Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Oculus Rift support added to Unreal Engine 4]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/07/oculus-rift-support-added-to-unreal-engine-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/07/oculus-rift-support-added-to-unreal-engine-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/07/oculus-rift-support-added-to-unreal-engine-4/#comments Unreal Engine 4 will support the Oculus Rift thanks to Epic's Integrated Partners Program, the developer announced today. The company also listed Intel, Nvidia, RealD and others as "inaugural" members of the new UE4 version of the program; member companies will contribute "tools and features that are trusted for high-quality game development" to the new engine.

The Integrated Partners Program (or "IPP") aims to reduce development time by building commonly used middleware and hardware support directly into Unreal Engine's toolkit - Unreal Engine 3's IPP currently has 25 member companies, including Oculus VR.

Only a small handful of games are known to run on Unreal Engine 4 at this time, though we fully expect that number to grow as the next generation unfolds itself like the dewy morning petals of a flower wearing a head-mounted virtual reality display, or something. We may have had trouble pulling that simile back together.

Continue reading Oculus Rift support added to Unreal Engine 4

JoystiqOculus Rift support added to Unreal Engine 4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 Jun 2013 01:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EpicEpic-Gamesintegrated-partners-programmicrosoftnintendooculus-riftoculus-vrpcps4UE4Unreal-Engine-4wii-uxboxxbox-oneFri, 07 Jun 2013 01:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War: Judgment 'Call to Arms' map pack available April 23]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/19/gears-of-war-judgment-call-to-arms-map-pack-available-april-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/19/gears-of-war-judgment-call-to-arms-map-pack-available-april-2/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/19/gears-of-war-judgment-call-to-arms-map-pack-available-april-2/#comments Gears of War Judgment 'Call to Arms' map pack available April 23The next Gears of War: Judgment map pack, entitled "Call to Arms," will launch on April 23.

The pack includes three new maps, a new multiplayer mode called "Master of Arms," and six armor and gun skins.

The pack will cost $12.50 (1000 Microsoft Points) on its own, but is included in the $20 (1600 MSP) season pass. The pass will also cover one more similarly sized pack.

Gallery: Gears of War: Judgment - Call of Arms Map Pack

Continue reading Gears of War: Judgment 'Call to Arms' map pack available April 23

JoystiqGears of War: Judgment 'Call to Arms' map pack available April 23 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Apr 2013 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>call-to-armsepicepic-gamesgears-of-war-judgmentmicrosoftpeople-can-flyxboxFri, 19 Apr 2013 09:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Unreal Engine 4 'Infiltrator' video]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/29/unreal-engine-4-infiltrator-video-tech-details/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/29/unreal-engine-4-infiltrator-video-tech-details/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/29/unreal-engine-4-infiltrator-video-tech-details/#comments
Here's the Unreal Engine 4 "Infiltrator" video, which was shown off as a demo this week at GDC, displaying the power of Epic's latest tech. The company jumped through different filters to show the demo was being rendered in real-time. Yes, it will run so many major titles for next-gen systems. Now, enjoy.

JoystiqUnreal Engine 4 'Infiltrator' video originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epicepic-gamespcps4ue4unreal-engine-4Fri, 29 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Oculus Rift dev kit includes access to free Oculus version of Unreal Development Kit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/25/oculus-rift-dev-kit-includes-access-to-free-oculus-version-of-un/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/25/oculus-rift-dev-kit-includes-access-to-free-oculus-version-of-un/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/25/oculus-rift-dev-kit-includes-access-to-free-oculus-version-of-un/#comments Epic custom UDK shipping with Oculus Rift For 1030AM JSTTo help Oculus Rift developer kit owners develop things, Oculus will give a custom version of the Unreal Development Kit to everyone who has purchased the VR goggles. It will be released through the Oculus Developer Center in April. The UDK will include a VR-enhanced version of the Epic Citadel demo.

Even if you don't have an Oculus, you'll be able to develop games for its stereoscopic display, as all full source licensees of Unreal Engine 3 will be provided with code to integrate Oculus support into UE3. Oculus is now part of Epic's "UE3 Integrated Partners Program." Of course, if you're developing for Oculus without an Oculus, we don't know how you'll test the 3D. Perhaps scoot two monitors right up into your face?

Continue reading Oculus Rift dev kit includes access to free Oculus version of Unreal Development Kit

JoystiqOculus Rift dev kit includes access to free Oculus version of Unreal Development Kit originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Mar 2013 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epicoculus-riftpcudkunreal-engine-3Mon, 25 Mar 2013 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War: Judgment review: Horde mentality]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/gears-of-war-judgment-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/gears-of-war-judgment-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/gears-of-war-judgment-review/#comments There is a parable at the heart of Gears of War: Judgment, a tale of many people affecting the one. Though the words "Horde mode" are not to be found on its main menu, it is this revelatory multiplayer invention of Gears of War 2 that makes Gears of War: Judgment such a success.

The guiding principles and universal value of its simple proposition - you and your pals fight back against ever-encroaching waves of enemies - have been so bluntly interwoven into the campaign and multiplayer components of Gears of War: Judgment that it's impossible to miss. Horde mode helped put the Gears of War series on the map and, while the mode itself is technically absent from Gears of War: Judgment, the entire game is a learned execution of its logic.

Gallery: Gears of War: Judgment (3/7/13)

Continue reading Gears of War: Judgment review: Horde mentality

JoystiqGears of War: Judgment review: Horde mentality originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Mar 2013 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epicepic-gamesgears-of-war-judgmentmicrosoftpeople-can-flyxboxMon, 18 Mar 2013 00:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Former Epic prez Mike Capps leaves advisory role [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/former-epic-prez-mike-capps-leaves-advisory-role/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/former-epic-prez-mike-capps-leaves-advisory-role/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/former-epic-prez-mike-capps-leaves-advisory-role/#comments Former Epic Games president Mike Capps announced this evening he is no longer affiliated with the developer. Capps announced late last year that he would no longer be president at the privately held company, but would stay on in an advisory role.

"So what's next for me? Games have been so good to me, and I'm delighted to have the time to give back. I'm a member of several game industry boards, and I'm proud to serve as an advocate for our art in Washington," wrote Capps on Facebook this evening. "I'm considering seats on a few company and advisory boards, as well as options for teaching at one of the world-class universities in the North Carolina Triangle area. And mostly, I'm focused on being a new dad in a few short weeks."

Capps' second "retirement" gives us a good opportunity to repeat all the uncomfortable events of recent memory. Let's see, there's the minority purchase of Epic by Chinese company Tencent. The exits of design director Cliff Bleszinski, director of production Rod Fergusson and leads of People Can Fly. Then there's the terribly awkward situation of Impossible Games, established out of the Big Huge Games remains, which Epic shut down last month. Epic Games' next game is Gears of War: Judgment... judgment... judgment.

