Joystiq

The Joystiq Indie Pitch: Process

Jessica Conditt — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 08:30:00 EST

Indie developers are the starving artists of the video-game world, often brilliant and innovative, but also misunderstood, underfunded and more prone to writing free-form poetry on their LiveJournals. We at Joystiq believe no one deserves to starve, and many indie developers are entitled to a fridge full of tasty, fulfilling media coverage, right here. This week, Denis Tambovcev of Russian developer TrainYard Interactive asks for 20 minutes of your time with his free game, Process, and all you have to do is step foot on a speeding train bound for certain disaster. Interested?

What's your game called and what's it about?

The game is called Process. It's a game project in the adventure genre; its story takes place in several subway train cars. In 20 minutes a disaster will happen -- the train will jump the tracks at full speed. The gameplay takes exactly the time designated before the crash. During this period in grim, dimly lit interiors, combining cyberpunk and industrial aesthetics, the player is to figure out the situation, try all possible means of rescue and in the end take a brand new look at the portrayed events. It's a game about predetermination of events and the subjectiveness of perception of the surrounding world.

Technologically it's a classic first-person adventure: panoramic locations with the capability of free, 360-degree view and discreet movement between the panoramas through a point-and-click interface.

Continue reading The Joystiq Indie Pitch: Process

The Joystiq Indie Pitch: Process originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Valve and Xsolla set up more than 450,000 cash kiosks in Russia

Jessica Conditt — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 19:30:00 EST

Valve recently embraced the Russian Ruble to make Steam transactions easier for its Russian customers -- while this may have made it easier for Russian gamers to see how much things cost, that didn't mean it was any easier to buy said things, as much of the country uses cash. Unwilling to block an entire market from spending its money, Valve has teamed with Xsolla, a game-monetization company, to establish more than 450,000 cash kiosks in Russia, where users can add cash directly to their Steam Wallets.

It's nice of companies to make spending money on their products so easy -- it's almost like charity work. Almost.

Valve and Xsolla set up more than 450,000 cash kiosks in Russia originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 23 Oct 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: 'Seizure' caught on tape for Assassin's Creed: Revelations [update]

Jessica Conditt — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 14:15:00 EST

A lot of disturbing videos slither their way onto the Internet, and many can linger unnoticed in the bowels of YouTube for years -- but not this one. Hosted on Kazakh sharing site Kiwi, this video is not only gruesome, it's mysterious. Here's what we know:

It's titled "Assassins creed revelations Seizure - Ubisoft."
It is described by the uploader as "an internal project we did here at Ubisoft Cinematics. I animated the character on the table. No mocap whatsoever."
It features a serene doctor performing barbaric head surgery on a living dead man, all in the name of "memory binding."
It is absolutely gorgeous.
You can watch it right here.

We don't know what this is, but we have some theories. For one, the Animus had to start somewhere, and Subject 1 may as well have been a schizophrenic guy with a broken back. For two, we don't think this is part of any actual Assassin's Creed game -- but it could be a supplemental short film, perhaps part of the Assassin's Creed: Embers short. Or, of course, it could be a really clever fan work. We're running our ideas by Ubisoft for clarification, or perhaps an impromptu, company-wide lobotomy.

Update: The audio and visual inspiration is most definitely ripped straight from Jacob's Ladder, meaning this piece probably wasn't made for public release. Even if it is only an internal animation test, this baby deserves to be in the public eye (and frontal lobes).

Rumor: 'Seizure' caught on tape for Assassin's Creed: Revelations [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This young man is very serious about the Mortal Kombat theme, as well as the accordion

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 20 May 2011 05:00:00 EST

The young gentleman seen here is clearly both a talented accordion player and a very serious Mortal Kombat fan. After seeing him featured on Reddit, however, we didn't expect to find so many contemporaries! Apparently accordion and MK go together like ninjas and ... MK. Who knew?!

Continue reading This young man is very serious about the Mortal Kombat theme, as well as the accordion

This young man is very serious about the Mortal Kombat theme, as well as the accordion originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 May 2011 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Russian Super Meat Boy box art winner revealed, delightful

Griffin McElroy — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 21:15:00 EST

Team Meat's contest to find new box art for the Russian release of its beloved, nightmarishly difficult platformer Super Meat Boy has been fruitful, indeed. Check out the winning art after the jump -- then soak in all the other wonderful submissions over on Team Meat's site. We want posters!

