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Activision: Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 DLC on PSN was a 'limited time offer'
Last week, PSN users found that the DLC for Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 -- items that included new characters such as Carnage, Psylocke and Cable -- went missing from the PSN Store. Well, after navigating the intricate web of Activision PR, Joystiq can now confirm the DLC simply expired at the end of last year. An Activision rep told us: "The Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Downloadable Content was a limited time offer, expiring on December 31, 2009." Sorry, PSN users -- if you managed to snag the content already, have fun. For the rest of you would-be heroes and villains, looks like you're out of luck, because the DLC isn't coming back.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 DLC pulls a Sue Storm on PSN, vanishes
PS3 heroes heeding the call of Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2 may have noticed all of the game's DLC has been pulled from PSN. Users on the game's official forums, the Hero HQ, and folks over at the official PlayStation boards are complaining all of the game's DLC has up and vanished from PSN -- something Joystiq can also confirm. So, what gives? Well, we don't know right now, but we've put in word to both Sony and Activision and will let you know when we hear back. [Thanks, @freemantim] Source - PlayStation forums Source - Hero HQ forums
Marvel dates, prices upcoming Ultimate Alliance 2 DLC
Marvel has finally confirmed the price and release date for the first batch of DLC for Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2. The pack will debut on November 5 for $9.99 on the PSN and 800 ($10) on Xbox 360. Included in the pack will be new simulator missions, boosts and, most important of all, three new characters. Namely, players will be able to get their hot little hands on Carnage, Psylocke and Cable. In addition to the DLC pack, Juggernaut will also be released as a downloadable character. Originally, he was available only as a pre-order bonus but, starting November 5, anyone will be able to tell Charles to get out of their head for the price of $1.99 on PSN and 160 ($2) on Xbox 360.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2's first DLC character is another Spider-Man
We can only imagine the meeting at Vicarious Visions where the development team behind Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2's DLC was arranged. "Well, we've already got Spider-Man and Venom, but we really feel like the game's still lacking in the Spider-Man spinoff department -- what about that other Spider-Man guy?" And thus, Carnage enters the fray as the game's first downloadable character. Known for his stint in the super-violent Spider-Man mini-series "Maximum Carnage" and, um, that SNES game we played so long ago, Carnage will assuredly lend an over-the-top je ne sais quoi to MUA2's proceedings. We're not exactly sure what happens when you pair him with Spider-Man and Venom on screen, but we worry they might get eaten by Carnage, which could be really awkward.%Gallery-75268%
Ms. Marvel lends her talents to Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2
Joining confirmed characters Juggernaut, Penance, Songbird and Deadpool is the latest addition to the Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 cast: Ms. Marvel. Activision just sent us a press release with some media showcasing the super-strong, super-fast super-blonde doing, well ... doing what looks like a lot of the same stuff she did in the first game. There's flying, there's lazerin' and plenty of dudes getting the business. Check out the video above to see her in action, then be sure to head into the gallery below for some in-game shots.%Gallery-70075%
See Juggernaut smash, Penance blast in new Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 media
Activision has dropped a whole heap of new Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 media. Perhaps the beefiest of the bunch is the trailer above. While it contains some snippets we've seen in other trailers, there's plenty of new action in there too, including some sweet Venom and Gambit action.After the break you'll find quick looks at Juggernaut and (exclusive character for Ultimate Alliance 2 pre-orders) Penance. You can also find a pair of Penance screenshots in the gallery below. Be sure to check out our recent hands-on impressions of the game too.%Gallery-68926%
Hands-on: Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2
First, let's get the latest playable character reveals out of the way: Jean Grey and Gambit. There. That was easy, if not the best-kept secret. What is a surprise, though, is that I was able to clearly distinguish Jean from the other on-screen heroes and mess of beaten-down baddies as I stood a distant twenty feet from a Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 demo at a recent Activision games showcase. As I approached, I was amazed by the difference three years makes. MUA2, at least on Xbox 360 (and PS3, presumably), is a hot dayam–better looking game than its predecessor. This is not a last-generation production brushed with high-res assets.Vicarious Visions proves a worthy successor to Raven Software, taking over lead development of the franchise -- and finally ending its streak of assignments to Activision's lesser ports. While it was evident the first time we played MUA2, it's worth reiterating that the game's camera angle has been adjusted to provide a closer perspective of the foreground and more distant view of the background. I could identify Jean from across the room because the character models are larger and more detailed. Additionally, updates to Vicarious' Alchemy game engine have added Havok physics and more on-screen enemies. While the grandiose (super) heroism has been amplified by newer technology, MUA2's style is still very much that of a Saturday morning cartoon.%Gallery-48082%
Stan Lee makes first video game appearance in Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 [update]
Known for making appearances in a variety of movie adaptations of his comics over the years, Stan Lee will be making his first ever video game appearance in upcoming action/RPG Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2. According to Shacknews, he'll be playing a character "significant to the game's storyline," though more details are unfortunately unavailable.Lee is apparently quite excited to have his likeness finally put into a video game, saying, "I am thrilled to be making my first onscreen video game cameo." What we're excited about though is the possible release date of MUA2, revealed by multiple online retailers to be September 15. We've asked Activision for comment on the release date and will update this post as we hear more.Update: Activision has confirmed to us that the September 15 release date for Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 is correct. [Image]
Pre-order Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2, get the Juggernaut
In revealing the latest Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 character, Activision has also revealed its pre-order bonus. As part of an ever growing trend, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 will award pre-ordering players with exclusive in-game content. In this case, it's the Juggernaut (obligatory NSFW YouTube link), and he's only available to those that pre-order the game from GameStop. He's also only available on the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions, according to GameStop's website, so Wii and PS2 owners will never know his sweet, crushing embrace.If you'd like a closer look at his glory, you can check out yet another 3D screenshot of the game -- from the future, we presume -- after the break.
