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Jericho screens to give you nightmares
Just in time for Halloween, Planet Xbox 360 has a few new shots of Clive Barker's Jericho. A squad-based horror-themed FPS developed by Codemasters, Jericho offers players "an overload of sensory horror shock." Looking at these shots of bloody, grisly, congealed, nasty monsters, we'd be hard-pressed to disagree. The game focuses on a special squad -- named "Jericho Team," of course -- that serves the government in regulating paranormal threats. Boy, that sounds familiar. An interesting twist is that each squad member has a different arcane specialty (clairvoyance, alchemy, etc.) We hope one of them is a firestarter. We don't know much more about the game at this point, but at least the screens look nice. Any Clive Barker fans out there hoping Jericho will keep them up at night?
Codemaster's "Neon Engine" for PS3 is for everyone!
British game publisher and developer Codemasters have developed their own engine for the PS3 from scratch over the last year and a half. Dubbed the "Neon Engine", boasting the exploitation of "something" Sony was developing internally for a long time (the motion controls? They aren't too specific...). Said Codemasters, "We looked around at the Renderwares and the Unreals, but nothing really fulfilled our requirements – specifically for the PS3, anyway."What is a surprise, however, is the cross-platform functionality of this new engine. Codemasters explains why they chose to go with the engine as cross-platform in a Sony-flattering manner. They said "Sony realizes that the only way to make next-gen viable for everyone was to allow everyone to exploit technology." Okay. Well, if anyone wants to see this engine in action, scope out Colin McRae DIRT. It's coming to the PS360.
Dance and cringe your way to a Pink concert
While dance games don't lend themselves well to online competition, this latest gem from Codemasters UK -- promoting upcoming game Dance Factory -- is enough to make anyone bust a move. Almost. By filming yourself dancing, then uploading the video, you could be voted to the top and find yourself at a Pink concert before long -- if you can survive the site's lurid colour scheme long enough to send in your video, that is. Armed with a terrible cameraphone and a drunken mate called Dave, we'll be shielding our eyes and entering; after all, lightweight fun is what dance mat games are all about.[via Eurogamer]
Colin McRae less popular than dirt
Who? For some, Scottish speedster Colin McRae has become synonymous with the automotive art of guiding a howling hunk of metal over bumpy roads, horrifying hairpins and, when things go wrong, oddly exposed cliffs. This is partially because he's an expert Rally driver, and partially because his name is plastered across Codemasters' excellent series of serious sims -- Colin McRae Rally. Though the games have always had a larger following in Europe (they got a PSP version, you know), the man's popularity in the US has never been called into more question than with a press release announcing his next-gen debut. Though the document promises all the usual technological trickery, such as exquisitely detailed tracks and realistic physics, it's the minor note regarding the title that proves to be the most telling. NOTES: Game titled "Colin McRae: DIRT™" in PAL territories. In the U.S.A, the game is titled "DIRT: Colin McRae Off-Road™". Naturally, this minor marketing maneuver ensures success in both territories. Europeans will spot Colin's name on a shelf and exclaim, "Hey, it's Colin McRae! I like him and / or the previous games in that series! I'll buy it!" whereas Americans will be greeted by familiarity. "Hey, it's dirt! I know what that is AND I know it's awesome! I'll buy it!" Being bested by dirt and its appealing gaming possibilities in your own franchise can't be a massive self-esteem boost, but it's certainly preferable to people mistaking you for some sort of pornography enthusiast. Colin McRae: DIRT DIRT: Colin McRae Off-Road hits the PC, Xbox 360, PS3 and mobile phones in 2007. Read - Press Release Read - Screenshots (possibly "target renders" since they're so purdy)
Get your rollcage ready -- next-gen off-roading is here
A simultaneous multi-platform smack in the face is coming for 2007 when DIRT: Colin McRae Off-Road is released. This game will feature a variety of locations to spin those wheels, not to mention multiple different objectives. Ever hear of Pike's Peak International? Don't worry. But all 12.4 miles and 150+ turns have been accurately replicated for our amateur driving pleasure. Don't want to peel out in a standard rally car? Go to the desert and drive some interesting looking trucks and 4x4s. Or climb steep hills in massive vehicles. Don't want to play alone? Online multiplayer support has been confirmed, which is nice. Don't really care about the game? That's okay -- check out the other screens at IGN.com. For still being in development and not using actual gameplay footage, (just referencing the 3D models and locations -- imagine it like putting separate pieces of the game together for an action shot... if that's not what it means, please clarify for us) those are nice images for car lovers and gamers alike.
