Joystiq

Spec Ops: The Line free on PS Plus this week, The Cave, Joe Danger 2 upcoming

JC Fletcher — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 21:30:00 EST

Sony announced all of March's free PlayStation Plus games at once, with a twist. We don't know which week will offer which game. They're just ... sometime in March, on a Tuesday. We do know which game goes free tomorrow: Spec Ops: The Line, the game that makes you feel sad about war.

Other freebies offered this month to Plus members include The Cave and Joe Danger 2 on PS3, and Disgaea 3 and Tekken 6 for Vita. Well, technically Tekken 6 is for PSP, but you can download it on your Vita. And while you're downloading free PSP games, don't forget the anniversary deals!

Spec Ops: The Line free on PS Plus this week, The Cave, Joe Danger 2 upcoming originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Mar 2013 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spec Ops: The Line dev brands game's multiplayer a 'waste of money'

Sinan Kubba — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 18:30:00 EST

Spec Ops: The Line lead designer Cory Davis slammed his game's multiplayer in a recent interview, describing it as a "low-quality Call of Duty clone in third-person" and a "waste of money." Davis told The Verge the outsourced mode was just a financially motivated "checkbox" for publisher 2K Games, and that the low number of multiplayer users, coupled with the mode's distinct tone and feel, casts "cancerous" aspersions on the whole game.

Davis revealed 2K insisted on the shooter having multiplayer, but the mode was far from a priority for developer Yager, and went against Davis' vision for the game. Nonetheless, the mode was greenlighted and then outsourced to Darkside Studios. Darkside is a small developer most notable for designing Borderlands' fourth add-on, "Claptrap's New Robot Revolution." Davis is clearly furious with the results.

"It sheds a negative light on all of the meaningful things we did in the single-player experience," Davis said. "The multiplayer game's tone is entirely different, the game mechanics were raped to make it happen, and it was a waste of money. No one is playing it, and I don't even feel like it's part of the overall package. It's another game rammed onto the disk like a cancerous growth, threatening to destroy the best things about the experience that the team at Yager put their heart and souls into creating."

We've reached out to 2K for comment.

Spec Ops: The Line dev brands game's multiplayer a 'waste of money' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spec Ops: The Line updated with co (spec)-op

JC Fletcher — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 12:15:00 EST

Today, you and a friend can confront the grim reality of war together! 2K Games announced a free update for the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC versions of Spec Ops: The Line that adds a cooperative multiplayer game mode for two players. As usual, expect the PS3 version to be available sometime today, whenever the PlayStation Store updates.

The new co-op mode consists of four objective-based missions, "each with its own unique objectives, environments, and playable characters."

Continue reading Spec Ops: The Line updated with co (spec)-op

Spec Ops: The Line updated with co (spec)-op originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Aug 2012 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spec Ops dev working on a big project, probably isn't another Spec Ops

Jessica Conditt — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 10:30:00 EST

Yager, the developer of Spec Ops: The Line, has a large project in the works, design lead Jorg Friedrich told us at GDC Europe. Friedrich wouldn't say what the project was or whether Spec Ops: The Line publisher 2K Games would be involved, but he gave a hint as to the company's future in terms of game sales.

Without divulging official numbers for Spec Ops: The Line, Friedrich said, "To be honest, it doesn't look too great."

Friedrich hosted a discussion on the emotional impact of player decisions within interactive narratives, differentiating the writing in games from other forms of media, such as film. Having a player make decisions based on deep, moral values can hold more impact than passively watching a cast of characters do the same thing, he argued.

In a few instances Friedrich wanted to have Spec Ops: The Line players make difficult decisions without receiving any in-game rewards or punishments, keeping the focus solely on the moral implications. Unfortunately, the game had achievements, effectively negating any purely emotional impact each choice could have. That was a mistake and a failure, Friedrich said.

"I really regret that we had achievements on moral choices," he said.

Spec Ops dev working on a big project, probably isn't another Spec Ops originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Steam Summer Sale, Day 6: Black Ops, Spec Ops, Limbo (and other stuff too!)

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:20:00 EST

Another day passed, and your bank account is that much lighter, but Valve's annual Steam Summer Sale is back with a whole mess of new discounts. For instance, that copy of Train Simulator 2012 you've been holding out on? It's seeing a massive 90 percent discount, and will cost you just $3.49 if you snap it up soon.

