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EA Montreal shifting focus to 'big, blockbuster-type titles'
According to comments made to Edge by EA Montreal general manager Alain Tascan, you can expect more big action titles like Army of Two: The 40th Day from the studio. While previous Wii games, including Skate It, Boogie Superstar and the recently released Need for Speed: Nitro, have enjoyed acceptable levels of success, Tascan believes that targeting HD consoles with "fewer and bigger things" might yield improved results. It's a prudent approach, no doubt stemming from the publisher's recent layoffs. Tascan explains that the Wii market is "a little bit unpredictable these days," further encouraging a shift to additional "big, blockbuster-type titles." We probably don't need Tascan to point out that Army of Two is "the most successful original IP EA has had in the last few years," since it's the first to get a big, blockbuster sequel ahead of Dead Space and -- can we dream? -- Mirror's Edge.
Army of Two: The 40th Day to offer weapon customization, garish camo
We've never felt satisfied by the weapon customization options afforded to us by first-person shooters. Oh, three different kinds of scopes? An optional grenade launcher attachment? Yeah, those are pretty cool, we guess -- however, we'd also like a different stock, ammo clip, suppressor and barrel on there as well. Hey, while we're at it, we also need a blender. You know, for when we require a cool coconut smoothie in the middle of a heated firefight. The latest trailer for Army of Two: The 40th Day gives us a look into the weapon customization engine we've always dreamed of, giving us unparalleled control over our in-game boomsticks. You can quickly turn your military grade M107 into a hulking, unwieldy monstrosity, complete with hideous, circus-themed camouflage. Sadly, the above trailer doesn't show off any kitchen appliance attachments -- we're sure they'll show up as DLC shortly after the game launches on January 12.
Army of Two: The 40th Day co-op video is fist bump free
While we must absolutely stress that the above headline is true, it's also misleading. It's true that the video above contains no fist bumps whatsoever; the bulk is comprised of the various co-op tactics that can be performed in Army of Two: The 40th Day, including back-to-back gun play, lifting, hostage grabbing and -- our personal favorite -- mock surrender. That said, there is bumping in the video, specifically the bumping of forearms. So why the change? What is the social significance of the forearm bump? Is it a sign of greater manliness, or are the characters in Army of Two simply trying to fight the spread of deadly germs? Please, contribute your theories in the comments.
Army of Two: The 40th Day trailer previews 'Extraction Mode'
Curious whether Army of Two: The 40th Day's co-op "Extraction Mode" makes pre-ordering the game (thereby getting a one-month head-start with the new game mode) worthwhile? We suggest checking out the first glimpses of the co-op offering in the video above. Following in the vein of Horde Mode or Firefight, Extraction pits four players up against wave after wave of masked, gun-toting enemies as they move from checkpoint to checkpoint, attempting to escape the warzone. Teamwork is encouraged -- apparently, it's better to act as an Army of Four rather than Four Armies of One. Remember, one month after the game launches on Jan. 12, Extraction Mode will be free to download for anyone who didn't pre-order the title. This head-start may be enough to get your ire up, but can't we just be grateful they're not charging for this extra content? C'mon, we're already drowning in petitions over here. %Gallery-76274%
New Army of Two: The 40th Day viral video has its priorities straight
All work and no play may make Jack a dull boy, but for the folks at EA Montreal making Army of Two: The 40th Day, playing is no longer an option -- unless they're playing their own game as a part of their job. That's what this latest viral video marketing the game shows, as Rios and Salem continue checking in with their developers and try to keep them on the right track. One thing we will say is that this new video is decidedly more downbeat than the pair's previous jaunt through the office. What's the matter, guys? Does somebody have a case of the Mondays?
300 and Watchmen composer Tyler Bates scoring The 40th Day
Remember that scene in 300 where that guy is giving that other guy lip, and that guy's all like "No sir!" and he kicks him into that big pit? And then the music's all like "DUHN DUHN DUHN, DUHN DAAH?" What about that scene in the latest episode of Californication where that girl is giving David Duchnovny lip, and Duchovny's all like "No sir!" and he kicks her into that big pit? And then the music's all like "DUHN DUHN DUHN, DUHN DAAH?" We'll be experiencing similar situations in a video game context soon, as Tyler Bates, the composer for both of those projects (as well as Watchmen, Dawn of the Dead and The Day The Earth Stood Still), will be providing musical accompanyment for Army of Two: The 40th Day. Check out the above video to get a sampling of his mood-altering rock, which carries a surprising amount of intensity, even when divorced from acts of brutal pit-kicking.
