No-one seems to remember way back in 2006 when Gears of War first came out, from day one it was set to be a trilogy, though over the last few months Epic have said things like “There are no plans for a GoW trilogy” and they were handling things on “a game by game basis.” Yet now it seems a third title MIGHT be coming. Hit the jump for more info.
Recently speaking to Official Xbox Magazine UK Cliff call me Cliffy B, oh wait don’t blah blahBleszinski shut down rumors that he may be working on a new survival horror game, saying:
No, I’m not making a horror game next. Gears is very much near and dear to me. There’s only been two Gears games, man, there’s still plenty of opportunities for things you can do in a cover-based shooter, and there’s still a lot of stories to tell in the Gears universe. I’m not burned out on that at all.
New? Well that cannot be the single player element to the Dark Corners pack (Road to Ruin), that was a “deleted scene” from Gears 2. It wouldn’t take a conspiracy theorist to think that another game could well be in the works. What are your theories? Let us know
E3 2009 is the biggest video game convention of the entire year. This is where big publishers from around the world go to show off their games against the competition. Those lucky enough to attend the three day event are treated to an early look at tomorrow's greatest games. So which games stood out the most? Here are the top five video games showcased at E3 2009.
While popular, the original Assassin's Creed came with plenty of glaring flaws that hinder the experience. Assassin's Creed 2 is looking like it will take a huge leap from the prequel with more mission and weapon variety in addition to the ability to fly around the gigantic area. With incredible visuals to boot, the upcoming PC, Playstation 3and Xbox 360 game is one of the best games of E3 2009.
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One of the biggest surprises of E3 2009 is New Super Mario Bros. Wii. The game brings back the classic 2D side-scrolling gameplay of the old Mario titles to the NintendoWii for the very first time. Asides from over 80 levels and new creative power-ups, New Super Mario Bros. Wiialso support four-player cooperative play. In all probability, this upcoming title will be the best game on the Nintendo Wii in 2009.
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After years of anticipation, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Conviction was finally shown at E3 2009. The game got a complete overhaul from when it first debuted. The presentation is a lot sleeker with your objectives being projected onto the environments. Not to mention that the open-ended stealth gameplay has been streamlined for more accessibility. The long wait seems to be well worth it for Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Conviction.
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No other video game got as much exposure during E3 2009 than Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. As if an excellent trailer and a live playthrough at the press conference wasn't enough, players also participated in the multiplayer beta. The
Playstation 3 exclusive deserve every bit of it, however, thanks to gorgeous visuals in addition to the intense third-person shooting gameplay. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is easily the biggest Playstation 3 game of the holiday season.
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While the above titles are great, the experiences are the same as before. From the developer of Ico and Shadow of the Colossus, The Last Guardian looks like a completely unique experience unlike any other title. Furthermore, you could already tell that the Playstation 3 exclusive will be poignant, an emotion where no other games at E3 2009 can claim to invoke. For that reason, The Last Guardian is the best game showcased at E3 2009.
Ballmer references Project Natal launch in 2010
While there's no official release window for Microsoft's motion-sensing camera interface, Project Natal – heck, there's not even an official name of the thing yet! – comments made by Microsoft CEO (and professional stretcher) Steve Ballmer indicate a 2010 launch. TGDaily reports that "Ballmer stated openly during a speech on the recession to those in attendance at the Executives Club in Chicago, a new Xbox 360 will hit the store shelves in 2010."
The report never mentions "Natal" and refers instead to a "console" featuring a built-in camera. An example of a writer not familiar with the beat, or an allusion to a new Xbox-branded console, as rumored? Maybe a little bit of both: a console-level launch for the Natal, as mentioned by Shane Kim? The complete lack of reference to "Project Natal" in the report makes us question the specifics regarding a "new Xbox 360." However, a new Xbox 360 SKU featuring Natal could be one alternative possibility – but forget about all that! What's important is the 2010 comment. Regardless of how Natal is packaged, Microsoft's top dog says you'll be flailing your arms next year.
We've asked Microsoft to clarify Mr. Ballmer's statements or provide a transcript. We'll let you know what they say!
[Update: Unsurprisingly, Microsoft didn't have much to say on the matter. They tell us, "As the Xbox team stated at E3 two weeks ago, we are not even halfway through the current console generation lifecycle and believe Xbox 360 will be the entertainment center in the home for long into the next decade. Project Natal will be an important part of this platform, but we have not confirmed a launch date at this time." So, there you are.]
John Schappert leaves Microsoft, returns to EA
The high-stakes executive trading game between Microsoft and Electronic Arts continues! John Schappert – corporate vice president of LIVE, software and services at Microsoft since 2007 and, before that, founder of Madden-dev Tiburon at EA – is returning to EA to replace John Pleasants as COO, reports IndustryGamers. Pleasants is headed to social gaming company Playdom. Schappert was brought on as COO and Pleasants – taking the hint, we'd say – "elected to pursue another opportunity," EA said.