Or how about that Wargame: European Escalation game you've had your eye on, eh? That's ... oh who're we kidding? You want Grand Theft Auto IV for your PC and you want it for like $5. Done. The same could be said for RTS classic Company of Heroes (just $2.50!) and recently released third-person shooter Spec Ops: The Line ($33.50). Head on over to the Steam Store for the full listings of sales, which expire tomorrow afternoon.

Steam Summer Sale, Day 6: Black Ops, Spec Ops, Limbo (and other stuff too!) originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stiq Flicks: Spec Ops The Line and Apocalypse Now

Kevin Kelly — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 16:00:00 EST

Stiq Flicks - from film and video game industry freelance writer Kevin Kelly - examines video games and attempts to pair them with matching films. It's like wine and cheese, but with more aliens.

Spec Ops: The Line is one of those rare video games where the story often outshines the gameplay. Even though you might have tired of pumping bullets into sand-covered foes, it's the story in Spec Ops that will undoubtedly push many players forward.

With a story inspired by Joseph Conrad's novella Heart of Darkness, our film pairing recommendation for the game is obvious: Francis Ford Coppola's iconic Apocalypse Now - a film that has also heavily influenced the Yager-developed video game.

Gallery: Spec Ops: The Line (E3 2012)

Continue reading Stiq Flicks: Spec Ops The Line and Apocalypse Now

Stiq Flicks: Spec Ops The Line and Apocalypse Now originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Jul 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes secures UK top spot for second week

Alexander Sliwinski — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 08:30:00 EST

Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes "comfortably" kept The Amazing Spider-Man away from the highest spot on Chart-Track's UK sales chart. There were three new entries in the top five last week: the web-slinger swung into second, and Spec Ops: The Line and London 2012: The Official Video Game (about... London??) landed in third and fourth place, respectively.

The launch of Skyrim's Dawnguard DLC helped propel sales of the game up 121 percent. The launch of Metal Gear Solid HD Collection on PS Vita had a similar impact, shooting the game into tenth place on the charts and sales of the game up 532 percent - making it the top selling Vita game last week "by a large margin."

Continue reading Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes secures UK top spot for second week

Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes secures UK top spot for second week originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Jul 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spec Ops: The Line review - Dissonance in Dubai

Ludwig Kietzmann — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 16:00:00 EST

Spec Ops: The Line is explicit about its intentions and inspirations, sometimes to a fault. It's truly a gritty shooter, and not because you're steering a bipedal meat chunk with a scraggly soul patch. The conflict feels isolated and inescapable, with a sand-drowned Dubai hemming in soldiers who only hope to survive and follow orders as best they can. You have permission to take this game seriously.

That's why it's disappointing, and often baffling, when Spec Ops underlines its themes with an orange crayon. The discovery of a strung-up, mutilated corpse is meant to shock, but the scene feels deflated alongside an Achievement notification that essentially says, "War is terrible. Have 10 points!"

Gallery: Spec Ops: The Line (E3 2012)

Continue reading Spec Ops: The Line review - Dissonance in Dubai

Spec Ops: The Line review - Dissonance in Dubai originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Jun 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super Joystiq Podcast Special: 'Spec Ops - The Line' lead designer Cory Davis

Xav de Matos — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

In a special edition of the Super Joystiq Podcast, editor-in-chief Ludwig Kietzmann speaks with Cory Davis, lead designer of the Yager-developed shooter Spec Ops: The Line.

After being seemingly stuck in development for years following its 2009 announcement, the team at Yager Development has finally shipped the third-person shooter. Taking place in a sandstorm ravaged Dubai, the game centers on a Delta Force team sent into the region to locate their own missing personnel.

Spec Ops: The Line is available today for the PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3.

Listen to the Super Joystiq Podcast:

A stream of the show and details on the episode are available after the break.

Continue reading Super Joystiq Podcast Special: 'Spec Ops - The Line' lead designer Cory Davis

Super Joystiq Podcast Special: 'Spec Ops - The Line' lead designer Cory Davis originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Jun 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dubai looks kinda rough in this Spec Ops: The Line launch trailer

Jordan Mallory — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 17:30:00 EST

We always thought it'd be interesting to visit Dubai at some point in the future, what with its indoor skiing and BMW 5 series police cars and everything, but if it's anything like the Dubai portrayed in this Spec Ops: The Line launch trailer, we'll probably pass. That haboob looks gross.

