Bethesda Softworks not working on Star Trek: Online or new Star Trek Movie Game.

FiringSquad has learned that publisher Bethesda Softworks, the current owner of the video-PC game rights to the Star Trek franchise, will not be publishing a game based on the upcoming J.J. Abrams directed Star Trek movie. Company spokesperson Pete Hines confirmed this news with FiringSquad today.

Hines also stated that Bethesda Softworks’s sister company, the new MMO based developer ZeniMax Online Studios, will not be taking over the development of Star Trek Online.

When asked if Bethesda Softworks was going to continue publishing Trek games or if it would let its current license expire, Hines only told FiringSquad cryptically, “TBD.”

 

[Via N4G]

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[PogoWolf's Vue]
Why can’t a company figure out that if a GOOD Star Trek game was built that it would sell?  Can anyone NOT figure out how to make a game in the Star Trek universe?  Has there even been a good Star Trek game??!  Ok.. perhaps the old Arcade version… maybe.  Or the old school computer BASIC version.

Hmmm.. perhaps I should make an web based version of the old BASIC Star Trek game.  Would anyone play it?

 

Futuremark’s next goal: PC Game Development

They’re the leading figure in PC benchmark programs, technology showcases and cutting edge demos. You’d be forgiven if you thought there was nothing else that Futuremark Corporation could do but amazingly there is, and today they’ve proudly announced just what that is. Say hello to the new Futuremark Games Studio!

Yes, you read that correctly – the developers of

3DMark, PCMark, mobile technology and numerous demos have taken a big step forward and entered the world of PC game making. Scary stuff in this day and age, but it’s not as if they’re complete newbies at the whole thing; after all, 3DMark has always been developed with the knowledge of where game technology is heading for, and they’ve been able to code for all kinds of different hardware configurations. Here’s the official word:

With its first game already in development, Futuremark Games Studio was created to produce original world class games

Espoo, Finland – January 29th, 2008 – Futuremark (www.futuremark.com) is proud to announce the formation of a group named the Futuremark Games Studio. For the past 10 years, Futuremark has been pushing the boundaries of PC 3D graphics performance with its 3DMark® series, which has become by far the world’s most popular benchmarking software. 3DMark series combine stunning 3D art with world class engines from Direct3D 6 up to Direct3D 10. “Futuremark Games Studio is committed to developing original IP games with the highest quality gameplay combined with our established track record of creating blow-your-socks-off visuals,” said Tero Sarkkinen, CEO of Futuremark Corporation. “For years, our fans have been asking us when will we start making games. Very soon they are going to get it – and then some!”

Over the past 10 years Futuremark’s team of brilliant artists and engineers have created remarkably beautiful demos and benchmarks for a variety of clients to show off the abilities of their platforms. Although the new studio will demonstrate its ability to seamlessly integrate the latest technologies into its engines, its mission is to build world class games that bring new and entertaining game play to gamers. This includes games and their engines that deliver stellar performance even on modest platforms right up to the most enthusiastic levels of performance hardware.

For more information about Futuremark Games Studios, please contact Tero Sarkkinen in Finland or Oliver Baltuch in California. Futuremark Games Studio personnel will also be attending GDC 2008 in San Francisco where they can be found at the Nordic Games Studios Pavillion.

Okay, so that’s all they’ve said and yes, I know we’re a Futuremark publication, but I can assure you – this is as much as we know too! We can have some fun in trying to guess what the first title is going to be though; over the years every 3DMark, bar one (3DMark2000) has offered a graphics test representing a first-person shooter game, and given the popularity of the genre, it’s a good bet that this is what FM’s first game might turn out to be.

Then again, they’ve also done a couple of adventure-style and racing tests too… anyway, the official site for the Futuremark Games Studio is here. Not much to look at yet!

GTA San Andreas "Hot Coffee" Settlement Offers $5 To Soothe Your Injured Mind

from Consumerist by Meg Marco

Horribly offended by the GTA: San Andreas “Hot Coffee” mod in which you could (help, help) indulge in crude polygon sex? Great. You’re being offered a $5 cash settlement.

GTA: San Andreas’ developer has set up a website detailing the compensation one can expect to receive. The more detailed proof you have, the better your cash reward.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas First Edition Disc gets you a replacement disc. All other kinds of proof:

Detailed Store Receipt Cash payment up to $35.00
General Credit Card Statement or Check Cash payment up to $17.50
Disc/Purchase Details Cash payment up to $10.00
No Disc/Purchase Details Cash payment up to $5.00

To give your word that you totally really did have the game click here.

