Why I Won't Be Playing God of War 3

Some games should be seen and not played.

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Kane & Lynch 2: Texture resolution isn't
everything!

Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days looks like a YouTube video. Shaky cameras, rough textures, and pixelated violence are all part of the package. Don't adjust your TV set though, that's on purpose. For IO Interactive, creating a gritty, believable story is about far more than high resolution textures. 

"The way we tell the story is from a POV perspective at all times, so you don't get to like cross reference how the bad guys are thinking, you're staying with those two guys the entire duration of the game," explains producer Karsen Lund.  "So that kind of dictated the way we tell the story, because we need that feel of the documentary, of something that is made on the spot. Not really staged for an audience in that sense. So you can that is one way the style affected the story.

"But also, the story needed to be a bit more unstaged than your usual Hollywood drama. It needs to feel like this is happening in real life. So location is a little bit off, and everything's a little big skewed compared to your basic dramatic."

A very bold and ambitious style, one must admit. However, is IO worried that graphics-hungry gamers won't "get" what Dog Days is trying to achieve, and write the game off for what they mistakenly believe are shoddy visuals? Hit the jump as IO tells us everything will be alright.

"Actually do think that yeah, the people that we're already showing this to do get it," explains Lund. "This doesn't come across as actually low res when you play it, I think that it comes across as very modern. The way we actually show each other what happens in the world, whether we choose reality television or social stuff. We tried to polish all of the visuals like that. It's not like this game's not polished, we spent a lot of resources into creating this feel and look, but I think it makes. Sometimes it makes the Hollywood style if you know what i mean? 

"In my view, i think it's a modern take on realism and looks. i also think it's proves the point that believable isn't always about texture resolution, actually it never is."

Sounds pretty damn hot to me. Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days will be hitting all the HD systems on August 24.

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Join The Escapist for their Modern Warfare 2 Xbox
Live Community Playdate!

Come play Modern Warfare 2 with your favorite staff members of The Escapist during out Xbox Live Community Playdate on Friday, March 19th from 8PM EST to 11PM EST!

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Exploring The Capcom Hand

We're through the looking glass, people. My recent article about an ever-present stage design element in many Mega Man adventures has led The Mega Man Network to focus on something similar in terms of character design. The next time you take a look at some of those great pieces of Robot Master promotional artwork, take special note of each character's hands. In almost every instance in which the characters have open hands instead of fists or blasters, the Robot Masters...

Read The Full Article:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PressTheButtons/~3/MSDkwPWIKQk/exploring-the-capco
m-hand.html

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Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Biggest March Release
Ever

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is on pace to be the best-selling videogame ever released in the month of March.

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God of War III Preview and Screenshots

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA)
Developer: Sony Computer Entertainment?s Worldwide Studios, Santa Monica Studios
Platform: PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3?)
Genre: Action-Adventure
Players: Single-Player
Release: March 2010
Rating: ?RP? for Rating Pending

OVERVIEW

Developed exclusively for the PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3?) system, God of War® III is the final installment of the multi-million unit-selling trilogy. Developed by Sony Computer Entertainment?s Santa Monica Studios, God of War III will bring epic battles to life with stunning graphics and an elaborate plot that puts Kratos at the center of carnage and destruction as he seeks revenge against the Gods who have betrayed him.

Set in the realm of brutal Greek mythology, God of War III is a single-player game that allows players to take on the climatic role of the ex-Spartan warrior, Kratos, as he scales through the intimidating heights of Mt. Olympus and the dark depths of Hell to seek revenge on those who have betrayed him. Armed with double-chained blades, and an array of new weapons and magic for this iteration of the trilogy, Kratos must take on mythology?s darkest creatures while solving intricate puzzles throughout his merciless quest to destroy Olympus.

Utilizing a new game engine built from the ground up and state-of-the-art visual technologies, the development team behind God of War III has made standard-setting strides in giving players the realistic feel of actually being on the battlegrounds. With texture resolutions quadrupling since God of War II on PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, God of War III, in its debut on the PS3 system, will feature fluid, life-like characters, as well as dynamic lighting effects, a robust weapon system, and world-changing scenarios that will truly bring unmistakable realism to Kratos? fateful quest. Players will have a chance to join battles on a grand scale that is four times larger than its predecessor.

