The latest addition to Gameloft’s N.O.V.A. first-person shooter game series isn’t on the iPhone or iPad, where it originated, but on Facebook. N.O.V.A. Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance: Elite is a first for Gameloft, in delivering a 3D FPS on the Facebook platform. N.O.V.A. Elite was specifically developed for the social platform. The multiplayer FPS pits Facebook users against each other, as well as offers players to recruit their friends. N.O.V.A. Elite is free to play, but Facebook credits must be purchased to play some maps or get item upgrades such as weapons and armor.
“For over 10 years, Gameloft has established itself as the leading developer on all mass-market platforms for downloadable video games,” said Michel Guillemot, President of Gameloft. “With this in mind, we’ve expanded our reach to include games for social networks. This also illustrates our resolve to be closer to our fans on all platforms of their choosing.”
Make sure you have the Unity Web Player before attempting to play N. O. V. A. Elite (get it here). Once installed, head to apps.facebook.com/novafps to jump in and play. See more details on N.O.V.A. Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance: Elite here on Gameloft.com for a Tutorial, FAQ and support.
Source – Gameloft
Electronic Arts and Epic Games today announced details on the upcoming game Bulletstorm, from developer People Can Fly. The game will be using Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 3 tech that powers many of our favorite games like the Gears of War series and Shadow Complex. Bulletstorm is going to be a first-person shooter, which EA’s announcement said will feature "‘kill with skill’ gameplay."
Here are the first details on Bulletstorm from EA’s announcement:
"Bulletstorm tells the story of a futuristic confederation protected by an elite band of mercenaries: Dead Echo. When Dead Echo members Grayson Hunt and Ishi Sato learn they’ve been working for the wrong side, they’re betrayed by their commander and exiled to the far reaches of the galaxy. In Bulletstorm, Grayson and Ishi find themselves surrounded by hordes of mutants and flesh eating gangs in an abandoned paradise. They have two objectives: get off the planet alive, and exact revenge on the man who sent them there.
Players step into the role of Grayson Hunt complete with an arsenal of over-the-top combat moves and outrageously large guns. Bulletstorm’s array of distinct ‘skillshots’ produces unprecedented levels of frantic gameplay and yell-inducing satisfaction. The skillshot system rewards players for inciting mayhem in the most creative way possible. The more insane the skillshot, the more points players collect to upgrade their character and unlock weapons, which then allows them to execute even more creative moves and exaggerated skillshots."
Bulletstorm is estimated for a 2011 release for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. EA will be publishing the game. Keep a lookout for the latest information on Bulletstorm via Twitter at www.twitter.com/bulletstorm. More information will be in the Game Informer May 2010 issue as well.
From EA’s press release.
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Students from DePaul University’s Game Development program have created a very unique first-person game, titled Devil’s Tuning Fork. It is far from your traditional first-person shooter (FPS) game. As a child trapped in a dark three-dimensional space, you are guided by soundwaves emitted from a Devil’s Tuning Fork. You find this mysterious tool at the start of your exploration. Floors, walls, and other objects are revealed through soundwaves you emit from the Devil’s Tuning Fork when you click on your mouse button. The soundwaves dissipate throughout the dark space, briefly illuminating your way. If you’ve ever wondered what it may be like to be a bat using ultrasonic sound, also known as echolocation, this may give you a pretty good idea as well.
The PC game comes from 15 students at DePaul University. It was created in less than 5 months, and you wouldn’t know that from playing the game. Alex Seropian, who you may remember as being one of the original creators of the Halo game series, was one of the advisors on the project and is part of the faculty at DePaul University.
“Typically, a game like this can take anywhere from 12 to 36 months from concept to completion,” said Alex Seropian, lead faculty advisor for the DePaul team and one of the creators of Halo. “That these students went from a vague concept to finished product in just five months is a tribute of their commitment to the project.”
The best way to understand Devil’s Tuning Fork is to play it for yourself. DePaul University and the students who created the game have made the game available for free. Download Devil’s Tuning Fork here for free, recently upgraded to version 1.21 and currently playable on the PC. Check it out and make sure to give your feedback on it. If you are unable to play it on a PC, watch a trailer for Devil’s Tuning Fork below. Congratulations to the students and team at DePaul University for pulling off such a unique game.
Visit the official website of Devil’s Tuning Fork at DevilsTuningFork.com.
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PlayStation 3 gamers looking for keyboard and mouse controls on first-person shooters will soon be able to use any combination of their choice. Penguin United is getting ready to introduce PS3 gamers to the Eagle-Eye Converter. Although the PS3 supports USB devices, very few games actually support keyboard and mouse control (are there any outside of Unreal Tournament III?). With Penguin United’s Eagle-Eye Converter, you’ll be able to configure a USB mouse and keyboard for FPS games like Modern Warfare 2, Borderlands, MAG and more.
Here are the Eagle-Eye Converter features, as noted by Penguin United:
- Customized Key Mapping Feature Transfers Command Data to Keyboard and Mouse.
- Same Data Transfer Rate as Original PS3 Controller for Greater Dexterity.
- Optional Turbo Mode for R1, R2, L1, L2 and the 4 Primary Action Buttons.
- Supports 2 USB Ports for Standard HID Keyboard and Mouse.
- Provides Turbo Function for Standard PS3 Controller when Not Using Keyboard/Mouse.
- Suggested retail price: $49.99
"One of the drawbacks with playing first-person shooters is the lack of speed and accuracy offered by traditional controllers," stated Richard Huang, President of Penguin United. "We found a simple solution by bypassing the controller and transferring the button features directly to the computer keyboard. The Eagle-Eye offers an amazing alternative for fans of shooting games."
Will the Eagle-Eye provide an edge over other FPS gamers using a Dualshock 3? Watch for a demo of the Eagle-Eye Converter at CES from January 7-10, at Booth #5413, North Hall.
Look for more details from penguinunited.com.
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Want to challenge some friends to a first-person shooter you can play anywhere? Game developer ngmoco:) is getting ready to release the multiplayer game Eliminate for iPhone and iPod touch gamers. The FPS game drops you into an arena to "test out" weapons on other players. It brings multiplayer gameplay over WiFi or 3G, exclusively to the iPhone and iPod touch.
See a couple of new trailers from Eliminate below, along with a previously released one.
Features on Eliminate, as noted by ngmoco:) :
- Bring it anytime, anywhere. Connect to multiplayer games from any location using 3G or Wi‐Fi.
– Enjoy the fast, fluid first‐person shooter death match experience designed exclusively for the
iPhone and iPod Touch.
– Master multiple combat arenas, each with their own unique play styles and strategies.
– Work your way to the top with a robust leveling and upgrading system that lets you customize
your weapons and armor sets.
- Challenge your peers with a global ranking and matchmaking system made exclusively for
Eliminate.
- Stay connected with Plus+ enabled leader boards, achievements, and friends lists.
- Innovative “Touch Anywhere” control system enables competitive FPS play using the multitouch
capabilities of the iPhone or iPod touch.
- Supports iPhone OS 3.0 features including In‐app Commerce and Push Notification.
Visit the official website of Eliminate to learn more about the upcoming shooter on the iPhone and iPod touch. Watch for Eliminate to hit the App Store soon.
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