-
Incoming, Increasing Numbers of Video Game Attorneys!
Video games are changing. Developers are taking more initiative in getting their games out there, and publishers are increasingly using downloadable content as a business model. That means one thing: More lawyers. For example, during the development of family-friendly MMO Free Realms, Sony brought in law firm Latham & Watkins. According to the firm’s Roxanne…
By Brian Ashcraft Published June 10, 2009 -
Modern Warfare 2 Iterations of Nuance
Modern Warfare 2 is a game loaded with detail. After watching the game play for Modern Warfare 2 during Microsoft’s press conference, I had a chance to watch the same section played through again at Activision’s booth. This time I paid closer attention to all of the little details, and there were plenty of them…
By Brian Crecente Published June 9, 2009 -
DJ Hero Impressions: One Turntable and a Plastic Guitar
Seen up close and personal, I was surprised at how fun DJ Hero appears to be. The idea of taking Konami’s Beatmania, a game that I couldn’t quite get when I played and didn’t really want to, and turning it into something that not only hardcore gamers might enjoy, but anyone, seemed like an overwhelming…
By Brian Crecente Published June 9, 2009 -
Ultimate Alliance 2 Adds More Thunderbolts
Poor little Songbird won’t be lonely in Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2, as recent updates reveal that fellow Thunderbolts Norman Osborne AKA The Green Goblin and Venom will be joining the fight. With Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 focusing on the Civil War storyline from the comics, it makes perfect sense that Norman Osborne make an appearance.…
By Mike Fahey Published June 9, 2009 -
Let’s All Take A Look At Guitar Hero: Van Halen (And Learn Some Things)
Oh good. I’m not crazy. I could have sworn I saw this trailer at Activision’s E3 booth, but since it never showed up online for download/embed, figured my jetlag was playing tricks on me. Thankfully for my own state of mental well-being, it was playing at Acti’s booth, and while it’s yet to be released…
By Luke Plunkett Published June 9, 2009 -
Activision CEO Unhappy No Console Price Chop Announced
Bobby Kotick, the Activision CEO, says that in these hard times the console makers should all do their part and lop a hundy off the retail price of the current generation rigs, so gamers can buy more full-price sequels. Speaking to Bloomberg news, Kotick said he was “disappointed not to see any sort of aggressive…
By Owen Good Published June 6, 2009 -
Blur Preview: Disco Scene
When Activision purchased Bizarre Creations, all eyes were on the former Project Gotham Racing developer was going to do next. While it’s no surprise that Bizarre is sticking to racing games, you may be surprised what direction they’re taking the genre in. What Is It? Bizarre Creations’ 2009 arcade racer will be the first game…
By Brian Crecente Published June 6, 2009 -
Not Enough People Want A G1 Transformers Game
Checking in on Activision’s Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, I chatted for a bit with a game producer, who explained the sad business truth behind the lack of a Generation One Transformers video game. While the Revenge of the Fallen game contains numerous references to the original Transformers series, with Aerialbots, Protectorbots, episodes of the…
By Mike Fahey Published June 5, 2009 -
Tim Schafer Responds To Activision’s Brutal Legend Lawsuit
Activision’s none too pleased about Double Fine Productions’ heavy metal epic Brütal Legend having gone to EA. So it’s suing the developer. What say you, Double Fine president Tim Schafer? “Hey, if Activision liked it, then they should have put a ring on it,” Schafer said. “Oh great, now Beyoncé is going to sue me…
By Michael McWhertor Published June 4, 2009 -
Activision Sues Brütal Legend Devs To Halt Release
Publisher Activision has filed suit against Brütal Legend developer Double Fine Productions to prevent the release of the heavy metal game starring Jack Black, putting the title’s Rocktober release in jeopardy. According to a report from the Associated Press, Activision claims that Double Fine failed to deliver Brütal Legend on time and mostly on its…
By Michael McWhertor Published June 4, 2009 -
Here’s Your Singularity Trailer
Raven Software‘s second Unreal 3-developed game after X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Singularity, is looking mighty spiffy in this trailer. Aside from all the Soviet-themed parade marching and sickle-flecked flags, there are also buildings exploding in reverse, some cool bullet/time control mechanics on display and a very emo soundtrack. Just remember, kids: in Soviet Russia, game plays…
By AJ Glasser Published June 2, 2009 -
In the Interest of Time, A Modern Warfare 2 Gameplay Clip
A quick demo of Modern Warfare 2 features explosions, snow, controllable snowmobiles and an ice-climbing segment that would put the Ice Climbers to shame. The part that looks weird to me, though, is when the game ends the ice-climbing segment with a black screen that says “In the Interest of Time…” Then the player is…
By AJ Glasser Published June 1, 2009 -
First Two Modern Warfare 2 Map Packs Timed 360 Exclusives
Revealed at Microsoft’s 2009 E3 press conference, the first two downloadable map packs for Inifinity Ward’s Modern Warfare 2 will be timed Xbox 360 exclusives. The news was delivered by Microsoft’s John Schappert following a gameplay demonstration of the game involving climbing up the side of an icy mountain, which is perhaps an appropriate parallel…
By Mike Fahey Published June 1, 2009 -
Guitar Hero Full List of Bands Released
All 84 bands in Guitar Hero 5 are up on the Guitar Hero 5 web site. Some magazine in Britain pretended it had gotten the list secretly, when Activision’s been feeding them out slowly through various channels. The full announcement is this week. Sorry for the mixup. Here’s the list. Band Of Horses Bush Darkest…
By Owen Good Published May 31, 2009 -
DJ Z-Trip To Demo DJ Hero Live at E3
Famed mashup DJ Z-Trip will perform sets at E3 next week to help unveil DJ Hero. DJ Hero will also feature DJ Z-Trip as an in-game avatar, according to the artist’s press release. The game will include more than 100 songs spanning a wide variety of genres including hip-hop, R&B, pop, rock and electronica. So…
By Brian Crecente Published May 29, 2009 -
Wolfenstein 3D Coming To PSN And XBLA With A Twist
The original Nazi-killing first-person shooter returns next week, as Activision announces the release date for Wolfenstien 3D for Xbox Live Arcade and the PlayStation Network. All 60 levels of Wolfenstein 3D will be hitting both consoles on June 4th, giving gamers something more constructive to do than refreshing gaming websites for the latest news out…
By Mike Fahey Published May 29, 2009 -
DJ Hero Screens Show Off Gameplay
Need pictures to go with the words explaining how DJ Hero will actually work? These screenshots should do, showing it works…well, a lot like Guitar Hero, really. Which is what you’d expect. As for DJ Shadow, who features in all these screens…well, I’ve seen Shadow live a few times over the past decade, and never,…
By Luke Plunkett Published May 29, 2009