The videos showcase impressive real-time physics simulations that rival some of what we’ve seen from current implementations of PhysX. Havok physics are handled in software and calculated on the CPU, rather than offloading calculations to the GPU like PhysX.

Havok Destruction

Havok Destruction is a cross-platform solution for rigid body dynamics. The video showcases some scenes with an impressive amount of real-time rigid body interactions. The sequence of the train trestle collapse is especially impressive, with a very high amount of breakable objects all interacting without killing the framerate.

Another notable demonstration is the deformable rigid body objects. Metal objects being dented under the weight of heavy objects is a feature that PhysX has toted heavily. Havok is effectively stepping on their business by pulling off dynamic deformable objects and doing it at a software level.

Havok Cloth

Like Havok Destruction, Cloth is a cross-platform solution that optimizes and streamlines dynamic cloth simulation in real-time environments.

The Havok Cloth video displays impressive cloth dynamics on top of an angry ogre. Cloth dynamics is one of the greatest trump cards that PhysX currently holds. There is no word yet if Havok Cloth will rise to support dynamic tearing and ripping of cloth mesh as PhysX is able to do, but it is certainly an achievement if Havok Cloth implements simulation this impressive at a software level.

For more information on Havok Destruction, Havok Cloth and the Havok physics engine, the company has provided additional videos and information at their official website.

Capcom today announced that their new motorcycle racing game, MotoGP, which focuses on realistic graphics and physics, will be coming to PS3 and Xbox 360 on March 23rd of this year. The demo is already available on Xbox Live.

Capcom also released a series of 10 screenshots showcasing the advanced graphics.

Earlier this month, Valve announced the upcoming release of Portal 2, which is set to debut during this year’s holiday season. Though not much information has been released about the game, Valve CEO Gabe Newell is claiming that it is “the best game [Valve has] ever done.”

Newell chatted with 1up.com about Portal 2 which, unlike Portal, will be released as a full game.

“One of the nice things about the Orange Box was it allowed us to try out a couple of different things, and Portal really seemed to resonate. We got the signals that we wanted — this is what people liked; this is what people didn’t like. And to us, it was like, ‘OK now we know how to take this big,’ so that’s what we’re going to do with Portal 2,” said Newell.

Newell did express some trepidation over getting consumers to accept and pay for the larger game, especially after backlash from gamers last year over the release of Left 4 Dead 2, which came only a year after the release of the its predecessor.

“I think you always have that challenge on your new games, explaining ‘Why is it worth their time? Why is it worth their money? Why is it worth their passion?’ And that’s a case you have to make with every release you do,” he said.

1up.com did try to weasel some details about the game out of Newell, but all he would say was that, “Jonathan Coulton is awesome — he’s just brilliant; he’s a joy to work with.” Jonathon Coulton is the creator of “Still Alive,” the ending theme from Portal, signifying that another humorous tune will grace Portal 2.

The company reassured an anxious crowd in San Francisco on Thursday that they are still at the bleeding edge when it comes to real time computer graphics.

The video details many of the new technologies that are being implemented in Crysis 2, most of which are featured on the PlayStation 3/Xbox 360 version of the game. Amongst the features we’ve come to expect from CryEngine, like its signature real-time dynamic lighting and advanced shader techniques, the video shows off plenty of new technology. Notable additions include color grading, blend shading and a much more robust procedural system for object destruction.

To ease concerns that CryEngine 3 is going to be watered down to console standards, the video also showcases PC-specific tech such as facial animation and subsurface scattering techniques that look significantly better than they did with Crysis. Also specific to the PC is deferred lighting, which is a rendering technique that calculates lighting per pixel and renders the information down to the texture, which is stored in a buffer. In short, deferred lighting is able to handle a large amount of lights without crushing GPU performance.

We also get to see more of the war-torn cityscape environment that has been so prevalent in other CryEngine 3 videos. Whereas Crysis’ gameplay focused on semi-futuristic guerrilla warfare set on a tropical paradise, Crysis 2 looks to be a CQB affair.

