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Essential medicines

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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For the list of WHO essential medicines, see WHO Model List of Essential Medicines

Essential medicines, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) are "those drugs that satisfy the health care needs of the majority of the population; they should therefore be available at all times in adequate amounts and in appropriate dosage forms, at a price the community can afford."[1]

The WHO has published a model list of essential medicines. Each country is encouraged to prepare their own lists taking into consideration local priorities. Over 150 countries have published an official essential medicines list. The essential medicines list enables health authorities, especially in developing countries, to optimize pharmaceutical resources. The WHO List contains a core list and a complementary list.

The core list presents a list of minimum medicine needs for a basic health care system, listing the most efficacious, safe and cost-effective medicines for priority conditions. Priority conditions are selected on the basis of current and estimated future public health relevance, and potential for safe and cost-effective treatment.

The complementary list presents essential medicines for priority diseases, for which specialized diagnostic or monitoring facilities are needed. In case of doubt medicines may also be listed as complementary on the basis of higher costs or less attractive cost-effectiveness in a variety of settings. The list is important because: it forms the basis of national drugs policy in many countries, both developed and developing (e.g. South Africa, Eritrea) and governments refer to WHO recommendations when making decisions on health spending.

Theory and practice[edit]

The original 1977 WHO definition of "essential medicines" was that they were 'of utmost importance, basic, indispensable, and necessary for the healthcare needs of the population'.[2] The concept was mentioned in one of the ten points of the 1978 Alma Ata Declaration on primary health care.

The difficulty of putting this into practice is reflected in the rather longer and more categorical 2002 definition:

'Essential medicines are those that satisfy the priority health care needs of the population. They are selected with due regard to public health relevance, evidence on efficacy and safety, and comparative cost-effectiveness. Essential medicines are intended to be available within the context of functioning health systems at all times in adequate amounts, in the appropriate dosage forms, with assured quality and adequate information, and at a price the individual and the community can afford. The implementation of the concept of essential medicines is intended to be flexible and adaptable to many different situations; exactly which medicines are regarded as essential remains a national responsibility.'[3]

The "WHO Model List of Essential Medicines" has been updated every two years since 1977. The current version, the 19th, was published in 2015. The fifth edition of "WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children", was also published in 2015.

Cost-to-benefit ratio[edit]

Cost effectiveness is the subject of fierce debate between producers (pharmaceutical companies) and purchasers of drugs (national health services).

Number of medications[edit]

The number of medications has nearly doubled, from the original 208 in 1977 to more 340.[4] The range has increased over the years and now includes an antimigraine drug, antidotes, and antineoplastic drugs. The third list for children from 2011 contains 269 medications.[5]

See also[edit]

  1. ^
  2. ^ WHO | Health topics | Essential Medicines[verification needed]
  3. ^ WHO | Health topics | Essential Medicines[verification needed]
  4. ^ "10 facts on essential medicines". February 2010. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  5. ^ Bansal, D; Purohit, VK (January 2013). "Accessibility and use of essential medicines in health care: Current progress and challenges in India.". Journal of pharmacology & pharmacotherapeutics 4 (1): 13–8. doi:10.4103/0976-500X.107642. PMID 23662019.

External links[edit]


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Franz Doppler

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Franz Doppler, 1853
Franz and Karl Doppler

Albert Franz Doppler (October 16, 1821 – July 27, 1883), was a flute virtuoso and a composer best known for his flute music. He also wrote one German and several Hungarian operas for Budapest, all produced with great success. His ballet music was popular during his lifetime.

Doppler was born in Poland in Lemberg (Austrian Empire), now Lviv, Ukraine. From 1828 to 1831, he received flute lessons from his father, Joseph Doppler, who was an oboist, and made his debut as a flutist at the age of 13. He formed a flute duo with his brother Karl, four years younger, who mainly wrote songs and incidental music, and as a duo they caused quite a sensation throughout Europe. They toured and both became members of the orchestra of the German Theater, Budapest, in 1838 and both moved to the Hungarian National Theater in 1841. There, five of Franz's operas were staged with success. Franz and Karl continued to make regular tours of Europe and helped found the Hungarian Philharmonic Orchestra in 1853. At the age of 18 Franz was the first flutist at the opera in Budapest, and he went on to be the first flutist and stand-in conductor, and eventually chief conductor, of the Vienna Court Opera, as well as acquiring a position of Professor of Flute at the Vienna Conservatoire from 1864 until 1867. He died in Baden bei Wien, Austria.

Doppler composed chiefly for the flute, as well as opera (a style that is prominent even in his showpieces for flute), composing many pieces including concertos, showpieces, and many flute duets, to be played by him and his brother Karl. His music contains aspects of Russian and Hungarian music. His operas included Judith (his only German opera), and a Russian work entitled Benyovsky. He wrote seven operas and fifteen ballets in total (which were quite popular in their time) and was a brilliant orchestrator.

He is also known for the orchestral arrangements of six of Franz Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsodies published under his name. He was a student of Liszt, and Liszt set Doppler the exercise of orchestrating six Rhapsodies. Every single bar of these orchestrations was revised by Liszt upon publication, but he graciously allowed Doppler's name to remain on the title page. (Liszt frequently bestowed such help to his students, which gave rise to the notion that he didn't or couldn't orchestrate his own works)[citation needed]

Doppler's transcriptions of some of the rhapsodies for flute are also quite well known.

Selected works[edit]

Stage works
  • Benyovszky vagy A kamcsatkai számuzött (Benyovsky, or the Changeling from Kamchatka), opera after August von Kotzebue, 1847
  • Ilka és a huszártoborzó (Ilka and the Hussar Recruitment), comic opera, 1849
  • Wanda, opera, 1853
  • Két huszár (The Two Hussars), opera, 1853
  • Salvator Rosa, melodrama, 1855
  • Erzsébet opera, (Overture and Act I. Act II by Ferenc Erkel, Act III by Karl Doppler), 1857
  • Judith opera, 1870
  • Airs Valaques, Op. 10
  • Berceuse, Op. 15
  • Mazurka de salon, Op. 16
  • Nocturne, Op. 17
  • Andante et Rondo, Op. 25 (for two flutes and a piano) 1870
  • Fantaisie pastorale hongroise, Op. 26
  • Souvenir du Rigi, Op. 34

External links[edit]

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Health effects of tea

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
This article addresses effects only of tea made from the plant Camellia sinensis, including black tea, oolong tea, green tea, and white tea. It does not address effects of other plant infusions that might be called "tea", including what are sometimes called "herbal tea".
Information about the different varieties of tea, its impact on people, Australia, 1912

According to legend, the health effects of tea have been examined ever since the first infusions of Camellia sinensis about 4700 years ago in China. Emperor Shennong claimed in The Divine Farmer's Herb-Root Classic that Camellia sinensis infusions were useful for treating a variety of disease conditions.[1]

Historically as well as today, in regions without access to safe drinking water, the boiling of water to make tea has been effective in reducing waterborne diseases by destroying pathogenic microorganisms. Recently, concerns have been raised about the traditional method of over-boiling tea to produce a decoction, which may increase the amount of pesticides and other harmful contaminants released and consumed.[2]

Black tea has been studied extensively for its potential to lower the risk of human diseases, but none of this research is conclusive as of 2015.[3]

Aluminum, iron and other metals[edit]

Further information: Aluminum#Health concerns

Tea drinking accounts for a high proportion of aluminum in the human diet.[4] The levels are safe, but there has been some concern that aluminum traces may be associated with Alzheimer's disease. A recent study additionally indicated that some teas contained possibly risky amounts of lead (mostly Chinese) and aluminum (Indian/Sri Lanka blends, China).[5] There is still insufficient evidence to draw firm conclusions on this subject.[6]

Most studies have found no association between tea intake and iron absorption.[7] However, drinking excessive amounts of black tea may inhibit the absorption of iron, and may harm people with anaemia.[8]

In 2011, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that there was very little evidence to support the claim that green tea consumption may reduce the risk of breast and prostate cancer.[9]

The US National Cancer Institute reports that in epidemiological studies and the few clinical trials of tea for the prevention of cancer, the results have been inconclusive. The institute "does not recommend for or against the use of tea to reduce the risk of any type of cancer." ... "Inconsistencies in study findings regarding tea and cancer risk may be due to variability in tea preparation, tea consumption, the bioavailability of tea compounds (the amounts that can be absorbed by the body), lifestyle differences, and individual genetic differences."[10] Though there is some positive evidence for risk reduction of breast, prostate, ovarian and endometrial cancers with green tea, it is weak and inconclusive.[11]

Meta-analyses of observational studies have concluded that black tea consumption does not appear to protect against the development of oral cancers in Asian or Caucasian populations, the development of esophageal cancer or prostate cancer in Asian populations, or the development of lung cancer.[12][13][14][15][16]

Cardiovascular disease[edit]

Black tea consumption may be associated with a reduced risk of stroke.[17][18]

A 2013 Cochrane review of randomized controlled trials (RCT) greater than 3 months duration concluded that long-term consumption of black tea slightly lowers systolic and diastolic blood pressures (about 1-2 mmHg).[19] This conclusion was based on limited evidence.[19] Another meta-analysis of RCTs reached a similar conclusion.[20]

Fluoride exposure[edit]

All tea leaves contain fluoride; however, mature leaves contain as much as 10 to 20 times the fluoride levels of young leaves from the same plant.[21][22][23][24][25][26] Although low concentrations of fluoride are maintained in many public water supplies for dental health, very high fluoride intake (over 2 mg per day for children, 4 mg adults) increases the risk of osteofluorosis and fractures. There is evidence that over-intake of teas produced using mature leaves (e.g. brick tea) can cause fluorosis in humans.[27][28]