KEY FEATURES

• ONLY ON THE PS3 SYSTEM- The award-winning development team leverages the processing power and technology of PLAYSTATION 3 system to make God of War III one of the most-graphically advanced next gen titles available, with even the dramatic cut screens running off the in-game engine.
• GROUNDBREAKING DEPTH OF SCALE ? Kratos will explore areas up to 4 times larger than those found in God of War II, as well as carve through entire armies while navigating on the back of Titans - living, moving, breathing levels as tall as the Empire State Building.
• STYLIZED REALISM ? Players will battle in detailed and unique 3D worlds lit by thousands of dynamic lights and textures with quadruple the resolution, which allows for realistic muscle striations, detailed facial expressions, and new heightened levels of brutality and gore.
• SIGNATURE GAMEPLAY - Brutal combat, intricate puzzles, exploration of awe-inspiring worlds, and a compelling and satisfying ending to Kratos? epic story.
• SOPHISTICATED STORYLINE ? The God of War III storyline is the epic conclusion to the triology; the storyline will be told in a way that is true to traditionalist roots in Greek mythology, from moral consequences to brutal battles against the Gods.
• RIDEABLE CREATURES ? Several of the menacing creatures of Greek mythology in God of War III can now be manipulated against their will, as Kratos uses them to cross chasms, inflict blind rage against enemies, reveal puzzles and secrets, and as tools of complete annihilation.
• NEW WEAPONS AND COMBAT SYSTEM- New deadly weapons such as the Cestus - powerful metal gauntlets with devastating strength - and other brutal instruments of war that will allow Kratos to learn ruthless new techniques such as grappling with enemies and launching explosive wall-to-ground attacks.
• LIGHTING TECHNOLOGIES ? The dynamic lighting solution employed in GOW III is only feasible through the computing power provided by the Cell SPUs. For example, using the High Dynamic Range Lighting (HDRL) technology, the camera ? when using Krato?s sightline - will emulate the human retina, causing players to feel a sharp brightness when Kratos exits a dark area and enters a sunlit area, similar to how the human eye would need to adjust.

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Dr. Freebird, please report to Trauma Team

Atlus sent us a ton of videos for Trauma Team today. The series of walkthrough clips shows off a variety of procedures players can perform in the game, as well as introduces us to the doctors who will get all the credit for your hard work.

The above video was not selected because orthopedic surgery is awesome. I put this one on the front page because the orthopedic surgeon's name is Dr. Hank Freebird. Even now, I can see myself screwing up on the mode (which removes time constraints but limits the number of mistakes you can make) and screaming, "FREEEBIIIIIRRRRRRRD!" That alone will be worth the price of admission for me.

Trauma Team comes out on May 18th. Five more videos reside after the break, which look at surgery, forensics, diagnosis, first response and endoscopy. Yeah. Endoscopy. Here's hoping there's a bonus stage set in the colon!

Forensics

Diagnosis

Surgery

Endoscopy

First Response

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MotoGP 09/10 PS3 and Xbox 360 Preview

Release Date: March 2010
Genre: Racing
Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Rating: TBC
Developer: Monumental Games
Publisher: Capcom

MotoGP 09/10 takes the series in an exciting new direction rewarding players for their racing style and skill on the track. Gamers will get all the riders, tracks and teams from the official 2009 MotoGP season AND free downloadable content from the 2010 season as it unfolds. The free update means gamers will be able to play the most up to date MotoGP season content earlier than ever before.

MotoGP 09/10 will feature an all new 'Arcade' mode where players must complete different race challenges before the time runs out. Time bonuses will be awarded for those who take risks on the track but losing concentration will mean you face time being deducted making this an exciting gameplay addition for racing game fans. Run out of time and your chances of living the MotoGP dream will be over.

Complementing Arcade mode is the introduction of a fully realised 'Career' mode which provides an expansion to the MotoGP experience. Players take control of their MotoGP championship both on and off the track competing in the races and managing their team as they try to build their career as a racing pro.

