Two more songs have been announced for Rock Band from Harmonix for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PS2. The first song being revealed by video is Green Grass and High Tides, sung by the southern rock band The Outlaws. Composer Hughie Thomasson originally wrote this number back in 1975, which has been frequently requested among radio stations in the decades following its initial release.

The second song to be revealed for Rock Band is Ballroom Blitz, as made famous by the band Sweet. It was originally released back in 1973 as a single (before making it to the band's Desolation Boulevard album in 1974), and has been covered by a variety of other musicians over the years.

While you may have played the Krokus version of this song back on Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s, Rock Band's multiple-instrument bundle will definitely add a new twist to this fan-favorite. Enjoy the videos, and wait up for more to-be-revealed songs.

The Ballroom Blitz video is available in the Full Article


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It's been a while since we last heard about Bethesda Softworks' tactical FPS, Rogue Warrior (PS3, Xbox 360, PC). Now, it seems we won't be hearing anything about it for quite some time again, as the guys over at Bethesda are saying that until they feel comfortable enough with the build they've got of Rogue Warrior, they're not going to show off the title nor even talk about it. In fact, we shouldn't even be expecting any updates about Rogue Warrior until well into next year.

This rather disconcerting bit of news comes directly from Bethesda's PR representative, Pete Hines. He reports that the game is still under active development, and that we shouldn't hold our breath waiting for a peep about Rogue Warrior. He says that the company itself is waiting "until [its] satisfied enough with where [the game] is to show it off or talk about it."

Well, we can't certainly blame Bethesda, since they're still knee-deep in developing the highly-anticipated Fallout 3 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC). Let's just take solace in the fact that the Rogue Warrior project is still alive and kicking.

 

For the Rogue Warrior/Richard Marcinko fans out there, we've got some bad news. Bethesda Software has just sent out word via their PR head, Pete Hines, that the game starring everybody's favorite ex-Navy SEAL (Marcinko...not Seagal) will not be available at this year's E3 event. "We (Bethesda) aren't talking about RW until we're ready to show what we've been up to," said Hines regarding the matter.

Originally announced some time in 2006, Rogue Warrior for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 puts players behind the combat boots of one Richard "Dick" Marcinko, a Navy SEAL with the unsavory task of fighting his way out of the hostile lands of North Korea. The game runs on the Unreal 3 engine, and is expected to carry 10 multiplayer modes, 200-plus map tile combinations, and is reportedly capable of supporting 24 players for online multiplayer. It's scheduled for a Fall release this 2007.

 

Rogue Warrior, a tactical first-person shooter, is being developed under the wing of Zombie Studios. Set to be showcased on the Unreal 3 engine from Epic Games, the game will be shipped to the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and the PC. And to create the realistic chess tactics against cunning adversaries, Bethesda licensed Kynapse for use on Rogue Warrior's ambitious AI.

Todd Vaughn, VP of Development at Bethesda Softworks, chose Kynogon's Kynapse pathfinding AI middleware solution because it seamlessly integrates with the Unreal 3 engine. He also said:

Our development team was able to leverage Kynapse full set of functionalities and tools very quickly. We can generate automatically Kynapse streamable hierarchical AI data directly within the Unreal Editor. The use of Kynapse pathfinding is transparent and Kynapse low level AI perfectly complements our advanced high level AI.

With war-game veterans Zombie Studios at the development helm, the game should stir up a storm for team-based tactical FPS fans. The game is slated to come out fall of 2007, sporting its emphasis on teamwork and strategy and unique multiplayer features.

There has always been a debate who the better operative was: Sam Fisher or Solid Snake? Well, hold on to your hats, folks because another contender is about to enter the scene. And he's based on a real person. Here comes Dick Marcinko.

Rogue Warrior, a military FPS by dev Zombie Studios and Bethesda Softworks is set to be released for the Xbox360, PS3, and PC in Q4 2007. It runs on Unreal Engine 3 and boasts of a new map generating system called Zombie Tile System (ZTS).

Here are a few screenshots to give us an idea of what to expect this fall.

WorthPlaying was able to score an interview with Bethesda's PR, Pete Hines, to squeeze out more info on the upcoming FPS currently brewing at Zombie Studios - Rogue Warrior (Xbox360, PS3, PC). The interview tackles a whole bunch of stuff: from concept to gameplay to the game's AI system, the different console versions, the unique tiling system, and tons more. Stick with us as we try to give you a few important tidbits from the interview.

On the game's concept: For those who don't know, the game is actually based on Dick Marcinko, a former Navy SEAL and the original author of the book series under the same title. Hines said that they've known Marcinko for quite a while and they just thought of making a game based on his experiences and his books, luckily, Zombie Studios was up to the task and Marcinko was all too willing to share his experiences and turn it into a game. The game has been in development for around a year now.

