FlatOut Ultimate Carnage Coming to PCs [03-02-2008 | JZ | Comments (0) ]
BOCA RATON, Fla., Feb. 1, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Empire Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of Silverstar Holdings (Nasdaq:SSTR), announced the PC-DVD ROM version of the best selling arcade racer "FlatOut Ultimate Carnage" is being prepared for a June 2008 worldwide release.

The FlatOut series has enjoyed worldwide success across multiple formats, selling more than 2 million copies and winning numerous awards, including FlatOut II named Xbox(r) "Best Racing Game of 2006". FlatOut Ultimate Carnage for Xbox 360(tm) was released to critical acclaim in June 2007. The next installment in the FlatOut franchise, FlatOut Head On for the Sony PSP, is due for release on March 14, 2008. And now, the award-winning Finnish creator of FlatOut, Bugbear Entertainment, is developing FlatOut Ultimate Carnage for PC.

While simulation racers have traditionally found their home on PCs, FlatOut Ultimate Carnage blurs the line between arcade and simulation. PC gamers can have a "deathproof" experience with Carnage gameplay modes and enhanced graphics that rival the Xbox 360 version. Multiplayer online provides wheel-to-wheel action as opponents try to fishtail other cars and get across the finish line in a "no holds barred" extreme driving smash fest.

"Research suggests that arcade racers are becoming ever more popular on the PC, with the Xbox 360 controller providing the perfect way to enjoy the genre," said Ian Higgins, CEO of Empire Interactive. "Ultimate Carnage is an entirely new prospect for PC, and we're excited to be bringing FlatOut's unique gameplay experience to PC gamers everywhere."

Clive Kabatznik, CEO of Silverstar Holdings said, "The FlatOut series has been a global success story for Empire. With more than 2 million unit sales globally, the FlatOut franchise is an important part of our game portfolio and we are confident FlatOut Ultimate Carnage for PC will add to our ongoing success and bring new fans to the title."

Jussi Laakkonen, business development director of Bugbear Entertainment, noted, "Since announcing the Xbox 360 release we've witnessed fanatical anticipation and demand for FlatOut Ultimate Carnage on PC. It gives us great pleasure to bring this mayhem to the PC, for which FlatOut fans across the globe have long been clamouring!"

FlatOut 2 Demo Released [04-12-2006 | JZ | Comments (9) ]
A Flatout 2 demo is available, offering the chance to test drive Bugbear's racing sequel. The demo includes two tracks, two special events, and three drivable cars, with no driver's license required.

FlatOut 2 Official Patch v. 1.2 for US Version [26-10-2006 | JZ | Comments (0) ]
Empire Interactive Support now offers a new FlatOut 2 patch, updating BugBear's racing sequel to version 1.2. Word is: "This Patch update is ONLY for the US Version of Flatout 2. Any issues regarding the patch or the US version of the Flatout 2 game have to be raised with Vivendi in the US. Contact details are in the manual that is supplied electronically with the US version of the Flatout 2 game."

FlatOut 2 Review at Hooked Gamers [15-10-2006 | JZ | Comments (0) ]
When Flatout burst onto the gaming scene last year it was a breath of fresh air for the arcade derby racer genre, not seen since the likes of Destruction Derby. Recently we saw the release of the sequel which greatly improves on the gameplay, length and variety of the first game. Oh, and did I mention, it is a complete blast to play! Flatout 2 is largely about one thing � fun. If you are looking for a hardcore simulation, get GTR but for sheer laugh-out-loud enjoyment, you will not get better than Flatout 2. Why? Read on to find out...

FlatOut 2 Review at Worthplaying [02-10-2006 | JZ | Comments (0) ]
The basic breakdown is this: Flatout 2 is a 3D racing simulation game with a heavy leaning toward arcade-action, due mostly to the extreme violence that is so essential to the personality of the franchise. The only other series that does this is Burnout; however, Flatout seems to have a certain punk-rock "psychobilly" sensibility that gives it a dirtier, meaner mood and atmosphere. It is essentially a mutant crossbreed of track-racing styles and full-scale demolition derby.

