Author - Jerry Paxton

Bungie Discusses Leaving Microsoft

2007/10/06
Jerry Paxton
News

1up has posted the highlights of q&a with Bungie’s Community Lead Brian Jarrard.

From the article:
‘1UP: Is Bungie now contractually obliged to give Microsoft first-look on future titles, Halo-related or otherwise?

Jarrard: We aren’t at liberty to discuss the specifics of this business arrangement but suffice it to say that we look forward to continuing to work with Microsoft as a great partner and world class publisher.

1UP: For all the super fans: does this mean Bungie won’t work on whatever ‘Halo 4’ turns out to be?

Jarrard: Well we are already at work on another Halo game — I wouldn’t call it ‘Halo 4’, but it is based in the Halo Universe and represents a collaboration between Bungie and Peter Jackson. Halo 3 was definitely not the last Bungie Halo game.

1UP: And perhaps most importantly, this means we’re going to finally see some progress on Pimps at Sea, right?

Jarrard: Fortunately, Bungie LLC does retain ownership of the Pimps at Sea franchise so anything is possible! ‘

Mass Effect CE Goodies

2007/10/05
Jerry Paxton
News

1up has posted the contents of the collector’s edition of Mass Effect, the next BioWare RPG in the pipe. It will include a ‘Galactic Codex: Essentials’ book that sounds like it will serve as a sort of encyclopedia for the world of Mass Effect. There will also be an art book, and a 2nd DVD included with featurettes on the game’s art and storytelling.

Microsoft Confirms Bungie Split

2007/10/05
Jerry Paxton
News

Gamasutra is reporting that Microsoft has officially announced Bungie to be ‘on a path to become an independent company’.

Microsoft Game Studios president Shame Kim said that Microsoft would support Bungie’s ‘desire to return to its independent roots,’ but made clear that the move didn’t mean an end to the Halo franchise.

‘We will continue to invest in our Halo entertainment property with Bungie and other partners, such as Peter Jackson,’ said Kim, ‘on a new interactive series set in the Halo universe. We look forward to great success with Bungie as our long-term relationship continues to evolve through Halo-related titles and new IP created by Bungie.’

Watch your naughty bits, iPod owners!

2007/10/05
Jerry Paxton
News

Action News in Atlanta reports on a man who claims his iPod Nano (which was in the front pocket in the pants he actually had on his legs) burst into flames!  

According to the victim, the flames lasted about 15 seconds (what the hell was he doing?  watching them?) and came up to his chest.

The lithium-ion battery used in iPods is similar to those recently recalled in laptops due to fire risk.  Apple has vowed to replace the man’s iPod but refused to comment further about this incident.

NC Soft Gives Birth to Carbine Studios

2007/10/04
Jerry Paxton
News

Gamasutra is reporting that NC Soft has recently created Carbine Studios in Aliso Viejo, CA. Made up of 17 former Blizzard employees and former Fallout programmer and designer Tim Cain among others. Currently Carbine Studios is working on an unannounced MMO for NC Soft.

Tabula Rasa Delayed Until Nov 2nd

2007/10/04
Jerry Paxton
News

Joystiq is reporting that Lord Garriot’s Tabula Rasa is being delayed from the October 19th release date to November 2nd. The official press release states, ‘This short but critical amount of time will give us time to address several issues including stability and balance as well as allowing our players to test the continent of Ligo (L38+) and our major changes to crafting for a few weeks rather than a few days.’

Belkin Launches n52te SpeedPad

2007/10/04
Jerry Paxton
News

Belkin has released their n52te SpeedPad, the latest in a line of one-handed controllers designed to put everything a gamer needs right at his or her fingertips. We are currently attempting to obtain one for evaluation and will let you know more when we do.