TGS 2009: The Recap Post
Last week, the Tokyo Game Show brought in over 100 posts worth of news, previews, interviews, galleries, and videos. Clearly, a lot happened. If you're looking for a comprehensive list of all the goings-on during TGS 2009, Joystiq has you covered -- and organized! Click on a platform below to scan the highlights: (On the far right: that's "News" and "Culture" on the top and bottom, respectively)
TGS 2009: Hands-on: Army of Two: The 40th Day
Andrew: "Oh my god, you shot her in the face!" Ross: "Hey, we're an army of two. I don't want a third wheel." Seconds after booting up the Tokyo Game Show demo of Army of Two: The 40th Day, we managed to completely botch a hostage "rescue" operation, while brutally murdering the four terrorists involved. Our morality meter went down quite significantly after that, we're sure. Had we managed to progress with some more finesse, we would've been able to sneak behind two enemies, grab them and "negotiate" a solution for the others. Is there a morally "good" way out of a situation like that? Perhaps, but we'll never know. While it's easy to simply accuse Ross of insatiable bloodthirstiness, his less-than-graceful approach at this scenario could be blamed on the (admittedly early) build's choppy framerate, and the sometimes confusing controls. Ross found it difficult to stick to cover, and move from one place to another; I found myself inadvertently switching between crouching, cover and something in between. %Gallery-73808%
New AoT: 40th Day screens drop shield, charge head first
We're misleading you a bit. The screenshots aren't quite dropping anything themselves, so much as the stars of upcoming bromance sequel, Army of Two: The 40th Day, are putting down their shields. Donning masks with flames -- so as to terrify enemies into thinking they're being advanced upon by White Zombie, of course -- Salem and Rio are clearly concerned with meeting attire standards for the professional workplace: sporty, yet hardcore. That's what those bad guys get for standing in the way of movie night! %Gallery-73808%
Hands-on: Army of Two: The 40th Day (PSP)
When we recently had the opportunity to play EA's version of Army of Two: The 40th Day for PSP, we went into it with the realistic expectation that it would be the console game pared down to accommodate the portable's controls and capabilities. What we quickly found was a game designed specifically for PSP that conjures memories of top-down arcade shooters such as Mercs and Ikari Warriors. It's very much an arcade game, with its own unique art style and controls, but it still sticks to the console game's plot -- and employs its unique Aggro mechanic with some nice results. %Gallery-73575%
Army of Two: The 40th Day just got even more serious
We're not entirely sure what's going on with the mood swings of Army of Two: The 40th Day. On one hand, it's a bromance buddy comedy. On the other hand, it is about some serious stuff. The latest trailer debuted at GamesCom looks intense, showing feats of terrorism that send chills down our spines. Split-screen co-op is highlighted in this trailer, reminding us of the series' emphasis on teamwork. In spite of the first game's faults, The 40th Day looks like a strong contender in the crowded Q1 lineup.
Army of Two: The 40th Day joins the Q1 2010 party
EA has announced that Rios and Salam's latest outing, Army of Two: The 40th Day, is headed to the crowded Q1 2010 quarter, specifically January 12 in the US and January 8 in Europe. It's a good time to release a game, really. Look at every one of these other games doing the same thing! The press release also mentions a pre-order bonus for the game in "Extraction," a multiplayer mode available to those who pre-order The 40th Day. Everyone else will gain access one month later.
Salem and Rios visit EA Montreal in bizarre Army of Two trailer
We're not exactly sure what this new trailer for Army of Two: The 40th Day is supposed to tell us. Salem and Rios, the two masked stars of the series, stop by EA Montreal's office to play their own game and goof off. The ensuing mayhem results in the destruction of a defenseless copy machine -- without it, the game is certainly going to miss a 2009 release! Perhaps this bizarre trailer is meant to emphasize that the game isn't all about serious stuff, like morality ... and explosions. Perhaps this marks the return of the series' trademark "bromance"?
