taxing challenges will, without fail, draw you back for another attempt. It works like a sadistic RPG – it’s a grind of immediate action in the hope of attaining eventual strength. And, eventually, with enough effort, you do master it.

If your appetite’s whet for some manic action, I suggest you grab yourself a Dreamcast – unless you feel like buying several arcade machines. In fact, Sega formats are pretty good in general. For a softer introduction, Treasure’s shooters, while hard, are an accessible peek into a land of ramp-like difficulty.

So, get out today and author your own underdog story – written in bullets. Click Here to Continue Reading

PLAY reveals Tomb Raider Underworld coming in 2008

PLAY Magazine (via tombraiderchronicles.com) has confirmed that the next Tomb Raider game is Tomb Raider Underworld. In their January '08 issue, PLAY scores an exclusive interview with Eric Lindstrom of Crystal Dynamics, the game's developer.

According to Lindstrom, Lara Croft's latest adventure will feature a level of realism and interaction unprecedented for the series.

For example, "In the level where Lara explores Southern Mexico, she leaves footprints in the mud, but it's raining so they wash away. The bodies she leaves behind in combat encounters will stay, however, as will the debris from any destruction she causes." He also noted that when Lara kneels on a muddy outcrop, only her knee will be covered in dirt and this will gradually dissipate as she continues on her journey.

On creating a new level of immersion, Lindstrom says, "we developed a hybrid lighting model that combines dynamic lights with carefully created light maps to make our world look stunning in ways that none of the available methods could achieve alone." They've also given Lara full motion capture "to bring a more natural fluidity to her movements, with proper weight and secondary motion."

Tomb Raider Underworld in tentatively scheduled for a 2008 release on Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC.
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Ubisoft working on web-based Might and Magic game

It's already been a good day for Ubisoft and now they have announced work has begun on a new web-based game set in the Heroes of Might and Magic universe. Heroes of Might and Magic Kingdoms, is being developed for a Spring 2008 worldwide launch.

Heroes of Might and Magic Kingdoms is a strategy game set in a persistent version of the heroic-fantasy world of Heroes of Might and Magic. Thousands of players will be able to rule their virtual kingdoms, lead gigantic armies against each other, master the trades or create legendary heroes. The game requires no download or installation, only an Internet connection. In addition, players can play at their own pace; from 10 minutes to multiple-hour sessions.

“This is a new type of game for Ubisoft, one that allows you to jump into a rich and complex universe just with your Web browser,” said Serge Hascoët, Ubisoft's Chief Creative Officer. “Heroes of Might and Magic Kingdoms will open a wide door to the Might and Magic universe, allowing players to immerse themselves within it unlike ever before.”

Read on after the break for ways to get a key to the beta for the game today.

An exclusive key for the beta test is hidden in the Heroes of Might and Magic Complete Edition that releases today, you can also register on www.hommkingdoms.com.

Web-based games have historically ranged from utter crap to pretty good. With a developer as talented as Ubisoft entering this space, maybe we can expect Web-based games to reach the next level.
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Assassin's Creed is killing at retail

Ubisoft announced that in the month since launch its love-it or hate-it epic Assassin's Creed has sold 2.5 million copies globally, making it the fastest selling new video game IP in US history. The company said the title has "greatly outstripped" its sales forecasts and they now expect to sell a minimum of five million copies of Assassin's Creed before the end of their fiscal year in March '08.

As a result, Ubisoft is raising its income expectation by 12%, increasing fiscal year projections by an extra €15 million to €840 million ($1.2 billion). The company also revealed that Tom Clancy's End War, Brothers in Arms and Far Cry 2 are scheduled for release during its next fiscal year, which begins in April. Ubisoft will lay out its complete games portfolio for 2008 on Jan. 23.
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Bioshock floods the VGA's

In case you missed last night's Video Game Awards (commercial) show on Spike TV, the big winner was Bioshock, which took the top prize for Game of the Year as well as Best Original Score and Best Xbox 360 Game. The only award I strongly disagreed with was for best driving game. Dirt got the award over Project Gotham 4 and Forza Motorsports 2. I enjoyed Dirt, but I don't consider it in the same league as the other two, especially Forza 2, which is the best console driving simulation on the planet.

