You’d think Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game developers and publishers of video games could develop an entertaining and unique gaming experience. Well, guess what, you’d be wrong.
Do NOT buy Assassins Creed or Far Cry 2 instead try renting them out for a few days. You should notice that the gameplay is identical to the extent where you are forced into doing boring and repetitive tasks again and again.
Also, why does Ubisoft release so many sequels? Well, they’re a very greedy company and french but surely, as a global company they have some ‘talent’ that can come up with a unique game concept(s) instead of releasing tireless crap?
I’ve only played 23% of Far Cry 2 but I’m getting incredibly bored of it, however, I’m glad I didn’t waste forty quid on Far Cry 2. I’m thinking about giving it away or using it as a fizz bee but one thing is for sure, I’ll be avoiding Ubisoft at all cost’s from now on.
I’m not sure if I should drink this or not.
Yesterday afternoon I was given a code to use on the Xbox Live Marketplace. The code enabled me to download the new Call of Duty 4 maps. The Variety Map Pack took about twenty minutes to download and consists of four maps for the multiplayer aspect of the game. I’ve posted the official map descriptions with screenshots below:
Broadcast
With it’s size and alternate routes, Broadcast is a must for large team games. The multi-floored media facility overlooks a collection of buildings, perfect for sniper fire. With it’s multiple vantage points, tightly wound office spaces and roof-top access, Broadcast is sure to become a fan favorite.
Chinatown
A revision of the classic Call of Duty 2 map Carentan, Chinatown brings players into the foggy night life where the full moon lights the battle below. With multiple interiors, windows overlooking the courtyard and an intricate rooftop design, Chinatown is perfect for any size party and gametype.
Creek
A secluded village getaway doesn’t mean this creek is a nice vacation spot. With sniper friendly foliage, a deep ravine perfect for ambushes and an underground cave, Creek is an extensive map for large scale operations. Creek is a dream for an ambush plan, just hope you aren’t walking into one of your own.
Killhouse
An enclosed warehouse made up of plywood structures primarily used for S.A.S. speed tests, Killhouse is ground level carnage waiting to happen. You’d better enjoy respawning because in Killhouse you’ll always be coming back for more.
Once I had downloaded the new map pack, I had to download an update for the game. I didn’t have a lot of time last night but I was able to play the new maps briefly and I’m pleased the developers have created some great new content. Obviously, I need to spend a lot more time playing the maps to provide you with a detailed overview but I quite like ‘Broadcast’ and ‘KillHouse’ maps. ‘Creek’ is fun but that map is more geared towards snipers.
Also, Eurogamer has posted an interview with the developers and CLUK21 will be hosting a CoD4 tournament at their next LAN event. The Call of Duty 4 Variety Map Pack was released earlier this month via the Xbox Live Marketplace and costs 800 points.
Online retailer, Play.com held it’s first Play.com Live event at Wembley Stadium this weekend. I ventured over to Wembley yesterday and the event itself turned out to be alright, there were a lot of people packed into the exhibition halls of Wembley Stadium and numerous publishers were showcasing a number of pre-release games.
It was cool to catch up with the folks from Vivendi Games as well as TWNA. I love the fact that Vivendi had a giant Mr Stay Puft Marshmallow man greeting gamers as they walked down the long concourse of the stadium.
I was able to see a number of games in action, although Ghostbusters and Prototype were not playable. However, I was able to have a brief play of Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Conspiracy. All three titles look pretty good and I really can’t wait to try out the new Ghostbusters game.
I posted up a short video of the Vivendi Games booth and uploaded a few pictures but Jon has a lot more on his gallery.
The Nintendo Wii is awesome.
Jon from CentralanUK pinged over a link to a press release, which was issued in conjunction with the TNWA Group yesterday afternoon. When I was working on World in Conflict last year, we showcased the game to CentralanUK attendees and that worked out pretty well.
I wasn’t able to post about this news until today but I did ping a tweet out about the news as soon as I heard about it. Anyhoo, here is the press release:
TNWA Acquires CentralanUK
London – 22nd January 2008 – TNWA Group, UK’s leading online tournament gaming sites, today announced the strategic acquisition of one of the UK’s most successful LAN party organisers, CentralanUK (CLUK).
Specialising in BYOC (Bring Your Own Computer/Console) events, CLUK has catered for everything from cash-prize tournaments to private functions since it began five years ago, steadily rising in popularity to become the second largest organisation of its kind in the UK.
Under the TNWA group, CLUK will now be able to offer the full offline package to its LAN event attendees, as well as providing exhibition space for its game publishing and hardware sponsors.
The next event (CentralanUK #19), starting on the 29th February will be held at Uttoxeter Racecourse, Staffordshire, and cater for over 160 people. TNWA will be putting up over £1,000 of prizes for competitors, but the event also promises to draw in a just-for-fun crowd.
“We have been interested in the CentralanUK offering for some time now,” Paul Sulyok, CEO of The TNWA Group said. “Their fantastic reputation within the community and tried and tested formula is perfectly aligned with the continually expanding end-to-end gamer proposition TNWA offers.”
Jon Winkle, Event Manager from CentralanUK, said: “Working with TNWA will increase CLUK’s offering to the community in orders of magnitude. BYOC LAN events continue to grow in popularity, especially with the inclusion of console players, and the support we’re receiving from TNWA will allow CLUK to continue to grow to meet its real potential.”
For more information about CentralanUK and its event, visit www.centralanuk.co.uk.
When i logged onto my MacBook this morning, I loaded up FaceBook and noticed a link that one of my FB friends had posted. The link goes to a website titled ‘Sector Seven’ which was a secretive government organisation in the Transformers movie. The password to access the flash site is: codeblack and once the pop up window loads, start clicking on the various icons and eventually you’ll see some footage from the upcoming Transformers 2 movie.
I managed to screen capture a couple of images:
It’s a Dinobot.
Grimlock, the leader of the Dinobots.
Laserbeck transforming.
One of Soundwaves pals.
I recognised both characters instantly because I grew up watching the Transformer cartoons. I’m hoping Transformers 2 will be good movie and I really do hope the game doesn’t turn out to be a pile of crap like its predecessor.
Unfortunately, it looks like Transformers 2 won’t be available to own on HD-DVD.
… who you gonna call? Ghostbusters.
The Ghostbuster’s game is confirmed, sweet.
Last week I went to the launch party of Guitar Hero 3. There was a press conference from one of the Sex Pistols, John Lydon aka Jonny Rotten. The event turned out to be entertaining and I met a few cool people. I met Luke who runs Play.tm and it was good to catch up with him. Also, I had an entertaining chat with Jonny about a number of interesting topics. He freelances for MacWorld, an excellent online publication for everything Apple related.
I recorded most of the media on my N95 but I’m having a few difficulties editing and uploading the media. The media is over 448MB. I’ve managed to compress the file to a reasonable 40MB, however, both FaceBook and YouTube do not allow users to upload media that’s over 20minutes long. If anyone has any suggestions for decent, free media editing software for Mac’s, then please post your suggestion in the comment box below.
I just received an email newsletter from Sierra Entertainment about the new Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem game for the PSP. The new game is going to be released in November and the movie is due to be released December in North America. The movie will hit UK cinemas in early January 2008. I’ll most likely go watch Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem at the cinema while I’m visiting my family in Vancouver.
2008 looks like it will be an interesting year for movies with Batman: The Dark Knight and Ironman hitting the big screen.
