Gaming Update: ‘Final Fantasy XIV,’ ‘Homeworld,’ ‘Battlefield 4’
Last week, fans who were caught up in Final Fantasy‘s server woes were compensated, Gearbox revealed plans to link with Blackbird Interactive for a Homeworld title and more was revealed about the next edition of Battlefield.
Final Fantasy XIV Customers Offered Refunds
Sony is giving Final Fantasy XIV customers who purchased the game on Aug. 27 or 28 a full refund in compensation for server problems that have plagued the title since its launch. In addition, the game will reappear in the PSN download list. Last week, the issue was addressed by Sony and developer Square Enix. They offered a free week of game time to users who registered for the game prior to midnight Sept. 9.
In a post on Square Enix’s official forum, director Naoki Yoshida revealed that they had anticipated about 5,000 simultaneous users playing the game at any given time. But they quickly exceeded those numbers, which were based on sales projections. “We experienced tremendous support from a great number of players who were eager to get into the game from day one,” Yoshida said.
New servers are currently being tested and should be up and running shortly.
Gearbox Confirms New Homeworld Game
Gearbox confirmed a forthcoming Homeworld game during PAX. Dubbed Homeworld: Shipbreakers, the game is being created in collaboration with Blackbird Interactive. Blackbird was originally going to call the title Hardware: Shipbreakers, but the Gearbox partnership allows them to use the Homeworld name and provides them with some much needed funds as well.
“These guys have been funded by private equity, but it’s clear it was going to take many millions of dollars more,” Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford said to Polygon. “We’re giving them the brand and the resources to make this happen. Now these guys are cooking, and with the money they have now, they can grow the team.”
The game was initially slated to be released as free-to-play. But Pitchford revealed via Twitter that it will no longer be going that route. “With our investment, Homeworld: Shipbreakers can be a proper commercial release. No need for F2P,” Pitchford wrote.
Battlefield 4 Adds Test Ranges, Weapon Customizations
In a recent blog post on the franchise’s official website, EA DICE announced new elements in the forthcoming Battlefield title: an increase in the number of available weapons and accessories; and more ability to customize. With Battlefield 4, a gamer can customize a simple assault rifle 240,000 ways with accessories, camouflages and optics.
Also included: a test range to help players get a feel for the controls of different modes of transportation before taking them on in the game. “We’ve definitely heard that people are afraid of getting in there [and using vehicles like helicopters], and that’s not our intent, so what we’ve done is, we’ve added a test range, which allows you to try out all the hardware ahead of time,” said DICE creative director Lars Gustavsson.
Gamers will also be able to “zero” the scope of a sniper rifle. “Zeroing your scope is an advanced technique and won’t make you perform perfect headshots every time, but for those skilled enough to approximate distance, it will be a welcome strategic addition,” reads the post.
Battlefield 4 will be released Oct. 29, 2013.
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Gaming Update: ‘Final Fantasy XIV,’ ‘Homeworld,’ ‘Battlefield 4’
Last week, fans who were caught up in Final Fantasy‘s server woes were compensated, Gearbox revealed plans to link with Blackbird Interactive for a Homeworld title and more was revealed about the next edition of Battlefield.
Final Fantasy XIV Customers Offered Refunds
Sony is giving Final Fantasy XIV customers who purchased the game on Aug. 27 or 28 a full refund in compensation for server problems that have plagued the title since its launch. In addition, the game will reappear in the PSN download list. Last week, the issue was addressed by Sony and developer Square Enix. They offered a free week of game time to users who registered for the game prior to midnight Sept. 9.
In a post on Square Enix’s official forum, director Naoki Yoshida revealed that they had anticipated about 5,000 simultaneous users playing the game at any given time. But they quickly exceeded those numbers, which were based on sales projections. “We experienced tremendous support from a great number of players who were eager to get into the game from day one,” Yoshida said.
New servers are currently being tested and should be up and running shortly.
Gearbox Confirms New Homeworld Game
Gearbox confirmed a forthcoming Homeworld game during PAX. Dubbed Homeworld: Shipbreakers, the game is being created in collaboration with Blackbird Interactive. Blackbird was originally going to call the title Hardware: Shipbreakers, but the Gearbox partnership allows them to use the Homeworld name and provides them with some much needed funds as well.
“These guys have been funded by private equity, but it’s clear it was going to take many millions of dollars more,” Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford said to Polygon. “We’re giving them the brand and the resources to make this happen. Now these guys are cooking, and with the money they have now, they can grow the team.”
The game was initially slated to be released as free-to-play. But Pitchford revealed via Twitter that it will no longer be going that route. “With our investment, Homeworld: Shipbreakers can be a proper commercial release. No need for F2P,” Pitchford wrote.
Battlefield 4 Adds Test Ranges, Weapon Customizations
In a recent blog post on the franchise’s official website, EA DICE announced new elements in the forthcoming Battlefield title: an increase in the number of available weapons and accessories; and more ability to customize. With Battlefield 4, a gamer can customize a simple assault rifle 240,000 ways with accessories, camouflages and optics.
Also included: a test range to help players get a feel for the controls of different modes of transportation before taking them on in the game. “We’ve definitely heard that people are afraid of getting in there [and using vehicles like helicopters], and that’s not our intent, so what we’ve done is, we’ve added a test range, which allows you to try out all the hardware ahead of time,” said DICE creative director Lars Gustavsson.
Gamers will also be able to “zero” the scope of a sniper rifle. “Zeroing your scope is an advanced technique and won’t make you perform perfect headshots every time, but for those skilled enough to approximate distance, it will be a welcome strategic addition,” reads the post.
Battlefield 4 will be released Oct. 29, 2013.