Crackdown
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Crackdown for sale south of the border
No, not "Crack for sale down south of the border", but Crackdown itself is. While you may be able to find both, we're really only reporting on the availability of the latter in Mexico. According to a wily reader of PlanetXbox360, Crackdown has been available at Mexican retailers as soon as it arrived at their doorstep. Some locations are even sold out of their initial shipment. Apparently, this isn't even out of the ordinary, and Mexican retailers tend to ignore street dates, as seen above. One thing we're curious about, is how many of the 3405 gamers who has played Crackdown on MyGamerCard.net has taken advantage of this, and 50 have Mexico as their locale. Another thing we're curious about is whether any of you fanboys near the US-Mexico border are going to try your luck south of the line or just wait patiently until the 20th?
Remaining Crackdown Achievements determined by observation
Realtime Worlds will be watching next week as you hit Crackdown's Pacific City for the first time, and for the weeks following. Shipping with only 900 Gamerscore points, the developer will decide how to implement the remaining 100 points by observing how players are interacting with their virtual sandbox. It's not like Realtime has installed cameras into the game world; no, the developer will apparently gather most of its information by monitoring the most popular Achievements. If players are focused on unlocking the juggling Achievements, Realtime would likely up the ante with a new juggling-based challenge. But activities without existing Achievement tie-ins -- like building towers out of stacked objects -- might be harder for Realtime to observe (unless there's an internal stat-tracker we're not aware of...).
Fans to decide missing Crackdown points
Some time ago, we reported that Crackdown will ship with only 900 gamerscore points available. It was later revealed that Crackdown's missing 100 points would be made available via downloadable content. This week, Major Nelson's blogcast reveals the way in which those points will be doled out. During an interview with Aaron Greenberg, it was revealed that Realtime Worlds, developer of Crackdown, will be monitoring what people do while playing the game. They'll be keeping track of the most popular achievements to see what players are doing in Crackdown. Realtime Worlds will then create new achievements based on what they observe. For example, if everyone playing Crackdown is going for the rocket launcher juggling achievements, Realtime Worlds may add another achievement that expands on that. We love the idea of adding achievements based on how people play the game. It would be interesting to see other developers take this approach as well. Are there any Achievements you'd like to see added to Crackdown?[Via DarkZero. Thanks, SoonerBill]
Crackdown getting the patch treatment
IGN is reporting that next week, when you pop in Crackdown, you'll be prompted to download an auto-update via Xbox Live. Developer Realtime Worlds told IGN that they went back into the game's code and found a few things that needed tweaking that weren't caught before the game went gold. According to them, the patch will address issues that they discovered relating to lag in both online and sytem link co-op mode. We're just glad that we didn't have to discover this problem when we sat down to play a co-op match on launch day. Thanks again Realtime Worlds, at least you can own up to and fix your mistakes.[Via Joystiq]
Crackdown patched on arrival
When you pop in your Crackdown disc next week to download the Halo 3 beta (we kid ... the beta won't be live until at least March) you'll be momentarily stalled for a title update. Noticing some considerable lag during co-op matches, both online and off (system link), Realtime Worlds cracked open the gold copy and got back to work. The update should address these issues. Phew, last minute patchwork sure beats a recall...
Video: Crackdown's first 10 minutes
Xboxyde has a video showcasing the first 10 minutes of Crackdown. The opening cinematic takes a comic book style similar to XIII or Ultimate Spiderman did on the original Xbox. That makes sense, given that all three titles used a form of cel-shading. The video doesn't do much except show the difference in the rate your attributes level up from the demo. None the less, it's interesting enough for those who can't wait until the 20th. It is available as torrents in High Definition (346 MB WMV), Standard Definition (106 MB AVI), and Streaming. It looks to be a blast, and now you feel like you have to earn those 4 star attributes, rather than being spoon fed your skills. Speaking of, which attributes do you plan on power leveling, if any? We think that getting four stars for driving out of the way first, then grabbing agility orbs as you progress through the story seems like an interesting way to start.[Thanks, SoonerBill]
Crackdown the world over
Sometimes the best Photoshop work is the simplest and most subtle. Flickr user Agent G has "scoured the earth" and unearthed agility orbs at world's greatest architecture. (There's two at Easter Island waiting for you.) Also revealed were Secret Orbs that developer Realtime Worlds have placed in the most inconspicuous of locations, from Viva Pinata all the way to old episodes of Knight Rider. If Halo 3 was not advertising enough for this game, perhaps Microsoft Games Studio might think of a clever television marketing campaign based on this Flickr gallery. [Via Xbox 360 Fanboy; thanks, Jonah Falcon]
Crackdown meets the real world
