Hybride Technologies Acquired by Ubisoft

Ubisoft, the french games publisher/developer has acquired canadian based visual effects studio; Hybride Technologies. Hybride Technologies’s portfolio includes blockbuster movies like 300, Sin City. Hybride is notable for giving movies almost a video game look by using unique visuals. Ubisoft plans to use Hybride’s technology in their games. Ubisoft did not disclose the amount of the buyout.

Press Release:
Today Ubisoft announced the acquisition of Hybride Technologies, a Montreal-based studio renowned for its expertise in the creation of visual effects for cinema, television and advertising.

Created over 15 years ago, Hybride employs 80 team members. The studio’s many projects include such innovative films as 300, Frank Miller’s Sin City and the Spy Kids series. Read more

Fallout 3 Developer Slams Diablo III’s Design

While everyone is gung-ho about Diablo III, Ashley Cheng, producer of Fallout 3 has criticised the game design and called it “conservative”.

I must say I am disappointed that Blizzard has stayed on the conservative side in terms of design with their updates to Diablo and Starcraft. Diablo will be interesting since World of Warcraft has a lot of Diablo-like qualities. I have no doubt, however, that they will be incredibly fun, addictive and polished games. Blizzard is the top of the class when it comes to game development - nobody does it better.

Oh no he didn’t!

Stardock Impulse to Compete with VALVe’s Steam?

Amidst all the success of Valve’s brilliant Steam platform, the developer behind Sins of A Solar Empire; Stardock, is cooking up it’s very own content distribution service. Named “Impulse”. Stardock is set to fully attack Steam with bucketload of game titles, in-house applications and a jazzy (if bloated) interface.

Impulse, a new digital platform being put together by a consortium of developers, websites, hardware vendors, and game publishers and led by Stardock is designed to do this and much more.

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Codemasters gets F1 license, First F1 title coming 2009

After Sony decided to ditch the F1 license for financial and popularity reasons, another publisher has decided to pick it up. According to GameSpot, Codemasters has bought the rights to F1 license.

The first game to come out of this agreement will be released on “home console, handheld and PC gaming formats” in 2009, and is expected to be based on next season’s roster. The game is being developed with the developer’s own EGO engine, the same one being used in GRID.

Ubisoft to Publish Fallout 3 in Europe

4-Players.de received a press release from french games publisher/developer Ubisoft which states the company will be publishing Fallout 3 in Europe.

Ubisoft has gone into agreement with Bethesda Softworks and has become the seller of the post-apocalyptic role-playing game in large parts of Europe, including Germany, Switzerland and Austria. This comes from a press release of the publisher. In this it stays with the indicated release date of Autumn this year. Alain Corre, Executive Directorf with Ubisoft knows that expectations are enormous for the popularly anticipated sequel and is sure, “that Fallout 3 will have the success of the earlier blockbuster, like for example TES IV: Oblivion”.

Thanks, TMA

Champions Online - QnA

Developer Cryptic Studios has released a QnA session for their upcoming superhero MMO; Champions Online.

When you say that any character can pick any powers the phrase “jack of many master of none” comes to mind. My question is if I choose a power outside of my “archetype” (for lack of a better word) will it just be a waste of points because I’ll be spending at a premium to get a substandard version of a power? Or will my brick’s fire blast be just as good as the energy projector’s? (Shofu)

Arkayne: Good question, Shofu. Choosing an “archetype” gives you bonuses with certain categories of powers, not just powers listed under your archetype. For example, if you choose Brick as your focus, any defensive powers you choose are more effective because you’re a Brick. Using your fire blast example, Bricks are just as effective as Mentalists when it comes to fire blasts, but Energy Projectors gain a bonus when using them because that’s their focus.

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Gothic 3 – Forsaken Gods Announced

JoWooD Productions announces the official Add-On for the award winning roleplaying game Gothic 3. Gothic 3 – Forsaken Gods will answer many open questions and guarantee a seamless step to Gothic 4. Once more you take on the role of the nameless Hero and again you have to raise your sword in anger to save the world of Gothic. On your journey you will meet old friends – but be careful, some old alliances may not have lasted the test of time…. Read more