Latest Tony Hawk Title Announced
May 15, 2007
Activision officials have announced Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground, the latest game in the popular Tony Hawk skateboarding franchise, which will debut for PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PS2, and Nintendo DS later this year.
Few details have been announced, but an official statement notes that Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground will give players “the freedom to define their character, story and style based on the choices they make, the paths they choose and the style of skating they use on the proving grounds from Philadelphia and Baltimore to Washington, D.C.”
Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground is also expected to feature deeper character customization than that from previous Tony Hawk games, and it will include a new video editor, as well as a customizable lounge area for players to meet up online and organize games.
In addition, the game’s online component will be featured prominently. Activision notes that players will be able to segue from Proving Ground’s single player mode to the online mode “seamlessly.”
Proving Ground will also offer players the ability to utilize new gameplay mechanics such as skateable terrain altering and building, and bowl carving, as well as more “Nail the Trick” moves “such as Nail the Grab and Nail the Manual intensifying the thrill of pulling off big tricks.”
Neversoft president Joel Jewett claims that Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground is “largest, deepest and most compelling Tony Hawk game ever.” He added, “Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground drops players into the skateboarding world like never before…Proving Ground will throw you so deep into the lifestyle of skateboarding that you won’t be able to get out. Hands down, it’s the most exciting Tony Hawk title yet.”
Crackdown Bug Follows Downloadable Package
May 14, 2007
Last week, Crackdown fans were blessed with a very comprehensive downloadable package, but they may lose some of their saved files thanks to a bug.
The updates contain various gameplay upgrades, and a few free additions to enhance gameplay: namely, the addition of a vehicle impound garage and a “true” sandbox cheat mode. However, the more interesting upgrades come only with the “Gettin’ Busy” download package, which has been priced at 800 Microsoft Points. Users who purchase this option will be able to use three new agency vehicles, four new agency weapons, an Agent cloaking device, a street racing mode and a host of new co-op mode mini-games.
Unfortunately, some players who decided to dive straight in may have seen their saved files being reset due to a bug that has found its way into the game thanks to the new content. Currently, developer Realtime Worlds has been unable to find the source of the bug, but they have assured fans that they’re hard at work figuring out the cause of the problem.
“We are aware that the recently released Crackdown DLC is causing some gamers to experience a reset of their saved games when they engage in co-op play,” the developers explained on the team’s official forums. “The team is working extremely hard to identify the issue, and has provided steps to avoid the problem.”
The bug occurs when a player downloads and installs the new content, and immediately hosts or joins an on-line co-op game straight afterwards. Players are advised to load up a solo campaign, move to a new location in the gameworld, then quit, which will automatically save your game progress and stop the bug from occurring. Realtime is also advising gamers not to play online against other players that have downloaded the new content unless they’ve gone through the same process.
Microsoft Details Xbox 360 ‘Chatpad’ Keyboard at OGDC
May 11, 2007
Microsoft’s GM of Xbox Live, JJ Richards, further discussed the recently announced Xbox 360 mini-keyboard controller, revealing that the keys can be used for gameplay purposes.
During a panel on new opportunities in console technology, Richards showed a slide picturing the recently announced QWERTY thumb-keyboard, which will debut later this summer and is to be used with existing Xbox 360 controllers.
Richards stated “I can have chat in my games; now that it’s a proper keyboard.” OGDC moderator, Jeff Pobst of Hidden Path Entertainment, interjected, “Are those buttons available for gameplay?” Richards confirmed that they would be. “All of the sudden, I can have a controller with mini-buttons, if I want,” said Pobst. “It’ll be very interesting to see how developers take advantage of that innovation,” commented Microsoft’s Richards.
Later in the panel, Richards spoke about Live as the same service across platforms - the 360, and the PC - adding, “I want to kill the word ‘ports.’ Halo will be the first one to do that. Next month, Shadowrun will be the first one that does cross-platform play.”
With Live, Richards hopes that developers will “focus on the story, focus on a great game, everything else will be taken care of.” He concluded with “you build the content, we’ll allow you to ship it on the biggest platform you can.”
Sega Announces 2007-2008 Game Line-Up
Publisher Sega has revealed its 2007-2008 line-up, including Condemned 2: Bloodshot for PS3/Xbox 360, a conversion of arcade gun game Ghost Squad to Wii, Happy Tree Friends: False Alarm for XBLA, RTS Universe At War adding an Xbox 360 SKU, and a new PC RPG deal with Gas Powered Games.