2007 Spike TV Video Game Award Winners:

Game of the Year - Bioshock (360, PC)
Best Role Playing Game - Mass Effect (360)
Best Shooter - Call of Duty 4 (360, PS3, PC)
Best Multiplayer Game - Halo 3 (360)
Best Handheld Game - Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS)
Best PS3 Game - Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (PS3)
Best Xbox 360 Game - Bioshock (360, PC)
Best Wii Game - Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
Best Rhythm Game - Rockband
Best Graphics - Crysis (PC)
Best Military Game - Call of Duty 4 (360, PS3, PC)
Best Action Game - Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)
Best Driving Game - Dirt (360)
Best Individual Sports Game - Skate (360, PS3)
Best Team Sports Game - Madden NFL Football 2008 (360, PS3, Wii, PC)
Breakthrough Technology - The Orange Box (360, PS3, PC)
Best Game Based on a TV Show or Movie - The Simpsons Game (360, PS3)
Most Addictive Video Game Fueled by Dew - Halo 3 (360)

I struggled with the decision of whether or not to include the full name of the final award. It is such a blatant commercial, as was most of the show. But, if you've watched the Grammy Awards or the Oscars, while their presentations are less blatantly commercial, their goals are not. As video games strive for the same respect and creative recognition as those other mediums, sponsorship will play a vital role. Let's just hope they are able to tone it down a bit in the future.

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Ethical bankruptcy = financial bankruptcy

"Because Television can make so much money doing its worst, it often cannot afford to do its best."
-Fred Friendly

Substitute the word 'television' with 'internet', and the above quote seems almost prophetic. Those were the words of Fred Friendly, the producer of See It Now, CBS's landmark news show, which was hosted by Friendly's longtime partner, the iconic Edward R. Murrow. As documented in the excellent film, "Good night and good luck", Murrow and Friendly used a series of See It Now shows in 1954 to shed light on the underhanded tactics of Senator Joseph McCarthy who, at the time, was using his political office to persecute innocent citizens under the guise of halting the spread of communism.

While there is little doubt the power of TV played a vital role in those events, it would have been useless without the courage and resolve of Murrow and Friendly. Despite repeated attempts by McCarthy and opposition members of the press to paint them as communist sympathizers and faced with the possible destruction of their careers, they never wavered in their shared belief that they were acting for the public good.

That was fifty years ago, but the lessons are just as relevant today.

For the past several days the internet has been buzzing over the latest example of ethics being sacrificed for profit. Gamespot, a well-respected source of video game news and information, fired their popular editorial director and employee of eleven years, Jeff Gerstmann, allegedly as a result of pressure from game developer Eidos, a large buyer of Gamespot advertising space. Gerstmann had recently reviewed Eidos's latest release, Kane and Lynch: Dead Men, giving it a decidedly negative score of 6 out of 10.

Since you're reading this blog and not living under a rock, you are probably aware of this story and have likely chosen a side by now -- believing either that Gerstmann was unjustly sacrificed on the altar of corporate profits, or that Gamespot and their parent company, CNET Networks, were within their rights to fire an employee who jeopardized an important advertiser relationship, potentially costing the company hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.

To clarify, I'm not comparing the social impact of reviewing a video game to that of preserving the Constitution. I also have no interest in proving or disproving the accuracy of the allegations against Gamespot. The fact is, true or not, this incident is a black eye for the entire business of gaming journalism. I am more interested in where we go from here.

"With great power there must also come - great responsibility."
-Stan Lee

As a medium, the internet is approaching a crossroads. In fact, it may have already barreled through it. As a tool for generating profit, the internet's been around for less than 20 years, but with recent acquisitions of companies like YouTube, MySpace and others commanding prices approaching $1 BILLION, the power of the internet to shape public opinion, create buying trends and influence corporate decision-making, is quickly approaching that of television. But it's still just a tool, and like Friendly and Murrow half a century ago, it is our courage and resolve that will determine the internet's impact on society.

Unlike websites that focus purely on entertainment content, journalistic outlets are tasked with balancing advertiser needs with fair and objective reporting, all the while producing compelling content that will attract and maintain high levels of readership.

Most video game outlets only make money because readers trust us to be unbiased sources of information. They count on us to help them avoid wasting time and money on bad games. If readers believe the opinions of game reviewers are no more than thinly veiled marketing campaigns dictated by game developers, that trust will be lost and those readers will leave en masse, taking all those advertising dollars with them.

As far as I'm concerned, if we betray the trust of our readers just to make an easy buck, then we deserve our inevitable fate...extinction.

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Penny Arcade authors publicly comment on Gerstmann firing from Gamespot

Penny Arcade was one of the first sites on the internet (along with us and Primotech) to react to the Jeff Gerstmann incident -- making it the subject of today's PA strip. Later in the day, the authors made their first public comment on the situation. An excerpt from their statement follows with the complete version available after the break.

