Wishful thinking

The Next Month page of the latest issue of UK magazine says a ‘gaming classic’ is set to return.

“It’s a very substantial franchise and it’s going to be a very big surprise. A good one, though – we’re really looking forward to it.”

A ‘very big surprise’? . But what could it be, do you reckon?
What about a Duke Nukem or KOTOR or if my prayers are answered an Oddworld game

Please please and Oddworld game

Explosive finale to the landmark “Gears of War” trilogy available exclusively on Xbox 360 in April 2011

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, 14 APRIL 2010 – The spectacular conclusion to one of the game industry’s most memorable and celebrated sagas, “Gears of War 3”, is poised to take the world by storm next autumn.  At this time next year, fans around the world will experience the epic story finale to the “Gears of War” trilogy when the third instalment in one of the biggest franchises in Xbox history arrives in New Zealand stores on April 7,2011.

“When we released ‘Gears of War’ more than three years ago, we set out to tell the world an unforgettable story of bravery and sacrifice in the face of insurmountable odds. A year from now, players will get the chance to experience the final chapter in the story of Marcus Fenix and his companions in Delta Squad,” said Cliff Bleszinski, design director at Epic Games. “This is definitely the biggest and most dramatic chapter yet in the ‘Gears of War’ saga, and we can’t wait to deliver it.”

Developed by acclaimed studio Epic Games and available only on Xbox 360, “Gears of War 3” plunges players into a harrowing tale of hope, survival and brotherhood that will conclude the current story arc for “Gears of War”. With the last human city destroyed and the remaining survivors stranded, time is running out for Marcus and his comrades as they fight to save the human race from the jaws of extinction.

“Gears of War” is a blockbuster entertainment franchise that has inspired a full line of toys and collectibles, apparel, an upcoming film, graphic novels and a book series by New York Times best-selling author Karen Traviss. The award-winning video games have sold more than 12 million units worldwide, and due to their riveting multiplayer action, are some of the most popular games ever played on Xbox LIVE.

To accompany today’s announcement, Microsoft and Epic Games unveiled Ashes to Ashes, the first trailer for “Gears of War 3”. Created in Unreal Engine 3 by the same team behind the iconic “Gears of War” video spots (Mad World, Rendezvous, and Last Day), the video captures a desperate three-way battle between Delta Squad, the Locust Horde, and the fearsome new Lambent.

Additionally, fans who want to share their excitement on Xbox LIVE will be able to choose from new Avatar items now available on Avatar Marketplace starting April 20*, including the new COG armour introduced in “Gears of War 3”.

For the latest developments on “Gears of War 3” and a video stream of the Ashes to Ashes trailer, visit www.gearsofwar.xbox.com or share updates with your friends on Twitter with #gears3.

So despite all that the news is that Epic have re configured the cover system so that the Locust or some now have tentacles that can reach over cover to slap you silly or fatally…the actual wording on the tentacles is ‘tentacle – like appendages’

Gears 3, Marcus and the lads gotta fight again

Also the term ‘mech suit’ can be a good or bad one but is also mentioned in the gossip for Gears 3. As well as ‘underwater sections’ , there was flooding in Gears 2 so that sounds kind of right. Anyway until Epic and Cliffy B informs the fans and media we are just guessing but expectsome sort of press release next week

AUCKLAND – April 1, 2010 – Coming exclusively to Xbox 360, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction, hits stores on April 15 and to celebrate Xbox is releasing a limited edition console. The bundle, available at EB Games, features an Xbox 360 Elite, two black wireless controllers, a 250GB hard drive, headset, a copy of Splinter Cell Conviction and a bonus copy of the game, Splinter Cell Double Agent.

Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction is the highly anticipated sequel in the multimillion-selling Splinter Cell series and one of the most critically acclaimed Xbox franchises of all time.

An investigation into his daughter’s death unwittingly leads former agent Sam Fisher to discover he’s been betrayed by his former agency, the Third Echelon. Now a renegade, Fisher finds himself in a race against time to thwart a deadly terrorist plot that threatens millions.

Uniting revolutionary gameplay enhancements with a high-octane, no-holds-barred storyline, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction arms you to the teeth with all the high-tech weaponry and lethal skills of an elite operative and invites you to enter a dangerous world where justice means making your own rules. The game also features:

• New level of action: A full arsenal of cutting-edge innovations enable you to outflank foes with the Last Known Position™ system, tag and eliminate enemies using the Mark and Execute™ feature, and much more.
• Blockbuster experience: A unique storytelling style keeps you on the edge of your seat as you navigate the explosive world of a renegade agent where trust is impossible and justice requires you to go above the law.
• A new level of immersion: A revolutionary new graphic direction delivers an utterly seamless gameplay experience that’ll keep you totally engrossed in the story of Sam Fisher.
• Explosive Xbox LIVE play: Brand-new addictive multiplayer modes amp up the dramatic intensity like never before.