You ever play a game so much it starts to intrude on your everyday thoughts? Maybe you spy a piece of driftwood and think to yourself, "that looks an awful lot like a brute shot." Maybe you see the side of a building and see tetrominos falling. Flickr user, AgentG must have Crackdown on the brain, because he sees agility orbs everywhere. From Mt. Rushmore to the Eiffel Tower to EPCOT, those agility orbs could be anywhere. AgentG has even gone to the trouble of locating some secret orbs, too. You'll have to look very carefully to spot them though. Halo 3 beta or not, the wait for Crackdown is becoming interminable. Hopefully these pictures will ease the pain a bit. Hit the "read" link to peruse some more.[Thanks, Jonah Falcon]
Halo 3 Beta invitation confirms Crackdown disc needed
If you were planning on tossing Microsoft's upcoming supercop sim shortly after using the included Halo 3 Beta key, you'd best restrain your throwing arm. Shizzle Games has posted an image of Crackdown's included invite card -- it clearly lays out that the Halo 3 Beta code is both downloaded and launched via the game's main menu. With no dashboard option, you'll have to keep your Crackdown disc for as long as you want to take part in Bungie's practice run.Luckily, Crackdown's recent Xbox Live demo has greatly weakened the game's early reputation for being Master Chief's ball-and-chain. See the full invite card after the break. [Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
Crackdown disc required to play Halo 3 Beta
On Monday, we showed you a screenshot of the Halo 3 Beta download screen in retail copies of Crackdown. Today, we have a picture of the invite card, which confirms how the process works. In short, you need to have the Crackdown game in your Xbox 360 to play the Halo 3 Beta. It does NOT show up in your "Demos and More" tab on the dashboard after downloading it through Crackdown. This coincides with the original press release, which stated you had to load the game to download the beta. Check out the invite card after the break.
Crackdown creator's ego intact after Halo 3 boost
Buy the Halo 3 beta and receive a free copy of Crackdown! That was the joke that hurtled across the chattering landscape of the internet, as soon as it was revealed that Microsoft's supercop-in-a-sandbox game would ride the coattails of a ruthlessly marching Halo 3. But that's okay, according to Crackdown creator, David Jones. "It's really scary to think you could make a really great game that nobody has ever heard about," he notes in an insightful interview with Stephen Totilo of MTV News. The main problem, Jones states, is that Crackdown simply doesn't look good in screenshots. Perhaps a "snapshot" makes for a better word, as he feels that the game's qualities are conveyed far better when it's in motion -- the seamless world, the explosive physics and the player character's constant evolution. Since it takes a while for Crackdown's protagonist to build up his attributes and start leaping over buildings, the game can't be readily grasped in the first five minutes or indeed, in a snapshot. As Totilo aptly puts it, it's a "gradual sell." The Real Time Worlds developer goes on to explain how his desire to reward players resulted in a lifting of Microsoft's achievement limit from 50 to 80 per game, and that "90 percent of the fight is just getting people to try something." Though the Halo 3 beta business may have inadvertently made some gamers doubt the game's quality, the demo currently available on Xbox Live should do much to help allay any GTA fan fears.
How Crackdown's Halo 3 Beta Works [update 1]
That screen pretty much sums it up for how the "specially marked boxes" of Crackdown are going to allow downloading the Halo 3 Beta. Simply navigate to the "Downloads" section in the menu, and there's an option to get the Halo 3 Beta. We presume that an Auto Update will take place on the beta's launch and then the message at the bottom of the screen will change appropriately. So, while a bunch of fanboys eagerly await halo3.com to allow them to register, at least they can get a glimpse of their next and final option available in just of 2 weeks.Update: The hosehead blogger responsible for crediting the wrong source has been reprimanded accordingly. Not only was he subjected to 360 lashes by strips of Canadian Bacon, but his following paycheck will be using an embarrassing 1:1 USD/CDN exchange rate.
Gamespy says good things about Crackdown
Crackdown seems to be the game everyone wants to figure out, leaving us to ask ourselves a bunch of questions. Can the game hold its own? Is the Halo 3 beta attached to it solely because it sucks so bad? Why is there no crack in Crackdown? We all got our hands on the demo and the truth is, we're thinking this game could be worth the $60 by itself. Now more good news comes from the Gamespy camp where they got to play a preview build of the game and it looks like they enjoy it. Gamespy says that the game isn't reinventing the wheel when it comes to sandbox games, but does things well enough to keep the experience fun, fresh and unique. Maybe it's leveling up of one's super powers or maybe it's just because we aren't forced to be thugs in the game. Whatever it may be, Gamespy goes out and says "this title is shaping up to be a solid purchase, Halo 3 beta invite or not" ... we really hope so. Read Gamespy's full preview after the jump.[Thanks, Jonah]
Video: Crackdown achievements
Xboxyde has posted a video of Crackdown's many achievements. The achievements in Crackdown are reflective of the game's sandbox nature (much like the achievements in Dead Rising). You'll get achievements for things like juggling people (or cars) with a rocket launcher or climbing to the top of the agency tower (and jumping back down). We particularly liked the driving achievements, and not just because the stunts were cool, but because we never thought of infiltrating an enemy HQ by jumping over the surrounding water. Nice.We are seriously jonesing for the retail version of this game. One hour of a demo is not enough, damn it! Hit the "read" link to watch the video.
