Attack of the Fanboy http://attackofthefanboy.com Video Games! Thu, 17 May 2012 01:31:04 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Why We’re both Excited and Scared to Death of Halo 4 http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/excited-halo-4-scared-death/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/excited-halo-4-scared-death/#comments Thu, 17 May 2012 01:30:51 +0000 Ethan Powers http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=84536

It’s been nearly a year since the startling announcement that the most beloved console FPS franchise of our time would be returning for not one, but three fully-fledged sequels. As yet another E3 draws closer, we’re now just weeks away from seeing Halo 4 up close and personal. Though newcomer 343 Industries has done an outstanding job of keeping the heavily anticipated title under tight wraps, quite a few details have seeped through, and while some fill us with an eager elation, others have us scared sh**less.

Big changes mean big questions for longtime fansFrom what we know about Halo 4’s single player campaign, it should be robust enough to satiate the appetites of Halo fans yearning for a new experience while keeping in line with the game’s traditional FPS roots that have kept gamers engaged with the franchise for so long. What’s certain, is that the game will place the Chief and Cortana at center-stage. Expected, of course, but the distinguishable characters will not be the same valiant Spartan and female AI companion that you met back in 2001. Halo 4 will chronicle the decline of Cortana as she gradually slips into the rampancy that eventually befalls all sentient AI units. Her relationship with Master Chief, as well as the exploration of the Chief as a man rather than the heroic super-soldier we’ve come to identify him as, will present an analysis and portrayal of the two characters vastly different than what we’ve seen in the series’ prior installments.

We also know that when the Chief busts out of his cryo chamber (a brilliant homage to the way in which the original Halo: CE began its campaign, and the legacy and iconic cultural status that followed), he’ll be doing so four years after the Forward Unto Dawn split into two, with the Chief’s half drifting toward a mysterious planet. We’re now aware that said planet is called Requiem, a Forerunner “shield world” that was created to protect the ancient race from the destruction of the Halo rings, also a product of their handiwork. As such, it is very possible that Requiem could contain Forerunners themselves, or at the very least, remnants of the enigmatic civilization. Couple the intriguing Halo mythos with a brand new class of enemies to take on, and Halo 4’s campaign is shaping up to be a fine addition to the legendary franchise.

Now, if only we could say the same for the Halo 4's multiplayer component.

Why Were both Excited and Scared to Death of Halo 4Can 343 keep players engaged with a single title amidst a crowded and often oversaturated market."Multiplayer is as intertwined with Halo as explosions and poor plot conception are to a Michael Bay film. Bungie built and expanded a multiplayer aspect that has come to be renowned and respected as one of the best that gaming has to offer. Though Reach was criticized in some regards for changing some the game’s core assets, it was relatively well received by the community for most of the additions. 343 Industries is taking the series’ multiplayer to a whole new level with Halo 4, and before you slap that pre-order money down and spend your month’s rent on H4 memorabilia, note that some of the changes 343 is implementing will naturally cause a wide divide amongst the Halo faithful.

It’s been revealed that Halo 4’s multiplayer will for the first time tie directly into the game’s campaign. Players will take on the role of a Spartan IV, the evolution of the UNSC super soldier. These new Spartan breeds are deployed aboard the UNSC Infinity - the human fleet’s single largest spacecraft. As a Spartan IV, you’ll be training for combat on the ship’s combat deck which is equipped with all varieties of terrain and environments to prepare you for the Infinity’s ultimate destination, which is yet to be detailed. Essentially, the multiplayer’s “backstory” finally gives Red and Blue Spartans a reason to kill each other. It’s a clever way to rationalize what has been an unaddressed perplexity and gives a method to the carnage.

While this component is sure to please more fans than it infuriates, the same cannot be said about all of 343’s imposed changes to a tried and true formula. So, which ones excite us, and which ones want to make us go on a hunger strike outside of the developer’s headquarters in Kirkland, Washington?

What excites us about Halo 4


Spartan Ops:This new co-op mode (supporting up to four players) follows a weekly updated, episodic campaign in which each episode gradually unfolds a new chapter in Infinity’s mission. The episode itself will reportedly be a CG sequence, but each week, five objective based missions will be released as a supplement to the episode. You can think of it in this way: it’s like watching a TV show, but also being able to participate in its story interactively through game content. You won’t get that with AMC and Don Draper from week to week.
Note that the Spartan Ops mode is not DLC, it’ll be included on-disc at launch. Though 343 has stated that the first “season” will be free, they haven’t spilled many details as to how the content would be made available to players after that.
If Spartan Ops is implemented and handled correctly following the initial few months after Halo 4’s release, 343i will be doing much more than simply adding a new and innovative component to an already celebrated multiplayer. They’ll have discovered the ever-elusive formula as to how to keep players engaged with a single title amidst a crowded and often oversaturated market. Spartan Ops is undoubtedly one of the most inventive multiplayer elements to hit the FPS genre in years, or any genre for that matter. Time will tell if the aspect will look and play as good as it sounds.

Why Were both Excited and Scared to Death of Halo 4"We’re hoping that the BR will offer the same distinguishable skill gap in Halo 4 as was apparent in Halo 2 and 3"Return of the BR
True Halo veterans rejoiced at the announcement that the Battle Rifle would be making its glorious return to the franchise. Reach’s DMR has a number of fine points that make it the most deadly and unquestionably most notorious weapon in the game. However, as many pros as the gun has, it has just as many cons…and then some. Bungie’s original concept was to create a starting weapon for competitive gametypes that took not only skill, but patience to out-shoot opponents. While the idea was noble in theory, it didn’t necessarily translate in practice.
You’ll notice that when firing the DMR with default settings, the reticule gets bigger depending on the number and speed of your trigger pulls. This “Bloom,” as it was deemed, was intended to punish “spammers” who in previous Halo games would mash the right trigger as if they were attacked with a fit of epilepsy every time they came in contact with an enemy. To a degree, the concept works, but it’s completely negated by spammers who are smart enough to crouch, which delivers your shots with pin point accuracy. You’d think that you would have to sacrifice your mobility when doing so, but no, the good players will jump, and crouch in midair to give them both advantages. You’ll also run in to a few players who have realized that crouching and shooting from a distance turns the DMR into a less-powerful, but just as accurate Sniper.
Aside from the fact that crouching negated any pacing the DMR was supposed to initiate, the competitive Halo circuit gradually came to the conclusion that Bloom needed to be nixed if the game was to be balanced as host and one shot (when a player’s shields are down and is one shot away from being killed) registration became causes for concern. You’ll notice that the “MLG” gametype within Reach has done away with Bloom entirely.
Enter the BR – the competitive player’s best friend and worst enemy. The BR in Halo 4 will feature hitscan and will have recoil which “causes it to rise slightly in a predictable and suppressible way.” 343i has stated that the game will not have Bloom as it currently exists in default Reach on any weapon. Though BXRs and BXBs will sadly not be making a return, we’re hoping that the BR will offer the same distinguishable skill gap in Halo 4 as was apparent in Halo 2 and 3.

