ssx
Latest
Syndicate reboot 'didn't pay off' for EA; SSX reboot 'very successful'
Clearly a positive review on Joystiq isn't the sales driver we thought it was. Despite having a good time with it ourselves, it would seem EA's Syndicate reboot was not the commercial success the company had hoped for. So says EA Labels president Frank Gibeau."Syndicate was something that we took a risk on. It didn't pay off – it didn't work," Gibeau told CVG. "But in general it doesn't change my appetite for wanting to go look in the library and see what we have and maybe bring back some IPs for the next-generation. That's the nature of the business; some stuff works, some stuff doesn't."EA's other big reboot this year, SSX, apparently fared a bit better. Gibeau called this year's revival "a very successful launch for us," and lauded the game's "online innovation" as a catalyst for bringing the series back. "It's done well and you'll probably see more in the future," Gibeau concluded.
FIFA Street reboot kicks it in UK top spot
It's good to be EA in the UK right now, as the publisher holds the top four spots on the all formats sales chart. The company's latest addition, FIFA Street, debuted at the top of the charts, pushing Mass Effect 3 and SSX into second and third, respectively. Fourth is held by stalwart footster FIFA 12.Chart-Track dug into the archives and unearthed the last time EA claimed the top four spots was in week 48 and 49 of... 2003. At that time -- a tumultuous period, because Madonna kissed both Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera on TV and the world was going to end -- it was FIFA 2004, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, Medal of Honor: Rising Sun and Need for Speed: Underground.The bottom half of the UK top ten is full of familiars, including the sweatastic return of Zumba Fitness. Another reboot, Sony's Twisted Metal, drove into 12th place for its launch. Check out the UK top ten after the break.
You gethed it, Mass Effect 3 tops UK charts
EA is reaping quite a haul at retail, dominating the UK charts with Mass Effect 3 and harvesting pounds. According to Chart-Track, first week sales of the space opera's conclusion sold more than the first two installments combined, likely assisted by the fact that this is the first Mass Effect entry launched on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC simultaneously.Capcom's Street Fighter X Tekken put up a fight against overwhelming odds and debuted in third, while last week's top performer, SSX, slipped one spot into second, with a 49 percent decline. The other new entry in the top ten last week -- also, another EA title -- was the latest Sims expansion, The Sims 3: Showtime, which walked the red carpet in sixth.The UK top ten can be scanned after the break.
SSX online pass doesn't lock out multiplayer
The online pass for SSX will not lock players out of multiplayer competition. Instead, it is used to lock players out of obtaining in-game credits used to unlock content.EA tells Game Informer that players without the online pass will be able to compete and play in both of SSX's online game modes, "Explore" and "Global Events," but that credits awarded to those without the online pass in Global Events will be inaccessible and banked until they pony up the $10 for the pass.EA concludes, "Economy balance makes it possible to unlock all available content and allows you to participate in all event drops across both Explore and Global Events, with credits earned solely in Explore."%Gallery-135268%
EA unable to gain rights to SSX.com
EA, in an attempt to gain ownership of SSX.com ahead of the series' February relaunch, challenged Abstract Holdings International LTD's claim on the address, saying that the URL was registered in "bad faith." A panel at The National Arbitration Forum, however, has determined that EA's argument was insufficient. "The EA allegations of bad faith in part are based upon the lack of due diligence conducted by retailers of domain names like Respondent," the Forum determined. "EA would seem to require that entities like Respondent conduct an international search for relatively obscure trademarks in order to determine whether a name is a registered mark. The Panel is not willing to go so far." In this case, EA's claim of "bad faith" hinged on the fact that SSX.com briefly contained video game-related advertisements. Since these advertisements are now gone, there's nothing inherently malicious or misleading about the site, negating EA's ability to claim any misuse. For now, SSX.com remains the property of Abstract Holdings, although we imagine several zeroes and a few commas written on EA letterhead would change their minds.
