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When Haze was released on the PS3, it was criticized for being an unpolished game. The disappointing sales of Haze almost caused Free Radical to close down, until they were bought by Crytek, and re-branded as Crytek UK. Crytek UK’s managing director recently said in an interview that issues with the PS3 caused the game to under-perform. Free Radical didn't know how to use the PS3 to its full potential, and had to spend most of the development time fixing bugs and issues. Now that the studio h...
There was excitement all around with Star Wars fans when some leaked footage was displayed for the world to see. This article by Michael Thomsen from au.wii.ign.com covers some topics discussed with an ex employee of Free Radical including Star Wars: Battlefront III and other games such as Haze and Timesplitters 4.
"On the fifth day of Christmas, Electronic Theatre brings to you the fifth installment of The Twelve Games of Christmas. A new feature series aiming to highlight the greatest achievers of 2008 by month of release The Twelve Games of Christmas is a great way to decide which of those bargains you should be picking-up in the January sales!"
"Tiga has expressed its condolences to all the people at Free Radical Design, the Nottingham based independent studio, which reportedly closed its doors yesterday.
Richard Wilson, CEO of Tiga, said: "On behalf of all Tiga members, I would like to say how sorry the whole industry is to hear of the fate of Free Radical Design. The studio has employed some very talented teams developing first class games over the years.""
By now, we've all read at least one of Haze's bad reviews. Despite all it's hype and marketing, the game ended up being mediocre at best. And although it was only released a few weeks ago, it has already fallen into the bargain bin, with sites like Gamestop advertising Haze for ridiculously cheap prices. It has already dropped to $40 ($20 less than it's original price).
Just released a couple of weeks ago, the original price of the game was $60 however it has (very quickly) now dropped to just $40. This may very well have much to do with the poor reviews the game got.
Not many companies release a tool which allows you to make your friend the star of a video... well Ubisoft have done just that. Allowing you to choose from a few options such as the age, build and talent, after uploading a picture (and cropping it on the site) you can create your own viral video and send it to your friend.
"The Haze review scores have been a bit of a mixed bag so far, with some painfully low scores being slapped on Ubi's shooter. But, in its defense, Free Radical says that "even GoldenEye got 4/10 when it first came out."
The lowest score dished out yet is a damming 4.5/10, which was surprising after the game scored well in Famitsu (34/40) and the Italian version of PlayStation Magazine (9/10). But Free Radical's Rob Yescombe has brushed it off.
"Haze has had mixed reviews, but even Golden..."
"Will Haze have a mandatory install?
[DL] You will need to go through a minimal install (about 4 Gigs) but not the whole game.
Is friendly fire ALWAYS enabled for both sides?
[DL] Yup. Overdosing a trooper wouldn't be much used if he couldn't shoot his friends! The moral of the story is: watch your fire!
How many maps are going to be on the online gaming ?
[DL] In addition to the whole campaign playable in coop, you mean? Well, we have 12 levels which are made of two variants eac..."
"As well as today's PS Day-related update, Sony has told CVG that the usual weekly update on Thursday will still happen, with more new content, although that list is yet to be confirmed.
Here's a full list of the content going live today.
Content published on PSN (for PS3) May 6, 2008
Game Demo: Condemned 2
Game Demo: Haze
Full Game: Street Skater
Full Game: Blast Factor Advanced
Full Game: High Velocity Bowling
Expansion Pack: Blast Factor Advanced Research
Expansion Pa..."
"May 6th Update - PLAYSTATION Store (PS3)
Demos:
Condemned 2
Haze
Full Games:
Blast Factor Advanced
High Velocity Bowling
Street Skater
Expansion Packs:
Blast Factor Advanced Research
High Velocity Bowling Character - Mike
Trailers:
Buzz! Quiz TV
Secret Agent Clank
Siren Blood Curse
May 6th Update - PLAYSTATION Store (PC)
Full Games:
Street Skater
Trailers:
Siren Blood Curse
May 8th - PLAYSTATION Store (PS3)
Game Demos:
Bourne Conspiracy
Race Driver: G..."
"Ubisoft just confirmed that Haze will release in Europe on May 23.
The ship-date for the Free Radical shooter has been the subject of much speculation in the past few months.
Most recently, Ubisoft confirmed a May 22 date before immediately retracting it.
Hopefully thisll be the last we hear of the PS3 exclusive before it finally makes it out."
In attempt to kill any speculation of the Playstation 3's exclusive title "Haze" moving over to either (or both) the Xbox 360 and PC format. Haze's script writer Rob Yescombe has come out and dismissed all that speculation and has thoroughly stated that the title is a Playstation 3 Exclusive demising all report even there own contradiction in previous months when Ubisoft had been reported to say that Haze was a PS3 exclusive just "for now".
Yesturday Ubisoft's latest release schedule for Haze stated that it will be arriving in stores on May 22 though this is far, well not far but closeish from the truth as Ubisoft today in an amended release schedule issued and for Haze it stated they would be aiming for a May 2008 release though this is far from Official at the moment.
