SOCOM 4 will be 3D-enabled

Thanks to a quick eye by Dirty_Walter it looks like SOCOM 4 will indeed be 3D-ready when it releases next year. This was also confirmed by a post in the thread later on, by Zipper's Community Manager Chris Roper.

Well then...

As I said I've said before and as Tombstone mentioned, the game was not delayed to add 3D in any way, shape or form. Did the extra time allow for it? Well, you've seen the video.

Err, I mean, no comment. Or something.

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Chris Roper

Community Specialist, Zipper Interactive

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Now the question is, what percentage of the SOCOM audience is actually going to have a 3D TV to take advantage of this. I did play Motorstorm in 3D at the Playstation Canada event a few days ago and I have to say that it was incredibly impressive. But the cost of the television and the fact that it requires glasses, turns me off.

My SOCOM 4 impressions at GreatCanadianGamer.com

A couple days ago I attended the Playstation Holiday Preview Event in downtown Toronto. You can read the entire article here about what I experienced, but here is a short snippet from my SOCOM 4/Special Forces experience:

Despite the crowds, I was able to go hands-on with some games, notably SOCOM: Special Forces. As a SOCOM veteran player, this was the game I was really looking forward to playing. At first I couldn’t even find it, but eventually noticed it tucked away in the corner with the Move games. Sadly, once again Sony is treating SOCOM like an afterthought, and not just because of where it was placed but also because of how it was setup. It was only being showcased with the Move, which wouldn’t normally be a big deal except for the fact that the Move was placed in the ‘gun peripheral’ shell casing. The issue with this? SOCOM: Special Forces is not a light-gun game, and requires you to use the face buttons on the Move controller, which you do not have access to while the Move is in the gun peripheral casing.

The result of this was a game demo where players couldn’t do half the maneuvers. The ability to change your stance (prone, crouch, stand), get into cover, and even zoom, were all not possible while playing the game at the Playstation event. To make matters worse, instead of giving us the Navigation controller (the complimentary one-handed controller to the Move) for movement, we were forced to use the Dual-Shock, meaning people playing the demo had to balance the full Dual-Shock controller in their left hand while struggling with the Move in the gun peripheral casing in their right hand. I could not think of a worse way to showcase the game. At least they got the HDTV settings correct, as the game was visually impressive, but it’s a real shame that people who are not familiar with Zipper’s latest SOCOM game came away with the feeling that it’s a mess.

So as you can see, due to the less than ideal setup, my first experience with the game wasn't as good as I was hoping.

SOCOM 4 coming to Toronto on October 5th

Just yesterday Playstation Canada announced that they will be holding the Playstation Canada Holiday Preview event in downtown Toronto from 5pm-9pm. Among the selection of titles listed as being at the event, is SOCOM 4.

Naturally, being a resident of Toronto you can bet that I will be there on October 5th playing SOCOM 4 and everything else on display there. Of course I'll also be taking pictures, possibly video, and writing up my impressions of SOCOM 4 when I get back.

Look for that October 5th!

Hope to see you there.

No armor or encumbrance confirmed. Time to rejoice!

Last night's episode of the Zipline came with some great little tidbits of information about SOCOM 4. The most exciting of those announcements being that there will be no armor or encumbrance systems in SOCOM 4's single player and multiplayer. Travis Steiner, Lead Designer on SOCOM 4, stated the reason for this is that they wanted everyone to have the same amount of hit points and remain on a level playing field.

Which I believe is absolutely the right decision and would mark the first time that this has happened since SOCOM 2. Can you feel the excitement in my words? From the little tidbits of information and the model of "KISS" (Keep It Simple Stupid) that they are following, I'm pretty confident that SOCOM 4 will, at the very least, have the most balanced online mode since SOCOM 2.

SOCOM 4 HD walkthrough and a SOCOM documentary?

So, I'm sure you've all seen this by now, but on the Playstation Blog Zipper posted an HD walkthrough of the Gamescom build of the game (but in english). Check that out below.

I think it's looking really good and there is no doubt that Zipper is really focusing on polish and adding those last touches to make the campaign stand out more than any SOCOM game in the past.

Also, according to this week's Zipline Episode 18, Zipper is working on a documentary about the history of the SOCOM franchise, something I find VERY interesting. If you aren't already aware, I currently working at a major television news station up here in Canada, and went to school for video production. As someone big into videogames and video production, I've always loved watching those "behind-the-scenes" videos found in many videogame collectors discs. So that fact that one is being done on SOCOM is very appealing to me.

Apparently it will be posted to the SOCOM Blog once its finished, but for now there doesn't seem to be any real time frame for it. Regardless, keep an eye open for that.

