Since 2013

Search

Search

Dead Star: PS4 Exclusive Multiplayer Space Shooter

Today, Tom Ivey; the design lead of Armature Studio’s new multiplayer space shooter, Dead Star announced the reveal of this new, PlayStation exclusive game. November 2013 was the start of the new game prototype. Three Armature developers, armed with only a few computers made it their goal to build a fun, fast, arcade-style multiplayer space shooter. They wanted the combat to be engaging and exciting, by including scout ships that zip in and out of asteroid fields, raiders that appear from cloak to hit their enemies, and frigates that bombard the area with their missile fire. Keeping in mind the player’s skill and strategy choices, they chose a top-down perspective and worked to keep the controls simple and responsive. The framework of the game came together quickly in the form of a demo that was able to capture the moments specific to a multiplayer experience- the office was filled with the excited shouts and disappointed moans as they won, lost, or made the lucky shot. The gameplay was then in place to begin turning their small demo, into the game they knew it could become. While in the world of Dead Star, players will find an area called the Wastes. This is where any citizen found violating the rules of the galaxy will be banished. The Wastes is a black void of scorched metal and irradiated rock, and is a hundred light-years from any habitable space area. In the center, is the Dead Star, a large red giant corrupted by dark antimatter. In the Wastes, life is constantly a battle. There is a war between psychos and criminal, who are fighting over any bits of technology they can scrounge up in the ancient battlefields. To add to the misery,  the Dead Star is collapsing on itself, which in-turn would wipe out any existence within a dozen light-years. To open the game, your pilot has been banished to the Wastes. The primary game mode will have you fighting to control the prison. You will earn rewards and acknowledgment based on how you perform in battle. Whether you die in a haze of laser fire, or survive in a blaze of glory, earning the title of the galaxy’s greatest pilot, will be determined by your skills in combat. While expanding the Dead Star universe, the core game systems were also expanded to hold modern twists to the genre. Developers focused on three main goals for the game: Support a variety of play styles: There are many ships that offer unique abilities. These can be unlocked and upgraded within matches. Players will also find multiple combat roles, including defensive mining and base upgrading, to offensive roles such as long-range scouting and control-point capture. Create strategic variation: In Dead Star, players will not be limited to a set of maps with limited strategies. The procedural map generation system will allow maps to have randomized scenarios every match, with the ability to vote where the battle takes place. The “Whaaaat?! Factor”: Armature developers decided to do something out of the ordinary for Dead Star, In a “to-be-announced” game mode, players will be able to impact a live, ongoing match in unique and exciting ways. Armature will reveal more of Dead Star in the coming months, releasing the new features and exciting mysteries behind the new game mode, and allowing PlayStation platers to get the behind-the-scenes glimpse at Dead Star. Be sure to check out the trailer, and original story.  

Vertigo – Destiny: The Taken King’s New PvP Map

Have you ever wondered what Bungie designers look for in a multiplayer map design? In a Game Informer interview with Bungie’s senior multiplayer designerAndrew Weldon, and Crucible level artist Adam Williams, they take a close look at The Taken King’s new Mercury PvP map, Vertigo. Amidst the multiple Vex structures, you will find Cabal fixtures…but no cabal. You can see their abandoned war ships in the skybox as well. This map was given a symmetrical layout, and is designed to make it difficult for the player to determine which side of the map they are actually on. Designers had to come up with ways in which to break the map up, focusing heavily on the direct sunlight on one side, and the darkness of the cabal on the other. If you are on the Alpha Team spawn, you’ll find multiple lanes laid out in front of you; the middle is highlighted by a laser, to the left is a corridor to the A flag, and if you head to the right side, you’ll notice the teleporter. The teleporter is meant to be a power position. You’ll notice that the jump makes you a bit uncomfortable, but that was Weldon and Williams’ goal. You didn’t expect the power position to be easily accessible, did you? From the teleporter, you can actually overlook both A and C points. Keep in mind though, that as a single person holding A or C and watching the teleporter, you will have a hard time keeping an eye on both points, and can be flanked easily. On A, you’ll find a decent amount of cover, with a couple of entrances to the ground and stairs. C flag is another cabal structure, that was attached to the vex architecture. This point is parallel to A, and can access the Bravo spawn via a side jump, and another cabal platform. Points A and C cannot see each other, but through the central tunnel, you are able to get from one to the other as well as the teleporter. Figure eight type tunnels were placed between points A and C, and provide multiple ways that players can flank, and fake out their enemies. Players are given multiple choices to choose from, to get themselves from one side of the map to the other. You are able to get a quick read of each direction you are faced with, and quickly choose which way to move forward with. Whether it be long snipe lanes, or close contact shot gun areas, the goal of Andrew Weldon and Adam Williams is to create each map, so that there is something for everyone.   Be sure to check out the video and full article here.

