Duke Nukem Forever - gone forever?

For a very long time Duke Nukem held a title of "ultimate vaporware". I played all Duke Nukem games (including Balls of Steel) and all of them were heaps of fun. And then about 12 years ago 3D Realms announced they are making a brand new, shiny Duke Nukem Forever.

As expected it took some time (most of respectable game developer studios don't have fixed released date) until some news surfaced. It is using Unreal engine (it was original Unreal engine) and here are some screenshots posted on the net.

 

 

And then there was silence for a looooong time. Couple of new screenshots appeard on the net in 2008.

 

The biggest noise was release of brief gameplay footage on Jace Hill video show.

From Crackle: Jace Hall, Ep 1: Duke Nukem Forever - SNEAK PEEK!

Don't ask me why on Jace Hill show but there it was - proof DNF is not vaporware! I have to say I was bit disappointed with the footage. It didn't seemed much different from other FPS (e.g. Doom III).

And now 3D Realms is yet another victim of the recession. If it is any consolation new screenshots of the DNF are on the net. I have to say I am really impressed with “latest” screenshots. Have a look for yourself.

Considering features from all Duke Nukem series of games I am sure DNF would be fun to play with great attention to details and great sense of humour.

Let’s hope there is a company out there that will pick up where 3D Realms have left and DNF will see the light of day.

Terra-Tron – new Starcraft II unit

Blizzard has announces a new Terran unit Terra-Tron. Even if Terran are known for their defence technology they had to develop something something very different. Luckily, Dr Ron Volt was here to help. In his own words:

With the use of magnetic flux generators and through some simple modifications to our existing building schematics, we've found we can utilize structures that already exist in our bases to assemble the frame of a siege-class combat walker—a construct that some of my colleagues insist on calling the Terra-tron. The Terra-tron is best deployed as a last-ditch effort to hold an important location on the grid. Currently the cost of operation is a bit of a problem, as energy conduits and pipes become dislodged or severed and leave dangerously exposed electrical wiring, steel framework, and sewage systems. However, let me assure you that we are working diligently on new waste-containment systems that should eliminate this problem and get our buildings back up to code in the near future.

From information provided it looks like a player must have a fully developed base. Terra-Tron is composed of 15 units/buildings and once constructed/transformed it is a mean tool of mass destruction. Here is Terra-Tron in action.


This may be great news for Terran player but it sucks for everybody else. Neither Zerg or Protoss have unit(s) that could counter Terra-Tron! It is simply too massive and too powerful. And to make the whole situation even worse if Terran player manages to create several Taurens how is anybody suppose to fight back?!

Tauren at work


What I would like to see is a new mega Zerg unit. Maybe something like a crossbreed from Alien Queen and Hydralisk with ability to camouflage itself. Then when Tauren pass by it would waste them with tons of acid and slice them with razor sharp tail…

P.S. Look closely at the image below for a hint

New Diablo III class revealed - The Archivist

Today Diablo III just got an exciting new character class, The Archivist.  They are fighting not only for future but for our past as well.

In my writings, I have recounted stories of the barbarians and their endless battles with the demons of the frozen north, and devoted pages to the wizards of Caldeum who harness the primal forces of reality. But the might of these heroes is nothing compared to the power of the archivists of Westmarch. These brave souls wade into battle wielding tome and quill, armored not in ensorcelled plate or links of chain, but in the knowledge of generations past. These archivists fight not only for our future, but for our past as well.

Archivist may seem very weak but have a look at their spells (only 3 demonstrated Lorenado, Quest Bolt and Shush). My favourite is the Shush.

Lorenado

Quest Bolt

Shush (looks innocent at this stage)
but then…

Apart from these mighty spells it also features a new way of communication – radial dialog. It is quick and easy way to select your response so you don’t have to scroll through lots of possible phrases.
 
This would be fun character to play but it is very weak. It seems it has do defences at all, so if your spell miss the opponent you are gone…
P.S. Note the announcement date

Game engines at GDC 09

GDC is always exciting time for gamers and game developers. There is a lot of announcements, demos, awards and anything else related to gaming industry.
This year is no different. From the news two items got my attention – new CryENGINE 3 and updates to Unreal Engine 3.

