operation-flashpoint-dragon-rising posts (Subscribe to this feed)

Report: Codemasters to secure new investor amid financial woes

by Ben Gilbert { Jan 20th 2010 at 1:00AM }

According to a recent report from the Times Online, UK-based publisher Codemasters is "close to securing" a new investor and will announce the mysterious source "shortly." The news is said to be paired with an upcoming balance sheet restructuring -- a necessity, we imagine, after less than huge releases last year like Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising, Fuel, and Damnation.

The report also indicates that current investors Balderton Capital and Goldman Sachs will "inject new funds" into the publisher, seemingly holding steadfast in their efforts to build up Codemasters as a major publisher in the global market. The two investment firms have already sunk £100 million ($163.3 million) into the company, so, um, well, maybe they know something we don't? We sure hope that's the case -- we certainly wouldn't want any of our golf buddies at Goldman Sachs to lose their bonuses.

Operation Flashpoint 'Overwatch' DLC on Xbox 360 today, PS3 & PC 'soon'

by David Hinkle { Dec 21st 2009 at 9:30PM }

The second wave of DLC has finally deployed for Codies' Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising on Xbox Live Marketplace, and where the first pack focused on more team-based content, this new DLC addition, dubbed "Overwatch," is -- uh, actually, it's more multiplayer stuff. It's kinda this game's thing, you know?

Overwatch adds two new multiplayer modes: Blindside and Supremacy. In the former, PLA players are tasked with accomplishing goals as quickly as possible, while the USMC players are charged with preventing the PLA team from achieving said goals. Supremacy pits players in a race to capture strategic checkpoints featuring "multipliers," including gun emplacements and air strikes.

And, just like the Skirmish DLC before it, Overwatch also packs two new Fire Team Engagement missions to play though: Friendly Skies and Hostile Takeover. You can get the new DLC on Xbox 360 today for 400

($5) -- PS3 players ($4.99) and PC gamers (free download) will have access "soon."

Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising DLC to add more multiplayer modes

by Randy Nelson { Nov 30th 2009 at 5:15PM }

It's Monday, and you know what that means -- it's ... Monday. Er, we mean it's time for news from the world of Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising! In this case, it's word that a second helping of DLC for Codemasters' hardcore military FPS is on the way. While the developer "can't give out too many specific details at the moment," Ian Webster, the game's community manager, has confirmed that "the pack will include amongst other things additional MP modes" on Xbox 360 and PS3.

More info on the content is promised soon. We hope you'll join our internet petition in the event the DLC doesn't introduce the ability to ride actual dragons into battle. (Ohhh ... never mind, it's Dragon "Rising.")

[Via VideoGamer.com]

Look flashy in incoming Operation Flashpoint Avatar duds

by Randy Nelson { Nov 18th 2009 at 4:15PM }

[Image Source]

It's a good thing our Avatars have endless walk-in closets, because there's yet more ~~wearable advertising~~ licensed clothing coming for them, this time from Codemasters and its military sim Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising. According to the game's community manager in a post on the Dragon Rising forums, the clothing will be available "soon" and start at the seemingly standard 80

($1) -- probably for one of the several T-Shirts.

Speaking of which, check out how gung-ho Dexter's sis, Deb, looks wearing one of them (right).

Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising getting DLC tomorrow

by Justin McElroy { Nov 4th 2009 at 11:15PM }

Tomorrow's one of those days when it'll be nice to be a PC gamer. Not only will you be able to get a title update for Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising (the full details of which are available here) you'll also be the first to get your hands on the "Skirmish" DLC, which includes four new multiplayer maps and two new Fire Team Engagement missions. The console title update (which you can read about about here) is due on the 360 tomorrow and on the PS3 "shortly after."

Moreover, when Skirmish is eventually released on consoles, it'll come with a price tag of 400 points ($5) on 360 and $3.99 on PS3. Sure, the price discrepancy will cause a flare up in the console war, but what do you care? You're a PC gamer. You rise above.

Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising DLC only 'weeks' away

by David Hinkle { Oct 14th 2009 at 10:30PM }

Ten-hut, soldier -- Codemasters' Sion Lenton reveals in an interview with Telegraph that the company is currently working on DLC for Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising and the first round will be available in "a matter of weeks." Lenton also says the company has "ambitious plans" for the game's DLC, though he only mentions the requisite weapon and map add-ons most shooters receive post-release.

The rest of the interview isn't a bad read; Lenton discusses how the idea to bring back the Operation Flashpoint series came about, why Codies went for consoles, the balancing act between keeping it a hardcore, realistic experience without making it too frustrating for gamers and planned Title Updates to keep the game balanced. We're glad he mentioned that last item, because we've heard some folks in the game's forums aren't all too happy with the experience right now.

[Via CVG]

FIFA 10 maintains top sales rank in UK, Operation Flashpoint debuts strong for Codies

by Alexander Sliwinski { Oct 12th 2009 at 7:00PM }

With FIFA 10's massive record-breaking debut last week, it's probably no surprise that the soccer title retained its spot atop the Chart Track's UK all formats sales chart. Despite the footie title's 64 percent sales drop, Codemasters' "biggest selling launch title" ever, Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising, grabbed the silver.

