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Midway at E3: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
Scorpion vs. Batman. Catwoman vs. Subzero. These aren't exactly matchups players have always dreamed of, but Midway is going to do their best to cram two disparate universes into one with Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, the very first Mortal Kombat game on the next-gen systems. Here at E3, Joystiq got to sit down with Brian Lebaron, senior designer for the game, and we talked about why it's OK to set the Flash on fire, why Bizarro probably won't be in the game, and what Midway is doing to Toasty uppercut the fighting genre. After the break, find our hands on with the game, as well as details from our chat with Lebaron. When MK vs. DC comes out, you'll finally be able to find out whether Liu Kang's kicks can catch the Flash in the jaw.
E308: NBC Universal added to XBVM
Somehow slipping through our extensive E3 2008 coverage (bad X3F, bad!) was an announcement that came during Microsoft's conference informing us that NBC/Universal were just added to the U.S. Xbox Live Video Marketplace. This new partnership brings hit NBC, Sci-Fi Channel and USA Network shows to the XBVM including various SD/HD episodes from TV shows like The Office, Heroes, 30 Rock, Scrubs, SNL and more. This news may not be as exciting as the Netflix announcement, but we're sure those diehard Heroes fans would probably beg to differ on that point.
E308: Bungie responds to 'hoax' speculation
Bungie.net has been updated. No, nothing was announced. That was canceled, but the update has come in the form of a quick-n-dirty Q&A regarding the situation. Responding specifically to internet claims that Bungie was masterminding a plot to trick fans only to later reveal an 'OMG-megaton,' Bungie's Luke Smith posted an update today -- and please, really listen. "As much as fans wanted to believe otherwise, this is in fact, the truth and not a cruel hoax or prank. E3 is winding down and there are no plans to make a surprise announcement later this week," Smith wrote. Smith does assure fans that everyone at Bungie is aware of their disappointment and even share in it as "a metric ton" of work was done to create and showcase something special at 7:07am this morning. Smith also does well by the community by answering some of the more controversial questions later last night. Smith revealed that Bungie learned of the postponement near 7pm and for the sake of tradition timed the release that that time. The splash image was not removed for people who were not online during the situation and went to Bungie the next morning looking for details. Finally, Luke Smith assured fans that former tester Harold Ryan is the current president of Bungie LLC.
E308: Warhammer: Battle March is dark, moody
Making its way to the Xbox 360 for the first time is the famed Warhammer series. Warhammer: Battle March, from Namco Bandai, is a real-time strategy game set in the Warhammer universe. Battle March on the Xbox 360 includes the original PC released Warhammer: Mark of Chaos, in addition to the upcoming Battle March expansion pack. Warhammer: Battle March includes a single-player campaign and skirmish modes and online support for up to 4 players and the game has ditched resources in favor of keeping it action oriented for console gamers.
E3 08: Hands On: Left 4 Dead [update]
Update: Fixed some grammar issues. We'll come out and say this: Valve's Left 4 Dead impressed the hell out of us. We were not expecting its co-op focused gameplay to be so addictive, intense and so mind-blowingly zombie'riffic. From the game's look to the presentation all the way through experiencing the affects of zombie vomit, we enjoyed our Left 4 Dead ride. Admittedly though, we should make it clear that we only received hands on time with the PC version (mouse and keyboard FTL!), but were told that the 360 version will be nigh identical. Enough setup, let's get to the impressions. Read on to get the Left 4 Dead impressions dish.
