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Jericho: X3F hands-on
As you know, a demo for Clive Barker's Jericho hit Xbox Live Marketplace this morning. Unlike our compatriots at Joystiq, we did not have a chance to test the game at E3, so this was a fresh experience for us. It's clear that the folks at Codemasters really want players to like Jericho, as the demo comes loaded with a very lengthy video explaining the premise and gameplay features of the title. You learn about the character switching dynamic as well as the abilities of the seven squad members. Unfortunately, you only get to utilize three of these squad members during the demo, but we still got a decent idea of how the full game should play.
Jericho demo scared up on XBLM
The demo for Cliver Barker's Jericho is now available on Xbox Live Marketplace. The game centers around a sort of paranormal SWAT team called in to fight the evils of the world. Of course, by evils we mean the otherworldly kind. Each member of the squad has a different weapon set and paranormal specialty like telekinesis or the ability to summon fire. By switching between the various squad members, players can combine their abilities to make the best of any given situation. We'd tell you once again that Joystiq was impressed with the game at E3, but now you can try it out for yourself. Ain't Xbox Live grand?
Codemasters says @#$! no to censorship
We know Jericho is going to be scary and violent, but we didn't expect it to get any publicity for it. In a world where video game violence is spiraling upwards to a realm of not-even-realistic bodily destruction, Germany demanded that Codemasters edit Jericho to better comply with their video game ratings system. Codemaster's replied: "Following a review by the USK ratings board, which declined to give an official rating, Codemasters has decided not to change the artistic vision of the renowned author and film-maker Clive Barker though cuts and extensive changes." Good for them.Codemasters, making this decision, know that their marketing campaign in Germany is all but finished, so have decided to scrap the 360 and PS3 versions of the game in that region. The game will still be released on the PC, though, so if you're from the area, you've got a chance after all. Then again, the games are region free, so there's that route also. Don't forget, there's a demo of the game due out this week on the PSN (though GamesIndustry says it's next week ... we're confused, too ... maybe it's for Europe).
Prepare for the Jericho demo with new trailer
A new trailer for Jericho has dropped on GameTrailers specifically to get players pumped for the oncoming demo. The trailer essentially just mashes up several snippets of gameplay, highlighting the various squad members and some of their special abilities. We particularly like the heavy weapons guy whose hand is literally locked inside his gun, only popping out when it's time to roast an enemy with pyrokinesis. Oh, and did we mention it's super gory? Well, it is. Of course, that's probably to be expected with Clive Barker's name attached to the project. Check out the demo (see it in HD here) and start impatiently waiting for the demo that arrives tomorrow.
Jericho finds no salvation or rating in Germany
The Unterhaltungssoftware Selbskontrolle (USK), the German version of the ESRB, is not rating the upcoming first-person shooter-horror game Jericho and therefore it's practically banned in the country. We've gotten used to this with the Germans, the same fate was bestowed upon Gears or War and Dead Rising, although The Darkness made some changes to become acceptable.Given what we've seen of Jericho, it was probably the violence and gore that made it receive the un-rating. At least this might bring a little bit of attention to the game which Codemasters seems to be putting almost no effort in promoting -- which is par for the course by the publisher. Like we said before, as long as the squad AI holds up in the game, we saw potential in the title. The game releases at the end of October, Germans can hop in their car and take a quick drive to another country for their copy. We hear Austria is lovely that time of year, have a cup of gluvine for us while you're there.%Gallery-4998%
Jericho demo to grace XBLM this Thursday
Word on the street (more specifically from Codemasters' PR department) is that a Clive Barker's Jericho demo is going to hit the Xbox Live Marketplace on Thursday. But we don't have to remind you about the validity of developer announced demos as they end up usually being a tad ... how do we say this ... off a bit. So, pencil in a note for this Thursday's Jericho demo and if it doesn't show up you can blame Codemasters for letting you down and depriving you of murderous killing and death. Our fingers are crossed.
Jericho demo coming this week to PS Store
Codemasters, the group behind the frightening/awesome looking FPS Jericho, have confirmed that a demo is due out on the PC, PS3, and 360 this week. We'll probably see it in the PS Store on Thursday, as is the usual update period we've grown accustomed to. The game looks to be incredibly violent, so if you've got children that like the bask in the warm glowing warming glow of the PS3, you may want to scurry them off to bed before mutilating some creepy critters. We're not sure what the demo actually entails, but we're willing to bet you get to try your hand at all the characters in the first level: the city of Al-Khali. In any case, try it out this Thursday!
