Joystiq

Slant Six Games rolls out 'temporary' layoffs again

Jessica Conditt — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:30:00 EST

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City developer Slant Six Games laid off some of its employees temporarily, intending to rehire all of the people once it secures new projects or funding, a representative told Games Industry today.

"This necessary measure has been taken to reduce the size of our team and to decrease interim operating costs while we continue to negotiate new business," Slant Six said. "Temporary layoffs provide us with a time period to keep everyone's employment position open with full benefits. The intention is to reinstate all of the people affected when new projects or funding has been secured."

Slant Six has used this temporary layoff method before: Once in April 2010, coinciding with rumors that Star Wars Battlefront Online was canceled, though all of those employees were rehired. In June 2012, following Operation Raccoon City's launch, Slant Six offered one fourth of its team a severance package or the temporary layoff route. There were 96 employees at Slant Six at the time, and before today's layoffs, the studio had 60 employees.

Under British Columbia law, the laid off employees retain benefits and collect employment insurance for 13 weeks, at which time the firing becomes permanent, unless they are rehired.

Slant Six Games rolls out 'temporary' layoffs again originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Star Wars Battlefront Online concept art leaked out

Mike Suszek — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 21:00:00 EST

Slant Six, developer of Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, was rumored to be working on Star Wars: Battlefront Online before being hit with layoffs in April 2010 (not to be confused with the studio's layoffs from June of this year). The rumored project was canceled, and leaked concept art pieces supposedly from that game were recently found by Siliconera, such as the one seen above, which can be seen at the source link below.

While it's nice to look at what could have been, Slant Six ultimately survived and launched free-to-play and Activision Mobile-published iOS game The Bowling Dead in late November this year.

Rumor: Star Wars Battlefront Online concept art leaked out originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 15 Dec 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, Street Fighter X Tekken are now Games on Demand

David Hinkle — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 23:00:00 EST

Xbox 360 users will find two new games available under the Games on Demand section of Xbox Live. Capcom has announced Slant Six's shooter Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City is available for download on Xbox Live alongside cross-over fighter Street Fighter X Tekken. Each will set you back $39.99 in the United States.

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City wasn't in the best shape when we reviewed it, but a patch issued back in June may have alleviated some of our issues. And as far as Street Fighter X Tekken goes, that thing's been patched up, down and sideways, and Capcom is promising a "hefty update" later on this year. There's also a new mobile version of Street Fighter X Tekken on iOS now, if you're more for fighting on the bus, train or - well, everywhere we guess since you won't stop staring at your iPhone.

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, Street Fighter X Tekken are now Games on Demand originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Oct 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City gets patched

Jordan Mallory — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 19:30:00 EST

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City has received a patch, one that addresses issues with the game's online matchmaking system and AI, as well as various other fixes, according to a post at Capcom Unity. The post didn't elaborate on how exactly the matchmaking system has been changed, just that "matchmaking from invites" has been improved, as have ally and enemy AI behaviors.

More fundamental gameplay changes have also been made: Players can now pick up items while dashing and take cover immediately after a dive, for instance, and "various elements of weaponry, including ammo count, knockdown distance, weapon respawn times" have been changed in undisclosed ways. Peep the full list of changes after the break.

[Thanks, Gregory!]

Continue reading Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City gets patched

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City gets patched originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 17 Jun 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Slant Six hit with layoffs post-Raccoon City

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 11:30:00 EST

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City developer Slant Six has been hit by layoffs, cutting a quarter of its staff. GameSpot reports the Vancouver-based studio of 96 employees gave a fourth of the team the option to take a severance package or accept a temporary layoff, while it attempts to pick up projects. If the temporarily laid off aren't rehired in 13 weeks the unemployment becomes permanent.

"We must stress that these are temporary layoffs, which means we are working very hard on new business prospects so we can reinstate every single person affected," a company statement reads. "As an independent and close-knit studio it is a very difficult but necessary business measure due to the current project cycle demands."

The developer is currently working on two projects, one of them is a contract with a "major publisher," and the other is its first self-published title, Strata Scavenger, a downloadable post-apocalyptic flight simulation for PC and consoles.

Slant Six hit with layoffs post-Raccoon City originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Jun 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Slant Six outs first original IP, Strata Scavenger

Jessica Conditt — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 19:30:00 EST

The developer of Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, Slant Six Games, isn't letting a few underwhelming reviews bring it down, boldly moving on with an announcement of its own original IP, Strata Scavenger. Strata is due out in 2013, according to its Slant Six product page, which features a single image, seen to the left, of a futuristic aerial device patrolling a fiery cityscape.

