bizarrecreations
Latest
Bizarre reveals PGR 4 list-o-cities
Today, in their latest Studio Update, Bizarre Creations released the names of all ten locations you'll be driving on when Project Gotham Racing 4 hits retailers in September. A complete list of all the locations is viewable after the break, but highlights from the ten location set include Las Vegas (sin city baby!), Quebec (Canada in the house), and Macau, China (China FTW!). Bizarre also talks about "racification" and the subtle changes they made to PGR 4 tracks that make them oh-so-sweet. Enough reading of our commentary already, the complete list of PGR 4 locations is posted after the break.[Via TeamXbox]
Bizarre: PGR4 not out "'til it's done."
Microsoft says Project Gotham Racing 4 will be available in September. We're sure Bizarre Creations -- makers of PGR4 -- don't want to make liars out of Microsoft. That said, Bizarre's business director, Brian Woodhouse, admits they may have to do just that. In a recent press briefing during E3, Woodhouse told Eurogamer that PGR4 would not be rushed (something he admits happened to PGR3). "This one," said Woodhouse, "we're not letting go 'til it's done." Woodhouse's comments were directed towards the rather unbalanced difficulty of PGR3. We can tell you from firsthand experience, the game looks amazing. If Bizarre needs a little time to make it perfect, we say let 'em have it.
Joystiq impressions: The Club
Bizarre Creation's next big title, Project Gotham Racing notwithstanding, is The Club, a pretty over-the-shoulder shooter with an arcade twist. Don't worry about a story: each level takes approximately five minutes to finish, and the point of the game is to achieve higher scores. We got a chance to try out the prison level. The pace is brisk and aiming is easy. Where the challenge is going to lie is maintaining a combo multiplier, which drops when you miss a shot. You can also increase the multiplier by shooting skull signs. In our initial run through, we only found two skulls, meaning we'll have a lot more exploration to do upon its release. Blue barrels cause big explosions and major points, which is a plus. The game is challenging enough and we did have enough near death experiences. We tried easy mode, meaning health packs are plentiful, but the other difficulty level reportedly ramps up noticeably. Each of the eight levels have six to eight game modes each, and each one has its own target score you need to earn a medal, dubbed "bullets." Four-player split screen and deathmatch will be available in the final game. The point of this game was quick, fun experiences. We're looking forward to this game when it releases early 2008 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. %Gallery-4838%
PGR4's motorcycles expanded upon
At the Media Briefing, Bizarre Creations' Craig Howard and Brian Woodhouse showed off Project Gotham Racing 4. The game will include manufacturers Honda, Ducati, and Suzuki for motorcycles, which can race alongside cars, of which there are over 120. When riding the motorcycle, you can pull some fancy tricks, wheelies, endos and taunting maneuvers. On the Live side of things, for the first time, gamers will be able to share photos and videos with what's called "PGR On Demand". We can't wait to get some hands on time in the coming days.
Bizarre talks up PGR4 motorcycles
Rumored last week thanks to the released box art -- and confirmed in recent playtests -- Bizarre Creations has posted an article detailing the motorcycles gameplay featured in Project Gotham Racing 4. Along with this revelation comes a load of new screenshots. The shots show off some particularly nice motorcycle and rider models. Bizarre has also revealed that motorcycles will be capable of lots of kudos earning tricks that cars naturally can't do. These will be accomplished with a new "Stunt button" that initiates tricks. Never fear though, if you hate the idea of motorbikes, they are not mandatory. If cars are your thing, PGR4 still has you covered. Check out a gallery of the new PGR 4 motorcycles below. [Via Joystiq]%Gallery-4708%
Project Gotham Racing 4 loses two wheels, gains bikes
Peanut butter and jelly.Cookies and milk.Cars and bikes.Finally, Project Gotham Racing 4 brings two great tastes together. In a first for the franchise, the upcoming Xbox 360 racer will allow players to use both cars and bikes in the same race. Bizarre Creations is promising the same level of visual fidelity in the bikes as in the cars -- looking at the new screenshots released today, we're also equally impressed by the racer character models.A new "Stunt button" will allow players to perform a "crazy move" that will earn the player the series' trademark Kudos. While some may find this move to be controversial, Bizarre Creations notes that the game "won't force you to ride bikes if you don't want to." Regardless, they think players are willing to try something new: "we expect 99% of players to take the bikes out just as frequently as the cars!"%Gallery-4689%
Joystiq hands-on: PGR4 (Xbox 360)
Project Gotham Racing 4 follows the track of previous PGR titles by recreating cities on a building-by-building basis and then letting the fast cars loose. The September Xbox 360 game will include 10 total locations: New York City, Tokyo, London, Las Vegas, Quebec City, Shanghai, Macau, St. Petersburg, Nuerburgring, and the Michelin Test Track.I got some hands-on time with a recent version of the in-progress game, with the touted weather and rain specifically being shown off. PGR4 looks and feels like it'll be a fun racer, and this time, motorcycles get to play alongside the cars.%Gallery-3052%
New Boom Boom Rocket DLC is on its way
Bizarre Creations has confirmed that they are currently working on downloadable content for their firecracker of an XBLA game Boom Boom Rocket. The specifics like price and release date are still unknown, but what we do know is that the DLC will include five new songs. Which new songs? Well, that also has yet to be confirmed, but they did hint that the new tracks will be harder and should pose a challenge to even the most experienced Boom Boom Rocketers. We'll be sure to keep our ears open and our eyes peeled for any new info that heads our way concerning the new Boom Boom Rocket DLC. Boom!
