Graeme Devine working at Apple’s iPhone group on mystery project
Graeme Devine who was Ensemble’s Lead Designer and Lead Writer for Halo Wars has now confirmed that he is working for Apple in the companies iPhone group. It seems yet another ex-Microsoft employee is working for products on Apple’s iPhone along with the Bettner brothers (NewToy) and FuzzyCube software.
What is Graeme working on at Apple? Well we wont have much longer to wait to find out as he is currently preparing for the WWDC on Monday. Perhaps he will be leading a new in house Apple games unit? Who knows, but hes certainly someone to be looking out for at the WWDC.
More news tomorrow when we should find out what hes up to! Good luck at the WWDC Graeme!
Link: http://kotaku.com/5281682/halo-wars-7th-guest-dev-lands-job-at-apple
Halo Wars DLC confirmed titled “Strategic options”
Microsoft has published its news release about the upcoming Halo Wars DLC “Strategic options” . The DLC has been worked on in part by Ensemble Studios and part by Robot Entertainment. Ensemble’s ex Lead Designer Graeme Devine has previously stated that the DLC was nearly finished at the time of shipping.
“The main thing is that DLC was built into the game design from the very beginning so we’ve actually been working on DLC all along, It was never the plan to finish the game THEN start work on the DLC”- Graeme Devine
Robot has been working diligently since the release of the game to make balance patches, bug fixes and complete the testing of the upcoming DLC. Both a title update (a forced download) and the DLC will be made available soon.
No details on the pricing of the DLC of yet, nor an official date has been set but expect to find out very soon. The official press release from Microsoft follows:
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Strategic Options Add-on for Halo Wars
Published April 21, 2009
Halo Wars™, the best selling real-time strategy game on any current generation console, mixes up the battlefield like never before with the Strategic Options Game Add-on Pack, available in the coming weeks exclusively on Xbox 360®.
Build the stronger army in Tug of War.
Strategic Options ushers in the next wave of battle for Halo Wars with three new game modes which dramatically change the multiplayer experience and challenge you to rethink your battle tactics.
Defeat waves of enemies in Reinforcement.
- Keepaway Mode: This is the Halo Wars adaptation of “Capture the Flag.” Teams battle it out to capture a free-roaming Forerunner Sentinel to score points before the other team. Capture three sentinels to claim victory.
- Tug of War Mode: This mode is all about having a stronger army than your opponent. Defeating enemies is essential, but success is determined by a combination of the army, buildings, and resources left standing in the end.
- Reinforcement Mode: All active battle units are provided in successive waves. Adapt to their tactics and use the ever-changing set of units to outwit and outlast the enemy.
Capture the Forerunner in Keepaway.
Strategic Options also adds four new Achievements worth a total of 100 points:
- One and Done: Score the winning point in a game of Keepaway against Legendary A.I.’s
- Pull Hard, Pull Deep: Win and never trail in a Tug of War game
- Freak on a Streak: Gain at least 15 population from a single wave in a Reinforcement game
- Living Loving Bug: Obtain a Scarab during a Reinforcement game
Haven’t tried Halo Wars yet? A free demo is also available on Marketplace. The full-featured demo includes two levels of the Campaign mode, plus a one-on-one Skirmish battle between the USNC and Covenant.
Halo Wars
Set in the iconic Halo universe, Halo Wars predates the original first-person shooter Halo. Experience the early battles between the UNSC and Covenant, the far-reaching conflict that has been diligently followed by the masses in the blockbuster Halo series.
Gamespy talks to Dusty Monk on starting up Windstorm Studios
An excellent article put together by Gamespy today as they talk to Ex-Senior Ensemble Studios programmer Dusty Monk. Dusty who worked at Ensemble Studios for 15 whole years discusses how valuable his Ensemble friends Graeme Devine and Tony Goodman have been helping him set up the new studio. Dusty has some freelance and ex- Ensemble people working part time on his presumed futuristic MMO.
He also talks about his thoughts on the closure of Ensemble and what its been like to set up a new studio in these economic times.
I wish him all the best and we will be following him closely here at Remember-EnsembleStudios.com
Full article: http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/articles/969/969790p1.html
Dont forget to check out the Windstorm website! www.windstormstudios.com
What happened to the Spirit of Fire?
Halo fans will be pleased to hear that Graeme has updated his website with another entry expanding the Halo-verse. This time Graeme talks about what happened to the Spirit of Fire and some theories as to why it didnt return home and as such not tell the UNSC about the Flood. Read the new entry here:
As for Graeme the ex Lead Story writer at Ensemble for Halo Wars, hes currently not involved with Robot, Bonfire or any other game studio… yet. Sit back and enjoy the forthcoming Halo Verse fan fiction!
Halo Wars Universe expanded part 2 now online
This time focusing on the Halo Wars characters and the role they play in the Halo Wars expierence. Check it out here on Xbox.com:
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/viewer.aspx?productId=1898&assetTypeId=2&shotId=10
Halo Wars fan fiction from Graeme Devine
ES_Paragon has updated the Halo Wars forums with news about Graeme Devine’s Halo Wars fan fiction which can be found on his personal website. Graeme’s work was used to support the development of the game but did not make the final cut. Halo Wars fans should find this interesting as additional support for the Halo Wars story.
Check out Graeme’s Halo Wars website here: http://www.graemedevine.com/graemedevine/Spirit_of_Fire/Spirit_of_Fire.html
We also welcome Paragon for posting again!
Paragons post: http://www.halowars.com/forums/thread/481175.aspx
Halo Wars Vid Doc 3 is up
A quick post from me to let you know that the third Halo Wars vid doc can now be viewed here:
Halo Wars vid doc 2
The 2nd Halo Wars video documentary is now available on Xbox Live but also on YouTube here:
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=QU7pYjVNm-w
Link courtesy of Peterport on HaloWars.com forums