SOCOM Blog

Evac Co-op Pack Now Available

Chris Roper — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:00:00 GMT

The SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs Evac Co-op Pack is now available via the PlayStation�Store! The Evac Co-op Pack includes a new cooperative multiplayer game mode, "Evac", a new co-op map, “Onslaught”, six new character skins and two brand-new weapons. The character skins and weapons will work in both cooperative and competitive multiplayer games!

Included Weapons:
AM50 - It doesn't carry many rounds and it's slow to fire, but the AM50 will kill with a single shot anywhere on an opponent's body.
M82A1A - A very low firing rate and lower than average ammo capacity is offset by the M82A1A's ability to take down an opponent with a single round.

Included Character Skins:
Hunter
Python
Mystic
Jalil
Nasir
Renzo

The SOCOM 4 Evac Co-op Pack is available now for $7.99 from the PlayStation�Store.

SOCOM 4 DLC Packs Announced - "Demolition" Free for New Players

Chris Roper — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:55:00 GMT

The SOCOM franchise is a long and storied one, and today we're very happy to announce that we're revisiting its past and bringing back what is perhaps the series' most popular mode, "Demolition". Existing owners of SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs will be able to download the Demolition Pack for $9.99 with today's PlayStation Store publish, which brings with it not only the Demolition competitive multiplayer game type but new maps, weapons and character skins as well.

As a special promotional bonus starting tomorrow, new purchasers of SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs who buy the game at select retail partners will receive a free voucher for the Demolition Pack. When you buy the game new from Amazon, Best Buy or GameStop in the US or EB Games in Canada, be sure to ask for your free Demolition Pack code and then simply redeem the voucher on the PlayStation Network to download the pack at no additional charge. With SOCOM 4 now available at many retailers for $39.99 and with codes for both the Demolition Pack and SOCOM Pro Pack included for free, there's no better time to pick up the game.

In "Demolition", each team vies for control of a bomb placed on the map. Once a team grabs the bomb, they need to carry it into the opposing team's base, arm the bomb and defend it until the base is destroyed.

The Demolition Pack includes four new maps, two of which are returning classics -- "Bitter Jungle" and "Ruins". All four of these maps support not only the Demolition game type but many of the retail competitive modes as well. Additionally, six of the existing maps will support the Demolition game type, making for 10 total Demolition maps. Additionally, the Demolition Pack also includes two new weapons, the HS-C3 and 552, as well as six new multiplayer skins to choose from.

Demotion Pack Details

Included Maps:
"Departure" - Navigate trains and tunnels in this subway station as you hunt down the enemy.
"Overflow" - Both distanced and close-quarters combat take place around a massive dam.
"Bitter Jungle" - Get out of the city and into the jungle in this classic SOCOM environment.
"Ruins" - Do battle in this classic SOCOM map's ancient ruins.

Included Weapons:
HS-C3 - Low rate of fire but above average damage and very high accuracy.
552 - Average damage and firing rate, but very accurate when standing still.

Included Character Skins:
Specter
Jester
Bastion
Ahmed
Dimitri
Steiner

But that's not all!

In two weeks we'll also be expanding SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs' cooperative mode with the new Evac Co-op Pack. Available November 1st for $7.99, the Evac Co-op Pack will introduce the "Evac" cooperative mode and include a new cooperative map, two new weapons and six additional character skins.

In "Evac", players are caught behind enemy lines and must fight their way out alive. Your pick-up vehicle is on-route to a designated location, and it's up to you to fight your way there and defend the point until your exit arrives.

"Evac" works across the original six cooperative missions as well as the new "Onslaught" location included in this pack. "Onslaught" also supports the original "Espionage" and "Takedown" cooperative modes.

Evac Co-op Pack Details

Included Weapons:
AM50 - It doesn't carry many rounds and it's slow to fire, but the AM50 will kill with a single shot anywhere on an opponent's body.
M82A1A - A very low firing rate and lower than average ammo capacity is offset by the M82A1A's ability to take down an opponent with a single round.

Included Character Skins:
Hunter
Python
Mystic
Jalil
Nasir
Renzo

Earn Double XP Now!

To celebrate the release of the SOCOM 4 Demolition Pack we’re running a Double XP event for the next week! All you have to do to claim your bonus is log in to SOCOM 4 and complete any competitive multiplayer game. That’s it! We’ll see you online, soldier.

Patch Alert: SOCOM 4 v1.05

Chris Roper — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:50:00 GMT

The latest update for SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs is now available for download. Version 1.05 brings with it a number of changes, including numerous stability enhancements for the Party and Clan Challenge systems as well as a handful of important gameplay enhancements.

