[Via Joystiq]
Posts with tag EpicGames
Marcus Fenix looks good in LEGOs
[Via Joystiq]
Gears Hidden Fronts is now a free download
Gears Of War Hidden Fronts free this Labor Day
Microsoft has announced that the Gears of War "Hidden Fronts" map pack will become a free download starting this Labor Day (which is Monday for our international friends). The map pack will officially become free starting at 2:00AM PT September 2nd. It should be noted that this isn't a timed promotion akin to the XBLA price drops this weekend, but rather a permanent change. So, if for some reason you still don't want the map pack on Monday, you can always pick it up some other time, free of charge. The "Hidden Fronts" map pack includes 4 maps: Subway, Process, Garden, and Bullet Marsh. If you'd like a refresher on what these maps contain, you can view our rundown after the break.
Continue reading Gears Of War Hidden Fronts free this Labor Day
Epic dedicated to user mods for 360 UTIII
In a response concerning his earlier comments about Blu-Ray capacity, Epic's Mark Rein has once again commented on bringing user created content to Unreal Tournament III for Xbox 360. First, he noted that praising Blu-Ray's capacity was in no way meant as a slight to the 360's DVD format, adding that any extra content could easily be made available for download. Speaking about user created mods, Rein noted, "When it comes to user created mods on the 360 - we will work with Microsoft to find a way to support them." He added that Epic doesn't know what the solution is at this time, and that it will have to wait until after the PS3 and PC versions ships (as well as Gears of War for PC). After that (and some much deserved R&R), Rein promises that Epic will tackle the user created content problem and "figure it out."[Via 1UP]
MS softens stance on user created content for 360 [update 1]
Coming from Gamefest 2007, it looks like Microsoft might be changing its tone on user created content. Longtime followers of the Xbox 360 will know that user created content has long been sought after by Microsoft, though it is somewhat hindered by the fact that all downloadable content has to be cleared by Microsoft before it can be distributed via Xbox Live Marketplace. At Gamefest, it was revealed that developers can circumvent this restriction by using what is called Xbox Live Server Platform (XLSP). Using XLSP, publishers can provide content directly from their own servers instead of Marketplace. Of course, such publishers would be solely responsible for all content delivered by these means. Also, use of XLSP by any publisher must be approved by Microsoft. During a panel at Gamefest, someone even asked if it would be possible to create a PC level editor that built levels playable on an Xbox 360. In response, Microsoft Software Design Engineer Zsolt Mathe said, "Even though nobody has done that, I would highly recommend that."
Given Epic's recent lamentations concerning user generated content for Unreal Tournament III on the Xbox 360, perhaps XLSP is the answer.
[Via BeyondUnreal. Thanks, Dave]
Update: 1UP incorrectly states that XLSP stands for Xbox Live Silver Platform. DXL540 informs us that it is in fact Xbox Live Server Platform, which makes a bit more sense. Furthermore, DXL540 sends us an SEC filing from Activision detailing what's possible with XLSP.
Silicon Knights responds to Epic's counter-suit
Epic takes on Silicon Knights' lawsuit
The metaphorical legal mud is flying today with Epic Games' Mark Rein commenting on and taking action against Silicon Knights and their lawsuit over the Unreal Engine 3.This morning, Rein sent out a statement condemning the lawsuit Silicon Knights brought against Epic a few weeks back stating that they (Epic) "did nothing wrong" and that they are "committed to fully defending against Silicon Knights' unfounded allegations". Rein further expressed Epic's anger with the situation saying that "Silicon Knights wants to take Epic's Licensed Technology, pay nothing for it, and use it any way it pleases" and as a result are counter-suing Silicon Knights. Epic feels their counter-suit is justifiable and claim that Silicon Knights is accountable for breach of contract, copyright infringement, misappropriation of trade secrets among other things and are looking for compensation no less that $650,000. Let's just say Rein and the Epic gang aren't going down without a fight and things are going to get a lot hotter before they cool down. Fight!
