John Madden retires from TV, not games
John Madden has officially retired from TV, but not from the Madden NFL Football videogames.
John Madden is one of the most influential characters in the history of the sport of American football. Having been inducted into the NFL Football Hall of Fame, coached the game himself and been a longtime television commenter, his touch has been felt by not only fans of the sport but even non-fans. Who know his celebrity thanks in no small part to the phenomenon that is EA Sport’s Madden NFL Football franchise; In which John Madden has provided not only his name but also worked with EA Sports in development on the titles for more than two decades.
However his retirement from broadcasting in order to focus his time on his family (he is 78 years old) will not effect his continued involvement in the videogame franchise that he helped propel into the behemoth it is today. Nor will it effect the name of the games, which will remain “Madden NFL Football” and continue to be named in his honor long after his retirement (or so we assume).
Peter Moore, President of EA Sports, issued this statement on John Madden’s retirement:
“John is a true sports icon who has made an indelible impact on the sport of football which will be felt forever. His prolific coaching and broadcasting careers, as well as his distinct role in shaping the EA SPORTS football experience have redefined how multiple generations have come to know and love the sport with unrivaled passion. We’re excited to see his legacy live on in the 21st year of Madden NFL football, and well beyond. It’s been a privilege for EA SPORTS to have had the strong relationship we’ve had with John for more than two decades and one that will continue into the future.”
The next entry in the sports videogame series, Madden NFL 10, has a release date of August 14 this year.
Via Kotaku
2 comments »1 vs 100 coming to Xbox Live this spring
A new trailer has been released for Microsoft’s 1 Vs 100 adaptation. You may remember it from E3 2008 as the game that was to launch the Xbox Live “Primetime” service, where you would be able to play “live” games with other Xbox Live users in a number of games that would act like various TV programs that take place at a certain time each day and in which you could partake.
In the case of 1 vs 100, the game would allow you to compete with thousands of real-life players in real-time on a virtual Xbox Live Primetime gameshow stage where players are competing for real-life prizes. However the game, along with the Primetime service, were delayed (originally set to launch with the New Xbox Experience) and Microsoft has made little mention of it since E3 2008.
Now they finally released the first official trailer for the game, along with the announcement that it is coming this Spring (with a possible date of May 19th).
The game is based on the popular real-life game show where one person (known as “The One”) answers multiple choice trivia questions along with 100 others (known as “The Mob’) who also answer the question. If either of them (The Mob or The One) get it wrong they are eliminated from further play and the amount of the prize increases. The grand prize is given to The One that can eliminate all of The Mob in one shot (a very rare occurrence).
The Xbox Live Primetime game will play very similarly to the real show and allow you to use your Avatar to compete against thousands in a live, virtual stage for real prizes. Which sounds good to me!
Here is the first official trailer for the game.
Ghostbusters Wii debut trailer
The Ghostbuster movie cast returns in Ghostbusters: The Video Game this June 16th. The game will continue the adventures of Peter, Egon, Ray, and Wintson as players take on the role of a new recruit.
The Wii version (and PS3 version) however will feature a stylish art-style that’s different from the other console versions. The style is similar to the cartoon series and gives the game a look all it’s own that fits really well and is arguably even more expressive than the realistic style. In addition you can use the Wii Remote & Nunchuck to wrangle in ghosts . . . physically!
Give a look at the Wii version’s debut trailer.
Fight Night Round 4 trailer showcases various boxing styles
A new Fight Night Round 4 trailer has been released that showcases the varying boxing styles of all of the Fight Night Round 4 characters.
The trailer pimps not only the game’s realistic graphics but also the improvements in animation to create boxers that move, react and, most importantly, fight how they would in real life.
The game will be available this summer on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
Here is the new Fight Night Round 4 trailer, asking “What’s your style?”
Xbox 360 Game of the Year Elite Bundle includes Halo 3 and Fable 2
Microsoft has announced the “Xbox 360 Game of the Year Elite” bundle which will still cost $400 but includes two free AAA games inside: Halo 3 and Fable 2.
This means that you will essentially be getting two games for free because the price is the same price as the normal Elite console.
The bundle goes on sale this May and will be sold in all regions where Xbox 360 is sold excluding Europe.
Age of Pirates 2 announced for PC
Playlogic has announced Age of Pirates 2: City of Abandoned Ships for PC.
In this swash-buckling action-packed pirate RPG adventure, players can take on dozens of quests and “infinite challenges” as they sail the high seas as either a dreaded pirate or a dashing naval captain.