Worldwide PS3 releases for the week of September 10th
This week's release list can only be described as ... heavenly. We've been waiting for a long time for this. Heavenly Sword is finally available to the masses this week and we can't wait to get our hands on it. Here's the full release list: US Games Heavenly Sword DiRT NHL 08 NHL 2K8 European Games Heavenly Sword DiRT Asian Games Megazone 23: Aoi Garland Megazone 23: Aoi Garland Limited Edition Check it out. Two potentially great games being released simultaneously throughout America and Europe. This is what we really love to see. As for Megazone 23: Aoi Garland, we've never heard of it. If you're intrigued and want to try it out then go right ahead, your PS3 will play games from any region. Release dates are constantly subject to change, so always keep that in mind.
Sensible Soccer's release date still up in the air
Back in July, developer Codemasters confirmed that their XBLA game Sensible World of Soccer would release on August 29th with excitement and parades through the streets to follow. And even though we temporarily forgot about the game and its release, we double checked the Marketplace and lo and behold there is no soccer fun to be found. Sounds like the dreaded delay syndrome has struck again.So, we decided to do a little research and found out via Codemasters' community admin Rubbergenius that indeed the game has been delayed for unspoken reasons and that no firm release is in site. According to the community admin's post, they have taken down the tentative "Summer 2007" Sensible World of Soccer release date and replaced it with a uber vague "TBD" release. Rubbergenius promises that the game shouldn't be delayed for "months and months", but made sure to shoot down the late September release rumors that have been floating around. Oh so evil game delays, don't you see how much you hurt us?
Jericho gameplay video will get your blood pumping
Nothing quite like a violent FPS gameplay trailer to wake you up on a Monday, huh? This latest video for Clive Barker's Jericho contains what we assume to be the opening cutscenes to the game, followed by a brief look at the actual gameplay. While at the moment it looks like any other FPS, we know there's a lot more to each character than weaponry: spells, secret abilities, etc. It's sort of hinted at when the one person starts waving blue hands at you, probably to heal you. If nothing else, fighting nasty-looking creatures who emerge from the sand is going to be a different experience for a lot of FPS fans.
Freedom Fighters and Resistance meet up in Turning Point: Fall of Liberty
Codemasters are bringing us another sweet-looking game. We posted a teaser trailer for Turning Point: Fall of Liberty a while back and weren't particularly impressed, but this new footage detailing in-game action gets us all warm and fuzzy inside. Take the Freedom Fighters attributes of New York, a civilian, and starting an uprising, mix in a little of the Resistance: Fall of Man alternate timeline excitement and you've got yourself a new FPS that will deliver something fairly different to the table than we're used to. What do you guys think?
Turning Point gets delayed into 2008
Today, publisher Codemasters coyly released details confirming that their upcoming WWII Nazi shooter Turning Point: Fall of Libtery will not make its slated November 2007 release. No reasons were given for the delay, but we suspect the typical developer can't get the work done in said time frame conflict. Turning Point: Fall of Liberty is now penciled in for an early 2008 retail release.And as a way of making up for their unforseen delay, Codemasters put out a new Turning Point trailer embedded above. We always knew those Nazis had beef with the Statue of Liberty.
