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TeamXbox Interviews GPG’s Chris Taylor

TeamXbox Interviews GPG's Chris Taylor

IGN’s TeamXbox also got into the Supreme Commander 2 action today interviewing Gas Powered Games’ Chris Taylor to talk about the Xbox 360-specifics surrounding the RTS sequel.

Check it out here:  Chris Taylor on TeamXbox

And, here’s another excerpt:

It wasn’t that long ago that we spoke to Chris Taylor, lead designer of Supreme Commander 2 at Gas Powered Games about the forthcoming real-time strategy. He gave us an overview of how the game came together and what the Redmond, Washington-based developer had in mind for the new game.

We got him on the horn again to talk more specifically this time about the Xbox 360 controls, which brought up some interesting points about the SupCom 2 gameplay. Not only did the studio come up with some new ways to do the sequel on Xbox 360, but in the course of the brainstorming, came up with changes and additions that help the whole franchise improve—across the console and PC versions. Sometimes, your wins come about in unexpected ways.

The following is an edited transcript of our lengthy chat with Taylor, but it shows the thought process that went into some of the SupCom 2 gameplay—which you’ll be able to see for yourself when it comes out next month. And be sure to check out Taylor’s own descriptions of the game’s Xbox 360 controls in the exclusive video below.

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GPG’s Chris Taylor Talks to Ars Technica

GPG's Chris Taylor interviewed by Ars Technica

Gas Powered Games’ Chris Taylor was interviewed about his studio’s upcoming sequel, Supreme Commander 2, by prominent tech/gaming web site Ars Technica.

Check it out here:  Ars Technica interviews Chris Taylor

And, here’s a excerpt:

Supreme Commander was a strategy game that got a great many things right, and it earned a ton of critical acclaim. As a result, the game’s soon-to-be-released sequel, Supreme Commander 2, has some high standards to measure up against. Gas Powered Games’ founder and CEO Chris Taylor is not only planning meet these expectations, he’s certain that his studio will exceed them without a problem.

Though the original game was published in 2007, it only had one expansion before the sequel was announced in November 2008. The announcement took many fans by surprise, as plans for another expansion, Supreme Commander: Experimentals, had been mentioned; but these expansion plans were never seen through to completion. When Ars asked Taylor about what happened, he explained, “we were very hopeful about that expansion as well, but with the economy shifting under our feet, we instead chose to focus on the projects further along in development.” However, based on what Taylor’s revealed about Supreme Commander 2, it sounds like it will have been worth the wait for fans of the series.

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Final Fantasy XIII Goes to the 2010 NBA ALL-STAR Game

2010 NBA ALL-STAR Celebrity Game Sponsored by Final Fantasy XIII

So, what does Square Enix’s upcoming RPG Final Fantasy XIII and the 2010 NBA ALL-STAR Game have in common?!  Everything, of course!  Sure, we regularly see video game ads at Prime Time nowadays, game billboards and commercials while watching major sporting events, reviews and coverage in major media outlets…but,we’re definitely moving into a new realm of exposure here.

I think I can safely say that Final Fantasy XIII has landed in the record books as the FIRST RPG video game franchise to have sponsored an official NBA ALL-STAR event, more specifically the 2010 NBA ALL-STAR Celebrity Game.  The NBA is clearly looking to broaden their audience and frankly so is Square Enix/Final Fantasy so it’s basically a match made in video gaming heaven, which is pretty cool.  And, at Maverick PR…we are supportive of all things Video Gaming and all things Basketball!

Anyway, the event went off without a hitch.  The Pros played on Sunday and the celebrities played on Saturday.  Michael Rapaport walked off with the MVP this year after shutting down last year’s MVP Terrel Owens with some stifling D.

Here are a few images from ALL-STAR Weekend:

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Destructoid’s Six-Day Feature on Supreme Commander 2 Experimental Units

Destructoid Feature on Supreme Commander 2

Destructoid is running a week-long video feature story highlighting several of the new Experimental Units in Supreme Commander 2.  The videos are narrated by Gas Powered Games’ own Chris Taylor and will appear over the course of the following week starting with Monday’s Noah Unit Cannon.

Today’s featured Experimental Unit is The Kraken!

Check it out, here — Destructoid

Today we take to the sea, with an exclusive look at “The Kraken,” a Cybran faction experimental submarine in Supreme Commander 2.

“It has a very intimidating look,” says Gas Powered Games Chris Taylor. “Its looks match its firepower.”

Obviously designed after the mythical sea monster of the same name, Supreme Commander 2’s Kraken can be used to destroy nearby ships, aircraft, as well as enemy submarines. The Kraken’s usefulness isn’t confined to water, however — bringing the unit close to shore will allow it to attack structures and land units.

Be sure not to miss yesterday’s look at the “Bomb Bouncer.” Tomorrow we take a look at a Supreme Commander 2 unit inspired by the real-life AC130 gunship, the AC1000. Yes, the discrepancy in numbers gives you a good idea of what we’re dealing with.

