Socom Confrontation Trophies

Since the beta I haven't actually played SOCOM Confrontation, After reading all the complaints from guys in my clan I held off on buying it, but after months of constant nagging I broke down and bought it on monday. With the up coming 1.30 there's alot of useful patches and upgrades, such as being able to use the D-pad iso the sixaxis motion control, and trophies! I've taken a glimpse at the requirements for achieving these trophies and let me tell you, I've been playing the socom games since S1and these are HARDcore!
http://www.ps3fanboy.com/2009/01/07/trophies-socom-confrontation/

http://socom.us.playstation.com/post/2008/12/SOCOM-Confrontation-130-Update-Features-(Part-5).aspx

Socom Confrontation

Socom Confrontation is out now for the Playstation 3!

It's available via the Playstation store for $39.99 or via retail in two options, the game alone for $39.99, or SOCOM with a new bluetooth ear piece for $59.99.

The SOCOM franchise began on the PS2 and was the premiere online game that introduced many to the wonderful world of online shooters. Unlike Call of Duty, SOCOM is a Third Person Shooter (TPS) and gameplay focuses alot more on tactical play instead of run n gun gameplay of most FPS. The use of the headset for communication plays a much more vital role in SOCOM, confrontation builds on this strategic element by introducing dynamic sound and speach via the games 7.1 Dolby Surround sound system. Once I get some more time on the battlefield with Confrontation I'll drop my final score....

SOCOM Confrontation Day 2 report

Day 2 on the SOCOM Confrontation beta, I got my clan invite yesterday. Today I spent some time with the character creation features. Merq's and Commando's have about seven different head styles, then you can customize your soldier with facial hair, scars, voice style, head gear, mics, and eyewear. Then for the body you get light/medium/heavy gear, which affects your soldiers encumbrance (mobility), after that you can choose your camo patterns and styles, choose from Night/Urban/Desert then go thru a multitude of patterns for each body part (head/body/torso). Next is the Armory the most important section! Choose your primary weapon, secondary weapon, attachments, and two sub weapons like nades or C4.



Issues I've noticed so far;
1. Occasionally I get a big red X with two arrows pointing in opposite directions on the top center of the screen which mean the game is trying to stableize your connection.
2. The game did take unusually long to load, I'm sure Slant Six is working on the servers so no big deal.
3. For the most part the lag was non existant, but one game was so bad that I lost mic capability and framerate dropped significantly. I logged out switched to a secondary account and viola problem solved.
4. Radar in upper right corner didn't seem to be working

~Controls are a bit different from OS SOCOM, I kept bringing up the taunt menu by accident, but like I just gotta get used to the button config.
~I like the map, lots of detail, lots of nooks and crannies, and heat distortion in the distance is a nice effect. This new Crossroads map is amazing the tower diagonally across from the lion is sweet! The new areas and slight changes make it feel like a brand new map.
~Gameplay speed is good, faster than MGO, slower than COD4 I think it lends itself to tactical gameplay.
~Character movement is smoother than I expected, the characters tend to float when near edges though. Jumping seemed very limited but that may be due to my encumberance ratio.
~Guns sound terrific and those with 5.1 or better surround sound systems are in for an audio daydream. The other really evolutionary aspect was the proximitty speach system, members on the same team will be able to communicate the traditional way via the mic by pressing L2 or you can speak freely and if a teammate is nearby (above, below, infront, behind) you'll hear them thru your surround sound system from their location in relation to you, distance and objects also affect the volume of their voices! VERY COOL feature! But be careful what you say or the noise you make in the comfort of your living room because you could be heard by an enemy in your vicinity!
~Once they iron out the kinks I think this is gonna reignite the SOCOM community!

Socom Confrontation Beta starts today!

ATTENTION!

Rise and shine maggots! Are U E? The SOCOM Confrontation Beta has begun today! Did you reserve you copy at Gamestop? I'm DLing the beta as I type so I hope to see your sorry ass on the battlefield tonight! That is all, DISMISSED!

