Since my name has popped up on the Assassin’s Creed II review, I suppose I should make a proper introduction. My name’s Arthur Gies, and I’m your new News and Features editor here at TeamXbox. I won’t drone on and on about myself here, since I’d much rather start posting news content for you guys, but I look forward to providing you all with a steady stream of content in the coming months.
Previous to starting here, I was a freelancer doing games media work and hardware reviews for outlets including 1up and PCWorld, as well as TeamXbox sister site GameSpy. I also co-host a weekly gaming podcast known as RebelFM. I own all of the current crop of consoles as well as a gaming PC, but I spend most of my gaming time on the Xbox 360. I recently wrapped up Assassin’s Creed II (as the review will tell you, and yes, it really is that good), and I’ve got Left 4 Dead 2 patiently waiting for me to get home tonight, and while I’m pretty ambivalent about the campaign in Modern Warfare 2 , I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to some multiplayer later this week. Anyhow! Be sure to comment on the news in the coming months so we know what you think, and feel free to add myself and the TeamXbox Twitter account at twitter.com/aegies and twitter.com/teamxbox respectively.
0D Beat Drop Arrives on Xbox Live ArcadeRobert Pattinson Recalls The Frenzy Over His Taxi Accident
Monday, November 23, 2009
Ubisoft We Won't Publish The No More Heroes Remake
While it has been confirmed that Grasshopper Manufacture is porting their Wii action title No More Heroes to the HD consoles for a 2010 release date in Japan, western gamers have a more nebulous wait ahead of them. The Feed's Patrick Klepek reported earlier today that original No More Heroes publisher Ubisoft would not be making a repeat performance for the title's 360 and PS3 HD re-release, No More Heroes: Heroes Paradise.
While this doesn't mean NMH:HP will skip retail in North America, it does raise the question as to why precisely Ubisoft has turned down the rights to publish the title here in the States. Unfortunately, Ubisoft failed to offer reasons why they passed on publishing rights. However, I contacted Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter for his take on the situation. He stipulated that for Ubisoft, it's all about the bottom line. He offered the following:
They won’t publish games on consoles if they don’t think that they can earn a return on their investment. It’s pretty clear that NMH performed poorly on the Wii last go around, notwithstanding a pretty good review. I think that the company probably assessed the potential for the game on PS3 and 360, and concluded that it would not sell enough units to justify the production cost and marketing budget (likely 500,000 units on each console to get close to break even).
EEDAR analyst Jesse Divinich echoed Pachter's sentiments, citing the typically underwhelming performance of console ports and re-releases. He went on to describe what he feels is the primary hurdle facing an HD remake of a game designed for Nintendo's motion-based platform:
What made No More Heroes entertaining was its ability to introduce mature rated content in a core genre on the Nintendo Wii, while at the same time taking advantage of the Wii’s unique motion controls. Half of the fun of No More Heroes can only be experienced on the Wii... I don’t see how an Xbox 360 or PS3 version could be more entertaining.
While No More Heroes did receive a positive critical response, much of the praise it received related directly to the physicality of swinging the remote for the Beam Katana in the game. Lacking that, it's possible that Ubisoft saw the game as a harder sell to critics and audiences. While Ubisoft remains the publisher of NMH's sequel, Desperate Struggle, they may see a chance to capitalize on the existing fanbase for the title without worrying about awareness among HD gamers for the misadventures of Travis Touchdown.
Now, the question is which publisher will be willing to take that risk on a multiplatform re-release of a game that didn't sell especially well to begin with.
Famitsu No More Heroes on Xbox 360 in 2010‘New Moon’ Director May Distribute ‘Orientation Guide’ For Free
While this doesn't mean NMH:HP will skip retail in North America, it does raise the question as to why precisely Ubisoft has turned down the rights to publish the title here in the States. Unfortunately, Ubisoft failed to offer reasons why they passed on publishing rights. However, I contacted Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter for his take on the situation. He stipulated that for Ubisoft, it's all about the bottom line. He offered the following:
They won’t publish games on consoles if they don’t think that they can earn a return on their investment. It’s pretty clear that NMH performed poorly on the Wii last go around, notwithstanding a pretty good review. I think that the company probably assessed the potential for the game on PS3 and 360, and concluded that it would not sell enough units to justify the production cost and marketing budget (likely 500,000 units on each console to get close to break even).
