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Saturday, November 16, 2013
02:48 PM - November 16, 2013. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Robert Kollars
With the launch of the Playstation 4 now behind us, we have officially entered into the next generation of gaming. While some felt it was too early to do so, most have been ready for some time, and now it’s time to find out if the developers were ready also. The launch line-ups for both Sony’s Playstation 4 and Microsoft’s Xbox One seem impressive on paper, but will that translate into must-have titles for each system? – we are about to find out.
We wanted to take a quick look at Madden 25 for the Playstation 4, and see if all the talk from EA Sports/Tiburon will translate into a better product on the field. Here are some quick impressions from our limited time with Madden 25 on the PS4 so far.
Read More - Madden NFL 25 Next-Gen First Impressions
Friday, October 11, 2013
10:49 AM - October 11, 2013. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Robert Kollars
While racing games seem to enjoy more popularity on the PC these days, there have been a handful of titles that have flourished on the console platforms. The Forza series from Microsoft developer Turn 10, happens to be one of the series which has done just that, by combining a strong physics package, a deep career mode, and a great online experience.
I took Forza 3 out for another spin recently, and wanted to see what how well it holds up to today’s racing titles, and if there is still some life left under the hood.
Read More - Looking Back At Forza Motorsport 3
Friday, September 20, 2013
01:38 PM - September 20, 2013. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Robert Kollars
With next-gen games coming, it's time for actual dialogue to create realistic expectations.
With next-gen games coming, it's time for actual dialogue to create realistic expectations.
A new generation of gaming is upon us, and a new level of consumer expectations is sure to follow the arrival of next-gen consoles.
In the world of video games, today’s gamer is still willing to part with their disposable income early and often, but only if the title dictates it. Information about every title is readily available to all who are interested, and early impressions and reviews are there to be consumed at the click of a button. This is good news for the gamer, potentially bad news for developers and publishers.
Read More - A Time for Honest Dialogue: A New Generation with New Expectations
Monday, September 16, 2013
06:06 PM - September 16, 2013. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Glenn Wigmore
Pro Evolution Soccer's incredibly rich gameplay experience seems to be alive and well with this year's iteration in the series, Pro Evolution Soccer 2014. We had some of our staff writers pen a few thoughts on their experiences with the demo from the past week. Click the link to find out their thoughts.
Read More - Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 Demo Roundtable
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
01:37 PM - September 3, 2013. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Chris Sanner
With this generation coming to a close, where does EA Football (NCAA Football and Madden) stand as we prepare to see the first next-gen football games? Do you think both games are behind the curve or are they in a position of strength heading into the new generation? Read our thoughts and share your own!
Read More - OS Roundtable: Where does EA Football Stand at the End of This Generation?
Friday, July 12, 2013
12:46 PM - July 12, 2013. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Robert Kollars
Of course not every experience was a bad one, as we saw some wonderful titles drop during this generation: Sony’s MLB the Show, 2K’s NBA franchise, and EA’s FIFA and NHL series. It doesn't mean that the four titles mentioned were perfect, but they were part of a select few that were considered enjoyable by the masses. If you were a sports gamer though, it felt like every series this generation had its own set of issues, but certain developers found ways to deliver a great title consistently.
Read More - WIll Next-Gen Finally Deliver on Sports Gaming's Sim Promise?
Friday, July 5, 2013
04:10 PM - July 5, 2013. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Robert Kollars
The final version of NCAA Football before the next generation of consoles arrive has hit the (virtual) marketplace. EA has packed the latest iteration of its college football simulation about as full as you can, but does that mean it’s the best so far of this generation?
This year fans of the NCAA Football series finally get their first taste of EA's new football physics engine, Infinity Engine 2.
EA claims that now speed, momentum, mass, and more are all taken into account when determining the outcome of any collision. EA has also added in a brand new recruiting system, a revamped dynasty mode, and for the first time in the NCAA series, Ultimate Team is making its debut into the franchise.
All of the improvements and additions do translate into what is probably the most authentic college football experience ever on a console, but that doesn't mean NCAA Football 14 is perfect.
Read More - NCAA Football 14 Review (360/PS3)
Thursday, June 27, 2013
11:56 AM - June 27, 2013. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Robert Kollars
Microsoft almost ushered in the end of isolated single-player gaming.
The Black Rhino, the Leatherback Turtle, the Sumatran Tiger, and the single-player sports video game experience.
All have something in common: they are all inching closer to extinction.
The biggest problem is the fact that unlike the previously mentioned animals, single player video game modes are on no one’s endangered list so that it can be protected and saved. In fact more and more developers and publishers are advocates of single player’s removal from games, as they feel the co-op and multi-player mode is the wave which will sweep next-generation consoles.
Read more - The Extinction of the Single Player Experience?
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
The definition of the word Simulation is “Representation of the operation or features of one process or system through the use of another.”
Well that seems simple enough, right? Ah, but we all know that in the world of sports video game simulation, nothing is ever that simple. Sure, the word simulation is bantered about with carelessness and used by developers in a large percentage of game descriptions released for public consumption, but we really need to ask ourselves again, what does simulation mean to us as individuals?