Continue reading Russian Super Meat Boy box art winner revealed, delightful

Russian Super Meat Boy box art winner revealed, delightful originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 23 Jan 2011 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In Russia, Super Meat Boy retail cover makes you!

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 13:04:00 EST

Okay, not quite. But fans of Super Meat Boy in Russia now have the opportunity to design the cover art for the PC box-copy release in the territory (so team Meat doesn't have to). Published by Buka Entertainment, the Russian release will be the first box copy of the game available in the world, so it's ... sort of a big deal?

To enter the box art contest -- well, first you have to be a resident of Russia or any of the former Soviet Union countries, and then -- just put together a 709x709-pixel image using this set of SMB assets (.ZIP link), send it in to Buka before midnight on January 15, 2011, and calmly wait for the results to be announced a day or so later (more specific instructions can be found here). Not only will the winner become "like semi-popular," but he or she will also receive an Acer monitor!

A personal message from Team Meat's Edmund McMillen spells out the intentions behind the contest, which you can view after the break. If you don't watch it for the pitch, watch it for his totally sweet hat.

Continue reading In Russia, Super Meat Boy retail cover makes you!

In Russia, Super Meat Boy retail cover makes you! originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 13:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Russian Stalker TV series teased

Mike Schramm — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST

A teaser site has revealed that a TV series based on the Stalker FPS franchise is being developed for Russian television. The site is called "KinoS.T.A.L.K.E.R." ("kino" meaning "film" in Russian), has both an English and a Russian section, and was linked to by Ukraine's GSC Game World's Facebook profile. There's also a trailer on the site, subtitled in English, though it's hard to tell what's going on with all the series standards in there -- including mutants, darkness, and explosions aplenty.

Still, the site clearly states that there is a "TV series coming soon" based on the property, which itself takes influence from Andrei Tarkovsky's 1979 film, as well as the old science fiction story "Roadside Picnic." Stalker fans will probably be happy to hear that the series will mutate into yet another form of media.

Russian Stalker TV series teased originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Assassin's Creed: The Fall comic book detailed in dev diary

Ben Gilbert — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST

Outside of the comic's early 20th century Russia setting and the main character's name, little information has been released on the forthcoming Assassin's Creed comic, Assassin's Creed: The Fall; however, a developer diary released today details the comic's narrative, setting, main character, and how he fits into the franchise's overall timeline. Nikolai Orelov will be leaping from Russian rooftops and landing his (likely freezing cold) twin blades into the necks of important men like Tsar Alexander III.

Perhaps most interesting about the dev diary is the comic team's tease at the end that their story could find its way into a future Assassin's Creed title. Though we stand by our desire for a post-Civil War, Reconstruction Era Assassin's Creed game, one set in the Russian revolution doesn't sound too shabby either.

Continue reading Assassin's Creed: The Fall comic book detailed in dev diary

Assassin's Creed: The Fall comic book detailed in dev diary originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 23 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Call of Duty: Black Ops reveal trailer gets the GT Pop-Block treatment

Ben Gilbert — Sun, 02 May 2010 11:30:00 EST

Outside of a UK game retailer listing a handful of details about this November's Treyarch-developed Call of Duty: Black Ops, all we've been given so far in terms of solid information on the game is a trailer with a slurry of quick cuts and some muffled dialog. Thankfully, GT Pop-Block has taken apart said trailer piece by piece, highlighting several standout points. What we found most interesting was that, rather than an astronaut seen briefly near the end, it's actually an SR-71 pilot in a full pressure suit, just before heading into sub-orbit (Pop-Block believes this could be a recon mission).

Additionally, as you might have already suspected, various elements in the trailer heavily suggest Vietnam and Cold War themes -- an intercontinental ballistic missile launch, possible Vietcong troops, scientists vacating an exploding Russian complex, and the presence of a UH-1A Huey helicopter (first used in 1962 during the Vietnam War). Oh, and hey, that dude you see above? Yeah, he's probably pretty important to the story. He also totally gets to fly a helicopter, which seems to be player-controlled. See for yourself after the break.

Continue reading Call of Duty: Black Ops reveal trailer gets the GT Pop-Block treatment

Call of Duty: Black Ops reveal trailer gets the GT Pop-Block treatment originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 02 May 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amazon and Gamefly agree: Singularity out June 29

Mike Schramm — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:00:00 EST

The upcoming Singularity from Raven Software is supposed to give you the power to age objects just by gesturing at them, and it appears that ability is being tested on the game itself: Its release date has been slowly edging into the future, from early 2010 up into March and then on to June. But it seems like the timeshifting has finally come to an end, as both Amazon and Gamefly have listed the game as releasing on June 29th of this year.