Dubai looks kinda rough in this Spec Ops: The Line launch trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Jun 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spec Ops: The Line demo breaches today

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 08 May 2012 10:30:00 EST

Spec Ops: The Line's demo is available now on Xbox 360 for Gold subscribers and later today, following the PSN update, on PlayStation 3. It will be available to all Xbox Live members on May 15.

The sampler will feature a snippet of the single-player campaign, covering two early chapters in the game, as players search for a target through the sand-ravaged streets of Dubai and add more destruction. You'll have plenty of time to play the demo and practice, Spec Ops: The Line won't storm retail shelves until June 26.

Update: Removed mention of multiplayer as being part of demo. It's not.

Gallery: Spec Ops: The Line (Demo)

Spec Ops: The Line demo breaches today originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 May 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Learn how to curb stomp from Spec Ops: The Line's multiplayer

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 08:45:00 EST

These special operatives in Dubai sure are mad at each other! Spec Ops: The Line's latest trailer, focusing on multiplayer, showcases the various brutal, assuredly anti-Geneva Convention-approved ways to end the lives of your opponents.

Learn how to curb stomp from Spec Ops: The Line's multiplayer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spec Ops: The Line narrative trailer ripped from the headlines

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 12:45:00 EST

In fairness, the trailer above for Spec Ops: The Line was likely cut and produced over the course of a few months. As such, its "ripped from current headlines" nature isn't really 2K Games or Yager's fault, but it does make for an awkward juxtaposition against recent news.

Spec Ops: The Line narrative trailer ripped from the headlines originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spec Ops: The Line drawn into retail on June 26

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:30:00 EST

Spec Ops: The Line has been pushed back and previewed across several years, but now we finally know it'll cross the finish line come June 26. Take-Two revealed as much this morning in a PR missive which also detailed the "Premium Edition" of the third-person shooter. It will feature a variety of multiplayer bonus content to folks who pre-order the game from "participating retailers" (none are listed, but we're thinking places like GameStop and Amazon are fair bets).

Perhaps "Premium Edition" doesn't sound militaristic enough for you? Thankfully, Take-Two totally thought of that, which is why part the premium edition gives access to the "FUBAR pack," containing various multiplayer customization options ("unique and visually distinct items). Additionally, premium content includes an AK-47 unlock and an Officer Class promotion (which confers "several team-based advantages") at rank one, as well as double XP for the first week of online play.

2K Games producer Denby Grace openly calls out the unbalance in this pre-order scheme, saying "People who pre-order the game are going to have an immediate advantage in the multiplayer mode." G ... great?

Spec Ops: The Line drawn into retail on June 26 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spec Ops: The Line now arriving in 'Spring 2012'

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:25:00 EST

After Spec Ops: The Line had its launch window unceremoniously realigned during publisher Take-Two Interactive's quarterly earnings call last May, the only thing we knew for sure about its eventual release was that it'd be some time after March 2012. As it turns out, the game's gearing up for a spring 2012 launch window (so, like, between March and summer of 2012, then), and there's even a new trailer to prove it.

If the trailer doesn't quite do it for you, might we suggest checking out our brand new preview of next spring's shooter? It's light on devastating natural disasters, unlike the game.

Continue reading Spec Ops: The Line now arriving in 'Spring 2012'

Spec Ops: The Line now arriving in 'Spring 2012' originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The dangerous game of Spec Ops: The Line

Arthur Gies — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 08:15:00 EST

It's been more than a year since I've seen Spec Ops: The Line. In fact, I'm one of the few people to have played Spec Ops, back at a pre-E3 event in Los Angeles in 2010. It was an unofficial session, as previews were limited to eyes-on impressions, so I won't go into too much detail about it. But even then, it was clear that Spec Ops: The Line had a long way to go.

Now, 18 months later, I've played more than an hour of a Spec Ops that feels solid and functional -- current, even. But now that The Line seems well on its way to relevancy as a game, developer Yager faces what might be an even bigger obstacle. In a quest for a literary sort of statement and message, Spec Ops: The Line has the baggage of the entire medium to overcome.

Gallery: Spec Ops: The Line (11/22/2011)

Continue reading The dangerous game of Spec Ops: The Line

The dangerous game of Spec Ops: The Line originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spec Ops: The Line delayed beyond March 2012

Justin McElroy — Tue, 24 May 2011 17:19:00 EST

More like Spec Ops: The Wait, am I right?