Update: Epic has provided an official statement: "When Mike Capps retired last year, he stayed on the board in an advisory role. As we've been mapping out the future for the new Epic Games, we decided it was best to get a fresh start with the new management. We thank Mike for his years of service at Epic and we wish him well in retirement and fatherhood."

JoystiqFormer Epic prez Mike Capps leaves advisory role [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epicepic-gamesmike-cappsFri, 08 Mar 2013 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The bow craze continues in Gears of War: Judgment]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/06/bows-are-popular-even-in-gears-of-war-judgment/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/06/bows-are-popular-even-in-gears-of-war-judgment/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/06/bows-are-popular-even-in-gears-of-war-judgment/#comments

Since several of 2012's games were delayed into 2013, "the year of the bow" carries on with Tomb Raider, Crysis 3 ... and here we have Gears of War: Judgment with a fancy crossbow. (And let's not forget the wind-up fun of the original Torque Bow.)

Continue reading The bow craze continues in Gears of War: Judgment

JoystiqThe bow craze continues in Gears of War: Judgment originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Mar 2013 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epicEpic-Gamesgears-of-war-judgmentmicrosoftpeople-can-flyxboxWed, 06 Mar 2013 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War: Judgment leaks online, Microsoft warns of account bans]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/19/gears-of-war-judgment-leaks-online-microsoft-warns-of-account/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/19/gears-of-war-judgment-leaks-online-microsoft-warns-of-account/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/19/gears-of-war-judgment-leaks-online-microsoft-warns-of-account/#comments Gears of War: Judgment has reportedly leaked to torrent sites on the web a full month before the game's March 19 release date. "We are aware of isolated cases in which 'Gears of War: Judgment' content has been propped on the Web and are working closely with our security teams and law enforcement to address the situation immediately," a Microsoft spokesperson told Joystiq.

It's unclear just how finished the pirated version of the game is. According to Eurogamer, the copy of the game leaked is "apparently complete."

"Consumers should be aware that piracy is illegal and we take vigorous action against illegal activity related to our products and services. Playing pirated copies of games, such as 'Gears of War: Judgment,' is a violation of the Xbox LIVE Terms of Use and will result in enforcement action, such as account and console bans," Microsoft added.

JoystiqGears of War: Judgment leaks online, Microsoft warns of account bans originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Feb 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EpicEpic-Gamesgears-of-wargears-of-war-judgmentleakmicrosoftxboxTue, 19 Feb 2013 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA['Gears of War: Judgment' OverRun demo publicly available March 19]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/28/gears-of-war-judgment-overrun-demo-march-19/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/28/gears-of-war-judgment-overrun-demo-march-19/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/28/gears-of-war-judgment-overrun-demo-march-19/#comments A few more Gears of War Judgment preorder perksGears of War: Judgment will showcase its new OverRun mode in a public demo beginning March 19. COGs who pre-order the prequel from GameStop will gain access to the demo on March 15. Those who previously pre-ordered at GameStop will also be grandfathered in.

A nice bonus of playing the demo is that multiplayer XP earned will transfer over to the final game for those who purchase Judgment in the first week after launch.

If you enjoy Gears on any level, you'll definitely want to try out OverRun when it's publicly available. The class-based team was a standout feature of Judgment when we played it.

Gallery: Gears of War: Judgment (12/12/12)

Continue reading 'Gears of War: Judgment' OverRun demo publicly available March 19

Joystiq'Gears of War: Judgment' OverRun demo publicly available March 19 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Jan 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epicepic-gamesgears-of-war-judgmentmicrosoftpeople-can-flyxboxMon, 28 Jan 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Too Human pulled from Xbox Live Marketplace]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/18/too-human-pulled-from-xbox-live-marketplace/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/18/too-human-pulled-from-xbox-live-marketplace/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/18/too-human-pulled-from-xbox-live-marketplace/#comments Even an electronic god is no match for Xbox Live administrators, apparently. Too Human and all related content has been removed from Xbox Live Marketplace. Though the game's Xbox.com listing is still active, containing screenshots, an overview and a trailer, all downloadable content has been removed. That includes both the full Games on Demand download of the game as well as items like themes and gamer pictures.

The action is likely the result of the recent court ruling against developer Silicon Knights, demanding that all copies of its Unreal Engine 3 games be recalled and destroyed. As of this writing, however, another Silicon Knights UE3 game, X-Men: Destiny, remains available via Games on Demand. We've contacted Microsoft for official comment on the matter.

JoystiqToo Human pulled from Xbox Live Marketplace originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Jan 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epicmicrosoftsilicon-knightstoo-humanunreal-engine-3xboxFri, 18 Jan 2013 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[A few more Gears of War: Judgment pre-order perks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/09/a-few-more-gears-of-war-judgment-pre-order-perks/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/09/a-few-more-gears-of-war-judgment-pre-order-perks/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/09/a-few-more-gears-of-war-judgment-pre-order-perks/#comments A few more Gears of War Judgment preorder perksGears of War: Judgment has a slew of retailer-specific pre-order bonuses for players around the world, covering the US, UK, Canada, Australia and the Netherlands. In the US, those who order from the Microsoft Store get the Classic Hammerburst weapon and Gears of War comic heroine Alex Brand as a playable character. In the UK, order from Shop To and get the same goodies.

Order from EB Games in Canada to grab the Hammerburst, Alex Brand skin and the "Young Marcus" skin, which allows players to be Marcus Fenix as he appeared six weeks after the end of the Pendulum Wars. Australians can pre-order the Special Edition from EB Games to get the game, a steelbook case and the Alex Brand and Anya Stroud skin unlocks. Players in the Netherlands who order from Game Mania get the Hammerburst, Alex Brand and Young Marcus skins.

As noted previously, pre-orders from Amazon get the Hammerburst and the "Young Dom" multiplayer skin.

JoystiqA few more Gears of War: Judgment pre-order perks originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Jan 2013 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonusEpicEpic-Gamesgears-of-war-judgmentmicrosoftpre-orderxboxWed, 09 Jan 2013 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Epic clarifies lack of 'Down But Not Out' in Gears of War: Judgment multiplayer modes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/14/epic-clarifies-lack-of-down-but-not-out-in-gears-of-war-judgm/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/14/epic-clarifies-lack-of-down-but-not-out-in-gears-of-war-judgm/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/14/epic-clarifies-lack-of-down-but-not-out-in-gears-of-war-judgm/#comments Gears of War Judgment grinds out new controls, keeps score for prizesGears of War: Judgment still includes the series standard "Down But Not Out" (DBNO) mechanic in some modes, Epic Games clarified today. The Gears of War community forums went into a downward spiral after Gears Senior Producer Chris Wynn tweeted, "DBNO is not in any of the [multiplayer] modes." We knew this to be inaccurate as of last week, when we played Judgment's enjoyable OverRun multiplayer mode, so we contacted the studio for clarification.