Finally, the video demonstrates a dynamic cover system, which lends credence to the urban combat model. Battles look tight and intense with an impressive amount of destruction in tow.

XS Games has recently announced that they are porting their acclaimed The Red Star title to both the PSPgo and the iPhone.

Previously released on the PlayStation 2, The Red Star is a classic-styled game that mixes elements of both top down shooters and beat ‘em up games.

Originally a graphic novel written by Christian Gossett, The Red Star takes place in an alternate reality that features a brilliantly-masked version of Soviet Russia known as the United Republics of the Red Star. The URRS is a dystopian land of mystical powers and advanced technology, including the ability to bolster soldiers with mental-powered abilities.

Players can choose to play as one of three main characters, including powerful sorceress Maya Antares, fighter and bodyguard Kyuzo, and warrior Makita.

Those familiar with the original PlayStation 2 version will be offered a fresh visual polish and redesigned controls. With “pick up and play” design, it lends itself well to being on a mobile platform. The Red Star for PSPgo and iPhone will be released Spring 2010.

Ubisoft has recently launched a sweepstakes to promote their upcoming game, Splinter Cell Conviction.

The sweepstakes, known as “Search for Sam Fisher” is tied to the Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction GigaPan Facebook app. Participants have the opportunity to browse gigapixel-sized images and for entry into the sweepstakes, which offers the chance to win prizes such as an Xbox 360 Splinter Cell Conviction Special Edition bundle.

Participants will have access to high-resolution images and a list of items to find within them. This high-tech interpretation of a scavenger hunt will have players searching for equipment found in the game, baddies and Sam Fisher himself. Findings can be tagged and submitted, and new objectives to search for will be received.

The super high-resolution images are approximately a gigapixel each. They were captured using the GigaPan Imager, technology developed by Google, Carnegie Mellon and the NASA Ames Intelligent Systems Division’s Robotics Group. The technology was also previously deployed in the Mars Exploration Rovers. GigaPan images can be zoomed in on to reveal impressive levels of detail, as the following images demonstrate.

GigaPan image zoomed out. Note the highlighted area we added to show the zoom area!

The highlighted area zoomed in to show people, cars, and... A tank? Jinkies, a clue!

Harmonix announced yesterday that Rock Band 3 is currently in production and will come out during the holidays this year. Harmonix said that it will be published by MTV games and distributed by EA. Harmonix claims that that Rock Band 3 is sure to “Innovate and revolutionize the music genre once again.”

This announcement comes on the heels of the Rock Band Network going live at the beginning of March. The Rock Band Network gives artists a venue by which to create music, edit it, and have it put into the Rock Band store for purchase by users across the world.

Since the Rock Band Network Beta went up in January, over 4,300 users have registered as artists and peer reviewers. Many artists have already gotten songs into the Rock Band store, such as the Shins, the Hold Steady and of Montreal, with more songs from the Smashing Pumpkins and Flight of the Conchords currently in the peer reviewing process.

The Rock Band Network will also be featuring an Artist of the Month in connection with T-Mobile starting in April to garner attention for new talent.

The Rock Band Store offered over 1100 songs for purchase in the Rock Band store before the Rock Band Network, and through Beta already have added an additional 100 songs. The Network certainly seems like it will swell the size of the Rock Band store quickly, and allow many more genres into the game than were previously found.

NBC Universal today announced the development of a Massive Multiplayer online game based on the popular SyFy series Battlestar Galactica. Battlestar Galactica Online will be an in-browser game developed on Unity, a non-client engine which allows advanced 3D graphics streaming over the web. The game will mark the first major MMO release using Unity, and so will also serve as a test of the viability of the platform.

The game is being developed by Artplant and published by Bigpoint, both 3D MMO specialists. It will be available on syfy.com exclusively for the first thirty days after release, details of where the game will be available after that have not yet been released.