Joining games in progress

This matchmaking feature may not seem like much, but you have to consider the advantages that such a facet will bring to a game like Halo which has lacked the component's rewards for so long.
Often times, when a team in a game of Team Slayer is destroying the other and one player from the losing side quits, a domino effect will occur in which one by one, every member of the losing team quits out. In the same scenario, the last remaining member of the losing team will play the role of a**hole and purposely stay in the game, unnecessarily elongating the other team's inevitable victory. Hopefully, the new feature will help to prevent such situations. Even though you’re bound to join a few unfortunate games in which the score is 40-17, every player who doesn’t opt to quit out will now have an incentive to stay and finish the match.

What worries us about Halo 4


“Specializations” or “activate combat enhancements”:Call them what you will 343i, because gamers realize that for all intents and purposes, these are “perks.” They’re the same kind you can find in CoD or BF3, and their implementation is a blatant disregard of what has made Halo unique and has saved it from joining the pack of generic cookie-cutter shooters that are now flooding the FPS market.

Why Were both Excited and Scared to Death of Halo 4"343’s decision to include perks is an unashamed attempt to transition Halo into a position of mainstream accord."343’s decision to include perks is an unashamed attempt by the developer to transition Halo into a position of mainstream accord. The ranking system worked well in Reach because it only determined the player’s aesthetic appearance. Now, the gameplay itself will be altered by rank – an enormous mistake on the part of 343i. Ranking up grants you “Spartan Points” which you can use to unlock new abilities, specializations, and items for loadouts. It’s the same system that is available across every other FPS in your game library, and it’s one that most FPS veterans can’t stand.

The concept of perks in Halo is more mismatched than the Lakers looked playing the Thunder Monday night. Ask any Halo competitive player what they think the most balanced game in the franchise was. Chances are they’re either going to name Halo: CE or Halo 2. The reason for that being? Both games, when played in any gametype, featured settings close to default. What many of us loved about Halo: CE, 2, and even 3, was that you could easily play a few rounds of regular Team Slayer following an hour or two in a custom gametype (like that of MLG, for example) and the two would still feel like different elements of the same game. The disparity between the competitive and causal gametypes of Reach was significant, and it unfortunately looks as if Halo 4will wedge that gap even further.

Customizable loadouts:In the same breath as the perk system, loadouts that differentiate between players breaks another core aspect that has prevented Halo fans from migrating toward other mainstream FPS games – equality. 343i is allowing players to customize everything from their primary and secondary weapons, grenade types, armor abilities, and specializations. Though they’ve stated that power weapons will not be available to include into loadouts, what about other weapons that Halo gamers fight for control over and give equipped players a distinct advantage? For example, the Covenant Needle Rifle is not by definition a power weapon, but it is often thought to be more lethal than the DMR as it features less recoil and a faster rate of fire, not to mention a little burst of extra damage when the needles explode.

Why Were both Excited and Scared to Death of Halo 4"Loadouts that differentiate between players breaks another core aspect that has prevented Halo fans from migrating toward other mainstream FPS games – equality."Similarly, think of the repercussions of allowing an experienced player to begin games with a Plasma Pistol. With the help of the “noob combo” as it is so often referred to as, even an average Halo player can take out entire teams by releasing a full charge of the Plasma Pistol, taking down the enemy’s shields, and finishing him/her off with one shot to the head. It is situations such as these that we hope 343i is taking into account, or at least ready to come under fire for royally screwing up.
It’s also worth noting that 343i plans on doing away with set positions of power weapons like the Sword and Rocket Launcher. Instead of being set at a fixated place on the map when the game begins and having a set respawn time, they’ll be dropped at random places throughout the match. Yet again, 343 seems to be ignoring a very essential component of team Halo play: controlling the positions and respawns of a map’s power weapons.

No longer can teams meticulously strategize on how to best control a map’s key points, and it would appear as if skill, practice, and planning are being negated completely. Dropping random power weapons essentially equates to “luck of the draw” and a team could find themselves utterly helpless if the enemy is fortunate enough to have an effin’ rocket laucher dropped a foot away from them. We’re praying that the developer has already set in place a system in which this aspect can be altered, or nixed entirely.

No respawn time after a death: Yep. You read right. If adding a system of perks and customizable loadouts was not enough of a barefaced effort to make Halo fashionable amongst causal FPS audiences and sway a sector of CoD fans toward the franchise, deliberately implementing one of CoD’s core features takes the cake.
Now, instead of waiting those “excruciating” five seconds after a death, pressing “X” now instantly puts you back onto the battlefield. Even assuming that at the very least, the respawn time for Capture the Flag remains unchanged, Team Slayer is now severely altered for the worse. Traditionally, winning a 1v1 situation gave a substantial advantage to the winner’s team and bore sizable consequences for the loser’s. That five seconds is crucial time that the team of four can use to gain territorial and vantage positions over the team of three. With the implementation of instant respawns, 343 is taking away yet another core facet of Halo’s competitive balance.

With E3 just weeks away, we’re hoping 343 Industries can make believers out of us and show us that the customary, time-honored Halo experience that we’ve come to know and love remains largely unaffected. More importantly, we’re hoping to affirm that 343 has not sold Halo’s soul in a desperate attempt to convert the casual CoD audience to a long-established multiplayer that has habitually been unconcerned with the genre’s growing and most popular trends.]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/excited-halo-4-scared-death/feed/ 4 The Walking Dead Review http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/walking-dead-review/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/walking-dead-review/#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 23:53:02 +0000 Rhett Barlow http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=84133
Rarely do the words 'narrative' and 'zombies' get thrown together in the same sentence, unless it's "They shouldn't have bothered putting some crappy narrative in a game about zombies. I just wanna blow them Walkers' limbs off!" Okay, that was actually two sentences... two fairly stupid sentences, but you get the point. If you have ever heard of The Walking Dead, however, then you know that the term character-driven-zombie-story actually makes some amount of sense. Yes, The Walking Dead is a video game adaptation of Robert Kirkman's comic book series of the same name; it is not directly related to the show on AMC other than the fact that they are based on the same 'universe' and have an overall similar vibe, but that opinion may vary from person to person.

