codemasters
Latest
Jericho gets a cover, but still missing a face
Clive Barker's Jericho will be coming to the 360 later this year and now we know what box to look for when it comes out. Today, Codemasters released the box art for Jericho (which is suspensefully posted after the break) and it's just as creepy looking as the game. Which, after watching the video and looking through those screenshots, looks pretty fun and twisted. We're definitely optimistic about the potential Jericho has, but we've got our bad game shield raised and ready to defend. Anyway, there is box art awaiting your presence after the break.
Video: DIRT trailer drops jaws [update 1]
Gametrailers has the first trailer (also in HD) of Colin McRae: DIRT up and it is truly breathtaking. It starts with a lone rally car navigating turns around a cliff edge, then moves to some buggy rally, complete with well, dirt. Plumes of dust and debris trail all the tires, then we come back to another rally car negotiating some rain-slicked trails when ... well, you're just going to have to watch it yourself. The score during the trailer is really moving and we're totally psyched to get our hands on this come June. What'd you think of the trailer? [Thanks, DjDATZ] Update: Major Nelson also gave word that the gameplay trailer is available on Marketplace
Colin McRae DIRT video proves... dirt is cool.
Even though this is clearly an FMV sequence, this Colin McRae fellow (apparently a big deal outside of the US) really wants his game to "wow" us. Take a look at the video and be moderately impressed. Interestingly, my several-year-old laptop can't handle watching the HD version, but it's the recommended way to watch anything "next-gen". The game is due out for the PS3, 360, and PC -- so the "wow" factor can be shared among all of us, agreed?
New filthy shots of Colin McRae DIRT
Neural over at MondoXbox got his hands on some Colin McRae: DIRT screens, and they're looking pretty as ever. The tracks you'll be racing on certainly don't look clean but everything does look crisp. The five new shots feature a couple with rally cars, another pair with off road trucks, and a loan shot of some buggies going at it. It's good to see these varied aspects of rally racing making it into the game, and hopefully will spice up the gameplay come June. What's your favorite type of rally racing?
Minions attack! New Overlord video, screens
We've said it before, but we love the concept of Overlord. As its name implies, you play the Overlord, controlling your minions in order to wreak havoc and create general mayhem. We don't know much more than that honestly, but what more do you need? The graphics are clean and remind us more than a little bit of Fable's somewhat campy style (with a hint of The Horde thrown in for good measure). The minions we've seen so far remind us of Gremlins, snickering and generally causing a ruckus. See the new trailer after the break.
Clive Barker's Jericho looks promising
It's been some time since we heard anything new about Clive Barker's Jericho. In fact, the last thing we heard was the announcement of the game itself. It seems 1UP thought the same thing and has uncovered both a new trailer and posted a preview for the game. So, what's Jericho all about? What we already knew is that it's about a special government squad called Jericho Team that specializes in dealing with paranormal threats.
HEI$T robs and loots its way to the 360
Set during 1969, in HEI$T you play Johnny Sutton just getting out of prison and ready to make a name for yourself. By teaming up with your old gang and successfully completing heists, you'll build your reputation and go down as the best bank robber of all time. Sounds kind of interesting doesn't it? We go on to learn that once you gun down a few cops, rob a place, and jump in your vehicle, the police will give pursuit to your sorry bum. They'll setup road blocks, bump you, try the PIT maneuver and scream over their bullhorns in an attempt to stop your getaway. It'll be interesting to see if Codemasters can successfully pull this game off and give us a new and possibly fresh experience. HEI$T will make its Xbox 360 debut Q4 of 2007.[Via Gamertag Radio]
Cleaned off DIRT to reveal Colin McRae Box Art
While we haven't seen new screens in a while for Colin McRae: DIRT, we do have box art, or the "Hake Jacket" as babelfish fumbles on the french translation over at Xboxygen. In any case, it definitely lives up to its namesake, with plumes of dirt trailing the Toyota in the shot. It kind of reminds us of a reversed angle of the Burnout Revenge cover art. Then again, we've been sort of hit and miss with the whole comparing to Burnout thing. At least we're not saying the gameplay will be similar. Are you looking forward to playing this at the tail end of June? Super high resolution version available by clicking the box art that is available after the break.