The gameplay will consist of exploration and mission-based, tactical space combat. Players will choose to join either the Humans or the Cylons, and follow a changing story-line based around plot-heavy missions.

“Battlestar Galactica is a supremely gameable intellectual property, with compelling character classes, a fantastic array of ships and weaponry, multiple worlds, and a dramatic storyline,” said Bill Kispert, VP & GM, Digital Platforms, Universal Partnerships & Licensing. ” We are excited to work with Bigpoint – and our partners at Universal Cable Productions and Syfy – to bring an epic, accessible, and ‘always on’ BSG experience to fans of the franchise and online gamers alike.”

“Cooperation between Bigpoint and NBC Universal is a very important strategic step for us,” explains Heiko Hubertz, CEO and founder of Bigpoint. “Battlestar Galactica has a huge and passionate fan base. We are proud to be able to publish such an internationally famous title as one of our online games. For the first time ever, we’re relying completely on Unity in order to offer our users fantastic game graphics right in their browsers.”

An “oil wrestler from Turkey”, as the press release states, Hakan uses… hold on while I force myself to not smile while writing this—he uses lubricants to assist him in battle.

… okay, I’m good.

At any rate, Hakan was revealed last night in San Francisco… *breathe* … at the Fight Club in San Francisco, to what we can only assume was a rapt audience. Capcom claims he has some of the most insane moves and ultra combos in the game. I mean, why wouldn’t an oiled-up Turk have some insane moves. Logic dictates that he must.

Hakan represents the final character reveal for the April 27th launch of Super Street Fighter IV, and is a brand new character to the SF universe.

Rise of Prussia

For the PC, Rise of Prussia is a new turn-based battle game for fans of in-depth strategy and tactics along the lines of the Hearts of Iron franchise. Players take the side of Prussia in the 7 Years War. The Germanic states are broken up into over a thousand different regions for greater flexibility and detail of tactical decisions. Player will run through 6 minor campaigns for each year of the war, resulting in 42 total campaigns spanning the seven years of the overarching scenario. Replayability is ensured by a series of multi-outcome events which change the course of the war, making it a slightly different challenge each time.

Scrap Metal

Coming to Xbox Live Arcade this week, Scrap Metal is being called a cross between R/C Pro Am, and Carmageddon. Pick a car, customize it to your liking, and then compete against the AI or your friends in several different race and demolition modes. It’s all top down controls, and smashing up the cars is a big part of the game. Each vehicle is mounted with weapons for extra destruction. In the single-player mode, defeat challenging Bosses to take their pink-slips, and add their cars to your garage.

Max & the Magic Marker

For WiiWare, Max & the Magic Marker is a drawing physics platformer. The evil Mustacho has invaded Max’s illustrated world, and Max must fight back, using his wits and his giant magic marker. Max runs and jumps, collecting items from the environment, and avoiding enemies and other obstacles. When needed, Max uses his marker to draw new objects on the screen, which become real, and allow his environment to change. Draw bridges to cross gaps, and pendulums to crash through barricades. Take Max and his marker through fifteen challenging levels to defeat Mustasho.

Final Fantasy XIII

Icrontic’s Spotlight Release this week is Final Fantasy XIII. This new entry in the franchise marks the beginning of new adventures in a new world. After nearly ten years of stories in the world of Ivalice, Final Fantasy fans will be moving on to the utopia of Cocoon, where mankind has known peace and prosperity for time unknown under their benevolent protectors, the fal’Cie. This prosperity has finally been broken by the revelation of a single fal’Cie of great evil, who has come awake in the lower world. The protagonist of this new story is a young woman known only as Lightning. Along with her fellow chosen fighters, she must become the champion of humanity, free them from their new servitude, and set right the failures of the fal’Cie guardians. As with past Final Fantasy games, this entry will have all new battle and advancement systems. Thankfully, the “programming” concept from Final Fantasy XII has been retained in at least some form, allowing the Active Time Battle system to have a certain level of autonomy. Keep an eye on Icrontic, as we’ll have a review of this title within the next few weeks.