SSX characters dunked into NBA Jam: On Fire Edition
Some SSX characters are moving from the snow to on fire, from steep snowy slopes to flat parquet floors, from boards to ... basketballs. Boomshakalaka! In a bizarre crossover, EA announced that Elise, Kaori, and Mac from SSX will be a playable team in NBA Jam: On Fire Edition. If you like the idea of controlling the sweatiest team in Jam history (they're in head-to-toe cold weather gear!), look forward to next week's PSN/XBLA release of On Fire Edition.
From the slopes to the air with SSX's wingsuits
Back when the latest SSX was first introduced, players worried that this supposedly "grim, darker" take on the franchise would lose the goofy, colorful elements that made the series so popular. Most of those elements (the over-the-top tricks, the larger-than-life settings, and the extravagantly ramped and rail-equipped levels) have survived just fine according to what we've seen so far, but art director Geoff Coates does say that some of the fun had to go. "If you look at the character design [in previous versions]," he says, "it's characters that are wearing t-shirts and jeans, and dresses or whatever, and they're being thrown out on these mountains." So it's fair to say that we won't see jean shorts or bikinis on SSX's latest class. "The character design now is taking the characters, retaining their personality, but still giving them that survival aspect. You'll see they have backpacks, they have gear that's a little more appropriate." "And the wingsuits," Coates continues, "are part of that." Yes, the wingsuits. Oh my, the wingsuits. %Gallery-135268%
SSX trailer brings Zoe back to the snow-y
This motion-comic-style trailer for EA's SSX tells the story of Zoe Payne and her transition from motocross racing back into the dangerous and snowy world of SSX. Apparently she believes it's easier to "defy reality" and "own the planet" from a snowboard than a bike. Makes ... sense?
New SSX trailer shows off social features, Ridernet competition
The latest trailer out of Gamescom for EA's upcoming SSX shows off a little bit of that social functionality we just heard about. After a quick walk around the world and the previously revealed NASA terrain data (that was eventually turned into the game's maps), we get to see an example of how Ridernet will work. You can pull in a friend's (or, presumably, a stranger's) ghost run, then race it down a mountain anywhere in the game's world. You can also see a quick glimpse of the online gameplay, with "up to 100,000 players" competing all at once around the globe. Not on the same map, we hope -- that would probably get a little crowded. There's a few screenshots of all of this functionality (and a sassy-looking updated Elise) in the gallery below. %Gallery-131042%
Need for Speed: The Run, SSX, and Battlefield 3 have exclusive content on PS3
EA and Sony just announced a bundle of exclusive extras coming to the PS3 versions of three multiplatform EA games. For SSX, it's an exclusive Mt. Fuji level. For Need for Speed: The Run, it's seven exclusive supercars including the Bugatti Veyron. The PS3 version of Battlefield 3 will come with a free copy of Battlefield 1943.
SSX trailer re-introduces Mac to the mountain
SSX Deadly Descents (sorry, it's just SSX now, we forgot) has a brand new trailer out, and there's a peek at the new version of SSX standby Mac Fraser, who looks ... just as generic as all the previous versions. At least all that powder and those gnarly ramps look fun.
SSX dev diary brings back some familiar faces
Though it sounds like SSX is mixing up the franchise in some fairly bold ways, it won't be throwing out the series' tried and true cast of downhill daredevils. Check out the developer diary after the jump to see how EA Canada is breathing new life into these powder-caked veterans.
SSX to descend in January 2012
During EA's Season Opener event yesterday, SSX creative director Todd Batty revealed a launch window for the snowboarding revival: January 2012. The game will be playable at E3 in June, so expect a more detailed evaluation from us at that point. The presentation was very light on SSX gameplay footage, though we were shown some new mechanics. An overhauled physics system in the game will attempt to eliminate invisible or man-made boundaries, allowing you to trick off rocks and find you own way down through the particular track in question. You'll also be able to employ a wingsuit in mid-air, making it possible to clear large, otherwise unnavigable terrain. Expect some familiar faces to return for this latest entry, too -- you can see the new version of Elise in the gallery below. During our interview with Batty following his presentation, he explained that dynamic snow particles, imbued with their own physics, could influence spontaneous avalanches throughout descent (now that sounds deadly).%Gallery-121051%
SSX dev diary finally shows off the tricks of the trade
Okay, we've heard a lot about EA Canada's upcoming SSX (née Deadly Descents) -- but somewhat inexplicably, we haven't heard a lot about the sweet tricks therein. Fortunately, that ever-important mortar that holds the franchise together is discussed in great detail in the dev diary posted below.