Sensible World of Soccer considered for XBLA
Codemasters, owners of the Sensible World of Soccer (SWOS) license, is reportedly considering a port of this classic 'football' title for Xbox Live Arcade. Sensible Software's beloved SWOS, which debuted for Amiga & DOS in 1994, was intended to be an unlockable in Codemasters' mediocre release, Sensible Soccer 2006, but ended up a no-show in the final version.While Codemasters readily admits, "Live Arcade is a platform we're evaluating certainly," the company is still trying to gauge the demand for a re-release.
ArchLord beta surpasses 150k PCUs in China
Developer NHN's ArchLord had a successful launch in its native Korea earlier this year, and now boasts over 150,000 peak concurrent users in China's open beta after just three days. Shanda (Legend of Mir, DDO) hosts ArchLord in China, while Codemasters will be operating the MMORPG in Europe and North America.Expected to debut stateside in September, ArchLord contains a mix of 2500 story-driven, PvP, and FedEx-style quests, as well as a soundtrack performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. Players will also have a chance to become ruler of Chantra (not to be confused with Guild Wars' Cantha) in the main quest, and those who succeed will have their names immortalized on the walls of the ArchLord castle.Gametrailers has several teasers and character background movies.
Overlord announced for Xbox 360 & PC, Codemasters to publish
Codemasters has grabbed the publishing rights to Overlord, a twisted action/adventure fantasy developed by Triumph Studios (Age of Wonders). The game looks to put a spin on the popular good vs. evil open-ended genre. In this case, players must decide to be sorta evil or really evil.As the new Overlord, players gain the allegiance of the Minions — a horde of impish creatures who are eagerly awaiting their master's bidding, be it to pillage, murder, or chug brew (as pictured). Overlord will be enriched by plenty of dark humor and parodies of classic fantasy scenarios. We're thinking 'Naughty Kameo'.
Doctor Who writer joins Maelstrom team
Screenwriter James Swallow has been signed by Codemasters to work on their upcoming science-fiction title Maelstrom. With his previous work encompassing Doctor Who and Star Trek: Voyager, this is an interesting move; good science fiction depends on a good story, and hiring someone who can deliver that story bodes well for the game.We've not heard much about Maelstrom since it was announced, but Codemasters also released some of the game's backstory today to whet your appetite for post-apocalyptic action strategy.
New Codemasters MMO in the works
Codemasters have recently secured the rights to North American and European distribution of the MMO ArchLord, currently in open beta in Korea. The game has an interesting premise; every month, one player becomes the ArchLord and can "leverage the mystical power of ancient relics to gain complete mastery of the fundamental forces of creation, unleashing chaos and devastation upon their foes."However, Codemasters have yet to release their nascent MMO RF Online, and have also taken on the mantle of community, technical and billing support for Dungeons and Dragons Online: Stormreach. Their ambitions certainly seem well-placed, but are they taking on too much at once? We'll wait and see if they can prove themselves with one MMO before judging their ability to manage three. If Codemasters learn the tricks of multi-MMO success, then perhaps NCsoft should start worrying.
Monster-truck shots from TOCA Race Driver 3
Codemasters' TOCA Race Driver series has had its fans in the driving-simulator circuits, but it has often been overshadowed by its more popular rivals. Until GT starts adding monster trucks, though, TOCA will have a shot at ruling at least one category with its upcoming third iteration. There are other things to be gleaned from the racing-game preview (such as the six main racing categories and varying levels of graphics-rendering expertise), but we know why you're reading you post: you want more monster-truck madness! Check out the new pics starting here, with an overview of the handful of relevant screens to be found currently over here. You'll get your chance for some careless driving in a 4x4 this February. [Thanks, JamesO]
Custom soundtracks coming to a PSP game in Europe
Custom soundtracks were apparently something that set apart a few multiplatform games with their versions for the Xbox. Me? I didn't mind DJ Stryker that much in Burnout 3, but different strokes for different folks, I guess. What may come as a surprise, however, is that an upcoming PSP game will support those customized playlists. The one caveat is that the game's only coming out in Europe... for now. TOCA Race Driver 2 will utilize the Memory Stick to play your fly tunes, but you'll need to first download an audio utility from Codemasters' UK web site (if you can find it there, that is), then use that program to rip all the music that'll fit on your Stick to your PC. Only after all that can you transfer your music to the PSP through a USB cable. Man, that sounds complicated. And just wait: you'll be able to follow that unwieldy procedure, too, should Codemasters ever bring this title to North America. Suh-weet! (Okay, dear Europeans, maybe I am a little jealous.)