Strata is Slant Six's first original IP, backed in part by the Canadian Media Fund, who handed over $1 million to see the title created "based on its creative and technical innovation," its description reads. Slant Six worked previously on Socom Confrontation, Fireteam Bravo 3 and Tactical Strike, before tackling Operation Raccoon City -- into the ground, some would say.

There's a distinct berth between shooting zombies and participating in an interstellar, science-fictional universe, and perhaps Slant Six's new original title is the breakout we've all been waiting for.

Slant Six outs first original IP, Strata Scavenger originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City review: Evacuation plan

David Hinkle — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City assumes a lot about the player. It takes for granted that you already know the fiction going into the affair, that you already know about its character classes and that you already have people in mind for your squad. It thinks you know about the special abilities and unlockables of each class, and how to access that content, right from the start.

Those who missed out on Resident Evil 2 and 3 may not appreciate the small bits of fanservice developer Slant 6 Games has tossed in, but that's minor compared to how much context is missing elsewhere.

Gallery: Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City (10/31/11)

Continue reading Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City review: Evacuation plan

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City review: Evacuation plan originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch one RCPD member's demise in the latest RE: Operation Raccoon City trailer [update]

Ben Gilbert — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST

After seeing two RCPD officers get chased through the streets, vulnerable and injured in previous Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City vids, we finally see them meet their ultimate end in today's super long addition.

Update: This post originally stated that Resident Evil 4 star Leon S. Kennedy was killed during the clip, but apparently our eyesight is just really bad today. As it turns out, it's a RCPD officer -- not Leon -- taking a bullet to the head at 2:41. Please accept our apologies!

Watch one RCPD member's demise in the latest RE: Operation Raccoon City trailer [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City chasing down Leon on March 20, 2012

Ben Gilbert — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 12:30:00 EST

Grab your vial of T-Virus antidote and a swath of bullets, as Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City is set to launch just five short months from now on March 20, 2012. Unfortunately for PC owners, the wait will be a bit longer, as the game will initially launch on just Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, with the PC version launching at an unnamed date after that.

Beyond revealing the launch date, Capcom also ran down the contents of the game's "Special Edition," which contains a "Steelbook with exclusive art," an "Umbrella Security Service" patch, a "stylized foil sleeve" (what?), a "Spec Ops Field Unit" patch, and eight bonus weapons. And hey, if you pre-order at GameStop, BestBuy, or Amazon, you'll snag yourself a bonus outfit for each of the game's playable characters. Maybe it'll make Bertha look less creepy, eh?

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City chasing down Leon on March 20, 2012 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 29 Oct 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Metapreview: Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 13:15:00 EST

That's right, folks, a roundup of previews. We're gonna be straight with you and outright say it -- we burn too easily! Our skin is delicate and important to us, and as such, we couldn't make it to Capcom's Miami-based press event last week to play, among other things, Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City. But these folks all did and they ... well, they sorta like it:

GamesRadar: "The focus on shooting, special abilities and co-op interaction is decidedly atypical for the RE universe; there's no conserving ammo, no turning with your tail between your legs, just balls-out violence against a sea of shambling undead. Yes, that does mean you can move and shoot at the same time, something even the action-heavy RE5 didn't support."
Eurogamer: "Capcom's idea was to create a dark, gritty shooter with smooth controls and a focus on multiplayer. It's not about fear any more ... The result is a fast-paced co-operative and competitive shooter ... It's impossible to overstate how different REORC feels compared to other Resident Evil games, even Resi 5. That is to say it feels like a third-person shooter, a SOCOM game. Your targeting reticule darts about the screen like a bee disturbed from its hive. Your character covers ground quickly with a simple click of the left thumb stick. Turning, the simple act of changing direction, feels responsive. From cover you can blind fire, lob grenades or pop in and out for deadly accurate shooting. And, shock horror, you can move and shoot."
IGN: "The game revisits one of the most iconic eras of the franchise, taking place entirely during Resident Evils 2 and 3, and specifically focusing on events in Raccoon City itself. While we've seen prequels (Resident Evil Zero) before, this time around players can actually change the storylines of previous games, even killing some of the series' biggest icons like Leon Kennedy. That immediately places Raccoon City in a bit of an 'alternate timeline' territory, though the game's producer told us new details about the Resident Evil world would be revealed. "
MTV Multiplayer blog: "I came away from Raccoon City with the impression that there was still a lot of work to be done. At present, it doesn't feel like much more than a reskinned SOCOM with zombies. If you're not a big fan of SOCOM, you're probably going to experience the same problems in RE:RC, namely the stilted controls and loose aiming mechanics."
Gallery: Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City (first screens)

