Kotaku: world in conflict

Nope, No World In Conflict For Consoles

Luke Plunkett — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 01:30:00 MST

Massive Entertainment's World In Conflict is great. Provided you've got a PC, that is, because despite original announcements to the contrary, the series is not coming to consoles.

Yes, we know, the original plan was for World In Conflict: Soviet Assault to be released on PC, 360 and PS3 later this month. But new owners Ubisoft - who took over when previous publishers Sierra went belly-up - have decided that a PC version will have to do, confirming what we already expected with "World of Conflict: Soviet Assault will be released for the PC later this month. A console version of World in Conflict is not planned for release at this time".

That last line leaves hope for the future, but really, being an RTS on a console from a publisher that already has an RTS series on console, we'd advise against holding your breath.

World in Conflict Console Hopes Snuffed [IGN]

Ubisoft Buys Massive, World In Conflict

Michael McWhertor — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:00:00 MST

Massive Entertainment — orphaned by Vivendi Games when it became part of Activision Blizzard and dumped all those Sierra-published titles — has found a new publishing daddy in Ubisoft. The French pub has purchased the Swedish dev team and the World In Conflict property, the real-time strategy series Massive was responsible for.

Hopefully, that means World in Conflict: Soviet Assault, the PC expansion pack and PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 console port, will see the light of day. We presume it will ultimately ship, just under its new name: Tom Clancy's World in Conflict: Soviet Assault. You know, for brand synergy and whatnot.

UBISOFT® ACQUIRES THE ASSETS OF MASSIVE ENTERTAINMENT®

Paris, France – November 10, 2008 – Today Ubisoft announced that it has acquired from Activision Blizzard the assets and all of the personnel of esteemed Malmö, Sweden- based studio Massive Entertainment®, as well as the real time strategy brand World In Conflict®.

Created in 1997, Massive employs over 120 developers and was ranked as one of the top 50 best game studios in the world by Game Developers Research in 2008. The studio is world-renowned for its expertise in the RTS genre and for the quality of its innovative proprietary technologies. World in Conflict® was acclaimed by critics, receiving the Best Strategy Game of E3 2007 award, as well as being named Best Online Multiplayer Game of 2007 by IGN, and Most Innovative Game of 2007 by Gamespot, among many other awards.

"We are delighted to welcome the talented team of creators at Massive into the Ubisoft family," said Christine Burgess-Quemard, executive director of worldwide production studios at Ubisoft. "Ubisoft is growing at an intense pace and our strategy is to ensure the strength of our global creative teams. Massive has put together a group of some of the most confirmed and recognized creators in the industry and I know that their talent and innovation will allow them to seamlessly integrate into our worldwide network of production studios."

“Massive’s development team places great importance on its freedom to innovate and create games of the highest quality,” stated Martin Walfisz, president and founder of Massive Entertainment®. “We are fortunate to have found in Ubisoft a publisher who shares the same values and understands our mindset. I have no doubt that our future together will offer significant mutual benefit and synergy.”

Massive - DirectX10 Effects Possible On Consoles

Mike Fahey — Tue, 20 May 2008 11:00:00 MDT

If you've got the time and the resources, your console game can look pretty damn close to its DirectX10-enabled PC counterpart. This from Massive Entertainment's VP of Development Peter Sydow in an interview with Videogamers.com in which he discusses development of the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of World In Conflict.

Yeah, at this point we've managed to replicate some of the effects, but I don't know what features will make it into the final release. Nearly all of our DX10 features are possible to do on the consoles if you give it enough time and resources, so we'll keep on working on them and see what happens.

See Funcom? Even the console developers can do it!

World in Conflict Interview [Videogamers.com - Thanks David!]

World in Conflict 360/PS3 Impressions

fdemarco — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 04:00:00 MDT

World in Conflict, the PC based Cold War conflict RTS is grinding its gears to make its first big debut on consoles. The developers are billing this tale of the Soviets invading Germany not as an expansion but more of an "enhancement" to the original. The game is essentially the same as the PC version with some key differences such as this time rather than being from the Soviets perspective, we get the US perspective. That makes up the majority of the story changes and other changes have been implemented in the controls and menu system.

