Jordan Weisman wants to make Shadowrun again, and he’s using Kickstarter to do it. With a goal of $400,000, 14,856 backers and $660,411 in pledges, Weisman hopes to Kickstart this project in 21 days. This new version of Shadowrun will be a turn-based game set in 4 realities with a deep interactive story and a mission editor. PC, Android, and MAC support with multiple languages is planned, but if you act now, for additional funding of $1,000,000 another city will be added for players to explore and run missions! Where the city and missions will be held is left up to the backers for supporting Shadowrun.
The best part about the video is the love for Shadowrun on the PC and Xbox 360. Yeah, a lack luster shooter that had nothing to do with the Shadowrun franchise, it’s no wonder FASA’s gaming division went under.
Robert Bowling has announced, via Twitter, that he’ll be leaving Activision and Infinity Ward.
“Today, I resign from my position as Creative Strategist of Call of Duty, as a lead of Infinity Ward, and as an employee of Activision.”
His departure comes as a surprise as it seemingly just happened abruptly. No details has been announced as to the reason for the sudden exit out of the company with the exception of a statement made by Activision that suggests that Bowling’s sudden leave wasn’t so sudden after all.
“We sincerely thank Robert for his many years of service. He’s been a trusted and valued member of the Infinity Ward team. We wish him all the best on his decision to pursue future opportunities.”
Good or bad, it’s never easy to hear anyone leave a company that is tied so closely to the video game industry. However, according to Activision’s track record with how they manage things behind closed doors, at this point, anything could of happened. We just wish Robert the best where ever his feet land next.
Both Twitter and personalities from the Gaming Community alike are wishing Phillip Kollar the best of luck in his next venture. In his post made to the fans, he expresses his move from Gameinformer to an unknown venture - possibly Giantbomb? One can only wish:
" I can't talk about what I'm doing next yet -- though I promise that it's awesome -- but I did want to take a few moments of your time to gush about how much I've loved my time at Game Informer and why this is such a special publication. " ...
"A final thank you to everyone who's made my time at Game Informer so awesome, whether you're a co-worker, a reader, a developer, or even just some jerk who liked arguing with me from time to time. You're all awesome in your own ways, and I hope you'll keep in touch with me on Twitter. See you soon!"
On behalf of all Gamers out there, we wish you luck Phillip. Wherever you go may it be as enjoyable, if not better, than Gameinformer.
Mark Darrah, Bioware executive producer, announced on the Bioware forums that the Dragon Age team has moved on “ to the next phase of Dragon Age’s future”, suggesting that upcoming Dragon Age II DLC has been cancelled. And from the sounds of things Bioware will be patching up any inconsistencies for Dragon Age II and simply moving forward.
“While we will still be keeping an eye out for any issues that might crop up in DAII and supporting the community should any emergencies should arise, we’re moving the entire team’s focus to the next phase of Dragon Age’s future.”
Responding to complaints of this decision, in particular the lack of development for the main character Hawke, Darrah explains that they wanted to continue his story but was forced to move on.
“We will try to bring some closure to Hawke’s story but likely not in a playable form. Originally we had planned to do an expansion pack but had to stop to focus on what we are working on now.”
Could Hawke’s story conclude in Dragon Age III? Where the franchise will go from here is anyone’s guess, but what is made clear Bioware wants to continue to make good games by looking to the past for fresh ideas and to hear from the community.
“However, what I can say is that we’ve been thinking a lot about Dragon Age – what it means, and where it could go. This past year, we’ve spent a lot of time both going back to the “BioWare vault” of games and re-examining them, and looking at some new possibilities that today’s industry allows.”
“With that, the next thing for the Dragon Age team members and I to do is hear from you, and not just on the forums, or Facebook, or Twitter. We’ll be attending a number of conventions and gatherings, including PAX East in April. The most valuable thing we can get out of those meetings is to hear from you on those same topics – what does Dragon Age mean to you, and where would you like to see it go? We’re excited to hear what you have to say!”
As of late, anyone can see that Dragon Age, as a brand, has been dwindling for a few years now. Of course, since it's inception, complaints began to spark ranging from a stripped-down battle system, to the sheer fact that the exploration never expanded beyond the main setting in Dragon Age II – Kirkwall.
What is relieving to here, however, is that Bioware wants to do right by the fans to encourage an open dialogue, in person, as they did in the Guild Summit, to bounce back some community feedback to what they would like to see in future installments of the Dragon Age franchise.
The United States Congress is at it again. On Monday a new bill has been introduced with a warning label to all video games that reads:
“WARNING: Exposure to violent video games has been linked to aggressive behavior.”
The Dynamic, Dimwitted Duo, who concocted this jovial lunacy known non-other as the “Violence in Video Games Labeling Act” (H.R. 4204), Joe Baca (D-Calif.) and Frank Wolf (R-Va.), both have issued a statement following this great piece of disposable legislature that they’ve created:
“The video game industry has a responsibility to parents, families, and to consumers – to inform them of the potentially damaging content that is often found in their products,” said Representative Baca in a statement on the legislation. “They have repeatedly failed to live up to this responsibility. Meanwhile research continues to show that playing violent video games is a casual risk factor for a host of detrimental effects in both the short- and long-term, including increasing the likelihood of physically aggressive behavior. American families deserve to know the truth about these potentially dangerous products.”
“Just as we warn smokers of the health consequences of tobacco, we should warn parents—and children—about the growing scientific evidence demonstrating a relationship between violent video games and violent behavior,” Representative Wolf said. “As a parent and grandparent, I think it is important people know everything they can about the extremely violent nature of some of these games.”
Video games that have been rated by the ESRB “”E” for everyone, “E10+” for everyone 10 and older, “T” for teen, “M” for mature or “A” for adult” would get slapped with this new label. If passed, this new bill would easily contradict the ruling of CALIFORNIA v. ENTERTAINMENT MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION which deemed video games as a part of Free Speech. Something, of which, can’t co-exist among power hungry figure heads better known as the United States Congress.
And as always, to prevent a catastrophic disaster like this from happening, contact your State Legislator and make your voices heard.
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