Following is a list of this weeks announce North American releases:

PC

• Assassin’s Creed II
• Battle of the Immortals
• BioShock 2: Sinclair Solutions Test Pack
• Memory Clinic
• Order of War: Challenge
• Rise of Prussia
• Sam & Max: Beyond Time and Space
• Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II – Chaos Rising

Wii

• Calling
• Dracula: Undead Awakening
• Max & the Magic Marker
• Racquet Sports
• Sam & Max: Beyond Time and Space
• Final Fantasy II (Virtual Console – NES)

DS

• 4 Travellers: Play Spanish
• 50 Classic Games
• Dracula: Undead Awakening
• Elemental Masters
• Flips: The Bubonic Builders
• Foto Showdown
• Spectral Force Genesis

Xbox360

• BioShock 2: Sinclair Solutions Test Pack
• Final Fantasy XIII
• Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition
• Scrap Metal
• Supreme Commander 2

PS3

• BioShock 2: Sinclair Solutions Test Pack
• Final Fantasy XIII
• Mega Man 10
• Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition
• Yakuza 3

PSP

• Blazblue: Calamity Trigger Portable

“This is Street Fighter IV in all its glory… uncompromised and awesome,” said General Manager of Mobile Content Development, Takeshi Tezuka. “We’re particularly proud of the multiplayer feature as it remains true to the series arcade roots by allowing players to go head-to-head over Bluetooth in spectacular fashion.”

Well, I guess it's going to have to do...

Controls for the game will use conventional virtual d-pad and will play just like the console versions and bring a new level of flexibility to the controls we’ve seen in similar game interfaces on the iPhone thus far. Players will be able to move the d-pad and buttons anywhere on the screen for comfort and precision and adjust the transparency of the controls to preference as well.

Considering how much emphasis the franchise has put on tactile physical controls and how much time and money gamers have been willing to spend on getting custom equipment to play the game we’re a little skeptical that the virtual pad is going to be exceptionally satisfying experience.  However, we’re still excited to see how the game will run on this platform regardless of the limitations.

Too early to call

Players will be able to get a good feel for the game in the single player Dojo mode but the real action will take place in the Bluetooth multiplayer championship. It’s a good start but we would have been much more excited to see online multiplayer competitions or at least the ability to play with specific friends over WI-Fi or 3G. Hopefully this is a feature they will consider adding sometime after the release if the game proves as popular as they are hoping.

Owners of Assassins Creed 2 on the PC were denied the ability to play the game Sunday when Ubisoft’s DRM (Digital Rights Management) servers went offline, making it the latest example of DRM technology screwing legitimate consumers. This issue solidified fears with Ubisoft’s new ‘always connected’ DRM approach, as it seems the the outage was caused by an attack on the servers.

Assassins Creed 2 is one of the first games released by Ubisoft to utilize their new method of DRM protection. Players must be connected to the internet at all times while playing the game, or else the DRM will prevent them from running the game. Such a method has raised many concerns from gamers, as little was known about what would happen if Ubisoft’s DRM servers went down or were compromised. Sunday afternoon, the world had its answer.

Early Sunday, the DRM servers went down, and gamers were not able to play Assassins Creed 2, regardless of their internet connectivity. The outages lasted for the remainder of the day. According to a report by Eurogamer, Ubisoft claimed that the outage was a result of an attack on the Ubisoft DRM servers. Furthermore, Ubi.Vigil, community manager on the Ubisoft forums, made this statement on the matter:

I don’t have any clear information on what the issue is since I’m not in the office, but clearly the extended downtime and lengthy login issues are unacceptable, particularly as I’ve been told these servers are constantly monitored.