RTSs are traditionally menu deep affairs much more suited to the many keys of a PC rather than the limited buttons of a game controller. From what I could see, the developers (Massive and Swordfish Manchester) seem to have done an admirable job in making the switch from PC to consoles and have completely reworked the control and menu system to suit console specific controllers. FPS like camera controls allow you to navigate quickly and easily and a tracking reticle makes it easy to pinpoint that specific enemy. A new, simpler menu interface adds to the ease by making it unnecessary to dig through layers of menus to find the one you want. You can also take to your Global War Room to compare your victories and battles with fellow players from around the world.

Whether or not World in Conflict will successfully make the jump from PC to consoles (where many others have failed) remains to be seen and I will let RTS aficionados be the ones to make the final judgment. My personal experience with such games is admittedly rather limited, but I do wonder how the depth of a PC menu system can be truly duplicated in a console version. It seems a herculean task but if they can pull it off it could mean more successful console RTSs in the future. Look for World in Conflict to made available for your PS3 and 360 later this year.

World In Conflict: Soviet Assault

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 06:40:00 MDT

Don't know what Soviet Assault is? Do keep up. It's the next World in Conflict release: for PC owners, it's a big expansion, for console owners, it's a standalone title. Here's the first footage to go along with the first details, along with the first [sigh] developer diary.

Details On World In Conflict Console Version

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 07:20:00 MDT

World in Conflict is coming to the 360 and PS3. We already knew that. What we didn't know about this console-specific game is that it'll be called World in Conflict: Soviet Assault, and will take the PC game, give it console-specific controls and give you the chance to also command the invading Soviet forces. Yes, yes, In Soviet Russia, invaders command you, etc, etc. PC owners, for you, nothing else has changed: you'll get all the new content as an expansion pack, same time as the console versions arrive (which is "Fall").
World in Conflict: Soviet Assault - first details [OXM Czech, via Tiscali, thanks Jan!]

World In Conflict Slated For Consoles This Fall

Mark Wilson — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 13:20:41 MST

Good news, console RTSers! Sierra/Massive Entertainment's acclaimed post-Cold War real-time strategy title World in Conflict is spreading from the PC to the Xbox 360 and PS3. Expected to launch fall 2008, these console versions won't just be a port of the original World in Conflict, instead including extra "new content" planned for both the singleplayer campaign and online multiplayer.

For existing PC players, this new content will come in the form of an add-on. Potential pricing has not been discussed. As for me, I just feel lucky that I'm no longer forced to own a PC to play a lot of games formerly reserved for the platform, even if the authenticity of experience isn't always duplicated.

World in Conflict destined for Fall 2008 release
Sierra Entertainment's Action-Strategy Opus World In Conflict Coming To Xbox 360 And PLAYSTATION®3 System In Fall 2008

The Genre-Bending "Best Strategy Game of 2007" Gets Even Better As It Heads to Consoles with Additional Single Player and Multiplayer Content

MARLOW (14TH FEBRUARY, 2008) - Sierra Entertainment, a division of Vivendi Games, announced today that World in Conflict™ - the groundbreaking action-strategy game that claimed the coveted E3 2007 Game Critics "Best Strategy Game" award and topped many "Best of 2007" lists - will appear on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system this autumn.

World in Conflict, originally created by Sierra's-own Massive Entertainment, is being redesigned for consoles and will also include a host of new content for both the single-player campaign and the game's award-winning multiplayer mode. The new content will also be made available for personal computer as an add-on to the original World in Conflict game. More information on the PC release will be provided soon.

The World in Conflict game for Xbox 360 and the PLAYSTATION®3 system is being developed by Massive Entertainment in conjunction with Sierra's-own Swordfish Studios.

"World in Conflict was one of the best games on any platform in 2007 and its innovative action-focused gameplay makes it a perfect fit for the transition to consoles," said Martin Tremblay, president of worldwide studios, Sierra Entertainment. "World in Conflict is being reinvented for Xbox 360 and the PLAYSTATION®3 system, with innovative features and new single player and multiplayer content created for the console audience. World in Conflict on consoles will be an amazing extension of an already great gaming franchise."

A World in Conflict Christmas

Brian Crecente — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:01:25 MST

Wow, those folks over at Massive Entertainment have issues, Christmas issues! But who doesn't. I mean who hasn't wanted to take out the neighborhood with a flood or tanks and barrage of mortar fire?