The fluoride content of made tea depends on the picking method and fluoride content of the soil in which it is grown; tea plants absorb this element at a greater rate than other plants. Care in the choice of the location where the plant is grown may reduce the risk.[29] It is speculated that hand-picked tea would contain less fluoride than machine-harvested tea, because there is a much lower chance of harvesting older leaves during the harvest process. A 2013 British study of 38 teas found that cheaper UK supermarket tea blends had the highest levels of fluoride with about 580 mg per kilogram, green teas averaged about 397 mg per kg and pure blends about 132 mg per kg. The researchers suggested that economy teas may use older leaves which contain more fluoride. They calculated a person drinking a litre of economy tea per day would consume about 4 mg of fluoride, the maximum recommended amount of fluoride per day but below the maximum tolerable amount of 10 mg fluoride per day.[30]

Fracture risk[edit]

Tea consumption does not appear to affect the risk of bone fracture including hip fractures or fractures of the humerus in men or women.[31]

A 2013 Cochrane review concluded that long-term black tea consumption lowers the blood concentration of LDL cholesterol by 0.43 mmol/L (or 7.74 mg/dL).[19]

Tea contains oxalate, overconsumption of which can cause kidney stones, as well as binding with free calcium in the body. The bioavailability of oxalate from tea is low, thus a possible negative effect requires a large intake of tea.[32] Massive black tea consumption has been linked to kidney failure due to its high oxalate content (acute oxalate nephropathy).[33][34]

Theanine and caffeine[edit]

Tea also contains theanine and the stimulant caffeine at about 3% of its dry weight, translating to between 30 mg and 90 mg per 8 oz (250 ml) cup depending on type, brand[35] and brewing method.[36] Tea also contains small amounts of theobromine and theophylline.[37] Fluoride has also been found to occur in tea, with certain types of brick tea made from old leaves and stems having the highest levels[38] Dry tea has more caffeine by weight than dry coffee; nevertheless, more dry coffee than dry tea is used in typical drink preparations,[39] which results in a cup of brewed tea containing significantly less caffeine than a cup of coffee of the same size.

The caffeine in tea is a mild diuretic. However, the British Dietetic Association has suggested that tea can be used to supplement normal water consumption, and that "the style of tea and coffee and the amounts we drink in the UK are unlikely to have a negative effect [on hydration]".[40]

Weight loss[edit]

Green tea consumption has no meaningful effect in aiding weight loss.[11]

See also[edit]

  1. ^ N. H. Woodward, Teas of the World (1980), as cited in D. A. Balentine, M. E. Harbowy, H. N. Graham, Tea: The Plant and Its Manufacture; Chemistry and Consumption of the Beverage in Caffeine ed G. Spiller (1998)
  2. ^ Abd El-Aty AM, Choi JH, Rahman MM, Kim SW, Tosun A, Shim JH (2014). "Residues and contaminants in tea and tea infusions: a review". Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess 23 (September): 1–11. doi:10.1080/19440049.2014.958575. PMID 25164107.
  3. ^ "Black tea". MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine. 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  4. ^ Streeta R, Drábeka O, Szákováb J, Mládkováa L (2007). "Total content and speciation of aluminium in tea leaves and tea infusions". Food Chemistry 104 (4): 1662–1669. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2007.03.019.
  5. ^ "The Benefits and Risks of Consuming Brewed Tea: Beware of Toxic Element Contamination".
  6. ^ Karak T, Bhagat RM (2010). "Trace elements in tea leaves, made tea and tea infusion: A review". Food Research International (Review) 43 (9): 2234–2252. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2010.08.010.
  7. ^ Beck KL, Conlon CA, Kruger R, Coad J (2014). "Dietary determinants of and possible solutions to iron deficiency for young women living in industrialized countries: a review". Nutrients 6 (9): 3747–76. doi:10.3390/nu6093747. PMID 25244367.
  8. ^ Wierzejska R (2014). "Tea and health--a review of the current state of knowledge". Przegl Epidemiol (Review) 68 (3): 501–6, 595–9. PMID 25391016.
  9. ^ Food and Drug Administration (24 February 2011). "Summary of Qualified Health Claims Subject to Enforcement Discretion". Retrieved 9 October 2014.
  10. ^ National Cancer Institute (Reviewed 17 November 2010). "Tea and Cancer Prevention: Strengths and Limits of the Evidence". Retrieved 20 March 2012.  Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ a b Johnson R, Bryant S, Huntley AL (December 2012). "Green tea and green tea catechin extracts: an overview of the clinical evidence". Maturitas (Review) 73 (4): 280–7. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2012.08.008. PMID 22986087. Green tea consumption does help reduce body weight and aid weight management as shown in short term RCTs (12 weeks) but not to a clinically relevant level.
  12. ^ Wang W, Yang Y, Zhang W, Wu W (April 2014). "Association of tea consumption and the risk of oral cancer: a meta-analysis". Oral Oncol (Meta-Analysis) 50 (4): 276–81. doi:10.1016/j.oraloncology.2013.12.014. PMID 24389399.
  13. ^ Wang Y, Yu X, Wu Y, Zhang D (November 2012). "Coffee and tea consumption and risk of lung cancer: a dose-response analysis of observational studies". Lung Cancer (Meta-Analysis) 78 (2): 169–70. doi:10.1016/j.lungcan.2012.08.009. PMID 22964413.
  14. ^ Zheng J, Yang B, Huang T, Yu Y, Yang J, Li D (June 2011). "Green tea and black tea consumption and prostate cancer risk: an exploratory meta-analysis of observational studies". Nutr Cancer (Meta-Analysis) 63 (5): 663–72. doi:10.1080/01635581.2011.570895. PMID 21667398.
  15. ^ Lin YW, Hu ZH, Wang X, Mao QQ, Qin J, Zheng XY, Xie LP (February 2014). "Tea consumption and prostate cancer: an updated meta-analysis". World J Surg Oncol (Meta-Analysis) 12: 38. doi:10.1186/1477-7819-12-38. PMC 3925323. PMID 24528523.
  16. ^ Zheng JS, Yang J, Fu YQ, Huang T, Huang YJ, Li D (January 2013). "Effects of green tea, black tea, and coffee consumption on the risk of esophageal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies". Nutr Cancer (Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) 65 (1): 1–16. doi:10.1080/01635581.2013.741762. PMID 23368908.
  17. ^ Shen L, Song LG, Ma H, Jin CN, Wang JA, Xiang MX (August 2012). "Tea consumption and risk of stroke: a dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies". J Zhejiang Univ Sci B (Review) 13 (8): 652–62. doi:10.1631/jzus.B1201001. PMC 3411099. PMID 22843186.
  18. ^ Larsson SC (January 2014). "Coffee, tea, and cocoa and risk of stroke". Stroke (Review) 45 (1): 309–14. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.113.003131. PMID 24326448.
  19. ^ a b c Hartley L, Flowers N, Holmes J, Clarke A, Stranges S, Hooper L, Rees K (June 2013). "Green and black tea for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease" (PDF). Cochrane Database Syst Rev (Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) 6: CD009934. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009934.pub2. PMID 23780706.
  20. ^ Liu G, Mi XN, Zheng XX, Xu YL, Lu J, Huang XH (October 2014). "Effects of tea intake on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials". Br J Nutr (Meta-Analysis) 112 (7): 1043–54. doi:10.1017/S0007114514001731. PMID 25137341.
  21. ^ M. H. Wong, K. F. Fung and H. P. Carr (2003). "Aluminium and fluoride contents of tea, with emphasis on brick tea and their health implications". Toxicology Letters 137 (12): 111–120. doi:10.1016/S0378-4274(02)00385-5. PMID 12505437.
  22. ^ Yi Lu, Wen-Fei Guo, and Xian-Qiang Yang (2004). "Fluoride Content in Tea and Its Relationship with Tea Quality". J. Agric. Food Chem. 52 (14): 4472–4476. doi:10.1021/jf0308354+S0021-8561(03)00835-5. PMID 15237954.
  23. ^ K. F. Fung, Z. Q. Zhang1, J. W. C. Wong and M. H. Wong (1999). "Fluoride contents in tea and soil from tea plantations and the release of fluoride into tea liquor during infusion". Environmental Pollution 104 (2): 197–205. doi:10.1016/S0269-7491(98)00187-0.
  24. ^ Lung SC, Cheng HW, Fu CB (2008). "Potential exposure and risk of fluoride intakes from tea drinks produced in Taiwan". J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 18 (2): 158–66. doi:10.1038/sj.jes.7500574. PMID 17410113.
  25. ^ Malinowska E, Inkielewicz I, Czarnowski W, Szefer P (2008). "Assessment of fluoride concentration and daily intake by human from tea and herbal infusions". Food Chem. Toxicol. 46 (3): 1055–61. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2007.10.039. PMID 18078704.
  26. ^ "Calls for FDA to introduce tea fluoride safety standard". Retrieved 2011-08-04.
  27. ^ Fung KF and MH Wong (2004) Application of different forms of calcium to tea soil to prevent aluminium and fluorine accumulation. J Sci Food Agric 84:1469–1477
  28. ^ Fawell, J (2006). 92 4 156319 2. WHO. ISBN 92 4 156319 2.
  29. ^ Jianyun Ruan and Ming H. Wong (2001). "Accumulation of Fluoride and Aluminium Related to Different Varieties of Tea Plant". Environmental Geochemistry and Health 23 (1): 53–63. doi:10.1023/A:1011082608631.
  30. ^ (25 July 2013) Do fluoride levels in cheap tea pose a health risk? British National Health Service "Choices, Retrieved 26 July 2013
  31. ^ Chen B, Shi HF, Wu SC (March 2014). "Tea consumption didn't modify the risk of fracture: a dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies". Diagn Pathol 9: 44. doi:10.1186/1746-1596-9-44. PMC 4017777. PMID 24588938.
  32. ^ Michael Liebman and Shawnna Murphy (2007). "Low oxalate bioavailability from black tea". Nutrition Research 27 (5): 273–278h. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2007.04.004.
  33. ^ Gene Emery, Massive tea consumption linked to kidney failure Apr 1, 2015
  34. ^ Elahe Izadi Why drinking too much iced tea caused this man’s kidneys to fail April 3, 2015
  35. ^ Bennett Alan Weinberg and Bonnie K. Bealer (2001). The World of Caffeine: The Science and Culture of the World's Most Popular Drug. Routledge. p. 228. ISBN 0-415-92722-6. Retrieved 2008-09-20.
  36. ^ M. B. Hicks, Y-H. P. Hsieh, L. N. Bell, Tea preparation and its influence on methylxanthine concentration, Food Research International 29(3-4) 325-330 (1996)
  37. ^ Graham H. N.; Green tea composition, consumption, and polyphenol chemistry; Preventive Medicine 21(3):334-50 (1992)
  38. ^ Fluoride contents in tea and soil from tea plantations and the release of fluoride into tea liquor during infusion ScienceDirect 2015-08-05
  39. ^ "Caffeine and Tea Information". Stash Tea. Retrieved 2009-07-15.
  40. ^ BDA Supports Dehydration Awareness Week with some Handy Tips (PDF). British Dietetic Association, June 2011.

