XBOX 360

Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars: Achievement List

The independently-owned game studio, Splash Damage has managed to conjure up the achievement list for the upcoming Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars on the Xbox 360. The points distribution seems pretty straight forward and yet again we see a few “Expert Mode” achievements in there which I always avoid as they’re nearly impossible to reach. One almost needs to take some kind of enhancement drug to pull that off. Once I finish a game on Normal mode I rarely have the urge to go back and play it again on a more difficult setting.

The full list

Splinter Cell: Conviction Back to the Drawing Board

CVG.com has put out a story that talks about Ubisoft going “back to the drawing board” with the latest Sam Fisher game, Splinter Cell: Conviction.  There is no real reason given as to why, but CVG is speculating that it has to do with the look and development of some of Ubisoft’s other projects, like Assassins Creed.

Currently two years into development, and delayed once already, it seems that the Ubisoft execs are pushing for gameplay and graphics that match up with their current gem, Assassins Creed.  Ubisoft Montreal is the current design team tasked with bringing this game to fruition.

The plot of the game hopefully will still involve Sam Fisher on the run, a rogue agent of the United States, and link into the whole End War convergance that has been building through all the Tom Clancy games.

Platinum, formerly Clover, resurfaces with new games for just about everyone.

A few days ago, we finally heard some real noise from the talented folks who formerly comprised the inarguable core of Capcom’s Clover Studios team back until shortly after the release of Okami. Here’s a refresher in case you missed the last thirty or so I gave you: Clover underperformed at the cash register, so Capcom closed them in an attempt to reabsorb those Capcom legends who had created profitable franchises like Resident Evil and Devil May Cry, but ended up losing them altogether when they walked out the door instead. It wasn’t long before we heard they had formed their own studio called Seeds, which later became Platinum Games. I was starting to wonder if they were actually doing anything, and eventually I stopped thinking about them. Not long ago there was a leak of some video that was allegedly of some gameplay of Platinum Games’ work, most notably a black-and-white gorefest called MadWorld. It turns out, it’s all real, and there’s a lot to share, thanks to… Sega? That’s weird.

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Beyond Good And Evil Sequel May Happen

Anyone that has taken the time to play through Michel Ancel’s Beyond Good and Evil, understands that a lot was left unfinished at the end of the game.  Originally planned as a trilogy, the first game had to go up against another Ubisoft property, Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, and got railroaded at the register.

After looking at the sales data for the game, Ubisoft decided to put the game to sleep and forget about the other two games, regardless of fan outcry, or critical praise.

Now five years after its release, word from Ancel is that he has been working on the second part of the game for a while now, and that he is hopeful that Ubisoft will green light the project soon.  The story is suppose to follow the continuity of the first game, and should have most of the gameplay mechanics of the first game, with some refinement.

No word from Ubisoft on this, but it would be great timing, considering the game recently came to Steam for a mere pittance of a price ($8.99).  All I can say is that I hope all this comes to fruition, because it is one of the best games I have ever played, with a well though out story and compelling characters.  Ubisoft, make it happen already.

via 1up.com

Left 4 Dead Will Have No Demo Before Launch

While not unusual for Valve on the PC, it is strange for a game to be lacking a pre-release demo on the 360.  But Valve has come out and stated that they will not have a demo before the launch of the new co-op zombie fest, Left 4 Dead.

When asked about the lack of a launch demo, Doug Lombardi of Valve had this to say, “We’ve always taken the risk that there will be big enough demand at launch and then we can create more demand post-launch with the demo.”

He also was asked about whether there would be 99 achievements in Left 4 Dead, but they said that Microsoft allowed them to have extra achievements in the Orange Box, due to five games being in the box.  Thanks to reader, Ryan King for sending in the link to the full interview at UK OXM

GTA IV: Everyone Has An Opinion

Presenting us with his utmost experienced opinion, John Blyth a “Professional Video Game Player”, attempts to convince gamers and game bloggers alike into rethinking the way we play and write about Grand Theft Auto:

via videosift.com

GameTrailers TV To Debut Resident Evil 5 Trailer

GameTrailers TV, with host Geoff Keighley, will be showing off the fresh new Resident Evil 5 trailer as an exclusive on May 30th, 2008 at 1AM EDT/PDT.