PGR 4 box art hints at motorcycle madness
Today, Bizarre Creations released the official box art for Project Gotham Racing 4 (viewable after the break) featuring a closeup of a red vehicle sporting a PGR 4 emblem. It's quite the interesting choice for box art as we're on the fence about the design. But if you look closer you'll see something that's very interesting. Behind the PGR 4 logo is the reflection of a motorcycle blazing past the car. Does this mean that motorcycles will be drivable in the fourth edition of the PGR franchise and is this Bizarre's big exciting announcement? We aren't sure, but we'd be liars if we didn't say that we're a little uneasy about including motorcycles in our PGR franchise. Here's to hoping Bizarre Creations knows what they're doing.
Geometry Wars XP debuts on Steam
Those hoping to engage in wanton shape genocide without a console's involvement can now look towards Valve's online game distribution service, Steam, now hosting a Windows XP version of Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved. Developed by Bizarre Creations and considered by many to be the Xbox 360's first must-have game, Geometry Wars is being offered at an introductory price of $2.50, half that of its 2005 "supposed to be free" launch price. The game will be shifted to $3.95 starting June 22. If Steam isn't your thing either, perhaps this holiday season's Geometry Wars: Galaxies on the Wii and DS will be enough to enlist you in the fight against circles and diamonds. Failing that, we'll have to conclude that you're one of them -- a total square.
Video: It's time for some PGR 4 snow
The last time we saw Project Gotham Racing 4 in action it was raining in St. Petersburg, but today we are treated to a new video; a little snow in Nurburgring. Bizarre Creations released the second weather video today making it quite obvious that the team really cares about dynamic weather and is doing a fine job with the whole concept. They also announced two more locations (Nurburgring, as seen in the video, and Quebec) which is four (Shanghai and St. Petersburg were previously announced) of the ten locations we'll be seeing in the game. The press release also confirmed six vehicles as well as stating that PGR 4 will be "speeding its way onto store shelves this fall" ... yes, this fall. Full press release after the break and be sure to race on over to IGN where they talk with Bizarre's community lead about the weather in PGR 4. Race along now ...
Geometry Wars Galaxies defects to Wii and DS
Coming our way from the latest issue of Nintendo Power is word that Bizarre Creations' Xbox Live Arcade-defining hit Geometry Wars will be gracing the Wii and DS. The title, which will feature the Evolved and Retro modes of its Xbox 360 counterpart, is also to have an "extensive single-player campaign." No word on whether the game will be offered via download or sold in boxed retail form, so be sure to keep an eye on DS Fanboy for further news as it develops. [Via NeoGAF]
Geometry Wars: Galaxies shooting for Wii, DS
Humanity's vendetta against simple (and notably evil) geometric shapes is set to continue its expansion beyond the humble beginnings as a bonus in Project Gotham Racing. Xbox Live Arcade, Vista and mobile phones now find themselves joined in the war by the Wii and DS, at least if the July issue of Nintendo Power is to be believed. A blurb in the magazine (via Buttonbasher) asserts that Geometry Wars: Galaxies will be arriving on both Nintendo platforms thanks to the efforts of "the dev team responsible for Battalion Wars." That would imply the involvement of the UK's Kuju Entertainment, which is apparently hard at work grafting "an extensive single-player campaign" onto the game's frantic combat. Of course, we fully expect a gripping and operatic storyline to go with it, something along the lines of an intergalactic mathemagician attempting to tri-strangulate vital supply route coordinates. Alas, our expectations are oft set too high. A multiplayer mode and prior versions of Geometry Wars are also said to be included in both packages, expected to materialize this Fall. It probably wouldn't be absurd to expect a new Geometry Wars game alongside Bizarre's Project Gotham Racing 4 either.