First thing's first, it's a little hard to qualify this as a game. It has many, many gameplay elements and has an interface akin to video games, but in actuality it feels more like an interactive story than anything else. Almost in the same way that Dear Esther isn't much of an actual "game," however Dear Esther's story remains the same regardless of what the player does. In the case of The Walking Dead, you actually have a say in how the story unfolds. Some of the choices you make are based on basic A, B, C options like "save person X or person Y," but most of the time the changed come from what you say in conversations with other characters. These conversations will determine your overall relationship with the character you are interacting with and actually has a somewhat noticeable impact on the direction of the story. Since only the first episode of the five part series has been released, many of the decisions you have made haven't really panned out yet. However, what you see unfold towards the end of the episode and what you see happen in the "Next time on the Walking Dead" video before the credits shows obvious repercussions for your actions.

In the case of The Walking Dead, you actually have a say in how the story unfolds.There is a noticeable distinction between which characters you are theoretically supposed to like and those you aren't and the reason for this is, most of the time, the writing is not all that bad really. It's nice to be able to say that about a video game these days since we have a tendency to see the same quality of writing of the same various stories over and over and over again, year after year. Does the writing deserve to get some prestigious award? Probably not, but that's only because of the constant narration of the main character's inner thoughts. Every now and then, the main protagonist, Lee, will say something like "I need to climb out that window" or "That's the door to the pharmacy" when the game has already classified what that door is and where it goes. Basically, it's a way of letting the player know what they need to do without having the game throw a hint on the screen every five minutes. Unfortunately, it's painfully obvious that that's exactly what these lines of dialogue are. The writers don't even try to make it subtle by making these particular lines sound more natural. Even Halo 3: ODST did a fairly decent job of using that little technique.

It's surprising that those tasked with writing the script for a game based on a series very well known for its story and writing would overlook something so obvious. It is quite a contradiction to the overall quality of the writing and can pull you out of the immersion for a moment every now and then. Thankfully, these 'tutorial' lines are typically far and few between, so it doesn't ruin the experience. The game having its fair share of bugs doesn't totally help, though. There's nothing game-breaking that I've experienced, mostly just minor annoyances. For instance, some of the cutscenes are a little jittery, and it's not the framerate; it seems more like there's weird skip when the camera changes angles. Also, it looks like dialogue choices associated with certain mini-quests in the game are still available when you are talking to a character that is associated with said quest, even though you actually already finished the quest. Whether this is a bug or just a design oversight is unclear, but it doesn't have any real negative impact on the game. One bug that is particularly annoying is sometimes if you have to restart from a checkpoint, the camera spawns UNDERGROUND. It's quite disorienting and it's surprising that an update hasn't addressed this yet, but the fact that this game is multiplatform might be contributing to delay of updates (thanks Microsoft, Sony).

The Walking Dead Review

This particular genre rarely intrigues me, mostly because it's very 'on-rails.' That being said, this game is very well done. It has its downsides, as I've listed above, but it has well designed characters, an interesting story, and successfully makes the player feel involved. Often, when I watch AMC's adaptation of The Walking Dead, I feel very frustrated with many of the characters. In this case, you take control of the main character and help drive the story in a way that you feel comfortable with. Instead of watching a tv show where you have gotten sick of a character's attitude and no one is shutting him up, here there is most likely an option to punch him in the face if you so choose. The episodes only last around two hours, so don't expect to have a whole lot happen if you get the game before the second episode comes out. If you are someone who wants to avoid all of the combat sequences and get straight to the story, then The Walking Dead is an absolute must. If you just want to blow heads off, then this game isn't for you. Sure, there are zombies and there's gore, but any combat is very scripted; again, on-rails. Left 4 Dead 2 offers plenty of that and also happens to take place in the south, fancy that. It certainly is an acquired taste, but if you love this niche genre of gaming, you don't need to worry too much about this game.]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/walking-dead-review/feed/ 0 Halo 4 Limited Edition Details Invade Your Wallet http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/halo-4-limited-edition-details-invade-wallet/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/halo-4-limited-edition-details-invade-wallet/#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 23:40:53 +0000 Rhett Barlow http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=84513

Today, Microsoft has dropped a 'details bomb' on us about the Limited Edition of Halo 4. Get ready, because this one's a doozy:

War Games Map Pack Access

The competitive multiplayer modes of Halo 4 are known as War Games. The Limited Edition includes access to nine maps - three future competitive multiplayer map packs, each including three locations, available for download post-launch on Xbox LIVE. Yes, you read that correctly; you get nine maps in the form of future DLC with the purchase of the Halo 4 Limited Edition.

Specializations

Everyone will have access to select Specializations, but those that purchase the Halo 4 Limited Edition will receive the ability to unlock six Specializations early, available at launch on Xbox LIVE. You can use them, one at a time, to achieve higher ranks in your Spartan career. In addition to gaining access to new ranks, Specializations unlock new customization options. We’ll be releasing more information about Specializations at E3, so expect additional details about this particular feature then.

UNSC Infinity Briefing Packet

The UNSC Infinity Briefing Packet includes a Spartan armor customization schematic, information about UNSC weapons, an introduction to the massive ship UNSC Infinity, and insight into what it means to be one of humanity’s finest warriors: The Spartan-IVs. Story lovers will especially enjoy this in-fiction offering that provides a glimpse into the indoctrination of Spartans aboard the Infinity.

Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn Special Edition

The Special Edition of Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn is a 90-minute extended version of the live-action digital series which will take fans back to the terrifying beginning of the Human/Covenant war, when the Master Chief inspired a young cadet who would eventually become a leader aboard the UNSC’s greatest vessel ever: the UNSC Infinity.

Digital content also includes in-fiction bonus content that expands the characters and stories of Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, special featurette Bringing Gaming into Reality, and a behind the scenes look at the making of Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn.

Bonus digital content through Xbox LIVE

The Limited Edition includes the following bonus digital content through Xbox LIVE: unique in-game Spartan-IV armor skin, unique in-game weapon skin for the Assault Rifle, an exclusive in-game emblem, Xbox LIVE Avatar prop, and Xbox LIVE Avatar Spartan IV armor set.