The lack of updates

Hello readers,

Sorry for the lack of updates as of late. Just recently made a big move, been working a lot, and also when I've had time to breath I've been enjoying life on vacation by a lake. But now I'm back, and as time draws closer to the release of SOCOM 4 (some time in 2011), I'll be ramping up my over-analyzing and podcasting, as well as the occasional spotlight on some community members.

So look for all that in the coming weeks and months up till the release of SOCOM 4.

Regards,

David

Speculation. IGN visited Zipper Interactive last week. *Update*

On yesterday's Podcast Beyond, go to the 13 minute mark. One of the IGN editors (I think his name is Colin) stated how he saw Chris Roper last week, then another editor states "Didn't you see someone else too?", and Colin hesitates at first, sounding like he feels he shouldn't be talking about this, but then admits to seeing Jeremy as well.

I find it kind of interesting. It sounds like IGN made a little visit to the Zipper Interactive offices last week. Possibly for a new story on SOCOM 4?

Let the speculation begin.

UPDATE:

Chris Roper has replied to the speculation with this:

Mark Ryan Sallee, their guides king, went on a road trip for the week and we met up for lunch. Nothing secret going on, sorry.

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Chris Roper

Community Specialist, Zipper Interactive

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Looks like we'll have to wait a bit longer for more SOCOM 4 information.

SOCOM 4 pushed to 2011. States "additional features" as the reason

If you haven't already heard, SOCOM 4 has been officially pushed to a 2011 release window. Which, by the way, is a mighty big window, so hopefully that'll be narrowed down soon.

What I find really interesting is this paragraph:

SCEA's senior corporate communications director, Patrick Seybold, told Joystiq, "We can confirm that SOCOM 4 will be released in 2011. The team is focusing on additional features which will help to deliver the most compelling and immersion SOCOM experience yet. Please look out for further updates and announcements over the coming months."

I wonder what "additional features" is referring to. A co-op mode? More maps? More single player levels? Who really knows. But they state that we'll be getting more details within the next few months so hopefully we don't have to wait to long to at least find out what we have to look forward to in 2011.

Recent Zipline Ep 13 brings good news and "ugh" news

So, we'll be talking all about this in the next SOCAST, but I just wanted to hit on some points from Zipline Ep 13 this week. Firstly, lets break down some of the new SOCOM 4 information:

Good:

The average size of a map is about the size of Blackwoods from SOCOM 3.

SOCOM 4 will have some of the smallest maps the franchise has ever had.

It will take roughly 3 body shots from an assault rifle to kills someone.

Location-specific damage (12 different locations that enemies react to).

Sure why not:

You can kill chickens/birds.

There will be a dance feature.

Cullen Grey wears jeans because he was caught off-guard and unprepared for the whole mission.

Bad:

There are clan factions, and special weapon for each faction.

Now all the good points speak for themselves, so lets jump to the bad. Why, oh why, are they bringing in separate factions and have specific weapons for each?

Nothing good has come out of this in the past, and it prevents your fans from experiencing all of the game's options.

At least in MAG it kind of made sense because the whole game was designed around 3 large factions and it forced you to pick one and stay with it (even though it bugs me that I'll never be able to see what SVER and VALOR are like, and I think that whole design choice turned a lot of players off of MAG).

It just has absolutely no place in SOCOM. I don't even know why there are 'factions'. I'm curious what that even means for this game.

I guess we'll have to wait and see how this plays out. This isn't a deal breaker by any means, but unless I can be told a legitimate, good reason for this being in the game, it makes no sense to defend it.

The Real SOCOM Podcast Mini - Media Episode 1

This is a new short-form audio feature I'll be doing whenever SOCOM is mentioned in the media. This week I discuss some comments made about SOCOM 4 on the Rebel.fm podcast. So take a listen and let me know your thoughts on the opinions expressed.

Direct Download Here

Show Notes:

Rebel.fm

K'naan - Take a Minute

The voice chat/communication system

More recently on the SOCOM.com message boards I have noticed that a lot people have been speculating how the voice chat system might/should work. Fellow SOCAST contributor LUKENBACHER posted this thread where he calls back to the way that the early SOCOM games executed the voice chat system.

While I do like the general idea of the chat channels that LUKENBACHER suggested, this brings up the issue that people who play alone, and join a room where a lot of people in the same clan are playing. The person who is playing alone might be left out of the conversations and strategies that the people who are playing as a group in a different chat channel are having.

This sparked my own thoughts about how I think the SOCOM 4 voice chat system should work. This harkens back to an idea I was pushing on Slant Six before SOCOM Confrontation and has to do with the PS3 launch title Resistance.

Insomniac (developer of Resistance) was very progressive in terms of Resistance's online interface and how the various systems worked together to encourage a team environment that I think the game pulled off very well, particularly the chat system.

