General Games Industry News and shizz

DBSnappa · **Posted:** Sat Sep 04, 2010 18:59

I spotted on Ars this afternoon that another codeshop (Gearbox) has taken over the source material of 3D Realms Duke Nukem Forever and is confident that it will be out either late this year or early next

Apparently it's going to be playable at PAX

Blucey · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 1780

Meep!!!!

Squirt · **Joined:** 31st Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 6515

Duke Nukem to definitely be released next year, according to the BBC -
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11198237

On the other hand, do BBC even bother to fact-check any more? Spot the obvious mistake in that article.

Cras · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 49232

Quote:

The original Duke Nukem, released in 1991, popularised the concept of 3D shooters. Developed by iD Software, the game saw players shooting their way around a German castle.

The game was a massive hit, although its significance was eclipsed by iD's next title Doom.

Wow.

Malc · **Posted:** Mon Sep 06, 2010 12:19

heh wolfenstein and duke nukem, easy enough to get confused with each other

Malc

Malc74 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 06, 2010 15:25

What the hell is that writer talking about?

Quote:

If it does, the game will become the record holder for the longest game between releases, thought to be currently held by Deus Ex which has at least an eight year gap since its last release.

So... it's the longest length of time a game has gone without a sequel? Funny that, because I'm pretty sure we've been waiting for Spacewar! 2 since 1967...

Squirt · **Joined:** 31st Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 6515

Well, Deus Ex : Invisible War was 2003, and Deus Ex : Human Revolution is planned for 2011, so maybe that's what is meant - an eight year gap between actual releases.. Although "thought to be currently held by Deus Ex" presumably means "the writer though for about 8 seconds". Fallout 2 & 3 had a 10 year gap, and I'm sure there are many, many others.

WTB · **Joined:** 27th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 14497

It's because of articles like that, and the Guardian's DoDonPachi review that I thought "fuck it", and sacked off the idea of being a games journalist. If I'm scraping a living together, unable to get a gig for Magazine X or Newspaper Y, and then I read stuff like that, day in day out, what's the point even bothering? How do these people get jobs at the BBC in the first place?

WTB · **Joined:** 27th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 14497

Squirt wrote:

Well, Deus Ex : Invisible War was 2003, and Deus Ex : Human Revolution is planned for 2011, so maybe that's what is meant - an eight year gap between actual releases.. Although "thought to be currently held by Deus Ex" presumably means "the writer though for about 8 seconds". Fallout 2 & 3 had a 10 year gap, and I'm sure there are many, many others.

It's a total bollocks space-filling "fact". No interest to anyone, just to pad the writing out.

zaphod79 · **Joined:** 16th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 14489

Squirt wrote:

Although "thought to be currently held by Deus Ex" presumably means "the writer though for about 8 seconds".

Squirt wrote:

Fallout 2 & 3 had a 10 year gap, and I'm sure there are many, many others.

Kid Icarus was the one that sprung to mind , although thats just because its just been announced at E3 , original game was 1986 and the sequel 'this year' would make it 24 years between , although again i'm sure there are others.

Doctor Glyndwr · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 32619

Craster wrote:

Quote:

The original Duke Nukem, released in 1991, popularised the concept of 3D shooters. Developed by iD Software, the game saw players shooting their way around a German castle.

The game was a massive hit, although its significance was eclipsed by iD's next title Doom.

Wow.

Duke Nukem was written by Apogee, right? And id's pre-Doom games were published by Apogee, right? That's why he's confused. It's very slightly less dumb that it sounds. It's been removed now too.

Quote:

"thought to be currently held by Deus Ex"

I think this is the more objectionable of the two errors. It's very obvious he's using "thought to be" as a very, very lazy cop-out for any real research.

WTB · **Joined:** 27th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 14497

Oh, and then you email Tom Bramwell and ask him for some freelance work and he says that they don't have any, only to regularly publish reviews from games journalists who clearly aren't fucking interested in the games they're reviewing. For example, the Case Zero review the other day which the reviewer played for about half an hour before writing a factually inaccurate load of utter bollocks that told readers nothing. Not that I'm bitter.

Doctor Glyndwr · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 32619

Wogan'sTrouserBulge wrote:

Oh, and then you email Tom Bramwell and ask him for some freelance work and he says that they don't have any, only to regularly publish reviews from games journalists who clearly aren't fucking interested in the games they're reviewing.

PC Pro and Computer Shopper "didn't have any freelance work" shortly after I made Shopper pay me for an article they rejected and then copied entire paragraphs out of.

devilman · **Posted:** Mon Sep 06, 2010 15:50

zaphod79 wrote:

Kid Icarus was the one that sprung to mind , although thats just because its just been announced at E3 , original game was 1986 and the sequel 'this year' would make it 24 years between , although again i'm sure there are others.

Heh I thought of that game too, but then wondered if I was just getting mixed up with the characters appearance in Super Smash Bros on the Wii.

