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Take a video tour of Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Plaza in Skate 2
EA was kind enough to send over this trailer for the new Skate 2 DLC, Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Plaza. As you can see in the video above, it provides plenty of areas to get your shred on. One of the things we like about this DLC is its lack of vert areas. We're street skaters here at The Stiq.%Gallery-45370%
Skate 2 introduces 'Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Plaza' DLC [update]
Update: EA has dished out some screens for the DLC. Hit up the gallery below to check them out.Unless you wanted to unlock everything the easy way or cut some awesome videos, there hasn't been much support in the way of DLC for us Skate 2 fans. That is, until now, as EA has unveiled Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Plaza for the game.The new bit of DLC is available today on PSN and XBLM for $5.00 and 400, respectively, and allows skaters to blunt slide and manual around the centerpiece of Rob's MTV show, Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory, as well as the surrounding downtown Los Angeles area. Rob was pretty impressed with Black Box's job of recreating the space in the game, as he comments it has all of "the ledges, gaps and rails" of his showpiece, and "more surprises outside the park that both gamers and skaters will enjoy."So who's going to shred up Rob's Fantasy Plaza?%Gallery-45370%
Need for Speed: World Online begins testing in March
Before Need for Speed officially burns internet rubber, PC gamers in Asia will get an early taste of what it feels like to slip behind the wheel of Need for Speed: World Online. The recently announced free-to-play online experiment will begin testing in Taiwan and Hong Kong in March, well ahead of the game's eventual debut later this year. EA explains that Need for Speed: World Online will boast "the largest free roaming environment" in the series' history as players "form teams to take on the competition and the police." The Black Box-developed racer is one of several attempts at refueling the property, though we're waiting to see if the game makes it across the finish line or slips on a patch of black ice as it races to North America this Winter.
Electronic Arts announces Need For Speed: World Online
There aren't a lot of racing MMOs to choose from, which is why Electronic Art's announcement of Need For Speed: World Online is something of a fun surprise. We don't really know anything about the title other than that it's a jointly-developed free-to-play game from Black Box and EA Shanghai. Oh, and it's coming out in North America this winter, so we won't have to wait much longer to find out more.At least this answers the question of what Black Box was going to be up to after having more than half of its staff laid off recently. We're glad to see the developer behind titles like Skate 1 & 2 and the NFS franchise has something to work on. And of course we'll be keeping our collective eyes on this title as more information develops in the coming months.[via Joystiq]
EA unveils new Need for Speed trio
It seems EA's long-idling racing franchise isn't destined for the scrap heap at all, as the publisher has unveiled three new Need for Speed titles across several platforms. In an interview with Gamespot, EA's veep of marketing, Kevin Munro, insists that "the new brand strategy around three specific genres will keep the game fresh and players entertained." This refreshing and oh-so-entertaining trio of titles includes: Need for Speed: Shift (PS3, Xbox 360, PC, PSP) -- A "hardcore racing simulation" overseen by Black Box executive producer Michael Mann, and Patrick Soderlund, the co-founder of DICE and current senior vice president of EA Games Europe. External developer Slightly Mad Studios will be responsible for putting a realistic spin on the franchise. Need for Speed: Nitro (Wii, DS) -- As you might expect, this one will feature a "unique visual style," courtesy of EA Montreal. Nitro promises to take full advantage of the unique controls on offer for both platforms, but without sacrificing depth. According to Munro, "We do not want to fall into the trap of creating a 'Need for Speed Lite.'" Need for Speed: World Online (PC) -- Jointly developed by Black Box and EA Shanghai Singapore, this free-to-play online racer is set to launch in Asia this Summer, with a North American release slated for next Winter. You can look for Shift and Nitro on North American shelves sometime during Fall 2009. Update: Uploaded three screens (Shift, Nitro and World Online) and added source link to press release. Corrected development information for World Online.
Free LOTR: Conquest DLC, not so free Skate 2 content
There's new downloadable content available on the Xbox Live Marketplace, specifically for Lord of the Rings: Conquest and Skate 2. The LOTR Hero Arena Bonus content is 100% free and gives players a new way to play team deathmatch. If you can spare 135MB of hard drive space, by all means, enjoy. For those looking to become the Steven Spielberg of Skate 2 film making, there's new 600 Filmer Pack content that adds "advanced camera controls for the replay editor, custom watermarks, expanded online storage" and new apparel to boot. We'll leave that purchasing decision up to you, but for the sake of comparison, Bungie offers a similar expanded Halo 3 storage solution with Bungie Pro. Hey, just saying.Source - Skate 2 Filmer PackSource - LOTR: Conquest Hero Arena Bonus
Rumor: Need for Speed: Undercover patch on the way
In the wake of recent rumors that the entire Need For Speed series has been canceled -- rumors followed by the closing of developer Black Box -- Kotaku reports that "inside sources" are claiming a patch is soon headed to Need for Speed: Undercover. Details are fuzzy, though sources claim that the patch will focus on gameplay and performance issues and will include "improvements". Hopefully, the performance tweaks include a fix for the game's awful framerate. The patch is expected to arrive on all platforms in the coming weeks.
