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Jade Empire: Special Edition goes gold
by Ludwig Kietzmann 
{ Feb 7th 2007 at 10:00AM }
The "Special Edition" part referring to the PC (and potentially politically correct) version of BioWare's KOTOR-but-with-Kung-Fu epic, Jade Empire. The 2K-published RPG, which now boasts higher resolutions, improved AI, an extra difficulty level, an art book and a poster, has officially gone gold and should be in North American stores by February 27th. Europe will receive the game a few days later on March 2nd. Of course, no Jade Empire press release is complete without referencing IGN's frothing demand for the 2005 Xbox release. It scored a 9.9, you know.
BioWare embracing episodic content for all future projects
by James Ransom-Wiley { Jan 18th 2007 at 10:25PM }
BioWare looks to start swinging episodes like it was 1993 again (LL Cool J? "Back Seat"? Too obscure?). The Mass Effect developer recently pledged to support all of its confirmed upcoming titles with post-release episodic content, including Dragon Age and Jade Empire: Special Edition. BioWare even claimed that its "other" (read: announced) titles would be treated to digitally distributed content, suggesting the studio's total adoption of a longevity model built on episodic releases. The strategy will span both "console and PC" platforms, confirmed CEO Ray Muzyka."Consoles," eh? Could BioWare be expanding its console development beyond Xbox 360? After all, a DS title is in the works.
Mass Effect combat video uses the force
by Richard Mitchell { Nov 16th 2006 at 11:30AM }
If you sat down last night to watch ... The G-Hole (shudder), expecting to see the new Mass Effect trailer, you were sorely disappointed. We have received word that trailer had to be cut due to time constraints. If you feel slighted, then fear not, for the trailer is available on MTV's cavernous flash site. If you'd rather not traverse such fetid places -- even if it is the only place you'll find the trailer in hi-res -- you can watch the YouTubified version after the break.
Mass Effect trailer debuts on MTV tomorrow
by Richard Mitchell { Nov 14th 2006 at 1:30PM }
It's been a long time coming. So long in fact, that we damned near fell out of our collective chairs when we found out there was actual news about Mass Effect. For those that don't know (or don't remember) Mass Effect is the latest RPG offering from Bioware, creators of hits Knights of the Old Republic and Jade Empire. Seriously, the last "news" we had about Mass Effect was a picture pack before X06. A picture pack! At any rate, the news is this: MTV will be featuring a new trailer for Mass Effect during tomorrow's episode of, ahem, The G-Hole (who comes up with these names?). The G-Hole, MTV's first show specifically about video games, will air tomorrow night at 8PM EST as part of MTV's Gamer's Week 2.0. The trailer, along with other exclusive Mass Effect content, will be available at Games.MTV.com after the television debut.
So, all you enterprising YouTubers out there, grab this trailer when it debuts so we won't have to wade through the flash based nightmare that is MTV's website. (Actually don't do that, because it's, like, totally copyright infringement or something. And don't think you can get away with it just because there's absolutely nothing we can do to stop you, either.)
Jade Empire's grand PC makeover
by Alan Rose { Oct 27th 2006 at 9:00PM }
BioWare's three-year absence from the PC (not counting those fine Neverwinter premium mods) is about to come to an end in January when the revamped Jade Empire ships. According to project director Diarmid Clarke, the 3 million-strong fan community asked for some overdue PC love, and the Canadian developer responded. Speaking with FiringSquad, Clarke discusses Jade's new levels and fighting styles, reveals a few new enemies, and explains the decision to recruit Gray Matter (Return to Castle Wolfenstein, Call of Duty: United Offensive) to assist with the port from Xbox.
The high-res coat of paint and enhanced effects are evident in the latest batch of screens, but it will be interesting to see if fans take their Chinese kung fu mythology with the fully customizable mouse and keyboard controls, or the more familiar Xbox controller. Which will you choose?