WTB · **Joined:** 27th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 14497

Doctor Glyndwr wrote:

Wogan'sTrouserBulge wrote:

Oh, and then you email Tom Bramwell and ask him for some freelance work and he says that they don't have any, only to regularly publish reviews from games journalists who clearly aren't fucking interested in the games they're reviewing.

PC Pro and Computer Shopper "didn't have any freelance work" shortly after I made Shopper pay me for an article they rejected and then copied entire paragraphs out of.

You have to be chums with the editor to get freelance work usually. It's pretty much as simple as that. I've been lucky with a couple of one-offs in PC Zone (although I did know a couple of the writers, one of whom actually got me started in the first place), and a few other mags, but getting anything consistently (i.e. they email you instead of you pestering them), you need to be bezzie mates with someone, or pretty lucky (ask at the right moment and get them out of a bind - the favour will be repaid with years of freelance work, possibly).

But yeah, it'd be less annoying if the people who are supposedly more worthy of the work than you were actually doing a half decent job. Fact is, most of it is utter shite.

Grim... · **Posted:** Tue Sep 07, 2010 9:55

Doctor Glyndwr wrote:

Quote:

"thought to be currently held by Deus Ex"

I think this is the more objectionable of the two errors. It's very obvious he's using "thought to be" as a very, very lazy cop-out for any real research.

Elite - 1984. Frontier - 1993.
And that's just one from the top of my head - I imagine there are several with much longer gaps.

zaphod79 · **Joined:** 16th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 14489

We could spend ages coming up with others that are longer - what about one in the same genre and even one of the titles he mentions in the article

Doom II released in 1994
Doom 3 released in 2004

Anonymous X · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 2046

zaphod79 wrote:

Kid Icarus was the one that sprung to mind , although thats just because its just been announced at E3 , original game was 1986 and the sequel 'this year' would make it 24 years between , although again i'm sure there are others.

Don't forget that there was a second Kid Icarus game on the Game Boy, released in 1991.

Cras · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 49232

That's still 19 years then.

Grim... · **Posted:** Tue Sep 07, 2010 14:35

It's not out yet.

Anonymous X · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 2046

With the 3DS looking massively unlikely to be released anywhere this years, it'll be 20 years then, assuming Kid Icarus appears around the 3DS's launch window.

Dimrill · **Posted:** Fri Sep 10, 2010 3:55

The administrators have apparently found a buyer for Realtime Worlds.

Zardoz · **Posted:** Fri Sep 10, 2010 8:59

Is it Dimrill?

WTB · **Joined:** 27th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 14497

They've changed the 360 dashboard, again. Seems to be pretty much a new skin really.

Grim... · **Posted:** Tue Sep 14, 2010 0:14

That's much nicer. When's it coming out?

Zardoz · **Posted:** Tue Sep 14, 2010 0:29

Whoosh! Whoosh!

WTB · **Joined:** 27th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 14497

Grim... wrote:

That's much nicer. When's it coming out?

I think it comes with the big update for Kinect.

LewieP · **Joined:** 29th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 7600

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/40904/PlaySta ... s-cheapest
Tesco discount on Move starter pack is less than what indies are paying distributors. Featuring SavyGamer :hat:

LewieP · **Joined:** 29th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 7600

APB is being shutdown now.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2 ... er-emerges

It lasted not quite 3 months.

zaphod79 · **Joined:** 16th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 14489

Without knowing the exact details (I know APB is an online game) when they pull the plug is that the end (i.e. no offline modes available?)

Mr Dave · **Posted:** Thu Sep 16, 2010 19:48

zaphod79 wrote:

Without knowing the exact details (I know APB is an online game) when they pull the plug is that the end (i.e. no offline modes available?)

Yes. MMOs don't tend to do offline play in any form.

Given the response both from Critics and sales, it's unsurprising noone wanted it.

Dimrill · **Posted:** Thu Sep 23, 2010 19:31

Latest cunt move by Sony appears to be in the form of a system update that disables certain third party controllers. the cunts.

zaphod79 · **Joined:** 16th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 14489

Dimrill wrote:

Latest cunt move by Sony appears to be in the form of a system update that disables certain third party controllers. the cunts.

Didn't you know ?

Its to protect you from *exploding controllers* !!!!

http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/112/1122981p1.html

Quote:

Sony issued a consumer alert earlier this week advising all PlayStation 3 owners to only use first-party, genuine PS3 wireless controllers. The company says counterfeit controllers, which look identical in appearance, have been introduced into the market and could explode.

"SCEA advises consumers to be cautious when buying PlayStation 3 wireless controllers from uncertain sources as the quality, reliability and safety of counterfeit products is uncertain, and in some cases, may be dangerous," Sony warns.

"It is possible that some counterfeit product may ignite or explode, resulting in injury or damage to the user, your PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, or other property."

Sony also said it plans to introduce software updates to disable these counterfeit and unlicensed controllers.

