Well, I never played Starcraft, but everyone in the office loves Starcraft 2. In fact, we just launched two separate websites to support the game: SC2mapster.com and SC2replayed.com
Starcraft. Don't get me close to that game. I remember I was addicted to it as if it was crack. It took ALOT to break the addiction...I'm sweating just talking about it...how is it?
MW2 will be out 11/10/09 as you can see form this teaser trailer, can't wait to see a real trailer. Also COD the PC only first game will be coming to XBLA and PSN, not sure when though.
I wanted to give you the heads up on a lot of cool changes coming to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare multiplayer for the Xbox 360 in the month of December. Before you ask, there is no ETA on these changes, most are included in the upcoming patch, with all the playlists stuff happening independently at some point in the near future.
All of these changes are thanks to YOUR direct feedback and suggestions through Xbox.com forums, emails, IMing me personally, and any other way you managed to get your feedback to us. So what can you expect?
Multiplayer Playlist Changes:
The multiplayer playlists in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare are always evolving based on community feedback and stats we track behind the scenes. We're focused on constantly keeping the game fresh and tweaking it based on your feedback, so expect the following Playlist changes to be hitting soon:
Team Deathmatch
* Map Added to Rotation: Showdown - now available in map rotation.
Mercenary Team Deathmatch
* Brand New Playlists: No Clans / Parties allowed. * Players who don't want to be matchmade with clans (or people in parties) can team up with fellow lone wolves and play some TDM.
Free-for-All
* Map Added to Rotation: Showdown - now available in map rotation. * Score Limit Change: 100 Points
Domination
* Map Added to Rotation: Ambush - now available in map rotation. * Map Added to Rotation: Bloc- now available in map rotation. * Map Added to Rotation: Pipeline - now availalbe in map rotation.
Ground War
* No changes.
Sabatoge
* Map Added to Rotation: Showdown - now available in map rotation.
Headquarters
* Map Added to Rotation: Ambush - now available in map rotation. * Map Added to Rotation: Bloc- now available in map rotation. * Map Added to Rotation: Pipeline - now availalbe in map rotation.
Search and Destroy
* Map Added to Rotation: Showdown - now available in map rotation.
Team Tactical
* Map Added to Rotation: Ambush - now available in map rotation. * Map Added to Rotation: Bloc- now available in map rotation. * Map Added to Rotation: Pipeline - now availalbe in map rotation.
Hardcore Team Deathmatch
* Brand New Playlist: 100% Hardcore Team Deathmatch Only * No longer switched between Hardcore Search and Destroy and Hardcore Team Deathmatch * Map Added to Rotation: Showdown - now available in map rotation.
Hardcore Search and Destroy
* Brand New Playlist: 100% Hardcore Search and Destroy Only * No longer switched between Hardcore Search and Destroy and Hardcore Team Deathmatch * Map Added to Rotation: Showdown - now available in map rotation.
Old School
* Rule Set Change: Free-for-All Only w/ Old School Rules * Increased Health (slightly) * No Health Re-gen * Score Limit Change: 100 points * Map Added to Rotation: Showdown - now available in map rotation.
Cage Match
* Rule Set Change: No Longer Old School Mode * 1 v 1: Normal Rules * Map Added to Rotation: Countdown - now availalbe in map rotation * Map Added to Rotation: District - now available in map rotation
Oldcore
* Playlist Removed
Team Objective
* Playlist Removed * All gametypes included now available individually.
Upcoming Patch Updates (Seperate from above Playlist changes):
Addition of Host Migration
* If Host of lobby leaves, all players will be deposited back to the lobby where next best host will be selected before new game restarts. Players will no longer be kicked out of game entirely.
Improved Network Performance For Larger Games
* 18 player games now require more bandwidth to host, resulting in smoother performance for players.
Optimized Server Selection for First Match
* Server selection is now optimized to select best bandwidth servers associated by LSP.
Updated Spectator "Chase Cam"
* Change Spectator Mode: Switch between First Person and Third Person. * 360 Degree rotation around character you're spectating.
Fixed "Playlist Older Than Host" Error
* Player will no longer get error when entering games.
Optimized Corrupt Create-a-Class Handling
* Players will no longer be kicked from game when their create-a-class data is corrupted.
Added Kill Cam To Everything
* Kill Cam view Added: Air Strike Bombs (Follows bomb from plane to target) * Kill Cam view Added: Grenades (Follows frag from hand to ground, then rotates to view target) * Kill Cam view Added: RPGs (Follows RPG from launch to target) * Kill Cam view Added: M203 Rounds (Follows round from launcher to target) * Kill Cam view Added: Claymores (Views from behind claymore until explosion) * Kill Cam view Added: C4 Packs (View from pack rotating to watch target) * Kill Cam view Added: Martrdom (View from grenade rotating to watch target)
* Added a minimum of 9 extra start spawns on each side of all maps.
Optimized Sniper Rifle / ACOG Scope Accuracy
* Sniper Rifles and ACOG scope accuracy improved due to fix.
Fixed Weapon Sprint Bug
* Bug which gave players more sprint when using particular weapons.
Thanks again for your constant feedback and support of the game, keep in mind that playlists are constantly evolving, so everything is subject to change based on feedback and results. If we feel something isn't fun or based on your feedback we'll continue to change it up and I'll continue to keep you in the loop.
Thanks everyone.