Ancient Marvel Ultimate Alliance DLC is 'deal of the week'
Sorry, after the Bionic Commando Rearmed Xbox "deal of the week" was yanked, we found the bottom of a couple pint glasses. Anyway, the actual deal this week is Marvel Ultimate Alliance's H/V Pack for 560 ($7) -- a pitiful $3 off some DLC from 2007. It's time we talked seriously about hiring a disapproving church lady to sit in Microsoft's marketing office with a stern look on her face. On a good note, this "deal" was so lambasted in the comments of Major Nelson's post that he said, "I'll pass your comments along to the Marketing team."
Rumor: Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 wages 'Civil War'
One more revelation from yesterday's massive exodus of games out from under the corporate shroud: Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 will be based on Marvel's "Civil War" miniseries, which introduces the Superhuman Registration Act. The act requires anyone in the United States with superpowers to register with the government and thereby reveal one's civilian identity. In the comics, the act creates a rift between those heroes who advocate (and, with the help of sanctioned villains, enforce) registration and those who forcefully oppose it. A supposed marketing survey suggests that Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 will follow a similar storyline: "Select your side in the conflict and assemble your team from a roster of 20 Marvel Legends, including Hulk, Wolverine, Spider-Man, Venom, and the Human Torch."The game will apparently feature a "fusion" system, whereby superpowers from one character can be combined with another, "such as fusing Spider-Man's powers with Storm's to give Spider-Man lightning webs." How about combining Superman's heat vision with Green Lantern's power beam to grant Superman green rays of burning light that shoot from his eyes and can take the shape of ... anything! (Take that Scorpion!) Er, oops ... wrong universe.[Via NeoGAF]
Friday Video: Samus joins the Ultimate Alliance
For those of you who noticed the PS2 buttons make their way into the video, know that this does come from the PS2 build of the game. You see, Vicarious Visions, the developers behind Marvel: Ultimate Alliance for the PS2, wanted to include both Samus and Link into the game and apparently did without Nintendo's consent. There's a lot of confusion surrounding it and, supposedly, when Nintendo was shown the characters were included in the PS2 version of the game, told Activision to cut them out. The rest is just a bunch of confusing history.
The Ultimate Alliance forms again in 2009
Fans of the latest Marvel dungeon crawler, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, know that a sequel to your beloved game is inbound, however it's going to take a bit longer than you might like. You see, the sequel to the first game isn't going to be on shelves until next year. Here, cry on our shoulder. Go ahead, let it all out!Our cruel overlords at Joystiq seem to think that the new Spider-Man: Web of Shadows game could have something to do with the delay. As for us, well, we're not complaining if the time is put to good use. The first game was a boatload of fun, so we hope the sequel is just as good, if not better.[Via Joystiq]
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 pushed to 2009 ... or not [update]
Update: It looks like Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 won't be delayed after all. UGO's original report misconstrued a statement on the conflicting launches of Activision's two Marvel properties. Both Ultimate Alliance 2 and Spider-man: Web of Shadows are still scheduled for release in 2008.Original: Despite Activision's early claims of mass-Marvel action in 2008, it appears that the sequel to Marvel Ultimate Alliance won't be hitting shelves this year, after all. The delay is possibly an attempt to avoid dividing sales between the title and Spider-man: Web of Shadows, which is due out this fall.Reporting from the NYC Comic-Con, UGO Gamesblog spoke with an Activision representative, who stated that the action RPG sequel will not be seeing a release in 2008. The original game (pictured above) was released in 2006 to largely favorable reviews.
