Good morning! Or afternoon, or evening, I guess. I have no idea when you'll be reading this. Welcome to another edition of Beyond Co-Op, where we look "beyond co-op" and bring you some of the gaming news that doesn't necessarily revolve around cooperative play. Here are some stories that caught my eye this week:
Arma 2's Day Z Mod May be the Best Thing Ever
Scavenge, Slay, Survive. That's how you get through Day Z. This Arma 2 mod is a beast of an open world apocalypse simulator. The game begins with your arrival on a beach, possessing a few crude supplies. Suddenly, zombies. The ravenous undead aren't your only enemy. Other players can take on the roll of bandits and kill you for your gear. And they will. According to the Day Z website, the average life expectancy is 28 minutes. It's not for the squeamish.
If you are feeling up to the challenge, you can pick up Arma 2: Combined Ops, the required PC software for the mod, at this Amazon link for $14.99. That's 50% off the regular price. The deal should be good through May 28th. Plus, you'll be supporting Co-Optimus! Consider it your good deed for the day.
Thanks to CO community member jonaswashe for the the impassioned letter.
Max Payne 3 has launched and is looking good
In sexy, bearded, bald guy news, Max Payne 3 launched earlier this week to mostly positive reviews. As a fellow SBBG, I can say that I approve of this look. The third person shooter is yet another fine game in the Rockstar stable.
THQ is still standing
The beleaguered publisher is refusing to tap out, despite the seemingly endless barrage of bad news. The company has weathered millions in losses, studio closures, layoffs, game delays, and the U Draw Tablet disaster. Darksiders 2 and the Saints Row: The Third "Enter the Dominatrix" expansion still remain bright spots in the company's future. Hopefully their restructuring, which includes dropping children's titles as well as reducing production, marketing, and administrative expenses, leads to more financial success for them and more quality games for us.
Source: Colony of Gamers
What happened to 38 Studios, makers of Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning?
That's a heckuva good question. Despite making what many believed was a totally competent RPG, 38 Studios has starred in their very own comedy of financial errors. It involves Curt Schilling (the former MLB pitcher), Rhode Island (the state) a loan for $75 million dollars (from said state), and a CFO who showed up to the RI Economic Development Corporation with a rubber check for $1.125 million dollars. I'll admit, I was barely paying attention to this story as it began to seep out through my Twitter feed, but man, it's so hard to look away from a week-long train wreck. Bummer for the world of Amalur? Not really. The frick'n governor of Rhode Island announced an MMO taking place in the fantasy realm, titled "Project Copernicus," as a 2013 release. Wait. What?
Source: Colony of Gamers