Apocalypse Now Video Game Could be in the Works

Apocalypse Now is considered one of the best Vietnam War films ever made, along with others like Platoon and Full Metal Jacket. I find it quite odd that here in SA, Apocalypse Now isn’t shown on TV as often as the other two.

Now the movie might be getting some renewed interest, as Killspace Entertainment has registered two domains called “apocalypsenowgame.com”, and “warisnotagame.net.” This suggests obviously that a game based on the movie is in the works.

Killspace Entertainment's LinkedIn profile suggests that its working on two titles, one of which is a “licensed IP to be announced.” Wonder what the other one is then?

There are some concerns that a game based on this particular movie might not be such a good idea, as it isn’t as action-packed as some of the afore-mentioned titles. We all know a game based on a movie isn’t exactly a recipe for success. They should rather have taken inspiration from the movies as well as done research on the real war, and made their own.

But then again, it’s better than getting another World War II FPS in an over-saturated market, or another Modern Warfare…

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Source: Superannuation

Apocalypse Now Video Game Could be in the Works

Next Call of Duty Seems to be at Least Partially set in Vietnam After all

Yes, the rumours have been going around for a long time now, but no official confirmation, apart from the fact that this game, likely developed by Treyarch, will come out sometime this year, likely in Q4.

So what is new in this whole situation that we haven’t heard before? Well, it’s been picked up that there was a casting call in Los Angeles organised by Treyarch in order to fill some roles for the game, AKA getting some voice actors involved as well as motion capture.

One of the characters supposedly involved in the game is one Frank Barnes, “a fiercely patriotic veteran of WWII. A solid leader, possessed with an excellent ability to assess and respond to any situation quickly and decisively”. He is also part of the elite SOG (Studies and Observations Group), who were allegedly involved in some deep black ops operations during Vietnam, that not many people know of, as well as some of the more well-known ones too, like the Tet Offensive.

[Picture is actually of the Vietnam Mod for Call of Duty: World at War, a game also developed by Treyarch.]

There’s also mention of a Joseph Lewis, a athletic black man in his 20s, and Jason Hudson, a white man in his 30s with over 15 years of military experience.

But among some of the roles required to be filled, there’s one character named Kristina Ivanova, a Russian-born CIA operative and martial arts expert.

I’m glad to see that stereotypes in games are still alive and well.

But this also points to some other rumours which have suggested that the game will be set during the Cold War as a whole, and not just in Vietnam (although it would be cool if there was at least a few missions set there).

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Source: VG247 - TVGB

Next Call of Duty Seems to be at Least Partially set in Vietnam After all

Call of Duty 7: Vietnam Rumours Arise Once Again

I remember years ago it started off as a joke, or a wouldn’t it be cool? topic in gamer circles, but the rumours have persisted over and over, and now another one says that Treyarch, the guys behind World at War, will be the one to develop the next Call of Duty game, supposedly set in Vietnam – an infamous topic not only in real life, but in gaming too.

There have been attempts in the past to recreate events from one of the worst wars of the twentieth century – one that should have taught the US not to venture into territory that they don’t know, and that the enemy knows off the back of their hand.

The one I remember playing most recently would be Men of Valor by 2015 (the guys who made MoH: Allied Assault). It was praised by some, but I didn’t enjoy it much at all. There have been others like ShellShock and ShellShock 2 which failed miserably.

It certainly hasn’t been explored as much as World War II, in any case. But one thing that was mentioned in these rumours is that the title will basically just be based on Platoon, Full Metal Jacket, and Apocalypse Now – three Vietnam War movies that are often mentioned and sited as inspiration.

Another rumour to consider is that the game will come out in 2010. One wonder if there’ll be any zombies in this one.

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http://abstract360.com/2009/12/rumored-call-of-duty-vietnam-to-be-more-story-heavy/

Rumor: Call of Duty 7: Vietnam

Call of Duty 7: Vietnam Rumours Arise Once Again

It’s Your Birthday: Dale Dye

On October 8th, 1944, Dale Dye was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He turns 65 today.
Due to being poor and not being able to afford college fees he enrolled in and later graduated from Missouri Military Academy. After this he served in the United States Marine Corps for twenty years, including two tours (1964–1965 and 1967–1970) as a Marine Correspondent in Vietnam where he fought in 31 major combat operations. Medals he obtained in the war included three purple hearts (awarded to those who sustain injuries), and the bronze star.

For most of his military career he was an NCO (non-commissioned officer) or enlisted Marine, rising to the rank of Master Sergeant. During the 70s he was chosen to attend Officer Candidate School and was appointed warrant officer. He later converted his commission and was promoted to captain.

Dale also served in the Beirut Peacekeeping Force during the 80s.