Metapreview: Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City screens deployed

James Ransom-Wiley — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 12:27:00 EST

It doesn't look like the Umbrella Security Service team got much training before embarking on Operation Raccoon City. Taking a zombie hostage? Really? That's how you plan to negotiate with Mr. Leon S. Kennedy? Good luck with that.

Continue reading First Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City screens deployed

First Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City screens deployed originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City teaser trailer leaves Leon bemused

Christopher Grant — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:55:00 EST

Print media enthusiasts are already poring over exclusive details of Capcom's upcoming squad-based affair, Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, in PlayStation: The Official Magazine and Official Xbox Magazine, while the digerati have had to settle for ... well, getting all the details early online anyways.

And now, the internet wins again as Capcom's released a teaser trailer for RE:ORC. Some napkin math - 29.97 frames per second and 70 seconds of video - shows we're looking at about 2098 images in the below trailer. If each one of those is worth a thousand words, things aren't looking so good in Printlandia. Another place things aren't looking so good: Raccoon City.

Continue reading Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City teaser trailer leaves Leon bemused

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City teaser trailer leaves Leon bemused originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Squad-based 'Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City' detailed in new OXM

Randy Nelson — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EST

As we first heard late last year, Capcom is apparently putting a new twist on the Resident Evil franchise with the help of SOCOM: Confrontation dev Slant Six Games. Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, a squad based shooter, is reportedly the cover story of Official Xbox Magazine's May 2011 issue.

The issue, which StickSkills claims to have obtained from an unnamed newsstand (pictured above) that routinely sells issues early, supposedly details a game in which players take on the role of Umbrella Corporation special forces on a mission to clean up Raccoon City following the events of Resident Evil 2.

According to the site, the team will have access to "big guns" and employ a number of tricks to fool and manipulate enemies -- human or otherwise. Trying to kill series hero Leon Kennedy is said to factor into the game, with the possibility of friendly forces being deployed to protect him. Operation Raccoon City is reportedly in development for Xbox 360 and PS3, and is scheduled for release this winter.

When contacted, neither Capcom nor OXM could comment on this report. You can see the full cover image, provided by StickSkills, after the break. The issue is scheduled to hit newsstands, officially, on April 5.

Continue reading Report: Squad-based 'Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City' detailed in new OXM

Report: Squad-based 'Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City' detailed in new OXM originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: SOCOM's Slant Six working on multiplayer Resident Evil

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 09:30:00 EST

Known best for its work on the SOCOM franchise, Vancouver-based Slant Six Games is rumored be working on a forthcoming Resident Evil title for Capcom. The game is said to be named "Resident Evil: Raccoon City." According to a document handed to Kotaku, the unannounced RE title is team-based, with various Slant Six employees' LinkedIn profiles indicating the studio is working on an unannounced "multiplayer action game." The Slant Six official website indicates that "an amazing new project" is in development in conjunction with a "new publishing partner on a world class franchise."

For its part, Capcom maintains that it "does not respond to rumors and/or speculation," and Slant Six had yet to respond to request for comment as of publishing. Sharing one of its biggest franchises with a Western developer wouldn't be a new strategy for Capcom -- Dead Rising 2 was developed by Vancouver-based Blue Castle Games (which Capcom subsequently purchased), and Devil May Cry is now in the hands of Enslaved developer Ninja Theory.

Rumor: SOCOM's Slant Six working on multiplayer Resident Evil originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Slant Six enacts 'temporary' layoffs; Star Wars Battlefront Online rumored to be canceled

JC Fletcher — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 15:30:00 EST

SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo and Confrontation developer Slant Six has instituted layoffs, according to statements given to GameSpot by managing director Brian Thalken. Thalken called the dismissals "temporary," with the goal to bring back as many of the affected staff as possible at a later date. He did not specify just how many employees had been laid off, but said the company will continue to offer benefits to those affected.

