The game promises “dominantly story driven objectives”. So, from what I’ve read, they’re promising a FPS, RTS and RPG [role-playing game] all rolled into one game? That should be a hoot-if they can pull it off. Oh, and there’s multi-player.

From the release:

• Set in the Amazon in the year 2011, players will experience lush jungle visuals, haunting ambient sounds, changes in the weather, and an enemy in their home element
• Featuring the best of both worlds, Raven Squad has core FPS and RTS gameplay combined, for a new type of experience
• A multiplayer co-operative campaign that allows players to take control of a squad and play through the entire game with a friend online
• Multiple solutions to every conflict – every battle can play out differently and be resolved in many different ways
• 8 characters with their own unique backgrounds, personalities, behaviors, weapons and skills
• Players can order their squads into vehicles and take the wheel in first-person mode

The original release had the game set to hit Fall ‘08 but since it’s almost SUMMER ‘09, I can only assume that Raven Squad developed a bit of stage fright.

SouthPeak will debut the game at E3 this year so I know that there is a workable copy out there somewhere. Looks like it’s now set for a Q3 ‘09 release for PC and Xbox 360. All this extra time had better mean and extra good game.

Images|SouthPeak

Post from: EveryJoe

Raven Squad Screenshots

That’s what Dr Simon Goodson and Sarah Pearson from Huddersfield University will be saying in their presentation tomorrow [tomorrow for me anyway] at the British Psychological Society’s Annual Conference.

There’s been other research that kinda sorta maybe showed that shooters caused aggression but those studies are a bit old and the variety of games wasn’t exactly extensive. This study used the Xbox 360, a FPS, Project Gotham Racing, and a 3D table tennis game.

30 people [18 to 45] played the games and “changes in their physical responses (EEG, breathing and heart rate) and mental responses (aggression) [were measured] before and after playing.”

And, guess what?

The FPS showed the smallest change.

According to Dr Goodson and Sarah Pearson:

Previous researchers have made sweeping generalizations about the nature of video games. This study is one of the first to use one of the latest games consoles that have a much higher level of realism. Surprisingly the results showed that the driving game made participants more agitated and aggressive than the game with graphic violence. Given the high levels of realism in modern games a re-evaluation of the relationship between video games and violence is needed.

Now…put down the driving game…put in a FPS…and shoot somethin’!

Image|PhotoDu.de

Post from: EveryJoe

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