id Software suffers layoffs, development continues on future projects

Bethesda Softworks confirmed to Joystiq today that an unknown number of employees have been let go from RAGE developer, id Software.

"As part of its standard business practice, id regularly evaluates staffing to ensure it has a workforce that meets the needs of the studio. As part of that process, some id employees were recently let go," the statement read.

However, the studio is still "recruiting and hiring qualified developers," and "development on future id titles continues unabated." Namely, this means the studio's next project, DOOM 4.

Doom 3 source code out and about

The Doom 3 source code is finally out and available to the public, id Software's John Carmack tweeted. After a legal battle that postponed its release was resolved, modders can toy around with the code.

"Carmack's Reverse", shadow rendering technology, prohibited the source code from being released since it was recognized as Creative Labs' property. But Carmack modified the source with four new lines of code and edited two others.

If you can't wait to get your hands on the Doom 3 source, head over to GitHub and snatch it.

[via CVG]

Doom 3 source code prepares for release

Doom 3's source code awaits "final lawyer clearance for release," id Software's John Carmack tweeted, though he added that its been "packaged and tested" for the public.

id has released a few of its source codes in the past, including for several Wolfenstein titles as well as the codes for the iOS' Doom Classic and Wolfenstein 3D Classic.

Programmers, pick its brain... er... code.

[Eurogamer]

DOOM 4 brings half the frame-rate, but twice the demons

Although id Software's upcoming shooter RAGE will run at a smooth 60 frames-per-second, their next title, DOOM 4, will only run at half of that. Mind you, John Carmack explained this is only in its single-player component, with the multiplayer locked at 60 frames.

The reason? Why, to have twice the amount of demons attacking you at one time, of course!

Carmack added that RAGE is set in 60 frames-per-second because it made sense for the game's driving scenarios, whereas DOOM 4, a game based on "just walking around," wouldn't require it.

Check out Gamasutra's full interview with John Carmack as he talks more about both RAGE and DOOM 4.

RAGE's "buy new" incentive is probably the best ever, seriously

Online passes and "exclusive content" for buying a game new are quickly becoming monsters in the gaming industry, with those who tend to buy games used feeling like they are being singled out in today's market. Some games offer exclusive weapon packs for buying them new (ahem, Bad Company 2), while others provide some sort of downloadable content, but id Software and RAGE  have basically said, "screw all that garbage, we've got something better!"

Those who purchase RAGE in shrink-wrap will be allowed access (through download code) to the game's sewers and other underground passages scattered throughout the wasteland. These are no ordinary sewers either, as they are said to contain "goods," as Destructoid mentions.

id Software's Tim Willits tried to rationalize the incentive by stating to Eurogamer "most people never even see it" or even "set foot in those things." The sewers are "outside the main path," says Willits, not detracting from anything. Well, all right, if you put it that way...

I have a feeling these sewers will be accessible to used-purchasers for a few bucks sometime after release, with Willits stating in the interview that new purchasers still have to download the sewers, but won't "have to pay for it." Give it some time, you'll see us post the headline, "RAGE sewers available on the Xbox Live Marketplace."

In my eyes, if the sewers are going to be anything like Fallout 3's subways, I'm certainly steering clear no matter how I buy RAGE.

[Eurogamer]

id: Why RAGE strays away from "cookie cutter" multiplayer

Some of you new-aged gamers may not be aware of this, but id Software (Doom, Quake) created the term "deathmatch," not the Halo and Call of Duty titles of today. So, it may be a bit odd that id's next venture into multiplayer with RAGE strays away from both the norm of shooters, and what the team themselves created.

Speaking with CVG, creative director Tim Willits commented on RAGE's multiplayer component, stating the team didn't want to follow the same "cookie cutter" formula that everybody else reverts to, although deathmatch is "something that we invented." Instead of your "standard on-foot deathmatch" offerings, RAGE features vehicular-racing multiplayer combat, as well as "Legends of the Wasteland," bonus missions which can be played co-operatively.

"We feel the vehicle aspect of it is a lot of fun to drive," says Willits, "to shoot guys, to fight, so we wanted to let people do that with their friends."

Kudos to id for providing the genre something different than what the aforementioned annual franchises shove out. Honestly, we have enough outlets in which to play deathmatch.

Rage's Xbox 360 install is a whopping 22GBs

Plan on roaming around a post-apocalyptic world on your Xbox 360 this fall? Then you better clear some space on that little ol' hard drive of yours, as Rage's install takes up a whopping 22GBs of memory. id Software's John Carmack stated that while it's rather unfortunate the install is so huge, if you plan on playing Rage on Xbox 360, "that's the way to go."

If you choose to not follow his words of wisdom, you'll just end up listening to your disc "churning around as it's pulling everything in."

