Posted on 04 December 2009 by GillRider
So I’m going to throw a lot of informationat you guys . For those too lazy, here’s the quick and dirty: A dedicated server for Shattered Horizon has now been released. This means more control over your zero-gravity gaming experience, ranging from how you play, to who you play. With this release, Futuremark has also released a minor update and a bundle package, detailed below. Enjoy!
Hurray for zero-gravity fans and space FPS fans! Futuremark Studio has released the dedicated servers for Shattered Horizon today. Here are the features of the dedicated server:
- GUI for creating custom level rotations, game settings and player limits.
- Custom server name, graphic and information URL.
- Optional password protection for private matches.
- Remote admin console accessible within Shattered Horizon game client.
- Configurable auto-team balancing.
- Configurable auto-kick / ban for team-killers and high-ping connections.
- Built-in anti-cheat detection with configurable auto-kick / ban.
- Admin manual kick / ban.
- Support for VAC.
- Registered servers can submit player stats and achievements to the official leaderboards (registration is optional and free).
- LAN game support.
- Supported operating systems: Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008. Note, DirectX 10 is not required for running a Shattered Horizon server.
Along with this dedicated server, Futuremark has also released a minor update with the following changes:
- HUD: Ammo count is no longer shown in scoped mode when running silent.
- HUD: When a player tries to capture a control point that is blocked by an enemy player the word “Blocked” will appear on the HUD.
- HUD: Chat is now enabled during silent running or while EMPed.
- Network protocol updated to support new server features.
- Added console for remote server control.
- Added “rules” section to in-game server browser, so players can choose servers with or without friendly fire or team auto-balancing for example.
- Server disconnect messages now include more information about the reason for disconnection for example, kicked for cheating, team-killing or high ping.
- Bug fix: Improved error handling during start-up logo videos.
And finally, they are also offering a bundle that includes Shattered Horizon and 3DMark Vantage Advanced Edition (Futuremark’s DirectX 10 gaming benchmark) for $29.95/€24.95
Posted on 16 November 2009 by GillRider
Futuremark anounced plans for their first content pack for Shattered Horizon, a PC exclusive multiplayer, zero-gravity FPS (that’s a mouthful). The “Moonrise” pack, free for all players, will include four new levels, effectively doubling the number of levels in the game.
Although no release date has been set the Moonrise content pack, players who’ve pre-ordered Shattered Horizon will be invited to start play-testing the new levels this week.
I realized although we’ve featured this game several times, we haven’t really spoken about the story behind the game. So here it goes:
The basic premise of the game is that 40 years from now, man is back on the moon, where mining has become alucrative business. But as the Moon Mining Cooperative (MMC) feeds its greed, a catastrophic explosion from a mining accident fills near-Earth space with billions of tons of rocky debris, making rescue or return nearly impossible for those stranded.
Now trapped astronauts and scientists from the International Space Agency (ISA) must apprehend members of the MMC responsible. And thus begins an armed conflict to gain control of the rocky moon debris, now known as the “Arc.”
Now I’m not an FPS fan. In fact, its probably my least favorite genre of gaming (I know, it’s crazy). But, this story sounds awesome! It sounds very unique, and engaging, and I have to admit, the features list for this game looks awesome.
Posted on 19 October 2009 by ClassicMoments
Posted on 19 October 2009 by ClassicMoments
If you’re an avid PC/MAC gamer, you probably have heard about 3DMark and PCMark, the benchmark applications from Futuremark for your computers. With their awesome graphics and presentation, we’ve always wondered ‘What if those guys make games instead of just benchmarking applications?’
Well folks, the wait is over. Futuremark presents Shattered Horizon, the multiplayer FPS in space.
It just looks freaking fantastic. And here are the features of Shattered Horizon:
- Multiplayer first-person shooter set in near-Earth space 40 years from now.
- Experience intense zero gravity combat and complete freedom of movement.
- Use your rocket pack to fly freely through space and then land on any surface.
- Engage enemies in furious firefights, or ambush them from unexpected angles.
- Use tactical grenades to disable electronics, block line of sight or push enemies out from cover.
- Join your friends in action-packed 32 player battles fighting to control hollowed-out asteroids, huge fragments of Moon rock and the ruined remains of the International Space Station.
- Familiar and intuitive FPS controls let you take full advantage of the zero gravity environments.
- Astonishing graphics and advanced lighting effects immerse you in the cold reality of combat in space.
- Evocative soundtrack by Markus “Captain” Kaarlonen from Poets of the Fall.
- Online leaderboards and extensive personal stats tracking.
- Coming soon to Windows Vista and Windows 7 PCs with DirectX 10 graphics cards.
The game will be only available with DirectX 10 compatible OS, and will be distributed digitally for PC on 2009 holiday season. That means you would want to upgrade your Windows XP to either Windows Vista or Windows 7.
We’ll also show you the actual in-game footage video soon so stay close!
