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Prototype 2 offers pre-order incentives; don't worry, it won't bite
Prototype 2 wants to devour your pre-order cash, offering two new incentives through Amazon and Best Buy. Amazon pre-orders get a code to download the first issue of the Prototype 2 comic from Dark Horse, titled The Anchor. Early Best Buyers will receive an exclusive steelbook case in addition to the previously announced Hardened Steel Vehicle Armor upgrade.All pre-orders will get access to the RADNET edition of Prototype 2, which includes 55 free items delivered during the seven weeks after launch, April 24 for Xbox 360 and PS3 and July 24 for PC. RADNET offers bonus mutations, Alex Mercer playable skin, in-game events, challenges, avatar items, themes and behind-the-scenes content, all of which Activision warns it is liable to change or discontinue at any time. Check out the asterisk warnings and more info in the press release below.
The creepiest dad ever comes home in this Prototype 2 trailer
Here's a secret about your beloved Joystiq: we're easily frightened. This Prototype 2 trailer is super scary to our meek, ever-fearful eyes. At least the screens past the break aren't so b -- OH GOD WHAT IS THAT?!
Prototype 2 mutates into Blackwatch Collector's Edition
If the allure of wanton destruction just isn't enough to entice you to pick up Prototype 2, perhaps the Blackwatch Collector's Edition will convince you. In the realm of physical goodies, the collector's edition includes a hardbound art book and a soundtrack CD. Digital bonuses include all of the RADNET Edition content, the "Colossal Mayhem" DLC pack, Avatar gear for the Xbox and dynamic themes for PS3. The pack also includes a digital Dark Horse comic entitled either "Labrinth" or "Labryinth" depending on whether you trust the press release or the above trailer (yeah, it's probably "Labyrinth"). The final "bonus" in the collector's edition is a voucher for 20 percent off your first purchase of Prototype merchandise.The press release notes that the Blackwatch Collector's Edition is now available for pre-order, though we haven't been able to find it online just yet. Whenever it does arrive, it will retail for $80.
Prototype 2 on PC pushed to July 24, RADNET Edition announced
Anyone looking forward to the PC version of Prototype 2 must continue looking forward for a while longer, as the game has now been delayed for three months. While the console versions are slated for April 24, the PC version will not arrive until July 24, according to a recent post on the Prototype Facebook page (requires login).No reason for the delay was given, though "more details" are promised "soon." Of course, given the recent trend of delaying big-budget PC releases well past their console counterparts, it's not exactly surprising.In other news, Activision has announced the RADNET Edition of Prototype 2 for Xbox 360 and PS3, available in "a limited number of the launch quantities". Specifically, it grants players access to RADNET, which "gives fans 55 free pieces of additional content delivered for seven weeks following the game's launch." The weekly content will include a range of items, from in-game mutations to Avatar items and videos.The press release specifies that RADNET will be redeemed via an included code in new copies of the game. Call it a hunch, but we're betting those who buy used will be able to pick up a code for, oh, let's say around ten dollars.So, summing up, it's appears that the PC version got a three month delay on the same day we learned about two months of bonus content for new copies of the console version. Coincidence?
Prototype comic series available digitally next month
If you need to be reminded about Prototype 2 periodically -- by, say, a tie-in iOS app or another promotional item -- we've got great news. Dark Horse will publish a bi-weekly comic series starting February 15. The first issue, "The Anchor," catches up with Prototype 1's Alex Mercer. The second, "The Survivors," focuses on a few New York residents trying to get out of the city. And the third introduces Prototype 2 protagonist Sgt. James Heller. The comics will be sold through digital.darkhorse.com. If these are successful, they might continue with all your favorite comic book tropes, like the universe-rebooting event and the Alien and Predator crossovers.%Gallery-144929%
GameStop's Prototype 2 pre-order bonus is actually called 'Butt Kicker'
If you pre-order Prototype 2 from GameStop, you'll get a modified version of the game's Bio-Bomb ability. As opposed to tossing infected enemies and watching them explode, the "Butt Kicker" ability allows you to kick them. In the butt. Really hard. It's perhaps a strange motivation for pre-orders, but, as the video above makes clear, it's hard to deny the maneuver's effectiveness.