“This sequel to the popular Age of Pirates franchise reinvents itself with a larger playing field and exciting new content from a new combat system and trading options to numerous quests and character classes,” said Rogier Smit, executive vice president of Playlogic. “The game’s free-roaming options expand the storyline and challenge players with endless hours of adventure.”
Players courageous enough to delve into the dangerous world of Age of Pirates 2: City of Abandoned Ships will discover treasure and adventure as they choose to go it alone and become the most feared pirate on the seven seas, or prove their loyalty and take the coin of one of four different navies; French, English, Spanish or Dutch. As players navigate their own route through the seas of the Caribbean they can explore strange new countries and undiscovered civilizations, plunder merchant ships and even raid fortified ports and cities – interacting with nearly every character and/or building along the way. Additionally, almost everything can be adjusted to players’ wishes, making customization and resource management a key element to gameplay.
Key features of Age of Pirates 2 include:
* Ship-to-ship combat and toe-to-toe clashes
* 3 diverse characters and 3 classes: Merchant, Corsair and Adventurer
* 4 main campaigns
* 40+ quests and 40+ quest generators allowing for an infinite amount of quests
* New combat system for faster fights
* 3 weapon classes: light, medium and heavy
* Advanced trading system
* Real-life historical characters such as Jamaican governors Colonel Thomas Lynch and Thomas Modyford
Fallout New Vegas announced for PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 in 2010
Bethesda made a surprise announcement revealing “Fallout New Vegas” at a London press conference by Bethesda’s Pete Hines. The game will be released next year on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC.
The game will follow the first Fallout 3 in offering the same kind of role-playing experience that players experienced in the first game, developed using the Fallout 3 engine so you can be sure it will be similar.
However, “It is not a sequel to Fallout 3,” Hines said. “It’s simply another Fallout game in that universe.”
As for Obsidian Entertainment, they are the development studio that rose from the ashes of Black Isle Studios. They developed Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords, Neverwinter Nights 2, Alpha Protocol, and Sega’s Aliens: Crucible RPG, which is currently on indefinite hold.
Via Kotaku
Vote what new weapons you want in Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time
Insomniac is allowing people to vote on their favorite contest weapon entry to be included in the upcoming Rachet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time PS3 videogame.
The contest was known as the “Captain Qwark’s My Blaster Runs Hot Weapons Contest Sponsored by Gadgetron” and had people dreaming up their own weapons to be included in the game. Only five of them are left, give them a look below and then head over to the Official Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time website to vote for your favorite!
But before you do, check out this video of the developer’s top-10 Ratchet & Clank weapons of all time.
Now here are the five contest winner weapons you can vote on:
The Plasma Sprinkler Glove
Article continues »
PS3 Dual Shock 3 controller gets silver color on June 24
The PS3 Dual-Shock 3 controller is about to meet a new silver sheen. The silver colored PS3 controller will release this June 24th and is available now for pre-order on EBgames.com for $55.
Naturally, the controller’s only difference is the new look, otherwise its functionally exactly the same. Hopefully more colors will follow though cause this thing looks NICE if you ask me. Previous to this the controller was only available in black (In the U.S.).
Features of the Dual Shock 3 Silver-colored controller include:
* Pressure-sensitive buttons Feel the controller vibrate with each hit, crash or explosion.
* Sixaxis highly sensitive motion technology Your natural movements become part of the action. And the controller becomes a natural extension of your body. The Sixaxis motion-sensing system allows users to maneuver the controller itself. With this system, sensors read when a player angles, tilts, thrusts, or pulls the controller, all in real-time and with high precision. And it’s available in both the Sixaxis wireless controller and the Dual Shock 3 wireless controller.
* Bluetooth technology means no wires. With the Dual Shock 3’s Bluetooth technology you can play completely untethered.
* Multiplayer gaming Connect up to seven wireless controllers at one once for serious multiplayer gaming.
* Charging Charge the Dual Shock 3 with the PlayStation 3 system using the controller’s USB cable. And you can even plug it in during gameplay, so you’ll never miss a beat.
* Compatible games So many compatible games! Check game for compatibility.
BioShock 2 storyline revealed in video interview (spoilers)
A lot more solid details have come out regarding Bioshock 2, Take Two’s upcoming big blockbuster sequel to the hit original FPS.
Most of the info can be had via the below video interview, which includes gameplay footage!
Below is some of the details on the game, don’t read though if you want to avoid spoilers.
Article continues »
Game Giveaways
- Contest funds donated to Haiti