Meanwhile, Need for Speed: Shift-ed into gear and moved up to third, with Professor Layton stepping off Pandora's Box (Diabolical Box in the States) to fourth. Other notable debuts this week were DS titles Scribblenauts and Kingdom Hearts 358/2, which both drew some attention at the No. 15 and 17 spots, respectively. Halo 3: ODST continues its slow slide down the charts as it enters sixth place.

Source -- FIFA 10 does it again (Chart Track)
Source -- All formats chart (Chart Track)

Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising trailer is all about running, gunning

by David Hinkle { Oct 7th 2009 at 5:00AM }

Here at Joystiq, we take our duty to cover teh vidya gamez seriously, but one of our lesser jobs goes unnoticed. While we do our best to bring you the scoops and news you want, we also kind of see ourselves as paternal figures for these budding new titles. We coach games along through previews and hands-on sessions and we do our best to be honest about a game's flaws and the things that we like.

Now, with this final trailer to go along with the release of Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising today, we kind of feel like a parent sending off its kid to college, where it will undoubtedly learn the secrets of the world and not drink itself into a stupor. Fly free, Operation Flashpoint -- fly free!

Gallery: Operation Flashpoint Dragon Rising (10.06.09)

Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising multiplayer video ups the carnage

by David Hinkle { Sep 17th 2009 at 10:00PM }

Guys, if you haven't been keeping up with Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising, then brace your butt for the first glimpse at its massive multiplayer action. The latest trailer comes from the game's official site, and impresses us not only through the sheer scale of the maps shown, but also -- oh man, did you see that helicopter blow up everything?

Sorry, what were we talking about?

[Via Big Download]

Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising deploys October 6

by Randy Nelson { Jul 18th 2009 at 4:00AM }

Codemasters has announced an October 6 release date for the latest installment in its hyper-realistic modern infantry shooter, Operation Flashpoint. As you can see in the newly released footage of Dragon Rising, the weapons at players' disposals are formidable and the action intense, although we take some issue with Codemasters' assertion that the game is "as close to war [as players] will want to get." As a matter of fact, some gamers do want to get closer to war, which is why they enlist in the various branches of the US military. Well, except for the Coast Guard. (Just kidding, guys.)

New Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising trailer teases the teasing tease out of us

by Ben Gilbert { Jul 8th 2009 at 4:00AM }

If you're looking for a tease, look no further -- the trailer above for Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising is the very definition of tease. A full minute and a half of quiet preparation as a squad of soldiers sneak up on their enemies, picking off two guards with silenced weapons, before bedlam sets in.

In fact, we never get to see any of the insanity, as the trailer leaves us with just the phrase "Think you're ready?" Boo! Looks like we're stuck waiting for the game's fall release to see just how crazy OFDR will be.

Gallery: Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising

E3 2009 highlights: The Xbox roundup

by James Ransom-Wiley { Jun 12th 2009 at 11:45AM }

E3 was brütal! If you blinked, for a split/second, you missed something. Even if you were trine to keep up, it was a blur -- staying a.wake like that, you only pushed yourself to the brink of your own dark void. That's where Joystiq comes in; to crackdown on the madness; to reach out ... with conviction -- phew! Crysis averted.

We've scoured the dark corners and survived the inferno to piece together this roundup of all things Xbox at E3. Why? Just 'cause we love you. So, draw nier and shift your eyes past the break.

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Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising trailer shows off finer points of battle

by Ben Gilbert { Jun 2nd 2009 at 3:30AM }

For those of you waiting patiently for the "Fall 2009" release of Codemasters shooter Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising, we've got a special treat in video form just above. Focusing on the importance of every action in combat, the trailer leaves us expecting more of what fans have come to expect from the series: gritty, unapologetic realism. Though we're unfortunately not seeing the retail release 'til later this year, hopefully we'll get out hands on the game sometime this week during E3.

Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising later than expected

by JC Fletcher { May 7th 2009 at 9:45AM }

Codemasters' Operation Flashpoint not-a-sequel, Dragon Rising, was originally slated for Summer 2009. Judging by the newest trailer, released today, that dragon is proving harder to rouse than Codies previously estimated. At the end of the new "Skira Island" video -- which, by the way, is unusually mellow until the blowin'-up-tanks part, a "Fall 2009" date is given.

For a (guess at a) more specific date, we looked to retailers. GameStop lists the game's release date as September 1, while Amazon lists September 30. We've inquired about an official date with Codemasters, but until then, we can guess that it's somewhere in the "September" area.

Codemasters drops release windows for Dirt 2, Overlord II, Fuel, others

by Alexander Sliwinski { Feb 20th 2009 at 12:00PM }

Codemasters is avoiding the holiday rush by releasing several of its titles this year during the sleepy summer months (and for this, we thank them). The Overlord sequel, FUEL, and a little game that caught our eye, Jumpgate Evolution, all drop during low-pressure sales months. Codies will release DiRT 2 much closer to the holiday insanity:

DiRT 2 - September (X360, PS3, Wii, PC, DS, PSP)
FUEL - May (X360, PS3, PC)
Overlord II - June (X360, PS3, PC)
Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising - Summer (X360, "PlayStation system," PC)
Jumpgate Evolution - June (PC)

The original DiRT was a gem for race fans and FUEL looks interesting, but whether Overlord II receives the polish the first one was lacking is the real question (and hope). Check out the Overlord II trailer after the break.

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