GTA Settlement
Hot Coffee [Wikipedia]

Valve Software has unveiled Steamworks

Valve Software has unveiled Steamworks, a free suite of tools ranging from copy protection to social networking tools designed to simplify the development and publishing process for new videogames.

The software suite is available for all PC games released via retail and digital distribution platforms such as Steam. The included programs are the same as those used in Valve’s hit releases Half-Life 2 and The Orange Box, and include real-time statistics on sales, gameplay and product activation, anti-piracy encryption systems, version control, automatic updating, matchmaking functionality, development tools, and much more.

“As more developers and publishers have embraced Steam as a leading digital distribution channel, we’ve heard a growing number of inquiries regarding the availability of the platform’s services and tools,”said Valve Director of Business Development Jason Holtman. “Offering Steamworks is part of our ongoing efforts to support the needs of game developers and our publishing partners.”

Gabe Newell, president of Valve, added, “Developers and publishers are spending more and more time and money cobbling together all the tools and backend systems needed to build and launch a successful title in today’s market. Steamworks puts all those tools and systems together in one free package, liberating publishers and developers to concentrate on the game instead of the plumbing.”

Steam is one of the world’s foremost digital distribution platforms, currently offering over 250 games to a membership of more than 13 million. More information about the Steamworks suite is available at www.steamgames.com.

[Via Escapist Magazine]

 

The Force Unleashed. Greatest game ever?

Now that the power of gaming graphics has risen to the point that games are blurring the lines of reality entertainment, one has to ask … could LucasArts “The Force Unleashed” be the greatest game ever? Designed with three different simulation technologies, The Force Unleashed is being designed to push the envelope in Xbox, Wii, and Playstation 3 consoles. And judging by the video below that talks about the tech behind the game, it just may be.

The game’s premise is a simple one. The gamer is Darth Vader’s secret apprentice and after much training, the Force has unleashed incredible powers in this padawan learner. Designed around three major simulation technologies, TFU is more than a game, it may actually be a Force simulation. Utilizing the Havok physics engine, designers are able to move an amazing amount of detail within the scenario. The result is the ability to move a great number of objects on screen at once. Great if you’re using the force to push back a hoard of destroyer droids. Euphoria, is the technology that gives animated characters their individuality. They reaction to what’s happening around them and insures that no two reactions are the same. Finally, Digital Molecular Matter (DMM) simulates the substance of an object in the scene and make it behave like it would in the real world. Glass shatters like glass, metal bends like metal, wood splinters as it should. Coupling this with Euphoria and the game environment reacts as it would if it were real life.

Add to this the hopeful promise of a Lightsaber Wii controller, and the result is that the Force Unleashed could be more simulation than game. And that begs the question … will The Force Unleashed be the greatest game ever? Well, at least until they make a better one.

Source, with video – Kotaku

Only ONE PS3 model in the US?

According to sources following the development of the Playstation 3, Best Buy is discontinuing the sale of both the 80GB and 60GB models of the Playstation 3. Only the 40GB model, which sells for $399 and is not backwards compatible with earlier Playstation games will remain.

The rumor stems from a post by PS3Fanboy on his blog citing an anonymous Best Buy employee who apparently fed him this internal memo:

“The 80GB version of the PS3 is going closeout and won’t be replaced at this time,”… “It will come off the planogram on Jan. 28. The 60GB version should already be gone from stores. Only the 40GB version of PS3 will be sold in Best Buy stores at this time.”

The internal communiqué also goes on to confirm that the 40GB model is not backwards compatible and that Sony has no plans to add to the existing product line. If true, this would mark the return of initial criticisms of the PS3 that it wasn’t compatible with previous Playstation games and cited this as one reason, along with it’s ridiculously high price, not to invest in the latest game console in the first place. Lagging sales prompted Sony to lose nearly a billion dollars on the PS3 until they recently reduced the price of all Playstation 3 models, a move that has enjoyed brisk sales through the holiday season. But if this memo reflects a shift in Sony policy, the PS3’s return to glory may be short lived.

Source: UberGizmo

 

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PogoWolf’s Vue:
  Now anyone that’s read this blog knows I’ve been upset at Sony and the PS3 and the horrible events, lies and crap surrounding it.  But if this rumor proves true then I’ve got one word to say:  DOH!