The patch is available now for download, and players will be automatically prompted to update.

SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs v1.05
September 21, 2011 | TPPS: 42 MB, DLS: Variable

Gameplay
- Using the knife no longer silences footsteps
- Classic mode mic system has been changed from Tap-to-Talk to open chat
- Fixed Classic Bomb Squad double round win bug
- Reduced the accuracy of SMGs at long distance
- Grenade launchers no longer kill the user when fired at long distances or over a wall
- Reinstated weapon accuracy when quickly tapping fire button
- Several level collision issues have been adjusted

Party and Clan Systems
- Party leaders may now optionally allow party members to invite in other players
- Numerous Party system stability enhancements
- Numerous Clan system stability enhancements

Interface
- Player counts on map voting screens are now accurate
- Fixed round transition freezes
- Numerous UI element bugs have been fixed

Interview with SOCOM 4 Composer Bear McCreary

Chris Roper — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 17:20:00 GMT

GameSpot has posted a new interview with Bear McCreary, composer for SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs as well as numerous television series, including Battlestar Galactica and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. The interview touches on his inspirations for the SOCOM 4 score and how he worked to create something unique for the game.

Here's an excerpt on his experience creating the music for SOCOM 4:

"We scored the game with a live orchestra at Skywalker Ranch in Northern California, but the orchestra is not the primary focus of the music. The primary focus of the music is actually the Southeast Asian instrumentation, such as the gamelan orchestra. You hear taiko drums, you hear the shamisen, the biwa, the koto, bansuri, shakuhachi, just a wide array of instrumentation that has a really distinct Asian sound. And that was really exciting to me."

The full interview can be found right here.

Patch Alert: SOCOM 4 v1.04

Jeremy Dunham — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 07:01:00 GMT

Another month of post-release play is in the books for SOCOM 4, and your help in tracking down issues and exploits for us has been an invaluable resource as we continue to move forward with updates. This latest patch, scheduled for deployment this morning, July 12, during our regular maintenance window, is definitely our most exciting yet! Boasting the long-awaited activation of our SOCOM Party system, we’ve made playing with your friends much more convenient. We’ve also included a number of other additions and alterations which you can read about in our patch notes below.

This isn’t all the SOCOM info we have planned for the summer of course, as you’ll want to check back with us throughout the season as we return with details regarding what to expect in our next patch as well as the official announcement and details of our upcoming downloadable content. In the meantime, enjoy the latest SOCOM revision and have fun storming enemy lines!

SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs v1.04
July 12, 2011 | TPPS: 42 MB, DLS: 11 MB

Gameplay

- Added “Party” system to primary multiplayer interface which allows players to invite other users to play with them in a persistent group until disbanded (up to 16 total players)

- Fixed bug that sometimes prevented Bomb Squad and Uplink matches to end properly despite one team winning the required number of rounds

- Players who do not have SOCOM Pro can now “Scavenge” Pro-associated weapons on the battlefield for a limited time use (does not unlock them permanently)

Weapons and Gear

- Added additional weapon “knock” to single and burst-fire modes for all weapons to limit possible rapid-fire exploits

Interface

- Games played under “Classic” rules now implement an “open” mic system for players in the Spectator lobby

- Added “open” mic functionality to all transition screens for games played under “Classic” rules

- Added “Games Played” statistics for SOCOM Pro maps

- Fixed issue that caused post-game text to display incorrectly at the end of a round or match

Technical

- Added functionality to allow all Gametypes to support independent XP bonuses

- Mics are now muted for the first five seconds of every round to reduce echo/ feedback from mass “round start” messages

- Implemented a number of stability fixes

SOCOM Mobile HQ Now Available for Android Devices

Alex Lee — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 17:10:00 GMT

Today we're announcing the availability of SOCOM Mobile HQ. This free Android Application helps you stay connected to the world of SOCOM even when you’re away from your PS3.

Put your career, friends and clan in your pocket and experience the new SOCOM Challenge System available exclusively for SOCOM Mobile HQ users. Each challenge is tailored to your unique player experience, with tasks ranging from being the master tactician by getting the job done in all online modes, building your kill-to-death ratio (KDR) or always being the guy with the assists.

SOCOM Mobile HQ keeps you connected and field ready:

* Prove your tactical discipline and combat skills by accepting our challenges, gaining experience and badges that represent your cunning and perseverance
* Plan and track your advancement by studying challenge history and leaderboards. Watch your experience climb as successive rounds push you further
* Review your career profile to see vital SOCOM 4 stats and rank advancement potential. Compare your progress to those around you
* Stay in contact with SOCOM 4 news and events by accessing the official Blog
* Use our convenient clan and friends features to check stats and whereabouts of your friends in the PlayStation Network
* Share your experience and progress via Facebook through our social networking feature

The application is now available in the Android Marketplace.

