Inc Gamers

IncGamers PodCast 20/11/09

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:00:00 UTC

This week the team discuss the closure of Pandemic Studios, the potential class action lawsuit by banned 360 owners against Microsoft, the big Xbox Live autumn update, the latest MMO news including StarTrek Online, Funcom developing at their new Montreal offices and much more. Games highlighted in the 'What we're playing' section include The Saboteur, Assassin's Creed 2, SAW and Dragon Age: Origins. The regular Bullshit story of the week features the PR stunt by EA for Dante's Inferno, Mass: We Pray and don't forget the Special needs Forum Post of the Week. Tune in now! Show 28 (20/11/09)

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Still Looking For That Church Simulator?

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:00:00 UTC

Prayer Works interactive has released details of its upcoming church simulator, Mass: We Pray.The game apparently ships with motion sensitive crucifix controllers as well as a kneeler and includes such activities as sprinkling holy water, the sign of the cross and holy communion.Now, obviously, before you assume we’ve lost our minds we know it isn’t real - in fact it’s quite a clever promo campaign for Dante’s Inferno – but we liked the press release and video so much, we thought you should have a look too.

IncGamers Column: Lowest Common Denominator

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:00:00 UTC

Andy Alderson asks 'what's worse than a fanboy?'

Telltale On The Future Of Monkey Island

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:00:00 UTC

Telltale Games has spoken about the future of Monkey Island, stating that the series suits the episodic approach. In an interview with IncGamers, Telltale Games’ design director and long term Monkey Island alumnus Dave Grossman, revealed that he favours the episodic model for the series.“I actually really like the episodic approach for Monkey,” he said.“I think it does actually work better than making a stand-alone game.”However, when pressed on which format the next Monkey Island game will follow, if indeed there will be one, Grossman declined to comment, revealing only that Telltale is “a beehive of activity” and we’ll be hearing something soon. The final episode of the Tales of Monkey Island series was dated today, find out more here and be sure to check out our review of the penultimate episode, The Trial and Execution of Guybrush Threepwood.

Ex-Employee: Closing Pandemic Was 'Right Decision'

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:00:00 UTC

An anonymous Pandemic employee has claimed that EA execs "probably made the right decision" to close Pandemic.In case you missed it, EA "relocated" Pandemic earlier this week, firing 200 employees and moving the Pandemic name to EA LA's Playa Vista offices, following the completion of The Saboteur. A few of the newly-unemployed have now posted about their experiences over on NeoGAF."The reason why the studio closed down has everything to do with the existing Pandemic management," writes one under the name of Zeenbor. "From what we were told, Pandemic management was given free reign to do as they please. Time and time again, they dropped the ball with bad decisions (promoting/keeping people based on loyalty, no production accountability, misallocation of resources, poor milestone objectives, no mentoring, etc.)"Zeenbor continues: "I wouldn't necessarily hate on JR [John Riccitiello] and EA's execs just yet. In my eyes, they probably made the right decision as Pandemic cost a lot to upkeep and, quite frankly, the last few products weren't up to snuff.""One more thing I will say," concludes Zeenbor. "EA is totally sending Saboteur out to die. And it's a fucking shame. It's easily Pandemic's best game yet. Of course, I am a bit biased having worked on the game for so long. If you were disappointed with Mercs2 and LOTR (who wasn't) and enjoyed previous Pandemic games, give Saboteur a shot."There's a little more in the post itself, which you can read over on NeoGAF. As for Saboteur, we'll let you know what we think before too long.Thanks to CVG for this.

Far Cry Movie Trailer Goes Online

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:00:00 UTC

A trailer for Uwe Boll's latest disasterpiece, Far Cry, has popped up on IGN.The film is already out on DVD over here at bargain bin prices, while Americans have to wait until 24 November. Shame we don't tend to get much in the way of good stuff first, eh, readers?You can check out the trailer for the movie below, courtesy of IGN, and I recommend you do. It's absolutely hilarious, particularly if you enjoy so-bad-it's-good entertainment.

Far Cry Movie Trailer Goes Online

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:00:00 UTC

Far Cry Movie Trailer Goes Online

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:00:00 UTC

Developer has a baby

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:00:00 UTC

Arthur George Kneller was born yesterday (18th of November) 2009 at 23:47h weighing in at 7lb1oz. Both he and his mum are doing great and there were no complications.

We're home already and Arthur has already latched on for a feed which is awesome.

New IncGamers Column: Why Castlevania Survives

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:00:00 UTC

Tim McDonald looks into why Castlevania is such an enduring series, and the risks to the series that are beginning to loom large.

New IncGamers Column: Why Castlevania Survives

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:00:00 UTC

Tim McDonald looks into why Castlevania is such an enduring series, and the risks to the series that are beginning to loom large.

Robomodo To Take Tony Hawk Ride Board To Other Genres?

