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Ex-EA man Schappert leaves Microsoft for EA, gets old desk back
Microsoft's John Schappert, formerly of EA, is now EA's John Schappert, formerly of Microsoft. The executive ends a two year tour of Xbox, not to be replaced.
Schappert returns to the publishing giant EA as their Chief Operating Officer, replacing John Pleasants who is leaving to, reportedly, become CEO of MySpace developer Playdom.
Schappert returns to the publishing giant EA as their Chief Operating Officer, replacing John Pleasants who is leaving to, reportedly, become CEO of MySpace developer Playdom.
Devs defend Ghostbusters PS3, "cannot directly compare" with 360
Posted: 19.06.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 0
There are numerous complaints circling that Terminal Reality's Ghostbusters on PS3 is visually inferior to the Xbox 360, it has lower resolution.
Terminal has responded saying it's "softer due to the 'quincunx' antialiasing filter" and it is "at about 75%" of the 360's resolution. They "cannot directly compare" without being scaled.
Terminal has responded saying it's "softer due to the 'quincunx' antialiasing filter" and it is "at about 75%" of the 360's resolution. They "cannot directly compare" without being scaled.
Bleszinski: There's "still a lot of stories" in Gears, "not burned out"
Posted: 19.06.2009 by Technet2k
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Epic's Cliff Bleszinski has said Gears of War hasn't burned him out, and he loves new intellectual properties because they're "raw and wide open".
New IPs are like "solving a giant puzzle in your head," and if ever forced to work on a licensed product he'll "put a shotgun" in his gob. Originals are "best-selling and the strongest titles".
New IPs are like "solving a giant puzzle in your head," and if ever forced to work on a licensed product he'll "put a shotgun" in his gob. Originals are "best-selling and the strongest titles".
Ballmer speaks, Greenberg clarifies: "not launching" new Xbox 360
Posted: 19.06.2009 by Technet2k
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Microsoft's Steve Ballmer basically outed a new Xbox 360 console would arrive next year with a "natural interface" for Project Natal, communities went loopy.
Aaron Greenberg meanwhile has sent word there will be no "new console in 2010," that Natal "will work" with all current Xbox 360s. Team Xbox is "not even halfway" through the lifecycle.
Aaron Greenberg meanwhile has sent word there will be no "new console in 2010," that Natal "will work" with all current Xbox 360s. Team Xbox is "not even halfway" through the lifecycle.
Pre-order "Halo 3: ODST" now and receive Sgt. Johnson as a playable Firefight character
Posted: 18.06.2009 by JamieSI
Comments: 2
Microsoft revealed today that people who pro-order Halo 3: ODST at participating retailers will receive an exclusive code to unlock UNSC hero Sgt. Johnson as a playable character in the multiplayer mode known as Firefight.
Halo 3: ODST is to be released on September 22nd at £39.99.
Halo 3: ODST is to be released on September 22nd at £39.99.
BioShock and Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Bundle for US
Posted: 18.06.2009 by JamieSI
Comments: 0
2K Games and Bethesda Softworks announced today that it's teaming up to deliver a value pack containing both Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and BioShock. Beginning July 7, BioShock & The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Bundle will be available in retail stores across North America for $39.99 on Xbox 360 and $29.99 for the PC.
Infinity Ward "would never introduce" subs to Modern Warfare 2
Posted: 18.06.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 2
Responding to rumours that Activision maybe considering online subscription packages for "gameplay enhancements" to Call of Duty online, Infinity say no.
The Modern Warfare 2 dev shall "never introduce" such a system to their game, this rumour/survey has "absolutely nothing" to do with them. Multiplayer should be "equal and free".
The Modern Warfare 2 dev shall "never introduce" such a system to their game, this rumour/survey has "absolutely nothing" to do with them. Multiplayer should be "equal and free".
RTW's Jones "a bit miffed" Crackdown 2 went to "start-up" Ruffian
Posted: 18.06.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 0
David Jones of Realtime Worlds, the developer of the original Crackdown, admits he was "a bit miffed at Microsoft" when they handed the sequel to Ruffian Games.
The studio was ready to go with Crackdown 2 but executive hesitation left them no option but to move on, leading to APB. Crackdown's success caught Microsoft "by surprise" he says.
The studio was ready to go with Crackdown 2 but executive hesitation left them no option but to move on, leading to APB. Crackdown's success caught Microsoft "by surprise" he says.
Despite acclaim BioShock wasn't "huge as a seller", T2 want more
Posted: 18.06.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 0
Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick has said he's hopeful BioShock 2 will "benefit from the brand awareness", wants to see juicer sales for games like that.
The original "got a lot of attention" but that didn't translate into huge sales. With "four or five titles" hitting big it would "meaningfully change" Take-Two; Zelnick wants 5 million sales.
The original "got a lot of attention" but that didn't translate into huge sales. With "four or five titles" hitting big it would "meaningfully change" Take-Two; Zelnick wants 5 million sales.
That Singularity get a demo is "absolutely critical" for the new IP
Posted: 18.06.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 1
Producer Kekoa Lee-Creel has come out saying they must deliver a demo for Singularity before it goes retail, the "shooter market is saturated, it's tough to break in".
The rather unique gameplay elements of Singularity are best shown to the gamer, not just spoken about explained Activision. The developers are "definitely on track" for a demo.
