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]