Joystiq

Bionic Commando developer GRIN closes

JC Fletcher — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:15:00 EST

Recent reports of layoffs revealed that Swedish developer GRIN was in financial trouble. Today, in a statement on the GRIN website, founders Bo and Ulf Andersson announced that the company was officially closing, citing an "unbearable cashflow situation" due to delayed payments from unnamed publishers.

In the statement, the founders mentioned "our unreleased masterpiece that we weren't allowed to finish" and thanked many of the companies they worked with, including Ubisoft and Capcom -- but not Warner Bros., for whom GRIN made Wanted: Weapons of Fate and Terminator: Salvation. As reported earlier today, several GRIN staffers who had previously been laid off have gone on to form Outbreak Studios.

[Via Kotaku]

Bionic Commando developer GRIN closes originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Nobody's smiling about more GRIN layoffs

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 09:07:00 EST

It appears that the rumors of layoffs at Stockholm-based developer GRIN are getting worse, with the company itself allegedly on the brink of collapse. Gamasutra has been informed by reliable sources that the studio has had another round of layoffs and that some employees have been told not to show up for work. Two of the company's studios have already shut down, with the main Stockholm office being the next domino.

Despite critical acclaim for Bionic Commando Rearmed, the studio saw sluggish sales and tepid reviews from big-budget titles like Terminator Salvation, Wanted: Weapons of Fate and -- the game that could really have given it a boost -- Bionic Commando. We'll update as we hear more.

Rumor: Nobody's smiling about more GRIN layoffs originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 09:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: Terminator Salvation

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 27 May 2009 21:30:00 EST

Terminator Salvation is a truly terrible game.

My reviews might occasionally sacrifice a touch of clarity in exchange for glibness or sesquipedalianism, so I find it important to write this review with its ultimate conclusion as its preface. The game is supremely awful, and you shouldn't buy it, rent it or play it. If that stern recommendation was all you were looking for, feel free to move on without reading the remainder after the jump.

If you want a lesson in how not to make a game, read on. Especially if your name appears anywhere in the Terminator Salvation credits. (Yes, even you, Rose McGowan -- IF THAT IS EVEN YOUR REAL NAME.)

Continue reading Review: Terminator Salvation

Review: Terminator Salvation originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 May 2009 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: GRIN lays off more than 100

Justin McElroy — Wed, 27 May 2009 20:45:00 EST

GRIN sort of exploded onto the scene recently with Wanted, Bionic Commando and Terminator Salvation all releasing within a couple of months of each other. Like a star post-supernova though, it seems that the company might be shrinking in on itself. Kotaku's reporting that various sources have indicated to them that the company has let go of more than 100 staff members.

We're working on getting official confirmation from someone at GRIN, we'll let you know what we find out.

Rumor: GRIN lays off more than 100 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 May 2009 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Christian Bale loves video games, lost sleep over Super Mario

Ben Gilbert — Sat, 23 May 2009 19:00:00 EST

Taking time out of his Terminator Salvation press tour to sit down with Conversations, Christian Bale spoke about his childhood love for our lifetime passion, video games. When the interviewer brings up Roger Ebert's review of the film (video game reference in tow), he then asks Bale if he played video games "in his younger years," to which Bale replies, "I played video games in my entire growing-up years. One of my favorites is Super Mario. I wouldn't sleep until I finished the game, you know."

Not quite the drug-addled gaming experiences of Alec Baldwin, but sleepless nights in front of the television are something we can all relate to regardless. Not everyone can be a Jack Donaghy, ya know?

Christian Bale loves video games, lost sleep over Super Mario originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 23 May 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Terminator Salvation PC replacement begins

Xav de Matos — Fri, 22 May 2009 18:15:00 EST

Evolved Games has begun its replacement program for recalled defective retail copies of Terminator: Salvation on PC. For those of you not keeping score at home, Terminator: Salvation PC shipped with an unfortunate feature, it wouldn't allow users to install the game at all. Add that to the fact that the game itself is virtually unplayable (that's not a glitch, it just isn't very good) and Terminator: Salvation has turned into one of the biggest movie-based gaming debacles since Charlie's Angels hit the GameCube.

Retail PC users looking for a replacement can find more information on Evolved Games' support site. The studio also released a statement apologizing for "any inconvenience that end users may have suffered." Digital distribution copies were unaffected by the bug.