"DBNO (Down, But Not Out) is featured in the Gears of War: Judgment campaign. As for competitive and co-op multiplayer, a DBNO-like feature exists in OverRun, wherein the Medic class has the ability to revive teammates who are downed with our new stim grenade. The difference is they are stationary and are not crawling around. Grenadiers on the Locust side can go DBNO and then be revived by another Grenadier or a Kantus," Epic informed Joystiq. "And for obvious reasons, our new Free-For-All mode doesn't feature any sort of DBNO. We have more modes to announce in the future, so we can only comment on the modes we've announced so far."

The fact that the company won't comment on modes it hasn't officially announced yet is what is complicating this issue. During our visit last week, the company wouldn't acknowledge Horde mode was part of Judgment either. Gears fans will have to take a "wait and see" approach to what's actually going on, since Epic doesn't want to deviate from the marketing plan.

JoystiqEpic clarifies lack of 'Down But Not Out' in Gears of War: Judgment multiplayer modes originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Dec 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epicEpic-Gamesgears-of-war-judgmentmicrosoftxboxFri, 14 Dec 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War: Judgment's new hotness: OverRun mode]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/12/gears-of-war-judgments-new-hotness-overrun-mode/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/12/gears-of-war-judgments-new-hotness-overrun-mode/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/12/gears-of-war-judgments-new-hotness-overrun-mode/#comments Gears of War Judgment's new hotness OverrunI do enjoy a nice surprise and Gears of War: Judgment's 'OverRun' mode was the highlight of my recent visit to Epic Games. The mode combines Gears of War 3's team-defense Horde mode and team-offense Beast mode, with a dash of Battlefield's objective-destroying Rush variant, to create another compelling team experience within the Gears universe.

Although Epic still isn't talking about the changes to the cooperative defense-focused Horde mode for Judgment, OverRun feels more like an evolution of Beast mode. Here's the basics: two class-based teams of five, one side COG and the other Locust, face off with the COGs defending and the locust destroying a sequence of objectives. The team with the most points after playing both roles wins.

The maps for OverRun are custom made for the mode, with each objective in the chain becoming more difficult for the Locust to destroy. I played the Junkyard map for about two hours and, much like Horde, you're going to need to play this mode with a group of friends. Without proper communication, it will be nearly impossible to win against a team that's using basic coordination.

Continue reading Gears of War: Judgment's new hotness: OverRun mode

JoystiqGears of War: Judgment's new hotness: OverRun mode originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Dec 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epicepic-gamesgears-of-war-judgmentmicrosoftoverrunpeople-can-flyxboxWed, 12 Dec 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War: Judgment grinds out new controls, keeps score for unlocks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/12/gears-of-war-judgment-grinds-out-new-controls-keeps-score-for/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/12/gears-of-war-judgment-grinds-out-new-controls-keeps-score-for/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/12/gears-of-war-judgment-grinds-out-new-controls-keeps-score-for/#comments Gears of War Judgment grinds out new controls, keeps score for prizesGears of War: Judgment comes from a good "'F' it, what we wanna do?" place. With Epic having concluded the core Gears of War trilogy last year (and this console generation concluding next), People Can Fly's Judgment embraces its Bravo team status of having something to prove, playing with franchise formulas, but staying true to the franchise's established rules.

Despite being a prequel to the events of the trilogy, Judgment works off the Gears 3 playbook of stronger storytelling and gender recognition. The levels of bro-tosity are tolerable with the soldiers of Kilo Squad, Judgment's protagonists. Kilo is lead by series favorites Baird and Cole, who are joined by a former UIR (enemy of the COG during the Pendulum Wars) major Garron Paduk and the book smart, but not yet battle hardened, Sofia Hendrick.

Judgment's story opens with the members of Kilo Squad brought in chains to a military tribunal of one, led by Colonel Ezra Loomis. Kilo must testify to and defend their actions that are played out through the game. Loomis is sleazy to the point of being a caricature, an old Pendulum Wars vet injected into a new type of war. With the game taking place a mere 30 days after Emergence Day, the implication is that Kilo Squad did something super bad to convene a trial as the planet Sera is overrun.

Gallery: Gears of War: Judgment (12/12/12)

Continue reading Gears of War: Judgment grinds out new controls, keeps score for unlocks

JoystiqGears of War: Judgment grinds out new controls, keeps score for unlocks originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Dec 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epicEpic-Gamesgears-of-war-judgmentmicrosoftpeople-can-flyxboxWed, 12 Dec 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War: Judgment VGA trialer, er, trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/10/gears-of-war-judgment-vga-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/10/gears-of-war-judgment-vga-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/10/gears-of-war-judgment-vga-trailer/#comments

Having survived Emergence Day on Sera, the COGs have apparently decided bureaucracy must live on! Here's the VGA trailer for Gears of War: Judgment, which finds Damon Baird and Kilo Squad put on trial by an evil Tony Stark.

JoystiqGears of War: Judgment VGA trialer, er, trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epicEpic-Gamesgears-of-war-judgmentmicrosoftxboxMon, 10 Dec 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Epic prez. Mike Capps leaving position, will remain on board in advisory role]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/04/epic-prez-mike-capps-leaving-position-remains-on-board-in-advi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/04/epic-prez-mike-capps-leaving-position-remains-on-board-in-advi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/04/epic-prez-mike-capps-leaving-position-remains-on-board-in-advi/#comments Epic Games president Mike Capps declared his "retirement" today from the position he's held for nearly ten years, noting he's been asked to stay on the privately held company's board in an advisory role.

"I'll continue to be available as a resource to Epic, to provide context or advice where I can. Whatever I can do to help in Epic's success, I'm in! I've got great confidence in our executive team," Capps wrote in his farewell on the company's site. "VP of Development Paul Meegan is new to our Raleigh HQ, but we've worked with him for years, and I can only contemplate this retirement knowing that he and VP of Operations John Farnsworth can manage development better than I ever did."

Capps' retirement is the latest shake-up for the company this year, which has seen (wow, really, all of this?): the departure of design director and totem Cliff Bleszinski, the departure of director of production Rod Fergusson, the purchase of People Can Fly (which also saw the departure of key people), establishment of Impossible Games out of Big Huge Games' remains and that big question mark that exists about Chinese company Tencent's minority purchase.