"Our current project needs do not align with our current staffing levels," Thalken told GameSpot. The studio's last release was SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3 in February.

Additionally, Kotaku reports that, according to its sources, the rumored Star Wars Battlefront Online, which Slant Six was reportedly developing, has been canceled by publisher LucasArts. The game was never announced, and its existence was only suggested by an earlier rumor. As such, its possible relationship to the recent studio layoffs is unconfirmed. We've contacted Slant Six to clear up the issue.

Slant Six enacts 'temporary' layoffs; Star Wars Battlefront Online rumored to be canceled originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Apr 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3 requires PSN activation for online play

Griffin McElroy — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:50:00 EST

Sony's taking a fairly unconventional approach to putting a stop to piracy on the PSP platform. The recently released handheld shooter, SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3, comes bundled with a code which, once redeemed through the PlayStation Network, allows the player to access the game's online modes. Folks who purchase the game directly through the PSN are automatically online-enabled -- but those who nab the game illicitly won't have access to the code, and will have to shell out $20 to unlock a license which lets them play online.

Sony's John Koller recently spoke to IGN about the activation procedure, saying it's "a trial run for a new initiative we are exploring for the platform." Obviously, it's going to be very effective at sticking it to software pirates worldwide. Oh, and people who rent games over GameFly, and people who buy used games, and people who borrow games from their friends. That'll teach you, everyone!

SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3 requires PSN activation for online play originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3 (PSP)

Xav de Matos — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:45:00 EST

The SOCOM series traditionally focuses on tactical decision-making rather than big action; large set piece battles become few and far between when players utilize the correct tactics to mechanically disable the opposition. In SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3, the careful execution of enemy forces still exists, but in the end, most missions boil down to the same tactic found in other shooters: survival.

In Fireteam Bravo 3, the SEALs have infiltrated an action movie and there's no turning back.

Gallery: SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3

Continue reading Review: SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3 (PSP)

Review: SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3 (PSP) originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3 demo deploys Feb. 11

David Hinkle — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:15:00 EST

Gear up and get ready to roll out, soldiers. We've got a SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3 black-ops mission that needs the expertise of veteran men and women -- those who have played through not one SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo game, but folks who have also survived its sequel, SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 2. This isn't some kind of joke or theme in some blog post; you better be ready to put some foot-mobiles down.

Intel comes courtesy of PlayStation.Blog, which reports enemy units are on the move and should enter the DMZ any minute now. By Thursday, February 11, PSN will be crawling with hostiles, so safeties off, PSPs plugged in to charge and have your screen wipes at the ready. We're going to need maximum visibility for all our troops in the field.

SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3 demo deploys Feb. 11 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Star Wars Battlefront: Online in the works

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:20:00 EST

The development of Star Wars Battlefront III has been rocky, to say the least. Work began at Free Radical before Crytek snapped up the company, then the game was rumored to be in Rebellion's care before it eventually dropped from the face of the earth. Meanwhile Pandemic, the recently shuttered studio behind the first two games, apparently had nothing to do with the title at all.

The latest rumor, courtesy of Kotaku, puts development of a brand new Battlefront project, entitled Star Wars Battlefront: Online, in the hands of Slant Six Games and LucasArts. Slant Six is the studio behind several games in the SOCOM tactical-shooter series, making it a reasonable candidate for a Battlefront developer. The game will reportedly arrive in 2011 on PS3 and Xbox 360. It will focus on online play and, presumably, Star Wars. According to Kotaku, Star Wars Battlefront: Online is also the source of the Star Wars Battlefront III casting rumors that popped up last December.

Rumor: Star Wars Battlefront: Online in the works originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3 deployed February 16

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:30:00 EST

Hopefully, the third time is the charm for SOCOM Fireteam Bravo. After two delays, the Slant Six-developed co-op shooter is finally making its way to PSP on February 16 on both UMD and PlayStation Network.

As per usual, online multiplayer is central to the upcoming SOCOM sequel. Fireteam Bravo 3 will not only support sixteen player Infrastructure play, it also features four-player co-op -- a first for the franchise. Considering Slant Six's track record, it'll either play like the brilliant SOCOM Tactical Strike ... or like SOCOM Confrontation.

SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3 deployed February 16 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3 delayed one more time

Andrew Yoon — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:45:00 EST

News of yet another SOCOM delay should be unsurprising to those who have been following the franchise since Slant Six took the reigns from Zipper Interactive. Fans have only recently received the long-awaited SOCOM Confrontation 1.60 patch, one that fixed crucial game-crashing bugs; after months of suffering through bugs and game balance issues, Joystiq commenter Solace went so far as to call Confrontation a "glorified beta."

For reasons not yet revealed by SCEA, the upcoming PSP installment, Fireteam Bravo 3, has been pushed back from its already-delayed January 12 release date. Considering Sony's admitted failure at marketing the upcoming tactical shooter, a later date will certainly give the publisher more time to prepare the title for retail. A new release date will be announced "in the coming weeks," according to an SCEA rep, but we wonder if SOCOM fans will have any patience left when that day comes.

SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3 delayed one more time originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SOCOM Confrontation 1.6 patch now available

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:15:00 EST

Done with the MAG beta? Bored? Well, you could always jump back into SOCOM Confrontation, especially now that the long-teased 1.60 update is live. Highlights from 1.6 include the addition of new special forces: Dutch KCT and the Italian COMSUBIN Special Forces teams, each equipped with unique weapons, and four new weapons for all players: the 9mm Sub and M82A1A for the Mercenaries and the AK-74 and SR-25 for the Commandos.

In addition to the new content, the 1.6 patch fixes a number of bugs ranging from serious "players were being booted out of the game to the XMB while loading into and during gameplay" to minute. The full patch notes can be seen on SOCOM.com.

[Thanks to everyone that sent this in!]

SOCOM Confrontation 1.6 patch now available originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stack 'em up and watch this Socom: Fire Team Bravo 3 dev diary

Xav de Matos — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:15:00 EST

Hold on to your helmets, soldiers, because SOCOM: Fire Team Bravo 3 is breaching stores on January 12, 2010, and the game's dev team is excited. How excited? Excited enough to sit in front of a camera and talk about the PSP title's action-packed story and "authentic" gameplay. SOCOM: Fire Team Bravo 3 is set to continue the series' (sadly forgettable) storyline and includes online co-op and over 70 weapons to show terrorist scum who's boss.

Stack 'em up and watch this Socom: Fire Team Bravo 3 dev diary originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3 also joins the Q1 party

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:15:00 EST

Just when you thought those Q1 delays were over, SCEA comes in with a surprise. The upcoming SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3 for PSP will miss its original late November release, and will instead come out on January 12th, 2010, two weeks before Zipper deploys MAG on PS3.

SCEA Senior Producer Mark Rogers says that developer Slant Six is not responsible for the delay and "development is on schedule." Instead, Rogers blames marketing, saying "some high value visual assets (screens and video) have only recently been made available to global marketing and we have decided to move the release and allow time to get the word out to everyone." So, although assets have been available since April, marketing hasn't received them until "recently." We're not entirely sure how this makes sense, but the end result is clear: you'll be waiting longer for this game, as someone gets their act together.

Gallery: SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3

SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3 also joins the Q1 party originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cold Front DLC sweeps across SOCOM: Confrontation

David Hinkle — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 06:00:00 EST

Listen up, soldiers -- we've got new intel from the PS Blog on the enemy and it appears your unique set of SOCOM: Confrontation skills are needed in the snow-covered lands of eastern Europe. If you've got the mettle, we'll be taking the fight to the enemy in five new warzones: Uprising; Entrapment; Blizzard; Night Stalker; and Vigilance -- two of which are brand new zones of conflict while the remaining three war zones are from previous SOCOM campaigns. We'll also be needing those of you brave enough to enlist to hit the books and gain intel on Arms Run, an all-new multiplayer mode where players must destroy or activate a series of dynamically placed missile silos.

Considering we're tossing you out into these icy, blinding conditions, we're also providing you with more than the fancy white goose-down gear you see above (we pay extra for goose feather because we care): soldiers who enlist in the new Cold Front DLC pack will also gain access to a new thermal scope attachment, allowing you to spot the enemy much more effectively. You'll be dealing with the Russian Spetsnaz in these new areas, soldier -- so we're also going to give you some new weapons, ordinance and the option to choose primary and secondary specializations with unlockable equipment unique to the specific skill set you choose.

