Activision Blizzard has announced that the publisher’s newly formed internal studio, Sledgehammer Games, will handle an iteration of the Call of Duty franchise in 2011, taking over the reigns from franchise stalwarts and creators Infinity Ward.
This news arrives on the back of the revelation that Infinity Ward studio heads and co-founders Jason West and Vince Zampella have been let go from their positions after an apparent breach of contract with Activision, in the wake of a worrying period at the developer on Monday that saw strong-arm and intimidation tactics resulting in panicked, “confused” and “freaked out” employees.
Infinity Ward will temporarily be led by Activision CTO Steve Pearce and production head Steve Ackrich, both of whom have backgrounds in Activision Publishing.
Sledgehammer Games, headed up by former EA studio Visceral Games (Dead Space) leadership Glen A. Schofield and Michael Condrey, will work on a 2011 entry to the Call of Duty series (which is said to “extend the franchise into the action-adventure genre”), while Treyarch will continue its collaborative franchise development efforts by releasing 2010’s iteration.
Infinity Ward will continue work on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2’s two map packs, both of which are due later this year, while Activision claims the studio will remain “central” to the future of the franchise, with rumours that the developer will handle another Call of Duty game in 2011 in addition to Sledgehammer’s game.
Additionally, Activision has set up a business unit to specifically manage the Call of Duty franchise and to promote “various new brand initiatives,” which will be run by Philip Earl, who currently heads up Activision Publishing Asia Pacific.
Through this business unit, Activision will begin to place a heavier focus on “high-margin digital online content,” as well as attempt to create Call of Duty games in a variety of different genres, even alluding to the possibility of a Call of Duty massively multiplayer online game, while Activision Publishing is currently in discussions with a number of select partners “to bring the franchise to Asia, one of the fastest growing regions for online multiplayer games in the world.”
Activision Publishing president Mike Griffith said in a statement:
“2010 will be another important year for the Call of Duty franchise. In addition to continued catalog sales, new downloadable content from Infinity Ward and a new Call of Duty release, we are excited about the opportunity to bring the franchise to new geographies, genres and players.”
Fenix left an abrupt battle at the end of Gears of War 2 leaving many fans of the series disappointed. Then arose the debate that since Microsoft had signed a two game exclusive deal with Epic Games for the Gears franchise the next would indeed be a multiplatform game which would satiate hungry PlayStation 3 owners.
This was followed by nuggets of information about the sequel to be developed on Unreal 4.0 engine, which were later debunked by Mike Capps. With Halo: Reach being announced for this year most loyalists of the platform already have a reason to rejoice on the Xbox 360. However we might just have another bit of information that will make them exalt in joy. Recently, we discovered a LinkedIn profile belonging to an individual called “Drew Moxon” who has worked on the Gears of War franchise for Microsoft Game Studios in 2009. The icing on cake comes when he recently joined MGS in February 2010 as an associate producer for a game none other than “Gears of War”. There is enough meat that connects this with the sequel to one of the largest grossing franchises for the Xbox 360.
Gears of War 3 is expected to continue Fenix’s adventures through the land of Locust which has now been plagued by civil war dividing them up into factions. There was another piece of information that we had heard some time ago about the developers working hard to craft out a better experience for chainsaw duels. We hope that Epic irons out all the issues that plagued the multiplayer component of Gears 2 and constructs a model that is as exciting and laced with action as the original. With all three entrants pushing their best foot forward this year, 2011 seems to be quite a probable year for the entry of the sequel.
With all the recent bannings comes a new version of the ever popular ISO checking tool ABGX360.
abgx360 v1.0.2 released!