All the separate chat channels were open mic, but the main channel you had to press and hold a button. And even if you were in a separate channel you could press and hold that chat button to talk to everyone on your team, regardless of what channel they were on. So people in the main chat channel/other channels could still be privy to strategies and still communicate with people in other chat channels by holding down a button.

I think this is the absolute best way to execute the chat system, and encourages teamwork not only between clans, but between lone rangers and strangers (hey, I can rhyme) as well.

SOCAST Episode 8

Hey everyone! Sorry for the lack of original updates recently. In the midst of a big move and a new job so I've been a bit busy. But I found some time to join the SOCAST crew once again this week, and it's a pretty good episode with xWARGOx from the RMD Clan joining us - who reveals something VERY interesting about his past (hint: he played a professional sport in a National league).

Listen/download here!

The SOCAST is also now on iTunes.

SOCAST Episode 7

Me and the rest of the SOCAST/SOCOMIV.com crew are back again this week for another episode. Check it out.

In Episode 7, the SOCAST CREW is back this week with special guest........... Dr_McNOOB !!!!!!

In this episode we discuss.....

The SocomFans.com merger

SocomIV.com Forums

One Game Mode Per Map in Socom 4 Official?

Daytime vs Night Maps in Socom 4

"Water Polo" in Socom 4 Multiplayer

Public Beta for Socom 4?

Dr_McNoob's Epic 60 "Second Spotlight" Rant

And we briefly discuss some of our CRITICS out there......

CAST: HTK , r_e_v , LUKENBACHER , David2Crazy, and Dr_McNOOB

TIME: 33 minutes, 43 seconds

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

SOCAST Episode 6

Hey everyone,

I'm back as a guest on the SOCAST this week. We discuss Seth Luisi's appearance on the Zipline, some hot topics off the Socom.com boards, and make an announcement concerning SOCOMIV.com and it's community. Check it out below.

In Episode 6, the Socast Crew is back this week with special guest "BULLBOYKENNELS"

In this episode we discuss.....

Zipline Episode 9

Seth Luisi's Epic Appearance & Interview

Hot Topics in the Socom.com Forums

"60 Second Spotlight" Featuring "BULLBOYKENNELS"

Official Launch of the SocomIV.com Message Boards!

We were all amazed at Seth Luisi's performance, and felt he addressed numerous topics our community have been wanting to hear. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

CAST: HTK , r_e_v , LUKENBACHER , David2Crazy, and BULLBOYKENNELS

TIME: 36 minutes, 53 seconds

Click here to listen/download

One mode per map + specific day/night maps + co-op confirmed?

Check it out!

According to a GameStop listing:

GameStop Exclusive Abandoned Map - This popular “Suppression” map from SOCOM 1 and 2 makes a comeback in SOCOM 4. Abandoned takes place in the daytime around an ancient Thai village deep in the misty jungle. Fight your way over dense hillsides, through dark caves, and into the close-quarters mayhem of the archeological site. Classic SOCOM heritage meets evolved SOCOM 4 action.

Super M90 Shotgun - An extremely high quality, versatile and powerful weapon, the Super M90 is preferred tactical shotgun among the U.S. NAVY SEALs since 1999. This 12-gauge shotgun is equipped with slug ammunition for serious stopping power. It inflicts heavy damage in a focused area and features a greater effective range than standard shotguns. This weapon can be used exclusively for multiplayer co-op missions.

Damn! A lot of big news for one day. Heres hoping that this will be discussed on tomorrow's Zipline. If not, then you can bet that we'll discuss it on the Socast this weekend.

Giant Bomb interviews Chad Lowe, Producer on SOCOM 4

Check it out. No real new information, but Jeff Gerstmann is just excited to hear about multiplayer as we are!

SOCAST Episode 6 Promo Video (Seth Luisi Week)

I'll be on this week's SOCAST with the rest of the SOCOMIV.com crew. R_E_V made a little promo video for it that you can check out here:

I'll post it on the blog when it goes up sometime this weekend, so watch for it!

The Real SOCOM Podcast - Episode 6

Hey everyone!

Me and Hellman are back again with a new episode of The Real SOCOM Podcast for the week of E3. In this episode we discuss our feelings on what we've seen on SOCOM 4 thus far, how the "Abandoned" pre-order bonus map is being handled, some hopes for online play, and end it with our overall thoughts on this year's E3 - specifically the three major press conferences.

Hope you all enjoy it. Feel free to comment here with any feedback, or you can also email me at daviddoel@therealsocom.com. I read and respond to every email so don't be afraid to tell me your thoughts.

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SOCOM 4 nominated for three Best of E3 Awards by IGN

Check it out.

Nominated on IGN for Best PS3 Game, Best Motion-Control Game, and Best Shooter.

Abandoned (classic SOCOM map) is in SOCOM 4!

Straight from the SOCOM website itself. Pre-order SOCOM 4 at GameStop and get the Abandoned map.



Awesome news!