Wandering Crosshair

Quake 4 teaser site now open. Official site to open in summer but for now video trailer is released along with brief storyline. Not for kidz (heh).

Webzen Games has a few games that have been generating more and more attention lately, of note is: Huxley, a massively multiplayer online first person shooter (MMOFPS) with "millions of users engaged in fast-paced, large-scale combat"is being developed for both the pc and the X-Box 360 using the Unreal 3 game engine.

The scenario is as follows:

"Huxley takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where human beings have mutated and are divided into two opposing races, Sapiens and Alternative"

and while online

"everything a character does in the Huxley world directly affects the success of not only the individual, but also of their race and party; from battles to behaviors, all interactions are linked to the survival of a character’s entire race"

replayability and motivation to continue will come from the

"quests in Huxley will take players on paths of intrigue to uncover conspiracies resulting in confrontations. Each quest is continually updated so players feel as though they are enjoying a new story mode every time they play. The characters in Huxley are continuously growing, which is rare in FPS games. Players are able to enhance their own combat styles by obtaining out-of-this-world weapons and new skills, which in turn continuously challenges players to adopt different gameplay styles as they progress".

Now this is a huge undertaking and Webzen has not specified whether this game will be subscription based either but this game is a long ways away (third quarter 2006) but the potential is definitely there.

Check out impressive screenshots and info here.

Check out some screenshots, video trailer and wallpapers here.

Can't wait for some Q&A from developers as this game might belt out some stiff competition for Electronic Arts: Battlefield 2, in the meantime visit their forums for more info.

Ubisoft has issued a release for the game Rainbow Six: Lockdown with an expected date for consoles in September 2005 and the pc version (after all the kinks are worked out hopefully) in 1st quarter 2006 see here more info: http://forums.ubi.com/eve/ubb.x/a/tpc/f/8081011862/m/4571047913

Some tangible news from Ubisoft:

"Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon® 3 includes a wealth of groundbreaking features, including the Cross-Com, a communication device attached to the soldier's monocle and powered by satellite technology, which will deliver constant and complete battlefield awareness seamlessly within the action. In addition, Ubisoft will employ increased processing power to its fullest, with breathtaking graphics, lighting and textures, multi-windowing, and state-of-the-art physics. Current-generation versions of the game will be custom-built using top technologies that push each platform to its limits.

In Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon® 3, players will embody Captain Scott Mitchell as he commands the Ghosts and Special Forces allies equipped with the IWS in the quest to save the president of the United States, recover stolen nuclear codes and eliminate a vicious band of renegade soldiers hell-bent on unleashing catastrophe. The game, on all platforms, unfolds entirely in Mexico City, where numerous, meticulously researched and detailed environments will deliver complete immersion into the future of urban warfare. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon® 3 will also include multiplayer and cooperative gameplay with exciting new elements, continuing the Ghost Recon tradition of setting the bar for multiplayer action.

In 2013, the U.S. Army will implement the Integrated Warfighter System evolving what we know as the modern soldier. IWS combines advanced weapon systems, satellite communication devices and enhanced survivability into one fully integrated combat system. The IWS program has been developed to meet these new threats head on. Now, it can be tested on the battlefield.

Following an insurgence in the heart of Mexico City, the U.S. Army's most elite Special Forces team is deployed to the center of the conflict to regain control of the city. Greatly outnumbered but fully equipped with the IWS, this elite team is the first and last line of defense on the battlefield. They are the "quiet" professionals. They are the Ghosts.

Key Features

• Next-generation gaming technology: Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon 3 is built from the ground up for next-generation consoles, maximizing increased power to deliver phenomenal graphics and a host of innovative features. Current-generation versions will be custom-tailored for each platform.
• Become the soldier of the future: Gain access to the future of military technology. Using a fully integrated combat system with cutting-edge weapons and communication systems, gamers will embody the soldier of the future. Based on actual military research, the Ghosts give gamers a realistic view of how war will be fought in the next decade.
• Revolutionary feature: Use the revolutionary Cross-Com, a communication device powered by satellite technology. Attached to the soldier's monocle, the Cross-Com provides full situational awareness and command of the battlefield. Command the Ghost squad and remote allied forces and drones, and direct artillery and air strikes. See what the squad sees and receive visual and auditory intelligence from allied forces and unmanned drones.
• Stunning urban environment: One capital, multiple locations. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon® 3 takes place entirely in Mexico City, one of the world's largest cities. A stunning, meticulously detailed universe will provide complete immersion in the urban war of the future."

(from: http://www.ghostrecon.com/us/newspost.php?id=11058



Muahaha look out Mexico..??!!
Stay tuned for more info during E3

-_-

Finally, with each passing day we get closer to E3. This year's Electronic Entertainment Exposition is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles on May 16th to May 20th and is yet again sold out and not open to the public. This is "THE" event of the year in the videogaming industry which not only showcases upcoming games for all platforms but also has all the latest gadgets. This year's E3 attendees expect to be treated to over 1000 new products inlcuding of course the Xbox 360 (to be released supposedly in November 2005) and the Playstation 3 (probably released around the same time but in 2006).

Just as important though is their conference program ;

"the 2005 E³ Conference Program will highlight the people, trends, and opportunities which define and advance today's fast-paced, competitive, and lucrative game industry.

Designed to make you smarter, wiser, and more successful, this year's sessions will cover topics such as:

• Making the mass-mobile marketplace a reality
• Understanding in-game advertising
• Successful strategies behind sponsorships, community marketing, and grass roots promotion
• Tapping the potential of downloadable games
• Cross-platform content integration: how it works and why it matters
• Understanding the Chinese marketplace
• New pay models and other trends in online gaming
• How to manage the bigger budgets of next-gen game development
• Digital downloads: what is possible today and what's in store for the future
• Videogame visionaries and their plans for the games of tomorrow
• Reaching the hardcore influencers and making the most of their networks
• Innovations in wireless broadband content"

from http://www.e3expo.com/e3expo/conference_calendar.asp

For more info visit http://www.e3expo.com