External links[edit]


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Iris recognition

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Iris recognition biometric systems apply mathematical pattern-recognition techniques to images of the irises of an individual's eyes.

Iris recognition is an automated method of biometric identification that uses mathematical pattern-recognition techniques on video images of one or both of the irises of an individual's eyes, whose complex random patterns are unique, stable, and can be seen from some distance.

Retinal scanning is a different, ocular-based biometric technology that uses the unique patterns on a person's retina blood vessels and is often confused with iris recognition. Iris recognition uses video camera technology with subtle near infrared illumination to acquire images of the detail-rich, intricate structures of the iris which are visible externally. Digital templates encoded from these patterns by mathematical and statistical algorithms allow the identification of an individual or someone pretending to be that individual.[1] Databases of enrolled templates are searched by matcher engines at speeds measured in the millions of templates per second per (single-core) CPU, and with remarkably low false match rates.

Several hundred millions of persons in several countries around the world have been enrolled in iris recognition systems for convenience purposes such as passport-free automated border-crossings, and some national ID programs. A key advantage of iris recognition, besides its speed of matching and its extreme resistance to false matches, is the stability of the iris as an internal and protected, yet externally visible organ of the eye.

John Daugman, working at the University of Cambridge, England, developed and patented the first algorithms to perform iris recognition, filing for the patent in 1991.[2] He published the first papers about it and gave the first live demonstrations. The concept behind this invention, however, has a long history and today there are many active scientific contributors to this field.

In a 1953 clinical textbook, F.H. Adler[3] wrote: "In fact, the markings of the iris are so distinctive that it has been proposed to use photographs as a means of identification, instead of fingerprints." Adler referred to comments by the British ophthalmologist J.H. Doggart,[4] who in 1949 had written that: "Just as every human being has different fingerprints, so does the minute architecture of the iris exhibit variations in every subject examined. [Its features] represent a series of variable factors whose conceivable permutations and combinations are almost infinite." Later in the 1980s, two American ophthalmologists, L. Flom and A. Safir managed to patent Adler's and Doggart's conjecture that the iris could serve as a human identifier, but they had no actual algorithm or implementation to perform it and so their patent remained conjecture. The roots of this conjecture stretch back even further: in 1892 the Frenchman A. Bertillon had documented nuances in "Tableau de l'iris humain". Divination of all sorts of things based on iris patterns goes back to ancient Egypt, to Chaldea in Babylonia, and to ancient Greece, as documented in stone inscriptions, painted ceramic artefacts, and the writings of Hippocrates. (Iris divination persists today, as "iridology.")

The core theoretical idea in Daugman's algorithms is that the failure of a test of statistical independence can be a very strong basis for pattern recognition, if there is sufficiently high entropy (enough degrees-of-freedom of random variation) among samples from different classes. In 1994 he patented this basis for iris recognition and its underlying Computer Vision algorithms for image processing, feature extraction, and matching, and published them in a paper.[5] These algorithms became widely licensed through a series of companies: IriScan (a start-up founded by Flom, Safir, and Daugman), Iridian, Sarnoff, Sensar, LG-Iris, Panasonic, Oki, BI2, IrisGuard, Unisys, Sagem, Enschede, Securimetrics and L-1, now owned by French company Morpho.

With various improvements over the years, these algorithms remain today the basis of all significant public deployments of iris recognition, and they are consistently top performers in NIST tests (implementations submitted by L-1, MorphoTrust and Morpho, for whom Daugman serves as Chief Scientist for Iris Recognition). But research on many aspects of this technology and on alternative methods has exploded, and today there is a rapidly growing academic literature on optics, photonics, sensors, biology, genetics, ergonomics, interfaces, decision theory, coding, compression, protocol, security, mathematical and hardware aspects of this technology. Most flagship deployments of these algorithms have been at airports, in lieu of passport presentation, and for security screening using watch-lists. In the early years of this century, major deployments began at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport and at ten UK airport terminals allowing frequent travellers to present their iris instead of their passport, in a programme called IRIS: Iris Recognition Immigration System. Similar systems exist along the US / Canadian border, and many others. In the United Arab Emirates, all 32 air, land, and seaports deploy these algorithms to screen all persons entering the UAE requiring a visa. Because a large watch-list compiled among GCC States is exhaustively searched each time, the number of iris cross-comparison has climbed to 62 trillion in 10 years. Iris is one of three biometric identification technologies internationally standardized by ICAO for use in future passports (the other two are fingerprint and face recognition).[citation needed][when?]

Visible wavelength (VW) vs near infrared (NIR) imaging[edit]

All publicly deployed iris recognition systems acquire images of an iris while being illuminated by light in the near infrared wavelength band (NIR: 700–900 nm) of the electromagnetic spectrum. The majority of persons worldwide have "dark brown eyes", the dominant phenotype of the human population, revealing less visible texture in the VW band but appearing richly structured, like the cratered surface of the moon, in the NIR band. (Some examples are shown here.) Using the NIR spectrum also enables the blocking of corneal specular reflections from a bright ambient environment, by allowing only those NIR wavelengths from the narrow-band illuminator back into the iris camera.

Iris melanin, also known as chromophore, mainly consists of two distinct heterogeneous macromolecules, called eumelanin (brown–black) and pheomelanin (yellow–reddish),[6][7] whose absorbance at longer wavelengths in the NIR spectrum is negligible. At shorter wavelengths within the VW spectrum, however, these chromophores are excited and can yield rich patterns. Hosseini, et al.[8] provide a comparison between these two imaging modalities. An alternative feature extraction method to encode VW iris images was also introduced, which may offer an alternative approach for multi-modal biometric systems.

University of Tehran IRIS (UTIRIS) [9] image repository provides the first hybrid iris databank registered in two distinct sessions: Visible Wavelength (VW) and Near InfraRed (NIR) during 24–27 June 2007.

Visible wavelength iris image Near Infrared (NIR) version Visible Wavelength Corneal Reflections NIR Imaging Extracts Structure
Visible light reveals rich pigmentation details of an Iris by exciting Melanin, the main colouring component in the iris.
Pigmentation of the Iris is invisible at longer wavelengths in the NIR spectrum
In the visible band, the albedo of a "dark brown" iris is so low that its image is dominated by corneal specular reflections.
Even "dark brown" eyes reveal rich iris texture in the NIR band, and most corneal specular reflections can be blocked.

Operating principle[edit]

A, now obsolete, IriScan model 2100 iris recognition camera.

An iris-recognition algorithm can identify up to 200 identification points including rings, furrows and freckles within the iris.[10] First the system has to localize the inner and outer boundaries of the iris (pupil and limbus) in an image of an eye. Further subroutines detect and exclude eyelids, eyelashes, and specular reflections that often occlude parts of the iris. The set of pixels containing only the iris, normalized by a rubber-sheet model to compensate for pupil dilation or constriction, is then analyzed to extract a bit pattern encoding the information needed to compare two iris images.

In the case of Daugman's algorithms, a Gabor wavelet transform is used. The result is a set of complex numbers that carry local amplitude and phase information about the iris pattern. In Daugman's algorithms, most amplitude information is discarded, and the 2048 bits representing an iris pattern consist of phase information (complex sign bits of the Gabor wavelet projections). Discarding the amplitude information ensures that the template remains largely unaffected by changes in illumination or camera gain (contrast), and contributes to the long-term usability of the biometric template.

For identification (one-to-many template matching) or verification (one-to-one template matching),[11] a template created by imaging an iris is compared to stored template(s) in a database. If the Hamming distance is below the decision threshold, a positive identification has effectively been made because of the statistical extreme improbability that two different persons could agree by chance ("collide") in so many bits, given the high entropy of iris templates.

The iris of the eye has been described as the ideal part of the human body for biometric identification for several reasons:

It is an internal organ that is well protected against damage and wear by a highly transparent and sensitive membrane (the cornea). This distinguishes it from fingerprints, which can be difficult to recognize after years of certain types of manual labor. The iris is mostly flat, and its geometric configuration is only controlled by two complementary muscles (the sphincter pupillae and dilator pupillae) that control the diameter of the pupil. This makes the iris shape far more predictable than, for instance, that of the face.