EBGames Canada seems to be offering quite a good deal. If you preorder Haze, you can return it a full week later to get a full refund (In store credit, of course). This may be a sign that EBGames thinks the game will be a flop, or it could just be a marketing ploy. Either way, it's worth checking out for anyone that's unsure about whether they'll like the game or not.
Some interesting news about Haze. The game has been delayed many times lately and people are wondering about why all the delays. Well a developer for FreeRadical posted on the Ubisoft forums and gave us with an update. He said that the game was delayed so they can add updates to it that will sure to please and we could be getting the game very soon.
"In amongst the financial figures release by Ubisoft in a recent performance report covering the third quarter of its fiscal year, which ended on December 31, the prominent publisher and developer has revealed that Hazes current release date of March 2008 has been abandoned.
While offering no explanation, the game is now pencilled in for a retail arrival some time during the fiscal year 2008, which runs from April 01 of 2008, through to March 31 of 2009."
"Free Radical, developers of the Timesplitters franchise and upcoming PS3 exclusive Haze, have confirmed to Ars Technica that, yes, Haze will be released before March. The game was originally touted for an autumn release, but was delayed in order to "put the final touches to the game" (as well as, we suspect, to make sure it didn't get lost amongst all the other strong titles released around the same time). Since then, various retailers have displayed the release date as March, with some rumou..."
"An employee who has been given the task of answering questions from the community on the official Free Radical website has said that Haze will be getting a whole bunch of downloadable content that isnt just useless sh*t like new skins. There was no mention if the devs are planning on making a few bucks from the DLC or if itll be available for free."
"Drugs are bad? Don't tell Ubisoft! Not only will the taking of drugs form a cornerstone of upcoming shooter Haze's game design, but they're celebrating the fact with a pre-order offer on their official company store. Buy Haze for the PS3 now and you'll not only get the game shipped to you on day 1 of its release, you'll also get a nifty drug-filled syringe. Which is really a pen, but it looks to all the world like a drug-filled syringe. We recommend it as a classy, sophisticated addition to y..."
With the current delays for the PS3 titles such as Haze you might have thought more titles would follows its path. Not Unreal Tournament though. Epic Games vice president Mark Rein has stated that Unreal Tournament will arrive near December 10th as the game has now been finished and now moved into manufacturing.
"While announcing their financial results for the first half of the fiscal year Ubisoft has announced that the PlayStation 3 exclusive Haze has been delayed until Quarter 4, Fiscal 2008 - 2009, which starts on January 1st and ends on March 31st, 2008.
This is a big blow for the game, which appeared to be shaping up well when we played it recently. Still, a little extra development time could be a good thing."
According to new screenshots released in regards to the highly anticipated first-person-shooter Haze, the game for the PS3 is going to feature 4 player co-op online.
Free Radical, the makers of the classic Timesplitters franchise, has been hard at work on Haze which is expected to release on the PS3 this coming November and then hit the Xbox 360 sometime in 2008.
Haze's official website was updated with a new news. This time on what are some of your abilities while "high" on nector. While using nector, your soldier will be able to see enemies from far away, even from behind foliage. Your melee attack will take down a lot more damage and when scoping with a sniper rifle you can get more accurate shots. When "high" on nector you will also take down less damage and will be able to sense danger that is near by such as grenades.
Now I'm sure you've heard the rumors that Haze is going to be a Playstation 3 exclusive, but is the game itself also going to be exclusive for a limited amount of time? Spong claims that they spoke to Ubisoft and they said that at E3, "The game would be PS3 exclusive for Christmas,". Ubisoft says that nothing has been confirmed, but at the moment, that it stands. So is Haze only going to be exclusive for Christmas? Only time will tell.
"Haze, Ubi's new shooter based on the Unreal 3.0 engine, is coming, and coming soon, on PlayStation 3. Ubi have been telling European media outlets that the game has been released to production and will be available on PS3 first as promised. That's also as in, not on PC or X360. As in it was going to be on those but we must now only count on the PS3 version."
"Ubisoft has told GameSpot that First Radical's sci-fi first-person shooter Haze is now being planned solely for Sony's PlayStation 3 platform.
Originally, Haze was slated as a multiplatform release for the PC, Xbox 360, and PS3 in spring, but back in May Ubisoft announced that the PS3 had become the "lead platform" for the title, which would be released in November on the PS3-only, although "no exclusivity for any platform has been officially announced."
Today, Ubisoft said that curre..."
"I always find myself shocked when I meet Rob Yescombe. Part of it is purely physical, as he's not exactly a small man and his burly physique and booming voice are always sure to make an impression, but what always amazes me the most is the seemingly boundless enthusiasm and presence which he commands.
Having met him before, I was somewhat prepared for the encounter but it's always a little strange when Rob starts orating about his latest project. Meeting him at Free Radical HQ before Leipz..."
"How we learned just now in a presentation of the Shooters out of first hand, there will be no XBox 360 Version of Haze. The title is this year yet PS3 exclusive and will appear presumably in November, 2008 will follow a PC version. Further information to the presentation follows tonight."