Gamers can compete in a full championship season across all three MotoGP bike classes and pit their skills against players around the globe with the robust online mode.

MotoGP 09/10 will include the following features:

• Brand new exciting gameplay modes that deliver the ultimate GP racing experience
• Ability to update the game with content from the 2010 championship as the season unfolds
• Compete against riders across the globe in online multiplayer mode
• Two player split screen allows you to compete against your friends
• Select from 125cc, 250cc and 800cc championships
• Realistic AI which emulates a true racing pack with different rider styles and pace
• Accessible handling for players of all levels to create an enjoyable racing experience
• 17 official circuits from the 2009 GP season

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WB Announces LOTR: War In The North, "Mature" RPG

Using both the book and the movie licenses for LOTR, the new RPG War in the North aims to set a mature tone.

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Command & Conquer 4 Tiberian Twilight Preview

Behold disciples of Nod, for the end is soon upon us. Electronic Arts' award-winning and best-selling Tiberium saga is coming to a powerful conclusion with Command & Conquer 4 Tiberian Twilight, which will introduce a multitude of innovations to the classic fast and fluid Command & Conquer gameplay, while retaining the core compulsions that fans have come to love over the series' history.

It is the year 2062 and humanity is at the brink of extinction. Tiberium, the mysterious, alien crystalline structure that has infested Earth for decades and served as the primary reason for years of relentless conflict between the Global Defense Initiative (GDI) and the Brotherhood of Nod, is close to rendering the planet uninhabitable. Mankind is on the verge of extinction when Kane, Nod's prophetic leader, emerges from seclusion to deliver GDI the message that he has developed a system that could control Tiberium and harness its power. But he cannot build this "Tiberium Control Network" without GDI's cooperation. Thus, the two opposing factions ? GDI and Nod ? inevitably find themselves in desperation for the same cause: to stop Tiberium from extinguishing mankind.

After 15 years, the network is nearly complete, Tiberium is under strict control and our revitalized, newly terraformed planet is on the cusp of a new age of prosperity and progress. It is then that the world's citizens begin to seriously ponder why Kane chose to help, and what will he want in return. These questions and more lead to the dramatic final act of the Tiberium saga.

With a multitude of innovative new features to the fast and fluid C&C gameplay, Command & Conquer 4 Tiberian Twilight offers players an entirely new way to play C&C. An all-in-one mobile base, persistent player progression across all game modes that is constantly updated in a real-time online profile, a 3-class system for each of the two factions, co-operative play, and a 5v5 objective-based multiplayer mode that promotes teamwork and social interaction, make Command & Conquer 4 Tiberian Twilight unlike any other C&C experience.

Key Features
- The Epic Conclusion of the Saga ? Command & Conquer 4 Tiberian Twilight brings the 15-year Tiberium saga to a powerful and epic conclusion, told through grittier and darker live action cinematics, the return of Nod's enigmatic leader Kane (Joe Kucan) and all the answers on the fate of Earth, GDI, Tiberium, Nod and most of all, Kane himself.

- First Class-based C&C ? Play as Offense, Defense or Support classes from GDI and Nod. Each class is unique, offering players different play styles, giving you tons of strategic options and coming with its own set of units designed to support your chosen style.

- Mobile bases!? The Crawler is your giant, new, all-in-one mobile base that you control on the battlefield to produce new units, structures, powers and upgrades, each specific to the class and faction you chose to play with. Build units and store them in your hull as you move around the map and surprise your enemy with a sudden fury of units!

- Persistent Player Progression ? Every unit you destroy awards you with experience points. Level up and spend your experience points on new units, powers and upgrades that give you more strategic options to choose from. Your progression is stored in your online profile that you can access from any PC with C&C 4 installed.

- 5v5 Multiplayer ? With its objective-based 5v5 multiplayer, Command & Conquer 4 Tiberian Twilight brings a new, social, real-time-strategy experience to your PC. Choose your individual classes and play together as a team to conquer your enemy. The all-new party system lets you move with your party of friends from one online battle to the next.

Product Specifications
Publisher: Electronic Arts Inc.
Developer: EA Los Angeles
Ship Date: 2010 (PC)
Category: Real-time Strategy (RTS)

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