 | Ride to Hell: Retribution announced for current-gen consoles Apr 4th 2013, 16:04 Motorcycle gang-themed brawler coming this June to Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. 
Deep Silver has unveiled Ride to Hell: Retribution for current-gen consoles. The game is being developed by Ferrari Challenge creators Eutechnyx, and will be released for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC on June 25 in North America and June 28 across the rest of the world. Ride to Hell: Retribution revolves around protagonist Jake Conway, who intends to enact his revenge on a biker gang called The Devil's Hand. Combat in the game takes place both on foot and on motorcycle, with the former offering hand-to-hand duels and the latter revolving around vehicular shootouts. Deep Silver will publish the game, alongside two digital spin-off titles for console and mobile. Ride to Hell: Route 666, which has the player recruit and lead a gang of bikers aiming to control America's famous Route 66, will be released on Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, and Steam. Ride to Hell: Beatdown, which is described by Deep Silver as a brawler, will be released on mobile. The game was first revealed by Deep Silver back in 2008, when the publisher said the game was in development at an internal studio with collaboration from Eutechnyx. Alongside Ride to Hell: Retribution, Deep Silver is also overseeing Dead Island: Riptide, Metro: Last Light, and Saints Row IV for release in 2013. [ Watch Video ] Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Star Wars 1313 was always in danger - Report Apr 4th 2013, 15:51 Source says doubts about shooter existed long before LucasArts closure, George Lucas decided game should focus on Boba Fett. 
Star Wars 1313 was always in danger of not being made, a source has told Kotaku. The tipster claimed LucasArts had doubts about the third-person shooter long before Disney closed LucasArts yesterday. "They ended up with movie tech that wouldn't fit in a game, and game tech that wouldn't fit in a movie," the source said. "1313 was always in danger of not being made." In addition, the source claims after Star Wars creator George Lucas saw the game, he decided that it should focus on Boba Fett, a bounty hunter whose story was told in the original Star Wars movies. The source also released a new concept art image to Kotaku. It shows Boba Fett and a squad of teammates in a sprawling city. Though LucasArts has ceased production on Star Wars 1313, the game could live on. The studio said yesterday that it is seeking out "proven" external partners who can help bring the game to market. "There's always a possibility that [Star Wars 1313] can still come out via licensing," the company said. Star Wars 1313 was announced at a pre-Electronic Entertainment Expo event last year. After its initial unveiling, nothing was heard about the game until October. It was then that Disney purchased the Star Wars brand and said all LucasArts games would continue development unabated. This was reportedly not the case, as past reports claim all LucasArts hiring and game announcements were frozen in the weeks and months following Disney's buyout. In addition to Star Wars 1313, the fate of rumored downloadable team-based shooter Star Wars: First Assault lies in question. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | BlizzCon 2013's $175 tickets on sale April 24 and 27 Apr 4th 2013, 15:49 Tickets to this year's BlizzCon in Anaheim to be made available in two batches in April. 
Tickets for BlizzCon 2013 will go on sale in two batches later this month, Blizzard has announced. The $175 tickets first go on sale at 7pm PST on April 24, with a second batch being made available at 10am PST on April 27. BlizzCon 2013 will take place on November 8 and 9 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Additionally, a $500 ticket will go on sale Wednesday, May 1 which gives access to the BlizzCon Benefit Dinner alongside admission to BlizzCon itself, with proceeds going to the Children's Hospital of Orange County. Only 200 of these will be made available. During the event, Blizzard will showcase its latest wares in the Warcraft and Diablo universes, and will also be hosting the global final for the recently announced StarCraft II World Championship Series. A virtual BlizzCon 2013 ticket will also be be sold, allowing access to the event through livestreams, though no specifics on price and availability have yet been given by Blizzard. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Neverwinter open beta starts April 30 Apr 4th 2013, 15:12 Free-to-play MMO to open to all players at the end of the month; Founders can try out professions system beginning April 12. 
An open beta for free-to-play massively multiplayer online role-playing game Neverwinter will begin April 30, Perfect World Entertainment and Cryptic Studios announced today. Cryptic and Perfect World have big ambitions for Neverwinter, saying the game is "proof that Western free-to-play games, when built from the ground up, can compete with even the biggest boxed subscription titles." Not all gamers will need to wait until April 30 to jump into Neverwinter. A fourth closed beta period will begin April 12, allowing Founders to try out the game's professions: Leadership, Mailsmithing, Platesmithing, and Leatherworking. This weekend beta period will last 60 hours. Gamers can still become Founders by prepurchasing the game at Neverwinter's website. Those who buy the $60 Guardian of Neverwinter Pack or $200 Hero Of The North Founder's Pack are guaranteed access to all closed beta period. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | You May Not Marvel at Lego Super Heroes Apr 4th 2013, 15:06 Why the latest entry in the block-building franchise engenders a serious case of deja vu. 
