The stories for this week (expanded because of time off):
- Infinity Ward Not Making Modern Warfare 3?
- Microsoft Unveils Xbox Game Room
- Natal Coming Holiday 2010, Drops Processor
- Alan Wake Getting DLC Episodes
- EA Reviving NBA Jam on Wii (Possibly XBLA and PSN As Well)
- Dragon Age Expansion "Awakenings" Coming March 16
- Army of Two: The 40th Day Highlights Weekly Releases
Infinity Ward Not Making Modern Warfare 3?
This is purely in the rumor category at the moment, but it seems as if Infinity Ward is working on a totally new IP, possibly related to a subscription-based MMO since they’ve supposedly hired Sony Online Entertainment developers (along with Blizzard HR people) according to Destructoid from anonymous “industry sources”. It is believed Modern Warfare 3 will either be going to a Canadian studio or to Glen Schofield’s Sledgehammer Games in the Bay Area, whose “proven Activision IP” game has not been announced.
This news is interesting and honestly I would be very sad to see IW go to something other than an FPS, but maybe the MMO is an FPS based one. They have taken a bunch of heat for the PC release of Modern Warfare 2, but obviously the console versions still sold like gangbusters. Then again they could be working on the often rumored Call of Duty MMO, which is most likely the case. Hopefully we will hear for certain soon, especially on exactly what Sledgehammer Games is working on.
Source: Colony of Gamers
Microsoft Unveils Xbox Game Room
Microsoft is bringing the best part of Sony’s Home (honestly, I’ve never installed it on my PS3) to the 360 and Games for Windows Live: arcade games in a virtual room you own. You can deck out your virtual room with items bought through Marketplace and add arcade games with their original cabinets into your room. There will be 30 games available at opening in Spring, the Game Room itself will be free to download on either 360 or PC. Microsoft plans to add games every week and hope to have 1,000 within 3 years. No word on the games that will be available at release, but prices have been announced: 240 MSP ($3) for license on one system (360 or PC), 400 MSP ($5) for license on both systems and, much like you used to, 40 MSP ($0.50) to do a single play like when you used to put quarters in the machine. Those prices are obviously for every game and some announced companies are Konami, Intellivision and Activision.
Source: Colony of Gamers
Natal Coming Holiday 2010, Drops Processor
Not sure why everyone seems surprised that Microsoft announced at CES that Natal would be coming this holiday season. Was this not established last year or did I miss something? Outside of that they also announced they were dropping a processor, most likely to get the price under $50, although Microsoft supposedly scoffed when that price rumor came up. Should be interesting to see some things on Natal: first thing is how well it will interact with current 360 systems and second would be if Microsoft will be bringing another 360 SKU this holiday that will include the Natal system internally on the system.
Source: Colony of Gamers
Alan Wake Getting DLC Episodes
Those that know me well know that I have been high on Alan Wake ever since it was announced. It’s been in development for a long time, but is finally going to come out in the first half of this year. At CES this week it was announced that there would be DLC Episodes after the release of the game. Remedy wanted to point out though that they want to get the actual game polished and out before beginning to think about the Episodes that will be coming later.
Source: Joystiq
EA Reviving NBA Jam on Wii (Possibly XBLA and PSN As Well)
I loved NBA Jam back in its heyday. In fact, I’m sure many people did. Now it seems as if Warner did not buy up the rights to the name and that EA has scooped it up. They’ve brought in the original lead for the game who currently works at EA Tiburon to oversee this. Initially it was reported it was coming out on the Wii, but rumors leaked that it may also see an XBLA and PSN release as well. It should be interesting to see if this new iteration will still be the same base gameplay (2-on-2) or if it will be something different.
Source: Colony of Gamers
Dragon Age Expansion "Awakenings" Coming March 16
Hopping right over the DLC idea, BioWare will be releasing a full-fledged expansion for Dragon Age: Origins called Awakenings. The story happens after the events of the full game and you can continue on with your current character (with new level caps and other things) or start up a new one. The price will be $40 and you need the original game to play the expansion. This comes out on March 16, pretty close for something just announced. BioWare must be getting massive these days with this, Mass Effect 2 coming out soon and that little MMO game Star Wars: The Old Republic.
Source: Colony of Gamers
Army of Two: The 40th Day Highlights Weekly Releases
EA hits gold this week as Army of Two: The 40th Day is the only big game releasing this week. This game is obviously a big thing here at Co-Optimus since it includes lots of co-op goodness. Hopefully EA will send me a copy and I can play with Nick and/or the others, but we’ll see. I thought the first game was okay single-player, but was better as a co-op experience.
Source: me