Monday, July 13, 2009

Ruffian We're the Right People to Make Crackdown 2

It all goes back to Crackdown being a surprising sleeper hit, even for Microsoft. By the time Microsoft Games Studios should have secured a contract with the developer to create a sequel, Real Time Worlds had to move on and work on All Points Bulletin, a games that promises to do for MMOs what Crackdown did for open-world action games.

To everyone's surprise, Microsoft announced Crackdown 2 at E3 2009 and confirmed the rumors: the sequel to Crackdown won't be developed by Real Time Worlds, but instead the recently founded Ruffian Games will take on the job. After the official announcement, David Jones, founder of Real Time Worlds, and known for creating the Grand Theft Auto and Lemmings franchises, expressed his disappointment over the fact that Microsoft, owner of the Crackdown intellectual property, chose other studio to continue the series.

Edge got the chance to talk to Ruffian Games about Crackdown 2 and the comments made by David Jones. Ruffian Games defended Microsoft's decision, saying that they're the right ones to continue the series.

" Close to half of our team worked on the original game. We’ve got core members from every discipline who worked on it, the majority of the design team, and, depending on whom you speak to, some of the best coders and most talented artists. " Creative Director Billy Thomson said. " But there are still guys at Realtime we want to be friends with, so we don’t want to get dragged into a slanging match. "

Ruffian Were the Right People to Make Crackdown 2


HD (1280x720) | SD (640x360)


‘Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince’ Stars Get Over Kissing Qualms

It's a Holiday!

The TeamXbox staff is off to celebrate the anniversary of America's independence, so we're not planning on updating the site until Monday, July 6, unless there's breaking news pertinent to the Xbox community. The best way to stay on top of TXB updates is to follow our Twitter feed, which will announce any fresh updates as they occur. Who knows...you also might win one of the many Xbox Live Arcade game codes we're giving away there on a regular basis.

No matter where you are, the TeamXbox staff wishes you a happy and safe weekend!

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Kingdom Under Fire II Update + New Screenshots

Blueside provided today an official statement on the Xbox 360 version of Kingdom Under Fire II, confirming the game release on this platform in the second half of 2010. Additionally, the company released seven new screenshots of the game:
Announcement: Kingdom Under Fire II to conquer Xbox 360

BLUESIDE today revealed some good news around their plan on the Console version of Kingdom Under Fire II that was somewhat floating in the air vaguely up until now. While more surprises are waiting their turn, BLUESIDE made official that Kingdom Under Fire II will come out in the platform they are most familiar with, Xbox 360 TM amongst the consoles and once more, offer an epic scale mediaeval fantasy war zone much enhanced in every aspect from the previous versions for gamers to conquer the Bersia continent with the new generation of heroes.

Kingdom Under Fire II Update + New Screenshots

Kingdom Under Fire II Update + New Screenshots

     

Kingdom Under Fire II Update + New Screenshots

     

Kingdom Under Fire II Update + New Screenshots

Click here to view all screenshots
Staying true to the Action RTS tradition of the series that began with ‘The Crusaders’ and ‘Heroes’, the convergence of intense combat action and tactical warfare strategy will take place in Kingdom Under Fire II for Xbox 360 TM. While the look and spirit of game will be succeeded from the predecessors that would bring back all the good memories of blood, sweat and tears gamers had to shed in endless fierce warfare, the new Kingdom Under Fire will be presented on much updated visual and game-play with the perfect conciliation of Action and Real-time Strategy based on enhancements made upon every merit of the previous versions. If the series were once described as games that excelled at bringing “massiveness” into the game world, this new sequel will unquestionably redefine the meaning of that word on a whole new level with thousands of soldiers engaging in intense combat and all being vividly displayed at one screen. Accompanied by highly detailed flying creatures, enormous beasts, gigantic siege machines, and heroes of new generation, the intense action of up-close combat will be delivered in the way more realistic, stylish and overwhelming than ever. With over one hundred different types of units available from the roaster along the side of heroes, this time, players will be empowered not only to directly control the hero characters, but also first-handedly maneuver the troops. Introducing new ways to raise the army and travel the world, players will also need to be very tactical outside of battle as managing troops of one hundred different types via electronic game card system and board them in a mother-ship to leave for an adventure where dangers and threats are awaiting.