New SSX drops 'Deadly Descents' subtitle
EA Sports looks to still any bad vibes that have reverberated from negative reaction to the debut teaser for SSX: Deadly Descents by toning down the emphasis on "deadly." The company has officially dropped "Deadly Descents" from the game title, Game Informer confirms, and has begun a marketing campaign that, in part, assures fans that developer EA Canada is not abandoning the series' arcade roots in favor of more realistic gameplay in the reboot. The cinematic teaser, which portrays a desperate snowboarder skidding down a dark and stormy Himalayan slope -- his last words: "I'm not gonna make it," as he shoots over a cliff side and into the air, deploying his squirrel suit -- seemed to suggest that the new SSX would be "moving away from the bright colors and crazy arcade feel of the early titles in favor of a more realistic tone," as Game Informer observed. "Is this true?" the site asked creative director Todd Batty. "No, absolutely not," insisted Batty, who described "Deadly Descent" as a "new" event type in the game, "which is all about survival gameplay." SSX will also include "Speed Descent" and "Tricky Descent" events, according to Batty. "We wanted to make sure we hit the over-the-top arcadey gameplay in all of these different gameplay modes. We decided to lead with the new Deadly Descent gameplay in that trailer, but all of the classic SSX style will be there, too." The image makeover isn't fully complete, however, as the original SSX: Deadly Descents logo and name are still prominent on the EA.com game page (as of publishing); though the new, just SSX logo was used in last week's promotional video and is featured on the game's Facebook page. Of course, as Joystiq commenter "ptcamn" pointed out last week, lost in this little fiasco is the fact that EA tried a very similar, "survive the ride" marketing campaign for 2003's SSX 3 -- skull-face lightning flash and all.
Rumor: New SSX developed by Skate team members
EA Sports' Peter Moore may consider it an "obscure new title" being teased in a recent VGA trailer, but word in the ski lodge is that it could be hinting at the new SSX game. A Kotaku source tells the site that a new installment in the abandoned snowboarding franchise has been in development at EA Canada by "much of the Skate team." The expectation is that Skate's inspired and innovative use of the right analog stick to perform tricks will transfer into the series. Whispers and hints of a legitimate SSX title have been echoing through the mountains since last year, with things taking a more substantial turn with the domain registrations of "SSX: Deadly Descent" and "SSX: First Descent." The VGAs will take place this Saturday, December 11, on Spike.
SSX 'Descent' sites registered
With Shaun White now taking it to the streets, perhaps there's an opening on the slope for EA's snowboarding franchise, SSX, to reemerge from hibernation. A mess of newly registered domains points to the possibility of a reboot of the series, which has been sidelined since 2007's pedestrian Wii release, Blur. Professional domain registration outfit Corporate Domains, Inc. (what a gig!) has locked down URL variations of "SSX: Deadly Descent," plus an "SSX: First Descent" domain -- suggestive of the popular reboot motif: the origin story. While none of this activity is confirmation of a new SSX game, EA has worked through Corporate Domains in the past in advance of public announcements, most recently to secure web real estate for potential Need for Speed names (though Hot Pursuit was ultimately recycled) and The Sims Medieval. As for SSX, it's been more than a year since EA Montreal's Alain Tascan left open the possibility for a new entry in the series, saying in September 2009, "If the market is there and is ready for a new one, then we'll consider it." Perhaps through Move and Kinect, EA Montreal sees its ready market and an opportunity to build on the motion-controlled framework established in its Blur effort. Of course, fans of the last-generation games might prefer to see the series' original developer, EA Canada, stage the comeback. And what a meta-comeback story it could be! (The studio could use a big win following the NBA Elite 11 fail, after all.) Still, all this domain fuss could just as easily be over the naming of the SSX iPhone game, which has been -- quietly -- in the works for too long.
