Homefront

AGOURA HILLS, Calif., Mar 24, 2011 – THQ (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced that Homefront^TM has already sold-through an estimated more than one million units across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific markets, on shipments of 2.4 million units to date.

In addition, according to UK Chart Track’s March 21^st weekly report, Homefront’s reported first weekend sell-through ranked the game as #1 for the week, as well as the best-selling week-one new console release in 2011 in the UK.

“We are very pleased with strong worldwide shipments and sell-through for Homefront, and we continue to fulfill new retail orders for the game across the globe,” said Brian Farrell, THQ President and CEO.  “Homefront is clearly resonating with gamers and we are certainly pleased with our initial sales results.”

NOW PATCH YOUR GAME WITH FIXES!!!!PLEASE!!!

The Homefront Team has been working around the clock identifying and fixing issues surrounding Multiplayer functionality. We want to give everyone an update on what issues are known, how we are working on them, and when you can expect to see fixes available for download.

Important Notes:

– Xbox 360: The Homefront team is finishing up our first Critical Title Update that will address the Profile Corruption issue (also known as the ‘Freeze’ bug), as this is our highest priority. We are also including a fix for multiplayer connectivity and ping time issues, where players are being sent to distant server locations at the expense of performance. We expect this update to be submitted to Microsoft really soon and we will be working with them very closely to get this approved and deployed as quickly as possible.

– PlayStation 3: We are also working on several multiplayer connectivity and freeze issues on this platform as well. Many Homefront issues occur equally across all consoles but the PlayStation 3 Comprehensive Patch will be sent to SONY as soon as the issues are resolved.

– PC: The PC patching process is a much more “real-time” situation, given they do not need to go through any kind of certification process and fixes are being made and delivered as soon as they are resolved.

Homefront Update Plans

1. Update 1: Xbox 360 Critical Title Update

– Scheduled for Microsoft Submission in the next day or two

– Fixing the Xbox Live Profile Corruption ‘Freeze’ Issue

– Fix for players being matched in distant server locations

2. Update 2: Additional Game Issues Fixes

– Playstation 3 Update will release as soon as fixes are ready.

– Xbox 360 will submit as soon as Update 1 is released live.

– Fixes include:

o Multiplayer Freezing (affecting  X360 & PS3)

o Experience and Statistics Resets (affecting X360 & PS3)

o Improving Party Matchmaking & Joining with Friends (affecting X360 & PS3)

o Fixing the Beacon Error (affecting X360 only)

o Correcting inconsistent Leaderboards data (affecting X360 & PS3)

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through this process. Our Community Management and Customer Service teams will do their absolute best to keep you up to speed and aware of developments.

We apologize for the inconvenience to your Homefront Multiplayer experience and are working 24/7 to make it as enjoyable as possible!

Sincerely,

The Homefront Team

Homefront

Latest Service Announcement: (March 19)
Homefront Server Capacity Growing Again! THQ and KAOS Studios are continuing to dramatically expand our dedicated server capacity due to the welcome player demand across the globe. We are continually working around the clock to expand the global infrastructure & improve the overall experience. Below, you will find the efforts that we are making today and through the evening, having chosen the lowest impact times to ensure disruption of your online experience is kept at an absolute minimum. http://bit.ly/eAEqMl

Homefront Dedicated Servers
Homefront’s dedicated servers are currently at capacity, and this is causing some matchmaking issues for players attempting to join an online match. The demand for the servers has outstripped our expectations – so although we’re thrilled that Homefront is proving to be so popular, we’re doing all we can to bring more servers online to cope with this demand ASAP

Can’t Join Multiplayer Match / Party Can’t Get Into MP Match
If our servers are mostly full it could be difficult to get into a multiplayer match, especially with a large party. If you are having lots of trouble getting into MP during peak hours, you can try a Skirmish match!

Also – if you have never been able to join a multiplayer match but have successfully played single player, you may need to download / redownload your Battlecode.  Instructions for doing that can be found here:  http://bit.ly/g2MUpm

Server Connection Delays – “Reserving Slots” Not Working
When you are joining a match it says looking for optimal match and then ‘reserving slots’. This process could actually take several minutes, so we recommend that you simply wait instead of backing out after 5-10 seconds as the process could take considerably longer. From what we are seeing right now, if you leave it at ‘reserving slots’ you will eventually get in.

Battle Codes / Bonus Codes – Invalid or Not Working
Please contact customer support for assistance on these issues and they will be able to help. www.support.thq.com

Server Connection Delays – Reserving Slots
When you are joining a match it says looking for optimal match and then ‘reserving slots’. This process could actually take several minutes, so we recommend that you simply wait instead of backing out after 5-10 seconds as the process could take considerably longer. From what we are seeing right now, if you leave it at ‘reserving slots’ you will eventually get in.