JoystiqEpic prez. Mike Capps leaving position, will remain on board in advisory role originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Dec 2012 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epicepic-gamesgears-of-war-judgmentmike-cappsTue, 04 Dec 2012 16:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Paul Meegan's 'Epic' return as VP of product development]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/15/paul-meegans-epic-return-as-vp-of-product-development/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/15/paul-meegans-epic-return-as-vp-of-product-development/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/15/paul-meegans-epic-return-as-vp-of-product-development/#comments ImagePaul Meegan has returned to the Epic Games fold as its new vice president of product development. He'll work out of the Epic headquarters in Cary, North Carolina, not far from where his career started at Sinister Games.

After Sinister was bought by Ubisoft in 2000, Meegan went on to Ubisoft Montreal as Executive VP of production, then bouncing around behind the scenes until he helped establish Epic Games China in 2006. He held that job for four years, before bouncing in and out of LucasArts.

"Epic's business has evolved incredibly over the past two decades, and throughout that time, our hiring philosophy has remained constant: 'hire the best and the brightest,'" said Epic president Mike Capps.

Epic Games has been making a ton of high-profile game development moves over the past year. Most recently it found a lead for its Seattle Studio, fully bought People Can Fly, set up Impossible Games out of the ashes of Big Huge Games, and then there's that whole relationship with China's Tencent.

JoystiqPaul Meegan's 'Epic' return as VP of product development originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epicepic-gamesgears-of-war-judgmentmicrosoftmobilePaul-Meeganpcplaystationps3xboxThu, 15 Nov 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[X-Men: Destiny destined for unsure lifespan on Games on Demand]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/13/x-men-destiny-games-on-de/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/13/x-men-destiny-games-on-de/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/13/x-men-destiny-games-on-de/#comments XMen Destiny may be destined for short lifespan on Games on DemandX-Men: Destiny is available from today on Xbox Live Marketplace as part of the Games on Demand program, priced at $39.99. That's despite Silicon Knights being ordered by the US court to recall and destroy all unsold copies of its products using Unreal Engine 3, of which X-Men: Destiny is one. The company was also ordered to cease producing and distributing games using Epic's technology.

So what exactly's going on here? Well, the ruling in the Silicon Knights vs. Epic Games case dictates Silicon Knights notifies the US court by December 21 of its compliance with the injunctions ordered. This is presumably to give Silicon Knights adequate time to carry out the required actions; recalling and destroying every unsold copy of X-Men: Destiny and Too Human.

So the game newly appearing on XBLM might not contravene the injunctions, at least for now. It should also be noted that Too Human is also currently available on XBLM, while GameStop, Target, and Best Buy all have new copies of X-Men: Destiny listed as available.

JoystiqX-Men: Destiny destined for unsure lifespan on Games on Demand originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Nov 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epicepic-gamesgames-on-demandlawlawsuitlegalmicrosoftrulingsilicon-knightstoo-humanX-Men-DestinyXBLAXBLMxboxTue, 13 Nov 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War franchise surpasses 19 million sales]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/07/gears-of-war-franchise-surpasses-19-million-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/07/gears-of-war-franchise-surpasses-19-million-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/07/gears-of-war-franchise-surpasses-19-million-sales/#comments Gears of War franchise saws to 19 million salesThe Gears of War franchise has boomed to over 19 million sales, up a further million from the last figure disclosed back in July. Microsoft revealed the new milestone to us today.

The publisher wouldn't confirm Gears of War 3's sales figures to us, but we know the game surpassed 3 million in its first week at retail. Back in June 2011, former Epic design director Cliff Bleszinski told IndustryGamers the Gears 3 sales target was "definitely over 6 million," with the interview noting Gears 1 & 2 combined sales being over 12 million. This is only speculation, but today's reveal suggests Gears 3 is nearing if not already over its target.

JoystiqGears of War franchise surpasses 19 million sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Nov 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epicgears-of-wargears-of-war-2gears-of-war-3microsoftsalesxboxWed, 07 Nov 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Square Enix becomes first publicly confirmed Unreal Engine 4 licensee]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/23/square-enix-becomes-first-publicly-confirmed-unreal-engine-4-lic/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/23/square-enix-becomes-first-publicly-confirmed-unreal-engine-4-lic/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/23/square-enix-becomes-first-publicly-confirmed-unreal-engine-4-lic/#comments Square Enix is first publicly confirmed Unreal Engine 4 licenseeEpic Games announced today Square Enix now has full access to Unreal Engine 3 and 4, making the Japanese company the first publicly confirmed UE4 licensee. Epic disclosed the agreement is "long-term" and will span multiple games. In other words, the deal is a very, very big deal.

"Epic has a strong relationship with Square Enix, and it's an honor to provide their creative and technical talent with the best game technology available for licensing," said Taka Kawasaki, Epic Games Japan territory manager. "We look forward to supporting their developers with world-class tools for years to come."

Earlier this year Epic revealed Fortnite as the first game to use Unreal's new engine. It's expected to launch next year, so it'll likely be a while yet before we see what UE4 does for Square Enix going forward.

Continue reading Square Enix becomes first publicly confirmed Unreal Engine 4 licensee

JoystiqSquare Enix becomes first publicly confirmed Unreal Engine 4 licensee originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Oct 2012 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Epicepic-gamesepic-games-japansquare-enixunreal-engine-3unreal-engine-4Tue, 23 Oct 2012 10:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Epic hires former WB Games Seattle manager to lead Seattle studio]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/18/epic-hires-former-wb-games-seattle-manager-to-lead-seattle-studi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/18/epic-hires-former-wb-games-seattle-manager-to-lead-seattle-studi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/18/epic-hires-former-wb-games-seattle-manager-to-lead-seattle-studi/#comments Laura Fryer, previously general manager of WB Games Seattle, will now serve the same role for Epic's new Seattle studio, the company has announced. Prior to her time at Warner Bros, where she oversaw studios like Monolith, Fryer also worked for Microsoft Game Studios (now simply Microsoft Studios), and was "a founding member of the Xbox project."

This won't be the first time Fryer has worked with Epic. While at Microsoft, she served as executive producer on both Gears of War and Gears of War 2.

Epic's Seattle studio, as yet still unnamed, was launched last month. Its primary focus, initially, revolves around "engineering efforts" for Unreal Engine 4. As of this writing, it appears the studio is still hiring, with several active job listings still available on Epic's careers site.

