GamerNode: Latest Industry News

First Brutal Legend DLC "Tears of the Hextadon" me...

Stage Battlers around the globe will have a couple more areas in which to vanquish their enemies come November. EA and Double Fine Productions announced today that the first DLC pack for Brutal Legend, titled "Tears of the Hextadon," will release on November 3 on Xbox Live and November 5 on PSN. The pack will run 400 MS Points on XBL and will be free on PSN until November 19.

The pack contains two new maps, Cicle of Tears and Death Fjord. Circle of Tears features "vile waters that have carved a rough-hewn circular battlefield into a forsaken land that players must circumvent to destroy their opponent." Death Fjord has players fighting on a snow mountain pass that has a "dense cluster of fans that lie below, waiting to be harvested by those brave enough to capture them without cover from ene...

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Dev: Modern Warfare 2 was hidden from Activision

Continuing the trend of endless updates about the juggernaut arrival of Modern Warfare 2, Infinity Ward Community Manager Robert Bowling has divulged the fact that Infinity Ward had chosen to veil work on the game to publisher Activision until far into the development cycle.

Speaking to Official Xbox 360 Magazine UK, Bowling credits Infinity Ward's devotion to gamers and fans alike for justifying their decision:

"We know the game we want to make, and especially with Modern Warfare 2, we didn't even show Activision the game until very much later in the development process. Because we want to stay focused, really the only opinion we care about is what our fans think."

Bowling further elaborated by explaining the lengths Infinity Ward had taken to accrue player feedback and opinions during t...

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Modern Warfare 2 to feature third-person view

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is quickly earning the "everything, including the kitchen sink" moniker. Infinity Ward's Robert Bowling dropped that there will be a third-person mode available in Modern Warfare 2 multiplayer, but only in certain playlists.

"It's not something you can toggle on and off in ANY game," said Bowling. The view can only be played in private matches, where it will be possible to toggle it on and off, or in playlists specifically designated for third-person play. Bowling said that everyone will be restricted to the third-person view in those playlists, and added, "this is just another cool way to play the game; you obviously will still have the option to play gametypes normal as well."

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 releases on Nov. 10.

[Joystiq]

Additional reporting...

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GoldenEye returns?

A recent update to an animator's resume has shed some light on what possibly could be a new GoldenEye game in development for the Wii, with the potential for Xbox 360 and PS3 versions.

The animator in question was Craig Peck, who works at Eurocom Entertainment Software. Having previously developed Quantum of Solace for various platforms in 2008, it would seem that Eurocom's next Bond project will involve a Wii release and a return to the world of GoldenEye.

The resume -- now removed from Peck's website -- contained this writing:

"Eurocom Entertainment Software, Derby, United Kingdom: July 09 - Sept 09 Animator - GoldenEye 2010 (Wii) - Animator on Activision's James Bond series for the Nintendo Wii."

Apart from a previous confirmation by Activision that a new Bond game is in the works, no o...

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DJ Hero expected to have slow initial sales

With the massive hype train and amazing soundtrack behind it, you would think DJ Hero would be the a sales juggernaut this holiday season for music fans all over. Not so according to Kai Huang, co-creator of the Guitar Hero franchise. Huang voiced his expectations of the new title saying, "We're expecting this to be the type of game that may come out of the gate a little bit slower, but continue to grow over time."

DJ Hero may follow the same path that the original Guitar Hero took. The original fret-slapping music title started slow and gained more momentum through word of mouth and positive reviews. We'll have to see if DJ Hero can do the same and attain the financial success and popularity that its rock brethren have gained.

[IGN] 

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PS3 aiming to outsell Xbox 360 in 2009

It's easily apparent that the PS3 has been faring better within the recent months. Boosted sales of the PS3 Slim and the popularity of Uncharted 2 has surged PS3 sales to stratospheric heights. High enough, in fact, to warrant a prediction that the PS3 has a chance of overtaking the Xbox 360 in overall console sales by the end of this year. But does the PS3 have enough steam to leap ahead of the Green Giant?

According to website Playstation Insider, it does. The PS3 has already recovered its dismal launch numbers by closing the gap that the Xbox 360 established when it was released.

The momentum does not stop there, as the console is already conquering the 360 in Japan and Europe; an additional hundred thousand units sold would place the PS3 ahead of the 360 within the U.S. PS3 sales have re...

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Modern Warfare 2 boycott 'official'

Infinity Ward has caused quite a stir over the implementation of their own online infrastructure known as IWNET and removal of user-based dedicated servers for Modern Warfare 2. Angry comments and a petition with over 135,000 signatures urging Infinity Ward to change back to dedicated servers have been all over the web since the announcement.