Changes affecting all platforms:
- Added support for 4th Wave PFI/Video
- Added support for SS v2
- Added the new check for DMI corruption which the database has been using since 2009/06/14
- Added ability to at least try to verify the game data when no Xex/SS ini is available and we're not going to AutoFix
- Added support for Avatar Awards
- Added option to select your preferred language to use when displaying strings from the Xex title resource
- Added drag & drop support for the GUI Input panel
- Added option to embed images in the HTML source code as data URIs for better portability (when using HTML output)
- Added JavaScript to HTML output that allows you to check off achievements and see the achieved text (especially useful when the how-to text is vague)
- Added a Donate button to the GUI so you can help me pay the bills and continue working on improvements :)
- Removed "Look for verified files in the local folder only" option from the GUI. I can't tell you how many people have checked this box without reading it because they saw it in a tutorial or someone else told them to do it, and then they can't figure out why abgx360 says you need to enable online functions. Please stop writing/following tutorials! Just read the Quickstart topics, the tutorial is right there.
- Checking for updates to GameNameLookup.csv is now optional (the csv was eating 50% of our bandwidth and you probably don't need it anyway since the game name can be retrieved directly from the Xex)
- Fixed a bug where folders would be considered files when parsing the ISO filesystem on some recent games
- Fixed a bug where default.pe (a temporary file used when decompressing a compressed default.xex) wasn't being deleted automatically
- Fixed a bug where unicode code point 160 (no-break space) would be displayed in a CLI window as " ?" instead of " "
- Small changes to the way some messages are displayed (harder to miss)
Changes affecting Windows:
- Now storing data files in the AppData folder to prevent errors related to permissions and UAC. You can open the GUI and hit Ctrl+F to find out where your StealthFiles are now stored and optionally have it opened for you. abgx360 will still check for Video ISOs in the old install directory first though, so you don't need to move that 3rd Wave Video ISO if you have it saved there already.
- Using libcurl 7.19.6 which should hopefully fix some strange connection problems affecting a small percentage of users
Changes affecting Linux/BSD:
- Fixed a bug on 64 bit systems which made it impossible to read PFI/Video exceptions from abgx360.dat
- Added code to the unix version of kbhit() to prevent hanging when abgx360 is launched as a background process
Changes affecting Mac OS X:
- Fixed a bug where abgx360 would fail to launch if you supplied a filename that contained an apostrophe
- Changed the dark gray text used for things like achievement type to normal gray since it was actually showing up black (invisible on a black background)
- Removed GUI option to "Use Terminal font characters" (this refers to a Windows font which replicates CP437 characters and not Terminal.app)
Special Note: It's recommended to wait for iXtreme LT (Lite Touch) before you play any more backups or originals on an unbanned console flashed with custom firmware.
If you were one of the people that just couldn't wait for Left 4 Dead 2 to come out and you pre-ordered it, well here is your gift. The demo for the highly anticipated game is out now, for all people that pre-ordered the game that is.
The Left 4 Dead 2 demo will feature gameplay taken from "The Parish" campaign, set in the New Orleans French Quarter. Playable by 1 to 4 players over local or Internet connections on both the Xbox 360 and PC (with two-player split screen available on the Xbox 360), the demo features all the new boss infected zombies and all the new melee weapons included in the full product.
Those who pre-order the game (at participating retailers or via Steam) will obtain early access to the demo on October 27. The demo will then be made available to Xbox LIVE Gold members and all PC gamers on November 3. Then all Xbox LIVE members will obtain access to the demo on November 10.
Coming exclusively to Xbox 360 and PC, L4D2 promises to set a new benchmark for co-operative action games and become one of 2009's marquee titles. Set for release on November 17, the title adds melee combat to enable deeper co-operative gameplay, with items such as a chainsaws, frying pans, axes, baseball bats, and more.
Valve have announced details for the demo of Left 4 Dead 2 which will become available early on October 27 for those who pre-order the game. The demo will then be made available to Xbox LIVE Gold members on November 3 and then for everyone else the demo will arrive November 10.
“Left 4 Dead 2” is the sequel to the best-selling and critically acclaimed cooperative multiplayer smash from Valve, creators of “Half-Life,” “Portal,” “Team Fortress” and “Counter-Strike.” Introducing melee weapons and new enemies to the original’s award-winning gameplay, “L4D2” casts players as one of four new “Survivors” battling zombie hordes as they travel from Savannah, Ga., through New Orleans’ French Quarter.