Much like that joke should have been, Spec Ops: The Line has been pushed back way, way, deep undercover -- like, first half of Take-Two's fiscal 2013 deep -- as revealed in the publisher's earnings report today. For the fiscally challenged among you, that means the game won't appear on store shelves until after March 2012 at the very earliest (it's been pitched into an April-September 2012 release window).

Oddly, the game was in beta as of last fall, so we can only imagine whatever's happening now is a significant overhaul.

Spec Ops: The Line delayed beyond March 2012 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 May 2011 17:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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XCOM, Spec Ops listed for fiscal 2012 release, Max Payne 3 not listed at all (again) [update]

Griffin McElroy — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 16:35:00 EST

Take-Two has updated its release calendar in coordination with the publication of its lastest financial report. Most of the entries aren't too surprising, including already known release dates and windows for LA Noire, Duke Nukem Forever and BioShock Infinite -- however, XCOM and Spec Ops: The Line, both of which were formerly scheduled for this calendar year, are now listed as "Fiscal Year 2012" (April 2011 - March 2012) releases. That means they could still both arrive this year -- Strauss willing and the creek don't rise -- but the publisher has opened up the possiblity for delays to the first quarter of 2012.

Also, Max Payne 3 has again failed to make an appearance on Take Two's release calendar. When this happened last December, Take Two was quick to reassure fans that the title was still in development. We have our fingers crossed for a similar assurance in the company's conference call, which is due to start any minute.

Update: During the Q&A portion of the investor's call, Take-Two CFO Lainie Goldstein spoke about the fate of Max Payne 3, saying, "There is no update on that title at this time." That's a really not great answer. We've emailed other Take-Two contacts in search of something more concrete.

XCOM, Spec Ops listed for fiscal 2012 release, Max Payne 3 not listed at all (again) [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 16:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spec Ops: The Line beta sends out more invites

David Hinkle — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: News, In The News, Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

We've received several tips from readers that the Xbox 360-only Spec Ops: The Line multiplayer beta is finally expanding to incorporate more users. Back in July, a "small number of applicants" were selected to participate in the beta.

One tipster sent over some images from the beta, showing off the character customization screen, challenges menu and some gameplay shots. Feel free to work a little recon on our gallery below and check 'em out.

[Update: We've removed the gallery and the image at the top of this post at 2K's request though, this being the internet and all, it'll be hard to put this cat back into its NDA-shaped bag.]

Spec Ops: The Line beta sends out more invites originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 16 Oct 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spec Ops: The Line beta invites 'going out to a small number of applicants'

Christopher Grant — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:45:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

If you followed our advice and applied to be a part of the Spec Ops: The Line multiplayer beta, you just may be finding an invitation in your inbox sometime soon. Joystiq reader Reece got his earlier this week and sent over some images of the sign-up process. 2K Games confirms, "This is correct, beta invites for Spec Ops: The Line are going out to a small number of applicants. We'll be allowing more people into the private beta in the coming weeks."

Unfortunately, 2K also confirmed with Joystiq that this beta is "Xbox 360 only" - for you PC and PS3 gamers, consider it karmic payback for all that early access on Medal of Honor you've been enjoying while Xbox owners sat idly by. Anyone in on the beta? Sound off in the comments below or, heck, send us an email.

Spec Ops: The Line beta invites 'going out to a small number of applicants' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Queue up for Spec-Ops: The Line's beta

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Ready for 2K's Dubai-based reboot of Spec-Ops, but can't wait until the game releases sometime next year? You'll be glad to hear, then, that the game's beta signups have already begun! It seems that, at the moment, the beta is just for Xbox 360 owners, but we've asked 2K for more info about if and when it'll be heading to PS3 and PC.

Signing up, however, doesn't necessarily guarantee entry to the beta this minute. 2K's signup page notes, "If you are selected to participate in the Beta, we will contact you via the email address you provided with next-step instructions on how to redeem a download token." That said, it seems that anyone who manages to sign up before 2K draws a line in the sand will get in. Hooray!

Queue up for Spec-Ops: The Line's beta originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Preview: Spec Ops: The Line

David Hinkle — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 23:00:00 EST

Dubai is a crazy enough place in the real world, but in Spec Ops: The Line, its insanity is taken to new levels. Not only do players have the cluster of ostentatious skyscrapers and opulence of the once great city in this game world thrown at them, but with the factions of murderous bandits and impoverished innocents still littering the sandy landscape -- it's a lot to deal with.