Activision originally cited the delay as an attempt to keep the game away from a crowded slate of "competitive titles," so perhaps the game will do better kicking off the dog days of summer. If Raven's time-bending twist on the FPS captures your interest, it'll be one more good reason to stay out of that hot, hot summer sun.

[Thanks, Shagittarius]

Amazon and Gamefly agree: Singularity out June 29 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Metro 2033 will also speak Russian

Randy Nelson — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:30:00 EST

According to its Facebook page, Metro 2033, the upcoming post-apocalyptic FPS from 4a Games, will feature a full (optional) Russian voiceover track with equally optional English subtitles. Seeing as how Metro 2033 is set in Russia, this option could really add to the game's atmosphere, granted you don't mind reading subtitles -- or hey, maybe you even speak Russian. It's a shame other games developed by foreign studios and set in foreign countries so often neglect authentic language options when localized for North America. Yes, Yakuza, we're looking at you.

Since Metro 2033 will offer a Russian language option, we think it only makes sense that this post does, too:

По данным Facebook свою страницу, Метро 2033, предстоящий пост-апокалиптические FPS от 4A Games, будут представлены полные (не обязательно) русский закадровый трек с не менее Факультативный английскими субтитрами. Видя, как какой Метро 2033 установлен в России, этот вариант может действительно добавить в атмосферу игры, допуская, что вы не возражаете чтения субтитров -- или Эй, вы, может быть, даже владеющие русским языком. Это позор, другие игры, разработанные иностранными студиями и установить в зарубежных странах часто пренебрегают таким подлинным параметры языка, когда локализована в Северной Америке. Да, якудза, мы смотрим на вас.

[Via Gameswire]

Metro 2033 will also speak Russian originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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India and Russia are down for the Global Game Jam

Randy Nelson — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:30:00 EST

Saying that their participation "further exemplifies the global nature of the event," Global Game Jam founder Susan Gold has announced that locations in India and Russia will be joining the two-day game creation marathon, which gets underway on January 29. The event will span 38 countries, with the mad dash to make a game in under 48 hours beginning in New Zealand.

A complete list of Game Jam locations can be found at the event's site, including the ones in the former Soviet Union -- from which we fully expect to see a Project Natal-compatible Cossack dancing game emerge.

India and Russia are down for the Global Game Jam originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Metro 2033 gets box art, new screens

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST

Hey, whaddya know! Metro 2033 apparently does allow players to exit the titular Russian metro system, as evidenced by the smattering of new screens handed over this morning by THQ. Included among them was the requisite box art shot, featuring a strikingly Helghastian face hovering just above the game's logo. Though we've yet to hear an official release date for the title, last week's three full minutes of gameplay and today's cavalcade of screens (including the game box art) give us the impression that we'll hear about that sooner rather than later.

In the meantime, we'll be trying to figure out what this giant gun turret is for.

Gallery: Metro 2033 (1/14)

Metro 2033 gets box art, new screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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3 minutes of Metro 2033 footage from the future

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST

Given that the entirety of Metro 2033 is set in a bleak, subway-based future -- Moscow's subway system of 2033, specifically -- it's not exactly an outright lie when we say the trailer is "from the future." Sure, it might not have "traveled through time" or whatever your "fact-based" interpretation of our statement was, but it's of a fictional post-apocalyptic world and that's more than enough for us. Heck, there's talk of the next evolution of human beings even. That's about as futurey as you could possibly want, right?!

Gallery: Metro 2033

3 minutes of Metro 2033 footage from the future originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Activision pulled MW2 'No Russian' scene in Russia on advice of 'local counsel'

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST

Activision has confirmed that it decided to remove the controversial "No Russian" scene from Russian versions of Modern Warfare 2, noting that there was no influence from the Russian government to do so. In a statement to Eurogamer, the publisher explained that Russia does not have a formal ratings board and that the company decided to block the scene "after seeking the advice of local counsel."

The publisher's statement went on to explain that the console versions of the game had never been released in the region and that the alteration would only affect the PC version, which was released on November 10 -- which wasn't too long before hackers turned their attention to the other things that had been removed from the popular shooter.

Activision pulled MW2 'No Russian' scene in Russia on advice of 'local counsel' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: MW2 recalled in Russia due to 'No Russian' scene [update]

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:04:00 EST

The console version of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has allegedly been recalled in Russia due to the controversial "No Russian" scene. Hellforge's translation of a Russian report claims that a censored console version will be released later this month in the region, and that an official patch removing the scene from PC and Steam versions is en route. It would seem that the choice of killing innocent Russian civilians in the scene isn't one that the government would like to leave up to players.