E308: FFXIII team will find ways to compress and not 'affect the final product'
In a round-table discussion regarding its E3 announcements, Square Enix was asked the inevitable question of disc storage space for the Xbox 360 and how it will affect the final product versus the PlayStation 3 release. Final Fantasy XIII producer Yoshinori Kitase didn't have a definitive answer but his response is sure to both cool and fuel flame war fires.EGM editor-in-chief James Mielke asked Kitase, "Will there be any compromises made to the Xbox 360 version in terms of the FMV quality or audio quality?" Kitase cooly responded, "At this point, nothing's really been decided; that will be a process that takes place in the future, but for the difference between the hardware, we'll work on trying to find ways to compress the prerendered movies and voice that take up a lot of data in ways that don't affect the final product. As for the in-game visuals, we're going to look for ways to ensure that the quality remains the same between the two versions." Here's a question readers. If it had to be on multiple discs would it matter? Seems like the same amount of hassle compared to being forced to install a game. Just saying.[Thanks, Jonnah]
E308: Dashboard with themes, downloads and launch area
Major Nelson just added a trio of images to his flickr account outlining examples of how the new dashboard redesign will retrofit existing Xbox 360 themes, a more detailed download page for content on the Xbox Live Marketplace and an example of a game specific launch page. Microsoft has promised the new dashboard will still allow themes -- as seen in the image above -- and we anticipate the photo will change based on the area of the dashboard you visit.For images, and an analysis of the images for downloads and specific titles jump in.
E308: Joystiq Hands/Eyes-on recap
Our BFFs at Joystiq are hard at work playing through upcoming games so they can drop expert knowledge into your waiting arms. Like our own Fallout 3 and Banjo Kazooie: Creation Tools hands-on features, expect an in depth report sprinkled with some wacky humor. Here is a recap of all the features Joystiq has been working on. Expect more expert analysis as E3 continues throughout the week and beyond.Joystiq Hands-on Left-4-Dead Gears of War 2 (Multiplayer) Joystiq Eyes-on Bayonetta Joystiq Impressions This Is Vegas The Wheelman
Hands on: Banjo Kazooie Nuts & Bolts vehicle creation
During a special reception last night -- held at the same venue as the Gears of War 2 reception -- Microsoft allowed the press to get their grubby mitts on Rare's upcoming Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts. The game has already been the center of some criticism from gamers, especially fans of the Banjo Kazooie series. Most of the coverage of the game thus far has dealt with the game's unique vehicle creation system, which allows players to build vehicles from dozens of mix and match parts, LEGO style. For those hoping this article contains a revelation regarding the platforming in Nuts & Bolts, we regret to inform you that the game's hub world -- where most of the platforming takes place -- was not available for play at the event. Here's the good news though, the vehicle creation is really, really fun.
Activision announces Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2: Fusion
At its own event outside the walls of E3, Activision had a few announcements to make regarding its future lineup. One of the titles Activision focused on is the sequel to the poplar super-hero beat-em-up, Marvel Ultimate Alliance. In Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2: Fusion, players can -- for the lack of a better word -- fuse different superhero powers together and create their own crazy abilities. We really enjoyed the original Marvel Ultimate Alliance so we're happy to see a new title in the works. What powers would you create?Clarification: By create your own abilities we mean by using multiple character abilities to create combos of attacks, not meshing them into a new ability to use.
Gears 2's Horde mode will be 50 waves of death
During a sit down session with Epic's Cliff Bleszinski, MTV Multiplayer confirmed that the game's new five player cooperative Horde mode will include exactly 50 different waves of Locust enemies, each getting progressively more difficult. Seeing that the difficulty curve in later waves gets noticeably more challenging, you'll be able to "bookmark" your Horde mode progress every five waves. But just exactly how difficult does it get? When the lead designer of the game admits that he can only reach wave 27 then you know things get really impossible and really intense.