The trailer will show cutscenes, but will also show off a series of gameplay sequences from the game.  The trailer will also give us a glimpse into the story and how it relates to the game’s hero, Chris Redfield.

GameTrailers TV can be found on SpikeTV.  Click the jump to read the full press release.

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Game Informer Shows Off New Drum Kit for Guitar Hero IV

Not to be content with Rock Band stealing some of their thunder, Neversoft has decided to come back with a vengeance, adding several new instruments to the Guitar Hero gameplay.  To the left, you can see the drum pads that have been created for the game.  The first thing you notice is the two cymbal pads that are elevated from the rest of the drum pads.  It is also suppose to be quieter than the Rock Band drum set, which is much appreciated.  It is also wireless, which should lessen the clutter in front of the TV.

Activision also notes that at one point, they had a Drum Hero game in development, but they discontinued it, and folded its development into the Neversoft team, so they could focus on a full band game.

Now I only have two questions that need to be answered.  One is the compatibility question, because as I see it right now, this game has 3 pads, 2 cymbals and 1 foot pedal, which is one more than the Rock Band drum kit.  So I would need to have another drum set sitting in my living room if I want to play this, because I can’t see them being compatible.  Secondly, doesn’t this seem to go beyond the scope of the name, Guitar Hero?  One other question kicking around would be whether they go with a good amount of downloadable content, because the allure of Rock Band right now, is the new content that players get every week.  Not a pack every month or every other month.

image from Game Informer, via joystiq.com

It’s About Time: Xbox 360 Spring Update Details Leaked

Someone supposedly leaked to Kotaku.com details of the Xbox 360 Spring Update. There’s about 80 items in the list.

Naturally, people are getting over-stimulated about “Calibration options for motion sensor devices” and “Support for titles to store installation data on Storage Device for faster loading.” And that’s fine, I suppose. Those are both features that have proven to be interesting on the other platforms.

However, there is really only one item on this list I care about.

12. Option to automatically associate new DRM to items downloaded for free.

Now, I see this being read a couple different ways. This could mean that you could associate new DRM to free, no-cost marketplace items like demos and free gamerpics. I’m of the opinion (which is borne of irrational optimism) that this means I can re-associate my marketplace downloads without re-purchasing them.

If I’m right, this is exactly what many Xbox 360 users have been clamoring for. Gee, it’s only taken 2.5 years to get it, but I’ll be thankful for it, nevertheless. Besides, when the new Blu-ray 360 is released, they’re going to need something like this to help convince people that re-buying a new 360 is as painless as it should’ve been all along.

Why Go Outside This Summer?

EA has let us know that there’s a swarm of new titles releasing this summer that might pique your interest. Whether or not they keep you indoors on sunny days is a question of how excited you are for them. I know for sure that Battlefield: Bad Company and Spore will be on my list. I might even withhold from picking up Spore on a console, if officially announced, and go straight for the Mac version.

Battlefield: Bad Company - Xbox 360 and PS3
Ship Date – June 23, 2008

Burnout Paradise - PC, Xbox 360 and PS3
Downloadable Content in June.

Command & Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath - Xbox 360
Ship Date – June 2008

Mass Effect - PC
Ship Date – May 28, 2008

Mercenaries 2: World in Flames -PS3, Xbox 360, PC and PlayStation 2
Ship Date – August 31st 2008 in North America; September 5th 2008 in UK and Europe

Rock Band - Wii
Ship Date – June 22, 2008

Spore - PC, Macintosh, Nintendo DS and mobile phones.
Ship Date – September 7, 2008