Battle Tanks Coming to PSN this Month

Nearly everyone has played or seen Combat2600 on the Atari or Battle City on the NES. Here atGameloft, we wanted to revisit an older but very popular gameplay style for consumers.

Battle Tanks features World War II tanks that face off against each other in hopes to blow the other to smithereens. You can play against the AI or co-op with a friend in Campaign Mode to overcome 50 maze and paint ball-like levels. There’s also a fun multiplayer option also allows two to four people to challenge each other in Death Match modes or Capture the Flag mode.

Nothing beats blasting through walls with rockets, scorching enemies with flame throwers and carefully calculating the trajectory of bullets to win battles. The controls are simple: the left stick moves your tank and the L2 and R2 buttons are used for firing. The aiming guide is highlighted when you hold down the L1 button and comes in extremely handy when you’re trying to stealthily eliminate enemies on the field. To reduce the waiting time when a player dies, we added a new feature: Gun Turrets! When you’ve lost all your lives, you still can play and help your partner win the game.

As soon as an early version of Battle Tanks was installed on our PS3 test kit, it quickly became the most popular attraction in the Gameloft Studio. Everyone who passed by was drawn to the game’s colorful graphics and intuitive gameplay. During a recent office gathering, Battle Tanks was the main party attraction. Crowds gathered and stood in line to watch folks challenge each other and have the chance to play.

Battle Tanks captures all the youthful fun you can imagine. It will be available on PSN this month for $9.99.

The images below depict the graphical evolution of Battle Tanks for the PS3/PSN.

We initially started off by drafting a few futuristic concept styles (human vs. alien invasion):

 

We then considered using a 2D background, but quickly found that it did not provide the effect we wanted, so we added a real terrain:

 

We also considered the idea of creating a child-like environment that featured tanks made from cardboard, rivers and lakes made from pipes and obstacles from toys left behind:

  

None of the styles above matched what we wanted to create for audiences. So the Production Team decided to take a different approach and create a semi-realistic graphical style with cartoonish tanks:

We then fined tuned it even more and decided to remove the cartoony aspects to provide more realism with the graphics:

 

We liked the look and feel of the terrain but decided that realistic tanks inspired from the WWII era would be a nice touch. Below are a few concepts we drafted:

Ultimately, all the graphic aspects tied in well together and gave us a foundation for what we wanted to bring to the PS3. Below is the final result!

Credit : blog.us.playstation.com

Epic Qore Episode 16 – Featuring UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves, Gran Turismo with Jay Leno, PSPgo and Brutal Legend

This is an epic episode of Qore. Simply one of the best.

UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves, the most highly-awarded game of E3 2009, is our focus this month, and we’ve got in-depth and exclusive coverage – Veronica Belmont goes behind-the-scenes of picturesque Skywalker Ranch to witness the final soundtrack recording session with composer Greg Edmonson and sits down with Naughty Dog Creative Director Amy Hennig to discuss her devoted and innovative approach to this sequel. We also dive deep into the technology that brings this world to life.

Gran Turismo is coming to the PSP on October 1, and players will immediately recognize the distinct voice of Jay Leno in the game’s introduction. Correspondent Audrey Cleo meets the late night legend for an exclusive Qore interview from his world famous garage. From his first ’55 Buick Roadmaster to the ’09 Corvette ZR1, don’t miss this look a Jay’s amazing collection.

Veronica also takes the new PSPgo out for a test drive into the real world before exploring the heavy metal inspiration of Double Fine’s Tim Schaefer, creator of the epic rock and roll adventure game Brutal Legend.

Finally, you asked for it, and we’ve got it! Qore annual subscribers are invited to the MAGPublic Beta scheduled to start on September 17. All current subscribers will be sent voucher codes for the MAG Beta test coming later this month.

Here are the specifics:

• If you are not a current subscriber, you can still get in on the Beta if you subscribe or renew on or before September 17.
• The MAG Beta is open to subscribers only, not to single episode purchasers.
• All Beta invitations are restricted to persons 18 years and older.
• We must have your current, valid e-mail address on file.
• You must be opted in to receiving communications from PlayStation.
• Vouchers will be sent to the e-mail associated with the PSN account that purchased the Qore subscription, not to any sub-accounts.

You can update your e-mail address and check your notification preferences via your profile on PS.com or on the PS3 itself under Account Management Information. Be sure that you have “opted in” to receive our communications.

Like I said, this September episode is epic:

• UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves expanded coverage
• Jay Leno and Gran Turismo PSP
• Our PSPgo update
•  with Tim Schaefer
• MAG Beta invitation
• UNCHARTED 2 theme
• DiRT2 demo

Look for Episode 16 tomorrow.

Video is Here!

Credit : blog.us.playstation.com

The PESFan Newsletter – Sign Up!

 

A new and improved regular addition to our PESFan empire; these redesigned newsletters are going to be better than ever, featuring extra content, interviews, tips to improve your game, special offers, competitions and loads more all in the next few months.

You can check you’re signed up to the newsletter by going to your account control panel, clicking on Edit Options and making sure Receive Email Newsletter is ticked. Simple.

The newsletter being released later today also gives each of you who’ve signed up the chance to claim a free Play.com voucher suitable for £1 off any purchase. One pound! Free. It’s not quite a lottery win, but let’s not pretend you wouldn’t pick up a quid if you saw it lying in the street. Many a time have I excitedly darted across the pavement at the sight of a pound coin, only to then realise it to be circular piece of chewing gum or particularly shiny bottle cap that even a dog wouldn’t be fooled by. But my point is free money is a good thing, remember this.

So let’s recap. Sign up, extra stuff, good offers. Go! 

Credit : www.pesfan.com