The iris has a fine texture that—like fingerprints—is determined randomly during embryonic gestation. Like the fingerprint, it is very hard (if not impossible) to prove that the iris is unique. However, there are so many factors that go into the formation of these textures (the iris and fingerprint) that the chance of false matches for either is extremely low. Even genetically identical individuals (and the left and right eyes of the same individual) have completely independent iris textures. An iris scan is similar to taking a photograph and can be performed from about 10 cm to a few meters away. There is no need for the person being identified to touch any equipment that has recently been touched by a stranger, thereby eliminating an objection that has been raised in some cultures against fingerprint scanners, where a finger has to touch a surface, or retinal scanning, where the eye must be brought very close to an eyepiece (like looking into a microscope).[12]

The commercially deployed iris-recognition algorithm, John Daugman's IrisCode, has an unprecedented false match rate (better than 10−11 if a Hamming distance threshold of 0.26 is used, meaning that up to 26% of the bits in two IrisCodes are allowed to disagree due to imaging noise, reflections, etc., while still declaring them to be a match).[13] While there are some medical and surgical procedures that can affect the colour and overall shape of the iris, the fine texture remains remarkably stable over many decades. Some iris identifications have succeeded over a period of about 30 years.

Iris recognition works with clear contact lenses, eyeglasses, and non-mirrored sunglasses.

Many commercial iris scanners can be easily fooled by a high quality image of an iris or face in place of the real thing.[citation needed] The scanners are often tough to adjust and can become bothersome for multiple people of different heights to use in succession. The accuracy of scanners can be affected by changes in lighting. Iris scanners are significantly more expensive than some other forms of biometrics, as well as password and proximity card security systems.

Iris scanning is a relatively new technology and is incompatible with the very substantial investment that the law enforcement and immigration authorities of some countries have already made into fingerprint recognition. Iris recognition is very difficult to perform at a distance larger than a few meters and if the person to be identified is not cooperating by holding the head still and looking into the camera. However, several academic institutions and biometric vendors are developing products that claim to be able to identify subjects at distances of up to 10 meters ("Standoff Iris" or "Iris at a Distance" as well as SRI International's "Iris on the Move" for persons walking at speeds up to 1 meter/sec).[12][14]

As with other photographic biometric technologies, iris recognition is susceptible to poor image quality, with associated failure to enroll rates. As with other identification infrastructure (national residents databases, ID cards, etc.), civil rights activists have voiced concerns that iris-recognition technology might help governments to track individuals beyond their will. Researchers have tricked iris scanners using images generated from digital codes of stored irises. Criminals could exploit this flaw to steal the identities of others.[15]

The first study on surgical patients involved modern cataract surgery and showed that it can change iris texture in such a way that iris pattern recognition is no longer feasible or the probability of falsely rejected subjects is increased.[16]

Security considerations[edit]

As with most other biometric identification technology, a still not satisfactorily solved[according to whom?] problem with iris recognition is the problem of live-tissue verification. The reliability of any biometric identification depends on ensuring that the signal acquired and compared has actually been recorded from a live body part of the person to be identified and is not a manufactured template. Many commercially available iris-recognition systems are easily fooled by presenting a high-quality photograph of a face instead of a real face[citation needed], which makes such devices unsuitable for unsupervised applications, such as door access-control systems. The problem of live-tissue verification is less of a concern in supervised applications (e.g., immigration control), where a human operator supervises the process of taking the picture.

Methods that have been suggested to provide some defence against the use of fake eyes and irises include changing ambient lighting during the identification (switching on a bright lamp), such that the pupillary reflex can be verified and the iris image be recorded at several different pupil diameters; analysing the 2D spatial frequency spectrum of the iris image for the peaks caused by the printer dither patterns found on commercially available fake-iris contact lenses; analysing the temporal frequency spectrum of the image for the peaks caused by computer displays.

Other methods include using spectral analysis instead of merely monochromatic cameras to distinguish iris tissue from other material; observing the characteristic natural movement of an eyeball (measuring nystagmus, tracking eye while text is read, etc.); testing for retinal retroreflection (red-eye effect) or for reflections from the eye's four optical surfaces (front and back of both cornea and lens) to verify their presence, position and shape. Another proposed method is to use 3D imaging (e.g., stereo cameras) to verify the position and shape of the iris relative to other eye features.

A 2004 report by the German Federal Office for Information Security noted that none of the iris-recognition systems commercially available at the time implemented any live-tissue verification technology. Like any pattern-recognition technology, live-tissue verifiers will have their own false-reject probability and will therefore further reduce the overall probability that a legitimate user is accepted by the sensor.

Deployed applications[edit]

IrisGuard Inc. UAE Enrollment Station
  • United Arab Emirates IrisGuard's Homeland Security Border Control has been operating an expellee tracking system in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since 2001, when the UAE launched a national border-crossing security initiative. Today, all of the UAE's land, air and sea ports of entry are equipped with systems. All foreign nationals who possess a visa to enter the UAE are processed through iris cameras installed at all primary and auxiliary immigration inspection points. To date, the system has apprehended over 330,000 persons re-entering the UAE with fraudulent travel documents.[citation needed]
  • Aadhaar, by far the most breathtaking deployment, began operation in 2011 in India, whose government is enrolling the iris patterns (and other biometrics) of all 1.2 billion citizens for the Aadhaar scheme for entitlements distribution, run by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).[17] This programme enrolls about one million persons every day, across 36,000 stations operated by 83 agencies. By mid 2014, the number of persons enrolled exceeded 650 million, with each new enrollee being compared to all existing ones for de-duplication checks (hence 650 trillion, i.e. 650 million-million, iris cross-comparisons per day). Its purpose is to issue each citizen a biometrically provable unique entitlement number (Aadhaar) by which benefits may be claimed, and social inclusion enhanced; thus the slogan of UIDAI is: "To give the poor an identity."*
  • Police forces across America planned to start using BI2 Technologies' mobile MORIS (Mobile Offender Recognition and Information System) in 2012. New York City Police Department was the first, installed in Manhattan fall of 2010.[18]
  • Iris recognition technology has been implemented by BioID Technologies SA in Pakistan for UNHCR repatriation project to control aid distribution for Afghan refugees. Refugees are repatriated by UNHCR in cooperation with Government of Pakistan, and they are paid for their travel. To make sure people do not get paid more than once, their irises are scanned, and the system will detect the refugees on next attempt. The database has more than 1.3 million iris code templates and around 4000 registrations per day. The one-to-many iris comparison takes place within 1.5 seconds against 1.3 million iris codes.
  • At Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Netherlands, iris recognition has permitted expedited, passport-free border security passing since 2001 through the Privium program.[19]
  • Canadian Air Transport Security Authority's Restricted Area Identity Card (RAIC) program is the world's first dual-biometric program deployed around major Canadian airports for staff and aircrews to access the restricted areas using separate channels from passengers.[20][21]
  • In a number of US and Canadian airports, as part of the NEXUS program that facilitates entry into the US and Canada for pre-approved, low-risk travelers.[citation needed]
  • In several Canadian airports, as part of the CANPASS Air program that facilitates entry into Canada for pre-approved, low-risk air travelers.[22]
A U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant uses an iris scanner to positively identify a member of the Baghdadi city council prior to a meeting with local tribal leaders, sheiks, community leaders and U.S. service members.
  • UK's Iris Recognition Immigration System, which started operating in 2004 but which was closed to new registrations in 2011 and which has been phased out in 2012 and 2013.[23][24][25]
  • Used in 2002 to verify the recognition of the "Afghan Girl" (Sharbat Gula) by National Geographic photographer Steve McCurry.[26]
  • Since at least 2011, Google uses iris scanners to control access to their datacentres.[27]
  • In 2010, Leon, Mexico, deployed iris scanners in public spaces, that can identify up to fifty people at once.[28]
  • On May 10, 2011, Hoyos Group demonstrated a device called EyeLock using iris-recognition as an alternative to passwords to log people into password-protected Web sites and applications, like Facebook or eBay.[29]
  • SRI International Sarnoff has been developing an "Iris on the Move" system and set of products, primarily for U.S. Government clients, capable of identifying 30 people per minute.[14] Most recently, they have specialized in a product where drivers can be identified without needing to leave their vehicle.[30]
  • M2SYS Technology has deployed their RightPatient™ biometric patient identification system using iris recognition at 11 Novant Health hospitals in the Charlotte and Winston-Salem markets. The RightPatient™ iris biometric patient identification system is designed to capture both the face and the iris pattern of patients and uniquely link them to their electronic medical record.[31]

Iris recognition in television and movies[edit]

  • I Origins (2014), a Hollywood film by writer-director Mike Cahill and winner of the Alfred Sloan Award for best exposition of technology (2014 Sundance Film Festival), uses iris recognition for its core plot. Culminating in India with the UIDAI project to encode and enroll the iris patterns of all 1.2 billion Indian citizens by the end of 2015, the film is described as a "science fiction love story incorporating spiritualism and reincarnation", seeking to reconcile science with religious spirit-world beliefs.
  • Steven Spielberg's 2002 science fiction film Minority Report depicts a society in which what appears to be a form of iris recognition has become daily practice. The principal character undergoes an eye transplant in order to change his identity but continues to use his original eyes to gain access to restricted locations.[32]
  • In The Island (2005), a clone character played by Ewan McGregor uses his eye to gain access through a security door in the home of his DNA donor.
  • The Simpsons Movie (2007) features a scene that illustrates the difficulty of image acquisition in iris recognition.[33]
  • The TV series Numb3rs, features a scene where a robber gets into the CalSci facility by cracking the code assigned to a specific iris.
  • NCIS uses an iris scanner in the garage, where forensic vehicle investigations are carried out and evidence is stored. There is another scanner at the entrance to MTAC. The sequence of Leroy Jethro Gibbs being verified is shown in the title sequence. The imagery for this sequence has been "enhanced" using special effects. Iris recognition systems do not use the laser like beams shown in the sequence and the light that they do use is near-infrared and nearly invisible.