Heatseeker's explosive trailer
This must be the year of flight combat games on the PSP. We have M.A.C.H, After Burner and now Heatseeker. Heatseeker is one of the many games that is a Wii/PSP coop and I have a feeling in some ways the Wii will help keep the PSP flowing with new games due to their similarities in power. Judging from the above trailer, this should be a satisfying game for flight combat fans who like their carnage turned up to 11. Codemasters is scheduled to relase Heatseeker later this month. [Via GameTrailers]
Friday Video: It's all about the planes
It really does seem to be flyboy day around here, doesn't it? Well, when you've got a theme going, don't break it. At least, that's our philosophy. We've been talking about Blazing Angels all day, so we thought we'd switch gears and talk about a different, yet related title: Heatseeker. This week's video shows off not only footage from the flight simulator, but also offers a glimpse of the controls. Check it out after the jump.
Codemasters adds a 'Rainbow' to Bubble Bobble replacements
Were you affected by the Bubble Bobble Revolution recall? Of course you weren't -- you didn't buy a game that was known to be broken: "The game is so broken that it isn't worth purchasing. Do not support sloppy game making. Do not buy this game" (Digital Entertainment News). Did you?Apparently some did. Now, five months later the fixed replacements are shipping out. And guess what? Codemasters has packed a tiny Rainbow into every box. Aw, how thoughtful... (too bad it's rubbish -- but it's all the team had).Was that too harsh? Yeah, probably. Um, well, then let's just say this was indeed a kind gesture -- and leave it at that. Anyone else care to make nice? We're looking at you two, Microsoft and Treyarch.
Codemasters fixes Bubble Bobble, hands out swag
While the idea of waiting an extra three to four months just to play a broken game may seem ridiculous, Codemasters is trying to make it worth your while. It's not news that they're replacing the busted Bubble Bobble Revolution cartridges, but we were surprised to learn that they're hooking gamers up with a freebie upon delivery of new, working games! Gamers who returned their faulty cartridges are receiving not only fixed versions, but an apology ... and a bonus of Rainbow Islands Revolution. While that doesn't really make up for lost time -- Bubble Bobble Revolution released last October -- it is a pretty slick way for Codemasters to try to worm their way back into our good graces. We didn't see any mention of this on the official Codemasters website, but you can reach their customer service department via e-mail: custservice @ codemasters.com. Any of you guys waiting for a replacement?
Bubble Bobble Revolution recalled
As skeptical as we've become about the prevalence of patches and updates delivered through online console services like Xbox Live, the alternative -- the old way -- is still far worse. Take Exhibit A: Bubble Bobble Revolution. Codemasters' DS puzzler was released with a crippling bug that would not permit players to pass level 30 in the game's New Age mode.The result? More than four months later, Codemasters is finally issuing a recall, asking owners of the defective Bubble Bobble Revolution to ship their broken games back to the publisher (via pre-paid envelopes), and then wait for replacement cartridges, which begin shipping out February 23.Xbox Live and its ilk may provide a cushion for lax QA testing, but bugs occur regardless. We'd much prefer a downloadable patch delivered to us a few weeks after a game's release than rely on a cumbersome work-around or snail mail replacement.Exhibit B: EA offers "Work Around" for Madden PSP crashExhibit C: EA replacing faulty NCAA 07 PSP games
Heatseeker previewed
Codemasters has announced a new game, titled Heatseeker. The game features action-orientated flight combat and is being made by the studio that created Heroes of the Pacific. The setting is modern day and has the player fighting terrorists with more than 20 different planes. Since the focus is on arcade style combat, you'll have unlimited ammo, two different missile or bomb types and you'll be able to choose which weapons you use before each mission. Heatseeker is coming to Wii, PS2 and PSP, but only the PSP version will feature wireless competitive gameplay modes for up to four players. Heatseeker hits the PSP in March. That's the same month as After Burner: Black Falcon. Seems like a questionable release date to me, but apparently Codemasters isn't afraid of the SEGA remake. We'll find out which flight combat game survives the dogfight soon enough. [Via Gamespot]
DIRT to redefine new gen
Last week we brought you a release window for Colin McRae: DIRT, and this week starts off with more news from the horse's mouth. Codemaster's Executive Producer Gavin Raeburn was very confident in the performance of the upcoming Rally racer, courtesy of the new "Neon" engine. According to Raeburn, DIRT's built from the ground up as opposed to previous incarnations being mere extensions of their respective predecessor."The damage, particle effects, post-production, car physics, car audio and AI are all far in advance of anything we have yet seen on next gen", says Raeburn. That's a pretty hefty claim, with PGR , Forza Motorsport, and even MotorStorm putting out fine displays for how immersing racing should be this generation. DIRT will be nearly identical across the 360, PS3, and PC, barring the online experience. Raeburn acknowledges the superiority of the Xbox Live platform, and is striving to meet that quality of service for the PC and PS3's online components. While screenshots have been promising, seeing a game in motion is the true test in graphical fidelity. Raeburn wants to deliver on that front with trailers hopefully coming down the pipeline soon. Do you think that Colin McRae: DIRT can live up to the claim of showing us an unprecedented new gen racing experience?
