PlayStation LifeStyle » Multiplayer

Ghost Recon’s Future Tech Creeps Into Multiplayer

Ray Conley — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 02:22:23 +0000

Amid the flurry of shooters that are set to launch within a year, a few top-developers are certainly competing for your time to rack up kill counts on their servers. Aside from the favored titles, such as the Call of Duty and Battlefield franchises, Ubisoft is also aiming to take command on the multiplayer field with their upcoming Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier.

In Ubisoft’s latest trailer, they demonstrate just how hectic a future warfare can play out online. Ghost Recon’s signature of over-the-shoulder camera angles will allow players to take advantage of traditional duck and cover techniques. Camera shaking will also give you an uneasy feeling as your enemy begins to lay cover fire on you. So if hiding behind cover doesn’t fool your nemesis, players can don the Predator-esque optical camo for easy retreats or nasty stealth kills.
Watch the video below as Ubisoft’s creative director, Tommy Jacob, walks you through the multiplayer debris field of Future Solder, currently slated for a release in March 2012.

Dead Space 2 Multiplayer Beta Impressions

Ray Conley — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 16:35:24 +0000

Electronic Arts’ Dead Space 2 Beta has crept onto the scene late Thursday night, inviting a hand-picked few to test out the multiplayer feature. If what I just witnessed is just a taste of the things to come, then all of us are definitely in for one heck of a treat.

As you enter into the multiplayer, you’ll be automatically assigned to a team, either the Necromorphs or the Humans. After each round is completed, you’ll get the chance to try out the other side to keep the gameplay even. As a Necromorph you’ll get to have jump button and the ability to see the Humans’ energy signatures through the walls. This helps the Necromorphs plan ambushes and to sneak up on your opponents.

You’ll first start off as a sickly-looking child, hell-bent to rip and shred the space cadets. Performing a successful lunge attack with this character will enact a button mashing contest between the two who are tangled up. Whoever can hit “X” the fastest wins and gets to watch their character impale the other foe. The greatest advantages for the Necromorphs is their speed, agility, and their ability to see through walls. The disadvantage is that they are easily dispatched. When you are killed as a Necromorph, a free-cam mode becomes active and allows you to search for a spawn point any where in the level that is marked, which is usually an air shaft of some sort.

As a Human player, I can’t stress enough that teamwork is essential for survival. In the beta level, the objective was to obtain items that were scattered throughout the level and then return them to one central hub before the timer expires. Once the item is located and grabbed by a Human player, that player will lose their ability to sprint, making the journey back a nail-biting adventure. Since the walk back will not be a stroll in the park, the person carrying the item will need to rely heavily on his teammates to watch his back as they fight their way to the central hub. And here is a fact: you will get swarmed.

Your only means of defense as a Human will come from two main weapons: your trusty Plasma Cutter and a Pulse Rifle. You will also be able to use your stasis ability to slow down the enemy temporarily while you cut them down to bite-size chunks. Putting down your enemies will drop much needed ammo and health packs to temporarily suspend the inevitable: your death. Once you do die, a five second timer will count down before you get plugged back in to race against the clock to complete your objective. As you win matches and score kills, you will be awarded points which will level up your rank, and allow you to unlock stronger characters and more weapons.

So far, the game plays extremely well with no lag. The graphics are done perfectly to maintain that creepy and dark atmosphere that some of us may remember from the first. However, with this beta there seems to be a balancing issue. Every match that I’ve played always had the alien critters on the victory side. Maybe it’s the unfamiliarity of the game mechanics or the short timer that is currently in place. Thankfully, this is the beta and developers are looking for feedback of this type to fine tune the finished product. I’m sure there will be more issues that will surface as time progresses, but as of now, my experience of the beta has really added to my anticipation for Dead Space 2′s release on January 25th! We definitely are in for a creepy treat.

Black Ops Gets Hairy with Multiplayer Wager Matches

Ray Conley — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:36:46 +0000

With the Call of Duty: Black Ops release only a few months away, Treyarch continues to tease us with more videos to keep us hungry for more. The latest video introduces some great new gameplay mechanics that’ll leave you on the edge of your seat.