 

That's right everyone, you get instant access to future Halo 4 DLC, a day-one multiplayer boost, some story-expanding material, a little movie, some behind-the-scenes, and some cosmetic goodies for your in-game character and Xbox Avatar. All of this can be yours for... wait for it... a whopping $99.99! Yup, better save up your paychecks or start selling some lemonade on a street corner (no that is NOT a metaphor for something less innocent), because the Chief is gonna ask you for a little extra 'green' to get all of this. Huh, so that's how his armor got that color... (comedic drumbeat)

At least the co-op is getting expanded for free, that's a plus. Oh, and you get that sweet looking box too! That alone is worth the price tag, right? Anyway, you'll have plenty of time to decide which version you're going to get, the game doesn't come out until November 6th for Xbox 360... in case you've forgotten.]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/halo-4-limited-edition-details-invade-wallet/feed/ 1 New Modern Warfare 3 Maps Arrive on Xbox 360 http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/modern-warfare-3-maps-arrive-xbox-360/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/modern-warfare-3-maps-arrive-xbox-360/#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 19:47:19 +0000 Al McCarthy http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=84507

Two brand new Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 maps have arrived on the Xbox 360. Available for all Xbox Live Gold subscribers: Erosion and Aground can be downloaded for the refreshingly low price of free. The two maps come bundled with the new "Face Off" gamemode, which is a more intimate 1v1 and 2v2 playlist.

Aground is set on a shipwreck off the coast of Scotland, in Erosion you'll traverse Italy's Roman ruins. The maps have been tailor made for the smaller player count, and will thrust you into the thick of things with very little time spent looking for your enemies.

Alongside the new Face Off game mode, Content Collection #2 will also feature three standard multiplayer maps and two new Spec Ops missions. Sanctuary and Foundation have already been released for Elite subscribers, and are included in the content collection. Oasis is the third map, and it is set in beach resort in the UAE.

This new content should hit PlayStation 3 players in one month's time.

]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/modern-warfare-3-maps-arrive-xbox-360/feed/ 1 343 Industries Details Halo 4 Infinity Multiplayer & Spartan Ops http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/343-industries-details-halo-4-infinity-multiplayer-spartan-ops/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/343-industries-details-halo-4-infinity-multiplayer-spartan-ops/#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 19:35:53 +0000 Al McCarthy http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=84492

Halo 4's November release is slowly inching its way towards our Xbox 360's and 343 Industries is beginning to take the wraps off of their hard work.  We've already heard bits and peices about the games new multiplayer features, and its "Spartan Ops" mode, today they've gone into greater detail.

Spartan Ops will serve episodic content to Halo 4 players in weekly cinematic episodes that revolve around the UNSC Infinity.The hub of the "Halo 4" multiplayer experience is the UNSC Infinity – the largest starship in the UNSC fleet that serves as the center of your Spartan career. Here you'll build your custom Spartan-IV supersoldier, and progress your multiplayer career across all "Halo 4" competitive and cooperative game modes. Surrounded by the sights, sounds and crew of the biggest vessel in the UNSC fleet, your multiplayer experience will be embedded in the fiction of "Halo" like never before, where your progress and game choices affect your appearance, arsenal, and role on the battlefield.

Spartan Ops. The story of the UNSC Infinity intersects with the "Halo 4" campaign, then continues on in a brand-new, story-driven experience known as Spartan Ops. A first of its kind and exciting new addition to the "Halo" franchise, Spartan Ops is an episodic adventure that blends immersive storytelling, high-quality cinematics, and action-packed gameplay to deliver an unprecedented serialized experience.

Through a weekly series of cinematic episodes on Xbox LIVE, Spartan Ops will tell the continuing story of the UNSC Infinity, following the events of "Halo 4." These episodes will center on the UNSC Infinity leaders and crew, and a new team of Spartans – Majestic Squad. These cinematic episodes will provide the backdrop for the weekly Spartan Ops gameplay missions. Playable in single-player or cooperatively (with up to three friends), explore the corners of Requiem in these objective-based missions, and help uncover the secrets of the mysterious Forerunner world.

A massive-scale adventure that builds off the "Halo 4" story, access to Spartan Ops is included with "Halo 4" at no additional charge.

War Games. The competitive multiplayer modes of "Halo 4," known as War Games, take place on the combat deck of the UNSC Infinity and revive the visceral and immersive experiences that "Halo" multiplayer is famous for. "Halo 4" introduces fresh, immersive new game modes and strategies to help you progress your Spartan-IV career, while also delivering an experience that's still distinctly and uniquely "Halo." More details on all the modes of War Games will be released at a later time.

Total Combat Freedom and Player Progression. "Halo 4" features a vastly expanded suite of new multiplayer modes, weapons, vehicles, armor abilities, a new loadout and player progression system, and a new armor modification system that introduces gameplay-enhancing customizations for the first time in a "Halo" game. These advancements can be used in both Spartan Ops and certain War Games matchmaking playlists, empowering player choice, vastly expanding their creative options, and make the experience deeper for core fans and more approachable for newcomers.

The "Halo 4" player progression system goes beyond simple aesthetic upgrades, encouraging players to invest time and effort to create a Spartan that looks and plays the way they want. Players can earn and activate combat enhancements called "Specializations" based on the style of play they engage in, from stealth to all-out assault, and everything in between.

Halo 4 Screenshots


343 Industries Details Halo 4 Infinity Multiplayer & Spartan Ops 343 Industries Details Halo 4 Infinity Multiplayer & Spartan Ops 343 Industries Details Halo 4 Infinity Multiplayer & Spartan Ops 343 Industries Details Halo 4 Infinity Multiplayer & Spartan Ops 343 Industries Details Halo 4 Infinity Multiplayer & Spartan Ops 343 Industries Details Halo 4 Infinity Multiplayer & Spartan Ops 343 Industries Details Halo 4 Infinity Multiplayer & Spartan Ops 343 Industries Details Halo 4 Infinity Multiplayer & Spartan Ops 343 Industries Details Halo 4 Infinity Multiplayer & Spartan Ops 343 Industries Details Halo 4 Infinity Multiplayer & Spartan Ops 343 Industries Details Halo 4 Infinity Multiplayer & Spartan Ops ]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/343-industries-details-halo-4-infinity-multiplayer-spartan-ops/feed/ 1 Vehicle List for GTA V found in Max Payne 3 code http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/vehicle-list-gta-max-payne-3-code/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/vehicle-list-gta-max-payne-3-code/#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 19:08:45 +0000 William Schwartz http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=84486

A hidden file in Max Payne 3 may have given us our first hints at what vehicles to expect in Grand Theft Auto V.  Discovered on the GTA Forums, the source code for Max Payne 3 apparently has a file in that lists a variety of cars, bikes, helicopters, planes, boats, and trains.  It's hard to discern the lists validity at this point and whether this is a complete, or partial list of the vehicles in GTA V.

There's still no word on when we should expect Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto V.  Industry analysts are still split on the timing of the release, and Rockstar has been silent on when to expect the game.  Some believe that the developer is readying the open world title for a late 2012 release.  While others believe that 2013 is the earliest that we should expect the game.

There seems to be a common consensus that Rockstar will reveal more details about the game in late May, or early June near E3.