Console Lock-Up and Freeze Issue
We are aware of a few issues that are affecting players on Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. This is a high priority fix for us at the moment.

Level / Stat/ Experience Resets
We are aware of this issue and is currently a very high priority bug for the team at this moment. We are currently working on a permanent fix for this problem.

XBOX 360 Freeze Issues (Update: March 19)
If you have this issue, please contact THQ Customer Support at www.support.thq.com so we can record and track your information. We are aware of this issue and currently preparing a fix for a title update with Microsoft. We are working extremely hard on this issue!

XBOX 360 Beacon Errors (Update: March 17)
We think this is a problem largely caused by overcrowded servers and lack of capacity. A quick fix for the Beacon Error is to jump back to the Microsoft Live Dashboard and reboot the game. Another option is simply to restart your Xbox 360 Console and relaunch the game. We are currently working on a fix.

Homefront

THQ claim No1 on the All Formats chart for the first time since week 22, 2009 (UFC 2009: Undisputed) with a shiny new FPS called ‘HomeFront’ from Kaos Studios (360/PS3/PC). Those with long memories might remember Kaos’ first boxed release ‘Frontlines: Fuel of War’ on 360/PC which debuted at No4 in week 9, 2008. On Xbox 360 ‘HomeFront’ is certainly performing well considering that in week 1 in the UK it manages to sell around 82% of what Frontlines on 360 achieved over 3 years. EA’s ‘Dragon Age II’ drops to No2 (-68%) and Nintendo’s ‘Pokemon White’ also drops one place to No3 (-47%). Sega’s PC ‘Shogun 2: Total War’ by Creative Assembly debuts strongly at No4 and was in fact a Tuesday release in week 11. Such was the demand for this title (if you were a fan of ‘Shogun: Total War’ you have only had to wait 11 years for this sequel) that almost 80% of retail boxed sales were made in the first 24 hours. Also new this week is 2K Sports/Take 2’s ‘Top Spin 4’ on 360/PS3/Wii which debuts at No13, the previous iteration debuted one place higher at No12 back in week 25, 2008. The final new entry this week is Sega’s ‘Yakuza 4’ on PS3, debuting at No25, with previous iteration also debuting one place higher at No24 back in week 10, 2010.

Top 40 Entertainment Software (All Prices), Week Ending 19 March 2011

1. HOMEFRONT – THQ
2. DRAGON AGE II – ELECTRONIC ARTS
3. POKEMON WHITE VERSION – NINTENDO
4. SHOGUN 2: TOTAL WAR – SEGA
5. POKEMON BLACK VERSION – NINTENDO
6. FIGHT NIGHT CHAMPION – ELECTRONIC ARTS
7. JUST DANCE 2 – UBISOFT
8. FIFA 11 – ELECTRONIC ARTS
9. KILLZONE 3 – SONY COMPUTER ENT.
10. ASSASSIN’S CREED: BROTHERHOOD – UBISOFT
11. BULLETSTORM = ELECTRONIC ARTS
12. CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS – ACTIVISION BLIZZARD
13. TOP SPIN 4 – TAKE 2
14. UDRAW STUDIO – THQ
15. LITTLEBIGPLANET 2 – SONY COMPUTER ENT.
16. TEST DRIVE UNLIMITED 2 – NAMCO BANDAI GAMES
17. KIRBY’S EPIC YARN – NINTENDO
18. WII PARTY – NINTENDO
19. JUST DANCE – UBISOFT
20. FALLOUT: NEW VEGAS – BETHESDA SOFTWORKS
21. DANCE JUNIORS – UBISOFT
22. WII SPORTS RESORT – NINTENDO
23. WII FIT PLUS – NINTENDO
24. ART ACADEMY – NINTENDO
25. YAKUZA 4 – SEGA
26. BATTLEFIELD: BAD COMPANY 2 – ELECTRONIC ARTS
27. JUST CAUSE 2 – SQUARE ENIX EUROPE
28. BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM – SQUARE ENIX EUROPE
29. F1 2010 – CODEMASTERS
30. WWE SMACKDOWN VS RAW 2011 – THQ
31. LEGO BATMAN: THE VIDEOGAME – WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE
32. SKATE 3 – ELECTRONIC ARTS
33. KINECT SPORTS – MICROSOFT
34. THE SIMS 3 – ELECTRONIC ARTS
35. MARVEL VS CAPCOM 3: FATE OF TWO WORLDS – CAPCOM
36. NEW SUPER MARIO BROS. – NINTENDO
37. MICHAEL JACKSON: THE EXPERIENCE – UBISOFT
38. GRAND THEFT AUTO IV: COMPLETE EDITION – TAKE 2
39. FOOTBALL MANAGER 2011 – SEGA
40. MARIO KART WII – NINTENDO

UKIE Games Charts ©, compiled by GfK Chart-Track

UKIE

Homefront Server Capacity Growing Again!