To make sure this report stays as "fair and balanced" as possible, we've contacted Activision and Infinity Ward for comment. Any Russia-based readers that can shed a little bit more light on the situation should feel free to contact us.

Update: Activision confirms

[Via Edge]

Rumor: MW2 recalled in Russia due to 'No Russian' scene [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Singularity trailer pours one out for Mother Russia

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:15:00 EST

Interested in returning Mother Russia to its once great stature ... and crushing the imperialist dogs that toppled the former empire? Raven Software's Singularity promises just that. Oh, also, you can turn enemies into dust. Sold!

We're a bit worried that the game has been pushed back into the surprisingly crowded early-2010 time frame -- considering we'll be playing Dark Void, Splinter Cell Conviction, BioShock 2, and, ahem, a million other games. That being said, Singularity looks to bring some originality to a season already overloaded with FPS games. Let's just hope we have time to check it out!

Gallery: Singularity

New Singularity trailer pours one out for Mother Russia originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Study: Software piracy on the rise, but so are sales

David Hinkle — Tue, 12 May 2009 16:30:00 EST

The Business Software Alliance recently conducted a study into piracy, and found that it may be a bigger problem than any of us could have thought, Reuters reports. The study showed that PC piracy accounted for 41 percent of total PC software installed in 2008, a 3 percent rise from 2007 figures. However, as piracy expands, so do sales, as PC software raked in $88 billion in 2008, a whopping 14 percent increase.

Even though the US only has a 20 percent piracy rate (which is the lowest in the world), Robert Holleyman, president and CEO of the BSA, says that figure is a lot worse considering we buy more software than any other country. But, as bad as the figures are, some countries are actually seeing a decline in illegal software.

Throughout two of the biggest regions for piracy (Russia and China), figures show a decline over previous years. In Russia, piracy dropped 5 points down to 68 percent in 2008, whereas in China the decline has been more gradual, dropping from figures of 90 percent in 2004 to 80 percent in 2008. Other countries remain at a 90 percent or higher piracy rate, however, including Georgia, Bangladesh, Armenia, Zimbabwe, Sri Landa, Azerbaijan and Moldova.

So, remember kids: Don't copy that floppy!

Study: Software piracy on the rise, but so are sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 May 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Russia: last stronghold against Nintendo domination

JC Fletcher — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:10:00 EST

Filed under: News

While Nintendo and the Wii are super-successful all around the world, they won't crack Russia. At least, that's the opinion of Inna Bukatina, head of international licensing and acquisition for publisher GFI. The reasons for Nintendo's lack of market dominance in the country include such hurdles as an older population who is less familiar with computers than their peers in other countries. This is a big problem for Nintendo's 'expanded audience' focus.

Another issue: Russian gamers' preference for multipurpose devices that provide multiple formats of entertainment. "For example, a PlayStation 3 or PlayStation Portable can be used for games, or films, and so on." So that's where that strategy works!

Russia: last stronghold against Nintendo domination originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Russian-Georgia conflict predicted by Ghost Recon

Ross Miller — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 04:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Politics

Tom Clancy might be this generation's Nostradamus. Although off by about three months, the first level in 2001's Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon is eerily familiar to the past week's events, where Russia and South Ossetian rebels have been fighting with Georgia. Unlike Ghost Recon, however, there has been no signs of US special forces armed with technologically advanced firepower and controlled by a mysterious "player."

Scholars are already sifting through The Great Texts in anticipation of any potential conflicts in 2014 Mexico City.

[Via Game Politics]

Russian-Georgia conflict predicted by Ghost Recon originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Aug 2008 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stalin to save Mother Russia from aliens in new RTS

Jason Dobson — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Strategy

The second World War has fueled a nearly uncountable sea of video game titles, but while most have drawn inspiration from the same handful of historic events, none yet have captured the reality that was Joseph Stalin. But reality is boring, which is why we're much more interested in a new RTS by a trio of Russian devs (Wing Foundation, Dreamlore, and N-game) that takes an alternate history stab by pitting the Soviet leader's Red Army against an invasion from outer space. Wait...what?

