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Cyberpunk MMO Otherland launches game preview site

It was only a few months ago when we first got word of a new cyberpunk/VR-themed MMO in development. Otherland is based on the the sci-fi novels of Tad Williams, which deal heavily with the interplay of the virtual and the real. Otherland is being built on the Unreal 3 engine by Singapore-based development studio Real U, a wholly-owned subsidiary of dtp entertainment AG in Germany.

The Otherland information page states the game will release in 2011 for PC, and it could potentially offer some interesting dimensions to MMO gameplay. The site states: "MMO fans can expect a fascinating gameplay experience. Based on the globally successful novels, the Otherland gameplay is distinguished by a unique narrative structure. Rather than retelling the story, players will experience their own individual stories within the Otherland universe and will encounter many of the familiar characters from the books. The game world will change dynamically around them during the course of the game."

Cyberpunk MMO based on Tad Williams' Otherland announced

The German games publisher dtp Entertainment has made the surprising announcement that they'll be transforming sci-fi author Tad Williams' Otherland into a massively multiplayer online game. The title will be a mixture of several different playspaces, riffing on the series concept of competing virtual realities. One area in particular will be geared towards casual gaming and social interaction, a hub area to be called the Lambda Mall. Eurogamer has the story, along with a three-page discussion of dtp's plans and goals for this innovative title.

As you can see from the site's screenshot gallery, plans for the game include several different art styles to exist side by side. At its core the game will make use of an 80s/90s "virtual reality" theme, bringing to mind the Metaverse of Stephenson's Snow Crash or the old-style Matrix of the Shadowrun RPG. dtp plans to make use of the Unreal 3 engine for the project, ensuring that the impressive screenshots are likely to be even more eyebrow-raising in action. The game is currently slated for release to the PC in 2010.

Mark Rein: Epic seriously doesn't want to make Wii games

People should probably stop asking them about it. Seriously. We think that's what Mark Rein wants.

But, people still keep doing it, the latest being an interview with GamesIndustry.biz. When asked about Wii development, Rein busted out his Fragalator 5000 and shot the possibility down into a heaping mess of blood and guts. "That's like asking a sculptor when he's going to start painting," he said. "That's just not our medium. That's not our area of expertise - our area of expertise is the more high-end consoles and things that push technology higher. That's what we do - there's a lot more water in that well for us, when that runs dry then maybe we'd have to think of doing something else but I don't think that well is going to run dry anytime soon."

Oh well, not like Unreal Tournament would be the same with Miis anyway ...

Capcom licenses Unreal engine for Euro-developed title

Capcom has announced that Epic's Unreal Engine will be providing the stunning and inevitably shiny visuals for another of its upcoming titles, a new project being developed somewhere in Europe. Keiji Inafune, Mega Managing corporate officer for Capcom, described the technology as "a perfect fit" for the unnamed title, deeming it capable of "ensuring a high-quality game experience." We rather like those.

The developers will also benefit from having "thorough knowledge" of Unreal Engine 3, though if they encounter any problems, they should send an e-mail to the folks working on Capcom's Unreal-powered jetpack-em-up, Dark Void.

Epic intends to make Unreal 3 someday

Eurogamer's Kristan Reed followed up on Epic Games' recent flurry of XBox 360 Unreal Tournament 3 announcements by speaking with VP Mark Rein yesterday. They covered a wide variety of Epic-related topics. Not the least of those: speculation about a third single-player title in the Unreal franchise.

"I'm sure that at some point in our future we will make another single-player, story-driven Unreal game," said Rein. "I'm sure at some point there will be one. There are no plans to do one today." So it's coming, but not any time soon! Other info from the interview: there are no specific plans to release the 360 exclusive content on the PC but "who knows," more downloadable content is on the way, Epic is working on new IPs, and Gears of War 2 is (of course) going to be awesome.

The rest of the interview covered subjects related exclusively to the Epic's console work.

Unreal Tournament III gets PS3 user-created LEGO mod

Love playing Unreal Tournament 3? Love LEGOs? Then you're going to be thrilled by this bit of news. A talented gamer has created a LEGO-inspired UT3 mod for the PS3 version of the multi-platform shooter.

The coolest part of this mod has got to be watching the LEGO blocks break apart when you fire at them. It would've been equally fun to have the ability to build stuff back up, but that would probably distract players from killing each other like they're suppose to.

Hit the jump for another video clip or, if you're already planning on getting this mod for yourself, you can download it here. Make sure you thank the creator, too!

GDC08: Gears of War 2 teaser video

If you can will yourself to push the "play" button on the above video, you'll see a recording of the brief and maddeningly ambiguous Gears of War 2 teaser trailer shown at Microsoft's GDC keynote. If the close study of Marcus Fenix's armored legs and a brutal chainsaw showdown with a locust don't get you excited, perhaps CliffyB's visit (with a chainsaw bayonet) can quicken your pulse. If, on the other soon-to-be-severed hand, you're wondering what on earth a CliffyB is, there's not much we can do for you. Gears of War 2 releases on Xbox 360 in November 2008.

Video courtesy of our pals at Mahalo Daily.