New Rockstar Studio Created

Take-Two Interactive Software label Rockstar Games has purchased the Massachusetts-based game company Mad Doc Software, which worked with the developer on Bully: Scholarship Edition.

Mad Doc founder and former Activision technical director Dr. Ian Lane Davis will lead the new division, dubbed Rockstar New England.

Mad Doc is currently working on the Xbox 360 title Star Trek: Legacy for Bethesda and had developed or worked on a handful of other titles since its founding in 1999, including Empire Earth II, Dungeon Siege: Legends of Aranna and Spellweaver (still in development).

"The team at Mad Doc Software is extremely talented," said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games. "Bringing them within the Rockstar Games family will enhance our core technology and further support our commitment to creating progressive and innovative gaming experiences."

A guest professor at M.I.T. with a doctorate in A.I. and robotics from Carnegie Mellon University, Davis is considered an expert in artificial intelligence and is currently writing a textbook on the subject.

"To be a part of Rockstar Games is an amazing opportunity for everyone here," Davis said. "We're eager to bring our expertise to bear in the character-driven, open-world stories that make Rockstar Games titles so uniquely compelling."

It's unclear what will become of Mad Doc titles currently in the works, and Rockstar did not release information about which of its upcoming games the new division will be working on.

source : www.ign.com

Designer 3D Glasses Coming Soon

3D is supposed to be the next big revolution in movie theaters and consumer displays, though the fact that it has held that position for the past couple of decades without actually progressing hasn't done much to build anyone's confidence that a revolution is actually going to take place. Recently however, DreamWorks, Disney, and some high profile directors have all started hyping the medium again, and HDTV manufacturers like Samsung and Mitsubishi have released 3D-ready displays based on DLP technology.

3D technology these days relies upon more advanced glasses than the red and blue plastic lenses of yesteryear. Modern generations wirelessly sync with the display source and use LCDs to create a stereoscopic 3D effect. Most existing glasses, however, are large, clunky, uncomfortable, and certainly not stylish.

Variety reports that this may be about to change, however. Luxottica Group (owners of Ray-Ban) have recently partnered with technology company Kerner Optical to produce designer 3D eyewear that'll look quite stylish while owners watch programming in a darkened room. The first products of the joint undertaking are expected to hit the market late this year, mounted in Ray-Ban's signature Wayfarer frame, which is currently enjoying a renaissance in popularity in the indie scene.

Though many in the technology game have become jaded due to decades of 3D hype that has failed to really go anywhere, the medium's new groundswell of support in movies, PC applications, and video games give the backers of designer 3D glasses hope. Yuska Siuicki, a founder of Kerner Optical, enthuses: "You will be using these high-end Ray-Ban glasses at home, on your computer and TV, and then you'll stick them in your pocket and take them to the theater. They are much more comfortable than what is out there now, and the lenses will soon be available in prescription. This space is exploding."

source : www.ign.com

Gundam goes to Xbox360

The Xbox 360 version of Mobile Ops: The One Year War ceased to be vaporware today as Bandai Namco did the unthinkable: it announced a Japanese release date for the title! Japan will get the game on June 26, under the name Gundam Operation Troy.

First announced back in mid 2005, this Xbox 360 exclusive entry in the Gundam series has made it through two playable Tokyo Game Show appearances with no mention of a final release date. This caused some speculation that Bandai Namco and developer DIMPS were having development problems.

With less than three months to go before the Japanese release, it looks like importers will at last get to see what the waiting was all about. Now let's hope they don't make us wait a similar amount of time for the international versions.

source : www.ign.com

Lineage II 4th Anniversary Edition Info

NCsoft recently gave details of the Lineage II 4th Anniversary Edition, the popular fantasy MMORPG. The company revealed that a new area, Hellbound, will be included in the games' forthcoming update. Hellbound introduces Beleth, a fierce and brutal enemy that is said to have no equal.

This update increases the level cap from 80 to 85 and enhances the pet system with new wolves to ride. It also offers players the ability to upgrade pets and use them as companions. In addition, players will be able to conquer lands and be rewarded with special skills.

This updated edition gives owners 60 days of free access. Veteran players won't be left out as discounts to name changes, gender changes and more will be provided.

The 4th Anniversary Edition contains all of the expansions released to date. Look forward to the latest edition when it hits earthly shores later this month.

source : www.ign.com

Saints Row 2 Coming in August

To kickoff their Gamers' Day event being held in downtown San Francisco, THQ today announced the official release date, pre-order campaign plans, and the launch of the official website for Saints Row 2. The game will ship on August 26, 2008 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 and gamers can pre-order their copy starting tonight (April 3) at 6 PM PST. THQ also announced the launch of the official website for Saints Row 2 along with the release of a new video from someone they're calling "Uncle Gary." Check it out below.

Also, be on the lookout for our hands-on impressions from Saints Row 2's co-op gameplay at 6 PM PST tonight.

source : www.ign.com