Continue reading Epic hires former WB Games Seattle manager to lead Seattle studio

JoystiqEpic hires former WB Games Seattle manager to lead Seattle studio originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Oct 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epicepic-gamesepic-seattlelaura-fryerunreal-engine-4Thu, 18 Oct 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Infinity Blade Dungeons delayed to 2013]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/17/infinity-blade-dungeons-delayed-to-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/17/infinity-blade-dungeons-delayed-to-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/17/infinity-blade-dungeons-delayed-to-2013/#comments Infinity Blade Dungeons delayed to 2013Infinity Blade: Dungeons won't come out until 2013, Epic Games spokesman Wes Phillips tells AllThingsD. Infinity Blade: Dungeons premiered with the unveiling of the new iPad in March but still hasn't touched down, it wasn't mentioned during the iPhone 5 reveal, and some rumors had it launching with Apple's supposed iPad Mini on October 23.

Not so, says Epic. "Ever since the talented team at Impossible Studios got their hands on Infinity Blade: Dungeons, they've been busy adding their great ideas to the game," Phillips says. "There was also the matter of getting the Impossible Studios team up and running with desks, chairs, staplers and computers. The logistics of a new studio and implementing all these great ideas required a little extra time, so Infinity Blade: Dungeons will hit iOS in 2013."

JoystiqInfinity Blade Dungeons delayed to 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Oct 2012 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EpicEpic-Gamesimpossible-studiosinfinity-blade-dungeonsiosipadiphonemobileWed, 17 Oct 2012 18:40:00 EST<![CDATA[The Astronauts is new studio from People Can Fly vets]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/11/the-astronauts-is-new-studio-from-people-can-fly-vets/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/11/the-astronauts-is-new-studio-from-people-can-fly-vets/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/11/the-astronauts-is-new-studio-from-people-can-fly-vets/#comments The Astronauts is new studio from People Can Fly vetsPeople Can Fly vets Adrian Chmielarz, Andrzej Poznanski and Michal Kosieradzki are back with new studio The Astronauts. Showing that there is no bad blood between the trio and their former overlords at Epic Games, the team is creating an unannounced game for 2013 using Epic's Unreal Engine 3.

"We've worked with UE3 for the last six years, and we know its power," said Astronauts co-founder Chmielarz. "Choosing Unreal Engine technology for our future was the textbook definition of a no-brainer."

The trio's former colleagues at People Can Fly are currently working on Gears of War: Judgment, the latest in the chest-high walls franchise, which will leave cover for retail on March 19, 2013.

PS: We can't unsee the Obama logo, so join in our madness.

Continue reading The Astronauts is new studio from People Can Fly vets

JoystiqThe Astronauts is new studio from People Can Fly vets originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Oct 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epicepic-gamespeople-can-flythe-astronautsunreal-engineThu, 11 Oct 2012 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Epic launches Seattle studio to work on Unreal Engine 4]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/06/epic-launches-seattle-studio-to-work-on-unreal-engine-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/06/epic-launches-seattle-studio-to-work-on-unreal-engine-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/06/epic-launches-seattle-studio-to-work-on-unreal-engine-4/#comments
Epic has launched a new Seattle based studio to concentrate on Unreal Engine 4 development. The studio will be "initially focused on engineering efforts" for the engine, and Epic is now recruiting "exceptional programmers and support staff to collaborate with its engineering group." Specifically, the company is looking for "senior-level talent specializing in online game services and the infrastructure to support them."

As of this writing, seven positions are listed on Epic's Careers Center site for the Seattle studio, all of which certainly appear geared toward engine development (animation systems, audio tools, online, rendering, etc).

The actual name of the studio, not to mention the people who will take charge of it, will be revealed "soon," according to Epic.

Continue reading Epic launches Seattle studio to work on Unreal Engine 4

JoystiqEpic launches Seattle studio to work on Unreal Engine 4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Sep 2012 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epicepic-gamesepic-seattleue4Unreal-Engine-4Thu, 06 Sep 2012 14:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Fortnite getting a closed beta 'early next year']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/31/fortnite-getting-a-closed-beta-early-next-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/31/fortnite-getting-a-closed-beta-early-next-year/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/31/fortnite-getting-a-closed-beta-early-next-year/#comments As a special prize for one lucky attendee of tonight PAX Prime 2012 Fortnite panel - a reprise of the Fortnite panel we saw at San Diego Comic Con earlier this year - Epic Games gave out a golden ticket that provides early beta entrance to next year's Unreal Engine 4 PC game. So ... wait, does that mean there's gonna be an open beta for Fortnite?

"TBD," Epic design director Cliff Bleszinski told us immediately following the panel. "There will definitely be a closed beta," producer Tanya Jessing added, but she also refused to confirm whether an open beta is also in the cards. But hey, that one lady who won the ticket? She's totally in.

JoystiqFortnite getting a closed beta 'early next year' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cliff-bleszinskiepicepic-gamesfortnitepaxpax-2012pax-primepax-prime-2012pctanya-jessingFri, 31 Aug 2012 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Unreal Engine 3 now on Windows 8 and Windows RT]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/29/unreal-engine-3-now-on-windows-8-and-windows-rt/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/29/unreal-engine-3-now-on-windows-8-and-windows-rt/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/29/unreal-engine-3-now-on-windows-8-and-windows-rt/#comments Unreal Engine 3 now on Windows 8 and Windows RTIf you still have the capacity to be surprised by learning that Unreal Engine 3 now runs on a new thing, prepare to be surprised. Unreal Engine 3 now runs on both Windows 8 and Windows RT, Epic has announced. It's not exactly shocking that Epic's workhorse engine is on Windows 8, though the news is certainly good for anyone looking at the upcoming line of Windows RT tablets.

Epic showcased the engine running on just such a tablet, the Asus Vivo Tab RT, which you can see in the video above. The demo in question is "Epic Citadel," which was first used to showcase UE3 on the iPhone back in 2010. Epic VP Mark Rein noted that this is the full Unreal Engine 3, using the "full DirectX 9 pipeline, with shaders and materials," and not a "modified mobile version"

Continue reading Unreal Engine 3 now on Windows 8 and Windows RT

JoystiqUnreal Engine 3 now on Windows 8 and Windows RT originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asus-vivo-tab-rtepicepic-citadelmobilepcue3unreal-engineunreal-engine-3windows-8windows-8-rtWed, 29 Aug 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA['Vote: The Game' is a political fighter from the Infinity Blade folks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/22/vote-the-game-is-a-political-fighter-from-the-infinity-blade/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/22/vote-the-game-is-a-political-fighter-from-the-infinity-blade/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/22/vote-the-game-is-a-political-fighter-from-the-infinity-blade/#comments 'Vote The Game' is a political fighter from the Infinity Blade folks
Yup, that's about as exciting as it sounds - a United States politics-based fighter from Infinity Blade developer Chair Entertainment. Call it "Ignominy Blade," if you will (we will). Or call it Vote: The Game, which is its actual name.

