Haze clearing for May release

37 Comments by Alexander Sliwinski Feb 26th 2008 2:55PM
Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, First Person Shooters

Today Ubisoft gave PS3 "exclusive" Haze a release window of May according to IGN. This takes the previous release window of Ubisoft's fiscal year '09 (starting in April) and cuts it down just a bit.

Haze has certainly lived up to its name between questions of PS3 exclusivity and its ever-floating release date. Not to rain on the Nectar parade, but this would be the second time Haze was given a fairly firm release date. With any luck Haze will make its release date this time and add to the PS3's "breakthrough" year.

Tags: delay, haze, ps3, release

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(Page 1) Reader Comments

Fernando Rocker: Feb 26th 2008; 3:00PM

I can understand the hype regarding MGS4, Little Big Planet, Killzone 2 and maybe Resistance 2...

... but Haze? Looks very generic. Meh.

KayRazy Ken Kutaragi: Feb 26th 2008; 3:08PM

Generic? Look Fernandos the Wii is FULL of generic so why bother? Still, will this game get lost in between GTA4 and MGS4? I might rent it but since I dont care for most FPS I will pass on this one.

Intentless: Feb 26th 2008; 3:08PM

But it also looks kinda cool... But then again I read hundreds of fantasy novels even if they all follow a fairly generic style of plot.

Every story has its little nuances and perspectives that make them interesting and unique.

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo): Feb 26th 2008; 3:09PM

meh. I'm still not sold on the concept. I mean the whole using nectar to cause your enemies to rage seems pretty interesting, but it also seems like an idea that could get old real fast.

I guess we'll have to wait until this game is finally release to find out if it really does live up to it's hype.

FOXHOUND: Feb 26th 2008; 3:14PM

I hope they have custom IDs. I wanna call my character either "Roger Clemens", "Andy Pettite", "Mark Maguire", or "Barry Bonds". :)

Seriously speaking - as the others aforementioned, it's an intriguing concept. Can't say it's a opening day purchase until I try a demo on this one. And it's weird that I just mentioned talking about 'Sweet, Sweet nectar' on the MGS4 post... and baddabing, this comes up.

Phranctoast: Feb 26th 2008; 3:16PM

the 4 player mp online coop through the SP campaign seems less than generic.'

I'm happy they are taking their time with this title. It seemed as if it would have been rushed coming out last year.

Curtis the Claw Game Master V2: Feb 26th 2008; 3:18PM

@ ken

The Wii being full of generic games doesn't make this game any less generic.

Trev: Feb 26th 2008; 4:07PM

The game IS kind of generic. But depending on the standard, lots of games are. Super soldier with fancy future equipment is going to go shoot badguys? So Gears, Halo, Resistance, Doom, Quake, debatably Half-Life (what with Gordon's be-recruited-or-die proposal by the G-man), Killzone -- I'm sure the list goes on, but lumping games together isn't the point.

In Haze you are going to shoot guys, there's a gimmick to help you shoot them. What's going to make or break it as an FPS is the mechanic, how well it flows, and if said gimmick feels natural or tacked on (Timeshift).

I want/expect it to be good because of the team that's working on it, but they seem so in love with it (and spoiled the twist, bastards) its hard to gauge the game itself in previews. In short: DEMO PLZ.

qo_op: Feb 26th 2008; 7:13PM

Translation: " I dont have this system, so I'll never buy this game. My unadulturated hate for Sony has spurred because they are indeed a threat to my precious Nintendo, who by the way owe their success to the Playstation brand. I have nothing left to do but sit here on Joystiq and bash the ps3 as the dust continues to settle on my wii, I fear that one day the ps3 will actually succeed in dominance over the wii. This is my biggest fear, and my biggest reason for trolling these boards with my pointless and annoying dribble."

Man I wish i could go back in time and slip that birth control in your mothers margarita that night you were conceived. Im out.

driven2sin: Feb 26th 2008; 9:28PM

Pettite doesn't deserve to be lumped in with those roid whores you mentioned

Shawn: Feb 26th 2008; 3:23PM

Is there going to be Mouse/Keyboard support? If not, I'll wait for the PC version.

mike: Feb 26th 2008; 3:25PM

the game looks boring a cross between far cry instincts and er farcry

I played the game at leipzig i know why its been delayed, but its impossible to polish a turd however hard they try

Mr.ESC: Feb 26th 2008; 3:32PM

Thinking about it that must be the worst helmet ever.

Intentless: Feb 26th 2008; 3:43PM

I thought the General Style of the helmet had a pretty cool feel to it... The whole crack in the faceplate does limit its actual usefullness...

Mr.ESC: Feb 26th 2008; 6:09PM

Is a freaking helmet made of glass!

That only makes things worst!

ThornedVenom (Patapornographer): Feb 26th 2008; 7:55PM

At least glass doesn't scratch like plastic does.

Or at least that's what I had been told by iPhone fanatics.

bigd7387: Feb 26th 2008; 3:35PM

Why do people keep saying a PS3 exclusive when Sony Exectutive Vice President of Marketing Peter Dille said in the current issue of EGM that "Haze is a timed exclusive" just like what happened with Unreal Tournament 3. I don't care either way but the only way a game will stay exclusive this generation is if its a 1st party game.

jonondaspot: Feb 26th 2008; 4:37PM

Let me see if I understand this. Peter Dille is suddenly telling the truth? People attack him as a liar when he says MGS4 is an exclusive but when he says Haze is only a timed exclusive suddenly he is telling the truth? Sorry, but just because it suits and xbot you can't have it both ways.