EEDAR analyst Jesse Divinich echoed Pachter's sentiments, citing the typically underwhelming performance of console ports and re-releases. He went on to describe what he feels is the primary hurdle facing an HD remake of a game designed for Nintendo's motion-based platform:
What made No More Heroes entertaining was its ability to introduce mature rated content in a core genre on the Nintendo Wii, while at the same time taking advantage of the Wii’s unique motion controls. Half of the fun of No More Heroes can only be experienced on the Wii... I don’t see how an Xbox 360 or PS3 version could be more entertaining.
While No More Heroes did receive a positive critical response, much of the praise it received related directly to the physicality of swinging the remote for the Beam Katana in the game. Lacking that, it's possible that Ubisoft saw the game as a harder sell to critics and audiences. While Ubisoft remains the publisher of NMH's sequel, Desperate Struggle, they may see a chance to capitalize on the existing fanbase for the title without worrying about awareness among HD gamers for the misadventures of Travis Touchdown.
Now, the question is which publisher will be willing to take that risk on a multiplatform re-release of a game that didn't sell especially well to begin with.
Famitsu No More Heroes on Xbox 360 in 2010‘New Moon’ Director May Distribute ‘Orientation Guide’ For Free
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Need For Speed Shift DLC Adds Modes and Cars
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – November 20, 2009 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced an all-new Team Racing pack for the critically-acclaimed Need for Speed SHIFT™. The content pack takes online racing to the next level with an action-packed new race mode and five renowned racing cars - all for free (Need for Speed SHIFT and Xbox LIVE® or PlayStation®Network account required). The Team Racing pack is the first downloadable content for Need for Speed SHIFT and will be available worldwide on December 1st on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system. The pack will be released for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system on December 3rd in Europe and on December 10th in North America.
The Team Racing mode brings a fresh new challenge to SHIFT by completely redefining online racing. In this mode, two teams of up to six racers will battle against each other for online supremacy. Individual driving strategy and playing it safe won’t work as team tactics and 200 mph split-second decisions are required to push your team to the podium.
As part of the new content, players will also get access to these legendary racers:
1967 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 4271967 Shelby GT-5001969 Dodge Charger R/T1971 Dodge Challenger R/T1998 Toyota Supra Mark IV
The Team Racing content pack is custom-made for Need for Speed SHIFT, a spectacular racing game originally released in September 2009. The game introduces a brutal first-person crash dynamic and a signature cockpit view that delivers a true driver’s experience. The game further personalizes the experience through the all-new driver profile -- a unique persona based on the driving skill and style of each player. With a perfect ‘10’ score from GameSpy.com and G4TV.com, and 90+ scores from IGN.com, Official Xbox Magazine, PlayStation: The Official Magazine, Team Xbox.com, Game Daily.com, Gametrailers.com and more, Need for Speed SHIFT is the highest rated Need for Speed game in years.
‘New Moon’ Fans Appreciate Taylor Lautner’s New PhysiqueBioWare Announces New Dragon Age DLC
The Team Racing mode brings a fresh new challenge to SHIFT by completely redefining online racing. In this mode, two teams of up to six racers will battle against each other for online supremacy. Individual driving strategy and playing it safe won’t work as team tactics and 200 mph split-second decisions are required to push your team to the podium.
As part of the new content, players will also get access to these legendary racers:
1967 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 4271967 Shelby GT-5001969 Dodge Charger R/T1971 Dodge Challenger R/T1998 Toyota Supra Mark IV
The Team Racing content pack is custom-made for Need for Speed SHIFT, a spectacular racing game originally released in September 2009. The game introduces a brutal first-person crash dynamic and a signature cockpit view that delivers a true driver’s experience. The game further personalizes the experience through the all-new driver profile -- a unique persona based on the driving skill and style of each player. With a perfect ‘10’ score from GameSpy.com and G4TV.com, and 90+ scores from IGN.com, Official Xbox Magazine, PlayStation: The Official Magazine, Team Xbox.com, Game Daily.com, Gametrailers.com and more, Need for Speed SHIFT is the highest rated Need for Speed game in years.