Unreal 3 Engine
Let’s have a look at Unreal Engine first. In EPIC’s press release are details of these updates. Key new features include:

• Unreal Lightmass – new global illumination solver
• Content browser – database driven and searchable
• Unreal Master Control Program  - statistics and data management back end (does this name reminds you of Tron?)
• MMOG backend solution developed by EPIC China

This may not sound to interesting but it is easiest to make your own mind after you see the video. Head to G4TV to view it.

 


There is more to see in video so have fun.

CryENGINE 3
CryENGINE was announced on Crytek’s site and there is a nice video to go with it. Actual announcement has lot of details about new features. The list of features is long so here are just some:

• All-in-one development solution for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC
• Sandbox for Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 – WYSIWYP toolset
• Vegetation and terrain cover generation
• Multicore support
• Real-time dynamic global illumination
• Deferred lighting
• Uber Shader technology
• Natural world effects
• Performance analysis tools
• Polybump

Instead of me poorly describing these features here is the video and screenshots to illustrate these features.

If you want to download this movie at highest resolution go to the download page (241 MB zip file).
Some of the screenshots are so good you could mistake it for a photograph. Like the couple below.


So there you go, drool over these just like I did…

Unreal Tournament 3 – Betrayal video guide

Titan pack brings two new game types. One is described in previous post. This time round here is a video for second additional game type – Betrayal.
In essence this is a variation of instant gib deathmatch. On start players are grouped in teams randomly. For every frag you get a point. If you frag your teammate (or betray him) you get his points. Hence the name of the game type.
There are more rules but you will learn about them in the video.
If played well you can collect lot of points but you may risk good relationships with your friends…

If you want more information and screenshots of Titan Pack maps head to PlanetUnreal.
Here is an example of DarkMatch. In case you didn’t play original Unreal that was one of game types. In short you play in pitch black level and only light is your flashlight or weapons fire.

Have fun playing Titan Pack!

UT 3 Titan Pack impressions

Yesterday I downloaded the Titan Pack for Unreal Tournament 3 (for PC of course). If you want to play it on PS3 then you will have to wait another 2 weeks due to mod certification process for PS3.

In my previous posts you can read what is included in Titan Pack. After playing it for few hours here is how does it feel and what do I like and what I don't.

Maps

Maps are very nice and on the par you would expect from Epic's team. In this post you can see what do they look like. I did play on all new maps but very briefly. The only one I didn't like too much was a CTF map Morbid. It is very small map and gives me claustrophobic feeling. With more players it is very crowded and chaotic.

On the other hand I enjoy playing Nanoblack. This is a medium sized map with lots of water ways and alternative routes to opponents base. The water looks just stunning and it is really nice visul.

From DM maps I really like Eden Inc. It  has stunning visuals and plays very nicely and there is always a lot of action in the centre court.

Titan mutator

As the name of the pack suggest this mutator is one of the highlights of the pack. It can be used in most of the gametypes (excluding Betryal and Duel). When a player has sufficient number of kills one can activate this option with R key. When being a Titan you are about 3 times larger than regular player and have rocket launcher with equivalent of Udamage constantly. Also the vision goes to black and white. But this is not all. While Titan you can still keep an eye on your kill meter and you can become Juggernaut. See the comparison of sizes on screenshots below.

Normal size

Titan

Juggernaut

The downside of juggernaut is that it lasts for only 30 seconds. The fun side is that you can squash the opponents. Just walk close to them and you will jump and squash him/her. After 30 seconds you die...

Oh, also try the right click while being Titan and Juggernaut for alterante fire.

For the end here are some screenshots of Titan(s) in action on various maps.

And for the end "Clash of the Titans"

I got him good...

If I get more time I'll post more about Betrayal game type and vehicle CTF maps and gameplay.

UT3 Titan Pack media gallery

This time it is all about eye candy and new features of Titan Pack. One of two new game types is Greed. To how it is meant to be played and goals watch the video below.

Here are the screenshots you may missed from BeyoundUnreal site.

                                 

 

     

And for the end a short video of what you could find in Make Something Unreal  contest.

Epic Games '$1 Million Make Something Unreal Contest' video