The E3 Experience: Tuesday edition
It's time for the Tuesday edition of The E3 Experience, where we give you a daily recap and play by play of what goes down at E3 from a n00b's point of view. That E3 n00b being me. View yesterday's E3 2008 recap by browsing the gallery below and take in the Left 4 Dead, Fallout 3, chocolate chip cookie and rockstar dreams we have to share.%Gallery-27815%
Activision reveals Wolfenstein details, teaser trailer
Considering id Software isn't supposed to be at E3 this year (since they left the ESA) the company is making quite a splash. First, id announced plans to partner with Electronic Arts for its upcoming title Rage and now they're busy dropping new details for an upcoming Wolfenstein title. Publisher Activision (another E3 no show) released a handful of screenshots for the latest entry of the famed first-person shooter and showcased the game with a gameplay trailer during their press conference. Co-developed by Raven Software, Wolfenstein will once again feature hero B. J. Blazkowicz against Nazi and supernatural enemies. As the Nazis attempt to open a dark dimension known as "The Shroud," B. J. is called into action to halt their evil plans. The new Wolfenstein game will once again feature team based objective multiplayer, also seen in Return to Castle Wolfenstein: Tides of War. More information is expected at id's annual QuakeCon which takes place later this month.%Gallery-27817%
E308: Xbox Live Arcade media roundup
You may be wondering why the logo for Portal: Still Alive, the recently announced XBLA exclusive title, is the headline image for this post. Well, even though Microsoft released a ton of new screens for its entire upcoming XBLA lineup this was the only image they thought we needed for Portal: Still Alive. So, it's basically our gallery. After examining the image we really think Valve nailed the look and feel of the original ... logo. Can't wait for more! Below are the latest screens (five new screens added to the Geometry Wars 2 gallery) of the XBLA titles Microsoft is focusing on for E3 2008. Take a gander at the latest from Castle Crashers, Uno Rush, Galaga Legions, Fable 2: Pub Games, Braid and Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2. %Gallery-27824% %Gallery-27823% %Gallery-27821% %Gallery-27820% %Gallery-27822% %Gallery-27593%
E308: Mattrick confirms that Bungie is developing new Halo game
Maybe all the drama revolving the Bungie announcement and subsequent postponement wasn't worth the headache.In an interview with MTV Multiplayer blog Microsoft's head of Xbox Don Mattrick confirmed that Bungie is working on a new Halo title. Mattrick told MTV that Bungie's next title wasn't revealed because Microsoft felt they had enough content and excitement surrounding its other announcements (Sup, Final Fantasy XIII). When pressed on the lack of Halo news, specifically regarding Ensemble Studio's real-time title, Halo Wars, Matrrick told MTV not to worry and announcements would be coming and then let it slip that Bungie is working on a Halo title. Matrrick then clarified that the Bungie project is not related to Halo Wars or the the long-announced Peter Jackson project, codenamed Halo: Chronicles. Was this the 10:07 AM PT announcement, the rumored Halo-based tactical shooter or were they the same?[Thanks, Dan Dizzle]
Valkyria Chronicles is NOT coming to PSP
Remember the PSP game montage at today's Sony Press Conference? Sure you do, it happened only a matter of hours ago. You might have noticed that a video of Valkyria Chronicles, SEGA's strategy RPG, was included in the montage, at which point we literally squeeled with joy. Not only was a potentially great JRPG coming to the PSP, but it looked almost identical to the PS3 version. Too good to be true, right?Right. Valkyria Chronicles is definitely not in development for the PSP, as confirmed by the PlayStation Blog's Jeff Rubenstein. In what we assume was a major video editing mistake, the game's logo and in-game footage was placed within the montage and ... wasn't noticed during the rehearsal on Sunday? Oh well. Honestly, there's no mystery here, Valkyria Chonricles is not coming to PSP. You'll have to be satisfied with Super Stardust Portable, which is definitely enough to keep us happy.
E308: Microsoft's Phil Spencer on Bungie's E3 teaser, absence
A few hours prior to the madness that has become of the Bungie Announcement cancellation, Joystiq had a chance to speak to newly appointed general manager of Microsoft Game Studios Phil Spencer. The bad news, writes Joystiq, is no one was aware of the impending "changed" announcement agenda at the time but the good news is Joystiq was wise enough to ask why Bungie was left out of the press conference and about Microsoft's publishing partnership with the famed developer.Spencer: "Our relationship with Bungie was always about a triple-A creative studio building content for our platform, and our working relationship brought about Halo 1, Halo 2, Halo 3 – which I think are great games. If that's the core of the relationship, creative people building content for our platforms, I don't think the relationship has changed. We have a relationship with a very talented studio who wants to create games for Xbox.When Joystiq inquired about Bungie's teaser site and possible E3-timed reveal Spencer had some interesting comments on the matter. Jump in for more.