Schappert may be familiar to many of you as the man delivering many of Microsoft's Xbox keynotes of late, including the most recent keynote at E3 this month. Effective July 14 – and after less than two years on the job at Xbox – Schappert will return to EA. "After nearly two decades working in or around this company, I've got EA in my blood," he said. "This is a team that is intensely focused on quality and innovation. I'm looking forward to rejoining EA as Chief Operating Officer and helping grow the business on new platforms and in new markets."
EA bossman John Riccitiello said, "We are thrilled to welcome John Schappert back to EA. He has a great track record as a leader and innovator in our industry. His years of experience with EA and in Microsoft's Xbox business, provide him great insight into recognizing what consumers want."
Of course, following the current pattern, one would expect another EA executive to leave Electronic Arts for Microsoft, in the great Mattrick, Moore, and Schappert tradition. Microsoft is looking to break with tradition and leave Schappert's position unfilled, telling IndustryGamers, "Marc Whitten and Phil Spencer will lead their respective businesses, LIVE Services and Microsoft Game Studios, reporting directly to Don Mattrick. Microsoft has complete confidence in the leadership of Marc and Phil and that their teams will remain focused and on track as we ramp up for this holiday."
G'luck, John! Tell Peter that Microsoft says, "Hi!"
Source – John Schappert Returns to EA as Chief Operating Officer Source – Playdom Names John Pleasants CEO
EA official site lists PS3 version of Left 4 Dead 2
It's no secret that Valve isn't a big fan of the PS3. When the company revealed Left 4 Dead 2 as an Xbox 360/PC exclusive, no one acted surprised. However, PS3 may be getting its own version of the multiplayer FPS if the official EA website is to be believed. Not only is PS3 listed in the "Coming Soon" section of the site, but a quick glance of EA's games page reveals placeholder box art for the game as well. This could be a sign that EA is working on a PS3 port; the company did work on the PS3 version of The Orange Box.
Or, it could be a database error. A PS3 version of the original Left 4 Dead was rumored after an accidental listing was placed on retailer HMV's website. That, for those of you keeping track, didn't come to fruition.
Daniel Petric, the teenager who shot and killed his mother and injured his father after being cut off from his precious Halo 3 back in 2007, received his sentence today, MSNBC reports. Judge James Burge sentenced the boy to 23 years to cries of mercy from the boy's surviving father, who stated that Daniel "still does not understand why he did something so terrible."
Daniel's sentence is actually a lot lighter than it could have been, as the prosecution was pushing for the maximum sentence of life without parole. The defense's argument was that Daniel was so young and so addicted to the game that he could not be held accountable. Petric, only 17 years old, was even younger when he committed the crime, and the judge's lenience is likely tied to his belief that young Daniel was addicted to the point of delusion.
[Thanks, Aaron
How much will you pay for 15 new events in Burnout Paradise? Criterion is hoping the answer is $12.99 (£9.99), because that's what it's charging for the upcoming Big Surf Island DLC pack, available this Thursday. Interestingly, those who use Microsoft Magic Money™ get a slightly cheaper option at 1000.
It's certainly not as costly as some on the Joystiq team feared, but it's also far from an immediate impulse buy. While we understand Criterion wants to "make money" and "feed the family," we lament the long-gone days of free Burnout DLC.
Wiimote genius Johnny Chung Lee on Project Natal team
Here's an interesting piece of E3 news , Johnny Chung Lee, the human-computer interaction Ph.D. who came to prominence for his brilliant Wiimote interface hacks, announced on his blog that he's part of the team making Microsoft's Project Natal, something that suddenly increases the believability factor of its functionality by quite a bit.
Lee said that he isn't responsible for anything seen in the E3 demo, however. "The part I am working on has much more to do with making sure this can transition from the E3 stage to your living room - for which there is an even larger team of very smart, very hard working people involved." For once, we can say that Microsoft has made the absolute best move possible. If you're designing a new video game interface that uses a camera or motion tracking of any kind, hire this person.
This year's E3 brought with it some of the most exciting new game announcements we can remember -- not to mention fresh looks at titles we've been itching to see more of. From Assassin's Creed 2 to Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, the trailers released for E3 2009's biggest games are also some of the best we've ever seen. Since we want to make sure you can share in our excitement, we've rounded 'em all up in one handy-dandy "trailer park," if you will. Click on "continue" below for the whole thing, A to Z – or jump straight to your trailer of choice – and prepare to set your lookin' balls to "stunned."
So what are your fav. trailers ?