Kingdom Under Fire II for Xbox 360TM will differentiate itself from the PC Online version in that there will be more focus on the single player aspect as for players to unveil the secrecy of Bersian history as putting themselves on shoes of heroes and reunite the scattered nations in deep and rich storyline. Addition of mind-blowing scale of Castle Siege battle and the conventional Action RTS Multiplayer mode via Xbox Live, Xbox 360TM version of Kingdom Under Fire II being co-developed by BLUESIDE and PHANTAGRAM is targeted to be released in the second half of 2010 with the various kinds of Premium Downloadable Contents to boost up the characters and personalize them. As for the other consoles, BLUESIDE will have more information on them through announcements down the road.

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BLUESIDE Inc., consisting of the core members who created “Kingdom Under Fire” series, is a developer of interactive game software with a mission to break new ground in the electronic entertainment industry. With highly experienced experts in game development, computer animation, and multimedia contents, BLUESIDE Inc. promises to deliver the most exciting and unique gaming experience to all gamers transcending cultures, territories and platforms. (http://www.BLUESIDE.co.kr)

Monday, July 6, 2009

Brian Reynolds Joins Zynga as Chief Designer

Zynga announced that Brian Reynolds, the co-founder of Firaxis Games and Big Huge Games, has joined the company in the newly created position of chief designer. Under his new role, Reynolds will lead the product development team and will be responsible for developing new social strategy games.

Legendary Game Designer Brian Reynolds Joins Zynga as Chief Designer

Reynolds Heading Up Zynga East, Expanding Presence on East Coast

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zynga, the largest developer of social games, today appointed Brian Reynolds to the newly created position of chief designer. Reynolds will lead the product development team and will be responsible for developing new social strategy games.

Reynolds, an eighteen-year industry veteran, is recognized as one of the industry’s most talented and productive game designers and was honored by PC Gamer as one of 25 “Game Gods.” Reynolds played a key role founding two successful videogame studios: Firaxis Games and Big Huge Games and masterminded the design of several smash hits including Civilization II®, Alpha Centauri®, and Rise of Nations®, as well as Catan® for Xbox360 Live Arcade. Reynolds’ videogames have sold over six million copies worldwide.

“Brian is not only of the most widely respect game designers, he is also uniquely gifted in that he has mastered the art of programming,” said Mark Pincus, CEO and founder, Zynga. “Brian’s dual specialty gives him the substantial advantage of being able to bring his own visions to life. He has built a reputation for finely tuned game-play.”

“Zynga is one of the most dynamic companies that will have a profound impact on how people connect through games,” said Brian Reynolds. “On top of this, Mark has a created a team of some of the smartest and most talented people in games and I am thrilled to come on board at this exciting time in the company’s growth.”

Reynolds will head up operations at Zynga East, expanding the company’s presence on the East Coast. In 2009 this office will begin with 12-15 employees, including game designers, web developers (PHP, MySQL, Flash), artists, and producers. Based in Baltimore, Md., production efforts will be focused on creating new social network games on Facebook and other platforms--particularly games with a strategic emphasis.


About Zynga

Zynga is the largest social gaming company with 12 million daily users and 50 million monthly users. Zynga’s games are available on Facebook, MySpace, Bebo, Hi5, Friendster, Yahoo! and the iPhone, and include Texas Hold’Em Poker, Mafia Wars, YoVille, Vampires, Street Racing, Scramble and Word Twist. The company is funded by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, IVP, Union Square Ventures, Foundry Group, Avalon Ventures, Pilot Group, Reid Hoffman and Peter Thiel. Zynga is headquartered at the Chip Factory in San Francisco. For more information, please visit www.zynga.com.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 PreOrder Bonus Revealed

Activision announced in conjunction with GameStop that those who pre-order a copy of Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 from a GameStop store or online at www.GameStop.com will receive an exclusive playable character: Juggernaut. Below is the press release with the announcement:

ACTIVISION ENLISTS GAMERS TO JOIN THE MARVEL: ULTIMATE ALLIANCE 2 VIP COMMUNITY

GameStop Pre-Order Program Launches with Exclusive Character Offer

Santa Monica, CA – July 2, 2009 – Activision, Inc. is calling on gamers to join the VIP community for Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the #1 best-selling Super-Hero action-RPG. Starting today, players can log on to www.MarvelUltimateAlliance.com and become VIP members earning exclusive and early access to insider content such as classified game information and character reveals, Ask-a-Developer sessions, VIP-only screenshots and videos, and community prizes.