Submitted by THQChris on Sat, 03/19/2011 – 2:06pm

THQ and KAOS Studios are continuing to dramatically expand our dedicated server capacity due to the welcome player demand across the globe. We are continually working around the clock to expand the global infrastructure & improve the overall experience. Below, you will find the efforts that we are making today and through the evening, having chosen the lowest impact times to ensure disruption of your online experience is kept at an absolute minimum.

Here is the current schedule for updates today and through the early morning hours:

Complete: Australia
We are pleased to say we will be more than doubling our existing server capacity on the continent. This maintenance period should last about 30 minutes. Players should expect to experience brief outages of multiplayer during this window.

Complete: Europe
European servers will undergo scheduled maintenance to increase our capacity for server monitoring and updates, in an effort to ensure the most stable environment for our users. In addition, even more servers will be brought online to assist in this welcome, yet unprecedented demand for online Multiplayer! Players should expect to experience a short period of disconnections during this timeframe.

Complete: North America
North American Servers will undergo similarly scheduled maintenance to what is being performed in Europe. We are happy to announce that even more servers will find their way online during this window as well – hopefully making for an even more enjoyable Sunday morning! Players should expect to experience a short period of disconnections during this timeframe.

We want to stress that Homefront is one of very few FPS games providing dedicated server support on consoles. The infrastructure and networking code required to support this is much more complex and demanding than you see in most titles. The return is epic large-scale warfare on huge maps, with more players & a level pitch for all – something we believe is critical for fair, balanced online FPS gameplay.

Every game that goes the extra mile to provide dedicated servers faces additional growing pains in the early going as the kinks are ironed out, but please bear with us as we address these – the results will be worth it!

Once again, we apologise for any disruption to your gaming, and thank you for your patience and support.

Homefront

THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI) today announced that first day sales of Homefront^TM, its thrilling first person shooter with outstanding multiplayer, approximated 375,000 units in North America. The game is scheduled to ship in Europe and Asia Pacific throughout this week.

“Homefront’s excellent multiplayer experience, combined with our commitment to dedicated servers, make this a must-have purchase for gamers,” said Danny Bilson, EVP Core Games, THQ. “Due to the strong and growing demand for Homefront’s multiplayer, we continue to add dedicated server capacity. We are confident that the large-scale multiplayer maps featuring 32 players, vehicles, infantry and drones, will continue to be a major draw for the huge audience of FPS gamers looking for a new experience over the coming months.”

“We are delighted with first day sales for Homefront and are already fulfilling re-orders for the game from multiple retailers,” said Brian Farrell, THQ President and CEO.

About Homefront

2027. A once proud America has fallen, her infrastructure shattered and military in disarray. Crippled by a devastating EMP strike, the USA is powerless to resist the ever expanding occupation of a savage, nuclear armed Greater Korean Republic.

Abandoned by her former allies, the United States is a bleak landscape of walled towns and abandoned suburbs. This is a police state where high school stadiums have become detention centers, and shopping malls shelter armored attack vehicles. A once-free people are now prisoners… or collaborators… or revolutionaries.

Join the Resistance, stand united and fight for freedom against an overwhelming military force in Homefront’s gripping single player campaign penned by John Milius (Apocalypse Now, Red Dawn). Stand alongside a cast of memorable characters as an emotional plot unfolds in this terrifyingly plausible near-future world. Experience visceral, cinematic first person shooter action as you fight your way across Occupied USA using guerrilla tactics, and commandeer military vehicles and advanced drone technology to defeat the enemy.

Multiplayer brings epic warfare to the online arena as infantry, tanks, attack helicopters and combat drones battle across huge, open battlefields. A rich feature set offering layers of tactical depth combined with game-changing innovations like Battle Points and Battle Commander set a new benchmark in online warfare.

Homefront creates powerful moments by swapping genre-standard military warriors and exotic locales for armed citizens and suburban backyards, but don’t expect this impressive shooter to offer up the longest-lasting experience.

• GamePro Score
• 4 Stars

Painting a real-life nation as the brutally oppressive opposing force — even in a near-future setting — is a risky maneuver for a video game, but Homefront does just that with North Korea. In Homefront’s world, the closed-off nation expands its influence in the years ahead, muscling its way south towards a unified Korea before taking over Japan, sending chaotic economic ripples throughout the world. Kaos Studios conveys this spiraling situation wonderfully through a fevered live-action introduction, which juxtaposes Korea’s rise in power with societal downfall elsewhere and culminates in an EMP blast that allows the nation to violently invade the United States.