EA done with Boogie franchise for now, SSX revived if market is 'ready'
In an interview with Gamesindustry.biz, EA Montreal general manager Alain Tascan discussed the possibility of a SSX franchise revival, saying, "If the market is there and is ready for a new one then we'll consider it." While Wii gamers have already hit the slopes with SSX Blur, the closest PS3 and Xbox 360 users have been to the franchise is through shoddy backwards compatibility features. Tascan also discounted a new installment in the rhythm music franchise, Boogie. According to Tascan, the franchise has been a success for EA and, while the publisher is proud of its work with the series, there are no plans for Boogie to return at this time. Thankfully, the games industry has plenty of music games to spare nowadays. [Via G4TV]
GDC09: Upcoming EA iPhone game list fully revealed, screens and info on Tiger
Just before the deluge of GDC 2009 news started this week, Travis Boatman, VP of worldwide studios at EA Mobile, confirmed the upcoming release of a veritable smörgåsbord of EA franchises coming to the iPhone. Today, we have confirmation from Meghan Rathman (representing EA) of the exact titles on the way to the iPhone/iTouch as well as a handful of screens from Tiger Woods PGA Tour. Unfortunately, according to Ms. Rathman, the rest of the games in development are "still too early" and don't have screens. Considering the turnaround time on iPhone/iTouch games though, we're willing to bet you'll see those shots by the end of the week pretty soon!The full list of games we received from EA is as follows: Tiger Woods PGA Tour, The Sims 3, FIFA, Madden NFL Football, Spore Creatures, Mystery Mania, Wolfenstein RPG, American Idol, Connect Four, Battleship, Need for Speed, RISK, Monopoly and Clue. Differing from reports at the GDC Mobile event earlier this week, we're seeing the addition of The Sims 3 and Need for Speed. In turn, we're losing the first SSX in two years, Red Alert, NBA Live 10, American Idol, Star Trek. But hey, Tiger Woods!The press release from EA on Tiger Woods PGA Tour tells us that the game is of the "touch" rather than of the "shake" variety, comes with achievements and offers a way to compare achievements with your friends. Of the key features listed, notably missing is "playing against friends wirelessly," though it does promise the ability to "affect your ball spin direction" using your finger. Those are comparable features, right? We'll keep on EA and let you know as soon as we find out more on their upcoming iPhone/iTouch assault.%Gallery-48706%
GDC09: EA quietly announces iPhone versions of major franchises
Of the many GDC 2009 announcements taking place this week, we were most shocked to see EA sneakily introducing some of the company's most popular franchises to the Apple device some are calling the newest gaming platform -- the iPhone. Travis Boatman, VP of worldwide studios at EA Mobile, made the announcement at GDC Mobile, naming SSX, Wolfenstein RPG, Red Alert, FIFA 10, Madden 10, NBA Live 10, American Idol, Spore Creatures, Clue, Risk, Mystery Mania, Connect Four, Battleship, Tiger Woods and Star Trek, according to reports from Patrick Klepek (former MTV Multiplayer writer) and Shacknews. While most of the titles are the to-be-expected EA mutliplatform titles like Madden 10 and NBA Live 10, the SSX series will be getting its first update in two years according to this announcement. Also of note, Wolfenstein RPG is of no relation to the just released Wolfenstein 3D for the iPhone; rather, it makes up half of the two iPhone games id Software is purportedly working on. Details are unfortunately scant at the moment but we've reached out to EA for comment.On a personal note, we'd like to extend our personal "WHAT THE HELL?!" regarding Risk being announced for the iPhone and still not hearing a peep on it coming to XBLA/PSN. Seriously, EA. What the hell?![Via Shacknews]