Gallery: Terminator Salvation

[Via Shacknews]

Terminator Salvation PC replacement begins originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 May 2009 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Terminator: Salvation for PC recalled from front lines

David Hinkle — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:45:00 EST

If you were one of those folks that rushed out and scooped up Terminator: Salvation for PC this week, you've probably been disappointed with the game -- mostly because you haven't been able to play it. There was a replication issue when manufacturing the PC version of the game, which doesn't allow users to install the game at all, Evolved Games notes on the official forums.

Right now, Evolved Games is currently recalling all copies of the game in North America, with the plan being that each copy will be replaced "in a few days." Could this actually be some plot by Skynet to keep humans from playing a game that trains us to kill robots? We doubt it, but it's fun to imagine, which is all you can really do at this point ...

Gallery: Terminator Salvation

[Via Terminator: Salvation: The Game forums]

Terminator: Salvation for PC recalled from front lines originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 May 2009 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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John Connor destroys a bunch of robots in Terminator: Salvation trailer

David Hinkle — Tue, 05 May 2009 21:15:00 EST

In another clip from GRIN's upcoming Terminator: Salvation, we see more of the usual: John Connor killing robots. Luckily for us, being the warm sacks of flesh that we are, that's exactly what we want to see. So, feast your eyes on the clip above and learn how to take down the many enemies of humanity. Y'know, in case you ever find yourself in Skynet's artificial dog house.

John Connor destroys a bunch of robots in Terminator: Salvation trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 May 2009 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Humanity fights back in latest Terminator: Salvation video

David Hinkle — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:55:00 EST

For as much as Sarah Connor and the rest of humanity talk about John's fight against the machines, it isn't a fight that he has taken up on his own. There are many human allies behind the man, toiling day in and day out to quell the robotic onslaught from finishing off what little meat bags are left on this big, blue spinning rock. Thankfully, the folks at GRIN know that, and have sent our way this video from Terminator: Salvation that shows off some co-op gameplay. Looks like John gets by with a little help from his friends.

Humanity fights back in latest Terminator: Salvation video originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Terminator Salvation video has gameplay

Richard Mitchell — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:15:00 EST

We thought about coming up with a better headline for this post, but given our recent hands-on time with Terminator Salvation, we thought we'd let the video speak for itself. The above video is comprised solely of gameplay footage from Grin's upcoming John Connor simulator, replete with plenty of gun shootin', grenade throwin', cover grabbin' action.

While we'll have to wait until next month to pass judgment on the final game, the action certainly looks decent. At the very least, the video does confirm one thing: They definitely got the music right, so that's a plus.

Terminator Salvation video has gameplay originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Terminator: Salvation trailer includes sweet action, bad voice acting

Xav de Matos — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:45:00 EST

Grin is on a licensed game streak, having taken the reigns on Capcom's Bionic Commando reboot, breathing digital life to Mark Millar's Wanted and now shining light on Linda Hamilton's dark vision of the future in Terminator: Salvation. Based on what we've seen and our hands-on impressions, Terminator: Salvation has potential; however, the voice actor responsible for John Connor does not.

For actor Gideon Emery, dialog -- that we presume was written to convey a sense of urgency -- is delivered flat and weak. We're seriously disappointed, considering how his previous work as British Commando #3 in Resistance 2 was so pivotal to that game's complete story experience.

Gallery: Terminator Salvation

Terminator: Salvation trailer includes sweet action, bad voice acting originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GDC09: Terminator Salvation hands-on

Randy Nelson — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

click to enlarge

Set two years before the movie bearing the same name, Terminator Salvation's, well, salvation from the realm of mediocre shooter-dom is in the hands of Bionic Commando dev Grin. Embedded within the film's production team from day one, sharing creations back and forth, the Swedish group hopes to set the game apart from every other third-person action game on the market by playing off the toughness and tenacity of the titular robots.

When we sat down to play the game for the first time, we found a functional shooter that didn't manage to terminate our generally low expectations of movie tie-ins.

While we were assured that the game does indeed look like the film on which it precedes in the series' canon, the wash of browns and greens which made up the first level's scenery, combined with its cover mechanic and even the look of John Connor himself, had us wondering if this really was a Terminator title or if someone had played way too much Resistance: Retribution. (It looks eerily similar at times; check out the screens.)

Gallery: Terminator Salvation

Continue reading GDC09: Terminator Salvation hands-on

GDC09: Terminator Salvation hands-on originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Da-da-dun-da-dun, this is Terminator Salvation

Majed Athab — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 22:40:00 EST

Taking place two years before the movie of the same name, Terminator Salvation: The Video Game puts players in post-apocalyptic Los Angeles at the time AI-overlord Skynet rises to power. This means series hero John Connor is still a legend-in-the-making, and time-traveling Terminators have yet to learn the catchy Spanish phrases that would make them famous.

