blacksite: area 51
Harvey Smith Leaves Midway
5:00AM Mike Fahey | Here’s some news that comes as absolutely no surprise. Days after discussing what a cluster f*** developing Blacksite: Area 51 turned out to be at the Montreal International Game Summit 2007, Harvey Smith is leaving his post as the creative director of Midway Austin, which he has held since November 2004. A senior member of the Austin Team confirmed the departure with GameTap, and while no specific reasons were cited, they explained that the departure was “by mutual agreement between Harvey and the studio.” Of course that could mean anything from exclaiming, “My job here is done!” and rushing boldly out the door to, “You’re not going to work here anymore, okay?” “Okay.” While Smith obviously was unhappy with the working conditions at the company, I’d daresay the sudden drop off in sales once the game’s designer badmouthed the project was an equally determining force. Fear not for Harvey, however. As the lead designer on the original Deus Ex, I can think of any number of projects he’d be perfect for. Harvey Smith and Midway Austin Part Ways [GameTap] More »
Blacksite Designer Blames Himself
12:40AM Mike Fahey | In case you were still on the fence about whether or not to pick up a copy of Midway’s Blacksite: Area 51, lets see how the game’s designer Harvey Smith feels about the game. “This project was so fucked up” So that’s probably a no. The comment came during a speech at the Montreal International Game Summit 2007 earlier this week, where Smith took the last few minutes to deliver a post-mortem on the game, which has been less than favourably received by critics and gamers. He explains that he wasn’t all that excited about the project in the first place, and the lack of enthusiasm led to a lack of polish. With a year to go, the game was disastrously off rails.” There were long delays just getting Blacksite playable, and once it was he says, “it went straight from alpha to final.” Okay, definitely a no. Hit the link for more on a shining example of game development gone awry. Blacksite’s Harvey Smith Asks, Why The Low Scores [Wired's Game | Life via GamesIndustry.biz] More »
Our $US 3,000 Computer Contest WInner
3:58PM Brian Ashcraft | Whew! What. A. Contest. For those who missed it, we were giving away a BlackSite: Area 51 Alienware computer and loot. There was public shaming, an apology, fuckin’ stormtroppers and luchadors. At the end of this long, long road there was a Quick Draw — where it’s not only important to be quick, but also accurate. The question was: More »
Blacksite’s “Hidden” Political Message
5:00AM Simon Carless | Michael Abbott’s ‘The Brainy Gamer’ blog has been taking a cerebrally enhanced look at Harvey Smith and Midway’s shooter Blacksite: Area 51, which just came out last week. Abbott references talk that the game would “invite the player to consider the moral and ethical dimensions of American foreign policy in Iraq”, and compares it to his impressions of the game: “Blacksite: Area 51 is a shooter, and that’s basically it. Yes, it begins in Iraq and yes, it contains mission titles like “Misunderestimated” and “Cut and Run,” but once the aliens start coming at you, the game unfolds like any other standard shooter.” Thus far, the game doesn’t seem to be faring well with critics either, but Abbott’s comments raise an interesting question – how much politics do you want embedded in your gaming entertainment? Blacksite: Where’s my subversion? [The Brainy Gamer] More »BlackSite: Area 51 contest winner coming …
1:00PM Brian Ashcraft | BlackSite: Area 51 contest winner coming soon! The Quick Draw is going down this weekend with the very lucky 13 finalists duking it out in a delightful deathmatch. Check back Monday to find out who was victorious — and who wasn’t. More »
Our Computer Contest Answers (Bring the Hate!)
4:00AM Brian Ashcraft | Some of you might have found this contest “easy.” It’s only easy if you don’t take into consideration that you’re playing for a pricey computer. If you think about that, then you realize: This contest was very hard. Remember at the beginning of this contest, when we said this was “sadistic”? We weren’t joking. Heck, anyone who entered our PS3 contest can tell you that! It was. So feel free to hate us, but you knew what you were getting into. (And trust me, the finalists will have it bad, too.) We’ve put the answers after the jump for you to compare — dashing your dreams or inflating them. Onward! More »
No More Contest Entries, M’kay?
6:00PM Brian Ashcraft | Starting at midnight EST time, we ceased accepting entries for our BlackSite: Area 51 contest. Check back in the morning for info on how this is going to play out. Until then, check out what we’re giving away. Specs after the jump! More »
Last Day to Enter for $US 3000 Computer!
7:00PM Brian Ashcraft | If you want this (and want it bad), make sure you read this. Contest closes to entries November 12th at midnight EST. That’s TONIGHT. To all those who entered, good luck! More »
Have a Look at the $US 3000 Prize Computer
2:00PM Brian Ashcraft | You’ve heard about it, so here it is. This is the BlackSite: Area 51 computer and loot we are giving away. Pretty slick! If you want this (and want it bad), make sure you read this. Contest closes to entries November 12th at midnight EST. To all those who entered, good luck! More »
