R.U.S.E. Multiplayer VIP Beta begins Nov. 30

On Nov. 30, the R.U.S.E. extended multiplayer VIP beta for PC will be made available worldwide, says Ubisoft. The VIP beta content will initially include two factions (US and Germany), three maps and a chance for players to experience some multiplayer features. After which, says Ubisoft, it will be updated on an ongoing basis with new content including four additional factions (USSR, France, Italy and UK), more maps and more game modes.

R.U.S.E. is a grand real-time strategy game developed by Eugen Systems that allows players to bluff their enemies to lead their nation to victory. It is tentatively scheduled for release during Q1 2010 on PC and consoles.

For further details on the game, visit www.rusegame.com.

R.U.S.E tabletop interface pricing

The first time I saw the trailer for Ubisoft’s real-time strategy game, R.U.S.E., I was pretty impressed. I watched as two armchair generals directed their armies from a tabletop interface that displayed the game and allowed them to manipulate their land, sea and air forces. Pretty impressive stuff, right? But here’s a little surprise for anyone that wants to enjoy that game with that fancy interface: you’d better be independently wealthy.

The device being used in the video is called the Intuiface and it is developed by a company called IntuiLab. Intuiface is a surface computing platform that is mostly used for commercial endeavors like touch screen photo printing centers, banking, traffic surveillance programs, and more. In other words it is very, very expensive.

A little leg work at Ubisoft’s booth revealed just how much this wonderful technology would cost - $20,000. Yes you’ve read that number correctly. So while R.U.S.E. might look fantastic in the video, the interface that made a serious impression on readers is out of the average consumer’s reach.

The company that makes it says that it may someday have a consumer friendly version of the technology that will be compatible with the next iteration of Windows and will offer a smaller price tag, but that doesn’t really soften the blow for players who instantly fell in love with the launch trailer’s magnificent tabletop battle scene.

The technology driving R.U.S.E

If you saw Ubisoft press conference this week then you probably noticed an odd video for Eugen System’s strategy game, R.U.S.E. In the video two armchair generals go at it using a touch-enabled tabletop battlefield. What you were probably thinking is “this is bullshit.” Well, that battle was actaully played out on a real device called Intuiface.

Intuiface is a surface computing platform designed by IntuiLab. Thanks to a collaboration between Ubisoft, Eugen Systems & IntuiLab, R.U.S.E. can now be played on large multi-touch tables, allowing users to get one step closer toward a fluid and natural interface with a strategy game, providing the feeling of being a true commander.

“Ubisoft’s constant drive to create new and exciting game experiences, matched with the natural user interface developed by IntuiLab gave us the perfect opportunity to develop a new and innovative partnership,” said Vincent Encontre, Intuilab CEO. “The gigantic maps of R.U.S.E and fluid use of zoom to interact with the game combined with the abilities of surface computing is bringing a totally new experience to players.”

That technology is being shown at the Ubisoft booth (#1022) at E3, located in the South Hall. What we do not know is how it works or how much it cost. Price is always a barrier when we’re talking about new technology, no matter how cool it might be.

Ubisoft E3 2009 press conference recap

The Ubisoft E3 press conference opened with Joel McHale, host of E!’s The Soup greeting the crowd with “Good evening fellow nerds,” which was as good a away as any to open a press event that was somewhat all over the map. But the good news is that Ubisoft is working on a lot of games that are worth paying attention to.

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R.U.S.E. Announced

Ubisoft announced the launch of R.U.S.E., a new intellectual property developed by Eugen Systems, creators of the strategy title Act of War: Direct Action. R.U.S.E. is scheduled for release on Windows PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 in fiscal year 2009/2010.

R.U.S.E. is being billed as a strategy game that requires some critical thinking, and the ability to deceive and mislead the enemy. In other words, baffle the enemy with bullshit. The game also sports the IRISZOOM Engine which offers an interface that allows for quick transitions from a birds-eye view to the heat of the battlefield .

The game will be formally unveiled at the Intel booth during the Game Developers Conference (GDC) at Moscone North Hall, booth #6006 at 5:00 PM Pacific on Wednesday March 25 in San Francisco.