Those who pre-order the game (at participating retailers or via Steam) will obtain early access to the demo on October 27. The demo will then be made available to Xbox LIVE Gold members and all PC gamers on November 3. Then all Xbox LIVE members will obtain access to the demo on November 10.
Coming exclusively to Xbox 360 and PC, L4D2 promises to set a new benchmark for co-operative action games and become one of 2009’s marquee titles. Set for release on November 17, the title adds melee combat to enable deeper co-operative gameplay, with items such as a chainsaws, frying pans, axes, baseball bats, and more.
Now that are friends down under will be getting a version of this game we can all enjoy the news of this new game play mode, i can already see mad amounts of DLC for this style of play so get ready.
L4D2 promises to set a new benchmark for co-operative action games and become one of 2009's marquee titles, adding melee combat to enable deeper co-operative gameplay, with items such as a chainsaw, frying pan, axe, baseball bat, and more.
Introducing the AI Director 2.0, L4D's dynamic gameplay is taken to the next level by giving the Director the ability to procedurally change weather effects, world objects, and pathways in addition to tailoring the enemy population, effects, and sounds to match the players' performance. The result is a unique game session custom fitted to provide a satisfying and uniquely challenging experience each time the game is played.
Scavenge mode challenges players to compete in round-based games of up to 8 players (Survivors vs. Infected). The Survivors must battle both the Infected and the clock as they collect gas cans to refuel a generator located in each map. Every can the Survivors pour into the generator scores their team a point and adds time to the clock.
On defense, the Infected team plays as the boss Infected (including the new Spitter, Jockey, and Charger). They must keep the Survivors from fueling the generator by attacking them, destroying the gas cans, or running out the clock. During a round, each team gets an opportunity to play both sides, with the round going to whichever team successfully delivers the most cans.
In addition to the new campaign and boss monster L4D2 also includes "Mudmen," the "uncommon common" exclusive to the Swamp Fever campaign, and a few more of the 20-plus new items coming in the full product (cricket bat, AK47, and grenade launcher).
Featuring new Survivors, boss zombies, weapons, and items, Left 4 Dead 2 offers a much larger game than the original with more co-operative campaigns, more Versus campaigns, and maps for Survival mode available at launch.
The sequel to a popular video game has been modified so it can be sold in Australia.
Left 4 Dead 2 has been given an MA 15+ rating after it was refused classification in September.
According to the classification board report, the modified version removes considerable amounts of gore from gameplay.
“The board notes that the game no longer contains depictions of decapitation, dismemberment, wound detail or piles of dead bodies lying about the environment,” the report said.
“No wound detail is shown and the implicitly dead bodies and blood splatter disappear as they touch the ground.”
The report confirmed that melee weapons, such as “axes, crowbars and chainsaws” were still in the game.
Electronic Arts also submitted the original version of the game to the Classifications Review Board, which is scheduled for consideration on October 22, 2009.
The original version of the game was refused classification because it contained "realistic, frenetic and unrelenting violence".
Distributor Electronic Arts spokesperson Cameron Jenkins said the company still hoped the original version of the game would receive a classification:
“We are waiting until we get the results back from the resubmitted full version, just in case it gets classified after working with the OFLC, we would much prefer to release that one,” he said.
According to gaming blog Kotaku, Valve submitted the modified version to ensure the game could be released in November and that Australians would receive a free update to the edited version if the original game was classified.
Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced the release date and new screenshots from the highly anticipated downloadable game Zombie Apocalypse.
Coming to Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft on September 23 and the PlayStation®Network on September 24, Zombie Apocalypse drops players in an epic battle between the dead and the living!
Equipped with ample artillery, players' dual analog stick shooting skills will be put to the test in the thrilling arcade style shooter. As gamers set forth on their mission to conquer zombies, they can choose from up to 11 diverse weapons including assault rifles, flamethrowers and teddy bears filled with C4 explosives. A chainsaw is also available to players who want an up close and personal encounter with the roaming dead. Savvy players can also take advantage of their surroundings as they utilize environmental hazards to destroy massive hordes of zombies.