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:00:00 UTC

Chicago-based studio Robomodo has hinted that it may use the board peripheral from Tony Hawk Ride in other games. The studio is rumoured to be working on a sequel to Tony Hawk Ride but CEO David Michicich recently revealed the developer is working on another title for Activision.“That’s really difficult to answer because we’re kind of, ah, [pause], we’re kind of, [pause], we’re doing a game with Activision and we’re not allowed to talk about it right now,” he told Develop.Robomodo’s lead designer on Tony Hawk Ride Patrick Dwyer also hinted that the board may work beyond the extreme sports genre, explaining that the board’s array of sensors make it “extremely versatile, in terms of genre.”We had a hands on with Tony Hawk Ride earlier in the year, check out our preview.Any ideas how the board could be used in other genres? Let us know in the comments section.

Pandemic Closing Today?

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:00:00 UTC

The studio behind the Mercenaries series and more recently the Saboteur is rumoured to be closing today. According to Kotaku, “several sources close to the situation” have revealed that almost all of the company’s 200 LA-based staff will be made redundant today while those who remain will be moved to other EA studios.The studio has had some notable successes, including the Full Spectrum Warrior, Mercenaries and Star Wars: Battlefront series but has encountered some hardship this year.In January, the developer’s Brisbane studio was closed following a high profile failure with the game adaptation of the most recent Batman film, The Dark Knight.We have contacted EA for official comment, stay tuned for a response.

Square-Enix Working On 'First Global Game' In Montreal

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:00:00 UTC

Square Enix is working with its Canadian studio, Eidos Montreal, to create the firm's first "global" game.This is according to Square Enix CEO Yoichi Wada, who told the crowd at the Montreal Games Summit that Eidos Montreal is working on a third title, alongside Deus Ex 3 and Thief 4.According to Wada, the title is to be "the first collaboration between Square Enix and Montreal" following the Japanese giant's buyout of Eidos."We would like to be able to create a new title that is made by the group as one," added Wada.So far there are no details on the title for us or for the developers, as very few details are fixed in place.Interestingly, this came about as part of a keynote talk about addressing the global market, with Wada stating that there is no true global market, and that Square Enix's Eidos takeover has created a variety of studios creating games for different audiences and markets.Thanks to Develop for this.

Gearbox Turned Down Blade Runner Game

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:00:00 UTC

Gearbox Software’s Randy Pitchford has revealed the developer rejected the opportunity to create game based on Blade Runner. Taking a break from his busy Valve-bashing schedule, Pitchford told OXM (via CVG) that despite the film being hailed as a sci-fi classic, he could not see the game being profitable."We chased it down and we couldda [sic] had it," said Pitchford."But that one failed on the business side, because the way we wanted to do it we wanted to spend 25-million dollars. And when you do the math on that, we weren't going to make it back.""You're going to spend 25-million, there's another 10-15-million risk just in the publishing process, and then you've got another 10-15 million marketing, and we didn't think that we could make that back,” he added.“So that's too bad."Would you like to see a Blade Runner game? How would it work? Speculate away in the comments section.

UK Chart News

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:00:00 UTC

No surprises this week as Activision’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 took the top spot in the UK all format chart for the week ending 14 November. The critically-acclaimed shooter entered the chart at number one, shifting a staggering 1.78 million units in the UK in only five days as last week’s chart-topper Wii Fit Plus dropped to number four. Activision's claim that MW2 would be the biggets release of the year certainly seems to ring true as it smashed Grand Theft Auto IV's record of 927,000 unit sales.In the most unexpected chart jump of the week, Black Rock’s excellent action racer Pure jumped an impressive 14 places to re-enter the top ten at number nine.The top twenty in full:CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 2WII SPORTS RESORT
FIFA 10
WII FIT PLUS
FORZA MOTORSPORT 3
MARIO & SONIC AT OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES
LEGO BATMAN: THE VIDEOGAME
MARIO KART WII
PURE     BLACK ROCK STUDIOS
GRAND THEFT AUTO EPISODES - LIBERTY CITY
PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2010
FOOTBALL MANAGER 2010
DRAGON AGE: ORIGINS
PROFESSOR LAYTON AND PANDORA'S BOX
SINGSTAR TAKE THAT
WWE SMACKDOWN VS RAW 2010
NEED FOR SPEED: SHIFT
UNCHARTED 2: AMONG THIEVES
CALL OF DUTY 4: MODERN WARFARE  TEKKEN 6

Resi Director Still After Castlevania, Metal Gear Solid

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:00:00 UTC

Resident Evil director Paul W.S. Anderson is still after film adaptations of Castlevania and Metal Gear Solid.The news comes from ShockTillYouDrop.com, which was told by Resident Evil: Afterlife producer Jeremy Bolt that Anderson is "circling" the Castlevania adaptation going on at Rogue Pictures and is waiting for a script. This surprises us, as we thought that James Wan had been attached to direct and Anderson had been dropped from the flick.He also added that Anderson and himself would like to adapt Metal Gear Solid for Columbia Pictures. So that's Milla Jovovich as Meryl and Maria Renard, then.Anderson and Bolt are currently working on Resident Evil: Afterlife.That sound of pure, unbridled anguish you hear isn't someone shrieking melodramatically at Snake dying, nor is it the screams of the innocent as Dracula rises again. It's the fans.Thanks to Kotaku for this.

Resi Director Still After Castlevania, Metal Gear Solid

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:00:00 UTC

Resi Director Still After Castlevania, Metal Gear Solid

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:00:00 UTC

Resi Director Still After Castlevania, Metal Gear Solid

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:00:00 UTC