FAQ
1. Explain what you mean by “strategic support” in Silent Hunter?
With the arrival of the German campaign in U-Boat Missions, players gain control over additional strategic resources other than their own submarines. These resources can be used towards the goal of sinking enemy shipping by either helping the player locate enemies – i.e. the scout planes – or by directly attacking them.
2. Are there any new features connected to this strategic support system?
The most important feature is that the units controlled by the strategic gameplay now report contacts and combat the enemy even when away from the player’s location. This is a great tool in attacking enemy ships, but on the other hand the player has to exercise caution and be careful not to cause the indirect loss of said units. In other words, do not direct your Armed Merchant Cruisers to intercept enemy battleship groups, if you care for the lives of those brave sailors that is.
3. Is the strategic support feature of U-Boat Missions historically accurate or just something you invented?
The actual concept of a submarine commander giving direct orders to aircraft or surface warships is admittedly a little stretched from reality, but not by much. In a grand scale war there’s always information flowing to and from submarines, and commanders often reposition their battle groups or divert resources based on feedback from the units in the field. Submarines benefit greatly from sighting reports from scout planes (one needs only to read the memoirs of Grand Admiral Doenitz to see how many times he requested scout planes for support) and it makes perfect sense for a form of collaboration similar to what we’ve modeled here to take shape.
4. Are the strategic support elements available only for the new German campaign?
As of now the strategic support features are available only for the new German campaign in U-Boat Missions. However, there is nothing stopping enterprising modders from adding it to the U.S. campaign.
5. What are the tactical steps for a successful mission utilizing the new strategic support features?
The same steps one takes in hunting as a lone submarine apply here. Find the target, position for attack and then deliver a crushing blow. With scout planes, finding a target is obviously easier since their speed and detection range is much greater than yours. Positioning your cruiser groups is an exercise in the art of interception. The final part, the actual battle, is simply a matter of bringing enough resources to overcome the enemy. Don’t take chances and you won’t be surprised by the results.
6. What new units are available for you to command in the strategic game?
Units available to command: Recon plane (from land bases), German auxiliary cruiser, German heavy cruiser, Japanese carrier group (call recon plane), Japanese cruiser group, Japanese taskforce.
7. What are the requirements for unlocking new units and abilities?
Unlocking the auxiliary units is based on the player’s rank, and the rank is achieved based on the number of successful patrols and renown what has been gained.
8. Can I turn off the strategic gameplay?
The strategic game cannot be turned off except by modding the game, but there’s nothing forcing the player to use the new abilities. So, if you prefer a “traditional” Silent Hunter experience, commanding only your own submarine, you can choose to do that.
Monday, November 19, 2007
SEGA Announaces The House Of The Dead 2&3 Return
Renowned Horror Arcade Game to Bring Non-Stop Shooting Action to your living room
SEGA Europe Ltd. today announced that THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD 2&3 RETURN is coming to the Wii home video game system from Nintendo. Combining two zombie shooters, THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD 2™ and THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD III™, this new compilation gives gamers the full arcade experience of battling hordes of rabid zombies in the comfort of their homes.
In THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD 2&3 RETURN, players will be able to play both versions of the game, battling the relentless attack of bloodthirsty zombies with steady aim and a quick trigger finger. Utilising the innovative new Wii Zapper™ or the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, players will experience branching storylines with over six game modes including Arcade Mode and Time Attack modes that will test their shooting skills. THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD 2&3 RETURN features an engaging single-player campaign, plus a co-op multiplayer mode for up to two players for countless hours of zombie shooting action.
“THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD franchise has been revamped for today’s gamer looking for fast-paced shooting action on the Wii” commented Gary Knight, Marketing Director of SEGA Europe. “Utilising the new Wii Zapper, the player can get the renowned light gun experience in their own home.”
THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD is famous for its heart-pounding pace and the great visual detail of the vast armies of unique enemies. Blasting through legions of grotesque zombies and mutated monsters, players eventually face-off against colossal boss creatures that will test the accuracy and skill of every Wii gamer.
THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD 2&3 RETURN will be available for the Wii home video game system from Nintendo in spring 2008.
SEGA Europe Ltd. today announced that THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD 2&3 RETURN is coming to the Wii home video game system from Nintendo. Combining two zombie shooters, THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD 2™ and THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD III™, this new compilation gives gamers the full arcade experience of battling hordes of rabid zombies in the comfort of their homes.
In THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD 2&3 RETURN, players will be able to play both versions of the game, battling the relentless attack of bloodthirsty zombies with steady aim and a quick trigger finger. Utilising the innovative new Wii Zapper™ or the Wii Remote and Nunchuk, players will experience branching storylines with over six game modes including Arcade Mode and Time Attack modes that will test their shooting skills. THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD 2&3 RETURN features an engaging single-player campaign, plus a co-op multiplayer mode for up to two players for countless hours of zombie shooting action.
“THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD franchise has been revamped for today’s gamer looking for fast-paced shooting action on the Wii” commented Gary Knight, Marketing Director of SEGA Europe. “Utilising the new Wii Zapper, the player can get the renowned light gun experience in their own home.”
THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD is famous for its heart-pounding pace and the great visual detail of the vast armies of unique enemies. Blasting through legions of grotesque zombies and mutated monsters, players eventually face-off against colossal boss creatures that will test the accuracy and skill of every Wii gamer.
THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD 2&3 RETURN will be available for the Wii home video game system from Nintendo in spring 2008.
Beowulf: The Official Mobile Game release
Action, Adventure and Excitement Await Movie Fans and Gamers via Mobile Devices
Gameloft, a leading publisher and developer of video games for mobile phones, is announcing today the launch of ‘Beowulf: The Official Mobile Game,’ based on Academy Award®-winning director, Robert Zemeckis’ new feature film “Beowulf” by Paramount Pictures and Shangri-La Entertainment which is in theaters this Friday, November 16th.
Groundbreaking director Robert Zemeckis offers a vision of the “Beowulf” saga that has never been told before. In a legendary time of heroes, the mighty warrior Beowulf battles the demon Grendel and incurs the hellish wrath of the beast’s ruthlessly seductive mother. Their epic clash forges the timeless legend of Beowulf. “Beowulf” stars Ray Winstone in the title role and Anthony Hopkins as the corrupt King Hrothgar, as well as John Malkovich, Robin Wright Penn, Brendan Gleeson, Crispin Glover, Alison Lohman and Angelina Jolie as Grendel's mother. Paramount Pictures, in association with Shangri-La Entertainment, Presents an ImageMovers Production of a Robert Zemeckis film, “Beowulf.”
The new mobile game allows you to play as the legendary warrior Beowulf. Players have the ability to fight the most gigantic monsters ever seen on mobile and use the environment around them to easily destroy enemies. The game features 14 levels of exciting hack and slash environments and more than 15 incredible fight moves with various objects as weapons that can provoke massive damages to numerous enemies within a blink of an eye.
“We are proud to translate the exciting thrills of this famous epic to mobile handsets worldwide,” explains Gonzague de Vallois, senior vice president of publishing, Gameloft. “The game not only stimulates players visually, but immerses them into the intense, action-packed world of Beowulf that is sure to intrigue and captivate players for hours.”
“Gameloft captured the essence of the movie and extended the experience that can be played anywhere, anytime allowing consumers to engage in the movie in unique interactive ways,” states Sandi Isaacs, senior vice president of interactive & mobile for Paramount Digital Entertainment.
Beowulf: The Official Mobile game is available now through most carriers worldwide.
Beowulf opens in theaters November 16th.
