Release date (again) - posted by Warlock @ 23:34

According to this newsflash over at RPGVault, a new official release date of Severance, Blade of Darkness has been confirmed. Guess when you read this you think "Damn! Not again, damnit!", but this time it's a couple of days in the right direction! :-)

The new date, for Europe and US is: 26th of January 2001!

Update: This also applies to the Spanish version of the game.

2 Comments

Demo Fix! - posted by Warlock @ 19:09

Rebel Act has made a fix to the bug where you get stuck in the space with the stacked boxes after killing the traitor knights. This zip-file should be unzipped to the directory you installed the demo in.

If you didn't hear the news, there's also a 3rd party, unofficial patch by "marfan", which turns all the menus and text into English in the demo!

3 Comments

Rebel2 in works - posted by Warlock @ 16:29

FGN Online has a little exclusive about Rebel Act Studios next in 3d technology, the Rebel2 engine, which will power a yet unannounced online multiplayer game (I've heard rumours of a sci-fi twist).

Some of the elements of the Rebel2 engine will be used in the sequel to Severance/Blade of Darkness as well.

Well, read the story here!

0 Comments

German Demo Review - posted by Dr.Haggard @ 12:18

German site MemBa´s GameWorld have posted a lengthy review of the spanish demo, scattered with some nice screenshots. They give the demo a score of 90%, and most of the review takes the form of a walkthrough of sorts of the first third or so of the included Ragnar level.
If you're like me and your german is a little rusty, try a babelfish instead.

0 Comments

Demo Translation! - posted by Warlock @ 10:52

Thanks to marfan, who has really made an effort to help us non-spanish gamers with the Blade demo. He has made a downloadable zip-file, which transelate some bitmap and text files into english!

This file will also let you save your game, although I've heard rumours about it being a bit buggy. Be sure to read the readme file in the zip-archieve!

I will make a little demoguide page here at BU soon, where we will collect all the info and hints and tips on one page.

2 Comments

The demo is online! - posted by Warlock @ 20:13

Just a quick note: The spanish version of the DEMO is available for download now!

Get it from one of the following sites and mirrors:
3D Files
DemoNews
Arsenal66
3D Gamers
File Planet (Thanks Yanos!)

I'll add more if you mail me our leave a link in the comments to this newspost.

31 Comments

The DEMO!!!!!!! - posted by Warlock @ 13:45

Today the Spanish version of the Blade demo was released exclusivly through the Spanish gaming magazine Micromaina. The demo are also, as I type this, being transferred to arsenal66 and will be available for download very soon (hopefully tonight or tomorrow)!

This is the Spanish version, but I play this version at home and, except for some spoken dialogue and in-game text, it contains the most important part: the awesome gameplay. It's the best game I've ever played - no matter what genre!

So, if you can't wait for an English version, prepare for a 104Mb download ;-)

2 Comments

New Shots - posted by Dr.Haggard @ 23:21

There are seven sweet new screenshots of Severance on the Israeli site VGames. Thanks to Blues News.

6 Comments

PC Zone Feature - posted by Dr.Haggard @ 0:07

UK magazine PC Zone have printed a 6 page preview of Severance in their December issue. There are no new shots, but a wealth of information and enthusiastic gushing about the game. If nothing else this great article shows that the Codemasters publicity machine is beginning to pick up speed!
Here's a quote:

During one part of the game the player walks into a room adorned with flickering torches to discover there's an enormous hellish shadow on the alcove wall. As you slowly edge around the corner to face what must be Satan himself, you discover the truth; the shadow is owned by a diminutive runt who's taken advantage of the illusionary effect of the torches to leave you needing a clean pair of pants. Effects like this are used with great aplomb to create a formidable atmosphere from start to finish.

1 Comments

New Preview @ IGNPC - posted by Warlock @ 8:09

IGNPC has made an updated preview of Blade of Darkness during the press demonstration in London a few weeks ago. Some nice hints on the mp-aspects here:

Some interesting touches have been added to the multiplayer, such as weapons transforming during combat. Again, we'll have to wait for the review to see what this actually means for the one-on-one experience. The full multiplayer options will be saved for the sequel, but more on that later.