Hands on: Fallout 3
click to embiggen Some things must be made clear. One, I played Bethesda's Fallout 3 today. Two, I have never played a Fallout title before, so I can't judge it based on the merits of the series. Joystiq will detail the differences between Fallout 3 and its predecessors in its hands on preview llater this week. With that out of the way, let me just throw this on the table: Fallout 3 is Oblivion with guns. It's a short analysis, but I stand by it. If one were to expand upon this analysis, one might say that Fallout 3 is a post-apocalyptic Oblivion with guns. Having said that, allow me elaborate that this is a compliment. Oblivion fans will understand this. Upon hearing my analysis, our own Xav de Matos noted, "I think I need a cigarette.... that sounds awesome."
E308: Bungie's E3 announcement deferred by publisher [Update 4]
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Bungie_s_E3_announcement_deferred_by_publisher'; Update 4: Xbox head Don Mattrick confirmed that Bungie is working on a new Halo title. Whether this is related to the announcement is unclear.Update 3: Luke Smith has commented to Joystiq: "We still have an exclusive publishing agreement with Microsoft, as we confirmed when we announced the split last year. That arrangement has not changed." Also, all teased images of an announcement have now been removed from Bungie.net and within Halo 3. View images in the gallery below.Update 2: Luke Smith replied to a comment made in NeoGAF confirming the publisher in question is in fact Microsoft. Reponding to the comment, "Bungie is the one who made this great little hype machine. And--although this will just add to the fire--they never say it's Microsoft." Smith replied, "Our publisher is Microsoft."Update: Bungie community lead Luke Smith has confirmed the postponement is legitimate. "We already are deeply disappointed with how things unfolded to this point without getting our fans to the intended payoff." When forum goers at NeoGAF assumed it was a joke Smith responded with the above comment and added, "Nope. Not our style." It's real everyone. Sorry.It appears that the wait is over. Forgoing the original plan of waiting for the countdown clock to reach zero, Bungie.net has been updated with new information regarding the mysterious Superintendent. According to the newly refreshed site, the Superintendent is ... well, we don't know. According to the site Bungie was working toward a reveal when its publishing partner, presumably Microsoft, canceled the announcement.Right now on Bungie.net a letter from Bungie president, Harold Ryan is displayed and reveals the cancellation of the announcement.Note: To clarify the speculation that Harold Ryan is not the president (effectively the studio manager) of Bungie LLC, you may want to listen to the January 18, 2008 Bungie Podcast [link opens iTunes]Jump in to read the letter.%Gallery-27781%
E308: Capcom conference dedicated to Lost Planet movie
Capcom's E308 Press Conference wrapped up about an hour ago and the company decided to focus its attention on bringing Lost Planet to the silver screen. In production from Arad Productions, the team that brought us the Spider-Man films, Lost Planet is expected to land in theaters around February 2011. Penned by David Hayter, voice of Solid Snake of Metal Gear fame, the film promises to stay close to the original vision planned out by game producer Keaiji Inafune. From discussion during the panel, it appears that both the Capcom brass, who were in attendance, and the father-son duo from Arad Productions are geniuenly interested in creating a legitamate action film without completely changing everything about the game.A funny, and confusing moment, came when Capcom CEO Haruhito Sakamoto claimed Capcom saw great success from film adaptations of Resident Evil and Street Fighter. "We've had success with both of those," Sakamoto told the thin crowd of journalists.Street Fighter? Really? Well, you know what that means. Jean-Claude Van Damme will be in the Lost Planet film. You heard it here first.
