Developer Xaviant has chosen to adopt the scalable CryEngine 3 middleware for its upcoming single-player action RPG Lichdom, Crytek announced today. The title is targeted for a multi-platform release on PC, Xbox 360, and PS3.
Screenshots did not accompany the announcement, unfortunately. Seeing Crysis 2 in action on consoles blew us away, so we’re excited to see how another developer will leverage this technology. Hit the break for a statement from Xaviant CEO Michael McMain. more »
Victorious for the month of February, that is. While industry sales on the whole took another year-over-year slump, the latest figures from NPD paint a rosy picture for Microsoft. Throughout February, 422,000 Xbox 360 units were shifted across the US, edging past Nintendo’s venerable Wii by around 25,000 units.
Whether or not this strong momentum will continue remains to be seen. Next few months should prove to be interesting. See the complete breakdown of figures past the break. more »
Ubisoft and developer Capybara Games have teamed up once again to give turn-based strategy RPG Might & Magic Clash of Heroes a facelift — in HD. Originally released on the Nintendo DS to critical acclaim, the Xbox Live Arcade and PSN rendition boasts completely redone visuals drawn in manga-style. The result is pure beauty, as captured in the screenshot above. To top it off, Capybara is incorporating several improvements to the single-player campaign based on community feedback.
Additionally, a multiplayer mode supporting up to 2-4 players locally or online is due for inclusion.
We absolutely loved the dual-screen original, heralding it as a must-have DS title. The jump to HD makes us giddy with excitement. This will be one to watch when it releases later this summer. More direct-feed shots can be viewed past the break. more »
EA is piggybacking on Activision and Infinity Ward’s fight against “mapathy,” offering up a cure of its own. The same day Modern Warfare 2’s Stimulus Package DLC hits, Bad Company 2 will receive a map pack of its own. The only difference being that the latter’s DLC is free to all VIP members. That includes anyone who picked up BC2 brand-new at retail and digital outlets.
We use the term map pack loosely here, as both these maps already exist on the BC2 game disc itself — Arica Harbour and Laguna Presa. This update will simply allow them to be playable in Conquest and Rush mode respectively. Still, it’s a nice gesture.
Beyond that, it’s also sneering jab at Activision. EA isn’t afraid to be outspoken about it either. Even the official Battlefield site has an article up titled none other than “How to avoid “mapathy” without paying!” May the corporate slugging continue, we say. When all is said and done, there’s a fat chance such quips will divert much attention away from MW2. You have to admit, it’s all very entertaining, though. In the end, gamers win, or more specifically those suffering from mapathy.
THQ’s Core Games executive VP Danny Bilson has revealed that a follow-up to destruction-centric shooter Red Faction Guerrilla is slated for release in March 2011.
In terms of gameplay and setting, Bilson said in a recent interview that the upcoming title can be described as hybrid of sorts between Guerrilla and the original Red Faction. Bringing the mass destruction antics to all-new digs, a large chunk of the action will take place underground. Players will spend at least 80 percent of their time deep underneath the surface. Additionally, THQ is taking a more structured approach to design, which presumably means it may more be story-driven this time around.
Next Red Faction planned for March 2011, focus on franchise’s roots [Joystiq]
Marking a new direction for the Tomb Raider franchise, series mainstay and developer Crystal Dynamics unveiled Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light today. As you can already infer from the game’s title, it stars heroine Lara Croft. Stylistically, it takes quite a departure from previous installments, drawing inspiration from Diablo-style dungeon crawlers with a isometric view.
The basic gameplay elements that make up Tomb Raider will remain intact, however. Exploration is still a prime focus, as is puzzle solving. Players assume the role of either Lara or Mayan warrior Totec in a co-op artifact-seeking jaunt amid the confines of ancient ruins. more »
Following a satirical tease last night, publisher Activision has officially announced that the first batch of Modern Warfare 2 DLC – collectively dubbed the “Stimulus Package” – will hit Xbox Live first on March 30.
In celebration of the impending map pack release, Activision and Microsoft have teamed up to host a “Multiplayer Unlock” event, allowing all Xbox Live Silver members to join in on the carnage through March 12-15.
There’s still no word on when the aforementioned map pack will hit PS3 or PC.
The first batch of downloadable content for Infinity Ward’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 will hit Xbox 360 on March 30, Activision revealed today. As pictured above, the publisher launched a teaser site with a heavy satirical slant, touting that said DLC is a cure for a tongue-in-cheek disorder known as “Mapathy.”
According to the site, affected individuals “no longer derive pleasure from blowing up people hiding in the cockpit or on top of the crane.” More self-help information is coming soon, which we’ll assume translates to staggered reveals of new maps over the next couple weeks. There’s no word on when this content will make its way over to PS3 or PC — consider it a timed exclusive on 360 for now.
Developer Harmonix today confirmed that Rock Band 3 is in development. Due out this holiday season, the EA-published effort is set to “innovate and revolutionize” the music genre, or so we’re told.
While there’s no word on how it will pull off such a feat just yet, we’re left feeling intrigued over the prospect. Perhaps players will be able to import their own MP3 collection this time around? Whatever Harmonix has in store, it sounds like this will be more than a mere enhanced version of Rock Band 2. Stay tuned.
In a bid to offer more for less, Microsoft today lifted the wraps on yet another Xbox 360 Elite bundle. Priced at $299 — the going rate for an Elite configuration since last August — Bungie’s Halo 3: ODST and Turn 10’s Forza: Motorspot 3 are included as pack-ins, in addition to the Elite hardware itself and a 120GB hard drive.
Microsoft says it is shipping the Spring Bundle to retailers nationwide now. Expect it to show up on store shelves this week.