Activision plans Wii sequels for its franchises
Wii owners can expect some new Activision games to hit their consoles in the not-so-distant future. To state the obvious first, a new Guitar Hero game (possibly two) will find its way to the Wii and other consoles by the end of Activision's next fiscal year (which ends in April 2009).You may be even more excited to know, however, that the next Call of Duty installment will also end up on the Wii (among other platforms). This is good news, since Call of Duty 4 skipped over the little white console. Don't get too excited, though -- this doesn't necessarily mean that the next game will be Call of Duty 5.We also wouldn't be surprised if Activision's other two sequels (one for Tony Hawk and one for Marvel: Ultimate Alliance) hit Wiis. The company promises innovation with it's next Tony Hawk game, which piques our interest for the title a bit. Does this mean the game will make use of the Wii Balance Board, or does Activision have another trick up its sleeve?
Activision: 08 brings Bond, Guitar Hero, Spider-Man
Activision's recent conference call had about as many surprises in it as a holiday gift from Grandma. After setting record sales in 2007, both confusing and otherwise, Activision revealed plans for new entries into the Guitar Hero, Spider-Man and Tony Hawk franchises in 2008 as well as their first attempt at the James Bond license, with an adaptation of the latest Bond film, Quantum of Solace, in the pipeline.According to a report in Variety, gamers should mark their calendars for up to three Guitar Hero releases, two add-ons and Guitar Hero IV in the fall, two game adaptations of the Dreamworks film Kung Fu Panda and one for the upcoming Madagascar 2, and new sequels to Tony Hawk, Call of Duty, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, Spider-Man and the aforementioned Bond game. In fact, we recommend you keep your 2007 calendars and simply change the 7's to 8's. It would just be easier.[via Joystiq]
Activision's 2008 promises more Guitar Hero, James Bond, Spider-Man
Activision's recent conference call didn't consist entirely of gloating about those record holiday-quarter sales, as the publisher also took the opportunity to outline some of its plans for 2008. It seems we're in for quite the party, albeit one where you'll actually remember everybody's name. Guitar Hero? James Bond? Tony Hawk? Spider-Man? Yeah, we've met.According to a Variety report, the aforementioned party will see multiple performances by The Instrument Protagonists, due to promote two Guitar Hero "add-ons" in Spring and a full sequel in Fall. While party animals debate the game tie-ins to animated films Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar 2, suave gentleman will attempt to decrypt James Bond's film adaptation, Quantum of Solace. A roughly equal amount of solace will be found by the comic fans huddled around the punch bowl, as new Spider-Man and Marvel Ultimate Alliance games are expected to knock on the door at some point during the festivities.Finally, don't expect Tony Hawk to be turned away (he's on the guest list), especially since he's bringing his friend ... uh ... Call of Duty? We honestly don't know where we're going with this analogy. [Via The Cut Scene]
Holiday Xbox 360 bundles are official
It's not like we didn't see this offer headed down the pipeline, but now it's 100% official. This morning Microsoft sent out a press release announcing the release of the planned Xbox 360 holiday bundles. Starting sometime near the end of October, consumers will start seeing all new Xbox 360s and Xbox 360 Elites come bundled with both Forza Motorsport 2 and Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. This bundling of games will of course help with Microsoft's plans at world domination this holiday season and hopefully win over the hearts of Wii crazy mothers.Next up, the confirmation of the Xbox 360 Arcade which we say will be announced sometime next week. Place your bets.
Shipping this week: finish the wait edition
Well, kiddies, here we are. While a select few have managed to snag a copy early, the vast majority of gamers will be picking up their copy of Halo 3 this week. A good number of those gamers will be standing in line tonight at midnight (including us) to get it as soon as humanly possible. Yes, Halo fans will finally get their sweet, sweet nectar, while the Halo haters will finally get some respite from the terrible beast. We'd love to tell you that this means the end of non-stop Halo coverage on X3F, but don't count on it.But enough Halo 3! After all, it's not the only game coming out this week. Why, just look at all these other fine games: CSI Hard Evidence Hot Wheels Beat That World Series of Poker: Battle Marvel Ultimate Alliance Enhanced: Platinum Hits Seriously though. If you're waiting in line for Halo 3 tonight, make sure that when you finally get to the checkout counter you ask for a copy of Hot Wheels Beat That. Take note of the confounded look on the employee's face when you ask, and treasure it. Remember, it's the little things in life that matter the most.
Shipping this week: Arrrrggghhh! edition
The thin gaming trickle of spring continues this week with yet another movie tie-in (last week we got Shrek the Third). This week we get the Depp-tastic Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. We're generally leery of any movie tie-ins, especially those that launch simultaneously with the associated film (the third Pirates movie also opens this week), and this time is no different. While the screens and movies we've seen of the game show off decent character models and some very nice animation, they also show off what appears to be generally ho-hum gameplay. We'll just have to wait and see if the game, ahem, holds water.On a more positive note for lovers of Japanese games, the Ubisoft localization of Senko no Ronde, retitled WarTech: Senko no Ronde, also debuts this week. Apparently Marvel: Ultimate Alliance Gold failed to properly hit the shelves last week, as it is listed again this week. For an ultimate alliance, they sure have trouble getting their act together.%Gallery-3339%[Via Joystiq]
