News outlet says Gearbox Software’s M-rated action game “takes sexism to a new level”; Women’s Media Center VP calls game’s depiction of women “extremely harmful.”
In early February, Fox News slammed Bulletstorm, questioning whether it was the “worst video game in the world.” Now, the Rupert Murdoch-owned news outlet is taking up arms against Gearbox Software’s long-awaited Duke Nukem Forever, calling it “awfully sexist.”
According to an article on FoxNews.com, 1996′s Duke Nukem 3D–”which made millions for its developers and transformed the entire world of video games–depicted women as strippers and prostitutes.” And now, according to Fox, Duke Nukem Forever is primed to “take sexism to a new level.”
To illustrate its point, the story says the game opens with a scene where Duke is seen receiving implied fellatio from twins in school getups. This is where Women’s Media Center vice president Jamia Wilson takes severe offense.
“It was offensive then and it’s even more offensive now,” she told Fox News. “These depictions of women are extremely harmful, especially to young women.”
Specifically, the scathing article’s main focus is on Duke Nukem Forever’s Capture the Babe multiplayer mode. This game mode–according to the Official Xbox Magazine (via Eurogamer) — has players carrying a character, the Babe, around. If she yells, players are given the option to slap her.
New release slate championed by Nintendo’s new handheld and software for it; EA Sports’ latest golf game, Shift 2: Unleashed, WWE All Stars, Dynasty Warriors 7 also out.
It’s a bustling week at retail this week, but one product screams louder than the rest.
Today, Nintendo released the 3DS, its latest portable in the DS family. The system is already available in Japan and the United Kingdom, and sells for $250 in North America. Gamers can choose from two color options: cosmic black or aqua blue.
Hitting the green this week is Tiger Woods PGA Tour 12: The Masters. The game is the first in the series to include the famed Augusta National golf course, home of the exclusive Masters tournament. The Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of the game will feature 16 courses, with Sony’s system also receiving a Collector’s Edition of the game, which includes an extra five courses at a $10 premium over the standard edition. As in previous years, the Wii edition offers the most holes in one game, with Augusta National and 23 additional courses to play. PGA Tour 12 will also let players relive memorable shots from the Masters’ storied history, including Woods’ four Green Jacket wins at the tournament.
Racing fans have two new options this week: Shift 2 Unleashed: Need for Speed and NASCAR 2011: The Game. As for EA’s game, Slightly Mad Studios developed Shift 2, and the game will be available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. Within the package, gamers will find a number of different modes, including 40 single-type race events, where the playing field is leveled and gamers compete in the same make of car.
Gamers looking for a new NASCAR game can grab NASCAR 2011: The Game this Tuesday. The game will be a fully licensed NASCAR entry with over 22 real-world tracks. It will also support up to 16 players and have an experience system, which will unlock cars, decals, and sponsors in career mode.
Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio battle it out in this video explaining the depth of the combat system featured in each class, as well as the incredible array of moves, combos, reversals, and back-and-forth over-the-top fighting action you will perform in WWE All Stars.
SOCOM studio Slant Six said to be prepping squad-based shooter set in Capcom’s zombie-infested universe for release this winter.
Slant Six Games has thus far made its bread off of Sony’s SOCOM: Navy SEALs franchise. However, last year word emerged that the studio may be branching out when Kotaku ran a rumor indicating that the studio was staffing up for Resident Evil: Raccoon City, a “team-based” spin-off for the franchise.
Now, it looks as if those rumors were well founded. Gaming website Stick Skills claims to have secured an advance copy of the May 2011 issue of the Official Xbox Magazine, within which are the first details on Slant Six’s Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City. Stick Skills ran down the details from the story on its website and forwarded a photo of the periodical to Joystiq.
According to the website, Operation Raccoon City will be available for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 this winter. It will reportedly be set in 1998, around the time of Umbrella’s original T-virus outbreak. The squad-based shooter sees gamers assuming the role of one of four members in an Umbrella Security Services troupe.
A player’s objective will reportedly be to cover up all evidence of the outbreak, indiscriminately killing zombies and survivors alike. However, not all humans will be easy prey, as the “three-corner conflict” reportedly sees gamers facing off against US Spec Ops.
OXM’s May 2011 issue is expected to hit newsstands on April 5.
Codemasters’ sequel hitting the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC this fall; UK release set for September 23; 3DS and NGP versions announced, not dated.
Just last week, Codemasters’ racing game F1 2010 took home the British Academy of Film and Television Arts’ top award for a sports game, beating out juggernauts FIFA 11 and Gran Turismo 5. Now, the developer–on the heels of the strong debut of the original–has announced and dated the next game in the series.
F1 2011 will arrive in North America for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC on September 20. In the UK, the game will ship on September 23.
Additionally, Codemasters sent word that versions of the game for Nintendo’s 3DS and Sony’s Next Generation Portable (NGP) are in development and will sport features unique to the systems.
Like its predecessor, F1 2011 will include every circuit, team, and driver from the forthcoming 2011 FIA Formula One Championship, including Sebastian Vettel, current World Champion.
Additionally, F1 2011 will premiere the 2011 Formula One Grand Prix of India, raced at Delhi’s Jaypee International Race Circuit, as well as the German track Nurburgring.
The somewhat vague and foreboding “grim darkness of the future” got a bit more specific today, as THQ nailed down an August release window for its upcoming third-person action game Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine. Previously, the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC game had been set for a general summer launch.
The game casts players as Captain Titus of the Ultramarine chapter of the Space Marines, one of humanity’s last hopes in an intergalactic war against the sinister Orks. Players are charged with defending an Imperial Forge World from the Orkish invasion, a task made more complicated when the forces of Chaos make their presence known.
While the Warhammer 40,000 universe has featured in multiple PC titles, Space Marine marks the franchise’s first outing on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. THQ has a crew of developers well acquainted with the universe handling the game, as Space Marine is being created by the publisher’s in-house studio Relic Entertainment, whose previous works include Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II and Company of Heroes.