Gallery: Spec Ops: The Line

Continue reading Preview: Spec Ops: The Line

Preview: Spec Ops: The Line originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spec Ops: The Line gets pre-release beta

David Hinkle — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:40:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

During our demo of Spec Ops: The Line, the new military shooter set in Dubai from Berlin-based development studio Yager set to launch in 2011, producer Greg Kasavin revealed the game would open a beta prior to its 2011 launch. While he couldn't divulge exactly when the beta would be available, he did say that PR was likely to reveal more in the next few days.

We'll be sure to update you all as soon as we hear something, but if you're looking for a taste before you get your taste, we suggest you grab some Nerf guns and head down to your local playground.

Spec Ops: The Line gets pre-release beta originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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XCOM, Spec Ops: The Line opt for 2011 release

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 13:40:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Tucked away in its E3 lineup announcement, Take-Two shed the tiniest bit of light on the release dates for Spec Ops: The Line and the upcoming XCOM reboot. According to the release, both games are slated for a 2011 release, though it doesn't get any more specific than that. Spec Ops had previously been announced for Take-Two's fiscal 2011, offering the hope of a November 2010 release at the earliest. Alas, it wasn't meant to be.

If only there were other games that let you blast aliens and enemy soldiers.

XCOM, Spec Ops: The Line opt for 2011 release originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Impressions: Spec Ops: The Line

Randy Nelson — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:40:00 EST

click to enlarge

Having seen the game debuted during the 2009 VGA broadcast, we sat down for a live demo of 2K's Spec Ops: The Line last week at the company's Northern California headquarters. Behind the controls was Cory Davis, lead designer at Yager (developer of -- you guessed it -- Yager), who led us through a roughly 15 minute slice of the game designed to convey the uniqueness of the setting and some pleasantly surprising play mechanics that tie into its backstory.

Set about 18 months after a massive sandstorm has ravaged Dubai, the game sees players entering this "no man's land" as part of an elite team sent to locate the origin of a transmission from an earlier mission that had been presumed dead, swallowed up by the sand. The demo began mid-firefight, with the player character (voiced by a decidedly all-business Nolan North) and two AI squad mates seeking cover behind remnants of an office, as unknown gunmen fired at them from a half-collapsed building nearby. What happened next was, well ... unexpected and very cool.

Gallery: Spec Ops: The Line

Continue reading Impressions: Spec Ops: The Line

Impressions: Spec Ops: The Line originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Do some recon on Spec Ops: The Line with these screens

David Hinkle — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 22:30:00 EST

Click image to embiggen

2K Games sent over some new screens from upcoming Spec Ops: The Line and, as one can imagine, the shots feature a lot of the same stuff we saw in the VGA trailer last month: sand; dilapidated buildings; and lots of bang-bang shoot-shoot. While producer (and ex-GameSpot EIC) Greg Kasavin played up the appeal of setting a game in a veritable wonderland of architecture (see: neat buildings to shoot dudes in) during a recent interview, we have to wonder if staring at all of these bieges, browns and mustards will become annoying after a while. We guess everyone will find out when the game releases later this year.

In the meanwhile, feel free to head into our gallery below to check out the new screens, which even include a shot that would probably give Bill O'Reilly a heart attack.

Gallery: Spec Ops: The Line

Do some recon on Spec Ops: The Line with these screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spec Ops: The Line may face censorship; Dubai taking the 'wait and see' approach

Christopher Grant — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:30:00 EST

"It takes place after an unimaginable natural disaster has struck the region," says former GameSpot editor-in-chief and current video game producer Greg Kasavin, discussing 2K Games' recently revealed shooter, Spec Ops: The Line. The unimaginable natural disaster he's referring to is a catastrophic sandstorm and the region is the financially precarious Dubai. With the one-time booming city-state finding itself in something of a bust, following the global economic downturn, scenes of Dubai's world-famous skyscrapers buried in sand surely struck a nerve.