Though it may prove an uncomfortable scenario for some players, this first-person shooter’s campaign presents powerful moments, both physically and emotionally jarring in nature. And it begins almost immediately from the outset, as Korean forces bust into your ratty apartment in the year 2027 (two years after the EMP attack), assaulting your silent protagonist — a former Marine pilot — before throwing him down the stairs and loading him on a bus to places unknown. Through the window you’ll witness the first of many atrocities held within the adventure, including a couple held apart outside a makeshift detention center and parents killed in cold blood in view of a toddler, who stumbles towards the bodies as you pass by, powerless to help.

But Homefront is a game about fighting back, so within moments, you’ll find yourself freed from captivity and indoctrinated into the resistance with a headshot and a handshake. You’re one of them now: a heavily armed citizen unwilling to sit idly by while the country crumbles. It kicks off a rousing campaign that spans suburban American terrain while placing you in impressively varied gameplay opportunities. While most of the action is of the run-and-gun, on-foot sort, you’ll also sneak through a militia farm complex, command a remote controlled tank, and snipe soldiers from an abandoned church bell tower. Plus, the game includes an off-rails helicopter sequence that plays significantly better than you’d expect from a lone mission in an FPS.

Despite a narrative penned by John Milius, co-writer of Red Dawn and Apocalypse Now, storytelling is not Homefront’ strongest suit — it’s the atmosphere. The transformed suburban settings convey much more than the passable dialogue, and simply being able to run through an accurately modeled White Castle and battle back enemies in a burning TigerDirect.com warehouse adds a layer of authenticity to the proceedings, as do the other licensed brands witnessed in the game. Homefront isn’t the shiniest-looking game out there, as the gritty (but nicely detailed) settings aren’t quite as crisp or clean as Call of Duty and the like, and I noticed a handful of odd collision detection issues along the way. But the impressive environments — such as an idyllic backyard haven unperturbed by the outer mayhem — and intense campaign scenarios certainly make up for the lack of gloss.

However, it all comes to a head much too quickly, and that’s not a knock just on the brief length of the campaign (about five hours). The final mission — a triumphant battle on one of America’s truly great monuments — seemingly appears out of nowhere, as the cadence of the campaign suggested that the endgame was still hours away. When the credits roll, it’s clear that Homefront is clearly intended as the truncated first battle in a much larger war; but that sudden conclusion weakens the otherwise very strong campaign experience, and doesn’t provide a lot of momentum for the inevitable sequel.

Homefront’s shot at usurping the multiplayer giants of the industry isn’t as rife with dramatic tension and haunting scenarios, but it does make some interesting tweaks to genre conventions. It plays similarly to recent Call of Duty entries — albeit with a larger cap of 32 players per match — but the Battle Points system offers a fresh level of flexibility for activating in-match bonuses. Kills and assists earn you points, which can be used immediately to unlock vehicles, armor, heavy weaponry, and the wildly amusing remote control ground drones and mini-helicopters. Persistent leveling and customization options are still available, but limiting some of the features by single match performance levels the playing field a bit and rewards skillful runs.

But much as the Battle Points system delivers a welcomed twist on a familiar formula, the overall Homefront online experience feels a bit thin. Despite the introduction of the Battle Commander variation, which puts bounties on skilled players amidst the action, Homefront focuses on just two core play modes: Team Deathmatch and Ground Control, both of which are pretty standard offerings. Much as I enjoyed the online firefights and wily drone vehicles, I’d be surprised if the limited play modes and just seven on-disc maps (the Xbox 360 version has an exclusive eighth “Suburbs” map) keep dedicated Black Ops or Bad Company 2 fans from their usual haunts.

Homefront does a whole lot right, delivering powerful imagery and actions on the single-player side, as well as interesting multiplayer alterations, but neither end feels fully realized. But I won’t hesitate to recommend Homefront on the overall strength of its stilted campaign, which consistently delivers strong set pieces and alluring atmospheric moments amidst the chaotic combat. And should Kaos expand on this promising start with meaningful and memorable additions in a sequel, Homefront may prove a potent franchise in no time at all.

PROS: Very strong campaign packed with powerful imagery and atmosphere; diverse gameplay opportunities amidst the campaign; engaging tweaks on standard multiplayer conventions.
CONS: Abrupt conclusion and brief length keep campaign from true excellence; multiplayer options a bit thin compared to competition; occasional visual glitches can be distracting.

GamePro.