Epic and Chair announced the iOS entry this afternoon as a "cartoon-style political slugfest." The game was produced alongside the Rock the Vote folks in an effort to appeal to unregistered gamer voters - you can register to vote from right within the game.

Cartoon versions of both President Barack Obama and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney appear in the title, where they battle Infinity Blade-style to win debates. It may trick a few potential voters into thinking that's how the debate process works, but that doesn't sound like too bad of a byproduct to us.

The game isn't available in the US iTunes App Store just yet, but it's already popping up in other territories. It should arrive on the North American store shortly.

Update: It's live now in the US, grab it here!

Gallery: Vote!!! The Game

Continue reading 'Vote: The Game' is a political fighter from the Infinity Blade folks

Joystiq'Vote: The Game' is a political fighter from the Infinity Blade folks originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chairchair-entertainmentepicepic-gamesiosipadiphonemobilerock-the-votevote-the-gameWed, 22 Aug 2012 13:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Epic Games now wholly owns Gears of War: Judgment dev People Can Fly]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/13/epic-games-now-wholly-owns-gears-of-war-judgment-dev-people-can/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/13/epic-games-now-wholly-owns-gears-of-war-judgment-dev-people-can/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/13/epic-games-now-wholly-owns-gears-of-war-judgment-dev-people-can/#comments When Epic Games subsidiary People Can Fly lost three senior employees this past week, Epic Games apparently purchased the rest of the Poland-based development studio. "One of the things that got missed with that story was that we bought the rest of People Can Fly that we didn't own. We didn't announce that, so that was also part of it," Epic Games VP Mark Rein told us this afternoon at GDC Europe.

"But now we own it all. We had a controlling stake, but the owner still owned a fairly large piece of it," he said. As it turns out, those owners were the folks who left to do something different - despite being in the middle of developing the next Gears of War game, Judgment. "They left, they're gonna do their own thing. They have something cool they're gonna do, and we'll be very supportive of it," Rein added.

It's unknown how much Epic Games paid for the rest of its stake in People Can Fly.

JoystiqEpic Games now wholly owns Gears of War: Judgment dev People Can Fly originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 07:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adrian-chmielarzepicepic-gamesgdc-europe-2012gdce-2012gears-of-war-judgmentmark-reinmicrosoftpcpeople-can-flyplaystationps3xboxMon, 13 Aug 2012 07:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War: Judgment creative lead out at People Can Fly]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/12/gears-of-war-judgment-creative-lead-out-at-people-can-fly/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/12/gears-of-war-judgment-creative-lead-out-at-people-can-fly/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/12/gears-of-war-judgment-creative-lead-out-at-people-can-fly/#comments Gears of War: Judgment creative lead Adrian Chmielarz exited Poland-based Epic Games subsidiary People Can Fly this past week. In fact, a trio of management is out at the studio. Epic Games president Mike Capps confirmed the news in a prepared statement:
"Adrian Chmielarz, Andrzej Poznanski and Michal Kosieradzki have parted ways with People Can Fly and Epic Games in order to pursue other opportunities, which they will announce of their own accord. Over the past decade, they have been instrumental in building People Can Fly into the talented team that it is today. We wish them well in their future endeavors. People Can Fly remains excited to release Gears of War: Judgment to fans early next year."
Chmielarz also reassured fans via Twitter that Judgment is "in great hands," and that we'll hear more about where he's headed next "soon enough." No word on the other two gentlemen, unfortunately, but it sounds like a group effort if you ask us. We're in Europe all this week, which is where Poland is based, so we're hoping to stumble upon his secret plans.

JoystiqGears of War: Judgment creative lead out at People Can Fly originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 12 Aug 2012 13:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adrian-chmielarzepicepic-gamesgears-of-war-judgmentmicrosoftpeople-can-flyxboxSun, 12 Aug 2012 13:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Epic's Rod Fergusson gets Irrational, working on BioShock Infinite]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/09/epics-rod-fergusson-going-to-irrational-to-work-on-bioshock-inf/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/09/epics-rod-fergusson-going-to-irrational-to-work-on-bioshock-inf/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/09/epics-rod-fergusson-going-to-irrational-to-work-on-bioshock-inf/#comments ImageEpic Games' director of production Rod Fergusson has announced that he's leaving the studio to begin work at Irrational Games on BioShock Infinite tomorrow.

"Yes it's true, I'm leaving my family at Epic to join my new family at Irrational in Boston starting tomorrow," Fergusson wrote on Twitter. "And yes I've played Infinite and it's amazing! Can't wait for you guys to get your hands on it."

The major addition to the Irrational staff comes a day after it was revealed there have been several departures from the BioShock Infinite developer.

JoystiqEpic's Rod Fergusson gets Irrational, working on BioShock Infinite originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bioshock-infiniteepicepic-gamesrod-fergussonThu, 09 Aug 2012 18:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War 3 lead gameplay designer out at Epic, founds BitMonster Games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/18/gears-of-war-3-lead-gameplay-designer-out-at-epic-founds-bitmon/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/18/gears-of-war-3-lead-gameplay-designer-out-at-epic-founds-bitmon/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/18/gears-of-war-3-lead-gameplay-designer-out-at-epic-founds-bitmon/#comments Gears of War 3 lead gameplay designer out at Epic, founds BitMonster Games
When Gears of War 3 senior gameplay designer Lee Perry isn't busy explaining that he's not an elderly rocksteady artist, he's apparently starting new game studios with buddies from Epic Games. His new studio, BitMonster Games, is comprised of several ex-Epic staffers, and the team is already hard at work on an iOS RPG/adventure game named "Lili." And yes, that means he's no longer working on Epic Games' ... games.

Given the team's past experience, it's no surprise that BitMonster is licensing Unreal Engine 3 for Lili (and future products, presumably). The game's already got a (fairly impressive) trailer for the game put together, which we've dropped above.

Perry and Epic can't help but exchange some mutual back pattery in the announcement, with Perry saying, "Epic has been extremely supportive of our new studio and in helping us build the game of our dreams." Epic is equally excited about the situation, saying, "Given this team's crazy mix of passion, talent and chemistry, and with the latest Unreal Engine tools in their hands, BitMonster has a winning recipe for success." It's unclear when Lili will arrive on the iOS App Store, but we'll let you know as soon as we know more.