‘New Moon’ Fans Appreciate Taylor Lautner’s New PhysiqueBioWare Announces New Dragon Age DLC
Famitsu No More Heroes on Xbox 360 in 2010
As reported last year, quirky Wii action title No More Heroes started life as an Xbox 360 title before it was relocated to Nintendo's system. As Grasshopper Manufacture Founder Goichi Suda told MCV:“Originally, I’d wanted to make this game for Xbox 360, actually. [Marvelous Interactive boss] Wada-san had information about the new Wii and how the new controller would work before it came out, so that’s why he thought I should produce the game on that format.While Wii owners will see the sequel to the original game early next year, Japanese game magizine Famitsu has confirmed that Grasshopper Manufacture is porting the game to Xbox 360 and PS3 shortly thereafter (as translated and reported by Siliconera): This week’s issue of Famitsu lists No More Heroes: Heroes’ Paradise for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360... chatter on Japanese message boards say the game will have new modes, Japanese voice acting (note: No More Heroes only had English voice acting in Japan), and will be in sold in stores for 5,040 yen ($56) on February 25, 2010. The overall reception to the game last year was pretty positive all things considered, though pickings on the Wii for great action titles are arguably slim. We'll see what 360 gamers have to say when the game releases on HD platforms next year.
‘The Boondock Saints II’: Sloppy Second, By Kurt LoderRocket Riot Scores Design Award
‘The Boondock Saints II’: Sloppy Second, By Kurt LoderRocket Riot Scores Design Award
Divinity II Ego Draconis Gets a US Release Date
After inadvertently posting a press release for Dvinity II yesterday thinking it pertained to the North American release date, we discovered that the information contained therein was for the game's imminent European launch. However, the PR department for the title was kind enough to provide us with US-specific information for the upcoming action-RPG sequel. The official US release date is January 5th, 2010, with an MSRP of $59.99. Apologies for the mix up!
‘New Moon’ Sets New Box-Office Record For Midnight ScreeningsProject Natal Coming November 2010 For Under $100?
‘New Moon’ Sets New Box-Office Record For Midnight ScreeningsProject Natal Coming November 2010 For Under $100?
BioWare Announces New Dragon Age DLC
EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA – November 19, 2009 – Leading video game developer BioWare™, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), announced today that the Return to Ostagar downloadable content (DLC) for Dragon Age™: Origins will be available for the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC versions this Holiday season in North America and Europe.
“We are very proud of the phenomenal launch of Dragon Age: Origins and we’re pleased to announce the next installment of downloadable content that will be available to fans of the game,” said Ray Muzyka, Group General Manager, RPG/MMO Group of EA, and Co-Founder, BioWare. “The Return to Ostagar DLC pack is a prime example of BioWare’s commitment to give fans a game that continuously offers new experiences and further enriches a storyline that has already received critical acclaim and positive feedback from the players.”
Return to Ostagar, BioWare’s next thread in the Dragon Age: Origins tapestry, summons players to a new quest in which they will return to the fateful battleground in Ostagar where the Grey Wardens were nearly wiped out. Players will discover King Cailan’s top-secret political agenda and go behind enemy lines to revisit a place that many feared had been lost to history.
Return to Ostagar will be available for $4.99 on the PlayStation® Store, for 400 BioWare Points on the PC and 400 Microsoft Points on the Xbox 360 in North America. Return to Ostagar will be released this Holiday season worldwide on the Xbox 360, the PlayStation®3 console and PC.
‘New Moon’ Fans Appreciate Taylor Lautner’s New PhysiqueCapcom Announces Resident Evil 5 Gold Edition
“We are very proud of the phenomenal launch of Dragon Age: Origins and we’re pleased to announce the next installment of downloadable content that will be available to fans of the game,” said Ray Muzyka, Group General Manager, RPG/MMO Group of EA, and Co-Founder, BioWare. “The Return to Ostagar DLC pack is a prime example of BioWare’s commitment to give fans a game that continuously offers new experiences and further enriches a storyline that has already received critical acclaim and positive feedback from the players.”
Return to Ostagar, BioWare’s next thread in the Dragon Age: Origins tapestry, summons players to a new quest in which they will return to the fateful battleground in Ostagar where the Grey Wardens were nearly wiped out. Players will discover King Cailan’s top-secret political agenda and go behind enemy lines to revisit a place that many feared had been lost to history.