Gameloft, a leading publisher and developer of video games for mobile phones, is announcing today the launch of ‘Beowulf: The Official Mobile Game,’ based on Academy Award®-winning director, Robert Zemeckis’ new feature film “Beowulf” by Paramount Pictures and Shangri-La Entertainment which is in theaters this Friday, November 16th.
Groundbreaking director Robert Zemeckis offers a vision of the “Beowulf” saga that has never been told before. In a legendary time of heroes, the mighty warrior Beowulf battles the demon Grendel and incurs the hellish wrath of the beast’s ruthlessly seductive mother. Their epic clash forges the timeless legend of Beowulf. “Beowulf” stars Ray Winstone in the title role and Anthony Hopkins as the corrupt King Hrothgar, as well as John Malkovich, Robin Wright Penn, Brendan Gleeson, Crispin Glover, Alison Lohman and Angelina Jolie as Grendel's mother. Paramount Pictures, in association with Shangri-La Entertainment, Presents an ImageMovers Production of a Robert Zemeckis film, “Beowulf.”
The new mobile game allows you to play as the legendary warrior Beowulf. Players have the ability to fight the most gigantic monsters ever seen on mobile and use the environment around them to easily destroy enemies. The game features 14 levels of exciting hack and slash environments and more than 15 incredible fight moves with various objects as weapons that can provoke massive damages to numerous enemies within a blink of an eye.
“We are proud to translate the exciting thrills of this famous epic to mobile handsets worldwide,” explains Gonzague de Vallois, senior vice president of publishing, Gameloft. “The game not only stimulates players visually, but immerses them into the intense, action-packed world of Beowulf that is sure to intrigue and captivate players for hours.”
“Gameloft captured the essence of the movie and extended the experience that can be played anywhere, anytime allowing consumers to engage in the movie in unique interactive ways,” states Sandi Isaacs, senior vice president of interactive & mobile for Paramount Digital Entertainment.
Beowulf: The Official Mobile game is available now through most carriers worldwide.
Beowulf opens in theaters November 16th.
Digital Download Of Unreal Tournament 3
Famous First-Person Shooter Franchise Available Today for Preload via Digital Download
Direct2Drive, IGN Entertainment’s digital retail store, today announced that Unreal Tournament 3 for PC, developed by Epic Games and published by Midway, is now available digitally for preload on Direct2Drive (http://www.direct2drive.com). Starting today, consumers can download the encrypted version of the game days before its release to retail outlets. Preloading Unreal Tournament 3 provides gamers instant access to unlock the game the minute it is released on Direct2Drive, scheduled at 12:01am EST on November 21 and start playing immediately. Unreal Tournament 3 is expected to be available in North America for digital download via Direct2Drive on November 21 and worldwide on November 23.
Unreal Tournament 3 marks the return of the industry's premiere online first-person shooter franchise. In the latest installment of the award-winning Unreal franchise, players assume the role of a futuristic warrior engaged in contests of intense warfare against dedicated and skilled opponents, controlled either by human contestants online or by A.I. These brutal contests are fought with the most powerful military weapons and vehicles known to man. In Unreal Tournament 3, players can go face-to-face with devastating close quarters weapons like the flak cannon and rocket launcher, or pick off their enemies from a distance with a high-caliber sniper rifle. Players will also be able to fully access the universe's most capable and advanced set of vehicles in their quest to dominate and overwhelm opponents.
“Unreal Tournament 3 is one of the most anticipated games of the year, and Unreal Tournament is surely one of the greatest PC game franchises of all time,” said Jamie Berger, SVP consumer products and technology for IGN Entertainment. “By offering the immediate preload of Unreal Tournament 3 today we can satisfy the many thousands of Unreal Tournament fans who want to be the first online to play this incredible game. Direct2Drive offers the broadest selection of AAA games for download anywhere, and adding the worldwide exclusive to preload Unreal Tournament 3 is a big win for our loyal customers.”