FlatOut 2 Official European Patch v.1.2 [26-09-2006 | JZ | Comments (0) ]
Empire Interactive Support now offers a new patch for FlatOut 2, updating the European edition of BugBear's racing sequel to version 1.2. It is warned that this update is not to be applied to the U.S. edition of the game.

FlatOut 2 Review at Tech Domain [25-09-2006 | JZ | Comments (0) ]
The next thing to absolutely grab and astound is the wonderful soundtrack. I may be wrong, but in reality, most games have a repetitive Mario style soundtrack. No matter how good the intent of the developers was, music is generally always a secondary consideration to the actual game itself. It makes sense � after all, they are selling the game, not the soundtrack!

FlatOut 2 Review at Atomic Gamer [24-09-2006 | JZ | Comments (0) ]
The sequel brings us much more of the same: new tracks, new cars (none of them licensed, but racing fans should be used to getting stuck with "fake" cars in any game with destructible car models), more events and races, and finally, more "olympics".

FlatOut 2 Review at GG Mania [11-09-2006 | JZ | Comments (0) ]
FlatOut 2 plays a lot like its predecessor, although visually it has been enhanced and the gameplay has been fine tuned. First off, the single player game has gotten a bit of a revamp for the sequel. The original simply had you driving through races against unnamed opponents, but for FlatOut 2 developer has actually created a number of different characters that will have their own driving styles. Having the single player game focus on trying to beat different characters, from tough babes to cowboy hat wearing guys certainly gives it a lot more variety. In total there are seven drivers to race against and they're easy to pick out on the track, so you will always know who to attack while racing.

FlatOut 2 Review at Gameminion [08-09-2006 | JZ | Comments (2) ]
FlatOut 2 is a racing game somewhat similar to the enormously popular Burnout Revenge. You're encouraged to slam into your opponents in an attempt to destroy them and cause as much damage to track scenery as possible, all the while retaining a solid driving model which results in a heap of fun. FlatOut is about high speed racing and events in a mix of settings including regular racing circuits and speedways, offroad tracks which include driving through farm houses and gas stations, and inner city tracks which might include a trip directly through a mall.

FlatOut 2 Review at BytePress [05-09-2006 | JZ | Comments (0) ]
The game is a bit more themed on the street racing/import tuner scene. It was first released in Russia on June 29, 2006, then in Europe on June 30, 2006. The North American version was released August 1, 2006. The copy-protection on the European version is StarForce v. 4.0.09.01, while the copy-protection on the American version is SecuRom 7.

FlatOut 2 Beta European/German Patch v1.1 [02-09-2006 | JZ | Comments (0) ]
Empire Interactive has released the first retail beta patch for FlatOut 2, accelerating the European and German editions of the recent physics-infused modern racing simulation sequel by Bugbear Entertainment to version 1.1. This upgrade adds voice and text chat, networking improvements, graphics enhancements, a manual gearbox option, new command line options, and a large number of crash and bug fixes.

FlatOut 2 Review at Strategy Informer [31-08-2006 | JZ | Comments (0) ]
FlatOut 2 will start you off with four cars in your garage to take on the seven other drivers on the tracks. However, later on in the game you may be able to unlock having about 34 different car models that will give you the edge among those other drivers.

FlatOut 2 Review at Gamingexcellence [29-08-2006 | JZ | Comments (0) ]
FlatOut 2 is fairly deep in terms of options and modes of play. Multiplayer wise, FlatOut 2 offers up a variety of modes, party mode, split screen racing, and Xbox Live support. In career mode, you'll start out with a beater of a car, and progress through various events; races, stunts, and destruction derbies. From the garage, you can upgrade your car with the credits earned, or simply buy a new car from the shop.

FlatOut 2 Review at Out of Eight [18-08-2006 | JZ | Comments (0) ]
FlatOut 2 features some of the best graphics seen in any racing game, and the feat is made more impressive by the fact that everything in the game can be run into and destroyed (with the exception of solid buildings and guard rails). All of the tracks in the game are filled with copious amounts of things to slam into, and the tracks are completely trashed by the end of the race.