Here's what was discovered:

GTA V Car List



  • apc

  • bobsleigh

  • benson

  • biff

  • bobcat

  • boxville

  • buccaneer

  • burrito

  • brzbus

  • casco

  • cadge

  • car_brzhatchplc

  • car_brzsedanplc

  • car_brzhatchjnk

  • car_brzsedanjnk

  • carga

  • cavalcade

  • cognoscenti

  • cs2000

  • chavos

  • dukes

  • dune

  • feroci

  • forklift

  • futo

  • furzen

  • fxt

  • gant

  • hauler

  • minivan

  • infernus

  • patriot

  • phantom

  • prairie

  • police

  • rancher

  • rhino

  • schafter

  • seinove

  • skimobile

  • taxi

  • vanpony

  • willard

  • winky

  • trash

  • railmu

  • flatty

  • snowplough


GTA V Bikes List:



  • enduro

  • jz125

  • z75

  • faggio2

  • spike


GTA V Helicopter List:



  • autogiro

  • bchopper

  • annihilator

  • bentham

  • maverick

  • hind

  • napalm

  • scamp

  • heli_vcpf

  • heli_tfe


GTA V Planes List:



  • cuban800


GTA V Boats List:



  • squalo

  • bassboy

  • chika

  • fisher

  • fishboat_a

  • fishboat_b

  • fishboat_c

  • fishboat_d,

  • marquis

  • reefer

  • tropic

  • gunboat

  • sabs_boat

  • small_gb2

  • dinghy

  • p_mi_botfsh

  • whaler

  • woody

  • woody2

  • sporto

  • tinny

  • tug

  • contbo

  • smug

  • edsboat


GTA V Trains List



  • cablecar

  • chairlift

  • subway_lo

  • subway_hi

  • train_carg

  • trainf_carg

  • trainr_carg

  • train_int

  • lighty


 ]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/vehicle-list-gta-max-payne-3-code/feed/ 2 South Park: The Stick of Truth Delayed http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/south-park-stick-truth-delayed/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/south-park-stick-truth-delayed/#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 18:32:58 +0000 Al McCarthy http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=84482

It looks like South Park fans are going to have to wait a little bit longer for Obsidian Entertainment's RPG: South Park: The Stick of Truth.  THQ has recently announced that the game has been delayed into 2013 in their latest quarterly earnings call.

"Matt and Trey won't ship until it's their vision of this ultimate role playing game, where you're the new kid in town and it's like being in a South Park episode," THQ recently claimed.  The financially addled company has become stingy in their quality controls in efforts to boost sales, so it's no surprise that the game has seen a delay.

THQ said that the game could come at anytime between January 1st and March 31st, 2013.]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/south-park-stick-truth-delayed/feed/ 0 Sony Confirms Mass Effect 3 “Rebellion DLC” http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/sony-confirms-mass-effect-3-rebellion-dlc/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/sony-confirms-mass-effect-3-rebellion-dlc/#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 18:21:55 +0000 Al McCarthy http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=84479

For Mass Effect 3 fans that are patiently awaiting DLC, Sony may have just revealed what's on deck for the RPG. Sony's Hong Kong website has listed "The Rebellion Multiplayer Expansion" as upcoming content for the game, but unfortunately the description doesn't look like its going to include that ending elaboration that Bioware promised fans.

While the info was up for a while, it has since been removed. Here's what it said:

The Rebellion Multiplayer Expansion opens two new fronts against the Reapers: Firebase Jade's jungle reservoir and Firebase Goddess on Thessia. In-game reinforcement packs now include three new weapons as well as equipment, consumables, and six new classes: Quarian Engineer and Infiltrator, Vorcha Soldier and Sentinel, Phoenix Adept and Vanguard. The battle continues – hold the line!

Mass Effect 3's Resurgence Pack was offered for free last month, it sounds like "Rebellion" will be more of the same.]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/sony-confirms-mass-effect-3-rebellion-dlc/feed/ 1 Max Payne 3 Review http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/max-payne-3-review/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/max-payne-3-review/#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 17:58:08 +0000 William Schwartz http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=84392

It's been almost  a decade since we last saw Max Payne and his hyper violent sensibilities invade a gaming platform.  Plenty has changed in the video game world since then, and the last we saw of the franchise it was under the leadership of Remedy Entertainment.  With Rockstar Vancouver at the helm for Max Payne 3, they do have some pretty big shoes to fill with this iconic franchise.

Max Payne Video Review




Max has had a rough life.  He lost his wife and daughter all those years ago, and has been staring at the bottom of a bottle for the better part of ten years.  After leaving his Detective position behind, getting in bad with the mobsters of New York City forces Max to head for Brazil to work as a body guard for a wealthy Brazilian industrialist and his trophy wife.  As is usually the case, Max finds himself in the middle of a bad situation, one that's going to require alot of shooting to put right.

Max Payne 3 Review It's Rockstar's attention to the little things that makes Max Payne 3 a standout in a crowded genre.And that's precisely where Rockstar drops you off in this adventure. Following the brief tutorial,  if you've played the previous games, you'll come to realize that not much has changed over years. Max Payne has always been based around the bullet time gameplay mechanic, and this one is no different.  An upgrade in the graphics department supplement the traditional gameplay, which puts Max in variety of against all-odds scenarios.

It's Rockstar's attention to the little things that makes Max Payne 3 a stand out shooter in a crowded genre. The way that he uses his environment and handles his arsenal have plenty of small details that make it all so believable. Complimentary to the standard bullet-time, a shoot dodge technique will allow Max to vault in any direction, and as cool as it looks and feels, it ends with Max on the ground cleaning up whatever mess he's made. The gunplay is smooth, responsive, and most importantly fun, and gives the game alot of replay appeal.

By campaigns end you'll get extremely familiar with Max's strengths and weaknesses, as well as taken down the rabbit hole of Sao Paulo, Brazil.  The Bullet Time mechanic remains charming throughout, and it actually becomes more fun to use as you become more proficient with using it.  This proficiency will give you more than enough reason to revisit Max Payne 3's Arcade Mode.  A Score Attack style offering where you'll be rewarded for stylishly dismantling your enemies in scenarios from the single player campaign.  Accuracy bonuses, use of bullet-time, headshots, and other variables will all factor into your overall score, while competing with friends for bragging rights.

For the first time in the franchise, Rockstar has introduced multiplayer into Max Payne's repertoire.  Make no mistakes about it, this certainly does not have the feel of a "tacked on" experience. There's a very well thought out XP, grinds, loudout, and item systems that allows for a deep, rewarding, customizable online experience.  Multiple game modes that range from a standard deathmatch affair, to a very well conceived "Gang Wars" objective based mode, offer a great bit of variety when choosing what type of game you want to play.

