Newsbriefs: Alien Gearbox, Supreme amBX, Zen Steamed

Author: by Staff

[UPDATED: 3:44pm PST] Today's regularly updated newsbriefs include news of Gearbox Software being tapped by Sega to develop a new FPS set in the Alien film franchise, a deal to include Philips' amBX support in Supreme Commander, and Unknown Worlds Entertainment's Zen of Sudoku released over Steam. - Following the recent news concerning developer Obsidian's plans to develop a new role-playing game based on 20th Century Fox's popular sci-fi/horror series Alien, Sega has officially confirmed that it has enlisted Gearbox Software (Brothers in Arms) to develop a first-person shooter based on the franchise. No information concerning the game's platform or eventual release date have been released, though the official release from Sega notes that the game "will retain the atmospheric look and feel of the original films while leveraging next-generation technology." Sega of America's president and COO Simon Jeffery comments, "Gearbox Software has a storied history of bringing innovative and compelling design to the FPS category. Combining their design talents with the intense action of the Alien franchise ensures that gamers will have an immersive and action-packed experience." - Philips has announced that it has signed a deal with Seattle-based developer Gas Powered Games (Dungeon Siege) to make the upcoming PC real-time strategy game Supreme Commander compatible with the electronic giant's distinctly unconventional amBX technology. The game, which is expected to ship in early 2007, will become the first real-time strategy game to take advantage of Philips' “sensory surround experience”, which enables external peripherals to introduce light, color, sound, heat and even airflow in the real world during gameplay. “I ‘got’ amBX the moment I saw it – I really liked the way it added to the visual experience,” said Gas Powered Games' Chris Taylor. “I also liked feeling the wind in my face, it made the whole game experience more real. I think there is a lot of potential to have the experience ‘underscored’, so to speak, by having the high points (or low points) in the game accompanied by the various amBX effects.” - Officials from Unknown Worlds Entertainment (Natural Selection) have announced that the company's PC puzzle game Zen of Sudoku has been released over Valve's Steam digital distribution service. The game is available to be played for free for an hour, and can then can be purchased for $9.95 (the price discounted 10 percent off for the first week). The game is also available in standalone form from the official website. In addition, Unknown Worlds representatives also note that they are hopeful that funds generated by the release of Zen of Sudoku will help fund the development of Natural Selection 2. - The latest updates on Gamasutra sister alt.gaming weblog GameSetWatch include an interview with Suda51, Genki Rockets' 'Heavenly Star' music video release on iTunes, and a look at the possible pitfalls awaiting the recently announced Firefly MMOG. - The latest updates from Gamasutra sister website Serious Games Source include an interview with CHI Systems' Vance Souders from the recent Serious Games Summit DC 2006. - The latest updates from Gamasutra sister website Game Career Guide include the release of Beginning Game Programming, written for beginners who want to create their own simple 2D and 3D games in C and DirectX 9 or prototypes for portfolio work. - Also updated today: the latest Gamasutra job postings, including openings from BioWare Austin, Kush Games, Ping0, Riot Games, Rochester Institute of Technology, Turner Broadcasting System, Vcom3D, and Vogster Entertainment.