Most Recent: Mobile

Big Huge Games (now known as Impossible Studios) officially becomes part of Epic

Posted on August 9, 2012 by John Scalzo

After the closure of 38 Studios, the developers at Big Huge Games reached out to Epic Games in a last-ditch effort to save their team from suffering the same fate. Today, Epic has officially announced the creation of Impossible Studios, the new home for the team formerly known as Big Huge Games.

“We were so glad we could help keep this great team together, and we’re lucky to have them,” said Epic Games President Dr. Michael Capps. “At the time, I said that finding a full team of superstars was ‘impossible’ and apparently the name stuck! Pairing the imagination and experience of Impossible with Epic’s technology, IP and resources makes for a business greater than the sum of its parts.”

Impossible’s first task (hopefully, not an impossible one) will be Infinity Blade: Dungeons, a new entry in the popular action RPG series.

Infinity Blade: Dungeons will be released for the iOS later this year. But first, it’ll make it’s public debut at Dragon*Con in Atlanta on August 31 during a panel hosted by Lead Designer Ian Frazier and author Brandon Sanderson.

Posted in Mobile, News |

Do you want a new Need For Speed: Most Wanted gameplay trailer?

Posted on August 6, 2012 by Nicole Kline

Did you say no? Well too bad. This new Need for Speed: Most Wanted trailer introduces you to the Corvette ZR1, The Koenigsegg Agera R, and the Hummer H1 Alpha, just a few of the stars of the new game.

Most Wanted is not about “pristine cars sitting untouched in a showroom,” so get that thought out of your head. This game is about getting dirty and smashy, driving fast (pedal to the metal and all that), and taking on your rivals as well as the police. The open world of Fairhaven City features heavily policed freeways, downtown grids, industrial zones, tunnels, storm drains, and high-speed open roads.

Need for Speed: Most Wanted will be out on October 30 for Android, iOS, PC, PS3, PlayStation Vita, and Xbox 360.

Posted in Mobile, News, PC, PS3, Vita, Xbox 360 | Tagged

John Carmack: “Doom 4 will be done when it’s done”

Posted on August 5, 2012 by John Scalzo

John Carmack, id Software’s founder and chief Technical Director, told the assembled masses at this weekend’s QuakeCon that Doom 4 “will be done when it’s done.”

The existence of Doom 4 was confirmed back in 2008 and this vague progress report is nothing new. At one point, parent company Bethesda Softworks even denied the game was ever officially announced.

Work on the title appears to be well underway now though, with Carmack stating that id’s entire mobile team has been tasked with completing Doom 3: BFG Edition. After that game’s October launch, the entire company’s resources will be devoted to the development of Doom 4. Unfortunately, a side effect of these redoubled efforts towards Doom 4’s development will result in the end of mobile game development at id.

However, Carmack also reassured fans that the company will move back into mobile development “at the appropriate time.”

[Source: Game Informer, Polygon]

Posted in Mobile, News, PC, PS3, Xbox 360 | Tagged

Kickstart This! Premiere Edition

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Andrew Rainnie - UK Correspondent

The phenomenon that is Kickstarter has changed the way we look at game development. In the first ever edition of “Kickstart This!” (we hope to make it a regular feature), we delve deeper into five projects that are being financed by gamers like you.” We will try and focus on those we feel offer an innovative or exciting project in the hope that one or two may fiddle your fancy enough for you to give generously to the projects. (more…)

Posted in Features, Mobile, PC, Top Story |

Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition gets a September release date

Posted on July 28, 2012 by Nicole Kline

Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition is coming to PCs next month, just 14 years after the initial release of the original Baldur’s Gate. The enhanced edition will be running on a version of the Infinity Engine that has been upgraded and improved. There’s a lot of new stuff here, including a new adventure called “The Black Pits,” three new characters: Dorn Il-Khan, Neera the Wild Mage, and Rasaad yn Bashir, and lots more:

  • A new collection of player character voice sets
  • Native support for high resolution widescreen displays
  • Over 400 improvements to the original game
  • Improved multiplayer support, with connectivity between all platforms

The Enhanced Edition will be available for PC download on September 18 for $19.99 and is available for pre-order now. It is also scheduled to be released sometime in September for the iPad and Mac, with an Android release to be announced.

Posted in Mobile, News, PC | Tagged

Apple patents dual-analog controller for iDevices

Posted on July 27, 2012 by John Scalzo

Even though they continue to insist that the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad aren’t game systems, Apple has filed a patent application showing their intention to add support for a dual-analog controller to your iDevices.

The controller includes four face buttons, four shoulder buttons, Start/Select buttons, and four separated buttons comprising a D-Pad. Not surprisingly, the controller looks like an exact duplicate of the DualShock 3. According to the patent literature, the controller would work with any iDevice, a video game system, or a standalone media device (such as the company’s AppleTV).

Additionally, Apple filed a patent for a virtual “Remote” program that would turn your iPod/iPhone into an NES-style “Classic Controller” for use with games like Prince of Persia Classic.

Finally, Apple filed a third game-related patent for am app that would allow a current generation game system (such as the Xbox 360) to be controlled by an iDevice.

The patents were originally filed back in February, but Apple’s intentions for the iPhone/iPod appear to track very closely with the Android-powered Ouya console. Hit the jump for a closer look at all three of Apple’s patent designs.

[Source: Free Patents Online] (more…)

Posted in Mobile, News |

The Walking Dead now available on App Store

Posted on July 26, 2012 by John Scalzo

Telltale Games has announced that the first episode of The Walking Dead has shambled onto the iTunes App Stores. Like it’s PC and console counterparts, “A New Day” is available to download now for $4.99.

According to Telltale, the remaining episodes will be added to the App Store “periodically” as in-game downloads. Each additional episode will also be priced at $4.99 with a 25% discount available for players who purchase an “Episode 2-5 Bundle” multi-pack.

Posted in Mobile, News | Tagged

Fortress comes to the App Store on August 2

Posted on July 25, 2012 by Nicole Kline

Recently, Philadelphia has become the city of burgeoning game development, ranging from small studios heading to PAX Prime to one-man companies like Ray Merkler’s Hindrances to Progress releasing its first game. I say “recently,” but in reality, this is just years of work by people like Merkler finally paying off. His first game, Fortress, will be released on the App Store on August 2 for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad.

Fortress is a strategy game played with a simple (and pretty adorable) deck of cards. The cards act as soldiers in a colorful army, defending your own King, while you try to destroy your opponent’s fortress. The game is fun and easy to learn, but tickles your brain only the way strategy can. I played my first game of it years ago against Merkler himself, and while he wiped the Fortress floor with me, I enjoyed it, and look forward to its long-awaited release.

Fortress will be $2.99 at launch, but will drop down to $0.99 after two weeks. Support indepedent games and buy it when it comes out! Or wait until it’s under a buck, ya scrooge. Either way, this entertaining little strategy game is worth having on your iDevice.

Posted in Mobile, News | Tagged