Archive for September, 2006
Assassin’s Creed first Xbox 360 gameplay
At X06 Ubisoft today confirmed that “Assassin’s Creed” the eagerly anticipated action title set in medieval times, is also coming to Xbox 360 day and date with the game’s release on PC and PS3. “Assassin’s Creed” is a next-generation action-adventure/stealth title from the highly talented and critically acclaimed team that brought gamers “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.” “Assassin’s Creed” will place gamers in the role of a ruthless and skilled Assassin as he tracks his victims through the historical era known as the Crusades.
Experience the power of a feared Assassin. Your actions can throw your immediate environment into chaos, and your existence will shape events in this pivotal moment during the Third Crusade. This in-game demo looks amazing! 
5 comments »Microsoft X06 Xbox 360 exclusives announced: Halo Wars, Banjo-Kazooie 3, Splinter Cell 5, Doom Arcade, and Halo 4?
Microsoft today thrilled attendees at its annual X06 event in Barcelona, Spain, by inviting everyone to experience the next generation now on the Xbox 360 system. The announcements and hands-on gameplay experiences highlight how the world’s greatest game creators are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in high definition and online storytelling. Highlights of the announcements included the following:
* A landmark partnership between Academy Award-winning writer, director, and producer Peter Jackson, Academy Award-winning screenwriter Fran Walsh, and Microsoft Game Studios will create two new interactive entertainment series exclusively for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live. The first will be a collaborative effort with Bungie Studios to co-create the next great chapter in the Halo universe. The second will be an entirely original property targeted at bringing new audiences into the captivating world of interactive entertainment. In addition, Microsoft Game Studios will partner with Jackson and Walsh to establish Wingnut Interactive, a studio dedicated to the creation of world-class interactive entertainment.
* Halo Wars is an all-new real-time strategy game based on the legendary Halo universe and designed exclusively for Xbox 360 by Ensemble Studios, creators of the Age of Empires(r) franchise.
* Rockstar and Take-Two will provide Xbox 360 gamers with exclusive access to two epic downloadable episodes of Grand Theft Auto IV via Xbox Live, each with hours of new gameplay content, and available only on Xbox 360 just months after the release of the title.
* Ubisoft confirmed that the next Splinter Cell (#5: Conviction) title, the installment after Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell(r) Double Agent, will be exclusive to Xbox 360, a testament to the ability of the powerful next-gen game console to deliver experiences no other console can match.
* 2K Games confirmed that BioShock, a first person shooter that will revolutionize the genre and forever change the expectations of gamers, will be released exclusively on Xbox 360 and Microsoft(r) Windows(r) next spring.
* Project Gotham Racing 4, was unveiled, the latest addition to the best-selling franchise, made exclusively for Xbox 360 by Bizarre Creations. PGR4 promises to continue the series’ pedigree of innovation by introducing exciting new experiences to racing fans worldwide.
* The beloved Banjo-Kazooie (#3) franchise will breathe new, high-definition life exclusively on Xbox 360, from famed developer Rare Ltd. Beloved characters Banjo, Kazooie and Gruntilda (among other fan favorites) will new next-gen visuals and presentation as well as their sharp wit and hilarious sense of humor.
* Microsoft Game Studios will release its highly-anticipated new MMO game, Marvel Universe Online for both Xbox 360 and the Windows Vista operating system. MUO was developed by industry luminaries Cryptic Studios, creators of the smash hits City of Heroes and City of Villains.
* Expect two new additions to Xbox Live Arcade: The FPS that pioneered the network-gaming era, DOOM, from acclaimed developer id Software and Activision, is available now on Xbox Live Marketplace. The game includes the original four-episode single-player game, four-player split screen action, both co-op and deathmatch, and four player co-op and deathmatch via Xbox Live. Coming soon to Xbox Live Arcade is Sensible World of Soccer from Codemasters. Based on a classic Amiga title from 1994, Sensible World of Soccer will let gamers choose between the original graphics or an updated, high-resolution look and feel—while still capturing the original game’s wide world of football.
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Sega announces His Dark Materials game based on the upcoming movie of the book
SEGA today reached an agreement with New Line Cinema and Scholastic Media to create videogame content based on the films from award-winning author Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy.
With over 10 million books sold worldwide, the His Dark Materials trilogy is comprised of The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass. The first film, The Golden Compass (Northern Lights in the UK), will be produced by New Line Cinema, producers of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and Scholastic Media. The $150-million-budgeted film will star Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig (James Bond in the upcoming Casino Royale) with Oscar-nominated writer/director Chris Weitz (About a Boy, Antz) directing, and with Deborah Forte, President of Scholastic Media, producing.