[TheSixthAxis]

Doom 4 Update from QuakeCon 2011

While Rage is appropriately all the rage at this year's QuakeCon--seeing as how it comes out in a few months--people are beginning to still wondering where id Software's other heavy hitting title, Doom 4, has been all these years. Announced back in 2008, we haven't even had a little morsel to whet our appetites yet, and id Software president Todd Hollenshead says we still have some waiting to do.

"id Tech 5 is the basis for Doom 4, and I guess infer what you will...," says Hollenshead. "What we're really focused on is getting Rage out the door. Once we're to that point, then we want to transition to how we're going to present Doom 4, what are the talking points, how do we introduce it. Because that stuff hasn't even been determined yet. We're talking about that internally."

Hollenshead ended the topic stating, "I know everybody's interested. I am too."

Guess we still have quite a bit of waiting ahead of us, hm?

Hey, you've got your Pip-Boy in my Team Fortress 2

As if Team Fortress 2 weren't awesome enough, items from various Bethesda and id Software games will be available in Valve's class-based shooter. Here's how you get 'em:

• Skyrim Dragonborn helmet for the Heavy class- free with Skyrim pre-order
• RAGE's Wingstick for the Engineer class- free with RAGE pre-order
• Quake Rocket Launcher for the Soldier class- free with your purchase of Quake IV
• Brink's "The Anger" mask for the Sniper class- free with purchase of Brink 
• Fallout's Pip-Boy for the Engineer class- free with purchase of Fallout: New Vegas

Without a doubt, the Engineer's Pip-Boy is the best of the lot, because, well, who doesn't like the little fella? 

[BethBlog]

DevDiary: These are the enemies of RAGE

RAGE Special Edition outed by EB Games

EB Games in Australia outed a "Special Edition" of RAGE which has quite a few items in it. Now, whether these items are worth $108.00 (AUS) can be debatable.

• Weapon and Vehicle DLC
• Numbered Art Print
• Gang Badges
• Wing Stick

So, we'll let the debate begin!

Source

RAGE Gets Comic'd! First Issue Now Available

RAGE may have been delayed a few weeks, but that should make reading the first issue of the official RAGE comic book series all the more exciting! This three-issue series was penned by Arvid Nelson, the creator of Rex Mundi, and penciled by Andrea Mutti of DMZ. While taking place prior to the events in the video game, reading the comic will expand your knowledge of the RAGE universe and "provide insights into the game's storyline."

You can pick up the RAGE comic book series at retailers across North America and the UK, and RAGE (the game) is set to release on October 4, 2011 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC.

PC's Rage Will Include Full Mod Support

As practically any PC gamer will tell you, mod-tools are awesome. It allows creative gamers to expand on an original entity, or, create an entirely new experience all together. So, it must be very good news for PC gamers to hear that id Software is including full mod-support for Rage, their upcoming post-apocalyptic first-person shooter.

id's Creative Director Tim Willits says it's an easy process to gain access to all of the tools imaginable:

"All you need to do is Pull down the console, type 'id studio', then press enter. Then, bam, there’s all the tools we use."

Willits also noted that it's a bit more difficult to create levels from scratch nowadays, but the level editor is built into the engine for those willing to make use of it.

So, break out those drawing boards and get started on the brainstorming process!

PC Gamer via Destructoid

RAGE Needs Defibrillation in New Gameplay Trailer

Bethesda Softworks released a new gameplay trailer for RAGE, the upcoming shooter developed by id Software. This new trailer takes us to Dead City, a place with a well deserving name. Here, we need to pull a Tony Stark and find a new defibrillator to stay alive...

RAGE's "Anarchy Edition" Unveiled

RAGE, the upcoming first-person shooter from Bethesda Softworks and id Software will follow suit of past game releases and provide its own pre-order bonus. Those who pre-order RAGE will get the "Anarchy Edition" of the game, (kind of like Bulletstorm's "Epic Edition") and while it costs the same price as the standard game, this particular version comes with a few bonuses that only cool people obtain.

...until it's one day released as post-launch DLC...

As the image notes above, the "Anarchy Edition" contains a double-barrel shotgun, the Fists of Rage gloves, the Rat Rod Buggy, and a new armor set called Crimson Elite.

The "Anarchy Edition" will be available on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC.

Arm Yourself with a New RAGE Trailer

You can't expect to survive a post-apocalyptic world without the help of a few guns, can you? Well, RAGE is here to give us a quick look at what death-dealers we will soon be wielding as we traverse its dangerous and rather badass world. While some of the weapons are standard F.P.S., they are given that special "id" flare that makes them look even deadlier.

Bethesda & Del Ray Books Working on Novel based on RAGE

According to the press release, Besthesda Softworks and Del Ray Books will be collaborating on a novel based upon the upcoming id title, RAGE. Details are scarce at the moment, but the novel will tie in closely with the game, delving deeper into character details.