Socom Confrontation Beta Details

When does it start?The SOCOM Confrontation Public Beta will start on September 1st and end on September 30th; a whole month of SOCOM goodness. How to Get In?There are two ways to get into the SOCOM: Confrontation Public BetaGameStop Preorder CampaignAs some of you may have noticed, we have started an exclusive preorder Public Beta campaign with GameStop. If you preorder SOCOM: Confrontation at GameStop, not only will you be able to access the SOCOM: Confrontation Public Beta on day 1 but you will also be able to share the code you receive from Sony PlayStation with two friends as well. SOCOM is all about team work and what better way to encourage team work than to make it easy for you and a couple of friends to get online in the Public Beta. We want you to spread the word about SOCOM and share the experience with your friends, so get down to your local GameStop and pick up your voucher or pre-order at http://www.gamestop.com/browse/search.aspx?N=0&Ntk=TitleKeyword&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntt=socom%20confrontation. This offer is good if you pre-order with GameStop either in-store or online.

Socom Confrontation: Assault Trailer

Speaking of Zipper Int. I forgot to throw this latest trailer for SOCOM Confrontation up the other day. It has a decent amount of gameplay footage. I'm a vet with this series but for some reason this trailer isn't really selling the game for me, the graphics look meh to me. I get a kick out of the fact a soldier is taking cover behind an oil drum and a wooden wheel barrel, C'MON! Who's gonna be stupid enough to do that! Environmental destruction aside....

New Socom Confrontation footage!

Check out the interview below with Zipper's Seth Luisi, there's some great footage of the "pre alpha" build of Confrontation. Luisi talks about the direction Slant Six & Zipper wanted to go with this "next gen " Socom. He also talks about the planned monthly updates & quarterly updates, if they're anything like the "updates" Zipper gave us back in the SI, SII days we won't be getting anything. I am on the fence with the DLC, on the one hand if we get a full game experience from day one and the DLC is a worthwhile "expansion" to the core game then fine. But if we get a fraction of a game and the DLC is part of the game that wasn't ready at launch and cost's the same or close to the lauch product then that's taking advantage of the Socom community. Time will tell.

http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/videos/21509/World_Premiere_Preview_SOCOM_Confrontation.html

Socom: Confrontation

Well I just finished reading the cover story for the may issue of EGM and I'm excited, I've been following the progress of Socom C for over a year now and it sounds like the game is pretty close to beta. The article actually mentions on page 67 that a private beta is in the works and a few hundred socom fans will be invited!


So how can you get a chance to participate in the beta? Well for one head on over to http://socom.us.playstation.com/and register! That's gonna be SOCOM HDQ, from there clan management can be set up and adjusted; such as schedules, roster, news, and recruiting can be acomplished via that site....if your clan doesn't have their own site already.


There really seems to be a genuine effort from Slant Six http://www.slantsixgames.com/ to support the SOCOM clan community.

For example, every player begins in
the game with two characters:
a commando and a mercenary. Both of these
characters can be customized with
different weapon loadouts, outfits, and
gear....but you won't get access to the
full range of customization options
without taking the next step. There will be
six special forces available in
the initial release, but you can only play as
one of the special forces
characters if you are in a clan. This basically
upgrades your commando/ merc
into one of the
following:

• 
  
  US Sea Air & Land (SEAL)


• 
  
  UK Special Air Service (SAS)


• 
  
  GER Kommando Spezialkrafte (KSK)


• 
  
  SPN Unidad de Operaciones (UOE)


• 
  
  FRN Groupe d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale (GIGN)


• 
  
  ITL Commando Raggruppamento Subacquei ed Incursori Teseo (COMSUBIN)

This is an incentive to join a clan!

Access to these special forces allows players to have different equipment
items-camo patterns, helmets etc. Also each special force team will have a
few
unique weapons specific to the special forces.The clan leader can choose
which
special forces unit the clan will play as and he/she has access to
additional
customization features such as special camo patterns and clan
insignias.

The EGM article tries to stress that SOCOM C's changes aren't revolutionary, rather evolutionary. The changes / additions are meant to enhance the gameplay foundation set by SOCOM I & II, there are going to be seven maps available in the initial launch all based on the N. Africa part of the world. SOCOM C is being developed on a modular system so there will be DLC in the future, in fact Sony is looking to have small DLC packages avail each month or so and one large DLC package each quarter. I would love it if SOCOM had holiday/seasonal specific content! How fun would it be to run around in a easter bunny costume like the one Ralphie had in a Christmas Story!

I'm also glad to see vehicles are a thing of the past, the maps for SOCOM C will be a little over twice the size of SOCOM I's maps and in order to cover the distance players can run (see sprint in CoD4) and just like Call of Duty4 MW you will not be able to shoot while running, watch the sniper fight in Full Metal Jacket to understand what the run function is for. If you are pinned down by a sniper throw a nade or smoke to create a cloud of debris and run to the next point of cover...running from one end of a street to the other is your goal, you won't be sucessful!