See also:
Mass Effect rumored for the PC
by Alan Rose { Oct 22nd 2006 at 3:22PM }
An article scan from the latest PC Gamer UK reveals that BioWare's Mass Effect could be heading to the PC. This is most welcome news for Windows gamers, but hardly surprising when you consider the Canadian developer's previous two Xbox titles followed the same path. Knights of the Old Republic started out as an Xbox exclusive, and its PC conversion followed four months later. Also, a special edition PC port of Jade Empire was announced at E3 and will ship in January.
Mass Effect doesn't arrive on the Xbox 360 until Q2, so we probably wouldn't see the rumored PC release until late next year. We'll let you know if we hear any confirmation details.
[Thanks to the readers who sent this in!]
2K Games publishing Civilization compilation, Jade Empire PC
by Ludwig Kietzmann { Sep 7th 2006 at 7:55PM }
For those discerning gamers who prefer to employ their hands in sculpting lives and constructing sprawling empires, 2K Games have announced the forthcoming release of a completely compelling compilation of Civilization games. Though the chosen title, Sid Meier's Civilization Chronicles, may lead you to believe that the package comprises a stack of yellow paper hastily scribbled upon by the esteemed Mr. Meier and thoroughly detailing his development trials, tribulations and battles with encroaching madness ... it actually just contains all the games in the series. Those would be:
- Sid Meier's Civilization I
- Sid Meier's Civilization II
- Civilization II: Fantastic Worlds
- Civilization II: Conflicts in Civilization
- Civilization II: Test of Time
- Sid Meier's Civilization III
- Sid Meier's Civilization III: Play the World
- Sid Meier's Civilization III: Conquests
- Sid Meier's Civilization IV
- Sid and Nancy's Civilization 2K6: Stoned Age (unconfirmed)
2K Games also revealed that they will be publishing the PC (that's personal computer, in this case) version of Bioware's martial arts RPG, Jade Empire. Picking it up in lieu of the April 2005 Xbox version will net you enhanced graphics and AI, new fighting styles, more monsters, an art booklet and an unusual desire to dispense flying kicks. Get it this January and struggle to find out why Sid Meier's Jade Empire isn't a real game.
Read -- Sid Meier's Civilization Chronicles press release
Read -- Jade Empire PC press release
Massively dark Mass Effect screens
by Richard Mitchell { Aug 2nd 2006 at 10:30AM }
CVG -- the folks that pseudo confirmed Assassin's Creed for the 360 -- has posted some screens of BioWare's Mass Effect. All of them appear to be taken from combat sections of the game, and all of them are pretty dark. Perhaps that's why the CVG article in question was down at the time of this writing. Luckily, QJ has done us all a favor and hosted the images themselves.
While you may not be able to make out much detail, you can at least rest assured that Mass Effect will feature super trendy nighttime levels. Lest these screens leave you doubting Mass Effect's graphical prowess, be sure and check out the video on XBLM, or right here. So, who wants this? (Me.)
Get your Mass Effect here! [update 1]
by Richard Mitchell { Jul 13th 2006 at 9:30AM }
If you haven't been able to grab the video on XBLM, or if your slavish devotion to X360F prevents you from checking it out on Joystiq, here is the recently released Mass Effect video. If I am not mistaken, it is rendered using something called "streaming" technology. Simply amazing.
So, if you've got four minutes to spare, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.
[Via Joystiq]
Update 1: Replaced not working Gamevideos video with reliable Youtube. Sweet.
Jade Empire on PC, Alienware giveaway
by Alan Rose { May 13th 2006 at 1:40PM }
This week at E3, BioWare announced they will be porting their Xbox hit Jade Empire to the PC. To commemorate the event, registered members of the Canadian developer's community site can enter to win an Alienware Area-51 5500 PC with Intel's Dual Core technology.
The updated version of Jade Empire will include shinier graphics and new fighting styles, as well as additional enemy types and increased difficulty levels. LTI Gray Matter has been tapped to handle conversion duties, but with Microsoft Game Studios out of the picture, BioWare is looking for a publishing partner to get the new and improved Jade out by year's end.
It will be interesting to see how the new keyboard control scheme works out for Jade's real-time combat. Hopefully, the transition will feel as natural as the turn-based fighting in KOTOR. For more information, check out GameSpot's first look from E3.
