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Prince of Persia, Brothers in Arms, Skate 2 join Games on Demand
That, ladies and gentlemen, is a lot of new Games on Demand. We've got three new ones this week and a price drop. As for the new titles, we've got a platformer, military shooter and hardcore skating simulation in Prince of Persia, Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway and Skate 2, respectively. Prince of Persia and Skate 2 each run $19.99 in the US, while Brothers in Arms will set you back $29.99. Meanwhile, Rockstar's Table Tennis has seen a 10 dollar price drop to $19.99. As always, pricing and availability vary by region. Xbox.com: Add Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway to your Xbox 360 download queue ($29.99) Xbox.com: Add Prince of Persia to your Xbox 360 download queue ($19.99) Xbox.com: Add Skate 2 to your Xbox 360 download queue ($19.99) Xbox.com: Add Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis to your Xbox 360 download queue ($19.99)
Skate 3 video gets by with a little help from some friends
EA has been pushing the community aspects of Skate 3 since unveiling the game, and this latest trailer is no different. Focusing on the Freeskating mode, the video demonstrates how easy it is to hook up with some friends and navigate the different parts of Port Carverton. For the most part, these are things players could do in Skate 2 -- been there, done that. But there is one interesting item of note here: the team films. The trailer only briefly touches on that functionality near the end, which, come May 11, will grant foursomes their own 15 clicks of fame via the official Skate website. Gnarly!
Skate 3 demo now on Xbox Live for all Gold members
As promised, a demo for EA Black Box's latest, Skate 3, is available for download today on Xbox Live. The demo weighs in at a hefty 862.54MB and features a Skate School section with Coach "Jason Lee" Frank, as well as a few different and online team challenges. As with the Skate 2 demo, there's a ticking clock as soon as you start -- 20 minutes total gameplay -- so keep that in mind when going for that ultra sick grind. Unlike the Skate 2 demo, however, you can restart the whole thing right from inside the demo itself. Xbox.com: Add the Skate 3 demo to your Xbox 360 download queue (FREE)
Skate 3 demo highlighted in new trailer
The Skate 3 demo first revealed at PAX East last month has now been officially announced by EA. The demo, which arrives on Xbox Live and PSN on April 15 (just in time for tax day!), will let players show off their skating skills in the game's University District. The demo will include both single-player and multiplayer challenges including Own the Lot, Domination and Hall of Meat. If you'd rather work on your not-constantly-falling-over skills, the demo features the new Skate.School mode as well. Players can also appease their inner skate park designer by dropping up to 24 different objects into the demo. And, as if all that wasn't enough, the Skate.Reel feature is included as well, allowing players to upload their epic runs -- or epic bails, as the case may be -- for all their friends to witness. Check out a trailer for the demo above.
Interview: Skate 3's Chris "Cuz" Perry
At PAX East, we managed to bend the ear of Chris "Cuz" Perry, one of the Skate series' producers -- you know, the dude from those developer diary videos? Yeah, him. He was rocking the Skate 3 booth, showing off the game, so we did what we do best: cornered him and started firing off questions. See what he had to say below! Could you tell us what your name and position is? My full name is Chris Perry and I'm a producer on Skate. You guys really kept up support for Skate 2 through DLC long after the game came out. Is that something you plan to do with Skate 3? Official policy is that we can't talk about that, but it sounds like it's a good idea! %Gallery-77563%
Hands-on: Skate 3 and its new difficulty levels
We've covered Skate 3's new focus on co-operative challenges, managing a team of skaters and selling some skateboards -- but the raw experience of getting on the virtual board and busting tricks, not much has changed significantly. And that's why the new difficulty levels were such an interesting addition for me. %Gallery-77563%
Skate 3 demo on Xbox Live and PSN April 15
While visiting the Skate 3 booth here at PAX today, we were handed a few stickers. In fact, the front of the stickers weren't even the interesting part, as the back revealed a demo is set to bust mad trixx on Xbox Live and PSN on April 15. Not too surprising, considering the first two games also offered a taste before their respective releases.