Speaking of grenades the article talks a bit about "physics-based" grenades, meaning they 'll bounce and roll based on inertia. And player can opt to roll a nade instead of chucking one along the arc in the sky.

Since the maps are about twice the size of SOCOM I the matches will be set for 32 players, but can be customized for the traditional 16, which will automatically reset the map size.

SOCOM C will have a new OTS camera angle to coinside with the 16:9 aspect ratio, but for SOCOM purists the tradional camera angle will also be available in the customizations.

SOCOM C will have 7.1 surround sound support which will heighten the senses, fire fights will have dramatic differences in sound when heard inside or outside and distance as well as objects between you and where the shots are coming from. So if you still play with just the speakers on your TV you're going to miss out on one of the dramatic aspects of Confrontation.

On a similar note SOCOM C will allow members of the same clan on a team to communicate via an open mic. If there are other players on your team that aren't in your clan you'll still be able to communicate with them via the traditional L2 button. Once your party is together they'll stick together even if you switch rooms or lobbies. Lobby's weren't really touched on but I hope it is similar to S2's lobby system, I personally like it over S3.

Socom Confrontation will be available for DL on the PSN this summer or you can purchase the game at retail and it will be packaged along with a BT headset, not the same one as Warhawk....better.

Oh and that's not the offical box art...I made it >.<

Free Swim's 8 PS3 titles in '08

2007 was a tough year for those of you who owned a PS3, but it's a new year and things are only gonna get better in 08! To start PS3 sales skyrocketed over this holiday season, and more recently the announcement at CES that Warner Bros. has become Blu Ray exclusive and that M$ execs have openly stated that

"The fate of HD-DVD is not critical to the success of the
Xbox 360, according to
senior Microsoft officials, who have noted that the
company would consider
supporting rival technology Blu-ray if it were
victorious in the high-definition
format war."

I'll be glad to have this pointless format war over so I can get back to buying movies without the hesitation of doubt that many consumers have had these last few years.

Another positive aspect for PS3 owners in 08 is the upcoming tsunami of A titles coming! Here is a list of the 8 titles (get it? 8 for 08 >.<) Free Swim is most looking forward to.

8. SSFIITHDR: FINALLY, we get to trully be World Warriors when Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD remix launches on the PS store! Capcom's flagship fighter gets a 1080p facelift with the help of Udon artists.

7.Gran Turismo 5: Polyphony Digital's Real Driving Simulator is back and if you thought GT4 was visually perfect GT5 will trully have old folks saying "that's a game!?" And online racing will happen this time!

6. GTA IV: Rockstar North is returning to Liberty City, so if you never got into the GTA series on PS2 nows your chance. This game looks sick!

5. Killzone 2: So Killzone 1 wasn't the Halo killer it was touted to be, but Guerilla is working hard to make KZ2 the PS3's exclusive FPS to envy. Fingers crossed.

4. Socom Confrontation: Opta Gonaffle Hafla meng! HD Socom going back to basics Desert Glory, Cross Roads and more in 1080p glory. Slant Six is working on the online only HD remake of the PS2's #1 online frachise. Some new features include customizable facial and physical aspects and additional themed DLable content post release.

3. Street Fighter IV: Capcom is resurecting video games most prolific fighting game. With a new art direction and a stunning new visual style will Street Fighter IV re capture the magic of Street Fighter II? I certainly hope so! HADOKEN!

2. Final Fantasy XIII: Square Enix brings the 13th chapter of it's multi-million dollar RPG frachise back exclusively to the PS3. Shiva transforms into a motorcycle O.o >gulp<

1. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots / MGO: Bust out the Geritol and call your friends on the Jitterbug, Snake is returning for what might be his final mission and he's OLD! Looks like Naomi's Foxdie is kicking in and Snake reunites with Meryl Silverburg and Otacon to save the world once again from the threat of nuclear armageddon. This is a must have title and probably the best reason to own a PS3!

There you have it, Free Swims top 8 of '08, agree, disagree? Sound off, drop a comment and share your thoughts!