Codemasters crafting split-screen mode for Overlord
We're not sure how many of have been playing Overlord's multiplayer mode, but if the thing keeping you away from it is the inability to see the anguish in your foes eyes as you send your minions after them, we have good news. Codemasters has confirmed that they're working on a split-screen multiplayer mode for the game, due out "soon" through the Xbox Live Marketplace.We don't know exactly how the multiplayer mode will work (details are scant at the moment) but we do know that the mode will work with all multiplayer maps. Oh, we almost forgot the best part: It's free. Sounds like you may not want to succumb to trade-in fever just yet.[Via X3F]
Split-screen multiplayer coming to Overlord
Making a few house cleaning announcements before heading off to the Leipzig Games Convention, Codemasters revealed that they'll be releasing a game update for Overlord allowing for some split-screen multiplayer. The title update will be releasing sometime soon and will be available for free, but other than that Codemasters hasn't given any specifics to what this split-screen multiplayer Overlord experience entails. Minions, fetch us our split-screen multiplayer![Via xbox360.dcemu.co.uk]
Fury unleashes Oct. 9, issues million dollar beta challenge
PvP MMO Fury will be be prepared to "unleash the fury" on October 9 (Oct. 12 in Europe). We did get a little hands-on time with the game at E3 and the beta has been going on since early last month. But before you go waiting until Oct. 9 to get your PvP MMO on, there's a little contest that'll happen in the Open Beta planned for next month.Auran Games, Gamecock and Codemasters Online are planning to do the "FURY Challenge," which will have one million dollars in prizes. The challenge will kick off Sept. 14 and be held over three consecutive weekends. First weekend is practice and the next two has the competition. There will be various ladders so even casual players stand some small chance. Customers who pre-order the game at GameStop are invited to the closed beta currently going on, so that's an option if you think you'll need a little more practice.%Gallery-4405%
Clive Barker, Codemasters want to make many different games
While Clive Barker is most commonly known for his work on horror novels, as well as the upcoming title Jericho thanks to the development team over at Codemasters, the two don't want to part ways anytime soon. We've already talked about the possibility of the Jericho series becoming a trilogy, but we didn't talk about the idea of Clive Barker going all Tom Clancy on us -- getting a lot of different game licenses out there and flooding the market with titles.It's not a bad thing, since Barker has actually done something beyond political intrigue/spy espionage. He's got a large back catalogue of not just horror, but fantasy as well. Not goblins and elves ... more like Gaiman-esque fantasy. We're interested to see if this idea comes to fruition, especially if Jericho proves to be a good title. We'll keep you posted.
Codemasters seeks LTR with Clive Barker
Codemasters is hoping to make Clive Barker's name as synonymous with games as Tom Clancy's is now. Speaking with IGN, Jericho producer Joe Falke says Codemasters is looking at Barker as a potential source for many, not just horror, titles. Allegedly Barker is on board with the idea and wouldn't mind doing more games.Years ago Clive Barker's Undying was well-received, but ultimately a failure, causing EA to cancel the very notion of a sequel. Given the lack of marketing, we were certainly caught off guard when we saw Clive Barker's Jericho at E3. The game did impress us and our only main fear point was whether the squad's AI would hold up in actual gameplay. Later released videos kept us on track to being impressed this October when the game is expected to launch. Hopefully some more muscle will get put behind Jericho's marketing before the release.
PSP Fanboy Theatre: Volume 29
Finally, after a long E3-related hiatus, PSP Fanboy Theatre is back with an all new edition. Every weekend, PSP owners can download files wirelessly via m.pspfanboy.com. Instructions: Save all movie and thumbnail files to the VIDEO folder. These high resolution 480x272 videos require firmware 3.30 or above. (Note: OE custom firmware will also play these videos.) New for PSP: Get selected videos delivered automatically to your PSP via our new RSS feed. Legend of the Heavenly Sword: Part 1 Download MP4 (13.0MB) | Download JPG The following videos are featured after the break: Tekken: Dark Resurrection, Stranglehold, WWE Smackdown Vs RAW 08, Haze, Dirt.
Sensible World of Soccer website is live
Nostalgic soccer gamers will be excited to know that the official Sensible World of Soccer website has gone live dishing out some fresh media and promising a Summer 2007 XBLA release. The website features generic information about the game, a few screen grabs, and four adorable wallpapers. It also offers a video that gives a brief look at the gameplay and a link to the game's official MySpace group (oh so hip). And if that doesn't stimulate your inner soccer fanboy maybe the news of an Unofficial Official Sensible Soccer Live Arcade World Cup tournament that'll be taking place when the game releases will. Beckham can't touch our mad soccer skills[Via gamesindustry.biz]
Get Dirt on your PS3 this September
Codemasters has announced that the PlayStation 3 version of gratuitously grimy off-road racer, Dirt, will skid into stores this September. Having already crushed several Xbox 360 controllers due to the sheer tension experienced when rapidly hurling a screeching hunk of metal through a tight corner, we're pleased to note that the Playstation 3 version will support sturdy racing wheels and force feedback functionality. Several PlayStation 2 peripherals, including the Logitech Driving Force range, are more than welcome at these rally events.One feature touted as being unique to the PlayStation 3 is 7.1 audio, bolstered by "third-order Ambisonic soundfields for the most realistic positioning." We're not sure what that is exactly, but it sounds like something we'd enjoy. There's no mention of Sixaxis motion support in the release, though shaking the controller violently would be an appropriate way of strangling Dirt's annoying co-driver. Take that, "Mr. Smooth!"