The brilliantly titled Stalin Vs. Martians is billed as a simplified game designed "for anyone who just hates the strategy genre," with fun and action taking top billing over the kind of micromanagement that's normally the genre's calling card. Says the game's website: "The only resources you can find on the map are power-ups. They look like they should: like shiny rotating coins of bright colors." The devs even state that Stalin himself will be a playable unit in the later stages of the game, as he lumbers on the field as "a huge colossus, five times higher than any other creature. Just like it was in the real life." We can all look forward to driving the extra terrestrials out of Holy Mother Russia when the game ships for the PC this fall.

Gallery: Stalin vs. Martians

Stalin to save Mother Russia from aliens in new RTS originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 27 Apr 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kaboom Kaboom: Russians, robots, and real-time strategy

Eric Caoili — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: News

Russian studio Vogster Entertainment hasn't yet formally announced Kaboom Kaboom, its comedy-filled RTS title set in "a world of wise-cracking robots," but what we've picked up about the game so far sounds spectacular!

Pick-up-and-play touchscreen controls
25+ weapons
20+ level story mode
2-4 player versus and co-op modes (online play not announced)
Upgradeable robots with "distinct personalities and attitudes"
Hero characters with enhanced weaponry and skills

While we're not sure how far along Vogster is with Kaboom Kaboom's development -- no publisher has been revealed, and the artwork above is the only piece of media hitherto released -- we still have a while before the game's expected release next spring. For those wondering whether the Russian team's story and humor will translate well with American tastes, you'll be happy to hear that Vogster has been working with writers from the Spongebob Squarepants series to put together Kaboom Kaboom's script.

[Via Nintendo Power]

Kaboom Kaboom: Russians, robots, and real-time strategy originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Dec 2007 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tetris ice cubes for the remarkably unashamed

Jason Wishnov — Thu, 31 May 2007 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: How-tos

Some of us prefer to hide our geekiness, fearing a loss of social status and reduced favor with the opposite sex. Others know that such things are mere trifles, and display their dorkdom with honor and pride. For those of the latter, we would point you to a step-by-step walkthrough of how to make your very own tetromino ice cubes. Yes, it must be Tetris craft week all around the intertron.

The steps are clearly written and easy to follow, but some woodwork and silicone supplies are required. If you're a handyman (or woman), go make yourself some cubes: they'll go wonderfully with that Russian vodka. Just kidding. We mean pop.

(Punch Out!! reference FTW)

Tetris ice cubes for the remarkably unashamed originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 May 2007 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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People's Mario shows us how to take out a Goomba or two

David Hinkle — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fan stuff

We're not sure how old this is, but we have never seen it before. As such, we're obligated to present it to you, loving readers, as not only does it present Mario in a very mature and Goomba-crushing light, it's Mario with a very non-Italian spin. And believe us when we say mature; Goombas do not just flatten when stomped, they shoot fluid out of their bodies at a high enough velocity to cut glass, we believe.

So, check it out at your own risk.

People's Mario shows us how to take out a Goomba or two originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Mar 2007 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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IGN's weeklong MGS feature highlights [Update 1]

Andrew Yoon — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 20:40:00 EST

Filed under: Metal Gear: Portable Ops

We told you IGN was going to make their Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops coverage a week-long event. However, some of you may have forgotten. Here are a few highlights from the week so far:

As you may already know, the story begins with Snake thrown into a South American jail six years after the events of Snake Eater. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, Russia abandoned many of its soldiers, leaving one military commander named Gene very sour. He plans on sabotaging the negotiations between Russia and the US by using nuclear technology stolen from both countries. Obviously, Snake will be in the middle of all of this.
The character-generation system uses data from both the access point and PSP system information.
You'll want to rotate characters in your party, as they'll suffer from exhaustion, and in the worst case scenario, fall unconscious during a mission. Let them heal their wounds.
There's a lot to manage: "During your mission briefings, you'll be overseeing seven separate units for your army: Sneaking, Spy, Technical, Medical, Independent, Rookies and Prisoners."
You can enter a unique Sleep mode which will transfer character data to any nearby PSP that's also in Portable Ops sleep mode.
There's a mode called "Cyber-Survival," which is turn-based and similar to the Metal Gear Acid series.
"Real Combat" is high stakes: if a character dies in multiplayer, they're dead in singleplayer as well. For obvious reasons, Snake can't partake in this mode.

Is this too much info for you? Well, don't forget that these are just highlights. The real meat of the stories can be found on IGN. Prepare to never have a life again starting December 5th.

[Update 1: MGS. Yes. That's what happens when Andrew-bot writes stories. Bad, evil things. Typo corrected!]

IGN's weeklong MGS feature highlights [Update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Dec 2006 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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