SOCOM 4 MLG Boot Camp, Official $20k Ladder Announced

Brian Gauld — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 19:00:00 GMT

PlayStation and Major League Gaming are giving you two chances to show everyone what you’ve got in SOCOM 4 — and win big in the process.

MLG Boot Camp
Boot Camp gives anyone who registers and completes a match the chance to win awesome prizes regardless of skill. Registration is open now, and Boot Camp ladder play is currently running through July 13th. Registering your 6-man team on MLG’s Gamebattles.com and playing at least one match will put you in the running for both Boot Camp prizing and the Official $20,000 Ladder Tournament. If you’re a lone soldier, check out the MLG forums where you can team up with other players of your skill level.
Boot Camp prizing includes:
* Two-hour gaming sessions with the Zipper Interactive dev team
* ASUS professional gaming monitors
* Full Astro A40 Systems (SOCOM 4 Customized)
* MLG Gunnars

Official SOCOM 4 $20k Online Ladder
Those of you with a competitive streak should use this time wisely because every battle counts towards your team’s position on the leaderboard and your chance to win money. The top teams will qualify for the finals and a share of the $20,000 prize pool. We’re looking for the best SOCOM 4 teams to step up, so we’re putting cold hard cash on the line. Here’s the prize breakdown:
* 1st Place Team: $8,000
* 2nd: $4,000
* 3rd: $3,000
* 4th: $2,000
* 5th: $1,000
* 6th: $1,000
* 7th: $500
* 8th: $500

See below for your deployment schedule, soldiers! Be sure to check back often on Gamebattles.com and SOCOM.com for regular tournament updates. And don’t forget to catch up on PlayStation giveaways and events by following us at @HeyPlayStation.
Good luck to you all!

SOCOM 4 Boot Camp Schedule:
6/24/2011: Registration begins
6/24/2011: Ladder play begins
7/13/2011: Ladder play ends (9:00PM EST)

SOCOM 4 $20,000 Ladder Tournament Schedule:
6/24/2011: Registration begins
6/24/2011: Ladder play begins
8/27/2011: Registration closes
8/28/2011: Ladder play ends
9/9/2011: Double elimination bracket tournament begins

New Custom Queues and Clan Challenges

Chris Roper — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:00:00 GMT

You may have noticed a handful of new competitive multiplayer queues that we’ve just added to SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs. Dubbed “SEAL Team UpLink” and “SEAL Team Defense”, each of these queues appear in both the Custom and Clan Challenge lists and were designed specifically by Major League Gaming for an upcoming competition. We’ll have specific details on MLG’s tournament very soon, but the queues are open and running as of now so go get in some practice as there will be cash up for grabs!

Zipline Podcast - Episode 36

Chris Roper — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 22:00:00 GMT

Zipline has returned! With the recent release of SOCOM 4 patch 1.03 and the SOCOM Pro Assault Pack, we wanted to chime in and give everyone an update on what's coming in the future and to answer a few outstanding questions, including how the upcoming party system is going to work. Enjoy!

Zipline Podcast, Episode 36
25.4MB |27m:47s
Subscribe to Zipline on iTunes | Subscribe via RSS

You can discuss this episode by clicking this link.

SOCOM Pro Assault Pack Available Now!

Chris Roper — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 21:45:00 GMT

We're happy to announce that the SOCOM Pro Assault Pack is now available for download via the PlayStation Store! The pack is available for free to SOCOM Pro members and contains three new competitive multiplayer maps and two fan-favorite weapons.

Assault Pack Maps:
"Red Line" - A monorail depot highlights this small and highly war-torn urban location.

"Double Cross" - A plane has crashed into a small mountain village, leaving wreckage and burning debris scattered throughout the area.

"Driftwood" - A small fishing village with a tight layout results in intense close-quarter battles.

Assault Pack Weapons:
M16 - This highly accurate Spec Ops weapon is great at range and, with a suppressor gained at Mod Level 2, can be used in stealthier situations as well.

AK-47 - This Insurgent weapon is difficult to control but inflicts a high amount of damage. It's also capable of holding a large amount of ammo at Mod 5, making a very deadly option for aggressive players.

The SOCOM Pro Assault Pack is free for SOCOM Pro members. SOCOM Pro comes free with new copies of SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALs, and is also available for purchase on the PlayStation Store for $14.99.