It's being reported by various UK based news sites that Free Radical, developer of the TimeSplitters series and Haze, has closed its doors for good. No one has received confirmation from the developer either way, as they don't seem to be answering their phones, but judging from anecdotal evidence, it's not looking good. Forum-goers over at Eurogamer are saying that the locks on the doors have been changed and Develop's sources are saying "something" happened at the developer this morning.
Develop is posturing that the closure, if true, is probably a result of Haze being a commercial and critical flop. Not only that, but the word is that their Lucasarts collaberation (Star Wars BattleFront 3) is reported to have been cancelled and they were having trouble finding a publisher for TimeSplitters 4. Sadly, it seems that game will now never see the light of day. We'll update this story as soon as we get confirmation either way but, as we say, it's not looking good. It's a sad day and we feel for anyone who has lost their job -- especially this close to Christmas.
[UPDATE] We've received confirmation that Free Radical has, indeed, closed its doors. This is no longer a rumor. GameIndustry.biz is reporting that Star Wars Battlefront 3 has been passed on to PSP Battlefront developer Rebellion.
"Every game has a sequel." Oh, if only that were true. In the case of Timesplitters: Future Perfect, however, it is. Timesplitters 4 is well and truly in production. We're happy about it, but not as optimistic as we might have been before a certain narcotic-and-war-condemning title was released over Summer. Still, our hopes are high that Free Radical's next project will be a little less pretentious and a little more fun, like other Timesplitters games were.
A new video has appeared on the Free Radical website. It doesn't show a lot but, like the first teaser, it shows of more what we can expect from the game; monkeys and pop-culture parody. While the video is cute (particularly the very end), we desperately want to see some actual game footage. Still, a monkey in a suit is better than nothing. Right?
Developed by Free Radical, the ex-Rare employees responsible for the excellent Timesplitters series, Haze has been a long time coming. The game has suffered from multiple delays as well as exclusivity confusion over the last year. Haze promised to deliver an immersive story, balanced multiplayer and seamless online and offline co-op play. It was also backed up by some excellent live-action trailers.
Unfortunately, it becomes apparent whilst playing the game that, while the team at Free Radical may have reached for excellence, they have either fallen short or made some bad decisions with regards to the execution of many aspects of the title. Haze isn't a bad game and, despite some shortcomings, can be enjoyable and thought provoking. But is it as good as the hype suggested? Frankly, no. Read on to find out why.
Tired of hearing bad things about Haze? Played the game and thought it wasn't all that bad? Or just looking for a new outfit that just screams "you"? Check out Universal Designs' new Haze Costume: now you can be a Mantel soldier overdosing on some mad Nectar (sold separately in your neighborhood grocer; the label says Honey just to trick the masses). Our only issue is a design flaw meant to keep you comfortable: the helmet is insanely huge compared to the cranium-hugging ones in the video game. Otherwise, nice.
This is one of the strange, most unique promos we've seen for any video game -- and we love it. Haze Multiplayer Date is a Hazethemed dating show. Yes, strange, no? We don't know who greenlit this promo, but we have to give props to Ubisoft and Free Radical to do something we haven't seen on the internet. And boy, we've seen a lot of stuff on the internet.
While Free Radical's game doesn't come out until later this month, fans can avail of some Haze goodies right now ... and tomorrow as well. At the moment, you can download funny Haze wallpapers (like the one pictured above) right here for your own personal amusement. There are four in total and they all come in multiple sizes.
If having a half-naked Mantel soldier taking a dump on your computer screen isn't enough to satiate your love for Haze, then you'll have to wait for tomorrow's PSN update for more. A Haze theme for your PS3 will be included in the regularly scheduled North American update. Hopefully, that one doesn't involve any toilets.
PlayStation Day 2008 is over but our coverage continues! We're also enjoying the spoils to be found on the European PlayStation Store. In particular, we're talking about the Haze demo which we fired up and took out for a spin. North Americans without Euro accounts can get their nectar dosage tomorrow. While we've played the demo and have written our thoughts here, reader Chris G. shares his gameplay footage through the Haze trial play. So read our thoughts and check out the vid (or not the vid, if you wish not to spoil the experience before you give it a go).
The demo starts off with a firefight in the middle of the jungle. There's no real explanation as to why you're there but that doesn't matter too much for a demo. The controls are standard as far as shooters go, move with the left analog stick, aim with the right, and fire with a shoulder button. Left-handed players will be glad to see control options for them.
