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'Crackdown 3' lets you team up with friends in Wrecking Zone
Crackdown 3's signature Wrecking Zone mode should now be decidedly livelier. After a brief round of testing, Sumo and Microsoft have released an update that adds Squad support to the destroy-everything multiplayer feature. If you have Crackdown-loving friends, you can partner up with them instead of having to fly solo.
'Crackdown 2' is free on Xbox One ahead of updates to its sequel
Just because you're playing Crackdown 3 doesn't mean you've played its predecessor -- in fact, that's not too likely when the second game launched nearly nine years ago. The developers want to plug that hole in your gaming history. In addition to teasing some updates to the current game (more on those in a moment), they've revealed that Crackdown 2 is now free as an Xbox One backwards compatibility title. It's not the revelation that the first game was, but it will show you how the series evolved before its big hiatus.
Crackdown 2 developer Ruffian Games reveals upcoming Game of Glens
Crackdown 2 developer Ruffian Games announced that it is partnering with Square Enix to develop the upcoming Scotsman-themed minigame compilation Game of Glens for PC platforms. Ruffian will fund the project through the Square Enix Collective, a crowdfunding initiative the publisher launched in October to encourage the development and curation of community-submitted game ideas. Square Enix will handle distribution duties for finished games, while its partner Indiegogo will coordinate funding. Ruffian is one of the first three studios to join Square Enix's new pilot program. The other studios in Square Enix's crowdfunding stable are Shattered Planet developer Kitfox Games and World War Machine creator Tuque Games.
Blu-ray video encryption cracked using $260 kit
When a master key for HDCP encryption surfaced last year, Intel hardly broke a sweat. It declared that nobody could use the key to unlock Blu-rays or other protected sources unless they got into the semiconductor business and "made a computer chip" of their own. Oh Mann, didn't they realize? That sort of language is like a red rag to a German post-grad, and now Ruhr University's Secure Hardware Group has produced the ultimate rebuttal: a custom board that uses a field programmable gate array (FPGA) board to sit between a Blu-ray player and TV and decode the passing traffic. Student price: €200, and no silly bodysuits required.
Crackdown 2 'Deluge' DLC overwhelms Pacific City
The new "Deluge" DLC for Crackdown 2 adds a co-op arcade mode where players must protect designated city zones from Pacific City's worst. It'll set Agents back 560 points ($7) and also adds several Achievements, Avatar awards and a "Capture the Orb" mode for up to 16 players, spanning six arenas.
Expect a 'Deluge' of Crackdown 2 DLC, Windows Phone 7 tie-in this month
Microsoft has announced that a new batch of Crackdown 2 DLC will be released later this month. The "Deluge" add-on will add two new multiplayer modes to the game, as well as new Achievements and Avatar Awards. Deluge mode is a new co-op mode that sees up to four players defending "against increasingly more challenging waves of denizens from Pacific City." Meanwhile, Capture the Orb is a new adversarial mode for up to 16 players. Presumably -- and this is just a hunch -- players compete to capture the orb. Interestingly, the DLC will be offered in both trial and premium versions. The free trial version will include the complete Capture the Orb mode and a single-player "sample" of Deluge mode. For 560 MS Points ($7), the premium version includes the full Deluge mode as well as the aforementioned goodies. Microsoft is also planning to release a Windows Phone 7 tie-in project later this month. Entitled Crackdown: Project Sunburst, the game offers up tower defense gameplay utilizing Bing Maps. Playing Project Sunburst will unlock new features in Deluge mode and, conversely, Deluge mode will unlock new weapons in the mobile game. The press release notes that this is the first time such integration has been seen between Xbox Live and Windows Phone 7. Assuming the platform takes off, we doubt it will be the last. %Gallery-106388%
Crackdown 2 'Toy Box' DLC crashing issues resolved by reissue
A new, bug-free version of Crackdown 2's "Toy Box" DLC pack was released yesterday morning on Xbox Live Marketplace, according to Ruffian Games. Unfortunately, rather than a patch, the DLC has been re-issued, meaning that folks who downloaded the content will need to delete it and redownload. The new version fixes issues ranging from "crash on loading" to issues with the narrator's voice and Achievement problems, which we reported on earlier this week. Ruffian says that the glitches were "caused by problems mastering the DLC package," thus the reissue rather than a patch. The developer assures players that "all will be fine" after the download, which was available publicly as of yesterday morning. We've yet to hear of any issues with the re-release, but feel free to let us know if you find any.
