Xbox360 Game News
Mar
Sony’s PlayStation 3 may hold the title for heaviest console of all time, but with last year’s release of the slimline PS3, the Xbox 360 suddenly doesn’t look so trim. Microsoft might have plans to rectify that, however, as Chinese tipsters have posted images of what they allege is a compact, redesigned version of the Xbox 360 hardware.
Kotaku spotted the original forum post containing the supposedly leaked images. According to that thread, prototypes of the new Xbox 360 are already being tested at Microsoft’s production facility. The source goes on to claim that the console will be considerably smaller, and will somehow integrate both the CPU and GPU on a single chip. There’s also talk of another round of price drops to accompany the redesign.
All of this should obviously be taken with a manatee-sized grain of salt. Sure, the redesigned Xbox 360 could wind up legitimate — the slimline PlayStation 3 arose from some equally unlikely leaks, after all — but would Microsoft really introduce a hardware refresh when they’re already so focused on the Project Natal launch? Let us know what you think.
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Mar
Sony’s PlayStation 3 may hold the title for heaviest console of all time, but with last year’s release of the slimline PS3, the Xbox 360 suddenly doesn’t look so trim. Microsoft might have plans to rectify that, however, as Chinese tipsters have posted images of what they allege is a compact, redesigned version of the Xbox 360 hardware.
Kotaku spotted the original forum post containing the supposedly leaked images. According to that thread, prototypes of the new Xbox 360 are already being tested at Microsoft’s production facility. The source goes on to claim that the console will be considerably smaller, and will somehow integrate both the CPU and GPU on a single chip. There’s also talk of another round of price drops to accompany the redesign.
All of this should obviously be taken with a manatee-sized grain of salt. Sure, the redesigned Xbox 360 could wind up legitimate — the slimline PlayStation 3 arose from some equally unlikely leaks, after all — but would Microsoft really introduce a hardware refresh when they’re already so focused on the Project Natal launch? Let us know what you think.
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Mar
If you’re eagerly anticipating a big event in mid-April, you’re either an IRS employee or a Splinter Cell fan. And if you can’t wait to try out Splinter Cell Conviction when it comes out April 13, you can take a crack at it this Thursday, March 18, when the demo is set to hit Xbox Live. Kotaku reports that the demo includes two stages from the game, but steers clear of plot spoilers. That is, plot spoilers besides “Sam Fisher kills bad people.”
If you need further convincing to dedicate some hard drive space for the demo, check out our hands-on preview. It covers the first few levels, along with some of the new multiplayer modes. “Playing different modes of Conviction for 90 minutes makes the game look like a damn good package overall,” wrote Thierry Nguyen. Here’s hoping the demo is a damn good package too.
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Mar
After being unceremoniously fired by Activision last week (and responding with a lawsuit alleging breach of contract), what’s next for now-former Infinity Ward heads Vince Zampella and Jason West? To find that out now, you might have to have your people call their people. The LA Times reports Zampella and West have signed on with Creative Artist Agency, the biggest talent agency in Hollywood.
To be sure, high-profile developers joining with a Hollywood talent agency is an unusual development. Whereas agents and managers work to negotiate deals between studios and talent in the film and television industry, the gaming industry is, as you surely know, drastically different: Developers almost always are full-time hires with a studio and have no representation.
As such, this is a fascinating move for Zampella and West and also demonstrates just how serious Hollywood takes the gaming industry these days (as if the countless questionable video game film adaptations in recent years didn’t demonstrate that enough). Will it open the way to revolutionize how the industry works with talent agents representing every developer in the biz? Maybe not, but if you were just responsible for making a billion-dollar-grossing game and find yourself looking for a new home, having an agent sure couldn’t hurt.
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Mar
After seeing screenshots or video of the Xbox Live Arcade version of Perfect Dark, you may not have been blown away. Coming just weeks after the release of the gorgeous Battlefield: Bad Company 2, not to mention the myriad of other great-looking FPS games that have been released in recent years, it’s easy to be underwhelmed. You might even think that it hasn’t been updated much from the N64 version — but if that’s what you’ve been thinking, you clearly haven’t taken a look at N64 game in a while.
The video above shows some footage of the opening cinematic and part of the first level in both the N64 and XBLA versions of Perfect Dark. It doesn’t take long to see that Rare has clearly polished up the graphics quite a bit since the game’s release back in 2000, although it looks like the AI still leaves something to be desired. You’d think the guards would have more of a reaction when they see a woman waltzing around with a gun in her hand.