Thanks to community input, the developers at Treyarch have listened and weighed them into some of the new multiplayer features to be included in Black Ops. Check out the latest multiplayer video below which introduces Wager Matches:

LittleBigPlanet 2 to Improve Upon Award-Winning Formula

Jonathan Leack — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 23:19:39 +0000

Media Molecule’s creative platformer LittleBigPlanet has been a huge hit since it debuted in 2008. While the title was praised for it’s artistic charm, personable customization, and feature-rich online community, many found the multiplayer camera hard to tackle. With that said, Media Molecule is taking the necessary action to make sure that isn’t a problem when the second installment debuts later this year.

When interviewed in the latest Play Magazine issue, Media Molecule staff Alex Evans and Mark Healey revealed that the multiplayer camera in LittleBigPlanet 2 will be distinct to each player, unlike in the first title. During the interview, Healey stated:

“Now playing online – and this may sound rather techy and boring – you can have divergent cameras. This means “people playing on different machines can be looking at different parts of the world.”

During multiplayer sessions in the first LittleBigPlanet, there were several scenarios where the camera would become a hindrance, particularly when climbing spinning objects. Since the upcoming sequel has been proven to provide the flexibility to create full-feature racing games and more, the new camera should prove beneficial.

Look out for LittleBigPlanet 2 in November of this year, and if you haven’t already, give the Collector’s Edition a peek.

[Source]

Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood Trailer Emerges from Comic Con

Jonathan Leack — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 23:07:51 +0000

Ubisoft’s upcoming Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood was arguably one of the best-looking titles shown at this year’s E3 show. With much more gameplay variety and some great new additions to the series, this is one title to be excited about.

A brand-new multiplayer trailer has emerged from Comic Con 2010. Check out what you can expect from Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood later this year:

Jaffe Thinks Multiplayer Ranks “F**k Up” Game Design

Paulmichael Contreras — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 15:27:51 +0000

David Jaffe, creator of the legendary series Twisted Metal and God of War, is always one to state exactly how he feels about certain issues in the gaming industry. This time, that subject matter is multiplayer ranks in games, and how they “f**k up” game design. More on this after the jump.

In a recent twitlonger posting, Jaffe explains why he thinks multiplayer ranking systems involving XP and leveling up can be a bad thing for gaming:

“…it seems there are LOTS of peps who want leveling up and unlocking for the new Twisted Metal. Fair enough. We may do this (still deciding aspects of that system)….it doesn’t seem to matter if these preserving agents fuck up the core product or takes something away from the core product…in the case of games the fun inherent in the core design can get diluted and/or reduced as a player is taking his mind off the core game and staying focused on the meta goal of acquiring rank and goodies and such).”

He compares this kind of system to food preservatives, which do have undesired effects on products as well. But at the same time he does see the appeal as well as the advantages something like this has on the business side of the industry. DLC released months after a game is out does encourage people to spend more time on the same game, which, as Pachter recently theorized, is partially to blame for weaker sales last month.

What do you think? Are there examples of games where a multiplayer ranking system just kind of seems tacked on because it’s a popular thing to do? Or are these things generally a good thing to have in most every game? Let us know in the comments below!

Rally Up the Drummers With Patapon 3 Multiplayer Demo

Kishen Patel — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 17:55:10 +0000

Since the franchise’s inception back in 2007, this rhythmic, two-dimensional drumming title has become a staple property to the PlayStation Portable’s unique and illustrious first-party offerings. With fun and addicting gameplay combined with an affordable price-point, every Patapon titles has thus far been a recipe for success. With Patapon 3, this trend is unlikely to change as a new ingredient has been added to the mix.

Releasing this coming Tuesday, July 6th, 2010, the Patapon 3 demo for PSP will hit the PlayStation Store packed with a multiplayer component for players and their friends to sample together before dropping the cash for an already PSP classic. Although the previous iteration of Patapon also contained a multiplayer component, Patapon 3 promises to be much more robust in the online department with its own in-game portal dubbed “the internet”. Over any wifi connection, players with the help of their friends can “experience the awesome multiplayer adventures that lay beyond Patapolis”.