Dale has worked for Soldier of Fortune magazine, trained troops in guerrilla warfare in the countries of El Salvador and Nicaragua, and founded Warriors, Inc. where he not only started helping train actors but also began his Hollywood career. In addition to starring in movies, usually in small roles, he usually serves as the senior or assistant military technical adviser. The list of films he’s appeared in includes Forrest Gump, Platoon, Born on the Fourth of July, Heaven and Earth and Saving Private Ryan. He usually plays officers or at least a Sergeant in these short roles. Most of these movies no doubt benefited from his expertise, and I reckon he’s at least part of the reason they were as successful as they were. Everything he touches turns to gold.

Not only has he been involved in films, but in radio, and the authoring of several books, but what really led me to discover him was his appearances in video games. Dale worked as a consultant, and as the training mission narrator, on Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, which was essentially a video game adaptation of Saving Private Ryan, since it included scenes familiar from the film, such as the landings on Omaha beach. He’s also served in this position for nearly every other Medal of Honor title, including Medal of Honor, Medal of Honor: Underground, Medal of Honor: Frontline, Medal of Honor: Rising Sun, and Medal of Honor: European Assault. It doesn’t look as though he worked on Medal of Honor: Airborne at all, and it still remains to be seen whether he’ll work on the latest Medal of Honor title in development.

Other games he’s appeared in include Brother in Arms: Hell’s Highway where he voiced the character Colonel Robert F. Sink, a role which he also played in the Band of Brothers series.

Interesting tidbits about USMC Ret. Capt. Dale Dye (not to be taken too seriously):

• He was considered for the title role in RoboCop.
• According to some, Dale Dye is fearless, and perhaps enjoyed Vietnam too much.
• Despite being born at the time (1944), and contrary to popular belief, he didn’t actually fight in World War II.
• I believe that Dale Dye may have been the inspiration for the character known as Old Snake, or Old Solid Snake from Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of Patriots. Check out the mustache.
• Just like Solid Snake in MGS 4, he seems to have mysteriously rapidly aged over the past few years.
• Dale Dye is often compared to R Lee Ermey (Gunny).
• Despite working for Soldier of Fortune magazine, Dale Dye is not to be confused with John Mullins.

Sources:

http://www.sproe.com/d/dale-dye.html
http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0245653/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_Dye
http://www.warriorsinc.com/
http://kfi640.com/pages/CaptainDaleDye.html?feed=128004&article=445012

It’s Your Birthday: Dale Dye

The Wish Granter- Call of Duty: Vietnam

Rumours have now been going around about a new branch in the franchise, and instead of World War II or Modern Warfare, it’s going to be in Vietnam or something.

As I’ve said before, Call of Duty’s WW II exploits are getting a little stale, with mainly just the same stuff (the Russian campaigns have been more or less the same since the first one), but with prettier graphics. I liked the American campaign of World at War, with the Pacific Front being explored more, and it gave a little taste of what might come in the form of this Call of Duty: Vietnam, if it is real. And why not? It’s just a natural progression, and could, and should happen sometime. Even Medal of Honor did a Vietnam game, Men of Valor, which was okay.

The first time my hopes were raised was due to an April Fool’s day insert in an issue of NAG magazine in 2008 or so, where they had a fake box cover reading Call of Duty: Vietnam, and the picture had a couple of marines with M16s jumping out of Huey helicopter as it hovered over the grassy plains- sort of like that part in We Were Soldiers, with Mel Gibson. Even though it was all a joke, I just got excited about the idea that one day we might get it. This latest rumour then is also not much to get excited about on alone, but when you start to think about it, you can picture it. 

Vietnam is both a rose and a thorn in the side of American culture, and perhaps the culture of others nations. Yes, the Americans withdrew, and they lost over 58 000 men, and it was reportedly one of the most terrifying wars ever fought, according to survivors. But on the other hand, think of how many people treated veterans when they came back home. There was that line from the trailer of ShellShock 2: Blood Trails, a game based in Vietnam, which came out recently (and sucked apparently): “A country that doesn’t want me.” That stuck in my head.

Imagine bits of your favourite Vietnam films, like Platoon, Full Metal Jacket, Born on the Fourth of July, Apocalypse Now, We Were Soldiers- those are some of my favourite films of all time. Now I think it’s time to have a collection of some good, memorable games set in Vietnam too.

Sources:

http://www.thatvideogameblog.com/2009/05/01/call-of-duty-7-in-vietnam-cuba/
http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/kotaku/full/~3/eymOjBy17do/rumor-call-of-duty-moving-on-to-vietnam

The Wish Granter- Call of Duty: Vietnam

PC Games Released Today: Shellshock 2 and EndWar

According to IGN.com, Shellshock 2: Blood Trails and Tom Clancy's EndWar have been released.

I'm not sure about EndWar, but judging by the trailer I've seen, I think I will definitely try and get my hands on Shellshock 2. I'm a big fan of war games, and this one is set in Vietnam, grounds that few devs tread on. It also has the horror element to it too, so it should be fun.

PC Games Released Today: Shellshock 2 and EndWar