Game Review: SOCOM 3 US Navy Seals

My first impressions of the online game is...bigger, better. Zipper has incorporated new aspects into the game engine, most notably vehicles. Many socom faithful feared that the inclusion of vehicles would change the core game, but from the time I've played online the addition of vehicles doesn't detract from the game but actually adds an new element to those who play strategically.Some other nice improvements to the online game are the multitude of filters available when making rooms, battlefield maps are now adjustable but most people will make the room max allowable players, I was in a few 32 player rooms and I experienced 0 lag! Other useful filters include the option of day or night for each map, vehicles on/off, and for me one of the best filters is the option to make any map any style from Supression, Demolition, Extraction, Escort, Convoy and Control Point. The latter is similar to SW Battlefront but with the Core Socom game it can be very strategic! The latter two being the new styles added for S3. Other changes to the Socom online game, which I like, is the idea that if you want the extra fluff; clan, friends list, ranking, ladder matches you need to verify your "account" with a credit card. (yes socom is still free) The disclaimer states clearly that you won't get charged, but I still see many complaints. Why? Are you paranoid that you'll be fined for glitching? Do I think that cheaters should be charged? Hell Yeah! If you have never played Socom before now is the best reason to pick up a copy of Sony's flagship online title. And the offline game is tough as Seals, I'll add my 2 cents on the offline game once I've played a bit of it. The interesting thing about Socom is most people buy it for the online play and the off line is secondary, where almost every other game the offline is primary.


online: 9/10 offline: 9/10

Game Review: SOCOM II US Navy Seals

Some times a quality game sneaks by you, this was the case for me with SOCOM. I forget what game I was all wrapped up with when SOCOM was released but thankfully my friend CJ picked it up, when I came over to check it out I didn’t know what to expect….after playing just once was hooked! This game has single handedly lead the PS2 online gaming revolution.Zipper Interactive’s little G.I. Joe simulator has taken online console gaming to a new level, very few games have spawned such a fervent following which can been seen all over! Do a google search for SOCOM clans and you’ll have at least 10 pages to sift through. SOCOM II took all the great aspects of the first game, gave them a makeover, then read the suggestions/criticizims from us (the ones who “made” zipper a top tier publisher) and went to work. The result…..a worthy sequel to great game. The online levels truly show that Zipper Inc. listened to what we said and that they have a great deal of pride in their flag ship title. Each new level is jaw dropping in the sheer scope of detail and vastness. For example Enowapi (a breach level) has the Seals trekking thru a swamp, across some of the most lush landscapes with an abundance of plant-life. These new levels are simply amazing, and Zipper has added nice little touches like the ambient sounds of various wildlife, tall brass blowing in the wind, the thundering of a waterfall, and the sound fades and grows as you move further away OR if someone or something moves in front of you! All these additional effects truly add to the overall “covert ops experience” and in effect transforms the style of game-play away from run and gun to a more tactical one. Aside from the aesthetic upgrades, there are also new additions to the Seal/Tango weapons cache such as the infamous PMN mines (the gift that keeps on giving), shotguns (do I hear birds chirping), rocket launchers, and few new assault riffles. It also seems that Zipper has tweaked the guns to reflect their real life counterparts more realistically and now offer optional attachments such as therm-optics and the M203 grenade launcher. Zipper has also given players more incentive to play off line by rewarding good players with additional goodies to use online, just like SSX3. Other worthy additions to the online game are the friends lists, which allow you to find your buds easily, this is a great feature more online games have adopted.....unfortunately not all your requests make it to the intended person. Personalized taunts....nice little extra feature....funny if not abused.S2 also has assigned clan tags which show in orange, the new clan system gives more power to the clan, but only the leader has the ability to "clan" someone. The new clan system is another way to find the people you play with on a regular basis, which is very useful when trying to find 1-8 people out of the average 15,000 a night in the North American Universe! As great as this game sounds I'm actually a bit disapointed. There are problems in this game that we never had problems with in S1, like the mics! I can't figure why we're having problems with this since they worked fine in SOCOM1. The only thing I can think of is perhaps some security firewall is affecting the mic functions. At first I thought it was affecting only people utilizing routers....Then we have the abundance of glitches poping up each day like invisible players, disapearing hostages, super speedy players, etc.Another headache is the frequency of times I've been booted.....twice as many times as S1. Last but not least is the ranking system for this game. Just when you think you've unraveled the mystery of the ranking system a new aspect enters the equation! Overall the game is great, but I feel it could've benefitted from a few more weeks of beta testing.

online: 7/10 Offline 9/10