Read more: #ixzz10OL1vnvW">http://uk.ps3.ign.com/articles/112/1122 ... z10OL1vnvW

And not at all because they want a monopoly on the system , oh no , that's just an unfortunate accident.

WTB · **Joined:** 27th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 14497

Not to jump to the defence of Sony and their dust gathering console, but they've historically allowed a whole wealth of third party hardware and as far as I can tell are generally happy to. This is almost certainly a precaution to avoid big money lawsuits from people with blown off hands.

Doctor Glyndwr · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 32619

Yeah. To be fair to Sony, my PS3 lets me use standard USB memory devices to put save games on, buy standard laptop hard drives to upgrade my console with, use standard Bluetooth headsets to talk to people with, use a number of generic USB webcams... their hardware support is quite admirable.

Dimrill · **Posted:** Fri Sep 24, 2010 1:45

I'm not admiring it. In fact I'm turning my head way.

Mr Dave · **Posted:** Fri Sep 24, 2010 5:20

The other alternative, of course, is that they've been forced into this by the usb dongle exploit somehow.

I don't use a third oarty controller. But this is only because all the 3rd party controller makers seem to be under the delusion that the dual shock is a well layed out pad.

DavPaz · **Joined:** 27th Jun, 2008 **Posts:** 38464

Dual Shock? Ouch-my-hands Shock, more like

LewieP · **Joined:** 29th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 7600

"Consumer site 1Up discovered users claiming on PlayStation's official boards that some of their USB devices have been affected by the latest firmware update as well.

According to the report, the firmware device has disabled some adapters, such as the Yobo PS3 JoyBox, which lets PS2 controllers be used with PS3; the XCM Cross Battle Plus, which adapts Xbox 360 controllers to the PS3, and other adapters that allow players to use PS2 Guitar Hero controllers with PS3. Some users also say their direct-USB controllers have stopped working, or that their licensed PS2-PS3 adapters still work."
Link

I think it is to block the exploit.

zaphod79 · **Joined:** 16th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 14489

LewieP wrote:

I think it is to block the exploit.

I agree , I think they patched it with something quick and dirty and this is their next step , so the item attached needs to be signed in some way and they can make sure that the USB memory sticks are not signed.

At the moment this doesnt affect me since I only have official controllers , but if you have a 3rd party controller thats been blocked then your stuffed - you *have* to buy an official one to continue to use your system.

There will be people out there who only have 3rd party ones , imagine you come home - turn on the PS3 , wait an hour for it to do its update (joke!) only to find its now totally unusuable ?

LewieP · **Joined:** 29th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 7600

I haven't updated past 3.41.

I'm waiting to see what happens. If some awesome homebrew and stuff comes out of it, and maybe even custom firmware, I'd happily give up online play (they haven't even blocked anyone yet).

If they are doing this, they should at least let you test to see if your hardware is compatible before you update. Or roll back afterwards.

Dimrill · **Posted:** Mon Sep 27, 2010 17:06

Ron and Tim, sitting in a tree, F u c k i n g.

Zardoz · **Posted:** Mon Sep 27, 2010 17:09

Mr Dave wrote:

I don't use a third oarty controller.

Does your third oarty have a mind of its own? Dirty third oarty.

Dimrill · **Posted:** Tue Sep 28, 2010 3:12

Two Worlds II, sequel to one of the worst games ever released, has been delayed until January now. "Heavy quality assurance" is the specified reason. Quite how they expected to ship it by the October release date without even printing the sodding discs yet is anyone's guess. SouthPeak, eh? Bag of shite.

Malc74 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 28, 2010 3:48

Dimrill wrote:

Two Worlds II, sequel to one of the worst games ever released, has been delayed until January now. "Heavy quality assurance" is the specified reason. Quite how they expected to ship it by the October release date without even printing the sodding discs yet is anyone's guess. SouthPeak, eh? Bag of shite.

Never mind, I have Divinity II to tide me over until it comes out. And if I finish that I can always take Sacred 2 out of the games cupboard, snigger a bit and put it back on the shelf.

LewieP · **Joined:** 29th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 7600

Gillen has quit RPS and Games Journalism in general.
http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/09 ... aving-rps/

Grim... · **Posted:** Thu Sep 30, 2010 13:12

To write for Marvel. Cor. Good work, C-Monster.

WTB · **Joined:** 27th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 14497

YAY!

http://www.vg247.com/2010/10/14/xbox-li ... 0-friends/

shoesonwrong · **Posted:** Thu Oct 14, 2010 21:49

Wogan'sTrouserBulge wrote:

YAY!

http://www.vg247.com/2010/10/14/xbox-li ... 0-friends/

Boo. In theory, it's nice for when you are a part of multiple gaming communities and play with a lot of people, but I already get three to five friend requests from strangers each time I play online. With more empty spaces there will be more friend collectors. It gets irritating.

WTB · **Joined:** 27th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 14497

Srsly? You need to stop dirty talking nerds! I don't get any requests from randoms generally, only from people on here/Twitter, and now I'm full up and keep having to turn people down

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