Return to Ostagar will be available for $4.99 on the PlayStation® Store, for 400 BioWare Points on the PC and 400 Microsoft Points on the Xbox 360 in North America. Return to Ostagar will be released this Holiday season worldwide on the Xbox 360, the PlayStation®3 console and PC.
‘New Moon’ Fans Appreciate Taylor Lautner’s New PhysiqueCapcom Announces Resident Evil 5 Gold Edition
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Capcom Announces Resident Evil 5 Gold Edition
We are pleased to confirm today that a variety of new content for the hugely successful RESIDENT EVIL 5, will be available for the Xbox 360 and PS3 next year. We plan to release two new downloadable episodes, a host of new costumes, and a new “THE MERCENARIES REUNION” mode, featuring 8 new playable characters and weapon load outs.
For those RESIDENT EVIL fans who prefer a box copy, we are also happy to report that we will be releasing a RESIDENT EVIL 5: GOLD EDITION that will include the original game plus all additional content, making this the ultimate RESIDENT EVIL 5 experience. RESIDENT EVIL 5: GOLD EDITION will be available for $49.99 as a single Blu-ray disc for the PLAYSTATION 3 or as a DVD with a token for the downloadable content for XBOX 360.
Previously only seen during cut scenes of the original RESIDENT EVIL 5, the first new episode titled “LOST IN NIGHTMARES”, finds BSAA agent, Chris Redfield, working with his partner, Jill Valentine, as they investigate Ozwell E. Spencer’s hideaway. Spencer, the evil mastermind and co-founder of Umbrella Corporation, has been hiding a new evil deep within the basement of his mansion. Chris and Jill discover this grotesque evil standing in their way as the two enter deeper into the catacombs beneath the mansion. <
Simultaneous with the release of “LOST IN NIGHTMARES”, new costumes for Chris and Sheva will be made available, allowing the player to experience RESIDENT EVIL 5 with a fresh new look and feel through both game play and cut-scene playback. A new refresh of Mercenaries Mode, “THE MERCENARIES REUNION”, gives players new playable characters and weapon load outs which provide players additional challenges as they aim to shoot down as many enemies as they can within a limited time. Each piece of downloadable content will contain two new playable characters. The GOLD EDITION will feature all eight.
More information regarding the second episode is still to come so be on the look out for more great RESIDENT EVIL info coming soon!
‘New Moon’ Featurette Shows How Robert Pattinson Fights VolturiEA to close Saboteur developer Pandemic Studios
For those RESIDENT EVIL fans who prefer a box copy, we are also happy to report that we will be releasing a RESIDENT EVIL 5: GOLD EDITION that will include the original game plus all additional content, making this the ultimate RESIDENT EVIL 5 experience. RESIDENT EVIL 5: GOLD EDITION will be available for $49.99 as a single Blu-ray disc for the PLAYSTATION 3 or as a DVD with a token for the downloadable content for XBOX 360.
Previously only seen during cut scenes of the original RESIDENT EVIL 5, the first new episode titled “LOST IN NIGHTMARES”, finds BSAA agent, Chris Redfield, working with his partner, Jill Valentine, as they investigate Ozwell E. Spencer’s hideaway. Spencer, the evil mastermind and co-founder of Umbrella Corporation, has been hiding a new evil deep within the basement of his mansion. Chris and Jill discover this grotesque evil standing in their way as the two enter deeper into the catacombs beneath the mansion. <
Simultaneous with the release of “LOST IN NIGHTMARES”, new costumes for Chris and Sheva will be made available, allowing the player to experience RESIDENT EVIL 5 with a fresh new look and feel through both game play and cut-scene playback. A new refresh of Mercenaries Mode, “THE MERCENARIES REUNION”, gives players new playable characters and weapon load outs which provide players additional challenges as they aim to shoot down as many enemies as they can within a limited time. Each piece of downloadable content will contain two new playable characters. The GOLD EDITION will feature all eight.
More information regarding the second episode is still to come so be on the look out for more great RESIDENT EVIL info coming soon!
‘New Moon’ Featurette Shows How Robert Pattinson Fights VolturiEA to close Saboteur developer Pandemic Studios
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