Mass layoffs hit Skate, Need for Speed dev Black Box
As many as 200 of the 350-plus employees of EA Black Box have been given their walking papers, according to a report on Gamasutra. Joystiq has confirmed with EA public relations that the Vancouver, BC based studio let a number employees go today, although the publisher was unable to provide us with a specific tally of the affected at present.EA Black Box is the studio responsible for the Need for Speed franchise and the just-released Skate 2. Its (now remaining) staff is currently in the process of being integrated into EA's Vancouver-area Burnaby studio. EA confirmed late last month that Black Box would close as part of its plan to reduce global staffing by 10%.
Skate 2 dev diary talks online modes
We know you were all excited to try out Skate 2's online modes in the recently released demo. Thus, we also know that you were devastated to find out the demo doesn't have online modes. We'd like to tell you that we've magically enabled online play so you could try it out, but you'll just have to settle for a developer diary video instead. In said dev diary, Skate 2 online producer Brian Lindley discusses the various online modes. Among these modes are Hall of Meat, in which players compete for the most damaging bail. Players can also engage in Freeskate Activities, which are simple challenges in which all online players can compete. Finally, there's Create A Spot, which allows players to create their own custom skating spots, which can then be uploaded for other players to try.Especially neat is that players can jump from the single player game world straight to online at any time right from the pause menu. Very slick. Skate 2 debuts later this month.
EA cutting 10% of its work force
Publisher EA has hit some tough times, as the company has detailed plans to restructure itself and release 10% of its workforce by March 31, 2009. That 10% comes down to about 1,000 jobs, so it's nothing small. And, part of that 10% includes EA Black Box, the developers behind Need for Speed, Skate, and its Wii port, Skate It.Black Box aren't the only ones affected, however, as EA will be closing nine studios and publishing locations overall. The remainder of Canada-based Black Box will be merged with another EA Canada studio, based out of Burnaby, BC.%Gallery-22799%[Via Joystiq]
Skate devs have a plan to not be like Tony Hawk
In the digital world of skating video games, there are two contenders. EA's Skate franchise which has a sequel coming out next year and Tony Hawk, a franchise that has kinda lost its luster over the years. Recognizing this, the Skate 2 devs are adamant about not being like Mr. Hawk.Talking with MTV Multiplayer, Skate 2 associate producer Shaun Laker made it clear that they aren't going down the same path that the Tony Hawk franchise did, avoiding such fate by simply listening to their community. "As long as we keep putting out great games and don't rush it out and polish it and make sure we're listening to the community and hearing what they're having to say [we will avoid that]," explained Laker, adding "we listen to the community and know what they're asking for and respond to that."Keeping a franchise fresh by listening to a game's passionate community, implementing changes and serving up a polished product. Who would have thought something like that would work?