“We are pleased to add the latest AAA video game, Unreal Tournament 3, to Direct2Drive’s download lineup,” said Steve Allison, chief marketing officer, Midway. “Our working with Direct2Drive allows consumers the ability to pre-load the game via digital download and be ready to get online on day one, which is crucial to the core Unreal Tournament fan base.”
“When people see all the great mods that are going to be available for Unreal Tournament 3, they are going to want to get a copy of the game immediately,” said Mark Rein, vice president of Epic Games. “Offering instant access to our content through Direct2Drive is the perfect way to meet our customers’ needs.”
Since launching in October 2004, Direct2Drive has allowed gamers to conveniently purchase and download the latest premium games from the world’s top publishers. Consumers can download Unreal Tournament 3 today at http://www.direct2drive.com. Unreal Tournament 3 for Windows PC is rated “M” by the ESRB and carries a suggested U.S. retail price of $49.95.
Direct2Drive, IGN Entertainment’s digital retail store, today announced that Unreal Tournament 3 for PC, developed by Epic Games and published by Midway, is now available digitally for preload on Direct2Drive (http://www.direct2drive.com). Starting today, consumers can download the encrypted version of the game days before its release to retail outlets. Preloading Unreal Tournament 3 provides gamers instant access to unlock the game the minute it is released on Direct2Drive, scheduled at 12:01am EST on November 21 and start playing immediately. Unreal Tournament 3 is expected to be available in North America for digital download via Direct2Drive on November 21 and worldwide on November 23.
Unreal Tournament 3 marks the return of the industry's premiere online first-person shooter franchise. In the latest installment of the award-winning Unreal franchise, players assume the role of a futuristic warrior engaged in contests of intense warfare against dedicated and skilled opponents, controlled either by human contestants online or by A.I. These brutal contests are fought with the most powerful military weapons and vehicles known to man. In Unreal Tournament 3, players can go face-to-face with devastating close quarters weapons like the flak cannon and rocket launcher, or pick off their enemies from a distance with a high-caliber sniper rifle. Players will also be able to fully access the universe's most capable and advanced set of vehicles in their quest to dominate and overwhelm opponents.
“Unreal Tournament 3 is one of the most anticipated games of the year, and Unreal Tournament is surely one of the greatest PC game franchises of all time,” said Jamie Berger, SVP consumer products and technology for IGN Entertainment. “By offering the immediate preload of Unreal Tournament 3 today we can satisfy the many thousands of Unreal Tournament fans who want to be the first online to play this incredible game. Direct2Drive offers the broadest selection of AAA games for download anywhere, and adding the worldwide exclusive to preload Unreal Tournament 3 is a big win for our loyal customers.”
“We are pleased to add the latest AAA video game, Unreal Tournament 3, to Direct2Drive’s download lineup,” said Steve Allison, chief marketing officer, Midway. “Our working with Direct2Drive allows consumers the ability to pre-load the game via digital download and be ready to get online on day one, which is crucial to the core Unreal Tournament fan base.”
“When people see all the great mods that are going to be available for Unreal Tournament 3, they are going to want to get a copy of the game immediately,” said Mark Rein, vice president of Epic Games. “Offering instant access to our content through Direct2Drive is the perfect way to meet our customers’ needs.”
Since launching in October 2004, Direct2Drive has allowed gamers to conveniently purchase and download the latest premium games from the world’s top publishers. Consumers can download Unreal Tournament 3 today at http://www.direct2drive.com. Unreal Tournament 3 for Windows PC is rated “M” by the ESRB and carries a suggested U.S. retail price of $49.95.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Xtreme Prototypes X-15 Packs For FS2004 And FSX
n the early 1950s, a convergence of interests between the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) and the US military led to the launch of one of the most audacious projects in the history of aviation - the X-15. At that time Scott Crossfield had barely scraped past Mach in the Douglas D-558-II Skyrocket and it would be three years before the Bell X-2 set an altitude record of 126,000 feet - yet NACA's specification called for a plane capable of exceeding Mach 6 and flying outside the sensible atmosphere. To many, it seemed an impossible dream.