Finally, the bad news: due to the current economic conditions affecting the country, you'll need to help us recoup some of the cost of ~~keeping the war machine oiled up~~ trying to make a better tomorrow. As such, all soldiers who sign up for Cold Front will be required to pay an initial fee of $14.99 -- however it'll only set back our most dedicated troops $9.99 if they sign up in the first 24 hours, the SOCOM Blog reports. The information on when Operation: Cold Front DLC will deploy is currently on a need-to-know basis and we'll be sure to let you know when you need to know.

Cold Front DLC sweeps across SOCOM: Confrontation originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 17 Oct 2009 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3 reporting for duty late Nov.

David Hinkle — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EST

Atten-hut! Upcoming PSP title SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3 has just been cleared for deployment. On November 24, several strategic retail locations will become targets of tactical invasions. These may include actual Targets. Once on the shelf, the title should be able to blend in amongst the other games. So, in preparation of Operation SOCOM Release, your orders are to form a squad and gear up. Your country needs you!

And, if you want to be all you can be, note that SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3 has some incentives for pre-ordering. If you purchase early at select retails or pick up the game via PSN during the first 30 days following release, you'll get access to some specialized troops: the Kommando Speizialkrafte and Special Air Service, the former being an operative "under the Special Operations Division" and the latter being an elite British soldier who is "the template by which other Special Forces are organized." Each comes armed with the F2000 assault rifle and AS-50 BMG sniper/anti-material rifle, respectively.

SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3 reporting for duty late Nov. originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Uncharted, SOCOM Confrontation going Greatest Hits on August 16

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:53:00 EST

According to a recent Sony press release, two more best-selling PS3 titles are getting the ol' "Red Box" treatment. Beginning Sunday, August 16, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune and SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation (sans headset) will reach "Greatest Hits" status, dropping their respective MSRPs down to a reasonable $29.99.

Fans of the SOCOM series will likely be thrilled about Confrontation's markdown -- but every self-respecting PS3 owner needs to have Uncharted in their collection. Now that you can make that happen with just a Hamilton and a Jackson, you've really got no reason to go without.

Uncharted, SOCOM Confrontation going Greatest Hits on August 16 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SOCOM Confrontation bigger online than Killzone 2, Sony producer says

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:19:00 EST

What's the biggest online game on the PS3? No, it's not Killzone 2. No, it's not even Resistance 2. According to SCEA senior producer Mark Rogers, SOCOM Confrontation stands above both of Sony's high-profile first-party FPS offerings by having the most simultaneous online connections on the PlayStation Network. He attributes Confrontation's success to the community's commitment to the franchise. Whereas other gamers may play an online game for a few weeks and move on, SOCOM fans have proven to be far more dedicated (despite the game's ... troubled launch).

The devotion of the SOCOM community will be rewarded by an upcoming patch, Rogers promises. While the Slant Six team has been largely quiet about progress on the patch, he says the massive scale and scope of the patch has led to an extended testing cycle. With the promise of DLC in the future, it's clear that SOCOM addicts will find even more reason to avoid playing other games for a long time.

SOCOM Confrontation bigger online than Killzone 2, Sony producer says originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 10:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SOCOM: Confrontation DLC available later this summer

Xav de Matos — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EST

SOCOM: Confrontation will soon join the DLC fold, with new content scheduled to drop later this summer. While details on the new content are slim, the game's official site promises more information will be made available in the upcoming weeks. What we do know is the content will include a new area of operation, a new game mode, along with new maps (teased in the tiny image above), characters, weapons and attachments.

Audiophiles will also be happy to hear the game's music will be updated and players can select a new voice-over when the content arrives. Now that SOCOM: Confrontation has evolved beyond its original feature-sparse retail release, we're excited for new ways to get tactical on our online enemies.

SOCOM: Confrontation DLC available later this summer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SOCOM 1.60 patch gives players free DLC

Andrew Yoon — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EST

With SOCOM's 1.50 patch finally "feature complete," the guys at Slant Six decided to announce plans for patch 1.60. The release will add new Special Forces to the game: the Dutch KCT and the Italian COMSUBIN. Each Force will include new heads, voices and outfits. Each of the Forces will also don special weapons: the 417 assault rifle for the Dutch KCT and the SPAS 15 shotgun for the Italian COMSUBIN Special Forces.

Additionally, four new weapons will be available to all players with the 1.60 patch. These are the 9mm Sub Machine Gun, M82A1A, Ak-74 and SR-25. The patch will also include a number of weapon updates and adjustments to existing weapons.