Players navigate through seven environments and fight their way through 55 days of zombie attacks without becoming a brainless zombie. Should they succeed, they will be rewarded with seven challenging game modes that will enable them to re-live the apocalypse all over again. As an added bonus, gamers do not have to face the evil masses alone as multiplayer capabilities allow up to four shooters to take on the zombie confrontation locally or co-operatively online.
Here’s the “Xbox 1080″ prototype from Carl Archambeault, an impossibly portable console with a slide-out LCD screen. Where do the optical discs go? Who knows? And what’s the battery life? Let’s say 100 hours!
The project is an attempt “to design a hand held gaming device that would combine the gaming power of the Xbox 360 and the music and video power of the Microsoft Zune.” That’s an idea that Microsoft itself is apparently working on, but something like this prototype here would be mighty nice to add to your portable gaming collection, no?
As the name goes, this version of Xbox game console sure is more advanced than the Xbox handheld we saw before or Xbox 360 we currently use – three times advanced! Made by a certain Carl Archambeault, this Xbox design looks pretty “cute” and game and hence, I guess, we would also see the feminine population craving for this item, what do you say? The gadget is intended to sport a Xbox LCD display that slides into the compact machine, making the gadget something to die for.
All in all, this product looks like a mixture of Sony’s the Xbox 360 and Microsoft’s Zune. The creator of this design has made a prototype of such a device, which, I guess is not functional, because, if, by any chance, it renders to be functional, then I would not be wasting a single second more writing for this stuff, and trying my luck bidding for this one of a kind multimedia gadget. Other futuristic design that is worth missing out is the Xbox 720 console, which foresees Xbox in a very new avatar and hopefully, some more features.
The Beatles: Rock Band Makes Worldwide Debut Tomorrow. First-of-its-kind Music Video Game Capturing The Beatles' Extraordinary Music, Career and Legacy Available 9/9/09 in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Other Territories.
Guildford, UK – 8th September 2009 – Apple Corps, Ltd., MTV Games and Harmonix, the world’s leading developer of music-based games and a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), today announced The Beatles™: Rock Band™ will be available tomorrow in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other territories. Released simultaneously with the digitally re-mastered Beatles CD catalogue, the music-based video game will offer players an unprecedented, experiential progression through the music and artistry of The Beatles and be available for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Wii™ console from Nintendo.
From the early touring days in 1963 Liverpool to the immortal, final performance on the Apple Corps rooftop, fans can follow in The Fab Four’s footsteps as they traverse the globe during the height of Beatlemania, unlocking real photos and videos of The Beatles – some never before seen by the public. Beatles fans will also be thrilled to hear previously unreleased authentic voice recordings from John, Paul, George and Ringo chatting between takes during studio sessions recorded at Abbey Road more than four decades ago.
The Beatles: Rock Band allows fans to pick up the guitar, bass, mic or drums and experience The Beatles’ extraordinary catalogue of music through gameplay that takes players on a journey through the legacy and evolution of the band’s legendary career. Additionally, for the first time in a music videogame, The Beatles: Rock Band introduces three-part vocal harmonies to gameplay, allowing gamers to revel in the unparalleled vocal stylings of The Beatles.
The Beatles: Rock Band features 45 songs on-disc representing a cross-section of hits and favorites that span The Beatles’ storied career. Additional music from The Beatles’ epic catalogue will be made available for purchase and download through The Beatles: Rock Band Music Store. Abbey Road will be released on October 20, 2009, followed by the release of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in November and Rubber Soul in December.