The Golden Compass is set to be released on 16 November 2007. Scholastic Media is also serving as the licensing agent for this property.
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Sam & Max Episode 1: Culture Shock coming October 17
Those cheeky folks making Sam & Max episodic content (#1 out of 6 so far) announced “Production on Sam & Max Episode 1 halted… because it’s done!”
The premiere episode is “Culture Shock,” and begins as Sam and Max discover that a group of former child stars have become involved in nefarious deeds. Only the six foot dog and his cunning rabbit companion can unravel the mystery!
Sam & Max Episode 1: Culture Shock comes out October 17 on GameTap, and November 1 on the Telltale Games site, where you can now watch the latest Culture Shock trailer.
LocoRoco PSP sweepstakes
LocoRoco can be your new best friend! Enter to win one of five LocoRoco prize packs featuring two limited edition LocoRoco inflatables (small and large), a very special one-of-a-kind LocoRoco T-shirt, a beanie, and a copy of LocoRoco for PSP. Open only to U.S. residents over 13 years.
Splinter Cell: A Double Agent’s Choice
Ubisoft released a new Splinter Cell: Double Agent trailer titled “Choose”. The movie shows the struggle Sam Fisher (you) will be in. During the course of the game you’ll be infiltrating a vicious terrorist group to destroy it from within.
Face the dilemmas of life as a double agent as you infiltrate a terrorist organization in its American headquarters. You have to weigh the consequences of your actions… Kill too many criminals and you’ll blow your cover. Hesitate too long and millions will die. Do whatever it takes to complete your mission, but get out alive, hopefully with your morals still intact.
God of War 2: Divine Retribution new trailer
Armed with all-new brutal combat moves and magic, players retake the role of Kratos and embark on a new epic adventure to change the fate of mortals and Gods alike. The original God of War saw Kratos, a mortal warrior, set upon an epic quest to dethrone a God. But his journey did not end there, and will continue on PS2 February 2007 in America, and March 2007 in Europe.
In God of War II, Kratos sits atop his Olympus throne, as the new God of War – far more ruthless than Ares ever was. To end his continued torment, Kratos must journey to the far reaches of the earth and defeat untold horrors and alter that which no mortal, or god has ever changed: his fate. God of War II sets an epic stage for a devastating mythological war to end all wars. Take a look at the new trailer kotaku found:
MegaMan Star Force coming to DS
In the upcoming Capcom RPG, titled Mega Man Star Force for Nintendo DS, you play as an elementary school kid called Subaru Hoshikawa. One day, Subaru comes into the possession of a special visor left behind by his missing father. When he puts on the visor, he meets an alien being called Warlock. Subaru and Warlock fuse into one and face off in a battle against the Virus.
Looking at the pictures it seems like a spin-off of the Mega Man Battle Network series, right down to similar 2D art style in the overworld. Battles are now somewhat in 3D. It still looks pretty much to be the same grid-based combat, but now it’s over-the-shoulder. Combat takes place on a 3×5 field and involves the use of cards.
Microsoft X06 show murmurings: Black Xbox 360, New Halo 3 Trailer, Killer Instinct from Rare tomorrow
Take this with a grain of salt, but because we’ll find out in less than 20 hours, I kinda like the sound of these murmurs. A forumer at Neoseeker talks about the X06 conference in Barcelona tomorrow. Some info has supposedly been leaked including some big surprises…
Here is a list of what is going to be anounced tommorow, or at least you’ll find out if its true at the confernce at Xbox.com from 6pm GMT.
* Gears of War single player and multiplayer videos shown. Playable on show floor.
* HD-DVD anouncement. Release date and price for Europe and United States. £119.99/€149.99 and December 1st release in Europe. $199.99 USD and November 24th release in US. All will be bundled with Universal Media Remote.
* A new Halo 3 trailer is shown. Some multiplayer info revealed. Aiming for 50-64 player online. Announce that Halo 3 will be the first game to run natively on 1080p. They will make full use of this update. Available in 2007. Playable behind closed doors.
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Gears of War interview tells of co-op joy
The excitement is building as Emergence Day* is just around the corner and Level Designer, Alan Willard, gives you a heads up on what to expect. What I find most awesome in the interview (it might be old to you, but it was new to me) is when he mentions that Gears of War in the main game will have split-screen co-op, system-link co-op, and online co-op! (fullscreen)
Gears of War has been tested on a wide range of different TV’s, so there will be no brightness issues or small text syndrome for people who own Standard definition TV’s.
*The game’s enemies, the Locust, emerge only on Xbox 360 on November 12 in America and on November 17 in Europe.