On the gameplay and AI system: Let's get this one straight from Pete:

It’s not a game where you run down the street and shoot anyone that comes out a doorway. So it’s about using stealth and knowing when to kill, and how. The AI is designed to work well in an environment where you don’t always know where the player will be or what they’ll be doing. It’s designed to be flexible and organic so that it works no matter which path through a level the player may take.

On the multiplayer feature: Co-op play is supported online for all platforms and how it'll work is that your friends will be able to see whether you're online and they can opt to jump into your game. And since they can easily go in, they can take the easy way out as well. At this point, the control will then go back to the AI. With this kind of system, you won't have to wait for your friends to go online for you to start the game and when they leave, you won't have to quit the game and start all over again as well. There are no cross-platform multiplayer modes as of the moment but what they are planning on is to provide support for up to 24 players.

The interview tackles a whole LOT more, including Pete Hines' thoughts on how Rogue Warrior will be able to differentiate itself from the other well-known shooters like Halo, Gears of War, and Call of Duty 3 (PS3, Xbox360), and how much Dick Marcinko influenced the various game elements especially in gameplay, weapons, tactics, etc.

For the past couple of days, there's been a steady stream of info about Rogue Warrior. Today, we're treated to more screens and some more info about its development. Bethesda is shaping their game up for the PS3, 360, and PC come fall of next year, and even as early as now, it looks like it's a game to be reckoned with.

You'll be in the army boots of Dick Marcinko and fight your way out of enemy lines in North Korea. An FPS with a storyline to boot, it's not like your typical WWII game - quite simply because it's not set during that time. But more than this, the game was actually based on the autobiography of Dick Marcinko (yes, he's a real guy) in which he gives accounts of his experiences as a Navy SEAL.

Here's the low-down on Rogue Warrior that we've gathered so far:

• Campaigns can be played alone or with up to three friends in four-player co-ope mode
• Multiplayer support for up to 24 players in ten different gameplay modes
  
• Enemy and team AI that move and fight realistically in a variety of combat situations
• Current and former SEALs work closely with the developers to ensure realistic tactics, weapons, and dialog
• Graphics use Unreal 3 streaming technology, allowing non-linear levels and photo-realistic environments
• A full physics system, motion-captured animations, and sound effects by SoundDelux DMG

So, who's your hero? Sam Fisher or Solid Snake? Better watch out because Dick Marcinko is about to step into the limelight... Here's a couple of screens for your viewing pleasure. Take note of the map render. We could already think of a couple of neat little places to hide in.

Bethesda plans to launch Rogue Warrior on the PC, the Xbox 360 and the PS3 by the Fall of 2007. It's actually an FPS that's currently in the early stages of development. Then, along came producer John Williamson, who gives us bits of info about the multiplayer workings of Rogue Warrior. What Williamson revealed definitely got our palms sweaty with excitement.

But hey, to make it short and sweet, here's what we learned from the interview:

• The game will have 10 multiplayer modes, 200-plus map tile combinations, 24 player online games, and currently 12-13 gametypes they are experimenting with.
• Interactivity: Booby traps, emplaced weapons, other destructibles will be present in multiplayer.
• Co-operative multiplayer: There's a possibility for online clan support (currently supports four co-op online play) and balanced stat tracking.

Multiplayer does alter the meaning of FPS in Rogue Warrior. A typical day, for instance, will let you log in and find your friends online along with info on what games they're playing. You can leave the multiplayer game anytime to grab a sandwich and an AI will take over. You can also come back and play again while the game is running.

Williamson further adds: "The goal is have a more emergent experience, rather than just the same race to the main intersection every round, on the same map, over and over and over again."

Hmmm. We wonder what that means. If the game sounds ace to you, keep on scanning the QJ pages for more news about Rogue Warrior in the future.

Bethesda Softworks has recently announced their plans to publish Rogue Warrior. The game is a tactical first-person shooter based on the book series by Richard Marcinko. This of course serves as Bethesda's return to the FPS genre.

The game is set to have versions for Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Sony’s PS3. Developers claim that Rogue Warrior is a story-driven shooter that will provide gamers with team-based tactical combat. They’re proud that the contiguous levels will be using Unreal 3 streaming technology. Bethesda says that the game’s stages will feature a "freeform battlefield," wherein players will have the freedom to choose how to complete a given objective.

They say that this freeform battlefield should allow for allowing for creativity and surprises, instead of heavily scripted events and tightly contained spaces traditionally used in this genre. The say that the AI system will empower the NPC’s to react realistically, see and hear others, and respond as a team. In short the smartest bots known to man. Again, this is what the devs say.

As far as multiplayer is concerned, they announced that there will be 10 gameplay modes and a system whereby maps are created using tiles that are selected by each team. The tiling system will allow users to experience over 200 maps in both day and nighttime settings. The campaign features solo and on-the-fly cooperative play for up to four players, where anyone can join or leave an existing campaign game at any time without having to go to menus or save progress.

We’ll update you if we get more word about Rogue Warrior. The game is scheduled to hit shelves by fall of 2007.

More info on the games back story after the Jump.