Warhammer 40k: I Am A Space Marine

Despite being a highly influential IP on a variety of games, movies, comics, etc., the Space Marines of the Warhammer 40k universe are only rarely used as heroes for action titles. Warhammer 40k: Space Marine will look to correct this and show in the grim, dark future, there is only war.

BioShock Movie Hasn’t Drowned

The BioShock movie project has seen more than a few bumps along the way, losing Gore Verbinski but gaining Juan Carlos Fresnadillo along the way. While these aren’t always the best signs for a movie, series creator Ken Levine says the project hasn’t been canned.

I will say that it is still an active thing, and it is something we are actively talking about and actively working on, said Levine. “I can’t tell you whether it’s going to happen for sure or it’s not going to happen for sure, but it’s something we are actively discussing, quite actively, and actively working on.”

He notes that rounding out a main character different from the non-speaking Jack protagonist from the game is a particular challenge. “You can’t really do that in a movie,” Levine says. “That’s your guy, that’s the guy you are following through.”

In the game, Jack isn’t much more than what the player experiences and is only seen as a hand with a gun. So developing the hero as a more relatable character in a movie sense and making sure BioShock functions as a film is, as Levine describes, a “super, super challenge.”

Source: Kotaku

Twitter Initiates OAuth

Twitter recently made OAuth mandatory for all third-party developers to use. This user authentication protocol will let people use apps without a password and will shut out any apps that haven’t been updated.

The move to OAuth will mean increased security and a better experience. Applications won t store your username and password, and if you change your password, applications will continue to work, says the company’s blog. With OAuth, you still individually approve each application before using it, and you can revoke access at any time.

This move is essentially a counter to integration that Facebook has done across the web.

Source: Twitter.Blog

Xbox 360 D-Pad Transforms

 

Microsoft has announced that they have heard the complaints about the Xbox 360 controller’s D-pad. A new controller will have a D-pad that switches from a disc to a “plus” with a twist.

Sadly, it can’t change into a robot.

This matte silver controller also has concave analog sticks and gray A,B,X,Y buttons. These changes will not be seen in the default controller; those interested in picking one up will have to shell out $64.99 for a Play & Charge Kit that will launch on November 9.

Source: Major Nelson

Soldier Of Fortune’s Controversial Print Ad

Many “core” games are violent; of this there can be little doubt. One of the leading games in “realistic gore” was Soldier of Fortune. The game’s dismemberment system was so primary, it was featured in this ad, which some print sources were reportedly reluctant to run.

Yikes.

Source: Kotaku

Madden Competitions, Sponsored By Coors

EA Sports and Coors recently announced a partnership. The two will work together on a series of public competitions for Madden NFL 11, and select markets will allow people to compete against a local NFL alumnus. The winner will have his likeness featured in a Madden NFL game and additional prizes include tickets to a Madden Bowl XVII party in Dallas during Super Bowl week, as well as copies of Madden NFL 11 and other EA Sports merchandise.

“Coors Light consumers are passionate about football in all forms, whether they’re cheering on their favorite team on Sunday or facing off against friends in Madden NFL 11,” said Rick Gomez, vice president of marketing for the Coors Family of Brands. “As cool as it is to whip your buddies in Madden NFL 11, imagine how much better it would be to do it in front of a bar full of people, or next year with ‘video you’ there to help your team march to victory.”

“EA Sports continues to bring Madden to the People in new and creative ways,” said Christopher Erb, senior director of partnership marketing for EA Sports. “This promotion with Coors Light gives fans not only a way to play Madden NFL, but to become part of it.”

To find out more, please visit CoorsLight.com/madden.

Free-To-play English Market $2 Billion In 2015, Says DFC

DFC Intelligence estimates that the market for English language client-based free-to-play games will grow from $250 million in 2009 to $2 billion by 2015. The growth will be due to a combination of broadband adoption and an increasing openness to buying digital content from consumers.

“For many Korean companies the market in North America has not taken off nearly as fast as they expected, said DFC analyst Insun Yoon. Much of this can be attributed to the immature infrastructure and a lack of established payment and service mechanisms. The good news is that this is starting to change and consumers are starting to realize that the game play of top high-end F2P games can be quite sophisticated.”

“F2P games can have multiple payment options and most successful games look to bundle products in creative packages such as the ability to buy a monthly or annual subscription that include a set amount of virtual currency, said David Cole, an analyst at DFC. Creativity in marketing, packaging and distribution are the keys to generating increased revenue.

By the end of 2010, it is expected that English language client based free-to-play games will have 128 million registered users, not as high as some browser based games, but still significant. “Registered user numbers are a fairly meaningless metric in this market. Once a consumer is able to get a game downloaded and running conversion rates for high-end F2P games tend to be fairly high,” says Yoon.

To find out more, visit  www.dfcint.com.

Epic Mickey’s Epic Collector’s Edition

Disney Interactive Studios has announced that Disney Epic Mickey will receive a Collectors’ Edition. This limited edition will include a Disney Epic Mickey figurine, skins for the Wii and a Wii Remote faceplate, along with a bonus DVD with behind-the-scenes content.

“We’re thrilled to roll out this Collectors’ Edition featuring so many unique items including the collectible Disney Epic Mickey figurine and content that will surprise and delight gamers and Disney fans alike,” said Graham Hopper, executive vice president and general manager, Disney Interactive Studios. “The addition of the bonus DVD with behind-the-scenes video and more will enhance and expand the overall Disney Epic Mickey experience.”

Oswald the Rabbit is featured prominently.

The Disney Epic Mickey Collectors’ Edition will be available in limited quantities for $69.99.

Google Stacks The SocialDeck

SocialDeck recently sent out a letter confirming that it had been bought by Google. The social game company makes titles like Shake & Spell, Color Connect, and Pet Hero along with a cross-platform tool for integrating social content across the BlackBerry, iPhone and Facebook platforms.

We started this company with the goal of connecting friends through social games on all kinds of exciting mobile devices. We ve been amazed and humbled by all the stories and experiences our customers (you!) have shared with us, read a letter by the SocialDeck Team. Thank you for all your support and for being part of SocialDeck s success so far.

This deal seems like Google’s latest move to counter Facebook’s gaming prowess and will likely help expand Android mobile gaming.

Source: Inside Social Games