Proposals were put forward by Bell, Douglas, Republic and North American, the latter operating under the considerable disadvantage of having never built a hypersonic aircraft of any description, unlike Bell and Douglas, both of which had extensive experience in this specialist area. However, the strength of North American's suit was that it had built the F-100 Super Sabre, which was the first operational aircraft to be supersonic in level flight, and it was in the last stages of designing the Mach 3 Navajo cruise missile.
As history relates, although North American actually withdrew its tender at one stage, it went on to win the competition and began what would eventually total more than 2,000,000 man-hours of design work on the new plane, first metal being cut in September 1956 on a hull which was to be powered by a 57,000 pound static thrust rocket engine. The rapidity of the design process belies the huge technical challenge the project posed, ranging from choosing an alloy which could withstand the phenomenal heating to which the hull would be subjected, to solving the problems of controlling an aircraft that had to be flown outside the atmosphere.
Simulators were extensively used during the hull development, one of the challenges these early systems helped to solve being how the re-entry should be flown, and the use of these systems made a major contribution to safety throughout the entire X-15 flight research program. It is a sobering thought that a minimum spec system for FS2004 is many, many times more powerful than the computers which were used to control those X-15 flights which were among the earliest ventures man made into space.
More here...
Nintendo's Wii Slows To A Dribble
I already mentioned that the three key console makers are predicting shortages for the Silly Season. Sometimes, it’s a barefaced lie to generate sales before Christmas but in Nintendo’s case, it seems to be real.
The maker of the incredibly popular Wii console says UK shortages are already being experienced and things are only expected to get worse. High St. stores are already complaining and the company, in a statement, said:
“Nintendo are now in a position in which seasonality demand trends are being broken. Due to this phenomenon it is possible that the demand for Wii hardware may outstrip supply.”
Both Woolworths and Game have said they are already unable to fill certain orders. So what do you do? The best thing is to buy the Wii from another European country. Even Nintendo recommends this as a solution. Responding to a reader’s comments on the BBC, this is what Nintendo’s Rob Saunders said in a Q&A:
Reader: I advise people to use European web sites, pricerunner.de for example. If you are confused just give the shop a call and you will be amazed how many people can speak English when it comes to selling something. A simple two-pin adapter is all that is needed. Warranties are also available EU wide.
Guy, Helsinki, Finland
Rob Saunders: You are quite correct and within your rights to purchase any item within the European Economic Area for shipment to any other country in the EEA. Your warranty is still valid anywhere in the EEA if the product was bought from any EEA member country. Recent newspaper articles have talked about buying products from the US and other non-EEA countries. There are several pitfalls to be aware of:
* You are no longer covered under warranty.
* Products from the US and Japan are not designed to run on the UK 240-volts mains supply and you risk damaging your product and hurting yourself.
* Home console games are region coded, like DVDs. This means you will not be able to play any UK-purchased software on a US machine.
So, no one has any excuse to be short of Wii this Christmas.-Martin Lynch
Pushing the PC gaming boundaries
The PC remains a big player in the games market but in recent years its cutting edge has been blunted.
The vast majority of games are still played on PCs rather than consoles; typically casual games played on cheap desktop machines or online games, such as World of Warcraft.
The industry is currently experiencing a renaissance in innovation as the trinity of new hardware, developer ambition and tools come together to improve experiences.
The introduction of chip technology with four cores, effectively quadrupling processing power, graphics cards using DirectX 10 tools and developers keen to push powerful machines to the limit are resulting in games which set new graphical benchmarks.
In some cases these machines are desktop behemoths; near supercomputers in a box that are delivering game experiences beyond the wildest dreams of console owners.
The latest games, like Crysis and Unreal Tournament 3, are taking advantage of quad core processors, and twin graphics cards. These are the play things of hotrod PC gamers - the enthusiasts who see their machines as customisable dragsters delivering the pinnacle of performance.