Also just launched on www.MarvelUltimateAlliance.com is a casual online web game that puts players in the heart of the Marvel Civil War. Fans get to choose their side among Pro-Registration and Anti-Registration forces and face off in real-time battles to help their side emerge victorious. Fans can join the Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 Civil War online game and be eligible for weekly giveaways and prizes, including Xbox 360 Elite consoles, signed memorabilia from Stan Lee, a grand prize of a 42” 1080p flat screen TV and more.

The company also announced in conjunction with GameStop, gamers that pre-order a copy of Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 for the PS3 or Xbox 360 from a GameStop store or online at www.GameStop.com will receive an exclusive playable character – Juggernaut.

Incorporating elements of the acclaimed Marvel Civil War storyline, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 allows players to choose their side and team up revered heroes and villains from the largest army of Super Heroes ever, including Spider-Man, Wolverine, Hulk, Iron Man, Deadpool, Venom, Green Goblin and Captain America. Players can combine characters’ powers and unleash astonishing new fusion attacks.

The game is being developed by Vicarious Visions for the Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system, Wii, PlayStation 2 system, PSP® (PlayStation® Portable) system and Nintendo DS™ and is not yet rated by the ESRB.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.

Activision Publishing maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, Russia, Japan, South Korea, China and the region of Taiwan. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activision.com.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

It's a Holiday!

The TeamXbox staff is off to celebrate the anniversary of America's independence, so we're not planning on updating the site until Monday, July 6, unless there's breaking news pertinent to the Xbox community. The best way to stay on top of TXB updates is to follow our Twitter feed, which will announce any fresh updates as they occur. Who knows...you also might win one of the many Xbox Live Arcade game codes we're giving away there on a regular basis.

No matter where you are, the TeamXbox staff wishes you a happy and safe weekend!

G.I. Joe The Rise of Cobra Advances on 7Eleven Stores

7-Eleven has announced a series of promotions to promote the Aug. 7 release of the new action movie, “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.” The retailer will offer new, G.I. Joe-themed hot and cold beverages, plus cups with movie graphics. Two paper Slurpee cups will include Slurpee Nation reward codes that can be used to enter an online instant-win sweepstakes at www.slurpee.com.

Prizes awarded in the month-long sweepstakes include Xbox 360 systems, G.I. Joe Xbox 360 video games and Xbox Live Gold subscriptions. The sweepstakes for the trip to the Los Angeles movie premiere ends July 20.

‘G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra’ Advances on 7-Eleven® Stores

Retailer Takes Aim at G.I. JOE Fans with Liquid Artillery Slurpee®, ‘GO JOE’ Energy Cappuccino and Sweepstakes

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--7-Eleven, Inc. reports for duty this July as it joins forces with Paramount Pictures to promote the Aug. 7 release of the new action movie, “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.”

At the center of the promotion, starting Wednesday, is a new G.I. JOE-themed true-blue Slurpee® flavor – Liquid Artillery, a summer fruit blend of strawberry, pineapple and lime flavors created by The Coca-Cola Company. Four 22-oz. collectible Slurpee cups with matching character straws feature G.I. JOE team members CONRAD DUKE HOWSER and SNAKE EYES, and COBRA members, BARONESS and STORM SHADOW. An online Slurpee Nation sweepstakes offers a grand-prize trip for two to attend the Los Angeles premiere of the movie.

Besides its frozen blue Slurpee drink, 7-Eleven has added a hot beverage tie-in with a ‘GO JOE’ Cappuccino, mocha-flavored with three natural energy ingredients – taurine, guarana and caffeine. One 12-ounce cup has as much caffeine as an 8-ounce energy drink. Refillable silver and black 16-ounce coffee mugs featuring the G.I. JOE logo also are available while supplies last.

“G.I. JOE is probably the best-known boy’s toy in the world,” said Jay Wilkins, 7-Eleven brand manager for cold beverages. “The movie has a ready-made audience of boys and men who played with G.I. JOE, and we want to bring back some of those great childhood memories by promoting ‘G. I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra’ with a great, new Slurpee drink, fun cups and straws.”

