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See gameplay 'target' footage of Spielberg's canceled Project LMNO
It's common practice for developers to create "target" footage of their games early in the development process in order to give their artists and designers something to shoot for. Following its look back at the now-canceled collaboration between EA and director Steven Spielberg, Project LMNO, 1UP has posted what it says is target gameplay footage from the cooperative "escape" game. It's a (very) brief clip, but it clearly shows the A.I.-driven future girl "Eve" from a first-person perspective, and actions that imply that it's the player's character looking at her. The player sniffs a rose that's sitting in a vase on the table of the diner they appear to be in, and passes it to her. Eve smells it next, showing a range of reactions on her face, then abruptly bolts from the table when a sinister black Humvee pulls up outside. This is presumably the beginning of an escape sequence, and sees Eve performing inhuman acrobatic moves to traverse the restaurant. The footage is clearly pre-rendered, and it's not much to go on, but it's unquestionably neat to see what Project LMNO could have looked like. You can see for yourself just after the break.
1UP examines Spielberg's LMNO, the game that 'tried to do too much'
If EA and the Steven Spielberg couldn't pull of a first-person hybrid built on "escape gameplay" and driven by an emotional co-op dynamic, featuring an AI-controlled partner -- spoiler alert -- from the future, whose character evolution was to be determined by non-verbal interaction with the player, then who could pull it off? Probably no one. "LMNO," as this project was code-named, was officially canned by EA last month -- and it's been dead for at least a year, according to 1UP's new in-depth investigation into the game. The report -- and definitely read the whole thing -- is a compelling tale in and of itself: the inside scoop on a big-budget experiment (a "hyper-replayable" 2- to 3-hour game with no multiplayer) that would later morph into an Uncharted clone (complete with "an alien version of Megan Fox"), dubbed The Escape Artist, before being canceled altogether. But the LMNO story is also a striking reminder of just how inflexible AAA game development has become. EA tried admirably to invest in new IP several years ago, but its actually released games didn't provide the returns the publisher had expected from consumers. Had it come together as original designers Doug Church and Randy Smith once envisioned, LMNO could have been EA's most ambitious original IP to date. Instead, it fell apart as the industry fell back on iteration (you know, "sequelitis") and made jaw-dropping investments in socially-networked casual gaming as the path to future profitability. LMNO once carried the heavy burden of being the video game that would finally "make you cry." Assuming that the industry has yet to recognize this milestone as having been achieved, the mission now seems better suited for an indie developer with nothing to lose; one free from the concerns of the corporate goliath: namely, staying in business. [Pictured: Pre-Megan Fox "Eve" character concept; source: 1UP]
Medal of Honor campaign detailed on GameTrailers TV
If you missed the latest episode of GTTV, fret not: just past the break, we've embedded the episode, which pulls back the curtain on Medal of Honor's campaign mode. Initially, all we knew was that the game would take place in Afghanistan and you'd be among one of the beard-sporting elite known as Tier One Operators. However, thanks to executive producer Greg Goodrich, we now know a bit more -- specifically, that the campaign will be divided up into three parts and follows a team on the hunt for Al Quaeda. Goodrich also mentions the story will be told "from two different sides," implying that players will eventually be able to take up the mantle of the terrorists themselves. But, hey, why are we still gabbing on? Head on past the break and absorb this intel first-hand for yourself, including a look at two never-before-seen single-player levels. Consider it an order, soldier!
Medal of Honor limited edition includes ability to jump the gun
Following the E3 reveal that the PS3 limited edition of Medal of Honor would include a remastered version of Medal of Honor: Frontline, EA has announced additional details of the limited-edition release for PS3, Xbox, and PC. Sadly, no fake beard is included. Yet. The "limited edition," as it turns out, is simply the normal release with some extra free content for early adopters. Buying the limited edition (which, according to statements given to Shacknews, is a separate SKU despite the identical price) grants an exclusive gun, the MP7, and early access to two shotguns, the TOZ-194 and 870MC2, that normally require higher ranks. You can get your first look at these weapons after the break, unless you're a real Tier 1 Operator, in which case you've seen them. [Update: The post originally included an erroneous reference to pre-ordering. Also, the status of the LE as a separate SKU from the original has been noted.]
Medal of Honor trailer calls home
Rather than blast our senses with copious amounts of explosions and military bravado, this new Medal of Honor trailer opts for a more muted approach: a soldier calling home to convince his wife and daughter that everything is going to be okay. Medal of Honor will be released this October.
Medal of Honor rebooting on Oct. 12, 2010
EA's Medal of Honor franchise reboot will launch in North America on October 12th and in Europe on October 15th, the publisher has announced. Developed by EA Los Angeles, the single-player campaign thrusts a band of fictional soldiers into Afghanistan (quite a realistic upgrade from the usual Desertikistan), where they'll co-operate with the Tier 1 Operator as they tear the enemy a new one. The multiplayer component of Medal of Honor is being developed by DICE, the studio behind Battlefield: Bad Company 2. Check back later today to catch another glimpse of the game in a new trailer entitled, "Leave a Message." (Duty just hates talking to a machine.) Update: If you have an EA account, you can already view the new trailer on the official Medal of Honor website. If you don't, it's also on YouTube.