More from the BBC...
How to find a Wii in stock in the UK
Nintendo Wii Stock Updates - Constantly Updated
Here's a great site that will let you know by email (register) when and where the Nintendo Wii will be in stock in the UK.
No only that they will let you know the price and if Pre-Order is available.
Used them myself to buy from Amazon.de (Germany) - no problem with my order - changed plug and playing Super Mario Galaxy!
NEW - Now added an Automatic desktop stock updater.
Also covers stock of Playstation 3 and XBox 360 stock.
Check the rest of this site for reviews and previews of the best Wii games.
Site here...
The site also has an RSS feed.
Great work...
How to Find a Nintendo Wii
US Stock checked
Hard to believe, but the hardest to find gift last holiday season is again the hardest to find gift this holiday season!
I'm taking about the Nintendo Wii....the video gaming sensation that for stores still can't keep in stock!
But you can get one, if you know how and where to look.
Shoppers like Anna Shaw have been lining up in the early morning hours simply based on rumors that a store had Nintendo Wiis in stock!
She says "we went to GameStop...We were looking for it and in the process heard some were delivered down here!"
For Anna -- along with two dozen other hopeful souls at the Voice of America Target in West Chester -- it was her lucky day.
The manager soon came out with the good news: they had Wiis in stock.
As employees opened the door, the shoppers streamed in. Channel 9's cameras found this scene not only in West Chester on this recent morning, but also here on Beechmont Avenue, at the Cherry Grove Target.
The crowed filed down to the electronics department, where they laid their eyes on the 2007 version of the Holy Grail: A stack of Wiis!
So how did these shoppers go about "finding Wii-mo?"
In most cases, they simply did their homework.
I asked Target store manager Sandy Mueller "if you want a Wii, whats going to better your chances at Target? "
She said "Call first thing in the morning, or be here when the doors open at 8."
"We will definitely have Wiis in...It's a question of timing. First come first served," she says.
The same is true at other stores, including Wal-Mart and Toys "r" Us, which tell us Wiis hit the shelves first thing in the morning, as they receive them.
You can also check websites like "Wii tracker dot com"-- which shows which online retailers have it in stock --and "Wii chat dot com" where members post availability.
Just be aware that some websites --like Wal-Mart's-- may require you to buy it in a "bundled" package with a bunch of games for $500 or $600,
Sure, websites can help. But my advice? I think you'll heave the best luck hunting for a Wii the old fashioned way....by picking up the phone, or showing up at stores the minute they open the doors...especially on weekends.
So don't dawdle, and Don't Waste your Money.
'Virtual theft' leads to arrest
A Dutch teenager has been arrested for allegedly stealing virtual furniture from "rooms" in Habbo Hotel, a 3D social networking website.
The 17-year-old is accused of stealing 4,000 euros (£2,840) worth of virtual furniture, bought with real money.
Five 15-year-olds have also been questioned by police, who were contacted by the website's owners.
The six teenagers are suspected of moving the stolen furniture into their own Habbo rooms.
A spokesman for Sulake, the company that operates Habbo Hotel, said: "The accused lured victims into handing over their Habbo passwords by creating fake Habbo websites.
"In Habbo, as in many other virtual worlds, scamming for other people's personal information such as user names has been problematic for quite a while.
More from the BBC
The 17-year-old is accused of stealing 4,000 euros (£2,840) worth of virtual furniture, bought with real money.
Five 15-year-olds have also been questioned by police, who were contacted by the website's owners.
The six teenagers are suspected of moving the stolen furniture into their own Habbo rooms.
A spokesman for Sulake, the company that operates Habbo Hotel, said: "The accused lured victims into handing over their Habbo passwords by creating fake Habbo websites.
"In Habbo, as in many other virtual worlds, scamming for other people's personal information such as user names has been problematic for quite a while.
More from the BBC
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)