Condemned 2: Bloodshot for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, developed by original franchise creator Monolith Productions, and sporting “an all-new fighting mechanic and online multiplayer functionality”, will debut in early 2008 for the next-gen consoles. According to the firm, “Players will engage in visceral combat using a variety of firearms, blunt instruments and an all-new fighting system complete with defensive and offensive combo chains, [as well as an] all-new set of high-tech forensic tools.” Online multiplayer modes will include hand-to-hand deathmatch playable across the network.
Ghost Squad for Wii is a conversion of the arcade gun game title originally developed by Sega’s AM2 arcade division. The Wii version brings the arcade experience home and adds a number of new Wii-specific gameplay modes and features. The game features the use of the Wii Remote as a multi-purpose tool that allows players to easily control the targeting of on-screen enemies, defuse bombs, and rescue hostages, and will debut for the 2007 holiday season.
Happy Tree Friends False Alarm, based on the popular and gory animated series, Happy Tree Friends, is currently under development by Stainless Studios (Novadrome), and is scheduled for release via digital download on PC and Microsoft’s Xbox Live Arcade in fall, 2007. Sporting a “physics-based reactive environment”, Happy Tree Friends False Alarm is an action-puzzle game in which you use resources such as concrete, ice, gasoline, and nitroglycerin and “save the Happy Tree Friends from hilarious disaster situations and their own bad luck.”
Universe at War: Earth Assault, the already-announced PC RTS title from the former Westwood veterans at Petroglyph, is now also confirmed to debut on the Xbox 360 in Q1 2008. The title is themed around a near-future Earth under siege by aliens, and is scheduled for a PC release in 2007 for the holidays, before moving onto Microsoft’s next-gen console next year, with “…a control scheme built from the ground up to ensure smooth gameplay and ease of command for console gamers.”
Finally, Sega has announced a new partnership with Gas Powered Games, the creators of Dungeon Siege and Supreme Commander. Under the terms of the worldwide agreement, Sega and Gas Powered Games will collaboratively develop an original, and as yet unspecified role-playing game for the PC. A release date for the RPG is not yet announced.
Sony Details New PlayStation Network Expansion Specs at OGDC
During a panel discussion on the topic of new opportunities in console technology at the Online Game Developers Conference (OGDC from here on in) in Seattle, SCEA’s director of third-party developer relations took the opportunity to explain to an audience of developers - as well as detail the PlayStation Network with many fresh specifics.
Sony’s Michael Shorrock explained that the new PS Network was a “loyalty catalyst for PlayStation platforms.” “It’s designed to be a profitable eco-system for both developers and publishers. And it’s a marketing platform for games and content.” Shorrock hopes the Network enables “creativity in development, and flexibility in business models for both the development community, and the publishers.” Sounds good so far. He then showed a slide outlining Sony’s ‘Wheel of Services.’
Sherrock then discussed Son’ys “entire scope of services that we’ll be developing and releasing in the coming months ahead.” There are six key components, and Shorrock began with ‘Services/VOD’ which delivers full-length movies, television programs, or music direct to users. ‘PlayStation Store’ is where Sony has its commerce for downloading digital content. ‘Home’ is the 3D avatar-based world which will facilitate communication amongst consumers. ‘Online Games’ adds the human element to traditional gameplay. ‘In-game/Network Advertising’ is part of Sony’s “core group of services, and we’ll be announcing more about it shortly,” Shorrock promised. Finally, ‘Wireless’ deals with the wireless capabilities of the platform, “which will allow gaming via PSP and mobile devices, keeping users connected at all times.”
Shorrock sees the ability to have user-created content, which appeals to Sony’s consumers: “It’s what they’ve asked for, and it’s what they want.” Shorrock noted that Sony is looking for “lots of content,” particularly when it “shows the power of the PS3.” (Translation: high-def games, use of the Sixaxis controller, new IPs.)
“I’m happy to announce that we’re open for business, here with the development teams and the publisher community,” Shorrock told the audience of online developers. It’s free for consumers, he said, “and it’s a place for developers to self-publish and explore a variety of business models.” He referred to set areas of Home as ‘pavilions’ that might be set apart for a number of different reasons. “It’s an open system, so publishers may have, [for example,] an Activision pavilion. They may have a variety of games in there…”
The OGDC moderator inquired if pavilions must be purchased or leased by publishers. “What we’re creating is a very flexible model for developers and publishers,” Shorrock responded. “We’re open to proposals, how you might like to proceed.” Some publishers, he said, might want their pavilions to be free, while others might want to charge. “Our business model is flexible enough to allow for either way.” Gotta give it to him; he’s saying all the right things.
Sony Announces New Mobile Games
May 9, 2007
Sony Pictures Television has announced a list of mobile games to be released in 2007, which features God of War: Betrayal, Spider-Man 3, Spider-Man Puzzle, Jeopardy! 2007, Jump That Car, and Snoop Dogg Cruisin’.
