Posted 10/10/09 at 01:44:14 AM by Nathan Grayson

A couple days ago, we published a chat with Gearbox Software’s main mouthpiece, Randy Pitchford. And boy can he talk. And when he talks the talk, other people get to talking too. Especially when Pitchford launches a few verbal volleys in Steam’s direction – calling it a “money grab” -- as he did in our interview. As a result, Tripwire Interactive (Red Orchestra, Killing Floor) president John Gibson has decided to fire back.

“Is Valve exploiting independent developers? In short: absolutely not. Without pulling any punches, I can say with certainty that if it weren't for Steam, there would be no Tripwire Interactive right now,” Gibson said, explaining that he believes Valve has “kicked off an indie revolution.”

“Randy's statements suggest that small developers are getting ripped off through their royalty rates. Without breaking any non-disclosure agreements, let me just say that our royalty deal was great, and is in line with what I understand that other digital distribution services are offering.”

“We have never had a situation where Valve downplayed our competing titles. On the contrary, they have done a great job of promoting our games on the front page of the Steam store and through the pop-up advertisements on Steam.”

Gibson also emphasized that all publishers find themselves awash in the murk of “conflicts of interest” at some point or another. “With console digital distribution, Microsoft and Sony have a complete monopoly on their platforms, and both companies make first party games. At least Valve has competition on the PC,” he added.

Gibson’s full response is available for your perusal over at Gamasutra. It’s definitely worth a read.

Read More

Posted 05/04/09 at 08:54:47 PM by Nathan Grayson

Looks like the proverbial kitchen sink of World War II games has finally been thrown into the mix. Developer Tripwire Interactive has officially announced that Red Orchestra: Heroes of Stalingrad – sequel to realistic mod-gone-commercial Red Orchestra: Osfront 41-45 – will do, at this point, the only thing no other World War II game has done before: Add a German single-player/co-op  campaign.

Fear not, however; Red Orchestra isn’t setting its sights on needless controversy. As with its predecessor, this trip into the trenches gives utmost priority to “accuracy and detail.” Looks like our dream of slipping into the biomechanical boots of mecha-Hitler will have to wait.
 
No word on a release date just yet, but Tripwire’s only just begun to inform. Expect more news on Heroes of Stalingrad in the coming weeks.

Read More