Crackdown 2 players report crashing issues with 'Toy Box' DLC
Looks like its time to throw another victim on the pile of DLC which crashes the game upon which it's intended to expand. This time around, it's Crackdown 2's recently released "Toy Box" pack, which is supposed to add the "Keys to the City" mode from the first game, as well as a handful of new weapons and items. According to a number of angry commenters on Xbox.com, the 560 Microsoft Point ($7) download doesn't add this content as much as it ... well, removes everything else. For reasons unknown, a large number of players report that the game simply freezes up when trying to play after having downloaded the "Toy Box" pack. Some users report that clearing the system's cache and playing offline allows the game to load, but connecting to Live and downloading the game's latest update returns it to its non-functioning state. We've contacted Microsoft to find out what the problem is, and when we can expect a fix. You might want to consider keeping the "Toy Box" firmly closed for the time being. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Crackdown 2 'Toy Box' DLC trailer gives us a taste of what's to come
In today's fast-paced world, we don't always have time to read everything. You've got things to do, places to be -- you expect a high quality video showing you what will be available in an upcoming DLC pack. That's why we've posted this video showcasing Crackdown 2's "Toy Box" DLC. You're welcome!
Crackdown 2's 'Toy Box' DLC hits the streets on September 2
Anxious to 'splode more stuff in Crackdown 2? Well, on September 2, you'll be able to access the "Toy Box" DLC pack. The DLC will come in two different flavors: as a free download, players can access the "Keys to the City" cheat unlock, the "Thruster" ability and a new multiplayer mode called "Vehicle Tag;" or agents can shell out 560 MS Points ($7) for an enhanced version including five new weapons, two new vehicles, a couple of Avatar items and 10 additional Achievements to unlock.
Crackdown 2's 'Toy Box' DLC handing over keys to Pacific City
Ruffian Games is making good on last month's promise of Crackdown 2 DLC, with the announcement this morning of a forthcoming add-on for the game titled "Toy Box." The free version of the content pack will come with a rethought "Keys to the City" cheat unlock, the "Thruster" ability (described as "jetpacks for your boots") and a new multiplayer mode -- "Vehicle Tag." For those of you willing to shell out 560 MS Points ($7), the pack also contains five new weapons, two new vehicles, a couple of Avatar items, and 10 new Cheevos. Are you keen on dressing up your agent in various colorful suits? Who isn't? The paid version of the pack additionally contains eight fancy new outfits, with ambiguous names like "Terror Firma" (also our second favorite Doctor Who spinoff) and "Dem Apples." The pack is said to be "coming soon," though a solid date hasn't been given for release. We do have a trailer of the content in action, just after the break. [Correction: The video documentary was unrelated to the DLC. We've posted a Youtube trailer of the new content after the break. Thanks, Ryan!]
Crackdown 2 holds on to top UK sales spot; Xbox 360 S has solid launch
Crackdown 2 just barely held off Dance on Broadway last week to maintain the top spot on the UK all formats chart for a second week in a row. According to Chart-Track, "Orb Collector 2" sales dropped 36 percent and only sold about 800 units more than Ubisoft's show tune-themed Just Dance successor (the original Just Dance retained a supporting role in the ten spot). Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 and Red Dead Redemption each slipped one spot to third and fourth, respectively. The lone new entry in the top ten was Disney's Toy Story 3 in fifth place. In hardware sales, although Chart-Track didn't reveal specific numbers, the Xbox 360 Slim (or Short) enjoyed the UK's most successful launch for a "revised" console. The redesigned console surpassed the relaunches of both the PS2 and PS3 slim models and, in its opening weekend, matched the regional launch figures of the Pro and Core Xbox 360 SKUs from back in late 2005.
Crackdown 2 jumps to top of UK charts
Crackdown 2 has broken the "petrificus totalus" spell cast upon the UK sales charts for the last couple weeks. Skills for broken spells, agent? Ruffian's compulsive orb-collecting sequel leaped ahead of Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4 and Red Dead Redemption, which found comfortable homes on the range at second and third, respectively. Ubisoft's Just Dance took its greatest tumble to date, dropping all the way down to ninth place -- most likely because everyone in the UK already owns it. However, proving that Just Dance wasn't a singular sensation for the publisher, newcomer Dance on Broadway steps up from sixth to fourth. Check out the UK top ten after the break.
Two Crackdown 2 DLC packs teased
We might not have loved Crackdown 2 as much as anticipated, but we're glad to see that's not stopping developer Ruffian Games from supporting the game post-launch with downloadable content. Speaking to MTV Multiplayer, producer James Cope revealed two (tentatively titled) packs already planned for release: "The Toy Box" and "Deluge." According to Cope, The Toy Box will be available first and features "new gadgets and vehicles," as well as opening up Pacific City in the same way that the first game's "Keys to the City" mode did. Next will be the Deluge pack, which will contain "new game modes to expand the play" -- Cope says the team at Ruffian is aiming for "a completely new way to play the game you've already got." No release prices or dates were given for the DLC add-ons, though, presumably Crackdown 2 owners are still plenty occupied collecting all of them orbs. It's a hunger that can't be satisfied, folks!