0 Comments

More Wallpapers - posted by Warlock @ 20:16

They...err...I have posted eight more wallpapers over at the official website (including my favourite one - the first you'll see on the page)!

Just click your way to the visuals-section of your region's website.

0 Comments

Preview at G-Spot UK - posted by Warlock @ 20:13

Interview yesterday, preview today. Check it out! I'd almost forgot about the hand to hand combat :-)

The graphics engine is beautiful and most objects in the game are movable, breakable or usable. Don't have a weapon? Don't worry, just pick up a skeleton's bone or a chair and throw it at the enemy. Even objects like arrows can be re-used, collected from fallen adversaries, or even yanked out of your own character's body and shot back at the creature who fired it at you. Hand-to-hand combat is also possible with strong characters like the Barbarian being particularly effective.

0 Comments

Interview @ G-Spot UK - posted by Warlock @ 19:24

The chaps over at GameSpot UK have conducted an interview with the dev team at Rebel Act, talking about various aspects of the game. Here's a little bit:

The game engine looks really good - can you tell us a little about how you developed it and what it's capable of?

Rebel Act Development Team: It's a real portal engine. Actually if you want a complete technical breakdown description you can go into our website where we have full details. But we have all the real-world physics regarding water and liquids, a particle system and everything you'd expect from seeing it here. It's a very, very advanced engine and has features that no other engine has now. We're going to start licensing it in the next two or three months. We're really happy with it.

1 Comments

Previews Galore - posted by Warlock @ 16:54

There has been posted some new previews and hands-on experiences of Severance, Blade of Darkness around the web. Here's the ones I'm aware of:

GamesDomain Review has posted a very positive first hand experience, while SharkyGames has a brief look at it in their top 10 games to look out for this season (unfortunately though, Severance won't be out before February it seems). Spanish gamingsite Gamesreview has a new preview up and so does terra, which also has several new screenshots of the game.

I will leave you with a brief quote from GamesDomain's preview:

What most impresses about the game is the way it feels. Even with this early-ish build, the game is a wonderful testament to the Madrid-based developers who created it. The control system, unlike many third-person games, is a joy. The graphics are superb, and there is a wonderful balance of arcade and RPG.

Well, the gaming media is once again picking up on Blade/Severance, we all know how the Christmas season influence sales of computer games...it's a damn shame that Codemasters have decided to push OUR game to February! Now what the heck is up with that?

4 Comments

Severance pushed back? - posted by Warlock @ 13:58

I just noticed this newsflash over at EuroGamer:

The big news for Colin McRae fans is that CM Rally 2.0 will be released on the 1st of December in time for the Christmas rush alongside World Championship SNooker. Operation Flashpoint is also nearing release, although unfortunately it won't be with us until April, although Severence : Blade of Darkness should hit sometime in February. In console news, Prince Naseem Boxing on the PlayStation will be available on November 3rd.

If this is true, it's indeed some very frustrating news for all of us, who have continiously seen the release date get pushed back.

8 Comments

Preview at Gameloft - posted by Warlock @ 21:04

Gameloft has taken a hands-on look at Severance: Blade of Darkness. There are no screenshots, but an interesting read. Here's a snippet:

First impressions of Severance are very impressive indeed. The character selection screen which the game presents you with is a level in it's own right - a castle beside a lake in which the various characters are doing various things - sleeping, sharpening their weapons, testing the strings on their bows - and you select which one to play as by moving the camera onto them.

0 Comments

Staff Needed - posted by Warlock @ 11:26

Today, Blade Universe is run by me and Dr.Haggard. As dedicated as we are with running this site, none of us has the free time required to actually keep up with adding new content.

We need a site director and news and content writers. I will also consider letting someone fully take over the site (at the time, I have more than enough with the official website).