Perfect Dark releases on the Xbox Live Marketplace next Wednesday, March 17, for 800 Microsoft Points ($10).
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Mar
After seeing screenshots or video of the Xbox Live Arcade version of Perfect Dark, you may not have been blown away. Coming just weeks after the release of the gorgeous Battlefield: Bad Company 2, not to mention the myriad of other great-looking FPS games that have been released in recent years, it’s easy to be underwhelmed. You might even think that it hasn’t been updated much from the N64 version — but if that’s what you’ve been thinking, you clearly haven’t taken a look at N64 game in a while.
The video above shows some footage of the opening cinematic and part of the first level in both the N64 and XBLA versions of Perfect Dark. It doesn’t take long to see that Rare has clearly polished up the graphics quite a bit since the game’s release back in 2000, although it looks like the AI still leaves something to be desired. You’d think the guards would have more of a reaction when they see a woman waltzing around with a gun in her hand.
Perfect Dark releases on the Xbox Live Marketplace next Wednesday, March 17, for 800 Microsoft Points ($10).
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Mar
Trouble is brewing in Rapture. The recently released Sinclair Solutions multiplayer pack for BioShock 2 is facing upset players over the revelation that the content is already on the disc, and the $5 premium is an unlock code. It started when users on the 2K Forums noticed that the content is incredibly small: 24KB on the PC, 103KB on the PlayStation 3, and 108KB on the Xbox 360. 2K Games responded with a post explaining that the decision was made in order to keep the player base in tact, without splitting it between the haves and have-nots.
“The way our engine and game structure works is that people need to have the exact same content for people to play together,” wrote community manager 2K Elizabeth. “One of the challenges with post launch content for MP is that it can split the player base, and we want to avoid that whenever possible. For this content, creating the DLC package the way we did allowed for us to not split the player base - so whether you purchase the new content or not, you can still play with your friends.” The answer may not be enough to satisfy upset fans who would’ve preferred on-disc content unlocked from the beginning. But as Shacknews notes, it’s possible this content was made on a separate DLC budget. That would essentially force the company to recoup the development costs through DLC charges.
It does raise the question of what will happen with future DLC. This pack is a large boost to the multiplayer, but 2K has promised more packs coming in the future, which could include more multiplayer expansions. If this move was made to keep from splitting the player base, one has to wonder if future multiplayer DLC is already on the disc as well. The effort to keep everyone playing together is noble, but if it leads to more instances like this one months down the line, fans will probably grow increasingly annoyed.
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Mar
Comedy legend John Cleese will soon be lending his voice to Fable III. The actor best known for his work on Monty Python and Fawlty Towers will be serving as the main character’s butler.
Lionhead’s Peter Molyneux dropped word of Cleese’s inclusion during his GDC session. He also confirmed that it will be possible to sell weapons online, and showed off a bit of the new user interface.
Fable III revolves around the struggle for the throne as the player first takes power then administers their new kingdom. Once you’ve got your crown, it looks like you’ll have Cleese to help you out.
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Mar
Comedy legend John Cleese will soon be lending his voice to Fable III. The actor best known for his work on Monty Python and Fawlty Towers will be serving as the main character’s butler.
Lionhead’s Peter Molyneux dropped word of Cleese’s inclusion during his GDC session. He also confirmed that it will be possible to sell weapons online, and showed off a bit of the new user interface.
Fable III revolves around the struggle for the throne as the player first takes power then administers their new kingdom. Once you’ve got your crown, it looks like you’ll have Cleese to help you out.
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Mar
A recap of the best games due to hit Japanese shelves next week, courtesy of Famitsu magazine’s review pages:
- Yakuza 4 (9/10/10/9, 38 points): We haven’t gotten Yakuza 3 quite yet, but the sequel’s already out in Japan, and it’s apparently a scorcher.
Everybody loved the new game’s multi-viewpoint storyline to bits. “The heroes are packed with personality,” one wrote. “Each one has different moves, and it’s fun to try exercising all of them during the fights. The story has tons of exciting developments for all four characters, and the way they all tie in together in the final chapter is incredibly hot.” Another reviewer called it a shame that series hero Kazuma Kiryu “doesn’t get much face time,” but “getting the story from four perspectives is fresh and lets you experience the town of Kamurocho in a whole new way.”
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