Colin McRae to kick up DIRT in June
Developer and Publisher Codemasters announced today that their new gen Rally racing game, Colin McRae: DIRT is on schedule for release towards the end of June. Filled to the brim with off-road, point-to-point, and Rally Cross events, with your standard set of 2WD, RWD, 4WD and Classic vehicles, you'll be well equipped to sling mud in the eyes of your opponents online. Complete with European, International and Global online championships, and a fancy new damage engine, this looks to be a promising summer for gearheads. Are you looking forward to powersliding through the mud to victory this June?
Colin McRae consumes DIRT in June
Of course, North American rally fans will want to read that as "DIRT consumes Colin McRae in June." Eurogamer reports that the Scottish speedster's first outing on those newfangled Xbox 360 and PS3 devices is currently slated for a June arrival. A Codemasters spokesperson relays that "everything's on track", though it would be wise to remember that in this sport, everything doesn't always stay that way. Regardless, Colin McRae: DIRT, or DIRT: Colin McRae Off-Road as it's vaguely known in the US, remains highly anticipated by those that prefer to race against an insidiously ticking clock as opposed to some playboy in a Ferrari.On a related note, we expect it was that very same playboy that said "no" (or "nay", if he's especially pretentious) to any chance of a Rallisport Challenge 3.
ArchLord moves to free play, Codemasters desperate
Codemasters has announced that its ill-received MMORPG ArchLord will no longer be paid-subscription based. It's free -- starting January 4. Codemasters also plans to offer the game's second major content update, Episode 2: Season of Siege, for free. The giveaways don't stop there: newcomers will be offered a 3,000-credit bonus for opening an account.Sure, these moves imply that Codemasters is desperate for players, but we prefer to look at it from a glass-half-full perspective. Fewer players, means we're in the running to be crowned Archlord! Muhawhawhaw!
A Jericho trailer for Halloween
Scant hours ago, we found some shots of Clive Barker's Jericho. Now we just dug up a teaser trailer on GameTrailers. Full of TV "white noise" effects -- it's the new bullet time -- the trailer is sure to scratch that horror itch. Granted, there's not really any gameplay, but it conveys the mood quite well. You can check out the trailer after the break (age verification required).
Boo! Clive Barker's Jericho [update 1]
Codemasters is getting in on the Halloween spirit, dropping the first teaser for Clive Barker's Jericho today (see it on Eurogamer). Jericho is Barker's second gaming collaboration, the first being Clive Barker's Undying (published by EA in 2001). Aside from games, the British-born horror novelist has stretched his talents across the film, theatre, paint, and comic mediums.Judging from these early glimpses, the development team is setting a grisly tone, but nothing shockingly novel. Codemasters has gotten too comfortable with its string of racing-sims these past few years. Let's hope a change of direction -- and Barker's imagination -- lends itself to something special, lest Jericho become just another pretender saturating the horror genre. Show us more!Update: corrected Barker's gaming history.