Sizing up at 110 MB, the Patapon 3 multiplayer demo drops this Tuesday during the regularly scheduled PlayStation 3. Stay connected to PlayStation LifeStyle for the latest on Patapon 3.

[Source]

Red Dead Redemption FREE Co-op DLC Galloping to PSN Next Week

Ray Conley — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 01:30:43 +0000

Rockstar’s famous title Red Dead Redemption has already received quite the buzz from fans and critics alike. The multiplayer component of the game introduced a fun and enticing free-roam play so that you wouldn’t have to face the untamed wilderness of the Wild West alone. And next week, the co-operative aspect of Red Dead is about to get better without costing you a dime.

In less than one week’s time, players will be able to download the FREE Co-op DLC dubbed as the “Red Dead Redemption Outlaws to the End Co-Op Mission Pack.” This free DLC will come packed with six co-op missions to add hours more of multiplayer that you and friend can ride on through.

Here are the six missions listed below (as listed on Rockstar’s webpage):

The Escape
You and your teammates must attack and steal a gold coach along with a wagon and a Gatling gun. Once acquired, you will be sent to turn them in to the American Army and then must clear out remaining resistance in the town of Tumbleweed. After clearing the town, prepare for an explosive standoff that will take you all the way to Mexico.
The Herd
Cattle rustlers have taken control of Box Canyon. Fight your way in and wipe out the rustlers, then use teamwork to protect the herd as you lead them home to Armadillo while drawing heavy fire from snipers and reinforcements on horseback.
The Kidnapped Girl
Another gang has taken over Fort Mercer, and they’re holding a farmer’s daughter hostage. You and your crew will need to charge the fort and eliminate the gang with all firepower necessary – then fend off enemy reinforcements as you transport the girl by stagecoach safely to her home at Ridgewood Farm.
Walton’s Gold
Walton’s Gang have taken control of a mining camp rich with gold. Fight through the camp and load your mine cart with as much gold as you can carry and get out as fast as you can – Walton’s boys have rigged the place to blow!
The River
Ride a raft down river, taking out rebel encampments along the way until you reach the rebel stronghold of Nosalida and a final epic battle for the town’s massive weapons caches. Watch out for Gatling gun-equipped enemy rafts.
Ammunition
The Mexican Army has the town of Tesoro Azul under siege. Storm the gates under heavy cannon, Gatling gun and sniper fire to destroy the Mexican artillery placements.

So get yourself ready to start packing your mule and rustle up a posse. It looks you’ll be needing all the help you can muster up to take on this awesome free expansion to Red Dead. Did I mention this was FREE?

[Source]

Black Ops’ Single-Player Campaign Will Be Lone-Wolf

Ray Conley — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 21:45:59 +0000

The developers at Treyarch quickly grabbed the attention of the first-person shooter fan club with their announcement of their next project Call of Duty: Black Ops. In one of their latest press conferences, they stated that Black Ops would be providing gamers “distinct multiplayer and co-op modes.” Unfortunately, the co-op mode will not allow you to buddy-up in the single-player campaign.

Mark Lamia of Treyach, made it clear in a recent interview with MTV Multiplayer, that the single player mode and the co-op mode will be two completely separate features within Black Ops:

“Single-player is the epic, cinematic, seat-of-your-pants thrill ride that you star in. Then there’s multiplayer, when you want to play competitive with your friends and really chisel and hone your skills and do that addictive experience.
“And then co-op is for when you want to have a blast with your friends, just sitting on the couch and having an awesome co-op experience. We’re crafting unique co-op modes around that experience, but it is different than what people think.”

I’m not quite sure why Treyarch decided to move in that direction. Their previous title, Call of Duty: World at War, incorporated a 4 player co-op experience with elements from the single-player storyline.

Let’s hope Treyarch brings us more detailed information concerning the co-op modes next week during E3.

[Source]

Team up With New Blur Multiplayer Mode Trailer

Zak Islam — Fri, 21 May 2010 13:29:13 +0000

Team work within a game always results in success, right? Activision and Bizarre Creations’ upcoming racer, Blur, shows just how important and successful team work can be in a game, and to be honest, it’s looking rather awesome.

For more information about the ‘electrifying’ racer, check out PlayStation LifeStyle’s preview of Blur. Game’s out on May 25th, 2010.