"We will have to review the game first before issuing any decision on whether to ban it or allow it," Mohammed al Mutawa, a video games censor at the United Arab Emirate's National Media Council, told The National. Juma Obaid Alleem, the director of media content at the NMC, told the newspaper that 'before a video game is released in the UAE, the NMC assesses whether it conforms with local laws and notifies authorities if it does not.' From there, we see references to "international matter" and "Ministry of Foreign Affairs" and we figure it best to take the 'wait and see' approach Mr. al Mutawa referred to.

For his part, Kasavin is playing up the setting as a "fantastic location from an architectural standpoint" but is quick to point out that "the game uses the location purely as a location." He explained to The National that 'the enemies ... in the fictional Dubai would not have any clear religious or political beliefs associated with them' and that 'none of the shoot-outs took place in mosques.' With myriad games having angered religious or national groups before - everything from Resistance and the Church of England to LittleBigPlanet and the Qur'an - the Spec Ops team has plenty to learn from. We'll know more closer to the game's expected 2011 release.

[Thanks, mister_jOBe; via LA Times]

Spec Ops: The Line may face censorship; Dubai taking the 'wait and see' approach originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spec Ops: The Line not dusting up until Nov. 2010 at earliest

Justin McElroy — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:31:00 EST

Though the Bjork-filled trailer for Spec Ops: The Line may have left you eager to start shooting up a sandy Dubai, we have to recommend that you save at least some anticipation for late next year. According to publisher Take-Two, the Yager-developed shooter isn't due until the 2011 fiscal year, which kicks off on Nov. 1 of 2010.

Yes, it's a long way off, but don't get depressed! Your friends at Joystiq have a wonderful way of filling your quota for desert-based e-murder in the interim: 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand. With Game of the Year list time just around the corner, has there ever been a better moment to revisit the most points-laden diamond skull hunt of the year? We think not.

Spec Ops: The Line not dusting up until Nov. 2010 at earliest originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spike VGA 2009 Wrap-up: The awards, the trailers, the premieres

Griffin McElroy — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:00:00 EST

As you can probably tell by looking at our front page, last night's Spike Video Game Awards show was a pretty prolific source of gaming news. From the big reveals of games like Batman: Arkham Asylum 2 and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2, to new trailers for Crackdown 2 and Halo: Reach, to ... well, the actual awards, it was a pretty busy night for all parties involved.

We've collected all the stories, trailers, and winners of each award in this post to prevent you from hunting through our archives -- or our hateful, hateful liveblog -- to find what you're looking for. You'll find them all listed after the jump!

Continue reading Spike VGA 2009 Wrap-up: The awards, the trailers, the premieres

Spike VGA 2009 Wrap-up: The awards, the trailers, the premieres originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spec Ops: The Line VGA trailer is serious business

Griffin McElroy — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 12:30:00 EST

We're just not sure if we can get behind the aesthetic of the Yager-developed, 2K-published shooter Spec Ops: The Line which was officially revealed during last night's Spike Video Game Awards. It just looks way too gritty for us.

Now that we've gotten that pun we've been wanting to make since we first saw the game last night out of the way, we can tell you that the debut trailer is posted ~~after the jump~~. Despite our irreverent panning during last night's festivities, it doesn't look half bad. According to the last screen of the trailer, it's coming to 360, PS3 and PC. Check out the video if you're a fan of sandy environments, ruined landscapes, female vocalists and egregious violations of the Geneva convention.

Update: We've added a hi-res version of the trailer above.

Spec Ops: The Line VGA trailer is serious business originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 Dec 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mystery VGA teaser revealed as Spec Ops

Ben Gilbert — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST

It appears as though yesterday's mystery teaser for the upcoming Spike TV Video Game Awards, featuring a CGI scene of a war in Dubai, is actually not the newest teaser in the world. Revealed back in August, the clip is said to be from upcoming 2K Games franchise reboot Spec Ops.

Originally, the title was claimed by EGM rumor mill "Quartermann" to be in development in the shuttered magazine's July 2008 issue. 1UP claims the title to be confirmed by the 90-second teaser trailer that we've dropped after the break. We'd suggest checking it out simply for the fact that it contains more footage than the teaser from yesterday, but the fact that Björk is involved makes us all the more inclined to recommend a viewing. For those of you thirsting for more, your next chance to see the game will be at 2009's world exclusive-filled VGAs. We've contacted 2K Games for comment and will update this post if we hear more.

Continue reading Mystery VGA teaser revealed as Spec Ops

Mystery VGA teaser revealed as Spec Ops originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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