World In Conflict Takes It To The Countryside

Mike Fahey — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 08:00:22 MST

Massive continues their inspiring post-launch support of their cold war action RTS World in Conflict next week, with an all new map - Countryside. If you've ever taken a cross-country road trip, Countryside will be extremely familiar to you, as many cows have been counted by children in the back of their parents' station wagon in spots like these since time began. I guess now you can count nuclear explosions instead, though I am guessing you wouldn't get much further than one.

Our 25 countries World in Conflict contest...

Brian Ashcraft — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 07:00:16 MDT

Our 25 countries World in Conflict contest has drawn to a close, and we've selected a winner. And that winner is... Jenny N.! So, Jenny N. shoot us an email at tipsATkotaku.com with your address. Make sure you put "WORLD IN CONFLICT WINNER" in the subject line, because that's what you are. Congrats!

World in Conflict Quick Draw Contest

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 21:00:38 MDT

First person to shoot kotakucontestATgmail.com an email with a list of twenty-five countries gets a copy of World in Conflict. Yup, that's it! Realize: As you are reading this, there are people, you know, who are sending emails — one of which will get a free game. Uh-huh, uh-huh.
World in Conflict [Official Site]

World In Conflict's Cold War

Mike Fahey — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 14:00:06 MDT

World In Conflict developers Massive Entertainment is creating a series of behind the scenes vignettes about the upcoming PC RTS game that Crecente and I recently got a chance to suck at. This first one details the setting, which is of course an alternate timeline where instead of the cold war ending, it got hot. Really hot. We're talking Red Dawn hot. The video is worth it for the closing scene alone, which features Seattle being enveloped in a mushroom cloud while Tears for Fears' Everybody Wants To Rule The World plays in the background. Classy!

World In Conflict Game Off - Results

Mike Fahey — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 15:00:56 MDT

So the World In Conflict Game Off challenge has come and gone, and if you look closely in the smoking ruins of a small northwestern town you might catch a glimpse of mine and Crecente's battered bodies laying in pieces along a mile of crater-pitted roadway. Two rounds were played, one with Kotaku representing the US and the other representing mother Russia, and in both instances devs Vextor and Emma completely decimated our pitiful team in minutes. The third round we swapped partners, with Vextor and I facing Crecente and Emma. Showing what a difference a good partner makes, this time the game lasted until the timer ran out, and when the smoke cleared my team stood triumphant, waving the American flag while enjoying some hot dogs and apple pie. Remember, just because we were pathetic losers doesn't mean you have to be. Keep an eye posted for the aforementioned cool swag that we'll be giving away in the near future!

World In Conflict Q&A

Mark Wilson — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 13:40:31 MDT

In World In Conflict's latest Q&A, the developers hint at things to come.

Q: Will there be an 'Army Creator' feature where you can create your own faction with your own units in-game, define bonuses etc?

So will there? Short answer, no. Long answer...no. Seriously, that may be the most deflating question ever to ask an RTS developer: "So, does your game do all this awesome stuff that you've never, ever hinted at or alluded to?" But there's some good stuff here if you are interested in Word in Conflict.

Q&A with David Polfeldt [massgate]

The World in Conflict Game Off

Brian Crecente — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 13:00:18 MDT

The Massive folks have challenged Team Kotaku to a little game-off in World in Conflict this week. They will be pitting two of the guys who helped create the game against myself and Fahey, in other words we are going to have not just our asses, but just about all of our body parts handed to us.

In exchange for this online pummeling we've agreed to undertake, Massive is going to send us videos of our digital disgrace for posting on the site and whether we win or not we take home some prizes. Not prizes for us, no, all we get is the public humiliation, the prizes will be for you, dear readers.

The Massive folks are going to hand over several copies of World in Conflict, some sort of autographed World in Conflict swag and some uber prize, perhaps a World in Conflict Skateboard or track jacket. I'm hoping to get you guys the board, because I've seen it and it kicks ass. No promises yet on what exactly we'll be getting for you, but it's going to be super cool.

Check back Friday evening to see just how horrible Fahey and I were whooped.

Kotaku Readers Like Cats Better Than Jubblies

Brian Ashcraft — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 05:00:42 MDT

Here it is, the winning entry for out World in Conflict contest. *Applause* We received tons of entries and had a super strong showing from our finalists. Good work everyone! So, cat person, come on down and send us an email at kotakucontestATgmail.com to claim your loot! Everyone else, don't!