Third PGR3/PS3 mix-up demands 300 joke
When we found out that Project Gotham Racing had been used to promote the PS3 for a third time, it took every ounce of strength we could muster to avoid making a 300 "This is madness!" joke. The truth is though, this is madness. First, PGR3 was used by Sony to promote a trailer for Gran Turismo HD, then it was used again by Kia for a PS3 promotion. This time the offending publication is from Media Markt, one of Europe's largest electronics store chains, which overlays a PS3 on top of this image from PGR3. In an ironic twist, the article in question is apparently about the Playstation 3's future.At this rate, we'll be seeing PGR3 images in the next ad for Ratchet & Clank.
PGR3 scores a hat trick with Sony advertisements
The first time was amusing, the second time was embarrassing, but the third time ... wait, three times? Apparently Dutch advertisers have the same problem in keeping Project Gotham Racing 3 and Gran Turismo: HD separate. A Mediamarkt magazine published a PS3 article and emblazoned the 2-page spread with the infamous PGR3 Saleen picture, the same one used in advertisements and promo shots when the game first came out in Fall of 2006. In case you forgot what Gran Turismo: HD looks like, feel free to click here or here for some recent coverage. In case you forgot what PGR3 looks like, stay tuned for more Gran Turismo: HD coverage. As press coverage ramps up, chances are good someone will slather yet another PGR3 shot in error.[Via Joystiq]
Dj vu: PGR3 image used to promote Sony
Back in January Xbox 360 Fanboys everywhere erupted with laughter when Sony accidentally used an image from Project Gotham Racing 3 to promote Gran Turismo HD. Well, it's happened again, though Sony likely isn't at fault. A KIA website ad used an image of a car from PGR3 which alternated with the real version the same car. Making this even funnier is the Playstation 3 branding all over the screen. As CVG notes, it was more likely someone at KIA who made the mistake, not Sony. Still, the irony of using an Xbox 360 game to promote the graphical realism of the PS3 is just too good. The ad has since been changed, but you can see the offending image (including the telltale license plate) above.[Via CVG]
The Club excels with killing spree combos
Thick and visceral, The Club is all about head-shots and body count. Nick Davies, Bizarre Creations design manager, says "it's everything that Splinter Cell and Gears of War isn't." And boy, he isn't kidding. Wearing a bullet-proof vest, the game-play demonstration showed an on-screen character running directly towards baddies and firing multiple rounds. There is no ducking for cover here, and certainly no stealth. What sets the game apart is its implementation of a combo system where points are multiplied with head-shots, explosions and all varieties of interesting kills. In order to keep you focused on the task at hand, the combo meter begins to drain between gaps in the killing, so best to head towards large occupied rooms. In addition to the details gathered on our last look at The Club, it seems levels are broken up in pieces, allowing you to tackle these "bite-sized challenges" in any order you'd like, one at a time. There is something strangle fun and yet, sickening about the game I can't quite put a finger on. Nevertheless, take a gander at more details of the quick preview and share with us your opinions. Is this a game that will be on your radar? Or are you sick and tired of shooters and yearn for more non-violent gaming?
Video: PGR4 new features, dynamic weather, and vehicles
New details regarding Bizarre Creations' upcoming Kudos-centric racer Project Gotham Racing 4, have hit the internets. That being said, they are very similar to previous reports from some European magazines. We've seen these bullet points before, and they're all good, from fist pumping to dynamic weather AI, loyal fanbases through your career, and refined Kudos system. Still, the video looks hot, and the game is excessively pretty. So with all the racing news today, are you tempted to get the wheel so you can tailspin in the snow of Shanghai for massive damage Kudos?[Video via Xboxygen. Thanks, gaetge]
PGR4 gets career mode, 'dynamic' weather, and (duh) new cars
"Dynamic." The coveted buzzword adds a Hemi-like boost to Project Gotham Racing 4's newly announced gameplay element: a weather system -- a dynamic weather system. Wipe out as you power around a corner into a rare Shanghai snow storm, or get pounded by a sudden downpour on your last lap through St. Petersburg. Expect the unexpected. That's next-gen, er, dynamic.Of course, the stakes are higher while competing in the new career mode. As you act a fool, earning Kudos and dedicated fans along the way, you'll have to balance an addiction to flair with the unsettling fear that a freak weather occurrence could cut short your days of thunder-less glory. That or the "new" AI (the "dynamic" adjective was already taken) will just own your ass -- in style. Yes folks, Bizarre has promised virtual fist-pumping.PGR4 is tentatively scheduled for a fall 2007 release.[Via Microsoft media blast]%Gallery-3052%
The Club: 3rd person Geo Wars on steroids
Next Gen recently took a long look at Bizarre Creations' The Club. Touched on briefly before, The Club is a 3rd person action shooter being published by SEGA. We imagine many fanboys are already thinking that the Xbox 360 has enough 3rd person shooters as is, but The Club looks to offer something different. Yeah, we've heard that before, but Bizarre looks like they're set to deliver.