We watched a live demo of Salvation earlier this month, taking in the shooter's "cover and flank" battle system, the cinematic, HUD-less interface and the constant barrage of that thematic riff (the one that goes *Da-da-dun-da-dun. Da-da-dun-da-dun*). As much as we love hearing the tune, we're not too enamored, thus far, with the game's presentation regarding its generic weapons arsenal and bland on-rails sections; however, that opinion might change once we finally get some hands-on time at GDC next week. For now, here's a trailer and some screen shots to check out.

Gallery: Terminator Salvation

Da-da-dun-da-dun, this is Terminator Salvation originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Mar 2009 22:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trophies: Terminator Salvation

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:30:00 EST

How good will a game be when the developers put this much effort into making Trophies? Unless the game is impossible on Hard, this may be the easiest Platinum in a video game to date.

View Trophy List | Visit Trophy Portal

Continue reading Trophies: Terminator Salvation

Trophies: Terminator Salvation originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Voice cast for Terminator Salvation revealed, balefully Bale-less

Griffin McElroy — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 06:00:00 EST

Filed under: Action

A press release promoting the upcoming technopocalypse sim Terminator Salvation: The Videogame (not to be confused with Terminator Salvation: The Movie or Terminator Salvation: The X-treme Bible for Time Traveling Robots) which recently landed in our inbox was a grab bag of mixed blessings. It unveiled the talent which will lend their voices and likenesses to the game -- notable names include hip-hop artist Common, actress Moon Bloodgood, and Rose McGowan, who will voice a role exclusive to the game.

Sadly, the film's star, Christian Bale, wasn't on the list of included voice actors we received. We contacted Mr. Bale for a comment, and received the following (NSFW) response: "WHAT THE (explitive deleted) IS IT WITH YOU? WHAT DONT YOU (e.d.)ING UNDERSTAND? YOU GOT ANY (e.d.)ING IDEA ABOUT, "HEY IT'S (e.d.)ING DISTRACTING HAVING SOMEONE ASK ME ABOUT VIDEO GAMES WHILE I'M WORKING ON A (e.d.)ING SCENE? GIVE ME AN ANSWER! WHAT DON'T YOU GET ABOUT IT? (e.d.)'S SAKE MAN, YOU'RE AMATEUR."

Full presser's after the (e.d.)ing break.

Continue reading Voice cast for Terminator Salvation revealed, balefully Bale-less

Voice cast for Terminator Salvation revealed, balefully Bale-less originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 20 Feb 2009 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VGA 2008: See Dante's Inferno, Watchmen, Terminator Salvation and more

Justin McElroy — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:15:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Sony PlayStation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, Video

True to our word, we've returned with the second string of Video Game Award 2008 videos -- the "B" squad, if you will. It's not that these clips aren't exciting, they're just ... less so. Right after the break check out Dante's Inferno, Watchmen, Terminator Salvation, Mafia II and Fight Night Round 4.

So, what's the verdict? Do these clips have you pumped for 2009? Or are you holding out judgment until you can see a little more gameplay and fewer cinematics?

Continue reading VGA 2008: See Dante's Inferno, Watchmen, Terminator Salvation and more

VGA 2008: See Dante's Inferno, Watchmen, Terminator Salvation and more originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Terminator Salvation - The Videogame - The News Post

Ludwig Kietzmann — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:55:00 EST

Filed under: Action

In an unprecedented but inevitably lucrative move, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has revealed plans to distribute "a third-person action game" alongside upcoming Hollywood bot buster Terminator Salvation. Released in cahoots with Equity Games Production and Halcyon Games, and developed by GRIN Studios (the Bionic Commando guys), Terminator Salvation - The Videogame promises to push the envelope with "action packed gameplay and detailed environments."

Terminator fans may initiate Salivation at the thought of controlling central franchise character John Connor, as he engages in "concentrated armed combat" against enemies from the post-apocalyptic film, as well as new opponents assembled specifically for the game. Robot bats, maybe.

Cos Lazouras, President of Halcyon Games, notes that the adaptation will feature "an incredibly fluid and realistic control set," all the better to steer your way through "a fully interactive Terminator experience." Take that, partially interactive Terminator experiences of yore! As you might expect, it'll be out alongside the film, which opens nationwide on May 22, 2009.

Terminator Salvation - The Videogame - The News Post originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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