2OpGaming

Chertsey, UK – February 12, 2008 – Leading video game developer BioWare™, an Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) company, has announced that the award-winning space epic Mass Effect™ will be released for the PC in May 2008. Published by EA and re-designed for the PC, Mass Effect invites players to take the role of Commander Shepard as they set out on an adventure to save the galaxy from imminent destruction. Wrought with treachery, heroism, difficult decisions and a universe filled with unique and colorful species, Mass Effect delivers a truly compelling storyline.

Optimized for the PC, Mass Effect for the PC incorporates the following features:
• Optimized controls designed specifically for the PC.
• High resolution visuals – Mass Effect for the PC features highly detailed textures, characters and environments.
• Fully customizable controls – PC gamers can re-map the control scheme any way they like.
• Run & Gun Control – Players can assign biotic powers or skills to ‘hot keys’ allowing them to play Mass Effect with a heavier focus on action.
• New decryption mini-game.
• New inventory screen GUI and functionality – The enhanced inventory system makes it easier for players to equip and modify their weapons and armor.

“Mass Effect serves as a powerful example of video games as an art form, delivering new levels of emotional intensity, realistic characters and a gripping storyline – all set in a compelling new universe,” said Ray Muzyka, General Manager, BioWare and Vice President, Electronic Arts. Frank Gibeau, President of EA’s Games Label added, “EA has struck an agreement with Microsoft to handle future publishing for Mass Effect. We are looking forward to releasing Mass Effect on the PC this Spring and brand new titles in the future.”

Originally released for the Xbox 360™ videogame and entertainment system, Mass Effect has received critical acclaim throughout the world with more than 70 awards including Game of the Year, Console Game of the Year and Role-Playing Game of the Year. Mass Effect combines a deep story with intense combat and challenges the player to make difficult decisions that can significantly impact the course of events. An innovative conversation system allows for lifelike interaction with some of the most realistic digital actors, voiced by Hollywood actors such as Seth Green, Marina Sirtis, Lance Henriksen and Keith David. Mass Effect for the PC has not yet been rated by the Entertainment Software Rating Board.

A new developer over at the official Army of Two. You can now bling out your gun in Army or Two. Go guns playing with a gold platted assault rifle. Check out the details below.

Hey there AO2 fans. You may already know me as Matt Mcdopeblog from the developer blogs but today I am just Matt from Production. I am sitting with Danny from Design and we are going to tell you guys a little bit about our weapons customization feature in AO2…because it’s awesome.

We have put a new spin on weapons customization. In most other games that have an option like ours, the player can simply buy whole new guns. We took that idea and ran with it. Not only can you buy new guns but you can upgrade every individual part of each gun to fit the way you like to fight. You can upgrade everything from the barrel, the stock, the grip, the cartridge and every feature will not only change the look of the weapon but also change the way it plays in-game.

When we set out to design this feature we really wanted to create an in game economy. As the players are mercenaries and are rewarded for their successes with cold, hard cash, we needed to provide a place where the players could spend their spoils. And “since it would make no sense to buy cars or hookers in a game about mercenaries” (quote, Danny from Design) we decided to go with weapons. We ended up creating a feature that was not only useful and new but also just plain fun to mess around with.

You build your bank-roll by completing as many objectives and sub-objectives as possible. On top of that there are exploratory items that are scattered throughout the maps which yield bonus cash. The more money you make, the more you will be able to upgrade your guns. Upgrading them will quite simply make them better; more accurate, powerful, less recoil and attract more or less aggro (depending on how you like it).

There are 3 main categories of weapons: Primary, Secondary and Special. The primary category is mostly comprised of machine guns. They are the guns that you will use most often in combat and are the best all ’rounders in the game. The secondary guns range from hand guns to Sub machine guns. These are more for when you want to attract less attention or you are low on ammo for your primary and need to conserve. Special weapons are sniper rifles and RPGs (rocket propelled grenades). These are high powered weapons with limited ammo that are best used in long range situations and specific circumstances.

As the design began to take shape and we were making the final selections of the arsenal that the players would be able choose from we thought that the fans out there might have some pretty nifty ideas of their own regarding weapons they might want to use. So we held an open weapon design competition. We received TONS of amazing entries and were really impressed with the creativity and depth of design. It was hard to pick the winners but in the end we were able to single out two designs that were truly different and original and we put them in the game. You’re welcome San Diego .

We had a lot of fun creating the weapons customization feature and it didn’t stop at the functional things. Inspired by real life pictures and shows like “Pimp My Ride” we made a “Pimp My Gun’ feature. When you drop the cool 10 G’s it costs, your gun is plated in gold and/or silver and encrusted in diamonds. Not only is it super-dope but it will also increase how much aggro you pull as the enemies get annoyed by the sheer audacity of a guy with a gold gun. So beware.