See also[edit]

  1. ^ Zetter, Kim (2012-07-25). "Reverse-Engineered Irises Look So Real, They Fool Eye-Scanners". Wired Magazine. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  2. ^ "Research Excellence Framework". Research Excellence Framework. Iris Recognition. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  3. ^ Adler, F.H., Physiology of the Eye (Chapter VI, page 143), Mosby (1953)
  4. ^ Doggart, J.H., Ocular Signs in Slit-Lamp Microscopy, Kimpton (1949), page 27
  5. ^ Daugman, J., "High confidence visual recognition of persons by a test of statistical independence", IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence, 15 (11), pp 1148-1161 (1993)
  6. ^ Liu Y, Simon JD (February 2005). "Metal-ion interactions and the structural organization of Sepia eumelanin". Pigment Cell Res. 18 (1): 42–8. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0749.2004.00197.x. PMID 15649151.
  7. ^ Meredith P, Sarna T (December 2006). "The physical and chemical properties of eumelanin". Pigment Cell Res. 19 (6): 572–94. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0749.2006.00345.x. PMID 17083485.
  8. ^ Hosseini, M.S.; Araabi, B.N.; Soltanian-Zadeh, H. (April 2010). "Pigment Melanin: Pattern for Iris Recognition". IEEE Trans Instrum Meas 59 (4): 792–804. doi:10.1109/TIM.2009.2037996.
  9. ^ Hosseini, M.S.; Araabi, B.N.; Soltanian-Zadeh, H. "University of Tehran IRIS (UTIRIS) Databank".
  10. ^ HRSID Iris Recognition | "more than 200 points that can be used for comparison, including rings, furrows and freckles"
  11. ^ HRSID Iris Recognition | "rapid and reliable searches in both 1 to 1 (verification) and 1 to many (identification)"
  12. ^ a b Martin, Zach (2011-03-23). "Biometric Trends: Will emerging modalities and mobile applications bring mass adoption?". SecureIDNews. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
  13. ^ "Probing the uniqueness and randomness of IrisCodes: Results from 200 billion iris pair comparisons." Proceedings of the IEEE, vol. 94 (11), 2006, pp. 1927-1935.
  14. ^ a b Terdiman, Daniel (2011-05-05). "SRI shows the benefits of shrinking tech". CNET. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
  15. ^ "Iris scanners 'can be tricked'".
  16. ^ R. Roizenblatt, P. Schor et al. Iris recognition as a biometric method after cataract surgery. Biomed Eng Online. 2004; 3: 2
  17. ^
  18. ^ "Police to begin iPhone iris scans amid privacy concerns". Reuters. 2011-07-20.
  19. ^ "Iris scans at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol". Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
  20. ^ "Restricted area identity card".
  21. ^ "Backgrounder". Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA).
  22. ^ CANPASS Air
  23. ^ "IRIS".
  24. ^ "Manchester Airport eye scanners scrapped over delays". Manchester Evening News.
  25. ^ "Airport eye scanners to be reviewed". The Press Association.
  26. ^ Daugman, John. "How the Afghan Girl was Identified by Her Iris Patterns". University of Cambridge. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
  27. ^ "Google data center security". Google. 2011-04-13. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
  28. ^ Saylor, Michael (2012). The Mobile Wave: How Mobile Intelligence Will Change Everything. Perseus Books/Vanguard Press. p. 98. ISBN 978-1593157203.
  29. ^ Whitney, Lance (2011-05-12). "Iris recognition gadget eliminates passwords". CNET. Retrieved 2011-05-12.
  30. ^ "SRI International Sarnoff launches iris biometric vehicle access control system". Biometric Update. 2013-04-10. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
  31. ^ "Novant’s new iris scan connects patients to records".
  32. ^ Dolmetsch, Chris (2011-02-01). "'Minority Report' May Come to Real World With Iris Recognition". Bloomberg L.P. Retrieved 2013-07-14.
  33. ^ Daugman, John. "Iris Recognition and "The Simpsons Movie"". University of Cambridge. Retrieved 2013-07-15.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]


text:
Killzone 3

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Killzone 3
European cover art of Killzone 3
European cover art
Developer(s) Guerrilla Games
Publisher(s) Sony Computer Entertainment
Director(s) Mathijs de Jonge
Composer(s) Joris de Man
Series Killzone
Engine Havok (game physics)
Platform(s) PlayStation 3
Release date(s)
  • NA February 22, 2011[1]
  • JP February 24, 2011
  • EU February 25, 2011[2]
  • AUS February 25, 2011
Genre(s) First-person shooter
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Killzone 3 is a 2011 first-person shooter video game for the PlayStation 3, developed by Guerrilla Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. It is the fourth installment in the Killzone series, the first game in the series to be presented in stereoscopic 3D, and the first to include motion controls using the PlayStation Move. It was released worldwide in February 2011.[1][2]

Visari, the leader of the Helghast, is dead, but the war is far from over. Helghast forces have mounted a devastating counterattack, prompting the ISA (Interplanetary Strategic Alliance) to smoke out evacuation of planet Helghan. As new Helghast battalions appear, armed with more powerful weapons, ISA forces find themselves outmanned, outgunned and surrounded. Players of Killzone 3 will need to learn more about their enemy and use new tools to continue the fight.

The game begins in medias res from the point of view of two Helghast soldiers who have arrived at Stahl Arms Corporation, Jorhan Stahl's weapons factory. The two are taken to a room where the captured Jason Narville's execution is about to be broadcast by Stahl across Helghan. As the two soldiers are about to execute Narville, they reveal themselves as Tomas "Sev" Sevchenko and Rico Velasquez and the scene cuts back six months earlier, immediately following the events of Killzone 2.

Sev and Rico regroup with Captain Jason Narville outside Scolar Visari's palace and they begin their evacuation towards the remaining ISA ships on Helghan. They face heavy resistance from organised Helghan troops led by Admiral Orlock, whose battle plan is well received by most of the senate except for Jorhan Stahl, the chairman of Stahl Arms, the largest weapons manufacturer on Helghan. From the outset, the animosity between the two parties is made apparent. Rico receives a transmission from Jammer and separates from the group to rescue her squad who have encountered heavy resistance. Due to a poorly-engineered evacuation a few ISA ships are unable to depart, separating Rico from Sev and the rest of the ISA forces, and leaving all of them marooned on Helghan.

Jumping six months forward, the Helghast senate expresses their disappointment with Orlock's search for the remaining ISA forces, since he had initially promised that they would be dead within the hour. One of the senators suggests relieving Orlock and replacing him with Stahl, but is refused. As a result Stahl refuses to deliver his weapon prototype and other resources (Stahl Arms itself) to the military as long as Orlock is in charge, citing the Admiral as incompetent. Stahl organizes his private army to hunt down the ISA who are hiding in a Helghast jungle. Narville dispatches Sev along with a soldier named Kowalski to retrieve a satellite uplink in order to contact the Vektan government. Upon doing so, Earth Command informs Sev and Narville that the ISA has agreed to a cease-fire and that they are to surrender so their release can be negotiated. The Helghast soon track the ISA in the jungle, ending with their capture and the death of Kowalski after a brutal battle.

Rico and his men, including Jammer, who have been separated from the main group for six months, are able to rescue Sev, who convinces them to save Narville and the rest of the captured ISA forces. They track them to Stahl's base and discover a horrifying new weapon using irradiated Petrusite, a compound that causes its victims to explode. Disguised as Narville's executioners, Sev and Rico rescue Narville in addition to freeing some of their men who were held as prisoners of war and used as test subjects for Stahl's new weapons. On their way out, Rico and Sev discover Stahl's plan to destroy Earth, the most powerful military force and the leading imperial force which colonized all the other worlds; their downfall would allow the Helghast to dominate and reclaim all the other colonies.

Embarrassed by Stahl's failure to execute Narville, the senate chooses to vote Orlock as Helghan's new Autarch and he orders Stahl to transfer his new weapons to the Helghast military. Stahl is made to confront Orlock at the space station where he plans to assassinate Stahl. After a grueling ground battle with the Helghast forces, remaining ISA soldiers arrive at the orbital elevator and use it to ride up to the space station.

On the station, Stahl turns on Orlock, destroying his fleet and murdering him after a brief duel, and makes preparations to bombard Earth. The remaining ISA forces hijack two fighters and Sev manages to shoot down Stahl's cruiser. Unwilling to let Stahl escape the cruiser, he drops a nuke on the falling cruiser, detonating the Petrusite weapons it was carrying above Helghan's atmosphere. The Petrusite engulfs the entire planet and wipes out almost everything on its surface. Jammer then reports that Helghan has gone dark, with not a single communication being heard. Sev contemplates on the many lives on the planet obliterated by the Petrusite.

In a mid-credits scene, two Helghast soldiers are searching through some ruins when they come across an escape pod. Though the occupant's identity is not revealed, both soldiers bow and say, "Welcome home, sir", implying that Stahl survived and managed to escape his cruiser before it was destroyed.