Continue reading Gears of War 3 lead gameplay designer out at Epic, founds BitMonster Games

JoystiqGears of War 3 lead gameplay designer out at Epic, founds BitMonster Games originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 Jul 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bitmonsterepicepic-gamesiosipadiphonelee-perrylilimobileunreal-engine-3Wed, 18 Jul 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Baird explains the finer details of Gears of War: Judgment's 'OverRun' mode]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/16/baird-explains-the-finer-details-of-gears-of-war-judgments-ov/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/16/baird-explains-the-finer-details-of-gears-of-war-judgments-ov/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/16/baird-explains-the-finer-details-of-gears-of-war-judgments-ov/#comments
When Gears of War: Judgment is launched next March, its "OverRun" mode will add a new wrinkle to the multiplayer you've grown accustomed to in Gears titles. For instance, you can totally ride a blood mount! See what we mean above.

Gallery: Gears of War: Judgment (7/16/12)

JoystiqBaird explains the finer details of Gears of War: Judgment's 'OverRun' mode originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Jul 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epicepic-gamesgameplaygears-of-war-judgmentmicrosoftoverrunpeople-can-flysan-diego-comic-consan-diego-comic-con-2012sdcc-2012xboxMon, 16 Jul 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gears of War: Judgment launching on March 19, 2013 [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/13/gears-of-war-judgment-launching-in-march-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/13/gears-of-war-judgment-launching-in-march-2013/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/13/gears-of-war-judgment-launching-in-march-2013/#comments Gears of War Judgment launching in March 2013Gears of War: Judgment will see Baird and Cole head to the clink at some point in March 2013, according to Epic Games Director of Production Rod Fergusson. The news was revealed to G4's X-Play and confirmed on the show's Twitter account - apparently Fergusson wouldn't allow any more specifics about when the game will be launched.

Gears of War: Judgment follows Baird and Cole as they deal with events preceding the main Gears of War trilogy. Polish studio People Can Fly is working on the game in collaboration with Epic Games proper.

Update: Epic Games revealed the full March 19 release date - on fan Waldo Kinney's body in tattoo form - during a panel at Comic-Con today.

JoystiqGears of War: Judgment launching on March 19, 2013 [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 17:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epicepic-gamesgears-of-war-judgmentmicrosoftpeople-can-flyq1-2013release-daterod-fergussonxboxFri, 13 Jul 2012 17:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Bleszinski: Fortnite on PC 'primary and first,' other platforms not ruled out]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/12/bleszinski-fortnite-on-pc-primary-and-first-other-platforms/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/12/bleszinski-fortnite-on-pc-primary-and-first-other-platforms/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/12/bleszinski-fortnite-on-pc-primary-and-first-other-platforms/#comments Bleszinski Fortnite on PC 'primary and first,' but 'other platforms' not ruled outHaving announced Fortnite as Epic Games' first Unreal Engine 4 game, "exclusively for the PC," Epic Games design director Cliff Bleszinski took to Twitter this afternoon to make some breathing room. "We wouldn't rule out the possibility of other platforms later," he wrote. That is, while Fortnite will be "primary and first" on PC, it may not be exclusive to the platform forever.

Given that Fortnite is built using UE4, it stands to reason that those "other platforms" won't be of the current generation (none of Microsoft's, Sony's, or Nintendo's current hardware can run UE4-based games). What might they be, then? We'll have to wait until the next console generation to find out, it sounds like.

Gallery: Fortnite (San Diego Comic Con 2012)

JoystiqBleszinski: Fortnite on PC 'primary and first,' other platforms not ruled out originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Jul 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cliff-bleszinskiepicepic-gamesfortnitepcsan-diego-comic-consan-diego-comic-con-2012sdcc-2012unreal-engineunreal-engine-4Thu, 12 Jul 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fortnite is Epic's first Unreal Engine 4 game, heading exclusively to PC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/12/fortnite-is-epics-first-unreal-engine-4-game-heading-exclusive/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/12/fortnite-is-epics-first-unreal-engine-4-game-heading-exclusive/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/12/fortnite-is-epics-first-unreal-engine-4-game-heading-exclusive/#comments Fortnite is Epic's first Unreal Engine 4 game, heading exclusively to PCFortnite is Epic's first Unreal Engine 4 game and it'll ship "exclusively for the PC," Epic Games' Cliff Bleszinksi said today during a San Diego Comic-Con 2012 panel. "We're here and we're announcing that this is a PC-designed game, it's shipping exclusively for the PC," he told a crowd of attendees.

"Next-gen's here. It's been here. It's a high-end PC," Bleszinski said. He added that the dudebro-free Fortnite didn't "make sense" for Unreal Engine 3, and cheered PCs as being part of Epic's "heritage."

Fortnite, which sees characters building bunkers and emplacements to defend against the monsters of the night, was suspected of being a PC exclusive earlier this year when it popped up on a LinkedIn listing for PC. The listing was quickly changed after we brought it to the attention of Epic Games.

We'll have more from Epic's SDCC panel as soon as we can (it's still going on!).

JoystiqFortnite is Epic's first Unreal Engine 4 game, heading exclusively to PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Jul 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cliff-bleszinskiepicepic-gamesfortnitepcsan-diego-comic-consan-diego-comic-con-2012sdcc-2012tanya-jessenunreal-engineunreal-engine-4Thu, 12 Jul 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Epic's Mike Capps on opening the door to Tencent and its 'unparalleled expertise' in China]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/20/epics-mike-capps-on-opening-the-door-to-tencent-and-its-unpara/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/20/epics-mike-capps-on-opening-the-door-to-tencent-and-its-unpara/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/20/epics-mike-capps-on-opening-the-door-to-tencent-and-its-unpara/#comments Epic Games sells minority interest to TencentEpic Games announced yesterday it sold a minority interest in the company to China's Tencent Holdings. It was the first time in 21 years the Unreal Engine creator and Gears of War and Infinity Blade developer accepted outside investment.

"We've always taken pride in being an independent developer of fun games and cutting-edge technology," Epic Games president Mike Capps said in prepared statements about why the company took a major investment deal after such a long time. "We want to assure our players and licensees that this transaction only brings more to the table in terms of what we can offer them."

"Epic has worked with Tencent for years through our Unreal Engine licensing relationship," Capps added. "They have fantastic inroads into attractive markets and platforms, and Epic has been carefully weighing its options for the next generation of games for quite some time. We can learn a lot from Tencent, and strategically aligning with them was an easy decision."

Capps explained that Epic will maintain all intellectual property rights and maintain the Unreal Engine licensing business. He wouldn't comment if this is just the prelude to a full buyout. Capps makes no secret of Tencent being a long-term partner, but notes Epic enjoys its independence.

