I'm gonna need a loan to get all the games that look good...

I hear ya!  But that just means you have to set some higher DEV-standards to make the choosing easier on you......hehe 

Look at is this way, since the Pacific Theatre MOD/EXP for RO2 (Rising Storm) is slated to be released just after the full game RO2 is it's like getting 2 games in 1 and that's not even including the other MOD/EXP Vietnam (called "In Country" I believe) which will be coming out later.  That and the fact that the DEVS have indicated they'll go the way of RO1 with DLC (FREE maps, tanks etc. etc.) I'm stoked that I can give a DEV studio like Tripwire some money!

Plus they are again releasing the dedicated server files to the public (yay...I always host a few servers myself) and are going heavy on the anti-cheat commitment right out of the box (VAC, PunkBuster and PBBANS server-streaming). 

In contrast to that we have EA/DICE whom I've given much much more money than they've ever deserved.  The last game I purchased from EA/DICE (Medal of Honor 2010) was in fact a FANTASTIC game (ran smoother than silk, sounded great, graphics were phenominal) but EA/DICE punched the community in the face by charging for DLC (which I fell for) but due to the lack support from EA/DICE no one even played that DLC (the day after I bought the one DLC pack I found 1 other person in the world playing it?!?!) lack of anti-cheat support/commitment the game was hacked to bits and it didn't need to be.

It was just painfully obvious that EA/DICE had quickly put out MOH 2010 and then moved on.  I don't respect studios that do that.  Tripwire isn't one of those which is why RO1 is still being played today and I have no problems sending money their way!

I will but two. I have a friend that will only play this if I buy it for him.

 The game looks pretty good, and Tripwire seems to be a good studio to buy from. They've put out a lot of good (and free) updates for Killing Floor, which is the only other game of theirs I own. Cheating is fairly limited, and the only DLC they charge for are character skins that don't affect gameplay.

 I'm still on the fence about the game, and will probably wait to purchase it after seeing how they handle their DLC schemes. It also bothers me to no end that 9 out of 10 screenshots are in 3rd person (for a 1st person FPS), and I haven't seen an actual gameplay video of someone actually playing that game; it's just scripted scenes or cinematic takes on gameplay footage.

 If there's no advantage-DLC and the community doesn't suck, it'll be a great game for anyone who enjoys FPS games.

from 4 months ago:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zogCqAI2uY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzFSBVuD-Co

game mechanics walkthrough:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGgx5_szVHM



Already pre-ordered, for _$30_ dollars!

That's why I love Tripwire. I bought RO1 and tbh, didn't like it. But simply for me supporting them, they cut my cost on a game I really am looking forward to. Rising Storm shipping with RO2 is just icing on the cake, and something you're not likely to see many dev houses do. And in buying RO2, I know my money is going toward a good dev house that's still very close to their modding roots, and it's going to fund yet another great game down the road: Killing Floor 2. It's money well spent and money saved for a good game and no ridiculous string attached, which is becoming a rarity these days.

BTW, those 3rd person shots are in-game shots using the 3rd person camera. I don't think Tripwire uses any cut scenes or movies. 

The following thread on the Tripwire forums contains 3 very cool/informative videos (in the thread OP click the "SHOW" button) uploaded to youtube on Aug 6th/2011.

http://forums.tripwireinteractive.com/showthread.php?t=55636

I have always loved RO and can't be more excited about RO2.  Tripwire puts other/bigger DEV studios to shame......

To those wanting more videos.....

Once the final/closed beta starts there will be a big influx of new gameplay videos since the devs have indicated that doing that would be ok.  If I have the time I might make some of my own.....

Release has been pushed back by two weeks to Sept. 13th/2011

As frustrating as that is to some of us (I've been waiting for RO2 for 2 years ) I would much rather they release the game as complete/optimized as possible instead of subscribing to the usual theme these days of  " Oh well......we know the game isn't exactly complete/optimized but hey......everyone has broadband internet......we can patch it later right? "

Nothing (in terms of game releases) pisses me off more than that......

Some additonal informational videos in the following thread:

http://forums.tripwireinteractive.com/showthread.php?t=56350

Here's their official beta gameplay footage, finally.

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/exclusive-gameplay-red-orchestra/719542?

And it really delivers, compared to some of the GamesCom footage which was pretty low key. This new video is just lots of vicious dog fights and it looks super intense.

I must say this game looks real interesting. I wish I had time like when I was younger to kill off hours playing FPS games

Here's some more video from GamesCom.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXRTQuPVSgk&feature=player_embedded

Just over a day until release!