  • Andrew Bowen as Sergeant Thomas 'Sev' Sevchenko. The main protagonist, Sev, along with Rico and Narville, lead the resistance against the Helghans.
  • Charles Everett as Sergeant Ricardo 'Rico' Velasquez. Rico, along with Sev and Narville, helps lead the resistance against the Helghans and forms his own squad with Jammer, the Raiders, while stranded for six months on Helghan after being separated from Sev and the other ISA forces.
  • James Remar as Captain Jason Narville. Captain of the stranded ISA forces on Helghan.
  • Brian Cox as Scolar Visari. The dead Autarch of Helghan. Though absent in the game, he is seen and speaks during the intro (as in every game) in a scene which occurred before the nuclear explosion during Killzone 2.
  • Ray Winstone as Admiral Orlock. One of the two main antagonist, Orlock is the hot-tempered and strict commander in chief of the Helghan military and soon becomes its autarch.
  • Malcolm McDowell as Jorhan Brimve Stahl. One of the two main antagonists, Stahl is the CEO of Stahl Arms, a weapons factory, he seeks to become Helghans new autarch as he believes Orlock is a nothing more than a miserable excuse of an officer. He also holds little respect for the Helghan military as he looks at the soldiers as "fat", "lazy" and "careless" oafs among other qualities.
  • La'Myia Good as Jammer. A resourceful female ISA soldier.
  • Mac Brandt as Kowalski. An ISA soldier who helps Sev through the Kaznan Jungle.
  • Mark Engelhardt as Hooper. A rookie ISA soldier who helps in take down Stahls cruiser before the nuke is dropped on it.
  • Rob Brownstein as Bradshaw

A screenshot showing the new Arctic environments of the game.

The gameplay strongly resembles that of Killzone 2 albeit with several tweaks and changes. Similar to the first Killzone, the game takes place in various harsh environments such as Arctic landscapes, a lethal alien jungle, nuclear wastelands as well as space battles rather than only the city-scape environments which were present in Killzone 2. Another notable new feature is the ability to use jet packs in the game, which were also used in Killzone: Liberation.

The game also features a revamped close combat melee system (called Brutal Melee) which includes new brutal melee attacks as well as the ability to string together multiple attacks in a combo. A new weapon called the WASP has also been added, which acts as a multi-firing rocket launcher firing in spiral formation.[3]

Online multiplayer of Killzone 3 supports three different game modes: Guerilla Warfare, Warzone, and Operations. "Guerilla Warfare" is a classic team death match style game that supports up to 16 players per map for each map that supports this mode. "Warzone", returning from Killzone 2's multiplayer, is an objective based game (seven objectives: "Body Count", "Capture and Hold", "Search and Retrieve", and two rounds of "Assassination" and "Search and Destroy" respectively) that supports up to 24 players per map for each map that supports this mode. What sets "Warzone" apart from other games in the genre is the way that each objective is used. Rather than having each game type be its own separate mode, the objectives cycle randomly during the course of gameplay without ever interrupting the match. Each game type comes up with a timer, and when the timer ends or the objective is completed the winning team is awarded that "round" and the match continues until all 7 rounds have been completed. Each warzone match is decided in a "best of 7" manner and since players continue to play and fight for control of strategic points on the map, there is a substantial continuous metagame of territory control present throughout every match. This is exemplified further by the addition of "Tactical Spawn Areas" in Killzone 3 (a change from the spawn grenades of Killzone 2) where certain spawn locations need to be fought over and are better for some of the objectives than they are for others so a teams tacticians must decide which ones are needed for the current objective, as well as weighing the possibility of what future objectives may come up and the risk involved with capturing and maintaining them.

"Operations" is a new game mode that features cinematic scenes and supports up to 16 players per map for each map that supports this mode. In Operations, the ISA and the Helghast battle for control of specific objectives - the ISA on the offensive and the Helghast on defense. The best players are featured throughout the match in cutscenes depicting their successes.[4]

Killzone 3 also supports offline split-screen co-operation for two players, which allows two players using the same console to play the campaign of Killzone 3 offline. This is a feature not present in Killzone 2. This is the only mode that supports offline split-screen multiplayer in Killzone 3. There is also an offline multiplayer mode named 'BotZone' in which players can play against computer bots.[5]

There are a total of eight multiplayer maps on the disk, including Corinth Highway, Pyrrhus Crater, Bilgarsk Boulevard, Turbine Concourse SE-6, Frozen Dam, Akmir Snowdrift, Mawlr Graveyard, and Kaznan Jungle. Guerilla Warfare mode is supported on the Pyrrhus Crater, Bilgarsk Boulevard, Frozen Dam, Akmir Snowdrift, and Kaznan Jungle maps. Warzone mode is supported on all maps except the Kaznan Jungle map. Operations mode is supported on the Frozen Dam, Akmir Snowdrift, and Mawlr Graveyard maps.

A new feature to Killzone multiplayer for Killzone 3 is the ability to use vehicle-like mechanisms: the jet packs and Exos (each available on one game disc map respectively). The jet packs are exclusive to the Turbine Concourse SE-6 map while the Exos, as well as the WASP rocket launcher created by the Engineer, are only available on the Corinth Highway map. Another new feature is the ability to use Mortar Beacons, which can be used if a Tactician captures a tactical spawn point from which the Mortar Beacons are found. Mortar Beacons are featured on the Corinth Highway, Pyrrhus Crater, Bilgarsk Boulevard, Frozen Dam, and Mawlr Graveyard maps. Miniguns can be created by the Engineer on the Pyrrhus Crater, Bilgarsk Boulevard, and Turbine Concourse SE-6 maps. A snowstorm is featured on the Akmir Snowdrift map and a crusher (which the player can control) is featured in the Mawlr Graveyard.[6]

There are a total of five classes for players to choose from: Marksman, Engineer, Field Medic, Tactician, and Infiltrator. Each class has his own special abilities and weapons, such as disguise for the Infiltrator or cloaking for the Marksman. Unlike Killzone 2, players may choose any class from the start, however, they must earn Unlock Points to upgrade the abilities and to gain more weapons for each class (Unlock Points are awarded by ranking up). Each class's abilities can be upgraded twice, and they can unlock two additional primary weapons, one or two additional secondary weapons, and/or one heavy weapon (e.g. rocket launcher) depending on class. Other abilities, such as armor or silent footsteps, are earned based on obtaining a certain rank in multiplayer and can be used on any class. Ribbons (e.g. Faster Reload, Faster Aim, Double XP, etc.) are earned in-game based upon a certain achievement required by the ribbon and only apply to that particular match and must be re-earned each match.[7]

The points system has also been updated where one kill equals 100 points, as opposed to one kill equaling 1 point in Killzone 2. Other updates to the points system include Assist kills (25 points), destroying Bots (50 points), Explosive kills (150 points), objective based points (e.g. 600 points for completely assassinating the assassination target in Assassination), Double and Triple kills and kill streaks (3, 5, 10, etc.).

Players can purchase a standalone version of Killzone 3 's multiplayer from the PlayStation Store which includes all online multiplayer game modes, all original maps, and all DLC maps, as well as BotZone.

The game was officially unveiled to the public by Sony Computer Entertainment on May 24, 2010 through the PlayStation.Blog.[8] The game was first leaked to the public on May 21, 2010 through an early release copy of the June issue of gaming magazine GamePro alongside a leaked screenshot.[9] Rumors about a sequel to the Killzone series have been around since just shortly after the release of Killzone 2.[10][11] It was not until March 20, 2010 that Sony officially confirmed that they were working on Killzone 3. President of Sony Computer Entertainment America, Jack Tretton, confirmed its development in an interview with GameTrailers, but at that point of time could not yet say when the game would be officially announced.[12]

Guerrilla's managing director, Herman Hulst, has stated Killzone 3 will use close to 100% of the PlayStation 3's power.[13] The rumors of the intervention of Naughty Dog in the development were denied by Guerrilla: "Guerrilla is working on Killzone 3 's graphics engine all on its own, confirming Naughty Dog has no hand in its development".[14] The first teaser trailer for the game was released on June 3, 2010 and features the new brutal melee combat system. The cinematic trailer shows Sev battling a Helghast ending with him taking the Helghast's helmet and putting it on himself.[15] The single player demo reveals that this is part of the game as Sev and Rico dress as Helghast to infiltrate a Helghast facility at Stahl Arms.

On June 11, 2010 on and the U.S. PlayStation Blog, Guerrilla Games released a pre-E3 gameplay video. Guerrilla said the gameplay video is made of gameplay footage pulled straight from the game's fourth mission called "Frozen Shores".[16] At E3 2010, it was confirmed that Killzone 3 would support the PlayStation Move and would be released in February 2011. A pre-alpha code gameplay video was also shown at E3 in 3D; a special screen was lowered and the audience had 3D glasses available to them. The E3 gameplay video featured the jet packs as well as the player riding on a craft using a turret.

Guerrilla Games game director, Mathijs de Jonge, has been chatting about the merits of swearing in games, and with Killzone 3 he feels the studio have got just the right amount. "In Killzone 2 we ended up with too much of it, Killzone 3 swearing 'a lot more impactful'." he told Edge.[17] Tommy de Roos, principal programmer at Guerrilla Games, who headed development for Move with Killzone 3, has said that he thinks "Most [first-person shooter] games will be played with motion control in a few years."[18]

Killzone 3 takes up a full dual-layer Blu-ray disc.[19]

According to Guerilla Games, Killzone 3 's story is more light-hearted compared to its predecessor, which Guerrilla felt suffered from an overly serious and dark story which was one of the major complaints of the original, though they mentioned that it would not be too light-hearted as it is still a war. In addition, Guerrilla Games hired an external writer to focus on only writing the storyline so as to give a fresh perspective to the story as well as hiring a lot more Hollywood actors to elevate the level of storytelling within the dialogue of the game (such as Malcolm McDowell voicing Jorhan Stahl and Ray Winstone voicing Admiral Orlock).[20]

Guerrilla Games also mentioned that the game's story will be an integral part of the game with dialogue and character development being greatly improved from its predecessor.[8] In addition, Guerrilla Games also stated that they are curtailing the swearing in Killzone 3, which many felt was unnecessary in the dialogue of Killzone 2. They mentioned that the dialogue in the game should be focused on advancing the story rather than "gratuitous" swearing.[21]

The Killzone 3 Multiplayer Closed Beta began on October 12, 2010 for select participants of the Killzone community. The Killzone 3 Multiplayer Open Beta began on October 25, 2010. A limited 5,000 PlayStation Plus subscribers from SCEA[22] and 10,000 PlayStation Plus subscribers from SCEE[23] could gain access to the beta by downloading the Killzone 3 XMB theme (released on October 13 and 19, 2010 for SCEE and SCEA respectively). Selected participants were notified by email with a redeem code to access the beta. This beta was to test gameplay only and did not support PlayStation Move or 3D capabilities.