Trev: Feb 26th 2008; 3:57PM

Its about damn time.

I don't see how anyone could NOT be at least curious about Haze, what with it coming from the people that made Goldeneye, Perfect Dark, Timesplitters and (the much unappreciated) Second Sight. Its not guaranteed to be great, but its coming from people that know what they're doing with an FPS.

JJ: Feb 26th 2008; 5:11PM

nah sam i dont think this will suffer from that, Turok is suffering because...well the game is just plain awful,

I know everyone is ragging on Haze because its "Generic" but it IS made by free radical and those guys have done great work in the past so i'm willing to bet the game will be good.

I mean thats like saying COD4 is generic and look how well that's done (7+million and counting).

I dont think K2 or RFOM 2 will suffer from that anymore than Gears of War 2 or the next COD do.

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo): Feb 26th 2008; 9:07PM

I think the problem is that the last game that Free Radical made that was fucking awesome was Timesplitters 2. Both TS3 and Second sight were pretty meh.

Figboy: Feb 26th 2008; 4:03PM

*sigh*

when Bungie announces their next title, it will be met with hoots, hollers, and cheers. why? because Bungie is known for making the Halo series.

when Free Radical announces their next title (Haze), it is met with scorn and derision, despite the fact that these guys have been responsible for some of the *BEST FPS games out there;

Goldeneye on the N64
Perfect Dark on the N64
the Timesplitters Series
and Second Sight, which has one of the best stories of last generation, and fun gameplay (although not 100% perfect).

basically, people are looking forward to Haze, not because we expect it to revolutionize the FPS genre, but because we know Free Radical will, at the least, deliver a fun to play FPS, with an engaging story.

i don't understand the double standards in gaming today.

a company known for only one type of game (ie, Bungie and Halo), will get praised to no end when their new title is announced, but a company known to deliver quality products, even if they don't always revolutionize the genre (though, Goldeneye was *THE game that proved that an FPS was possible on a console, paving the way for said Halo to refine it), and they are met with skepticism.

i'm glad Haze has a release date, and hopefully i won't be too busy with GTAIV on the PS3 to give it a look when it releases. since it's before MGS4, i don't think it should be a problem for me to try it out.

KayRazy Ken Kutaragi: Feb 26th 2008; 4:14PM

very good post, well put sir. the twist where you switch sides in the middle of the game is def. NOT generic.

samfish: Feb 26th 2008; 4:22PM

Assuming Haze actually IS good (I thought early hands-on with it said it wasn't all that), it's probably one of the unlucky recipients of what seems to be FPS glut backlash.

No one seems terribly interested in Turok, either, for example. I wouldn't be surprised to see Killzone 2 and maybe even RFOM 2 suffer similar blowback.

el serpiente: Feb 26th 2008; 8:26PM

People didn't like turok because it sucked ripe ass.

And, yeah, the dismal sales of COD4 really indicates a downward trend for the FPS genre...

Martez: Feb 26th 2008; 4:17PM

Free Radical game = purchase. Nothing else to it.

Marty: Feb 26th 2008; 5:01PM

Breakthrough year is going to be tough if you're placing your faith on generic FPS games now.

qo_op: Feb 26th 2008; 7:09PM

please refrain from posting. Thankyou.

el serpiente: Feb 26th 2008; 8:34PM

Why not? It worked for the xbox and Halo 3. That is as generic as it gets.

Dick: Feb 26th 2008; 5:09PM

I have no clue where all you fanboys have your heads, but it isn't in reality -
Haze is nowhere NEAR generic. The only aspect I see as boring is FPS in general.
But the whole super-soldiers on nectar bit strikes me as fresh, particularly as the storyline will evolve from using nectar as a tool, to seeing its dangers, to becoming a rebel and using the nectar against the soldiers as a weapon.

I love the way you guys all say the exact same thing about how "generic" and "unoriginal" this game will be.
You all sound generically annoying, generally speaking of course

A-Troll-Named-Slickback (Yes the A Troll Named part, and yes every time!): Feb 26th 2008; 5:17PM

You make some rational points for a Dick

JJ: Feb 26th 2008; 5:14PM

Gotta love the reply system on here, why do I always seemingly get struck by the random messed up reply bug

driven2sin: Feb 26th 2008; 9:33PM

noob

PSN: KillaKornbread (the shirt is a lie!): Feb 26th 2008; 10:16PM

this game looks cool and May seems like a pretty good time to release it since i dont know of too many big games releasing in that time. i guess MGS is coming a little bit after that but it should get a decent amount of attention. ill wait for reviews and gameplay videos though to decide if i buy or rent this one.

eight: Feb 27th 2008; 12:38AM

If anyone watched the trailer (which was made up of recycled footage) they announcer at the end says "On PlayStation3" which is quite different from the usual "Only on PlayStation3 we hear all the time when ever Sony is adverting MGS or Heavenly Sword... just a thought... discuss.

Cornerman8: Feb 27th 2008; 6:42PM

Judging what I've seen from Haze, I expect it to be solid. I won't go as far as to say AAA, but I think it'll be solid at least and worth a purchase. From what I've played of the Halo series, I expect Haze to match it gameplay-wise, with its on unique twist.

Emophia: Feb 28th 2008; 7:15AM

Haze has good ideas.

But Idea's are cheap.

It's the execution that matters.

How that turn's out... We'll see...

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