Metareview: Crackdown 2
Crackdown 2 left us with the feeling we were missing something -- like, an entire sequel's worth of content. It appears we weren't alone for the most part. Then again, if you've got AOO (agility orb obsession), you'll be too busy to care. Chase down the review orb links below for the full content: Eurogamer (80/100): "Besides, they're offset by everything that Ruffian gets right: the masterful way the developers have turned simple neighbourhoods into set-pieces; the moments where nightfall triggers neon signage that reveals a hidden pathway up the side of a skyscraper; the way in which a chain of seemingly random Agility Orbs picks out a perfect racing line of superhero bounds from one chimney to the next and off into the horizon." IGN (75/100): "The new additions, specifically the expansion to four-player co-op, are welcome, but this hardly feels like it was worth the three-year wait. It's mostly just more of the same, in the same city, with the same shortcomings and a slightly expanded set of missions. Crackdown 2 feels uninspired and rushed, and it certainly doesn't feel like a full sequel." Game Informer (73/100): "Yes, the fights with gang leaders got old after a while in the first game, but they instilled a sense of progress. Without them, you're just jumping around ruined versions of the same old places, tracking down nearly 1,000 orbs, and working through the same pair of "kill 'em all" story missions until the credits roll. Crackdown is still ripe for an ambitious sequel, but this Crackdown 2 thing clearly isn't it. What a squandered opportunity." 1UP (B-): "There's no question that Crackdown 2 is a mere shadow of the first game, which stands as an absolute classic. The sequel feels more like an ambitious user mod than a true follow-up." Giant Bomb (3/5) "There's a narrow subset of people that will absolutely love Crackdown 2 for it's "it ain't broke, so we didn't fix it" approach to sequel development. ... If you're in that group or if you're just looking for something absolutely mindless to do with a few online friends, Crackdown 2 is practically perfect for that." %Gallery-95758%
Review: Crackdown 2
As the always astute Chris Hecker once pointed out, the thing video games do best are power fantasies. While we're literally trying to rescue our family or kill the evil guy, the metaphorical (and arguably more important) journey is in watching our character grow from weakling to demigod, whether that's through the collection of the most powerful weapons or the fastest cars. The balance then is in making the literal journey just present enough that the metaphorical one means something. For all its strengths, Crackdown's major failing was in not nailing this balance. Punching, jumping and exploding your way to superherodom was amazing, but the story and missions were so threadbare that there was nothing really pulling you through, there was no momentum. Though narrative was never going to be its strong suit, it needed just a few more breadcrumbs to get you from point A to point B. Disappointingly, Crackdown 2 does not fix the balance between literal and metaphorical journey. In fact, it seems much more content to pretend it doesn't exist. %Gallery-74365%
Crackdown 2 save unlocks Agent 4 in Perfect Dark multiplayer
We're now only days away from the release of Crackdown 2, and in a stroke of corporate synergy, Microsoft Game Studios has hatched a cross-game promotion between Ruffian's impending sandbox shooter and the recent HD remake of Perfect Dark for Xbox Live Arcade. With a Crackdown 2 save on your console, you can unlock a new playable character in Perfect Dark: Agent 4. No codes, no impossible speed runs -- Agent 4 is unlocked in Perfect Dark's Combat Simulator (multiplayer mode) as soon as your Crackdown 2 save is detected. Happy hunting, agents! %Gallery-96777%
Crackdown 2's open-world rampaging fueled by R.E.M., among others
It's more or less the end of the world as we know it in Crackdown 2's Pacific City, but that won't be the R.E.M. song you'll hear in-game when it leaps from a rooftop to your place of residence on July 6. Find out what song of theirs you will hear with the full soundtrack listing after the break.
Cheap Defense Grid, Winterbottom and more on XBLM next week
In addition to officially revealing next week's XBLA offerings, Major Nelson has also laid out Xbox Live Marketplace schedule for the rest of June, including the Deal of the Week, Games on Demand and Avatar Marketplace. The Deal of the Week -- or Deals of the Week, rather -- takes the spotlight, with several decent titles on sale. Darwinia+ will be marked down to 800 points ($10), while Defense Grid, PB Winterbottom, Rocket Riot and Poker Smash will all be marked down to 400 points ($5). Also, the OneBigGame charity project, Chime, will be reduced to a puny 240 points ($3). Meanwhile, both Tomb Raider Underworld and Command & Conquer 3 will hit Games on Demand on June 29, and some Crackdown 2 Avatar items will be released on July 1.
Crackdown 2 demo now available; Facebook game unlocks bonuses
Can't wait to earn 'Cheevos for the many, many heads you'll be busting in Crackdown 2? You can get an early start today -- the 1GB demo of the game, now available on Xbox Live Marketplace, features accelerated character leveling, four-player co-op and the ability to start earning Achievements, which will fully unlock when you boot up the retail version of the game, coming July 6. In addition, the Crackdown 2-themed Facebook game Chuck's Duck 2 unlocks a new difficulty in the demo and a multiplayer weapon for use in the retail version of the game. Appropriately, said weapon is an exploding, sticky rubber duck. That ought to strike some fear into the hearts of Pacific City's mutant inhabitants, shouldn't it? Xbox.com: Add Crackdown 2 demo to your Xbox 360 download queue