Read More - Defining Sim Gaming
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
06:38 PM - May 1, 2013. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Robert Kollars
It’s been nearly six months since Eutechnyx released their latest NASCAR simulation, NASCAR The Game: Inside Line. As we approach Summer and the heart of the NASCAR season, we wanted to check in with Dave Thompson, lead developer of Inside Line, and find out what the plans for this title are moving forward (hint PC gamers will be very happy!).
It was just last month that fans were treated to the new Gen-6 car and weekly highlight races in a DLC package that Eutechnyx made available, and now Dave was kind enough to sit down with us, and let us know what fans can expect in the immediate future and beyond.
Read More - Dave Thompson Interview: Talking NASCAR Gaming and the Future!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
04:15 PM - November 3, 2011. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Bo McCready
OS Staff Writers, by now you have all heard the news about the fourth NCAA title update not including a fix for player tendencies. To some this is an absolutely huge deal and to others it seems as if they are perfectly content with the game as-is. But let's go beyond that; let's discuss whether the string of bugs this year, plus the lack of any patchable resolution will be detrimental to NCAA 13, or will the blunders of NCAA Football 12 be forgotten by many next July?
Read More - OS Roundtable: The Player Tendencies Snafu - Short Term Blunder or Long Term Mistake?
Monday, October 31, 2011
01:03 PM - October 31, 2011. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Robert Kollars
In 2000, EA released a simple NASCAR themed arcade racer named NASCAR Rumble on the original Playstation. While it was anything but a simulation, that didn’t stop it from becoming a cult favorite in the racing genre. Firebrand games and Activision are hoping lightening strikes twice, with the release of NASCAR Unleashed. This is not a sequel in any way to the previously mentioned title, but it definitely has the same feel and look. The car models resemble that of an early 70s muscle car, rather than a stock car. The racing takes place anywhere from certain licensed NASCAR tracks, to a city setting, the woods and just about anywhere else you could think of. NASCAR Unleashed absolutely pushes the boundaries of its licensing, and that’s exactly what they set out to do.
Read More - NASCAR Unleashed Developer Interview
Friday, July 15, 2011
04:21 PM - July 15, 2011. Posted by ChaseB. Written by Robert Kollars
In 2004, iRacing was founded by Dave Kaemmer and John Henry. The purpose was to create a driving simulator that would give a person at home the ability to feel and see what professional drivers do on the track. Mr. Henry is the owner of MLB’s Boston Red Sox and co-owner of Roush-Feway Racing. Mr. Kaemmer’s background comes from the video game side of things as he was the co-founder of the extremely successful developer Papyrus. Dave worked on and helped create such titles as Indianapolis 500, NASCAR 2003 and Grand Prix Legends.
Together this duo has helped create the premier online racing simulator known as iRacing. This simulator provides people at home the ability to drive such famous tracks as Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Daytona International, Circuit De Spa- Francorchamps and many more time-honored venues. They also provide over 25 official vehicles and include official licensing deals with such groups as NASCAR, IndyCar and F1. The vehicles are truly replicated by using real-world information and experience, and each and every track has been laser-scanned to provide the driver the feel of every little bump and blemish felt by the professionals.
I recently had a chance to sit down with Steve Myers of iRacing. Mr. Myers played an integral part in developing and securing the track and vehicle licenses that iRacing now provides for its members.
(And for those who read the entire interview, there is a little treat at the end.)
Read More - iRacing 2.0 Discussion With Developer Steve Myers
Thursday, June 2, 2011
06:38 PM - June 2, 2011. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Robert Kollars
The latest title in Codemasters' Colin McRae Rally series is out in the form of Dirt 3. If you have ever felt the desire to race in the L.A. Coliseum, the Rocky Mountains or the deepest part’s of Kenya, but found you didn’t have the money, time or courage to do so -- no worries. Codemasters is going to give you an opportunity to do so in a much cheaper, safer environment. And the developers will give you that opportunity all while delivering an incredibly realistic and fun experience.
Read More - DiRT 3 Review (Xbox 360)
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
04:45 PM - April 5, 2011. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Robert Kollars
After two full years of having no sim-style representation on any console, word started to spread in mid to late 2009 that a British video game developer was taking over the reigns of the most popular US motorsports license available today. Eutechnyx had secured the license to develop a full scale, fully licensed NASCAR simulation-arcade racer. The excitement and buzz of a new developer taking on this project was palpable. Word started spreading from site to site, and people had visions of a game that would exceed anything Electronic Arts had ever developed -- and maybe a game that would rival what Papyrus had put out on the PC, NASCAR 2003.
March 29, 2011 was the date that digital NASCAR fans had written in their day planners. They had planned vacation days for this date, developed elaborate ideas of how to call in sick to work and school, and told their wives and girlfriends to not plan on seeing them for a solid week. However, all of those plans struggled to get out of the proverbial pit box once they realized that the game they had hoped for and the game they put into their beloved consoles on release day was not the experience they were hoping for.
As a total package, NASCAR The Game 11 was not the whole game that they had envisioned just weeks prior to release, but that doesn’t mean it was time to put the car in the hauler and leave the track for the weekend.
Read More - NASCAR The Game 2011 Review (360)
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