World-in-Conflict posts (Subscribe to this feed)

Massive founder leaves four months after Ubisoft purchase [update]

by Alexander Sliwinski { Mar 18th 2009 at 12:01AM }

Martin Walfisz, founder of Massive Entertainment, has left the studio, according to Ubisoft. GI.biz reports that the publisher confirmed the information and stated it was "saddened," wishing Walfisz all the best in his future projects. No explanation was given for the departure.

Ubisoft picked up the company last November after Activision Blizzard was no longer interested in the studio, known for RTS titles World in Conflict and Ground Control. There's no word yet as to what Walfisz is doing next but, if he's staying in the game space, he's run a successful studio for over ten years with 120 employees -- that's got to look good on paper to someone out there.

Update: We received a statement from Martin Walfisz. We've placed it after the break.

Continued →

Ubisoft cans World in Conflict's console release plans

by Dustin Burg { Mar 3rd 2009 at 8:00PM }

Ubisoft has informed IGN that it has no plans to release World in Conflict: Soviet Assault to any console platform this month or anytime in the future. The PC version remains unaffected and will see a release later this month.

Soviet Assault's Xbox 360 and PS3 cancellation may be surprising for some, but for us, we questioned the project's console plans as of late. After the big Vivendi / Activision merger, Massive Entertainment's recent history and Soviet Assault's early delay, we knew something was up. We call it "game-cancellation-intuition." Not very catchy, we know.

Ubisoft gets bigger by picking up Massive Entertainment

by Alexander Sliwinski { Nov 10th 2008 at 6:30PM }

Massive Entertainment, developers of World in Conflict and the Ground Control series, have a new home at publisher Ubisoft. The Swedish studio was let go by Activision Blizzard following "The Merger." Clearly, despite Massive's quality work, WiC and the studio's RTS proficiency lacked the "potential to be exploited" by Blizzavision.

Neither the teams next project nor the details of the financial transaction were disclosed by the publisher. Last we'd heard, Blizzavision still owned the rights to World in Conflict, but we've contacted Ubi to find out if it took the rights in the transaction. If it didn't, expect a new RTS franchise (unless the studio totally goes in a new direction) the next time Massive announces what game it's working on.

Update: Ubi confirmed with us that it did receive the World in Conflict rights in the acquisition.

Massive Entertainment seeks new corporate overlords

by Alexander Sliwinski { Aug 6th 2008 at 9:00PM }

Massive Entertainment, makers of competent RTS games like World in Conflict and (personal favorite) the Ground Control series, looks like it's going to land on its feet as Actilizzard cleans house of many Sierra properties. The Swedish developer tells VG247 that it seems to have "plenty of options" and that it's had some good meetings, but it is currently in limbo.

The developer is currently working on the Xbox 360 and PS3 version of World in Conflict, called Soviet Assault, but Activision now owns the franchise, so there are some delicate issues that sound like they still need to be worked out. Well, we wish the studio the best, they've brought us many hours of gaming enjoyment.

World in Conflict: Soviet Assault video blends multiple genres

by Nick Doerr { May 3rd 2008 at 12:00AM }

It's not every day you hear a game being touted as "genre-defining" ... it seems our "sarcasm keyboards" aren't quite working. Sure, we hear it all the time, but World in Conflict: Soviet Assault has an interesting mix of genre to get our attention, as well as Joystiq's. Calling itself an "Action-Strategy" game, it eliminates the need to build bases or collect resources -- you've mainly got to deal with fast-paced action and split second strategies.

Imagine, if you will, an alternate Cold War where you're forced to battle the Soviets. The game boasts completely destructible environments and competitive online play (head-to-head and team-based) along with a hefty single-player campaign (from both the US and Soviet angles). In online play, you get your choice of a specialty: Infantry, Armor, Support, or Air. You'll get tweaked controls for console owners, offering more streamlined interfaces. In addition, a fully 3D camera lets you sweep around the world in any way you want as opposed to the typical isometric camera options.

Gallery: World in Conflict

Joystiq impressions: World in Conflict: Soviet Assault controls (360/PS3)

by Zack Stern { Apr 28th 2008 at 4:00AM }

If you remember World in Conflict from last year, expect more of the same in this fall's World in Conflict: Soviet Assault. If you don't remember it, you might have been washed over by a dozen other great games. The real-time battle strategy takes gamers into an alternate 1989; the Cold War turns into a firefight.

Two changes define this update: 360 and PS3 gamers can play, and a new campaign lets you play from the Soviet perspective. PC gamers who have the original can opt for a download-only Soviet expansion, while those new to the title can get a bundled, PC edition. Console gamers will get the full, original game in this version, too.