"Sand for brain," Abomination mutters angrily under his breath when his partner in crime commits an evildoer's faux pas. The duality of that comment elicits quiet chuckles in the demonstration room. The hulking bad guy insulted Sandman's cognitive abilities and made a factual statement about the makeup of his cerebellum. A delightful pun. Such humor made frequent appearances in the brief demo of the Lego-themed Marvel adventure. Sandman growls, "I've already won, hands down," while trying to smash Spider-Man with his giant, sand-crafted hands. "He threw that car like a toy," Iron Man quips after having a Lego car tossed his way. It's this simple humor that stood out in Lego Marvel Super Heroes, mostly because the action was all too familiar.  The Marvel universe is overflowing with superheroes, evil villains, and innocent bystanders continually scanning the housing markets of cities not overrun with battling bullies. Lego Marvel borrows from comic books (and popular movies) to build its cast of recognizable characters. In the only stage shown thus far, Abomination and Sandman have formed an uneven duo as they hold unfortunate passersby hostage. The police department is obviously no match for the ruffians who rule the roost, which means any disciplinary action falls on the shoulders of those blessed with not only superpowers, but a tendency to stop evil in its tracks. Hulk and Iron Man team up to smash minifigs, and they make jokes along the way. Later, Spider-Man joins the team, and he is also more than happy to provide some levity while he slings his webbing around. The developers said that combat has been thrust to the forefront in Lego Marvel in an attempt to show what these enhanced people can do, though the focus on bashing doesn't seem radically different from how Lego games are normally structured. Nameless henchmen run toward your powered-up team, and Hulk easily tosses a car or block of pavement their way, or Iron Man unleashes a swarm of homing missiles. Spider-Man likes his criminals sticky, so he wraps them in a tight cocoon before kicking them in their Lego noggins.  Once the good guys' progress is halted, it's time to solve puzzles. In the level shown, sand is everywhere, so you often have to figure out how to pass beach-based barriers. Spray some water toward a wall, and it solidifies, and then you can just bash through it with Hulk. The huge green guy was the focal point of the presentation. He represents a class of giant character called bigfig. These characters are stronger than the average superhero, but lack dexterity. When you need to build a Lego structure, you have to switch to someone with more nimble hands. This could be Spider-Man or Iron Man, or you could just say "Serenity now," become less angry, and turn Hulk into Bruce Banner. What Banner lacks in might he more than makes up for in smarts. The hands-off demo certainly looked fun, but it also seemed very familiar. The Lego series has existed for eight years (starting with 2005's Lego Star Wars) and hasn't changed much in that time. The action combines platforming, puzzle solving, and combat in colorful worlds. Dozens of characters are available, most of which are squirreled away behind unlock requirements. Building is a side activity: you simply hold a button over dancing pieces that magically form into a predetermined structure. And a lighthearted tone keeps things feeling silly, frequently poking fun at the source material. Of course, don't forget about the source material. One of the cornerstones of the Lego games is that, aside from Lego City Undercover, they are always based on a popular license. You might be aiding droids in Star Wars, or running from boulders in Indiana Jones. Maybe you're solving the Riddler's puzzles in Batman, or pining for giant eagle rides in Lord of the Rings. Possessing the Boy Who Lived in Harry Potter was fun for a spell, and now you can play around in the Marvel universe. Accessibility meshed with likable portrayals of beloved franchises leads to a winning combination. But how long can that formula be entertaining? Is there a point when bashing enemies and climbing ropes in a familiar world lose their appeal?  Witnessing the single level on display, it appears Lego Marvel doesn't veer from the established formula of its predecessors. However, it does seem to tap into the core appeal that has made the Lego franchise so popular. The humorous take on well-known characters is instantly endearing, and seeing how deep the developers will dive into the expansive cast of heroes and villains is certainly intriguing. The developers said that Wolverine would make an appearance, and would even square off against his (unnamed) nemesis. That Sabertooth might appear in the game created a mild stir in the demo room. And, maybe, those character cameos are just enough to ensure the same formula doesn't get too tiresome. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Uncharted 3 adds animal-themed DLC for charity Apr 4th 2013, 14:37 Developer Naughty Dog giving proceeds from t-shirts and weapon skins to a charity that supports the prevention of cruelty to animals. 
Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception's multiplayer modes will get new animal-themed DLC this month, with proceeds going to a charity supporting the prevention of cruelty to animals. Throughout April, players of Naughty Dog's now free-to-play shooter will be able to purchase t-shirts and weapon skins featuring Pogo and Trumpet, the pets of studio co-presidents Evan Wells and Christophe Balestra. Other animal-themed content will also be made available in April, including premium animal masks including, among others, a t-rex, shark, and panda. April's Uncharted 3 tournament rewards are also animal themed, and feature a raptor mask, a Mr Croc t-shirt, and a crocodile print weapon camo. Players can get more details on Uncharted 3's April content from the Naughty Dog site. Uncharted 3 went free-to-play at the end of February, allowing PlayStation 3 owners to reach level 15 without having to purchase the game. Over 350,000 players have downloaded Uncharted 3 since it was released as free-to-play. For more information on Uncharted 3, check out GameSpot's previous coverage. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Average 2012 US dev salary $84,000 Apr 4th 2013, 14:36 New survey finds average salary up $3,000 year-on-year; men made more than women in every category except programming. 
How much does the average game developer make? According to the Game Developer magazine's 12th annual Salary Survey, the average United States industry salary in 2012 was $84,337, up from $81,182 in 2011. Sixty-four percent of developers made more money than last year (down from 66 percent), while 29 percent made the same, and 7 percent made less. Asked if they thought the industrty was a "great industry to work in," 24 percent strongly agreed, 45 agreed, 21 percent were neutral, 7 percent disagreed, and 3 percent strongly disagreed. Nine percent of developers said they were dissatisfied with their potential career path, which is down 2 percent from last year. Twenty-two percent felt extremely satisfied, 41 percent said they were satisfied, and 27 percent reported being somewhat satisfied. The numbers may not tell the entire story. The Game Developer magazine notes that nearly event comment from developers it received spoke to the decline of AAA development, among other troubling factors. "Practically every comment we received spoke to the decline of AAA and traditional console development paths, the rise of mobile games as the new industry focus [and an associated unease with the prospects of getting noticed on overflowing app stores], distrust of a growing free-to-play bubble, and a mix of enthusiasm for indie developers' creativity, and worry about the indie developers' earnings," the magazine said. Business people made the most in 2012, with an average salary of $102,934 (up slightly from $102,160 in 2011), while Quality Assurance developers made the least at $48,611 (up from $47,910 last year). Layoff rates in 2012 trended slightly downward. According to the survey, 12 percent of respondents were laid off during the year, 1 percent lower than 2011's rate. Of the developers who were laid off in 2012, 59 percent found new employment in the year (up 1 percent from last year), 16 percent entered contracting or consulting (down 3 percent), 7 percent founded or cofounded a new company (down 3 percent), 14 percent went into indie game development (down 1 percent), 12 percent did not find a new job (down 1 percent), and 11 percent reported "Other." Men made more than women in every category except programming, where women made an average of $96,136 to their male counterpart's $91,969. The largest discrepancy between salaries was in the Audio sector, where men drew an average salary of $82,944, while women took home an average of $50,000, more than $30,000 less than their male counterparts. The next widest gap was in the Business department, where men made an average of $108,571, while women made $82,292. Men also made up a significantly higher portion of overall salaried developers in 2012. Men accounted for 96 percent of all programmers, 84 percent of all artists and animators, 89 percent of all game designers, 77 percent of all producers, 96 percent of all audio producers, 93 percent of all QA testers, and 83 percent of all business and legal people. The full list of average 2012 developer salaries--broken down by unit and year--is available below. Programming:
$92,151 (2011) $92,962 (2011) - .88 percent
Art and animation:
$75,009 (2012) $75,780 (2011) - 1 percent
Game design:
$75,065 (2012) $73,386 (2011) +3.5 percent
Production:
$84,127 (2012) $85,687 (2011) -1.8 percent
Audio:
$81,543 (2012) $83,182 (2011) - 2 percent
Quality assurance:
$48,611 (2012) $47,910 (2011) + 1.4 percent
Business:
$102,934 (2012) $102,160 (2011) - .75 percent
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| | Thief developers have no plans for competitive multiplayer Apr 4th 2013, 13:31 Developer Eidos Montreal not looking to recreate the kind of competitive multiplayer modes seen in games like Tomb Raider. 