The official Twitter page for Killzone selected 300 Twitter subscribers (150 from SCEE and SCEA territories respectively) to participate in the open beta between October 19 and October 22, 2010.[24] On November 7, 2010, the beta was expanded inviting 5,000 more PlayStation Plus subscribers from SCEE and SCEA territories. Instead of email distribution, these redeem codes were sent out via PlayStation Network messages.[25] This beta ended prior to the end of 2010.

On January 21, 2011, it was announced that the Killzone 3 Multiplayer Open Beta will be available for download on the PlayStation Network on February 2 in North America and February 3 in Europe through February 14, 2011.[26] On February 1, however, it was announced that the North American open beta was delayed until February 3 and "to make it up", Sony ran a sweepstakes to giveaway 60 Killzone 3 Limited Helghast Editions (not sold in stores) to US players who participated in the open beta from February 4 through February 6.[27] The Beta offered early access to the 'Frozen Dam' multiplayer level, including all three online multiplayer modes - Guerrilla Warfare, Warzone and Operations - as well as the offline multiplayer mode, Botzone.[28][29]

On February 9, 2011, it was reported that over 58 million kills have been made, 10% of that being Brutal Melee kills, with 350,000 games already played.[30]

Due to the high response of the first Killzone 3 Limited Helghast Edition sweepstakes giveaway, Sony ran another sweepstakes, giving away 60 more Limited Helghast Editions from February 11 through February 13, 2011 in the U.S., with five Canadian participants also chosen.[30]

The Killzone 3 single player demo was released in North America on February 15 and in Europe on February 16, 2011 (with early access for PlayStation Plus members on February 8 and February 9 in North America and Europe respectively). It's available as two separate downloads from the PlayStation Store: one in 2D and one in 3D. The 2D version features splitscreen co-op, which is not supported in the 3D demo. Both versions of the demo are PlayStation Move-enabled and both versions of the demo take place on a modified version of the "Icy Incursion" level.[31][32]

3D support[edit]

Killzone 3 includes a mode that supports Sony's plunge into 3D gaming. The Killzone 3 3D mode is optional and requires a 3D ready TV [33] The first impressions of the 3D showed some glitches; with three-dimensional visual effects, the game became blurry, imprecise, and disorienting. In alpha version, 3D sacrificed things like sharpness, speed, a feeling of orientation[34] and a lot more aliasing. Jagged edges as well as some ghosting of interface elements[35] are reported to occur.

At E3 2010, it was revealed that Killzone 3 was built with 3D support from the ground up. In praise of the game's 3D capabilities, GameTrailers awarded the title Best 3D Graphics of E3 2010,[36] although officially, it did not have any nominations at E3 2010.[37] The E3 2010 trailer resolution is half the horizontal resolution of the 2D game, with the whole image (including HUD) scaled up using the PS3 hardware scaler and render the vision of a single eye.[38]

Release and marketing[edit]

Killzone 3 was released on February 22, 2011 in North America, February 23 in Europe, and February 25 in the United Kingdom. 7-Eleven offered exclusive downloadable content for Killzone 3 in exchange for Slurpee purchases in stores in the U.S. which ran from February 2011 to the end of March 2011. 7-Eleven also featured Killzone 3 themed Slurpee cups, in addition to an exclusive Killzone flavor, "Battle Fuel" (a chilling orange flavor). Each Slurpee cup bore a unique code, allowing a download for Killzone 3 content (and other Slurpee rewards), such as content for PlayStation Home (the Helghast "Capture Trooper" and "Jason Narville I.S.A." costumes and a "Slurpee Machine"), the Retro Map Pack, the "Unlock and Load Pack", two PS3 XMB Themes (standard and Dynamic), a PC wallpaper, and an exclusive behind-the-scenes video.[39][40][41]

All early copies of Killzone 3 (including both the standalone and Helghast Editions) included a redeemable voucher for the SOCOM 4 multiplayer beta.[42]

Walmart hosted a midnight launch event. The first 20 players who purchased Killzone 3 received a limited edition Killzone 3 poster and a voucher for the Retro Map Pack. Select Walmart stores also hosted tournaments where players could win a copy of Killzone 3, a limited edition Cloaking Helghast Marksman action figure, and collectible Killzone 3 bags.[43] GameStop also had a midnight launch event.

A limited edition Killzone 3 PlayStation 3 bundle was released on February 22, 2011 in North America, which includes a 160GB PlayStation 3 and a copy of Killzone 3.[44]

On February 28, 2012, to celebrate Killzone 3 's one-year anniversary, Guerilla Games released a standalone version of Killzone 3 's multiplayer on the PlayStation Store titled Killzone 3 Multiplayer. It includes the Guerrilla Warfare, Warzone, and Operations game modes, as well as the original Killzone 3 maps and all Killzone 3 DLC maps. Users can also try it for free until they've reached the rank of Sergeant I. Players who purchase Killzone 3 Multiplayer are also granted a 24-hour double XP bonus, three unlock points, the ability to set up clans and custom games, and access to the Botzone mode, as well as the addition of four exclusive trophies.[45]

Retail editions[edit]

Alongside the standard edition of the game, there are several other versions of the game exclusive to certain countries and/or regions around the world. All of the special edition versions of the game are sold in limited quantities and contain a copy of the game as standard or special packaging.

The contents of the North American Killzone 3 Helghast Edition.
The contents of the European/Australian Killzone 3 Helghast Edition.

The Helghast Edition is exclusive to North America, Europe and Australia.[46] The Helghast Edition for North America comes with an authentic "Helghast Helmet" replica (which opens to reveal an art book, a copy of Killzone 3, and the Super Voucher in the Killzone 3 game case) and a "Cloaking Helghast Marksman" action figure (6.5” tall with multiple articulation points and will not be sold at retail; created by DC Unlimited). The art book is a 100-page hardbound art book featuring imagery from the Killzone universe.[47] The Helghast Edition for Europe and Australia includes all of the content of the North American version, however, the Super Voucher is replaced with the PSN Voucher and the copy of Killzone 3 is in a SteelBook Collector's Edition case.[48]

Both the Super Voucher and the PSN Voucher include all of the same content. Both vouchers include the Killzone 3 soundtrack, Killzone 3 Behind the Scenes (bonus video content giving a look at the making of the game), an exclusive PS3 dynamic theme, the "Retro Map Pack: Reclaimed Territory", double XP for the first 24 hours of multiplayer gameplay, and full access to all weapons and abilities during the first 24 hours of multiplayer gameplay (the 24 hours begins upon redemption of voucher and counts down regardless of player being online or offline).[46][49]

The Collector's Edition is exclusive to Europe and Australia. The Collector's Edition of Killzone 3 came in a SteelBook case packaging, which is also included in the Killzone 3 Helghast Edition for Europe and Australia. The limited Collector's Edition was available only through pre-order. It included a PSN voucher code to access the Retro Map Pack, a Killzone 3 dynamic theme, and the Killzone 3 soundtrack. It also included another PSN voucher as a pre-order bonus, which either unlocked all weapons and abilities, gave double XP (both for first 24 hours of multiplayer gameplay), or 3 Unlock Points to use on any weapon or ability.[49][50][51]

In the Netherlands, players could purchase the Collector's Edition for the price of the standard edition if they pre-ordered from Game Mania stores.[52]

Limited edition[edit]

The Killzone 3 Limited Helghast Edition[27] is not sold in stores and is exclusive to North America. Only 1000 have been made, 125 of which were given away in the multiplayer open beta from February 4 through February 6 and February 11 through February 13, 2011. The Limited Helghast Edition contains all the same elements as the retail version of the Helghast Edition, but features a replica Helghast Helmet with illuminated LED eyes, simulating Helghasts’ glowing mask.

On March 10, 2011, announced a sweepstakes that ran from March 10, 2011 through April 21, 2011. In this "Killzone 3 Remix Contest", players could remix the track "Stahl Arms Battle" from the Killzone 3 soundtrack. At the end of the contest, Joris de Man chose one grand prize winner who received the Killzone 3 Limited Helghast Edition as well as Vegas Pro software, ACID Pro software, Twenty Loop Libraries, and a Sony MP3 Walkman. Second place runner ups received a copy of Killzone 3, ACID Music Studio software, and Ten Loop Libraries.[53] The grand prize was won by composer/producer Christopher K. Lee under the username Blizzard1mage.[54]

On March 24, 2011, Guerilla announced the "March for Helghan II Sweepstakes" where they gave away 10 Limited Helghast Editions each day (170 total) from March 25 through April 10. Players simply needed to play the Killzone 3 multiplayer for a chance to win.[55]

Pre-order bonuses[edit]

The download packs contained in the Super Voucher (excluding the soundtrack) were also available as pre-order bonuses for the Standard Edition of Killzone 3 from select retailers in North America. Europe and Australia did not receive pre-order bonuses from select retailers, but instead, they have the Collector's Edition which contains the pre-order bonus content of North America.[46]