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NIER Breaks First Gameplay Trailer on GameSpot

Last week it was the First Look Previews and GameSpot’s accompanying exclusive... this week, it’s a first look for everyone else as NIER‘s very first gameplay trailer broke exclusively on GameSpot last night, hitting on the top of the Xbox 360 and PS3 pages.

Head over to GameSpot to take a peek at some of the secrets in store in this very mysterious game, and keep an eye out elsewhere as the video spreads later today!  [if embedding is malfunctioning, CLICK HERE]

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NIER Bursts Out!

Video Game Media Take First Real Look at cavia Inc and Square Enix’s Upcoming Action-RPG

We already talked about GameSpot’s first preview that hit as the lead story on the site (and eventually propelled the game to the most popular game overall on GameSpot – nice!), but shortly thereafter, previews sprung up around the web on other outlets as well.

We’ve seen previews hitting on 1UP, TeamXbox, IGN, Destructoid, and GameRevolution and we haven’t even taken the wraps off the story quite yet.

Congrats again to the NIER team at Square Enix!

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Final Fantasy XIII Twitter Tour Bus a Hit

Final Fantasy XIII Twitter Tour in San Francisco

Last week the Final Fantasy XIII Twitter Tour Bus made numerous stops all over the fine city of San Francisco.  Media establishments and fans alike were able to get their hands on the highly anticipated Square Enix opus for the first time.  We regularly tweeted the FFXIII Tour Bus’ location via Twitter to let local fans know where it would be throughout the day.  Needless to say, the bus was swamped with eager RPG fans everyday it was in the city.

Here are a few additional images from the tour:

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Hazard on Destructoid, PLUS A Nice Shout Out For MavPR

Our friends over at Destructoid picked up on our release about Matt Hazard hitting 1,000 friends over on his epic, badass (and such) Facebook Page.

First of all, let’s all acknowledge that nabbing 1,000 friends is a pretty solid achievement for a classic video game character.  For reference, we are now only about 350 fans behind the much-ballyhooed and uber-hyped “Master Chief.”  Clearly that guy’s fame is all smoke and mirrors!

To celebrate this momentous occasion, we dove deep into the Hazard archives and found other major achievements in Hazard’s history that involve the number 1,000.

My favorite?  The reference to the lost game Corona and its repetitive Bungie-jump Gameplay design… you can check all the fun facts out right here on the Facebook Page, or hit the Destructoid link and read them there!

Meanwhile, we totally love the commendation offered up from Destructoid, as they open their story thusly:

You really ought to commend the folks at Maverick PR (and Vicious Cycle Software) for their work on Matt Hazard. They’ve done a tremendous job of creating a back-story for the videogame character who’s got a fictional past, both in and outside of the games.

Hazard rolls on as Matt Hazard: Blood Bath and Beyond gets closer to ship.  Remember, the Facebook Page is the official online home for all things Hazard, so you can check him out and keep up to date there.  Also, Hazard is running his own Twitter account – which is interesting to say the least – which you can find over at @HowHazardRollz

Follow him… OR DIE! 🙂 (that’s a joke, by the way)  OR IS IT?!?!?! (it is).

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Just Cause 2 Grapples Up Some Previews

We’re happy to report that Just Cause 2 looks awesome and is showing off its grapple + parachute stunt-filled combat explosion open-world hijinx.  Can we make that its own genre?

Recently we had a chance to set-up some in-person, hands-on showings of the game for some sites here in North America, and we’re really excited to see some great coverage hitting from the visits.

But, rather than us telling you JC2 is a great game – which I’m sure you kind of expect us to do — why don’t you take a peek for yourself at what the professionals have to say about it:

Kotaku | Joystiq | Destructoid | Game Revolution | Gaming Target


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Maverick PR Gets Its Puzzle On with Gyromancer

So, Square and PopCap Games decided to pool their considerable n3rd-cred and come up with a game that combines the addictive casual play of a puzzler with the depth and complexity of an RPG.

While seemingly  unfathomable just a few years back….we at Maverick KNOW this formula works because we’ve sunk more hours into D3’s Puzzle Quest series than we care to publicly admit.

The result of Square and PopCap’s hard work is none other than the soon to be released Gyromancer — a time-sucking, black hole of a game I believe they designed with the sole purpose of stealing away every last bit of the year 2009 I have left.  Others suggest there may be something divine in Gyromancer‘s origin…

Penny Arcade on Gyromancer's immaculate conception

“Gyromancer appears to be the work of a nefarious intellect, when the truth is substantially more beautiful: Gyromancer stands as proof of an interested, active, and present divinity, like spontaneous fermentation. Such indicators are rare, and when we find them we must cling to them, like hunks of bobbing wreckage.” – Tycho Brahe, Penny Arcade

Of course, it’s also possible they are simply trying to make a great XBLA/PC title!

Regardless, we released a great new trailer for Gyromancer today as well as the planned release date of November 18th on XBLA and PC.  You can check out the trailer here:

Giantbomb, Shacknews or Team Xbox.

Stay tuned for more on this highly anticipated title.

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