The next-gen reboot of Thief isn't currently planning on featuring any form of competitive multiplayer component, according to developer Eidos Montreal. When asked by Eurogamer if Thief would follow in the footsteps of Square Enix's recent Tomb Raider and include a form of competitive multiplayer, producer Stephane Roy said developer Eidos Montreal has no plans for anything like that. "Right now, let's say competitive multiplayer, like the example you just gave us - Tomb Raider - there is no plan for that," said Roy. Roy also confirmed that the team was looking into multiplayer options, possibly in the form of a challenge mode, but asserted that the main focus is make a single-player game. "We are looking to see if there is maybe a challenge mode with some online component, but I'm going to be very honest with you - our main goal with this team is to give you the best single-player experience, just to bring back this franchise, to convince you we're part of the future and not something holding onto the past. "It's really demanding, so I don't want to see my team wasting any energy… I want to see them focusing on that," concluded Roy. For more information on Thief, GameSpot's Kevin VanOrd recently saw the game in action. Thief is due out for PlayStation 4, PC and "other next-gen platforms" in 2014. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | New iPhone entering production soon - Report Apr 4th 2013, 13:15 Sources say Apple to begin production on refreshed handset similar in form factor to current version for a possible summer launch. 
Apple will begin production of a new iPhone similar in form factor to the current version during the current quarter, sources have told The Wall Street Journal. This sets up the new handset for a possible launch this summer, the site claims. It was not divulged how the rumored new iPhone will differ from the current iPhone 5, which went on sale last year. Apple has a history of upgrading processors and cameras with each new installment, though nothing is confirmed for the upcoming unit. The Wall Street Journal also reports that Apple is preparing an updated version of the iOS mobile operating system for release "around midyear." It was not mentioned what upgrades or tweaks this new OS would feature. In addition, the sources said Apple continues to move forward with its partners in Asia on a less expensive iPhone that may launch during the second half of this year. This four-inch handset is said to use a different casing from other iPhone models. Apple has reportedly been working on this new version of the iPhone for years. Apple sold 47.8 million iPhones during the quarter ended December 29, up from 37 million year-on-year. The company will report second quarter earnings later this month. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Big-budget games here to stay, says Just Cause dev Apr 4th 2013, 12:49 Avalanche Studios says there will be fewer AAA games, but this is a good thing; "we don't need 40 first-person shooters." 
Big-budget titles are here to stay, though they may decrease in number, Avalanche Studios creative director Stefan Ljungqvist told Gamasutra. "I don't think big-budget games are going away," Ljungqvist said. "There's going to be less of them. But that's a good thing, because maybe we don't need 40 first-person shooters. I don't want to play them all [laughs], but maybe we need one, two or three." Avalanche Studios is best known for its creation of the Just Cause franchise, one that many would consider to be AAA. The studio is also behind free-to-play game The Hunter and downloable title Renegade Ops. For Avalanche Studios, the "AAA" qualifier is all about quality and not necessarily associated with the size of a development team or a game's budget. "It seems that everyone has a different definition of what AAA is," cofounder Christofer Sundberg said. "I think if you're a big publisher, AAA is associated with big budgets and huge risks. But I see AAA as a stamp of quality." "We don't have to develop bigger, more expensive games," he added. "We don't have to hire more people or have bigger teams. We just want to make better games." Avalanche Studios is rumored to be working on a third entry in the Just Cause series, which could be unveiled at the 2013 Electronic Entertainment Expo this June. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | Witcher 3 DRM-free Apr 4th 2013, 11:59 CD Projekt Red says if someone wants to pirate the game, they will. 
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt will not feature always-online digital rights management (DRM). Developer CD Projekt Red told Kotaku that the studio is trying to move away from DRM altogether. "We are trying to get rid of DRM," game designer Maciej Szczesnik said. "If someone wants to pirate a game, eventually he will." "Which is bad, of course," managing director Adam Badowski added. "But you can't do anything about it, so. We want to give the best user experience possible. When we removed DRM, people on those torrents were actually asking people not to download our game, because we [weren't using DRM]." The Witcher 3 not featuring any DRM is not much of a surprise. Last year, CD Projekt Red CEO Marcin Iwinski said "Every subsequent game, we will never use any DRM anymore. It's just overcomplicating things." The Witcher 3 is Geralt's final story and reportedly has 100 hours of gameplay. The role-playing game is due to launch in 2014 for PlayStation 4, PC, and other "high-end" platforms. CD Projekt Red is considering adding a series-first multiplayer component to the game. For more on The Witcher 3, check out GameSpot's previous coverage. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
| | MechWarrior Online update planned for April Apr 4th 2013, 11:08 Developer introduces new class of mechs, community events, and interface improvements. 
The official MechWarrior Online page announced that it will be launching new content and updates for the game in April. The new content includes the addition of artillery consumables, air strike options, cockpit items, and a new line of BattleMechs called Champions. The new mechs come equipped with a permanent 5 percent experience boost and custom configurations. Other additions in the update include improvements of team options, which allows players to join two lances with a commander each and assign lance commands using the battlegrid, and some tweaks to the user interface in-game. Players can also expect 12 versus 12 modes as well as more community events like double XP weekends. Check out the official post for more information on the update. The exact date of the April update is yet to be announced. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
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