Prototype 2 developer diary goes hunting
The latest Prototype 2 developer video details, among other things, the game's new hunting system. Essentially, it's an a sonar system that helps protagonist James Heller locate his enemies. Joystiq's biotech branch has developed a similar hunting mutation, but it only works on hot dog stands.
Activision releases ProtoSlice iOS app to promote Prototype 2
This is interesting -- Activision has apparently teamed up with an iOS developer to release a promotional game for its upcoming title Prototype 2. ProtoSlice is now available as a free download from the App Store, and it's made by the creators of Slice HD, a developer named SmallBall. The new game is very similar to the old one (which itself reminds me of Hand of Greed), in that you need to try and use your real finger to press a fake button, all while dodging virtual blades. Of course, in ProtoSlice, you're dodging Prototype-themed blades, and you can win new screenshots of Activision's game by finishing levels. The game is free, so if you're looking forward to Prototype 2, downloading this one is a no-brainer. But even more interesting about this game is simply the fact that it exists. Activision has experienced a little success on the App Store with its Call of Duty: Zombies app, but we haven't seen a lot of action from them lately. Other publishers like EA have learned a lot more from iOS, both seeing big success with apps and app sales, and even acquiring companies who know how to make iPhone and iPad games. Activision has been relatively silent on this front for the past year or so, but this release indicates what the company really thinks of iOS so far: It works best, apparently, as a vehicle for promoting console games, not an actual game platform itself. This is one release, of course. We do know that Activision is set to release iOS apps for the upcoming Call of Duty Elite metagaming service for its big Call of Duty series, so it's very possible there are other strategies in the works for the big publisher on Apple's platform. But we haven't seen any of that yet -- ProtoSlice is a clear sign so far that Activision isn't necessarily taking iOS seriously as an actual gaming platform.
Activision slices off a little Prototype 2 game for iOS
Activision is promoting Prototype 2 with a tie-in iOS game, released ... several months before Prototype 2. Protoslice is a puzzle game from Twitchgames, based on its game Slice, in which you move a bunch of James Heller's Blade Arms out of the way of on-screen buttons. If you accidentally touch the sharp parts of any of the blades, you'll be sliced! Hence the clever name. Protoslice is out now, for a price appropriate for its promotional nature: nothing. So there's no reason not to check it out -- especially if you want something Prototype-y to do between now and April. Unless you're sensitive to images of you getting sliced, in which case you probably weren't going to check out Prototype 2, either.
Take a trip through Prototype 2's super deadly 'Red Zone'
Don't be fooled by the beginning of this new video for Prototype 2 -- birds have not replaced Alex as the protagonist and they can't shapeshift into deadly, oozing weaponry. But really, would that be so bad? Also, the things at the end remind us of mutated goombas, which supports the bird thing.
Prototype 2 video catches up with Alex Mercer's exploits
What's that? You were too busy kicking cars into helicopters to pay attention to Alex Mercer's plight in the original Prototype? You have no idea what to expect in Prototype 2? It's okay, this convenient video will catch you up on every last evil scientist, super virus and biological incubator.
Pre-order Prototype 2 for a chance to be in Prototype 2
Ever wanted to be killed accidentally by a super-powered monster? If you said "Boy, have I!" you might want to stop loitering at your local nuclear power plant and check out Prototype 2. Activision and GameStop have partnered to turn pre-orderers into bystanders in the game. "In addition to just seeing themselves in the game," said Radical Entertainment studio head Ken Rosman, "the winners will actually be able to locate their virtual selves and shape-shift Sgt. James Heller into their likeness." US and Canada residents age 18 and up can enter by pre-ordering the game at GameStop before September 1 and then entering a drawing online. Winners will be sent to Vancouver to be turned into virtual collateral damage at Radical's HQ.