Continue reading Epic's Mike Capps on opening the door to Tencent and its 'unparalleled expertise' in China

JoystiqEpic's Mike Capps on opening the door to Tencent and its 'unparalleled expertise' in China originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Jun 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChinaEpicEpic-Gamesgears-of-war-judgmentmike-cappsTencentTencent-HoldingsUnreal-EngineWed, 20 Jun 2012 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Epic Games sells minority interest to Tencent]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/19/epic-games-tencent/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/19/epic-games-tencent/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/19/epic-games-tencent/#comments Epic Games sells minority interest to TencentEpic Games, creator of the ubiquitous Unreal Engine and major franchises like Gears of War and Infinity Blade, announced this morning a minority stake sale to China's Tencent Holdings.

The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but you can be assured it was for a ton of cash (technically speaking). Epic will continue to "operate independently and seek to further expand its game franchises across multiple platforms."

Tencent has slowly made strategic purchases in the States, its highest profile acquisition being Riot Games last year, developers of cash-raining League of Legends.

The relationship between Epic and a Chinese company will also make it easier for the former to grow in China, a region in which it has been very interested in expanding - with some politically laughable results.

Continue reading Epic Games sells minority interest to Tencent

JoystiqEpic Games sells minority interest to Tencent originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 08:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinaepicepic-gamesepic-games-chinatencenttencent-holdingstencent-holdings-limitedTue, 19 Jun 2012 08:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Epic's Mark Rein on UE4, Epic Baltimore and Gears of War: Judgment]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/11/epics-mark-rein-on-ue4-epic-baltimore-and-gears-of-war-judgme/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/11/epics-mark-rein-on-ue4-epic-baltimore-and-gears-of-war-judgme/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/11/epics-mark-rein-on-ue4-epic-baltimore-and-gears-of-war-judgme/#comments Mark Rein interview
Given the engine's dynamic illumination features, it's only appropriate for Epic Vice President Mark Rein to start lighting up when he starts talking about Unreal Engine 4. We spoke to Rein on the last day of E3 about the engine's possibilities, and how its robust developer toolset addresses the dangerous costs of game development.

Rein also comments on the multinational efforts behind Gears of War: Judgment (with special mention of People Can Fly's Creative Director, Adrian Chmielarz) and the recent addition of Epic Baltimore to the family.

JoystiqEpic's Mark Rein on UE4, Epic Baltimore and Gears of War: Judgment originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Jun 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2012epicepic-baltimoreepic-gamesgears-of-war-judgmentmark-reinue4unreal-engine-4Mon, 11 Jun 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Unreal Engine 4 demo deconstructed]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/08/unreal-engine-4-demo-deconstructed/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/08/unreal-engine-4-demo-deconstructed/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/08/unreal-engine-4-demo-deconstructed/#comments
Epic's Unreal Engine 4 strides into public view with a spectacular real-time demo, dubbed "Elemental" (seen above). The short film depicts an ancient knight creaking to supernatural life while a decrepit castle comes apart around him, letting in floods of light and gusts of snow. It's a concise showcase of the underlying technology, which features sophisticated dynamic illumination, light-reactive materials, rich particle effects, per-pixel lens flares, and other visual processes that don't sound quite as sexy as they appear.

According to Epic, games running on Unreal Engine 4 won't ship until sometime in 2013 at earliest. With partners already lining up to use it, and the engine running in 1080p on a PC built from off-the-shelf parts (the demonstration I saw was running on a variant of the Falcon Northwest Fragbox, augmented with Nvidia's Geforce GTX 680), Epic can focus on highlighting the usability of the editor that accompanies UE4.

If you peer past the break you'll see a dry, detailed deconstruction of all the effects that comprise "Elemental," and a twist of sorts: the demo runs in real-time right from the editor itself. We'll leave it to Epic to explain how the engine allows for quick iteration on effects, materials and other visual properties, and how it can help manage the blueprints of a game, right down to the behaviour of the smallest particle.

We've also embedded several videos of some simple games created with the aid of Unreal Kismet, an integrated visual scripting system. if you have a cursory interest in the nuts and bolts of game creation, you may appreciate this informative glimpse at our impeccably lit future.

Continue reading Unreal Engine 4 demo deconstructed

JoystiqUnreal Engine 4 demo deconstructed originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Jun 2012 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2012elementalepicepic-gameskismetpctech-demounreal-engine-4Fri, 08 Jun 2012 09:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Bleszinski explains why Gears of War: Judgment isn't about E-Day or the Pendulum Wars]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/07/bleszinski-gears-of-war-judgment-e-day-pendulum-wars/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/07/bleszinski-gears-of-war-judgment-e-day-pendulum-wars/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/07/bleszinski-gears-of-war-judgment-e-day-pendulum-wars/#comments Bleszinski explains why Gears of War Judgment isn't about EDay or the Pendulum WarsGears of War: Judgment is a prequel, and takes place a few months after Emergence Day when the Locust first popped their heads up from underground and began their assault on the human population of Sera.

But fans have wondered why Epic didn't aim to highlight a different part of the timeline in the Gears of War universe - like E-Day or the Pendulum Wars, the great 79-year-long war that raged across Sera. The COG (Coalition of Ordered Governments) won the Pendulum Wars, and became the global government of Sera.

Both sound like good settings for a video game, right? Sure, but according to Epic Games design director Cliff Bleszinski, neither would've made for the right game - the latter wouldn't have even been a Gears of War game.

"The time came, we finished Gears 3 and obviously it's done well for us, and a prequel seemed like the next logical step. So we started looking at the timeframes and what we could do. I looked at E-Day and was like, 'Yeah, there's no chainsaw on E-Day.' It took the COG a little bit to figure out that the Locust have thick skin and their bayonets are breaking, things like that." Being able to chainsaw scary monster men is essential to anything donning the Gears of War title, you see.

As for the Pendulum Wars, its human-on-human conflict would technically make for a game that isn't Gears of War. "Now you have no chainsaw and now you have no monsters," Bleszinski said. "And now we're not Gears of War anymore. So we looked at the timeframe, looked at the timeline, and figured that there's a window there of several months after Emergence Day, where humanity got hit and quickly got their shit back together and figured out, hey, put a chainsaw on the end of the gun - that'll help. So that's the timeframe for the game."

Gears of War: Judgment launches on the Xbox 360 in early 2013.

Gallery: Gears of War: Judgment (E3 2012)

JoystiqBleszinski explains why Gears of War: Judgment isn't about E-Day or the Pendulum Wars originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cliff-bleszinskie3-2012epicepic-gamesgears-of-war-judgmentmicrosoftmicrosoft-studiospeople-can-flyxboxThu, 07 Jun 2012 20:00:00 EST