Max Payne 3 ReviewPlay just a few rounds of multiplayer and you'll likely see things you've never seen before online.What sets Max Payne 3's multiplayer apart from standard cover based shooters is its bursts system, for one. It allows you to use a custom ability to help yourself, or your team on the field of the play. These bursts range from upgraded weapons, health buffs, marking enemies on the map, and quite a few others that can help out in a pinch.   Most importantly though, Max Payne's signature bullet-time mechanic has been cleverly implemented into multiplayer, and it really works better than you think it would.  Play just a few rounds of multiplayer and you're bound to see things and situations that you just haven't seen in a multiplayer title before.

Max Payne 3 offers one of the most complete gaming packages in recent memory.  The campaign begs to played on multiple skill levels if just for how many different ways you can tackle a given situation.  This goes double for the score attack and New York Minute Arcade game modes. The multiplayer is an addicitive fast paced experience, that houses a deep customization and leveling system.  Long story short, there's a ton of content here.  Enough to make up the aggregiously long wait since fans have had since Max Payne 2. Rockstar did Remedy well in this reboot, and its a game that is sure to please longtime fans of the franchise, and snag some new ones as well.

Max Payne 3 Review]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/reviews/max-payne-3-review/feed/ 0 Battlefield: Bad Company 3 and Mirror’s Edge 2 spotted in employee CVs http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/battlefield-bad-company-3-mirrors-edge-2-spotted-employee-cvs/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/battlefield-bad-company-3-mirrors-edge-2-spotted-employee-cvs/#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 17:45:12 +0000 Rhett Barlow http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=84458

A couple of curious, unannounced titles have turned up in a few profiles of ex-EA employees on LinkedIn. A Michael Joseph C has listed the names of a variety of AAA titles that he has given professional 'feedback' on, including (but not limited to): Dead Space 2, Devil May Cry 5, and Battlefield: Bad Company 3. The titles he has viewed for this job range from 2009 to 2011; considering how Bad Company 2 came out in 2010, it is believable that a prototype of a sequel may have been in development sometime within a year after its release. The fun doesn't stop there, however. An ex-EA Software Engineer has listed Mirror's Edge 2 as a project he worked on between July and August 2009. More specifically, he implemented “the wandering of crowd system within [Unreal Engine 3]” for the game.

If you thought I was done here, you are sadly mistaken. For there is yet one more profile to leak this holy treasure of goodness! ..... too much? Another ex-employee has also listed Mirror's Edge 2 as a past project, stating that his job was to implement “new gadgets and interactive features” including "leaderboards" and a “mini-game embedded into mirror’s edge game story.” Again, neither of these titles have been formally announced. Although, EA has said that they aren't ready to give up on Mirror's Edge and if you saw the ending to Bad Company 2, you know that there is going to be a sequel (and I wouldn't expect a huge amount of originality from the story in it if I were you, really). Whether or not we hear about either of these titles at E3 next month is a toss up, but anything's possible I suppose. And now for something I have a tendency to say a lot these days: don't hold your breath.

Source: Gamerzines]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/battlefield-bad-company-3-mirrors-edge-2-spotted-employee-cvs/feed/ 4 PlayStation 3 Exclusive: The Last of Us “Truck Ambush” Trailer http://attackofthefanboy.com/videos/playstation-3-exclusive-truck-ambush-trailer/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/videos/playstation-3-exclusive-truck-ambush-trailer/#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 08:34:45 +0000 Bill Hess http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=84444 Joel and Ellie won't have an easy road ahead of them. Their path across the US will intersect with other survivors, some of whom won't be friendly. In this scene set to the somber chords of Hank Williams, Sr., Joel and Ellie continue their journey west in a battered pickup truck. As they drive towards the next destination on their route, and hopefully a place to find critical resources, the pair encounters a group of hunters. What happens next is something you have to witness to understand.

The Last of Us is genre-defining experience blending survival and action elements to tell a character driven story about a population decimated by a modern plague. Cities are abandoned and being reclaimed by nature. Remaining survivors are killing each other for food, weapons and whatever they can find. Joel, a ruthless survivor, and Ellie, a young teenage girl who's braver and wiser beyond her years, must work together to survive their journey across what remains of the United States.

Developed by Naughty Dog, The Last of Us is being made exclusively for the PS3 system.

Screencaps from the trailer:


PlayStation 3 Exclusive: The Last of Us Truck Ambush Trailer PlayStation 3 Exclusive: The Last of Us Truck Ambush Trailer PlayStation 3 Exclusive: The Last of Us Truck Ambush Trailer PlayStation 3 Exclusive: The Last of Us Truck Ambush Trailer PlayStation 3 Exclusive: The Last of Us Truck Ambush Trailer PlayStation 3 Exclusive: The Last of Us Truck Ambush Trailer PlayStation 3 Exclusive: The Last of Us Truck Ambush Trailer PlayStation 3 Exclusive: The Last of Us Truck Ambush Trailer PlayStation 3 Exclusive: The Last of Us Truck Ambush Trailer PlayStation 3 Exclusive: The Last of Us Truck Ambush Trailer ]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/videos/playstation-3-exclusive-truck-ambush-trailer/feed/ 11 Rhode Island tax payers may be in trouble if 38 Studios goes under http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/rhode-island-tax-payers-trouble-38-studios/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/rhode-island-tax-payers-trouble-38-studios/#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 04:52:49 +0000 Ethan Powers http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=84413 Rhode Island tax payers may be in trouble if 38 Studios goes under

Back in 2010, the Economic Development Corporation of Rhode Island loaned a reported $75 million in order to lure developer 38 Studios away from their headquarters in Massachusetts and toward the state of Rhode Island. The deal was highly controversial when it was initially secured, and even RI’s current Governor, Lincoln D. Chafee, was critical of the loans before the deal was even complete.

Fast forward two years later – 38 Studios is on the verge of bankruptcy and the citizens of Rhode Island may have to face some heavy financial repercussions. Rhode Island should have realized that dealing with Curt Schilling, a man who has spent his entire career playing a game that encourages the widespread use of performance enhancing drugs, may not have had the greatest business plan going forward. New reports now indicate that Schilling and 38 Studios failed to pay its previous loan payment  of $1.125 million to the state of Rhode Island on May 1, subsequently defaulting its $75 million loan.