'Mercs Inc' officially announced, developed by Pandemic at EALA
This morning's leaked footage, purported to belong to a new multiplayer-capable Mercenaries game called "Mercs Inc," just barely beat EA's official announcement of the (working) title to our front page. In development at EA Los Angeles, the latest toy in the destructive sandbox is paraded underneath the Pandemic banner, held aloft by the "core creative team" that survived the physical studio's recent closure. No target platforms have been announced. According to EA senior VP and group GM, Nick Earl, the swift announcement "demonstrates our continued commitment to Pandemic's rich catalog of intellectual properties." As the press release innocently points out, "Mercs Inc will also be the first Pandemic game" to be released after this December's The Saboteur, the last Pandemic game. Oh, the previous one, we mean.
X3F TV -- XBLA in Brief: Bubble Bobble Neo, Red Alert 3: Commander's Challenge
It's a double dose of XBLA this week, with the release of both Bubble Bobble Neo and Red Alert 3: Commander's Challenge. The former is a classic Taito arcade game, while the latter is a standalone expansion to Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3. Both of them have their charms and both, as it happens, cost 800 ($10). Watch this week's XBLA in Brief and see if either one tickles your fancy. Download the trial version of Bubble Bobble Neo Download the trial version of Red Alert 3: Commander's Challenge [iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes. [Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly. [RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. [M4V] Download the M4V directly.
This Wednesday: Bubble Bobble Neo, Red Alert 3: Commander's Challenge arrive on XBLA
Well, folks, it's not quite the Summer of Arcade anymore. Microsoft's Major Nelson has announced C&C Red Alert 3: Commander's Challenge and Bubble Bobble Neo as this week's Xbox Live Arcade releases. Despite the inclusion of "C&C Red Alert 3" right there in the title, the former game is a standalone experience and can be played without the original Red Alert 3 game disc. Each title will draw 800 ($10) from your account, assuming it doesn't go toward this week's Xbox Live deal, Lode Runner. %Gallery-68517%
Red Alert 3: Commander's Challenge storming XBLA and PSN this week
Listen, we know you're excited to finally get your hands on EA's standalone strategy spin-off, Command & Conquer Red Alert 3: Commander's Challenge. You'll be able to fulfill your desires for meticulous action this week; the game is set to launch on XBLA this Wednesday and on PSN the day after for 800 ($10). You can temporarily satiate yourself by checking out the game's latest trailer after the jump. However, before hastily acquiring the title, heed this warning: Commander's Challenge is infused with such a large dosage of Ric Flair that other items in your respective console's hard drive may get totally pumped and begin stylishly pummeling one another. Buyer beware!
ESRB lists 'Red Alert 3: Commander's Challenge' for Xbox 360 and PS3
The ESRB site has a listing for a potential new installment in the Command & Conquer franchise destined for the Xbox 360 and PS3 called Red Alert 3: Commander's Challenge. There's also a brief description for the title on the site, though it's a blurb that could fit almost any Command & Conquer game. The 'Commander's Challenge' could pertain to the Uprising expansion for Red Alert 3 on the PC, which featured a game mode of the same name, so it wouldn't surprise us if this turned out to be a console port of that PC expansion. As long as they don't cut back on the Ric Flair, we're good. [Via Shacknews]
EA announces Command & Conquer 4 (intentionally, this time)
That press release EA linked to yesterday? It's up now, which makes Command & Conquer 4 that little bit more real. Not only that, but everything mentioned in that online survey was also real. This will be the final chapter of the Tiberium series and will feature "persistent player progression and [an] all-in-one mobile base" when it launches in 2010 for PC.Command & Conquer 4 will also feature a co-op mode for the two campaigns, as well as a 5-vs-5 objective-based multiplayer mode, allowing for a new "social real time strategy experience." Aren't those called LAN parties? A new episode of Battlecast PrimeTime, which will be available on July 24, will give more information on the game, and the exclusive reveal of the first cinematic trailer will be shown on GameTrailers TV on July 23.%Gallery-67669%
EA accidentally announces Command & Conquer 4
EA's UK PR team just tweeted an announcement that Command & Conquer 4 is now in development, though the linked press release doesn't seem to exist yet. This seems to us like the result of an itchy trigger (or tweeter) finger. With recent online surveys asking what people would like to see in the next Command & Conquer, we were expecting an announcement sooner rather than later. Still, this is a little earlier than we -- and EA, seemingly -- had expected the announcement to come. We'll update you with more information on the game once the press release becomes available.