Anyway, the thing that deviates from the typical formula is the inclusion of the nectar drug which heightens one's senses and actually makes killing easier. When you inject yourself will a limited supply of nectar, you can zoom in farther, your melee attack is stronger, and enemies glow a bright orange giving away their position. While this is a strategic enhancement, at times it does tend to feel more like a distraction deviating from the main action. We're sure the story aspect of nectar will be fleshed out through the final game, but it doesn't come through in the demo, which feels a bit like a heavy weight dragging the experience down.
What better way is there to look forward to Haze's definite, 100% confirmed (probably), release later this month than with a whole batch of new screenshots? We've updated our gallery, which can be found below, with a whole bunch of new images for you to take a peek at. Our anticipation for this game has been on up and down like a rollercoaster for the past year, but we have to admit that we're interested to see the final product. Expect to hear our impressions of the European demo later today.
There's nothing like the sound of hard rock in the morning to wake you up from your half-asleep haziness that is the "every morning ritual." You wake up, go to the bathroom, consume your corn-based cereals -- the usual. But this morning is different. Today, you awaken to the sound of Korn's Haze single, a song inspired by the upcoming Haze game.
Enjoy the ear-ache inducing noise; it might pump you up for the rest of the day. Perhaps a little too much, so you might want to take some nectar along to calm you down.
Posted Apr 16th 2008 7:30AM by Nick Doerr Filed under: Demos
Click for high-resolution image.
Free Radical's upcoming PS3 FPS title, Haze, is going to strike the PSN with a downloadable demo in early May. The game, now set for a May 20th release in North America, will feature comprehensive single and multiplayer modes, including a 4-player co-op mode. There's not much else to say, since this game really has ebbed in and out of the spotlight for over a year. We know it all, we know it's been delayed, and we know a demo is coming before it releases. Just let us get it in our hands and we'll finally know this game actually exists and is complete.
Haze's release date has officially been locked down and is not set to change again. Ever. CVG is reporting that it has confirmed with Ubisoft that May 23rd is the date that the game will be available in Europe. Haze has been in release limbo for several months now, after it failed to make its November 2007 release date and was pushed to early 2008. Then, in late January, it was pushed back even further with a vague "fiscal 2008/2009" date attached.
Now, however, we can be certain that we'll be getting our hands on the Nectar infused shooter on May 23rd in Europe. Though there's currently no word on a US release date. It may not have impressed us much at the Play.com Live event, but we're still intrigued. If only to get closure on what has been one of the most confusing releases we've ever known.
Free Radical's long awaited might-be-but-probably-isn't-going-to-be-exclusive Haze is finally getting closer. But, after watching this gameplay montage, do you really want it? The lackluster environments, animation and graphics do little to showcase the PS3's true capabilities. Perhaps the ambitious multiplayer gameplay will do more than justify the rather lifeless visuals of this FPS. You be the judge: check it out in HD.
Posted Mar 19th 2008 3:30PM by Nick Doerr Filed under: News
It isn't that we really care if a game like Haze is permanently exclusive or a timed exclusive for the PS3, but it seems to remain a popular debate. Looking back on Ubisoft's history regarding exclusivity for the game, it's pretty funny to note how many times they've flipped their own words or have had them misconstrued by the media. The latest rumor was that Haze would only be on the PS3 forever -- we even posted about it the other day. Now Ubisoft is saying they have not ruled out a 360 version. Truth be told, none of this stuff even matters if the game never gets released. It's been way, way, way overdue.
Rob Yascombe is a name PS3 fans may want to remember. His performance in this stunning Sci-Fi channel promo is one for the books -- the crazy books, that is. The video is all about Haze, the upcoming PS3 FPS game (ignore the Xbox 360 dev kits in the background, please!). While his explanation of Nectar and Mantel are familiar, he reveals a few tidbits, such as the massive length of the script: over 1000 pages long. The Royal Shakespeare Company is also partaking in the voice acting and they only go where there's either: a) a lot of money, or b) a great script. Supposedly, they didn't have too much money.
Posted Feb 18th 2008 2:30PM by Nick Doerr Filed under: News
It's almost comical how often Haze has been delayed, touted as improved, set for release, then delayed once more. Over at the Haze forums, it seems one of the men from Free Radical took the initiative to post a reply to people complaining that the game won't actually ever release. He said, basically, there have been a lot of improvements made, the game is not like Duke Nukem Forever and will be released very soon. Ubisoft changed their listing from May to March. So, seems like if all goes according to plan, those who've been waiting for Haze may finally get to see it in the next month.