A recent report from Rhode Island news outlet WPRI indicates that if 38 Studios goes under, state taxpayers will be liable for $112.6 million through the year 2020 when you add together principal and interest payments. The chart below, courtesy of WRPI, shows how the payments add up annually:

Rhode Island tax payers may be in trouble if 38 Studios goes under

Because the EDC sold “moral obligation bonds,” Governor Chafee is required to ask the General Assembly to generate the necessary funds should 38 Studios be unable to do so. In other words, the money would be coming right out of the pockets of RI taxpayers.

With the acquisition of developer Big Huge Games, 38 Studios has to date only launched one title: Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. The game fell short of EA’s lofty expectations after a solid fiscal start. Chalk up the game’s disappointing shelf life to better marketed, AAA titles or perhaps the fact that other RPG’s available at the same time offered what Kingdoms of Amalur did but did so more effectively and engagingly. Either way, should 38 Studios indeed go under, it’ll be going out with a whimper rather than a bang.]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/rhode-island-tax-payers-trouble-38-studios/feed/ 0 Ubisoft to use microtransactions on next-gen consoles? http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/ubisoft-microtransactions-nextgen-consoles/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/ubisoft-microtransactions-nextgen-consoles/#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 20:14:46 +0000 Ethan Powers http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=84405

The concept of in-game monetization remains a controversial and widely debated topic throughout the gaming industry, though its use and practicality are featured most on the PC through free-to-play social games. The F2P model continues to generate significant revenue and relevance for a number of smaller developers. Zynga and its array of social networking  games, for example, have garnered over 240 million monthly active users on Facebook alone. Ubisoft, a company primarily dedicated to console gaming, hints that it may be turning to a similar formula.

The company recently released its earnings report. In it, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot implied the possibilities of seeking an in-game monetization method on consoles. According to Guillemot, the developer will see tremendous growth due to "the forthcoming arrival of the next generation of consoles which will be increasingly connected and will strongly boost the market thanks to a new qualitative leap and the integration of social games benefits and the item based model."

It's safe to assume that the "item based model" Guillemot speaks of will follow a similar pattern in which free-to-play games currently follow. That is, distributing the base game for free, and using a process of selling microtansactions and in-game items to generate a profit. If Ubisoft wants to trial a system in which they release F2P games via Xbox Live or PSN and then attempt to generate revenue through the use of in-game transactions, then by all means, they should. However, the process sees such success on PCs because the games are in fact free-to-play when they're first released. After all, this is a gaming behemoth we're talking about, not an independent developer looking to supplement their rent money. If Ubisoft were to charge for full-priced, $60 games at launch, and then encourage the widespread sale of in-game items, they'd probably find that getting sued for copyright claim would prove to be the least of their worries.

Source: Ubisoft via Joystiq]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/ubisoft-microtransactions-nextgen-consoles/feed/ 2 Evil truly is back in Diablo III…in the form of game bugs http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/evil-diablo-iiiin-form-game-bugs/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/evil-diablo-iiiin-form-game-bugs/#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 15:58:19 +0000 Ethan Powers http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=84393 Evil truly is back in Diablo III...in the form of game bugs

Most of you who have the Diablo III client downloaded and ready to go but cannot connect to the servers due to an unprecedented mass of anxious gamers trying the same thing, are probably under the impression that if you've waited 11 years for this game, you can more than likely wait a few more hours. Here's a tip for those of you still patiently waiting: when you finally begin the fight for Sanctuary, ignore any Templars you come across.

Diablo III players have taken to Blizzard's forums as well as any platform they can find to air their grievances to report a game breaking bug in the game. It will bring up an Error 3006 message and kick you of the Diablo III servers completely freezing your account in the process.

Apparently, the bug is triggered during an early interaction with a Templar follower. When you begin to trade items with the Templar, you have an opportunity to equip the follower's shield. Don't. Doing so will activate the bug and send you into a state of rage that makes Diablo himself look like Justin Beiber.

As of this morning, Blizzard has yet to release a patch, but is in fact aware of the annoyance. Stay tuned for updates on the situation and news of a fix. Ezio had the right idea all along. Templars = Bad.

Source: Battle.net]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/evil-diablo-iiiin-form-game-bugs/feed/ 3 The Witcher 2 developer working on two new RPGs http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/witcher-2-developer-working-rpgs/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/witcher-2-developer-working-rpgs/#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 03:37:04 +0000 Al McCarthy http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=84387

CD Projekt Red is staffing up for not one, but two new RPG projects after the success of The Witcher 2.  According to the developers website, they are working on two "all-new role-playing games".  One which is a brand new intellectual property, and the other is set in a "mature dark-fantasy universe".

A recent blog post on CD Projekt Red's company site indicates that the new project will be "vast", and "built from the ground-up". Details are understandably thin at this point, as the company hasn't announced anything officially as of yet.

Though Gamespot points out that one of these titles could be using guns, instead of swords in their next offering.  The job listing shows an image of a gun with a line that reads "And hell, no matter if it's with guns or swords, we're just having a good time here."

We'll have to wait and see what shakes out of the CD Projekt Red tree in the coming months, but their latest release should be keeping you more than busy.  The Witcher 2: Assassin's of Kings just recently made its console debut scoring well with fans and critics alike.

 

 ]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/witcher-2-developer-working-rpgs/feed/ 1 Capcom listening to community when it comes to on-disc DLC http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/capcom-listening-community-ondisc-dlc/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/capcom-listening-community-ondisc-dlc/#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 03:26:59 +0000 Al McCarthy http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=84383

Capcom has come under fire in recently, for its use of on-disc DLC. If there's one thing that gamers just don't like, it's when a company sells them a product with unlockable content on the disc. In an attempt to put out the fire, Capcom is taking fan suggestions into consideration.

In a recent post on the Capcom Unity Forums, Christian Svensson iterated Capcom's changing stance on the issue.

'We have been listening to your comments," says Svensson. "As such, we have begun the process of re-evaluating how such additional game content is delivered in the future. As this process has only just commenced in the past month or so, there will be some titles, where development began some time ago and that are scheduled for release in the coming months, for which we are unable to make changes to the way some of their post release content is delivered."

Capcom's next big release, Dragon's Dogma, will apparently feature on-disc DLC. The company is obviously taking precautionary measures to avoid another big fan outcry, as was the case with Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3, Street Fighter x Tekken, and other titles that were recently released.]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/capcom-listening-community-ondisc-dlc/feed/ 4 Nintendo 3DS firmware gets new update http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/nintendo-3ds-firmware-update/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/nintendo-3ds-firmware-update/#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 03:12:20 +0000 Al McCarthy http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=84380

Nintendo 3DS owners have a new firmware update available on the handheld. Upgrade 4.1.0-8 is now live in the system settings of the device. Nintendo has not announced what is included in the system update, but patches the company will be pushing through the first patches for titles tommorrow.