Beyond patch work, Slant Six has also been working on "a major content release/pack," which will be revealed later this month.

[Thanks, Tim B.!]

SOCOM 1.60 patch gives players free DLC originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3 features four-player co-op campaign

David Hinkle — Thu, 28 May 2009 16:45:00 EST

It's true, the third installment in the SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo series will feature four-player co-op through the game's campaign, which is nice if you actually have three friends and don't just pay random strangers to stand around you sometimes. The feature will be available in both Ad Hoc and Infrastructure mode, so you can all hang on the couch and play, or you can use the wonders of the internets to get some people together online. Also, when playing co-op, all missions will be unlocked and available for selection, so you don't have to worry about that jerk Donny's lack of progression getting in the way of the group's fun.

SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3 is currently slated for a Winter 2009 release.

Gallery: SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3

SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 3 features four-player co-op campaign originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 May 2009 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3 trailer: less tactics, more strike

Andrew Yoon — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:35:00 EST

PSP owners have been rather divided by Slant Six's previous PSP game, SOCOM Tactical Strike. Much to the dismay of series regulars, the military strategy game relied too heavily on "thinking" instead of "shooting." Looks like Slant Six is rectifying that for its upcoming Fireteam Bravo 3.

The debut trailer for Fireteam Bravo 3 shows Slant Six's amazing PSP engine returning for a game that looks far more action-packed than the previous handheld outings. In addition to the standard multiplayer the franchise is known for, Fireteam Bravo 3 will expand the series by offering cooperative online play. This first trailer certainly has us excited. Check it out after the break.

Gallery: SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3

Continue reading SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3 trailer: less tactics, more strike

SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3 trailer: less tactics, more strike originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3 coming to PSP

Andrew Yoon — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:05:00 EST

It's been a while since the PSP saw a real SOCOM game. Fireteam Bravo 2 released in 2006 and successfully delivered a 16-player online experience on-the-go. Fireteam Bravo 3 is being worked on by Slant Six, the same team behind the lackluster SOCOM Confrontation on PS3 and the sublime SOCOM Tactical Strike on PSP. The original SOCOM developers, Zipper Interactive, are undoubtedly too busy working on MAG to place their efforts on a handheld SOCOM.

New to Fireteam Bravo 3 will be the ability to play missions with other players. The story will take operatives on a quest to find ex-KGB agent Alexander Gozorov, believed to be holding information on an upcoming attack with WMDs. In addition to the campaign, players will also be able to compete online, communicate via voice chat, battle for medals and earn ranks on the online leaderboards. A teaser trailer for the game will be released tomorrow, so stay tuned.

Gallery: SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3

[Thanks, Oizu!]

SOCOM Fireteam Bravo 3 coming to PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SOCOM Confrontation gets 1.41 patch

Majed Athab — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 16:00:00 EST

Slant Six released a version 1.41 patch for SOCOM: Confrontation this morning. It's available for download right now and fixes some of the game's slowdown issues. It also adjusts some minor display settings and tweaks a bit of the gameplay.

The last patch for Confrontation was the 1.30 update in January, which added Trophies. So, why are we now on 1.41 without a 1.40 update? Slant Six had this to say: "The 1.40 was intended to support the European release, we combined the 1.40 and the 1.41 together to speed the deployment of the above fixes." Check after the break for the full list of patch notes.

Continue reading SOCOM Confrontation gets 1.41 patch

SOCOM Confrontation gets 1.41 patch originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SOCOM: Confrontation 1.30 patch finally brings Trophies, Party system, bug fixes

Christopher Grant — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 17:22:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3

If you've been putting off SOCOM: Confrontation until developer Slant Six worked out all the bugs (oh, and added a Quick Match/Party system ... and Trophies), then today's your lucky day, friend. The long anticipated 1.30 update was pushed out early this morning, bringing with it the aforementioned features and fixes. Will it be enough to restore Sony's once-proud franchise to the top of your multiplayer shooter-heap? We won't pretend to know the answer to that, so we'll ask you. Is SOCOM back in action?

SOCOM: Confrontation 1.30 patch finally brings Trophies, Party system, bug fixes originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 17:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SOCOM 1.30 patch brings Trophies and more tomorrow

Alan Tsang — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:45:00 EST

Filed under: Game Patches

SOCOM: Confrontation's highly-anticipated 1.30 update, which has been met with delay after delay, will finally be released on January 9th, at 5AM EST/2AM PST. Hey, that's in a couple of hours! The patch brings with it Trophies (a list of them can be viewed here), D-pad lean-in, a Quick Match/Party system, as well as key bug fixes and new features.