Until Dawn – PlayStation Exclusive

Do you scare easily, but love the thrill? Does an abandoned cabin in the middle of nowhere give you goosebumps, yet you want to explore it? If you answered yes, you’re going to want to check out Until Dawn, the new horror game coming to PlayStation 4. You will be one of eight friends trapped together in an abandoned mountain retreat called Blackwood Pines; plot twist: you’re not alone.  In this gory, third person game of options, you will be given choices and clues for yourself and friends. You will be able to play as each of the eight characters while on your search for who, or what is haunting you. The decisions you make will determine who makes it out alive…or not. Choose wisely! As if that’s not enough to convince you to pick this game up, Until Dawn features the voices of an amazing crew, that is to include Hayden Panettiere (Heroes and Nashville), Rami Malek (Night at the Museum, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2, Need for Speed) and Brett Dalton (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.). These characters pull you in, and allow you to feel the fear and emotion they are experiencing in the game. Until Dawn is available for pre-order, and will launch August 25th. If you’re in for a roller coaster ride, pick it up then!   Find the original sources here and here. Photo source.

PS4 System Software Update: Beta Testers Wanted!

Are you a PS4 forums member, and interested in giving feedback on the new PS4 System Software Update? Before PlayStation lets the update go live, they are looking for beta testers to test and give thoughts on the system software update. You can sign up here today! There are a couple of requirements, however; you must have the PS4 console, a reliable connection to the internet, and a master account – sub-accounts are not accepted. In order to have access to the beta forums, sign up for the PlayStation forums in advance. The beta program will start in September, and don’t worry! Beta testers can switch back to the old PS4 system software update (v 2.57) whenever they choose. More information on the new features will be included when the beta is released. There are only a number of beta tester slots available, so be sure to take advantage of the opportunity soon!   Find the original article here. Photo source.

May the PS4 Be With You

Are you one of the many Star Wars lovers? PlayStation has a bundle you won’t want to miss. At the D23 Expo in Anaheim, Adam Boyes revealed the Darth Vader PlayStation 4 bundles. This limited edition console will be one of the two Star Wars bundles that will be available November 17th. The bundle is to include the limited edition 500 GB PlayStation 4 that fashions the face of Darth Vader, and a DUALSHOCK 4 controller. The console also has the Star Wars logo all across the top of the system. The DUALSHOCK 4 controller is modeled after Darth Vader’s own chest panel, and also includes the Star Wars logo repeated on the touchpad. The Star Wars Battlefront Deluxe addition will be included in the bundle, as well as a voucher to enable the download of four of the Star Wars classic titles- Super Star Wars, Star Wars: Racer Revenge, Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter, and Star Wars Bounty Hunter. This will be the first time these titles have been released on the PlayStation 4, complete with upgraded graphics and the chance at trophies. The second bundle, geared for Disney Infinity 3.0 players, is a Limited Edition Disney Infinity 3.0: Star Wars Bundle, which will be exclusive at Wal-Mart, also starting November 17th.  This package is set to include the same 500 GB Darth Vader PlayStation 4, the Darth Vader chest panel inspired DUALSHOCK 4, and the Disney Infinity 3.0: Star Wars Edition PlayStation exclusive Hardware Bundle Kit. This is to include the physical disc of Disney Infinity 3.0, the Disney Infinity Base, the Rise Against the Empire Play Set Pack- which includes Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, the Against the Empire Play Set Piece, and  the Boba Fett figure, all of which is exclusive to PlayStation through the holidays. This bundle also includes the voucher to download the digital version of the four Star Wars classic games. In addition to these bundles, Star Wars lovers can also grab the standard-edition Star Wars Battlefront PS4 Bundle, which includes the original 500 GB PlayStation 4 and DUALSHOCK 4 controller in jet black. The set will include Star Wars Battlefront, and the voucher for the digital download of the four classic Star Wars games.   Find the original article and photos here.  

PlayStation 4 Firmware Update 3.0

According to a translation via Gematsu, of the Japanese Website Pocket News, if you are a PlayStation 4 streamer and prefer YouTube, the PlayStation 4 Firmware 3.0 update might just be the thing for you! At the moment, the Firmware 3.0  is in beta testing in Japan, and is being said to provide streamers with an alternative to Twitch and Ustream through YouTube Gaming; the new website and app that YouTube has announced. As an extra, they’ve included the feature to upload 10 second video clips to Twitter.                        Quick overview of some other changes: Events option in the main menu. This will allow you to find and join events that are common to your interests. Community is a new feature in the friends menu. This will allow you find players with common interests. You can now form your own community or join an already existing one. Games and parties can be accessed through these communities. Now Playing is a new addition to the What’s New, Friends, Community, and Messages. From here, you will see a list of what your friends are playing, and can form a game or a party. This feature also gives you the option to request to view said friend’s gameplay. You will notice that Messages have been updated. What the user is playing will be added, along with the feature of forming a party from that menu. You can also now create a favorites list, and add it to your favorites menu. Stamps have also been added for a fun twist to messages. Live from PlayStation will now include and support video clips and screenshots, as well as broadcasts. In Settings, users are now able to control the speed of scolling. (Settings > Accessibility > Automatic Scroll Speed) In “Community Items,” that can also be found in Settings, “Gameplay Viewing Requests,” “Events,” and “Current Song” are now featured. (Settings > Notifications) Comments are now available on What’s New activity. In the main menu, you can now access PlayStation Plus, with quick access to details on the Instant Game Collection and member discounts. Parental controls are now improved. You can now view game ratings and age restrictions prior to starting any game. Your child can now enjoy a sub-account by going to the use selection menu, and choosing New User. In the Settings menu for Parental Controls, and for a fee, you can choose to set-up a service which blocks harmful websites from being accessed and displayed. Get the full details like I did, from IGN here!