Red Dead Redemption Screens Showcase Multiplayer Mode

Zak Islam — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 03:02:59 +0000

Although Red Dead Redemption is first and foremost a single-player title, Rockstar is aiming to include a robust multiplayer component. Recently, videos of one of the modes in the online multiplayer mode titled “Competitive Multiplayer” has surfaced. A batch of screenshots of said mode have been brought in fresh from the wild west.

Red Dead Redemption’s competitive multiplayer brings classic multiplayer match modes with a western twist: every match starts with players eye-to-eye in a classic showdown. Modes include Gang matches, Free-For-All Shootouts and classic Capture The Bag. This is a title that is sure to bring tons of content and quality to the table.

New competitive multiplayer mode screenshots are below:

Latest Red Dead Redemption Multiplayer Footage Surfaces

Zak Islam — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 19:58:53 +0000

Despite not even being released yet, Red Dead Redemption is already considered to be one of the ‘Game of The Year’ contenders amongst both fans and pundits. The game will seemingly feature one of the best multiplayer components to ever grace current generation consoles, and this new video certainly backs up that bold statement.

The latest multiplayer gameplay footage of Red Dead Redemption has been released by developers Rockstar. It’s part of Rockstar’s gameplay video series, entitled: “Multiplayer Competitive Modes”. Catch it below:

Dead Rising 2 Gives Rise to Co-Op

Ray Conley — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 03:53:54 +0000

The thrill of slaying zombies has never dwindled among gamers, especially those familiar with the antics of Dead Rising. Even though the first zombie slayer never made an appearance on the PlayStation 3, we are thrilled to know that the Sony crowd will get their taste of living-dead action with Capcom’s Dead Rising 2. And this time around, you won’t have to do it alone, either.

Capcom is currently working a co-operative mode into Dead Rising 2. The co-op mode will only be playable online and will not support splitscreen play. Some websites have test driven a version of the co-op, but based on their remarks, it’s still a work in progress.

In the demonstration, both players take the role of Chuck Green (the main hero), but thankfully, there will be multiple outfits to personalize your character. So far, players will only be able to do basic sparring with zombies–no mention of any special 2-player combos. If a player falls, the surviving party can revive the player – a feature that multiplayer veterans are familiar with by now. There was also no mention of any special game modes while engaged with a buddy.

The multiplayer component is still under development, and it’s good to know that Capcom has been listening to feedback to improve the final build. Since games nowadays are heavily weighed by their multiplayer features, we can only hope that the co-op component will be polished by the time it hits shelves August 31st.

Red Dead Redemption Spurs New Multiplayer Screens

Jonathan Leack — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 18:10:08 +0000

Rockstar Games’ upcoming western sandbox game titled Red Dead Redemption is one of the most sought after games of 2010. Boasting an enormous world with an even more polished Grand Theft Auto IV engine as well as a robust multiplayer lobby system, the game is looking to be a fine addition to this year’s PS3 line-up. Now Rockstar Games have finally debuted some of their first official Red Dead Redemption multiplayer screenshots.

Rockstar Games have officially released brand-new multiplayer screenshots for Red Dead Redemption. These new screenshots showoff the posses system featured in the online component as well as both the hunting and competitive systems which were revealed not long ago. On top of that, one screenshot shows off the different looks that a character can unlock as well as a few of the weapons that this upcoming western game offers.

Check out the several new multiplayer screenshots for Red Dead Redemption below:

[Source]

Red Dead Redemption Brings Free Roaming Multiplayer

Dan Massi — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 19:29:56 +0000

Rockstar Games, has kept their promise to gamers. The developer announced two weeks ago that Red Dead Redemption would get its multiplayer mode revealed in early April, and sure enough, here we are. Rockstar has officially revealed Red Dead Redemption’s first multiplayer mode, called Free Roam.

The Free Roam mode in Red Dead Redemption will give “players with the entire, massive open world of Red Dead Redemption, right at their fingertips.” The multiplayer mode can bring 16 players into the game world at once, and gives players the option of creating their own posses, which can grow to 8 people.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Red Dead Redemption hits May 18th in North America, and a few days later for a May 21st release in PAL regions.