Joystiq hands-on: Skate 2
After years of tired Tony Hawk sequels, 2007's Skate was a refreshing change of pace. Black Box's interpretation of the sport was a far more realistic one. The innovative "flick" control scheme better emulated the experience of performing ollies, nollies, grabs and assorted flip tricks. Players were dropped into the fictional city of San Vanelona, a massive virtual playground where anything and everything could become the starting point of a skating line. So how will Black Box attempt to improve the experience in its follow-up, Skate 2? By giving you new things to do without your skateboard. Skate 2 no longer glues your character to the board. With a simple press of a button, you can get off your board and start exploring the environment. New San Vanelona is a mix of old and new, and the city begs to be explored. No longer will you have to attempt to "glitch" the system to get to interesting skate points. You'll be able to walk up a set of stairs, for example. You'll be able to jump on top of a ledge. It's a simple addition, but it allows the world to be explored in far greater depth than before. %Gallery-23257%
Skate It: Build your career on it
Skate It kicks off in a destroyed city, and as the driving force for the game, you'll be building your skating career on the rubble of San Vanelona. It's important to exploit "virgin territory," as your cameraman says, for your own gains ... at least, in a video game. Wii owners will finally get their own chance to Skate (It) late next month, just in time for the big holiday season.%Gallery-22799%
Skate 2's lead platform will be the PS3
Unhappy with the quality of Skate for the PS3? The producers apparently felt the same way -- developer Black Box has stated Skate 2's lead platform will be the PS3 -- this is due to the inferior version of Skate PS3 owners received when the Xbox 360 was the lead platform. For Skate 2, producer Jason DeLong and his team are aiming for the following: "The goal is that if you put both versions side-by-side, you will not be able to tell the difference." Are Scott Steinberg's words from back in July coming true? Hopefully more third-party developers will choose the PS3 as the lead platform from now on to ensure both versions are on par with one another.[Via MaxConsole]
More of It gets Skated in new trailer
We've taken two things away from this Skate It trailer: first, that EA is quite proud of their EA Trax. Second, that the choice to wreck San Vanelona for the game was an inspired one. The environments on display in this trailer are insane. Black Box has pulled off a bit of a magic trick here; because of all the rubble, the Skate It courses look kind of like they used to be a real city, but they can be laid out with skateboarding in mind. Our opinion might change for the worse if there are too many mysteriously banked sections of road and random short lengths of railing in any one location. %Gallery-22799%
Skate It: read a preview of it
IGN's Daemon Hatfield spent some time with EA's Skate It, playing with both the Wiimote control scheme and the more novel Balance Board-based scheme. Getting real (non-demo/tutorial) gameplay for the first time, Hatfield described the setup that motivates your character to find things and skate them. The character Reda from Skate returns with a camera to document all your tricks, promising a shot at a skating career outside of the destroyed San Vanelona if you have the goods. To this end, the game contains "photo" and "film" challenges in which you must pull off specific tricks for the camera after finding a location appropriate for the prescribed chains of tricks. Other challenges specify the location as well. You can earn enough points in a challenge to "own it" or exceed that minimum to "kill it," which earns you more gear, game modes, and other bonuses.Check out the new screens that IGN obtained along with this preview, as well as (obviously) a new trailer.
Video: Need for Speed Undercover live action uncovered
Anytime we hear that a game will feature live action sequences, we immediately have nightmares about awful, awful Sega CD games. Now, we're not saying that the live action sequences in Need for Speed Undercover will be awful. In fact, if this recently released video is any indication, they may actually be pretty good. The video features a police officer discussing the state of Tri-city, the city where Undercover takes place. Unfortunately, other than what appears to be some CG footage at the end, there isn't a hint of what the game actually looks like. Maybe next time.
Need for Speed Undercover speeds to November
Black Box today announced that Need For Speed Undercover will be arriving November 18 in North America and Novermber 21 in Europe. The game brings cop chases back to the series and features actress Maggie Q -- famous for her roles in Live Free or Die Hard and Mission Impossible III (not to mention having a letter for a last name) -- in live action segments that "propel the original story." Q plays a federal agent, described as "a seductive handler who recruits and guides players as they go undercover." Let's get this straight, a sexy woman recruits you so you can become an undercover agent that drives awesome cars for a living? So, basically, it's a 15-year-old's fantasy come true.For what it's worth, Black Box claims that Undercover "takes the franchise back to its roots" and throws police chases back into the mix. No word on whether or not the police involved are also sexy.[Via Joystiq]
Need for Speed Undercover hits pavement in November
Developer Black Box's nitro button must be worn down to a nub. The studio announced today that its upcoming Need for Speed sequel, Undercover, will ship this November, pulling up to the starting line well before the 2009 release previously mentioned by EA CEO John Riccitiello.In development for every platform under the sun (yes, even mobile phones), Need for Speed Undercover will also sport what Black Box describes as "big-budget live-action sequences" starring Balls of Fury and Mission Impossible III actress, Maggie Q, as a federal agent who recruits drivers to take down a criminal syndicate. While recent Need for Speed racers have all but siphoned our tanks of what enthusiasm we once had for the series, those who care can look forward to race with Ms. Q in North America on November 18 and in Europe on November 21.
Joystiq feet-on: Skate It
What to do with the balance board now that you're totally fit? Well, you could ... skate it. We'll confess that stepping onto the yoga mat-turned-skateboard for the first time was intimidating. The original Skate taught us that even fake skaters have to practice their cool (and sent posers packing in the process) -- and that was just thumbs! Putting our body in the spotlight at a recent "feet-on" event that featured EA's Wii spin-off, Skate It, was another reminder that what looks easy on TV is just a carefully orchestrated illusion. Thankfully, our play session didn't end in a faceplant.%Gallery-26983%