[Via Joystiq]
Mark Rein on Halo 3, 360 UTIII mods
Remember the CVG interview in which Epic VP Mark Rein stated that Microsoft's E3 showing hurt Halo 3? Now the first part of the interview has been published in its entirety, giving a further look at Rein's opinions. One of the more interesting tidbits, after his spiel about the Halo 3 showing, he goes on to admit that Halo 3 will break all of the sales records set by Gears of War. According to Rein, "We've had a nice nine, ten months of being the record holder, and now we're going to get our ass kicked. In a good way." Good form, old man, good form. Rein goes on to discuss the various versions of Unreal Tournament III and Gears of War PC and the fate of its exclusive content (hint).Also worth nothing, in the second part of the interview, which has yet to be published, Rein admits that the reason for the delay of the Xbox 360 version of Unreal Tournament III is that Epic has yet to sort out how user created mods will work on 360. Rein notes that in the "worst case scenario" Epic will submit user created mods to Microsoft for certification and offer them as downloadable content. Rein adds that, "hopefully between now and whenever it is we ship on Xbox 360, we figure out a user-managed way to do it." Our fingers are crossed.
Read -- Mark Rein interview, part 1
Read -- Epic struggles with UTIII mods on 360
Rein says Halo 3's E3 showing hurt Bungie
Epic Games' very vocal and opinionated Mark Rein doesn't think Bungie should have shown Halo 3's E3 campaign trailer and believes it hurt them more than it helped. In a chat with CVG, Rein said that Halo 3 didn't win any best of E3 awards, because Microsoft didn't give the media any hands on time with the game stating that;"I'm sure if they'd actually had a big Halo 3 presence, if Microsoft had set up eight machines or 12 or 16 machines so you could sit and play it, it would have won all kinds of awards. But they don't need to because, like me, everyone's already placed their order... So I think that worked against them at E3."
Hmm, interesting logic we guess. But Mark's comments further confuse us when he later tells CVG that it was a "smart move" to highlight other Xbox 360 titles and limit the amount of Halo 3 exposure. Hmm, didn't Mark just say he thought it was a bad move to not show a bunch of Halo 3? Well, now we're just confused Mr. Rein.
In the end, we like to think that the Halo 3 E3 trailer was good times and helped fans get a feel for what the campaign has to offer. But at least we can both agree that we don't have to be sold on Halo 3 and are buying it no matter what.
Gears of War action figures announced
NECA has announced a new partnership with Epic Games, in which it will produce a new line of Gears of War collectibles. Said collectibles are set to include action figures, busts, dioramas, and even "prop" replicas (full size Lancer anyone?). The
Chainsaw or curb stomp Velvet Revolver this Friday
By golly it's a Gears of War soundboard
For those of us who are involved in the art of prank phone calls or simply enjoy hearing video game character quotes we've unearthed a Gears of War soundboard for you to enjoy. The Gears soundboard features multiplayer and campaign quotes from the Locusts and the COG killing crew including Marcus, Dom, Baird, Cole and Carmine. Experience a locust growl, hear the ear pleasing sounds of Baird exclaim "shit yeah!" and the multiple variations of Marcus' "nice". Give the soundboard a listen and be sure to show your friends, because this little online doodad will give you instant Gears cred. Honest.[Via Gearheads of War]
Silicon Knights gets sue happy with Epic
[Via XboxNowOnline]
Gears of War will be roadie running onto Macs
We thought we heard the extent of how far Gears of War was willing to stray from its Xbox 360 roots, but now we're hearing about an even further departure. In an interview with Game Head's Geoff Keighley, Mark Rein talked up Unreal Tournament 3 and Gears of War and accidentally let the news slip that both games were headed to the Mac platform. Rein confirmed Gears' Mac-bound status when answering Keighley stating that "yes, Gears is going to come to the Mac and so is UT". The news was not followed by a release date or how far in development the Mac versions are.Anyone willing to bet that Gears Mac will have even more content than Gears PC all of which won't be available to 360 owners? Anyone? Nobody? Shucks ...
New GoW PC content not coming to the 360
The Advanced Media Network sat down with Epic's Mark Rein and Cliffy B to chat about their big E3 announcements and learned some sad news about the new Gears of War PC content. When questioned about whether or not the new campaign missions or multiplayer maps announced for the PC version would be headed to the Xbox 360, Rein said it was "unlikely [that] we will bring that content to 360". Cliffy B further emphasized their doubt by stating that "if we didn't have any sort of exclusive on the PC, why would people buy the PC version?". The Epic crew explained that bringing the PC content over to the 360 would be an extremely time consuming task and that they're currently focused on other projects like Unreal Tournament 3.Being the Gears fan that I am it's hard to hear that new, exciting multiplayer AND campaign content will be available, but not for 360 owners. And no, there's no way I'm personally buying a beefy computer to run Gears of War PC just to experience the new content. No matter how you slice the news it sucks for 360 owners and Gears enthusiasts ... it's simple as that. Now, I'm going to go cry myself to sleep.
[Thanks, Jason S]