If you don't want to see Blade Universe suffer a slow death, let me know what YOU can and want to do for this site! :)

0 Comments

Official Wallpapers! - posted by Warlock @ 22:55

The official Severance/Blade of Darkness website has been updated with 8 wallpapers for the game. Each comes in two sizes, 1024x768 and 800x600.

There are different versions for the different regions, but besides from the title the images are just the same.

The wallpapers are located in the "Visuals" -section of each website.

I'm sure they'll fall in taste!

0 Comments

Preview at Spanish Gamespot - posted by Warlock @ 12:03

The Spanish version of GameSpot has posted a new preview of Blade: The Edge of Darkness along with a couple of new screenshots. Grab a bit right here! Don't understand Spanish? Try the BabelFish translator!

0 Comments

Severance preview at Eurogamer - posted by Warlock @ 1:55

Eurogamer has posted a preview after having some hands-on experience with Severance at the ECTS. It's a positive preview, as we have got used to, and is boundled with a couple of new screenshots.

Here's a little taste:

Torches cast eerie real-time shadows that flicker across the walls, and the sight of a vast lumbering shadow emerging from around a corner or, even worse, creeping up behind you, is enough to send you whimpering behind the sofa. Of course, when a little goblin-like creature appears and you realise that the shadow only looked so imposing because there was a torch right behind it, you feel a bit silly. But the sheer quality of the real-time lighting effects is downright stunning, especially as you can pick up some of the torches and lamps scattered around the levels, and then club people over the head with them, the shadows moving fluidly across the walls as the light source moves.

0 Comments

Interview with Michael Hayes - posted by Warlock @ 13:19

An interview with Codemasters marketing director, Michael Hayes, discussing the global marketing and distribution of the game have been added to the European and US version of the official website.

Here's a little something:

Severance is a game that is not very similar to what we've seen of games coming from Codemasters lately, will this have any effect on the marketing strategy you plan for this game?

Mike: Definately. First of all it is important that we create a great deal of buzz for this great title among the core gaming community via regular demos and information. This will then pollinate out to casual gamers. Online marketing campaigns will therefore be the biggest Codemasters have ever run.

Of course the mature content of the game means that we will be marketing to only over 18s throughout the world.

0 Comments

In-Game Music! - posted by Warlock @ 21:15

The official Severance/Blade of Darkness website has been updated with 4 samples of in-game music, composed by Oscar Araujo. You'll find the files in the downloads section at all versions of the official website. Dig in!

0 Comments

Playing Fields Write-Up - posted by Warlock @ 13:00

The Playing Fields has written a write up from the Codemasters event yesterday, where they showcased their new products and technology.

The dominant part of the article is about Rebel Act's Severance/Blade of Darkness, so head over there and read up!

0 Comments

Sequel info - posted by Warlock @ 9:30

Computer & Video Games has some new info regarding the sequel for Severance/Blade of Darkness. According to CVG Rebel Act confirms an advance to the PS2 and Xbox platforms as well giving multiplayer a great deal of depth! Check out the full story here.

Thanks Bluesnews!

0 Comments

Codemasters Press Event - posted by Warlock @ 15:04

Codemasters will be showcasing their products this Thursday. Here's the press release:

Codemasters PC Games - VIP Open Day - Codemasters are holding a press event at The Playing Fields on
Thursday October 5th from 1pm - 6pm. This is no ordinary event. Codemasters will be showcasing
their PC games portfolio through to Christmas - and making some big news announcements for 2001.
Exclusively at the event will be the world's first playable code for Operation Flashpoint as well as
the first global demo of new multiplayer technology designed exclusively for PC gamers' needs. They
will also be showcasing Severance: Blade of Darkness, Colin McRae Rally 2.0, Insane, World
Championship Snooker, Music 2000. If this is not enough to tempt you, you will also be able to meet
and interview the Severance team flying in from Spain, the Insane guys from Invictus in Hungary and
meet Codemasters' development teams for McRae 2, Snooker and Music 2000. With a massive new game
announcement, a new technology announcement, new code and materials available, this is the press
briefing not to be missed. For an invite, press should contact [email protected]

0 Comments