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Sneak Peek at GRAW DLC [update 1]
Xboxyde has scored a handful of screenshots from the upcoming GRAW XBL content. The screens feature some of the new co-op campaign maps as well as some new equipment. The content will be released later this month and features "12 additional maps designed for Live multiplayer play, four new missions that extend the co-op campaign through Nicaragua, new game types (Team Blind Siege and Team Battle), more camouflage customisation options and five new weapons." Xboxyde also mentions that they are accepting questions for an upcoming interview with the GRAW team. If you have any burning questions for the team, you may submit them in the Xboxyde forum. If anything else is burning, I'd suggest you see a doctor. If -- on the other hand -- you'd like to see more screens, click the read link below. [update: removed (sic) from 'customisation' on account of it being the Queen's English.]
Havok vs AGEIA: the physics/PhysX showdown
We recently covered the hot topic of physics acceleration, and FiringSquad has gone one further, pitting AGEIA and Havok against each other in an interesting debate. As competitors are wont to do, the companies directly attack each other to a certain extent, but in other ways the arguments exemplify the CPU-GPU/PPU battle.A user comment sums it up: "Developers are unlikely to make gameplay dependent on the presence of a PPU until it's widely adopted. Until then it'll probably be limited to effects (and taking the gameplay physics load off the CPU)." As PPU adoption becomes more widespread, developers may embrace it, but we need developer support to make the case for adoption -- it's a vicious circle that AGEIA will have to break.To further fan the flames around physics acceleration, a source close to the DirectX steering committee has told Joystiq that Microsoft's DirectPhysics API may not be going ahead after all. Instead, Microsoft may approach a laissez-faire attitude and snap up whichever acceleration solution emerges as the winner.[Thanks, John]
GR:AW demo finally infiltrates XBLM
There have been some delays (perceived or otherwise) in this title's demo making its way to the Xbox Live Marketplace, but fret no longer! Behold: the Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter demo is upon us! While you're downloading the roughly 360Mb multiplayer demo, check out our review of what you're missing out on in the single-player campaign, then stop by our multiplayer hands-on to see what you're about to get into. That is if you hadn't already bought the thing 'cause--apparently--it's selling pretty well. Good thing it's a free Live weekend so all you Xbox Live Silver members can get your free GR:AW demo on without having to fork over a single penny.[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
GRAWsome! Ghost Recon: AW demo in the wild
Sure, the Battlefield 2 demo was nice, but this is the big one, the one we are were all waiting for! The demo for Ghost Recon: Advanced Warrior has finally been released! It was a long time coming, we were teased by reviews, sold out signs, and demo false alarms, but it's all over now. If you haven't picked this up already (all three of you) then get downloading and let us know how it stacks up to the effusive praise. Read all of our GR:AW coverage here.
Metareview - G.R.A.W. (Xbox)
We thought we'd drop in on Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter for the Xbox and see how the 360 version's bastard little brother is being received by critics. Turns out, it ain't pretty. Somewhere along the line, the port from next-gen to current-gen lost the "Advanced" concept, making GRAW the first real reason to upgrade. Team Xbox (69/100) - "The "advanced warfighter" concept is a good one, but it is one that is truly fit for the next generation of consoles." Cheat Code Central (62/100) - "It's almost as though this game was made poorly on purpose so that the superiority of 360 would be felt like a kick to the head with a spiked boot." GameSpot (59/100) - "Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter for the Xbox continues the disturbing trend of releasing games on different platforms that have the same name but offer vastly different gaming experiences." [Compare to: GRAW (Xbox 360)]
Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter - the fastest selling UK Xbox 360 title
The worldwide release of Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter last Friday has done wonders for the game in the UK market. Entering the chart at number 2 (second only to a multiplatform FIFA release: FIFA Street 2), the Xbox 360 exclusive title is now officially the fastest selling Xbox 360 title in the UK. This is a testament to the value of simultaneous worldwide releases if they're done right (ie: no shortages thank you very much). Other interesting tidbits from this week's UK games chart: The Xbox 360 version of Fight Night: Round 3 outsold the PS2 version by a factor of 2:1 -- evidence that high def sweat, blood and tears really does sell games. Seven out of the top ten games were EA published titles. Alongside GRAW, there were two new entries: Lemmings on the PSP (No.12) and Street Fighter Alpha 3 Max (No.22) Will Ghost Recon be able to take the number one spot next week with the release of the original Xbox version, or will the release of 24: The Game, Burnout Revenge for the Xbox 360, and Commandos Strike Force mess it all up for Ubisoft? [Thanks, JamesO]
Ghost Recon: AW demo headed for the XBLM
According to the official blog for Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter (that's GRAW to you soldier) a playable demo will be coming to the Xbox Live Marketplace (and that's XBLM). When asked, in a Q&A posted yesterday, if there would be a demo coming to the XBLM they responded, "Yes there is, we are putting something special together as we speak which will be out soon." When is soon? [Thanks, Ludwig]