You have so much choice that you can really tailor your arsenal to the way you like to fight. You can fight a more close quarter’s style of combat with the selection of shotguns, you can go full heavy weapons and mow down enemies or you can go stealthy sniper if you so choose. It makes for a lot of fun and gives the game another level of replayabilty. All this is to say that we are really proud of this feature and we think that you guys will like it. Keep your head on a swivel and don’t forget that the more bullets you have in your clip, the less time you waste reloading. Thanks for reading!

-Matt from Production and Danny from Design

Be on the lookout for new info up until launch on this title from EA every Army of Tuesday!

I’ve been saying this is the outcome for the year from day one. The biggest publisher in the world agrees with me: The Playstation 3 will outsell the Xbox 360 in 2008 in Europe and be close to even in North America if not win according to a report given to gamesindustry.biz .

Electronic Arts has released estimates of what it thinks will be the range of hardware sales in North America and Europe through 2008, and while the Wii unsurprisingly leads, it’s the PlayStation 3 that will hold a strong second place.

That will, according to the estimates, be particularly true in Europe, where EA expects the PlayStation 3 to sell between 5 and 6 million units across the year, compared to just 1.5-2.5 million for the Xbox 360.

That means that while the company thinks the two will tie in North America on 4.5 to 5.5 million unit sales, the two sets of numbers combined give Sony’s flagship console a compelling 3.5 million lead.

The report predicts the Nintendo Wii will win the year, with a combined total of between 12 and 14 million units sold, while the PlayStation 2 will continue on its long tail drop-off, shifting between 3.9 and 4.9 million units.

That yields a total home console sales estimate for the two regions of between 31.4 and 38.4 million units.

The report also gives estimates for the year’s handheld sales as well, noting the company’s belief that it expects the Nintendo DS to outsell the PlayStation Portable by over 2-to-1.

According to the numbers the DS should shift between 14 and 16 million units, while the PSP will sell around 6 to 8 million units, giving a combined handheld total for the year of between 20 and 24 million.

Combined console estimates for 2008 are as follows:

Nintendo Wii: 12-14 million
PlayStation 3: 9.5-11.5 million
Xbox 360: 6-8 million
PlayStation 2: 3.9-4.9 million

Combined handheld estimates for 2008 are as follows:

Nintendo DS: 14-16 million
PlayStation Portable: 6-8 million

EA just keeps pumping out interesting games. What can we say other than that? Check out the press release for this game that reminds me a lot of ready 2 rumble boxing.

Chertset, UK – January 31, 2008 – Electronic Arts Inc. (Nasdaq: ERTS) announced today that FaceBreaker™ – an all-new intellectual property – is under development at EA Canada and will be released for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360™ video game system from Microsoft and the Wii™ in 2008.

“We’re very excited to announce FaceBreaker, an all-new franchise from EA SPORTS that is fun, fresh and innovative,” said Peter Moore, president, EA SPORTS. “FaceBreaker reinvigorates one of the great genres in sports videogames. Arcade boxing takes me back to my roots in this industry, and this game signals our shift to adding more approachable fun to our product lineup. In no time at all, you’ll be picking up the controllers and knocking your opponent around the ring, smashing faces, and having a riot.”

The renaissance of the arcade boxing genre is upon us. Created by the same team that developed the award-winning Fight Night Round 3, FaceBreaker offers irreverent fun, immersive gameplay and eye-popping stylized graphics. In this in-your-face, arcade world full of ego-wielding characters, each boxer comes to life with unique attributes and distinct personal style, including Romeo, a Latin lover known for his pelvic thrusts, and Molotov, an oversized Russian demolitions expert with a penchant for fighting dirty. Add a little personal motivation to your fight by uploading a photo of your face to create a realistic likeness using Photo Game Face, and go toe-to-toe with a real-life friend or foe.

Laugh out loud as you pummel your opponent with a barrage of blows to the face and watch in satisfaction as your progress is illustrated by real-time facial deformation. With haymakers, face shots and body blows, wait for the right moment to drop a super punch to make your presence known. Taunt your adversaries and flaunt your talent, by tying one hand behind your back to add ultimate humiliation to your bout. In FaceBreaker, it just feels good to rearrange your opponent’s face.

EA SPORTS™ is the leading interactive sports software brand in the world, with top-selling titles and franchises including Madden NFL Football, FIFA Soccer, NHL® hockey, NBA LIVE basketball, NCAA® Football, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® and NASCAR® racing.

Hey everyone,

It’s WitchKing9 here. I know an episode of the new podcast was supposed to go up last night but some unforeseen issues came up and the newest episode should be up on Saturday. Look for a very special guest and good friend of mine in the community, Crash from thegamersgarage.com will be joining the show this weekend hopefully. We’ll be discussing a lot of topics like Super Bowl XLII, the latest news from around the industry, Burnout Paradise, and why it’s now okay to root for a company that in the past has been heavily criticized in the community.

Hope to catch you this Saturday!