New Army of Two: 40th Day trailer takes aim at morality
Rios and Salem have a tough choice to make in this latest trailer for Army of Two: The 40th Day. The clip highlights the game's new morality system, a set of scripted events where the player (or players, if you're rocking co-op) must make a choice, shaping the way the game plays out. In the video above, the same scene we saw at E3, Rios and Salem find a gun stash, but a nearby officer walks in and catches the two in the act. As one might assume, he's not to happy with what he sees. Do Rios and Salem put the guns back? Do they take them anyway? Do they just shoot the crap out of the cop? You'll just have to watch to find out! (We've already made our choice.) The trailer also reveals that noted comic artists Chris Bachalo and Jock have signed up to do some illustrations for the game. Bachalo's even on hand at Comic-Con right now signing stuff, so if you're attending, hit up booth #5213. %Gallery-68603%
Army of Two: The 40th Day: All the gunplay, half the bromance
Army of Two: The 40th Day will tone down the gratuitous bouts of fist-bumping and other high-octane manlove celebrations so liberally sprinkled throughout the first game, developers have told USA Today. The shoot-everything-then-chest-bump-each-other mechanic of the first game will receive less emphasis than moral choices, which will require you to make difficult decisions at certain intervals throughout the game. It's a shame about all of the brolebrations, though, because we think they added a lot to the game. Well, okay, a lot for us to make fun of. %Gallery-47821%
E3 2009 highlights: The Xbox roundup
E3 was brütal! If you blinked, for a split/second, you missed something. Even if you were trine to keep up, it was a blur -- staying a.wake like that, you only pushed yourself to the brink of your own dark void. That's where Joystiq comes in; to crackdown on the madness; to reach out ... with conviction -- phew! Crysis averted. We've scoured the dark corners and survived the inferno to piece together this roundup of all things Xbox at E3. Why? Just 'cause we love you. So, draw nier and shift your eyes past the break.
Impressions: Inside an Army of Two: The 40th Day weapons cache
Much like our initial reaction to Army of Two: The 40th Day, we were constantly impressed during a behind-closed-doors demonstration of the game at E3 this week. While much of the demo, overseen by executive producer Reid Schneider and creative director Alex Hutchinson, was a rehash of the finer points covered in our earlier preview, we did get a closer look at a new element, which we think illustrates a key dynamic of the more -- potentially -- humanistic sequel. EA Montreal is giving you (and your partner) "opportunities to express who you are in this environment," explains Hutchinson. More specifically, the game's environment (Shanghai in the midst of a violent invasion) is one in which everything goes horribly wrong and the "core story is about saving yourselves." So, what means will justify that end? The choices become yours. Enter: The weapon locker. %Gallery-47821%
Eyeball explosion: New Army of Two: The 40th Day screens
Click image for more bro-saving-bro action EA has assaulted our inbox in the most extreme way possible, unloading some fresh screens from upcoming bro-love simulator, Army of Two: The 40th Day. The new screens show off a lot of what you'd come to expect from this series: explosions; testosterone; and teamwork. There does seem to be a kid involved this time around, though, so that's new. Sadly, these screens lack the appropriate amounts of fist-bumping, but we're sure EA is saving the best stuff for last. %Gallery-64174%
New Army of Two: The 40th Day trailer gets serious
The most official, new trailer for Army of Two: The 40th Day has at last been released. You'll get to see Shanghai being overrun by the so-called 40th Day Initiative, which is apparently laying waste to everything and everyone in sight. One thing we noticed very quickly is that the tone of the trailer is very serious. The buddy comedy vibe present in trailers for the original Army of Two is almost completely absent, save for a single modest one-liner at the end. Oh, and don't worry, there are plenty of explosions too. %Gallery-47821% Editors' Note: This post was first published at 5:30 p.m. on April 30. It has since been altered from its original form, which is viewable after the break.
Joystiq impressions: Army of Two: The 40th Day
click to bro-size Let's be honest: when we first heard EA was prepping a sequel to Army of Two, we didn't imagine it would be anything like what we saw in action last Friday in San Francisco's Chinatown district. (Well, 27 floors above it, to be accurate.) In our minds, we were expecting ... the first game, only set in Shanghai. Within 30 seconds of it loading up, we realized that EA Montreal's imagination is obviously a lot more vivid than ours. Executive Producer Reid Schneider was on hand to act as our tour guide, but much of what we saw really did speak for itself. Particularly about how this game is already anything but a minor improvement over the first. %Gallery-47821%