God of War: Betrayal takes place after the events of God of War. Humans and gods mistakenly accuse Kratos of betraying the Olympians, and Kratos must clear his name and win back the favor of Olympus. Featuring an original story from the writer of the console game, this title features interactive environments and a specialized 2D character animation engine, boasting “triple the number of frames per second versus recent competitive titles.”
Spider-Man 3 is a 2D side-scrolling game featuring combination moves and a destructible environment. Spider-Man Puzzle is a casual mobile game in which the player matches three or more identical game pieces on a grid-shaped board in order to advance, score points and defeat evil villains. The game features story-driven elements.
Jeopardy! 2007 is a sequel to the original and features a newly designed interface. Content is created by the actual writers of the TV show. Players can win over 75 different virtual trophies and badges in five modes of play including single, against computer, and play against other contestants in daily tournaments. Jeopardy! 2007 is a subscription game.
In Jump That Car, players pilot a buggy through environments filled with hills and valleys, taking jumps and trying to make landings. Power-ups can be collected and players can race alone, against a ghost buggy of their previous best time or play a crash mode, where the farthest crash-landing wins.
In Snoop Dogg Cruisin’ players must impress Snoop with hopping and tilting skills using customized low rider cars.
Liam Neeson Featured in Fallout 3
May 8, 2007
Bethesda officials have announced that the upcoming - and highly secretive - Fallout 3 will feature the voice talents of internationally recognized actor Liam Neeson.
There may be more pressing gaming news out there, folks, but I really loved Batman Begins. And Fallout 3 should be very cool, as well.
As part of Fallout 3, Neeson will play the role of the player’s father and will “appear prominently” during the game, Bethesda has said. According to Fallout 3’s executive producer Todd Howard, the role “was written with Liam in mind, and provides the dramatic tone for the entire game.”
Signing such a well-known actor is nothing new for Bethesda, which enlisted the vocal stylings of Sean Penn, Patrick Stewart, Lynda Carter, and Sean Bean for their very highly acclaimed The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
Unfortunately, other than the Liam Neeson bit, no other details have been revealed about Fallout 3, the latest sequel to Interplay’s 1997 post-apocalyptic role-playing PC classic. It was recently revealed that Bethesda purchased the Fallout series IP outright from former holders Interplay, and while no release date has been announced for the anticipated title, a teaser web site featuring a countdown to a trailer expected to debut in early June has been launched.
“It’s been a pleasure bringing the father to life and working with the wonderfully talented people at Bethesda on Fallout 3,” said Neeson. “I hope the fans of the franchise and the game will be excited by the results.”
PS3 Predicted as Next-Gen Victor
May 7, 2007
In his latest Entertainment Software Publishing and Retail industry report, video game analyst Michael Pachter says that the “quality and quantity of the underlying available content” will be the key decider over the next-gen, giving the slight edge to the PS3.
“We believe that the Xbox 360 and the PS3 are far more similar than their predecessors were and believe that the economics of game development will serve as a disincentive to third party publishers to offer exclusive content for either console,” Pachter explains. “In a perverse way, the similarity between the two platforms will likely serve to lower the costs of porting software from one platform to the other, and we anticipate that virtually every third-party title produced for one will be produced for the other.”
That lack of differentiation, Pachter concludes, will give the Wii an initial competitive advantage, as by nature of its control mechanisms, publishers are far more inclined to create separate SKUs. Scoring that content exclusivity is the “wildcard” in next generation console sales, and Nintendo’s particular advantage, he says, is its “deep library of internally developed games/brands,” concluding, “we think that Nintendo’s Wii will gain the greatest share of the hardware market in 2007.”
However, while the analyst says Sony may struggle to secure third party exclusivity, he does expect that a combination of blockbuster internally-produced games, the growing installed base for the PSP and continued robust PS2 software sales will make up for the third party shortfall.
On top of that, Pachter also says that aside from game content, “we expect the ultimate outcome of the console wars to be decided by the motion picture studios. Should the studios embrace Sony’s Blu-ray standard for high definition DVDs, we think Sony will gain an insurmountable advantage over Microsoft; should the studios embrace Sony rival Toshiba’s HD-DVD format, we think that Microsoft can maintain its first mover advantage and will dominate software sales for years to come.”
By the end of the cycle, though, Pachter predicts, “we see Sony ‘winning’ the console war with 36% of the market, with Nintendo ‘capturing’ second place at 34% and Microsoft finishing third at 30%” — a virtual “dead heat,” with all three generating “significant profits.”