(The Playlist changes apply to both the 360 and the PS3 versions, but the PS3 will have different patch changes listed below)
The first patch will be a Optimized Connection Patch, First the troubleshooting, those of you experiencing connection issues should check your router and make sure the following ports are OPEN:
Port: 3075 UDP 3074 UDP
This is the cause of why your Xbox 360 may work online, but your PS3 would not, as the Xbox 360 uses Port: 3074 UDP which is default open for Xbox Live compatible routers, however the PS3 version is using BOTH Port: 3075 (which is default closed for the majority of routers) and 3074 which should be default open.
Please ensure your router has 3075 UDP and 3074 UDP open, information on how to open ports on your router should be found in your individual router's manual or website. This is a temporary solution, the optimized connection patch will fix this automatically once it's released.
Now for the Optimized Multiplayer updates, we've taken a lot of your community feedback and have been working on a patch for the PS3 version which we plan to release once complete, no ETA on when it will come out as it has to go through certification with Sony, however the update will address and add the following:
Optimized / Fixed Sniper Rifle hit detection / accuracy
Identify party by Background Color (in Lobby)
Optimized Server selection for first match for better connections
Improved network performance for 18 player games
Optimized 'Chase Cam' when Spectating
Fixed Playlist error when attempting to join from other games
Handle Corrupt Create A Class data instead of kicking player
Added Kill cam to Airstrike bombs and Claymores
Added the ability to Mute Players on PS3
Added Recently Met Players on PS3
Tweaked the following Oldschool Mode Settings based on feedback: - Added Unlimited Sprint - Increased Magazine Size - Added Ragdoll Cam
The Hidden Fronts Multiplayer Map Pack will include four new maps (click name for a screen shot):
Bullet Marsh: In this Kryll-infested swamp, an old generator still powers the area lights. A few stray bullets could easily knock out the generator, leaving combatants to fend for themselves against the Kryll.
Garden: This overgrown and crumbling conservatory still has a working fertilization and pesticide system. This system can pose a serious hazard to anyone who ventures into the greenhouse without first venting the air.
Process: Teams must fight for control of this subterranean Imulsion processing plant, still active despite the cessation of the Pendulum wars.
Subway: Timgad's Central Subway station used to serve as a central hub for commuters. Now the tunnels are crawling with Locust.
The map pack goes on sale at 9 a.m. GMT on Thursday for 800 points, or you can just wait until Sept. 3 and get it for free.
The Gears of War update should be hitting sometime today with two new free multiplayer maps hitting Wednesday, according to Epic's Mark Rein. The patch includes quite a number of fixes and tweaks. Here's Rein's full break-down:
Fixed aspect ratio distortion when using VGA cable with 4:3 displays at resolutions higher than 640x480
Fixed voice issue with new players joining Player Match games in progress
Players can now get the Achievement for "Dish Best Served Cold" when using Troika turret to kill RAAM
Fixed rare situation where host could loop countdown and never start match
Fixed rare situation where players could get stuck after chainsawing in multiplayer
Reduced Grenade Tag melee distance
Enabled "Strict" NAT check on host to prevent possible connection issues
Optimized server browser queries to return results more quickly and prevent scroll bars from hiding quality of service icons
Reduced number of possible revives in Execution to match Warzone
Removed host name from Ranked match server browser
Disabled security cameras in Ranked matches
Ranked matches now require balanced teams (3v3 or 4v4)
Increased penalty for quitting a Ranked match to -50 points
Added additional cheat detection code
Additional housekeeping updates
Here's the official descriptions for Raven Down and Old Bones:
Raven Down: A Raven Helicopter has gone down in the middle of a large scale battle with the omnipresent Locust Horde. Gears have taken out the Seeder and gamers join Delta Forces moving into the crash site from all angles to search for survivors.
Old Bones: In an attempt to eradicate any traces of human history and culture, the Locust Horde has emerged under Sera's Capitaline Museums and has begun to destroy them brick by brick. Each gamer's mission is to help the Delta Force recapture the museums before all remnants of humankind's existence are obliterated.
The 360 versus PS3 argument often comes down to the question of hi-def DVD format. With neither Blu-ray nor HD DVD taking a clear lead in the format wars and consumers confused over which side they should back, in rides the white knight, Warner Bros. Next week at CES they plan to announce the Total HD disc, which is media capable of playing both HD formats, allowing studios to release one version of their productions instead of having to make two versions or worse, completely snubbing one install base altogether.
This is just brilliant, really. If the Total HD disc gains widespread acceptance then consumers won't be as wary of choosing a player, gamers can go back to arguing over games instead of movies, retailers will move more product, and neither HD DVD or Blu-Ray formats have to admit defeat by the other.
Finally someone is wrapping a cinematic single-player adventure around the spectacular action that the Battlefield series is known for! Who better to do this than the series’ parents themselves, Digital Illusions. Apparently the storyline follows a group of renegade military soldiers caught behind enemy lines in search of gold and revenge. The developers are using their own Frostbite game engine, and promise to provide players with a massively destructible playground to annihilate. You know what suckers we are for destructible environments!
Of course, the usual Battlefield trademarks of sandbox gameplay and a bevy of multiplayer options will be included. The game is being built from the ground-up for use on next-gen consoles, meaning that Digital Illusions is finally showing us the love we’ve so desperately yearned for.