Skate 3's 'Skate School' as taught by Coach Frank
There's nothing quite as satisfying as learning how to skateboard from a crazy old coot named Coach Frank (as played by ex-pro skateboarder Jason Lee -- you know, the guy from Mallrats?). Experts that they are, the folks at EA developer Black Box are well aware of the attraction, and they've employed the character to teach Skate 3's "Skate School" mode. Frank acts as a framework for the fleshed out Skate 3 tutorial, teaching players how to nail tricks and polish their execution -- it probably helps that he's full of goofy, if occasionally awkward, humor to lighten up the mood as well. And hey, if we learned anything from the previous two Skate games, we're going to be spending a ton of time just figuring out how to ollie without faceplanting over and over (and over), so we could use the levity. %Gallery-77563%
Skate 3 rolls in on May 11
EA has narrowed down the May release date for Skate 3. On May 11, North Americans will once again have the opportunity to channel any interest in real, dangerous skateboarding into a nice, safe, sedentary video game. The game will be available May 14 "worldwide." EA has also revealed the roster of skaters that will appear in the game, including ... a bunch of guys whose names you'll totally recognize if you're into skateboarding -- as well as My Name is Earl star and former pro skater Jason Lee, in his Coach Frank persona.
Skate 3 cover revealed (plus: new dev diary and screens)
Click image to ollie into our gallery So, there it is: the Skate 3 box art. There certainly is a lot less white space this time around, eh? Along with that, EA's also sent over a new developer diary and a handful of new screens for you to look at. The developer diary offers a look at the clean, wide-open spaces of the University district in Port Carverton -- an area not only home to various ledges and long staircases, but it's also the new resting place of the Mega Park, the series' ongoing hot-spot for huge, ridiculous air and impossible drop-ins. Head past the break to check it out. %Gallery-86541%
Skate 3 hands-on: co-op career mode
We'd heard how EA was hoping to evolve its successful skateboarding franchise by introducing team play in Skate 3, which is due in May. Last week, we finally got to try it for ourselves. While it was admittedly only a small part of what looked to be a fairly meaty experience, the co-op play was surprisingly fun. After an introduction by members of the Black Box development team, we got to team up with a couple other journos and hit the abundant pavement of Port Carverton. We played as the host for a three-player game, and, as such, had the ability to access a sub-menu that showed the various locations within the game world and the team challenge types available at each. We could then either move the team there, or put it up for a vote. %Gallery-85523%
Latest Skate 3 dev diary shreds the industrial park, quarry
The second in an ongoing series of Skate 3 developer diaries where dudes sit around on a couch like a bunch of Chatty Cathys, this latest episode features one of the most ambitious locales to make its way into a Skate game: a quarry. Looking more like a multiplayer map from Modern Warfare 2 than a sweet spot to bust some darkslides, we're anxious to see if the execution will be up to snuff. If so, it'll be among the most unique and diverse spots the series has to offer. Aside from the quarry, the video above also provides a brief look at an industrial district, a new spillway and a new area dubbed 3rd & Army 1st & Air Force 2nd & Navy.
Skate 3 dev diary explains the origins of Port Carverton
When Skate 3 was revealed, we didn't know what to make of the change in venue. The third installment takes place in the fictional skateboarding paradise of Port Carverton and, as the above developer's diary informs, it's actually a homage to recently-deceased colleague Ron "Mad Carver" Hartley. He's even got his own in-game memorial, which we think is a great way to be remembered. When we go, we hope somebody cares enough to at least hold on to the newspaper clipping about that one blog that lost its life defending the earth from the hordes of Raptormen who'll eventually enslave us all in 2022.