From Penny Arcade:

I will tell you the Gerstmann Story as we heard it. Management claimed to have spoken to Jeff about his "tone" before, and no doubt it was this tone that created tensions between their editorial content, the direction of the site, and the carefully crafted relationships that allowed Gamespot to act as an engine of revenue creation. After Gerstmann's savage flogging of Kane & Lynch, a game whose marketing investment on Gamespot alone reached into the hundreds of thousands, Eidos (we are told) pulled hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of future advertising from the site.

Management has another story, of course: management always has another story. But it's the firm belief internally that Jeff was sacrificed. And it had to be Jeff, at least, we believe, precisely because of his stature and longevity. It made for a dramatic public execution that left the editorial staff in disarray. Would that it were only about the 6.0 - at least then you'd know how to score something if you wanted to keep your Goddamned job. No, this was worse: the more nebulous "tone" would be the guide. I assume it was designed to terrify them.

At this point, I can only assume that Jeff Gerstmann is somewhere, sitting at his computer in bemused wonderment at the public outcry over this entire situation. Honestly, he's probably happy as a clam since this whole thing is very likely increasing his value for whatever company hires him next.

Read the complete statement after the break.

Complete statement From Penny Arcade:

It's been a couple weeks discussing reviews and reviewers around here, but somewhere along the way I neglected to mention that their job is essentially impossible. The 7-9 scale they toil under is largely the result of an uneasy peace between the business and editorial wings of the venue. No matter what score they give it, high or low, they're reviled equally by the online chorus. Apparently, even when they do it right they're doing it wrong.

Jeff Gerstmann is no stranger to controversy. In general terms, Gamespot can be relied upon to give high-profile games scores which are slightly lower than their counterparts elsewhere. It's almost as though there is an algorithm in place there to correct the heady rush associated with cracking open an anticipated new title. Gerstmann's review of Twilight Princess cemented his reputation as a criminal renegade with no law but his own, even though he gave the game an 8.9 - a nine, essentially - out of ten.

I will tell you the Gerstmann Story as we heard it. Management claimed to have spoken to Jeff about his "tone" before, and no doubt it was this tone that created tensions between their editorial content, the direction of the site, and the carefully crafted relationships that allowed Gamespot to act as an engine of revenue creation. After Gerstmann's savage flogging of Kane & Lynch, a game whose marketing investment on Gamespot alone reached into the hundreds of thousands, Eidos (we are told) pulled hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of future advertising from the site.

Management has another story, of course: management always has another story. But it's the firm belief internally that Jeff was sacrificed. And it had to be Jeff, at least, we believe, precisely because of his stature and longevity. It made for a dramatic public execution that left the editorial staff in disarray. Would that it were only about the 6.0 - at least then you'd know how to score something if you wanted to keep your Goddamned job. No, this was worse: the more nebulous "tone" would be the guide. I assume it was designed to terrify them.

For Gabriel, this tale proves out his darkest suspicions. People believe things like this anyway, but they don't know it, and the shift from intuitive to objective knowledge is startling. I think it rarely gets to this point. The apparatus is very tight: there are layers of editorial control that can massage the score, even when the text tells a different tale. A more junior reviewer might have seen their Kane & Lynch review streamlined by this process, divested of its worrisome angles and overall troubling shape. It was Jeff Gerstmann's role high in the site's infrastructure that allowed his raw editorial content to pierce the core of the business.

(CW)TB out.
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Gerstmann controversy update - forums on fire

The 'Gerstmann incident' isn't going away for Gamespot or Eidos any time soon. Both company's forums have been flooded by angry posters voicing their displeasure with a situation they appear to perceive as two money-hungry companies scapegoating an ethical journalist. Whether or not that is actually the case, no one knows since those directly involved in the mess are not commenting publicly beyond short, pat press releases.

The latest development in the ongoing saga is that Gamespot has removed the video review of Kane and Lynch that was the alleged cause of Gerstmann's firing in the first place. The text version of the review has been amended with a note stating that "this review has been updated to include differences between the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions and a clarification on the game's multiplayer mode."

For those of you that never saw the original video review, you can watch it after the break.




It's difficult to believe that Gamespot didn't know this would blow up in their face, which makes me wonder if there isn't more to the story than is being told. The obvious answer is, of course there is more to the story, but until either side talks, this isn't going away!
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