Continued →

World in Conflict console 'reinvention' subtitled Soviet Assault

by Christopher Grant { Mar 27th 2008 at 3:28PM }

The delayed (and further delayed) console port of World in Conflict is evidently making headway, ready to trade in its "just a PC-port" reputation for a shiny new subtitle. Allow us to introduce ... World in Conflict: Soviet Assault. But this ain't no simple re-titling.

As shown off in the latest issue of Official Xbox Magazine (Czech edition ... what, you're not a subscriber?), developer Massive Entertainment has managed to teach WiC: SA some new tricks. Of course, mapping the PC's mouse and keyboard controls to a gamepad is a given (and being handled by porting developer Swordfish Studios), but what about a new campaign (play as the Russians, tovarish), more multiplayer maps, and some shiny new cut-scenes? That's what the bean counters call a "value add." In case you've already invested in that PC version, you can add some value to it with an expansion pack. That pack, as well as the Xbox 360 and PS3 releases, are scheduled to assault the nation's (world's?) retailers this Fall.

World in Conflict announced for PS3

by Andrew Yoon { Feb 14th 2008 at 1:00PM }

The stellar PC strategy game, World in Conflict, has been announced for PS3 today. Formerly a Xbox 360 console exclusive, Sierra has rightly delayed console development to make sure both PS3 and 360 owners can enjoy one of the best RTS games of last year.

"World in Conflict was one of the best games on any platform in 2007 and its innovative action-focused gameplay makes it a perfect fit for the transition to consoles," said Martin Tremblay, president of worldwide studios, Sierra Entertainment. "World in Conflict is being reinvented for Xbox 360 and the PS3, with innovative features and new single player and multiplayer content created for the console audience. World in Conflict on consoles will be an amazing extension of an already great gaming franchise."

For the uninitiated, World in Conflict takes place in a fictional past, where the Cold War didn't end. As Russian troops surprise attack the West, players must use whatever they can to regain the initiative and fight back the massive Russian army. The game is being planned for console release this Fall.

World in Conflict console delay extends to Fall '08

by Christopher Grant { Feb 14th 2008 at 10:38AM }

Sierra just announced that their already delayed console port of PC real-time strategy slash tactical game World in Conflict would indeed be coming in 2008, as promised, but long after the originally planned November '07 release. The Xbox 360 and PS3 ports will be released this Fall (yup, that's one year later than you expected) with new single- and multiplayer content looking to make up for some of that delay. If it makes you feel any better, Martin Tremblay, president of worldwide studios, Sierra Entertainment, says the "franchise" is being "reinvented" for consoles. We're not really surprised they're planning to make more, but we still love when they call singular releases "franchises."

Gallery: World in Conflict PAX party

Writer's Guild of America announces nominees for game writing award

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Jan 15th 2008 at 7:30PM }

The only thing that's consistently more ham-handed and embarrassing than the writing in games is the writing about games. Unlike the latter, however, small glimmers of hope emerge every year with the few games that thought it wise to deliver engaging dialogue and thoughtful plotting. This year alone saw titles like Mass Effect, BioShock and Portal being praised for exceptional writing and the emotional heft it lent to gameplay.

Of course, none of those were nominated for the Writer's Guild of America's first ever Video Game Writing Award, but never mind. The winner to grace the stage during the Writer's Guild Awards held in Los Angeles on February 9, 2008, will be chosen from this list of witty nominees:

Crash of the Titans -- Written by Christopher Mitchell for Sierra Entertainment
Dead Head Fred -- Written by Dave Ellis and Adam Cogan for D3 Publisher
The Simpsons Game -- With lead writer Matt Selman, written by Tim Long and Matt Warburton, dialogue by Jeff Poliquin for Electronic Arts
The Witcher -- With lead story designer Artur Ganszyniec, dialogue by Sebastian Stepien, additional dialogue by Marcin Blacha and writers Sande Chen and Anne Toole for Atari
World in Conflict -- Story design by Christofer Emgard, story consultant Larry Bond and script consultant Ed Zuckerman for Sierra Entertainment.

A game's eligibility hinged on being released between Dec. 1, 2006, and Nov. 30, 2007, and credited writers must have been or applied to become members of the WGA's New Media Caucus. Though we're undecided about which game deserves to win, we're certain that highlighting and rewording the good righting in games are vary importent.

Our world will not be in conflict until 2008

by Dustin Burg { Oct 1st 2007 at 4:15PM }

Today, Sierra Entertainment sent word that their Cold War based RTS World in Conflict will not be releasing to the Xbox 360 this year and is instead being pushed back into 2008. World in Conflict is currently available on the PC and was originally slated for a November release on the 360 until today's delay news broke. But the delay may be worth the wait with reviews for World in Conflict generally favorable and it pulling in an average of 91 on metacritic. So, if Massive Entertainment does a good job of translating this RTS over to the conosle realm then World in Conflict just might be something of interest come 2008.