Tagged: next-gen
Lionhead may be hiring for next-gen MMO
This job listing on LinkedIn states that a “major, renowned studio in the UK” is recruiting designers and programmers to work on an MMO for next-gen consoles. Superannuation believes it’s Lionhead.
The MMO is going to be based on an RPG IP that will offer a “radical new take on… co-operative and multiplayer gameplay.” It also aims to blend online and single player into one experience.
Building upon that, it further states that the game will feature a “complex progression system, multiple routes through the campaign, and an MMO-like multiplayer experience.”
If it’s Lionhead making the game, then it’s definitely coming to the next Xbox console.
EA investing $80 million in next-gen games development, has over 11 million Origin members
EA’s universally-disliked Origin service now has 11 million registered members. It’s also making money for EA – in fact, it has made $150 million of it between March 31, 20111 and April 1, 2012. Nucleus, the publisher’s cross-platform community network, now has 220 million members. These are staggering figures for such a reviled service.
Seeing as how EA is doing quite well, the company also noted that it is investing $80 million in developing games for next-gen consoles over the next 12 month. The publisher is quite committed to next-gen hardware. It also tells us just how soon we can expect these consoles to land in our homes.
Killzone PS3 to Exceed Trailer
The spectacular Killzone PS3 trailer at Sony’s E3 2005 press conference left everyone in disbelief: can it be done, said everybody. Well, according to Phil Harrison, it can be done and will actually exceed some aspects of the shown trailer.
In an interview in the Official UK PlayStation Magazine, the executive revealed that the game will be shown next year and that “some elements already exceed the trailer.” He continued, saying that both internal and external expectation is “very high” and that Sony will not show the game to public until it’s going to “exceed people’s expectations.”
He also talked about achieving real-time, sharable gameplay recording, a feature that they will use in an upcoming game in a “very innovative way.” Apparently, it will be done by recording game input and then share that with other users. No other details were revealed.
Frozen Codebase Formed
A new studio has popped up, consisting of industry veterans from Raven Software, Radical Entertainment, GarageGames and Astral Entertainment. Titled Frozen Codebase, the developer announced that it has been approved by Microsoft to code games for the Xbox 360.
The company is led by President Ben Geisler, who has worked on a number of big titles such as Quake 4, Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction, X-Men: Legends and Soldier of Fortune 2. It is based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The studio is yet to announce its first title, though the press release does mention that the project has been “receiving fantastic feedback” and that it’s “poised for success.” The Xbox 360 was mentioned as the only platform of development.
Two Worlds Gets One Publisher
Southpeak Interactive has announced that it has signed a two-product publishing deal with TopWare Interactive. The first title is Two Worlds, a RPG slated for release in March 2007 for both PC and next-gen consoles. The second game was not revealed.
“We were looking for a publisher that would focus on giving our titles the aggressive promotion and distribution they deserve,” said James Seaman, managing director of TopWare. “SouthPeak was at the top of our list and we look forward to partnering with them to bring out titles to market.”
“TopWare is creating premium games – Two Worlds is a perfect example of the passion they bring to the medium,” said Katie Morgan, Executive Vice President of SouthPeak Interactive. “We have immense respect for their creative vision and can’t wait to work with them.”
BioWare Goes PhysX
AGEIA sends word that BioWare is integrating its PhysX technology into its next-gen Eclipse Engine for PC and next-gen consoles. The development studio will be using the physics solution in Dragon Age, as well as in future titles.
Those looking forward to upgrade their physics can purchase the AGEIA PhysX processor available now in computers from Dell and Alienware; it is also available as add-in boards from ASUS and BFG Technologies.
Carmelo Anthony on NBA Street Homecourt Cover
EA sent out word that Carmelo Anthony will grace the cover of NBA STREET Homecourt, the fourth game in the 3-on-3 basketball series. This will be Anthony’s third time, as he has appeared on the covers of NCAA March Madness 2004 and NBA Live 2005.
“I credit a lot of who I am today as a player to my days playing on the streets in Baltimore,” said Anthony. “My homecourt in Baltimore will always be a part of who I am, because that’s where I gained the skill and desire that has made me successful in basketball. NBA STREET Homecourt represents real street basketball and the place where it all started for me.”
NBA STREET Homecourt will be available for the PS3 and Xbox 360 sometime next year.
PS3 Launch List; Accessories Priced
Gamers can look forward to quite a few titles at the PS3 launch next month. According to Sony‘s official announcement, the following games will be available during the console’s “launch window”:
- Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII
- Call of Duty 3
- EA Sports Fight Night Round 3
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
- F.E.A.R.
- Full Auto 2: Battlelines
- Genji: Days of the Blade
- Madden NFL 07
- Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
- Mobile Suit Gundam: CROSSFIRE
- NBA 2K7
- NBA 07
- Need For Speed Carbon
- NHL 2K7
- RIDGE RACER 7
- Resistance: Fall of Man
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07
- Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas
- Tony Hawk’s Project 8
- Untold Legends Dark Kingdom
The above-listed, and all PS3 games, will retail for $60. The company also noted that the first shipment of PS3 units in North America will include a Blu-ray copy of Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, which won’t be available for purchase separately until December 12.
Sony also announced an official HDMI cable ($50) and listed the prices for the Sixaxis controller ($50), the Blu-ray remote control ($25) and the Memory Card adapter for PS1/PS2 memory cards ($15).
EA Working on 30 PS3 Games
Pledging support for the PS3 is none other than EA, who announced that it has more than 30 games in development for the console. The publisher will release eight to ten games on the PS3 by late March 2007 including Fight Night Round 3 and Def Jam: Icon.
Paul Lee, President of EA Studios commented on the launch of the PLAYSTATION®3, ” Each game has been custom designed to leverage the hardware power of the PlayStation 3 and serve as a launch pad for EA’s next generation of HD gaming. This is only the beginning. In the months and years to come, developers will take greater advantage of the PlayStation 3’s cell processors and blu-ray storage capacity to create games of stunning depth and texture.”
Frank Gibeau, EA Executive Vice President of North America Publishing noted, “This is a very exciting time for gamers. EA’s games on the PlayStation 3 will help propel HD forward. Over the course of the next 18 months, EA will roll out groundbreaking new original properties and spectacular new versions of perennial hits that will further maximize the power of the PlayStation 3’s unique cell processor and outstanding blu-ray disk capacity.”
Watch the new Chainsaw Massacre Movie, then Massacre Aliens in Gears of War
Hoping to attract movie-goers as well as gamers, Microsoft and New Line have partnered together to offer advance screenings of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning followed by the chance to play Gears of War. This chance is being offered in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco, with all events taking place on October 4 in unspecified AMC Theatres.
To sign up for a ticket, head on over to the Match Made in Hell promotional site. However, the announcements were quick to point out that the receipt of a ticket does not guarantee admission; tickets will be entertained on a first-come, first-serve basis. The other condition is that guests will have to be at least 17 years of age.
BDGamers 