Perhaps the update is to prep the system to allow the title updates. Mario Kart 7 will be the first title that is due a patch, after gamers found game ruining exploits in the Wuhu Mountain Loop track. This should definitely level the playing field for Mario Kart 7 fans.

We'll have to wait and see what else lies in store with the system update. If you find anything new on your 3DS, let us know in the comments section below.]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/nintendo-3ds-firmware-update/feed/ 1 Halo 4 Box Art Revealed http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/halo-4-box-art-revealed/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/halo-4-box-art-revealed/#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 03:01:53 +0000 Al McCarthy http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=84374

The box art for Halo 4 has been revealed and pieced together by users who were sent image fragments via 343 Industries.  You can thank NeoGaf for piecing together this impressive puzzle art, and giving you your first look at what'll be searching for in stores this November.

Halo 4 Box Art RevealedEarlier today, new enemy types were uncovered for the shooter from the most unlikely of places...the back of a McFarlane toy package.  While there's not much by way of new details in the box art for Halo 4, the return of Master Chief, the iconic character that started it all back in 2001 is front and center as expected.

In Halo 4, you'll navigate the aftermath of Halo 3 as Master Chief returns to face his destiny and battle an evil that threatens the fate of the universe. A whole new adventure that kicks off a brand-new trilogy that promises more action, excitement and adventure, according to 343 Industries. Master Chief will face his destiny and an ancient threat when the fight continues this November, exclusively on the Xbox 360.]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/halo-4-box-art-revealed/feed/ 14 Blizzard fixes Diablo III GAME situation with free copy of the game http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/blizzard-fixes-diablo-iii-game-situation-free-copy-game/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/blizzard-fixes-diablo-iii-game-situation-free-copy-game/#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 02:41:13 +0000 Al McCarthy http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=84370

Diablo III fans that pre-ordered from GAME in Australia, got some bad news this weekend.  After plunking down the cash to secure their copy of the game, the retailer went into bankruptcy and decided that they would not be honoring the purchases.

Blizzard has responded, and well, hopefully those poor souls have kept their reciepts.

We're aware that some Australian GAME customers have been left out in the cold on what should be the hottest night of the year — the launch of Diablo III. To help with this situation and get these players into the game as soon as possible, we've put the following process in place.

Australian GAME customers with a valid preorder/prepurchase receipt dated before May 15, 2012 can do the following:
1. Purchase the digital version of Diablo III from http://www.diablo3.com now or anytime before May 21, 2012.

2. Download and start playing when the servers go live!

3. Submit your GAME Australia preorder/prepurchase receipt to us before June 30, 2012.

4. Receive a credit from Blizzard, for the amount you paid in advance to GAME Australia for Diablo III. This credit will be applied to the payment method used for the digital purchase.

We'll post further details here on how to submit your GAME Australia receipt to our customer service team as soon as possible. Stay tuned, and we look forward to seeing you in the Burning Hells!

Looks like things are sounding better for the affected Diablo III fans down-under.]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/blizzard-fixes-diablo-iii-game-situation-free-copy-game/feed/ 1 Conflicting views on release date of GTA V http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/conflicting-views-release-date-gta/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/conflicting-views-release-date-gta/#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 00:19:39 +0000 Al McCarthy http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=84366

Analysts just can't come to a consensus when it comes to a release date for Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto V. According to the most recent predictions, Colin Sebastian of R.W. Baird believes that a 2012 release date is out of the question for Rockstar when it comes to GTA V.

Sebastian stated that the open world title will arrive in early 2013, despite reports that Bioshock Infinite's delay opened a window for Take Two Interactive to release the game this year. This opinion comes at odds with other analysts, who still have the title pegged for late 2012.

Michael Pachter of Wedbush Securities has stuck to his guns, and believes that Rockstar is already committed to releasing the title in October. Online findings saw a developer resume which listed the game for an October 2012 release date, but aside from rumors and speculation, Rockstar hasn't announced anything officially as of yet.

Rockstar has kept the stance that all GTA V intel would be held back until the release of Max Payne 3, which happens to be tommorrow. We could hear more about Grand Theft Auto V shortly, many believe that if Rockstar has intentions of releasing the game either late this year, or early next year, they'll be announcing something at or around E3.]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/conflicting-views-release-date-gta/feed/ 8 Treyarch says new engine for Black Ops 2 is not necessary http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/treyarch-engine-black-ops-2/ http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/treyarch-engine-black-ops-2/#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 00:04:57 +0000 Al McCarthy http://attackofthefanboy.com/?p=84363

Ask most Call of Duty critics what the franchise needs the most, and its an improvement to the game engine. It's one that has been used in every Call of Duty game since 2005's Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, but Treyarch's studio lead disagrees. Mark Lamia believes that the development teams at Infinity Ward and Treyarch have been able to improve upon the engine over the years, making significant enhancements to their games along the way.

Lamia recently sat down with Dam Amrich to talk about the engine pushing Call of Duty: Black Ops II over at One of Swords. "People always ask me, “Is this a new engine?” I liken it to people who live in an older house that has been remodeled. Just because you’re remodeling the house and it will look new or it will have a new kitchen, you don’t tear out the foundation, or break out some of the framing. You might even go as hardcore as replacing the plumbing, and we will do that sort of thing, as an analogy. It’s a gross simplification, but it’s one way to say that. There’s a lot of good still in that foundation that you wouldn’t get rid of, and we don’t. We look to advance in the areas that support our game design.

Engines, each time they get touched, they change. The creators alter them; they don’t modify what they don’t need to, and then they alter what they need to. You can’t make a competitive product if you’re not upgrading that engine along the way.

I think the whole thing about a new engine…sometimes that’s a great buzzword. Well, I have a new graphics engine — is that a new engine? Where does it start and stop? Elements of the code, you can trace back for a very very long time…but whole parts of the code are entirely new. Two areas we did focus on for this game were the graphics and the lighting — a pretty significant amount of work is going into that.

I think what people are asking for is for us to push. They want us to make a better-looking game; they want things. I don’t think those are things people can’t ask for. We asked ourselves that very same question — we wanted to advance the graphics. I think the questions are valid. The answer may not need to be an entirely new engine, but you might need to do an entire overhaul of your entire lighting system. The trick is, we’re not willing to do that if we can’t keep it running at 60 frames per second — but we did that this time. So this is the Black Ops II engine."

If you're wondering what engine will be powering this year's Call of Duty: Black Ops II, the answer is simple according to Lamia. "It's The Black Ops II engine", and upgrade engine from the original Black Ops upgraded for the new game. ]]> http://attackofthefanboy.com/news/treyarch-engine-black-ops-2/feed/ 10