Skate and Brave: A Warrior's Tale added to Games on Demand
You know, we were just thinking that we'd love to be able to go back in time and check out Brave: A Warrior's Tale. Thankfully, Major Nelson informs us the game has just been added to Games on Demand for $30, so we don't have to take apart that DeLorean in our back yard. It's joined by Skate, which will set you back a much more pleasant $20 and features far less in-your-face advertising than the latest entry in the series. Shortcut: Add Brave: A Warrior's Tale to your queue [Xbox.com] Shortcut: Add Skate to your queue [Xbox.com]
Pre-order Skate 3, get Black Box Skate Park
While most of Skate 3's marketing SLAVE has focused on the team-driven aspects of the game -- a campaign which is admittedly only two trailers deep -- today's video update provides a THRASHER glimpse at a pre-order incentive: Black Box Skate Park. It's an underground FALLEN, industrial-looking warehouse enclosure home to various pipes, ledges, and curved surfaces -- a place where lots of skateboarding can be done. Check it out in the ZERO trailer above. %Gallery-77563%
EA laying off 1,500 in new round of restructuring
We know at least four portions of EA that probably aren't thrilled about the Playfish acquisition. Gamasutra reports that significant layoffs have taken place at EA's Tiburon, Redwood Shores, Black Box, and Mythic divisions. Gamasutra suggests that the layoffs exceed the scope of EA's normal annual layoffs. We're attempting to verify the actual percentages with EA. According to a tweet by Katherine Pitta, "Mythic Entertainment, responsible for Warhammer Online, just laid off 80 people, about 40% of it's employees." Former EA employee Eron Garcia estimated "HUGE chunks of EA" have been let go. Mythic has been subject to layoffs in the past, as has Need for Speed and Skate developer Black Box, which already had its studio closed last year as part of another widespread round of layoffs. Best of luck to everyone affected by the layoffs! [Update: Approximately 1,500 people have been or will be laid off as a result of this year's cuts, EA reports in its earnings statement. Last year's "major" restructuring resulted in the loss of about 1,000 jobs.]
Team up and watch this new Skate 3 trailer
EA's new Skate 3 trailer touts team-play as the stand-out addition to the franchise. The new element allows players to tackle challenges and compete against other teams online for popularity within the Skate.Feed community. Of course, it's just as easy to become unpopular, too -- just ask the guy in the short shorts.EA Black Box is once again handling the development of the game, building on the, um, building features of Skate 2. The studio is working to greatly improve the film maker and skate park editor, as well as adding new features such as an in-game and web-based "social network," plus the ability to seamlessly share parks, board designs and other user-created content a la Forza 3's storefront.Skate 3 is due in May 2010 for PS3 and Xbox 360.%Gallery-77563%
Skate 3 throws down in May 2010
The rumor is true: Skate 3 will hit the streets next May. But this time around, EA's skateboarding franchise takes the action outside of San Vanelona, bringing players to the new town of Port Carverton. That isn't the only new thing the third installment offers, however, as the press release promises players will be able to team up and form skate crews to "complete challenges together while advancing each other's careers." This even includes new challenges in the Hall of Meat and an all-new Skate school for players of all skill levels.EA is also promoting the Skate Create feature suite, an "innovative toolset that empowers gamers to truly express their skate style by creating their own graphics, videos, and skate parks," which should be available both online and offline. And if you find yourself extra anxious to fork over money for the game well before its release, a pre-order bonus in an in-game area called Black Box Distribution Skate Park should tickle your fancy. This area is none other than the "home turf of Zero, Mystery, and Fallen skate teams." Skate 3 will be available on Xbox 360 and PS3 in May 2010.
Rumor: Skate 3 in the works
Apparently EA is working on a sequel to Skate 2, if the Epicly Trife twitter is to be believed. Epicly Trife (NSFW) is a site dedicated to skating, and its twitter account said the following: "I just got told 'tonight we gotta celebrate,' one of the bro's got offered to be in SKATE 3." By no means a confirmation, we're still excited, as Skate 2 was not only a great sequel, but pretty much the best skating sim around. Plus, it's much easier to get up after falling down four flights of stairs in a video game, as gravity is a much more harsh mistress in real life.We've put in word to EA for comment, but with almost everyone taking the day off today, don't hold your breath for a response. We sure aren't.[Via Kotaku]
Skate 2's Maloof Money Cup DLC busting kickflips on July 9
Based on the highest-pursed skating event in history, the Maloof Money Cup makes its way to Skate 2 on July 9 for $3.00 and 240 on PSN and Xbox Live, respectively. That's one day before the real-life event takes place, and the DLC will mimic the setup of that event pretty closely, through a collection of single-player and online events. These events consist of freeskate, vert, and street contests, and will also provide Xbox gamers with an additional 250 Achievement points to earn. Considering the game's last update was back in February, we're surprised EA even remembered it had a skateboarding game.%Gallery-67115%