The update will take an hour or two to happen, so the game will be down until approximately 7AM EST/4AM PST. And ouch -- this patch will also wipe out all player statistics.

It's been a long time coming, Slant Six! Let's hope everything goes smoothly.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

SOCOM 1.30 patch brings Trophies and more tomorrow originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Quick match, party functionality coming to SOCOM: Confrontation in patch 1.30

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sony PlayStation 3, Action

Try and stay SOCALM as we relay this exciting news! Sony's frequently updated SOCOM: Confrontation blog has been firing off tons of posts over the past two weeks releasing details about the trophy-infused "patch 1.30" that will eventually be making its way to the game. A recent entry into the blog revealed the addition of two oft-requested matchmaking features that are SOCOMpletely overdue -- a "quick match" mode and a party system which allows you to join games with groups of friends with ease.

The two features are actually linked -- selecting the quick match option will take you into a party lobby, where you and your PSN friend platoon can congregate. After your party is built, you can choose one of the three match types to join (16 v. 16 Ranked, Unranked and Respawn) and be automatically matched up against similarly skilled parties. However, no word has been given on a specific launch window for the much-anticipated patch -- SOCOMe on, Slant Six! The anticipation is killing us!

Quick match, party functionality coming to SOCOM: Confrontation in patch 1.30 originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 13 Dec 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SOCOM: Confrontation 1.30 patch adds in D-pad lean-in

Majed Athab — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:45:00 EST

Filed under: Game Patches

We've brought word previously that SOCOM: Confrontation was getting a 1.30 patch to fix a large set of bugs and add in tons of community-requested features, including Trophies. You can find a whole list of those changes here. However, the v1.30 patch will also be adding more than just the previously revealed content. The patch will also add in the ability to use the D-pad for the lean-in feature, instead of using the regular Sixaxis controls. Players can toggle between the two options in the middle of battle as seen in the clip above. Also featured in video (after the break), SCEA and Slant Six shows off the new transparent scoreboard.

However, there's still no mention of a release date for the v1.30 patch. Fans have been waiting for the patch since news first came out nearly a month ago, and hopefully, they won't have to wait much longer.

Continue reading SOCOM: Confrontation 1.30 patch adds in D-pad lean-in

SOCOM: Confrontation 1.30 patch adds in D-pad lean-in originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SOCOM: Confrontation team working on next patch with Trophies

Majed Athab — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Game Patches

SOCOM: Confrontation didn't launch with Trophies; instead, it shipped with a lot of bugs. Slant Six even admits that "the launch was pretty rough on all of us." However, with patch 1.20 already out fixing a majority of the problem issues and a 1.30 patch coming soon, things are turning around.

In fact, the much coveted Trophy support is said to arrive in the upcoming 1.30 patch, among other new features. You can find a list of all the new features and bug fixes for the new update after the break. The crew notes, however, "that some items listed may be delayed to a following update if additional development is required beyond what our schedule for the 1.30 update allows." That means, don't take it as a 100 percent guarantee.

[Thanks Ryan and DeforMAKulizer!]

Continue reading SOCOM: Confrontation team working on next patch with Trophies

SOCOM: Confrontation team working on next patch with Trophies originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SOCOM: Confrontation Public Beta Manual is a bit late

Alan Tsang — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: e-Distribution Games, News

It has been 10 days since the start of the SOCOM: Confrontation beta, but Slant Six has finally provided a manual for us. We are not sure why this wasn't provided on or before the day the public beta was released, but better late than never, we suppose. Check out the manual here.

Those of you who are looking forward to another patch for the beta shouldn't have to wait much longer -- another patch is in the works and the focus of it will be to resolve the following issues:

Abnormally long network synchronization issues when some users in a game have a poor network connection. This issue causes 4-7 minute (or longer) load times when late joining a game.
An issue where respawn game late joiners were sometimes stuck in spectator mode and could not respawn into the game.
Remove the latency detection network test which is causing some users with poor network connections to receive the network latency icon (red X).

We'll provide you with an exact release date as soon as the information is available.

[Via SOCOM.com]

SOCOM: Confrontation Public Beta Manual is a bit late originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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