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Tron app updated with Light Cycles
Disney's Tron movie is coming up quick, and today, the official Tron app (which has been out since Comic-Con, hosting exclusive previews and news from the movie) has added another new feature: Light Cycle battles. Yes, you can download the official app for free, and play a fun little 2D version of the famous Tron Light Cycle battle game right there in the app. The whole thing is pretty simple -- just swipe to change direction, and of course the goal is to leave a light path that will block your opponents' bikes (or you can create a field trap by drawing a rectangle with your Light Cycle). When you add in the tank game that was released a little while back, the app is definitely worth a download. I got to see and play this app at Disney last week during an event there, and then talked to Disney Interactive's Jeff Nuzzi about the app and Disney's future plans for it. Disney already tried this "free app portal" method with Toy Story 3, and that one worked pretty well. Nuzzi said the same thing is happening with this Tron app -- "it's two great games," he told me, "wrapped around a lot of promotional content." Disney's original plan for Toy Story 3 was to include some premium experiences in with the free content, but that didn't work out as planned. "It was really a very complicated app, and I think the fans out there, the early adopters, people that are familiar with Toy Story, knew how to navigate and get through there, but then a lot of first time users and iPod touch users weren't able to connect to Wi-Fi and had trouble downloading the app." In the end, Disney sent the Toy Story 3 app completely free, and that's why this Tron app is a free download as well. Plus, Nuzzi and his company plan to keep updating the app with Tron content and information even after the movie releases. "As the movie goes through the box office and into more of a franchise, we can deliver news about the DVD or upcoming events," Nuzzi said. "It really is a portal for all things Tron and it's meant to live on beyond just the movie." The movie hits theaters on December 17, but you can download the free app with all of its extras right now.
Joystiq hands-on: Turok
Dinosaurs, as you may have heard, play an important role in Turok. They are big, scary, and seem awfully fond of the taste of human flesh. Lucky for Joseph Turok (worst. last name. evar.), he just happens to be a badass killing machine (probably as a result of the endless childhood teasing about his stupid name). We had a chance to take Turok's brand of dinosaur destruction for a spin at E3, and we jumped at opportunity like a dilophosaur on Newman.
Disney unveils Dgamer: social network for DS and PC
Disney Interactive Studios has announced the creation of a new DS-centric social network entitled Dgamer. Announced during Disney's E3 press conference, Dgamer will be featured in Disney's upcoming DS titles, beginning with Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. Dgamer allows gamers to customize online avatars, chat wirelessly, and track each other's progress in Dgamer enabled games. Many of Dgamer's features are similar to those of Xbox Live, including stat tracking across multiple games. Also, items used to customize your avatar can be unlocked in Dgamer enable titles -- for example, you might unlock a new outfit by playing Prince Caspian. Dgamer doesn't stop at the DS though, it will also be accessible via the Dgamer channel on Disney.com. Here, members will be access all the features of Dgamer and even utilize cross-platform with DS users (all of this still requires that friend codes be exchanged by the way). A Disney branded, kid-centered social network with the added draw of Pokémon-like "gotta catch 'em all" qualities? We can hear it now: "Mom, buy me the new Hannah Montana guitar game so I can unlock a new dress!" Downright dastardly if you ask us.
Disney acquires Warren Spector's Junction Point Studios
During its E3 press conference, Disney Interactive Studios announced that they had acquired Warren Spector's Junction Point Studios. Spector took the stage to discuss the news. As Spector told it, he jumped at the chance to work with Disney. According to Spector, his original career choices were either to go into video games (good move Warren) or become an imagineer for Disney, as he was inspired by the works of its founder, Walt Disney. Spector even wrote his masters thesis on cartoons, apparently. Pulling Junction Point into the Disney fold is part of Disney's new game initiative, which involves both leveraging well-known franchises and creating new IP. No doubt, Disney expects a name like Warren Spector (creator of games like Deus Ex) to bolster their credibility as a legitimate publisher.
Pirates of the Carribean demo hits shores
The Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End demo has arrived on Marketplace, which is a good thing. The weird thing is the regions that it is available in, or more specifically, not available in. It's listed as available in all Xbox regions except the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Asia. So no go for North America, which is a little odd, considering the movie and its game are being made by American companies. So, Europe and other regions that don't fall into that category, can you play that first tutorial level and tell us how the game looks and feels?
Yar! Pirates gameplay vids off the port bow!
Pirates and videogames have been friends for a long time. Movies and videogames ... not so much. With the upcoming release of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, we are faced with a conundrum. You see, Pirates is a game that is (naturally) filled with pirates. Sounds good, right? However, said game is also based on a film, which typically means bad mojo for any game.With the release of four new clips from the game, our hopes were high. Unfortunately, upon actually watching the new videos, we're thoroughly unimpressed. On the outside everything looks all right. In fact, the character models and animations are top notch. The combat, on the other hand, looks bland at best and awful at worst. It's clear that Disney Interactive Studios is attempting to borrow a few tricks from games like God of War and Prince of Persia, but the results are hardly convincing. From the "one guy at a time" AI to the lack luster swordplay, Pirates doesn't look too promising. There's also a distinct lack of sound. The Pirates movies are very loud and raucous, which isn't evident in these clips at all. Check out the videos after the break.
Yarr! Pirates sails to 360
No, we're not referring to the elusive Pimps At Sea Alpha. Disney Interactive Studios announced that they will be releasing Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End for new generation consoles, including Xbox 360. Players will have their chance at the life of a pirate as Will Turner, Elizabeth Swann and of course, Captain Jack Sparrow. Looking to coincide with the film's release, the game is slated for May 22nd, 2007. DIS' President of Marketing, Craig Relyea, promises that the game will feature environments above and beyond those featured in the films as well as multiple endings. So, does this make you want to search for that bottle of rum, or are you going to get a case of scurvy?
Turok Multiplayer Details
New information on the Turok multiplayer has been released, and it definitely is worth sinking your teeth into. Multiplayer over Xbox Live will support 16 players, with a twist. Not only do you have to be on the lookout for your fellow human adversaries shooting you betwixt the ears, but dinosaurs will be out on the prowl for some bipedal meals as well. The game will feature the Unreal 3 Engine as well, so the environments and your enemies, reptilian or otherwise will look very pretty. It wasn't clear if the dinos would be human or AI controlled, but it still makes for a unique experience. With an expected release in the fall, and a demo hitting Marketplace beforehand, are you interested in going on a jurassic hunt?
Buena Vista Games renamed Disney Interactive Studios
During a shareholder meeting today, Disney senior vice president and general manager Graham Hopper announced that the company's game division, Buena Vista Games, has been renamed to Disney Interactive Studios to better reflect the celebrated brand. More precisely, the re-branding marks a return to BVG's original name, Disney Interactive. The studio will continue to publish both Disney and non-Disney branded titles for all major platforms, including Propaganda Games' forthcoming re-imagining of Turok (pictured).