The 45 songs included in The Beatles: Rock Band and the venues in which they are featured in are:
Cavern Club (1963):
• Twist And Shout
• Boys
• Do You Want To Know A Secret
• I Saw Her Standing There Ed Sullivan Theater (1964):
• I Want To Hold Your Hand
• Can’t Buy Me Love
• A Hard Day’s Night
• I Wanna Be Your Man
Shea Stadium (1965):
• Ticket to Tide
• I’m Looking Through You
• Eight Days A Week
• If I Needed Someone
• I Feel Fine Budokan (1966):
• Day Tripper
• And Your Bird Can Sing
• Drive My Car
• Taxman
• Paperback Writer
Abbey Road (1966-1967):
• Yellow Submarine
• Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band / With A Little Help From My Friends
• Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
• Getting Better
• Within You Without You / Tomorrow Never Knows
• Good Morning Good Morning Abbey Road (1967-1968):
• I Am The Walrus
• Hello Goodbye
• Hey Bulldog
• Back In The U.S.S.R.
• Dear Prudence
• While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Abbey Road (1968-1969):
• Helter Skelter
• Revolution
• Birthday
• Octopus’s Garden
• Something
• Come Together
• Here Comes The Sun Rooftop Concert (1969):
• Dig a Pony
• I’ve Got A Feeling
• Don’t Let Me Down
• I Me Mine
• I Want You (She’s So Heavy)
• Get Back
Encore:
The End
As previously announced, “All You Need Is Love” will be released tomorrow, September 9, 2009, exclusively through Xbox LIVE for a limited time as a downloadable track for The Beatles: Rock Band. All Apple Corps Ltd, MTV Games, Harmonix and Microsoft proceeds will benefit Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
The Beatles: Rock Band will offer a new set of hardware replicas representing the instruments made famous by John, Paul, George and Ringo. Featured in the set are the Rickenbacker 325 and Gretsch Duo Jet guitars—hailed as two of the celebrated, signature instruments played by John Lennon and George Harrison throughout their careers. Also available is a Höfner bass controller—a large-scale replica of the bass famously used by Sir Paul McCartney. Rounding out the set is a Ringo Starr inspired Ludwig-branded Rock Band 2 drum set with a classic pearl finish and vintage replica Beatles kick drum head.
Pricing for The Beatles: Rock Band is as follows:
• Limited Edition Premium Bundle for Xbox 360/PS3/Wii: US MSRP $249.99, continental Europe MSRP €199.00, UK MSRP £179.00
• Includes: The Beatles: Rock Band software, Höfner Bass controller: Large scale replica of the Bass famously used by Sir Paul McCartney, Beatles-inspired and Ludwig-branded Rock Band 2 drums with classic pearl finish and vintage replica Beatles kick drum head, Microphone, Microphone Stand, additional special content
• Rickenbacker 325 Standalone Guitar for Xbox 360/PS3/Wii: US MSRP $99.99, continental Europe MSRP €99.99, UK MSRP £89.99
• Gretsch Duo Jet Standalone Guitar for Xbox 360/PS3/Wii: US MSRP $99.99, continental Europe MSRP €99.99, UK MSRP £89.99
• The Beatles: Rock Band Software for Xbox 360/PS3: US MSRP $59.99, continental Europe MSRP €69.99, UK MSRP £49.99
• The Beatles: Rock Band Software for Wii: US MSRP $59.99, continental Europe MSRP €49.99, UK MSRP £39.99
The game will also be compatible with all Rock Band™ instrument controllers, as well as most Guitar Hero® and other authorized third party music video game peripherals and microphones.
The Beatles: Rock Band marks the first time that Apple Corps, along with EMI Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Harrisongs Ltd and Startling Music Ltd has presented The Beatles music in an interactive video game format. The Beatles: Rock Band is published by MTV Games and developed by Harmonix, the world’s premier music video game company and creators of the best-selling Rock Band. Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) is serving as distribution partner for the game. In addition, Giles Martin, co-producer of The Beatles innovative LOVE album project, provided his expertise and served as Music Producer for this groundbreaking Beatles project.
The Beatles: Rock Band is rated “T” for Teen with the descriptors “Mild Lyrics” and “Tobacco Reference” by the ESRB.
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Bungie's popular first-person shooter makes its debut on the Xbox 360 with Halo 3.
published by: forahobby