Activision reveals April launch for Prototype 2, September for X-Men Destiny
Kicking off its San Diego Comic Con announcements, game publishing giant Activision today revealed two solid, very different release dates for two hopefully solid, very different games. First up, Prototype 2 will surf victims' bodies into retail on April 24, 2012. A new trailer for next year's sequel is available just below the break, fresh from San Diego. Additionally, a new trailer for X-Men Destiny was released, which puts a September 27 launch date on the next project from Silicon Knights. Given the origin of both pieces of info, SDCC attendees should be aware that X-Men Destiny will be playable at this week's show, while "15-minute live stage presentations" for Prototype 2 will be going off at the Activision booth. Still here? Both trailers are just below -- follow us!
New Prototype 2 trailer explores the power of tendrils
As far as the destructonamiacs here at Joystiq are concerned, Prototype's sandbox mayhem was one of, if not the main selling points for the title. Judging by the latest trailer for Prototype 2, it looks like Radical Entertainment knows exactly what we want, in a big way.
Prototype 2 E3 trailer continues the cycle
So Prototype 2's lead James Heller spends the first half of this new trailer complaining about Prototype 1 lead Alex Mercer killing his loved ones ... then he cuts like 30 dudes in half. Jim, aren't some of those soldiers spouses themselves? Are you that certain there won't be a Prototype 3? Update: We've already posted this trailer! Sorry!
Prototype 2 preview: To Heller and back
We're just going to throw this out there, harsh as it may be: Does Prototype, 2009's open world New York-based superhero fantasy title, really need a sequel? Sure, there was some fun to be had in Alex Mercer's shoes, pulling off some over-the-top (and often just overwhelming) proto-moves, navigating a New York under alien and military siege. But by the end of the first game, we'd taken out tank after tank after tank, gutted Supreme Hunter after Supreme Hunter, and learned everything we needed to know about Blackwatch and the Blacklight virus, didn't we? There was a lot of game in Prototype -- repeated, some might say, more than even its fans wanted. Ken Rossman, the studio head at Radical Entertainment, obviously believes we do. He and his studio are hard at work on Prototype 2, and when we spoke with him at a pre-E3 event a little while ago, he made his case as to why we want to return to this world. The main problem with Prototype, he told us, was that "it had two volumes: 1 and 11. And really there was nothing in that middle range, so either you were in disguise and the world ignored you, sometimes, or all of a sudden you kicked the hornet's nest and the world's on fire. So that was something that we acknowledged and we were like, 'That's something that we need to figure out in a better way.'"%Gallery-125365%
Prototype 2's E3 action trailer
Kill a man's wife and kid and he's liable to go around a city killing other people's wives and kids. It's the circle of psychosis in this Prototype 2 E3 trailer.
Last-minute Mother's Day gift idea brought to you by Activision, the makers of Prototype 2
Surprise! It's Mother's Day. You forgot -- didn't you? No worries. Activision has you covered. Just zip this, uh, prototype card over to ma and get back to enjoying your Sunday.
Prototype 2 trailer explains Alex Mercer's heel turn
The Prototype 2 trailer after the break helps explain why Prototype 1 protagonist Alex Mercer is the bad guy in this sequel ... but we don't think it needs all that much justification. He was always a mass-murdering monster; he just happened to be the monster in the player's control before. It's like Godzilla movies -- sometimes he's the bad guy, and sometimes another monster will be tearing up Tokyo and Godzilla becomes the hero by default. After the narrative discussion, the trailer treats us to a little footage labeled "Pre-alpha." Luckily, Activision remembered to use that term instead of "Prototype," because that would be so confusing.
Activision tosses out new Prototype 2 trailer
Prototype 2 is still far away from the production line (see what we did there?), but Activision is teasing next year's sequel with a trailer providing some lovely flyover shots of an in-game environment. Well, not so lovely for the guy doing the flying.
