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Because of the close nature of the competition, both Dennis and DatD will both recieve a copy of the Republic: The Revolution soundtrack, courtesy of Elixir.

Congratulations to all, and make sure you look out for the next competition very soon!

The first highlight is a video interview with Simon Matthews, producer at Elixir. It's on IGN, but unfortunatly is only for subscribers. If you want to check it out, however, it is here. I have just had a look at the video and it is very interesting - some great new footage there. There is a pretty funky section with henchman Eli with his boombox charming the layyyyyyyydies. There are also two cool new items shown - a brainwashing gadget which literally washes the brain, and a torture chambed which is like a big greenhouse with maneating traps. Lastly, they confirm that the release date has been pushed back to Q4 of this year.

Secondly, also courtesy of IGN, but this time for free is a full page of new screenshots. They look pretty nice and I'll be sure to get them on this site before the day is out... for now, go check them out!

Update: Elixir have confirmed that Simon Matthews will be in LA demonstrating the game along with Demis and Pete, but are remaining tight-lipped about Blue Vault.

The program was about modern day geniuses, and there was not only a guy I know in my home town called Nathan (who is a mathematical genius), but also one Demis Hassabis. The program covered his life, including cute photos as a 8 year old playing chess, and described how he is one of the few people in the world who not only has incredible talent, but also drive and innovation to go into a field that really excites him - i.e. computer "games". Peter Molyneux, Lionhead maestro, commented on the brilliance of Republic even though the game was not a financial world beater.

All in all, it gave an insight into the incredible talent at Elixir. Once they manage to get that game idea that is not only billiant but commerically successful (and Evil Genius may well fit the bill) then the sparks will no doubt start to fly.

The three page preview, which has a cool little graphic at the top which isn't too dissimilar to the funky style of the game and this website, includes loads of useful information and 10 new images, two of which are group photos of the team, and one which looks pretty damn cool. The photos will also be on this site shortly, if possible. Check it out!

We will probably be looking for 4 testers to work on a full-time basis in the office (hence the need for them to be in London area) - we won't be able to use any remote testers at this point.

We will be paying people (I need to confirm the figure though) - mainly because we are looking for people who will work hard and approach this in a professional manner! For the same reason we will probably also be looking for 18 year olds upwards, although this isn't set in stone and we may make an exception for someone who looks really good. Testers will be working on a freelance basis rather than as a full employee so they will be responsible for organising their own tax and NI (I can help people organise this).

We will [also] be asking people to sign an NDA.

We need a number of freelance focus testers to work on Evil Genius starting at weekly intervals from the week beginning 3rd May and working up until 30th July. Please note that we will expect you to work very hard so only apply if you are serious!

Applicants must be based in the London area and be enthusiastic about games. Attention to detail and a good sense of humour are essential. Previous testing experience would be an advantage.

Please send a copy of your CV to recruit@elixir-studios.co.uk. No agencies please.

You may also be interested to note I will very soon be running a competition to win a copy of the soundtrack - more details sooon!

The Q and A will also appear on this site as a feature in a day or two.

This offering from Armchair Empire is pretty good. Pete Gilbert, the producer of the game, chats about the work they have done, and about the testing they have done within different groups in the UK and abroad. Check it out.

Nope... this ain't no belated April 1st prank

Elixir have, in an exclusive preview with PC Zone (UK mag) given the details of their next game. And technically impressive it sounds too.

The title? Blue Vault. And you want some info on it? Well, UK residents can run down to their corner shop to read about it. Here's the summery from the PC Zone website:

Republic the Revolution might have been one heckuva technically impressive game, but it seems north London-based developer Elixir has something altogether more epic up its sleeve for the highly promising Blue Vault.

We've now bagged the first ever details on Elixir's follow-up of sorts to Republic, with a world exclusive in-depth preview available in the latest issue of our sister publication PC Zone, out today.

With the best will in the world it was always going to be a tall order getting people excited about a game about political skulduggery for Republic; for Blue Vault the team is playing it safe with a story packed with aliens, conspiracy theories and a, erm, pristine, dazzlingly beautiful view of the future. Eh?

The Blue Vault of the title refers to an organisation which spends its time hunting down pesky aliens and doing its best not to let other humans even know the extraterrestrial sons-of-bitches even exist. There are plans for six different alien species, with around thirty missions in the finished game.

It's a strategy title, so expect such delightful elements as resource gathering, unit recruitment and skill advancement to make a decent fist of things, though we're promised a detail level on a par with RPGs.

Blue Vault isn't set for release until late next year, but with Elixir's usual determination to create a noticeably different game, this is one well worth keeping a close eye on.