‘EA Playground’ Exclusive to Wii, DS
May 2, 2007
Electronic Arts’ EA Playground, a sports game compendium with playground style games that’s already being compared to Nintendo pack-in title Wii Sports, will be for Wii and Nintendo DS users only.
In an interview with IGN, Electronic Arts revealed the tentatively-titled EA Playground. According to executive producer Dave McCarthy, the game “is all about capturing the sheer fun of being a kid.” EA Playground will employ only the Wii Remote for gameplay. “On Wii, there’s a mix of games that cover frantic actions mapped to gestures (e.g. throwing and dodging in Dodge Ball) and others that take advantage of navigating the entire world (e.g. RC Car Racing),” McCarthy said. Whether the Wii and DS versions of EA Playground will connect is unknown.
EA Playground, which has not yet officially announced by Electronic Arts, is being developed by EA Canada, which handled Madden NFL 2007 on Wii. Games already pictured for the Wii version include tetherball and racing remote control cars, although the preview also mentions a dodge ball simulation. The Nintendo DS version will include several unique games, such as bug hunt, which uses the touch screen, and spit balls, which uses the microphone.
All of the games feature a multiplayer mode, with simple cartoon style graphics somewhat reminiscent of Wii Sports. It is presumed the game will not use Mii avatars, with the initial screenshots picturing a different stylized look for characters. In the single-player campaign, players will choose a character and compete to become the best in the schoolyard. Players will also maintain a sticker book filled by playing various games, completing special dare challenges, and exploring areas of the playground world.
EA Playground is the latest in Wii exclusives from EA, joining SSX Blur, MySims and Boogie. EA’s Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and The Godfather: Blackhand Edition also make extensive use of the Wii’s unique interface.
Exactly Who Is Microsft Chasing with Elite?
May 1, 2007
Will Microsoft’s Xbox 360 Elite end up simply confusing and alienating gamers looking for a solid game system? Has Microsoft has learned Nintendo’s prior lesson about focusing on the “hard-core” crowd? The latest report from analyst group DFC Intelligence lays it all out.
“The launch of the Xbox 360 Elite means Microsoft is now chasing Sony after the high-end market. The strategy of both Sony and Microsoft seems very similar to the one Atari and Nintendo unsuccessfully tried,” the repost states, explaining that the Xbox 360 Elite is a $479 system, the goal of which “is to target consumers that want to download and play high-definition video.”
However, there should be concern that what the Elite may end up accomplishing is confusing and alienating those consumers just looking for a solid game system.
The report notes that one problem with the new Microsoft console it its name: “With the word ‘elite’ Microsoft is implying that their existing users and all potential future Xbox 360 buyers that if they only spend $400 they are not elite. At the same time Microsoft announced the Elite, Sony was announcing that they were eliminating the low-end $500 PlayStation 3 SKU. Sony claimed that demand for the $600 PS3 SKU was over 10-to-1 that for the $500 SKU. This illustrates a basic rule about the video game consumer: when you are talking big bucks consumers do comparison shopping.”
“The Xbox 360 Elite seems like Microsoft’s attempt to chase Sony for the high-end video-centric consumer.” The report goes on to explain thst chasing Sony in that way is an unwinnable mission because the Elite targets a marginal - possibly non-existent - consumer that wants an HD system, but also wants “to cut corners when it comes to video playback by using a comparatively low-tech video game hardware system.”
And what about the Elite’s built-in HDTV DVD player or Internet Wi-Fi? Nope, included. That said, the PS3 offers more and costs less.
“But the issue of what the Elite lacks is not the primary concern. It is fine to try and satisfy the high-end consumer, but if doing so alienates your mass market base it can spell doom. Sony has more flexibility to go with a high-end strategy because they are still satisfying their core PlayStation 2 consumer base. With hot new products like God of War II, Sony Computer Entertainment is showing existing consumers they don’t need to rush to upgrade to the PS3 (or competing system). Compare this with Microsoft that basically slammed the door on the original Xbox and is now basically telling initial Xbox 360 purchasers they need to buy a whole new system if they truly want to do high-definition.”
It’s the issue of HDMI output that seems to be the biggest problem for the Elite. Specifically, most consumers don’t even know what an HDMI port is. Just last year Microsoft maintained that you don’t need HDMI for HD and that regular component cables will in fact work just fine.
A recent look at the Elite by GamePro also prioved less than sterling: Ultimately, the Elite has nothing to do with enhancing the gameplay experience; it’s for multimedia whores. HDMI, a larger hard drive, new movies and TV content? Great. Remind me why the gamer in me cares? How will the Elite improve my games? From a game saving and demo download standpoint, a 20 GB hard drive is more than enough (hint: you were right the first time, Microsoft). After all, despite whom Elite is being pitched to, gamers are the ones really buying the product.”
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