Rumor: Command & Conquer 4 could feature persistent RPG mechanics
Well? How about it? If this online survey -- conducted by British marketing firm 2CV -- is to be believed, the next Command & Conquer game could feature "innovative" RPG features, as well as co-operative multiplayer. The survey goes on to suggest that the RPG features will be persistent throughout your entire C&C4 career, with experience points accumulating constantly over successive games, allowing you to unlock new "units, powers and upgrades."The survey also mentions taking control of "the first ever mobile base in RTS games" (guess they didn't play Warcraft 3, then,) as well as a class system, co-op gameplay and 5-v-5 multiplayer. Basically, it sounds like an MMO. Is that what you want from the next Command & Conquer? Be sure to let EA know.Of course, none of these features are confirmed and any number of them could be shelved between now and the game actually being announced. Check out the second screenshot after the break for the full list of potential features.[Thanks Jake!]
EA: Red Alert 3 looks best on PS3, thanks to delay
Since changing its tune about "skipping" a PS3 release of Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3, citing the platform's "exotic and tough" development climes, EA Los Angeles actually says its time learning the ins-and-outs of the architecture has been for the best. Speaking to 1UP, producer -- and former games journo -- Greg Kasavin claims the PS3 version (the "Ultimate Edition") is the best-looking of the bunch, sporting better water effects and more detailed units. In addition, the "general color palette" is somehow improved. As we've previously reported, the PS3 release of Red Alert 3 is launching with free DLC maps and includes a whole bunch'a bonus material (making-of clips, bloopers and other vignettes).The moral of this story: Developers can make PS3 perform some neat tricks if they just take the time to get to know it. Sometimes simply over a cup of coffee; other times while tackling one of those team-building obstacle courses together.
Zack Snyder signs three-game deal with EA
After you sign Steven Spielberg to develop video games with your company, what's the next step? Scorcese? Zombie Orson Welles? Nope, not even close. EA announced this morning that it just signed a three-game development deal with Zack Snyder, the man behind 300 and the upcoming adaptation of Watchmen. Snyder will work in conjunction with EA Los Angeles, the same house currently toiling with Spielberg on its next critical darling. There's no word on what sort of games he'll be making, but if he dips into the Zack Snyder back catalog, we'd like to humbly suggest a balls-out Dawn of the Dead game over an adaptation of Morissey's "Tomorrow."
EA gearing up for more Blox-type games
According to new job postings from EA Los Angeles, the Boom Blox team is looking to beef up its roster of artists and designers. The text in the job listing suggests that, if not a sequel, a new game in the vein of Boom Blox is on the way.The listings seek designers and producers to "bring accessible, quick-to-the-fun games for all ages to the Nintendo Wii!" and specifically recommends experience with physics-based gameplay. At the very least, it's good to know that, despite non-awesome sales of Boom Blox, the EA LA team is still working on casual-style games about knocking stuff over instead of being transferred into Madden-type stuff. There's no job listing, unfortunately, for "well-known figurehead from film industry."%Gallery-15446%[Via GameSetWatch]
Tiberium (the Command & Conquer FPS) debut trailer
Though info on EA's Command & Conquer FPS, Tiberium, was dropped in last month's Game Informer we were left staring at press images (like the one you see above) that did little to explain the game's aesthetic, not to mention the "blend of first-person shooting and tactical squad combat" gameplay the press material's promise. Cue the debut trailer, just gone live at GameTrailers, which doesn't help so much in the latter category – it's all CGI, no gameplay here – but we're liking the aesthetic (hey, did you borrow that helmet from the Dead Space guys down the hall?). Catch the full trailer after the break, or hit up GameTrailers for the HD version.
EA confirms Command & Conquer FPS Tiberium
Electronics Arts has wasted little time in lifting the veil from off last week's rumor surrounding Tiberium, a new game set in the long-running Command & Conquer universe that will once again try to put a FPS spin on the series' RTS roots. With versions in development at EA Los Angeles for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC, Tiberium's shoot-em-up style follows 2002's Command & Conquer: Renegade, a critical and commercial mess of a game that attempted to inject first and third-person elements into the series, while largely failing at both.EA describes Tiberium's gameplay as a "blend of first-person shooting and tactical squad combat," allowing players to control multiple ground and air units in addition to the game's central character, Forward Battle Commander Ricardo Vega. All of this makes the game sound like it plans to follow more in the footsteps of the likes of Ghost Recon and its ilk rather than Tiberium's ill-conceived predecessor, though we are still understandably gun shy. Mama didn't raise no fool, and we'll wait for the game's fall 2008 release before getting too excited.
Command & Conquer 3 expanding with Kane's Wrath
EA debuted its "Command & Conquer TV: Battlecast" today, and they helped to make up for its unsettling hosts and production values with a fairly important announcement for Tiberium fiends: The first expansion to Command & Conquer 3 will be called Kane's Wrath, and will appear in early 2008. The campaign will follow Kane's rise back to power after the second Tiberium War, played partially through a "Global Domination" meta-game, described as "Risk on steroids." New units, upgrades and powers for each of the factions are also included. The expansion will launch simultaneously on Xbox 360 and PC, but console owners will also be receiving a new radial interface in the expansion (as seen above). Those are the highlights, but feel free to click through to the Battlecast if you'd like to watch a C&C 3 match with the most excruciating play-by-play ever recorded. [Thanks, Burbank]