For a full in-depth preview, featuring an exclusive interview with Elixir CEO Mark Hewitt and producer James Sutherland, plus the world's first screeshots, check out issue 141 of PC Zone, out today.

Now that I have a few days after handing in a major piece of Uni coursework, I wil be updating this site a little more - the FAQ tomorrow being an example. For now, I have added the new artwork that has been doing the rounds recently - you can see them here.

Lastly - stay tuned to this space... some interesting news will hopefully be arriving soon...

Every henchman has two special abilities, such as wind walk (teleport), grenade and rocket launcher attacks (heavy area damage), eviscerate (one slash kill with a sword) and mine field (can place explosives on the ground that unsuspecting agents will walk over and go boom).

For those who can't be bothered to view the videos, here are the main points:

• The game will be out late September (hopefully!)
• The game will feature trap bonuses for really inventive trap combinations
• You start on a small island and work your way up to a volcanic lair
• You can disguise your evil activities under the guise of a tourist island - complete with hotels, casinos and so forth

Oh yeah!

Expect some more previews following Demis' appearence at the GDC this week.

Edit: Oops, just noticed! There are two new videos, which any GameSpot member can stream - check out the links at the bottom of the same page.

"The real joy, though, is in the details. When characters interact they do so with wit and exuberance, and it's this and not the neat and tidy mathematical mechanics that will lift the game above many others in the eyes of PC gamers.

Evil genius is a simple idea, sweetly executed, but in a heavily saturated strategy industry that may not be enough. The next months will see the really crucial powerplays take place - Vivendi's marketing battle for the blackened hearts and scheming minds of the management market."

Dear All,

Many apologies for the lack of information from the Evil Genius shop floor. Lots going on at the moment. The team are working very hard to pull all of the game objectives together for a build which is planned for a weeks time. It's definitely nose to the grindstone time! Once we are through this milestone I will definitely, honestly, hand on heart...dip me in the biotanks if I don't... give you loads of juicy gossip and put your questions to the team.

Right.. back to work... now where did I put that Pro Plus?

Pete

Sucks, but that's life :)

Rather than force you to micromanage everything, Elixir is trying to make sure characters can function on their own once you set it to their tasks. In one scene, a saboteur had infiltrated our base and blown up a power generator, at which point a valet came running in with a fire extinguisher to put out the fire, an engineer arrived to put things back in order, and the entire base went on alert to find the culprit. It's always possible to click on a particular character and set them to some other task (for instance, you can give orders as specific as either capturing or killing an infiltrator), but if you set things up correctly, your staff should do a lot of the work for you. This should become especially important as you get closer to completing your doomsday device; by the time you're ready to conquer the world, your base will probably be under attack from every governing body under the sun, setting the stage for what could be one of the most insane game climaxes ever.

Demis (founder of Elixir) is heading off to the Games Developers Conference in March. He be giving a talk and also participating in a discussion panel. More details soon.

Although I have not yet approached Elixir, I'm hoping to have some time with them to ask your questions about the game. If you would like to contribute to the questions list, there is a forum thread set up so you can send them to me.

Lastly, there are some exciting things in the works here at Evil Planet, so keep on checking out this news section for more over the next few weeks.

Anyway, that hasn't stopped the forums from exploding into life - go check them out and post away.

Also, I rarely do external links for the hell of it, but take a look at the very evil http://www.villainsupply.com - they have a pretty cool website styled very much like the game ideas. Kinda fun.

If there was one thing that all critics picked up as brilliant about Republic, it was the soundtrack. After multiple requests, Elixir are now taking orders for soundtrack CD's. They will cost £10 each, and you can get information and/or place your order by emailing Elixir directly at poppy@elixir-studios.co.uk. The CD will be out on February 20th.

Anyway, while we are waiting for new screenshots and other information to leak from Elixir, check out the forums - there is a lot of good chat going on there, and a great little community building up.

Feel free to ask questions about the game... I have played it myself, and although I can't and will not answer some types of questions, I will endeavour to do so if I feel the information you are asking for is already in the public domain.

Check it out here.

They are a little quiet at the moment, but have lots of people who are interested to talk if the conversation is there. Check it out.

The interview, hopefully one of many with the team, can be read here.

This site, at the very cool web address www.evilplanet.com and hosted by the also cool Gamespy Industries, will hopefully fill your every need when it comes to finding information on the game.

A lot of information is already in - other bits of information are going in over the weekend and in the next week as exclusive information and details comes from Elixir. Some pages cannot be updated, due to their nature, until the game comes out.

Note that the forums for this site have already been in use for a week or so and are buzzing - go check them out using the big moving button at the top

Enjoy, and hope you come regularly!