"Today GamerSquad brings you superb new media for Aion, Time Crisis 4, Zack & Wiki, Jeanne DArc, Wipeout HD, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, Call of Duty 4, Need for Speed ProStreet, Haze, PlayStation Eye, Metal Gear Solid 4, Half-Life 2: Episode 2, Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles, Gran Turismo 5: Prologue, Ferrari Challenge, Sacred 2: Fallen Angel, Kane & Lynch: Dead Men, and Wet.
Why would you go anywhere else when GamerSquad has it all in a one-click, one-stop package.
Click the sour..."
"SPOnG caught up with the developers behind Haze, Free Radical, yesterday, and amid all the chat about entering warzones jacked up on drugs and who'd win in a fight between Buddha and Jesus, some interesting things were said about the PlayStation Network. Specifically, the joy and the terror provided by the freedom it enables."
More Haze Hype. This time the article is about the recent commotion over the drug use in Haze and how Miyamoto and Cliffy B., responded to it. The article also discusses different forms of drug use in other upcoming games, such as BioShock.
"Now when youre playing as the rebels the most tactical advantage youll have in combat is using Nectar against Mantel. One way of doing this is stripping the Nectar pack off a dead Mantel soldier and strapping it to a grenade toss the makeshift grenade at Mantel soldiers and watch as they kill off their own from the Nectar overdose."
Haze has kinda been falling into the background the last few months, but now Free Radical have released some info about the abilities you will have as a Mantel soldier and a Promised Hand rebel. Some of the abilities the Mantel soldiers have at there disposal are Nectar Perception (the ability to see in the dark),Melee Blast (deliver a powerful strike to your enemies). While the Promised Hand Rebels have Weapon Steal (take the gun off your enemy) and Play Dead (play dead and watch enemies wal...
"These guys and gals at Free Radical are not inceptive to designing games in the FPS genre. For them to take on new intellectual property doesnt mean that they have to prove their skills to gamers every time they come up with a new idea in the same genre. If Bungie decided to take on a new shooter franchise, would everyone say that they have to prove their abilities with the new IP? Of course not."
"As it was mentioned in Day 2's article for Haze Hype, we promised you a detailed look at the skills that players will be able to utilize as the rebels and as a Mantel Corp. Soldier. So well give you a complete breakdown of those skills. And as a bonus, were treating you to some new screenshots (courtesy of Free Radical) as a precursor for Day 4."
"HMV is offering pre-orders,release date of Haze and UT3 this year
HMV, the same online retailer who are currently offering Xbox360 version of MGS4 for pre-orders are also offering a pre-orders for PC/360 versions of Haze and UT3 which have all been confirmed by the game publishers and Sony to be a timed exclusive to the playstation computer entertainment this year."
The delay that has made many fans upset and angry, has also been a saviour for some game developers that no longer have GTAIV to compete with for christmas. Which will obviously mean that they will have more reason to release it before then, and will most likely be getting more notice from you than if GTAIV had released.
The games ofcourse are:
- Bioshock
- Army of Two
- Lair
- Haze
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
- Assassin's Creed
- Heavenly Sword
"Haze is set in the year 2048. There is a war going on in a region of South America, where a group of vicious rebels called The Promise Hand are trying to overthrow the government, and replace them with their leader: Gabriel Skin Coat Merino."
That is right, Haze Gaming is about to start the Haze Contest. The winner of this contest will receive a free copy of Haze for the PS3.
The contest officially starts now and will run for the next few months. When an official PS3 release date is announced, we will create an official ending date for the contest.
If you wish to enter the contest, you will need to become a member of the RS Insomniac Network Community. Once you have registered, you can refer to the below topic, register for ...
"The following video has sparked speculation that Free Radical have got their hands on a rumble enabled version of the PS3's SIXAXIS contoller. At the beginning of the video clip, Haze is being shown in conjunction with a standard SIXAXIS, but then at around the ten minute mark, the developers are testing out the game with a myseriously blurred out controller."
"At Ubisoft's recent press event held in Paris, Haze developer Free Radical told CVG the game is in development for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC and not just PS3 as has been reported.
During the Haze section of the Ubidays conference, the impressive-looking shooter was unveiled as PS3 lead with no other systems mentioned.
Haze was originally announced for all three systems in 2006 but the lack of any other system being mentioned for over a year, and the fact that the TimeSplitters team has a mas..."
The first person shooter from Ubisoft, Haze, has now been confirmed for release on the PlayStation 3 for Fall 2007 while release dates for the previously announced 360 and PC versions are still up in the air. It is uncertain as to whether or not Haze will remain a PS3 exclusive or if 360 and PC versions of Haze will just ship at a later date like sometime in 2008. Either way, Haze looks like a first person shooter with a seemingly deep and mysterious storyline with some very lush and stylize...
"Viral marketing - even the phrase makes us shudder. But video games companies love it and Ubisoft is no exception, having created a fake website to promote its forthcoming shooter, Haze."
![Box shot of Haze [North America]](http://i.neoseeker.com/boxshots/R2FtZXMvUGxheXN0YXRpb25fMy9BY3Rpb24vU2hvb3Rlcg==/haze_frontcover_small_HsY719naFa3lRsz.jpg)