Sony Online Entertainment has revealed some new details abou their upcoming PlayStation 3 and PC MMO, The Agency.
Matt Staroscik said the game is a shooter first and foremost. "Less experienced characters will be at a disadvantage, yes, but we are not like a traditional class-based MMO where your 89th-level Dark Paladruid can defeat an infinite number of noobs," Staroscik told us. "In The Agency, the noobs are going to get you - but you'll make them pay dearly."
In the game, you choose to play as either the UNITE spies or the ParaGON mercenaries, tackling missions using guile or gunpower. Eventually, you'll be able to set up your own agencies, get your own operatives, and such, giving a unique twist to the game.
"The operatives system is a grand multiplayer game of resource management and risk vs. reward - with hundreds of cool, collectible characters," he added.
"You'll send them out on assignments to gather intel, make them build things for you, and even have them help you in combat. As they work, they'll gain experience and new abilities. They'll also suffer health and morale hits, which you'll need to manage."
The Agency should be expected to arrive sometime this Fall 2008.
[New details of The Agency emerge]
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
The Agency: New Details Emerge
Huge Unreal Tournament III Coming March 27, 2008
Today, Epic Games' Jeff Morris revealed a new patch coming to the PlayStation 3 version of Unreal Tournament III, along with a list of fixes and features. Lets take a look.
U.S. OnlyJust to make it clear that the US isn't getting extra things with the US Only section, Morris said "The US version has more fixes included in this patch. This is because later release date of the European version allowed us to include them on the disc." All in all, this new patch is looking great, and I cannot wait to try out some full character models, and actually talk to people.
- Made compatible with Euro version (both are patched to the same level)
- Fixed reversed ping sorting in server browser
- Fixed some rare crashes (shutting down, saving with low HD space, AI, etc)
- Fixed a client crash while connecting to server while server it switching maps
- Minor rewordings of various messages
- Fixed mutator mods to not be always loaded, only load mutators when needed
- Added mod import verification for inter-mod package name conflicts
- Fixed weapon/effect sorting in DM-Gateway snow
- Fixed extraneous "Player" entries in campaign scoreboard
- Fixed some getting stuck and outside the world bugs
- No longer display "Player is on red/blue" messages in campaign
- Fixed a Torlan bot pathing bug
- Fix for too many custom characters causing texture corruption
- Keyboard jump now does Smart Jump
- Fix for tilt controlling player sometimes
- Removed Warfare Score Limit of 0 in UI
- Disabled 3d sound positioning on mission briefing sounds
- Fixed exploits with ViewNextPlayer in rare cases
- Fixed some HUD positioning bugs
- Fixed a Darkwalker AI bug
- Fixed some teleporter timing bugs
- Fixed low-bandwidth, large player count connectivity
Europe & U.S.
- Mods now on root of memory device, can download easier from PS3 web browser
- Fixed VOIP quality issues
- Fixed some headset connection issues
- Added support for full character mods (heads/premade whole characters)
- No longer need to reboot after importing a character mod to see it in menus
- DLC no longer acts like a user mod (being listed in MyContent and causing disable mod crash dialog)
- Fix for bootup and import slowdown with many mods installed
- Add a VOIP icon when VOIP is active (button held down)
- Fixes for corrupted the auto-mod-download cache
- Fix for flickering auto-download text
- Fix for getting stuck in multiplayer menu if you get in before gamespy connects
- Fixed a mod problem with switching between mod and shipping maps with clients teleporting randomly
- Fixed a mod problem with multiple gametype mods installed, only first one imported would work
- Fixed Leviathan deploy icon
- Bots now respect players feigning death (depending on bot skill level)
- Bots now respect sandstorm "blindness"
- Fix for bots picking linkgun mode
[Unreal Tournament 3 PS3 Patch Approaches]
Race Driver: GRID: Smashing Trailer
Codemasters has just released a new trailer for their upcoming arcade racer, Race Driver: GRID. Might I say, the game is looking finer than ever. I feel bad for those nice cars being wrecked though. Oh well, its just a game. Enjoy!
Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit: More Scans
Tom Clancy's EndWar: First Gameplay Revealed
A new video shown above shows two women demonstrating the first gameplay of Tom Clancy's EndWar. Everything is looking nice, and we are loving the style of this game, everything looks so sleek and easy to access. Enjoy!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Square Enix Launching New Community Site
Square Enix is reaching out to fans an opening a brand new community website for North American users. The site will feature exclusive content such as interviews with developers, downloadable content, sweepstakes, and trailers. Hopefully trailers for Final Fantasy XIII & Versus XIII will make their way to the site.
You can visit the site at this link and register as well. Registering today will enable you access when the site officially launches on March 24, 2008.
[Square Enix launches new community site]
Rainbow Six Vegas 2: Launch Trailer
Well, Ubisoft finally released Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 this week, and with every release comes a launch trailer. This new trailer shows you all the action that occurs in Vegas along with some high review scores. Enjoy!
Dragon Ball Z Burst Limit: Low Amount of Characters, Stages
It seems the first Dragon Ball Z game to hit next generation consoles will be a a small one. In a new interview with Donny Clay, Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit producer at Atari, he reveals some more information on the game.
The story takes place from the beginning of the Saiyan Saga to the end of th Cell Saga, following mostly an existing narrative. Clay compares the game to the Budokai series a couple of years back.
The thing is, the amount of characters and stages are going to be small. According to Donny Clay, there will be only 21 characters and a (very weak) 5 stages.
[Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit Details]
Far Cry 2 Multiplayer: 16-Player Deatmatch & Advanced Map Editor
At the recent Play.Com Live event, developers of Far Cry 2 spoke on the games multiplayer functionalities.
The game will support 16-player matches on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC versions. The game will include your basic multiplayer modes such as Team Deathmatch, Deathmatch, Capture The Flag, and more.
Whats really cool is this new map editor that they are bringing to the console and PC versions. Far Cry 2 will let you do whatever you want in the game's map editor, such as reshaping terrain, moving around objects and vegetation, etc. Then, you can share your maps online. No information on how they would be shared though.
Far Cry 2 sounds more promising every time. When more information comes in on this highly anticipated shooter, we will be sure to have you updated.
[FarCry 2’s Multiplayer : Advanced Map Editor & 16 Player DM]
Call of Duty 4 Patch Released
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was finally patched for the PlayStation 3, receiving it nearly 2 weeks after it's Xbox 360 and PC versions. Load up your game and automatically install the patch, it includes the following.
[Call of Duty 4 gets patched]
- Optimized servers.
- New Kill cams (grenades, RPG's, airstrikes, claymores, and more).
- Quick Mute (allows user to mute annoying players by pressing X on their user ID in the lobby).
- Addition of "Recently Met Players" for the PlayStation Network.
- Improvements to the Sniper Rifles and Acog attachments (no more delayed shots).
Konami Ships Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection
Konami Digital Entertainment announced today that Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection has shipped for the PlayStation 2 nationwide. The package features Metal Gear Solid for the PSone along with Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3 (director's cut). If your looking to get into Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots in June, then you definately need to buy this collection.
Metal Gear Solid Hitting Japanese PlayStation Network
Keeping up the hype for Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots isn't a hard thing for Sony to do. Sony is now releasing Metal Gear Solid (the first one for the PSone) on Japanese PlayStation network. The game will be available for the PlayStation 3 and PSP on March 21, 2008 with a price tag of 600 yen. There is no mention of it coming to other territories, but hopefully it will (along with Resident Evil 2).
[MGS1 hitting Japanese PSN]
Possible New Final Fantasy Versus XIII Trailer Coming Midnight
Square Enix today announced that they will be releasing a Final Fantasy Versus XIII trailer at midnight o n their Mobile News Channel for Docomo cell phones. We are still unsure whether it is a new trailer or the old one released on the CLOUD DVD. Either one is possible.
However you must remember, chances are slim that this trailer will make an appearance on the web
[Possible new FF Versus XIII trailer to be released]
SCEE Speaks on Leaked European PlayStation Network List
Sony UK issued a statement today regarding the list of PlayStation Network titles that was leaked yesterday. In the leak, many new titles and pieces of add-on content appeared, such as a LAIR add-on, or the Ratchet: Quest for Booty game/add-on. New things appeared such as something called The Last Guy.
Sony did not confirm or deny whether the list is genuine. They just state the information on it is subject to change.
"Internal working documents naturally have proposed dates against titles, but these change frequently and dates are not confirmed until issued as part of a press release or formal announcement," the statement reads. "The same applies to titles of games, which may be working titles or placeholders subject to later confirmation.
"As a result, no weight should be given to titles or dates that appear in this document, other than to those which have already been formally confirmed."
Seems we cannot ask them what any of the new content is either. "We will not be commenting on any title mentioned that has not already been confirmed and/or given an official launch date." I guess we will have to wait.
[Sony talks leaked PSN list]
Persona 4 Announced for PlayStation 2
- Trailer on DVD.There is always Persona 5. [Akayuki]
- July 10th release.
- 85% Complete.
- Looks like Persona 3 but better.
- 180+ Personas.
- Hashino is directing, Soejima is art director and character designer, Meguro is composing.
- Takes place in the countryside, a more nostalgic environment.
- The theme is murder mystery/suspense, it’s a mystery thriller with twists and turns.
- Multiple endings.
- 1.5x the size of Persona 3.
- 60-70 hours.
- There is a weather forecast system, and whenever there is a fog, a murder occurs.
PSP Firmware 3.93 Coming Tomorrow
On March 18, 2008, Sony will be releasing PSP firmware version 3.93, which expands support for PlayStation Network titles. The PSP Internet Radio feature will also have 20 new internet radio players to enjoy as well. Look forward to it tomorrow.
[New Internet Radio Stations and Firmware coming to PSP]
Metal Gear Solid 4 PlayStation 3 Bundle Offers 'Steel' Color
According to the latest issue of Famitsu, the special Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots bundle the PlayStation 3 will be receiving comes with a new Steel color, as reported in the Japanese scan. Whether or not this is only for Japan, we're not sure. We will update you when we find out more.
[MGS4 Premium Pack to offer PS3 'Steel' special color]
Monday, March 17, 2008
Home Beta Survey Shows Signs of Home Square Revamp
An onAXIS reader who choses to remain anonymous has tipped us about a new survey those in the Home beta are receiving by e-mail. Along with things such as "How important is innovation in Home?" and "How important is different shopping areas ins Home?", the main focus is on the Home Central Plaza.
One of the questions asked if you could choose what you wanted the Square to look like, what would it be, from the choices in the image to the left (A-J). If it were me, I'd definitely choose selection D.
Something else to note is that when taking the survey it asks if you are in the Home Beta, Home Development Team, or an SCEA Employee. It looks like they are branching out to see what everyone thinks.
[Thanks Anonymous!]