“This program brings the excitement of the new movie right inside 7-Eleven stores,” commented LeeAnne Stables, executive vice president of worldwide marketing partnerships at Paramount Pictures. “Fans will get an early taste of this big screen update of their favorite characters from this incredible action-packed ‘G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra’ film.”

In addition to the four plastic 3D cups, 7-Eleven has created two paper Slurpee cups with movie graphics along with Slurpee Nation reward codes that can be used to enter an online instant-win sweepstakes at www.slurpee.com.

Prizes awarded in the month-long sweepstakes include Xbox 360 Entertainment Systems, G.I. JOE Xbox 360 videogames, Xbox LIVE Gold subscriptions and one-year subscriptions to Symantec’s Norton Antivirus and spyware removal program. The sweepstakes for the trip to the Los Angeles movie premiere ends July 20.

Introduced in the United States by Hasbro in 1964, G.I. JOE celebrates its 45-year anniversary this year as the world’s first “action figure.” As enemies, military uniforms and gear changed, the toy line evolved over the years. “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” is a live-action film adaptation based on the 1980s version of the franchise, which set up the conflict between G.I. JOE and COBRA and introduced audiences to characters, like SNAKE EYES, BARONESS and STORM SHADOW.

Directed by Stephen Sommers (“The Mummy”), the cast of “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” includes Sienna Miller, Channing Tatum, Marlon Wayons and Dennis Quaid. Set 10 years in the future, the film shows the rise of the COBRA organization and focuses on the creation of an international force of operatives who use high-tech equipment to battle their enemies.

Besides the online sweepstakes and in-store signage, cups and collectibles, 7-Eleven will run radio advertising promoting the “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” campaign in select markets. Assisting 7-Eleven in developing the partnerships and promotions for the G.I. JOE program is FreshWorks, 7-Eleven, Inc.’s advertising and marketing agency, which is a consortium of Omnicom companies.


About 7-Eleven, Inc.

7-Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience retailing industry. Based in Dallas, Texas, 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses approximately 7,800 7-Eleven® stores in North America. Globally, 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses more than 36,200 stores in 15 countries. During 2008, 7-Eleven stores worldwide generated total sales of more than $53.7 billion. For 15 consecutive years 7-Eleven has been listed among Hispanic Magazine’s Hispanic Corporate Top 100 Companies that provide the most opportunities to Hispanics. 7-Eleven is franchising its stores in the U.S., and is expanding through organic growth, acquisitions, and its Business Conversion Program. Find out more online at www.7-Eleven.com.


About “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra”

Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment Present, In Association With Hasbro, A di Bonaventura Pictures Production of A Stephen Sommers Film: “G.I. JOE: The Rise of Cobra” starring Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Christopher Eccleston, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Byung Hun Lee, Sienna Miller, Rachel Nichols, Ray Park, Jonathan Pryce, Saïd Taghmaoui, Channing Tatum, Marlon Wayans and Dennis Quaid. The film is directed by Stephen Sommers. The story is by Michael B. Gordon and Stuart Beattie & Stephen Sommers. The screenplay is by Stuart Beattie and David Elliot & Paul Lovett. Based on Hasbro’s G.I. JOE® Characters. The film is produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Brian Goldner and Bob Ducsay. The executive producers are Stephen Sommers, David Womark, Gary Barber, Roger Birnbaum and Erik Howsam. The director of photography is Mitchell Amundsen. The production designer is Ed Verreaux. The film editors are Bob Ducsay and Jim May. The costume designer is Ellen Mirojnick. The music is composed and conducted by Alan Silvestri. This film has not yet been rated.


About Hasbro

Hasbro, Inc. (NYSE:HAS) is a worldwide leader in children’s and family leisure time products and services with a rich portfolio of brands and entertainment properties that provides some of the highest quality and most recognizable play and recreational experiences in the world. As a brand-driven, consumer-focused global company, Hasbro brings to market a range of toys, games and licensed products, from traditional to high-tech and digital, under such powerful brand names as TRANSFORMERS, PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, CRANIUM and WIZARDS OF THE COAST. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. (C) 2009 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.