GameStop offered the "Guerilla Pack" which contained a voucher unlocking all multiplayer weapons and abilities for the first 24 hours of multiplayer gameplay. Best Buy offered the "Fast Starter Pack" which contained a voucher allowing players to rank up faster as they earn double XP for the first 24 hours of multiplayer gameplay. offered the "Unlock and Load Pack" which contained a voucher allowing instant access to 3 Unlock Points to use on the weapon or ability of the players choice. If players pre-ordered Killzone 3 from via PlayStation Home, they also received an exclusive "Helghast Jetpack" for their Home avatar in addition to the "Unlock and Load Pack".[56] GameStop, Best Buy, and each offered the Retro Map Pack with their respective pre-order bonus. Other participating retailers offered the Retro Map Pack and the Killzone 3 PS3 Dynamic Theme.[46]

PlayStation Home[edit]

From January 27, 2011 until February 24, 2011, in the PlayStation 3's social gaming network PlayStation Home, the "Central Plaza" (North American Home's central meeting point) was redesigned as "the last remaining ISA stronghold" in celebration of Killzone 3[56] (European users could also access the Central Plaza; a special ISA Dropship was available in the Home Square, Europe's central meeting point, that teleported users to the Central Plaza[57]). There was a mini-game in the Central Plaza called "Killzone Plaza Defender" which was a Killzone-themed first-person shooter mini-game where players shoot down enemy Helghast airships, ground vehicles, and infantry units or assist gunners by collecting and delivering ammunition, repair kits, and first aid. The mini-game had three waves for users to complete, each with three challenges (such as simply completing each wave, assisting other players in each wave, completing Wave 1 with full health, completing Wave 2 with a certain accuracy, and completing Wave 3 with a perfect score) with an unlockable I.S.A. uniform (Rico's uniform, plus a helmet) for the users Home avatar. Completing all of the challenges for all three waves granted three Unlock Points, which could be redeemed for new weapons and abilities in the Killzone 3 multiplayer. Users could also pre-order Killzone 3 from at a special kiosk in the Central Plaza (or from the "Killzone Plaza Defender"'s menu screen). Pre-ordering by this means granted users an exclusive "Helghast Jetpack" for their Home avatar in addition to the other pre-order bonus from (pre-order was unavailable for European users). In addition, users could also obtain a "Helghast Capture Trooper" and "Jason Narville I.S.A." costume for their Home avatar as well as a Slurpee Machine for their personal spaces from the 7-Eleven promotion for 2 Slurpee points each.

In the PlayStation 3 exclusive LittleBigPlanet 2, a "Killzone 3 Minipack" was released as DLC on July 12, 2011. This pack includes costumes for players to dress their Sackboy like a Killzone 3 character.[58]

On November 15, 2011, in the PlayStation 3 exclusive Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception, a DLC pack was released titled "Multiplayer Accessory Pack #1 (Killzone)" which includes the "Capture Trooper Skin", a "Helghast Helmet" and an "ISA Helmet", which can also be purchased individually (free for "Fortune Hunter's Club" members).[59]

Downloadable content[edit]

The first downloadable content (DLC) for Killzone 3 is the "Retro Map Pack: Reclaimed Territory" which consists of two of the most popular maps from Killzone 2. The maps are the "Salamun Market" and "Blood Gracht" maps, which have been updated for Killzone 3. "Saluman Market" features the Warzone game mode (as well as Exos and placements for the WASP to be constructed by the Engineer) while "Blood Gracht" features the Guerilla Warfare game mode. This pack was made available to purchase from the PlayStation Network on February 22, 2011.[60] The map pack was also available as a pre-order bonus from various retailers and could be obtained from 7-Eleven's promotion of Killzone 3 for 10 Slurpee rewards points. It was also included in the Helghast Edition.[61] The map pack includes seven trophies; two map specific trophies for each map respectively, and three non-map specific trophies. Edge and Schick are offering specially packaged shaving gel and razors for three PS3 exclusives; Gran Turismo 5, Infamous 2, and Killzone 3. The special Killzone 3 packages include a redeemable voucher for the Retro Map Pack or three Unlock Points.[62]

On February 24, 2011, the second DLC map pack, "Steel Rain", was announced. Steel Rain features the maps "Junkyard" and "Stahl Arms" which feature the game modes Guerilla Warfare and Warzone respectively. "Junkyard" also features both the Exos and Jetpacks and "Stahl Arms" features a placement for a minigun to be constructed by the Engineer. Steel Rain was released in Europe on April 6, 2011 and in North America on April 12, 2011 (free for PlayStation Plus subscribers).[63] This map pack includes seven trophies: two map specific trophies for each map respectively, and three non-map specific trophies.

A third map pack, titled "From the Ashes", was announced on June 17, 2011 and includes four maps: two new maps and two retro maps. "Lente Missile Base" is a Warzone map that features a missile launch environmental hazard, similar to the nuclear explosion from the Killzone 2 DLC map "Southern Hills" (any players caught in the underground exhaust vents will be killed by the missile's engine blast). "Mobile Factory" is a Guerilla Warfare map set on the mobile factory from the campaign with scrap metal shredders below the base (killing players who step off of this moving map, similar to the "Wasteland Bullet" DLC map from Killzone 2), and also features two portable miniguns. From the Ashes also features "Radec Academy" (a Warzone map featuring two constructible miniguns and a destructive environmental hazard) and "Tharsis Depot" (a Guerilla Warfare map featuring jet packs) from Killzone 2, and was released on June 21, 2011 for $4.99 USD.[64][65] This map pack includes thirteen trophies: two map specific trophies for each map respectively and five non-map specific trophies.

Simultaneously announced and released with the third DLC map pack is the "Killzone 3 Map Pack Bundle" featuring all three DLC map packs ("Retro Map Pack: Reclaimed Territory", "Steel Rain", and "From the Ashes") for $9.99 USD. A "Triple-XP Weekend" (points gained are tripled at the end of the match) was hosted the weekend of June 24–27 to celebrate the release of "From the Ashes" and the "Map Pack Bundle".[66] There have also been three "Double-XP Weekends" (points gained are doubled at the end of the match). The first two "Double-XP Weekends" were for the return of PSN from the PSN outage - the first for Europe and North America's return and the second for Japan's return - and the third was for Killzone 3 's one-year anniversary.

Killzone 3 (The Official Soundtrack)
Soundtrack album by Joris de Man
Released February 22, 2011
Genre Orchestral, video game soundtrack
Length 1:22:26

Like Killzone 2, the soundtrack for Killzone 3 was composed by Joris de Man. It was released both as downloadable content via the Killzone 3 Helghast Edition[46] and Collector's Edition (SCEE territories),[49] and as a stand alone digital release, on February 22, 2011. Later, it was released to purchase on the PlayStation Network on March 8, 2011.[67]

On March 30, 2011, it was announced that a novelization of Killzone 3, titled Killzone: Ascendancy and written by Sam Bradbury, is available from Penguin Books in paperback format and from in Kindle format. According to the PlayStation.Blog post, "the author delved deep into the game's story to answer... questions" about the game, such as what drives Sev and Rico's actions.[68]

Aggregate scores
Aggregator Score
GameRankings 86.38%[69]
Metacritic 84/100[70]
Review scores
Publication Score B+[71]
Edge 7/10[72]
Eurogamer 8/10[73]
Game Informer 9/10[74]
GameSpot 8.5/10[75]
GameTrailers 9.4/10[76]
IGN 8.5/10[77]
OPM (UK) 9/10[78]
PSM 10/10[79]
X-Play 4/5 stars[80]

Killzone 3 received positive reviews and has a GameRankings score of 86.38% based on 63 reviews,[69] and a score of 84 out of 100 on Metacritic based on 85 reviews.[70] The first English review of the game was published by PlayStation Official Magazine (UK), which gave the game a 9/10. The review stated "on a visual level, as a 3D breakthrough, this feels like a watershed moment in a revolution affecting all of gaming". The review also stated on gameplay terms, "Black Ops is the only [first-person shooter] on PlayStation 3 that can match this". The voice acting, however, was criticised as not being perfect, thus lacking "emotive punch" and the reason for not receiving a perfect 10/10.[78]

IGN gave the game an 8.5, praising the atmosphere, graphics and multiplayer. Destructoid gave the game a perfect 10/10, with reviewer Jim Sterling stating: "I don't think the PlayStation 3 has ever had quite such a rounded, satisfactory package as this, with this level of polish, refinement and pure, simple, unpretentious action." [81] PlayStation Lifestyle awarded it a 10/10 as well, calling the game "the ultimate ending to a new form of sci-fi epic."

GamesTM was generally positive and gave the game 7/10, although was critical over the storyline and when comparing it to Killzone 2 said the game "...takes inexplicable backward steps in almost every department." [82] Game Informer, who scored the game a 9/10, however praised the story saying "[Killzone 3's] shocking and abrupt campaign ending serves as a suitable wrap to Guerilla’s extended war-themed trilogy. Even if it is a conclusion of sorts, Killzone 3 stands on its own." [74] They also praised its intuitive use of the PlayStation Move as an optional controller.

Before Killzone 3 's release, Guerrilla Games already had a '"lot of ideas" for the next installment. In an interview with PlayStation Official Magazine (UK), Mathijs de Jonge said: "We're looking at new projects, there's a lot of ideas already floating around the company to put in a new Killzone."[83] On November 18, 2011, Edge reported that Guerrilla Games is making a new Killzone game. Killzone 2 and 3 senior producer Steven Ter Heide is reportedly game director. Guerrilla studio recruiter Adrian Smith is quoted as saying "we've got to continue the Killzone franchise." Earlier in the week Edge reported that one of Sony's studios had stopped PlayStation 3 development and moved onto its successor. The unnamed developer is also apparently involved in building the graphics technology for Sony's next system.[84] Alongside Killzone, the studio is also working on a new IP, Edge reported, led by former Killzone game director Mathijs de Jonge.[85] On February 20, 2013, a sequel, Killzone Shadow Fall, was shown at the PlayStation Meeting 2013, announcing the PlayStation 4 with Shadow Fall as a launch title.

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