Reports from Ubisoft state that the DRM servers were back online by Monday afternoon, and gamers could once more play the games that they legitimately purchased. Multiple accounts on Twitter suggested otherwise, as it appeared some gamers are still having troubles playing the game at the time of this writing.

To make matters worse, the Ubisoft community forums were experiencing intermittent down time early Monday. Though no official statement has been released, one might assume that the forum downtime could be related to the DRM server attack and downtime. It seems as if a hacker or a group is trying to make a very bold point about DRM and fairness to consumers with a DoS attack.

While legitimate consumers of Assassins Creed 2 have been denied the ability to play the game, pirates who obtained the game illegally were able to play. This is a very clear example of one of the major problems with DRM in games today: Pirates often have the superior gaming experience. Until game developers stop implementing such asinine DRM protection methods, this case will not be the end of the DRM story.

I want your rock band, to touch your guitar

Harmonix and MTV games announced today that they are releasing a four pack of Lady Gaga songs for Rock Band. The pack will contain “Poker Face,” “Just Dance,” “Bad Romance,” and “Monster.”

Also available for download will be the South Park version of “Poker Face,” and several individual tracks. The four pack will be available on the Xbox 360 and PS3, but only individual tracks will be up for purchase on the Wii.

The four pack will retail for $6.99, with individual tracks being an additional $1.99 on the Xbox 360 and $2.00 on the Wii.

MTV is helping to celebrate the release with some special on-air content, including:

• MTV: “Bad Romance” video rotation during music hours, 30-minute Lady Gaga video blocks on MTV Hits, the debut of Lady Gaga’s new video “Telephone,” a collaboration with Beyonce, and an airing of the Lady Gaga episode of America’s Best Dance Crew March 16 (also on MTV2)
• Palladia: Airings of Lady Gaga performance specials including, London Live (airing March 10, 13, 16, 21 and 24), VFest (March 20 and 26) and the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards(March 19 and 20)
• Logo: An airing of London Live and NewNowNext PopLab Lady Gaga Edition (March 16)

Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer said during a speech at the University of Washington that his company may release new Xbox 360s with form factors and components designed for different price points and usage models.

“In the case of the TV we’ve got both strategies. We actually have a TV implementation in some senses built into Windows. It works really well for small screen TVs that you might call a PC, but for that big screen device here’s a piece of hardware that we build, there’s no diversity,” Ballmer said, according to the Gearlog website. “You get exactly the Xboxes that we build for you. We may have more form-factors in the future that are designed for various price points and options, but we think it’s going to [be] important.”

Though the executive did not elaborate further on what those plans might entail, distinct possibilities include a slimmer/smaller Xbox 360, or an Xbox 360 armed with a Blu-ray drive.

Practically speaking, new form factors are something of an inevitability for the company. Aside from core hardware revisions to improve margins, add HDMI and resolve the famous RRoD issue, the Xbox 360 design has not changed much since inception. As the console stretches into the second half of its 10-year lifecycle, new and improved designs could ignite fresh demand as the new Slim design has done for Sony’s PlayStation 3.

New features include a level editor and an “adjective system” that increases the variety of objects available, and thus the number of possible solutions, and the complexity of those solutions. Adjectives can change the color, size, elements, behaviors and many other aspects of the object they are describing. Multiple adjectives can be combined together to produce even more complex objects.

The game, under development at 5th Cell, is slated to be available in Fall of 2010.

“The Scribblenauts sequel gives all players an enhanced game experience they will love and new challenges where they can use their imaginations even more,” said Samantha Ryan, Senior Vice President, Development and Production, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “5TH Cell is a very talented and creative developer and we are excited to add to the Scribblenauts franchise with this new game.”

“The next Scribblenauts broadens the players’ experience from the first Scribblenauts through more creativity, innovation and in-depth gameplay,” said Jeremiah Slaczka, Creative Director and Co-Founder of 5TH Cell. “All of these enhancements give players even greater control over how they want to play the game.”