Kennedy New Media

What, you don’t like my Bond joke?

Ukrainian developer Action Forms and Publishers 1c Company (Russia) and 505 Games (European) have come together to tell us that they’re tired of the same old games. That have been coming out for this generation of gamers. They’re tired of the over-hype and need to focus on unimportant things like tweaking an achievement system or putting in a zombie nazi mode to justify a $60 price tag. Hell, they’re even tired of the $60 price tag and went just over 1/2 that, at $40.

Interestingly, they also incorporated Nvidia’s newly acquired PhysX technology, putting Cryostasis on a short list of games taking advantage of the new technology. Action Forms was able to give a new experience to players through a game that focused almost exclusively on storytelling and creating an atmosphere in which you really experience what the character experienced. An old nuclear icebreaker who’s hit an iceberg (ironic, isn’t it) is the stage, and you are Alexander Nesterov, charged with discovering what went wrong. This is a journey that is, like most journeys, flawed yet worth taking. There are few games recently that can say they really did something new or different. Cryostasis is one of them.

Read on for the full story after the jump…

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I know – dramatic, right? Things have been stacking up in regards to things going on at KNM. Most of those things are behind the scenes and I can’t talk about all of them yet… but I will be soon!

Lets start with about 4 weeks ago when I reached a decision that I had been putting off for years. About 10 of them. Years, not decisions. I have decided to, at last, do two things that I haven’t been able to do so far in this life.

1. Finish my Undergrad Degree
2. Become a full-time legitimate game developer

Fortunately I am able to do both at the same. So, as of July 6th, I will be enrolled working towards my Bachelors of Science in Game and Simulation Programming. Wish me congratulations or commiserations, its going to be a rough next 30-36 months while I learn to code (not completely from scratch, but close). One of the ideas that I can’t talk about relates to this, but I’m not ready to announce anything yet. If I don’t end up doing it I’d rather not have said that I was going to, lol.

I’m still working on my RE5 review, which is well overdue but such is life. I’m also doing a review of Sacred 2 with the PhysX update. Interesting stuff there and what’s even more interesting is the PC version of RE5 is getting the PhysX treatment from Nvidia. The rotten eggs will fly more accurately, lol. The treatment for sacred was a bit superficial so I’m hoping they do a little more to RE5. Also, look forward to reviews on Okami and Wii Music in the Not Quite New segment.

Also, I just picked up a new laptop which I’m already in love with, Its the Gateway FX P-7805u. I picked it up for a steal to begin my programming on and I can’t be happier. Full spec review as I get time. Probably will be written on the laptop

The rest of my excuses lie around getting the house cleaned out of old furniture, building out our library (it has books and shelves and a desk, so its a library :-p). I’ll post pics once its done. I’ll be posting more in regards to general life and entertainment so that I can keep up with activity even when I don’t have time to game.

Anyways, the rest I can’t talk about because they are surprises! Look forward to the first one next week! Everyone bring some cigars, lol! Laterz all!

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Hey everyone, just thought I’d drop a note to let you know what you can expect from KNM this week. I’ve got some cool stuff in store for you. I’m putting the finishing touches on my “Not Quite New” game of the month review – I played through Square-Enix’s Infinite Undiscovery and will have a full review up by Tuesday.

I’ve also just got in a review copy of Sacred II: Fallen Angel, which is getting a big face-lift thanks to NVIDIA’s (relatively) newly acquired PhysX technology. Its installed already and looks to be a good investment of time before I’ll be done. With any game that takes me more than a week or two to finish, I’ll try to publish updates each week to let you know what I’m playing and where I”m at.

Also, I’m finishing up Resident Evil 5, and will also have that review up this week, most likely by Friday. I have to give a shout-out to my man Ken Lally, who did a really badass job with Wesker. He may not be the voice in the final game, but ask him to give you a Wesker impression sometime and he’s more Wesker than Wesker. Also, get him to talk to you about the stance. Pure genious.

I’m also going to start putting up some iPhone game reviews – they’re some great game out on the iPhone and they need to get covered! There’s so much crap out there that the good stuff needs a little help rising to the top. If you have an iPhone game you’ve developed and would like me to check it out, please send me an email – tim@kennedynewmedia.com and I’ll give it a look.

That’s all for now – thanks everyone for your support and keep on gaming!

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