Speculation online has been also rife about whether that means an Orange Box 2, the original Orange Box came with Half Life 2 Episode 2, Team Fortress2 and Portal. Even on it’s own Portal 2 will do well but if it was bundled with Half life 2 Episode 3 then potentially Valve is looking at a enormous hit.

Portal 2 is set to include a CO-OP mode and is rumoured to return the player to Aperture Science Labs. New surprising characters are also expected to appear in the game with new areas to explore at Aperture.

Just imagine how complex the puzzles will be with a CO-OP mode using two player it promises much, including another cake maybe. The cake is a lie…is a lie but GLaDOS is back

Jason West and Vince Zampella, who co-founded Activision’s Infinity Ward studio, sued the company in Los Angeles Superior Court yesterday, claiming breach of contract and wrongful termination. They seek at least US$36 million (NZ$52 million) and control over Modern Warfare, a subset of the Call of Duty combat games, according to a copy of the complaint.

Activision, the world’s largest video-game publisher, conducted a “pretextual” investigation to fire the Infinity Ward co-heads and avoid making a royalty payment due on March 31, according to the complaint.

“Activision terminated their employment weeks before they were to be paid substantial royalty payments as part of their existing contracts for Modern Warfare 2,” West and Zampella’s lawyers at O’Melveny & Myers LLP wrote in a statement.

Maryanne Lataif, a spokeswoman for Santa Monica, California-based Activision Blizzard, called the complaint “meritless.” She said Activision owns the Call of Duty franchise and will continue making new versions.

“Activision shareholders provided these executives with the capital they needed to start Infinity Ward, as well as the financial support, resources and creative independence that helped them flourish and achieve enormous professional success and personal wealth,” Lataif said in an emailed statement.

source smh

“We thought that the Orange Box didn’t put our best foot forward with the PS3 community. We don’t want to do something like that again on the PS3. We want to give PS3 owners the best possible experience.

“Some of that will come from us learning and getting better. Before we can go onto the PS3 again, we want to make sure we’re better at developing for it.”

The PS3 version of The Orange Box – a huge commercial and critical success on Xbox 360 – was criticised by some quarters after Valve outsourced its development to EA.

The game was marked down by reviewers – with frame rate issues becoming a common bugbear.

I am in San Francisco today where we are hosting our X10 media event. This invite only event gives our media friends the chance to hear some news, get updates on some of the upcoming games and (more importantly) get hands on time with some of the titles.

Here, in no specific order, are 10 things you need to know coming out of X10 today:

• The Halo Reach multiplayer beta will kick off on May 3. You will be able to access the beta via the Halo 3: ODST game disc.

• Dead Rising 2 will release in North America on Aug. 31, Japan on Sept. 2 and Europe on Sept. 3.
• Dead Rising: CASE ZERO an exclusive download only on Xbox LIVE, will launch prior to the full game and provide a playable prologue that bridges the story between the two titles.
• Alan Wake will launch May 18 in North America and May 21 in Europe. Players can pre-order the title to receive the Bright Falls Bonus Pack, which includes exclusive content like Avatar gear, an Xbox LIVE theme, and a “making of” video.
• The Xbox 360 Final Fantasy XIII Special Edition Bundle will release starting March 9 for $399, and include a 250GB Hard Drive, two Wireless Controllers, exclusive downloadable content and a Standard Edition copy of the game.
• Toy Soldiers will kick off the Xbox LIVE Arcade Block Party on March 3
• Perfect Dark, Scrap Metal and Game Room will launch this March as a part of the Xbox LIVE Arcade Block Party.
• Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction will release at retailers starting April 13 in North America, April 16 in the United Kingdom, and April 28 in Japan.
• Lost Planet 2 will launch in North America and Europe on May 18.
• Fable III will be available this holiday.

“At the venue for our X10 event. A LOT of cool stuff to talk about starting tomorrow. Hint: SCDR2F3HRLP2 and more #X10Xbox”

Ok..a couple of more new clues: GRPDAWTS. That’s all for now. #X10Xbox

So lets have a guess at the code?

SCDR2F3HRLP2 is

Splinter Cell
Dead Rising 2
Fable 3
Halo Reach
Lost Planet 2

and

GRPDAWTS

Ghost Recon
Perfect Dark
Alan Wake
TS????