Crackdown demo breaks records
It looks like Crackdown has massaged itself into your collective curiosities ... ours included. Microsoft told IGN that the recently released Crackdown demo has broken all previous download records to date. Previously, both Lost Planet and Fight Night Round 3 held top download honors, but Crackdown has taken the crown for most download in a 24 hour and seven day period. It's crazy to think that this game may actually be good, may actually be fun, and may actually prove all those Halo 3 beta jokesters wrong. We're enjoying the demo, but haven't decided on a purchase yet. Have you tried out the demo and has it persuaded you into a purchase?[Thanks, dpcough]
Badass Crackdown Physics Video
Sometimes words can't quite describe something just the way you want it to. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words, and extrapolating from that, 30,000 words per second of video. In any case, the above clip leaves us speechless. YouTube's seemore10 has taken some clips from the Crackdown demo, and exhibited the physics engine's capabilities in regards to explosions added to nearby vehicles. Combining a pile up with some remote mines, he got devastating results that remind us of the Crashbreakers from the Burnout series. He's got some other gems available on his user page worth checking out. If you get a little creative in Crackdown with the camera rolling, give us a shout. [Via Digg]
Japan invited to Halo 3 Beta, will anyone RSVP?
Siliconera reports that copies of Riot Act (a.k.a. Crackdown) will contain download codes for Halo 3 Beta, extending Microsoft's promotion to Japanese gamers. Peter Moore recently reiterated to IGN that Microsoft is "not going to back down" in its aggressive campaign to popularize the Xbox brand in Japan. Including the download code inside Riot Act retail boxes is a friendly gesture, but it's not going to generate as many sales as the promotion will in North America or Europe, where Halo is a dominant franchise; and FPS in general, a leading genre. Still, Moore insists that the beta promotion isn't about boosting Crackdown's exposure, but rather, is simply an opportunity to pair potentially M-rated Halo 3 with an M-rated title. Guess that explains why Viva Piñata didn't include keys to the beta. Riot Act will be available on February 22 in Japan, two days after the game is released in North America. Halo 3 Beta download codes will also be included with the European version of Crackdown.
Halo 3 beta in every copy of Crackdown [update 1]
Update: Oops. It looks like IGN didn't quite get it right. Microsoft has contacted us and clarified that the Halo 3 beta will be included in every copy of the initial shipment of Crackdown and that the boxes will be specially marked. So if you want yours, you'd best pre-order. We say again, the Halo 3 beta will only be available in the initial shipment of Crackdown in specially marked boxes.It was revealed by IGN yesterday that the Halo 3 beta will be included with all copies of Crackdown. Previously, it was stated that the beta would be included in specially marked boxes only. Naturally, this means that the Halo 3 beta is much bigger than originally expected. In fact, one might call it huge. Given that the second wave of registration includes 13,333 available spots, the number of participants involved once Crackdown is thrown into the mix could be astronomical. Whatever happens, we say the more the merrier. And if it makes Halo 3 multiplayer that much better as a result, then that's just gravy. We have to wonder though, was the beta planned only to go with only specially marked copies? We get the feeling that someone realized they could sell a lot more Crackdown if the beta was in every box.So, you've got a kick ass demo up on Live and guaranteed access to the Halo 3 beta, is anyone still not interested in Crackdown?[Thanks, dpcough]
Halo 3 Beta invite guaranteed in every 'initial' copy of Crackdown [update 1]
While previous sources have stated otherwise, IGN claims to have received information from an unnamed Microsoft rep who has confirmed that every copy of Crackdown will include an invitation to Halo 3 Beta. If you're not interested in Crackdown, playing Halo 2 (you do own a copy of Halo 2, right?) for a few hours is still the best way -- and only other way -- to gain access to the beta. But it's good to know that a golden ticket, albeit an expensive one (if you plan to throw away the "chocolate bar"), will be sitting on the shelf at the local retailer, accessible at your leisure. Update: Microsoft sent along word that "every copy in the initial shipment" of Crackdown will have the download code for Halo 3 Beta. Each box will be specially marked. Microsoft did not specify how large the initial shipment would be. Don't cancel those pre-orders just yet... [Thanks, dork]
Crackdown glitches already found
The Crackdown demo has only been available since yesterday, and glitches are already popping up. Posted on the Flickr account of im_the_real_scooby are several images of glitchified Crackdown in action. It looks as though he managed to fall through the map and look at its undersides from the ocean below. We can't help but think of Saints Row (and its fabulous musical). With any game of this scale, glitches are bound to be discovered, but we never expected them to be found so quickly. Considering that Crackdown is already gold, it looks like the glitches are here to stay, too. Hit the "read" link to see more images.
