Mar 30, 2011

Just Cause 2

Swedish developer Avalanche Studios has just announced a downloadable PC, Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network game called Renegade Ops its first foray into the digital download space. But does this mean the company has turned its back on big budget games?

Not a chance in fact it's working on two "huge" licenses due out in 2013.

"I wouldn't say instead of, I would say we'll do both," Renegade Ops senior producer Andreas Thorsén told Eurogamer.

"We will continue to do hardcore triple-A games and downloadable games."

In March last year Avalanche launched the Square Enix-published open world action game Just Cause 2.

Eurogamer enjoyed it very much indeed, awarding an 8/10.

So what about Just Cause 3 then?

"I can't see that Avalanche wouldn't want to continue on the Just Cause series," Thorsén said. "We love that franchise."

Avalanche founder and original concept creator of Just Cause Christofer Sundberg explained to Eurogamer that while the Stockholm-based studio does not own the Just Cause intellectual property, it remains intrinsically linked to it.

"I can't really comment on the future of Just Cause," he said, "but as we created the IP there is an attachment to the studio even though we don't own the IP."

"We are not finished with traditional boxed retail games by far. We have two huge licenses that we work on to be released in 2013.

"Can't say anything about them at this point."

One of those "huge" licenses is thought to be an action game based on the upcoming flick Mad Max 4: Fury Road.

In September last year Eurogamer revealed that God of War II director and writer Cory Barlog was working with Avalanche on an unannounced game.

"I can't comment on the projects we are working on," Sundberg said at the time, "but Cory is working here with us in Stockholm as you have probably read on his Twitter recently."

But what's the other "huge" game?

Mar 25, 2011

Just Cause boss says hiring hackers and better games will beat PC piracy

Just Cause 2

Better PC games and a better relationship with hackers are the key to fighting piracy, according to Christofer Sundberg, the boss of Just Cause creators, Avalanche. Sundberg believes that common anti-piracy measures like DRM "punishes the people who have actually paid for the game," and says that hiring hackers is a good way to discover new talent, admitting that "50 percent of the people that work for me come from a hacker background."

Sundberg was speaking to CVG about better approaches to tackling game piracy, and his belief that there is plenty of potential in the piracy community. "I absolutely think that's a fair approach, to think about how these people can fit on the right side of the law. It's one way, at least. Perhaps the truest pirates are too much down the road of anarchy to ever work with you in a proper way; these are the guys who see us as evil!

"But in Sweden the scene was huge. We're the home of the Pirate Bay, you know. As a studio, we've found that there's definitely a lot of talent ."

As well as tapping the know-how of the hacking community, Sundberg believes that better PC games will reduce levels of piracy, but admits that poor PC ports are a common problem.

"I think piracy wouldn't be as much of an issue if there were better PC games out there. We could just scrap the whole concept of stupid DRM," he says, adding "I've always been of the opinion that we should design PC games for the PC players. PC players and console players are completely two different types of consumer.

"You end up just doing a port, so there's not a lot of time, budget or creative thinking going into using the PC. I think that's quite sad. We should take the PC platform, more seriously. Everyone is just complaining about piracy on the PC, but when it comes to in-game DLC or social connectivity, the options on PC compared to console are endless."

"I would like at some point to do a really good PC game designed specifically for PC players."

Dec 16, 2010

The Just Cause Movie Wants To Be Like Bond, James Bond

Just Cause

Just Cause, a game series starring a swarthy man bathed in tight shirts and explosions, was always going to get a film adaptation. Thankfully, that adaptation sounds faithful to the games. Well, as faithful as you could get.

The game's racial stereotypes will never make the big screen, nor the specifics from a pair of stories so awful you forget them while you're playing the games, but the important stuff, that's there. Like star Rico. And his grappling hook. And that's it!

The Just Cause movie, which is being written by Michael Ross, will be an origin story, telling the tale of a man who transforms into the international gun for hire known as "The Scorpion".

The movie's production team is hoping to capture a "Casino Royale" vibe, full of "hyper real" fight sequences. Or, as "hyper real" as a man with a magic grappling hook and a salsa dancer's outfit can manage, at least.

Just Cause movie is an origin story [Eurogamer]

Dec 13, 2010

Just Cause 2 Might As Well Jump

Just Cause 2

This base-jump in Just Cause 2 certainly gives new meaning to the term "leap of faith".

Press play, then wait for the parachute to open. You'll, uh, be waiting a while.

Just Cause 2 was a sandbox adventure game released earlier this year on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. We never got around to reviewing it, but if you must know what one of us thinks, I rather enjoyed it.

Oct 3, 2010

Just Cause Movie Gets A Screenwriter

Just Cause

A Just Cause movie, which we got wind of a year ago, now has a screenwriter and another producing partner, signaling that we're a step closer to an action-movie video game adapted into a video game action movie.

Michael Ross, whose credits include the 2006 horror flick "Turistas," has been brought aboard to write the script. Joining in the production is L+E Pictures, helmed by Eric Eisner, the son of former Disney chief Michael Eisner. Adrian Askarieh, of Prime Universe Productions, is still aboard. Askarieh has ties to Eidos games, as the producer involved with the Hitman movie and the ongoing Kane & Lynch adaptation.

The Eisner/Askarieh alliance is working to develop the film before shopping for a studio to start filming it.

L+E Finds 'Just Cause' For Pic [Variety, via ComingSoon.net. Thanks Dadud]

Jun 22, 2010

Just Cause 2 New DLC Now available

Just Cause 2 - Valve

Six DLCs, including one free vehicle, is now available on Steam. Pick your choice of weapon/machinery - piecemeal or in full course dinner- and decide how to wreak havoc in Just Cause 2!

Tuk Tuk Boom Boom (FREE) - Try out a true weapon of mass destruction in the new and improved Tuk Tuk. No longer the runt of the litter, this particular Tuk Tuk features a ridiculously over-sized mounted weapon on the roof. Just the thing you need to wreak havoc in paradise!

Rico’s Signature Gun - Customized by the Agency and adapted for Rico’s shooting style, this deadly accurate and powerful pistol packs a punch with precision, power and flair.

Bull’s Eye Assault Rifle - More powerful than the standard assault rifle, this lightweight and lethal automatic rifle features increased accuracy in close combat and a higher magnification scope.

Chevalier Classic - No agent should be without a hot set of wheels and with an increased top speed and superior handling, you can arrive at your destination in style or make a guaranteed quick getaway.

Agency Hovercraft - The ultimate in amphibious transport, the Agency Hovercraft is the most flexible form of transport in the game. Steered by a thrust-based engine for smooth and agile movement, the vehicle is as comfortable on land as off. Equipped with a turret-mounted grenade launcher, you’re guaranteed to blow your opposition out of the water.

Monster Truck - Now purchasable to all available regions! The usefulness of an over-sized monster truck when destabilizing small countries is clearly evident.