The worst isn't over for the developer of Modern Warfare 2, as Gamers Nexus user Lelldorianx has laid out and is attempting to implement an "official" boycott for the game. In it the writer has laid down ground rules for anyone on the boycott to follow in order to achieve a level of success.

"After reading several hundred comments across multiple collaborative news sites (like N4G.com), I've come to the conclusion that reporting it in an unbiased manner...

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Ubisoft has decided on Assassin's Creed III settin...

Ubisoft knows when and where the next installment in the Assassin's Creed series will be, but the company isn't about to announce that setting just yet.

Asked if Ubisoft knew what "pivital moments" in history Assassin's Creed III would cover, Montreal studio boss Yannis Mallat replied, "oh yeah." But the studio boss wouldn't say what those moments were.

"We know how to keep our secrets," Mallat added. "Think about it, Assassin's Creed as a brand is definitely oriented towards reliving pivotal moments in history. So along that path we may revisit some interesting moments."

The Ubi Montreal president was then asked if the company had planned out the ending for the story to Desmond Miles. "Who talked about an ending?" teased Mallat.

This has been the second time Ubisoft has hinted that Assassin's...

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Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 upcoming DLC includes s...

Marvel Comics got a little antsy and spilled the beans on new content coming to Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2. According to a blog post over at Marvel.com, the upcoming DLC for the game will feature simulation missions and former PS2- and Wii-exclusive character Psylocke.

They go on to detail what the missions will be: "Insidious Alliance" will have you up against other Marvel bad guys in arena style combat. The second mission is sure to get arcade and retro gamers salivating. "Titled Balance" is an homage to old side-scrolling beat-em-up games like, in Vicarious Visions Mark Webster's own words, the original X-Men arcade game.

I can't wait to see how that mission will play out. Anything even remotely resembling that old six-player co-op X-Men arcade cabinet is ok in my book.

[Marvel.com]

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September NPD report is the best in months

The NPD delayed the release of its monthly reports on the gaming industry because it wanted to double-check its figures. The reason? The industry as a whole posted its first positive year-to-year sales report after months of decline.

Since this year's report was over a five-week period instead of last year's four, the NPD ruled the difference essentially flat as a whole. But the results still stop a six-month skid that erased the industry's label of "recession proof."

"The industry managed a modest increase over September 2008, and generated the second bestselling September on record after 2007 when Halo 3 released and sold over 3 million copies that month," said NPD analyst Anita Frazier. "On a unit sales basis, the industry was flat. The increase in revenues is driven by a rise in average ...

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This week's releases: 10/18 - 10/24

A FPS/RPG hybrid, a game on a sport everyone in the world but the US calls football, portable GTA, and some good old squared circle wrestling highlight the releases for the upcoming week. Gearbox's Borderlands tops a list that includes FIFA Soccer 10 by EA, Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for the PSP, and WWE Smackdown! vs. RAW 2010. Here's the full list of what's coming to game retailers this week.

DS:

Astro Boy: The Video GameBakugan: Battle BrawlersCharm Girls Club: My Fashion Mall/Fashion Show/Perfect PromCooking Mama 3: Shop & ChopImagine: Fashion Designer World TourFIFA Soccer 10Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010Littlest Pet Shop Friends: Beach/City/CountryMarvel Super Hero SquadSecret Saturdays: Beasts of the 5th SunSpace Invaders Extreme 2WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010

PC:

Tropico 3

P...

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Analyst: Borderlands on shaky ground

With the imminent onslaught of holiday shopping just around the corner, market analysts are issuing their predictions on which games will have the chops to survive throughout the end of the year. Many have looked to games that blend genres as a refreshing take on tried-and-true game mechanics -- say, Borderlands for example. One analyst, however, thinks the upcoming release of the FPS/RPG hybrid will be the final nail in the coffin.

Videogame analyst Michael Pachter of Wedbush Securities had this to say on the bleak future of Borderlands:

"I think Borderlands is the definition of a game that should have had its own window and not be up against all this stuff. It's absolutely the same audience. I don't think it's as much an RPG as they would like us to believe. If it's an RPG, Dragon Age ...

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"Ridiculous" amount of customization for Modern Wa...

The original Call of Duty: Modern Warfare made gamers rethink the way multiplayer in first-person shooters can be played in terms of customization thanks to its perks and level system. According to Infinity Ward community manager Robert Bowling, Modern Warfare 2 is going to have a level of customization that is "ridiculous."

"The beta is really just the tip of the iceberg at this point, we're really just showing a little bit [of the game]," he said. "There's a lot more to come, whether it be customizable kill streaks, custom death streaks, equipment like tactical insertion, Semtex grenades -- all that stuff."

"What we're offering with Modern Warfare 2 is a ridiculous amount of customization. The lead-out is insane, you have all these attachments to choose from. It really caters to the hardco...