World in Conflict Gallery and Cut-Scene

Brian Crecente — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:00:23 MDT

With World in Conflict less than two weeks away expect a flood of new screens and clips. Here's just the tip of the iceberg.

Hey Reader People, Pick The Best Globe!

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 05:00:21 MDT

Here they are: The Make-The-World-Win-The-World in Conflict contest finalist. We've got six in the running. (Much love to all who entered!) A copy of either the PC or Xbox 360 version of World in Conflict is up for grabs — the winner chooses! So, let's pick that winner, Kotakuland. In the comments section, write down one finalist you think should one. Just one! Not, two, three or w/e. ONE. Also, folks who dip into little Mr. Critic territory will feel the brunt end of the banhammer. Voting ends tonight at midnight EST.

The finalists after the j-u-m-p!

Finalist 1
llia Chentsov writes:

This is my globe, made from a potato - the tuber that originated in America, but was later brought to Russia and became our traditional meal as well (we call in kartoshka). So let us raise our glasses for the time when we all forget our conflicts and share our kartoshka as brothers!

Finalist 2
Zhai writes:

I would like to present you my globe made of paper, 2 crayons (green and yellow) and my cat. When I was drawing continents, think I offended about 4 000 000 000 people all around the world,by mishshaping their countries/continents. I'm really sorry. Sorry Africans for ereasing half of west countries there. Sorry Europeans for connecting Ireland and Britain with the rest of a land. Sorry Asians for missing Japan, but it didn't hold well on cat. Sorry Australians for connecting your continent with New Zealand. Hope you can forgive me and enjoy my "Cat in conflict"

Finalist 3
Mike S. writes:
[Mike S. didn't write anything besides his name.]

Finalist 4
Daniel writes:

It's our gaming globe.

Finalist 5
Sarah writes:

These are my globes in conflict. Technically... I did make them.

Finalist 6
Jordie writes:

This globe of people is made in honor of World In Conflict's open mulitplayer beta AND demo, and to all those infantry doods and the napalm they so hate.

World in Conflict [Official Site]

Last Day For Globe Entries

Brian Ashcraft — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 21:00:04 MDT

This is it! The last day to enter our amazing World in Conflict globe contest, and there are only a few hours left. Just look at Kotakuite Zhai's amazing entry. It's a globe on a cat. Yes, a CAT. Brilliant! Says Zhai:

When I was drawing continents, think I offended about 4 000 000 000 people all around the world,by mishshaping their countries/continents. I'm really sorry. Sorry Africans for ereasing half of west countries there. Sorry Europeans for connecting Ireland and Britain with the rest of a land. Sorry Asians for missing Japan, but it didn't hold well on cat. Sorry Australians for connecting your continent with New Zealand.

To bring everyone up to speed: Make a globe out of anything you like, but it must be an actual tangible World globe with countries and oceans and stuff like that. The key here is be creative! Accuracy isn't so important! The best globes will be selected by the big mean Kotaku editors, while Kotakuland will vote for the best finalist. The deadline for entries is tonight at midnight PST. Finalists will be announced that Friday, and the winner can decide if he/she/it wants the PC or the Xbox 360 version. Send all entries to kotakucontest@gmail with the subject line "Globe." Remember, you're not only winning a copy of World in Conflict, but also INTERNET FAME.
World in Conflict [Official Site]

No Jubblies, Just Instruction Booklets and Boxes

Brian Ashcraft — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 07:00:58 MDT

Wowzers! Kotakuite dnzperson sent along an entry for our World in Conflict — and it didn't involve boobs! Or other parts (thank gawd). Good for him. Let's bring everyone up to speed: Make a globe out of anything you like, but it must be an actual tangible World globe with countries and oceans and stuff like that. The key here is be creative! Accuracy isn't so important! The best globes will be selected by the big mean Kotaku editors, while Kotakuland will vote for the best finalist. The deadline for entries is this Thursday at midnight EST. Finalists will be announced that Friday, and the winner can decide if he/she/it wants the PC or the Xbox 360 version. Send all entries to kotakucontest@gmail with the subject line "Globe." Remember, you're not only winning a copy of World in Conflict, but also INTERNET FAME.
World in Conflict [Official Site]