DOH! for all you PS3 owners that now have a discontinued model.

DOH! to all the people that bought a PS3 in order to have Backwards compatibly..
         If Sony only has one model type left that doesn’t have BC in it in the first place, I doubt they will continue to update the BC on the other models.  So you are hosed.

DOH! to all the FanBoys that have said the PS3 was the next best thing since sliced bread. 
         Sony has lost yet another PS3 model and you tried to convince me other wise..

[Update - 1/29/08]

ArsTechica is stating that where as the 80 GIG PS3 is dead, it will be replaced with a 120 GIG or a 160 GIG model at the same price point of the 80 GIG model.

ok.. still leaves me with the DOH!! for all those PS3 owners who are now getting screwed by being an early adopter.

RockBand standalone instruments!

For many people, especially those who play the game on their PS3, you’re limited to a 3-person band. That’s great and all if you’re lacking in the friends department, but if you have three buddies that want to do some serious jamming, you’re pretty much out of luck. Thankfully Harmonix has finally announced the release of their standalone instruments.

The first controller that we’ll see is the drum kit which will hit stores on February 12 for around $80. Guitarists will have to wait until the first of April in order to get themselves a second axe. This will set you back $60. While I’m a bit surprised that they haven’t announced a release date for the microphone, I can’t say that I’m all that worried about it. Almost any USB mic will work, so it’s not really a big deal.

I’ll be interested to see how many people actually buy just the drums and game. Bear in mind that the standalone version of the game retails for $60, which would bring the total to right around $140, which only saves you $30. If anything, buy the bundle and sell the guitar.

Source: IGN

StarTrek: Online makers almost sued.

A lawsuit filed by industry public relations firm Kohnke Communications against former Star Trek Online developer Perpetual Entertainment has reportedly been dismissed in court following a mutual resolution by both parties.

A Kohnke representative confirmed the resolution to consumer site Shacknews, commenting, “The parties have reached an agreement, but we can’t detail any further than that. Part of the agreement was that we would not detail.”

The suit had alleged fraudulent transfer, breach of contract, fraud and other charges, with claimed damages totaling between $80,000 and $280,000, stemming from Kohnke’s claim that it was owed payment for its work promoting the canceled title Gods and Heroes: Rome Rising.

The suit also claimed Perpetual sold the Star Trek Online license to a separate corporate entity, P2 Entertainment, before liquidating its assets, without disclosing details of the transaction to the PR firm.

The resolution comes just after, according to consumer site Kotaku, Perpetual had issued a formal response to the suit, calling the PR firm’s claim “vague, uncertain, ambiguous and unintelligible” and asking a judge to dismiss the case.

Perpetual recently ceased its work on Star Trek Online, whose license and content — excluding the game’s code — will reportedly be transferred to another Bay Area development studio, where work on the game will continue.

As for P2, they maintain a business focus on their Perpetual Platform, and will additionally focus on the casual games market.

[Via Gamasutra]

Bioshock in a nutshell.

I just had to pass this one on to you:

 

eeKnight sums up Bioshock in a nice little paragraph:

I’ll certify that Rapture’s self-destruction had nothing to do with political/economic philosophy and everything to do with nutrition.

I’ve played through five major locations now and my poor character has had nothing to eat but potato chips, cream-filled pastries, and “pep” bars — washed down with vodka, gin, whiskey, wine, beer, and a thermos of coffee now and then.

When your entire population is hung-over and constipated you’ve got to expect some amount of civil disorder. They’re deep under the sea, so everyone’s got year-round Seasonal Affective Disorder from lack of sunlight, and I bet that because of the close conditions all the women had their menstrual cycles sync up.

Even Plato’s Republic will end up with blood on the walls under that kind of stress.

[Via Bohemian Word Werks]

Official release date for Grand Theft Auto IV

Wow, the Devil May Cry 4 demo and the official release date for Grand Theft Auto IV in the same day? What did we do to deserve this? After a delay in late 2007 and the months of speculation that followed, Take Two has finally pinned down the official release date for the game, April 29. We should note that this is the worldwide release date for GTAIV, so gamers the world over can officially start getting excited now. If you’re not excited, then perhaps you should direct your attention to the flood of previews that swept the internet yesterday. Once you’ve reached the proper level of excitement, please read this post again and react accordingly.  [Via Joystiq]

 

[Via Xbox FanBoy]