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Mass Effect 2 on Xbox 360 & PC only

Polish website PolyGamia reported earlier today of a possible PS3 port of BioWare's Mass Effect 2. Apparently, rumors of the game being released for the PS3 were taken from BioWare Community Manager Jay Watamaniuk while conducting a presentation in Poland. Following the report, BioWare has issued a response on the speculation of seeing a PS3 version of Mass Effect 2.

The initial report states that Watamaniuk mentioned "three platforms that Mass Effect 2 is targeted at. They were Xbox 360, PC, and 'probably PS3'." Watamaniuk was quick to place a disclaimer on his statement by explaining BioWare's hesitance to deal with rumors and speculations.

Gaming website IGN contacted Mass Effect 2 publisher Electronic Arts to clarify the situation.

Upon being shown a new forum post written by Watamaniuk o...

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First Borderlands DLC announced

2K Games has announced the first downloadable content to be made available for the publisher's upcoming shooter, Borderlands. No solid release date has been given, but Gearbox Software is already working on Borderlands, The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned, which will debut later this year on all platforms for $9.99 (800 MS Points).

The DLC will be the first in "a series of downloadable expansions" for the single- and multiplayer-blending title, and will revolve around the story of Dr. Ned, who has accidentally infected the workers of Jakobs Cove, turning them into zombies and other monstrosities in desperate need of a cure (or a bullet). 2K promises new enemies, new quests, and rare loot drops in the expansion.

Boderlands releases on October 20th for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and on October 26th ...

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CryENGINE 3 released

Crytek has announced that their ambitious continuation of the successful CryENGINE software system is now available for license to all developers.

Dubbed CryENGINE 3, the new development toolkit promises next-gen uniformity across current and upcoming game platforms by allowing modifiable graphics and processing power to accommodate any new hardware iterations in the coming years.

In addition to supplying developers the means to crank out jaw-dropping visuals, the new engine brings along an updated version of the CryENGINE sandbox editor that allows modders to do their thing without having to muck through tiring code.

Finally, a new method of creating and editing games is possible with the arrival of CryENGINE 3 Create. This tool gives developers the choice of editing their game on a single P...

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Madden NFL Arcade announced for XBLA and PSN

EA announced today that an arcade version of Madden NFL 2010, appropriately named Madden NFL Arcade, is coming for XBLA and the PSN Store. The game will follow EA's previous arcade sports release, NHL Arcade 3 on 3, as a 5 on 5 arcade experience.

The game will have a "unique art style" and feature all 32 NFL teams for play. The game uses an altered set of rules for play: First team to 30 wins, each team only receives four downs to drive the ball down the 60 yard field, and there are no penalties or field goals. The game also featues "Game Changers," a la NFL Street and NBA Street's Gamebreakers, that will allow a team to try and turn the tide of a match or widen the lead.

Also featured is online play, four person co-op on one console, leaderboards, and achievements/trophies. Madden NFL Arcad...

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Queen: Rock Band may happen

Looks like Queen wants to get in on some of that Beatles action. In an interview with BBC, the Queen guitarist Brian May talked about all things Rock Band. He mentioned that a Queen: Rock Band is a possiblity and added that "yes, we're into it, I think it may happen."

Although Queen is a great band, I think they are confusing their inclusion in Lego Rock Band and their song packs in Rock Band for a band-specific title. I don't see them having the popularity of The Beatles for it to work. I could be wrong though, and a Queen: Rock Band could be coming. What do you think? Is Queen: Rock Band high on your list of games you want to see?

[Joystiq]

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Two years of Dragon Age: Origins content planned

BioWare recently told The Game Reviews that they have DLC planned for up to the next two years for Dragon Age: Origins. Executive Producer Mark Darrah said the content will likely be "item packs" and "larger quests that might last an hour or two, up to even fully fledged expansion packs."

He went on to say that the content should make it onto all platforms, though pricing is mum as of now. We'll see if BioWare can produce on this comment. They said roughly the same thing about Mass Effect, but the game only received two DLC packs.

[TheGameReviews]

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Assassin's Creed III may be set in WWII

Ubisoft has already "had discussions" on where Assassin's Creed III could take place, and one setting brought up was a female assassin in World War II-era France and England.

"Where would that make sense?" asked producer Sebastien Puel about a female assassin. "We don't want to just decide we want to change and have a female hero, as the first inspiration is always the time period, but if you're talking about, say, World War II, the economies in England and France were run by women because the men were off fighting. So maybe in this context you were a woman in England during WWII. Why not? Nothing prevents us from doing it," he said.

Creative director Patrice Fortier added that the Assassin's Creed series, originally intended to be a trilogy, may grow and grow beyond just three games.

"What's...

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