The rather unique gameplay elements of Singularity are best shown to the gamer, not just spoken about explained Activision. The developers are "definitely on track" for a demo.
Xbox Live beleaguered with "technical issues," engineers at work
Posted: 18.06.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 0
Microsoft has some egg on its face, after Xbox Live came back from its whole day of maintenance downtime things have been... turbulent for the service.
You can expect to "experience difficulties" when using the Xbox Live Marketplace generally "and/or making purchases" at the moment. Major Nelson says engineers are "actively engaged".
You can expect to "experience difficulties" when using the Xbox Live Marketplace generally "and/or making purchases" at the moment. Major Nelson says engineers are "actively engaged".
If Monkey Island does well, "no one" at LucasArts would stop more
Posted: 18.06.2009 by Technet2k
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Brooks Brown of LucasArts has revealed that if the HD resurrection of Monkey Island proves "there's interest and this market is alive", then more will likely follow.
The team have "remastered" the old MIDI tracks with "brand new instruments" in the Monkey Island remake, it has all new "hand-drawn HD graphics". It's a "full talkie" experience too.
The team have "remastered" the old MIDI tracks with "brand new instruments" in the Monkey Island remake, it has all new "hand-drawn HD graphics". It's a "full talkie" experience too.
Ex-Factor 5's accuse founders of "fraudulently transferred assets"
Posted: 18.06.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 0
Employees no longer under the Factor 5 banner have launched a lawsuit against the studio founders for apparently moving assets to avoid paying wages.
They allegedly moved assets ahead of declaring bankruptcy to avoid salary costs. White Harvest and Factor 5 are "essentially the same company", just with a new name and address.
They allegedly moved assets ahead of declaring bankruptcy to avoid salary costs. White Harvest and Factor 5 are "essentially the same company", just with a new name and address.
PEGI unveils traffic light rating symbols, has ages 3, 7,12, 16 and 18
Posted: 17.06.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 0
As PEGI is now the UK's sole age ratings body for videogames, after the BBFC was given the boot, they've now shown us what parents should be gorping at.
The five age range classifications start at age three and move up to eighteen, while the background colour progresses from green, to amber, to red as they go. Colours are pretty.
The five age range classifications start at age three and move up to eighteen, while the background colour progresses from green, to amber, to red as they go. Colours are pretty.
Midway Newcastle shows 'Necessary Force', is hunting for buyer
Posted: 17.06.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 2
Right now the Midway Newcastle brass are "100 percent" focused on finding a buyer for the studio, otherwise they're out of a job and we lose a cop game.
The devs have shown off a little of their action cop project, powered by Unreal 3, in a bid to entice a suitor for the studio. The staff "wants to stick together", super motivated by game.
The devs have shown off a little of their action cop project, powered by Unreal 3, in a bid to entice a suitor for the studio. The staff "wants to stick together", super motivated by game.
Jones is "very, very happy" with APB, says Natal needs "killer" app
Posted: 17.06.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 0
Realtime Worlds man David Jones has expressed his utter delight that APB is as it should be with the business side "going really well" for the team.
It's "hats off" to Nintendo for nailing motion-control with Wii, now Microsoft has got to appeal to core gamers with "the right kind of killer software," doesn't believe core games are suited for it.
It's "hats off" to Nintendo for nailing motion-control with Wii, now Microsoft has got to appeal to core gamers with "the right kind of killer software," doesn't believe core games are suited for it.
This "'new THQ" means profitable business, going "head to head"
Posted: 17.06.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 0
The "old THQ" is being given the electric chair by top executives, while "new THQ" looks to correct the financially horrible mistakes of the past.
That's what senior VP Danny Bilson has to say, after the publisher reported a slip of $431m in revenue and cut 25 percent of the workforce. They have a "very rigorous system" now for quality.
That's what senior VP Danny Bilson has to say, after the publisher reported a slip of $431m in revenue and cut 25 percent of the workforce. They have a "very rigorous system" now for quality.
Rumour-mill: Activision mulls over Call of Duty online subscription?
Posted: 17.06.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 2
A survey has surfaced that seems to indicate publishing giant Activision are giving some serious thought to offering a "new online service", if it's valid.
This premium style add-on would open up more game modes and other exclusive groups of "gameplay enhancement" in exchange for a "monthly, quarterly, or yearly" sub fee.
This premium style add-on would open up more game modes and other exclusive groups of "gameplay enhancement" in exchange for a "monthly, quarterly, or yearly" sub fee.
Metal Gear levelled "third-party playing field" says Kim, was key aim
Posted: 17.06.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 0
Microsoft's Shane Kim has said that with the arrival of Metal Gear Solid on Xbox 360 they've achieved "a key part" of their strategy, to eliminate big third-party exclusives.
Content exclusive to platforms is still "really important," that will continue through first-party creations like Project Natal. Microsoft don't want to be "relying on third parties" anymore.
Content exclusive to platforms is still "really important," that will continue through first-party creations like Project Natal. Microsoft don't want to be "relying on third parties" anymore.
Xbox Live is back online
Posted: 17.06.2009 by JamieSI
Comments: 0
Just a quick note to let you know that Xbox Live is now back online.
Enjoy.
Enjoy.
Posted: 19.06.2009 by Technet2k
Comments: 0